Giveaway Hop: Just Couldn't Put it Down July

I'm here with another giveaway for the week. Just Couldn't Put it Down in July is a giveaway hop hosted by Valerie @Stuck in Books.  For a complete list of participating blogs  click HERE. This one is open to our International readers!

Don't for get we also have our Follower Appreciation Giveaway running. A Book Bundle of 9 Books! Click HERE for post.

So what books are on my list of "couldn't put it down"? Here are a few:

  

 

What about you? What books have kept you up way past your bedtime or sneaking pages when you should be doing something else?

This giveaway is for $10 at US Amazon or US Barnes & Noble or up to $10 at The Book Depository. The giveaway is International as long as The Book Depository ships to your country. Click HERE for a list of countries. 

Waves of Fiction Follower Appreciation Giveaway

Hello readers! As promised we're back with a Follower Appreciation Bundle of Books Giveaway! I have nine books up for grabs! Thanks for all your support these last few years!  This giveaway is open to US Residents only, but don't worry! Tomorrow we have an International Giveaway coming up, hosted by Stuck in Books. 

Unbroken by Melody Grace

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

A Beautiful Wedding by Jamie McGuire

Taken by the Duke by Jess Michaels

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones 

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet by Darynda Jones

The Captive by Grace Burrows

Falling Away by Penelope Douglas

(click on title for Goodreads link)

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Excerpt & Giveaway: A Gentleman Never Tells by Eloisa James

I've been having a lot of fun with historical romances lately and A Gentleman Never Tells by Eloisa James sounds right up my alley.  I don't know about you, but I have a special fondness for novellas because sometimes I want a quick romance fix without having to read for hours to get my HEA! Below I have an excerpt to tempt you, as well as a giveaway provided by the lovely people of Avon Impulse!

A Gentleman Never Tells (Essex Sisters #4.5) by Eloisa James

Publication Date: June 28th 2016 by Avon Impluse

Purchase Link: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062573063/a-gentleman-never-tells

E-ISBN 9780062573063 * $.99

About the book:

 A witty, sexy novella about a virgin widow and a rake with something to prove.

Eighteen months ago, Lizzie Troutt’s husband died in his mistress’s bed, leaving her determined to never marry again….and unfortunately virginal.

Eighteen years ago (give or take a few) the Honorable Oliver Berwick blackened his own soul, leaving him hardened and resolutely single.

When the chance for redemption in the form of a country house party invitation comes his way, Oliver is determined to prove himself a gentleman.

Until he breaks all the codes of gentlemanly behavior…once again.

Excerpt from A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS:

About the Author

ELOISA JAMES is a New York Times best-selling author and professor of English literature who lives with her family in New York, but can sometimes be found in Paris or Italy. She is the mother of two and, in a particularly delicious irony for a romance writer, is married to a genuine Italian knight. Visit her at www.eloisajames.com

Connect with Eloisa James:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

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Review & Giveaway: Shadow Rider by Christine Feehan

Shadow Rider (Shadow #1) by Christine Feehan

Publication Date: June 28th 2016 by Jove

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

The #1 New York Times bestselling “queen of paranormal romance”* is back with a sexy new series starring a Chicago crime family that hides a dark, mystical secret...

Whether it’s fast cars or fast women, Stefano Ferraro gets what he wants. When he’s not fodder for the paparazzi, he commands Ferraro family businesses—both legitimate and illegitimate.

While their criminal activity is simply a rumor yet to be proven, no one knows the real truth. The Ferraros are a family of shadow riders capable of manipulating light and dark, an ability Stefano thought ran in his family alone—until now…

With little left to her name, Francesca Cappello has come to Chicago in hopes of a new life. She wasn’t expecting to attract the attention of a man with primal hunger in his eyes, driven to claim her as his to protect and to please. And if he discovers her secret, it could ruin her...

My Thoughts:

Francesca is on the run from a very powerful man, Barry Anthon, who brutally murdered her sister and got away with it. She lost everything thanks to him, her home, and reputation. Thankfully, her best friend, Joanna, was able to help, because otherwise she’d be living on the streets. The minute she gets to Joanna’s town, though, she captures the attention of Stefano Ferraro, a powerful, gorgeous man with a dangerous edge. 

Stefano Ferraro is a shadow rider, a person able to ride shadows, traveling undetected, and endowed with other psychic gifts. He’s from a long family line of shadow riders trained from infancy to perfect their abilities and use their gifts for justice when the law fails to serve it.  When Francesca gets to his town, penniless and frightened, he immediately senses her presence and intense pull.  Every cell in his body is drawn to her, and there’s no way he can let her go even if that means involving her in his dangerous world.

This is my first Christine Feehan book and I’m impressed by how HOT it was! Stefano and Francesca’s romance intense! It was almost like the absolute pull mates have in shifter stories, which kind of applies here, too; that powerful bond resulting partly from the paranormal aspect of their relationship.  I will say the first 35% or so sort of dragged for me and it took me a while to get past that point. Shadow Rider is a 480 page book, so it was a hefty amount, but once I did the story was quite steamy and addictive.  This is a case of a dark, possessive, Alpha-guy who in real life would be considered stalker-ish and scary, but somehow in fiction he’s super hot and delicious, lol! Although, I must admit, Stefano kept dibs on Francesca for protection, and she definitely needed it! She was in danger at every turn.  Barry is crazy obsessed with finding, punishing and killing Francesca, but he’s way out of his league when it comes to the Ferraro family.  I love how the family pulls together to combat this thug!

This was a great introduction into the world of Shadow Riders! I’m wondering what will come next, a story with Nicoletta and Stefano’s brother, Taviano? My heart aches for what that poor girl went through!

3.5 Suns

The lovely people of Jove generously provided a Paperback copy of Shadow Rider to giveaway to one Waves of Fiction follower.  The giveaway is open to US and CA residents only. 

General Update & Giveaway

Hello readers! I guess we've been a little slow here on the blog, but we have some great things coming up this summer. We have several giveaways, and we'll tell you about them and share some of our Summer reading and vacation plans. Arlene and I would love to hear about your reading and fun plans for the Summer, too, so tell us in the comments below. If you have a photo posted on Facebook/Twitter/Blog link us up, and I'll come by check it out!  

As a bonus, we have a giveaway of M. Leighton's Until I Break down below. This book had a little bit of scandal surrounding it and so the author pulled it from Amazon, and I can't find it anywhere else. I read it back in 2013 (my review) and loved it. It was a little edgy, but not sure what all the fuss about. Apparently it pushed someone's buttons, though.

First off, coming up on the blog:

 Reading, Reviews, & Giveaways

Coming this Thursday:

Posting on Friday:

Reading, Reviewing:

(click on cover for Goodreads link)

   

   

(Addicted, Shadow Rider, Falling in Deeper, Reaper's Fire, and Just What I Needed will be book giveaways & reviews.)

Both Arlene and I are reading The Angel's Share, book 2 in J.R. Ward's The Bourbon Kings series and I'm sooo excited for it! Kind of soap-opera-y, scandalous and oh-so-hot! I read a teaser for Reaper's Fire a while back and it was good! Can't wait for Tinker and Gage's story! Roni Loren is the queen of melt-your-panties-smoking-hot romances/erotica! I'm not sure if Wanderlust will be more mellow but I don't care, her writing is amazing!

What we've been listening to. Not necessarily going to review, but worth mentioning.

Rachel:

  

I can't get enough of the Virgin River series by Robyn Carr! I'm currently on book 8.  Therese Plummer is the narrator for the series, and she is amazing! Both male and female voices are wonderful. Allison Brennan's Max Revere series is about an investigative reporter who is smart, confident, and a little bitchy sometimes, but she completely grew on me with her uncompromising search for the truth and justice! The second book had me on the edge of my seat with tension! Narration is totally recommended! You just can't go wrong with Ilona Andrews and since I'm all caught up with Kate Daniels I'm searching for anything else by them and came up with The Innkeeper Chronicles. Renee Raudman narrates all of their books and I love her! Her male voices in the very first Kate Daniels needed some work, but she nailed it after that.

Arlene:

 

I'm exited to finished up these audio books. It's been a while since I've had a chance to listen to one from beginning to end, but now that school is out and work projects are slowing down, I know I'll have a lot more time on my hands to enjoy The Year We Turned Forty by Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke, as well as, Listen to Me by Kristen Proby.

Back in May, I also had a chance to revive my book club with my close friends, and we've been having a great time getting together and talking about books. Our June read was After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid, which I read a couple of years ago and really enjoyed diving into again. For July, we decided to tackle a foodie fiction book and bring a treat to the meeting to share among friends. So, for next month, we'll be reading and discussing Little Beach Street by Jenny Colgan.

Summer fun and vacation plans:

Rachel:

Vancouver & Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

I visited several years ago (ten?) in the Fall, and loved it. I'm going again next month. 

Laguna Beach, California:

This is only a couple of hours from my house, but a nice getaway. I plan on reading and relaxing by the pool. Heaven!

Arlene:

Lake Tahoe, CA

We'll actually be driving to this resort, which will be an eight hour road trip. We plan to make the most of it by stopping a local diners and attractions. However, when we get to Lake Tahoe, I plan to relax and dive into the books I've purchased especially for this trip. The picture below shows you a day and evening view of the resort.  What you can't see is the the Cable Car Ice Cream Shop across the street. Having stayed here a few years ago, I know I'm in for a week long treat!

San Francisco, CA

We will also be taking a trip to San Francisco this Summer, and I already have my top five excursions for the visit. We plan to drive across The Golden Gate Bridge, either walk or drive down the curvy road of Lombard Street, visit the Victorian houses throughout the city, enjoy a chocolate dessert at Ghirardelli Square and spend some time on Fisherman's Wharf.  Having been here quite a few times, I know to bring a sweater for the trip. Yes, even in the Summer it can be quite chilly!

A Paperback Copy of Until I Break by M. Leighton:

 The giveaway is open to US & CA residents only.

Cover Reveal: Archangel's Heart by Nalini Singh

Archangel's Heart (Guild Hunter's #9) by Nalini Singh

Publication Date: November 1st 2016 by Berkley
Pre-order: HERE  Add to Goodreads

About the book:

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh takes us into a dangerous and exhilarating world where a deadly, beautiful archangel and his once-mortal consort are caught in a fury of twisted darkness…

One of the most vicious archangels in the world has disappeared. No one knows if Lijuan is dead or has chosen to Sleep the long sleep of an immortal. But with her lands falling into chaos under a rising tide of vampiric bloodlust, a mysterious and ancient order of angels known as the Luminata calls the entire Cadre together to discuss the fate of her territory.

Accompanying her archangelic lover Raphael to the Luminata compound, guild hunter-turned-angel Elena senses that all is not as it seems. Secrets echo from within the stone walls of the compound, and the deeper Elena goes, the uglier the darkness. But neither Raphael nor Elena is ready for the brutal truths hidden within—truths that will change everything Elena thinks she knows about who she is…

Nothing will ever be the same again.

About the author:

Nalini Singh is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling, Guild Hunter, and Rock Kiss series. She lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing.

If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts and free short stories on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. The Rock Kiss books are all stand alone and can be read in any order.

STALK HER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review: Everywhere and Every Way by Jennifer Probst

Everywhere and Ever Way (Billionaire Builders #1) by Jennifer Probst

Publication Date: May 31st 2017 by Gallery Books

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the book:

Hot on the heels of her beloved Marriage to a Billionaire novels, New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst nails it with the first in an all-new sexy romance series featuring red-hot contractor siblings who give the Property Brothers a run for their money!

Ever the responsible eldest brother, Caleb Pierce started working for his father’s luxury contracting business at a young age, dreaming of one day sitting in the boss’s chair. But his father’s will throws a wrench in his plans by stipulating that Caleb share control of the family business with his two estranged brothers.

Things only get more complicated when demanding high-end home designer Morgan hires Caleb to build her a customized dream house that matches her specifications to a T—or she’ll use her powerful connections to poison the Pierce brothers’ reputation. Not one to ignore a challenge, Caleb vows to get the job done—if only he can stop getting distracted by his new client’s perfect…amenities.

But there’s more to icy Morgan than meets the eye. And Caleb’s not the only one who knows how to use a stud-finder. In fact, Morgan is pretty sure she’s found hers—and he looks quite enticing in a hard hat. As sparks fly between Morgan and Caleb despite his best intentions not to mix business and pleasure, will she finally warm up and help him lay the foundation for everlasting love?

My Thoughts:

Cal Pierce is forced to work with his two estranged brothers, Dalton and Tristan, after his father dies, per an iron-clad will.  There’s bad blood between these brothers and they haven’t been around each other much for the past six years.  They’ve got one year to work it out and turn a profit or they lose the family business.

Morgan is an interior designer with high end clientele, and is known for making dreams homes into reality through her work. Her current project will be her most demanding which is why she wants Pierce Brothers with their uncompromising reputation to build the house. When she meets Cal Pierce there’s an immediate, fierce attraction. He’s not the most handsome man she’s met, but he exudes a rough masculinity that calls to her! Cal is attracted, as well.  Morgan seems like a too perfect Southern Belle who needs a little messing up.

This story started off slow for me, and it wasn’t until the 50% mark that I became fully invested in the characters and the romance. Part of that was because Morgan and Cal danced around each other up until that point. My other issue was the page time devoted to details of building and decorating, and getting sidetracked with other characters instead of focusing on Morgan and Cal’s relationship. I will say once Cal and Morgan got together it was pretty steamy!

Cal was a serious guy, mostly involved with the Pierce Brothers Construction business, and not a player at all, and I adored him! Even though I wasn’t thrilled with how Morgan maneuvered things in the beginning, she quickly grew on me. She went through something pretty horrific at a young age, and dealt with heartbreak, but she got through it stronger, finding happiness in excelling at her business.  No wallowing in self-pity for Morgan. I admire people with a strong work ethic who take pride in doing a job right, and both Morgan and Cal had that in common.

The brotherly connection was a struggle for me, and until very late in the story I didn’t know if they could work things out.  I really couldn’t blame Cal for monitoring Dalton in the business. Dalton acted like a child for the most part and I wouldn’t have trusted him on his own either. As for their personal issues, I wish I would’ve known the details earlier on so I didn’t have such a bad impression of Dalton for most of the book.  By the end, though, I was sold on them becoming a family again, and happy with how things turned out.

3.5 Suns

Connect with Jennifer Probst:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review: Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt

Duke of Sin (Maiden Lane #10) by Elizabeth Hoyt

Publication Date: May 31st 2016 by Grand Central Publishing

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About the book:

A MAN OF SIN

Devastatingly handsome. Vain. Unscrupulous. Valentine Napier, the Duke of Montgomery, is the man London whispers about in boudoirs and back alleys. A notorious rake and blackmailer, Montgomery has returned from exile, intent on seeking revenge on those who have wronged him. But what he finds in his own bedroom may lay waste to all his plans.

A WOMAN OF HONOR

Born a bastard, housekeeper Bridget Crumb is clever, bold, and fiercely loyal. When her aristocratic mother becomes the target of extortion, Bridget joins the Duke of Montgomery's household to search for the incriminating evidence-and uncovers something far more dangerous.

A SECRET THAT THREATENS TO DESTROY THEM BOTH

Astonished by the deceptively prim-and surprisingly witty-domestic spy in his chambers, Montgomery is intrigued. And try as she might, Bridget can't resist the slyly charming duke. Now as the two begin their treacherous game of cat and mouse, they soon realize that they both have secrets-and neither may be as nefarious-or as innocent-as they appear . . .

My Thoughts:

Valentine, the Duke of Montgomery, is hated and feared because he knows society’s secrets and uses them to blackmail and bully.  As the story progresses you see that some of his blackmailing is punishment, just and deserved, for those who would sin with impunity. At first it appears that Val has no conscience, but then you discover something that proves he has a heart, that’s not to say that he didn’t do vile things as well.  

Bridget has maneuvered herself into Val’s household as his housekeeper to extract blackmail evidence Val has against a family friend and letters that he’s been using against her own mother, an aristocrat who hid that she birthed Bridget.  Bridget was the result of an affair, so her mother never acknowledged her publically, and had her adopted out to a farming family. I thought Bridget’s mother deserved to be blackmailed.  At any rate, as Bridget gets to know Val better, she realizes that yes, he is terrible at times, but she sees the reasons behind some of his actions.  Against her better judgment Bridget starts falling for him.

Val is taken with his strong-willed housekeeper.  Bridget challenges him, wakes up some of his conscience, and foils some of his schemes. To survive his nightmare past he must take power from the terrible.  Bridget hopes he doesn’t become one of them in the process.

This is my first read from Elizabeth Hoyt, and I enjoyed her storytelling and ability to make a rake and criminal empathetic and likable. I enjoyed Bridget’s spirit and spunk, and the delightful tension between her and Val.  He was wickedly sensual with her, taking her off guard at times and it was fun to watch.  Duke of Sin showcased the darker side of Georgian England and the unfortunate nature of classes without making this a gloomy read. I think I’ll be reading the first in the series very soon!

4 Suns

Review & Giveaway:Big Easy Temptation by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake

Big Easy Temptation (The Perfect Gentlemen #3) by Shayla Black & Lexi Blake

Publication Date: May 3rd 2016 by Berkely

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

The New York Times bestselling authors of the Masters of Ménage series present the third scintillating novel featuring the privileged, wealthy, wild men of Creighton Academy—the Perfect Gentlemen.

Years ago, Naval officer Dax Spencer and NCIS agent Holland Kirk indulged in a steamy affair—until she betrayed him in the wake of his father’s death. Dax tried to put her behind him with a payback of his own. But he never forgot Holland…

Now, as Dax and his fellow Perfect Gentlemen unravel a web of lies, he discovers his family’s tragedy is part of a much larger conspiracy. Soon, all clues point him back to New Orleans…where Holland waits, protecting her deadly secret and holding a torch for the only man she’s ever loved.

Once reunited, they can’t fight the passion flaring hot and wild. But something sinister lurks around every corner, from the elegance of the Garden district to the beauty of the bayou. Dax and Holland may find their way back to each other—if they survive...

My Thoughts:

Big Easy Temptation is the third in The Perfect Gentlemen series, and it seems I’m a little more invested with each book!  Shayla Black and Lexi Blake have created an addictive and intense series, and I just loved this installment!  This is very much a second chance romance, one of my favorite kinds.  The first half takes up back to the past where Dax and Holland fall hopelessly for each other.  Their love is not the kind a person finds twice. Holland is the one for Dax, has been since the day he set eyes on her, and she feels the same for him, but things go horribly wrong, when a bigger conspiracy comes into play.

Now, present day, there’s so much hurt from betrayal is between Holland and Dax.  The passage of three years hasn’t dulled the intensity of their feelings, even if hurt and anger is primarily between them when they meet up again.  They’re thrown together again when Dax returns to reopen his father’s suicide scandal with new evidence. 

This series opened with the murder of one of the “Perfect Gentlemen”, Mad Crawford, in the first book and the conspiracy behind his death and how it’s connected to Zack, the current President, and one of the “Gentlemen”, is a continuing story arc throughout the series with each book taking us a little further into the mystery.  But at the center of each book is a romance for one of the “Perfect Gentlemen” and this installment was Dax’s turn to find his way back to his one and only true love.  Boy, Dax really screwed up three years ago! That’s not to say that I couldn’t understand how he did what he did, but some first class groveling was in order!  I was hurt and pissed for Holland’s sake even though she had a hand in how thing played out, but she sacrificed everything for Dax! No worries because when we return to the present things are almost immediately cleared up and Dax realized what he did and how he felt was a major F-up on his part! Now Dax is determined to win Holland back and never let her go again.

I’m not into super angsty romances, but this didn’t go over the top for me. Yes, my heart hurt for both of them, but this just made me yearn for them to work out even more!  I loved the intensity of their emotions and passion for each other!  Their intimate time together was desperate and so very HOT! 

The danger from their investigation puts them Holland and Dax in harm’s way and so there is much more going on than just the romance. They have the back up of the Gentlemen, and I was thrilled to see Connor and Lara again, along with crazy-conspiracy-theory-Freddy, as well. The mystery behind Dax’s father’s suicide is cleared up by the end, but the continuing mystery is still unfolding.

The end reunites all the "Gentlemen" and I wanted to smack Zack for what he’s doing to “protect” Liz! I can’t wait for Augustine, “Gus” to find out and kick him where it counts! But I think I'll have to wait for Zack and Liz's story because I think Roman and Augustine are up next. I can’t wait!

4.5 Suns

Connect with Shayla Black:

Website  Facebook  Twitter

Connect with Lexi Blake:

Website  Facebook  Twitter

The lovely people of Berkley provided a Paperback Copy of Big Easy Temptation to one Waves of Fiction follow.  Simply fill out the rafflecopter for a chance to win.  Giveaway is open to US and CA residents only.