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Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Midnight Soul by Kristen Ashley

August 14, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

MIDNIGHT SOUL
Series: Fantasyland #5
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Author: Kristen Ashley
Release Date: August 15, 2016

Against his will, Noctorno Hawthorne, an undercover vice cop, finds himself embroiled in magic, mayhem and parallel universes. Too late, he meets an amazing woman only to find she’s destined for his identical twin in another world.

And things aren’t going real great there.

Noc is recruited to help save that world.

What he doesn’t know is his destined love resides there.

Franka Drakkar wears a mask. A mask she never takes off to protect herself in a world of malice, intrigue and danger.

When Franka meets Noc and he discovers her secrets, convinced she carries a midnight soul, having shielded herself from forming bonds with anyone, she struggles with accepting his tenderness and care.

When Noc meets Franka, over wine and whiskey, her mask slips and Noc knows it’s her—only her—and he has to find a way to get her to come home with him.

And then make her want to stay.

AMAZON | B&N | GooglePlay | iBOOKS | KOBO

~Franka~

That day had been one I wished to quickly forget.

Indeed, the months since those witches took my Antoine had been time I wished I had the power to erase from my memory.

I had power.

I did not have that kind of power.

These thoughts on my mind, I moved down the hallway of the Winter Palace, seeking my room where I planned to pull the cord, ring a servant and request several bottles of Fleuridian wine.

Wine might not make me forget, but I’d found of late that it served well to dull the pain.

I turned the corner, my eyes to my slippers, but my senses made me lift my gaze to the passageway.

At what I saw, I halted and grew still, then slowly and quietly retraced my steps and ducked behind the corner, peering back around.

Oh my.

The Prince Noctorno of the other world was in the doorway to a bedchamber.

Although, he was not actually a prince. Not in this universe. Apparently they had very few princes in that other world. A world that existed on a parallel plane where all beings had twins to my own world.

This I thought was rather mad (everything about it, obviously), but with few princes, that meant there were few kings, so who ruled?

He reported that he was instead a member of the city guard, an occupation he referred to as being “a cop.” A rather surprising statement considering all that was him.

He was no member of a guard.

He was a prince.

And he called himself Noc, for some unknown reason, as Noctorno was a fine name, a strong name, a regal name (this last was true as his counterpart in this world was a prince).

And right now he had has back to me.

He was wearing a pair of trousers the like that couldn’t be found in my world. They were made of a rough, sturdy, faded-blue material. He also had a shirt that was not the fashion in this world. It was attractive and made of an equally attractive plaid. And it was a shirt that fit his broad shoulders magnificently.

His thick, black hair was untidy (this also attractive).

And I could see his light-blue eyes but only in my imagination as he had his back to me.

They were not eyes you were likely to forget. With his dark hair and skin browned in the sun, those eyes were deliciously striking.

There was a day, though now that day seemed lifetimes ago, when a sight such as Noctorno Hawthorne of another world (or indeed this one) would have caused me to have a much different reaction, not only to him, but to my plans for the imminent future.

That was before Antoine.

That was before I met the man who introduced me to, well…me.

But there was a reason I carried a midnight soul, for the evil contained in both my parents set their souls to cinders years ago. It was not a wonder I’d inherited the blackness.

What a bittersweet book this was for me to read. Midnight Soul marks the conclusion of one of my favorite Kristen Ashley series. After all, it’s the series that brought me The Golden Dynasty, only my top favorite KA book of ALL time.

This is not a series I recommend reading out of order. You need the entire backstory and it’s one that develops with each story arc and later carries over into the next. Yes, there’s a new couple in each book, but it just wouldn’t be the same experience to read them as standalones.

I have to admit I was nervous reading a book with Franka as the heroine. Considering the woman has sharpened her claws on plenty of previous heroines, I had to wonder how KA could redeem someone like her. While she wasn’t quite a villain, she wasn’t exactly a nice person and she certainly wasn’t someone you’d root for in the previous books either. After the culmination of events at the end of Broken Dove, I also wondered where the story had left to go. The ultimate baddies had been beat. Everything was right in the world and most questions answered.

If you’re expecting a book much like the rest of the Fantasyland series, don’t. This was as different as it gets and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I certainly enjoyed the flip side of the switch here. I don’t want to give you too many details and ruin it for you, but let’s just say I appreciated the slight reversal Kristen took with the last book in the series. It was most fitting.

I loved the mix of the heroine being the one from the ‘other’ world and the hero being the modern one as well. It was different and refreshing. Plus, let’s be real, I loved me some Noc. There’s also a secondary romance that happens on a mix of in and off the pages here that I would have absolutely loved more page time for. I was hoping to get more of them towards the end, but alas they were mostly just loosely mentioned.

So why not a higher rating? Well, I just didn’t get the oomph here that I’ve come to rely on this series. There’s not much in the way of things happenings. After the resolution in the first 20%, the rest reads like the typical second half of a KA book. The relationship development, the hero and heroine getting to know each other. It was a lot of pages of their day to day lives, and while it wasn’t quite boring, it wasn’t exciting either. I kept waiting for the typical conflict at the end, but there wasn’t much in that respect either. To me, it read like one long epilogue. There wasn’t much conflict past the revelation in the first 20% and that may work for some or not.

I loved the way the author redeemed Franka and made her into a heroine to root for pretty much right away. You get the true heart of her and you understand they why’s of what she did in the past. No, this wasn’t the action packed thrill ride that some of the other books in the series were, but it was by no means a bad thing…just different. The epilogue at the end is nothing short of what I’ve come to expect from Kristen and definitely managed to bring a tear to my eye. So while this may not have been my favorite book in the series, it was still a fitting ending to what had come to be one of my favorite series and one I strongly recommend to any lovers of fantasy romance.

And Don’t Miss the First Books in the Fantasyland Series!

WILDEST DREAMS | THE GOLDEN DYNASTY | FANTASTICAL | BROKEN DOVE

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA and nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn’t taken her first breath!). Her mother said they took Kristen away, put her Mom back in her room, her mother looked out the window, and Gary was on fire (Dr. King had been assassinated four days before). Kristen’s Mom remembered thinking it was the end of the world. Quite the dramatic beginning.

Nothing’s changed.

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana and has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus, she’s blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her family was (is) loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write. They all lived together on a very small farm in a small farm town in the heartland. She grew up with Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing, it keeps getting better.

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Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Blog Tours, Excerpts, Giveaways · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 3.5 stars, Kristen Ashley

Teaser Excerpt & Giveaway: Furious Rush by S.C. Stephens

August 4, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

FURIOUS RUSH
Genre: New Adult Romance
Author: S.C. Stephens
On Sale: August 23, 2016
Publisher: Forever
Format: Trade Paperback & eBook
Price: $12.99 USD (TP) / $4.99 USD (eBook)

The first in an emotion-fueled, New Adult series from the #1 bestselling author of the Thoughtless novels!

Too fast, too furious—and way too hot to handle…

Mackenzie Cox has a lot to prove. Daughter of a racing legend, she is eager to show the world that she has inherited her father’s talent in the male-dominated sport of professional motorcycle racing. The last thing Kenzie needs is to be antagonized by her rival team’s newest rider, Hayden Hayes. Plucked from the world of illegal street racing, Hayden immediately gets under Kenzie’s skin. His insinuations that Kenzie is a spoiled princess who was handed her career fuels her desire to win, and much to her surprise, Kenzie soon learns she performs better when she’s racing against Hayden.

As Kenzie and Hayden push each other on the track, the electric energy between them off the track shifts into an intense—and strictly forbidden—attraction. The only rule between their two ultra-competitive teams is zero contact. Kenzie always does her best to play by the rules, but when her team slips into a financial crisis, she has no choice but to turn to Hayden for help. The tension simmers during their secret, late-night rendezvous, but Kenzie has too much to lose to give in to her desires. Especially when she begins to doubt that Hayden has completely left his street life behind…

Honda Boy was holding his helmet under an arm while he flirted with the girls surrounding him. He was blond, with a short, shaggy hairstyle that probably took a lot more effort to create than it looked like. I could tell from the way the girls around him were tittering like teenagers that he was charming; with seemingly little effort on his part, he had all of them eating out of his hand. When a break in the crowd gave me a clear view of his face, I realized another thing: He was smokin’, someone-hold-on-to-my-ovaries- before-they-explode hot.There was a perfect symmetry to his rugged features that made it seem unreal that he was standing just a few feet away from me. He should be plastered on a billboard somewhere, half-naked, selling overpriced cologne to men who wanted just a fraction of his sex appeal. As if he could feel my eyes on him, he turned his gaze my way. Our eyes met and locked, and I was helpless to turn away. There was something carnal about him, primal and dangerous. Exotic. I was instantly captivated, and I hated that I was. This guy was neck-deep in a world that twisted my stomach, a world that spat in the face of my sport. My career.

As his light-colored eyes bored holes into mine, one edge of his lip curved up in a devilish crooked grin that was both playful and promising. He was practically shouting, with just that one deadly smile, that he would satisfy my every desire, satiate every craving I could possibly have. My heart started thudding in my chest as sensations that had been dormant for far too long swirled to life in- side me. Luckily for me, the big man taking the guy’s bets clapped him on the shoulder, breaking our stare down. Once I was free of his steamy gaze, I instantly turned around so my back was to him. Jesus, was I breathing harder? Ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous. I was twenty-two, not twelve.

“Damn,” I heard Nikki say. “You were right. I should have bet on him from the get-go. I didn’t really get a good look at him before, but he is freaking hot!”

Inhaling a deep breath, I attempted to force my body back in line with my brain. “This guy is undefeated?” I asked Nikki. “Really?” She nodded in answer and I had to close my eyes for a second. A face like that with racing skills to boot? Jesus.

Clearing my throat, I nonchalantly asked, “What did you say his name was again?” I could at least label the guy in the fantasy I was surely going to have later.

“Hayden… something. He’s been around for a while, from what I gathered.”

I risked a glance over my shoulder at… Hayden. He’d slipped his helmet on, thankfully, although his visor was popped up. The big guy taking bets had been joined by a skinny Hispanic guy who seemed to be giving Hayden instructions. Or maybe a pep talk. The little guy was acting out the race that was about to happen with his hands, complete with swerving and explosions. God, I hoped there weren’t going to be explosions. While he was going through his dramatic highlights, the big guy looped a camera over Hayden’s helmet.

When the two competitors were ready, they backed their motor- cycles onto the street. A cheer ripped up and down the sidewalk as the hopeful gamblers prepared for another round of racing. I didn’t want to feel anything but contempt for what I was witnessing, yet the energy of the spectators, the roar of the bikes—I couldn’t help the zing of excitement that raced up my spine. Against my will, my mouth twisted into a wide grin, and a yell of encouragement left my lips. Hayden’s helmet swiveled my way as he revved his engine. My pulse quickened as our eyes met. Then he winked at me and slammed his visor shut.

As the riders moved into position, Nikki grabbed my arm. “Come on. We can watch the action from the van.”

I had no idea what she was talking about. Before I could ask her, though, she yanked me toward a black van parked on the sidewalk. The back doors were open, and a giant monitor attached to a swinging metal arm was sticking out above the hovering crowd. The screen was split in two, each half showing the footage from one racer’s helmet cam. Hayden and his opponent were both looking straight ahead, and the dual feeds showed similar stretches of barren road. Looking down the street, I saw that the pair were stopped at a crosswalk, waiting for the light to change.

Returning my eyes to the monitor, I found myself holding my breath as I waited for the signal to change colors. When it turned green and the bikes surged forward, I stepped closer to the van, like that would somehow release my pent-up energy. In unison, the crowd around me started hooting and hollering. Swept up in the moment, I bounced on my toes and prayed for speed. But after watching the screen for just a few seconds, I was struck with the harsh reality of the situation I was watching. This was no closed-off track with well-defined paths. This was down and dirty, anything goes, just get to the finish line first racing.

The bikes blew through red lights like they meant absolutely nothing. The streets were fairly empty at this early hour, but they blurred past the few vehicles on the road like they were standing still; they had to be going 100 miles per hour, easy. They dodged obstacles by hopping onto the sidewalk, they fishtailed around slick corners, and they came close to colliding with oncoming traffic more than once.

I turned to Nikki with shock clear on my face. “This is insane! Someone’s going to get hurt. Maybe killed!”

Nikki’s face was pure elation as she watched the screens. Her expression changed as my words sunk in, then she looked at me like I had a foot sticking out of my head. I supposed it was odd to hear that type of statement coming from someone who routinely hovered around the 150 mark on the speedometer while riding, but that was a completely different kind of environment. Believe it or not, what I did was safe, relatively speaking. Millions of dollars were spent to make it that way. This was not safe. At all.

“They’re breaking every traffic law there is,” I added, feeling like a giant stick in the mud. Someone needed to be the voice of reason here, though, because everyone was clearly out of their ever loving minds.

