Friday, March 30, 2018

Release Blitz: The Assassins Series by Toni Aleo

AssassinsBOXSET_BANNER
★★★ BOXED SET DEAL! ★★★
The Assassins Series Bundle by Author Toni Aleo is only 99c!
Grab it before the price changes!
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3 full-length novels & 2 novellas all from the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling series, the Assassins series by Toni Aleo.


AssassinsBOXSET_AvailableNow

BREAKING AWAY
Phillip and Reese are happy in their single lives. It’s simple. They do what they want, who they want, and how they want, but from the moment they meet, the attraction is undeniable. Soon, they are more than willing to spend just one night tangled in the sheets. But, one night turns into two, and two turns into three, until they find themselves in a repeated dance of “One Last Time” that has the potential to be something more… if only Reese and Claire allow it. Can Phillip find a way to thaw the hearts of both the women in his life, or will he be forever trying to break them away from their pasts?

TANGLED IN THE LACES
Karson King is on the fast track to the NHL. Lacey Martin is coming back from a hard fight against cancer and is terrified of him but the attraction is too much to ignore. Soon their love is so intense, neither of them see the rest of their lives without the other.

LACES AND LACE
Nine years later, and neither has been able to succeed in moving on from what was, what could have been, and who each of their hearts still beats for. When a chance encounter during a fateful night has their paths crossing again, will the tether still attaching their souls allow them to face the past, present, and a possible future? Can two people with fate on their side find a way back to each other? Overcome all the obstacles in their way to finally live life together to the fullest? Or will they let those around them and the circumstances they face, along with questions and doubt, ruin a second chance at the life they both deserve?

WANTING TO FORGET
Jordie Thomas is looking for something to take his mind off of the woman he let go— or rather, pushed away— and the terrifying prospect of what will happen if his broken leg doesn’t heal. He’s ready to get back to his family and fellow teammates on the Nashville Assassins and get back onto the ice. However, with his injured leg in the way and his mind clouded by a certain woman, he needs a break to clear his head and his heart. With New Orleans in his sights, can this player find a way to get back to the crazy and reckless life he used to live?

OVERTIME
In the game of life, there are winners and losers, and neither Jordie nor Kacey want to be on the losing bench. If only Jordie could convince Kacey he’s a changed man and that he wants her right by his side as his MVP for the biggest and best parts of a life they build together. With emotions running high and the game on the line, can two proud people find happiness with each other, or will their hearts and souls be left in the cold? Will they see that sometimes having someone by your side who knows the good, bad, and broken is better than going it alone and losing everything through the back of the net? They are out of time on the game clock and fighting for the win of their lives.

About the Author:
My name is Toni Aleo and I’m a total dork.
I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.
I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!
When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughter’s dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, scrapbooking, and reading the latest romance novel.
I have a slight Disney and Harry Potter obsession, I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, I might have been a Disney Princess in a past life… probably Belle.
… and did I mention I love hockey?
Connect with Toni!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonialeo1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ToniAleo1
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/toni_aleo/
Intagram: https://instagram.com/tonialeo1/
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2yGqqR6

Release Blitz: P.S. I Hate You by Winter Renshaw



















Dear Isaiah,

Eight months ago, you were just a soldier about to be deployed and I was just a waitress, sneaking you free pancakes and hoping you wouldn’t notice that my gaze was lingering a little too long.

But you did notice.

We spent a “week of Saturdays” together before you left, and we said goodbye on day eight, exchanging addresses at the last minute.

I saved every letter you ever sent, your words quickly becoming my religion.

But you went radio silent on me months ago, and then you had the audacity to walk into my diner yesterday and act like you’d never seen me in your life.

To think … I almost loved you and your beautifully complicated soul.

Almost.

Whatever your reason is—I hope it’s a good one.

Maritza the Waitress

PS – I hate you, and this time … I mean it





There’s no denying something’s there, something that makes my heart trot when he looks at me, something that makes me slick on an extra coat of lip balm or an extra spritz of perfume before dashing out the door to meet him.
And while I’m the one who made the rules—no romance and only honesty at all times—I’m the one who can’t stop thinking about what would happen if we broke one of them.
Only problem is, I have zero idea if he’s thinking what I’m thinking. He’s so even-keeled and emotionally guarded, but they say actions speak louder than words and the fact that he’s here, spending time with me doing stupid shit has to count for something … right?
“Why are you staring like that?” Isaiah asks when he turns around.
My cheeks warm. I’d been spacing off. “No reason.”
“Bullshit. You can’t lie, remember? Tell me what you were thinking about.” His lips draw into a playful smirk, and I can’t decide if I like his mysterious side or his spirited side best. It’s like trying to choose between white chocolate and milk chocolate, which are both delicious in their own ways.
“You don’t want to know.”
And I’m serious. He doesn’t want to know that I’m thinking about him in a way that I was determined not to. Besides, he’s leaving in a few days. There’s no point in ruining the rest of our time together by making this situation unnecessarily complicated.
“Try me,” he says, his stare boring into me. Something tells me he’s not going to let this go.
Giving myself a moment, I gather my thoughts and nibble on my lower lip. “I was just thinking about connections.”
“Connections?” His hands rest on his hips, his shoulders parallel with mine. I have his full, undivided attention.
“I was just thinking about how I hardly know you, but I feel connected to you,” I say, cringing on the inside but fully embracing the discomfiture of this conversation.
He says nothing, which doesn’t make this moment any less awkward for the both of us.
“You asked!” I remind him, throwing my hands up.
Another moment passes, the two of us lingering next to some hairy elephant-looking creature with a long-as-hell scientific name as a group of children runs past us.
“Now I want to know what you’re thinking about.” I nudge his arm. “It’s only fair.”
He smirks, then it fades, and he gazes into the distance. It’s like there’s something on the tip of his tongue, but if I push or prod too much, he’ll never share it.
“Nothing, Maritza. I was thinking about nothing.”
I don’t buy it, but I don’t press any further. I want to burn this awkward moment into a pile of ash and move on.
“Are you going to remember me after this week?” I ask after a bout of silence.
His golden irises glint as his eyes narrow in my direction. “What kind of question is that?”
“A legit one,” I say. “Will you remember me? Or am I always just going to be that waitress girl that you hung out with for a week?”
“Don’t think I could forget you if I tried.” He speaks in such a way that I’m not sure if what he’s saying is a good thing or a bad thing. “Can I be honest right now?”
“You must. It’s a requirement.”
Isaiah’s tongue grazes his full lips for a quick second and he holds my gaze for what feels like forever. “I don’t want to make this any more confusing for either of us, but I feel like kissing you right now.”
I fight a smile. I don’t want to smile. I want to scoff at him and tell him to stop being such a hypocrite.
But that’s only half of me.
The other half of me wants him to kiss me, wants his hands in my hair and his taste on my tongue just one more time because we’ll never have this moment again and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.























Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon bestselling author Winter Renshaw is a bona fide daydream believer. She lives somewhere in the middle of the USA and can rarely be seen without her trusty Mead notebook and ultra portable laptop. When she’s not writing, she’s living the American dream with her husband, three kids, and the laziest puggle this side of the Mississippi.




And if you'd like to be the first to know when a new book is coming out, please sign up for her private mailing list here ---> http://eepurl.com/bfQU2j




Author Links











Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Release Blitz: Recovered by Jay Crownover






The road to recovery is full of twists and turns no matter who is in the driver’s seat.

From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jay Crownover comes a standalone romance with a hero sure to keep readers up long into the night. Pick up your copy of RECOVERED for just $.99 through release week only!






It was hate at first sight......

Affton

I hated Cable James McCaffrey.

He was entitled, spoiled, a user…and an addict.

He was out of control and didn’t bother trying to hide it.

He had everything anyone could want but still seemed miserable and lost.

Every move he made, every mistake he stumbled his way through, rubbed me the wrong way. However, I couldn’t stop myself from trying to save him from himself when no one else would. In the sweltering heat of the summer, Cable taught me that having it all means nothing if you can’t have the one thing you want more than anything else.


Cable

I was obsessed with Affton Reed.

She was rigid, uptight, and no fun. There was something about her innate goodness that called to me.

She acted like she was above all the normal faults and failures that clung to the rest of us like the scent of smoke after a fire.

I was infatuated with her, but that didn’t stop me from acting like she didn’t exist.

In the scorching heat of summer, Affton taught me that there is always a way back from the brink of despair. She showed me that the trick to having it all was realizing that it was already there, in my hands. All I had to do was hold onto it.

​The road to recovery is full of twists and turns no matter who is in the driver’s seat.





5 Stars
Review by Trinette Dungee


“I thought hating Cable James McCaffrey was overwhelming. Hating him had nothing on loving him.”

To the outside world Affton Reed appeared to be standoffish, unapproachable and just plain ole snobby, but Affton has demons no one knows about; demons that caused her mother to rip their family apart, demons that took her mother away from her and demons that she recognizes in Caleb McCaffrey, demons that make her loath and detest Caleb McCaffrey.


Caleb McCaffrey was “that guy”, the guy everyone wanted to be friends with, the guy everyone wanted to party with. His family had more money than God and everyone want to be his friend…except Affton Reed. Nope, Affton wanted no parts of him and the more she ignored him the more he became obsessed with her. Affton was the only one who could see him spiraling out of control and she was the only one who dared to confront him about his addiction.


Can you say “intense”? Can you deal with or handle “intense”? If you answer “no” to either question then this is not the book for you. While the entire story wasn’t intense there were moments and those moments really did me in.


Affton watched her mother spiral out of control due to drug addiction and day after day she wished she’d been strong enough to help her or wish that there had been someone else out there strong enough to help her mother. So seeing that Caleb wasn’t just the party boy that everyone thought he was but real addict she takes it upon herself to confront him to save him from himself. Her actions set off a chain of events that to her spending a summer at Caleb’s beach house trying to keep him on the straight and narrow.


“What are your plans for the summer, Cable? You can’t party. You won’t be able to work with the random drug screens that will be thrown your way, no boss will understand you having to run out in the middle of a shift to pee in a cup. You aren’t getting ready to go off to college. So, what are you going to do with yourself? Were you planning on lying around, feeling sorry for yourself while someone else takes care of you?” Her eyebrows shot up, and a furious flush stained her cheeks hot pink. “You’ve already lived your life that way and look where it landed you. I think it’s time you figure out how to be self-sufficient.”



Affton’s a bit of a hard nut. She’s no nonsense but at times was just a little too harsh. The reality is that by helping Caleb she’s kind of coming to terms with the issues she never really resolved with her mother and she’s so down on herself because she feels like she wasn’t enough because her mom chose drugs over her. As time goes on as expected Affton starts to realize that there is so much more about Caleb than she initially thought and she starts to acknowledge the fact that it’s not just Caleb’s addiction or her need to save him from himself that attracts her to him and of course this doesn’t really sit well with her…I think this is why she lashes out so much at him. Honestly, there were some times when I thought…she’s so hard on him that she’s going to send him right back to rock bottom.


He had asked me why the someone who tried to catch him before he fell had to be me. I would die before I told him it was because it was more than his addiction that interested me. Cable James McCaffrey interested me in a way no one else ever had . . . and obviously, I hated it because I couldn’t lie to myself and say that I still hated him.


