Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Made the Grade: Whistle Stop Series, Book 2

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon: Paperback - Pages: 294; Kindle Edition - File Size: 4941 KB | Expected Release Date: April 28, 2015 | Publisher: Lazy Dazy Press | Obtained: Jennifer Faye

"A Moment to Dance" [Whistle Stop Series, Book 2] by Jennifer Faye

Author's Book Description : When trouble strikes...Whistle Stop pulls together

For Ella Morgan, moving to Whistle Stop is a chance to start over, put her horrific past behind her. But now she's living in a mountain cabin--in dire need of renovation--that her grandmother left her, along with a sizable tax bill. Her job teaching school isn't going to cover it. She needs cash, and soon.

Volunteer firefighter Tony Granger has returned to Whistle Stop to run the family ranch and be guardian to his orphaned nephew, Johnny. But being a single parent isn't coming easy, and he's worried sick he won't succeed with his plan to adopt the boy, especially if Johnny's grades don't improve. He needs a break, and fast.

When Ella finds out Tony doesn't have a partner for the Dancing With the Firefighters' benefit--which is offering a large cash prize--and he hits upon hiring her as Johnny's tutor, it looks like their problems might be solved. But taking dance lessons to win the competition sets alight a burning attraction between them. Can they let go and learn to trust again, or will the scars of their pasts still haunt them?

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars. When Ella was a young girl her mother and little brother died in a horrible fire that happened in their trailer with Ella surviving with only disfiguring scars on her arms to show for it. Now years later, she moves into her grandparent’s old rundown cabin in Whistle Stop trying to start her life over in a little town she spent summers in during her youth. However, because of her past she fears she will never find a man for her and has no hopes for a family of her own. That all changes once volunteer firefighter Tony and his young nephew Johnny fall into her life…

This novel was two stepping all over my emotions, mostly because while I enjoyed the build-up, plot, and characters it was hard to deal with Ella and Tony’s wishy-washy behavior throughout this novel. From beginning to end, Ella and Tony fell into a pattern of trying to move on from their pasts while unsure of which direction to fully commit to for their futures. At times, it was very annoying. Nevertheless, the plot and all of the characters won me over.

I appreciated the way Ella and Tony’s relationship slowly built and how their mutual understanding turned into something worth wild. Having both survived instants where they blamed themselves it was interesting how they moved on from those past “mistakes.” Once you add in a rowdy young orphan and a sweet puppy, you have one hopeful little family in the making. With unexpected twists and a surprising ending it kept me on my toes.

I do recommend this to anyone who is looking for a sweet contemporary romance!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here : Amazon (Kindle) : A Moment to Love (Book 1) | Amazon (Paperback) : A Moment to Love (Book 1) | Amazon (Kindle) : A Moment on the Lips (Book 3) | Amazon (Paperback) : A Moment on the Lips (Book 3)


Amazon (Kindle) : A Moment to Dance (Book 2)

Amazon (Paperback) : A Moment to Dance (Book 2)

Amazon (Kindle) : Whistle Stop Series
Amazon (Paperback) : Whistle Stop Series

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Safe in the Tycoon's Arms

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2015 | Instagram: A MOMENT TO DANCE by Jennifer Faye is #whatimreading #amreading starting today.

Author's Novel Extras : A Moment to Dance - Overview | Monday Mayhem: Number Eight and Nine | Teaser Tuesday - Upcoming release...A MOMENT TO DANCE | Weekend Sneak Peek! ~ A Moment to Dance | Release Day! A MOMENT TO DANCE (A Whistle Stop Romance, book 2) Available Now!!! | On the 1st Day of Christmas…

Yay! It's always so exciting when someone enjoys a book. ;-) Here's part of a wonderful review from Fresh Fiction..."A...

Posted by Jennifer Faye - Romance Author on Saturday, June 6, 2015

Author's Series Extras : Whistle Stop romance series... - Overview | A Moment to Love - Overview | Tuesday Thinkable... | A Moment on the Lips - Available Now! + #GIVEAWAY | Teaser Tuesday - Check out what's happening at the Poppin' Fresh Bakery #Giveaway


Book Teaser(s) :

A MOMENT TO DANCE by Jennifer Faye - Romance Author -- Read my #bookreview here:...

Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Her soft, smooth lips moved beneath his, not the least bit resistant. She was like an intoxicating cocktail, and he was instantly addicted to her sweetness. Her touch turned him on more than his wildest fantasy. He longed for more of her.
She snuggled closer. The tip of her tongue slipped between his lips. He eagerly greeted her advance, and soon their tongues moved together in a timeless dance of passion.
Just a little longer, he told himself, and then he’d be able to pull away. Oh, who was he kidding? He never wanted their embrace to end. His desire ran unleashed as she responded to him. Her every touch heated the blood pulsating within him.
The more he tasted her, the more his body thrummed with need. A moan started to form in the back of his throat.
“Uncle Tony.”
They jerked apart with the speed of two exploding firecrackers. ~ within Chapter 11
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Jennifer, then please check out her Amazon Acct.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2016

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!!

Time to spread the love!! In honor of it being Valentine's Day ... here is a list (in no particular order) of book couples that I thoroughly enjoyed reading about this past year (from February 2015 - January 2016):

means that I gave the couple's novel a 5 star rating
-- Read more about the novel (and a teaser or two) that each couple is in by clicking their title links --
ALSO -- Be sure to check out the Giveaway at the bottom of this post!! [Giveaway will run from February 14 - 17, 2016]


-- Click here to check out my best couple list for 2015. --

CONGRATS TO SUNNY, MICHAEL, & Lynda Simmons, Author!! See our Congratulations Post here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2016/02/2016-ultimate-best-book-couple.html

Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Friday, February 19, 2016



Giveaway!! : -- Now closed. Thank you to those who participated!! --


How to Enter * :
  • Comment/vote up to 3 times either on our blog post and/or on the FB post above with the name of a couple (if you like more than one list them too) that you like FROM OUR 2016 BEST BOOK COUPLES LIST
  • When commenting on our blog post BE SURE to LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDY so I can contact you

* Click the "see more" on the above FB Post to find out more details about this giveaway.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Blog Tour - Temperature’s Rising Blog Tour | Spreading the Word & ARC Giveaway

Looking for the perfect romance read for Valentine’s Day? Below, we’ve got excerpts from six of today’s best contemporary authors. And watch out as the heat level goes from sweet to sultry to downright sinful. Read on and get ready for your temperature to rise!



SWEET & SASSY :

If you want a sweet read for the holiday, then look no further than "Royal Chase" [The Royals of Monterra Series, Book 2] by Sariah Wilson. When PR agent Lemon Beauchamp gets her client Prince Dante of Monterra booked on a reality show, she never expects to find love. But when flirting turns to something more, they share their first kiss...

“What is that scent?” he asked.

“Lemon sugar,” I said, my heart beating too quickly.

“Sweet and tart, like you,” he said before he planted a soft kiss at the amazing spot where my neck met my shoulder, and the earth shifted on its axis.

I decided it had been far too long since I’d last kissed somebody if this was how I was going to react. I also thought for a moment that I should stop him, but the only thing I said was, “My lip gloss is lemon-flavored, too.”

Which was such a blatant invitation, and from the fire in his eyes and the seductive smile on his face, he knew it.

“I do appreciate the commitment to your name.” He set down his drink and used his free hand to run his fingers up and down my arm, which gave me chills and hot flashes at the same time.

“Well, not everyone gets to be named after a fruit. You have to have fun with it.”

He pressed another kiss to my throat, and I closed my eyes as a tingling warmth spread slowly through my body.

>> Learn more HERE <<



A DELECTABLE ROMANCE :

For a savory reading treat, "Recipe For Kisses" by Michelle Major will hit the spot. Ben “the Beast” Haddox is a bad-boy chef returning to his hometown to open a new restaurant...the only problem is the sizzling Chloe Daniels. Refusing to give up her storefront--or to give into Ben’s charm--the two are at a standoff that simmers with attraction.

“I want to kiss you,” he whispered, and his soft voice and the wicked intentions it carried made her ache for more. “But only if it’s what you want, too.”

She swayed closer, caught in the intensity of his eyes. After her reaction to him reaching for her in the store and that first night when she’d maced him, he must understand that she wasn’t a good bet. “I don’t think I know how to be with someone like you. I like things ordered, soft and gentle.”

“I can be gentle.”

She almost laughed at that. “Right.”

“Give me a chance to show you, Chloe.” He ran his hand along her arm, higher to her shoulder then to her neck. She knew he was giving her a chance to become accustomed to his touch and found herself melting because of the thoughtfulness behind the gesture. “Tell me you want this.”

As his rough fingers caressed her jaw, she leaned forward with her heart beating double time and whispered, “Yes.”

>> Learn more HERE <<



OPPOSITES ATTRACT--AND ATTRACT--AND ATTRACT! :

Kick up the heat with Jamie Beck's "Worth The Trouble." Sophisticated cover model Cat St. James could not be more different from rough-around-the-edges carpenter Hank Mitchell. But that doesn’t stop the irresistible pull these two feel for each other.

Her uncertain smile twisted him up inside as she reached one hand up and fingered the ends of his hair. “Kiss me goodnight.”

All the blood drained from his head and raced to his crotch. The relentless throbbing between his legs urged him to comply despite his better judgment. Just a kiss.

As if watching himself in a dream, he saw his fingers caress her cheek. She raised her chin and parted her lips, and he pressed his mouth against hers. He gave over to the moment, to taste her once more, to slip his tongue inside her mouth and tangle with hers. The faint taste of champagne and honey overwhelmed his senses as he grazed her lower lip with his teeth.

Time slowed. Every part of his body came alive. She bulldozed her fingers through his hair while moaning, engulfing him in desire.

“Like I remember,” she whispered against his skin. He’d been teetering on the verge of making a gigantic mistake, until her words summoned bitter reminders of the last time he fell for her games. Abruptly, he grabbed her wrists and pushed back.

“Hank!” She fell back into her pillow. “Stay.”

>> Learn more HERE <<



SPOTLIGHT ON THE ACTION :

The bright lights of New York City have nothing on the dazzling attraction between set designer Simone Oliver and director Zach Hammond in Abigail Strom's "Nothing Like Love." This sexy British hero with a penchant for quoting Shakespeare and a romantic heart will have you as hot and bothered as the cynic heroine.

He spun them around so Simone’s back was against the wall. He put his hands under her arms and lifted her up, and when her legs went around his waist, he leaned in close.

His erection was cradled against her center now, and they were face-to-face. His heart was pounding hard enough to shake him and he couldn’t seem to find his breath.

But the only thing he wanted to breathe in was Simone.

When he brought his mouth to hers it was like tasting sweetness and fire at the same time. Her arms were around him, her legs were around him, and her scent engulfed him in an erotic wave.

His lips urged hers apart and his tongue slid inside.

The hot silk of her mouth was like a drug. Her tongue found his and they stroked and tangled, a thousand strands of need and desire binding them together.

His body throbbed against hers. If his lust drove them right through the brick wall and left the two of them lying in the rubble, he still wouldn’t be able to tear his mouth away.

>> Learn more HERE <<



CHAMPAGNE WISHES AND BILLIONAIRE DREAMS :

If out-of-control desire is your reading #goal, then J.S. Scott is going to be your new BFF. The author has won readers over with her H-O-T Sinclair brothers, but the stakes are raised with oldest sibling Evan. He is arrogant, Alpha, and amazing, and schoolteacher Miranda Tyler finds herself saying yes...to everything he asks in "The Billionaire’s Touch."

“Kiss me,” Evan demanded as he moved his hands down her back and cupped her jean-clad ass with both of his large, strong hands. His fingers gripped the flesh and pulled her molten core into his hard form. “You asked me not to kiss you, so you have to kiss me.”

Randi’s willpower broke as she looked up and saw the longing in Evan’s eyes. It was an echo of exactly what she was feeling, and she could no more resist him than she could stop breathing. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she speared her hands into his coarse hair and yanked his mouth down to hers. She needed his touch more than she wanted to resist him, and as his lips collided with hers, Randi completely forgot why she was even trying to fight the urge to devour him.

He sprang into action the moment she kissed him, taking control as he demanded her complete surrender. Tasting. Teasing. Commanding. Evan’s tongue swept into her mouth, wiping away every doubt she had as he conquered her mouth with his own, leaving her breathless and mindless as he finally surfaced, his teeth catching her bottom lip and nipping at the flesh as though he wanted to mark it.

His lips were suddenly everywhere, and Randi’s hand left his hair and wrapped around his neck as she felt herself being lifted off her feet. She landed on something soft— she assumed it was the couch—but she wasn’t about to turn her head away from his mouth to look. She was too obsessed with the feel of his body against hers to give a crap what she’d landed on.

For some unknown reason, she felt safe letting Evan take control of her body while it burned for his possession. She knew he was feeling the same insane desires that she was experiencing right now.

>> Learn more HERE <<



TRUE LUST LEADS TO TRUE LOVE :

Forget about a love triangle, let’s talk love “square”! Author Melissa Brown’s newest romance "If You Can’t Take The Heat" has three sexy men after the same woman. And while casting director Whitney Bartolina is usually decisive, the choice between THREE men proves to be too hot to handle. Read on to find out how this take-no-prisoners heroine deals with a hunky cowboy from Montana.

Still holding on to his collar, she threw her head back in frustration. “You’re trying to torture me, aren’t you?”

Suddenly serious, Wes smoothed her hair down and rested his hands on her shoulders. “Not at all.”

“Then what is it?” Didn’t he want her as badly as she wanted him?

“Maybe I like keeping you in suspense.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I noticed.”

“And it gives us something to look forward to”—he trapped his lower lip beneath his teeth—“next month in Los Angeles.”

Whitney’s stomach did a gigantic flip-flop. “You’re gonna do it?”

Wes nodded slowly. “I have to see you again. It’s not a choice. It has to happen.”

He pressed his lips to the exposed skin of her neck, sucking gently as his fingers weaved through her hair.

Pure. Torture.

“My hotel isn’t far away. Pleee-eease reconsider.”

Wes said nothing but continued to lick, kiss, and suck at her sensitive skin. She wanted nothing more than to pull him into his car and straddle him right that second, but maybe he was on to something in delaying their gratification. The anticipation of seeing him again, of waiting until the next time they could be intimate, was intoxicating in and of itself.

>> Learn more HERE <<



Giveaways!! :

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Second Sentence Saturday: A Valentine for the Veterinarian


SECOND SENTENCE SATURDAY is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jess of From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  • Grab the novel/novella your currently reading or previously read
  • Open to the first page of Chapter 1 or its Prologue
  • Share the SECOND sentence from that page
  • Share the novel/novella's title & its author, so that other participants can add that novel to their TBR Lists if they want



MY Second Sentence Saturday :

"A Valentine for the Veterinarian" [Paradise Animal Clinic Series, Book 2] by Katie Meyer

"Grace, you just saved my life. How can I ever repay you?"
The woman behind the counter rolled her eyes.



Having a little Valentine's Day fun with this V-day novel I plan on reading once I'm finished my current read. ♥

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT to share either the link to your own SECOND SENTENCE SATURDAY post or share the sentence in a comment here (if you don’t have a blog). Thank You!

Friday, February 12, 2016

Blog Tour - The Unluckiest Demographic in Love by Twyla Turner | Guest Post, Spreading the Word, & Kindle Fire HD/Gift Card Giveaway


What Is It? :
    The When Black Women Fall promo features romances in the contemporary, historical, paranormal, science fiction and fantasy, and erotica genres. The two requirements for inclusion are that the heroine must be of African/African-American descent, and she must fall in love: same race, interracial, LGBT, aliens, cyborg—doesn’t matter to us, as long as it’s a black woman falling in love! For the week leading up to Valentine’s Day during Black History month, Heartspell Media is spreading the word about “When Black Women Fall” — a week-long promo featuring romances with African-American heroines.

When is it? :
    February 8-14, 2016. The week leading up to Valentine’s Day during Black History month.

Click Here to download the FREE sampler booklet with excerpts of all the books. (5MB)



The Unluckiest Demographic in Love by Twyla Turner

The educated/nerdy/classy/fashionable/chic/Chubby Black chick has to be one of the most overlooked demographics of women in the country, in regards to L-O-V-E. Speaking from personal experience and seeing the world with my own eyes, we get the short end of the stick more often than not.

Most of us aren’t interested in someone that is quote unquote “hood”, but every time I look up, I got some dude with a full gold grill on his ten-speed shouting out, “Hey Girl?! Hey! Can I get yo number?” More than likely, they see a woman that can take care of them, domestically and financially. A "mothering" type woman that can probably throw down in the kitchen.

Or we get the hick or wannabe “hood” white guys that like thick black girls. Unfortunately, we’re still too classy for that life. I want to be taken to the museum, not the Monster Truck show. I’ve dated one, trust me I know. Nothing like going to a NASCAR event and watch a pickup truck filled with white dudes, flying a Confederate flag. But hey, I was there for the free Goo Goo Dolls concert.

And let’s not forget the old perverted men of ALL races. Yep, we get the horny old lechers that still want someone young but no longer care what people think of the candy on their arm like their young counterparts do. Too bad I’m not into old balls, either.

We’re not necessarily picky people. But can we at least get someone with all of their teeth, not showing their drawers, and isn’t carrying their AARP card? Many of the black men that are similar to us, are only looking outside their race to date. And we all know that the majority of white guys out there are looking for someone slender. And even if they say they like a woman with meat on their bones, they’re talking big boobs and booty with skinny everything else. And that doesn’t even include their fear of dating someone black. Heaven forbid!

To the well-rounded men, we’re placed solidly in the “friend’s zone”. Most of them love and absolutely adore us. They think we’re hilarious. They ask us to help them dress to get the “hot chick”. They come to us for dating advice. Some of them even have sex with us (which ends up grudgingly being the best they’ve ever had), but still can’t see walking with us on their arm in the light of day.

But what these men aren’t understanding is that our demographic is an untapped goldmine of sweet, intelligent, loving, fun and dare I say…sexy, group of women. Many of us just as satisfying, if not more so, than any other woman. Open those pretty eyes, guys! We’re here and we’re amazing!!!

Which is the main reason why I decided to brand my books as Novels with Curves. In the past, I couldn't find a romance novel with a character that looked anything like me, so I took matters into my own hands. Why can't the curvy, Black girl get the hot guy? So that's what I mainly write... Adorably plump and sexy black heroines that snag the hot hero. My latest series Chasing Day, Daylen Daniels, the shy cellist meets Chase McCoy, the popular quarterback. They become unlikely best friends and soon find they have an undeniable attraction that leads to a tumultuous romance that spans 30 years.

All my novels are for the underdog. To give her a voice. If we can't find ourselves on TV or on the big screen, surely we can at least find characters like us in the most intimate of entertainment...books.

To find more characters like Daylen from Twyla Turner’s "Chasing Day," visit the When Black Women Fall promo tour at whenblackwomenfall.com!



About the Author :

Twyla Turner was born in Joliet, Illinois and was almost immediately enamored with all things entertainment and yearned for something "more". She wrote her first story in the 3rd grade and fell in love with creating a whole world from her mind. But it was a long winding road to self-publishing her first novel Star-Struck. An interest in science and animals, to wanting to be the next Oprah, majoring in radio/television with a minor in creative writing, to a year in Japan, four years in California and then to Arizona where the need to write finally hit her like a brick wall. And once she started, the ideas flooded her brain like she never dreamed possible. Her love of romance and travel, as well as her struggle with body image and the male species combined into wanting to write romance for 'real' women Her website: http://twylaturner11.wix.com/novelswithcurves

Click Here to find out about / MEET the Books in the When Black Women Fall Promo



Giveaways!! :

Celebrate this special promotional event! One lucky winner will receive the entire prize pack including:

  • A $50 Carol’s Daughter gift certificate … to get your beauty on
  • A Kindle Fire HD … to get your read on
  • Ebooks of groundbreaking romance novels featuring Black women by: Beverly Jenkins, Sandra Kitt, L.A. Banks and Zane
  • A $30 Amazon gift card … so you can keep getting your read on

And EVERYBODY Who Enters Will Get a FREE digital copy of our exclusive When Black Women Fall excerpt book, featuring story samples from our participating authors.

Click Here to ENTER the Giveaway
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