Becca the Bibliophile

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Essentialism by LK Collins

Some secrets can destroy…

Bridgette Schaefer has been through more in her twenty-two years of life than most people survive in a lifetime. Finally, she can see the light at the end of the tunnel and control is within her grasp. With a fresh start ahead, there’s nothing but blank pages to be filled. Unfortunately, a lie by omission quickly weaves itself into a dangerous web of half-truths. As she battles between right and wrong, she discovers that sometimes there is only defeat when it comes to matters of desire.

While others can set you free…

Troy Sorano has one rule – no lies. Yet he’s spent years hiding behind a well-placed mask, forced to hide who he yearns to be. On the outside he’s confident, fun, and sexy-as-sin, but there’s so much more hidden within. When fate intervenes, he can’t help but wonder if Bridgette could be the one to accept him for who he is. As he struggles through his fear of rejection, he discovers he’s not the only one hiding the truth.

Can Bridgette and Troy find what is essential for their happiness before it’s too late?

Troy does not disappoint! Hot, Steamy, Amazingly Sexy - Bridget and Troy Sizzle.

Alexa's little sister Bridget is moving in with Cara and meets the delicious Troy. Bridget definitely feels the sizzle between the two of them. The only problem is that she kinda has a boyfriend. A boyfriend who is becoming excessively possessive and becoming more and more distant. So what harm will it be to start a friendship with Troy...but as things escalate between her boyfriend and her, she break it off with him and comes clean with Troy...who is not happy with her little secret.

This book is full of fireworks and if you are a fan of super sexy banter, you are going to love Essentialism. I absolutely love this series and LK has another hit on her hands. 4.5 Stars.

http://youtu.be/CAK0POpF3fE

LK Collins is first and foremost a devoted wife and mother. She loves music and has openly admitted that she’s addicted to it. Without the strength of the words from some of her favorite artists, what she does…would not be possible. She works the normal 9 to 5 like the rest of the world, but is fortunate that she’s allowed to listen to music for eight hours a day. When she gets home, she turns into Superwoman; juggling the crazy world of being an indie author, a mom, and a wife. Both her daughter and her husband share names with famous presidents. Her husband is referred to by her readers as “the Prez”, a name well deserved.

LK has had a passion for the worlds created by authors for as long as she can remember and with the support of the Prez, she has successfully self-published three titles in the Life. Destiny. Fate Series. While her books are erotica, they are also known for dramatic storylines that will keep the reader enthralled from page one. Not to mention that while she may write a series, each is a stand-alone novel offering the reader a happily ever after. No cliffhangers for this author!

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May 5
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Babu's Bookshelf

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Nowhere But Here by Renee Carlino

A Chicago reporter in her mid-twenties unexpectedly finds love in Napa Valley when she’s assigned to spend a week with a famously reclusive genius.

Kate Corbin has lost her spark. From the outside, her life seems charmed. She has a handsome, long-term boyfriend and a budding journalism career at a popular Chicago newspaper. But in reality, her relationship is going nowhere, and she’s quickly losing motivation for what she once believed was her dream job. When her boyfriend dumps her unceremoniously, Kate loses all hope of finding love.

With no living family and few friends, Kate confides in her boss. Trusting that the hungry, ace reporter is buried somewhere deep inside, he gives Kate the opportunity to jumpstart her career. The assignment: to interview the famously reclusive R.J. Lawson, a wealthy tech genius who disappeared years ago but recently reemerged as a Napa Valley vintner. The week takes an unexpected turn, however, when Lawson refuses to divulge any information. Desperate for a lead, Kate turns to Jamie, a vineyard hand who shows her the romance of wine country—and stirs her aching heart. But his connection to Lawson is ambiguous, and when Jamie disappears before the end of the week, Kate is left to investigate another story: the truth behind the man who stole her heart.

Amazon | B&N

I was thrilled to be asked to review Nowhere but Here by Renee's publisher. Renee is one of my go to authors and I absolutely ADORED Sweet Thing and Sweet Little Thing. It was pure torture to know that this book was sitting on my kindle and I had so much work, that I knew that I had to wait until I could give my undivided attention to the book. I just knew I was going to be sucked it...and I was!! This book did not disappoint and went far about my expectations. I thought there would never be anyone who could overtake my heart after my sweet Will. I was proven wrong by Jamie.

