Blog Tour Archives - Page 39 of 41

Review – Heat by Penny Reid – Elements of Chemistry Series

Heat
by Penny Reid
Hypothesis #2
Publication Date: April 30, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Humor, Romance

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • iBooks

Elements of Chemistry: HEAT is part 2 of a 3 part series (65k word novel) and ends in a cliffhanger.

**Blurb contains spoilers if you haven’t read Elements of Chemistry: ATTRACTION**

Four days left.
Private beach (…and boat).
Not so invisible girl.
And maybe less of a jerk-faced bully than originally thought.
What’s the worst (or the best) that could happen?

Kaitlyn is finding life outside of the science cabinet of obscurity to be quite illuminating …and so are her pants.

When things heat up between Kaitlyn Parker and Martin—previously known as the jerk-faced bully—Sandeke, she places her trust in the one person she never thought capable of earning it, let alone keeping it safe. Fortunately or unfortunately for Kaitlyn, where she gives her trust she can’t help but also give her heart.

But how will the world beyond the sanctuary of their new found connection react to their relationship? Soon senators, chinless billionaires, and elements beyond Martin and Kaitlyn’s control want to weigh in on the young couple’s future.

Navigating the chaotic inferno of new love might be more than Kaitlyn bargained for, and much, much more than her trust—or her heart—can handle.

BFF K’s Review

rating_5_80

HEAT is an incredible continuation of Kaitlyn and Martin’s story. It picks right up where Attraction left off. We get to see the relationship of Kaitlyn and Martin continue to grow as they learn more and more about one another. Their relationship takes on a physical aspect that will practically burn up your ereader! The book is true to its name….This one brings the HEAT! But, even the steamy scenes are a reflection of who they are as characters.

The character development is fantastic! And, through it all, the book is written with a level of maturity and intelligence sometimes lacking in romance novels. It’s smart and quirky and an absolute delight to read!

I really can’t rave enough about how great this series is! The only problem is waiting until the next one releases! AND – be warned – Heat ends with a MAJOR CLIFFHANGER! I still think that you should still read it immediately, don’t wait to devour the goodness!

cd_5

angst_5

steamy_5

romance_5

heroine_5

hero_5

About Penny Reid

SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing).

By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.

Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Release – Carter Reed 2 by Tijan

BFF K. is very excited for Carter Reed 2!

Carter bought his way out of the mafia to protect Emma, but when an old ghost returns to the Mauricio Family, a chain of events starts that can harm everyone. While Carter must decide to return to the Mauricio Family or not, a face that is oddly familiar to Emma comes into her life. She’s given the chance to discover more about her family while tensions between the rivaling Mauricio and Bertal Family comes to a head in an explosive way. The truce is officially off, and when the two worlds collide, Carter’s decision is made.

He didn’t start this war, but he will end it.

He will do anything to protect Emma.

More Carter Reed? Yes, please!

Amazon US Amazon UK Kobo Nook iBooks

Excerpt

As I held the gun, alone now, some of the old memories came back to me. But they were never very far away.

I had killed two men.

“Jeremy.”

My voice had been soft when I called to him. He’d been raping my roommate, and he was going to kill her. I had no choice. When he turned around and saw the gun in my hand, I shot him. The bullet hit the center of his forehead.

I swallowed now, remembering Mallory as she had watched me, pinned to the wall by his hands. Her eyes had been so lifeless. They were the opposite of Ben’s. He’d been pleading for his life, but minutes earlier he’d been planning to kill Amanda, then me. My stomach churned, remembering that he was going to take me to Franco. He wanted to barter, trade me in for more money, more drugs.

He was the one who killed Mallory, but the Bartel family set all of it in motion.

I drew in a ragged breath, cradling the gun in my hands like a precious baby. This little piece of metal had caused so much havoc in my life, and it was Carter’s weapon of choice. He’d killed plenty with it when he worked for the Mauricio family.

Somehow, I knew this weapon would have a place in our lives again. I didn’t want it to, but I knew it would. And with that last thought, my hand closed over it, and I raised my arms, aiming with my feet apart, my shoulders rolled back. I shot, one after another, until my clip was done.

All except one hit the bullseye. The other one, the outlier, was just outside the inner circle on the target.

I’d have to get better.

About the Author

I didn’t begin writing until after undergraduate college. There’d been storylines and characters in my head all my life, but it came to a boiling point one day and I HAD to get them out of me. So the computer was booted up and I FINALLY felt it click. Writing is what I needed to do. After that, I had to teach myself how to write. I can’t blame my teachers for not teaching me all those years in school. It was my fault. I was one of the students that was wishing I was anywhere but at school! So after that day, it took me lots of work until I was able to put together something that resembled a novel. I’m hoping I got it right since someone must be reading this profile! And I hope you keep enjoying my future stories.

