Book Blitz, Excerpt & #Giveaway: ☆Alec☆ by L.A. Casey

Alec by L.A. Casey 
(Slater Brothers #2) 
Publication date: August 17th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Keela Daley is the black sheep of her family. She has always come second to her younger cousin Micah. Even in the eyes of her mother, Micah shone bright, and Keela faded to black. Now, in adulthood, Micah is a bride-to-be and the spotlight is solely on her. Keela is a low priority…or so she thinks.

Alec Slater is a bachelor, never one to bed the same woman, or man, twice. He is a free agent who does what he pleases and answers to no one; that is until a fiery Irish redhead with a temper to match her hair colour knocks him on his arse. Literally.

She hates to admit it, but Keela needs a favour from the cocky Slater brother, a huge favour. She needs him to not only escort her to Micah’s wedding, but to also pose as her boyfriend. Alec agrees to help Keela, but has certain conditions for her to abide by. He wants her body and plans to have it before anyone can say I do.

What he doesn’t plan on is losing his heart as well as the possibility of losing his family when someone from his past threatens his future.

Alec owns Keela, and what Alec owns, Alec keeps.

ALEC
(Slater Brothers, #2)
L.A. Casey
Chapter One
  
“Miss Daley? Open up! I know you’re in there, your car is outside in the tenant car park!”
I groaned at the sound of the loud voice, and flicked my eyes open then quickly re-closed them. It took a few moments for me to be able to keep them open, and when I could, I couldn’t see very well. I squinted through the darkness waiting for my eyes to adjust to the minimal lighting. When I could see a little, I quickly narrowed my eyes at the fat snoring male beside me. I shoved him hoping to knock him off the bed, but instead of falling off like I’d hoped he only farted and rolled over in my direction then placed a big sloppy kiss on my mouth.
“Storm!” I shouted and wiped at my mouth and tried not to heave, but the smell of Storm’s breath made that very hard.
Storm lazily got to his feet, stretched and made some weird noises then proceeded to belly flop on top of me until I gasped for air. Storm, my two year old German Shepherd, needed to be put on a diet or one of these days the fat baby was going to smother me in my sleep.
“Off!” I gasped and shoved at his large body with both of my hands.
Storm did as ordered and got off me. But he didn’t get off the bed, instead he just rolled back over to his side – yes, my dog had a side of the bed – which was just typical. The only time he willingly moved was if it was breakfast time, lunch time, dinner time or pretty much any time he knew there would be food in it for him.
“You pathetic excuse for a guard dog,” I muttered as the banging on my apartment door started up again.
Storm replied with another fart that had me opening the windows before I left my bedroom to proceed down the hallway to open my door. I stubbed my toe on one of Storm’s doggy toys as I walked and cursed the person on the other side of the door for making me get out of bed; it was the middle of the night for God’s sake!
“I’m comin’, keep your knickers on!” I shouted when I reached my door and began unlocking all the locks. There was five of them in total because, in the area where I lived, one lock was not enough. I switched on my hall light and jumped when the bulb blew, coating the hall in darkness once again. I sighed as I turned to my front door, even though I knew who was on the other side, I still looked through the peep hole just to be safe.
When I confirmed the noisy menace at my door was in fact my neighbour, I unlocked the final lock and pulled it open then harshly glared at the man who was stood before me. Mr. Pervert – his real name was Mr. Doyle – was a middle-aged man who was the CEO at Perverts ‘R Us. The man was a major creep, and I hated that I answered the door to him dressed in nothing but my nightdress because it gave him free rein to ogle me with his ever roaming eyes.
“Can I help you, Mr. Per-Doyle?” I asked, biting my tongue, so I didn’t laugh at almost calling him Mr. Pervert out loud.
He snapped his eyes up from my legs to my face and cleared his throat as he lifted his hand – a hand that contained one single envelope. I simply stared at the envelope for a moment then flicked my eyes up to Mr. Pervert and found his eyes weren’t on my face anymore. I knocked on the outside of my door with my free hand which made him jump with fright and me inwardly snort. When his eyes were once again on mine, I nodded to the envelope in his hand and then raised my brows in a silent question.
He cleared his throat again before saying, “I’ve been away the last few weeks and found this on my floor when I got home a few moments ago. It is addressed to you, but has my apartment number on it instead of yours.”
I wanted to punch him. I used the light from the hallway outside of my apartment to look back inside my apartment and lock my eyes on the clock hanging on the wall behind me; it read 3:20 am.
Couldn’t he have just waited till morning before he delivered it to me?

The bloody eejit!
I sighed as I turned back to Mr. Pervert, who was back to looking at my body. I reached out and gripped the envelope and gave it a little tug until Mr. Pervert released it.
“Thanks, I appreciate you goin’ out of your way to make sure I get me post.” I faked a smile and then pulled the hand that now held the envelope away until it was tucked safely behind my door – along with the rest of my body – so Mr. Pervert couldn’t see me anymore.
He blinked a few times and looked at my face, because it was now all that he could see.
“It was no problem at all, sweetheart.”
Sweetheart?

Bleh!
I smiled and nodded my head as I inched my door closed. “Good night.”
“Good-” I closed the door before he could finish his sentence.
I shook off my shivers then I relocked all of the locks on my door and closed the bolt at the top of the door. I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard Mr. Pervert’s footsteps trot back across the hall and into his own apartment where he closed the door behind him. I looked at the envelope in my hand and decided to open it because I was curious as to what was inside it. I couldn’t see very well because the hallway was still dark but I knew it wasn’t a bill, it didn’t feel like the envelope bills came in, it was thicker. From what I had seen it looked nicer than a bill envelope. Fancier.
I headed into my sitting room which was also doubled as my kitchen and flicked on the light. I tossed the envelope on the kitchen table and went to the counter drawers to look for my envelope cutter. I found it after only a second of looking, but had to put it down when I heard my phone ring from my bedroom. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.
Who the hell would be calling me at half three in the morning on a Friday night?
“Aideen,” I said out loud and headed in the direction of my bedroom.
Aideen Collins was my best friend. She was the closest thing I had to a sister and I loved her dearly, but she had her moments when she royally pissed me off. Ringing me at half three in the morning was one of those moments.
When I got to the phone in my bedroom and pressed answer, I said, “You’d better have a good reason for ringin’ me at this hour Aideen Collins or I am goin’ kick seven shades of shite outta you!”
I heard a deep, rumbling chuckle.
“She does have a good reason, so you don’t need to kick any shade of shit out of her,” a male voice replied, it made me jump with fright because I wasn’t expecting it.
“Who are you? Where is Aideen? Why do you have her phone?” I asked then gasped and shouted, “If you have hurt me friend in any way I’m goin’ to fuck you up!”
The stranger laughed this time and said, “Is that a promise, kitten?”
Ex-fucking-cuse me?
“Where is Aideen? You better tell me right now or I’m gonna-“
“Fuck me up? Yeah, I got that part,” he chuckled again then before he could say anything else I heard a different male voice speak. “I asked you to ring the girl’s friend, Alec. What the hell is taking so long?”
I mentally made a note of the name Alec incase I had to call the Guards.
“I’m talking to her friend, but I haven’t been able to tell her the point of my call. She is too busy threatening to ‘fuck me up’ if I have hurt the girl,” the lad who called me laughed.
I was mad and also scared as to where Aideen was and who these foreign guys were. I knew they weren’t Irish or even English – their accents sounded too different – but I couldn’t pinpoint where they were from because there was a lot of background noise. It sounded like music.
“Just tell her what I told you to say so she can get here already,” the second lad said to the one who called me.
The lad who called me sighed and said, “Keela, I’m calling to let you know your friend Aiden was in a fight and we need you to come pick her up. She told me to call you.”
“Her name is Aideen not Aiden, it’s pronounced Ay-deen,” I said then widened my eyes when I comprehended the rest of what he just told me. I screamed, “Is she okay? What happened? Who hurt her?”
“Calm down, hellcat. She is fine, we just need you to come and collect her. I’ll explain everything once you get here.”
“Where is ‘here’?” I snapped as I moved around my room pulling on my vans. I grabbed my car keys from my bedside table as I held my phone to my ear with my shoulder.
“Playhouse Nightclub, it’s right beside the Tallaght bypass-“
“I know where it is, I’ll be there in five minutes,” I said and hung up on him.
I gripped onto my phone and car keys as I closed my bedroom window. I told Storm to stay put, but it feel on deaf ears because he didn’t move an inch or even wake up. I ran down my hallway and unlocked the locks and the bolt on my door then flung it open and sprung into the corridor. I closed my front door, locked it, then ran like a bat out of Hell down the hallway, down four flights of stairs and out into my apartment complex’s car park. I sprinted towards my car and only realised I was in my nightdress when the cool breeze hit me and made me shiver.
“Fuck!” I snapped as I unlocked my car, got into it and started the engine.
I didn’t think of changing clothes, just about getting my shoes on and then getting out to my car. I wasn’t going back inside to change; I had to get to Aideen and make sure she was okay before changing clothes even became an option. It was okay though; I didn’t show off any valuables. The nightdress was just a little short, it was black so I didn’t have to worry that it was see through, at least I got lucky with that. The weather was good tonight as well, it was cool but not windy or raining. I would just have to hold the hem of my nightdress down when I got out of my car to keep it from rising up incase I had to run anywhere.
I pulled out of the car park and straight onto the main road and headed towards the nightclub[J11] . I was wide awake now, but the stinging in my eyes didn’t go amiss. I had only been asleep for four hours before Mr. Pervert woke me up, but before that I hadn’t slept in twenty-seven hours. I worked in my local supermarket, Super Value. I was broke, and I needed all the hours I could get, so yesterday I worked an eleven hour shift and instead of going straight to bed when I got home, I dove straight into writing and pulled an all-nighter.
I always had a passion for bringing the stories in my head to life on paper or on a laptop screen. I only ever dabbled in silly little things here and there, never a full length novel. Luckily Aideen – literally – gave me the kick up the arse I needed and said I should just ‘go for it’ because I wouldn’t know if my writing would be a success if I never put it out there. After that wake up call, which was three weeks ago, I knuckled down and started writing my very first book. Yesterday, even though I was shattered, I was completely in the zone and just had to write. I had so much inside me for my story that if I didn’t get it out of my head soon I was going to explode. So I wrote, wrote, and wrote some more. The lack of sleep and the stinging in my eyes from staring at my laptop was kicking my arse now though because I felt like death, and I was pretty sure I looked the part too.
When I came to a red traffic light I pulled down my visor and looked in the little mirror and winced. Scratch that, saying I looked like death would have been kind. The sclera around my green eyes looked like a road map to Hell, that’s how bloodshot they were. My fiery red hair was slightly greasy, and pulled up into a disastrous looking bun. I glanced down at my long bare white legs and shook my head.
Why did I have to be so tall?

If I were shorter, this nightdress would be longer and less exposing!
I was a bloody mess!
I angrily pushed my visor up when the traffic light changed to green and sped to the location of the nightclub Aideen was at with these men. I got there in less than five minutes because the green lights were with me, and there was little to no traffic on the roads thanks to the early hour. I turned into the nightclub car park entrance and looped around until I saw two huge males looking down at a small woman sitting down on the path a few meters away from the nightclub’s entrance. It was Aideen, I just knew it. I parked my car across from them, jumped out, and slammed my door before I took off running towards Aideen.
When the noise of my feet hitting the pavement could be heard both men looked up at me, but didn’t say anything as I reached them. When I was next to them, I dropped down to my knees and pulled Aideen into a hug. I ignored the slight stinging in my knees from the concrete ground digging into my skin and held Aideen tightly.
“Are you okay? What happened?” I asked then pulled back from the hug so I could look at her.
Aideen looked back at me and I gasped at the sight that greeted me. She had a small cut over her eyebrow and her right jaw was swollen.
“Some bitch jumped on me,” she grumbled.
“Who?” I snapped. “I’ll fuckin’ kill ‘er!”
I was surprised that I sounded like I could actually follow through with my threat.
I was not a fighter.
Not. At. All.
I have been in one fight in my entire life, and that was only because my younger cousin Micah punched me in the face when we were kids to see if my blood was blue. She told everyone I was an alien from outer space with blue blood and the only way to prove I was a human was to punch me and make my nose bleed. I agreed because I didn’t think it would hurt that much – I was wrong, very wrong, because it hurt like hell.
After Micah punched me and red blood streamed from my nose and we confirmed I was in fact human, I jumped on her because I was in so much pain and decided that she needed to be punished for hurting me. Instead of dishing out a hiding, I received a black eye and a chipped tooth. Micah kicked my arse, and it was the first and only fight I have ever been in. Regardless of my inability to bring the pain, if anyone hurt Aideen or Storm, I would go Bruce Lee on those fuckers.
That was a cold hard fact.
Aideen smiled at me and pulled me in for another tight hug. “I know you would, but I just want to go home now. Can I stay with you?”
Was that a serious question?

