Posts

Posted on

Spotlight feature of Hypnotist by Virginia Nelson

Hypnotist

by Virginia Nelson

Amazon: Hypnotist (The Edge Series)

Who knew quitting could be so hot?

Carnie Sabatina wants to break her bad habits, but is a hypnotist really the answer? Enter Doctor McSexy and a trip down the rabbit hole that not only makes her a believer, but sets her passion on fire.

Is it tempting fate to take control?

Mike Schommer’s love life crashed and burned when his ex dumped him for his best friend, but can playing with fire really save his heart? Enter Patient McHottie whose bad habits open a pandora’s box of secret cravings for hypnotist and patient…

Burning Up

One hypnotic suggestion sends them up in flames, but will temptation and passion be enough to turn their parlor tricks into happily ever after?

Excerpt:

As her eyelids fluttered open, a refreshed sense of peace and energy washed over her, as if she hadn’t stayed up past three a.m. then got back up at six that morning to meet a deadline.

No, not just refreshed and energized.

Impassioned.

Flicking a glance at the man next to her, so calm and cool, she knew what she wanted.

I want him to burn like I do.

Never having experienced that kind of immediate need for someone before, she was at a loss. She normally followed her impulses but….

I dare.

He smiled at her and it was weighted with exhaustion. He came across like a nice guy. A really nice guy.

She wanted to see him be a naughty guy.

Practicing powers of seduction she didn’t even know she had, she adjusted herself on the couch, intentionally allowing her skirt to ride up.

“Look, I am sorry that the hypnotism didn’t work on me. I mean, you gave it a shot.” She tossed her hair back, wondering for a moment how it came down.

His lips curled up slowly. “Thanks for that.”

“Mmm. I could reward you for giving it a shot, anyway.”

His brows dropped. “Huh?”

One of her hands dropped to his thigh, resting on the couch next to her, and she slowly caressed the tight denim. “I mean, you tried. The least I could do is give you a kiss….”

 

About the Author:

Virginia Nelson spends her days chasing three very active kids around.  When she is not doing this, or plotting taking over the world, she likes to write, play in the mud, drive far too fast and scream at inanimate objects.  She can often be found listening to music that is far too loud and typing her next fantastic tale of blood, sex and random acts of ineptitude.  Romance, in Ms. Nelson’s opinion, is not about riding off into the sunset on the back of a horse with the knight in shining armor- it is about riding the dragon.  If the knight can keep up… well, that is love.

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Posted on

Kelly’s review of How To Drive A Dragon Crazy by G.A. Aiken

TITLE: How to Drive a Dragon Crazy – The Dragon Kin #6
AUTHOR: G.A. Aiken
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Some things never go away, like vile enemies, bad ale, and annoying kin. Honestly, though, I thought I was finished with the one dragon I’d have done anything for: Éibhear the Blue, a big, gorgeous, blue-haired beast who thinks the world belongs to him. The world and, apparently, me.

If Éibhear wants to play the caring hero and travel into the most forsaken of Gods forsaken lands to protect the one woman who doesn’t need it — namely me — I’ll let him. Because while I’m trying to fulfill a ridiculous quest for a pushy god, I’m going to draw this overconfident warlord much too close, rekindle his fires, and enjoy every minute of his delicious defeat.

REVIEW:
Okay, Maybe starting with book 6 was not a good idea.  There seemed to be so much history in this series I think I should have started with book 1.   That being said this book was just okay for me.  Maybe when I have a little more time I will start this series from the beginning.

