Weekly Winners

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

Mary
Down London Road by Samantha Young

Kai W
Werewolves Be Damned by Stacey Kennedy

Casey
Claimed by Him by Red Garnier

Leanne
Casey
Clean by Alex Hughes

Olga
Ask Me to Stay by Elise K. Acker

Cassie
Extreme Love by Abby Niles

Lori
Chasing Mrs. Right by Katee Robert


**Replacement Winners**

Casey
A Passion for Please by Nina Rowan

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

ARC Review: Never Too Late by Amara Royce

Never Too Late is an appropriate title for this May-December romance of an older working woman and a younger lord. It is the debut novel for Amara Royce and shows great promise. Her writing style is clever and brings depth to the characters.

Widowed Honoria (Nora) Duchamp is suspicious, but intrigued by the attentions of Lord Devin. He is an attractive young vicount and she is an older bookstore owner and crusader for the mistreated. It makes no sense when he keeps appearing just at the time she most needs help, but his attraction for her seems sincere. What she doesn't know is that Devin has been bribed to investigate her political and social activities. He is faced with a dilemma when he is seriously draw to the subject of his investigation because he finds her to be an intelligent, compassionate and sensual woman. Nora has secrets of her own that prevent her from responding to Devin.

I found this book quite compelling. The large age difference between Nora and Devin, especially with her being fourteen years older, was bothersome through a great deal of the book. But I have to give much credit to Royce's writing - I was completely convinced of the viability of the relationship long before the end of the story. There were some small stumbles in the writing; this is Royce's first published book, after all, but she really drew me into the story and made me care about Nora and Devin. I genuinely enjoyed the book.

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Guest Post with Author Lolita Lopez and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome Lolita Lopez to RFTC. Lo has stopped by to chat about her Grabbed series and is sharing an excerpt from Grabbed by Viscous. Please give her a warm welcome.

While browsing bookstore shelves as a teenager, Lo discovered the erotic writings of Anaïs Nin and A.N. Roquelaure. Certain her mother would not approve, Lo smuggled the books home and squirreled them away in the most likely of places: under her bed. Late at night, she delved into the sensual worlds both writers created.

As a co-ed studying biochemistry and genetics at Texas A&M University, Lo dabbled in creating naughty tales to entertain her friends. Study for a midterm or pen a deliciously dirty story to delight her small band of fans? Not surprisingly, Lo is now on an extended sabbatical from college.

Luckily, Lo stumbled onto the world of erotic romance publishers. She realized there were other readers and writers who loved and craved breathtaking romance with the spiciest of love scenes. She took a chance and submitted her first novella. The rest is history.

Lo lives in Texas with her husband, daughter and big blubbering Great Dane with mommy issues. She also writes super sexy romances and scorching hot erotica with a New Adult flavor under the pen name Roxie Rivera.

Places to find Lolita:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

Review: Incendiary by Amy A. Bartol

I picked up this series on a referral from another author and am so thankful I did!

Incendiary is the fourth installment in Amy A. Bartol’s Premonition Series and I truly believe that Evie’s story gets better and better with each one. I will admit that I read all four books, in order, in four days. The beginning of the first book hooked me and I couldn’t stop reading until I ran out of words.

This installment begins where the previous book left off. The gang is back together again but a HEA still remains far out of reach. Brennus is Hell bent on getting Evie back and has decided that doing so by any means necessary is the new game plan. While being under constant assault of stress and pressure to keep those she loves safe, we get to watch Evie’s character grow by leaps and bounds. Both emotionally, as well as her angel abilities. The men in her life, both of romantic and platonic relations, continue to try to order her about to keep her from harm. At this point she’s had enough. Tired of sitting back while her ‘family’ continues to fight her battles. Evie steps up in this book and shows the world what she’s capable of, that she’s truly a force to be reckoned with.

