Release Day Blitz: Masquerade by Georgia Le Carre (Tour Wide Giveaway!)

About the Book

Review: Free Agent by Roz Lee

Genre:
Erotic Romance

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
State of Mind Publishing

Release Date:
May 2013

Blog Tour: The Billionaire Banker by Georgia Le Carre (Review)

About the Book

Title: The Billionaire Banker
Genre: Romance/Erotica
Author: Georgia Le Carre
Publisher: Georgia Le Carre
Format: eBook

When Lana Bloom learns the devastating news that her mother is dying, she is faced with a terrible dilemma. The one thing that can save her is the one thing she does not have. For young and innocent Lana, the unthinkable becomes her only choice.

But when she walks through the door of that exclusive restaurant she has no idea of the seismic shift her life is about to take, for the highest bidder will not be the rich man she has accompanied. Fate drops her at the feet of the deeply mysterious and dazzlingly gorgeous American banker, Blake Law Barrington. Throbbing with raw masculinity and arrogance, this is a man who owns all that he pursues.

And now he wants her.

My Review

Heartbroken over the news that her mother is dying from cancer, Lana Bloom is determined to do whatever it takes to prevent that from happening. She hears about an expensive treatment, but coming from the wrong side of the tracks and living in a poverty stricken neighborhood, she has no money for it.   Lana has to figure out a way to get the funds to save her mother. She offers the only thing she has to sell – herself.

Wealthy banker, Blake Barrington, is only too happy to help out. He offers her twice the amount she is looking for and insists that she signs a contract giving her body over to him for three months. For the sake of her mother, Lana has no choice but to accept.

When Blake learns why Lana is doing this, he realizes she’s truly an innocent. It doesn’t take long before Blake and Lana discover this is more than a business arrangement. However, Blake is engaged to Victoria Montgomery. A woman his family approves of – the Barringtons and Montgomerys plan to merge their families and become even more powerful. Blake is expected to go along with it.

I wasn’t sure if I would like this or not, but I was captivated by Lana’s plight. Although I question her decisions, she’s very young and her heart is in the right place. I couldn’t help but care about her. Blake is your typical arrogant rich guy, but there were so many signs throughout the book that he is so much more than that.

This is a full-length novel that went by way too fast and left us with a cliff-hanger! Excellent start to a brand new series!  Georgia Le Carre is a new-to-me author but it’s not the last book I’ll be reading by her. I liked her writing style and her characters practically jump off the pages. I want more!

Warning: There are many very steamy, sizzling sex scenes! Definitely not a G rated book.



For reading challenges:
2014 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge
2014 ARC Reading Challenge
2014 E-Book Reading Challenge

FTC Disclosure: The author 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.

About the Author

Georgia Le Carre lives in England, in an old 19th century romantic cottage surrounded by a magical garden filled with fruit and walnut trees.  When she is not feeding words into her laptop, she is either curled up in bed with a box of chocolates and a good read, or lost in a long walk in the woods. Especially on moonlit nights.  And often with the man of her dreams.
Her latest book is the romance/erotica, The Billionaire Banker.

TWITTER * FACEBOOK * GOODREADS

Monday, January 6

Guest Blogging at Close Encounters with the Night Kind

Tuesday, January 7

Guest Blogging at What’s On the Bookshelf

Book Featured at Moonlight Lace & Mayhem

Wednesday, January 8

Book Featured at Laurie’s Thoughts and Reviews

First Chapter Review at Spicy Romance Connection

Thursday, January 9

Guest Blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner

Book Review at Sapphyria’s Steamy Book Reviews

Friday, January 10

Interview at The Writer’s Life

Monday, January 13

Interview at Acting Balanced

Tuesday, January 14

Book Review at Not Everyone’s Mama

Wednesday, January 15

Book Featured at Hezzie-D’s Books and Cooks

Book Review & Guest Blogging at Crystal’s Many Reviews

Thursday, January 16

Book Featured at Escape by Fiction

Book Review at Curling Up With a Good Book

Guest Blogging at Books Books the Magical Fruit

Book Featured at Fallen Over Book Reviews

Book Featured at Passionate Encounters

Monday, January 20

Guest Blogging at Confessions of a Reader

Tuesday, January 21

Book Review & Interview at From the TBR Pile

Wednesday, January 22

Book Review at Socrates Book Reviews

Thursday, January 23

Book Review at Words I Write

Friday, January 24

Book Review & Guest Blogging at Jersey Girl Sizzling Book Reviews

Monday, January 27

Interview & Giveaway at PUYB Virtual Book Club

Giveaway includes:

2 solid silver 1 ounce American Eagle coins from the Barrington family vault.

$25.00 Amazon gift card.

Signed copy of The Billionaire Banker.

Nail glitter courtesy of Billy Black

Tuesday, January 28

Book Review at Authors & Readers Book Corner

Wednesday, January 29

Book Featured at Deal Sharing Aunt

Friday, January 31

Book Review at Offbeat Vagabond

Review: Jingle My Bells by Kelli Roberts and Audrey Hollander

Genre:
Erotic Romance

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
Amazon Digital Services

Release Date:
November 2013

Review: Her Master’s Kiss by Vivien Sparx

Genre:
Erotic Romance

Publisher:
Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Release Date:
October 2012

Format:
E-Book


After her boyfriend dumps her and calls her boring in bed, Renee is sure the only solution is for her to become submissive. She hires an expert master, Stefan, to teacher her how to please a man. She’s certain this is the way to win back her boyfriend.

Things become hotter than hot when Renee finds herself falling in love with Stefan and totally giving herself to the exciting, erotic world of domination. Stefan, however, is not interested in loving anyone. He is dealing with his own inner emotional turmoil, but this just makes Renee more determined to be part of his life.

Talk about a steamy book! The BDSM genre is usually not for me. I wasn’t a huge fan of 50 Shades of Grey and wasn’t going to try this genre again, but the author asked if I would do a promo for this book and the 5th in the series on my blog. I did the promo but was not asked to review the book, but I did get curious. When the first book became a freebie for a few days on Amazon, I went for it. I’m so glad I did.

I loved the characters and the way they developed. With short books like this, there isn’t always time for development of any kind but the characters and plot were written to perfection. This story is much more than just sex, there’s a deeply poignant story behind Stefan’s behavior and he’s truly a tortured hero. Give me a good story and I’m hooked in any genre!

Her Master’s Kiss is the first book and I’m definitely going to be reading more.

Check out my promos:
Her Master's Kiss

Her Master's Kiss V



For reading challenges:
2013 Why Buy the Cow Reading Challenge?



FTC Disclosure: I got this book as a freebie from Amazon. I was not given it for a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

Doubtless by Cat Grant

Genre:
Drama, Erotica

Format:
EBook

Publisher:
Riptide Publishing

Release Date:
July, 2012






Steve Campbell is one of the country’s top 3-D optics researchers. His job is stressful and he spends most of his evenings home alone. Something is missing from his life, but he’s not entirely sure what it is or how to get it. All he knows is that he’s not a very happy man.

Then he has a chance encounter with a very handsome escort, Dylan, and he learns some truths about himself. Although Steve pays for all of Dylan’s time, you can tell Dylan cares about Steve. He helps him spice up his clothes and his appearance. Overall, he makes Steve feel better about himself.

Steve considers himself a straight man, until now. He realizes he is attracted to men, particularly his best friend Connor. When Connor informs Steve he is marrying his boyfriend, Steve is crushed. However, it’s not the end of the world and Steve is determined to pick himself up and find a little happiness of his own.

This is a very quick read. It’s the story of self-discovery and how one man looks for happiness. I loved the character of Steve and I was really pulling for him. I’m hoping his story will continue in another book. This book is a sequel to “Priceless”, but I didn’t even know it when I read this one. So, it didn’t detract from the story. This one stands on its own, but I definitely want to read the first one and any subsequent books.

It’s not my usual genre to read, but it’s a good book and I want to read more by this author.

4 out of 5 kitties


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.

Blog Tour: Lie to Me by Tori St. Claire (Contest, Guest Blog and Review)

Genre:
Romantic Suspense, Erotic Romance

Format:
EBook (available as paperback too)

Publisher:
Berkley

Release Date:
July 2012

A man of action…

After helping to break up a Russian human trafficking ring as part of the CIA’s elite Black Opal team, Alexei Nikanova’s newest assignment is to rescue one of the stolen women and return her to her father. When he arrives in Dubai, he discovers his target is Sasha Zablosky—a woman he knows all too well, and who has haunted him ever since their unforgettable time together in Moscow, two and a half years earlier. But he finds Sasha reluctant to leave her sheikh, the only true friend she’s ever known. Only Alexei can’t give her a choice.

A woman of deception…

With their yearning roused by intrigue, Alexei and Sasha can no longer resist temptation, and spend night after night in forbidden pleasure. Soon Alexei finds himself falling for her, even as he battles a shadowy menace to protect her. But Sasha is no innocent. She has a past darker than she could ever admit, one that Alexei could never forgive. And it is about to explode into her life once more. As the lies they tell themselves—and each other—pull them deeper into a perilous desire, what began as simple passion becomes a love certain to destroy them and end the lives of countless innocents.

Excerpt

Sasha rolled over, propped her head up on one elbow. “Who do you work for, Alexei?”

That was certainly the last question he’d ever prepared for. Chancing a glance at her upturned face, he debated how to answer. She’d told him she worked for FSB; she undoubtedly knew he was an American agent—virtually all of Dubai knew. But tell her about the Opals? Let her in?

What the hell. They’d already named themselves in front of her. She knew their director’s name. He stared at the television as he answered, “A special division within the CIA known as the Black Opals. We’re the ones they send when it’s real dicey and they need to delete someone with the press of a button.”

“Delete?”

More quietly he added, “We don’t exist.”

He crossed opposite ankles and folded his hands behind his head, leaning back against the headboard. Waiting for her to make the association between his vague explanation and the truth of his work. When she did, shock would stop her questions.

Instead, Sasha’s palm fitted over his belly, gentle sweeping motions that rumpled the fabric of his shirt and offered more comfort than Alexei had known could exist. “Isn’t that . . . difficult?” she asked softly.

“Difficult? The missions are never ea—”

“No. Not existing.” That delightful little palm slid higher, caressing the lower part of his chest. “I mean, don’t you ever crave life? The simple things like owning a house and paying someone to rake your leaves.” The heel of her palm worked into his tense muscles. “Like sleeping in on a Saturday and having breakfast in bed.”

More than she could understand. He tensed. She was getting too close, treading too far into murky waters he didn’t want to disturb.

Dropping to an almost inaudible whisper, her voice washed over his body. “Have you ever been in love, Alexei?”

Danger. Combustion imminent. Alexei covered the sudden trip of his heart with a harsh chuckle. “Love’s not an option in my line of work, princess.”

She was silent for a blissful moment, leaving him with the conclusion he’d scared her off. As luck would have things, however, when she did speak, she didn’t traipse around uncomfortable, she plunged in headfirst. “You only call me princess when I’ve hit a nerve. So tell me, Agent Nikanova, are you afraid of the fall, or afraid of the loss?”



My thoughts...

Alexei and Sasha are two tortured souls. My heart went out to both of them. They have been placed in impossible situations through no fault of their own, but it's up to them to get out of it without losing their lives in the process. Love is the last thing they expect, but that just adds to their problems.

This story has it all - adventure, drama, betrayal, romance and very hot sex...let me repeat...very hot sex (it nearly melted my Kindle!) So, if that's not your thing, you shouldn't read this but if you don't mind sex and violence in your stories, you'll love this book. I know I did! LOL! It's fast-paced and chock-filled with action that will leave your head spinning. Just when you think Alexei and Sasha are safe, their lives are thrown into the center of danger and they are once again running for their lives.

I absolutely could not put this book down. It's the second book of Tori St. Claire's Black Opal series, but it's a standalone book. I never read the first book and I'm not sure how I missed it, but it didn't take anything away from the story for me. I do plan to check out the first book though.

4 out of 5 kitty cats.

 

FTC Disclosure: The author 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.

Guest Blog Post by Author Tori St. Claire

Now, I'd like to welcome author Tori St. Claire to Socrates' Book Review Blog.  Thank you for joining us today and letting us be part of your blog tour.

Good morning, all! It’s a rather bittersweet day for me – the end of this incredibly fun tour. I’ve had such a great time meeting everyone that I’m sad it won’t go on. At the same time, I’m excited to move onto my next project.

I’m going to close today with a glimpse of one of the characters who stood out to me in Lie to Me, even though his role was very short-lived. Please meet, Jayce Honeycutt, otherwise known as Sandman.

Tori: Hi, Jayce. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you agreed to talk with me today. I know things are busy with the Black Opals right now.

Jayce: Actually, now’s good timing. I’ve ah… been instructed to take a vacation. It seems HQ isn’t pleased with my opinion of Sasha.

Tori: (wincing) Yeah, I’ve heard about that. Little favoritism going on there with Clark and Alexei, you think?

Jayce: Think? Try it’s been obvious since Alexei came aboard. Him I don’t have issue with. Well… didn’t. He’s damn good at what he does. I just don’t see how an American operative can see beyond acts of treason. She—

Tori: (Holds up a hand, cutting him off.) I didn’t mean to get you all riled up. I’m sorry. What are you going to do with this time off?

(Jayce groans and rolls his eyes.) My sister’s getting married. Seems I’m required to be there.

Tori: Ew, the obligatory wedding. Even if it’s family, that’s no fun. So what do you see happening with the Black Opals in the future? Have you patched the relationship with MI6?

Jayce: You know… I’m not really sure. I’ve been kinda cut out of the loop right now. Clarke and I shared some unpleasant words. But I’m hearing rumblings about things south of the border. Not sure if it involves us, or if it’s just politics. (He shrugs nonchalantly.) Not my area anyway, that’s Sergei’s stomping grounds. Guess we’ll see how it plays out.

Tori: Are you looking forward to your next assignment whenever that may be?

Jayce: Yeah, I am, actually. Stateside makes me twitchy. I love my work, even if I have to put up with bullshit. But if I have to answer to her Clarke and I are going to have serious problems.

Tori: Her being Sasha, right?

Jayce: Bingo

Tori: Okay a couple more quick questions and then we’ll let you head off to that, ah, wedding. (Grinning)

Jayce: Gee thanks. Torture me some more, will you?

Tori: Anyone special in your life?

(In an instant, his grin vanishes. A frown darkens his handsome face.) No.

Tori: How disappointing. I was hoping for something our romance fans would enjoy.

Jayce: Not going to find that here, darling. I went that route once. Not interested in a second time.

Tori: Hm. You know, for certain women, that would sound like a challenge.

Jayce: Take it as you will. Though I can promise there will be heavy disappointment.

Tori: All right, on that note, I’m going to have to get back and get these notes typed up. Deadlines and all that. Thanks again, Jayce, for the time out of your schedule, and best of luck with that obligatory event.

(Jayce gives a smile so devastating that I’d swear my heart stopped for a moment.) The pleasure has been mine.

So, that is Jayce, and the man amuses me greatly. Particularly his interaction with Sasha. It’s your turn now – let me know what you’ve enjoyed the most about this book tour in the comments below.

~Tori St. Claire

Author Bio

National Bestselling author Tori St. Claire grew up writing. Hobby quickly turned into passion, and when she discovered the world of romance as a teen, poems and short stories gave way to full length novels with sexy heroes and heroines waiting to be swept off their feet. She wrote her first romance novel at seventeen.

While that manuscript gathered dust-bunnies beneath the bed, she went on to establish herself as a contemporary, historical, and paranormal author under the pen name, Claire Ashgrove. Her writing, however, skirted a fine line between hot and steamy, and motivated by authors she admired, she pushed her boundaries and made the leap into erotica, using the darker side of human nature and on-the-edge suspense to drive grittier, sexier, stories.

Her erotic romantic suspense novels are searingly sensual experiences that unite passion with true emotion, and the all-consuming tie that binds -- love.

Contest!!!

Tori will be giving away a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card to one random commenter during the month of July. Two additional commenters will receive a basket of swag. Follow the tour – the more times you comment the better your chances of winning! Complete tour dates can be found here.

Fifty Shades of Grey: Book One of the Fifty Shades Trilogy by EL James

Genre:
Erotic Romance

Format:
EBook (available in paperback also)

Publisher:
Vintage

Release Date:
April 2012







College student Anastasia Steele is asked to interview wealthy Christian Grey for the school newspaper. She has no idea how intimidating and charismatic Christian is.

Anastasia is immediately entranced and captivated by the man. Christian finds the innocent woman enchanting and wants Anastasia for his very own. She is more than happy to enter into a relationship until she learns exactly what kind of relationship Christian desires. He presents her with a contract. A contract that will give him complete control over Anastasia from the clothes she wears to the food she eats. She's shocked to discover his sexual needs include a submissive/dominant relationship including bondage and punishment. She agrees to the conditions of the contract, but it is quite difficult for her to be totally accepting when she had been a virgin and very innocent until now. It's not long before she learns of Christian's troubled past and exactly why he is this way. However, she's not sure she can be a part of his life.

My thoughts...

This was slow reading for me and I wasn't as enthralled with it as others have been. I've read erotic romance before so it didn't shock me. The subject matter wasn't the problem. I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable and that's a big thing to me. I can overcome anything if I care about the characters and I didn't feel that way with this book. I was intrigued by all the hype but this book didn't grab me. It was readable, but nothing I absolutely loved. I will read the next two books in the series, but they aren't tops on my list.

Oddly enough, this was originally written as fan fiction for the Twilight saga and I'm not a huge fan of that series either. The first two books were slow going for me and I never did go back to reading the rest of the series.

None of these books were horrible, just not for me.




For reading challenges...

EBook Reading Challenge
A to Z Reading Challenge
The Color Coded Reading Challenge
Where Are You Reading?

The Beautiful People: New York City by Cheril N. Clarke

Genre:
Erotic Fiction

Publisher:
Dodi Press LLC

Format:
EBook

Release Date:
February 2012





In the third novella by Cheril N. Clarke, her group of friends travel to New York City for a weekend of fun, sex, drugs and excitement. When two members of the group explore their sexual attraction, they have to decide if they want to continue the relationship. If they do, they could ruin the dynamics of their group changing all their lives forever.

If you’re looking for a quick read, this is the perfect story for you. It can be read in just a couple of hours, but those couple of hours are filled with a lot of story. Each character takes on a life of their own. It amazes me how Cheril can write such realistic characters in so few pages. She’s a master at writing the novella.

The bad part – she leaves readers wanting more. Maybe that’s not a bad thing, but I know I wasn’t ready for the story to end. I wanted to know what happens with this group of friends next. I’m looking forward to the next installment and the next armchair visit to another exotic location.




FTC Disclosure: The author 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.

The Beautiful People Series by Cheril N. Clarke

Genre:
Erotic Fiction

Format:
EBook

Publisher:
Dodi Press

Release Date:
2011

Summary of these books come from the author’s website…

In The Beautiful People: New Orleans, the first short story in a new series, Cheril N. Clarke introduces us to four intriguing characters who will propel the reader into a provocative world filled with sophisticated naughtiness. Nontraditional in its presentation, The Beautiful People follows a close group of friends who love to travel, meeting up in a different city every other month for a weekend of exploration, partying, and a much-needed break from the daily grind of their careers. From the city of New Orleans, this installment acquaints us with a high-end tailor with a disdain for the common man, a fashion photographer riding a narcotic seesaw, an accountant with a penchant for flirting and flings, and an haute entrepreneur who is struggling with secret desires of her own. The Beautiful People subtly pushes moral boundaries and challenges preconceived notions of perfection.


The Beautiful People: Las Vegas returns readers to the lives of four friends whose magnetic personalities and gorgeous good looks rivet our attention. Vanessa, now an entrepreneurial executive, reveals shadowed parts of her past and displays talents long ago abandoned; Yen Chu, desperately trying to navigate the waters of self-imposed sobriety, yearns to be disciplined, but doesn’t let that prevent her from arranging erotic adventures for her group; party boy Colin, on a quest to have the time of his life, ensures that everyone he meets will have the times of their lives as well; and Donovan, sometimes haughty, and always more conservative than the rest, allows himself to loosen up, and succumb to Sin City’s extravagant indulgences

My thoughts…

These were two good novellas that are quick and easy to read. In these short pages you learn quite a bit about the characters and you get a nice trip to New Orleans and Las Vegas at the same time. It’s an excellent way to spend a couple of hours. The author really makes you feel as if you are along for the ride.

I was a bit out of my preferred genre in reading these stories (I’m more of a suspense/mystery reader), but they were well- written and filled with quite a bit of action. For short novellas they do pack a lot of story in these pages, but I would have liked to see them last a bit longer.

The next stop is New York and I’m sure the group will have another intriguing journey. This is erotic fiction at its best.



FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with copies of these books to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

Ellora's Cave Presents On Santa's Naughty List

Stories by Lacey Alexander, Shelby Reed and Melani Blazer

Genre: Erotica

From the back blurb:

These girls don't need coal in their stockings to set their red-hot lovers on fire...

LACEY ALEXANDER

Unwrapped

Emily clams up when irrestible Simon mentions anything naughtier than the missionary position, until a college-friend-turned-sex-therapist offers some tantalizingly unconventional erotic instruction...just in time for the holidays.

SHELBY REED

Holiday Inn

When a freak snowstorm strands Anna and gorgeous, leather-clad biker Jesse together on Christmas Eve, the strangers turn a little of Santa's magic into an unforgettable night of passion.

MELANI BLAZER

When I Close My Eyes

Snowed into her vacation cabin, Kenna and Seth share an uncontrollable electric connection. But will the bizarre dreams that haunt them both make this sexy yuletide encounter their last...or is it only the beginning?

My thoughts...

This is the first Ellora's Cave book I've read and it was good - very hot! One story was hotter than the next. Although after reading "Unwrapped" I may never look at a candy cane in quite the same way again. LOL I will definitely be checking out more from this line of books.