If You Can’t Take The Heat By Melissa Brown ♥ Release Blitz

If You Can’t Take the Heat

by Melissa Brown

Release Date: February 16, 2016

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SYNOPSIS

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Whitney Bartolina gets what she wants. At just thirty-four, she’s worked her way up from mailroom coordinator to casting director at a major Los Angeles television network and had a string of steamy flings, most recently with movie star Nolan Rivera. But when two of the contestants she casts on a new reality cooking show turn out to be as talented in the bedroom as they are in the kitchen,

Whitney may have finally bitten off more than she can chew. Conducting auditions across the country and looking for a bit of fun after Nolan, Whitney finds it in Chicago with Charlie Hutchins, a deliciously handsome British rugby-player-turned-chef whose spicy Szechuan beef is only the start of his sizzle. Then, in Montana, close encounters with sexy but mild-mannered cowboy and restaurateur Wes Rancourt leave her mouth watering for more. Back in LA for filming, Whitney soon finds herself caught in a love square with Charlie, Wes, and Nolan, who’s stopping at nothing to win her back.

Will she jeopardize her career by mixing business with pleasure, or can she turn up the heat without getting burned?

EXCERPT

Whitney stood to the side and observed as Wes shot round after round with his other pistol. When he pulled back the targets, they were covered in bullet holes, all in the exact center target.”Holy crap, you’re good,” she said as they walked back to his car.

“Lots of practice.”

“What else are you good at?” she asked, unable to deny the chemistry between them. They still hadn’t kissed and it was driving her mad. She wanted him. Desperately.

“I guess you’ll have to wait and see.” He smirked, approaching the passenger door.

“You Mr. Rancourt, are a tease.”

He opened her door slightly, then closed it again. With a devilish grin, he pressed her into the harsh metal. Her body tingled as his fingers traced a line from her ear to her chin as he stepped closer, leaning down to graze her lips with his own. Taken slightly by surprise, since she’d expected him to tease her as he had the night before, Whitney was slow to react, but soon found herself wrapping her arms around the broad muscles of his back. She opened her mouth, allowing him to deepen the kiss. With a new sense of urgency, his tongue stroked hers, sending shots of electricity and desire to the tips of her toes. His hands moved to cup her cheeks and she dug her fingertips into his firm shoulders. Together they moved so that Whitney’s back was pressed to the passenger door of his car, with each stroke of Wes’ strong tongue, her ass pushed gently into the black finish until finally they came up for air.

“Tell me again what a tease I am,” he whispered, kissing her gently on the nose.

“Whoa.” It took every ounce of energy within her not to pant all over him. He was driving her wild.

“Worth the wait?” he whispered into her ear.

“Hell yes.” She smiled, placing her hands at the base of his neck.

“When can I see you again?”

“Do we have to go over this again?” Whitney tugged gingerly on his collar, pulling him in for another peck on the lips. “You can see me now. Watching you shoot that gun was a freaking aphrodisiac.”

He smiled. “Again, tempting…but not yet.”

Still holding on to his collar, she threw her head back in frustration. “You’re trying to torture me, aren’t you?”

Suddenly serious, Wes smoothed her hair down and rested his hands on her shoulders. “Not at all.”

“Then what is it?” Didn’t he want her as badly as she wanted him?

“Maybe I like keeping you in suspense.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I noticed.”

“And it gives us something to look forward to”—he trapped his lower lip beneath his teeth—”next month in Los Angeles.”

Whitney’s stomach did a gigantic flip flop. “You’re gonna do it?”

Wes nodded slowly. “I have to see you again. It’s not a choice. It has to happen.”

He pressed his lips to the exposed skin of her neck, sucking gently as his fingers weaved through her hair.

Pure. Torture.

“My hotel isn’t far away. Pleee-eease reconsider.”

Wes said nothing but continued to lick, kiss, and suck at her sensitive skin. She wanted nothing more than to pull him into his car and straddle him right that second, but maybe he was on to something in delaying their gratification. The anticipation of seeing him again, of waiting until the next time they could be intimate was intoxicating in and of itself.

“Believe me, beautiful. When I get to L.A., I look forward to seeing you more than anything. Anything at all. And I promise you, just like before, it’ll be worth the wait.”

Whitney scoffed playfully, climbing into the SUV, planning her cold shower back at the hotel. She wondered how she could possibly last a month without having Wes in her bed. She wanted that cowboy more than she wanted just about anything else. But he was determined to drive her wild by making her wait. He was such a freaking tease, a hot, sexy-while-firing-a-gun tease.

Even before she stepped out of his car and he kissed her goodnight, she was counting down the days until the semi-finals. When she’d reached her hotel room and stripped herself of her clothes, she finally figured out the exact time she’d have to wait. It was twenty two days until she’d see her sexy cowboy again. Just twenty-two days.

Who was she kidding? That would be over three weeks of agony. Her mind raced with thoughts of Wes above her, below her, behind her. On the bed, in the bathtub, on the freaking floor…

“To hell with the shower,” she said, closing the glass door and marching toward her suitcase. “I need my vibrator.”