Caleb, naturally, is resentful of his summer babysitter and can’t understand why she of all people is sent to help him. Affton knows nothing about him. She thinks because of the addiction she has him all figured out but there’s so much more to him than his addiction….there’s so much more to his addiction than just his addiction.


“We were in school together for years. You never so much as looked in my direction. How is it that you ended up being the someone who intervened?” He didn’t sound mad about it. Curious and puzzled, but there was no anger in his tone.



Caleb is definitely more than what meets the eye. While he may come off as he spoiled rich kid who gets any and everything he wants nothing could be further from the truth. Caleb is kind of the “poor little rich boy”; all the money in the world but no love to go along with it. Caleb wants to be a good guy but it just seems like there’s always something getting in the way of being the person he really wants to be. He’s starved for love and attention and someone to just talked to and be himself with.


"No one wakes up one morning and decides they want to be a drug addict.” He didn’t say ‘someone like you’ doesn’t decide to be an addict. He said no one decides.


This statement from his therapist, I feel helped Caleb to really starts to get that this addiction is not unique to him it’s something that can and does happen to anyone.


In reading the synopsis, this book really wasn’t at all what I thought it was going to be. Very rarely do I read the authors notes; especially something at the beginning of the book. I’m so glad I stuck to my guns and read it after I finished. Had I read that part first I would have had a totally different reaction. I liked going in blind and feeling the shock of emotions. Like I mentioned before, it wasn’t constant intensity but there were parts that just truly shock my soul.


In the beginning I really didn’t like Affton, I just couldn’t figure out what her problem was towards him and why she was so angry toward Caleb but then something clicked and I remembered something I read in the beginning of the book.


Anyone rational would point out that I had no reason to loathe Cable the way I did. He’s never outright attacked me, embarrassed me, or victimized me. All he’d done was notice me when it was the last thing I wanted. It might not make sense to anyone, but it made perfect sense to me. I’d wanted to hide, but he had no trouble finding me. In my mind, that made him my enemy from day one.


And then it made total sense to me. Affton was so full of pain that she didn’t know how to deal with, that she didn’t want ANY attention from anyone and that one day when she first moved to the small Texas town…the boy everyone wanted to notice them, noticed her. She wanted to be invisible. Maybe this is taking a little deeper than intended but I think, even though this was way before Caleb started is downward spiral and he knew nothing about her mother’s death, I think he recognized a wounded soul in Affton, the hurt she hadn’t dealt with from her mother’s death.
One of the most heartbreaking moments for me….


“Some souls were never meant to be saved. They might end up on the right path, but without fail, they will veer off. It’s all they know how to do. No matter how badly they might be hurting other people, they still lose their way. Honestly, the hurt they cause will never compare to how much hurt they inflict upon themselves.” He lifted his hand to the center of his chest and dug the heel of his palm into the place where his heart sat. He was trying to hold back whatever that tender place inside of him was bleeding out.



I have to say I really liked the way this book was wrapped up. It wasn’t quickly wrapped up with a nice little bow; it took it’s time getting to the end and for me it ended in a very familiar place with Jay’s books that made it feel like a homecoming. This was such a departure from her other books that I almost forgot I was reading one of her's. This was most definitely an emotional rollercoaster of a read and worth every minute.

RECOVERED is just $.99 through release week! Order your copy of RECOVERED today!


Kindle | iBook | Kobo | B&N | Amazon PAPERBACK | Amazon HARDBACK


Add to your Goodreads











EXCERPT:

I took another swallow of cinnamon-flavored booze and made a face as it burned down my throat. Maybe I could breathe fire. I needed to be able to if I was going to make it through the summer with Affton Reed looking over my shoulder. She had some of the strongest shields I’d ever seen. If my fire wasn’t hot enough, it would bounce off her and burn me to a crisp.

The sun was down, and I was pretty much sitting in the water now. I thought about lying down and letting it lift me up and carry me wherever it wanted. I wasn’t drifting anywhere good on my own. I heard splashing and felt the air behind me stir. No longer alone. No longer left to my own devices and bad choices.

I took another swig from the bottle, draining it, and looked over my shoulder at the girl making her way toward me. Her hair looked silver in the darkening light, and there was no mistaking the annoyance on her unmade-up face. She looked at me then shifted her gaze to the empty bottle in my hand. Her lips pulled into a frown, and her eyebrows tugged down into an angry V over the top of her nose.

“You aren’t going to make anything about this summer easy, are you, Cable?”

I had a thing for her voice. It was a little bit husky and a lot sweet with that slow, southern Texas twang in it. The way my name sounded when she said it, all exasperated and frustrated, was fucking sexy. It made me wonder what it would sound like when she whispered it in the dark while I was inside of her. I’d imagined that more times than I could count over the last eighteen months.

“I don’t really do easy, Reed.” I looked at the empty bottle in my hand and contemplated tossing it into the Gulf. Knowing my luck, I’d hit some endangered marine life and give the judge one more reason to add months onto my sentence. Instead, I reached up and handed it to the leggy blonde who was now standing next to me, the water well above her ankles.

“Jesus. Did you drink this whole thing?” She sounded incensed, and when I rolled my eyes up to look at her, it was clear she was contemplating hitting me over the head with the very weapon I’d just handed to her.

I shrugged. “Pretty much.” The bubbly teen girls barely had the chance to put a dent in it before I swooped in and snagged their stash.

