Friday, April 27, 2018

Blog Tour: Sergio by Natasha Knight












I’m the first-born son of the mafia king. The favorite. Destined to rule, I’m a dangerous man, a ruthless one. But in my world, you have to be.

Then Natalie stumbles into my life. Wrong place. Wrong time.

Twice, fate put her in my path.
Twice, fate placed the innocent lamb at the mercy of the monster.

I gave her a chance to walk away. Told her it would be better for her if she did.
But she didn’t listen.
And now it’s too late.
Because I’m not good. I never wanted to be. And I won’t let her go anymore. See, I’m not the hero. When I touch her, it’s with dirty hands.

I know my reckoning is coming though. I know I’ll burn for the things I’ve done, the sins I’ve committed. And I don’t deny hell is where I belong, but I want my time first. I want my time with her.

She’s mine.
Forever.
No matter what.


Author’s Note: Sergio: a Dark Mafia Romance is an intensely emotional, steamy and dark standalone romance set in the Benedetti Brothers Mafia world. Be prepared: this is not a traditional romance.

4.5 Stars
Review by Jen Skewes

 I am not even sure where to begin with this review. First I don't want to give anything away and second I am trying to convey my emotions throughout this book.  I read the first two books, Salvatore and Dominic which I loved.  So when I saw that Ms. Knight had written Sergio's story I was so excited.  But here's the thing I had to remind myself that I knew enough about Sergio to know that this story would be sad and just may break me.  But I dove right in anyway and completely loved it.

Sergio is the oldest of the three Benedetti brothers and at some point he will be taken over as the head of the family.  One day as he is "conducting business" in an old abandoned warehouse he hears a noise, only to find out that it is a beautiful woman hiding from not only what she has juste witnessed but from Sergio as well.  This woman, Natalie, intrigues him in a way.  He believes her story as to why she is there and he nows that it is just a case of "wrong place, wrong time."  But he can't quite let her go.  He wants to know all there is to know about her.  He wants her ways that he shouldn't.  He knows he should stay away because his life is complicated, but he cannot.  So he somehow just works his way into Natalie's life and has no plans on leaving.

Sergio is the man that she should run from, but there is something about him that makes her want to stay right where he is.  He is sexy, dominating and a complete alpha male with a dark side to him.  But while at times she hates him, she is also drawn to him in a way that scares her.  She wants him, even though she shouldn't.  Will being with Sergio Benedetti put her in danger?  And will he be worth the risk?

This book is dark and little bit sexy but that is what I love about Natasha Knight's writing.  That is why I also jump at the chance to read one of her books. It's never too much or over the top darkness.  And Sergio is no different.  don't get me wrong there are moments that made me nervous, moments where I was so unsure as to why I love Sergio because he is one dark and complicated man.  But there was just something about him that I loved.

This book had my emotions all over the place.  I knew how this would go, having read the first two books.  But I did not care.  I just kept reading, completely devouring this book.  I loved that Sergio found someone to love.  I loved that Natalie loved him despite his flaws and who he was.  And I love that Natasha Knight wrote his story because while he only may have been a secondary character in the other books, his story needed to be told.  I loved every bit of his story.  Great job!!!





Natalie’s POV
I unlock the door and step inside. The first thing I do is slip off my shoes, leaving them on the mat as I walk to the kitchen table to set down the portfolio. I realize it’s strange Pepper didn’t greet me tonight. I’m later than usual and she’s probably hungry.
“Pepper, I’m home. Sorry I’m late. You wouldn’t believe my day.” I walk around the table to open the cabinet under the sink and get her food. “Come on, honey. Dinner.”
Nothing. Not even when she must hear the sound of food filling her bowl.
I stop. “Pepper?” My heart races. Shit. She’s so old. What if…
I straighten, thinking the worst, and turn to head into the living room. I switch on the light and let out a scream because I’m not alone.
Sergio’s here. Sitting in the middle of the couch, arms spread wide, eyes hard.
And right now, he looks like a fucking Godfather.
Pepper’s on the floor, her head on his shoe, sleeping.
“I fed her.” He’s pissed, I can hear it in his voice, feel it coming off him. There’s a half empty bottle of whiskey on the coffee table.
“What are you doing here? How did you get in?”
“She was hungry.”
“How did you get inside?” I repeat. I can match his anger.
“I told you I had a key.”
Fuck. That’s what he’d meant last night. “You can’t have a key. I never gave you one.”
“You switched off your phone.”
I walk over to Pepper, squat down to pet her. I don’t look at him when I answer. “Because I didn’t want to talk to you.”
“When I call you, you answer.”
“Doesn’t work that way.” I say, standing, spinning on my heel. I’m about to walk away when he captures my wrist, his grip firm, more firm than he’s ever been with me. I make a sound, try to pull free, but he tugs on my arm, kicks my feet out from under me so I fall face down onto his lap. “What are you—”
He slaps my ass hard ten times in succession.
I’m gasping, instinctively reaching back to cover the spot. He captures my wrist, so he has both now, and holds them in one of his hands. I crane my neck to look up at him. He keeps his eyes locked on mine and rubs one hand over my ass, then spanks it again, ten more times on the other cheek.
“Stop!” It fucking hurts.
“When I call you, you answer, Natalie.”
I tug at my arms, but his grip is vice-like.
“Do you understand?” he asks.
“Let me go.”
“Do you fucking understand?”
“Yes!”
He gives me one more hard smack before releasing me, and I stumble to my feet. I feel hot, embarrassed, and I’m clutching my ass.
“I just want you safe.” He gets to his feet.
I step backward.
He’s wearing a suit, the jacket of which is hanging over the back of a chair. He gently moves Pepper’s head off his foot before he walks toward me.
I’m mute as he approaches. There’s a darkness to Sergio Benedetti. It clings to him, like a shadow. It’s the one thing that scares me about him because I trust that he won’t hurt me. And I believe that he wants me safe. I may not understand it, but I believe it.
But this shadow, it’s not one he casts. The opposite. It seems to cast itself over him. To have a claim on him. Some strange, powerful hold over him.

















USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, Natasha Knight specializes in dark, tortured heroes. Happily-Ever-Afters are guaranteed, but she likes to put her characters through hell to get them there. She’s evil like that.
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Blog Tour: Co-Ed by Rachel Van Dyken

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Co-Ed by Rachel Van Dyken
Publication Date: April 24th, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Four guys.
Constant moaning.
And a revolving door across the college suite I somehow ended up in because my first name is Shawn.
They don't discriminate. Girls. Guys. Grandmas. Plants (okay maybe not plants) all walks of life stroll in stressed to the brim, and leave so satisfied I'm wondering what sort of talents lie behind that door.
My roommate calls them the pleasure ponies.
But the rest of the college campus?
They just call them the new face of Wingmen Inc. A paid for relationship service that makes big promises.
Breakup? They'll glue you back together again.
Depressed? They have the magic pill.
Lonely? Just spend a few minutes while they rub you down and you'll forget all about it.
And broken hearts? Well, that's their specialty. They'll fix you
For a price…
I swore I wouldn't get involved.
But apparently they like a challenge, and a girl who doesn't put up with their BS is basically like waving a red flag in front of a bull.
They. All. Charged.
But one holds my attention above the rest.
Knox Turner looks like a Viking — and getting pillaged is starting to look more appealing by the day. Though he's hiding something — all of them are. And the closer I get. The more I realize that some things are left better in the past.
You've read reverse harem books before — but you've never read one like this. It's not what you think, or is it? Dive in and find out…
Knox, Leo, Finn, and Slater are waiting, and they aren't patient men.
Welcome to the new face of Wingmen Inc — You're welcome.


rvd-coed_1
3.5 Stars
Review by Lisa Kane


 Shawn is kept awake by the sound of constant moans. It’s bad enough she was mistaken for a guy and was housed in the guy’s dorms, but now she can’t get any sleep because of the Pleasure Ponies. Who or what is that you say? Three guys who get paid big bucks to pleasure others. Not intercourse mind you, but the three of them all engage in engaging their clients in bringing out their desires. Thus the constant moans. 
“The Pleasure Ponies are bad news.”
I burst out laughing. “Please tell me that’s their real name!”
He joined in. “Nah, that’s my nice nickname for them. The real company name is under Wingman, Inc.”
If you’ve read Rachel’s previous series, you know that Wingman Inc., is a successful dating service with a break out app that makes millions. Seems Knox, Leo and Finn are interning for the company, making a ton of money. But for some reason Shawn’s roomie Slater is not a fan of theirs..at all. I smell a mystery!
 The three guys are intrigued by Shawn. Well, at least Leo and Finn are intrigued. Knox is his usual moody self and wont’ allow himself to have too many encounters with the feisty co-ed. But his partners have other plans for him.
“You’re chocolate milk, and baby girl, he’s been thirsting for a long time.” 
Knox gets put down by Shawn at just about every turn. Something he obviously isn’t used to and doesn’t like. 
Maybe it was the pounding headache, but I’d never been turned down by a woman, man-human. They all wanted me, or something from me. So, I was about as angry as I was confused and in utter shock that shed’ just turned around and walked away as if I wasn’t everyone’s perfect brand of drug. 
 But Knox has one thing Shawn needs (that isn’t sexual or can fulfill her every desire!) and that’s knowledge. Knox is smart, like genius smart and Shawn needs academic help. He gets assigned as her tutor and she’s not really in a position to refuse his help. (maybe it’s not the position he’d like to be in with him-but it’s something) 
There’s secrets going on-with the Pleasure Ponies and with Slater. It keeps getting hinted at and frankly that’s why I didn’t rate this story higher. I felt like it was important but it kept interrupting the story’s flow for me-and to be honest I had a hard time believing college kids are going to plunk down their hard earned cash or their parent’s hard earned cash for the Pleasure Ponies. The concept felt just a bit too far-fetched for me, but I do love Rachel Van Dyken’s writing style. I’ll have no trouble jumping into her next release. 
 What more could a broken man ask for?
Than to be needed.
By someone like her.
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Excerpt:
It was happening again.

The moaning.

I put a pillow over my face and screamed.

Not because it was too loud.

But because I kept wondering who was causing it. One? Two? All three? Leo and Finn had both tried to talk to me in class and at the coffee shop again. I’d brushed them off but been polite.

And Knox?

Well, let’s just say that Knox had suddenly turned over a leaf that said, “Go out of my way to make Shawn’s life miserable.”

He was suddenly everywhere.

And with a different female every single day.

It drove me insane.

Bat-shit crazy.

And he wasn’t even mine to go senseless over!

The moan happened again.

“That’s it!” I got up from my bed, stomped over to the door, and jerked it open. Then I pounded my way over to their room and almost took down the door with my knock .

When Leo answered, he grinned down at me. “Come to play?”

I gave him the finger.

His eyes narrowed. “I’m confused. Is that yes or no?”

“Agh!” I threw my hands up in the air. “I have practice tomorrow at five a.m. It’s three. I’ve had one hour of sleep. Can you please keep the moaning to a minimum?”

“You seem stressed.” He tilted his head just as Finn joined him in the doorway. “Doesn’t she?”

“Very.” Finn nodded then reached out and started massaging my right trap while Leo grabbed my hand and worked my fingers. It felt so damn good that I forgot I was pissed for about two seconds before I pulled away.

“No.” I jabbed my finger at each of their chests. “Shame on you. Stop using your skills to make me less crazy. I need sleep.”

“I could not agree more.” Leo put his hand over his chest. “If you want, I can come over and—”

“No!” I made a fist with my hands. “I don’t need you to help me sleep. I need you to keep your clients quiet so that I can sleep. Big difference.”

Knox appeared then and held out a pair of Bose noise-canceling headphones. “You can borrow them every Friday as long as you don’t set them on fire when you’re done.”

“Do you think I really want whatever STDs are crawling around the surface?” I hissed.

His eyes turned lethal. “Then I guess you won’t sleep.”

“Dun, dun, dun,” Finn sang in a low voice, just as a small lady who could pass as my grandmother made an appearance and shoved a fifty-dollar bill in Knox’s pants then patted him on his rock-hard six-pack. She had a full-on red wig perched backward on her head and cherry red cheeks with black glasses that she kept shoving up her nose. And her purse looked like something I would have seen on I Love Lucy. It was this giant black clutch that probably held cough drops and prunes.

“Thanks, boys.”

“Love you, Edna!” Finn called while Leo brushed a kiss across her hand.

She finger-waved at Knox and straight-up waddled out of the suite.

I stared after her, my jaw dropping with each step she took until she was out of eyesight.

“What…” I shook my head. “…I mean, seriously, guys, what?”

Finn’s eyes got serious. “She’s lonely.”

“She’s at least eighty!” I yelled, so exhausted I was actually arguing with crazy.

Knox got all up in my business and said through clenched teeth, “Her husband died a year ago. She’s not comfortable with internet dating yet. We’re easing her in because she wants a partner for life, someone she can laugh with, so if we can give her that one laugh, that nice touch once a week, we’re going to fucking do it. Now jump off that pedestal, take the damn Bose, and go to sleep.”



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Meet the Author:
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!
Connect with the Author:

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Cover Reveal: Fat Cat Liar by Ahren Sanders

FAT CAT LIAR BY AHREN SANDERS
Release Date: May 21st
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2HnM9C4

PREORDER LINKS:
BLURB
The night I met Greer Palmer was no coincidence.
The plan was perfect.
Everything was in place. All I had to do was get her attention and the rest would take its course.
What I didn’t plan was my reaction the first time she spoke.
“Are you okay?”
Three little words…
That’s all it took for her to steal my breath and shatter every thing I’d expected.
She was supposed to be a spoiled socialite, a pampered princess, an elite heiress— anything other than the striking beauty that blew my misconceptions to pieces.
One kiss and I became obsessed.
One night and I became addicted.
One month and she became my world.
Suddenly, my plan wasn’t so perfect.
To her, I am sunset kisses, whispers of seduction, and promises of forever.
It’s all a lie…
I’m Lawson Hall.
My name and reputation speaks for itself as one of the most successful architects in the industry. Conceited, arrogant, egotistical, ruthless— I’ve earned it all.
In reality, I’ve bided my time, done my job, and waited my turn.
Now is my chance.
Greer thinks we met by accident, but she’s wrong.
Once the lies are exposed, will the truth be enough?

AUTHOR BIO
Ahren spent her formative years living in an active volcano. There her family made collectible lava art. She studied rock collecting at the Sorbonne in France. There she met the love of her life-her pet pig Sybil. She returned to the states and started writing. She is happily married to a guy who used to live under a bridge and she met while pole-dancing.
Now, meet the real me. I grew up in the south and consider myself a true “Southerner”. Most of the special locations mentioned in my books are reflections of my favorite places. Living on the Florida coast, my family spends a lot time at the beach, which is where I usually can be found with a book in my hand.
For more information on my books, please click here: Ahren Sanders
CONNECT WITH AHREN SANDERS:


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Thursday, April 26, 2018

Cover Reveal: Tattered by Devney Perry







Thea Landry has always known her place in modern-day society. It’s somewhere just above the trash can her mother dumped her in as a newborn but below the class where much comes easy. With her tattered shoes and bargain-bin clothes, her life has never been full of glamour.

So when a rich and charismatic man takes interest, she doesn’t fool herself into thinking their encounter is anything more than a one-night stand. Months later, she’s kicking herself for not getting his phone number. Or his last name. She’s given up hope of seeing him ever again.

Until one day, years later, Logan Kendrick waltzes into her life once more and turns everything she’s built upside down. This time around, she won’t make the same mistake. She’s going to fight to keep him in her life—not for herself.

But for their daughter.








PRE-ORDER NOW

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Devney is the USA Today bestselling author of the Jamison Valley series. She lives in Montana with her husband and two children. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her kids. She loves reading and, after consuming hundreds of books, decided to share her own stories. Devney loves hearing from readers! Connect with her on social media.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Newsletter
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Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Six Feet Under by Whitney Barbetti

Release Date: April 25, 2018
Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs
Photo Credit: Max Eremine


Synopsis


Six wasn’t the hero I needed.
But he was the man I wanted.

And it was my selfish craving, the desire to own him, that would be our undoing.

No one tells you that love is a disease. An infection that tears your heart apart, leaving you half the person you were before. A malady that leaves open wounds. An invisible disorder tracing scars in the places you couldn’t see if you weren’t looking for them.

I was sick, but love didn’t heal me.

Instead, it festered in my marrow, and drove me to unforgivable mistakes.

Six was my first mistake, but he wouldn't be the last.

Goodreads



Coming Soon


Release Date: May 9, 2018
Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs
Photo Credit: Alexander Kuzmin Photography



Synopsis


Six was always there, even when I didn’t want him.
But he couldn’t hold me together, and I couldn’t be his penance.

Loss is a phantom limb. No one can see it, but the ache torments you in the night, distracts you during the day, and leaves you fragmented. I’m half a heart, half a soul, and nothing could cure the pieces he’d left behind.

Losing him was safer than loving him. Because the love that kept us coming back again and again was nothing short of madness.

But then, isn't mad love the most honest?


Goodreads




Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card


About the Author


Whitney Barbetti is really, truly awful at writing in the third person, so we're just going to change this bio up a bit and write it as first person.
I am married with two boys. When I'm not changing diapers or cutting food into tiny bites, I escape to Starbucks for hours. My blood pressure actually drops the moment I walk in, hear the baristas call my name, and inhale the aroma of coffee beans. And I don't even like coffee.

I love music and have a playlist for everything. Queen is my very favorite.

I like watching creepy shows when I am home alone but then I instantly regret them once my mind starts breeding irrational fears. I try to channel my fears into my books as a way to cope.

I have about 20 bacon things in my fridge.


Connect with Whitney


Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/2GtKmuV
Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/2q3qXWH
Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2GQpDk9
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2IpCB5O
BookBub Author Page: http://bit.ly/2H7Dr7U


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Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Blog Tour: the Hardest Fall by Ella Maise

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The Hardest Fall, an all new tantalizing contemporary romance by Ella Maise is NOW LIVE!
The first time you meet someone, you make eye contact. You smile, say hello. Should be simple, if you’re anyone but me. The first time I met Dylan Reed, I found myself making eye contact with a different part of his body. You see, I’m very good at being shy, not to mention extremely well-versed in rambling nonsense and, unfortunately, rather highly skilled at making a fool of myself in front of a guy I’m attracted to.
At the time, I knew nothing about him and thought none of what I said would matter since I’d never speak to him again. Turns out, I was very wrong. He was the star wide receiver of the football team, one of the few players expected to make it into the NFL, and I ended up seeing him all over campus.
I might have also propositioned him, run away from him, attacked him with a cooking utensil…and…uh, maybe I shouldn’t tell you all of it. It’s pretty normal stuff, things you’d expect…from me. Eventually, the time came when I couldn’t hide anymore—not that he’d have let me even if I tried.
Before now, he never knew I was secretly watching him. Now that we see each other every day, he knows when I have a hard time looking away. It doesn’t help that I’m not the most subtle person in the world either.
He smiles at me and tells me he finds me fascinating because of my quirks. I can’t even tell him that I think my heart beats differently whenever he’s around.
He thinks we’re going to be best friends. I think I have a big thing for him, and the more I get to know him, the more I don’t care that I’m not allowed to be his friend, let alone fall for him.
The thing is, that’s exactly what I’m doing—what we’re doing, I think.
Falling.
Hard.



4 stars
Review by Lisa Kane

The Hardest Fall CoverDylan Reed first lays eyes on Zoe Clarke while he’s answering nature’s call. They’re at a party, Dylan is in the bathroom and Zoe barges in while he has a certain part of his anatomy in his hand. She’s mortified, he’s amused. Zoe is quirky and more than a little shy. It takes her forever to explain that she doesn’t know who he is, but she’s been pressured into getting a kiss from him from her friends. (he’s a big deal at their college-he’s headed for the NFL and is just about on every female’s radar. She leaves and disappears in the crowd before he can get her name. 

“At this point? If I’m being honest, I really don’t know. Thank you for talking to me? For not kicking me out? For letting me see your penis? 

Fast forward a year and they have another socially awkward moment. Dylan remembers Zoe –he calls her Flash since she’s always disappearing on him. 

“I mean, it’s crowded, and you proved you’re fast, I’ll give you that, but I’m pretty good on my feet, and this time, now that I know what to look out, I’ll catch you no problem.”

Fast forward another year and Dylan is in a relationship. Things are about to go boom. He ends up moving to an apartment that his coach rents. Guess who’s also staying there? Zoe and Dylan couldn’t be more different if they tried. Zoe is painfully shy and retreats at every confrontation. Dylan is outgoing and has no problem fitting in to any situation. Too many people want a piece of him, they know he is destined for great things, and he rarely has any peace. Zoe, for some reason, brings him calm. They may not know it, but they are exactly what the other needs.

“Okay, don’t freakout, but I’m falling so hard, Dylan Reed-complete free fall. I’ll probably land pretty soon, too.” 

There’s more going on in this story than the relationship between Zoe and Dylan. But I do like drama. The beginning of this story moved a little slower than I would have liked, but once they are living in the same apartment. Can a reserved, quiet girl fit into the loud colorful world of the guy about to make his mark in the professional sports world?

He was the dream, the one you always wanted to end up with, the other half of your soul, if you believed in that kind of thing.

nowavailable
Read Today!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2HnOihj
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2HGsH0p
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2Hvsb7D
Add To Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2ICkfzg
Excerpt:

I stopped speaking when Dylan’s gloved hand—his huge gloved hand—cupped my cheek and gently tilted my face up. The world around me slowed down, and I stood still. I swear to you, I watched his eyes roam my face in slow motion.
“I like having your eyes on me, Zoe.”
I managed to force a nervous smile. His thumb moved on my cheek, rendering me…basically completely helpless.
Forgetting myself, forgetting where we were, I whispered, “I like watching you.”
His tongue peeked out and touched his lower lip. “I know.”
Oh, Dylan, why did you do that?
“I meant I like watching you—liked watching you play tonight. I didn’t mean it to sound like I like watching you when you’re not playing. I definitely wouldn’t watch you if you were just standing there, or I don’t know…I wouldn’t watch you when you’re working out, and I would never watch you if you were—”
“You know why I like watching you?”
The question shut me up pretty quickly, which was probably for the best; who knew what else I would spew out.
“Because I can’t take my eyes away from you. Everything else…it all disappears, and…”
And… And…
“And?”
I tried my best not to look eager for his answer—or let’s say not too eager, because there was no way he couldn’t tell I was very interested and invested in hearing what he was about to say.
He let out a heavy breath and decided not to finish that particular sentence. I’d seen it in his eyes, a slight change, there and gone.
Goddammit!
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About Ella
I’m a big dreamer. And that’s how it all started for me, really. Reading and dreaming. I love nothing more than to escape real life to find those very few magical moments in a book. I love how it has the power of stealing your worries away, putting a smile on your face even when smiling is the last thing on your mind. Crushing on fictional characters is also another bonus. Through my words, if I can manage to make even one-person smile, it means I’ve done my job well.
Writing became my world and I can’t imagine myself doing anything other than creating new characters and telling their stories. You know how some things simply makes your heart burst with happiness? A really good book, a puppy, hugging someone you’ve been missing like crazy? That’s what writing does to me. And all the hard work, all the sleepless nights, all the anxiety that comes with publishing…everything is worth it at the end.
Connect with Ella
Website: http://www.ellamaise.com
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/19MotSQ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorellamaise
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorellamaise
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ellamaise
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authorellamaise/

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Blog Tour: The Real by Kate Stewart


We're celebrating the release of THE REAL by Kate Stewart!


Contemporary Romance
Stand Alone


Blurb:

They say it happens when you least expect it.



It did for me.



It started the moment I saw the simple message pop up on my computer screen:



Cameron’s Mac: Hi.



And when I met the eyes of the gorgeous man messaging me from across the coffee shop, I never thought my reply would lead to the most intense, sexual, and passionate relationship of my life.



We both agreed to check our bags at the door and put our future hopes and aspirations on the table.



It worked.



I fell in love with his no holds barred attitude, sexy smirk, and undeniably good heart . . . and for a while we forgot about our baggage. We happily tripped over it to get to the other, neither of us willing to show the contents of our pasts in the off chance it could ruin us.



We built our love on a foundation of gray.



It was life in black and white that threatened to tear us apart.





5 Stars
Review by Jen Skewes

The Real tells the story of two people who are both broken from their pasts.  Cam and Abbie meet in such a different way, only communicating with each other via computer, even though they can see each other.  But in order for Abbie to get to know Cam this is the way she needs for it to be.  Cam just wants to know the beautiful girl that he meets in the café, so he has no issues doing it her way.  They agree to leave their pasts behind and only talk about the future.  At some point, they stop hiding behind the computer screen and start to go out with each other and eventually they find themselves in a relationship and both falling very hard.  But as I mentioned above, they both have a past.  And at some point their truths will come out.  And when they finally do will it completely break them or bring them closer together?

I am not going to go into any more detail regarding this story because you just need to dive in blind and experience it for yourself.  For me I loved these two characters so much.  Cam is certainly swoon worthy, all though at one point I wasn’t sure if I wanted to punch him or hug him.  Does he make mistakes?  Yes, of course he does.  But when you dig deeper and really see his reasons, and why he held onto his secret and what he has been through, you really begin to understand him and feel for him.  The fact that he has his flaws and it not perfect is what makes you love him even more. 

Abbie is this girl who has her own past and fears.  And while getting to know Cam was originally very scary for her, she pushed aside those fears and insecurities, with the help of her amazing best friend, and did it.  I loved how she connected with Cam.  I loved how they met and from that moment that they began their fun and witty banter, you just felt their connection immediately.  The pace in which they took their relationship was perfect and really helped the reader get to know the two of them as they did.  From the moment they met I knew they were meant to be together, they just had to get through some hurdles to get there.  

I have been reading Kate Stewart’s books from the very beginning.  Honestly when I read the first book that she released, it wasn’t really for me.  I had a hard time connecting to the book and characters.  But Ms. Stewart understood and when her next book came out she asked me to read it.  So I did.  I loved it and gave it 4 stars.  But she wasn’t done with me yet.  lol  She told me that one day she would write a book that I would give five stars and she was not giving up on me.  All I can say is that this is not the first 5 star book that I have given her.  My point of this story is that I have loved watching Kate grow as an author, and completely shine.  I have read just about all of her books and with each one they just keep getting better and better.  She has managed to blow me away on more than one occasion.  And the biggest point is that this woman can write!!!  She can write humor and witt that will make you swoon and smile.  She can write dark and erotic stories, with twists that will shock you.  And she knows how to do drama and angst and make you feel it all!! And she proved once again why I lover her writing and why she is an amazing writer.   

The Real starts out with fun and witty banter that I love from Ms. Stewart.  But it’s not just all fun and games.  No, this book is also emotional and raw, to the point that there were moments where I felt my heart in my throat.  I felt every emotion that Cam and Abbie went through, as if it was me going through it.   Ms. Stewart touched on a topic that most authors have not touched upon, at least any that I have seen.  It is a topic that is very real and occurring in the world today.  She handled it perfectly and I applaud her for even going there.  This book is so real, and emotional and raw.  There are moments where you will completely swoon and your heart will just melt.  You will be happy and loving these two characters together until that moment where it all changes.  And you find yourself holding your breath until the very last moment, when you know or at least hope that everything will be ok.  It was a ride filled with many emotions but one that I will take over and over again.  If you read one book by this author, make it this one.    And then when you are done read Drive J  A beautiful story and one of my top rea













EXCERPT:

Cameron’s Mac: Hi.

I looked above my laptop and took a deep breath before I accepted his invitation.



Abbie’s Mac: Hi.

Abbie, he’s going to wear your skin! I tried to ignore my inner voice.



Cameron’s Mac: I saw you with the homeless guy.

Abbie’s Mac: Ok?

He took a sip out of his Real Men Love Pomeranians mug and shrugged before he typed.



Cameron’s Mac: So, that was nice of you. Most people in the city just walk on by.

Abbie’s Mac: Oh. Most people do walk past Bennie. But he’s different and I’m not most people.

He lifted a brow and bit his lip.



Cameron’s Mac: I see that.

Cameron’s Mac: Want to have your next cup with me?

Say yes, say yes! It’s only coffee!

Abbie’s Mac: No, thank you.

You idiot.

His brows drew tight with his frown.



Cameron’s Mac: Sure? How about some breakfast?

My pulse raced with the memory of my last reaction to that type of attention and the consequences, and I answered without another thought.



Abbie’s Mac: No, thanks.

His chuckle was deep and covered me, even across the space between us. He bit his full bottom lip as he typed, his smirk still intact.



Fuck. Me. Damn it, Abbie!

Cameron’s Mac: Well, I guess today is not my day.

Abbie’s Mac: That’s all you’ve got?

I had no clue why I sent that message . . . why I was bothered that he didn’t try harder. Just that fucking smirk. It was sexy as hell.



He read my message and shrugged as he typed.



Cameron’s Mac: You seem to enjoy coffee. I don’t have an agenda. You’re beautiful, I noticed. I wanted to drink coffee with you. You said no. I’m going to scrape up the rest of my pride now and head out.

He closed his laptop and stood while I deflated. Damn it. He was being nice. Since when are guys just . . . nice?



Am I a man hater? Have I become that woman?

I spoke up as he slipped his computer into a worn leather bag.



“I’m sorry,” I offered in quick apology. “I was expecting some horrible line or screwed up proposition. The web, messaging, anything that has to do with technology has been hazardous for me. I’ve seen enough unsolicited dick pics for a lifetime. I was just being cautious.” And that was the truth. But I’d said it aloud in verbal vomit. Did I really say “dick pics” out loud?



He chuckled again as he looked down at me from where he stood, then grinned.



“Today isn’t the right day.” The husky baritone of his voice matched the silky hue of his eyes, which seemed to darken as he looked me over.



“No?” I asked in a whisper as I sized up his six-foot-plus frame and imagined the possibilities.



“No,” he said. “Maybe we can not have coffee again sometime?”



He’d tapped out with a simple ‘no’ from me. He couldn’t have been that interested in the first place.



I couldn’t deny the disappointment welling up in my ovaries.



“Okay.” I lifted the last syllable when he didn’t press further.



Cameron pulled out his wallet and set some money on his table then walked over to mine and did the same.



“At least let me buy your next cup.”



After setting the bills down, he stood over me briefly and I caught his scent—purely masculine. I inhaled as much as I could without being obvious. He didn’t smell like a psycho.



Cameron picked up his man–bag while I pictured running my fingers through his messy, inches thick, dark-brown hair.



Don’t let him leave. Tell him you aren’t that big of a bitch. But that would seem desperate. You aren’t desperate. But you are horny. Omg, are you horny??

As if reading my thoughts, I caught another flash of his teeth and had to bite my cheek to keep my reaction in check.



“I’ll see you.”



“Yeah, see you. And thanks,” I said to his retreating back, an octave louder than necessary. “For the coffee,” I added. Outside the window, Cameron bent and exchanged words with Bennie before sticking some cash in his hand.



Well, Abbie. Guess you’ll just have to wait until the next time you roll out of bed and a beautiful man hits on you. Should happen again, you IDIOT!

Once again, my hesitance had cost me. And I couldn’t help but feel like this time it cost me big.



Sagging into my seat, I continued to stare in his direction, watching those broad shoulders walk out of my life.







About the Author:

Kate Stewart lives in Charleston, S.C. with her husband, Nick, and her naughty beagle, Sadie. A native of Dallas, Kate moved to Charleston three weeks after her first visit, dropping her career of 8 years, and declaring it her creative muse. Kate pens messy, sexy, angst-filled contemporary romance as well as romantic comedy and erotic suspense because it's what she loves as a reader. A lover of all things '80s and '90s, especially John Hughes films and rap, she dabbles a little in photography, can knit a simple stitch scarf for necessity only and does a horrible job of playing the ukulele. Aside from running a mile without collapsing, traveling is the only other must on her bucket list. On occasion, she does very well at vodka.


Contact Kate- Email-authorkatestewart@gmail.com



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