Kate Corbin has been in a slump, a bad place, since the passing of her friend and second mom - Rose. She is a writer for a Chicago paper and her friends found the perfect opportunity for her to get away and maybe find herself again, in Napa, California. Kate is concerned to be given such an important story - but she takes it all in stride and pushes herself outside of her personal limits. When she gets there, the man she was to interview kinda blows her off...right into the hands of the jack of all trades - Jamie.

I can't really tell you much more about the story, without giving away plot points, but lets just say that once you pick up this book you won't want to put it down.

Jamie and Kate together are magical. The electricity between the two of them could start a forest fire. I had a small smile on my face while reading - almost the entire book.

Believe me - you will not be disappointed. This book has moved into my Top 5 for 2014. Go pick it up. Read it, share it with your friends. Just like I am sharing with you. - Happy Reading <3

Renee’s first friends were the imaginary kind and even though her characters haven’t gone away, thankfully the delusions have. She admits she’s a wildly hopeless romantic and she blames 80’s movies staring Molly Ringwald for that. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and their sweet dog June. When she’s not at the beach with her boys or working on the next book, she likes to spend her time reading, going to concerts, and eating dark chocolate.

Goodreads Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6994731.Ren_e_Carlino

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorReneeCarlino

A jaded Chicago reporter in her twenties unexpectedly finds love in Napa Valley when she’s assigned to spend a week with a famously reclusive genius in this rich and deeply satisfying contemporary romance by the USA TODAY bestselling author of Sweet Thing.

Kate Corbin has lost her spark. A year ago, she had a handsome boyfriend and a budding career as a reporter at a popular Chicago newspaper. But after the woman who raised her passed away, leaving her lost and alone, she fell into a rut—and never got out. Now she’s stuck writing fluff pieces about lipstick and wine, and feeling trapped in a relationship that’s going nowhere.

Trusting that the hungry, ace reporter is buried somewhere deep inside, Kate’s boss and mentor gives her the opportunity to jump-start her career. The assignment: spend a week interviewing R. J. Lawson, a famously reclusive tech genius who disappeared years ago but recently reemerged as the owner of a well-respected Napa Valley winery.

Kate jumps at the chance, but the trip begins in disaster, both personally and professionally. After alienating R.J., her only saving grace is Jamie, a charming vineyard hand who shows her the beauty of wine country—and stirs her aching heart. It doesn’t take long for Kate and Jamie to fall hard, and for Kate to rethink her life in the city. But the week ends with a heartbreaking journey back to Chicago that sends Kate reeling, wondering what went wrong in those four perfect days. - See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.biz/Nowhere-But-Here/Renee-Carlino/9781476763972#sthash.l2DTdTbS.dpuf

Promo: What If by Bayli Lane

For some people falling in love was a happy, glowing experience. For Briar Kelly and Arrow Donovan it was more like getting hit by a freight train.

Caring for one another was never an easy feat. They constantly fought to hold their feelings inside, not wanting to jeopardize their friendship. Then, Arrow left for the Marines, and everything changed. Briar was shattered. Arrow was hurt.

While Briar told herself she’d never let another man affect her in such a way, Arrow still remained in the forefront of her mind. For Arrow, his memories of Briar kept him alive in both of his near death experiences. When Arrow’s demons threatened to drag him under, Briar was there, pulling him from the darkness.

"What ifs" keep piling up while resentment and redemption battles continue; will Briar and Arrow be able to find their happily ever after, or will this be one war that Arrow can't win?

Excerpt #1

“Wait, don’t forget the light,” she spoke quickly.

I nearly laughed. “Are you out of your mind, woman?” I pushed her legs apart and settled myself between them so she couldn’t close them tightly back together. I splayed my hands across her stomach.

“I like the light off,” her eyebrows drew together.

“Too damn bad.” I moved the tip of my pointer finger in small circles around her concave navel. “Do you know how many times I’ve played this scenario in my head? Try every day since I was fifteen years old. No way am I going to miss out on the way your body writhes underneath mine or the look on your face when I make you come.” Her hips tipped upward with my words.

Excerpt #2

“I want you to come with your legs wrapped around my neck,” I said against the bare, wet flesh. Chills trailed down her thighs. “And then I want you to come around my dick with your legs around my waist.”

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Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Royally Lost by Angie Stanton

Dragged on a family trip to Europe’s ancient cities, Becca wants nothing more than to go home. Trapped with her emotionally distant father, over-eager stepmother, and a brother who only wants to hook up with European hotties, Becca is miserable. That is until she meets Nikolai, a guy as mysterious as he is handsome. And she unknowingly finds herself with a runaway prince.

Nikolai has everything a guy could ask for-he's crown prince, heir to the throne, and girls adore him. But the one thing he doesn't have...is freedom. Staging a coup, he flees his kingdom and goes undercover on his own European tour.

When Nikolai and Becca meet, it’s their differences that draw them together. Sparks fly as they share a whirlwind of adventures, all the while dodging his royal guard. But Becca's family vacation ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say goodbye forever, will his destiny catch up to him, or will they change history forever?

I love stories by Angie Stanton. They are always filled with fun, sassy-ness and pure romance. Royally Lost does not disappoint.

Totally appropriate for the teen in your life who wants to read romance (I have one so this is important to me).

Becca is forced to take a family river cruise in Europe with her dad, step-mom and brother. It's the last place she wants to be, especially after being dumped by her boyfriend for her best friend. A chance meeting with mysterious stranger, who just so happens to be popping up in the cities of their tour.

Nikolai has run away from the monarch. He wants to be his own prince, not the prince that his family expects of him. So he decides to take off and run...just be himself, for as long as he can. What he didn't expect was to run into an American teen, who sees his true self and not the prince that everyone else sees.

The two take off on an adventure changing their perspective on life and love.

Four Royal Stars!

Angie Stanton never planned on writing books, she wanted to be a Rockette. However, growing up in a rural setting with her brothers' 4-H pigs as pets, dance didn't work out. Instead she became an avid daydreamer. After years of perfecting stories in her head she began to write them down and the rest is history.

She loves dipping french fries in chocolate shakes, all natural disaster movies and Broadway Musicals. Angie is a proud double finalist of the 2011 National Readers Choice Awards for Love 'em or Leave 'em, as well as a finalist for the Golden Quill Award.

When not writing, Angie is concocting ways to make more dreams come true, whether it be tickets to a Broadway show or convincing her family they should rent an RV and travel the country.

Please "Like" Angie on Facebook at facebook.com/AngieStantonAuthor. Or visit her on the web at www.angiestanton.com

Monday, May 5, 2014

A Forever Love by Kelly Elliott

The moment Garrett Mathews sees the woman of his dreams, he vows to fight with everything he has to win Emma Birk’s heart. Garrett will embark on the longest, hardest struggle of his life to make his dreams a reality.

Emma Birk has every intention of focusing on her last year of high school with no interruptions—until she lays eyes on the one person who will end up turning her whole world upside down. Emma attempts to avoid the feelings she quickly develops for Garrett, only to start slowly giving in to his endless pursuit of her.

As life throws twists and turns at Garrett and Emma, their commitment to each other is tested as they determine if they have a forever love.

What a way to wrap up a series...to go back to where it all began with the beautiful love story of Garrett and Emma.

The whole gang finally sit down to hear the story of how Grandpa and Grandma started their love story and it's quite the tale.

Emma was new to town and wanted to just make it through her senior year. No distractions. That was easier said than done, when Garrett Matthews walks through the door and steals her breath away. The only problem is that Garrett seems to be more interested in her cousin than her. Or so she thinks. As soon as the two seem to be ready to try their hand at romance, life steps in an tosses them in a whole new direction. Things aren't easy for neither one of them. Now they just need to figure out if its a love worth fighting for.

I absolutely loved this story down memory lane. We finally get the answers to some of mysteries of Grandma and Grandpa Matthews and for any fan of The Wanted Series, you will totally be swooning from this story!

Kelly is married to a wonderful Texas cowboy who has a knack for making her laugh almost daily and supports her crazy ideas and dreams for some unknown reason...he claims it's because he loves her!

She’s also a mom to an amazing daughter who is constantly asking for something to eat while her fingers move like mad on her cell phone sending out what is sure to be another very important text message.

In her spare time she loves to sit in her small corner overlooking the Texas hill country and write.

One of her favorite things to do is go for hikes around her property with Gus....her chocolate lab and the other man in her life, and Rose, her golden retriever. When Kelly is not outside helping the hubby haul brush, move rocks or whatever fun chore he has in store for her that day, you’ll find her inside reading, writing or watching HGTV.

https://www.facebook.com/KellyElliottAuthor

Website: http://www.kellyelliottauthor.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6581091.Kelly_Elliott

The Wanted Series

Wanted (Book #1) http://amzn.to/1kLTrv9

Saved (Book #2) http://amzn.to/1ifUw9Y

Faithful (Book #3) http://amzn.to/1iSPNLt

Believe (Novella) http://amzn.to/SqaFox

Cherished (Book #4) http://amzn.to/1nWFY7c

A Forever Love (Prequel- Grams and Gramps story)

Amazon link - http://amzn.to/1nWG2Ul
iBooks link - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-forever-love-wanted/id847703401?mt=11
Kobo link - http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/a-forever-love-1

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Always at First by Phalla S. Rios

Angel Mabbot is the perfect daughter.

Perfection has always been an expectation set forth by her adoring father and her overbearing, neglectful mother. Knowing she can never live up to their standards, Angel falls into a life of partying, drinking and pills in an effort to dull the pain of her insecurities and perceived failures.

Kevin Hawken, a former business partner of Angel’s father, has always loved Angel, although she has no idea who he is. Angel's substance induced state of mind forces her to question what is real.

And Kevin is too good to be real.

Caught in the clutches of Roman Conti, a notorious and dangerous Mob boss from Italy, Angel slips under Roman’s control. A control she can't escape.

And the only man who can rescue her...

Is a man she believes existed only in her dreams.

Releasing May 5, 2014

Roman leads me away from the helicopter and down the walkway to his estate. The moment of silence feels surreal as I await my fate. This is a horrible nightmare and I will wake up safely in Kevin’s arms.

But this is not a dream.

This is real.

The man who refuses to let me go removes his hand from my lower back and roughly turns me to face him.

“I will give you the life you crave my sweet angel, but you need to stop fighting me. Let go of him…he doesn’t have the means to give you your happily ever after like I do,” Roman murmurs as he steps closer to me. His hand grips the hem of my sweater, tugging me toward him.

I stand frigid, waiting for his next commanding move, but nothing happens. Tears spill down my cheeks, and my body tremors as I find the courage to speak. “I will never love you,” I whisper, turning away.

“Ah, you see, I don’t need love. I own you, Angel,” he growls as my name slips off his lips. He roughly cups my chin, forcing me to face him. “Love kills you. You live to find love, only to be cheated and left to die alone.” He kisses the tears on my cheeks away. “We will make this work.”

His dark gaze locks with mine, sending a shiver down my back, then he gently lifts my left hand, his thumb rubbing slowly up and down my ring finger. “You need something here…a reminder, perhaps,” he says evenly.

“A reminder?”

“Yes, baby, so you don’t forget who you belong to.” His lips tug into a sad smile.

“Who I belong to…” I repeat, my voice breaking.

“Yes…” he whispers. He glances slowly toward his house and frowns, then his jaw clenches tightly, and his lips press into a hard line before he turns back to me. “Our family is waiting for us. I need you to wipe away everything that happened today.”

I shake my head and let out a cold, hard laugh. “I will never forget what you did to Kevin.” Or what you are doing to that poor girl, locked away at your secret compound.

“That was nothing compared to what I can do…what I will do if you try to leave me again,” he warns, dangerously. His eyes shimmer thickly with sadness and dangerous rage.

I flinch and take a step back. “You have me. You own me. I’m yours to do whatever you want. Just leave Kevin alone.”

I just made a deal with the devil.

FACEBOOK / GOODREADS / AMAZON

Phalla S. Rios lives in California with her husband, a daughter and two goofy pit bulls. She loves to read and write while drinking her favorite tea, Joy, from Starbucks. During her spare time, she is usually at the movies or looking for the next best place to eat. She often refers to herself as a foodie. Her debut novel is Not at First. She is currently writing the sequel, Always at First.

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Friday, May 2, 2014

WORLD TOUR: The Resistance by S.L. Scott

You don't choose when.

You don't choose where.

And you don't get to choose who you fall in love with.

The minute he opened his sexy mouth, Holliday Hughes should have known Jack Dalton was trouble. His smooth pickup lines, broad shoulders, and ridiculously handsome face charmed her right out of her clothes. She gave into her desires, the instant attraction blinding her to the obvious.

One night. That was all it took for Holliday’s world to be flipped on its axis. Jack Dalton was cocky. Smug. Volatile. Demanding. He ignited something deep inside her like no other, but there was something more to this brooding bad boy. There was a dark side to him she couldn't help but be drawn to.
Torn between what she knew about him and a mysterious side he tried to hide, could she walk away or was he simply too hard to resist?

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | iTUNES

This book is for those that love love. It's a rock romance that is different from the rest and it will take you on a ride that you will love from the start. Jack Dalton and Holliday Hughes are sinfully sexy together. The banter between these too is fun and romantic, filthy and sexy. And most of all real.

I couldn't get enough of these two and even though there were parts that tore me apart, the journey was worth every bit of angst I felt in the end.

Wait. Don’t go. Stay. Whether we have sex or not, I just want your company.” His expression appears sincere, but he seems to have several sides to him.

With my back against the door, I keep my eyes on his. “Look. I don’t sleep around… much. But I have slept with someone just because it was Wednesday.” I shrug. “So I’m not innocent over here, but I work hard and I have a pretty crappy social life because of it. Sometimes it’s nice to feel a warm touch that vibrates with excitement instead of a cold one that’s battery-operated.” I step forward as if I owe him more, more of an explanation, or more of me, I’m not sure. “Judge me if you must, but I’m in Vegas and now officially on vacation. And despite what you may think, I’ve only had the one drink so far today, so I’m not drunk. I’m a grown woman who appreciates a handsome face and the artistry of a tattoo that has meaning to the person wearing it. I actually thought we’d have dinner and a good time. All that came from somewhere pure, somewhere that now feels dirty, a little tainted. So I’m going now and if one day you find yourself not so lost in Los Angeles, you know my information.”

I don’t wait for a response or apology. I don’t know Dalton well enough to know if he’d offer one anyway. So I go without looking back, passing the room service waiter on the way, and hop in an elevator that’s for the exclusive use of the two penthouses.

Half expecting to hear him call after me, my finger hovers over the Lobby button, but I count to ten and when I don’t hear anything, I push it. The doors start to close when a hand reaches in, stopping them. Dalton peeks around the corner with a big smile in place, and says, “Can we start over? Stay for dinner?”

“Why?”

“Because I like you. I like your honesty and I don’t get much honesty in my line of work.”

“You’re an undercover narc. Of course you don’t get much honesty. Isn’t that why you got into the business?”

A sly smile crosses his face, revealing a small dimple in his cheek. A light sparks from within, reflecting in his eyes, and with a nod of his head, he says, “Come back. I’ll feed you and give you the sex you came up here for. Because it’s a Friday and while Friday may not be hump day, it’s still a damn good day of the week.”

My mouth drops open. “The sex? You’ll give me the sex because it’s Friday?” I roll my eyes while huffing, and then push the lobby button twice.

Stepping inside, he blocks the doors from closing and a buzz is heard from overhead. With his arms stretched wide, he looks into my eyes. “No. I mean, if you want the food that’s currently getting cold inside, you can have it. If you want to have sex, let’s fuck. You can have anything you want.”

The elevator starts buzzing even louder, escalating its level of warning. Dalton spreads his feet apart to hold the doors open and reaches for me. “I’ll even call you Holli since that’s what you prefer.”

He’s sexy and when he’s flirting with me, even sexier. I can’t give in too easily though. I should make a few ground rules, or at least one. “I’ll only come back on one condition.”

“Name it.”

S.L. Scott is a former high-tech account manager with a journalism degree pursuing her passion for telling stories. She spends her days escaping into her characters and letting them lead her on their adventures.

Live music shows, harvesting jalapenos and eating homemade guacamole are her obsessions she calls hobbies.

Scott lives in the beautiful Texas hill country of Austin with her husband, two young sons, two Papillons and a bowl full of Sea Monkeys.

Her novels include Naturally, Charlie, Good Vibrations, and A Prior Engagement.

She welcomes your notes at sl@slscottauthor.com.

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