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Saturday, June 22, 2013

Weekly Winners

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

Casey
$15 Amazon Gift Card from Carmen Falcone

Linda
Dark Flight by Cassi Carver

Yadira
Book of Choice from Nalini Singh

Erin 
Under the Covers by Rebecca Zanetti

Ada
Runaway Groom by Sally Clements


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

Feature and Giveaway: Conceal by Juliana Stone


No one said going home would be easy...

Black sheep and all around trouble maker, Betty Jo Barker is back home and hoping for a do-over. Things are finally looking up until Beau Simon comes to town. The man pushes every button she owns and manages to awaken long dead emotions she'd rather leave buried. Beneath the surface she knows she's a wreck--her scars run deep--and she can't help but wonder, is Beau Simon the one who can fix her?

Beau Simon, the brightest star in Hollywood has come to New Waterford for one reason only. He's determined to have Betty Jo Barker star in his next film. He knows she's perfect for the part, but a past encounter might prove more than a little difficult to overcome. As Beau turns on the charm, hoping to win over this complicated woman, he realizes it won't be easy.

Only time will tell if what lies beneath can ever be overcome. Or if love can heal all...

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |  Smashwords | Kobo | iTunes |

Guest Post with Author Cate Masters

Today I would like to welcome author Cate Masters to RFTC. Cate has stopped by to chat about her newest release, Cursed and has stopped by to chat. Please give Cate a warm welcome.

Cate Masters loves romance with a dash of magic and mayhem! Multipublished in contemporary to historical, sweet to erotic, fantasy/dark fantasy to speculative, she sometimes mashes genres. Reviewers have described her stories as “so compelling, I did not want to put it down,” and “such romantic tales that really touch your soul.”

When not spending time with her family, she can be found in her lair, concocting a magical brew of contemporary, historical, and fantasy/paranormal stories with her cat Chairman Maiow and dog Lily as company.

Places to find Cate:
| Site | Facebook | Twitter

Friday, June 21, 2013

ARC Review: One More Kiss by Mary Blayney


What to say about this book? One More Kiss (Pennistan #5) was an unusual read for me and I couldn't quite decide what to make of it. It was interesting, but slow. It was steamy, but not sensual. It just didn't quite fit into any of the usual styles of historical romance that I have read.

Beatrice and Cecilia are twin sisters that have been invited to a country house party hosted by their godmother. The plan is for them to polish their social skills before the upcoming Season. Their wealthy, but non-aristocratic father has ambitions for them to marry well. Bea is a bluestocking with no desire to marry and Ceci is a sweet, but shallow beauty. Bea finds herself attracted to Lord Jessup Pennistan, a gambler with a very questionable history. Jess's friend falls for Ceci. Several sub-plots are entangled as the story continues, including a nasty villain, a murder, a horserace, and several romantic pairings.

I will start by saying that I liked the book. I was interested and never considered not finishing it. However, it was long and slow. The entire story took place at the country house party. There was a lengthy cast of characters and many things happened. I liked that Blayney included a short hero (something you almost never see). It was a bit disconcerting that the characters had a lot of steamy thoughts, but there was very little steamy action. I did not read any of the other Pennistan books in the series. The other characters were mentioned, but their stories were not necessary to this one. When I added up all the pluses and minuses, the book came out right in the middle.

**ARC copy provided by NetGalley**

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



Feature and Giveaway: At the Duke's Wedding Anthology


Will you be AT THE DUKE'S WEDDING? Award winning, best-selling authors Katharine Ashe,  Caroline LindenMiranda Neville and Maya Rodale serve up delectable Regency fun and a sexy contemporary twist in this anthology of original novellas.

Four authors, four couples, four deliciously romantic surprises. When it comes to love, anything can happen...

Guest Post with Author Seleste Delaney and Giveaway

Today author Seleste Delaney is visiting and she's chatting all about her newest release, Gaming for Keeps. Please give Seleste a warm welcome.

Seleste started on her career path as a young child. Stories of talking animals soon gave way to a love of superheroes and science fiction. Her first foray into the world of romance came at age twelve when she envisioned a sweeping epic love story of two people thrust together and torn apart again and again by fate. As she recalls, the plan was for them to admit their love on his deathbed. But, as is often the case with pre-teen girls, a story of that depth gave way to other pursuits, and sadly it is completely lost other than vague memories.

