REVIEW: AT PEACE BY KRISTEN ASHLEY (THE 'BURG SERIES #2)

******

Violet Winters once had it all but lost it when her husband was murdered by a criminal madman. During a cold winter night Violet has to leave her warm bed to tell her neighbor to turn the music down. And that’s when she meets sinister, scarred, scarily attractive security specialist, Joe Callahan.

She wants to deny it, but Violet can’t beat back the hunger she feels for Joe so she gives in again and again. Feeling it himself, Joe feeds Vi’s hunger, breaking his own rules to keep her in his bed.

Even though Violet had only one man in her life, she’s sure Joe is giving her the signals and Vi decides she’s ready to take a second chance at life and, maybe, love. But Violet doesn’t know the dark secrets in Joe’s past, secrets so soul-wrenching, they’ve drained him dry. With nothing left to give, Joe’s determined to live his life alone and he breaks Violet’s heart.

Crushed by Joe’s betrayal, Violet comes to terms with the fact that, no matter what signals he gave, Joe was not theirs to win. But Violet’s husband’s murderer is obsessed with her and heartbreak again haunts the door of the Winters home. When it does Joe is forced to face the knowledge that he can’t fight Violet’s pull, she’s under his skin and filled him full to bursting.

Joe needs to win her back and put his life on the line to keep Violet safe. But, having had it all once, can Violet endure losing Joe?

******

BLOG TOUR: Cartel by Lili St. Germain

Are you ready for Mariana’s story in this heart-wrenching NEW series!?

RELEASE DATE:  January 27th

How much is a life worth?

Mariana Rodriguez is the eldest daughter of a Colombian drug lord. Growing up in Villanueva, Colombia, she has never wanted for anything. Private schools, a lavish lifestyle, and the safety of the Cartel that her father works for.

At nineteen, she's got her entire life mapped out, and what a good life it's going to be: graduate from college, move to America, and finally be free from the stifling grip of the Cartel.

Only, her father messes up. A shipment of cocaine - a very large, very valuable shipment - is seized by the authorities whilst under his care and he becomes liable for the debt. Half a million dollars worth of cocaine.

Half a million dollars he does not have.

But he has a daughter, a very smart one, a daughter who would give up her very existence and offer herself as payment for her father's sins, to ensure her family survives.

But falling in love with the man who owned her wasn't part of the plan ...

Read Chapter One HERE

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‘You do this a lot?’ I asked abruptly.

He took a step closer. I took a step back. It was timed so well, it was almost as if we were dancing some sort of macabre waltz.

He laughed when we moved in unison.

‘Depends,’ he replied, ‘on what this is.’

 ‘Pick up pretty girls for your daddy?’ I shot back.

Something passed over his face for a moment and settled in his eyes. Something hard. And then, I blinked, and it was gone again.

‘Sure,’ he said, and his voice had changed somehow. Become more reserved, more guarded. Damn. The only person who’d shown me the tiniest bit of normality, and I had just alienated him. As usual, I was running off at the mouth before I thought about what I was actually saying.

‘None as pretty as you, though,’ he added.

The Cartel Trilogy Reading Order

Cartel #1

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AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER

Kingpin #2 (June 1st)

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1wwZiHh

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Empire #3 (October 1st)

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1yHLq2j

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1JqVDUu

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Additional Books including these characters

Gypsy Brothers Series by Lili Saint Germain

Seven Sons (Gypsy Brothers, Book One) FREE

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Six Brothers (Gypsy Brother, Book Two) ONLY $0.99

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Five Miles (Gypsy Brothers, Book Three) ONLY $0.99

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 Four Score (Gypsy Brothers, Four) ONLY $0.99

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Three Years (Gypsy Brothers, Book Five) ONLY $0.99

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Two Roads (Gypsy Brothers, Book Six) ONLY $0.99

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One Love (Gypsy Brothers, Book Seven)

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B & N:  http://bit.ly/1utEZPg

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1rPgZFW

About the Author:

Lili Saint Germain

Lili writes dark romance, suspense and paranormal stories. Her serial novel, Seven Sons, was released in early 2014, with the following books in the series to be released in quick succession. Lili quit corporate life to focus on writing and so far is loving every minute of it. Her other loves in life include her gorgeous husband and beautiful daughter, good coffee, Tarantino movies and spending hours on Pinterest.

She loves to read almost as much as she loves to write.

 Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

GIVEAWAY

Signed paperback of Cartel

Gypsy Brothers swag pack containing signed

Cartel postcards and wristbands

Cartel signed wall poster

$25 amazon gift card

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NEW + Excerpt + Giveaway: Intoxicate by Tessa Teevan

Intoxicate, Book # 4 in the Explosive Series

Can be read as a standalone

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Day: January 29, 2015

 

Blurb

Marry me. Two words Kalli Montgomery never expected to say out loud to Xavier Cruz, even though she's been in love with the sexy, single father for as long as she can remember. Unfortunately, she hasn't just been friend-zoned for the past ten years. No, even worse, he's treated her like a little sister, no matter how hard she tried to prove she could be so much more. When she agrees to spend the summer as the caregiver for his daughter, Lily, she knows it's her last chance to finally make him take notice. As unexpected circumstances threaten to disrupt his home life, Xavier's desperate to keep his family together. He'll do whatever it takes, even if it means marrying a woman he doesn't love. For Xavier and Lily, Kalli will do just about anything, even at the risk of getting her heart broken in the process. Little does she know, sometimes love isn't quite as unrequited as one may think. Xavier sees her-he always has. And the vow he made all those years ago never to go there with his best friend's little sister is wavering, and it's wavering fast. When they come up with a plan that leads to wedding bells, it's a no brainer. This marriage of convenience has one rule: absolutely no falling in love. Easier said than done. Throw together a girl who believes rules are meant to be broken, and a man whose whole career revolves around following orders and you get a recipe for disaster. What could possibly go wrong?  

Purchase the Book!

Amazon US | UK | CA | AU

 

Playlist

 

Excerpt

Shooting a glare at him, I throw my hands up in exasperation. “Are you telling me that this whole anticipation thing is one-sided? Is it that easy for you to resist? I really need to step up my game.” Xavier’s eyes fall to my lips for a quick moment before he looks back up at me. I see the desire in his expression, and without him even saying a word, I know he wants this, too. So why is he making me wait? “You have no idea how much I want to kiss you right now. How many times I’ve thought of doing just that. Every time you were curled up against me on the couch, I wanted to kiss you. Every morning when you showed up, I wanted to kiss you. Every time you said goodnight to Lily and then slipped out my door? I wanted to kiss you before you left. It’s not a new development. The first time I ever saw you, Kalli, I wanted to kiss you. And I’ve wanted to ever since.” His admission floors me. He’s told me before that he “saw” me, but I had no clue it was from the very beginning. I’m not really sure how to process it. In fact, he beats me to the punch. “So now you know. This will be just as hard for me, but it will be so damn worth it. Because when you’ve wanted something for as long as I’ve wanted you? It’ll be the best feeling in the world when I finally get it.” “Our first kiss will be that epic?” “A first kiss to rival them all,” he quips, grinning at me. He holds his arms out wide. “Now, we’ll start with a hug and work our way up.” “I feel like I’m sixteen again,” I tell him as I wrap my arms around his waist. His hands come down to my back and he gives me a big squeeze, my head pressing against his firm chest. I love this feeling of being in his arms, him holding me close. There’s nowhere on the planet I’d rather be than right here with him. As much as I want him, I know he’s right. I don’t care when it comes. Because when it does, our first kiss will be unforgettable. His chest rumbles as he chuckles. He squeezes me tight one last time before letting me go. “And it’s only just the beginning,” he tells me. “Have a good night, crazy girl.”

Ignite (Explosive #1) | Incinerate (Explosive #2) | Inflame (Explosive #3)

Author Bio

I'm a twenty something book junkie who is also obsessed with sports. Bengals, Buckeyes, Reds are my teams! I work for the government during the day, hang out with Air National Guard on the weekends, and have been married to my own book boyfriend for over seven years. We currently live right outside of Dayton, OH with our two cats. If I’m not writing or looking through tons of photos of hot men, all in the name of research, then you can probably find me curled up with my Kindle, ignoring the rest of the world. I love my sports almost as much as I love my books. My other obsessions include red wine, hot men, country music, and all things Grace Potter.  

Connect with the Author

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Goodreads

 

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REVIEW: The Awakening of Ivy Leavold by Sierra Simone

Yorkshire, 1879

I am alone...
When Ivy Leavold is left destitute by her brother’s death, she is taken in by her cousin’s brooding, tortured widower—Julian Markham. Handsome and possessive, it’s not long before Ivy falls for him. But Mr. Markham has dark secrets, secrets that may put Ivy in danger...

I am afraid...As Ivy unravels the mystery surrounding her cousin’s death, she falls deeper and deeper in love with Julian, who opens her body and her mind to his indomitable will. But even as he draws pleasure and desire from her night after night, Ivy can’t shake the feeling that their passionate affair may end in violence…

And I'm completely his

***

The Awakening of Ivy Leavold is the first book in the Markham Hall Trilogy. It is 40,000 words.

***For Mature Audiences only**

Kindle Edition, 241 pages
Published January 12th 2015

Source: Purchased

Purchase this book: Goodreads | Amazon

Shel: All of our blogger friends were raving about The Awakening of Ivy Leavold and I had some time to read..so I said efff it, I'm going to give this a shot. It had been a while since I'd read historical romance...like probably a decade...so I wasn't sure how or if I'd like it. Well ladies...grab your shamwow panties and carve out a little time because I think you're going to enjoy this one! Court: I think I've only read really, maybe ONE, historical romance...so I was excited about this one after all of the feedback we've read about it! Why? Because it is proclaimed to be so effing hot. And it was. And I loved it! LOVED! 

Shel: I cannot tell you if it's historically accurate and honestly, I don't care. I enjoyed the chemistry between Julian and Ivy. I liked how headstrong she was and how he liked that about her. I love that she was realistic and confident in who she was. Of course I liked the steamy sex scenes and the party scenes with Julian's friends (and I'd love to know more about them, for sure). And now I'm fixated on the mystery of who killed Violet. I HAVE THEORIES..and they have a very Clue-like feel to them...

I think ___ did it with a ___ in the ___.

...and wait until the end, it'll have you clamoring for more. 

Court: Hahaha. That is perfect. I have theories too! And...just, whoa! Whoa! The scenes are beautiful. The descriptions of the landscape, and the outdoors (I love that she loves being outside so much, and explores this place that she has been thrust upon). I too, don't know much about this time period or location...but I did notice that not all of the dialogue is super complicated, and somewhat modern. I think I appreciate this, not that I can't appreciate it otherwise...but I guess I was so in the moment that I couldn't care less. Just an FYI! 

Court: Also...Ivy. Ivy is a great young character (she is 19) and she is in a time period where it does not do for a young woman to prance about chasing after a man. But Mr. Julian Markham is not a man to be ignored, and I loved their dynamic from the first page. Mr. Markham also has his flaws about him, and lots and lots of rumors about him! so I therefore have to know more about this man! We need in his head, or him to tell Ivy things. He is so vocal during sex, I need him to be vocal all of the time!!! And I mean vocal! Love it. Love it. Love it. 

Shel: I hope if you've never read historical romances, you'll give this one a shot. It's set in the past with a very modern feel to it. (And Julian has the hottest, filthiest mouth...). Court: Doesn't he! I enjoyed it. The pacing is great, even for a shorter novel/novella. I can't wait for the next installment, because yes folks we get MORE! And we always LOVE MORE! 

Shel: Happy Reading!

About the Author:

Sierra Simone is a librarian who writes unabashedly sexy books with brains, beauty and big words. She lives with her hot cop husband and family in Kansas City.

You can stalk her on tumblr and pinterest.

You can also find her at authorsierrasimone.com or email her at thesierrasimone@gmail.com.

Author Links:

Facebook | Website | Email | Tumblr | Author Goodreads | Pinterest

COVER REVEAL: CLEAR: A Death Trippers Novel By Jessica Park

Check out the gorgeous cover for CLEAR: A Death Trippers Novel by Jessica Park!

Title: CLEAR: A Death Trippers Novel

Age: NA

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Author: Jessica Park

Cover Designer: The Cover Lure

Release date: February 17, 2015

Goodreads

Blurb:

Stella Ford’s grasp on reality is already loose, and it’s about to come undone.

When the college junior flees Chicago and leaves her toxic family behind, she heads for coastal Maine to find the one person who brought her peace years ago: Sam Bishop. But the Sam she once knew now has painful secrets.  

Stella is determined to heal them both. Healing, however, is a challenge when the walls of her everyday existence collapse. And when Sam’s best friend is his worst enemy.

When the line between life and death blurs.

When an end is just a beginning.

When lust and rage rule.

Yet during extraordinary chaos, there can be extraordinary love, even if that love comes with a twist.

Welcome to death tripping.

A thriller, a paranormal, and a passionate romance, CLEAR crosses genres and breaks boundaries.

About the Author:

Jessica is the author of LEFT DROWNING, the New York Times bestselling FLAT-OUT LOVE (and the companion piece FLAT-OUT MATT), and RELATIVELY FAMOUS. She lives in New Hampshire where she spends an obscene amount time thinking about rocker boys and their guitars, complex caffeinated beverages, and tropical vacations. On the rare occasions that she is able to focus on other things, she writes.

Please visit her at jessicapark.me and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/authorjessicapark and Twitter @JessicaPark24

NEW RELEASE: Rise by Karina Bliss

NEW RELEASE

Adult Contemporary Rockstar Romance

Release: January 28, 2015

Amazon Print | Kindle | Nook | iBooks | Kobo

“You have the ability to make controversial characters sympathetic. Maybe I just want to be understood.”

Acclaimed literary biographer Elizabeth Winston writes about long-dead heroes. So bad boy rock icon Zander Freedman couldn’t possibly tempt her to write his memoir. Except the man is a mass of fascinating contradictions - manipulative, honest, gifted, charismatic, morally ambiguous.

In short, everything she sought in a biography subject. When in her life will she get another chance to work with a living legend? But saying yes to one temptation soon leads to another.

Suddenly she’s having heated fantasies about her subject, fantasies this blue-eyed-devil is only too willing to stoke. She’d thought self-control was in her DNA, after all she grew up a minister’s daughter. She thought wrong.


Outside your comfort zone is the only place worth living...

Zander Freedman has been an outlier - many would say an outcast – for most of his life. But there’s no disaster he can’t overcome, from the break-up of his band to the fall-out on his reputation. His Resurrection Tour is shaping up to be his greatest triumph - if his golden voice holds out. Contracting a respected biographer is simply about creating more buzz; Elizabeth's integrity the key to consolidating his legacy as one of rock’s greats.

All the damn woman has to do is write down what he tells her. Not make him think.

Or encourage the good guy struggling to get out. And certainly not to fall in love for the first time in his life.

Turns out he is scared of something - being known.

Rise - a redemption story of a rock star going straight(er) through the love of a good(ish) woman.

Add to your Goodreads list!

Why are rock stars so popular with readers?

By Karina Bliss

Oh sure, they’re sexy, rich and famous but so are a lot of other fictional romance heroes. Here are four traits that distinguish rock stars from other bad-boy heroes:

1. They’re musically gifted, which means they’re creative, playful, pre-disposed to sensitivity and have a sense of rhythm. Useful to our heroine in all sorts of ways...

2. They don’t have to be alphas. The band dynamics throw up opportunities to write the artistically-sensitive beta. Not every hero has to be a showman, (though the hero of Rise, Zander Freedman, definitely is!). But because of their musical temperament, even the alpha rockers are more emotionally expressive than other hero types like your warrior or chief.

3. They’re unobtainable. Every woman wants them but only one – the heroine – can win their heart.

4. They’re born rebels. Musicians are genetically pre-disposed to being self-determining, stubborn and interesting individuals because they choose the road less traveled.

Do you agree or do you believe rock stars are the self-indulgent, depraved egotists my heroine expects Zander to be? Enter the Release Giveaway and go into the draw for an e-book of Rise.

About the Author

New Zealander Karina Bliss’s debut, Mr Imperfect, won a Romantic Book of the Year award in Australia, the first of eleven books published through Harlequin SuperRomance. Her most recent release, A Prior Engagement, was a Desert Island Keeper at likesbooks.com. Her next release, Rise, is a single title, self-published contemporary which continues the story of Zander Freedman, who first appeared as a villain inKarina’s bestselling title, What the Librarian Did – a book that made DearAuthor’s Best of the Year list in 2010.Two of Karina’s books have also featured in Sizzling Book Chats at SmartBitchesTrashyBooks.

Find out more at www.karinabliss.com

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