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Saturday, October 19, 2013

Weekly Winners

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

Meghan
The Five Deaths of Roxanne Love by Erin Quinn

Olga
Terrie
Janey Cat
Rhythm and Bluegrass by Molly Harper

Janice
Torn by Kim Karr


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

ARC Review: Bold Tricks by Karina Halle


Bold Tricks is the third and final installment in Karina Halle's The Artists Trilogy. This book is not a standalone novel and should only be read if you have read both Sins & Needles and Shooting Scars. I highly recommend that you also read the prequel novella On Every Street before reading Bold Tricks. If you haven't read this series, there may be spoilers below. I have been both looking forward to this book and dreading it. I have really loved reading these books and I am sad that it is over. I have become incredible connected to these characters and it is hard to say goodbye to them.

This book immediately picks up right where we were left at the end of Shooting Scars. As Ellie, Javier and Camden continue on in their quest for revenge and freedom they form an alliance of sorts. There are many lies and secrets between them and very little trust. But in order to get past the dangers that lay ahead they know that like it or not they must try to work together. Each have their own agenda though, and with the stakes as high as they have ever been, is it possible that they will all make it out? Can they find the freedom and redemption that they seek? Will Ellie choose Camden or Javier, and can they have a HEA after everything that they have been through?

At this point in the series, pretty much everyone has decided which team they are on. I love both Camden and Javier for completely different reasons. I felt like I would be happy no matter who she chose, because I have really come to care for both of them. I did hope that she would choose Camden after Shooting Scars. I was solidly on Team Javier to start, but the more time that has gone on Javier has really started to change. I was hoping that he would sort of redeem himself in Bold Tricks though, even if him and Ellie couldn't work things out between them. I was a little disappointed if i'm honest about how this triangle sort of resolved itself. Ellie really didn't end up having a choice to make. Without going into details and spoiling everything, it is pretty easy for Ellie to pick because one of our guys seems to sort of shift in character. I don't know what happened to him to change him so much but whereas he was multi-faceted in the previous books he sort of loses many of the things that we have come to know and love about him. I was looking for a bit more angst and drama when it came down to the choice, but for some reason Halle sort of eased up on the havoc she was able to create so well in the previous books.

Overall, I think that this book was a satisfying end to the series. My small gripes about the romance portion of this book are really pretty minor in comparison to this story though. As usual, this book definitely brings the action and I loved how consistently great Halle's writing is. She does a great job of making her characters interesting and you really get invested in them as a reader. Halle does a wonderful job of pulling you into the story so that everything seems incredibly real. This series brings the heat and steam and is filled with adrenaline pumping action right up to the end. I have loved reading about these characters and seeing how they have grown and changed from the first page until the last. They have all had their ups and downs, and the evolution of each character has been something that I have really enjoyed. I'm sad to say goodbye to these characters, but I am glad that this book provided closure and was ended in a way that was believable to the reader. I can honestly say that Halle kept me guessing throughout this entire series, and I never knew what would happen and how everything would end. I cannot wait to read more from Karina Halle in the future, and I am interested to see what new characters she will come up with for her readers to get to know and love as we have with Ellie, Javier and Camden.

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |



Feature and Giveaway: Breaking the Rules by L.K. Lewis


Morgan Lane has just completed grad school, and has accepted a job at Baylor Industries with the help of her father, who just so happens to be golf buddies with Drake Baylor Sr., CEO. Morgan has lived her 24 years of life under her parents thumbs, and is more than eager to start living life and carving successful career for herself.

Drake Baylor Jr. is being groomed to take over as CEO of Baylor Industries upon his father’s retirement. Although he was raised in an affluent household, his formative years were rough, leading to a string of bad decisions, and hard lived years. In order to take over as CEO, his father has given him a set of rules to live by for an indefinite period of time: No drugs, limited alcohol consumption, and absolutely no relationships whatsoever with women-his greatest weakness. If Drake can abstain from those three things, work hard, and gain his father’s trust, he can have the keys to the Kingdome.

