Book Promo! Caress of Pleasure, A 1001 Dark Nihghts Novella by Julie Kenner

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I'd thought that he was mine, the dark, arresting man who commanded not only my body but my heart. Dante had swept into my life, and I'd succumbed to the burn of passion in his arms.

I'd believed we had a love that would last forever, but he'd shattered my dreams and broken me into pieces when he'd walked away, taking a piece of my soul with him. Now he has come back seeking my help, and though I try to keep my distance and protect my heart, I cannot deny that the fire between us burns hotter than ever. And I cannot help but fear that this time our passion will reduce us both to ashes.

Dante formally introduces me, we do the meet and greet thing, and I follow the men into a conference room. Honestly, it's like being in a pressure cooker of hotness laced with a helping of testosterone. 

“Dante explained what we need?” Mal asks.

“The brooch,” I say. “Though I have no idea why there's so much urgency.”

“I'm afraid that's harder to explain,” Liam says. “And you'll forgive me if I don't try. It's not actually necessary for what we're hiring you to do.”

I lean back in my chair, not bothering to correct him. I'm not really being hired. I was well-fucked, and this is now a freebie. Frankly, that's not something I feel the need to share. “Why me? Why don't one of you call him? Make him an offer he can't refuse.”

“We tried that already, Ms. Hart,” Raine says. “Got shot down.”

“Really?” I frown. My experience with Michael is that he's very interested in his bottom line. “Did he say why?”

“He said that he's a collector of cursed artifacts,” Liam said, “and that this isn't about the money.”

Beside me, Dante shifts. “When did he say that? The report I read simply indicated that he wasn't interested in parting with the piece.”

“You read the e-mail report. The secure communication came about half an hour later. Cursed,” Liam repeated, as if that word holds special import. And from the way Dante leans forward, his forehead creased into a frown, I guess that it does.

“I do a lot of research on every item I try to acquire,” I say. “I assure you, this one has no history of a curse.” I glance at each of them in turn. “So what is that code for?”

Mal glances at Dante and smiles. I have the oddest feeling that it's a smile of approval.

“We need you to gain access to Mr. Folsom's house.”

Julie Kenner (aka J. Kenner and J.K. Beck) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over forty novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres. Praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations,” J.K. writes a range of stories including super sexy romances, paranormal romance, chick lit suspense and paranormal mommy lit. Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner, is in development as a feature film with 1492 Pictures. Her most recent trilogy of erotic romances, The Stark Trilogy (as J. Kenner), reached as high as #2 on the New York Times list and is published in over twenty countries. J.K. lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and several cats. 

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Mikky's Shelf: Book of the Month featuring A. Meredith Walters, Emma Chase, Abigail Roux & Madeleine Urban, Paige Weaver and Garrett Leigh

Hey guys!! 

I've decided to make a recap of all the books I've read in April and make a top five, sharing my opinions of every book. I also want to hear what you think so, feel free to comment and tell what was the highlight of your month and what would you recommend to others. 

On the 5th place is Only Love by Leigh Garrett

The diagnosis of a chronic stomach condition leaves thirty-two-year-old Sergeant Jed Cooper with little choice but to call time on his Army career. Then on the dusty streets of Kirkuk, an ambush gone tragically wrong decimates his team, and he returns to the US with a shattered leg and the memory of his best friend dying in his arms.

Life in his sleepy hometown proves intolerable until he finds solace in a lakeside cabin with vivacious young carpenter, Max O’Dair. In the shadow of the epilepsy that periodically plagues Max, he and Jed form an unspoken bond. After a late night episode, Jed realizes how much Max means to him, and life has taught him not to waste time.

But the lines between contentment and complacency are blurred. Things left hidden resurface to tear through their world, and before they can repair the damage, death comes to call again. Faces, past and present, rally around them to weather the storm, but before long, they are left with only love.

Genre: M/M Romance, Contemporary, Military

My thoughts- Only Love is the story of two damaged souls finding solace in each other. Jed and Max have been through so much and seen to much in their lives and the marks left on their souls and on their psyche will never be erased. But those marks are what makes them special and what brings them together. Their story will bring tears to your eyes more than once but it will also show that there's always hope, there's always a reason to fight even when we don't see it beyond the hurt and the pain. I really liked it and I can't wait to read the next book. 

On the 4th place is Promise Me Once by Paige Weaver

Once with him was never enough.

I am the girl you dislike. The girl you snub at parties. I am the one who flirts with men and knows no boundaries. I am the one you whisper about. The one who has no rules. I am the one who takes and uses without any regret or excuses.

On the outside I am perfect. I have money, looks, and a personality that makes people stand up and take notice, but on the inside I am broken and hurting.

Then I met Cash Marshall.

He wasn’t what I needed, but I wanted him anyway. It was Cash’s carved, muscular body I thought about. It was his cool, confident touch I craved. I swore he would only be a one-night stand, another distraction to take away the pain.

But then our world changed.

Our story is not about love. Love is pretty and sweet and full of niceties. Those no longer exist. Our story is about finding each other again in a world gone crazy. It’s about surviving the impossible when war ravaged our land. It’s about saving each other from the darkness and finding out just how strong we could be.

And maybe, just maybe, along the way, we’ll find love…

Once and for all.

Genre: Dystopian, Romance, New Adult

My thoughts- Promise Me Once is the third and final book in the Promise Me series. These books are among the top 10 on my favorites list. Paige brings us into a world where every single thing we take for granted everyday is taken away at the switch of a button and to survive, the characters are forced to return to the old ways. They'll have to be strong and smart and learn to adjust or be collateral damage in a world gone mad. 

Lets just say that this story is a little bit of an eye opener, at least for me. It made me think about what would I do? How would I survive? I wasn't happy with the answers to those questions. 

I highly recommend it but it cannot be read as a a stand alone. You'll have to start from book one, Promise Me Darkness.

Here you can read my reviews for Promise Me Light and Promise Me Once

On the 3rd place is Fish & Chips by Abigail Roux and Madeleine Urban

Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett are back on the job, settled into a personal and professional relationship built on fierce protectiveness and blistering passion. Now they're assigned to impersonate two members of an international smuggling ring-an out-and-proud married couple-on a Christmas cruise in the Caribbean. As their boss says, surely they'd rather kiss each other than be shot at, and he has no idea how right he is. Portraying the wealthy criminals requires a particular change in attitude from Ty and Zane while dealing with the frustrating waiting game of their assignment. As it begins to affect how they treat each other in private, Ty and Zane realize there's more to being partners than watching each other's backs, and when the case takes an unexpected turn and threatens Ty's life, Ty and Zane will have to navigate seas of white lies and stormy secrets, including some of their own.

Genre: M/M Romance, Contemporary, Suspense, Mystery, Adult

My thoughts- Ty and Zane are the bane of my existence. LOL. This guys are driving me up a freakin' wall. One moment I want to hug them and the next I want to smack them because they frustrate the hell out of me.  

I picked out the first volume out of curiosity because everyone was singing it's praise and I'm more curious than a cat when it comes to books.

Being a debut novel it was a little bit of a challenge to get through it due to the constantly head hopping but the story was great and I fell in love with Ty on the spot. Guy's all kinds of nuts. Zane's the kind of character that you kind of dislike when you first meet him because he seems so stuck up but, later, you realize you were so very wrong in judging him.

Their relationship is ... complicated. Yes, I know, it sounds like a cliche but it's not. Those two give the word complicated a whole new definition. It's not the "I'm gay and I'm afraid what others might think" thing. They have too many issues and insecurities that they're unable to see what's right in front of them.

And, God, the trouble they get themselves into... 

This series gets better and better with every book and the writing style improves considerably by the second book. I can see it becoming one of my favorites and I still have six books to go. Great job!

On the 2nd place is Overruled by Emma Chase

Emma Chase, New York Times bestselling author of the Tangled Series, returns with the first installment of the Legal Briefs Series. 

As a DC defense attorney, Stanton Shaw keeps his head cool, his questions sharp, and his arguments irrefutable. They don’t call him the Jury Charmer for nothing – with his southern drawl, disarming smile and captivating green eyes – he’s a hard man to say no to. Men want to be him and women want to be thoroughly cross examined by him.

Stanton’s a man with a plan. And for a while, life was going according to that plan.

Until the day he receives an invitation to the wedding of his high school sweetheart and mother of his beloved ten-year old daughter. Jenny is getting married — to someone who isn’t him.

That's definitely not part of the plan.

***

Sofia Santos is a city raised, no-nonsense litigator who plans to become the most revered criminal defense attorney in the country. She doesn’t have time for relationships or distractions.

But when Stanton, her "friend with mind-blowing benefits" begs for help, she finds herself out of her element, out of her depth, and obviously out of her mind. Because she agrees to go with him – to The-Middle-Of-Nowhere, Mississippi – to do all she can to help Stanton win back the woman he loves. 

Her head tells her she's crazy...and her heart says something else entirely.

*** 

What happens when you mix a one stop-light town, two professional arguers, a homecoming queen, four big brothers, some Jimmy Dean sausage and a gun-toting Nana? 

The Bourbon flows, passions rise and even the best laid plans get overruled by the desires of the heart.

Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Adult, 

My thoughts- God, I don't even know where to begin. I'm addicted to Emma's books. I just about devoured Tangled and now this. Emma writes beautifully. Her characters are strong, charismatic, smart and funny as hell. It's impossible to read her books and not laugh your head off.

I was afraid that after Tangled nothing she writes will be good enough or at least as good as that series. Boy, was I wrong. You'll love Stanton and Sofia, I promise! Just, go for it!

Read my review HERE.

And we have reached the first place. The book that totally blew me away was....

The Contradiction of Solitude by A. Meredith Walters

You may notice me, but you will never know me.

I prefer it that way.

I am the daughter of a monster.

Born from blood and lies.

Dead before I have truly lived.

But Elian tells me that I'm different. 

He tells me that I'm beautiful.

That I'm an enigma wrapped in irresistibly complicated skin.

Elian says that he loves me.

These words terrify me.

I can't trust love.

Or hope.

Or truth.

Because I fear the beast inside.

It threatens to drown Elian and his sweet, unconditional love.

It's a beast that will destroy everything.

*This is a psychological thriller and very different than my previous books*

Genre: Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Adult, Dark Romance

My thoughts- Meredith is one of the authors whose books I'll pick up the second they've been published because she is that good. This lady has yet to disappoint me and I've read everything she's written so far. She can switch from one genre to another flawlessly and you'll always end up loving her stories.

The Contradiction of Solitude was a complete surprise and so unlike anything she's written before. 

It's hard to describe it without getting into details and I don't want to do that. I'll just say that this is one of the books that you HAVE to read. 

See my review HERE.

Cover Reveal & Giveaway! Burn, Brothers of Ink and Steel #2 by Allie Juliette Mousseau

Liam Knight, a sexy panty-melting, hard-bodied streetfighter and renowned tattoo artist, is rising up the ranks of the UFC Middleweight Division, but he’s about to get knocked out by his past.

Quinn Kelley is a semester away from becoming a college graduate when her mother’s death sends her spiraling, forcing her to go back to her hometown and a past she can’t outrun.

Nearly a decade ago, Liam and Quinn fell in love while surviving on the city streets together, but they were torn apart by one irreversible night. Now each has moved forward without the other, but like a tattoo on the heart, absolute love creates a lasting burn.

Quinn has kept a tight rein on her emotions, but with the passing of her mother, the foundation she’s built begins to crack. Will seeing Liam again crumble her fortress to the ground, uncovering the flame that still burns? Or will it extinguish the fire forever?

Liam’s tough exterior and resentful demeanor hides more than a wounded heart. He’s tormented by guilt over what happened to Quinn—and the secret he kept, even from her. But revealing his secrets would require unearthing the all-consuming monster he keeps caged in the darkest part of his soul, the one that threatens to devour him.

When they’re given a second chance, will they let go of their fear and pride and let the flame between them become one? 

Or will the heat burn them both?

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Allie Juliette Mousseau is a USA Today Bestselling author.

She can always be found writing, playing in puddles with her children, hiking with her husband, or adventuring somewhere in the world. Her favorite place to write on warm days is outdoors, but when the weather gets too cold, she'll be inside at her desk inspired by the mountain view from her home office in Montana where she lives with her loving husband, children, and golden retriever. She loves to travel and lived for three years in her RV with her family while visiting the national parks and forests of the U.S. and a couple Canadian provinces. She is excited to add all of Canada and Alaska in the near future!

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Book Blast: Excerpt & Giveaway! How It Was Supposed To Be

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Reese Kennecott had everything he could ever want and life was good. He’s dating the guy of his dreams and has a great group of friends. The Kennecotts were living the carefree life as an upper middle class family until the day his father arrives home from work with the news that the company he has worked for since he was Reese’s age has gone out of business. Aside from the great depression, this is the worst economic downturn the United States has ever faced. It does not take long for the Kennecotts to fall behind in their bills and eventually to lose everything. 

Reese used to work part time for extra money now he is working all the hours he can get in order to help his family get by. But things have gone from bad to worse. Hope finally comes with a new job that will take the family across the country, which means giving up their lives as they’ve always known them. The family embarks on a road trip to their new life. Along the way, they are forced to make difficult choices and hope begins to fade. Each day things become bleaker and the Kennecotts begin to wonder if they are ever going to make it to their destination. But sometimes things that have no reason to work out do and we end up right where we should be, at the right time and in the right place.

A few days later Cruz caught Reese on his way out to the parking lot after school. He appeared so smug and at the same time seemed so debonair as he approached Reese. When he was close enough, he looked around, perhaps to make sure there was no one in ear shot. There was no greeting from Cruz before he asked, “Relationship troubles?”

He responded, “You mean Morgan?” Cruz nodded his head as if telling him duh. “We’re only friends.”

“Oh.” Cruz shrugged, “So he’s not gay then?”

“No he’s not gay.” Reese did not feel it was his place to share Morgan’s bisexuality.

Cruz stared at him, only perpetuating Reese’s discomfort. “You’re gay though?”

“Yes. You’re gay too?” He figured fair was fair.

Nodding in agreement, Cruz asked, “Do you have a boyfriend?”

“No.” Reese was feeling as if he was being sized up added, “I hear you don’t either.” Cruz was silent, glancing away and yawning, appearing disinterested in the conversation. Reese decided that he’d better make his move, “You want to go out sometime?”

Cruz turned toward him and seemed to be thinking over his response. Reese smiled feeling hopeful and then concerned he might be coming off as desperate. Cruz nodded, “That would be fine by me.” Then he turned to walk away without saying another word.

I have a horrible time when it comes to writing about myself. It is not that I have low self-esteem, but the fact that I am not comfortable talking about myself. 

For most of my life, I have been writing and sharing it with my friends. They have repeatedly told me I needed to publish my writing and share it with the world. Now that I have, I am amazed at how many people admire it.

My interests beyond writing include reading a variety of books, watching movies and drawing.

I truly appreciate all the support and encouragement from my friends, family, and you. I am so thankful to your support!

Keep on reading! I am always interested in hearing about what people are reading, especially if it is something I have written.

Thank you for reading and letting me know what you think of my writing!

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Book Promo: Excerpt & Giveaway! That Thing You Do, Whispering Bay Romance #1 by Maria Geraci

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Allie Grant doesn’t believe in second chances. She does, however, believe in the power of a permanent paycheck. So when a tipster reports that the soon-to-be demolished senior center in her hometown is haunted, Allie hightails it to Whispering Bay to get the scoop that could secure her dream job at Florida! magazine. What she finds, though, is far scarier than any ghost. Cue her ex-boyfriend, sexy construction foreman Tom Donalan.

When Tom catches Allie poking around his construction site, he quickly realizes his former high school flame is just as feisty as ever. And, heaven help him, her irresistible, mile-high legs still take his breath away. But Tom isn’t about to delay the building’s demolition because of a silly ghost story.

With neither of the stubborn exes backing down from their opposing positions, sparks fly. And, underneath the surface, the fire of their old attraction burns as hot as ever. When strange things start happening with increasing frequency around town, even a tough skeptic like Tom is tested. The question is, can Allie and Tom stop fighting long enough to get to the bottom of Whispering Bay’s ghost problem—and the more important matter of mending their broken hearts?

She was flabbergasted. Speechless in a way that she’d never been before. Tom Donalan had just exposed his jugular. He’d basically told her he loved her. Without saying it, of course. But that’s what he was leading up to. It was her Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey fantasy come to life. She should jump up and pump her fist in the air. Or do a happy dance. Or feel something. Shouldn’t she? But all she felt was sad.

“What do you want me to say to all that, Tom?”

“You know what I want.” He bent down to kiss her. 

She turned her head to avoid his touch and the sadness quickly turned to anger. It was all she could do to not punch him in the nose. How dare he do this to her twice in a lifetime? She snatched her hands away.

He reached out for her again. “Baby, I—” 

“No. It’s my turn now.” She jumped up from the bed and began to pace the room. “That day I told you I loved you? It didn’t matter that you didn’t say it back. I mean, yeah, I wanted to hear you tell me you loved me, too. I wanted to hear it so bad, but I knew you weren’t ready. And that was okay, because… my love wasn’t some conditional thing. But then when you told me you and Lauren were getting married? I wanted to puke. I wanted to hate you, but I—” She swiped a tear from her eye. How had that gotten there?

“I admit it. Okay? You broke my heart, Tom. You looked me straight in the eye and told me you thought you loved someone else. That you had this big responsibility to take care of your mistakes. Well, what about me?” she asked, her voice rising with each word. “Where was your responsibility to me?”

He looked stunned.

“So I went home and I locked myself in my room and I cried because all I could think of was myself. And how I felt. And Buela was banging on the door, trying to get inside because she could hear me crying. And she kept begging me to tell her what was wrong. But I told her to go away. And after a while, she did. And she must have gotten Zeke…because then he started banging on the door, too.” 

Allie stopped her pacing. She’d forgotten all about Zeke trying to coax her out of her room. It was like she’d buried that memory along with a bunch of other stuff from that night. Obviously, Zeke hadn’t forgotten a thing. His animosity toward Tom made perfect sense now.

“But I wouldn’t let Zeke in, either,” she continued. “So I cried myself to sleep that night. And the whole next day I acted like nothing was wrong, even though she knew that was bullshit. All she wanted was to comfort me. And I…I wouldn’t let her. And then two days later, she was gone.”

“Allie, you didn’t cause your grandmother’s heart attack.” He stood and tried to pull her in his arms but she placed a hand up, warning him to back off.

“Don’t you think I know that? But the last two days she had on this earth…all she wanted was…. After Mom died, she gave up her whole life to come take care of me and Zeke. If it wasn’t for her, who knows where we would have ended up? And the one little thing she wanted from me I couldn’t give her because I was so fucking selfish. All I could think about was myself.” 

His voice cracked. “We were kids, Allie. You couldn’t have known what was going to happen. You thought you’d have more time with her.”

“Yeah, well, life sucks. Tell me something I don’t know.”

“You blame me, don’t you?” he said quietly.

“No, Tom, I don’t blame you. I blame me. But, somehow you’re tied into it. At least…into that version of me. So, yeah, you’ve been terrific these past few days, and yeah, the sex was fantastic. I admit it. It was best sex of my life, too. But you and I are never going to be together because you’re always going to be a reminder of the biggest regret of my life.”

He flinched. But she wasn’t trying to hurt him. She was only trying to be honest. 

“So that’s it. No second chances. No nothing? Is that what you want?” He sounded bitter, and a part of her wanted to tell him…what? That they could start over? Zeke was right. Tom wasn’t the guy for her. 

“What I want is, for you to take me home.”

Maria Geraci writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction with a happy ending. The Portland Book Review called her novel, The Boyfriend of the Month Club, “immensely sexy, immensely satisfying and humorous.” Her fourth novel, A Girl Like You, was nominated for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA ® award. She lives in north Florida with her family, which includes a very needy chihuahua, an extremely needy dachshund and a not-so-needy cat (guess which one she likes best?). You can reach at her www.mariageraci.com.

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Release Day Blitz: Excerpt & Giveaway! Savor, The Empire Chronicles #4 by Alyssa Rose Ivy

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Jared is Vera's perfect man—until he opens his mouth. An incredible body and set of wings can only go so far when everything he says seems designed to make her mad. Still, she can't deny her intense attraction or the fact that he is the closest thing she has to a friend.

Jared doesn't go for bear shifters, especially ones that are related to his ex, but he can't resist Vera's charm or the way she understands him better than anyone else. 

As suspicions build and loyalties are tested, Vera and Jared realize that they may not be able to trust anyone but each other.

“I’m glad you don’t want me dead.” He smirked. Even his smirk was sexy.

“I’d be on my own if you were.” I put my hands behind my head.

“And you don’t like being alone?” He studied me in the darkness. Sometimes I wished neither of us had night vision. It left you so naked, never having an opportunity to hide.

“I do most of the time.”

“But not always?” His eyes raked over my body. The fact that he could make such a platonic conversation feel sexual gave me even more reason to resist him.

“Why does it matter?” Often the best way to avoid a question is to ask your own.

“It matters because I asked it.” And there went his mouth again.

My annoyance gave me back my will power. “Put a shirt on.”

“Why?” He grinned. “Am I distracting you?”

“No, but we should go. The sun will be up soon enough.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t go with you.” He sat up, swinging his legs off the side of the bed.

“No way.” I moved to standing. “You’re not backing out.”

“Why do you care?” He stood with his back to me. “You can do this alone.”

“Of course I can.”

He turned to me. “Then why does it matter if I go my own way?” He pulled on his t-shirt, and a little part of me missed the view.

“Because we agreed to help each other out. I stick to my promises.” That was one of my good traits. The not so good traits weren’t worth reflecting on.

“Maybe I don’t.”

“You do.” I put a hand on my hip. I didn’t have time for Jared’s games.

“How do you know?”

“I just do.”

“You’re infuriating.”

I groaned. “And what are you?”

“Charming.”

If I’d had liquid in my mouth I would have spit it out. “Not exactly the word I’d use to describe you.”

“Says the girl begging me to stay with her.”

“I never begged.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Would you beg?” His grin was his undoing.

“Is that how you like it, Jared? With your women begging?”

“I wasn’t talking about how I like my women.”

“Are you sure about that?” I grabbed my backpack and headed into the cabin’s small bathroom.

“Where are you going?”

I paused with my hand on the door. “To shower.”

  

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.       

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