Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Teaser from Laramie Briscoe's Losing Control

Meant To Be

Single mother.
Laid off factory worker.
Drug runner for the Heaven Hill Motorcycle Club.

When Denise Cunningham is served with foreclosure papers on her birthday it’s the last straw in a long line of bad luck. Sitting and crying about things has never been how she solved her problems, but this time she decides to do just that. A phone call interrupts her pity party and changes the course of her life forever.

Loyal brother.
Grease monkey mechanic.
Vice President of the Heaven Hill Motorcycle Club.

William Walker Jr., known as Liam to his club, needs a new recruit that is just naïve enough and desperate enough to do what he asks without question. When Denise Cunningham lands in his lap, he decides to hire her - not because he wants to, because he has to.

Neither are comfortable in their new roles, but he needs help and she can’t stand to lose anything else.

As bullets fly and a local Bowling Green, KY reporter works to bring the club down, Liam and Denise find themselves getting closer to one another. When the stakes get high and outside forces try to keep them away from each other, they have to decide if they really are meant to be.


 


Out of Darkness

Ex-News reporter.
Rape survivor.
Former enemy of the Heaven Hill MC.

Meredith Rager’s life completely changed the night she was attacked by an unknown person. Once a vibrant force that threatened everything about Heaven Hill, she is now under their care. The only place she feels safe is inside their compound. When she decides to take back the part of her life that her rapist took away, she discovers secrets that once again could tear the club apart.

Orphan.
Formidable force of nature.
Loved member of the Heaven Hill MC.

Tyler Blackfoot came into the world a John Doe. An orphan from the moment that he took his first breath, the only thing anyone knew was his Native American heritage. For most of his life, he’s been alone – except for the club that has taken him in as their own. When he rescued Meredith, a protective side of his personality came out that he never knew he had. Protecting her means everything – even when he discovers danger might be closer than either of them thought possible.

Together, the two of them are trying to make a life for themselves. Against everything they have, they’re hoping to see the light that will lead them out of darkness.



Losing Control (releasing November 1, 2013)

Strip-club waitress.
Aspiring Teacher.
Friend of the Heaven Hill MC.

Bianca Hawks met Jagger Stone in the most embarrassing of ways. After watching him play music at Wet Wanda’s for months, she fell half naked into his arms after a drunken bout with a stripper pole and the back of a pick-up truck. Avoiding him and his killer smile no longer works when she needs her car repaired and he comes to her rescue. His request for payment comes in the form of date nights spent with just the two of them – away from both the strip club and the MC.

Tough guy with model good looks.
Talented musician.
Newly patched member of the Heaven Hill MC.

Jagger Stone only wanted two things – to be a patched member of the Heaven Hill MC and to get to know Bianca Hawks. One for two isn’t bad, but when her car breaks down and she’s left with no one else to help her, he plays the situation to his advantage. Over late nights driving up and down the interstate and nights in spent at her apartment, Jagger realizes that there is so much more to Bianca than he ever knew.

When her dream of becoming a school teacher is threatened by someone who wants her all to himself, the two of them are thrown into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. For the first time, Heaven Hill isn’t sure what they are up against or if they can keep their family safe. In times of danger, Bianca and Jagger know the only thing they can do is hold onto each other while trying not to admit they are losing control



****Teaser from Losing Control****

“Did I do something to piss you off or make you mad at me?” Bianca asked.
It was the tone of her voice that got to him. He sighed, letting his asshole façade fade. “No, I’m just not myself right now.”
“I’m trying to help you be yourself. Trying to get you back into your routine,” she explained.
“Okay, let’s try this again.” He took a deep breath, grinning slightly. “Thank you for bringing me lunch today.”
“You are very welcome. I do have to admit though,” she reached down to run her fingers along his cheek, “I don’t like that bruise on your face. It’s too pretty to be bruised.”
“It’s the only thing besides my tattoos that make me look tough. Give me at least that.”
She set the food down in front of her. “Hate to break it ya, pretty boy, but even your tattoos don’t make you look tough. That’s not saying that you don’t have a dangerous edge to you, because you do, but it’s not your looks. It’s your attitude.”




Review: Broken Ever After by Natalie Graham

Olivia Stevens is a young, troubled girl from London, England, just about to leave sixth form, into a world full of love, lust, heartbreak and betrayal.

Olivia has had a crush on her teacher, twenty-six year old, Mr Matthews for the last few years but what happens when those feelings are reciprocated? And what happens when someone with a grudge against her gets in between her and her dream man?

