Giveaways – Page 12

Author Interview & Giveaway: ★Unhinge★ by Calia Read

January 12, 2016 by Lana · 1 Comment

Unhinge
Genre: Romantic Psychological Suspense
Author: Calia Read
Release Day: January 12, 2015

With Unravel, Calia Read took readers inside the mind of a tormented young woman confined in Fairfax Mental Institute, seemingly without cause. In her new standalone novel of psychological suspense, UNHINGE (Ballantine Trade Paperback, On Sale 1/12/16), Read takes us back to Fairfax, this time to meet a very different patient, equally trapped, but doubly lost.

Hold your breath and count to ten.
Soon it will be over before it ever began.

No matter how many times Victoria Donovan repeats that rhyme to herself, she’s still locked inside a mental institution.

Once upon a time, her life was a fantasy: Wes, the handsome fiancé, a storybook wedding and a white picket fence. But then a picture-perfect marriage warped into something sinister. As Victoria’s world twisted from dream to nightmare, her husband’s jealousy pushed her beyond the breaking point.

Calia Read breaks the mold in this explosive story that grabs hold and doesn’t let go until the shocking truth is revealed. UNHINGE is about a woman trying to reconstruct her past and find the truth somewhere between her memories and her madness with the help of a handsome, mysterious stranger.

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PROLOGUE April 2014

Love holds so many secrets.

How it will hit.

When it will attack.

Where it will happen.

We are its playthings, walking around this world unaware that at any moment it will strike.

Don’t try to plan for it. Whether you fight or go willingly, love will wrap itself around you and when it does, you’ll never be free again.

I stared up at the fan slowly swirling above me. It was time to get ready for work. I knew that. But my mind wanted to take a trip down memory lane. I refuse to get sucked into the past and turn my head, but that’s a fool’s mistake because even though my bed was empty, I saw the image of my wife.

She was quietly sleeping. The sheets were drawn around her shoulders. The tips of her lashes brushed against her upper cheeks. One hand was draped across her forehead, the other hanging off the side of the bed.

The moment I met Victoria I should’ve known I was doomed. I should’ve paid attention. Felt the wind against my neck and the goosebumps that prickled my flesh. But I didn’t.

So I fell.

And I fell hard.

You could say our love was unreal.

Everything about Victoria was mysterious yet beguiling. Her smiles spoke of dreams, her lips the promise of something good to come. She held her secrets in one palm and her dreams in the next. And with her eyes dared me to choose one.

Ignoring them both, I went for her heart.

Then she became my wife.

I read Unhinge with my heart in my throat the entire time. It was filled with so many twists and turns, I had no idea which end was up by the end. And it completely sucked me in! So I’m so excited to have Calia Read here at DGR today, talking all things Unhinge and answering all my questions.

DGR: Can we start by having you introduce yourself to readers that may not be familiar with your books yet?

CR: I’m Calia Read! 🙂 I’m Mom to four (pregnant with the fifth) kids and married to a soldier. So basically I move every other year. For me writing (And reading) is the perfect escape from my hectic life. Although when it comes to the Fairfax stories they can be crazier than my real life.

DGR: Unhinge is a standalone but set in the same world you created in Unravel, can you tell us a little more about that?

CR: We first met Victoria (Pretend Mommy) in Unravel. I remember writing scenes with her character, being so intrigued by this woman who constantly hummed, rocked her baby, and seemed to live in this other world. I HAD to know her story and find out why she was at Fairfax.

DGR: The setting and feeling of Unravel and Unhinge are very unique and unlike anything I’ve read before. What sparked your interest in writing such a series?

CR: These characters REALLY gave me something to work with. They didn’t have cookie cutter personalities with fairy tale stories. They had flaws that I was so intrigued by. I had to know what happened in their past that would bring them to where they are in the present. At the end of each of these books I’m always shocked at what someone can go through!

“They say my name is Victoria.
They say I’m twenty-seven.
They say I’ve been in this psych ward for over a year.
They say my husband is dead, and that my daughter is too.
But. Wes visits me almost every night,
and I hold my daughter every day.
They say, they say, they say…
I say, it’s time to untangle the past, and uncover the truth.”

DGR: My interest was piqued just from that intriguing quote. What can you tell us about Victoria’s journey in this book?

CR: From the get-go, Victoria has heavily relied on the people around her to provide answers to questions that she has. And now she’s starting to doubt what they are telling her because it doesn’t line up with what she is seeing. With the help of her therapist and a mysterious stranger, she starts to uncover the truth of what actually brought her to Fairfax.

Victoria is so damaged and she may think she’s ready to accept her reality but when you’ve been away from the truth for so long it can break you even further.

And that’s what she has to deal with —handling her truth without crumbling.

DGR: I’d say Unhinge is a pretty apropos title for this book with everything that Victoria went through. Was it difficult writing from her POV and dipping into her inner psyche?

CR: I’m so glad you asked that because Victoria’s story was more difficult at times than Unravel. With Naomi, she so easily gave her story away. There was no barrier because her psyche allowed that barrier to be down. But with Victoria she was wounded and that wall was up. Big time. She may be a product of my imagination, but I had to push a lot harder to understand Victoria’s pain and what she was really feeling.

DGR: What was your favorite part about writing Unhinge?

CR: There’s nothing better than when you discover something about your character that you didn’t expect or when a scene you’ve been working on, in what feels like forever, finally weaves itself together.

DGR: Now how about the most difficult?

CR: I have to watch EVERYTHING the characters say, how they say it, and when they say it. At times it seems so simple but even normal conversations can be brutal to write because you’re thinking, “Wait. Should I reveal this yet?”

DGR: For readers that may not have read your Fairfax series, can you describe it for us in a few words?

CR: The Fairfax Series is not a typical series. It’s dark, and suspenseful. Yet has its far share (well A LOT) of romance. 🙂 The main characters are completely unreliable and deeply troubled. Their sense of reality is so skewed that nothing is what it seems.

DGR: What are the emotions/ thoughts that you’re hoping to trigger in readers with these books?

CR: I want the readers to question everything that plays out through the story. What appears to be the truth just might be a lie. I want the readers to really feel the characters pain and suffering. And their desperation to leave Fairfax and be what they consider a “normal” person. I want the readers to see that even with everything the character goes through, they’re incredibly strong. It’s always really, really important to me to show the love in these stories because that’s a huge catalyst in helping them move forward and gives them hope.

DGR: So what’s up next for you? Are you going to continue with Fairfax or do you have something different in mind?

CR: Right now I’m currently working on two stories: Lachlan book (the sequel to Unravel) and The Surviving Trace. I’m so excited about them because they’re unique from what’s out there.

DGR: I have to ask, if you will be writing more in Fairfax, will be we getting a book for Reagan?

CR: Oh yes! Besides Lachlan’s book, there will be one more Fairfax story. And that is Reagan’s. J She’s twisted, yet served as comedic relief during Victoria’s story. The very first scene she has with Victoria and I was hooked to her character! I kept wondering, “What is your story? What are you hiding from me?”

I see a bit of her story playing out, and she’s wicked and blunt and out of all the characters she has the darkest story.

DGR: Anything you’d like to leave the readers with?

CR: TRUST ME with Unhinge. 🙂 It will be confusing and you’ll be missing many, many pieces to the puzzle at the beginning but it all comes together at the end. I told someone a few days ago that Unravel well, slowly unraveled, but Unhinge doesn’t. Instead, Victoria gathers each fact and lines them up like dominos. At the end she tips just one fact over and they all go down.

Want to win a paperback of Unhinged? Enter HERE

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Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: ★Off The Clock★ by Roni Loren

January 10, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Off the Clock
Series: Pleasure Principle #1
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance
Author: Roni Loren
Release Date: January 5, 2016

FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE LOVING ON THE EDGE NOVELS, THE FIRST IN A SENSUAL NEW SERIES

Overtime has never felt so good…

Marin Rush loves studying sex. Doing it? That’s another story. In the research lab, Marin’s lack of practical knowledge didn’t matter, but now that she’s landed a job at The Grove, a high-end, experimental sex therapy institute, she can’t ignore the fact that the person most in need of sexual healing may be her.

Dr. Donovan West, her new hotshot colleague, couldn’t agree more. Donovan knows that Marin’s clients are going to eat her alive unless she gets some hands-on experience. And if she fails at the job, he can say goodbye to a promotion, so he assigns her a list of R-rated tasks to prepare her for the wild clientele of The Grove’s X-wing.

But some of those tasks are built for two, and when he finds Marin searching for a candidate to help her check off her list, Donovan decides there’s only one man for the job—him. As long as they keep their erotic, off-the-clock activities strictly confidential and without strings, no one will get fired—or worse, get attached…

Setup: This is a scene when Marin was in college and overhears some dirty talk when she’s working late at the university.Holy. Shit. Marin pressed her lips together. Obviously two other people thought they were alone, too. Had students snuck into the building to get it on? Or maybe it was one of the professors. Oh, God, please don’t let it be a professor. She should turn around right now and go back to Professor Roberts’s office. Last thing she needed was to see one of her teachers in some compromising position. She would die of mortification.

But instead of backing up, she found herself tilting her head to isolate where the voice was coming from, and her feet moved forward a few steps.

“Yeah, you like that. I know. I bet you’re wet for me right now just thinking about how it would feel. Maybe I should check. Keep your hands against the wall.”

A hot shiver zipped through Marin, making every part of her hyperaware. .

“I’m so hard for you. Can you feel how much I want you?” That voice was like velvet against Marin’s skin. She closed her eyes, imagining the picture the stranger was painting—some hot guy behind her, pinning her to the wall, his erection rubbing against her. She’d never been in that situation, but her body sure knew how to react to the idea. Her hand drifted up to her neck and pressed against her throat, her pulse beating like hummingbird wings beneath her fingertips.

She waited with held breath to hear the woman’s response, but no voice answered the man’s question. Can you feel how much I want you? he’d asked. And hell if Marin wasn’t dying to know. She strained to hear.

“I tug your panties off and trail my hand up your thighs until I can feel your hot, slick . . .”

Marin braced her other hand against the wall and leaned so far forward that one more inch would’ve sent her toppling over. Your hot . . .

“Goddammit. Motherf**ker.”

The curse snapped Marin out of the spell she’d fallen into, and she straightened instantly, her face hot and her heartbeat pounding in places it shouldn’t be. There was a groaning squeak of an office chair and another slew of colorful swearing.

Whoever had been saying the dirty things had changed his tone of voice and now sounded ten kinds of annoyed. A wadded-up ball of paper came flying out of an open doorway a few yards down. She followed the arc and watched the paper land on the floor. Only then did she notice there were three others like it already littering the hallway.

Lamplight shifted on the pale linoleum as if the person inside the office was moving around, and Marin flattened herself against the wall, trying to make herself one with it. Please don’t come out. Please don’t come out. The silent prayer whispered through her as she counted the doors between her and the mystery voice, mentally labeling each one. When she realized it was one of the offices they let the Ph.D. students use and not a professor’s, she let out a breath.

Either way, she had no intention of alerting her hall mate that he wasn’t alone. But at least she could stop worrying she’d gotten all fevered over one of her professors. Now she just had to figure out how to get past the damn door without letting him see her. She’d gotten used to skipping meals to save money since starting college a few months ago. But she wasn’t going to make it through the next two hours of data entry and sleep monitoring if she didn’t get some caffeine. No wonder none of the upperclassmen had wanted to fill in during break.

Marin’s gaze slid over to the stairwell. If she stayed on the other side of the hall in the shadows, she could probably sneak by unnoticed. She moved to the right side wall and crept forward on quiet feet. But as soon as she got within a few steps of the shaft of light coming from the occupied room, a large shadow blotted it into darkness.

She’d been so focused on that beam of light that it took her a moment to register what had happened. She froze and her gaze hopped upward, landing on the guy who filled the doorway. No, not just any guy, a very familiar guy. Tall and lean and effortlessly disheveled. Everything inside her went on alert. Oh, God, not him.

He had his hand braced on the doorjamb, and his expression was as surprised as hers probably was. “What the hell?”

“I—” She could already feel her face heating and her throat closing—some bizarre, instant response she seemed to have to this man. She’d spent way too many hours in the back of her Intro to Human Sexuality class memorizing each little detail of Donovan West. Well, his profile, really. And his walk. And the way his shoulders filled out his T-shirts. As a teaching assistant, he usually only stopped in at the beginning of class to bring Professor Paxton papers or something. But each time he walked in now, it was like some bat signal for her body to go haywire.

It’d started with the day he’d had to take over the lecture when Professor Paxton was sick. He’d talked about arousal and the physical mechanics of that process. It was technical. He’d been wearing a T-shirt that read Sometimes I Feel Like a Total Freud. It shouldn’t have been sexy. But Lord, it’d been one of the hottest experiences of her life. He’d talked with his hands a lot and had obviously been a little nervous to be in front of the class. But at the same time, he’d been so confident in the information, had answered questions with all this enthusiasm. Marin hadn’t heard a word in the rest of her classes that day for all the fantasizing she’d been doing.

But now she was staring. And blushing. And generally looking like an idiot. Yay.

She turned fully toward him and cleared her throat, trying to form some kind of non-weird response. But when her gaze quickly traveled over him again, all semblance of language left her. Oh, shit. She tried to drag her focus back to his face and cement it there. His very handsome face—a shadow of stubble, bright blue eyes, hair that fell a little too long around the ears. Lips that she’d thought way too much about. All good. All great.

But despite the nice view, she couldn’t ignore the thing in the bottom edge of her vision, the thing that had caught her attention on that quick once-over. The hard outline in his jeans screamed at her to stare—to analyze, to burn the picture into her brain. The need to look warred with embarrassment. The latter finally won and her cheeks flared even hotter. She adjusted her glasses. “Uh, yeah, hi. Sorry. I thought I was alone in the building. Didn’t mean to interrupt . . . whatever.”

He stared at her for a second, his brows knitting. “Interrupt?”

Goddammit, her gaze flicked there again. The view was like a siren song she couldn’t ignore. Massive erection, dead ahead! She glanced away. But not quick enough for him not to notice.

“Ah, shit.” He stepped behind the doorway and hid his bottom half. “Sorry. It’s uh . . . not what it looks like.”

She snorted, an involuntary, nervous, half-choking noise that seemed to echo in the cavernous hallway. Really smooth. She tried to force some kind of wit past the awkwardness that was overtaking her. “Ohh-kay. If you say so.”

He laughed, this deep chuckle that seemed to come straight out of his chest and fill the space between them with warmth. Lord, even his laugh was sexy. So not fair.

“Well, okay, it is that. But why it’s there is just an occupational hazard.”

His laugh and easy tone settled her some. Or maybe it was the fact that he was obviously feeling awkward, too. “Occupational hazard? Must be more interesting than the sleep lab.”

He jabbed a thumb toward the office. “It is. Sexuality department. I’m working on my dissertation under Professor Paxton.”

She could tell he didn’t recognize her from class. Not surprising since she sat in the back of the large stadium-style room and tried to be as invisible as possible. Plus, she was wearing her glasses tonight. “I’m with Professor Roberts. I’m monitoring the sleep study tonight.”

“Oh, right on. I didn’t realize he’d taken on another grad student. I’m Donovan, by the way.”

I know.

“Mari.” The nickname rolled off her lips. No one called her that anymore. But she knew he probably graded her papers, and the name Marin wasn’t all that common. She forced a small smile, not correcting him that she was about as far from a grad student as she could get. She wanted to be one. Would be one day if she could figure out how to afford it. She’d managed to test out of two semesters of classes, but high IQ or not, that dream was still a long way off—a point of light at the end of a very long, twisting tunnel.

Marin shifted on her feet. “I was heading to get a Coke so that I don’t fall asleep from doing data entry and watching people snore. You need anything?”

“A Coke?” He glanced down the hall. “Don’t waste a buck fifty on the vending machine. I’ve got a mini-fridge in here. You can come in and grab whatever you want.”

Are you an option? I’d like to grab you. The errant thought made her bite her lips together so none of those words would accidentally slip out. She had no idea where this side of herself was coming from. Not that she’d really know what to do after she grabbed Donovan anyway. This was a twentysomething-year-old man, not one of the few boys she’d awkwardly made out with in high school. This was a guy who’d know how to do all those things she’d only read about in books.

“No, that’s okay, I mean . . .” She shifted her gaze away, willing her face not to go red again.

He caught her meaning and laughed. “Oh, right. Sorry. Yes, you should probably avoid strange men with erections who invite you inside for a drink. Good safety plan, Mari.” He lifted his hands and stepped back fully into the doorway, the pronounced outline in his pants gone. “But I promise, you’re all good now. You just caught me at an . . . unfortunate moment. And now I’m going to bribe you with free soda so that you don’t tell the other grads in the department about what you saw. I keep these late hours and work through holidays to avoid that kind of torture.”

He gave her a tilted smile that made something flutter in her chest. She should probably head straight back to the office she was supposed to be working in. He was older. Kind of her teacher. If he found out she was one of Pax’s students, he’d probably freak out that she’d seen him like this. But the chance to spend a few minutes with him was too tempting to pass up.

“Okay.”

I’m happy to take things slow since you’re new to so much. But that doesn’t mean I don’t think about hauling you up against a wall, hiking your skirt up, and fucking you like I own you.

Is it hot in here or was it this book? I should know by now to expect sizzling hot romance from Roni Loren but this was absolutely smoking’, uncomfortably aroused, don’t read in public sort of hot! Dirty fantasies, role playing, and a hero dubbed “The Orgasm Whisperer”. Yeah. Suffice it to say I really enjoyed this one.

I’ve been a huge fan of Roni Loren since I first discovered her Loving on The Edge series, but dare I say this book was my favorite of hers yet? If you haven’t read anything by this fantastic author yet, this is the perfect book to start with.

Marin Rush has spent most of her youth taking care of her mother and younger brother and trying to put herself through school. A chance meeting late night at work she stumbles upon something that changes her and her career. She may not have much experience in the matter, but Marin knows sex, in the scientific and psychological sense anyway. But when she lands a coveted position in one of the most renowned institutions as a sex therapist, she knows that her scientific knowledge won’t do much for her when it comes to her clients. She needs hands on knowledge…

She wanted to play the games. She wanted to step into those shadowed places where the rules and niceties went lax.

They dubbed him The Orgasm Whisperer. Dr. Donovan West is a great therapist, but he’s not without a few sexual hangups himself. Mostly in the form of commitment phobia. He likes his sex dirty, hard, and non-permanent. When the beautiful Marin becomes his colleague, he knows he can help her, but the rules may need to blur for it

I can’t be your boss. Because if what I have in mind is going to work, it’s going to have to be strictly off the clock and off the record.

Marin and Donovan have a connection in the past that seems to make their sexual attraction in the present that much stronger. It may not be quite against the rules, and it may be a touch taboo, but it’s not long before the pull between them gets too deliciously tempting to resist.

…know there isn’t a thing on that list that I wouldn’t love to check off for you, Completely and thoroughly. I could make you shameless, Rush.

I loved every single part of Off The Clock. It was sexy, a little edgy, and everything I’ve come to love in Roni Loren’s romances.

Marin may have been one of my favorite parts about this book. While she may be inexperienced, she’s no blushing ingenue. This is a woman that’s smart, strong and knows what she wants. She has this inner core of strength to her that was understated and yet perfectly there. I wasn’t expecting to love her as much as I did because she’s not the typical heroine I like to read about but she completely won me over. I loved watching her tick kink after kink off with the sinfully sexy Donovan.

As for Donovan? *Fans self*. This is the epitome of a sexy nerd. This man was everything. Between his penchant for the kinky in bed and his dirty talk, he certainly doesn’t act like a nerd, and yet nothing was more delicious than reading about him doing his dissertation of female arousal from dirty talk. I’m easy like that I suppose.

If you’re looking for a sexy contemporary romance to start your 2016 with, you really can’t go wrong with this one. A huge rec from this girl!

Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. Though she’ll forever be a New Orleans girl at heart, she now lives in Dallas with her husband and son.

If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars, er, rock concerts. Yeah, that’s it. She is the National Bestselling Author of The Loving on the Edge series from Berkley Heat.

Places to find Roni Loren:

Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: ★Sebring★ by @KristenAshley68

January 9, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Sebring
Series: Unfinished Hero #5
Genre: Erotic Romance
Author: Kristen Ashley
Release Date: January 11, 2015

Nick Sebring has issues. Born feeling like an outsider in his own family, growing up under the shadow of a brother who could do anything, Nick isn’t that great of a guy. But when this culminates with Nick lashing out to hurt his brother through the woman he loves, Nick turns inward and makes some decisions about the man he intends to be.

And as he does this, he falls in love and truly learns the man that he’s grown to be.

When his love is murdered right before Nick’s eyes, Nick knows he has to avenge her. He knows how he’s going to avenge her. And he has no qualms using Olivia Shade to exact that vengeance.

Olivia Shade has grown up on the outside of her family too. Her problem is that they don’t want her outside. They want her all the way in, right under their thumbs. She pays the price for seeking escape and learns her lesson—she’ll never see a dawn where she wakes up free.

Then she meets Nick Sebring, and even as she fights it, the hope that died years ago starts to blossom. She can find love. She can have a man of her own. She can be happy. She can be free.

Olivia hopes while Nick schemes.

However, as Nick peels back the layers of all that is Olivia Shade, he finds something surprising. He understands its fragility. He falls in love with its beauty. He seeks to protect it.

But he forgets to protect his Livvie from one thing: Nick Sebring.

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In the hotel room, Nick heard the knock at the door.He moved to it, looked out the peephole and felt the corners of his mouth hitch up when he saw her.

Fuck, those big green eyes, perfectly arched dark brows, the olive tint to her skin, the expert way she shaded under her cheekbones…

She was a coldhearted criminal but she was one that was very easy to look at.

And even easier to fuck.

He opened the door.

He was going to say something but he didn’t get the chance when her hand darted out and she caught him under his jaw, using it to push him in and around until his back hit wall.

She stared up at him, her hand wrapped around his jaw, her expression holding an emptiness that was so extreme it was almost like a void he could fall into and get lost forever.

He heard the door swish closed and latch.

Then she was up on her toes, her head moving toward his, those green eyes dropping to his mouth.

She didn’t get her lips to his before his tongue was out, as was hers, both of them colliding and tangling before her mouth slammed to his just as her body pushed in, pressing hard, forcing him tighter to the wall.

He shoved out. Gripping her wrist at his jaw, he yanked it down, twisting and slamming her against the wall, slanting his head to deepen an already deep kiss. Their tongues again clashing before he actually took her mouth.

But he took her mouth.

And like she’d done to his, he consumed it.

His fingers still around her wrist, he yanked it around his back, using his body to shove her tight to the wall, pressing his hardening cock against her stomach.

She arched, and moving quickly, whipped him around so his back was to the wall and she took over the kiss. Tearing her wrist from his hold, she curled her fingers around his throat just as she cupped his hardening crotch with her other hand.

Fucking hell, this woman was hot.

But he was done playing.

And he was done kissing.

Her mouth, that was.

He pushed her away. She struggled to regain control.

She lost this struggle when he caught her hand and dragged her down the short hall into the room.

She lost her footing when he gave her hand a strong tug and she fell into him with a soft gasp.

He let her hand go, caught her hips and threw her four feet onto the bed.

That got him another soft gasp which took his cock from hardening to rock-solid and throbbing.

He bent over her, holding her now intense green gaze, spanning her hips with his hands. Shoving backwards, he found the hook of her skirt, released it and pulled down the zipper.

He moved his fingers to curl them into the sides of her skirt’s waistband. With a vicious tug that took her hips and panties with it, he yanked off the skirt.

Chest to the bed, eyes to her cunt, the black curls neatly groomed with a precision that meant her wax technician was a master with possible OCD issues, they were also glistening with wet.

Having the tussle at the door, seeing the utter perfection of her pussy, smelling her, watching her legs part in invitation, her knees shifting up, Nick couldn’t have gone gentle if he’d wanted to.

Luckily he didn’t want to.

He bent his neck and devoured her.

Fuck, she tasted just as perfect as she looked.

As he fed, he felt her excitement ramp. Tasted it. Ate it. Gave her more. Consumed the result. Drove her to the edge.

And when he had her there, he stopped and moved over her.

Not surprisingly, she used both the pump she already had planted into the bed and the calf she had wrapped around him to flip him and then she was straddling him, pushing up, her hands already to his fly.

Normally, he would not allow this.

Her face flushed with need, her manner urgent, even desperate, all that surged through his blood, his gut, straight to his cock.

So he allowed this.

She tugged his pants down, grabbed his dick, guided it to her and took him home.

At the beauty of her sheathing him, he gritted his teeth against the urge to let go and release way too fucking early. Bucking his hips, he watched how much she liked taking him, her head thrown back, her shining, straight mass of silken black hair swaying.

Then she dropped forward into a hand in the bed by his side, locked eyes with him and rode him violently as he watched until she gave it to herself and she kept doing it until she forced it from him.

Fucking spectacular.

He came down buried inside her, his eyes opening to see her still resting in her hand in the bed, her body moving gently with her still-labored-but-evening breathing, her dark hair framing her oval face, her straight bangs brushing her lashes, her green eyes locked to his trying to brand him, make him hers.

No way in fuck that was happening.

But he’d take more of this.

A lot more.

That said, the woman was going to learn how to give up control.

Not surprisingly, without a word, she swung off his cock, moving immediately toward the side of the mattress.

Nick focused on pulling up his trousers, doing the fly and angling off the bed. By the time he was up and had turned his attention back to her, she was on her feet, facing him, arms twisted behind her to do up the skirt she’d put on.

He held her gaze.

“We got all night, Olivia,” he informed her.

Not even a hint of a response to him calling her the name she hadn’t given him.

Then again, he knew she knew him; she’d make it her business.

She also knew he’d do the same with her, even before he sat next to her the night before.

Her expression might not have changed but his words spurred her to action, this being walking his way.

She stopped. Her eyes still on his, she lifted a hand and touched his chest lightly with just the pad of her middle finger.

It lasted half a second.

Then she dropped her hand, turned and walked away.

He heard the door close behind her and he couldn’t stop his smile.

Fuck yes, a seriously cool customer.

And the hottest fuck he’d had in his life.

Back in the day, Nick Sebring had been known as the incompetent, unprincipled wastrel younger brother of a successful man.
He was no longer any of that.
What he was was a dark horse.

Nick Sebring. *pause for dirty thoughts* After first meeting him as Knight’s younger brother with a slew of issues in Knight, I knew I wanted his story. See I have this things for the screwed up ones, and Nick was the furthest from perfect as it gets. He had a thing for his brother’s woman, a slight drug problem, and that’s not touching on the other things he dabbled in. But it’s been years since Knight, and Nick is no longer the young boy with issues he once was. He’s all man now, but he’s definitely not without issues. They’re just different now.

The instant I caught sight of him, I froze.
He was tall.
His eyes were the color of the ocean.
And he made me believe that I could want something, take it and HAVE it.
Own it.
Keep it.

I never doubted for even a second that the amazing Kristen Ashley would be able to redeem Nick and boy did she! She did so flawlessly. The fact that the book takes place years after the events of Knight certainly helped. In those years, Nick has grown, he’s changed, and he also suffered a loss the likes of which he never healed from. Now all he wants is vengeance. Vengeance on the man who was an integral part in setting things in motion that led to one of the most devastating nights of his life. He’ll do anything, he’ll kill anyone that gets in his way, and he’s use any means at his disposal without regret. The best means to get to the head of a notorious crime family? Through the daughter that helps run his empire…

Mysterious pussy could also just be a mystery.
And Nick was now drowning in the mystery of Olivia Shade.
Which meant he had no choice but to solve it so he could surface.
And maybe survive.

Olivia Shade is the black sheep of her family. Her father, the head of a crime syndicate is certifiable, and her sister is ruthless. Olivia doesn’t want this life for herself, but she also doesn’t see a way out. The only way to escape is death, a lesson that was painfully taught to her years ago. It’s a lesson she’ll never forget and she carries the remnants of it to this day.

Olivia knows who Nick is. How could she not? But can she trust that his interest in her is genuine? Can she really have the sort of happy she’s always yearned for? Or will it all go down in flames…
Sebring was the final book in Kristen Ashley’s Unfinished Hero and it certainly concludes with a bang. Nick was everything I’d hoped he would be and so much more. He’s sex on a stick and let’s just say the man’s kinks really did it for me.

Sebring,” I gasped.
“Come,” he ordered.
My entire body started trembling.
“Fucking COME,” he growled.
Shuddering under him, I came.
Spectacularly.

I loved everything about this book; the set up, the characters, the romance. Olivia is a heroine that’s impossible not to love. The things she’s been through, and finding out the true depth of them, you begin to yearn for her HEA just as much as she does. And as for Nick? *swoon*
Sebring was action packed, quick-paced erotic perfection. Every new page was more delicious than the last. It offers a KA kind of grit which just works. It’s not as dark as most other anti-heroes books you’ll find, but it has enough of an edge to satisfy both readers that crave the super gritty and those that just want to dabble in it and dip a toe in the genre. You will absolutely devour this book. It’s impossible not to.

All I can say, is Nick Sebring was worth every minute of the wait. The perfect conclusion to one of my favorite series. My only complaint is that now it’s over.
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Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Blog Tours, Dirty Talkers, Erotic Rom, Excerpts, Giveaways · Tagged With: antihero, Book Reviews: 4.5 stars, Kristen Ashley

Review & Giveaway: ★Seduction In Session★ by Shayla Black & Lexi Blake

January 3, 2016 by Lana ·

Seduction in Session
Series: The Perfect Gentlemen #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance; Romantic Suspense
Authors: Shayla Black & Lexi Blake
Release Date: January 5, 2015

The second Perfect Gentlemen novel from the New York Times bestselling authors of the Masters of Ménage series.

Privileged, wealthy, and wild: they are the Perfect Gentlemen of Creighton Academy. But the threat of a scandal has one of them employing his most deceptive—and seductive—talents…

Recruited into the CIA at a young age, Connor Sparks knows how dirty the world can be. Only when he’s with his friends can he find some peace. So when an anonymous journalist threatens one of the Perfect Gentlemen, Connor vows to take down the person behind the computer, by whatever means necessary—even if it means posing as his target’s bodyguard.

Publishing a tabloid revealing Washington’s most subversive scandals has earned Lara Anderson the ire of the political scene—and a slew of death threats. To keep herself from ending up a headline, Lara hires a bodyguard, a man as handsome as he is lethal.

When the bullets start to fly, Lara is surprised to find herself in Connor’s arms. But as they begin to unravel a mystery that just might bring down the White House, Lara is devastated when she discovers Connor’s true identity—and finds herself at the mercy of forces who will stop at nothing to advance their deadly agenda.

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I am a ruthless bastard, but if you let me, I’ll be your ruthless bastard.”

I’m a huge fan of Shayla Black and Lexi Blake individually, but when these two combine their talents into a series? Fire. Works. This just may be my favorite series by them yet. And having read their entire backlists individually and combined, that’s no light statement. Espionage, action, suspense, and a romance so hot it burns up the pages, all woven intricately together to make up one incredible page-turner!

Connor Sparks has always been the odd man out in The Perfect Gentleman group. He didn’t come from money or prestige. His past is troubled and his future is shrouded in shadows. The CIA offered him the answer to his future and he took it with open arms. He’s built a reputation for himself in the years since and he’s known for being the man that gets things done no matter the cost.
An assignment to play babysitter to a spoiled and naive woman in order to get close to a threat looming over The Perfect Gentleman is not his ideal, but he’ll do it. Even if he has to pretend to be her bodyguard. But Lara Anderson is nothing what he expected and everything he soon comes to crave. It’s not long before lust turns into something much more and leaves Connor rethinking where his loyalties lie when the bullets start flying.
I was a little afraid at first that Lara would get on my nerves. She’s not exactly the kind of heroine I prefer to read about; a vegan that even attempts to put her dog on a diet. She’s idealistic and at times naive and some of the things that come out of her mouth left me somewhere between laughter and ‘did she really say that’?

Yes. I think that’s a very good plan. Let’s form a friendship circle and talk this out. That will bring Connor into the group and make him feel comfortable.

That was not said in jest either.

But then something happened and she began to grow on me. I began to find her…endearing. It’s a true testament of an author’s talent to take a character that by all rights would never work for me in any other book and yet make it work.

Simon was a dangerous enigma. He’s sexy, protective, a little grumpy, and so alpha I think my ovaries actually sighed in happiness. When he releases his full effect on Lara, I was putty in his hands. This is a man that falls hard and knows when he screwed up. I spent the book waiting for that other shoe to drop when Lara figures out he’s not quite who he says he is and for his grovel. I can tell you that it did not disappoint.

Seduction in Session was everything I’ve come to love with both these authors; it’s action packed, with richly developed secondary characters, and an absolutely sizzling romance. This is not a book meant to be read as a standalone as each book builds off of the last with the story arc. While the romance has a HEA there is clearly unfinished business with the main threat against this group and I’m already twitching for the next book. Considering the set up for Dax’s book, I already know I’ll be salivating for his story. Hard.

Yet another addition from two of my favorite authors and I recommend it for any lovers of sexy romantic suspense. It will definitely not disappoint.

THE SERIES

SCANDAL NEVER SLEEPS | SEDUCTION IN SESSION | BIG EASY TEMPTATION

Want to win a paperback copy of Seduction in Session? I’ll be gifting it to one lucky US follower on my Facebook page. ENTER HERE

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Contemporary Romance, Giveaways · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4 stars, Lexi Blake, Shayla Black, spy games

12 Days of Sex, Love & Stilettos

December 16, 2015 by Lana · 1 Comment

The Sex, Love and Stiletto Boxed Set
After the Kiss, Love the One You’re With, Just One Night, & The Trouble with Love
Author: Lauren Layne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 24, 2015
Loveswept

Hailed by Ruthie Knox as “fun, sexy, and sharp as a spike heel,” the Sex, Love & Stiletto series from USA Today bestselling author Lauren Layne introduces the glamorous columnists of Stiletto magazine and the ridiculously hot men who love them. Now all four novels—After the Kiss, Love the One You’re With, Just One Night, and The Trouble with Love—are together in one eBook bundle.

AFTER THE KISS – Book One

“After the Kiss is a knock-your-stilettos-off, total page-turning treat that had me fan-girling up within the first chapter.”—USA Today bestselling author Mira Lyn Kelly

Julie Greene loves flings: first dates, first kisses, that first sexy romp between the sheets. But when Julie has to write an article about the magical shift between dating and “I do,” she’ll need a man brave enough to reform a total commitment-phobe. Normally, that man would be Mitchell Forbes, a devastatingly handsome workaholic who stays in relationships far too long. But Mitchell is looking to cut loose for once, and Julie’s exactly the type of no-strings fling he’s looking for. In other words, he’s the polar opposite of what she needs—and exactly what she wants.

LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH – Book Two

“Spunky, flirty, and full of sass, Love the One You’re With is everything a romance should be! Lauren Layne has a winner.”—New York Times bestselling author Christie Craig

After her fiancé turns out to be the kind of rotten, cheating liar she always warns her readers about, Grace Brighton swears off relationships for six months. She makes an exception for a joint article on dating with a gorgeous counterpart from the men’s magazine Oxford—and tries to tell herself she’s not instantly smitten. Jake Malone only agreed to this fluffy assignment because his playboy reputation makes his new editor nervous. But after just one date with snooty, sumptuous, sensational Grace, Jake starts taking this assignment a whole lot more seriously.

JUST ONE NIGHT – Book Three

“Sexy, sassy, and surprisingly sweet, Just One Night is a total page-turner!”—New York Times bestselling author Donna Alward

As Stiletto’s resident “sexpert,” Riley McKenna writes articles that are the magazine’s most read. But when Riley is forced to confront a long-hidden secret—that her own sexual experience is limited to one awkward college encounter—she calls in the favor of a lifetime. Sam Compton knows two things about his best friend’s little sister: She’s the woman for him, and she’s completely off-limits. Sam shouldn’t even consider Riley’s proposition. But after a one-night stand in the name of research, they learn firsthand that, with each other, there’s no such thing as just one night.

THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE – Book Four

“Th“The Trouble With Love” is a heartwarming read I devoured in one sitting and haven’t been able to stop smiling over since.”— New York Times bestselling author Violet Duke

Five years ago, Emma Sinclair was a blushing bride-to-be. Now she’s the ice queen of the Manhattan dating scene—and her latest article forces her to face the devilishly sexy guy who ditched her at the altar. After giving up everything for a pro soccer career, Alex Cassidy is hanging up his cleats and taking a shot at journalism . . . in the same city as his former fiancée. But Emma isn’t the innocent girl he remembers. She’s chic, sophisticated, and assertive—and she wants absolutely nothing to do with him. The trouble is, Alex has never wanted her more.

Amazon | B&N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo

The Sex, Love & Stiletto Crew are always looking for an excuse to get together and the holidays are the perfect time for these four couples to eat, drink and be merry! Each Stiletto Heroine is sharing a Fun and Delicious Holiday Cocktail to try, so follow along on the tour to collect each recipe!

http://www.marthastewart.com/318807/candy-cane-cocktail

Lauren Layne is the USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance.

Prior to becoming an author, Lauren worked in e-commerce and web-marketing. In 2011, she and her husband moved from Seattle to New York City, where Lauren decided to pursue a full-time writing career. It took six months to get her first book deal (despite ardent assurances to her husband that it would only take three). Since then, Lauren’s gone on to publish ten books, including the bestselling Stiletto series, with several more on the way in 2015.

Lauren currently lives in Chicago with her husband and spoiled Pomeranian. When not writing, you’ll find her at happy hour, running at a doggedly slow pace, or trying to straighten her naturally curly hair.

Rafflecopter Giveaway ($25 Gift Card to Victoria’s Secret, Blown Glass Stiletto-Tini Ornament, and Winners Choice Rollerball Perfume (Black Opium, Juicy Couture or Acqua di Gioia)

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Excerpts

After the Kiss, http://laurenlayne.com/after-the-kiss

Love the One You’re With, http://laurenlayne.com/love-the-one-youre-with

Just One Night, http://laurenlayne.com/just-one-night

The Trouble with Love, http://laurenlayne.com/the-trouble-with-love

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Blog Tour & Giveaway: ★This Girl’s Got Secrets★ & ★Silent Scars★

December 11, 2015 by Lana · 1 Comment

The Girl’s Got Secrets
Series: Forbidden Men #7
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: Linda Kage
Release Date: November 28^th, 2015
Self-Published

Here’s the same old “girl posing as a boy” story but with a rock-n-roll twist.

Remy Curran dreams of one day being in a band, except the group she wants to join refuses to hire a girl drummer. So, she auditions as a guy…and makes the cut.

Becoming “Sticks,” a member of Non-Castrato, isn’t quite what she dreamed it would be, though. She spends most of her time keeping up the subterfuge and learning how to walk, talk, act, and drink like a man.

But what’s even harder to deal with is acting oblivious when the band’s heartthrob lead singer, Asher Hart, treats her like one of the guys and not a woman. She never imagined he’d be so much more than a pretty face with a nice voice. But he’s better than perfect. He’s perfect for her.

When love and lies combine, Remy must keep up the act or lose everything. But who knew lying to reach one dream could prevent you from attaining an even bigger dream?

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Remy and I bent at the same time to turn on the karaoke machine.“Sorry,” we murmured together when we nearly bumped foreheads. Then we shifted an inch apart but still both going in to get the machine up and running.

“Holy shit,” she murmured under her breath, turning toward me slightly. “You smell really good.”

I didn’t want it to, but my body reacted, remembering every touch, lick, and kiss she’d ever given me. I glanced at her face, and her eyes flared as if she was in trouble for saying such a thing.

“Sorry.” She lifted both hands in some kind of surrender. “It’s just…it’s new. You’ve never smelled like that before.”

Lust stirred through me. I tried to bite it back, tried to cling to the fact I was mad at her, but a need unlike any I’d ever experienced with any other person roared through my blood.

I had to shake my head and blink myself back to the present, remind myself where I really was and what I was doing. And that was most definitely not Remy Curran.

“It’s, uh…Eva gave it to me as the best man gift. I figured I should wear it today.”

She nodded, agreeing. “Well, it’s amazing. I think I just got pregnant.”

“…You look just perfect. I would so throw you down on your bed and ride you right now if I didn’t know you were really a girl in there. Hell, I’m tempted to, anyway.”

I rolled my eyes but chased it with a smile. “Thanks. I think.”

“Now practice your man walk,” she demanded, waving out her hand.

I faltered. “My what?”

She sighed. “You’re not going to pass for a dude if you stroll in there with your hidden girl hips swaying and flattened tits pooched out on display.”

My mouth fell open. “Excuse me. I do NOT walk like that.”

She snorted. “Oh…own it, puta. You’re a hot piece of ass, you can’t help the girly swagger.”

“But I don’t—”

“Hunch your shoulder over a little more, concentrate on keeping your hips in line, and try to jut your cock forward when you strut.”

“Do…what?”

“That’s how hot guys walk, like they’re leading with their junk.”

I could only shake my head. I had honestly never seen a guy walk as if he were trying to poke his pecker out ahead of him. “Where do you come up with this shit?”

“Just do it, puta.”

I sighed but used her suggestions, trying to overdramatize the cock-and-go strut, as I was thusly dubbing it.

“What do you think?” I asked.

She purred out a promiscuous growl and clawed the air in my direction. “How do you say ‘I want to sit on your face’ in Spanish?”

“…You look just perfect. I would so throw you down on your bed and ride you right now if I didn’t know you were really a girl in there. Hell, I’m tempted to, anyway.”

I rolled my eyes but chased it with a smile. “Thanks. I think.”

“Now practice your man walk,” she demanded, waving out her hand.

I faltered. “My what?”

She sighed. “You’re not going to pass for a dude if you stroll in there with your hidden girl hips swaying and flattened tits pooched out on display.”

My mouth fell open. “Excuse me. I do NOT walk like that.”

She snorted. “Oh…own it, puta. You’re a hot piece of ass, you can’t help the girly swagger.”

“But I don’t—”

“Hunch your shoulder over a little more, concentrate on keeping your hips in line, and try to jut your cock forward when you strut.”

“Do…what?”

“That’s how hot guys walk, like they’re leading with their junk.”

I could only shake my head. I had honestly never seen a guy walk as if he were trying to poke his pecker out ahead of him. “Where do you come up with this shit?”

“Just do it, puta.”

I sighed but used her suggestions, trying to overdramatize the cock-and-go strut, as I was thusly dubbing it.

“What do you think?” I asked.

She purred out a promiscuous growl and clawed the air in my direction. “How do you say ‘I want to sit on your face’ in Spanish?”

