Finding Dandelion By Lex Martin ♥ Cover Reveal & Giveaway

TITLE: FINDING DANDELION (a stand-alone novel in the DEAREST series)

AUTHOR: Lex Martin

RELEASE DATE: July 11, 2014

GENRE: NA contemporary romance

SYNOPSIS

When soccer all-star Jax Avery collides with Dani Hart on his twenty-first birthday, their connection is instantaneous and explosive. For the first time in years, Jax isn’t interested in his usual hit-it and quit-it approach.

But Dani knows better. Allowing herself a night to be carefree and feel the intensity of their attraction won’t change anything when it comes to dealing with a player. So when Jax doesn’t recognize Dani the next time he sees her, it shouldn’t be a total shock. The fact that he’s her new roommate’s brother? That’s a shock.

Dani doesn’t regret that night with Jax, just the need to lie about it. Since her roommate has made it clear what she thinks about her brother’s “type” of girl, the last thing Dani wants is to admit what happened.

Jax knows he’s walking a fine line on the soccer team. One more misstep and he’s off the roster, his plans to go pro be damned. Except he can’t seem to care. About anything… except for the one girl who keeps invading his dreams.

Despite Jax’s fuzzy memory of his hot hookup with his sister’s friend, he can’t stay away from her, even if that means breaking his own rules. But there are bigger forces at work–realities that can end Dani’s college career and lies that can tear them apart.

Jax realizes what he’s losing if Dani walks away, but will he sacrifice his future to be with her? And will she let him if he does?

FINDING DANDELION, the second book in the Dearest series, is a stand-alone novel. This New Adult romance is recommended for readers 18+ due to mature content.

EXCERPT

Reid and Ashley disappear as I get lost in his kiss. We stand there while bodies crash around us to the music, and I’m caught against him like a wave breaking on the beach.

I don’t know what possessed me to kiss this guy out of the blue and pretend that we were somehow together. Right now, I’m blaming the three apple martinis. I just couldn’t stand one more interaction with Reid where I stammered like some kind of loser.

Am I imagining it or did I just tell off my ex? It’s hard to think clearly when I’m pressed up against this beautiful creature. I trail my hands up along his tall frame, dipping the tips of my fingers against the hard ridges and planes of his chest. He looks good in clothes, but the thought of what he looks like without anything on does delicious things to my body. I try to burn the sensation of what he feels like into my memory.

When we finally pull back for air, we stop to look at each other. And then we laugh.

“Holy shit.” I put my hand to my mouth, for the first time embarrassed that I’ve been trying to swallow him whole for the last five minutes. “Hi.”

He grins back. “Hi.”

I don’t hear him so much as read his lips, which I can appreciate now that my mouth isn’t sealed against them. His head slants as though he’s pondering some deep thought, like maybe how he spent the last few minutes locking tongues with a crazy girl who doesn’t even know him.

And then my world slows down as I realize who he is.

Holy shit. It’s the sexy guy from the pizza place.

Jax.

Dearest Clementine (Dearest, #1)

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AUTHOR BIO

Lex Martin writes new adult novels, the sexy kind with lotsa angst, a whole lotta kissing, and the hot happily ever afters. When she’s not writing, she lives a parallel life as an English teacher. She loves printing black and white photos, listening to music on vinyl, and getting lost in a great book. Bitten by wanderlust, this native Texan has lived all over the country but currently resides in the City of Angels with her husband and twin daughters.

STALKING ENCOURAGED!

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One $25 Amazon GIFT CARD & 3 e-book copies of FINDING DANDELION

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In His Silks By Patricia D. Eddy ♥ Release Blitz

Title: In His Silks

Author: Patricia D. Eddy

Release Date: June 10, 2014

Genre: Erotic Suspense

Blurb

Elizabeth Bennett never dreamed that a sudden downpour could change her life. When she falls across the feet of Boston’s richest playboy, Alexander Fairhaven, that’s exactly what happens. Rescued from the rain, Elizabeth finds herself in Alexander’s limo, unable to stop him from seeing through the pain that’s made her strong but kept her alone.

Alexander recognizes the untrained submissive inside Elizabeth immediately. The golden-haired beauty consumes his thoughts and dreams like no woman ever has. He wants her in his silks, bound to his bed, screaming his name as he pleasures her. Can a woman with her strength and her scars trust him to be her Dom? Can she trust him with more?

When danger comes for Elizabeth, Alexander is there. Forced to rely on this man who both thrills and frightens her, will she embrace her submissive side? Will she give him her trust? Her heart? Will she let Alexander bind her In His Silks?

*This book is for mature audiences only due to several hot scenes of bondage, spanking, and mind-shattering orgasms. All participants are over 18 and all sex is completely consensual.

Purchase the Book

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Excerpt

The snow started to fall around mid-afternoon, but she barely noticed. Her back ached. The tension behind her eyes spurred her on. After dinner, she brought her laptop to bed. She was surrounded by tax forms that she’d printed out from the Internet and filled in from memory. She’d checked and rechecked the math and she knew that she’d filled out the returns correctly in the first place. It hadn’t been her mistake. At least not when it came to the Red Sox. So why had they paid more than three million extra in taxes? She was so distracted by the numbers that she didn’t see the caller ID when she answered the phone.

“Hello?”

“Elizabeth. I have missed hearing your voice.” Alexander’s deep tones sounded odd, echoing over the line, but the joy in his voice was hard to mistake.

“Oh, hi. Are you still in London? You sound so far away.”

“As do you, chérie. But not physically. You are distracted. Another book?”

“No, I’m—” This wasn’t his concern. If he knew, he’d interfere. Rich and powerful men were like that, she’d learned long ago. Her father never could leave well enough alone either. “It’s nothing. It was a long day.”

“What did you do? And, if you would indulge me, are you in bed?”

“Excuse me?”

Alexander cleared his throat. “It is 7 a.m. here, Elizabeth. I am sitting here in my hotel room after another sleepless night aching to know what you are doing. What you are wearing. Anything about you. I cannot stop thinking about you.”

“Alexander, we can’t do this. I’m . . . what I mean to say is that . . . shit. Men like you don’t date women like me. You shouldn’t be thinking about me at all.”

“Women like what? Intelligent? Witty? Am I some sort of cretin? An ogre with such poor manners that I would embarrass you at dinner?”

“No, but I’ve been in your type of social circle before. Long ago. You need someone who’ll stand up to scrutiny in the press. Someone who doesn’t live on Hollander Street and shop at Goodwill. Regardless of my former station in life, right now I don’t have a job and my bank account is hemorrhaging.” And I’m involved in a sticky situation with your accounting firm.

“I do not care what your financial situation is,” he snapped. His voice softened. “That came out wrong. I care very deeply that you are struggling, Elizabeth. But not for the reasons you believe. Do you know how long it has been since I found a woman I could converse intelligently with? A woman who did not want me only for my bank account? My position in life?”

“I don’t know. The society pages aren’t my home. They’re yours. Didn’t you date Pippa for a time? How am I supposed to follow that?”

“You don’t have to. Pippa is a dolt and a bore. I did accompany her to the theater once at my mother’s urging, The Book of Mormon, but Pippa found it offensive and boring. I thought it was hilarious. Nary a peck passed between us.”

“You don’t have to justify yourself to me, Alexander. I’ve no claim on you.” She didn’t want to hear about his dates, whether they were innocuous or salacious.

“Bugger it. Can we simply chat? I have several social obligations this morning, none of which promise to offer me anything stimulating in the way of conversation. Being needled by my mother’s old bitty friends is not my idea of a rousing good time. I hoped you would provide a bright spot in my day. A bit of sunlight amid all of this dreary rain we are having in London. And I hoped that you would agree to have lunch with me on Monday when I return.”

“It’s not a good idea,” she said quietly.

“Lunch is almost always a good idea.”

Elizabeth couldn’t stop herself from laughing at the matter-of-fact tone he’d used. “Touché. Skipping meals is often a necessity, but never a good idea. Still, what are you expecting from me?”

He deflected. “I enjoy hearing you laugh. Will you stay up for a bit? I realize it is late there.”

“I don’t have a job. There isn’t exactly a reason for me to get up early in the morning. Why will your mother’s friends needle you?”

“Because I am thirty-five-years-old and have not had a relationship that lasted more than three dates in almost a decade. My mother is nearly eighty-four now and she feels as if she is entitled to a grandchild. Neither my brother nor I are inclined to give her one.”

“Your brother is older?” She set aside her laptop. River had taken residence on the piles of papers she’d been working on. Elizabeth slid down so she was curled on her side and laid the phone on her ear. The cat rolled over and purred.

“Yes. He just turned forty. We both have certain . . . unconventional requirements in a partner. Nicholas needs a woman with an extreme submissive nature. He lives his life as a Master. You know what that is, yes?”

“You’re talking about BDSM.” Something in Elizabeth’s core warmed at the thought, but she didn’t know why. She’d always preferred her sex vanilla and quick. Orgasms were nice, but they were messy and usually left her wanting.

“Yes. But while Nicholas wants a complete power exchange, I do not. I prefer a true partner. One who enjoys my silks, the tools I use as a Dom—for I am one as well—but who does not wish me in control of her life outside of the bedroom. Only her sexual satisfaction.” His voice oozed heat and Elizabeth squirmed under her cheap cotton sheets.

“Oh.”

“Does this frighten you, Elizabeth?”

“No. Because I’m not the one for you. I’m not a submissive, Alexander. I’ve thought that it might be fun to be blindfolded once or twice, but that’s as far as I’d ever take it.”

“You are indeed a submissive, chérie. I knew it the very first time I spoke to you. When I return . . . I will show you the truth of your nature, if you will allow it. I admit that the vision of you in my silks has haunted my dreams each night since we met. Perhaps this is why I have not slept.” He sounded amused. A knock echoed through the phone. “I will be a moment, Elizabeth. I believe my breakfast has arrived.”

Elizabeth hung up on him. How dare he? She was no one’s plaything or wet dream. Especially not his. She fired off a quick text.

I’m not yours, Alexander. If you’d like to ‘chat’ as friends,
that’s one thing, but nothing will ever come of it.
No more talk of sex, or submissives, or whatever the hell your silks are.
And stop fantasizing about me when you jerk off. I’m going to bed now.

The phone rang again immediately, but Elizabeth sent it to voice mail. Two more texts came through.

Please do not deny me the only light I have had in my days,
Elizabeth. Your voice, your wit, your sense of humor.

I am sorry that I have offended you. You unsettle me.
A feeling I am quite unused to.

She turned the phone off completely.

About the Author

Patricia D. Eddy has been a writer all of her life. She used to sit at her parents’ kitchen counter at an Apple IIe typing out short stories. She even wrote a few on their old typewriter. But it wasn’t until NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in 2011 that she ever came close to finishing a story she started.

Once that dam broke, the flood waters never receded. Patricia sits down to write every evening after dinner and quite often sees midnight come and go before she heads to bed. She doesn’t sleep much. But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

In her spare (HA!) time she runs, bikes, swims, yogas, pilates-es, reads, and is terribly addicted to Doctor Who and Sherlock. Apparently she has a thing for quirky British men.

Connect with Patricia

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Rescue Breathing By Zoe Norman ♥ Release Blitz & Giveaway!

Title: Rescue Breathing (Breathe #1)

Authors: Zoe Norman

Release Date: June 11, 2014

Blurb

When Manhattan Psychologist Olivia Burke receives an invitation to present her research on trauma in servicemen in Seattle, she is determined to turn the business trip into the start of healing her own traumatized heart.

FDNY Firefighter Owen Maxwell is an unapologetic playboy who spends his days saving lives and his nights breaking hearts. He puts his life on the line every day and is skeptical about doing the same with his heart. But when he meets Olivia, the girl with the shattered spirit–sparks fly.

They share a hot weekend in Seattle and discover that they want to share so much more.

Both Olivia and Owen are in need of help mending their hearts. What remains to be seen is if they can do that for each other, or if they are so damaged they go up in smoke.

Rescue Breathing is the journey of two lost souls, trying to breathe new life into each other without losing themselves along the way.

Excerpts

If you need me to tell you all the ways I want you, I’ll do it. I could go on all night. What this is between us, it’s good, Olivia, and I don’t want it with anyone else. You own me, Olivia. Don’t you see that?

I stand behind her and unlatch the lock on the bathroom door, pausing before sliding it open and effectively ruining our moment. I bend slightly and whisper into Olivia’s ear, “I always finish what I start, Olivia. We will finish this at another time.”

We’re physically connected like puzzle pieces and emotionally connected like soul mates.

“I’m not a patient man, Olivia. But if waiting means having you, then I’ll wait as long as it takes.”

Buy the Book

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About the Authors

Zoe Norman is the brainchild of Stephanie K. and Heidi H., two women with one very important thing in common—their love of good erotic romance novels. After a year of writing fanfiction and developing a swoon-worthy friendship from across the country, the decision was made to write their own novel.

You can find them on: Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Email

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Fix It For Us By Emme Burton ♥ Release Blitz

Title: Fix It For Us

Author: Emme Burton

Genre: New Adult/ Contemporary Romance

Release Date: June 10,2014

Synopsis

Biz Connelly and Davis Brandon’s love took them by storm – literally.

A blizzard that stopped classes at Weldon University for four days snowed them in. They’re sure of their love for one another, but after their emotional, whirlwind beginning, just how well do they know each other? Learning about each other, navigating their other relationships and trying to overcome Biz’s secret could push them apart – and closer to danger.

Is love alone enough when forces beyond their control are at play? How do you ensure the person you love will stay, not go away, no matter the consequences?

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About The Author

Emme Burton is the author of Better Than Me, her debut novel. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri with her amazing husband and sons, and her “fur boy.” Emme has never, ever been lost in a mall either as a child or an adult. Her mother, and now her family, have always known where to find her. At the bookstore.

Like Emme’s Facebook Page:Author Emme Burton

And Follow her on Twitter: @EmmeBurton

Excerpt

It’s taking me longer than usual to get ready. Davis is already showered, dressed and out of the bedroom. I’m moving a bit slowly. Dragging my feet on purpose? Still a bit pouty? I just don’t feel quite right, but decide to pull it together and get going.

I have a great little dress for the party that PJ picked out for me from costume storage. It’s a red flapper dress, but instead of the usual fringe, it has strips of fabric with jet beading. It swishes and sparkles. I also have amazing “underpinnings” as PJ called them. Red bra and panties with black polka dots and satin trim. Roll top stockings, too. Very authentic. I want to be fun and sexy from the inside out. I’m feeling pretty good about the outfit. I’ve spent a long time on my makeup. Did my research online. Bright red structured lips with a perfect bow and smoky eyes. The only other time I wear this much make up is on stage. The final touch is a black bob wig. Chin length. Smooth, shiny and sassy. When I put it on I hardly recognize myself. I wonder what Davis will think. As I finish up, I hear the doorbell ring. That will probably be Smitty.

***

Entering the living room through the French doors of Davis’ bedroom I see there is a pre-party party occurring. Smitty is being introduced to Kathleen. Davis has pulled a bottle of champagne out of a bucket of ice and is just pouring the first glass. He looks up as I come through the doors and has to quickly pull the bottle back, as he was pouring and not looking and almost overfilling the glass.

“Oops, shit,” he says, shaking some champagne off his hand and then wiping it on the towel around the bottle. “Lizard? God, you look so different. I mean, Good … Great, like you, but different. And Jesus, HOT. Smokin’ hot.” He is effusive with his praise of my look, while at the same time not believing that it’s really me. “Smitty, Kath … doesn’t Biz look … Oh my god, HOT.”

I tease him because I’ve never seen him act this way before and I am getting a big kick out of it. “You said that already.”

“It bears repeating. HOT.” He is finally making his way over to me with a glass of champagne. Attired in a tuxedo with his hair slicked back like a 20s gangster, I could say the same about him. HOT. When he gets right in front of me, he doesn’t touch me, just puts his forehead on mine and breathes out, “I am totally going to get to fuck a hot flapper tonight. The wait is going to be excruciating” – and then he bites his lip. Barely touching me and he is arousing all my senses. Jesus, now my little polka dotted panties are in flames. And we still have a party to go to.

Buy Book One

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Talk To Me By Clare James ♥ Release Blitz

Title: Talk to Me (Public Lives, #1)

Author: Clare James

Release Date: June 9, 2014

Genre: Steamy New Adult Romance

Blurb

*Caution: This story contains explicit sex scenes with an alpha hockey player … who gives an entirely new meaning to the term Body Checking. *

Finn Daley took the world by storm two years ago when he was drafted by the NHL. The young, handsome, high-scoring player quickly became a fan favorite. He had everything going for him: fame, fortune, a promising career, and his pick of women. But when he made an abrupt exit from the NHL last spring, everything changed and he’s been in hiding ever since.

Casey Scott plans to find out why.

After interning for free all summer at the top television station in the Twin Cities, Casey lands an on-air gig. Trouble is, the new role is Sports Girl—which means reporting from local bars and tailgating parties to create excitement for the hometown heroes. All while wearing tiny team jerseys that are so tight they leave little to the imagination.

But she has a plan. Uncover the biggest sports mystery of the decade, and she’ll be on her way. Question is, how far will she go to get the story?

Buy the Book

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Chapter One

Casey

I was a bloody mess, sitting on Finn effing Daley’s kitchen counter. My skin was torn and mangled, and there were rivers of crimson running down my thigh and puddling in my socks. It was an unusually warm fall day, so I was wearing my favorite blue running shorts and a t-shirt—an outfit that allowed for such an injury, and one that now felt exceedingly indecent. Especially when he was so close that I could feel his breath marking my skin.
If I was producing this clusterfuck of a story for TV news, I would definitely use this scene as the Teaser. That’s what I wanted to do with my life, work as a broadcast journalist. I had learned that starting a story with blood and the hint of sex was pure magic. It didn’t get much better for the viewing audience.
Remembering back, however, I guess there was more than just a hint of sex that day—so there’d have to be some major editing done before it ever hit the air.
Consider this the unabridged version.
Finn ran his hand through his hair and tugged it—at the root—two times. After spending countless hours studying him, I had learned it was a nervous habit. When he looked back up at me, his eyes dilated. All the softness is his gaze had grown hard. Gone was the sweet caretaker intent on patching up my injured legs. This guy looked more like the violent hockey player on the ice who bashed players into the boards whenever he got the chance.
“It’s no accident that you just happened to be riding your bike past my house, is it?” he asked, backing up from me. “No accident that we just keeping running into each other?”
“What do you mean?” I said, holding my breath. There was no way he could’ve known who I really was or what I was really doing here.
Just play it cool, Casey.
“I admit,” he laughed, balling his hands up into fists. “It’s been awhile since I had a little visitor. I guess I should be flattered that the girls haven’t forgotten about me. Who sent you? Gina? Heather?”
He moved in closer and my heart thrashed around in my chest. I had no idea what he was talking about, but it couldn’t have been good. I tipped my chin up so he’d know I wasn’t afraid. He would not intimidate me.
“Nobody sent me,” I told him.
“Ah.” He smiled. “Came here on your own accord, huh? Curious Casey Scott. Does your brother know what kind of girl you are?”
“Look,” I said, my concern on the verge of panic after his drastic change in tone. “I’m sorry, I bothered you. But nobody sent me. I was just biking in the area…”
That’s it. Deny. Deny. Deny.
I continued to babble, but Finn wasn’t paying attention to my words. It was well past time to abort this mission. It was a stupid idea anyway, and I was coming to realize that maybe Finn Daley was just plain crazy. And Lord knows I had enough of that to last a lifetime.
Bracing my arms on the ledge, I started to slide down to make a run for it.
Finn caught me.
He flipped me back up onto the countertop and caged me in with his arms. He leaned forward and I was immediately consumed by his scent—clean, crisp, and welcoming, like everything in his home. It was almost serene there; a bubble of calm in what must have been a terribly chaotic life. At least when he was still playing hockey.
When our gazes finally locked, a wave of relief washed over me.
I don’t know how I mistook his demeanor for violent. It wasn’t. Aggressive? Yes. And definitely in control. But I knew he wouldn’t harm me. He worked his way between my dangling legs and I swear I wanted to pull away. I tried, but failed epically.
My face went hot. Hell, my entire body went hot.
Finn’s stormy grey eyes turned even darker. His cheeks flushed. His chest rose and fell with accelerated breath.
Yes, even I knew what this was. He wasn’t violent or angry—at me anyway. This was lust. Pure, carnal, and desperate.
It paralyzed me.
Finn pushed my legs open, gripping each thigh in his hand. My breath caught and all that heat pooled between my legs. I opened my mouth to say something—I’m not sure what—but nothing came out.
“Did you want it like this?” he asked, moving one hand to stroke me right down my center. Slow and deliberate. There was no hesitation in his motion, and no mistaking what these girls did for him. What he thought I was there to do.
Could I play along?
I knew I should’ve been logging all this information in my mind. This was part of his story. I needed to get more details; I needed to work. Yet all I could focus on was his touch, and the effect it was having on my neglected body.
He moved his hand away and my body screamed in protest. I bit the inside of my cheek because there was no way in hell I’d let him know I wanted more.
Who did he think he was, anyway?
“Or.” Finn clamped his hands onto my waist and pulled me off the counter.
No. No. No.
As much as I hated to admit it, I wasn’t ready for this to end. Whatever this was.
He then flipped me around, and bent me over the cool surface.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
My head was spinning. I was not a tiny girl. Still, he tossed me around effortlessly. It made me feel utterly defenseless. And completely desirable. My body was bent over the counter and it was freaking glorious.
In my indecent workout clothes, every sensation was magnified. The cold granite chilled me right through my top, and my nipples pebbled on contact. The breeze tickled me as my shorts road up, revealing a nice slice of my ass.
“Wait, Finn,” I choked out. I had to put an end to this. This situation was obviously a case of mistaken identity, and he was obviously expecting someone else. I had to tell him.
Finn heisted my waist up so high I was balancing on my tiptoes. I could only imagine how I must’ve looked—sprawled out over the counter with my ass high in the air.
I should really tell him.
He reached between my legs and pulled my shorts and panties to the side.
Well, maybe I could wait another minute to see where this was going.
Or two.
Finn didn’t say anything as he began to stake claim over my body. I stayed mum, letting him take over.
The cold air hit my most private parts and I almost came undone right there. I tried to pull myself out of the lust-induced state. I knew this wasn’t right. It was actually mortifying, but I couldn’t make him stop. I didn’t want him to. I never understood the insane things woman did for men, or for sex … until right at that very moment. I had been thinking about nothing but him for days and now I was here at his home. And he wanted his way with me. I couldn’t help feeling that I so wanted to give it to him. Strange that I still felt empowered. Even in this vulnerable position. It was a heady sense of control I had over him and I was getting drunk on it.
“Tell me how you found out about my interests, Casey,” he growled in my ear as he plunged two fingers deep inside.
“Ah,” I called out and my eyes rolled back in my head.
When he repeated the motion, I was so disoriented I had to remind myself to breathe. Still, somewhere under the sublime layer of need, I knew I had to set the record straight. But all that came out of my mouth was needy whimpers and incoherent chatter.
“That’s okay,” he said, with a deep chuckle. “I guess I’ll just have to make you talk to me.”

About the Author

Clare James is the author of steamy contemporary romance and new adult novels: BEFORE YOU GO, MORE and DIRTY LITTLE LIES. A former dancer, Clare still loves to get her groove on—mostly to work off her beloved cupcakes and red wine.

A fan of spunky women, gorgeous guys, and super-hot romance, Clare spends most of her time lost in books. She lives in Minneapolis with her two leading men—her husband and young son—and loves to hear from her fans.

Find her at:
www.clarejamesbooks.com
@clarejamesbooks
http://www.facebook.com/clarejamesauthor

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Cover Me By Carrie Elliott ♥ Cover Reveal

Title: Cover Me

Author: Carrie Elliott

Release Date: June 23, 2014

Synopsis

Derek Bast, always has the final say. In business and in his personal life, things are done his way, or not at all. So when a scathing review of his new band is published in The Scene and has his record producer second guessing his artistic choices, his band mate trying to call the shots, and Bast’s manager convinced he’s impossible to work with, it’s time to hunt down the source of his problems: Bess Halprin, reviewer for The Scene, the girl next door growing up, and his ex-best friend since senior year when she decided to hate him for no reason.

The last person Bess Halprin wants to see standing in the lobby of The Scene is Derek Bast. Unfortunately, she can’t deny that the last nine years look damn good on him. She expected to hate him. She didn’t expect the way he can still tug at her emotions, or the way his kiss—and his hands—set her on fire. Bess should’ve kept her distance, because Bast was right when he guessed her review was written for revenge. The problem is, to this day he has no idea what he did—how he screwed her over their senior year. The bigger problem? She’s giving him the opportunity to do it again, because she never could resist him.

When circumstances bring them both home to Santa Cruz, Bast earns his way into the heart of the girl next door, but when they return to L.A. and real life rushes in, will he be able to keep her this time or are the mistakes in their past destined to be repeated?

***

Excerpt

Derek

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” I threw The Scene down onto the marble table in front of my band manager, Kurt Detrick. “She’s hated me since high school. That’s what this shit review is about. Revenge.”

Kurt sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “I don’t know, D. I mean, it is a shit review, but every time I’ve dealt with Bess Halprin she’s been nothing but professional. I’m not sure she’d risk the reputation of her magazine for revenge.”

“Whatever the case,” Joe Schmidt, my record producer said, his voice echoing from the conference phone in the middle of the table, “she makes some good points. We need to rethink the tracks we have recorded, maybe ditch them altogether and find something else.”

“Good points? Ditch them?”Was he fucking insane? I snatched the magazine off the table and read, “Unholy Union is a quintessential band name for the mind-numbing melding of indie-to-corporate singer/song-writer, Derek Bast, and teen pop sensation, Adrian. In no known universe should the music of these two collide.”

I whacked Adrian on the arm with The Scene—Adrian who used no last name, like Prince or Madonna. “Hey. Pretty boy. You got anything you want to add to this conversation?”

Adrian shook his head, his hair whipping around his face. “Nah. Not really.”

I clenched my teeth. My jaw twitched. “Joe. We’ll call you back.” I reached over and jabbed the off button on the phone.

Kurt flew forward. “What the–”

“Kurt.” My chest constricted, tight as stone. My nostrils flared with the effort to inhale, exhale and not rip someone’s face off. “Fuck you.” I pointed to Adrian. “And fuck you.” I pushed away from the table and stood so fast, my chair fell over. “Since I’m the only one who gives a shit about Joe trashing the tracks we recorded, I’ll go fix this.” I gave them a mock bow. “You’re both fucking welcome.”

I couldn’t say I remembered the drive across town. There were flashes from the paparazzi when my tires squealed out of the parking garage, but then I was lost in a blind rage until pulling up in front of the ugly glass building where The Scene’s offices were located.

A scruffy guy in filthy clothes sat on the ground beside a palm tree. This wasn’t the best part of L.A. if there even was such a thing. “Hey. Do me a favor.” I pulled a hundred dollar bill out of my pocket and held it out to him. He scrambled to his feet. “Don’t let anyone near my car.” He nodded, shoving the cash in his pocket.

The reception area was bright and modern with purple furniture, Wi-Fi stations and flavored coffee set up on a cart with a striped awning, like we were outside. It reminded me of Willy Wonka’s factory.

“Can I help you?” A blond with big blue eyes looked up from behind the rounded desk. “Oh! Derek Bast.” Her throat rippled as she swallowed hard. It put an image in my mind that made me look away.

“I need to see Bess Halprin.”

“I’m not sure she’s in the office. Did you have an appointment?” She clicked on her computer screen, quickly searching Bess’s appointments.

“No. It’s urgent. Do you know where she is?”

“Behind you,” said a deep female voice that clawed its way up my back.

I turned to see Bess standing a few feet from me. The realization hit that after all the years we spent living beside each other growing up in Santa Cruz, that this was the first time I’d seen her in about nine years, since high school.

This Bess Halprin wasn’t the skinny girl with baggy jeans and glasses who used to knock on my door every Friday after school to try and get me to go to her youth group roller skating party with her. She didn’t even look like the girl who was voted most likely to become first female President of The United States in high school. This girl—woman—was someone I didn’t know.

Bess Halprin grew up.

And filled in.

“Stop starting at my boobs, Bast.” She tugged the strap of her black leather bag up higher on her shoulder.

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Brownie Points By Kelly Collins ♥ Book Blitz

Title: Brownie Points

Author: Kelly Collins

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: May 7, 2014

Synopsis

Fate has dealt Emma a tough hand. Her mother was violently ripped from her life at twelve years old. Since that day, she’s been on her own. With an absentee father, and no other family to turn to, Emma finds a way to take care of herself. She opens an escort service; it’s the perfect way to use her best assets.

Life remains simple but lonely. She doesn’t do relationships. In her line of work, it’s risky. As an escort you don’t mix business with pleasure, it’s a conflict of interest. That was always the rule—until Anthony.

As one of the new owners of Ahz, Anthony is a hot commodity. A once confirmed bachelor, Anthony’s tune has changed ten-fold since Emma came into his life. She’s the one, and he’ll do anything for her as he proved their first night together.

Their relationship races forward at breakneck speed. All the while, Emma, guards herself so that her heart is never at risk.

She now finds herself in a new line of work, beside Anthony as the voice of Los Angeles’ hottest nightclub. While Anthony is away on business, several challenges emerge that have the potential to destroy their love––their lives.

When it comes to brownie points can you ever collect enough to erase the past?

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About The Author

Kelly Collins lives in Colorado with her husband James. She’s the proud mother of three young adults that still manage to keep her on her toes and her head spinning. They are her greatest accomplishment.

As a military wife, Kelly has traveled the world like a rock star on tour. This has given her the amazing ability to unpack an entire household in three days—another crowning achievement!

Over her life, she has been a jack-of-all-trades between Dental assisting, teaching, and running her home staging business until finally, one day, she decided to do something she was meant to do. She wrote. And she hasn’t stopped since.

Armed with a glass of wine and her laptop, Kelly loves nothing more than to create a world that any woman would want to live in.

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The Chase Volume One By Jessica Wood ♥ Release Blitz

Title: The Chase: Volume One

Author: Jessica Wood

Release Date: May 29, 2014

Blurb

735 to 1.

735 = number of notches on his belt.
1 = the notch he couldn’t get.

Who is he?

Dean Chase.

He loves the thrill. He loves the women. And above all, he loves the chase.

But the one thing he doesn’t love is being tied down by a woman. To him, once the chase is over, it’s time to pull up his boxers and move on to the next target.

That is until he meets Blair Parker.

Blair is unlike any of the women under Dean’s belt. She’s confident, mysterious, and sassy. In Dean’s world, she’s the wicked curved ball he couldn’t figure out. She’s the first woman who always seems to be out of reach no matter how hard he chases. So when it comes to Blair, Dean couldn’t move on.

Dean will need to change his ways in order to chase Blair down to make her the 736th notch on his belt. But will chasing after Blair become Dean’s undoing and end his love of the chase once and for all?

The Chase is volume one of a three-part contemporary romance novella series.

Buy the Book

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The Chase, Volume 2 is set to release on June 10th and The Chase, Volume comes out end of June.

Excerpt

There was one feeling that I loved the most in life.

God’s gift to man.

I knew exactly how to get it. I knew what came with it. And I knew how damn good it made me feel. Every. Single. Time.

And the best fucking part of it was, it was free!

But not just any kind of sex. Fuck no. Only the purely physical, no-strings-attached, emotionless kind of sex—the only kind my insatiable cock could get behind, the only kind I needed—or wanted.

So here I was, like the countless times before, sprawled out next to some naked woman in her bed, basking in the afterglow of another earth-shattering fuck session.

“That was incredible,” she purred, interrupting my peaceful bliss. “I never came multiple times like that before in just in a couple of hours.” I could hear her still panting as she recovered from her orgasms.

I grunted an incoherent response, hoping that’d be enough to keep her at bay. After my cock had gotten its fill from a woman, it was done. So I was done, and didn’t see the point of making small talk after that point.

“No, I’m serious. That was probably the best sex of my life.”

“You’re welcome.”

She giggled. “Wow, you’re so full of yourself.”

The post-fuck bliss was evaporating as annoyance crept its way in. “You just said I was the best fuck of your life. If that’s not a ‘thank you,’ I don’t know what is.”

