Cover Reveal: Seeing Stars by J. Sterling

We are so excited to be sharing this beautiful cover with you for J. Sterling's new standalone book SEEING STARS scheduled for release on March 13th!

Walker Rhodes is a hot singing sensation who never settles down, spends too much money gambling and gets in trouble on the daily- at least if you believe all the tabloids. Madison Myers is a hard working talent agent assistant thrust into the spotlight one day after Walker pulls her on stage during one of his concerts. She tries to stay away from him, but he keeps chasing her. She is strong in her resolve and he is relentless in his pursuit. The question is... WHY?!?! Tabloid Headline Reads: Walker Rhodes pulls woman on stage during LA concert and serenades her with stars in his eyes and we watched as the sparks flew! But just who is this mystery woman who has stolen Walker's heart? And will she be the one to finally tie down our favorite womanizing gambler? Our readers poll: 80% say no way! The other 20% wish they were her! Read more inside...

Walker sat on one of the stage steps, his chin in his hand as he spoke to the screaming crowd. “I need a volunteer for this next part.” His head raised slowly, his eyes scanning the crowd. Keri jumped up and down like a crazy person, waving her arms and screaming his name. I laughed at her antics and sat perfectly still, not wanting to bring any more unwanted attention to myself. Another tap on my shoulder caused my irritation to bubble as I turned to what was sure to be that annoying overly made-up stupid girl again. It wasn’t. I came face-to-face with a giant of a man wearing all black and holding a walkie-talkie. Intimidated, I took a half step back and looked around for Keri. “Come with me.” His tone implied a demand, not a request, and I suddenly wondered what I’d done wrong. Who the hell was this guy? He’s not the boss of me. He’s not going to tell me to come with him and think I’ll just obey. I frowned and said quickly, “Uh. No, thanks.” He flashed his VIP backstage pass in my face as if it were the only credential he needed. “Miss. It’s part of the show. Can you come with me, please? You’ll be onstage with Mr. Rhodes.” Oh. Well, shit. I guess he could be the boss of me, after all. I shot Keri a surprised look before I was quickly hauled off in the direction of an almost completely darkened backstage area. We walked through a black curtain before we were hit with lights and blaring music. “I’m going to bring you onstage.” “And then what?” I asked, suddenly nervous. Not to be around Walker Rhodes, but nervous at the thought of standing in front of thousands of screaming people with cell phones ready to record my every move. I started to tremble. Afraid my legs wouldn’t hold me up any longer, I begged the security guy to help me out there. He smiled at me and gave me a little shove. Thanks, you dick. Next thing I knew, I was standing onstage, my face mere inches from Walker’s. Walker no-human-being-should-be-anywhere-near-this-gorgeous-in-real-life Rhodes.

I got fired from my last job. It's true. I know you're sitting there thinking, "Jenn, how could anyone in their right mind fire someone as amazing and awesome as you are???" And i'd love to give you a good reason, but the truth is... being This! Awesome! is clearly very scary to other less awesome people. :) So I said screw them and started writing my first book. And you know what I realized? Writing books that mean something to me is a million times better than working my ass off for someone who doesn't really care about anything other than the bottom line. My soul feels more satisfied. My heart, more full. So thank you for reading, loving and recommending the stories I write. I think you're awesome- and not only am I not scared of other awesome people, I want them on my team! Click HERE to read a post where I talk about how you all have changed my life. :)

Facebook † Twitter † Website † Instagram

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PRE-ORDER BUY LINKS

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*Please note that SEEING STARS will also be available at the following retailers - Smashwords, Kobo, IBooks, B&N - no pre-order available at time of cover reveal.*

Review: Up from the Grave (Night Huntress #7) by Jeaniene Frost

Up From the Grave (Night Huntress #7) by Jeaniene Frost
Published January 28th 2014 by Avon

There’s always one more grave to dig.

Lately, life has been unnaturally calm for vampires Cat Crawfield and her husband Bones. They should have known better than to relax their guard, because a shocking revelation sends them back into action to stop an all-out war…

A rogue CIA agent is involved in horrifying secret activities that threaten to raise tensions between humans and the undead to dangerous heights. Now Cat and Bones are in a race against time to save their friends from a fate worse than death…because the more secrets they unravel, the deadlier the consequences. And if they fail, their lives—and those of everyone they hold dear— will be hovering on the edge of the grave.

My Thoughts

Good installment, but it's time...