After that, she occupied herself with short stories for a while, and then poetry until after she had earned a degree in chemistry, spent time as a high school teacher, and became a mother of two. Then she delved into writing fiction once more.

She never lost her love of the fantastic, and her stories now always reach into other realms. The worlds and people she creates occupy as much of her time as the real world, and she is most fortunate to have a family that understands her idiosyncrasies and loves her anyway.

Places to find Seleste:
| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Thursday, June 20, 2013

ARC Review: Bitter Disenchantment by Shawntelle Madison

This novella focuses on Aggie McClure, the outspoken red-headed sidekick of Natalya Stravinsky, the main character of Coveted. This story is written as a prequel to the series letting the reader in on the events surrounding Aggie’s arrival in South Toms River, New Jersey.

Having not read Coveted yet this was my first time experiencing these characters as well as Madison’s writing. I am looking forward to checking out the series now since I found this book to be a quick tease leaving me curious to discover what happens next to the characters I was introduced to.

Aggie was looked on as having it all. Being the only offspring of the Alpha werewolf of the Manhattan Pack and destined heir. Though in reality she was faced with many obstacles that some readers could connect to. Having been born with her father wishing she was a boy, dealing with the unhappy separation of her parents, as well as being forced into an arranged marriage.

Determined to face the trials set before her and emerge the victor Aggie takes her life into her own hands and makes some incredibly difficult choices. She’s fighting for everything she holds dear, including a future where she gets to live her life in a manner of her own choosing.

Madison has created a very strong heroine both in body and mind. This story was a smooth read, full of plots that added in the growth of Aggie’s character. Allowing the reader the opportunity to see what adversities and choices she had to face to become the person she is in the Coveted series. Action, romance, and mystery are all combined to give you a well fleshed out story. If you are a fan of Madison’s Coveted series I definitely suggest you read this as I think it will add to the overall experience. If like me you are new to this author I still say go ahead and check this title out. It could quite possibly turn you onto a new series to follow as it happily did for me.


**ARC provided by NetGalley**

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



Feature and Giveaway: Wilde Nights in Paradise by Tonya Burrows


He’ll guard her body all night long.

Former Force Recon marine Jude Wilde’s motto has always been “burn bridges and never look back,” so nobody is more surprised when Wilde Security is hired to protect assistant district attorney Libby Pruitt, the woman he loved and left. Although she makes it clear she wants nothing to do with Jude, they’re forced to fake a relationship for her safety. He can’t ignore the heat still simmering between them, and when her stalker’s threats escalate to attempted murder, he’s left with no choice but to whisk her away to a friend’s safe house in Key West, FL.

Cooped up in paradise together, Jude begins to chip away at Libby’s resolve to hate him. But even as she gives in to his proximity and her body’s demands for his, she refuses to fall for his charms again. Maybe a torrid affair in the sun is exactly what she needs to get him out of her system. But when her stalker tracks them down, can they escape the steamy Key West night without anyone getting hurt?

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

ARC Review: Hook's Pan by Marie Hall


I would like to begin this review by stating that this was my first time reading Marie Hall’s works and thus was my first experience with her Kingdom Series. Though I had no basis to judge this book beforehand I was a little worried that my excitement with the premise of this story would be shattered by corny dialogues and overly lust-filled characters that would scar my love for this story as a child. I am so happy to announce that I not only LOVED this story, but found it was extremely well written. Her immaculate character and world building had the whimsical settings and well fleshed characters easily taking over my imagination.

Captain James Hook is portrayed in this story entirely different from what I’ve ever known him to be. He’s brooding, self-destructive, and on a quest for vengeance. Peter Pan took something from him, far more valuable than any trinket or treasure, and he wouldn’t rest until the ageless nuisance had been removed from Neverland and adjoining worlds forever. His fairy Godmother Danika, the fairy with a soft spot in her heart for the bad boys of Kingdom, feared that Hook had reached the point of no return. The edge of an abyss that once entered will never leave his soul in peace. Refusing to allow that to happen to one of her charges she’d given in to the fact that she’s run out of time and must take the chance to fix one of the worst injustices in Neverland before it’s too late for them all.

