Tuesday 31 March 2015

Review - The Daring Assignment by Victoria Bright



Title: The Daring Assignment
Series: The Curvy Assignments #1
Author: Victoria Bright 
Release Date: March 2, 2015 



I didn’t mean to hurt anyone, especially him…

I was living the dream. I had a great career as a romance author, a successful boyfriend, and am the daughter to a New York power couple. With my standing, my family groomed me to be perfect. Despite having it all, something was still missing.

In an attempt to break away from my privileged, suffocating life, I was in pursuit of finding my own path to happiness. After my literary agent gave me a risky writing assignment, I set out to write a best-seller that took me completely out of my comfort zone and into the arms of another man. He was only supposed to be a research toy, falling in love wasn’t a part of the plan.

As I become tangled into a huge web of lies, I quickly find out that I have a life changing decision to make. Do I choose to continue living a life of comfort, stability, and misery or do I take a chance on the unknown to preserve my happiness?











I was super intrigued by the premise of this book. A romance author wants to prove her success by hitting at least one bestseller list, however she isn’t having much luck so her editor suggests she write an erotic romance instead. And Arianna is a prude to say the least.
 
“You want me to write…porn?” I asked, slightly disgusted as the word left my lips.  

She is living in a loveless relationship that is forced upon her, with an asshole.

Here I was trapped in a relationship to please my parents. Julius’ parents had also set the same prerequisite to receive his inheritance, so we were basically just tolerating each other until we figured out what to do. 

The two barely even tolerate each other, though Julius thinks he can control Arianna.

Her editor gives her a special sex kitten notebook to help her get a start on writing her new story. Between that and her best friend, Gia, who is a sex therapist and a dominatrix, she decides that she needs to do some research in order to properly write her book. Enter Zane, a super sexy chef who she literally runs into. The two hit it off immediately and he agrees to help her research scenes for her book.

“When I’m done with you, you’re going to feel that I’ve been inside you every time you move. From this night on, you’re mine,” he growled, wrapping my legs around his waist and pressing me against the window.
 
Of course, feelings get involved as they usually do in sex only relationships. So will Arianna end up with the man who makes her happy and feel alive or stay in a miserable relationship in order to keep her family? Read and find out!

To be honest, since they were “researching” for her book, I did expect it to be a little hotter and sexier. But I absolutely loved that Arianna was a true woman, a size 16, and was still appreciated for her beauty. I look forward to the second book in this series and can’t wait to find out who will tame Gia.


~ Review by Tiffany







Victoria Bright is from a small town in North Carolina and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina. You can usually find her hoarding bottles of Cool Blue Gatorade, playing The Sims when not writing, or obsessing over Camaros.



Paperback Release Week Blitz - Scandalously Yours by Cara Elliot




Title: Scandalously Yours 
Series: The Hellions of High Street  #1
Author: Cara Elliott
Publisher: Forever
Paperback Release Date: March 31, 2015



Proper young ladies of the ton-especially ones who have very small dowries-are not encouraged to have an interest in intellectual pursuits. Indeed, the only thing they are encouraged to pursue is an eligible bachelor. So, the headstrong Sloane sisters must keep their passions a secret. Ah, but secret passions are wont to lead a lady into trouble . . .SCANDALOUSLY YOURS

The eldest of the three Sloane sisters, Olivia is unafraid to question the boundaries of Society-even if it does frequently land her in trouble. Disdaining the glittery world of balls and courtship, Olivia prefers to spend her time writing fiery political essays under a pseudonym for London's leading newspaper. But when her columns attract the attention of the oh-so-proper Earl of Wrexham, Olivia suddenly finds herself dancing on the razor's edge of scandal. With the help of her sisters, she tries to stay one step ahead of trouble . . .

However, after a series of madcap misadventures, Wrexham, a former military hero who is fighting for social reform in Parliament, discovers Olivia's secret. To her surprise, he proposes a temporary alliance to help win passage of his bill. Passion flares between them, but when a political enemy kidnaps the earl's young son, they must make some dangerous decisions . . . and trust that love will conquer all.



PAPERBACK
AMAZON US / UK

EBOOK
AMAZON US / UK




I love reading historical romances; lately, though, the ones I've read have been great, but haven't blown me away. Even though I was hoping to blown away by this book, I was still a little doubtful that it would happen. I was so wrong, though, because Scandalously Yours knocked my socks off! I absolutely loved, Loved, LOVED it!!! It was such an amazing book and I'm so glad I was wrong!

Miss Olivia Sloane couldn't give a fig about what is proper and what isn't, while John, the Earl of Wrexham, cares a great deal about rules and being proper. Olivia speaks her mind, refuses to let Society and all the men in it tell her what or how to think, and she is more comfortable with logic and reasoning than with romance and fantasy. But she can't keep John off her mind or the feelings he stirs within her.

John doesn't know what to make of Olivia: she shocks him, challenges him, and intrigues him. He resolves to put her out of his mind, but then he needs her help and with it, he starts to learn that maybe following all the rules and being a proper gentleman all the time isn't so important after all.

I absolutely loved John and Olivia! I loved the whole he's-all-proper-and-she's-not deal. It was extremely fun and entertaining to watch their interactions and how they challenged each other, I could hardly stop laughing or smiling. It was just so awesome to see how much they grew and came to love each other.

Scandalously Yours is a witty, mostly light read with heat, mischief, beauty, and some danger thrown in. It was a spectacular book and I absolutely loved it! I'm so excited and can't wait to read the next book in the series!!

Scandalously Yours is a standalone, it's told from multiple points of view and it does have a HEA.


~ Review by Paige








Cara Elliott started creating books at the age of five, or so her mother tells her. And Mom has the proof preserved in a family scrapbook—a neatly penciled story, the pages lavishly illustrated with full color crayon drawings of horses. Cara has since moved on from Westerns to writing about Regency England, a time and place that has captured her imagination ever since she opened the covers of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.”

A graduate of Yale University, Cara has garnered numerous accolades for her writing, including two Daphne Du Maurier Awards for Historical Mystery /Suspense and two RITAs nominations for Regency Romance. (She also writes a historical mystery series under the nom de plume Andrea Penrose.)

Cara loves to travel to interesting destinations around the world—however, her favorite spot is London, where the funky antique markets, used book stores and specialty museums offer a wealth of inspiration for her stories.

Cara also writes under the pen names Andrea Pickens (Traditional Regencies and swashbuckling Spy Regencies) and Andrea Penrose (A Regency-set mystery series)



Release Day Blitz - Body of Law Volume 3 by Amanda Lance




Title: Body of Law
Series: Body of Law #3
Author: Amanda Lance 
Release Date: March 31, 2015



I should have known I couldn’t change him.

Maybe I was even wrong for trying, but I really thought Sebastian Scott had something redeemable about him (other than his body anyway), something I could bring out if I cared about him enough.

I was wrong.

But even though I’m not his intern anymore, I can’t deny our physical attraction, ruining my chances of a relationship with anyone else. If that weren’t bad enough, Sebastian’s behavior has become more erratic than ever. I want to blame it on the stress of the lawsuit but I have a feeling it is something else entirely.

Something dangerous.








In this third and final volume, we get to see the conclusion of Sebastian and Violet’s story. This was another quick read that I really enjoyed!

We picked up right where volume two left off; Sebastian is on suspension while Violet continues to intern at the firm. She is dating Detective Hurley. But of course, he is not Sebastian.

“I have, haven’t I? I’ve ruined you for other men.”

This volume continued to be sexy.

“Tell me you’re mine,” he whispered harshly in my ear. “Tell me and I’ll let you come…”

But it also showed us that there was much more to Sebastian than originally thought. There was also some drama and danger in this one that kept me turning the pages. I really enjoyed this entire series and would love to see more of Violet and Sebastian in the future. 
~ Review by Tiffany






A native of New Jersey and lifelong nerd, Amanda Lance recently completed her Master in Liberal Arts at Thomas Edison State College after her BA in English Literature and AFA in creative writing. As an avid reader of all genres, some of her favorite authors include Hemingway, Marquis de Sade, Stevenson, Bukowski and Radcliffe. When she isn’t writing or reading, Amanda can found indulging in film noir or hiking with her other half and their extremely spoiled dog. She is obsessively working on her next book and trying to tame her caffeine addiction.

Sale Blitz - Midnight by Elizabeth Miller




Title: Midnight
Series: McKenna Chronicles #1
Author: Elizabeth Miller
 Release Date: March 4, 2014


Synopsis


I fell willingly into his bed, stolen moments of passion so intense they blurred the lines of responsibility and reason. The passion we’ve unlocked could be the key to our salvation or the path to damnation. This is my story, my fall into love and fear that it could end in a heartbeat...

One destined meeting. It alters journalist, Charlise "Charlie" Carter’s course. When asked to work on a Republican candidate's campaign, she’s unprepared for the intense reaction she has toward the young, handsome presidential hopeful, Colin McKenna.

Unable to resist Charlie’s allure, McKenna succumbs to his desire and they find themselves exploring a passionate, physical relationship that is soon tested by not only their own secrets, but his political advisers.

Traveling the country in pursuit of the presidential nomination, his career aspirations and complications from the past collide with their desire to be together, threatening to tear them apart forever. Midnight tells a compelling story of burgeoning trust, intense passion and secrets that could cause it all to unravel in a heartbeat.

Midnight is an adult contemporary romance, due to strong language and sexual content this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.










Links to Buy

FREE

AMAZON US / UK




Excerpt

“So good. It’s too good . . .” he mumbles against my mouth. And it is. So intense and so good my toes curl as I wrap my legs around his backside. I’m close to overwhelmed, the feel of him buried in me, knowing I’m really here in this moment, and his voice whispering in my ear to hold on, don’t hold back, give me everything . . . I almost can’t hold on, falling deeply into every sensation and losing myself in them. 
I’ve never done this with someone and felt connected in every possible way, not just physically, but emotionally. A rush, a warmth spreads out from my chest at the realization that this is my beginning—a spring in the middle of winter, the ending of a chapter and the start of another, with Colin as the central character. Right here, in his bed, clarity reigns as his mouth claims mine again, teasing out a moan so he can claim that too. He owns me. I would give him anything. Take it, take all of me, take everything and anything. And he does, wringing out every ounce of pleasure. He knows where to touch, how to extract the smallest whimper and the largest groan. I could never tire of being with him, with him over me and in me, pushing, pulling, driving and devouring until the ache becomes a need. A need so intense and all consuming, I begin taking from him. Calling out unabashedly to move faster, go deeper, push harder. Don’t stop, never stop, never stop making me feel this good and needy and so, so full. Please, I beg. Pleading with him, pleading for I don’t know what . . .




Author Links

Giveaway

Release Day Blitz - Fevered Hearts by Em Petrova




Title: Fevered Hearts
Author: Em Petrova
Publisher: Samhain
 Release Date: March 31, 2015


Synopsis


When faced with a challenge, it’s best to pool your resources.

Liam Mattson used to play his wife’s body like a fine violin. Until a logging accident dampened his fine motor skills and rendered his legs—and the most important part of his below-the-waist playground—useless.

If only Liam would throw himself into therapy with the same vigor he used to throw her into bed, Ivy is sure he’d fully recover. But lately she’s felt adrift, while he’s stuck in self-pity and pre-occupation with a serious threat to his logging business.

When Ward Bose returns from the backwoods, Liam isn’t blind to the heated, guilty glances between his best friend and his wife. And he takes a step he never could have taken if his legs were working—ask Ward to service Ivy in bed.

The moment the three come together, Ward’s heartstrings are tied in knots, and Liam holds them in his fist. But secrets they’re each keeping could tear them all apart…unless they can find a way to share their burdens as easily as they share their love.

Product Warnings
 

Men who wield big saws know how to care of business—in bed and out.






Links to Buy

AMAZON US / UK





Author Bio

Em Petrova lives in Backwoods, Pennsylvania, where she raises four kids and a Labradoodle named Daisy Hasselhoff. Her dream is to buy an old pickup and travel small-town USA meeting people and hearing their stories. Her heroes are hardworking—in bed and out—and she is known for panty-scorching erotic romance.




Author Links

Giveaway

Blog Tour - Where Sea Meets Sky by Karina Halle




Title: Where Sea Meets Sky
Author: Karina Halle
 Publisher: Atria Books
Release Date: March 31, 2015



A new adult novel that perfectly captures the existential angst of your early twenties with raw wit, fresh insight, and true feeling from a critically adored USA TODAY bestselling author.

Joshua Miles has spent his early twenties spinning his wheels. Working dead-end jobs and living at home has left him exhausted and uninspired, with little energy to pursue his passion for graphic art. Until he meets Gemma Henare, a vivacious out-of-towner from New Zealand. What begins as a one-night stand soon becomes a turning point for Josh. He can’t get Gemma out of his head, even after she has left for home, and finds himself throwing caution to the wind for the first time in his life.

It’s not long before Josh is headed to New Zealand with only a backpack, some cash, and Gemma’s name to go on. But when he finally tracks her down, he finds his adventure is only just beginning. Equally infatuated, Gemma leads him on a whirlwind tour across the beautiful country, opening Josh up to life, lust, love, and all the messy heartache in between. Because, when love drags you somewhere, it might never let go—even when you know you have to say goodbye.








Oh baby! This book starts out HOT right from the get go! We have the meet cute at a Halloween party, the instant chemistry and then BAM! Orgasms for everyone! I was squirming in my seat! Where Sea Meets Sky is Karina Halle's newest New Adult offering and if you're a fan of the genre get ready to One-Click this one stat!

Josh and Gemma have an epic one night stand she leaves to return to her home in New Zealand the next day. Neither can forget the other. So Josh travels to New Zealand, not to track Gemma down, but for the experience. Well traveled Gemma inspired him to get out in the world. Of course they meet again, or this wouldn't be a romance. Only Josh wasn't planning on being the third wheel when he finds out Gemma is seeing someone else.

Set in Canada and New Zealand, this book is totally amazing. Karina's lush descriptions of the landscape really transport the reader into each and every scene. And if I had the funds and was single, I'd be making a trip there myself. It sounds stunning!

There is a bit of a love triangle element in this one, which I loved! It really ramped up the angst factor and it totally gave me the feels! This is such an amazingly written book. If you've read Love in English or Love in Spanish, you're going to love this because we get little snippets of Vera and Mateo. FYI, Josh is Vera's brother. But no, you don't need to read those two books before this one, Where Sea Meets Sky is totally a standalone. No cliffhanger.

~ Review by Erin

                                                                                                                      




Karina Halle is the New York Times bestselling author of Where Sea Meets Sky,The Pact, Love in English, and other wild and romantic reads. A former travel writer and music journalist, she lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband and her rescue pup, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails, and devours a lot of books.








Monday 30 March 2015

Review- Jake Understood by Penelope Ward


Title: Jake Understood
Series: Jake Book 2
Author: Penelope Ward
Release Date: March 30, 2015 



From the New York Times bestselling author of Jake Undone, comes a full-length standalone companion novel and sequel. 

A different side to the story: Jake’s side.

“We’re getting a new roommate,” they said. 

I thought nothing of it...until she walked in the door. Her hand trembled in mine as she looked at me with fearful eyes. My entire world spun on its axis. 

Nina... 

It was a mismatch made in heaven: innocent girl from the boonies moves in with tattooed, pierced, badboy engineer. 

I came up with a bet, a plan to tutor her in math and coach her through her phobias. What I wasn’t betting on was becoming addicted to her. 

But I was living a double life on weekends, and once she found out about it, she’d be gone. 

I had to protect myself and that meant one thing: I couldn’t fall in love. 

In Jake Understood, pivotal scenes from Jake Undone are retold from Jake’s point of view combined with all-new material from both the past and present time where Jake Undone left off. It can stand alone but if both books are read, should follow Jake Undone. Contains graphic sexual content and harsh language. It is only appropriate for adult readers age 18+.






I’m having a tough time writing this review right now. I’m teary, I’m happy. My heart hurts from feeling the love that is just flowing off the pages between Jake and Nina. Penelope has given us Jake’s point of view (POV) of his life and his love of Nina from when he first met her through “today.”

Reading Jake’s POV on the pivotal scenes from Jake Undone, was my undoing. I loved reading Jake’s take on his mindset from what both he and Nina experienced in their relationship. Told as flashbacks, Jake’s love of Nina and their life from almost the first day they met is evident. I loved catching up with Jake and Nina 9 years after the end of Jake Undone.

I feel like this review is completely inadequate in expressing how much I enjoyed Jake Understood. It’s not my normal review with a bit of the story, tell you how I feel, and rate it. This book is so much more. You notice I use the word loved several times—I don’t have another term for the strong emotions that this book has evoked in me. Every person should have an opportunity to be in a relationship as powerful as the one between Jake and Nina because true love really does conquer all.

~Missy, 5 LOVED IT stars—actually, I’d like to give it 10 or 20





Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers. She spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family friendly career.

Penelope lives for reading books in the new adult genre, coffee and hanging out with her friends and family on weekends.

She is the proud mother of a beautiful 10-year-old girl with autism (the inspiration for the character Callie in Gemini) and a 8-year-old boy, both of whom are the lights of her life.

Penelope, her husband and kids reside in Rhode Island.