Showing posts with label contest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contest. Show all posts
Monday, October 3, 2016
Blog Tour - If I Had You by Heather Hiestand | Book Release Launch, Spreading the Word & GC Giveaway
Friday, September 30, 2016
Blog Tour - Jockeying For You by Stacy Hoff | Spreading the Word with ARC & GC Giveaway
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Blog Tour - Fallen Death by R. B. Austin | Spreading the Word & GC Giveaway
Giveaway Winner of Our "Story of a Secret Heart" Kindle Copy Giveaway
Mary P.
Congratulations, Mary!! You just won a Kindle copy of Cassi Ellen's "Story of a Secret Heart!!" You should be receiving an email from me soon, please respond within 48 hours or prize is forfeited.
Again, THANK YOU for participating I appreciate the support! ::HUGS::
Blog Tour - Say it Louder by Heidi Joy Tretheway | Release Day Launch, Spreading the Word & ARC Novel Giveaway
One band. Five love stories. Too many secrets.
We’ve been waiting a long time to find out how the band Tattoo Thief will deal with drummer Dave’s toxic ex—and the secrets she’s been collecting on everyone. It was worth the wait.
You don’t have to be a fan of the series to love a book that starts fast with a huge wow moment and then unpacks the band’s secrets. In fact, you don’t have to read the earlier books because each book is a different love story about a different member of the band.
About Say it Louder:
I had a choice—dump my toxic girlfriend, or break up my band.
It should have been easy. But she’s been collecting dirt on all of us for years.
Just when I think I’ve hit rock bottom, a pink-haired street artist rocks my world. They call Willa “the Parking Lot Picasso.” I call her my refuge, my center, my last reason to hope.
When Willa’s life on the streets collides with a sudden spotlight on her art, I’ll stop at nothing to protect her. But when the spotlight turns on my secret shame, she might be my only salvation.
Grab your copy today:
Amazon ebook | iBooks | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | Paperback
Get the first book in the Tattoo Thief series free (on iBooks, Amazon, Nook or Kobo), or dive in to Say it Louder by downloading a free extended sample for Kindle or all other devices. Check out this excerpt, and then enter the Rafflecopter giveaway to win a signed paperback and special swag.
Quiet noises in Willa’s apartment wake me hours later. Soft footfalls. The rustling of fabric and clink of metal. I open my eyes to the dim city light that filters through Willa’s curtainless windows.
She’s a shadow across the room.
I stir and her head snaps up, eyes glinting. Her shoulders stiffen, as if I’ve caught her doing something wrong.
I sit up. She’s swapped her jeans for black leggings and her T-shirt for a long-sleeved dark shirt. Her black messenger bag bulges on her hip.
“Where are you going?”
“Out.” She moves to a shelf and stuffs something in the messenger bag.
“You look like you’re going to break in somewhere.”
She tilts up her chin, a challenge. “Maybe I am.”
I’m on my feet in an instant, moving between her and the door. “What? You can’t just go out and wander the streets and break in places.”
She huffs, her eyes hardening when I block her exit. “I can do anything I want. You wanted a place to stay. So stay. But don’t tell me what I can or can’t do.”
Willa moves to get around me but I shift to the side, and suddenly we’re chest to chest. Another staredown.
This time, our faces are inches apart. Our staring contest crackles with the electricity of our physical touch.
“Move,” she whispers.
My lips curl into a faint smile. “No.”
Willa scowls and shoves her body closer to the door, closer to me. I rest my hand lightly on her hip, so as she moves, I move. Like we’re dancing.
Her fist clenches the material of my dark gray shirt. “I said, move.”
Her demand is a hiss and I smell her breath, sweet and hot, cinnamon and clove. My eyes drop to her lips, and I want my mouth there. I need to taste her.
Her eyes darken, pupils dilating as I tip my chin slightly, moving closer. But before I can connect with that ripe mouth, she shoves my chest—hard.
“Wrong move, Dave.” She spins and grabs the door handle and she’s down a flight of stairs before I can pick my jaw up off the floor, shove my feet in my shoes, and follow her.
I don’t know why I follow, I just do. Acting on instinct, rather than from the million calculations that usually drive me.
Normally, I think with my head. I weigh the logic in any situation. But Willa defies logic. She’s like a force of nature, thunder and lightning, impossible to control.
I race after her, down four flights, hustling to catch up as she pushes out of her building and onto the sidewalk.
“Willa. Would you wait up for me?”
She flings a glance over her shoulder. “This can’t wait.” She doesn’t slow down, but she doesn’t speed up, either.
“What are you doing—really?” I hustle after her and pull my phone from my pocket to check the time. 1:18 a.m. Unless she’s going bar-hopping, there aren’t a lot of legal activities available right now.
Willa snatches the phone from my hand, and that jolt of electricity is back. She powers off my phone without asking. “First rule: keep up. Second rule: put this away. If it lights up or rings at the wrong time, we’re screwed.”
She hands the phone back and I pocket it. “What’s the third rule?”
“Do what I tell you, ask questions later.”
She’s a shadow across the room.
I stir and her head snaps up, eyes glinting. Her shoulders stiffen, as if I’ve caught her doing something wrong.
I sit up. She’s swapped her jeans for black leggings and her T-shirt for a long-sleeved dark shirt. Her black messenger bag bulges on her hip.
“Where are you going?”
“Out.” She moves to a shelf and stuffs something in the messenger bag.
“You look like you’re going to break in somewhere.”
She tilts up her chin, a challenge. “Maybe I am.”
I’m on my feet in an instant, moving between her and the door. “What? You can’t just go out and wander the streets and break in places.”
She huffs, her eyes hardening when I block her exit. “I can do anything I want. You wanted a place to stay. So stay. But don’t tell me what I can or can’t do.”
Willa moves to get around me but I shift to the side, and suddenly we’re chest to chest. Another staredown.
This time, our faces are inches apart. Our staring contest crackles with the electricity of our physical touch.
“Move,” she whispers.
My lips curl into a faint smile. “No.”
Willa scowls and shoves her body closer to the door, closer to me. I rest my hand lightly on her hip, so as she moves, I move. Like we’re dancing.
Her fist clenches the material of my dark gray shirt. “I said, move.”
Her demand is a hiss and I smell her breath, sweet and hot, cinnamon and clove. My eyes drop to her lips, and I want my mouth there. I need to taste her.
Her eyes darken, pupils dilating as I tip my chin slightly, moving closer. But before I can connect with that ripe mouth, she shoves my chest—hard.
“Wrong move, Dave.” She spins and grabs the door handle and she’s down a flight of stairs before I can pick my jaw up off the floor, shove my feet in my shoes, and follow her.
I don’t know why I follow, I just do. Acting on instinct, rather than from the million calculations that usually drive me.
Normally, I think with my head. I weigh the logic in any situation. But Willa defies logic. She’s like a force of nature, thunder and lightning, impossible to control.
I race after her, down four flights, hustling to catch up as she pushes out of her building and onto the sidewalk.
“Willa. Would you wait up for me?”
She flings a glance over her shoulder. “This can’t wait.” She doesn’t slow down, but she doesn’t speed up, either.
“What are you doing—really?” I hustle after her and pull my phone from my pocket to check the time. 1:18 a.m. Unless she’s going bar-hopping, there aren’t a lot of legal activities available right now.
Willa snatches the phone from my hand, and that jolt of electricity is back. She powers off my phone without asking. “First rule: keep up. Second rule: put this away. If it lights up or rings at the wrong time, we’re screwed.”
She hands the phone back and I pocket it. “What’s the third rule?”
“Do what I tell you, ask questions later.”
About Heidi Joy Tretheway:
Heidi Joy Tretheway is a sucker for campfires, craft cocktails, and steamy romance in books and real life. She sings along with musicals (badly), craves French carbs, and buys plane tickets the way some women buy shoes.
Her first career as a journalist took Heidi behind the scenes with politicians, rock stars, and chefs, all of whom inspire her stories. Heidi Joy is currently working on her tenth book from her home in southwestern Washington.
Connect with Heidi:
- Website: heidijoytretheway.com
- Facebook.com/author.heidi
- Amazon.com/author/heidi
- Goodreads.com/heidi.tretheway
- Twitter.com/heiditretheway
- BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/heidi-joy-tretheway
- Newsletter signup: tinyurl.com/heidisbooks
Enter Heidi’s Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Tattoo Thief
My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Blog Tour - Feasted On: Tattoo Thief by Heidi Joy Tretheway | Review & Giveaway | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2014
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Meet Cassi Ellen | Interview, Spreading the Word, & Novel Giveaway
ALSO -- Be sure to check out the Gleam contest at the bottom of this post to be able to sign up for this blog stop's GIVEAWAY(s)!! [Promotion for this post and its Giveaway will run from September 21 - 28, 2016]
My Q&A with Cassi Ellen :
Jess : What sparked the idea for "Story of a Secret Heart?"
Cassi : Well I never actually intended to write a book! At 30 years old, I was living 10,000 miles away from my friends and family, when the man I planned to marry did the unthinkable and had an affair, leaving me alone and heartbroken. I started writing as sort of therapy so that I didn’t go completely mad and I guess I just got carried away. Before I knew it I had 70,000 words! I never at any point thought ‘O I’d like to be a writer’ or ‘O I think I’ll write a book’.
So I guess the idea was sparked, and I know this sounds silly, by my break up with my ex-boyfriend. It is what the book is based on, and I truly believe it changed the person I was.
Jess : Which usually comes first for you, the character(s) story or the idea for the novel?
Cassi : Well because, at first, I was writing for myself to stay sane, and not for others to actually read, I guess the character very much came first. In the beginning I just started writing down how I felt, and as things went on, and life got more and more amusing and out of control, it just turned into a book.
Jess : What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write in a novel and why?Cassi : My favourite chapters by far are the ones towards the end of the book. I have always loved book endings anyway, but in "Story of a Secret Heart," the stories towards the end just get more and more out of control, and even now I laugh out loud when I read it back to myself.
Jess : Is "Story of a Secret Heart" basically an autobiography of you or are there any differences between you and Cassi (the character)?
Cassi : I guess I would say Cassi is a reflection of myself. Cassi was definitely who I was during that difficult time, but whether I am still the same today as I was when writing the book, I don’t think so. She was an extreme version of myself.
Jess : In regards to "Story of a Secret Heart," if you could write it all over again, would you change anything about it?Cassi : Well it was my first book so yes I would change so many things. I would probably have paid more attention to the details, and I wish I had known at the time of writing that I would want to publish it. Editing it was an absolute nightmare because I had purely just written down my thoughts and feelings. To be very honest with you a lot of it made no sense the first time I ever read it back to myself.
Jess : How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite and why?
Cassi : Only "Story of a Secret Heart" I’m afraid. But I’m really hoping to finish the sequel, "Story After a Secret Heart," by the end of the year.
Jess : Do you have any other projects in the works? If so, can you share a little of your current work with us?