AUTHOR PROFILE

Melissa Brown was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. She attended the University of Illinois and is the mother of two fantastic kids. She’s an avid reader who enjoys making handmade gifts for her family and friends, as well as baking and painting. Melissa has an unhealthy obsession with pop culture. She speaks fluent movie quotes from the 1980s (John Hughes = genius), reads celebrity gossip magazines and never misses an episode of Scandal. She enjoys writing contemporary romance, romantic suspense and young adult novels.

All of Melissa’s books are currently available exclusively through Amazon.com and are part of the Kindle Unlimited Program.

Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Twitter

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Just One Night By Jami Wagner ♥ Release Day Blitz

Just One Night by Jami Wagner is out now! Check out today’s release day post with the excerpt Jami is sharing and a giveaway!!

About JUST ONE NIGHT:

Sara and Logan have always known their relationship was different because they were never very good at the “just friends” thing. They’re finally ready to embrace a deeper side—but are they ready for big-time problems?

Sara Connelly has a drive for success. She hasn’t made time for men because the way she sees it, a career she can control but a relationship she can’t. Just one night was all it took to send her running on a trip to collect her thoughts and re-group back to her career-focused life. But when she comes home, she quickly learns there might be more important things in life than owning her own business, and that’s Logan Parker.

Logan Parker coasts through life day by day, and as long as Sara is a part of that life, he’s happy. One night has left Logan with the impression that more than friends is an option. But when Sara leaves without an explanation, he vows to show her how important she is to him. When an opportunity gives him the chance to be someone he thinks Sara would be proud of, he doesn’t pass on the offer. Her moving across state lines, however, wasn’t in his plans.

Living in two states is going to be hard. Holding a long-distance relationship is going to be harder. They’ve made it this far, but can they make it work or will distance finally tear them apart?

Buy Links:

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~iBooks ~ Smashwords ~ Kobo

Exclusive Excerpt:

“What kind of person does it make me that I want to go to Colorado to open this new bar, but I also want you to stay here and take the opportunity my dad is giving you?”

Logan licks his lips as his head nods. “I’d say that makes you human, strong, and smart for knowing what you want in life.”

A small smile tugs at my lips. “But it also means that I’m a horrible girlfriend and I haven’t even had that title for twenty-four hours.”

“Don’t even think that. I think it’s great we aren’t letting this get in the way of success. You will do your thing there, I’ll do mine here, and we can make it work until you get back.”

“Yeah, but this was supposed to be it, the perfect time for us to be a couple. Now it’s the exact opposite. We may as well wait until I get back before we give this a real shot,” I say. I’m already using the bar as an excuse because I’m scared, but I don’t want to admit it.

He shakes his head no.

“You know what, we can do this. We can handle distance. Look at everything we’ve been through. Rockland, Colorado, is what—three hours from here? I’ll come down every weekend if I have to. I’ll do anything and everything if it means seeing you.”

Jami Wagner Bio:

JAMI WAGNER was born in Wyoming. Still living in the Cowboy State, Jami and her boyfriend are currently writing their own love story with their yellow lab.

Jami enjoys writing New Adult and published her debut novella Date in the Dark in 2015. The first book in her Black Alcove series, Just One Kiss, released in October 2015.

Visit and connect with Jami at http://www.jami-wagner.com, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJamiWagner, on Twitter at @Jami_Wagner, or on Instagram at @JAMIWAGNER_.

Links:

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The Fireman in Unit C (A Mockingbird Place Novel) by Kris Cook ♥ Release Blitz

Title: The Fireman in Unit C

Series: A Mockingbird Place Novel

Author: Kris Cook

Genre: M/M Romance Standalone

Release Date: February 15, 2016

A serial arsonist sets fire to the unit next to Jackson’s apartment—the unit the sexy fireman Eli lives in.

Things really heat up when Jackson offers Eli a place to stay until Unit C is livable again. Jackson, being OCD, requires everything in his life to be neat and orderly, but Eli’s life is chaotic and messy, especially because of the man’s ex, who keeps pushing his way back into the fireman’s life. Living with Eli turns out to be much more than he bargained for. As much as he would love to just throw caution to the wind, Jackson believes it is best to keep things between him an Eli on the friend level. Nothing more. But an unexpected kiss rocks his world and he must figure out the real reason he’s terrified of the feelings Eli is bringing out in him.

Will Jackson see that a future with Eli can help him let go of the guilt from his troubled past?

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Though starting in straight erotic romance, Kris’s total focus now is on gay romance. When asked why recently, his answer was “My muse finally came out of the closet. Isn’t it about time? I’ve been out since I was twenty-five.” A voracious reader, Kris loves many genres of fiction, but this writer’s favorite books are romances that are edgy, sexy, with rich characters and unique challenges. Kris’ influences include Anne Rice, JR Ward, Lexi Blake and Shayla Black. Last year, Kris married the love of his life Stephen.

