Blog Tour: Review: Stealing His Heart **GIVEAWAY** + Excerpt

Blog Tour: Review: Stealing His Heart by Diane Alberts

This is an Entangled Brazen/Adult title from author Diane Alberts (Jen McLaughlin)

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Publication: August 25th 2014 by Entangled: Brazen

ISBN: 1633750612

A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...

This marine's the perfect hoax…if she doesn't fall for him first.

Stats whiz Kayla Moriarity knows her way around numbers and algorithms. Men, on the other hand, are unsolvable equations. Now Kayla’s en route to her sister’s wedding—alone and without the fictional boyfriend she invented for her family. Fortunately, her plane comes complete with complimentary cocktails and a ridiculously hot ex-marine in the seat beside her. And that’s all it takes for Kayla’s inhibitions to go sailing out the airlock... 

Cooper Shillings has soft spot for people in trouble, but he certainly wasn't expecting to land in it himself—and definitely not while getting naughty mid-air with a sexy southern belle. When he hears Kayla’s predicament, however, he offers his services as a stand-in boyfriend. After all, he’s heading overseas soon...and how could he refuse a little no-strings wickedness? 

It’s the perfect plan. And all Kayla has to do is ensure her family falls for the ultimate bluff, without falling for it—and Cooper—in the process...

:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･

★★★★

About the Author: 

Diane Alberts is a multi-published, bestselling contemporary romance author with Entangled Publishing. She also writes New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling new adult books under the name Jen McLaughlin. She's hit the Top 100 lists on Amazon and Barnes and Noble numerous times with numerous titles. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency. 

Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn't until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and a cat. Her goal is to write so many fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

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Blog Tour: Bound **GIVEAWAY** + Excerpt

Blog Tour: Bound by Melody Anne **GIVEAWAY** + Excerpt

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Publication Date: August 25, 2014

Relinquish Control has just opened its doors in Seattle, and already we are not shy for customers. Relinquish Control is an exclusive escort service catering to the most distinguished customers, from business magnates to foreign royalty. This proven and well-established international business offers an elite selection of women who are ready and willing to attend to your every need with no questions asked. Confidentiality is our special obligation.

Jewell Weston is homeless and desperate at age twenty-four. Two years ago, she quit her job to care for her ailing mother and her young brother; the medical bills incurred because of the cancer that killed her mother two months ago took everything the family had, and the state then took away her brother, now age fourteen. The only way for her to get the boy back is by finding a job and securing a home.

When she’s approached by a woman in cashmere and pearls who tells her she can change her life, and is handed a card with the business name Relinquish Control on it, she thinks she has nothing to lose by calling the phone number. Maybe this will be the answer to her prayers, a way to save her little brother from the nightmarish foster home he’s been placed in.

Blake Knight, known to the world as cold and without a heart, is given an exclusive membership to Relinquish Control by his devilish younger brother, who thinks it would be amusing to make his staid brother squirm. Little does this brother realize that Blake does indeed have unusual desires that Relinquish Control can cater to perfectly. What started as a joke turns out to be just what Blake needs. Though the world sees this man as deliberate and emotionless, it’s nothing but a façade. What lies underneath would shock all those who know him.

When he and his two brothers were six, eight and ten, they were tied up and forced to watch while their parents were murdered. The image has been burned into their minds, though they've tried to forget, leaving each of them guarded and unwilling to give their trust to anyone other than each other. No one is allowed to have their hearts. The brothers would never think of letting down their guard with anyone else, certainly not with a woman.

Follow Blake and Jewell’s journey and see if they can find a happily ever after…

･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･

Excerpt:

“Let me give you the tour of our facilities and tell you a little more about us, things that you won’t find on the website,” McKenzie said as she began leading him from the room. “We are particularly selective. Our women are, first and foremost, elegant. No one will know you are with an escort. They are trained to be anything you need. We have a list of questions for you to answer, and then we set you up with potential candidates, women who won’t question what you want from them. Not only that,” she said, pausing to look at him, “but they will also enjoy every minute of it.”

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About The Author:

Melody Anne is the author of the popular series, Billionaire Bachelors, and Baby for the Billionaire. She also has a Young Adult Series out; Midnight Fire and Midnight Moon - Rise of the Dark Angel. She's been writing for years and published in 2011. She hold a bachelors degree in business, so she loves to write about strong, powerful, businessmen.

