Kimberly review Hot and Bothered by Linda Cajio

TITLE: Hot and Bothered
CHARACTERS: Judith & Paul
AUTHOR: Linda Cajio
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/13/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon |B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Judith Collier is running away from her life. She needs peace and quiet to focus on a very difficult decision, and except for the distinct lack of any kind of modern amenities, the isolated cove in Baja seems just about perfect. Judith knows that her wealthy and demanding family will never think to look for her in such a secluded spot. But there’s one major distraction: The most gorgeous man she has ever encountered lives in this cove. And Judith can’t escape from the reality of her physical response to him.

Paul Murphy has no interest in babysitting Judith. He came to the remote Baja village to heal from tragedy. Leaving the LAPD after ten years on the job, ending his marriage, and losing contact with his young daughter has left him with a stone-cold heart. And yet, this beautiful stranger just may have the power to shake his foundation to its core—and remind him what it’s like to believe in love again.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars This is a re-release of a book from 1995 and unlike a number of other of Cajio’s books I have read that have been re-released this one actually does stand the test of time. There is no real mention of long ago and long dead people, etc. There is a bit about Mexico and to be honest I would not know if any of the laws have changed in this 18 years.

I was unsure about the characters at first. Paul seemed so distant and unfriendly and Judith seemed so desperate but something about these characters clicked pretty quickly in the story. This is another Loveswept Classic re-release so it was meant to originally be a pocket book and it proves to be exactly what they wanted back then. A short story that is a quick read but takes you into the story right away.

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

May 29, 2013May 28, 2013

Guest Blogger: Lindy S Hundis

Weekends by Lindy S. Hudis

Guest blog – A Fantasy Come True!

Ahhh…..romance. I must confess, I am hopelessly addicted to it. There is no feeling as exciting, no rush more exhilarating, and nothing I can name that gives an energy boost like that of a romantic and hot encounter. I seem to get quite a bit of inspiration from that, the real and the imaginary.

Want to know about one of my romantic fantasies? I am sitting on a beach at an exclusive California beach resort, listening to the sound of the waves and sea gulls, all while sipping a Pina Colada. I am sitting in the warm sand, covered with coconut scented lotion, watching the palm trees sway in the cool ocean breeze, and lusting as the smoking hot, scantily clad men walk by. Living in California, I have participated in similar activities, but more along the lines of the Santa Monica Pier than at the Bel-Air Bay Club. However, we all have fantasies, I know I do….and mine get pretty vivid and sensual. Being a fiction author I find that the more fantasies I have, the more material I have to share with you! So, here is the deal – “Weekends” was inspired by a sexual fantasy that caught on fire. One day, many years ago, I met this gorgeous, hot, sexy, blonde dude named Joe. He was a struggling actor living in Los Angeles (like I myself was at the time) so we met up and had a brief fling. He turned out to be nuttier than a can of Planters, but that is beside the point. (A nutty person in LA???? What????)

So, Joe and I didn’t fall in love and run away together. He was just a “man from my past” who I still think about on occasion. However, his looks were the inspiration for the character “Joe” in “Weekends”. Joe is a fantasy, as is most of the romantic and sexy fiction that I write. I took the crazy, hot man and, instead of being in a relationship with him in real life, and the fruitless task of trying to change him, I just made who I wanted him to be a character in my romance-suspense novel. I fell madly in love with Joe, the one I created, not the real one.

So, what was the real inspiration behind “Weekends”? I must confess, I live in a fantasy world, however, I take a very spiritual approach to my daydreams and fantasies. On some level, I believe that a person’s idle thoughts and daydreams are actual realities in another dimension. Vivid imagination have I? You bet!

As a fiction author, I tend to live in my imagination. I become very emotionally close with my characters (I cried one time writing a scene where one of my characters gets fired), I live vicariously through all of their circumstances, and I tend to see parts of myself in every one of their situations. No, I’m not a nutcase- just a fiction author. Because of this, I create little worlds in my imagination. That is what I do, I create, and sometimes live in, these little worlds. Sometimes these little worlds become published works of fiction for different readers to enjoy, sometimes they just live in my crazy noodle. However, what if there is some truth to this theory? What if, as Mark Twain once said, truth is stranger than fiction?

What does this have to do with writing? Plenty! Fiction is my forte, my strong point. I was not destined to write anything else. ( I don’t have the knowledge or experience to write non-fiction. I can’t compete with all the doctors out there.) My stories come from the little people who live in my head. They come from my imagination. That is what fiction is, plain and simple. To invite a reader into my story, and to keep them there, I have to create another world for them to enter into. As the risk of repeating myself, I create worlds – and perhaps those worlds exist somewhere else? Somewhere far, far away? As a creative person, (that is the kind of mind I was blessed with. Anything technical would confuse the hell out of me…) I feel at my best and most fulfilled when I am doing just that – creating. What am I creating exactly? Only my higher power seems to know for sure, but I have a hunch!

Perhaps I am writing my next life as I am thinking this? Maybe I’m just a hopeless romantic? Both? I just happen to love what I do, and I hope that many readers feel the same.

An innocent-sounding family reunion at an exclusive California beach resort turns into a weekend of murder, deceit, exposed secrets and unexpected intimate encounters. John Peterson has it all: He’s a respected, successful Beverly Hills entertainment lawyer with a loving wife and grown son, the strikingly handsome young film director Joe Peterson. John also has a secret and he decides to gather his disparate family members at the elegant Hotel Del Moor in picturesque Linda Bella, California for some luxurious fun, togetherness and re-connecting before revealing his secret. Unbeknownst to the family, a brutal serial killer is lurking in the midst of all the wondrous festivities.

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About the Author:

Lindy S.Hudis is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied drama. She is a former actress, having appeared on such television shows as “Sunset Beach” and “Married with Children”. Her romantic murder mystery, Weekends, is currently available from Lachesis Publishing. She is also a filmmaker, her independent short film “The Lesson”, which she wrote, produced and directed, screened at the Seattle Underground Film Festival. She is co-owner of an independent production company called Impact Motion Pictures. She and her husband Steve, a Hollywood stuntman, have just completed the screenplay adaptation of Charmaine Hammond’s best selling book, “On Toby’s Terms.” She lives in California with her family.

May 29, 2013May 12, 2013

Kelly and Kimberly review It Had To Be You by Jill Shalvis

TITLE: It Had To Be You
SERIES: Lucky Harbor #7
CHARACTERS: Luke Hanover & Ali Winters
AUTHOR: Jill Shalvis
PUBLICATION DATE: May 28, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Available for a limited time, this special bonus edition of IT HAD TO BE YOU includes Blue Flame, a free, full-length novel also by Jill Shalvis.

Ali Winters is not having a good day. Her boyfriend left her, everyone in town thinks she’s a thief, and now she’s about to be kicked out of her home. Her only shot at keeping a roof over her head and clearing her name is to beg for help from a police detective who’s as sexy as he is stern….

After a high-profile case goes wrong, Luke Hanover returns to his hometown for some peace and quiet. Instead he finds a bombshell brunette in a heap of trouble. As he helps Ali put her world back together, the pieces of Luke’s own life finally seem to fall into place. Is this the start of a sizzling fling? Or are Luke and Ali on the brink of something big in a little town called Lucky Harbor?

KELLY’S REVIEW:
4.5 Stars All Luke wants is a nice peaceful and quiet three weeks off. This is the only reason he is back in Lucky Harbor. But Luke finds himself drawn to his new feisty roommate. But when Ali is accused of stealing Luke’s detective skills will not let him walk away from her but only until the charges are dropped and she is safe.

Love, love, love being back in Lucky Harbor. Jill always does such a great job of sucking me into the world of Lucky Harbor. Honestly I have not read a book in this series that I didn’t love.

Who doesn’t love an extremely hot man in a uniform with a tortured soul? One who has no chance of saving his heart from the half naked woman screaming on the phone in his kitchen.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4.5 Stars While this is part of the Lucky Harbor series there is something special about this story. And that something is Ali. While Luke is a great character it is Ali that makes this story what it is. And the highest kudos to Jill Shalvis for writing this incredible, heartbreaking yet inspirational character.

Ok first the easy part. Luke is great if not the typical commitment phobic man but honestly this is a romance so don’t we know that by the end of the story he will become hooked on Ali. Sure we do. But Ali is something more than a normal female lead to an everyday romance. There were times that I was close to tears. Not for what the character said but for how palpable her feelings were. The sadness that Ali (and Shalvis) projects is just heartbreaking and yet the character has an underlying belief that things will work out. She has lived a life that most would be hard to come back from but she does and the reader is able to be sad and proud of Ali at the same time.

Did I like this book? You bet… It was great to visit Lucky Harbor again and I can’t wait for the next visit to read Jack’s story. Jack makes a number of appearances in It Had To Be You and I can not wait to read Always On My Mind because not only is he adorable and sweet but who doesn’t love a firefighter?

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

May 29, 2013May 28, 2013

Jennifer reviews A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curse by Molly Harper

TITLE: A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses
SERIES #: Half Moon Hollow #2
CHARACTERS: Nola Leary, Jed Trudeau, Jane Jameson
AUTHOR: Molly Harper
PUBLICATION DATE: 5/28/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Nola Leary would have been content to stay in Kilcairy, Ireland, healing villagers at her family’s clinic with a mix of magic and modern medicine. But a series of ill-timed omens and a deathbed promise to her grandmother have sent her on a quest to Half-Moon Hollow, Kentucky, to secure her family’s magical potency for the next generation. Her supernatural task? To unearth four artifacts hidden by her grandfather before a rival magical family beats her to it.

Complication One: The artifacts are lost somewhere in vampire Jane Jameson’s occult bookshop. Complication Two: Her new neighbor Jed Trudeau keeps turning up half-naked at the strangest times, a distraction Nola doesn’t need. And teaming up with a real-life Adonis is as dangerous as it sounds, especially since Jed’s got the face of an angel and the abs of a washboard. Can Nola complete her mission before falling completely under his spell?

REVIEW:
Molly Harper is absolutely one of my favorite authors at the moment and A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses was a humor-filled romp that had me laughing out loud. Nola Leary comes to Half-Moon Hollow on a hunt for four magical artifacts to help bind a rival family as her family has done for centuries before her. When she gets to Kentucky, she finds that the items may be hidden in Jane Jameson’s bookstore and she has a gorgeous next door neighbor that keeps distracting her from her mission. With a little help from some overzealous vampires, she might just find the items before the deadline and her rivals do.

I really enjoyed this book and I got swept along with the story almost immediately. Nola was a fun character and I loved the fact that she was a healer as well as a witch. I was also excited that Jane and the Scooby gang were a big part of the storyline and we got to catch up with them after the events of Jane’s wedding. This book was filled with hilarious dialogue, hot romance with the next door neighbor and enough paranormal elements to keep you thoroughly entertained. This is the second book in the Half-Moon Hollow series and Molly Harper doesn’t disappoint with this one. If you haven’t read her books, you should be because she will keep you laughing until the very last page.

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

May 28, 2013May 27, 2013

Spotlight Feature of Avenging Angel by Cynthia Eden

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | IndieBound

EARTHLY DELIGHTS

With a messed up family background and a tendency to grow claws and fangs, Tanner Chance isn’t exactly the boy next door. But he’s a decent cop, and he keeps himself on the side of the good guys. Convenient, because when he rescues a survivor of a horrific shifter attack he finds himself instantly smitten—with an honest-to-goodness angel, as innocent as she is irresistible.

Marna may be angelic, but she’s not stupid or weak. She can take care of herself. Tanner is more temptation than protection anyway. Or so she thinks, until someone wearing her face starts taking out some of New Orleans’ more unsavory paranormals. With police and predators both gunning for her blood, Marna has no choice but to trust Tanner…even though what’s sparking between them is hotter than anything holy.

EXCERPT:

The delicate angel had broken.

Did she even realize that tears slid down her cheeks? Tanner Chance kept guard by her side. His hand was on her arm, stroking her.

He couldn’t seem to stop touching her.

They’d found her body in the swamp. At first, he’d thought that she was already dead.

So much blood.

Then she’d moved, and he’d realized just what his sick freak of a brother had done.

Sliced the wings right off an angel.

Her lashes lifted and her eyes, the palest blue he’d ever seen, locked right on him. No, those eyes seemed to see right through him. Tanner cleared his throat. He was a cop. He’d spent too many years seeing blank expressions like that on the faces of victims. “You…you’re safe now.” He’d keep her safe. “You just need to rest.”

She didn’t speak, and he didn’t know what else he was supposed to say to her. He never knew what to say to the victims. He just knew how to make the bastards who hurt them pay.

He was very good at delivering justice. But this time…

An angel.

She had to hate him. She knew who he was. Knew that his brother was the fucked-up asshole who’d tortured her. Tanner cleared his throat and finally managed to tell her, “I’m not like him.”

Her eyes never left his.

And he was still touching her. Her skin was the softest he’d ever felt. The smoothest. Her flesh was golden and perfect.

Or, it had been, until claws had ripped into her back and torn that flesh wide open.

Her breath exhaled softly. “When I’m stronger…”

Tanner leaned closer because he could barely hear her words. “What is it? What do you need?” Anything. He’d do—

“When I’m stronger, you should…stay away from me.”

He glanced at her small hands. They’d had to bind her wrists when they strapped her down. Not to hurt her, but to keep the little blond angel from hurting them.

The angel before him—Marna—she wasn’t some sweet and gentle guardian angel.

She was an angel of death. One who could, and had, killed with just a touch.

He could touch her all that he wanted. That was the way the game worked with angels. But the instant her hand touched him…

Dead.

If she wanted him dead, all she had to do was touch him, and she could send him straight to hell.

She smiled at him. The smile made her seem even lovelier and then the angel said, “When I’m stronger, when I’m free…get as far away from me as you can.” The faintest of pauses then, “Because I’ll have my vengeance.”

She didn’t look so broken anymore.

“Remember…to run, shifter.”

He didn’t move, and he damn well kept touching her. “I’m not the running kind.” Not anymore. The scared kid he’d been had died long ago. Now he fought any bastard who came his way—and he made sure to win his battles.

His angel kept her cold smile and told him, “Wait and see…you will be…”

A little about Cynthia:

USA Today Best-selling author Cynthia Eden has written over twenty-five novels and novellas. She was named as a 2013 RITA^® finalist for her paranormal romance, ANGEL IN CHAINS, and, in 2011, Cynthia Eden was a RITA finalist for her romantic suspense, DEADLY FEAR.

Cynthia is a southern girl who loves horror movies, chocolate, and happy endings. She has always wanted to write (don’t most authors say that?), and particularly enjoys creating stories about monsters–vampires, werewolves, and even the real-life monsters that populate her romantic suspense stories.

Cynthia’s foreign sales for her books include translations to Japan, Germany, Thailand, Greece, and Brazil.

(Back in the day…) Cynthia graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Alabama where she studied Sociology (because people interest her) and Communication (because she likes to write about said people). Cynthia has worked as a college admissions counselor, a teacher, and as an editor. But now, Cynthia is thrilled to be spending her days making up stories.

Learn more about Cynthia & her books here:

Website/Blog | Twitter | FB Author Page | Goodreads

May 28, 2013May 27, 2013

Spotlight feature of Storm Queen by Marissa Dodson

Storm Queen

Stormkin Series – Book One

Marissa Dobson

One vibrant hope…

Bar owner Kayla Benson never thought of herself as extraordinary until the battle between Stormkins and Sunkins blew her comfortable life apart. Dropped heart first into the wild complications of court politics and dangerous insurrection, Kayla is drawn to three seductive and powerful men. Will Kayla be able to stand on her own and rule Storm Hollow or will her mixed heritage be her demise?

Two determined warriors…

Nightmare and Dreamer searched all their lives for the Queen who would restore the Stormkins to their rightful glory. Never did they suspect a common bar owner would be the answer to those prayers. But now that they’ve found her, they will do whatever it takes to keep her safe and in their arms.

His last chance…

Darkness only knows one life—the path of the assassin—but Kayla provides him with hope for the future, a desperate hope for a better existence. Never could have imagined the place he would find it was in her bed.

Three powerful men and one vibrant woman must find passion and redemption to survive…

Kayla must shed her expectations and become Queen of Storm Hollow, claim her men, unite her court and change the world…no pressure.

Buy Links:

Sunshine Press ~ Kindle ~ Nook ~ Smashwords ~ All Romance Ebooks ~ Kobo

Print Coming soon

Youtube Book Trailer: Link

Excerpt:

“How the hell did you get in here?” She exhaled the words on a harsh exhale.

“That is not imperative at the moment. You must come with me.”

“Like that’s going to happen.” Covering her anxiety with a snort, she backed up to the door. Adrenaline chased away her fatigue and she searched for the handle. “It’s time for you to leave, the bar’s closed.”

Between one heartbeat and the next, he was in front of her. The overhead light glistened off his skin. An intangible force pushed her back against the cool metal of the door. Desire washed away her fear. “Who are you?” Violent, inexplicable need harshened her tone.

“That matter’s not.”

“It matters to me. You’re in my bar after hours. I have the right to know your name.”

“Nightmare.”

The name sent chills up her spine. “Nightmare, huh?” Just what I need some punk from the local gang trying to shake me down. She looked him over. His dark grey suit cast a question on gang affiliation. He’s not the type I’d expect to be causing problems for business owners. What is he into? Maybe not a gang…could the mob have moved into Sweetwater?

“I can bring your deepest fears alive.” His rich voice sent a rush of heat through her body.

She raised an eyebrow in question. Great, an escaped mental patient walks into a bar…can this night get any worse?

“If you don’t believe me look down.” The cool dare interweaving the words drew her gaze toward the floor—and it disappeared beneath her feet.

She stood on a steel beam hundreds of feet in the air. Frozen and unable to move, her heart thundered in her ears. Squeezing her eyes shut, she swallowed the hard lump in her throat. This isn’t real. She repeated the refrain, but not even the knowledge of standing in the bar dissuaded her mind from what her eyes told it. She dangled a thousand feet in the air, and panic engulfed her.

“Believe me now?” He taunted.

“Please…” I’m going to die. A tear escaped her clenched eyes and she peeked down again, the acrid taste of bile in the back of her throat. The floor became solid once more and she collapsed. Sucking in noisy gulps of air, she tried to reconcile the insane with the real, but her mind rebelled.

“Come with me now before we’re late.” Nightmare ordered, his impassive visage cold and unforgiving.

“What do you want?” She choked out.

“I mean you no harm…”

“No harm? Are you out of your mind?” It took everything she had not to vomit. “You just had me dangling on a steal beam. Get out.”

He squatted in front of her, remorseless. Catching her upper arm in his hand, she thought he wanted to pull her up, but froze and instead dropped to his knees beside her, his head bowed.

Alarmed further, she watched him warily. “What is it? Are you okay?”

“You’re a Queen.” His voice barely rose above a whisper. “A Stormkin Queen. The one I’ve searched for.”

About the Author:

Born and raised in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, Marissa Dobson now resides about an hour from Washington, D.C. She is a lady who likes to keep busy, and is always busy doing something. With two different college degrees, she believes you are never done learning.

Being the first daughter to an avid reader, this gave her the advantage of learning to read at a young age. Since learning to read she has always had her nose in a book. It wasn’t until she was a teenager that she started writing down the stories she came up with.

Marissa is blessed with a wonderful supportive husband, Thomas. He is her other half and allows her to stay home and pursue her writing. He puts up with all her quirks and listens to her brainstorm in the middle of the night.

Her writing buddies Max (a cocker spaniel) and Dawne (a beagle mix) are always around to listen to me bounce ideas off them. They might not be able to answer, but they are helpful in their own ways.

She love to hear from readers so send her an email at marissa@marissadobson.com or visit her online at http://www.marissadobson.com.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Facebook Street Team

May 28, 2013May 27, 2013

Interview with Alexandra Ivy

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome back Alexandra Ivy to the blog to chat about her newest book “Darkness Avenged “

Alex, can you please share with us a little about yourself

I actually came to writing from my love for theatre. I’ve always been a huge reader, but when I was younger I hoped to work on stage. After taking a playwriting class I realized I actually preferred to create my own characters rather than mimicking someone else’s. I worked on a play (that I would still love to finish), but my heart has always belonged to romance, so I swiftly turned my efforts to novels.

On a more personal note, I’ve been married to my college sweetheart for 27 years (yikes that makes me feel old) and I have two sons who I’m gently trying to push from the nest J

Are you a plotter or a punster or combo of both? And you explain the difference?

Both. I used to be a panster with only a vague outline of where I wanted to go, but since I’ve started writing an ongoing series I have to be much more detailed in my plotting. I have an overarching story that threads through the series so it takes a continual plotting to keep it all straight J

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I write all my stories in play format…which means I write out the dialogue and then go back in a fill in the story. That way I can make sure that it’s the characters who are the primary focus of the book instead of becoming lost in the plot!

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

I actually introduced the hero, Santiago, several books ago. He was a secondary character, but I had so many lovely readers contact me to say that they wanted him to have his own story, I knew I had to find a way to write his book. The book begins the demon world celebrates the defeat of the Dark Lord. Santiago’s mood remains bleak. He still yearns for sensual, raven-haired Nefri, who has inexplicably disappeared. But brooding for Nefri is a luxury Santiago does not have. His traitorous sire, Gaius, is unleashing a violent scourge upon the mortal world, and Santiago must stop him before it’s too late. . .

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I’ve wanted to put Santiago in a story for a long time, but I hadn’t really decided on who I wanted to pair him with. It wasn’t until Kensington released my earlier trilogy IMMORTAL ROGUES that I realized I could combine the two series by using Nefri. She’s cool, powerful, and mysterious. A perfect match for my hot, passionate Santiago.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

Predatory, will be released the first of May. This is a short introduction to my new series, The Sentinels. The series will revolve around people who are ‘gifted’ with special abilities and the warriors who protect them. Next up is Duncan O’Conner’s story. He’s a hardnosed police detective who requests the services of Callie Brown, a high-blood necromancer, when a young woman is found murdered in her kitchen. Callie’s skill allows her to view the last memories of the dead before the soul leaves the body. Most cops consider it a gruesome talent, but Duncan isn’t so squeamish. Callie has managed to solve a dozen murders over the past five years . Besides, he can’t deny a fascination with the beautiful high-blood. She stirs a passion in him that threatens to consume them both.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

Neil Simon. My first love is always theatre and I think he will be considered one of our finest playwrights of our centuries.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

Never stop writing.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

I would love to travel to Australia.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I can’t wait for the next George RR Martin book (Game of Thrones)

What is one book everyone should read before they die?

Pride and Prejudice J

What is your favorite time of year & why?

Spring. I hate winter so when spring starts to show up I feel like a dark cloud has been lifted!

Who is your Celebrity crush? And what would you do if you ever meet them?

Johnny Depp. I love the fact that he doesn’t like to play the traditional hero and isn’t afraid to be silly. I hate people who take themselves too seriously. I’m not sure what I would do…probably turn into a fan girl J

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I just want to thank Kelly for inviting me and give a huge shout-out to my fabulous readers!! The Guardians of Eternity continue because of you!!!

Here is a look at the Guardians of Eternity series. You can order Alexandra’s books here

Amazon | B&N

TOUR GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Alexandra is giving away the following prizes on her tour:

GRAND PRIZE:
1 – $50.00 Gift card to Amazon

RUNNERS-UP:
2 – winner will receive a $10.00 Gift card to Amazon or B&N (winners choice)

OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL READERS AS WELL. (International winner will get Amazon gift card)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

May 28, 2013June 3, 2013

Release Day Madness 5.28.13

Happy Release Day!!!!

What are you getting this week?

Did I miss your favorite?

Send me an email and let me know of any upcoming releases you want featured on Tuesday’s Release Day Madness.

May 28, 2013May 5, 2013

Kelly reviews What a Wicked Earl Wants by Vicky Dreiling

TITLE: What a Wicked Earl Wants
SERIES: The Sinful Scoundrels #1
CHARACTERS: Andrew “Bells” Carrington & Laura Davenport
AUTHOR: Vicky Dreiling
PUBLICATION DATE: May 28, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
WILL A RAKE’S WICKED WAYS

Andrew Carrington, Earl of Bellingham, believes in being a gentleman, whether it’s fishing a soggy stranger out of the Thames or assisting a fetching lady into his bed. If the stranger becomes a friend and the lady a mistress, all the better. He certainly welcomes the opportunity to help Laura Davenport, a dazzling young widow with a rebellious stepson. Her gratitude, he hopes, will take an amorous form. But from the moment he sets foot in her drawing room, he gets far more than he bargained for …

LEAD THE LADY ASTRAY?

It was a moment of desperation. On the brink of losing her stepson, Laura turned to the notorious Lord Bellingham for help. Suddenly she, a vicar’s daughter, is in the precarious position of resisting his tantalizing advances. How Bell earned his wicked reputation is clear; the surprise is how much more there is to him than the gossip sheets could possibly reveal. Now every moment with this dangerously desirable man puts Laura’s good name at risk-and promises pleasure unlike any she has ever known ..

REVIEW:
AAAhhhhhh The Earl of Bellingham finally gets his story…..

Andrew of better known as “Bells” is a confirmed bachelor. That is how it has been, how he wants it and how it is going to stay. All he needs now is a new mistress and things will be perfect. Too bad for the Earl of Bellingham that he can’t control fate. Because fate is about to throw a huge wrench in his plans of bachelorhood.

I have been in love with Bellingham since we met him in Vicky’s “How To” Series. I was very excited when I learned that Bells was going to get his own story and be the start of a new series. I really enjoyed the torture and torment that Vicky makes Bells suffer in this book (he deserves it). Laura is a perfect fit for our reluctant Bells. My only fault with the story is that Laura didn’t make him suffer more for his pain-in-the-butt stubbornness.

If you are a fan of Vicky’s already you will really enjoy What a Wicked Earl Wants. But never fear if you are new to Vicky, What a Wicked Earl Wants can easily be read as a stand alone, but I would suggest grabbing the “How To” Trilogy so you can see where our sweet stubbornness Bells started from.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

May 27, 2013May 21, 2013

Spotlight of Christine Wenrick’s Charmed Trilogy

THE CHARMED

The Charmed Trilogy, Book 1

THE CHARMED will be on sale for ONLY $0.99 from May 13 – 27 on:

Amazon | Smashwords | BN | iBookstore

“This has to be a dream. This has to be a dream. This has to be a dream.”

Olivia Ann Greyson sees only one future for herself – to compose and perform the music she has loved since she was a child. But that future changes in an instant when a commuter train taking her to the city crashes and is attacked by, unbelievably, a coven of vampires! As the rabid creatures feed their thirst on the surviving passengers, Olivia is spared from an unthinkable fate because of the intervention of another vampire – Caleb Wolfe, a figure from her past who, for reasons he doesn’t understand himself, would do anything to protect her.

After one familiar touch, Olivia recognizes the man behind the vampire. Soon love and a powerful supernatural connection begins to grow between them. But with that connection Olivia starts to notice startling changes happening within herself, and violent events make it clear that the vampire coven which wanted her the night of the train crash won’t stop until they have her.

Time is running out for Olivia and Caleb to discover why all this is happening. And the answers they find may painfully tear their new found love apart.

*****

THE CHARMED SOULS

The Charmed Trilogy, Book 2

Amazon | Smashwords | BN.com | The iBookstore

“It was the blood! The blood was somehow doing this to me!”

Olivia Ann Greyson is a Charmer, a Dhampir with the power to lure the supernatural world’s most dangerous of creatures – and she’s in an impossible situation. She must leave behind Caleb Wolfe, the strong, protective vampire she has fallen madly in love with, in order to learn how to protect herself from the vampires, shifters and demons that will be drawn to her for the rest of her life.

Human Guardian, Alec Lambert, has been assigned to see to Olivia’s training by the organization he belongs to, which is known simply as The Brethren. He takes Olivia to the group’s stronghold in the mountainous regions of Alberta, Canada, where she discovers the answers to her family’s painful past and the extent to which those hunting her will go to capture her. But she also uncovers many secrets and even more questions about this mysterious group she has trusted to protect her – secrets that will have her fighting to get back to the man she left behind.

. . . but will it be too late?

*****

THE CHARMED FATES

The Charmed Trilogy, Book 3

Amazon| Smashwords

“You think you know him better than I do? Interesting . . . and so boringly human.”

Over a year has passed since Olivia Ann Greyson discovered that she is a Charmer, a Dhampir fated to be part of the violent supernatural world that surrounds our human one. In that time, she has strengthened herself physically, learned of her family’s secret past, and found a deep and abiding love with the strongest man she has ever met, Daywalker Caleb Wolfe. But Olivia’s biggest challenge still lies ahead of her . . .

Dark vampire lord Luther Davin has been obsessed with capturing Olivia so he can use her special gifts for his own reasons. As Caleb and Olivia try to make a new life together with their coven, the Nightwalker’s attempts to capture her only intensify and inadvertently bring an unwelcome visitor from Caleb’s past barging back into his life.

She is Caelestis—Celeste to the modern world—and she claims to be Caleb’s first and rightful mate. Although Olivia has grown confident and secure in her relationship with Caleb, she soon realizes that Celeste sees herself as no less than a goddess among mere mortals and will stop at nothing to get Caleb back—which means Olivia herself must die!

When these two threats collide and fate steps in to pull Olivia away from her new family, will she be ready for her darkest hour and her greatest battle?

About the Author:

Christine is a graduate of Washington State University where she received a BA in Interior Design. And true to form of using mostly her ‘right brain’, she splits her time between her commercial design career and her imaginary world of writing. She lives in the scenic Pacific Northwest where she enjoys hiking, camping and photographing many of the wonderful places that served as inspiration for her Charmed Trilogy. Her biggest reward in life is any given day when one of her books connects with a reader because she herself is such a lover of reading. Some of her favorite authors include Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, and Kimberly Derting.

To keep up on all the latest information about Christine and her books, visit her website or you can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

Christine Wenrick’s

The Charmed Trilogy Tour Schedule

5/13- Book Monster Reviews (guest post)

http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

5/13- My Reading Obsession (guest post & review)

http://4myreadingobsession.blogspot.com/

5/14- Ramblings From This Chick (guest post)

http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/

5/14- HEA Romances With A Little Kick (series spotlight & reviews)

http://hearomanceswithalittlekick.wordpress.com/

5/15- Red Hot Books (interview and reviews)

http://www.redhotbooks.com/

5/16- Book Lovin’ Mamas (interview, series spotlight and reviews)

http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com//

5/17- Romance Junkies (interviews)

http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/

5/17- Froggarita’s Book Case ( series spotlight, excerpt & reviews)

http://www.froggaritasbookcase.com/

5/18- Mad Hatter Reads (guest post)

http://madhatterreads.blogspot.com/

5/18- Reading Between the Wines (guest post)

http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/

5/19- Toot’s Books Reviews (series spotlight & reviews)

http://tootsbookreviews.blogspot.com/

5/20- Cocktails and Books (interview & reviews)

http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

5/20- Salacious Reads (Series Spotlight)

http://www.salaciousreads.com/

5/21- Salacious Reads (Review, Book 1)

http://www.salaciousreads.com/

5/21- Buffy’s Ramblings (guest post)

http://buffy-kennedy.blogspot.com/

5/21- GraveTells (guest post)

http://gravetells.com/

5/22- Paranormal Book Club (series spotlight)

http://paranormal-bookclub.com/

5/22- Reader Girls (guest post & reviews)

http://www.readergirlsblog.com/

5/22- Salacious Reads (Review, Book 2)

http://www.salaciousreads.com/

5/23- Vampires, Werewolves & Fairies Oh My! (guest post)

http://vampireswerewolvesfairiesohmy.blogspot.com/

5/23- Salacious Reads (Review, Book 1)

http://www.salaciousreads.com/

5/24- Riverina Romantics (guest post)

http://riverinaromantics.blogspot.com/

5/25- The Reading Cafe (guest post & reviews)

http://thereadingcafe.com/

5/26- The Jeep Diva (interview & reviews)

http://thejeepdiva.com/

5/27- Books-n-Kisses (series spotlight)

https://books-n-kisses.com

5/27- Bookin’ It Reviews (series spotlight)

http://www.bookinitreviews.com/

TOUR GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Christine is giving away a $50.00 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of The Charmed to one lucky winner that follows the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

May 27, 2013May 21, 2013

Kelly reviews A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses & Curses by Molly Harper

TITLE: A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses & Curses
SERIES: Half Moon Hollow #3
CHARACTERS: Nola Leary & Jed Trudeau
AUTHOR: Molly Harper
PUBLICATION DATE: May 28, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

Complication One: Her grandfather was Mr. Wainwright and the artifacts are lost somewhere in what is now Jane Jameson’s book shop.

Complication Two: her new neighbor, Jed Trudeau, who keeps turning up half naked at the strangest times, a distraction Nola doesn’t need. And teaming up with a real-life Adonis is as dangerous as it sounds, especially when he’s got the face of an angel and the abs of a washboard—can Nola complete her mission before falling completely under his spell?

REVIEW PROVIDED BY: Kelly NUMBER OF STARS: 4

REVIEW:
Nola & Jed are like oil and vinegar. When left alone they don’t mix together, but when you give them a good shake they become delicious together.

Both are hiding secrets that they believe no one will ever understand. That no one will ever accept. But the town of Half Moon Hollow welcomes them with open arms. Accepting them craziness and all…. Well kinda.

Another fun book from Molly Harper. In A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses we get to see all of our favorite Half Moon Hollow residents. Jane, Gabriel, Dick, Andrea, Zeb & Jolie play a key role in Nola’s journey.

I loved the twists and turns that Molly throws into the Half Moon Hollow world. I seriously would love to live in this town. These guys have so much fun, even when people are try to kill them 🙂

If you have not read a Molly Harper book yet, you really must!!! She is snarky, funny and will tug at your heartstrings with each and every story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

May 26, 2013May 21, 2013