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Crossing The Barrier By Martine Lewis ♥ Pre-Order Blitz

Title: Crossing The Barrier

Series: The Gray Eyes Series #1

By: Martine Lewis

Publisher: BMJ Chanapi

Publication Date: March 22, 2016

Genre: Young Adult

High school student Malakai Thomas, star wide receiver of the varsity team, collides with band member Lily Morgan on his way to football practice. As days go by, Malakai cannot get the petite clarinetist out of his head.

Lily Morgan can feel everyone’s emotions. She loses her ability to shield herself against them the day Malakai runs into her. Now she must try to maintain her sanity in the emotional jungle that is high school, as well as deal with her growing feelings for Malakai.

Can Malakai get over the social stigma and his own internal struggle to be with Lily? Is Lily’s secret too big to accept, even for him?

Amazon US – http://goo.gl/039VmQ

Amazon UK – http://goo.gl/2Y4FXz

Amazon CA – http://goo.gl/otG4fH

#1 – LILY

“I wonder what would happen if you lost your ability to shield.”

That simple question from Lily’s best friend, Sandra, almost got them killed. As Lily Morgan drove them to school for their band practice in her Mini Cooper, it took all of her limited driving skills to keep them on the narrow suburban road and not in the ditch.

“Let’s not ever mention this again!” Lily’s heart raced at the thought of it.

Sandra Jones was the best friend anybody could dream of. She was also everything Lily was not. She was outgoing, tall, and beautiful with her long, straight blond hair and blue eyes. She always wore the nicest outfits, and guys regularly asked her out on dates. She could have been part of the popular crowd had she wanted to, but she was perfectly content being in the marching band, just like Lily.

Sandra and her family, in addition to Lily’s uncle, Charlie, were the only people alive who knew what Lily could do; she had the ability to feel the emotions of the people around her. The only way for her to function and have a close to normal life was to build mental shields, which prevented the barrage of emotions from continuously assaulting her. Sandra knew how important shielding was to Lily, particularly in an emotion-infested place like high school.

“Just saying. I mean, you’ve been giving me the silent treatment since we left home. I had to find a way to make you talk.”

“Well, that’s not a good subject on a good day.”

“Then, what’s eating you?”

“My mother, again.”

“I don’t understand. Why don’t you take Charlie’s offer and move in with him?”

“It’s my house, Sandra. If anything, she should be the one moving out.”

“Not going to happen, not until the courts kick her out. You know that better than I do. She’s not going anywhere.”

Her friend was right, unfortunately.

“Can we move on to something else?”

“What did she want this time?” Sandra asked instead. “Another party to introduce you to your future husband?”

Lily nodded. She could easily imagine Sandra rolling her eyes, and if she hadn’t been driving, she was sure she would have seen her do exactly that.

“I don’t get it,” Sandra continued. “She’s not even your real mother.”

“I don’t get it either. Why does she keep throwing me at those guys?”

“Beats me,” Sandra said. “Did you say no?”

Lily remained quiet. She never said no. She still held the hope that if she did exactly what her mother requested, maybe one day she would approve of her.

Hope definitely made people stupid.

“When will you, Lily?” Sandra asked, turning toward her. “You deserve better than this.”

Lily sighed. She had tried to explain it numerous times before, but Sandra never understood. After all, Sandra’s mother loved her and was always so proud of her.

“David said football practice starts today,” Sandra said, changing the subject.

Lily felt her best friend’s eagerness at sharing the news, and she knew what was coming next.

“Malakai will be there.”

Ever since she had admitted to Sandra that she liked the star wide receiver over a year ago, Sandra brought him up every chance she had.

“Why don’t we talk about your love life for a change?” Lily suggested.

“Oh, no, we’re so not. Yours is so much more fun.”

It was Lily’s turn to roll her eyes. “So, what else did David say?”

“They should begin practice around nine this morning.”

“They have it so much easier than we do,” Lily said, turning onto the access road that led behind the school.

“You got that one right. If they practiced half as much as we did, they would wear paths in the football field.”

“That’s probably why we practice on hot, steamy asphalt,” Lily said as they arrived in the parking area.

“It sucks, really. Why don’t we get to practice their amount of hours and they, ours?”

“Because what we do is more complicated?” Lily suggested with a smile.

Sandra shrugged and glanced out the window.

“Look at it on the bright side.”

“There is one?” Sandra asked, irony coating her tone.

“No!”

They were both laughing when Lily pulled into her usual parking spot.

Martine Lewis is a forty something who was born and raised in the French speaking province of Quebec, Canada. She spent her childhood looking forward to her summer vacations at the farm, which were a nice escape from the suburbs where she lived.

Her first written endeavor was a 200-page handwritten Duran Duran bandfiction which she wrote when she was eleven years old. Of all her written work, this is the only one she no longer has.

All throughout high school, Martine wrote more bandfictions and some original work, then she went to write fanfictions in the Star Wars, Buffy and Harry Potter universes. Her fanficiton in the Potterverse are mostly centered on characters of her own creation and can be found on fanfiction.net.

