Spotlight feature of Caught in the Act by Kim Law plus a tour wide giveaway

CAUGHT IN THE ACT

The Davenports, Book Two

Montlake Romance, Contemporary

January 27, 2015 Amazon| B&N | BAM | POWELL

Catherine Davenport Carlton needs a break. After dedicating her life to her political-minded family, shocking scandals from the past have shaken her to her core. Summer in the quiet town of Dyersport, Maine, is just what she needs, especially with a super-hot neighbor right next door…who’s none other than Brody Hollister, the boy she fell in love with as a teen. Cat wants nothing more than to pick up right where they left off eighteen years ago, but she’s still haunted by a terrible secret that could devastate Brody.

Brody Hollister spent years pining over Cat Davenport. They met young and loved passionately—until she disappeared from his life. Now she’s back, as spirited and beautiful as ever. But while Brody is determined to help Cat free herself from her family’s drama, his own family may be hiding something that could ruin their rekindled romance for good.

In Book Two of the Davenports romance series, sex and politics collide…with passionate results.

EXCERPT:

“I . . . uh . . .” Louisa’s stumbling words caught his attention. She was looking back and forth between them, confusion marring her face. “I guess you two know each other?” she finally asked.

Brody’s gaze met Cat’s. They nodded simultaneously.

“We know each other,” he said. “Though it’s been a long time.”

Cat nodded again, the anger he’d seen flash across her face softening back into surprise. “Long time,” she muttered.

And then her gaze skittered away.

Her lack of eye contact intrigued him, and he took the moment to study her appearance. Her makeup was just right: applied with a light hand but enough to come across as professional. Her hair, with its wide band perfectly matching her top and shoes, didn’t have a single flyaway strand.

And her stance screamed that she was important—only not so much as to not fit in with the locals. She wore her Davenport air, and from everything he’d seen over the last two decades, she should be standing there with a high level of confidence.

However, she was still focusing on anything other than him.

And then he got it. She hadn’t been spying on him for the last five days. She’d been ogling.

Him.

This brought a broad grin to his face. It had been nineteen years since he’d seen her. And yeah, he knew that people checked him out. He took care of himself. According to gossip at the college, he was a “hottie.” But to have Cat think so. After all this time. The very idea sent a rush of hot pleasure through his body.

And he could see it on her face when she peeked up at him once more. Her chin tilted stubbornly in the air. Catherine Davenport had just figured out that the guy she had the hots for was the very boy who’d once fumbled his way into her panties.

And she lived right next door to him.

The summer suddenly looked a whole lot brighter.

“Mr. Hollister,” a high-pitched voice said at his side. A small hand yanked on his belt loop, and in the next instant, multiple hands yanked on multiple belt loops, with additional “Mr. Hollisters” thrown in.

Brody looked down. He was surrounded by every kid who’d been sitting perfectly quiet only two minutes earlier. Not that he couldn’t handle them when they weren’t sitting quietly, they’d just caught him off guard. It would be only a matter of getting everyone calmed back down, and things would be fine.

He pried Amy’s tiny hand off his jeans while ignoring Cat still standing in the doorway. “What can I do for you, Amy?”

“Can the woman stay?” the girl asked.

“Yeah!” Fourteen other kids shouted the word in unison and began bouncing up and down, almost as one entity. “Let the woman stay,” they chanted. “Let the woman stay.”

A soft chime sounded overhead, and Louisa mumbled something about the front door. She was gone before Brody could ask for help.

Amy tugged on his belt loop again. “Mr. Hollister.”

“Yes, Amy?” Once again, he pried small fingers from the denim.

“I need to pee.”

Oh geez.

Brody looked around, panicked, feeling suddenly out of control. He did not want to ask Cat for help. There was a certainty in him that if he let her in, even a millimeter, she would quickly become more than a pretty neighbor to secretly fixate on.

He shoved the thought from his mind. She may be next door, and he may still want her—no matter how they’d ended—but it didn’t mean he had to act on it. Even if one glance at her in close proximity had him thinking that he wanted to peel that innocent-looking white skirt from her body and see what she looked like in a teeny-tiny pair of bikinis.

It had nothing to do with her personally. It had simply been a while.

And men had needs.

“How about we all make a bathroom run?” he suggested. He stood tall and swept his gaze over the children. “Line up.” He motioned with his arms, each drawing out a line the kids should step to. “Boys on one side, girls on the other.”

Cat entered the room.

She reached out a hand for Amy’s. “I’ll take the girls.”

“There’s no need,” Brody started. He grabbed Amy’s hand before Cat could. “I can handle it.”

Sculpted blonde eyebrows rose before him. “So can I.”

She stared at him, and it was as if nineteen years slipped away into nothing.

Something had happened that summer that he’d never been able to replicate with another woman. Not even the one he’d been engaged to.

And it seemed to be happening again whether he liked it or not.

All of a sudden, he felt like the geeky teenager he’d once been. She’d been so out of his league. A Davenport. A year older. She’d had a license, for Christ’s sake.

Yet she’d been drawn to him, too. She’d become his best friend during those weeks. He would have followed her anywhere.

Fine. He silently relented. He narrowed his eyes at her as he released Amy’s hand. But I didn’t ask for your help.

