Saturday, May 31, 2014

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway - Promise Me by Kristin Mayer


 
 
 
 
 
With her best friend happily married and now pregnant, Sam Matthews should be overjoyed. Instead, she can only see what is missing in her life. Pushing her emotions aside, she retreats to a piece of her past that she’s kept hidden, something that even her best friend knows nothing about.

Taking a step into her future, Sam moves to North Carolina where she once again encounters Mark Robertson. He is persistent and hard to resist, and little by little, he uses his charms to break through Sam’s walls.

As Sam starts to open her heart to Mark, she convinces herself that the past should stay in the past. But when her past creeps into the present, her secrets could cost her every hope and happiness in her future.
 
 
Promise Me is the third book in the Trust Series.
 
 
AMAZON | B&N | KOBO | iTunes
 
 

 



I received a couple of catcalls as my body moved to the music. I knew the best thing was to always ignore them as I let the music take me over. My hips swayed, and my hands went up in the air. The third song started playing, and a light gleam of sweat coated my skin. Some unwanted bodies had tried to get close to me, but I knew how to keep my distance from strangers without losing my rhythm. It was freeing. I was lost in the beat when familiar hands came around my front. I knew it was Mark.

His mouth came to my ear. “Hey. Wanna dance?”

Mark pulled me to him. Our bodies joined, and we began moving together. His head came down and kissed the exposed part of my neck, and I tilted to the side to give him full access. The crowd had thickened and was pressing in on us. The pulse of the music drove us. We moved until we were both a hot mess, and neither one of us had said a word through multiple songs of the most hip-grinding, dirty dancing I had ever done.

After nibbling on my earlobe, Mark said, “Let’s say bye to the boys, and then I’m taking you home. I think all these assholes got the picture of whose bed you belong in.”

Turning to face him, I kissed him hard as his hands stroked my back. His leg went between my legs, and we started moving again. Our hot tongues danced with each as our bodies moved as one. We were both sweaty and hot. We were about to be a sexual explosion out here if we didn’t leave soon.

Pulling back barely, our lips still touching, I responded, “Now, all the girls who were hanging around, hoping for a shot with you, know who you’re taking to bed tonight.”

He grabbed my ass, bringing me closer to him, and it only increased my sexual need for him.

Mark bit my lip and then said, “I like you a little jealous. Let’s go before I lose my remaining bit of self-control.”





I do believe that this is my favorite book in the Trust series. Mark is just all kinds of yumminess - football player, loves his family and head over heels for Sam. Sam has coped the best way she knew how to move on from tragic events in her past. She doesn't let anyone in, but when she meets Mark, he gets past all of her barriers. Still afraid to trust because she doesn't believe she is deserving of his love, Sam must decide if she's willing to take a chance with Mark. Emotional, witty, engaging, Promise Me is a story full of love, laughter, family and friendships. I would definitely recommend it as one to pick up.


 
 
 
 

 
TRUST ME (BOOK #1)
AMAZON | B&N

LOVE ME (BOOK #2)
AMAZON | B&N

PROMISE ME (BOOK #3)
AMAZON | B&N | KOBO | iTunes
 
 
 
 
Kristin Mayer is a wife, a proud mother, and a full-time Analyst and Import Manager. Since an early age, she has always enjoyed reading and writing. While visiting her father one weekend, he suggested that she should take up writing again. With family and a career, she didn’t give it a lot of thought, until a story entered her mind and wouldn’t leave. It just kept forming and developing over a couple of months.

At the beginning of 2013, she decided to sit down and write it all down, but she kept it to herself. One sentence developed into two, and before she knew it, she had the makings of a novel.

Kristin tries to live life to the fullest during every moment. She loves to travel and meet new people. She holds a degree in International Business and uses it daily in her job. Kristin now adds “author” on her list of jobs, and feels very blessed and thankful.


 
 



Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Cover Reveal - The Raven by Sylvain Reynard

 
So excited to be a part of the cover reveal for Sylvain Reynard's upcoming book, The Raven. I love it!
 
 
 
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Gabriel Series comes a dark, sensual tale of romance in a city shrouded in mystery…

Raven Wood spends her days at Florence’s Uffizi Gallery restoring fine works of Renaissance art. But an innocent walk home after an evening with friends changes her life forever. When she intervenes in the senseless beating of a homeless man, his attackers turn on her, dragging her into an alley. Raven is only semi-conscious when their assault is interrupted by a cacophony of growls followed by her attacker’s screams. Mercifully, she blacks out, but not before catching a glimpse of a shadowy figure who whispers to her…

Cassita vulneratus.

When Raven awakes, she is inexplicably changed. She returns to the Uffizi, but no one recognizes her and more disturbingly, she discovers that she’s been absent an entire week. With no recollection of the events leading up to her disappearance, Raven also learns that her absence coincides with one of the largest robberies in Uffizi history – the theft of a set of priceless Botticelli illustrations. When the baffled police force identifies her as its prime suspect, Raven is desperate to clear her name. She seeks out one of Florence’s wealthiest and elusive men in an attempt to uncover the truth about her disappearance. Their encounter leads Raven to a dark underworld whose inhabitants kill to keep their secrets…
 
 
 
 
 
I'm interested in the way literature can help us explore aspects of the human condition - particularly suffering, sex, love, faith, and redemption. My favourite stories are those in which a character takes a journey, either a physical journey to a new and exciting place, or a personal journey in which he or she learns something about himself/herself. 
 
I'm also interested in how aesthetic elements such as art, architecture, and music can be used to tell a story or to illuminate the traits of a particular character. In my writing, I combine all of these elements with the themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the transformative power of goodness.
 
I try to use my platform as an author to raise awareness about the following charities: Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation, WorldVision, Alex's Lemonade Stand, and Covenant House. For more information, see my Twitter account.
 

Monday, May 26, 2014

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway - Mended by Kim Karr

 
Woohoo! I love this series from Kim Karr and I'm so excited to be a part of the blog tour. Read on for book info, author info, my review and a giveaway!
 

Music has the power to heal, but not all broken hearts can be mended.
 

Always in control, Xander Wilde considered life on the road to be a perfect fit for him. But when disaster strikes on the band’s latest tour, fate intervenes…and a newly single Ivy Taylor, the only girl he has ever loved, steps back into his life. After moving past her painful breakup with Xander years ago, Ivy was poised to become the next big name in music…when suddenly she withdrew from the limelight—the same day she announced her engagement to her controlling agent, Damon Wolf. Xander knows he should keep his distance. But once they’re on the road, he can’t resist pursuing her for a second chance. Yet a jealous Damon can’t let her go—and he’s keeping dangerous secrets that could destroy them all. When the three of them come together, everything falls apart. But if Xander and Ivy can hold tight to the bond that connects them, they just might have a chance to reclaim the powerful love they thought they had lost forever....

 
 
Kim has an extended excerpt for you.
You can find it here ~~> http://bit.ly/1j6lZLH
 
 
 
Mended is another great addition to Kim Karr's Connections series. Xander and Ivy's story has it all - passion, family drama, heartache, love. It made me laugh and cry - signs of a great book in my opinion. Plus, the appearances of our favorite characters from the series is a bonus. I can't say enough good things about Mended and the entire Connections series. If you haven't read the series, I urge you to add it to your reading list.
 

 
 
 
 
Connected (Available Now) - Amazon
Torn (Available Now) -
Amazon
Dazed (Available Now) - Amazon
Mended (Available June 3rd) - Amazon
Blurred (Available August 5th) - Amazon
Frayed (Available September 2nd) - Amazon
 
 
Kim Karr is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of romance, including her sexy New Adult romance series, Connections.  She describes herself as wearing a lot of hats–writer, book-lover, wife, soccer-mom, taxi driver, and the all-around go-to person of the family.  However, she always finds the time to read.  She believes in soul mates, kindred spirits, true friends and Happily-Ever-Afters, and loves to drink champagne, listen to music, and hopes to always stay young at heart.  Kim lives in Florida with her husband and four kids.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Blog Tour & Review - Unbreakable by Gigi Aceves

 
 

Jake Oliver, a typical guy, never expected to fall in love with his best friend’s girl. Jake learned to love her from a far, he watched her constantly and supported her endlessly.
 
Trish Wilson thought she found the love of her life in Dylan, until tragedy struck and fate decided for her when Dylan died in Afghanistan. Will she survive and get over her fear to love again? Will she find her one? Will her heart ever truly heal?
 
The tragedy that caused them great sadness also brought them together. Jake’s love for Trish gave her the strength to overcome her fear to love again, while Trish’s love pushed Jake past his guilt.

However, when your soul mate’s life is at stake, will they fold in fear or stand their ground? Will they fight to live or prepare to give up? Will they allow fear to break them or will they let love make them UNBREAKABLE.
 
“Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 


AMAZON | iTunes | KOBO | B&N

 

 
 
Trish

“Trish, aren’t you going to sit down?  Sorry, you can’t get close to our boy, here,” Cody goads me, slapping Jake’s shoulder.
 
“That’s okay, Cody. I don’t have to be close to him to get a hard reaction.”  Putting emphasis on ‘hard’ as I smirk at him.
 
Without warning, the three boys take their shirts off, and I just about pass out. Well, Tami and Roxy included.  I blank out for a while, not knowing what to do next.  Damn, I didn’t think of this.  Jake is now shirtless in front of me, my traitorous eyes instantly roam to his chest, hard abs, broad shoulders and back to his chest.  Holy crap!
 
“Cat got your tongues, ladies?” Cody chuckles.
 
Oh no, no cat’s got my tongue! I’m thinking more like my warm tongue wrapping around his hard pulsing d**k! Shit! I hate giving head, but my crazed-self strikes again! Best idea…ever!
 
Jake never makes eye contact, in fact, he’s busy eating his food and talking to Brian about some shit I can’t even understand, because at the moment, my mind is not working properly.  Roxy gives me that you-better-do-something look, and that’s all it takes for me to go into action mode.
 
Roxy stands up and tells me to sit down right in front of Jake, while she takes the seat next to me. This is perfect for what I have in mind.  I show Roxy the banana I’m holding under the table, and she gives me a small nod and smile.  I start peeling the banana, even before she gives me my signal to start Operation Payback.  Right on cue, she gives me the opening I need.
 
“Trish, you’re not going to eat?” She asks innocently.
 
“Nah, I don’t feel too well,” I say.
 
Jake looks at me with concern in his eyes, and what perfect timing. He falls for it, hook, line and sucker! I put the banana very slowly in my mouth, pushing it as far as I could and pulling it out ever so slowly, biting the tip off.  I’m looking at Jake the whole time; his reaction is priceless. It takes everything in me, not to laugh.  Even the boys are silent; Cody is speechless for a change.  Three point shot right here…bam!
 
“What’s wrong boys, cat got your tongues?” Roxy hollers.
 
“Trish, put the banana down!” Jake exclaims.
 
“I want to eat it! What’s wrong with you? Do you want it?” I ask arching my brow.
 
“Jake, pull your pants down, man! She’s playing dirty! Show her the power drill!” Cody says, trying to coax Jake.
 
  He ignores Cody, since he and I are in a stare down duel, his slightly narrowed eyes locks on mine and his jaw is twitching.  I now have in front of me, a very frustrated Jake, who in my estimation is ready to blow a gasket anytime.

 
 
 
 
While I struggled a bit at the beginning because it didn't grab me right from the start, I ended up enjoying Unbreakable. It's one of those books that you know the premise going in, but then it turns out to be completely different than what you thought it was going to be. Jake and Trish definitely have a lot of obstacles to overcome, but they never give up on each other and in the end come out stronger for it. I look forward to reading more from Gigi in the future.
 

 
 

I’m a middle child, and no, I don’t suffer from the middle child syndrome. According to my parents, I’m the craziest, and I think, my husband and children agree with them.
 
Besides the births of my two children, my husband’s successful transplant is one of the most memorable moments of my crazy life! After dealing with two bouts of cancer, my husband served as an inspiration to me and my children. I’m privileged to be married and go on this crazy ride, we call life, with a man who doesn’t know the meaning of giving up.
 
I’m known as The Crazy Cat Lady, in the Wanted World. Am I crazy? Well, the jury is still out on that one, but I’d like to think I can make one person smile with my craziness.

 
 


BLOG TOUR HOSTED BY:

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Blog Tour & Review - A Beautiful Distraction by Kelsie Leverich

 
 
Very excited to participate in the blog tour for Kelsie Leverich's A Beautiful Distraction. I've got an excerpt, links and a giveaway for you as well as my review.
 
 
 
 
A brand new novel in the New York Times bestselling Hard Feelings series—where nothing’s more dangerous than a bad boy with a broken heart…
 
First Sergeant RafeMurano did everything to the extreme. He trained harder, he fought harder, and, unfortunately, he loved harder. And falling for the wrong woman nearly destroyed him.
 
Home from a deployment, and without his missions to consume him, Murano is ravaged by memories of his heartbreak. So he drinks until he’s numb and drowns himself in meaningless one-night stands. But they only take the edge off…
 
Until he meets Fallon.
 
Haunted by her past, Fallon Kelly knows all too well about the desperate desire for an escape. So when she sees the tatted-up bad boy who’s one punch away from a ride in the back of a squad car, she offers a distraction—one that quickly becomes an addiction.
Little does she know, this bad boy can love so hard, it can break her…

 
 
 

An uncharted electric current was crackling between them. She could feel her heart stutter unevenly against her chest while his eyes caressed hers with an unspoken profession that she didn’t understand. But she was powerless to look away from him. She was aware of the isolated moment they were spelled under, and she was aware of the tangible tension penetrating from everyone around them, but Rafe didn’t seem to care. He didn’t seem to mind the attention he’d silently drawn to himself; as if Fallon was the only one of importance at that moment.
She tried to breathe as gracefully as possible, but it was useless. She was suffocating, confused by the desperation in Rafe’s eyes. Confused because, even while she was incapable of looking away from him, she didn’t want to.
His hand lifted slowly, as if she were a feral cat he was trying to capture, as if his movements would startle her. Brushing his thumb over her bottom lip, he smiled. That one, dexterous touch melted her. Her body warmed from the inside out.
“I want you,” he whispered, his voice dripping with a desirous hunger as his lips tenderly swept over her jaw. When he raised his head back to look at her, his velvet eyes swam with a heady lust that forced every nerve, every sense to sharpen and bind to him. “Okay?” She helplessly nodded. Whatever hypnotic force had just overcome her, she welcomed it. Rafe chuckled quietly, the vibrations seeping into her as he shook against her. “Good.”
His words reassured her. The look in his eyes told her everything she didn’t know she needed to hear.


 
Reviewed by Stephanie
 
Rafe: Super yummy military guy with a protective streak and will fight to protect those he loves.
Fallon: Strong, tough dancer who owns a burlesque club and doesn't let anyone in behind the walls she built to protect herself after being let down by the ones who should have stood for her.
A Beautiful Distraction is a great read. It kept me hooked from the beginning. Instantly attracted to each other, Rafe and Fallon must deal with their demons and take a risk on love. Throw in a great family, some undesirable exes and you've got a story that will keep you occupied from beginning to end. This was the first book I've read by Kelsie and I am definitely going to be adding her backlist to my TBR pile.
 
 
 
 
Kelsie Leverich is the New York Times bestselling author of The Valentine’s Arrangement as well as other contemporary romance titles. Kelsie grew up in the small town of St. Joseph Illinois before getting married and following her husband from one Army post to another.  After eight years, they finally settled down in Avon, Indiana with two adorable knuckleheads that are better known as her kids.  Kelsie's life revolves around her family (to include three dogs and a cat) and most of the time, actually all of the time, it’s a crazy mess—but that’s the way she loves it!  When Kelsie’s not writing, you can usually find her snuggling on the couch with her kids and a good book or out on the lake with family and friends.  Kelsie is not a morning person, has a soft spot for animals, loves musicals, hates seafood, and thinks laundry is the source of all evil.
Represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
You can find Kelsie on Twitter and Facebook, or visit her website at www.kelsieleverich.com