Sunday, December 31, 2017

BOOK REVIEW for "Alien Captain (Psy-Brothers)" by Ariel Jade

****(4) out of 5 stars!

SYNOPSIS

Xaviara is a human diplomat for the Sol Alliance Coalition who’s determined to prove herself to her superiors. Nicholen is the sexy alien captain of the guard sent to escort her team to his homeworld to complete tense negotiations of an important treaty.

When a spaceship carrying his prince crash lands on a wild, abandoned planet terraformed centuries ago, they uncover a sinister plot that could shatter the peace. Despite rules against interspecies relationships between the diplomatic teams prior to the treaty’s signing, Xaviara finds herself drawn to Nicholen’s commanding presence.

Can they resist one another long enough to catch the saboteur and mount a rescue before the planet's dangers turn deadly?
REVIEW
This a love story between a diplomatic aide and the captain-of-the-guard for a negotiation team!  The fact that she is human and he is an exotic alient just adds to the wow factor.  As does the fact that he is masquerading as someone else with the help of some fairly sophisticated magic, but she is the only person able to see through his ruse.  Add to that a deadly plot against his prince and her boss, and it all makes for a very intriguing tale!

The investigation into the sabotage plot also produced some intriguing information about other characters and their goings on, showing a lot more happening behind the scenes than one would have imagined for such a professional diplomatic endeavor.

I absolutely enjoyed the two main characters, Xaviara and Nicholen.  Their interactions were priceless.  That each seemed to make the other a better person was amazing.  And that they still had difficulties, despite their intense attraction, but spent time working through them, was a real reality-based addition.  

There are some real spicy love scenes between these two, as well as some colorful language throughout, so if you prefer a sweet read, this probably isn't your thing.  But I definitely found it an enjoyable tale, and look forward to hopefully additional volumes in the series.  
~
I received a free eBook copy of this title from NetGalley 
and have willingly provided an honest review.

#AlienCaptain

BOOK REVIEW for "Show Me (Me series, #2)" by Abigail Strom

****(4) out of 5 stars!

SYNOPSIS

“Houston, we have a major attraction.”
After years of dealing with a heart condition and an overprotective mother, Airin Delaney is finally having her first taste of freedom in Waikiki—and it’s intoxicating. But it’s nothing compared to the out-of-this-world attraction between her and astronaut Hunter Bryce. Airin is determined to shoot for the stars and experience her first real kiss.
All Hunter has ever wanted is to explore the universe. That is, until a certain black-haired, wide-eyed beauty shakes him to the core. Hunter knows almost nothing about Airin, not even her last name. All he knows is that she’s the kind of girl he could fall over-the-moon in love with. Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t be worse. While Airin is celebrating her first night of freedom, Hunter is celebrating his last—before embarking on an eight-month mission.
It was only supposed to be one night. But sometimes that’s all fate needs to change two lives forever. 

REVIEW

I loved this love story!  The attraction the author generates between the two main characters is so strong that you can feel it coming off the page as you read.  That they were both such unique individuals in rather bizarre circumstances made the story that much more intriguing.

Things definitely didn't go how I would have expected at several different junctures.  This kept the story intriguing and interesting throughout the book.  The fact that we were bascially following Airin as she experienced so many new things in life also kept things fresh.  

"Do you know what your grandmother would say if she were here?... Don't fall for a pilot."
"It's too late, [Airin] said.  I'm a goner."

The fact that Hunter is the big brother of Caleb from "Tell Me" went totally unnoticed by me at first, despite reference to their relationship and situation in the opening segments of the book.  But once I realized that, it made it all the more fun to read.   

"I want to try, with Airin.  But I'm afriad I screwed up too bad.  I'm afraid it's too late."
"I've got an answer for that, and it comes from you... You said as long as you're alive, you can fix anything."

This is definitely a book that I would recommend.  In fact, I wish there were more brothers so that there could be future installments in the series.  
~
I received a free eBook copy of this title from NetGalley 
and have willingly provided an honest review.

BOOK REVIEW for "Book of Shadows: Volume One: Casting" by Michael Beaulieu

***(3) out of 5 stars!

SYNOPSIS


What would you do if you found your late grandmother’s book of shadows – a witch’s spell book and journal – and learned that you’re a natural born witch? You’d try one of the spells, of course! And that’s exactly what 16-year-old Emma McGlinchey does. To her amazement, the candle lighting spell she picks actually works. 

Naturally, Emma has to recruit best friends Lia and Shar into starting a coven. 

Soon the girls cast a spell to make everyone like them at the religious high school they’re being forced to attend for the first time. Unfortunately, it fails to make an impression on a group of zealots who set about bullying Lia and Shar for being an openly lesbian couple. 

Meanwhile, a love spell they cast for Emma gets the boy of her dreams to ask her out, but the school guidance counselor comes onto her, too. The girls attempt to deal with these problems using other spells, but will they be able to set things right before something catastrophic ensues? 

Read Emma’s own Book of Shadows and find out in this suspenseful young adult, urban fantasy today!

REVIEW

The main premise of this book was one that I found quite intriguing, as the girls go about learning how to use magic and the repurcussions that result from it.  Maybe they were acting as typical teenage girls, but they seemed really irresponsible with the power they were given, even after they acquired some knowledge about it.  I would have liked to see them take it a little more seriously.  

The author was a bit heavy-handed in describing the characters and how they weren't your typical youth, but they pretty much still were, just in their own off-beat ways.  Nonetheless, they were by and large a rather sympathetic group that the readers finds themselves rooting for.  January, a new friend that the girls made at school, was probably my favorite person, even though she played a more minor role than the others.  She seemed to be harboring secrets; as did Tim, Emma's boyfriend.  And, evidently, they both were.  

The ending was pretty extreme, rather sudden, and totally fantastical.  Not at all what I was expecting!  Apparently, there is a lot more going on around the girls that they and the reader are entirely unaware of.  Emma's response to everything seemed a little out of whack to me, but then trauma does do weird things to people.  

The writing was sometimes awkward and even a bit clunky, but the general premise of the story was intriguing enough that I wanted to continue reading.  And given the absurd cliff-hanger at the end of Book 1, I will definitely be reading Book 2 sometime soon!
~
"Book of Shadows: Volume One: Casting" by Michael Beaulieu is available FREE 
on most major eBook platforms! 

Friday, December 29, 2017

BOOK REVIEW for "The Devil's Eye (Maddy Wimsey, #1)" by J.R. Rain & Matthew S. Cox

*****(5) of 5 Stars!

SYNOPSIS


Detective Madeline Wimsey tends to stand out with her wild red hair, pentacle amulets, and offbeat methods, but she has a tool few other cops use ― magic. 

Maddy knows the universe wants to balance itself out, so she isn’t above tossing around a spell or two whenever a killer’s karma needs a little nudge in the right direction. As a member of a practicing coven, she’s used to strange looks, hushed whispers, and rolled eyes, but couldn’t care less what people think of her. 

After a man turns up dead in a grisly satanic rite, her fellow detectives are quick to crack jokes. Since they can’t tell a pentacle from a pentagram, Maddy’s happy to get the case. She suspects the ritual to be the work of amateurs, a theory that pans out when they track down the pack of clueless high school students who made the shrine in the woods. Convinced all is not as it appears to be, Maddy asks the Goddess for a push in the right direction and learns a disturbing truth: 

The Devil’s Eye is watching her.

REVIEW

I was quite intrigued by this new series, and rightfully so!  The authors have created a powerful character in the persona of Maddy Wimsey.  Not only is she a good cop who has worked her way up to become a good detective, she is a practicing witch who isn't afraid to use her magic when she feels it might be helpful.  Unfortunately for Maddy, the universe tends to lead her to clues, not spell things out for her; so she does end up doing quite a bit of genuine detective work along the way.  The actual story behind the mysterious crime ended up being quite a bit more convoluted than I would have imagined, making for an intriguing story on the way to finding out what really happened.  

We get at least a glimpse of several people in Maddy's life through the course of the story, mostly in her police squad and her coven.  The former seemed to be fleshed out a bit more, but then again she did spend quite a bit of time with them, since the focus of the story was on the mysterious death.  The latter group had it's fair share of interesting characters with intriguing backstories, of which I suspect we will be learning quite a bit more in future volumes of this series.  Maddy had two especially good, solid relationships: her boyfriend Caius and her partner Rick; both of which provided sharp dialogue and entertaining interaction.  My favorite character by far, however, was Maddy's hair, which she treats throughout the book as a separate entity having a mind of it's own.  

I definitely enjoyed the read and certainly look forward to reading more stories in the Maddy Wimsey series!  
~
I received a free eBook copy of this title from the author 
and have willingly provided an honest review.

BOOK REVIEW for "The Switch" by A.W. Hill and Nathanael Hill

***(3) out of 5 stars

SYNOPSIS


IMAGINE THAT you could change your world with the flip of a switch. You might be prettier, more athletic, more popular, or even living on an exotic island, because your history — your world line — would be different. But here’s the catch: you have no way of knowing if the reality on the other side of that switch will be better… or much worse.

JACOBUS ROSE is a fifteen year-old who believes — as many fifteen year-olds do — that his life could use improvement. School is a numbing routine, and his parents’ marriage seems to be imploding before his eyes. ‘Maybe I was born into the wrong world,’ he thinks. Lured by his best friend, CONNOR, into a strange little house containing nothing but empty rooms and an oversized circuit breaker, he’ll discover that reality comes in a plural form, and that our choices create a continuous web of branching worlds, any of which is as ‘real’ as another.

A solo odyssey becomes a duo, a trio, and then a quartet, as Jacobus befriends other interdimensional travelers along the way: GORDON NIGHTSHADE, the veteran pilgrim and chief theorist; MOSES DeWITT, the alley cat with an old soul; JEMMA DOONE, a girl of many-worlds who becomes the main river home for Jacobus and his crew; and finally, his lost friend Connor, who just may have preferred an alternate universe to his own.

THE SWITCH is the story of their journey home. The question is: if they get there, will it be the same place they left behind?
 

REVIEW

This is an intriguing story about a group of friends, in various iterations, who spend a lot of time chasing around various realities, trying to find the way home to their original one(s).  The moral of the story seems to be something along the lines of "the grass may look greener on the other side of the fence" - but that isn't necessarily the case.  And, really, you should appreciate what you have in life, be it family and friends or circumstances.  Even though some aspects of their lives might sometimes be better, there's really no place like your real home.  And it could always be worse!  Many of the alternate universes that the kids discover themselves in are quite threatening and scary.  

There is also a strong sense of the power of friendship.  Things definitely go better for the grouop when they are together versus when they are on their own.  That they recognize each other through all the changes that take place is in itself a clue as to how important they are to each other.  

I'm definitely glad that this is a Middle Grade/Young Adult book, because as it was I was often lost in the Physics of the story.  There is no way that I could have even tried to wrap my brain around a more "adult" version of the foundational premise. 

There seemed to be a lot of unnecessary running around in realities that didn't appear to have anything to do with the end result of their mission.  And I'm still not entirely clear on what the actual purpose of the Switch was supposed to be.  But it was definitely an entertaining journey.  One that I'm quite sure most adolescents (and adults) will appreciate, especially those who like a little bit of intrigue and brain stretching to go along with their adventure.
~
I received a free eBook copy of this title from Curiosity Quills 
and have willingly provided an honest review.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

BOOK REVIEW for "Beauty Touched the Beast (Beauty, #1)" by Skye Warren

*****(5) out of 5 stars!

SYNOPSIS


Erin cleans Mr. Morris’s house twice a week, soaking up every moment with the reclusive ex-soldier she secretly loves. Blake Morris knows he’s scarred both inside and out and is no good for the beautiful young woman who cleans his house to pay for college. But when Erin walks in on Blake touching himself and moaning her name, all bets are off.

REVIEW

This novella is the epitome of it's genre: everything that a short, romantic, erotica story should be!  Yep, short, sweet and sexy just about sums it up!  In just 36 pages of prose, the author presents two remarkably complex and intriguing characters, and has you rooting for them from the get-go.  The premise is reasonably believable, the dialogue and interplay between the players is sharp, and the love scenes are spicy.  The close seems to be the start of a great happily ever after, and is at the very least a happy for now ending.  Definitely a book that I recommend, especially since it is FREE!
~
Beauty Touched the Beast is available FREE on most major eBook platforms!

BOOK REIVEW for "Fearless (Nameless, #3)" by Jennifer Jenkins

****(4) out of 5 stars!


SYNOPSIS


In exactly twenty-three days, Gryphon will offer his life to Chief Barnabas in exchange for the lives of his best friend and mess brothers. Until then, he must keep his plans from Zo while avoiding the Wolves of the Allied Camp. But Gryphon is not the only one harboring secrets. To spare her own life, Zo has made a blood oath promising to help the Kodiak Clan free their families living as Nameless slaves. When Gryphon learns the truth — that the peaceful life he’d planned for Zo is not secure — he divulges a secret that will give the Allies the upper hand against the Ram.

Now, The Great Move is underway and a final battle between the Wolf, Ram, Kodiak and Raven cannot be stopped. Strength will be tested. Loyalties will be questioned. Alliances will form. In a world of uncertainty and danger, Zo and Gryphon may finally have what they’ve each always wanted.
 


REVIEW

This final book in the Nameless series captures a lot of both the good and bad aspects of the first two books.  Gryphon and Zo are together again, and we get to see a little of their relationship as it slowly blossoms.  However, they have a lot of forced seperations to endure as well.  And both of them are still keeping secrets from the other that jepordize their joint future.  They definitely aren't the only ones keeping secrets though.  When many of the facts of the situation are revealed, it changes things for everyone involved.  Needless to say, there are a lot of twists and turns enroute to their final destination.

The Epilogue gives a view a little past the events of the main climax, which is peaceful and loving, and thus good to see.  But I would have appreciated a little bit more time spent here, especially as I would have like to hear how things turned out for quite a few of the other chracters not included in this scene.

Overall, it was a good book, and an excellent series.  The author's writing style just draws you into the story and endears the characters to you very quickly.  I'll be anxious to read an future works that she may produce. 


I received a free eBook copy of this title from Month9Books 
and have willingly provided an honest review.

Friday, December 22, 2017

BLOG TOUR for "Hinder (Guardian of Monsters, #1)" by Kristin Ping

Hinder
(Guardian of Monsters, #1)
by Kristin Ping
Publication date: May 15th, 2018
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Paranormal
Ethan Sutcliff seems like a normal seventeen-year-old—at least that’s what he’s trying to portray. In a secret society run by the Supernaturals, Ethan is what witches call a Bender. Benders are Witches’ Guardians, who are able to control a witches’ ability, bend it, or move it away from harming humans. In Ethan’s case, he is able to bend the Earth element. But at the age of fifteen, he lost all connection to it, and the reasons behind it could only mean one of two things: His Wielder is either dead, or hiding out somewhere. 
Alex Burgendorf has been living in her aunt’s locket for the past sixteen years with her mother—a Fire Wielder, and her father—a Water Wielder. For sixteen years, her parents vowed to protect her, and they have, as she is the last Earth wielding witch. However, time is running out. Alex must find her Bender, or the fate of the Supernaturals might be at stake.

Excerpt:

Before Sentinels it was just earth Wielders. That was how powerful they were and Ethan was the lucky boy that was going to be part of that. He was going to become the next earth Wielder’s protector in every way possible.

Tears formed in Ethan’s eyes, but he refused to let them roll down his cheek. He tried so hard to live up to his element, to be strong and special.

Sad that the boy didn’t know how strong or special he already was. Maybe it was my fault as a father, as a parent.

I wanted to tell Natalie that she should stop making him feel so terrible. He was just exploring. But what good would that do? We would just end up fighting again. I was so tired of our fights. Shoulders slumped, I turned to go inside. That was when I heard the roar of engines.

The hair on my arms and neck stood straight. Adrenaline poured into my blood like jet fuel and my heartbeat skyrocketed as I turned to see Natalie running toward me across the yard, jerking little Ethan along by the hand.

“Get rid of them. Now.” She shouldered past me into the house.

No one had seen what Ethan had done, right? No, it wasn’t possible. Was it?

Three black Jeeps and a silver one careened into the driveway, spitting gravel behind their shiny black tires. I leaped off the steps but then composed myself. With great effort, I slowed to a sedate walk. I had to try to make this farmhouse seem like any other sleepy home on this continent—even though it was far from it.

Who are these people? What are they doing here?

They weren’t Necrocretors. Necrocretors didn’t use Jeeps or SUVs to make their entrances. Whoever they were, they were driving fast. Too fast.

As they pulled closer, the sun glinted off the tinted windows and blinded me. Then when they turned an angle, I saw it. It was the outline of a barrel.

I dove for the willow. Bullets shredded bark above my head. Splinters and sawdust flew everywhere.

My back was firmly against the tree, safe from the bullets, or so I hoped. Thank goodness he grew a fully mature tree, I marveled. Otherwise I’d be dead.

I recited words that hadn’t touched my tongue in years. I carried them in my skin on my tattoo, across my chest, close to my heart. A phrase scribbled in Latin that I’ve learned at a very young age: Estque vel me vel.

Its meaning was simple: It is either them or me.

If someone had to die, it wasn’t going to be me.

I took out the Zippo in my back pocket, closed my eyes, and used my diaphragmatic breathing exercises to calm my heart.

More gunshots sizzled overhead. Bits of the porch railing and the willow bar exploded. The air filled with the scent of sulfur and singed wood.

I took a deep breath.


Then I flicked the flint.

Author Bio:
Kristin resides in South Africa with her husband, two beautiful girls, and two bulldogs that try to eat her house.

She has been writing for the past eight years, and her debut novel, Hinder: A Bender’s novel will be published 2018 by Fire Quill Publishing. 
When she isn’t writing, she is spending her time with her family, or trying to teach her two bulldogs to not eat her house. You can find more about Kristin at www.authorkristinping.com. 
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Thursday, December 21, 2017

BOOK BLITZ for "Handler" by Tish Thawer

Handler 
by Tish Thawer
Published by: Amber Leaf Publishing
Publication date: December 19th, 2017
Genres: Adult, Dystopian,
Science Fiction
Our world was perfect – until we broke the law: Don’t go out at night. 
Utopian by day, dystopian by night; this is the world I recently discovered. I now struggle with the fact that our whole society has been based on a lie. There’s only one way to change it – conquer the darkness we’ve all been raised to fear. 
Live the lie; fight to the death; become a Handler. It’s the only way. 

Author Bio:
Bestselling and Award Winning Author, Tish Thawer, writes paranormal romances for all ages. From her first paranormal cartoon, Isis, to the Twilight phenomenon, myth, magic, and superpowers have always held a special place in her heart. 
Tish is known for her detailed world-building and magic-laced stories. Her work has been compared to Nora Roberts, Sam Cheever, and Charlaine Harris. She has received a RONE Award nomination (Reward of Novel Excellence), as well as nominations for Best Cover, Reader’s Choice, and Author of the Year (Fantasy, Dystopian, Mystery). 
Tish has worked as a computer consultant, photographer, and graphic designer, and is a columnist for Gliterary Girl media and has bylines in RT Magazine and Literary Lunes Magazine. She resides in Arizona with her husband and three wonderful children and is represented by Gandolfo, Helin, and Fountain Literary Management. 
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Wednesday, December 20, 2017

BOOK BLITZ for "Visionary New Years (Paranormal INC Series, #2)" by Yumoyori Wilson

Visionary New Years
(Paranormal INC Series, #2)
by Yumoyori Wilson
Publication date: December 29th, 2017
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
New Year’s always ended with a bang, when I was partnered up with my best friend, Cece Alexandra Rose. She wasn’t just the demon queen – she was the party queen. 

I expected no different this year – my suitcase packed with flashy, skin-tight dresses and Louboutin heels that I could dance all night in. My mission was to get utterly wasted before the clock struck midnight on the New Year, 5033. 
Instead, I’m on an exclusive cruise for millionaires with my men in tow, assigned to a high-profile criminal investigation.
I, Scarlet Sinclair, was now undercover as Irina Locksworth, rocking a brunette wig and running for my life in a hot pair of not-so-running-friendly Louboutin’s, while praying our secret weapon didn’t fall out of my bra as we tracked down a drug lord, each tick of the clock pushing us closer to the New Year… and our deadline. 
Time for Team Seven of Paranormal INC to end this year with a bang. 
I just prayed to the gods it wasn’t also the end of us. 

Visionary New Years is apart of the Holiday Series and does not take place during the same timeline as the main series. It’s recommended to read VISIONARY INVESTIGATOR- Book One in the Paranormal INC Series to understand/enjoy this novel. 
Recommended for 18+ audience, containing mature sexual content, violence and strong language. 
NOTE: Visionary New Years is written in CANADIAN ENGLISH (a mix of American and British English).
EXCERPT:
“Hey, what you-” I began lifting my head to question his sudden movement when his lips met mine. I smiled, closing my eyes; returning the kiss.
We kissed for what seemed like minutes when he pulled away; both of us out of breath.
“Do I have to distract you before you stay still?” He asked.
“I like distractions. Especially ones that require good kisses,” I replied. I pulled out of his embrace; changing position on the couch to face him. He lifted an eyebrow; confused as to what I was planning.
“Now I can kiss you and you can work on my back.” I grinned.
“Really?”
“It’s multitasking,” I emphasized.
“Come here.” He whispered.


Author Bio:
Yumoyori Wilson is from Toronto, Ontario. She loves to sleep and write her days away. She works at night as a registered nurse. She has a little addiction to bubble tea and coffee but loves to workout. She has big plans for the writing world and can't wait to share them with everyone. 
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BOOK BLITZ for "It Must’ve Been the Mistletoe" by L.P. Dover

It Must’ve Been the Mistletoe 
by L.P. Dover
Publication date: Dec 18th, 2017
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Finding your soul mate is a dream Adeline Hamilton thought was just that… a dream. After several failed relationships, she realizes she’s not capable of falling in love. The only passion she’s ever had is teaching U.S. History at the local high school. 
A week before Christmas, Adeline is all set for her best friend’s wedding, even though she dreads having to go to it alone. But when she’s given a Christmas wish that could change her future forever, she’s whisked away to the past, to a completely different place and time. It’s also when she meets him, William Blair, the man who steals her heart. 
As their relationship grows, Adeline realizes that true love does exist. What she doesn’t know is that her wish can’t last forever, that soon she’ll have to leave the past behind. Will Adeline and William find their way back to each other? Or will their love have to stay where it all began... in 1865?  
With mistletoe and Christmas magic, anything’s possible.



Author Bio:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she began her literary journey she worked in periodontics, enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries. 
She loves to write, but she also loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes and white water rafting, and has a passion for singing. Her two youngest fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime, usually Christmas carols. 
Dover has written countless novels, including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, the Gloves Off series, the Armed & Dangerous series, the Royal Shifters series, the Society X series, the Circle of Justice series, and her standalone novel Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense, but if she got to choose a setting in which to live, it would be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae. 
L.P. Dover is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency. 
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Tuesday, December 19, 2017

COVER REVEAL for "Undone (City Rich, #1)" by Amelia Wilde

Cover Designer: Coverlüv
Release Date: January 2, 2018


Undone (City Rich, #1)

by Amelia Wilde

SYNOPSIS


She’s the match that sets the world on fire.

Chaos is terrible for business. Want to become filthy rich off classified government contracts? Stay far, far away from turmoil. One touch, and you're out.

I never courted chaos.

She came to my doorstep anyway.

Her name? Annabel Forester. Her goal? Upend everything.

She’s an irresistible disaster, as gorgeous as she is unpredictable. One day here, gone the next. I can’t trust her. I certainly can’t be with her. Getting caught with Annabel by my side will put my business on the line.

But it’s too late. I’m addicted to her wild energy, to the curves that set my mind aflame. I’ll do anything to make her mine.

Anything... even if it means I'll come undone.


Goodreads


Excerpt:

There’s a closet down the hall from the costume shop.

It’s a door everyone overlooks. I’ve never seen anyone glance at it, much less open it.

It’s hardly a classy enough place for Beau Bennett, but that’s part of the appeal. Plus, I have four minutes left in this little break. I’m not willing to waste any of it.

“Here.”

I take a look around, yank the door open, step inside, and then tug him in after me. It’s so overlooked that there’s nothing in here aside from some old polishing equipment, probably for the stage floor.

“I know it’s not a penthouse, but—”

Beau silences me with a growl and a kiss. I feel myself surrendering to his strength, to his control. In this space, in this dingy little closet, I don’t think about a thing. Not the sweet spot. Not the break. Nothing.

He is as ravenous as I am, and he pulls away so he can tear my jeans off. They fall to the dusty floor. Beau kneels in front of me, takes my panties in his hands. I suck in my breath. He glances up at me, and he’s... someone else. This isn’t the cautious man who didn’t want to sleep with me in case there were unforeseen consequences. This is a man who will take what he wants no matter the cost.

I love it.

I’m already slick.

He rips my panties in two, his eyes still on mine.

It doesn’t hurt, but I gasp. Before the sound is out of my mouth, he’s taken me in his arms and lifted me so that my back is up against the rough concrete wall. When did he unzip his pants? I don’t know, and it doesn’t matter, because the head of his cock is teasing my slit. I arch back, and he thrusts in, his hands tight on my ass.

“Look at me,” he growls. I’m holding on for dear life, but I look down into those eyes, a flash of fear trickling down my back at the tone of his voice. I’ve never been into dominant men. I’ve never been with a man who can be like this behind closed doors. “I want to watch you come.”

That’s all it takes. The steady thrust of him deep inside, filling me completely, and his desire. The way he’s watching me. The way he sees me. The first wave hits, and he lets out a low sound as my muscles clench around him. “Keep looking,” he commands. “Keep looking.”

There are voices in the hallway, strangely close to this unused door, but he doesn’t freeze. He doesn’t seem to care if we’re caught fucking in this little closet. He doesn’t seem to care about the consequences, not at all. He cares about me.

I come down from the peak. I start to relax into his hold. “Again,” he says, his face dark and wild in the dim light of the closet.

The voices get louder, closer. Marilee?

This time he meets me in my release, teeth gritted, eyes still locked on mine.

I’m silent, trying to stop my ragged breathing from escaping into the hall. “You’re so bad,” I whisper. My heart pounds. Now that we’re not actively fucking, I’m worried that the door might swing open, and then...

Then people would see me with Beau Bennett.

I can’t say I’d mind.

He helps me back into my jeans and tucks my shredded panties into his pocket. “These are useless now,” he says with a grin.

Back in his disguise as a perfect gentleman, he escorts me to the costume shop. At the door he gives me a lingering kiss. “I promise not to interrupt you again.”

I’m still reeling from the intensity of what happened, speechless as he turns away and moves down the hall. “Will you break your promise?” I finally call after him.

“Wait and see,” he tosses over his shoulder, and then he’s gone.


Preorder Links


Giveaway

One of Five ARC's for Undone

About the Author

Amelia Wilde doesn’t always write about billionaires, but when she does, they’re alphas with hearts of gold and panty-dropping good looks. She doesn’t always write about small-town men, but when she does, they’re too hot to handle and good with their hands. She always writes about sexy heroes who go after what they want and heroines with enough spark and drive to power an entire city. She always wants the perfect happy ending. She will always accept free cookies.

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Monday, December 18, 2017

BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Erica Cameron for "Sea of Strangers (The Ryogan Chronicles, #2)"


Sea of Strangers (The Ryogan Chronicles, #2)
by Erica Cameron
Publication Date: December 5, 2017
Publisher: Entangled Teen

Know your enemy if you want to survive…

The only way for Khya to get her brother back alive is to kill Varan — the immortal ruler who can’t be killed. But not even Varan knew what he was doing when he perverted magic and humanity to become immortal.

Khya’s leading her group of friends and rebels into the mountains that hold Varan’s secrets, but if risking all their lives is going to be worth it, she has to give up everything else — breaking the spell that holds her brother captive and jeopardizing her deepening relationship with Tessen, the boy who has been by turns her rival and refuge since her brother disappeared. Immortality itself might be her only answer, but if that’s where Khya has to go, she can’t ask Tessen or her friends to follow.

Purchase Links:

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES:

~AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Erica Cameron~

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?  

Everything about Sea of Strangers came from Island of Exiles, honestly. With second books, that’s normally how it goes. The shape of the first story and the arc changes the shape of the second one. I had to start Strangers where Exiles left off, but finding the right path to take from there wasn’t easy. I had to rewrite the whole book—as in scrap it and start over—twice. The only chapter that has remained the same from the first draft to the last (more or less, anyway) is chapter one. What’s interesting, actually, is that an early version of the chapter was printed in the back of Island of Exiles, so for those who find the editing process interesting, you can compare that version to the one that will appear in the final version of Sea of Strangers.

2) Are there any hidden themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?

Definitely. There are certain questions I play with and messages woven throughout the series. However, one of the best things about reading is that everyone who approaches a story is going to walk away from it with a different interpretation. I love that, so I try not to tell people too much about what I buried in the sand. I like seeing what others dig up when they go searching.

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?

Not really. Although my own life experience is going to invariably influence the characters I create, I don’t purposefully shape my characters after anyone I know. Or use the names of anyone I’m close to. Exceptions have to be made for incredibly common names, of course, but it’s a rule I’ve mostly stuck to in my books.

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

There are hundreds of authors whose work I’ve adored over the years, but Tamora Pierce and Stephenie Meyer have definitely had an especially large impact on me. In my personal life, my dad is the one who introduced me to science fiction and fantasy, and my mom is the one who encouraged me to chase the dream of creating my own. My sister was my first fan, consuming all of my early attempts at writing with encouraging relish, and several of my friends were my first editors, gently steering me toward being a better writer. So many people have influenced me—both in my life and from afar—and without any one of them, I might not be the writer I am today.

5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and why?

That’s such a hard choice! There’s something about favorite characters from childhood books, though, that makes an impact. I’ve always wanted to meet the characters from Tamora Pierce’s Tortall universe, and Lyra from the His Dark Materials series. I’d also love to have a conversation with Phèdre nó Delaunay de Montrève  from Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel saga, because she is an absolutely fascinating character.

AUTHOR INFO:


Erica Cameron is the author of books for young adults including the Ryogan Chronicles, the Assassins duology, and The Dream War Saga. She also co-authored the Laguna Tides novels with Lani Woodland. An advocate for asexuality and emotional abuse awareness, Erica has also worked with teens at a residential rehabilitation facility in her hometown of Fort Lauderdale.


Giveaway Information:
Sea of Strangers Prize Pack, including:**
* A signed copy of Sea of Strangers
* A $20 Visa gift card
* A swag pack
**For international: 1 copy from book depository and a $20 Visa gift card

Check out the entire Tour Schedule for "Sea of Strangers" here!

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