Monday, April 27, 2015

Book Blitz: NICE GIRLS DON’T RIDE by Roni Loren



Book Blurb


Natalie Bourne thinks she has the perfect night planned for her twenty-first birthday. But when her car breaks down and her boyfriend bails on her, she’s left stranded in an auto shop dealing with a way too cocky, way too hot mechanic, who seems to be intent on pushing every button she has.

Monroe Hawkins knows he shouldn’t be messing with a girl from the uppity private college. Especially when he can tell she sees him as the help. But he’s having trouble resisting the redhead with the smart mouth and the killer legs. So when Natalie’s night goes from bad to worse, there’s no way he’s letting her spend her birthday alone. He makes her a deal—he’ll take her home but not until the sun comes up.

Ten hours, one motorcycle, and the city of Austin at their fingertips…things are about to take a major detour. And soon, there may be no U-turn in sight.



Excerpt

Chapter One
Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, happy birthday, dear . . .
I groan and lean back against the guardrail, shielding my eyes from the piercing sunlight. How exactly should I finish that?
Girl who currently smells like sweat and roadkill?
Girl about to go broke paying for this mess?
Girl whose boyfriend will not answer his goddamned phone?
My fingers move over the screen as I text Caleb again. Where r u???
I stare at my phone, willing a response out of it, but the screen goes black before there’s any answering ding. Caleb had warned me that he was going to be cutting it close for our date tonight. And I know his internship at the local campaign office sometimes runs late when they’re prepping for a rally, but he should be out by now.
My fingers move over the screen again. R U secretly Superman in ur off hours? Come on, u can tell me. If ur saving the world, I’ll understand.
Of course, there’s still no response. And now my neck is prickling with not just sweat but anxiety. What if something happened to him? What if he was in an accident? What if—?
I stop myself before the thoughts spiral, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. Cool it, Nat. But that little exercise only gets me a lungful of the dead skunk that’s roasting in the heat a few yards away from me on the side of the highway. Blech. I press my fingers over my mouth, fighting a wave of nausea.
I check the clock on my phone for what seems like the hundredth time. The roadside-assistance lady said they would contact a local garage and get me a tow right away. But it’s been over an hour, and the only cars that have passed by have either ignored me or sent catcalls flying my way. Because, of course, my piece-of-crap car had to break down when I’m all dressed up in a low-cut dress and heels for my birthday dinner. Yay for timing.
One guy had at least offered to help and had seemed nice enough, but I’ve seen how those horror movies end. Girl on the side of the road accepts help from a seemingly harmless stranger, only to have her organs carved out later that night. No, thanks.
A grinding of tires on gravel draws my attention upward. A black tow truck rolls past me on the road and pulls to the side, sending a cloud of dust in its wake. I keep my phone clutched in my hand, quickly check the can of Mace in my purse, and then push off the guardrail. The side of the truck says Billy’s Custom Cycles and Auto Repair. There’s a tattoo-style logo of a motorcycle on fire, and I know that it’s definitely not the name of the repair shop the roadside assistance service gave me. It had been some big chain—AutoPlus or something like that. A little shimmer of nerves goes through me and I stop where I am, my heels sinking into the gravel.
The front door of the tow truck opens and a tattooed arm appears before anything else. For some reason, my eyes lock onto pieces of the man instead of the whole—like I can’t handle the entire view quite yet, only snapshots. That muscular arm as the driver slides out of the truck. The worn black motorcycle boots that hit the ground. I force myself to look up, tracking along the faded jeans and fitted black T-shirt, until I collide with a dark blue gaze.
“Looks like you need a ride.”
The deep voice startles me for a second and snaps me back into the moment like a slingshot. Ping! Pay attention, Nat. Now is not the time to let my guard down. “No, thank you, I don’t. I already have another shop on the way.”
His gaze tracks over my dusty dress, slow and lazy like, before he lifts a dark brow. “How long have you been waiting? It’s pretty hot out here.”
The once-over makes me more than a little self-conscious. He can’t be all that much older than me, early twenties for sure, but something about him is intimidating as hell. “I don’t know. Not long. I’m sure they’ll be here any second.”
He crosses his arms over his chest and eyes my car, which has chosen this moment to start smoking from under the hood—as if it senses help in its midst and is crying out for it. “What shop is coming?”
I brush at the skirt of my dress, trying to give my nervous hands something to do. I don’t want to look worried or scared or show him that I’m melting in this brutal Texas heat. “AutoPlus, AutoMart . . .”
He scowls. “Autoland.”
“That’s it.”
“You might as well set up a tent then. They take forever to get to calls, and they’ll charge you twice as much as we would. Plus, they close at six. They’re just going to tow you in and then lock up for the night.”
“Says the guy who wants to make a buck on a girl stranded on the side of the road.”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “Hey, princess, I’m just trying to be a nice guy and get you to your”—he looks me up and down again—“sorority party on time. I get paid the same either way.”
Princess? Sorority party? My eyes narrow and I give him my own head-to-toe look, taking in the messy dark hair, the tattoos, the heavy boots, the finely shaped . . . I snatch the thought back before I can go there. “Look, Son of Anarchy, I appreciate the nice guy offer, but how do I even know you’re legit?”
He snorts. “You think I drive a tow truck around for fun? Call the number on the side of the truck if you want. But otherwise, I’ve got better stuff to do than stand here in the heat, smelling roadkill. Two minutes, princess. I’ll be in the truck. You want a tow and a ride? You get in. If not, good luck with Autoland.”
He turns to go, and I feel a little dart of panic at being left alone again—even if he’s not exactly the company I want. This isn’t the best part of Austin, and the sun is on its way down. “Wait, what’s your name? You know, so I can verify.”
He doesn’t turn around but calls back. “Monroe.”
I dial the number to the shop and, of course, they verify that Monroe works for them and is driving the truck today. The guy on the phone sounds amused by my questions. And his reaction makes me realize that I’m being paranoid, that my nerves are officially frayed, and it’s making me act like a bitch. I thank the guy on the phone, hang up, and take a steadying breath. This is going to be okay. Not everyone is out to take advantage. Some people actually do things to be helpful without ulterior motives.
My mother would laugh her ass off at that logic. Everybody’s got an agenda, Nattie.
I straighten the neckline of my dress, hike my purse up my shoulder, and walk over to the tow truck with as much dignity as I can muster for a sweaty girl in a dusty dress. Monroe hasn’t climbed back into the cab, but is instead leaning against the front bumper and watching the cars zoom by on the overpass up ahead. He doesn’t look my way. “Verified that I’m not a serial killer?”
“Verified that you work for Billy’s. The serial-killer part is yet to be determined.”
He smiles out at the horizon. “Want to check the backseat for weapons or body parts?”
“I have a feeling you’d be too sneaky to leave such obvious evidence lying around. And if you aren’t that clever, I’m going to be seriously disappointed in myself if I fall victim to a dumb serial killer.”
He chuckles and it changes his whole face, warming it. When he turns his head, his blue eyes meet mine and my stomach tightens a little. I do my best not to let my reaction show on my face. Last thing I need is him thinking that I’m interested in him. Because, of course, I’m not. I’m totally not. If there’s an opposite of my type, it’s this guy. And plus, I have Caleb. Cute, smart, on-his-way-to-big-things Caleb.
Caleb, who won’t answer his goddamned phone.
Monroe pushes himself off the bumper. “I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult, princess, but I’ll take it you’re going to ride with me.”
“Yes. But only because I can’t handle the dead-skunk smell for another minute.”
“I’m preferable to skunk guts? The flattery just rolls off you, doesn’t it?”
The jab lands squarely. I press my fingers to the space between my eyes and rub. “Sorry. I’m really not trying to be a bitch.”
“It just comes natural, then?”
My eyes snap open and I’m ready to hurl an insult back, but I find him wearing a playful grin and clamp my lips shut.
He angles a thumb toward the truck. “Get in . . .”
“Natalie,” I supply.
“Natalie. And kick the A/C on. Getting your car hooked up is gonna take a few minutes. You may want to call someone for a ride, too, because there’s no guarantee we can get this fixed tonight. I’m assuming you have plans.”
I glance down at my outfit, suddenly self-conscious about the sexy getup. It’s not my typical style, but tonight was supposed to be special, and I had wanted to knock Caleb on his butt. He’s been so wrapped up in work and school lately that I’ve felt a little like furniture. So I borrowed my roommate’s dress with its plunging neckline and treated myself to the new risqué lingerie I’m wearing beneath. I’m not exactly Ms. Vixen normally, so Caleb would’ve never seen it coming. Now it’s all a waste.
“I have a date with my boyfriend,” I say to Monroe.
“Right. So, he can pick you up?”
“He’s not answering his phone. But I’m sure I’ll get him soon.”
Monroe makes some noncommittal noise and nods. “I’m going to get to work. You go and cool off. There’s bottled water in the ice chest in the backseat.”
“Thanks.”
Before getting in the truck, I find myself watching Monroe walk back toward my car. He’s easily over six feet tall but doesn’t move in that awkward, hunched way that most of the taller guys on campus move. There’s an easy confidence to him, like he’s fully grown into his body and taken ownership—a man’s walk. My eyes follow him as he pops the hood of my car and leans over. The hem of his shirt lifts as he bends, exposing a strip of tanned, muscular lower back. I find myself wondering what it would feel like beneath my fingers and if he has any more ink hidden under there . . . I force my eyes away.
What the hell is wrong with me? I don’t have random illicit thoughts about complete strangers. Especially not strangers who have tattoos and call me princess.
I shake my head and pull open the door on the passenger side. Maybe I have heatstroke or something.
I lay my head back against the seat and close my eyes. But all I can see is the image of my new mechanic pulling his shirt all the way off, sweat dripping off him, me putting my hands . . .
I sit straight up.
Yep, definitely heatstroke. Has to be.