Following her viewing of Roswell on Netflix in 2012, Martine wrote book two and three of the Gray Eyes Series, then went on to create the Gray Eyes Series universe in which she has been playing ever since. She writes contemporary coming-of-age romance fiction (young adult/new adult) with a twist.

Martine is an avid reader and rollerskater. She loves sushi, hot chocolate on a cold day, and the beach. But what she loves above all else is to curl on her chair with her computer and write more stories for her readers.

Martine currently lives in Houston TX with her two cats.

Social Media Links

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Goodreads

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Ink & Lies By S.L. Jennings ♥ Book Tour

Are you ready to meet Rhys & Fi in the newest romantic

stand alone by S.L. Jennings?

INK & LIES IS NOW LIVE!

Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ iBooks ~ Nook ~ Kobo

Blurb

From International Best Selling Romance Novelist, Hope Hughes, comes a gripping, heartfelt tale of two lovers, fighting for the freedom to…

No. Scratch that. Too cheesy.

…two people, torn apart by the tumultuous tides of life, only to discover refuge in…

WTF? What does that even mean? DELETE.

…two people, confused as shit as to where they should be and who they should love and none of this means a damn thing because it’s all lies!

Lies.

I’m not Hope Hughes. I’m not some fierce woman romance machine. Hell, I’m not even a woman.

I’m a liar.

And while I refuse to believe my own BS, deceit masked in heartfelt phrases of love and devotion, I want to make her believe them. Because maybe—just maybe—if she can find the soul within my words, she’ll also be able to find the truth scribbled on my heart.

You see, I once lived for the perfect plot twist.

I just never expected to actually live it.

This is my story. Well, maybe her story. I just wish I could make it our story.

The one I’m still writing.

Excerpt

“Yeah, but…” Her eyes grow wide and glossy as she tries to sift through all the reasons why that theory shouldn’t apply to her. In the end, she relies on her heart. “You said I wasn’t like those other women…that those other women weren’t me.”

I should tell her she’s right. I should put her out of her misery and reassure her that the last ten years were as real and meaningful to me as they were for her. That even though I may sling gift-wrapped bullshit for the general public, only she knows the true, honest parts of my heart. But with my tongue possessed by the taste of her rejection, I play the petty card, and do just the opposite.

“I guess I was wrong, especially considering yesterday’s events. Maybe you’re no different from them. And maybe you were right about me…that I do sabotage with sex to keep people at arm’s length. Because in the end, that’s all I want anyway, right?”

“You don’t mean that.”

I nod. “Yeah. I do.”

“So what are you saying?” The hurt is so thick in her throat that I can barely hear the words.

I suck in a breath, and scrub a hand over my forehead. “You were right about me. About us. We shouldn’t have done…what we did. And we can’t move on and pretend that it didn’t change us. What’s done is done.”

“I agree,” she nods, with a tinge of hope in her voice.

“So, maybe we should just see this for what it is—the end. You’re starting your life with Joshua and moving away, and I’m going on with mine.”

“Wait, August. No, that’s not—”

“You didn’t actually think we’d be able to keep this up, did you? What, you thought we’d turn out to be the modern day Cathy and Heathcliff? I’m not some swoony, literary hero, Fi. I’m not here to rescue you from your shitty love life that stems from your shitty childhood.”

“I never said you were—”

I’m rambling, spewing verbal diarrhea all over her blue cashmere, but I can’t stop. I can’t shut off the bile that has been choking me since this morning when she disclosed her impending nuptials. “You have Joshua. He’s the one you chose. He’s the one you want. You made that perfectly clear. So what the fuck do you need with me?”

“I thought we were friends, August. I thought you and me were—”

“Well, I guess you were wrong. Friends don’t fuck each other and then five minutes later get engaged. And why would you want to be friends with some empty, misogynistic prick like me anyway?”

“I-I didn’t mean,” her voice cracks, and the first tear escapes. She quickly dashes it away, refusing to let me play witness to her weakness. But I’ve already seen it. I share that very same weakness that has her bottom lip trembling. I’m just too much of a coward to show it.

“Look, I’m sorry. I think we just need a break.”

“A break. Yes,” she nods, dashing away tears. “You’re right. We both said things we shouldn’t have. Let’s just take a few days to…”

“No. A break from this,” I clarify, gesturing between us. “From us. This isn’t working anymore.”

“You’re being melodramatic, August. We’ve had fights before. We’ve said things we didn’t mean, and we always were able to work it out.”

I shake my head and look away, refusing to acknowledge the dejection on her face. “But I meant everything I said.”

About the Author:

S.L. Jennings is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance, reality TV junkie, obsessive coffee drinker and collector of crazy.

Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter |Goodreads

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Fatal Submission By Nicole Austin ♥ Blog Tour

Fatal Submission

By Nicole Austin

Release Date: March 4, 2016

On edge, body humming with arousal, Claire aches to have her desires sated. And ruggedly handsome Dominant Mason Burke is the man she wants. But for Mason work comes first and Claire’s tired of waiting.

Mason’s loss is Dr. Carl Skinner’s lucky break. The bonus—Carl’s a rich, drop-dead gorgeous Dom with a real dungeon in his basement.

Getting what you want isn’t always a good thing and the game takes a drastic turn Claire never saw coming. According to the Dungeon Master’s victims who still haunt his torture chamber, submission has fatal consequences and she’s running out of time.

Note: This scary tale contains graphic scenes of erotic torture and violence that may cause the reader to stay up late reading with all the lights on.

*This previously published title has been re-edited.*

Amazon

Excerpt from Fatal Submission

Ever the gentleman, Carl held the door and allowed her to
precede him down the stairs.

Second thoughts stopped her for only a few seconds before
stepping through the strange entryway. Nothing ventured…

With her heels clicking on the wooden steps she couldn’t be
certain, but Claire thought she’d heard the soft snick of a lock being engaged.
Every hair on her body stood on end and her muscles tensed.

Why the hell would he lock the door? Weren’t they alone in
the house? If she ran back up the stairs and turned the knob, would it open?

Taking a deep breath, she descended the stairs and shoved her
crazy fears aside. She’d gone into this with her eyes open and she would not
freak out. Carl was a Dom. Her Dom—at least for tonight. If she went into this
without trust, limiting her submission, they might as well not even bother.

When she safely cleared the last step, she lifted her gaze
and looked around the room in awe.

An actual dungeon.

Heat washed through her body as her nipples puckered and her
panties grew damp. Lord, she felt as if she’d waited her whole life to submit
in a real dungeon

Gray cinderblock walls and cement foundation. Track lighting
fixtures on the ceiling cast a soft glow yet left areas in shadow. A pegboard
held a wide variety of floggers, whips, crops and paddles. There against one
wall was a strange chair with a padded V-shaped seat to spread the legs open
and leather cuffs attached in strategic locations. She noted the familiar shape
of a St. Andrew’s Cross looming in the shadows next to an ancient-looking
stockade. The dungeon was well-stocked with various padded tables and spanking
benches, each one equipped with built-in restraints.

A small part of Claire hadn’t believed Carl had a dungeon in
his basement. But the proof surrounded her. At that very moment in time, she
stood in the middle of a private, subterranean, fully equipped dungeon.

Anticipation supercharged her blood, sending it zooming
through her veins. Her abdominal muscles fluttered and she wasn’t sure if the
cause was excitement, fear or a combination of the two. She hadn’t thought this
far ahead or even got around to wondering how it would feel to be in a dungeon.
To know that soon, Carl would restrain and dominate her.

She shuddered as slender fingers skated over her shoulder and
down her spine. Carl. How had she forgotten she wasn’t alone?

“Go ahead. Take a look around. Check out the equipment while
I fix a drink.” He nodded toward a small wet bar. “Would you like anything?”

She had to pry her tongue from the roof of her dry mouth to respond.
“Water.” A strong drink might help bolster her courage, but Claire didn’t want
anything to dull her senses.

Carl turned to the bar and she moved about the room to get a
closer look at things. Hanging from a sturdy chain in the ceiling was some kind
of contraption with thick, flat metal vertical slats and horizontal bands. It
was elongated, rounded at the top then broadening before tapering again toward
the bottom. She estimated it at six to six and a half feet tall.

Her hand flew upward, covering her mouth to hold back a gasp.

It couldn’t be? But it was. The damn thing was some kind of
cage, roughly in the shape of a human.

Moving past it quickly, she came to a standing device, shaped
like the one hanging from the ceiling but solid. An iron maiden? The device had
hinged doors, one of which had been left open, revealing an interior lined with
spikes. When a person was shut inside, those spikes would press into their
flesh.

Shooting a nervous glance over her shoulder, she located
Carl, still at the bar with his back to her.

Lord, had she made a mistake believing in this man? If he
went too far and she asked him to stop, would he?

Kind of late to get nervous.

Skirting around a gynecological table complete with stirrups,
she approached the center of the room and the least threatening apparatus she’d
seen so far. Similar to a padded massage table with thick wooden legs but oddly
canted, as if the maker cut one set of supports shorter than the other. The
table surface itself was short, perhaps two-feet long. At the higher end the
padding curved over the rounded edge. She noticed a cut out section at the
lower end and off to each side were wide, hinged metal cuffs that would lock
someone in place. She stepped around the table and saw similar cuffs toward the
bottom of the taller legs.

Just as she stepped forward, hand extended to test the
thickness of the leather padding, a scraping sound had Claire turning her head
toward Carl. The toe of her shoe caught on something and her forward momentum
threw her off balance.

Several things occurred at once. She felt herself moving
through the air as if she’d been pushed, practically flying with her arm
extended, her pelvis slamming into the curved table edge.

Her hips folded and her upper body continued, coming to an
abrupt halt on top of the table, knocking the breath right out of her. The
material of her skirt flapped up, bearing her panty-clad ass to the chilled
air.

She heard the scrape of wood on the concrete floor as the
heavy piece of furniture was shoved by the hard impact of her body. This was
followed by the loud clang of metal on metal.

Claire struggled to draw air into her abused lungs and make
sense of what had happened.

After several painful, wheezed breaths, she pushed with her
hands to lift her upper body but was stopped short, her right wrist held firmly
in place. Horror dawned as she turned her head to see the cuff had snapped
closed over her wrist.

Her palms were sweaty, her heart pounded against her ribs and
her ears were filled with the loud swish of her galloping pulse.

Lord, she wasn’t sure what won out, her mortification over
the indignant position or fear that she’d had help getting into this mess. Had
Carl pushed her or had it been an innocent trip and fall?

“Umm…Carl. Could you help me up?” A burst of nervous laughter
passed her lips.

Catching movement in her peripheral vision, Claire arched her
neck to watch Carl’s slow approach. Too slow for her comfort. Apparently the
jerk was enjoying the view of her bared butt sticking up.

Men, ugh!

She blindly reached back with her free hand, trying to catch
the hem of her dress and push it down. As she grasped at material, hard fingers
closed over her wrist and forced her left arm toward the open cuff. Claire
kicked, bucked her body and struggled against him but Carl had strength on his
side. Within moments he had her left arm and both ankles locked down to the table.
As she continued to struggle, he fastened a wide leather strap over her hips,
severely limiting her movement.

“Carl, let me go. We haven’t talked about my limits yet.”

Oh God, this couldn’t be happening. Nobody knew where she’d
gone and Carl had turned into a complete psycho. He had her immobilized in his
basement dungeon, far from any other house. No one would even hear her scream.

“Carl,” she screeched, “this isn’t funny.” Claire put all her
strength into trying to break free knowing the effort was wasted but unable to
stop fighting for her freedom.

“I will allow no limits, Claire. You will take what I give
you and thank me for it.”

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Nicole Austin lives on the sheltered Gulf Coast of Florida, where inspiration can be found sitting under a big shade umbrella on the beach, sipping cold margaritas. A voracious reader, she never goes anywhere without a book, but started looking for something more. Something hotter.

A passion for erotic romance led to Nicole’s creation of sizzling characters and boundary pushing stories. Now she lives in an incredible world where fantasy comes to life in bold, vivid detail. Well, until real life intrudes and she has to share the computer with the rest of the family.

Visit Nicole’s website: http://nicoleaustin.net

Email Nicole: nicole@nicoleaustin.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleAustin

Fighting Solitude By Aly Martinez ♥ Book Tour

Fighting Solitude is Book Three in the On The Ropes Series by Aly Martinez and is Quarry’s highly anticipated story.

Now Available!
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**Each book in the series can be read as a standalone**

Blurb

I was born a fighter. Abandoned by my parents, I spent my life forging my own path—one guided by my fists and paved with pain.
Untouchable in the ring, I destroyed everyone who faced me, but that’s where my victories ended. Outside the ropes, I repeatedly failed the few people who loved me. Including my best friend, Liv James—the one person I’d die to protect.
Even though I didn’t deserve her, Liv never stopped believing in me. Never gave up. Never let go. After all, she understood what I’d lost, because she’d lost it too.
Liv was everything to me, but she was never truly mine.
That was going to change.
I lost my first love, but I refused to lose my soulmate.
Now, I’m on the ropes during the toughest battles of my life.
Fighting to be the man she deserves.
Fighting the solitude of our pasts.
Fighting for her.

