Feature Friday - Guest Post by Emma Jones and Excerpt

Feature Friday is a feature on Bookish Treasures that spotlights an author and their latest release. Every Friday I will be featuring an author through either an interview or a guest post. If you are interested in taking part please send me an email.

This week I am featuring Emma Jones, an author who published her debut YA novel last month.

The Awakening by Emma Jones

Synopsis

Do you believe in vampires? Ghosts? The supernatural world?
Meet Lauren who instantly clicks with Gavin at a friend’s BBQ. Everything goes well until Lauren starts to experience strange things and hears a weird voice. It seems like a warning but from what? Lauren eventually makes the startling discovery that Gavin is a vampire and it has profound consequences for herself. The arrival of Daniel makes things even more confusing for Lauren as she is warned he is bad news from a ghostly source. Laurens life is turned upside down as things she thought were myths and legends become real and she struggles to cope with everything she has discovered.

Will Lauren and Gavin’s relationship survive and what about the mysterious Daniel?

Try it for yourself! Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK

My Journey To Publishing by Emma Jones

Hi my name is Emma Jones and I published my first book The Awakening on the 6th December. My decision to self publish was a long one but I'm glad I took the leap. I first began writing The Awakening when I was on maternity leave with my son who is now 3! I wrote a few thousand words and then went back to my regular day job and forgot all about it for a year so. However the characters and story started to nag at me and I began writing again. In the summer of 2012 I began to think about actually publishing it and gave it to my sister to read. She gave me a B+ and some encouragement. I made a few changes and then she read it again and gave me an A and a smiley face. What more could you want. So I started researching self publication and my journey began.

I then went about the process of getting the book beta read. Through the wonders of Facebook I found a few people that were interested and sent my document to them crossed my fingers and anxiously awaited their verdicts. In January 2013 I received my replies and on the whole the feedback was positive, encouraging and very helpful and really helped me improve the story. I made a lot of amendments and had the new version beta read by 2 further people who both loved it. The process was slow as I have a regular job and 2 young children but I finally got there and then embarked on the last step. My book was professionally proofread and a fab ebook cover was created in November 2013 and then I uploaded. The Awakening is now live and I can't quite believe it but am loving every second of this journey. Thanks for reading and if you want to say hi or comment pop over to my facebook page where I'd love to hear from you - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Books-by-Emma-Jones/611953792173504

Excerpt

In the next bar, me and Gavin ended up in a corner together and I suddenly began to get an awful headache. “You ok?” Gavin asked gently holding my arm but my headache suddenly intensified and I shook him of my arm. Images started to swarm through my mind, shadows, light, and whispers that were getting louder and louder. “Lauren are you ok?” I could hear people speaking but couldn’t make out where it was coming from and then black.

I woke up with bright lights around me and in an unfamiliar room, it took a few minutes to realise I was in a hospital bed. I tried to sit up, my head thumped, and I rested back down. I looked about and then realised Gavin was sleeping sat up in a chair near my bed. I was just about to speak when a nurse come over “You’re awake.” she smiled kindly “I think you gave your friends a bit of a shock. Passed out and gave you quite a bang on the head.” It was only as she said this I realised I had a bandage on my head and raised my hand to touch the dressing. “You had to have a few stitches and as you were so drowsy we decided we’d better keep you in but you should be able to go home this afternoon,” the nurse informed me. “Your friend here insisted on staying in case you woke up and was confused. Oh look he’s just waking now, would you both like a cup of tea?”

“Um yes please that would be lovely,” I croaked and tried again to sit up. Gavin got up from his chair and stood at the end of the bed looking pale and worried, “Do you remember much about last night?” he asked his voice full of concern, “Not really, I remember getting a headache and that’s it.” “Oh right that’s good then.” “Why what happened?” “You just passed out but you said some weird things that are all but don’t worry.” At that point, the nurse returned with two cups of tea and Gavin said he just had to pop out for a minute to make a call. I drank my tea and dozed back to sleep waking to find Gavin back in the room. “The nurse said once your blood test results are back and they check your blood pressure again you will be able to go home.” “Oh that’s great I really need a shower and my own bed. What a weird night. I think it’s you Gavin.” I joked, “You seem to have a weird effect on me headaches and nose bleeds and now I pass out. Must be your super manliness!” I laughed. Gavin smiled back but looked anxious and the smile didn’t reach his eyes “I’m ok you know it’s only a joke.” I said trying to reassure him, “I know. You just worried me that am all.” he replied. Later that day I was discharged and Gavin took me home, insisted on making me some dinner, and stayed for a while although the whole time he kept some distance and seemed worried I might collapse at any time. After a few hours, he left and I rang my friends to let them know I was ok and apologised to Sophie for ruining her birthday night out and I decided an early night was in order. Thankfully, I slept with no problems and woke feeling much better although my head was still thumping slightly so I phoned work and explained I wouldn’t be in for the day and chilled out at home instead. Gavin called and although I assured him I was feeling fine now he insisted on coming round to check on me as soon as he finished work. When he arrived, he looked nervous and as we chatted, he kept his distance, which caused me to worry. I made a cup of tea and then sat on the sofa sensing he wanted to discuss something important. He moved forward and for the first time in over 24 hours touched me. He gently touched my arm, my head suddenly felt terrible again, and images much clearer flashed before my eyes. Gavin removed his arm and looked at me with alarm and worry, the images came faster and faster, and I felt a sudden rush of power and clarity. I put my head in my hands and squeezed my eyes tightly shut and concentrated on the images flying through my mind. I suddenly gasped and felt my heart rate speed up and then pop. The light bulbs in the living room smashed and fizzed. In the darkness, I said, “I know what you are.” “I was worried you were going to say that.” he softly said.

Review of Dare To Breathe

Synopsis

Can you learn to forget?

Sam is plagued by nightmares she can’t understand with dark visions of a past she suspects may be her own. When she moves into a new co-ed house, she is drawn to the handsome but aloof Nathan. The housemates welcome in Sam but all withhold their own secrets from her which she knows she needs to unravel to truly understand Nathan. But her past is destined to torment her, can she find the strength to face her fear?

Review

This book follows a lot of the basic principles of a New Adult romance.  The hero and heroine are both in college, trying to stumble on with their lives despite their past, when they begin to develop feelings for each other.  

The back story for the hero seems a little off because his reaction to guilt over a woman in his past is to whore his way through women.  That doesn't make much sense to me but maybe that is because I am a woman. 

 

The back story for the heroine, on the other hand, is heartbreaking.  There is no absence of emotional investment in this book because it is impossible to not be drawn in.  

 

There were a couple of things about this book that I really liked.  First, I liked that things improved for the heroine following the initial traumatic events in her life. I've gotten kind of tired of reading about kids who have only experienced suffering.  The story is written so that, in order to move on with her life, the heroine has to figure out exactly what happened to her in the past and I found that to be a pretty realistic story line.  

 

Second, I like how the hero and heroine come to terms with the unhealthy aspects of their relationship. I don't know if it is realistic that they would be able to do so at the point in their lives where they did but I appreciated that they did.  Stories these days seem to gloss over how unrealistic it is for people to be able to maintain a relationship under unhealthy, obsessive conditions.  

 

Third, I liked that the author included one totally realistic character, Jess.  Authors put a heavy emphasis on heroes and villains but you rarely see a character who isn't inherently bad but is simply too selfish to be good.  This particular character trait is pretty common in people in this age demographic so I was happy to see it.

Overall, it was a good book and the element of suspense and danger in the end made it memorable.

*A copy of this book was received in exchange for an honest review.*

Try it for yourself! Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK

Katie

Hidden Magic Release Day Blitz with Excerpt

 

Synopsis

 

When Jenny has the opportunity to spend the summer with her sister, a small slice of freedom is all she's really hoping for when she has the opportunity to spend the summer with her sister. Instead she finds something else altogether: electricity.

 

That's what Jenny feels when she looks at Arram. She knows he’s drawn to her too, but the mage-in-training does his best to hide it. Stung, Jenny turns to Arram's former best friend, Jack. But Arram and Jack's rivalry is much darker than Jenny suspects, and so are Jack's intentions. Soon she's caught in a mystery of old murder, ancient prophecies, and magic hidden where no one has thought to look. When Jenny uncovers a secret magic, she is offered two choices. Arram wants her to do the safe thing. Jack wants to show her the easy way out. Whatever Jenny decides, her life will irrevocably change. Either way, freedom may be the one thing Jenny can never have.

 

Try it for yourself! Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK

 

Excerpt

Jack put his finger to his lips and motioned toward an empty bedroom across the hall. Not knowing what else to do, she went in, her heart thudding against her ribs. “Jack,” she whispered. “What are you doing here? How did you get in?” “What? No welcome home kiss?” His voice was mocking. Trying to keep her voice steady, she said, “So Arram was right. You do want to kidnap me after all.” “Kidnap you?” Jack looked horrified. Underneath the horror though, Jenny could see that his eyes were sparkling with mischief. “I should have known Arram would fill your head with something stupid like that. No, you wonderful, impossible girl, I’m here to rescue you.”  

About Melanie Crouse

 

Melanie Crouse is the author of Hidden Magic, coauthor of the book Alchemy and the CEO of the craziest household in the Western Hemisphere. Lately, both of those full-time jobs have collided, creating chaos on a colossal scale. Which is just the way she likes it. In her spare time, Melanie likes to play the piano, swim, hike and teach preschool. Whether she has spare time or not, she manages to read prolifically, which probably explains more than it doesn't. She loves her family dearly, and wishes with all her heart that her teenage children weren't so embarrassed that their mom writes "kissing scenes."

 

Website Facebook Goodreads

   

Feature Friday - Interview with Stina Lindenblatt

Feature Friday is a feature on Bookish Treasures that spotlights an author and their latest release. Every Friday I will be featuring an author through either an interview or a guest post. If you are interested in taking part please send me an email.

This week I am featuring Stina Lindenblatt whose amazing Debut Novel released this week! You can check out my review of it here - http://bookishtreasures.blogspot.com/2014/01/tell-me-when-release-day-review-and.html

Tell Me When by Stina Lindenblatt

Synopsis

Amber Scott should be enjoying life as a college freshman. She should be pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She should be working hard to make sense of her precalculus math class.

She shouldn’t be waking up her college roommate with screaming nightmares. She shouldn’t be flashing back, reliving the three weeks of hell she barely survived last year. And she definitely shouldn’t be spending time with sexy player Marcus Reid.

But engineering student Marcus is the only one keeping Amber from failing her math course, so she grudgingly lets him into her life. She never expects the king of hookups will share his painful past. Or that she’ll tell him her secrets in return, opening up and trusting him in a way she thought she’d never be able to again.

When their fragile future together is threatened by a stalker Amber thought was locked away for good, Marcus is determined to protect her. And Amber is determined to protect Marcus…even if that means pushing him away.

Try it for yourself! Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK

Interview with Stina Lindenblatt

Why did you decide to become an author?

When I was about eight years old, I was a reluctant reader. Then one day I picked up the first book from the Famous Five series by Enid Blyton. I fell in love with the book and gobbled up the rest of the series. It was then that I decided I wanted to be an author.

How do you balance writing with other things in your life?

LMAO!!!! I don’t, especially when I’m on deadline. Fortunately I have a supportive family and they help out. I do make an effort, though, to be physically active.  

What is your favourite thing about being an author?

I love doing research, though in the case of stalking, what I learned was enough to give most people nightmares. Watching Criminal Minds and calling it “research” was great too. lol

What are your favourite books?

There are so many, but anything by Katie McGarry , Christina Lee, Simone Elkeles, Cora Carmack, Tammara Webber is a must read for me.  

Are there any books/authors that inspired you to write?

Katie McGarry writes raw and emotion-packed stories. I read Pushing the Limits four times to analyze it. I cried every time when I got to one scene. That’s the kind of story I love to write.

Describe your book in one sentence.

When PTSD proves to be too much, the only person who can help the college freshman pass her math class is a sexy engineering student who wants to add her to his list of conquests.

Where did you get the idea for Tell Me When? Did anything inspire you to write it?

Stats show that high school and college students are the most frequent victims of stalking. I was stalked while in university, and I know from talking to other writers that they too had been stalked while in high school or college. Fortunately most don’t go through what Amber had to deal with, but there are many victims who were killed by their stalker. And even if you survive it, the experience changes you.

What made you decide to write a New Adult contemporary romance novel?

At the recommendation of the friend, I read Easy by Tammara Webber and was hooked on both the story and the voice. Before this I was writing edgy YA with characters who were seventeen or eighteen years old. It wasn’t much of a stretch to transition over to NA.

What would you say makes your book unique and worth reading?

While I might use the same common tropes/topics we frequently see in NA, I do have a unique take on them. My approach surprised many reviewers, in a good way.

Tell Me When has some dark subject matter such as the aftermath of being a victim of stalking and kidnapping.  What made you decide to feature such difficult topics?

I wanted to go beyond writing a thriller about a stalker hunting down the main character (or her family). In real life, it’s not a happily-ever-after ending once the stalker is caught (if he’s caught). The emotional trauma is going to have an impact on the individual’s life. I wanted to explore that, but I also wanted to write about hope.

Where any aspects of the book hard for you to write?

Most definitely. The big scene where we learn what happened to Marcus in his past left me sobbing every time I edited it, mostly because it’s revealed in a flashback. Another aspect that was tricky to write dealt specifically with the romance side of things (i.e. anything to do with intimacy). It wasn’t enough to have a hot guy, who is an amazing kisser, kiss Amber and everything will be all right. It wasn’t. I had to take care that every scene that involved kissing was authentic to what Amber had gone through in the past and how she would have reacted.

Is there any specific message you wanted to convey in the book?

The big message would be that if you suspect you’re being stalked, take it seriously. Because if you don’t, your life and that of your friends and family might never be the same again.

What are your plans for future books?

My editor has the next book in the series, but I don’t have a release date (or title) yet. I’m hoping to write Chase’s story (Marcus’s best friend). Everyone has been asking for it. I’m also working on another NA contemporary romance, which was partly inspired from when I was an exchange student in Finland.

Do you have any hobbies and Interests unrelated to books?

I love photography, especially close-up photography. My kids cringe whenever I decide to take just “one” picture of something. One usually turns into fifty. lol

Would you ever consider putting these (answer to above) into any of your books?

I have and it’s in the book inspired by my trip to Finland. I swear it isn’t an autobiography, though some of the scenes were inspired by real life events. Like the one with the NHL hockey player. (Yes, I’m a total tease.)

FUN STUFF

If you could meet any one author (dead or alive) who would it be and why?

Katie McGarry. I’m a huge fan of her books, and she’s a super sweet and incredibly supportive person. You can tell she cares about her readers.

Tell us one interesting fact about yourself.

My high school guidance counsellor told me not to bother with university. I would never succeed. I ignored him and have a Master’s of Science degree in exercise physiology with an interest in energy metabolism. Sure glad I didn’t listen to him.

What is your favourite food?

Mango ice cream. I could live on it.

What is the most adventurous thing you have ever done?

I was an exchange student in Finland one summer while in university, and lived with my grandparents. Who didn’t speak English. At. All. And my Finnish sucks. During that time, I went to many place, including Saint Petersburg, Russia.

If you could be any supernatural creature which would you choose?

A fairy. But not the Tinkerbell variety. I swear I’m already part fairy. I have difficulty lying.

About the Author

Born in England, Stina loves to travel, and has lived in England, the US, Canada, and Finland. She spent a semester in graduate school living in central Finland, and a summer during her undergrad degree working in Helsinki. She has a Master’s of Science degree in exercise physiology and has worked with elite athletes. In her free time, Stina is a photographer, mother of three adorable kids, and devoted wife. She currently lives in Calgary, Canada.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads 

Review of Baby Daddy

Synopsis

An inheritance brought her more than she ever could have imagined…

Killeen Ames has it all…beauty, brains, a college softball scholarship and a rich and handsome boyfriend who has helped to stretch her college funds and fill her social calendar. He is the only boy she ever allowed past second base and now he’s her baby daddy. However, being a father was not in his short-range plans. He graduates, then he splits, leaving Killeen to decide what she wants to do about the pregnancy…and to worry about how she’s going to keep her scholarship. With no marketable skills, no job, no home and medical bills for her and the baby on the horizon, she knows she must move forward. A knock at the door of her boyfriend’s apartment changes the game forever when an attorney gives her the news of an inheritance from an unknown dead relative.

After traveling to Austin, Killeen walks into the meeting and is surprised to find out that the relative was actually her birth father, and he had been a popular music star who recently died of an overdose. Even more shocking are the four strangers who share the same absentee dad. He has left them a highly successful private investigation agency, Scandals. The catch is…they have to make the commitment to work there.

Their introduction to the P.I. business almost gets them killed when a bomb goes off in the warehouse that sends Killeen to the hospital. She has kept the secret of her pregnancy from everyone, including Christopher, the totally irresistible manager of Scandals. Their hot night of wild sex in the office was a one-time thing…right? She chalks up her attraction to him as just raging hormones. They have no chance of a future together. He’s gorgeous, intelligent and successful. He would never want anyone with so much baggage.

Christopher has a secret of his own. He’s been investigation the possibility that, despite popular opinion, their father’s death hadn’t been an accidental overdose. He thinks it was murder.
Even though the five siblings still haven’t accepted the fact that they have a father who made no attempt to be a part of their lives, they join together to discover the truth about his death. The search throws Killeen and Christopher together and their passion grows hotter. As her feelings for him slowly become more serious, she knows she must tell him about the baby.

After a fun day in the sun, an event happens that outs Killeen’s secret. Christopher, as expected, doesn’t take the news well. But they must continue to work together to track down a killer, especially since the killer has now focused on them. Someone doesn’t want them to stay and take over the business. In fact, someone wants them all dead and now the decision on whether or not to be a part of the agency seems very unimportant compared to the job of trying to stop from being killed.

They set up a trap that goes terribly wrong. Suddenly, Killeen must make a big decision. Who should she save? Her baby? Christopher? Her new brothers and sisters? Their lives are in her hands.

Review

The title of this book is pretty awful but the book itself is actually pretty good.  

The book pulls you in from the start by presenting the heroine in one hell of a predicament; she has no family, no boyfriend, no money, and relying on a softball scholarship to pay for college. Well, being pregnant doesn't work with her current life path and she has no support structure to help her figure out what to do next.

She is thrown a wild card in the form of an estate attorney and a whole new world opens up to her. Complete with money, a new family, a new potential career path, and a hot new guy. But it isn't all sunshine and roses. Nope, someone seems to be out to kill her and her new found family. The story focuses on the mystery and is done rather well with clues and progress but still a whole lot of questions up until the final showdown. There were also some frisky scenes between the heroine and her new love interest (who is not related to her by the way). The emotional journey of the heroine was well-developed as she adjusted to each turn her life took and struggled to come to decisions regarding her future.

 

All in all, the only real negative things I can say about this book are the title and the premise that a bunch of women let some drugged out dude name their child after a tour stop and that he had real feelings for each of their mothers at some point (that lasted about 6 months each). While I wasn't quite sold on this, it does make a good framework for a series as they each get to know their siblings and new lives, and tackle new mysteries through their PI firm, Scandals.

 

*A copy of this book was received in exchange for an honest review.*

 

Try it for yourself! Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK 

Katie

Tell Me When Release Day - Review and Giveaway

Synopsis

Amber Scott should be enjoying life as a college freshman. She should be pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She should be working hard to make sense of her precalculus math class.

She shouldn’t be waking up her college roommate with screaming nightmares. She shouldn’t be flashing back, reliving the three weeks of hell she barely survived last year. And she definitely shouldn’t be spending time with sexy player Marcus Reid.

But engineering student Marcus is the only one keeping Amber from failing her math course, so she grudgingly lets him into her life. She never expects the king of hookups will share his painful past. Or that she’ll tell him her secrets in return, opening up and trusting him in a way she thought she’d never be able to again.

When their fragile future together is threatened by a stalker Amber thought was locked away for good, Marcus is determined to protect her. And Amber is determined to protect Marcus…even if that means pushing him away.

Review

Tell Me When tackles some difficult topics, topics that are also covered a surprising amount in New Adult contemporary romance novels. I felt that even though the subject matter is a little over used, Tell Me When did it in a way that was rawer, darker and more realistic and that made it feel fresh and unique.

Amber has had some really dark things occur in her past and as a result she is pretty messed up and is struggling to live a normal life. She is paranoid and suffers from flashbacks and nightmares that make her not want to sleep at night. After growing close to her Math tutor things start to get better but she still has a long way to go.

Tell Me When focuses a lot on Amber’s personal growth as the battles the demons of her past with the help of a guy with just as horrific a past to overcome. I would say that the romance almost takes a backseat to the themes of getting over the past and moving on with your life, but don’t worry, the romance is still a very large and crucial aspect of the plot!

Marcus may be a womanising bad boy but he is far from typical. He is incredibly smart, driven and wants nothing more than to move up in the world so that his sister can have a better life (how adorable!). Family is the number one most important thing in his life and nothing, not even a girl who touches his heart, will get in the way of his plans.

I found this book to be incredibly moving and powerful. Stina Lindenblatt is a talented writer who really makes you feel for the characters. Amber and Marcus both had such inner strength and an amazing connection. You really find yourself rooting for them as a couple and hoping that they will overcome all obstacles even when it looks like things won’t end well.

I am looking forwarded to reading more books by this debut author. Tell Me When is an emotional contemporary must read.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, this has not affected my opinions or rating in anyway.*

Try it for yourself! Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK

Laura

 

About The Author

Born in England, Stina loves to travel, and has lived in England, the US, Canada, and Finland. She spent a semester in graduate school living in central Finland, and a summer during her undergrad degree working in Helsinki. She has a Master’s of Science degree in exercise physiology and has worked with elite athletes. In her free time, Stina is a photographer, mother of three adorable kids, and devoted wife. She currently lives in Calgary, Canada.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads 

Giveaway

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Stacking The Shelves / Showcase Sunday #47

Showcase Sunday is hosted by Vicky @Books, Biscuits, and Tea and Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and they both give bloggers the opportunity to share the books they have received in the past week.

 

This week has been crazy, hence the lack of blog posts. I have got some amazing books and I also treated myself to a few books from my tbr. As usual if you click on the book cover you will be taken to the books Amazon page (or goodreads if it isn't yet on amazon).

 

Review

I received 4 wonderful review books this week that I cannot wait to read.

 

Ebooks

 

Hidden Magic

 

Paperback

 

 

Freebies

I'm pretty sure all these are still free. Enjoy! :D

 

 

Bought

 

Ebooks

Gravity and Shine are the last to books in an urban fantasy series that I decided I wanted to finish this week and The Best Thing I Never Had has been on my tbr since a year ago when it was self published under a different title and I thought it was about time I finally read it :P Poughkeepsie is a book that I have heard fantastic things about and kept on being recommended to me so I decided to try it for myself.

 

 

Paperbacks

I got these books as 3 for £5 from The Works. All 3 I have been wanting for a long time and UnSouled is the last in a fantastic trilogy.

 

 

Won

I won this great sounding ebook this week.

 

 

So what do you think? Have you read or plan to read any of these books? Feel free to link to your own Stacking the Shelves or similar posts in the comments.

Cover Reveal - Picture Perfect

Today I am happy to be revealing the cover for Picture Perfect by Elisabeth Grace. This is the second book in the Limelight series and book 1, Rumor Has It, was fantastic.

Picture Perfect by Elisabeth Grace

Synopsis

Being the daughter of a big-city mayor, twenty-one year old Skye Summers has giant shoes to fill in her first real job out of college. With the public spotlight on her family, and her dad’s expectations running high, she jumps at the chance to work side-by-side on an important project with her sexy new boss.

Playboy entrepreneur Landon Steele has built a successful PR firm and broken more than a few hearts along the way. He’s counting on his enthusiastic new assistant to help him expand his business into LA… until he discovers she’s a pampered rich girl who’s in the public spotlight as much as his famous clients. Still, he agrees to give her a chance, and soon the two are heating up the bedroom as well as the boardroom.

But when Skye’s ex-boyfriend threatens to reveal a dangerous secret from her past, her job, relationship with Landon, and her father’s career are suddenly all on the line. Will she be forced to leave Landon? Or will she pursue her heart, regardless of the cost?

Releases March 2014

Add it to goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18887333-picture-perfect?ac=1
Try book 1! Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK

Giveaway

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As Lush As It Gets Excerpt

As part of my 1 year blogaversary celebrations I am happy today to be sharing an exclusive excerpt of As Lush As It gets by Selena Laurence. To stay in the loop about this book and when it will be releasing follow Selena on Twitter or Facebook :)

As Lush As It Gets by Selena Laurence

“I think I’ve died and gone to heaven,” he rasps out.

I gasp as he leans over me, devouring my mouth while his hands begin exploring my breasts, kneading and stroking them through my satin bra. With more skill than I want to contemplate, he quickly twists the front clasp and releases the girls from their prison, then he pulls back and simply stares down at me for a moment.

“My God,” he whispers. “You’re absolutely perfect.”

I feel my cheeks heat and shake my head. “Please don’t say that, you’ll only end up disappointed.”

He puts his hand alongside my face, his thumb rubbing lightly on my lower lip. “Never, Mel. Never. Even your imperfections are perfect to me. That’s what I mean. You are perfect to me. For me. With me. You’re meant to be mine.”

His words render me speechless. My heart is jumping in my chest, and I feel something aching and tingly spread from my center to my arms and legs, my hands and feet. I wonder if this is how Tammy feels with Walsh. This wave of pain and pleasure and utter panic because the idea that this would ever end is almost more than I can fathom. I feel my eyes burn and I know I’m seconds from breaking down. My heart is overloaded. Its circuits not designed for this much strain.

He looks down at me, and his eyes are so serious, it’s like he can see everything that’s flashing through my mind. As though he senses me on a level, in a place, that words can’t find. “Sshh, sweet Mel,” he coos. “Just breathe. We’re going to be okay. You’ll get used to it. The feeling. I promise. We both will. Just breathe.”

Cover Reveal - All The Pretty Poses by M. Leighton

Today I am happy to be revealing the very pretty cover for All The Pretty Poses by M. Leighton. This book sounds awesome and I love the author so I cant wait to read it.

All The Pretty Poses by M. Leighton

Synopsis

He never wanted to be a hero…until she needed him to be.

 

Strength…

It took Kennedy Moore years to put her life back together after Reese Spencer shattered it.  But she did.  Now, years later, strong and independent, she is in pursuit of a single dream—to dance with the Altman American Dance Theater.  Unfortunately, Kennedy is learning that a girl from nowhere with no money and no contacts might never be able to reach her goal.  

 

That is, until Reese reappears, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Kennedy just can’t refuse.  In exchange for working on his yacht for a few short weeks, he’ll get her an audition with the famous dance troupe.  All Kennedy has to do is keep her head down, work hard and resist Reese.  That sounds easy enough, right?

 

Weakness…

Reese doesn’t want to make it easy for Kennedy.  Seeing her again has started a fire in his blood—an unwelcome one.  It took him years to forget about her before, so this time he has a plan.  It’s simple:  Get Kennedy on his yacht, seduce her, get her out of his system, move on with his life.  That sounds easy enough, right? 

 

But the one thing Reese didn’t plan for was Kennedy herself—a girl so strong yet so broken, she makes him want to rescue her, to take care of her.  To save her.  Even if he has to save her from himself.

 

Releases January 26th 2014

 

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About the Author

 

M. Leighton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Wild Ones and The Bad Boys romance trilogies.  She is a native of Ohio, relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she lets her mind wander to romantic settings with sexy Southern guys much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books.  When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.  

For more about M. Leighton, visit her website at www.MLeightonBooks.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter @mleightonbooks.

 

 

Exclusive Excerpt - A Need So Insatiable

This week I am celebrating my 1 year blogaversary and the lovely Cecilia Robert has given me an excerpt of her upcoming release A Need So Insatiable to share with you all. To enter the amazing giveaways that I have to celebrate by blogaversary please go here :D

A Need So Insatiable by Cecilia Robert

Synopsis

You've owned me from the moment I walked into that music room. You've wrapped yourself in my heart and mind. I can’t get you out. I don’t want to.” ~ Rafael Van Rees

Sophie Fisher’s life is on fire. If she’s not ducking around corners or slipping out of windows to escape the debt collectors her father's death has left knocking on her door, she’s dealing with her rebellious, fifteen-year-old sister, Lilli. And, as if that’s not enough, Rafael Van Rees crashes into her life—literally—bringing with him a past the public has no idea of. Can she unravel his mysteries before he unravels her, or will his presence finally force her to face the demons she's trying to outrun?

Rafael Van Rees, maestro extraordinaire, prides himself on being in control of his destiny, music and women. As far as he is concerned, his past is a black cloud in the distance--until he meets Sophie, that is, and his world spins out of control in more ways than one. He knows the darkest sins and secrets eventually reveal themselves, but when it comes to Sophie, he'll stop at nothing to protect her from his past. Even if it kills him.

Releases February 2014

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Excerpt

I spin around to face Rafael, irritated at my own feelings for this man. How can he act like nothing happened, like there isn't this connection between us, when I feel all flustered and turned on with just a look from him?

“You kissed me. Twice. Well it wasn't really a kiss but you look so. . . so. . . unaffected. Didn't you feel anything?” I say, gripping the files in my hand.

He raises his right brow, studying me in that inscrutable way he does everything. He pushes away from his desk, and prowls toward me, the exposed muscles on his forearms shifting with every inch his long legs swallow up between us.

“Believe me, I did,” he says, halting in front of me. He tugs free the files clutched in my hands, and tosses them on the table by the door. He lowers his head a notch, and my lips parts slightly, my body gravitating toward him. “You have a beautiful mouth. I'm so damn enthralled I can't think straight every time I look at you. So don't go thinking for a second that I didn't enjoy kissing you. You're not ready for my kiss, Sophie.”

My stomach clenches at the way he says my name.

Oh, I am ready. I feel as if I've been ready, waiting for him to kiss me all my life.

He inches closer. His smell, and the heat coming off him slams into me as he slips one arm around my waist, spinning me around so my back is pressed against his hard stomach. He yanks me back, my shoulder hitting his chest, my butt pressing to his pelvis. My breathing speeds up as his erection presses onto my butt through our clothes. He slides his hands down my waist to grip my hips, then flattens one palm to my stomach. My skin tingles as his warm breath fans the sensitive area behind my ear, sending shiver after shiver scattering all over my body. I toss my head back to his chest, and shut my eyes tight, trying to take one breath at a time, but I can't. His nearness is too overwhelming, his scent freaking' intoxicating.

“When I finally kiss you, really kiss you, baby,” he says in a dark, low voice. “There'll be no room for doubt in your mind about my feelings for you. You will feel me fill every little part of this curvy beautiful body of yours. I won't just kiss you, Sophie. I'll be priming you for what I've wanted to do to you from the fucking second I saw you.”

He traces his tongue along the shell of my ear, then gently nips my earlobe. His hand leaves my hip, brushing his knuckles softly along my cheek, then slides it across my belly. Dropping his arms from my body, he turns and walks away, the heels of his ankle boots clicking on the polished tile floor.

Sweet freakin' Jesus! What the hell am I supposed to do with all these. . . feelings he bombarded me with? My stupid knees feel like someone melted my kneecaps. My body wants to chase after him while thumping my chest, roaring like a Viking, and tackle him down, but my feet feel like fucking lead!

Having nothing to tether me to the ground, I slump forward, grabbing the door knob to keep my body up. I press my forehead on the cool wood surface, while breathing deeply to stop my lungs from giving out.

“Let me know if you need any help with the projects, or anything.” He says the last word in a low, soon-you'll-be-all-mine-to-devour voice, and just like that, he annihilates every single cell in my brain.

I jerk around to face Rafael, leaning back on his chair, his expression once again, unreadable.

Controlled.

Stacking The Shelves / Showcase Sunday #46

Showcase Sunday is hosted by Vicky @Books, Biscuits, and Tea and Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews and they both give bloggers the opportunity to share the books they have received in the past week.

 

Yesterday was my one year blogaversary and I have a huge giveaway to celebrate! It has been a really hectic week as I start back at Universtity tomorrow and have some big deadline coming up. Luckily this has also been a great book week :) I didn't but any books this week which is just as well because I bought so many last week. As usual if you click on the book cover you will be taken to the books Amazon page (or goodreads if it isn't yet on amazon).

 

Review

I am loving the look of these books. Expect to see reviews for some of them shortly!

 

All I Ever Wanted

 

 

Edelweiss

 

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHH! IM SO EXCITED TO READ THIS ONE! :D

 

 

Freebies

 

I got 5 several awesome looking freebies. If your quick they might still be free.

 

 

So what do you think? Have you read or plan to read any of these books? Feel free to link to your own Stacking the Shelves or similar posts in the comments.