It’s really hard to share thoughts on specific events without spoiling it for those who haven’t read the previous three books. So here I will just say that the love Evie and Reed share for each other is still an extremely strong thread through this book. The love she has for her self claimed ‘family’ (Zephyr, Buns, Brownie, and Russell) remains solid, though there is quite a surprise waiting for Russ early on. Evie still struggles with her feelings for Brennus and the Fellas but she knows her heart is taken...and that she belongs with those she calls family. Though, like Russ, she too has some pretty shocking surprises thrown at her.

To wrap up, I loved this book! The book is extremely well written (some of the best I’ve seen from self-published authors) and the story so far has been a true delight. It’s a complete package of love, laughter, heartache, and the struggle to challenge fate and live your life as you see fit. No other author has been able to make me truly feel for the baddies, but Brennus and the Fellas have wiggled their way into my heart. Russell and Evie’s connection can be heart-wrenching at times, but the honest love they have for each other shines beautifully. Buns and Brownie continue to leave me in stitches. Those crazy Reapers are lethal when it comes to a verbal lashing and throw sarcasm like pro’s. Zephyr’s dominant warrior attitude at one point landing him in the dog house, and lack of understanding in terms of modern day relationships had me cracking up and praying for Buns to take it easy on the poor boy. And last but not least. Reed and Evie are still one of my favorite book couples. His undying love for her blazes like a beacon in the darkest night. And the way she calls to his heart? The steady beating of a fierce heart combined with a fragile, lilting melody, drifting through the foggy mist of her numerous trials and tribulations.

I definitely recommend you add this book to your TBR list, but highly suggest you read the previous three books first, starting with Inescapable.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble |

Guest Post with Author Dianne Duvall and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome back to RFTC author Dianne Duvall. Diane is celebrating the recent release of Predatory and has stopped by to chat. Please give Diane a warm welcome.

Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Immortal Guardians paranormal romance series. Her debut novel DARKNESS DAWNS was nominated for the RT Reviewers' Choice Award for Best Vampire Romance by RT Book Reviews, for Best Paranormal Romance - Vampire by The Romance Reviews, and for Best Book of 2011 by Long and Short Reviews. NIGHT REIGNS, the second book in her Immortal Guardians series, was declared an "utterly addictive" Top Pick by RT Book Reviews. PHANTOM SHADOWS, the third book in the series, was deemed a Top Pick by both The Romance Reviews and by Night Owl Reviews. DARKNESS RISES, Immortal Guardians Book 4, will be released on October 1, 2013.

When she isn't writing, Dianne is active in the independent film industry and once even appeared onscreen as a machete-wielding maniac not unlike the vampires she so loves to create in her novels.

Places to find Dianne:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest |

Review: Never Too Far by Abbi Glines

Let me start off by saying that I was not sure how much I was going to enjoy this book. I love to read books from a series and I have a major need to see a story through. I very rarely start a series and don't finish it...there is just something that bothers me about not knowing how things end! So of course I had to check this one out to see the continuing story of Rush and Blaire.

I had quite a few problems with this book. The first problem I had was that the story seemed to just rehash the same old thing over and over. A problem would seem to be resolved and the couple would move on only to circle right back. Probably because the only way they really solved any of their problems was through sex. I'm all for some good sex scenes, especially if they are well written and are a natural part of the story. However I felt that the author used them as a way to resolve the issues between the couple without ever really solving any of the problems.

The second problem I had was Rush. He would try to convince Blaire of all the reasons they should be together, only to turn around and make mistake after mistake. I felt like he was way too attached to Nan and was constantly putting her before Blaire. Where was the Rush from Fallen Too Far, who had made the choice that he wouldn't allow his sister and the family to stand between him and Blaire? It just seemed to be a completely different character from the first book to the second.

As for Blaire, I really missed the strong person she had become in the first book. What happened to the girl who would stand up for herself and even go to the point of pulling a gun on more than one character when needed? She just seemed to roll over and take what she could get. Often through this book I wondered why she wouldn't just say something or confront Rush about the choices he was making.

Overall, this book was a let down. It had a lot of problems and inconsistencies from what had been introduced in the first book. It also ended extremely abruptly. Although I'm guessing that the author did that in order to encourage people to buy Forever Too Far (book #3). Hopefully that book will do a better job of continuing the story of Blaire and Rush for the sake of the characters and the readers. The high point of this book for me was Woods (Blaire's boss & friend). He really stepped up to help Blaire and I really loved how his character developed over the course of the book! I enjoyed his scenes from this book the most and I can't wait to read his story in Twisted Perfection!

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

Guest Post with Author Beth Kery and Giveaway

Today I am happy to welcome author Beth Kery to RFTC. Beth has stopped by to chat about tortured heroines. Please give her a warm welcome.

Beth Kery is the New York Times bestselling author of sexy, emotionally intense romances including Because You Are Mine, When I’m With You and the upcoming Because We Belong. She lives and works in Chicago, where she balances the love of her writing, her home life, and her love of the arts.

Places to find Beth:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | 

Interview with Author Erin McCarthy and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome author Erin McCarthy to RFTC. Erin is celebrating the recent release of her first New Adult book, True and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Please give Erin a warm welcome.

Erin McCarthy is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 40 novels and novellas in the paranormal, contemporary romance, and young adult genres.  The author is a RITA award finalist and an American Library Association winner of the Reluctant Young Reader award. She lives with her family in Ohio.

Places to find Erin: 

| Site | Facebook | Twitter | 

Sinful Sirens Giveaway Hop

Welcome to my stop on the Sinful Sirens Giveaway Hop. This hop was organized by the ladies from the Under The Covers and Guilty Pleasures and will run from May 15 - 20. Please note, that my giveaways will be for US entries only.

Up for grabs:

Feature and Giveaway: A Matter of Circumstance and Celludrones by Claire Robyns

A Victorian Steampunk/Paranormal adventure with strong elements of romance...

Lady Lily d'Bulier is prim, proper, and prefers to think of herself as pragmatic rather than timid. And avoiding life-threatening situations at all costs is just plain practical. But everything changes when Lord Adair tracks her down in London; searching for answers he seems to think she has.

Greyston Adair is a blackguard and a smuggler, although British Customs will have to catch him red-handed to prove the latter. Fortunately, the dirigibles they float around in have never been able to get near his air dust.

Hell is rising, One Demon at a Time...

With Lady Ostrich hunting them, and the mystery of how their lives tie back to Cragloden Castle and the powerful McAllister clan, Lily has no option but to throw propriety to the wind and run off with Greyston to Scotland, away from the immediate danger and toward possible answers.

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo |

Guest Post with Author Christine Wenrick and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome author Christine Wenrick to RFTC. Christine has stopped by to chat about her paranormal trilogy, The Charmed. Please give Christine a warm welcome.

Christine is a graduate of Washington State University where she received a BA in Interior Design. And true to form of using mostly her ‘right brain’, she splits her time between her commercial design career and her imaginary world of writing. She lives in the scenic Pacific Northwest where she enjoys hiking, camping and photographing many of the wonderful places that served as inspiration for her Charmed Trilogy. Her biggest reward in life is any given day when one of her books connects with a reader because she herself is such a lover of reading. Some of her favorite authors include Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, and Kimberly Derting.

Places to find Christine:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

Review: Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs

Frost Burned is the seventh book in Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series. I have been a fan of Mercy’s since it all began in the first book ‘Moon Called,’ so I was really excited for the opportunity to return to her world and see what new adventures/adversities she would be presented with this time. Being a Walker, or coyote shifter, Mercy is like an extra-heavy duty trouble magnet.

On top of being a coyote shifter Mercy is married to Adam Hauptman, alpha werewolf of the local pack. The story begins with an innocent ‘Black Friday’ shopping trip with her step-daughter Jesse. However the outing ends quickly as they get in a fender-bender that totals Mercy’s beloved VW Rabbit. This occurs at about the 4% mark of the book, after which this novel quickly picks up the pace as Mercy discovers that her mate, and entire pack have seemingly disappeared leaving very little trace for her to follow.

Knowing that Adam would never leave her on his own accord, and would definitely never do so to his daughter, Mercy immediately sets out to discover what has caused their disappearance and do whatever is necessary to bring her family home safe and sound. She may not be as strong as a werewolf, but in this book we truly get to see her do more than bare her teeth and snarl. Living up to her role as Alpha’s mate she acts with intelligence, cunning, and a vicious ferocity that has been glimpsed in previous installments but never to this degree. There are several returning characters from the previous novels which were a total delight. Also, some very interesting new tricks arise in regards to Mercy and Adam’s mate bond.

I have really enjoyed reading this series. Mercy is a strong female lead and not only survives but thrives in this world full of danger without being written in as top dog in the food chain. She lacks in strength, magic, and other traits that the other non-human characters possess, but she’s swift in mind and body and has surrounded herself with a great support system of friends and family.

In summary this was a great fast paced read. Mystery, action, and a loving couple who will do anything in their power to keep each other, and their loved ones safe. Though this book can be read stand alone I do recommend you first read the previous ones in the series to get the full back story on these characters and how they’ve grown to be who they are and what they mean to each other. I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next in the series.

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

Guest Post with Author Cheryl Holt and Giveaway

Today I am happy to welcome back to RFTC author, Cheryl Holt. Cheryl is celebrating the release of her newest book Love's Promise and has stopped by to share a special excerpt.

CHERYL HOLT is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels.

She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.

Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.

She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans.

Places to visit Cheryl: 

| Site | Facebook | Twitter |

Surrender to Sultry Cover Reveal!

Howdy, romance readers! I’m Macy Beckett, author of the Sultry Springs trilogy, and I’m here to share the new-and-improved cover for the third book in my series, SURRENDER TO SULTRY. This is Colton’s story—the wild-as-weeds deputy you met in book two, where he starred in the bawdy reality show, Sex in the Sticks. Colt’s the county sheriff now, and he’s a changed man hoping for a second chance with his first love, Leah McMahon.

Here’s the original cover:

Interview with Author Abigail Sharpe and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome to RFTC author Abigail Sharpe. Abigail is celebrating the release of her book, Who Wants to Marry a Cowboy? and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Please give Abigail a warm welcome.

Abigail is a Boston-bred Yankee now eating grits and saying "y'all" in North Central Florida. She dreamed more of being a stage actress or joining the CIA than being an author. While she still enjoys participating in community theater productions and singing karaoke, the secret-agent career was replaced by hours at her computer, writing stories of love and laughter and happily ever after.

Abigail lives with her husband, two kids, and one crazy princess puppy.

Places to find Abigail:

| Site | Facebook | Twitter | 

Feature and Giveaway: Ours to Love by Shayla Black

Between two brothers…

Xander Santiago spent years living it up as a billionaire playboy. Never given a chance to lead his family business in the boardroom, he became a Master in the bedroom instead. His older brother inherited the company and worked tirelessly to make it an empire. But while cutthroat corporate espionage took its toll on Javier, nothing was as devastating as the seemingly senseless murder of his wife. It propelled him into a year of punishing rage and guilt…until Xander came to his rescue.

Comes an irresistible woman…

Eager to rejuvenate Javier’s life, Xander shanghais him to Louisiana where they meet beautiful London McLane. After a decade of tragedy and struggle, London is determined to make a fresh start—and these sexy billionaire brothers are more than willing to help. In every way. And London is stunned to find herself open to every heated suggestion.

And inescapable danger.

But a killer is watching, on a single-minded mission to destroy everything the Santiago brothers hold dear, especially London . And as fear and desire collide, every passionate beat of her heart could be her last.

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