Up From The Grave I believe is the final installment for Cat and Bones, and let me just say that their series finale was well done. As with their other books, Cat and Bones have both the chemistry and high power action to light up the pages and prove that no other vampire couple can bring down their enemies with explosive grace. This final installment proved that they have come full circle, and I truly enjoyed the journey they shared. Awesome!

In this final installment, Cat’s previous CIA organization is trying to create super-soldiers by blending vampire, ghoul and human genetic codes together. When the Guardian Council gets wind of what’s happening, Cat and Bones are given sixty days to put an end to the operation and save their friends that are caught in the crossfire. When they discover that saving their friends isn’t the only possible collateral damage, Cat’s resolved is tested when she realizes how much she can lose in this battle.

Overall, I have to say it was fun revisiting one of my favorite couples. Cat and Bones sure know how to blast through the ePages with their high-action tendencies. As always, I love the one liners Bones delivers with smooth, sexy grace, and witnessing Cat’s high power blows is always a treat. However, there were moments in the book that felt repetitive from the other installments, which only led me to feel that Cat and Bones have just about covered their bases where their storyline is concerned. They’ve seen and done it all, and even made mention to that fact a couple times in the book.

I’m sad to say that I feel their story is concluded, but I will definitely love visiting them when they make their cameos in the other spin-offs that are currently under-way. I enjoyed the action and adrenaline that is signature Cat and Bones, and I hope they enjoy their graceful exit. Well done!

3 Suns

Cover Reveal: When I Surrender by Kendall Ryan

When I Surrender (When I Break #2) by Kendall Ryan

Release Date: April 7, 2014

About the book:

**Warning**
This book is intended for a mature reading audience and contains adult language and themes.

Undaunted by Knox’s complicated history with sexual addiction, McKenna pushes forward in her relationship with this deliciously flawed man. She experiences the highest highs as they discover each other, along with the lowest lows, and worries that his past may not be entirely behind him.

But when a complication from her own past demands attention, she's forced to decide where their relationship is headed, and everything she thought she knew is questioned.

When I Surrender is book 2 in the WHEN I BREAK series by New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Kendall Ryan.

Note: Contains a stubborn alpha male with addiction issues and loads of sexual tension between two damaged characters. Read at your own risk.

Connect with the Author:

Twitter / Web / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram / Goodreads

Blog Tour & Giveaway: When I Break by Kendall Ryan

Waves of Fiction is thrilled to be a part of the blog tour for When I Break - the newest novel by Kendall Ryan!

When I Break by Kendall Ryan
Published February 24, 2014
Purchase: Amazon / B&N / Smashwords / iTunes / Kobo

About the book:Knox Bauer's life has unraveled to the point of no return. Fighting to fill the emptiness inside himself, he seeks solace in unfamiliar beds with unfamiliar women. As guardian to his three younger brothers, he can't seem to do a thing right. But this can't go on...they look up to him in every way and all he’s done lately is prove how messed up he really is. Needing a change, he attends a local Sex Addicts Anonymous meeting, where he finds himself tempted by the alluring instructor, McKenna.

Twenty-one year old McKenna is trying to make amends. After losing her parents in a horrific accident, she knows if she can just be good enough, maybe she can forgive herself for what happened. With her newly acquired degree in counseling, she begins leading a sex addicts group where she meets the troubled Knox and her life takes on complications she never bargained for. She doesn't have time for a bad boy who only wants to take her to bed, even if her body disagrees. The fixer in her wants to help, but trusting Knox's true motivations might take more courage than she has.
When I Break is book 1 in a new mini series by bestselling author Kendall Ryan.Warning: Contains a stubborn alpha male with addiction issues and loads of sexual tension between two damaged characters. Read at your own risk.
Due to mature content, it is recommended for 17+.

Brandie's Thoughts
ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

I have a few favorite authors that I know will never disappoint me. When I'm in a book slump - I just have to pick up one of their books and I'll devour it's goodness in one sitting. Kendall Ryan is one of those authors and I LOVE her writing.

I adored Knox and McKenna. He is a tough guy on the outside, but once you see him with his brothers and see him confide in McKenna, you can't help but swoon and fall in love with him. And McKenna, although living with so much sorrow and guilt over her own tragic past - she is sweet and kind - making it her life's mission to help others. But she will find out that her desire to help Knox turns into so much more when they have an undeniable chemistry sizzling between them.

What I haven't been loving lately are cliffhangers. BUT, I knew this one was going to have a not-so-happy ending before I even began and that got me through. Also knowing I won't have to wait too long before I get the rest of Knox and McKenna's story helped - hurry up April 7!

There just wasn't enough!! I NEED MORE. I barely got my feet wet and then it was over. Ms Ryan, you broke my heart, but I forgive you because I know you'll give me more soon and I can't wait!

5 Suns

Arlene's Thoughts
Darn those painful cliffies!!!

I knew going into this one that there would be a cliffhanger, and as much as I thought I was prepared for it... I was not. I had just picked up on the cadence of the story when all of a sudden the lights turned off, and I was left in the dark. Well past the midpoint of this book, Knox and McKenna were starting to accept their feelings for one another and getting to know each other when I stumbled on the last chapter. I really wish this book would have completed their story because I was really into it towards the end.

Overall, I enjoy Kendall Ryan’s books. She has a way of creating edgy male characters that are attractive and easy to fall for. However, what I felt was missing with Knox was that I didn’t feel he quite lived up to his reputation or supposed condition. I’m no psychologist by any means, and the most I have under my belt are a couple of college required courses on psychology, but am I the only one that feels he was misdiagnosed? I don’t think he encompassed what I believe an addict of any sort would be and a simple google search on the symptoms proved to me that he didn’t belong in SAA. Maybe I’m delusional or simply trying to excuse away the relationship between him and his counselor. However, I really didn’t feel he belonged in that counseling group, but if that’s what it took for him and McKenna to meet, well there you go!

On a different note, I have to mention how much I loved how Knox took care of his younger brothers. He was loving and responsible, and to see how much he sacrificed to make sure his family wasn’t torn apart was really inspiring and heart rending. In addition, it was nice to see McKenna find her way into the folds of Bauer family. She blended well with the brothers and I liked how she handled their tough questions. I was a bit confused about Brian’s role in this story. There were parts of me that felt sorry for him and wished McKenna would have appreciated him a bit more. I’m curious where his storyline will lead him because overall, he seemed like a pretty decent guy.

Lastly, I’m really looking forward to picking up where this book left off to see what comes of McKenna and Knox. Good beginning to what I hope will have a fantastic ending for these two characters.

3.5 Suns

Excerpt:

Knox,” she murmured, her voice a tiny plea. “I wish we’d met under different circumstances. My being your addiction counselor complicates things.”

“Why can’t I just be a man, and you just be a woman?”

“You’re in recovery. I can’t be a temptation to you.”

I swallowed heavily. Too late for that. My balls were aching with the need to sink inside her.

“We all have certain wants and desires, McKenna. It doesn’t make them wrong. We’re only human.”

Indecision flashed in her eyes and her gaze zeroed in on my mouth. If I had to guess, I’d say she was thinking about what it would be like to kiss me. It seemed that good-girl McKenna had a naughty side to her. Every ounce of her wanted that kiss. I could read it all over her, from her flushed chest to the thrumming pulse in her neck. I’d be willing to bet it had been a long time since a man touched her. Her body’s responses were too obvious, and I could read the want and curiosity all over her.

I leaned forward just slightly, wetting my lips. She swallowed, her eyes tracking the movements. Angling my head to hers, I paused, stopping myself. Why? To prove a point. We were mammals, we reacted to the opposite sex. It was biology. We were born to breed, to reproduce. Men especially—to spread around our seed. Just the fact that I stopped myself proved that I didn’t have a problem. Only I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince McKenna or myself.

About the Author:

Kendall Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the contemporary romance novels, HARD TO LOVE, THE IMPACT OF YOU, RESISTING HER and WORKING IT.

She's a sassy, yet polite Midwestern girl with a deep love of books, and a slight addiction to lipgloss! She lives in Minneapolis with an adorable husband, two naughty puppies, and a brand new son.

She enjoys being naughty, reading, and anything girly. 

Twitter / Web / Facebook / Pinterest / Instagram / Goodreads

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Finding My Way by Heidi McLaughlin

Finding MyWay by Heidi McLaughlin 

Coming April 2014

New Adult Contemporary Romance

The Beaumont Series, #4

Liam Westbury has the world at his feet. He’s the quintessential golden boy. He’s the superstar quarterback for Beaumont High. His girl, Josie, is head cheerleader. He has his choice of colleges just waiting for him. Except he’s suffocating from all the pressure he’s under and no one understands.

Liam Page is the heartthrob he never wanted to be. He’s successful, smart and in demand by record companies and his adoring fans. Music is his passion, his love, but something’s missing. His nights are lonely and he longs for the girl he left behind. Seeing her in every face in the crowd haunts him with the knowledge that she hates him. Going home has never been an option until now.

Be there when Liam Westbury becomes Liam Page and follow the highs and lows of the Quarterback turned Rockstar as he finds a way back to Beaumont in this prequel to Forever My Girl.

Author Information
Heidi is the author of USA Today, Digital Book World, Amazon and Barnes & Noble Bestselling novel, Forever My Girl.

Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she's writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting court-side during either daughter's basketball games.

Author Links: 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

50 winners will receive a signed bookmark and card. International. 

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Review: Reaper's Legacy by Joanna Wylde

Reaper's Legacy (Reapers MC #2) by Joanna Wylde

Publication Date: January 28th 2014 by Berkely

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

Reaper's Legacy is a raw and intensely erotic tale in Joanna Wylde's Reapers Motorcycle Club series.

Eight years ago, Sophie gave her heart-and her virginity-to Zach Barrett on a night that couldn't have been less romantic or more embarrassing. Zach's step-brother, a steely-muscled, tattooed biker named Ruger, caught them in the act, getting a peep show of Sophie he's never forgotten.

She may have lost her dignity that fateful night, but Sophie also gained something precious-her son Noah. Unfortunately, Zach's a deadbeat dad, leaving Ruger to be Noah's only male role model. When he discovers Sophie and his nephew living in near poverty, Ruger takes matters into his own hands-with the help of the Reapers Motorcycle Club-to give them a better life.

Living with outlaw bikers wasn't Sophie's plan for her son, but Ruger isn't giving her a choice. He'll be there for Noah, whether she wants him or not. But Sophie does want him, has always wanted him. Now she'll learn that taking a biker to bed can get a girl dirty in every way.

My Thoughts:

Reaper’s Legacy was my kind of story! A sizzling romance, hot alpha males, all set in a rough and gritty motorcycle club with some added danger, and suspense to keep me on the edge of my seat.

Sophie and Ruger are forever tied when she sleeps with his stepbrother, Zach and gets pregnant at sixteen.  Ruger caught them in the act and fell a little bit for Sophie that night, yet you’d never know it from his gruff manner.  Zach turns out to be a real prince *not* and Ruger ends up stepping in many times to help Sophie and her son, Noah.  So much, that Ruger feels a special bond with Noah, almost like he’s his own son, and would do anything for him or Sophie. When Ruger finds Noah and Sophie in a dangerous situation, he insists they come to live at his house, and won’t take no for an answer.

Sophie’s main goal in life is being a good mother to Noah, and even though she doesn’t want to be at Ruger’s mercy she realizes she can no longer go it alone without help. Sophie just wishes that help wouldn’t be from Ruger because 1.) She’s been hung up on him for years, and 2.) He belongs to a motorcycle club, and she doesn’t want to be mixed up with a band of criminals or such a rough scene.

I love a romance when there’s a history at play.  Sophie has pined for Ruger, but she has no idea that he feels anything for her but intermittent bouts of lust.  She understandably doesn’t want to be one of the many notches in his bedpost.  Little does she know that Ruger longs for her too and has felt that way for years.

He’d spent too long playing the good uncle, ignoring what he felt because he knew it wasn’t the best thing for her. She deserved to be free, and who was he to take that away from her?  Well, fuck that.

“I’m tellin’ you,” he continued. “You’re my property, babe. I’ll take damned good care of you and Noah. You’ll take care of me.”

You’d think this would be great, but stupid Ruger and his stubborn “I’m not a one-woman man” stance made me want to smack him upside the head! Thankfully, Sophie won’t take that kind of nonsense, even with her occasional lapses in self-control (which were completely HOT! The shed scene, oh my!) she stood her ground.  

I just loved Sophie. She was a sweet and smart girl who wouldn’t settle, and even though she’s had so much heaped on her at a young age, Sophie had her priorities straight: her son first. Plus, she wasn’t judgmental, and even though she’s hesitant and cautious about The Reaper’s, she had an open mind.  I wasn’t a huge fan of Marie in the last book, but she along with the other “old ladies” gave valuable support and friendship and Sophie was grateful to take that.  Marie went up more than a few notches in this book.

Yes, I wanted to slap Ruger more than a few times, but here’s the thing, sometimes you have to look at a man’s actions, and ignore the stupidity coming from his mouth. Lol! He wasn’t a saint, but Ruger was there for Sophie every time.  It was clear he was a goner for her, it just took a little time and circumstances to figure it out.  Love some of the sentimental tidbits about Sophie we find out later.  The tattoos on Ruger’s shoulders…oh-so-sweet! 

I read Reaper’s Legacy (all 368 pages!) within a twenty-four hour period; it held my attention that well.  I’m addicted to Joanna Wylde’s take on the biker club life!  I was thrilled to learn the next book will be Em and Hunter/Liam’s story: Devil’s Game! That will prove to be quite interesting given what happened in this book. I can’t wait!

4.5 Suns

Connect with Joanna Wylde:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Donners of the Dead by Karina Halle

I'm a huge fan of Karina Halle's writing so I'm thrilled to be part of the blog tour for Donners of the Dead. I loved it and it spooked the heck out of me! This tour is hosted by Xpresso Book Tours and you can find a complete tour schedule by clicking HERE. Thanks for including us!  I have a review and an amazing giveaway (SIGNED Karina Halle books!) as part of my tour stop, so don't forget to scroll down to the bottom and enter.

Donners of the Dead by Karina Halle

Publication Date: February 24th 2014 by Metal Blond Books

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the book:

***A Standalone Horror Romance coming February 2014***

Jake McGraw was unlike anyone I’d ever known. He was brash, rude, unapologetic and arrogant; chauvinistic, close-minded, and terribly stubborn. He was built like a tree, tall with a hard chest and wide shoulders and hands that looked like they could wrestle a bear. He was a cigar-chomping, scruffy-faced, beast of a man. I was pretty sure I hated him. And I know he hated me. But among the flesh-eating monsters in these snow-capped mountains, he was the only thing keeping me alive

The year is 1851 and pioneers in search of California gold are still afraid to travel on the same route as the tragic Donner party did years before. When the last wagon train to go into the Sierra Nevada mountains fails to arrive at their destination, Eve Smith, an 18-year old half-native girl with immense tracking skills is brought along with the search party, headed by an enigmatic former Texas Ranger, Jake McGraw.

What they find deep in the dangerous snow-covered terrain is a terrifying consequence of cannibalism, giving new meaning to the term “monster.” While the search party is slowly picked off, one by one, Eve must learn to trust Jake, who harbors more than a few secrets of his own, in order to survive and prevent the monstrosities from reaching civilization.

***This is NOT New Adult***

My Thoughts:

Donners of the Dead was an exciting spin off of the horror that happened to The Donner Party back in the 1800s.  Most people know of that horrific chapter in American history, but leave it to Karina Halle to use it for a sinister tale sure to spook and frighten.  Add in an unlikely romance and I’m one happy girl.  I was glued to the pages!  This is one of those read-in-one-sitting books. 

Eve Smith is a young woman considered a “half-breed” born to Native American father and a white woman, in a small settlement below the Sierra Nevada Mountains back in the 1800s.  Her father has gone missing so she and her mother live at her aunt and uncle’s, but Eve is not treated as a complete equal. Instead of going to school like her cousin, Rose, she works on the ranch with Avery, a ranch hand and her best friend.  Avery doesn’t treat Eve like an unequal; rather he helps her, tutoring her after their chores are done. 

When a rough bunch of men ride through looking for a tracker, all the town people point them into the direction of Eve, since her father is no longer around, she’s the next best thing in their minds. These men are looking for another search party sent after the Donner Party who disappeared a year back.  Eve’s uncle practically shoves her out the door when he hears the large payment offered for her service.

This is where the excitement begins. The group of men is a motley crew, but “Mr. Snarly” as Eve first thinks of Jake, seems to stand out as the most interesting of the group, and he is all big burly man! He’s hostile to Eve at first, but he’s smart, good with a gun, and also strangely protective of her. These two verbally snipe at each other, stirring up all kinds of sexual tension. 

I suddenly became acutely aware that he had ever so subtly pressed himself up against me until we were almost in an embrace. I didn’t want to say anything—and I didn’t want him to move. There was something about the way his rock hard, strong body was encompassing mine that made me feel more combustible than the rifle in my hands.*

More than romance sent my heart racing as the situation turns from a simple search into a nightmare of danger and horrors, when we get a glimpse of what “really” happened to the Donner Party.  Eeeek! As a reader, you wonder if Eve and the others will come out alive.

Eve was a mixture of innocence and bravery; a character I immediately bonded with and felt protective over.  She never quite fit in because of her mixed heritage, but wasn’t bitter or whiny about it.  Jake was a bit of a jerk at first, but the sort of scoundrel to leave you weak in the knees!  As his story is revealed, you can understand his early hostility.  Eve and Jake’s romance is developed in amongst danger and death, but I felt it was weaved in perfectly, and was enough to satisfy this romance junkie!  This is an action packed read, but I felt the characterization was well balanced, not sacrificing one over the other. 

Karina Halle’s writing is captivating, and Donners of the Dead was riveting from the first page. And I’ll tell you one thing, I’ll be thinking of a few scenes the next time I go camping! *shivers*

4 Suns

*Quote take from an uncorrected proof and may change in the final copy.

AUTHOR BIO:

The daughter of a Norwegian Viking and a Finnish Moomin, Karina Halle grew up in Vancouver, Canada with trolls and eternal darkness on the brain. This soon turned into a love of all things that go bump in the night and a rather sadistic appreciation for freaking people out. Like many of the flawed characters she writes, Karina never knew where to find herself and has dabbled in acting, make-up artistry, film production, screenwriting, photography, travel writing and music journalism. She eventually found herself in the pages of the very novels she wrote (if only she had looked there to begin with).

Karina holds a screenwriting degree from Vancouver Film School and a Bachelor of Journalism from TRU. Her travel writing, music reviews/interviews and photography have appeared in publications such as Consequence of Sound, Mxdwn and GoNomad Travel Guides. She currently lives on an island on the coast of British Columbia where she’s preparing for the zombie apocalypse with her fiance and rescue pup.

Connect with Karina Halle

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

(All to 1 winner): Signed paperbacks of Donners of the Dead, The Devil's Metal and The Devil's Reprise plus a tote bag AND a one-page handwritten story about the winner in a fight with a zombie!  This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only. 

New Release & Giveaway: When I Break by Kendall Ryan

Happy Release Day to Kendall Ryan and her new book WHEN I BREAK!

BUY LINKS

Amazon † B&N † iTunes †

Kobo † Smashwords

Knox Bauer's life has unraveled to the point of no return. Fighting to fill the emptiness inside himself, he seeks solace in unfamiliar beds with unfamiliar women. As guardian to his three younger brothers, he can't seem to do a thing right. But this can't go on...they look up to him in every way and all he’s done lately is prove how messed up he really is. Needing a change, he attends a local Sex Addicts Anonymous meeting, where he finds himself tempted by the alluring instructor, McKenna. Twenty-one year old McKenna is trying to make amends. After losing her parents in a horrific accident, she knows if she can just be good enough, maybe she can forgive herself for what happened. With her newly acquired degree in counseling, she begins leading a sex addicts group where she meets the troubled Knox and her life takes on complications she never bargained for. She doesn't have time for a bad boy who only wants to take her to bed, even if her body disagrees. The fixer in her wants to help, but trusting Knox's true motivations might take more courage than she has. When I Break is book 1 in a new series by bestselling author Kendall Ryan. When I Surrender, book 2, will be available May 2014. Warning: Contains a stubborn alpha male with addiction issues and loads of sexual tension between two damaged characters. Read at your own risk. Due to mature content, it is recommended for 17+.

Kendall Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the contemporary romance novels, HARD TO LOVE, THE IMPACT OF YOU, RESISTING HER and WORKING IT. She's a sassy, yet polite Midwestern girl with a deep love of books, and a slight addiction to lipgloss! She lives in Minneapolis with an adorable husband, two naughty puppies, and a brand new son. She enjoys being naughty, reading, and anything girly.

Facebook † Twitter † Blog

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Review: Reaper's Property by Joanna Wylde

Reapers Property (Reapers MC #1) by Joanna Wylde

Publication Date: January 9th 2013 by Ellora's Cave Publishing

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

Marie doesn’t need a complication like Horse. The massive, tattooed, badass biker who shows up at her brother’s house one afternoon doesn’t agree. He wants Marie on his bike and in his bed. Now.

But Marie just left her abusive jerk of an ex-husband and she’s not looking for a new man. Especially one like Horse—she doesn’t know his real name or where he lives, she’s ninety percent certain he’s a criminal and that the “business” he talks with her brother isn’t website design. She needs him out of her life, which would be a snap if he’d just stop giving her mind-blowing orgasms.

Horse is part of the Reapers Motorcycle Club, and when he wants something, he takes it. What he wants is Marie, but she’s not interested in becoming “property of”.

Then her brother steals from the club. Marie can save him by giving Horse what he wants—at home, in public, on his bike… If she’s a very, very good girl, she’ll get lots more of those orgasms only he can offer, and he’ll let her brother live.
Maybe.

My Thoughts:

I’m fairly new to romances set in a motorcycle club. The only ones I’ve read have been by Kristen Ashley and they were a little tamer than this read, but Reaper’s Property is an addictive start to this series.

Marie is fresh out of her crappy marriage. She’s sorry she put her hopes and dreams of college and more on hold to marry her high school sweetheart, Gary.  He turned out to be an abusive, cheating a-hole, so she’s back at the trailer she grew up in with her wayward, but loveable brother, Jeff. 

Marie feels indebted to Jeff because he took her back into their home even though she was penniless and couldn’t contribute any money at first. This is why when the Reaper’s Motorcycle Club comes over, clearly involved with some sort of business with Jeff, Marie looks the other way. Well, for the most part. When she gets a glimpse of Horse, the hot, gorgeous club member, she melts into a pile of goo, and her body is overtaken by lustful thoughts.  Horse is something else, let me tell you.  Let’s first get to his “club name”:

“So aren’t you gonna ask?”

I studied him, narrowing my eyes. I had a bad feeling about this. But the words that came out of my mouth, completely beyond my control.

“So why are you called Horse?”

“Cause I’m hung like one,” he replied, smirking.

So, yeah, plenty of arrogance and testosterone there, but I’m certainly not opposed to a confident, alpha type male.  Horse is that and more, but he does have a sweet side, especially when it came to Marie, and it surprised me.  Marie and Horse hit it off until a situation makes her uncomfortable and she basically tosses Horse out on his behind.  They try again and Marie locks it down once more because of jumping the gun on assumptions. Horse is hurt and angry so when Jeff, Marie’s brother gets himself into hot water (scalding hot) with the club, instead of taking his life, Horse negotiates and takes Marie as payment to be his “house mouse” and basically his sex slave.  Marie doesn’t realize that Horse feels more for her, and is trying to protect her while at the same time acclimate her to life in a motorcycle club.  This is not her fault because Horse doesn’t communicate this “little” tidbit of information to her.

Overall I enjoyed this read, but there were things about the story that bugged me. To be honest, it was mainly Marie.  I get that the motorcycle club life might be shocking, but Marie was so judgmental to begin with it was annoying.  And what’s worse is she couldn’t even stand by her own convictions because every time she looked at Horse or rubbed up against him all her common sense went out the window!  Why bother to be so judgmental in the first place if you’re just going give in two seconds later?! I seriously wanted to shake some sense into Marie when it came to her idiot brother and other people, as well. Grrr!! The acronym TSTL “too stupid to live” fit Marie perfectly a couple of times by the end.  

Horse was a decent and honorable man, in spite of his spouting off, but I’m still not sure if I’m cut out for motorcycle club books because I didn’t like the way some of their “sweet butts” were treated.  I don’t care if these women offered up themselves willingly, I still didn’t like it.  These men didn’t have to stoop so low. Yuck. Still, this story did hold me captive until the end.  I will say that I’ve already started the next book in the series, Reaper's Legacy, and I already like it more.

3 Suns

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Before You Break by Christina Lee

Today I'm thrilled to be part of the Blog Tour for Before You Break by Christina Lee because this story was lovely! My tour stop includes my review and an awesome giveaway so be sure and scroll down to the bottom and enter for a chance to win.

Before You Break (Between Breaths #2) by Christina Lee

Publication Date: February 18th 2014 by Intermix Penguin

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Google Books

About the book:

A sexy, emotional New Adult romance about a bad boy on the edge and a good girl about to lose control…

The star catcher of the college baseball team isn't supposed to have skeletons in his closet. But Daniel Quinn is hiding a guilty past so dark he refuses to let anyone get close. Except there’s something about gorgeous, studious Ella Abrams that goes beyond the electric attraction between them—something that makes him want to open up.

Ella has suffered enough heartache and guilt to fill one of her psychology textbooks, but she keeps that part of herself hidden behind a bubbly exterior. Until she receives an anonymous call while working the suicide helpline and the voice on the other end touches something inside of her that she can’t ignore.

Soon Ella and Quinn’s physical connection heats up, even as their deep and revealing hotline talks intensify. But by the time Ella realizes that her seductive jock and her sensitive caller are the same guy, it might be too late to save him—or to stop herself from falling too far.

*A companion novel to ALL OF YOU

My Thoughts:

Before You Break was a touching of story of loss, grief, and guilt weaved in with swoony romance.

Both Ella and Quinn have been marked by death and sorrow.  Ella has essentially come to terms with her pain and channeled it into something meaningful by choosing a career path that will help others: getting a psychology degree. 

Quinn has not begun the healing process, and self-loathing and guilt cast a dark shadow over his life.  That is until he’s desperate enough to call into a suicide prevention hotline and connects with Ella who volunteers there.  Not realizing they actually know each other Quinn bares his soul to Ella, one phone call at a time, feeling a for once that he has an understanding ear.  Ella is deeply affected by Quinn’s pain, and she wants to help.  She lost her brother, Christopher when he committed suicide, and Ella’s experienced some of the same feelings of guilt and helplessness that Quinn’s dealing with. 

Ella’s personal life isn’t quite as healthy. She’s remained in a relationship with her boyfriend, Joel, even though the spark has long since gone and she suspects he’s not entirely faithful.  But because he knew her brother Christopher, she can’t help but hold on.  Meanwhile, Quinn, who is a student in Joel’s frat house, captures her attention with his quite seriousness, not to mention his smoking hot good looks.  During their interactions, Ella feels a deep connection, and attraction to Quinn, but she also senses sadness in him as well. 

Quinn sees the way Joel treats Ella and it ticks him off.  Ella is sweet, gorgeous, and fun with a personality that just sucks him in. A smoldering attraction forces their situation to a head, but the big question is whether Quinn can forgive himself enough to allow for happiness with Ella.

Quinn and Ella have a powerful draw and chemistry, but beyond that they have a deep sense of connection because they unknowingly share similar pain.   Ella shares openly with Quinn and this along with his phone calls to “Gabriella”, gives him the courage to open up and start healing.  Their romance was HOT even though they tried to take things slow.  When you’re attracted by more than just the physical person, the bond is usually more intense.  Lots of steamy scenes sure to get your heart racing!

This was my first time reading Christina Lee, but it won’t be the last.  She wrote an emotionally charged romance that enthralled me from the first page.  I can’t wait for the next story which centers on Rachel: Whisper to Me.

4 Suns

Raves for Christina Lee’s All of You

"Hot, sweet, emotional, page-turner, awesome." —New York Times and USA 

Today bestselling author Monica Murphy

“This is one New Adult you don’t want to miss.” —New York Times and USA Today bestselling author A. L. Jackson

"Steamy, honest, and full of heart.” —Roni Loren, national bestselling author

Excerpt

At the theater, we bought popcorn, Milk Duds, and large sodas. After we settled in our seats in the crowded room, I opened the box of chocolate caramel confections and dumped them in the large tub.

“Um,” Quinn said, scratching his chin.

“Sweet and salty—it’s a must-have for movie watching.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously.” I picked up a Milk Dud, flanked it with two pieces of popcorn, and then brought it to his lips. “Here. I guarantee you’ll fall in love. You’ll never watch a movie without them again.”

“If you say so. . . .” He dragged the sweet and salty mixture into his mouth but kept my fingers enclosed between his lips. I held in a gasp while he ran his tongue over my thumb and then sucked on my forefinger before releasing my hand and chewing what remained.

“Agree,” he said around a mouthful of popcorn. “Wouldn’t want to be without them ever again.”

Quinn’s gaze latched on to mine. It felt like a bundle of feathers had been let loose in my stomach. “Guess you’ll have to come to every movie from now on. So I don’t forget.”

Speechless wasn’t even the word for what I felt in that moment. Dumbfounded might have been more like it, or maybe just struck stupid, because I couldn’t even move my lips to form any coherent words.

When the movie previews began, he turned toward the screen and reached for my fingers, interlacing our hands. Then he leaned close to my ear and said, “I expect you to feed me just like that the entire movie.”

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As part of this post we have this generous giveaway provided by Penguin Intermix. Simply fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win. Good luck!