Stalk Her: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review – Catching Cassidy by Melissa Foster

Wyatt Armstrong never imagined that instead of celebrating his college graduation, he and his twin sister would be dealing with the death of their parents. Then again, Wyatt had never been one to think past tomorrow. He heads to their summer home in Harborside, Massachusetts, with his best friend Cassidy Lowell in tow, to deal with his parents’ death and to try to figure out his next step.

Six foot two, infuriatingly handsome, and flirtatious, Wyatt Armstrong has always been there for Cassidy, helping her pass her classes and fend off unwanted advances, while driving her insane with his one-night stands—but that’s what best friends are for, isn’t it? Having each other’s backs. There was never any doubt that she would accompany him to his family’s summer home—but she never expected to begin seeing Wyatt as more than a friend. Or has she been ignoring her feelings all along?

It’s impossible to ignore the sizzling heat between them as Wyatt and Cassidy get even closer, but Cassidy knows Wyatt’s past, and she has a real job to begin in the fall. Wyatt may be a sure thing for the summer, but Cassidy needs more. For the first time in his life, Wyatt is forced to look toward the future if he doesn’t want to lose the one woman who’s shared his past and owns his heart.

BFF K’s Review

rating_4.5

Catching Cassidy is a wonderful NA, coming-of-age novel that has all the feels! Wyatt is a fantastic young hero. He’s kind, considerate, compassionate and loyal. Wyatt and his twin sister Delilah loose their parents in a sudden tragedy the night of their college graduation. He and Delilah bring their best friend Cassidy with them to Harborside for the summer. Wyatt struggles to ensure that Delialah and Cassidy are ok while at the same time trying to figure out his own role and place in this new reality.

There is an angst-filled, push and pull as Cassidy and Wyatt try to deny their growing attraction for the sake of their friendship. Factor into that: job uncertainties, family dynamics, a colorful cast of friends and an idyllic summer setting and you have the makings of a really wonderful NA story.

I am loving all of the characters in Harborside. I really enjoyed the way that Melissa Foster described the group of “summer friends” and we got a glimpse into the personalities and lives of all of them. I feel invested now in the whole group and I’m looking forward to reading the series so I can catch up with all of them! This is a quality series that I think you’ll really really like!

cd_5

angst_4

romance_5

hero_4

signoff_K_sm

**An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo

Add to your Goodreads

Check out the other blog tour stops for Catching Cassidy

Watch the trailer:

About the Author

Melissa Foster is an award-winning, International bestselling author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Release – The Consequence of Loving Colton by Rachel Van Dyken

It’s all fun and games…until someone’s heart is broken.

They’re not kids anymore, but Milo Caro is certain that Colton Mathews will only see her as his best friend’s little sister for the rest of their lives. After all, he made that clear the night before she leftfor college. But four years later, her brother is getting married and Colt’s the best man—and guess who is the best man’s last-minute date?

Milo vows to use the wedding to either claim the smoldering firefighter’s heart or douse this torch for good. When Max—her best friend from college, who may be carrying a torch of his own—crashes the party, they devise a plan to make Colt see what he’s missing. But after Colt catches on, he decides to cook up his own revenge.

Now it’s personal. Colt and Milo are at war, and between Max’s questionable acting methods, an unfortunate trip to jail, and a maniacal fiancée, what could possibly go right?

AMAZON

Excerpt

“Aw, sweetie.” Max laughed and pulled me in for a hug. I winced as my pounding head made contact with his chest. “Believe me, if we would have slept together, you would remember, even drunk, you would remember.”

“Someone’s cocky.”

“Confident.” He released me. “So are we upset or are we okay?”

“We?”

“Partners.” He winked. “For life. You and me, we’re a we.” He lifted the coffee to his lips. “Hey, that rhymed, how badass am I, after getting drunk last night?” He nodded his head. “Sharp as a tack.”

The coffee slid out of the cup and onto his hand.

Lots of cursing followed.

Then flailing.

“Yeah.” I took the coffee away. “Sharp as something.”

“So.” Max reached behind him and pulled out my diary. “Curious minds want to know, when you drew that picture of the house you and Colton were going to live in once you got married in front of the queen of England, did you purposefully draw the dog without a tail or were you just confused?”

“Give me that!” I lunged for the pink diary. “How the hell did you find it?”

Max held it above his head and took a sip of coffee. “People always hide interesting stuff under their mattresses, though I had you pinned for more of a signed ’N Sync poster, considering all the stupid hearts around JC Chasez’s face on the torn-up poster in your closet.” The freak had gone in my closet too? “This is just as good. Though I have to admit, I’m a bit disappointed that you chose Prince Harry to walk you down the aisle. Do I mean nothing to you?”