Favorite Scene to Write

I’d have to say my favorite scene to write in The Girl’s Got Secrets was where Asher catches Remy in the shower. He still doesn’t know girl-Remy exists yet, so for him, he thinks he’s meeting a new person completely. I have no idea if I wrote it well enough for everyone else to feel the sparks, but I certainly felt them when I was writing. It was fun and entertaining for me to create as it was steamy too, which totally made my day. When Asher went and flirted with her, I just melted. I’d never seen him in flirt mode before, and I just gotta say, I like it! So does Remy…though she had to try to hide it.

Here’s a little peek into that scene:

I jogged to the hotel and retrieved my key card from my pocket as I approached my room.

The light was still off as it’d been when I’d left a few minutes earlier, but the bathroom door had changed. It was shut most of the way so only an inch of a crack showed, revealing the light was on inside. The sounds of a shower and singing filtered out into the hotel room.

“…And a hug around the neck. A hug around the neck…,” a clearly feminine voice serenaded from the bathroom.

I froze, frowning hard, as the lyrics to Doris Day’s “A Bushel and a Peck” continued. At first, I wigged out, afraid I’d just entered the wrong room. I began to backpedal, afraid to be caught in someone else’s room, but then I wondered why my key had gotten me in. So I flipped on the light.

My laptop sat on my bed and the blankets on Remy’s side were rumpled and unmade. Plus his familiar suitcase and my duffle sat on the floor, so I knew I had the right room.

But who the hell was in our shower? From the sound of it, I would’ve thought Sticks had snuck in a woman, except he wasn’t into women.

Wrinkling my brow, I inched cautiously toward the crack in the bathroom door. Using the tips of my fingers, I reached out, standing as far back as possible, and gently nudged the entrance open. Steam exited, clouding around me as the woman’s voice grew louder.

“…You make my heart erect,” she continued to wail with a pretty decent set of pipes. I lifted my eyebrows, intrigued.

I have no idea why, but I said, “Remy?” I already knew that wasn’t him in there.

In answer, the woman screamed.

“What the—” Confused as all get-out as to what was going on, I reached for the shower curtain and yanked it open.

Inside, the naked, wet woman yelped again, instantly shoving one arm over her breasts and splaying her free hand between her legs to cover herself.

“Holy shit!” I gasped.

We gaped at each other, the water spraying down on her and forcing her long dark hair to clog into her face.

Rationally, I knew I should turn away, but yeah…for some reason, I’d kind of lost the ability to think rationally. Instead, I shook my head, and demanded, “Who’re you?”

She shoved her hair out of her face so she could see me, probably forgetting that she had to uncover her breast to use her hand, because suddenly, I was being flashed some very nice tits indeed.

My gaze instantly dropped to her chest, and she gasped, slapping her arm back over herself. A split second later, she snatched the shower curtain and wrapped it around her, concealing all the best parts.

“No hablo inglés,” she panted in this super-hot sexy voice that had my hormones raging even harder.

Ah, shit. I shook my head, still completely flabbergasted. “You don’t know English?”

“No.” She shook her head. “No hablo inglés.”

“Fuck.” I wiped my hand over my face, glad I hadn’t started drooling or anything, because…wow. There was a very hot Spanish-speaking chick in my shower. “Well, I know crap Spanish.” Glancing behind me, I muttered to myself, “Where the hell is Remy when you need him?”

Behind me, shower girl repeated, “¿Remy?” I spun back to her and she babbled something in Spanish, her hand waving the entire time.

I blinked, understanding absolutely nothing. But she’d said Remy’s name, so I slowly asked, “You know Remy?”

She nodded, her eyes lighting with recognition. “Sí. Remy.” Then she spouted off something else. I was sure I caught the word amigo in there, so I snapped my finger.

“Amigo,” I repeated. Yes, a word I understood. “Friend. Okay. So…he let you in to take…a shower…alone?”

I squinted because there was no way that sounded as if it were even plausible.

“Dios,” she moaned, clutching the shower curtain closer to her breasts. Then she bit her lip and waved me away with a free hand, sputtering something in Spanish that went way over my head. But the shooing motion and desperation on her face made her plea obvious enough.

“Shit, sorry.” I suddenly realized how badly I’d been gawking. Lifting my hands, I backed up a step toward the half closed bathroom door behind me until I nudged it with my spine. “I’ll…let you finish.” But I couldn’t seem to take my gaze off her. She was just…stunning. “And I swear, I’ll look away…soon. Once the blood stops rushing to my dick and returns to my head and I can think rationally again, because…wow.”

Linda grew up on a dairy farm in the Midwest as the youngest of eight children. Now she lives in Kansas with her husband, daughter, and nine cuckoo clocks. Her life’s been blessed with lots of people to learn from and love. Writing’s always been a major part of her world, and she is so happy to finally share some of her stories with other romance lovers.

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Silent Scars
Series: Surviving Series #4
Author: Ada Frost
Release Date: November 28, 2015
Self-Published

Her Man.

Their Hero.

His Pain.

What happens when you pray for death and you’re ignored?

You have to live.

You have to survive.

But what if the last thing you want is to take your next breath?

To the world, Ryan is a hero, an ex-marine, brother, son and protector. He has devoted his life to keeping others safe. He will do anything and everything to ensure his loved ones are protected, even if that means destroying his very own soul. After an explosion on the battlefield ends his career in the Marine’s, Ryan is sent home with an honorable discharge. But the war hasn’t ended for him.

He is home, he is free and he’s breathing, but he’s dead inside.

He wants nothing more than peace, but the nightmares in his mind will not grant him that. They taunt him, tease him and torture his waking moments. The darkness within him is slowly consuming him, blackness has seeped into his veins and is rotting his core. Ryan is a man on the edge of destruction. For once he is the one in need of saving. He needs a saviour.

He needs her.

Ryan is commissioned as a bodyguard to Aloura Cavendish. When he initially meets her, he believes her to be a spoiled rich brat, wasting his time. But the fire inside her astounds him. When he pushes, he never expects her to push back. When he runs, she chases. For the first time in his life, Ryan has a protector willing to fight his demons. The only problem – he is too afraid to release them.

Amazon

That’s when I heard the music, the loud angry tones of Green Day’s “American Idiot” I grinned because it appeared Aloura wasn’t a fan of having us invade her life.“Gentlemen, I may not require your services. It appears I will just strangle my daughter myself.” Graham, uttered sarcastically as we headed towards the loud music. When we reached the open doorway he strode through, leaving Will and I to follow. My douche of a brother paused causing me to walk into his back. I peered around the doorway and froze. There was no other way to describe it – her – other than absolute perfection. She was dancing around the room, her body moving with such fluidity that she almost floated. The music died immediately and she stopped. Her attention fixed on her father who had stopped the music. She slapped her hands down over her hips and breathed up at the ceiling. Her shoulders lifted and fell with each breath she pulled in. She glared at her father’s back again as he came towards us and then she caught sight of Will and I standing at the door gawping at her like two morons. I straightened and smoothed my hands over my head. It’s a habit I developed after I was discharged from the hospital. I hate the constant reminder marring my skin that I fucked up. That people died because of me.

“Sweetheart,” Graham gritted out through his teeth. “These are the gentlemen I was telling you about.”

“The ones with tight arses and buns you want to bite?”

I spluttered a laugh as her father turned crimson. The silver in his hair glistened against his skin. Will glanced at me, trying to hide his smirk.

“That’s what you said this morning isn’t it?” She asked batting her eyelashes at him. She headed over to a black piano in the corner of the room and picked something up from the top, when she held them up to her face I realised she was putting glasses on. She turned and blinked a few times in our direction and her cheeks turned a really beautiful shade of pink. She ran her hands over her black hair, which was pulled back in a messy knot type thing. Then she trailed them down her body, tugging at the hem of her t-shirt. It was fascinating watching her assessing us.

“I should have punished you more as a child.” He glared at her, but there was no mistaking the small curl of his lips of the undeniable love shining in his eyes.

“So this is my horrible little brat, Aloura.”

Hi! What to say about myself…I don’t really have anything interesting to offer other than I love to read, and create stories for others to enjoy. I’ve always been told I have a vivid imagination, I just lacked the confidence to pursue putting it onto the the written page. But finally I embarked on making a single dream come true.

I love to read, and write. I only read romance, any genre really, but it has to have a beautiful romance. I also demand a HEA, even if it takes two or three books to get there. Reality is too broken and jaded without having to live through the trauma and angst in a book for it to end unhappily.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/10/the-girls-got-secrets-by-linda-kage.html

Rafflecopter Giveaway (Lots of Chances to Win! $20.00 Amazon eGift Card (x1), $10.00 Amazon eGift Card (x1), $5.00 Amazon eGift Card (x2), a Paperback copy of THE GIRLS’S GOT SECRETS and a Paperback copy of winner’s choice from the Surviving Series by Ada Frost)

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1 Comment · Filed Under: Blog Tours, Excerpts, Giveaways ·

Blog Tour, Character Interview, Review & Giveaway: ★Corrupt★ by @PenDouglas

December 10, 2015 by Lana · 5 Comments

Title: Corrupt
Author: Penelope Douglas
Genre: Dark | Erotica | Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 17, 2015
Tour Hosted by: As the Pages Turn

Erika

I was told that dreams were our heart’s desires. My nightmares, however, became my obsession.

His name is Michael Crist.

My boyfriend’s older brother is like that scary movie that you peek through your hand to watch. He is handsome, strong, and completely terrifying. The star of his college’s basketball team and now gone pro, he’s more concerned with the dirt on his shoe than me.

But I noticed him.

I saw him. I heard him. The things that he did, and the deeds that he hid…For years, I bit my nails, unable to look away.

Now, I’ve graduated high school and moved on to college, but I haven’t stopped watching Michael. He’s bad, and the dirt I’ve seen isn’t content to stay in my head anymore.

Because he’s finally noticed me.

Michael

Her name is Erika Fane, but everyone calls her Rika.

My brother’s girlfriend grew up hanging around my house and is always at our dinner table. She looks down when I enter a room and stills when I am close. I can always feel the fear rolling off of her, and while I haven’t had her body, I know that I have her mind. That’s all I really want anyway.

Until my brother leaves for the military, and I find Rika alone at college.

In my city.

Unprotected.

The opportunity is too good to be true as well as the timing. Because you see, three years ago she put a few of my high school friends in prison, and now they’re out.

We’ve waited. We’ve been patient. And now every last one of her nightmares will come true.

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Michael

I enjoyed the fright of not knowing what was coming and from where.
“When we used to wear the masks,” Michael said, dropping his voice to a near whisper, “you liked it, didn’t you? It scared you, but it turned you on.”I raised my hesitant eyes and tried not to let out a laugh. What was I supposed to say? That the fact that they’d looked like monsters got me hot?I shook my head clear and stood up, saying in a quiet voice. “I’m going to bed.”

I grabbed my phone and took a step, but Michael’s voice stopped me.

“Come here,” he said softly.

I turned my head, narrowing my eyes. Come here?

He sat up, resting his forearms on his knees and waiting, while I shifted on my feet.

He was always playing games. I didn’t trust him.

But the temptation to engage was too great. He was right. I was getting good at it, and I kind of liked it, too.

I took slow steps, holding up my chin to steel myself.

When I reached him, he placed a hand on my hip and pulled me in between his legs. I gasped as he fell back against the sofa again, pulling me in with him. I shot my hands out, planting them on both sides of his head on the back of the couch, keeping myself upright as I leaned into him.

“Say it,” he breathed out, holding my hips with both hands now. “It turned you on.”

I closed my mouth and shook my head, looking down at him with a challenge.

“I know it did,” he maintained, a fire in his eyes. “Did you think I couldn’t see how tense your body would get or how your nipples got hard through your shirt when you saw me wearing it? You’re a little twisted. Admit it.”

I folded my lips between my teeth, turning my head away.

But then he tipped his chin up and caught my nipple between his teeth through my tank top, and I closed my eyes, letting out a small cry.

Oh, God!

The heat of his mouth swooped into my stomach as he released my nipple and then snatched it up again, dragging it out between his teeth.

“I’ve got the mask upstairs,” he taunted, kissing and nibbling on me through my shirt. “I can get it if you want me to.”

No. No, I wasn’t like that.

I pushed away from him, but he held me firm.

“Michael, let me go.”

But then I felt my phone vibrate in my hand, and I quickly glanced at the screen, seeing no name with the number. Reading the number, though, I noticed that it was his mother’s. That’s strange. I thought I had her number saved in my Contacts.

But I let it go, remembering that my mom was with her. I needed to take this call.

Planting my fists on Michael’s chest, I shoved him away. “Get off me. Your mom’s calling.”

All he did was laugh, though, and my face fell.

He grabbed my arm and threw me down onto my stomach and came down on my back, pinning me to the couch.

I breathed hard and fast, feeling his cock press against my ass as he snatched my phone out of my hand.

I stared wide-eyed as he placed it a few inches in front of me, his finger hovering over the green Answer button.

“Michael, no,” I rushed out, panic making my lungs ache.

But he swiped the screen anyway. The ringing stopped, and I heard silence as she waited for me to say something.

“Say hi,” he whispered in my ear.

It’s testosterone overload at Dirty Girl Romance today, because not only do I have THE Michael Crist, but also Kai Mori. Let’s just say that I’m just a little excited to have both these men with me tonight to answer some of my most pertinent questions. So without further ado, let’s do this!

DGR: Michael, can you introduce yourself by telling us a little about yourself?

Michael: I think before I act, but you won’t see me coming. That’s all you need to know.

DGR: What would you say is your biggest strength? And your biggest weakness?

Michael: Rika. On both accounts. She makes me better, happier, and more alive, but she’s also almost always the center of every decision I make.

DGR: You grew up with quite a bit of wealth and prestige, has that affected the man that you are now?

Michael: I’m sure. I don’t know what it’s like on the other side, but I would assume that when you don’t have to worry about where your food and rent is coming from, the world is full of possibilities.

But it’s also full of restraints, people watching you, and having an opinion about your life and future…

I was lucky to get a basketball scholarship to Westgate, because there’s no way my father would’ve paid for me to go there when he had other expectations. It’s a conundrum, isn’t it? You can grow up poor and quite possibly have no future and few, if any, opportunities. Or you can grow up wealthy, with Evans Crist as a father, and have your future already planned from the day you graduate college to the day you enter the grave.

I took option C: free fall.

DGR: Let’s be blunt here, you’re hot as hell, why are you still single?

Michael: Probably because I’m only 23. And probably because I was waiting for Rika to grow up. 😉

DGR: How would you describe your ideal woman?

Michael: Smart, clever, she owns the room….Rika.

DGR: Let’s deviate to Kai for a minute. Kai, you and Michael have been friends for many years, how did you first meet and did anything in particular strengthen your bond through the years?

Kai: We first met in high school, first year, at basketball tryouts. I’m not sure how it happened, but Will, Michael, Damon, and I just all found each other on the court. When it was time to pass, one of them was there. We read each other, and we were always in sync. Immediately, we began hanging out, and after the rigid workout schedule, the games, and the practices we eventually became inseparable. We found that ability to be in sync transferred over to life as well.

So yeah, it was basketball. Even after we got out, it was the first thing we all did together. It felt normal.

DGR: (For Kai) If you had to describe yourself in 5 words, what would they be?

Kai: To define is to limit.

DGR: (for Kai) Now what about your single status, any ladies in particular you have your eye on?

Kai: No.

DGR: (For Kai) Let’s address the elephant in the room, you’ve been gone for 3 years and I know you don’t want to talk about where you’ve been, but can you tell us if the past three years changed who you are?

Kai: *laughs* Yeah, we know exactly where I’ve been. The thing is…I deserved what I got. When I thought Rika, someone we trusted, had turned us in, that was a different matter, but I know I broke the law, and while I’m not sorry I did it, I’m not angry I got punished.

I just…I don’t see the world the same way I did. Things changed, and I feel different. Stronger, maybe. I’m wearing a new skin now, and I kind of like it.

DGR: (For Kai) You, Michael, Damon and Will are all thick as thieves. Is there anyone in particular that you’re closest to, and why?

Kai: I think Michael and I were closest. We trusted each other’s opinions more. But I’m not so sure that’s true anymore. He trusts her opinion now, which I’m happy for him, but like I said…things changed.

DGR: (Michael) Same question

Michael: We’re all close. Take out Damon, and insert Rika, and it’s still the four of us.

DGR: (For Kai and Michael) Who are the four horsemen?

Death, Famine, Conquest, and War. The four riders brought forth by God to bring about the Apocalypse. We got the name during high school, because the sight of us on the court was certain death for the opposing team. It was hype, but it worked.

DGR: (For Kai and Michael) You both seem to have a very…interesting…relationship with Erika Fane. Anything in particular that you can say is drawing you to her?

Michael: Her wit, her fight, her dark side…she’s part of me.

Kai: She knew me, what I’d been through, and it felt comfortable. She soothes me.

DGR: Let’s close it up on an interesting note and get really personal for a second. Because let’s face it, you are at DIRTY Girl Romance, Michael, if you had to describe your perfect sex, what would it be? Missionary? Doggy style? Something more…kinky?

Michael: The position isn’t as much of a turn on as the location and situation. I like the danger of almost getting caught. Like last week when all the players and their girlfriends and wives took a limo bus to a party at some mansion in the country. Rika and I were way in the back seat, it was dark, she was in my lap, and…we didn’t go all the way but far enough to make it a very frustrating night until we could find somewhere private.

DGR: Kai, same goes?

Kai: Something more…kinky.

Three years ago, curious little Erika Fane wanted to play with the boys, so we indulged her, and she betrayed us. There was no way we’d forget.

How in the ever loving hell do I even begin reviewing this book?! Honestly. I’m completely at a loss for words. So my only way out is to be vague as shit and trust me when I tell you you’ll thank me for it. You want to know absolutely nothing about this book. Even the very minute detail can be a spoiler. If you want my advise, avoid reviews altogether and go in absolutely blind. Hell, don’t even read the blurb.
First of all, while this book is categorized dark, I wouldn’t agree with that. It’s a heck of a lot darker than anything Penelope Douglas has written and surely a leap away from anything she’s written in the past. But dark? Well, on my scale, I’d rate it a light gray. It was erotic, and very edgy, but if you compare to the Pepper Winters, CJ Roberts, or the like, it’s not quite on the same scale. It’s also not for everyone. Penelope took some risks with this one and there are some scenes and occurrences that may not agree with everyone. But this girl? Devoured it like the crack that it was.

I’d always been scared of him. The thrilling kind of scared that got me turned on.

Erika Fane has been in love with Michael Crist. He captivated her with his brooding intensity, drew her in with his aloofness, and completely disregarded her. But something about him, something behind his eyes drew her to him like a moth to a flame. Erika was too young to really know. Too naive to really see. And she was also dating Michael’s younger brother. Now she’s single, in a new city by herself for college, and fully in Michael’s crosshairs….
Michael Crist is a force to be reckoned with. He’s enigmatic, rich, and used to not playing by the rules. Erika may have had the run of his house growing up, but now she’s finally where he wants her. No longer under the protection of his family, no longer dating his brother. She’s alone…and his to do with what he wants. And what he wants is revenge. He won’t rest until she’s paid restitution for what she did to him and his friends those fateful three years ago. He’ll make her pay, even if he has to corrupt her fully to do it…

Such a good girl…
Say it, Rika.”
“I’m a good girl,” she panted, her voice shaky.
“And I’m going to fuck you up.”

I don’t remember the last time a book kept me up all night reading. I inhaled it in one sitting, completely enraptured. It was positively spellbinding and unlike anything I’d have ever expected from this author. There’s one thing to say for Penelope’s writing, it’s absolutely captivating. She knows how to draw her readers in, how to make her characters so alive they practically leap off the pages at you. Michael was that character for me. He was so intense, in a way that equal parts terrified and seduced. The fact that you get both his and Rika’s POV only serves to draw you in fully into the story. Even when he does something that you want to hate him for, even when Rika does something you want to throttle her for, you can’t put it down. It was like an addiction. I had to have a hit. I simply couldn’t stop until I knew what was going on. And Penelope keeps you hanging on that edge of suspense until the last page. They mystery behind everything is what really captured my interest. It’s told in flashbacks of three years ago and present, but it’s weaved together flawlessly. I know some readers don’t enjoy the flashbacks from past to present, but it truly worked it. It’s what drove the plot and the mystery. It whetted the appetitive for more.

What if I’d completely corrupted her? What if she’d begun to like playing games too much, and the lust to play- and to win- overpowered her need for me?

I read this 2 days ago and I still can’t stop thinking about it. There was one particular scene that really threw me and made me wonder if it was really necessary. However, after giving it some though, it was barely a blip on my radar. I also wished for a bit of something from Michael at the end (I won’t say what because I’m a teasing bitch like that) but you’ll see what I mean once you read it. But once again, thinking on it some more, Penelope stayed true to his character, and having him handle it any other way would not have been that. So I can respect that.

While young Rika frustrated me at first, I loved seeing her grow that backbone and truly come into her own throughout the book. She certainly gave as good as she got, and she got plenty. Michael is the epitome of an anti-hero that you’ll love to hate.

Corrupt is much sexier than any of Penelope’s other books that I can’t even compare. The woman can write the hell out of a sex scene, let me just tell you. But everything about her writing just worked for me. Get ready to be Corrupted, because after reading this, you will never be the same.

Penelope D

Penelope Douglas is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Fall Away series.

She dresses for autumn year round, loves anything lemon flavored, and believes there is too much blood in her Coca Cola stream. Or too much Coca Cola in her blood stream. Or…

You know what? It doesn’t matter. She loves Coke. Now you know.

She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and daughter.

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(1) Signed copy of Corrupt + $100 Amazon or B&N gift card, winner’s choice (Intl)
(2) $20 Amazon or B&N gift card, winner’s choice (Intl)

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Review Tour & Giveaway: ★Misconduct★ @PenDouglas @BerkleyRomance

December 3, 2015 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Misconduct
Author: Penelope Douglas
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 1, 2015

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Fall Away series who never fails to deliver a “powerfully written contemporary love story…”*

Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students, trying to forget her past. What brought her to this stage in her life isn’t important. She can’t let it be. But now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing…

Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth, not a living, breathing teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet…there is something about him that draws Easton in—a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn.

Wanting him is taboo. Needing him is undeniable. And his long-awaited touch will weaken Easton’s resolve—and reveal what should stay hidden…

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“Why you?” he questioned. “Why have I been thinking of you ever since that Mardi Gras ball?”He pressed his body to mine, and I shook my head slowly.

“Mr. Marek,” I pleaded, but it was useless. My eyes fell to his mouth, and then I glanced to my closed door, knowing that even though the students were gone for the day, there might still be staff around. “Please.”

“There was something that drew us together that night,” he maintained. “Something that got under my skin, something that’s still there.”

His mouth was an inch from mine, and I breathed hard, needing to push him away, but at the same time, that was the last thing I wanted.

“Easton,” he whispered, and reached down behind my thigh, lifting it to press himself closer against me.

I groaned, feeling the ridge of his cock nestle between my legs.

“We can’t do this,” I told him.

My clothes felt like sandpaper on my skin, and I wanted them off. I wanted his shirt open and to know what he felt like under my fingertips.

“I know,” he answered.

But while his left hand held my knee up, his right hand slid between my legs and rubbed my clit through my panties.

I sucked in a sharp breath and clutched his shoulders, letting my eyes fall closed as my head floated away from me.

“Mr. Marek,” I begged.

But his breath fell against my mouth, and he whispered, “I told you there would be no stopping me when we finally ran into each other again.”

And before I could open my eyes, he’d captured my bottom lip between his teeth and then kissed me, sending me reeling until I didn’t know which way was up.

I couldn’t fight it. His tongue dove into my mouth as he pressed me against the whiteboard and kissed me hard. I circled my arms around his neck, knowing I was getting myself into a shit ton of trouble, but I didn’t care at the moment.

My body needed him. That’s all it was.

I wouldn’t get involved emotionally—I never did.

He grabbed me underneath both thighs and swung me around, planting my ass on the desk.

I groaned, his mouth working strong and fast over mine, stealing my breath as pleasure swarmed in my chest. It spiraled downward like a cyclone low in my belly.

I tightened my legs around his waist as his fingers slid under my dress, raking down my thighs.

I grabbed the back of his neck, cocking my head and returning every inch of his kiss. He tasted like coffee with vanilla, and I felt a hint of stubble on his face under my fingertips.

Dropping my hands down his body, I started unbuttoning his black vest. It was too thick, and I couldn’t feel him.

I pulled my mouth back, then dove back in to flick his tongue with mine.

“Jesus Christ,” he groaned, eating me up with quick kisses and nibbles. “Why does it have to be you, huh?”

I fumbled with the last button and finally tore open the vest, running my hands up his stomach and chest, covered only by his fine white dress shirt.

But even through the shirt, I felt the dips of his abs and pecs and of his toned waist and back.

Something screeched to my right, and I twisted my head to see the flailing branches of the tree outside scraping against the windowpane. The leaves blew, and I knew the storm would be here soon.

But I turned back to him, both of us breathing heavily, and I loved the storm in Tyler Marek’s eyes even more.

He slid his hands inside my panties and leaned his forehead into mine. I whimpered and grasped the back of his neck with both hands, my pussy throbbing at the thick ridge of his cock pressing against my leg.

He leaned down, his teeth nipping at my jaw as my eyes fluttered closed.

“Tyler.” I let my head fall back, craning my neck for his lips. “Mr. Marek, please stop,” I begged.

His hot breath fell across my ear, and I shivered.

“I thought about you all weekend,” he whispered. “How do you make me do that?”

I snatched up his lips again. I liked what he was telling me too much.

He grabbed the hair at the back of my head and pulled, exposing my neck again as he dived down and whispered against my skin, “When you walked in, dressed in that short little skirt, my fucking hands wanted these thighs”—he raked his fingers down my legs again—“almost as much as my mouth did,” he admitted.

I squeezed my eyes shut, the need becoming agony. “Mr. Marek,” I quaked. “Oh, God.”

I didn’t want to stop him, but . . .

I bit my bottom lip, feeling his fingers slide up and down my pussy, dipping and bringing out the wetness, spreading it over my clit.

And then whimpered, feeling two long fingers plunge inside of me.

“Shit,” I moaned, squirming against his fingers. “Please stop,” I pleaded. “Tyler, please.”

But he just added another finger, staring down and watching the pleasure of what he was doing spread across my face.

“Say it again,” he ordered.

I blinked, opening my eyes, even though his thumb rubbing circles on my clit was driving me wild.

“Tyler,” I said gently. “Please stop.”

His mouth curled into a smile, and he stole a kiss, nipping at my bottom lip. “You don’t want me to, do you?” he breathed out.

He increased his speed, flicking my clit faster and harder and curling the fingers inside of me, making me suck in air quicker and quicker and making me so needy I damn near gave in and begged to ride his cock.

“Tyler, oh, my God,” I cried, squeezing my eyes shut again and feeling my insides swirl and tighten.

“On second thought, call me Mr. Marek,” he insisted, and I popped my eyes open, seeing the devil in his grin.

I bit my lips between my teeth, groaning as I leaned back on my hands and slid my ass back and forth, fucking his fingers.

“Yes, Mr. Marek,” I breathed out, dropping my head back as the whole fucking world started to spin.

One of my heels dropped to the floor, but I couldn’t care less.

He continued staring down at me, looking like he was completely captivated with my face.

“You going to be nice from now on?” he challenged in a hard voice, rubbing harder.

“Yes, Mr. Marek,” I rushed out.

“You going to keep your temper in check?” His long fingers filled me up again and again.

I nodded frantically, feeling the orgasm coming. “Yes, Mr. Marek.”

“And I’m not done with you yet,” he warned. “Just so you know.”

I breathed in and out quickly, my body tensing and shaking. “Yes,” I cried out.

And then the orgasm exploded, spreading down my thighs and through my belly. I dropped my head all the way back, plastering my hand to my mouth to stifle the cry as I squeezed my eyes shut and let him rub my clit, bringing the orgasm to an end.

My legs, suddenly as shaky as Jell-O, released their grip on his waist and dangled off the side of the desk.

He kissed me, holding my lips for a few moments, and for a just a few moments I felt like I did on Sunday mornings. When I woke up and realized I could stay in bed.

Content.

Dark spaces, quiet places,” he whispered over my mouth. “That’s all we need, Easton.”

You know what I love about Penelope Douglas’s writing? Well, aside from the obvious everything. It’s her consistency. She never fails to deliver an absolutely enrapturing read with a strong heroine and an absolutely to die for hero. Her writing is magnetic, her romances are scorching, and her characters unforgettable. Misconduct is proof that not only can she write amazing New Adult Like Bully, or scorching hot dark erotica like Corrupt, but she’ll bring her A game to contemporary romance. And bring her a game she did, because I loved absolutely everything about this book.

I knew that look in his eyes. I may not know much about him, but I knew that look. And we were in my classroom. His son’s classroom. I may have had little shame, but he had none.

The one thing I’ve come to truly love about Penelope’s writing, is her ability to write a devastatingly intense hero. Because let me just tell you, the first time Tyler Marek makes an appearance on a page, not an ovary within a 100 mile radius will be safe. He captures your attention immediately, and he keeps it completely. The man is absolute sex on a stick. Easton Bradbury made a name for herself in professional tennis, only to leave everything behind to start fresh in New Orleans. Landing the coveted teaching position at one of the prestigious private schools is her first step. Letting go of the dark memories that caused her to run in the first place is an indefinite second, and she’s in no hurry. While only 23 years old, this is no immature and naive female. Hell no. Like most heroines Penelope writes, Easton isn’t without spark or backbone. This is a woman that isn’t ashamed to speak her mind. She’s educated, she’s ballsy, and yet behind the tough exterior is someone that is very much broken. But she won’t let that slow her down. With her charismatic teaching style, she captures her students’ attention immediately, only to come to a head with a parent that doesn’t quite enjoy her unorthodox methods… Tyler Marek is twelve years her senior, the father of her student, and seems to enjoy demeaning and laughing at her at every turn. But beneath their snarks and heated insults runs an undercurrent of lust so strong, it basically ignites the pages. Holy wow but do these two have chemistry from the very beginning and it only burns hotter and hotter! Now if you follow my reviews you already know just how much I love a good hate-to-love trope, and Misconduct delivered that in spades. It was absolutely delicious. You really get that burn here, until you think you’ll actually combust if these two don’t get together. I’m talking about the mother of sexual tension here, people! I’m not even kidding. I didn’t know whether to ice my ovaries or keep a fire extinguisher on hand for chance that my kindle may catch fire. Good god! As much as I loved Tyler, I loved Easton just as much. I love a strong heroine that can give as good as she gets, and boy does Easton give it good. This is a woman that doesn’t take anything lying down…well…ok…actually there’s one particular thing that she does take lying down, but that’s neither here nor there. My point here is that both Easton and Tyler were incredibly dynamic characters. And together? Holy smokes! It just didn’t get better than that. Penelope Douglas is the queen of hate lust and sexual tension. The woman truly knows how to make her readers squirm and I love her for it. Misconduct was deliciously taboo and utterly unputdownable. The whole ‘will they get caught’ thing just added to the mix to make an already captivating romance that much better. t. Everything about it worked for me. If you haven’t read a book by this author yet, I can’t recommend a better one to start with than Misconduct. Trust me on this. If you’re a fan of enigmatic heroines, sharp-witted and strong heroines, and a hate lust so scorching hot it may set your kindle on fire, this is one book you need to read. Period. Penelope Douglas is the author of the New York Times bestselling Fall Away series. She has her Masters of Science in Education from Loyola University in New Orleans and she currently lives in Las Vegas with her family.

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Release Blitz & Giveaway: ★Misconduct★ by Penelope Douglas

December 2, 2015 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Title: Misconduct
Author: Penelope Douglas
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 1, 2015
Organized by: As the Pages Turn

Former tennis player Easton Bradbury is trying to be the best teacher she can be, trying to reach her bored students and trying to forget her past. What brought her to this stage in her life isn’t important. She can’t let it be. But now one parent-teacher meeting may be her undoing…

Meeting Tyler Marek for the first time makes it easy for Easton to see why his son is having trouble in school. The man knows how to manage businesses and wealth, not a teenage boy. Or a young teacher, for that matter, though he tries to. And yet…there is something about him that draws Easton in—a hint of vulnerability, a flash of attraction, a spark that might burn.

Wanting him is taboo. Needing him is undeniable. And his long-awaited touch will weaken Easton’s resolve—and reveal what should stay hidden…

(*STANDALONE, NO CLIFFHANGER*)

Amazon / Amazon UK / B&N / Kobo / iTunes / BAM

His three-piece black pin-striped suit looked crisp and dark against his fair skin, and his white shirt and slate-gray tie shimmered in the glow of the light overhead.

I took a few steps forward. “What are you doing here?” I asked.

His eyes shot down to my feet, and I followed his gaze, remembering that I’d forgotten to put my heels back on.

“Always losing your shoes,” he commented, a smile curling his mouth.

I pursed my lips and turned around, snatching my heels off the seat and slipping them back onto my feet. Grabbing the back of the chair, I pulled it behind me and entered my classroom, knowing he’d follow.

“You came to my workplace unannounced,” he stated behind me. “I thought I would return the favor.”

I replaced my chair behind my desk and looked up, seeing that he had closed the door behind him.

“And?” I prompted.

“And I came to apologize,” he admitted, stopping a few feet in front of my desk. “I’ve been unfair, and I’m sorry. Christian has his phone back, so we’ll see how this goes.”

I stilled, my heart galloping in my chest, and I almost smiled.

Really?

I opened my mouth but had to swallow the lump before I could speak. “Well, that’s great,” I said, surprised. “Thank you.”

I guess I got through to him at his office.

He slid one of his hands into a pocket and narrowed his eyes on me, looking a little surprised.

“You seem very knowledgeable and determined.” His voice sounded genuine. “You’re an impressive woman, Ms. Bradbury, and I should’ve taken the time to understand your methods.”

I kept my shoulders squared, but my eyes dropped, embarrassment warming my cheeks.

“Thank you,” I mumbled, turning around to grab a dry-erase marker to start writing the schedule on the board for when then kids came back on Thursday.

“Christian talks about your class,” he said behind me. “I can tell your teaching interests him, even if he would never admit it.”

I uncapped the marker and rested my hand on the board but didn’t write anything.

“He really can’t stand me, can he?”

I dropped my hand to my side and spun around slowly, surprised by his question.

And feeling terrible all over again. I should never have said that.

No matter how much I thought I knew about him, they were nothing more than assumptions. Who was I to insinuate his son didn’t care for him or vice versa? And what gave me the right to say anything at all in the first place?

He breathed deeply, and for the first time since I’d met him, he looked unsure of himself.

“I was twenty when he was born,” he told me. “That’s no excuse, but it’s the only one I have.”

Twenty.

I was twenty-three, and I couldn’t imagine having a child right now.

I watched him and waited, not wanting to say anything or interrupt because I found I kind of liked it when he talked.

“I know what you think of me.” He looked me dead in the eye and then dropped his gaze, speaking in a voice close to a whisper. “And what he thinks of me.”

And then he let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “I don’t know why I even care what you think. You don’t give a shit about me, but I guess that’s what’s so intriguing.” He moved forward, his soft eyes turning to steel. “You’re so cold and distant,” he charged. “I guess I wouldn’t think anything of it if I hadn’t seen you so different at one time.”

I inhaled a shaky breath, looking down at his right hand. The same one that had held my waist while we danced.

I licked my lips, barely noticing him advance.

“You were flirty and fun.” His voice turned husky, and I looked up, seeing him round my desk slowly. “And you keep pissing me off, but it feels good,” he whispered, playing with me, drawing me in.

I knew that look in his eyes. I may not know much about him, but I knew that look.

And we were in my classroom.

His son’s classroom.

I may have had little shame, but he had none.

“Mr.—”

He cut me off. “Why won’t you ever say my name?”

I shook my head, confused. “Why do you care what I think?”

“I don’t,” he maintained. “I care that you don’t think of me at all.”

I narrowed my eyes on him, clenching my teeth. “That’s not . . .” I trailed off, plastering my back against the whiteboard as he hovered over me.

“That’s not what?” he pressed, his voice sounding strained.

He stood so close that I had only to lift a hand and I could touch him.

“That’s not true,” I finished.

He leaned in. “You look at me like I don’t matter.” His eyes searched mine. “And I don’t like it.”

Penelope D

Penelope Douglas is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Fall Away series.

She dresses for autumn year round, loves anything lemon flavored, and believes there is too much blood in her Coca Cola stream. Or too much Coca Cola in her blood stream. Or…

You know what? It doesn’t matter. She loves Coke. Now you know.

She lives in Las Vegas with her husband and daughter.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Goodreads

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Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Excerpts, Giveaways · Tagged With: New Release

Blog Tour, Review & #Giveaway: ★Steal Me★ by Lauren Layne

November 23, 2015 by Lana ·

Steal Me
Series: New York’s Finest #2
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Author: Lauren Layne
Release Date: November 24, 2015
Forever

IN HOT PURSUIT

Being a cop might be in Anthony Moretti’s blood, but protecting and serving the city of New York has always been more than just the family business. If that means his love life stays locked up, well then that’s just another sacrifice made in the line of duty. That is, until he sets eyes on the gorgeous new waitress at The Darby Diner and suddenly Anthony’s morning coffee is leaving him a whole lot more hot and bothered than usual.

Though waitressing at The Darby isn’t exactly Maggie Walker’s dream job, it pays the bills and gives her time to work on her novel. Now if only she could stop fantasizing about gorgeous Anthony Moretti every time he sits down at her table, she’d really be in great shape. But when he needs her help identifying a criminal threatening The Darby—and Maggie recognizes her ex-husband—she fears her fresh start might be a pipe dream. Faster than a New York minute, Maggie and Anthony find themselves in one perilous pursuit that only gets hotter with each and every rule-breaking kiss.

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“So what did you mean, you don’t want to talk about it?,” Tony Moretti repeated, glancing down at Anthony’s plate, and scowling to see the bacon supply completely depleted.Anthony scooped a mouthful of Swiss cheese omelet into his mouth before sitting back and reaching for his coffee. “It means that Ma doesn’t like cop-talk at the table.”

“Riiiiight,” Elena Moretti said from Anthony’s left side. “Because you guys always respect Mom’s no-cop-talk rule.”

Anth took another sip of coffee and exchanged a look and a shrug with Luc across the table.

Their sister made a good point.

In a family where four out of five siblings were living in New York, and three out of those four were with the NYPD, cop-talk was likely.

And when the family patriarch was the recently retired Ppolice Ccommissioner?

Cop- talk wasn’t just probable, it was inevitable.

Still, it was worth a shot to throw up his mother’s token rule of “no cop- talk.” Especially when he didn’t want to talk.

About any of it.

It had been a long time since he’d been the one in the hot seat, and he wasn’t at all sure that he cared for it.

Scratch that. He was sure.

He hated it.

But his father could be like a dog with a bone when it came to his sons’ careers. And today, like it or not, it was Anthony under the microscope.

He surrendered to the inevitable.

“Dad. I told you. It’ll get handled.” He went for another cup of coffee, only to find it was empty. Diner fail.

He scanned the dining room for the waitress, partially because he wanted more coffee, partially because he wanted a distraction. Partially because—

“You’ve been saying it’lls getbe handled for weeks,” Tony said, refusing to let the matter drop.

“Yeah, Captain. You’ve been saying that for weeks.” This from Anthony’s other brother Vincent. Two years younger than Anth, Vin was a homicide detective and the most irritable and irreverent member of the family. And the one least likely to kiss Anth’s ass.

If Anthony was totally honest, he was pretty sure that most of his younger siblings respected him, not only because he was the highest- ranking active family member, but simply because he was the oldest. He was the one they’d come to when they needed to hide that broken vase from Mom, or when they were scared to death to tell Dad about that D in Cchemistry, or in the case of his brothers, when it was time to learn their way around the female anatomy.

But Vincent had authority issues and was always the first to jump at the chance to gently mock Anthony’s status as Captain.

A title that had been hard -earned, and still felt new. As though it could be ripped away at any time.

Which was exactly the reason his father was on his ass right now. Anthony had passed his Ccaptain’s test three months ago, and his father had every intention of him climbing the ladder all the way to the top. The very top.

It was a path Anth had never questioned. A path that, up until recently, had been remarkably smooth.

And then…

And then Smiley had happened.

His eyes were wild as they looked down on her, and the last thought Maggie had before his mouth slammed against hers was that Anthony Moretti completely out of control was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen.

I have a rule when it comes to Lauren Layne books: she writes them, I read them. Period. It doesn’t matter what she writes, because each and every time I know I’ll be in for a treat. Her New York’s Finest series has quickly made its way onto my favorites list as well. I loved Frisk Me, and after the little peek that we got at the end of it into Anthony Moretti, I couldn’t wait to see what the police Captain will bring.

The character that immediately caught my attention was the middle Moretti, Vincent. What can I say? I love the broody grumpy assholes, and Vincent sure fits the bill. What I didn’t expect was for Anthony to give him a run for his money. The newly promoted Captain has no interest in relationships ever since a tragedy changed his outlook on mixing his career aspirations with a woman. He knows the two will never mix and he doesn’t even want to try. So what if the beautiful waitress at the diner his family frequents instantly catches his eyes. It helps that she can’t seem to help but dump food on him each time she sees him, bringing out his temper and loosing his filter so he can’t help but be a grade a asshole.

Maggie Walker has dreams, and a waitress at a diner isn’t it. But it pays the bills while she tries to make her dream of becoming an author come true. Having left everything behind to move to NY, she’s starting over fresh. In her tiny apartment, with her adorable dog, she doesn’t mind that it may not be the lap of luxury, because for once in her life it’s all hers. But she can barely seem to do her job when the intimidating Captain Moretti seems to bring out her inner klutz. But when she just may be the witness to help him with a career making case, Anthony has no choice but to get to know the little waitress better. And that’s when things get interesting…

He pulled back, just slightly, his breath hot and heavy against her face. “Say you want this.”

I loved Maggie’s sweet but sassy personality. At first I thought she’d be another introverted little mouse, but she really grew into her own as the book progressed. Anthony was the epitome of an a-hole for much of the book, which is actually, what ultimately brought my rating down slightly. It took him a bit too long for my taste to finally remove his head from his ass. And let me tell you, when it came to relationships, it was very firmly planted up there. You have to know it’s bad when Vincent was giving him relationship advice.

The chemistry between Maggie and Anth was scorching. What I love about Lauren Layne, is nothing is instant. No insta-love or insta-lust to be found here. She really makes it stretch and burn, and it makes it that much more delicious when the sparks finally ignite. So as frustrating as Anthony was for me at times, it took barely anything away from the book. I enjoyed it thoroughly and can’t wait until the next one….ESPECIALLY after that sneak peek at the end.

Lauren Layne is the USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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· Filed Under: All Reviews, Blog Tours, Contemporary Romance, Excerpts, Giveaways · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4 stars, Lauren Layne

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