Trishelle, or Trisha as she preferred to be called, began this tale in a dark place. The anniversary of her sister’s death still weighing heavily on her heart and mind. Fighting to keep a well adjusted and carefree mask on her face has taken its toll. She doesn’t believe in love, so many experiences in her life proving that it doesn’t exist anywhere outside of the day dreams she refused to let herself have, and fairy tales. Suddenly, on the beating wings of a impatient fairy, her world was tossed topsy turvy. All things familiar ripped away by roaring tides, and replaced centrally in the dark, star strewn eyes of a man that saw into her soul as much as he called to her body.

Though both Hook and Trisha show no fear of the lust they have for one another, their emotional relationship was as fragile as a house of cards. The slightest breeze from fairy wings, the devilish delights of an old though forever young adversary, and the tic toc of a weighing count down, all threatened to crush their hearts and their future.

This tale swept me up in a world of fantasy and steamy romance while reintroducing me to characters I loved as a child. Though I did find myself trading teams on who I rooted for from the classical renditions. Hook was a dastardly seafaring rogue who had as little use for apologies and weakness as he did a television set from the modern world. He was rough and I loved him for it. Trisha was so headstrong. Refusing to settle for anything other than the life she felt she deserved. One where she could hold true to herself, and not be consumed by the person she’d once been. Though they were hot and heavy in the bedroom, I found their journey to discover their feelings for each other a sweet and beautiful experience. After finishing this book I immediately sought out the previous four installments in Hall’s Kingdom series. If anything in this review has caught your eye, imagination, or love for an old story revisited I highly recommend you check this one out.


**ARC provided by NetGalley**


Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |




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 Price and has stopped by to share chat. Please give Cheryl a warm welcome.

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: 

Guest Post with Author Cathy Perkins and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome author Cathy Perkins to RFTC. Cathy is celebrating the recent release of her book, For Love or Money and has stopped by to chat. Please give Cathy a warm welcome.

Cathy Perkins is a member of the Sisters in Crime, Romance Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. She writes predominantly financial-based mysteries but enjoys exploring the relationship aspect of her characters' lives. Her suspense writing lurks behind a financial day-job, where she learned firsthand the camouflaged, hide in plain sight, skills employed by her villains.

She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the setting of FOR LOVE OR MONEY, with her work-a-holic husband, a 75-pound Lab who thinks she's still a lap-puppy and a Wirehair puppy's who's intent on digging her way to China. You can learn more about Cathy on her website http://cperkinswrites.com.

Places to find Cathy:

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

ARC Review: Hold Me Down Hard by Cathryn Fox


I wasn't sure how I was going to like this book, but after reading the blurb I decided to give it a shot. I found this to be a quick fun read, but the problem for me was that it was just too short. Coming in at 51 pages, I felt this story was a little bit rushed and lacking when it came to the development of the relationship.

Eden is a former farm girl from Iowa who has relocated to NY and become an actress. She is always presumed to be the innocent and naive country girl. However Eden has darker fantasies or men in uniform, handcuffs, and being at the mercy of her best friend and neighbor Jay.

Jay is a cop with a mission to honor his sister's memory after failing to protect her when they were young. He is attracted to Eden, but believes that his desires are too dark for her. He also thinks that by staying away from anything more than friendship with Eden that he is protecting her from his dangerous job and life. When she comes to him asking to rehearse lines for her latest script, he agrees like he normally does. Little does he know that she has written the sexy script to try and seduce him into seeing her as more than a friend.

Although I enjoyed this story and the characters, I just felt like too much of the story was missing. I would have liked to have seen the relationship progress a little more than was possible in this novella. The scenes between Jay and Eden were hot though and by far the highlight of this story. I would recommend this story to someone looking for a quick and easy read without too much depth. However if you are looking for a well developed story, this is probably not the book for you.


**ARC provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |




Feature and Giveaway: Dark Protectors by Rebecca Zanetti

The Kayrs family leads not only the vampire nation, but also the Realm, which is a coalition of vampires, shifters, and witches.   Years ago, an evil vampire race called the Kurjans declared war on the Realm by creating a deadly virus that infects vampire mates.  The virus attacks chromosomal pairs and takes mates from immortal to human, and maybe down to death.  No cure for the virus has been found for mates, and the vampires, who are male only, know that time is running short.

In addition, the demons declared war on the Realm, going so far as to kidnap the youngest Kayrs brother and torture him for five years.  He has been rescued, damaged but still alive.  The eldest Kayrs, the king, is out for revenge, no matter the cost.

The prophets of all the races predicted the coming of a young psychic named Janie who is destined to change the world.  How, nobody knows.  The vampires found her as a young girl, and one of their leaders adopted her and raised her with love and determination.  In the final four stories of this series arc, Janie is an adult, and it’s time for that change—if she lives long enough.

Monday, June 17, 2013

ARC Review: Lover Be Mine by Nicole Jordan


Lover Be Mine (Legendary Lovers #2) is the first book by Nicole Jordan that I have read. It will not be the last. Jordan is a talented writer and has crafted a very solid romance with this book. Charming characters, solid conflict, and warm relationships add up to a really good book that any historical romance reader would enjoy.

The Legendary Lovers series follows the amorous adventures of the Wilde family, each of whom is believed to follow a romance based on famous lovers. This time it is a Romeo-and-Juliet story. Lovely Sophie Fortin is engaged to marry a much-older duke that she respects, but does not love. She feels that this successful marriage would fulfill the wants and needs of her parents. Jack Wilde, charmer extraordinaire, kisses her at a masquerade ball and decides to pursue the relationship in spite of her engagement. One problem is that the Fortins and the Wildes have a bad family feud in their history (hence the Romeo & Juliet thing). Jack continues to be intrigued by Sophie as he moves slowly into love with her. Sophie continues to fight her attraction to Jack and clings to her commitments. What will it take to bring them together?

Lover Be Mine was a very well written story with characters you have to love. Jack put the “c” in charming, but he was lovable and sympathetic as well. Sophie was sweet and docile. It took her quite a while to stand up for herself, but she finally got there. There were no villains in the story, just some misunderstandings. I did not read the first book in the series (Prince Charming), but I would to find the time to go back and read it. I will certainly watch for the upcoming books because the Wilde family seems irrepressible and fun. This book didn't move mountains or break new ground, but it is a genuinely good read.

**ARC copy provided by NetGalley**

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




Guest Post with Author Laurelin Paige and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome author Laurelin Paige to RFTC. Laurelin is getting ready for the release of her debut novel, Fixed on You and has stopped by to chat. Please give Laurelin a warm welcome.

Laurelin Paige is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Mad Men and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Adam Levine. She is represented by Bob Diforio of D4EO Literary Agency. Her debut Adult Contemporary Romance is out June 24th, 2013.

Places to find Laurelin:

Cover Reveal: Taken by the Vampire King by Laura Kaye


Release Date: August 1, 2013

Henrik Magnusson is supposed to be immortal, but a mysterious ailment leaves the vampire king near death, and not even the blood of the Proffered, human virgins trained to serve the elite, can sustain him. Then he rescues a beautiful young woman from his enemies, and is filled with blood lust and desire he hasn't felt for centuries.

Photographer Kaira Sorenson's life takes a nightmare turn when she's attacked by blood-thirsty creatures—and saved by a vampire. She should be afraid of Henrik, but she can't deny her intense attraction to this regal, enigmatic being—nor the fact that her blood may be his only salvation. Now she must decide if she's willing to be his forever…

Pre-Order: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Sunday, June 16, 2013

ARC Review: Tempted by a Cowboy by Vicki Lewis Thompson


This novella by Vicki Lewis Thompson is the second installment in her Perfect Man series. Though I generally lean towards paranormal romance and urban fantasy I couldn’t help but pick up this title. After all, what country girl doesn’t have a thing for cowboys....right? After finishing this story I was very pleased I’d given into the temptation (see what I did there? Haha!).

The story begins innocently enough. Fletch watching over his favorite broodmare’s worrisome labor with Astrid, his vet and the woman who’d caught and held his eye for sometime now. He’s aware of Astrid’s ‘no client dating’ policy, but is willing to put in the time to make her change her mind. Little did he know after a first kiss, a near death experience, and a harrowing rescue in the space of one evening, he’d get his chance sooner than he’d ever thought possible.

Astrid has long been attracted to Fletch. Her favorite client and the most caring man she’d ever met. Be it for the men who called him boss, or the animals in his care. Astrid’s need to keep her business strictly business to avoid damaging the reputation of her clinic was not the only reason she worked to dampen her feelings for this man. The knowledge that they were from two very different worlds was always a nagging thought in the back of her mind. But upon seeing how easily life could be taken from her, priorities begin to shift and all those obstacles seem to dim in light of a chance at the life she’s always wanted for herself.

This was a quick and very enjoyable read. Fletch will warm your heart from the first page. Astrid’s strength and independence is commendable, and her love for her work and the animals in her care endearing. Their romance is steamy and though moves a little quick you definitely get the feeling that this has been brewing since far before page one. If you are looking for a little something to pass some time and leave you with that ‘feel good’ feeling of a happily ever after I can easily recommend you pick this up.


**ARC provided by Publisher**

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |






Guest Post with Author Dannika Dark and Giveaway

Today I would like to welcome author Dannika Dark to RFTC. Dannika is currently on tour for her release of Gravity and has stopped by to chat. Please give Dannika a warm welcome.

Down in Texas, there's a woman who drinks copious amounts of vitamin water placed precariously close to her laptop. Yeah, I know. I've got a drinking problem. Hi, I'm Danni.

When I'm not writing (which is all the time), I'm listening to obscure music, watching movies, reading, discovering new ways to humiliate myself bowling, and burning up my laptop battery on the internet. I live with a cat who thinks she is a dog, or a goat (she eats plastic, so I'm not sure which).

Some people count sheep when they have insomnia. Since I was little, I used to make up stories in my head in a futile attempt to bore myself to sleep. The problem was, I'd get so wrapped up in my "head stories" that I would continue them through the following nights, changing it up each time to make it more exciting. Eventually, I started writing my ideas down more and more, creating short stories which evolved into poetry.

Lots and lots of poetry. It's almost embarrassing that I have an entire box loaded with spiral notebooks filled with furious, heartfelt, and blushing words. Apparently, I had a lot to say.

Another one of my hobbies is digital art. I designed all my book covers.

I am finally doing what I have always wanted to: giving my characters a pulse through publishing. I write adult urban fantasy romance, but I don't like labels. I let the story tell itself, and color outside the lines. I am not a YA author, but I think it’s pretty great that there are so many books available to teens in Urban Fantasy and Paranormal. These are the future readers!

The work that goes behind self publishing is hard work, I won't lie. On top of my regular day job: I write, edit, format, create cover art, and market.

But it's what I love to do, and someday, I'm going to be doing this full time.

Places to find Dannika:

Feature and Giveaway: Mine to Hold By Cynthia Eden


Sometimes you want someone so much…
Sometimes you need someone so much…
Lust can become love.
And love can turn into a deadly obsession.

Skye Sullivan knows that someone is watching her. Not just watching—stalking her. Months ago, Skye was involved in a dangerous car accident. The accident ended her dancing career and sent her fleeing back to Chicago. Skye is convinced that her stalker caused the crash, and she fears that he won’t stop pursuing her, not until she’s dead.

When someone breaks into her apartment in Chicago, Skye turns to the one man she believes can protect her—Trace Weston. Once, Trace was her lover. Two lost souls, they’d come together in a firestorm of need and desire. But then Trace had pushed her away. He’d joined the military, vanishing from her life. She’d put all of her emotion into dancing, and she’d tried to forget him.

Now Trace is one of the most successful men in the United States. Rich, driven, and carrying dark secrets, he agrees to help Skye. He’ll protect her from the danger that lurks in the darkness, but Trace wants more than to just be a guard for Skye.

He wants her. And he’ll take her. The years have changed him, hardened him. He’s not just a poor kid from the streets any longer. Now, he can have anything—or anyone—that he wants. And the one woman he has always wanted has just come back into his life. He won’t let her go again.
But with the threats mounting against Skye, she suspects that her stalker may be intimately close. He’s a man who knows her too well. As his attacks grow ever more dangerous, she realizes that if she trusts the wrong man, she could be making a fatal mistake.

Lust. Love. Obsession.
Just how far would you go in order to possess the one person you want the most?

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo |