Showing posts sorted by date for query what was i thinking?. Sort by relevance Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by date for query what was i thinking?. Sort by relevance Show all posts

Thursday, April 6, 2017

Feasted On: PLAYED by Nikki Wild

- This is one of the novellas that I read which was at the end of Nikki Wild's "Fall Into Me" the following book details are for that novel. - Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 6586 KB | Release Date: November 2, 2016 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon

"PLAYED" by Nikki Wild

Author's Book Description : When I first met Lex, he was my dream one-night stand.
Rugged good looks in a crisp, tailored suit. English accent.
I honestly had no idea who he really was.
And I couldn't care less.
It was just another round of the game...
One night in bed, and then we'd be done.
But then he saved me.
And one night turned into more...

I just slept with a world-class player in the most watched sport on the planet.
And hardened, skilled athletes don't like to lose the game...

"Lightning Lex Lambert" is a textbook player.
Both on and off the field.
Legions of worldwide fans chant his name.
It gives him one hell of an ego.
He needs someone to challenge him.
Someone to put him in his place.
And he knows it.

Challenge accepted.

PLAYED is a full standalone romance novel with a HEA and absolutely NO CLIFFHANGER.

These are the additional novellas that were included after "Fall Into Me" :
"Fall Into Me" | "Illicit Behavior" | "PROTECT AND SERVE" | "Stepbrother Fixation" | "Saved by the Bad Boy" | "Pride and Pregnancy"

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars! Lex (Alexander) is a world-class football (soccer) player who’s taking a break in New Orleans so he can “overcome” his playboy reputation in hopes of landing a multi-million dollar corporate sponsorship. What Lex finds instead is, Riley, a woman who pushes all his buttons while revving him up at the same time. She is possibly the one woman for him that is if he can prove himself to her, that staying together is the right thing to do.

I truly liked this novella. It has substance, a great plotline, and meaningful characters. I enjoyed reading about the struggle Lex and Riley go through to come to terms with their feelings for one another. PLUS, it doesn’t hurt that this novella is hot, Hot, HOT! With scenes so erotically steamy that I was sweating at times. They just worked together as a couple, which made the novella that much better.

I recommend this novella for those wanting a quick erotic romance to read.

Purchase This Book Here :

Amazon (Kindle) USD : PLAYED

Amazon (Paperback) USD : PLAYED

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Fall Into Me

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters :

Book Teaser(s) :
"Who the Devil are you?" I asked.
"My name's Riley," the woman answered, holding out a small hand. Without thinking, I took it into my own, feeling how soft and delicate it was within my much sturdier grasp.
"Charmed. Call me Lex."
"Lex," she repeated, trying out the syllable for herself against the backs of her teeth. "I liked that. Short for "Alexander?""
"Naturally."
"Well, Alexander, just between you and me, would you like to know a secret?" She leaned in closer, watching my eyes. I couldn't help but play along with whatever this was.
"Go on, then."
Riley glanced around quickly, then whispered into my ear, as if she were telling me the most important secret in the entire world: "We're going to fuck tonight." ~ within Chapter 8 - titled 'Julian'

Book Preview(s) :

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Nikki, then please check out her Amazon Acct.

Friday, January 6, 2017

Sunday, October 23, 2016

What was I thinking?: Miss Hopeful by Laura Fletcher

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon: Paperback - Pages: 126; Kindle Edition - File Size: 2187 KB | Expected Release Date: September 2, 2016 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon / Laura Fletcher

"Miss Hopeful" by Laura Fletcher

What was I thinking? : As stated above I was told about this novel being FREE from Ms. Fletcher (the author) and got it through Amazon. I really like the book description and book's cover. Yet, while I didn't love this novel my goal is to always promote the book that I've read, if you don't like my review make sure to check out the extras posted to promote the novel underneath it. So, here we go...

Author's Book Description : Sandra Birmingham is twenty-two years old and has always dreamed of escaping her vigorous and mundane life in Rhode Island. She listed herself in a catalog as a mail-order bride and is hoping a handsome and righteous man is going to ask her for her hand in marriage.


Samuel James Edgerton the older kind, handsome and loving father had been married once and takes care of his sick seven-year-old daughter, Betsy. When Samuel’s father passed away, he was left with no choice but to look for a loyal wife to accompany him and to help care for his daughter. When Samuel first lays his eyes on Sandra, he knew there was much much more about her than the naked eye could see.


They both agree to enter into an arrangement, and soon Sandra finds herself falling in love with Samuel. However, has Samuel really truly gotten over his ex-wife? He has never reconciled his feelings for his past lover but soon finds himself in a situation that he thought he had always wanted. As Betsy’s condition worsens, Samuel and Sandra find themselves hopelessly relying deeply upon each other. What happens next will shock even Samuel himself.

My Book Review : 1 out of 5 stars. A young woman from Rhode Island places an ad for herself as a mail order bride and gets a proposal from a man living in the Montana Territory who wants her to look after his sick daughter. Overtime they form a dear relationship but by then people from their pasts come back and might end up pulling them apart for good...

I LOVED the cover. Yet, I was never a fan of the writing, though the plot held promise. Even though I struggled through it, I was able to read up to 46% reasonably but after that, the writing I couldn't handle anymore and I didn't like the directions the plot was taking me. Therefore, from that point on I skimmed the rest of it, as I was still curious as to what would happen to Betsy.

This novel wasn't for me. So, I don't feel comfortable recommending it. Yet it could be for you if you can overlook the writing style.

Purchase This Book Here :

Amazon (Kindle) USD : Miss Hopeful

Amazon (Paperback) USD : Miss Hopeful
Mail Order Bride: Miss Hopeful
Barnes & Noble (NOOK Book) USD : Miss Hopeful

Author's Novel Extras :

Book Teaser(s) :
"You look so beautiful."
Betsy snorted, looking tired. "I don't believe ya.'" She slowly walked toward the bed, sat on top of it, and looked back at Sandra. "I'm dyin', I know that."
Sandra was taken aback with what Betsy had said. She drew a breath, stood up, and finally sat down beside Betsy. "Don't talk like that, Betsy," she kindly said, affected with the child's lack of hope. "Believe me when I tell you that you are so beautiful." ~ within Chapter 5 - titled 'Sandra'

Book Preview(s) :

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Laura, then please check out her Amazon Acct.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Blog Tour - Love Restored by Carrie Ann Ryan | Release Day Launch, Spreading the Word & Kindle Fire Giveaway

lr-release

LOVE RESTORED by Carrie Ann Ryan is out now and trust us - you want to meet Graham Gallagher. If you love a man who is good with his hands, make sure to grab LOVE RESTORED today!


Love Restored

About LOVE RESTORED

In the first of a Montgomery Ink spin-off series from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan, a broken man uncovers the truth of what it means to take a second chance with the most unexpected woman…

Graham Gallagher has seen it all. And when tragedy struck, lost it all. He’s been the backbone of his brothers, the one they all rely on in their lives and business. And when it comes to falling in love and creating a life, he knows what it’s like to have it all and watch it crumble. He’s done with looking for another person to warm his bed, but apparently he didn’t learn his lesson because the new piercer at Montgomery Ink tempts him like no other.

Blake Brennen may have been born a trust fund baby, but she’s created a whole new life for herself in the world of ink, piercings, and freedom. Only the ties she’d thought she’d cut long ago aren’t as severed as she’d believed. When she finds Graham constantly in her path, she knows from first glance that he’s the wrong kind of guy for her. Except that Blake excels at making the wrong choice and Graham might be the ultimate temptation for the bad girl she’d thought long buried.

Add LOVE RESTORED to your Goodreads list here!

Get your hands on LOVE RESTORED:

Amazon | iBooks | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Google Play


Get a sneak peek at LOVE RESTORED:

When the game started, and the Avs took the ice, Graham kept his attention on the players rather than the very sexy woman beside him. His team needed his head to be in the game and not on Blake’s curves. And, yes, he might be a little superstitious, but whatever.

At the face off, Toronto took possession of the puck, and Blake let out a little cheer— not loud enough for others to hear, but just those on either side of her. Holy hell, had Austin sent a traitor into their midst? A freaking Toronto fan at a home game for the Avalanche? What the hell was that Montgomery thinking?

He growled at her as she quietly cheered the first Maple Leaf goal and met Derek’s eyes. Why the hell was the other man laughing? Couldn’t he see that Blake was cheering for the wrong team? She lived in freaking Denver for God’s sake, and considering that her family’s ancestral home was here, she had to be a native. And yet, she cheered for Toronto? It was as if she were trying to annoy him.

