Sunday, June 30, 2013

Sign up for the Sinful Summer Blog Hop


Sinful Summer Blog Hop July 24-31

The best part of summer is enjoying a nice steamy read.

Blogs participating in this blog hop with feature a book/books/series of such books. Each blog will be responsible for holding their own giveaway as well as posting the link to the Sinful Summer Grand Prize Rafflecopter and sharing the linky for all hop stops.

Sign up opens June 30th on Stories and Swag 




Saturday, June 29, 2013

Blog Tour: Consequences by Aleatha Romig


Amazon Buy Link




Blurb:

Besieged by memories of a brutal abduction, Claire Nichols wakes in an unfamiliar bedroom, within a luxurious mansion. Her recollections have one common denominator, the man she just met, Anthony Rawlings. 

Unbeknownst to Claire, for a very long time, she has been within Anthony’s sights. Many of the pivotal events in her life occurred, due to his sinister manipulation. Every action has a consequence, and his actions result in their chance meeting.

More than a psychological thriller, Consequences is a vivid story of one woman’s struggle to survive incomprehensible circumstances. Every aspect of her being suddenly depends upon the tall, wealthy, dark haired, dark eyed businessman. Anthony Rawlings is known to the world as prosperous, benevolent, and kind. Claire quickly learns that he can also be a menacing controlling captor.

With few options but concession, Claire attempts to earn her freedom, while enduring a hellish existence that truly appears perfect. Persevering tests and trials, she struggles to retain her pure Midwest values and beliefs. Encouraged by memories of a loving upbringing, she gains strength in the simplest of joys: solitude in nature and good in the face of evil.

His goal in sight, Anthony’s calculated agenda encounters an unforeseen detour. He becomes captivated by Claire’s beauty, resilience, and determination. The interaction of these two compelling characters instigates strong emotions: fear, anger, love, and lust. Claire and Anthony’s tumultuous journey flows into uncharted waters of intrigue and passion.

Utilizing vivid detail, this 167,000-word novel unfolds like a movie, before the eyes of its readers. From the opening criminal abduction, through twists and turns, to the unlikely romantic thrills, the suspense climaxes as Anthony’s motivation becomes evident.

Anthony and Claire must decide if they will stay true to one another, or allow preceding actions to result in justifiable Consequences.

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Author Links

Bio:

Aleatha Romig voted #1 "New Author to Read" on Goodreads, July 2012 through now! She is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writer's of America.
She has lived most of her life in Indiana, growing-up in Mishawaka, graduating from Indiana University, and currently living south of Indianapolis. Together with her husband of twenty six years, they've raised three children. She works days as a dental hygienist and enjoys spending her nights writing. She also likes to spend time with her family, friends and patients. Her pastimes include exercising, reading and writing. 
Aleatha enjoys traveling, especially when there is a beach involved. In 2011 she had the opportunity to visit Sydney, Australia to visit her daughter studying at the University of Wollongong. Her dream is to travel to places in her novels and around the world. CONSEQUENCES, her first novel was released in August 2011 and has sold over 20,000 copies. TRUTH, the sequel was released October 2012 and has surpassed 10,000 copies in less than 3 months!

Aleatha originally published through self publisher Xlibris a subsidiarity of Author's Solution/ Penguin Publishing. In October of 2012 she re-published on her own, a true Indie Author. Later that month she published Truth through Romig Works. Aleatha is happy to be represented by Danielle Egan-Miller of Browne & Miller Literary Associates.

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Blog Tour: Fading by e.k. blair


Amazon Buy Link

Blurb:

Fine arts major, Candace Parker, grew up with a mother who thinks image is everything, and her daughter’s perfection will never be good enough. About to graduate college and pursue her dreams of becoming a professional ballerina, Candace decides it’s time to let go and have a little fun. But fun is short-lived when a brutal attack leaves her completely shattered. 

The memories that consume and torment Candace are starting to destroy her when she meets Ryan Campbell, a successful bar owner. He feels instantly connected and tries to show her that hope is worth fighting for. But is Ryan harboring his own demons? As walls slowly begin to chip away, the secrets that are held within start to become painful burdens. 

At what point do secrets become lies?
(17+) This book contains mature subject matter that is not suitable for those under the age of 17.


Jennifer says:

E.K. Blair did an a AMAZING job at writing her first novel. I have to say this is one of the most emotional stories that I have ever read and pulled at my heart like it was attached to a 10 ton brick! The story starts out with Candace about to start her senior year of college. She is living her dream of studying ballet and to work for a professional dance company. Much to the dismay of her parents as they feel she is better than that. They are the country club types that are all about appearances. Candace feels like she can never live up to her Mother's expectations. On more than one occasion I felt like bitch slapping her mother! Oh she drove me up the wall!!!

When Candace is violently raped and left beaten and bruised in a deserted alley the book really starts to pull on my emotional strings! The chapters that followed this sequence were so amazing and left me feeling like my heart was being pulled out my chest and being stomped on! It is heartbreaking to see the emotions of what a rape victim goes through from the hospital exam to the feeling of being so violated. It had me in tears! Candace starts to push every one away including her best friends. She does have one friend that she leans on Jase, he is the best friend we wish we all had. He is there for lol her through think and thin. He introduces Candace to Ryan, a successful club owner that is has a reputation as a ladies man. (Did you know Ian Somerhalder is muse for Ryan! Love him!) Ryan and Candace become friends but she keeps him at arm's length not wanting to get into a relationship. How can she trust anyone with what she has been through? He takes things slow with her not wanting to lose her.

 Can they build a relationship with all Candace has been through? This is one of my favorite lines from the book... it just makes my heart melt! 

"They were only there to distract me, but when I saw you, you faded everything I needed distracting from". 

This book has to be added to the top of your list to read... simply amazing!!



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Friday, June 28, 2013

Blog Tour: We Are Made of Stardust by Mimi Strong


Amazon Buy Link


Blurb:

Coming June 28th from Mimi Strong, USA Today Bestselling author of For You, Borrowed Billionaire, and Her Teddy Bear.

**She's a sassy bookstore manager, he's a famous actor. This Notting Hill-inspired New Adult romance is outrageous, funny, and full of SEX, SEX, SEX.** 

Peaches Monroe, age 22, is a plus-sized beauty who spends quiet days with books, in the small town of Beaverdale, Washington.

One Saturday afternoon, she's balancing precariously on a chair, in a bridesmaid dress, when a handsome dark-haired man comes running into the bookstore. He knocks Peaches over, she lands in his muscular arms. They lock gazes, and ...

She recognizes him.

As the sexy vampire heartthrob she watches on TV once a week.

Peaches and Dalton Deangelo are completely wrong for each other. He's only in town temporarily, working on an indie movie. She should stay away. He should stay away, too.

But they're drawn to each other. Dalton claims it's because they're made from the same stardust. He says a lot of dramatic things, but it's his carbohydrate-free perfect body and sexy touch that turns Peaches to Jell-O.



Julie says:

This is another amazing book by Mimi Strong.  She never fails to surprise me.  If you are looking for a book that will draw you in and also make you laugh, you have to check this one out!!

Petra (aka Peaches) met Dalton Deangelo in her bookstore, by accident really. Peaches has always been self-conscious of her body image, calling herself “pleasantly chubby”.   Dalton is a TV/Movie star working on a film in her hometown. Once Peaches lays her eyes on Dalton, she calls him her angel.  And fortunately he feels the same.

“You’re surrounded by light and goodness, and I want to bask in your arms,       be in your presence.” – Dalton

Peaches has a great attitude, and a lot of sass, and that draws him in even further.
She is used to being alone and when he asks her out, she is utterly shocked.  She feels no one could ever be serious enough to date her.  Their connection is remarkable and she starts to feel things she only dreamed about.

“Let’s just be two souls tonight.  Two souls who are made of stardust, and found their way back to each other, the way they were destined to be.” – Dalton

After bearing his secrets to her, she finds herself more drawn to him than ever.  Then, she is offered the job of a lifetime and finds herself wanting a new beginning, and possibly a life with Dalton.

Upon visiting Dalton, she learns more about him, along with some things that can affect her future.  Was Dalton playing her this whole time or can he seriously love her?


This book is one of those rare ones that will surprise you and you will be hooked.  I love the witty comments that Peaches can always seem to come up with.  Her attitude will leave you laughing.  I would rate this book 5 stars and can’t wait to read more of this story, and I can happily say, I am Team Peaches!!!







Author Links

Bio:

Mimi Strong writes chick-lit, erotic romance, sex comedy, and new adult contemporary romance. Most of her characters have a strong sense of humor.

Here's what she has to say:

I've always had a lot of sides. Sometimes I'm vulnerable, and sometimes I go after what I want without a single doubt.

My favorite person is my husband. If I can crack him up and see his eyes crinkle at the corners, my day is made. In fact, I love making everyone around me laugh.

I've always enjoyed empowering stories about kick-butt women who don't hold back and the awesome men who are smart enough to love them. Now that I'm writing these stories, I couldn't be happier. I hope you enjoy them too!

Note: I also have a family-friendly pen name, (DALYA MOON), where you'll find MG and YA books, from fantasy to contemporary romance.

Spotlight: Every Rose by Lynetta Halat


Amazon Buy Link

Blurb:

Reader Beware: 

If you're not OK with having your guts ripped out and are not a bit of a masochist when it comes to reading, this may not be the book for you. If you're open-minded and willing to have a life-changing experience even if you have to go through the wringer emotionally, this is definitely the book for you.

What do you do when you realize you were foolish enough to throw away true, unconditional love?

Lorraina Dabney turns her back on her creativity and tumultuous upbringing to embark on a college career that will lead her to law school and to becoming what she values most in life—a controlled, powerful, respected woman. When she stumbles upon her childhood friend's artwork, she feels inspired to reconnect with him and her former self. This onslaught of emotion will send Lorraina in a tale-spin to figure out exactly why she abandoned all that she was, all that she could've been.

Coming from his own chaotic upbringing, Michael falls quickly and deeply in love with Lorraina at a tender age. Even her rejection can't stand in the way of his obsession. When she starts to date other boys, however, Michael finally relents, causing him to spiral further into a world filled with violence, drugs, alcohol, and women. Realizing that this lifestyle will only lead to his further estrangement from Lorraina, Michael sets about to turn himself around before going to get his girl.

Michael Bang will have Lorraina questioning everything.


Author Links


Bio:


For as long as she can remember, Lynetta Halat has lived to read and has written countless stories and plays since she was a young girl. A teacher by day and an avid reader and closet writer by night, she has always dreamt of penning books that people could connect with and remember; and her first novel, Every Rose, is the perfect catalyst to launch her into the world of publishing. Her love of the English language prompted her to pursue a master's degree in English from Old Dominion University in Virginia. A self-proclaimed “Coast Girl,” she lives in Mississippi with her adorable husband, two amazing sons, and two loveable dogs. She is currently at work on her second book.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Bad Things by R.K. Lilley


Bad Things by R.K. Lilley

BLURB:

Danika hasn’t had an easy life. Being insanely attracted to bad boys has never helped make it easier.

One look at Tristan, and every brain cell she possessed went up in smoke. This man was trouble with a capital T. It was a given.
She knew better. Bad boys were bad. Especially for her. Considering her history, it was crazy to think otherwise. So why did crazy have to feel so damn fine?

For as long as she could remember, Danika had been focused on the future with single-minded purpose. Tristan came along and taught her everything there was to know about letting go, and living in the present. She fell, hard and deep. Of course, that only made her impact with the ground that much more devastating.

*****Stephanie's Review*****

I freaking loooved this book!! This is one of my favorites for this year, for sure!  I was really excited for this book, as I loved the Up In The Air series and Tristan was one of my favorite characters from that series.  I sometimes think that it is hard to pull a supporting character with such strong personality traits from one series and give him or her their own book and still keep true to the original character that was in the first series.  However, R.K. Lilley does an amazing job of this.  Tristan is exactly like I would have expected him to be after meeting him in the Up In the Air series.  He is the witty, smartass, bad boy, tattoos and everything, that I expected him to be and more.  While I did not feel like I knew Danika as well as Tristan from reading Up In the Air series, I connected with her right away.  I instantly liked her.  She is not the innocent, young girl you might have thought she was when she met Tristan.  She is a strong and independent character who knows what she wants and does not hold back.  She speaks her mind, and I love that about her.  They both have flaws and horrible tempers, but this definitely adds to the dynamic of their relationship.

They meet and make a very valiant attempt at friendship, but the attraction is just too strong for them to resist.  After living in the same house for weeks, they have an amazing friendship to base their relationship on.  They genuinely enjoy each other’s company, which is refreshing for both of them.  Their friendship/relationship is not perfect or pretty all the time.  There are ups and downs that had me feeling every emotion with them. And if you are looking for heat and a dom/sub relationship that is not the typical one, this book has it! Tristan and Danika only follow those rolls in the bedroom and it makes for some very hot sex.  If you have read the Up In the Air series, you know how this turns out, and for me that just made this book that much more amazing. I needed to know what was going to happen next, how they were eventually going to get the place they are in that series.

Once again the supporting characters in this book are amazing! I loved Jared, Tristan’s brother. He is an amazing person with such a big heart, but not at all perfect. And I do believe I have found my very first book girlfriend in Frankie.  She’s a hot domme and a tattoo artist, witty as hell and a great friend. 

This book made me laugh.  It made me hot. It made me cry.  It left me wanting more. While there is not a cliffie, I am still dying for the second book. I need more Tristan and Danika, and if Frankie happens to be there, too, all the better!
Buy Links:




*****GIVEAWAY*****
Enter to win an ebook of Bad Things below!!




About the Author


R.K. Lilley lives in Colorado with her husband and their two beautiful sons. She's had a lot of interesting jobs, from being a first class flight attendant, to being a stablehand, but swears she never knew what hard work was until she had children. She's been addicted to both reading and writing fiction since she can remember. She loves to travel, read, hike, paint, game, watch anime, and make the most of every single day. She is the author of the erotic romance novels In Flight, Mile High, Grounded, and the novella, Lana.

Author Links:




Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Cover Reveal: Breaking the Rules by H.B. Heinzer




Blurb:

Growing up in small town Wisconsin, Carly Turner couldn't wait to escape when she graduated high school. Now, she's living the life in New York City, even if she isn't seeing her name in lights like she used to dream about at night. She's living paycheck-to-paycheck, working behind the scenes in small theaters off Broadway. When there's an equipment malfunction the week before opening night, Carly makes a call that winds up changing everything. 

Life in the city isn't all it's cracked up to be. While she feels like she's getting closer to making the move from behind the scenes to center stage, she misses being surrounded by people who understand the quirks that come from living in a town of five thousand people. That, and the fact that he's sexy as sin, make Adam everything she feels like she's missing. 

The only problem? He's her best friend's kid brother...

Adam Sanders wants to settle down, find a good woman and start a family like he sees so many of his friends doing. But how is he supposed to meet Ms. Right when he's constantly on the road for work? When he's sent to New York to handle a repair that would typically be contracted out as a favor to his boss, he's just about to his breaking point. 

Everything changes when the stagehand sent to open the theater for him is none other than his big sister's childhood friend. The same girl he lusted after as a teenager. Could this be fate's way of showing him that he was looking in the wrong place for love? 

As Adam and Carly's friendship develops, lines will be crossed and rules will be broken. Will they be able to come out the other side without destroying everything they had back in Brooklyn?




Author Links


Bio:

With the exception of three years spent in the middle of Nebraska, H.B. Heinzer has called southern Wisconsin home. During that time in Nebraska, she imagined one of her favorite authors living on the far western edge of the county, just south of the highway. At the time, becoming a novelist was a distant dream for her. Now, she is the author living in that location. Ironically, she later found out that same favorite author lives just outside the town HB lived in for the first eighteen years of her life. 

Now, HB lives in the middle of nowhere but still close enough to the city to not feel isolated. It's the perfect place to let her two kids run and explore their huge yard, teach them about the food chain as they prepare their first-ever garden and debate building a chicken coop. It's one of those dreams that is only possible thanks to the amazing opportunities that have come through writing.

Review: Fire Inside by Kristen Ashley



Blurb:

Lanie Heron isn’t looking for love—no surprise, considering her last serious relationship nearly got her killed. So when Lanie propositions Hop Kincaid, all she wants is one wild night with the hot-as-hell biker who patrols with the Chaos Motorcycle Club...

For Hop, Lanie has always been untouchable. She’s too polished and too classy for his tastes. But when she gives Hop the once-over with her bedroom eyes and offers him a night in paradise, he can’t say no. And he doesn’t regret it when he finds that Lanie is the best thing that’s ever happened to him—in or out of bed. Now the trick will be to convince her of that.

Leary says:

If you know me at all then you know that I am a HUGE Kristen Ashley fan. I love all of her books but I was a bit nervous to read Fire Inside. I didn’t think I would like Hop and Lanie annoyed me in Motorcycle Man. In my opinion, I really think that you need to read Motorcycle Man before you read Fire Inside, which is the second book in the Chaos series. The Chaos series is a spin-off of Motorcycle Man from the Dream Man series. A lot of what is talked about in Fire Inside took place in Motorcycle Man. The events in MM are what causes Lanie to act the way she does in Fire Inside. As a reader you will have a better understanding of Lanie if you read MM first.

Back to my review...I ended up LOVING Hop, he may actually be in the top three of my favorite KA Alpha’s. He was hot, loving, caring, and amazing! He was extremely gentle with Lanie because he knew all that happened to her in MM and wanted to help her overcome all those demons. Lanie, surprisingly, did not annoy me in this book. I could understand her reasoning for her actions throughout the book. She is scared and doesn’t want to put herself out there after everything that happened with her fiancĂ©.

If you are a Kristen Ashley fan, read Fire Inside ASAP! If you haven’t read Kristen Ashley books yet, are you insane?! Go out, read the books and definitely read Motorcycle Man before Fire Inside. I promise, you will not be disappointed!



                                                       
Author Links




Bio:

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!). 

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up. 

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.