Friday, February 28, 2014

Cover Reveal ~ Caged in Winter by Brighton Walsh







Book Blurb:
            In this emotional and sexy New Adult debut from Brighton Walsh, the only thing more frightening than commitment is hope…

Aspiring chef Cade Maxwell is immediately, viscerally attracted to Winter Jacobson. But it’s not her mouthwatering curves he’s drawn to—it’s the strange emptiness in her eyes. When Cade saves her from a drunken customer with grabby hands, he’s shocked at her response…

Winter doesn’t need Cade’s help. After a lifetime of getting by on her own, she’s happy to rely on herself. She’s exactly seventy-six days away from graduating college, and if she can hold it together that long, she’ll finally be able to rise above the crappy hand she was dealt.

But now, every time she turns around, Cade is there, ready to push her, smile at her, distract her from her plans. Winter knows she can’t afford to open up—especially to a man she’s terrified to actually want.


Author Bio:
            Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with her first love: writing. When she’s not pounding away at the keyboard, she’s probably either reading or shopping—maybe even both at once. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children, and, yes, she considers forty degrees to be hoodie weather. Her home is the setting for frequent dance parties, Lego battles, and more laughter than she thought possible.



http://www.brightonwalsh.com/https://www.facebook.com/brighton.walshhttps://twitter.com/writeasrain_http://www.pinterest.com/brightonwalsh/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6548902.Brighton_Walsh








Thursday, February 27, 2014

Leap Into Books Giveaway Hop



I'm giving away a $10 Gift Card to either Amazon or B&N

International as long as you can accept a gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Now hop along to the next blog...

Cover Reveal ~ When I Surrender by Kendall Ryan


WHEN I SURRENDER
(When I Break #2)
Release Date: April 7th
Book Description:

**Warning**
This book is intended for a mature reading audience and contains adult language and themes. 

Undaunted by Knox’s complicated history with sexual addiction, McKenna pushes forward in her relationship with this deliciously flawed man. She experiences the highest highs as they discover each other, along with the lowest lows, and worries that his past may not be entirely behind him.

But when a complication from her own past demands attention, she's forced to decide where their relationship is headed, and everything she thought she knew is questioned. 

When I Surrender is book 2 in the WHEN I BREAK series by New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Kendall Ryan. 

Kendall Ryan 
New York Times & USA Today bestselling author 

Swoon Thursday ~ 2/27/14



The fabulous girls over at YA Bound created this super HOT meme.  Here's how it works.

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! I want to know & so do the chicks at YABound!



She’s running from who she is…...

All Jules Scott wants is to live a normal, quiet life—preferably one that doesn’t include ghosts. Jules’s talent for communicating with the dead has brought her nothing but trouble. Despite her best efforts, needy spirits always find her and draw her into their otherworldly drama. When one implicates her in a series of deadly crimes, she may need to entrust her secrets to the person least likely to believe her.…

He’ll do whatever it takes to catch her.

Detective Seth English can’t get distracted from the big case he’s working on, not even by his alluring new neighbor. He doesn’t believe that Jules had anything to do with the string of robberies-turned-murders that he’s investigating, but when she keeps showing up in all the wrong places, his gut tells him she knows more than she’s letting on. To solve his case, he’ll need to expose what the sexy redhead is hiding—no matter how impossible the truth may be….


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18342290-spirited

http://www.stuckinbooks.com/2014/02/spirited-tidewater-1-by-mary-behre.html

What made me swoon?  There was a lot actually but here's a taste.




What do you think?  Have a swoon for me?  Leave me a comment.




Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Spirited (Tidewater, #1) by Mary Behre ~ Review

Source: Received copy from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

She’s running from who she is…...

All Jules Scott wants is to live a normal, quiet life—preferably one that doesn’t include ghosts. Jules’s talent for communicating with the dead has brought her nothing but trouble. Despite her best efforts, needy spirits always find her and draw her into their otherworldly drama. When one implicates her in a series of deadly crimes, she may need to entrust her secrets to the person least likely to believe her.…

He’ll do whatever it takes to catch her.

Detective Seth English can’t get distracted from the big case he’s working on, not even by his alluring new neighbor. He doesn’t believe that Jules had anything to do with the string of robberies-turned-murders that he’s investigating, but when she keeps showing up in all the wrong places, his gut tells him she knows more than she’s letting on. To solve his case, he’ll need to expose what the sexy redhead is hiding—no matter how impossible the truth may be….


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18342290-spirited

 Available March 4th
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0425268616http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spirited-mary-behre/1116561037


My Thoughts:


 

First Impressions...


In need a a genre change but still wanting to keep some romance in there, I was drawn to this one.  I liked the premise of the cop trying to resist the girl next door while he solved his case.  So I decided to give this one a try.

The Story...

I was definitely giggling as Jules dressed as a hooker from a costume party falls through the window of her neighbors apartment only to meet the sexy and gorgeous cop next door.  Drawn to each other for what seems like more than physical attraction, it's all kinds of fun to watch them resist.  But there's way more going on than just the romance.  There's a rash of diamond burglaries in the area, a murder, a bunch of ghosts bugging Jules, and a few twists along the way.  What I enjoyed about this story was that as I figured out one aspect of the story, another popped up to take it's place.  The clues where there and I did pick up on them but there was always more to the story.  That was nice.


The Characters...

I loved Jules.  Her ability to hear the dead has made her life more interesting that she would like.  She's a little mouthy and full of spunk.  I love it when she grumps at the ghosts or gives Seth what for.  Was totally pulling for her life to get better.

Of course, I loved Seth.  He's so cute.  He keeps telling himself to pay attention to the case and not to react to his neighbor but his body didn't get the memo.  I loved when the story was from his point of view.  He was always trying to be professional but words just kept coming out of his mouth and no effort on his part could pull them back.  One of my favorite scenes was when his teenage daughter waited on them at a restaurant and  Jules finds out who she is when she calls Seth Dad.  Hehe.


The Writing...

I'm surprised that this is debut author.  It's written in third person but still focuses on a point of view.  I generally struggle with third person but this one was done right.  I think the clues for what was happening were a little too clear but that was balanced with new problems popping up.  I would have expected a veteran author for that. 

Did I Put It Down...

Yeah, I did.  It's not that it wasn't good, I just rarely get to read a book straight through.   I can say that I thought about it while I wasn't reading it.

In The End...

This was a nice change for me.  More adult and thriller than I normally read, it was a good change of pace.  If you enjoy the romance combined with a little more story, then this is a good one to try.



About the author:

Mary Behre could never decide which kind of story she liked more, paranormal, mysteries or romances. So it only made sense that she combined all three in her books. Her debut novel, SPIRITED, is the first in the Tidewater Series. Stories with humor suspense and a psychic love-connection. When not writing in her closet/office, she can be found hanging out with the most important men her life, her family.

https://twitter.com/MaryBehrehttps://www.facebook.com/MaryBehre.Authorhttp://marybehre.com/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7225852.Mary_Behre





Cover reveal ~ Be Mine by Marquita Valentine



We are very excited to share the cover for Be Mine, by Marquita Valentine!




Title: Be Mine (Holland Springs #6)
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 19, 2014
Cover Designer: Marquita Valentine



Book Description:

From New York Times Bestselling Author comes BE MINE, book 6 in her bestselling contemporary romance series, Holland Springs.

Scottish Duke, Liam Stewart, needs a wife and an heir before he can inherit the money he so desperately needs to support his family, his staff, and restore his ducal estates to their former glory. Only ever since his ex-fiancee ran off with the gardener, Liam doesn't believe in marriage, or miracles, for that matter… until that is, Isabella Edwards appears at his Edinburgh town home with the answers to his problems.

Local preacher's daughter and former missionary, Isabella Edwards had the perfect life all planned out. Marry her perfect fiancé, live near her family in Holland Springs, open a bookstore, and have a couple of kids. Except… her fiancé ran off to Las Vegas with his widowed ex-stepmother, the bookstore closed before it could open, and now… now, she's pregnant after a one-weekend stand with hot Scot, Liam Stewart.

To Isabella's utter shock, Liam proposes, but a marriage can't last on desire alone. The problem? Isabella and Liam are totally opposites. In fact, the only time they're in agreement is in the bedroom. Desperate to keep her reputation, she accepts.

Now her only hope is that they can put aside their differences and let love bring them together.


 ** Be Mine can be read as a stand-alone**



Be sure to add Be Mine to your to-read list.



Excerpt: 
 
Bella Edwards gave her brother a hug, and then took her carry-on from him.
 
“Are you sure this is what you want to do?” Gabriel asked, handing her a bottle of water. “Wouldn’t a phone call be just as good?”
 
“Oh, Gabe,” she sighed.  “Don’t be a worry wart.” Though inside, she felt like a wart toad full of worry. “It’s not like I’m going to a place where I don’t know anyone. Daisy’s there, and I miss her.”
 
Gabriel’s gaze dropped to her stomach. “What about—?”
 
“If I’m old enough to engage in risky behavior, then I’m old enough to take the consequences like a woman,” she said cheerfully. Would he go already? As much as she loved her brother, she was ready to strangle him, and she was ready to stop being so dang cheerful all the time.
 
“You have to move your truck, sir,” a security officer said.
 
The roar of a plane engine made her wince. “You heard the officer. Now skedaddle. Your wife is waiting for you at home.”
 
He grinned at the mention of his wife. Gosh, she was so happy for him and Summer. After years of suffering and misunderstandings, they’d finally had it right and gotten married. Now, only two months later, he was still giddy over his wife.
 
One day, she wanted a man to be giddy over her. But for now, she had to tell a man about a baby.
“It is nine o’clock,” Gabriel mused. “By the time I get home, she’ll be waiting in be—”
 
“Got it.” She gave her brother a playful push. “Love you. See you. Bye.”
 
Waving once, he got in his truck and drove away. She rolled her carry-on inside the airport and headed to security.
 
Her stomach, not her best friend these days, roiled even more than usual.
 
She could do this.
 
“We’re now boarding Flight 458 to Edinburgh."
 
“Oh God,” she croaked. “I can’t do this.” She took a deep breath. “You can do this.”
 
With one last look at the terminal, she squared her shoulders and marched straight for the ticket counter.
A billion hours, one layover, and a taxicab later, Bella stood at the entrance of a very fashionable townhouse.
Hand shaking, she knocked on the front door. A minute later, the door swung open and a man appeared.
 
“May I help you?”
 
“I’m here to see Liam Stewart.”
 
“His Grace is in his study and is expecting you. Right this way.”
 
She guessed it was a good thing she held on to his number. A text might have been a bit impersonal, but it was the only way she could track him down.
 
The butler stopped at a set of massive oak doors and lightly scratched on them before opening it.
 
She walked inside.
 
Liam stood at the fireplace, one hand braced on the mantle and the other nursing a drink. His hair was the same, black as night and cut close to his head. He wore a button-down shirt with cuff links at the end, and tailored trousers that did things for his butt that should have been illegal.
 
“Hi, Liam,” she said as the door shut behind her.
 
He turned, his black eyes roaming her body. His sexy mouth kicked up at one corner. “Bella, what brings you here? Your text was a bit vague.”
 
“You.”
 
Pushing away from the fireplace, he crossed the small distance between them, tipped up her chin with one hand, and kissed her. He tasted good, so good that she wondered if he used a special mouthwash formulated to make women want to eat him up.
 
“Stop,” she gasped.
 
He pulled away, his dark eyes amused. “I thought you were here for me.”
 
“No. I mean, I am.”
 
His amused gaze gave way to confusion. “Sorry?”
 
“There’s just no other way to say this, Liam, but I’m pregnant,” Bella said in a rush. “I had to tell you in person because over the phone was too impersonal, and there was no way I’d tell you over email or text. So here I am. Pregnant.”
 
“With your baby,” she added, just in case he had doubts.
 
His drink hit the wooden floor with a thunk, and then he laughed. “You’re joking.”
 
“No.”
 
He only laughed harder. “This is too much. Oh God. Seriously, did Bastian put you up to this?”
 
At least he wasn’t angry or saying it wasn’t his. He just didn’t believe she was pregnant at all.
 
She grabbed his hand and placed it against her stomach, where it had just started to round and firm up a bit.
 
“Does this feel like I’m joking?” she said.
 
His laughter died away, and his face turned serious. “It feels like you’re the answer to my prayers.”
 
She was? Wait a minute. “But you don’t pray.”
 
He glanced down at his hand. “Perhaps I should start.”

About the author:
Marquita ValentineNew York Times Bestselling Author, Marquita Valentine, writes sexy heroes that make you swoon and sassy heroines that make you laugh. She’s the author of the bestselling contemporary romance series, Holland Springs, and the new adult romance series, Boys of the South.

 Marquita met her husband aka Hot Builder at Sonic when they were in high school. She suggests this location to all of her single friends in search of a good man—and if that doesn't work, they can console themselves with cheesy tatertots. She lives in North Carolina in a very, very small town with Hot Builder and their two children.