Pages

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Stacking The Shelves (133)

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!

*Signed* Hardcover Hotties:
I could not resist these! I already wanted to read them, plus all the authors signed them, equals "Take my money."
Zeroes by Scott Westerfeld, Deborah Biancotti, Margo Lanagan
This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner

Paperback Pretty:

The Iron Warrior by Julie Kagawa

eARC Goody:

Third Base by Heidi McLaughlin

Used Book Beauties:
 
Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
Lirael by Garth Nix

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Cover Reveal: Third Base by Heidi McLaughlin

I am so excited to share the cover of THIRD BASE by Heidi McLaughlin releasing on November 4th! Add it to your TBR below. Heidi is having a giveaway on her Facebook page for a chance to win a Kindle Fire - stop by her page to comment and enter! Good luck!
third base amazon
Synopsis
Ethan Davenport is already Boston’s most eligible bachelor, in his second season with the Boston Renegades and has eyes for the girl behind the visitors’ dugout who has been staring at him for a year.

That girl is Daisy Robinson, a journalism student at the University of Boston, a die-hard Renegades fan and determined to give Ethan a run for his money. He knows in order to have a chance with her, he needs to change his ways but he may just need her to wait until the off-season.

But with new found love comes challenges and Ethan and Daisy have to deal with his crazy schedule, school finals and his presence on her campus for some much needed media training. For Ethan nothing can come between him and Daisy, until a secret that she’s been keeping threatens to destroy them both.

Release Date: November 4th

add-to-goodreads-button
Cover by: Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations
Photography: Eric Battershell
Cover Model: Blake Farley
Excerpt
 “Someone’s dogging ya,” Kidd says as he nods behind me. I can hear my name being called, but I don’t want to look because he’s likely up to something. The fact that my name is being called means nothing, since the kids are always trying to get us to sign things, give them a bat during the game or even look at them. It was a thrill when it happened to me so I know what it’s like to get attention from your favorite player, let alone any player.

 “Just a fan, I’m assuming,” I say, shrugging him off and focusing on Mackenzie’s at bat.

 He shakes his head and starts laughing. “A super fan,” he says, nodding behind me again. “You might want to turn around.”

 “You might want to pay attention to the game. Mackenzie could hit a foul ball and smack you in the tallywacker.”

 “J---s Davenport, just turn the hell around.”

 I roll my eyes and finally give in, but only halfheartedly. I look over my left shoulder and see no one calling me and over my right to find the same thing.

 “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

 Kidd swings the bat a few times before he stops because Mackenzie has a hit and is now on first base. “Turn all the way around, Davenport. Stop being a b---h.”

 I do as he says and I’m met with a pair of green eyes that I have burnt into my memory. She’s sitting behind our dugout in the center seat. She stands and points to her shirt. The front of it says, “I’m sorry”. I can’t help the stupid a$$ grin that is plastered all over my face.

 I lean forward, resting my hands on the edge of the dugout. “Are you busy after the game?”

 “No,” Daisy says with a smile.

 “You are now,” I say, not caring that I’m probably jumping the gun and assuming she wants to see me. It’s not a guess; I know she does. “Stay right there and I’ll come get you when the game is over.”

 Before I know it, we’re on the Jumbo Tron with hearts all around our picture. She covers her face and I turn back to the game, only to turn around and wave my hat at the section she’s in. They roar with cheers and start chanting my name.

 We win, nine to one. I had a few more base hits and some RBI’s to add to our run count. Every Renegade player had at least one base hit. It’s odd when that happens, but we take it and run with it when it does. As soon as I enter the clubhouse the reporters are there. They call my name and instead of going to them, they come over to me and shove their microphones into my face as soon as I sit down.

 “Ethan, you made a pretty big display of affection today during the game. Do you care to tell us about your girlfriend?”

 “Yeah, sure,” I say, running my hand through my hair. “I’ve been in love with her for as long as I can remember. She means everything to me.” Suddenly their microphones are even more in my face.

 “What’s her name?”

 “Baseball!”

 I wish I had a camera at this exact moment so I can capture their expressions as they all deadpan at my answer. They’re stupid if they think I’m going to say anything about Daisy. We have a long road ahead of us and the last thing we need is the media hounding us. I do enough stupid s--t that brings us plenty of attention. We don’t need any more.

 The reporters don’t like me much after that answer, not that I can blame them. Kidd punches me in the shoulder and winks at me.

  Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00074]
AboutTheAuthor
Heidi Bio Pic
Heidi is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author.
Originally from Portland, Oregon and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell, Buttercup, and their newest addition of a Highland Westie/Mini Schnauzer, JiLL.
During the day Heidi is behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she's writing one of the many stories planned for release or sitting courtside during either daughter's basketball games.



Other Books by Heidi McLaughlin
Forever My Girl - The Beaumont Series #1
My Unexpected Forever - The Beaumont Series #2
Finding My Forever - The Beaumont Series #3
Finding My Way - The Beaumont Series #4
My Everything - A Beaumont Series Novella
12 Days of Forever - A Beaumont Series Novella
Lost in Us - A Lost in You Novella
The Archer Brothers
Here with Me
Choose Me
The Reeducation of Savannah McGuire

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Sunday Post: Weekly Wrap-Up (10.25)

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

What I Read Last Week:
  
Dimitri by Roxie Rivera
Yuri by Roxie Rivera
The Swamp Fox of the Revolution by Stewart Holbrook

My Reviews Last Week:
Ruined by Jus Accardo (my 4 star review)

What I'm Still Currently Reading:

November 9 by Colleen Hoover
(Still reading this on and off. I'm having a hard time getting into it. Ever had that problem before?)

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Stacking The Shelves (132)

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!

eARCs for the Holidays:
 
 
  
A Cowboy Firefighter for Christmas by Kim Redford
Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale
A Bad Boy for Christmas by Jessica Lemmon
A Royal Christmas Gift by LuAnn McLane
Passenger by Alexandra Bracken
Embraced by Jus Accardo
Marrying Mr. English (Part 1) by Katy Regnery

Used Book Score:

Sever by Lauren DeStefano

Friday, October 23, 2015

Review: Ruined by Jus Accardo

Ruined by Jus Accardo
(The Eternal Balance #1)
December 30, 2013
325 pages
Genre: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance 18+
Contains: strong language, sexual references and sex
Source: Personal purchase

Hell is looking for a way to break loose…

Jax lost the genetic lottery. Descended from Cain, the world's first murderer, he's plagued by a curse that demands violence in exchange for his happiness. He left everything behind, including the girl he loved, but thriving on the pain of others is lonely… And it's killing him.

After a series of heartbreaking losses, Samantha put rubber to pavement and headed for college as fast as her clunker could carry her. But she can't outrun her problems. When an attack at school drives her back home, she's thrown into the path of a past—and a guy—she's been trying to forget.

Sam strains Jax's control over his darkness, but running isn't an option this time. Someone—or, something—followed her home from school: a ruthless monster with a twisted plan centuries in the making. Forced together to survive, and fighting an attraction that could destroy them both, Jax and Sam must stop a killer bent on revenge.

'Ruined' was a solid start to this very engaging series. In a world where the descendants of Cain, the world's first murderer, carry a curse, Jax's life has not been easy. Imagine fighting the demon within yourself, trying to do the best you can, but knowing only violence will appease it, and only temporarily? Talk about a tortured existence. I really felt for the guy. But even demon-possessed, I couldn't help but like Jax. Then there's Samantha, the girl he loves but can't be with because of what he is. Ouch! Talk about throwing salt on the wound. And I can't blame him for feeling tortured, because Sam is a great girl. They also had great chemistry and a sweet backstory, so I couldn't help but root for these two.

But then we don't just have a miserable existence and future. Nope, this story steps it up with the nefarious goings on amongst the demon world. And this demon world is in no hurry to leave Jax and Sam alone. This story became a mystery, which I really liked. I'm normally pretty good at figuring things out, but this story kept me guessing. Which was great! And which is also why I won't go into details about the plot. I loved the mystery, and I hope you do too. The ending was also quite exciting, and I love that there was resolution but also anticipation for what's coming next. Looking forward to the next book!


The Eternal Balance series:
Ruined #1

Embraced #2
Expected publication date: November 16, 2015

Thursday, October 22, 2015

Cover Reveal: The Rousseaus by Katy Regnery

The Rousseaus, Books #1, 2 & 3


JONQUILS FOR JAX, The Rousseaus #1
(The Blueberry Lane Series #12)
By Katy Regnery

Publication Date: 8.5.16
ISBN: 978-0-9966547-6-0

Jacqueline “Jax” Rousseau is vivacious, rich, smart and beautiful…but that doesn’t mean she’s lucky in love: she’s dated doctors, lawyers, actors and politicians who’ve all managed to end up disappointing her. In fact, she’s on a self-imposed hiatus from love when  she has an unpleasant run-in with her neighbor’s gorgeous new landscaper, Gardener Lenox. Jax is not accustomed to gruff, ill-mannered men that can’t be charmed, but something about Gard intrigues her, and if she can find her way through the armor that surrounds his heart, she also might find a love that won’t let her down.

Apple iBooks Pre-Order Link: http://ow.ly/SWS8x
Kobo Pre-Order Link: http://ow.ly/SX0tX
Goodreads link for TBA list: http://ow.ly/SWXi3


MARRY ME MAD, The Rousseaus #2
(The Blueberry Lane Series #13)
By Katy Regnery

Publication Date: 9.2.16
ISBN: 978-0-9966547-7-7

For as long as Madeleine “Mad” Rousseau can remember, she’s been the “sweet” twin to her sister Jax’s “sassy.” But after an especially painful break-up, Mad decides she’s had enough of being sweet. Children’s librarian during the day, she begins visiting Philly’s seedier nightspots on a quest for adventure and experience. When Cortlandt “Cort” Ambler, the ex-boyfriend of Mad’s sister, Jax, saves her from disaster on one such evening, an unlikely friendship is born between the rebellious librarian and the moonlighting pianist…and two broken hearts begin a journey toward being whole again.

Apple iBooks Pre-Order Link: http://ow.ly/T8uVj
Kobo Pre-Order Link: http://ow.ly/T4uZV
Goodreads link for TBA list: http://ow.ly/SWXky


J.C. AND THE BIJOUX JOLIS, The Rousseaus #3
(The Blueberry Lane Series #14)
By Katy Regnery

Publication Date 10.7.16
ISBN: 978-0-9966547-8-4

Jean Christian “J.C.” Rousseau’s reputation as a charming flirt has been well-established in Philadelphia, and he’s never had trouble winning a woman’s heart. So, when Libitz Feingold, the best friend of J.C.’s sister-in-law, Kate, comes to Philly to help out during Kate’s final weeks of pregnancy, J.C. is shocked to discover that the prickly New York-based gallery owner and jewelry designer is completely immune to his charm. Recruited to help her set-up a local gallery, it’s not long before he starts to fall for her, but he’s going to have to rely on more than mere flirtation if he wants a shot at winning her heart.

Apple iBooks Pre-Order Link: http://ow.ly/TmPZ2
Kobo Pre-Order Link: http://ow.ly/T4vbI
Goodreads link for TBA list: http://ow.ly/SWXmP


THE WORLD OF BLUEBERRY LANE
Artist: Paul Siegel
Based on the bestselling series by Katy Regnery


Signed prints, photo prints, mugs and keychains can be purchased at http://www.katyregnery.com!


WHO ARE THE ROUSSEAUS?

“Wes wants to know what we think of the Rousseaus.”
From across the table, Stratton’s head snapped up from canoodling with Valeria. “We think they’re assholes.”
--Wild about Weston, The English Brothers #5


Dear Readers,

I have to tell you…my mind has been writing the stories of Jax, Mad and J.C. Rousseau ever since they were first mentioned in The English Brothers’ books:

Scorchingly-hot flirt J.C., who has charmed the pants off a hundred women, but longs to find one who will challenge him to be more.

Strong, smart, sassy, go-getter Jax, who rocks stilettos, barely takes a breath between words and for whom true love has been strangely elusive.

Sweet, gentle Mad, who has always wished she had half the sass of her twin and longs for more drama and adventure in her ho-hum life.

I know that you are all going to fall head over heels for this trio of hot siblings and their loves, including some already-introduced characters (Libitz Feingold and Cortlandt Ambler) and some new (Gardener Lenox!)

You may not realize it, but if you’ve been reading the Blueberry Lane Series from the beginning, you already know quite a lot about Jax, Mad and J.C.. But for you newbies, I thought I’d compile a few quotes from previous books to get you all better acquainted. Without further ado…here’s a recap.

MEET Jax, Mad & J.C.!!

Love,
Katy

PS -- Don’t forget to pre-order now on iBooks and Kobo. Barnes & Noble and Amazon pre-orders will be available next summer! For more information about the Rousseaus, visit my website HERE.


Jacqueline “Jax” Rousseau

“Hi, Molly,” said the woman to her left. “I’m Jacqueline Rousseau. J.C.’s sister.”
“But everyone calls her Jax,” said the stunning woman sitting beside Jax. “And I’m Madeline Rousseau, but everyone calls me Mad.”
“Jax and Mad,” repeated Molly, offering them both a friendly smile, while puzzling internally about such odd nicknames.
–Wild about Weston, The English Brothers #5

 Touching the mouse on her laptop gingerly, she scrolled through a series of Jax-selfies taken an hour ago at the same party Kate had been attending: Jax looking dark-haired, dark-eyed and fierce, hand on a jutted hip in front of a skyscraper-shaped ice sculpture…Jax and her twin sister, Mad, pursing their red, shiny lips for the camera…Jax posing with one of the Ambler sisters, her index finger caught between her teeth, somehow managing to look both sexy and bored-to-tears at once…
Kate kept skating through pictures and status updates, chuckling softly at a quip about stiletto heels and rainy spring nights. Though they’d been childhood acquaintances, Kate had only recently gotten to know adult-Jax through a month’s worth of online lurking, and she liked the feisty young brunette.
--Kiss Me Kate, The English Brothers #6

When their father had passed away a few years ago, they’d started the Rousseau Trust together as a way of investing his vast fortune. Last year, Jax had come on board after making a decision to attend law school. –Kiss Me Kate, The English Brothers #6

Lilliane Rousseau beamed at Jacqueline and Madeline, who had recently insisted they be called Jax and Mad in an episode of ridiculous teenage folly that would almost certainly blow over by next week. –Kiss Me Kate, The English Brothers #6

 “He’s such a weirdo,” said Jax, shaking her head at her older brother.
“I guess it’s time to go,” agreed Mad with an embarrassed sigh.
The twins shimmied to the edge of the trampoline, making it ripple and breaking Étienne’s connection to Kate as she unclasped his hand.
--Kiss Me Kate, The English Brothers #6

Jessica turned to Kate. “Do you ever remember hearing about a thing between Jax Rousseau and Cort Ambler?”
“Cort?” Kate pursed her lips. “I don’t think so.”
Jess nodded, knowingly, moving Cort’s tiny place card away from the Rousseaus. “I do.”
--Bidding on Brooks, The Winslow Brothers #1

Suddenly the brunette turned around, and Preston realized it was Jax Rousseau, his next door neighbor from adjacent Chateau Nouvelle. He had recently heard that Jax had joined a competing firm in entertainment law, though he hadn’t had a chance to congratulate her yet…or tease her a little bit about stealing her clients. –Proposing to Preston, The Winslow Brothers #2

 “Jax Rousseau, meet Elise Klassan. Elise, this is Jax.”
“It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too,” said Jax, with a smile that doubled her considerable beauty. “I loved you in The Awakening. Hey! Let’s take a selfie!”
Surprised but charmed by Jax Rousseau’s exuberant request, Elise nodded. “Sure.”
Cheek to cheek, Elise smiled for Jax’s camera and watched the brunette load the picture onto Facebook before they sat down side by side on the couch. Gene pulled up a chair across from them.
“So, Elise…like I said, Jax is one of the Assistant Producers on the project, and she’s also our legal contact in Philly.” He turned to Jax. “Want to fill her in on the rest of the details, precious?”
“I’d love it!” said Jax, flashing her million megawatt smile and turning her whole body to face Elise. “High Society is my favorite movie of all time, so obvi I love The Philadelphia Story…when I bought the rights to re-make a modern version and sold them to Warner, it was under the condition that all shooting would take place on-site at my family’s estate in Pennsylvania. You know, my little way of memorializing my childhood home.”
“Wow,” said Elise, realizing that despite this woman’s apparent youth, she was a mover and shaker. “I love it…but, the rest of your family doesn’t mind? Filming on location can be…intrusive.”
Jax shrugged. “We don’t actually live there anymore. My oldest brother recently relocated to New York. My twin sister and I have a condo in Philly. My other brother lives with his fiancé, but they’re getting married at Chateau Nouvelle this winter, which is why we need to start filming right away. I promised Étienne and Kate we’d be finished by October at the latest.”
“Chateau Nouvelle?”
“The name of the estate,” explained Jax. “They all have names in Haverford.”
--Proposing to Preston, The Winslow Brothers #2

Madeleine “Mad” Rousseau

Their other sister, Mad, had gone a completely different direction with her life, and was the Assistant Children’s Librarian at one of the larger branches of the Philadelphia Public Library. Mad didn’t have the stomach for business—of all the Rousseau children, Madeleine Rousseau was the sweetest, kindest, most tender-hearted. –Kiss Me Kate, The English Brothers #6

Étienne gave her a look then turned back to Mad, who picked up her coat from an arm chair and quickly shrugged into it.
“I have to get back to the library,” she said, giving her brother a quick kiss, her cheeks still flaming.
“Already?”
“She’s very important,” said Jax, waving goodbye to Mad and tugging Étienne forward. “Young minds to mold and all that.”
“Dinner on Friday night?” Étienne called after Mad.
“Yes. At J.C.’s place,” she said, stepping into the waiting elevator as the glass door whooshed closed.
He turned back to Jax. “What’s up with her?”
“Boy, you’re dense.”
“Am I?”
“Hells, yes.” Jax cocked her head to the side. “Can’t you tell? She’s in love. Obvi.”
“What? What the hell? With who?”
“Whom,” corrected Jax.
“With whom is our baby sister in love?” he asked, realizing that Jax had somehow maneuvered him down the hall to his office.
“I could tell you,” said Jax, “but then I’d have to kill you. And I like you way too much for murder.”
--Kiss Me Kate, The English Brothers #6

Kate bit her bottom lip wondering if he’d laugh at her dream of sponsoring a special needs feline shelter in Philadelphia. “There isn’t a shelter just for special needs animals in Philly. I was thinking…”
“About starting one? I bet my sister, Mad, would give you a hand. She’s a softie too.”
“I always liked Mad,” said Kate, loving it that he’d jumped on board without ridiculing her or second-guessing her plans.
--Kiss Me Kate, The English Brothers #6

Jean Christian “J.C.” Rousseau

Alex tracked Jessie with his eyes as she shook hands with some friends of Cam’s, and his fingers fisted as he watched J.C. Rousseau look down at her breasts, then widen his smile. –Anyone but Alex, The English Brothers #3

Alex English stepped up to the mic next and introduced himself with an off-color joke. J.C. Rousseau laughed beside Molly, the low rumble pleasing.
“Do you know Alex?” J.C. asked her.
“Everyone knows Alex,” whispered Jax, to her left.
“Not me,” said Molly, smiling politely at J.C.’s younger sister.
“And not you,” growled J.C. at Jax, with a direct look.
“Shut up, J.C.,” said one of the Winslow brothers from across the table. “He’s reformed.”
“Alex? Never.”
The Winslow brother seated next to the older Story sister—Molly believed his name was Cameron—looked like steam was about to come out of his ears. “Shut it, Rousseau. Ferme la douche, huh?”
J.C. chuckled softly beside her, not the least bit bothered by the Winslows’ hot-headed warnings.
–Wild about Weston, The English Brothers #5

Swinging his eyes to her other side, Weston clenched his jaw. J.C. Rousseau. After Alex, the Rousseau brothers were the most notorious flirts of Blueberry Lane. Damn. –Wild about Weston, The English Brothers #5

Weston wasn’t sure what was going on between Alex and Kate, but now wasn’t the time to find out. J.C. Rousseau was Barrett’s age, which meant that Barrett probably knew him best. He leaned over Kate a little. “Barrett, what’s J.C. like?”
“Solid businessman. Good with figures. Brokers international deals between—”
“Sweetheart,” said Barrett’s fiancée, Emily, gently. “That’s not what Wes is asking.”
“What’s he asking?”
Emily’s eyes widened and she licked her lips.
“Oh,” said Barrett, his whole body shifting closer to Emily. “Oh.”
“Barrett?” said Weston. “I’m over here.”
Barrett turned back to Weston, but his eyes were darker and Weston noticed his hand snake out and grab Emily’s, pulling it possessively into his lap.
“What’s he like with women? Charming. Smooth. He dated Hope for a while before Alex did. But, I don’t hear bad things about him. He’s certainly no Étienne…”
--Wild about Weston, The English Brothers #5

 “Ah, Weston. You English brothers take yourselves so seriously. We French have far more fun.” J.C. winked at Molly before turning away from them and sauntering back to the table. –Wild about Weston, The English Brothers #5

 “So Barrett, Emily, Val, and I were hanging out at the bar. Suddenly J.C. Rousseau sidles up, all oily with his stupid toothy smile, and starts talking to Barrett about some piece of property that he and his siblings own in New Orleans, and how they want to unload it.”
Only Stratton would call J.C. Rousseau—a man so darkly handsome women literally swooned when he smiled—oily and toothy. She grinned, then refocused.
--Kiss me Kate, The English Brothers #6

 Étienne’s face lightened again. “So? How’s Libitz?”
“She’s good,” said Kate, closing her briefcase and relaxing into her seat. “She owns an art gallery in SoHo. She calls herself prickly, but I think Lib’s just an acquired taste…and she still calls me on all of my crap.”
“So, she’s still your best friend?”
Kate nodded. “Oh, yeah. I can’t imagine not knowing Lib.”
“Based on what you told me, I always thought she might be a good match for J.C.,” said Étienne, his eyes twinkling.
“Lib with a W.A.S.P.? Fat chance.”
“Hey, now…we’re not W.A.S.P.s. First of all, we’re neither Anglo, nor Saxon. We’re French. And second of all, we’re Catholic.”
Kate chuckled, conceding his point. “Still…debonair player J.C. with prickly little Lib? I don’t see it.”
“She’d call him out on all of his shit,” said Étienne, cocking an eyebrow and daring Kate to disagree.
“That she would,” agreed Kate, smiling and shaking her head because she couldn’t imagine it ever happening. With nil threshold for bullshit, Lib would likely deck J.C. before he could even make a pass at her.
--Kiss Me Kate, The English Brothers #6

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

New Release: RIP by Rachel Van Dyken

Rachel Van Dyken brings you Rip a complete stand alone novel that fans of the Eagle Elite series will devour! With twists and turns you won't see coming, this dark romantic suspense will keep you on your toes and leave you screaming for more.



Pretty things aren't meant to be broken.

But I broke her, and now we both have to pay the price.

I'm her nightmare.

I'm her savior.

And now that I have her signature on an ironclad contract, I own her body and soul.

She doesn't remember me.

She will.

It's inevitable.

Because as much as I know I need to stay away, for fear of unlocking the memories I helped her father bury--I can't.

She was the apple in the Garden, dangled in front of me, her core so tempting and sweet. A voice whispered. Just. One. Bite.

I bit.

I tasted.

I fell.


Welcome to the world of the Russian mafia, where death, is your only future.





“So.” She plopped into the seat next to me and crossed her long legs. I fought hard to pull my eyes away. “Catch me up, what exactly are we doing in Chicago.”

I opened a folder and slid it across the table. “We are doing nothing. I, however, am making a speech at…a church.”

I didn’t miss her snort, or the way she tried to hide her amusement.

“Something funny?”

“Yeah.” She nodded. “In church.”

“Where did this attitude come from?”

“You kissed me.” Her eyes narrowed as she leaned back into her seat, not missing a beat as she let her gaze wander across my body like a caress. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel good, to be desired, wanted, and it was a welcome distraction from the pit in my stomach. I really, really didn’t want to go to Chicago.

“You kissed me back,” I retorted.

“Doesn’t matter, you still kissed me. The line between beast and his little toy has been crossed, therefore I kind of own you like you own me, just in a more...irritating way. I have your balls in a vise.”

“Let’s leave my balls out of the speech if you don’t mind,” I said ignoring her little ploy to get under my skin again.

“Hey.” Her grin spread smugly across her pretty face. “It may just inspire the crap out of them, you never know.”

This was a conversation that Andi would have loved, in fact, the more Maya talked the more I saw Andi in her, which just made it that much worse. Here Maya thought I was going to Chicago to slap hands with rich doctors and make speeches, when really, I was going because I made a promise, to a dying girl.

Just one more girl, I’d failed to save.

“Let’s leave all references to body parts out of my speech, hmm?”

“I’ll try.”

“I am the boss.”

“So you are.”

“I’ve created a monster. Had I known feeding you would gain this response I would have tied you up in the basement with a protein bar and some Gatorade.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s Netflix. Orange is the New Black combined with the nightmares…” She yawned and it was then that I noticed how tired she looked.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat wanting to press things further, what kind of nightmares had she been having?

“I haven’t been sleeping much. Then again I blame you for keeping me from technology for so long.”

“Which brings us back full circle. I should have never given you such privileges.” My voice came out in a bark.

“It’s a right, not a privilege,” she snapped.

“So this…” What the hell was it? A eulogy? Not really, that was Sergio, but he’d asked me to say a few words. Shit. I struggled with how to ask, I didn’t know the first thing about being at a funeral, I put people in the casket, I didn’t visit them after they took their last breath. My eyes stung with exhaustion. “I need you to help me write it.”

“Wait...” She visibly paled. “What did you say?”

“Write.” I nodded encouragingly, my anger surging, breaking through all of my carefully constructed walls. Anger had no place in my business, in my life, and anger toward her, did nothing but put her in danger. “You know, words on a paper, you put them down, I say them.”

“Don’t be an a$$.”

“Maya…” I tsked. “I am what I am.”

“Put that in your speech.”

“Maya.” I grit my teeth together to keep myself from snapping at her. “I need a speech, something…encouraging, inspirational, happy.”

Maya pulled out her laptop and opened it up. “Inspirational…I can do inspirational. When was the last time I was inspired…?” Her cheeks bloomed red.

“What was that?” I breathed, my eyes lowering to the expanse of cleavage, it was a welcome distraction from my morose and jumbled thoughts. “Didn’t catch what you just said.”

“I, uh, didn’t say anything.” She nervously tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, her cheeks pinkening even further.

“Your mouth didn’t…your face did.”

“Let’s not talk about my mouth…”

“Why?” I leaned in. “Does it inspire you too much?”

“A$$!” she hissed.

“I think you’re on to something…” I chuckled, bracing my hands on the armrests. Six inches, and our mouths would touch. I wasn’t just toying with breaking the contract, I was ripping it up, burning it. Just as our mouths were about to touch, I paused, lingering where our breaths mingled, hers warm on my lips, mine ragged and needy. I was right about one thing; she would be a welcome distraction, one that wouldn’t allow me to feel sad, or bothered by the fact that I was flying to a friend’s funeral.

And that history, if I wasn’t careful could repeat itself.

She moved, dislodging her water bottle. It landed with a soft thump on the floor.
I reared back and stared at it.

What the hell was I doing?

And as luck would have it, the water droplets had cascaded against my left hand, my tattoo—the mark of the sickle, the mark that would tell anyone who knew anything about the darker side of life.

What I did.

Who I worked for.

What I was capable of.

What I would do—to protect not just my own identity but those closest to me.

My phone rang.

I reached down to silence it—ready to silence it, when I noted the number. Cringing, I answered it with a smooth hello.

“You know I have eyes everywhere.”

“Good afternoon to you, too.”

Maya pretended not to eavesdrop.

The last thing she needed to know was that I was talking to her father—correction, receiving another threat.

This one not so baseless as the rest.

“Tell me something I don’t know,” I said, waiting for his response.

“She’s been touched.”

I rolled my eyes. “You sure about that?”

The line crackled.

“She flushes when you’re near.”

“Most women do.”

“Cocky son of a bitch.” He chuckled. “Remember the terms of our agreement, Nikolai, I scratch your back, you scratch mine. She means nothing to me. You are the one who has everything to lose. You’ve developed a god complex, but I know all your secrets. It would take nothing for me to destroy you. You signed in blood. And it will be your blood that is spilled if you go back on your promise.”

My nostrils flared, heat surged through my body as I watched Maya happily pull out a magazine and cross her legs. Damn it, he was right. What the hell was I doing?
My lack of self control would end up getting her killed.

I knew that just as much as he did.

I was stuck.

And he knew it. Part of me wondered if he was aware that I’d developed a conscience—then again, I’d stopped working directly with him long ago, but it didn’t mean I wasn’t still owned.

“We’ll be in touch.” The phone went dead.

Damn Russian mafia.

And damn me for being one of the best. I didn’t get the nickname The Doctor because I had a good bedside manner.

And I wondered, as I tried not to stare too hard at Maya while she read through her magazine, would she still be alive if I hadn’t have taken the job that changed everything?

Had I damn her, then?

Had I truly saved her?

I let out a low growl of frustration; clenching my phone in my hand, ready to break it in half. I wanted so desperately to protect her from Andi’s fate, but would it be better that she died?

My body tensed.

Would I be extending her mercy, by snuffing out her life?

Maya frowned down at the magazine, her eyebrows furrowed as the plane rose to altitude.

I didn’t shake, didn’t so much as tremble. I was a doctor, after all, and whenever I made a decision of life and death, I was calm. Humanity didn’t slip through. I didn’t have a come –to-Jesus moment, where I wondered if what I was doing would sentence me to the darkest depths of hell.

It was…clarity.

The only way I could explain it.

“Something else to drink?” I asked Maya while she popped her knuckles again. Shit, twice in a few minutes? Was there something about the plane? Or my conversation?

“Wine.” She said quickly. “If you have it.”

I nodded, already walking to the bar. I glanced to my left to make sure she wasn’t watching me, then reached into the cupboard and pulled out a syringe of sodium pentothal. It wouldn’t harm her. If anything, it would relax her more, make it so that I would be able to hold a conversation with her…without her remembering a damn thing, though the dosage needed to be precise. The last thing I needed was for her to end up unconscious.

“What time is it?” I asked while I poured the wine, keeping the small syringe in my right hand.

“Oh.” Maya yawned then glanced at her watch. “It’s nearing four in the afternoon, why?”

“Just thinking about our dinner plans,” I lied. Two and a half hours since she’d last eaten. I mentally went over her stats, weight one-forty, height five seven. She’d need a half dose at the most.

Clearing my throat, I turned, sliding the syringe into the top of my sleeve and bringing over the two glasses of wine; hers was more full.
“Wow, generous in all areas aren’t you, Nikolai?” Maya eyed the wine glass and took a long sip.

“Drink it all,” I instructed with a half smile. “Doctor’s orders.”

“All of it?” She laughed lifting the glass into the air. “This is at least two glasses.”

“At least half,” I said in a more gentle tone. “You seem stressed, and I know…I’m not the easiest to travel with.”

Maya blinked then took another sip of wine. “No, you think?”

“It’s a…” I coughed into my hand letting the syringe slip out to the tips of my fingers. 

“It’s not you. It’s me.”

“Okay,” she said slowly, setting her wine down on the arm rest.

“Nope.” I offered a encouraging smile. “A few more sips, trust me, you’ll feel so much better.”

Maya rolled her eyes but drank deeply.

The alcohol would work beautifully with the sodium pentothal. Truth serums, didn’t necessarily work by themselves, they were used in conjunction with other tools and drugs, allowing the human mind to be open to suggestion.

But no human mind or body was the same, meaning, the outcome was always different.

If Maya had any sort of…secret she was keeping close, something she wanted to tell me, but couldn’t or refused to, it would most likely come out at some point in the next half hour.

If she were harboring memories, dark ones, ones that scared her, and I offered her a caring ear, she’d jump at it.

And I’d know.

If she was getting triggered and how.

It sounded sick.

But it was of the utmost importance that she be kept in the dark, especially since her father clearly was still keeping eyes on her.

I told myself that as she drank more wine.






Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency
and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking
coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from
readers!
Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!
You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken
or join her fan group Rachel's New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com


NEWSLETTER   FACEBOOK   TWITTER GOODREADS  AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Monday, October 19, 2015

New Cover, Sale & Giveaway: Making Faces by Amy Harmon

The new cover of MAKING FACES is gorgeous! I can't wait to add this new paperback to my shelf next to the original! This book is a must-read and one of my all-time favorites!

To celebrate the 2 year publication anniversary of Making Faces, the book has been given a whole new look with a special “Anniversary Edition” cover! This newly-covered paperback is now available to order at Amazon as a 2nd Edition. To spotlight and celebrate this new cover, the ebook is on sale for only $2.99 instead of $4.95.
The ebook promo is available from Monday October 19th until Friday October 23rd 2015.


Ambrose Young was beautiful. He was tall and muscular, with hair that touched his shoulders and eyes that burned right through you. The kind of beautiful that graced the covers of romance novels, and Fern Taylor would know. She'd been reading them since she was thirteen. But maybe because he was so beautiful he was never someone Fern thought she could have . . . until he wasn't beautiful anymore.

Making Faces is the story of a small town where five young men go off to war, and only one comes back. It is the story of loss. Collective loss, individual loss, loss of beauty, loss of life, loss of identity. It is the tale of one girl's love for a broken boy, and a wounded warrior's love for an unremarkable girl. This is a story of friendship that overcomes heartache, heroism that defies the common definitions, and a modern tale of Beauty and the Beast, where we discover that there is a little beauty and a little beast in all of us.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Special Rafflecopter giveaway: Five (5) signed copies of Making Faces – new cover – open internationally.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover designed by Murphy Rae from Indie Solutions by Murphy Rae
https://www.facebook.com/indiesolutionsbymurphyrae

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★



★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Amy Harmon is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal and New York Times Bestselling author of eight novels - the USA Today Bestsellers, Making Faces and Running Barefoot, as well as The Law of Moses, Infinity + One, Slow Dance in Purgatory, Prom Night in Purgatory, and the New York Times Bestseller, A Different Blue. Her latest novel, The Song of David, was released on June 13, 2015.
Amy Harmon knew at an early age that writing was something she wanted to do, and divided her time between writing songs and stories as she grew. Having grown up in the middle of wheat fields without a television, with only her books and her siblings to entertain her, she developed a strong sense of what made a good story. Her books are now being published in several countries, truly a dream come true for a little country girl from Levan, Utah.

Find Amy online:
Website: www.authoramyharmon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoramyharmon
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aharmon_author
Instagram: https://instagram.com/amy.harmon2/
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Harmon/e/B007V3HXUY
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5829056.Amy_Harmon
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authoramyharmon/