SPOTLIGHT AUTHOR: C.C. Wood

C.C. Wood, I believe, is going to be my new best friend! I was introduced to her writing by a good friend of mine, who just knew that I would love C.C. and her rich stories. And as always, she was right! I have read 3 out of her 4 novellas and with each one I dive into, I love her more and more. And hey she's a fellow Texan, like myself, who loves Rock! See how she is becoming my new BFF? What I absolutely love about C.C. is that her characters are well thought out and you really get to know them. That is a rarity in most novellas. They leave you wanting more. I adore her Girls Next Door Series. The females are strong and the guys are HOT! So today I am spotlighting my friend (and soon to be BFF) C.C. Wood.

C.C. Wood lives in Texas with her husband. They are owned by two beagles, who are still training them to be good doggie parents.

If she is not reading or writing, C.C. can be found in the kitchen contemplating what to cook for dinner or rummaging through drawers for take-out menus. On occasion she finds herself waking up on the floor because she found her husband cooking in the kitchen and the shock was too much.

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS (Girl Next Door #1)

Natalie York is done with relationships. D-O-N-E. After her latest loverboy hits on her best friend, she's tired of playing games and having her heart broken. From now on, she's keeping things casual.

When Nat meets her sexy new neighbor, Aidan Hart, she decides his offer to be friends with benefits is perfect. Soon, Nat discovers perfection isn't all it's cracked up to be. Her ex reveals himself to be a slightly insane stalker, and, even worse, Nat discovers that keeping her heart locked up tight isn't working out like she planned. Either way, she's certain she's in for a bumpy ride.



FRENEMIES (Girl Next Door #2)

Cat Johnson has been badly burned in the past and likes to keep her relationships simple and, usually, short. When her best friend, Nat, gets engaged, Cat meets Nat's future brother-in-law, Patrick Hart, and sparks fly. The only hitch is his fiancee, Anya. Angry and disillusioned, Cat spends the next six months trading barbs with Patrick.

All that changes after Nat and Aidan get hitched. During the newlywed's two week honeymoon, Cat offers to housesit, only to discover her now-single arch nemesis is living next door. He's persistent and sexy-as-hell in his pursuit of her and Cat discovers there's more to like, maybe even love, about Patrick Hart than she once thought. She wonders if she can trust this man with her heart or too afraid to try



KISS ME

Six years ago Jake Coulter dumped Kaylie Masters. Though she refused to show it, Kaylie was devastated and never got over him. To make matters worse, Jake is friends with her older brother, Kevin.

Now, Kevin is engaged and Jake is his best man. There's no way Kaylie can avoid her ex. Strangely, Jake seems to be going out of his way to see her and ,after one kiss, they both discover the spark between them never died.

Today I am heading over to Nat and Aidan’s house for a little business with pleasure.  Natalie has invited me over to meet her BFF Cat and I will be talking to them about life after the invasion of the Hart Brothers into both of their lives.

As I walk towards the backyard with my bag, ready to hang with the girls and start working on my tan, I hear laughter breaking through the blaring rock music. Girls after my own heart! I peak my head over the fence and get a huge Hi Becca! from Nat as she comes over to let me in. I am in awe of this beautiful little oasis and enter through the gate to say hi to Cat as she hands me a drink and we get settled in to talk.

B: Thanks ladies for inviting me over for the day. Boy, did I ever need to start working on my tan! So how did the two of you meet? 

Cat: Well, there’s this bar where the women don’t wear…

Nat (interrupts): We met in college.  It’s been so long I don’t exactly remember what happened.

Cat: Of course you do.  That was the night the cops had to…

Nat knocks Cat off her lounger.

Nat: Cat doesn’t remember either.  She’s had one too many margaritas already.  That’s why she fell of her chair.

B: Nat was are the best qualities about Cat? The worst?

Nat: Cat is incredibly supportive.  She has always been there for me when I needed her.  She also knows exactly when to mix me a drink and what kind of drink it should be.  Oh, and every time I’ve been almost arrested, she’s been there.  Hmmm….her bad qualities.  Well, she’s bossy, stubborn, and clumsy.  She’s also the one who talks me into doing whatever got us “almost arrested”.

B: Same question for you Cat?

Cat:  Nat always makes me laugh.  She also gives amazing advice.  We have the best girls’ nights every time we get together.  Of course, now that we’re sisters-in-law, I’m legally obligated to hate her guts and gossip behind her back.  (Both girls laugh)  As for her less than redeeming qualities, well, she primps way too much when we go out and, while she gives great advice, she never takes it from others.  Oh, and  she doesn’t kiss and tell.

B: Cat, what did you first think of Aidan when you met him? Was he good enough for your friend?

Cat: I wasn’t sure at first.  I thought he would be good for her.  She was in a rut and I knew a man like him could shake her out of it.  Oh, and of course he’s fucking hot!  I’m just glad he also turned out to be a great guy.

B: Nat, was the set up with Patrick planned, or did it really just let it slip your mind to tell Cat about him living next door?

Nat:  Hell yes it was planned.  After all the shit Cat did to me over the years, I thought a little payback was in order.  Also, I knew Patrick was a good guy and I really didn’t want to see him get back with Anya.  She was not only a bitch but I’m pretty sure she was batshit crazy too.

B: So now…Best Friends to become Sister-In-Laws. Are those Hart Boys in trouble?

Nat (winks at Cat):  What do you think?

These girls like to ROCK! 

Kiss Me:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kiss-me-cc-wood/1114815906?ean=2940016210384

A Kiss for Christmas:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-kiss-for-christmas-cc-wood/1113933645?ean=2940015756951

Friends with Benefits:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/friends-with-benefits-cc-wood/1112840770?ean=2940015348132

Frenemies:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/frenemies-cc-wood/1112860709?ean=2940015348170

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DON'T MISS CC AND SOME OF HER FRIENDS IN 

DALLAS - MAY 18TH

BLOG TOUR: Rock My Bed by Michelle A. Valentine

Everything always seems to fall into place for twenty-four year-old Aubrey Jenson, except for when it comes to her luck with men. Bad boys always draw her in and crush her heart, and Black Falcon’s lead guitarist, Riff, is no exception. After sharing a few wild nights together, she leaves him behind; knowing a guy like Riff isn’t the relationship type, merely just a play thing. 

When she returns to New York, she tries to get the passion she felt in Riff’s arms out of her head by dating Isaac, a successful representative at Center Stage Marketing. Just when she thinks she’s forgotten Riff, she’s forced to see him again when her best friend, Lanie, ropes her into being a bridesmaid for her upcoming wedding to Black Falcon front man, Noel. 

Sparks fly instantly between Aubrey and Riff when they’re forced to reunite, and suddenly she finds herself caught between the man that’s good for her and the one who completely rocks her in every way. 

**New Adult Romance--Book 2 in the Black Falcon series. This book can be read without reading book one.**

When I was asked to review Rock the Bed and be on the blog tour I was so excited! I had Rock My Heart and Rock the Band, but they were sitting on my TBR list and I have still to touch them. Knowing that I was going on the tour, I was then forced to move them all up to the top of my list. So I started last Wednesday night after putting my kids to bed, thinking I would read a couple of chapters before heading to bed. As I was awaken by my kindle hitting me on the head (this is a very common) I looked to my clock as it read 3:45 am and realized that I only had a few more pages to the end of Book #2 Rock My Bed. Yes I stayed up all night and read all three of the books in the series! As tired as I was I just could not let go because HOLY BATMAN ROBIN those boys in Black Falcon are HAWT!!!

Although I loved Noel, I believe that Riff just stole my heart. Now I will tell you that you don't have to had read book #1 or book #1.5 in order to follow along with book #2. Rock My Bed actually goes back in the story nicely and fills you in on what's happening. 

Aubrey is 24 years old and she always falls for the bad boy. You would think that after getting burnt time and time again she would learn. At least that's what she thought. But in her quest to help her best friend reconnect with the love of her life, she runs into Riff. The mohawk, god gifted guitarist of Black Falcon, who passes out Golden Tickets to girls for a chance to be with him. Aubrey catches his eye and Aubrey sees him as her one last hurrah before having to settle down and find Mr. Right. So after a weekend of fun with Riff, Aubrey heads home, right into the arms of her boss who thinks he is just the right Mr. Right for her. But there is just something there with Riff that she can't shake.

Riff, who never has a problems finding someone to give tickets too, just can't shake Aubrey. There is something there, but what is it? Could Aubrey be the one to settle Riff down. After being screwed over by his past girlfriend, Riff isn't sure if he is ready to trust love. Can these two put their pasts aside in order to find love in the future? 

I love love love this series! if you want some hawt rockers then Black Falcon is the band for you. 

*I was given a ARC copy of Rock My Bed for a honest review of the book

Michelle’s Goodreads Author Page:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6540645.Michelle_A_Valentine

Michelle’s blog:

http://michelleavalentine.blogspot.com/

Michelle’s Facebook Author page:

Michelle’s Amazon Author page:

Click here to follow the tour

New York Times Best Selling author Michelle A. Valentine is a Central Ohio nurse turned author of erotic romance of forthcoming novels ROCK THE HEART (2012) and ROCK MY BED (2013). Her love of hard-rock music, tattoos and sexy musicians inspired her BLACK FALCON series.

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BLOG TOUR: Waiting on Forever by Ashley Wilcox

College.

Parties, sororities and getting drunk.

Oh, yeah. And learning.

This may be true for most college students, but not for Leah Bennett.  College life for her includes studying, working, and excelling in school.  When it comes to the social ladder, Leah is at the bottom.  Popular girls, hot guys and star athletes are of no importance to her, except for one.

Matthew Jacobs.

Matt is the starting wide receiver at SUNY Cortland, the most wanted guy on campus and Leah’s best friend.  Although Leah’s feelings toward Matt run deeper than just a friendship, it is something she would never let be heard because the odds of someone like Matthew Jacobs going for someone like Leah Bennett are slim to none.

When Matt starts showing an interest in Leah that goes beyond friendship, she is dumbfounded and doesn't believe it is possible – until one weekend that changes everything.

Will Matt and Leah’s popularity status get in the way of having a chance at a real relationship?

Or does status mean nothing when it comes to true love?

  

Leah, oh Leah. A girl after my own heart. She is not the most beautiful girl on campus, but she is a pretty, smart and intelligent girl. Which is quite the turn on for most guys. Especially a guy by the name of Matthew Jacobs. 

During Freshman Tours, Leah stood out from the crowd. She was no barbie, she was a real girl. Just the type of girl that the new super star wide receiver for SUNY Cortland was maybe looking for. But would an intelligent girl like Leah be interested in the guy who was soon to be the new BMOC (Big Man On Campus). He would have to work out a strategy to win her over and not scare her away.

Leah is Facebook friends with Matthew Jacobs. She meet him during the Freshman tour and has kept in touch with me, but suddenly Matt is showing up in places she least expects. In front of her dorm, in her class and all of a sudden in her daily life. Even though she has had a crush on Matt from day one. What is going on? Why her?

I loved this cute easy read. Matt and Leah's journey to finding each other is fun and sexy. There is drama, as there in any relationship. But I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more books in this series. 

Hi all! My name is Ashley Wilcox. I live in Upstate New York where I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and two beautiful little boys.

I’m a hopeless romantic! I love reading books that make my heart swell and stomach flutter. Sappy, I know, but like I said, I’m a sucker for a good love story. I’ve written two books, Planning on Forever and Summer Rush. Both novels are filled with steamy new adult romance, with a happily ever after.

Writing hasn’t always been a passion of mine. It wasn’t until I picked up the first book in the Fifty Shades of Grey series that I discovered my love for reading. From there I quickly became a bookaholic; reading book after book. Within no time, I had stories forming in my head begging to get out. After talking to fellow readers and authors, and doing a little research, I opened my laptop and started typing; Planning on Forever was born.

Writing has become more than just a passion- it’s a way for my imagination to run wild; bringing characters in my head to life that would otherwise be forgotten. Free therapy, if you ask me!

I hope you enjoy my books as much as I enjoy writing them!

For more information on these books or to find out what I’m currently working on, click on the books tab.

~Read to love, and love to read~

Ashley's Blog

        

PaperBack Giveaway (2 Winners)

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BLOG TOUR: In A Heartbeat by Teodora Kostova

Stella

“I’ve been in and out of hospitals for the past ten months. I’ve had half my liver removed and even though this time the doctors are very optimistic that they’ve removed all of the tumours, they can’t be sure. In another three months they want me here again for a check up. Right now I feel better than I’ve ever felt. I know the damn thing is gone, at least for the moment. Despite that, I can’t make any plans for the future, not yet. I need to go somewhere where nobody knows me, where I can relax and maybe even forget about all this. Where I can meet people who don’t think of me as the girl who lost her father and her brother in a car accident, and who has cancer. I want to have fun, even if it’s for a couple of months.” 

When Stella decides to visit her estranged cousin Lisa in Genoa, she has no idea Italy will give her a new reason to live.

Max

“Her gaze locked on a scene so beautiful, the picturesque beach paled in comparison. A lifeguard emerged from the water, his orange trunks stuck to his legs and water dripping all over him. He shook his head to get rid of some of the water in his hair and Stella felt as if everything started developing in slow motion – tiny drops of water slid from his neck down his broad chest and muscular arms, along a weaving tattoo on his right shoulder, and continued downwards towards his chest and washboard stomach, finally getting lost in the waistband of his trunks. A part of another tattoo peeked over his trunks on his left hip, the other part hidden under them. It was a total Baywatch moment.”

Their love is epic. But there are too many things keeping them apart.

“How could you keep this from me, Lisa? If you had told me the first day I met him, I would have avoided him like the plague. Nothing would have happened between us.”
“I kept your secrets, too, Stella.”

Are Max and Stella strong enough to fight not only for their love, but for their lives?

 OH MY...I just finished In A Heartbeat last night and I have been thinking about it all day long. It's just one of those books that you can't get out of your head. 

It tugged on every emotion that I had. Happiness, sadness, excitement, joy, laughter, fear ~ it was an EPIC read. I started the book late at night and usually when the nook hits you in the head it's time to put the book away. I just couldn't do it. I needed to know what was going to happen next for Stella and Max. Just one  more chapter...until it was 5am and almost time for me to get up with my kids.

Would they ever be able to find their love that was so apparent to everyone around them? Stella is a stubborn girl and she had every right to be. The girl had been through enough in her lifetime. Heartbreak over and over again. But Max oh Max. He is not one to get out of your mind. This sexy Italian with a jealous streak bigger than Texas. Boy oh boy was he hot and romantic and just...sigh. But this book is not only about Max and Stella. It's about relationships, friendships, love lost and found. Forgiveness. There is Beppo, Gia and Lisa and all of their wonderfully complicated lives that pull you into the story even more. 

Teodora did a wonderful job of painting characters that were so full of life and you felt as if you had known them forever. I wanted to go and hang out with them all in Italy! I need my passport now! I was blown away by this book! I would love to see more of Max and Stella. The in between years (hint Teodora) or even stories about the other characters. They were all so memorable. Even now I have a smile on my face thinking of them. If you want to read a book that will stay with you for a while. I HIGHLY recommend In a Heartbeat!

Hi, my name is Teodora and I live in London with my husband Ted and my son Jason. I've been writing ever since I can remember, but it became my full time job in 2010 when I decided that everything else I've tried bores me to death and I have to do what I've always wanted to do, but never had to guts to fully embrace. I've been a journalist, an editor, a personal assistant and an interior designer among other things, but as soon as the novelty of the new, exciting job wears off, I always go back to writing. Being twitchy, impatient, loud and hasty are not qualities that help a writer, because I have to sit alone, preferably still, and write for most of the day, but I absolutely love it. It's the only time that I'm truly at peace and the only thing I can do for more than ten minutes at a time - my son has a bigger attention span than me.
When I'm procrastinating, I like to go to the gym, cook Italian meals (and eat them), read, listen to rock music, watch indie movies and True Blood re-runs. Or, in the worst case scenario, get beaten at every Wii game by a five year old.

 Teodora on Facebook

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 In a Heartbeat Blog

 Teodora on Goodreads

Teodora's Blog

 In a Heartbeat on Goodreads

I loved this book SO much ~ I am giving away 5 copies of the book!

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BOOK BLAST: Ember by Jessica Sorensen

What if you knew when someone was going to die?

For seventeen-year-old Ember, life is death. With a simple touch, she knows when someone will die. It’s her curse and the reason she secludes herself from the world. The only person who knows her secret is her best friend Raven.

Then she meets Asher Morgan. He’s gorgeous, mysterious, and is the only person Ember can't sense death from. So when he pushes into her life, she doesn’t mind.

But when unexplained deaths start to haunt her town, Ember starts questioning why she can’t sense Asher's death and what he may be hiding.

I lean against the wall, let my head fall back, and shut my eyes. “Breathe, Ember, breathe. You can’t stop death—it’s endless.”

“God, it’s like mating season in here,” a deep male voice enfolds around me and sends vibrations quivering through my body.

I shudder and misstep, tripping over my feet, and stepping on the toe of his shoes. Actually, boots; black ones with little silver skulls on the buckles. I like his boots. My eyes progressively travel upward as I take him in; dark jeans, a plaid shirt over a black T-shirt and a skull necklace hooks around his neck. There’s a sequence of leather bands on his wrists and a metal loop ornaments his eyebrow. His inky black hair dangles in his slate eyes and hangs shaggily over his ears.

His intense gaze tantalizes my skin as he takes me in. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

I shiver again at the sound of his sultry voice as it spills over my skin. “Sorry about your shoes.” I retreat backward, putting space between us. The last thing I want is to find out when this gorgeous guy dies. 

“Crowded rooms just make me a little uneasy.”

He laughs softly as he tosses his cup into the trash. “I know what you mean. All this,” he motions at the people grinding against one another, “is an excuse for them to dry hump each other in public.”

I almost smile at the similarity of our thoughts. “That’s a pretty good observation.”

He presses his lips together and then with a hesitant look, he leans over my shoulder, putting his lips next to my ear. I stiffen, worried he’ll touch me and this magical moment will end, but he’s careful, leaving a sliver of space between his lips and my ear.

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4601855.Jessica_Sorensen

Blog: http://jessicasorensensblog.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jessFallenStar

Facebook (YA): https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Jessica-Sorensen/165335743524509?fref=ts

Facebook (Adult): https://www.facebook.com/JessicaSorensensAdultContemporaryNovels