Friday, May 31, 2013

Promo, Guest Post and Giveaway!: Her Master's Kiss 5 by Vivien Sparx - Release Day!



Blurb

Six months after the tragic loss of their baby, Renee and Stefan are struggling to hold together their fragile romance. Renee is desperate to return to a lifestyle of BDSM, but Stefan steadfastly refuses.

"We can't go backwards."

"No - but we can come full circle!" Renee pleads.

And so begins Renee's greatest challenge - to convince Stefan that BDSM is essential to their relationship, and the one thing that can save their marriage and rekindle the fires of their passion. With the help of Tink and Master Peter, Renee risks everything she loves to hold on to the man she can't live without.


Excerpt

He dominated her with the kiss, leaving her in no doubt that he was in control and that he would take what he wanted - and that she had no alternative but to submit and please him.
When Stefan broke the kiss at last, he put his hand on Renee’s shoulders and she sank obediently to her knees.

“Position One,” Stefan hissed.

Renee parted her thighs quickly and clasped her hands behind her back. She straightened her back so that her breasts thrust out provocatively through the gap of her blouse, and then she opened her mouth as wide as she could.

Stefan had backed away. He picked up the riding crop from the bedroom floor and swished it once against the thigh of his jeans.

The smoldering flint in Stefan’s eyes had not diminished - had not lost any of its intensity. He prowled around Renee, inspecting her position and then came back to stand before her.
Carefully, he reached out with the riding crop, and set the soft leather pad under Renee’s chin, lifting her face until her eyes were locked on his.

“Don’t dare disappoint me,” he warned. “Remember your training.”

He unbuckled his belt slowly, and unfastened the front of his jeans. When he drew down the zip, the hardness of his erection sprang forward, vaulted and thick and urgent. If Renee’s mouth had not been wide open and waiting, she would have licked her lips.

Buy Links

Amazon US
Amazon UK



Links

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

Facebook

Author Bio



As a writer of erotic romance, the beauty of the genre is not in creating lavish settings for my stories.
Nor is my fascination for erotic romance drawn from the opportunity to create handsome heroes and beautiful heroines.

My real love for the genre stems from the opportunity to take my readers on a journey and engage as many of their emotions
as possible.

I believe writing erotic romance gives authors the most influence over how a reader feels as we engage them in our stories.
Writers of action books, or horror books certainly can create compelling situations, but with erotic romance we writers can immerse our readers in a multitude of emotions unprecedented
in any other form of creative fiction.

I can frustrate readers, make them laugh, make them cry, delight them, intrigue them, inform them - erotic fiction is a total emotional experience, and it is gratifying to hear readers respond to stories with passion.

I believe readers want to be engaged and drawn into the pages of a story, and as a writer of erotic romance, we have the greatest opportunity because our stories are always relatable. They may be fictional worlds and fictional characters, but the themes of love and romance and erotica are so universal, and so personal to each of us that we all respond to stories in different ways.
But we all respond.

And that’s the true joy of writing erotic romance. It matters not so much how you respond as you read... it matters only that you do respond. If a writer can engage you and make you feel, then the story’s journey is one well worth taking.

Author Guest Post

Topic: What makes a short BDSM romance effective and why we like them so much


I think, first and foremost, the story has to be good - regardless of the format the author chooses to tell the story.

I write erotic romance stories generally between 20,000 to 45,000 words. I find that I am able to tell the characters stories without the need for pages and pages of trivial information. To me, the story is everything! I don't believe in padding a story in order to make it longer; if it takes 30,000 words to convey the sexy tension, the drama, the emotion and the challenges the characters face, then that is how long the story is.

I do feel there is a legitimate need for shorter erotica. We live busy lives; we never seem to have enough time for anything, balancing work and family responsibilities with our own need to relax and escape. So for that reason alone, shorter erotic romance stories give the reader the opportunity to escape from the every-day without the sense that they need to make a major investment. A thick, weighty book requires commitment from the reader - and that might take several days or weeks to be completed. The shorter erotica format allows me to take someone away to another world and hold their attention, engage their senses, and keep them spellbound right through to a story's completion. In that way, it becomes a bit like a great movie...as opposed to a long mini-series!


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Thursday, May 30, 2013

Follow Friday Four Fill In Fun Blog Hop - Week 114

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This is a fun meme and it's hosted by Hilary at Feeling Beachie. Check out her lovely blog, if you'd like to participate.

This week’s statements:

1. If I don’t get enough sleep then I get migraines.

2. I wish for time off from work but then again I'd  probably be bored.

3.  Waiting for the weekend to get here is challenging for me.

4. I would say I am “computer addicted” because I can't stay away from it.

The Friday 56



This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join on the fun go to The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it here.

From 5

It's that simple.

This week I'm reading...




From 56% in the ebook...

"What are we going to do?" Sienna clutched the pillow even tighter, and Gigi saw her knuckles turning white. Gigi leaned forward and put a hand over Sienna's. "Don't worry," she said with more confidence than she felt, "between us, we'll find the real culprit and present him to the police."

Booking Through Thursday - Ideal Reading Spot




If you'd like to join in on Booking Through Thursday, just click the button above.



This week's question...

I want you to think about your ideal reading experience. Think about the location. (Your bed? Favorite chair? The beach? Indoors or outdoors?). Think about the sounds. (Is there music playing? Happy children playing in the background? Utter silence?) Is there a snack or beverage nearby? Are you alone or with friends/family (presumably being quiet enough for you to read in peace)? What kind of lighting is there? Are you dressed in something ultra-comfy? What’s your position? Curled up? Stretched out?

Now … describe it so that we can all feel exactly how perfect it is … and why.

My answer...

Mmmm...interesting question...

First, I like to read inside. There are less distractions. Plus, I hate bugs and end up spending more time brushing them aside than reading. I prefer to be lying in bed, alone with no music or anything in the background. I need total quiet so I can be totally transported into the pages of the book. I don't eat while I read, but a cold beverage nearby is good (if it's winter then a hot beverage). I'd be wearing something comfy either sweats or a nightshirt. Sometimes with a cat lying by my side.

One thing I should be doing - shutting down my computer. As long as it's on, I easily can be led astray, stop reading and go online. Have to stop that.

So, how about you?

Cat Thursday - May 30th



Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! This fun meme is hosted by The True Book Addict. Go over to her site to join in the fun.




From:  LOL Cats

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Promo: Penelope by Anya Wilde



Free E-Book Alert!!!!


Penelope by Anya Wylde is being offered for free from Amazon.  I haven't read it yet, but it looks like a fun regency romance.  I already downloaded it to my Kindle.


Blog Tour: What A Mother Knows by Leslie Lehr



Genre:
Fiction

Format:
Received e-ARC from NetGalley

Publisher:
Sourcebooks Landmark

Release Date:
May 2013




Hollywood producer Michelle Mason is finally going home after spending many months in a coma. She doesn’t remember anything that happened on that fateful day when she was driving with a local rock star in her passenger seat and the car crashed.

Michelle is more than ready to go home and get her life back to normal, although it will mean needing physical therapy for her arm, which is practically useless, and facing a lawsuit for her part in the accident. It’s not long before she realizes her husband and everyone around her is keeping a huge secret. Her 16 year old daughter, Nikki, disappeared not long after the accident. Nikki could hold the answers to what really happened in that car, but more than that, Michelle wants her daughter back.

After learning that her husband, Drew, didn’t even tell her their daughter was missing and apparently gave up ever seeing her again, Michelle sets off to find their daughter on her own. Both family and friends discourage her from looking for Nikki but Michelle perseveres at great cost to herself. Nothing is more important to her than her children and, with one of them missing, she’s determined to find her child.

The storyline grabbed me right off the bat. I love a good mystery and through most of the book I was coming up with my own scenarios of what occurred during the accident and why Nikki’s disappearance didn’t seem to concern anyone except Michelle.

I liked Michelle, but I didn’t particularly find the other characters very likeable or sympathetic. I was really annoyed with Michelle’s husband. Drew didn’t seem to care about their daughter at all. In fact, as soon as Michelle returned home after being in a coma, he went to work 3000 miles away. Really? Gee, what a loving husband. Drew wasn’t even a huge presence in the book.

Michelle’s friends? Well, they aren’t my idea of friends. They didn’t support anything Michelle tried to do whether it was about her health or her search for her daughter.

I didn’t always agree with everything Michelle did, but with such a lack of support from anyone around her, who could blame her? Months in a coma and the first thing she has to do is run all over the country looking for her daughter.

However, this is Michelle’s story. It’s about her strength, determination and the love she has for her daughter. You could feel that throughout the entire book. It’s well written and fast-paced. Readers will be anxious for Michelle to have a happy ending. I just wish the character had a little more support from the people around her.




FTC Disclosure: NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.



For reading challenges:
A-Z Reading Challenge 2013
2013 ARC Reading Challenge
2013 E-Book Reading Challenge




Book Giveaway Winners!






The winner of the Lucky O'Toole giveaway (3 e-book novellas) by Deborah Coonts is:

Entry #31 Brooke B.

and....





The winner of Cat Trick by Sofie Kelly is:

Entry #95 Katie H.



Congrats to Brooke and Katie!  

Thanks to all who participated!

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Teaser Tuesdays - May 28th



If you'd like to play along on Teaser Tuesdays, just click the button above.


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


This week I'm reading...




Giovanna "Gigi" Fitzgerald was relishing the bite of her newly sharpened chef's knife in the plump, ripe neck of the zucchini lying on her cutting board when she noticed an ominous sign. A very ominous sign.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?



This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!

A three day holiday weekend and I'm getting in alot of reading but not as much as I'd like.  But... I don't think it could ever be as much as I like.  LOL

Here's what I read this week...

I finished reading...



I finished listening to...



I'm currently reading...


 


and listening to...



Next up...





What was your week like? What are you reading this week?

Cover Reveal: Falling For The Backup by Toni Aleo






Falling for the Backup: An Assassins Series Novella
Toni Aleo
Loveswept – Random House |  June 24, 2013  |  $0.99


Toni Aleo’s sexy new eBook original novella featuring the Nashville Assassins will have you believing in the power of love at first sight . . . and second sight . . . and third.
 
After serving as a dutiful bridesmaid in the wedding from hell, Aynslee Shaw just wants to slink home to Nashville and forget the whole trip. That is until the hottest guy she’s ever seen is seated next to her on the flight and charms her with his easy laugh and killer smile. But just when she thinks things are getting good, he vanishes, leaving Aynslee wondering, was that guy the one? And did she just let him slip through her fingers?
 
Former superstar goalie Jordan Ryan is back on the ice—finally. After a crippling knee injury that had him wondering if he’d ever play pro hockey again, he’s got his full attention on rebuilding his career. So a pretty—okay, beautiful—girl on a plane shouldn’t be a distraction. But Jordan is very, very distracted. And when Aynslee crosses his path again, he’s not sure any job in the world is worth missing his second chance with a woman like her.


Pre-order Falling for the Backup

Connect with Toni
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter

Saturday, May 25, 2013

The Sunday Post/The Sunday Salon - May 26th



If you'd like to participate with The Sunday Salon, just click the button above.


The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.

Happy Sunday Everyone!

For those having a three day holiday weekend, I hope you are enjoying it.  Most of our weekend has been filled with rain, but I'm hoping that means more reading time for me :)

I changed the comment format here and I'm using Disquis now.  What do you think?  Please vote in the poll on my sidebar about this.  I want to know what everyone thinks.  Commenting with Disquis makes it a bit easier to comment to everyone.  It's really easy to comment using Disquis.  For those who don't know, you can use your accounts through Disquis, Facebook, Twitter or Google.  Or you can type in a name, use your email address and a password...OR....you can click the box that says "I'd rather post as a guest", you type in your comment, choose a name and put in your email address.  Your email address isn't posted.  I've seen many blogs using this system and it looked good to me.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend and a great week to come!


Blog Tours/Spotlights/Reviews/Giveaways 

What An Animal Reading Challenge VI - Completed



I finally completed another reading challenge. This is one that I host, What An Animal Reading Challenge VI.

Here are the books I read:

1.  Trouble in the Tarot by Kari Lee Townsend (Click here to read my review.)
2. The Big Kitty by Claire Donally (Click here to read my review.)
3. Payne & Misery by Catherine Leggitt (Click here to read my review.)
4. A Killer Read by Erika Chase (Click here to read my review.)
5. Topped Chef by Lucy Burdette (Click here to read my review.)
6. Cat Trick by Sofie Kelly (Click here to read my review.)

Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich



Genre:
Mystery

Format:
Audio

Publisher:
Random House

Release Date:
November 2012






Stephanie Plum is back for her 19th book! This time she has to find Geoffrey Cubbin. A man about to go on trial for embezzling. He mysteriously disappears from the hospital after undergoing emergency surgery. She also takes on a side job of escorting Ranger to a wedding and finds herself as a bridesmaid.

This is the last book that's been released in this series. #20 will be coming out in November. I'm actually caught up, what a surprise! This is a series I truly enjoyed listening to although there are things about Stephanie that still bother me. There's juggling two men, which I've already mentioned in my previous reviews. Then, although this isn't Stephanie's fault LOL, the constant blowing up of her cars. It was funny the first couple of times in the earlier books, but now it's just overkill. Nobody can be that unlucky with cars, not even in fiction :)

Overall, I enjoyed the earlier books much more than the later ones. I guess because it was a fresh, new series with new characters. By the time the 19th book rolled around, the characters and storylines were more repetitive than anything else. Will I continue listening to this series? Yes, I can't help myself. Once I've gone this long with a series, I won't stop until the series stops. I love the narration and some of the scenes are still funny. Also, it makes my commute to and from work a bit easier.







For reading challenges:
2013 Finishing the Series Reading Challenge
2013 Library Books Reading Challenge
2013 A-Z Reading Challenge



 FTC Disclosure: I took this audio book out from the library for my own enjoyment. All opinions expressed are my own.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Cover Reveal: Her Master's Kiss V by Vivien Sparx



Release Date: May 31st


Excerpt

At the first opening on the left, Renee paused in the doorway and watched three young women arranged on their knees around a tall man who was standing in the middle of the room. The man was naked, his body darkly tanned. There were whorls of thick grey curly hair across his chest. The three women were all young and all wearing collars. They were arranged around him and taking turns to pleasure him with their mouths. As each girl took her turn, the other two kissed each other and their hands roamed freely across one another’s naked bodies. Renee leaned against the wall and watched with dark fascination. One of the women caught a glimpse of her and turned, smiling. Renee waved uncertainly. The submissive girl winked to her and then turned back to the glistening hard shaft that was before her. She seemed to make a great display of her talented mouth, knowing Renee was watching in the background.

Beyond the final door on the right side of the corridor was a room with three wide wooden benches. They were made of rough unfinished timber, each one painted black and each one a squat, solid piece. Renee lingered in the doorway long enough to see that there was a woman on her hands and knees, chained on top of one of the benches.

Links

Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Vivien-Sparx/e/B008D0E92Y/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/vivien.sparx

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Follow Friday Four Fill In Fun Blog Hop - Week 113

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This is a fun meme and it's hosted by Hilary at Feeling Beachie. Check out her lovely blog, if you'd like to participate.

This week’s statements:


1. One of my best and worst traits is that I try to do too much.

2. If I could escape for a day, I’d be in a room by myself and just read whatever I wanted to.

3. The best part of work is going home at the end of the day :)

4. When I was young I thought I'd be a famous actress.

The Friday 56



This is a fun meme to do hosted by Freda's Voice. If you'd like to join on the fun go to The Friday 56.

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Link it here.

From 5

It's that simple.

This week I'm reading...




From 56% on my e-reader...

"Stop telling me what to do!  I have to find Nikki.  I have to tell her I'm sorry."

"For what?" Drew asked.

Michelle felt a familiar catch in her throat.  "For whatever made her run away."

Cat Thursday - May 23rd



Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy! This fun meme is hosted by The True Book Addict. Go over to her site to join in the fun.





From:  LOL Cats

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Cat Trick by Sofie Kelly (Review and Book Giveaway!)



Genre:
Cozy Mystery

Format:
Paperback

Publisher:
Obsidian Mystery

Release Date:
February 2013




Mayville Heights has high hopes that Legacy Tours, a Chicago-based company, will accept them as a client. One of Legacy’s owners, Mike Glazer, grew up in Mayville Heights but he’s no asset to the small town. Instead, he manages to anger all the local citizens, making them doubt that Mayville will have any success with Legacy.

Kathleen Paulson, the local librarian, stumbles upon Mike’s dead body – or to be more accurate one of her magical cats, Hercules, actually finds the body. The town is turned upside down when several of the townspeople become suspects and longtime secrets are spilled.

Kathleen, along with her magical cats Hercules and Owen, set out to discover who the killer is before anyone else gets hurt and maybe even salvage the town’s opportunity with Legacy Tours. Much to the dismay of her detective boyfriend, Marcus, Kathleen sticks her nose where it doesn’t belong. Not only is her life in danger, but so is her love life!

I love this series so much. Yes, I love the cats and their “super powers” (they play a huge part in the storyline, but I also love the town, the characters and fast-paced plot. For those who hate talking animals in their series, don’t fear – these cats do not talk.

The characters are likeable and the cats are darling  For a few hours, I felt as if I was in Mayville Heights. Any book that can transport me away from the doldrums of my real life, is definitely a 5 kitty book. This is the 4th book in the series and you know I’ll be getting the 5th.


FTC Disclosure: The publisher provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.



For reading challenges:
2013 ARC Reading Challenge
What an animal reading challenge
Cruisin’ thru the Cozies reading challenge

BOOK GIVEAWAY !!!!

Now you can win a copy of this book for your very own. Thanks to Obsidian Publishing, I can offer a paperback copy of Cat Trick to one lucky winner.

Just a few simple rules...

1) You must fill out the form below.

2) US residents only.

3) For an extra entry: Follow this blog

4) For an extra entry: Follow me on Twitter

5) For an extra entry: Follow me on Goodreads

6) For an extra 2 entries: Post this giveaway on your blog.

7) For an extra 2 entries: Tweet about this giveaway.

The giveaway begins on May 22nd (midnight est) and ends on May 29th (midnight est).

The winner will be notified by email and has 48 hours to respond, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck!

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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Blog Tour: Lucky Bastard by Deborah Coonts (Review and Giveaway!)






Genre:
Mystery

Publisher:
Forge Books

Format:
E-Book from NetGalley (available as hardcover and ebook)

Release Date:
May 2013







Synopsis from JKS Communications:


Lucky O’Toole may have been promoted to Vice President of Customer Relations for the Babylon, Las Vegas’ primo Strip property, but nothing has changed. When Paxton Dane, a former member of the Babylon’s Security detail turned Private Investigator, discovers a young woman dead, sprawled across the hood of a new, bright red Ferrari California in the Babylon’s dealership, a Jimmy Choo stiletto stuck in her carotid, he calls Lucky to handle the problem.

Lucky’s life is already in precarious balance. Her mother, Mona, is pregnant, hormonal, bored, and looking for ways to fill her days. Teddie, Lucky’s former lover, has hit the road on his quest to find international stardom. But, realizing he’s made a mistake, he writes a song for Lucky, then hits the talk shows, pleading his case. Lucky is less than amused with the national spotlight on her personal life. She’s having enough trouble as it is fending off the amorous attentions of Chef Jean-Charles Bouclet, the Babylon’s tasty new dish. Lucky feels mixing business and pleasure with the chef is a sure-fire recipe for disaster.

And the timing could not be worse. The Smack-Down Poker tournament with all the media attention the second-largest poker tournament in the world attracts is holding it’s final table at the Babylon. Hookers, thieves, players, cheaters, media, and hangers-on all descend looking to win or to score.

When one of the major players turns up dead, Lucky starts putting the pieces together with the help of Cole Weston, a hearing-impaired professional poker player. They chase clues and suspects through Vegas to the
storm drains underneath the city—where the runoff from a summer monsoonal shower turns deadly.

After a revelation by someone close to her sends her world reeling even further, Lucky struggles to keep her life in balance, and a murderer from killing again as bodies pile up.

Then, just when she’s losing control… life deals another major complication to her personal life….and it’s not going to be pretty.


My Review…

I adore Lucky O’Toole. She’s a great character who somehow manages to deal with an extremely stressful job, one crisis after another, and a love life that is far from perfect. This book made me laugh, as well as try to figure out the mystery.

This is the fourth book in the Lucky O’Toole mystery series and a wonderful addition to the series. It’s funny, clever and has snappy dialogue. Lucky reminded me very much of Stephanie Plum from Janet Evanovich’s series. It helps that it’s set in Las Vegas – I love Vegas. A great way to spend an afternoon.


FTC Disclosure: JKS Communications and NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.





For reading challenges:
2013 ARC Reading Challenge
2013 E-Book Reading Challenge





BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!!

How would you like to win a set of three e-book novellas by Deborah Coonts, Lucky in Love, Lucky Bang, Lucky Now and Then? Thanks to Samantha at JKS Communications, I can offer a set of these three e-book novellas to one lucky winner.


Just a few simple rules...

1) You must fill out the form below (including a valid email address).

2) For an extra entry: Follow this blog

3) For an extra entry: Follow me on Twitter

4) For an extra entry: Follow me on Goodreads

5) For an extra 2 entries: Post this giveaway on your blog.

6) For an extra 2 entries: Tweet about this giveaway.

The giveaway begins on May 21st (midnight est) and ends on May 28th (midnight est).

The winner will be notified by email and has 48 hours to respond, otherwise a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck!








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