Monday, December 28, 2015

Review: Resisting the Moon by LP Dover



Resisting the Moon by L.P. Dover 



*STANDALONE NOVEL* 

The past was pain. 
The present unclear. 
For Tyla Rand, her future couldn’t be bleaker. Death follows her everywhere, especially to those she loves. Being a member of the royal pack, she believes her time of happiness will come. That is, until wolves from her old pack show up missing. Her mission is to find them, but she won’t be going alone. 
Sebastian Lyall, a true born royal and the one man Tyla loathes, has offered to help in her quest. Their journey not only brings out their true desires, but attracts the attention of another, someone from Tyla’s past. However, nothing is as it seems. Death is not done with her and now he wants her to pay. He won’t be satisfied until he’s taken everything away . . . including those she loves. 




Review: 

This was another great book from the amazingly talented L.P. Dover!

I was captivated from beginning to the end of the book. I had trouble putting this book down. I couldn't wait to get home from work, to read only to stay up late reading. 

You really get to see more of Tyla and Sebastian which I really enjoyed. These were two characters from the first book that I wanted to get to know better. 

If you haven't read this book yet, then go buy it now! You will not be disappointed. I wonder which characters the next book will be about in this series. Maybe Bailey's brother Colin? We shall see!

Rating: 5/5




About the Author


New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, L.P. Dover, is a southern belle residing in North Carolina along with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she even began her literary journey she worked in Periodontics enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries. 

Not only does she love to write, but she loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes, white water rafting, and you can’t forget the passion for singing. Her two number one fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime and those songs usually consist of Christmas carols. 

Aside from being a wife and mother, L.P. Dover has written over nine novels including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, and her standalone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read is romantic suspense and she also loves writing it. However, if she had to choose a setting to live in it would have to be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae. 

L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Review: Playing to Win by Maci Monroe

 


Playing to Win 
Maci Monroe
(Gridiron, #1)
Publication date: October 27th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Sports

Mr. Football. Blake Wilkins. Quarterback at Iowa State. Projected 1st round draft pick by New England. Captain of the Cyclones. English major and all around good guy. He could have his pick of any of the smokin’ hot babes on campus.
Chem Geek. Katelyn French. Her idea of fun was blowing up chemical reactions to cure cancer. Beat Alzheimer’s. Kick Superman’s ass. Football was not her thing until she met Blake.
An unlikely couple. Pulled in different directions as college life comes to a close. Katelyn heading off to Stanford. Blake awaiting the NFL draft. Could they make a long distance romance work?
Sex. Love. Jealousy. Can their love withstand the jealousy and threats that surround them?
EXCERPT:
“This doesn’t sound like football-guy music,” I said, watching him. He’d taken a bowl of something out of the refrigerator and was whisking it furiously.
“Don’t tell Saint,” he snorted. He dipped a finger into whatever it was he was whisking and tasted it, smacking his lips approvingly. “He’d have a heart attack if he knew that I’d even heard about Enya.”
I frowned. “Why? Does he feel the same way about Mika?”
“No, but only because we assured him that Mika was a girl.”
It was kind of funny, because now that I thought about it, he really was a very feminine singer. Still, it was a little disappointing to hear that the football coach espoused such antiquated values. “What a dinosaur.”
He shrugged, then slid something wrapped in foil inside the oven. “Eh, he’s a good coach. But yeah, doing the alpha-top-dog-male-macho thing all the time gets exhausting.”
“So why do you do it?”
“Because the only way to get drafted by the NFL is to stay on the team, and the only way to stay on the team is to stay on his good side.”
I shook my head. I couldn’t imagine being so dedicated to one career path as to be willing to endure that amount of shit. Then he told me how he’d grown up, raised by a single mom. “My NFL career will be the first time I’ll be able to give her what she deserves,” he said quietly. “You have no idea how much I want that.”
The things that you usually shared on date number, say, ten—we ended up talking about those all night long, while he cooked—or rather, reheated stuff and made salad dressing. Dinner, which was eaten on “company china” as he called it, was roast beef and gravy, with creamy mashed potatoes and a salad. It was strange, how intimate the conversation got, how much of our souls we laid bare to the other that evening, while we picked over the salad and drank down the wine. It wasn’t drunkenness that prompted us to loosen our tongues. In retrospect, I think it was relief that we’d found someone who just “got” us.
“Well,” he said, as he cleared the table. “My brother said we could use his Netflix, so what do you say to finding a movie while I make dessert?” For desert he warmed up a gooey chocolate cake—”Not brownies,” he said, when I asked if that was what they were—and topped with a scoop of ice cream and a few slices of fresh strawberries. We ate it on the floor, snuggled up together on the giant sheepskin watching Skyfall—it was my first time seeing it, and I almost lost it when the Bond girl died. “She’s not supposed to die!” I cried, for at least a good three minutes after the scene. “They’re supposed to blow shit up and kick a couple asses and then make out like animals at the end.”
Still, I had to agree with him that Daniel Craig was a great Bond. And I looked up to tell him so just as he bent his head to kiss me. There were traces of chocolate on his lips, but that wasn’t the only reason I wouldn’t let him go. He was good—he didn’t try to suck my face off and he wasn’t such a germaphobe that he could barely touch my lips to his, hitting that sweet medium with the perfect amount of give-and-take that gave truth to the cliche “tongue tango”. He could tell when to stop, and when to let go. Against all odds I felt myself falling under a sort of hypnotic trance—kiss, let go, kiss, let go—and it was surprising how natural it felt when he gently rolled me over onto my back and his hand was already under my sweater, toying with the clasp of my bra.
“Do you want me to go on?” he asked.
“Yes,” I whispered, feeling a shiver of excitement running up my spine.

Review:

When I first started reading this book, I thought it was going to be another sports romance book I would enjoy, but it was pretty much the opposite. The book wasn't horrible, but it wasn't my favorite. I was actually really disappointed in what I had read. 

Rating: 2/5



Author Bio:
I love writing romance and in particular, I love sports romance. I’ve played competitive sports all through school. So I was always hanging out on the field for practices or games. Lots of my girl and guy friends were also jocks. These sports romance stories were inspired by my friends.
I still love to follow collegiate and pro-sports. I enjoy watching soccer and cheering on my favorite football teams.
I like to write romance centered on the field with characters that have lots of spirit and adventure. I hope you enjoy the inside look into the lives of my players and their friends.
To dreams on and off the field. I hope you find yours.
Play hard, love hard, dream big!
Maci

Hosted by:
XBT250

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Booking Blitz: Playing to Win by Maci Monroe



Playing to Win 
Maci Monroe
(Gridiron, #1)
Publication date: October 27th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Sports

Mr. Football. Blake Wilkins. Quarterback at Iowa State. Projected 1st round draft pick by New England. Captain of the Cyclones. English major and all around good guy. He could have his pick of any of the smokin’ hot babes on campus.
Chem Geek. Katelyn French. Her idea of fun was blowing up chemical reactions to cure cancer. Beat Alzheimer’s. Kick Superman’s ass. Football was not her thing until she met Blake.
An unlikely couple. Pulled in different directions as college life comes to a close. Katelyn heading off to Stanford. Blake awaiting the NFL draft. Could they make a long distance romance work?
Sex. Love. Jealousy. Can their love withstand the jealousy and threats that surround them?
EXCERPT:
“This doesn’t sound like football-guy music,” I said, watching him. He’d taken a bowl of something out of the refrigerator and was whisking it furiously.
“Don’t tell Saint,” he snorted. He dipped a finger into whatever it was he was whisking and tasted it, smacking his lips approvingly. “He’d have a heart attack if he knew that I’d even heard about Enya.”
I frowned. “Why? Does he feel the same way about Mika?”
“No, but only because we assured him that Mika was a girl.”
It was kind of funny, because now that I thought about it, he really was a very feminine singer. Still, it was a little disappointing to hear that the football coach espoused such antiquated values. “What a dinosaur.”
He shrugged, then slid something wrapped in foil inside the oven. “Eh, he’s a good coach. But yeah, doing the alpha-top-dog-male-macho thing all the time gets exhausting.”
“So why do you do it?”
“Because the only way to get drafted by the NFL is to stay on the team, and the only way to stay on the team is to stay on his good side.”
I shook my head. I couldn’t imagine being so dedicated to one career path as to be willing to endure that amount of shit. Then he told me how he’d grown up, raised by a single mom. “My NFL career will be the first time I’ll be able to give her what she deserves,” he said quietly. “You have no idea how much I want that.”
The things that you usually shared on date number, say, ten—we ended up talking about those all night long, while he cooked—or rather, reheated stuff and made salad dressing. Dinner, which was eaten on “company china” as he called it, was roast beef and gravy, with creamy mashed potatoes and a salad. It was strange, how intimate the conversation got, how much of our souls we laid bare to the other that evening, while we picked over the salad and drank down the wine. It wasn’t drunkenness that prompted us to loosen our tongues. In retrospect, I think it was relief that we’d found someone who just “got” us.
“Well,” he said, as he cleared the table. “My brother said we could use his Netflix, so what do you say to finding a movie while I make dessert?” For desert he warmed up a gooey chocolate cake—”Not brownies,” he said, when I asked if that was what they were—and topped with a scoop of ice cream and a few slices of fresh strawberries. We ate it on the floor, snuggled up together on the giant sheepskin watching Skyfall—it was my first time seeing it, and I almost lost it when the Bond girl died. “She’s not supposed to die!” I cried, for at least a good three minutes after the scene. “They’re supposed to blow shit up and kick a couple asses and then make out like animals at the end.”
Still, I had to agree with him that Daniel Craig was a great Bond. And I looked up to tell him so just as he bent his head to kiss me. There were traces of chocolate on his lips, but that wasn’t the only reason I wouldn’t let him go. He was good—he didn’t try to suck my face off and he wasn’t such a germaphobe that he could barely touch my lips to his, hitting that sweet medium with the perfect amount of give-and-take that gave truth to the cliche “tongue tango”. He could tell when to stop, and when to let go. Against all odds I felt myself falling under a sort of hypnotic trance—kiss, let go, kiss, let go—and it was surprising how natural it felt when he gently rolled me over onto my back and his hand was already under my sweater, toying with the clasp of my bra.
“Do you want me to go on?” he asked.
“Yes,” I whispered, feeling a shiver of excitement running up my spine.


