Friday, January 31, 2014

Review: Beautiful Bombshell (The Beautiful Series #2.5)

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Synopsis

When Max, Henry, and Will steal Bennett away for a weekend of shenanigans and strippers in Vegas, the first stop of the night doesn’t go at all as planned. With their scheme for a Guys Weekend completely derailed anyway, Max and Bennett begin to play a wild game of stealth and secrecy in order to have their bombshells all over Sin City.


Review
4.25 out of 5 stars

I received a review copy from Gallery in exchange for an honest review.

I have to say this novella is a really fun read!  The gang (Max, Bennett, Will and Henry) are in Las Vegas over Valentine's Day for a guy's bachelor weekend before Bennett and Chloe tie the knot.  They start the evening off in one of Johnny French's exclusive clubs with the guys pressuring Bennett to man up and accept a lap dance!  When he finally caves to the guys his dread turns into the ultimate surprise and suddenly the weekend just got more interesting.

This time around the story is told strictly from Bennett and Max's perspectives and what I enjoyed most was their back and forth banter and getting a deeper look into their friendship.  In the past we've known they were friends who met at Uni but getting to see them interact as friends was a real treat and I found myself liking their characters even more

Of course as with all the Beautiful Series books there is plenty of hot sex as the both Max and Bennett find was to sneak off and be with their women.  Its obvious these guys are head over heels in love with their women.  Also, because it's a novella and because Max/Sara and Bennett/Chloe are established couples there really wasn't any conflict, just a really good time in Las Vegas with guys being guys.  I really didn't have a feel for Will for but this book sets up his story in Beautiful Player nicely and this guy is hilarious!  He has no problem calling Max and Bennett out for being whipped nor does he miss a chance to pull a prank.  I cannot wait to see what kind of woman will ultimately be his ball buster!!

If you're a fan of the Beautiful Series you definitely don't want to miss this novella.  There's love, passion, pranks and tons of moments that will have you laughing out loud.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Review: Beautiful Stranger (The Beautiful Series #2)

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Synopsis
A charming British Playboy. A girl determined to finally live. And a secret liaison revealed in all too vivid color. Book two in the NYT Bestselling series. 

Escaping a cheating ex, finance whiz Sara Dillon's moved to New York City and is looking for excitement without a lot of strings attached. So meeting the irresistible, sexy Brit at a dance club should have meant nothing more than a night's fun. But the manner--and speed--with which he melts her inhibitions turns him from a one-time hookup and into her Beautiful Stranger.

The whole city knows Max Stella loves women, not that he's ever found one he particularly wants to keep around. Despite pulling in plenty with his Wall Street bad boy charm, it's not until Sara--and the wild photos she lets him take of her--that he starts wondering if there's someone for him outside of the bedroom.

Hooking up in places where anybody could catch them, the only thing scarier for Sara than getting caught in public is having Max get too close in private.



Review
4.25 out of 5 stars

I received a book for review from Gallery in exchange for an honest review.

Sara, who is also Chloe from Beautiful Bastard's best friend, is on the heels of her very public and very humiliating break-up.  She packed up and moved to NYC to head Ryan Media Group's finance department in their new Manhattan office.  She made a promise to herself to enjoy life and reclaim the youth she lost when she settled for a man who never really loved her.  Out dancing and celebrating one night with Julia and Chloe she meets a Beautiful Stranger.  A very tall, very hot stranger who elicits desires Sara never knew she possessed.  One wild night, one sexual awakening with this Beautiful Stranger completely changes the course of Sara's life.  It's obvious she wants more of these encounters but doesn't want the attachments of a relationship so she strikes an arrangement with Max, aka Beautiful Stranger.  The questions is what's going to happen when Chloe realizes there's more to this man and their "not relationship"  than she ever thought possible.

I've got to say I enjoyed this book even more than I did Beautiful Bastard.  I definitely liked Bennett, but I adored Max, of course its not hard to be enamored with a handsome British guy whose confident, witty, and falling in love without even realizing what's happening.  I loved watching him struggle to only give Sara what she wanted even though it was killing him to not have more, it's not that he is or was ever against a committed relationship he just hadn't even met a woman who made him feel the things Sara did.  He was dominate, yet vulnerable and always put Sara's feelings before his own.  It was never a game to him and I think Christina and Lauren (the authors) did an excellent job portraying his emotions through all the ups and downs of this tryst, which just made him all the more like-able in my opinion.