Excerpt

Fighting Solitude
Prologue

“Mia!” I shouted.
It was worthless. She’d been deaf since the day I met her.
She’d never once heard my voice.
She’d never heard the deep rumble of my laugh when she was excited, signing so fast I could barely keep up.
She’d never heard my content sigh when she barged into the locker room after a fight—just her presence soothed the lingering madness brewing within me.
She’d never heard me whispering my deepest fears into her ear as she fell asleep on top of me.
She’d never heard the reverence in which I cried her name each and every time I took her body.
And she’d never once heard the ease in which the words I love you tumbled from my lips as I stared into her deep, jade green eyes.
But as I screamed her name while watching her petite body seizing in the passenger seat beside me, I’d never needed her to hear me more.
“Mia. Oh God. I’ve got you, baby.”
She was still thrashing violently as I made my way around to her door, yanking it open while pleading with whatever god was willing to help.
When she stilled, a whole new level of silence filled the air around us. It wasn’t the absence of sound.
It was the absence of life.
“Mia, breathe!” I roared as her chest remained agonizingly still. “Help me!” I screamed at the closed emergency room doors, but no medical savior rushed out with the miracle I so desperately needed.
My hands shook wildly as I released her lifeless body from the seatbelt.
“I’ve got you, just hang on. Please just hang on, Mia,” I whispered lifting her into my arms and sprinting through the sliding doors. “I need a doctor! She’s not breathing!”
Nurses rushed towards me in slow motion as the seconds without air in her lungs passed at a terrifying speed.
Breathe.
A doctor appeared with a gurney and quickly took her from my arms.
The immediate loss was staggering.
Hope became my only solace.
She needed help that I wasn’t capable of giving her, but that didn’t stop me from following close behind as they rolled her away. I was on the verge of self-destructing; letting her out of my sight wasn’t an option.
I stood motionless in the doorway while doctors and nurses swarmed around her. Their mouths moved frantically, but without my hearing aids I was worthless to make out the words their faint voices carried.
I never wore my hearing aids when I was with Mia. There was no point. She rarely spoke with her voice.
We’d spent four years building a relationship with our hands.
Those hands had told me animated stories that made me laugh until my face hurt from smiling.
They’d fought with me relentlessly, but always ended the night raking down my back in silent ecstasy.
Her fingers had fluidly signed I love you more times than I could ever count—or forget.
But as I felt the nurse attempting to physically remove me from the room, my eyes became fixated on her limp hand dangling off the side of the bed. It was the only sight more frightening than watching her flail mid-seizure.
It ripped the heart straight from my chest.
That hand was supposed to be full of life.
It was the very essence of Mia.
Pale.
White.
Still.
Oh God.
Sucking in a deep breath, I held it until the room began to spin.
It provided me no relief even as it forced me to my knees.
There would be no distraction from this.
I was going to lose her.
Yet another woman I couldn’t save.

This book touches me in a way I couldn’t image. I decide to take on this book because I have love Aly’s books in the past. She is a very talented write that has a way of bring you in to the heart of a story and making you feel what her characters are going through with words. Fighting Solitude is no different.

You are taken in to the lives of Liv and Q. They come to know each other through the boxing gym that her father owes and runs. Liv is the girl who refuses to be told no and will do whatever it takes to get what she wants. She has a past that holds her back from trust people, that is until Q walks in her life. Q not just walks in her life but comes in with a bang. Once these two cross paths they never see an end to their friendship in sight. That is until a decision is made and changes the trust these two have grown to know between each other. Q is the trouble maker that seems to push those that love him the most away when they get to close. Q is unstoppable in the ring but struggles with letting people in outside of it. These two are paired so well together you see nothing but hope for the future.

I love the emotions that are drawn out in this book. You go from total love to hate and everything in between. Grab a good comfy seat and a box of tissues you’re in for one amazing read!

Fighting Silence (Book One) On the Ropes
ONLY $0.99
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Fighting Shadows (Book Two) On The Ropes
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About the Author

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in South Carolina, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.
After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. Five books later, she shows no signs of slowing. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.

STALK HER:

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The Rebirth Of Sin By Courtney Lane ♥ Release Blitz

The Rebirth of Sin

The Wicked Trinity Series, Book #2

By Courtney Lane

Dark Erotic Thriller

Cover Artist: Courtney Lane

Release Day: February 11, 2016

Beyond Love Lies Deceit By Melissa Toppen ♥ Release Day Blitz

Book Title: Beyond Love Lies Deceit
Author: Melissa Toppen
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: February 19, 2016
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Beyond Love Lies Deceit

Revenge:
the action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an injury
or wrong suffered at their hands.

Revenge is not the answer. There is no peace in vengeance.
These are the things my mother taught me as a child.
I must learn to forgive and through that forgiveness will find the means to let go.
I used to believe she was right.
I used to believe a lot of things…
That was before the careless acts of one person ripped my entire family apart.

I swore one day he would pay.
One day he would understand what it felt like to lose everything.
One day…
And now, that time has finally come.

But just when I think I understand the rules, the game changes…

I wasn’t looking for love in my pursuit of revenge.
It was the last thing I expected or even wanted for that matter.
But it happened just the same.

Now I’m trapped.
Trapped within the lies I have created.
Trapped in a game that I’m not sure I can win.

I thought I knew the players.
I was wrong…

Now my very life hangs in the balance and there’s only one person that can help me.
But first he has to learn the truth about who I really am…

My name is Samantha Cole and this is my story…

Melissa is the Reader’s Choice Award Winning and Bestselling Author of The You and I Series; You and I Alone, You and I Together, You and I Forever and Taming Lo. Her other projects include the standalone novels; Everything After and Claimed by You, among others. She is a lover of books and enjoys nothing more than losing herself in a good novel. She has a soft spot for Romance and focuses her writing in that direction; writing what she loves to read.

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Nicole By Carrie Thomas ♥ Release Day Blitz

Nicole by Carrie Thomas

Series: Dream Girls #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance/ NA
Publication Date: February 9, 2016

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Nicole Garrett, a self-proclaimed nerd, has had her future planned out for years. Taking chances has never appealed to her on any level, but growing up means adapting to change and accepting that life moves on no matter what. With her best friends, Piper and Stephanie both starting families of their own, Nicole finds herself concentrating harder on her plan to become a doctor, leaving little time for anything else other than working at the local pub to help cover her living expenses. There is nothing worth more to her than making something of herself—unless you count Corey Tate.
Corey Tate isn’t a self-proclaimed anything. He doesn’t care enough. But ask anyone who has ever been around him and they’ll tell you he’s a bad-boy-recluse, who has a somewhat short fuse. He works hard and plays harder. Even though he has no clue what is involved in having an authentic relationship with a woman, Nicole Garrett has him curious enough to consider trying. Having zero experience in relationships proves to be a challenge for him, both mentally and emotionally.
Timing is everything, right? How much time has to pass before the moment is lost? Two years of knowing glances, private talks, and a connection that surprises them both, come to a head when Corey draws a line in the sand. Can these two very different people find their way to a love that can last forever, or will their own flaws ruin what could have been? If Corey and Nicole could get out of their own heads, they might just find out the difference between falling in love and being in love.

The first book in the Dream Girls series is only 0.99 cents! BUY NOW

“Oh my goodness I loved these girls! Carrie’s writing is light, cheerful and fluffy. Yep I said fluffy. You just want to hug the damn book. These three girls will bury themselves in your hearts. I love that all of them are polar opposites.” – Home Is Where the Wine Is Book Blog

“I read this book in 2 days. I could not put it down. I could relate to Piper on an emotional level. The book portrays the struggles of young adults in life and love. The whole series is excellent.” – Amanda Gulley

EXCERPT

“Thanks, Nic. I’ve just—oh my God. You had sex!” She pointed at me with one hand and covered her mouth the other.

”What?” I asked looking to Piper for help.

”I can’t believe you slept with Corey Tate and didn’t tell me!” Corey walked in at exactly the wrong moment. “You!” Steph pointed at him.

”What?” Cored asked, clearly confused.

”You de-flowered my best friend, and you have the ball to act like it’s no big deal?”

Corey looked at me, and I just shook my head and looked down. I was so mortified. Just then, Moye walked back in. I couldn’t believe we were having this conversation. It wasn’t like I was ashamed of it. I just didn’t want everyone discussing my lack of virginity. Or the fact that I’d lost it.

“That just happens to be the best fucking night of my very private life,” Corey said. “So if you don’t mind, for the sake of my embarrassed girlfriend, could we just make this day about you and your baby and not discuss our sex life?”

“Corey! You love her . . .” Steph cried.

“Baby, let’s just go get ready for the shower.” Cole led her out of the kitchen. He mouthed sorry to us as he turned the corner.

“I heard the doorbell. Let’s go let more of your guests in.” Piper was talking to Steph, but looked back to Corey and smiled.

“Damn, that was funny.” Moye laughed. “Sorry, Nic.”

“What’s a day in our lives without my being humiliated?” I turned back toward my task at the counter.

Moye turned and walked out of the kitchen, leaving us alone. Corey came up behind me while I was scrubbing the counter. “I think you got it.”

“I don’t know how they knew. I didn’t say anything.” I turned into him.

“Baby, you don’t need to. They are your friends, they can tell. The same way Moye was ragging on me outside about being whipped.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“I don’t like to brag, but you’ve had a perma-smile on your face since that glorious night.” I knew when his eyes became glazed over, he was reminiscing.

“Stop thinking about it!” I hit him on the arm.

“You might as well get that out of your head right now. I will never forget it, and I will most likely think about it every minute of every day.” He tugged me close.

“You are such a pervert! Seriously though, thank you for saving me.” I kissed him.

“Always, Ace. Now let’s get this baby shower over with so we can go home and do what I was just thinking about.”

“I am home.” I giggled.

“In my mind, your home is my home. One of these days, I’ll convince you.”

“I’m sure you will.” I poked his abs.

Carrie Thomas

Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Twitter

Carrie is a wife and a mom who loves reading and sometimes writing stories of her own. It is impossible for her to write a book without a happy ending. Impossible. If you have trouble finding her, that is probably because she is traveling or at a concert. Music plays a very important role in her writing as she finds inspiration for her future characters. She loves romance novels and has too many favorite authors to list just one…but she will–Jay Crownover is one of her favs! She lives in the South with her husband and two boys.

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A Good Book and a comfy chair is all a girl really needs!

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If You Can’t Take The Heat By Melissa Brown ♥ Release Blitz

Just One Night By Jami Wagner ♥ Release Day Blitz

The Fireman in Unit C (A Mockingbird Place Novel) by Kris Cook ♥ Release Blitz

Ink & Lies By S.L. Jennings ♥ Book Tour

About the Author:

S.L. Jennings is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance, reality TV junkie, obsessive coffee drinker and collector of crazy.

Stalk Her: Website | Facebook | Twitter |Goodreads

Fatal Submission By Nicole Austin ♥ Blog Tour

Fighting Solitude By Aly Martinez ♥ Book Tour

Now Available!
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Blurb

Excerpt

About the Author

STALK HER: