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Exquisite Karma by Ann Mayburn
Exquisite Karma
Ann Mayburn
Iron Horse MC Series, Book 4
Published April 21st 2016 by Honey Mountain Publishing
~Author’s Note-Exquisite Karma is part 2 of Beach and Sarah’s story. Part 1, Exquisite Redemption, should be read first for the most enjoyment.~
Sarah
Life as the old lady of Carlos ‘Beach’ Rodriguez, National President of the Iron Horse MC, was everything I never knew I wanted. Not only did I have a good man who treated me like a queen and loved me like crazy, I also had a vast-extended family of rough and tumble bikers who accepted and welcomed me into their world without judgement. Unfortunately, good things don’t last for a girl like me and just when I finally felt like I’d found my happily ever after my psychopath of a mother had to show up and destroy it. She betrayed me, betrayed the club, and put everyone I’ve ever loved in mortal danger. Our only chance of surviving this is for me to find her and recover the weapons that Iron Horse was moving for the Russian and Israeli mafia that she helped steal. I can only hope that Beach can forgive me for her sins.
Beach
I should have known Sarah would never betray me, would never work with her junkie mom to steal from the club, but I let my temper run my mouth and now my woman’s gone. Normally I’d go after her, but the Russian and Israeli mafias want their merchandise back and if we don’t find it they’ll wipe us off the face of the earth. To make matters worse, there are traitors in the Iron Horse MC that are feeding our every move to our enemies, kidnapping our women and children, and killing our men. I have to stay here in Austin and try to save our people while Sarah is out there, somewhere, alone, hunting down some of the most dangerous men in the world. I can only pray that God takes mercy on my wicked soul and protects my baby girl from those seeking to cash in on the massive bounty on her head before I can find her. ‘Cause if they find her first death would be a mercy compared to the nightmare her life will become.
4.5 Stars
Jaw dropping, aggressive and raw.
Ann Mayburn’s Exquisite Karma continues the eccentric dynamics of what Sarah and Beach’s relationship is. MC life is gritty, dirty and insane. Talking issues into her own hands Sarah puts herself on on the line for those she loves. A woman of strength, cunning and beauty. As the danger builds Sarah outsmarts the men behind, righting the wrong.
Beach reacts without thinking in a total man way. Forcing the one he can’t live with right out the door. Powerful, dominant and egotistical Beach put himself into his worst nightmare. Sitting back is not his game, however he learns his woman is more than he thought she was. Sarah maybe his submissive in the bedroom, but he just got schooled that she is his partner on all levels.
Tying together the loose ends for both Swan/Smoke and Beach/Sarah in a way that show Ann’s amazing writing talent. Sarah and Beach push the edge and make the reads want more. Seeing a different side adds insight, depth and an emotional edge that pulls together the story together fabulously. Ann Mayburn gives readers dark and raw passion with heart pounding action that has the pages flying.
Copy provided for honest review.
ARC Review: Going Down by Jayne Rylon
Going Down
Jayne Rylon
Divemasters Series, Book 1
Archer Banks relishes his carefree lifestyle. Together with friends and fellow divemasters Miguel Torrez and Tosin Ellis, he travels the world, SCUBA diving by day, entertaining lonely female tourists by night. Until his father dies, instantly transforming Archer from a beach bum to a billionaire by shackling him with an enormous, undesired inheritance.
With the help of his family’s longtime butler, Archer is determined to turn his new golden handcuffs into a golden opportunity. He prays Miguel and Tosin will come along for the ride when he repurposes his family’s mega-yacht into a vessel well-suited for both work and hardcore play.
Never in his worst nightmares does he expect their maiden voyage to be such rough sailing. Not only is Archer’s old crush, Waverly Adams, among their passengers, but the men have also stumbled upon a vast sunken treasure—one worth killing for.
Waverly surprises Archer with an alluring naughtiness he never got the chance to experience in their younger days. Busy accepting the challenge she issues his dominant side in The Divemaster’s onboard club every night, he might be distracted and short on sleep. But could he also be blind to more dangerous facets of her personality?
When the divemasters can no longer deny there’s foul play at hand, will Archer be going down with the ship, cursed by his family’s fortune, or will Waverly turn out to be the woman of his most wicked dreams?
Archer Banks is living the life. Has a job he loves, getting the ladies and has seen some of the most beautiful places in the world. He also hold a secret, that comes to light and changes the lives of many people. Archer is good man with a conscience and soul. He’s got those alpha tendencies that I love however he feels deeply and cares. He’s likable and complex, making me very much enjoy his character.
Waverly Adams is sassy, fun and quite adventurous. former military and accomplished helicopter pilot, Waverly has become a person that she is proud of. Hard on the surface, she can stand with the best of men. As she relaxes and let’s go of the past, a soft feminine side emerges from a brave and strong woman.
Where do I begin. I really enjoyed Going Down. Mad props to Ms. Rylon for rich and engaging details of the settling. I have never experienced the pristine water of the Caribbean. Through words with research and self experience Ms. Rylon was able to take this reader to an amazingly beautiful, tropical adventure that I hope I to one day see with my own eye. From the way the water moved to the view of the stars, it’s truly amazing.
The amount of depth and feeling within Going Down stood out to me as well. Perception is different to everyone. Archer and Waverly perceive events from the past differently, when all of views are on the table, it changes the game completely. Sensuality played a big key with the eroticism in this book.
The secondary characters stand out and add charisma and pizzazz. Ms. Rylon set up the series and gives reader a little bit of it all. Beautiful scenery, lots of steamy hotness and a few twists. I thoroughly enjoyed Going Down! Can’t wait to see how the remaining Divemasters fall.
Cover Reveal: Oxygen Deprived by Lani Lynn Vale
I slammed my fingers down on the keyboard, insanely annoyed that I now had to tell how fun the product was, despite the fact that the person I’d had the fun with was a douche bag.A knock sounded at my door and I turned to glare at it.
“Who is it?” I yelled.
“You know damn well who it is. It’s the same person that’s been knocking at your door for the last twelve hours,” Drew growled.
I shrugged.
“Go away,” I ordered him.
I could hear him sigh through the door.
“In my eyes, the marriage Constance and I had was over,” he started.
I picked up the nearest thing to me, which happened to be a half finished water bottle, and then launched it at the door.
“Go away!”
He left, but not without one last parting comment.
“I still have a few things left in that box that I want to try on you. When you’re ready, let me know.”
I glared at the box he’d just spoken about, and went back to my review.
If you’re looking for a fun, awesome thing to do with your significant other, this is the thing for you. It offers many benefits; but most importantly, it gives you time with your significant other. And, might I add, it’s totally fucking worth it. I’ve used it three times in the last two days. It’s like he’s here.
On a side note, the vibrator is not very proficient. It offers about two hours of battery life before they need replaced.
Not that I used it for two hours or anything.
Oh, who am I kidding?
I would’ve used it longer if I hadn’t run out of batteries.
I’m a married mother of three. My kids are all under 5, so I can assure you that they are a handful. I’ve been with my paramedic husband now for ten years, and we’ve produced three offspring that are nothing like us. I live in the greatest state in the world, Texas.
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Release Day: Dare to Take by Carly Phillips
Dare to Take by Carly Phillips
Date of Publication: May 3, 2016
Blurb
She was off limits,
But he couldn’t resist.
There are just some guys you don’t touch–even someone as innocent and inexperienced as Ella Shaw knows that. But when her brother’s best friend is up for grabs and willing, she can’t resist. After all, she’s wanted him for years…
On leave from the army, Tyler Dare WAS just looking for a little fun, but his best friend’s sister is off limits. Yet unable to deny how sexy and alluring she is, he finds it all too easy to succumb to a night of passion and heat that ends the next morning in the worst way possible.
Now years later, Ella is stranded on a tropical island with a hurricane bearing down, and only Tyler can save her. It’s his chance to make amends for the past and show the woman he’s never forgotten that he’s coming after her . . . in more ways than one.
Available From
About Carly Phillips
After a successful fifteen year career with various New York publishing houses, and over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels published, N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is now an Indie author who writes to her own expectations and that of her readers. She continues the tradition of hot men and strong women and plans to publish many more sizzling stories. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find out more about Carly at http://www.carlyphillips.com.
Find Carly Phillips Online
Teaser
The sun shone overhead, the temperature neared ninety, and the humidity was hair-curlingly high on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia, making it hard to believe a hurricane was coming soon. Ella Shaw glanced up at the blue sky, knowing it wouldn’t remain pristine for long.
The calm before the storm.
She pulled her hair into a high ponytail and headed out of her hotel, determined to hit the local gift shop she’d caught sight of on her way to the photo shoot yesterday. She’d seen long, draping, blue-beaded necklaces from the storefront window, but she hadn’t had time to stop. Her boss was a stickler for getting the right shot in the exact light, and they’d worked well past dark. By the time they’d wrapped for the day, the store had been closed.
As an assistant for Angie Crighton, a fashion designer based in Miami, Ella was responsible for the little details involved in a photo shoot. And though Angie, the photographer, and models had left the island this morning, Ella had stayed to make sure the shooting site was clean, the hotel pleased enough to allow them back another time. And if she were honest with herself, she liked the downtime after the craziness of a photo shoot, the rushing around of the crew, the bossiness of some of the models and, of course, of Angie herself.
Ella appreciated the fact that she had time to souvenir shop for her best friend, Avery Dare. How ironic was it that the two girls from very different worlds had met at all? But they had. And it was Avery who’d introduced Ella to the finer things in life, leading her to seek out a job with an haute-couture designer. Whereas Avery came from a wealthy family, Ella had been raised firmly middle class, but the two girls had bonded instantly. They’d even shared an apartment until recently, when her best friend had moved in with her rock star boyfriend, Grey Kingston.
Yep, two different worlds, even now, Ella thought wryly. But their friendship was solid. Which reminded her, she needed to let Avery know she might not make it back to the States tomorrow as planned.
When Ella had heard about the storm changing course, she’d tried to book an earlier flight out, without success. She shivered at the possibility of being stranded here alone during a hurricane and knew Avery would like the news even less. Her best friend suffered from severe anxiety, and Ella didn’t like to make her worry.
She’d just buy Avery an extra gift to make up for it, she thought, walking into the shop. She immediately headed to the turquoise-blue beads she’d seen through the window. The shopkeeper claimed they were Larimar beads. Even if they were fake, the beads, popular in the Caribbean, were said to have healing powers. Ella purchased two dozen, a mix of bracelets and necklaces, so she could share with the children at the cancer treatment center where she and Avery volunteered.
Avery had been nine, Ella ten years old when they’d met at a Miami hospital, both donating bone marrow, both there at the behest of a parent. Neither of them really understanding what was happening. All Ella had known was that she was doing a favor for her father, helping the stepmother Ella didn’t like all that much to begin with. Even at a young age, Ella had been a good judge of character, a better one than her father, obviously, because shortly after Janice had gotten well, she’d left Ella’s dad. And both her father and Ella’s life had gone downhill from there. Ella shook off the thoughts of her past before she could go deeper and darker, and focused on the pretty jewelry.
She spent some time choosing a thick turquoise bracelet for Avery and a similar one for herself before paying for everything and waiting for the shopkeeper to wrap things up.
Bag in hand, she started back to the hotel, cutting through side streets and looking into the windows of the stores, soaking up the culture along the cobblestone streets before heading back to Miami tomorrow. At least, she still hoped she’d be home. Knowing she couldn’t change the outcome, she pushed her worrisome thoughts aside. She’d deal with the situation as it came.
Sweat dampened her neck from the humidity of the island, and she contemplated taking a cab back to the hotel. She reached into her straw bag and pulled out her cell phone to make the call, when, without warning, she felt a hard jerk on her purse.
“What the—?” She spun around, but whomever wanted her purse was quicker.
She barely caught a glimpse of a tall guy with dark hair as he yanked harder, nearly pulling her shoulder out of its socket before slamming her against the nearby building with his other hand.
Her head hit the concrete wall, and spots immediately appeared behind her eyes from the impact. As she struggled not to pass out, the man grabbed her purse, along with her cell phone that had fallen to the ground.
She opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out. Her legs collapsed beneath her, and she fell to the ground, her head smacking the sidewalk before everything went black.
Review: Let It Ride by Melanie Jayne
Let it Ride by Melanie Jayne
Date of Publication: April 14, 2016
Blurb
The first time he met her, he couldn’t have her. In their world there are rules against that kind of interaction. So Remington Cooper watched, waited, and planned.
Now his luck has turned and he five days to win the woman of his dream’s heart.
Francesca Luchetti knows that Remy is interested, he’s made that clear. She likes the idea of a fling. Conventions can be dull, so the promise of sex with a hot man will make things more exciting.
When there is a threat to Francesca’s safety, she learns that Remy is the man to keep her safe, but is she ready to gamble with her heart?
Available From
About Melanie Jayne
I live on a grain farm southeast of Indianapolis, Indiana with my very patient husband of twenty-five years and our two English Mastiffs, Buster Brown and Ginger. I graduated from Indiana University when it was the #1 party school in the country and I took great pride in helping the school achieve that ranking.
I haven’t figured out what I want to be when I grow up. I change careers every decade. I have worked in retail, a federal courtroom, travelled across the state closing loans, and behind the scenes in a casino.
I’ve always had an active imagination so when a good friend suggested that I try writing a book, I thought why not, it should be fun. It has, but I have had to work very hard to learn how to do it. I am so lucky for the outpouring of advice and education from so many in the industry, plus the hand-holding and cheerleading from My Gurls. I also have an incredible Ad-man-istrative Assistant, who tries to keep me under control. He rolls his eyes so much that I worry about a permanent condition.
When I ‘m not working or writing type stuff, I sleep, watch courtroom TV shows, and sports. I was a competitive pro-am ballroom dancer for ten years and I read as many books as I can.
I love to attend Author-Reader Conventions and look forward to meeting you.
Find Melanie Jayne Online
Teaser
“I don’t like that a self-proclaimed enemy of Jimmy’s might be attending this event. He’s mentioned you by name in several of his rants.” Blade’s soft voice radiated concern.
“His career is over. His company has been through Chapter 11 and now they have nothing. He’s a pariah in this industry, so what does he have to lose if he harasses you?” Rico rested his hands on the table in front of him.
“Casino life is hard and the business is cut-throat. Jimmy ingrained that into me from the day he adopted me. I’ll be careful. I promise.” She gave Rico a reassuring smile. “I don’t want anything to happen to me, either if that makes you feel any better.”
“Plus it will be hard to get to know that Hoosier Hottie if you have a detail following you around.” Hadley added helpfully.
“Hadley!” She felt her cheeks burn. God she wasn’t a prude, how could she be after living and working in Sin City? Her body’s response frustrated her.
Blade ran his fingers over his tablet and a photo of Remington Cooper flashed up on the flat screen hanging on the wall behind her chair. “I’ve done some research. This guy can take care of Frankie. I’m not worried. If he’s around her, she’ll be fine.” He flashed what could only be described as a shit-eating grin. “He’s had training, very specialized training, in the military. Plus he’s not too bad looking is he?”
“I suppose that he could protect her, but the question is, would he?” Rico looked straight at Frankie.
“Oh, I think he’d like to get next to Frankie any way he could.” Hadley winked and gave a salacious smile. “The man has been very busy pursuing our Francesca.”
“Enough.” She gave her friends an evil look. “I only talk to Remy because he is chairing the panel that I’m a part of.” She prayed that her hands weren’t shaking. Her attraction to Remy was becoming a problem. No matter what she told her body, it throbbed whenever she thought about him. “I think you all are exaggerating this just a little.” She displayed a half inch of space between her thumb and index finger.
She watched them exchange looks. This was the problem with spending so much time together. There were no secrets.
Review: Caught up in Raine by L.G. O’Connor
Caught Up in RAINE
A Novel by L.G. O’Connor
Collins-Young Publishing April 2016
ISBN: 978-0-990738-12-1 (Trade Paperback) $16.95
ISBN: 978-0-990738-15-2 (eBook) $3.99
Publication Date: April 18, 2016
Media Inquiries | Interview and Excerpt Requests
Contact: Kim Miller, Nancy Berland Public Relations | Publicist kmiller@nancyberland.com
April Eberhardt, AE Literary | Agent april@aprileberhardt.com
L.G. O’Connor | Author lg@lgoconnor.com
Caught Up in RAINE by L.G. O’Connor
An unforgettable debut in romantic women’s fiction, Caught Up in RAINE captures the struggle of a woman who must reconcile guilt from her past with the promise of a future as her life intersects with a much younger man who offers her a second chance to get “caught up” in love on her road to redemption.
“Don’t judge a book by its cover model”
Forty-two and widowed, romance writer Jillian Grant believes hospitals equal death. Plagued by loss and convinced more is imminent when her aunt ends up in critical condition after heart surgery; she has come to equate the absence of pain with happiness. When she spots a hot, young landscaper working on the hospital grounds with an eerie resemblance to the male lead in her next novel, she convinces him to pose as her cover model.
Working multiple jobs to put himself through college, twenty-four-year-old Raine MacDonald is no stranger to loss. Behind his handsome face and rockin’ body lies family tragedy and agonizing secrets. When circumstances put him back in the path of his abusive father, fate delivers Jillian as his unwitting savior. Thing is, when he thinks of her, his thoughts are far from platonic.
Despite their age difference, Jillian and Raine discover they’re more alike than they could ever imagine. But torn between facing her own fears and grasping a chance at
happiness, Jillian makes a soul-shattering decision that threatens to blow their world apart.
Distributed by Ingram, CAUGHT UP IN RAINE is available in both Trade Paperback and eBook formats and can be purchased wherever fine books are sold.
For more information visit: http://www.caughtupinraine.com
4.5 Stars
Jillian a widowed woman who feels death is out to those she loves. She’s suffered the loss of too many in her short years. A talented writer and photographer, she allows her work to be an outlet. She hid behind her loss until an unlikely young man hits her sense for passion. Igniting a fire she can’t control.
Raine was an amazing character. Working his way through school. Beyond wise for his years. A true gentleman. He too, suffered lost that he carries with him constantly. Raine is remarkable mature. He’s one of those, what I call, little things men. He captured this readers heart.
I never thought when I picked up Caught Up in Raine I would need a box tissues when I finished. Wow! This book was fabulous. Emotional, real, raw and fun. Raine and Jillian worked so well together. The age difference between the two was really just a number. The passion was slow and building. They discovered each other while filling in love. Their were each other yin to yang! The chemistry is off the charts and the emotions hit right in the heart. A fantastic read buy a new to me author.
A Book Obsessed Chicks Review Team Selection.
About the Author:
L.G. O’Connor is a member of the Romance Writers of America. A corporate strategy, branding, and marketing executive for a Fortune 250 company, she writes adult paranormal and contemporary romance. Caught Up in RAINE is the first romantic women’s fiction novel in her Caught Up in Love series. She is also the author of the four-book urban fantasy / paranormal romance series The Angelorum Twelve Chronicles. The third full length novel in that series, Book of Four Rings, is set to launch in 2016. L.G. lives a life of adventure, navigating her way through dog toys and soccer balls. When she’s feeling particularly brave, she enters the kitchen . . .
Find & Follow L.G. O’Connor Online:
Website/Blog: http://www.lgoconnor.com
Twitter: @lgoconnor1
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lgoconnor1
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7690970.L_G_O_Connor
Book site: http://www.caughtupinraine.com
Q&A with LG O’Connor, author of Caught Up in RAINE
1. Why do you write what you write?
LGO: Great question! I’ve been an avid reader my entire life, and have read everything from classics to pulp. Being a fast reader, I’ve never let the size of a book deter me. If anything, the bigger the better as long as the story is good and the characters are engaging. I read to escape with characters I can love, and for that profound ‘something’ the leaves me with a book hangover when I’m finished. I try to write with the same things in mind, and since I like to stick with characters for a little while, I’m drawn to series. But when it gets down to it, I write books that I want to read.
2. Given that you are still in the middle of writing an epic Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Romance series that won’t be fully released until mid-2017, what inspired you to switch genres midstream and write a romantic women’s fiction novel?
LGO: Funny, I didn’t choose to be a writer, it chose me. The same thing happened with this story. The first chapter in CUIR was inspired by something that actually happened to me, and became the impetus for writing the book.
Late on a Friday afternoon in August 2013, I made a trip to the hospital to see my childhood friend’s father who had emergency heart surgery. Just like Vera, he was eighty-two years old. I’d known him my entire life, and loved him like an uncle. When I arrived—having just completed a dialysis treatment—he was fast asleep. So I sat there quietly for about an hour and reflected. It was the last time I saw him alive.
At the time of my visit, I was working on final copyedits for my first novel, TRINITY STONES. One of the series characters is rock star, Brett King, who physically resembles the model on the cover of CUIR. When I was leaving the hospital grounds that day, I spotted a landscaping crew planting trees. You guessed it…one of the landscapers looked just like Brett. Tanned, muscular, long blond hair… I was so tempted to jam on the brakes and ask to take his picture. Of course, I didn’t. But that left me with the question: what would’ve happened if I had? The result is Caught Up in RAINE.
3. Are there any writers in the contemporary romance / women’s fiction genres who particularly influenced you?
LGO: First, let me talk a little bit about new adult, which is a sub-genre of contemporary romance. Despite the fact this book doesn’t qualify due to Jillian’s age, that sub-genre is what inspired me. Interesting, if it were reversed, and Jillian was Raine’s age? It would qualify.
When I wrote CUIR, new adult was taking off. I adored the immediacy of using dual first person point-of-view. I decided to go the route of Jasinda Wilder and use first person, present tense. There are a lot of people who find it akin to nails on a chalkboard, but I think it lends itself to a fast-moving story with deep point-of-view. Even though CUIR is classified as romantic women’s fiction, I used the conventions I loved so much in new adult because it was just plain fun to write, and added the energy that I was looking for.
As for the writers who inspired me? The epicenter of it all was Jasinda Wilder’s book, Falling Into You. By then, I’d already read and fallen in love with Cora Carmack’s Faking It, Laura Kaye’s Hearts in Darkness, and Jamie McGuire’s Beautiful Disaster which left me with a book hangover for about a week. Others I’ve discovered and enjoyed since then: H.M. Ward’s Damaged: The Ferro Family, Karina Halle’s The Pact, Vi Keeland’s Worth the Fight, anything by Katy Regnery, Jennifer Armentrout (writing as J. Lynn), and Maya Banks.
4. I understand this book was written during National Novel Writing Month in 2013, is that correct?
LGO: Yes! That question: “What would’ve happened if I’d stopped my car and asked that landscaper to pose as my cover model?” kept rolling around in my head. I’d just turned in the final pages of TRINITY STONES to the publisher, and the first draft of the second novel in the series was staring me in the face. Then in mid-October 2013, I had this weird schedule where I needed to be in Pennsylvania for work three days in a row. I live in New Jersey, so that was a three hour commute each day. On the morning of the first day, the question of the landscaper can back up and grabbed me with a vengeance. I’m a sworn pantser, but by the end of the third day, I had voice recorded an entire outline for the novel. That was a first for me.
My pen hit the proverbial page, and by the start of NaNo on November 1st, I had over 25,000 words written. By Black Friday, I’d finished the novel with more than 50,000 words written during the month of November, for a final word count of 82,000 words. My critique partner read the story as I wrote it, so revisions were being made simultaneously to the story being written. My editor, who was also one of my NaNo buddies, was on standby to copyedit the
manuscript as soon as it was completed. My goal was to make a December contest deadline. Honestly, I’m not sure how I did it. The book grew organically out of my brain and through my fingertips. I wish every book was like that…
5. That contest was the RWA Golden Heart® Contest, wasn’t it? How did you do?
LGO: Yes, it was! That year was the last time I would qualify as an unpublished writer, since, technically, the only contract I’d signed at the time was a distribution agreement with She Writes Press.
It wasn’t until a month after the Golden Heart® finalists were announced that I’d received the results. I’d only missed the cut by 1 point. I found that extremely encouraging given the number of contest applicants.
6. You used a local setting close to where you live. Any particular reason why you chose suburban towns rather than the big city locales of your fantasy series?
LGO: Well, for one, I’ve lived in all these places J I’m a former resident of both Chatham and Summit, and currently live about ten minutes from downtown Morristown. I chose a local setting and venues for a couple of specific reasons. Since this was a NaNoWriMo project, I needed to spend my time writing, not researching. Choosing a local setting gave me the advantage of knowing the locations well enough to write from my own experience. Another advantage in “staying local” is that it gives me a logistical advantage to go deep in my local market without traveling, and yet bring all those relationships and resources to bear. Plus, I get a warm feeling driving through downtown Morristown, and seeing the real-life buildings that I patterned my CUIR locations after… I sometimes wonder if I’ll spot someone who looks like Raine walking across the Green.
7. One of the big questions I think many will have is the age of your heroine, and the choice to do a reverse May-December romance. Are you afraid this may impact your chances to capture a romance audience? Also, this book focuses a lot on the romance and is written in dual first person point-of-view, which gives the male lead equal footing in the narrative – how do you think this will impact your women’s fiction readers?
LGO: In a lot of ways, this is just as much Raine’s story as it is Jillian’s, which distinguishes CUIR from hardcore women’s fiction.
As for Jillian, I think the market needs more books like this for the demographic of readers out there. I think Jillian’s voice resonates with women
of a certain age, I being one of them. Jillian is an attractive woman in her 40s, but she’s far from dead. Yet there’s this negative connotation out there about women over forty in the romance market, signaling to me an underserved segment of readers.
Jillian struggles in a very real way over the age difference between herself and Raine. She’s not a cougar looking for young men. Yet that’s how the market is showcasing stories about older women in this scenario. In CUIR, my intent is to realistically show how an almost impossible pairing can be near perfect based on who these individuals are, and what has shaped them.
I think this book will resonate broadly across markets. However, traditional women’s fiction tends to have a higher level of angst and complexity than I write. As much as I enjoy a good Jodi Picoult book, you won’t find that level of intensity here. I try to use enough angst without making it the entire focus of the story. As a result, this book is more of a hybrid between contemporary romance and woman’s fiction, hence the “romantic women’s fiction” moniker. In it you’ll have spicy love scenes, and a “happily ever after” that is well deserved.
8. Is it true that this book may be part of a trilogy?
LGO: Hmm. I can answer that two ways. Caught Up in RAINE will have two companion novelettes that follow it, so I guess you could say it is a trilogy. Kind of. However, I’ve just finished the first draft of a second full length novel with the working title, Shelter My Heart, about Jillian’s niece Jenny and a young CEO-in-training. In it, many of the CUIR characters reprise their roles. I’m also planning on writing a third book that involves… Well, I’ll keep that one a secret for now. That said, I’m not going to declare it a series yet J
9. Are there themes that tie this potential trilogy together beside the family connection between the main female characters?
LGO: There are two driving themes, really. Each of the female protagonists harbors a shameful secret, and in their own way, they’re all seeking redemption. It’s about finding second chances, and surrendering yourself over to living your best life.
ARC Review and Excerpt: Ride Hard by Laura Kaye
Laura Kaye has something hot and fun and new to share with you today – a scene from her upcoming book, Ride Hard, the first in her Raven Riders Motorcycle Club series about a new kind of MC with a protective mission. You might’ve first met the Ravens in the Hard Ink world, but this series stands on its own and is even sexier, edgier, and grittier! So read on for a taste and grab your copy of the first book in this sexy new series!
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Get a FREE bonus story from Laura’s Hearts in Darkness world for buying RIDE HARD before April 30!
About Ride Hard (Raven Riders #1):
Brotherhood. Club. Family.
They live and ride by their own rules.
These are the Raven Riders…
Raven Riders Motorcycle Club President Dare Kenyon rides hard and values loyalty above all else. He’ll do anything to protect the brotherhood of bikers—the only family he’s got—as well as those who can’t defend themselves. So when mistrustful Haven Randall lands on the club’s doorstep scared that she’s being hunted, Dare takes her in, swears to keep her safe, and pushes to learn the secrets overshadowing her pretty smile.
Haven fled from years of abuse at the hands of her criminal father and is suspicious of any man’s promises, including those of the darkly sexy and overwhelmingly intense Ravens’ leader. But as the powerful attraction between them flares to life, Dare pushes her boundaries and tempts her to want things she never thought she could.
The past never dies without a fight, but Dare Kenyon’s never backed down before…
EXCERPT
I’m thrilled to be celebrating the release of my 25th novel, Ride Hard, the first book in my Raven Riders Motorcycle Club series about a new kind of MC with a protective mission. You might’ve first met the Ravens in the Hard Ink world, but this series stands on its own and is even sexier, edgier, and grittier! I can’t wait for you to get to know Dare, Haven, and everyone in the Raven world! And see down below for a giveaway and a bonus story offer! I hope you enjoy this excerpt from the book!
Excerpt from Ride Hard:
Dare jerked back from kissing Haven, his fingers rubbing roughly over his lips. “Fuck, I’m sorry.”
On instinct, Haven’s body pursued his, pinning his back to the railing. “Please don’t stop,” she said as her hands gripped his shoulders. She had the strongest urge to climb him, to wrap her legs around him, to grind against the hard bulge pressing electrically against her belly.
“Please,” she whispered, tilting her mouth toward his. “I liked it.”
Dare’s hand cupped the back of her head. “You’re killing me.”
“Dare,” she said, her body restless against his.
In a move that sent the world spinning, he flipped them around so that she was the one pinned against the railing. He pushed his legs between hers and leaned down over her, forcing her to arch her back, to yield, to open to him. “Tell me what you want from me. Say the words,” he said, his eyes absolutely on fire.
Her heart was a runaway train in her chest, frantic and picking up speed. The thought of giving voice to her desires was terrifying and thrilling and dizzying all at once.
“I want your mouth,” she said. The words sounded odder out loud than they had in her head, but they were more accurate than asking him to kiss her—because her mouth wasn’t the only place she wanted his.
“Jesus,” he rasped, his mouth coming down on hers once more.
The whimper she released was part relief, part anticipation. It had been so long since she’d kissed someone that she felt a little uncertain, but Dare’s intensity barely allowed her the capacity to worry about it. He was like a dark storm bearing down on her, relentless, magnetic, all-consuming.
Rough callouses from his hands scratched against her cheeks as he guided her. Hard breaths spilled over her lips, and the wet slide of his tongue tasted like whiskey and desire and man. Her hands found the soft length of his hair, and her breasts pushed against the hard plane of his chest.
Then her lips were freed as his mouth slid over her skin—exploring her cheek, her jaw, her ear, her neck. He hiked her up to sit on the wide railing, the move surprising a gasp out of her, especially as he crowded the space between her legs, pushing himself closer, bringing his erection against the place between her legs craving friction, hardness, so much more of him. Maybe even all of him.
One strong arm wrapped around her back and held her steady, while the other hand stroked her hair, her face, her breast. The soft groans and breathy grunts spilling out of him were delicious and thrilling, and bolstered her confidence that she wasn’t the only one losing herself in this moment, in these touches. She almost couldn’t believe this was happening, and part of her was certain she must be dreaming. Because Haven Randall didn’t have beautiful things in her life. At least, never before.
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Don’t forget you can grab HARD AS STEEL, a Hard Ink/Raven Riders Crossover Novella out now and pre-order RIDE ROUGH, book 2 in the Raven Riders Series (out April 25, 2017)!
5 Stars
Haven’s wise beyond the years of her body. Living a life of fear in the crazy world her father made her a pawn in. From dictation to freedom, Haven is like a bird breaking from it shell to learn the world.
Dare Kenyon is an experienced man. Alpha, commanding and so, so sexy. He always has the seriousness surrounding him. Yet, his heart is huge and his protective nature put some in a class all of his own. He’s complex, which makes me like him all the more.
Laura Kaye sizzles her way into the MC world with the first books of her new Raven Ryder’s series, RIDE HARD. Raw emotions, danger and blissful passion have readers hanging on tight. Ms. Kaye’s MC world is not the typical one. While action and activities of the Ravens may skirt the law, these men and women truly believe in brotherhood and helping those who can’t help themselves. Protection and safety, while giving. They are a hardcore family who opens their arm willingly.
Ride Hard sets the stage for what I believe is one hell of a ride for the series.
And E copy was provided for an honest review.
About Laura Kaye:
Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty books in contemporary and paranormal romance and romantic suspense, including the Hard Ink and upcoming Raven Riders series. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
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Release Blitz+ARC Review: Dirty by Kylie Scott
Dirty
Kylie Scott
Dive Bar Series, Book 1
The last thing Vaughan Hewson expects to find when he returns to his childhood home is a broken hearted bride in his shower, let alone the drama and chaos that comes with her.
Lydia Green doesn’t know whether to burn down the church or sit and cry in a corner. Discovering the love of your life is having an affair on your wedding day is bad enough. Finding out it’s with his best man is another thing all together. She narrowly escapes tying the knot and meets Vaughan only hours later.
Vaughan is the exact opposite of the picture perfect, respected businessman she thought she’d marry. This former musician-turned-bartender is rough around the edges and unsettled. But she already tried Mr. Right and discovered he’s all wrong-maybe it’s time to give Mr. Right Now a chance.
After all, what’s wrong with getting dirty?
Are you ready to get Dirty?
Dirty is Book One in Kylie Scott’s Dive Bar Series
is FINALLY here!
NOW LIVE!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Q7LCyb
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1OYc53N
iBooks: http://apple.co/1TOAhIG
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1MetF1F
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Mez6t6
A bride running from her wedding. A Musician down on his luck. An awkward meeting in a tub. Yes my friends, this is what sets the stage for what this reviewer feels is going to top Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive Series. DIRTY, book one of the new Dive Bar Series.
Vaughan is more that what his dark persona leads people to believe. A man who lost just lost his dream never realized he’d find what he needs in life is at home. Omg, this man I want to lick and lick again. He’s complex and deep. He’s caring and a gentlemen when need. I totally fell for him.
Lydia’s life is a hot mess and bat shit crazy all rolled into one. A sassy woman who’s had her heart messed with a time or two. She straight up funny. Her heart has been through the mill yet she still finds it in her to care about other.
Humor, heart, hotness and lots of emotions! It’s hard to decide if the passion or the witty banter takes first place. Kylie Scott gives the readers a cast of intense, charismatic, and complex personalities in a setting that draws folks in, wanting to take a seat. I guarantee you at the completion of this book you will be more than ready for more of the happenings of the Dive Bar.
An amazing 5 Star read and a Top Read of 2016!
Review copy provided by netgalley for an honest review.
Kylie is a long time fan of erotic love stories and B-grade horror films. She demands a happy ending and if blood and carnage occur along the way then all the better. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and one delightful husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet.
Kylie is represented by Amy Tannenbaum at the Jane Rotrosen Agency, New York.
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Excerpt: Let It Ride by Melanie Jayne
Let it Ride by Melanie Jayne
Date of Publication: April 14, 2016
Blurb
The first time he met her, he couldn’t have her. In their world there are rules against that kind of interaction. So Remington Cooper watched, waited, and planned.
Now his luck has turned and he five days to win the woman of his dream’s heart.
Francesca Luchetti knows that Remy is interested, he’s made that clear. She likes the idea of a fling. Conventions can be dull, so the promise of sex with a hot man will make things more exciting.
When there is a threat to Francesca’s safety, she learns that Remy is the man to keep her safe, but is she ready to gamble with her heart?
Available From
About Melanie Jayne
I live on a grain farm southeast of Indianapolis, Indiana with my very patient husband of twenty-five years and our two English Mastiffs, Buster Brown and Ginger. I graduated from Indiana University when it was the #1 party school in the country and I took great pride in helping the school achieve that ranking.
I haven’t figured out what I want to be when I grow up. I change careers every decade. I have worked in retail, a federal courtroom, travelled across the state closing loans, and behind the scenes in a casino.
I’ve always had an active imagination so when a good friend suggested that I try writing a book, I thought why not, it should be fun. It has, but I have had to work very hard to learn how to do it. I am so lucky for the outpouring of advice and education from so many in the industry, plus the hand-holding and cheerleading from My Gurls. I also have an incredible Ad-man-istrative Assistant, who tries to keep me under control. He rolls his eyes so much that I worry about a permanent condition.
When I ‘m not working or writing type stuff, I sleep, watch courtroom TV shows, and sports. I was a competitive pro-am ballroom dancer for ten years and I read as many books as I can.
I love to attend Author-Reader Conventions and look forward to meeting you.
Find Melanie Jayne Online
Teaser
“I don’t like that a self-proclaimed enemy of Jimmy’s might be attending this event. He’s mentioned you by name in several of his rants.” Blade’s soft voice radiated concern.
“His career is over. His company has been through Chapter 11 and now they have nothing. He’s a pariah in this industry, so what does he have to lose if he harasses you?” Rico rested his hands on the table in front of him.
“Casino life is hard and the business is cut-throat. Jimmy ingrained that into me from the day he adopted me. I’ll be careful. I promise.” She gave Rico a reassuring smile. “I don’t want anything to happen to me, either if that makes you feel any better.”
“Plus it will be hard to get to know that Hoosier Hottie if you have a detail following you around.” Hadley added helpfully.
“Hadley!” She felt her cheeks burn. God she wasn’t a prude, how could she be after living and working in Sin City? Her body’s response frustrated her.
Blade ran his fingers over his tablet and a photo of Remington Cooper flashed up on the flat screen hanging on the wall behind her chair. “I’ve done some research. This guy can take care of Frankie. I’m not worried. If he’s around her, she’ll be fine.” He flashed what could only be described as a shit-eating grin. “He’s had training, very specialized training, in the military. Plus he’s not too bad looking is he?”
“I suppose that he could protect her, but the question is, would he?” Rico looked straight at Frankie.
“Oh, I think he’d like to get next to Frankie any way he could.” Hadley winked and gave a salacious smile. “The man has been very busy pursuing our Francesca.”
“Enough.” She gave her friends an evil look. “I only talk to Remy because he is chairing the panel that I’m a part of.” She prayed that her hands weren’t shaking. Her attraction to Remy was becoming a problem. No matter what she told her body, it throbbed whenever she thought about him. “I think you all are exaggerating this just a little.” She displayed a half inch of space between her thumb and index finger.
She watched them exchange looks. This was the problem with spending so much time together. There were no secrets.
ARC Review: DEVOTED by Lexi Blake
Devoted
Lexi Blake
Masters and Mercenaries Series, Book 10.5
1001 Dark Nights Series
Evil Eye Concepts
A woman’s work
Amy Slaten has devoted her life to Slaten Industries. After ousting her corrupt father and taking over the CEO role, she thought she could relax and enjoy taking her company to the next level. But an old business rivalry rears its ugly head. The only thing that can possibly take her mind off business is the training class at Sanctum…and her training partner, the gorgeous and funny Flynn Adler. If she can just manage to best her mysterious business rival, life might be perfect.
A man’s commitment
Flynn Adler never thought he would fall for the enemy. Business is war, or so his father always claimed. He was raised to be ruthless when it came to the family company, and now he’s raising his brother to one day work with him. The first order of business? The hostile takeover of Slaten Industries. It’s a stressful job so when his brother offers him a spot in Sanctum’s training program, Flynn jumps at the chance.
A lifetime of devotion….
When Flynn realizes the woman he’s falling for is none other than the CEO of the firm he needs to take down, he has to make a choice. Does he take care of the woman he’s falling in love with or the business he’s worked a lifetime to build? And when Amy finally understands the man she’s come to trust is none other than the enemy, will she walk away from him or fight for the love she’s come to depend on?
Excerpt
What the hell had she done? Amy managed to walk sedately up the stairs. She was pretty sure he was still watching her.
Him. Flynn.
God, she was blushing at the very thought of him. He was some kind of actor or model. He had to be because that man was flipping gorgeous. He was tall and broad and she’d kissed him.
I would rather have a kiss.
Her heart had threatened to flatline then and there. He’d said it in a low growl that had gone straight past her ears to her female parts, and she’d found herself doing something crazy. She’d gone up on her toes and kissed him but not before she’d really looked at him. There was something about the man, something in his eyes. Something that called to her.
Flynn.
Flynn.
She liked Flynn better than John. Way better. She already had one too many Johns in her world.
What was she doing? She’d already kissed a Dom, and one who was in her training class. How was she going to feel when he got paired up with another sub?
She looked up ahead at the dungeon space they’d designated as the classroom for the night. It looked like there were four women and three men up ahead. She’d known it was a small class, but then Sanctum was pretty selective from what she understood. They tended to take in new members by referral only. She was here because of her sister.
Who did Flynn know?
Maybe he worked for McKay-Taggart. The club had founded around a group of ex-military men who formed a security company. It had been completely private for years, but now they were taking new members since they had a much bigger space.
Apparently the last space had blown up.
Maybe she didn’t want him working for McKay-Taggart. They had dangerous jobs. Maybe he was someone’s brother and he had a perfectly normal, didn’t get shot on a regular basis job.
She didn’t want him to get shot. She kind of wanted to kiss him again.
Focus. She needed to focus on the task at hand and that was not making a complete idiot of herself in front of the class.
4 Stars
Corporate rivals Amy and Flynn take enemies to lovers to a whole new level. Lexi Blake heats the pages with sexiness, heart and humor in Devoted.
Amy has taken the family company from her hard ass father. A woman who has to be in control to the world around her. I loved her. Strong, but yet caring, smart and has a huge heart. A damn fine woman who more than hold her own in the “mans” world she’s in.
An incredibly smart coder, Flynn has taken over his family’s company as well. A Dom in training, who’s commanding, confidant and playing a dangerous game. Flynn learn what the true meaning of keeping your enemies closer really means.
Two people, both lonely in the big game of the world they live in seeking a breath of fresh air. Sanctum should be the release and relief they both need. Opening more doors than just passion and escape, Flynn and Amy discovered themselves and each other. Passionate dominance, humor, bratty sub behavior and excellent banter entertain readers from the first page to the last. I love that Lexi Blake allowed Flynn to have all the information. It made him work twice as hard. The moment it went from wanting to know, to have to have is what makes romance readers read!
About Lexi:
NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlexiblake/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorlexiblake
Website: http://www.lexiblake.net/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Lexi-Blake
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