After the first period, he got up, his hands fisting at his sides. “I need another beer.”

Owen, who had been quiet the entire time since he was apparently answering emails on his phone, looked up. “Grab me a soda, will you? I need some caffeine, and since I’m driving us home, I’ll let you drink.” He winked toward Blake. “I think you’re going to need alcohol tonight.”

Graham grunted and stomped his way through the aisle and up the stairs so he could get a beer. Since everyone and their mother got up during intermission, he’d have to wait in line, but maybe that would help him cool off. He was just so freaking pissed that she would dare root for another team. And that made no sense. Why could she get under his skin so easily?

“Hey, Graham, wait up,” Derek said as he jogged up behind him.

“I don’t know what you did to piss Blake off, but I should probably let you know she’d rooting for Toronto just to needle you.”

Graham turned. “Excuse me?”

He must have looked like he wanted to rip someone’s arm off because a few people moved back in the line and Derek held up his hands. “She’s a diehard Avs fan. Even owns a signed Sakic jersey and keeps a spare she can wear during games. The signed one only comes out during the playoffs. It’s got to be killing her to root for the other team, and it must be because of you.”

That little witch. “How do you know it’s not because of you?” he asked, intrigued and pissed off all at the same time that she would do something like that.

“Because we’re friends, not close ones, but friends. This isn’t a date or anything, just to let you know. I think she’s single, but since my girlfriend up in Seattle would skin me if I even dared to look at Blake that way, I’m just fine as I am. Anyway, I thought you should know that she’s just trying to piss you off. Bro code and all that.”

Graham clenched his teeth. “Bro code.” He ordered his beer, Owen’s soda, and paid for Derek and Blake’s drinks since Derek had been so helpful.

“What are you going to do about Blake?” Derek asked as they made their way back to the entrance and showed their tickets.

“Don’t know yet.” And that was the problem. He never knew about anything where it came to this woman. She could intrigue him, turn him on, and piss him off all in the span of ten minutes. That had to be a record.

He handed Owen his drink and sat back down, studying Blake as he did so.

“What?” she asked, brows raised.

“Nothing,” he said softly. “Not yet anyway.”

She blinked and opened her mouth to say something, then froze as people started to chant, “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” around them.

Graham slowly looked up at the huge screen on top of the ice and cursed. “You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.”

Blake laughed. “No way. No fucking way.”

“Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”

He was pretty sure Owen was yelling the loudest, and Graham was going to have to kick his brother’s ass when this was over.

“Fuck it,” Graham growled and gripped the back of Blake’s head and crushed his mouth to hers. They both froze a moment as cheers erupted around them before he sank deeper into the kiss. He didn’t open his mouth, wouldn’t let his tongue touch hers, but the moment of lips against lips left him breathless.

He pulled back, his eyes wide, Blake’s even wider.

“What the hell was that?” Blake gasped, her cheeks slashed with red.

“I…” He cleared his throat. “Just watch the game. And you can cheer for your precious Avs. Don’t hurt yourself going for Toronto.”

He turned away from her and gulped half his beer down in one go.

He could feel Blake’s eyes on him before she turned away, and see her hands shaking out of the corner of his eye.

“Dude,” Owen whispered. “This is going to be fun.”

“Fuck you,” Graham growled and drank the last of his beer.

He didn’t know what had come over him, but that had to be the last of it. There was no way he was going to go there. If he were this unraveled and tense at the same time with just one kiss, with just one look, he wouldn’t make it if he had her in his arms. In his bed.

Blake wasn’t for him, and damn it, he didn’t want her to be.

The Kiss Cam could go straight to hell.


Want to Win?

Carrie Ann Ryan is giving away a Kindle Fire! Enter to win via the Rafflecopter below.

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About Carrie Ann Ryan

Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 2.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter | Instagram | Tumblr | Pinterest



My Previous Interview(s) with this Author : April 2012

My Previous Guest Post(s) by this Author : I want a Werewolf Husband - March 2012

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : A Taste For a Mate | Trinity Bound | Her Warriors’ Three Wishes | Tangled Innocence | An Immortal’s Song | Prowled Darkness

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Teaser Tuesdays: An Alpha’s Path | Teaser Tuesdays: A Taste for a Mate | Teaser Tuesdays: Trinity Bound | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013 | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2014 | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2015 | Blog Tour - Prowled Darkness by Carrie Ann Ryan | Spreading the Word & Gift Card/Swag Pack Giveaways

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Feasted On: The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions) by Amy Spalding

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon: Hardcover - Pages: 320; Kindle Edition - File Size: 1331 KB; Audible – Unabridged | Expected Release Date: April 5, 2016 | Publisher: Hachette Book Group : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers : Poppy | Obtained: NetGalley

"The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions)" by Amy Spalding

Author's Book Description : A ridiculously cute, formerly-famous new guy dropping into your life? It's practically every girl's dream.

But not Jules McCallister-Morgan's.


I realize that on paper I look like your standard type-A, neurotic, overachiever. And maybe I am. But I didn't get to be the editor of my school's long-revered newspaper by just showing up*. I have one main goal for my senior year-early acceptance into my first choice Ivy League college-and I will not be deterred by best friends, moms who think I could stand to "live a little," or boys.

At least, that was the plan before I knew about Alex Powell**.

And before Alex Powell betrayed me***.

I know what you're thinking: Calm down, Jules. But you don't understand. This stuff matters. This is my life. And I'm not going down without a fight.

----

* Okay, I sort of did. But it's a sore subject.

** I mean, I guess everyone knows about Alex Powell? Two years ago, you couldn't go anywhere without hearing about viral video boy band sensation Chaos 4 All. Two years ago, Alex Powell was famous.

*** Some people think I'm overreacting. But this. Means. War.

Filled with romance, rivalry, and passive-aggressive dog walking, Amy Spalding delivers a hilariously relatable high school story that's sure to have you falling for "The New Guy."

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars. Jules (Julia) has had her senior year all planned out for a long time. So, when Alex (a well-known ex-boy band member) starts at her school and begins to act interested in her, her organized world turns into organized chaos. But will Jules be able to roll with the punches or will Alex be the one curveball she won't be able to avoid?

Definitely not, what I expected as it had romance yet was based around a school rivalry between Jules and her academic enemy. While being back to school Jules received her dream of becoming editor of the high school paper, except she is very smart and harsh about herself, which makes her feel like nothing she does would be good enough for those that she loves. Being this way has made her strive for perfection in herself and the world around her, even though perfection isn't possible.

Though Jules neuroticness is annoying at times and the way her mind works is both jaw-dropping, while makes me cringe because I can be that obtuse at times too, I appreciated her as a character. Both Alex and Jules had a realness to them that was commendable and charming because you could see that they both were not putting on false pretenses when it came to one another. Even though they seem like an unusual match and, even though I've read this novel, to me they still do it was Jules' intensity and naiveté along with the way Alex seemed to appreciate her major quirks that had me rooting for them. They are both odd ducks in a way that just works.

I recommend it to those looking for a contemporary YA dramatic novel that has a bit of romance in the mix.

Purchase This Book Here :

Shop Your Indie/Local Bookstores (IndieBound - Paperback) USD : The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions)
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The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions)
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Amazon (Kindle) USD : The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions)

Amazon (Hardcover) USD : The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions)

Amazon (Audible) USD : The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions)
The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions)
Barnes & Noble (NOOK Book) USD : The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions)
The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions)
Barnes & Noble (Hardcover) USD : The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions)

Author's Novel Extras : The New Guy (and Other Senior Year Distractions) - Overview with F.A.Q. | A Few Updates!

I love this!!! #Repost @dhjlibrary Review of The New Guy by @thatames 📰 #instareview #dhjlibrary

A photo posted by Amy Spalding (@thatames) on


Book Teaser(s) :
"We love that you care about everything so much," Mom says. "But you have to give yourself a break, Jules."
"No one finds victory while giving herself a break."
"Do you hear yourself?" Darcy asks.
"Yes. I sound inspiring."
They burst into laughter, and while that isn't what I was going for, it's better than all this concern and disappointment. ~ within Chapter 16

Book Preview(s) :

For more information on this book and/or any other books by Amy, then please check out her Amazon Acct.

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Friday, September 2, 2016

Blog Tour - Entangled TEEN's YA Retellings Blog Blast | Guest Posts, Spreading the Word & THREE Special Giveaways

EntTeen-YARetellings-2016(560x315)

Get Back-to-School Ready with this YA Retellings Blog Blast!

