Stacking the Shelves (126)

 Stacking The Shelves, a weekly meme from Tynga's Reviews
where I list what I've read, what I've reviewed, what I've acquired
and anything else worth mentioning

• Rescue Me by Jill Shalvis
• The Loving Daylights by Lynsay Sands
• Kiss This by Hadley Quinn
• Countdown to Zero Hour by Nico Rosso - recommended and review to come
• Hybrid Zone: Recognition by C.E. Glines
• Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan
• Fiery Business by Reagan Renee Moore
• Contract with a SEAL by Kate Aster

4 star review

Book image property of Microsoft  

{Teaser} I'll Be There by Samantha Chase

I'LL BE THERE

Montgomery Brother's #6

Samantha Chase

Releasing Dec 1st, 2015

Sourcebooks Casablanca

Book #6 in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Samantha Chase's popular Montgomery series

This Montgomery Has a Head for Business

Working for Zach Montgomery is challenging on many levels-coming from a wealthy and powerful family, he lives by his own rules and doesn't answer to anyone. But Gabriella Martine has no intention of backing down. She's used to handling stubborn men, and it doesn't hurt that Zach is smart, charismatic...and gorgeous.

And a Heart for Adventure

Zach's perfect world is turned upside down when a climbing accident leaves him broken, angry, and maddeningly dependent. In his slow quest for recovery, Gabriella is always there to help...but as Zach comes to see his beautiful assistant in a new light, he is forced to re-evaluate what it really means to be a man worthy of Gabriella's love.

Pre-Order Today

Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes 

Reaching across the table, Zach took one of Gabriella’s hands in his and just marveled at how soft it was. He always wondered what her skin felt like and now that he knew, he wanted to feel more. “Don’t leave me. Please.”

Her blue eyes filled with tears and she used her free hand to quickly wipe them away before they fell and then studied their hands on the table. “Zach,” she said softly, “we’ve been over this.”

“I know, I know,” he replied just as softly. “I need another chance, Gabriella. I need a chance to make things right.” He looked up, his gaze meeting hers. “I need you.”

Deciding to be bold, he turned her hand over and twined their fingers together and gently squeezed. He was surprised she didn’t pull away and thought maybe—just maybe—they were making progress. “I know I can’t erase the things I’ve said and done, but if you’ll give me one more chance, Gabs, I promise not to screw up. If I do anything to upset you, you can walk away. Hell, you can slap me in the face, kick me in the shin or throw something heavy at me and I’ll take it. I just…I can’t do this without you.”

Her eyes never left their joined hands.

“I don’t want to do this without you,” he said quietly.

“I’m afraid to…believe you.” He barely heard her words, they were uttered so softly.

Everything inside of him clenched with pain. His always confident, ever-efficient assistant was now distrusting and uncertain—because of him. “I don’t know what to say to make you believe me. Tell me. Tell me what I need to do. Anything. Anything you need from me to gain your confidence, and I’ll do it.”

She looked up at him. “It’s not that easy. Every day I walked into the office, I gave you another chance. Every time you berated me or made me feel like I screwed up and I came back, I gave you another chance. From my standpoint, you’ve had two years’ worth of second chances. I think I’ve been more than generous.”

His other hand reached out to cup her hand in both of his. “I know you have and you have no idea how much I appreciated it.” She looked at him with disbelief. “It’s true! I know I never said it but every morning you were there, I was thankful. Every time you walked into my office, I was thankful. Please. I’m begging here, Gabs.”

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan's Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40's to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

When she's not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Haven't Started the Series?

WAIT FOR ME/TRUST IN ME 

are now available in a duo!

Amazon | B&N | iTunes

{eARC Review} Vindicate (Recovered Innocence #1) by Beth Yarnall

Vindicate (Recovered Innocence #1) by Beth Yarnall

Beth Yarnall kicks off a steamy new series—perfect for fans of Kendra Elliot and Emma Chase—featuring a San Diego investigative team with a soft spot for lost causes and a passion for redemption.

Cora. . . . I got my driver’s license on my sixteenth birthday so I could visit my brother in prison. Five and a half years later, he’s still locked up for a murder he didn’t commit and I’m still trying to find a way to set him free. Then I hear about Nash Security and Investigation, a private detective agency that helped exonerate a wrongfully convicted man after thirty-nine years in prison. The problem? They’ve already taken on the one pro-bono case they’ll accept this year.

Leo. . . . I’m this close to finishing law school—and never working another day at my dad’s P.I. office—when Cora Hollis walks through the door. She’s got a box of files, a handful of leads, and an independent streak a mile wide. She fascinates me and I can’t say no. Suddenly I’m volunteering to help her find a missing witness who could be the key to her brother’s case. But nothing is what it seems and giving in to the attraction between us could be more dangerous than finding the real murderer. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} ebook, 242 pages. Expected publication: November 17th 2015 by Loveswept. Source: ebook provided in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

An engaging storyline that grabbed my attention and kept me along for the ride, through all the ups and downs, lies and secrets, to the bittersweet ending.

Cora is the best sister ever. She's unwaveringly loyal and devoted. Her life is focused on one thing: freeing her brother. Her life has changed as much as Beau's. She lost her family, friends, all she had was the drive to free her brother. I felt bad for her, all she'd lost and missed. While her brother is trapped behind bars she's trapped in her own way.

Leo is bowled over by Cora. He's never met anyone like her and after a lifetime of being the one pursued suddenly the shoe is on the other foot. I liked how Cora gave Leo something to care about, to commit to, to feel passionate about.

I loved Cora and Leo together. Along with working well together they fill in missing pieces, Leo brings fun into Cora's life as well as a load of charm and his smooth talking ways, while Cora brings determination and gravity into Leo's life.

I thought the ending was too quick and there was a lot left unresolved at the end of Vindicate but there is a sequel - yay. I can't wait to read Atone! 

Stacking the Shelves (125)

 Stacking The Shelves, a weekly meme from Tynga's Reviews
where I list what I've read, what I've reviewed, what I've acquired
and anything else worth mentioning

• The Club by Lauren Rowe
• Giving in to You by LM Carr
• Looking for you by Lindsay Paige
• Taking Tiffany by MK Harkins
• Saving the CEO by Jenny Holiday - Highly recommend
• How to Lose a Bachelor by Anna Banks - recommended and reviewed
• Road to Desire by Piper Davenport
• Semi-Charmed by Isabel Jordan
• Quarterback Draw by Jaci Burton

4 star review


4 star review

Book image property of Microsoft  

{Blog Tour + Excerpt + Review + Giveaway} How to Lose a Bachelor by Anna Banks

Enter to Win a 

$100.00 Amazon eGift Card

HOW TO LOSE A BACHELOR

Anna Banks

Releasing Nov 9th, 2015

Entangled: Bliss

When Rochelle Ransom auditioned for the dating show Luring Love, she had big plans for winning the prize money to help her favorite charity–and if she won the hot bachelor's heart, even better. But at the last minute she finds out the hot bachelor is her ex-boyfriend, Grant Drake. Desperate to keep her distance from him, she'll do anything–and everything–to get voted off.

Years ago, Rochelle broke Grant’s heart, and he's out for revenge. There's no way he'll vote her off.  After all, vengeance is a dish best served red-hot...and on live television.

When her hilarious antics to get kicked off the show escalate, Grant’s reminded why he fell in love with her the first time. Now he isn't sure which might be more fun... Seeing how far Rochelle is willing to go to get away or how far he will to keep her forever.

BUY NOW

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{Excerpt}

“Aaaand rolling!” Chris said, retaking the director’s seat a few feet away.

Grant could practically feel the cameras focusing back on him. “I’ve decided to be America’s reporter for the day,” he said, having already memorized his lines. “So I have a few questions to ask that I think everyone will want to know—including me.” Their eyes locked. So did Rochelle’s jaw. Grant paused for effect. Then, “Why on earth would you choose to audition for a sleezy show like Luring Love?”

“CUT!” yelled Chris.

“I mean, have you really drained the dating pool already?” Grant continued, getting angrier with each word out of his mouth. These were, after all, valid questions. Never in a million years would Rochelle have chased after a man—so why the hell was she here? “What would your mother say? Coming on a show like this to paw at a man who’s already got nine other women doing the same thing?”

“I said cut!” Chris growled.

“Oh, are we going to talk about mothers, then?” Rochelle flung back her hair. “Instead of dating pools, let’s talk about gene pools—and the fact that you and your four siblings originated from separate ones!”

“Cut, cut, cut!” Chris had his hand on Grant’s shoulder, but Grant wouldn’t turn his eyes away from Rochelle. Her expression read Challenge Accepted.

Did she really just insult his mother’s…need for variety in life? He couldn’t let that low blow go unpunished. “Let’s do talk about gene pools and how we both know that cleavage of that particular magnitude doesn’t run in your family.”

Taken aback, Rochelle clutched at her shirt. Grant felt a win on the horizon, if hurling mother insults could, in fact, be considered winning at anything. “It’s a halter top, moron. It’s designed for cleavage. Besides, you didn’t seem to be complaining when I walked in!” she added.

His mouth fell slightly ajar. She noticed me noticing. Did the crew? Will America? “It doesn’t suit you,” he blurted. A complete lie. It enhanced an already irresistible figure—so much so that he just might have been willing to change his general opinion on how much cleavage a woman should expose in public. In fact, he suspected he’d change his view on world peace if Rochelle sat on his lap and asked him to.

“Really? Everything underneath suited the hell out of you before!”

“For God’s sake,” Chris said, standing in front of Grant to block his view of Rochelle. “Are we speaking the same language?”  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NYT Bestselling YA author of The Syrena Legacy series: OF POSEIDON (2012) OF TRITON (2013) OF NEPTUNE (2014). Repped by rockstar Lucy Carson of the Friedrich Agency. I live with my husband and daughter in the Florida Panhandle. I have a southern accent compared to New Yorkers, and I enjoy food cooked with real fat. I can't walk in high heels, but I'm very good at holding still in them. If you put chocolate in front of me, you must not have wanted it in the first place.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

{Details} eARC, Published November 9th 2015 by Entangled Publishing, LLC (Bliss). Source: eARC provided in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

A fast paced, fun and engaging storyline - I couldn't put it down and devoured it in one sitting - with imperfect and lovable characters and a happily ever after that will leave you smiling.
 
I'm not usually a fan of reunited lovers stories but I will read anything and everything that Anna Banks writes, that's the awesomeness of Anna Banks.

I liked Rochelle. Smart, strong, passionate, vindictive - knowing the exact way to twist the knife to make it hurt the most, with a sweet, caring side. Grant was a great hero. He can go all alpha male but also can be kind and sensitive. They're both imperfect characters but they felt real to me, drawing me into their hurt and happiness, their drama and angst. I enjoyed watching them verbally spar - Rochelle's attempts to get kicked off the show were hilarious, circle each other and finally find their way back to love.

I enjoyed How to Lose a Bachelor and hope to see many more contemporary romances from Anna Banks.

M9B Friday Reveal: Cover Reveal - The Requiem Red by Brynn Chapman with Giveaway #M9BFridayReveals

M9B Friday Reveal: Cover Reveal - The Requiem Red by Brynn Chapman with Giveaway #M9BFridayReveals

 

Welcome to this week’s M9B Friday Reveal!

This week, we are revealing the cover for

The Requiem Red by Brynn Chapman

an upcoming Month9Books Title!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

 

Patient Twenty-nine.

A monster roams the halls of Soothing Hills Asylum. Three girls dead. 29 is endowed with the curse…or gift of perception. She hears messages in music, sees lyrics in paintings. And the corn. A lifetime asylum resident, the orchestral corn music is the only constant in her life.

Mason, a new, kind orderly, sees 29 as a woman, not a lunatic. And as his belief in her grows, so does her self- confidence. That perhaps she might escape, might see the outside world.

But the monster has other plans. The missing girl's share one common thread...each was twenty-nine's cell mate.

Will she be next?

Title: The Requiem Red Publication date: 2016 Publisher: Month9Books, LLC. Author: Brynn Chapman

Pre-order: Amazon

 

 

Brynn Chapman is published in Historical and Historical Fantasy Romance for adult books. She also writes under R.R. Smythe for Young Adult Historical Fantasy.

Website- www.brynnchapmanauthor.com She also blogs with the wonderful authors, Grace Burrowes, Hope Ramsay, Alix Rickloff and many others at http://blameitonthemuse.com

Connect: Website | @rrsmythe | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest

 

Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

Title will be sent to the winner upon it's release.

 

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{Book Tour + Excerpt + Giveaway} Inconceivable! by Tegan Wren @Tastybooktours @teganwrenwrites

Enter to Win a 

Signed Copy of INCONCEIVABLE!

INCONCEIVABLE!

Tegan Wren

Releasing Nov 16th, 2015

Curiosity Quills Press

A popular, young royal couple can't produce an heir? INCONCEIVABLE!

When Ozarks native Hatty goes “whole hog” during karaoke, she catches the eye of Prince John. He isn’t what she expects the heir to a small European nation to be: he's affable, witty, and isn’t put off by her tell-it-like-it-is demeanor. Their flirtation should be short lived, but a force stronger than fate—Hatty’s newspaper editor—assigns her to cover the royals. After spending time together, she and John soon begin dating, and Hatty finds herself making headlines instead of writing them.

But challenges loom that are even more complicated than figuring out how to mesh Hatty's journalism career with life at Belvoir Palace. Hatty and John soon find themselves embroiled in an unusual sex scandal: they can't produce an heir. Tabloids dub Hatty a “Barren-ess,” and the royals become irate. Hatty politely tells them to shove it. But beneath her confident exterior, she struggles to cope with a heartbreak that invades her most intimate moments with John. Pressured to choose between invasive medical procedures and abandoning John’s claim to the throne, the couple feels trapped until a trip to Ethiopia shows them happy endings sometimes arrive long after saying “I do.”

 BUY NOW

Amazon 

{Excerpt}

He leaned closer and sang softly. I recognized the opening lyrics to Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” His singing voice was soulful and sexy, and something deep inside me responded, making my heart beat a little faster.

He stopped and looked me in the eyes. “That song’s about someone who’s alone. But that’s not you. You’re too lovely to be lonely.”

A nervous laugh escaped my lips. “Are you kidding? Aren’t we sitting in a sanctuary for the lonely?”

“I don’t feel lonely right now.”

“Me either.” I blew into my mug, then took a sip. “Have you had one of these?”

“I don’t think so. What is it?”

“It’s called a chocolate kiss. It’s peppermint schnapps and hot cocoa.”

He reached over and picked up the steaming mug. His movement conveyed authority while his neat fingernails screamed uppity. They looked better than mine, damn it. After taking a long pull from the cup, he handed it back. Our fingers brushed together, sending a flash of heat through my body.

“Thanks for sharing a kiss with me,” he said, reaching over and lifting my chin.

Our eyes met, and I couldn’t tear myself away from his gaze. Yowza. Was he going to kiss me? Did I want him to?

“You guys know each other?”

I flinched at Plato’s words―I hadn’t seen him coming toward us―and pulled back. I sloshed a healthy dollop of my drink onto Farmer Joe’s pants. We both reached for the stack of napkins, but I got there first.

“Sorry. Here, let me,” I sputtered, dabbing at the wet patch.

I blotted along his pants, and my hand moved a little too close to the inside of his leg. A burning sensation rose up behind my ears. “Umm. I’ll just let you do it.”

I dropped the wad of damp napkins onto his open palm. Glancing at his face, I saw a half smile. I closed my eyes and touched my forehead, gently rubbing the area above my eyebrows as I always did when embarrassment overwhelmed me.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The best compliment Tegan Wren ever received came from her sixth grade teacher: “You always have a book in your hand!”

Guided by her love of the creative process, Tegan grew up acting in theatre productions and writing poetry, short stories, and plays. She turned her eye to writing about real life when she worked as a journalist, producing reports for various radio and television stations in medium and large markets in the Midwest and also filing some stories for a major national news network. Wren has both a Bachelor’s of Journalism and a Master of Arts in Communications. After completing her graduate degree, Tegan had the opportunity to teach journalism courses at a major state university. She absolutely loved training the next generation of journalists.

Tegan’s thankful that she’s had the opportunity to travel overseas, and uses those adventures to inform her writing. She also draws inspiration from her own struggles, joys, and other life experiences. Tegan and her husband, Patrick, experienced infertility for five years before becoming parents through adoption. Because she understands the financial stress of the infertility journey, Tegan is donating half the royalties from her book to Baby Quest Foundation. This charity awards grants to people all over the U.S. for fertility treatments. Tegan is thrilled to use her story to help other people find their happily ever after. 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Waiting on Wednesday (122) Atone (Recovered Innocence #2) by Beth Yarnall

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, created by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting on: 

Atone (Recovered Innocence #2) by Beth Yarnall

Beth Yarnall’s sexy and emotional Recovered Innocence series continues as two broken souls discover that keeping their hands off each other is even harder than facing their demons.

Beau: Six years. That’s how long I spent behind bars for a crime I didn’t commit—the murder of the woman I loved. Now I’m free, but life on the outside is a different kind of prison. I don’t know who I am or who I want to be. At least I have my sister, Cora. She never stopped believing in me. She even got me a job at the private investigation agency that cleared my name. And then Vera Swain walks into Nash Security and Investigations and kicks my world on its ass.

Vera: There’s only one thing that would make me come out of hiding after two years on the run: finding my sister. I made the mistake of telling a monster about her, the same monster who beat me and broke me. Now I’m forced to confide in Beau Hollis of Nash Security and Investigations. He looks at me like he knows me—the real me. He sees too much, makes me feel too much. The pleasure he offers is exciting and addictive. But I can’t fall for him . . . because my love could get us both killed.

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title. (Blurb via Goodreads)

Expected publication: February 23, 2016

What are you waiting on?

{Teaser} I'll Be There by Samantha Chase

I'LL BE THERE

Montgomery Brother's #6

Samantha Chase

Releasing Dec 1st, 2015

Sourcebooks Casablanca

Book #6 in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Samantha Chase's popular Montgomery series

This Montgomery Has a Head for Business

Working for Zach Montgomery is challenging on many levels-coming from a wealthy and powerful family, he lives by his own rules and doesn't answer to anyone. But Gabriella Martine has no intention of backing down. She's used to handling stubborn men, and it doesn't hurt that Zach is smart, charismatic...and gorgeous.

And a Heart for Adventure

Zach's perfect world is turned upside down when a climbing accident leaves him broken, angry, and maddeningly dependent. In his slow quest for recovery, Gabriella is always there to help...but as Zach comes to see his beautiful assistant in a new light, he is forced to re-evaluate what it really means to be a man worthy of Gabriella's love.

Pre-Order Today

Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes 

Shock.

Then more shock.

And then…aah…Gabriella melted into Zach. After all they had been through together, after everything they had talked about tonight, this was so not the way she envisioned their time together ending.

But she was completely on board with it.

For years she had dreamed about what it would be like for Zach Montgomery to kiss her and now that he was, she needed to stop talking to herself and start enjoying it!

Zach must have realized she was on board because his second crutch fell to the floor as his arms banded around her waist. Everything inside Gabriella melted at the heated contact. He was hard where she was soft and they just…fit. Her hands tentatively stroked their way up his muscular arms and then paused on his shoulders. It felt…naughty…to be touching her boss like this.

Wait…not her boss. Zach. She was touching Zach. Get your head out of the office, girl!

A low hum emanated from Zach and she let her hands slowly glide up the strong column of his throat—and stopped and lingered on his now clean-shaven jaw—and up into his hair. It was longer than he’d ever worn it but it was thick and silky and her fingers just sort of gently grasped and tugged to hold him to her.

If possible, Zach moved in even closer and Gabriella was thoroughly pressed from head to toe between him and the wall. His lips were devouring her but his arms stayed as they were—tightly banded and holding her close as if he was afraid she’d get away.

Not likely.

Right now, there wasn’t another place on the planet she wanted to be. Which was a bit ironic considering that less than a minute ago she wanted to be anyplace but here! Funny how fast things could change.

She struggled between needing to take a breath and never letting Zach’s lips leave hers again. As if reading her mind, he began to trail kisses along her cheek and her jaw. He nipped at her earlobe and then stopped to simply inhale her.

“Do you have any idea how long I’ve wanted to do this?” he growled lowly against her ear.

“Hopefully as long as I’ve wanted you to,” she openly admitted as she rubbed herself against him.

He chuckled softly. “The first time you walked through my door, I wanted to touch you. Kiss you.” His tongue lightly traveled down the side of her neck to her collarbone. “Make love to you.”

Gabriella trembled at his words. How was it possible she didn’t notice that? How had he kept it a secret for so long? And why? It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him, but he raised his head and gave her a very sexy grin before reclaiming her lips. There was no shock this time, just anticipation. Zach’s admission had pretty much done it all for her, she was putty in his hands.

She wanted to move, to get to a place where her back wasn’t pressed against a wall. But again, she didn’t want to stop what Zach was doing long enough to even say anything. Her nails raked his scalp and she felt the growl vibrate through him. She pushed her breasts more firmly against him, and felt his erection nudge her belly.

The wall was just fine.

New York Times and USA Today Bestseller/contemporary romance writer Samantha Chase released her debut novel, Jordan's Return, in November 2011. Although she waited until she was in her 40's to publish for the first time, writing has been a lifelong passion. Her motivation to take that step was her students: teaching creative writing to elementary age students all the way up through high school and encouraging those students to follow their writing dreams gave Samantha the confidence to take that step as well.

When she's not working on a new story, she spends her time reading contemporary romances, playing way too many games of Scrabble or Solitaire on Facebook and spending time with her husband of 25 years and their two sons in North Carolina.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Haven't Started the Series?

WAIT FOR ME/TRUST IN ME 

are now available in a duo!

Amazon | B&N | iTunes