Thursday, November 27, 2014

This Christmas by Katlyn Duncan ~ Spotlight ~ Giveaway


In this light hearted and festive sequel to THIS SUMMER, Hadley and Will rekindle their relationship against the sparkling winter backdrop of upstate New York. This is a must read for fans of HOPELESS by Colleen Hoover.



Tour Wide Giveaway:

Prize: Grand Prize $25 Gift Card Amazon or B&N (winner’s choice) and a Runner Up Prize copy of Katlyn’s Life After series bundle. Please use the RaffleCopter below to enter. 


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About This Christmas:

This year, if Hadley wrote her dream Christmas list, it would go something like this:

1. Spend every waking – and sleeping – moment with her incredibly gorgeous boyfriend, Will.

2. Figure out what’s been bugging him lately. Yes, going away to college has been tough…but it’s time they reconnected.

3. Enjoy a sparkling Christmas in New York City, gazing at the Rockefeller tree, going ice skating, and drinking steaming mugs of cocoa in Central Park.

So, driving off to spend Christmas in a rustic cabin in the woods wasn’t exactly the plan. But when it comes to her irresistible, and at times, impossible boyfriend, nothing’s ever that simple. And as fantasies of an icy Times Square are replaced by a clumsily decorated tree, making snowmen and the warmth of a log fire, Hadley feels herself falling in love all over again.

Except does Will have something to tell her that could change Hadley’s happily-ever-after Christmas dreams into a not-so-winter wonderland after all?

Don't miss this festive sequel novella to This Summer.

Also in the This Summer series: THIS SUMMER by Katlyn Duncan!

Amazon | Amazon UK | iBooks | iBooks UK | Kobo



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Excerpt: 

Snowball Fight
He twirls me around by my hand and I barely register him swinging me around and scooping me up in his arms. I giggle as his arms tighten and he spins us around. The heaviness in his eyes is gone and for a minute I forget all the issues we’ve had over the past few days and lean my head back, gazing at the gray sky spinning over our heads.
Without warning he drops me on my feet and runs away. He drops down to one knee and scoops up a pile of snow in his hands. He molds a rather large snowball and shoots back up to his feet.
“Don’t you dare!” I squeal half in excitement and terror.
He places his free hand against his chest. “I’m a gentleman, so I’ll at least wait until you are properly armed.”
I slowly lower myself to the ground, locking eyes with him just in case he takes my moment of weakness as a chance to fire. But he doesn’t. The snow is the perfect snowball kind and it comes together quickly in my hands. For a second, I see Will as the gangly teenager he used to be. I think of all the times we—me, Will, Lilly, and Ethan—had snowball fights between our yards. Boys against girls.
I throw the first ball and run away before I see where it lands. My breath steams the air around me as I sprint for the woods. A snowball skims my arm, missing its target. I turn my head and see Will scooping up more snow. When I put some distance between us I drop down again, catching my breath, while I make another one too.
But I’m too slow. Will has already halved the distance between us. He lobs another snowball at me and this time it finds its target right on my chest. The snow explodes over my coat and some finds its way down my shirt, chilling my skin and trickling down my neck.
“You’re going to regret that,” I warn.
Will throws his head back and laughs. “What’re you going to do about it?”
My grimace turns to a wicked grin as I plot to get him while he’s distracted with his victory. I launch up from the ground and race towards him. He sees me but doesn’t move as I have nothing in my hands to hit him with. I’m close enough to jump and he reaches out to catch me on reflex. Mistake number one for him.
I land in his arms and he loses his balance and we fall to the ground. He holds me up in his lap. I trace my gloved hand over his face as he takes in the snow all over the front of me.
“Giving up so soon?” he asks.
I smile and lean in, close to his lips. My hand touches the ground and scoops up snow. “Nope,” I say as I bring my hand up and shove the snow down the back of his coat.

