BLOG TOUR REVIEW, EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY: Hard to Serve (Hard Ink #4.7)

Hard to Serve is out, and it will blow your panties off. Check out the excerpt below - you'll see what I mean.

Hard to Serve (Hard Ink #4.7), by Laura Kaye
Publish Date: June 28, 2016
Publisher: Evil Eye Concepts, Inc.
Format: e-ARC, provided by Inkslinger PR
Genre: adult erotic romance
To Buy: Amazon

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) To protect and serve is all Detective Kyler Vance ever wanted to do, so when Internal Affairs investigates him as part of the new police commissioner’s bid to oust corruption, everything is on the line. Which makes meeting a smart, gorgeous submissive at an exclusive play club the perfect distraction…

The director of the city’s hottest art gallery, Mia Breslin’s career is golden. Now if only she could find a man to dominate her nights and set her body—and her heart—on fire. When a scorching scene with a hard-bodied, brooding Dom at Blasphemy promises just that, Mia is lured to serve Kyler again and again.

Then, as their relationship burns hotter, Kyler learns that he’s been dominating the daughter of the hard-ass boss who has it in for him. Now Kyler must choose between life-long duty and forbidden desire before Mia finds another who’s not so hard to serve.

Hard to Serve fulfills two purposes - it wraps up the Hard Ink series and kicks off the Blasphemy series. That's a lot to put on one novella's shoulders, but I promise you, Laura Kaye absolutely killed it on both sides.

We know Detective Kyler Vance as the cop that sided with Nick Rixey and the rest of the Hard Ink crew during their war with the Church gang - and took a bullet to his shoulder because of it. Now, as he's recuperating, he finds himself with a lot of time on his hands.

Meanwhile, Mia Breslin is the police commissioner's daughter and is sick of dating wimpy men who are afraid to give her what she wants in the bedroom. She seeks out a club in Baltimore where she can be somewhat anonymous, but still, hopefully, find what she needs. And she finds Kyler.

Kyler is one of 12 Masters at Blasphemy, a high-end BDSM club. He loves playing at the club, but he never has and never will take on another submissive as his own. The guy seems so detached from what happens at the club, which is not usual for a Master. Which is why Mia totally freaks him out, because he's anything but detached from her. And he doesn't have any idea what to do with that.

On the other hand, Mia has found what she's always wanted - a real dominant that isn't afraid to indulge all her kinks. And, he's a nice man outside of the club too. Except he breaks her heart a little bit more every time he reminds her that he is not looking for a permanent D/s relationship. And all that is even before he learns she's the daughter of his boss. The cards are not in Mia's favor, for sure.

Since Hard to Serve is part of the Hard Ink series, we get to visit with the Hard Ink crew. I LOVE these guys, and I especially loved seeing where they all are now that the dust has settled. Kyler is like a member of the group after everything they went through together. But, despite their shared experiences, Kyler isn't quick to open up to them about his fears regarding whether he will rehabilitate fast enough to keep his job or what to do about the woman he can't get out of his head.

But Hard to Serve is also the introduction to Laura Kaye's upcoming erotic BDSM series, Blasphemy, and what an intro it is. We get the club's backstory (it's in a former church, hence the name - how cool is that??), and we get to meet a few of the Masters. Even the very brief views we caught were incredibly intriguing. I have high hopes that the Blasphemy series will be the one that I mark all other BDSM series by.

Kyler had tried to stay away from Mia. When he’d seen her across the club, he’d walked away and stayed away. Despite the fact that her dress made him want to unwrap her, that the updo of her lovely brown hair bared that beautiful throat, that his body was making demands of him that his brain didn’t want to answer.

And then she’d made it worse. First, by walking away from the Dom who was clearly interested in her. Second, by waiting at the bar—for him—Kyler had no doubt that’s what she’d been doing. And third by not only giving up on Kyler, but finding a possible replacement in Master Quinton.

And when Quinton had taken her hand—had touched what Kyler’s body screamed was his—Kyler hadn’t been able to stay away anymore.

And now, here they were. Kyler in a dark mood. And Mia seemingly all the more turned on for it. It was almost like she knew what he needed her to be, or do, to ease him. And that felt like a really fucking dangerous thing.

That danger didn’t have him walking out of the room though, did it?

No, instead, he was tying her to the cot-style bed in the basement-themed room. She was kneeling with her legs spread wide, which allowed Kyler to secure her hands and ankles behind her using rope tied to the iron. She could only lean so far forward before the rope would catch her. He tied another rope around her waist, with loops around each of her upper thighs, and attached that one to the almost equally high footboard—this rope would not only keep her from leaning back, but it would keep her from being able to sag down onto her calves. The two sets of ropes largely immobilized her so that she had to take whatever he did. After he arranged everything else he needed, he turned to her.

“What are your safewords?” he asked. She gave him the right answers. “And if you’re gagged?”

Mia shook her head three times while humming, “Mmm, mmm, mmm.”

“Very good, Mia. Are there any words or names you don’t like to be called while role-playing?”
“No, Sir,” she said, her voice so aroused that he could’ve thrown her down and skipped all the build up.

But she deserved better than that. He nailed her with a long look, giving her—and himself—one last chance. But they were doing this. “Scene.” Grabbing the medical scissors and a strap, he approached her, his persona shifting to fit the dark role he had in mind. “Well, what do we have here?”

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty-five books in contemporary and paranormal romance and romantic suspense, including the Hard Ink and Raven Riders series. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

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REVIEW: Addicted (Outlaws #2)

Addicted (Outlaws #2), by Elle Kennedy
Publish Date: June 28, 2016
Publisher: Signet
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: adult dystopian romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4.5 STARS

(Synopsis) Lennox used to live in a paradise on earth with his best friend Jamie, in a place where visitors came and went, allowing their desires to run free. But everything changes when a deadly attack forces them to take up with Connor Mackenzie’s band of Outlaws. Lennox knows Jamie is hung up on someone else, but he’s always believed he’s the man for her—and won’t let her go without a fight. 

Even though Jamie is well aware that Lennox is one hot specimen of a man, she refuses to let sex ruin the most important relationship in her life. But when the object of her interest spurns her, she indulges in a little pleasure-filled revenge with her very magnetic, very willing best friend. One thrilling night with Lennox is enough to awaken Jamie’s unexpected desires for him. And now that she’s had a taste, she’s not sure she can ever give him up...

I love that Elle Kennedy has gone out on a limb with this fantastic dystopian series. I've read a lot of super sexy romance books. I've also read a lot of dystopian series. But, this combination of the two is definitely a first for me. And hopefully not the last. 

In Claimed (Outlaws #1), we met Lennox and Jamie - the operators of a way station/whorehouse/bar - and I never got the vibe that they were into each other. But, once we got into their heads, the situation became very different. They've been BFFs for 20 years, and herein lies the problem. We've seen it a hundred times - best friends who are into one another but don't make a move because they're afraid they'll ruin what they already have. Apparently, men and women fall into that trap in post-apocalyptic North America too. 

In Addicted, Lennox and Jamie are put together during an extended trip to a neighboring town, and a series of events cause Jamie to finally look at Lennox in a different way. And thank goodness for that, because these two together? Unbelievably hot. Crazy hot. RIDICULOUSLY hot. 

But the best part about Lennox and Jamie is that there are real, true feelings there too. They already love each other, so it's not like when Connor and Hudson met in book one and were strangers who didn't trust each other. Lennox and Jamie have history and shared experiences. They already know everything about the other. And, that just made their sexy times even more awesome. 

But, those feelings also cause other issues. There's jealousy and possessiveness and protectiveness that was never there before, and it freaks them both out. Just because they know each other as well as they know themselves does not mean they have an easier go of it. In fact, I would argue that it makes it so much harder for them, because they have to purposefully shift their views that have held steady for two decades. And they have to do it much faster than that. 

In addition to the relationship drama, which admittedly takes center stage, there's a lot of other things going on. Reese, the leader of the town, is keeping secrets from Connor's group, and Rylan is there to try and find out what they are. Jamie is also dealing with her feelings on starting a family and whether trying it in this rough world is worth it. The townspeople are being trained to fight, and a lively competition is going on as a way to help them. Honestly, this was probably my second favorite part of the book. It was fun and a good way to break up what was happening between Lennox and Jamie. 

There are a few twists and turns that kept me guessing and gasping. And the event at the end are going to have repercussions for a long time. This world that Elle Kennedy has created is fantastic and compelling. I can't wait to see what happens next. 

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and it gives us a chance to fangirl over the books we're dying to get our hands on.

This week, I'm super excited about...

Torn (A Wicked Saga #2), by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publish Date: July 19, 2016
Publisher: self-published
Genre: new adult fantasy romance

(Synopsis) Torn between duty and survival, nothing can be the same.

Everything Ivy Morgan thought she knew has been turned on its head. After being betrayed and then nearly killed by the Prince of the Fae, she’s left bruised and devastated—and with an earth-shattering secret that she must keep at all costs. And if the Order finds out her secret, they’ll kill her.

Then there’s Ren Owens, the sexy, tattooed Elite member of the Order who has been sharing Ivy’s bed and claiming her heart. Their chemistry is smoking hot, but Ivy knows that Ren has always valued his duty to the Order above all else—he could never touch her if he knew the truth. That is, if he let her live at all. Yet how can she live with herself if she lies to him?

But as the Fae Prince begins to close in on Ivy, intent on permanently opening the gates to the Otherworld, Ivy is running out of options. If she doesn’t figure out who she can trust—and fast—it’s not only her heart that will be torn apart, but civilization itself.

It's been about 19 months or so that I've been waiting for Torn to come out, yet in book time, it definitely feels like forever. I mean, that was almost 400 books ago for me! And yet, many of the details are still fresh in my mind. 

I remember that Ren is one hot Order member who is on a mission. And Ivy is another Order member that knows she needs to keep a very big secret from him. Problem is, she likes him. Like REALLY likes him. Incidentally, regardless of said secret, I want to see more sexy times between Ren and Ivy. Because, despite all the stuff going against them, they really are kinda perfect together. 

And then there's Tink. I have a feeling there's way more to that little brownie than what we've seen so far. I bet he has some more tricks up his sleeve too. 

I have the ARC waiting for me on my Kindle, but I need to do a re-read of Wicked first, just to make extra sure I remember every detail. Who's with me? 

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Wicked Ride (The Wicked Horse #4)

This series... I LOVE this series so much. It's time for broody, sexy Logan's story, so check out my thoughts, and then go get it - it's out today!

Wicked Ride (The Wicked Horse #4), by Sawyer Bennett
Publish Date: June 28, 2016
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4.5 STARS

(Synopsis) I think this woman may be the death of me. A dire prediction, but probably true. Probably true because she’s not mine to have and I’ll probably take her, even at the risk to my own safety. So many men slobbering to get a taste of her and only one, sweet, virginal girl to go around.

That’s right.

She’s a virgin.

Looking like a porcelain china doll that would break if not handled carefully. But I also know she’s stronger than she looks. 

She’s a contradiction.

She’s most likely my downfall.

Like I said, she’ll probably be the death of me, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take.

Logan has been around since book one in the Wicked Horse series, but he's always been very much on the periphery - usually as one member of a threesome (or foursome or fivesome) involving his friend Rand. He's always been very quiet and broody and intense. (Not nearly as broody and intense as Bridger, but Logan would be the runner-up.) I was so anxious to get his story to find out why and who would be the person to bring him out of it. 

I promise you - there is so much more in Logan's past than you ever thought possible. Lots of truly tragic and awful stuff. It's hard to reconcile the man he is now with who he was then, and it's easy to understand why he seems to go to the Silo every night to screw his demons away. 

Auralie is a different story. Although at first you find yourself feeling bad for her because of the situation in which she finds herself, once the puzzle pieces slide into place, those feelings, for me anyway, morphed into something else. I was really frustrated with her. I wish she had done more to try and get herself out of trouble. I wish she had confided in Logan or Bridger. There is a such thing as being TOO strong, and that was Auralie. 

She may have been a strong and very confident woman, but when it comes to Logan, she turns to mush. The sexual tension between Auralie and Logan was crazy good. And I love how she made Logan come to life. At first, she was just a challenge for him - find a way to get together with the virgin up for sale at the Silo. But, later, after they shared secrets and stories, she became a lot more than that to him. And Logan became a different guy right before my eyes. 

There were no threesomes or foursomes or any other -somes with Logan in this book. His focus was solely on Auralie. And the ending was absolutely the best part - uncovering all of Logan's secrets (which were shocking) and wrapping up the virgin auction was super satisfying. The icing on the cake was the brief intro to Bridger's book, which will be the final book in this series. It sounds like it'll be the best one yet. I can't wait!

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Mary’s strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.

RELEASE DAY LAUNCH: Hard to Serve (Hard Ink #4.7

   

I am absolutely thrilled to bring you the Release Day Launch for Laura Kaye's HARD TO SERVE! Brought to you by 1001 Dark Nights, HARD TO SERVE is a standalone novella in her Hard Ink Series that also introduces her upcoming Blasphemy Series. Check out the note and excerpt from Laura below and grab your copy of this steamy novella today!

     

A note from Laura Kaye...

So many readers asked for more stories in my bestselling Hard Ink series, and I’m so excited to be able to give you just that in my new, super sexy HARD TO SERVE! HARD TO SERVE is an edgy stand-alone love story about a Baltimore police detective whose red-hot BDSM relationship with a new submissive seems like the perfect distraction from a trumped-up investigation against him until he learns that the woman is his boss’s daughter. Talk about sparks flying! I had so much fun writing this book, and I can’t wait for everyone to read it! And if you enjoy it, you might like to check out the whole Hard Ink series, now complete! Happy reading!

Mia found herself alone with a kinda pissed-off looking Master Kyler. He wore angry well. As in, the harshness of the set of his jaw and the tight press of his lips and the narrow cut of his eyes—they were all hot, especially coming from a Dom. But she didn’t understand it.

“Um. Hello, Sir,” she finally said when he didn’t say anything.

“Mia,” he said, his gaze raking over her. “You look absolutely stunning tonight.” His voice was like gravel, rough and strained.

“Thank you. Are you okay, Sir?” she asked.

He shook his head. “I don’t…I don’t know.”

“Do you want to sit and talk?” Mia asked, concern for him flooding her.

Suddenly, Kyler pinned her to the cool wall. He braced his hands on either side of her head, and he was erect against her belly. She wanted to drop into a crouch and take him into her mouth. “Do you want vulgar honesty or watered-down politeness?” he asked.

The promise of those words made her core clench with need. “Vulgar honesty.”

He nailed her with a blue-eyed stare. “I don’t want to sit and talk. I want to fuck. Hard. I want to be aggressive. Maybe I even want to be a little mean.”

Mia’s heart was suddenly a runaway train in her chest. Because, sign her up! She let out a shaky breath. “That sounds…like someone’s going to have a good night,” she managed.

Kyler dropped his head to her shoulder on a groan. He knocked his forehead against the bone there once, twice.

“Did I say the wrong thing?” she asked. Because he was totally confusing her.

“That’s the thing, Mia. I don’t know.” He lifted his gaze to hers again.

“How can I help?” she asked.

For a moment, he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, and when he opened them, it was like he’d centered himself and made some kind of resolution. “Are you game for what I just described?” He fingered the chunky silver-and-gold choker she wore around her neck.

Heat swept over her, her body already answering, already preparing. “Yes, Sir. I am.”

He gave a tight nod and backed up a step. “Let me show you the room I have in mind.” Taking her hand, he led her down the long hallway that shot off the side of the nave. She wasn’t sure if this was still part of the church building or something else, but she didn’t have long to wonder before Kyler stopped at a door and keyed in a code.

Lights came on as the door opened, and Kyler guided her inside with his hand at the small of her back.

Just the room’s theme turned Mia on. Concrete floor. Cinder-block walls with peeling paint. Light thrown from bare light bulbs surrounded by little cages. An iron cot bed with only a white fitted sheet. Rusted metal cabinet at the side that undoubtedly held a variety of toys and supplies. It looked like a basement or a warehouse—a place where a woman in a beautiful cocktail dress had no business being. A role started taking shape in her mind.

“Do you see where my head is tonight, Mia?” Master Kyler asked, his body almost rigid with tension.

God, she was going to enjoy helping him work out whatever had him so wound up. “Yes, Sir.”

   

   

About HARD TO SERVE:

To protect and serve is all Detective Kyler Vance ever wanted to do, so when Internal Affairs investigates him as part of the new police commissioner’s bid to oust corruption, everything is on the line. Which makes meeting a smart, gorgeous submissive at an exclusive play club the perfect distraction…

The director of the city’s hottest art gallery, Mia Breslin’s career is golden. Now if only she could find a man to dominate her nights and set her body—and her heart—on fire. When a scorching scene with a hard-bodied, brooding Dom at Blasphemy promises just that, Mia is lured to serve Kyler again and again. As their relationship burns hotter, Kyler runs into Mia at work and learns that he’s been dominating the daughter of the hard-ass boss who has it in for him. Now Kyler must choose between life-long duty and forbidden desire before Mia finds another who’s not so hard to serve.

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Announcing a New Erotic Romance Series from Laura Kaye…

BLASPHEMY - the club first introduced in Hard to Serve

From the ruins of an abandoned church comes Baltimore’s hottest and most exclusive BDSM club. Twelve Masters. Infinite fantasies. Welcome to Blasphemy…

Bound to Submit is coming September 13, 2016

 

PRE-ORDER BOUND TO SUBMIT

Amazon | Barnes & Noble (Coming Soon) | iBooks  | Kobo 

About Laura Kaye: Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty-five books in contemporary and paranormal romance and romantic suspense, including the Hard Ink and Raven Riders series. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.      

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EARLY REVIEW: Bound Beneath His Pain (Dirty Little Secrets #1)

Bound Beneath His Pain (Dirty Little Secrets #1), by Stacey Kennedy
Publish Date: July 5, 2016
Publisher: Loveswept
Format: e-ARC, provided by Netgalley
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4.5 STARS

(Synopsis) Real estate mogul Micah Holt exerts absolute control over all aspects of his life. He keeps his dark side hidden away from the press, who will chase down any hint of scandal. He’s always in command of his world, careful to expose his closely guarded secrets only to those he knows he can trust. Then Allie Bennett shakes his legendary discipline. She’s beautiful, pure, untainted. But is Micah willing to sacrifice her innocence for his own selfish obsessions?

When that sexy smile makes her body burn, Allie tries with all her might to ignore it. For one thing, Micah's her new boss. For another, he's as complicated as he is devastatingly handsome. Still, Allie can only fight so much before she gives in to his dangerous games. She knows he's got dark secrets. But when she discovers the true depth of his pain, Allie must decide how far she's willing to go to light the way for love.

What a great idea for a book. A group of enigmatic, kinky men who own the best BDSM clubs in the city meet regularly to talk shop, and they call themselves The Dominant Council, or the DC for short. Just that is sexy as hell, isn't it? Stacey Kennedy only briefly mentioned the DC in her Club Sin series, but now it's time to give these men center stage in a series of their own. 

Bound Beneath His Pain starts things off with the story of business mogul Micah Holt. He has acquired a small real estate firm, and its top seller Allie Bennett along with it. Although he's not one to mix business with pleasure, he decides right away that he might have to make an exception in this case. But, kinky play leads to actual feelings, and that crumbles Micah's carefully constructed walls. 

I'm a very character-driven reader. If an author can't make me fall in love with the main characters, I'll find it hard to love the story. It's even okay if I hate the characters a little to start with. Hell, sometimes it's better that way. Because, if I fall in love with them later, it's even better. Stacey Kennedy flawlessly drew me into this world of BDSMery and the DC and secrets and love and kink. 

She made me love Allie right off the bat. She's my favorite kind of female character. She has money because her family is wealthy, but she doesn't use it. She decided to make her own way in life and is very independent. She picks her battles, stands up for what is right, and goes after what she wants. And, she was the perfect match for Micah.

Micah is mysterious. It's obvious he has secrets and that there's a story behind why he remains alone, even while surrounded by people as he runs his empire. He's also a good man. He treats his employees well, he's fair, and he's generous with his time and money. It's his heart that he's not interested in sharing. And it was obvious right from the start that Allie might be the right woman to change that. 

For a book about a council of BDSM club owners, there wasn't actually all that many BDSM club scenes to be had in Bound Beneath His Pain. The main focus wasn't on the kink, but rather on the demons in Micah's past that are causing him to make the choices he's making now. But, it was okay. I didn't miss the club scene all that much, because I was totally caught up in Micah's and Allie's story. 

I'm assuming we'll get a book for each of the members of the DC in this series, and it sounds like Darius will be next. Based on Bound Beneath His Pain, I can't wait for the next book. 

BLOG TOUR REVIEW, EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY: Easy Kisses (Boudreaux #4)

If Kristen Proby writes it, I will read it. It's just that simple. EASY, if you will. I think maybe Easy Kisses might be my favorite Boudreaux book yet. Read on to find out why & don't forget to enter the giveaway - Kristen Proby is giving away a pair of SHOES!!

Easy Kisses (Boudreaux #4), by Kristen Proby
Publish Date: June 21, 2016
Publisher: Ampersand Publishing, Inc.
Format: e-ARC, provided by Inkslinger PR
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4.5 STARS

(Synopsis) Simon Danbury, an internationally sought after motivational speaker, helps women from all walks of life with love, self-esteem, dating and career building skills. Handsome, witty and wealthy, Simon seemingly has everything a man could want. But appearances can be deceiving. 

While Simon may have the answers for millions of women all over the world, when it comes to his own love life, he’s a giant, sexy mess. Divorced, and convinced that he’ll never love again, the very last thing he expects is one Charly Boudreaux. 

Charly doesn’t want to be at this seminar in the middle of nowhere, but her sister made her go. She’s the one who has her life together. Great career, amazing family, nice home, and loyal friends. So what if she doesn’t have a man? She doesn’t need one. If she’s learned anything in her almost thirty years, it’s that men are more trouble than they’re worth. And they have a nasty habit of breaking your heart into a million tiny pieces. So she’ll sit through all of Simon’s touchy feely crap and go home and get on with her life. Except Simon isn’t really spouting crap, and when he smiles at her, the butterflies are ridiculous.

Never mixing business with pleasure, Simon finds Charly, a bright spot in a universe that’s been dark for too long. But will he be able to resist her? And why would he want to?

I'm a big fan of the Boudreaux series. I'm a huge fan of the strapping male siblings and their overprotective ways. But if I'm going to be honest with myself, I'm most intrigued by the sisters. Single mother and B&B owner Gabby already found her HEA with a hunky pro baseball player. The two that are left - Charly and Savannah - those are the two stories I wanted the most.

I've been curious about what Kristen Proby would do with Charlotte Boudreaux. She seems to be the most self-assured, confident and put together of all the Boudreaux sisters. She owns her own shoe store (why is this character not real so that we can be BFFs???) and she loves all her siblings fiercely. 

As it turns out, Charly isn't quite as put together as she seems. She's wound so tight she doesn't know the meaning of the word 'vacation.' And yet, the love for her sister puts her smack dab in the middle of the wilderness at a women's retreat. It seems a little hokey, right? A bunch of females gathering in the woods to talk about their self-worth and all their wonderful qualities. Charly thinks so too, to some degree. It helps a lot that the conference director/owner/instructor is super easy on the eyes.

Oh, and he's British. Did I mention that? After listening to him speak all day, I bet that room was full of melted panties.

Simon's in a difficult position, though. He's gone over Charly from the moment he sees her, but he's there to teach women that they're worth more than just a one-night stand or a friend with benefits arrangement. And with him located in London and Charly in New Orleans, could they ever really be anything more than a hot weekend fling?

Not to mention that Simon has been burned badly in his past and trusting a woman with his heart is not something he can do easily - or at all. Charlie's fighting the same demons, so they make quite a pair.

The fact that there were all these signs that pointed to a doomed and impossible relationship was why I loved this book so very much. Despite the many obstacles - both physical and emotional - in their path, the big question was whether Simon and Charly would deem the potential outcome worth the struggle to overcome them. The many stops and starts and navigation of treacherous dating waters was what kept me deeply engrossed in this story.

Well, that and the hot sex.

And the awesome writing.

Gah - there's just so many awesome things about Easy Kisses.

Be on the lookout for big brother Beau's story up next. It appears that Kristen Proby is going to make me wait for Savannah's story last. Which is okay, because I'm thoroughly enjoying the ride. 

“Hi there, handsome.”

“Well, hello, love.”

“You know,” I say as I lock the door behind him, then walk to my counter to close out the till and get ready to leave. “I’ve discovered that since you’ve been here, you’re very bad for my productivity.”

“How is that?” He leans on the counter and braces his chin on his fist, watching me.

“I’m closing the shop early, for one.”

“I do believe the sign in the window says you close at six.” He checks his watch. “And look at that, it’s six.”

“I haven’t actually closed at six since…well, I don’t remember. I usually chat with customers, redesign displays, shop for new stock. But most of that has been set aside because I seem to be spending most of my time with a certain sexy Brit. It’s a good thing you’re cute.”

He raises a brow and stands to full height, taking my breath away. His ink is on display again in a simple black T-shirt, stretched over wide, muscular shoulders.

Where did my knees go again?

“Cute, am I?”

His accent gets even thicker when he’s turned on, and it’s on full blast now.

“Adorable.”

He slowly circles around the counter and leans into me, pinning my hips against it. His lips are inches from mine.

“I don’t think a man is supposed to be cute.”

“No?” Oh, God, I can’t breathe right when he’s this close to me. His hands are on my hips now, his fingers under the hem of my blouse, and then gliding up my skin and over my bra to cup my breasts.

“We shouldn’t do this here.” Is that my voice? I sound breathy and turned on, which is pretty accurate.

“No one is here,” he says and brushes feather-soft kisses over my cheek to my ear. My body is one giant shiver. Thank God for the giant display I built today that blocks us from outside traffic.

As if by their own volition, my hands make their way down the back of his jeans to cup his very fine ass just as he nips my neck, making me gasp.

“How cute am I now?” he whispers, never taking his lips from my skin.

“You’re just precious,” I reply, hearing my own accent thicken along with his cock pressed to my belly.

“You make me laugh,” he says, smiling against my neck. “You make me so hard it hurts. And I’m grateful that you’re wearing a skirt.”

“Why is that?”

He reaches down and balls the material in his fists, raising it above my waist.

“You’re not wearing panties,” he says with surprise, his blue eyes pinned to mine.

“Not today.”

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves.

Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

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COVER REVEAL: The Great Pursuit (Eurona Duology #2)

It's coming! The Great Pursuit, the follow up to Wendy Higgins' The Great Hunt, will come out on March 7, 2017 from HarperTeen. And, I'm SO excited to show you the cover today! It's so gorgeous, and will look awesome on my bookshelf next to The Great Hunt.

The Great Pursuit (Eurona Duology #2), by Wendy Higgins
Publish Date: March 7, 2017
Publisher: HarperTeen
Genre: young adult fantasy
To Pre-order: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

(Synopsis) Lochlanach has traded the great beast for something far more terrible, a Lashed enemy veiled in beauty, deception, and a vengeance passed down through generations: Rozaria Rocato. And she’s offering the hunter Paxton Seabolt power and acceptance he could never receive in his homeland. Pax must decide how far he’s willing to go under her tutelage, knowing she is the opponent of Princess Aerity Lochson.

In a land where traditionalists dread change, the Lochlan throne must contend with mysterious foes and traitors, while attempting to keep revolt at bay. As dire circumstances strike the royal family, matters of the castle are left in Aerity’s hands. It's time to put aside her fears and grasp the reign, taking actions that have the potential to save or destroy her people.

One hunt has ended, but the pursuit for love and justice continue. In this sequel to The Great Hunt from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins, political intrigue and romance intensify in another thrilling fantasy. Princess Aerity embraces a quest for identity and passion before making the ultimate sacrifice for her kingdom.

Are you intrigued? Are you excited?! Here's another reason to get excited - if you or your bestie hasn't read The Great Hunt yet, now you can get it for only $3.99 for your Kindle or Nook.

Wendy Higgins is the USA Today and NY Times bestselling author of the SWEET EVIL series from HarperTeen, the high fantasy duology THE GREAT HUNT, and her independently published Irish Fantasy SEE ME.

After earning a Creative Writing degree from George Mason University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, Wendy taught high school English until achieving her dream job as a full-time writer.

Wendy lives on the Eastern Shore of Virginia with her husband, daughter, son, and little doggie Rue.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW, EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY: Mr. Romantic (The Misters #2)

"But there's this fear inside me. A fear of taking risks. I've never been a risk-taker. I've always played it safe." No doubt J.A. Huss doesn't share Ivy's fears, because MR. ROMANTIC is anything but safe. Don't let that stop you, though - it's sexy, dirty and totally satisfying. Read on for my review, and enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed copy of Mr. Romantic.

Mr. Romantic (The Misters #2), by J.A. Huss
Publish Date: June 22, 2016
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) Charm is the key to the world.

Charisma, magnetism, sex appeal—that ‘it’ factor that can’t be described.

Nolan Delany has it is spades.

The infamous Mr. Romantic.

And maybe he is out of my league… But I’m going to give it the old college try anyway. Because I didn’t travel two thousand miles for a job interview at his request just to be put out like trash.

Don’t underestimate me, Mr. Delaney.

I’m really not as innocent as I look.

What would you do if you had a Ivy league degree, no job prospects, and only a short time left before your savings ran out? Would you take an interview in another state? Would it matter if the interview was presented to you in a less-than-traditional fashion? Or if it was being offered at a desert resort owned by a renowned womanizer once accused of a horrible crime? 

All good questions that Ivy asks herself, and yet, her humdrum life as a PK (or, Preacher's Kid) seems to be a worse thing to her. I can't really blame her. Ivy finally has the chance to go after something big being offered by someone interesting and sexy, and she's ready to take her life to the next level. 

I need to put myself out there and take risks. Welcome to Opposite Ivy Weekend. Where every time I get the urge to say no to unfamiliar things, I will say yes. And every time I get the urge to say yes to familiar things, I will say no.

Nolan - for all his money and connections and unwanted notoriety - is also stuck in a rut, just like Ivy.  His just looks a little different. He's chasing a dream he's not sure is attainable anymore, given his past. He wants people to take him seriously in his businesses. He wants his father's approval again. He wants a woman to want him and believe in him, despite his transgressions. 

I promise you - Nolan Delaney will not be your favorite person at first. He's used to women falling at his feet, and when Ivy exhibits a backbone and the ability to think for herself, he responds with epic douchebaggery flair. He uses Ivy's attraction to him to try and wear her down, and yet, somewhere along the way, he realizes that perhaps he should slow down a bit and see what he might be missing. And what he could have, as long as she will give him the time of day now. 

"Defiance is defined as open resistance. But, a seductive man knows how to turn resistance into reluctance into acceptance."

Without a doubt, Nolan's sexual proclivities will probably be the one thing most talked about in regards to Mr. Romantic. They definitely push the line, and when we get to see them in practice, it's a bit shocking and startling. 

But, please know - this is NOT a book about an erotic relationship that tests the boundaries of propriety. THIS is a book about trust. And loyalty. And love. It punctuates the fact that these things don't always have to take a traditional shape in order to exist. It's also about exorcising the past, by whatever means necessary, in order to move on with your future, and how that is absolutely possible with the right people by your side. 

For those of you familiar with J.A. Huss' books, be on the lookout for a few Easter eggs that will most definitely bring out your inner fangirl. Characters from another of her series are mentioned, and it's clear that we will see much more of them later on in the Misters series. 

Remember how I said that Nolan wasn't my favorite person in the beginning of the book? By the very end, I was very solidly on Team Nolan. I love how J.A. Huss can win me over, and she does it time and time again. I'm looking forward to more of that in Mr. Corporate, due out in just a few short weeks. 

“What do you think so far? Do I live up to the hype?”

“Not really.”

“No?” He chuckles as we walk past the pool. “Why not?”

The whole thing becomes surreal for me in that moment. The emptiness of the resort. The heat and the sun. I am two thousand miles from home and I’m clutching Mr. Romantic’s elbow like we are lovers taking an evening stroll.

“You’re a little bit quiet so far.”

“Is that right?”

“Your sister is the bigger personality. I’m surprised she wasn’t accused of something inappropriate in college. I think she has it in her.”

Nolan laughs. “That’s kind of true. She’s a handful to most, but she’s been good to me. She’s very protective.”

“She called you dangerous.”

“What?” He stops walking and looks down at me. “When?”

“Today. She told me to stay away from you. Didn’t you know that?”

“What exactly did she tell you?” His mood has changed. Not a lot, but there’s an edge to his words.

“She said something like…” I struggle to remember her exact words, but can’t. I shouldn’t have said anything. He’ll probably confront her and use me as an example.

“Like?” Nolan pushes.

“You’re not romantic. Something like that. They called you Mr. Romantic when all that stuff happened because it was a joke.”

“And the dangerous part?” His words are low and when I look up at him, the easygoing expression has changed into something else.

“I don’t know why she said it. She was telling me to stay away from you all day. And I was angry that she was so dismissive of me. She said I was here by mistake. So I told her I was going to do my best to get the job anyway. And while I agree those men you hired are far more qualified, it was not fair of her to dismiss me so quickly. I’m not as innocent and inexperienced as I look, Mr. Delaney. I have ideas and I’m smart. Hiring everyone in the applicant pool but me was about the most humiliating thing I’ve ever experienced.”

Nolan continues our walk, silent for a few seconds. “You’re lucky.”

“I am?” I ask, a small laugh escaping. “How so?”

“You’re lucky that you’ve never been humiliated the way I have.”

Oh, shit. Way to go, Ivy.

“Do you think I’m dangerous?” Nolan asks, staring down at me in that way he does.

It makes me uneasy. “Maybe.”

“You’re willing to take that chance?”

“Maybe.”

“Well, good,” Nolan says. “Let’s have a nice dinner and I’ll tell you why I sent Claudette away and kept you here against her wishes.”

He did what?

My heart starts to beat faster. Why would he do that? Maybe Claudette was right to warn me? There’s hardly anyone here at the resort. Especially now that all the construction people have left for the day. The main pool is empty when we pass, and even the desk clerks are missing when we enter the lobby.

The dining room has two couples eating dinner and Nolan greets them by name as he leads me to the rear part of the restaurant. Back into a dimly lit room with a single table, white linen tablecloth flowing over the sides. Candle glowing in the center. Set for two.

“This is… unexpected.” My mind is filled with possibilities. And even though I came here with the intention of getting his full attention, possibly losing my virginity to him—and even though I’ve talked myself into feeling ready to take on a man like him, both professionally and personally—I am not excited. I am suddenly scared.

There’s not enough people. There’s not enough noise. There’s not enough of anything to make me forget just who I’m having dinner with.

Mr. Romantic. A man accused of raping a woman ten years ago. A man who was not prosecuted for that crime because the woman died before she could testify. A man who might be guilty.

Nolan pulls out a chair and waits for me to sit, sliding it in perfectly the way a gentleman does, before taking his seat across from me. “I like the unexpected, Miss Rockwell. Get used to it.”

I am in way over my head.

JA Huss is the USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty romances. She likes stories about family, loyalty, and extraordinary characters who struggle with basic human emotions while dealing with bigger than life problems. JA loves writing heroes who make you swoon, heroines who makes you jealous, and the perfect Happily Ever After ending.

You can chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AuthorJAHuss), Twitter (@jahuss), and her blog, New Adult Addiction (www.jahuss.com).

If you’re interested in getting your hands on an advanced release copy of her upcoming books, sneak peek teasers, or information on her upcoming personal appearances, you can join her newsletter list (http://eepurl.com/JVhAr) and get those details delivered right to your inbox.

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Waiting On Wednesday: Don't Tempt Me

      

Lori Foster’s DON’T TEMPT ME is coming! Being released on July 26th, this fantastic contemporary romance is a story of how love comes along when you least expect it. I LOVE Lori Foster (have you read her Ultimate series? If not, you need to put those books on your TBR too!), and am so excited for this brand new standalone. See below for the synopsis and the links to pre-order Don't Tempt Me!

   

Preorder DON’T TEMPT ME here!

Amazon * Kindle * Barnes & Noble * Nook * Book Depository * GooglePlay * iBooks * BAM * Kobo * IndieBound

(Synopsis) Love comes along when it's least wanted

Jason Guthrie has no time for entanglements—between helping out his widowed brother and teenage nephew and getting his hometown back on its feet, his days are spoken for. But his nights are another story… And when his lovely new neighbor, Honor Brown, reluctantly accepts his help in remodeling her house, Jason finds himself wishing his handyman skills could knock down the defenses she keeps building around herself.

Martial arts teacher Sullivan Dean knows real danger when he sees it—even when it takes the form of the gorgeous blonde helping her friend move in across the street. After putting his wayward past behind him to focus on teaching control to troubled kids, Sullivan has learned to avoid party girls like Lexie Perkins. But Sullivan can't seem to keep his hands off the real woman behind that flirty charm—or keep his heart from landing at her feet…

Check out this exclusive graphic teaser we have for DON'T TEMPT ME!

 

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

          

About Lori Foster: Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St. Martin’s, Harlequin, Silhouette, Samhain, and Berkley/Jove. She is currently published with HQN. Visit her online at LoriFoster.com.

Connect With Lori Foster:
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COVER REVEAL: Torn (The Wicked Saga #2)

I can't believe it's almost time to go back to New Orleans! But, before you can start reading TORN, you have to know what it looks like! Check out this gorgeous cover...

Torn (A Wicked Saga #2), by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publish Date: July 16, 2016
Publisher: self-published
Genre: new adult paranormal romance

(Synopsis) Torn between duty and survival, nothing can be the same.

Everything Ivy Morgan thought she knew has been turned on its head. After being betrayed and then nearly killed by the Prince of the Fae, she’s left bruised and devastated—and with an earth-shattering secret that she must keep at all costs. And if the Order finds out her secret, they’ll kill her.

Then there’s Ren Owens, the sexy, tattooed Elite member of the Order who has been sharing Ivy’s bed and claiming her heart. Their chemistry is smoking hot, but Ivy knows that Ren has always valued his duty to the Order above all else—he could never touch her if he knew the truth. That is, if he let her live at all. Yet how can she live with herself if she lies to him?

But as the Fae Prince begins to close in on Ivy, intent on permanently opening the gates to the Otherworld, Ivy is running out of options. If she doesn’t figure out who she can trust—and fast—it’s not only her heart that will be torn apart, but civilization itself.

Don’t miss the first title in the series, WICKED, now just $.99 for a limited time only!

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#1 New York Times and #1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA.

She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

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