The Lovely Books

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Cover Reveal: Your Exception by Bria Starr

Make sure to check out the TEASER & enter the GIVEAWAY for $50 in Amazon Gift Cards below!

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Author: Bria Starr

Book Title: Your Exception

Cover Designer: Mae I Design and Photography

Genre: New Adult/Romance

Release date: Expected December 20, 2013

Blog Tour Manager: Brandee’s Book Endings

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Logan Kalford was Wren Summers’ dream come true.

All I’d ever wanted was to fall in love and be loved in return.

Logan stole my heart when I least expected it. He was sexy, adventurous, and the way he played guitar left me weak in the knees. He made me happy. He made me think I’d found the one. And he made me believe in happy endings.

I knew he was my forever. I thought he knew it too.

I was wrong.

He destroyed everything I thought we had and shattered my dreams of us. He left me heartbroken. He made me doubt myself.

And he didn’t even seem to care…

Now I must let go. But how can I when he still consumes me?

How do you walk away from what you know was real?

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* TEASER *

The following Saturday, Distort is playing their first weekend gig at The Edge. Cassidy and I are working together as the bar starts filling up close to capacity. I serve the reserved table their drinks as Holly constantly glares at me. Nothing, not even her, can ruin my good mood. Logan has slept over almost every night this past week. And what a week it has been!

As I walk past the stage, I can’t help but glance up at him. I love how he randomly winks at me or points to me as he plays his guitar. Being picked out of a room full of people makes a girl feel special. I smile shyly and carry on with my job.

I’m serving a group of regulars when I hear laughter and cheers all around me. I turn to see Logan standing there, singing directly to me. I'm mortified! I don't like attention in the slightest, and certainly not in a room with almost three hundred people. I put one hand over my face as Logan takes the other, falling to his knees for drastic measure. I endure it as long as possible before I tug on his hand, trying to make him stand up and stop with this nonsense. My face turns a new shade of red as he finally stops singing long enough to give me a lengthy kiss for all to see, and then continues singing as he walks over and jumps back up on stage. I know he did it just to get a rise out of me. Mission accomplished.

I continue getting sexy glances from Logan throughout the night, but he’s lucky I even look his way after that stunt. I also get a few friendly slaps on the back from some of the regulars with comments about how good we look together.

When their final set is over, I go into the side room off stage, for no other reason than to watch Logan take his shirt off. Giving me a few seconds to lust after him without his knowledge. I notice Holly is taking in an eyeful as well. I roll my eyes at her. Don’t even think about it.

As if sensing I'm near, he turns and comes over to embrace me. Giving me a lingering hug, and a hungry kiss, he asks, “Can I come over tonight?”

“Logan, you can come over any time you want. But after that shit you pulled tonight...well, I’m not so sure anymore,” I taunt.

“Oh, come on. You liked it.”

“I did not! That was extremely embarrassing. I had people coming up to me all night on account of you.”

“Well, I sure enjoyed it. I like people knowing you’re mine.”

“But I’m not yours,” I say directly.

“I hate to break it to you, but you are now,” he says with a glimmer of mischief in his eyes.

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About the Author:

Bria Starr grew up in a small town in Minnesota and continues to live there with her husband and beautiful baby girl. She’s a stay at home mom who is very close with her family, loves junk food, and is always cold. Her favorite things include reading books, writing, listening to music, and watching too many movies.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bria-Starr-Author/180078098828468

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* GIVEAWAY *

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Spotlight: Hard Target by Kay Thomas

Synopsis:

The first installment in the Elite Ops series, featuring sexy ex-military men ... and the women who rescue their hearts.

Former DEA agent Leland Hollis wasn't planning on being a hero. Recovering from an injury sustained during a drug bust gone wrong and with more personal demons than he cares to admit, he wants nothing more than peace and a chance to rebuild his life. But when Anna Mercado's crazy ex shows up wielding a baseball bat, Leland can't ignore his instinct to help. And after her son is kidnapped, Leland agrees to deliver the ransom into dangerous territory south of the border.

Anna has no choice but to go with this stranger she's just met if she ever wants to see her son again. But getting the boy out of a violent cartel region involves risking everything. And for that Leland will have to convince Anna to do the scariest thing of all … open her heart and trust him.

Where Did You Get That Idea? By Kay Thomas

Several people have asked where I got the idea for Hard Target and my new Elite Ops series. My son has Aspergers. About four years ago he was working with a new social skills therapist who was in the process of changing careers. This man had left the DEA and was starting his own security business while also working with special needs kids. Quite a combo, right? I was fascinated by what wouldtake someone from such a challenging, busting-down-doorsjob to teaching my seventh grader how to talk about his feelings. Conversations there definitely started my wheels turning.

At the same time my son was working with this guy, my critique partner gave me an article from The Atlanticmagazine about a gentleman who goes into Latin American countries to recover children who’ve been kidnapped by non-custodial parents. The article combined with those earlier conversations got me to thinking some more, and the concept for Hard Target came from there. But I realized I couldn’t just write Leland Hollis’s story and be done with that world.

I had watched the Russell Crowe-Meg Ryan movie, Proof of Life, a couple of times. I also started following the now-cancelled Discovery series called Kidnap and Rescueabout security consultants who go into foreign countries and get Americans who have been kidnapped while working or living overseas.

I started wondering what if instead of just one sexy guy, I had a whole company of men and women with backgrounds that were ex-military or ex-DEA who wanted to start their lives over again and work in the private sector. The idea kept percolating and the Elite Ops team was born.

Question for readers: Where do you get your best ideas? When you’re doing dishes, in the shower, driving, as you’re falling asleep?

What I Wish I’d Known Before I Started Writing by Kay Thomas

The one thing I wish I had known before I started writing isthat the more you write, the more addictive it becomes. If I had know this beforehand I might have taken up, oh, I don't know—marathon walking or scrapbooking instead.

I can't imagine not writing today but part of that is because I've been doing it for so long. The first day of the “fun ed” writing class I took over 20 years ago the teacher said, "If you can walk next door to the pottery class that's starting and be happy, go do that right now. Writing is hard stuff and difficult to stop once you start, you'll be happier in the long run if you do something different."

How's that for a pep talk? Not a one of us left that writing class, and I'm awfully glad I didn't "go next door." But for a long time I had no idea what she’d meant.

I do now. Writing is incredibly habit-forming, right up there with chocolate and red wine! Still, I cannot imagine NOT doing it.

I’ve heard people talk about characters that just won’t leave them alone, and I never understood that whole concept until writing the Elite Ops series. Hard Target was an addictive writing experience for me. I loved the characters, the location, the adventure, the growth arcs, and the relationships.

While the book didn’t write itself, the story came much easier than others I’ve written in the past. For the first time I could hear the characters talking in my head and they wouldn’t let me rest, till I wrote down what they were saying. Currently, I’m working on Book 2 in the Elite Ops series and I’m happy to say that I’m having a similar experience with “hearing” those characters’ voices.

Question for reader: What’s your favorite “habit-forming” hobby?

{including picture of wine and chocolate}

About the author:

I didn’t grow up burning to be a writer. As a child I wasn’t even much of a reader until fourth grade. That’s when I was stuck at home with the flu and my big sister read THE BLACK STALLION aloud to me. For hours I was enthralled—shipwrecked in a foreign land and riding an untamed horse across the hot desert sand. Then tragedy struck. My sister lost her voice. (I think she caught my flu.) But I couldn’t wait to hear what happened to Alec Ramsey—so I picked up that book, finished reading it by myself, and went in search of more adventures at the local library. Today I live in Dallas with my husband, our two children, and a shockingly-spoiled Boston terrier.

My next novel will be published with Avon Impulse in November 2013. HARD TARGET is the first installment in a three-book romantic suspense series titled ELITE OPS, featuring sexy ex-military men…and the women who rescue their hearts. For excerpts, book trailers, and more—visit my website atwww.KayThomas.net

I can also be found online at Facebook.www.facebook.com/KayThomasWrites

And Twitter.
www.Twitter.com/KayThomasWrites

In addition to their US releases, my national best-selling books have been published in France, the Netherlands, Estonia, Australia, the UK and South Africa. BULLETPROOF HEARTS (April 2011), won the 2012 HOLT Medallion in Short Contemporary and was a finalist in the National Readers' Choice Awards. My debut novel, BETTER THAN BULLETPROOF (January 2009) was a HOLT Medallion Award of Merit recipient, a Readers’ Crown finalist, and a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice nominee.

Title: His Ever After (Love Square #2)

Author: Jessica Ingro

Release Date: October 29, 2013

Genre: Contemporary / Erotic Romance

Hosted by: Love Between the Sheets

Add to Goodreads

www.goodreads.com/book/show/18217626-his-ever-after

Buy the Book

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Synopsis

All is fair in love and war.

Jacob Matthews learned that lesson the hard way when he discovered just how far some people will go to win someone’s heart.

When fate brought Samantha Monroe back into Jacob’s life, he finally started to believe that his world was going to be complete. He loves Sam with the kind of intensity that burns deep and scalds your very soul. But fate had other ideas in mind, forcing him into a life filled with cold touches, long silences and complete misery.

Brooke Dugan had to have Jacob Matthews. It didn’t matter that he was in love with someone else, she always got what she wanted. And what she wanted was Jacob. Brooke vowed that she would stop at nothing until Jacob was tied to her forever… in both life and death.

Find out what happens when lies are revealed and the bitter truth comes out. Hearts will be broken and bonds will be tested.

Everyone is worthy of love – even Jacob, but can he find his happily ever after?

Excerpt
“Where is everyone?” I call out as I walk from the kitchen through the living room, finding no little munchkins in there. “Helloooooo!” Still no noise. “You can’t hide from me! I’m going to find you!” I continue taunting them as I make my way down the hall. I can hear little giggles coming from behind Grace’s closed door. “Shhh! I don’t want him to find us!” Grace whisper-shouts at her sister. “I am being quiet! You’re the one laughing!” Candace tries to quietly argue back. “No, you’re not!” Grace states loudly back to Candace this time. I bite my lip to hold back my own laughter. I pause outside the bedroom door and quietly put my hand on the doorknob. “Ready or not! I’m going to get you!” I yell, as I bust through the door. Grace shrieks and runs to the left, while Candace attempts to scramble on the floor to the right. I grab Candace, while dashing across the room for Grace. We all fall onto the bed laughing. Stuffed bears and Barbie dolls go flying everywhere as we roll around on the bed, their little legs and arms flailing around. The girls struggle to get away while I tickle them as best I can, considering all the squirming they’re doing. “Stop! Stop! I’m going to pee my pants, Uncle Jacob!” Grace shouts breathlessly and pulls on my hand. And that right there is my cue to stop what I’m doing. I so do not need to take a bath in urine. Grace runs out into the hall and slams the bathroom door behind her. Candace leans into me and wraps her arms around my waist. I kiss her hair and look over at Kara, who is sitting in a tiny chair in front of a table, set up for a tea party and littered with makeup. She has a wide smile on her face and she’s wiping the tears caused by her laughter. “You’re so good with them,” she says, looking as though she is thoroughly impressed with my interactions with the girls. “It’s nothing really. I mean, look how great they are. It’s easy to spend time with them.” I rub Candace’s back, while her head rests on my chest. “It isn’t nothing. Not many men would get right in and play with them like you do.” She looks out the window muttering, “It’s actually pretty damn sexy.” The last part she said so quietly, I almost didn’t hear her. Well then… Kara thinks I’m sexy. I can feel my ego swelling from her words. “Hmmm… well that’s good to know.” I wink at her and head over to the table to see what craziness they have going on. It’s not at all because I have the sudden urge to be closer to Kara. Definitely not. “You want to play tea party with us, Uncle Jacob?” Candace asks and then sits down in the chair across from mine. “Sure. I can always go for a nice cup of tea with a couple beautiful girls.” Grace comes barreling in like her hair is on fire. “Don’t start without me!” She shouts at us. I put my arm out to stop her from running into the table and lower her into the chair next to me Candace sets the white and pink cups with saucers in front of each of us while Grace prepares the “tea” in her pink pot. She pours us each a cup and we pick them up and pretend to sip our tea. “This is the best tea I’ve ever had,” Kara says in between sips. “I agree.” I pick up a plastic cookie and pretend to chew. “And these cookies are even better. Did you make them yourself?” “Noooooo! Momma made those!” Grace laughs and picks up her own cookie, looking at me like I’m crazy for even asking the question. We continue playing tea for a while before the girls turn their attention to the makeup Kara had gotten out for them earlier. I’m beginning to feel hive-ish watching them pick up the different tubes and jars. I have a feeling I know what’s going to happen if I stay in here much longer. Don’t get me wrong, there have been times where I’ve worn a feather boa or had some sort of necklace or bracelet dangling from my body. I’ve even played Barbies with my nieces. I mean – I pretended Ken was a secret spy while doing so, because if I’m going to be forced to play with dolls, they better be as cool as James Bond. But never – and I mean never – have I worn makeup and I really don’t want to start now. There are some streaks that are meant to not be broken. “I think I’m going to head down to the man cave and see what your dad is up to,” I say while making my move towards the door. “No!” Grace shouts and starts to push me down by my shoulder. “I want you to play dress up with us. Please!” “Yeah. We hardly ever get to see you anymore. You can’t leave us to go watch TV with Daddy,” Candace adds in with a cute, little pout on her face. And that’s how I find myself – hook, line and sinker – wearing eye shadow and having glitter dusted on my face. The amount of fun the girls are having is well worth it. The smiles and laughs are priceless in my opinion. As long as it doesn’t leave these four walls, my rep will still be intact. “So, how do I look? Hot, right?” The girls just smile big and nod politely. “Maybe you guys should give me a mirror to look at and see for myself.” I reach for the mirror across the table, but Kara gets there before me. “You have a little smudge, let me just…” Kara trails off while her thumb swipes my temple where I must have eye shadow smeared. Her hand rests on the side of my face, while she gently moves her thumb back and forth. Her eyes look over into mine and you can hear her sharp intake of breath. For several seconds we do nothing but stare at each other. Her blue eyes are like looking up into a bright, cloudless sky. I watch in fascination, as her pupils slowly dilate and fill with desire. Her pink tongue darts out and wets her lips. Without my consent, my body starts leaning towards her. She’s pulling me into her, like a moth being drawn to a flame. Just as I’m about to cover her mouth with my own, Grace and Candace start arguing, effectively breaking the moment. Kara pulls away quickly, stating rather weakly that she needs to make a call before leaving the room. Shit. What the hell was I about to do? I can still feel the breath from her mouth on mine and her damn blue eyes are burned in my brain. This is not good whatsoever. Haven’t I learned anything from all the shit that’s happened this last year? Keep your tongue in your mouth and your dick in your pants. I just need to keep reminding myself that.

Purchase Love Square (Love Square #1)

Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B00E0N09ZO

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E0N09ZO B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-square-jessica-ingro/1116093468 Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/337746 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17662870-love-square

About the Author

Jessica is the author of the Love Square series. She grew up in Central New York, where she spends her days as a Security Analyst at an IT consulting company. In her free time, she enjoys reading books and developing ideas for her own stories. Writing is her secret passion that she's been fostering since elementary school, when she wrote her first book about a puppy. It has always been a dream of hers to be able to share her stories with the world. Jessica currently lives in New York with her husband and three dogs.

Connect with the Author

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Email | Goodreads

Giveaway

(5) eBook copies of His Ever After

(2) Swag Packs (US Only)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: A Little Too Far by Lisa Desrochers

Synopsis:

Have you ever gone just a little too far?

Lexie Banks has.

Yep. She just had mind-blowing sex with her stepbrother. In her defense, she was on the rebound, and it’s more of a my-dad-happened-to-marry-a-woman-with-a-super-hot-son situation. But still, he’s been her best friend and confidant for the better part of the last few years … and is so off limits. It’s a good thing she’s leaving in two days for a year abroad in Rome.

But even thousands of miles away, Lexie can’t seem to escape trouble. Raised Catholic, she goes to confession in hopes of alleviating some of her guilt … and maybe not burning in hell. Instead, she stumbles out of the confessional and right into Alessandro Moretti, a young and very easy-on-the-eyes deacon … only eight months away from becoming a priest. Lexie and Alessandro grow closer, and when Alessandro’s signals start changing despite his vow of celibacy, she doesn’t know what to think. She’s torn between falling in love with the man she shouldn’t want and the man she can’t have. And she isn’t sure how she can live with herself either way.

My Review:

Just read a sneak peek...holy moly I need the rest!

November 2, 2013

So I just finished this!

I so did not see that one coming...seriously.

Lexie is on the rebound after her boyfriend of three years turns out to be a big fat cheater. As destiny would have it, she turns to her best friend/step-brother,Trent. Their relationship forever changes after they have a moment of weakness. Some would ca it fate.

Lexie had also scored a study abroad in Italy for her major in art. There she meets Alessandro, the soon to be priest. She also meets Abby, a crazy, wonderful girl that's full of life.

While studying all the beautiful art and culture Italy has to offer, Lexie and Alessandro start to form a close friendship of sorts. It's being with him, that she realizes what she really wants to do with her life, and what she's willing to do for it.

**may be spoilers***

Okay nvm, there WILL be spoilers!!

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*****

******

One last warning!!

Alright, I am not going to lie, I am kinda disappointed with the way the book ended. In fact, I'm reallllllly disappointed with the way it ended. Which is the reason I gave it four stars instead of five.

I loved the friendship we got with Lexie and Alessandro. I loved the build up and the sexual tension. I loved how kind and non judgmental Alessandro was.

What I don't love is that she ends up with Trent! Now I get it okay, I totally get why they end up together but I still can't help but feel angry that Lexie ended up with him. Just my personal opinion. I liked Trent well enough. Especially before the book, when I was able to sample the first chapter.

I thought Trent was HOT! And a step brother at that? That's taking forbidden to another level and I loved it. Then I saw the blurb and realized there would be another man. So I put off the book until a few days ago. See, I don't like love triangles too much. Not that this is a love triangle, but dammit, I fell in love with Alessandro. The more I read about him, the more I fell. And the more I forgot about Trent...

Kind of...

I felt the jealousy Lexie felt when she thought he was with Sam. I felt it all! This is obviously the sign of a great author. My emotions are messed up.

Then BAM!

She realizes she's really in love with Trent and my poor mangled heart breaks along with Alessandros. Poor guy. I feel his pain!

Aside from all that, I thought this was one ridiculously sexy ass book. I can't wait to dive into the next one.

Which guess what?

It's Alessandro's story!!! Thank youuuu!

So excuse me while I go and read about my boyfriend;)

Cover Reveal: Catch Me by Claire Contreras

Title: Catch Me

Author: Claire Contreras

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance.

Release Date: *Date Coming Soon*

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18110772-catch-me

BLURB:

In the past, I've always been given everything I've wanted, but nothing that I truly needed. I've experienced a lot of things in my twenty-five years, everything except the one thing I want. It's the one thing that can’t be bought. It can't even be taken, it has to be given. And nobody has ever given it to me, not really anyway.

Not until him.

Music is the center of both our lives, but as he found his place in it, I lost my way. He soared, while I spiraled down a destructive path.
I lost myself in more ways than I can count.

The ironic thing is that I didn’t realize how lost I was until he found me.

And now that he has, I have to wonder if he'll stay around long enough to catch me.

AUTHOR INFO:

Claire Contreras graduated with her BA in Psychology from Florida International University. She lives in Miami, Florida with her husband, two little boys, and three dogs.

Her favorite past times are: daydreaming, writing, and reading.

She has been described as a random, sarcastic, crazy girl with no filter.

Life is short, and it’s more bitter than sweet, so she tries to smile as often as her face allows. She enjoys stories with happy endings, because life is full of way too many unhappy ones or ones that will scare the daylights out of her and have her looking over her shoulder at every turn. Like I said, she's very random.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Facebook link: www.facebook.com/CCONTRERASBOOKS

Twitter: @ClariCon

Website: ClaireContreras.Com

TEASER:

He never takes his eyes off of me as he crosses the street. He walks around a group of people, purposely stepping to my side. There’s no time for formal hellos in the middle of the street, and I’m glad for that because I don’t want to introduce him to my brother and do the whole shebang in a crowded street. My smile is fixed on my face as he approaches, also smiling at me, his eyes crinkling in mischief. When he brushes past me, he takes my hand and squeezes it slightly. It’s just a squeeze. Just. But it’s enough to get my heart pumping, my blood tingling, and my eyes widening as if I’ve been caught doing something wrong, which I know is ridiculous, but that’s how his touch makes me feel.

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Cover Reveal: Lifeless by J.M. LaRocca

Lifeless Synopsis:

After graduating from the University of South Alabama, Scarlett Moore discovers her boyfriend of five months is actually married with a child on the way. Feeling used and heartbroken, she decides it’s time to take her best friend Jules’ advice to move to Atlanta and live with her. There, Jules helps her get a job at Entertainment Atlanta, where she works as an entertainment insurance agent. It’s not Scarlett’s dream job, but it’s better than not having a job at all, and who would mind working with famous people, right?

Then she gets assigned to EA’s newest client, Kade Evans, rock star turned actor. Not only is he a drug addict, he’s also known for never dating the same girl twice. He’s tall, dark, and handsome, has an amazing voice, and good acting skills, but he’s also arrogant and intense.

At their first meeting, the chemistry between them is undeniable.

The love that comes later is unexpected.

But Kade’s life is full of secrets. His past has now intruded on his present and when Scarlett finds out what his secrets are, the real deception begins.

Buy Links:

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQAG226

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DQAG226

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lifeless-jm-la-rocca/1115915629

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/lifeless-2

Author Bio:

J.M. La Rocca was born in Chicago, IL. At an early age, her family relocated to lower Alabama where she began her love for writing. She currently resides in Atlanta, GA with her husband and twin sons.

As a stay at home mom, La Rocca was able to pursue her love for writing in GA. It was always an unrealized dream to write her own book. With the encouragement of her mother, La Rocca began to set to paper her ideas for her first book.

Title: Imperfectly Real (A Series of Imperfections #2)

Author: A.E. Woodward

Genre: New Adult Romance

Release Date: November 1, 2013

Hosted By: Love Between the Sheets