When Melody isn't writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and pets. She lives in a small town that she loves, and is involved in many community projects.

Connect with Melody                                           Buy Link

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RELEASE DAY BLITZ: Fly **GIVEAWAY**

RELEASE DAY BLITZ: Fly by T.A. Foster **GIVEAWAY**

Today is the release day for FLY by T.A. Foster! Be sure to check out the contest below for a chance to win a gift card!

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Publication: August 28, 2014

Not everyone’s good at one-night stands.

Skye Stephens has the worst day of her professional career, and all she wants to do is shed her power suit and get lost in the sheets with the hot guy she met at the bar. The problem is, this uptight ad exec doesn't know how to do one-night stands. She has strict rules about dating and when to let a man in her bedroom.

Fighter pilot Ben “Bolt” Hardcastle is used to lovin’ and leavin’. But, after he meets Skye, one night doesn't seem to be enough.

When these two crash-land into each other, a connection strong enough to make the loner pilot and the sexy businesswoman shed their rules about love and relationships begins to burn deeper than either of them ever expected.

･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･

Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card. 2 winners!

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About the Author:

T.A. Foster is a Southern girl whose heart and spirit are connected to the beach. She grew up catching rays and chasing waves along the North Carolina Outer Banks and now resides in the state with her adventurous pilot husband, two children and two canine kiddos. 

Her long love affair with books started at an early age, and as soon as she was able, she transformed imaginative stories into words on paper. 

T.A. has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. When she’s not chasing her two-legged and four-legged children or trying to escape for date night, you can find her reading, writing or planning her next beach trip.

Connect with Foster                                            Buy Links

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Q&A: Author, Lisa Joy

Q&A with Lisa Joy, Author of Yes, Chef!

Lisa Joy is the author of the deliciously funny and romantic novel Yes, Chef!

She began writing stories in her teenage years, but decided she needed to get her heart broken and live in another country before pursuing a career as a novelist. Born in Sydney, she spent most of her childhood wearing pink tights and leotards at ballet class.

At age 21, deciding she wasn't cut out for the famished life of a ballerina, she left her safe and somewhat predictable existence behind and traveled to London, where she worked as a television producer’s PA, in fashion retail and the restaurant business. Having fallen head over heels in love with London, travelling Europe, eating amazing food and the occasional stint on stage and screen, Lisa stayed put for about 7 years, until finally, family called and she returned to Australia.

Her writing took a dramatic turn for the better after she attended a commercial fiction masterclass with author Fiona McIntosh. She now lives in the picturesque Dandenong Ranges outside Melbourne on an organic vegetable farm with her fiancé and four chooks and in addition to writing novels, is PA to a celebrated chef. Fortunately for Lisa, he is nothing like chef Damien Malone from her debut novel Yes, Chef!

Click To See Review

 Q: From having to deal with her infamous boss to the kind of friendship she has with the other girls she works with, what made you give the main character, Becca, that type of persona in Yes, Chef!?

A: I wanted to portray the depth of uncertainty and angst I felt during my twenties, before I realised what I wanted to do with my life. Becca grew up hearing she could do anything in life, that she should follow her bliss and pursue her dreams. But what if you don’t know what your passion is? How do you then find satisfaction in the job you are doing and the life you are leading? It was important for me to show Becca struggling with these questions in the beginning of the book so that the reader could experience her personal growth from selfish and cynical to compassionate and optimistic.

Q: Were London and all the other places Yes, Chef! takes readers experienced first hand or researched? If there was anywhere else you could've visited to include in your book, where would it be?

A: I lived in London for seven years and even though I've been back in Australia for more than five years, I still miss it. Setting the book there meant I could feel like I was back in my beloved London, even if it was only in my mind. I have been to the other places the book is set in and had memories and photographs to refer back to when writing those scenes, but it was still necessary to do research for authenticity. I love to travel so there are many other places I would like to write about but I will keep them for future books.

Q: What made you add the bit in about the psychic? If you had a choice whether to have a psychic ability or not, what would you choose?

A: My mother actually went to a psychic once a long time ago and I've always found it strange and fascinating that someone could know things about you even though they have never met you before. I included the bit about the psychic in the book to create a serendipitous moment when Becca realizes certain things the psychic told her mother are falling into place. In a way it helps her to fully recognize her own feelings. I think intuition is a wonderful thing and I will often go with my gut instinct even if I can’t articulate exactly why, but I’m not sure I would want to be able to see the future. I would rather not know if something bad was going to happen.

Q: What did you have to have when writing/typing? In general as a writer?

A: I find going for a walk really helps my mind to relax enough so that I can start seeing the movie of my book and the character’s dialogue play in my head. The walk seems to clear my mind of other thoughts and then, once I have what I need, I can go back to my desk and write it all down before I forget.

Q: What did you do if/when you had writer's block? Was it difficult to write about Grace's situation?

A: I tried to tread very lightly with Grace’s situation. The last thing I wanted to do was trivialize such a heartbreaking moment, so it was challenging to find the right balance and to portray in an authentic manner how these very close friends would behave towards each other in such a sensitive, hopeless and emotionally charged situation.

Q: How did the cover of Yes, Chef! come about?

A: I absolutely love the cover for Yes, Chef! I’d had a few ideas of what I would like the cover to be like and talked them over with my editor but ultimately I left the decision up to the art department at Penguin because they are so talented at what they do and they know how to make a book appeal to its target audience. I had hoped the background would be a shade of red and so I was very pleased with the final version.

Q: Were any of the foods mentioned something you've tried before? Any favorites?

A: I’m pretty sure all the foods mentioned in the book are ones I have tasted before. It’s one of the upsides to researching a foodie book. One of my favourites is the wheat and freekeh grain salad that Effie’s brings back to the office from Altostratus when she is working the late shift with Becca. The salad is healthy, refreshing and delicious. The chef that created that dish was kind enough to allow me to publish the recipe on my website www.lisajoyauthor.com/journal

Q: Was there anyone or anything that inspired you to write?

A: I used to write short stories in high school and I had a teacher who was particularly encouraging but I didn't decide to write seriously until about five years ago when the idea for a series of fantasy novels came to me. For some reason I really struggled to finish the fantasy novel so I booked myself in to a masterclass with author Fiona McIntosh to give my writing a kick up the backside. Fiona is a very inspirational woman and author. It was during her class that I had the idea for Yes, Chef! when Fiona encouraged me to turn my experiences with food and restaurants into a story.

Q: What got you to write a story in this particular genre? Would you consider any other genre?

A: I never imagined myself writing chick lit, but once I had started writing Yes, Chef! there was never any doubt that it would be a romantic comedy. As I said, I was working on a fantasy novel before I started Yes, Chef! so I would definitely consider writing in a different genre one day, perhaps once I've established myself more as an author of commercial women’s fiction and I am writing full time, I might have more time to branch out to other genres.

Q: Would you say that writing a book is basically knowing how to make decisions?

A: Most definitely, but I think a big part of it is also about being disciplined and believing in yourself and your abilities.

Q: What gave you the idea to depict Damien Malone as the most antagonist character is this story?

A: When I started writing Yes, Chef! my first question was: What does my main character want? And then: What is standing in her way? I decided that Becca wanted a more fulfilling career and to become more open to love and that her boss, Damien Malone, would stand in her way.

Q: Would you consider a spin-off or perhaps a companion novel?

A: Part of me would love to re-visit these characters in a spin-off, sequel or companion novel as writing about the friendships between Becca and her workmates was one of the things I enjoyed most when writing the story. On the other hand, I also think it’s great that while the book ends on a happy note, not every little detail is tied up and the reader gets to make up their own mind about what happens to the characters.

Q: If you had the chance to right Yes, Chef! over again, would there be anything you'd like to add, change, take out?

A: As a writer, I think it’s dangerous to think of what could have been. Yes, Chef! is my debut novel and I already feel like I have learnt so much through the editing process, but I would rather focus on making my next book better than spend time thinking about things I can’t change. I’m heading back to Italy next week to research my next book, another foodie adventure-romance, so right now I’m so excited about that, I can’t think of anything else!

FLY WEEK: Romance Wednesday: Fly

FLY WEEK: Romance Wednesday: Fly by T.A. Foster

If you enjoy a hot romance, which just might feature a Fighter Pilot with United States Marine Corps, this is the book for you!

Today we are highlighting the romance in the book.

Click To See On Goodreads

Publication: August 28, 2014

Not everyone’s good at one-night stands.

Skye Stephens has the worst day of her professional career, and all she wants to do is shed her power suit and get lost in the sheets with the hot guy she met at the bar. The problem is, this uptight ad exec doesn't know how to do one-night stands. She has strict rules about dating and when to let a man in her bedroom.

Fighter pilot Ben “Bolt” Hardcastle is used to lovin’ and leavin’. But, after he meets Skye, one night doesn't seem to be enough.

When these two crash-land into each other, a connection strong enough to make the loner pilot and the sexy businesswoman shed their rules about love and relationships begins to burn deeper than either of them ever expected.

･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･

I’m not sure about everyone else, but I know the reason I like to read and write love stories is for the romance. All those little moments that bring two characters together—the glances, the quip-y dialogue, the thoughtful gestures that melt my heart. You know, the ones that make you sigh out loud.

You probably know by now Fly has some personal elements for me. I married a Marine fighter pilot who was living in San Diego and stationed at Miramar. I was incredibly lucky to have my own private consultant while I was writing.

The romance problem I had with the main character, Ben, was that he was a love ‘em and leave ‘em type, so finding a way to make him romantic was a challenge. For that, I drew on some personal experience.

Some of my absolute favorite dates in San Diego with my then-fiance’, where in the Gaslamp district, at the Hotel del Coronado, and walking the beaches of Coronado. By sneaking some of those ideas in I was able to work romance into a storyline that started out as a very physical connection between two unlikely people. I can’t give it all away, but there are ways that romance develops between these two that I think will surprise you, make you smile, and hopefully make you sigh out loud.

About the Author:

T.A. Foster is a Southern girl whose heart and spirit are connected to the beach. She grew up catching rays and chasing waves along the North Carolina Outer Banks and now resides in the state with her adventurous pilot husband, two children and two canine kiddos. 

Her long love affair with books started at an early age, and as soon as she was able, she transformed imaginative stories into words on paper. 

T.A. has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. When she’s not chasing her two-legged and four-legged children or trying to escape for date night, you can find her reading, writing or planning her next beach trip.

Connect with Foster                                            Buy Links

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Blog Tour: Review: The Last Thing **GIVEAWAY**

Blog Tour: Review: The Last Thing by Briana Gaitan **GIVEAWAY**

From Tenne to Cali, ain't nothin' better than a small town girl experiencing the fast life with the hunky Hollywood star.

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Publication: September 2, 2014

Plagued by past mistakes in both love and life, Quinn Bardot is in a bad place. With nowhere else to turn, she escapes to LA clinging to the promise of a fresh start. 

Chase Crowley is known for being selfish and unbelievably persistent. All he's ever wanted is to become a successful actor. But now that he is about to have it all, he finds that something is still missing. Money and fame isn't what he expected.

After a fervent encounter, the two of them are thrown into a situation that neither is prepared for. Can Quinn extinguish her fears and let Chase in? Can Chase learn to put someone else's needs before his own?

The Last Thing is a novel all about love, Hollywood, and accepting what life throws at you even if it is the last thing you want. 

(This is a New Adult Romance novel & contains language & adult situations. Not recommended for readers younger than 17)

***The Last Thing is a stand alone book with NO cliff hanger ending. It is book one in the series.*** 

･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･

★★★★

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story structure was great:

small town girl + dark past -> fast life + wild cousin actor-> party like a rockstar + hot actor = one night of bliss

This starts the camera rolling for Small-town Quinn Bardot and Hollywood actor Chase Crowley.

Things start off a bit slow at first, then before you know, things get kicked into high gear, literally.

The relationship between them is real rocky and fierce. The past and career have great impact with how they try to live their lives and sets them back here and there. Working together is the only option.

Every character had an issue and played their part very well in the story. Many antagonists to keep track of, so I think its safe to say that I wanted to punch and strangle everybody at a certain point, but at any other given time, they were just too good at acting so they persuaded me to lighten up a bit. The real situations and emotions these characters experience and feel make the story that much more heartfelt and relatable.

Although Chase's mom wasn't presented a lot, she would be my favorite character because she did a whole bunch in getting Chase where he is now, and I admire her strength and perseverance in how she raised him alone, as well as when she'd talk sense into him when he did something wrong.

The writing was good, stayed on point and allowed the reader to visualize everything clearly.

Overall, this was a lovely story about going through hell and back. I cannot wait to see what Gaitan has in store for the next book.

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About the Author:

Briana Gaitan grew up in the South, but calls herself a geek at heart. She is a blogger,author,and fangirl who loves Star Wars, Star Trek, and Jewelry (bet you never thought you'd hear those three things in a sentence together) For fun, she loves watching any show on the SyFy channel, relaxing with her family, reading, and listening to indie music (sometimes all at the same time). Briana loves to write stories where there are no limits to the imagination. She is also the co-author of the fantasy Ethereal Underground series.

Connect with Briana                         Briana's other work

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Blog Tour: Review: The Real Thing **GIVEAWAY** + Excerpt

Blog Tour: The Real Thing by Cassie Mae **GIVEAWAY**

A fabulous tale with such rich content, undeniably true to getting under your skin. Real emotions concluding everlasting love.

Click To See On Goodreads

Publication: August 19, 2014 by Flirt
ISBN: 978-0-553-39253-1

In this electrifying novel from Cassie Mae, two close friends surprise themselves by shifting from platonic love to sexual attraction.

Eric Matua has one friend—his best friend and childhood sweetheart, who needs a place to stay for the summer. Mia Johnson has thousands of friends—who live in her computer. Along with her email chats and Facebook notifications, Mia also devours romance novels, spending countless hours with fictional characters, dreaming of her own Romeo to sweep her off her feet. When she starts receiving supersweet messages from a stranger who thinks she’s someone else, Mia begins to believe that real love is possible outside her virtual world. 

When the two friends become roommates, Mia finds herself falling harder than she ever thought she could. But Eric keeps his desires locked away, unsure of himself and his ability to give his best friend what she deserves in a boyfriend. As her advances are continually spurned, Mia splits her time between Eric and her computer. But she soon realizes she’s about to lose the only real thing she’s ever had.

･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･｡,★゜･:*:･

★★★★

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story is without a doubt an absolute hit about falling in love with your best friend, and doing anything possible to keep it together, as well as breaking it apart.
The main characters' relationship shows their familiarity with one another as well as the many things they both have not seen before from the other. They both has something kept hidden, and that caused the destruction of their euphoric moments and ignorant bliss.

I loved the author's humor in the book. Many moments were of carefree thoughts by the main characters and wondrous one on one times without any distraction from social media. The impact social media makes is a rather negative result as well as positive, but just not as much. The threat got so big, it escalated up to where it was literally life-threatening.

What was entirely new and very unique was the anxiety disorder. It was rather very interesting considering that main character's past experiences and current situations and to be able to see how a person deals. What can trigger a panic attack, what keeps them sane and in control and still continue to to interact with others? It wasn't so much as to walking on eggshells around that person, but for that person staying calm enough to find their equilibrium.

The sparkling romance was super entertaining and had hilarious moments. The friendship between them was always there, the more intimate stuff was what both craved and struggled with.

My favorite part would have to be the intended ice cream comment. Its was just too much haha and the knee to forehead incident. I can't.

To be honest, the actual situation was not as extreme as the characters made it out to be to me at first, but then when it all worsened, not only was it hazardous, but emotionally scarring to a person. It became too much the everything just exploded. Although the damage was already done, they still yearned for one another, for solace because their love was that strong.

Overall, this beautiful story was in fair length, a very funny and exciting read.



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Excerpt:

About The Author:

Cassie Mae is a full-time writer and mother from Utah. She loves being glued to the computer, thinking up new stories, and writing the day away while the kids run wild at her feet. When she finished her first novel, she started a blog that now gets more than five thousand hits a month. Her group blog is also dedicated to reaching out to aspiring authors by providing critiques and other marketing tools to help them succeed in the industry. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with the youth in her community as a volleyball and basketball coach, or searching the house desperately for chocolate.

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