Tuesday, December 31, 2013

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: Three Broken Promises by Monica Murphy

Breakout New Adult sensation Monica Murphy returns with a hot new contemporary romance—a heartfelt story of second chances, forgiveness, and redemption.

Commitment. That’s what I really want from Colin. Ever since my brother, Danny, died in Iraq, Colin’s done so much to help me, including giving me a job at his popular restaurant so I can leave my crappy waitressing job at the strip joint. But lying in bed with him every night to comfort him from his horrible nightmares isn’t enough anymore. I know he feels guilty about Danny’s death, about not going to Iraq, but I can’t keep living this double life.

I love him desperately, but he’s got so many demons, and if he can’t open up to me now, then he’ll never be the real partner I need him to be. I gave him a month, and now I’m out of here. If he truly loves me like he says, he knows where to find me.





https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17969384-three-broken-promises?ac=1

“You’re going to turn me away yet again, aren’t you?” she asks when I don’t say anything. The irritation in her voice rings clear as her entire body goes tense. “I can’t believe it. I offer myself up to you with no strings attached and you’re trying to figure out how to let me down easy. God, I am such a moron.”

Unable to hold myself back, I rush toward her, angry that she would insult herself. Panicked that she really is going to walk away and I’m going to lose my chance. Thinking too much sucks. I need to just let it happen. Take this opportunity that she’s presenting me.

And let her go when our time is up.

“You’re not a moron,” I murmur, reaching for her. I cup her face in my hands and position her so she has no choice but to meet my gaze. I skim my thumbs across her cheeks, feel her shudder at my touch. “You make an offer like that and a man needs to process it first.”

The unshed tears still glimmer in her eyes and one escapes, leaving a damp trail across her skin. Leaning in, I stop its descent with my lips, tasting the salt, hearing the catch in her breath. “We do this and it’s not going to be some half-assed thing, you know,” I whisper.

She closes her eyes, her tears tangled in her long, thick lashes. “What’s it going to be, then?”

“A discovery.” I nuzzle her nose with my own, breathing in her scent, her very essence. God, I could devour her! It’s taking everything within me to keep calm and not unleash all over her. “An exploration.”

“That sounds like . . . research.” Her breath hitches in her throat when I drop a tender kiss on the tip of her nose.

Chuckling, I shake my head. “It’s the farthest thing from research.” I drift my lips across her cheek, blazing a hot path on her petal-soft skin. “You’re right when you said I don’t do commitment. The closest thing I’ve ever been to commitment is . . . what I share with you.”

She tentatively places her hands on my hips, her fingers curling into the waistband of my jeans. Having her hands on me sends little darts of fire throughout my insides, making me harden in an instant. She has no idea what sort of effect she has on me. How much restraint I’m using at this very moment not to throw her over my shoulder like an oversexed caveman and cart her off to my bedroom.

“But it can be no more than friendship with added . . . benefits.” I lift my head so I can look into her troubled gaze. She doesn’t like what I have to say and I don’t like it either, but I have to be honest. Stringing her along and making her believe this is something more is a mistake.

The two of us together would never work. I’m too damn selfish. I’d disappoint her. I’d hold her back when she needs her freedom. I’m not worthy of her. She’s everything sweet and good in my life, where there’s little sweet and good remaining.

I’ve kept her—and our relationship—as pure as possible even after all of these years. With the realization that she’s leaving me, that we’ll never be together again, I need to take my opportunities where I can.

Jen bites her lip and drops her gaze. “I can handle that.”

Her body language is more than telling me she doesn’t really want to handle that, but I can’t worry about it now.

I want her too damn much.


New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite. A wife and mother of three, she writes New Adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She is the author of One Week Girlfriend and Second Chance Boyfriend.



 


Monday, December 30, 2013

TOP 25 Authors I Can't Live Without - 2013

I read a lot. Even so,  this list was probably one of the easiest for me to put together. There wasn't a lot of hemming and hawing - going back and forth. This list is pretty tried and true for me. Anyone who knows me, know that if I recommend a book, it will probably more than likely come from one of these 25 authors. And the amazing thing is that over the past year, I have come to be friends with quite a few of these ladies. So it's an honor to name these women my tops of 2013. *as before they are in no particular order - because all of them mean so much to me. <3 And you may ask, what is it that makes them my top 25. Well if I get a manuscript from them, I will pretty much drop anything and everything I am doing to start reading. :) If you click on their names, it will take you to their Amazon Author Pages so you can purchase their books and get to reading!









   1.  Ok so I may have fibbed a bit. This woman is my Number ONE, I will do anything for her at the drop of a pin. Raine Miller. This woman deserves a standing ovation anytime she walks into a room for giving the world Ethan Blackstone! And not only did she give us Ethan but we also got Neil McManus from just this past month. She was the first author I friended on FB and we have been through a whirlwind of a year together.  If you haven't read the Blackstone Affair (and I am amazed there are still a few of you out there and I forgive you) add them to your TBR now and then start reading! You can check out all of my trailers for the Blackstone Affair and for Cherry Girl here:

   
 



  2.   Rachel Van Dyken - This girl, she amazes and astonishes me on a daily basis. She is my little sister from another mister. And I can not believe I had never read any of her books before October of this year! She is a writing machine and her husband actually locks up her computer at times so she will take a break. Her writing is witty, comical, heart wrenching at times and always leaves me with a smile on my face. Her love of Swedish Fish is beyond compare to anyone else I know and she has agreed to sing a song at my vow renewal in 2017 for my 20th wedding anniversary and be one of my bridesmaid. We virtually shook on it...its a done deal. She released SEVEN books in 2013 and I think I have read them each at least 3 times. I am so happy that she allowed me to stalk her! You can see the trailers I did for her HERE.

  3.  Kelly Elliott - This woman can write Texas romance like no other. When I read a Kelly Elliott book I know that I am going to get a book about family, love, true romance and Texas at its best. She is a Hobby Lobby Addict (so if you are in a Hobby Lobby in the Austin or San Antonio area and think you see her - it is probably her!) Her Wanted Series and now her Broken Series makes my heart happy.


  4.   Heidi McLaughlin - Rockers. (Check) Melt you on the spot. (Check) Want to move to Beaumont. (Check). I totally get lost in Heidi's books. I have been with her since Forever My Girl came out and have loved every moment of the journey with 4225 West this year. I have been lucky to see Heidi a few times this year and can't wait until we get to meet up again. Go buy the Beaumont Series, Meet Liam and Josie, Harrison and Katelyn, Jimmy and Jenna...Be with the "In" crowd ;)

 5.  Lauren Blakely - I believe it was Kelly Simmons who contacted me and asked if I would like to review a book for Lauren Blakely. I had seen her name around on various blogs, but as a one woman blog team - it's impossible to read everyone that you want. I had been wanting to read her books because I heard they were fabulous and so I said yes! sign me up. Boy am I ever glad I did. I had a Lauren Blakely marathon that weekend. After reading Playing with Her Heart, I went back and bought every Lauren Blakely book out there. And now if Kelly says Lauren - I don't have to think. Yes Yes Yes sign me up! Her books, you can picture yourself there. My love for Broadway, Working in the Music Business...all my dream jobs I can live through Lauren's books.

 6.  Michelle A. Valentine - Black Falcon - Need I say more! Plus Michelle wrote the first paranormal novel that I ever read in its entirety and was hooked on Demon At Your Door. When I met her in NYC the first thing I told her was that I loved DaYD and wanted to make it into a movie. I believe her response was Hell Yeah! I call her the Humanitarian, she calls me the Mayor. If you ever see us together...watch out. Crazy is coming your way!

 7.  Monica Murphy - I remember getting the email from my friend Christine asking me if I would like to be on the tour for a new author that she knew I was going to love. Drew and Fable pulled me into their Marshmellow world and I have held tight ever since. And not only am I hooked on Drew + Fable but also her Bilionaire Bachelor Club Series too. So so good. This was the book reveal we did with one week girlfriend...way back when.


 

8.  Katie Ashley - Aiden Fitzpatrick, AJ Resendiz, Jake Slater, Rhys McGowan, Noah Sullivan, Maddox Diaz. Katie's books are those that gives you great leading males and heroines that don't put up with being walked over. These are books you just can't put down. You wait for your Kindle to update for the next book to download. I can always be guarenteed a good laugh, hot steamy scenes and a tale that will leave me smiling at the end.

 9.  Jillian Dodd - I just have to say that The Keatyn Chronicles are my guilty pleasure. I had read That Boy and That Wedding by Jillian first but then I saw Stalk Me free on iTunes and so I thought well I loved her other books, why not try it out. Keatyn oh my goodness. This girl. I was this girl as a teen. Well not, the daughter of a movie star who lives this fabulous life - but the girl who movie scripted her life. I connected, she was everything I wanted to be as a teen. As soon as the next book in the series hits, I pre-order and wait for it download at 1am and then start reading immediately. 

10.  L.B Simmons - LB's Mending Hearts series, Love Love Love and Love. This woman could write the phone book and make me sigh. Romance, heart breaking love, healing and redemption. Three of the cutest little girls you will ever meet. And every time I see LB I just want to hug and squeeze her and tell her thank you for some of the best reads this year!

11. Kristen Proby - Another woman who needs a standing ovation for those Montgomery Men. Lawd have mercy. Movie Star, Football Player, Rock Star, Navy Seal. I want to start over in my next life - hopefully that is an alternative universe where these men are real and I live in Seattle to meet just one of them! Please! And now Kristen has a Montana Series that I am about to dive into for 2014! Oh I can't wait!

12. Jen Frederick - Addiction. That is the one word that describes my love of Jen Frederick. Her Woodland Series - I adore but not as much as her Charlotte Chronicles in which I stalk my email weekly for the next installment. I am so excited to start her new series that she is co-writing with Jessica Clare - The Hitman Series.

13.  Molly McAdams - Molly oh Molly - She is the first author that made me get in a fight with my husband over a book. It was 3 am and I was reading Taking Chances and I came to THAT scene. Those of you who have read the book, know the scene. I ugly cried, I started to hyperventilated and he awoke to me crying and gulping for air. I tried to explain to him what was going on as he is asking me questions trying to figure out what on earth is going on. I finally grab my nook and show him and he literally PUSHED me out of the bed and said he could not believe I was crying over a book! There is much more to that story - but I can't tell you because then you will know exactly what happened (for those of you who haven't read it). I love Molly's Fan Club T-Shirts - "Got Tears?" She will bring them out of you... and sometimes when I need a good cry all I have to do is go to Molly! LOL.

14.  R.K. Lilley - Mr. Beautiful. Need I say more? Ok I will say a little more. Rebecca's Up in the Air Series was probably one of the most talked about among my friends and I this year. I was absorbed with the life of James and Bianca. Their unique love and the music playlist consumed me for a good month. Then there was Lana and Tristan and Danika. Another truly guilty pleasure and probably one of the best endings to a series ever! 

15.  Colleen Hoover - When I first started reading again, one of the first series I read was the Slammed Series by Colleen. I devoured the books and then read them two more times and then I told every friend I knew to read the books and I even lent out my copies to a friend (which I haven't received back yet!) And then came Hopeless and I cried and cried and then called a friend and cried again. And then Losing Hope - which was the same story but only thorugh Holder's POV and I think I cried even harder! LOL. I really am as sap. But the best part was that I worked a signing in Austin and Colleen was there with the ever so cute Griffin and got the first copy of Losing Hope signed by Griffin and Colleen. This picture is a very happy Becca! Grab a box of tissue and grab a book my Colleen. 



16.  Melissa Brown - My friends kept asking me if I had read Bouquet Toss by Melissa Brown. I hadn't but this was another book that I saw go free on Amazon. I fell in love with the words pouring out of the page. I felt the pain because I had been through this with friends of mine. I connected and Melissa has not disappointed me one step of the way. Her Love of my Life Series is pure bliss to me.

17.  E.L. Montes - Emmy was probably the second friend that I made on FB. I had read Disastrous and fell in love with Marcus Delucas. I have always had a soft spot for Boston and so Marcus appealed to me in so many ways. We had long chats about the meaning behind some of the things that Marcus would do, we talked trailers, book covers, she became my daughter Emmy's favorite author in the world because she has the coolest name EVER. She introduced me to some awesome authors and I am blessed to call her a friend. I can't wait to read her newest adventure releasing in Feb 2014 Perfectly Damaged. I will always have a special place in my heart for Marcus.




18.  Harper Sloan - Um Harper, Holly and I are dead serious! We want to come live in Georgia and live in the world that is Axel, Cage, Beck, Cooper and Locke. And sweet baby Jesus we can not forget about Sway! OH Sway!! I can be a reporter, Holly can work for Sway. I mean come on.. Hotter than sin Marine Corp men who are Alpha protective of their family and friends. Ummm Yes please!! This series is marvelous! I will drop anything for these men.

19.  Tasha Ivey -I sat crying reading Destiny Ever-changing. And then came Every Breathe and Every Kiss. And like I said yesterday Tasha's books to me are home. I just feel like I live in their universe. I want to be friends with her characters. I was want to hang out. Never leave. Yes I am one of those friends, that you have to kick me out. I just love Tasha and her writing. She asks me to do something for her. Done.

20.  Emily Snow - From Rockers to Fallen Movie Stars Emily Snow has a way with word that winds me up. I get obsessed with the words as they poor out of the page as if she is sitting in front of me, talking to me and telling the story to me personally. Yeah Emily. Read her. You won't be sorry.

21.  LK Collins - I remember the sweet email I got from LK Collins right before Fatalism came out. Thanking me for taking the time to read her book. And then I met her in Vegas and just fell in love with her. It's funny how the sweet ones can write the steamiest of scenes. I love this series and each book gets better. Check her out. Buy the series. Meet Vincent and Abel and next comes Troy!

22.  Paige Weaver - When I started reading Promise Me Darkness, it took me back to the time when I really feel in love with reading. One of my favorite books as a teen was Alas Babylon by Pat Frank. Promise Me Darkness and Promise Me Light took me back to those days. This is an apocolypic story with a love story that had me weak in the knees. Ryder Delaney totally took me by storm. The bad boy who thinks he's not good enough for the girl who all she wants to do is love him. Sigh...gets me every time. :)

23.  Julie Richman - Julie contacted me while she was writing Searching for Moore. She was getting ready to release and really didn't know what to do. Someone had told her that I liked working with new authors and that maybe I could help her figure some things out. And since we were fellow Texans. Why Not! I fell in love with Schooner Moore. I loved that this was a love story with people my age. I loved the devotion and the connection and I loved talking about it all with Julie. Meet Schooner and Mia. It's a long journey but one that I can't wait to see how it ends.

24.  Kristy Bromberg - Fast cars, hot driver, love story that drives you insane because you know they are made for each other....WHY Why can't they see it themselves. Kristy and I start talking at the beginning of the Summer. I had her books, but since I wasn't on a tour, they were a low priority. As soon as I would get ready to read them, thinking I finally have time, something would come up. So when the tour came around for Fueled - I signed up and then I kicked myself for days for not reading these books sooner. Although I was extremely happy that I had book 2 to dive into right away. If I would have had to wait for that book, I would have gone insane. So now...if Kristy

25.  Tara Sivec - Tara oh Tara. The person who made my mom tell people I work in the soft porn business (True Story). Oh how I love Tara and her warped sense of humor that I so get.  Just read. And you will be gasping for air and laughing so hard, you may pee your pants. (just a fair warning) And her books were the other book that I read, that got me kicked out of my bed at 3 am because I was laughing too loud. Buy all her books. Just do it.

26. J.B. Hartnett -  I know I said Top 25 but I lied! Julie I think needs to be added because she really deserves to be on both of my lists for New Authors and Authors I would drop everything for. Inky, Cole and now Nico coming in February are just stunning, incredible, blew me away reads. They are dark and thought provoking and nothing like my usual read and I think that is why I LOVE them SOOOOOO Much. 


This is how I feel when I first get a book by from any of these authors into my hands.

Hopefully there are some authors here that maybe you have never heard of and will give a try! Check back with me tomorrow as I count down my top 15 Boyfriends and Girlfriends of the Year - Plus my Top 25 Must Reads of the Year! Have a safe and fun New Year Eve and I will see y'all in 2014! 

2013 TOP 25 Authors - Part 1

So here it is, that time of year to make our lists and share with you who our faves are. This is the toughest thing to do for a person like myself. Number one...I have read a lot of books this year. I am almost to 300 books, meaning I read close to 1.2 books per day. That's a lot of books and a lot of authors. 

So making these lists are like choosing your favorite child. You can't really do it. But instead of listing everything and everyone that I have read this year, you can go to my Goodreads profile and just look at it yourself. You can do that HERE. And if you want to see what I am planning on reading still, you can do it HERE. I currently have 1138 Books on my TBR list and I am sure I am missing a ton of books that I would love to read. So you get where I am coming from?  

So I thought I would start with my easier of the lists and that is my Fave Authors. 

There will be two lists. The first - Authors I can't live without. When these ladies put out a book, I usually stop whatever I am doing and pick up their books. The second list is New Authors I think you should give a try. This year there was a flood of new authors some of the truly amazing! So here we go with my lists.

This year was the breakout year for Authors. There were so many new books and new authors hitting the scene, it was hard to keep up. I met some truly amazingly talented women this year and this is just a small taste of the talent that is out there. Those on this list had books that blew me away and had there first books published in 2013. They are in no particular order because that is just too hard to do. I promise you, you will not be disappointed with any of these reads! If you click on their names it will take you to their Goodreads Profiles so you can check out their books.

  1. Melissa L. Delgado - I found Melissa through Emmy Montes. She gifted me the book and told me that I would love the book and she wanted me to do a trailer for it too. As soon as I started to read, I fell in love. Melissa has a way with works and I totally fell in love with the Dean Brothers. Book #2 Ending a Torn Past in her Journey series is coming out in early 2014. Here is the Trailer I did for Ending a Broken Journey.


  
2. Brenda Rothert - I just recently found Brenda through a blog tour that I signed up for. She has become one of my addictions. Especially her Bound Series which I am absolutely in love with. Read her books!

  3. Andria Large -  Have you meet the Beck Brothers? Henry, Sabastian, Quinn and Christian. If not, you must run to Amazon right this minute and buy this series. I could not put these books down and spent an entire 24 hours reading all four books back to back! Plus if you are a big fan of Emma Chase and Tangled, then you will love The Taboo Series with her first book, co-written with MD

  
  5. Elyssa Patrick - One of my favorite Rock Romance's - but of a different kind, whereas the female lead is the rock/pop star. Can't wait for the rest of her series. Seriously loved this book!

  6. Barbie Borhman - Promise Me was a book that I absolutely adored. Such a great read for a debut author. Can't wait for more from Ms. Borhman! Plus I did a trailer for Promise Me too.  



  7. Melanie Dawn - I loved Melanie's debut - So Much It Hurts. It was different than your typical HEA. Great writing and can't wait for book 2 in the series!

  8. Jessica Ingro - Angst Driven, Hot Sex, Love Story of a different kind - Check Check Check. Now go read.

  9. Bayli Lane - I really loved this debut from Bayli Lane. I especially loved Lily and Colton. 

10. Nacole Stayton - The Upside of Letting Go was another fave of mine last year. There were twisted and turns and mystery and some angst and raw love. Sigh...and then she wrote A Graceful Mess and I loved her a little more.

11. Tasha Ivey - Tasha's books to me are Home. Her hero as good ole southern boys and her heroines are strong willed southern women and I just love love love her to death!

12. Renee Carlino - Sweet Thing tugged at my heart and made it sing. Such a great love story. I can't wait for more from Renee!

13. Mia Henry - Love her style. Love her writing, love her characters. Love her.

14. Rachel Van Dyken -  Rachel's not really a new author, but she made her debut into the Contempory Genre full force this year with some incredible reads. Want to laugh, cry, fall head over heals for her heros. Yes please. Seven books this year alone. She is a writing machine with several series that are all oh so good. Here are a few of the trailers I have done for her this year.




15. Kristy Bromberg - One name - Colton Donovan. Racecar Driver, Smart Ass, Broken but Sexy as all hell. Go now...


16. Julie Richman - A leading man my age and with a name you will never forget - Schooner Moore.  Julie knows how to tell a story that will have you on edge and you'll laugh and cry and ask WHY??? 



 17. Gail McHugh - I am not big into angst. I can take a little here and then. But let me tell you that Gail is the QUEEN mother of angst. I would text her back and forth while reading, claiming that if my heart gave out, it would all be her fault! Gavin is so worth the angst. 



18. Rebecca Shea - I love tales of those who grow up together and then fall in love - Unbreakable is one such story that will take you on a roller coaster of a ride. Love me some Rebecca Shea or Becca Squared as I like to call her when we are together.

19. Erika Ashby - I was entranced with Erika and her novels. I started book 1 around lunch time and stayed up for a good 18 hours reading the entire series at that point. Plot twists, angst and finding your true love. <3

20. Jen Frederick - I am a woman obsessed with Jen Fredrick's Woodland's series. And if you subscribe to her newsletter, you get her spinoff Charlotte Chronicles. I stalk my email each week waiting for the next installment. Her words flow so easily before you know it, you have been reading for hours. I never want this series to end and with Charlotte, I think my wish might come true, especially after reading her Christmas Snow Kissed!

17. LK Collins - I met LK while I was in Vegas and totally fell in love with her. I would totally stalk her and move near her just to be her best friend. (am I sounding like a stalker?) That's why when she releases a book, I HAVE to be on her tour and I HAVE to do an interview with her characters. I need to be a part of their world. Here is my Interview with Abel.

18. Lisa De Jong - One of the best emotional reads of the year - When it Rains and her Plastic Hearts Series was so so good. All her books are a must to your TBR.

19. Gabbie S. Duran - A great debut that was a little different. Some paranormal feel to it, but not really categorized as such. Loved the characters and I had a good laugh and cry both with this book. It's a great read.

20. Harper Sloan - Sweet Baby Jesus! If you have not met Sway and the boys of Security Corps, you just have not lived. Hot Alpha Male sex on a stick Marines in the deep south! Yes please, sign me up. I am trying to convince her to write Holly and I into her next novel. Hey a girl can dream.

21. Sloan Johnson - Sloan writes BDSM is a different light. The Isthmus Alliance Series pulls you in and tugs at your heart and makes you look at this lifestyle in a different way. I have loved each of her books and can't wait for the next.

22. Melissa Rolka - Well written and I am looking forward to more from this author.

23. Faith Andrews - Man of My Dreams was a great read and it was a relate-able and most true to life story. I could see it happening to me, to my best friend. Those are the stories that make you think.

24. EK Blair - EK Blair was another author that I met in Vegas and just loved. She is one of the sweetest people I have met. I must admit, I have only just started reading her books. I have read some shorts that she has written. But what I have started I love and all of my friends rave about her and now I know why. I have already started the emotional rollercoaster and am on the uplift hill right now. I will let you know how great a ride it was when I am done with the series.

25. Erin Noelle - Erin has taken me from highs and lows with her boyfriend series. You will definitely pick sides. You will definitely have WTF! moments. You will swoon. You will cry. You may even throw your kindle up against the wall. And that's exactly the reaction she wants you to have! LOL. I love me some Erin!


 Come back Tomorrow for my 25 Authors I can't live without.
 In the meantime, so add these authors to your TBR lists!

BOOK BLITZ: Damian by Jessica Wood


Meet Damian Castillo. The man, the legend, the heartbreaker. As a self-proclaimed man-whore, Damian doesn’t believe in love or commitment. In fact, he can’t remember the last time he’s had feeling for a woman that went beyond hot, no-strings-attached sex. The only things he cares about are his bar, his appearance, and his needs.

But then he meets Alexis.

Meet Alexis Blythe. A small town girl that has lost a lot of love in her life. Wanting to leave her past behind her, she moves to San Francisco looking for a big change. Yet, despite everything she’s gone through, she still believes in true love.

But then she meets Damian.

When Alexis shows up at his bar, Damian’s caught by surprise. She’s different. She’s sweet, innocent, and feisty. But above all, this woman didn’t respond to his charm and piercing-blue eyes the way every other woman did. To Damian, she’s his ultimate challenge.

Could Alexis be the girl that will break through Damian’s wall of perpetual bachelorhood without getting hurt? Or will Damian remain true his ways and break Alexis’s heart and her hopes of true love?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18627856-damian


It was 9:10 p.m. on a Thursday night and two hours into my shift. I had just made three gin and tonics for a group of girls at the bar when I saw a ridiculously hot redhead walking toward me. Definitely a 9, I thought. Also, she looks familiar.
She leaned across the bar and seductively whispered into my ear. “Hey Damian.” I saw her full breasts heave as I felt her hot breath against my face.
“What’s up, beautiful?” I caught a scent of her floral perfume. She sat down on the bar stool in front of me. I looked at her and gave her the signature Damian smile.
“Have we fucked before?” I asked. I saw the hurt look on her face, but she quickly played it off.
Yes, we must have fucked before.
“Uh—No. No, we haven’t,” she said, avoiding my eyes.
Liar, I thought.
“So what can I get you?” I asked as I grabbed a clean glass from under the bar.
“A Screaming Orgasm,” she said seductively as she licked her lips.
I smiled and knew very well she was not just referring to the cocktail.
“I want it in a shot glass, and I want it Damian style.” She bit her lower lip and gave my body a once-over.
I chuckled. Of course. A Damian style shot was something I had came up with when I opened Damian’s. It had became an instant hit. It involved taking the shot you ordered as a body shot off the bartender you ordered the shot from. I got a lot of business from the Damian style shot, and I loved having girls take shots off my body.
“My name’s Courtney, by the way,” she offered. I wondered if she had been waiting for me to ask.
“Gotcha. So where’d you like the shot from?” I asked as I made the shot.
She gave me a meaningful smile and bit her lower lip. “From your mouth.”
“Sure thing.” I turned away from her and leaned my head back until my head and shoulders were flat against the bar table. I then placed the bottom of the shot glass into my mouth and waited for her to take it.
She looked down at me with lust in her eyes, and I knew I must have fucked her hard. And now she was coming back for more. She purposefully placed her hands on my chest as she bent down to take the shot with her mouth. She knocked the shot back quickly and removed the shot glass from her mouth. She then grabbed my face as she bent back down and kissed me hard with her lips. This usually happened after a Damian special shot off my mouth, so I was not at all surprised by her aggressiveness. I opened my mouth and her tongue eagerly explored me as moans escaped her lips.
When Courtney finally went up for air and released me from her grip, I stood back up and turned back to her to give her a wicked smile. I love my job.
And then my entire body tensed and my heart stopped when my eyes locked onto the last person I had expected to see.
Alexis.


Jessica Wood writes new adult contemporary romance. While she has lived in countless cities throughout the U.S., her heart belongs to San Francisco. To her, there’s something seductively romantic about the Golden Gate Bridge, the steep rolling hills of the city streets, the cable cars, and the Victorian-style architecture.
She loves a strong, masculine man with a witty personality. While she is headstrong and extremely independent, she can’t resist a man who takes control of the relationship, both outside and inside of the bedroom.
She loves to travel internationally, and tries to plan a yearly trip abroad. She also loves to cook and bake, and—to the benefit of her friends—she loves to share. She also enjoys ceramics and being creative with her hands. She has a weakness for good (maybe bad) TV shows; she’s up-to-date on over 25 current shows, and no, that wasn’t a joke. And it goes without saying, she loves books—they’re like old and dear friends who have always been there to make her laugh and make her cry.The one thing she wished she had more of is time.


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COVER REVEAL: Without A Trace by Laurie White

Magazine journalist Rachel Bennett has a reputation for getting to the heart of a story. However, when her sister disappears and is suspected of embezzling from her employer, the story has suddenly become personal. The last thing Rachel wants right now is the distraction of Sergeant Matt Romero, the detective assigned to the case. She wants a “safe” man…and Matt is anything but that.

Matt accepts the risk that goes with his job. Two years ago, his wife was murdered, a tragedy he blames himself for. He's vowed to protect his family and friends because he doesn't want to go through the pain of loss again. However, the lovely journalist soon begins breaking through the icy wall around his heart.

As Rachel and Matt search for answers in order to find her sister, they uncover a corruption that puts them both in danger – and a passion that puts both their hearts at risk.


RELEASE DATE: February 2014
Laurie White is the author of two published novels from Sweet Cravings Publishing. She loves writing sexy, suspenseful stories that feature strong heroines and troubled yet honorable heroes. In her other life, Laurie is a veterinary technician and proud momma of four cats. She lives in the hills of Tennessee.



Other Books by Laurie White


Wednesday, December 25, 2013

COVER REVEAL: Forever Ours by Cassia Leo

Forever Ours is the highly anticipated prequel to the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Shattered Hearts Series. This can be read as a stand alone or before Relentless.

Sometimes, it takes more than love to mend a shattered heart.

After eight years of being tossed around from one home to another, never forming any meaningful friendships or bonds with her foster families, Claire's caseworker gives her an ultimatum: Behave or your next home will be a halfway house.

When fifteen-year-old Claire arrives at the home of Jackie Knight and meets Jackie's fifteen-year-old son, tattooed guitarist Chris, she fears she'll be seeing the inside of that halfway house soon. But Chris isn't like any other guy Claire has ever encountered and he soon gains her trust through his music and unwavering patience.

Claire has finally found her forever home and she and Chris soon find themselves falling in love.

But Chris’s dreams of musical stardom and Claire’s need for a stable home soon put their love in jeopardy. Chris struggles deeply with his plans for the future, entirely reluctant to leave Claire behind; until Claire does something that may break their love — and the only home she’s comes to know — forever.





New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cassia Leo grew up in California and has lived in three different countries. She loves to travel and her dream is to one day score a record deal based on her awesome shower singing skills. She is the author of the Shattered Hearts series (Relentless, Pieces of You, Bring Me Home) and the Luke and Chase series.

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You can also follow her blog at http://cassialeo.com to stay up to date on new releases and giveaways.



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There are moments in life that you know will be burned into your memory forever. Chris calls these “movie screen moments” — where everything slows down and you know that something important is about to happen that will change the course of the story. He says that the best songs are written about movie screen moments. I don’t know if this is true. All I know is that this is one of those moments.
I can feel it in the air. And I know that when I look back, I’ll remember everything about this moment in time; the smells, the tastes, the sounds, and the touch. The touch.
Chris and I are both sitting on the carpet with our backs leaned against the sofa, our fingers woven together as MTV plays in the background. This is something we’ve done every day for the past six weeks, ever since summer break began. As soon as Jackie leaves for work in the morning, we both get up and have breakfast together. He usually makes me a bowl of cereal or I make us both some scrambled eggs. Then we hang out in the living room for a few hours until his friends come over. Sometimes, Chris plays his guitar for me. Sometimes, we sit here and pretend to watch MTV, holding hands while Mr. Miyagi lays out across both of our laps, begging to be petted. Well, I don’t know if Chris is pretending to watch MTV, but I know I am.
All I can seem to think about when I’m near Chris is whether or not this will last or if he will be just another person I have to lose. But this doesn’t stop me from enjoying these hours spent together. I’ve never been happier in all my life. Not even when my mom was alive.
I’ll admit. I was sort of hoping today would be different then all the other mornings Chris and I have hung out. Not that I don’t like this small moment of closeness we share every day. But today’s my sixteenth birthday. I guess I figured that would make today even more special for us. I was kind of hoping I might get my first kiss.
“Tristan’s coming over in half an hour and we’re going to the mall. You want to come?”
My heart sinks a little. Chris knows that Tristan and I don’t get along very well. He hasn’t even wished me a happy birthday and now he’s leaving to hang out with Tristan.
I try to let go of his hand and he tightens his grip. “What’s wrong?”
I attempt to pull my hand away again and this time he lets go. “I don’t want to go to the mall.”
“Are you okay?”
I stand up and he immediately stands with me. “I’m just tired. I think I’m gonna go back to bed.”
I take a few steps, but he grabs my hand to stop me. When I look over my shoulder at him, he’s wearing a crooked smile. “Can you take Mr. Miyagi upstairs with you?”
My shoulders slump as I turn toward Chris’s Shiba Inu where he’s lounging on the sofa.
Chris chuckles. “I’m only kidding. I’m not going anywhere with Tristan today. I’m taking you for a ride.”
“What?”
“On my bike.”
 “I’m not going on that thing.”
Chris got his motorcycle license the week after he turned sixteen less than three months ago. He’s been trying to get me to ride with him on his crappy racing bike ever since the first time I let him hold my hand.
“Come on,” he pleads. “I have something I want to show you, but I want to do it alone. I don’t want to ask Tristan to take us. Please?”
I stare into his eyes for a moment and he tilts his head. His brown hair always looks calculatedly messy, the way it’s just long enough to cover his ears yet still sticks out in all the right places. His skin is so smooth; I often find myself wishing I could press my lips to his cheek just to feel the softness of his skin. And don’t even get me started on the metal stud in his tongue. The way he plays with it when he’s tuning his guitar gives me butterflies. I don’t know what Chris sees in me other than the way my hand seems to fit so perfectly in his.
He pulls me a little closer and lifts my hand to his mouth. My heart races as he lays a soft kiss on my knuckles. “Claire, it’s your birthday. And I know you probably haven’t had a whole lot of birthdays you want to remember for the rest of your life, but I want this birthday to be the one you never forget. Let me take you for a ride.”
I stare at his lips as he says these words and that’s when it happens. This is that moment; the moment where everything slows down and nothing is ever the same.


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