One Bad Day by Edie Hart ~ Review ~

I was given the opportunity to read and review One Bad Day by Edie Hart as part of a blog tour. Poor Tessa's day goes from bad to worse. She has so many things go wrong that you just have to feel sorry for her, I know I sure did.  But she did find some luck along the way it just so happens the gentleman that comes to her rescue is a police officer. She finds herself in need of some protection with everything that happens to herin ONE DAY.

Gray and Tessa spark flames almost instantly upon meeting. They formed a quick steamy relationship around the drama and suspense that becomes Tessa's life for the day.

Edit Hart has done a fabulous job of writing a funny, steamy, suspense story in a very quick read. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I would certainly pick up another book by Edie Hart. She has a nice style of writing that kept me turning pages. 

If you enjoy some suspense and laughter with your romance story I think you will like this one. I know I sure did. 

I was able to interview Edit Hart for a blog tour a few weeks ago. You may go here to read our interview and learn more about this exciting story.

Stained By Elizabeth Marx ~ Cover Reveal~ Giveaway

Instead of a lot of build-up in a huge post, Elizabeth's publicist thought that it would be best to let the front and back covers do the talking for themselves.

Back Cover:

Front Cover:

All together now!


Stained is due out on August 20th. It tells the beautiful, yet heart-wrenching story of a young woman whose only defense is to run when the going gets tough; and the man who will do anything to help her face her demons, including letting her go so she can find herself.

Add Stained to your GOODREADS want to read list!

About the Author: Windy City writer, Elizabeth Marx, brings cosmopolitan life alive in her fiction—a blend of romance, fast-paced Chicago living, and a sprinkle of magical realism. Elizabeth resides with her husband, girls, and two cats who’ve spelled everyone into believing they’re really dogs. She grew up in the city, has traveled extensively, and still says there’s no town like Chi-Town.


WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER


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Living Backwards by Tracy Sweeney ~ Goddess Fish Blog Tour ~ Interview~ Excerpt ~ Giveaway

Living Backwards

by Tracy Sweeney

Tracy will be awarding a key chain that looks like the flask on the cover to three randomly drawn commenters during the tour (US ONLY). Please leave a comment along with your email address so you may be contacted if you are the lucky winner. To increase your chances of winning be sure to visit the other tour stops as well. They may be found here....  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/06/virtual-nbtm-tour-living-backwards-by.html

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Interview:

Crystal: Today as part of the Goddess Fish Virtual Book tour, I have the opportunity to interview  Tracy Sweeney. Would you share a little bit about yourself with us today?

Tracy: I’m a first time author and mother of two boys who are seven and four.  My seven-year-old is so unimpressed by the book.  He recently told his school friends that I only wrote one book.  Apparently his standards are higher than I expected.  Maybe if I write a sequel, he’ll invite me to Career Day.  We live north of Boston – sadly nowhere near New Kids on the Block, Matt or Ben.  I still blame my parents for this.  And I’m always writing about or doing something completely ridiculous.

Crystal: Do you have a favorite scene you would like to share with us?

Tracy: There are a few scenes that played out in my head so clearly from the very beginning of the outlining process.  There’s something strangely romantic about rainy evenings.  People cluster under umbrellas.  Street lights reflect off the pavement.  There’s such a sense of urgency.  In some of my favorite movies, a desperate boy shows up soaked at a girl’s front door.  I wanted to flip that image because in LIVING BACKWARDS it’s Jillian who is feeling the urgency and desperation.  She truly felt she was doing the right thing but instead caused herself a great deal of heartache.  I love the scene when she finally decides to confront Luke.  Rain, angst, a cute boy.  What’s not to love?

Crystal: Where did you come up with the idea for Living Backwards?

Tracy: I love time travel movies.  Peggy Sue Got Married, Back to the Future, The Butterfly Effect.  I eat them up.  Well not as much with The Butterfly Effect because seriously that movie bummed me out.  But being a fan of this type of film, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the nuances associated.  If you were to really end up back in high school years later, could you effectively pretend you belonged there?  Do you remember where your locker was or your locker combination?  What you were studying in chem class?  Or where you sat?  Could you be the person you were when you were seventeen?  Could you make it through all of that trauma and teenage angst without a cocktail?  I couldn’t.

Crystal: What are you currently working on?

Tracy: I just finished a flash fiction piece.  The concept had been in my head forever but I had a hard time making it work.  I’m really happy with the finished product.  And when I’m not trying to convince the world to own a pink sparkly flask, I’m diving into something a little bit different for me.  Emma is a far cry from Jillian.  Emma would tell Jillian to buck up and put her big girl pants on!

Crystal:  Do you have any special routine that you follow when you are writing?

Tracy: I’m so boring when I’m writing.  No music.  No TV.  No distractions.  Except Facebook.  I have to check it every five minutes or so just to make sure nothing amazing is happening in the world.

Crystal: Did you have to do a lot of research for this book or any other? If so do you have a fascinating fact that you have learned you would like to share with us?

Tracy: I sadly didn’t have the opportunity to actually go back in time.  I did, however, learn that there are quite a few individuals in the world who believe that they’ve invented time machines.  And they all seem to be looking for assistants on Craigslist.  I’m thinking of applying.

Crystal:  Who are some of your favorite authors that you like to read?

Tracy: I tend to gravitate toward New YA so I’m a big fan of Laini Taylor and Stephanie Perkins.  I have such a crush on Etienne from Stephanie’s Anna and the French Kiss.  I’m dying to jump on Laini’s sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone.  I’m constantly updating my Goodreads status with book updates.  I just finished The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and it ruined me.  I want everyone I know to read it so I can swoon over Augustus regularly.  I’m currently midway through Pandemonium, Lauren Oliver’s sequel to Delirium.

Crystal: Is there any genre you haven't written that you would like to try?

Tracy: If I could write something to make you blush without making myself blush in the process, I’d do it.  But sadly, no characters are spanked in my book.  I know.  I’m sorry.  Maybe next time?

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BLURB:

Twenty-nine-year-old Jillian Cross refuses to believe that a pair of skinny jeans has led to her untimely demise. Life just isn't that cruel. But when an overly-enthusiastic attempt at squeezing herself into them leads her to fall and lose consciousness, she is faced with just that possibility. When she awakens with both a bruised ego and a bump on her head, she's not in her tiny apartment but her childhood bedroom circa 1999-the spring of her senior year in high school. Jillian knows that time travel isn't logical. But then again, neither was her decision to wear skinny jeans. As she attempts to navigate her way through the halls of Reynolds High, walking the same path and making the same choices she made years before, she knows that any change she makes can have a catastrophic effect on her future. But when she strikes up an unexpected friendship with motorcycle-riding, cigarette-smoking Luke Chambers, can she pretend to be the same shy girl she once was? At least she has her pink sparkly flask to take the edge off. One little change won't hurt, right?
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EXCERPT:

There were two other possible options: I could either be dead or in a coma. If I was dead and this was heaven, someone had a lot of explaining to do. My old bedroom in my parents’ house was not where I wanted to spend eternity. Suddenly I felt like I was in an episode of Lost because I didn’t even know when this was. I needed to find a calendar. I moved very slowly to get out of bed not knowing what the rules were when you were dreaming/dead/in a coma and waking up back in your parents’ house. Maybe my legs wouldn’t work right. I wasn’t taking any chances.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Tracy Sweeney graduated with a degree in Management and Finance but prefers writing ridiculous things to crunching ridiculous numbers. She lives north of Boston, Massachusetts with her two young boys. Her short stories have appeared in Literary Juice, Solecisms and Slice of Life Magazines. Her debut novel, LIVING BACKWARDS, was published in January 2013.  She is currently working on her second novel which will be equally as ridiculous.

Follow her just about everywhere:

Website
http://www.tracysweeney.net/

Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/LivingBackwards

Twitter
https://twitter.com/pink_flask

Goodreads
www.goodreads.com/pinkflask

Tumblr
Pinkflask.tumblr.com


Buy LIVING BACKWARDS

Amazon
Living Backwards

Virtualbookworm
http://www.virtualbookworm.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=bookstore&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=living_backwards

Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/living-backwards-tracy-sweeney/1114216279?ean=9781621371861

Bannon Brothers: Triumph by Janet Dailey ~Bannon Brothers #3 ~ Review

I have been reading Janet Dailey's work for many years now and I always enjoy her fascinating stories. Triumph in the Bannon Brothers series is another wonderful examples of Ms. Dailey's work. It has been a while since I have had the chance to read one of her books and I truly enjoyed this one.

Ms.Dailey has created intriguing characters with charm and charisma that are involved in a story line that kept me turning pages quickly.

Kelly Johns is an on air anchor who misses her reporting days. She gets involved in an investigation with Deke Bannon that leads to a lot of mystery, some drama, and a whole lot of danger for Kelly. 

I really found Kelly to be a fun heroine, she is smart, charming, and really good at digging into things she maybe should stay out of but doesn't want to. I loved how she was willing to dig right into this case and help Deke solve some of the mysteries.

Deke Bannon is a HOT hero, that is really good at being in the right place at the right time to help save Kelly. I loved Deke's way of getting involved in his case and doing just about anything to get the bad guys or gals.

I have to say I was surprised who some of the bad guys and gals were in this book but it sure was fun unraveling the mystery as I read. 

I have not read the other two books in this series but if this book is any indication I sure wouldn't mind reading them. I sure they are just as much fun to read as Triumph was. I didn't feel like I was missing any pertinent information to take away from my enjoyment.

If you enjoy a good book with plenty of mystery, some romance, danger, characters that can get themselves in the middle of the investigation for better or worse, I think you will enjoy this one.

If you are a Janet Dailey fan like myself, I think you will find this is more of her fantastic writing.

I actually grabbed this book off the top of my Mom's to be read pile, I just happened to get to it first :) My Mom is the person who helped nurture my love of reading so we tend to like a lot of the same books and authors. 

Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller ~ Parable, Montana #4

Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller features some of my favorite things in a story, small towns, romance, and cowboys. I have had the pleasure of reading all the books in the Big Sky series and I have enjoyed each one. I always love returning to a town to catch up with some of my friends from previous books. Linda Lael Miller does a great job of giving updates on friends from past books in the series as well as telling a wonderful story about the main characters.

Walker Parrish has been spending time with Casey and their children for many years. However these teenagers don't know that Walker is their Dad.

Walker and Casey's always spark when they are together but sometimes those sparks turn into heated arguments other times they turn into babies.

Walker is a handsome cowboy who has a ranch to run and animals to take care of. Casey is a super star trying who was in need of some quite time. She and her children have moved to Parable, Montana  where Walker (the children's dad lives). When the children find out that Walker is their Dad there are some touchy moments and lot for everyone to take in. I thought Linda Lael Miller did a great job of showing all the emotional issues that would be involved in a secret of this size.

I loved that Walker and Casey sizzle, they just have to figure out what their feelings are for each other. It takes awhile for them to get on the same page and get their family together but it was an fantastic story to read.

I can not wait for the next in this series, I'm not sure but I think it my be Brylee Parrish's turn to find her happily ever after. 

If you like small town, western romances I think you will enjoy this one. I have yet to meet a Linda Lael Miller book that I didn't like. 

Ice & Peace by Clare Dargin

Ice & Peace

 by Clare Dargin 

A Love So Close You Can Feel It

There's something about a hot guy in uniform who's touchable but at the same time out of reach.  That kind of man was on my mind when I wrote Colonel Medoro Keegan in Cold Warriors.  A man who has chosen to be an island onto himself, he is in a sea of humanity yet is alone.
Unlike some heroes of this sort, they have no friends and live on the fringes of society.  Keegan is anything but that.  He has two very good friends whom he trusts, he is respected by his colleagues and his considered to be on the career fast track but on the inside, he feels like a hamster on a wheel.  He's going through the motions but he ain't going any where.
All that changes when Caitlin Driskoll enters his life.  In the beginning just a 'passenger' in a cargo manifest, she is but one of many who are to be sent out as cannon fodder for a military with dwindling numbers.  In a frozen stasis for nearly a hundred years, because of a long gone medical fad, she awakens to find she has been recruited to fight in a war she knows nothing about.
From day one, her strength and her annoyance has been one the light that shone in an other wise darkened existence.  Attracted to her, he fights between the rules of his job and society which says they can't speak much less touch, they both struggle to not only survive but to explore the attraction they feel for each other.
In the second book, Ice and Peace:
A New Threat? After a long and vicious war, peace is on the horizon for Earth and its allies. However, a series of mysterious attacks on several secret military installations causes hostilities to rise once again.

Redemption. Having left under a cloud of disgrace, retired Marine Colonel Medoro Keegan is called back to duty.

Bound. His wife Caitlin, the only surviving member of her team, chooses to embrace life, albeit grudgingly, as a cryo soldier. Seen as sub-human, she is forced to serve a planet that denies her rights as a person.

Driven. Guided by their sense of duty and belief that some things are bigger than them, they are determined to risk it all.

Hope. The cost of war is high. Can their love and marriage survive? Or will it be killed off by the very same mission that brought them together?

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Excerpt:


“Sir,” a soft voice, feminine and sweet, beckoned his attention. He knew the voice, like he knew himself. His heart skipped a beat.
Rising slowly from his chair, Keegan cleared his throat and straightened his uniform. Suddenly, the room seemed unbearably long as he walked the three feet or so to be near her.
As he took in every detail of her, he was stunned silent. She wore a Marine Corps uniform with Navy insignia, with her hair neatly pinned off her neck and shoulders. Her clothes were pressed with a crease that could cut a major artery and her demeanor was impeccable. Something was not right.
Still, Caitlin was a sight for sore eyes. She was beautiful. Her petite frame was perfectly accented by the curves of her figure. And her brown eyes and coffee-brown skin was smooth, creamy.
Standing at attention, she did not meet his gaze. Though it was customary not to do as a sign of military courtesy, he could tell she was not doing it for that reason. Her gaze was different. Circling her, he tried to see if he could catch her watching him out of the corner of her eye.  In fact, she appeared to be staring blankly ahead.
Peering directly at her, he spoke in a soft tone. “At ease.”
She relaxed.
“Cate. Can you hear me?”
“Yes, sir,” she responded mechanically.
Pain pierced his insides. She was definitely not there. Keegan placed his hands on his hips and hung his head in defeat. The one thing that was supposed to go right did not. For whatever reason, they had placed her in a deeper state of mental control than she’d ever been in. He controlled the hostile emotions brewing with him. Touching her face gently, he felt her icy skin.
This is unacceptable! Not here. I will not let this happen here. Not under my command.
“Chief, listen up,” he said in an authoritative tone. He knew in this state, it was the only way he could speak to her and still have her respond.
“Yes, sir.” Her gaze became even more distant.
Her response fueled his anger. “You are going to hightail it down to the doc and receive a full examination. Tell him it is based on my orders. He will know what to do. Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
Knowing that she was under the influence of cryo neurotransmitters, Keegan figured the only way to combat it was to get someone to reverse it. They usually wore off once she was away from the stimulus triggers for a long period of time. But considering her stimulus triggers were high-ranking officers in uniform and combat situations, being around here meant she was going to be in a drone zone for a very long time. The last thing he needed was a zombie on board, especially one in charge of the lives others.
Only the jerks in psyche warfare thought doing this to someone would be a good idea. As long as he was running the ship, none of that would be allowed. There weren’t going to be any super zombies soldiers on board his ship. And he’d rollover in his grave before he let them do it to his wife.
“After you come back from the doc, you will report to me, understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Are there any questions?”
“No, sir.”
“Dismissed.”
She did an about face before leaving the room. Keegan clasped his hands behind his back. In the blink of an eye, his joy had turned to sorrow. Now faced with the responsibility of looking after his wife, he wondered how could he handle the burden of command and still protect the woman he loved.

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Amazon Buy Link : Ice and Peace 


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Author Links: 

http://theembraced.blogspot.com

http://claresblog2thehaven.blogspot.com

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Embraced_Scribal_Love/join

Bound To Me By Jeannette Medina ~ Smexy Fab Four Blog Tour ~

Bound To Me 

By Jeannette Medina

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Blurb:

 

A girl with nothing else to lose.

A life that's brought nothing but pain. 

A tattoo that's more than what it seems.

Eighteen-year old Veronica has had enough. Her alcoholic mother has only delivered a slew of abusive step-fathers and life is only getting harder. What was to be a simple tattoo for her birthday brings more than she ever imagined. Liam is a shape-shifting dragon. He lives on her shoulder, watching her, helping her. Having the dragon come to life and teaching her courage becomes a new lifeline for Veronica. But Liam will eventually become a permanent tattoo on her skin - never to take the shape of the protector she became attached to. Will she embrace her life or will a broken heart shatter her soul forever?

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Links:

Amazon Link

Bound to Me Buy Link

Barnesandnoble 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bound-to-me-jeannette-medina/1115426518?ean=2940016443232

Review from Kristin Pittman 

Link on Goodreads

On Goodreads 

Kris Pittman rated it 5 of 5 stars
I have only read one other dragon shifter book before, very different than this one, but I loved them both.

Ronnie comes from a broken home, a product of domestic abuse but she doesn't cling to her role as victim. She often deflects the anger of her step-father from her mother. She is a hero in that sense alone.

Liam is a dragon shifter with little experience guarding a ward of this sort. He is a fierce warrior and blood thirsty. I wont say Ronnie tames him, that is not true, but she helps him grow to learn that there is more to even a dragon than blood lust and war.

Their relationship is not easy and both make mistakes, it was quick and passionate but also sweet and affectionate.

*****SPOILERS BELOW*****

I wont usually post anything that can be viewed as a spoiler but I think this is the one refreshing detail that set this book apart from others!*
*
*
OK, my spoiler has to do with the ending. Which I absolutely, 100% LOVED! Liam helped Ronnie grow enough that, even though she wanted him, she was not crippled by his leaving. She was strong enough to be alone! How often do you read where the heroine is just ruined, an empty husk, a shell of her former self, when her man leaves? It gets so old. I loved the courage it took Jeannette to NOT give Ronnie what many would perceive as the perfect happy ending. But to me these perfect happy endings are what hold us back from thinking that we have any worth outside of a relationship/couple. She found her worth and wasn't going to shrivel up and die because she was "alone". *GASP* God forbid.

Way to go, Jeannette, for sending the message that it isn't a relationship that makes you worthy of happiness.

Another point made: Domestic abuse is a cycle that can be broken without breaking you first

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17663029-bound-to-me

Next Move By Sabrina Garie ~ Smexy Fab Four Blog Tour ~ Excerpt ~ 18+ Only PLEASE~

Next Move

By Sabrina Garie

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Blurb:

Chamber of Commerce CEO and single mother Jocelyn Wade plays to win—in the boardroom, at local politics and for her daughter. With an overloaded life and a heart scarred shut, she doesn’t do relationships. Ever. Until Jared Wyatt, the hot out-of-town fling she can’t seem to forget swaggers into her life with a different agenda—making Jocelyn his own.
Surviving a shattered marriage, Jared swore off women until a night of unparalleled passion with Jocelyn reawakens needs he thought long gone. When a new job as high school athletic director lands him in Jocelyn’s town, where sports and business rule, he must stay one move ahead of her in the game to win her body and heart.
After rancorous local politics upend their game board, they both must learn to trust again or lose a second chance at love.

A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

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Buy Links:

Amazon: Next Move Buy Link

Ellora’s Cave:  http://www.ellorascave.com/next-move.html

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Excerpt:

By reading any further, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age. If you are under the age of 18, please exit this site.

An Excerpt From: NEXT MOVE
Copyright © SABRINA GARIE, 2013
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.
“Unlike everyone else in this town, I’m not afraid of you, babe.” He moved over her, purposely looking down at her, channeling all his control through his eyes—a stance that usually had opponents quaking in their boots. Not her.
“Intimidation? It’s not working…darlin’.”
Grasping her upper arms, he pulled her against him so the hardness of his erection stroked across her mons until she shuddered against him. “It’s working just fine, darlin’. Stop pushing me away. You want this every damn bit as much as I do.”
“That was a fluke, a momentary weakness. I don’t do relationships.” Her face, smooth and hard as marble, denied any emotions.
Oh she’s good, but not good enough. “That ice-queen act may scare off the men around here but I know the hellion underneath. And I like her, claws and all.” One hand lifted her face toward him. The red wine on her breath mingled with her rose-lime scent as he licked her lower lip. “I know how to touch you, babe, to make you beg for it and you know I can make you scream. Play power games with me, you’ll lose. I don’t let up, ever.”
“Neither do I,” Jocelyn spat, a glint of darkness clouding her eyes the only hint that she was struggling to keep her will in check.
Tightening his hold, fingers furrowed into the soft flesh of her biceps to keep her close. “I’ve already outmaneuvered you tonight.”
“Overconfident so early in the game? Bad move. I lost a round, not the match.” She glared at him, those brown-black eyes had liquid silver shooting through his veins. He wanted to be pounding the hell out of her on the desk in the corner.
“God, you make me so hot.” He nibbled her chin and cupped her ass to him to let her feel the strength of his hunger.
“Changing battle tactics? Not working.” Her hands on his chest, she pushed back.
“Sure it is. You’re as ramped up as I am.” His hand snaked up under her jacket, his thumb flicked at the bullet-hard nipple. “Right now you’re imagining how you want me to take you. I like the desk, but maybe you’d prefer it against the wall? Hard and wild, just like you like it.” Desire widened her eyes.
“I don’t do relationships,” she whispered, pain crackled in her voice as she struggled to suppress a moan from escaping.
“So you keep selling, but I’m not buying.” He found his advantage and he pushed it. “Mark my words. I’m going to fuck you again, here in this office. It’ll be so damn good my name will be echoing through these hallways, you’ll be screaming it so loud. And then I’ll make love to you, kiss and stroke until you’re purring in my arms and begging for more.”

Distance, she needed distance. Liquid heat drenched her silk panties, she flamed so hot. Jared in full alpha was a sight to behold. The sandalwood scent tickled her nose, drumming up memories of that mouth licking her to bliss, those talented fingers… Damn.
“No, Jared. It’s not going to happen.”
“Yes, it is.” The steel in his voice was unmistakable. “I’m going to win, Jocelyn, because you want me to. I can smell the lust in your pores.” Warm breath on her neck fanned the flame engulfing her spine, traveling at breakneck speed to her womb.
Somehow she ripped free of his touch, those fingers still stroking her breast. It took every ounce of her control to not pull him in the corner and strip him bare. She had to get away. Instead of pissing him off and sending him packing with her gambit, she got more Jared. Time to regroup and figure out next steps, this was not over yet. Not by a long shot.
“Don’t bet on it. We’re done here.” Her voice cracked, but she pulled it together to strut out of the office to the elevator and didn’t look back. Jared could find his own way out.

The Billionaire Princess by Christina Tetrault ~ Goddess Fish Tours ~ Giveaway ~ Excerpt

The Billionaire Princess

by Christina Tetrault

Christina will be awarding a $15.00 Amazon or BN gift card (Winner's Choice) to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Please leave a comment along with your email address so you may be contacted if you are the lucky winner. Don't forget to increase your chances of winning by visiting the other stops on the tour.  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/06/virtual-blurb-blitz-tour-billionaire.html

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BLURB:

She was raised as an American Princess

Following the betrayal of a former lover, Sara Sherbrooke swore off relationships, too afraid she would be used again. Instead she has devoted all her energy to succeeding in politics without relying on her family name. That is until one night in Hawaii with her brother's best friend Christopher Hall.

He is a self-made billionaire

Technological genius and CEO of Hall Technology, Christopher Hall first met Sara Sherbrooke when he and Jake Sherbrooke were college roommates. While attending Jake's wedding in Hawaii, Christopher is reintroduced to Sara, a beauty who was once way out of his league. But now as the most eligible bachelor in Silicon Valley, the only thing stopping Christopher from pursuing Sara is the thought of betraying his best friend.

As they work together to promote a new education initiative, neither can deny the attraction between them. But will their growing romance be worth all of the consequences?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:

"All set." Sara forced herself to smile despite the tightness in her chest. She couldn't explain it, but she felt as if each step up the stairs was taking her further away from her life as she knew it and closer to something else. Something new and unexpected.

Christopher took a step back so she could enter the plane. "Excellent. As soon as you're settled we can go."

Forty minutes into the flight, Sara ditched her jacket and reached for her cup of tea. Both she and Christopher had finished their breakfast and had gone straight to work. Or at least she tried to work. Her brain had other ideas. It wanted to focus on the man seated across from her. Once again Sara's eyes traveled back to Christopher, the man who visited her dreams every night. The man, who despite knowing it was a huge mistake, she wanted to get to know better.

Despite her inability to work, Christopher didn't suffer from the same fate. Since opening his laptop, he hadn't looked up once. A fact that actually annoyed her a little. Having a man ignore her wasn't something that ever happened.

Perhaps sensing her gaze, Christopher looked up, his warm chocolate brown eyes locking on her face. Heat instantly scorched her cheeks. It was one thing to study someone but another to be caught doing it.

"Sorry, I haven't been very good company," he said, his eyes never leaving her face. "I'm almost done with this."

The soft leather felt cool against the back of her thighs as she shifted in her seat, causing her skirt to ride up her thigh. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Christopher's eyes dropped down to the screen once again. She heard his fingers moving over the keyboard then he closed the laptop and his gaze once again settled on her face. 

"All done. I'm all yours.”  His mouth curved into a wide smile.

Memories of their one night together exploded in her mind.  They hadn't spoken of it on the three occasions they'd seen each other yet she couldn't help but wonder if he ever thought about it. Too bad asking is out of the question.

"You should be careful who you say that to." She hoped a little teasing would help her think of him as a brother type rather than a lover. After all she joked with Jake all the time. "Say that to the wrong woman and you'll find yourself holding a pumice stone giving a pedicure."

Without warning he leaned forward and lifted her leg toward him. The feel of his hand on her bare calf sent shivers through her body.

"Since it looks like you had one recently, I guess I'm safe." He lifted his head from his inspection of her coral pink toenails. Slowly he put her foot back down to the floor and released it. But even after he moved his hand away she could feel it on her skin.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I wrote my first story with characters similar to those in the Sweet Valley Twins books at the age of 10 on my grandmother's manual typewriter. As I got older my stories and characters became more mature. During my freshman year at UMass Dartmouth, I read my first romance novel and fell in love with the genre. I have been writing contemporary romance ever since.

Today I live with my husband, three beautiful daughters and two dogs in Massachusetts. Whenever I have a free moment you'll find me either reading a romance novel or working on my most current story

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Author Links:

Website:  www.christinatetreault.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/christinatetreaultauthor

Twitter: @cgricci

Blog:  http://happilyeverafter-cgtetreault.blogspot.com/

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/cgricci/

Buy Links:

Amazon E Book Buy Link

http://amzn.to/14CCFs4 AMAZON UK

http://bit.ly/12d0vqn B&N

http://bit.ly/XH5XD5 iTunes

http://bit.ly/12Xdbll KOBO

http://bit.ly/12wi0Ul AllRomance Ebooks

Willowleaf Lane by RaeAnne Thayne ~ Hope's Crossing #5 ~ Review

The very first book I read by RaeAnne Thayne was Blackberry Summer, the first book in the Hope Crossing series. I will admit I fell in love with the cover first, the covers for this whole series have been beautiful, but when I opened the book and started reading, OH my! I was quickly hooked on Ms. Thayne's work. Since then I have been impatiently awaiting each new release. Willowleaf Lane the fifth book in the Hope's Crossing series and is just as fabulous as the rest of the series. I love small town series where everyone knows everyone else. I also love that most small town romance stories also include the support of the community. Someone is always there when someone in town is in need. I love how they whole community will pull together to help each other out.

Charlotte Caine is not thrilled when she finds out that Spencer Gregory, her old crush, is back in town.  However his daughter Peyton soon finds a special place in Charlotte's heart. Charlotte feels a connection to Peyton because she lost her mother at a young age just as Peyton has.  I love how Charlotte does all these really sweet things to help Peyton feel welcome and make her feel more at home in Hope's Crossing.  Peyton has some problems she needs some help dealing with. I admired how Charlotte steps in to help Peyton & Spencer. Charlotte is wonderful woman with a heart made out of gold. I totally loved Charlotte and her willingness to do anything to help her family and friends. 

Spencer Gregory has been through a lot since high school. His life was going great, he was playing pro ball, everything was wonderful, until everything starts to fall apart. This guy certainly has more then his fair share of bad luck. When he returns to his hometown he fully expects everyone to give him the cold shoulder that he has been receiving else where. It isn't too long until he finds out that he does have a few supporters left in Hope's Crossing. He has plenty of drama that unfolds in his life after he returns home and it's nice he has a few people in his corner. 

Charlotte does her best not to fall in love with Spence again but the guy is just too darn wonderful to resist. I found it adorable to watch Spencer work trying to get Charlotte's attention and affection. I love reunion stories where the guy realizes the love of his life was right there all along, he just didn't know it. 

Charlotte and Spencer's story was another fascinating tale that I enjoyed during my recent visit to Hope's Crossing.  If you enjoy a touching reunion romance story, a small town romance series, a few dramatic problems, and a just plain enthralling story then you should check this one out. If you haven't read the rest of the series I would highly recommend those as well. 

So now that I have devoured Willowleaf Lane I will now start my wait for the next fabulous book by Ms. Thayne. 

All Out of Love By Lori Wilde ~ Cupid, Texas Series ~ Review ~

I have now had the great pleasure of reading all three books in the Cupid, Texas series by Lori Wilde. I took an instant like into this series and I'm falling in love with  it the more I read. I love a small town series romance and I've found another cute little town to visit. I love stories that not only have a wonderful romance story but also involve other family members in the story. All Out of Love did a fine job of satisfying my appetite for this type of story. 

 I have quickly discovered that I enjoy Ms. Wilde's flow of writing. She has created another fabulous story for Lace Bettingfield & Pierce Hollister that kept me turning the pages very quickly. I like a little drama and some laughter in my books and this book contain both of those fun things. 

I loved Lace with her strength of character, her charm, and her wit. I also admired this girl for her ability to have such wonderful success with plants. I don't have the best green thumb in the world so it was fun to read about Lace's gardening abilities.

Pierce is the bad boy super star until he is injured. He comes back to his hometown to assist with the family farm and his father's illness. Pierce makes some major decisions while he is home. He's a hot football star with charm & charisma who is use to getting any woman he wants. I loved that he had to chase Lace a little bit and show her that he really isn't the playboy everyone thinks he is. 

I have had the pleasure to read all three books in the Cupid, Texas series but I honestly think you could pick up anywhere in the series and not be lost. I would highly recommend reading the whole series though, I have found each one to be a wonderful read. 

I was very lucky to receive this book in exchange for my review. It has been as always with my reviews a great pleasure to share my thoughts with you.

The Bond By Nikki Prince & Shyla Colt Promo Post

The Bond 

By Nikki Prince & Shyla Colt

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One of the things we love most about Shifters is their versatility. There are so many different ways to present these unique beings in a story. From the Were versus shifter angle to the various legends ingrained in different cultures. Just in our list of top ten shifter movies, in no particular order you can see that reflected. When we sat down to write we saw a couple who cared not only for one another, but their people as well. Approaching our shifter as an ancient group of beings who migrated from Africa to the United Stated in search of a new life and freedom we come into the story at a time of great change.

Like many immigrants there must be adaptation to survive. Sanura and Rafe’s people are clinging to the old ways no longer relevant or beneficial. As the daughter of the chief, Sanura’s deep love and understanding of what must happen to continue leads her on a dangerous path. Undercover she puts her life on the line to expose corruption and elect the rightful man to be the new chief, with the support of Rafe.

Our movie that we’d like to relate our shifter story to is one that involves two shifters a hawk and a wolf.  The classic movie we’re talking about is Ladyhawke from 1985.  The movie features Matthew Broderick as young thief Philipe Gastone, Rutger Hauer as Captain Etienne Navarre and Michelle Pfeiffer as Lady Isabeau d’Anjou.  In this movie Philipe escapes from a dungeon where he is being held by the Bishop (John Wood).  When Philipe meets Etienne and his beautiful hawk he learns about the curse.  Together Philipe, Etienne and Isabeau must find a way to rid themselves of the Bishop and stop the curse.

Ladyhawke was a movie filled with action but it is also a very deep love story.

In the Bond our characters Sanura Bast and Rafael Cruz have a love that is just as undeniable.  It’s not only the love they harbor for one another, but the deep abiding love that they have for their people.  Together they will do anything to bring their puma pride into the Twentieth century and to stop their mutual enemy Logan Morrissey from claiming Sanura as his and taking over the pride. This is a story of love, action and deep passion for what is right.

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Blurb:

Sanura Bast is willing to risk everything to keep her Pride of Pumas safe from Logan’s scheme to sell their land off to the highest bidder, including masquerading as his fiancée. After almost a year playing a role that disgusts her, she gets the intangible proof she’s been looking for. Desperate to end the charade, she turns to her ally, Rafael.

Banished for losing his control with a human, Rafael’s been looking for a way back to his Pride and to Sanura ever since. The woman set his blood on fire before she was old enough to accept what he wanted from her. Together they plot to stop Logan before he becomes chief, and now she has the proof they need to save her Pride. With that goal in sight, Rafael is ready to take what’s always been his and claim Sanura as his own.

If you want to learn more about these two the links are listed below. 

Amazon

All Romance

Evernight

Bookstrand


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Nikki's Bio:

Nikki Prince is a mother of two, who’s always had a dream to be a published author in the romance genre. Her passion lies in raising her children as readers, gaming, cooking, reading and her writing. Her mother can now breathe easy about the child who used to get in trouble because she was hiding books everywhere and reading when it wasn’t appropriate.

Nikki’s a multi-published author with several epublishing houses. She loves to write Interracial romances in all genres, but wants to let everyone know to not box her in, because there is always room for growth.

Nikki’s also a member of Romance Writers of America National chapter (http://www.rwa.org) and OCC/RWA local chapter (http://www.occrwa.org) and is a member of the board as Co-Programs Director.  She is also a member of the online chapter Passionate Ink RWA.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NikkiPrinceAuthor

Twitter: @Authornprince

Shyla’s Author Bio

Told once ‘You have to be an author, then you’re craziness becomes eccentrics’, Shyla Colt has always been in love with the written word and possessed a desire to write. Named after Super Girl in the comics, she often mistakes her mortality for super hero status. So, she holds many hats, Mother, Marine Wife, and writer are her top three. Writing allows her to explore new venues, face her demons, and touch others. A huge practitioner of paying it forward, and putting in what you want to get out, she hopes to inspire, enlighten, move, and entertain you with her work. Mixing humor, drama, and strong women, often with a paranormal element, she continues to soldier ahead in the writing field. One of her favorite things is talking to fans. If you’d like to learn more or just drop a line, please check her out at www.shylacolt.com.

Where you can find her

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/authorshyla.colt?fref=ts

Blog:  www.shylacoltsstraightshot.wordpress.com

Website: www.shylacolt.com