ARC Review: Still Into You by Roni Loren

Seth knew his marriage was in a rut. The sexual spark that he and his wife used to feel just isn't there so he decides to make a trip to her brothers sex store to try and spice up their love life. While there he hears his wife on

Seth and Leila used to be hot together. So hot that they couldn't keep their hands off one another. Now eight years into their marriage the spark just isn't there between them. Seth knows they are in a rut, but when he hears his wife call into a radio show and admit that she's been tempted to cheat he knows he must act fast. He loves his wife and he doesn't want to lose her. So he decides to take Leila on a retreat to The Ranch, a resort where any and all sexual fantasies can be had.

Leila loves her husband, but lately she has felt unwanted and not attracted. She knows she doesn't want to lose Seth but something has to change. She's tired of him working long hours at his job and never spending time with her or their kids. When Seth proposes that she take three days off and do whatever she wants with whomever she wants, she can't help but feel a little bit intrigued and hesitant at the same time. While sleeping with another man is kind of exciting, she really just wants to be with Seth. And for the first time in a long time her husband is finally paying attention to her, and not only is he paying attention but the passion they used to have for one another is back. But is it back for good?

I really enjoyed this novella by Roni Loren. She was able to pack so much into her story. I really felt the struggle and pain both Leila and Seth were feeling with trying to find and maintain the spark in their relationship. Roni was able to convey not only the pain they felt but the passion. Oh my goodness, but do these two have some serious passion together. Seth and Leila are way hot together, and I enjoyed watching them reconnect with one another. After finishing this novella, I definitely can't wait to get my hands on more from Roni Loren.

**ARC copy provided by Goddess Fish blog tours**

Purchase:
| Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Feature: Shadow Visions by Gabriella Hewitt

When the last shadow warrior falls, so will all humanity.

A shadow warrior on a mission, Manuel must track down a demon who is sacrificing women marked with hummingbird tattoos. He is in danger of losing his humanity to his eagle spirit until he comes across Ixa Reyes, a beautiful San Diego detective working on the same case, who also bears the mark of the Aztec sun god. She is his salvation and redemption from a past filled with failure. Only she wants nothing to do with him or her heritage.

When a demon kidnaps her grandfather, the wind god, they must work together to save him and all mankind. Manuel has twenty-four hours to help Ixa control her elemental power over wind—that is if he can control his own desires to claim her body and soul. Because if he should fail this time, the god of war will usher in a new era filled with blood and destruction such as the world has never known.

Product Warnings: This story contains an ancient Aztec warrior struggling to control the beast within, a heroine more than able to match his strength, demons out for their very souls, and a battle that may very well determine the fate of all humanity

Guest Post with Diane Alberts and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome back to the blog author Diane Alberts. Diane has stopped by today to chat about her new book Divinely Ruined, but before we chat let's get to know Diane a bit more.

Diane Alberts has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she’s not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another.

She is a multi-published, bestselling author with Entangled Publishing and Decadent Publishing. She is repped by her fabulous agent, Lauren Hammond of ADA Management. She has, as of this date, three books with Entangled Publishing, and five books with Decadent Publishing. Her February release with Entangled Publishing, ON ONE CONDITION, hit #18 on the Barnes and Noble Bestseller List.

Places to find Diane:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

ARC Review: Rogues by Ava March

Linus and Robert have been the best of friends for most of their lives and they share everything, including each others beds. Though no one knows and it isn't an everyday occurrence. Normally Robert prefers to bed woman and Linus prefers other men and they never share partners. Lately Robert has been feeling restless and the more he watches Linus disappear at a ball with another man for an assassination, he finds himself growing more and more jealous. He is starting to realize that Linus stirs feelings in him that no other person can and he's tired of feeling jealous. So Robert comes up with a plan and after a heated night spent together he propositions Linus with the details-that they should see only each other no one else.

Linus can hardly believe his ears. At one time all he wanted was to be with Robert exclusively, but not now. Linus does not want things to change because he can't lose Robert. And that is what will happen if he accepts he proposition. Eventually Robert would tire of him and then leave him to be with a woman. No Linus would rather keep things they way they are.

I rather enjoyed this novella but I feel it was a bit lacking. There really wasn't anything major going on besides the relationship between Linus and Robert. I wished there could have been a bit more umph involved. More angst maybe. Though I did enjoy the relationship between them both I just wish we could have seen a bit more. I will say that the sexytimes were written very well. I definitely felt the passion between Robert and Linus.

**ARC copy provided by NetGalley**

Purchase:
| Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Guest Post with Author Bronwen Evans and Giveaway

Today I am happy to welcome to the blog author Bronwen Evans. Bronwen is currently on a massive blog tour celebrating the release of her book Invitation to Scandal and has stopped by today to share why she loves Regency Romances. Before I give the floor over to Bronwen, let's get to know her a bit.

New Zealander Bronwen Evans grew up loving books. She’s always indulged her love for story-telling, and is constantly gobbling up movies, books and theatre. Her head is filled with characters and stories, particularly lovers in angst. Being able to write her characters stories is never work, it’s a dream come true. Is it any wonder she’s a proud romance writer.

She writes both historical and contemporary sexy romances for the modern woman who likes intelligent, spirited heroines, and compassionate alpha heroes. She's finaled in several romance writing competitions and is a member of several writing organizations, including RWA, RWNZ, and The Beau Monde. Her 2011 debut novel, INVITATION TO RUIN, received a 4.5 star rating from RT Book Reviews and was nominated in the RT Reviewers’ Choice awards – Best First Historical.

When not ensconced in her study writing her characters thrilling journeys to their happy ever after, Bron can be found on the golf course.

Places to find Bronwen:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

Guest Post with Author Avril Ashton

Today I would like to welcome back to the blog author Avril Ashton. Avril is currently on tour for her book Love The Sinner and has stopped by today to chat. Before I give the floor to Avril, let us get to know her a bit.

l always wanted to have a sexy bio, one to reflect who I am, but after drawing a blank, l could only come up with: I eat cake and I read books…ooh, and I write ‘em too. No one liked it and after massive peer-pressure and pouting, I managed something more…suitable?

A Caribbean transplant, Avril now lives in Brooklyn, N.Y with a tolerant Spousal Equivalent. Together they raise an eccentric daughter who loves reading and school (not so much school anymore). Avril’s earliest memories of reading revolve around discussing plot points of The Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys with an equally book-minded mother

Always in love with the written word, Avril finally decided to do the writing in August of ’09 and never looked back. Spicy love scenes, delicious heroes, and wicked women burn up the pages of Avril’s stories, but there’ll always be a happy ending; Av remains a believer of love in all its forms.

Places to find Avril:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | 

Guest Post with Author Karyn Good and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome to the blog author Karyn Good. Karyn is currently on tour for her book Backlash and has stopped by today to chat about reunion stories. Before I give the floor over to Karyn, let's get to know her a bit.

I grew up on a farm in the middle of Canada's breadbasket. Under the canopy of crisp blue prairie skies I read books. Lots and lots of books. Occasionally, I picked up a pen and paper or tapped out a few meagre pages of a story on a keyboard and dreamed of becoming a writer when I grew up. One day the inevitable happened and I knew without question the time was right. What to write was never the issue - romance and the gut wrenching journey towards forever.

Places to find Karyn:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

Guest Post with Author Erin Nicholas and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome to the blog author Erin Nicholas. Erin is currently on tour promoting her book Anything You Want and has stopped by today to chat. Before I give the floor to Erin, lets get to know her a bit.

I've been reading romance since my mom first let me into her book cupboard when I was about fourteen.  LaVyrle Spencer, Julie Garwood, Debbie Macomber... they took my 'happily ever after' ideas from animated princesses to real people in the real world.

I've been writing romance almost as long. Many a family car trip was spent with my head bent over a spiral notebook in the back seat. I'll confess that my very first attempts at fiction were fantasy and paranormals, influenced by my father's love of the Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and the original Alice in Wonderland. If Harry Potter had been around, I'm sure he would have been on the bedtime story shelf as well.

But it wasn't long until I started writing about true love and that's where I've been ever since.

I'm so thrilled to be able to share these stories with you! I hope that they make you smile, sigh, maybe even choke up a little. Most of all, I hope that they help you believe in magical things like first kisses, the spark of passion, and the power of true love.

Places to find Erin:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

ARC Review: Seduced By Blood by Laurie London

Wow. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book going in. I've always felt a little disconnected from Santiago and I wasn't sure if I would be able to connect enough with him in his story to care enough about him getting his HEA. I was so wrong. I LOVED him and I thought that he was a great hero. I loved the dynamic between him and Roxy. There were so many sparks between them and the chemistry was instant. I rather enjoyed watching them both fall of each other. I like that neither really wanted anything serious with anyone and what started out as a ruse soon turned into so much more.

I loved that we were finally able to learn more about Santiago. He's always been a big mystery to me and I liked that we were finally able to get to know him and see what makes him the overpowering hothead I remembered from the previous books. He really isn't as hard as he comes across. He truly cares about the welfare and well being of the guardians he's in charge of. When some of his guardians are hurt in a raid, he is racked with guilt and blames himself for the accident. This is a completely different side of him and not at all what I had expected. I respected him and felt the pain he was experiencing. It was just so deep and heart wrenching at times.

As for Roxy, I loved her and I thought she was the perfect match for Santiago. She is able to get through to him like no one else can but she also doesn't take his shit. She continuously stands up for herself and what she believes in. She's strong, caring and a truly generous person. She cares about others feelings and is willing to help no matter what.

As always I really enjoyed this book. It seems like Laurie London can do no wrong with this series and I love the way it is progressing. A lot of interesting twists and turns occurred in this book and as always it left me yearning for the next installment in the Sweetblood series. I definitely can't wait to see what's in store.

**ARC copy provided by NetGalley**

Purchase:
| Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |

Feature and Giveaway: Mine To Hold by Shayla Black

A friend’s duty.

Tyler Murphy was an LAPD detective, single and happy—until a near-fatal tragedy crippled his friend, fellow detective Eric Catalano. While he supported Eric, he also became a shoulder for Eric’s wife, Delaney, to lean on. But with one naughty suggestion from Eric, a drunken night with Delaney spilled into erotic abandon. Before it was over Tyler saw his best friend’s wife as a woman and yearned for more. When Eric struggled to deal with the aftermath, Delaney begged Tyler to leave. Crushed, he fled to Louisiana, hoping to escape his longing for the one woman he could never have again…and unaware of what he’d left behind.

A lover’s desire.

After two years of living with regret, Tyler finds Delaney on his doorstep, her husband having abandoned her long ago. She’s protecting a shocking secret and desperately needs refuge from a killer determined to see her dead. As they fight to stay alive and catch the stalker, they struggle to resolve the guilt of their past pleasures. But they can’t deny that what was once a spark is now a flame burning out of control. To possess Delaney—body and soul—Tyler must heal her pain and thwart the evil that’s a mere breath behind her…

Weekly Winners

Below is a list of all of the winners from the past week.


April A
Reluctant Revenge by Xandra James

Yadira A
Once Her Man, Always Her Man by Heather Long

Shannon G
Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis courtesy of Forever Romance

Tamaria
Fall in Love by Melissa Kendall

Anzum (Imagination_Station)
Lady Alexandra's Excellent Adventure by Sophie Barnes

Shannon G
Searching For Smut by Stephanie Beck + $10 Barnes & Noble Gift Card

All winners have been notified via email. Thank you to everyone that stopped by and entered. =)

Guest Post with Author Lisa Renee Jones and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome to the blog author Lisa Renee Jones. Lisa is the author of many books including the awesome Zodius series and has stopped by the blog today to chat. Before I give the floor over to Lisa lets get to know her some.

In 2003, award winning author Lisa Renee Jones sold her multi-state staffing agency and has since published over thirty novels and novellas across several genres. Her debuts with Blaze and Nocturne hit Bookscan’s Top 100 list and her Blaze Hotzone trilogy made a showing on the list in 2011 also. With a new Blaze trilogy, a short story for Spice, the third book in her Zodius series published with Sourcebooks, as well as an rapidly growing indie following, 2012 will bring many new stories to her readers. Booklist says about Jones’ suspense: “…truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann. Alpha, military, and paranormal romance readers will want Jones’ entire series.”

Places to find Lisa:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | 

Feature and Giveaway: Fascinated by Marissa Day

Pleasure was an elusive dream…

Alicia Hartwell has never experienced the pleasure of passion. Despite all her efforts to comprehend the notion of romantic love, it has remained an utterly foreign concept to her. Resigned to the life of a spinster, Alicia is therefore stunned when she receives a marriage proposal from the highly eligible bachelor, Lord Carstairs.

Until she met him…

But Lord Edward Carstairs is not a normal nobleman. He’s a Catalyst—able to draw magical power from the natural world to use in spells by human Sorcerers. He senses that Alicia is a victim of an evil enchantment that has suppressed her heart, and her desire. Powerfully attracted to her, Edward is certain that he’s the one to help her discover and understand her pleasure and her heart for the first time. But as Edward and Alicia’s mutual passion burns hot, their fragile love and trust could be threatened by family secrets, and a new magical intrigue neither imagined.

Feature and Giveaway: Sins of the Mind by L.J. Garland and Debbie Gould

Seven years ago, Abby Montgomery survived a brutal attack. Now she is ready to put her pain in the past and move on with her life. The problem is, one by one the men in her life are being viciously murdered.

The detective assigned to the case, Ethan Parker, has demons of his own to hide. As the danger gets closer to Abby, so does Ethan. But can they get past his secrets before the killer gets to them? Sometimes the sins of the mind are more depraved than the sins of the heart.

ARC Review: How to Romance a Rake by Manda Collins

I really enjoyed this book. The romance between Juliet and Alec was just so sweet. I won't lie, I may have a slight crush on Alec. He was just so great. From the beginning he looked out for Juliet and was concerned for her welfare. She was in need of a knight in shining armor and I liked that he was a savior for her.

When Juliet was fifteen, she was involved in an accident that resulted in a permanent injury to her foot. She now walks with the use of a cane and has a slight limp. Because of this, she has spent the last three years a perpetual wallflower. She does what she can to blend in and not draw attention to herself.

Lord Alec Deveril has spent most of his adult life trying to right the wrongs of his father. His father was a wastrel and a brute of a man. Alec has tried to become nothing like the man he has despised for most of his life. He knows that he must marry but he definitely doesn't want to marry anyone that he feels attracted to. He just wants someone from a good background that he won't have to worry about falling for. He also knows that Juliet Shelby is definitely not that woman. He knows that she is shy and not a "fashionable miss" but he can't help but feel a spark whenever she is around. She is witty and smart and he soon finds himself doing anything he can to be near her.

When a close friend of Juliet's suddenly disappears she turns to Alec for help and advice. Together they both try to solve the mystery of her friends disappearance while at the same time both continue to fight the growing attraction they have for one another.

I loved the relationship between Alec and Juliet. I liked that they were both able to truly be themselves with one another. I also loved that Alec is continuously battling for Juliet. He sticks up for her when no one else (with the exception of her cousins) does. I loved that. I honestly don't know how Alec was able to refrain from throttling Juliet's mother. Oh my goodness that woman is horrible. I wish Juliet would have stood up for herself more when it came to her own mother. I feel like their relationship was slightly unresolved and I would have liked the closure of Juliet finally standing up to her.

I also really enjoyed the scenes with all of the secondary characters. I loved seeing Juliet interacting with her cousins and Alec interacting with his friends. There were many scenes that had me giggling out loud.

All in all this was another winner from Manda Collins. Manda is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Whether it be her historicals or her erotica shorts, they are all good! So good that I always find myself unable to put my Kindle down until I've finished the book. Then I'm ferociously checking her site for any info I can find on upcoming books. Seriously, Manda Collins is not an author to be missed.

**ARC copy provided by Author/NetGalley**

Purchase:
| Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |

Feature and Giveaway: Anything You Want by Erin Nicholas

Suppose the solution to all your problems is the one thing you never wanted…

It figures the one time Sabrina Cassidy is determined to do the responsible thing, karma kicks in. After four years on the road chasing her musical dream, she’s stranded six hours from home with no money, a ruined credit history—and morning sickness.

Out of options, she swallows her legendary independent streak and calls the only person who won’t hang up on her. Luke, the man she left behind.

Marc Sterling’s first instinct is to protect his business partner and best friend from another broken heart. That means letting her think she’s talking to Luke, then finding a way to send her in the opposite direction.

When he shows up at her hotel room, there’s something in the air beside their customary insults. Sure, her rebellious attitude, smart mouth—and purple panties—still drive him crazy, but now it’s a different kind of crazy. The kind that has him driving her home instead of to the nearest airport.

And when Luke offers to solve all her problems if she’ll only say “I do”, Marc realizes he’s just crazy enough—about her—to forget whose heart he wanted to protect.

Warning: Contains two people who don’t like each other very much, a Toyota that can’t quite handle the road trip home, and a spontaneous proposal. Or two. Or three. And foreplay with—what else—pie filling.

Random Acts of Kindness: May Wrap Up

R.A.K, otherwise known as Random Acts of Kindness is put together by the lovely ladies from Book♥Soulmates. It's a way for fellow bloggers to get together and give eachother items on their wish lists. I love participating in R.A.K. It's so much fun and rewarding to give others items from their wish list and it's exciting to see if anyone is going to give you something too.

Sent Out:

EmmaD


Stella @Ex Libris


Danielle @The Book Queen's Palace


Barbara @Basia's Bookshelf


Julia @CompBiblio

Received: 

EmmaD


Heather @BookStacksOnDeck


Stella @Ex Libris


Barbara @Basia's Bookshelf


Julia @CompBiblio