Drake meets Morgan on her first day at Baylor Industries, and the phrase “love at first sight” doesn’t even come close to describing what is felt between them. Their instant attraction is a magnetic pull that is stronger than either one of them can handle. Now Drake and Morgan are faced with figuring out how to fight for their future together, hoping not to get caught “Breaking the Rules”.

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Feature and Giveaway: Underground by T.R. Graves


Betrayal and loss have changed Emily Riddle in ways she never thought possible. With a death wish guiding her every move, she's willing to compromise her morals, ethics, and instincts to bring to justice the men who've broken her heart... even if that means living a life underground, being someone she's not, and pretending to respect the very men she's positioning herself to take down.

As soon as she teams up with the district attorney, Tope Bryson, and agrees to be a member of his covert operation, she returns to the commune and convinces the patriarchal leaders she is the most qualified person to take on roles traditionally assigned to men. Desperate and without options, Owen, the commune's leader and Emily's father, agrees to a temporary change.

Emily takes full advantage of the opportunity and quickly proves to him, much to her brothers' dismay, that he can't live without having her in those critical roles and that she may be the best candidate for his next in command.

She and Tope quickly realize that the men of the commune consider a woman who threatens the good ol' boy system that's been in place for decades public enemy number one. Determined to protect Emily from her brothers, Tope plants an undercover officer and charismatic law student, Noah Babineaux, in the commune. Neither Tope nor Emily is prepared for the attention Noah pays her.

With a nothing-else-matters attitude, Emily focuses on her underground mission and pushes down her hate, anger, grief, and... blossoming feelings until they threaten to explode from the inside and tear her apart. It's a race against the clock to get the evidence necessary—and ultimately, the retaliation Emily craves—before a life of submissive brutality, or sibling jealousy, kills her.

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Feature and Giveaway: Bold Tricks by Karina Halle


With more lives at stake and games in motion, Ellie, Camden and Javier form an uneasy alliance that will take them from the treacherous streets of inner-city Mexico to the wilds of the Honduran jungles in order to find their freedom. But with liberty just on the horizon, the cost might come at their own redemption.

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Friday, October 18, 2013

ARC Review: Crash Into Me by Tracy Wolff


I really liked this book. At first what drew me in was the best friend's little sister trope and the fact that he is a rock star. How can you go wrong with either of those? But what kept me reading were the fabulous characters, and the great writing. Tracy Wolff has done a great job of taking a familiar trope and turning it into something unique. I really loved both Ryder and Jamison as well as the secondary characters. I found myself invested in all of them and not just the hero and heroine. I cannot wait to read more from Tracy Wolff, and I really hope that each of these guys get their own story!

Jamison Matthews has wanted Ryder Montgomery forever. He is the lead singer of her brother's band Shaken Dirty and now that they are famous he has more girls after him than ever before. But even if that wasn't the case, her brother would never allow anything to happen and she doesn't want to be just another notch on his bedpost. After losing her job, her car and her boyfriend, Jamison decides to go on tour with the band while they finish their tour. The more time that they spend together, the more their attraction and feelings grow. But after Jamison's brother Jared catches them making out, he tells Ryder to stay away from her. Ryder and Jamison refuse to fight what is going on between them and begin a casual fling together while vowing to keep it a secret from everyone. However things quickly begin to feel less casual and start to become much more serious than either of them intended. With everything standing in their way, is it possible that they could turn their fling into a real relationship?

I loved Ryder. He was sexy and sweet while being a little damaged. He feels as though he isn't good enough and tries to keep himself from letting anyone in after what happened with his last girlfriend. Even though he knows that Jared doesn't want him with Jamison, he knows that he cannot stay away from her. I loved that he went after her and didn't let anything stop him from being with her. I also really liked how he thought that she was so beautiful despite the fact that she wasn't a super skinny beautiful model type. It was nice to see a hero really fall for someone based on who they were and not just what because of how they looked. I really liked Jamison. She was sweet and caring and determined to do things without the help of her famous brother and friends. I loved that she was a normal girl. She was just very genuine and seemed like she could literally be the girl next door. Jamison and Ryder had a ton of chemistry and they were extremely hot together. I loved their sexy scenes together, but I also really loved how sweet they were together. These two had a connection that was clear to see from the start, but I thought it was great how much closer they got as the book went on. Despite all the obstacles in the way these two were absolutely perfect for each other even if it took them awhile to see that.

