Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Release Day Launch, Review, and Giveaway for Playing With Her Heart by Lauren Blakely


 

 
 
 
PLAYING WITH HER HEART Synopsis:

When you’re acting the role of a lifetime, how can you know if love is real—or all just a part of the show?

Twenty-three year old rising theatre star Jill McCormick has built a life out of pretending. Pretending she’s happy, pretending her long-distance crushes add up to something real, pretending she’s not haunted by the dark secret that shattered her world six years ago. Cast in her first Broadway show, she desperately needs to keep her façade intact, but that’s before she comes face to face with her devastating new boss…

Hot-shot director Davis Milo knows the first rule of directing: never fall for your leading lady. Captivated by Jill’s raw talent, he fights his feelings, but watching Jill on-stage with another man is more than his jealous streak can take. Keeping things professional isn’t an option. He wants all of her.

Soon the ingénue and her director are staying late in the empty theatre, their private rehearsals spiraling into new, forbidden territory. Caught up between fiction and reality, Jill struggles to find the truth in all their staged kisses. But how can she be sure that what she feels is real, and not a part of the play? And when two people spend their lives pretending, what happens after the final curtain falls?


Excerpt from Playing With Her Heart:

 DAVIS

                She leans her head back, closes her eyes, and lets me run my fingers through her hair. I gather her hair at the top of her head, the thick strands laying across my palms like silk waterfalls. I begin weaving one strand into another, then gathering another layer, recreating the French braid I saw her wearing the other day. The one that made me think of a moment of intimacy, when Paolo and Ava come closer together through touch before they kiss in the next scene. A tender moment, where he wants to take care of her, get her painted hair out of her face. I reach the point in the braid where I’m at her neck, and now I’m simply looping one strand over the other. There are no more lines in this scene until hers at the end, and as I finish I stare at her neck, at the way a vein seems to be beating harder, and then I listen, and her breaths sound like tiny little sighs.

                I stop moving for a second, trying to collect myself. I am fighting everything in me that’s dying to touch her. I somehow find the strength to return to character, pulling a rubberband from my pocket, and fastening her braid. She turns around, and looks at me.        

                That’s not in the blocking. That’s not how she did it this afternoon with Patrick. She didn’t look at him. She uttered the last lines while gazing out at the audience, her body language saying how she felt, as she leaned into him, showing that she trusted him.        

                But now, she’s leaning back against my chest, and turning to look up at me. A tiny whimper escapes her throat, before she says, “It feels so good.”

                I have no idea if she’s acting. If she’s Ava, or Jill, or both. If she’s acting, she’s so fucking convincing because her face says she’s never been more aroused in her life.

                My hands are still on her back, my thumbs tracing the tiny strands at the end of her braid. She doesn’t break her gaze, nor do I. I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t what’s happening. But for the first time I don’t feel like I’m in control anymore.

                She is.

                I stay completely still.

                She counters me by shifting closer. “What is happening here?” Her voice is unsteady as she says a line that’s not in the script.

                “You tell me,” I say, and I’m not even sure where my own voice is coming from.

                She turns around, uncrosses her legs, and mirrors me, kneeling. “You wrote that scene for me, didn’t you?”

                I nod. My throat is dry. I can barely speak.

                “That day you saw me with Shelby outside the theater, right?”

                “Yes.” I swallow. I’m a fucking open book now.

                “Did you write it because it makes the show better? Or did you write it for me?”

                I close my eyes briefly. I’ve never had an actress question me like this. Then I look at her. “I put the scene in the show because the show needed it,” I answer with as much confidence as I can muster, grabbing the reins from her.

                “But you’re also kind of into my hair, aren’t you?”

                Now she’s in control in again. My chest rises and falls, and she is looking at me with such a challenging stare, and so much want in her blue eyes. Her breath is staccato like mine. She raises her hands behind her head, pulling out the rubberband, shaking out her hair, and letting it fall around her face.

                I am undone by her.

                My hands are twitching to touch her. I am aching to taste her lips.

                “Do it,” she breathes out in a voice so low it’s barely audible, but it’s all I need.

                I place my hands on her face, and cup her cheeks, and she closes her eyes and sighs. Then my hands thread through her hair, and I pull her to me, pressing my lips to hers again. I am unable to stay away from her.

                Her lips are soft and full and greedy. But I like to lead, so I kiss her deeply, possessively, twining my hands through her glorious hair, as I trace the soft underside of her lips with the tip of my tongue, eliciting the sexiest moan from her that I kiss away. I nibble on her bottom lip, and she gasps. “Davis.”

                My name alone sends me into another realm, and before I know it I am tugging on her hair, exposing her neck, and roaming my mouth down the gorgeous column of her neck, and right before I reach her shoulder blade, I press my teeth to her skin, lightly, but enough to make the smallest of marks.

                “Ouch,” she says, but the word tapers off, and the next thing she says is more, in a breathy whisper that turns into a groan of pleasure as I give her what she wants.
 
 
My thoughts:
 
I am just going to warn you now, I am STILL a bit (actually a LOT) gushy about this book. I sat down last night to go over my review, touch it up, and make sure I didn't leave any thoughts out it, but what I wound up doing was rereading the book again for the 3rd or 4th time. Yup, after driving for 10 hours to get home from Vegas, I stayed up until 3:30 in the morning reacquainting myself with Davis and Jill.
 I always enjoy Lauren's style of writing, I love her fun and feisty female characters, her scorching hot sex scenes, and I always love her endings, because she has some of the best happily-ever-after's out there! BUT ,*pause for dramatic effect*, Playing With Her Heart is not like her other work. It's not the light hearted, fun, and flirty I'm used to. It's. So. Much. More. Don't get me wrong, it still has hot as hell sex scenes. Even the almost sex scenes turn up the heat in the room. I saw a piano in a hotel while I was in Vegas, and I seriously think I blushed! But there is a depth to it that isn't in her other books. Jill is in a self-imposed emotional exile, she has an ideal to get the one thing, from the one person, that will fix her. A "love that doesn't hurt". When she was going through an emotional hell, she found something/someone that she could focus on to get her through, to give her hope, but now she comes across a man who makes her "want things that she isn't supposed to have", things she doesn't think she deserves. Davis pursues her despite a broken heart. He loses all his rules because he wants her. He teaches Jill that "It's okay to be scared. It's okay to feel", and what I love about him the most is that he doesn't give up on her when she pushes him away. I know there have been times that I have pushed someone away, but what I really want is them to push right back, show they care. Davis understands that she's not the one who did the hurting, she's the one who got hurt and was made to believe it was her fault, so he puts aside his own insecurities about love, and they both embrace the fact that you have to take a risk and feel, both the good and bad, in order to obtain your happily-ever-after.
I'm not sure how to rate Playing With Her Heart. While it's definitely a 5 star read, there are a handful of books that I connect with on an emotional level that put them in a special category.  The ones where you can picture exactly where you were curled up reading when that connection hit you, where you remember every emotion you had while reading them. For me, this is definitely one of those. If you have read any of Lauren's other books, you are going to want to read this one! If you haven't, you are still going to want to read it. Her books link characters, but can be read as stand alones without any confusion. Davis and Jill's story is one everyone should read!! (And a little side note: I LOVE the duel POVs!!)
 
A couple of my favorite lines:
 
"If only my eReader could vibrate."
 
"Because my body's going one way, but the rest of me is my usual messed-up, mixed-up, fucked-up self, and I have no idea what to do with these veiled questions that feel a lot like foreplay."
 
 
PLAYING WITH HER HEART Trailer:
Lauren Blakely Bio:
Lauren Blakely is an unabashed fan of clever jokes, toast, and good guys in novels. Like the heroine in CAUGHT UP IN US, she thinks life should be filled with movie kisses and coffee drinks. Lauren lives in California with her husband and children, and spends her days writing both true stories and make-believe ones.
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Buy Links:
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/14SYvtd
Apple iBookstore: http://bit.ly/1cBltYO
Links:
 
 

 

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Release Day Launch and Giveaway for Jordyn And The Caverns Of Gloom by Tiffany King

 
 
 

 
 
 JORDYN AND THE CAVERNS OF GLOOM Synopsis:


Lies.
My so-called family lied.
My friends lied.
The only guy I ever liked lied.
My mentor, the one I was supposed to trust lied.

My entire existence is built on lies and yet now they want my help. Scratch that, now
they need my help. I'll play the good soldier, but I am no longer the person I was before. This time it will be on my terms. I will trust no one.

I am a weapon. I am Jordyn.


Author Bio:


Tiffany King is the author of The Saving Angels Series, Wishing for Someday Soon, Forever Changed, Unlikely Allies, Miss Me Not and Jordyn: A Daemon Hunter Novel book one. Writer by day and book fanatic the rest of the time, she is now pursuing her life-long dream of weaving tales for others to enjoy.


She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iphone and ipad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.
 
 

Links:


Twitter- @AuthorTiffany

Facebook- Tiffany King

Pintrest- Tiffany King


Goodreads- Tiffany King

 

Buy Links:


 

Novel Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18295681-jordyn-and-the-caverns-of-gloom?ac=1

 
Trailer Link:



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Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Cover Reveal: Greed by Fisher Amelie



ABOUT GREED (Book 2 in the Seven Deadly Series):

Gather ‘round, love, because I want you. I want what you have, I want what you don’t have, I want more of what I already have. I want. But if you so much as ask for something in return, go ahead and walk away. Know if you want to play in my world, it’s every man for themselves and the weak become mine. Leeches will be obliterated because I make it my job to destroy them. I protect what’s mine and I take what’s yours...because that’s what I do. I want.

My story will not endear me to you and, frankly, I could care less if it does because I’m in this for the money and nothing else. There’s nothing redeeming about me. I’m a corrupt, money hungry, immoral asshole from Los Angeles. I’m every man’s worst nightmare and every girl’s fantasy.

I’m Spencer Blackwell...And this is the story about how I went from the world’s most coveted guy to the guy no one wanted around and why I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.


GREED Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17795023-greed?ac=1


 

 
ABOUT VAIN (Book 1 in the Seven Deadly Series):



If you’re looking for a story about a good, humble girl, who’s been hurt by someone she thought she could trust, only to find out she’s not as vulnerable as she thought she was and discovers an empowering side of herself that falls in love with the guy who helps her find that self, blah, blah, blah...then you’re gonna’ hate my story. Because mine is not the story you read every time you bend back the cover of the latest trend novel. It’s not the “I can do anything, now that I’ve found you/I’m misunderstood but one day you’ll find me irresistible because of it” tale. Why? Because, if I was being honest with you, I’m a complete witch. There’s nothing redeeming about me. I’m a friend using, drug abusing, sex addict from Los Angeles. I’m every girlfriend’s worst nightmare and every boy’s fantasy.

I’m Sophie Price...And this is the story about how I went from the world’s most envied girl to the girl no one wanted around and why I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.




About Fisher Amelie:


Fisher Amelie is the author of The Leaving Series, Callum & Harper and Thomas & January. She began her writing career as a copywriter for an internet marketing company wherein one of their client's said, 'Hey! You're funny. You should write books'. Which in turn she said, 'Hey, get out of here! This is the lady's restroom.' While washing her hands and the embarrassment from her face, she thought they may have had a valid point. So, she took the thousands of hours of writing stories growing up, tucked them into her pocket and began writing and writing and writing.






Links:





Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Cover Reveal: Loving Cara by Kristen Proby

 
 
 
 


CHEMISTRY WAS NEVER THIS SEXY IN HIGH SCHOOL.

 

In her sizzling new series, USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby sets the stage for a passionate reunion under the breathtaking Montana sky.

 

Cara Donovan’s summer tutoring job is turning out to be a challenge—and not just because of her troubled twelve-year-old student. It’s his uncle Josh who’s the real problem. If problem is the word for an irresistibly cocky, muscle-bound rancher with a taste for tight Levi’s and shameless flirtation. . . .

 

Cara is nothing like the wallflower Josh King remembers good-naturedly teasing in high school. This Cara is gorgeous, confident, fun. From the moment the fiery teacher steps foot on his family’s Lazy K Ranch, the stubborn playboy is determined to corral her. So what happens when his luscious lover takes over the reins?

 

The first in a steamy trilogy, Kristen Proby’s enthralling novel is filled to the brim with one hardworking family’s triumphs and challenges, all the wild adventure of the modern West, and a whole lot of titillating fun.

 

EXCERPT:



“Where are your jeans?” Josh asks as he meets me at my car the following morning.



“These are jeans.” I pull my tote bag out of the car and walk toward the front door of his house. “Is Seth here yet?”



“No, he’ll be a few minutes. I have him feeding the dogs at the big house.”



“Okay.”



“Those are not jeans.” He’s scowling down at my denim shorts like they’re the devil incarnate.



“They’re denim.”



He narrows his chocolate eyes at me, but I see the humor there, and the butterflies take up residence in my belly again.



I love riling this guy up.



“Fine, they’ll have to do. Go ahead and get settled, Seth will be here in a minute. I have to ride out with a few of the guys to repair a fence, so I’ll see you at lunch time.” He pulls on some gloves and settles his green baseball cap on his head backwards again.



“You don’t wear cowboy hats?” I ask without thinking.



“Not usually. I have one, if you’d rather I wear it.” He smirks.



“No, just curious,” I mumble and head toward the house.



“Don’t leave before I get back. I have plans for you.”



He grins wide, winks, and saunters off toward the massive barn that sits between his house and the big house.



Well, isn’t that view nice? His Levi’s hug his ass perfectly and sit low on his hips, and as he walks I can see his buttocks and thighs flex.



Dear God, I’m lusting after a rancher.

 


KRISTEN PROBY is the USA Today bestselling author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.

 

Links:




Twitter: @handbagjunkie











 

Release Day Blitz: The Solitude of Passion by Addison Moore

 
 


 
Book Synopsis:
 

When old love and new love collide an impossibility is born.

When Lee Townsend’s husband leaves on a community outreach to China, the last thing she expects is for him to never come back—for him to have tragically met his demise.

Lee goes on to marry his adversary and settles into life and business with him, merging her vineyard with his and creating a worldwide conglomerate.

Five years later a twist of fate brings the past back to her and forces Lee to make a decision that will change the landscape of her life forever. 

Secrets emerge, forcing relationships to be examined—magnifying the surprising true underpinnings of her marriage to both Mitch and Max. 

Lee’s heart is unwilling to surrender her love for either Mitch or Max.
She must choose to carry forward with the past or present. 


Lee has a choice to make.
Mitch can’t figure out how to win.
Max never loses.
Worlds collide in THE SOLITUDE OF PASSION

Author Biography:
 
Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Previously she worked as a therapist on a locked psychiatric unit for nearly a decade. She resides on the West Coast with her husband, four wonderful children, and two dogs where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she's not writing, she's reading.


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Smash Into You Blog Tour: Interview with author Shelly Crane

Smash Into You
By Shelly Crane

 
Synopsis:

Jude has spent the whole twenty one years of his life running. From what, he wasn't quite sure. His mother tried to keep him safe; a low profile, a constant move on the horizon, a week's pay always stashed away. She tried to instill in him that he was special somehow, though would never elaborate. He never felt different. He was so completely normal and vanilla that he wondered if it had all been in her head. But then she was murdered and all he saw was a running silhouette of a man as his mother said three final words to him. Three words that changed his whole being.

Never stop running…

Now he's semi-settled into a big town. The college is huge and easy to blend into. It's been three months since he had to move because 'Biloxi', as he calls the man who killed his mother, found him once more.

Then Marley, an eighteen year old girl who is as infuriating as she is blissfully ignorant of her gorgeousness, smashes into his car with hers. Then smashes into his life as he realizes that whatever it is he has that Biloxi wants, she has it, too. And now, they're after them both.
 
 
Interview:
What was the first thing you did when you found out you hit the best sellers list for the first time?
 
Took my boys and hubby to Dairy Queen for blizzards to celebrate. J
 
I read that you weren't a big reader until you read Twilight, how surprised was your family that you became a bestselling ’ author?
               
Yep, I watched the second Twilight movie and when he said, "Will you marry me?" it drove me crazy to wait a year. So I picked up the next book and then the next to see what happened. To be honest, I wasn't really in love with that story, but I did fall in love with reading and began to devour book after book.
I hadn't even told anyone I had written a book, let alone published one, until it was already selling. They were surprised, not because I wasn't a big reader, they wouldn't have known that anyway, but because I was a stay at home mom and we traveled around with my husband's job. They wondered when I had time to write one book let alone the five I had published at the time. I just sacrificed sleep and did what I needed to do with my kids during the day and hardly ever slept at night for a long, long time. It all paid off in the end.
 
When I say, “Significance is becoming a movie”, what’s the first word that comes to mind?
 
nofreakingway
 
I know they are all special to you, but if you were stuck on an island with just one of your male characters, which one would it be?
 
I know everybody loves Caleb the most, but I would have to say Merrick from Collide. He's not only extremely handy and strong, he loves with his entire being, even when it was against everything he'd ever known before. He's tall and buff and big and strong, yet he's brought to his knees so easily in his love for Sherry. For him to see everything about her, all the good and bad and embarrassing, and still be so incredibly in love with her was my ideal guy. He was the first guy I ever wrote and I poured all my swoon into him because I never (honestly) expected anyone to read it. There were no expectations for that book. It was purely for my enjoyment and because the idea came for the book and it wouldn't let me go until I sat down and wrote it.
 
What book/author are you loving right now?
 
Bet in the Dark by Rachel Higginson was the last book I finished. Before that it was Caught in a Jam by Lila Felix. Both awesome books and anything these two ladies write, anything, is amazing and are some of my favorite books. Currently, I'm reading Amber Garza's Falling to Pieces. I'm not that far in, but I like her writing style a lot. I'm on the hunt for more sweet YA love stories.
 
5 random questions:
 
Pets: Dogs or cats? Dogs. I have four. Scrappy, Biff, Tiger, & Lady.
 
Kids: boys or girls? Boys! I have two and if you handed me a girl, I wouldn't' know what to do with her.
 
Vacations: Family road trip or vacation abroad? Family road trip.
 
Seasons: Summer or winter? Winter. I live in Florida though, so it's only 'winter' for a couple weeks.
 
Social Media: Facebook or Twitter? Facebook. Twitter is still one of those things I do a lot, but don't really love. I do love my Facebook though.
 
 About the Author
Shelly is a NEW YORK TIMES & USA TODAY bestselling YA author from a small town in Georgia and loves everything about the south. She is wife to a fantastical husband and stay at home mom to two boisterous and mischievous boys who keep her on her toes. She loves paperbacks, coffee, and candy corn, and to spend time with her family and friends, go out to eat at new restaurants and site see in the new areas they travel to, listen to music and also LOVES to read.
Her own books happen by accident and she revels in the writing and imagination process. She doesn't go anywhere without her notepad for fear of an idea creeping up and not being able to write it down immediately, even in the middle of the night, where her best ideas are born.
 
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