Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Review - Love Me by Christmas by Jaci Burton


Publisher: Jaci Burton, Inc
Published: November 6, 2017
Genre: Romance 
Source: E-ARC
Rating: 3



Blurb:
A sexy, standalone novella from the New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of the Play-by-Play series and Hope series.

Ellie Washington lost her husband in a tragedy five years ago at Christmas. She wouldn’t have made it through her grief if not for her husband’s brother, Nick, who helped her pick up the pieces of her shattered life. And with every year, her feelings for Nick have grown. Now she realizes she might be in love with him, but that’s not fair, because Nick deserves a life that isn’t about his brother’s widow and son. 

Sharing his life with Ellie and her son has been the balm that soothed Nick’s soul after losing his brother. Now that friendship has turned into something deeper. Nick doesn’t want to upset the status quo, but someone has to make the first move, and it’s time they figure out if their feelings are real. Nick believes in what they have. He also believes in Christmas miracles, and he thinks they’re both long overdue for one.


“A STALWART IN THE ROMANCE GENRE.” —USA Today
“Jaci Burton delivers.” —Cherry Adair, New York Times bestselling author
“As always, Jaci Burton delivers a hot read.” —Fresh Fiction
“Burton is a master at sexual tension!” —RT Book Reviews

Review:
This is my first time reading a book by Jaci Burton. I found Love Me by Christmas sweet, thoughtful, and the perfect holiday read. Five years after her husband passed away, Ellie is going through the motions. She has a beautiful little boy, Henry, whom never met his father. But he does have his uncle and the man that Ellie is trying extra hard not to notice. 

If she would open her eyes, she would also see that the so called uncle, Nick, is trying his damndest not to notice Ellie either. How soon is too soon to start dating again? Will it be looked down upon if the one you want to be with is the brother of your dead husband? While that may seem off-putting to some, it’s not. Burton wrote in such a beautiful way and it was a joy to see two people brought together by grief, fight their feelings, and ultimately fall in love. 

I found Ellie a bit annoying at times. Especially when she was trying to set Nick up on dates. She may have been doing them for a good reason, but it annoyed me. I mean what would she do if he actually fell in love with another woman? Would she secretly pine over him as the years went on. I think that the two falling in love is perfect. It’s not as if she’s cheating on her husband or bringing ill will to his memory. If anything he would want the best for his wife. And Nick is the best. 

Overall, this is a short, slow burn romance read. It tells the story of grief and the power of healing and how love can heal even the most broken hearts. 

*Thank you to Sullivan and Partners for providing a copy for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Buy the Book:
Amazon 
Amazon UK

About the Author:
Jaci Burton is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of over 70 books. She lives in Oklahoma and when she isn’t on deadline (which is often), she can usually be found wrestling with her uncooperative garden, wrangling her dogs, watching an unhealthy amount of television, or completely losing track of time reading a great book. She’s a total romantic and longs for the happily ever after in every story, which you’ll find in all her books.. Visit her website at www.jaciburton.com for excerpts, book information and contests.
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Monday, November 27, 2017

Blog Tour Excerpt - The Plan by Ella James

 

The Plan by Ella James

Release Date: November 27th
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Designer: Letitia Hasser from RBA Designs

           

Available NOW
99¢ FOR A LIMITED TIME
FREE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED
(((BUY LINKS COMING SOON)))
ADD to Goodreads:

             

SYNOPSIS
You’ve heard this story before. Woman feels her biological clock ticking and gets someone to knock her up.
Not for love, for baby.
Crazy, right?
That’s what I thought.
Then I found out my fiancé had a vasectomy. The life I thought I had? Nope. Suddenly I’m 33, and I don’t even have a kissing buddy.
When my mom’s health takes a turn and I wind up back in my hometown of Fate, Alabama, I tell myself to leave things up to…well, you know.
Then I see Gabriel McKellan. He’s Fate’s most famous son, a bestselling author who is beautiful, 
complicated, and living just below me. In addition to his plus-sized brain, Gabe’s well-endowed in other ways, and great in bed to boot. I would know. He's my ex husband.
When I suggest The Plan, I don't imagine that he'll take the bait. It's been ten years, and we don't work. But Fate has other plans for both of us.

           
EXCERPT
I veer into the bushes, heading across the lawn toward the home’s rear right, where there’s supposed to be a staircase tacked onto the house’s back side.

“Not your walkway,” he says coolly.

“Figured that out,” I snap over my shoulder.

Hurt stings my cheeks and neck, prickles tears in my eyes. I whirl. “You are such an asshole! Always were. The biggest jerk in our class!”

“What was it, then, Marley?” He takes a long stride down the walkway toward me. “Oh, wait, I remember.” He looks pointedly down, and then back up at me with those electric eyes—and I know what he’s meaning.

“Jesus—you’re a pig!”

He smirks. “Only for you.”

“Fuck off.”

With those ungraceful words, I march toward the house I’m sharing with my ex-husband.    

       
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ella James is the USA Today and Amazon Top 10 bestselling author of more than twenty love stories. She’s an angst-a-holic who loves exploring difficult situations and the emotions of the people caught up in them. Also, smut. But always, always romance.
Ella is an Alabama native who makes her home in Colorado with her husband, three young children, and hyperactive dog. When she’s not writing, she can be found hiking the foothills, taking nature photos for her Instagram account, or swilling vanilla cream soda.
     
CONNECT WITH ELLA
Subscribe to Ella's newsletter: https://www.ellajamesbooks.com/newsletter/







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Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Blog Tour Excerpt - Spider by Ilsa Madden-Mills

SBPRBanner-Spider-BT

From Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills comes a new standalone romance about a flawed hero and the woman he can’t forget.

SPIDER-FINAL-FULL

Spider, a sexy and forbidden new standalone, is available NOW!

Title: Spider Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills Publication Date: November 13th, 2017
From Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills comes a new standalone romance about a flawed hero and the woman he can’t forget.
"She crossed my path and changed my whole direction."
He calls himself Spider.
I just knew him as the sinfully gorgeous guy with eyes of fire that fate sat next to me on the airplane.
I didn’t know who he really was…British rock star…my stepbrother.
He kissed me because he thought we’d never see each other again. We would.
Everyone warned me about him.
They told me he was ruthless and cold and screwed up.
They said he’d leave me with a hole in my heart.
Maybe I should have listened.
Maybe I should have built up a fortress to keep him out.
But I crumbled instead.
They say an unbreakable thread connects those who are destined to meet. If that’s true, then the moment he sat next to me, we were bound together forever.
He just had to figure it out before it’s too late…

Excerpt:

How can one human man be so hot?
Spider sits on my toilet, shirtless, while I dab at his swollen eye. I’m doing my best to keep my eyes averted from the ink on his body, the way his tattoos swirl underneath his jeans, the way his chest is carved from stone.

Of course, I’m the stupid person who suggested he remove his shirt so I could see if he has any bruising on his chest. A cracked or broken rib can cause a lot of pain, and I want to be thorough, that’s all—I swear to baby Jesus.

He grinned at my request and whipped it off—which is the reason I’m now a mess.
There’s hardly any room to breathe with him in my small bathroom. I wipe at the spot of blood on his cheek as he watches me stoically, never taking his eyes off me, tracking my every movement.
“This will look worse tomorrow,” I murmur, just to ease the tension. I stand between his spread legs, acutely aware of his fresh scent, his pure magnetism. My hands shake and I have to focus to push an image of me straddling him, both of us naked, out of my head. I want to run my tongue over the tattoo on his neck. I want to bite him like an animal while he—

Good grief, Rose, stop the fantasy!

“You’d make a good nurse,” he says softly, his long black lashes fluttering softly against his chiseled cheekbones.

“Doctor of Psychology,” I correct him.

“Your dream?”

“Yes.” Although right now I’m dreaming of him… “I know that feeling. That’s how music is to me.” His golden-brown eyes watch me as I reach over to the medicine cabinet for more antiseptic and antibacterial cream, my chest perilously close to his face. I swear my nipples are reaching for him.

“Why psychology?”

I nod, pretending like I’m not all discombobulated. “My granny mainly. She loved to read people—literally. She ran a little palm-reading business out of her home before she died. All the old ladies of the neighborhood would come to see her. She’d make them coffee and they’d just…talk. She’d tell them what they needed to hear while I sat on the floor next to her and listened. There wasn’t any magic involved of course.” I laugh. “But…she was incredibly intuitive. She just got people. If someone twitched or looked left or right while they were talking, she’d have a reason for it and she’d tell me all about it after they left.”

“I think I would have loved your granny.” He curls an arm around me, tugging me close until my chest is a hair’s breadth away from his face. I recall our epic kiss on the plane. I feel the pressure of his taut thighs and my breath quickens as desire unfurls inside me.

A hum warms my blood. I want him—desperately.

And it’s entirely foolish.

He’s my stepbrother.

He doesn’t call girls back.
“Why does it seem like I’ve known you forever?” I ask, feeling myself gravitating closer.
He thinks about it, pushing a piece of hair out of my eyes. Cupping my nape, he pulls me in tighter until our noses meet. The back of his hand caresses my cheek and the heat from his touch burns, yet there’s a tautness in the roped muscles of his arms, as if he’s holding himself in check.
“Because I am you,” he says softly. “We’re so much alike, it’s staggering.” He pauses and stares deep into my eyes.

I nod. I can’t think. He’s so close to me, his eyes burning into mine. He closes his eyes and exhales. “I want you, Rose. You’re intoxicating.”

I suck in a sharp breath, our lips inches apart.

Is he going to kiss me? I want him to.

His eyes open after the silence has gone on too long, a smirk forming around his mouth. “You scared of me, Rose?”

Never.

“I’m scared you’ll rip my heart out.”

He stares at the LOST tattoo on his hand. “I probably will.”

Spider-AvailableNow-KU.jpg

Read Today!

(Free in Kindle Unlimited)
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2zcQDni

SPIDER FB AD FIVE.jpg

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills writes about strong heroines and sexy alpha males that sometimes you just want to slap. She's addicted to dystopian books and all things fantasy, including unicorns and sword-wielding females. Other fascinations include frothy coffee beverages, dark chocolate, Instagram, Ian Somerhalder (seriously hot), astronomy (she's a Gemini), and tattoos. She has a degree in English and a Master's in Education. When she's not pecking away on her computer, she shops for cool magnets and paints old furniture.

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Friday, November 17, 2017

Cover Reveal - Right Kiss, Wrong Guy by Natalie Decker

   
UWelcome to the Cover Reveal for
Right Kiss. Wrong Guy. (Offsides #2) by Natalie Decker
presented by Swoon Romance!
Be on the lookout for this upcoming title!
 
What do you think of the cover?
     
 
You'd think a girl with the most romantic name in the world would have her pick of boyfriends.
But Valentine's Day sucks when you're single. Just ask Juliet Valentine, whose last name happens to also be the name of the most dreaded made-up holiday ever.
A romantic at heart, this year is especially hard on Juliet. Her sister, Layla, is in a new relationship, her mom's match-making business is doing great, and her school's new fundraiser is "Love-Grams."
Juliet's miserable, a little jealous, and lonely.
Quarterback Jared Black is the most popular guy in school. A star athlete, Jared tops the most-eligible bachelor list year after year. But to Juliet Valentine, he's all but invisible. She isn't impressed.
Jared's never had to work hard to get the attention of a girl before. Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and he's determined to ask Juliet out. After all, if Tyler can win over Layla, Jared ought to have a shot with Layla's sister.
Unlike Tyler and Layla, charm, flattery and good looks won't work on Juliet. So with the V-Day dance coming up, Jared uses the school’s Love-Grams to let Juliet know how he feels. Should be simple enough, right?
Wrong. Each attempt ends up either in the trash or thrown in someone's face. Juliet won't play his game.
Now, without a date to the dance Jared realizes it’s going to take a Hail Mary to win the girl of his dreams.
Right Kiss. Wrong Guy. (Offsides #2) by Natalie Decker Publication Date: January 23, 2018 Publisher: Swoon Romance
Available for Pre-order: Amazon
   
 
Natalie Decker is the Author of Rival Love. She loves oceans, sunsets, sand between her toes, and carefree days. Her imagination is always going, which some find odd. But she believes in seeing the world in a different light at all times. Her first passion for writing started at age twelve when she had to write a poem for English class. However, seventh grade wasn’t her favorite time and books were her source of comfort. She took all college prep classes in High school, and attended the University of Akron. Although she studied Mathematics she never lost her passion for writing or her comfort in books. She’s a mean cook in the kitchen, loves her family and friends and her awesome dog infinity times infinity. If she’s not writing, reading, traveling, hanging out with her family and friends, then she’s off having an adventure. Because Natalie believes in a saying: Your life is your own journey, so make it amazing!
 
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Thursday, November 16, 2017

Release Blitz Review - Defiant Attraction by V.K. Torston

About the Book

Title: Defiant Attraction Author: V.K. Torston Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Erotic Romance Release Date: November 16th

DefiantAttractionFrontCover 
 
  Dan might be the enemy of my enemy, but I’m not sure that makes him my friend. He’s definitely not my ‘step brother’, no matter what everyone at school says. Honestly, I don’t know what he’s supposed to be to me. Or what he’s becoming…

  Fact: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In the yearbook, I’ll be Sophia Ramos: Valedictorian. Years of honor roll certificates, AP classes, and lugging around an obnoxiously large cello case are about to finally pay off. If everything goes according to plan, I’ll escape these decaying suburbs for a top university across the country. The problem? A few years ago, my mom met someone just as broke, just as drunk, and just as impulsive as she is. Approximately five seconds into their relationship, they decided it would be an excellent idea for him—and his son, Dan—to move in with us. (Spoiler alert: it wasn’t).

 Now I share a house with none other than Daniel Cole. Even though Dan dropped out two years ago, he’s still the tattooed, bad boy, heartthrob, legend of St. Anthony’s Academy. He and I aren’t supposed to have anything in common. Living together means war. First, Dan and I were at war with each other. Now, our rivalry is giving way to an unlikely alliance—two opposing sides teaming up against a common enemy: our respective parents. Which is to say, we’ve been hanging out.

  Question: What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object Here’s the thing: My brain is a complex organ. One hundred billion neurons, each with an average of seven thousand synaptic connections to other neurons. My brain is my ticket out of here. My heart, by contrast, is a pump. It moves blood around. I know Dan is off-limits. I know I shouldn’t do something I’ll regret. And I know how much is at stake (my family, my future). So why can’t I stop thinking about him? Those inscrutable jade eyes. The smile that can say a thousand different things at once. That tattoo curving across his abs…
Even though I know better, I feel that pounding in my chest. And it’s getting harder to ignore.
But if I follow my heart, I can never go back.

Answer: There is no such thing as an immovable object.

DATeaser_Friction
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Review:

A debut novel? Yes, yes it is! Defiant Attraction is both fun and sexy as hell. Sophia and Dan are thrust together when their parents get together and then decide to move in. Making the popular trope of step-siblings read as something you may find at times, predictable, but still all the same something new. Because the facts are they aren't technically step anything since their parents aren't married to each other. Details. I'd much rather see it as something forbidden and sexy!

Dan and Sophie's story is one that pulled at my heartstrings and made me swoon. He is one of my favorite types of heroes because he isn't at all what he seems. On the outside, he's this manwhore whose both arrogant and smirks a bunch. On the inside though, is another story. It was initially what kept me engaged. Sophie was a great character to root for as well.

If you're looking for a book where the hero and heroine have a scorching hot connection that burns deep, this is perfect for you.The plot and pacing of the book was good too. By the end of the last page, I already wanted to start the book over again!

About the Author

vkheadshot

V.K. Torston is a millennial and ‘cool aunt’ to a brood of nieces and nephews. She was born and raised in San Francisco, attended university in New York City, and aspires to one day live in London. A veteran of the independent music scene, she began writing nonfiction in her late teens. Then she realized that making up stories was way more fun than coming up with endless synonyms for ‘frenetic’ and ‘danceable.’ Her hobbies include drinking too much coffee, making up stupid songs, and ranting about current events. Defiant Attraction is her first novel.

Follow V.K. Torston Twitter: @VKTorston Facebook: @VKTorston Goodreads: /VKTorston

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Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Thankful for Cash - Win $250!!

Thankful for Cash $250 Giveaway

November 15th to December 15th

Could you use an extra $250 this holiday season? Here is your chance!!
The winner of this giveaway will receive $250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com Gift Card.
  Thanks to this amazing group of authors, bloggers and publisher for making this giveaway possible! Sponsor List I Am A Reader Auggie @ AuggieTalk Cynthia Luhrs Author Author Laurie Treacy Helen Smith Author S.T. Bende The Lovely Books Donna, My Life. One Story at a Time. Laurisa White Reyes, Author Simple Wyrdings Author Melissa Wright Bookworm Lisa Rockin' Book Reviews Krysten Lindsay Hager author Glistering: B's Blog Geybie's Book Blog Lori's Reading Corner Author Al Stone D.S. Venetta Book Reviews and Giveaways JeanBookNerd Coupons and Freebies Mom Taylor Dean Books Author Crystal Marcos Readers Realm Dorine White- Author Literary Winner Liana Gardner Dawn Malone, author Pretty Little Reader Author Tia Souders

Giveaway Details

$250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com eGift Card Ends 12/15/17 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Monday, November 13, 2017

Double Cover Reveal - The Getaway Series by Jay Crownover

   

From New York Times Bestselling author Jay Crownover comes the next two standalone titles in her Getaway series, SHELTER and ESCAPE! And that’s not all! RETREAT, the first standalone title in the Getaway series, is on sale for the first time ever! You can grab your copy for just $.99 for a limited time only. So check out the amazing covers below, and order your copies today!

   

About SHELTER (Coming 12/26/17):

His life is chaos and confusion. It’s a storm of uncertainty and raging emotion.

Sutton Warner is a mess. Everything in his life feels like it’s unraveling.

He’s let a lot of people down lately, including his daughter. Sutton always promised his little girl he would never disappoint her and that he would always be there when she needed him. Until he wasn’t.

The truth is, he’s used to disappointing the women in his life. First was his mother who couldn’t find a reason to stick around when he was growing up. Then there’s his ex. The woman who takes unbridled delight in making his life incredibly complicated. Luckily, his daughter is still young enough to believe her old man is some kind of hero. But, he knows the day is coming when she realizes the truth, that he’s just a man with some serious flaws and a list of ever-growing weaknesses.

Finally, there’s the woman he’s desperately trying to forget with every shot tossed back and each pill popped.

He more than disappointed Emrys…he almost got her killed.

Her love is steady and sure. It’s a shelter shaped by conviction and silent assurance.

Emrys Santos is lost. Everything in her life feels pointless and futile.

She’s been busy running away from her feelings and all the people who love her the most—including her best friend, the one person who knows exactly what she’s been through. They promised to always stick together and to lean on one another. It was a promise Em had to break so she could lick her wounds and figure out her next move. For once, there is no easy way out of the tangled web of emotions she’s caught up in, and right now, she recognizes that all roads lead back to Wyoming…and back to Sutton.

The man she nearly got killed.

Shelter is a standalone novel, the second book in the Getaway series, which features the hardheaded and brokenhearted Warner brothers and the women who dare to love them. These boys are very good at putting the wild in wilderness.

PREORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

Amazon Other Retailers

Goodreads

   

About ESCAPE (Coming 1/30/18):

Everything inside of him is screaming that he needs to run, he needs to go, he needs to escape.

Lane Warner is used to being overshadowed and overlooked.

After all, he’s the youngest brother and the most laid back one in the family. He’s the one known for going with the flow and not making waves, even when things seem to be at their worst.

Very few things in life have had the ability to rile Lane up and get under his skin. At the top of that list is his childhood friend Brynn Fox…no…Brynn Warner. The fact that they share a last name was the one thing that has the power to light him up and spin him out of control like no other. There was no calm, cool and collected when it comes to all the reasons why Brynn had to become part of his family.

It’s slowly killing him to keep wanting what he can’t have, so Lane sees only one way to stop himself from doing something they’ll both regret…he has to leave.

Everything inside of her is calling out to find him, to follow, to bring him home.

Brynn Warner is used to being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

After all, she’s the daughter of an unrepentant gold-digger who never once blinked at being the cause of her daughter’s pain and suffering.

Very few things in her life have ever brought happiness and a sense of security. At the very top of that list is Lane Warner. She has unwaveringly loved the youngest Warner since the first minute she laid eyes on him. He was everything Brynn ever wanted and everything she knew she could never have.

Sometimes the right choice is the one that hurts the most and Brynn’s had to make a few that felt like they might be the end of her.

When Lane takes off, one thing is clear, the only choice Brynn has is to go after him.

She’s going to bring her wayward cowboy home….whatever it takes.

Escape is a standalone novel, the third book in the Getaway series, which features the hardheaded and brokenhearted Warner brothers and the women who dare to love them. These boys are very good at putting the wild in wilderness.

   

PREORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

Amazon Other Retailers


Goodreads

     

And don’t miss the first standalone novel in the Getaway Series, RETREAT, on sale for just $.99! Grab your copy today! RETREAT on Amazon RETREAT on Other Retailers


    About Jay Crownover: Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, the Point Series, the Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.      

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 
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Release Blitz - Spider by Ilsa Madden Mills

SBPRBanner-Spider-RB.jpg

From Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills comes a new standalone romance about a flawed hero and the woman he can’t forget.

Spider, a sexy and forbidden new standalone, is LIVE!

SPIDER-FINAL-FULL.jpg

Title: Spider Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills Publication Date: November 13th, 2017

He calls himself Spider.
I just know him as the sinfully gorgeous guy with eyes of fire that fate places next to me on the airplane.
I didn’t who he really was . . . future rock star . . . my stepbrother.
He kissed me because he thought he’d never see me again. He would.
Everyone warned me about him.
They told me he was careless and ruthless and screwed up.
They said he’d leave me with a hole in my heart.
Maybe I should have listened.
Maybe I should have built a fortress to keep him out.
But I crumbled instead.
They say an unbreakable thread connects those who are destined to meet. If that’s true, then the moment he sat next to me, we were bound together forever.
He just had to figure it out before it’s too late…

Spider-AvailableNow-99.jpg

Read Today for only 99¢ for a VERY limited time!

(Free in Kindle Unlimited)
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2zcQDni 


About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills writes about strong heroines and sexy alpha males that sometimes you just want to slap. She's addicted to dystopian books and all things fantasy, including unicorns and sword-wielding females. Other fascinations include frothy coffee beverages, dark chocolate, Instagram, Ian Somerhalder (seriously hot), astronomy (she's a Gemini), and tattoos. She has a degree in English and a Master's in Education. When she's not pecking away on her computer, she shops for cool magnets and paints old furniture. Ilsa Logo.jpg

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Blog Tour Review - Penelope March is Melting by Jeffrey Michael Ruby


Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers 
Pub Date: November 14, 2017
Genre: Middle Grade
Source: Print ARC
Rating:



Blurb:
"A marvelous and magical debut!" --Pseudonymous Bosch, New York Times bestselling author of the Secret Series and the Bad Books.”

An icy-cold mystery adventure to warm your heart--perfect for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society and Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library!

Something sinister has come to Glacier Cove, an icy-cold town that sits on top of an iceberg . Nothing bad ever happens here. Until now. And it's up to Penelope March to stop it.

Mmm-hmm, that Penelope--the bookworm who lives in the ramshackle house with her brother, Miles. The girl with the mom who--poof!--disappeared. The one everyone ignores . . . except strange Coral Wanamaker, a tiny thing with raven-black hair and a black coat.

When Penelope meets someone who seems to know secrets not only about Glacier Cove but about Penelope herself, she and Miles are pulled into an ancient mystery. Together, they'll face the coldest, cruelest enemy ever known. Looks like the girl who only reads about adventures is going to start living one.

Magic cookies! Volcanoes! Penguins! Sea monsters! And a girl hero with the strength and imagination to spring into action.

Review:
Penelope March is Melting is a highly creative and fun novel about a girl that lives in a city that’s made of ice. In this Ice World, called Glacier Cove, something bad is going to happen. Penelope is a born dreamer and reader; a character after my own heart. She wants to have an adventure like her beloved characters she reads about; saving the day and solving a mystery. It just so happens, her wish will come true. 

What I found so intriguing about the story was how the author made everything so interesting. I’ll say it again, this really was extremely creative and well written. It completely took me out of our world and into one that was both cold and magical. I love when books have the power to completely take me away. 

I completely and fully recommend this book to everyone! Especially those of you who are bookworms yourselves. The plot was unique, fresh, and one of a kind. Readers who enjoy books such as Lemony Snicket will definitely get a kick out of this. It has the whimsical magic that keeps you turning the pages. The kind of book that wants you to live and breathe it’s beautiful words. 


*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy for an unbiased and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Buy:
Amazon
Amazon UK

About the Author:
JEFFREY MICHAEL RUBY (@dropkickjeffyis the chief dining critic of Chicago magazine. He is the coauthor of Everybody Loves Pizza: The Deep Dish on America’s Favorite Food, and has also played college basketball in Ireland, assisted in an autopsy, and sumo wrestled in front of 20,000 people in New Jersey. He lives in Chicago with his wife and three children. Penelope March Is Melting is his first novel. Visit Jeffrey at jeffrubymedia.com and instagram.com/dropkickjeffy.
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Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Release Day Blitz - Risky Redemption by Marissa Garner



RISKY REDEMPTION by Marissa Garner (November 7, 2017; Forever Yours eBook; $3.99; Rogue Security #1)

The higher the risk, the harder the fall.

Four years ago, Angela Reardon was brutally attacked, and she still bears the physical scars and traumatic memories. While she's worked hard to overcome her fears and build a successful business, she's still haunted by her inability to identify her assailant. Now Angela only wants to be left alone-until a shadowy stranger reignites her desire to be loved. But their time together may be brief...because someone wants her dead.

CIA Assassin Jake Stone's targets deserved to die. Until now. Until he falls in love with the innocent woman he's been hired to kill. Jake can't fight his attraction to Angela, and he knows that someone else will be sent to finish the job. So can he save Angela and redeem himself by uncovering who wants her killed? When the trail leads him into the carnal underbelly of L.A., the truth is more shocking than even he could ever imagine.


RISKY REDEMPTION by Marissa Garner
On the small patio table beside the chaise lounge sat an empty Jack Daniel’s bottle. When Jake had opened the bottle after returning from Angela’s condo, he’d vowed to drink it all or die trying. Now, eleven hours later, he almost wished for the latter. 
He cursed the moon bathing him in a soft glow. The landscaping and pool lights were turned off because he wanted to drink and grieve in complete darkness. Anyone in his right mind would guess he was grieving for Angela Reardon. He wasn’t.
Jake Stone was grieving for himself.
He raised his glass, toasted the silence, and tossed back the final swallow of whiskey. Then he hurled the empty bottle over the edge, shattering it against something far below. His harsh laugh reverberated off the boulder-strewn hillsides.
His blurred vision landed on the photograph lying on the table beside him. The identification photo had arrived immediately after he’d accepted the contract fifteen weeks ago. Her blond hair was shorter, and Jake had never seen her wear the red dress that draped the curves of her body so enticingly. But Angela’s amazing eyes and inviting lips smiled back at him. His mouth moved with the memory of those warm, soft lips against his.
Pushing his head back into the cushion, he closed his eyes and wished that the liquor could erase his memories. But there was no chance of that. He was too well-trained—and too hardened a drinker—for the alcohol to wipe clean the slate of his mind.
He grimaced. That was only one of his skills. Many others were unspeakable.
As a Navy SEAL, he had been trained to kill efficiently. In fact, he’d done it so well the CIA had recruited him. Under their tutelage, Jake honed the skill of killing stealthily. He carried out political assassinations and sanctions. He taught himself how to murder cunningly. All of his later hits had been successfully disguised as suicides. When he got tired of politics muddling up his missions, he’d resigned.
After months of pleading, the Agency had convinced him to return as a contract assassin. The independence appealed to Jake. Instead of being ordered to carry out a hit, he could decide which contracts to accept. But even with the greater control, he burned out again after a year. He feared that killing was slowly, irreparably, destroying his soul. Although he’d quit with a welcome sense of relief, he still firmly believed that all his targets had deserved their fate.
Until now.
The hours he’d spent researching and investigating Angela hadn’t uncovered a single shred of evidence supporting the Contractor’s claim that she’d stolen and sold State Department secrets, resulting in an operative’s death.
Something was wrong. Someone was lying.
Whoever wanted Angela Reardon dead was the immoral, evil asshole who deserved to die. Not Angela.
Silently, he vowed to ferret out who and why. And then he would execute the bastard.
Jake laughed mirthlessly.
He had killed for patriotism and for money.
This time, he would kill for redemption.



Buy the Book!
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2wIlcDM

About the Author
I'm a wife, writer, chocoholic, and animal lover, not necessarily in that order. As a little girl, I cut pictures of people out of my mother's magazines and turned them into characters in my simple stories. Now I write sexy paranormal romantic suspense, steamy contemporary romance, and edgy romantic thrillers. I live in sunny Southern California with my husband, but enjoy traveling from Athens to Anchorage to Acapulco and many locations in between.

Social Media Links
Add Risky Redemption to your shelf on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2hkDtQW
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Follow Marissa on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2wMH643

Giveaway
Enter to win 1 of 15 free ebook downloads of Risky Redemptionhttps://app.viralsweep.com/view_widget/da44e2-26469
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