She sighed from where she was hovering above me. I jolted in shock when she suddenly lowered herself to the wet sand next to me, the water immediately soaking into her frayed cutoffs and swirling around her ankles and hips as she copied my pose, my empty bottle caught between her feet. She leaned forward, rested her cheek on her knee, and gazed at me steadily out of those mesmerizing eyes. “I tried to tell your mother this was hopeless. I warned her there is no helping someone who doesn’t want to be helped. I don’t want to be here, Cable.” Her voice was hard, and I was surprised that her admission hurt a little bit. I didn’t want to be around me most of the time, but I was used to other people flocking to me, vying for my attention. “I don’t want to be here, but I have to be, so that means you’re stuck with me no matter how difficult you decide to make the next couple of months. I don’t have a choice.”

I wanted a cigarette. I needed something to occupy my hands and my mouth. I’d left the smokes and m y t-shirt on the steps of the deck off dad’s house. The steps led to the beach, just a few feet from the water. It was a beautiful house on a prime piece of property. With Affton here, it was nothing more than an expensive jail cell.

I knew exactly what means my mother had gone to in order to get Affton to agree to this madness. She told me outright she was blackmailing my former classmate, I think in a thinly veiled attempt to make me care about someone else’s future if I wouldn’t care about my own. I knew if I drove Affton away, her father would lose his job. It wasn’t fair, but my mom had been nothing short of ruthless in her pursuit of my sobriety. “My mom can be very convincing when she puts her mind to it.” She could also be tough as nails and immovable when she wanted something.

Affton snorted and shifted so her chin was resting on her knee instead of her cheek. She looked out over the endless landscape of water and sky, and I shivered even though it wasn’t cold. I lifted a hand to run it through my hair. My unease lived inside of me, crawled all around my bones and under my skin. I wasn’t used to it making its way to the surface because of someone else. There was a lot unsaid between me and this girl. The few words we’d exchanged were powerful, important ones that hung heavy between us. It was so much easier when I looked at her, and she refused to look back.

“I don’t think convincing is the word I would use…more like conniving. Either way, she tied my hands, so succeed or fail, you are stuck with me until the end of summer. Let’s get you into the house so you can sleep this bottle off and pray you don’t get popped for a piss test tomorrow.” She grabbed the bottle from where she had plunked the base in the sand and lifted a pale eyebrow at me. “You should have picked something…” she trailed off and gave me a shrug. “Less wussy to enjoy your last binge with. This stuff tastes like toothpaste.”

She offered me her free hand, and for a second all I could picture was grabbing it and pulling her under with me, letting the water cover us both and take us somewhere we would both rather be. I didn’t. I took her hand and struggled to my feet. Months of forced sobriety tumbled away under the wash of cinnamon whiskey. I wobbled and almost went back down, but before I could nose dive into the shallow water, Affton was there, arm around my waist, empty bottle pressed into my side, a chilly reminder that I’d already fucked this up and it was only the first day.

I had no idea how either one of us was going to survive the summer, and if we did, I had no idea how I was supposed to survive beyond that when I was once again left to my own devious and duplicitous devices.










About Jay Crownover:

Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, the Point Series, the Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.






Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads





Monday, March 26, 2018

The Consequence of Rejection by Rachel Van Dyken






Title: The Consequence of Rejection
A Standalone Consequence Novel
Author: Rachel Van Dyken
Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release Date: March 26, 2018





Blurb


You know the
universe is trying to tell you something when you get struck by lightning, but
only after getting hit on by the elderly, almost getting run over by a semi,
and running into the one who got away.

Why do they say it like that anyway?

Like I accidentally lost her when she was the one that got in the car with my
best friend and left me.

The day after I proposed.

We were eighteen.

I wanted forever.

She didn't.

It's been ten years.

I tried to move on, tried to get married, had that same wedding crashed by my
now best friend who says the only way for me to stop pissing off the universe,
is to gain closure with the one woman I can't forget.

So I do it.

I embark on a journey down memory lane that not only lands me in prison but on
the receiving end of a fist fight in front of the entire town, this naturally
happens after drunken pool sex, climbing the same girl's window, and getting
threatened at gunpoint by her father.

To say the universe is trying to tell me something anything, is a giant
understatement.

I just hope I survive the message.

And then, I hope I survive her—again.





3.5 stars
Review by Jen Skewes

Jason Caro is the law in New Haven. He’s a cop who has lived his whole life here. He just may be the sane one out of his group of friends. We first met him in the Consequence of Colton. He was getting married and it was his sister Milo who got together with his best friend. Of course, the evil witch he was going to marry showed her true colors and he narrowly escaped a life of miserable ever after.

A wedding, I’ll admit, Max saved me from.

A marriage from Hell would be a generous understatement.

Maddy is back in town working as a server at an upscale restaurant, obviously putting her expensive college education to good use. Her family needs her help, but this is the last place she wants to be. Seeing Jason again, just reminds her on a daily basis how badly she screwed up.

Because it was just another reminder that I’d left him; that I was the one who had freaked out, bailed, and run as fast as my legs could take me. 

It’s been ten years, but Jason hasn’t forgiven Maddy and she hasn’t forgiven herself. Once trust is broken, it’s sometimes impossible to get it back. Old feelings might still be there, but sometimes they are not enough.

She’d left me.
Abandoned me.
And freaking accomplished it by getting into our mutual friend’s Jeep with a wave goodbye and parting words.
“One day you’ll find someone who makes you happy. It just isn’t me.” 

The Consequence series is funny and the story lines intermix the characters from the previous stories

The problem I had with this one was one character popping up way too much-Max. It may just be me, but he was involved in too much of the story line. Just when I would be getting into Jason and Maddy’s drama he would come in and break the mood. He’s funny in small doses, but overshadowed this book.

In spite of that, I will read anything that Rachel Van Dyken publishes. I have no doubt; I will salivate at whatever her next release will be!

“Forgive me for not chasing you with every ounce of strength I had, for not screaming your name until you came back.”




Purchase Links

99c for release day ONLY!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited





Excerpt

Full breasts spilled over into a small black bikini that
left nothing to the imagination, it barely covered nipple for that matter, and
the bottoms? Well she had to keep adjusting them lets just say high school
bathing suits ten years later look small. 
In the best way possible. 
Head held high she walked right by me to Max, grabbed a
shot, took it, then sucked the lime he held out in front of her. 
I growled. 
Max winked at me. “Something wrong, man?”
I reached for the non existent gun at my side, which just
made him grin harder as he kept handing out alcohol to parents of
toddlers. 
Because thats the type of party it was. 
Almost everyone started talking about their kids,
retirement, stock portfolios, vacation time, and babies. 
It was almost too depressing for words. 
I had all those things but what I’d always wanted. A family.
Babies. 
Maddy. 
She shared a sideway’s glance with me. 
I reached for her, but she pulled away and ran full speed
towards the pool and did a giant canon ball. 
People cheered. 
While I watched as wet cold water ran down her curvy body,
my gaze was so tranfixed on her erect nipples I’m surprised nobody pulled me
aside about my current situation of arousal. 
Cold water. Fast. 
I chased after her, jumped in. 
And felt the warm buzz of alcohol fill my veins just as I
popped up and saw Max follow, balls first, in my face. 
I ducked just in time so I didn’t get a fist full of
balls. 
The guy only laughed once we both popped up. 
I swam towards Maddy, and tugged her against me. “Stop
running.”
“I’m not.” Her breath came out raspy. “I’m just…reliving old
times, isn’t that what you wanted? So we could have closure?”
Why did it feel like she was turning the tables on me. 
“Yeah,” I said slowly, “But—“
Her kiss was swift. 
Hard. 
Fast, and oh so very punishing as I gaped into her mouth and
pinned her against he side of the pool. 
Music filled the air out of nowhere from somewhere outside,
it pounded into my ears the way I wanted to pound into her. 
I grinned against her mouth as she wrapped her legs around
my waist. 
And then Reid cast a shadow over us and started pouring
vodka over our heads. 
Maddy tilted her head back and opened her mouth while I
leaned in and licked it off her chin. 
People cheered. 
“Guys!” Someone yelled. “Keep it down, someones going to
call the cops!”
“Cops?” Max laughed loudly. “I am the law, bitches!” The
music blared. “Plus, we already got our cop here.” He pointed while I took
another shot. 
People cheered. 
And then Maddy squeezed her thighs. 
Yeah the cops were coming alright. 






Also Available


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited



AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited



AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






Author Bio


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, adorable son,
and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to
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Friday, March 23, 2018

Review Tour: Tempting Little Tease by Kendall Ryan







A hot new standalone romance from New York Times bestseller, Kendall Ryan.

She's the tutor I hired to teach me Italian.

She's way too young for me, but she's also gorgeous, bright and filled with a curiosity about life that I find incredibly refreshing.

It's fucking adorable.

I’m old enough to know better, but this pretty young thing tempts me beyond belief. And for the first time in my life, I can see myself falling.

***
Is this what it's like to be pursued by an older man? The complete confidence, the lack of expectations, the sincerity?

My God, it's exhilarating.

Quinn Kingsley is totally unexpected. I'm moving to Italy in three weeks to teach English, and while I never expected something so real to develop between us so quickly, our chemistry is undeniable.

There's something so sexy about this back and forth he and I share. Flirting with this man is like playing with fire, and I'm bound to get burned.

Io sono attratto da te. I'm attracted to you, he tells me.

But is our attraction enough to get us through the complications of a massive age gap and an international love affair?

Only one way to find out…






4 stars 
Review by Lisa Kane

Tempting Little Tease is like a delicious gelato on a hot summer day. It’s refreshing and satisfying and just hits the spot!

Twenty-two year old Alessandra is working as a nanny during the week and teaching Italian on the side. She’s counting down the days (3 weeks) until she leaves Boston and gets to use her one-way ticket to Italy. This is her dream-to immerse herself in the culture. To finally live in the place she has always dreamed about. 

When she subs for one of her colleagues, Sal, who’s suffered a heart attack she comes face to face with a man who probably is the stuff most woman dream about-Quinn Kingsley. He’s the rich owner of Kingsley Tower. Along with his two brothers he owns a lucrative dating service. 

Deep breaths. What do I know about Kingsley Tower? Nothing. Well, not nothing. Money. Lots and lots of money. 

He’s surprised to meet his new tutor. For the past year Sal has been tutoring him. He set out to learn to speak Italian because of his heritage. His mother was Italian and he wanted to learn about the country. He plans on going there soon and wants to be fluent in the language. 

The language of love he calls it without a hint of sarcasm. 

Being tutored by a twenty-two year old gorgeous, intelligent Alessandra is not what he expected. He rarely dates, at thirty-eight, he’s aware he should probably think about settling down, but he hasn’t met the right woman. But there are times when he sees his two brothers and the women in their lives and he feels lonely. 

There’s no way that Quinn isn’t going to ask Alessandra out. He knows the difference in their ages is significant, but she makes him feel things he hasn’t felt in a long long time.

Their first day is hilarious. Quinn is still mastering Italian. 

“Penne is pasta. Pene is something else entirely,” she says, her tone hushed. 
I push my plate toward her. “I was trying to ask if you wanted a bite of my pasta.”
Her mouth curves into a grin. “You asked me if I wanted to eat your dick.”

But how serious can this become if Alessandra is leaving in three weeks. There’s a big old expiration date on their budding relationship. But Quinn hasn’t become the success that he is, by not taking risks. 

My God, who is this woman? How long can I continue to tell myself that she’s merely my Italian tutor? 
She’s quickly becoming so much more. 


AVAILABLE NOW

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A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She's a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she's appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.

Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras

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Cover Reveal: 13 by Rhonda James

Today we have the cover reveal of 13 by Rhonda James! We are so excited to share this sexy new romance with you! Check it out and pre-order your copy today!

Title: 13

Author: Rhonda James

Gennre: Contemporary Romance

Release Day: May 11th

About 13:

“Fake it till you make it.”



A notion I once considered utterly ridiculous. Until one crazy night with a mysterious man resulted in a social media frenzy that had the entire entertainment industry talking.



Seems a fake marriage was just what my career needed to make Hollywood come knocking.



Convincing him to continue the charade was almost too easy. The chemistry between us made it impossible to keep my hands to myself. But it was all just pretend, right? Love was never in the script.



That is, until he re-wrote it.



13 Reasons You Should Stay:


  1. I’m crazy about you
  2. I make you laugh
  3. You totally dig me

Preorder Your Copy:

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Exclusive Excerpt:



Later that evening, I was in bed watching television when I heard a knock on my door. Two short raps before the door eased open and Sophie entered. Once inside, she leaned back against the wood and offered a small smile. Wearing only a long cotton shirt and fuzzy thigh high socks, she looked as though she was already dressed for bed.

Why she came to my room at one in the morning—dressed this way—was anybody’s guess. Though, I had my suspicions.

Now that she was inside she fidgeted as if she was nervous. Like she might be having second thoughts. It wouldn’t surprise me if she turned tail and ran.

If I’d learned anything in my short time of knowing her, Sophie was a runner. I wasn’t worried, though. Something about the way she looked at me told me that—no matter how scared—her desire to be near me far outweighed those fears.

Hands behind my head. Confident and totally relaxed. I allowed my gaze to travel the length of her petite frame, lingering a little longer on her naked thighs. The same thighs I’d had my hands on only a week ago.

Fucking. Beautiful.

I tried playing it cool.

“You lost?”

“Hardly,” she scoffed. Fussing with the hem of her shirt, “I just…I was hoping maybe we could talk.”

I studied her once more. Face scrubbed free of makeup. Blonde hair piled on top of her head. Smooth, kissable skin. She caught me checking her out and tipped her head coyly and smiled.

In that moment I knew that, if given the chance, this girl could destroy me.

Then again, they say every man had his kryptonite.

In a few short days it seemed as though Sophie Banks had become mine.

“Sure. I guess. What did you want to talk about?”

Sophie nibbled on her lip. Gaze darting between me and the door. Waiting.

Reading her cues, I shifted over on the bed and patted the space beside me. Inviting her to join me.

She wasted no time crawling up the mattress and snuggling under the crook of my arm. Making herself at home.

Two words: Perfect. Fit.

I buried my nose in her hair and took a deep breath.

God, she smelled amazing. Like lavender and honey.

“What’s up?” I pressed.

“I had a nice time tonight,” she admitted quietly. “Dinner was yummy, too. Then, the walk on the beach was…nice.”

I got the impression she was stalling. While I was all for laying next to her and shooting the shit, I also wanted her to feel comfortable asking me anything because it was obvious she had something specific on her mind.

“I had a nice time too, Tiny, but why do I get the feeling that isn’t the only thing on your mind?”

She raised herself up on one elbow and studied my face. For a few moments we sat in silence.

It was hard to not be distracted by all the tanned skin on display. My eyes were immediately drawn to the way the collar of her shirt draped over one shoulder, revealing the column of her neck and the smooth line of her collarbone. I wanted to dip my head and kiss a path from the tip of her shoulder to the lobe of her right ear. As if that wasn’t enough to test me, her creamy thighs rested mere inches from my hand. A hand itching to stroke them. Tease the soft skin of her inner thigh with one finger tip until her legs parted. Granting access to the heated area nestled between them.

Deep breaths, dude. Don’t let her see how turned on you are. She didn’t come here for sex.

“I need a favor.”

Please let it be sexual.

“Remember the whole wedding thing?” She asked innocently. I gave her a look and she squirmed beside me. “Well, the next day my agent called. Apparently he’s been getting a lot of calls. Casting directors are taking notice.”

“I don’t understand. What does that post have to do with any of this?”

“It seems they like the idea of me being married. I guess it makes me seem more stable in their eyes.”

“Stable?” I asked, still not making the connection.

Sophie sighed a heavy sigh and pushed herself up to a seated position.

“Last year I was a contestant on a reality show. While I was in the contestant house I did some things. Things I’m not entirely proud of. I guess my actions left a bad taste in many people’s mouths. The kind of people who make decisions for struggling actors such as myself. They considered me a loose cannon and my career has suffered from that lack in judgement. So, the fact they’re calling now is a pretty big deal.”

“That’s great news. Right?”

“I suppose.” She picked aimlessly at her socks and avoided looking me directly in the eye. “My agent thinks it would be best if I continued the charade. He believes that by posting more photos, and appearing in public together—as a couple—people will see that we are really in love.”

My eyebrows shot up to my hairline. “We?”

“Of course, ‘we,’” she smacked at my arm, “you’re the guy in the photo. It’s not as if I can go out and find another guy who looks like you and would be willing to play the part of my fake husband. I mean, I could, but that would take too much time. Time I don’t have.”

“But we’re not actually ’in love.’” I held up my fingers and made air quotes. “Something about this doesn’t feel right. How will our pretending convince these people of anything? I’m not so sure I like the idea of you being someone’s pet project,” I grumbled.

“I appreciate you trying to protect me, but I think you’re forgetting that I’m an actress. I’ve spent years portraying someone I’m not. Besides, in this case love is just an illusion. All we have to do is stage the photos properly and people will read into it what they want.”

My hand brushed across her thigh and she shivered at my touch. Scooting closer, she leaned forward. bracing her palms on the mattress.

From this angle I could see down her shirt. See the valley between her breasts. Breasts that weren’t too big or too small. Just the right size for my palm. Dark nipples, erect and begging to be licked and sucked.

“What do you say? Are you up for playing the part of my husband a little longer? I’d be willing to pay you, if that would help sway your decision.”

“Fuck that,” I growled. Tore my gaze away. “No way in hell I’m letting you pay me to pretend to be in love with you.”

“You have to let me offer you something. Please, Jared. I can’t do this without you.”

When she peered up at me with those magnificent blue eyes, how could I say no? Hollywood was the dream of every aspiring actress. If all it took to make her happy was continuing the charade, consider me a married man.

“Aw, shucks. What the hell. I mean, it’ll be a burden but I think I can tough it out. Unless a better offer comes along,” I leaned back on my arm and dropped her a wink.

“Oh, you are so smug.” She swatted at my chest, laughing. “Thank you. This means everything to me.”

I bopped the tip of her nose with my finger, “No problem, Tiny.”

And it really wouldn’t be a hardship.

In reality it was a win-win.

She would get her ‘husband.’

I’d walk away with an endless supply of one on one time and an excuse to kiss her whenever I wanted.

But I drew the line at her paying me.

What the fuck was that about anyhow?

It was as if she was oblivious to my attraction to her. Either that or she wasn’t interested—a notion I found hard to believe.

She’d looked so cute when she asked. Nervous. Stumbling over her words as if she was actually afraid I would turn her down. As if I could. Based on the reason for her request, I could understand why it had been hard for her to ask. What she failed to understand was I had been on board with this crazy scheme from the beginning. Seriously, how hard could it be? Pose for a few pictures. When we were together in public we needed to pretend we were crazy hot for each other. Pfft. Like that was going to be a challenge. One look at her and I had a raging boner. Pretending to want her would not be a stretch.

“Question,” she announced out of the blue. “Since you’re my ‘husband’ and all, what should I call you? What I mean is, I met you as Jared but your friends call you Hawk. I’ll admit I feel a little left out. If we’re going to do this I want to be part of your world. I really want us to be friends.”

Friends.

I reached up, threading my fingers with hers. “Friends? Is that all? I only ask because that first night I felt a connection between us. If we’re going to be spending all this time together I think it’d be a shame not to act on that attraction at some point in time. Don’t you?”

I’m going to pause right here and make it known that in no way did I mean I wanted to bang her right then and there. Something inside told me right now she was far too vulnerable. If we fucked now it’d be like me taking advantage of her. But my sassy, southern sweetheart seemed to have other plans. Plans that included a lot of kissing. And a helluva lot of body parts touching.

“You have no idea how happy I am you said that first,” she declared breathlessly.

With Ninja-like moves, Sophie stripped the blanket from my body and I couldn’t help smiling at the look on her face when she discovered I was only wearing boxers. She took her time in her appraisal. Taking in the definition of my chest and abs. By no means was I a bulky guy, but I worked out regularly. Running helped me relax. Well, that and sex. Most people wouldn’t realize, but being up on stage was an intense workout and there were nights when I played for a solid three hours, and my guitar wasn’t light—especially when I switched to playing the double neck. My muscles were long and lean, like rest of me, and her gaze paused on the bulge in my briefs. The one that grew with every second she kept staring.

I thought about my sweet Mamaw. My sisters. Baseball stats. Anything to tame the beast awakening between my legs.

Sophie licked her lips hungrily, looking as though she wanted to eat me alive. Her eyes darted from my crotch to my eyes and back to my erection. I said a silent prayer to my dick. Pleading with it to play dead, just this once. Not because I didn’t want her. God, I wanted to fuck her in the worst way. But not tonight.

Not this soon, and not like this.

I opened my mouth to tell her this was a bad idea. Tell her we should say goodnight and try this again in a week or two when she wasn’t feeling so vulnerable. Seriously? Who the fuck are you right now, dude?

She swept one leg over mine and straddled my thighs, nestling her ass just above my knees. Leaning forward, she finger walked up and down my chest. My nipples were rock hard from her touch. The pad of one finger circled the darkened areola before brushing ever so softly across my nipple. I swallowed, noting the dark blue hue of her irises. That same finger traveled higher to trace my bottom lip and on the third pass I caught it between my teeth and held on, loving the surprise in her eyes.

I rose to meet her. Hands on her back, drawing her body flush with mine. Eyes closed, our mouths crashed together in a kiss of utter desperation. Wanton need coursed through my veins as the tip of her tongue languidly stroked my lips, seeking entry. They parted on pure instinct, making room for her welcomed intrusion. She tasted so damn good. Like something I had never tasted but would crave for the rest of my days. Her greedy tongue felt like silk in my mouth. Soft and slick. Eager as fuck. I couldn’t help thinking how amazing it would feel to have that tongue wrapped around my erect cock, milking me until I had nothing left to offer.

My hand went to the back of her head. Fingers buried in her disheveled hair. I could see her nipples through her shirt. The little pebbles rubbed against the cotton fabric that confined them. Begging to be set free. I fell back against the pillows, pulling her along with me. As we kissed she moved her hips in slow torturous circles, grinding her pussy over my rock hard and all too eager cock. Since all I had on was underwear, I could feel how wet she was beneath that silky scrap of material she called panties.

Her soft moans kept me in a trancelike state.

That’s it, Tiny. A little to the left. Yes! Right there.

Roll. Flex. Grind.

Repeat.

My hands fell to her waist, fully intent on putting an end to the seduction. But goddammit if what she was doing didn’t feel like fucking Heaven.