Overall, I really liked this book. The characters were interesting and deep, and very likable flaws and all. I found myself becoming very invested in all of them and not just Ryder and Jamison. I really want to get to know the rest of the guys better and I hope that we get all of their stories as well. Ryder and Jamison were very easy to fall in love with and I loved watching them as they fell in love with each other and got to their HEA. I also really enjoyed Jamison and her interactions with the guys. I loved that she was really a part of the group and all the guys really cared about her and vice versa. Tracy Wolff is an author that I hadn't previously read before, but after reading Crash Into Me I will definitely be looking for more of her books in the future. I loved her writing style and her characters and this book kept me so interested that I couldn't put it down until I had finished it in one sitting. This book has everything that I look for in a great romance story and I really think that it is a must read. I highly recommend that you pick this one up, especially if you love a great rock star story!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |




Guest Post with Tracy March and Giveaway

Please welcome back author Tracy March. Tracy has stopped by today to share her favorite Halloween memory.

Award-winning author Tracy March writes romantic thrillers influenced by her career in the pharmaceutical field, and her interest in science and politics. She also writes lighthearted romances inspired by her real-life happily ever after.

Always up for travel and adventure, Tracy has flown in a stunt plane, snowmobiled on the Continental Divide, ziplined in the Swiss Alps, and been chased by a bull in the mountains of St. Lucia. She loves Nationals baseball, Saturday date nights, and Dairy Queen Blizzards—and rarely goes a day without Diet Coke and Cheez-Its.

Tracy lives in Yorktown, Virginia, with her superhero husband who works for NASA. They recently spent two years living in Washington D.C., and enjoy visiting often—especially when the Nats are in town.

Places to find Tracy: 

Guest Post with Author Tracy Wolff and Giveaway

Meet Tracy Wolff, author of Crash Into Me.

Tracy Wolff collects books, English degrees and lipsticks and has been known to forget where—and sometimes who—she is when immersed in a great novel. At six she wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince—and at seven she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. Now an English professor at her local community college, she writes romances that run the gamut from contemporary to paranormal to erotic suspense.

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

Guest Post with Author Marisa Cleveland

Meet Marisa Cleveland, author of Reforming the Cowboy.

Marisa Cleveland loves to laugh, hates to cry, and does both often. As a writer, she writes. Every day. If she couldn’t express herself through writing, music, and dance, she would die. Perhaps because she married her best friend, her adult romance novels focus on playfully naughty relationships developed through friendship and family-oriented values. She believes romance novels are the perfect “how to” books, because no matter the obstacles, the characters keep working toward their happily ever after. She loves to connect with writers and readers through social media.

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

Thursday, October 17, 2013

ARC Review: A Lady’s Secret Weapon by Tracey Devlyn


Tracey Devlyn states that she writes “historical romantic thrillers” and I think that is an apt description. A Lady’s Secret Weapon, the third book in her Nexus spy series, has spills and thrills aplenty. The Nexus spy network is a very secret government agency whose mission is to keep Napoleon out of England. This scenario offers many opportunities for stealth, deception, even romance. Devlyn’s writing skills are more than capable and, paired with this exciting plot line, we have the recipe for a very enjoyable book.

Ethan deBeau is an excellent spy. He has spent years rising to the top of his game, never letting his personal feelings about killing or seduction prevent him from reaching his goals. He is somewhat annoyed to have been given a seemingly easy assignment to kidnap a young boy. This easy chore becomes complicated by the interference of the mysterious Sydney Hunt. Ethan quickly realizes that there is more to Sydney than what she shows and he feels an immediate attraction to her. Sydney runs the Hunt employment agency, but also does business under another name. Why? It soon becomes clear that their respective missions are intertwined in some significant ways. Both Ethan and Sydney have information about each other, but are too suspicious to trust the other one. Is there time in their espionage-filled world for them to find each other?