Nikki smirked at my comment. “It’s a race, Kenzie. They can’t exactly drive cautiously. Why do you think this happens so late at night?”

“Because it’s illegal,” I deadpanned. I got a couple of odd looks from the crowd after saying that, including a particularly nasty glare from Hayden’s bet collector. Maybe this wasn’t the best place to be talking about the law. Shutting my mouth, I quickly refocused on the screen.

Just as I noticed a familiar section of street come into view on the monitor, one side of the screen started wobbling, then the camera showed asphalt, sparks, spinning scenery, and a rapidly approaching telephone pole. The crowd around me hushed as it became clear that Hayden’s competition wasn’t going to finish this race. I heard Hayden’s bike rounding the corner seconds later, then Nikki was once again pulling me along like a rag doll. She shoved us into a good position to see the finish line right as Hayden’s Honda whizzed past. He was alone. Cheers erupted mixed with a few groans from the people who’d bet on the other guy.

Just as I was wondering if anyone was going to go check on the Ninja rider, Nikki grabbed my shoulders and started shaking me with uncontainable joy. “We won, Kenzie! We frickin’ won!”

“Great,” I said, clenching my teeth so I wouldn’t bite my tongue.

Releasing me, Nikki let out a squeal of excitement. “I just made enough money to pay you back and cover my loss. See, aren’t you glad you came?”

I narrowed my eyes into poisonous daggers that would hopefully drill some sense into her. “I hate you,” I murmured. Nikki held a hand over her heart. “I know by hate you mean love, and I love you too, Kenzie. Now let’s collect my winnings and go home so you can rest up. Big year this year!”

I opened my mouth to scold her with some biting remark about how I’d wanted to leave ages ago, but she turned on her heel and left me there, gaping. Just as I was forcing the muscles in my jaw to relax enough to contract, Hayden pulled up next to where I was standing on the sidewalk. It felt like the world suddenly shifted into slow motion as I turned my head to look at him.

He was still hunched over his bike, hands on the grip and throttle; the only indication that he was looking at me was the direction of his dark helmet. Then, like some freaking Prince Charming in a fairy tale, he slowly removed his helmet and tucked it under his arm. I swear the air around me condensed as his tilted smile came into view. Jesus Christ, this guy was sex on a stick.

Reaching up, he roughly ran a hand through his sweaty dirty- blond hair. The short, sexy shag he’d had going on earlier was destroyed from the helmet, but somehow after just a few scruffs of his hand, the carefree style was back to utter perfection. I kind of wanted to mess it up again, run my hands through the strands, grab a handful and clench it tight while I outlined those incredibly kissable lips with my tongue.

Whoa. No. I didn’t want that.

His penetrating gaze studied my face for a moment. There was something there in his eyes that I couldn’t quite grasp. Interest, sure, but almost… sadness too. Then he smiled, and the look vanished so fast, I was sure I’d imagined it. “Haven’t seen you here before,” he said, his voice low and easy, like he hadn’t just risked his life. “I hope you bet on me. It would be a shame to see someone as beautiful as you… lose.”

His grin turned suggestive, and warning signs started flashing in front of my eyes. Danger! Do not proceed! Rocky road ahead! Turn back now! The warnings flared even brighter when he stood from his motorcycle and began approaching me.

When he was directly in front of me, so close that I could smell the subtle spicy aroma of his cologne, my heart was hammering so hard, I was positive he could hear it, positive he could see my T-shirt lifting and releasing like a frantic hummingbird was hiding under the fabric. What the hell was he doing to me? Was I nervous or excited? Because the sensation was so similar to both, I honestly couldn’t tell.

Extending a hand, he smoothly said, “Name’s Hayden. Hayden Hayes.” I was just about to lift my hand and touch him—my fingers even twitched in response—when he added, “And what should I call you, sweetheart?”

Sweetheart? With those two simple syllables he had just dumped a bucket of ice water over my head and killed any fantasy I might have had about him. I lived, worked, and breathed in a world where men looked at me like I was a second-class citizen. To prove my worth, I had to work harder, longer, and with everything I had inside me, all the fucking time. I felt like he’d just tried to take all of that hard work away from me with that one demeaning word.

“Leaving,” I said, walking away.

S.C. Stephens is a #1 bestselling author who spends her every free moment creating stories that are packed with emotion and heavy on romance. In addition to writing, she enjoys spending lazy afternoons in the sun reading, listening to music, watching movies, and spending time with her friends and family. She and her two children reside in the Pacific Northwest.

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

New & Upcoming Releases: Aug 1-2

August 1, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Who’s ready for yet another amazing release week? Not my wallet, that’s for damn sure. Poor thing got performance anxiety as I was putting together the list. No worries, I’ll make sure to get it therapy after 😉

ALREADY RELEASED

THE SUMMER GAMES by R.S. Grey

From the USA TODAY Bestselling author of Scoring Wilder, comes a sexy new standalone novel.

I despise Erik Winter.

He’s arrogant and cruel—a man I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy—and by some twisted turn of fate, he’s my new Olympic gymnastics coach.

I’ve had to contend with gruff coaches in the past, but Erik is far worse. His stern demeanor complements a body built for intimidation, and his reprimands come from a mouth so cunning, I know it could strip me of my defenses—if I let it.

Though each of us would love to be rid of the other forever, we are bound to each other by need and necessity. I’m his rising star, his best shot at proving himself to his critics. And without a coach, I have zero chance of winning gold in Rio.

The easiest way forward would be to wave a white flag and make peace with the man I’ll be sharing close quarters with for the foreseeable future, but he is intent on war.

Fine. By. Me.

If he pushes me, I’ll push back harder. If he wants to test me, to play with my head, I’ll show him just how many boundaries I’m willing to cross. Because I know it’s not a choice between winning or warring—not if you can have them both. At the end of it all, I plan on leaving Rio with gold around my neck and his icy heart in the palm of my hand.

Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

AUGUST 1 RELEASES

FOOL ME ONCE by Katee Robert

Aubry Kaiser doesn’t like people—actually, that’s not right. She loathes people. With her crippling anxiety, there’s no way she can demo her favorite video game at a convention with five thousand other people. Maybe if she brings someone to act as a shield…

But the only person available is the sexy cowboy she can’t stand.

Quinn Baldwyn is in a mess of his own. He’s been dodging his wealthy family’s matchmaking attempts—and life advice—for years, but with his sister’s wedding on the horizon, he needs of a shield of his own.

He and Aubry can barely hold down a civil conversation, but in bed…fireworks. And the closer they get to Quinn’s sister’s wedding, the more he realizes that he might actually likeAubry.

Now it’s up to him to convince her she might actually like him, too.

Each book in the Foolproof Love series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order.

Series Order:
Book #1 Foolproof Love
Book #2 Fool Me Once

SEDUCING THE BOSS by Mari Carr

Kellan James is unwinding at Score when he spots the last person he’d ever expect to find in his favorite bar. Sara Connelly–ER nurse, do-gooder, charitable crusader, and frequent pain in his ass. Both grew up privileged in swanky Southampton, but that’s where the similarities end. Kellan’s made it his mission to seek out life’s pleasures; Sara gains pleasure from lecturing him on his lifestyle. Kellan would never date someone like her. Ever.

But when Kellan discovers Sara’s been stood-up by an online date, something fierce and protective awakens inside of him. Typically, Kellan would enjoy teasing the jilted Sara, but something in her face sends him over to her table with a plan. He encourages her to take a walk on the wild side, one weekend of sin, no holds barred.

She accepts, but it quickly becomes apparent that one night isn’t enough. As the pull between them grows stronger, Kellan discovers it’s a very dangerous thing to say never.
Each book in the Pulse series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order.

Series Order:
Book #1 Engaging the Bachelor
Book #2 Seducing the Boss
Book #3 Claiming the Enemy

WORKED UP by Tessa Bailey

Factory mechanic Duke Crawford just wants to watch SportsCenter in peace. Unfortunately, living with four divorcee sisters doesn’t provide much silence, nor does it change his stance on relationships. But when a fellow commitment-phobe stumbles into his life, getting him good and worked up, he can’t deny his protective instincts.

Samantha Waverly’s brother just put her in an impossible situation. The only way out? Marry huge, gruff, gladiator look-alike Duke—for show, of course. She doesn’t make promises—she knows too well how easily they can be broken—and this is no exception.

As the blistering attraction between them grows, the lines around the no-strings relationship blur. But Duke and Samantha’s marriage is only for show…or is it?

Each book in the Made in Jersey series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order.

Series Order:
Book #1 Crashed Out
Book #2 Thrown Down
Book #3 Worked Up

AUGUST 2 RELEASES

RIGHT KIND OF TROUBLE by Shiloh Walker

Desire won’t take no for an answer in The Right Kind of Trouble by Shiloh Walker

In the small Southern town of McKay’s Treasure, everybody knows that the handsome local police chief, Gideon Marshall, has been carrying a torch for Moira McKay. It’s also no secret that Moira has been rejecting Gideon since…forever. But after an attack from a mysterious stranger bent on taking down the McKay family, Moira becomes filled with distrust toward most men. Now she wonders whether she’s been wrong about Gideon all along—and if it’s not too late to admit him back into her life…and into her bed…

Gideon has finally convinced his wasted heart to give up on Moira, who he’s loved since he was sixteen years old. Moira’s attack changes everything, however—and he vows to protect her. But how much is he willing to risk for a woman who’s always kept him at bay…until now? And is it too late for Moira to tell him that her love for him has always been locked deep in her heart—and he holds the key?

DRAGON MARK by Sherrilyn Kennyon

Centuries ago, Illarion was betrayed– a dragon made human against his will, then forced to serve humanity as a dragonmount in their army, and to fight for them in barbaric wars, even while he hated everything about them. Enslaved and separated from everyone he knew and from his own dragon brothers, he was forced into exile in a fey realm where he lost the only thing he ever really loved.

Now he has a chance to regain what’s been lost― to have the one thing he covets most. But only if he gives up his brothers and forsakes the oaths he holds most dear. Yet what terrifies him most isn’t the cost his happiness might incur, it’s the fact that there is just enough human in his dragon’s heart that he might actually be willing to pay it and betray everything and everyone– to see the entire world burn in Dragonmark, the next blockbuster Dark-Hunter novel by #1 New York Timesbestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon.

TROUBLE WALKS IN by Sara Humphreys

He could be the man to rescue her

Big city K-9 cop Ronan McGuire loves women, loves his dog, loves his job-but when old flame Maddy Morgan moves into his jurisdiction, he can’t think about anyone else. Ronan knows she’s way out of his league, but he’s determined to help Maddy live life to the fullest.

In more ways than one

With tragedy in her past, Maddy has immersed herself in work and swiftly made a name for herself in the hot New York City real estate market. She’s looking for safety, not love, but Ronan McGuire is as persistent as he is sexy, and his crooked smile is hard to resist. But all other concerns are wiped away when Maddy goes missing and Ronan and his bloodhound K-9 partner are tasked with finding her and bringing her home.

ROCK WITH YOU by Rachel Lacey

SWEET AS SUGAR. SEXY AS SIN . . .

Carly Taylor is pretty sure she’s dreaming. It’s not possible that Sam Weiss – rock star god and sexy hotness personified – is actually in her bakery. This sort of thing never happens in the too-small town of Haven. Or to her. And being stranded in a secluded mountain cabin with the deliciously decadent Sam during an ice storm? This is definitely not Carly’s real life . . .

Now there’s just the two of them, a roaring fire, lots of food and drink, and a sizzling attraction – one that just might make Carly do the unexpected. For one night, she’ll live the fantasy. For one night, nothing else matters. . . not her struggling business, not her lonely life, not Sam’s bad-boy reputation. But sometimes one night can turn one crazy, beautiful dream into something real.

SECRETS AT MIDNIGHT by Nalini Singh

A changeling will do anything to find and keep his mate in this smoldering story from New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh.

Bastien Smith is frustrated. A changeling male should be able to track his mate anywhere—through fire and hail, snow and rain. But he keeps finding and losing her scent in the city streets, ever since he first became aware of it two weeks earlier, when the elusive fragrance awakened the leopard within him…

Then Bastien is suddenly confronted with his prey. Kirby is an all-too-human woman who wants Bastien just as much as he wants her. But he can’t deny what his body and senses are telling him: there is a raging chaos inside of Kirby that he doesn’t understand, secrets that whisper awake at midnight and cause her terrible pain. If they’re to have any chance of forever, then he must solve the mystery that is Kirby…

Secrets at Midnight originally appeared in Night Shift.

ROGUE by Michelle Mannon

My lover is dead.

And they think I killed him.

I’m running rogue. Hell bent on both revenge and redemption. Whatever it takes, I’m going to finish a job that began nine months ago. An unauthorized assignment that turned horribly, devastatingly wrong. My miscalculation. My fault. My heart left shattered into incomplete pieces which will never wholly fit back together again.

But first I have to outsmart my former organization and the hired killer they’ve sent after me; a killer who knows my every move, who’s been inside my head, my heart, and my dreams.

I’m the traitor, Kylie. The rogue mercenary. Jaxson’s newest assignment. And this is our love story.

TILL I KISSED YOU by Laura Trentham

It’s summertime in Cottonbloom, where two lovers find themselves at a crossroads just as things start to heat up. . .

Regan Lovell grew up on the wealthy Mississippi side of Cottonbloom―and now, as mayor, she’s determined to save it from the fate of so many small towns. Part of her plan to help the local economy is the Labor Day tomato festival. If only she wasn’t being undermined by Sawyer Fournette, who’s planning a crayfish-themed celebration on the Louisiana side of the river on the very same weekend. The pranks and sabotage are getting out of hand, and she’s had it with him―no matter how much she enjoyed those stolen hours in his truck bed, so many years ago…

Sawyer knows that Regan’s never forgiven him for breaking her heart―but despite his reputation as a low-class swamp rat, he’d never hurt the woman who still secretly drives him crazy with desire. Someone in Cottonbloom has it out for her, though, and Sawyer intends to watch her back…and the rest of her too, if she can ever let go of her distrust. But will a common enemy be enough to unite them―and finally fulfill the promises they made one passionate night under the stars?

MAN OF HONOR by Diana Gardin

The best rules are the ones worth breaking . . .

After his mother’s funeral, ex-Army Ranger Drake Sullivan wants only to disappear and drown his sorrows in whiskey. Then he sees her: Mea Jones. An untamed, sexy-as-hell whirlwind of energy. A few years ago, she showed him the best-and hottest-night of his life, then walked away without a backward glance. But he’s never stopped wanting more.

When it comes to guys, Mea has rules. One night. No dating. Whatever it takes to have control and keep it. With Drake, it’s all heat and hurt and hunger, and pretty much the opposite of control. And that makes him dangerous as hell. Mea has her own demons, and falling in love-or even in lust-is strictly a no-go proposition. But she soon finds out Drake is incredibly single-minded when it comes to getting what he wants. And he’s determined to be the exception to all her rules.

Reader advisory: The heroine’s past deals with dark elements some readers may find disturbing. Recommended for mature audiences only.

WILD LICKS by Cecilia Tan

Pleasure knows no bounds . . .

Gwen Hamilton is always looking for a thrill. Not even running a secret BDSM club can fulfill her true desires. It’s only when she’s backstage at a rock concert and attracts the eye—and experienced hands—of guitarist Mal Kennealy that she finds that perfect combination of danger and excitement she’s been craving. Calling herself “Excrucia,” she revels in his uncompromising dominance each night. And yet by day, he knows her only as Gwen, his new escort for public appearances.

Excrucia blows Mal’s mind with her enthusiastic submission to his harshest commands. Even though he has a reputation for never seeing the same woman twice, he can’t help being tempted by the woman willing to fulfill his every fantasy. And when Mal discovers that Gwen—the sweet arm candy designed to soften his surly public image—is really Excrucia, he never wants to let her go. Finally he can indulge his absolute power. But dancing too recklessly on the razor’s edge could cut deeper than he bargained for . . .

ALL NOTE LONG by Annabeth Albert

Giving true love a spin . . .

Michelin Moses is a country music star on the rise. With a hit single under his Texas-sized belt buckle and a sold-out concert tour underway, his childhood dreams of making it big are finally coming true. But there’s one thing missing—a promise to his dying mother that he’d find it—him—when the time was right. With a little luck, he won’t have to wait too long . . .

Lucky Ramirez is a hunky boy toy who dances at The Broom Closet, one of West Hollywood’s hottest gay bars. He loves what he does, and he’s good at it—almost as good as he is at playing dumb when he spots Michelin Moses at the bar. What happens next is off the charts—and keeps Michelin coming back for more. He’s just not sure it’s the right move for his career. But if Lucky gets his way, Michelin will get Lucky—and no matter how the media spins it, neither of them will be faking it . . .

THE HIGHLANDER by Kerrigan Byrne

In The Highlander, a stunning, gorgeous Victorian romance from Kerrigan Byrne, can the fiercest master of battle conquer a woman’s heart?

They call him the Demon Highlander. The fearsome Lieutenant Colonel Liam MacKenzie is known for his superhuman strength, towering presence, and fiery passion in the heat of battle. As Laird to the MacKenzie clan, the undefeated Marquess has vanquished his foes with all rage and wrath of his barbaric Highland ancestors. But when an English governess arrives to care for his children, the master of war finds himself up against his greatest opponent. . . in the game of love.

Defying all expectations, Miss Philomena is no plain-faced spinster but a ravishing beauty with voluptuous curves and haughty full lips that rattle the Laird to his core. Unintimidated by her master’s raw masculinity and savage ways, the headstrong lass manages to tame not only his wild children but the beast in his soul. With each passing day, Liam grows fonder of Miss Mena―and more suspicious. What secret is she hiding behind those emerald eyes? What darkness brought her to his keep? And how can he conquer this magnificent woman’s heart . . . without surrendering his own?

IT ENDS WITH US by Colleen Hoover

The newest, highly anticipated novel from beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author, Colleen Hoover.

Sometimes it is the one who loves you who hurts you the most.

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life suddenly seems almost too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

With this bold and deeply personal novel, Colleen Hoover delivers a heart-wrenching story that breaks exciting new ground for her as a writer. Combining a captivating romance with a cast of all-too-human characters, It Ends With Us is an unforgettable tale of love that comes at the ultimate price.

DARE TO STAY by Jen McLaughlin

The sizzling second novel in the gritty contemporary Sons of Steel Row series from the author of Dare to Run.

Bruised and bloodied on Boston’s mean streets, Chris O’Brien is reeling from the loss of his childhood best friend. But after barely escaping a hit placed on his head, Chris is desperate to live. A chance encounter leads him to the perfect safe haven—the home of a girl from his childhood, Molly Lachlan. Before he has fully considered what it would mean to involve her in his mess, he lets her take him home.

For Molly, letting Chris into her house means also letting him into her life. Danger and desperation are coming off of him like steam, and yet she can’t bring herself to turn him away. His bad boy charm always had a hold on her, but now there’s a soulfulness and sorrow in him that she’s never seen before. And despite the heart-stopping risk of helping him, she hopes against all reason that he’ll stay…

JUST WHAT I NEEDED by Lorelei James

The second sexy novel in the Need You series, from the New York Times bestselling author of the Mastered Series and the Blacktop Cowboys® Series.

Trinity Carlson might be having the worst day ever. And that was before she started drinking in a dive bar, right across from her ex and his new girlfriend. So when she finally decides enough is enough, she grabs hold of a hot, blond stranger and gives him the kiss of his life.

Walker Lund never expected that a chance at love would hit him right on the mouth. Since the moment his brother decided to settle down, Walker has been dodging his family’s hopes that he’ll do the same. He’s never been interested in following in anyone’s footsteps. But when he discovers his sexy assailant has given him a fake name and number he suddenly finds himself in the mood for a little hot pursuit…

EXILED by Jassinda Wilder

New York Times bestselling author Jasinda Wilder presents the conclusion to Madame X’s thrilling saga of discovery.

My name is Madame X.
My heart is torn in two.
And now I have to choose…

Caleb is everything to her: lover, caretaker, the man who gave her life meaning when she had none. But as she seeks the truth about herself and her past, she discovers that unravelling Caleb’s web of lies might very well be impossible.

Logan is everything she never knew she wanted: freedom, joy, and a passion she couldn’t anticipate. But is Logan’s love enough to save her from herself, from Caleb, and from the tumultuous truth of her past?

Caught between two equally compelling men, X must make the ultimate choice. But there’s more at stake than just her heart…

HITCHED: Vol 3 by Kendall Ryan

I’ve ruined everything.

I’ve broken the cardinal rule and fallen in love with my fake wife, and then I went and did the worst thing a husband can do.

Winning her back will be nearly impossible, but I’ve never backed down from a challenge before and I’m sure as hell not about to start now. Olivia will be mine, and I can’t wait to put a bun in her oven.

You won’t want to miss the final installment in Noah and Olivia’s love story, and especially the way this over-the-top alpha male wins over his bride once and for all.

This is the third and final volume in the story.

A FINE MESS by Kelly Siskind

Some guys should come with a warning label . . .

Sawyer West is Mr. One-Night Stand. He doesn’t do relationships or promises or feelings. He’s never cared enough to get involved. Until Lily Roberts. She’s sweet and shy and sexy as sin, and resisting her is testing his self-control. She believes Sawyer can be a better man, and for the first time in his life, he wants to be. But change isn’t easy, and Sawyer would do anything to protect Lily from his past self. Even break his own heart . . .

MAY THE BEST MAN WIN by Mira Lyn Kelly

Four friends
Each a Best Man at a wedding
One chance to get it right

Jase Foster can’t believe his bad luck. He’s been paired with the she-devil herself for his best friend’s wedding: Emily Klein of the miles-long legs and killer smile. She may be sin in a bridesmaid dress, but there’s no way he’s falling for her again.

They can barely stand each other, but given how many of their friends are getting married, they’ll just have to play nice-at least when they’re in company. Once they’re alone, more than just gloves come off as Jase and Emily discover their chemistry is combustible, and there may be something to this enemies to lovers thing after all…

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Upcoming Releases · Tagged With: New Release, upcoming releases

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Forbidden Fling by Skye Jordan

July 31, 2016 by Lana · 7 Comments

Forbidden Fling
Series: Wildwood #1
Author: Skye Jordan
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Release Date: July 26, 2016
Category: Hot Contemporary Romance

Delaney Hart has come a long way from her wild youth, dating tattooed bikers at her father’s bar, The Bad Seed. But when his death pulls her back to Wildwood, California, she must stay to renovate the dive he left her. And also face the lies and secrets that sent her running ten years before.

When Wildwood’s chief building inspector, Ethan Hayes, shows up on the property, Delaney doesn’t recognize him. The last thing he wants to do is save the bar where his cousin died in a brawl. But the good boy from her past is all too willing to remind her of the bad girl she used to be. And one night of passion leaves them both in a compromising position.

The last place Ethan should be is in Delaney’s bed. Guilt, family pressure, and plans for a brewpub of his own make shutting down The Bad Seed his top priority…until his feelings for Delaney interfere. Because her future depends on the success of the bar’s renovation and his dreams are rooted in its failure, their forbidden romance may be destined for heartbreak

AMAZON

Delaney let one hand slide beneath his shirt, over his belly, his chest, and found a wall of muscle. “Good God. You’re ripped.” She pushed up and looked down at him again. “Handsome, you are hanging out with the wrong women. With your looks, this body, and that mouth, you could have women doing anything you damn well please as often as you damn well please.”

A growl started low in his throat. He grabbed her wrists, sat up, and flipped her to her back. Delaney squeaked in surprise. Then she hit the floor, and her breath whooshed out.

Ethan hovered over her, his eyes hot and intent. “And if the guys you’re with take their pleasure first and make you wait for yours, you’ve been hanging out with the wrong men. Because with this face”—he stroked her cheek gently—“this body”—his hand moved down, covered her breast, and squeezed, making Delaney’s breath catch—“and this mouth”—he lowered his head and traced his tongue over her bottom lip—“you could have men crawling over broken glass to please you.”

Delaney didn’t even have time to think of a response before his mouth covered hers, hot and demanding. He pinned her wrists to the floor above her head and licked into her mouth, tasting and teasing and taking. Then his lips were on her neck, her throat. He transferred both of her hands to one of his and used the other to pull at the hem of her blouse, freeing it from her skirt. He pushed it up her body, sliding his hands over the skin of her belly and the silk of her bra, his fingers lingering along the lace edge with a low, “So pretty. I should have let you undress for me. Should have let you give me a show.”

His heavy-lidded eyes came back to hers, and his fingers dipped beneath the edge to tease her nipple. She lifted into his touch. “Would you do that? Strip for me?”

His gaze was so open, so honest, as if he really wanted to know. She hadn’t done that in a long time. The thought spiraled a few nerves low in her belly, but his eyes were still holding hers, waiting for an answer, so she said, “Given the right incentive.”

His mouth kicked up on one side. He lay half on top of her, with most of his weight on the floor, his thigh between hers.

His fingers left her breast for her mouth and traced her lips. “Like what?”

“Stroke yourself as you watched me.” She held his gaze and licked his fingers as they passed. He made a pleasant sound in his throat as she went on. “Tell me what to do and how to do it. Have me pleasure you exactly to your liking while I was naked and you were fully dressed.” Her voice grew softer, his eyes sharper, and the intimacy of the moment seemed sharply intense. “Make me kneel between your legs. Make me say please.”

He slipped his hand around the back of her neck and searched her eyes for long, tense moments. “You’re so . . .” He shook his head as if he either couldn’t or didn’t want to put all his thoughts into words in the moment. “God. Am I caught in a dream? Am I going to wake up and find you gone? A remnant of a fantasy?”

She smiled. “I would make sure to fulfill your fantasies if you’d let go of my hands. Because I want to touch you really bad.”

He sighed and let his gaze and his touch drift down her body. “My turn to go slow.”

His fingers traced the outline of her bra again, then pop, it snapped open between her breasts. The backs of his fingers skimmed her flesh, brushing the bra cups away, teasing her nipples into tight, hypersensitive peaks and turning her skin to fire.

She squeezed her eyes closed to gather her control. She was panting, her pussy throbbing, and he hadn’t even—

His mouth closed over one nipple. Warm, tight suction shot a current through her chest and up her spine, and she arched beneath him. “Jesus.”

Delaney worked one hand free and gripped a handful of the shirt on his back, pulling toward his head. But he was focused on eating at her breast like a peach, grazing her with his teeth, licking and sucking. Then he moved to another area and started all over.

“I can’t take this foreplay.” She’d grown light-headed, dizzy. Supremely frustrated. “I need you in a seriously hard-core way.”

He closed his teeth firmly on her nipple. Delaney gasped, but the pain shot pleasure straight between her legs. Releasing the pressure, he licked at the burn, leaving Delaney’s entire body on fire.

“You’re talking my language, baby,” he murmured against her skin. “And the better I know your body, the better I can fuck you. Hard-core.”

His free hand slid over her belly and slipped beneath the waistband of her skirt. Delaney wiggled beneath him, tilted her head to bring her mouth close to his ear. “Yes. Touch me.”

She’d walked into town, and Ethan’s life had spun on its ever-loving axis.

As a long time fan of all things Skye Jordan, I was thrilled to see she has a brand new series in the works. Not only does she write some seriously swoony heroes, but she always matches them up with fantastic heroines. Delaney Hart may easily be my favorite heroine by this author to date. Here was a woman that while she may be damaged in her own way, still had a backbone of steel and never backed down from a challenge. She wasn’t brash, she wasn’t OTT, she wasn’t obnoxious about it. But there was just this understated strength to her to go along with the playful bad girl that added an irresistible vibe to her character that I absolutely adored.

She’d been back in town for only a couple of hours, and all the hurt and guilt that had run her out of town a decade ago had already clawed their way back into her heart.

Coming back to the small town that she grew up in that only carried with it memories of past pain and regret isn’t exactly Delaney’s idea of fun. But with her father’s death and her two sisters are in the wind, there’s no one else to take care of the decrepit old bar before it gets demolished on her dime. If it’s not enough that she carries the guilt of the past, there’s definitely a few people to remind her that she’s not welcome. Delaney is made of tougher stuff than to back down from a challenge though.

But then she spends one delectable night with a sexy stranger….that turns out not to be a stranger at all. Ethan Hayes. The good boy that’s always harbored a crush on her, but with their past and present still between them, Delaney is even more hands off than she was ten years ago.

I loved the small town setting of the story. I also loved that even though the characters do share a sizzling night together pretty early into the book, there is more than enough slow burn sizzle with the added element of the forbidden added in to make the romance more delicious. Ethan was absolute perfection and it was great to see him come into his own and finally start standing up to his family. But I have to say that Delaney was my favorite part. She definitely stole the show for me. I loved her quiet strength and playfulness. I loved how she doesn’t let anything tear her down and maintains her equilibrium at any cost. I also loved watching Ethan fall harder and harder for the reformed bad girl.

He’d never been addicted to anything, but just looking at her standing on his porch made clawlike craving sting in his gut. Made his mouth water. Made him want to take risks he’d never contemplated before.

My one quibble is I wished the ending didn’t fell quite so rushed. While it’s my understanding that the story will continue with the other two Hart sisters, I would have loved a little more in that ending. It felt almost rushed after all the build up leading up to it, but then again I’m just greedy for more when it comes to Skye’s books. Perhaps we’ll get more of this couple with the future installments in the series.

All I know is I definitely enjoyed this one and have a feeling I’ll enjoy the next two even more. Especially with that set up for who I’m hoping will be the next couple. Because…rarrr. Seriously.

Skye Jordan is a pseudonym for New York Times bestselling romantic suspense author Joan Swan. Skye’s novels are about enjoying that little wild streak we don’t let out often enough. About those fantasies we rarely get the opportunity to indulge. About stretching limits, checking out the dark side, and maybe even acting a little naughty. They’re about escape and fun and pleasure and romance. And, yes, even love, because while wicked-great sex is good, happily ever after with wicked-great sex is even better.

When she’s not writing, Skye loves to read, knit, craft, row, ride, and dabble in photography.

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7 Comments · Filed Under: All Reviews, Blog Tours, Contemporary Romance, Giveaways · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4 stars

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Perfect Rage by @NASHODAROSE

July 30, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

PERFECT RAGE
Series: Unyielding #3
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: Nashoda Rose
Release Date: July 26, 2016

This is Connor’s story.

Unstable.
Unpredictable.
Consumed by perfect rage.
I was fighting who I’d become and what I’d done.

There was nothing I cared about except her.
She was mine.
But I’d forgotten her—my shutterbug.
And I lost her.

Until now.

I’d do anything to possess her again.
Anything to keep her safe.
Protect her against my biggest opponent.

The monster.

Me.

AMAZON | iBOOKS | B&N | KOBO

“They don’t like civilians around, especially journalists. Don’t take it personally,” Jaz whispered as we followed the lieutenant who had said no more than three words to us since we arrived on base. Two of which were ‘no photographs’.

He’d taken us directly to base commander, General Maunder, who reiterated the no photos rule, and that we, under no circumstance, were allowed to walk around base unsupervised. He also told us we’d leave for the orphanage at 0600. Then he ordered the lieutenant to take us to meet Corporal O’Neill.

The strict formality did nothing to help my nerves that had caused a perpetual churning of my stomach. I was in a war-torn country on a military base where I was obviously not welcome and would be traveling across perilous roads to an orphanage where I’d spend the next month.

Yeah, I was nervous as hell.

Jaz nudged my elbow and slowed. “It’ll be fine.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I know.” But I didn’t know. Jaz did because he’d been doing this for twenty or more years. I’d never been out of Colombia.

We passed row after row of enormous canvas tents when finally the lieutenant stopped abruptly at a clearing where six shirtless, muscled military guys jostled one another for a ball.

“O’Neill will be free in a minute. Wait here, please,” the lieutenant ordered, then spun on his heel and walked to a guy who stood watching the game. He said something to him, nodded in our direction, and then disappeared into a nearby tent.

“Get your camera, but discreetly,” Jaz said. “I can do a sideline story.”

“The commander told us no photos.”

“You want to be good at this, you need to take risks and get the shots no one else does.”

Jaz had reported all over the world in dangerous environments, whether it was from natural disaster or war. I was like a shiny new car who had never been driven off the lot and gotten her tires dirty. But the lot hadn’t exactly been safe and I’d been exposed to the elements. Those elements being a Colombian drug lord named Carlos Moreno.

I was here to escape the unwanted attention of Carlos and the only reason I obtained this position was because my brother worked for the magazine, and the photographer broke his leg the week before they were supposed to leave.

“I’m here at an army base in Afghanistan. That’s enough risk and I really don’t want one of these guys angry at me.” Besides, I wasn’t here to take photographs of hot military guys playing football or as they’d call it soccer. Still, I couldn’t help but look at the guy who currently had control of the ball.

He grinned as he volleyed it back and forth between his feet while making his way toward the makeshift goal. The grin was a little mischievous, a little cute and a lot cocky. His deep blue eyes were filled with amusement and I heard his raspy chuckle when one guy slid into the dirt attempting to kick the ball away from him, but Blue Eyes saw him coming and heeled the ball backward at the last second.

My eyes trailed over his hard chest to the tattoo down his left side, then to his flexed abdomen. Definitely an eight-pack and even though I couldn’t see his thighs because he wore cargo pants, it was obvious they were muscled, too.

But he wasn’t the only one. All the guys playing were in incredible shape.

“Deck, you bastard,” Blue Eyes barked, as a guy who I assumed was Deck elbowed him in the ribs and stole the ball. He then dodged a seriously built guy who attempted to block him. “Gate. Fuck. Take him out.”

I smiled when Blue Eyes’ grin was replaced by a fierce scowl as he ran after Deck who was close to the goal with no one on him.

Obviously, this guy was competitive and didn’t like to lose because any playfulness had turned to resolve as he darted left to avoid a guy trying to block him from reaching Deck.

“Riot!” a guy yelled. His back was covered in a tattoo of a bird, like a hawk or something.

Riot. The call sign suited Blue Eyes as he undeniably appeared like he’d be fun, but also dangerous with that aggressive determination.

Deck hitched his leg back to kick the ball into goal at the same time as Riot reached him. He body checked Deck to the left, then kicked the ball hard out of the path of the goal.

Out of the path meant toward the sidelines—where we were standing.

It happened in slow motion and my reaction time was non-existent as the ball flew through the air right at me.

“Ah, fuck,” Riot shouted just before the ball hit me in the forehead.

I staggered back from the impact and Jaz grabbed my arm at the same time as I put my hand to my head.

“Holy shit, you okay, Alina?” Jaz asked.

The loud smack vibrated in my head and there was a burning throb in the middle of my forehead. Hard, air-filled plastic hitting the skull hurt, but it was more shocking than anything. “Ah, yeah. Fine.”

“Shit. Sorry. Didn’t see you there, ma’am.” It was Riot and he stood in front of me, sweat dripping down his chest and his eyes no longer twinkling, but genuinely concerned. “You okay? Do you need to sit down?”

I stared at him, a little dazed, but I was uncertain if it was from the ball hitting me in the head or from the hot guy standing inches away from me. I went with a combo.

I breathed in and his scent wafted into me. It was all man, no cologne, just a natural earthy smell with a hint of mint, as if he’d just used one of those breath strips.

And he was tall. Like really tall and I was five foot five so I wasn’t tiny, but he still towered over me. With his broad shoulders and bulging arms, I felt like a pixie standing next to him.

“Ah, yeah… umm, no, I mean, I don’t need to sit. I’m good,” I finally sputtered. I didn’t normally sputter, but my nerves had already been sparking and now they were out-of-control fireworks.

I froze, eyes widening when Riot’s fingers gently caressed the spot where the ball hit me. It was so soft I barely felt it. Except I did and goose bumps rose and my belly flipped.

“It’s red, but I don’t think it will bruise,” Riot said, his gaze drifting from my forehead to land on my lips then slowly back to meet my eyes. “Corporal O’Neill.” He held out his hand and I took it, noticing how it completely engulfed mine. His palms were rough and his handshake firm. Not painful, but with purpose.

“Yo, O’Neill!”

He turned and I looked past him to see the guy Deck across the yard with his gear in hand and his shirt back on. “Bird landed. See you back in the world,” Deck called. “One month.”

Riot, or rather Corporal O’Neill, did a fist pump in the air.

Deck jogged off with the seriously scary built guy they called Gate.

O’Neill’s attention shifted to Jaz who had yet to say anything and I knew why when I looked at him. He was grinning ear to ear as his gaze moved from O’Neill to me and back again.

“Jaz Klein.” He offered his hand and they shook. “Journalist for the Miami Messenger Magazine. The girl you smacked with your ball is Alina, my brilliant photographer. I’m writing a story—”

“On the orphanage,” O’Neill finished and his eyes shot back to me, but there was a scowl now and it was a little scary because his square jaw clenched and his lips pursed.

“Yeah,” Jaz said. “Are you one of the guys giving us a ride?”

He didn’t answer him; instead, his intense eyes were on me and I shifted uncomfortably. “The magazine sends you to an unstable country to take photos? Not fuckin’ smart. And I don’t have time to babysit civilians.”

Jaz cleared his throat. “I understand your concern, Corporal O’Neill, but the public wants to read more than just about the war over here. And I plan to give it to them.” I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath until O’Neill’s eyes moved from me to Jaz. “I’ve been to hundreds of unstable places and am very aware of the risk.”

O’Neill paused while looking him up and down. Jaz was in his forties, appropriately dressed, wearing black cargo pants with a snug, long-sleeved shirt, black combat boots and his head was buzz cut like the military guys, so he fit in.

O’Neill had about an inch of dirty-blond hair and two days scruff that gave him a rugged look.

“Yeah. Maybe.” O’Neill’s attention shifted back to me again and I stiffened. “But I wasn’t referring to you.”

Whoa. What? I looked down at myself. I had on dark green fitted pants with laced boots and a white blouse that I thought was appropriate considering the unbearably dry heat.

“I’ll speak to my staff sergeant and advise him that you’re both to be airlifted out of here at the first opportunity. The story on the orphanage needs to be told, but not now. PR was crazy allowing this. Come back in a few years when shit settles. Or when you find another brilliant photographer.” Then he added, “One that’s out of high school.”

Oh, my God. Did he just say that? He could only be a couple of years older than me.

I was too shocked to say anything and Jaz was having a coughing fit with his hand over his mouth, so I knew damn well the guy was laughing. Laughing.

“Jaz.” I kicked his ankle and he cleared his throat and said, “Umm… yeah, listen, don’t worry about her. She can handle herself.”

“It’s my call and I say she can’t.” Corporal O’Neill’s eyes lingered on mine for a second then he nodded. “Ma’am. Sir.” Then he walked away.

What the hell just happened? He was going to tell his sergeant to send us home? Could he do that? This story was not only my escape from Carlos Moreno, but my catapult into my dream job as a photographer.

And there was no way this guy was ruining my chances. I wasn’t being sent home with my tail between my legs.

I ran after him.

“Alina!” Jaz called out to me, but I ignored him.

I caught up to O’Neill who had managed to cover a large amount of ground with his long, lean legs and snagged his arm. “Wait,” I said, my fingers curling around his forearm. But they didn’t even come close to encompassing the span.

He stopped, his gaze landing on my hand and I saw a flash of heat flare in the depths before they darkened and there was that fierce scowl again that sent my heart racing. I suddenly wondered if I should’ve just let Jaz deal with this. But it was me he had an issue with.

I released his arm. “I need this job. It’s really important.”

He replied, “You won’t need it if you’re dead.”

“We’re going to an orphanage.”

“That we have to drive to. You know about roadside bombs, right? Suicide bombers? You do know what’s going on in this country?” God, he was being an ass. “You hear about the stories of reporters being held for ransom or even worse, terrorists torturing them for months before videoing their head being blown off? They’re all true. This isn’t a place for a young girl who probably hasn’t witnessed death, let alone heard a gun go off. Go home. Finish school and take photos of families with their dog.” He turned and started walking away again.

Jesus. What right did he have telling me how to live my life? I was good at what I did and I wanted to take photographs that told a story. “I know how to handle a gun and I’ve seen men die,” I blurted.

He stopped, broad back stiffening and then swung around and headed for me. Shit. I backed up a couple steps because he was really intimidating with that severe scowl and overly confident swagger.

I swallowed. “My father taught me to shoot when I was ten.”

He snorted. “A squirt gun doesn’t count.”

“Funny.” What a dick.

He leaned in closer. So close that his warm breath swept across my face. “Do I make you nervous? Because you sure as hell look it. Pulse throbbing in the curve of your neck, quick inhales, fingers curled in the sides of your pants and your teeth chewing on that plush bottom lip. How nervous do you think you’ll be if the Taliban gets a hold of you?”

I hastily released my lip and his eyes flicked to my mouth.

Bastard. But he read me perfectly. I was nervous. He made me nervous and I’d grown up around dangerous, powerful men, my father being one of them. He flew cocaine from Colombia to Miami for Carlos Moreno ever since I could remember.

I’d never personally met Carlos until three years ago, when I was sixteen. I’d been with my mother and father in the market when a Jeep slowed beside us. It was Carlos and his right-hand man, Diego. My father told me to go home, but Carlos already had his eyes on me and asked for an introduction.

The man was old enough to be my father and yet he stared at me with the corners of his lips curved up and his gaze lingering on my breasts. There was a gleam in his eyes that made my stomach lurch and my pulse race with fear.

My father was so nervous he stumbled over his words and kept looking from me to Carlos, his face pale. It was my mother who moved in front of me to block Carlos’s view of me, but it was too late. I had his unwanted attention.

But he never did anything about it for three years, then one night Carlos’s man, Diego, showed up unannounced at the house and he and my father had a huge argument. It was then my father contacted my brother, Juan, who lived in the States.

Last time I’d seen my brother, I was ten years old. He’d bought me my first camera, his goodbye present. He’d told me once he was settled and had enough money I would live with him in the United States. I soon realized why he left when he did—to escape Carlos Moreno’s grasp.

I straightened my shoulders as I faced off with Corporal O’Neill. “Then make sure the Taliban doesn’t get ahold of me,” I retorted. “And you can’t disobey orders.” I really wasn’t sure about all the rules, but I was pretty sure he couldn’t just refuse for the simple fact that he thought I was too young and obviously disliked me.

He grunted, shaking his head. Crossing his arms, a hint of a smile emerged. “I wasn’t ordered. I volunteered. Now I’m unvolunteering.”

“That’s not even a word.”

He produced a full-on smirk. “Sure it is. We’re in my world now and I’m sure I have lots of words you’re not old enough to understand.”

Demons. Shadows. I fought them all until I couldn’t anymore.

Even before Perfect Chaos, but especially after, I’ve been anticipating Connor’s book. The damaged, tortured man that finally made an appearance in Perfect Ruin is barely recognizable from the memory that everyone has of him. Seven years of living in capture and daily torture will break any man, but The Vault also stole his memories. Now he’s out, his tormentor dead at his hands, and his memories a fragmented puzzle of painful reminders of what will never be whole.

I was treading water and with each ragged breath, I sank further and further into the darkness and despair.

This is not a book you can read out of order. You need to read the entire Unyielding series in order to understand the complexity of the story and especially the events that led to finding Connor. While the author does a fantastic job with a recap, you’d still lose a lot of info not having read the first two books.

After the scene at the end of Perfect Ruin, I’ve been practically salivating for this book. I had no idea what the tie between Catalina “Alina” Diaz and Connor was, but this book finally gave me that. Oh boy did it give me that. I think I must have been reading with a lump in my throat the entire time. Connor and Alina’s story is devastating and heart-wrenching.

I wanted uncontrolled and raw- unrestrained and powerful. That was what we were. A desire that conquered.

I haven’t read a Nashoda Rose heroine I haven’t loved yet, and Alina was certainly no exception. I loved her quiet strength. But most of all I loved her loyalty and adoration for Connor. The way she loved him is so pure and the sacrifices she made for him broke my heart.

Our teeth hit as he claimed my lips with a sweet desperation. And I surrendered. There was no other way. We’d never had a choice in us.

Their love was the rose within a perfect storm. It was devastatingly beautiful. All the odds are stacked against them, Connor may never be the man he once was. He’s damaged, broken, a mass of rage and violence. But Alina is his reason and the one thing he can’t escape or stay away from.

I’m lost, baby. I’m so fuckin’ lost and you’re the only one to keep me from disintegrating.”

God. GOD! This book broke my heart into a million jagged pieces. Connor may have been one of my favorite tortured heroes I’ve read in a long while. I just wanted to reach through my kindle and hug him. This is a man that’s beyond broken; haunted by the demons of his past that he had no control over. A man that’s struggling to reach the surface but keeps drowning in memories. A man that’s so in love with a woman yet knows that he can never have her.

I’m dead,” I shouted as my control broke and the rage pumped through my veins. “I’m fuckin’ dead, damn it. There’s nothing left of me except raw, jagged pieces of a man I hate.”

Many years ago I read one of my favorite books, Wild Card, and since then I’ve always looked for something similar, but never able to find it…until this book.

Perfect Rage was everything. It was darkness and light. It was violence and pain. It was loss and forgiveness. But beyond everything it was an epic romance. I loved it beyond words!

UNYIELDING SERIES

PERFECT CHAOS (Unyielding #1)
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

PERFECT RUIN (Unyielding #2)
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

Nashoda Rose is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Toronto with her assortment of pets. She writes contemporary romance with a splash of darkness, or maybe it’s a tidal wave.

When she isn’t writing, she can be found sitting in a field reading with her dogs at her side while her horses graze nearby. She loves interacting with her readers and chatting about her addiction—books.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: All Reviews, Blog Tours, Dark, DGR Favorites, Giveaways · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 5 stars, Nashoda Rose

New Release Spotlight, Giveaway & Author Interview with @HaysonManning

July 18, 2016 by Lana ·

Back in October of 2013, I read this one book called Winning The Boss’s Heart and fell in love with Hayson Manning’s writing. I’ve been not so subtly stalking the poor woman since in eager anticipation of any new books that she may have in the works for the future. So suffice it to say that when I saw that not only is she coming out with a bran new book called BOUND TO THE BOUNTY HUNTER, but it’ll be book one is a brand new sizzling BOUND series?

*cue pervy happy dance*

Let’s just say I was VERY happy 😉

Harlan Franco, Colorado’s busiest bounty hunter, and security expert, lives by his rules: be in control, be detached, and never touch the asset. These rules are tested when the asset he’s being paid to secretly guard is none other than his rival, sexy, unpredictable, pain in the butt, Sophie Callaghan––a woman determined to stay away from him. If she finds out he’s in her life on an assignment, he’ll never get the info he needs. But those lips, those curves, that attitude, he bets he’ll have her for one night where she’ll play by his rules.

He didn’t expect his heart to have an opinion.

Freedom loving private investigator Sophie Callaghan is on a mission. The daughter of a con-artist is not going to be used by a man again. What she doesn’t need is hot, broody and controlling Harlan barging into her life and digging into her past. Her brain may say no, but her body craves this bad boy. After a night where both live their darkest desires, Sophie must fight their explosive chemistry because one wrong move could destroy her. She bets he has to stay far, far away.

As the stakes ramp up and secrets explode around them, both are determined to win the bet.

But there can only ever be one winner.

ADD IT TO GOODREADS | BUY IT ON AMAZON

Bound by The Bounty Hunter released today, and I’m beyond excited to have Hayson herself here at DGR to answer all of my questions and then some! Don’t miss the amazing giveaway for a chance to win a signed paperback of Winning The Boss’s Heart, a $15 Amzon GC and an ebook of Hayson’s brand new release! It will be posted on my Facebook page . I’ll make sure to post a link to it at the bottom of this post. Now without further ado, let’s get to the interview!

DGR: Hi Hayson! So happy to have you here at DGR today!

HM: Thank you so much for having me. I am thrilled to be here.

DGR: Let’s start with something easy. Can you introduce yourself to readers that may not have read your books yet?

HM: Hi everyone! My name is Hayson Manning and I write alpha dudes and feisty women who challenge them. I’m originally from New Zealand and now live in gorgeous Redondo Beach, California. I have two boys who speak in mysterious grunts and hub is known as The Fake Gordon Ramsay.

DGR: You have a super sexy new release coming up on July 18. Can you tell us a little more about that?

HM: Well, we’ve got Harlan Franco, Colorado’s busiest bounty hunter and security expert, who’s a little broody, a little controlling and has enough testosterone to fuel the NFL. He’s on a mission to protect his rival, sexy, unpredictable, pain in the butt, Sophie Callaghan. But if she finds out he’s in her life on an assignment, he’ll never get the info he needs. But those, lips, those curves, that attitude? He wants her for one night on his terms. Small problem. Sophie’s having none of it.

Private investigator and Young and the Restless addict, Sophie Callaghan, (don’t ask if she’s team Newman or Abbot – she won’t tell) does not need Harlan Franco in her life. He’s humiliated her once when she thought they had something going on. She was wrong. Way wrong. They engage in a dangerous cat and mouse game where Harlan bets he’ll have her for one night, while Sophie bets that he’ll stay away from her.

Both are determined to win the bet, but there can only ever be one winner.

DGR: What was your favorite scene to write in Bound to The Bounty Hunter?

HM: I really loved the scenes between Sophie, Annie and Gemma. They were the easiest to write. Who doesn’t want to drink margaritas, eat prunes wrapped in bacon and critique bad porn with girlfriends?

I totally loved the whole Vegas scene from the beginning at the airport with the bingo ladies talking about stuffing dollar bills into the Calvin Klein’s of the hottie walking toward them (Harlan). The bar scene where Sophie surprises Harlan big time (I loved that). Fun research!! Sophie’s realization of where their relationship sits with her and the explosive scene at the end.

DGR: What about your favorite scene to read?

HM: The last ‘Backyard Thursday’ scene. Oh, I laughed and cried (I do cry at Super bowl commercials so there is that.) I loved that scene. Grabs tissue.

DGR: Can you describe the hero, Harlan Franco, to us in a few words?

HM: Broody, protective, controlling, kind, compassionate, strong.

DGR: Bound to The Bounty Hunter has a little bit of everything; intrigue, suspense and a whole lot of sexy. What made you decide to write something so different from your other books?

HM: I was so freaking nervous that I couldn’t pull this story off. I was the crazy woman wandering around the neighborhood muttering like I was off my meds. I had an idea of where I wanted to go and my awesome editor, Lewis and I hammered out a story and I threw away my inhibitions and wrote. The central theme of family held the story together. Not necessarily blood relatives, but the people who come into your life that become your family.

If only Uncle Len buys it, I’ll be okay. I think I found my voice in this book and wrote the story I’ve always wanted to write, but was afraid to.

Actually, I don’t want Uncle Len to buy it. I’d never be able to look at him over the Christmas ham again.

DGR: I loved how bad-ass Sophie was. This is a woman that could kick butt and take names. Was it as much fun writing her as it was reading her?

HM: I am so glad you liked reading her. Thank you! (Do I need to pay you later?) It was fun writing Sophie who has to kick butt with the boys, but when she’s at home she’s messy, eats Pringles and catches up on Young and the Restless. I loved the two sides of her.

DGR: If you had to case Sophie and Harlan for a movie, do you have anyone in mind?

HM: Thank you for the hours I spent on the internet drooling over hot dudes. Yum.

I think Emma Stone would be an awesome Sophie. I love her. I’m always up for a Hemsworth for Harlan, but then who isn’t!! I do like Jake Gyllenhaal. He’s got the broody down. I’m sold.

DGR: What are your plans for the series because I have to admit I’m already salivating for the story on a few secondary characters…

HM: Oh, yay. I am excited you’re excited. (You’re not Uncle Len in disguise are you J)

Well, next up as you know is Dug and Arabella. I can’t wait to share what they get up to. Annie and Zeb or Gemma and Thor? Who would you want to see next?

DGR: Gotta say I’m pretty eager for Annie and Zeb’s book. The vibe between those two? Yowza!

I absolutely LOVE the set up for this series and can’t wait for more. How many books are you planning on writing for it?

HM: I hope I get to write four books. That would be a dream. Though, I kind of have a soft spot for Pipe as well. I can see his story… (My publisher has no idea I have typed these words.)

DGR: Can we get a little taste for this book? Pretty please?

HM: Here’s a peak.

“Hello,” Sophie answered in a rusty voice.“This is Franco. We need to meet. How long would it take you to get here?”

“I’m not meeting you. Go away.” She ended the call and flopped back on the bed.

Her sluggish brain started to jog into life. Did he know about the recording? Had he followed her last night?

Crap.

Fully awake, she threw back the covers and stumbled to the bathroom where she had a shower, a quick shampoo, and an even quicker condition. She slapped on her favorite raspberry-scented body butter, brushed her teeth, then pulled her wet hair into a band.

Her home phone roared to life.

She ignored it for ten rings but, worried it might be Titus in trouble, she picked up the receiver, keeping silent.

“Did you hang up on me?” Harlan’s clipped voice made her smile.

“New experience I gather.”

“How long would it take you to get here or I’ll come to you.”

She clutched the cordless phone while dashing around the room, pulling on her boots. “It’s illegal to obtain an unlisted number. I could have you charged and arrested.”

His voice purred. “The strangest thing, I found your number on a piece of paper you left for me last night at Hostage.”

Her blood started a slow boil. “I swear to God, if you were standing in this room I’d squeeze the life out of you, and no jury would convict me.”

Amusement softened his sexy voice. “You’re into dirty talking this early in the morning? Interesting.”

Intrigued? You should be! I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this deliciousness and I’m already hooked!

Want to connect with Hayson? She loves to hear from her readers!

You can Email her or find her on Facebook and Twitter. Don’t forget to check out her blog too!

Want more? Hayson was generous enough to offer a SIGNED PAPERBACK of WINNING THE BOSS’S HEART and a $15 Amazon GC! I’ll be gifting an ebook of Bound To The Bounty Hunter! That’s three chances to win and three winners in total! *ENTER HERE*

· Filed Under: Author Spotlight & interview, Giveaways · Tagged With: Hayson Manning, spotlight

Review: Blood To Dust by L.J. Shen

July 17, 2016 by Lana ·

BLOOD TO DUST
Genre: Dark Romance
Author: L.J. Shen
Release Date: July 17, 2016

His name is Beat, and I should hate him.

Bound, blindfolded and bruised, I’m tied in his basement, waiting for the men who stripped me from clothes and humanity to collect his debt to them. Me.

His name is Nate and I should hate him, but I don’t.

I’m not supposed to know his real name, even worse, I’m not supposed to care. He is nothing to me but means to an end. The plan is simple: break free, collect the pieces of my broken soul, kill the bastards and run away.

His name is Nathaniel Thomas Vela, and I’ve never seen his face, though I hear that it’s beautiful.

Behind the rugged and handsome exterior, there’s a quiet murderer, a killer who thinks guns are for pussies and ends people with his bare hands.

His name doesn’t matter, neither does his face, but what does matter is my heart. And right now, sadly, it’s his.

Blood to Dust is a standalone, full-length novel. It contains graphic violence and adult situations some may find offensive.

AMAZON

I look like the perfect victim. Scared. Beautiful. Innocent…Though, I’m anything but the latter.

Well slap my ass and call me Sally, what in the ever hell did I just read?
This.
Book.
Was.
Brilliant!

OK. OK. Allow me to get my thoughts together here
*deep breath*
*another deep breath*

Holy hell, people!

I already knew after reading Sparrow that L.J. Shen was a talented author, but after reading this book? She blew everything I thought I knew away! The woman is a genius. Everything, from the characters, the writing style, the chapter formation, the story, all of it I can describe in two words; brilliantly intense.

I’m picky with my dark romance. Some of it has become entirely formulaic for me; bad guy meets somewhat naive girl, some mundane detail, plot twist for shock value, and BAM! HEA! This book? This book was nothing like that. Not even close. It was unpredictable, violent, brutal, dark and twisted. You won’t have a book hangover after, you’ll have PTSD and you’ll love every depraved moment of it!

She’s hurt and broken in her own, fancy-ass country club way. And I’m hurt and broken in my own, broke-ass ghetto way.

Any other woman that finds herself bloodied, tied and locked in a dark basement waiting on certain death at the hands of men intent on collecting their debt from her, may be shaken. But not Prescott. Every minute in her captivity is another minute for her to plot and scheme and plan her escape. Because she will escape. Even if she has to use her unwilling captor to do it…

She’s going to ruin me…and I’m going to let her.

Beat is a nameless, faceless man in a mask. He’s a man that owes a debt himself. He’s the man with a price on his head and his own survival as his main concern. A prissy little princess tied up in his basement for some unknown debt of her own shouldn’t concern him. Yet there’s something about her that calls to his primal side and tempts his inner beast…

She’s aiming straight for my fucking heart, this chick. Shot after shot in the dark.
And sooner or later, I know, even in the pitch black, she’s going to hit her target.”

The story packs a hell of a one two punch. It’s deliciously dirty and anxiety inducing gritty. The characters are incredibly well developed, multi-layered, and impossible not to like. Prescott was one kick-ass chick. She’s a survivor and she never stops fighting. She maintains an almost morbid sense of humor even during the most dire of times which gives her this incredibly endearing quality.

As for Nate Vela aka “Beat”? Oh man. Man oh man. I loved him! I loved his inner struggle in protecting himself or doing the right thing. I loved his inner struggle in his attraction to Prescott. There was so much depth to him that you can’t help but connect with right away.

The chemistry between the two of them was deliciously depraved. This is no cookie cutter romance. Nate Vela is one vile, dirty, dirty man and I loved him for it. Both of them are survivors in their own right, and together they’re a force to be reckoned with. It was perfectly balanced with two incredibly strong characters and for this reader it was perfection! There’s nothing better for me than a heroine that can save herself, and Prescott was no damsel in distress.

There were parts of it that I spent laughing. There were parts of it I spent with a knot in my stomach and hands shaking. It was unlike anything I’ve read and I loved every twisted part of it!

I love her like a slave, I kneel in front of her like a subject, I crawl back to her at night like a drunk and I worship her like a believer. She’s my truth, my lie, my storm and my peace.

There was one particular detail at the end that confused me a little because I don’t remember it being explained. It could have been something I overlooked, but after re-reading the part several times, I’m still not sure. I’m not expecting everything wrapped in a pretty little bow, but given the detail was a pivotal one that set the plot in motion, I suppose I just wanted slightly more explanation on it. But that’s just one minor quibble in what was a truly amazing book, so I really can’t bother myself to complain about it much. If you’re looking for a dark read with strong characters and an unpredictable plot, READ THIS BOOK.

· Filed Under: All Reviews, Dark, DGR Favorites · Tagged With: Book Reviews: 4.5 stars, dark, LJ Shen

DGR’s June Wrap-Up

July 16, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

When the heck did June fly by? Seriously? Wasn’t it just last week? I swear, I blink and it’s July. Craziness I tells ya! Well, June was an awesome month for me here in DGR land. First, I added my girl, Jennifer, as a permanent reviewer. It doesn’t hurt that she’s a book pusher just like me when it comes to her faves and we just happen to have pretty much identical reading tastes! So with this fabulous new addition, I figured why not add a fabulous new feature? So each month, I’ll be doing a wrap-up post talking about what we’ve read, what we’ve loved, and what we plan on reading.

We also happen to LOVE book recs, so if you have any, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below. If there’s a book you’d like to see us read next month, tell us about it in the comments as well 🙂

Lana’s JUNE WRAP-UP

Clearly I’ve been busy this June because holy moly! When did I read all that? All that coffee and no sleep is obviously good for my reading. Here’s the sum-up:

LAST KISS by Laurelin Paige
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

HOT SEAL LOVER (HOT SEAL Team #2) by Lynn Raye Harris
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

CHASING BUTTERFLIES by Terri E Laine
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

STEALING HIS THUNDER by Sparrow Beckett
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

ENGAGING THE BACHELOR by Cathryn Fox
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

BELOW THE SURFACE by Elizabeth Lee
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

ALL THE RAGE by TM Frazier
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

IDOL by Kristen Callihan
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

DOWNTOWN DEVIL by Cara McKenna
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

ALLEGIANCE OF HONOR (Psy/Changeling #15) by Nalini Singh
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

DIRTY SEXY CUFFED by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

RAMSAY by Mia Sheridan
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

MAN CANDY by Melanie Harlow
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

FROM THIS DAY FORWARD by Lauren Layne
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

DARK MAFIA PRINCE by Annika Martin
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

SWEET LITTLE LIES by Jill Shalvis
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

BROKEN PRINCE by Erin Watt
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

LANA’S RECOMMENDATIONS

Can’t pick a book from all the ones I have mentioned? How about some help? Here’s some stand out reads of mine from this month and one from late May that I still can’t stop thinking about!

UNBREAK MY HEART (Unbreak My Heart #1) by Nicole Jacquelyn
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

I read this book in late May and OMG you guys! If you’re looking for angst that will make you cry for your mama, this is that book! It was addicting, painful, and so SO good!

BROKEN PRINCE (Royals #2) by Erin Watt
GOODREADS | AMAZON | MY REVIEW

Sweet mother of book crack! And so my addiction continues with this series. This book doesn’t release until July 25 but trust me when I tell you that you will not want to miss it. If you thought Paper Princess was crazy, you haven’t seen anything yet.

HOT SEAL LOVER (Hot SEAL Team #2) by Lynn Raye Harris

I’m obsessed with this author and everything she writes! Simply obsessed! If you like sizzling hot romantic suspense, I can’t recommend her books enough. Hot Seal Lover is book 2 in her brand new HOT Seal Team spin-off but each of her books may be easily enjoyed as standalones.

MAN CANDY by Melanie Harlow

When I’m looking for a laugh out loud, feel good romance, Melanie Harlow is my go-to. But Man Candy may have been my favorite book by her yet. And that’s saying something considering how much I loved FLOORED.

ALLEGIANCE OF HONOR (Psy/Changeling #15) by Nalini Singh

What an epic conclusion to an even more epic story arc. This is a compelation of stories bringing back all past readers favorites, especially Lucas. #Swoon.
Allegiance of Honor is essentially a bridge book that closes the chapter on “Season One” story arc and introduces all the ingredients of Season Two that the readers will be looking forward to. If you’re a fan of this series, this book is not to be missed! It’s a pivotal story in between story arcs.

DOWNTOWN DEVIL (Sins in The City #2) by Cara McKenna

Holy mother of ovaries, I dunno how I survived this book but MAN was it hot. I’m talking HOT. Like beyond HOT. This is the second standalone novel in Cara’s Sins In The City series and brings a brand new scorching menage. A satisfying romance with some sizzling MMF and MFM threesome action.

SWEET LITTLE LIES by Jill Shalvis

I feel like I have a book for every category this month lol. So how about one to appease those that love a sweet and sexy, light but satisfying contemporary romance. I floved this brand new book from one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. Sweet Little Lies kicks off the new Heartbreaker Bay series and I already can’t wait for more!

Lana’s July Reads

I got lots of books on deck for July and I can’t wait to get to all of these. These are all either already released or will be releasing in July. I’ll mark the release dates on each 🙂

: Contemporary Romance

: MM Romance

: Romantic Suspense

: Contemporary Romance

: Contemporary Romance

: NA Romance

: Contemporary Romance

: MM Romance

: Contemporary Romance

: Contemporary Romance

: Erotic Paranormal Romance

: Dark Romance

CREAM OF THE CROP (Hudson Valley #2) by Alice Clayton
GOODREADS | AMAZON

FIRST AND FIRST by Santino Hassell
GOODREADS | AMAZON

RAVEN by Scarlett Fin
GOODREADS | AMAZON

The Boss: Vol 6 by Cari Quinn & Taryn Elliott
GOODREADS | AMAZON

GOING HARD (Boys Of Fall) by Cari Quinn
GOODREADS | AMAZON

WANDERLUST by Roni Loren– releasing July 19
GOODREADS | AMAZON

DON’T TEMPT ME by Lori Foster– releasing July 26
GOODREADS | AMAZON

HIS ROYAL SECRET by Lilah Pace– releasing July 19
GOODREADS | AMAZON

FORBIDDEN FLING by Skye Jordan– releasing July 26
GOODREADS | AMAZON

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD (Wedding Belles #1) by Lauren Layne– releasing July 26
GOODREADS | AMAZON

STORM OF ECSTASY (Guardians of the Realm #9) by Setta Jay
GOODREADS | AMAZON

BLOOD TO DUST by LJ Shen– releasing July 18
GOODREADS

JENNIFER’S JUNE WRAP UP

Jennifer has been a busy girl! She got to read some of my favorites finally (Backfire, Friction, Dirty Ties and Slave To Sensation) and a few I haven’t read yet. Here’s her sum-up

ONE WEEK TO SCORE by Kate Meader
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

RECKLESS HEARTS by Melody Grace
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

DEVIL IN DISGUISE by Cynthia Eden
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

HOLD YOU AGAINST ME by Skye Warren
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

SLAVE TO SENSATION by Nalini Singh
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

THE HANG UP by Tawna Fenske
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

TRUTH OR BEARD by Penny Reid
GOODREADS | AMAZON

DIRTY TIES by Pam Godwin
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

FRICTION by Sawyer Bennett
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

BACKFIRE by Keri Lake
GOODREADS | AMAZON | J’S REVIEW

JENNIFER’S RECOMMENDATIONS

Friction by Sawyer Bennett

This book is the perfect book wrapped up in a pretty little package with a bow on top. Love/Hate relationship. Laugh my ass off. Hot dirty-talking sex. Apparently, I have a thing for lawyers, because….DAYUM. This is technically the 8^th book in the series, but I didn’t read the books before it and I was not lost at all (so calm yo tits if you have to read books in order. Lol.)

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

To say this book is unique is an understatement. I have never read a paranormal book like this! I am so excited that it is a series and I get to read more. I hope there is more MEGA-HOT-DREAM-SEX! After I finished this first book in the Psy-Changeling series, I dragged my children through the rain to 3 different book stores to purchase the rest of the series. Yeah, that happened.

Dirty Ties by Pam Godwin

This is that book that you kick yourself in the boob for waiting so long to read! I know I did. This is my first Pam Godwin book, and it only took this book to know that I will read anything she writes. I was sucked into this underground lair of speed-racing, hotness, greed, and grit, and I didn’t want come out for days. It was heaven in a book, for me.

Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare

Expect to laugh, giggle, chuckle….SWOON! This book is FUN & FUNNY. Tessa’s books always make me laugh. I loved the broody hero in this one (broody is my jam!). For you OCD readers J, this is the first book in the Castles Ever After series.

JENNIFER’S JULY READS

: Contemporary Romance

: Contemporary Romance

: NA Romance

: PNR

: Contemporary Romance

: Dark Themed Romance

: Apocalyptic Romance

: Erotic Romance

: Dark Mafia Romance

: Contemporary Romance

: Contemporary Romance

: Historical Romance

WICKED BEAUTIFUL (Wicked Games #1) by JT Geissinger
GOODREADS | AMAZON

WICKED SEXY (Wicked Games #2) by JT Geissinger- releasing July 19
GOODREADS | AMAZON

PAPER PRINCESS (Royals #1) by Erin Watt
GOODREADS | AMAZON

THE BEAST (BDB #13) by JR Ward
GOODREADS | AMAZON

SHIFT (Hot Rides #2) by Sidney Bristol
GOODREADS | AMAZON

NEW DESIRES: Becoming Elena – Book Three
GOODREADS | AMAZON

AFTERGLOW by Maria Monroe
GOODREADS | AMAZON

OFF LIMITS by Lola Darling- releasing July 26
GOODREADS

WICKED MAFIA PRINCE by Annika Martin- releasing July 26
GOODREADS | AMAZON

FORBIDDEN FLING by Skye Jordan– releasing July 26
GOODREADS | AMAZON

HARD BALL by CD Reiss
GOODREADS | AMAZON

MARRYING WINTERBORNE by Lisa Kleypas
GOODREADS | AMAZON

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Features · Tagged With: monthly wrap up

New & Upcoming Releases: July 11-13

July 11, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Who’s ready for another epic release week? My wallet may not be, but I sure am! LOL

JULY 11 RELEASES

PLAYING BY HER RULES by Amy Andrews

In this grudge match, the first to score…

When style columnist Matilda Kent accidentally lets slip that she was once involved with the captain of the Sydney Smoke rugby team, she suddenly finds herself elevated to the position she’s always wanted – feature writer. The catch? She’s stuck doing a six-part series on her ex. Still, there’s no way she can turn down a promotion…or the chance to dish the dirt on the guy who so callously broke her heart.

…could win it all!

Tanner Stone wants to be involved in a feature series about as much as he wants to snap an Achilles. But the thought of seeing Tilly again is a bonus—and has him more worked up than he wants to admit. Only he’s not prepared for how different she is – all cool and professional. His Tilly is still in there, though…and he still wants her, now more than ever. All he has to do is charm her into giving him a rematch. And this time, winner takes all!

ONE WEEK TO SCORE by Kate Meader

He’s the man she loves to hate…

Olivia Kane’s wedding day has just imploded spectacularly. Shots lined up at the bar? Bring it. Hot stranger on the hook? Come on down. What this party does not need is six feet and change of home-grown Texas cockiness in the form of her brother’s best friend, the man who broke her heart seven years ago.

She’s the woman he has to have…

Flynn Cross won’t stand by while Liv finds sensual solace in the arms of a stranger, not when his own hard-for-her body is more than up for the task. For one week, he’ll make her honeymoon-for-one a sizzling party for two.

Breaking the rules, one steamy night at a time…

But the taboo they’re breaking is only the beginning…and Flynn’s part in Liv’s wedding debacle could bring about their end.

Each book in the Tall, Dark, and Texan series is a standalone, full-length story that can be enjoyed out of order.
Series Order:
Book #1 Even The Score
Book #2 Taking the Score
Book #3 One Week to Score

FILTHY ENGLISH by Ilsa Madden Mills (Buy links TBA)

**THIS IS A STAND ALONE BOOK**

A smokin’ hot British player…
A jilted girl…
One night of mistaken identity…

Two weeks before her wedding, Remi Montague’s fiancé drops her faster than a drunken sorority girl in stilettos. Armed with her best friend and a bottle of tequila, she hops a plane to London to drown her sorrows before fall semester begins at Whitman University.

She didn’t plan on attending a masquerade party.

She sure didn’t plan on waking up next to the British bad boy who broke her heart three years ago—the devastatingly handsome and naked Dax Blay. Furthermore, she has no clue how they acquired matching tattoos.

Once back at Whitman together, they endeavor to pretend they never had their night of unbridled passion in London.

But that’s damn hard to do when you live in the same house…

One night. Two damaged hearts. The passion of a lifetime.

*A modern love story inspired by Romeo and Juliet*

**no one dies in the writing of this novel**

ACED by Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine (Buy links TBA)

From Ella Frank’s Sunset Cove series and Brooke Blaine’s L.A. Liaisons series comes a scorchingly hot novel that blends humor, passion, and romance.

What happens when these two worlds collide?

Ace Locke is Hollywood’s hottest action hero. Women across the globe fling their panties in his direction, but Ace isn’t interested in those—he’s more of a boxer briefs kind of guy. Specifically, those of the nearly naked male model on a billboard he drives past every day.

Though he recently made headlines for his public coming out, Ace is wary about pursuing a relationship, fearing what the court of public opinion will do to his career. But there’s something in the model’s expression that intrigues him and has him wondering what if?

Dylan Prescott just scored his biggest modeling campaign yet. One that has him plastered all over L.A. in not much more than what he was born with. And when he’s cast in Ace’s latest blockbuster, it puts him in close proximity to his ultimate fantasy.

Outwardly confident, Dylan has no problem with his sexuality or his pretty-boy looks, and uses both to his advantage to get what he wants. And what he wants is the impossible—Ace Locke.

SUGAR DADDIES by Jade West (Buy links TBA)

A sugar daddy website doesn’t seem a sound basis for an A1 life plan, but I’m a small town girl with big dreams, and there’s this one advert, this one crazy advert I can’t stop thinking about…
Two hot guys seeking their Little Miss Right.
Someone who can entertain them, amuse them, fit in with their corporate schedule.
And sex. They want sex.
Lots of sex.
Bonus, right? One major dose of epic win.

Of course, guys like Carl and Rick have their conditions. One being that they come together, or not at all.
Hell, I can live with that.

And there are no skeletons in their designer closet, none that I can find.
Just two hot sugar daddies, with particular tastes, nothing to worry about.

Until Carl and Rick spill the big one, the one that sends the girls running. A whole string of them before me, running to the hills without so much as a backward glance.

Maybe I should run, too. Thanks but no thanks, see you around, guys, nice knowing you.
But I’m already in way too deep for that.

Warning – as with every other Jade West book, reader discretion is highly advised. This novel contains vivid depictions of MMF / MM relationships, and Jade’s characters, as always, have very filthy mouths. Mature readers only, please.

FAST CONNECTION by Megan Erickson and Santino Hassel

After a decade of serving in the Army, everyone still expects me to be Dominic ‘Nicky’ Costigan–the skirt-chasing player. They don’t know I’ve been spending my days trying to figure out my post-military life. Including how to pick up guys.

When I meet Luke on a hookup app, he makes it clear it’s for one-night only. That’s fine with me, because I’m down to see what this silver fox can do. But after I arrive at his doorstep, it doesn’t take long to realize we have serious chemistry, and we end up meeting again.

He’s got more walls around his heart than a military base, but I think he’s as addicted to me as I am to him. He can’t resist me for long. I mean, who can? Except Luke’s rules exist for a reason, and when I test his limits, things get complicated. Maybe too complicated.

*FAST CONNECTION is a standalone, full-length romance novel with no cliffhanger*

NO PANTS REQUIRED by Kim Karr

I, Makayla Alexander, am on a mission to reinvent myself. So when a super hot guy boards the plane and flashes his rock hard abs, I pay attention. When he sits next to me and offers me his nuts, I can’t resist. But when I choke on them and he tells me I need to work on my gag reflex, I realize I might be in over my head.

Before I know it we’re in the lavatory and attempting to join the Mile High Club. Let me just say this…anyone who tells you it’s easy to get it on at 37,000 feet isn’t telling you the truth. After the flight attendant busts us for getting frisky in the air, the only thing that can ease my total and complete mortification is the simple fact that I am never going to see him again.

Hours later, I can’t help but wonder if fate will ever allow me to become a new version of myself.Because Fate, she’s a fickle bitch.Case in point…my seatmate is my new next-door neighbor.Even with the whole fate thing we have going on, we are so not meant to be together. He’s all cool and sexy in that make love not war kind of way. Guys like him are dangerous. With that bring-you-to-your-knees body, that handsome-as-hell face, and that dirty, dirty mouth, I guarantee one glance from him wets every girl’s bikini bottoms.

And then there’s me…the quirky girl looking to find herself in California. All I want to do is learn to let loose. Say words like peace and groovy. Bury my toes in the sand. Who knows, maybe even have sex on the beach.

Unable to get him out of my head, I entertain the thought of being more than just friends. I know the idea is absurd. And yet, I go with it. You see Camden Waters gets me. Really gets me. Like no other guy has before.On this 7-mile stretch of paradise, I decide to keep things simple and just have fun…that is until fate decides to screw with me, again.

Can two people hell-bent on finding themselves realize the search should have ended the day they met? Find out in No Pants Required–a sexy, funny, romantic stand-alone, that will have you hurrying to grab your bathing suit and rushing to the beach to check out every lifeguard on duty.

JULY 12 RELEASES

CREAM OF THE CROP by Alice Clayton

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton brings her trademark blend of funny and sexy to this second contemporary romance in the brand-new Hudson Valley series!

Manhattan’s It Girl, Natalie Grayson, has it all: she’s a hot exec at a leading advertising firm, known industry-wide for her challenging and edgy campaigns. She’s got a large circle of friends, a family that loves her dearly, and her dance card is always full with handsome eligible bachelors. What else could a modern gal-about-town wish for? The answer, of course, is…cheese.

Natalie’s favorite part of each week is spending Saturday morning at the Union Square Farmer’s Market, where she indulges her love of all things triple cream. Her favorite booth also indulges her love of all things handsome. Oscar Mendoza, owner of the Bailey Falls Creamery and purveyor of the finest artisanal cheeses the Hudson Valley has to offer, is tall, dark, mysterious, and a bit oblivious. Or so she thinks. But that doesn’t stop Natalie from fantasizing about the size of his, ahem, milk can.

Romance is churning, passion is burning, and something incredible is rising to the top. Could it be…love?

STEADFAST by Sarina Bowen

A moving new stand-alone novel of forbidden love by USA Today bestseller Sarina Bowen.

Jude lost everything one spring day when he crashed his car into an apple tree on the side of the road. A man is dead, and there’s no way he can ever right that wrong. He’d steer clear of Colebury, Vermont forever if he could. But an ex-con in recovery for his drug addiction can’t find a job just anywhere.

Sophie Haines is stunned by his reappearance. After a three year absence, the man who killed her brother and broke her heart is suddenly everywhere she turns. It’s hard not to stare at how much he’s changed. The bad boy who used to love her didn’t have big biceps and sun-kissed hair. And he’d never volunteer in the church kitchen.

No one wants to see Sophie and Jude back together, least of all Sophie’s police chief father. But it’s a small town. And forbidden love is a law unto itself.

THE SAPPHIRE AFFAIR by Lauren Blakely

Seduction hotter than stolen jewels in this new series from the New York Timesbestselling author of Big Rock.

Bounty hunter Jake Harlowe knows how to track a criminal. So when a group of swindled shareholders hire him to trail their former CEO, Jake expects a quick trip to the Cayman Islands to close another case. Until a devastatingly beautiful woman gets in the way.

Steph Anderson is visiting the Caymans for a rock climbing and dive trip—or so she tells Jake. She’s really trying to find out whether or not her stepfather embezzled money from his company. The last thing Steph needs is the distraction of a sexy, charming man whose kisses drive her wild.

Soon, the pair discover they’re after the same target—and millions in jewels. While Jake can’t be certain Steph isn’t working for her stepfather, and Steph can’t be certain Jake isn’t after the diamonds for himself, they can agree the heat between them is intense, and neither can deny the passion for long.

But the morning after, Steph discovers that she just might have slept with the enemy, and now she’ll have to outwit him to get everything she needs…

DEEP REDEMPTION by Tillie Cole (buy links TBA)

ONLY THROUGH BLOOD CAN THE DEEPEST REDEMPTION BE FOUND…

He was born to ascend.
He was destined to lead.
He was never meant to fail.Prophet Cain lies broken and defeated on the floor of his cell. A cell he has been thrown into by the one person who was supposed to stand by his side until the end. His flesh and blood, his only companion. His beloved twin brother.

Cain has sacrificed everything for his people. He left the safety and security of his life of study to infiltrate the infamous Hades Hangmen. He lived with them, rode with them, and then betrayed them. All in the name of a faith he can now feel slipping away from him. Like everything else he once held dear…

But then his isolation is broken. Another prisoner is brought to the cell next to his. A woman fighting her own demons and fears. A woman who Cain understands needs him, as he needs her.

As the connection between them grows, so does Cain’s resolve. He will right the wrongs he has done. He will atone for the evil acts carried out in his name. He will save the one he loves…

… Even if the battle takes him to the gates of hell itself.

Contemporary Dark Romance. Contains explicit sexual situations, violence, sensitive and taboo subjects, offensive language, and mature topics. Recommended for age 18 years and up.

JULY 13 RELEASE

STONED by Mandi Beck

“A rock star with no rhythm is a man with no soul.” – Stone Lockhart

As the lead singer of one of the hottest bands to hit the rock scene, fucks are free, drugs come easy, and music is life.
For as long as Stone can remember, Willow has been his music – the notes that weave his soul together.
His rhythm.
Until he threw her away.
All he has left is a handful of pills and a few lines of powder to make him forget her.
And he tries, over and over.

Clean and ready to make things right, he’s faced with the fact that Willow’s moved on. She’s not the same girl he cast aside. Willow’s a woman sure about her purpose in life. Sure about who she’s meant to love.
Stone may be lost without his rhythm, but Willow has found so much more.

****STANDALONE****

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Upcoming Releases · Tagged With: New Release, upcoming releases

Upcoming Releases: July 5

July 4, 2016 by Lana · Leave a Comment

Happy 4th of July to all my American dirty birds! I hope you all had a fabulous three day weekend with lots of good books. And now the new week brings us some amazing new releases to look forward to! All of these are releasing July 5

MOONSHOT by Alessandra Torre

Baseball shouldn’t be a game of life and death…

The summer that Chase Stern entered my life, I was seventeen. The daughter of a legend, the Yankees were my family, their stadium my home, their dugout my workplace. My focus was on the game. Chase…he started out a distraction. A distraction with sex appeal poured into every inch of his six foot frame. A distraction who played like a God yet partied like a Devil.

I tried to stay away. I couldn’t.
Then, the team started losing.
Women started dying.
And everything in my perfect world broke apart.

INTO THE BLUE by Chanel Cleeton

From the author of Fly with Me and the Capital Confessions Novels comes the newest in the sexy Wild Aces Romance series.

Eric Jansen—call sign Thor—loves nothing more than pushing his F-16 to the limit. Returning home to South Carolina after a tragic loss, he hopes to fix the mistake he made long ago, when he chose the Air Force over his fiancée.

Becca Madison isn’t quick to welcome Thor back. She can’t forget how he shattered her heart. But Thor won’t give up once he’s set his sights on what he wants—and he wants Becca.

Thor shows Becca that he’s no longer the impulsive boy he used to be, and Becca finds herself irresistibly drawn to him. But will Thor be able to walk away from his dream of flying the F-16 for their love or does his heart belong to the sky?

VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE by Lauren Stewart

Sara has a kick-ass life—loyal friends, a house in San Francisco, and an amazing job as a virtual assistant. It’s perfect…except that Sara doesn’t actually exist. She’s just a borrowed name that Andi Clark hides behind. Using a fake identity lets Andi stay safely shielded behind the screen of her computer and concealed from the real world. With her history, pretending to be someone she’s not is the only way Andi can make up for the mistakes of her past. Not exactly ideal, but hey, no one’s life is perfect.

Actually…

Hayden Bennett’s life is pretty damn perfect. He’s married to a beautiful woman, lives in a luxury apartment, and is prepped to take over the multi-million dollar company his father built. Perfect…except that his wife is madly in love with someone else, his career is meaningless, and he’s forgotten how to live, let alone be happy. But when Hayden hires a new virtual assistant named Sara, her sharp wit and intelligence leaves him wanting something more. Something real. Something incredible.

Two people need to wake up to understand how perfect they are…for each other. If they can’t, any chance either of them have of finding a happily ever after will be virtually impossible.

~~~~~

This highly-anticipated sequel to DARKER WATER is a standalone contemporary romance inspired by Sleeping Beauty. VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE is Hayden and Andi’s story, and this is how their fairytale begins:

Once upon a time there was a woman who made the mistake of trusting the wrong man. And that mistake led to another. And another and another, each more damaging than the last. But the woman was as ignorant of her mistakes as she was of the damage they caused. Until she was punished for them.

Around the same time, but in a totally separate part of the city, lived a noble man and his beautiful wife. Though their castle was the envy of all, its empty halls echoed of loneliness and regret. For the man had lived his entire life asleep, and both of them remained silent of who they truly were and what they truly wanted.

And then one day, the woman entered the man’s life and forced him to awaken…

FALLING IN DEEPER by Shayla Black

A tragic past threatens to destroy a passionate future in this dangerously sexy new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Wicked for You.

After a violent tragedy nearly destroyed her, Lily Taylor ran away, changed her name, and started over. When her deadly nemesis resurfaces to eliminate his loose end, she turns to the last man she should trust—a stranger with a history of violence and an intoxicating sexuality she can’t refuse…

Though strong-armed into locating Lily to help put away a drug lord, ex-con Stone Sutter isn’t anyone’s snitch. When he finds the terrified beauty, he vows to keep her safe—but he isn’t sure he has the strength to shield her from his own desires.

As an unquenchable fire sparks between them, Lily’s tormentor stalks ever closer, and she must overcome her darkest fear to survive. Can she trust the bond she and Stone have formed as they’re falling in deeper?

HITCHED by Kendall Ryan

Marry the girl I’ve had a crush on my whole life? Check.

Inherit a hundred-billion-dollar company? Check.

Produce an heir… Wait, what?

I have ninety days to knock up my brand-new fake wife. There’s only one problem—she hates my guts.

And in the fine print of the contract? The requirement that we produce an heir.

She can’t stand to be in the same room with me. Says she’ll never be in my bed. But I’ve never backed down from a challenge and I’m not about to start now.

Mark my words—I’ll have her begging for me, and it won’t take ninety days.

A hot and hilarious romp not to miss!

Say “I DO” to your next book ~~boyfriend~~ husband. (He totally wants to put a bun in her oven.)

On the heels of her smash hit and New York Times bestselling SCREWED series, Kendall Ryan brings you HITCHED, a romantic comedy that delivers heart and heat. A NYC playboy turned business mogul has ninety days to win over the woman he’s always desired in order to save his father’s company. One tiny problem: She hates his guts.

REASON TO BELIEVE by Gina Gordon

Grace: I thought that reinventing myself as a corporate go-getter would be easy compared to my old life as an escort, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. After taking a full-time office job, my past has come back to haunt me, my love life is nonexistent, and I miss sex—even with the lying cheats who used to be my clients. The trouble is, the closest thing to a man in my life is Ben Lockwood. After pushing me away, that jerk has the nerve to ask a favor—so why is he so hard to resist?

Ben: Working my way up from cameraman to vice president of an adult media company has been . . . interesting. To focus on my career, I swear off all distractions—especially sex—and turn to Grace Nolan, the most poised and polished woman I know, for help cleaning up. But after my little vow of celibacy, spending time with Grace is pure torture. I can’t touch her, and yet I can’t stop thinking about her. And deep down, I know the reason why.

EDGE OF CONTROL by Megan Crane

It’s the End of the World and We Feel Fine Because
Hot Sex + Hard Vikings = Mind. Blown.

Book 3 in the Edge series!

This brotherhood of raider warriors is alpha, dominant, unforgiving…and they keep what they take.

Riordan is a ruthless warrior whose foes tremble before him in his drowned and ruined world. The last thing he wants to do is go undercover as a weakling to spy on his clan’s enemies. Much less with Eiryn— a fierce warrior in her own right and the only woman Riordan’s never been able to forget. He knows that a single touch will throw them straight back into that same old uncontrollable fire. But this time, he might just let them burn.

Eiryn has been betrayed too many times. An escape into a dangerous mission where she can pretend to be the soft, biddable female she’s not seems like the perfect solution. She’s sure she can control the fiery passion that simmers between her and Riordan, the man she’s spent years pretending to hate. After all, the unquenchable lust that flares between them now is all for show… isn’t it?

Wulf’s book, Edge of Power, is coming soon!

BAD BITCH by Christina Saunders

They call me the Bad Bitch. A lesser woman might get her panties in a twist over it, but me? I’m the one who does the twisting. Whether it’s in the courtroom or in the bedroom, I’ve never let anyone – much less a man – get the upper hand.

Except for that jerk attorney Lincoln Granade. He’s dark, mysterious, smoking hot and sexy as hell. He’s nothing but a bad, bad boy playing the part of an up and coming premiere attorney. I’m not worried about losing in a head to head battle with this guy. But he gets me all hot and bothered in a way no man has ever done before. I don’t like a person being under my skin this much. It makes me want to let go of all control, makes me want to give in. This dangerous man makes me want to submit to him completely, again, and again, and again…

TOTAL D*CK by Christina Saunders

I’m your classic skirt chaser. A womanizer. A total d*ck. My reputation is dirtier than a New Orleans street after a Mardi Gras parade. I take unwinnable cases and win them. Where people see defeat, I see a big fat paycheck. And when most men see rejection, it’s because the sexiest woman at the bar has already promised to go home with me.

But Scarlett Carmichael is the one person I can’t seem to conquer. This too-cool former debutante has it all—class, attitude, and a body that begs to be worshipped. I’ve never worked with a person like her before—hell, I’ve never played nice with anyone before in my life, and I’m not about to start with her. This woman wasn’t meant to be played nicely with. It’s going to be dirty. It’s going to be hot. She’s about to spend a lot of time with the biggest d*ck in town. And she’s going to love every minute of it…

HARDASS by Christina Saunders

I cave in to no one. My hardass exterior is what makes me one of the hottest defense lawyers around. It’s why I’m the perfect guy to defend the notorious Bayou Butcher serial killer – and why I’ll come out on top.

Except this new associate I’ve hired is unnaturally skilled at putting chinks in my well-constructed armor. Her brazen talk and fiery attitude make me want to take control of her and silence her – in ways that will keep both of us busy till dawn. She drives me absolutely 100% crazy, but I need her for this case. I need her in my bed. I need her to let loose the man within me who fights with rage and loves with scorching desire…

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Upcoming Releases · Tagged With: upcoming releases

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