Thursday, May 31, 2018

New Review! Renegade (Blood of the Custodians Book Two) by Sharonlee Holder

Renegade (Blood Of The Custodians, #2)Renegade by Sharonlee Holder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Cranky Stars


I didn't think it was possible..but book 2 is actually BETTER than the first one!!


No really!!! The storyline and plot get FULLY fleshed out. If you weren't invested in not just the romance but the fate of the entire damn WORLD, then you are seriously lacking in moral turpitude and intestinal fortitude. Or something like that.


Anyhoo, this Greek tragedy continues and while the power couple of Eros and Antara are still there, the star of this novel is Murphy, son of Clothos, bastard of Hades and alter ego of Mayhem. We learn so much about who he is and his purpose for being (maybe even better than HE does himself!) He is honestly my favorite character of all!! While we don't have the heat and erotica as the first book with Eros and Antara, we still have an undeniable romance and passion.


Best (and worst) of all, the book leaves us hanging and panting for the NEXT installment.


And still noteworthy is the setting in South Africa and the various tidbits about the region and the culture that make this book even more interesting.

Ready for Book 3!!!!


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New Review! Illuminous by Yolanda Allard 4.5 Cranky Stars

IlluminousIlluminous by Yolanda Allard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 Cranky Stars


Imagine an as normal can be teenage life. Now, everything is turned upside down. Wrong place wrong time. Allie was an average teenager who was in love with a boy who she didn’t think loved her. Allie and Jerum were friends. Allie decided to follow Jerum one night and this night changed Allie’s life forever.


Allie was marked not once but twice by two beta wolves. Jerum, who Allie thought she knew, was already a wolf. Allie met a couple of more, Will, Harry and Marcus and Aimee, who is not a wolf but knows all about Allie, Aimee is her best friend. Allie becomes so much more throughout this tale.


You go on an emotional roller coaster ride with the characters. From happy, spunky to sad and confused to not believing in yourself. The characters weren’t all sexually active so to speak. They had their hot moments but it was kept at a decent spot. I like the book. I kept turning the page. You would think that there might be a second one with the ending and all, but if not, the ending was actually a good way to leave it.




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New Review! Mask Beneath Her Face by Rafael Chandler 5 Cranky Stars

Mask Beneath Her FaceMask Beneath Her Face by Rafael Chandler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Cranky Stars


The way this book started let me know that it was going to be different from any other book that I have read. This is a nod to the horror/slasher films that were done in the late 80s. You know the movies that would scare you half to death. That is the opening chapter of this book. I really like how it’s told in different points of view.


I really felt a connection to Bobbi, Jesse, and Cris. Each had their own backstory, and each played a crucial role in the story. The author did a fantastic job of scaring the hell out of me with this story. The gore, the guts, and the twists and turns of this story had me glued to the pages.


I will recommend this story to others who enjoy horror novels. Meanwhile, I’m gonna go hide in my safe spot until I can get over my fear.



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New Review! Forest Girl by Empi Baryeh 5 Cranky Stars

Forest GirlForest Girl by Empi Baryeh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Cranky Stars


Michael Yaw Badu has an arranged marriage waiting for him when he is done with his education. When he comes back to his village from his time in America, he learns that he will be marrying Esi Afriyie. Unbeknownst to Michael, Esi has been in love with him since childhood. Michael is in love with another woman, the enchanting Forest Girl that captured his heart after a brief encounter in the forest. Will he let Esi go so he can find his Forest Girl?


This story is magical. Not because of the fairytale romance, but because for once a story gets it right about love and marriage. Marriage isn’t always hearts and rainbows, sometimes it’s conversations and being there to hold your partner’s hand when they are scared or when they need you.


There are not enough words to describe how much I loved this story. The author painted a vivid picture with her fantastical storytelling. She crafted a story that made you fall in love with the characters and their stories that they had to tell. There were moments where I ugly cried because of what happened between the characters, and I hurt because I knew they were hurting. I would definitely recommend this story to others.


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Cover Reveal! Until Him by Emery Jacobs

Release Date: June 20, 2018
Cover Design: Amy Queau / QDesigns
Photographer: Wander Aguiar
Model: Jase Dean

 

Synopsis

 
How could he walk away from the one he promised to love forever?
I believed him. I trusted him. I loved him. I, Emmie Carmichael, am an optimist. If life throws me lemons, I make lemonade. I believe everyone deserves a second chance, and happily ever after isn't just for fairy tales. It exists in the lives of real people, including me - at least that's what I believed until my now ex-husband spoke the two words that sucker punched me into reality. No more sunshine and rainbows for this girl. Now now, not ever. Beau Matson is the last guy I need in my life. He's dark, secretive, and insanely sexy. Plus, he has issues, and I mean real issues: his business is failing, he's afraid of commitment, and I think he may be a stalker. But, when I stare into his eyes, all his faults fade away and it feels like he can take my broken pieces and make me whole again. He doesn't believe in love, and I don't believe in forever - at least not... Until Him.

Goodreads

 

 

Excerpt

 
“Excuse me, excuse me,” I call out. What the hell is wrong with this guy? I know he hears me, but he continues to walk away without even a glance back.
“Hey!” I holler, sounding a bit irritated. Beau finally stops walking and turns to face me.
Piercing silver eyes meet my gaze as his right hand grips the back of his neck. He shakes his head a couple of times before rubbing his jaw.
We stand here in the middle of a mostly empty parking lot without either of us saying a word. Feeling a bit uncomfortable, I pull my eyes away from his. My gaze travels quickly to his hand on his jaw. I’m usually not a hands kind of girl. But for some insane reason my focus is on his damn right hand. It’s big, and probably strong. The calluses on his fingers reveal years of manual labor. God, I bet he’s good with those hands. I push that thought from my mind as I allow my eyes to drift over his body, which is a mistake because his jeans are not only snug around his ass, but also around his…I immediately drop my eyes toward the ground. My face flushes as heat shoots through me. What is wrong with me? I obviously don’t get out enough. This is the reason I need to have sex—it’s been far too long and it’s starting to show.
I quickly jerk my head up so my eyes are back on his face.
“Hi.” I fold my arms across my chest and take in a deep breath.
He nods while still rubbing his jaw. Can he not speak?
“I’m Emmie Carmichael, and you are?” Even though I know exactly who he is, I’m still going to press him to introduce himself to me.
“Matson, Beau Matson,” His voice is deep and gruff. Silver eyes watch me as I continue to force this uncomfortable conversation.
“Oh, you must be Leo’s brother.” For some odd reason, I keep up the charade of not knowing who he is, and then I move closer to look for any resemblance between him and his brother, but there is none. Beau is tall and broad, where Leo is thin and lanky. Beau’s skin is a deep olive color and Leo is fair. Beau’s hair is short and brown where Leo’s is long, dark, and messy.
“Yep, Unfortunately…” He smirks, or is it a grin? Whatever it is, it sends a chill up my spine.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing. Leo was courteous this morning when he picked up my Jeep. He was a perfect gentleman. Well, except for the cigarette hanging from his lips. But I ignored it because I needed his help. Anyway, I like your brother. And it seems like he’s good at his job. At least from what I could tell.” Oh, crap. Now I’m rambling and he probably thinks I’ve got a thing for his brother. Which I don’t. Dammit! I’m so bad at this. Or maybe I’m just bad at this with him. Because normally people don’t have this kind of effect on me.
“I’ll be sure to let Leo know he needs to lose the cigarette.”
Geez, I hope I didn’t get him in trouble. I need to shut up and go back inside where I can function without making a fool out of myself.
“No, I didn’t mean it like that. The cigarette was fine. Really, it wasn’t a big deal.” I smile and then continue. “So, what was the problem?” He looks over his shoulder at the truck waiting for him at the curb and I catch a glimpse of his profile. Strong jawline, slight bump in what was probably once a perfectly straight nose, and just enough scruff to give him a rugged sexy look. For some reason, he looks oddly familiar.
His gaze returns to mine before he answers my question with a question. “The problem?” He narrows his eyes.
“My Jeep? What was wrong with it?”
“Right, your Jeep. It was the battery.” He steps back, distancing himself from me. It’s obvious he’s itching to leave.
“It’s fixed—new battery? Oh, wait, I need to pay you. Hold on just a sec.” I turn to head back into the office to grab my…Crap! All I have is a credit card and that’s not going to work. I stop after just a couple of steps and glance back toward Beau. “Can I stop by the shop in the morning and pay you for your services? I don’t have any cash.”
“Yes, new battery, and there’s no need to go out of your way. I left the bill and keys with your receptionist, so you can put a check in the mail.”
“Are you sure? It’s really not out of the way.”
“Yeah, mailing it will be good.” He turns to walk away—again—and I notice someone in the passenger seat of the truck waiting on him. Maybe that’s why he’s in such a big hurry—because he’s not alone.
“Wait, just one more second,” I plead because I need to know if we’ve met before—other than me checking out his ass earlier today at the automotive shop. That doesn’t count. I mean, it does, but he doesn’t need to know I think he has an amazing ass.
“Yeah?” he says as he glances back at me.
“Do I know you from somewhere? I mean, have we met before…because you look kinda…”
“No, Ms. Carmichael. We’ve never met,” he cuts me off without hesitation.
“Please call me Emmie,” I tell him as I scan his face one more time. I tap my finger on my chin and then continue, “Are you sure? Because I swear I’ve seen you somewhere before.”
“I’m positive,” he says before cutting his eyes away from me. He rubs his jaw and shakes his head again. Then he does something so unexpected. He swiftly moves toward me and leans in close to my face with his mouth so near I can feel the warmth of his breath on my neck. “I never forget a face, Emmie,” he says smoothly. And oh, how I love the way my name falls from his lips. I close my eyes and take in his nearness. I quietly inhale all that is Beau Matson—the smell of motor oil combined with a deep woodsy scent, the slow steady breaths that continue to brush against my skin, and the roughness of his five o’clock shadow as it grazes my face.
“I’m sure you’re right,” I whisper softly.
Beau pulls away from me and I open my eyes in time to see him walking away. I’m confused about what just happened. But I dare not question it because having Beau that near me, even if it was only for him to whisper those six words into my ear, was worth every second.
“Thank you again!” I yell as he walks away from me. God, I’m such an idiot. What am I thanking him for? Dropping my Jeep off or nearly giving me an orgasm just from leaning into me and whispering my name near my ear? And what did I do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing but stand here. This is a prime example of why I’m alone.
   

Giveaway

One of Five ARC's for Until Him
 
 
 

About the Author

 
Emery grew up in Southern Arkansas and has lived most of her adult life in Northern Louisiana. She spends her days working as a Nurse Practitioner in rural health and her nights reading, writing, and occasionally sleeping.
She loves real life romance…lots of angst and heartbreak, but always a happy ending.  

Connect with Emery

 
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Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2LBupl5
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2se2ShM
BookBub Author Page: http://bit.ly/2sgHzeF

Cover Reveal! Uninvited Visitors by Savannah Maris

Release Date: June 20, 2018
Cover Design: MadHat Books
 

Synopsis

 
Nine years ago, she was just his little sister’s best friend. Nine years ago, he was her best friend’s older brother. Nine years ago, she was in high school. Nine years ago, he was away at college. Nine years ago, she was forbidden. Nine years ago, he was out of her league.
Today, she’s all grown up. Today, he’s angry she’s put herself in danger. Catherine Livingston agreed to help the US Secret Service discover how counterfeit money was moving through Riverton Crossing. Her only condition? Keep Dr. Thomas Gregory out of harm’s way, even if it means losing him. Dr. Thomas Gregory wasn’t happy when the love of his life voluntarily put herself in the path of dangerous people but agreed to the plan. His only condition? Keep her safe, even if it means losing his best friend. Can she find the link the Secret Service needs to connect the dots before someone ends up in Thomas’s ER? And what lengths will Thomas go to keep her safe from some uninvited visitors?

Goodreads

 

 

Excerpt

 
What in the hell is going on with her? She thinks this could end us? Before tonight is over, she’s going to know we’re forever. There may not be a ring on her hand, but dammit, she’s going to know because I’m telling her what I’ve never told anyone.
When he had her naked before him, he pulled off his shirt. “Get on the bed, Cat.”
She shook her head as her hands flew to the sides of his face as soon as his shirt cleared it. She pulled him to her as she rose on her tiptoes to kiss him. His arms wrapped around her and pulled her tight as he deepened the kiss until she pulled back breathless.
“I don’t want to miss any part of this. I want to remove your pants, please.”
He held her stare and nodded as he loosened his hold on her. When he let go of her, she went to her knees before him. He watched as she deftly unfastened the button of his jeans and slid the zipper down. She ran her hands inside, and her eyes popped up to his.
“Commando?”
Thomas nodded as a mischievous grin crept across his face. She pushed his jeans down and took his cock into her hand. Licking the head caused him to moan and close his eyes, but just like her he didn’t want to miss a thing, so he opened them and found her watching him as she took him into her mouth.
“Cat,” he whispered as he ran his fingers through her hair and cupped the back of her head with one hand. He didn’t push her forward but didn’t let her back too far away either. She took him as deep as she could, and he hissed as she gently grazed him with her teeth on her retreat.
“Fuck,” he murmured. “Cat, honey, let’s take this to the bed,” he pleaded because he didn’t want to come in her mouth. He gripped her hair and pulled for her to release him. She cut her eyes to his and held them as she slowly let him slip out of her mouth. As soon as his cock was clear, he pulled her to her feet.
“You drive me crazy.”
He ravaged her lips then picked her up and deposited her on the bed. She whimpered when their connection broke, and he walked to the foot of the bed and climbed on.
“I need to taste you, and this is the best angle to get what I want.” Thomas laid between her legs as he opened her folds with his thumbs and stared at the most intimate part of her body. It had been his for months, and it was going to continue to be his forever. She just needed to get on the same page. Her legs tried to close, and he looked up to see tears in her eyes.
“Cat?”
“Why are you just looking at me?” Her voice trembled. “Is there something wrong?”
“God no. I was just admiring my beautiful pussy.” He smiled. “Lie back and enjoy, honey. I know I will.”
“You’d tell me if something was wrong, right? I think that’s one of the perks of dating a doctor.”
“Cat, stop it.” He took two fingers and firmly tapped her clit. She gasped then moaned before he went to work with his mouth. He kept his eyes on her until she relaxed. That’s better.
He slid a finger inside her and found her G-spot. As soon as his finger glided over the sensitive area, she arched. The moan that left her mouth spoke to him on a primal level to claim his woman for all eternity.
“Come for me, honey. I need to taste you.”
He bit her clit and tasted her juices flowing into his mouth, so he licked her with a flat tongue to calm her after the explosion she just had. “That’s my girl.”
He kissed her pussy and crawled up her body. He didn’t even bother wiping her excess from his mouth before he kissed her. “See how good you taste? My honey is as sweet as honey.” His eyes twinkled. “Now you know why I started calling you that after our first night at the ranch.”
Her mouth fell slightly open. “What?”
“You tasted like honey to me, so the next morning it just felt natural to call you that. It reminds me of what happened that night. Now it’s a reminder we both can share.”
He kissed his way from her mouth to her jaw to her neck and back to where he started. Poised at her entrance, he moved his hips for the head of his cock to enter her. He stayed right on the edge to drive her as crazy as she drove him. When she moved her hips to get him deeper, he grinned.
“What’s wrong, Cat? What do you need?”
“I need you, Thomas. I need you deeper. Please move.”
Thomas lifted up on his hands so he could see her breasts. “Watch, Cat. Watch my cock go into my sweet pussy. Take your hand and push down on your belly between your navel and pubic bone.” He breathed in even slower when he felt the pressure from her hand.
“Now you can feel me outside and inside. Holy shit that feels good.” Thomas picked up the pace. “Come on, Cat. I’m right behind you, honey. I don’t know how long I can hold off.”
Cat tilted her head to look into his eyes as she fisted the sheet. She was shaking with pleasure. He knew she was close, and he knew what she needed to go over the edge, so he lowered to his forearm and rubbed her clit as he bit her earlobe.
“Ahhh,” she cried. Her orgasm hadn’t waned before he went over the edge.
“Oh, hell,” he said between breaths as his hips slowed their motion. He brought his hand from between them and rested on his forearms as he peppered kisses on her face.
 

Giveaway

One of Five ARC's for Uninvited Visitors
 
 
 

About the Author

 
I’m Savannah Maris, a southern girl and hopeless romantic. I’m passionate about writing stories that incorporate southern charm with a little spice. Unwelcomed Greeting is my first book and the first book in the Riverton Crossing Series.
I grew up on a farm in a small town with a love of sports, dance, and music which will show up somewhere in my books. I'm a mother to two grown kids. When I’m not writing, my husband and I are attending a sporting event, travelling, or working.  

Connect with Savannah

Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/2xRCURz
Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2wPMzsA
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2AGMtHV
BookBub Author Page: http://bit.ly/2tmISfY
 

Release Boost! Shades by Jaime Reese

Title: Shades
Author: Jaime Reese
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense
Release Date: May 23, 2018 Cover Designer: Reese Dante

Life made him dangerous. Love made him lethal.
Killian Marks is a third-generation hitman. After hunting monsters for over twenty years, he lives under no illusions of happily ever afters and fairy tales. Until he meets a man who threatens to disarm him, by giving him hope for a future and showing him there’s more to life than just death.
For Nick, living in shadows is second nature. He’s all too familiar with the dark side of humanity and knows how delicate life can be. Each new day is a gift, even though it means doing it alone. But he’ll risk his survival for the one man who awakens something deep within and leaves him yearning for more.
Nick wants to solve the mystery behind the dark, brooding man, while Killian craves the life and light emanating from Nick. They soon discover they have more in common than either could have anticipated. With both their lives and hearts at stake, they must confront the ghost from Nick’s past intent on tying up a loose end. Only then will they truly find peace, and discover the shades of life in between.

Love Bytes - “I haven’t had great luck with book choices lately, and I was starting to think that maybe it was just me and nothing was going to satisfy. But you can always, always rely on Jaime Reese to deliver a book that grips your heart so freakin’ tightly you think you might die of happiness. Even in this book, with the hitmen, the mobsters, the violence and the many deaths, the intensity of the love between the main characters is so unbelievably powerful it infuses every single scene with heartrending emotion.”

BookUnFunk - “Shades is dangerous, dramatic, and downright romantic.”

PageTurner - “Lock yourself in the bedroom and read this book...Now!”
Jaime Reese is the alter ego of an artist who loves the creative process of writing, just not about herself. Fiction is far more interesting. She has a weakness for broken, misunderstood heroes and feels everyone deserves a chance at love and life. An avid fan of a happy ending, she believes those endings acquired with a little difficulty are more cherished.
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