“I had a thing for royalty!” I shouted, my headache making a fierce pounding in my temples.

“Mmm.” Max set his coffee down but kept the diary above his head. “One last question.”

“If I answer, will you give it back so I can burn it?”

“I’ll give it back.” He held up his hand. “But burning this would be a crime. It’s like reality TV only worse, I seriously cried real tears and it wasn’t because the story was sad. Oh, and P.S. It took you five years to spell nightmare right, just thought I’d let you know.”

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com

NEWSLETTER FACEBOOK TWITTER GOODREADS AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Review – Attraction by Penny Reid

Attraction
by Penny Reid
Hypothesis #1
Also in this series: Elements of Chemistry: Attraction, Heat, Capture
Genres: Contemporary, Humor, New Adult, Romance

Amazon • Kobo • iBooks • Barnes & Noble

Elements of Chemistry: ATTRACTION is the first part in a three part series; it is 45k words; and it ends with a cliffhanger.
Part 1 (ATTRACTION) will be released April 9, 2015
Part 2 (HEAT) will be released April 30, 2015.
Part 3 (CAPTURE) will be released May 16, 2015.

One week.
Private beach.
Invisible girl.
Jerk-faced bully.

What’s the worst that could happen?

Kaitlyn Parker has no problem being the invisible girl, which is why she finds herself hiding in various cabinets and closets all over her college campus. Despite her best efforts, she can’t escape the notice of Martin Sandeke—bad boy, jerkface bully, and the universe’s hottest, wealthiest, and most unobtainable bachelor—who also happens to be Kaitlyn’s chemistry lab partner.

Kaitlyn might be the only girl who isn’t interested in exploiting his stunning rower’s build, chiseled features, and family’s billionaire fortune. Kaitlyn wants Martin for his brain, specifically to tabulate findings of trace elements in surface water.

When Kaitlyn saves Martin from a nefarious plot, Martin uses the opportunity to push Kaitlyn out of her comfort zone: spring break, one week, house parties, bathing suits, and suntan lotion. Can she overcome her aversion to being noticed? Will he be able grow beyond his self-centered nature? Or, despite their obvious chemistry, will Martin be the one to drive Kaitlyn into the science cabinet of obscurity for good?

BFF K’s Review

Sent to Penny Reid immediately upon finishing Part 1 – Attraction.

To: Penny Reid

From: BFF K

RE: Groveling

I am sending you this message in desperation. I am begging, pleading, imploring, coaxing, desperately requesting an ARC for Heat. I was one of the very, very, very lucky folks to receive an ARC for Attraction at ABF. I was able to start, and finish, Attraction this afternoon. And, I can’t wait. I am beside myself needing to know what happens next.

While I am grateful for the first chapter of Heat in the back of the ARC, (I don’t think my heart could have handled the cliffhanger without it.) I need more. I need to know what happens with Martin and Kaitlyn. I just gushed to my blogging partner about how amazing this book is. It is really all of the reasons that I love to read romance books. I need to know what happens. I can’t wait.

I feel like I have very little to offer you in exchange for said ARC. Would undying love and devotion suffice? I contemplated offering my first-born child. But….he’s the only-child and adopted; and I’m not sure if that meets the standard definitions for first-born. Plus, he’s pretty cool and I think I would miss him after a few days…..Even if I have to wait (many more torturous days), I will still look forward to reading Heat and Capture. You’re such a talented writer and I’m looking forward to more great stories!

Cheers,

BFF K – BFF Book Blog

Yes, I was that desperate! I wanted the next book so badly I couldn’t stand it. This book is phenomenal! Penny Reid is a fantastic writer. She writes complex, interesting, intelligent, quirky and engaging characters that pull you into their lives and their stories.

I called BFF A practically shaking after I finished Attraction. I told her, “this is why I read romance novels.” Ahhhh – Kaitlyn Parker is so smart and charming and endearing and wonderful. Martin Sandeke is complicated and worthy of a little redemption. I want to climb in their story and live in the pages. I had butterflies and goosebumps and other animal-ish reactions! I was laughing out loud and grinning like a crazy person!

Attraction left me clamoring for more of Kaitlyn and Martin’s story! I’m aching to know what happens next and how they can resolve their issues to find a Happily Ever After in their own unconventional way.

Do yourself a favor and read this book! Do your friends a favor and tell them to read this book! I can’t wait to hear what you think about each of the books in this series!

PS – To prove her awesomeness, I received HEAT within a few days of my shameless email request, because the evil-overlord is super cool like that!

Here are the Amazon links to Pre-Order Heat and Capture. After you finish Attraction you’re going to want to do this ASAP!

