Category: Uncategorized

REVIEW!! ON THE FLY BY KATIE KENYHERCZ (@Crimson_romance, @KatieKenyhercz)

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BLURB:

Jacey Vaughn has a newly minted MBA when her father dies unexpectedly and leaves her his NHL team. Well-versed in business but not so much in hockey, Jacey navigates this new world with a few stumbles. She definitely doesn’t plan on falling for the team captain. At the first hint of scandal, a local Las Vegas reporter latches on, and Jacey finds herself in the newspaper with headlines that hurt instead of help. Jacey’s determined to keep her father’s legacy alive and make the team successful, but while she has no problem denying her feelings to the media, she can’t lie to herself.

Carter Phlynn has known nothing but hockey his entire life. Drafted into the NHL at age eighteen, winning the Stanley Cup is all he’s ever wanted. Nothing has ever disrupted his focus. Not until he meets his new boss. Jacey gets under his skin like no one else, and while dating the team owner would be a disaster for his career and reputation, he can’t get her out of his head. Carter has never had a relationship last more than a month, but the more he’s around Jacey, the more he can’t picture his future without her.

REVIEW:

I was given a copy of the book by the author in return for my honest review.  I was not compensated.  I am not a hockey fan but I have to say I am now!  Carter is yummy on a scale that I find delicious! 

Jacey Vaughn is taking over her father’s beloved Las Vegas Sinners hockey team and right from the get-go there are complications.  Her first day in the office the captain of the team shows up for a raise.  Her head coach quits and her brother pops up.  FYI…I am seriously hoping the Katie has a book in the pipe for Madden.  This man has all kinds of potential!

Carter is captain of the Sinners and he has every intention of getting the money that Chicago is offering or he is leaving.  That is until he looks into Jacey’s eyes and feels a connection.  When you throw in a journalist with no scruples, an unexpected new head coach and gambling, you just have to say That’s Vegas, baby!

This couple battles ups and downs but the romance is constantly building in the background and you can see that in the interactions of the characters.  This is a fun read and I really enjoyed it!

I expect a lot of amazing stories from this author!  Check her out and let me know what you think!

Rated 4 Bookworms

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BLOG TOUR STOP!! REVIEW AND GUEST POST! Fool Me Once by Lacey Wolfe (@TastyBookTours)

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BLURB:

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…

Drew is the last person Skylar wanted to see across from her at a local bar. A month ago he’d wined and dined her all weekend, leaving her feeling fully in love, but then she awoke alone in an empty hotel room and she hadn’t heard from him since.

The weekend Drew spent with Skylar was phenomenal. There had never been anyone who made him feel as complete as she did. He shouldn’t have disappeared, he should have called, but his feelings for her scared him, so he distanced himself. But when he saw her again, he knew he couldn’t stay away any longer.

Skylar’s determined not to give Drew another chance to hurt her, but he’s just as determined to win her back. Although it won’t be easy, he’s up to the challenge, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish his goal.

Amazon / Nook / BeachwalkPress / AllRomance/ Bookstrand

EXCERPT:

What the hell was he doing there? Skylar was finished with her aerobics class. Grabbing a bottle of water and squirting some in her mouth, she checked her schedule. She had an hour before her next class. That meant she had an hour to figure out what he was doing at this gym.

Taking a towel, she wrapped it around her neck and wiped off the sweat. She headed out of the room, intent on finding him. He was easy to spot. He was in the cardio area, in the back row like a typical man, watching the ladies’ butts jiggle as they worked out. Rolling her eyes, she started his way.

“Hi, Drew,” she said sweetly.

He turned off his machine and grabbed his water bottle. She watched as he touched it to his full lips, taking in a long sip.

“If you’re done, do you mind following me so we can talk a minute?” she asked. She knew a confrontation in the middle of the gym wouldn’t look good for either her or the business.

“Sure.”

Spinning around, she headed toward the staff only break room. Once there she stepped aside so he could come in. Luckily the place was empty. She shut the door and locked it.

“What are you doing here?” She placed her hands on her hips, trying to portray she was irritated by him, when all she really wanted was to feel his mouth on her again.

“Honestly, I had no idea you would be here.”

“Yeah, and I should believe that. I haven’t seen you in a month until last night and then today you show up at my work place.”

He took a seat, clearly worn out from his run. “My company just switched gyms. I was having a tough morning, so I wanted to blow off some steam by taking a run.”

“Sounds convenient,” she retorted.

“Shit, I didn’t know you would be here. It’s a plus though.” He eyed her belly, and she imagined his tongue there, licking her sweat off.

Silence filled the room. She didn’t know whether to believe him or not. His explanation sounded logical, and she would hate to think fate worked this out. Fate was what she first thought brought him into her life to begin with. He seemed so perfect for her. When they made love, it was so hot it almost seemed like sparks were flying off their bodies. At least at the time she considered it making love. Now she knew it was just sex to him, nothing more.

“Come here.” He motioned to her.

She snickered. “I don’t think so.”

“Please, I just want to feel you again.”

“Ain’t happening, buddy. You had your chance.” She knew all she had to do was resist him; that was the hardest part.

He reached out, grabbed her arm, and pulled her to him. Yanking away from him, she took a step backward.

“Come on, Sky, I know you still have feelings for me.”

“Oh, I definitely have feelings for you, just not the ones you’re hoping for.”

He chuckled. “You know, there’s a thin line between love and hate.”

“That line is pretty thick for me.”

“I’m not so sure.”

“I am.” At least she hoped.

He stood, closing in on her. As he stepped toward her, she found herself once again flat against the wall. Shit, how does this keep happening? His mouth was too close for comfort. Her eyes drifted to it for just a second, knowing it was a mistake.

“This is not a good idea,” she whispered. Desire stirred in her.

“I want to have you. I need to have you. You’re all I have wanted.”

Placing her hands on his toned chest, she pushed him back. “You’re not doing this to me again, got it?”

“I will win you back,” he said.

GUEST POST:

I am always so excited when I can get a guest post from an author!  Thanks for joining us today, Lacey!

First I want to say thank you so much for hosting me today. I have just completed my first series, The Hot Bods series.

To be honest, I’ve never been a big series reader. And now when I sit back and look at my writing, I’ve realized I’m a series writer. I have the Hot Bods series, the Brookfield series, and a new one coming soon, Love Strikes series. The Hot Bods series is the only complete series at this point.

So you may be wondering, is this a series you have to read in order? My answer is no however I think if you did, you’d enjoy it much better. Mainly because of one character, Francesca. You’ll meet her in the first book, Fool Me Once and chances are you’ll dislike her. She reappears in the second book More Than Useful as the hero’s sister, and in the third book Accidental Love, the reader will get to see a whole new side of Francesca and begin to wonder if she is as bad as they thought she was. And finally, Opposites Attract and Francesca gets her story.

Now Francesca isn’t the only character. We have Skylar who is a big part of all the books, as well as Amy and Jane. All four girls will appear in each book and of course if you read it in order, you’ll get little updates on how each of them is doing.

I have found writing series is fun. I get to keep my characters longer and revisit them. And so does the reader. Many times when you put a book down, it’s over. But not with a series.

Opposites Attract is the only story to include an epilogue and I think I tied the series up with a nice bow. Of course if someone has real all four they may still be left wanting to know more, and hey, who knows what the future holds. Another book could be in store.

To check out more on the Hot Bods series, check it out:

http://www.laceywolfe.com/hot-bods-series.html

Thank you so much for having me on today! I enjoyed being here.

REVIEW:

If you know anything at all about me, then you know that I am ALWAYS looking for new authors and I have discovered Lacey Wolfe (thanks, Lisa!).  This woman knows how to start a book off right!  I love the alley scene.  The fact is I love a strong woman who takes what she wants and walks away.  Skylar did it in less than five minutes!

This is a spicy story and I really like it.  I have to give Drew credit for trying.  There are a lot of men that would take only so much before they just walked away.  I do have to say that there were a few moments when I wanted to tell Skylar to grow up.  This was a spicy, sweet love story and I am excited to read more from this awesome author.

About Lacey Wolfe:

Lacey Wolfe has always had a passion for words, whether it’s getting lost in a book or writing her own. From the time she was a child she would slip away to write short stories about people she knew and fantasies she wished would happen. It has always been her dream to be a published author and with her two children now of school age, she finally has the time to work on making her dream come true.

Lacey lives in Georgia with her husband, son and daughter, their six cats and one black lab who rules the house.

You can find Lacey at the following places:

Website / Facebook / Facebook Page / Twitter / Pinterest

You can follow the rest of the tour HERE!  Don’t forget to enter the contest HERE!

REVIEW! Trapped Under Ice by M.J. Schiller (@mjschiller)

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EXCERPT:

They looked at the menus and made small talk until the waitress returned with drinks and took their dinner order. In her wake, she left an awkward silence. For the first time, the pair was alone with no ready subject for conversation. They both took a sip of their drinks to stall for time.
“Your drink all right?”
“Good, good.” She nodded.
“Good,” he repeated, seeming at a loss as to where to go next. He exhaled with a laugh. “You know, I don’t know anything about you, other than your name is Beth, you have a daughter named Cassie, and you’re one hell of a singer.”
“Ah…well…” Again she was unnerved by the praise.
“You’re staying at this hotel, so you’re not from here. Where do you live?”
“Bloomington, Illinois.” When he stared at her blankly, she added, “It’s about halfway between here and Chicago.”
He nodded. “What’s it like?”
“Well…it’s a college town. In fact, we have the little known distinction of being the only city with a university at either end of the same street,” she threw in, remembering seeing that in a paper Cassie did for social studies.
“I see,” he replied, bemused. “And what do you do in this fair city? I mean,” he back-pedaled, “do you work outside of the home?”
“Ah, so politically correct. Yes, as a matter of fact, I’m a lunch lady.”
The singer looked for a minute like he was going to spit out his drink, but he swallowed hurriedly and laughed.
“What?” Beth retorted, pretending to be hurt. “You’ve got something against lunch ladies, I suppose?”
“No, no,” he insisted. “It’s just…you don’t look like any lunch lady I ever had.”
She took a long drink and considered his words. Was there a compliment in there somewhere?
“So how did you land this lunch lady gig?”
Now it was Beth’s turn to laugh at his choice of the word “gig.” “Well, in truth it wasn’t all that difficult. I just showed up for the interview, they told me what the hours were, how much it paid, and what it entailed, then asked me if I wanted the job. So, hearing what glamorous duties I was to have and what a fabulous paycheck I would be bringing home, I, of course, took it.” He laughed. “No, really, I love my job. I love working with kids. I can come home and take a nap every afternoon before Cas gets home from school. What’s not to like?”
“Well, when you put it that way…”
“Not to mention, sometimes I get to bring home leftover sloppy joe meat.”
“It gets better and better. Sign me up.”
“Oh, yeah. ‘Cause this whole rock star thing can’t compare to the wonderful benefits I just described. Tell me the truth, it was the sloppy joe meat that really sold you, wasn’t it?”

REVIEW:

I LOVED this book!  I wasn’t sure how the romance with a woman my age and a rock star would go but let me tell you that M.J. knows what she is doing. 

Beth has been a fan of Trapped Under Ice for a long time and when her daughter, Cassie surprises her with tickets, she is stoked.  After the concert, the two women are attacked in the restroom and Chad Evans, lead singer and knight in scruffy armor, comes to the rescue.  The attraction between them is like lightening but Beth still feels like she is mourning the loss of her husband, Paul. 

This was not an easy story and the twists and turns in their relationship, friends and family kept me glued to the pages.  I love how M.J. was able to draw out each emotion and play it out so you could see how it affected the ones involved.  I love that Beth was a lunch lady, who happened to write as well.  She showed a real passion for her work and didn’t feel like it was beneath her.  I look forward to more books from this author and hope she comes back to join us here at Romancebookworm’s Reviews!

Rated 4 Bookworms

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http://marysmerrymusings.wordpress.com/

http://www.mjschillerauthor.blogspot.com/

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BOOK BLAST AND GIVEAWAY! REMEMBER THE STARS BY NATALIE-NICOLE BATES

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BLURB:

Waking up in the gutter, for Leah Rhodes, life as she knows it has just changed forever. In the dark surroundings of her distant past, a familiar man stands out in the confusion. But Remy Moreland has been dead for years.
It soon becomes apparent to Leah that both she and Remy are trapped in a hell of their own making. Can one night together not only lead to the way out, but to love as well?

EXCERPT:

“Remy,” she said his name. Where did she know that name from? It wasn’t common. Think, Leah, think. Then it hit her—hard. 

She remembered exactly who Remy Moreland was. 

He was in the newspaper years earlier. Her mother had shown her a copy. Remy Moreland was involved in a fatal street race. His Porsche had been split in two, killing him and a young woman in another car. 

Remy Moreland was dead. 

But if he was dead, what was he doing here, alive, and with her? 

Sweat broke out on the back of her neck and her vision clouded. This was someone’s idea of an evil, evil joke. She had to get out. She had to find her way home.  Standing, she grabbed the edge of the deck for support. “I have to get out of here,” she mumbled and stumbled her way around the desk. 

He grabbed her around the waist. “You can’t go back out there. It’s dangerous.”

She sunk her open palms against his chest and struggled to get out of his grip. “Get off of me, you malevolent freak! You’re dead! You’ve been dead for years!” she blurted. 

Immediately, he let go and jumped back from her as if he had been stung. 

“What are you talking about? He demanded. 

She backed away, ready to make a run for the front door. But the confused mix of anger and disbelief in his contorted expression stopped her. 

How could he not know he was dead? 

“It was years ago, Remy. You had an accident. It was in the newspaper.”

He tilted his head, his blue eyes huge. “Do I look dead to you?” 

Well, he was pale, his blue eyes ethereal. She hesitated, and then spoke. “Now that you mention

it…” 

“You bitch!” he snapped. 

The force of his voice caused her to flinch and she raised her fingers to her throbbing temples. All she wanted at that moment was to get out of this man’s sight and find her way home. 

“I’m not dead,” he stated ominously. 

“Okay, you’re not dead,” she conceded as she rubbed circles on her temples. 

He took a step closer. “As a matter of fact, right now I am languishing across town in a nursing home. I eat through a tube in my belly and piss into a catheter bag. I remain nothing but an emaciated, contorted version of the man I once was.” 

She closed her eyes. This can’t be happening, this can’t be happening. None of this was real. 

When she opened her eyes, he was in front of her, a macabre grin creasing his handsome features. He lifted a brow. “So, what did you do?” 

“Do? What are you talking about?” 

“To get here. You know my situation, so what’s yours?” 

He wasn’t making any sense. She turned away from him, left the office and began to walk the long hallway to the front door, but he followed her closely. 

“Let me guess,” he provoked. “You look like a murder-suicide kind of girl. You’re not wearing a wedding ring, so I’m assuming you shot your boyfriend in the head and then offed yourself in some spectacular way—like jumping off a balcony and splattering on the ground. How could you have known you would wind up here?” he chuckled unpleasantly. 

She stopped cold. How could he say such a horrible thing? She turned back to him only to find him mere inches from her. “You’re horrible. You don’t even know me, but you’ve resorted to participating in some sort of evil joke on me. I just want to go home…or wake up.” 

“Your life as you know it is over, Leah.”

“What are saying, Remy? That I’m dead?” 

“You’re not dead…not quite. This is limbo…purgatory…the first circle of Hell. The most wretched place on earth where you are sent to atone for your sins.”

BUY LINKS:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B3EF1YW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00B3EF1YW&linkCode=as2&tag=beyondwordsbookstours-20

 

Publisher:  http://www.bookstogonow.com/natalienicolebates.html

 

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter: @ BatesNatalie    https://twitter.com/BatesNatalie 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/natalienicole.bates 

Blog: www.natalienicolebates.com 

You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/natalienicolebates

GIVEAWAY:

The author is giving away a $10.00 Amazon Gift card to one lucky winner!  Enter HERE!

REVIEW!! Her Sweetest Downfall by Rebecca Hamilton (@PureTextuality)

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SYNOPSIS:

Ophelia’s been successful at hiding her true identity, until the mark of the serpent appears on her neck—a death sentence, should it be seen by anyone in her town. Hiding the mark might save her from falling victim to the witch hunts of her era, but the scorching sensation it carries can’t be ignored.

When the mysterious Ethan is sent to collect her for a life of something more, she learns concealing the mark is the least of her worries. She’s destined to don a new mask—to join a dark, supernatural world and protect the future of people she may never meet.

What she doesn’t know—what she learns too late—is that her initiation won’t be complete until she kills the man she loves.

Set in an alternate Regency England, “”Her Sweetest Downfall”” is a standalone novella in the “”Forever Girl”” series, written as a gift to fans of the Forever Girl series.

HER SWEETEST DOWNFALL will appeal to lovers of paranormal romance, fantasy, and vampire fiction.

Rebecca Hamilton Image

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rebecca Hamilton writes Paranormal Fantasy, Horror, and Literary Fiction. She lives in Florida with her husband and three kids, along with multiple writing personalities that range from morbid to literary. Having a child diagnosed with autism has inspired her to illuminate the world through the eyes of characters who see things differently.

LINKS:

Her Sweetest Downfall on Goodreads

Rebecca Hamilton Website

Rebecca Hamilton Twitter

Rebecca Hamilton on Goodreads

An Overview of The Forever Girl World and all its Creatures!

 The UNIVERSE

Many, many years ago, our Universe used its power of creation to make Earth, and the Earth was an art to watch on and manipulate and intrigue. It was through this creation that the Universe realized they could create life that could sustain itself. The trees would grow without the Universe commanding it to be so. The wind would blow, the waves would roll, the earth would crack and shift.

But with this new world came a weakness. The Universe’s energy was depleting faster than it could replenish, and it feared soon it would fade out of existence. It was then the Universe create Humans, and so designed them that they would be an energy, and the Universe could draw from their positive energy each day and while the Universe fed on this energy these humans would sleep.

Some of the humans, however, had within them a darkness. The Universe could not thrive on their energy, and so sleep did not come so easily for them. In their restlessness, they caused destruction among their lands and cities and towns, and with each life source that one human killed off, the Universe began to feel more of a threat on their source of life.

And so came about the creation of the Cruor, as the Universe was one that could only create and not destroy. The Cruor, who would later become known by the modern man or woman as vampires, represent the element of Earth.

EARTH Elementals

In the world of The Forever Girl, the Cruor (earth elementals) were created by the Universe resurrecting humans who were buried alive. They were to be guardians of the night, immortal creatures that would hunt the dark humans. As time went on, Cruor became able to multiple in number by “turning” these humans. The intention of the transformation was to purify the dark human so they could join the Cruor in eliminating the dark energy in this world. Instead, some Cruor harbored darkness of their own, and soon this darkness became more of a keystone than an anomaly.

FIRE Elementals

At around the same time the Cruor were brought forth, the Chibold were brought into existence as well. The Chibold are Fire Elementals, based on sprites, known for the mischievous behavior and tendency to appear as children. However, do not be deceived. These little ones contain a supreme knowledge and are able to communicate directly with the Universe, and can intuitively discern good from evil. They are little watchers privy to the kind of information disclosed around children by adults who think they won’t understand. Additionally, they sometimes act as messengers and guides for other Elementals.

WATER Elementals

Water elementals are known as the Strigoi. They are similar to shapeshifters. The Universe intended them as hunters of the darker Cruor, but, unfortunately, this turned into more of a battle between the elemental races. You could call them immortal enemies, though Strigoi are only immortal so long as they don’t stop shifting.

AIR Elementals

Air Elementals, or the Ankou, are faerie grim reapers. They’re based on the legend of the Ankou, and they brought to this world a magic intended to help bring peace between the Strigoi and the Cruor, and also to deal with the spirits of these supernaturals following their death.  When the Ankou came, they brought peace between the Cruor and Strigoi, but this also led to procreation between the races.

The MALTORIM (and Dual Breeds)

The Maltorim are a council meant to oversee the wishes of the Universe. The Universe, however, began to request things of the Council that its members did not want to honor. For example, the Universe wanted to bring a balance to the Council, with one element representing one leader within the Council. The current leaders, however, and more especially the Queen, did not want balance. Moreover, the presence of the Ankou led to cross-breeding of other supernatural races.

Dual bred races had an easier time integrating with human society. Compared to their purebred counterparts, they are weaker in some ways and stronger in others, but this gives them an edge (while also making their abilities a bit unpredictable). This worries the Council. Further, the presence of dual breeds increased discovery by humans (or those two events coincided—which does not necessarily mean one was the cause!). However, the Council liked to blame the dual-natured for this, as it gave them an opportunity to launch an attack against all of their kind.

Before that point, there was a resistance between the Universe and the Council, but at this time, the Council was in complete rebellion. The Council would argue that the Universe didn’t know what it was doing—that the Universe had messed up time and time again. The Council believed they could do better, but the Universe will not give up yet, because the Council’s actions could lead to the extermination of all life within the Universe (and the Universe itself).

SPIRIT Elementals

There had been several witch trials before any spirit elementals were chosen, but as the first spirit elementals were chosen during the Salem witch trials, they quickly became known as “witches” as well, this being largely because “witch” was something humans used to call humans they thought of as supernatural, and the spirit elementals were just that—mortal supernaturals.

Witches were intended to conjure magic from the Universe directly and use that magic to restore balance in the Earth. Their very presence, of course, would help restore balance just by bringing all of the elements into play, but it was their magic that was intended to create harmony.

The Universe, being a bit wiser for its past mistakes, created witches in such a way that any harm they caused would be brought back to themselves. Because of a supernatural war (over the existence of dual breeds), the spirit elementals were not able to fulfill their duty, and the war raged in humanity over the idea of “witches”. But as the witches were mortal, the Universe granted immortality to their *magic* instead. This was the start of hereditary witches, whose magic, when passed down, would be halved, and when passed down again, halved again. And on it goes…

FOREVER GIRLS

Forever Girls are witches who don’t always remain Spirit Elementals. Their magic is carried with their soul. If the spirit of the first witch stays in her lineage, then she will be a true Spirit elemental. Other Forever Girls, however, may come about by other means. They also began as Spirit elementals, carrying their magic with their soul, but if they strayed from their lineage, they may become grounded to another element while still remaining one of the Forever Girls.

If a woman can discover she is one of the Forever Girls, she can tap into all those lifetimes of magic. Otherwise, she can only use the magic that was passed down to her through her ancestors.

REVIEW:

Whoa!  I am intrigued with this prequel and I want more!  This is a short read, Kittens so I am not going to go full description.  Ophelia is hiding in a noble home looking for her mother.  When Ethan explains to her that her destiny is greater than herself, her family or even him, Ophelia is reluctant (understatement) to listen to what he has to say. 

How can a simple girl be something greater than what she appears to be?  When Ophelia realizes that the stories her mother told her as a child were actually lessons, she begins to understand that she is meant for more. 

When she discovers that the only way to continue on her path is to sacrifice Ethan she makes a choice that may come back to haunt her. 

Rated 4 Bookworms

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Pure Textuality Blog Tours - Long Banner

 

REVIEW!! If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones (@LisaReneeJones)

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BLURB:

The steamy first installment in the Inside Out erotic romance trilogy by Lisa Renee Jones, in the bestselling tradition of Fifty Shades of Grey.

When Sara McMillan finds a stack of journals in a storage unit, she’s shocked and enthralled by the erotic life the writer led. Unable to stop reading, she vicariously lives out dark fantasies through Rebecca, the writer—until the terrifying final entry.

Certain something sinister has happened, Sara sets out to discover the facts, immersing herself in Rebecca’s life. Soon she’s working at the art gallery Rebecca worked at and meeting Rebecca’s friends. Finding herself drawn to two dangerously sexy men, the manager of the gallery and a famed artist, Sara realizes she’s going down the same path Rebecca took. But with the promise of her dark needs being met by a man with confident good looks and a desire for control, she’s not sure anything else matters. Just the burn for more.

REVIEW:

I loved this story and can’t wait to see where Lisa Renee Jones will take this trilogy!  Sara is blown away when she starts to read Rebecca’s journal.  She is aroused by the things she reads, yet she is also worried about this stranger.  The entries start to grow darker and more frightening.  She begins to wonder what happened to Rebecca.  From the tone of the journal it almost sounds like she feared for her life.  She starts contacting the art gallery that Rebecca worked at, and is told that she took an extended vacation.  When Sara realizes that she needs to go to the gallery, she purchases tickets to an opening for one of her favorite artist.

While at the opening she makes an impression on the owner of the gallery and he offers her a job.  Rebecca’s job.  This startles Sara, however; she has an art degree and loves it so she accepts.  As she sinks deeper and deeper into Rebecca’s world, Sara can’t help but wonder if she is walking in Rebecca’s shoes.  Sara is discovering things about herself that she never even thought about, and the men that are teaching her that there is more to life then what she had always believed.

I have yet to come across a book by Ms. Jones that I didn’t enjoy and If I Were You doesn’t disappoint.

Rated 4 Bookworms

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REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY!! In Love and War by Tara Mills (@Crimson_Romance, #GIVEAWAY)

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BLURB:

Ariela Perrine refuses to consider a certain type of man. She watched how loving a self-sacrificing hero destroyed her mother and left her orphaned at a young age so yes, she does tend to go out with lackluster men with predictable results. But she’s safe. And bored, at least until an accident brings the interior decorator face to face with an unforgettable pair of blue eyes, a playful smile, and his overly affectionate dog.

Oh yeah, journalist Dylan Bond makes her sizzle but dare she risk it? After all, he’s just returned from Iraq – a war zone for crying out loud. With his assurance that he’s back to covering domestic stories, her fears are allayed and their relationship hits the tarmac at a dizzying speed. But then an unexpected phone call lures Dylan back into danger for one final, coveted assignment and he falls off everyone’s radar outside the green zone. Sensing something’s gone desperately wrong, Ariela’s ready to make a deal with the devil to find him and get him back safe. As she searches for the man she loves, Ariela discovers that she’s far more resilient than she realized, but will it be enough to preserve her as the days of fear and panic stretch on?

Click HERE to read the first chapter!!

GUEST POST:

I am always excited when an author agrees to do a guest post!  It is a fabulous way to learn more about them!

Thank you for having me, Brandy, and allowing me to talk a little about In Love and War.  As a writer, the question I hear most often is, “Where do you get your ideas?”  Sometimes there isn’t an easy answer.  That’s not the case with this book.

I started paying attention to the gritty side of covering conflicts when the US went into Bosnia, but when Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and executed while covering Iraq, I was truly shaken.  Journalism is a calling; often thankless, certainly difficult, not to mention traumatic and heart wrenching. Yet brave men and women are driven to answer that call and keep the world informed, even when it puts them in danger.

That’s how Dylan Bond stepped into my consciousness.  He’s a hero with a noble heart and an unwavering sense of justice — a truly compassionate individual.  Who wouldn’t love a man like that?

Meet Ariela Perrine. With a past like hers, it’s understandable that she’d try to resist him.  Heroic risk-takers are on her untouchables list; underlined, and in bold.  But she’s not as immune to Dylan’s charms as she’d like to be. Internal and external conflicts arise and threaten the peace they find together.

In the end, they both need to come to terms with who they are and what they expect from one another. Compromise is key if their relationship is going to work. It isn’t easy, but it might be worth the risk.

REVIEW:

I was asked by the author to review this story and after I read the blurb, I was intrigued.  Ariela is an interior designer that I took to right away.  She admits she is flawed when it comes to relationships and I love that kind of honesty.  She goes out with men she is sure she can’t get serious about so she doesn’t have to risk being hurt.  We find out in the story that her father was a police officer and his death shaped her family and her life. 

Dylan is a journalist that is out to save the world or what he can of it.  He is floored when he meets Ariela and wants to investigate where this relationship is heading.  Ariela is hesitant to begin anything with him until he is stateside for good and I don’t blame her. 

My husband was Army and I told him that if he had been active, we would have never gotten together.  Please don’t hate mail me for that statement.  I dated military men for years before I met my husband and I have been the girlfriend waiting behind.  I just didn’t want to do that to kids.  I have the upmost respect for military (a LOT of my friends and family are military) I just know that it takes a special kind of person to be in that relationship and at 21 when I met my husband, I wasn’t that person.  I related to Ariela’s fears for Dylan and the pain she felt when he went back to Iraq.  Their messages back and forth were sweet and passionate.  You could feel the love and longing.

I am not going to tell you the ending.  I don’t like doing that with my reviews.  If I tell you the “meat” of the story, why would you want or need to read it?  I have to say that I freaking love MAX!  This dog is the comic relief that makes a story.  Ariela was going to fall victim to his charm eventually!

Take the time to discover Tara Mills and if you are not already a fan, you will be. 🙂

Comment on this post and one lucky person will win a copy of In Love and War from Tara Mills!!

REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY! HER MASTER’S KISS BY VIVIEN SPARX (@viviensparx)

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EXCERPT FROM AMAZON:

When Renee decides the only way she can save her relationship with a hurtful boyfriend is to become submissive, she enlists the expertise of a dark and brooding master.
However, Renee’s training soon has her falling for master Stefan, and as she becomes immersed in the spellbinding erotic world of domination, Renee realises she’s infatuated with a man who remains mysteriously out of reach; a man who refuses to be loved.
Behind Stefan’s cold, remote facade is a man dealing with his own past and his own pain.

TEASE:

“I am aroused. I’m very aroused.” Renee could feel her face flushing red.
“And does that surprise you? Are you shocked that being stripped to your underwear and then tied with your arms and legs spread in front of me should prove to be such a sensual turn on for you?”
“A little.”
Stefan sighed. “Be honest.”
Renee bit her lip. “I’m not surprised that I am aroused,” she admitted. “Because being restrained like this, and being… vulnerable… like this has been a secret fantasy of mine,” Renee blurted. “What surprises me is that I am more aroused than I have ever been in my life.”
“Ever?”
“Yes.”
Stefan considered this. “And I still have not touched you Renee. I have not caressed your body, nor have I dragged my hands across your breasts. I haven’t kissed along the inside of your thigh, or pulled your hair back and bitten your neck. I’ve merely left you there… anticipating such things…. wondering… what I might do.”
“I know.”
God! I know!
“And how is this arousal affecting you?”
“What do you mean?” Renee asked softly.
“You know what I mean,” Stefan’s voice grew harder. “Describe how your body feels. Exactly.”

Q&A SESSION WITH VIVIEN:

I had the pleasure of requesting questions from my followers on facebook and having Vivien Sparx answer them! 

Did you always want to write in the erotic genre?

No. I initially wrote a fantasy story. But my partner has a lot of experience in BDSM, and when I started to think about it I realized I had a wealth of knowledge at my fingertips. He has become one of the sources for my stories to ensure authenticity.

How do you get in the zone to write your sex scenes?

I wish I could say something intriguing here, but the honest truth is that it’s not any different to writing any other scene. It’s all just hard work!

Has it ever affected your personal life?

Life is getting pretty crazy now. With the ongoing success of the books, I feel a constant need to keep supplying my readers with fresh stories. I am writing almost constantly to keep up with reader demand. That makes life challenging sometimes…!

Where do you get your ideas for your books?

The storylines often come from my partner… and then I add my own ingredients and twists. I have a pretty vivid imagination, and I also have several submissive ladies around the world who I refer to. They have a lot of great, sexy stories to share.

Do you find that the misconception of weak women is found in all levels of erotica/BDSM or just in mainstream fiction?

It is a misconception that I feel runs right across the board or mainstream literature. It is especially true in BDSM stories, but I don’t feel that a woman who enjoys submitting sexually to a man is weak! She can still be a strong independent woman, and enjoy the thrill of surrendering herself…

How do you meet the subs and Doms that you talk to as resources?

My partner is easy to talk to. He is always there. He had several good connections when he was involved in the lifestyle and he has put me in touch with a few of them who have been most helpful. But I also get an amazing amount of fan emails from submissive women from all around the world who offer their encouragement and suggestions.

Your love scenes are scorching.  Are you writing from experience?

No comment!  I am a happy girl.

Where do you picture your next story taking you?

My next story is going back to genuine BDSM. It’s what most of my readers seem to want. I got away from that a little bit with ‘The Falcon Falls’. Well now Vivien Sparx is returning to what she knows best- BDSM, with perhaps the best, sexiest storyline I have yet to develop.

Do you plan on stepping outside of the erotic genre or are you content with the breathtaking stories you create in this field?

I don’t know if my readers would follow me if I stepped too far away from what they expect a Vivien Sparx story to be. But if I ever could write in another genre… it would be horror!

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions from the readers!  Oh, and the handwritten manuscript thing is awesome! 

It helps me feel connected to the story. Re-writes are dreadful(!) but even though the process is a little longer, I some how feel closer to the characters and the action when I write that way.

REVIEW BY BRANDY:

I was given a copy of the book in return for my honest review.  I was not compensated.  Hery Master’s Kiss was broken into 4 stories and I read them all for this review.

This is probably one of the most believable sets of erotica books I have read.  I mean how many Billionaire Doms and virgin subs can we read about? 

Renee was just like us.  Scared, unsure and desperate to keep the man in her life satisfied.  She was searching for something and found…Stefan.  My toes are curling because this man makes me want to explore the lifestyle. 

Stefan knows that Renee is going to be difficult and he tells her from the beginning that she is training for all the wrong reasons but something convinces him to try it.  He is angry when he realizes that this woman has managed to get under his skin and does his best to get rid of her.

Master Larry is a “friend” of Stefan’s and I use that term loosely.  He is the type of person that feels you owe them and it is easier to go along with it to an extent.  This character is all the dark and twisted that people can sometimes relate to BDSM.  He hurts and brutalizes and his treatment of his sub, Tink, broke my heart.  That girl deserves more than the life she has been forced to live. 

When Larry (sorry, I don’t think he deserves the respect of Master) takes his brutality out on Renee that is when we see the Stefan that we knew he could be. 

I fell in love with this cast of characters.  I have read a lot of erotica from Michelle Hughes and Karl Jones, to E.L James and Sylvia Day.  They are all wonderful writers and I enjoy their work, but Vivien has real characters that reach deep into your soul and pull out the emotions that link you to them.  These are everyday people that you could look at and say that is my neighbor or that is me.  You can bet that this talented lady is on my kindle and will stay there.  Enjoy, Kittens!

Vivien has agreed to participate in a giveaway for the complete ebook set of Her Master’s Kiss!  Click HERE to enter!

~Brandy~

Rated 4 Bookworms

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REVIEW BY SHAE:

This is a short story, erotic romance full of emotions. I experienced anger, sadness, excitement, pride, the “oh hell no,” and sensuality. I love a good book that brings it all out. Her Master’s Kiss is different from any BDSM books I have read. It shows a different position of the Master/Slave relationship that seems more fitting for the name.
Stefan and Renee are intriguing and refreshing. They evolve during this first book in the series. Sparx takes the characters from what at first appears to be the simplicity of each into greater depth. I was completely entranced and felt as if I was learning along with Renee. The ending is a definitely a cliffhanger making her second book a must read as well.

Shae’s Review of Her Master’s Kiss Book 2

Wow oh Wow! It is common that the sequels of movies and books are not as good as the first. Not in this case! Vivien Sparx’s, Her Master’s Kiss 2, is better than the first. The emotional journey she takes you on is phenomenal. I wanted to jump into the pages and help out Stefan.

“Find her mind, grasp her heart and her body and soul will surrender.”  I read this line in the book over and over again. It is so profound.

 Stefan and Renee’s relationship as Master/Slave continues to grow as well as their feelings and commitments to one another. The challenges and trials they face has the ability to bring them closer together or rip them apart. What do you think the Master will do?

Rated 4 Stars

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National Self-Injury Awareness Month

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Hey, Kittens. Today is National Self-Injury Awareness Day. I was contacted by the incredible blogger/author, RaeBeth McGee-Buda over at The Writing World. She asked if I would be willing to spread this incredibly important information and I agreed. Please take the time to read and share! Thanks!

~Brandy~

Welcome to The Writing World and our way of bringing awareness to such an important day. For those who don’t know today is National Self Injury Awareness Day.


What is Self Injury (Self Harm)?

Self harm is any deliberate, non-suicidal behavior that inflicts physical injury to a persons body. It’s essentially a way to cope that enables one to deal with intense emotional distress and creates a calming sensation. It can also be used as a way to “awaken” a person who feels numb or dissociated with the world around them.

Self harm has an immediate effect which creates an instant relief but it’s only temporary. Any underlying emotions still remain. Over time, self injury can become a persons automatic response to ordinary strains of life and the severity of self harm can increase.

Self injury can affect everyone from all types of lifestyles. The age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or personal strength doesn’t matter.

There are certain forms of self injury that are talked about more than others but if one has found a unique way to hurt themselves, it’s still self injury. When one self harms, there’s not a severity level or scale. Any type of self harm is “bad” enough for a person to get help. Every person who suffers from self harm deserves help. Some people often feel they don’t deserve help and it can feel scary. It is essential to get immediate medical attention if a self inflicted wound seems serious.

Please be aware that self injury is normally a non-suicidal behavior and is NOT a way for a person to get attention. It’s an emotional condition that deserves attention. Emotional distress and stress can lead to self injury and can eventually lead into suicide if not treated professionally.  

Ways to Get Help

 

If you self harm and are thinking of seeking help it can be really hard at first. One moment it may seem like it’s easy to talk about at one moment and much harder the next. The first step you can take is to talk to someone you trust. This can be a close friend, family member, teacher, or counselor.  Remember when talking to this trusted person, it may upset them to hear that you self harm. They aren’t judging you. It may upset them because they care for you and it hurts to know that you’ve turned to self harm for your emotional support. Give your trusted person time to “digest” what you are telling them. Then the both of you can create a plan for recovery. As an example, where to go for medical attention before a more serious problem occurs.

My Child Self Injures….What Next?

The first discovery of your child using self harm as their coping mechanism can be hard. You may feel a mixture of shock, anger, guilt, worry, and this can upset you. Try to remember not to panic or over react. Your initial reaction will have a great impact on your child. It may affect how much they’re willing to tell you or even stop them from opening up to you. Each situation is different. The way you react can depend on several factors, which include your child’s age, reason behind their self harm, and the way you found out. (Example: They came to you or you discovered their self injury by accident.) 

You may want to consider educating your self as much as you can on the subject to get a better understanding. Remember not to show disgust or anger, which can increase your child’s emotional distress. From the start of you finding out, remember that you are NOT to blame for your child self harming.

Be sure you make it clear to your child that you are there to support him/her in any way. Acknowledge that self injury is a secretive behavior and the fact that you know about it can be overwhelming. Your child may need time to get used to the idea that you know before talking to anyone else.

Remember to focus on the underlying problem and not the self harm. Self harm takes time to give up. Be prepared for many months of recovery and don’t ask them to stop. Do not prevent them from self injury by forcing them to stop and removing the tools they have come to rely on to cope. Before this can be done, a healthier coping mechanism must be found first.  

Offer to take your child to a doctor and even suggest your support by showing you’re willing to go with them. Do not force your child. If they decline the offer of your presence at the doctor, respect their privacy and confidentiality. Never ask your child to see their self harm injuries unless you think it may need medical attention. This will embarrass them and cause them to become more secretive about their situation. Remember you want them to open up, not push you away!

Do not treat your child any different. They are still the same person you knew and loved before you found out about their disorder. Never treat your child any different around others. This too can embarrass them.  Encourage your child to seek healthier ways once a medical professional is involved and their openly talking about their self harm.

  

To learn more about Self Injury please visit the following website.  




Looking to help spread the word about Self Harm?  The following are great books to look up and recommend to someone who may self harm or to anyone dealing with self harm in their family.

Paperback Available on Amazon.com

Ebook Version available for Nook and Kindle

 Amber Brown spent her entire existence believing Dave was her father. When her mother reveals this is untrue, she goes through an emotional spiral with depression. It’s hard for her to believe her mother had lied to her all this time.A move to a new home and town causes Amber to be consumed by her “darkness” and reverts to cutting to free herself from her pain.

When Casey, her new friend enters her life, she introduces Amber to parties, drugs, and Amber’s new boyfriend Landon. The secret of cutting begins to take affect on Amber as she tries to hide it from her friends and family. In the midst of everything, Amber has the desire to find out who her biological father is.

Follow Amber through her trials of depression and cutting, along with the discovery of love.

 

Available in Paperback and Kindle

 A teenager’s attempt to maintain psychological integrity—the maladaptive coping mechanisms she uses as a way to stay alive and her path to recovery.

 

Available in Paperback and Kindle

Kendra, a sexual abuse survivor, cuts to cope with the pain, but she doesn’t remember the identity of who abused her. Kendra makes a friend in Meghan, and falls in love with her. When Kendra’s abuser starts threatening her, she must find a way to face her past and stop hurting herself–before it’s too late.

Original Post can be found here: The Writing World