Shocker.

He’d been proud even then. No father, a single, struggling mother. He’d needed to be on top of his game for the scholarships he sought.

Cat had needed to be pristine for her family’s reputation.

All of that had disappeared on their last day together.

Cat pasted on her fake, public smile now and proceeded to ignore him. She glowed down at the line of waiting girls. Each of them tittered in front of her as if in the presence of a princess. “Let’s make it a game,” she suggested in a secretive voice. “I’ll be the mama duck, and each of you are my ducklings. That means you have to hold on to your duckling sister in front of you.” She showed them how with one arm outstretched toward Amy’s shoulder. “And stay in a single-file line.”

The girls solemnly nodded and then assembled behind their leader, each with one hand on the girl in front of her. As they filed out of the room, the occasional soft quack could be heard coming from the hallway. Brody couldn’t help but smile.

When the last one disappeared out the door, he realized that he stood in the middle of five silent boys. All of them—including him—had fallen under Cat’s spell and were now staring awestruck in the direction she’d gone, tongues practically lolling out of their mouths.

Terrific. Nothing had changed. She had a way about her.

He looked down at Dylan, the oldest of the boys, who had lifted his head and was studying Brody intently. A quizzical expression was etched on the boy’s face.

“She’s pretty,” Dylan said innocently.

Brody nodded. “Yes, she is.” She had only gotten prettier since he’d last seen her.

“I like her,” the boy stated.

It didn’t take long to figure that out about Cat. Everyone liked her. Dread settled in Brody’s gut. He may have been only fifteen before, but she’d broken his heart in two.

I like her, too.

A little about Kim:

As a child, award-winning author Kim Law cultivated a love for chocolate, anything purple, and creative writing. She penned her debut work, “The Gigantic Talking Raisin,” in the sixth grade and got hooked on the delights of creating stories. Before settling into the writing life, however, she earned a college degree in mathematics and then worked as a computer programmer. Now she’s living out her lifelong dream of writing romance novels. She’s won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award, has been a finalist for the prestigious RWA RITA Award, and has served in varied positions for her local RWA chapter. A native of Kentucky, Kim lives with her husband and an assortment of animals in Middle Tennessee.

Learn more about Kim and her books here: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Or email Kim at kim@kimlaw.com

*****

Giveaway Time

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January 30, 2015January 29, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Once Loved by Cecy Robson

He’s the campus golden boy. She’s picking up the pieces of her broken past. But in Cecy Robson’s scorching novel of second chances—perfect for readers of Monica Murphy and J. Lynn—their differences only make their connection more explosive.

Every memory Lety Tres Santos has from her childhood comes with a scar—some emotional, some physical. Her father is an abusive drug addict, and her mother enables his destructive behavior. College offers Lety a fresh start . . . until her father finds a way to ruin that, too. Now, after losing her scholarship to kick off junior year, Lety must somehow stay in school, pay tuition, and turn a deaf ear to the whispers that follow her. And she intends to do it all without Brody Quaid’s help.

Brody is a lacrosse star, a 4.0 student—and as a freshman, he fell hard for the beautiful and spirited Lety. But their relationship crashed and burned because he couldn’t break through the walls she’s put up around her heart. With Lety hurting more than ever, Brody strives to win her back and make her believe in real love and true partnership. That will mean opening up secrets locked away in his own past—and trusting someone more than he’s ever dared.

Lety knows how painful it can be to depend on the wrong man. She also knows how much Brody wants to do this the right way. But it takes more than sizzling desire to move on and build a future together.

Amazon/B&N

“Do you think it was easy for me to let you go? You weren’t the only one crushed. I cried every day for a month when we broke up.”

“Then why did you do it? And why are you doing this now?”

My vision blurred as I thought about that horrible day when I severed our relationship. Carlos had busted my nose and given me a concussion after arriving coked up at a family party. Brody had watched the blood pouring out of me, unable to break free from the men holding him back.

I would have given anything to spare him from that part of my life. Instead he’d seen it all. “I’ll never be good enough for you, and you know it.”

“You’re wrong.” He drew me to him. His lips pushed against me until mine parted and allowed him in. I shouldn’t have. I knew I shouldn’t have, but my resolve crumbled and I gave in, linking my arms around his neck.

His strong arms wrapped around my waist and he deepened our kiss. His tongue flicked over mine, circling and taunting me to play. My spine arched as he pulled me tighter against his body. He hadn’t kissed me since the day I walked away, and now I didn’t want him to stop.

I moaned softly, returning his show of affection with equal force and enthusiasm. God, I’d missed that mouth. Our kiss intensified, turning into more. We took our time, as if nothing else mattered. When we finally parted, we were both panting.

“We shouldn’t have done that,” I told him.

He smirked. “Yeah, we should’ve. Truth is, I don’t know why we stopped.”

I edged away when he tried to kiss me again, wishing life were that easy.

Brody cupped my chin, tilting it gently so I’d meet his face. “Letz, come on. We’re better off together than apart.”

I lowered my lashes. “You can’t mean that.”

“Yeah, I do. I spent all last year trying like hell to get over you.”

My hands splayed across the bulky muscles of his broad chest. This time it was my turn to smirk. “Oh, yeah. I saw all the girls offering to help you out with your dilemma.”

He cocked his head to the side. “Just like I saw you and Justin Kalabrowski making out at the No-Pants dance.”

“I wasn’t making out with him.”

“Yeah, you were. You were in the hall near the bathroom and it took everything I had not to pound the shit out of him.”

I raised my eyebrows. “I would think Karen Enderson, your date for the evening, would have had a problem with that. Or was it Linda Marrington? Or Jessica Gustfenson? Or Cindy Vincent? Hmmm, maybe I’m confusing them with Lissette Miller.” I tapped my fingers against him. “Did I miss anyone?”

He grinned. “Wendy Jenner.”

My teeth clenched. “Oh, yes, good ol’ Wendy. The girl who yodels during sex. How could I forget?”

“I hear it’s not really a yodel, more like an excited vibrato.” He laughed when I did, but then his expression grew somber. “For the record, none of them meant anything. Just girls I went out with a few times.”

I smiled softly. “And for the record, I didn’t kiss Justin. He kissed me.”

He rolled his eyes. “Lety, I saw you. The guy was on you like a piece of duct tape.”

“If you saw that, did you see me knee him in the nuts when I told him to stop and he wouldn’t?”

Anger tightened his muscles and deepened his voice. “No. I didn’t.”

“Well, that’s what happened.”

“I always hated that kid. Remind me to beat his ass next time I see him.” My head fell against his chest when he pulled me closer. I listened to the steady beat of his strong heart, feeling a sense of peace I hadn’t felt in forever.

“It didn’t work, you know,” he said after a long moment.

“What didn’t work?”

“Dating all those girls. I never got over you.”

About the Author:

CECY ROBSON is the New Adult and Contemporary author of the Shattered Past series, and the award winning author of the Weird Girls Urban Fantasy Romance series. A self-proclaimed professional napper, Cecy counts among her talents a jaw-dropping knowledge of useless trivia, the ability to make her hair big, and a knack for breaking into song, despite her family’s vehement protests. A full-time writer, registered nurse, wife, and mother living in the South, Cecy enjoys spending time with her family and silencing the yappy characters in her head by telling their stories.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of Once Loved

Review (4.5 Stars): I’ve adored Lety since first reading about her in Once Perfect and I was so excited to get her story in Once Loved. Lety Tres Santos is working her way through nursing school, struggling to do it all with two jobs and a heavy course load. Lety comes from an abusive family and is doing her best to leave that life behind, focusing on a career where she will never have to depend on anyone like her mother does. Brody Quaid has loved Lety since the first moment they met and now with all the stress that she is under, she is terrified that she will choose the wrong man. Brody isn’t willing to give up without a fight but each is hiding a devastating secret and the past may prevent them from finally sharing a future together.

Lety was a great character to me because she had been through so much in her young life and I was impressed by her inner strength and drive. My heart broke for her when I learned about what she lived through growing up and how she desperately fought the emotional demons that threatened to tear apart her dream. Lety is a character that will stick with you after the conclusion of Once Loved because even though she had been through so much, she was still capable of loving another human being and would be a wonderful nurse.

I think Brody was the perfect guy for Lety even though she was afraid of making the wrong decision in having a relationship with him. He went through his own personal pain and was fighting demons just like Lety was. Together they could provide each other with the love and support that they needed and to remind each other that their past made them stronger but can’t prevent them from having a bright future.

Once Loved was an amazing romance that will take readers through a journey of emotions and show that love can help to heal all wounds. The subject matter in Once Loved is a little dark at times but Ms. Robson has the wonderful ability to weave a well-written story to show that you can find love and light in any darkness. I’m so excited to see that each of the Tres Santos siblings are able to find their happy ending and I hope that the youngest, Sofia, will be able to find her chance at love soon with Once Pure.

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January 30, 2015January 24, 2015

Kimberly reviews For Keeps by Rachel Lacey

TITLE: For Keeps
SERIES #: Love To The Rescue #2
CHARACTERS: Main Characters
AUTHOR: Rachel Lacey
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/27/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A SUMMER FLING . . . OR SOMETHING MORE?
Merry Atwater would do just about anything to save her dog rescue – even if it means working with the most stubborn man on the planet. It’s hard to avoid the sparks that fly with TJ Jameson, the ruggedly sexy cowboy in charge of the children’s camp where she’s just taken an animal therapy job. But commitment is not Merry’s style, and TJ clearly wants more than just a roll in the hay.

TJ Jameson isn’t looking for anything complicated-just a peaceful life on his family’s ranch with a wife and kids. “No-strings” Merry Atwater doesn’t fit that bill, no matter how irresistible she is. But when he sees how Merry gets through to his autistic nephew and the other kids at Camp Blue Sky, TJ’s a goner. If he doesn’t give in to the now, he might just lose his shot at forever . . .

REVIEW:
This is a sweet story about finding love in unexpected places. Merry doesn’t want to fall in love and have a family but she does want to rescue every dog she sees especially boxers. TJ wants nothing more than to settle down and have a true love like his parents with some cowgirl/farm girl. But when a camp for special needs kids brings them together somehow they just click.

I enjoyed this story. It got a little wordy at times but the story is really good. I enjoyed the special needs kids and how they all had different abilities and yet were able to do things like train dogs. I think the author did a great job with Noah and his autism. It might sound like this book would have a heavy storyline when I mention special needs kids and rescuing animals but it doesn’t. It is sweet and a pure romance.

Any fan of the romance genre will enjoy it and if you love dogs and kids you will enjoy it even more.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

January 29, 2015January 24, 2015

Kimberly reviews Full Tilt by Rick Mofina

TITLE: Full Tilt
CHARACTERS: Kate
AUTHOR: Rick Mofina
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/27/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A LIFE-AND-DEATH RACE AGAINST TIME

Deep in the woods of upstate New York a woman flees a blazing barn. She is burned beyond recognition, and her dying words point police to a labyrinth of “confinement rooms”-rooms designed to hold human beings captive-where they make other chilling discoveries.

In Manhattan, Kate Page, a single mom and reporter with a newswire service, receives a heart-stopping call from a detective on the case. A guardian angel charm found at the scene fits the description of the one belonging to Kate’s sister, Vanessa, who washed away after a car crash in a mountain river twenty years ago.

Kate has spent much of her life searching for the truth behind her little sister’s disappearance. Now, a manhunt for a killer who’s kept a collection of victims prisoner for years without detection becomes her final chance to either mourn Vanessa’s death-or save her life.

REVIEW:
If you are a fan of the suspense genre than Rick Mofina is an author you should have on your list to read. This mystery was engrossing and hard to put down. Kate was first introduced in the last book and we catch up with her again in this story. I could explain the story but the synopsis does a really good job.

I really enjoy Kate. She is a strong single mom and someone you would want to be friends with.

Again if you are a fan of mystery then this book will spark your interest. If you are a fan of Mofina’s you will enjoy this story and if you haven’t read him before then you will want to go back and get all of his books and start from the beginning.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

January 29, 2015January 24, 2015

Kelly reviews The Accidental Werewolf by Dakota Cassidy

TITLE: The Accidental Werewolf
SERIES #: Accidentally #1
CHARACTERS: Keegan Flaherty & Marty Andrews
AUTHOR: Dakota Cassidy
NARRATOR: Meredith Mitchell
PUBLICATION DATE: February 5, 2008
RUN TIME 10 hours & 14 minutes
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
When Marty Andrews gets bitten by a mangy mutt while walking her teacup poodle, her blond hair darkens, the hair on her legs starts growing at an alarming rate, and her mood swings put her dream job as a sales rep for Bobbie-Sue Cosmetics in serious jeopardy.
Then a drool-worthy man shows up at her door claiming that he accidentally bit Marty. And since he’s a werewolf, she is now, too. Thinking Keegan Flaherty is clearly insane, Marty refuses to believe a word until a kidnapping makes her realize there’s more at stake than just her highlights. And she must put her out-of-control life in the hands of the man who makes her blood run wild in more ways than one

REVIEW:
I have to say that this story started a little slow for me. It seemed to take a long time for Marty & Keegan to get things together. But after it got going I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed Marty’s obsession with color wheels and Keegan’s obsession with Marty. The twists and turns on the who done it kept me guess for a while. I was wrong on some parts and right on others. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I listened to this book on audio. Meredith Mitchell did a pretty good job of narrating this. There were a few things that were a little ho hum in her reading. I was not over wilde about all the male voices, some of them were a little to high pitched for my liking (but the one really did fit the character). And the sexy scense were a little blah in the reading, not a whole lot of feeling behind them. But I can understand that, it has to be terrible hard to read a sexy scene out loud.
A couple funny lines from Marty and Keegan:
“Holy Fur and Fury!!” Marty
“That is how Muff nailed me.” Keegan
If you are looking for a fun read I would suggest picking up a copy of this book or head over to audible and listen to the sample.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the audio book from Tantor in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 28, 2015December 31, 2014

Gift for the Book Lover #16

Lets not limit ourselves to only holidays or special occasions to get some of these great gift! This weekly series is full of fun and unique gifts for the book lover in your life or for yourself!

Library Card Phone Case iPhone 6 Vintage Library Due Date Card iPhone 5c Case Book Lover Reader Gift Idea – iPhone 4s LIbrary Book

By CaribouCreekCases
$15.00

Library Card Book Lover Reader Gift Phone Case

iPhone 4s iPhone 5s iPhone 5c Samsung Galaxy S3 S4 S5 phone cases/covers are handmade by me, including my custom full color graphics. I use a high quality heat transfer printing process for a vibrant, permanent, long lasting image that will not fade, peel or rub off.

They look great, protect your phone, are fun & sure to get compliments! Perfect personalized gifts for friends & family.

** Caribou Creek Phone Cases are HANDMADE and shipped in the USA **

Why wait for your phone case? Most orders are shipped in 1-3 Business Days by USPS 1st Class and arrive in 2-3 business days!

*****

Book Lovers Set of 10 Buttons 1″ or 1.5″ Pin Backs or 1″ Magnets Reading Party Favors

By DistinctDesignsUnltd

$5.00 + (plus S&H)

Set of 10 assorted reading and book lover buttons. You will receive 10 buttons randomly selected from the assortment shown in pic.

Two button sizes available (price will vary):

1″ diameter mini buttons (2.54 cm) – Pin Backs, Flat Backs, Hollow Backs, Magnets

1.5″ diameter buttons (3.81 cm) – Pin Backs only

*See additional pictures to view back options & demonstration of button sizes*

*****

Jane Austen coaster set, quotes from Pride & Prejudice, Emma, Northanger Abbey, Book club gift idea, literary, book lover, Ready to Ship

By GreenChairPress

$12.00+ (plus S&H)

Four different quotes grace this package of eight coasters featuring the work of Jane Austen: Pride & Prejudice, Emma and Northanger Abbey. Each set contains two of each quote and color. They come packed in a clear resealable cellophane bag. You can also get them with a plastic gift box (as shown in the first picture).

Printed in brown, the quote from Pride and Prejudice is “There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.”

Printed in green, the quote from Emma is “It is always incomprehensible to a man that a woman should ever refuse an offer of marriage. A man always imagines a woman to be ready for any body who asks her.”

*****

Mr Darcy Necklace, Jane Austen Pendant, Pride And Prejudice Jewelry

By MsGolightlyDesigns

$12.95

This listing is for a necklace pendant featuring Mr. Darcy and I love Mr. Darcy.

Available in antique bronze, bright silver or gunmetal. The pendant measures approximately 1 inch in diameter and comes with a matching rolo chain as shown.

→ Measurements:

• Pendant approx. 25 mm / 1″ in diameter.

• Total length of chain is 61 cm / 24″

If items are no longer available, please contact the seller to inquire further information.

Click here to see more gift ideas!!

Visit us every Wednesdays for more awesome gift/present ideas for you or the

Book Lover in your life!!!

January 28, 2015January 24, 2015

Kimberly reviews Hunger’s Mate Part 3 by A.C. Arthur

TITLE: Hunger’s Mate Part 3
SERIES #: Shadow Shifters #5
CHARACTERS: Jewel & Ezra
AUTHOR: A.C. Arthur
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/27/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The desire—and danger—heats up to a scorching degree in HUNGER’S MATE: Part Three (Shadow Shifters) from popular romance author A.C. Arthur.Jewel has plotted and schemed for months, hiding her knowledge of a top-secret operation—and keeping Ezra guessing. And hungry for more…Captivated by her passion, skill, and courage, Ezra wants to help Jewel on her mission. But can she be trusted? Is his desire for her worth the risk?

REVIEW:
This is the third installment of the story. In this one we get a better idea of what has happened with Jewel which we had not had in the last two. There is a bit more action in this one as well. It really ends up setting up the fourth and final installment of this book.

You can not read this story without having read the first couple installments because it is all one book but it is worth going back and making sure you read the story. Because this is the shortest of the installments I can’t really say too much without giving the story away. On to the last installment.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

January 27, 2015January 24, 2015

Rebecca Zanetti’s Top 5 Must Haves While Writing Blind Faith + a giveaway

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have one of our favortiest people ever on the blog today to help celebrate the paper release of Blind Faith. So Rebecca my dear the blog is all yours!!!

Hellooooo Books-n-Kisses! You know I love visiting here, and thanks for having me over again. I’ll try to behave this time. LOL! I was asked about my top 5 must haves while writing Blind Faith, and here they are:

1. A picture of Dean Winchester (AKA Jensen Ackles). To me, Dean is the most wounded of anti-heroes, and I felt like Nathan in Blind Faith was pretty darn wounded and had to fight hard for the people he loved.

2. Comfy socks. I usually wear those thick, comfortable socks when I write, and I have a big basket next to my desk full of socks.

3. Coffee. I bought the absolute coolest, and I mean the BEST, latte machine for my house. It’s very simple (Keurig Rivo R500 Brewing System), that is amazing. The mixer thing goes in the cup, so you can just toss the whole thing in the dishwasher to clean. I’ve been making lattes with almond milk, and I’ve probably saved a fortune already.

4. My iTunes playlist. I always write to music and have a playlist for every book. For Blind Faith, I listened to: WAYWARD SON by Kansas, COMPLICATED GIRL by Sara Haze, HEY BROTHER by Avicii, and I’D COME FOR YOU by Nickelback…to name a few.

5. Pringles. For some reason, I went through a Pringles chip phase while writing BLIND FAITH. Just loved them.

Thanks to Kelly and the gang at BnK for having me over to play today! Happy 2015!

Now for a little look-seey at Blind Faith

*****

Blind Faith

by Rebecca Zanetti

(January 27, 2015; Forever Mass Market; $8.00)

Amazon | B&N | BAM | IndieBound | iBooks

A betrayal he couldn’t forget . . .
For Nate Dean, love is a four-letter word. As part of a secret black-ops military unit, he and his brothers were genetically engineered by the government to be ruthless soldiers with an expiration date. They were loyal only to one another . . . until Nate laid eyes on the woman who stole his heart and blew his world apart. Now, years later, his family is still paying the price for his mistake. But as time runs out, there’s only one person who can save his family: the very woman Nate swore he’d never trust again.

A love she couldn’t deny . . .
The moment Audrey Madison spies Nate across a crowded ballroom, she can barely breathe. He’s just as undeniably sexy as she remembers, yet there’s an edge to him now that’s as irresistible as it is dangerous. When he asks for her help, Audrey can’t refuse. But she has secrets of her own–secrets that, if Nate ever discovers them, may cost them both their lives . . .

An Excerpt from Blind Faith:

“I’m sorry I hurt you.” She pulled her legs to sit cross-legged on the sofa.

“So why did you?”

She picked at a mar in the cushion. “We became too close, and the commander knew you wanted a life outside of the military group. He said either I ended our relationship, or you were going to die as an example to the rest of his soldiers.”

Nate lifted his chin. “So you trusted him over me.”

Audrey started, and her breath caught. “No. I broke up with you to save you.”

“I figured out why you broke up with me. But again, you trusted the commander over me. I would’ve figured out a way for us.” Determination and anger blazed hot in his eyes. “You had no right to make that decision for both of us.”

She gasped, anger spiraling through her. “This is about your ego? You beating the commander?” Ending her relationship with him had nearly killed her, and he couldn’t see that? Standing, she kicked her heels out of the way. “Fuck you, Nate.”

He grabbed her elbow and yanked her back around without making a sound of moving. “My ego? No. This is about you being too frightened to take a chance, to make a stand, and to fight for us, for what you said you wanted.”

Oh, if he had any damn clue about her fight.

She shoved his chest. Hard.

The man didn’t move an inch.

“Let go of me,” she said, her chin rising.

“No.” Then his mouth was on hers. The gentleness always alive in Nate had fled, leaving heated, pissed-off male.

Her knees weakened, and her breath heated. She opened her mouth to protest, to argue, but his tongue swept inside, and she was lost. Lost to the passion instantly igniting between them.

Her nipples hardened to rock, while her nails curled into his chest, no longer pushing.

He yanked her into him, taking control. His tongue explored her, tasting, claiming. Taking with a lava-hot desperation so hot it should’ve scared her. Should’ve provided warning that she was out of her element.

But fear remained so far in the background as to be inconsequential.

Or maybe she just wanted to feel alive. For the first time in five years, the pain of the present, the fatality of the future—disappeared.

Only here and now existed—only pleasure so sharp it cut through her with a delicious blade of ecstasy. One man on earth could provide such an overwhelming escape, and she wanted the freedom he offered. A temporary relief from the reality of her life, of who’d she’d become and what she must do now.

So she jumped head-first into the storm he’d unleashed, her tongue mating with his. A low growl rumbled up from his chest like a lion about to attack.

He reached down and tugged her still-buttoned blouse over the top of her head. Cool air brushed her skin, and her nipples sang a whispering hello. She protested when he jerked his mouth free and then sighed when he nipped her jaw, tracing the fragile bone.

Fire lashed from his mouth and through her, assaulting her with a need too dark to avoid. She held no illusions that this was one night to scratch an itch. She’d given her heart to Nate years ago, but no future existed for them.

She had this moment, and she was experiencing every second, no matter how quickly it ended.

Somehow her bra ended up across the room.

“Oh God,” he murmured, his gaze hot and on her breasts. “These haunt my dreams.” His mouth found her, licking along her breast and engulfing a nipple.

She sighed, her hands burrowing through his thick hair and clenching tight. Both knees weakened, and only a strong arm banding around her waist held her upright.

Her wildest memories didn’t come close to the hunger replacing all thought. A smart girl would stop him. She didn’t want to be smart, and she didn’t want careful. She wanted right now.

He switched to the other breast, laving and sucking, nipping with a hint of violence that shot liquid to her thighs.

Finally, he lifted up, his unique eyes a color she’d never seen. Not gray nor black, but something in-between. “Audrey?”

The low, guttural tone nearly propelled her right over the edge into orgasm.

She swallowed, trying to force out words. “One night, Nate. Just us. You, me, and now. No past, no future.”

Regret twisted his lips, and desperation flashed across his face. He wanted to refuse, to maybe protect them both.

The time for protecting them had disappeared five years ago. She felt an apology shine in her eyes as she reached out and cupped his erection. Full and pulsing, even through the jeans, his cock overwhelmed her palm in size and heat.

A furious struggle cut grooves into his rugged face.

She squeezed.

His eyelids shut, and when they reopened, the fight was over.

Make sure to check out Kelly & Kimberly’s reviews of Blind Faith HERE

About the author:

New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has worked as an art curator, Senate aide, lawyer, college professor, and a hearing examiner – only to culminate it all in stories about Alpha males and the women who claim them. She is a member of RWA, has won awards for her works throughout the industry, and has a journalism degree with a poly sci emphasis from Pepperdine University as well as a Juris Doctorate from the University of Idaho.

Growing up amid the glorious backdrops and winter wonderlands of the Pacific Northwest has given Rebecca fantastic scenery and adventures to weave into her stories. She resides in the wild north with her husband, children, and extended family who inspire her every day-or at the very least give her plenty of characters to write about.

Learn more about Rebecca and her awesome books here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****

Giveaway Time!!!!

We’ve got a fantastic Rafflecopter giveaway which includes a grand prize of all three books in the series, plus an ARC of TOTAL SURRENDER, a “Who Shot Jory Dean?” T-shirt and a Blind Faith dog tag:

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January 27, 2015January 24, 2015

Kelly & Kimberly review Fire Me Up by Kimberly Kincaid

TITLE: Fire Me Up
SERIES #: Pine Mountain #4
CHARACTERS: Adrian Holt & Teagan O’Malley
AUTHOR: Kimberly Kincaid
PUBLICATION DATE: January 27, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
If You Can’t Stand The Heat…

Teagan O’Malley can handle a crisis. She’s a paramedic, it’s her job. But she never expected to land in the kitchen of her father’s pub, with no notice, no cash, and no room for error. The kitchen is not her favorite place. Lucky for her, she just scraped a bad-boy chef off the pavement after a motorcycle accident—and something about him says he can turn up the heat in more ways than one.

Adrian Holt has had a rough few years, and he’s not eager to get tangled up in anything more complicated than a good risotto. But with a broken arm and a head full of bad memories, he needs a challenge to keep him sane. Teagan’s dare-me attitude and smoldering mess of a bar are just what the doctor ordered. And the two of them together might cook up some even better medicine

KELLY’S REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I really enjoy my visits to Pine Mountain. I am really glad that Adrian finally got his own story. I have been wondering about him from the start of this series. He has been all tall, dark, protective and secretive. But all that comes to a crashing halt when he is hurt in an accident. Poor Adrian finds himself on leave from his job. And that last thing that Adrian needs is free time. Thank goodness for fate and Teagan.
Teagan is one tough cookie. Until you add in sleep deprivation, wine and one very yummy chef, then she is a like putty in his hands 🙂 Besides every girl needs a hero right? Even if said hero is a pain in the butt. Well a pain that can cook and set Teagan on fire.
These two were fun to read. There were times that the story was just a tad bit slow for me. But over all I loved it. I hope that we will get to see Adrian & Teagan in future books.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Another great trip to Pine Mountain even though we didn’t get to see much of the town this time. We met Adrian in the previous book and for that matter we met Teagan as well… Funny we even met them together and I think we knew then that they would have a great chemistry and they do. I enjoyed the story but I will say there is a lot of backstory with not only these two but the others as well. I guess that is the authors way of bringing us back because we want to know what Brennan has hidden in his closet. But Adrian was hiding his past, Teagan was hiding hers, Tagan’s dad has his, Brennan his and so on…. I mean how many secrets could one bar hold?

Some of the writing was repeated a bit too many times and the sex scenes a bit dull but all in all the story is sweet and a nice read.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley & Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 27, 2015January 24, 2015

Kelly reviews Steamed by Jacey Conrad & Gia Corona

TITLE: Steamed
SERIES #: Facile Restaurant #6
CHARACTERS: Byron & Delia
AUTHOR: Jacey Conrad & Gia Corona
PUBLICATION DATE: January 20, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Steamed is the sixth installment of the Facile Restaurant short story series by Jacey Conrad and Gia Corona. Each story focuses on a different couple.

Lee Broussard is just a nice guy doing a favor for a friend – delivering a gift to an anniversary dinner at Facile – and ends up seeing his girlfriend sucking chocolate mousse off some strange guy’s finger. Shocked speechless and on the verge of dismantling the classy dining room with his bare hands, Lee is distracted by lovely seating hostess Abby DuLane, who yanks him into the nearest closet.

Petite and sharp-tongued, Abby runs her hostess station like a tiny country, of which she is queen. And she is not about to let a perfect specimen like Lee suffer the indignity of a public cheating-fueled meltdown. Groping a customer in front of his soon-to-be ex-girlfriend falls within her job description, right?

Right?

REVIEW:
Another great short story by Ms. Conrad & Ms. Corona!!! Each of these short stories just keeps getting better and better with each book. I did say in my last review that I thought that Delia & Byron were my favorite. I change my mind. Abby and all her sass and take no prisoners attitude and Lee and his I am just a sweet southern guy who just got his heart ripped out are my new favorite. 🙂
After reading each story by Ms. Conrad & Ms. Corona I want more. I want to know what happens next to each couple. I want to know!!!!!!! You really need to check out this quick and steamy series.

Disclaimer:
I purchased this story and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 27, 2015January 27, 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams by Karen Ranney

Seven years have passed since Glynis MacIain made the foolish mistake of declaring her love to Lennox Cameron, only to have him stare at her dumbfounded. Heartbroken, she accepted the proposal of a diplomat and moved to America, where she played the role of a dutiful wife among Washington’s elite. Now a widow, Glynis is back in Scotland. Though Lennox can still unravel her with just one glance, Glynis is no longer the naïve girl Lennox knew and vows to resist him.

With the American Civil War raging, shipbuilder Lennox Cameron must complete a sleek new blockade runner for the Confederate Navy. He cannot afford any distractions, especially the one woman he’s always loved. Glynis’s cool demeanor tempts him to prove to her what a terrible mistake she made seven years ago.

As the war casts its long shadow across the ocean, will a secret from Glynis’s past destroy any chance for a future between the two star-crossed lovers?

Amazon/B&N

“You’ve come home,” Lennox said.

Glynis wanted to pull away but stood still. Precipitous gestures could be misunderstood. Better to allow him to hold her hand than cause a scene, especially when whispers swirled around them.

“It’s the MacIain girl, home after all these years.”

“Wasn’t there some scandal about her?”

“Is this the first time she’s been seen in public?”

Were people recalling those times she followed after Lennox as a child? At five years old she marked him as hers. As a young woman she was prepared to tell him she adored him.

Foolish Glynis.

He must not affect her. She wouldn’t allow it. She was no longer nineteen and desperately in love.

“Why didn’t you come home sooner?” he asked now, still holding her hand.

Instead of answering, she only smiled. The diplomatic ranks did not value honesty and so she became adroit at sidestepping it.

He still smelled of wood and the ocean. Whenever anyone said the word “ship” or she tasted a brine filled breeze, he would appear in her memory with a twinkle in his eye.

The hint of beard showing on this important occasion wasn’t due to any sloth on his part. He had to shave more than once a day to eliminate a shadow appearing on his cheeks and chin.

“I think God wants me to have facial hair,” he said to her. “But God and I are going to disagree.”

He was a foot taller than she was, dressed in black evening wear accentuating his shoulders and height. All his life he’d worked hard and it showed in the breadth of his chest and muscled legs. Something about him, though, hinted at power and always had. In a crowded room people sought him out the way they looked to leaders and confident men.

Lennox Cameron resembled a prince and a devastating Highlander and he’d been the hero of most of her childish dreams.

No longer, however. Too much had happened in the intervening years.

About the Author:

Karen Ranney began writing when she was five. Her first published work was The Maple Leaf, read over the school intercom when she was in the first grade. In addition to wanting to be a violinist (her parents had a special violin crafted for her when she was seven), she wanted to be a lawyer, a teacher, and, most of all, a writer. Though the violin was discarded early, she still admits to a fascination with the law, and she volunteers as a teacher whenever needed. Writing, however, has remained the overwhelming love of her life.

Website/Twitter/Facebook

Jennifer’s Review of In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams

Review (4.75 Stars): I’ve been a big fan of Ms. Ranney’s books for quite some time and I jumped at the opportunity to read her new book, In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams. Glynis MacIain has always loved Lennox Cameron but when she declared her love for him as a young girl and received nothing in return but embarrassment, she accepted another man’s proposal which led her to America. Coming back to Scotland after several years away has brought back so many memories of her past and has put her face to face with the one man that she has never forgotten. Lennox has made a name for himself as a shipbuilder while Glynis has been away and now that she is back, he can’t believe the beautiful woman that she has become. She now wants nothing to do with Lennox, but the more she runs away, the more Lennox tries to get her attention. With war waging around them, these two may finally have a second chance at the love that they should have had all along.

Glynis was such a complex and wonderful character for me. She went from this love struck teenager in the beginning of the story to a much more refined and mature young woman. She had been through quite a bit while she was in America and being home in Scotland brought back all those feelings that she had for Lennox the moment that she saw his face. The interaction between Glynis and Lennox was fun to watch over the course of this book because she never knew that he cared about her all along but just didn’t know how to act on those feelings.

Ms. Ranney does an fantastic job of weaving a well-written story that will draw readers in and have you falling in love with her delightful characters. In Your Wildest Scottish Dreams has everything for me, humor, romance, suspense and murder with the beautiful backdrop of historical Scotland that will keep you entertained for hours. I’m dying to read more from Ms. Ranney and can’t wait to read book two in the series.

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January 26, 2015January 24, 2015

Kelly reviews Bound By Flame by Jeaniene Frost

TITLE: Bound by Flame
SERIES #: Night Prince #3
CHARACTERS: Vlad & Leila
AUTHOR: Jeaniene Frost
PUBLICATION DATE: January 27, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Play with fire, pay the price.

Leila’s years on the carnie circuit were certainly an education. What she didn’t learn: how to be a vampire, or how to be married to the most famous vampire of them all. Adjusting to both has Leila teetering on a knife edge between passion and peril, and now the real danger is about to begin…

Vlad must battle with a centuries-old enemy whose reach stretches across continents and whose strength equals his own. It isn’t like Vlad to feel fear, but he does…for Leila, because his enemy knows she is Vlad’s greatest weakness. As friend and foe alike align against him—and his overprotectiveness drives Leila away—Vlad’s love for his new bride could be the very thing that dooms them both

REVIEW:
WOW!!!!
Being back in Vlad’s world is always a hair raising adventure. The beginning of this book was gut wrenching and heart breaking. And I had a very difficult time with parts of the story, until…… Well I can’t tell you that it would ruining the story for you.
Vlad is just as deadly and dreamy as always. Leila is amazing and tough as always. Vlad & Leila are a force that no one should ever mess with. There are so many ups and downs that I didn’t know where, how or who was going to make it out alive. There were quite a few surprises along the way too. Some were good, some not so much and some made you wonder is some of the secondary characters will get stories.
Loved this book. Love this world. Love Vlad & Leila. Love Ms. Frost and her storytelling abilities. Only thing I hate? Is having to wait until next year to get the fourth and final book in this series.
If you are a fan of Ms. Frost you will love this book. If you are new to this series. I would suggest reading Cat & Bones series first. But you could start with Once Burned (book one in the Night Prince series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Collins & Avon in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.