About Penny Reid

Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

Review – Better With Sugar by Katrina Kirkpatrick

War veteran Ethan Quill’s horse doesn’t like people. And that’s okay because neither does he. Broken by their pasts and shunned by the community, they keep to themselves on Ethan’s rundown farm. And then along comes a brown-eyed baker who turns their world upside down.

Heiress by birth, optimist by heart, Elly Baptiste has left Manhattan behind and picked up her spatula in Cranefly, a quaint Adirondack town. She’s looking for love and finds the promise of something unexpectedly delicious with the local recluse. But how does a woman who’s running from life find happily ever with a man who’s hiding from it?

Elly knows sugar. Ethan knows war.
She knows sweet. He knows defeat.
When put to the test, can they prove that love and life really are better with sugar?

BFF K’s Review

Better with Sugar is both heart warming and heart breaking. The story of Elly and Ethan is one that will stay with me for awhile. It is not just a tale of romance between two complex characters, it is a journey of discovery and self-acceptance for both of them as well. Some parts of the book were almost hard to read because you could feel the tug and pull and longing for happiness inside of both Elly and Ethan. But, those emotions make the Happily Ever After so much sweeter. This debut novel by Katrina Kirkpatrick is well written and full of wonderful dialogue and imagery. I also loved the colorful cast of supporting characters (I’m hopeful that Naomi and Noah will get their Happily Ever After in a coming book.) I highly recommend this enjoyable and moving tale of redemption, affirmation and love.

Purchase on Amazon

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Excerpt

The evocative creak of bedsprings jerked him into motion. He barely saw the floor in front of him as he moved through the apartment, his mind too busy imagining every curve on her body. The shape her mouth would take in pleasure.

He stopped in the doorway to the bedroom, her scent curled out like tiny fingers begging him into the space. But for a moment, he just stood.

The moon had already set, chased from the sky by a sunrise that wasn’t even yet discernible. It left the room a part of the night, only as well-lit as the stars were pale, but the white of her bedspread glowed like snow on a winter landscape. She had already disappeared under it, now just the vague outline of a body.

Her naked body.

Every cell in his body clenched tight.

Two dark pieces of cloth draped off the edge of the bed.

Her apron, his suit jacket.

There wouldn’t be any turning back after this.

Fear touched the back of his neck, driving a shiver down his spine. He’d none nothing the past few years but give everything up. Because if he hadn’t given it up—it would’ve been ripped from him anyway. And tonight was going to give him so much to lose.

Not just Elly, but himself.

Maybe she sensed his hesitation because she moved under the blanket, pulling it down just enough to reveal a ridiculous mass of hair and two round eyes that didn’t so much reflect the light as they did absorb it, feeding it into her creamy white skin until it seemed to glow. He meant to only go as close as the edge of the bed, but found himself pressing one knee on the mattress and leaning over her. Her eyes widened ever so slightly and the moment hung between them. This would be the end or the beginning.

About The Author

A love of language led Katrina Kirkpatrick to a degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Illinois, a love of her babies led her to the illustrious title of Stay-At-Home-Mommy, and a never-ending, lifelong delight of storytelling led her to pursue publication. She infuses love with laughter because love might make the world go round, but laughter lights up the scenery.

She has two daughters who call her Mommy Queen, two dogs, two cats, lots of chickens and a husband happy to call this chaos home. They reside in central Illinois.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review – Black Number Four by Kandi Steiner

Known as one of the youngest and most ambitious poker players in the country, Skyler Thorne has a reputation to uphold in Vegas this year. Her sole focus for spring semester is to perfect her game and get tournament ready – and have some fun with her sorority sisters, of course. Meeting a care-free pledge with incredible arms adds a whole new element of fun to her semester, but when a shocking discovery about his past surfaces, Skyler finds herself stuck in a game she wasn’t prepared to play.

Kip Jackson is on a mission from his father. His plan was to get in, have a little fun, and then get out – on to bigger and better things. A feisty girl with bright blue eyes wasn’t on his list of things to do, but she quickly moves her way up to the very top. When he realizes completing his dad’s mission means crushing her in the process, he must decide if his dreams are worth the risk – or if he even has the same dreams, at all.Two secrets. Two hearts. Two hands being played in one twisted game of deceit. When the cards are on the table, will anyone be left standing?The perfect poker face can only hide them for so long.

BFF K’s Review

rating_3.5

Kandi Steiner has written a roller coaster NA romance. Skyler and Kip are college students with a lot on their plate. They are brought together by not-so-random circumstances, but their connection is genuine. Their story takes twists and turns that will leave you a little whiplashy. There’s a lot going on in the story. Through the first 50%, I thought there was TOO much going on. However, Steiner pulled the details together through the last 50%. I found myself rooting for Kip and Skyler. I wanted them to succeed as a couple and find a way to be together. The poker world/college students/fraternity and sorority settings are an interesting combo. But, that is also what makes the story unique. I enjoyed the read and I don’t think this will be the last Kandi Steiner story that you’ll find reviewed here!

romance_4

heroine_4

hea_4

signoff_K_sm

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes

Excerpt

We get to my apartment around noon and I throw together a couple of turkey sandwiches for us. By the time we finish eating, we’re both exhausted – both from paddleboarding and from not sleeping last night.