Forced to face fears from her childhood, Olivia’s life isn’t what she thought it was destined to be, the people in her life aren’t who she thought they were.


**********
Contains language and scenarios which some readers may find offensive and/or disturbing. Contains scenes of a sexual nature. Recommended to 18+ readers.



4 Star Review by Jen Hagen

One of my favorite storylines is a taboo romance in the form of teacher/student.  This one held my interest throughout plus threw a good twist in as I neared the end. 

Olivia is 18 and has been in love with her math teacher since he arrived at her school six years ago.  Jamie Matthews  is 26 and has recently discovered that he is captivated with his student.  Olivia and Mr. Matthews have always had an easy-going rapport with each other.  They joke about their rival sports teams, banter back and forth while passing in the halls, and occasionally Mr. Matthews will throw a smirk and a wink at Olivia.  Olivia has three weeks left of school and should be busy studying for her finals, but instead she is lamenting about the fact that after these three weeks she will never see Mr. Matthews again.  This keeps her from sleeping at night, from paying attention in school, and has also kept her from being able to become romantically involved with a boyfriend.

 

Olivia’s parents are kept busy with their work at the hospital and Olivia has spent a lot of time with her Uncle Austin.  He has always been there for her, has seen Olivia at her worst, and Olivia feels comfortable with him.  Olivia’s other Uncle Robbie, is no longer living, and Olivia is the inheritor of his estate.  Olivia does not want anything to do with it, but she will receive the entirety of it at the age of 21.  There are bad feelings associated with being the benefactor of his estate and it also leaves a sense of guilt with Olivia.

 

Jamie also is a benefactor of a family member’s estate, and he doesn’t want anything to do with the prestigious family business.   Jamie has wealth, but he keeps that a secret in his life.  All it takes is one unplanned moment in school to set in motion the ability to release their hidden passion for each other. 

 

“I really like you Olivia and I can’t wait for the next few weeks to be out of the way because I want to be with you.”

 

Olivia has several obstacles to overcome in order to escape her recurring nightmares.  She bears the burden of her uncle’s death, has a childhood secret, has been the object of an ex-boyfriend’s obsession with claiming her, and has recently been the recipient of anonymous threats.  Because of these threats, Olivia is forced to move in with her Uncle Austin since her parents never seem to have the time to be with Olivia.  Olivia has her own personal bodyguard in the form of Connor Riley…and a what a body he has! 

 

As with any new relationship there are old girlfriends, jealousy and trust issues to contend with.  Of course it doesn’t help matters any when some of that is thrown right at you and you’re forced to see it with your own eyes.  Olivia knows what she saw, but maybe she didn’t see it all…

 

He walked towards me and stopped right in front of me.  His beautiful green eyes sparkled with unshed tears.    (swoon…A beautiful guy who can cry always breaks me)

 

The last 30% of the book throws a few twists and turns into the storyline making it unique and not just another romance novel.  This is where I began to slap my forehead chanting  “no, don’t do it…that is wrong…you can’t do that…please, please don’t do that.”  Maybe the biggest threat to Olivia is staring right at her…

 

I felt like I was staring at a soulless being, a beautiful soulless being.  He was so cold and empty looking; not the hot sexy man who chased me, or made love to me.  He was scary.  He lied to me, I shouldn’t have trusted him so easily…

 

A couple things that distracted me in the early development of this book were that it was set in London and the school system over there differs from ours.  I never was able to understand their “terms” in school.  But alas…he’s still her teacher and she’s his student so it’s forbidden no matter how the school years are divided.  Another thing was the constant use of “erm” in sentences used to signify a hesitancy in the user’s speaking.  I did get over this overusage, but it annoyed me.

 

It is my understanding that Olivia and Jamie’s story will be part of a trilogy.  The second installment does not have a set date, but will likely be available early 2014. 



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Blog Tour: Wish I May by Lexi Ryan



BOOK SUMMARY:

I grew up wishing on stars.

My father taught me to believe…in destiny, in magic, in happily ever after. Dreams were my scripture and the starry night sky was my temple. Then Mom stopped believing, left him, and took us with her. At the age of sixteen, I cashed in my dreams to pay the rent, pawned my destiny to keep my sisters together.

Now, seven years later, I’m returning home, grieving the death of my mother, and settling my sisters back into the life Mom threw away. I never intended to stay. I don’t want to deal with my father, who is so invested in the spiritual world he forgets the physical. I don’t want to face William Bailey, whose eyes remind me of the girl I was, the things I’ve done, and the future I lost.

This would all be easier if Will hated me. As it is, I have to hold my secrets close so they won’t hurt him more than they’ve already hurt me. But he wants to be in my life. He wants what I can’t bring myself to confess I sold. He wants me.

I find myself looking to my stars again...wondering if I dare one more wish.

4.5 star review by Jen Skewes

We first met William Bailey in Unbreak Me.  And while I loved him in the first book I didn't love him with the main character.  So of course when I found out that Lexi Ryan was writing his story I was so excited.  I couldn't wait to see Will get his happily ever after.  Wish I May is an amazing story about love, forgiveness and second chances.

When Cally was only 16 years old her mother decided to move her and her sisters to a new state, leaving her father and William Bailey behind.  Cally and William were in love and were planning their future together.  They were going to make their relationship work and not let the distance get in the way of their love.   But unfortunately life's plans don't always work out the way you want them too.  Cally slowly watched as her life started going on a downward spiral.  She gave up all her dreams to be able to save herself and her sisters.  She suddenly had to become the one responsible for her sisters, the rent and the bills.  She did things that she wasn't proud of but needed to do to survive.  Her new life didn't include William Bailey and she knew that she had to move on from him and the life that they planned, even if it meant breaking his heart.

It's seven years later and after the death of her mother Cally is temporarily returning home to get her sisters settled in with their father. She has no plans of staying and the last thing that she wants while she is there is to run into William Bailey.  Cally finds herself lost and in need of directions.  This is where you could say that fate steps in and leads her right back to the man that she once loved, the man she is hoping to avoid.

William Bailey was in love with Cally and always wondered what happened to them.  They had it all planned out and while he waited that night for her to show up for the prom he realized that she wasn't coming and he just lost the girl that he loved.  The last 7 years have not been kind to William when it comes to love.  He has tried to fill the hole in his heart that was left there by Cally.  But things just didn't go the way he had planned.  He has been engaged twice once to a woman who he loved and wanted to save and the other whom he also loved but not the way a husband should love his wife.  Now it's 7 years later and he is face to face with the woman who broke his heart all those years ago.  He knows that he should walk away, that he should hate her but he can't.  Especially when all the feelings that he had for her 7 years ago come rushing back.  He lost her once and is not about to lose her again.  He knows she has no plans of staying but Will vows to change those plans.  He is not going to let her get away for a second time.

"Be with me Cally. You're my compass. My north star."

At some point Cally does decide to stay and her and Will start becoming closer.  As much as Cally still loves Will and wants to be with him, she is scared.  She is afraid of the secrets that she stills holds from her past.  Afraid of how he will look at her once he knows the truth.  There are people in their lives and secrets from her past that could tear them apart, ruining any chance that they have at a happy ending.  When the truth comes out can Will forgive her and look beyond what really happened over the last 7 years?

After seven years. After the lamest breakup in history of breakups. After breaking his heart, and dismissing my own, I'm still very much his.

I loved both Cally and Will.  My heart broke for Cally and all that she has gone through in her life.  She was so young when she felt like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders.  So young when she made the decision to give up her dreams and a little bit more to take care of her sisters.  If anyone deserves a happily ever after with the only man she has ever loved it is definitely Cally.  Will was so amazing, sweet, caring and so forgiving.  Cally hurt him all those years ago but it didn't matter to him.  He knew she still held his heart and he didn't want to let her go.   He wanted to love her, take care of her and protect her.  He wanted to break down the walls and find out what it is from her past that has been haunting her.  And no matter what he wouldn't give up, which is one of the many reasons why I loved him!

"I want you to always believe you deserve whatever you can wish for, Cally.  As long as you'll let me, I'll make your wishes come true."

I am a big fan of Lexi Ryan's and have read just about all of her books.  And I absolutely love this series.   I love the chemistry and connection between Cally and Will.  Wish I May is about forgiveness and a second chance at love.  Cally is broken and Will just wants to love her and make her his again.  We see this story being told from both point of views which I love.  There was drama, there was angst and Ms. Ryan managed to keep you guessing when it came to Cally's past.  There were moments when I thought I had it all figured out until you keep reading and find out that there was more to the story that I did not see coming.  The ending will leave you with a smile and was the perfect end to their journey.  Another fantastic job by Lexi Ryan.  I cannot wait for the next one in the series.


Top 10 Sexiest Traits in a Hero (Real or Fictional)

10. He has a sense of humor. I suppose this might be a bit of a cliché, but only because it’s true. There is nothing as sexy as a guy who can still laugh when the going gets tough. Except for one who can make me laugh.

9. He’s thoughtful. She had a long day at work so he made dinner or put the kids to bed or brought home her favorite bottle of wine. SEXY. Seriously, men, studies show that guys who do housework have sexy 10-times more frequently than guys who don’t. (I made that up but it’s probably true.)

8. He’s present. In a world of cell phones, tablets, and twelve bazillion responsibilities, perhaps it would be realistic to have our heroes working on their phones through dinner or so distracted about a business merger that he doesn’t notice the heroine’s legs in that ridiculously short skirt. No. Heroes are present and in the moment. And even if life is tough and he’s distracted more often than not, being with the heroine is what makes him come back to the moment.

7. He’s strong. I’m not talking physical strength here (though, seriously, yum) but emotional. Contrary to every stereotype, this doesn’t mean he can’t cry. Crying is a way of processing emotions and emotional strength doesn’t mean you don’t feel. It means you are capable of processing emotions and still functioning.

6. He’s empathetic. One of the sexiest things about Asher in Unbreak Me and William in Wish I May is their ability to empathize with the heroine and understand why she made the decisions she did.

7. He’s intelligent. Intelligence comes in many forms, but it’s a must.

6. He’s loyal.

5. Tenderness. As much as we like our heroes to be hard badasses when necessary, his tenderness can be way sexier than his steel will.

4. He listens. Perhaps this one goes with empathy, but it’s a must and so sexy.

3. He thinks she is sexy. Attraction is so much hotter when it goes both ways.

2. Patience. With her. With life. In the bedroom…

1. A dirty, dirty mouth and mind enough to know when to use it—Enough said.:)

About the Author:

Lexi Ryan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, writes romances with humor, heat, and heart. A former college English professor, Lexi now writes full time from her home in Indiana, where she lives with her husband and two children. Please visit www.lexiryan.com

Site - http://www.lexiryan.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/writerlexiryan

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2856947.Lexi_Ryan

Facebook Fan Page - https://www.facebook.com/lexiryanauthor

Buy Links:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes and Noble

Kobo



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Blog Tour Giveaway: Love Resisted by Melanie Codina


LOVE RESISTED
Book 2 - Real Love Series

Melanie Codina

Synopsis

For Allie Baxter, love was never something she had to worry about. She was loved by her friends, her family, her husband … until the day it was ripped away. Losing love was the deepest pain Allie had ever endured, and it was an agony she vowed to avoid feeling ever again. Crippled with guilt over her loss, for five years Allie served her self-appointed exile from the daily comforts offered by friends and family, only to return and attempt to fit herself back into their open arms—even if she knew she didn’t deserve it. Mike Lawson was not something Allie expected; the love of a man was not something Allie was prepared to want. The spark of desire that had long ago died inside her suddenly returned, bringing the memories of her pain with it. She swore she would never allow herself to love again … but how long could love be resisted








Twitter:  @MelanieCodina
 

Melanie is an amazing mother of four, an awesome and tolerant wife to one, and nurse to many. If you don’t believe her, just ask anyone in her family, they know what to say. She is also a devoted chauffer, the keeper of missing socks, a genius according to a six year old, the coolest soccer uniform coordinator according to a twelve year old, and the best damn ‘mac-n-cheese-with-cut-up-hot-dog maker in the whole world. Well that last title isn’t really official, but it’s still pretty cool to be called it.

When not being ordered around by any of the kids, you can find her with her nose in a book or on the sideline of a soccer game cheering on one team or another. But that’s mostly because she has a thing for the coach. When she is not doing all of the above, you can find her obsessed with a group of fictional characters all vying for a spot on the page of whatever she’s working on. It’s a fun and crazy life to lead, but wouldn’t have it any other way.

 


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Melanie Codina and her family will be donating $1 for each book of Love Resisted sold during the month of October. 


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Release Day Blitz: Someone to Love by Addison Moore


Synopsis

What happens when two people who don’t believe in love, happen to fall madly into the most beautiful relationship they could ever imagine? A train wreck.

When twenty-year-old Kendall Jordan transfers clear across country to Garrison University, the last thing she’s looking for is a one-night stand. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what, gorgeous, Cruise Elton offers.

Kendall has long since come to realize that love is an illusion that never lasts, and Cruise couldn’t agree more—but something deep inside her wants him all for herself. So, Kendall devises a seat of the pants plan to “play the player” and proposes that Cruise tutor her in becoming a female version of himself, Garrison University’s own playboy.

Real feelings begin to emerge, and neither Kendall nor Cruise know how to classify them. Everything they once thought they knew is redefined as they discover, in one another, Someone to Love.


4.5 star review by Lisa Kane 

"I suppose this was just a test," I say. "I guess I failed because a player never commits."
Addison Moore's Someone to Love is a bitter sweet romance featuring two individuals who on the surface at least, appear to have different sets of values and ideals. Kendall Jordan is the good girl; good grades, good friends, good choices. Cruise Elton is a whole lot of bad; bad attitude, bad ass looks and just bad news. Kendall transfers in to Garrison college and by way of a mix up on the part of a family friend, Pennington, has no dorm or housing. When Kendall and Cruise meet at a frat party, sparks fly, but Kendall knows Cruise is a player even if he oozes sex and looks like a walking, breathing Adonis. It turns out Cruise's mom owns a bed and breakfast and he offers Kendall a temporary place to stay. The more Kendall grows disenchanted with her good girl image the more she entertains having the resident man whore teach her in what she calls a "social experiment". After seeing her mother marry over and over, she decides maybe it's time for her to change her life and her image. Cruise wasn't always the sex he appears to be, but he put his trust in the wrong person, felt a deep betrayal and had since decided relationships bring hurt and a continual string of one night stands brings fun. What happens when these two have major attitude adjustments? What if Cruise has found the one who can help him heal and what if Kendall has found someone she can be herself with and still have a good time?

"You do realize that I'm going to have to arrest you for taking off with my heart again."

Moore's novel is an easy read, with just the right touch of humor, sex and angst. Enjoy
 

"You're on a road show with your penis, and trust me, I'm the last person who wants to get in your way. But I'm telling you, operation occupy-my-vagina is a no-go for the evening." 


Cover Reveal: Better by S. Walden




Title: Better (Too Good #2)
Author: S. Walden
Expected Release: November 19, 2013
Hosted By: Romance Addict Book Blog - http://www.romanceaddictbookblog.com/
Synopsis
Their relationship has been exposed, and now their lives are changed forever.

For Cadence Miller, the fast track to adulthood proves intimidating and frustrating. She’s a little girl lost—abandoned by her parents and uncertain of her future. She doesn’t think she “fits” anywhere. She’s eighteen. She wants to be older. And the result is both comical and heartbreaking.

Mark Connelly will do anything to provide Cadence a stable, loving home—to be her protector. But he’s just as broken and lost, and his heart won’t let go of his past so easily. He knows he must share his secret with Cadence. And he hopes his revelation won't tear them apart. He hopes it will draw them closer, and make their love better.


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Good by S. Walden


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Good by S. Walden is current on is currently on sale for .99¢ on Amazon for a LIMITED TIME to help celebrate the release of Better!


S. Walden
S. Walden used to teach English before making the best decision of her life by becoming a full-time writer. She lives in Georgia with her very supportive husband who prefers physics textbooks over fiction and has a difficult time understanding why her characters must have personality flaws. She is wary of small children, so she has a Westie instead. Her dreams include raising chickens and owning and operating a beachside inn on the Gulf Coast (chickens included). When she's not writing, she's thinking about it.

She loves her fans and loves to hear from them. Email her at swaldenauthor@hotmail.com and follow her blog at http://swaldenauthor.blogspot.com where you can get up-to-date information on her current projects.

Twitter: @swaldenauthor

Teaser
She made sure to look as inconspicuous as possible for her first day of classes: jean shorts, tank top, flip flops. She kept her hair down but pulled it off her face with a headband. She wore a tad bit of makeup. Nothing showy, but she thought first day classes warranted mascara and lip gloss, at the least.

She slid into a seat in the row closest to the windows. She didn’t bother to look for Michael. Or save him a seat. She still wasn’t sure about that guy. She felt guilty for not telling Mark about Michael’s kissing comment. She wanted a friend, but she was unsure if he was a good one. She scanned the room for somebody better. She needed a girlfriend. And there was one sitting directly behind her.

“Hi,” Cadence said tentatively.

“Hi,” the girl replied.

Cadence wasn’t sure what else to say. Neither was the girl. That was until she recognized Cadence.

“You went to Crestview High.”

Cadence’s face fell. “Yeah.”

“My friend went there. She graduated with you.”

Cadence nodded.

The girl leaned in and whispered, “Did you really have an affair with your math teacher?”

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CoverReveal: This Time Around by Chantal Fernando



Title:  This Time Around
Author:  Chantal Fernando
Release Date:  Early 2014

I loved her.

I lost her.

But I’m not willing to let her go.

This time, I’m playing for keeps.
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