Monday, March 31, 2014

Blog Tour: Dazed by Kim Karr





DAZED SYNOPSIS:

Jagger Kennedy never went looking for fame, he just fell into it. After scoring a major modeling contract, his clean-cut good looks and charm catapulted his career. But when his actress girlfriend breaks his heart, he moves to L.A. to try his hand at acting. He’s not looking for love—he just needs to make a change.

Aerie Daniels is a woman in control … until she meets Jagger. Her surprising connection with him leaves her dazed and it’s unlike anything she’s ever felt. But just when she lets her walls fall, she makes a startling discovery about Jagger that breaks her fragile heart into a million pieces.

To keep from losing the woman who’s changing his world, Jagger is willing to give up anything—including his career. But even that might not be enough to regain Aerie’s shattered trust…

**Dazed is a Connections Series Novella but its not necessary to read Connected and Torn prior to reading this. **

DAZED PURCHASE LINKS & OTHER:
✿ AMAZON preorder - http://amzn.to/1hwLS9g
✿ B&N preorder - http://bit.ly/1cOoxeO
✿ iTUNES preorder - http://bit.ly/1a4JC3T

✿ Goodreads - http://bit.ly/INDvKs
✿ Dreamcast - http://bit.ly/1c8aiDP



Christine's Review:

We met Aerie in Connected as she is Dahlia's best friend and now we get to really know her in this novella. Aerie has control over her life due to being hurt in her past but that's until Jagger comes walking in. Jagger is River's cousin and man is good looking and charming. He is also a cupcake thief. 

This is a great novella. I really enjoyed getting to know Aerie and Jagger, of course I wish it was longer cause I absolutely loved both of these characters. We got more of Dahlia and River which is always a bonus. I loved the humor and of course the scorching hot connection that oozes off the pages. The story progressed perfectly and never rushed. 

I agree that you don't have to read the prior books in this series to dive into this one but why would you want to do that? Connected and Torn were both great stories and shouldn't be missed. I can't wait for the next book in this series. Kim writes amazing characters and tells beautiful stories. 

I give this novella 4 out of 5 bookmarks. It's a must read.  







Excerpt from Dazed
 Connections #2.5 by Kim Karr
© 2014 by Kim Karr
Published by the Penguin Group
Release date: April 1, 2014


Aerie Daniels 
There’s something deliciously perverse about staring through the clear glass. All of
my senses engage as I wait in line—the fragrance that fills the air as the fire crackles
beneath the foil wrapped treats wafts under my nose, the beauty in each and every small
package as they line the shelves with tiny dots and colored sprinkles mesmerizes me, the
sound made as the silver sheet is peeled back to reveal the magnificence it holds
captivates me, and the anticipation of the taste makes my mouth water. Ummm… just
thinking of the first bite into the moist brown exterior with its bittersweet Belgian
chocolate complimenting the flavor of the Madagascar bourbon vanilla that oozes from
its inside has me trembling. The black and white cupcake—it’s simply perfection.

Amidst the skyscrapers in Los Angeles’ South Park neighborhood, Sprinkles is a
gem tucked away for those of us who seek out a small piece of heaven. I don’t come here
often, but when I do it’s for that one special treat. The menu describes it as, “Yin and
Yang.” An ancient proverb that says, “Complementary opposites, such as light and dark,
day and night, and masculine and feminine, seemingly may exist as contrary forces, but
are actually interconnected.” Simply put, it says one gives rise to the other and it’s true—
opposites attract. Without the vanilla inside, one could not possibly crave the chocolate
outside—looking at the two parts united has me drooling.

“You know what they say about staring through the glass,” a deep husky voice says
from behind me.

His words tingle my skin and my gaze snaps up. “Excuse me?” I stop short, in a
daze, not even sure what he just said I was so lost in my thoughts.

He chuckles. “You know what they say about staring through the glass,” he repeats.

My eyes blink and come into focus on the upward tilt of his full lips. Then my eyes
move to his smooth pale skin flecked with a light stubble, his nose seemingly sculpted
even with a slight imperfection in its slope, large eyes with the most unusual gray color
swirling from within, and chocolate brown colored hair framing his face in pieces—I’m
not sure if he has just rolled out of bed or if product molds it just so. Either way, he is
utterly beautiful.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Just be careful so you don’t fall in like Alice.” He smiles, displaying his bright
white teeth.

“Again, I’m sorry but I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I notice his eyes
sweep over me and my heart starts pounding.

“Through the Looking Glass,” he responds in a dangerously husky voice.

This time when he speaks I catch an accent, ever so slight but extremely sexy.

It reminds me of how Robert De Nero talks, just not as loud or fast. I continue to stare,
unable to respond. I notice that his physique is long and lean. He’s dressed in worn jeans
that fit him perfectly. His orange laced hiking boots scream I don’t conform. A pair of
tortoiseshell sunglasses hang from the V of his gray sweater, which clings to his body
perfectly. And an outdoor vest tops the outfit. It throws me off. It makes him look more
like an Abercrombie model than a James Dean type. It’s a navy blue down and quilted
one with a silver zipper. I don’t know why, but something about his outfit, about this
man, captivates me.

“Number 98,” calls the girl from behind the counter.

He steps closer. His warm breath whispers across my neck. “Through the Looking
Glass is the sequel to Alice in Wonderland. When Alice gets too close to the glass, she
falls in and starts on a crazy journey,” he tells me as his arm waves in the air with a green
ticket on display. Stepping closer, his gaze cuts from mine to the glass case as he hands
his number to the clerk whose wearing a cute brown apron with the word Sprinkles
scripted across it.

“Can I have a dozen of the black and white cupcakes?” he asks.

Suddenly alarmed, my eyes dart to the case as I watch the single remaining row of
beautifully crafted cupcakes diminish until there are none left. My irritation flares as I
glance at my number—97.

The beautiful stranger hands the clerk his credit card and waits to sign the slip.

“I was number 97, my number was before yours,” I say as he’s handed the bag that
holds his treasure.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Here let me get the sales clerk’s attention so you don’t have to take
another number,” he says.

I want to stomp my feet. I want to scream. I don’t want her attention. I don’t want
another number. I want the cupcakes that he stole from me.

“Miss,” he calls draping his perfectly fit body over the case. She looks his way and
with a charming grin he says, “Can you help this lovely lady? She missed her number
being called.”

“Of course, I’m so sorry. How can I help you?” the girl asks averting her eyes from
the man who looks like he should be on the cover of GQ magazine, over to me.

He smiles at me with a face that belongs on a billboard. “Don’t fall in.”

I swear he’s goading me. But then he tips his chin and a sexy, smoldering grin passes
over his lips and I’m not so sure anymore. He turns to look at me one more time before
he exits, and excitement flushes over my face. I nod a slight cursory acknowledgement,
then he disappears and disappointment washes over me—he’s gone. Crap. The cupcakes
are also gone. Double crap. And now I’m left wondering if he saw me staring at that
flavor? Did he distract me on purpose so he could purchase them first? Urrr…I’m so
angry right now I consider walking out, but when the clerk asks me what I’d like I settle
for the Vanilla Milk Chocolate cakes—they are the mirror reflection of the black and
whites, with vanilla cake and chocolate frosting, but they are not nearly as good.






ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kim Karr



Sunday, March 30, 2014

Dear Tabitha by Trudy

Along with Trudy Stiles, we are very excited to share with you the Release of Dear Tabitha, the 2nd book in The Forever Family Series. If you have not read Dear Emily (Book #1) yet, now is the time to grab it while it is on sale for ONLY $.99 in celebration of the New Release.

Make sure to check out the Book Trailer, add this series to your Goodreads, enter the Giveaway below for a Kindle Paperwhite and Amazon Gift Cards and join the Facebook Release Party Event for more fun and giveaways!

Author: Trudy Stiles

Book Title: Dear Tabitha ~ Series: Forever Family #2

Genre: New Adult/Romance


You know me. You know who I am. What I am.
Damaged. Confused. Alone.
You feel sorry for me. You pity me.
You know what I’ve done. What I’ve given up. Who I’ve given up.
You try to understand what I’ve been through and how I can possibly go on with my life.
But you can’t possibly understand.
I’ve lost too much. Sacrificed too much. Given up everything so that I can find myself.
Well I’m done.
I’m done walking away from everything that matters.
It’s time for me to heal.
It’s MY TURN to earn…
Redemption.
Love.
Family.

Book Trailer - Created by Becca at Bibliophile Productions





Trudy Stiles is a New Adult author, mom to two beautiful children, and married to the love of her life. She is the author of the Forever Family series including “Dear Emily” and “Dear Tabitha”. There will be many more stories from this series and you never know who may have a standalone or novella written for them. Stay tuned!
Trudy is a music junkie and you’ll know that she’s writing when you see her plugged into her laptop with her earbuds in. Her playlist is unique and is a must for her writing sprints.
When she’s not writing, she’s carting her children to their various activities while avoiding any kind of laundry or housework. She also loves to run along the boardwalk of the beautiful New Jersey shore.
She’s always been an avid reader and frequently escapes into the fictional worlds of the many characters that she has come to love. Well, now there are some fictional characters in her head dying to get out!
This first story is called “Dear Emily” and was released in December 2013. “Dear Tabitha” will be released in March 2014. The Forever Family series will continue with several companion/stand alone novels.
Email: authortrudystiles@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authortrudystiles
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/trudy_stiles
Twitter: @trudystiles

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Blog Tour: Twisted by Emma Chase



Summary: 
Falling in love is easy. Staying in love is hard. In this heart-pounding follow-up to Tangled by New York Times bestseller Emma Chase, Kate reveals that there is trouble in paradise, when unexpected circumstances force her and Drew to "renegotiate" their relationship.

There are two kinds of people in the world. The ones who look first, and the ones who leap. I’ve always been more of a looker. Cautious. A planner. That changed after I met Drew Evans. He was so persistent. So sure of himself—and of me.

But not all love stories end happily ever after. Did you think Drew and I were going to ride off into the sunset? Join the club. Now I have to make a choice; the most important of my life. Drew already made his—in fact, he tried to decide for the both of us. But you know that’s just not my style. So I came back to Greenville, Ohio, alone. Well, sort of alone...

What I've come to realize is that old habits die hard, and sometimes you have to go back to where you began before you can move ahead.



Christine's Review: 

I absolutely fell in love with Drew in Tangled and was beyond ecstatic when I found out there would be more books to Kate and Drew's story. I absolutely loved being inside Kate's head, she is witty and so funny. We knew she was great for Drew but getting more of Kate just sealed the deal. 

To keep this review as spoiler free as I can I will not reveal much. There is a HUGE misunderstanding that causes major heartache and drama. I so wish Kate would've just opened her mouth and just said it but of course where would the drama and angst fit in. 

After this huge misunderstanding Kate heads back home and we got to see another side of her which I really think just helped her grow up a little more. My heart hurt for Kate a few times and didn't know how she would make it past these obstacles. 

Enter Drew, we know he is witty, hilarious with his "Drewspeak" but in this story we got to see another side of him and it was great to see the growth in him as well as Kate. 

If you were a fan of Tangled then this is a MUST read. Emma did it again and wrote an amazing story! 

I give 5 out of 5 bookmarks! 



Excerpt

“Would you fucking stop! Why are you being like this?”

I glare up at him. “Because you don’t even care! I’m really upset here - and you don’t give a shit!”

His eyes open wide, incredulous.

“Of course I give a shit - I’m the one getting Jimmy Choos thrown at my head like Chinese freaking stars!”

“If you care so much, why don’t you apologize?!”

“Because I didn’t fucking do anything! I have no problem crawling on my hands and knees when I screw up. But if you think I’m gonna beg because you’ve been possessed by the Hormone Demon - you’re out of your mind sweetheart.”


Buy / Pre-Order Links

Amazon

Barnes & Noble
Print   Nook

Chapters

IndieBound

BAM




By day, Emma Chase is a devoted wife and mother of two who resides in a small, rural town in New Jersey. By night she is a keyboard crusader, toiling away the hours to bring her colorful characters and their endless antics to life. She has a long standing love/hate relationship with caffeine. 

Emma is an avid reader. Before her children were born she was known to consume whole books in a single day. Writing has also always been a passion and with the 2013 release of her debut romantic comedy, Tangled, the ability to now call herself an author is nothing less than a dream come true.


Emma's Social Media



Tuesday, March 25, 2014

When the Sun Goes Down by Erin Noelle Release Day Blitz & Review






Title: When The Sun Goes Down
Author: Erin Noelle
Genre: Contemporary Romance
 Release Date: 25th March, 2014





Trina is a quiet, reserved music teacher at an inner-city elementary school. Because of the traumatic events of her childhood, she’s skittish of people in general, but men especially frighten her. However, when Lucca Ellis appears in her life, he refuses to take no for an answer. Will he be able to help her overcome the past that has kept her a prisoner for over eight years?

Kat is a woman scorned and out for revenge. Wronged by the men in her life, she thrives on belittling and dominating all men that she comes in contact with. Her end goal is to make the one man, the one who stole her life away as a child, pay for his actions, and she doesn’t care who she has to destroy to get there.

These two lives that both thrive on control, were never supposed to overlap, but anything can happen… When the Sun Goes Down.



Excerpt:
When the Sun Goes Down

~ Trina ~

“A sexy woman, eh?” I close my eyes as that deep, male voice that has been playing in my mind for the last four days calls out to me from the doorway.
I pivot on my heel to see Lucca leaning against my door frame with a smirk spread across his face. He’s wearing dark jeans and a plaid button down shirt with the sleeves loosely rolled up to just below his elbow. He causes the strangest feeling inside of me when he looks at me; I hate it and like it all at the same time. I really don’t have time for this distraction in my life.
“I have no idea what my dear friend is talking about,” I say, acting aloof. “She’s desperately trying to make my life exciting, and unfortunately, that’s just not happening.”
He wanders into the room, my body temperature rising with each step that he takes closer to me. “So if you don’t like sexy women, then men are your thing?”
Rolling my eyes, I sigh overdramatically. “People aren’t my thing. I’m fine by myself, thank you.” I move around him to rearrange the instruments that really don’t need rit.
“I don’t buy that, Miss Foster. Everybody wants to feel wanted.” His eyes follow me around the room, the heat from his stare causing my entire body to flame.
Standing upright, I turn to face him as his words slice to my core. “I know what it’s like to feel wanted, Mr. Ellis, and believe me, that’s not what I want. Feeling wanted and being loved are two completely different things.” I stop before I say anything else to reveal information that I don’t want anyone else to know, especially the guy that enlivens things inside of me I didn’t even know existed. “My students will be back from lunch soon, so please excuse me as I set up.”
“You’ll never know what being loved feels like if you don’t allow anyone to get close to you, Miss Foster.” Running his fingers through his messy hair, he walks out of the room. “I’ll see you around.” His voice is calm and collected, and the words he speaks are true. I’m just not ready for anyone to be close to me. I know if I let someone in, they’d run away scared once they found out who I really am, and my heart would break all over again. I just can’t.


Playlist





When the Sun Goes Down Playlist

Mysterious Ways ~ U2
The Only Time ~ Nine Inch Nails
In the Fade ~ Queens of the Stone Age
Destrokk ~ MGMT
My Same ~ Adele
Ain’t No Sunshine ~ Bill Withers
Addicted to Love ~ Skylar Grey
Sail ~ AWOLNATION
Can’t Get You off My Mind ~ Lenny Kravitz
Better Living Through Chemistry ~ Queens of the Stone Age
Head Full of Doubt/ Road Full of Promise ~ The Avett Brothers
Been Caught Stealing ~ Jane’s Addiction
Calm Like a Bomb ~ Rage Against the Machine
S&M ~ Rihanna
Glad You Came ~ The Wanted
November Rain ~ Guns & Roses
The Woman in You ~ Ben Harper
Never Say Never ~ The Fray
Chances ~ Five for Fighting
Secret ~ Maroon 5
Fix You ~ Coldplay
Enjoy the Silence ~ Breaking Benjamin
Breathe Me ~ Sia
Goodbye My Lover ~ James Blunt
Bleeding Out ~ Imagine Dragons
Dreaming with a Broken Heart ~ John Mayer
Soldier ~ Gavin DeGraw
Patient Love ~ Passenger
Secrets ~ One Republic
My Body is a Cage ~ Arcade Fire
Arms ~ Christina Perri
All These Things That I’ve Done ~ The Killers
River of Deceit ~ Mad Season
Happy ~ Pharell Williams
Fireflies ~ Ron Pope
You Found Me ~The Fray
Kiss Me ~Ed Sheeran
Never Stop ~ SafetySuit
Time of Our Lives ~ Tyrone Wells
Forever and Always ~ Parachute



Christine's Review:

I really liked this story. With the dual POV of Kat and Trina, I felt as though I was reading two different books until the ultimate twist collided these two women in a way I really didn't see coming.  While reading I had my detective hat on trying to guess what could possible bring these two women to cross paths which I really liked. The way Erin told the story was just brilliant and love her playlist. 

At first Kat had me all sorts of speechless with her evil ways but she is a young women looking for revenge from the man that ruined her life. 
Trina is a women just trying to live her life without any attention to herself, that's until she crashes until Lucca. I absolutely fell in love with Lucca while he pursued Trina. 

I give this one 4 bookmarks. 



















Erin Noelle is a Texas native, where she lives with her husband and two young daughters. While earning her degree in History, she rediscovered her love for reading that was first instilled by her grandmother when she was a young child. A lover of happily-ever-afters, both historical and current, Erin is an avid reader of all romance novels. In 2013, she published the Book Boyfriend Series, which included books Metamorphosis, Ambrosia, and Euphoria. Her books have been a part of the USA Today Bestselling list and/ or the Amazon and Barnes & Noble overall Top 100.    You can follow her on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/erin.noelle.98, her blog @ www.erinnoelleauthor.com, and on Twitter @authorenoelle.






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Sunday, March 23, 2014

Broken Wings by Erika Ashby

BW_ReleaseDayBlitzSynopsis
Lynsie Fox has what she considers to be a perfect life. Married to Lincoln, a military pilot, she's living the Army life she's always loved. Being a sucker for great love stories, Lynsie makes it her mission to find Lincoln's best friend and co-pilot, Dax Adams, a good woman.  Losing the one woman he's ever loved, Dax attempts to be a good sport by playing along in Lynsie's match-making scheme. However, Dax is certain he will never get the woman of his dreams.  But life doesn't always fly smoothly. When turbulence strikes, Lynsie watches her world crash and burn around her, leaving her empty with broken wings. Despite her grief, can she mend the pieces back together and learn to fly again?
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Christine's Review: 

It wasn't a big surprise when Lynsie married a military pilot under her fathers command since this is the only life she lived. Lynsie had a perfect marriage with Lincoln and their love for each other was just beyond beautiful. Lincoln's best friend Dax followed him into the Army and Lynsie wanted him to have the same love as hers and Lincoln's so she was always on a mission to set him up. Dax went along with her games but he wasn't sure his true love was out there. Suddenly everything crashes and burns leaving them in broken pieces but will their broken wings ever be repaired? 

This was such a beautiful, heartbreaking, angst filled story. Erika captured every emotion and I felt it all seep out of the pages while reading. Although I do not have a personal connection with this story I felt as though I was living it along with these amazingly, beautifully written characters. Tears were shed, laughs were had and my heart felt full once again by the end. You will fall in love with these characters and this story, so pick it up now. A must read! 

Teaser
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Excerpt
We waste no time stripping each other down once we make it back home.
“You know what I love most?” Lincoln asks as his tongue dances across my bare stomach.
“Hmm,” is all I can manage as I lift my back, pressing myself closer to his mouth of goodness.
“The way you taste.” He licks circles around my navel, teasing my body in a way only he knows best. “The way you taste, baby, it puts every rainbow to shame.”
“Taste the rainbow,” I moan as his mouth continues its path down my waist.
“I plan on licking my way to your pot of the gold.” His hot breath against my inner thigh shoots a jolt of electricity through my body.
I giggle and moan all at once. “All yours, baby,” I gasp as I turn to putty beneath him.
“Say it again,” he demands as he nips and licks, teasing my skin.
“I’m yours. Only yours. Always yours,” I manage to pant before he swipes his tongue right where I want him most. My hands are firm against his head pulling at his short locks, holding him in place as he licks and fingers me until I come undone around his mouth. 
He kisses his way back up my body and slides between my legs. I feel him at my entrance, but he stays put until he’s face to face with me. Grabbing me by my chin, he tilts my face up to look him square in the eyes.
“And I am yours. Only yours. I will always be yours,” he breathes against my lips before claiming them. His lips against mine are firm, needy, and full of passion as he pushes himself inside me.
I moan into his mouth as our tongues battle for control. He’ll win. He always does, but in cases such as this, I gladly accept defeat. 
MeetTheAuthor
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Being born an "Army Brat", Erika Ashby has been residing in Oklahoma the last 10 years finally putting an end to the nomad tendencies she had grown accustomed to. She's a happily married woman who has 5 kids between her and her husband. She has an insane passion for music and embraces her Inner Groupie any chance she has. It wasn't until the age of 29 that she realized she also had a hidden passion for reading; before then she claimed to have hated it. Six months after unlocking that deep desire she never knew she held, she turned the key to another chapter of her life which has become the desire to write. And the rest is still history in the making.
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