Sunday, April 29, 2018

Release Blitz: Without Apology by Aubrey Bondurant




Title: Without Apology
Series: The Without Series #1
Author: Aubrey Bondurant
Genre: Contemporary Adult Romance
Release Date: April 29, 2018



Blurb

He’s neat, always on time, and a professed workaholic. I’m messy, always running late, and looking for more from life than just my job.

Yet our mutual attraction is undeniable.

The last thing I expected after our first date was to have Simon show up at my office. The charming and funny guy I'd met was now gone, replaced by the cold and calculating man in an impeccable suit. While my professional future is now in his hands, I can’t stop thinking about how his hands would feel on my body.

Whatever had started between us can't possibly happen now, but that’s easier said than done. Because the more I try not to think of his sexy smirk or
delicious accent, the harder it is to stay away. And if our forbidden office kiss is any indication, his resolve is slipping too.

I've sworn I'd never fall for a man who puts his job first.
Too bad my heart isn't listening.

***Without Apology is for mature audiences due to steamy bedroom scenes that are in no way contained to just the bedroom.***






Purchase Links

$2.99 for a limited time

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited





Excerpt

As I unloaded my full carry basket onto the belt, I couldn’t help noticing the man in front me who was wearing a charcoal gray suit. He was attractive, but what instantly perked up my ears was his British accent. That wasn’t something one often heard in this suburban town outside of Dallas, Texas.
He was talking to the elderly cashier, who I knew as Laverne, about lacking the identification necessary to buy the bottle of champagne she was holding in her hand.
“You have my word I’m over the legal drinking age, whatever that may be here in Texas.”
Laverne adjusted her thick glasses and shook her head. “Unless you have some sort of identification proving it, honey, I can’t sell it to you.”
He searched the inside pocket of his suit. “Unfortunately, my passport is back in my hotel room. Is there any chance you could give me the bottle now, and I could return tomorrow with my ID?”
Nice try, I thought, but then realized the words had inadvertently slipped out loud. When his ice-blue eyes focused on me, my body immediately responded. Because the eyes were only part of what made up his gorgeous face, now turned in my direction.
Damn, David Gandy had nothing on his younger version, for sure. The man’s mouth turned up in a slight smile towards me before he sighed at Laverne, seemingly recognizing that her cataracts and sour expression made any use of his charms a wasted effort.
Taking pity, I stepped up. “Hey, Laverne, how about I pay for the bottle? I have my ID if you need it.”
She hesitated and then glared when Brexy, my new mingled word for British and sexy, pulled out his wallet, probably to front me the money.
“You keep your wallet and your cash where it is, honey. What you two do in private ain’t none of my business, but don’t be doing it in front of me. Rules are rules.”
Brexy and I exchanged arched brows at Laverne’s suggestive way of putting it, but he stowed his wallet and said, “Understood. I promise to, uh, finish this transaction in private.”
Now he was smirking. The expression suited his handsome features very well. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing out loud.
“Good.”
As Laverne scanned my items, she started chatting. “Making snickerdoodles with the girls tonight?” She directed the question towards me.
“Yes. Sure am.” I noticed the man’s gaze flick over to my left hand. Subtle he was not. Then again, neither was I. “My three nieces,” I offered, feeling like an idiot for needing to clarify that point.
“You don’t need her identification, I take it?” he inquired, making room for me to slide my credit card at the terminal in front of us.
Laverne tsked “I’ve known Peyton here for nearly the twenty-nine years she’s been on this earth, so I’m quite aware of her age without needing proper identification.” She handed me the receipt after bagging everything and added, “She’s also quite single.”
And with that, she was moving on to the next customer.
I shook my head over her use of the word ‘quite’ in front of single. Because ‘single’ wasn’t enough, she had to add the word ‘quite,’ making it sound as if I couldn’t possibly be more single.
Small towns. Gotta love ‘em.






Author Bio

Aubrey Bondurant is a working mom who loves to write, read and travel.

She describes her writing style as: "Adult Contemporary Erotic Romantic Comedy," which is just another way of saying she likes her characters funny, her bedroom scenes hot, and her romances with a happy ending.

When Aubrey isn't working her day job, or spending time with her family, she's on her laptop typing away on her next story. She only wishes there were more hours of the day!

She's a former member of the US Marine Corps and passionate about veteran charities and giving back to the community. She loves a big drooly dog, a fantastic margarita, and football.



Author Links




Release Blitz + Giveaway: Belleza and the Brute by Jane Matisse


Author: Jane Matisse
Title: Belleza and the Brute
Release Date: April 28, 2018
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing
Cover Designer: Soxsational Cover Art
 Add to TBR

 On sale for half price! 
All other links: books2read.com/belleza
 
When two lost souls are brought together in an unlikely circumstance, it’ll take more to scare this feisty beauty away from a domineering beast. A story of love, loss, and learning to accept when life gives you a second chance.

Elena Salazar has taken care of her gambling-addicted brother since her parents’ death. When he calls her late one night asking for help, she’s thrown into Tristan Mercier’s life and is at his mercy. Unable to pay her brother’s debt, a contract is signed: she will live and work for Tristan for six months while her brother is sent to rehab. 

Tristan Mercier is scarred, both physically and emotionally. He lost his happily ever after five years earlier in a fire that nearly took his life. He’s broken and bitter, but with Elena’s arrival, things are changing, and the feelings he thought long buried begin to resurface.

Can this brute open his heart to give his belleza a chance?
 On sale for half price! 
All other links: books2read.com/belleza



Jane Matisse is a professional introvert who began reading romance novels at the age of thirteen. She graduated with a BA in English Literature in 2014 and has been working hard ever since to put her degree to good use. Although it took her two years to finally finish her very first rough draft, she is thrilled to be releasing her debut The Blogger and the Hunk soon. 

Matisse loves all things Jane Austen, will choose tea over coffee any day, is a Phantom of the Opera aficionado, and has been an avid book blogger since 2013. She currently lives in SoCal with her family and three fur babies: Max, Thumper, and Percy. 

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Cover Reveal + Pre-Order: Stud by ML Nystrom


“He’s a strong man and a smart man, but deep down, he’s a hurting man.”

 Add to TBR

Title: Stud
Author: ML Nystrom
Genre: MC Romance
Series: Dragon Runners, bk 2
Release Date: June 23, 2018
Cover Designer: Claire Smith

 PREORDER FOR $1.99 
Amazon links coming soon!
All other links: books2read.com/stud
Bold and brash, Eva MacAteer has spent her life working in her blue-collar family’s construction business. In doing so, she’s had to fight for her own place away from her overbearing father, as well as for her own identity as a woman. Struggling between her loyalty to her brothers and her desire to strike out to be her own person, Eva knows one thing for certain: getting involved with a womanizer, no matter how hot he may be, is not the path for her.  

Stud is not one to be tied down to any woman. Fiercely loyal to the club and his single ways, the last thing he expects is to become fascinated by the fiery Eva. He sees his own life reflected in hers and is not quite sure how to handle the connection.

Can two mismatched people find enough common ground to overcome their fears and allow love to grow?


 PREORDER FOR $1.99 
Amazon links coming soon!
All other links: books2read.com/stud


Dragon Runners, book 1
books2read.com/mute

I've had stories in my head since I was a child.  All sorts of stories of fantasy, romance, mystery and anything else that captured my interest.  I'm a voracious reader, and have spent many hours in my life devouring books, therefore it's only fitting I should write a few myself!  

I've spent most of my life as a performing musician and band instrument repair technician, but that doesn't mean I'm pigeon-holed into one mold.  I've been a university professor, belly dancer, craftsperson, soap maker, singer, rock band artist, jewelry maker, lifeguard, swim coach, and whatever else I feel like exploring.  As one of my students said to me once, "Life's too short to ignore the opportunities."   I have no intention of ever stopping so welcome to my story world.  I hope you enjoy it!

 Rescue Me Submissions


Blog Tour: Loving the Crown by Violet Page

 


Genre: Contemporary Royal Romance
Release Date: 4.26.18



Gillian Bradshaw might be the princess of Hollywood,
But she’s never met royalty like me.
One collision and we’re both hooked.
Only, dating an actress isn’t allowed in the House of Sauvage.
She’s gorgeous, talented and brilliant.
I can’t let a woman like her out of my arms,
No matter what the crown says.
But I’m up against the clock.
Gillian is headed back to the States as soon as her shoot wraps.
I can’t let her go that easily.
I’ve had my share of training in the Royal Navy, but I’m in the fight of my life to keep the woman I can’t live without.
This is one battle I’m not going to lose—even if I have to take on the king.




 

USA Today Bestselling Author, Violet Paige, is a wine and coffee-loving mama who loves sports and writes about the delicious men on and off the field. When she's not writing, you can find her baking and spending time at the beach with her family. Open a book, raise the score and enjoy the men of Violet Paige.

 

Book Review: Sergio by Natasha Knight

Sergio: a Dark Mafia RomanceSergio: a Dark Mafia Romance by Natasha Knight
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

** Note: I received a complimentary copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. **

Sergio was a secondary character in a duet (?) that Natasha had written but Sergio can be read as a stand alone. I have not read that duet and after reading some of the reviews of Sergio, I am happy that have not read them. According to some, parts of Sergio were revealed in those books but I don’t think I would have had the proper reaction to the end of Chapter 28 if I had previously known. {For the record, I plan to read the other two books now that I’ve read Sergio} After reading that chapter I had to put my kindle down and process it before moving on to the final 3 chapters.

Sergio and Natalie’s romance was unconventional. There were times I wondered if there were any redeeming qualities to Sergio. When he told Natalie he wasn’t the hero but the monster, I couldn’t agree more. I love the occasional dark read to break up all the happy, charming romance that I read and Sergio did not disappoint me there. There were times that my heart really hurt for Sergio and all that was racing through his mind.

The story was written in dual POV. We were able to get insight into both Natalie and Sergio’s minds. This was Sergio’s story and Natalie was just the woman who fate decided was his. She wasn’t just a secondary character though; she had the attitude that Sergio needed in a partner.

Find all my reviews and more on Book Worms and Couch Potatoes


View all my reviews

Friday, April 27, 2018

Book Release + Giveaway: Vindicated by Sharon C. Cooper

Vindicated

by Sharon C. Cooper 
Publication Date: April 27, 2018 
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense


Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

She’s a distraction he can’t resist… A spark ignites the moment security specialist, Hamilton Crosby, meets stuntwoman, Dakota Sherrod. She’s like no other woman he’s ever met. But Hamilton never ignores his gut, and his gut tells him to stay clear of the enticing beauty. Dakota is an adrenaline junkie. Leaping off buildings and running through fire is just another day at the job. Hence when she sets her sights on Hamilton, she goes after him full-force. Their attraction is fierce, but he thwarts her advances at every turn. He’s the strong, silent type who operates by a set of rules, but he’ll soon realize she rarely follows rules. Falling for Dakota catches Hamilton off guard. So does the fact that she’s attached to part of his past. A past that indicted him with shame and loss. But when Dakota becomes the target of an unknown enemy, Hamilton stops at nothing to protect her. In turn, vindication is his reward, except it comes with complications.

Excerpt


“Shots fired!” he ground into the phone and jerked back to the other side of his truck as the individuals in the vehicle opened fire on Dakota’s building.
He could barely hear Laz calling his name when screams erupted. A car going in the opposite direction slammed on their brakes. People on the sidewalks scattered. Within seconds, the hit car peeled away. 
Hamilton took off in a sprint toward the building. He yelled the address to Laz, knowing he’d heard the gunshots.
“A black and white is on the way,” his friend said into his ear. “And I’ll be there shortly.”
A sense of foreboding crawled through Hamilton’s body, unsure of what he would find when he reached the building. Still holding Dakota’s jacket, he pocketed his cell phone and kept his gun at his side as he slowed. Maybe Wesley’s fear for his daughter’s life wasn’t as far-fetched as she thought.
Another scream came from inside the building once he neared the entrance. Shards of glass from the double doors littered the sidewalk, as well as inside the lobby.
Hamilton eased his gun into the back waistband of his pants, making sure his jacket covered the piece as he entered the building. Foreboding inched through him when he spotted a body. The man Dakota had been arguing with lay lifeless, bullet holes in the back and blood painting part of the floor around him.
Some of the neighbors had ventured into the hallway, one with a phone to his ear sounding as if he was talking to a 911 operator, and another woman screaming for someone to do something. Both were standing in the middle of the staircase, keeping their distance.
Hamilton’s heart kicked against his ribcage as his gaze darted around the space, the pressure in his chest mounting.
Where the hell was Dakota?
He quickly checked the unmoving man for a pulse.
“Is he…is he dead?” the frantic woman asked, not as crazed as she’d been a moment ago. The man on the phone looked as if he was waiting for Hamilton’s response as well.
“Yeah. Everyone stay back. I already called this in, and the cops are on the way,” he said. He still had no idea what had happened to Dakota, but he did see blood smudges that started near the victim’s body and got thinner a few feet away.
He eased away from the body while the man and woman standing on the stairs weren’t paying attention and followed the trail. It stopped at the edge of a narrow hallway that curved around.
Hamilton pulled up short and his body tensed. 
Hunkered down in a small area beneath the stairs, Dakota sat, blood covering her arms, hands, and the front of her sweater. Before Hamilton could say anything, her gaze shot up. She jerked back and bumped the wall. Her light honey-brown eyes were wide with alarm, and her face paled.
But then she recognized him. 
Dakota opened her mouth to speak, but only a slight whimper came out as her chest heaved up and down rapidly. Her bloody hands and sweater stood out like a beacon of fire sitting on a hill.
He swallowed hard, scanning her body as he eased toward her. The sounds of people coming out of their apartments and sirens in the distance faded to the background. At the moment, she was his only concern.
Stooping down he moved his large body closer into the tight space, careful not to hit his head on the low ceiling. He kneeled next to her and set the jacket he’d been holding onto the floor.
“Where are you hit?” he asked quietly.

Copyright © April 2018 Sharon C. Cooper

About Sharon C. Cooper

 

Award-winning and bestselling author, Sharon C. Cooper, is a romance-a-holic – loving anything that involves romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies, or real life. Sharon writes contemporary romance, as well as romantic suspense and enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She’s been nominated for numerous awards and is the recipient of an Emma Award for Romantic Suspense of the Year 2015 (Truth or Consequences), Emma Award – Interracial Romance of the Year 2015 (All You’ll Ever Need), and BRAB (book club) Award -Breakout Author of the Year 2014. When Sharon is not writing or working, she’s hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work or reading a good book (a romance of course).

To read more about Sharon and her novels, visit www.sharoncooper.net



Thursday, April 26, 2018

Release Blitz + Giveaway: Unforgivable by Isabel Love




Title: Unforgivable
Author: Isabel Love
Genre: New Adult Romance
Release Date: April 26, 2018



Blurb

There are certain things that are unforgivable…
Falling for your brother’s best friend is one of them.

That isn’t the worst thing I’ve done, though.
Not even close.

Shame and guilt follow me everywhere.
Except when I’m with him.

With him, I can breathe again.
Smile again. Love again.

But he has no idea what I've done...






Purchase Links

$2.99 for a limited time

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited





Excerpt

“Would you mind keeping this piece steady while I attach it?” he asks, interrupting my reverie.
“No problem.” I take my position opposite him, holding the piece of trim in place against the dresser as he drills screws into the underside so that they remain hidden from view. It’s like magic.
I study him as he works.
He tilts his head this way and that to make sure the piece is level before he starts. Then, he lifts the drill, and taut muscles shine with sweat as he drives each screw into the boards with purpose. His forearms flex and jump with every movement. And his tattoo calls my eye to follow the bumps and dips of his biceps and triceps.
Wesley Scott is a perfectly sculpted specimen of man. He’s strong. Confident. Capable.
He catches me staring and winks, rewarding me with his rare, crooked grin. I feel myself flush as I quickly look away, totally busted.
No, I don’t mind helping him one bit.






Author Bio

Isabel Love is a hopeless romantic. She loves reading about two people falling in love, overcoming whatever obstacles they may face, and finding their happily ever after. A husband, two kids, and a full-time job keep her busy by day, but by night, she can be found with her Kindle in hand, reading “just one more chapter”.



Author Links