Friday, July 29, 2016

Tasty Book Tours Release Blast: Pure Torture


After all, no one else needs to know...


PURE TORTURE
Oblivion on Tour #3
Tania Sparks
Releasing July 29th, 2016


Cody’s the sexy drummer extraordinaire of the hard rock band Oblivion.

Kitty’s the little sister of one of Cody’s band mates and she’s had a secret crush on him for years.

When the band are back home for a few days, the chemistry between them is both unexpected and undeniably off-the-charts.

She quickly realizes that the prospect of having what she’s always fantasized about is a very real possibility.

He quickly realizes that although he feels this mind-blowing attraction towards her, she’s the little sister of one of his band mates - he would get his ass kicked from here to hell if he ever laid a finger on her!

But can Kitty convince him? After all, no one else needs to know, a one-time hook-up might suit both of them…or could it ruin everything?

Buy Now
  AMAZON

Don't miss any of the OBLIVION ON TOUR Series



Tania Sparks is a romantic at heart who genuinely believes in true love and soul mates. She met her husband while still at school, she was sixteen, he was seventeen. They are high school sweethearts who more than twenty five years later are still very much in love and are happily married with two beautiful daughters.

Tania does have a full time job, but in her spare minutes enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and reading. She's an avid reader who tends to chomp through a large volume of books, mainly in the romance genre. Her other major 'hobby' is writing steamy rock star erotic romances!

In 2014, after finding herself constantly being inspired by numerous romance novels, she decided to try her hand at writing. After penning her first scene she discovered that she enjoyed it immensely and so resolved to continue with the rest of the story that was swirling in her imagination. That story resulted in her first novel, Heaven Sent which is the first book in her Oblivion on Tour Series. This was soon followed by Bolt From The Blue and Pure Torture. Each book in the series is a stand-alone story which follows a different band member from a hard rock group called Oblivion - and of course the feisty ladies that steal their hearts! The other books in the series are at various stages of completion.

Now-a-days Tania finds it very difficult to control her imagination and swears that her rock stars are constantly chanting their stories in her head. She can't wait to share them with you...



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Tasty Book Tours Book Blast: Portrait of Rage


Introduces real-world horrors into the universe of the supernatural.


PORTRAIT OF RAGE
The Marcel Experience #1
Cynthia H. Wise
Released October 31, 2015
BookLogix


“The air became frigid and the lights flickered as they both watched a shimmering veil of mist rise from the hardwood floor. As it floated toward Kelly, the dim shape of an adolescent came to life in its veiling center. The little girl’s body grew more defined in its advance, until every detail of the portrait at Kelly’s back focused and came alive before them.”

Soon after Thomas Shear buys a house for his art gallery, the spirits of a killer’s child victims haunt his dreams. Believing they were conjured by stress and a vivid imagination, Tom hopes to vanquish the nightmares that leave him shaking and sweat soaked by creating a series of life-sized portraits portraying the suffering of each little girl.

When news of his portrait series spreads, Tom is confronted by the lead investigator for the missing children, Detective Mark Winward. Realizing he has become involved in something more sinister than he could ever have imagined, and becoming the detective’s number one suspect, Tom races to find the real killer before he is framed and someone Tom loves becomes the killer’s next victim.

Portrait of Rage sets the stage for The Marcel Experience, giving readers a glimpse into what is to come. Both horror and romance, real and fantastic, Portrait of Rage introduces real-world horrors into the universe of the supernatural.

ONLY .99 CENTS
Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo


Cynthia H. Wise lives with her husband in Marietta, Georgia, where her series, The Marcel Experience, is centered. When she is not writing novels about the supernatural and the fantastic, Cynthia can be found with her husband, Cliff, their two dogs, Jake and Sadie, and their cockatiel, Sam.
In Cynthia H. Wise’s paranormal mystery series, The Marcel Experience, readers will find themselves thrown into haunted houses, avenging ghosts and wandering spirits, and even, possibly, falling in love with a handsome shapeshifter. In the next novel in the series, Eyes of Autumn, releasing this October, a dangerous enemy from Marcus’s past is threatening to destroy everything he holds sacred, including the only woman he’s ever loved—a woman who doesn’t remember him.

For more information and updates on new books, giveaways, and other news, visit her website or follow her on twitter.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

TLC Book Tours Book Review: A Reckless Promise

About A Reckless Promise

Series: The Little Season (Book 3)
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: HQN Books (July 26, 2016)
London’s Little Season has never been so scandalous 
It’s the kind of vow often made on the battlefield. Darby Travers, Viscount Nailbourne, never imagines he’ll have to honor it. Yet here she is on his doorstep—his late comrade’s young daughter, and Darby’s new ward. Worse, she comes with the most overprotective, mistrustful, bothersome chaperone—the child’s aunt, Sadie Grace Boxer. Darby is quite sure that behind her lovely facade, the woman is guarding a secret.
Sadie Grace faced many trials working in her brother’s surgery, but none prepared her for the world she’s thrust into with his passing. Navigating the ton, with its endless ball gowns and parade of parties, is difficult enough, but hiding the truth about her niece while the sophisticated Viscount watches her every move proves nearly impossible—particularly when his searing gaze tempts her to bare all. But when her family’s past catches up with her, she’ll have to trust in Darby…no matter the cost to her heart.
“The story is filled with delightful characters and witty repartee”–Publishers Weeklyon A Scandalous Proposal
RT Book Reviews (Jan print edition): “Michaels, known for her comedic Regency-set romances, outdoes herself… For lighthearted fun, you can’t do better than this.”–RT Book Reviews on An Improper Arrangement
Add to Goodreads badge

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble


Review: I've been reading a lot of regency romance novels lately. I think I'm on a roll. Some of them have been good and others ho hum, but this one was really great. I think that's because this was a Kasey Michaels novel and she always brings it.

Darby is an imperfect hero, having lost an eye in the fight with Napoleon. Sadie is the sister to one of his comrades and she shows up when he died with her brother's young daughter, Marley. There are so many secrets involving this little girl, and it takes awhile for Sadie to give up her part in the story and even longer to find out why Marley needs to be kept safe.

This is the third book in the Little Season series, but one that you can read without the the others, though it really worth it to read the others, because they are great too. You get so many fabulous characters from the other books too, that make this story fabulous.

There's a subplot involving Clarice that is both heartbreaking and hilarious, involving a visiting family from Virginia who are part of her past and a horse.

Darby is the dark brooding hero. (A bit like Heathcliff) At least that's how it seems at first, but as the book progresses, you can tell he's anything but. He's truly a fun hero that you love almost instantly and he truly loves Sadie. I really wanted them to get married before the very end of the book.

I loved everything about this book, romance, intrigue and even humor.  I only had one gripe with the book, I wanted more near the end. It came together a little quickly and would have liked to have some more with one of Marley's family members. (I don't want to give anything away)

If you are a lover of regency romance, you can't miss A Reckless Promise or any of the other books in the Little Season series.

Rating: 5 flowers:



Book Review: Once A Soldier


Author: Mary Jo Putney
Title: Once A Soldier
Publisher: Kensington
Publish Date: June 28, 2016
Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley

BLURB:

ROGUES REDEEMED 

As heir to a title and great wealth, Will Masterson should have stayed home and tended his responsibilities. Instead he went to war. Now, after perilous years fighting the French, he intends his current mission to be his last. But all his plans are forgotten when he arrives in the small mountain stronghold of San Gabriel and meets her.

Knowing herself to be too tall, strong, and unconventional to appeal to a man, Athena Markham has always gloried in her independence. But for the first time in her life, she finds a man who might be her match.

Two of a kind, too brave for their own good, Athena and Will vow to do whatever it takes to vanquish San Gabriel’s enemies. For neither will back down from death, and only together can they find happiness and a love deeper than any they'd dared imagine...






Review:
Mary Jo Putney is one of my favorite authors of regency era romances. In some ways it reminded me a bit of the most recent Stephanie Laurens novel I read.

One of those reasons I say that is that because this book really had an adventure type feel and the romance really seemed to take a back burner. The only thing different between this book and the Laurens was this one was much more readable, and a normal length.

Athena is not your typical heroine. She's a tall and because of her upbringing much different from the average young lady of the time. (It would have been nice if Ms. Putney would have stopped telling us about how tall Athena was though. It was something that seemed to be remarked upon on every page, and it got old.) Athena's mother was an aristocrat that was wild and was pretty much a courtesan, called Lady Whore.

There was a great chemistry between Athena and Will. Will had to be the sweetest hero ever. But the best chemistry in this book had to be between Sofia and Will's best friend, Justin Ballard. I found their love affair to be more of what I'd expect from a romance.

Athena and Will had more tension. (I wouldn't say conflict). Athena was more concerned about how her illegitimate background would affect her life if she returned to England, as Will was a Lord.

Athena and Will work to get San Gabriel back on its feet and they fight to protect the small island country from French bandits trying to take it over.

I loved how Sofia was involved with getting Athena and Will together at the end, when he was injured.

It was a great read!

Rating: 4 flowers











Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Tasty Book Tours Release Day Blast: To Have And To Hold


Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in The Wedding Belles!


TO HAVE AND TO HOLD
The Wedding Belles #1
Lauren Layne
Releasing July 26th, 2016
Pocket Books


Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in The Wedding Belles, her sizzling brand new contemporary romance series about three ambitious wedding planners who can make any bride’s dream come true…but their own.

Discovering her fiancé is an international conman just moments before they exchange vows devastates celebrity wedding planner Brooke Burke’s business—and breaks her heart. Now a pariah in Los Angeles, she seeks a fresh start in New York City and thinks she’s found it with her first bridal client, a sweet, if slightly spoiled, hotel heiress. Then she meets the uptight businessman who’s holding the purse springs.

Seth Tyler wishes he could write a blank check and be done with his sister’s fancy-pants wedding. Unfortunately, micromanaging the event is his only chance at proving Maya’s fiancé is a liar. Standing directly in his way is the stunning blonde wedding planner whose practiced smiles and sassy comebacks both irritate and arouse him. He needs Brooke’s help. But can he persuade a wedding planner on a comeback mission to unplan a wedding? And more importantly, how will he convince her that the wedding she should be planning…is theirs?

BUY NOW
    Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo



Lauren lives in New York City with her husband (who was her high school sweetheart--cute, right?!) and plus-sized Pomeranian.

Five years ago, she ditched her corporate career in Seattle to pursue a full-time writing career in Manhattan.

She writes smart romantic comedies with just enough sexy-times to make your mother blush, and in her ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.

When not bringing The Sexy, she likes to blog about her Instagram addiction, and why mean girls are the worst.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, July 25, 2016

Tasty Book Tours Book Blast: Secret Dream


Lia just wants him to meet her parents. 
Why does this feel like the fight of his life?


SECRET DREAM
DELOS Series 1B
Lindsay McKenna
Releasing July 25th, 2016
Blue Turtle Publishing


Ex-Navy SEAL Cav Jordan faces danger daily in his job as a security expert. He even faced down a gang of South American drug dealers to protect his fiancée, Lia Cassidy. So why is he terrified of meeting her parents? Having lived through his own horrible childhood Cav can’t understand the situation is he is walking into. Lia just wants him to meet her parents. Why does this feel like the fight of his life?

Novella: The continued story of Cav and Lia from Nowhere to Hide, book 1 of the Delos Series. 

BUY NOW
Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo


See how it all began in Nowhere to Hide



Lindsay McKenna lives her life as a risk taker, and it shines through the books she loves to write: romance, adventure and suspense. She started writing at age thirteen and continues to hone her writing skills to this day. She sold her first romance novel in 1981. The rest is history.

Because she went into the military, this experience became the backbone of her writing—she is credited with writing the first military romance novel (Captive of Fate, 1983, Silhouette Special Edition) and has created a thriving sub-genre within the romance field! As a New York Times Best Selling author, she has sold 23 million books and in 32 foreign languages in her career thus far. Her many experiences in the U.S. Navy are backdrop for her understanding of the military in general, and also her very successful Morgan’s Mercenaries, which is an ongoing series in Silhouette to this day! Forty-five books strong!

Lindsay has gone Indie in 2015 and has created a new family saga on par with Morgan’s Mercenaries It is known as the DELOS SERIES. There will be paperback and eBooks created under Blue Turtle Publishing, her company for her fans. Readers who love Morgan and his family are bound to fall in love with the Culver family. Delos is romantic suspense, which Lindsay is well known for. It took her five years to create and bring DELOS to her readers. It was worth the wait, but we’ll let you decide that.

Lindsay loves to hear from her readers and loves to know what they’d like to see her write next. Stay up with the latest on the Delos Series here. Please visit her Web site at www.lindsaymckenna.com. And be sure to sign up for her free quarterly newsletter. It contains exclusive content found nowhere else on the Net. Plus, giveaways and other surprises, to her loyal and faithful subscribers!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, July 22, 2016

Book Blast: Death At The Day Lily Cafe W/ Guest Post


Synopsis:

Rosalie Hart returns to the sleepy town of Cardigan on Maryland’s Eastern Shore in this delightful traditional cozy mystery series filled with to-die-for recipes and small-town charm.

Rosalie Hart has finally opened the café of her dreams. Decked out with ochre-tinted walls and stocked with delicious organic fare, the Day Lily Café is everything Rosalie could have hoped for. But not five minutes into the grand opening, Doris Bird, a dear and trusted friend, cashes in on a favor—to help clear her little sister Lori of a first-degree murder charge.

With the help of her best friend and head waiter Glenn, Rosalie is on the case. But it’s not going to be easy. Unlikable and provocative, murder victim Carl James Fiddler seems to have insulted nearly everyone in town, and the suspect list grows daily. When Rosalie’s daughter Annie gets caught in the crossfire, the search for the killer becomes personal in this charming cozy perfect for fans of Dianne Mott Davidson and Joanne Fluke.

Bio:

Wendy Sand Eckel is the author of Murder at Barclay Meadow, the first in the Rosalie Hart mystery series set on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. A member of the Mystery Writers of America, she has degrees in criminology and social work and a passion for words and their nuanced meanings. Death at the Day Lily Café, the second in this series, will be released by Minotaur Books July 26, 2016​.​

A few lessons learned on the road to getting published
Now that the first two novels in my Rosalie Hart mystery series have been published, Murder at Barclay Meadow and Death at the Day Lily Café, I realize I have learned a few lessons from all those scraped knees and left hooks to my self esteem it took to get there.
Dont let rejection distract you from the goal line.
It takes sheer stubbornness and a little bit of knuckleheadness to keep the faith that you will one day be published. It took years before Murder at Barclay Meadow was ready for prime time. I attended conference, writer workshops, joined a critique group, and read everything I could get my hands on regarding how to get published. But I hadnt learned the first lesson.
Write a really good book.
You can pitch and cajole all you want, but sometimes you just have to accept that you need to give the book another go. At every pitch event, workshop, you name it, everyone had an opinion on what I should change, what was wrong, how I needed a hook. At first my hackles would flare up. Its good enough, I thought. And then I started to take in what they were saying.
Once I found my agent, we spent six months editing and tweaking and polishing what I thought was a finished product before he shopped it to publishers. And when we found a home at Minotaur, I worked with my editor for another six months to get the book in tip top shape. And that included cutting 11,000 words. Which leads to the next.
Listen to your critics.
Unless they hate you for some other personal vendetta, there are pearls of wisdom in the most unlikely places. People often say, what was that like for you to have to edit so much? Didnt you get defensive? And the answer is, no. I can honestly say their advice was spot on and every pass made it better. Ive learned a lot about myself through this process. About my character and tenacity. But the biggest lesson is . . .
Listen.
Listening is a practiced skill. But the rewards are immense. Listening requires being in the moment, opening up to learning, breathing, and staying quiet. I recently read an article that said the best negotiating tool is silence. Stillness brings good things. And allowing myself to open up to suggestions has made me smarter and a much better writer.
That was the first book.
While Murder at Barclay Meadow was at the presses, it was time to write the second in the series, Death at the Day Lily Café. After three months of hard work I was able to deliver what I thought was a pretty good first draft.
The mystery doesnt work,my editor said. Everything else is great. Oh, and I need the rewrite in two months.Two months? And I have to rewrite the entire mystery???
At a book event in Arlington, VA, I shard the spotlight with Ellen Crosby, a lovely woman who is the author of the very successful Virginia wine country cozy mystery series. When the topic of writing the second book came up, she looked at me with a kind smile. She had already written seven in her series. The first book can take you as long as you want. The second is like getting shot out of a cannon.
Survive the Cannon Launch.
To quote ET, Its reality, Greg.As much as I got to massage and rewrite the first book at my leisure, that ship had sailed. I had a deadline and I was frozen in fear of failure.
Listening to NPR one day in my car, I was lucky to hear John Grisham discuss his writing process. After turning up the volume, I listened closely. Apparently Mr. Grisham rises early and goes to his desk immediately. He writes for six hours each day. With his habits and diligence he can knock out a novel every six months. He spends the next six months promoting. And on January 1, he is back at his desk.
At that same event in Arlington, Ellen Crosby answered a similar question about writing habits. Apparently she gets up before her family each morning and has a word count minimum. Once she hits that number, she goes about her day.
Wow, I thought. Cannon launching. I could never do that. When it is time for me to write, Im like a dog who needs to circle several times before settling in. I need my house to be clean, my bills to be paid, all surfaces clear to avoid distraction. Once Im in the zone Im good to go. But sometimes that doesnt kick in until 7:00 PM. Which leads to the next lesson.
Know thyself.
And go with it. Dont fight the process and dont feel guilty for not being John Grisham. One of the perks of being a writer is I get to go to work in my slippers. If I write until 1:00 AM, then I have put in a full days work.
And yes, all ye hermits, dont forget the book promotion. Once youre lucky enough to get published, you have to replace the slippers with pumps and a broad perky smile. Dont get me wrong, I like meeting people, its the self promotion that makes me uncomfortable. I could sell you a used car, but how do you sell yourself?
When I asked my friends to attend yet another event, I started to quote a line from Gladiator. The time for honoring yourself will soon be at an end.I hoped that would put them at ease. Or maybe the purpose was to put me at ease.
Surprisingly, no one grew tedious with my marketing efforts. They were excited for me and beyond supportive. I guess when you work this hard and have something worth sharing, its okay to ask people to give it a look. Humility is lovely. But it doesnt mean you cant sell books.
So when I asked my editor what it takes to get a third book deal, she said, sell this one. And then I can be back in my slippers? I have learned to embrace my inner John Grisham from January through June. Now its time to work on the second half of the year. And so . . .

Have fun with the book promotion. And your readers will too.



Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Book Review: A Buccaneer At Heart

Author: Stephanie Laurens
Title: A Buccaneer at Heart
Publisher: Mira
Publish Date: May 1, 2016
Buy: Amazon
Book Blurb: 
After a decade of captaining diplomatic voyages for Frobisher Shipping, alongside covert missions for the Crown, Captain Robert Frobisher decides that establishing a home—with hearth and wife—should be his next challenge. But an unexpected mission intervenes. Although Robert sees himself as a conservative businessman-cum-diplomat and this mission is far from his usual sphere, it nevertheless falls within the scope of his abilities. As matters are urgent, he agrees to depart for West Africa forthwith.

To Robert, his way forward is clear: Get to Freetown, determine the location of a slavers' camp, return to London with the information, and then proceed to find himself a wife.

Already in Freetown, Miss Aileen Hopkins is set on finding her younger brother Will, a naval lieutenant who has mysteriously disappeared. Find Will and rescue him; determined and resolute, Aileen is not about to allow anyone to turn her from her path.

But all too quickly, that path grows dark and dangerous. And then Robert Frobisher appears and attempts to divert her in more ways than one.

Accustomed to managing diplomats and bureaucrats, Robert discovers that manipulating a twenty-seven-year-old spinster lies outside his area of expertise. Prodded by an insistent need to protect Aileen, he realizes that joining forces with her is the surest path to meeting all the challenges before him—completing his mission, keeping her safe, and securing the woman he wants as his wife.

But the villains strike and disrupt their careful plans—leaving Robert and Aileen no choice but to attempt a last throw of the dice to complete his mission and further her brother's rescue.

Compelled to protect those weaker than themselves and bring retribution to a heartless enemy, they plunge into the jungle with only their talents and inner strengths to aid them—and with the courage of their hearts as their guide.

The first voyage is one of exploration, the second one of discovery. The third journey brings maturity, while the fourth is a voyage of second chances. Continue the journey and follow the adventure, the mystery, and the romances to the cataclysmic end.



Review: I read the first book in this series and enjoyed it immensely. This book however did not live up to the standards of the first book.

This book gets billed as a regency romance and it really isn't that at all. Its more like an adventure novel with a touch, and I do mean a touch of romance.

Most of the book is long and drawn out. 500 + pages of plodding adventure story.  Robert and Aileen didn't even meet until the book was about 30% in. That's very frustrating, at least for this reader.

The flow of the story is nice though, and if you didn't read the first book, you can jump in and you'll be given enough back story not to be confused, but really, this book is part of a quartet and they really should be read in order so you get the proper flow.

There's a lot going on in Freetown with missing adults and children. It is Robert's job to find out where the missing people are going. He didn't plan on meeting Aileen who is just as capable of being a help on his mission, as she has an interest in it, her brother is one of the missing.

The two do work well together and there is a spark between them, but not enough of one to make for a satisfying romance. Truth be told, the sex scenes just didn't it for me, because the romance was secondary to the story, in fact, the romance was barely there, so any love scenes just didn't work.

Once Robert and Aileen have the information they needed to take back to London the story really slowed down to a snails pace (and that's being insulting to the snails) Ms. Laurens spent ample time setting up who the next book would be about too which added even more to a story that would have been better if it were about 100 pages shorter.

I also couldn't figure out the title of the book, as it had nothing to do with the story at all. I'm invested in the mystery that is at the center of these stories, so I will read on, but I hope this is the only miss in the series.

Review: 3 flowers


Tasty Book Tours Release Blast: Winter's Touch


Enter to Win a Signed Copy of 
First Four Votes: The Last Riders Boxed Set


WINTER'S TOUCH
The Last Riders #8
Jamie Begley
Releasing July 19th, 2016
Young Ink Press


As president of The Last Riders, Viper’s only fear was losing his wife. After all, he had almost lost her once before.

As wife to the president, Winter lived in fear every day: fear that a club enemy would take Viper from her, fear that one of the club women would tempt him to stray, fear that she wasn’t enough of a woman for him. One thing Winter didn’t fear was risking everything to carry her husband’s child, even her health, yet Viper refused to take the chance.

Losing hope, Winter makes one last ditch effort, determined to make Viper realize that some things were worth fighting for besides the club.

BUY NOW


Jamie Begley grew up in a very small, and a very rural town in Kentucky. Growing up poor was hard but she would go back if she could just to get that feeling of going to the corner and popping open a soda.

For now her days are spent writing, writing, and writing.

She would like all her fans to know one thing, “All my books are written for one purpose- the enjoyment others find in them, and the expectations of my fans that inspire me to give it my best.” 



a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
Blog Design by Use Your Imagination Designs using images from the Tea Time kit and the Saturday Night kit by MK-Designs