COVER REVEAL for "The Dating Alternative" by Jennifer Woodhull

The Dating Alternative 
by Jennifer Woodhull
Publication date: Dec 26th, 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

She’s so over dating. He wants to be her alternative. 

Max has crushed on Brie for as long as he’s known her but the timing was never right. When he finds out they’re finally single at the same time, he’s poised to move from friend zone to serious dating… until he finds out she’s only looking for something physical. He offers his services in hopes she’ll come around. 

Just when things are starting to go his way, a shocking turn of events snatches her from his grasp. Now he has to resurrect the life he thought he’d left behind to help the woman he’s falling in love with before it’s too late. 

A sweet, funny, sexy romance, The Dating Alternative launches everywhere December 26th.

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Author Bio:

Jennifer Woodhull is based in the Southern United States, spending time in her second home of England, and traveling as often as she can. Her love of travel permeates her work, and her characters often find themselves exploring new and foreign surroundings. 

A keen observer of human behavior, Jennifer often draws inspiration from something as simple as a fleeting connection, or the glimpse of a unique trait or characteristic. Her favorite place to write is on airplanes. 

"The drone of the engine, the scores of people, all traveling to something or from something, and being disconnected from digital distractions are a combination that provide the perfect place to write," she says. "If you see a woman in seat 9F who is balancing her Macbook on her lap because it's time to close your tray table, please have patience. I'm just trying to finish one more sentence." 

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BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW for "Love Over Logic (Desert Monsoon, #2)" by Diana A. Hicks

Love Over Logic 
(Desert Monsoon, #2)
by Diana A. Hicks
Publication date:
November 15th, 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Attorney, Emilia Prado has been living in hiding, ever since the local cartel killed her dad and left her and her mom for dead. But when her long lost cousin needs help leaving her drug lord husband, Emilia knows her time for justice has come. 

Hot shot lawyer, Dom Moretti never met a case he couldn’t win. Each win puts distance between him and an old life he wants to forget. But when Emilia, a crush from law school, asks for his help, the life he worked so hard for hangs in the balance. 

Out to even the score, Emilia is ready to enact revenge on her father’s killer. But will she risk losing Dom to a side of himself he thought was dead and buried?

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~AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Diana A. Hicks~

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

Love Over Logic was inspired by Romeo and Juliet. I was drawn to the idea of two lovers who couldn’t be together because of their families and their pasts. There is plenty of angst in this book, but unlike Romeo and Juliet, Dom and Emilia do get a happily ever after.

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

From the beginning, I wanted the series to be about second chances. All three books in the Desert Monsoon series follow the same thread of second chances. As far as hidden themes, I don’t know if I did a good job of hiding it, but forgiveness is a big factor in both Emilia and Dom earning their happily ever after. Other less obvious themes are penance, redemption, power and wealth, which is why we went with a book cover in various shades of purple.

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

Yes! Mickey was based on a person I used to know. I feel bad admitting that. If you read the book, you’ll understand why. :-D

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

JK Rowling. I know I’m a romance writer and she isn’t, but she’s the master of writing well-motivated main characters and memorable secondary characters. I try to do that in my books.

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?

I love this question. I would invite Hermione, Ron, and Harry over for a game of Pictionary. We’d drink butter beer and eat muggle snacks, like nachos or something like that. I mean who wouldn’t want to spend game night with a group of wizards?

6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?

There will never be enough books in the world or on my shelf. :D

Author Bio:

Diana A. Hicks is an award-winning author of steamy contemporary romance and science fiction. Her latest release LOVE OVER LATTES, Book 1 in her Desert Monsoon Series, is a 2018 Readers' Favorite Honorable Mention in the Romance - Contemporary genre! 

When Diana is not writing, she enjoys kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta, and loves spending time with her two children and husband. 

Connect with Diana on social media to stay up to date on her latest releases. 

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BOOK BLITZ for "Mr. Billionaire CEO" by Sedona Venez

Mr. Billionaire CEO 
by Sedona Venez 
Publication date: Nov 28th, 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

A forbidden, sexy office romance standalone from USA Today Bestselling Author, Sedona Venez. 

Jayla is trouble, and she’s just my type of woman. 

I was damned when I watched her stroll into the office building her first day of work. In a matter of minutes, she’d shattered my control. 

I’ve been obsessed with her bombshell body since that day. 

But I’m her boss. 

So, my fixation on her is totally inappropriate, especially when she hasn’t shown a bit of sexual interest in me — or so I’d thought… up until recently. 

I’m a Dom, and I sense she is a natural submissive, albeit one who seems inexperienced with men. My instincts tell me that the right man can not only bring out her external beauty but awaken her sexually as well. 

Now that I’ve set my sights on her, and I’m not going to back down until I get what I want. 

And, as everyone in the office knows, I always get what I want. 

This standalone is safe, with no cheating, and a HEA guaranteed.

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Excerpt:

He only smiled and crooked a finger, beckoning me. “Come and sit in my lap.”
I pushed up the hem of my dress before scrambling to obey. He positioned me so I was straddling his lap. His erection pressed right up against my panties, and I whimpered with aching need.
“Uh-uh.” He tightly gripped my hips when I began rubbing myself against him, forcing me to stop. “If you do that, you’re going to come. I didn’t say you could come yet.”
“When will you let me?” I asked breathlessly. “Please, I want to. No, I need to.”
“I know.” He framed my face with his big hands so I was staring up into his eyes. They were darkly seductive with hot promise. His thumb softly stroked my lower lip. “But I haven’t kissed you yet, Jayla. I haven’t tasted that luscious mouth of yours.”
I blinked. “You haven’t.”
I hadn’t dwelled on it, but now that he’d mentioned it, I’d shown him the most private areas of my body, allowed him to touch me, and he’d never even kissed me. My heart pounded as he cradled the back of my head, easing my mouth to his. The kiss was slow, methodical, and scorching hot. He drew my bottom lip into his mouth, sucking softly until my insides were undulating with need.
“So sweet,” he growled against my lips. He eased back, and his eyes searched my face. He gave me one last swipe of his tongue before he bit my lower lip and retreated. “So innocent. Haven’t you been with a man before?”
“Yes, I have, Sir,” I admitted softly, my eyes drifting away from his. “But it’s been a really long time.”
He lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze, which was surprisingly gentle. “Then this will be a night to remember for both of us. I will take great pleasure in your sexual awakening. And I promise you will, too.”

Author Bio:

Sedona Venez is a romance author with a dirty mind. She lives in New York City with her hot ex-military hubby--hooah--and their fur baby. She loves writing sizzling, sexy intricate stories about strong but broken characters who push limits, overcome their fears, and risk it all for love. 

You can chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/SedonaVenez), Twitter (@SedonaVenez), and her kick-ass romance website, (www.sedonavenez.com). 

If you're interested in getting your hands on an advanced release copy of her upcoming books, sneak peek teasers, you can join her newsletter list (http://eepurl.com/2ixqj) and get those details delivered right to your inbox. 

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COVER REVEAL for "Crimson Mage (Empire of the Lotus, #1)" by Dorothy Dreyer

Title: Crimson Mage (Empire of the Lotus, #1) Author: Dorothy Dreyer Genre: YA Urban Fantasy Release Date: Releasing as part of boxed set  Cursed Lands in Spring 2019,  which is available for preorder now on some eBook retailers!  Crimson Mage (Empire of the Lotus, #1) will be releasing through Snowy Wings Publishing in late 2019,  with more books in the series to come in 2020.

RELEASE BLITZ & REVIEW for "Knight’s Salvation (Knights of Hell, #2)" by Sherilee Gray

Title: Knight’s Salvation

Series: Knights of Hell, #2

Author: Sherilee Gray

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: November 26, 2018

Blurb

Demon hunter Zenon lives with a dark secret. When he escaped Hell, he didn’t leave alone — and he’ll do anything to keep the shameful reason hidden. But when an intoxicating demi-demon, new to her powers, has him breaking all his own rules just to be near her, he knows he’s in serious trouble.

Painfully aware of being different, Mia Westbrook has always kept herself apart from others. Yet her new demon life comes with strings attached, namely one scarred and broodingly seductive knight who storms into her world — and her heart — and may just be her perfect match.

But a formidable evil has been watching, and is determined to tear them apart. They want Zenon back in Hell, with them, where he belongs…

~BOOK REVIEW~

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

Oh my gosh!  These books might very well be the end of me.  So much drama, angst and heartache.  It was almost more than I could take.  As sad as I found the situation Lazarus was in when he met his mate Eve, it was nothing compared to what Zenon had to go through with Mia.  These two had SO much to overcome!

Thanks to help from her sister Chaya, and having known beforehand that she is a demi-god, Mia is much more prepared to deal with her new reality as opposed to Eve and others.  Still, it is quite an adjustment for her once she reaches the compound, especially because of the attraction she feels toward Zenon, and the slew of mixed signals that she receives from him.    

As usual in these types of books, and so far in this series, good (or any!) communication between the two main characters would have solved about 90% of their problems.  But then we would have been deprived of all the wonderous glory of this story.  

Additionally, once again, neither of our protagonists felt worthy of each other or of any good thing that happened to them.  I guess it should be comforting to know that even demon hunters and demi-gods have insecurities just like the rest of us!  

Because this was the second book in the series, there was a lot less world-building that needed to be done, just some additional information provided and areas filled in.  This seemed to provide more leeway for the actual narrative to occur.  

There is one main story about Zenon contained in these pages, involving an entirely new figure (whom I absolutely hate, but in order to avoid spoilers will not name).  There are also a couple of other people introduced who provide plot twists that I also do not want to reveal.  But suffice it to say that a fascinating one comes to act as a savior for Mia, and the other appears to perhaps be of some signifigance to Chaos.  Additionally, there are different subplots involving other people and various situations that are occuring alongside Zenon's main area of focus.  Some of these are a continuation from the prior volume, and a few branch out into new territory.  I didn't quite follow all of them, but I expect we'll continue to learn more as the series progresses.  

It was fun to see characters from the last book again, and I look forward to seeing more of all of them in future installments.  

The relationship that develops between Zenon and Mia, despite all the odds stacked against them, is amazing to behold, and I was entirely thrilled that (other than all of the outside drama that is also going on) they were FINALLY able to achieve their happily-ever-after (or at least their happily-for-now).

 I received a free eBook copy of this title from the author, 

and have willingly provided an honest review.

ADD TO GOODREADS 

Purchase Links

 AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

 

Excerpt:

“I have to do something, Mia.” As he spoke, the fierce mask fell away. He looked almost boyish then, shy, uncertain. 

Licking her lips, she curled her fingers into the wall, trapping them behind her back. “Okay.” She didn’t know what was going on, but whatever was about to happen, she knew she wanted it.

“Please, just…you can’t touch me,” he said.

“I told you I wouldn’t,” she whispered.

He surprised her by running gentle, barely there fingers down the side of her face and across her jaw. “You’re beautiful.”

Was he going to kiss her? She didn’t move, didn’t breathe, wanting to taste him more than anything she’d ever wanted in her entire life.

His hands moved to the wall, either side of her head, and his gaze dropped to her mouth.

Oh my God.

He leaned in. 

She forced herself not to squirm as his lips hovered above hers for several seconds, his breath mingling with hers. It took all her strength not to close the gap. But finally, he did, his lips coming down on hers, dry and soft and warm. 

His entire body jerked at the contact, and he went completely still, breath puffing in and out of his nose.

Please, don’t stop.

But he didn’t. Slowly, ever so slowly, he opened his mouth. Mia’s heart was pounding when he finally made a rough sound and ran his tongue across her top lip. 

She moaned.

His big body shuddered. “Open,” he said against her mouth.

Author Bio

Sherilee Gray is a kiwi girl and lives in beautiful New Zealand 

with her husband and their two children. 

When she isn't writing sexy, edgy contemporary and paranormal romance, 

searching for her next alpha hero on Pinterest, 

or fueling her voracious book addiction, 

she can be found dreaming of far off places with a mug of tea in one hand 

and a bar of Cadburys Rocky Road chocolate in the other.

 Author Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SherileeGrayAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sherilee_Gray

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherileegrayauthor/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.nz/SherileeGray/

Website: https://www.sherileegray.com

Newsletter: https://www.sherileegray.com/contactsubscribe.html 

BOOK REVIEW for "The Return Home: The Aegis Network (The Sarich Brothers, #4)" by Jen Talty

***(3) out of 5 stars!

SUMMARY:

Major Dylan Sarich, knows only one thing: Delta Force. He has dedicated his life to the Army and his country and can’t imagine doing anything else.

Until the unthinkable happens.

During a top-secret operation, Dylan is nearly sent home in a body bag with the rest of his team. With his wounds still fresh and on extended medical leave, Dylan returns to his hometown in Jupiter, Florida to heal his body. However no amount of physical therapy will destroy the demons lurking deep in Dylan’s soul.

Dr. Kinsley Maren is an expert in PTSD and brain trauma. When her neighbor comes to her, begging for help with her son, Kinsley can’t say no, especially when she meets Dylan. She’s certain she can break through the anger and help restore his confidence and mend his broken heart. Only she never expected he’d steal hers. 

REVIEW:

Even though this is (at least) Book #4 in the series, and I haven't read any previous ones, it wasn't hard at all to pick up on what was going on in the story.  There were probably lots of backstory to many of the peripheral characters, but nothing that seemed to impact this tale.

There was not much action (other than Dylan's flashbacks and recollections about a failed military mission that he wasn't allowed to talk about).  Mostly this book was just talking and discussing feelings and the like.  Which shouldn't come as much of a surprise given that the entire premise was a therapist unofficially helping her neighbor's wounded son work through some issues from his most recent deployment.  

In addition to the substantive lack of activity in general, there is a lot of telling rather than showing in this novel.  (Still, I enjoyed it more than the previous book by this author that I reviewed [Burning Heart].)  Not to mention a LOT of wishy-washy back-and-forth, especially by Dylan, but also Kinsley.  Still, it was fairly tolerable, up until the near-ending - where Dylan goes off camping by himself for several days - which was just totally lame.  Additionally, the epilogue seemed really forced and tacked on.  But at least it had a happy ending.  

I received a free eBook copy of this title from Xpresso Book Tours, 

and have willingly provided an honest review.

BOOK REVIEW for "Burning Heart (Fire Protection Specialists, #5)" by Jen Talty

***(3) out of 5 stars!

SUMMARY:

Air Force Fire Protection Specialist, Declan Rivers, gave his heart once, and it got charred beyond recognition. While deep down he still wants it all, the career, the wife, the family, he can’t put himself out there. That is until his best friend’s wedding where he finds comfort in the arms of Becca Knowles, a sexy senior firefighter and co-worker. He’s had eyes for Becca since she first stepped onto the base, but after one hot night, they decide it’s best if they remain friends. 

Well, he decides thanks to that aforementioned reluctance. 

Becca Knowles understands a broken heart and after a one-night stand with Declan, she vows to give up on men for a while and focus only on her career. Only that declaration lasts just one measly month when she first finds out she’s pregnant, and then that her younger sister is missing. Not knowing where to turn, she asks Declan for his help, to which he readily agrees, not knowing about the baby. 

While searching for her sister, they find themselves dealing with betrayal, lies, and a love so deep it burns the heart.

REVIEW:

After reading this book and then seeing all of the positive reviews -- I really wondered if I had read the same book!  I was just so not impressed by it.  It wasn't awful, just not very good.  

Basically, the entire gist of the story is Declan being all over the board on how he feels about Becca.  Okay, sure, the guy suffered a big blow from his last girlfriend.  But GET OVER IT ALREADY!!  My goodness!  He just whined like a toddler, incessantly, forever.  And, of course, in typical male fashion, he apparently wanted to have his cake and eat it too with Becca, not committing to her because of how badly damaged her was, but still screwing her, and getting her pregnant no less.  

And Becca doesn't do much more than vascillate between whether or not she can live with not getting anything more from Declan out of their relationship than solid friendship and occasional interest.  Not that she has much of a choice in the matter!  The one time they are together even, he sneaks out of her house before she's even had a chance to change her shirt.  

There are some subplots and sidetrips that don't coalesce into much of a coherent plot, but which do give the various players a chance to interact.  But there were just so many things that didn't jive, such as Becca's Mennonite parents' are way too chill about her not only bringing home a non-believer apparent boyfriend, but certainly about her being pregnant out of wedlock with his child.  And the whole human trafficking thing leaves a lot to be desired as far as addressing the seriousness of the issue, let alone the ease they had in thwarting this obviously well-funded and organized criminal group.  

There were a lot of inconsistencies in items both big and small within the story.  And I really hope that the copy I read was an early version, because the editing was horrible.  Being the fifth in a series of books, I would definitely expect this one to be more polished at whatever stage it was in.  

I received a free eBook copy of this title from Xpresso Book Tours, 

and have willingly provided an honest review.