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Sunday 30 March 2014

Blog Tour: Sweet Reflections by Grace Henderson with excerpt & giveaway





Title: Sweet Reflection
Author: Grace Henderson
Genre: Contemporary Romance



Laurel Matthews’ career rests on helping brides-to-be with their most important wedding purchase – their dress. She will go to any length to ensure her customers get their perfect happily ever after, but has accepted the fact she may not get hers. The only two men she ever loved, left her, and she vowed not to let the heartbreak happen a third time. She leaves guys before they leave her and usually she’s fine with that, until one night that she can’t remember, changes everything.  James Dawson, self-proclaimed ladies’ man and all round womaniser has the best one night stand he’s ever had and does he get the chance to repeat it? No, because she can’t even remember it! With his ego pushing him to remedy that immediately he sets about pursuing the woman who could easily be his downfall. When someone from James’ past settles herself in town and threatens the reprise he was hoping for, will he be able to overcome the temptation and prove himself to be the man Laurel can’t live without? Or will they both let underlying fears, past mistakes and uncertain futures lead them down a different path?

**Book Two in the Truth Series - can be read standalone.





When Grace isn't working her day job, she is huddled in the corner writing or reading romance novels. Having always loved both, it was only after changing jobs and having to put up with a long commute that they took over as an obsession. Now there isn't a day goes by that she lets her Ipad out of sight. She lives in the UK with her husband and two cats, and is a compulsive tea drinker.







Friday 28 March 2014

Release Day Blitz: LoveLines by S. Walden with excerpt & giveaway



Title:
 LoveLines
Author: S. Walden
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 25, 2014


Arrive to work at 7:58 A.M. sharp. Check. Count forty-seven steps to cubicle. Check. Arrange pens in their red-blue-black-green-purple order of importance. Check. Apply hand sanitizer before opening email. Double check.

And that’s just the first few minutes of her work day.

Thirty-one-year-old proofreader Bailey Mitchell is a slave to her tics. She inherited Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder from her father, and it’s done nothing but inhibit her love life. She’s run the gamut of boyfriends—none of them willing or able to cope with her condition.

Enter 32-year-old Reece Powell, her new coworker at Beach Elite Marketing Firm. He’s more than willing to cope. He finds her habits cute and quirky . . . for now. Reece wins her over, and life coasts along for them until Bailey experiences a devastating blow. Tragedy exacerbates her OCD, and Reece realizes her tics aren’t so cute and quirky anymore. Just like all the others, he has the choice to leave.

But Reece isn't like all the others.

The Wilmington Saga
Follow the stories of Wilmington, NC residents as they fall in and out of love, mend and break hearts, grow, change, lose, win, and experience what it means to truly live in this small coastal community.






Graphic credit: Michelle @ Give Me Books


“Annie!” I squealed, running and scooping her up before she had the chance to escape. I rained kisses all over her face. She was clearly confused, but she seemed to like it. The evidence? She dropped her doll and squeezed my neck.
Erica stared at me through narrowed eyes. “No one, including me, likes my children that much. What is going on?”
Annie giggled on cue, like she understood her mother’s words. I laughed outright.
“Your momma’s silly, isn’t she? Isn’t she?” I asked, poking Annie’s sides.
“Oh my God, who are you?” Erica demanded. “Where’s my BFF who promised me she’d never have children so I could live vicariously through her? I swear to God if you’re pregnant…”
“Calm down,” I said over the top of Annie’s head. She twisted in my arms signaling she was over my show of affection. I placed her on the floor beside her discarded doll. “How would I even be pregnant?”
“Sex. It’s called sex,” Erica replied. She finished folding the last of Little Noah’s shirts, then tossed it in the laundry basket.
“Don’t say s-e-x in front of the baby!” I chided.
“B, she doesn’t know what sex is.”
“She’ll repeat it.”
“Who cares?”
“Oh, so you want to be the mother with the kid who knows the bad words?” I asked.
“Bad word?” Erica asked, laughing.
“You know what I mean,” I said. “You want to be the mother who all the other mothers gossip about? Like about how bad your parenting skills are?”
Erica placed her hand on her hip. “Yeah, I do. Fuck ‘em. Fuck all those mothers. Fuck their playdates and mommy groups and fucking Melissa and Doug puzzles. Fuck their running strollers and baby couture and breastfeeding advice. Fuck their—”
“ERICA!”
“What?”
I looked down at the floor, but Annie was gone. She’d walked away somewhere, no doubt the kitchen since that seemed to be her favorite place to play.



S. Walden used to teach English before making the best decision of her life by becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Georgia with her very supportive husband, who prefers physics textbooks over fiction and has a difficult time understanding why her characters must have personality flaws. She is wary of small children, so she has a Westie instead. She is the USA Today bestselling author of Going Under. When she's not writing, she's thinking about it.

She loves her fans and loves to hear from them. Email her at swaldenauthor@hotmail.com and follow her twitter feed at @swaldenauthor.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads



Thursday 27 March 2014

Blog Tour: Breathe Again by Rachel Brookes with 5* review, teasers & giveaway

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Title: Breathe Again (Breathe #2)
Author: Rachel Brookes
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release: March 11, 2014

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Synopsis
For Savannah Rae, the thought of living in her picture-perfect world was almost too much to comprehend. With her dream job, a family she could finally call her own, and the beginnings of the best chapter of her life, she still couldn't shake the unnerving feeling that it was all too good to be true.
The thought of a life without Savannah was incomprehensible to Tate Connors. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he would find his girl in the form of a sassy, stubborn, beautiful Australian. Finally he had the girl and life he so desperately wanted, but he still couldn't ignore the fear that it would crash around him. When Tate’s past becomes his present and Savannah’s present becomes her past, the possibility of a future together collides head-on with reality. In her darkest days, the words Just Breathe provided a peaceful comfort to Savannah from the heavens above. Now as she and Tate go down the path of new beginnings, brutal endings, and the constant craving of a happily ever after, they are anxious to learn how to Breathe Again.  
 Buy Links

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Teaser

As a standoff of epic proportions began between Chelsea and me. My hackles rose, and I knew I would never back down from her. I wasn’t a revengeful person, but as soon as someone starts hurting the people I care about and throwing around half-arsed accusations, they will see the wrath of Savannah. This could be the very reason I chose to have limited female friends. It was easier than having to deal with the bullshit games girls were notorious for starting, and clearly this was why I never hid my intentions when it came to men in the past. Be clear as day and no feelings came to the surface. I felt Mr. Davenport sigh beside me and I swallowed hard. Professional, Savannah. For him. I still didn’t back down as I spoke. “So I am assuming the—” “Um, excuse me? I was told that I needed to be here.” Our heads snapped to the door opening slowly, and I couldn’t believe who I was looking at, could this day get any weirder? Blake freaking Ryan had just walked through the door looking all rock star-ish. This was the first time we had seen each other since he had left New York for London. His eyes widened to the size of saucers as he took everything in. Dressed head to toe in black, he was wearing a shirt that sat snug against his body, and his tattoos were glistening under the boardroom lights. He was born to be a rock star. His eyes bounced between Tate and me and dropped to my hand gripped tightly in Tate’s and a smile tugged at his lips. Tate’s body stiffened against mine and his hand squeezed mine to the point of hurt like he was making his claim on me. “Stop it,” I hissed and shot him a pleading look. “Sorry, just habit,” he whispered then peppered my jaw with a kiss. “Thanks for coming in, Blake.” Mr. Davenport shuffled papers on the large conference table and looked towards Blake, holding out a pen and what looked to be a contract. “So you have been booked for the shoot next week and we are now just finalizing details. Savannah will be running the shoot on behalf of Beautify and Chelsea will be the female model for the campaign. If you can just sign here, we are good to go.” Blake shook his head and shot a disgusted look at Chelsea. “Are you serious? I can’t work with her.” “See? I told you, Savannah. Even Blake doesn’t want to work with you in your pathetic little fairytale world you are supposedly living in,” Chelsea spat before she threw her straw-looking hair over her shoulder and strutted towards Blake. I watched Blake closely; the look sweeping over his face was priceless. “I wasn’t talking about Savannah, you idiot. I cannot work with you, Chelsea. I tend to not want to associate with fucked-up, conniving bitches.” I couldn’t hide the smile of victory tugging on my lips. Blake Ryan, you genius. The look of utter devastation Chelsea was wearing made me feel like a million bucks. I still had no clue of the history that Chelsea and Blake shared. “Well isn’t this going to be a fun shoot,” Mr. Davenport mumbled under his breath. 

     breathe teaser 2

Simone's Review
*ARC received in return for an honest review

I was honoured that Rachel offered me to Beta read this final instalment in The Breathe Series!!

When it comes to Rachel Brookes and her books I am such a fan girl!! Don't get me started on all the characters in these books as we will be here all day. They actually feel like my extended family, that's how much Rachel's writing connects you to each character in this series. You really feel like you know them and love each and everyone of them!!

So with this last instalment I was excited to finally know how it would all end for Sav & Tate and was hoping that they would get their happy ever after because, if one book-couple deserved it, it was definitely these two. Through each of these books I have cried with them, laughed with them and, through having "The Tate Connors Effect", swooned with them!! 


Breathe Again really shows how Tate & Sav fight their own demons and learn to grow and become confident as a couple, even though they will always be frustrating, hot and intense with each-other. This just works for  Tate & Sav, they both wear their hearts on their sleeves. Their love for each other holds no bars, some of their words to each other just breaks my heart but, on the other side, is witty & funny. 


“I don’t want you to see me break, Sav.” His voice broke under his words.
“That’s what we do. We pick up each other’s pieces when we break and put them back together in our own special way. Let me pick up your broken pieces, Tate. Let me make you whole again.”


 "You own my heart, Sav. It's yours to break." 


I love Rachel's writing style. She has you swooning one minute then ugly crying the next, while there's enough witty and hilarious parts to give you a perfect balance to her stories. If that's not enough, Rachel has created some of the most well developed characters who I will dearly miss but hope to see some have their own stories because I'm really not ready to say goodbye to all of them yet!!


It seems that Tate & Sav have taken up such a large and permanent place in my book life, and my heart, that I really can't believe it's the end of the series for this sexy, feisty, frustrating couple!! 


I adore & admire Rachel as a friend, and an author, and I'm glad to have taken this emotional roller coaster of The Breathe Series from the start, when we were introduced to the "Tate Connor Effect", (Thank you Rachel, I bloody love you hard for that) to the end where there is just one word to describe it PERFECT ending to a PERFECT series!!

Simone gives this a rating of... 



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About The Author 
rachel
Rachel Brookes is from a coastal town on the east coast of Australia where beaches, kangaroos and surfers roam free. She writes angsty love stories with a pinch of craziness, a dash of drama, a cup of romance and a spoonful of sexiness… oh and the main ingredient hot guys. Rachel sometimes forgets to eat, sometimes forgets to sleep and sometimes can’t remember the last time she cleaned her apartment but that’s because she is in a long term relationship with her laptop and is constantly writing. When she does step away from her laptop she can be found taking too many photos, making scrumptious cocktails, laughing at Adam Sandler movies and spending her time with her amazing family and friends. With her first novel, Just Breathe, due to be released in July 2013, her dream of releasing a book will become reality. With another three books already taking up her mind, she cannot wait to start this crazy ride.




breathe series
Rachel's Other Books
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Giveaway
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Wednesday 26 March 2014

Release Day Blitz: Stuck in Between by Blakely Bennett with 5* review, chapter 2 preview & giveaway

Click on the banner to follow the blitz 
and read the first THREE chapters of Stuck In Between by Blakely Bennett!

Please come celebrate the release of Stuck In Between, the first novel in the Bound by Your Love Series! There will be games and giveaways. Join us for a chance to win free copies of Blakely's books and many more prizes.


Title: Stuck In Between
Author: Blakely Bennett
Genre: Erotic Romance
Release Date: March 24, 2014
Cover Designer: Yocla Designs
Editing: Read Owl

Synopsis

Jacqs is a twenty-eight year old woman caught up in an on again, off again relationship with Bond, who is her best friend and the one who causes her the most heartache. She succumbs, yet again, to his powerful charisma, but vows not make it into more than it is, a great night of sex.

Bond, too sexy for his own good, wants Jacqs for himself as he “dates” his way through the female population of South Florida. He selfishly doesn’t see the conflict of interest.

Red, Bond’s best friend, has watched Bond take Jacqs for granted for way too long and soon stakes his own claim on her.

Will Red and Jacqs budding relationship pull apart their tight-knit group of friends and will Jacqs survive being Stuck In Between.

Purchase links: Amazon US | Amazon UK 

CHAPTER TWO



Simone's Review

*I received this book as a review copy in return for an honest review*

Well, before I start my review I need to take a minute to cool myself down and warn you to take hold of your panties because Stuck In Between is one hell of a sexy, steamy, spank-me-very-much, mouth watering story which I lapped up like the greedy girl I am!!

This is one intense read and, to be honest, I would give it 5 stars just for the sex scenes but this story has so much more to offer. Blakely Bennett's writing style draws you in and makes you connect and fall in love with the characters she has created. Her words are hot and passionate which, in turn, leave you breathless and wanting more and boy does she give you more! The sex scenes are so steamy and descriptive you can visualise it like a movie playing in you head - if I had a remote control to go with it I would be pressing the re-wind, slow motion and pause button all day.

So we have Jacqs, our leading lady who,  if she had a Facebook page her relationship status would be set to 'its complicated' .....and so much more!! Jacqs is in love with her best friend and lover  Bond who basically have had a "friends with benefits" kinda relationship but with Bond seeming to reap all the benefits leaving Jacqs with none and feeling unfulfilled and lonely.  This is all about to change when Bond's best friend Red decides to sweep Jacqs off her feet and offer her so much more.

Blakely has given us two strong Alpha males!! Lucky us!! But Red, for me, took centre stage for being romantic and hot while  oozing sexual and very primal energy (Just the way I like my men). Red has been secretly in love with Jacqs for years, and when he sees a window of opportunity to grab Jacqs attention, and anything else of hers he can gets his hands on, he wastes no more time to get what he has wanted for many years. I loved how Red brought out Jacqs' wilder, more confident, side to her character and personality that she had hidden from Bond as she had no confidence in their relationship due to Bond's commitment issues. Wow, and Red was hot and damn kinky between the sheets!!! (WARNING exploding knickers may occur). 


Bond, for me at the beginning, came over very arrogant and cocky. I felt that he played on Jacqs' feelings and used their friendship to manipulate her into sleeping with  him, while not giving her the commitment that she craved. Bond was a hot mess and, to be honest, once his character developed and you learned more about his tragic past, my heart went out to him. Bond really did love Jacqs in his own messed up wa, but even so, I was cheering in Red's corner most of my way through. 


This is my first book by Blakely Bennett and it definitely will not be the last! I have added her to my author stalker list and TBR list as I plan to be at the front of the queue for any future  books in this or, any other series. 

I would highly recommend Stuck In Between if you love a book with well developed characters and story line, hot kinky sex and a messed up love story. This is definitely one to be added to your TBR list!!

Simone gives this a rating of...





Blakely Bennett grew up in Southeast Florida and has been residing in the great Northwest for over eight years. She graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a degree in psychology, which accounts for her particular interest in crafting the personalities, struggles, and motivations of her characters. She is an avid reader of many genres of fiction, but especially erotica and romance. Writing has always been her bliss. She is attracted to stories of self-struggle and ultimate recovery.


Blakely is married to a wonderful, loving and supportive husband, also a writer, who helps to keep her grounded. She is a mother, a communitarian, a lover of music (always on while she is writing—thank you, Pandora), and a good friend. An advocate of love and female empowerment, she is a facilitator for a women’s group. She loves to walk and hike for exercise and finds that, since moving to Seattle, WA, she is now one of those “crazy” people who walk in the rain.

Stuck In Between (erotic romance) is her 5th novel. She is also the author of the dark erotic suspense, My Body Trilogy (My Body-His, My Body-His (Marcello) & My Body-Mine) and co-authored the contemporary romance, The Demarcation of Jack with her husband, Dana Bennett.


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Release Day Blitz: Cursed Love by t.h. snyder with excerpt





Synopsis

Lincoln Minzotto has the life everyone wants, yet he resents it.

He’s grown up as the youngest of three children to a wealthy congressman and successful lawyer. Pushed to his absolute excellence, Linc felt the real path for him was different than his parents’ hopes and dreams.

On the most important night of his father’s reelection, Linc makes a choice that will lead to a lifetime of regret.

Deciding to start a new life, he and his best friend, Daulton, purchase a rundown tattoo shop called Cursed Magic.

While restoring Cursed Magic, Linc’s faith in life is put to the test in more ways than one. Faced with the horrors of the bleak, starless nights and the women that come and go, he decides to give up all together, until one fateful night with a stranger.

Will one night shape his future forever? Can he turn the Curse he’s endured into a blessing even though all odds are against him?



Excerpt


Buy Links





About the Author

t. h. snyder (1979) was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania. For six years she worked in the field of higher education while earning her Bachelor and Master Degrees in Management from University of Phoenix. She's a single mother to two children. She became an avid reader in spring of 2012 and since has read over 250 books. Her genre of interest ranges from Romance to thrilling Paranormal. This is more than just a hobby for her, it's a passion to read the words of great authors and bring life to their stories with her reviews and character castings. She started writing her first novel in June of 2013 and is anxious to see where this journey takes her!!




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