Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Release Week Review, Excerpt & Giveaway:Completely Yours by Erin Nicholas



ABOUT THE BOOK


Title: COMPLETELY YOURS
Author: Erin Nicholas
Series: Opposites Attract, #1
On Sale: December 20, 2016
Publisher: Forever
Mass Market: $5.99 USD
eBook:  $3.99 USD

Add to Goodreads

The first book in a brand new contemporary romance series from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas about three geeky girls and the hunky guys who fall for them.

Kiera Connelly leads a quiet life, and that's just how she likes it. She's built a name as a graphic designer and meets up with her friends online, all from the comfort of her living room couch. But when a rare outing turns disastrous, Kiera finds herself up close and way too personal with an unbelievably hot real-life hero.

Zach Ashley doesn't see himself as a hero. He's just a regular guy who gets to help people every day as an EMT. But when he's called to a scene and has to treat his most gorgeous patient ever, he finds himself mixing work with pleasure. He never hesitates to put his life on the line...but will he ever risk his heart?
BUY THE BOOK HERE


Excerpt

 She was still watching the ambulance, and she nodded absently. “Okay.”
          He moved in front of her and crouched to get on eye level. “You can go right over and see them at the hospital. Mass General. If you’re not family, they might not be able to tell you much, but if you can get in touch with their families, they can come and sit with you, right?”
           She nodded again but Zach wasn’t sure she’d heard him. He really wanted to know that someone was going to be there with her. Shock in survivors wasn’t uncommon. The that-could’ve-been-me thing could kick in at any moment if it hadn’t already. But there was nothing like seeing someone you cared about hurt.
            H
e put his hands on her arms again, this time rubbing up and down and just ignoring how good her skin felt against his rough palms. Mostly. He needed to comfort her more than he needed to worry about how she made him feel.
            “Do you know where Mass General is?” He didn’t love the idea of her driving herself over there. She was clearly overwhelmed.
         Kiera nodded. “Yes.”
         “You can get there?” he asked.
         She nodded again.
         Okay. So…
         "Zach! Let’s go!”
         Zach glanced over at Reed. His co-workers needed help so he was going to be here for a while. He couldn’t be messing around, obsessing about a woman who liked to play dress-up. “Kiera, I need to go but…”
        
“Yeah, of course.” She shook her head and looked around. “You go.”
         “But…” But nothing. She was fine, and he was needed by people who weren’t fine. “Okay.”
          He had the fleeting thought that he wanted to kiss her goodbye. But that was crazy. They’d just met. In the middle of an emergency. No way should he kiss her.
          Finally, he let go of her and stepped back. But not touching her didn’t do a thing to make him not want to touch her. He forced himself to turn away and head toward Reed, trying to clear his mind of green and gold sweet-smelling flowers as he went. But when he got about twenty feet from her, he glanced back.
         And she was still standing there. Hugging herself. Looking lost.

         Fuck
.
         “I’ll be right there,” he told Reed.
          Reed glanced back. “Dude…”
        
“I know.” And he did. He needed to not be distracted. But the only way that was going to happen was if he knew for sure that Kiera was taken care of.
          He jogged back to her side. “Hey princess, what’s up?”
          She looked at him, and her look of confusion cleared. That made him feel stupidly good.
        “I don’t have a way…”
         She trailed off, and Zach frowned. “You don’t feel up to driving?”
         “We brought Sophie’s car, and her fob thingy is with her.”
         Ah. A little issue. “You have someone you can call?”
         “I didn’t bring my phone.”
          “You can use mine.”
          “No one’s home. I live with Maya and Sophie,” she said. “Obviously, they’re not… there.”
         Her voice wobbled, and Zach worked on not grabbing her and hugging her.
         T
hey’d just fucking met. Hugging and kissing wasn’t appropriate. Dammit.
         How about a cab?”
         "I don’t have any money.”
         He looked her over again, revisiting the curves he realized he’d already memorized. He could give her money for a cab of course. He could get her home. But she’d be home alone. He could get her to the hospital, but they wouldn’t talk to her and she’d be stuck in the waiting room for God knew how long. Alone.
          And leaving her alone was simply something he could not do.
          “You need to come with me.” He reached out and snagged her hand before he could tell himself that holding her hand was a bad idea.
          Because it was. Her hand felt good in his, and the way she curled her fingers around his tightly and followed him without question felt good. And the idea that he was going to get to spend more time with her felt good. And all of that was bad. And yet, he pulled her along with him through the convention hall and into the heart of the chaos.
          “What are we doing?” she asked.
          "I need to go help with some more injured. And I need you to stick with me.”
        “Me? Why?”
         He looked over at her. Her cape floated behind her, and for the first time, he noticed the golden sword swinging at her left hip. Damn. That was kind of hot. “Because you’re a gorgeous kick-ass warrior princess, and the people in here are gonna need some gorgeous kick-ass stuff.”
         She looked at him with surprise, but as he held her gaze, he saw something that turned him on even more than her smelling like candy—a spark of determination. She pulled up straighter as she walked, and he felt her hand tighten on his.
         "Kick ass. Right. I can do that.”
          He smiled. “And I could use some help from an interpreter.”
          “An interpreter? I speak some Spanish but that’s about it.”
          “You don’t speak geek?” He hoped he wasn’t committing a faux pau in calling her, and all of this, geeky.
          But she actually gave him a half smile. “Oh, geek. Yes, I’m fluent.”


What I thought about Completely Yours

I really liked this sweet love story between Zach, the EMT and Kiera, the game developer.  The story opens with a serious accident at the local comic con and Zach meets Kiera in full cosplay mode.  He's instantly smitten with her, which I found very cute since there are plenty of people of around and Zach only has eyes for Kiera.

Zach helps Kiera when she can't go home alone, and well, things move along quite nicely from there.  Even though Kiera has reservations, she's attracted to Zach too.  

Both characters have some baggage to deal with that I don't want to spoil, but the conflict in this story is very mild.  Zach's sister provides much of the drama, as she is a gamer too, and her relationship with Kiera might just be the thing that keeps Zach and Kiera from moving forward.  But Kiera is a smart woman and she knows just how to let Zach figure it out on his own, while holding him close to her heart and I loved that about this story.

The sexy moments were hot, and overall, this was just a very sweet romance that is perfect for when you just want an adorable love story.

ARC provided for review. 

THE SERIES

COMPLETELY YOURS, #1
FOREVER MINE, #2
Series Page on Goodreads



a Rafflecopter giveaway
ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Erin Nicholas is the author of sexy contemporary romances. Her stories have been described as toe-curling, enchanting, steamy and fun. She loves to write about reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines and happily ever afters. She lives in the Midwest with her husband who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books, her kids who will never read the sex scenes in her books, and family and friends who say they're shocked by the sex scenes in her books (yeah, right!).


FOLLOW FOREVER ONLINE



Sunday, December 18, 2016

Release Day Review, Excerpt & Giveaway:For All the Evers by Debra Anastasia




Title: For All the Evers
Author: Debra Anastasia
Genre: Romance
Release Date: December 18, 2016


Blurb

Fallen Billow should be in college like most of her friends, but instead she’s raising her brother and working as a housekeeper at a vintage local hotel. It’s back-breaking work, but not nearly as challenging as fending off unwanted advances from the hotel’s owner.

Thomas McHugh is fighting for our country, across the globe and decades before Fallen Billow was even born. So there’s no way they’re soul mates. There’s no way he can be desperate to see her, hold her, kiss her. Except there is.

Is it a dream when he inks his name on her skin? Is it a delusion when she puts her hands on his face and says she loves him? Nothing has ever felt more real.

Fate has etched paths for Thomas and Fallen that even time cannot touch. A Purple Heart proclaims Thomas’ valor and bravery. And his death. But Fallen dares to dream of the impossible. She wants Thomas to stay. Just stay.

A tribute to all who have served our country, this novel honors the impossible beauty of love and the endless power of hope. Come open your heart and celebrate the many facets of bravery with Fallen and Thomas.




Debra Anastasia has created a website for Thomas McHugh - the veteran the book is in honor of. (It is recommended readers look at this website after reading the book)






Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Available in Kindle Unlimited





Trailer



Excerpt

“I bet you were adorable.” He put his knuckle under her chin and encouraged her to lift her head. She rolled back over and settled against his shoulder.

“I don’t want to be adorable. I want to be impossible.”

“How do you mean?” He kissed her forehead.

“I want to be impossible for you to forget, impossible for you to keep your hands off of.” She leaned up for a kiss.

“You’re my impossible then. Have no fear.” He tenderly reminded her he was her impossible, too, with his lips.

She put her hand against his stomach and snuggled in. “This is my spot. Right here. With you—it’s home.”

He swallowed before talking to the ceiling. “My heart was like a fist. Where I am? It’s not a place you plan to survive. I’ve been there for years, and it’s not about skill; it’s not even about luck. You get strapped into a machine, and fate’s driving. You can’t get out even if you want to. So you submit to it. You harden your soul. You get ready to die.”

He shifted, rolling on top of her. She sighed in contentment. Being beneath him made her feel safe and secure.

He kissed her lips, then the tip of her nose, before continuing. “But with you, it’s like my heart’s opening up, and I’m terrified to feel, after all this time. Yet I don’t have a choice. No matter where I am, I draw your face whenever I get a scrap of paper.”

He laughed a little. “We found a puppy, and I named it Fallen, just so I could say your name over and over. The guys think I’m crazy—such a strange name for a dog. But I don’t care. I’m gasping for you every moment I’m awake. And I’m making choices to keep me alive through the week.”

His eyes searched hers. “What if I’m not as tough as I was in the beginning? God, I hope no one is affected by my distraction with this. But in the end there’s you. Only you. Do what you have to to get back to me when you’re awake. You have to. I need you more than air, more than life right now. The softness of you, the tenderness in your eyes when you see me. I’m trying to force fate to throw me in your direction. To hurl me at you somehow. I don’t know if it will work. But I’m praying for it.”

Fallen touched his face, then his neck. “I will do everything I can to find you.”



What I thought about For All The Evers
I was really intrigued when I saw the blurb for this title because of the theme of honoring those who have served our country is near and dear to my heart.  Debra Anastasia is a new author for me and this is the first book I have read of hers. 

The story starts out with a mysterious prologue that had me intrigued from the start and it didn't take long for that mystery to grow.  Fallen is having a tough time of it, with an alcoholic mother who steals the money they need to live, a brother still in high school and a new job cleaning rooms in a local hotel.  She's cautioned to make sure Room 514 is clean, even though no one ever stays there.  She does what she's told and soon finds out that the room has some very particular features. 

I liked the paranormal elements to this story, and I wanted more explanation about what was happening to her in that room.  The dream state she falls into is so much more than just a dream, and when she meets Thomas there it's total love. 

There's an instant connection between Thomas and Fallen. Call it fate, call it whatever you want, but there is insta-love here in the dream world and it works.  Thomas is so sweet and he takes care of Fallen in their world. Her stolen time with Thomas in room 514 becomes the only bright spot in her life. 

Fallen's life is so bleak, it's hard to believe that she can shoulder any more, but when the owner of the hotel comes for a visit he puts more on her by forcing her to do some things in order to keep her job.  I really didn't care for the sexual harassment part of this story, and to be honest, I almost put the book down a number of times because of the realistic way this is portrayed in the story. When Fallen realizes that her boss also appears in her dream world, she knows she's in for a rough time of it. 

There are many details that I'm leaving out so it doesn't spoil the story.  There are some important secondary characters that help Fallen along the way, such as the coworker who warns her about the room, and a sweet old lady that has a connection to Thomas.  These two characters provided a much needed light through some of the darker scenes in the book. 

Overall, I liked this story, especially the paranormal elements, although I wished for more of an explanation about the why of it all.  The pacing was a bit slow in the first half.  I loved Fallen and Thomas, and the author's note at the end of the book really is a must-read to understand the true depth of love to be found in this book.

ARC provided for review.


 
Author Bio

Debra creates pretend people in her head and paints them on the giant, beautiful canvas of your imagination. What an amazing job that is. The stories hit her hard while driving the minivan or shaving her legs, especially when there's no paper and pen around. In all of the lies she writes she hides her heart, so thank you for letting it play in your mind.

Debra has now published the Seraphim Series, the Poughkeepsie Brotherhood Series, the Gynazule Series, The Revenger and Booty Camp Dating Service. Her novella, Late Night with Andres is special because 100% of the proceeds go to breast cancer research. (So go get it right now, please!) For All The Evers is her latest romantic suspense.

You can find her at DebraAnastasia.com and on Twitter @Debra_Anastasia. But be prepared...



Author Links



There is a giveaway for signed paperback of For All the Evers and Saving Poughkeepsie, signed hand crafter holiday ornaments, Booty Camp Dating Service ring, Poughkeepsie lip balm and cardboard keychain, and XL One More Chapter t-shirt




Tuesday, December 13, 2016

5 Stars for Beyond Surrender by Kit Rocha


She’s the heart of O’Kane liquor.

For years, Nessa has been focused on work. She keeps the whiskey—and the money—flowing, and life is sweet. Sure, she’s tired of being everyone’s baby sister, and she longs for a man who can stand up to her overprotective O’Kane brothers. But she never thought she’d meet him in the middle of a war.

He’s the brains of the revolution.

War is all Ryder knows. He was raised with one goal: to ensure the sectors’ successful rebellion against Eden. His father and his mentor both died for freedom, and nothing will stop him from securing their legacies with victory. He doesn’t have time for distractions—especially beautiful, impulsive ones like Nessa.

Opposites don’t just attract, they combust. Together, Nessa and Ryder have a chance for something more than the lives they’ve always known. But this is war—deadly, bloody war—and the only way to happily-ever-after is straight through Eden.
 Purchase Links

 What I thought about Beyond Surrender

Back in 2012 when I reviewed Beyond Shame, I didn't even consider that I would be invested in this world for four years.  It's been a great ride, and I've enjoyed every single one of the books in this series. While the end of a series is sometimes bittersweet, Kit Rocha finishes with the fabulous story of Nessa and Ryder and the war between the sectors and Eden.  

Nessa is the heart of the O'Kane's liquor making enterprise and it was wonderful to learn of her long relationship with Dallas. When she meets Ryder, she's instantly smitten, but very cautious about getting involved with him.  She knows war is coming and that it brings a special heartbreak of its own.

Ryder likes Nessa too, and I have to say I loved that even though the O'Kanes warn him against hurting their girl, he pursues her.  Their romance is probably one of the more traditional stories in the series, and I thought it was very sweet and romantic how they got together.  

While their love story is a focal point of Beyond Surrender, so is the war with Eden. This war has been brewing for a number of books now, and it was great to have some closure!  I loved that characters old and new were part of the fighting and I held my breath as Sector Four took a beating in many different ways.  I have to admit I shed a tear or two as I read the final chapters of the story, because the gang does not come out of this unscathed. (and that's all I'm gonna say so I don't spoil it).

Overall, this was a terrific ending to a terrific series.  Recommended.

ARC provided for review. 

 

Giant Boxset Sale

To make it easier for new readers to pick up and go with the series, we have a LIMITED TIME offer: a giant “catch up” glom bundle that will be on sale ONLY through the end of December.  Anyone who’s interested in the final book and wants to start from the beginning can save 75% off the normal list price by picking this up!

Amazon: http://www.krocha.link/BeyondGlom-amzgen
Google: http://www.krocha.link/BeyondGlom-google
B&N: http://www.krocha.link/BeyondGlom-bn
Kobo: http://www.krocha.link/BeyondGlom-kobo
Apple: http://www.krocha.link/BeyondGlom-apple


The Spin-Off Series: Gideon’s Riders


The next chapter in the story of the Sectors is already up for pre-order! Gideon’s Riders will be set in Sector One and feature Ashwin & Kora, finally telling the story of the Base’s most dangerous soldier and the woman he can’t stop thinking about.


 Amazon US: http://krocha.link/ashwin-amz
Amazon UK: http://krocha.link/ashwin-amzuk
iBooks: http://krocha.link/ashwin-ibooks
Kobo: http://krocha.link/ashwin-kobo
B&N: http://krocha.link/ashwin-bn


About the Author

Bree and Donna


Kit Rocha is the pseudonym for co-writing team Donna Herren and Bree Bridges. After penning dozens of paranormal novels, novellas and stories as Moira Rogers, they branched out into gritty, sexy dystopian romance.

The series has appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists, has been nominated for best erotic romance in the RT Reviewer’s Choice award four times, and won in 2013.




Twitter (Announcements): http://twitter.com/kitrocha
Twitter (Bree): http://twitter.com/mostlybree
Twitter (Donna): http://twitter.com/donnajherren

Release Day Blitz:Wicked Impulse by Chelle Bliss

NEW RELEASE!
WICKED IMPULSE by Chelle Bliss
ALFA PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS - A MEN OF INKED SPINOFF

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➡WICKED IMPULSE CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE⬅
Didn't read the previous ALFA P.I. books, but you're dying to read Bear's story? GREAT NEWS... YOU CAN! Wicked Impulse can be read as a standalone.

InkedNovella


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BLURB

ALFA Private Investigations is a spin-off of the Men of Inked series, but can be read separately. **Includes a BONUS novella - Men of Inked Christmas**

There's only one thing worse than dating a friend's sister sleeping with his mother.

Fran DeLuca's known for her bossy, overbearing personality almost as much as for her love of nylon tracksuits. But when someone runs off with fifty thousand dollars, she becomes involved in an ALFA investigation and catches the eye of silver fox biker, Bear.

Bear North, ALFA's resident bad boy, has never thought of Fran as anything more than his buddy's mom. When she trades in her elastic pants and orthopedic tennis shoes for a pair of skintight jeans and high heels, he takes notice of the fifty-something MILF.

When the money trail leads closer to Fran than expected, Bear takes charge of the investigation and will do anything to protect her. Can Bear track a thief, claim Fran, and keep Morgan DeLuca in the dark long enough to solve the case?

Wicked Impulse is book 3 in the ALFA PI series and includes a BONUS novella - Men of Inked Christmas.

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WANT A SNEAK PEAK... READ THE FIRST CHAPTER HERE

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SINFUL INTENT (FREE) | UNLAWFUL DESIRE | WICKED IMPULSE


ABOUT CHELLE BLISS


bliss

Chelle currently lives near the Gulf of Mexico and is a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, and coffee fiend.


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Monday, December 12, 2016

Blog Tour Excerpt & Giveaway: Trying Sophie by Rebecca Norinne

Trying Sophie

by Rebecca Norinne Dublin Rugby #1  
Publication Date: December 6, 2016  
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Rugby, Sports Romance
trying-sophie-cover

BUY:

iBooks: http://apple.co/2g8ICZe

Excerpt
 “I’m just stopping in a couple of evenings this week. My mam insisted she needed help decorating for Christmas.”

“Yeah, you don’t want to piss off Colleen,” Cian shuddered. “Anyway, you remember Sophie?” he asked, practically vibrating with excitement. “Sophie Newport?”

His words held an added weight and I wondered why he was being so odd. Next to him, Sophie was blushing and chewing on her lip. As I looked between them, I had the weird sense I was missing something. And then I realized what it was. Sophie hadn’t told Cian we’d been texting and hanging out. But why hadn’t she? Was she ashamed to be friends with me?

“Sophie?”

Misinterpreting my question, Cian shook his head and grimaced. “This is going to be so good,” he said laughing. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d rather not watch you get gutted.”

I turned to Sophie and drank her in.

When we’d been kids, she’d had a golden halo of frizzy hair, but now she wore it in sleek waves that cascaded down her back. I wondered what it would be like to run my fingers through that mane, to wrap it around my fist when I fucked her. What those legs—miles and miles of legs—would feel like wrapped around my waist.

Of course I remembered Sophie Newport. I’d never forgotten her. And since she’d come back, she was all I could think about. Needing to touch her—something I’d avoided doing so far the couple of times I’d seen her—I reached out and clasped her hand in mine. Something snapped and sizzled between us, like when you stuck a battery against your tongue, but this current hissed throughout my whole body.

“Sophie,” I whispered, running my thumb over her palm in slow circles. Her name, spoken quietly so only she could hear it, came out sounding like a cross between a growl and a moan.

She closed her eyes and licked her lips, confirming she felt it too, whatever was happening between us.

When Cian returned, his eyes bounced between us.

“How could I forget Sophie?” I asked, answering his earlier question. 

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SYNOPSIS:

She doesn't date players...
Sophie loves her life: she's travelled the world and lived by her own rules. But when she finds out about her grandfather's heart attack, she drops everything and boards a plane to Ireland. Two weeks, that's the plan. Until one look at her childhood nemesis has her rethinking everything. She's sworn off athletes, but she might just give him a try...
He's the biggest player of all.
Sex and rugby. Those were the only two things Declan cared about, right up until his first love waltzed back into his life. Even as he slept his way through Dublin, he never stopped thinking about her. Never stopped wondering if she thought about him, too. So even though he's never gone after a woman the way he chases down opponents on the field, this time, he won't let her get away.
On the field, he's invincible, but she just might break him.


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ABOUT REBECCA NORINNE

rebecca-norinne
Rebecca read her first book when she was four years old and has been hooked on the written word ever since. While working in technology PR in Silicon Valley, she began writing her debut novel and eventually published it six years later. At the end of 2014, she left behind her career in corporate communications to become a full time author. When she's not writing, you can find Rebecca exploring her new city of Dublin, Ireland, watching Leinster Rugby matches, or traveling the globe searching for inspiration for her next book.
 

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

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Review: Brimstone Hollow (Annie Gore #2) by Archer Sullivan

Following her powerful debut in The Witch’s Orchard , private investigator Annie Gore returns in Brimstone Hollow , bringing readers back to...