There's no doubt Sara was going to have a hard time dealing with the aftermaths of her past relationship.  Not only was she cheated on time and time again, but she was used for her family's name and quite honestly her ex never appreciated her sexually.  Her first night with Max was the first time she has felt alive in years, and honestly who can blame her for wanting more.  I really liked Sara, I enjoyed getting a closer look into her life and while this relationship with Max is something I don't see myself doing it was written in such a way that it made me understand her excitement, understand her need for this kind of attention.  I never for once felt their relationship was crazy, the way the characters and story were written it totally made sense.

For me I felt more connected this time around to Sara and Max, their interactions with one another are based on trust, respect, love and I felt all those things.  I think one of the other things that worked for me was we got to see each of them outside of their sexual relationship more than I felt we did Chloe and Bennett, and as a result I felt as though I knew them better.  While there is a good deal of sex in this book (and let me tell you Christina and Lauren seriously know how to write these kinds of scenes --- not too little description, not too much, the perfect amount) I didn't feel as though it was on every page.  The story-line was just as good as the smut!  I'm recommending you read this book, its the perfect mix of love, smut, humor, romance and of course a little drama.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Release Day Blitz: Changing Course, by Aly Martinez

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Title: Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined #1)
Author: Aly Martinez
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 29, 2014
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Synopsis
I met Sarah Kate Erickson when I was 21 years old. I was lucky enough to keep her for seven years before a tragic accident stole her from me. She didn’t die, but sometimes I think it would have been easier if she had.
I lived in a haze for those four years after the accident. Catering to her every need, even though she hated the very sight of my face. I tried to hold on to her and the future that we were supposed to build together. But you can’t hold on to someone that doesn’t exist anymore.
It wasn’t until I met Jesse Addison, a barista at the local coffee shop, that I realized I didn’t just lose Sarah that tragic night, I lost myself as well. Jesse taught me how to let go of the past and learn to love again. But what happens when your past haunts your present and the woman you used to love refuses to accept the woman you can’t live without?
 
Excerpt
I met Sarah Kate Erickson seven years ago during a chance meeting at the local library. We were both reaching for the same William Shakespeare Collection. Our hands brushed, sparks flew, and it was love at first sight. We dated for three years, got married, and had sex for the very first time on our wedding night. Well, at least that is the story she made me promise to tell our future children. The truth is that, I met Sarah in a bar while she was approximately one drop of alcohol away from spending the night praying to the porcelain gods. She had on some ridiculously tight red dress and the tallest pair of black fuck-me heels I had ever seen. It was whore-tastic, but damn, she looked amazing. She was already tall for a woman, but in those cock-hardening shoes, she towered over the other women. Her friends were dressed in similarly sexy and in somewhat coordinating outfits. A collaborative effort that was no doubt on purpose. I watched as she asked for another drink from the bartender who stood staring at her partially exposed breasts for a beat too long. She reached across the bar, pushed one finger under his chin, and guided his gaze back to her eyes while she ordered drinks. She then turned and leaned her elbows behind her, propping herself up on the bar, and effectively thrusting her barely covered breasts into the face of every man in the room. It was then I knew I needed to meet them...I mean her...I had to meet her. Sure, staring at her was probably creepy as hell, but I just couldn't take my eyes off her. As cheesy as it sounds, there was just something about the tall blonde that commanded my attention. It didn't hurt that I got an insta-hard on when I thought about those long legs wrapped around my waist. Okay, so maybe staring wasn't the only creepy part.  
About the Author
AuthorPhotoAlyM
I’m a 32 year old wife and stay at home mom to four kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. My life is crazy, which is probably why I drink entirely too much wine. Oh who am I kidding, I had a love affair with wine long before the kids came along. I was born and raised in Savannah Georgia, but we recently moved to Chicago. Let me tell you, this southern girl was not ready for the cold weather up here! I’m an avid reader, but I haven’t always been that way. A few years ago my sister loaned me her Nook Color, and it changed my life forever. In the span of about two years, I read over 500 books. My newfound love of reading led me to start a book blog with two of my best friends. (Insert shameless plug here: WhiteZinBookends.com). Through WZ Bookends, I've had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing authors, bloggers, and readers out there. Now that I have taken the leap into writing my own book, they’ve all shown me endless amounts of encouragement and support. While driving home from Walmart one day in late October, a story embedded itself in my head and would not let go. It spiraled out of control until I finally opened my laptop and started writing. This journey has been a wild ride filled with tears, hand cramps, and tons of laughs. I love company, so follow me at one of the social links below and join me aboard this crazy train!  
Connect with Aly