I shook her. “Of course, you bloody eejit.”
Aideen laughed and so did the males who stood over us. I don’t know how, but I forgot they were next to us. I quickly stood up and pulled Aideen with me. She wasn’t exactly drunk, just a little tipsy, so I didn’t have to balance her or anything, but I still kept a tight hold on her just in case.
“This is Alec,” Aideen said and lazily pointed to the man on the right who was openly looking me up and down, “and Kane.” I tightened my hold on Aideen when I looked to Kane, the man on the left. He was just as tall and as muscular as the arsehole who was looking at my body, but he was scary looking. He had a large scar that curved around the left side of his mouth and some claw like scars going from his right temple and down through his eyebrow leaving gaps in the hairs like they were styled that way.
“Hi,” I said lowly and avoided direct eye contact.
“Kane came to my rescue when Alec’s girlfriend hit me,” Aideen said and smiled at Kane, who smiled right back at her.
“She was my lay for the night, not my girlfriend… and I apologised for her actions,” Alec said with a sigh.
I ignored Alec, the eejit who just spoke, and looked at Kane when he smiled and felt myself instantly become relaxed. He didn’t look scary when he smiled like that. I frowned though when the rest of what Aideen said settled in my brain and before I knew it I let go of Aideen and shoved Alec in the chest as hard as I could. He wasn’t expecting it so when I shoved him he lost his balance and fell back onto his arse with a grunt.
“That is for your bird hurtin’ me friend and if I find out who the slut is I’m goin’ fuckin’ kill ‘er!” I bellowed.
Aideen pulled me back by the arm and begged me to stop while Alec looked up at me with wide eyes before he looked to Kane, who stared down at him also with wide eyes and his mouth agape. A few seconds passed until they both burst out laughing like what just happened was the funniest thing ever. I saw red and tried to go for Alec again, but Aideen moved herself in front of me and pushed me back by the shoulders.
“I told you bro, she is a fucking hellcat!” Alec cackled as he gripped onto Kane’s outstretched hand and was helped to his feet.
Kane continued to laugh as he shook his head. “I wish the twins saw that, Dominic would have helped her hit you while Damien recorded it.”
I had no idea what or whom they were talking about, but I pointed my finger dangerously over Aideen’s shoulder at Alec and snarled at him.
“Keep laughin’ pretty boy, and I’ll scratch up that face of yours!” I warned.
Alec stepped forward, a grin tugged at his mouth. “I’m finding myself highly attracted to you right now. Would you like to come home with me since you’re already dressed for bed?”
I dropped my jaw in shock, and so did Aideen, who spun around and shoved him in the chest, but didn’t manage to knock him to the ground. “Knock it off! I appreciate you both helpin’ me, but I won’t have you treatin’ me friend like she is one of your clients, Alec. She is a good girl!”
Clients?

What the hell did that mean?
Alec grinned at Aideen before he flicked his eyes to me. “Oh, I’m bettin’ there is a bad girl deep inside her somewhere. I’ll just have to use my fingers, mouth, and cock to bring her out to play.”
What. The. Fuck?
“Who the hell do you think you are?” I snapped.
He grinned and gave me a wink as he said, “Alec Slater, your next – or only – great fuck.”
Was he for real?

“You’re about to be Alec Slater – murder victim – if you don’t shut that hole in your face!”
Kane cracked up with laughter as he reached for Aideen’s arm and pulled her into him and away from me. “Please, don’t interfere. I’ve never seen a female, besides Bronagh, backtalk him like this before,” he said to Aideen then brushed her blonde hair out of her eyes; the action caused her to melt into a puddle by the way she sagged into him.
I rolled my eyes at her then looked to Alec, who had inched closer to me, before I growled, “Try touchin’ me, and you won’t ever be able to have kids. I’m warnin’ you.”
Alec grinned and folded his arms across his board chest; it caused all his muscles that I could see to contract and tense. He settled on staying put, but openly raked his eyes over my body, mainly my legs, and it made me feel very uncomfortable.
“Stop lookin’ at me you dirty bastard!” I growled.
Alec flicked his eyes up to me. “Why would you come outside dressed like that if you didn’t want people to look at you?” he asked.
I clenched my hands into fists and took a step towards him. I had to tilt my head back a little bit because he was a lot taller than my five foot ten inches and when I realised that I felt intimidated, but I was not ready to back down.
“I came outside dressed in me nightdress because me friend needed me and gettin’ dressed didn’t cross me mind when you rang me, you eejit.”
He flashed his teeth at me when he smiled. “You sound like my bro’s girl, she calls me an eejit a lot.”
I looked him up and down; my lip curled in disgust. “She must be kind ’cause there are a lot of words that would suit you much better. Batty boy would be two of them,” I snarled then turned in Aideen’s direction and found her kissing Kane. Not just smooching, she was completely necking on with him. I walked forward, grabbed her arm and tugged her, not so gently, next to me.
When she was next to me I squeezed her arm and snarled, “Do you not remember the stranger danger film we watched when we were in school?”
Aideen gave me an are-you-serious look before she snickered and shook her head. “They aren’t dangerous. Kane saved me from danger.”
I pointed over my shoulder. “Yeah, and batty boy’s bird put you in danger so let’s go.”
“I get the feeling that you’re calling me gay,” Alec said from behind me.
I set my jaw and continued to tug on Aideen as she frowned over my shoulder and said, “She is callin’ you gay, but she doesn’t mean it as an insult or anythin’. She’s not homophobic, she just said it because she hoped it would piss you off.”
Seriously?!

“You aren’t supposed to tell him that, Ado!” I snapped.
“Ado? I like that nickname,” Kane’s voice purred from my right.
He pronounced Ado so proper.
Ay-doh.
I pushed Aideen behind me, ignoring her complaints as I fixed Kane with a glare that wavered the longer I looked at him. “Listen, thanks for helpin’ me friend after she got hurt, but she isn’t goin’ to thank you with some personal pole dancin’ so give the flirtin’ a rest.”
Kane raised his eyebrows as he looked over my shoulder and asked Aideen, “You’re a stripper?”
“No, I am a teacher,” Aideen scoffed. “‘No pole dancin’ means no shaggin’.”
Kane laughed then. “Your friend is banning you from having sex with me?”
“Yes,” Aideen and I said in unison.
“And you’re going along with it?” Alec asked Aideen as he rounded on us and leaned back against the same car Kane was leaning on.
They looked like a pair of fitness models and noticing that pissed me off.
“Yeah,” Aideen sighed. “She is pretty big on no sex with strangers and… so am I.”
Kane’s eyes bore into Aideen and then he smiled as he said, “Pity.”
“Uh huh,” Aideen agreed with a sad sigh.
I rolled my eyes and said, “I’ll stop off at the shop on the way home and buy you some batteries for your vibrator to get you through the night. You will be grand.”
“Keela!” Aideen gasped and smacked my arse, it made me yelp and jump.
Both of the lads laughed at what I said and shook their heads as they continued to look at us. I got annoyed and said to Aideen, “Maybe they could apply to Pervert ‘R Us, they fit the bill with those stares.”
Aideen laughed and smacked my arse again.
“Excuse me?” Alec said.
Aideen was snickering as she said, “Keela’s neighbour, Mr. Doyle, is a man who stares a lot so she named him Mr. Pervert and imagined him bein’ the CEO of a company called Pervert ‘R Us.”
I narrowed my eyes when the two hyenas started laughing again – they seemed to do that a lot.
I angrily reached behind me and grabbed Aideen. “We’re leavin’. I have to go home to Storm.”
“Storm?” Alec questioned.
“Storm is her-“
“Boyfriend,” I smiled as I cut Aideen off and gave her a go-along-with-me look. She looked back to me and I could see the amusement in her eyes as she nodded her head and looked to Alec.
“Storm is pretty protective of her,” she said.
Alex cocked an eyebrow. “If he is so protective then how come he let you come out here alone while dressed like that?”
He made it sound like my nightdress was skimpy!
I snarled and made a move forward to set him straight but Aideen put herself between Alec and I before saying, “Storm is very hard to rouse durin’ the night. He probably didn’t even hear her leave, but he is still a great… lad.”
I inwardly snorted.
“Yeah, and he will kick your arse for even suggestin’ we have sex!” I stated.
Alec popped his head around Aideen and grinned at me. “I’m a lover, not a fighter.”
Good news!

