Thursday, April 30, 2015

New Release & Giveaway: Heat by Penny Reid

HeatBlitz   
  Heat by Penny Reid Hypothesis #2 
Publication Date: April 30, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Humor, Romance

Tour: Heat by Penny Reid
Elements of Chemistry: HEAT is part 2 of a 3 part series (65k word novel) and ends in a cliffhanger.


**Blurb contains spoilers if you haven’t read Elements of Chemistry: ATTRACTION**

Four days left.
Private beach (…and boat).
Not so invisible girl.
And maybe less of a jerk-faced bully than originally thought.
What’s the worst (or the best) that could happen?

Kaitlyn is finding life outside of the science cabinet of obscurity to be quite illuminating …and so are her pants. When things heat up between Kaitlyn Parker and Martin—previously known as the jerk-faced bully—Sandeke, she places her trust in the one person she never thought capable of earning it, let alone keeping it safe.

Fortunately or unfortunately for Kaitlyn, where she gives her trust she can’t help but also give her heart. But how will the world beyond the sanctuary of their newfound connection react to their relationship? Soon senators, chinless billionaires, and elements beyond Martin and Kaitlyn’s control want to weigh in on the young couple’s future. Navigating the chaotic inferno of new love might be more than Kaitlyn bargained for, and much, much more than her trust—or her heart—can handle.

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Author-Photo-Penny-Reid-300x300
SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing). By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

New Release, Excerpt & Giveaway: Stolen Art by Ruth Silver


Stolen Art by Ruth Silver
April 28, 2015
Lazy Day Publishing
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi Romance
Content: Clean

Sixteen-year-old Madeline has been living on the streets, biding her time until she's eighteen. With little to no money, she takes on a heist in hopes of making ends meet. What could possibly go wrong?

Everything.

Getting caught is just the beginning of Madeline's adventure as she meets Weston and discovers the secret of where she came from.

Fans of Orphan Black, The X-Files, and Fringe will fall head over heels for STOLEN ART. Recommended: 15+

AmazonAdd to Goodreads


I rush back up the dark stairwell, shoving the key into the doorknob. It takes a minute for the lock to click and I push myself inside the apartment, securing every lock and deadbolt. I can’t stay here in Hutchinson, Kansas any longer. Pulling my phone from my purse, I text Weston.

Tatiana is here. It’s not safe for me.

I grab the few belongings that have any value to me, sentimental or otherwise, and shove it into my shoulder bag, including the stolen silver necklace. It has value and if I’m forced on the run, I’ll need money to survive.

I know.

What did Weston mean he knew Tatiana is at the bar? Had he seen her? Is he there?

What do you mean, you know? I type into the phone. If he saw her, why didn’t he warn me? I can’t go down out the front door and it’s only a matter of time until she finds me just a few feet away. I grow restless waiting for an answer.

The phone buzzes and displays an incoming call from Weston. "Wes, tell me you’re here." The only thing to do is hop in his car and drive into the night, far from Kansas.

A female’s voice bubbles with laughter. "Oh he’s coming darling, but you should know he won’t get here in time. Amazing how easy it is to clone a phone number and steal his service. The advancements Stem Tech has made is encouraging."

Ruth Silver is the best-selling author of the Aberrant trilogy. With a passion for writing and a love of story-telling, Ruth is actively writing multiple series under her name as well as the pen name Ravyn Rayne. Her interests include traveling, reading, and photography. Her favorite vacation destination is Australia. Ruth currently resides in Plainfield, Illinois.

Follow Ruth here:
Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Looking for a steamier read? Check her out here:
Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter


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Monday, April 27, 2015

Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: Seduced By Sunday by Catherine Bybee

Seduced by Sunday by Catherine Bybee
(The Weekday Brides #6)
April 14, 2014
320 pages
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Contains: Sex, some language
Source: eARC for Honest review

Meg Rosenthal: Matchmaker by day, realist by night, Meg is not about to get swept away by a charming, darkly handsome businessman in a designer suit. She’s come to a beautiful secluded resort to evaluate the private island’s potential for her agency, not to ogle its owner. But there’s something about the magnetic man that’s hard to resist, even for a woman who refuses to fall in love.

Valentino Masini: A successful and drop-dead sexy businessman, Valentino is used to having the finer things in life. Yet he’s never wanted someone the way he wants Meg, who’s stirring up a hurricane of trouble in his heart. But just as he decides to convince her to stay, someone else decides it might be time to get Meg off the island…permanently.

Though I have read a couple of Bybee's "Not Quite" books and loved them, this was my first venture into the "Weekday Brides" series. Personally speaking, this book can be read as a standalone and enjoyed immensely. I had no prior knowledge of any of these characters or what the series itself was even about. I just knew I liked the other Bybee books I read and wanted to see what this series was all about. While it took me a few pages to adjust to the varying character histories, I was easily drawn into Meg's, and then Val's, lives and fell right into the story.

On a romance level, I loved how the interactions between Meg and Val evolved from the impersonal emails to their physical meeting, from distant to personal, from shallow to intrigued. For two people not looking for love, watching them draw nearer and nearer to the other was rather sweet. I loved getting to know them both, whether just the two of them alone, or when they were surrounded by friends and/or family. All these situations really brought them together in a truer way for me. Their romance was like a slow burn, but the build-up had all the spark and sizzle to pull me in and keep me rooting for Meg and Val.

Speaking of family and friends, this story had a great supporting cast. Michael has his own special side storyline going on, and I imagine fans of this series will be happy with where things go for him. Several of the girls and couples from the previous stories make appearances, and even have significant roles. This was intriguing for me, as I have not read any of their stories, and now want to. Then we have some new players, like Val's sister, Gabi, and his mother, who have their own importance to the happenings going on.

The other side of the story besides the blossoming romance, is a whole bunch of mystery on Val's exclusive, secluded island. The perfect getaway has an enemy in its midst, but its target and intention is unclear. While red flags were going off for me in the beginning, getting to the true heart of the situation was quite intriguing. I loved the combination of romance and suspense throughout the novel. And I must say, the last half of the book felt like one of those amusement park rides that steadily picked up speed until I felt like I was zooming around the track. Talk about some exciting stuff! I didn't want to put it down.

Overall, I loved this story! Val and Meg are a wonderful couple that I loved getting to know. I fell a little in love with them. Then add in the mystery and suspense, and I was even more committed to this great story. There's lots of love, lots of suspense, and enough heartbreak to make you mad for one character, but then look forward to the next book and what will happen next for someone in particular.


Val brushed the side of her face with the back of his hand, moved closer.

Meg stopped playing, felt her pulse jump.

“Where’s Michael?” Val whispered.

“Michael?” The name didn’t register.

Val lifted his left eyebrow. “The man you’re here with.”

Right. “He’s a …” Damn, he smelled edible.

Val’s palm captured her neck and guided her to her feet. “He’s just a friend, isn’t he, Margaret?”

The way Val’s lips moved drew her closer. The need to taste them, feel them on hers was impossible to walk away from. “If I told you we were more than friends…”

Val’s eyes traveled from her lips to her eyes. “Then I’d have to let you go.” He loosened his fingers on her neck, but instead of moving away, Meg leaned in.

“Sounds like you might regret that decision.” She laid a hand on his firm chest. The man wasn’t soft under his stuffy suits.

“I don’t pursue another man’s woman.”

He wasn’t moving away.

“Good to hear, Masini.” She lifted her lips close to his, felt his breath mix with hers. “I don’t belong to anyone.”

Val hesitated for a nanosecond, and then took her lips. His closed-mouth kiss started off soft, like a hesitant man worried about rushing. Yet when Val wrapped his free hand around her waist, and his body fit against hers, Meg opened for him, encouraged him to taste.

When he did she lost it. He tasted of bourbon and sex. God help her, she wanted to crawl into his kiss and explore it for hours. The man kissed like he was on a mission. And maybe he was. Who knew if Val Masini made it a weekly occurrence to kiss a new woman? Somehow, she didn’t think so. He was too reserved most of the time.

Not now … not with his tongue exploring her and his strong hands pressing the small of her back closer. Every hard ridge of the man met with every soft curve of hers.

The kiss went on until she found her chest tightening with a familiar warning. Sexual excitement had to be paced or she might find herself in a full-blow asthma attack. A frustrating fact of her life in the last few years. One that kept her single most of the time, her encounters lukewarm at best.

Val was threatening the air in her lungs with just a kiss.

A heated knock her on her ass kiss, but a kiss nonetheless.

She eased away and Val chased her lips.

She tried to slow her breathing, couldn’t catch a deep breath. “Wait,” she managed, pulling away.

“Too much, cara?"

You have no idea.

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Catherine Bybee not only has experience writing about mending hearts, but she’s also helped fix a few during her tenure as a registered nurse. These real-life experiences sometimes make their way into her books, giving her Weekday Brides and Not Quite series the personal touch that readers have come to adore. Born and raised in Washington State, she now writes full-time from her sunny home in Southern California.

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Sunday, April 26, 2015

Sunday Post: Weekly Wrap-Up (4.26)

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It's a chance to share news, recap the past week on your blog, showcase books, share upcoming news, etc. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

Fun Times:
This week was busy, so it took me some time to recover from the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books that I attended last weekend with my oldest son. We had a great time and saw many amazing authors as usual. And I got way too many new book reading ideas. If you are ever in Southern California in April, this is a fantastic weekend for any book lover. I had a lot of books I already owned signed, but grabbed a few new ones to add to my happy shelves.
Highlight for oldest son: Meeting Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
My stack of books I got signed over the weekend (plus one more that's a secret for a friend).

What I Read Last Week:
   
Love Bites by C.C. Wood (loved)
The Consequence of Loving Colton by Rachel Van Dyken (loved)
Seduced by Sunday by Catherine Bybee (loved)
     
My Posted Reviews Last Week:
 
 
ASA by Jay Crownover (my 5 star review)
Love Bites by C.C. Wood (my 5 star review)
Hard To Hold On To by Laura Kaye (my 4.5 star review)
Hard To Come By by Laura Kaye (my 4.5 star review)
     
What I'm Reading Next:

Stolen Art by Ruth Silver

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Stacking The Shelves (106)

STSmall_thumb[2][2]Stacking The Shelves, hosted by Tynga's Reviews, is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

My eldest son and I had a blast at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. If you are ever in Southern California in April, this is a fantastic weekend for any book lover. I had a lot of books I already owned signed, but grabbed a few new ones to add to my happy shelves. 
Highlight for oldest son: Meeting Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
My stack of books I got signed over the weekend (plus one more that's a secret for a friend).

New Signed Book Yummies:
 
 
Tangled Paths by Kim Flores
Written in the Stars by Aisha Saeed
Half a World Away by Cynthia Kadohata
Voyagers by DJ MacHale (ARC)


Paperback Pretty:

ASA by Jay Crownover (5 stars)


Kindle Addiction:
 
Until the End by Abbi Glines
The Mad Tatter by JM Darhower


eARC Excitement:
 
 
The Consequence of Loving Colton by Rachel Van Dyken (5+ stars)
All Played Out by Cora Carmack
A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade
The Undying Legion by Clay & Susan Griffith


Gifted Goodies:
 
Elite by Rachel Van Dyken
Frenched by Melanie Harlow