My mind was at war with itself.

Slip your hand inside her panties. You know she wants you to.

Don’t do it, asshole.

She’d look so hot riding your cock.

Don’t be that guy. If it’s this good now think how much better it will be if you wait.

“Fuuuck!” I opened my eyes, saw the desire in hers, and knew I was in trouble. It took every ounce of strength I possessed, but I pressed my thumbs into her flesh and got her attention. “Whoa, slow down, baby.”

It pained me to utter those words but I knew it was the right thing to do.

For now, at least.

She came back to my mouth, claiming it before I could get another word in.

I ripped my mouth away, panting hard. “Sophie, we need to stop.”

Her hands dropped to my chest as she pushed herself up, still straddling my hips, and stared down at me. Mouth open and out of breath.

“What’s wrong? I thought you wanted me.”

The vulnerability in her voice told me this was the right decision but I had a hard time tearing my gaze from her heaving chest. The way her nipples puckered against the cotton made my mouth water. I’d been picturing her naked since the moment we met. That night her dress had been so short it left little to the imagination. Tonight, with my hands on her bare thighs, pussy mere inches away, I could see the prize but I wasn’t so sure I deserved it.

I wasn’t sure I ever would.

I wanted her but I refused to take advantage of her.

Mark my words. There would be fucking in our future but my dick was going to have to earn the right to be inside her.

“I do want you. But not this way. I don’t want to rush into anything. I told you on the beach that I wanted to get to know you first. Right now it feels like the only reason you’re doing this is because you think you owe me something for coming to your rescue—which feels an awful lot like what you did on that TV show.”

That made her mad.

“This is nothing like that and what right do you have to judge me or my actions? Living in that house was emotionally taxing and Gavin was nice to me. He was the only friend I had at the time.”

Something inside me snapped. “Is that why you fucked him on national television? Because he was nice?”

Yeah, I know it was a low blow but I’d watched the video. Saw the look in her eyes. It was the same look she’d given me when I said yes. I didn’t like the idea of her thinking she owed me, or anyone for that matter, for showing kindness.

I wasn’t being kind to get in her pants. I was that way because that’s the way my Mama raised me.

Hurt shadowed her pretty face and I felt instant remorse.

“How dare you judge me. I don’t have to explain myself to you. In fact, I refuse to keep talking about it.” She pushed off the bed and headed for the door. “You know what? I thought you were different but I guess I was wrong. And you can forget about the whole marriage thing. I’ll figure something else out.”

She’d barely reached the door when I slammed it shut, caging her with my arms.

Things had gone haywire way too quickly.

“Please stay.”

My heart beat wildly inside my chest when she turned around and peered up at me through tear soaked lashes.

“Aww, fuck, Tiny. I’m sorry for what I said. I never meant to make you cry.” I cupped her face in my hands and took the fact that she let me touch her as a good sign.

“I’ve already paid a penance for my actions on that show. If we’re going to do this, Jared, I don’t need you throwing my mistakes up in my face.”

I brushed a thumb under each eye, wiping away the moisture. Feeling like the world’s biggest asshole.

“Noted,” I answered with a nod and mischievous smile. “For the record, you can call me any name you want, just so long as you keep calling.”

“Hmm.” The tip of her tongue poked through her lips and her eyes went up and to the left as she pondered her options. The sight of her tongue had my dick jerking with eager anticipation. With her bottom lip between her teeth, she looked up at me and giggled. “Can I call you Sparky?”

I responded with a firm, “Fuck no,” and then couldn’t help chuckling at the pouty face she made. She looked fucking cute as hell.

Damn. There was something about this girl I just couldn’t get enough of.

“Now that we’ve been properly introduced,” she announced, eyes shifting down to the semi I was sporting. “I think maybe I’ll call you Hawk.”

“Hawk.” She repeated my name. Testing it on her lips.

I found myself leaning toward her, eyes zeroing in on those luscious pink lips that tasted of peaches and cream. “Does this mean we’re still married?”

She arched a brow and rested her hands on my hips, thumbs dipping beneath the waistband of my boxers.

“That depends.”

My arched brow rivaled hers. “That so? Depends on what?”

“On whether or not I’m ever going to get that honeymoon you promised me.”

My hearty chuckle echoed throughout the room. “Woman, you sure are intent on getting in my pants. I don’t know how I feel about being looked at as a sex object.”

“What?” she asked innocently, reminding me of the flirtatious woman I’d seen the night we met. “I’ve wanted you since the moment you first spoke to me. Now that I have firsthand knowledge of what you’re hiding behind those boxers you can bet your sweet ass it’s all I’m going to be thinking about.”

“You…” I lowered my lips to hers and stole another taste. “What am I going to do with you?”

“I can think of a few things.” She switched off the light and then screamed when I bent at the knees and tossed her over my shoulder.

I grunted and carried her down the hall. “Girl, you need to learn a thing or two about being wooed. Off to bed with you, young lady.” The sides of her fists beat out a rhythm on my ass the entire walk to her bedroom where I tossed her in the middle of the bed and kissed her goodnight. “Just so we’re clear, Tiny, I promise you will be sore after I’ve been inside you. But I also promise to kiss and make it better.”

The last sound I heard was that of her frustrated huff when I turned out the light and shut the door behind me on my way out.

The walk back to my room felt like the longest walk of my life.

Then again, it was hard to walk with a raging boner.

Sorry, buddy, not happening.

Man, it was going to be a long night.




About Rhonda:

Rhonda is an Amazon bestselling romance author who strives to create a book boyfriend for all her readers. She’s married and lives in Michigan with her family. In her spare time you can find her talking to readers, getting lost in a new book, or just spending time with her family.


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