“You better back off then because one more crude comment and will fuck you up, never mind Storm!” I snarled.
Alec bit down on his bottom lip and grinned at me, I knew he was thinking crude things, so I glared at him which made Kane snort.
“Can we keep her? I like hearing someone put you in your place, the fact that she is a female is even better. You don’t affect her bro; you’re losing your touch.” Kane chuckled and playfully shoved Alec when he settled back beside him on the car they were leaning on.
Alex continued to grin at me as he spoke to Kane, “It’s still early, don’t shoot me down so quickly, bro.”
“I’ll fuckin’ shoot you,” I murmured making Aideen snort as she reached for my hand.
“This has been… interestin’. However, Keela is right, we better get goin’.”
“Thank you, Jesus,” I cheered making Kane snicker before looking to Aideen.
He grinned at her and said, “I guess I’ll see you around, Ado.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “I’m the only one allowed to call her Ado.”
Kane flicked his eyes to me and smiled. “I like you.”
I flushed but forced myself to stand up straight as I said, “Well, I don’t like you or your pervey friend-“
“Brother. I’m his pervy brother,”  Alec cut me off making Aideen snicker.
I shoved her and glared at Alec before I looked back to Kane, who still looked at me with an amused expression. I cleared my throat and said, “I don’t like you or your pervy brother. You’re both clearly nothin’ but trouble if the people you pal around with attack girls for no reason. You’re both very fuckin’ rude as well!”
I turned and grabbed Aideen’s hand and took off walking away from the brothers and in the direction of my car.
“What? No goodbye kiss? Now who is being rude!” Alec’s voice called out after us making Aideen cackle.
I grunted. “Fuck you,” I shouted without turning around.
“Name the time and place, kitten,” Alec called back which caused Aideen to break out in a full on laugh.
Kitten?

I fumed in silence as I all but hauled Aideen across the dark car park and into my car. “Name the time and place, kitten,” I mimicked Alec’s voice which caused Aideen to laugh harder as she buckled her seat belt.
I buckled my own seat belt then started up my car. I pulled out of the space I was in and quickly drove out of the car park. I don’t think I calmed down enough to breathe normally until we were on the Tallaght Bypass.
“Can you believe him? What a fuckin’ dick!” I spat.
Aideen snorted. “I found that entire conversation hilarious.”
I shook my head. “Well you shouldn’t have. Look at your face, Aideen!”
Aideen sighed. “I know, but it honestly wasn’t their fault. We were just havin’ a good time when out of no where this girl jumped on me.”
I gripped my steering wheel so tight that my knuckles turned white.
“Why were you even with them?” I spat.
I wasn’t angry with her, I was just angry that she got hurt by some bitch.
“I wasn’t even with them. Tonight was the first time I met them. I was out with Branna. Tonight was a small twenty-first birthday party for Bronagh. Branna left early with Ryder because he wasn’t feelin’ very well. Bronagh is still inside the club with her lad, Nico, and her friend, Alannah. I was sat with Kane and Alec when a drunk girl came over and accused me of bein’ Alec’s latest shag. Alec laughed at the girl, but didn’t deny it, so she jumped on me.”
I grunted.
Branna Murphy was Aideen’s friend and has been her friend since they were in preschool. Aideen is a few years older than me so she has known Branna longer than she has known me. I’m a grown woman, I’m not at all jealous of their friendship. Branna was cool after all. Her sister Bronagh was great as well, I was two years older than Bronagh, who turned twenty-one today. I had been invited to go out with everyone tonight but my body was beat, so I declined the invitation.
My thoughts calmed me down enough for me to loosen my grip on the steering wheel but I still shook with anger. “You should have let me punch ’em.”
Aideen chuckled then lifted her hand to cradle her face. “You would have broken your hand! Did you see how big he was?”
I grunted and nodded my head. “His brother was even more muscular. Do they live at the gym or somethin’?”
Aideen snickered. “Branna said they have a gym in her house. ‘Member I told you she moved in with Ryder and the oldest twin, Nico, moved in with her sister?”
I nodded my head.
“Branna didn’t just move in with Ryder, she moved in with Alec and Kane as well. She said there is a gym room where the sittin’ room should be and that they all work out a lot. You should see Nico; he’s twenty-one and the lad is ripped. He is a fighter or somethin’.”
I glanced at her wide eyed. “Why the hell are you hangin’ around walkin’ tanks, Aideen?”
Aideen burst into a fit of giggles which made me grin even though I was mad.
“They are lovely – big and scary – but lovely.”
I shivered when I pictured Kane’s face, calling him lovely was not a word that I would use to describe him.
“How do you think Kane got those scars on his face? They are kind of severe.”
Aideen sighed. “I’ve no idea what happened to him but he is still gorgeous!”
“You like his accent as well, right?” I questioned.
Aideen purred, “Oh, my God. I could listen to him talk all day! He could make wet by just sayin’ ‘Hello’!”
I rolled my eyes. “I swear you think with your dick.”
Aideen cackled. “You mean vagina?”
“Yeah, I mean vagina, but sayin’ dick sounds better.”
Aideen continued to laugh then hissed a little and covered her face with her hands. I glanced at her every so often during the five minute drive back to my apartment complex. I parked in my usual spot, then myself and Aideen got out of the car, and after I locked it, quickly scurried across the car park and into my apartment building. We took the stairs two at a time until we got to the fifth floor where my apartment was located. I opened my hall door with lightening like speed because I didn’t want to be caught by Mr. Pervert again dressed in just my nightdress.
Luckily, we got inside with no one seeing us. Aideen and I then went into the bathroom where I got out my first aid kit while she pulled her dress off then pulled down her underwear and sat on the toilet.
I was opening an antiseptic packet when I glanced up at her through the mirror and snorted, “Do you reckon lads do this?”
Aideen opened her eyes and lazily smiled at me as she said, “Willingly go to the toilet with another lad in the room? Nah, they would call each other gay.”
I chuckled and looked back down to the first aid kit while Aideen finished up on the toilet. I turned when the toilet flushed and waited for her to wash her hands before I began cleaning her face up. She was four inches shorter than me now that her heels were off, so it made holding her head still a lot easier.
“OW!” Aideen suddenly hollered which earned a bark from my bedroom.
“Go back asleep you fat shite!” Aideen shouted when I swiped the antiseptic wipe over a small cut above her eye.
I hissed at her, “Leave him alone, he isn’t fat. He just has a thick coat!”
Aideen laughed through her hissing. “Yeah, a thick coat of blubber.”
I gave her a firm look. “Don’t slag me baby when I’m cleanin’ you up. Me finger might slip and jam into your eye.”
Aideen gave me a wary look and closed her mouth which made me inwardly grin as I finished cleaning up her face. When I was finished, she went into my bedroom to get some of my pyjamas [J16] to wear while I went into the kitchen to get a glass of water. I turned on the kitchen light then moved to the sink and filled up a glass and quickly gulped down the water. I looked to my left and noticed the envelope Mr. Pervert gave to me earlier, still unopened on my kitchen table.
“Storm, get off the bed… or at least move over!” Aideen’s voice shouted from my bedroom.
I roughly rubbed the back of my neck and sighed. I glanced at the envelope once more before I shook my head and walked over to the kitchen light switch and flipped it off. I turned and walked towards the sounds of growling and shouting coming from my bedroom and decided that dealing with Storm and Aideen was enough for one night.
Whatever was in that envelope could wait until morning.

L.A. Casey was born, raised and currently resides in Dublin, Ireland. She is a twenty two year old stay at home mother to an almost two year old German Shepherd named Storm and of course, her four and half year old (the half is apparently vital) beautiful little hellion/angel depending on the hour of the day.

Her first novel, Dominic, was released on March 17th, 2014, and on March 21st, 2014, it became an international Amazon bestseller.

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Release Day Blitz, Excerpt & #Giveaway: ☆Within These Walls☆ by @authorjlberg

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I’m so excited for the release of WITHIN THESE WALLS by USA Today bestselling author J.L. Berg! This new contemporary romance standalone is captivating and heartwarming and you don’t want to miss out on meeting Jude and Lailah.

A portion of the sales during the first week of release will go to a children’s heart charity.

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Within these walls, he became my solace, my sanctuary and my strength.

I am not strong. I am just a survivor of circumstance.

Isn’t that what we all do? Survive?

Each of us has our own set of circumstances to muddle through. Mine are just more…complicated.

Born with a severe heart defect, I’ve seen the inside of a hospital room more than my own bedroom.

I was drowning, a prisoner to the illness that owned me, until he appeared. He thinks he’s blocked out the world with his tattoos and hard exterior, but I see the real Jude, the one he so desperately wants to forget.

But is he the answer to my prayers or will he break my already damaged heart forever?

My name is Lailah Buchanan, and this is our story of hope, redemption and sacrificing it all for the one you love.

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“What is your deal, Jude?” she yelled, taking several strides toward me.

“My deal?”

“Yeah, you’re sweet and endearing one minute and then brushing me off the next. I don’t get it. What do you want from me? Am I a charity case? Do you get off on hanging out with the poor sick girl but then tire of me easily?”

Closing the last few inches between us, I got in her face. “You have no idea what you’re talking about,” I hissed.

“No,” she answered, “I really don’t. You don’t tell me anything. You are this big, giant mystery that I know nothing about. Why is that, Jude?”

“It’s too much,” I simply said.

“You mean, I can’t handle it,” she inferred.

“That’s not what I said, Lailah.”

“No, but that’s what you meant. You’re just like everyone else. I’m too fragile. I’m too weak. Let’s sugarcoat the truth, so it doesn’t upset Lailah. God forbid that we upset her,” she said in a mocking tone. “Well, I’m neither weak nor fragile. I’ve endured more pain than most people see in a lifetime, so don’t think for one single second that I can’t handle anything you can.”

“I know you can.”

“Then, why put me through all this? Do you even care a little about me?” Her voice was quiet and timid.

“I care too fucking much, Lailah.”

Without a second thought, I grabbed the nape of her neck and pulled her body to mine before fusing our mouths together. She gasped in surprise, pulling back slightly, but then she surrendered, melting into me completely. My hands tightened around her waist as I deepened our kiss. I knew this had to be her first kiss, and I intended to make sure it was well worth the wait.

A portion of the sales during the first week of release will go to a children’s heart charity.

J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she’s not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.

Sign up for J.L. Berg’s brand-new newsletter here!

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Release Day Blitz & #Giveaway: ☆Beast: Part 1☆ by @author_ellaj

This is an erotic fairy tale inspired by Beauty and the Beast.

FROM HOLLYWOOD ROYALTY
At twenty-one years old, third-generation movie star Cal Hammond was on top of the world. He had more money than God and more women than any man could need. But when a night of debauchery ends in tragedy, he forfeits a life of luxury for a ten-year prison sentence at La Rosa, California’s most violent prison.
TO A BRUTAL BEAST
Eight years later, a ruthless, cunning man runs La Rosa from the inside. He is known simply as BEAST. All the wardens fear him. All the gangs obey him. He speaks to no one but his inner council. What he says is law.
NOW ONLY SHE CAN SAVE HIM
Annabelle Mitchell’s father is the warden at La Rosa. He deals as dirty as his trustees, and after years of smooth relations with Beast and the gangs he runs, Holt lands on the powerful prisoner’s hit list. That very afternoon, Annabelle pays a surprise visit to her father’s work, hoping to use her new counseling license at a place she thinks she could make a difference. When she catches Beast’s eye, he releases the warden and grabs the daughter. The price for the warden’s error is not death. It’s his precious Belle.
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Ella James is a Colorado author who writes teen and adult romance. She is happily married to a man who knows how to wield a red pen, and together they are raising a feisty two-year-old who will probably grow up believing everyone’s parents go to war over the placement of a comma.

Ella’s books have been listed on numerous Amazon bestseller lists, including the Movers & Shakers list and the Amazon Top 100; two were listed among Amazon’s Top 100 Young Adult Ebooks of 2012.

To find out more about Ella’s projects and get dates on upcoming releases, find her on Facebook at facebook.com/ellajamesauthorpage and follow her blog, www.ellajamesbooks.com. Questions or comments? Tweet her at author_ellaj or e-mail her at ella_f_james@ymail.com.