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

Posted on

Kimberly’s review of Avenging Angel by Anne Marie Becker

TITLE: Avenging Angel
AUTHOR: Anne Marie Becker
PUBLICATION DATE:   07/30/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Grains of sand glistened in the moonlight, bright against the backdrop of her wet hair. Her blue lips were parted slightly, as if she could take in that last breath she’d been gasping for. She was, in a word, perfection.
When his friend’s niece is murdered, Detective Noah Crandall vows to track down the killer. Since the victim worked in an art gallery with the well-connected and well-heeled Vanessa Knight, Noah questions her first. Despite the chemistry between them, Noah tells himself a relationship would be impossible. He’s a loner and their backgrounds are worlds apart.
Drawn to Noah and horrified by the death of her intern, Vanessa shares her insights into the New York City art world. As they work together on the case, she’s tempted to explore the possibility of a real relationship with the sexy outsider who ignites her desire. But what Vanessa doesn’t realize is that in order to complete his gruesome series of paintings, the killer has targeted her to become his next victim…

REVIEW:
This is the second in the “Mindhunters” series which I did not read the first one but having gone back and read the synopsis for the first in the series I do not think they are connected except the SSAM institute mentioned in the book. This book certainly stands alone.

Honestly I am not sure why I liked this book but I did. It is filled with more cliche’ than believable, it has Noah being the perfect, protective and handsome cop who had a terrible childhood, Vanessa being the heiress that wants to make her own way in the art world even without her parents approval, the fact that she is dumb enough to not believe she is in danger and even down to the walking out of the ocean scene but this really was a good book.  It is fast moving and filled with suspense. I enjoyed this couple when they were together but I have to say while I realize it was done for background in the story the fact that Vanessa can not tell her, in her mind, ex boyfriend they are really through just grated on me. She just did that whole “there will be a better time than now” thing and it drove me nuts. Then the fact that she feels the need to run after this man and he thinks he doesn’t deserve love was again so cliche’ but the story is very interesting and a fun read. I enjoyed the camaraderie with Noah and Diego a lot.

I wish there had been a slightly different ending. It just didn’t seem to give the “correct” finale to me and a epilogue was really needed. I know it should be that I did not enjoy this book with all the complaints I am writing but I really did enjoy it and I think if you enjoy romantic suspense then you will too.

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

4 Hearts
Posted on

Guest Blog & Giveaway with Macy Beckett

From Public School to Published Author

Hey, everyone! I’m debut author Macy Beckett, and the lovely ladies here at Books-n-Kisses have asked me to share my journey to publication with you. So without further ado, let’s hop into my figurative time machine—watch your step!—and take a trip back to November 2009…

I’d resigned from teaching four years earlier to stay home with my babies, and I was officially going insane in the membrane. Yes, my kids are awesome and all that, but I missed the intellectual stimulation and the creative outlet that teaching had given me. I tried filling the void with reading, but it only left me hungry for more. That’s when a group of internet friends told me about NaNoWriMo—National Novel Writing Month: a challenge in which participants write 50k words toward a novel in 30 days.  I decided to go for it. What did I have to lose?

Folks, that was one of the most EXHILARATING months of my life! The writing bug bit me—hard. Everything changed after that. I rewrote the manuscript (Alienated, a sci-fi romance for young adults) four times over the next year and a half before I was ready to query agents. By that time, I’d also written Sultry with a Twist, but I didn’t think it was ready to submit, so I focused on the YA project.

Most writers talk about querying like it’s a death march, but I found it addictive. Each time I clicked the “send” button, I felt a little thrill…and as a result, I queried way too many agents. Oops. But that’s okay, because within six weeks I signed with the remarkably savvy Nicole Resciniti.

Remember when I said I didn’t think Sultry with a Twist was ready to submit? Well, I had it backwards—it was Alienated that needed another rewrite. Nicole loved Sultry, and after a brief round of revisions, she sent it out to editors where it sold in a three-book deal. Yay! I rewrote Alienated, and Nicole sold it in a two-book deal to Disney! Double yay!

So here I am now, a debut author in two genres. Sultry with a Twist is currently in stores; book two, A Shot of Sultry, is now available for pre-order; book three will follow next year, and Alienated will launch in February 2014. I’m one busy mama. Not to mention incredibly lucky. 🙂

***

AMAZON | B&N

Welcome to Sultry Springs, Texas: where first loves find second chances…

 Nine years after June Augustine hightailed it out of Sultry Springs with her heart in pieces, one thing stands between her and her dream of opening an upscale martini bar: a bogus warrant from her tiny Texas hometown. Now she’s stuck in the sticks for a month of community service under the supervision of the devilishly sexy Luke Gallagher, her first love and ex-best friend.

