Friday, June 29, 2018

Blog Tour! Identity Break by Stephen H. Provost


Identity Break
Stephen H. Provost
Publication date: February 12th 2018
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
How far would you go to find yourself?
Imagine everything you thought you knew about yourself turned out to be a lie, and you didn’t know who was telling the truth. Imagine you possessed a secret so dangerous that, if it were exposed, it would reshape the entire world.
What would you do if that secret were your very identity?
In almost every way, Palo Vista seems like a typical California city, with office buildings, schools, and homes sprawled out across suburbia, filled with families making a life for themselves at the dawn of the new millennium.
But two seniors at Mt. MacMurray High are about to find out that nothing is as it seems…


Author Bio:
Stephen H. Provost is a veteran editor, reporter and columnists with more than 30 years of experience at daily newspapers in California. He’s currently the managing editor of The Cambrian on the Central Coast, as well as a columnist and assistant city editor for The Tribune in San Luis Obispo.
As an author, he has written historical nonfiction (“Fresno Growing Up” and “Highway 99: The History of California’s Main Street”), novels (“Memortality” and “Identity Break”), while also exploring the realms of mythology, fable and ancient history.

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Cover Reveal! No One But Us by Elizabeth O'Roark

Release Date: July 18, 2018
Cover Design: Kari March
 

Synopsis

 
She's my little sister's best friend. And exactly who I should NOT be spending a summer with...
The last time I saw Elle, she was a child. A Harry Potter-obsessed 13-year-old with a penchant for fan fiction and following me around. Six years later she’s on my doorstep. The braces are gone. The “Team Gryffindor” t-shirt’s been replaced with a bikini the size of my index finger. And I can’t get her out of my head, no matter how hard I try.
Except she’s still the girl I’m not allowed to have, the center of a secret I hope she never learns.
Resisting what I feel for Elle Grayson is the only way to protect my family. But am I willing to break both our hearts in the process?

Goodreads

 

 

Excerpt

 
What the fuck is wrong with me? Aside from actually assaulting her, it would have been impossible for me to handle that worse than I did.
I got too comfortable, let my guard down. We were having a good conversation, the kind I might have with a friend, and yeah, that led to the dangerous thoughts that always come up around her...I wish she was older, I wish things were different. She was playing with this chain around her neck, the charm falling again and again to that warm cleft between her breasts. And every time it fell, I pictured the same thing—my nose buried there, the smell of her soap heightened by the damp heat of her skin.
But I was good. I was responsible. I shut each of those thoughts down, again and again, hopeful that things could just be normal with her if I did it enough.
And then out of nowhere she was in my lap, and I was hard enough to break nails, my mind so consumed with all the ways I could take advantage of the situation that I could barely form words.
I go for a long run, but I don’t come back feeling calm, or resolved, the way I have before. I feel fucked, because if I stay here I’m going to mess up. At this point it’s almost inevitable. There’s a reason recovering alcoholics avoid bars and gambling addicts avoid Vegas. Same reason I need to be somewhere Elle is not.
   

Giveaway

One of Five ARC's for No One But Us
 
 
 

About the Author

 
Elizabeth O'Roark is a former medical writer who lives in Washington, DC with her three children. She is an avid runner when able to escape the aforementioned children.
 

Connect with Elizabeth

 
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Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2lE1Fg6
BookBub Author Page: http://bit.ly/2yNHYMe
 

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Cover Reveal! Man Buns by Shari J. Ryan

Release Date: July 25, 2018
Cover Design: MadHat Books
 

Synopsis

 
I got out of the Marine Corps to give my daughter a better life. I’m a strong and capable single dad. I got this, right? Not so much.
The one thing my daughter wants is the hardest to find—a mom. It’s not like they’re selling hot intelligent women at Walmart these days, and with the amount of baggage I’m carrying around, I might be out of luck. Yeah, so. We moved from Oahu to Maui. I needed a job, a place to live, and to get us settled. I thought it would be simple, but let’s just say . . . mistakes have been made. · Mistake #1: I took the first job I was offered. (Should’ve probably asked a couple more questions about the required uniform.) · Mistake #2: I flirted with Kai, the first attractive woman who crossed my path. (So far out of my league she might as well be a Hawaiian princess.) · Mistake #3: I fell head over heels for that woman. (See Mistake #2.) Now I’m standing here showing my butt—no, literally. It's the required uniform at Man Buns, the restaurant I’m working at. (See Mistake #1). In any case, I can tell you one thing—it’s damn near impossible to convince the woman I can’t live without to take me seriously when I’m serving up burgers, half-naked, and women are constantly ogling my assets. I’ve gotta try, though. Because Kai is the woman for me, and she’s perfect with Aya. I’ve just gotta get these man buns in gear and figure out how to win her over.

Goodreads

 

 

Excerpt

 
“It’s not even that busy,” Aya shouts while running right for the water.
“It’s busy enough that you need to wait up, kiddo. You know better than to run near the pool.” Aya stops dead in her tracks and gives a look to inform me I’ve embarrassed her. I hold my hands up. “I’m sorry, just no running. I don’t want you to get in any trouble with a lifeguard.”
“Why would a cute little girl like her get in trouble with a lifeguard?” I’m asked. I turn around, surprised to be spoken to by anyone here. You’d think the cap on my head that’s curved over my eyes wouldn’t be an invitation for someone to engage in conversation.
“Excuse me?” I ask, turning to face a lifeguard—a drop-dead gorgeous lifeguard with oversized sunglasses and a killer tan.
“I was kidding,” she says, nudging her glasses down the bridge of her nose.
The woman’s eyes are startlingly beautiful—two round copper pennies with dark caramel outlines. She’s like a Hawaiian goddess. I swear these hotels hire models to play the staffing roles. “I hope so,” I reply. “I don’t want my daughter breaking any rules just yet.”
“She’s fine,” the woman says. “Relax.”
Wow. You’d think I was diving off the deep-end by the ways she’s trying to calm me down. “You’re telling me to relax? You’re the one who looks miserable sitting there in front of a beautiful pool under the big open sky.”
“It’s my job. Who smiles while working?” she asks while flipping her long, dark braid over her shoulder.
“Um, I think in the hospitality industry, it’s part of your job.” Why am I arguing with a hot chick I don’t even know? I obviously need to get laid. Plus, I’m apparently uptight.
“Actually,” she replies, without hiding the hostility she’s obviously feeling, “I’m supposed to be serious since I need to keep an eye on everyone in the pool to make sure no one drowns.”
“Well, there aren’t any kids in the pool yet, so you can loosen up a little, I’m sure.”
“Dad?” Aya calls me from the steps of the pool. “I’m going in.”
“Believe it or not, it’s not the kids I have to worry about,” the lifeguard says. “It’s the arrogant visitors I have to keep an eye on.” With her last word, she pushes her aviator sunglasses back up her freckled nose and straightens her posture.
“What’s your name?” I ask even though I’m sure the conversation ended when she recovered her eyes. Still, can’t hurt to try.
She turns her head and glances over at me, adding in a snide chuckle for good measure. “No.”
“Well, it’s nice to meet you, ‘No.’”
“I’m Denver,” I say, reaching my hand out to her.
“No,” she says again, but this time with a tease of a smirk.
“Well, No, I’m sorry for the confusion. I am Denver. You are ‘No.’ I got it.” I point at her, and wink, leaving her with my smartass response. I needed that. It’s been a while since I’ve had any game.
“Dad!” Aya yells again. She’s neck deep in the water, treading through the four feet like a champ. I had one summer home when she was two and I spent every single minute I wasn’t working teaching her to swim. Two is young to understand the logistics of floating, but by the end of the summer, I didn’t have to worry about her drowning. In Hawaii, being born with the instinct to swim should tie right in with real life experience. I want to believe that my kid is destined to be a surfer or an Olympic swimmer.
I find the towel bin and grab a couple of freshly folded white towels and drop them down onto the empty lounge chairs near the lifeguard's stand. I can’t give up that easily.
The lifeguard straightens her neck and with what I assume to be irritation, tilts her head to each side probably needing a good crack in her tensed neck. In my defense, I haven’t said anything else. I mean, the chairs are empty and they’re in the direct sun, which is right where I want to be. “I’m coming for you, baby-girl!” I shout over to Aya.
I cross my arms over my torso and peel my shirt up over my head. I guess if this chick is going to see any part of me, it can be my best asset. I’ve been a human machine for the last eight years, and I’m proud to showcase the hard work I endured in the Marines. I unhook my worn, brown leather belt that I’ve probably had since my Abercrombie days, and drop my shorts to the pool deck. After a quick shuffle around the side of my chair, I lean over slowly and proudly to retrieve my shorts so I can place them down on the lounge chair. I can’t look over to see if I’ve caught her attention yet, but I’ll just boost my self-confidence and pretend she did.
“Well, aren’t you so sweet. Cleaning up after yourself and all,” she mutters. Ha. She saw me. She was probably staring at every move I made, and now, she’s cleaning up her drool. I bet she wishes she gave me her name now.
Right. Ah well. I can keep my confidence in check even though I’m broken baggage to the rest of the world. No chick in their prime wants a single dad with all the responsibilities in the world, but I wouldn’t give up Aya for all the hottest women in the world. She’s the only girl I need in my life.
With my show over, I catapult myself off the side of the pool and into the water, splashing Aya as hard as I can.
“Dad, no!” Aya gasps as she rubs the water from her eyes. “You’re in trouble now.” Aya pulls herself out of the water, dripping wet and shaking as she wraps her arms around her body, staring at me with the devil’s glare in her eye. “You better watch out, Dad.”
I back up a few feet, knowing what’s coming at me. She jumps into the water, pulling her knees into her chest at the same time, and the splash is epic for my little peanut. It was so epic, it soaked the lifeguard. Ha.
I grab Aya and swing her around over my head, watching the lifeguard remain still like statue. She’s dripping wet, but doesn’t care. Or she does, and she doesn’t want me to know. I guess this is what life is like when I don’t have somewhere to be every second of the day. I have to find ways to entertain myself and clearly that means torturing this woman. Pool rules. Pool rules. Think, think, think. Surely children wouldn’t be allowed on anyone’s shoulders. That could be dangerous if it wasn’t a responsible adult holding on tightly. I toss Aya up on my shoulders, holding her steady as I pace around the pool. Come on, you know you want to yell at me. What do I have to do, run around the pool?
A whistle blows because obviously, I’m not less than ten feet away and couldn’t possibly hear her if she called over to me. Attention is needed. “Sir, no horse playing in the pool,” she says, monotone as if she must recite the same line four-hundred times a day.
“I’m not horse playing, Miss No. I’m just holding my daughter up on my shoulders. Dads do that sort of thing.”
“Not in the pool,” she replies.
   

Giveaway

One of Five ARC's for Man Buns
 
 
 

About the Author

 
Shari J. Ryan is an International Bestselling Author of heartbreakers and mind-benders. Shari was once told she tends to exaggerate often and sometimes talks too much, which would make a great foundation for fictional books. Four years later, Shari has written eleven novels that often leave readers either in tears from laughing, or crying.
With her loud Boston girl attitude, Shari isn't shy about her love for writing or the publishing industry. Along with writing several International bestsellers, Shari has split her time between writing and her longstanding passion for graphic design. In 2014, she started an indie-publishing resource company, MadHat Books, to help fellow authors with their book cover designs, as well as assistance in the self-publishing process. While Shari may not find many hours to sleep, she still manages to make time for her family. She is a devoted wife to a great guy, and a mother to two little boys who remind her daily why she was put on this earth.  

Connect with Shari

 
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Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Release Blitz! Trick Play (Fake Boyfriend #2) by Eden Finley

Release Date: June 27, 2018
Cover Design: Kellie Dennis / Book Cover by Design
 

Synopsis

 
Matt:
Want to know the fastest way to get screwed out of a football career? Get photographed in a compromising position in a gay bar. Yep, welcome to my life. My agent says he can fix my image. He wants me to become the poster boy for gay football players. Me? I just want back on the field. I’ll do anything to play for the NFL again, even pretend to have a steady boyfriend. If only my fake boyfriend wasn’t Noah Huntington III—the most arrogant, entitled rich guy in the world. Noah: Pretend to be Matt Jackson’s boyfriend, my best friend said. It’ll be fun, he said. What Damon neglected to mention is Matt is surly and bitter. Being his boyfriend is a job in itself. From his paranoia over being constantly photographed to his aversion to PDA, being with Matt isn’t the care-free fake relationship I expected when I signed on to do this. It’s supposed to be a win-win. I get to stick it to my politician dad who thinks no one is good enough for the Huntington name, and Matt’s reputation of being the bad boy of football dies. What I don’t expect is to start caring for the guy. That’s not part of the plan. Then again, neither is fooling around with him on my private jet. Oops.

Goodreads

 

   

Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card
 
 
 

About the Author

 
Eden Finley is an Amazon bestselling author who writes steamy contemporary romances that are full of snark and light-hearted fluff.
She doesn’t take anything too seriously and lives to create an escape from real life for her readers. The ideas always begin with a wackadoodle premise, and she does her best to turn them into romances with heart. With a short attention span that rivals her five-year-old son's, she writes multiple different pairings: MM, MMF, and MF. She's also an Australian girl and apologises for her Australianisms that sometimes don't make sense to anyone else.  

Connect with Eden

 
Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/2owAsgY
Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/2GMjfag
Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2t1KqM4
Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2ouFzya
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2EV9Roi
BookBub Author Page: http://bit.ly/2ouhBDq
 

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

New Review! Prince Chance (Prince of Tease #4) by Xavier Neal 5 Cranky Stars

Prince Chance (Prince of Tease #4)Prince Chance by Xavier Neal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Cranky Stars


Who doesn't fantasize about their very own Prince Charming? Prince Chance is that and so much more. His hippie ways annoy his work bro's but it's how he lives his life. Never one for monogamy his run in with a female version of himself knocks him for a loop.


Syd lives her life helping others an relying on the cosmos and the goddess herself to make all of lifes decision. When Chance enters the picture she couldn't be more pleased. Will the cosmos stay on their side or does the Goddess herself have a different plan.


Chance is the one guy who's a mystery in the previous books. He's fun loving, never complains and smiles at everything. This book is worth the read, in fact the whole series is. I loved every minute of it. So yourself a favor and buy this series.

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New Review! Prince Brock (Princes of Tease #3) by Xavier Neal 5 Cranky Stars

Prince Brock (Princes of Tease #3)Prince Brock by Xavier Neal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Cranky Stars


This 3rd book was one I couldn't get my hands on fast enough. You see, we met Brock and Queen in the first 2 books and they were always at each others throats and not in a good way.


The Queen of the Castle seems untouchable up until this book. Actually I questioned if she was asexual. We finally get to meet French, the woman behind the crown.


Brock is crass and in your face yet is also madly in love with French. He would and does everything for her because only he knows the real French and not just the Queen.


Emotions hit hurricane 5 level when they finally give into their feelings. Will Brock and French survive the Gale force, or will they crumble in its wrath?


All I can say is that this is worth every penny and more. Buy this series NOW!


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New Review! Prince Hunter (Princes of Tease #2) by Xavier Neal 5 Cranky Stars

Prince Hunter (Princes of Tease #2)Prince Hunter by Xavier Neal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Cranky Stars


In book two we get up close and personal to Mr. Cowboy himself Hunter. Who doesn't love a man with a southern twang, a body made for sin and a panty melting smile to boot. This book has that and more.


Hunter loves working at the Castle and loves his bro's. He drives the women wild but suddenly has his eyes set on Rory.


Without warning his whole life is about to change. Rory has the ability to bring him to his knees with just one look. Will he survive her?


This series is HOT HOT HOT. I got so into the story that I neglected the real world for a bit and lost sleep. This series is that good. I highly recommend this to everyone looking for their next BBF.


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New Review! Prince Arik (A Prince of Tease Novel #1) by Xavier Neal

Prince Arik (Princes of Tease #1)Prince Arik by Xavier Neal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Cranky Stars


The Castle is run by a Queen meaner than the Queen of Hearts. It's an exclusive strip club that offers anonymity to its clients for a price and beautiful men to become your every fantasy. She runs a tight ship and takes no crap. First and foremost, she takes care of her Princes.


Prince Arik loves his job. He loves his life. His stripping allows him to do what he really loves which is playing the piano.


Ari is a go with the flow personal planner. Not her dream gig but it works for her. She's not looking for Mr. Right, she's only interested in Mr. Right now. Will a Prince change her tune?


I loved this book. Once again Xavier gave me a story filled with hot men and the women who tame them. Her characters come alive on the page and each new one claims a piece of my heart. This series is a must read.


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New Review! The Evolution of Us (Us #2) by d. Nichole King 5 Cranky Stars

The Evolution of Us (Us #2)The Evolution of Us by D. Nichole King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Cranky Stars


When I was presented the opportunity to read The Evolution of Us I knew I had to read The Story of Us and let me tell you I was sad to see both books end. I read book one in a day and book two in a day and a half. I mean who knew you had to feed kids every day and do dishes? I never said I was winning mom of the year over here I wanted to be lost in the story of Finley so bad.


Finley is charismatic and lively, and she is a loyal to those who count. Little do we know that it’s all an act of don’t put your trust in anyone and certainly don’t love anyone in that all-consuming way. She is working a job she hates, still healing over the loss of Jake and eating PB and pickle sandwiches with her pet pig. She is just going through the motions and not really living, and she has herself convinced this is a good life. She doesn’t expect to run into Jake again or grow into something more with Ty her coworker who brings her amazing coffee at work.


Jake doesn’t expect his insurance adjuster to be the wild girl who stole his heart 2 years ago on a beach in Cancun. He sees Finley and starts to question his life. His fiancée has changed into someone he doesn’t know, and he feels his life is being run by his future mother in law. He doesn’t expect to strike up a friendship with Finley but, yet his feelings go way beyond that.


Ty is Fins coworker. He slowly but surely gets into Finleys good graces. He plys her with coffee and eventually his amazing homecooked meals. He has always admired her from a distance and little does he realize they are kindred spirits. Ty has high hopes that one day Fin will choose him and see her self-worth.


This book is a journey. A journey to facing your fears and tackling what is holding you back. I like Finley she is as real as it gets. We’ve all at some point in our life did the whole fake it till you make it routine. I really didn’t think that was why Fin was the way she was so that was kind of a shock to me. Letting go of your first love is hard even harder when you have issues like Finley. I loved Ty. How he worked his way into her life in bits and pieces he is book boyfriend material. He had such ambition and wanted Fin to see that in herself. He truly was a saving grace. I was so sad when it was over, but my heart was happy for all the key players in this book. Read this series!! Read it! You’ll even get to see Ali and Mav.



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New Review! The Story of Us by d. Nichole King 5 Cranky Stars

The Story of UsThe Story of Us by D. Nichole King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Cranky Stars


I can't believe I haven't read this till now. It was always on my radar and then I seen Finleys story was next and scrambled to read this. I read It in a day. No shame. None at all.


Alieya had suffered years of mental abuse from her high school boyfriend. She's a shell of her former self when Finley drags her to Cancun. She doesn't expect to meet Maverick when she's stung by a jellyfish. Maverick is immediately taken by Ali and doesn't want the 3 days to end with them parting ways. They spark and what happens in the book is their story of how they became an us.


Holy heck! My heart. This book will make you stop and think about every little action. Make you aware of all the things you say to someone and will they be your last. This book goes between present day and the past. It has so much color and heart and soul. My only problem was why didn't she call his family like Finley wanted her to? Why Ali why?! I get it but then I didn't. All in all I loved the story of Ali and Mav.

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