I got up from the bed and started to put my clothes back on. “Anyway, I gotta get going. I still have some work to do tonight.”

“Wait, just one thing before you leave.” She walked over and grabbed one of my hands. Before I could register what she was doing, she began writing something on my palm with a pen.

“What the hell are you doing?” I yanked my arm away and stared at my palm. Shit. Her number.

She looked up at me with a come-hither expression as she purposefully bit her lips. “I’d love to see you again sometime.”

Oh God, here we go again. She’s one of those girls. I cleared my throat and turned to her, trying to keep my tone light and free from the irritation that was building up inside. I need to nip this shit in the bud.

“Look—”

“—No, don’t misunderstand me,” she interrupted, “I know you’re not looking for a relationship. I’m not either!” Her words came out quick and urgent.

Bullshit, I thought as I started to button up my dress shirt. I knew she was either lying to me, or worse, lying to herself.

“I just thought that since we had so much fun tonight, we can keep in touch…you know, stay friends or something, and do this again sometime.” She gave me what she thought was her most seductive smile as she moved closer toward me and ran her fingers down the ridges of my eight-pack abs. Before they moved any lower, I grabbed her hand to stop her wasted efforts.

“Look,” I said coldly, “a one night stand is just that. One night. I didn’t ask you if you wanted a twonight stand.”

For a second, the blonde stared at me with a stunned expression. But as soon as she recovered, she yanked her hand from my grasp and backed away. “Who the fuck do you think you are, asshole?!”

“The asshole you agreed to have a one night stand with.”

“Ugh! Get the fuck out of my house!”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to do since I got out of your bed, sweetie.” I grabbed my jeans and casually pulled them. “The fun’s gotta end sometime.” I saw the indignation on her face, like she was just lied to or something. In my defense, I’d been more than clear of what I wanted out of her tonight, and she whole-heartedly agreed. It wasn’t my fault that she now wanted more after she’d gotten a taste of me.

When I got to her front door, I turned back to her. “If it’s any consolation, that was a great fucking one night stand.”

“Fuck you, asshole!” she screamed as she grabbed an empty vase from the dining table and aimed it at me.

“You already did!” I called out as I closed the door in time to hear the vase shatter against the other end of the door.

735. That was the newest notch on my proverbial belt of women who I’d fucked, and that notch was claimed by this crazy blonde.

My name was Dean Chase. I was a rich, powerful attorney at the most prestigious international law firm in the world. I was recently selected as one of San Francisco’s “30 Most Eligible Bachelors Under 30” by Forbes Magazine. So naturally, I got a lot of ass. And I welcomed it with open arms and a rock-hard dick.

Things were very simple for me. I wasn’t looking for a relationship. I wasn’t looking for emotions. I wasn’t looking for someone to stick around for any longer than a good orgasm.

I was only looking for a good chase.

When it came to the chase, my cock was always in the driver’s seat. I came, I saw, I conquered. And then I moved on to the next target.

That was how I operated. That was what I was happy with.

But that was until I met her.

The minute I saw Blair, I knew she was different. She was the wicked curve ball that threw me for a loop. She was the one I wanted but couldn’t have. That made her my ultimate chase, and notch number 736 had her name written all over it.

About the Author

If you wish to be notified of upcoming book releases and news from Jessica Wood, you can sign up for her mailing list: http://jessicawoodauthor.com/mailing-list/

Jessica Wood writes contemporary romance.

While she has lived in countless cities throughout the U.S., her heart belongs to San Francisco. To her, there’s something seductively romantic about the Golden Gate Bridge, the steep rolling hills of the city streets, the cable cars, and the Victorian-style architecture.

She loves a strong, masculine man with a witty personality. While she is headstrong and extremely independent, she can’t resist a man who takes control of the relationship, both outside and inside of the bedroom.

She loves to travel internationally, and tries to plan a yearly trip abroad. She also loves to cook and bake, and—to the benefit of her friends—she loves to share. She also enjoys ceramics and being creative with her hands. She has a weakness for good (maybe bad) TV shows; she’s up-to-date on over 25 current shows, and no, that wasn’t a joke.

And it goes without saying, she loves books—they’re like old and dear friends who have always been there to make her laugh and make her cry.

The one thing she wished she had more of is time.

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Summer Nights By Rochelle Paige ♥ Release Blitz

Title: Summer Nights (Blythe College #2.5)

Author: Rochelle Paige

Release Date: June 4, 2014

Blurb

Novella Duo Contains Hold Your Horses with bonus epilogue and Push It Forward.

Hold Your Horses
Charlotte thought she was doing the right thing when she decided to go away to college. When graduation comes and she needs to decide if it’s time to go back home and settle down, she worries that she’s not ready yet. Shane has waited four long years for Charlotte, after agreeing to a long-distance relationship because it was the only way to keep her in his life. He can hardly wait for her to come home so they can finally start their life together.

What happens when the girl who is nervous about settling down to small-town life comes home to the guy who is ready to pop the question?

Push It Forward
Drake and Alexa had a whirlwind romance in Push the Envelope, falling for each other hard and fast. But their newfound love is tested during summer break when their plans mean time spent apart. When danger comes knocking on Alexa’s door with the return of her ex-boyfriend to town, Drake drops everything to be by her side.

Can Drake convince Alexa that it’s time to push their relationship forward? Or will she allow her fears to hold her back?

Excerpt

Hold Your Horses

“Charlotte,” he sighed as his lips crashed down on mine and every single thought flew out of my head.

This wasn’t a gentle kiss at all. It was desperate and rough, our mouths ravaging each other and quickly spiraling out of control. It felt like it had been forever since I was last able to touch him. Before long, I was gasping for air, trying to breathe him into me. To hold on to this moment and him forever.

“Sugar, we can’t do this here,” he whispered against my lips as my hands started to unbutton his shirt. I had forgotten we were in my parents’ driveway. Forgotten that they were probably waiting for me inside the house.

“Shit,” I replied, my head dropping down to his chest. I could feel his heart thumping under my cheek. His arms wrapped around me so he could cradle me in his embrace. I loved being this close to him. How could I ever give this up?

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Push the Envelope (Blythe College, #1)

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Hit the Wall(Blythe College, #2)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

About the Author

I absolutely adore reading – always have and always will. My friends growing up used to tease me when I would trail after them, trying to read and walk at the same time. If I have downtime, odds are you will find me reading or writing.

I am the mother of two wonderful sons who have inspired me to chase my dream of being an author. I want them to learn from me that you can live your dream as long as you are willing to work for it.

When I told my mom that my new year’s resolution was to self-publish a book in 2013, she pretty much told me “About time!”

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Irrevocable By Skye Callahan ♥ Cover Reveal

Title: Irrevocable

Author: Skye Callahan

Genre: Dark Erotic Romance

Release Date: July 14.2014

Synopsis

Sometimes when you can’t go back, the only way out is to descend into the darkness.
my Captor
When I woke in that place, I just wanted to survive. But survival came at a cost, for which they demanded my will and body.
my Master
With pain came acceptance. Fully-dependent on the man who claimed me, I learned to appreciate what I had-life and relative safety.
my Protector
I watched him spill blood and tend my injuries. With betrayal came a revelation.
The only way out was to bring them all down or die trying.
Warning: This isn’t your rainbows and love sonnets kind of romance. This story explores topics of abduction and slavery, and contains explicit scenes of dubious consent, graphic violence and sex.

About The Author

Skye Callahan is an Ohio-girl who has spent a lifetime chained to the imaginary worlds of the characters who live in her head. Although it was her interest in paranormal that originally inspired her to pick up the pen, she has recently followed her interest in BDSM and dark romance to venture into other realms of fiction. She currently lives with her husband and two ferrets, who keep her plenty busy when she’s not writing or at the day job where she serves as a Jane-of-all-trades in a non-profit business outreach center.

Mailing List for releases and updates: http://eepurl.com/UW1ET

Excerpt

Through the haze of sleep, I felt hands on me. Cold and rough. I thought for a fleeting moment that it might have been Kyle.

Then, I remembered our break up.

It had happened weeks ago, but maybe that part was the dream. My memory was fucked and I couldn’t latch onto a thought long enough to ride it out of the fog.

Too many hands.

They groped and pulled—rough against my skin and digging into muscle and bone. I tried to retreat, my back pressed into a hard surface beneath me, and my nostrils filled with the smell of musk and damp stale air.

I had no idea where I was, or how I’d gotten there.

I kicked and gasped, trying to get back to the surface where reality lurked, shimmering in the distance, but just out of reach, like the sun on the surface of the water during a dive.

A hand latched onto my hair and held my head back. My eyelids were finally freed from the sticky muck that held me in semi-consciousness, and I opened them to find myself staring up into unfamiliar green eyes.

I only held his gaze for a few seconds—if that—but it seemed like it lasted for hours as my brain fought to categorize the details. Its useless attempt to understand what was going on.

The man clutching my hair had vivid green eyes, but they may as well have been black given the emotionless void they displayed. His hair was shaggy, brown with a mix of grey, the same colors that stood out in his unkempt stubble.

As if he needed any help looking rough.

He exhaled and his breath settled over my face, reeking of booze and cigarettes. The smell made me queasy, but I didn’t have time to dwell on that, as another set of hands tugged at my jeans.

My gaze traveled around the room, taking in the small crowd. At least half a dozen men surrounded the table where they had me spread out like a holiday feast. All dressed differently, from ragged tank tops to well-fitting dark button-down shirts, but they all projected an air of unchecked danger. Necks marked with tattoos, hands covered in callouses and scars. Scruffy faces accented their sneers and smirks, as they stood above me staring down with eyes starved of humanity and full of lust.

Apparently, they didn’t expect me to put up a fight, because aside from the hand tangled in my hair, no one seemed concerned with keeping a tight grip on me. Probably because they outnumbered me, and I assumed they would have no problem beating the crap out of me as I struggled.

They’d downright enjoy it.

Unfortunately, I didn’t fully consider how that scenario would play out. I bucked and managed to knee the one pulling on my waistband in the face. He grunted, but I can’t imagine I inflicted as much pain as his retaliatory blow to my ribs. I sucked in air and rolled, curling around the injury and gasping for each painful breath as the sickening throb exacerbated my confusion.

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Blazinbear's Book Blog

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

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Finding Dandelion By Lex Martin ♥ Cover Reveal & Giveaway

In His Silks By Patricia D. Eddy ♥ Release Blitz

Rescue Breathing By Zoe Norman ♥ Release Blitz & Giveaway!

Fix It For Us By Emme Burton ♥ Release Blitz

Talk To Me By Clare James ♥ Release Blitz

Cover Me By Carrie Elliott ♥ Cover Reveal

Derek

Brownie Points By Kelly Collins ♥ Book Blitz

The Chase Volume One By Jessica Wood ♥ Release Blitz

Summer Nights By Rochelle Paige ♥ Release Blitz

Irrevocable By Skye Callahan ♥ Cover Reveal

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