Thursday, June 5, 2014

Book Review – Dear Stranger

A beautiful love letter to the most troublesome of holidays…
Soft-hearted Reese Ahearn is single for Valentine’s Day. Again. But that’s not going to stop her from spreading the holiday’s sentiment on the streets of Melbourne with short, sweet, anonymous love letters, left for strangers to find.
The last thing she expects, however, is a reply…
Y’all, Dear Stranger has to be one of the sweetest little stories I’ve read in ages.  It’s not very long, Amazon has it listed at 27 pages, and the perfect lunchtime read.  It’s supposed to be a Valentine’s Day read but I think now is the perfect time – the sun is shining and happiness should abound – plus you can pick it up at Amazon for only 99 cents.
Reese is kind and caring, cheerful and fun.  She goes out of her way to brighten people’s day by leaving little notes for strangers to find.  I would never have thought of it, but it is so sweet and when she explains it makes so much sense.  Alone on Valentine’s Day she goes about leaving her notes, feeling sad about how alone she herself is, hoping to make someone else happy.
Ian sees Reese in a coffee shop and, when she leaves it on her table, is the recipient of one of her anonymous notes.  Having been attracted to her immediately, those feelings deepen once he reads her letter.  Intrigued, he spends the day trying to find a way to give back to the stranger a letter of her own and hopefully get to know her better.
I usually complain about novellas, especially ones this short, because I always feel like I’m cheated.  And even though we don’t get the “and then…” of their story, I actually think that the ending was absolutely perfect.  This is the story about two people who are alone and looking for someone else.  It’s about their feelings and motivations.  And it’s about what happens when fate delivers them into each other’s path.  I don’t need to know what happens next because I know it is going to be wonderful.  I finished Dear Stranger with a smile on my face and one in my heart, which makes it the perfect romance in my mind.

Spotlight – Brazen Seduction Tour

On today’s Brazen blog tour we get a chance to look at two sexy new books about seduction … leading to love.
*****
Recipe for Seduction
by Gina Gordon
Release Date: 5/26/14
Genre:  Contemporary Romance (Hot)
Blurb:
Let the game of seduction begin…
Veronica Whitfield feels like a frumpy old maid. After ten years of raising her younger siblings, she’s desperate to get her sexy back. And why not find it with the man she’s been in lust with since she was twelve years old—her brother’s best friend, Finn O’Reilly?
Finn is looking for love. And not any love—true love. Complete with the white picket fence, two children, and a dog. He’s just been a little unlucky finding it, and he sure as hell isn’t about to consider his best friend’s little sister for the job, no matter how badly he wants her in his bed.
But then Veronica propositions him with a game of dark, delicious seduction. Finn is tempted to indulge his hidden need for kink, but at what cost? Following through could very well ruin their friendship, but maybe—just maybe—helping Veronica rediscover her sexy side is exactly what he needs to find love at last…
Tagline: Let the game of seduction begin…
Barnes & Noble Buy Link: http://bit.ly/RecipeForSeductionBN
Author Info:
When her dream of becoming a mafia princess didn’t pan out, Gina Gordon went after her second dream…becoming a writer. And she hasn’t looked back.
Gina, a self-proclaimed happily ever after junkie and cupcake connoisseuse, loves spinning contemporary tales of knee bending first kisses, unconditional love and super-hot sex. She broke out onto the romance scene with her #1 Amazon Bestselling erotic short story Her Five Favorite Words that’s been called a “deliciously naughty tale” by Joyfully Reviewed.
When not chained to her computer, you can find Gina sipping Starbucks, making cupcakes or feeding her addiction to celebrity gossip. She lives in Milton, Ontario with her husband and lovable dog.
Author Website: www.ginagordon.net
Author Twitter: www.twitter.com/GordonGina
*****
Seducing the Playboy
by Amanda Usen
Release Date: 5/26/14
Genre: Contemporary Romance (Hot)
Blurb:
The best desserts are worth the wait…
Pastry chef Jenna Cooper crushed hard on playboy chef Roman Gallagher when her older brother brought him home to share their family Christmas six years ago. Now she’s old enough to do something about it, and she won’t take no for an answer—for anything.
Out of the frying pan into the fire…
Roman has one hard and fast rule—don’t sleep where you eat. But he can’t say no to Jenna’s plea for him to help her save her family business. Soon she’s working for him, and their scorching chemistry melts Roman’s resistance.
If you can’t stand the heat…
Jenna knows Roman has reservations about enjoying the heat between them, but she’s got a plan. She’s going to keep this sexy man so satisfied in—and out—of the kitchen, he won’t regret a thing. But Roman has his own ideas. He wants more than a few hot nights, and he’s going to teach Jenna a lesson about playing with fire.
Tagline: Work hard, play harder…
Barnes & Noble Buy Link: http://bit.ly/SeducingThePlayboyBN
Author Info:
Amanda Usen knows two things for certain: chocolate cheesecake is good for breakfast and a hot chef can steal your heart. Her husband stole hers on the first day of class at the Culinary Institute of America. They married after graduation in a lovely French Quarter restaurant in New Orleans. After enjoying the food and the fun in the Big Easy for a few years, they returned to Western New York to raise a family.
Amanda spends her days teaching pastry arts classes at a local community college and her nights writing romance. She’s a member of the Romance Writers of America ® and the Western New York Romance Writers. When she’s not writing, teaching or baking, she can usually be found chasing the kids around the yard with her very own scrumptious husband.
Twitter: @AmandaUsen
*****
Giveaway:
Amanda and Gina are giving away a $50 Amazon/B&N Gift Card!
Terms & Conditions:
  • By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
  • 1 winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive each o the prizes
  • This giveaway begins May 26 and ends on June 6
  • Winners will be contacted via email on June 7, 2014
  • Winner has 48 hours to reply
Good luck everyone!
Click on the banner below to enter the contest and see the other stops on the tour

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Book Review – Her Royal Protector

Now I’ve got a review of Alexandra Sellers’s newest, Her Royal Protector.  It’s sexy and fun, especially if you like Middle Eastern heroes.
*****
Her Royal Protector
by Alexandra Sellers
Aly Percy is her family’s ugly duckling, and she’s never been allowed to forget it. So she knows better than to imagine that Cup Companion Arif al Najimi’s blue gaze holds anything but contempt for her as a woman, or ever will. But if he’s offering to show her just how wild one night with him can be, wouldn’t she be a fool to turn down his charity? She may never get another offer like this one.
Arif al Najimi isn’t sure why he’s dreaming about the little scientist who’s so determined to take crazy risks for the sake of her research into the endangered turtles of his country. But as luck would have it, he’s going to get the chance to do a little research of his own…into the question of why Aly believes her own negative publicity about how desirable she is—and how hard it will be to convince her of the truth.
Buy Links:  Amazon   Barnes and Noble   Kobo
Indulgence’s Links:  Facebook  Twitter: @IndulgenceBooks  Steals and Deals
*****
Review:
Based on her book list on Amazon, it looks like Sellers books are full of Sheikh-y goodness and Her Royal Protector is no different.  It’s a little about two people fighting their feelings and a bit about Aly’s self-esteem issues and a decent amount of intrigue over who might be harming the turtles.  It’s a pretty quick read and I really liked Aly and Arif together.  Both have their hang-ups and I liked the way that Sellers brings it all together in the end.
This is the beginning of a series but Her Royal Protector is a complete story and there isn’t really a lot of indication about what we could see next.  Which is nice because you don’t feel like any of it leaves you hanging.  But we’re given a look into an intriguing and different world, a paradise that makes me want to find my own little piece.
Middle Eastern heroes are definitely a different breed (so you have to be in that kind of mind frame) and Arif is a wonderful example, with a little modern twist.  Readers who enjoy a good sheikh/sultan story, will like him and look forward to a HEA for him and Aly.
*****
Author Info:
Canadian born, Alexandra Sellers was raised in Toronto and on the prairies. She studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London (UK) and acted on stage for several years before her first novel was published by Dell and Robert Hale in 1980. Since then she has written over 40 books. The author of the popular Sons of the Desert series, she is the recipient of the Romantic Times’ Career Achievement Award for Series (2009) and Series Romantic Fantasy (2000). She divides her time between London, Crete and Vancouver.
*****
Giveaway:
$25 Bath and Body Works GC
*****
Click on the banner below to check out the rest of the tour

Spotlight – Desire and Deception

First off today, Tessa Marshal (heroine from Desire and Deception by Sahara Roberts) shares with us some really great Mexican recipes.  Enjoy!
*****
Hi, my name is Tessa Marshal. We met not so long ago on the pages of Desire and Deception. I hear some people out there aren’t familiar with Mexican food. You don’t know what you’re missing! Here’s a few of the dishes I enjoyed while I was in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon. Hopefully you can find a good Mexican restaurant in your area so you can have a taste.
Huachinango a la Veracruzana – Veracruz style red snapper
Yes, I’m still practicing how to say this in Spanish because it was so good. The red snapper is prepared with onion, tomato, capers, and green olives. I’m so glad Monica suggested that seafood restaurant by the hotel.
Chef was such a flirt…not that I should be saying that where Kris could read it.
Fajita tacos
I’ll be honest, these tacos are pork carnitas, but they’re the closest I could come to what I had. Every time I fix fajita tacos for a picture we end up eating them before I can think to pull out a phone or a camera. :/
Pan dulce – Sweet bread
Mexican style sweet bread isn’t really sweet. I found I liked the conchas Kris brought, especially when I had them with hot coffee. Though I’m still trying to decide which flavor I like best.
Coctel de camaron – Shrimp cocktail
Now this is a very different way of having shrimp cocktail. In Texas we dip shrimp in sauce. But after trying this tangy version, there’s no going back.

Chicharones
I saw Cruz out in the yard with one of these huge pork skins. I didn’t know they came in a jumbo size.
*****
Desire and Deception
By Sahara Roberts
Tagline: On the thin line between life and death lies…
Tessa Marshal has fulfilled her long awaited dream of homeownership. She celebrates by taking a vacation with a friend but gets more than she bargained for when her adventure becomes a terrifying ordeal.
Deep cover agent Kristopher “Kris” Harmon has spent years climbing the ranks within the Mexican cartel.  He walks a tight line between vicious drug runners with agendas of their own and working with the cartel leaders he’s trying to organize. Any distraction could prove fatal for him—and for the hundreds of undercover law enforcement officers his own cover protects.
Their worlds collide when Tessa is mistaken for a drug mule and taken captive. As time runs out for both of them, Tessa has to reach beyond her fears and trust a stranger while Kris must choose between his lifelong ambitions and saving Tessa’s life. If they want to survive, both must trust that there is more to the other than what meets the eye.
*****
Author Info:
Sahara Roberts caught the writing bug early in life. She enjoys writing Romantic Suspense and Contemporary Romance.  Her days are filled with international trade issues (the legal kind) and her evenings writing steamy romance.  When she’s not at her usual hangout, Savvy Authors, she enjoys socializing onFacebook,Twitter,Goodreads,Google+,Pinterest and herwebsite, or watching Castle, NCIS, Supernatural, and The Walking Dead (Following Daryl).
Sahara lives in South Texas with her husband and two very spoiled cats. She enjoys cooking, baking, and cake decorating, but she would certainly prefer to have someone else do the dishes.
*****
Giveaway:
$25 Amazon GC
*****
Click on the banner below to find more sites participating in the tour

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Guest Post - Brazen

This morning it is my pleasure to welcome Katherine Longshore as she answers a few questions and then gives us a look at her new book, Brazen.

*****

What do you like best about writing romances?

Kissing scenes!  Because kissing can be so intimate and tell us so much about the other person.  It engages all the senses and heightens most of them—smell, touch, taste.  But more than that, I love romantic tension, because it’s something so many of us can relate to.  Will he kiss me?  When?  How?  What will it feel like?  What if I hate it?  Should I kiss him first?  And then all the should-I-shouldn’t-I of forbidden romance.  I love being able to keep my characters a little bit on edge—wanting.  And then giving them a taste of it so they want more. 

What is your favorite romantic story (movie/book. fact/fiction)?

I fell in love with A Room With a View when I was in high school—both the movie and the book.  Because…Italy.  And Edwardian dresses.  And forbidden love.  And a romantic heroine who feels bound by her class and society, but longs to break free and really be herself.  Because it includes art and music and philosophy and a terrifically romantic kiss in a meadow overlooking Florence.  Because there is humor and sadness and the happily ever after feels true.

If you could be any romantic heroine, who would it be and why?

I’d love to be Lucy Honeychurch from A Room With a View!  But I think even more, I’d like to be Scarlett O’Hara, just for a little while.  She may not always be entirely admirable, but you can’t deny that she’s strong, and that’s what I love about her most. 

Which of your characters/books was the most fun to write?

In BRAZEN, I loved writing Madge Shelton.  She is one of Mary Howard (the narrator)’s closest friends, and the one who encourages her to find love and romance, whatever the cost.  Madge is irreverent and witty and completely at home with her sexuality.  Her spontaneity often helps her achieve what she thinks is her heart’s desire, but also occasionally gets her into trouble.  Most of all, she has heart, and is a loyal friend, especially when Mary needs her most.

If you weren't a writer, what would you want to be doing instead?


Something in travel.  Ideally a travel writer, but I think that falls under the writer category!  Perhaps a guidebook researcher or location scout for a tour company.  I love traveling to new places and discovering new restaurants and fun places to stay.  Or possibly a guest lecturer on cruise ships—though I’d have to know a lot about a variety of places, so I could always be going somewhere different.

*****

Title: BRAZEN
Author: Katherine Longshore
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Pub. Date: June 12, 2014
Pages: 528


Mary Howard has always lived in the shadow of her powerful family. But when she’s married off to Henry Fitzroy, King Henry VIII’s illegitimate son, she rockets into the Tudor court’s inner circle. Mary and “Fitz” join a tight clique of rebels who test the boundaries of court’s strict rules with their games, dares, and flirtations. The more Mary gets to know Fitz, the harder she falls for him, but is forbidden from seeing him alone. The rules of court were made to be pushed…but pushing them too far means certain death. Is true love worth dying for?

*****

About Katherine:

Katherine Longshore grew up on the northern California coast. At university, she created her own major in Cross-Cultural Studies and Communications, planning to travel and write. Forever. Four years, six continents and countless pairs of shoes later, she went to England for two weeks, stayed five years and discovered history. She now lives in California with her husband, two children and a sun-worshiping dog.

Where you can find Katherine:

*****

Giveaway:

1 winner will receive all 3 books signed International
2 winners will receive signed copies of Brazen US Only


*****

Tour Schedule:

Week One
6/2/2014- Literary ExplorationReview
6/2/2014- The Anne Boleyn FilesGuest Post
6/3/2014- Romantic Reads and SuchInterview
6/4/2014- Page TurnersReview
6/5/2014- Magical Urban Fantasy ReadsGuest Post
6/6/2014- Parajunkee's ViewInterview

Week Two
6/9/2014- Gone With The WordsReview
6/10/2014- Tales of the Ravenous ReaderInterview
6/11/2014- Bewitched Bookworms- Guest Post and Review
6/12/2014- Two Chicks on BooksGuest Post
6/13/2014- Mundie MomsReview
6/13/2014- FiktshunInterview

*****



Spotlight - Angel Kin

This morning we're going to start with a look at Tricia Skinner's newest, Angel Kin.

*****

Angel Kin
An Angel Assassins Novel
by Tricia Skinner

Genre: Paranormal Romance with Urban Fantasy elements

Publisher: Entangled Publishing – Edge Imprint

Date of Publication: April 28, 2014

ISBN-13: 9781622664931
ASIN: B00JI09FIG

Number of pages: 268

Amazon    BN   iBooks  Kobo

Tagline: The thief will steal his heart...

Book Description:

While channeling Robin Hood’s “steal from the rich and give to the poor” attitude at a local politician’s house, ex-con Katie Logan witnesses a forced suicide. Dirty or not, supernatural or not, he didn’t deserve to die, especially not by his own hand. But with her record, stepping forward as a witness isn’t an option. On the run from the police and the murderer, she turns to The Bound Ones for help.

When a beautiful woman comes to The Bound Ones, half-angel assassin Cain is immediately drawn to her. But when she fingers him as the killer, he can come to only one conclusion. The twin he thought was dead is very much alive…and trying to send him a message. Unfortunately, that message is: “You’re next.”

It’s a race against time as Cain fights to save the woman he’s falling in love with before his brother Abel destroys them both.

*****

Excerpt:

First, Cain checked the room’s double window and the flimsy front door, then threw the motel blanket on the brown carpet. He smoothed his hands across the sheets and lifted the mattress. He let it go and unrolled his blanket, tucking the corners.

“Should be fine now.”

Her mind felt miles away. “Will it be? Fine?”

He removed his jacket and pulled one of his guns from the holster. The magazine shot into his hand before he slammed it back. “As soon as I find Abel your life will go back to normal.”
Katie huffed a half laugh. Normal sounded like a dream. “I—”
Cain paused his movements. “You what?”

“I wish I knew how to help you.”

“Well you can’t.”

She snapped her gaze to his stony face. “Would it hurt to pretend I just showed some compassion for you? You could at least act like you’d considered my words.”
“Let’s analyze your sweet wish, little burglar. I’m an assassin, which translates to I kill people.” The half angel folded his arms and left no doubt about the arrogance on his face. “Sorry if the facts sting, but you can’t fight like I can. You can’t do what needs to be done.”
Infuriating, arrogant, and stubborn was not a good look on him. Katie mimicked his posture and crossed her arms. “Tell me, Mr. Super Assassin, are you sure those legendary fighting skills you claim to have will work when you’re face-to-face with Abel?”
“You think I’ll run from the fight?” A growl slipped through his gritted teeth.
“That’s not what I meant. I want to know if you can”— she raised her fingers in air quotes— “do what needs to be done, when your opponent is your own brother?”
Cain pressed his lips together, and she dove into the void left by his hesitation.
“Family is about love, but it’s also about a shitload of pain.” Katie expelled a slow breath. “When you face off with your twin, the end result will stay with you.”
“Abel’s my blood, but he’s done wrong. I’ll deal.”
Katie tossed her hands up. “Say you’re standing near Abel and he’s got a gun pointed at some poor schmuck’s head. What are you going to do? You’d have to decide whether or not your brother is more important, or that innocent life.”
He clawed his fingers through his hair. “I’d never allow him to harm a soul in my presence. I will stop my brother, but don’t tell me my only option is to kill him.”
“I hope it doesn’t come to that.” Exhausted, she sank onto the edge of the mattress. “I truly do.”
“Ridiculous,” he muttered under his breath.
She shot up from the bed, ready to tell him exactly where he could shove his tough act, but Cain’s hand caught her wrist. They stared into each other’s eyes, but the emotions passing over his face cranked her heartbeat.
“Let. Go.” She jerked her arm, but his grip held.
“You should thank me for my honesty. An angel, even an impure abomination like me, could kill you before you could react. No more wishing you could help me. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“So we’re clear, if I wasn’t dealing with mind-controlling giants, I could hold my own in a fight,” she said.
Cain’s expression darkened. “Could you? I wonder.”
The Nephilim brought her crashing down onto the mattress, and Katie yelped. She thrashed under his heavy weight.
“Overpowered by a body, not mind control,” he said as his breath fanned her skin. “Your nonassassin skills are sadly lacking.”
He pinned her wrists above her head, leaving her body flush against his. Katie wiggled and tugged, but Cain had the advantage of position and strength. She stopped her frantic movements. Only one option left—surprise.
She molded her lips over his, the pressure so heavy and intense she could only moan breathlessly into his mouth. The warmth of her tongue touched his, drawing her nerves guitar-string tight.
The grip on her wrists loosened, and Katie raised her hands until her fingers slid into the thickness of his hair. She arched her body and his wide palm cupped her back. Distracting Cain to throw him off took a back seat, replaced by instinctual need pounding deep within her belly and ricocheting between her legs.
Cain’s tongue continued a slow exploration of her mouth, lapping the depths, erotic as hell. Her trembling fingers brushed the expanse of his shoulders, his firm muscles jolting the tips as they passed over. Filled with untethered boldness, she ran light touches down the ridges of his firm pectorals. When her thumb flicked a pebble-hard nipple, her bodyguard growled.


*****

Author Info:

Tricia Skinner writes urban fantasy with twist of passion. She’s a former journalist who discovered her inspiration to write fiction as an escape from “real life.” Her reading tastes include fantasy (and its subgenres), paranormal, sci-fi, and history.

When she’s not writing, Tricia is a newbie “green” practitioner, fitness procrastinator, and a technology geek. Her family includes a patient husband, a demigod son, and two Great Danes. She’s active in several writing communities and enjoys interacting with readers.






*****

Giveaway:

One $25 gift card to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or iTunes. Not open to international entries.


*****

Tour Schedule:

May 12 Guest blog
Jill Archer

May 13 Spotlight and review
Penny For Them...

May 14 review
Eden Ashe 

May 15 Spotlight
Writing from Corsets to Bustiers

May 16 Spotlight
Book Purses & Reviews

May 19 Interview
Roxanne’s Realm

May 20 Spotlight
Deal Sharing Aunt

May 21 Guest blog
Ebook Escapes

May 21 Spotlight
Diane’s Book Blog

May 22 Spotlight
Share My Destiny

May 23 Guest Post 
Preternatura

May 26 Interview
Pembroke Sinclair.  

May 27 Interview and review
Dark Side of Romance

May 28 Guest Blog
Ramblings From A Chaotic Mind  

May 28 Spotlight
Cover Reveals 

May 29 Guest blog
Tynga's Reviews 

May 30 Spotlight
Fang-tastic Books

June 2 Interview
Author Karen Swart

June 3 Spotlight
Romantic Reads and Such

June 4 Spoltight
Inner Goddess 

June 5 Interview
Darkest Cravings

June 6 Character Interview
Eclipse Reviews

June 6 Review
Corazones Literarios 

June 9 Spotlight
Booklover Sue 

June 9 Review
Sapphyria's Book Reviews



*****