“Why don’t we take a shower and watch a movie?” I suggest as Skyler yawns.

“I don’t have any clothes here besides the ones I have on now and they’re all sandy.”

“You can borrow a pair of boxers and a shirt of mine.”

Skyler chews her lip, unsure. “I don’t know, I’m pretty tired.”

“So am I,” I say, standing and pulling her up with me. “So maybe we watch a movie and maybe we take a nap. Don’t leave yet. I barely see you during the week and I know there’s not many weekends where you don’t have sorority stuff going on.”

“I actually have a sisterhood event tonight.”

“See?” I pull her wrist and lead her toward my bedroom, which really is just my bed separated by hanging curtains on a rack. I rummage through my clothes until I find a clean shirt and pair of boxers, tossing them to her and pointing to the bathroom. “Towels are above the toilet in the cabinet, shampoo and shit’s in there.”

She still seems unsure, so I pull her into me and move the fallen strands of hair from her face. “Come on. Just for a few hours. You’ll feel better once you shower and I know you’re tired. You’re not going to get any sleep if you go home to your sorority house.”

At that she sighs and nods. “You’re probably right about that.”

I smile and nudge her toward the bathroom again.

“Fine,” she says. “But just for a little while. And no trying to ambush me in the shower, either.”

I hold up my hands in surrender. “I promise. You can shower in peace.”

“Mmm hmm,” she says, suspicious, but she walks to the bathroom and closes the door behind her.

I smile and start straightening my bed, turning on the TV to find something for us to watch. I’m flipping through the channels when I hear the shower turn on and the smile leaves my face. Suddenly, I’m completely aware of Skyler’s naked body in the other room.

Shaking my head, I focus on finding something to watch, willing my own body to behave. After a few minutes, I realize I’ve flipped through the channels three times now without stopping or even recognizing what I was seeing on the screen. I bite my lip hard, cross my arms, and pace.

Don’t do it. Don’t make this more complicated than it is. She trusts you, she’s opening up to you – that’s what you need from her. Poker. Poker. Poker.

That’s all.

I pace more. Back and forth. Back and forth. Before I know what I’m doing, my knuckles are knocking softly on the bathroom door. I have no idea what I’m going to say or what the fuck I’m doing, but I can’t stop my hands. The door opens slightly on the third knock, as if it wasn’t completely closed, and through the slit, I see Skyler.

She’s standing there shocked, her mouth open slightly as the water continues to drip down her body, running in rivers down over her breasts and meeting between her thighs. I swallow hard, unsure of my decision. I have nothing to ask, no reason to be staring at her through this door – but Skyler doesn’t cover herself, she doesn’t scream, she doesn’t tell me to get out.

I open the door a little further, still wondering what the hell I’m doing. I consider asking if she needs anything else, if she found a towel, something – but we both know I didn’t come in here to give her a towel.

“I suck at keeping promises,” I admit, just above a whisper, and I wish I could tell her I’m not just talking about the promise to not interrupt her shower.

“And I suck at pretending like I don’t want you.”

Playlist

Latch

Hannah Trigwell & Nick Howard

Chapter 1: Ante Up

Scene: “Latching onto the transfer already?”

Hell Yeah

Midnight Red

Chapter 1: Ante Up

Scene: “What do you say we make this party a little more interesting?”

Blank Space

Tyler Ward

Chapter 2: Lady Luck

Scene: “Passion can be a dangerous thing.”

Take U There

Jack U ft. Kiesza

Chapter 3: Ace

Scene: Ralph’s is packed when we arrive, which isn’t out of the ordinary for a Friday night.

Slow to Learn

Manchester Orchestra

Chapter 4: Deuces

Scene: I’ve been too damn distracted by how sexy she is when she’s schooling these tools.

Sledgehammer

Fifth Harmony

Chapter 5: Hot Table

Scene: There’s also the fact that I like being around him. I like it way more than I care to admit and that’s not good.

Heartbreaker

Jayme Dee

Chapter 5: Hot Table

Scene: He smiles and licks his lips, his eyes smoldering, which causes practically the entire chapter room to swoon.

Blame

Calvin Harris

Chapter 6: Nicely Played

Scene: But then I remember that I will hurt her, whether I want to or not. It will happen. It’s inevitable.

Shower

Becky G

Chapter 7: Two Can Play That Game

Scene: “How is it that you infuriate me yet turn me on at the same time?”