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About Katlyn Duncan:

Katlyn Duncan was born and raised in a small town in western Massachusetts. Her overactive imagination involved invisible friends, wanting to be a Disney Princess and making up her own stories. Her bibliophile mom always encouraged her love of reading and that stayed with her since. Even though she works full time in the medical field Katlyn has always made time for books, whether she is reading or writing them.

Katlyn now lives in southern Connecticut with her husband and adorable Wheaten Terrier and she is thrilled to finally share her stories with the world.

Want to get to know Katlyn better? Check out her Dear Reader post on Barclay Publicity’s Book Scoop Blog!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Always the Quiet Ones By Cassandra Carr ~ Spotlight ~ Excerpt


Always the Quiet Ones
By Cassandra Carr

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BLURB:

King of the geeks Marty Johnston has a serious crush on his co-worker Elizabeth. The principal IT consultant wants more than just a flirtation, but guilt over a one-night-stand-but-maybe-more Marty had on his last business trip before meeting Elizabeth could cost him his big chance with the girl of his dreams. He’s comfortable dealing with computers, not people. Can he step way outside his comfort zone to sort things out, or will he lose the one he’s falling for?

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Excerpt: 

After paying the bill over Elizabeth’s objections, they walked back to her car. Marty smiled again, wondering what kind of luck rained down on him that she’d parked a good block and a half from the happy hour bar, so they were unlikely to encounter coworkers. She hit the remote and the car beeped, but she didn’t get in immediately, instead turning and leaning on the door.
“I had a great time.”
Marty’s grin got even wider. He’d break his face at this rate. “Me too. Thanks for asking me to dinner.”
“Thanks for paying, even though you really didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to.” And he’d do it again and again for the chance to know her better.
She looked up at him from underneath her lashes and he remembered reading in a Maxim magazine on the plane a few months ago that when a girl did that she wanted him to kiss her. Did she want him to kiss her? Did he want to kiss her? Hell yeah, he did.
He bent his head very slowly and gauged her reaction. She didn’t cover her mouth or knee him in the gonads, which he took for a good sign. By the time he brushed his lips over hers his pulse pounded and he hoped his eagerness didn’t, um, display itself too much. She leaned into the kiss and he took it deeper, licking over the seam of her lips and pulling her into him by her hips. Elizabeth’s arms crept around his neck and he felt her go up on tiptoe as her mouth opened for him. A little moan escaped her and he wanted so badly to push her against the car and have his way with her, but didn’t want to scare her either. With reluctance he backed away.
Elizabeth’s lips were swollen from his kisses and her round, firm tits heaved. He needed to get the hell out of there before he took things faster than he’d intended.

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Author bio:
Cassandra Carr is a multi-award winning romance writer. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out online. Cassandra's books have won numerous "Best Book Of" awards and her novella Unexpected Top was nominated in the E-book Erotic Romance category of RT's Reviewers' Choice Awards.

She thinks the best part of being a writer is penning stories about love and sex while most others struggle with commutes, micro-managing bosses and cranky co-workers.


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Buy Link: 

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Hardened Desire by Layna Pimentel ~ Release Blitz ~ Writer Marketing Services

Hardened Desire
 by Layna Pimentel


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BLURB:

What could Luc Mercier, a gargoyle who's more than a century old, possibly have in common with modern introvert, Gillian Harris? Loneliness and isolation. When meddlesome friends bring the two together, neither is prepared for the flurry of emotions nor revelations that overwhelm them. That is, until Gillian stumbles across the truth and struggles with how she let her guard down. Learning to love again has never been harder.

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EXCERPT

Luc picked up a newspaper from the stand and tossed a two-dollar coin to the elderly man working the counter. He ascended the cavernous stairs of Bloor and Dufferin subway station, irritated by the lights flickering intensely. I should have just taken my car.
But if he did, Luc would have missed an opportunity to observe society other than from the café he frequented lately. A society he didn’t belong in, technically speaking, and had no business being a part of. Long gone were the muddy, off-beaten roads of provincial France. Long gone was the time when an over-flowing bodice was considered scandalous.
Now people thrived on exposing as much skin as possible. The modern day sentiment of what was attractive and acceptable embarrassed him to the core, from the mode of dress to the inappropriate use of language. Didn’t anyone know how to speak without using an expletive every other word? Where had humanity gone wrong? It was ghastly enough that children didn’t respect their elders, much less their parents.
Nevertheless, as much as this modern world perplexed him, nothing could deter him from at least enjoying his freedom, regardless of the limitations restricting his activities to the darkness of the night.
He did, however, miss the ambiance of candle light and the soft cries while seducing a woman, tormenting her with his wicked tongue. Exploring deviant, but heavenly, practices of binding and mixing pleasure with pain. Sweet promises falling from his lips while exploring every inch of her delicate and exquisite flesh.
These days, the few women he was able to enjoy weren’t interested in highly sensual liaisons. No. Today’s women thrived on being in control of seduction, whether they were proficient or not. There certainly wasn’t anything wrong with the scenario, but it wasn’t his taste. He preferred his women soft, like Genevieve…his sweet, sweet Genevieve.
No matter how many decades passed, the only woman he’d ever confided in, and planned to wed, crept into his mind many a time. Genevieve was an old soul, who found him and fell in love. Then, much like a Greek tragedy, their story ended woefully. The trust and courage it had taken to confess to Genevieve of the monstrosity he had become left him restless and, for once in his miserable existence, vulnerable. If not for her kindness, encouragement, and love, who knew what he would be doing and where.
This last week, though, he thought to explore the possibility of trying again. A particular woman, who frequented the café where he spent his early evenings drinking a brandy and reading The Daily Sun, had caught his particular interest. Her laughter aroused his curiosity in the few and far between moments when he contemplated actually living life. Her voice, whether chuckling or whispering to her friend, always made his body react in an animalistic way.
While they had never met, she seemed like someone he’d be interested in getting to know, at the very least, for a little while. Luc doubted very much he’d find another woman like the love of his life and often thought it would be better that way. How could he even begin to explain why he only ever spent time with her at night, and why he’d always be gone before the first sign of daybreak?

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WHERE TO BUY:






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BIOGRAPHY:

Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Layna discovered her love of reading at an early age. When she isn’t devouring salacious romance novels or writing, she enjoys losing herself in researching ancient history and mythology, weaponry, and hiking. She lives in Northern Ontario, with her husband and two daughters.
Layna is a member of the Romance Writers of America, and is a monthly contributor at 69 Shades of Smut. For updates on her upcoming releases, or to leave her a comment, you can find at:


Monday, November 24, 2014

After Forever by Julie Johnstone ~ Release Day Blitz ~ Giveaway

After Forever Banner


Giveaway
Julie is giving away a $20 Amazon Gift Card. Please use the RaffleCopter below to enter. 

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Synopsis


after forever
A year after her husband’s tragic death, all Lady Julianna Barrows wants is to be left alone and forget that most of her heart went with him when he passed. Instead, she finds herself the subject of many a matchmaking scheme and lurid offer to ease her widowhood, as well as save her fading fortune. Desperate to avoid having to remarry, she takes on a position as a tutor, only to discover that the man she’s helping unexpectedly stirs her heart and passion.


Nash Wolverton boxed his way out of the London slums and into immense wealth, but he couldn’t care less about Society’s approval. Except he has his by-blow daughter’s future to consider. To ensure her acceptance into Society, he’ll endure anything―including procuring a tutor to transform him into a gentleman so he can secure a suitable, boring wife.

Yet what he wants changes the moment he hires Julianna. She may be a lady, but she’s far from tedious. Bold and compassionate, she is nothing like the women of the ton. Suddenly, she’s elicited a simmering desire in him, and even a longing to love and be loved that he always thought out of his reach. Knowing what he planned to settle for can now never be enough, he vows to win her love. But as the walls she’s built begin to crumble, Julianna’s fears threaten to tear them apart and she alone must decide if protecting her heart trumps breaking Nash’s.

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Excerpt
He met Julianna’s worried gaze and smiled. Was she worried for him? That was a first. No, wait. It was a second. She had been anxious for him that night at the ball, as well. Every part of him wanted to learn more about this delicate creature standing before him. Like how she happened to be here. He’d bet his fortune she’d never willingly admit her secrets.

“I suppose you’re here to seduce me,” he said, forcing a serious, contemplative tone.

Her lovely mouth parted. “What?”

“I have to tell you, I’m not one to be easily seduced.” He dropped his voice low, teasing. “But for you I’ll make an exception.”

“How very generous of you,” she replied with a smirk, high color rising on her sculpted cheekbones.

He purposely yanked his clothes into a semblance of order before catching her gaze once again. He stilled his hands and narrowed his gaze. “Should I be concerned about your dogged pursuing of me? You’re not cracked are you?”

“I’m beginning to wonder,” she grumbled, forcing him to press his lips together to keep from smiling.

She shoved her hair over her shoulders. “Rest assured I’m not doggedly pursuing you.”

“How disappointing.” He allowed the truth of his feelings to shimmer at the surface for a moment before lightening his tone. “And here I thought I must have so intrigued you at the ball that you investigated me, learned where I had my country home, and made your way here with your daughter all in the hope of encountering me and trying to talk me into marrying you.”

The color on her cheeks deepened and spread, rather alluringly, to her chest. Her gaze darted away for a moment before settling back on him. “Actually, I did come here in search of you, though not with marriage in mind.”

He lifted his brows slowly, even as his blood raced through his veins. He really should not keep teasing her, but it was impossible to resist. “I like how you think, Lady Barrows.”

Her brows furrowed together before her eyes widened. “I’m not thinking of you like that at all. I don’t even see you in that way. More like a dog in need of training.”

“Your flattery is rather lethal,” he chided playfully, enjoying the rapid reddening of her lovely skin.

She pressed her hands to her cheeks while a smile played at her lips. “You’re muddling my thoughts.”

“Dogs can have that effect.”

“Do be serious.”

“Do you want me to be a good boy and sit?”

“No, roll over and play dead,” she said straight-faced.

He couldn’t stop the bark of laughter that escaped him.

She grinned in return. “What I meant to say before you befuddled me was, I did come here to find you, but―”

“Ah, ah, ah.” He wiggled his finger at her. “I find when women insert the word but into their sentences nothing pleasant follows for the man.”

“Do try and listen.”

“I am.” His repressed laughter vibrated his words.

“Are you always this way?” she asked with a laugh.

“What way is that?” He loved how her eyes twinkled when she smiled.

“Do you always show so much affection to your daughter and banter so lightheartedly with ladies you barely know?”

He quirked his mouth as if he were lost temporarily in deep thought. “I do always show an enormous amount of affection to my daughter. I grew up without the benefit of knowing whether my mother or father loved me, and I never want my daughter to doubt my love. And as for bantering with ladies I don’t know, I know you.” That husky sound had crept back into his tone. Something about this woman did that to him.

Her eyes grew wide so that he could see that gold flecked the green.

“What is it you think you know about me, Mr. Wolverton?”

“Call me Nash.” He wanted to hear his name from her lips. He couldn’t say precisely why―it was another gut desire―and one he’d never experienced.

She shook her head. “I couldn’t possibly.”

“You could possibly.” He leaned close as if to whisper a secret. “I’ve just given you leave to do so.”

“It’s not proper,” she said, her pink tongue darting out to lick her full lips.

He had a brief image of taking her mouth with his and slipping his tongue inside her warm, beckoning caverns. He had no doubt she’d be sweeter than honey. “Are you always proper, Julianna?”

Her hand fluttered to her neck. “Yes. I’m rather boring that way. Are you always this improper?”

“I’m afraid so. I’m rather exciting that way.” He slid one finger down her bare, silken arm from the crook of her elbow all the way to her small hand. Taking her slender, cool fingertips in his he lifted them to his lips, telling himself he shouldn’t and knowing he damn well would anyway. He pressed a kiss to the edge of her fingers, the contact of his lips to her flesh making him ache painfully.

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About the Author


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Julie Johnstone is a best-selling author of Regency Romance and the author of a new urban fantasy/paranormal romance book. She’s been a voracious reader of books since she was a young girl. Her mother would tell you that as a child Julie had a rich fantasy life made up of many different make believe friends. As an adult, Julie is one of the lucky few who can say she is living the dream by working with her passion of creating worlds from her imagination. When Julie is not writing she is chasing her two precocious children around, cooking, reading or exercising. Julie loves to hear from her readers. You can send her an email at juliejohnstoneauthor@gmail.com or find her at www.juliejohnstoneauthor.com, or on Facebook at authorjuliejohnstone and juliejohnstoneauthor or at twitter @juliejohnstone.
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The Winning Side ~ The University Park Series ~ By CM Doporto ~ Cover Reveal ~Giveaway ~

The Winning Side
Book 3 in The University Park Series
By CM Doporto 


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Synopsis:
Lexi’s determined to keep her word and stand by Raven’s side because her love for him is too strong to deny. As Raven learns to deal with the issues that are destined to destroy him and their relationship, their love is taken to a new level. As doors are closed and new ones are opened, Lexi and Raven find themselves in a heavenly bliss, but not without the challenges from Raven’s past. With a true test of love, Lexi and Raven have to decide if they are willing to do whatever it takes to be on the winning side.

Genre: New Adult Sports Romance 18+ for adult situations and language
Page numbers: 272 pages
Word Count: 82,345
Release Date: December 21, 2014
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Purchase Links:
Available soon for pre-order

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Opposing Sides
book 1 in The University Park Series
 is FREE for a limited time.



Tags/Tweets: 
#NewAdult #Romance #College #theravenstrap
At that moment, all sense of fear vanished in an instant, replaced in its entirety with love, hope, and faith. The only thing missing was trust. I had to know if I could trust him. - Lexi Thompson
His lips spread into a full smile. “Sure, but I’m game for something else first.” - Raven Davenport
“Damn, Lexi, I could never stop loving you.” His hands roamed freely over my body and I closed my eyes, relishing in every stroke of his touch. I was forever caught in The Raven’s trap. - Lexi Thompson.



Excerpt:
Delaney held up a light pink sweater to her chest. “This is hideous. You have to trash this thing.” She flung it behind her.
“Hey, I like that sweater.” I dashed after it and then gave it a once over and agreed with her. It was something my mom had bought for me and it had Betty Homemaker written all over it with pearl buttons and a jacquard trim. I shoved it in the return-home bag. “I think coming back to the dorm will be good for both of us. When Raven’s having a bad day, I can just come back here so he can have some time to himself. Time to process whatever he’s going through.”
And time to fight his demons.
“And you trust that he will be okay.” She threw one of my skirts over her head. “He won’t plunge off the edge and go back to where he was, will he?”
“I’ll check on him. It’s not like I won’t see him. And if needed you can take me to his apartment, right?”
“Yeah, of course.”
“Who’s apartment?” Raven stood in the doorway carrying my bags.
“Your apartment, silly.” I smiled at him, trying to displace any unnecessary fear or jealously. Although Raven hadn’t seemed liked the jealous type, I wanted to keep it that way. That was one less thing I didn’t have to worry about in our relationship.
“Hey, what’s this?” Delaney held up a pink and silver Victoria Secret’s gift card.
“Where did you get that?” I said taking it from her hand.
“It was buried in your clothes.” She pointed to the mound on my bed.
Raven looked over my shoulder as I opened the flap.
Have fun shopping with Raven. Love, Dad.
“Holy shit. Is he serious?” I looked at Raven and he smiled. Was my dad trying to make up for my mom going bat shit crazy and burning all the lingerie Raven had bought me?
Sweet.
“Damn!” Raven covered his mouth with his fist. “Three hundred bucks. We can buy you a lot of sexy stuff.” Raven cocked a brow. “When are we going?”
“Whenever you want.” I eyed him with a hungry stare. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t seem to get enough of him.
Of his taste.
Of his touch.
Of his scent.
I was permanently caught in The Raven’s trap. And I wondered if he was really done with setting out his bait and happy with the catch he’d caught. Time would only tell. I shook my head, trying to calm my ranging hormones.
“Is that it?” I asked, looking at the two bags by the door.
“What do you mean, is that it?” He huffed, gripping his waist. “I brought up like five bags. And there’s still more at my apartment.”
“I’m sorry.” I walked past him and headed for the closet. “I didn’t ask my dad to bring me all of my clothes.”
“I know.” He grabbed my hand and spun me around. I slammed against his body and rested my hands against his broad chest. “If you’d just stay with me, then we wouldn’t have to hauling all of your stuff back and forth.”
His scent laced around me, making it difficult to stand my ground. “But I am going to stay with you.”
“Yeah, but not every night.” He pressed his lips to the sensitive part of my neck and my mind quickly forgot why I had talked myself in to coming back to the dorm. “I need a little bit of this every night.” He popped me on the butt and I squealed. “Okay, I’m outta of here.” Delaney dropped the clothes in her hand.
“No. I need your advice.” I tried to wiggle out of Raven’s arms, but he only held me tighter. “I need you to help me pick out clothes that will make me look sexy.” I glanced up at Raven and he let out a low growl as he continued to nibble on my neck, not paying any attention to Delaney. I leaned to the side, trying to break free, even though I really didn’t want to. “Raven, stop.” I pleaded with a tone that said yes, more than it said no.
“Looks like you’re about to get undressed so I’ll help you later.” Delaney step aside and headed for the door.
“Thanks, Delaney.” Raven said as he kicked off his shoes and started to pull off his shirt. His stomach tensed and I caught a nice view of his elegantly chiseled abs.
“Shit, I almost forgot.” Delaney turned around before pulling the door shut. “Whoa! Can you wait until I get out? I don’t need a glimpse of the freak show.”
“Hurry.” Raven tossed his shirt on the chair. “I don’t have all day.”
Delaney’s eyes landed directly on Raven’s midsection for a full count of three before she finally tore them away and looked at me. “Do y’all want to grab a pizza with Luke and me later?”
Raven looked at me, waiting for a response. “I’m game if you are,” I said, feeling the hunger pains bubble up in my stomach.
His lips spread into a full smile. “Sure, but I’m game for something else first.” Raven encircled his arms around me and pressed his lips against my ear as his hands wondered up and down my backside.
“What time Delaney?” I grabbed his arms, trying to restrain him from feeling me up in front of my roommate. He stretched his neck, trying to kiss me. I laughed, unable to resist his tempting offer. After all, I was already in his trap and I was there to stay.
“Is an hour long enough?” Delaney appraised Raven from head to toe and then gave me a wide-eyed warning.
“No, but we’ll make it work.” He said, undressing me with his eyes.
I giggled as Raven picked me up and tossed me on the bed, landing on top of my clothes.
“I warned you, Lexi,” Delaney said, as she pulled the door shut.
“I know. But I can’t resist The Raven’s trap.”

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About the Author:
CM Doporto lives in the great state of Texas with her husband and son enjoying life with their extensive family along with their Chihuahua, Mexican Redhead Parrot and several fish. She writes Young Adult and New Adult stories about ordinary women who do extraordinary things, become a heroine, and find love along the way.


Instagram: http://instagram.com/authorcmdoporto

Twitter: @cm_doporto