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Email / Goodreads

 
Giveaway
$50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card (winners choice)
(3) Signed Paperbacks of Changing Course with Swag Pack (US Only)

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Review: Beautiful Bitch (The Beautiful Series #1.5)

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Synopsis

Just when Chloe’s career starts to take off, Bennett wishes it would all slow down long enough to spend a wild night alone with his girlfriend. But after he refuses to take no for an answer, Chloe and Bennett find themselves with two plane tickets, one French Villa, and a surprising conversation that, predictably, leaves them wrestling under the covers.

Review
4 out of 5 stars

I received a copy of the book for review from Gallery Books.

This novella picks up several months after Chloe and Bennett reunited at the end of Beautiful Bastard.  For the most part, at least during the first book, I didn't really have strong feelings one way or another in regards to Bennett.  I liked him, but I didn't love him.  This book however really changed my mind.  It provided an opportunity to see him in a different light.  No longer is he Chloe's boss, instead you get to see how much this woman has changed him.  She may still drive him crazy and he may still be demanding but the motivations behind his actions now all seem honorable.  By the end of the book I could really feel the purity of his love for Chloe.

I also enjoyed watching them navigate their new relationship, and I loved the flashbacks as to what transpired after their reunification.  It's almost as if this novella could have been a couple extra chapters and an epilogue to Beautiful Bastard.  I appreciated getting more meat to their story and seeing their relationship as more than just hot sex, which don't worry there is still plenty of in this book, its just now for me there is more meaning behind everything.  And Chloe is still just as driven and demanding as ever before, thank goodness neither of them changed who they were once they became a couple!  It was nice seeing them enjoy each other without any pending doom hanging over their heads.  It's a short and sweet update to a great couple, allowing us a peak into their future.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Review: Beautiful Bastard

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Synopsis

An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling. 

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate--and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative--completely infuriating--creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules--or outright smash them--if it means he can have her. All over the office. 

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other.


Review
3.75 out of 5 stars

I received a book for review from Gallery Books.

I was excited to finally sit down and start this book because I had kept seeing it pop up everywhere and I was looking forward to the opportunity to see what all the fuss was about.  The story starts out from Chloe's perspective, who is a graduate student working towards her MBA.  While finishing her degree she is interning at Ryan Media Group as Bennett Ryan's assistant.  Bennett is the boss from hell, always condescending and nothing she does is ever enough.  There's no doubt he's gorgeous, intelligent and driven but even with all those redeeming qualities he's still a bastard, and Chloe cannot wait to finish her internship, graduate and move on from Bennett Ryan.  One day when she shows up a few minutes late due to circumstances beyond her control Mr. Ryan gives her an obscene amount of work and in addition has asked for a presentation due later that evening.  It's at that presentation where Bennett sexually comes onto Chloe resulting in some hot anger fueled sex and my mind went....WHAT!  SERIOUSLY!  Did that really just happen?

The scene felt totally out of left field and then the pages began to be filled with more and more angry sex encounters.  Yes, there is a TON of sex in this book, it starts out around the 5% mark and never lets up.  There is nothing wrong with this aspect of the book, it's just for me I think I needed more of a back story as to why Bennett came onto her at work, as her boss?  Was he creepy or had he always been sexually attracted towards Chloe?  Eventually these two realize their is more to their relationship than angry sex and once this transition happens things started working better.

Towards the end of the book Bennett and Chloe's interactions become more personal, more emotionally driven and for me that's when the book started getting better.  It became more of a story to me, slowly I began to see more character development, more to the story than just sex, especially from Bennett and that is when I started being vested.

While this book was a rough start for me I am glad I continued reading because in the end I have to say I really did enjoy it and I do plan to read the other books in the series, because let's face it while they did get their HEA I want to know more, I want to see where these two are in their relationship and what's in store for their future.  
  

Monday, January 27, 2014

Author Spotlight: Christina Lauren

This week we're spotlighting author Christina Lauren of The Beautiful Bastard Series.  Oh wait, did you know Christina Lauren is actually comprised of two different authors???  Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings are the masterminds behind these awesome books.

Christina and Lauren, a writing duo who have been swooning over romance novels for as long as they can remember, are the authors of Beautiful BastardBeautiful Stranger, Beautiful Bitch, Beautiful Bombshell, Beautiful Player, and Beautiful Beginning from Gallery Books. Separated by the pesky state of Nevada, these co-author besties speak several times a day, agree that Ruby Pumps is the best nail polish color ever, and would, if given the choice, spend all day staring at the ocean from the San Clemente pier.



Connect with Christina and Lauren on their blog, Facebook, or follow them on Twitter at @seeCwrite and @lolashoes

Right before Christmas we received copies of all the books in the Beautiful Series for review.  Unfortunately with all the festivities of the Christmas Holiday and New Year's we didn't get the opportunity to dive into them until last week.  I'm going to confess when I first started The Beautiful Bastard I wasn't sure how I felt about the book, but by the end I was hooked.  I wanted to know what happened next not only with Chloe and Bennett, but with the other characters as well.  After reading each book I felt the stories got better and better and then before I knew it I had finished all six books!  

If you haven't given this series a chance I encourage you to check it out.  This week on both Facebook and the blog we will be featuring the books along with excerpts and our reviews.  Hopefully you will enjoy them as much as we did!

Books by Christina Lauren

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An ambitious intern. A perfectionist executive. And a whole lot of name calling. 

Whip-smart, hardworking, and on her way to an MBA, Chloe Mills has only one problem: her boss, Bennett Ryan. He's exacting, blunt, inconsiderate--and completely irresistible. A Beautiful Bastard.

Bennett has returned to Chicago from France to take a vital role in his family's massive media business. He never expected that the assistant who'd been helping him from abroad was the gorgeous, innocently provocative--completely infuriating--creature he now has to see every day. Despite the rumors, he's never been one for a workplace hookup. But Chloe's so tempting he's willing to bend the rules--or outright smash them--if it means he can have her. All over the office. 

As their appetites for one another increase to a breaking point, Bennett and Chloe must decide exactly what they're willing to lose in order to win each other.

Originally only available online as The Office by tby789--and garnering over 2 million reads on fanfiction sites--Beautiful Bastard has been extensively updated for re-release.


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B&N
Just when Chloe’s career starts to take off, Bennett wishes it would all slow down long enough to spend a wild night alone with his girlfriend. But after he refuses to take no for an answer, Chloe and Bennett find themselves with two plane tickets, one French Villa, and a surprising conversation that, predictably, leaves them wrestling under the covers.









Amazon
B&N
A charming British Playboy. A girl determined to finally live. And a secret liaison revealed in all too vivid color. Book two in the NYT Bestselling series. 

Escaping a cheating ex, finance whiz Sara Dillon's moved to New York City and is looking for excitement without a lot of strings attached. So meeting the irresistible, sexy Brit at a dance club should have meant nothing more than a night's fun. But the manner--and speed--with which he melts her inhibitions turns him from a one-time hookup and into her Beautiful Stranger.

The whole city knows Max Stella loves women, not that he's ever found one he particularly wants to keep around. Despite pulling in plenty with his Wall Street bad boy charm, it's not until Sara--and the wild photos she lets him take of her--that he starts wondering if there's someone for him outside of the bedroom.

Hooking up in places where anybody could catch them, the only thing scarier for Sara than getting caught in public is having Max get too close in private.



Amazon
B&N
When Max, Henry, and Will steal Bennett away for a weekend of shenanigans and strippers in Vegas, the first stop of the night doesn’t go at all as planned. With their scheme for a Guys Weekend completely derailed anyway, Max and Bennett begin to play a wild game of stealth and secrecy in order to have their bombshells all over Sin City.










Amazon
B&N
A bombshell bookworm. A chronic Casanova. And a lesson in chemistry too scandalous for school.

When Hanna Bergstrom receives a lecture from her overprotective brother about neglecting her social life and burying herself in grad school, she’s determined to tackle his implied assignment: get out, make friends, start dating. And who better to turn her into the sultry siren every man wants than her brother’s gorgeous best friend, Will Sumner, venture capitalist and unapologetic playboy?

Will takes risks for a living, but he’s skeptical about this challenge of Hanna’s…until the wild night his innocently seductive pupil tempts him into bed- and teaches him a thing or two about being with a woman he can’t forget. Now that Hanna’s discovered the power of her own sex appeal, it’s up to Will to prove he’s the only man she’ll ever need.



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Back when not being able to stand each other also meant not being able to keep their hands off each other in Beautiful Bastard, neither Bennett nor Chloe could have seen this day coming.

An exasperated bride who just wants to elope. A determined groom whose only focus is getting to the wedding night. And—of course—a whole lot of name calling.









Now Available for Pre-Order

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One-night stands are supposed to be with someone convenient, or wickedly persuasive, or regrettable. They aren’t supposed to be with someone like him.

But after a crazy Vegas weekend celebrating her college graduation—and terrified of the future path she knows is a cop-out—Mia Holland makes the wildest decision of her life: follow Ansel Guillaume—her sweet, filthy fling—to France for the summer and just…play.

When feelings begin to develop behind the provocative roles they take on, and their temporary masquerade adventures begin to feel real, Mia will have to decide if she belongs in the life she left because it was all wrong, or in the strange new one that seems worlds away.




Cover Reveal: The Perfect Emotion, by Melissa Rolka





Synopsis

The story of Kate, Kyle and Reed continues in this second novel of The Perfect Series.

Kate (Katherine) Monroe is finally coming to heads with the decisions she’s made in the past to keep herself distracted at any cost. Learning to move on and forward with the conflicts in her life is harder than she expects though. With Kyle continuing to attempt reconciliation and Kate’s mom back at home, avoiding and running are no longer an option.

All along Kate’s mind and heart are consumed with Reed, but she fights to push her feelings and desires to the side. Despite the obvious pull and connection she has with Reed she finds it difficult to let him in… and trust in herself. However, Reed’s perseverance and patience never wavers and eventually he uses the one thing that had always brought them together… tennis.

As Reed and Kate begin to embark on a new relationship they face the past and the present head on. Along the way, new challenges and emotions arise testing the direction of their future together.

Can Kate forgive herself and trust Reed in order to latch onto the one emotion she needs most… love?








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About Author Melissa Rolka



Melissa Rolka grew up in the Chicagoland area all of her childhood and has always had a love of writing. She started by keeping a journal at a young age and then in high school she started writing poetry. A couple poems were published anonymously. Then in college she majored in Philosophy, which required lots and lots of writing. After graduating from Marquette University she traveled west to Los Angeles. There she worked for the Writers Guild of America and found herself submerged in the writers world. She worked on small writings, but never pursued them. On the side she became involved with a small theater group. Eventually she made her way back to the Midwest, where her heart belongs, and worked in business for several years. She found love, got married and has two beautiful children. Being at home has allowed her to keep following her love of reading and writing.

The Perfect Distraction is her first full length novel. A second continuation of this story is in the works with hopes for a third. When Melissa is not writing she is caring for, playing with and loving her two kids. In between taking care of her family and writing she almost always has her nose buried in her Kindle.

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Sunday, January 26, 2014

Blog Tour and Review: Searching for Tomorrow, by Kathryn Crane


Title: Searching for Tomorrow
Author: Kathryn M. Crane
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Young Adult
Publication Date: October 21, 2013

Synopsis

Some people are blessed to find that one certain person who completes them.

Wrynn’s yesterdays were what others only dream of having. She and Tripp were the best of friends before they even thought about love. They had the fairy tale life where ‘like’ turns into ‘love’, and ‘love’ becomes ‘happily ever after’.

What happens when life conspires against you, and snatches your soul mate from your arms?

…only her forever love ended much too soon.

Broken beyond her own ability to repair, Wrynn boxes up her grief and attempts to raise her three girls the best she can on her own. As time slowly passes, Wrynn relives her life with Tripp while struggling most days to get out of bed. She is reminded of him at every turn.

How do you set your grief and anguish aside? How do you pick up the shattered pieces, put those pieces back together again, and try to move on?

Wrynn tries to find the joy in life every single day through her daughters, family, and friends. Her twin brother Liam has dedicated himself to helping Wrynn put her life back together after losing his own love. On the other hand, her mother-in-law lives to torment her at every turn. Wrynn can't even find a chance to breathe, much less a desire to somehow search for her tomorrow.






Review
4 out of 5 stars

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I knew when I started Searching for Tomorrow, just by the synopsis, this book was going to definitely bring on the tears, and boy was I right.  I mean how could it not?  It's the story of Wrynn and Tripp, friends since elementary school whose love over the years grew and changed into the all encompassing true soul mate kind of love.  The kind of love most people look for their whole life.  But life threw a wrench into their plan for forever and now Wrynn is left drowning in grief, desperately hoping and praying each day will be easier as she tries to piece back her life, raise her children and move forward.

As you read the book you get to travel from the present into the past, allowing you a firsthand look into every special moment that defined Wrynn and Tripp as a couple.  You see their happiness, their struggles.  You watch them fall in love and build a life together.  Because the story was written in this manner you really see just how deep their feelings for one another are and before you know it you're heart is breaking right along with Wrynn's.

While Wrynn's past is filled with plenty of romance, love and happiness her present reality is much different.  Now a single mom of 3 young girls she has her hands full trying to balance taking care of the children, house, cooking, and holding down multiple jobs, all the while somedays not even having the energy to even get out of bed.  Kathryn Crane did such a beautiful job describing every emotion and demonstrating Wrynn's struggles that I couldn't help but feel for this book character.  I found myself wanting to comfort her, smiling when slowly but surely her depression begins to clear and pieces of the girl we see in the flashback to the past slowly reveals herself again.

This is a beautiful story of love, loss, family and strength.  Personally I do not know anyone in the service but I have so much more respect for what their families must go through on a daily basis after reading this book.  It's not an easy life that's for sure.

Searching for Tomorrow was a 4 star book for me because there were times when I felt the descriptions for setting up a new scene were a little too wordy.  I had the scene in my mind and I just felt like saying hurry up, get me to the meat of the story…I want to know what's going to happen next?  Needless to say I was engrossed!  The only other complaint I had was feeling as though the ending was rushed.  Things happened really fast, it was hard for me to catch up and then bam the story was over.  I would like to have seen a little more details of the ending, before getting to the epilogue (I don't want to say much more because I really don't want to ruin the story…it's so good you must read and experience it for yourself).

While I knew from the synopsis the direction this book was going to take there were moments when I was completely shocked!  So, while you may be hesitant to give this story a shot I really think you should take a chance and dive into it.  It will probably make you cry, but it is also beautiful and completely uplifting to see this broken woman take back her life.  Not to mention I can guarantee you will be just as surprised as I was!    

About Author Kathryn Crane


Kathryn is a simple country girl who likes to spend time with her hubba, hunka hubby, her three kids and her friends. She loves to cook and really loves to eat! During the spring and summer, you will more than likely find her outside puttering around in her garden. When the veggies start coming in, she will probably be sweating over a hot canner in the kitchen, canning all the goodies she is blessed with. Kathryn likes to hike and go camping, and as a Girl Scout leader, she gets to do this pretty often! On cold winter nights, you will probably find her wrapped in a warm blanket, lost in a good book, while sitting in her rocking chair on the front porch!

Kathryn was born and raised in North Carolina, and while she loves to travel, she can't imagine ever leaving the mountains that she has come to call home. Not a day goes by that Kathryn doesn't thank God for abundantly blessing her. He has been so good to her, and she is very grateful. She holds Jeremiah 29:11 very close to her heart and believes it with every fiber of her being. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Kathryn loves flip flops, chocolate, sweet tea and dirt between her toes. As far back as she can remember, she's had a book in her hand. Reading has carried her to places she will never go. It has introduced her to people that she will never meet. When life is great and when it is rough, she's always been able to find a book to carry her through. She finally decided to write down some of the stories in her head (yes, be scared) and heart after dawdling around and wasting years dreaming. She hopes you enjoy reading those stories as much as she loves writing them!


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathrynMCrane

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KCrane_katiemac

Author Website: http://kmcrane.blogspot.com/

Author GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6966344.Kathryn_M_Crane

Author Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-McNeill-Crane/e/B00GAH6DEO/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_2


Amazon - Amazon UK - Barnes & Noble - iTunes - Kobo - Paperback


You receive one entry for every book purchase (must forward order confirmation to authorkatiemac@ymail.com)

You can also get an entry if you leave a review for the book on Amazon, Goodreads,etc (again must forward proof to authorkatiemac@ymail.com

The grand prize will be a Kindle, however the only way the Kindle will be given away is if there are 100 reviews or purchases sent in.


Saturday, January 25, 2014

Release Day Blitz: Hedge Your Bets, by Kimberly Kennedy

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Synopsis
The City of Sin Never Looked so good...
For Jessi Jones Las Vegas has been a curse and a sanctuary for the last ten years. She loves and returns every year to the hotel she used to work at but remembers a time her heart was broken, right in the lobby, by him...
Nathan Skye might have left her in Las Vegas but now he's back, to pull off the ultimate con and he needs Jessi to complete it. He's going for the jackpot, and the stakes are his queen of hearts. 
Add in a ex-model boss, the world of high fashion, some priceless jewels, and a few too many people trying to con the system for a wild ride in the city that never sleeps.
Around 40,ooo words a contemporary adult romance w/ spicy love scenes.  This is not an erotic romance.   
Hedge Your Bets Cover  
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Excerpt

“Jessi, I need your help with something.”
"Oh that's rich Nate.  Really nice.  Why would I ever want to help you?  You were the one who left me, remember?"  
"It's just one little favor.  It'll be done by the end of weekend, and then you will never have to see me again.  I promise." 
"Look buddy, you need to get out of my room before I call security.  I don't think you can sweet talk them into letting you stay."
"How are you going to do that?  You are in a bathtub and your phone is conveniently located in my back pocket."  She thought for a moment about what was behind that back pocket and how nice it would be to just sneak a quick squeeze before she banished the thought.
"Honestly Nathan.  What is this favor you need?"
"I'll tell you tonight over dinner."
She dunked down into the bathtub muttering to herself. Dinner?  Not a good idea.  Not with him.  She might do something stupid.  Like jump him from over the table, or hit him over the head with a plate! Coming back up she slicked her hair back then gave him a killer look.
"Where is my towel?"
"Oh...I don't know.  I probably picked it up and put it back in the bathroom.  Couldn't let you get away without me getting what I want now could I?"
He gave her a smug grin then quickly felt it melting off his face as she suddenly raised herself out of the tub, hot water and bubbles sliding down her naked form.  She stepped from the water as he jumped up and off the edge of the bed.  He hadn't expected that move from her.  And oh boy, what a move... she was completely grown up now.  Lush curves in just the right spots rounded out ever so slightly, where a coltish twenty two year old figure had once lived.  
She slid up to him with an impish look on her face, wearing nothing but a few lingering bubbles.  She got real close, the steam rising from her breasts to hit him right in the face, more painful than the earlier slap he had received.  Sliding her hands up his chest he inhaled raggedly, then said in a small voice that was horse with longing, "Please don't knee me again.  I don't think I'd survive it."  She slid her hands around to his back.
 "Oh, there's only one thing I want from you right now, stud."  Her voice was low and seductive while the scent of her, woman and something earthy and exotic wafted up to him as he inhaled quickly, trying to keep a grip on himself, not to mention control over his suddenly raging body that was making him feel like some untried teenager faced with Mrs. Robinson. 
 "And what's that?"  He barely chocked out.  Had he actually squeaked on that last note?!?  How long ago had he last done that? 
She boldly placed both hands squarely on his gorgeous derriere, and squeezed, causing his knees to begin shaking.  Jessi began shaking as well, from anger. “My phone. You lied.  Where is it!?”
“In the back pocket… of my dress pants.”   
“Arg!” She pulled her hands reluctantly off his tush but couldn’t help a quick smack.  she walked away towards the bathroom leaving him in a puddle of lust and nerve endings.  She walked towards the bathroom, leaving him in a puddle of lust and nerve endings, before calling over her shoulder as he held his breath.  "Fine.  You win this round.  Pick me up in two hours.” The door shut behind her leaving a scent of temptation that Nathan broke from with a fair amount of difficulty.  He figured he'd take the ice bucket with him back to his room.  It would be the perfect end to the cold shower he was in serious need of. 

Hedge Your Bets Teaser


About Author Kimberly Kennedy
Kimberly Author Pic

Kim has always been a creative soul, bouncing back and forth between various crafts and arts. The only one she kept bouncing back to was writing. Being an only child meant creating her own worlds, full of characters that were a combination of people she knew and quirky qualities she thought more people should have.
She now lives in Denver while she waits on prince charming, kissing a few frogs along the way.   She’s having a blast vacationing, writing, trying out the amazing culinary and beer centered landscape that is Colorado, loving the mountains, and motoring around in her little grey Barbie car convertible. Email at KimberlyKennedyWrites@yahoo.co


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