 If Texas in July wasn’t already hot enough, working side-by-side with June would make any man melt. Luke wants nothing more than to strip her down and throw her in the lake–the same lake where they were found buck naked and guilty as sin all those years ago. In their heads, they’re older and wiser. But their hearts tell a different story…

***

Macy Beckett writes hot and humorous romances set in Sultry Springs, Texas: where first loves find second chances. Her debut novel, SULTRY WITH A TWIST, is now available in stores, and two more Sultry Springs romances will follow in 2013. Macy loves to hear from readers, so feel free to say hello on Facebook  or via her website.

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted on

Kelly’s review of Shades of Temptation by Virna DePaul

TITLE: Shades of Temptation
AUTHOR: Virna DePaul
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/18/12

ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Carrie Ward understands dangerous men, and she’s got the scars to prove it. These days, the Special Investigations Group detective saves her risk taking for the job. But when she’s asked to pursue a high-profile serial killer, she’ll have to join forces with the last man she wants to depend on—Jase Tyler, an ace senior detective who’s as reckless as she is cautious. And despite her best intentions, the sparks begin to fly.As Carrie and Jase race to try to save the next victim, the passion that simmers between them ignites. But a cunning killer at the top of his game is challenging carrie to play to the very end. Now all she can count on are her instincts—and Jase, the one man daring enough to keep her safe….

REVIEW:
I enjoyed Shade of Temptation but not as much as book 1 Shade of Desire.

In Shades of Temptation we get to learn more about Jase and Carrie.  While I really liked Jase and Carrie’s story I kinda felt like these two were forced together.  It took a very long time for me to feel the connection between these two.  They do make a great team, but I struggled a little with them as a couple. But other than this was a good book.
Jase & Carrie have to team up to solve not one but two serial murder cases.  But when one of the serial murders sets his eyes on Jase & Carrie, these two learn quickly how fragile life really is.
If you like a good romantic suspense and liked Shades of Desire I believe you will like Shades of Temptation.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy (from NetGalley) of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Posted on

Kimberly’s review of Lip Service by M.J. Rose

TITLE: Lip Service
AUTHOR: M.J. Rose
PUBLICATION DATE:   08/21/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Lip Service is the prequel to M.J. Rose’s Bestselling Butterfield Institute Series which includes three novels – The Halo Effect, The Delilah Complex, The Venus Fix – and the short story collection In Session.

Lip Service probes the secret world of phone sex and one woman who becomes empowered by what she discovers there. Not since Erica Jong’s Fear of Flying has a novel so masterfully examined the relationship between sexuality and identity. On the surface, Julia Sterling’s life seems blessed. Married to a renowned psychiatrist, living on Manhattan’s tony Upper East Side, Julia deeply loves her stepson, and is forging a career as a journalist.

When a writing job at The Butterfield Institute – a sex therapy clinic – exposes her to the world of phone sex, Julia glimpses a world that stirs her erotic fantasies but threatens her carefully constructed reality. As she explores her emotional and sexual connections to the men she knows and several she will never meet, she confronts evil, perversity, and her own passions.

Tracing the currents of desire, illusion, and psychological manipulation,Lip Service is an astonishingly vivid glimpse into one woman’s inner life. At the same time, this electrifying thriller grips the reader as it builds toward a battering climax.

REVIEW:
This is a re-release of a book from 1999 and the first thing the reader will notice is some of the dated references (sitting next to JFK Jr., debating banning cigarette tv ads, etc). I found myself forcing myself to read this book and I think it has something to do with the time line. While 1999 was not all that long ago the era was so different. Phone sex was a huge thing before the internet and the references to some many now not so current subjects was distracting. I can see how maybe at the time this was erotic and sensual but not much anymore.

The story has to do with Julia and her psychiatrist husband and the power he holds over her. In this day in age we would have claimed she was emotionally abused. This is also a coming into your own story and while I can appreciate that this story is written as if the character is sitting on the shrink’s couch.This is the first book by M.J. Rose and she has gone on to write many books but I think re-releasing this book was not a wise decision.

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

Posted on

Spotlight Feature & giveaway with Kristina Knight

The Saint’s Devilish Deal

by Kristina Knight

Amazon | iTunes |  B&N

Blurb: Esmerelda Quinn has been looking for a place to belong since her parents were killed in a car crash when she was young. The closest thing to home has always been Aunt Constance’s villa in Puerto Vallarta, so after a string of dead-end hotellier jobs, she’s coming home to run the villa.

Santiago Cruz has called the villa home for as long as he can remember. In between surfing events, Constance has always had a room for him. Color him surprised when Constance decides to retire – and leaves a joint interest in the villa to both Santiago and Esme.

Esme isn’t thrilled to share ownership of the villa with the the youngest Cruz brother – especially when she learns Santiago’s brother has been after the villa for years. But Santiago has grown up while she’s been away at school and soon she finds herself falling for the rich boy down the hall.

Excerpt:

“You forget yourself, Esmerelda. You’re talking about making this simple for the staff, that doesn’t mean I need to come to you for every new guest registration or idea I have. Besides, we need this campaign.” Santiago waved his hand. “We need more guests of a certain means to make the villa stand out. Families are great, but they won’t make Casa Constance a go-to destination. These people will. So, we use our new guests as features in a new campaign for the high-end travel magazines. A few shots in the tabloids wouldn’t hurt, either.”

“You weren’t even going to discuss this with me?”

“I’m telling you now. While we’re on the subject—” he tossed a few magazines from his desktop onto her lap “—what do you see in these pictures?”

Esme sent him a killing glance and then flipped through the pages. “Boring. Bland. Not home.”

“Exactly. This isn’t a home, or it shouldn’t be a home first. If you want Casa Constance to succeed you need to treat it like a business. So, make-over, what do you like?”

She tossed the magazines back onto the desktop. “Our guests love the color and textures of Old Mexico. They say so all the time.”

“Your guests haven’t been in residence, at least not actively, in more than a year. We aren’t appealing to anyone right now and we need to. So, makeover starts this afternoon and your new training begins in the morning.”

“I know what I need to know about running a vacation resort.”

“You need to experience a vacation to sell it. We need day-trips, we need amenities. I’ll bet you’ve never gone para-sailing or sky diving, much less enjoyed a couple’s massage.” Her cheeks pinked at the last suggestion and Santiago smiled. “Celebrities visiting Casa, playing on our private beach, being featured in an advertising campaign—with a few pictures leaked to the tabloids to get the word out even sooner. Casa needs this.”

Esme took a few breaths and then settled back into her chair. “I can’t afford to pay the salary of a New York advertising crew. Seriously, Santiago, you have to cancel.”

“My three months, remember? It won’t cost you a thing. The photographer owes me a favor. The only cost will be the campaign copy, which will be negligible. I do know what I’m doing, Esmerelda.”

“Okay, mail.” Esme shook her head as if clearing thoughts of the upcoming ad campaign from her head. “Marquez usually separates bills from letters—”

“As the mail will be delivered to the front desk, I’m happy to see to it. And let’s cut to the chase.” He leaned back in the chair and clasped his hands behind his head. “I don’t want to be tied down to a vacation villa for the rest of my life. But if you really want this, there is something you have to do for me. First.”

Esme swallowed, crossed and re-crossed her legs before clasping her hands in her lap. “What do you want? A payoff? You’ve seen the books, you know there isn’t much money. But if it’s money you want, I’ll agree to your price. I just need time to come up with the capital.”

She really didn’t know him at all. He shouldn’t be surprised, but he was. Surprised and a bit disappointed. “I need your money like I need another surfing championship,” he said, sitting up straight. “No, what I want from you is a bit more. . . ephemeral. I want your time. For three hours each day, you belong to me. No villa work. No guest handholding.” He walked around the desk to rest his hip against one corner. “No conferences with staff. No following the maids on their routine cleanings and no visits to the kitchen to give Gloriana instructions. For three hours each day, your time is my time.”

“You can’t be serious. That. . . that’s just. . .” She trailed off when his index finger traced the line of her jaw. He lowered his voice.

“No work. No phones. No villa. You do what I say, what I want.”

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted on

Kimberly’s review of Lethal Rider by Larissa Ione

TITLE: Lethal Rider
AUTHOR: Larissa Ione
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/22/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, Regan Cooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he’s about to become a father.
Demon-slayer Regan Cooper never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he’s ever wanted- a family.

REVIEW:
This is the third in the Lords of Deliverance series. This story wraps around Thanatos (Death) and Regan. The beginning of this book was actually in Immortal Rider (#2) when Regan seduced Than and took his five thousand year old virginity and now Regan is pregnant with Than’s child. When this book starts Than has been held captive and Regan is 8 months pregnant. Now Than has learned about their baby and will do anything to keep his son safe and Regan’s as well.

As with all Ione’s books this book proves yet again that she is the queen of paranormal romance. No one can write this genre like Ione can. It is amazing how she can make demons so human and humans act so monstrous. When we first met Regan her acts were just unbelievable and we actually felt angered on behalf of Than but with this book we read about her redemption. We get to know her past and why she was so easily swayed to do anything she had to do to get pregnant by Than. Regan really becomes someone we understand and have compassion for. Than is just so delightful. Yes he is the Horseman of Death and has a side to him that should be turned away from but his actions with Regan and the unborn child are so gentle and loving that it is hard not to fall for him.

This is the third in the L of D series but also continues from the Demonica series. I would suggest starting at the beginning of the Demonica series but at the minimum start with book one of the L of D series. This whole series is about the coming of the apocalypse and without reading the first and continuing from there the background of this story will not make as much sense. Ione is a great author and you will not regret reading this entire series if you enjoy paranormal romance.

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

4 Hearts
Posted on

Guest blog & giveaway with Cari Quinn

What rings your bells?

First of all, I want to thank Kelly for having me visit today!

As an author, I try to keep a balance between the stories I feel compelled to tell and my audience for them. If I wanted to write about pink monkeys who dress up like Elvis, yes, there just might be readers for that sort of book, but I’m not sure I could continue coming up with stories in that vein to entertain them.

On the other hand, I love erotic romance. I fell into this segment of my career by accident when a former CP of mine mentioned that she thought my writing was gravitating that way naturally, so why not give it a try? I’m so glad I did! Erotic romance feeds my soul in a way that goes way beyond sex. I often like to explore darker themes in my work and I feel sex that’s a little more dirty and raw somehow seems to fit those sorts of scenarios. Plus…sex is fun! How can reading about something so awesome ever be anything but a rockin’ good time?

Even so, we all have our personal preferences. For example…there’s something about a man coming up on a woman (or another man) from behind that really does it for me. That inherent sense of vulnerability just from having your back turned to another allows for all sorts of delicious possibilities. If we’re talking tropes, I love many of them. Friends to lovers is definitely a favorite, but for sheer sexy, decadent eroticism, my favorite is boss and employee. That subtle—and sometimes not so subtle—power struggle really works for me.

Now it’s your turn! What rings your bells as a reader? Tropes, kinds of characters, sexual positions…bring it on! Two commenters will win their choice of my ebooks (any of them except Cowboy Lust, including one of my latest releases, No Flowers Required) and a third person will win a signed print copy of my erotic contemporary romance, Insatiable (it’s a friends to lovers story!) Open internationally for the ebooks and United States only for the print book.

Can’t wait to chat with all of you! J

Visit Cari Quinn at www.cariquinn.com

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway