Monday, November 25, 2013

Cover Reveal: Going the Distance, by Christa Cervone

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Synopsis
A murderer’s child…A foster child…A troubled teen…Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has never had an easy life. Being shuffled from one foster home to another after his father murdered his mother, he found himself in and out of trouble with the law. Never giving a damn about himself, let alone anyone else, his life was spiraling out of control; fast. Until one man and one sport changed everything. Frankie Carbone taught Saint how to handle his anger and rejection; by fighting it out in the ring. On his way to stardom, Saint finds himself pushed into the spotlight and into the arms of more women than he can ever imagine; he’s completely content with one night stands and random sex. Then Salem Harris comes walking into his life and changes his game plan. Saint finds himself wanting Salem in all the ways that scare him. She is off limits; taken. But that doesn’t stop Saint from going after what he wants, and he wants her. Frankie showed Saint a new way of life with Boxing, but will Salem give him the one thing he's never known – love? Will Saint find himself fighting for the one thing he thinks he doesn't deserve or will Salem end up breaking his heart? Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has had to fight for every good thing he's gotten in his life. Can he go the distance?

Meet Christa
Christa Author Photo
I was born and raised in Western Massachusetts and I'm a married mother of three who married her high school sweetheart, Frank. I don't really have too many hobbies. I like to watch my kids play sports. I do photography on the side (weddings, families, babies etc). I'm Minion & Adam Levine obsessed. I enjoy listening to all different types of music, Maroon 5 & P!nk being some of my favorites. Achievements -- I was on the Top 20 Erotica as well in being on the Movers and Shakers List on Amazon with "Broken." I'm currently working on her second novel titled "Going the Distance" which will be released Fall 2013 as well as a third novel titled "Saved."  

Teaser - Prologue
“In the case of the Commonwealth vs. Josue Vega. How do you plead?”
“Not guilty,” I hear our father say in his thick Spanish accent.
The cameras begin to flash and I hear reporters talking into their microphones, although I can’t understand what they are saying.
“Order in the court,” the judge speaks loudly as his gavel hits the desk; making my little brother, Jason, jump.
“It’s ok, Jase, we’re safe now,” I say, trying to comfort him. The two of us sit quietly in the second row of the hot, crowded courtroom as we watch our father plead ‘Not guilty’ to the murder of our mother. I’m just as scared as he is but I don’t want him to know that. I’m his older brother and he looks up to me, so I am trying to be brave.
“Your Honor, my client asks to be released on bail. He has two little boys he needs to care for while the trial is ongoing,” says the tall man who is standing next to our father.
I eyeball our father and notice how disheveled he looks. His hair is a mess and his clothes are the same ones he’d been wearing two nights ago. Jase and I were awoken this morning by a loud banging on our door. It was the police and they were looking for our father, but we hadn’t seen him in almost two days.
The last time I’d seen our father was the night he and our mother had gotten into an argument. They were yelling so loudly that they actually woke me from a sound sleep. I could hear our mother screaming, “How could you? He’s just a little boy…” and that was the last time I heard our mother’s voice.
“Your Honor, the Defendant is being charged with murder. I insist he be remanded to the county jail for the duration of his trial,” a voice says loudly from the other side of the courtroom.
The judge looks over at us and I can see the pity in his eyes.
“Mr. Vega, I have to agree with the District Attorney,” the judge’s voice is stern. “You’re standing trial for the murder of your wife. Bail is denied, and you’re to return to the county jail for the remainder of your trial. Bailiff, please remove the Defendant and have him taken into custody.”
I hear chatter erupt from the back of the courtroom. I turn around and see the reporters talking and the cameras flashing again. Spinning back around, I see a man in what looks like a police uniform handcuffing my father, then leading him out of the courtroom. Jase covers his face with his hands and begins to cry, “Why are they taking Papi?”
“It’s okay, Jase,” I whisper. “We have each other. Remember, we’re Blood Brothers.” Jase wipes his tears away with his hand and forces a smile.
“Blood Brothers” was something I’d come up with when we were out playing on the playground. It was one of the few times our father had actually offered to take us somewhere. We’d been cooped up in our small, dingy apartment all winter long, and it was finally a pleasant Spring day. Jase and I were running around playing tag. Our father had told us several times to stop running, but lo and behold, right after his final warning Jase fell and skinned both of his knees. Our father glared at us, just waiting to hear Jase cry. I knew what was coming next, he’d ‘give him something to cry about.’ That had been one of our father’s favorite lines; especially to Jase, who was extremely sensitive and cried over almost everything.
“Come on Jase, don’t cry,” I whispered to him, as I looked anxiously over my shoulder at our father. Jase’s body began to shake as he tried to hold his tears back and the blood from both his knees began to run down his shins. I glanced back at our father, who was now standing up, and I knew I had to act fast.
I reached into my back pocket and pulled out an old pocket knife that I had found lying on the sidewalk one day after school. I’d been keeping it a secret from Jase because I knew he’d want to play with it and would end up hurting himself.
“Hey Jase, look what I found a few days ago,” I said, showing him the knife.
His eyes grew wide, “Woah, where did you get that?” He said in awe.
“I found it a couple of days ago.”
“What are you two doing over there?” Our father said loudly, making Jase jump.
“Nothing Papi. I’m just tying Jase’s shoes,” I answered back.
“Hurry up! I’m ready to leave,” he snapped in response.
Opening up the blade as fast as I could, I took the tip and pressed it down onto the pad of my thumb.
“Gabriel,” Jase gasped. “What are you doing?”
“I wanna show you that you don’t have to cry every time you bleed,” I explained as blood began to pool up on my thumb. “See, I’m bleeding and I’m not crying.”
“It’s like we’re Blood Brothers,” Jase smiled at me as he blinked back his tears.
“Yes. Exactly, Jase, we’re Blood Brothers,” I smiled back at him.
I look over at Jase now and notice that he’s trying his hardest to hold back his tears. The two of us sit quietly as we watch our father being taken away. I finally feel safe. He and our mother are out of our lives forever; they can’t hurt us anymore. I’ve actually dreamed of this day; Jase and me, living with parents who actually love us. I saw it in a movie once; a little girl who didn’t have any parents was living in an orphanage and some rich guy adopted her. They lived happily ever after and I’m hoping that’s what’s going to happen to us.
“Gabriel? Jason?” I hear a kind voice say. “I’m Debbie and this is Dave, we’re going to take you to where you’re going to be staying.”
They’re dressed up in fancy suits and I wonder if they’re going to be our new parents. I can’t help but smile at the thought. They look so nice; they can give us a happy life. I know they can.
“Jase, shhhhh…stop crying,” I nudge him. “Look, I think this is our new Mom and Dad,” I whisper.
The last thing I want is for them to think Jase is a crybaby. He is, but I don’t want them changing their minds about us.
“Come on boys, we’re going to get you situated in your new homes,” Dave says.
I look up at him, confused, “Homes?”
“Yes, you and Jason are being placed in foster homes,” Debbie replies.
“You’re not our new Mom and Dad?” Jase asks sadly, through his tears.
“Oh no, Jason,” Debbie says sincerely as she crouches down in front of Jase. “We work for the Department of Social Services and we’ve been sent to bring you to your new homes.”
Debbie’s words make Jase cry even harder and I feel so sorry for him. In his five years of life, he’s never known a parent’s love. Sometimes at night, when we can’t fall asleep, I tell him about movies I’ve seen on television; how the families are so happy. The mom makes the family dinner, and the dad comes home from work and plays baseball with the kids. Jase always gets excited as I tell him about the movies. I promised him that someday it will be like that for us; that one day Mami’s medicine will eventually make her better. I didn’t mean it to be a lie.
When Mami was sick, she either slept all day or she was throwing up in the bathroom. Every morning, I heard her making a phone call for more medicine. About twenty minutes after she got off the phone, there was a knock at the door. It was usually a man dressed in dark, baggy clothes that brought her medicine. After that, she disappeared into the bathroom. Sometimes she came right out, while other times, she stayed in there for close to an hour.
Most mornings, it was me who got us ready for school. Some days, if we were lucky, there was actually food in the house; but only if Mami had felt well enough to go grocery shopping. Other days, we went to school hungry. Mrs. Gibbons, my teacher, occasionally brought fruit in for us. She slipped it to us in the hallway and always reminded us not to tell anyone.
Mrs. Gibbons was the nicest teacher in the school. She always asked about Jase and me and she made sure we ate lunch every day. Sometimes during class, I’d daydream that Mrs. Gibbons was our mom. But then the dismissal bell would ring, snapping me back into reality. I always hated the end of the day; that meant that school was over and it was time for us to go home.
Jase and I would take our time walking home from school because we never knew what we were walking into when we got there. Was our father going to be there? If he was home, what kind of mood would he be in? Would he and Mami be fighting? More often than not, they’d be fighting. Papi would be yelling at Mami because the house was a mess and dinner was not made; it was always for the same reason. “I work all fuckin’ day, the least you can do is clean this fuckin’ pigsty and make dinner,” he’d yell, raising his hand to her.
Depending on his mood after hitting our mother, sometimes he’d take his anger out on us next. The two of us would huddle in our room, trying to keep quiet, but he’d burst through the door yelling, “And you two! All you two ever do around here is make messes and eat! It’s about time you start helping out.”
Some nights we were lucky and he’d just leave after he yelled at us; while others, he’d physically pick us up, drag us into the living room, and make us start cleaning. “And get me a fuckin’ beer too, you little piece of shit!” He’d yell at me. “I don’t know why your mother even wanted you in the first place. You’re nothing but a waste of space and money.”
I’d encourage Jase to clean as quickly as he could so that we could go back into our room and wait for our father to pass out on the couch. This had become an almost daily occurrence for us.
“Gabriel and Jason, it’s time to go,” a voice says, snapping me out of my memory. “Gabriel, you’ll be coming with me and Jason will be going with Dave.”
“What do you mean I’m going with you and Jase is going with Dave?” My voice begins to tremble. Once I realize what’s happening, I begin to scream at the top of my lungs, “You’re not taking my brother from me. I’m all he has!”
Debbie tries to soothe and calm me down, but this only makes matters worse. I begin kicking and punching her as I yell in Spanish, “No me puedes quitar a mi hermano, puta estúpida!”
Before I know it, I’m taken away kicking and screaming. Dave grabs a hold of my feet while another man has my torso. Jase is crying hysterically and there is nothing I can do. I watch Debbie escort him out of the courtroom and realize that everything that I’ve ever known is gone.

  Hosted by: EJ Button

"Be the First to Fall" for Courtney Cole's Before We Fall

Click to Purchase - Amazon, B&N, Itunes, Kobo 
Releases - December 3, 2013


Synopsis

One dark moment was all it took to turn twenty-four-year-old Dominic Kinkaide's world back.  On the night of his high school graduation, a single incident changed him forever, and he became a hardened man-famous in the eyes of the world, but tortured inside.  Now all he cares about is losing himself in the roles that he plays.

At twenty-three years old, Jacey Vincent doesn't realize his much her father's indifference has affected her.  She is proof that sometimes it isn't one specific moment that wrecks a person, but an absence of moments.  She tries to find acceptance in the arms of men to fill the void-a plan that has worked just fine for her, until she meets Dominic.  When jaded Dominic and strong-willed Jacey are thrown together, the combination of his secrets and her issues turns their attraction into the perfect storm.  It could change their lives for good-if it doesn't tear them both apart…


Excerpt

He laughs, a velvety sound.  “Babe, I could show you a bunch of things you’ve never done.  And I guarantee, you’d like every one of them.” 
For some reason, I have no doubt of that.  It’s an exciting thought.
He bends his head and nips at my neck, then soothes the bite with a soft suck.  His lips, so soft and smooth, ease the pain of the bite away.   His nearness is intoxicating and everything about him screams that he is capable of so many things… things that would please me… things that would embarrass me in the light of day. 
But still, I don’t move. I stay right with him, my gaze frozen on his.  
Keeping his eyes on mine, he slowly dips his head and plunges his tongue into my mouth, completely plundering it, consuming me yet again.  It’s like he can’t kiss me without devastating all of my senses at once, annihilating my thoughts and causing my blood to throb as it all races toward one destination… the V between my legs.  
Right where I ache for him.   
He’s like a drug….and one taste just isn’t enough.  
I open up my mouth and breathe around his lips, sucking in air, grasping at his back and pulling him closer.  He reaches back and grabs my hands, holding them together at my wrists and pinning them over my head against the plexi-glass gondola cage.  I’m trapped here with him, yet there’s no place I’d rather be. 
The energy around us now is primal and raw…and it’s exhilarating too, because we’re out in public.  Every time the gondola swoops along the ground before it begins its ascent upward again, anyone could look in and see what we’re doing.  They could see Dominic pinning me against the wall, and his other hand buried in my crotch, if only they looked closely.  
Honestly, I think he might like that idea.
“What are you doing?” I finally manage to whisper, pulling away just ever so slightly. 
His eyes are a little unfocused, his pupils dilated. “What would you like for me to do, Jacey?” 
He knows.  Oh, God, he knows.  He knows exactly what I’d like for him to do.  


a Rafflecopter giveaway About Author Courtney Cole

Courtney Cole is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives near Lake Michigan with her family.  She's always working on her next project... or staring dreamily out her office window.  To learn more about her, please visit courtneycolewrites.com Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads 

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Happy Release Day Jillian Dodd: Adore Me, Review and Giveaway

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Synopsis

Join Keatyn on Thanksgiving Break in this Keatyn Chronicles novella. 

I’ve finally become the kind of girl my little sisters could look up to. 
Except for the lies. 
Lying to my friends is killing me. 
And the longer I’m there—the closer we get—the more I feel like I’m being eaten from the inside out. 
If I go back to Eastbrooke, I’ll end up nothing but a shell. 
So I'm not going back. 
I'm going to St. Croix by myself. And for the first time in my life, I'm okay with being alone. 

Except . . . I don't actually end up on the island alone. 

This is novella is number 4.5 of a six book series. 


Review
5 out of 5 stars

Adore Me was a fun, romantic, heart warming, swoon-worthy fantastic read!  I honestly loved every single aspect of the book from the history of The Crab and the palm readings to the reminiscing of Holiday's past with Keatyn as well as watching many new memories being made, ones which won't easily be forgotten.

Bound and determined to take back control of her life Keatyn decides once she leaves for St. Croix she will also be saying goodbye to Aiden and all her Eastbrooke friends.  She can no longer bear the guilt of lying about her true identity, just another reason she needs Vincent to go away.  However, her plans go astray when she shows up to her chartered plane only to find Aiden and Peyton already boarded.

It's hard for Keatyn to see him because leaving Aiden once wasn't easy and after his romantic grand gesture it's going to be next to impossible so Keatyn concedes, allowing them to join her and allowing herself these few days of happiness.  Just enough time to to give him and the hold he has on her heart a proper goodbye.

So what happens on the island and who shows up with Keatyn's surfboard?  Will things go according to plan and will Keatyn actually be able to leave Aiden and Eastrbooke behind?  

As with all the other Keatyn Chronicles books prepare to lose yourself in the pages of the story.  I devoured this installment in one sitting, tuning out everything else around me so I could solely focus on Keatyn.  This has got to be one of the most addicting series I have ever read!  Yes, it's still my guilty pleasure.

Keatyn was so introspective this time around and I really enjoyed getting inside her head, seeing her reflect on how she felt about not only Aiden but also Brooklyn.  It's as if she knows who she wants to be with but she's afraid of making the decision.  Her struggles of what life would have been like sans Vincent are even more apparent.  I cannot help but wonder will she eventually realize not only Vincent but also Eastbrooke have changed her and even if she removes them from her life she will never be the person she was when we first met her in Stalk Me.  

I think Keatyn's time in St. Croix was exactly what she needed.  A chance to escape everything that has been weighing her down, a chance to relax and even a chance to get back a piece of true happiness, the kind she hasn't seemed to be able to find since we were first thrust into her life.

I'm nervous and excited for Hate Me, which doesn't release until April 12, 2014.  How in the world am I going to make it 4 1/2 months before I get more Keatyn????  Fans of the Keatyn Chronicles will not be disappointed in Adore Me.  It was perfect, everything we could have hoped for and honestly just a really fun read.  

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Thursday, November 21, 2013

Cover Reveal: Destined to Fall, by Tamsyn Bester

Release Date:  December 26, 2013
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Synopsis

When Cassey Emerson graduated high school 3 years ago, she packed her bags and left the dusty trailer park she called home in the rear view mirror. Since then, she has worked hard to give herself the life, and career, that she always dreamed of. As the Publishing Assistant at Knight Media, her dreams are slowly but surely coming true…

But something is missing…

Kyler Knight is young, rich and the heir to the multi-million dollar fortune that is known as ‘Knight Media’ – the biggest and most successful media company in Chicago. When his father decides it’s time for Kyler to learn the ropes as successor, he didn’t think it would include working with someone like Cassey Emerson. 

Their attraction is immediate and Kyler is everything Cassey should stay away from. He can’t give her what she wants, but that doesn’t stop him from pursuing her. When one passionate night changes everything, Cassey must decide whether or not she can accept what Kyler is offering, or walk away from how he makes her feel. 

Suddenly, things change, lines are blurred, hearts are broken and Cassey is left to pick up the pieces after her hot, steamy relationship with Kyler becomes so much more… 
Can she move forward or was she always destined to fall?

*This is an Adult Contemporary Romance Novel. Recommended for readers 18+ *




Excerpt
Chapter 1
~ Cassey ~
His hands trail up my naked torso, cupping each breast and rubbing my nipples until they harden under the pad of his thumb. My back arches, seeking more of him, of his touch. When his hands move back down, I whimper at the loss of contact until I feel his hot, wet tongue start to tease and suck each breast in turn. A flame coils in my belly, causing an ache that only he can soothe. I try to move my hands so that I can run them through his glorious, rich brown locks but they’re restrained. I pull a little harder and feel cool metal biting into my skin. Handcuffs. My disappointment at being unable to touch him is soon wiped away when he moves his head farther down, licking my sensitive flesh. I feel his tongue dip into my navel and I squirm, eager for him to keep going. He chuckles and the sound of his deep voice travels to where I’m starving for him.
“My gorgeous, greedy, little Peach,” he breathes. His hands stop at my hips and he uses his knee to nudge my thighs apart, exposing me to him completely. “Look at me,” he commands. “I want you to watch me use my tongue to make you come.” I shiver. “Cassey,” he growls. My eyes snap open and I look into his clear blue eyes, a storm of lust and hunger swirling viciously in their depths. He licks his lips and a moan slips from between my slightly parted lips.
“Oh please,” I beg, unable to help myself. He’s driving me wild and I’m being consumed by my own ravenous need. I want him to own me, consume me and give me what I crave. Him.
His lips kiss my inner thigh on one side and then he kisses the other, his dangerous blue eyes never leaving mine. “Please what, baby?” he teases. He wants me to tell him what I want, but only because it turns him on to hear me say the words ‘Fuck Me’. The wicked grin on his face makes me feel like a helpless rabbit about to be devoured by a wolf. A big bad wolf. He leans down and I hear him inhale. “Hmmm,” he mumbles. “Sweet as a Georgia peach.” I watch as he lifts my legs and wraps them around his neck. My heart is already racing but by some miracle it increases in speed. “Tell me what you want, Cassey,” he growls again. He is so bossy. And it’s such a fucking turn on.
“I want -” I lick my dry lips and force the words out from my very dry mouth. “I want you to fuck me, Kyler.” He grins widely. My big bad wolf. His eyes stay glued to mine as his head dips and I hold my breath in anticipation. His tongue dives between my slick folds and the heat and moisture assaults my clit. My hips buck and I feel him smile against me. He likes teasing me, pushing me until the edge is within reach and then pulling me back. His tongue slides between my sensitive lips until it reaches the little hub of nerves he’s searching for. The familiar pressure builds and when I think I’m ready to crash, his mouth pulls back. I struggle to catch my breath, panting loudly until his mouth covers mine. I taste myself on him, which only serves to increase my arousal. “Please,” I breathe into his mouth. “I don’t think I can-” my words are cut off when he slowly slips one finger into me and then another, beginning the slow, torturous process of teasing my clit all over again. My hips start moving and fall into rhythm with his fingers while I ride his hand. “Yes,” I breathe harshly. “Oh my God, yes.”
I ignore the pain in my wrists and focus only on the building pressure between my legs. He starts curling his fingers upward, massaging my upper walls each time his fingers retreat, and applying more pressure as they surge back in. I can’t help but think that he’s a musician and I am the instrument. The wave of ecstasy is close and I feel myself tighten around his fingers until…until… an alarm goes off.
My eyes fly open and I sit up straight in bed. I hit the clock next to my bed to shut off the alarm that abruptly ended my very happy dream before I got happy. I wipe the small droplets of sweat from my forehead and slump against my head board. Did I just have a wet dream?  Yes. I just had a wet dream. Under normal circumstances I would feel embarrassed, ashamed even, but given that I haven’t had sex in over a year, it’s perfectly normal for me to feel frustrated. Thanks to my alarm's impeccable timing, I’m even more frustrated after being unable to finish. The image of deep, blue eyes and dark, rich brown hair comes to mind and I blush, even though I’m alone in my room. He can only be a figment of my imagination, a delirious fantasy, because I’ve never dated a man that looks anything like him. Something about those eyes…
A soft knock on my bedroom door makes me jump and I clasp my damp tank top. “Who is it?” I choke out. It can only be one person but I’m so lost in my imaginary Adonis’ blue eyes that all sense momentarily disappeared.
“What do you mean ‘who is it’?” my roommate and best friend Quinn asks as she steps into my room.
I sigh. “Sorry, Quinny. I was a little confused.” She comes to stand next to my bed and I take in her light pink nighties and her matching pink slippers. Quinn Avery is a stunning woman. Her blonde hair is cut into a sleek bob that accentuates her high cheek bones, rosy cheeks and hazel colored eyes. We’re both the same height, standing at five feet six inches, but where her hair his blonde and short, mine is light brown and hangs to the middle of my back, and where her eyes are hazel, mine are green.
“You better get ready,” she quips, surveying my sweaty appearance. “You have a meeting at eight.” I slide my legs over the edge of the bed and pick up the old-fashioned alarm clock that ruined my morning.
“Shit,” I mutter.
I have less than forty-five minutes to get ready and make a stop at Starbucks on my way to work. I dash past Quinn, who chuckles behind me, and take the quickest shower of my life. If it wasn’t for Quinn, I would never do anything or get anywhere on time. You’d think that by the age of twenty-two my time management would be perfect. Sadly, it’s not. I riffle through my small closet until I find my gray pencil skirt and my white button down blouse with bell sleeves. I’m busy fastening the strap of my black wedges when Quinn walks into my room. She’s wearing her favorite cream colored dress pants with a red button down shirt and matching red stiletto heels.
“I’m almost ready,” I say. I grab my on-the-go make-up bag and throw it into my oversized Gucci knock off purse.
“Are we stopping at Starbucks?” Quinn asks while she puts her diamond stud earrings in. She always dresses to impress and that goes for her flashy accessories too. Unlike me, Quinn comes from a very wealthy family who are very well known here in Chicago. She doesn’t need a job but chooses to work because it’s what she loves doing.
I roll my eyes. “I never miss my morning cup of java,” I quip. “You know that, Quinny.”
 Making sure that I have everything, I grab my purse and my laptop bag and walk out in the hallway and into the kitchen. I love our little apartment. It’s our slice of heaven. The floors are all hardwood and the furniture is a combination of dark chocolate and caramel in color, with red scatter cushions to add some depth. The short hallway leads to two bedrooms and a bathroom. Luckily Quinn has an en suite bathroom of her own so we don’t have to share. Our kitchen has steel appliances, courtesy of Quinn’s parents, and marble counters with wood cupboards that match the floors. My favorite feature is the floor-to-ceiling bookshelf in the corner of what should be our dining room. Instead of dining room furniture, we got a chaise lounge set and now use it as a reading nook. Quinn comes strolling down the hallway like it’s a runway and slips her too big sunglasses on top of her head. In the two years that we’ve been living together, I’ve learned many things about Quinn, one of them being no matter how well she dresses she doesn’t give a shit what anyone thinks. She smiles at me and I return it as we slip out of our apartment and into the elevator that takes us five floors down to the lobby. We greet Charles, an older gentleman, who mans the front desk, and step into the bustle of a Monday morning. The city is so different compared to where I grew up. There isn’t even a comparison between it and the tiny town I ran away from or the two bedroom trailer I shared with my good-for-nothing parents. I push my thoughts about them and that life out of my mind as we near the Starbucks on the corner.
“Your usual?” I ask Quinn as I take out my purse to pay.
She nods and I immediately fall into the line before the morning rush starts. I order two Vanilla Lattes and wait patiently to collect them. The young guy behind the counter is watching me and I have to admit the attention isn’t completely unwelcome. He looks about twenty-one with sandy blonde hair that hangs in his face. He isn’t unfortunate looking by any means but I find myself comparing him to the blue eyes and chocolate colored hair from my dream. My cheeks flush at the memory and when the guy hands me our Latte’s the look on his face tells me he thinks he made me blush. I duck my head and pass Quinn her cup before walking back out onto the busy sidewalk.
“What was that all about?” Quinn asks between sips.
I mutter, “Nothing,” and keep my head down while inhaling the sweet caffeinated aroma coming from my cup.
“Does it have anything to do with you screaming like a banshee this morning?”
I almost choke on the hot liquid in my mouth and barely manage to stop it from shooting out my nose. When Quinn sees my shocked expression, my eyes wide, she giggles.
“You heard me?” I whisper. Quinn laughs harder and I wish the sidewalk would swallow me whole. Great. Nothing like your best friend hearing your screams in the middle of a wet dream.
“I’m pretty sure the whole building heard you, Cass,” she chuckles.
“Can you imagine what I would’ve sounded like if I fi-” I slap my hand over my mouth and watch as Quinn almost doubles over with laughter. Now I’ve really done it. Foot meet mouth.
Quinn finally catches her breath and pats my shoulder sympathetically. “We need to get you laid,” she proclaims, not giving a rats ass who overhears our conversation. We walk past a little old lady who gasps and then scowls when I look at her sheepishly.
“Says the diva who was out until God knows what time this morning, getting freaky with Jarred,” I retort quickly. Her porcelain cheeks flush. “Ha,” I shout. “I knew it! You just can’t stop yourself, can you?”
Quinn lifts her dainty shoulders in a shrug but I see the smile tugging at her red lips. She can’t lie to me. I heard her come in at about two a.m. “Why don’t you put the poor guy out of his misery and go on a date with him?” I ask.
She purses her lips, pulling the bottom one between her teeth. “Because I don’t do commitment,” she replies. “Jarred and I are just friends.”
I snort. “Friends who happen to fuck like rabbits for three weeks out of the month.”
“What can I say,” she grins. “When I have an itch, nobody can scratch it quite like Jarred does.” A sigh breaks free from her mouth. “God, he’s fantastic in bed. If I didn’t go to gym four days a week he would’ve broken my va-jay-jay by now.”
“Lucky bitch,” I mutter under my breath.
“I’ve told you before, Jarred has plenty of hot lawyer friends who I’m sure will be happy to help you get rid of some of your frustration. Just say the word and I’ll have him hook you up,” Quinn says.
I shake my head. “We’ve spoken about this before, Quinny. I don’t want a ‘hump and dump’.” She shrugs nonchalantly as we enter the double doors to our office building.
“Suit yourself.”
I look around the lobby of Knight Media and smile. I’ve been the publishing assistant for almost two years now, since I graduated from college, and wouldn’t give it up for anything. I worked my ass off to get here. Knight Media is the second largest media company in the city. It is an umbrella company of sorts, housing a complementary group of multinational companies specializing in publishing, digital advertising and film and television production. Quinn is the editorial assistant for the newspaper division while I work in the book publishing division. Our CEO, Robert Knight, recently decided to branch out into digital publishing and gave me the task of putting together a proposal for the executives. That’s why I can’t be late for any meeting.
“Holy shit,” I hear Quinn whisper next to me. I look up and follow her gaze until my eyes land on him.
His black suit fits him flawlessly, his navy blue shirt tucked in just enough to show a broad chest. His mop of dark brown hair hangs just above his eyebrows but is styled in that just-fucked way. “Who’s that?” I ask in a hushed tone, as if the Adonis over there may hear me.
“That, my sexually frustrated friend,” Quinn sighs, putting her toned arm over my shoulders. “Is none other than the infamous Kyler Knight.”
My lips form an ‘Oh’ as we watch Kyler being mauled by a drop dead gorgeous redhead who kisses him unabashedly, giving no mind to the small audience gathering to watch their embrace. “Who’s the redhead?”
Quinn frowns and her face contorts into the expression she gets when she’s about to be a total bitch. “Jessa fucking Price.” My eyebrows shoot up at the tone of her voice.
“You know her?” I ask.
“Everybody does. She’s slept with half the people in this city. Our fathers are friends and our mothers both champion the same charities. I practically grew up with the bitch.”
Quinn pulls me towards the elevator, dragging my attention away from the beautiful couple and back to reality. I check my watch and see that I have exactly ten minutes before my meeting starts. We step into the empty elevator just as a hand stops the two doors from closing. He steps into the elevator and the air in my lungs somehow escapes without ever leaving my mouth.
“Quinn,” he greets with a smile. She knows him?
“Kyler,” she replies, not returning his friendliness. His eyes travel the length of my body, the tiny hairs on the back my neck standing up, until they lock with mine. I suck in a breath. I know those blue eyes. He brushes a piece of hair out if his face and I notice that it’s darker than what I thought. A dark, rich chocolate brown.
“Who’s your friend?” he asks. The question is directed at Quinn but our eyes never break contact.
“Cassey Emerson. Cassey, this is Kyler Knight. His father owns Knight Media.” Kyler sticks out his hand and I gingerly mimic his action. His hand is easily three times bigger than mine. It wraps around mine effortlessly, his slightly calloused fingers brushing up against my soft skin.
“Nice to meet you, Cassey.” His smile widens into a wolfish grin.
“You too,” I squeak. He holds my hand a moment longer than what would be considered appropriate when meeting someone for the first time. The elevator chimes and I drop his hand like it’s burned me. Quinn grasps my elbow and leads me out onto our floor. Kyler’s eyes stay fixed on me until the elevator doors close.
“Wipe your mouth, Cass,” she whispers harshly. “You’re drooling and I’m pretty sure Kyler noticed.”
Kyler. Why does that name sound so familiar?
Then it hits me like a freight train.
“Oh, God,” I breathe. My eyes go wide and I look at Quinn.
“What?” she asks. I swallow hard and fight the blush I can feel creeping up my neck into my cheeks.
“Quinn,” I sputter. “It’s him.”
Her eyebrows dip into a confused scowl, “It’s him who?”  We step into my office and I shut the door quickly.
“It’s him, Quinn.” 
“What are you talking about, Cass?”
“Kyler. He’s the one I dreamt about this morning.” I bury my face in my hands to hide my mortification. I risk a peek through my fingers and see Quinn’s shoulders shaking with her quiet laughter. “Quinn,” I whine. “It’s not funny.” I slap her on the arm.
“You’re right,” she replies between laughs. “It’s not funny. It’s hilarious.” I throw my hands up in defeat and grab my little make up bag to start applying my make-up. Quinn comes to stand next to me. “Are you sure it was him?” she asks seriously. All the laughter is gone from her face.
“Yes. I said his name and told him to-” my mouth snaps shut before I divulge any more humiliating information about my naughty dream. Quinn smirks and I bite my lip to stifle the giggle I feel crawling up my throat.
“I don’t blame you. He’s a catch and I hear he’s certainly not lacking down south,” Quinn concedes. She grabs the eye shadow from my hands and spins me so that I’m facing her.
“I didn’t know you knew him,” I say quietly while she applies some color to my eyelids.
 “Not very well. I just know our parents are acquaintances. Kyler has a bit of a reputation and he’s a few years older than us so we never really hung out,” she states. My thoughts drift back to the redhead we saw pawing him earlier and my face twists into a scowl involuntarily.
“Was that his girlfriend down in the lobby?” I ask, trying to sound indifferent. I fail miserably. I open my eyes to find Quinn studying me.
“No,” she replies. “But they attend most of the social events together throughout the year. It’s no secret that they’re using each other for sex.” I don’t know why, but a sudden heaviness settles in my belly. Quinn checks her watch. “You better skedaddle. You’re going to be late,” she tells me.
“See you at lunch?” I ask on my way out. She nods and we head in opposite directions.
I walk into the boardroom a minute before our meeting starts and almost fall out of my chair when Kyler walks in behind his father. Robert Knight is one of the nicest men I have ever met. He is a tall man, although not as tall as his son, and has a slight belly. His face is warm and inviting and even on a bad day, he is always smiling. Mia, our overly enthusiastic publishing intern who’s sitting next to me, battles to suppress her excitement when she spots Kyler and giggles in her seat. That’s when I notice that most of the women, married or not, are staring open mouthed. The room goes quiet.
“Good morning everyone,” Robert greets. There’s an incoherent mumble from the men in the room while the women continue to eye fuck Kyler. “This is my son, Kyler.” Robert continues, oblivious to those of us who look like panting dogs in heat. “From today, he will be working for Knight Media.” He grins proudly at his son, who acknowledges us with a simple nod. “Right, then,” he pats Kyler on the back. “We’ll leave you kids to it.” He walks out and Kyler lingers a moment longer, locking his eyes with mine. His glare makes me shiver and I see his lip curl up in amusement. Shmuck. When he leaves, the women all sigh, chatting excitedly amongst themselves before our immediate boss, Kevin, takes charge.
I don’t hear a thing he says. Only when we’re dismissed, do I stop thinking about him. I spend the rest of my day locked up in my office, buried beneath piles of unsolicited manuscripts, in hopes of forgetting about Kyler.
No.Such.Luck.



About Author Tamsyn Bester

Tamsyn is a 21 year old blogger turned author from South Africa who has an insatiable hunger for New Adult Contemporary Romance novels, coffee and chocolate. When she’s not getting caught up in yet another steamy romance with a new book boyfriend, she can be found spending endless hours working away on her laptop in pursuit of her Marketing degree and a career in book Publishing. Tamsyn is a Brat when it comes to books and believes that every story, no matter how challenging, should have a Happy Ever After. Tamsyn is currently hard at work on her debut novel Beneath Your Beautiful, set to be available July 2013. --- Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, Website

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

SALE and GIVEAWAY Alert: The Groupie Universe, by Ginger Voight

Ginger Voight's Birthday Bash Sale, New Release, Scavenger Hunt & Signed Paperback GIVEAWAY!

Make sure to check out all the Sales listed below - options for everyone!

BEST DEAL: Two Complete Series (6 books) = Sale $9.99 for a limited time!!

Join Ginger for her Birthday Scavenger Hunt - CLICK HERE - it is her birthday, but YOU get the prizes!

The COMPLETE Groupie Trilogy by Ginger Voight!

When Andy Foster met the sexy front man of an up-and-coming rock band, the most she could imagine was a steamy stolen night of passion. But her attraction to Giovanni Carnevale hit her like a bolt of lightning. Soon she was traipsing all over the country, an unintentional groupie, finding herself thrust into his path even when she knew it was a very bad idea. Over four years their romance would face indiscretions, crazed stalkers and the interloping paparazzi, keeping these star-crossed lovers circling around a happily ever after they could never quite catch.
In the beloved "Groupie" trilogy by Ginger Voight, three books tell the passionate and angst-driven tale of Andy and Vanni. Now, "Groupie," "Rock Star" and "Mogul" are available in one volume that tells their story from that first meeting in Philadelphia to an explosive conclusion on the opposite coast.
This is your backstage pass to find out why readers, reviewers and book bloggers have fallen for a love story that was never supposed to happen.

The Complete Groupie Trilogy (all 3 books) - $5.99

Groupie/Rock Star Bundle - $1.99

Groupie - Book #1 - $2.99

Rock Star - Book #2 - $2.99

Mogul - Book #3 - $3.49

Cover Reveal: Calm Before The Storm, by S.K. Hartley

Calm Before the Storm Cover
Release Day: December 10, 2013
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Synopsis
When Dylan Harper comes home from college for the weekend, she thought she was in for a nice relaxing break with her family.
But life doesn't work like that. When she stumbles into the arms of her old high school crush, Storm Mathews, the notorious bad boy, thunder crashes, lightening flashes and the rain just keeps on coming. There is a storm brewing and all they can do is hold on for the ride.
Teaser
We finally paid for our mountain of items and left the grocery store. But as we stepped towards my baby, my whole body froze. My feet became rooted to the ground as a clap of thunder crashed over head, the first of the summer raindrops grazing my goose pimpled skin. "Dylan?" I heard Tyler say. Everything echoed around me, the lightening, the thunder, the sound of the rain now coming thick and fast, pounding against every surface. "What's wrong, Dylan?" Her voice was barely audible as I willed my body to move, but I was frozen in place. I felt the brown paper bag disintegrating in my arms, the contents of the bag suddenly hitting the ground. My heart was in my throat, my hands shook and my knees were weak. "Storm."  
Meet S.K.
Author Pic
S.K. Hartley is a mother, wife, avid reader and writer based in the not so sunny North West of England. You can find her either glued to her computer desk, in the library (yes they still exist) or floating around her favorite authors book signings!
What sort of except do authors usually post? IE. sex scenes, love scenes....
Giveaway
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Friday, November 15, 2013

Promo Tour and Giveaway: Take A Holiday With Love


Bandit Publishing Presents



Paris Love Match

Click to Purchase:  Amazon, B&N, Itunes
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Synopsis

Piers Chapman had seen Paris,
In pictures,
In movies,
In books.
What he hadn't seen was the mobster.
Or the dictator.
Or the trained killers.
Or the diamonds they were chasing.
But it was Paris,
The city of light,
The city of love.
And a girl had already stolen his heart.
What could possibly go wrong?

Getting a taxi in Paris can be hell. Piers Chapman expected a boring business trip.

Connect with author Nigel Blackwell:  Facebook, Twitter, Website


A Stormy Spring

Click to Purchase:  Amazon, Itunes

Synopsis

She didn’t want a man. She didn’t want love. She wanted to forget.

Though her name is synonymous with success, Becca Wainwright isn’t interested in fame or celebrity. All that matters to her is choreography and how alive she feels when she creates....

Famously single, Lucas Del Garda’s passions are wealth, celebrity and power.

The electrifying attraction between the dancer and PR Guru is instantaneous.

But after a stormy night in the strong arms of Lucas, Becca finds her life has changed, for ever..

Connect with author CC Mackenzie:  Facebook, Twitter, Website


The Promise of Provence

Click to Purchase:  Amazon

Synopsis

Surprise, shock, and a shift in her comfortable life tumble into Katherine Price’s world when least expected. The future she has imagined suddenly vanishes, leaving little to focus upon beyond her career and the caregiving her elderly widowed mother might require.

Fate has other plans.

June in Provence is full of promise when Katherine arrives from Canada, eager to feel renewed by her surroundings. Endless rows of lavender prepare to burst into pink and purple blooms. Fields of sunflowers flow in golden waves among vineyards and olive groves. Ancient hilltop villages beckon. It’s the postcard setting she envisioned, but is that all she needs?

After a year of heartbreak, Katherine has impulsively agreed to a home exchange in the south of France. Colorful locals, a yellow lab named Picasso, and the inspiring beauty of the countryside breathe new life into her days.

Seeking to shed the pain of betrayal and loss, she struggles to recapture her joie de vivre and searches for the answer to a haunting question: is it too late to begin again?

As Katherine explores the romantic cobblestone lanes of medieval towns, discovers the intoxicating pleasures of Paris and savours the sun-kissed Côte d'Azur, she begins redefining the possibilities in her life.

An enduring story of hope and change in life’s later years is woven through the author’s love-letter to France. Like a well-travelled friend, Patricia Sands invites readers into a world she loves and entices them to linger.

As Katherine explores the romantic cobblestone lanes of medieval towns, discovers the intoxicating pleasures of Paris and savours the sun-kissed Côte d'Azur, she begins redefining the possibilities in her life.

An enduring story of hope and change in life’s later years is woven through the author’s love-letter to France. Like a well-travelled friend, Patricia Sands invites readers into a world she loves and entices them to linger.

Connect with author Patricia Sands:  Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Website, Goodreads 



Adore Me

Click to Purchase:  Amazon, Itunes

Synopsis

Join Keatyn on Thanksgiving Break in this Keatyn Chronicles novella.

I’ve finally become the kind of girl my little sisters could look up to.
Except for the lies.
Lying to my friends is killing me.
And the longer I’m there—the closer we get—the more I feel like I’m being eaten from the inside out.
If I go back to Eastbrooke, I’ll end up nothing but a shell.
So I'm not going back.
I'm going to St. Croix by myself. And for the first time in my life, I'm okay with being alone.

Except . . . I don't actually end up on the island alone.

This is novella is number 4.5 of a six book series.

Connect with author Jillian Dodd:  Facebook, Twitter, Website





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