Recently, we asked several Entangled TEEN authors of YA Retellingsthe following question, "What book or story would you like to see updated for the young adult market?", and where possible, we've shared their responses below with you! ALSO -- Be sure to check out Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post to be able to sign up for this blog stop's GIVEAWAY(s)!! [Giveaway will run until September 4, 2016]

4

Gaby Triana's Wake the Hollow - YA Retelling of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow":

Forget the ghosts, Mica. It’s real, live people you should fear.

Tragedy has brought Micaela Burgos back to her hometown of Sleepy Hollow. It’s been six years since she chose to live with her father in Miami instead of her eccentric mother. And now her mother is dead.

This town will suck you in and not let go.

Sleepy Hollow may be famous for its fabled headless horseman, but the town is real. So are its prejudices and hatred, targeting Mica’s family as outsiders. But ghostly voices carry on the wind, whispering that her mother’s death was based on hate…not an accident at all. With the help of two very different guys—who pull at her heart in very different ways—Micaela must awaken the hidden secret of Sleepy Hollow…before she meets her mother’s fate.

Find the answers.

Unless, of course, the answers find you first.

Gaby's Answer to What YA Retelling She'd Like to See in 100 Words or Less:

As a huge fan of haunted house stories, I’d love to see a retelling of the Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. First published in 1959, this was and still is, one of the finest examples of psychological terror ever known in the horror genre, and because I love stories that scare you with what’s not there rather than what is, I would love to see this interpreted for a teen audience. Are we caught up in Eleanor’s mind, or is a real poltergeist haunting her? “Whatever walked there, walked alone.” Yeah, definitely this one.

Buy Wake the Hollow:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca | Entangled Publishing


1

Vivi Barnes, author of Olivia Twisted, which is a YA Retelling of Oliver Twist:

Tossed from foster home to foster home, Olivia’s seen a lot in her sixteen years. She’s hardened, sure, though mostly just wants to fly under the radar until graduation. But her natural ability with computers catches the eye of Z, a mysterious guy at her new school. Soon, Z has brought Liv into his team of hacker elite―break into a few bank accounts, and voila, he drives a motorcycle. Follow his lead, and Olivia might even be able to escape from her oppressive foster parents. As Olivia and Z grow closer, though, so does the watchful eye of Bill Sykes, Z’s boss. And he’s got bigger plans for Liv…

Thanks to Z, Olivia’s about to get twisted.

Olivia Decoded:

This isn’t my Jack, who once looked at me like I was his world. The guy who’s occupied the better part of my mind for eight months.

This is Z, criminal hacker with a twisted agenda and an arsenal full of anger.

I’ve spent the past year trying to get my life on track. New school. New friends. New attitude. But old flames die hard, and one look at Jack—the hacker who enlisted me into his life and his hacking ring, stole my heart, and then left me—and every memory, every moment, every feeling comes rushing back. But Jack’s not the only one who’s resurfaced in my life. And if I can’t break through Z’s defenses and reach the old Jack, someone will get hurt…or worse.

Vivi's Answer to What YA Retelling She'd Like to See in 100 Words or Less:

I first saw the movie To Kill A Mockingbird when I was a teenager, and I believe it played a large part in opening my eyes to the realities and consequences of racism. Considering the state of the world today, I would love to see the story retold as a young adult novel with a Muslim-American Tom Robinson. I think capturing the attention of young adults through literature is one of the most effective ways we can change the world for the better.

Buy Olivia Twisted (Olivia Twisted, #1):

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca | Entangled Publishing

Pre-order Olivia Decoded (Olivia Twisted, #2):

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca | Entangled Publishing


My Previous Review(s) for Vivi Barnes : Paper or Plastic

My Previous Mention(s) of Vivi Barnes' Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2016 | Entangled TEEN Balloon Pop Booth at Entangled Publishing's Summer Carnival | Blog Tour, Guest Post, Spreading the Word & Multiple Giveaways

2

Cindi Madsen's All the Broken Pieces - YA Retelling of Frankenstein:

What if your life wasn’t your own?

Liv comes out of a coma with no memory of her past and two distinct, warring voices inside her head. Nothing, not even her reflection, seems familiar. As she stumbles through her junior year, the voices get louder, insisting she please the popular group while simultaneously despising them. But when Liv starts hanging around with Spencer, whose own mysterious past also has him on the fringe, life feels complete for the first time in, well, as long as she can remember.

Liv knows the details of the car accident that put her in the coma, but as the voices invade her dreams, and her dreams start feeling like memories, she and Spencer seek out answers. Yet the deeper they dig, the less things make sense. Can Liv rebuild the pieces of her broken past, when it means questioning not just who she is, but what she is?

Cindi's Answer to What YA Retelling She'd Like to See in 100 Words or Less:

Hmm. What retelling would I love to see? I’m a big fan of the classics, and twists on them. I’ll read just about any Pride & Prejudice retelling. Beauty and the Beast is also a favorite. But I’d love to see a modern retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo. I think that there could be a lot of possibilities and different ways to go, but I think one with a lot of tension and romance and kissing (my fave), would be amazing! And I just found out Entangled Teen recently acquired a Count of Monte Cristo retelling called STING, by Cindy Wilson! *makes grabby hands*

Buy All The Broken Pieces:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca | Entangled Publishing


My Previous Review(s) for Cindi Madsen : Crazy for the Competition

My Previous Mention(s) of Cindi Madsen's Books/Characters : Cover Reveal: All the Broken Pieces by Cindi Madsen | New Year’s Bliss Bash Announcement & Release Day Launch‏: Love Songs for the Road | Second Sentence Saturday: Crazy for the Competition | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2016 | Entangled Bliss Pie Bake-Off Booth at Entangled Publishing's Summer Carnival | Blog Tour, Guest Posts, Spreading the Word & Shari’s Berries Classic Cake Pops Giveaway

3

Jenny Trout's Such Sweet Sorrow - YA Retelling of Romeo & Juliet and Hamlet:

Never was there a tale of more woe than this of Juliet and her Romeo…

But true love never dies. Though they’re parted by the veil between the world of mortals and the land of the dead, Romeo believes he can restore Juliet to life, but he’ll have to travel to the underworld with a thoroughly infuriating guide.
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, may not have inherited his father’s crown, but the murdered king left his son a much more important responsibility—a portal to the Afterjord, where the souls of the dead reside. When the determined Romeo asks for help traversing the treacherous Afterjord, Hamlet sees an opportunity for adventure and the chance to avenge his father’s death.

In an underworld filled with leviathan monsters, ghoulish shades, fire giants, and fierce Valkyrie warriors, Hamlet and Romeo must battle their way through jealousy, despair, and their darkest fears to rescue the fair damsel. Yet finding Juliet is only the beginning, and the Afterjord doesn’t surrender souls without a price…

Buy Such Sweet Sorrow:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca | Entangled Publishing


5

A. L. Davroe's Nexis - YA Retelling of "Cinderella":

In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then…the crash. Devastated by her father’s death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.

Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship…and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.

A.L.'s Answer to What YA Retelling She'd Like to See in 100 Words or Less:

I’m a huge fan of retellings of stories that are a little less well know. Even better? Gender swapped stories! That’s a field rich for the harvest and I don’t know why we’re not all jumping on that boat. Although, I hear Channing Tatum is going to be in a gender-swapped version of Splash. That’s gonna be something to see…

Buy Nexis (Tricksters, #1):

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca | Entangled Publishing


6

Kendra C. Highley's Finding Perfect - YA Retelling of Pygmalion in reverse:

This Entangled Teen Crush book contains swoony situations, adult language, and a perfectly imperfect hero with an eye for calculus and a heart of gold.

How far will you go for perfection?

For “Perfect Paige” Westfeld, today is “D” Day. As in, she just got one on her calculus test. With her dreams of Stanford, her reputation, and her parents’ expectations at stake, Paige needs to find a way to save face before everything she’s worked for goes up in flames.

Ben Franklin (yes, he’s related) is from the wrong side of town, with the wrong clothes and the wrong kind of life. He also knows an opportunity when he sees one, and he’ll be happy to tutor Paige—if she makes him into the kind of guy her best friend, the hottest girl in school, will date.

It’s the perfect arrangement. And Paige is determined not even the inconvenient—and utterly imperfect—attraction simmering between her and Ben will ruin it…

Kendra's Answer to What YA Retelling She'd Like to See in 100 Words or Less:

I’d love the see Samson and Delilah told as an epic love story between two enemies, in a dystopian where magic is real (think An Ember in the Ashes). Samson, an eighteen-year- old with unusual strength has been helping his country’s army fight off an invasion by Delilah’s countrymen. Delilah, a renowned beauty, is blackmailed into starting a relationship with Samson to spy for her country in exchange from saving her sister from slavers. Against all odds, they fall in love, but Delilah still has to betray Samson. The twist would be that she frees him from his captors in the end, and they escape together.

Buy Finding Perfect (Finding Perfect, #1):

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7

Alyxandra Harvey's Red - YA Retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood":

Bad girls burn hot…

Red is the color of Kia Alcott’s hair.

It’s her temper, which blazes hot and always gets Kia into way too much trouble. And it’s the color of fire. Fires that Kia can start…just by thinking about them.

When her latest “episode” gets her kicked out of school, Kia is shipped off to her grandmother, who works for the wealthy Blackwoods. It’s an estate shrouded in secrets, surrounded by rules, and presided over by a family that is far from normal…including the gorgeous and insolent Ethan Blackwood.

Ethan knows far more about the dangers of the forest surrounding the estate than Kia can ever imagine. For this forest has teeth, and Ethan is charged with protecting the outside world from its vicious mysteries.

But inside, even the most vibrant shade of red doesn’t stand a chance against the dark secrets of the Blackwood family…

Buy Red:

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8

Emily McKay's How Willa Got Her Groove Back - YA Retelling of Pride & Prejudice:

This Entangled Teen Crush book contains an unbelievably hot bad boy, an unbelievably famous actress, and all the drama that comes with adding both to your family. Oh, and a forbidden flirtation with a soon-to-be stepbrother

When your life feels like a bad movie, rewrite the script.


When Willa Schofer’s father comes home from a business trip with an über-famous new fiancée, Willa’s senior year blows up in paparazzi-fueled flames. Overnight, she has a new house, a new car, and a new soon-to-be stepbrother—the unbelievably hot, unbelievably arrogant, Finn McCain. Thank god he’s constantly pushing her buttons, or she might do something irresponsible. Like fall for the jerk.

Just when Willa’s decided to avoid him for, oh, ever, Finn lands in the center of her senior project team. Seriously—how hard is it to shake a guy? At least her work on the project snagged the attention of the (second) hottest guy in school. He might only be into her because of her famous stepmom, and he’s not quite as exciting as a certain annoying housemate, but at least she’s allowed to crush on the guy.

Because crushing on your annoying stepbrother? So not cool.

Willa and Finn Book 2 coming November 14, 2016

Buy How Willa Got Her Groove Back (Creative HeArts, #2; Willa and Finn, #1):

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Now It's Your Turn!

What YA Retelling are you dying to read, but - as far as you know - hasn't been written yet? Let us know in the comments section!

Sunday, August 7, 2016

Entangled Ignite & Select Suspense Shooting Gallery Booth at Entangled Publishing's Summer Carnival | Blog Tour, Guest Post, Spreading the Word & GC Giveaway


Welcome to the Ignite and Select Suspense Shooting Gallery Booth! Authors Mari Manning, Christina Elle, Avery Flynn, and Julie Castle each wrote an original scene featuring new or existing characters at the shooting gallery at a summer carnival.. We hope you enjoy them, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway and grab your copies of the books below! [Blog Tour will run from August 5 – 14, 2016 & Giveaway will run until August 15, 2016]



Summer Carnival-Ignite & Select Suspense Scenes Featuring Mari Manning, Christina Elle, Avery Flynn, and Julie Castle

~ "Shooting Blue-Eyed Ducks" By: Mari Manning ~

“Go again, McCaffrey?”
Thomasina Lind turned to the man standing next to her at the Shoot ‘Em Up booth. The Zapata Texas County Fair surrounded them with sounds of laughter and tinny music, and the smells of popcorn and hot dogs. The evening air was thick and humid.
Jake McCaffrey looked down at her, and a half-smile—a friendly, but far from intimate half-smile—tugged at his mouth. “Until we have a winner,” he said. “Course, we already know who that will be.”
“You are every kind of fool if you believe that.” She tried to smile past the squeeze of her heart.
He tilted his head and frowned. “You just swallow a horsefly?”
“What?” Jeez.
“You heard me.”
“No.” She lifted her long, thick hair off her neck. “I’m just a little hot.”
For a split second his gaze dropped from her face, sweeping down her body, then it was back. “There’s hot, then there’s hot.”
Was that an interested look? “What?”
“That horsefly must’ve bit your tongue.”
She opened her mouth, then shut it when she realized she was about to say ‘what?’ again.
This was not going well. Not well at all. Jake McCaffrey was her best friend. They’d been part of a group of friends in college, and when they ended up in the same town, well, it seemed natural to hang out together. Except Jake had grown on her until every time she saw him, her mouth would sort of water, and she couldn’t keep her eyes off his wide mouth and baby blues, his mile-wide shoulders, his—
“Seriously, Tommie. Are you okay?”
“No. I mean, yes. I’m okay. I just, uh, I just wanted to tell you something.”
“Shoot.” He grinned at his bad pun.
She glanced around. The old geezer in the booth stared at her, and the two girls behind Jake giggled. “Not right here.”
“What is going on? Are you sick?” He leaned into her.
The warmth of his body and woodsy scent of his aftershave filled her with a sweet-sad feeling because she wanted him and he wasn’t hers. Maybe he never would be. But there was only one way to find out. The hard way.
She wanted to holler at him, “Look at me, Jake McCaffrey. Really look at me. I’m a goddamn woman.” Just get it all out. The bottled-up feelings, the tingling desire to touch his skin, the need to be in his arms. But she lost her nerve. Instead she said, “Sometimes I feel like we’re more than friends.” Her heart was banging in her chest, and she almost gagged on the word ‘more’.
Surprise flashed in his eyes, then the light changed to recognition. He knew what she was saying. He tugged on his Stetson, and his handsome face fell into shadow. “Let’s see what you got.”
She couldn’t help herself. “What?”
He lifted his gun. “Best shot gets to ask any question he—or she—wants, and the loser has to tell the truth. Straight up. Deal?”
Confused, she sought his gaze, but in the shade of his hat, his eyes appeared dark and unfamiliar. She turned away and lifted her gun. What choice did she have? She’d gone this far. Their friendship was already damaged because he knew.
“Ladies first.”
“Thanks.” She slid the word between them, cutting the tension with sharp sarcasm. And sounding normal. Almost.
A Texas girl born and bred. She’d been shooting since she was eight. She lifted her gun. It felt familiar, and her nerves settled. The red and yellow ducks paraded across the target. A blue-eyed yellow duck emerged. Bang. Duck one. This was fun. She waited for another blue-eyed duck. Followed it in her sites. Bang. Duck two.
One more to go. Should she send a message? Just because I want you doesn’t mean you can mess with me. Yeah. Definitely. She waited. Three brown-eyed ducks, one green, then the blue was back. She felt full of life and optimism. She pulled the trigger. Bang. Duck three—gone.
She looked up at Jake and shrugged.
“Seems like you got something going for those poor blue-eyed critters.” The half-smiled tugged at his lips, and she wanted to lasso the world for him.
“Seems like I do. Your turn.”
He lifted his gun. “Maybe I should take out the brown-eyed ones.”
Well, at least he’d noticed the color of her eyes. “Shouldn’t be hard. There’s more of them.”
He chuckled, then shot a blue-eyed duck. “Dang.” But he didn’t sound sorry. He tightened his stance and shot again. Another blue-eyed duck went down.
One more. Whether he hit the next duck or the contest went on for a few more rounds, truth time was close. Sweat dampened her shirt, and dust dried in her throat. She was sorry she started this. They were friends. It was better than nothing, wasn’t it?
“If it’s a draw, let’s just leave it,” she said. “Besides the show is starting soon.”
He didn’t even look at her. “Bullshit.” Then he shot. A red duck dropped.
So did her jaw. He lost. Jake lost.
He set down his gun and turned to her. “Ask me anything.”
Stunned, she backed up a step. She’d expected to do the explaining. But now. It was yes or no, and he got to decide.
His hand slid over her arm, and he guided her around the side of the booth. Beside her, the ping, ping, ping of the shooting gallery seemed like it was a million miles away. She glanced up expecting sympathy or uncertainty. But his expression was closed.
“I don’t know if you’ve…I mean I wondered if…Have you ever considered…” Her cheeks began to burn.
He shifted. “That’s what I thought you meant.” Then he bent and cupped her face, tilting her mouth up to his. His baby blues shone softly.
One long, slow, sweet kiss later, he said, “Yes.”

~ By: Christina Elle ~

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Samantha Harper gazed at Ash Cooper with defiant blue eyes and a hand planted firmly on her hip. He’d grown accustomed to that look in the short time they’d known each other. It meant that an argument was on its way.
“When you said let’s practice, I didn’t realize you meant with guns that don’t shoot bullets.”
Well, yeah. With her aim and accuracy, the no bullets part was the biggest appeal.
They stood in the middle of St. Stanislaus Church parking lot, where a carnival had been erected to help raise money for a mission trip to Honduras. There wasn’t much wind in the middle of July in Baltimore, which added to the muggy and stifling air quality. A shocking amount of people turned out given the high temperature and humidity. It was the kind of day that when you stepped outside you walked through a wall of moisture.
A thick sheen of sweat soaked the back of Ash’s grey T-shirt, his boxer briefs were suctioned against his skin, and his flip-flops squeaked when he walked. If he was going to be this hot and sweaty, he’d much rather it be for a more physical and private reason.
But he’d promised to help her get better at shooting so she could pass the police entrance exam, and that’s what he was going to do.
Without bullets.
“You need help handling a gun,” he said, gesturing to the Shoot ‘Em Up booth. “And this is the best way to do that without all the pressure of a real weapon.”
She opened her mouth, most likely to rebut since that was one of the only things she did know how to do, but must have agreed with his logic because she snapped it closed.
“Well, yeah,” she said, “but where’s the sense of danger in shooting water into a clown’s mouth?” She pointed to the painted face with open mouth about ten feet away that had seen better days.
Again. Kinda the point. If she missed with these guns he’d only go home slightly wetter than he was right now. But with the other kind of gun? He shuddered thinking about the damage to his favorite organs.
There was enough distraction today because of her attire. No need to add anymore with the use of real ammo.
Sam was in one of her tank tops with thin straps. The kind that did wonders at warming his already heated blood. The damn woman was a nuisance and a burden on his common sense. The top of her shirt danced on the cusp of showing just enough cleavage to tease him without taunting him, but tight enough to show off her small, perky breasts. It was one of the reasons he’d suggested they get out of the house in the first place. His row home, which was next door to hers off 19th Street, was much too small with her staring at him in that thin fabric.
They’d been arguing again about her insistence to help him and his DEA teammates find a dangerous drug lord. He’d told her to stay the hell away. She’d told him to go to hell. He was ready to either strangle her or screw her senseless. Since his DEA Regional Director wouldn’t approve of either option, the only alternative was getting out and being around other people.
Still didn’t extinguish his desire. In fact, it heightened it. He kept glancing around the carnival and fantasizing about all the dark places they could sneak into for a few hot interludes together.
He shook his head and reminded himself that he’d brought her here with a purpose that didn’t include getting the two of them off.
They’d spent the first hour at the carnival enjoying the robust scenery of people, eating funnel cake and corndogs, and riding some of the more tame rides.
He could see another argument bubbling inside her right now. The tense turn of her bony shoulders. The firm set of her jaw. The challenge in her wide-set eyes. She was gearing up to dispute his logic of practicing her shooting skills at the carnival.
Stubborn woman.
“This used to be one of my favorite games as a kid,” he said, trying to distract not only her tenacious attitude but his lust too.
“Really?” she asked.
He gave a small smile in response, remembering the hours he’d spent every summer sneaking away from his paper route to shoot a couple of rounds. Then, how he’d had to slip the stuffed animals he’d won through the back door of their two-bedroom house before his dad would see them.
Ash picked up the gun next to hers and yanked upward to loosen the hose connected at the butt of the weapon. A familiar sensation coasted through him. The feel of metal in his hand. The rush of water shooting out the barrel. The pure joy he felt being stellar at something.
He rested his elbows on the counter and closed one eye to look down the imaginary sight. He aimed at one of the clown’s vacant eyes, which was a dingy white orb where the pupil should have been. Then he moved the barrel to the clown’s mouth where red paint had chipped away, revealing spatters of white plaster below. He lowered his attention. The target in the back of the clown’s throat was MIA and his green and white polka dot bowtie was cracked in half. The rest of his friends in the lineup were just as bad off. They looked more like something out of Stephen King’s IT, than a fun, family-friendly carnival game.
Setting the gun on the counter, Ash turned to her. “You made me ride on those slow-ass sissy rides. Now we’re gonna do something I wanna do.” He crossed his arms, readying for her verbal attack. “Besides, shooting is shooting. Whether it’s water or bullets, you still have to hold the gun, aim, and fire. All things we both have witnessed are issues for you.”
The intensity in her eyes died and hurt crept in, making him feel like a dick. But he didn’t apologize. It was the truth, and no one climbed great walls by sugarcoating the vast desert they had to cross to get there.
She glanced at the face across from them that wore a faded blue newsboy hat, round red nose, and a deflated yellow balloon protruding from the top of his skull, and bit her lip.
“Afraid you might lose?” he asked, knowing that would pull her out of her hesitation. If there was one thing Samantha loved, it was a healthy dose of competition.
So did Ash. He reveled the push and pull against a worthy opponent who wouldn’t give up or give in. And he knew for damn sure that Sam didn’t ever give in. On anything. Which was what made sex with her so appealing. She wasn’t one to be dominated, two things that Ash craved. He dominated everything. So to have a woman give back just as much as he was putting out. Well, let’s just say he wasn’t sure how long he’d be able to ignore their attraction.
As expected, she snapped her head in his direction, a line forming between her eyebrows. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” He propped his hip against the counter, placing one foot over the other. “I’m gonna whoop your ass. Is that why you don’t want to give it a try? You afraid to lose?” Ash picked up the water gun, glancing at her, and pointed it toward his clown. “Understandable. I mean, I am an excellent shot.”
“Oh, please,” she said, her posture growing more confident with each second. Straightening her spine, her shoulders went back and her neck elongated.
Goddamn she looked amazing when she got all worked up. It took everything he had not to tug her against him and crash his lips onto hers.
“No, no, it’s fine,” he said, standing and setting the gun down. “Most people can’t compete. I don’t want you to feel bad after I pop my balloon before you even have a chance to blow yours up.”
She lifted onto her toes to make up the difference in their height, intruding on his personal space, so he dipped his chin to meet her halfway. Her blue eyes blazed and her lip snarled slightly.
It was a hot fucking sight. One he wanted to see in a much different situation. One where he could really push her limits and feel the full intensity of her wrath.
His mouth curled. Go ahead. Take it out on me. I’ll take everything you got, and then some, sweetheart.
“You think you have this in the bag?” she asked, her cheeks growing pink. “You think I can’t do it? I can’t beat you?”
“I know you can’t,” he said, loving the way her eyes widened in barely contained fury. His fists curled at his sides so he wouldn’t reach out for her. “There’s no way you’ll beat me.”
Still on her tiptoes, she narrowed her eyes. “Oh, yeah?”
He lowered even more, nearly resting his nose on hers. “Yeah.”
She swallowed hard. “Want to bet on it?”
“What do you have in mind?”
Sam dropped to her normal height and glanced past him. “Hmm,” she mused. “I don’t know yet. But I want it to be really, really good. So how about we just say that I reserve the right to pick once I win?”
“But you’re not going to win,” he said.
Hand on her hip again. “How can you be this confident?”
He returned the gesture. Just for fun. “Which one of the two of us can shoot their target perfectly with one hand behind their back and their eyes closed?” He lifted his eyebrows at her.
Instead of the embarrassed expression he expected, she gave him a self-satisfied smirk. “Guess which one of us just upped the ante.”
“The what?” he asked. “What do you mean?”
“Since you have the advantage, you’ll be shooting with one hand behind your back and your eyes closed.”
“Now, wait just a second. How the hell am I supposed to see the target?”
She shrugged. “You tell me, Dirty Harry. You’re the genius who bragged about your abilities. Figure it out.”
“This is bull,” he said. “There’s no way I’ll be able to fill my balloon in time. It takes precision. I need to be able to gauge the water’s trajectory.”
She crossed her arms and quirked one eyebrow. “Now who’s afraid to lose?”
He wasn’t going to lose. That couldn’t effing happen.
Not with his training and experience.
“Wanna back out, chicken?” she asked, still grinning. She even clucked. Clucked!
“Hell no,” he said. No way.
“Then let’s do this,” she said, slapping a dollar bill on the counter.
An older woman around fifty years old with short light blonde hair came from the dunking booth next door and greeted them. “Ready to play?” ‘
“Yes, we are,” Sam said. “Aren’t we, Ash?”
“Sure,” he grumbled, pulling out another two dollars. “Best two out of three though.” He wasn’t taking any chances on a fluke.
The older woman nodded and flicked a switch on the side of the booth.
“Have fun,” she said, smiling as she walked away.
Sam turned to him. “So how do we do this? Just count one, two, three, go?”
Not answering, Ash picked up his gun, rested his elbows on the counter as he’d done before and tried to concentrate on the target before she made him closed his eyes.
Sam didn’t change her posture. Just picked up the gun and pointed with one hand in the direction of the clowns.
“Don’t forget,” she said, staring ahead, “eyes closed when I get to three.”
“Yeah, yeah. Start counting.” He kept his absolute attention on the open mouth of the clown in front of him. That’s all that mattered right now. Eye on the prize.
“Fine,” she said. “One…Two…”
A steady stream of water shot from her gun and landed perfectly in the open mouth of her clown.
“What the fu—!” He caught sight of the older woman to their right, giggling, and stopped himself from finishing the curse. He pressed the trigger on his gun as hard as he could, not bothering to close his eyes. He watched as Sam’s balloon filled up twice as fast as his. “Cheater.”
She didn’t turn, but he knew she heard him because she let out a loud bark of laughter. “What? I needed some sort of advantage.”
Within seconds, her balloon popped first.
She turned with a triumphant grin. “That’s one. One more to go.”
“Next round you won’t get so lucky.”
“Actually, I probably will,” she said. “I’ve got a new balloon.” She nudged her chin in the direction of the older woman strapping a pink balloon on Sam’s clown. “Yours is all stretched out. It’ll hold more water before it pops. Mine has tighter resistance, so it should pop first.” She flashed him all teeth, and he actually had to remind himself to breath. Almost had to beat on his chest to get his damn ticker to restart too.

Ash blinked, bringing himself back to reality and the importance of winning this damn game. “Let’s just get this over with. I’m counting this time.”
Sam shrugged, unconcerned. “Have at it.”
He readied himself on his elbows again, focusing on nothing but that small, open hole. “One…Two…” He snuck a peek at her. She had one eye closed and her tongue half out of her mouth in concentration. “Two and a half…”
Sam let out a small chuckle. “Come on, or I’m going to shoot right now.”
“Three.”
Both of their guns fired at the same time. His stream hit his target immediately. Hers waivered. She muttered a brief, “shit,” before she righted her aim. His balloon filled up much faster this time, and she must have sensed that the trophy was drifting farther out of her reach, because she quickly raised her other hand to hold on more firmly to the gun.
His balloon kept filling.
And filling.
And fucking filling.
Hers was half the size of his when it popped.
Damn it.
Despite holding onto the trigger like it was his lifeline, the water drained and he had to set the gun down.
“I want a rematch,” he said. “That was rigged.”
She turned with a broad, triumphant smile and threw her arms around his neck. “I won!” she shouted through laughter. “I freaking won! I beat you! I can’t believe it, but I beat you!”
Before he had a chance to react or understand what was happening, she pulled his face down to hers and she planted a quick, chaste kiss on him that rendered him speechless.
“Admit it,” she said, arms still around his neck. “I won. Not quite fair and square, but I still won.”
He wasn’t concerned with the score anymore. “If I agree with you, will you kiss me again?”
A small smile played on her lips. “Why don’t you try and see what happens.”
“You wo—”
She yanked his face down again, and this time when she placed her lips on his, it wasn’t quick and it sure as hell wasn’t chaste. It scorched every piece of him, burning through his entire body until he felt nothing but the desire to carry her back to his place and show her just how much she really had won.
One…two…three kisses at a time.

~ "Bad Boy on Tap" By: Avery Flynn ~

Aurora Calvert was twenty bucks in and no closer to a fuzzy unicorn the size of Rhode Island than she’d been when she’d stepped up to the Fantasy Shoot ‘Em Up booth. The ten year old behind her was getting restless. Her trigger finger was sweaty. The hot guy manning the booth was looking at her like she’d lost it. Maybe she had.
In her defense, setting foot back in Salvation, Virginia had the tendency to make a person go nuts. Fast. But when her shithead of a cousin, Myron, had bet there was no way a girl who’d spent the last five years in the city could still do the Salvation County Fair Ride and Shoot Challenge, she wasn’t about to back down. All she had to do was hit one measly target—easier said than done after six back-to-back turns on The Hammer of Death.
“You’re not giving up are you?” Myron asked, as full of himself as he was of a six pack of Sweet Salvation Brewery’s finest.
“Just suckering you in.” Oh yeah, and buying some time for her double vision to chill the fuck out. “Care to raise the bet?”
“A thousand,” he sneered.
She gulped. “Fine.”
“Are you sure you wanna do this?” the carny asked.
Even seeing two of him thanks to the way her brain had been shaken and stirred while she’d been spun around and around in the Hammer’s metal cage before plunging almost to the ground, she had to admit that the dude was hot. Tall with broad shoulders and a tight butt, he had tattoos climbing up both thick, muscular forearms. His aviator shades didn’t give anything away, but she’d bet her agent’s share of her last TV hosting gig that his eyes were dark, brooding and more than a little bit wild. Just when her stomach had finally settled, the hot carny had the butterflies doing the tango.
She blinked hard. “I’m good.”
One dark eyebrow arched high enough to be seen over the rim of his shades as he handed her the freshly loaded BB gun. “Do you ever back down from a challenge, honey?”
She raised her chin an inch higher. “Never and I’m not your honey.”
She lined up her shot, focused on the clown’s nose in the middle and—
“DON’T MISS!” Myron shouted in her ear right as she pulled the trigger.
She jerked the BB gun in surprise. The shot went wild, ricocheted off hot carny’s very large and very ornate belt buckle and hit the middle clown square in the nose, knocking it down.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” Aurora put the gun down before she gave into the temptation to shoot Myron’s boney little ass with it as he ran away.
The carny rubbed a calloused thumb over the BB-sized dent in his belt buckle. “A few inches south and I’d be giving my answer in a higher octave.”
“I’m so sorry.” Embarrassment heat her cheeks to face-of-the-sun temperatures. “I’m usually a much better shot.”
“Don’t worry, honey, I’ll let you make it up to me with dinner.”
Aurora was in Salvation for a week to prep for the next season of her newest show for House and Garden TV, dinner with anyone—let alone a totally hot stranger who spent his life traveling from town to town—was not on the menu. She’d learned her lesson about bad boys and wanderers. It wasn’t one she ever needed to repeat.
“I don’t think so.” She softened the refusal with her best sweet smile. It was the one she used when the design swap contestant obviously hated their house makeover.
He took a step closer so that only the edge of the booth separated them. “It’s not a request.”
“Say again?” She took a defensive step back.
He slipped off the sunglasses, revealing eyes so blue the summer sky in June could take a few pointers from him. She knew those eyes. Adrenaline shot through her veins hot as rocket fuel and just as fast. Beau McCullum. See bad boys exhibits A through ZZ. He wasn’t just the lesson. He’d been her master class in poor decisions and lifetime regrets.
“What’s wrong?” Beau turned on enough sex appeal and dangerous charm to give her a sunburn. “Don’t you recognize your own first love?”
She hadn’t fainted from riding The Hammer of Death. She hadn’t lost her nerve when it came time to get on The Dragon’s Tail for the third time. But faced with the man who’d broken her heart and nearly ruined her life? Oh yeah, her knees got more than a little wobbly.
“I thought you were in prison.” It came out breathy and weak. How in the hell had she missed his release?
“Not any more, honey.” All the heat disappeared from his eyes, replaced by cold, black ice—-the kind that you never noticed until it was too late. “And you have a lot of explaining to do about how I ended up there while you got off scot-free.”

~ "Shooting Stars" By: Julie Castle ~

It was bad enough that she was roaming Chicago’s Navy Pier at midnight when she should still be partying at the Hyatt with her fellow new Delta Star Grads, but even worse Cassandra McLean didn’t exactly know what the blazes she was doing here. A cryptic note left in her evening bag had told her to come to the Shooting Gallery for her first assignment. It was highly unusual, to get a posting this way, even for an agency that flew under the covers like Delta Star did. At the same time this was too big an opportunity, and too intriguing to pass up.
Especially for someone like her who’d barely scraped by in training, almost getting drummed out of the agency when she stuck up for an instructor who’d been tarnished by false accusations. Dylan Fox might be a lot of things but dirty wasn’t one of them. Cool, untouchable, a legendary secret agent yes, but dirty no. You’d think Director Frost would be pleased when she defended Fox at the top of her lungs. He hadn’t made the drug buy he’d been accused of. She’d been in the gym at the time the buy had allegedly gone down. It had never happened. Instead of thanking her for trying to exonerate one of his agents the Director had been quietly pissed; even Fox himself had given her the cold shoulder before he left.
Shaking in her spike heels, she cursed the fact that she’d let her roommate talk her into wearing high heels to the party, as she took in the mixed crowd that jostled for position around the Shooting Gallery. The park would be closing for the evening in about ten minutes and it seemed everyone wanted to get in their last shot. Not that she could blame them, even if these games were rigged. A slick businessman in a tailored suit was mowing down tin ducks like they owed him money. Sailors from the Great Lakes Naval Station, pristine in their crackerjack uniforms that always made her smile were missing more than they were hitting, teenagers were placing bets and showing off for their girlfriends, and the girls pretending they couldn’t shoot. At least she didn’t have that problem, no romantic entanglements for her. Yikes how could she find her assignment amidst the crowd?
Blending in was impossible given that she was in evening clothes, but then whoever’d sent her the note had to know that. The sea parted as the teenagers walked away. She walked up to the concession booth and froze. Dylan... was dirty alright! From the stubble on his chisled face to the tats covering his toned arms bared in the black wife beater tank top he sported, and non-regulation longish hair she wanted to rake her hands though, he was all kinds of dissreptuable.
What on earth! Had this all been a cheap trick on his part to ruin her graduation party? He was leaning on a half wall chatting up a couple of giggling twentysomethings who ought to know better, flirting with a carnie. He winked at them as they walked away and Cassie fumed. What was he trying to pull? He said something to the older woman stocking the prize wall beside him and she smiled and walked away.
So he could be nice when he wanted to, not that he’d ever extended that courtesy to her. And now he’d ruined what should have been one of the happiest nights of her life, the dirty, rotten, SOB. She stood frozen as he turned to gather the shooting gallery rifles and saw her standing there. The shock of recognition in his whiskey brown eyes made her freeze, even as it made her heart race. Then his lambent gaze swept over her from her spiked heels, to her silver party dress, the skirt billowing around her bare legs in the summer breeze off Lake Michigan, to the body hugging camisole top containing her breasts that crazily tingled and budded as he looked at them, to her dark hair upswept in a French twist.
She’d tried to look sophisticated for the party tonight and not like the wrong side of the tracks tomboy she was. She’d even let her roommate talk her into trying heels. Apparently she’d succeeded going by the smile on his face as he gazed at her. Heart slamming against her ribs she couldn’t have run even if she wanted to. Besides she suddenly didn’t want to and he had some explaining to do, didn’t he? She had to at least get that out of him.
“You’ve grown up little Cassie.”
“I’m not little,” she replied annoyed. She hated when he used that little condescending tone, like when he’d taught a class on counter terrorism, before he’d been disgraced and fired on trumped up charges.
He smiled. “Believe me, Precious, I know.”
Was that a crack about her weight. Tall, and built along somewhat Amazonian lines she’d always been a bit sensitive about that. But no his sultry gaze lingered in the vicinity of her breasts. The hussies that they were, they swelled as his gaze lingered on them longer than was polite.
He appeared to realize it too as he shook his head and looked down. “So, Precious, what are you doing here, slumming?”
~
Dylan Fox did his level best to ignore the beauty before him, trying to think. What the hell was going on? Come on think stupid this is what they pay you the combat pay for. Sexy little Cassie McLean didn’t just casually come down here by chance. Something was rotten with this set up. He’d known it from the start. Things had almost been jinxed from the beginning when the little firebrand had vocally defended him at Delta Star, almost ending his mission before it started. She had more guts than many he could name which is why he’d convinced the Director to keep her on when he’d been inclined to fire her for insubordination. No harm, no foul, and it had been a novel experience to have someone try to save him. And now she was here in the middle of this clusterflop.
He really didn’t give a shit about himself but he would not lose her to not so friendly fire. Okay, so the sailor boys were pounding beers and missing the targets. The slick in the suit was aiming like he was a sniper, and soccer mom looked like she wanted to kick a wall. Nothing looked wrong but his gut told him it was. He always listened to his gut. Hell maybe she’d tracked him down because she wanted to see him. Yeah, and pigs would fly soon. He finally met her gaze. It was the look in her emerald green eyes that got to him the most, sharp as hell, incisive, and hurt. Great now he wanted to kick a wall. Instead he put the shooting gallery guns back in their holders on the counter, buying himself some time. Cassie was glaring at him, practically vibrating with outrage. So her looking for him for a quickie was off the menu he told himself with a smirk trying to keep it light. All he had to do was move her along try to figure this out.
~
Cassie seethed as he all but ignored her. What a jerk and to think she’d stuck up for him. Obviously the Director had him bang to rights. But no, that drug buy had never happened and she always told the truth. Lies only festered and caused pain, life had taught her that lesson. So what kind of lies was he telling? Damn it all he could at least pay attention to her. And what was with that slumming crack of his? He was so not going to get away with blaming this debacle on her. It was a good thing the park was starting to empty because she was going to tell him exactly what she thought of him. “As if you didn’t know,” she hissed. “What the hell are you trying to pull, luring me down here just to make fun of me?” She saw the startled look in his eyes at her words, saw him scan the crowd behind her again, as if they just washed off his back. “You could at least be polite and look at me when I’m yelling at you.”
~
Dylan’s gut clenched at her confirmation that someone had sent her down here. He sure as hell hadn’t done it. Her class of Delta Star Grads were whooping it up at the Hyatt, which explained the gown she was wearing. He was used to seeing her in uniform or sweats at the gym, nothing like this glamorous getup. Maybe that was why he’d been a little slow on the uptake. Yeah and maybe your losing your edge after one too many missions. But all that was meaningless now. She’d had his back at the academy and he had to have hers now. He looked past her to assess the situation. He scanned the crowd, his focus mainly on the slick in the suit, the wanna be rambo. The guy finished his shots, set the toy rifle down, and reached into his jacket. Shit, Dylan automatically drew his weapon, training kicking in along with adrenalin. He kept his weapon in the shadows hidden along his thigh while Cassie glared at him clearly not picking up the source of his tension. “Five bucks lady,” he said gruffly reaching down to pull a rifle out from under the counter. No way he would keep her undefended if they took him out.
~
She actually gaped at him when he thrust the rifle into her hands her outrage tipping over into hurt feelings territory. What now, was he just trying to make a buck off her? She opened her mouth to accuse him of just that when the weight of the rifle broke through her fog of outrage. Cold, heavy, long barrel. Oh shit! She glanced down to confirm what she’d instinctively sensed and gulped when she saw the sniper rifle in her hands. She’d aced that class, graduating as a sharpshooter. That’s when she saw the Glock in Dylan’s hand. He was keeping it out of sight but it was there. Okay time to stop going on hurt feelings, start acting like an agent, and get a flipping clue. No he, and the Director, hadn’t sent her on this assignment but it had found her just the same. She looked up at Dylan and saw the resolution and worry in his eyes and nodded. He didn’t send the note. She’d been the Jonah leading his enemies to him. Distracting him and letting someone get the drop on him. Around her she saw movement. Sailors laughing, the businessman shooting, others strolling by.
“Any advice?”
~
Dylan sighed when he watched the slick in the suit drop a tip in the jar and start to walk away. He noticed Cassie following his lead and felt a little better. At least she had good instincts, it might give them a chance. He didn’t drop his guard watching the suit walk away.
“What’s going on,” she said softly.
“Can’t you feel it,” he said making sure that the suit was really moving away.
“Oh,” she shivering.
Yeah it was like a laser beam was hitting him between the shoulder blades. Okay time to get her out of sight and the line of fire. “Get your ass back here McLean,” he said opening the gate. She started to move toward him when a motion to the right caught his gaze. She froze at the same time and he knew they were in sync. “About that advice. The rifle pulls a little to the left.” he said and spun toward the sailor with the gun in his hand.
~
Cassie didn’t need any other warning. Her early warning your about to be shot instincts going red hot she feinted a little to the right a second before the back of the booth was shot to peiced right where her head had been. Spinning she caught one of the Sailors with a round house making let out an oof and jump to the side, catching him off guard. The sneaky SOB had almost got the drop on her. He retaliated by b backhanding her seeing her reeling into the booth. She saw stars and fell to the floor just as Dylan swear and saw him leap over the booth losing his cool completley. Couldn’t be she thought as darkness claimed her he never got mad, he never cared about anything.
“Come on Precious, wake up,” Dylan said.
She felt his hand brushing her hair out of her face, smelled his singular sandalwood, leather, and man scent as he held her and opened her eyes. Now she knew she was dreaming. The relief in Dylan’s whiskey brown eyes stunned her. “What happened?”
“Welcome to the war on terror, partner,” he said gravely.
“Holy cats playing canasta,” she said looking up at him.
He smirked, “Indeed.”
“Did you say partner?” she asked stunned. Vaguely aware of what looked like Delta Star EMS carting away the Sailors and working in the background.
He nodded, bending closer shutting out the world. “How about we seal it with a kiss?”
Then Dylan’s mouth claimed hers and she groaned kissing him back, knowing this was just the beginning.



"Stranger at My Door"
[A Murder in Texas Series, Book 1] by Mari Manning

Author's Book Description :
    The only thing standing between her and disaster is a man she can’t trust…

    As far as Dinah Pittman is concerned, men can’t be trusted. Especially cops. Her own father was a former cop and a convicted felon who stole a small fortune before dying in prison. The best part? No one knows where the money is…and someone is willing to kill off everyone who knows anything about it.

    And Dinah is next.

    Rafe Morales left the Dallas police force to settle down to a simpler life in the small Texas town of El Royo. Instead, he finds himself protecting an infuriating, tough-as-nails, oh-so-sexy victim—and driving himself crazy with a thoroughly unprofessional desire.

    But as the body count rises, Rafe and Dinah must find a way to trust each other…before they both end up dead.

This book is available to order on :

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"On Her Six"
[Under Covers Series, Book 1] by Christina Elle

Author's Book Description :
    First rule of stake-outs – don’t fall in love.

    New neighbors are bad news in Samantha Harper’s experience. Especially ones as suspicious and brooding as the guy who just moved in next door. So when the dangerous but sexy stranger seems to be involved in something illegal—the aspiring cop in her takes action. If only she could stop thinking about how he looks naked...

    All DEA agent Ash Cooper wants to do is lay low and survive this crap surveillance assignment. But after a run-in with his attractive neighbor, he realizes that’s going to be much harder than he planned. Keeping the woman out of trouble is hard enough, but keeping his hands off her is near impossible.

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"Betting the Billionaire"
by Avery Flynn

Author's Book Description :
    If that man calls her one more time… So what if Gabe Campos is a model-dating billionaire who gets Keisha Jacobs hotter than a Ferrari’s engine on the straightaway? He keeps pushing her to sell her family’s furniture business, but she’ll never give in—not unless she wants to give her father a second heart attack.

    All Gabe should be thinking about is how he’ll finally get revenge on the man who killed his father. But when he meets the man’s daughter, Keisha, instead of focusing on destroying Jacobs Fine Furnishings, he can’t get her warm-whisky voice out of his mind.

    Forced by a snow storm to spend the night together, their passion ignites. The next day, however, it’s back to business. The only way Keisha can save her family is to win a bet with the billionaire. But neither realized their hearts are part of the bargain…

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"Bound to Serve"
[Dangerous Liaisons Series, Book 1] by Julie Castle

Author's Book Description :
    Condor earned his reputation by being Delta Star’s ultimate secret agent. He’s untouchable, unstoppable, and he always nails his targets. But no matter how many times he’s saved the world, he’s a ghost who will never take credit. He works best alone, and to continue to protect his country, he’ll stay alone.

    New Delta Star field agent Bridget Jamison is obsessed with capturing Simon Perez, the elusive terrorist responsible for her ex-fiancé’s death. When the Delta Star director hands the case over to Condor, a mesmerizing ghost agent who has the power to make her weak in the knees with one intense look, Bridget agrees to be Condor’s partner so that she’s not dropped from the case and her chance for justice.

    Now they’re on a mission to infiltrate a dangerous criminal organization and capture Perez. It’s up to Condor to keep this beautiful, determined agent out of harm’s way, and to keep their explosive passion contained long enough not to risk their cover…and their lives.

This book is available to order on :

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"Untrue Colors"
[True Lies Series, Book 1] by Veronica Forand

Author's Book Description :
    She’s on the run…

    Brilliant art appraiser Alex Northrop’s ex used stolen art to fund his nefarious activities. Now he wants her dead. But it isn’t just herself she’s worried about – if he discovers who she really is, he’ll kill her family.

    Professor Henry Chilton is shocked to find a beautiful stranger passed out in his bed, and even more so when she reveals a priceless painting is a forgery – the painting he’d planned to use to fund a woman’s shelter. She’s mysterious and frightened, and he is determined to discover why.

    Alex’s knowledge of art is undeniable—just as Henry’s attraction to her is irresistible. But in order to help him recover the real painting, Alex isn’t just risking exposure…she’s risking her life.

This book is available to order on :

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About the Authors :

Mari Manning is the author of several contemporary romances and three romantic suspense novels set in the Texas Hill Country. "Stranger at My Door" is the first in her A Murder in Teas series. The second, "Stranger in My House" debuted June 13. The third book in the series is "Stranger in My Bed." Currently Mari is working on a series of cozy mysteries.

She and her husband live in Chicago.








Christina Elle believes that laughter really is the best medicine, which is why in her stories she blends a healthy dose of hilarious hijinks with gritty suspense.

When she’s not writing fun contemporary romance or quirky romantic suspense, Christina can be found devouring books in every genre, watching Chris Hemsworth on TV, playing board games with her family, working out, checking out Chris Hemsworth on Facebook, napping, stalking Chris Hemsworth on Instagram, and shopping…for Chris Hemsworth’s latest DVD.

Christina lives near Baltimore with her husband and two sons, who give her an endless supply of humorous material to write about.

She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Maryland Romance Writers.



Award-winning romance author Avery Flynn has three slightly-wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip.

She fell in love with romance while reading Johanna Lindsey’s Mallory books. It wasn’t long before Avery had read through all the romance offerings at her local library. Needing a romance fix, she turned to Harlequin’s four books a month home delivery service to ease the withdrawal symptoms. That worked for a short time, but it wasn’t long before the local book stores’ staffs knew her by name.

Avery was a reader before she was a writer and hopes to always be both. She loves to write about smartass alpha heroes who are as good with a quip as they are with their *ahem* other God-given talents. Her heroines are feisty, fierce and fantastic. Brainy and brave, these ladies know how to stand on their own two feet and knock the bad guys off theirs.



Julie Castle always had a love affair with the written word. As a child growing up in a small town Julie loved visiting the local library, a converted gilded age mansion, and getting lost between the pages of a book. The drafty old mansion could be a spooky place but she still loved it. Julie enjoyed poking into behind the scenes areas she wasn't supposed to venture into. She is still the same way which is why she loves writing romance with an edge, paranormal, suspenseful, super sexy, or just laugh your pants off funny which she hopes you'll find it in her books.



A Bostonian by birth, Veronica Forand regrettably lost her Boston accent while moving from state to state and country to country. Cleveland probably had the most profound effect on her ability to pronounce the “r” in the word “park.”

She does try to return now and then to visit family and eat long neck clams and lobster. Summers on Cape Cod are also high on the priority list.

Her experience in crime involves time as a court appointed attorney. Eventually, she switched fields to where bigger crimes take place, corporate tax. The allure of spending mornings in her pajamas homeschooling her children and writing fascinating fiction caused her to change careers again. Now that the kids are out of the house (in school), she writes novels and practices law by day and is the perfect wife and mother at night.

Her experience in romance is limited to one man. Luckily, he’s still finding ways to charm her by taking her on vacations to the south of France, Fiji, and the Green Mountains when time is short. Avid travelers, they love to roam with their kids across continents in pursuit of skiing, scuba diving, and the perfect piece of chocolate.

She’s lived in London, Paris, Geneva, Washington D.C., and the accent destroying city of Cleveland. She currently resides near Philadelphia.

Her books are published by Entangled Publishing, Boroughs Publishing Group, and The Wild Rose Press.


My Previous Review(s) for Veronica Forand : Flirting on Ice

My Previous Mention(s) of Veronica Forand's Books/Characters : Teaser Tuesday: Flirting on Ice | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2015



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