Author Bio:
I love writing romance and in particular, I love sports romance. I’ve played competitive sports all through school. So I was always hanging out on the field for practices or games. Lots of my girl and guy friends were also jocks. These sports romance stories were inspired by my friends.
I still love to follow collegiate and pro-sports. I enjoy watching soccer and cheering on my favorite football teams.
I like to write romance centered on the field with characters that have lots of spirit and adventure. I hope you enjoy the inside look into the lives of my players and their friends.
To dreams on and off the field. I hope you find yours.
Play hard, love hard, dream big!
Maci

Hosted by:
XBT250

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Review: My Mr. Sexy by C.C. Cartwright

My Mr. Sexy 
by C.C. Cartwright 


Blurb:

A Sexy New Contemporary Romance 
Get ready for a wild and sexy ride as Marissa Monroe struggles to choose between the two hot men who want her...in their bed. 
"You are perfection. I can't stop thinking about you and how you will look without a stitch on," he whispers huskily.
Marissa Monroe’s new job assignment lands her in the offices of Adler, Simpson and Brown. During her first meeting, in walks the confident and sexy as hell Nick Armstrong and the sexual attraction is so strong sparks fly!
Will Marissa and Nick be able to deny the spark they feel for each other? 
Things get complicated for them as they find that when it comes to love, it can be full of tough choices.
My Mr. Romance Series 
This is the first book in the My Mr. Romance Series. Readers of this series should be prepared for a wild and sexy ride. They should be 18 years and above due to adult content.

Review: 
The book was alright. It wasn't my favorite book but it also wasn't horrible. This was a quick and easy read. Great for something to read after work one night. 
Marissa is a young woman who is very insecure about this relationship she is trying to figure out with Nick. 
If you are looking for just a book to read, then go for it but this is not a book I highly recommend. 
Rating: 3/5

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Blog Tour: Live Me ~ A Pieces of Broken Novel by Celeste Grande


Live Me 
~ a Pieces of Broken novel by Celeste Grande 
Publication date: October 27th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis:
Broken…
Shattered…
How can you begin to live again when you’ve already been forced to…die?
Evangelina Ricci is trapped in a world that’s a never-ending nightmare, a constant ache in which consumes her every breath. Unable to bear the torture any longer, she does the one thing she can to take back control.
Run.
With her best friend Jace in tow, Evangelina attempts to escape her darkened past by leaving for college and diving head first into an aggressive schedule, determined with everything she is to make a name for herself. There’s only one problem—she can’t run away from the demons she struggles with. The demons that’ll forever be there, locked inside, battering her soul. Hiding behind a flawless façade, Evangelina faces her ghosts until her world is turned upside down, invaded by…him.
Blake Turner. Sweet, witty, flirtatious and drop-dead gorgeous, he finds Evangelina at every turn. Scared he’ll uncover the truth she keeps so well guarded, Evangelina tries her best to put on her act, deterring him like she has so many times before—only this guy’s different. He’s relentless. Utterly, absolutely and completely relentless. He sees her and he wants her and won’t stop until she’s his.
Will Evangelina succeed in pushing Blake away? Or will he break down her walls and be the person to make her realize life is worth living?


Purchase:

Review: 

This book was an amazing read! If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend you do! I was captivated from the first page and couldn't put the book down until the end! Which only left me wanting more and ready for the next book and final installment to come out! Such a bummer that I have to wait until 2016!

This was a great story! You hear about sexual abuse stories all the time but Ive never actually read one. It really puts into perspective what someone can go through. I know everyone reacts differently to situations, but this was a general response from many people in Eva's situation (Im sure). 

Even though this book is a great read, it leave you sad and heartfelt as to how anyone can live with being sexually abused or even after it stopped. This book was an awareness read and I think anyone should read this book!

Rating: 4/5



AUTHOR BIO:
Celeste Grande grew up loving words. From an early age, it was easy for her to open her heart through pen and paper and come away with something poetic. She never thought anything more than releasing her emotions would come of it though. A workaholic that can’t keep still, in her ‘real’ life, she’s a Certified Public Accountant who dreams of writing sexy books all day long. When she isn’t working, she’s reading, writing, mommying and being a wifey to the love of her life.
She lives in New York, still putting pen to paper and anxiously awaiting the debut of her first novel, Live Me, a new adult romance, in October of 2015.

Author links:

Friday, November 27, 2015

Blog Tour: Redemption by Alla Kar


Redemption by Alla Kar 
(Huntsville #1) 
Published by: Swoon Romance
Publication date: November 27th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:
His second chance may cost him his sweetest addiction …
The truth about NEVEAH’S cheating fiancée hit hard—but not as hard as her right hook to his jaw. After ridding herself of him she travels back home to Huntsville, Texas to her father and his boxing gym where she grew up. When she finds a beaten man in the woods beside her home, her entire life changes and things get—complicated.
Ex-con RAGE only wants two things—for the man that set him up to release his sister, and for him to burn in Hell where he belongs. After being released from prison, he heads straight to the man that put him there, only to be beaten and tossed in the woods for dead. When he’s found by the most beautiful girl he’s ever met, he knows he’ll have a chance to rescue his sister even though she doesn’t realize she needs saving.
Neveah and her father, nurse Rage back to heath, offer him a job at their gym and quickly find out that he’s amazing in the ring. Without them knowing who he is, he knows he’s been given a second chance to live his life. The only condition is that he has to stay away from Neveah, which is a promise he soon realizes is hard to keep. The feisty southern beauty normally gets what she wants, and Rage wants to give her everything.
With the truth lurking in the shadows, Rage must decide if his sweetest addiction is worth giving up his second chance.


Purchase:


AUTHOR BIO:
(No author photo)
My name is Alla Kar. I live in the deep south with my fiancé and Chihuahua. I love to write about alpha males, southern gentlemen and swoon-worthy men! :)

Booking Blitz: The Second Chance by Aubrey Parker


The Second Chance by Aubrey Parker 
(Inferno Falls, #3) 
Publication date: November 24th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

He left her alone. Now he’s back … but too much has changed.
Maya grew up with a big heart and even bigger dreams. She never thought she’d end up a single mother spending her whole life where she grew up—the small town of Inferno Falls. But things didn’t work out the way she thought. Grady, her high school love, moved away and left her alone to raise her daughter before the ink dried on their diplomas. Eight years later, Maya’s struggling to make ends meet. And when life gets too tough, she heals the void inside in the only way she knows … whether it’s right or wrong.
But then Grady returns. He’s finally grown homesick after nearly a decade of wandering America, seeing sights and having adventures like Maya always dreamed of—but could never reach for. And Maya holds out hope—more than hope, a need—that Grady is coming home for her, too. It could be just like old times, if she can keep a grip on her bad habits for long enough. Maybe she can finally have the man she’s always wanted, and Kylie can have the father she’s always needed.
Many of us get second chances, but never more than three strikes.
Maya makes the dangerous mistake of assuming everything is just the way it was before, despite the years that have passed. When Grady only wants to make sure they’re not moving too quickly, Maya sees rejection and disaster looms. Rather than preserving a perfect memory, it seems the years have changed them both too much, perhaps, to heal the past. But to earn the love and happiness she’s hunted for so long, Maya won’t merely need to learn to accept Grady … and will have to learn to accept herself, first.


Purchase:

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Booking Blitz: Before the Dawn by Lindsey Fairleigh and Lindsey Pogue


Before the Dawn
Lindsey Fairleigh & Lindsey Pogue
(The Ending #4)
Publication date: November 20th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Post-Apocalyptic, Romance
A year ago, the Virus killed off most people in the world.
A year ago, strange things started happening to those who survived. Some of them transformed into something dark and sinister, while others evolved, becoming something more, something beyond human.
A year ago, Dani and Zoe were lost. They traversed the country to find one another, losing some of the people dearest to them along the way. They fought for their right to simply live, uncovered long-buried secrets, and discovered irreversible truths. And after everything Dani and Zoe have been through—even with the battle wounds that they bear—they’re still not safe.
It’s time for the struggling to end, for survivors to take back their lives, their families, their safety. It’s time to really begin to live, and to do that, they must wait for the first rays of dawn.
EXCERPT:
For three hours, I’d been sitting at the dining room table, my sketchpad washed in the baleful color of late morning that shone through the narrow windows, overlooking what appeared to be a deserted farm. Everyone was hiding indoors, dehydrating food, wrenching, painting, and—in Annie’s case—playing with kitties, all sheltered from the sudden downpour.
Hearing the creak of the front door opening, I looked up. Tavis stepped inside, rain dripping off his coat as he leaned forward and peered into the dining room at me, his feet planted firmly on the welcome mat.
“Hey,” I said, folding my arms in front of me.
Tavis smiled, his warm, customary greeting. “Morning.” But even in his natural, easy air, there was something about the way he looked at me that made even the slightest linger of his gaze and the quickest glance seem like something more. I could’ve pried, could’ve peeked and prodded, but I was a little too hesitant to learn the reason.
“You seen our animal whisperer anywhere? We’ve got a horse with colic out here. We could use her Ability.” Tavis pointed to his head.
His facial expressions always made me laugh, and I couldn’t help but smile back at him as I glanced outside. Darker clouds approached quickly from the west. “She’s out with Jason,” I said, “foraging. Hopefully they’ll be home soon.”
“Ah, foraging,” he said with a wink. “Got it.” And then he was out the door, and I watched as he strode back toward the stable.
I took a sip of lukewarm coffee, settling back into work mode, and let out a sigh as I stared down at the start of my second blueprint of the day. I tapped my charcoal pencil on the tabletop and glanced between Jason’s hasty, ill-proportioned sketch and my own, hoping I was interpreting his floorplans for the new smokehouse accurately. I’d gotten quite good at looking past his scribbled letters and numbers, relying mostly on the arrows and the drawing itself to help me decipher the rest.
Footsteps creaking overhead and feminine laughter were followed by a muffled “You wish, buddy” that floated down the stairs of the otherwise silent house. No wonder Harper had been so anxious to rearrange the infirmary. Chris laughed again, a sound I’d been hearing more and more frequently over the months. My eyebrow rose of its own accord, and I reached for the mug beside my sketchpad. A contented smile splayed my lips as I appreciated the happy routine we’d all seemed to fall into, gloomy weather or no.
After draining the contents of my mug, I absently set it aside, deciding the beams in the smokehouse roof needed to be closer together if they were going to support the wide—
An ear-piercing cry rolled in with the distant rumble of thunder.
Eyes narrowed and heartbeat thrumming, I jumped to my feet and gazed through the window at the gravel drive. Opening my mind, I felt Dani’s desperation and anguish before I even saw her.
“—shot!” With hair matted from the rain and her clothes drenched, Dani sprinted clumsily up the driveway, her eyes wide with terror. “He’s been shot!


Author Bio:
Lindsey Fairleigh lives her life with one foot in a book—as long as that book transports her to a magical world or bends the rules of science. Her novels, from post-apocalyptic to time travel and historical fantasy, always offer up a hearty dose of unreality, along with plenty of adventure and romance. When she’s not working on her next novel, Lindsey spends her time reading and trying out new recipes in the kitchen. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her two very confused cats.
Lindsey Pogue has always been a little creative. As a child she established a bug hospital on her elementary school soccer field, wrote her first YA manuscript in high school, and as an adult, expresses herself through writing. Her novels are inspired by her observations of the world
around her—whether she’s traveling, people watching, or hiking. When not plotting her next storyline or dreaming up new, brooding characters, Lindsey’s wrapped in blankets watching her favorite action flicks or going on road trips with her own leading man.

GIVEAWAY!
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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Booking Blitz: Hustle by Ashley Claudy


Hustle by Ashley Claudy 
Publication date: November 19th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Sports

Synopsis:
South Eastern University: Where the football players are royalty and Andrew Fayden is king.
College was supposed to be Brook’s chance to escape the rumors and the harassment that plagued her at home, but she hadn’t planned on meeting Andrew Fayden.
Now, she’s finding it hard to think of anything else or anyone else. She’s determined to wipe him from her mind though because he is the definition of unavailable. He’s got an on and off again girlfriend always on the sidelines and a flood of girls willing to take over that position.
And his popularity makes it hard to keep a low profile, something she needs to do if she doesn’t want to be pulled back into the drama of her past.
Despite all the warnings, she’s finding it hard to resist– and he’s making it hard to say no.


Purchase:


AUTHOR BIO:
New Adult Author. 

Outside The Ropes Series: 
Outside The Ropes 
Inside Danger 
OtherSide Of Fear 

Coming this fall: Hustle 
"South Eastern University: Where the football players are royalty and Andrew Fayden is king."

Mother. Wife. Teacher. Proud UMD Terp. Perpetual learner. Wild imagination fueled by coffee. Occasional runner. Late night book junkie. Daytime dreamer. 

Join my mailing list for free bonus chapters and updates on new releases: http://eepurl.com/6Hsfz

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Blog Tour: The Girl With Hearts by Savannah Blevins


THE GIRL WITH HEARTS by Savannah Blevins
Series: Midtown Brotherhood Book 1
Genre: Sports Romance
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
Release Date: Nov. 3, 2015
- SYNOPSIS -
Henrik Rylander doesn’t just participate in Manhattan’s dating scene—he owns the exclusive rights to it… 

As the newly-minted captain of the New York Rangers hockey team, Henrik’s coach wants him to clean up his reputation. But Henrik isn’t quite ready to give up charming panties off co-eds, so he decides to indulge in one last night of uninhibited freedom. 

Leila Blakely has never been the “cry into your Baskin-Robbins” type… 

When she figures out her boyfriend has been cheating, she has only one objective—vengeance. Conveniently, the jerk’s arch-nemesis and her secret college crush, Henrik Rylander, is in town. She cleverly surprises Henrik in his hotel room and makes him an offer consisting of sex, lies, and the bathroom wall at the Regency. So what if she forgot to mention she was a virgin? 

If their secret gets out, it will make headlines. Guaranteed… 

Deflowering the little sister of the most volatile enforcer in the NHL—who also happens to be his best friend—is a recipe for disaster. Henrik decides to ditch his horn-dog stigma to quell any suspicion and embarks on a mission to befriend Leila, only to be served a big slice of humble pie. 

Leila isn’t buying Henrik’s nice-guy act, though she can’t deny their attraction. But Henrik isn’t acting, and he’s ready to confront his feelings for the feisty girl with the heart tattoos. 

However, Henrik soon discovers there’s much more at stake than his reputation and the status of his bromance with Leila’s brother. 

Earning Leila’s trust might be the key to saving his career…and her life.

- PURCHASE -

- TEASER -
She tried to shut the door, but he caught it. “You’re tired a lot lately.”

Her stomach knotted up, and she suddenly felt nauseous. “What do you mean?”

“It’s just seems that you’re always putting off hanging out with me,” he explained in a whisper, but she could feel the tension in his voice.

She let out a sigh. Relieved. “I’m not avoiding you, Henrik.”

He smiled, a small dimple forming in his cheek. “Yes, you are.”

“Not intentionally.”

He stepped forward, his hand grazing under her elbow as he dropped his voice between them. “Yes, you are.”

- EXCERPT -
Custom tailored suit.

Check.

Flawless, panty dropping five o’clock shadow.

Henrik ran his thumb down the hard line of his chin and smirked to himself.

Check.

The ladies in Newark were in for a treat tonight. Usually, he just crashed after games—part of the constant refueling process required of a professional hockey player. As the newly appointed captain, it was his job to set a positive example for the guys now. Every game counted in their eighty-two game season, and discipline was key.

At least that's the sermon his coach continued to preach at him.

Responsibility. Team work. Blah. Blah. Ugh.

However, tonight was the season opener, and they’d won decisively against their bitter rivals—the New Jersey Devils. In celebration, because he always looked for a good excuse to celebrate, he planned to ignore the advice of his coach in order to get shit faced and make good use of his second greatest talent. He'd get lectured for it tomorrow, but it wouldn't be the first time he showed up for practice hung over and satisfied.

He slipped his wallet into his back pocket and paused at the mirror for final inspection. Admittedly impressed, he straightened the collar of his navy sports coat. He’d cropped his signature Swedish blonde locks short enough to tuck behind his ears. It was his beginning of the season ritual, and it made his blue eyes pop in contrast. That’s what the caramel haired beauty he'd entertained during his pregame interview had told him anyway.

After effectively admiring himself from every angle, he had no choice but to agree with her. Humility had never been his strong suit. In his opinion, he'd finally mastered perfection, except when he turned his cheek, his eyes narrowed, focusing on the tiny, puckering cut at the corner of his lip. His teeth snapped shut.

Derek Deroty would pay for his intentional attempt at taking him out of the game tonight. He might have to wait a couple months until their next scheduled slaughtering, but the bastard would eventually get what was coming to him.

A high stick to the nose, or maybe he'd finally just drop gloves with the prick.

For now, he’d just accept it as a battle wound. The girls would love it.

A light, but persistent knock broke the silence. He immediately rolled his eyes, turning away from the mirror. Austin forgot his keycard. Again. He'd forget the days of the week if Henrik wasn't around to kick his ass in gear every morning.

He searched the counters, but found nothing as he made his way over to the door. It was probably in his gym bag. He bent down to laugh at his best friend through the peephole when—

“Fuck.”

It was a woman.

His head fell against the door as he held back the groan that wanted to follow the mumbling. Why were women so intent on taking all the fun out of the hunt? He at least wanted to have a few drinks first, swap some stories with his team mates who would be mingling amongst the crowd, and then, as the night drew to a close, he’d start his pursuit. Showing up at his door was equivalent to throwing prepackaged meat to a caged tiger.

He jerked the door open, prepared to shush away his visitor like a stray pigeon before making a beeline for the elevator, but then she turned.

“Henrik.”

Vibrant green eyes shined up at him, a familiarity he hadn’t expected to find.

“Leila?” He choked out the word, his hand grasping the door handle like a life preserver. He blinked twice, attempting to convince himself that the disheveled hot mess in front of him was real.

Leila tugged harshly at a strand of her auburn waves that sprayed across her bare shoulders and down her back. Her normally flawless, porcelain skin was flushed and he recognized the volatile glint in her eyes. She wasn’t just pissed. Leila Blakely was on the fuck off side of irate.

It was definitely real.

He straightened his shoulders, and then tested his voice before he spoke. “What the hell do you want, Blakely?”

What did she expect from him? Her scumbag boyfriend had taken a cheap shot at him no less than two hours ago. He still had a little built up aggression brewing inside of him, too. She wasn’t there to apologize on Derek’s behalf, he knew that. Sympathy wasn’t part of the Blakely genetic code. He knew that fact first hand, because his best friend, who knocks heads together for a living, just happened to be her older brother.

“Invite me inside,” she instructed, tucking the strand of hair behind her ear before running those long, delicate fingers down her throat.

The gesture almost distracted him, but just the sound of her voice set his nerves on edge. Only an idiot would be fooled by the glistening threat of tears in her eyes. He wasn’t about to be lured by the lamb to the wolf’s den. Leila projected an image of sophistication and innocence, but it was all a show. The hologram in front of him was a shell hiding the reality he knew all too well.

The real Leila wore converse and ratty hockey shirts. She cursed like a sailor set on shore for leave, and she was tougher than half the men he knew. Her façade melted away as her temper started to hit its peak. So after all these years Leila finally wanted to talk to him.

Too bad he didn't give a fuck.

“I’m actually headed out for the night,” he told her, looking past her toward the elevator. He wanted a drink and a sexy woman writhing underneath him later. He deserved it. He’d worked non-stop the past eight weeks, performing two a days in preparation for the season. All he wanted was one last night out.

No hockey. No commercials. No interviews.

Just good ol'fashion dirty fun.
Leila rolled her eyes at him though, and pushed past him into the room.

“Excuse you?” He was angered by her bold move, but most of all, annoyed that he couldn’t stop himself from watching the way the hem of her dress swayed against her thighs.

How could it be that short without revealing something?
“I require your assistance,” she said flatly, her chin set. “Shut the damn door.”

It had been years since he’d seen this side of her. Well, not since she started dating that spawn of satan, Derek. She was always so prim and nauseatingly proper when she was around him. “Well, you’re barking up the wrong tree, cupcake. Why don’t you go ask your boyfriend for help?”

She bit the inside of her cheek. It was quick, and someone else may not have noticed it, but Henrik knew her too well. He'd spent too many hours dissecting the nuances of her every reaction, searching for the real emotion trapped within her chilled exterior, not to recognize the fire she desperately tried to barricade behind that smile. “He’s busy,” she stated, her tone acidic.

Suddenly intrigued, he flung the door shut.

Surely, Leila wasn't upset with her perfect, little golden boy.


 - ABOUT THE AUTHOR -
SAVANNAH BLEVINS
Savannah was born in Hyden, Kentucky. She received her M.S in Speech Language Pathology from The University of Mississippi in 2009. She’s been writing since the early age of nine when she begged her parents for a type writer for Christmas.

She now lives in Corbin, Ky with her husband of eight years, John, and their two wonderful daughters, Delilah and Gracie.

When she isn’t working, or running after her kids, she spends her free time traveling the country with her husband. There is nothing better than a day of football in the grove, a late night of basketball at Rupp Arena or slapping the glass to celebrate another Washington Capitals goal.

She is a strong believer that with enough hard work and determination you can accomplish anything.



Booking Blitz: A Summer with Snow by Hallie Swanson

Title: A Summer with Snow
Author: Hallie Swanson
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Hosted by: Lady Amber's Tours
Blurb:
It was the summer of 2005, probably the most memorable summer of my life. I was twelve years old, six weeks we spent together, forty two days, in that time our friendship grew, and then without warning he upped and left. I always hoped he’d come back to us, I couldn’t let go of his memory. He became my first, my only teenage crush. Every day he was in my mind, and every night he was in my dreams. Ten years on this man is still my secret obsession no matter how many men I’ve met and dated, nobody ever measured up. Even today, all I can think about is the summer of 2005, the summer I spent with Snow. .... But although Darcy thought she knew all there was to know about Snow, she couldn't have been more wrong.
Author Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1I6toOk
one  
“Darcy, lift your arms above your head,” he says, standing directly before me.
His tanned physique is to die for. Steam wafts up from his broad chest. There’s a slight gap between us, yet he feels so warm. Standing here like this is everything I’ve ever pictured in my dreams; every sensation, every ounce of feeling rushes through the core of my body. The tips of his fingers take the edge of my T-shirt, and holding onto the cotton material they slowly glide up past my waist, past my breasts, and with my arms raised, past my fingers. I glance down as he drops my top onto the bed. Encased by his arms, he unclips the fastenings of my bra. I sense his chest has cooled as he leans his bare flesh against my breasts. I lower my eyes, expecting him to lift me onto the bed, and I’ve no desire to fight him. He rests his cheek against mine, and I flinch as his stubble rubs against my face. His lips part as they press against my ear, and I tilt my head ever so slightly so that they can move down to my neck.
“You shower, Darcy; I left the water running.”
His fingers, his lips slip away and he walks to the far side of the bed, still rubbing at his hair. Is he acting like the perfect gentleman or, after the way I’ve acted, is he just too scared to make the first move? As I look over his body the thought of him inside me is making me wet. I blush, feeling embarrassed at my own thoughts. What’s happening to you, Darcy?
Filled with frustration, I saunter into a bathroom of wall-to-wall mirrors. I step out of my trousers and my black lace panties, and from the cold tiled floor into the shower. Blinded by steam, I lean my head back against the striking white wall tiles. I blink, screwing up my eyes as they are hit by jets of hot water. Taking the lathered soap from its porcelain dish, I rub it between my palms, touching my face, my arms. I begin circling my hands over my skin, trying to wash my frustration away; on reaching my breasts I circle my nipples … they are hard against my fingers. Still covered in soap and water, my hands dip down to my waist and on between my legs; slowly I begin to rub myself. I take his advice and pretend that’s it’s not me here, but someone else. Losing myself in my head, I feel I’m also losing my inhibitions.
“Snow!” I cry out. “Can you come here?”
Two  “I was about to put my truncheon in your hand, but thought you’d prefer my cock.”
My instinct tells me that at the first chance I get I should turn round and punch him in the face, yet having him so God damn near I’m feeling myself starting to relax; he’s starting to turn me on.
“We’ve made love…” He nibbles my neck. “We’ve fucked, but it gets much more exciting from here on, so now for the role play.”
“Snow…”
I try to butt in, but I gasp back my words as he slips my hand down the front of his trousers. I can feel his every inch and can feel how much he wants me.
“Look, Darc, if you’re not into this kind of thing, we can always drive back to the hotel, or meet up with Chase and Rayne.”
I attempt to shake my head against the cold metal bonnet. I feel his lips move my hair from my face as he whispers into my ear.
“I thought if I spiced things up a bit, this relationship could go all the way. I don’t want you looking elsewhere now, do I?” he says, grazing my lobe with his teeth.
His hand prise its way between my thighs and the bonnet, and he ruches up my long black dress until it’s level with my undies. He slips his fingers inside my lace panties and I open up slightly more as he feels his way between my folds. His fingers hover, then massage my sex. Pleasurable groans slip from between my lips as he circles his fingers around my hardening bud. I tighten my grasp around the warm skin of his penis, slowly moving my hand up and down his shaft.
“Okay, Snow, I’ll play your game,” I utter.
As my hand moves faster, I squeeze his cock just a little too hard and he flinches.
“Though maybe not so rough.”
He jerks it out of my hand, slides his arm under my stomach and turns me over onto my back. I gaze up into darkness and the rugged outline of his face.
“Okay, now do as I’ve asked and get in the fucking car.”
Straightening my dress, I lift my legs, bend slightly and ease myself onto the back seat. A flash of metal, a click and my wrists are held tight in handcuffs.
“Don’t you think I’ll need my hands?” I smirk as he buries a small metal key in his trouser pockets.
“What you’re going to be doing to me, you won’t be needing your hands.”
“Snow…”
“Enough!” he yells. “You’ve been a very naughty girl, and you’re in big trouble.”
I can’t help but giggle at how serious he’s being. He grabs my knees, pulling me round to face him.
“Now lie back,” he demands, “and shut that dirty mouth of yours.”
He smiles, and the small light in the car enhances the whiteness of his teeth. He leans into me, searching for my lips. I feel their softness, and the stroke of his finger as it runs down my cheek.
“Darcy, do you trust me?” he murmurs, and I nod.
“How do you fancy trying something you haven’t tried before?”
I see a small tube that he pulls from his pocket. I don’t answer his question, but lean back and close my eyes.
three   
I can’t help thinking that in her own way she’s as fucked up as me, and what she said was true; guess some people really do wear their scars better than others. I lean forward on the bed, pulling her towards me by the waistband of her shorts.
“No, Snow, get off me.”
She takes a step forwards, but I pull her back. She spins round, hitting out at my face; grabbing her above the elbows I pull her into my chest, encasing her in my arms.
“Get off me!” she yells.
“It’s okay, Darc, it’s okay.”
The harder she fights, the tighter my hold on her becomes. After only moments I feel her tenseness dissolve and her yells become sobs. I reach up, softly stroking my hand down the back of her hair in the same way I remember my mother doing to me as a boy when I was upset… But that’s Snow’s story and locked away. There are so many facets to my life, ones I’m not prepared to share.
Still holding her against me, we’re almost as one as I lower us back onto the bed. This is foreign territory I enter, for never in my life have I held a woman the way I’m holding Darcy now. I have this overriding feeling that takes over my head, telling me I want to protect her, keep her safe. Suddenly, my heart hurts, for it is something Snow was unable to do for Summer. But this isn’t a sisterly love I feel for Darcy; I can’t place what I feel. I glance down onto her soft forehead, my eyes following the bridge of her nose, and it suddenly dawns on me that I can’t imagine my life without her in it; yet what chance do two people as broken and as lost as we are really have?
It’s strange how moments can turn into hours without you realising, and it’s amazing how long our arms stayed wrapped around one another without either of us wanting to pull away. I look down at her as she lifts her head from my chest, and we hold each other in a long drawn-out stare. I smile at the multicoloured paint on her face. Seeing a half-empty glass on the table beside us, I stretch my arm towards it and dip my finger into the water. I lift myself from her, allowing her head to fall lightly onto the pillow behind. I draw my wet fingers down from her forehead, smudging the shades as I try to rub the paint away. But as I wipe away her painted mask, I see a woman beneath, a beautiful woman whose eyes have settled on me… At the end of the day she’s still a woman, and every woman I have every loved, who has ever meant anything to me, has just caused me pain. Faces from my past flash into my head… Is it only a matter of time before I kiss Darcy goodbye and she becomes no more than a memory? Then, like so many times before, I will forget her, pick myself up and start my life over.
I lean my arm past her and turn off the light, then once more hold her in my arms.