Cassi : Just "Story After a Secret Heart," and this time I’m actually really enjoying the process of writing the whole story from scratch. Before, I was so engrossed in feelings, and writing was a way of getting it out. Whereas this time around I’m enjoying planning and plotting the structure of the book. It’s a whole new world to me and so far I love it. I just hope I can try and muster up some of the raw emotion that I believe made the first book so relatable to readers.
Jess : Do you have a favorite aspect of summer that you’d like to share with us? Or have any end-of-summer plans you’re excited for?
Cassi : I love ALL aspects of summer. I love the hot weather and I am definitely a summer kind of girl! My favourite part of summer has always been just hanging out. I absolutely love to spend hot summer days sat on the grass in a park or on the beach surrounded by my friends or family.
Jess : What cartoon character best represents your personal philosophy?Cassi : Probably Sleeping Beauty. One, because I absolutely adore animals and am always talking to them, and two, because one of favourite things to do is sleep!
Jess : List 3 books you just recently read and would recommend?
Cassi : My favourite books of all time are "Jackal’s Dance" by Beverley Harper and "A Life of Pi" by Yann Martel, both I highly recommend. The most recent book I have read is "The Girl in the Ice" by Robert Bryndza, which I very much enjoyed although I didn’t like the main character all that much.
by Cassi Ellen
Author's Book Description :
- A broken heart hurts, but it can also be fun......
Be warned, this story is not for everyone! It is a very personal story, about love, life and laughter, told from the heart. Be prepared for a rollercoaster ride!
As Cassi, a 30-year old single woman, leaves a long-term, unhappy relationship, she struggles with the pain and anguish of a broken heart. When, by chance, she meets a handsome stranger, he introduces her to a world that she didn’t even know existed. As she begins to slowly forget all about her broken heart she learns to have fun again. It is then that her life starts to spiral out of control and all she can do is laugh and hang on tight. Through her trials and tribulations, Cassi has to find her inner strength and keep a smile on her face even in front of adversity.
Story of a Secret Heart is about breaking up . . . and breaking down. It’s about the roller-coaster ride of a breakup and all the dating and relationship stories in-between.
Based on a true story
This book is available to order on :
** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **
About the Author :
When Cassi Ellen turned 30 she was single, alone and heart broken on the other side of the globe. She started writing as a sort of therapy at the time, but after people started reading it and said it was actually good, she thought maybe others might like to hear her story too. Maybe those going through a hard time will take something away from it.
Apart from that, readers will find out so much more by reading her blog and book, "Story of a Secret Heart" …….. but …… She also loves animals, especially cats, and loves to laugh!
Book Excerpt/Teaser(s) :
‘Hi,’ I said. ‘Where are you?’
He waited only a few seconds to answer, but I knew him well enough to know something was wrong when he answered, very distracted, with the same question I had asked him:
‘Where are you?’ he said.
At that moment, something deep inside me, and I had no idea what it was, told me to lie, and so I answered with ‘still at the fundraiser, but I’m leaving now.’ Of course that was a lie, which I immediately regretted, as I was obviously standing in our open plan kitchen at home. Despite my guilt, I quickly followed up my lie with a repeated, ‘Where are you?’
His next sentence broke my heart into a million teeny tiny little pieces, and I would never forget it. ‘I’m at home,’ he said.
Book Preview(s) :
Giveaway!! :
Soo .... TWEET about this post (& more)!! And you could WIN!! =0)
Find Cassi Ellen :
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Blog Tour - Playing It Cool by Amy Andrews | Spreading the Word & GC Giveaway
Today I'm showing off Amy Andrews' "Playing It Cool," which is the SECOND novel in her Sydney Smoke Rugby Series!!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)!! [Blog Tour will run from September 12 - 23, 2016 & Giveaway will run until September 29, 2016]
[Sydney Smoke Rugby Series, Book 2] by Amy Andrews
Author's Book Description :
- Score one for the curvy girls.
Harper Nugent might have a little extra junk in her trunk, but her stepbrother calling her out on it is the last straw… When rugby hottie, Dexter Blake, witnesses the insult, he surprises Harper by asking her out. In front of her dumbass brother. Score! Of course, she knows it's not for reals, but Dex won't take no for an answer.
Dexter Blake's life revolves around rugby with one hard and fast rule: no women. Sure, his left hand is getting a workout, but he's focused on his career for now. Then he overhears an asshat reporter belittle the curvy chick he'd been secretly ogling. What's a guy to do but ask her out? It's just a little revenge against a poser, and then he'll get his head back in the game.
But the date is better than either expected. So is the next one. And the next. And the heat between them…sizzles their clothes right off.
Suddenly, this fake relationship is feeling all too real…
This book is available to order on :
** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **
About the Author :Amy Andrews is an award-winning, USA Today best-selling Aussie author who has written over fifty contemporary romances in both the traditional and digital markets. She has written for Harlequin Mills & Boon, Entangled, Harper Collins, Momentum, Tule and Escape. She's sold over a million books and been translated into thirteen different languages including manga.
Amy spent six years on the national executive of Romance Writers of Australia including a two year term as president and after many years of unofficial mentoring of emerging writers, Amy and her fellow Harlequin author Anna Cleary have started their own manuscript assessment business, Word Witchery, which specialises in romantic fiction. With unique insight into what makes a story that sells, Amy and Anna aim to help every manuscript shine.
Amy loves good books, fab food, great wine and frequent travel - preferably all four together. She lives on acreage on the outskirts of Brisbane with a gorgeous mountain view but secretly wishes it was the hillsides of Tuscany.
My Previous Review(s) for this Author : The Hero
My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2016 | Blog Tour - Playing It Cool by Amy Andrews | Release Day Launch, Spreading the Word & GC Giveaway
Book Excerpt(s) :
Dex pulled up at her place and was knocking on her door twelve minutes later. She was still in that dress but she could have been wearing a sack as far as he was concerned. He just wanted to hold her.
“Dex?” She frowned at him clearly not expecting him back although the slight tremor in her voice did betray her excitement that he had.
“I don’t think I’m going to be invited to any Nugent family BBQ’s in a hurry.”
Harper laughed, folding her arms as she settled against the door frame. “Oh no. What happened? Did you punch Chuck?”
Dex snorted. “No. But I may have...implied you were using me for sex.”
She blinked. “Implied?”
“Well...stated is probably more accurate.”
She laughed harder. “What the hell?”
“What can I say?” He shrugged. “They were pissing me off.”
She fluttered a hand over her heart and gave an exaggerated sigh. “My hero.”
His gaze fell to where her hand nestled against the roundness of her breast. She was so soft there. When Dex returned his attention to her face she was watching him closely.
“Thank you for defending my honour.”
He chuckled. “By besmirching it?”
“Meh,” she said dismissively. “Whatever works.”
They grinned at each other for long moments. “Do you need to go home?” she asked.
Dex hesitated. He should. Griff had organised for some ex-military guy who specialised in survival training to do some sessions with them. For some unknown reason these started at four in the morning—some crap about conquering mental conditioning—and tomorrow was their first session.
“Not yet. What’d you have in mind?”
She pretended to ponder for a beat or two. “How about more Star Wars?” she mused, her face a picture of innocence.
“Not quite the stars I had in mind.”
“Me neither,” she grinned and grabbed him by the front of his shirt, pulling him inside.
“Dex?” She frowned at him clearly not expecting him back although the slight tremor in her voice did betray her excitement that he had.
“I don’t think I’m going to be invited to any Nugent family BBQ’s in a hurry.”
Harper laughed, folding her arms as she settled against the door frame. “Oh no. What happened? Did you punch Chuck?”
Dex snorted. “No. But I may have...implied you were using me for sex.”
She blinked. “Implied?”
“Well...stated is probably more accurate.”
She laughed harder. “What the hell?”
“What can I say?” He shrugged. “They were pissing me off.”
She fluttered a hand over her heart and gave an exaggerated sigh. “My hero.”
His gaze fell to where her hand nestled against the roundness of her breast. She was so soft there. When Dex returned his attention to her face she was watching him closely.
“Thank you for defending my honour.”
He chuckled. “By besmirching it?”
“Meh,” she said dismissively. “Whatever works.”
They grinned at each other for long moments. “Do you need to go home?” she asked.
Dex hesitated. He should. Griff had organised for some ex-military guy who specialised in survival training to do some sessions with them. For some unknown reason these started at four in the morning—some crap about conquering mental conditioning—and tomorrow was their first session.
“Not yet. What’d you have in mind?”
She pretended to ponder for a beat or two. “How about more Star Wars?” she mused, her face a picture of innocence.
“Not quite the stars I had in mind.”
“Me neither,” she grinned and grabbed him by the front of his shirt, pulling him inside.
Book Preview(s) :
Giveaway(s)!! :
Soo .... COMMENT on this post!! And you could WIN!! =0)
Blog Tour Schedule:
September 12th
Stuck In Books Excerpt
The Book Bee Excerpt
Diane’s Book Blog Excerpt
JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC Excerpt
September 13th
I Love Romance Review
From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews Excerpt
My Slanted Bookish Ramblings Review
Romance Playlist Guest Post
Smut Book Junkie Reviews Review
September 14th
CReneeBookWorld Review
Reading Tigress Excerpt
Books,Dreams,Life Excerpt
SBB Reviews Review
NightWolf Book Blog Review
September 15th
The Silver Dagger Scriptorium Excerpt
After Dark Book Lovers Review
Alpha Book Club Review
A journey to a lifetime Review
September 16th
Romance Book Nerd Excerpt
T&G Book Boutique Excerpt
Southern Vixens Book Obsessions Excerpt
The Lusty Literate Excerpt
September 17th
The Pervy Ladies Book Blog Review
Friends Till The End Book Blog Excerpt
Brittany's Book Blog Playlist
Fiction Conviction Book Blog Excerpt
September 18th
Ruby's Books Review
Reading Addict Excerpt
Evermore Books Excerpt
Liz's Reading Life Excerpt
September 19th
A Fortress of Books Review
Romantic Reads and Such Review
Sweet Reading Review
Four Chicks Flipping Pages Review
September 20th
bookshelf dreaming Revew
Ashley Book Blog Review
Renee Entress's Blog Review
What Is That Book About Guest Post
September 21st
I'm A Sweet And Sassy Book Whore Review
Short and Sassy Book Blurbs Review
Amo & Sarah Book Corner Review
Captain Reads A Lot Excerpt
September 22nd
babbling about books and more Review
Crazy Chaotic Book Babes Review
TBR Book Blog Review
September 23rd
queenzany Review
Nose Stuck in a Book Excerpt
G & T's Indie Café Excerpt
Find Amy Andrews :
Blog Tour - Love Restored by Carrie Ann Ryan | Release Day Launch, Spreading the Word & Kindle Fire Giveaway
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!
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.
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.
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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
Monday, September 12, 2016
Blog Tour - Playing It Cool by Amy Andrews | Release Day Launch, Spreading the Word & GC Giveaway
Today I'm showing off Amy Andrews' "Playing It Cool," which is the SECOND novel in her Sydney Smoke Rugby Series!! Today is it's Release Day!! So, help me wish it & Ms. Andrews a HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY!!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)!! [Blog Tour will run today (September 12, 2016) & Giveaway will run from September 12 - 29, 2016]
[Sydney Smoke Rugby Series, Book 2] by Amy Andrews
Author's Book Description :
- Score one for the curvy girls.
Harper Nugent might have a little extra junk in her trunk, but her stepbrother calling her out on it is the last straw… When rugby hottie, Dexter Blake, witnesses the insult, he surprises Harper by asking her out. In front of her dumbass brother. Score! Of course, she knows it's not for reals, but Dex won't take no for an answer.
Dexter Blake's life revolves around rugby with one hard and fast rule: no women. Sure, his left hand is getting a workout, but he's focused on his career for now. Then he overhears an asshat reporter belittle the curvy chick he'd been secretly ogling. What's a guy to do but ask her out? It's just a little revenge against a poser, and then he'll get his head back in the game.
But the date is better than either expected. So is the next one. And the next. And the heat between them…sizzles their clothes right off.
Suddenly, this fake relationship is feeling all too real…
This book is available to order on :
** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **
Amy Andrews is an award-winning, USA Today best-selling Aussie author who has written over fifty contemporary romances in both the traditional and digital markets. She has written for Harlequin Mills & Boon, Entangled, Harper Collins, Momentum, Tule and Escape. She's sold over a million books and been translated into thirteen different languages including manga.
Amy spent six years on the national executive of Romance Writers of Australia including a two year term as president and after many years of unofficial mentoring of emerging writers, Amy and her fellow Harlequin author Anna Cleary have started their own manuscript assessment business, Word Witchery, which specialises in romantic fiction. With unique insight into what makes a story that sells, Amy and Anna aim to help every manuscript shine.
Amy loves good books, fab food, great wine and frequent travel - preferably all four together. She lives on acreage on the outskirts of Brisbane with a gorgeous mountain view but secretly wishes it was the hillsides of Tuscany.
My Previous Review(s) for this Author : The Hero
My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2016
Book Excerpt(s) :
Dexter Blake liked a woman with some junk in her trunk. And the tall, curvy chick on the sidelines was packing a whole lot of booty. She had one of those itty-bitty waists, too. And her cups floweth’d over.
Staring at her chest was practically a religious experience.
Unfortunately, she only had eyes for Chuck Nugent, the pretty boy sports reporter for Channel Five. He was currently doing his sycophantish spiel on the field, a cameraman following him around as he interviewed the players still milling around for their obligatory post-match interviews.
She was impatient for his attention, too, if her pacing was anything to go by.
Lucky bastard.
As far as Dex was concerned, she could keep pacing. Watching everything jiggle was the cherry on the top of his pie tonight. There was nothing better than winning a hard-fought game of rugby union. But watching a fine-looking woman strutting her stuff came a very close second.
“I’d say don’t look now, booty at six o’clock, but I can see you’re ahead of me.”
Dex smiled at Tanner Stone, the captain of the Sydney Smoke and his good mate, as he pulled up beside him then dropped at the waist to stretch out his hamstrings.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Hey, Dex,” Bodie Webb said as he pulled up on the other side. “Your kinda ass on the sideline.”
A low whistle came from behind them. “I hope you’re planning on hitting that, Dex,” Lincoln Quinn murmured as he also appeared, casually waving at some teenage girls hollering at him from the dispersing crowd.
Dex chuckled. “Since when did you all turn into pimps?”
Linc clapped him on the back. “Just lending a hand.”
“Thanks. I can get my own ass.”
And, sadly, as much as sideline-chick ticked every box, her ass was off-limits. One look at her told him she was the kind of girl a guy loved. Got into a relationship with. The kind he married. Made babies with.
She was the commitment type.
Over a decade of avoiding romantic entanglements had alerted Dex to the signs, and this woman had I don’t do casual written all over her.
And he didn’t do commitment. His career came first. He’d fought hard for his place on the team, and at thirty, he probably only had a few good years left. He couldn’t afford to take his eyes off the ball for a second. He knew how easy it was to lose everything. To have it all go to shit when you least expected it.
He was never going back to Perry Hill.
There would be time for commitment later. Rugby was it for now.
“But you don’t,” Tanner said.
“Just because I don’t walk around with a permanent hard-on like Linc—”
“Hey!”
Everyone ignored Linc’s half-hearted protest. The cocky back rower wore his horniness like a badge of frickin’ honour. “—doesn’t mean I go without.”
And if he did—it was none of their damn business.
Chuck finished his interview with the skipper of the losing team and, spotting Tanner, headed toward them.
“Christ,” Dex said. “Dickhead approaching.”
Tanner sighed. “Best to just think of our contracts and smile for the camera.”
“Ooh, helllllo,” Bodie purred. “She’s on the move, too.”
Dex’s gaze flicked to the woman again, tracking her progress as she hurried after Chuck. Her hips swung enticingly and her chest moved interestingly beneath her T-shirt.
Christ, it was a turn-on.
“Chuck,” she called, hurrying to catch up with him.
Idiot. Dex would never let a woman trail behind him like that. Not when she could walk in front and he could check out her luscious ass.
“What in hell does she see in that guy?” Bodie asked.
Dex had no idea, but the urge to throttle the smarmy reporter—something that was never far from the surface—spewed like the sudden rush of a geyser in his chest.
“Chuck,” she called, louder this time, almost caught up with him.
Dickhead stopped. Turned. Then glared before looking around him as if he was embarrassed. He hissed, “What the fuck, Harper?” He’d kept his voice low, but the edge of fury carried it farther than Dex was sure Chuck would have liked.
“I told you to stay in the stands, not embarrass me by running onto the goddamn field in a pair of jeans you’ve barely managed to squeeze your lard ass into. I have a certain image to maintain, and it does not involve being followed around by fat chicks.”
Dex’s jaw clamped tight as the hackles rose on the back of his neck. Fat chick? He could see the stain of red creeping up her neck from here, and the spewing geyser in his chest turned viscous, like lava.
“God, he’s a fuckwit,” Bodie whispered.
“Excuse me,” Dex growled.
Lava burning in his chest, he strode purposefully toward Chuck and the woman, who was hissing something back at the reporter Dex couldn’t quite hear. He was sweaty and dirty and every damn muscle bitched at him, but Dex paid none of it any heed.
The urge to deck the smarmy front man rode him hard, but by the time he pulled up beside Chuck, Dex had another plan.
A better plan.
One that involved less potential penalty. And more potential booty.
“Hey, Chuck,” he said, forcing himself to smile as he clapped the reporter hard on the back. It was satisfying to hear a strained, involuntary cough from the man.
“Oh Dex, hi,” Chuck said, sleazy smile in place, turning as if he were trying to block the woman from Dex’s view.
No chance with those puny coat hanger shoulders.
“Great game tonight,” Chuck enthused. “If you could just give me thirty seconds, I’ll be right over.”
“Actually, Chuck,” Dex glanced at the woman and smiled at her. She was even more magnificent up close, with a whole lot of pissed-off glittering in the depths of her Marsala brown eyes. “I was hoping you might introduce me to the lady.”
It was amusing to watch the pretty boy almost choke on his tongue. For a moment, Dex thought he was going to say lady, what lady? But he finally turned to acknowledge the woman behind him. “Of course. This is Harper…Nugent. My…”
The woman—Harper—folded her arms across her chest, and all the blood rushed from Dex’s big head to his little one. “Come on, Chuck, you can say it,” she said, her voice dry with amused sarcasm. “It starts with S. Ssssister.”
Something eased in Dex’s chest. So she was not getting naked with Pretty Boy. There was a God.
“Step!” Chuck said quickly, his voice sharp.
She rolled her eyes as she smiled at Dex and offered her hand. He absently noted there were streaks of paint on her fingers. “Nice to meet you.”
Dex was a tall guy. Big. Not as big as some of the team’s front row, but he was still six foot and had trouble buying shirts that weren’t tight in the shoulders. This tall—hell, Amazonian—woman could look him straight in the eye. He’d never met a woman who could do that in a pair of flats, and it was a strange kind of turn-on.
“The pleasure’s entirely mine,” he murmured, returning her firm and sure grip with one of his own.
He liked a woman who could handshake like a boss.
“Yes…anyway,” Chuck said, his expression pained, as Harper’s hand fell away. “Harper has to run. A girlfriend crisis or something.”
Dex’s eyebrow kicked up. A girlfriend crisis? A crushing sense of disappointment slugged him in the chest.
She was a lesbian?
She laughed and shook her head. “Not that kind of girlfriend.”
His gaze was drawn to her mouth, a plush, sexy crescent in the midst of her flawless olive complexion. He didn’t think she was wearing any makeup, but she was sporting some kind of clear lip gloss that emphasized the luscious curve of her lips.
They glistened, wet and tempting.
Dex laughed, too, as relief flowed like champagne bubbles through his veins. “I am so pleased to hear that.”
Chuck cleared his throat. “Yes. Well. I have to interview the team.” He looked pointedly at his sister.
“Fine. Just don’t forget to pick up Jace and Tabby after you’re done. They’re fine in the stands with Jenny while you wrap up, but she can’t take them home and I’ve told your mother that you’re bringing her kids now instead of me.”
“I’m not going to bloody forget them, Harper,” Chuck replied testily.
She shot an apologetic smile at Dex then turned to go. He and Chuck watched her. The outline of her sexy, rounded butt in the denim of her jeans actually made Dex a little light-headed. It was a sight to behold.
“God, she has a fat ass,” Chuck muttered, disgust colouring his voice.
Dex’s hands tightened to fists. What a monumental wanker. He opened his mouth before he engaged his brain. “Harper! Wait up.”
She looked over her shoulder, a puzzled expression drawing a crease between her brows. “Dex,” Chuck said, putting a hand on Dex’s arm as he took a step in Harper’s direction.
“Tanner’s waiting,” Dex said, shaking off the hand before jogging the short distance to where she’d stopped.
“Hey,” she said, tossing the long strands of her rich dark hair behind her shoulder, clearly still puzzled.
He smiled. “I was hoping you might like to go out with me one night.”
She blinked, the crease between her eyebrows almost cavernous now. “Oh.”
Dex chuckled. It wasn’t the standard response he got from women. Normally, they were tripping over themselves to be asked out by him. Hell, most of them didn’t wait to be asked. It was well known that he didn’t generally date, so they were more than happy to do the asking.
A man with a less healthy ego might have been insulted by Harper’s tepid response. But he could sense her reticence was real as she glanced at the guys to her left, all gawking and smirking, clearly talking about them. Her gaze travelled over his shoulder to where Chuck stood—glaring, if the prickle between Dex’s shoulder blades was anything to go by.
Her gaze returned to him. “Um…”
Hmm. Maybe this wasn’t going to be as easy as he’d thought. He looked pointedly at the mobile she held. “Give me your phone.”
She glanced at it for a moment, frowning some more. “Why?”
Dex gave an exaggerated sigh and plucked it out of her unresisting hand. “It’s okay,” he assured her as she murmured a protest, and his fingers busily navigating to her address book. “I’m just going to put my number in because obviously I don’t have my phone available to put yours into mine.”
She crossed her arms as she watched him enter the details, and it took him twice as long.
“There,” he said, passing the phone back to her.
She glanced at the entry, and his heart tap-danced in his chest as a smile pulled at the curve of her mouth. She quirked an eyebrow at him. “Dex the Stud?”
He grinned and shrugged. “What can I say?”
“And what do you expect me to do with this?”
“As soon as you’re done with your girlfriend thing, give it a ring and we can set up a time and a place for our date.”
“Well, that’s a step up from the last guy, who put his number into my phone hoping I’d send him nude photos,” she said, her tone flippant.
Dex blinked. What the actual fuck? “Absolutely no class.”
“Well, to be fair, he did request arty ones.”
He laughed. “Hey.” He held his hands up in faux surrender. “Never let it be said that I stand in the way of artistic expression, if you feel so inclined with my number. But definitely lose his.”
She laughed back, and it grabbed him by the balls. Like everything else about her, it was big and rich and real. But then her gaze flicked over his shoulder again, and her smile slowly slipped from her face.
Dex gave an exaggerated sigh. “You’re not going to ring it, are you?”
She shook her head, a glossy smile playing on her glossy mouth. “No chance in hell.”
“Why?”
She glanced at her stepbrother again. “Some things just aren’t worth the hassle.”
Dex couldn’t agree more. But he didn’t think Harper Nugent was one of them. Undeterred, he grabbed for her phone again, his reflexes lightning fast after a decade of professional rugby. “You leave me no choice,” he chided as he quickly rang his own number.
“Hi, Dex the Stud,” he said as the ring tone eventually gave way to his message bank. “It’s Dex.” He waggled his brows at Harper, and she smiled and rolled her eyes. “I’m ringing to remind you to call Harper Nugent on this number and ask her on a date again. Do not take no for an answer. Even”—he grinned at her—“if she offers nude arty photos in lieu.”
Dex hit the end button and passed the phone back to her. “There now. You’re in my phone. And I will be ringing you.”
She glanced at the phone then at him before flicking a look at the guys again. Linc was grinning like a loon as he shot Dex two thumbs-up.
“Sure you will,” she said, the tight, polite smile on her face making Dex want to slap Linc upside the head.
She bade him farewell and walked away, and for the first time in his life, Dex looked forward to something other than rugby and inflicting bodily harm on Linc.
…
Harper’s phone rang three hours later. She was a bottle of wine down with her best friend Em, who was in the middle of a boyfriend-number-sixteen crisis. Em was cute, peppy, and up for anything.
She just had really lousy taste in men.
When Em went into a relationship, she went all in, something which Harper had always admired even if her friend consistently chose the wrong guys to be “in” with. The type who were only out for a good time, not a long time. But she always sprang back, and Harper was in awe of her friend’s tenacity and absolute conviction that the right person was out there for everyone.
Although not tonight. While Harper was drinking wine, Em’s breakup booze of choice was butterscotch schnapps, and tonight it was leading her to seriously consider becoming a nun. To prove her seriousness, she was currently Googling how to re-virginise.
So, Harper was both tipsy and completely distracted when she answered the phone.
“Hi,” she said as Em made gagging noises at pictures on a website she was skimming.
“Hey, Harper.”
The hairs on the back of her neck stood up in instant awareness as they had earlier tonight when Dexter Blake had singled her out for a bit of attention.
Her mind went blank for a beat or two. He rang?
Of course he had. She had clearly been some kind of bet or dare or something with his team buddies. At twenty-three, it wouldn’t be the first time she’d been the butt of some douche’s idea of a good time. I dare you to ask the fat chick out. Snigger, snort, backslap.
Some men were such assholes.
But it had been so good, even momentarily, to put her sanctimonious step-brother in his place.
“Harper? It’s Dex the Stud. Remember me?”
His voice was warm and rich with amusement, and Harper shut her eyes. Remember him? She’d relived him asking her out about a dozen times, no matter how much she’d told herself it had all been some sick joke. It had been the first thing she’d told Em after her friend had stopped crying and asked for something happy to cheer her up.
Then they’d Googled him.
“Harper?”
His voice was sharper this time and Harper pulled herself together, sitting straighter in the chair. “Yes. Of course… Hi.”
“You sound kinda…outta it.”
Harper eyed the empty wine bottle and the full one she’d just cracked open. “Well…I’m kinda drunk, so that’s probably why.”
His low chuckle slid seductive fingers down her neck. “The girlfriend emergency?”
“Yup.”
Em looked over her shoulder. “Who is it?”
“Dex.”
Her eyebrows practically hit her hairline. “The rugby dude?”
“Is that the girlfriend?” Dex asked in her ear.
“Yup,” she said to them both.
“Ask him if he knows how to re-virginise.”
Harper shook her head. “I’m not asking him that.”
“Asking me what?” His voice sounded delicious when it was amused. Thick and gooey, oozing all over her body. Like chocolate topping.
God, she loved chocolate topping.
“You should totally ask me whatever it is.”
“Trust me, you don’t want to know.”
“Are you kidding?” Em interrupted. “He’s a professional rugby star. Everyone knows they get laid all the time. What he doesn’t know about a woman’s anatomy probably isn’t worth knowing. He’ll know about re-virginising.”
Harper thought it more likely he’d know about de-virginising.
“Did she just say re-virginising?”
Had Harper been sober, she would have paid more heed to Em’s sage words about the mating habits of professional sportsmen and not the sweet seduction of a chocolate-topping voice. She sighed. “Yup.”
“Why would anyone want to re-virginise? Hell… Can someone re-virginise?”
“I don’t know and yes, apparently, according to the internet. Spiritually and surgically.”
“That sounds…painful.”
Harper laughed. “Yes. For both.”
“And seriously, would you want some strange dude with a scalpel down near your lady parts?”
She shuddered. “I can think of better uses for a dude down near my lady parts.” His bark of laughter was loud in her ear, and she realised what she said. Her face flamed. “Oh God, sorry. I said that out loud, didn’t I?”
“You certainly did, Harper Nugent.”
“I take it back.”
“Oh no,” he chuckled some more. “You can’t take that back.”
Harper groaned internally. Jesus. Where was her filter? She glanced at the wine bottle. Somewhere at the bottom of that, no doubt.
“Fine. Ignore it then. It’s the booze. White wine makes me mouthy.”
“I can’t wait to see that.”
His voice had dropped an octave and roughened with the merest hint of a promise. It went straight to those aforementioned lady parts, and Harper actually squirmed in her chair to ease the sudden ache.
“She’s not serious, is she?”
It took her a moment to realise he’d moved on, and she leaped at the opportunity gratefully. “No. She’s pissed. Both at men and in the alcoholic sense.” Em had already been several shots of Schnapps down when Harper arrived. “Re-virginising is just one of many options we’ve already discussed tonight. I think she wants to make a voodoo doll next.”
He laughed again. “I like the sound of her.”
Harper sighed, looking at the gorgeous mop of caramel curls and the alabaster wedge of cheekbone making up Em’s profile. She looked like one of those babies from old-fashioned adverts for Pears soap. Only all grown-up.
“She’s gorgeous. You should ask her out. You’d make beautiful babies.”
There was a long pause. Long enough to make Harper think, somewhere in her alcohol-addled brain, babies were not on Dexter Blake’s agenda.
“Thanks,” he said, voice low and amused. “I think I’ll stick with my original plan, though.”
“Oh?”
“You and me. A date.”
“Oh.” Harper’s stomach tightened. She’d seen the way his teammates had been watching them tonight. The way the younger guy had given the thumbs up. She could have kissed Dex for his timing, but a girl had her pride, right? Plus she never wanted to be one of those people who were gossiped about for punching above her weight.
“Look. I’m very flattered that you want to go out on a date with me, but—”
“You should do it,” Em interrupted.
Harper blinked at her best friend. “What?”
“I told you I liked the sound of her,” Dex said in her ear.
Em shrugged. “It’d be worth it just to piss off Chuckers.” If it was possible, Em disliked Chuck more than Harper did.
Harper considered that angle for moment, her head still spinning a little. It was a powerful argument. Why not? If Dex was using her to win some kind of ridiculous frat boy dare, why shouldn’t she use him, too?
“Okay, fine.” Clearly there was a level of drunk where pride rapidly diminished. “But I’m not sleeping with you. Or letting you anywhere near my lady parts.”
That low chuckle again. It ruffled seductively along flesh and nerve endings, and Harper fought the urge to stretch. And purr.
“You know you said that out loud, too, right?”
The lazy smile in his voice ruffled things even lower. “Yes. I know.”
“I will be on my best behaviour. I promise I won’t even bring condoms.”
Sober Harper nodded, pleased with the concession. Drunk, uninhibited Harper knew full well he could ruin her without the aid of a condom, and she seemed perfectly fine with that, too.
Uninhibited Harper was dangerous. She was going to have to cut that bitch off at the knees.
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Blog Tour Schedule:
September 12th
Stuck In Books Excerpt
The Book Bee Excerpt
Diane’s Book Blog Excerpt
JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC Excerpt
September 13th
I Love Romance Review
From Me to You ... Video, Photography, & Book Reviews Excerpt
My Slanted Bookish Ramblings Review
Romance Playlist Guest Post
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CReneeBookWorld Review
Reading Tigress Excerpt
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SBB Reviews Review
NightWolf Book Blog Review
September 15th
The Silver Dagger Scriptorium Excerpt
After Dark Book Lovers Review
Alpha Book Club Review
A journey to a lifetime Review
September 16th
Romance Book Nerd Excerpt
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Southern Vixens Book Obsessions Excerpt
The Lusty Literate Excerpt
September 17th
The Pervy Ladies Book Blog Review
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Brittany's Book Blog Playlist
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Ruby's Books Review
Reading Addict Excerpt
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September 19th
A Fortress of Books Review
Romantic Reads and Such Review
Sweet Reading Review
Four Chicks Flipping Pages Review
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bookshelf dreaming Revew
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Renee Entress's Blog Review
What Is That Book About Guest Post
September 21st
I'm A Sweet And Sassy Book Whore Review
Short and Sassy Book Blurbs Review
Amo & Sarah Book Corner Review
Captain Reads A Lot Excerpt
September 22nd
babbling about books and more Review
Crazy Chaotic Book Babes Review
TBR Book Blog Review
September 23rd
queenzany Review
Nose Stuck in a Book Excerpt
G & T's Indie Café Excerpt
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