What Makes You Beautiful

Boyce Avenue

Chapter 8: Power Moves

Scene: “Hold me so I won’t float away?”

Try

Colbie Caillat

Chapter 9: Poker Face

Scene: “We’re just trying to help,” Ashlei says.

Life of the Party

Shawn Mendes

Chapter 10: Weakness

Scene: “I don’t care about what people think, Skyler. I know you do, but I don’t.

Break Free

Ariana Grande

Chapter 11: Angle Shooter

Scene: There isn’t another option in this game, no matter how badly I wish there was.

Lay Me Down (acoustic)

Sam Smith

Chapter 12: Blank

Scene: How was I supposed to know the kind of drug I was getting into?

Bumper Cars

Alex & Sierra

Chapter 13: Bluffing

Scene: I hate this. I hate this so, so much.

Here We Go Again

Mat Kearney

Chapter 14: Tilt

Scene: “You’re coming home with me tonight.”

Hideaway

Kiesza

Chapter 15: No Limit

Scene: I have no idea what I’m doing.

Same Sea

Lights

Chapter 16: Black Number Four

Scene: “I never thought studying could be so sexy,”

#GetItRight

Miley Cyrus

Chapter 16: Black Number Four

Scene: “You’re killing me, Sky,”

She Looks So Perfect

5 Seconds of Summer

Chapter 16: Black Number Four

Scene: “IT’S SPRING BREAK, BITCHES!”

Give Me Something

Alex & Siera

Chapter 16: Black Number Four

Scene: “Yeah, good luck with that game.

Surrender

Cash Cash

Chapter 17: Bad Beat

Scene: And the rest of the world can just deal with it.

Strip

Jessie J

Chapter 17: Bad Beat

Scene: “And what would make it perfect-perfect

Blame It On Me

Mapei

Chapter 17: Bad Beat

Scene: I can’t lose him.

Tenerife Sea

Ed Sheeran

Chapter 18: Rush

Scene: When we’re alone, that same electricity buzzes to life. The air feels tight, hot, charged.

All About You

Hilary Duff

Chapter 19: Game Changer

Scene: It’s crazy that a simple text can make my stomach flip like this, but it’s exactly what I needed.

Breathe Again

Sarah Bareilles

Chapter 19: Game Changer

Scene: I want him to fix it. To fix me.

It’s Not Over

Secondhand Serenade

Chapter 20: Downswing

Scene: “You don’t want to kiss me.” “Yes I do.”

Growing Up

Alex G

Chapter 21: Tell

Scene: As if I’m a glutton for punishment, I pull his oversized black t-shirt from my bag and slip it over my head, taking everything else off.

Pretending

Glee Cast

Chapter 22: Freezeout

Scene: For a moment she just stares at me, and I just stare at her. We don’t wave or nod or even really acknowledge that we’re both looking. We just look.

The Sun is Rising

Britt Nicole

Chapter 23: Game Over

Scene: And somewhere in those ocean blue eyes of his, I find what I’ve been searching for.

Stay With Me

Janxx

Chapter 23: Game Over

Scene: Love doesn’t care about the games we play.

Real Love

Clean Bandit & Jess Glynne

Chapter 24: Break Even

Scene: “I’m done leaving my life to chance. Black number four can suck it.”

Don’t Go Home Without Me

Lights

Epilogue: Heart

Scene: “I could get used to kisses like this.”

About The Author

Kandi Steiner is a Creative Writing and Advertising/Public Relations graduate from the University of Central Florida living in Tampa with her husband. Kandi works full time as a social media specialist, but also works part time as a Zumba fitness instructor and blackjack dealer. Kandi started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic (like most girls brought up on Disney movies).

When Kandi isn’t working or writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys beach days, movie marathons, live music, craft beer and sweet wine – not necessarily in that order.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Review and Excerpt – Always You by Stephanie Rose

To Samantha Christensen, Lucas Hunter was always the guy—the sexy, smart and unattainable man she pined for throughout college. To Lucas, she was a treasured friend, a younger sister he felt the need to protect. She had a choice—to wait and hope, or to settle.

When they meet again years later, Lucas looks at Samantha and sees a woman he wants—even though she’s not free to take. As they renew their friendship he finds he’s falling hard, and can’t accept any less than all of her.

Samantha realizes there’s hope with Lucas. Will she finally have a chance to be happy with the man she’s always loved, or will obligations and insecurities stand in their way?

Can Samantha and Lucas convince each other that they belong together? That it was Always You?

BFF K’s Review

rating_3.5

Always You is a sweet second chance romance! Always You is a wonderful story of finding love the 2nd time around. Many parts of the story were predictable, but there were also a few twists that I didn’t really expect, but that added to the overall story. I enjoyed reading about Samantha’s school-girl-infatuation with Lucas in college. And, it was sweet and exciting to watch Lucas awaken to her feelings and fall in love with Samantha as an adult.

But, more than that, I liked the story of Samantha finding herself. I wish that there had been a more detailed back story to understand why Samantha’s self-esteem had taken such a beating. I just accepted that there were experiences in her past that damaged her self-worth and I enjoyed watching her reclaim her independence and the love of her life!

(And, there are few things sexier than a guy who is a good dad. Watching Lucas embrace Samantha’s daughter and become loyal and fiercely protective of both of them is absolutely swoon-worthy!)

steamy_3

romance_4

hero_4

hea_4

signoff_K_sm

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes And Noble

Excerpt

“Shit, Sam! Baby Girl, are you okay?”

God, please no. Calling me Baby Girl now was like sticking a knife directly into my already broken heart. Lucas lifted me off the ground to help me stand. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head. I always loved when he did that, but now it hurt like hell. It was torturous, but I let myself feel him one last time. I wanted to remember the way he smelled, how his arms felt like home—but he wasn’t my home anymore, and it killed me to know that.

I pushed out of his hold and looked at his face. His beautiful face. His blue eyes were still glassy, but they were red now. I didn’t want to believe what I saw. I wanted to look at the unshed tears growing in Lucas’s eyes and think it meant he really loved me, and he would never ever hurt me.

I saw an empty cab coming up the block and raised my arm to hail it. I must’ve fallen hard as blood trickled down my wrist when I held my hand up. The cab slowed to a stop and I headed to the curb where it waited. I willed myself to stop crying at least until I got inside.

Lucas grabbed my arm again, shaking his head. “You can’t leave like this.” His voice was cracking. “I need you, I love you. You know me, Sam.”

I shook my head sadly. “No. No, I don’t.”

About The Author

Stephanie lives in the Bronx, New York with her superhero-obsessed husband and son.

Her day job is marketing, but she always has a story in her head.

This lifelong New Yorker lives for Starbucks, book boyfriends, and 80s rock

After spending most of her youth watching soaps, Stephanie has an obsession with angsty drama and hot romance.

She’s excited to finally bring the characters she’s been dreaming about to life!

Goodreads |Facebook | Twitter | TSU

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Release – Fall with Me by J. Lynn

FALL WITH ME is a New Adult Contemporary Romance by J. Lynn (also known as Jennifer L. Armentrout) and is a part of her Wait For You Series, published by Avon Romance. We love this series and can’t wait to start reading Roxy and Reece’s story!

Eleven months ago, bartender and weird-shirt-wearing extraordinaire Roxy and Officer Reece Anders had a one night stand. Well, kind of. She’s been in love with him since she was fifteen, and he wishes that night they shared never happened. She’s sworn him off forever, but the past and future collide, forcing her to rely on the one man who broke her heart not once, but twice.

Her best friend since birth has been in a long-term care facility since he became a victim of a hate crime years ago, and the person who put him in there is out of prison and wanting to make amends with him and Roxy. She’s not sure she has room for forgiveness in her and when she begins to receive frightening messages and is on the receiving end of escalating violence, she thinks she knows who is to blame. The man who already destroyed one life already.

But Reece isn’t convinced. The threats are too personal, and even if Roxy doesn’t believe him, he’s not willing to let anyone hurt her. Including himself. He’s already messed up more than once when it comes to Roxy and he’s not going to let history repeat itself.

Amazon Barnes and Noble iBooks Kobo**

Excerpt

Someone—was it Melvin?—catcalled as Reece led me down the hall, and my cheeks flushed. “Okay, heman, I can walk all by my little self.”

He cast a look over his shoulder at me as he opened the office door. “I’m sure you can.”

Then he pulled me inside.

My gaze flipped to the roses—the roses!—but before I could say a word, he closed the door and my back was pressed against it, his hands planted on either side of my head and his face right in mine. Like right there, within kissing distance.

Wow.

“So, I was at my father’s place in New Jersey most of the day, and you know, he lives out near the Pine Barrens, so service is shit.”

I nodded even though I really wasn’t processing what he was saying as I was too busy staring at his mouth. Those lips, fuller on the bottom, drove me to distraction.

“I pull out of his driveway and I have all these messages from Dennis,” he continued, and I finally caught on to what he was talking about. “I honestly thought he was messing with me at first.”

I cringed. “He . . . um, he wasn’t.”

He shot me a bland look. “That much I figured out.” His hands slid on the door, stopping just shy of touching my shoulders. “What did he do to you?”

“What?” I blinked.

“What did that bastard do to make you throw a book through his windshield?”

Oh. Oh. My heart was now wiggling along with my stomach. “He really didn’t do anything. I just lost my cool. He wanted to talk to me, and I didn’t want to talk to him.”

“You don’t have to talk to him.”

“That’s what Dennis said, but I shouldn’t have damaged his car.”

A muscle flexed along his right jaw. “That’s true.” He shook his head. “Damn, Roxy, can’t say I’m surprised.”

My brows flew up. “You’re not?”

He laughed under his breath. “Babe, you’ve always had a hell of a temper on you.”

Ah, that was kind of true. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

Reece cocked his head to the side. “A sexy thing, but vandalism and destruction of property doesn’t look good on you, sweets.”

“No. It doesn’t match my manicure.” I raised my hands, flashing him the blue nails.

He laughed again and then he sobered up, just like that. Cop Face was on, and yeah . . . the low coiling in my stomach told me I found Cop Face arousing. “You’re lucky. He could’ve pressed charges, and this conversation would be going in a whole different direction.”

My own half smile slipped off my face. “I know. It’s . . . I was just with Charlie, and he’s . . .” Unable to continue, I forced a casual shrug I didn’t feel. “What are you going to do with me?”

His lips parted as his chest rose with a deep breath, then his gaze dropped to my mouth, and his expression tightened. He looked . . . he looked hungry. “I have lots of ideas.”

About Jennifer L. Armentrout:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Website Facebook Twitter Novel Goodreads Author Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Re-Release – The Speak Easy Duet by Melanie Harlow

It starts with Speak Easy…

Enzo DiFiore is not a nice guy.

He’s a liar. A cheat. A criminal.

His family kidnapped my father and wants ten grand in ransom from me—next week.

But I can’t keep my hands off him.

Joey Lupo is a criminal too—and just because he’s helping me get the money doesn’t mean I should forgive him for all the dirty tricks he played on me in the past.

But I can’t keep my mind off him.

Me? I’m just a bootlegger with a weakness for whiskey, danger, and a man in a three-piece suit.

But deciding whom to trust isn’t easy in a world where everyone wants something—be it booze, money, power, or sex—and no one cares what it takes to get it.

It continues with Speak Low…

I thought I could leave danger behind.

I couldn’t.

I thought I did the right thing, betraying one man for another.

I didn’t.

I thought I knew what I wanted.

I was wrong.

Now I’m desperate to fix my mistakes before it’s too late and I lose the one thing, the one person, that truly matters to me.

I LOVE Melanie Harlow’s Frenched Series. (Frenched, Forked, Floored) Before she wrote those sweet and steamy books, she tackled a historical romance about a feisty woman who bootlegs whiskey. Melanie has recently put Speak Easy and Speak Low together and repackaged them into 1 book. Be sure to check out The Speak Easy Duet!

Add to your Goodreads

Amazon

Excerpt

Despite the hot day, the interior of the boathouse was shadowy and dank, empty but for the sacks of whisky and crates of scotch at the back. I was heading for them when I heard footsteps behind me.

“I made the deliveries,” I said, picking up a burlap sack of Canadian Club by its bunny ears. “Mrs. Koehler was a little short.”

“I’m not sure you should be calling anyone short.”

I spun around as someone stepped from the shadows into a narrow beam of sunlight slanting through a high window.

It was him. My breath hitched. “How did you get in here?”

He smiled, hands in his pockets, coat unbuttoned. “I have a talent for lock and key.”

“How did you find this place?”

“I followed you.”

The gooseflesh returned. Was Bridget right about him? “Why?”

“I was curious.” He approached me slowly. “And I wanted to see you again.”

I glanced at the open door. “You shouldn’t be here. If it’s whisky you want, I’ll bring it to you.”

He took the sack from my hands and set it on the floor. “What if I want something besides whisky?” His dark eyes were beautiful, but it was his mouth that fascinated me. My breath came faster as I stared at the sharp peaks of his upper lip.

“Such as?”

He tipped up my chin, but went no further, his mouth so close I could feel his breath. His slow smile sent my pulse skittering out of control.

I was done waiting for it. I grabbed his head and pulled his mouth down to mine.

His arms snaked around my back, the heat of his body enveloping me. When he opened his mouth, I did the same, my entire body humming like a swarm of bees was under my skin. I’m kissing the sheik! I don’t even know his name! Daddy could walk in here any second! Damn, he smells good—like aftershave and tobacco. My breasts tingled and I rose up on tiptoe, trying to press closer. Wishing his skin was bare, I ran my hands down his vest and twined my arms around his taut waist. My fingers hit a hard object, and I froze.

He has a gun.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her lipstick red, and her history with the naughty bits left in. She lifts her glass to readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI.

Website: http://www.melanieharlow.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMelanieHarlow

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7095467.Melanie_Harlow?from_search=true

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelanieHarlow2