Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Blog Tour Stop and Giveaway for Very Wicked things and A Surprise Announcement by Ilsa Madden-Mills



Because Ilsa Madden-Mills fell in love with her beautifully flawed characters in Very Wicked Things, she penned Very Wicked Beginnings as a prequel novella to the book, featuring the story of football star Cuba Hudson and ballerina Dovey Beckham.
Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, all May proceeds from the sale of the novella will be donated to The Keith Milano Memorial Fund which benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).  www.afsp.org 

Title: Very Wicked Beginnings
Series: Briarcrest Academy #1.5, a prequel novella to Very Wicked Things
Release: Both books will release on May 13th
Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills
Cover: Photography by Toski Covey
Graphics: Sommer Stein at Perfect Pear Creative Covers
Model: Tanner Belcher


Book Description for prequel Very Wicked Beginnings:

Girls say I’m a walking, talking sex god. Guys call me Hollywood because my life is golden.
It’s not.
But, ESPN did rank me as a four star recruit, calling me one of the best defensive players since Briarcrest Academy opened its esteemed doors. So yeah, with football and a stellar GPA, my future seemed good.
Then Dovey Beckham shows up in her short skirts and ballet shoes. Driving me insane. Making me want to beg for her attention.
But that wouldn’t happen, because Cuba Hudson didn’t beg for anything.
She walked around BA like she owned the place, and most days she looked right through me…the one girl I couldn’t have.
So, of course, I made it my mission to claim her, to put her notch on my bedpost.
Because no girl can resist the Heartbreaker of BA.
But I never planned on destroying her.
I never planned on wrecking the one thing that could save me.
Welcome to Briarcrest Academy, where wicked love begins…and ends.

Charity Information: 
The Keith Milano Memorial Fund was established to help raise awareness about the devastating and deadly disease that is mental illness. Keith’s spirit and laughter is kept alive through our efforts to increase awareness about mental illness and to raise money for education and imperative research. Keith often struggled with society’s perception of mental illness.  Our hope is that by having the strength to say that Keith was “Bipolar” we can strip away the stigma and help others to be more open about their disease. www.keithmilano.org
The Keith Milano Memorial Fund benefits the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).  www.afsp.org 
AFSP is the only national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research and education, and to reaching out to people with mood disorders and those affected by suicide.
Add Very Wicked Beginnings to you Goodreads:



 Now for Very Wicked Things (Briarcrest Academy #2):



Book Description:
Ballerina Dovey Beckham is a scholarship student at Briarcrest Academy, determined to prove she’s more than just a girl with the wrong pedigree. She does whatever it takes to succeed in her endgame, even if it means surrendering her body but never her heart. 

Until the day she meets him, and he rips apart all her well-laid plans. Suddenly, the girl everyone thought unbreakable might just shatter.

Cuba “Hollywood” Hudson is rich, spoiled, and a star football player. With his fast cars and superficial girlfriends, he lives the high-life, hiding his secrets from the world.

Until the day he meets her, and she offers him something he’s never tasted…love.

But once in a lifetime kind of love doesn’t come easy…especially when dirty money, past sins, and old flames threaten the very fabric of their lives.
Welcome to Briarcrest Academy, where sometimes, only the wicked survive.


Excerpt for Very Wicked Things
Book #2 of the Briarcrest Academy Series
by Ilsa Madden-Mills

I got out of the shower and dressed hurriedly, anxious to get back to Cuba.
The door opened, and like he did it every single day, he stepped inside the steamy bathroom.  
“Think I need a shower, too,” he said, his fingers easing off his football practice shirt.
What? Now?
Trying to play it cool and failing miserably, I moved my eyes off his naked chest and checked out his track pants and the obvious bulge he sported.
Oh. Did his lower body match the rest of him? Was it all sinewy muscle and big?
Just, yeah. That thought got stuck in my head and went round and round.
 “You staying?” he asked, a grin working his face. Pleased at my open admiration, probably.
“No,” I said, but made no move to go. ‘Cause I had no shame when it came to catching a glimpse of his muscular body.
“Good,” he said, his smile broadening.
He pivoted to turn on the shower, and my eyes betrayed me again, admiring the muscles in his back, checking out how they twitched and rippled when he moved. Football and rowing had been good to him. My fingers itched to know how they’d feel underneath my hands. Which was stupid because we had nothing in common. Not a rich Highland Park boy and a poor girl from Ratcliffe.
And most importantly, he was a player, not to be trusted.
He hooked his thumbs into his pants, paused a moment—maybe waiting to see if I’d run from the room?—but when I didn’t budge, he slid them and his underwear off. My mouth opened. Cuba Hudson, the most popular guy at Briarcrest was standing right in front of me, naked and beautiful. And like the cocky bastard he was, he posed for me, his big-ass biceps and chiseled abs making me vibrate all over. Need for him slammed into me.
Did I say he was hot?
Well, I was wrong.
He was off-the-charts, no-holds-barred, freaking going make-me-lose-my-mind-right-there delicious. The ultimate man-candy, the kind I knew to stay away from, yet here I was, ogling him.
“Still leaving?” he asked huskily.
“Any minute,” I said in a weak voice, backing up to the wall and propping myself up. “Just chillin’. Shower wore me out. I might need to hold this wall up for a sec.”
“I want you to stay,” he said, eyes at half-mast, glowing with heat.
“Why?” I said, aching to touch him. But that was crazy. I was a virgin, and I didn’t know jack about touching a guy’s you-know-what.
“Look at me, Dovey.”
I tore my eyes from his manhood, blushing.
His eyes burned. “There’s a sense of urgency in my head. Like our time is limited.”
I nodded. Yeah, same here.
“And, I’ll be honest, I don’t want to rush you, but I’m dying to sink into you. I want to set you on fire with need for me.” He ghosted his hands over the steel rod between his legs. Once, twice, and—holy shizzle, he didn’t stop.
My chest rose faster and faster, and I tried to chill-out, but I couldn’t.
He lowered his voice. “Kiss me again, Dovey.”
Oh. “That’s a terrible idea, Cuba. Cause you’re naked, and I’m turned on because you’re naked. And you’re touching yourself. And you’re naked.” I sucked in a sharp breath. “Not a good combo. Odds are we’ll end up in that shower together or back in your bed doing the double-backed monster.”
“Then join me in the shower. I’ll be good. For you.” He arched his back, his hands still doing that back and forth that was driving me insane.
Liar, liar, pants on fire, I thought. No way he would he be good.
Because he was the Heartbreaker of Briarcrest Academy. And one wicked boy.

Add Very Wicked Things to your Goodreads:
Ilsa’s website: http://ilsamaddenmills.com





Haven’t read the first book Very Bad Things? It’s on sale!!

Author Bio:

Ilsa Madden-Mills writes about strong heroines and sexy alpha males that sometimes you just want to slap. She spends her days with two small kids, a neurotic cat, and her Viking husband. She collects magnets and rarely cooks except to bake her own pretzels. When she’s not typing away at a story, you can find her drinking too much Diet Coke, jamming out to Pink, or checking on her carefully maintained chocolate stash. She loves to hear from fans and fellow authors. 




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Monday, May 12, 2014

Review of Make It a Double by Sawyer Bennett


Synopsis:

Brody Markham has endured a nightmare, spending the last five years in prison and losing everything that was dear to him. Now he’s back home, trying to survive in a world he doesn’t recognize anymore. While his family and friends desperately try to reach through to him, he shelters himself further and further away from their love.

Alyssa Myers has worked her entire life to distance herself from the luxurious and privileged lifestyle in which she was raised. Running her non-profit agency, The Haven, she is content to spend her days helping abused animals find sanctuary, which fulfills her in a way that money just can’t buy.

Maybe it’s that she recognizes in Brody some of the same characteristics she sees in her homeless wards, but Alyssa is powerless to stop her personal quest to make Brody whole again.

While Brody struggles to surface from the darkness, Alyssa tries to protect her heart in case he’s not willing to accept the light that she offers him.


Leia’s Review:

You know what I love? 

I love finding a book the encompasses EVERYTHING I love about reading into one story! And this book definitely does. 

This story is fresh and original. Little twists and turns throughout the book hold your interest, and before you know it, you are completely engrossed in Brody and Alyssa. 

Brody has just been released from his 5 year stay in prison. Catching up with family and friends, he runs into Alyssa. Knowing that she is from a wealthy family, Brody automatically assumes that she is a spoiled, rich, “princess” type – and has no problem letting her know it. 

After seeing her around, Brody quickly realizes that Alyssa is nothing like he thought. She is hardworking and honest. A good person, through and through – one that has tried to distance herself from the attitudes and lifestyles of her parents and their socialite friends. 

Recognizing that Alyssa is nothing like that, and that she would rather chew off her own arm than ask for help – Brody decides to complete his community service hours at The Haven, Alyssa’s non-profit animal shelter. 

Thus starts a slow building, but intensely beautiful romance. But it was just rainbows and butterflies. Brody has a lot of demons to work through. And Alyssa has a crazy past that seems to be catching up with her. It’s going to take them both to make it out of this together. But the love that the develop for each other…..sheesh! 

"I want him more than I think I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. And it’s not just because of the resplendency of his form, or the model-like perfection of his face. It’s just as much the fact that Brody is a good man that has suffered, yet he bears a noble presence even in the face of his tragic circumstances. Yes, he is a good man. Twisted and broken? Probably. But a good man all the same.

I loved this book! There was no insta-love. There were no overdramatic heroines. No unbelievably perfect hero. Brody and Alyssa were so….real. Their story was so honest. It was a steady build of trust that lead to a deeply intense romance. You never doubted how they felt about each other. When Brody didn’t think he was good enough, Alyssa was there to assure him that he was. When Alyssa didn’t think she could handle anything anymore, Brody was there to share the load. It was a give-and-take relationship where you genuinely liked BOTH characters. 

This was a beautiful story of second chances and once-in-a-lifetime love. From the first page to the last word, you will fall hopelessly in love with Brody and Alyssa. I know I did! 

"It is simply the most beautiful experience of my life, and I just kissed my soul goodbye for good." 

5 Wonderful Stars!


Friday, May 9, 2014

Release Day Blast- Happenstance by Jamie McGuire


HAPPENSTANCE is finally here! Help us celebrate and spread the word! Be sure to check out the giveaway!


TitleHappenstance
Author: Jamie McGuire
Publisher: Jamie McGuire LLC (May 9, 2014)
Print Length: 100 pages
ASIN: B00JOPR0ZK

PURCHASE LINKS:



#1 New York Times Bestseller Jamie McGuire returns to self-publishing with this page-turning YA account of Erin Easter, one of three Erins in the small senior class of rural Blackwell High School who not only share a first name, but also their birthday. Easter, raised by a neglectful single mom, keeps to herself and admires Weston Gates from afar. The other Erins, Erin "Alder" Alderman and Erin "Sonny" Masterson are the darlings of the community: daughters of the two wealthiest families in town, best friends, cheerleaders, and everything Easter isn't--and they never let her forget it. Alder has even claimed Weston since the 8th grade.

Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Easter's feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Easter does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings ... both for his future, and for her.

A shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, and Easter's life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything she thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated.








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About the Author:

New York Times best selling author Jamie McGuire has penned the Providence series and contemporary romance Beautiful Disaster. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and three children. She is an RT(R), a graduate of Autry and Oklahoma Northern College, and a full time writer.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

REVIEW- Legal Affairs by Sawyer Bennett


Legal Affairs Objection- currently free- BUY IT HERE
Note: While the first volume, Objection is FREE, each of the six successive volumes are $2.99 each. However, you can buy the entire boxed set of Legal Affairs, Volumes 1 - 6 for only $4.99 for a limited time.

One year ago, I graduated from 
law school
 and embarked on a career as a purveyor of high priced legal shenanigans.

Six months ago, my boyfriend dumped me when I thought he might be proposing.

Two weeks ago, I got drunk and joined a secret sex club.

Two days ago, I had a torrid one-night stand with a stranger.

Today? Well, today I'm contemplating having an affair with my boss.



Matt Connover is all kinds of forbidden temptation wrapped up in a deliciously wicked package, and he's made it clear... he's only interested in sex.



My name is McKayla Dawson but everyone calls me Mac. I work at the powerhouse firm of Connover & Crown, LLP, where the law has never felt so hot.



But between you and me, I'm afraid my heart won't survive these Legal Affairs.



Legal Affairs is a serial romance with a whole lot of hot and a little bit of funny. It has six volumes that will be released every two weeks, the first one, entitled Objection, on January 10, 2014.



Legal Affairs - Stipulation -Get it here

Legal Affairs - Violation - Get it here

Legal Affairs - Mitigation - Get it here

Legal Affairs - Reparation - Get it here

Legal Affairs - Affirmation - Get it here



HOLY SHIT!!! Ok so let me first start by saying, I hate short stories and novellas, like alot. They always seem rushed and they continue on and on and on with unnecessary stuff going on until there are 15 all ending with cliffhangers and making me scream at the top of my lungs. I just can't do it.

 Some friends/fellow bloggers started telling me about legal affairs and me being the skeptic that I am told them, "When the series is complete, I will read them" and I kept my word. Turns out there is not 15 only 6. So yesterday while I was in between reads I opened up book 1 and dove in. Let me just tell you, while I'm still glad I waited because of the cliffs and the needing to know more, I'm pissed for ever doubting the accountability for these short little books. I guess once you get burned it's hard to put yourself back out there for fear of being burned again.

 Sawyer Bennett totally proved me wrong. These little books were like pringles (Once you pop you just can't stop- LOL don't judge my example) I was immediately drawn in to the world that is Matt- fucking-Connover. The storyline enthralling is kept you wanting more.

 The man, oh the man was captivating, hypnotic even and I was under his spell. I laughed soooo many times and the sex, dear lawd the sex was amazingly hot. I read so much I tend to not be affected by sex scenes and sometimes I even find them eye roll-able and boring but this book was not one of them. I was fanning myself ladies it is H-O-T. So if you're like me, and are hesistant, just know you are not alone. I've been there but trust me on this. Legal Affairs is the best series of short stories you will probably ever read. It's not crazy rushed, it's believable, it's hot, and insanely funny. This series as a whole gets 5 not so 'mini' stars from me!




Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Blog tour stop and review- FREED by Lynetta Halat







Freed Blog Tour Banner Synopsis Truth. Pain. Freedom. An awakening like no other. When life is determined to buck you off, dig in and ride hard. The bull. The most dangerous lies are the ones we tell ourselves. To survive, I have to face the truth. Easier said than done when it’s not all black and white. There’s the in-between, and this murky void is where I always tend to land. The horns. Lies don’t always hurt. My lies protected me, but when they are exposed and I can no longer outrun the many shades of truth, I’ll be in for one hell of a reckoning. The ride. From the outside, my life looks like one big adventure after another. But, there is no freedom in anarchy, and that’s the way I’ve lived my life. Until now. Until Ransom. Denver Dempsey was a slut for oblivion. Now, she’s a slut for love. And it’s that kind of thinking that got her in trouble in the first place. Ransom awakens Denver in ways she never imagined, but when her true feelings send her reeling, will they catapult her into the arms of Greer—her ex best-friend-with-benefits? After never loving anyone, herself included, she now loves two. One kept her alive. One teaches her how to live. If they didn’t both love her … if hearts weren’t bound to be broken, it would be the stuff dreams are made of. Will Denver remain locked up in the bullpen, or is she strong enough to open the chute and be freed?





                         

First off, let me say that if you have not read USED, book 1 then I highly suggest you stop reading this review and read it before you come back here. I am going to be as spoiler free as possible but some things are hard to not ruin especially if you haven't read the first book...

Ok just whoa, this book was absolutely amazing. This is the story of Denver and Ransom. It picks up right where book 1 left off. I really enjoyed USED and was over the top excited for FREED and boy it didn't let me down. Denver has been hurt, used by the people that should love her most. She doesn't trust, she doesn't defend herself and she thinks she is worthless. Ransom is just freakin' amazing. He is loving, understanding, trusting, and is just one of the best book boyfriends I have met. He is also pretty damn kinky.

"Submissive. A word that I'm pretty sure I'd never even said aloud before a few nights ago. A word I would never have thought applied, much less appealed to me."

"Yes, you're a fighter and a lover. Best of both worlds."

Lynetta does an amazing job of putting you there, in the moment. You can easily close your eyes and envision yourself there. This book flows great, the characters are great, and the side characters are absolutely amazing. It keeps you wanting more and I really hope we get MORE to the story and MORE of the side characters. You see a whole new side to Ransom and Denver and you see their relationship blossom into this beautiful thing. The layers slowly peel back and reveal the heart. There is love and loss and proof that with the right person any hurdle can be tackled. There is also a zinger thrown in there that you never expect and it literally made me gasp. I highly recommend this series to all. I give it 4.5 exceptional stars


Meet the Author
author2Since the dawn of time, Lynetta Halat has lived to read and has written innumerable stories and plays. A lover of good books, bad boys, and kickass tunes, she'd always dreamt of penning books that people could connect with and remember. She also has a secret penchant for wringing the emotions out of unsuspecting readers, and she collects reader's tears in much the same way that wine connoisseurs collect their favorite vintage. Her first novel, Every Rose, was the perfect catalyst to launch her into the world of publishing, effectively burrowing her way into the hearts and minds of readers throughout the world. Everything I've Never Had was her follow-up adult romance novel. Now, she has penned Used, a New Adult Romance that she hopes sinks its teeth into you and doesn't let go.
Her love of the English language prompted her to pursue a Master's degree in English from Old Dominion University in Virginia, where she also minored in snark and interpretive dance. She lives somewhere along the Mississippi Gulf Coast with her adorable husband, two amazing sons, and two loveable dogs. When she's not writing riveting stories, she likes to focus on her macramé art and her scouring of eBay, where she buys locks of hair from her favorite rock stars, most especially Bret Michaels and Dave Grohl.
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Thursday, May 1, 2014

*Cover Reveal* Blindfold Fantasy by D.L Roan


~*~ Cover Reveal ~*~

Blindfold Fantasy

by D.L. Roan


~ Synopsis ~ 

Blindfold Fantasy ~ A Novel Ménage by D.L. Roan


A gigolo? To celebrate landing the job of her dreams, architect Jayne Simon’s best friend hired a golden-tanned, tattooed sex god to fulfill her blindfold fantasy. No! No way! How could she possibly do that with him when just looking at his picture makes her blush?

The last thing CEO of Silverland Industries, Devin Kirk, expects to find when he tracks down his troubled best friend in Vegas is an overbooked gigolo-in-training. What the hell was Blake thinking? Staring at Blake’s new client’s hotel room door, blindfold in hand, Devin is soon asking himself that same question. When he said he’d do whatever it took to get Blake back at the helm of SI, visually impaired sex-for-hire was not in the plan. Neither was having the best night of his life with a woman he would never see.

Blake is not back. The sooner he gets SI’s new project off the ground, the sooner he can return to the land of fast booze and faster women and forget all the reasons he left in the first place. Assuming he survives Devin’s demon-spawned sister, a corporate spy and an unyielding hunger to share his best friend’s mystery girl. 

Get exclusive, sexy quotes, teasers and $10 Gift Card Giveaway at www.dlroan.com

~*~ Meet The Author ~*~


Contemporary Erotic Romance Author of super sexy, Alpha-licious novels.
After years of schlepping for the corporate world in an endless rotation of tasteless cube farms and cold coffee, DL Roan decided to give a little attention to the sexy voices inside her head and begin anew. Whether it's menage, action-adventure, passion-filled suspense, sexy cowboys, assassins or angels, DL's novels are sure to keep you on the edge of the page reading long into the night. 

Connect With D.L.


✦ More D.L. Roan BOOKS ✦



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*Cover Reveal* The Intern by Brooke Cumberland



Synopsis
She’s sexy, fierce, and a loud-mouthed know-it-all…and she’s completely off limits. 

Cecilia isn’t your typical college student. Hell, she isn’t a college student at all, but that doesn’t stop her from applying for one of the biggest and prestigious enterprises in the Midwest.

She wants it, she takes it.
She doesn’t let anything get in her way when it comes to finding out the truth.

When Bentley Leighton, soon-to-be CEO of Leighton Enterprises, meets Cecilia, he’s instantly impressed. He doesn’t have time to train a new intern, but when he sees her that first day, his intentions begin to change.

He’s the boss, she’s the intern.
Nothing can happen. It’s against the company rules.

Then again, rules were made to be broken.

What starts as innocent flirting becomes raveled up into so much more—secrets, lies, deceit.

The Intern is a three-part erotic romance serial.
Not suitable for readers under 18.


About the Author
Brooke Cumberland is a stay-at-home mom who writes full-time. She lives in the frozen tundra of Packer Nation with her husband and wild child. She's the author of The Riverside Trilogy and The Spark Series. When she isn't writing she's reading or hanging out with her family.
You can find Brooke on Facebook, Twitter, and on her website. 

Twitter @blcumberland

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