Review

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book as the author was new to me. However, I immediately connected with the characters, which is always a good thing, and the storyline was good. Natalie and Monroe were both believable and interesting. I did feel like things were rushed somewhat, and I really would have liked to see a bit more from each of the main characters in the days leading up to their departure. Overall I would look for more from this author and I award it 3.5 stars ~ Rosie

Purchase links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1ag79Fe
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1DtFFYB
iTunes: http://apple.co/1D5r1Fo
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1yjuHVm


Author Bio:


Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. Though she’ll forever be a New Orleans girl at heart, she now lives in Dallas with her husband and son.

If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars, er, rock concerts. Yeah, that's it. She is the National Bestselling Author of The Loving on the Edge series from Berkley Heat.

Places to find Roni Loren:

Site: www.roniloren.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoniLoren
Twitter: https://twitter.com/roniloren
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4877863.Roni_Loren

Giveaway Info:


$25 Gift Card (Amazon or Barnes & Noble)


Rafflecopter Form HTML:


Thank you so much for participating!!


Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Blog Tour: UNPREDICTABLE by C.A.Harms


Title: Unpredictable
Series: Key West Series #1
Author: C.A. Harms
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 14, 2015

Have you ever wished for a moment that you could pretend to live the life of someone else? Escape the harsh reality that your own is anything but perfect?

Quinn had always been forced to put her own needs last. With an absent father and a mother who drowns herself daily in a bottle of Rum, there was no other option.

Jett was the distraction she needed, even if it was just for one night. A void filler, a chance for a freeing moment to allow herself to feel something other than emptiness.

He wasn’t what she expected…

Gentle

Her life didn’t have room for a man like Jett.

Unpredictable

But now it was too late, there was no turning back.

Desire

Nothing would ever be the same.








“Have I told you how perfect you are?” Quinn asked as she backed her way into my kitchen. I tossed my keys onto the counter and stalked toward her.

I shook my head, staring directly at her. “Well, you are,” she replied. “The way you were with my mom, I’m pretty sure she has a crush on you.” 

I chuckled as I reached out for her and gripped her hips. I backed her up against the counter and pinned her with my body. “Have I told you how sexy you are?” I asked. She shook her head, mocking my earlier response. “Do you wanna go swimming?” I whispered as I kissed along her neck.

“I don’t have a suit,” she replied breathlessly.

Smiling against her neck, I nipped at her ear.

“With what I have in mind, you don’t need one,” I assured her. “It would just get in my way.”

“Really?” she taunted. “What exactly do you have strolling through that mind of yours?”

I could tell by the way her breathing had sped up and her body sagged against mine that she was turned on.

“I was thinking we could slip into the hot tub.” I flicked my tongue along her collarbone. A soft whimper fell from her lips, making my dick twitch in response. 

“Where I could slowly and very diligently kiss and devour you.” Another moan as her held fell back, opening her neck to my assault. Sucking along the exposed skin, I kissed her jawline.

“Then when I have you at the point where you feel like you might burst from the need for me, I’ll bury myself inside your warm body. How’s that sound?” I asked.

“You had me at hot tub,” she panted.



REVIEW

Unpredictable, shows us that we all discover love differently. Who can say that a one night stand is bad? I came to this series after enjoying other books by C.A. Harms, and had high expectations of Jett and of this book, well, thank goodness my expectations were met and then some! Jett is a whole lotta hotness mixed with half bad boy half caring family man. I happen to love both sides equally, but your heart must melt when he is with his nieces and nephews! Quinn has had to grow up quickly and despite missing out on her childhood she is able to allow Jett into her heart. This book not only is a wonderful romance but deals with some very real and difficult issues such as alcoholism and terminal illness. The author weaves these issues into the story so cleverly. I really enjoyed this book and the ending (a mini cliff hanger) has left me desperate for more. I award this book 4 stars ~ Rosie





Yeah, Shay was a good-looking girl. She was at one time someone I lusted after, but now things were different. She was recently divorced from some hotshot attorney. Now the rumor was she was looking for an easy ride and some sorry bastard to take care of her.

“I’m better now. You wanna go get a beer and catch up?” she asked.

The desire in her eyes made my stomach drop. There was no way we would be going down that road again. 

Just then I saw movement over her shoulder and a flicker of red. Looking past Shay, I spotted the brunette from earlier. Seeing her as my way out, I went with it. 

“Actually I can’t, sorry. My girl’s waiting on me.” I stepped around her. “Good seeing ya, though.”

Shay started to argue, but I ignored her whine. 

My eyes locked on the brunette in red, and I silently pleaded to her with my eyes. I prayed she would go along with it, even if only long enough for me to escape. 

She watched me approach, an eyebrow arched in question. She squinted, causing her nose to crinkle, and I fought against the laughter as I stepped up to her. 

“Listen, I know you have no idea who I am, but please just go along with what I’m about to do.” I was pretty much begging her to help me escape the vulture that was waiting to attack me at my weakest moment.

“I’m not sure. What is it exactly you plan to do?” she asked.

I brought my body up against hers and wrapped my arms around her shoulders, hugging her close. With her face tucked in against my neck, I whispered in her ear. “Nothing more than put on a show. I promise this is all I have planned. Well, besides maybe walking away together until she can no longer see us.”

“Your ex?” she questioned.

“No, just someone from my past. A night I never want to repeat,” I whispered back.

I still stood with my arms wrapped around this girl, a girl who for some reason didn’t make me want to run in the opposite direction. She had the sweetest scent. I held her tiny body tucked securely against mine. It felt comfortable.

“Are you planning on holding me hostage all night, hugging me?” I chuckled at her comment. The thing was, she never tried to pull away. Instead, she hugged me back, like the closeness was something she needed, her fingers trailing along my waist, then linking together behind me.

“Well, that depends. Do you want to be my hostage?” She lifted her head, looking up into my eyes. The biggest brown eyes I had ever seen boring into mine made my heart rate pick up just a little more.

“Something tells me I would enjoy being a hostage in your hands.” Her voice was almost like a soft purr, long lashes fluttering as her cheeks reddened. “I can’t believe I just said that, sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. I actually like your honesty.” We continued to study each other, waiting for the next move. I know what was running through my mind, but I was sure I would only get slapped if I acted on those thoughts.

I enjoy happy endings in my love stories. Loving those scenes that give it the needed angst and heat to keep you hooked and wanting more. Just enough drama to make her heart race and your stomach flutter. I haven't always been a lover of Romance and had once been addicted to a good Mystery. Just recently I have taken on a new liking and now I am addicted to Romance Novel.

I am a Limitless Publishing Author and love sharing my stories with my great fans. Feedback is great and I really enjoy interacting with my readers.

I live in Illinois and enjoy spending time with my husband and two children. 
You will always find me with my kindle or paperback in hand as it is my favorite pass time.
And I never leave home without a small notebook. You never know when an idea for a new story will strike.











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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Teaser Tuesday: CLIPPED BY LOVE by Toni Aleo


Clipped by Love by Toni Aleo
Contemporary Romance
Coming April 27th!


Things are heating up for the Sinclair boys! With one already in the NHL, Jayden Sinclair is hoping to be next!



This has been the toughest year of my life. I watched my brother go into the draft without me, my mom got divorced, and the weight of my family’s issues is heavy on my shoulders. I feel like it’s my job to fix everything while working my butt off in school and trying to make my game better. I have to go into the draft. It will give my family the support they need, and it will prove that I’m good enough. But to get there, I have to show I can be the best captain for the Bellevue Bullies. The spot is mine—no one can take it. First though, Jude is making me go on a brother’s weekend. Innocent enough, I guess…until I see her. She’s the biggest competitor I’ve ever faced. Not only for my spot but also my heart. It’s hard to ignore someone like Baylor Moore.



***



I don’t lose. I can’t. My dad has bred me to be the best in anything I do. I am driven, I am smart, and I am going to be the first woman in the National Hockey League. No two ways about it. I’ve worked too hard. I’ve been through too much not to have what I want. I know I can do it. I will make my dad proud, and no one will stand in the way of that. That is, until I let him in. He scares me. He makes me feel. And he could very well be the one person who can make me want more than just to win.



We both have the same goal. Victory. But how do you compete against the person you want to win? It’s not easy. Love isn’t something you can control. It isn’t like a puck that can be handled by a stick. No, it has a mind of its own and does what it wants.



Neither of us saw it coming, and we really don’t know if there is a way to score, especially when you’re being Clipped by Love.












♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥


About the Author



Toni Aleo is the author of the Nasvhille Assassins series: Taking ShotsTrying to ScoreEmpty Net, Falling for the Backup, and Blue Lines.
When not rooting for her beloved Nashville Predators, she’s probably going to her husband’s and son’s hockey games and her daughter’s dance competitions, taking pictures, scrapbooking, or reading the latest romance novel.
She lives in the Nashville area with her husband, two children, and a bulldog. Read more about Toni here.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads 


Release Day: SUNSHINE & WHISKEY by R.L.Griffin



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**NEW RELEASE**
Sunshine & Whiskey by R.L. Griffin
Romantic Comedy


Goodreads:


Buy Links:
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1HqB0I9
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1E5JS4W




S & W Book Cover front .jpg




Synopsis:
Sometimes the best things in life come from the unexpected. So if you lower your expectations, then you’ll never be disappointed. Sound cheesy? It is, but
it's also true. Clichés come from a grain of truth…like a man with a Porsche is compensating for something, or once a cheater always a cheater—you get the
idea. Sorry, I digress. I'm supposed to be telling you what this book is about.


I'm Megan Walker, a lawyer at one of the hottest boutique law firms in Atlanta. I'm on the fast track to making partner and have my entire life planned
out...or I did.
We all know how that goes, right? Best laid plans and all that.


Life just threw me a couple curveballs, so I've set out to take things into my own hands. By throwing caution to the wind and getting out of my A-type
personality bubble, I'm learning more about myself than I have in my twenty-seven years.


Sound like a chick flick, doesn't it?


It’s not.

REVIEW

A wonderful feel good book is what Sunshine & Whiskey is. I really enjoyed this book. A road trip with a difference is sorta how to describe this book. When Megan comes into a large amount of money and her best friend just gets made redundant then what better way to 'coz yourself' is with a cross country road trip, taking in beautiful hotels, music concerts at some iconic venues, alcohol, especially whiskey and a few hot men to spice things up. I love when Megan meets Meat, they have fun together, and the fact that he was at an author signing as a cover model made me giggle!! However, this story isn't all fun and flowers it deals with relationships, real life, real love and lots more besides. It is always fun and a little bit quirky. This book really lifted my spirits, and made me smile throughout it. I recommend this book and despite what the blurb says, I think this book would be fantastic if made into a chick flick. I award this book 5 smiley stars ~ Rosie




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Monday, April 20, 2015

Cover Reveal: PUSHING THE LIMITS by Brooke Cumberland

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Photography by Perrywinkle Photography
Releasing June 2015
Add to Goodreads 

Synopsis

He’s my art professor.
I’m his student.
With an electric connection and undeniable chemistry, I know it won’t be long until one of us cracks.
When the opportunity arises to pose naked for the entire art class, I can’t help the thrill of knowing he’ll be watching me.
While they all look past me with their eyes narrowed and concentrated, drawing only the lines and angles of my body, he sees right through me down to my vulnerability.
He sees more than just the physical aspects—he sees me.
That’s when I see the struggle in his features as he tries to stay in control.
How do we keep our distance when everything seems to be pulling us together?
What feels so right can only go wrong if we keep pushing the limits.

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About the author
Author professional pic
Brooke Cumberland is a USA Today Bestselling author who's a stay-at-home mom and writes full-time. She lives in the frozen tundra of Packer Nation with her husband, 4 year old wild child, and two teenage stepsons. When she's not writing, you can find her reading love stories, listening to music that inspires her, and laughing with her family. Brooke is addicted to Starbucks coffee, leggings, and anything sweet. She found her passion for telling stories during winter break one year in grad school and she hasn't stopped since. 

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