I enjoyed A Lady’s Secret Weapon very much. I have not read the previous two books in the series, but I would like to find the time. I know it would enhance my appreciation for this one. I am not so much of a thriller reader so I would have liked a little more romance or perhaps a faster moving romance, but this is not to say that the romance wasn’t satisfying. I just prefer a bit more of a relationship-driven story and this one was more focused on the intricate plot. This nothing more than personal preference because it was a very good book. Those that like action and intrigue will definitely enjoy this series. On the whole, I liked the book very much and I’m glad to have read it.

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

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



Feature and Giveaway: Run to You by Rachel Gibson


Rachel Gibson, New York Times bestselling author of Rescue Me, returns to Texas with a tale of what happens when a tough guy meets his match—and falls harder than a ton of red-hot bricks...

There's nothing like fleeing Miami to ruin a girl's day.

Stella Leon's bartending gig was going fine until gorgeous ex-Marine Beau Junger decked her mob-connected boss, spirited her out of the city, and claimed that Stella's half-sister—the one with the perfect life—sent him. Now Stella has no choice but to go along for the ride . . . and seduce Beau's military-issue socks off …

The Marine Corps was Beau's escape from his old man's legacy of naval heroism and serial philandering, but no amount of training could prepare him for the day he looked in the mirror and saw his father staring back. The answer: swear off meaningless sex. Oh, and find a way to make Stella Leon quit being so damn hot…

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

Feature and Giveaway: Isn't She Lovely by Lauren Layne


“Who knew that pretending you’re not falling for someone would be so much more difficult than pretending that you are?”

Stephanie Kendrick gave up her whole summer to ace her NYU film school screenwriting course, so she’s pissed to be stuck with a preppy, spoiled frat boy as her writing partner. Then again, with her piercings, black-rimmed eyes, and Goth wardrobe, Stephanie isn’t exactly Ethan Price’s type, either. He’s probably got his eye on some leggy blonde with a trust fund . . . or does he?

As the summer scene kicks off in the Hamptons, Ethan is desperate to make his snobbish mother forget the pedigreed girl who broke his heart. While Stephanie’s a stretch as a decoy, the right makeover and a pastel cardigan just might do the trick. She may not love the idea of playing Ethan’s brainless Barbie girlfriend, but the free rent and luxurious digs make a tempting offer. So does the promise of a ready-made screenplay idea inspired by their charade.

But when Stephanie steps into Ethan’s privileged world, the “acting” begins to feel all too real. The kissing and touching that were intended to fool the Hamptons crowd wind up manipulating them. And Stephanie faces a question she’s too afraid to ask: Is Ethan falling for the real her or for the dolled-up princess he wants to see?

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

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

ARC Review: Love Lessons by Heidi Cullinan


I will admit that I didn't quite know what to expect with this story when I started it. For me, M/M stories are always sort of a giant question mark, and they can be done really well and other times not so well. I enjoyed reading Love Lessons and really liked both Kelly and Walter. There were a few things about this story that I thought could have been better, but honestly none of them had to do with the characters or their relationship. I really loved watching Kelly and Walter grow and fall in love.

Kelly is just starting his freshman year of college and is for the first time really coming out. Not only is coming out, but he has a ton of issues to deal with. He is allergic to just about everything but wheat and has to be put in a specific dorm in order to make sure that he doesn't have an attack. To make things worse, he gets assigned the campus Casanova as his roommate in a room that should be a single. Walter is used to being able to hook-up with whoever whenever, and when his school forces him to live on campus with a freshman as a roommate, its just about the last thing that he wants to do. But when Walter and Kelly start hanging out, they are both surprised at how quickly they become friends and are happy to be rooming together. Walter has some abandonment issues, and Kelly is a shy virgin. The two grow closer together and begin to develop feelings for each other beyond friendship. But can Walter settle down with Kelly or will he continue to keep him at arms length in order to protect himself from the risk of getting hurt?

I really liked Kelly. He is just one of these sweet and nice guys that you can't help but love. He was a little naive and a bit of a dreamer, but it just made him cute and that much more lovable. I loved that he refused to settle for just a random hook-up and really held out for Walter to realize that they could be together as more than friends. Walter was a little bit damaged, and even though he was used to keeping things casual it was great to see him as he developed feelings for Kelly. Walter was so protective of Kelly, and he was always looking out for him. I loved that even before there were feelings involved, Walter would do anything to take care of Kelly. It was really sweet watching them try to fight their feelings and dance around each other until that was no longer possible. These two were so sexy together and they had a ton of chemistry! But beyond how hot they were together, you could really tell that they had a great connection and really helped balance each other out.

I did think that this book was slow at times. There were some parts that had me wanting to skim several pages and I found myself losing interest during some of those that didn't have much to do with Kelly and Walter. I felt as though the story started off slow then picked up only to slow down again in the second half. It just didn't flow as well as I would have hoped. I think the seriousness of the second half really sort of weighed the story down and made it seem even slower. I also didn't really care for the epilogue. I could tell that it was trying to sort of lighten everything up at the end after the struggles that they faced, but it didn't really work for me. I had also hoped to get a bit more of them after they finally got together. I felt like most of the time after they got together was too focused on other things going on, rather than the connection that they had formed. Overall though, I really enjoyed Kelly and Walter. They felt so realistic to me not only as a couple, but also in their growth and development over the course of this book. I thought they were extremely likable and I was rooting for them from the start. I think that romance readers will find this story to be beautiful and sweet. I really felt as though this wasn't just a story about two people falling in love, but that it was also the story of how two people grow and learn to get past obstacles that stand in their way. I would recommend this story to anyone who is looking for a sweet romance between likable characters who get their HEA.

**ARC provided by Enchantress Book Promotions**

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |



Casa for the Holidays Blog Tour and Giveaway


Today we've got something special for you all from Sourcebooks. With the holidays just around the corner, Sourcebooks has put together a fun Casa for the Holidays Virtual Blog Tour. Four Sourcebook authors (Juliana Stone, Carolyn Brown, Grace Burrowes and Terry Spear) are stopping by to chat about their favorite Christmas recipes as well as their newest releases. Don't miss out on the fun. =)

Interview with Annie Seaton and Giveaway

Meet Annie Seaton, author of Dangerous Desire.

Annie lives with her husband, and ‘Bob’ the dog and two white cats in a house next to the beach on the east coast of Australia. She sits in her writing chair, gazing at the ocean and writing stories. Their two children are grown and married and she loves spending time gardening, walking on the beach and spoiling her two grandchildren. She has always been fascinated by all things romantic and has found her niche in life writing romance novels, ranging from contemporary to paranormal with a foray into steampunk!

Her debut full length novel, Holiday Affair, a contemporary romance set in the South Pacific was released as part of Entangled Publishing’s Indulgence line in March 2012 and has been a best seller on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The sequel Italian Affair will be released in June 2013, followed shortly after by Outback Affair. Annie has more books being released in 2013 with Entangled Publishing in the Bliss, Entangled Suspense and Covet imprints.

Annie has also ventured into independent publishing with her de Vargas family steampunk series: Winter of the Passion Flower and Summer of the Moon Flower. Blind Lust (Musa Publishing) a paranormal novella is a sweet romance and one of Annie’s favourites.

In appreciation of the supportive author community, Annie has written a book on promotion to share the secrets of her success: Promotional Tips and Tricks for Aspiring Authors in the Digital Landscape.

Places to find Annie:

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Review: The Wild Ones by M. Leighton


I have been a fan of M. Leighton's ever since reading about Cash and Nash in her Bad Boys Series, so I was really excited to read more from her. The Wild Ones sounded like it would be right up my alley, and I thought that this book was enjoyable. I did have a few problems with this book, but I really loved Cami and Trick as well as the secondary characters. They were all interesting and likable. I did feel that these characters were a bit immature at times, but I think part of that is due to their age. This story is a quick good read though, and I am excited to read more in this series.

Cami has had a good life. She has never wanted for anything since her dad is a successful thoroughbred breeder. She has a good boyfriend and plans to run her dad's business after she finishes school. But a chance meeting one night while out with her friend Jenna changes everything. When Patrick "Trick" spills beer on Cami, they both instantly feel an attraction stronger than anything they have ever felt before. But Trick works for Cami's dad, and has been warned to stay away from her. Needing to keep his job in order to help his mom and sister, Trick and Cami try to stay away from each other. But the more they run into each other, the less possible that seems. They decide to try and be friendly with each other, but the more they get to know each other the less they are able to fight their chemistry. They finally give in to each other and things look like they will work out. But when past secrets are revealed and truths come out, they realize that there are more obstacles standing in their way than they ever dreamed of. Can they somehow have a relationship together, or will the things they have no control of keep them from the connection they both feel is stronger than any they have ever had before?

I really liked Trick. He was funny and charming, determined and driven. He was a great guy who would do whatever it took in order to support his family. I loved how he took care of them and sacrificed so much for them, when so many guys his age wouldn't. He was just a really great hero that you want to root for from the very first page. I really liked Cami. She seemed like someone that would be a lot of fun to hang out with in real life. She was sweet and caring and was a great friend. I really liked that all though she was privileged she treated everyone the same and not as though others were beneath her. Cami and Trick had a ton of chemistry and I really felt their connection was believable and real. I could clearly see how hard it was for both of them to fight their feelings and attraction to each other. What I didn't care for with them was the constant back and forth. I realize that there was a lot standing in their way, and I understood why they tried to avoid having anything happen between them. But after awhile it just seemed to be too much. I found myself losing interest because it was just so much that it started to seem unrealistic.

Overall, I think this book was a good read. I was hoping for Trick and Cami to get their HEA, and I wasn't disappointed with how things turned out. M. Leighton is a wonderful writer and she really has a way of writing characters that you fall in love with. The Wild Ones was no exception, I just wish there had been less of a push and pull and we could have had more of Trick and Cami together. There wasn't a ton of physical interactions between the two of them and I would have liked to see more steamy scenes, but the ones we did get were everything that I have come to expect from M. Leighton. They were hot and sexy and extremely well written. The Wild Ones was a great love story and I really believed in the relationship between Cami and Trick. They were great together and really seemed to be everything  you would expect a great couple to be. I think this is a very promising start to her Wild One's series, and I'm excited to get more of all these characters. I can't wait to read more about Cami's friend Jenna and Trick's friend Rusty in the next book, The Wild Child. I would recommend this book for those who like New Adult and Contemporary Romance stories. Especially if you enjoy a series with connected characters.

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



Guest Post with Robin Bielman and Giveaway

Please welcome back to RFTC one of my favorite people, author, Robin Bielman  I <3 Robin and I'm so glad to have her come by to chat about her new release, Her Accidental Boyfriend.

Robin Bielman lives in Southern California, a bike ride away from the ocean if she’s feeling really adventurous. She loves books and baking and running on the treadmill while watching her favorite TV shows. When she’s not reading or writing her next story, she’s spending time with her high school sweetheart husband and two sons, most likely watching, playing, or discussing baseball. She drives too fast, drinks too much caffeine, and if every day were Cupcake Day, she’d be a happy camper! She loves to connect with readers.

Places to find Robin:
| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads |

Feature and Giveaway: What Not to Bare by Megan Frampton

Meet Megan Frampton, author of What Not to Bare.

Megan Frampton majored in English literature at Barnard College, with a double minor in political science and religion. She worked in the music industry for fifteen years, editing and writing music reviews for a music-industry trade magazine and eventually becoming the editor in chief. Frampton married one of her former interns and lives in Brooklyn, New York, with him and her son. When she isn’t writing, she serves as the community manager for the romance novel website Heroes and Heartbreakers.

Places to find Megan:

Monday, October 14, 2013

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop


Welcome to the SPOOKTACULAR Giveaway Hop. This hop is organized by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and will run from October 14th - October 31st.

Up for grabs:
  • 2 Swag Packs 
  • Box of Books

To Enter:
  • Please leave a comment answering the question: What's your favorite thing about Halloween?
  • If chosen winners reside outside of US, a $10 book credit/gift card will be given.
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter form.

There are more than 375+ blogs participating, so there are plenty of chances to win something. So make sure to check out the blog hop list and hop over to some of the other blogs.

Good Luck =)

ARC Review: One To Hold by Tia Louise


One To Hold is the debut contemporary romance from Tia Louise. I was really looking forward to this one since I knew it was a standalone with a HEA. I have been reading a ton of New Adult books lately and even though I love them, the thought of another cliffhanger was just about ready to kill me. This one sounded like it was right up my alley...sexy vacation fling, ex-marine and ex-cop hero, and tons of chemistry. Despite the promising sound of this one, I found myself not enjoying this one as much as I had thought. Unfortunately this story just seemed to be missing something. The characters were likable enough, and yet I just never felt invested in them.

Melissa is on a spa vacation with her best friend after going through a horrible experience. Derek is in town for a convention. The two meet at a bar and make eye contact over their drinks. They are instantly attracted to each other and they embark on a one-night stand. What starts out as just amazing chemistry quickly turns to a very satisfying sexual encounter and both of them wanting more. Melissa is trying to get over her past and even though she wants more, she knows she needs to stay away from Derek. But fate has other plans for them and they run into each other again. They start spending time together and decide to just have a "one week stand". But as their week comes to a close, both of them are feeling more for each other than they expected and aren't ready for it to be the end. But when Melissa's past catches up to her, and secrets are exposed it seems impossible that Melissa and Derek can ever have a relationship. But Derek isn't ready to let her get away and will do everything he can to hold onto her.

I liked Derek. He was sexy and built. I loved that he never pushed Melissa and was very sweet with her. He was very determined when it came to pursuing her, and he never gave up no matter how many times she tried to push her away. His determination never came off as creepy or stalkerish though. Melissa was very obviously dealing with something horrible, even though we don't know what it is for quite awhile. She was vulnerable and a little bit broken, without appearing as weak. I liked that she opened up a little to Derek and once she made up her mind to have a fling with him she wasn't wishy-washy about it. Derek and Melissa had really great chemistry and the sex was hot! These two seemed to be so perfect for each other when it came to the physical. For me though, their relationship seemed to be rushed and I had a hard time believing in anything other than their physical connection. I just couldn't get on board with how they were all of a sudden having these feelings in such a short time when they really didn't know each other at all. Their lust was very believable, but the rest just seemed unrealistic.

Overall, I would say that I mostly enjoyed this quick read. But I wouldn't say that it is memorable or something that i'm going to read again. I think that the short length of this one really was the problem. There wasn't much of a chance to really get any character development and the story just seemed to be rushed. I would have liked to have seen more depth when it came to the characters and their relationship and also more development as far as the storyline went. I think that contemporary romance fans who are looking for a quick sexy read with a happy ending will most likely enjoy this story. I was just looking for more to the story and unfortunately I found that it was lacking anything beneath the surface. There was nothing wrong with this story, there just wasn't anything exceptional about it either. The sex scenes were the highlights and are what kept me interested enough to finish this book, and are the reason for the rating I gave as they were very well written.

**ARC provided by Inkslinger PR**

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |









Guest Post with Author Rachel Harris and Giveaway

Please welcome Rachel Harris. Rachel is the author of Seven Day Fiancé and has stopped by to chat on what makes a sexy hero. Please give her a warm welcome.

Rachel Harris grew up in New Orleans, watching soap operas with her grandmother, and staying up late sneak-reading her mama's romance novels. Today, she still stays up late reading romances, only now she does so openly.

A Cajun cowgirl now living in Houston, she firmly believes life's problems can be solved with a hot, sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations.

She homeschools her two beautiful girls and watches countless hours of Food Network and reality television with her amazing husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult Fun, Flirty Escapes, and LOVES talking with readers!

Places to find Rachel:

Feature and Giveaway: One To Hold by Tia Louise


Derek Alexander is an ex-Marine, ex-cop, and the top investigator in his field. Melissa Jones is a small-town girl trying to escape her troubled past.

When the two intersect in a bar in Arizona, their sexual chemistry is off the charts. But what is revealed during their "one week stand" only complicates matters.

Because she'll do everything in her power to get away from the past, but he'll do everything he can to hold her.

Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |

Wild Child Blog Hop



Help celebrate the upcoming release of Wild Child (October 29) by Molly O'Keefe with an awesome giveaway! So many prizes up for grabs stop by the blogs below for your chance to win something awesome!

Sunday, October 13, 2013

ARC Review: Playing With Her Heart by Lauren Blakely


Right now I don't have enough words to tell you how much I really loved reading this book! I absolutely devoured this one. I knew I should try to slow down and really savor it, but sadly I just couldn't help myself and had to keep going until it was finished. I have been hearing great things about Lauren Blakely's Caught Up In Us series, and so when I got the opportunity to read this one I jumped. I wasn't sure how well I would be able to get into this one since it is book number three in the series, but they are all stand alone so I figured I would give it a shot. I didn't have a single problem getting into this story or feeling as though I was lost. I am now a huge fan of Blakely's and I cannot wait to read more from her starting with the beginning of this series.

Jill is a theater star who has been acting not only on stage but also in her everyday life. She is haunted by a secret she has been carrying for six years. When she auditions for a new part, she is introduced to hotshot director Davis Milo. Davis and Jill are instantly more than just your average director and his leading lady. They have a connection right from the start that has them bantering and becoming familiar with each other. But the more rehearsals they spend together, the more their attraction to each other becomes something that neither one of them can resist. Jill is determined to make her co-star Patrick fall in love with her, and Davis doesn't date actresses after a bad break-up years before. Davis and Jill begin to realize that the kisses and scenes they act out together are more than just for the show, but real feelings are starting to develop. As the lines start to blur, Jill and Davis struggle to let go of their pasts and take the risk with each other to have a future together that neither of them ever saw coming.

Let me just start by saying that Davis Milo is hot with a capital H! He is sexy and possessive and a complete alpha. He is irresistible and I loved that he talked dirty! But beyond the sexiness, he is encouraging and supportive. I loved that he couldn't help but be honest with Jill, often times saying things that he didn't intend to. He really didn't want to let her in after being hurt in the past, but their connection and chemistry was so strong that he just couldn't help himself. Jill was sweet and vulnerable. I really liked watching her grow and change as she healed from her past with the help of Davis. She was such a likable character that it was easy to see how much Davis was drawn to her. Davis and Jill has so much chemistry between them it was off the charts hot. These two couldn't keep their hands off each other and Blakely did such a great job writing these two. The scenes are vivid and there is a tension around them so thick that it feels so real. The whole time I was reading this I felt as though these two might explode with the need and passion they felt, they were so combustible. Davis and Jill were so real and their relationship was easy to believe in. I not only loved their sex scenes, but they also has an ease about their relationship that was so much fun to read about. They were playful with each other and I honestly think that there couldn't have been two characters who were more perfect for each other.

This book was fantastic. It had absolutely everything I could possibly ask for when i'm looking for a book to read. I know that this book will be one that I read over and over. I just want to keep basking in the love between Davis and Jill. This one has definitely found its way into my favorites list. These two really generated the heat and steam, but also had me laughing and enjoying their story as they fell for each other. I loved the characters and found them to be likable and interesting. The storyline was different than anything I've read and I absolutely loved that we got an ending with this one. I'm not sure I could have handled a cliffhanger with these two, and it was so nice to have them get the happily ever after that they both deserved. I absolutely recommend that you read this one. It is quick and sexy while also being fun and playful. Jill and Davis definitely bring the romance and I am in love with their story! Lauren Blakely has just gained a new fan and I cannot wait to read more of her stories, starting with the first books in this series. I am so excited to read about some of the characters from this book and get their stories as well as see what she has in store for future books.

**ARC provided by Inkslinger PR**

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble |