4 STAR REVIEW POST: DIRTY LITTLE SECRET AND EXPOSED BY KRISTEN STRASSEL

DIRTY LITTLE SECRET 

KRISTEN STRASSEL

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/2ezNiZ1

Not exactly a stepbrother romance. I’d never fall for the 
bastard. More like a challenge–and I’m going to win.
Anyway…
My stepdad left me and his son an inheritance. Sort of.
Whoever needs it most gets the money. I trust you’ll do the right thing.
That’s what the will said. Had he ever met his son? Bret’s done nothing but make my life miserable since we were kids.
I have no job, and I’m up to my eyeballs in student loan debt. Bret’s been on tour in Europe with his heavy metal band for the last two years. He still has the nerve to cry poor mouth and says he’s going to make me work for the money.
Oh yeah?
My stepbrother is a sick, twisted, sinfully hot bastard… and I’m going to do whatever it takes to get that money.
Warning: Contains adult everything. Don’t tell my mom. It’s all for a good cause–the almighty dollar.
Note from Kristen: DIRTY LITTLE SECRET was originally published as WORK FOR IT by Allyson Starr.

SHANNON'S 4 STAR REVIEW:

THIS IS ONE HOT BOOK. Kristin's  first steps into the world of erotica are more like leaps and bounds. She knocked it out of the park with her first book in the genre.  When an inheritance is left to Bret and Gemma and they have to "outlast" each other to see who earns it, who will be the first to give in or the first to lose their heart?  Bret is a sexy as all get out man-whore who has given Gemma a hard time most of her life. He's always teased her mercilessly and he takes the teasing to a whole new level with the inheritance on the line. Gemma has always watched her step-brother from afar and wondered about his rock star life. How he lived, what he did, his sexcapades....she always wanted to know. Now, it's literally in her face.  What happens when they're both pushed beyond their limits? Will their hearts become involved or will it just remain a competition to see who can "win"? You don't want to miss out on this "not exactly a step brother romance" Exposed: New Adult Rock Star Romance (Not Exactly A Stepbrother Romance Book 2) http://amzn.to/2ezNG9V I’m Bret Starling. I want for nothing. Music, fame, sex—it’s mine. Except for one person. Gemma. I’ve had her, but I can never make her mine. There’s no changing that. We sure as hell can’t change how we feel, either. We’re going to crash and burn, so I say screw it, live fast and die pretty.  Unless we make it more than that… I’m Gemma Starling. It doesn’t matter how far I ran; I can’t get Bret out of my head. I’m getting on with my life, but to do that, I can never let him know how much I need him. Worse, how much I want him. Still contains adult everything.  SHANNON'S 4 STAR REVIEW: We catch up with  Gemma and Bret a few months after the end of the last book. After cutting off all communication with Bret she finds herself knocking on his door. Where did they stand with each other? He wanted everything with her but how could he have a relationship with her when she wasn't fully in it herself. I really wanted both of them to fight harder for each other but in the end, it ended the way it should have for this couple.  I'm hoping Kristin gives us book 3! ​ ​

SPOTLIGHT: BELOW THE SURFACE AND BETWEEN THE TIDES BY ELIZABETH LEE

BELOW THE SURFACE

AMAZON:  http://amzn.to/2fRatu2

GOODREADS:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32195639-below-the-surface?from_search=true

BELOW THE SURFACE
Daniella Alvarez and Dylan McKendrie used to be in love. They used to be a team. An inseparable force to be reckoned with. But, when tragedy struck, their relationship sank faster than the ships they used to scour the ocean floor for. Now all that's left are scattered remains of what used to be. 

Dylan, no longer seeking the mysteries on the ocean floor, now goes for the sure things and the guaranteed paychecks. When a longtime friend suggests he has hard proof that one of those legends that used to keep Dylan up at night could be real, he's torn between going after the gold and maintaining the life he'd built since leaving The Florida Keys. 

Daniella was always a dreamer. She's always been chasing what would most deem unattainable—professionally and personally. Everything she'd ever wanted seemed to slip through her fingers the day he left, which is exactly why his return has her seeing red.

Can the two of them put their past aside long enough to figure out a mystery that has plagued them both for years? Can they work together to see what lies below the surface?

Standalone/HEA/No Cliffhanger.

SHANNON'S 4 STAR REVIEW:

Below the Surface is a brilliant blend of treasure hunting, second chances, danger, and history. This book has a love story but very little angst.  There wasn't a whole lot of drama and unnecessary information being thrown at us.  

Dani and Dylan fell apart 5 years ago but due to new information that has come to light they're teaming up to search for a sunken ship that only they seem to really know about. Dani's connection to the story makes it all the more real and tangible.  I'm a history nerd so this book intrigued me in so many ways. 

For readers who love action and adventure,this is a wonderful story of mystery, history, and hope. You really need to this book. It will draw you in and make you fall in love.  I cannot wait for Cal and Minx's story! 

BETWEEN THE TIDES, A BELOW THE SURFACE PREQUEL

AMAZON:  http://amzn.to/2eZ4K7K

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32613667-between-the-tides

When searching for a long-lost treasure, the best place to start is back at the beginning.

Daniella Alvarez is a dreamer. The only link she has to her family is a centuries-old mystery surrounding a sunken ship called The Starry Night. When a job opportunity arises that will allow her to chase her dream, she can't believe her luck. But the chance to uncover her family's legacy isn't the only job perk...

Dylan McKendrie is a doer. With a dad who cares more about using their boat for seeking buried treasure at the bottom of the sea, Dylan is the one who has to look out for his younger sister and keep his family afloat. When his dad hires a new diver, Dylan's initial reaction is to refuse. Until he lays eyes on the most irresistible woman he's ever met.

They're complete opposites and while opposites attract, they both have family commitments to honor. Sometimes it's the ties that bind us that tear us apart...

This is a 25K word Below the Surface prequel novella.

SHANNON'S 4 STAR REVIEW:

Between The Tides is a novella prequel to Below the Surface. I loved reading the Below the Surface and I was super excited to read how Dani and Dylan met and fell in love. I love that I get to see them young and with stars in their eyes. I loved getting to see them in young love. I can't wait for more from Ms. Lee!! 

BLOG TOUR AND 5 STAR REVIEW: HOLLOW BY KARLEE WINTERS

Title: Hollow

Author: Karlee Winters

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November 1, 2016

Synopsis

Things aren’t always what they seem…

To outsiders, Ashlynn Summers has it all: she’s the star of her own TV cooking show, respected by her community, and a devoted wife. Until she discovers something that shakes her rock-solid world. Now, all she wants is to focus on getting her life back on track. Volunteering at a homeless shelter renews her sense of purpose, but when she meets the insolent Luke Brault, Ashlynn can’t help but think there’s more to him than meets the eye.

Although Luke keeps to himself, his daughter is his sole priority. Guilt surrounding his single father status has eaten away at him, leaving a gaping hole. He and Ashlynn become friends, yet Luke fears his past will destroy the bond they’ve created. When they discover their pasts are intertwined and unimaginable secrets are revealed, Ashlynn and Luke find themselves on shaky ground in the aftermath. Suddenly, building something solid on a hollow foundation seems impossible. Can they find a way to repair the damage of the past, or is it too heavy for them to bear?

Purchase your copy today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU

SHANNON'S 5 STAR REVIEW:

This book, y'all.  5 stars just isn't enough. I love this book beyond words. I love Karlee beyond words.  I can't wait to read more from  her. She's an incredible writer who pulls you into the world she's created. 

Ashlynn had the world at her feet until the rug was literally pulled out from under her. She lost her TV show, husband, and best friend all in a short time. She took a job at a homeless shelter to have something to do and to get her mind off of her troubles. 

You know the saying, it's a small world.......well for Ashlynn she meets a man, Luke, who had a lot to hide. They became friends and eventually lovers but it's the secrets he harbors that intertwine with Ashlynn's past that have us picking our jaws up off the floor. She created this whole new level of tangibility. I felt everything these two felt. I cried. I laughed. I threw my kindle.  Seriously.  This book is everything!

If you're looking for a book to add to your top reads of 2016, this is the one. 

Excerpt

“The video’s gone viral.”

I peered at my assistant, Kiki, from behind my coffee mug. Her dark brown eyes widened, darting nervously between me and her tablet as technicians, gaffers, and interns filtered in through the studio.

“I thought you said yesterday it wasn’t that bad,” I whispered as I forced a smile and waved at Corrine, my make-up artist as she walked in.

“I-I know, and it wasn’t. At first. But I checked again this morning and your video’s had eleven million views over the past twenty-four hours.”

I sucked in a sharp breath. I was used to being in the public eye, having every little move I made scrutinized by strangers who felt entitled to judge me. Ever since the launch of my cooking show, From Ashes, where I showed viewers how to make gourmet meals out of scraps and leftovers, I’d learned that everyone is a critic and those critics are a lot braver behind a computer screen where their fingers do the talking.

“Has Steve seen it yet?”

She bit down on her bottom lip and worried it between her teeth. “I don’t know. His door’s been closed all morning.”

As if on cue, Steve’s door swung open and he stepped out of his office, clapping his hands together. “All right, people, listen up! I’ve got stuff I need to get done, so let’s get this shoot going. Where’s my star of the show?” His eyes roamed around the room until he spotted me. “There she is!” He started moving toward me, but stopped mid-stride when he realized no one was moving because their eyes were glued to their phones. “I said move it, people! I’m not paying you to stand around.”

Everyone immediately jumped into action, bustling around the studio to prepare for my segment. Steve approached me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Hey Ash, let’s grab lunch after we wrap this up, okay?”

I nodded and smiled brightly at my boss, despite feeling like I was agreeing to walk into the lion’s den.

It took three hours to film the thirty-minute segment, and by the time we finished, I was more than ready to leave. Maybe I was just being paranoid, but I swore every time someone picked up their phone, they were watching me lose my shit on camera. I tried not to think about it. I tried to remain focused. I wanted to believe that it was all in my head. I’d worked with a majority of these people for the past three years; surely that meant they were my friends. But then I remembered I was in Los Angeles, a place where your friends are the ones to push you down a flight of stairs before asking if you need help up.

“You all set?” Steve asked, clapping me on the back.

“Yeah, let me just grab my purse.”

We made our way outside the studio, passing by Sharla, one of the newest interns, on the way. Steve winked at her and she blushed. I smiled politely, pretending to ignore the fact that my forty-two- year-old boss was watching her nineteen-year-old ass walk away.

“Damn,” he mumbled as he pulled out his car keys and unlocked the doors to his brand new Jag. “The things I could do to that ass.”

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”

“Probably best. That way you have plausible deniability for my next sexual harassment complaint.”

“I don’t know which is worse, the fact that you’re expecting another complaint, or that even knowing what will happen, you still plan to make a move on her. I’m surprised you even still have a job at this point.”

We slid into the car and bucked our seatbelts. Steve pulled down his sun visor and smiled at his reflection before pulling out of the parking lot. “They’re not going to fire me. I’m the best producer this network’s seen. Besides, Karen and I have a deal. She keeps the execs off my back, and in exchange, I dust off the cobwebs from her pussy a couple times a year. She may not be as young as I’d like, but the things she can do with that mouth—”

“Oh, God, stop,” I groaned, shaking my head. “Let’s just end this conversation before it goes any further. You’re my boss and producer.”

“For a TV show. There’s plenty of sex on TV.”

“Yes, but I talk about cooking. The only thing that ends up naked is the chicken.”

He laughed and merged onto the freeway which was congested with cars. The sky was painted a dusty orange color as thin beams of sunlight attempted to pierce through the smog. Giant billboards loomed off to the side, reminding drivers that physical perfection is just a scalpel and a phone call away, and right beside it was a board with the number to call for when you need to sue because perfection didn’t turn out like you thought it would.

We arrived at my favorite lunch spot, a small Korean BBQ place hidden in the back of a nearly deserted strip-mall. The hostess showed us to a table in the corner and turned the grill on that sat in the center of the table. A few minutes later, our server brought out a tray full of side dishes for us to try alongside slabs of raw meat.

“Ashlynn.” He grabbed a slice of beef and placed it on the grill, using his chopstick to poke at it until it laid flat. “So, the reason I asked you to lunch is because I actually have to talk to you about something.”

I didn’t say anything, already knowing what the “something” was.

“Look, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the network execs saw the video,” he continued. “And now they’re worried about your mental state.”

“My mental state is fine.”

“They’re not convinced. They’re worried that your outburst was just the tip of the iceberg.”

I sighed and rolled a piece of meat with some lettuce. “Steve, you know me. You know I’m not crazy.”

“Yes, but I can’t deny that what I saw was a bit troublesome.”

“I’m not crazy,” I repeated.

“You were running around the hotel lobby, holding a butcher’s knife, threatening to carve his heart out and feed it to the homeless.”

“Yeah, I was pissed. I’m still pissed. When you go out to dinner and find your husband of six years having an affair with your best friend, you’re gonna be pissed.”

Two days before, I’d agreed to meet my friend Staci for dinner at a new hotspot in Santa Monica because the chef and I had gone to culinary school together. We decided to grab ice cream before parting ways, and that’s when I saw it. Right across the street was my husband, Ben, with his tongue shoved down the throat of my best friend. Their hands sloppily grabbed and groped each other, as if they were sixteen-year-old kids, desperate to finish their make-out session before curfew.

He was supposed to be working late at the office.

He was supposed to be loyal.

He was supposed to be mine.

It was a strange sensation feeling betrayal that deep. I’d always imagined that all my emotions would hit at once, sweeping over me like a tidal wave. But it didn’t happen like that. Rather, it started at my feet, as if that’s the only place where shock couldn’t get to quickly enough to numb them. Tiny little pin pricks of agitation, crawling along the nerves, slowly coiling up my ankles, along my calves, wrapping around my knees until they buckled. By then, the shock was beginning to thin, and a solid mass of pain snaked through my intestines, squeezing my stomach with a vice-like grip until I was sure I was going to pass out. The pain curdled as it seeped through my ribs, poisoning my heart until it was black, transforming from pain into something much viler: fury. Anger took my brain hostage, twisting every thought until I was no longer in control of myself. I was simply a marionette, and resentment held the strings.

How dare he.

How dare she.

I stared at my left hand, the gaudy two-carat emerald-cut diamond glinting beneath the bright florescent lights. Mocking me. Taunting me. Ridiculing me until all I wanted to do was rip it off my finger and use it to serrate his heart the way he’d eviscerated mine.

I watched them on the sidewalk for a couple minutes, before they greeted the doorman like an old friend and stepped through the revolving doors of the Larkspur Hotel - a place he’d once told me was too cheesy for someone like me when I’d asked to spend our anniversary there. I realized then that he hadn’t wanted to take me there because it was theirs. He didn’t want to tarnish the memories of his affair with those of his wife.

“He says they’re in love,” I scoffed, taking an angry bite of my food. “Sixteen months, that’s how long this has been going on behind my back, and now he wants a divorce so he can be with her.”

“I’m really sorry, Ash,” Steve said placing his hand over mine. “I know how much they meant to you.”

“Hilary was my maid-of-honor at our wedding. I’ve known her since we were twelve. I was in the Burger King bathroom with her when she got her first period, and I spent an entire weekend watching The Notebook after Ken Carlson dumped her right after she gave him her virginity. We were supposed to get pregnant together and raise our families next door to each other so that our kids could be best friends…We…” My voice cracked and I stopped to let out a shaky breath. Not wanting to risk another viral video, I cleared my throat and took a sip of water. “Sorry.”

“Look, I know you’re going through a rough time, so maybe it’s a good thing that the network wants you to take some time off.”

My eyes cut to his and my whole body stiffened. “I’m sorry?”

His shoulders slumped as he let out a sigh. “The network execs think maybe you need to take some time off the show. You know, just until things settle down.”

“Some time…” I said slowly, letting the bitter taste of each syllable slide off my tongue. “And how long exactly is some time?”

“I’m not sure. They didn’t specify.”

“Are you fucking kidding me with this Steve?”

“I’m afraid not. They’re worried about the bad press.”

“Isn’t that why we have a public relations specialist? Besides, I thought all press was good press.”

“Pretty sure that only works if you’re a washed-up movie star looking for attention. Your show is about bringing families together with food. How do you expect us to keep airing it after this?”

He plucked his phone from his pocket and typed something in before turning it towards me. Images of me standing in the hotel lobby, wielding a large butcher’s knife in my hand popped up. My mocha colored hair was no longer hanging neatly in loose waves, but rather, flying recklessly around my face as my lips pulled back in a snarl. My usually pale green eyes looked wild. Unhinged. Destroyed.

“You can see why the execs are a bit worried,” he continued as he scrolled through various photos.

“Okay, I get it, you can put it away now,” I replied, waving him off. “Isn’t there something you can do? Talk to Karen. Surely you can think of a way to get her to agree to keep me on…”

“Ash—”

“Please,” I begged. “This show is everything to me. I just lost my husband and my best friend, and because we didn’t have a prenup, I’ll probably lose half of everything else I own. Don’t take my show away from me, too.”

He sighed and leaned back in his seat. “Okay. Just sit tight and lay low. I’m not promising anything, but I’ll see what I can do.”

About The Author

Karlee Winters is a romance writer living beneath the hot Arizona sun with her husband and their cat, Kaylie. She devotes her days to working, and her nights writing, allowing the characters in her head to come to life. When not working or writing, she can be found reading, binge-watching Netflix, or playing video games. A romantic at heart, she has a love for stories, and all things ending in happily ever after.

Karlee loves to meet new people. Stop by and say hello!

Email | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

BLOG TOUR: LOW OVER HIGH BY J.A. DEROUEN

Low Over High (The Over Duet #1)

Cover Design: DCP Designs

Release Date: November 14, 2016

Synopsis

I fancy myself a purveyor of truth, a sifter of lies, a cutter of bullshit. It’s not a gift, but rather, all skill, honed to a razor’s edge after one too many trips down the rabbit hole.


Some may dismiss my talent as misplaced and misguided cynicism, but they’d be wrong. Cliches about hope and faith in mankind are concocted unicorn farts, an effort to keep the dreamers dreaming. Experiences don’t lie—people do.


While I’m not proud of the circumstances that led me to this way of thinking, I respect the journey. The road to enlightenment can be dark and foreboding, but the destination makes it all worthwhile.


But funny thing about the past—it’s a defiant child refusing to stay in time out. No matter how deeply buried, it can always pop up when least expected, and sink its fucking claws into the flesh of your heart. No, not my heart—I no longer have one. I foolishly gave it away years ago, but I still feel the ripping in my chest as I fist the crumpled note left on my porch.


I’ve avoided this day, ran from it, for the past eight years.


And still we meet again.


But to truly understand … to feel my dread and fear my future as I do, it’s important to know what happened in my past.


Or who…


My name is Marlo Rivers, and this is my story of corrupted love.

Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2fWZYdH

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2eZuZsn

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2fiTh3z

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2fInplJ

 SHANNON'S 5 STAR REVIEW:

High Over Low is an incredible read.While it's part of a series it can be read alone but to truly understand the beauty and depth of it you will need to read the other books.

I don't want to give too much away but I will say this.........This is the story that I've been dying to know. All the things we questioned during the other books, they are answered. We are take on a journey of young love, heartache, loss, and hope. 

I cannot wait to read more from this fabulous author. She's written some powerful words in her stories and I look forward to reading more of her in the future. 

Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0cba4250374/?

Excerpt

Kissing Ever is like breaking the surface of the ocean. Legs kicking, arms flailing, and then that precious moment when air rushes into your lungs, giving you the one thing you need the most. Yeah, kissing Ever is just like that.





When his teeth lightly tug on my bottom lip, he owns me. I swear, my shirt almost flies off of its own accord.





Of course, I keep my cool despite his lovely lips … sort of. His tongue slides gently against mine, and I inch closer to him. He pulls away to taste my upper lip, and I grip his shirt with both hands. Maybe my hands slide under the shirt to touch his hot skin, but only an inch or two. When he lets out a long sigh, and his fingers brush the sides of my cheeks just so, I slide my legs between his. I want to pull his ribs loose and burrow deep inside of him, and even then, I’m not sure if it’s close enough.





He slows the kiss, still tasting me, sucking my lips, teasing me with his tongue. When I open my eyes, he’s right there with me, hazy eyes and parted lips. I run a hesitant finger over the freckles on his nose, and he runs his thumb across my swollen mouth. I finger his hair, tugging playfully, and he kisses my dimple, poking me with his tongue.





We explore each other slowly, thoroughly, and my thumb runs over his stomach to the thin line of hair trailing below his belly button. He shivers, and I swear the bulge pushing into the back of my thigh isn’t a banana in his pocket. It makes me feel powerful—that I can turn him on that way. This is the first time I can remember wanting that power. Boy’s erections were always a nuisance to me in the past.





He doesn’t expect me to do something with that, does he? Nuh-uh.





Let me be clear, those are not the thoughts running through my mind as I bend my knee and push my thigh more firmly into Ever’s hard-on. Not even close.





His hips raise to my pressure, and he drops his forehead to mine with a long sigh.





“I knew kissing you would be good, Low, but that was … I don’t know what that was,” he says with a chuckle, stealing another kiss.





“We should try it again. You know, figure it out.”





And we do.

Playlist

Direct Link: https://open.spotify.com/user/jaderouen/playlist/1UFpuMfEk9qCKG7Vtrd6vG

About the Author

J.A. DeRouen lives in South Louisiana with her husband, son (aptly named "The Professor), and her furry friend, Scout. She holds bachelor's degrees in psychology and nursing.

When she's not writing or inhaling romance novels by the stack, she works as a women's health nurse. She's been an avid reader and daydreamer since childhood, and she's never stopped turning the page to get to the next happily ever after.

Connect with J.A.

Website: http://www.jaderouen.com

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/2dFHwzC

Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/2c3Y2O0

Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2eFOJ6m

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/JADerouen1

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2dFnN8b

Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2e78EZu

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2eNra9f

BookBub Author Page: http://bit.ly/2eNrncx

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: HOLLOW BY KARLEE WINTERS

Title: Hollow

Author: Karlee Winters

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: November 1, 2016

Synopsis

Things aren’t always what they seem…

To outsiders, Ashlynn Summers has it all: she’s the star of her own TV cooking show, respected by her community, and a devoted wife. Until she discovers something that shakes her rock-solid world. Now, all she wants is to focus on getting her life back on track. Volunteering at a homeless shelter renews her sense of purpose, but when she meets the insolent Luke Brault, Ashlynn can’t help but think there’s more to him than meets the eye.

Although Luke keeps to himself, his daughter is his sole priority. Guilt surrounding his single father status has eaten away at him, leaving a gaping hole. He and Ashlynn become friends, yet Luke fears his past will destroy the bond they’ve created. When they discover their pasts are intertwined and unimaginable secrets are revealed, Ashlynn and Luke find themselves on shaky ground in the aftermath. Suddenly, building something solid on a hollow foundation seems impossible. Can they find a way to repair the damage of the past, or is it too heavy for them to bear?

Purchase your copy today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU

Excerpt

Despite having lived in my new duplex for over two weeks, I still had yet to unpack most of my things, or get my own furniture. A couple nights before, in an attempt to tire myself out, I had picked three boxes to unpack. One of the boxes was filled with photographs, and the other two contained various vestiges from my life when my family was whole: porcelain figurines Mama had picked out on our various trips to Disneyland, doo-wop and standards recorded on vinyl, and assorted signage and décor from my parent’s restaurant. I’d also found a couple Barbie dolls still in their boxes from when I was younger. I had never hopped on the Barbie doll train, but I knew a certain five-year-old who might have, so I had put the records and the Barbies in a bag and placed them in my office, intending on giving them to Luke the next time I saw him. I thought they might like them. What I didn’t expect was the hostile look he was giving me.

He took three quick strides toward me. “Let me make something perfectly clear to you, Duchess. Lily and I are not some charity case. We don’t need you donating your unwanted things because you feel sorry for us.” He shoved the bag into my arms.

“You think I’m giving these to you because I feel sorry for you?”

“Yeah, and we don’t need your pity.”

I threw the bag down on the desk. “You know what, Luke? You’re a real asshole sometimes.”

“Just calling a spade a spade.”

“Well, I’m just calling an asshole an asshole.”

We stared at each other with our faces just inches apart and I swallowed hard. His chest heaved and when his eyes dipped to my mouth, I wet my lips with my tongue, suddenly feeling like I’d been chewing on sandpaper. His arms were braced along the edge of the desk, caging me in, and I could smell the sweet hint of mint on his breath.

“I don’t want your things. There’s a reason I live the way I do, so just leave it the fuck alone.” He turned to leave, but I reached out, my fingers touching his forearm, begging him to wait.

“I-I’m sorry,” I stammered. “I was just trying to be nice. I just wanted to do something nice for you and Lily.”

His head was bowed and his back remained turned toward me, but I knew my words had dented his armor, even if for only a moment. “Why?”

“What do you mean why?”

He whirled around and pinned me with a glare. “I mean, why bother? Since I’ve met you, I’ve given you no indication that I want to be your friend or get to know you better, and yet, you keep trying.” He took a step toward me. “Why?”

The air was thick with tension and I could feel it like static, rousing every cell in my body. His deep grey irises seared through my soul as he searched my face for an answer.

“Because,” I said quietly, “I know what it’s like. I know how grief can consume you until there’s nothing left. I know what it feels like to push everyone away because it’s easier than allowing people in and risking losing them, too, but I was lucky in that I had people who stuck by me even when I was a complete nightmare to be around. They pushed me to talk to them, even when I had nothing to say.” I paused, my heart thrashing violently in my chest. “But you? From what I can tell, Luke, you don’t have that, and that’s a damn shame because as much as you try to only show people what you want to show them, I see past that. I see the man you really are when you hold your little girl in your arms. I see the kindness buried deep in your heart. You didn’t have to offer to help me with Mama, but you did. So yeah, I keep trying, and that’s not going to change because you may not feel like you’re worth it, but I—”

He cut me off with a kiss. His right hand reached out and wrapped around my waist, jerking me toward him until I was pressed hard against his body. His mouth came down on mine with such intensity, I could feel every ounce of pain, grief, and desire he’d kept locked tight within him. A low rumble in his throat urged my lips open and when his tongue swept along my bottom lip, a soft moan escaped me. I placed one hand to the back of his neck, pressing myself into him, needing to be closer. He gripped me tighter as the heat of our kiss deepened, making me dizzy with need. In that moment, I could feel him opening his heart to me. His left hand moved to my cheek and he used his thumb to tilt my head back.

He controlled the moment.

He controlled every movement.

He was the puppeteer and I was his marionette, bending and twisting to his will. And I let him. Maybe it was because he had spent so much time feeling out of control and he needed just one second where he didn’t feel so lost. Maybe I let him because for a brief instant in time I remembered what desire felt like. Maybe this was what we both needed, two broken people yearning for a respite from our pain and finding it in each other.

He alternated between letting his tongue tease me with long languid strokes and nipping at my bottom lip with his teeth, sending a heady ripple of lust all the way through my core. My hands slipped beneath the edge of his shirt, touching the hard ridges of his stomach. His eyes shot open and he tore himself away from me. Our chests heaved synchronously to the beat of our wounded hearts, and his eyes were filled with fear.

“Ashlynn,” he said quietly.

“Yes,” I responded, already knowing what he was about to say.

“I’m sorry. This was a terrible mistake.”

He ran his hand over his jaw and walked out the door, leaving me with nothing but the sweet taste of him on my lips.

About The Author

Karlee Winters is a romance writer living beneath the hot Arizona sun with her husband and their cat, Kaylie. She devotes her days to working, and her nights writing, allowing the characters in her head to come to life. When not working or writing, she can be found reading, binge-watching Netflix, or playing video games. A romantic at heart, she has a love for stories, and all things ending in happily ever after.

Karlee loves to meet new people. Stop by and say hello!

Email | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: KISS THE BOYS BY DIANA DOWNEY

We're celebrating the release of KISS THE BOYS by Diana Downey! Check out the excerpt, teasers, and amazing giveaways below!

Title: Kiss the Boys (Lost Girls, Book 2)

Age Group: New Adult

Genre: Psychological Romantic Suspense

Release Date: November 1, 2016
Goodreads

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2e8KmOQ
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2eOTtnL
Nook: http://bit.ly/2eDbfOe
iBooks: http://apple.co/2eDhFwH

Book Description:

Three estranged brothers.

One runaway girl.

Sweet and sexy Noah soars as Spartans’ basketball shooting star. Overly protective,bad boy Nathan has beaten the devil and believes he’s invincible. And angry and bitter Jake cannot move past losing his unit in Afghanistan. After suffering personal tragedies, the three brothers barely speak to one another.

Until River.

When she runs away from her abusive foster home, she crash-lands into Noah’s arms. She should feel safe with him, but she is attracted to guys more broken than she. And his brooding brothers Nathan and Jake wait patiently to catch her when she falls. Her relationship with each jeopardizes the precarious balance of their troubled family, and she will either mend their wounds or break their hearts.

*Kiss the Boys is psychological romantic suspense, containing explicit sex. This isthe second book in the Lost Girls Collection. The first book is Blackout (steamypsychological thriller) by Chris Myers. Each of these books is a standalone.

Excerpt:

Everything is bitter, the cold outside, the taste of blood in my mouth, and the sting ofhis belt. My foster father screams at me as he chases me out the door and throughthe blinding snow. The dark night doesn’t hide my tears for my ex-boyfriend Ashelying cold and stiff on the concrete of an abandoned building where I left himalone.

I still can’t believe I just left him, but what was I supposed to do? The police wouldsomehow blame me for Ashe’s death. I’ve already had a few scrapes with the lawstealing food for me and my half-starved foster sister Mia. She’s only six, but so far,Schafe hasn’t laid a hand on her or the others, just me. The other foster kids fend forthemselves and stay out of his way. I'm the only dumb one who provokes him. I can’thelp it. He’s an asshole, and I’ll be damned if I’ll continuously allow him to treat melike shit.

She licks those luscious lips, slightly parting them. I want to taste them. I want todive right in, even when I know it’s quicksand.

That same look of loneliness and pain open up to me. She blinks a few times andlures me into her with her expectant gaze. Her pull on me is strong. I close my eyesto resist, but her feminine scent overpowers me.

When I open my eyes, she chews on her lower lip, waiting on me to do something.I’ve been attracted to angels before but not like this. Ever since I first laid eyes onher, I haven’t really stopped thinking about River. My mind has worked over everyword, every breath, and every curve of her body, committing them to memory. Lastnight, I used my hands to feel and carve her depth and shape her tragic beauty intostone.

I use my knee to spread her legs, cloaked in black stockings, and slip between them.Her skirt hitches up, and I know she’s receptive to me, even though she wore the
skirt for Noah. I don’t like that she did that for him. I cannot lose her, and I can’t evenexplain why.

I tilt her chin back to expose the soft, creamy flesh of her neck. Her breathingincreases, and I descend to those succulent lips. My tongue dives into her mouth,and she flicks hers against mine.

She moans and returns my kiss, deep and filled with longing. God, I want her. Noangel has ever come onto me this strong, and I’ve never been with any woman whois younger than me. I normally take my time, not only for me but mostly forthem.

GIVEAWAY:

There are two giveaways available!

WIN a print copy of KISS THE BOYS HERE

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(5) ebooks BLACKOUT by Chris Myers

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 About theauthor:

I love steamy sex that sizzles off the page but also well-developed characters and asolid plot that keeps the readers guessing. Strong, masculine men with endearingqualities and motivated, determined women always get to me. My work has earnedseveral awards including first place Paul Gillette, Colorado Gold finalist, and twosemi-finalists in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. 

http://www.chrismyersfiction.com

http://www.dianadowney.com

http://twitter.com/CMyersFiction

http://facebook.com/ChrisMyersFiction

https://www.facebook.com/dianadowneyauthor/

BOOK TOUR AND REVIEW: BOONDOCKS BY CASEY PEELER



"One twist of the lid changed everything…"

Boondocks by Casey Peeler is NOW AVAILABLE.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2eaJIUw

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2eoJ9It

iBooks: http://apple.co/2bhHeTF

Nook: http://bit.ly/2bfPsLt

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2dDjVo5

Blurb

One twist of the lid changed everything…

The devil sat on my shoulder from my first breath, he watched my every move, and with the first strike of lightnin' I was pulled under.

Walking into Boondocks the voice of an angel called to me and I vowed to live a better life.  She kept me on the righteous path until Satan called one last time.

It was time to take him down or lose my angel forever.

Shannon's 4 Star Review:

Boondocks

Casey Peeler

4 Stars

Casey Peeler sure can write small town romance! She brings it to you so that you feel and experience everything the characters are going through.

Boondocks is set in small town America where the town has gone down due to the factory closing.  There’s not a lot of hope left there. Most move to the bigger cities to make it unless you want to dabble in the illegal activities of the town or unless you have the voice of an angel.

Two kids, different side of the tracks, both want one thing – to succeed.  Walker has been dealt a crappy hand in life and is bound and determined to make it out of that life.  Chauna lost her mom as a young girl and all she has left is her dad and the music they make down at Boondocks, the local watering hole. 

Life seems to intersect in small towns. Walker is the new boy in town. He attracts the attention of Chauna. She loves being with him and wants to know more about him but Walker isn’t going to to divulge his family’s secrets.  Unfortunately for Walker, Chauna finds out the hard way. Walker is going to try to make amends and make things right but how can he do it? What kind of chance does he have? Would he possibly be able to make things better? You definitely want to read and find out what happens at Boondocks.



Excerpt

Walker

Watching her place her perfect lips on the side of Logan’s face made me cringe. I know I have no right to feel this way, but those two have something that I can’t quite understand, and I’m jealous. The question is, what do I do about it?  As she walks toward me with a huge smile on her face, all my craziness evaporates into the evening sky.

“You ready?” she asks.

“As I’ll ever be,” I reply.

After swinging my leg over my bike, I pass Chauna a helmet, and we put them on together. As she swings her leg over, I hold still and wait for the moment she wraps her arms around me. I take a deep breath as she eases into me and rev the engine to life; all eyes are on us.

“Hold on tight,” I say, and she pulls herself even closer. We take the driveway slow, but when we hit the main road, I pull the throttle and we pick up speed as we make our way toward Sammy’s. As we approach the drive-in, I realize that Chauna is completely right; this place is nothing like it was earlier today. The Sammy’s Drive-In light is lit up like Christmas, and it reminds me of Flo’s Café in the movie Cars. There’s so much neon, and instead of cars, there are monster trucks everywhere. Pulling the bike in, we park, and I look to Chauna for direction as country music plays in the background.

“Welcome to Barber. Where the trucks are hot, but the girls are hotter,” she says with pure sexiness. In this moment, I know that this is just the beginning of an epic, new chapter in my life.



About the Author:

Casey Peeler grew up in North Carolina and still lives there with her husband and daughter.

Growing up Casey wasn't an avid reader or writer, but after reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston during her senior year of high school, and multiple Nicholas Sparks' novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading.  That love ignited the passion for writing several years later, and her writing style combines real life scenarios with morals and values teenagers need in their daily lives.

When Casey isn't writing, you can find her near a body of water listening to country music with a cold beverage and a great book.

Connect with Casey

Website: www.authorcaseypeeler.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/caseypeelerauthor

Twitter: www.twitter.com/AuthorCasey

Instagram: @AuthorCasey

Snapchat: @authorcpeeler

GIVEAWAY

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