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Cover Reveal: ☆The Missing Pieces☆ by H.S. Strickland

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Sloane Bennett

I have a huge secret.
One that could change the lives of the people I love.
If they found out it would make them question everything.
So what does that force me to do?
Lie. Lie my ass off. Everyday, all day.
Then Ryan saunters into my life with a cocky smile and changes my outlook on life.
He’s dangerous, I know, but I can’t seem to stay away.
Which may cost me my family.

Ryan Huntley

I like being the cocky guy.
I like to be the joker.
Why, you ask?
Because it conceals my pain.
Then Sloane sashays into my life with mysterious green eyes.
She makes me re-think everything.
She gives me hope and faith.
But she’s hiding something and I am determined to find out what.
Which may cost me my life.
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Cover Reveal Party

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H.S. Strickland is from a small town in South GA called Brunswick. She moved to SC when she was in her early teens and just recently made the move to Florida. She dragged her daughters, husband, and kitty along with her. H.S. has always had a passion for reading, but recently starting writing, although it has always been a dream. Her Nanny always told her to follow her dreams, which is how she got into writing. That and her characters were nagging to have their stories told. If you can’t find H.S. behind the keyboard making magic, you will find her chasing her daughters around the house. If not that then curled in her big red comfy chair reading. She loves alpha-males who are almost ass holes, but still have a sweet spot for their woman. She has loved the entire journey to where she is now and couldn’t thank y’all enough!

Blog Tour & Excerpt: ☆Perfected by You☆ by J.M. Walker

An all-consuming need…

Evvie Neal was my addiction. The love I felt for her
controlled me and it brought me to my knees. She was my one. My only.

Destroyed as a boy, healed as a man, she was my
saving grace. The first person who knew the real me. Because of her, I became stronger. Whole. A true warrior in my own personal Hell.

As time went on, demons from my past haunted me,
threatening to ruin what I had worked so hard to become. Strong.

The ultimate sacrifice was giving up a piece of myself to be perfect. For her.

Mine
My dear sweet Evvie. My wife. My lover. My one. My only.

I’m writing this as a way for you to get to know me further. Deeper.

You know parts. Pieces. But do you really know all? I’m not a man of many words, as you know. I’d prefer to show you how I feel through the use of our bodies. Loving every inch of you, every curve, every freckle, as we move as one.

The first time that I met with Dr. Santos without you, he told me to start writing in a journal. He said it was a way for me to get out of my head. I told him he was a contradicting asshole. He laughed. I’m not a nice person when you’re not around, my sweet Evvie. I don’t take well with being told what to do. This is why I own my clubs. Why I’m the boss. Why I’m in control. I need it. I can’t have it any other way or else my life would be fucking miserable. The only good thing in it, is you. You are my strength. My light.

After I left Matteo’s office, his words bounced around in my head and I found myself at a book store. A black leather bound book filled with blank pages called to me. I remember my fingers tingling as it drew me in with each step I took towards it. The need to have the small 5×8 book took control. It was thrilling really. It was the same feeling I got when I first met you months ago.

I never told you how I felt. That moment when I walked in on you hugging Kane, a deep seeded need to rip his face off surfaced. It shocked me to the core, taking my breath away. I had never felt that way about anyone. I told you that I had an ex, someone who ripped my heart out when her boyfriend came back. Well with her, I never felt how I feel with you. I never had the urge to mark her as mine. To control her. With you? Evvie, I have to be in control of you. In the bedroom at least. Other times? You are your own woman. I know it. You know it. But I love you more every day that you submit to me when we play. I thank you for giving that piece of yourself to me. I know it’s hard to lose control. Trust me.

Now, this book is for my thoughts but I think it will be filled with so much more. This will be my gift to you, my little vixen. I can’t tell you how happy my words will be. You know my past. My history. But all you know is what I’ve told you. Let me show you what has really happened. Allow me to suck you in with my words. The only thing I ask in advance is for your forgiveness.

With this book, I’m giving you a piece of myself. It’s like a puzzle. Each journal entry a piece fitting into place. Some you may have to force until you find the right one that fits. But just know that this puzzle will reveal the real me. The whole me.

                                   


When J.M. isn’t working her Monday-Friday 9-5 job, she’s
spending her time reading, writing and with the love of her life. She’s an all-around Canadian girl. Born and raised in a small city.
If you don’t see J.M. writing, you’ll find her with her nose in a book. Whether it’s her words or someone else’s, she’s drawn to it. J.M. loves stories with Alpha broken males and that need to be ripped apart and put back together again. Men that fall to their knees over a wink or a giggle from their females.
Two things you will never find J.M. without; her cell phone
and lip gloss. If she has both of those items, you have a happy girl. Since starting her writing adventure in 2013, J.M. has met many people, real life, online, in her head and she loves every single one of
them. Without the support from others, none of this would be possible and she’s grateful for all that has been given to her.

ARC Review: ☆Broken☆ by @_LaurenLayne

Lauren Layne’s New Adult novel tells the story of a girl with secrets, a guy with scars, and a love that could save them both… or destroy them.

When Olivia Middleton abandons the glamour of Park Avenue for a remote, coastal town in Maine, everyone assumes she’s being the kind do-gooder she’s always been. But Olivia has a secret: helping an injured war veteran reenter society isn’t about charity—it’s about penance. Only, Olivia’s client isn’t the grateful elderly man she’s expecting. Instead, he’s a brooding twenty-four-year-old who has no intention of being Olivia’s path to redemption . . . and whose smoldering gaze and forbidden touch might be her undoing.

Paul Langdon doesn’t need a mirror to show him he’s no longer the hotshot quarterback he was before the war. He knows he’s ugly—inside and out. He’ll do anything to stay in self-imposed exile, even accept his father’s ultimatum that Paul tolerate the newest caretaker for three months or lose his inheritance. But Paul doesn’t count on the beautiful twenty-two-year-old who makes him long for things that he can never have. And the more she slips past his defenses, the more keeping his distance is impossible.

Now Paul and Olivia have to decide: Will they help each other heal? Or are they forever broken?

 Releasing: September 2, 2014
Pre-order:

4.5 Beauty and the Beast Stars


I almost want to laugh at how messed up we are.
Two completely shattered souls doing a weird approach-and-recoil dance around each other.

Remember Olivia from Isn’t She Lovely? She was Ethan’s ex girlfriend who broke his heart. Ring a bell? What started out with a lighthearted take on Pygmalion, now continues with an angsty and emotional take of Beauty and the Beast with Broken. This is the story of 2 damaged souls, Olivia and Paul. One is seeking penance while the other seeks oblivion. Can they heal each other without shattering their already broken pieces?

I wasn’t sure how I would like Olivia in her own book since saying that I liked her in Isn’t She Lovely would be an understatement. Lauren Layne certainly managed to redeem her in my eyes. With a deeper look into who she really is and the things that drive, you can tell that beneath the rich society girl is a also a girl that made a mistake and is looking for any way to redeem herself. She’s also running. Running from her daily life and her daily reminders of what she did and can no longer fix. So she takes a job in Maine caring for a war veteran. She just didn’t see Paul coming…

Paul is scarred and angry. He’s angry at the world, he’s angry at his life, and he’s angry at anyone that breaks his reclusive routine. So when his father announce that the new caretaker after the many before that he’s already run off is his last chance, he’s less than thrilled about it.

Ladies, let me just tell you, if you like your heroes to be colossal (and I mean COLOSSAL assholes) prepare to fall for Paul. Paul is the epitome of broken. He’s scarred inside and out, and his road to redemption is not a fast one. This is not someone that lays their eyes on Olivia and insto presto he’s smitten. Oh no. He was downright callous, but you still can’t help but fall for him. Your heart will hurt for him at the same time you will want to throttle the living daylights out of him and his treatment of Olivia.

The author gives the reader just the right amount of small tidbits and tiny morsels of the man that he can be, that will leave you almost torn between loving and hating him at the same time.

But don’t be fooled, because those few morsels are rare and few in between.


You want me?” he asks against my mouth. “You want my hands on you?”
Little alarm bells are going off in the back of my head. There’s no warmth in his words. No kindness, or even desire. He’s playing some sort of cruel game in which my body is definitely the playing board. And I’m a willing participant.

At times my head would be spinning between his rage and the small glimpses at the broken soul he hides beneath the cold and broken exterior.

Little by little Olivia begins to do what no other caretaker before her has accomplished; she begins to chip away at his walls. But will he let them down enough to let her into his heart?


Somewhere inside of me, a demon is telling me that I’m going to disappoint her. That I’m going to destroy her.

This book had a much more serious, emotional, and angsty undercurrent. And when I say angsty, I mean ANGSTY. But there’s also a small dose of steam to break it up

Soon followed by more angst.

What can I possibly tell you about this book other than it’s a must read? What else do you need? Read it and see for yourself. I know I for one cannot wait to see what this incredibly talented author has in store for the next book in the series. Dare I hope for Michael’s book next?

**ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**

All quotes taken from the Advanced Reader Copy of book and may differ from the finished published version

ARC Review: ☆Tempting Her Best Friend (What Happens in Vegas)☆ by @Gina_L_Maxwell

A satisfying contemporary romance from Entangled’s Lovestruck imprint…

Alyssa Miller is tired of waiting for her next-door neighbor to see her as more than just his best friend. Ready to let off some steam, she heads to Las Vegas for a romance book convention where, if she’s lucky, she’ll get down and dirty with one of the sexy cover models.

Dillon Alexander doesn’t do commitment—especially not where his best friend is concerned. She deserves a man who can give her the world, not damaged goods. But when he realizes Alyssa intends to have a one-night stand on her vacation, he hauls ass after her to make surehe’s the one to scratch her itch.

Neither of them expects their explosive chemistry to burn hotter than the lights on the strip, but with a little help from Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, a flamboyant matchmaker, and TSA, what happens in Vegas might not stay in Vegas…

4 What Happens in Vegas Stars

To love someone is to know fear. Gut-wrenching, soulcrushing fear. Fear that your love won’t always be enough. Fear that something terrible could rip them away from you. There are dozens, hundreds of scenarios, but they all come down to the same thing: when you love someone with all your heart, the scariest thing imaginable is having to live without them.

If you’re looking for an easy, romantic, steamy and cute read, you really can’t go wrong with this book. The friends to lover trope is a tried and true method, and never fails to bring on a smile to my face, especially when it’s written by the fabulous Gina Maxwell. Gina puts her own spin on falling for your best friend with a little bit of Vegas craziness thrown in, a masquerade ball and a sexy Tarzan. Curious?You’ll have to read it find out more 😉

But I can give you a spoiler free cliff’s notes…

Alyssa Miller has been in love for her best friend for years. Heck, they’re practically acting like a married couple considering they live next to each other and see each other on a daily basis. Oh, except without the sex… and the never ending line of women that frequent her neighbor’s apartment.

Alyssa would love for Dillon to see her as something other that his sexless best friend, but she’s giving up hope. Her libido has certainly had enough of it. Batteries will only get a girl so far.

Tired of her risk-free and boring life, Alyssa decides that a weekend at a Romance book convention is the key to solve her dry spell. A steamy night spent with a sexy cover model she’ll never have to see again after seems just the key. Too bad Dillon is not exactly on board with that idea…

Dillon Alexander has always had feelings for his best friend, but he’s not the commitment sort and he knows he’s not what a woman like her needs. But when the idea of Aly with another man brings out his inner caveman? Let’s say a man will go to great lengths to resolve a situation; like follow her to Vegas and propose that he be the man to scratch her itch…no complications or strings need apply

Then, in the privacy of her room, he’d give her exactly what she wanted: excitement, passion, and multiple orgasms. Batteries not required.

And when the man puts his plan into action? Well let’s just say Alyssa never stood a chance

So what happens?
What starts of as this

Turns into a whole lot of this

I loved the setting of Vegas and all the fabulous side characters that were introduced. While this wasn’t anything I haven’t really read before, it was entertaining from beginning to finish. A little cute, a little sexy, sometime a touch cheesy, but still wonderful. An angst light, fluffy and romantic read that will appeal to all lovers of contemporary romance.

I hope that Dillon’s twin will be getting a book next. This is just one of those light and easy reads that are perfect for in between reads or just when you need a cute and uplifting romance.

**ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review**

ARC Review: ☆Tell Me Something Good☆ by Jamie Wesley

A satisfying category romance from Entangled’s brand new Lovestruck imprint…

Two radio show hosts. One show. Who will come out on top?

In a moment of restlessness, Tate Grayson sold his multimillion-dollar company and spun his love of sports into a radio talk show. Life, and love, is too short to take seriously—a fact he enjoys rubbing in uptight radio host Noelle Butler’s face.

After the death of her parents, a tragedy she blamed on herself, Noelle vowed to live a controlled, focused life. Now a psychologist, she channels her need for connection into her radio show. But when the arrogant sportscaster next door tells listeners men shouldn’t get married, she’s all too happy to yank the silver spoon out of his overprivileged mouth.

Their heated on-air arguments are a hit, but when the station director forces them to do a joint show for two weeks, Tate and Noelle object. They can’t stand each other, despite the attraction sizzling beneath every interaction. But if they can’t pull the struggling radio station back from the brink, they’ll lose their jobs. Or worse, their hearts.

3.5 Stars

She had commitment written all over her. For him, relationships were all about temporary fun. Women looking for a ring need not apply.

What happens when an uppity psychologist that gives love advice on the radio comes head to head with a structure hating sports talk show host? This book.

Noelle Butler and Tate Grayson couldn’t be more different. Noelle is a radio host for a love advice show. She lives her life in a neat and structured order, dreams of a love that her parents had, and gives love advice to the masses on her show. Her view on relationships? They need to have the 3 C’s

Cool, commitment, and communication. Are you cool with each other? Are you committed to each other and making the relationship work? Finally, are you respectfully communicating with each other about your feelings?

All is right with her world until Tate “The Great” Grayson, the sports talk host at the same radio station as her and commitment-phobe decides to call into her show and offer his views…

“My three C’s are chill, cling-off, and change.
Chill. Don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Don’t let her fool you into thinking you can’t live without her because you can. Cling-off is kind of like bug repellent. Don’t let her cling. If you follow those two words, it makes change all the easier. When things get boring, bam, you’re off, your emotions unattached.”

They may butt heads when it comes to their views on relationships, but that doesn’t mean they’re not radio gold when they do it. So it’s only logical that their station director forces them to do a joint show for two weeks. A recipe for disaster or for the sparks between them to truly fly? Guess you’ll have to read to find out.

I enjoyed this book, but I can’t really tell you that I loved it. I think it was just a little too “sweet” for my personal tastes. It’s completely a case of it’s me not the book. This read like a really cute romantic comedy, but while I enjoyed it for the most part, I just didn’t fell that connection between Noelle and Tate. Their bickering was entertaining but felt more friendly than sexual for the most part…at least in the beginning. I’d definitely recommend this book for those readers that enjoy a sweet contemporary romance. Who knows, I am in the minority with my opinion, so you just may love it. The writing was great and I’ll happily read Jamie Wesley’s future books.

**ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange of an honest review**

Blog Tour & #Giveaway: ☆The Lover’s Secret☆ by @JCReedAuthor

The Lover’s Secret

Release date: August 5th, 2014
Genre: Mature New Adult/ Adult Contemporary Romance
Recommended for ages 18 and up.
Full Length Novel

When a sexy encounter comes like a dream and leaves like a nightmare…

Brooke Stewart thinks she’s finally safe. After witnessing the crime of a killer, she can move on from her past. But after one night at the Trio Hotel and meeting the sexy stranger with the green eyes that can steal one’s soul, her life is changed forever. Passions run deep. The game is supposed to be for one night with no strings attached.

What she doesn’t know is that the sexy stranger has an agenda of his own. Brooke Stewart has something he desperately wants, something he can’t admit to the woman he tries to get to surrender. A secret so deep it would upend her life if she found out too soon. He’s almost reached his goal, and then she gets a letter she was not meant to read. Suddenly, secrets get a completely new meaning.

Is the past really ever the past?



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ARC Review: ☆Crave The Night (Midnight Breed, 12)☆ by @lara_adrian

Born and raised to be an emotionless killing machine, Nathan is one of the most lethal Breed vampires in existence. A key member of the Order—an elite group of warriors charged with protecting both mortals and vampires—Nathan executes each mission with flawless precision and a total lack of mercy. Now he must pursue a powerful, hidden enemy. But Nathan’s hard discipline and training are no match for the fierce pull he feels toward a young woman he has no right to desire—a woman of wealth and high social standing who has long been promised to another Breed male, and who may also prove to be the key to rooting out Nathan’s elusive quarry.

Jordana lives a life of glittering privilege as a member of a prominent Breed family in Boston. Surrounded by fine things and fawning admirers, Jordana wants for nothing—until she crosses paths with a dark, intense warrior from the Order and finds herself swept into an impulsive, sizzling kiss that neither of them will forget. As much as she tries to deny her deep feelings for Nathan, Jordana cannot resist the craving to be near him, to break through his forbidding walls and see the man he truly is. But getting close to Nathan will thrust Jordana into a treacherous new world, forcing her to risk all she has and all she knows about herself and her past. And loving this seductive man could be the most dangerous temptation of all.

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Review
4 stars

She was stepping off that ledge tonight, falling too fast.
Falling too hard for a lethal, untouchable Breed male who’d promised her nothing.
She knew this, the same way she understood that if reality waited for her at the bottom of this mad leap, it was certain to break her.

12 books into a series, and Lara Adrian is still going strong. This was another fantastic addition in the Midnight Breed series and seems to just get better for me. If you’ve been following the series, than just like me you have been itching to finally get the story for Nathan who we first meet as the long lost son of Corinne who was raised as a Hunter until his rescue at 13 in Deeper Than Midnight.

He was the fighting dog, rescued from the squalor and violence of the betting puts and brought into a kind, loving home to live a better life.

Knowing what his childhood was like and seeing his seemingly cold and hard exterior, you just knew that the man’s book will be good. And the best part? It wasn’t just good. It was better.

He chased.
He conquered.
He destroyed.

This is man that’s been honed to be a killer. He was bred to be unfeeling and cold, feeling never even coming into the mix for him…until a beautiful blonde changed everything with a simple kiss…

He fed and fucked because he had to, but he did it on his terms. Always under his strict control, in order to retain the edge of the honed, unfeeling weapon he’d been born and raised, mercilessly trained to be.
Jordana Gates had broken all of his rules.

Even though Jordana first comes off like a very demure heroine, she’s not at all what she seems to be. I love that every heroine in this series is fierce in their own right, and this definitely comes out in the story in one hell of a twist.

Among the action and twists and turns that are on constant in this book, in the center is the love story between a man that’s been bred not to feel and a woman that’s determined to bring out his lost humanity.

Jordana Gates was off limits for many reasons, but most of all this: Because she was pure. She was innocent.
He wouldn’t be the one to take that from her.
He couldn’t take that from anyone, not the way his hungers ran.

There was never a dull moment throughout the entire story and I couldn’t bring myself to put it down. While all the old characters are back, we also get a little bit more on the new ones. While I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the series being taken into the future and the previous characters’ kids coming into the mix, I’m certainly sold on it now. It was a super smooth transition and I’m just as interested in the new characters as I was in the old….especially Rune and Carys who I’m hoping will get a book next.

But of course, my favorite part of this book was the building romance between Nathan and Jordana.

When I’m near him, it’s as though I’m standing naked in the middle of a raging storm. He makes me feel as if I’m on the steepest cliff, about to lose my footing. That if I step too close to him, I might never get back on solid ground.

And then there was the scorching hot sex…

This book had everything. I love the twist and the new additions of The Atlanteans into the mix. This was and continues to be one of my favorite PNR series, and I cannot wait to see what Lara Adrian has in store for us next.

She’d captivated him with a kiss. She’d challenged him, gentled him. Now she owned him.

Copyright © 2015 · Dirty Girl Romance

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