Tuesday, August 2, 2016

Entangled Indulgence High Striker Booth at Entangled Publishing's Summer Carnival | Blog Tour, Guest Post, Spreading the Word & GC Giveaway


Welcome to the Indulgence High Striker Booth! Indulgence is all about rich and powerful alpha heroes, so who better to conquer the high striker than our amazing Indulgence authors?! Sherilee Gray, Carmen Falcone, Miranda Liasson, Alexia Adams, Robin Covington, and Naima Simone each wrote an original scene featuring new or existing characters and the high striker at a summer carnival. We hope you enjoy them, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway below! [Blog Tour will run from August 2 – 14, 2016 & Giveaway will run until August 15, 2016]



Summer Carnival-Indulgence Scenes Featuring Sherilee Gray, Naima Simone, Carmen Falcone, Alexia Adams, Robin Covington, and Miranda Liasson

~ By: Sherilee Gray ~

“Earth to Sarah?”
Sarah tore her eyes away from the nauseating sight of her ex all but eating his new girlfriend’s face off, and turned back to Kate, who was waving the mallet handle in front of her face.
“It’s your turn.”
“Why are we doing this again?”
“To release some of that psychotic rage boiling inside you.”
“I’m fine.” Sarah looked back at the spectacle on the other side of the fairground. Yep, David was still kissing that evil cow he’d cheated with, the same girl who had bullied and tormented her mercilessly in high school. Okay, so maybe there was a little rage.
She grabbed the mallet out of her friends hand and walked up to the High Striker, imagining David’s face staring up at her. Oh yeah, she was going to smash that smarmy, lying, cheating face. Lifting the mallet over her head, she gritted her teeth, and with a growl, smashed it down with every bit of her strength. The mallet wasn’t that heavy, and when it bounced back, it sort of just… slipped from her fingers, sailing high over her shoulder.
Spinning around, she watched in horror as it headed straight for a group of people gathered by the hotdog stand. She opened her mouth to call a warning…
A hand shot out of nowhere, snatching the mallet out of the air.
Sarah sagged in relief as her gaze travelled to the owner of that hand—to the suit clad, extremely broad, insanely tall body it was attached to—then higher.
Holy Mary mother of God.
He was gorgeous. She swallowed hard, frozen in place when dark-as-night eyes locked on hers. Then he started walking, no, prowling toward her.
Stopping in front of her, he held out the mallet. “Yours I believe?”
She nodded like a bobble head, unable to take her eyes off him, or make her freaking mouth work. The man wasn’t just good looking, he was beautiful, but in an uber manly, Jason Momoa—if Jason Momoa had short hair and shaved—kind of way.
His mouth curled up, eyes traveling over her face, lingering on her lips. He tilted his head to the side, to where her ex-boyfriend had been standing a short time ago. “He didn’t deserve you.”
“I-I know.” Words!

He grinned. “How about you and I give him a taste of his own medicine?”

~ By: Naima Simone ~

“Oh, so close.” Violet Harrison made the appropriate aaw shucks noises as the guy in a black leather jacket, white T-shirt, dark blue, cuffed jeans, and Danny Zuko gelled pompadour handed her a wooden-handled mallet. “For two dollars, you can have three more tries.”
“Danny” glanced up at the High Striker with its blinking bulbs and bell sitting at the top of the sixteen foot tower. The bell he hadn’t managed to ring with six swings of the mallet. Much to the chagrin of the “Sandy” that hung by his side, who eyed the rack of stuffed animals beside Vi with avarice, her teased blonde hair practically quivering in irritation.
“No. I’ll pass.”
“Next time then.” Vi smiled. “If you change your mind, you know where to find us.”
He nodded, wrapped his arm around his girlfriend and strode off. Probably to try his luck—and prove his strength and manhood—at the ducks shooting gallery. Turning, she quickly deposited the four dollars in the chained, metal cash box.
Sue her, but she loved this time of year. Every June, the Andreas Corporation, the company she created marketing campaigns for, hosted its annual summer carnival fundraiser. Each year the theme changed; this time it was Grease. Which, Vi supposed, was an improvement over last summer’s Circus Freaks theme. The fairgrounds had been full of bearded ladies, conjoined twins, and half men-half beasts. The screams of terrified younger children still assaulted her ears. She grinned, twisting the lock on the cash box. Epic fail. Funny as hell, though.
“Hello, Violet.”
Vi froze, one hand stuffed into the black apron around her waist that contained carnival tickets. Silently, she bit off a curse. She didn’t need to turn around to identify who stood behind her. And it wasn’t because he was the only person, besides her mother, who insisted on calling her by her full name. No, even if he’d called her “Vi” like everyone else, his voice would’ve been a dead giveaway.
That dark, honeyed, I-can-corrupt-you-and-make-you-like-it voice. That voice was gluttony, greed, and lust given syllables and sound. Satan assuredly possessed that silken, tempter’s voice.
Which was apropos given Leo Andreas was the devil incarnate.
Slowly, she turned around. And met the golden, hazel eyes that reminded her of the animal that shared his name. That lion’s stare studied her from the top of her curly, auburn beehive, down her throat and double strand of pearls, over her white shirt, grey jacket and straight A-line skirt, and lower to the sturdy black pumps.
“Nice outfit.” He arched a dark blond eyebrow, and she fought the urge to find out if the damn thing was detachable. But ripping off the facial hair of one’s employer was, at best, frowned upon. At worse, cause to be fired. Or have criminal charges filed against her.
But as her best friend’s older brother, Leo—with his hated eyebrow arch—had been tormenting her for years. Surely a jury of her peers would understand and sympathize with her.
“What?” She shrugged. “Everyone can’t be Frenchy or Rizzo or bad girl Sandy. Besides, there wouldn’t have been a Rydell High without Principal McGee.”
Deliberately, she treated him to the same visual inspection. Loose, golden waves that framed his stark cheekbones, almost too lush mouth, and hard, uncompromising jaw. A white, short-sleeved, V-neck shirt and black pants clothed a wide set of shoulders, solid chest, lean waist, and long, muscled legs. A dull, insistent, inconvenient pulse of heat throbbed low in her belly. Just once it would be nice if she could look at him without her heart stuttering or that damn lust playing Twister with her insides.
Just once it would be nice if she could be as immune to him as he obviously was to her.
“So what’re you doing over here? Lost?” With exaggerated movements, she glanced from side to side and around him. “I don’t see one of your usual brainiac supermodels hanging around, so you can’t be here to flex and test your strength.”
He stepped forward. Then closer. And closer still. Until mere inches of air separated their chests and thighs. “How much?” he murmured, leaning over and effortlessly plucking the mallet off the stand.
“Three swings for two dollars.” Move back, damn it, her mind screamed. But shock and the intoxicating, woodsy scent of his aftershave glued her feet to the ground. “One hit gets you a prize.”
“Is that all?”
She snorted, thankful she could still sound unaffected when she was anything but…unaffected. “You have to do it first, sport. Men are always bragging about how they can ring the bell. Any bell for that matter. Yawn.”
That lion’s gaze dropped to her mouth. She sucked in a breath, that pulse of heat between her legs flickering into a dancing flame.
“This mouth is trouble. I’ve told you that often enough over the years,” he said, his low, sin-and-sex voice deepening. His thumb brushed across her bottom lip in a firm caress that had her fighting not to nip his finger. Not to finally have a taste of his skin on her tongue. “I’ve also imagined doing a lot of things to teach it a lesson.”
What the…
She blinked. A backdraft of lust swirled through her with the power of a windstorm, blowing away all conscious thought except for two words: Teach. Me.
“So that’s my prize when I win your game.” When, she noted. Not if. His hand dropped from her face, but his gaze lifted to hers, trapping her. Refusing to release her. “A lesson for every strike I make. Do you agree?”
Do I agree? Do I look crazy?
Hell no.
“Yes.”

~ "Wanna Bet?" By: Carmen Falcone ~

“A carnival party. Is this a joke?” Henri Fortier hissed out. Even if he had screamed, he doubted anyone would hear him. Sounds from machinery grinding and spinning blended with guests laughing and yelling. And the smell of popcorn and hot dogs assaulted his senses.
Henri blinked at the flashy colors. Earlier that day, he’d been on his yacht in the French Riviera. Now he marched into the spacious gardens of the Californian mansion he once coveted. Well, still coveted. The one the she-devil Olivia Greystone didn’t want to sell, but would have to if her mountains of debt were anything to go by.
Merde. When he’d told her father on his deathbed he’d watch over Olivia, he had been a sentimental fool—two adjectives none of his close friends would use to describe him.
He passed the cotton candy stand, scanning the area. It must have cost a fortune to bring the jugglers who kept a small crowd hypnotized. People lined up to take a turn on the small Ferris Wheel. He’d seen Vegas Casinos less overwhelming. He kept skimming the area until his gaze found her.
Olivia.
He swallowed. Hard. His entire body halted, even his heart skipped a beat or two.
Smooth waves of blonde hair fell down her strapless red dress. She talked to someone, and he admired her curvy figure and kissable ass for one sinful second. Curling and uncurling his fingers, he sucked in a breath and erased the distance between them.
She laughed. He’d always hated how good her infectious chuckle made him feel. Then she held a glittery hammer and pounded it down the base. The red arrow shot on the sale, but it didn’t get close to the top. Olivia’s life was in shambles and she chose to play higher strike? Was she crazier than he imagined?
“Olivia,” he called her. “I’m glad you find this funny.”
She turned to him with a close-lipped smile. Her eyes still held the azure spark he remembered. “Henri.” She gave the hammer to the attendant, and smoothed her hands over her dress.
“You don’t seem surprised to see me,” he said. When was the last time he’d dealt with her in person? One, two years?
“No, I’m not.”
Henri nodded. Someone else grabbed the hammer and slammed the base, bringing a small group of friends into a frenzied cheer. He didn’t move, his eyes on hers, his spine locked into place. “What’s your angle this time, Olivia? Besides throwing this ridiculous party and having Jessica email me?” Besides wasting away the remaining dollars your father left. Mon Dieu I did a terrible job watching her like he asked. Instead, I avoided her. And let her destroy her fortune.
“I have a proposition for you.”
“What makes you think I’ll agree?”
She licked her lips. “Wanna bet?

~ "The Adriatic Affair" By: Alexia Adams ~

Jessa raised the hammer high above her head. Other carnival goers laughed and screamed their excitement, oblivious to the fact that her life had become collateral damage.
She slammed the mallet on the plate. Thanks for destroying everything, Dad. The ringer on the High Striker game didn’t even go halfway up the scale.
“Sorry, miss,” the carnie said. “For two dollars more I’ll give you another shot.”
“Please aunty, I know I can hit it,” Tyson, her six-year-old nephew, pipped up before she could answer. “I was so close before.”
Jessa shoved her hand into her pocket, not sure she had another two dollars.
“Allow me,” a deep masculine voice said from behind her. Two words, spoken in an accent she couldn’t identify, and her ovaries went into hyper drive. Just what she needed on the day her life fell apart, to be attracted to some nut job at the fair. He reached around her and handed the game’s attendant a bill that sure as hell looked more like a hundred than a two.
She swiveled around but even with her high heels she had to look up, way up, into the face of their benefactor. His turquoise eyes returned her gaze with an intensity that made her want to take a step back. Except Jessa Carmichael never backed down from a challenge.
And what a challenge. In addition to his incredible eyes, his square jaw was covered in light stubble matching his jet-black hair. But his lips were the highlight of his face. They were currently quirked up in a sardonic smile but she was pretty sure there was a better use for them—like trailing kisses from her ear down her neck and into the valley between her breasts.
Sucking in a lungful of air to quell the rising heat, she was about to thank him when his gaze dropped to her chest. The lips she’d admired a second ago parted as if he were about to take up the invitation her eyes had undoubtedly broadcast.
“Thanks, mister,” Tyson said as he pulled the hammer from Jessa’s hands. Kids, right, probably not the best time to be mesmerized by a pair of lips and amazing eyes, not to mention a chest broad enough to hold a place setting for two that included a salad fork and butter knife.
“I…” Jessa began but Mr. Sexy Lips put his hand on her arm. Desire shot from where he touched her to pool between her thighs.
Get a grip, girl, he’s probably a Fed here to interrogate you. But no government worker she’d ever met wore an Ermenegildo Zegna shirt and sported a watch that cost more than a family car.
Tyson swung the hammer and the ringer shot up and struck the bell, setting off a winner’s alarm. Her nephew danced, whopped with joy, and then launched himself at her. Not to be left out of the celebration, his twin sister Emily hugged her as well. God, she’d do anything to protect these two from the shit storm about to ravage her family.
While Tyson chose his prize with Emily’s assistance, Jessa turned to the mystery man who had paid for the extra game to thank him. His gaze caressed her face and she forgot how to use her tongue.
“Aunty Jessa, look what I got for Mummy. Now she won’t be sad.” Tyson showed her a giant panda bear, almost as big as he was. It wasn’t likely that a stuffed toy would make up for Tyson’s father and grandfather being arrested and all the family’s assets frozen pending an investigation by the SEC.
“That’s great, sweetie. Why don’t we take it to her right now?” Jessa’s feet were killing her, she was out of money, and the man standing two feet away made her want to run—or throw herself in his arms—she wasn’t sure which.
Tyson seemed torn between wanting to stay longer at the carnival and going home to cheer up his mother. While he wrestled with the impossible decision, Jessa sneaked a peek at the tower of masculinity who stood with his arms across his chest. Strong arms, his muscles bulging under the shirt he wore, the sleeves of which he’d rolled up to reveal forearms dusted with dark hair. Against her will, her eyes checked for a ring on his left hand. Bare. At least she hadn’t been lusting after a married man.
“Thank you for paying…and whatever else you did…” The game hadn’t suddenly become easier to play by accident.
He uncrossed his arms, lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. Who did that these days? Was she hallucinating from all the recent stress? No, the touch of his lips on her skin, the way his eyes caressed her fractured soul, were definitely real. And thrilling.
“You can thank me properly later,” he said. His voice vibrated against her skin, sending tingles up her arm, along her side, eventually rippling the pool of desire building with each second he stood close.
“Later? I don’t even know your name.”
“Milan Rakitić. But as of next week, you may call me ‘husband’ or ‘my love’, either works for me.”
Before she could respond, he turned and strode away.

~ "YOU CAN RING MY BELL" By: Robin Covington ~

“Hey big guy. You wanna try to ring my bell for charity?”
Bear Holt paused, looking over his shoulder when the hot girl manning the High Striker game pointed her finger at him and crooked in the universal sign for “get your ass over here”. She couldn’t mean him. All week his MC club had been in this little town just west of nowhere Oklahoma and no one had given them the time of day.
They’d given them a wide berth but that was whole different story.
But right now, this little slip of girl dressed in the latest style from some catalog that catered to the “country club and G&T” crowd was looking right at him with a smile that was…wicked. Damn. He resisted the urge to reach down and adjust his dick, a move that would get the steely-eyed matrons manning the “guess my age” booth over here with shotguns and pitchforks.
“What’s the matter? You don’t think you can do it?” the young woman asked, her eyes traveling up and down his six foot five-inch frame. She knew he could do it, he was built like a tank. She was…flirting with him.
Never a big enough idiot to pass up an invitation when he saw it, Bear eased away from his friends and through the crowd to stand in front of her.
“Do I look like I can’t ring your bell?” He teased, liking the way her skin flushed a bit at his words. What he loved was the little catch in her breathing when he smiled down at her.
Damn. She was so pretty. Short and curvy with dark brown hair, green eyes and a few, delicious freckles scattered across her nose. He wanted to lean down and kiss her and see if she tasted as sweet as she looked.
“I know you can,” she laughed, running her tongue along her bottom lip. “I thought so when I saw you at the diner the other night.”
“Huh?” He took a step back, as if the action would clear up his confusion.
“In the diner. With your friends.” She cocked her head at him, squinting as she tried to think up something to trigger his memory. “I was wearing my scrubs from work.”
Oh yeah. He remembered her. He’d taken one look at her across the small restaurant and been unable to stop staring. His friends had given him all kinds of shit for it but he didn’t care. Not when she’d looked back. An ill-timed phone call and she’d been gone when he returned. He’d been left with nothing but a cup of lukewarm coffee and disappointment.
“You left without saying goodbye,” he said.
“I said hello now,” she answered.
“Yes. You did.” He looked up the tall game, gauging just how far up the bell was and how hard he’d have to hit it. He could do it. No problem. Bear returned his gaze to his little nurse. “You wanna tell me your name before I ring your bell?”
She smiled, really just a teasing twist of her lips as she pretended to think about his request. He liked that about her, she was fun. She probably laughed a lot and he needed more of that in his life. “It’s Leighanne. Leighanne Colson.”
He liked her name too.
“Okay Leighanne, how much?” He pulled out his wallet.
“A dollar per swing…” she paused when he handed over a ten-dollar bill. “You think you’re going to need ten swings?”
“Nope. I’ll get it in one, the rest is for a kiss,” Bear grabbed the handle of the large hammer, testing the weight as he rolled his shoulders in preparation.
“A kiss? The kissing booth is just beyond the cotton candy booth,” Leighanne said as she slid the money into a pocket.
He shrugged. “It’s all for the charity, right? Once I ring your bell, let’s just pretend we’re in the kissing booth.”
“That’s not how it works,” she said, her tone sounding more “yes, please” than “hell, no”.
“It does now.” He didn’t wait for her agreement, he could see it in her eyes. She’d called him over for a reason and he wasn’t going to waste this chance. Bear heaved up the hammer and positioned his body behind the game, rolling his shoulders to loosen up the muscles. Taking a couple of experimental swings, he took a deep breath and brought the hammer down on the pad and watched as the metal piece flew up into the air and made loud, clanging contact with the brass bell at the top.
It was loud. So loud that people in the area jumped a little and then clapped, light laughter filling the air and mingling with the sounds of crowds and piped in country music. He nodded to those who congratulated him, setting down the hammer on the grass next to the game.
“I rang your bell,” Bear stated the obvious, sliding in close that she had to look up to make eye contact. He ventured out one hand, hooking a finger in one of her belt loops and pulling her just shy of full-body contact with him. She sucked in a quick breath and let it out, her breasts pressing against his chest, the contact causing him to shiver.
“You did.”
“I want to claim my prize.”
Her lips curled in a hint of smile as her fingertips brushed against his forearm. “Are you asking?”
“No. I’m not.”
He leaned down and took her mouth, all plans to be gentle forgotten when she opened to him immediately and he sunk into her wet heat. She tasted sweet, of mint gum and lemonade and of something he couldn’t imagine living without. Her tongue played with his own, her teeth taking as many opportunities as he did to add a hint of sharp need to their first kiss.
The first…but he somehow knew it wouldn’t be the last.

~ By: Miranda Liasson ~

“But I want that one, Aunt Alexis.” The tow-headed little girl ran up to the carnival booth next to the High Striker game, where teddy bears in every color of the rainbow lined the wooden shelves.
“Gabby, come back here,” Alex said, readjusting the popcorn and slushies Gabby had already conned her into buying. It wasn’t an easy task with her right arm in a cast.
Gabby had a thing for bunnies, so it wasn’t surprising she was staring, mesmerized, at a massive pink one, plump and plush, nearly as big as she was.
The employee behind the counter manning the game gave her a nod. He wore a red and white vertically striped shirt, black pants, and a straw hat and glasses. A bit nerdy, but he smiled kindly. Alex smiled back. “She loves bunnies,” she said apologetically, nudging Gabby by the shoulders and trying to steer her away.
There was no way she could play the High Striker game, no matter how much she might want to for Gabby, who just got out of the hospital last week after a month-long stay for heart surgery. She was okay, thank God, just underweight and weak. All the more reason for Alex to want to indulge and give her the time of her life at the annual Frugle employee picnic, where they’d set up an entire carnival for the employees and their families.
But right now, she had to get Gabby away from the striker game. Alex was only three weeks out from her wrist break. She’d gone jogging with a blind date. By the third mile, she was pretty winded, but keeping up appearances—until she tripped over a rock and went flying.
Yeah, she’ d broken her arm trying to impress Mr. Muscle, who didn’t even go into the ER with her. He’d dropped her off at the sliding doors.
That had been her dating luck lately.
Alex tugged gently at Gabby’s elbow, but the child suddenly seemed to grow roots. Being from a family of six, Alex was mostly unfazed. She knew the tricks of the trade. “Oh, look, Gabs, cotton candy next door! C’mon, let’s hurry before they sell out.”
“Step right up, gents,” Mr. High Striker Guy called out. “Try your hand at a game of strength for the lovely ladies.”
“Oh, no, please, it’s okay,” she said apologetically to the guy who was trying to attract customers, or trying to attract some guy who would help her out. But she didn’t want charity. “Really.”
“Please, please, please, Aunt Alex. Please.” Blue eyes the size of the local swimming pool pleaded. Alex sighed. It had been a mistake to allow Gabby to run over to the stuffed animals in the first place.
Distraction. Yes, that’s what she’d try. Gabby’s attention span was about the size of a dime anyway. Alex pointed across the way. “C’mon, let’s go play Go Fish. I hear they’re giving out real goldfish.” Yeah, her sister would certainly thank her if they brought one of those home. Or three. But still, if it took Gabby’s mind off the bunny…
The Striker guy was looking at her a little funny. He was looking at Gabby even more oddly. He pulled out his cell and made a call.
Okay, Striker Guy was giving her the creeps. “C’mon, Gabs. I’ll buy you some ice cream,” she bribed. She almost said Please she wanted out of there so badly. After all, she was running out of food bribes.
When Alex turned around, a man was standing in front of the game—her boss. Well, not exactly her boss, but the man she reported to every day, Colin Blakely. The VP of Frugle, a high-techie search-engine company that had hired her in the PR department a month ago. Except the CEO was a mystery—to just about everyone.
“Hey, Alex,” Colin said, glancing at the guy behind the counter and frowning.
“You know each other?” Striker Guy asked.
“Yeah,” Colin said. “Alex is the PR person we hired to give y—er, the CEO a new reputation. “
“Is that right?” Striker Guy said.
“Well, I’ve actually never met “The Boss,” Alex said, making little air quotes with her fingers.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll meet him soon,” Striker Guy said.
“I’m not so sure,” Alex said. “He’s very reclusive.”
“Maybe he’s just busy,” he said.
“There are a lot of rumors going around about him,” Alex said.
“Like what?” he asked.
“The three most talked about are agoraphobia, Asperger’s, and facial scarring.”
He laughed. “Well, I’ve heard he’s very social and quite handsome.”
She’d heard that too. And she actually knew the truth—Ryan Nichols’ wife and young daughter had died in a tragic car accident two years ago. The news had been magically extracted from all the major search engines, but she’d found it…in an plain old newspaper in the public library. The benefits of being a former librarian. He’d returned to work soon afterward but as a broken man. Someone who ran the company behind the scenes but never showed his face.
Striker Guy had a nice smile, even though his nerdy glasses obscured a lot of his face. “Colin, for God’s sakes, give it a try for the lady.”
He certainly was on familiar terms with the VP of the company.
“I twisted my shoulder playing baseball yesterday,” Colin said. “I think you’re going to have to come out here yourself.”
“Isn’t that against the rules?” Striker Guy asked.
“Funny, I thought you made the rules,” Colin said with a chuckle. More joking around.
What was going on here?
“Allow me to try.”
Striker Guy was suddenly standing next to her. Alex gasped despite herself because he was so…tall. She met his eyes—they were a warm brown behind the glasses, the awful nerdy glasses that he’d already pushed up with his nose twice. Plus he smelled good, like expensive cologne, woodsy and spicy.
She didn’t have time to say no; Gabby was squealing with delight, egging him on, begging for him to smack the puck into oblivion.
He picked up the mallet and brought it down hard on the metal lever. And at that moment, Alex saw that Clark Kent had a bod. A gorgeous bod. Muscles rippled though his athletic shirt. His thighs flexed below his shorts hem. And oh, his legs. Lean, muscular, tanned. Clark had been hiding some impressive assets behind the counter, hadn’t he?
The puck shot up, but didn’t hit the top. He readjusted his shirt and his glasses, which had gone askew. Actually, he tore the glasses completely off and handed them to Alex. “Will you hold these?”
Alex blinked. Because the man had amazing eyes! Brown, stunning eyes, with dark wavy hair and golden skin, like he was Greek or Italian or something. She lost all words. Somehow, she managed to hold out her hand to retrieve the horrible glasses.
For a moment, he stared at her. The corner of his full mouth tipped up in the slightest smile. “I’m going to try again,” he said.
“Here you go, boss,” Colin said, handing him the mallet.
Boss? Colin was calling him boss? Alex glanced at Colin but he was focused on his friend, who was winding up to strike like he meant business.
“Go, Mr. Ryan, go!” Gabby said, clapping her little hands.
He gripped the mallet again, but he turned his attention to her. “What else do they say about—Mr. Nichols?”
“That it’s difficult to get into his inner circle. And the employees fear that it’s just as difficult for their concerns to get heard as well.” She paused for a moment.
“I review employee comments every day.”
“Me too, but no one is sure if Mr. Nichols does. Since no one sees him, no one is certain what exactly he does. And that misconception tends to stick.”
“What else?”
She shrugged. “That he keeps to himself. That he’s a fanatical exerciser. That he’s fussy with his food and he doesn’t date. Oh, and that he really is a recluse.”
“He’s not a recluse,” he said so low she almost didn’t hear. Clearly she’d hit a sore spot.
What a strange man. He focused that intense gaze on the striker surface, winding up and coming down hard on the metal thing with double his effort.
The puck shot up, the bell dinged.
“It rang! It rang!” Gabby shouted, throwing herself around the stranger’s knees.
Alex ran to peel her niece away, fearing that this he would be repelled by the impulsive display of affection. But he smiled. Reached down and patted Gabby’s head. Flashed her another one of those amazing smiles.
Colin went behind the counter and got the bunny, which Gabby immediately lunged for and held on to with all her might. It really was bigger than she was.
“Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Nichols,” Alex said. “I won’t forget it. Neither will Gabby.”
His brow raised at the mention of his name. “How did you know?”
She shrugged. “I used to be a librarian. I’m used to digging below the surface for things. But don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.” She turned to collect Gabby and leave.
“Wait,” he said, touching her elbow. She swore she felt his touch into her shoulder, her chest, her stomach, everywhere.
“I’ve been hanging out here today, seeing if everyone was enjoying themselves. I didn’t mean to be deceptive. Forgive me.”
He was an odd one. But oh, those eyes were so soft and warm, so melted-chocolaty, and they were looking at her like she was ice cream. “Well, you did make one little girl really happy.”
“Let me make it up to you.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“No, I insist.”
“Okay, but I have…conditions.”
“Conditions?”
“Yes. I’d like to have a formal meeting with my employer.”
“Done. What else?”
“I need some help getting the rabbit in the car, considering I only have one arm.”
“No problem.”
“And one last request.”
“What’s that?”
“Will you win me that little blue teddy bear on the top shelf?” She smiled a little, so he’d know she was kidding.
“I’ll make you a deal. If I hit the bell again, you get the stuffed animal and I get a date.”



"Wrecked"
[Axle Alley Vipers Series, Book 3] by Sherilee Gray

Author's Book Description :
    He's driving her crazy...

    Piper West is finally on her own, and it's time to get crazy. Except that her overprotective big bro has enlisted his ex-cop best friend to keep an eye on his baby sister. With every move monitored and reported back, Piper's life has gone from "going crazy" to "being driven crazy." But a searing-hot kiss with her sexy and scarred watchdog is just the game-changer she needs...

    Cole Black owes Piper's brother big-time, but there's nothing easy about his new assignment. Piper is all feisty sexiness and curves meant to tempt a man beyond reason, and Cole can't stop himself. Now he's caught up in a hunger like nothing he's ever known, and he can't get enough...

    Even if Piper's the one girl he's not allowed to have.

This book is available to order on :

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** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **




"The Millionaire Makeover"
[Bachelor Auction Series, Book 2] by Naima Simone

Author's Book Description :
    He promised to stay away…but some promises are made to be broken.

    Plain-Jane computer programmer Khloe Richardson needs a date—one to make the prince of her dreams jealous. Maybe then he’ll finally see her as a desirable swan and not the ugly duckling in the second office from the left.

    But when she bids on a bachelor at a charity auction, the man she wins is millionaire Niall Hunter—who once made intense, passionate love to her and then left without a word. She’s determined not to let her guard down again—among other things—around the infamous Irish lothario.

    Niall never imagined his penance for one hot-as-hell night with his best friend’s little sister would be transforming her from a shy wallflower to a sultry siren. Helping her attract another man is torture…especially when he promised his friend he’d stay away. Plus, she wants forever, and he’s not a forever kind of guy. But Niall can’t stop wanting her. Can’t stop touching her. Can’t stop, period. And damn if he can remember why he has to…

This book is available to order on :

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** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **




"A Weekend of Misbehaving"
[Time to Misbehave Series, Book 2] by Carmen Falcone

Author's Book Description :
    When fantasy becomes reality…

    The last thing nanny Alice Sommers needs is to be caught skinny-dipping by her sexy, cranky-pants boss—in his pool. Her sister owes a crap-load of money to a slimy loan shark and Alice really needs this job if she has any hope of saving her family. Fortunately, her boss is richer than sin and needs her just as much.

    Art dealer Lorenzo Baldi will lose his prestigious career if his anarchist father’s paintings are revealed to the art world. He’s determined to persuade the paintings’ eccentric owner to sell them to him, even if to pull it off, he’ll have to blackmail his daughter’s nanny—a woman with the sexy curves of a Botticelli masterpiece—into being his fake fiancé.

    The gorgeous island of Capri inspires some major misbehaving. But even as the loan shark breathes down Alice’s neck and the paintings move closer to the art scene, Lorenzo drops one more bomb that will change everything.

This book is available to order on :

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** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **




"The Greek's Stowaway Bride"
by Alexia Adams

Author's Book Description :
    She slipped aboard his yacht, but can he keep her out of his heart?

    Egyptian heiress Rania Ghalli is desperate to free her political prisoner uncle before it’s too late. Hoping to make it to North Africa, she stows away on the yacht of Greek millionaire Demetri Christodoulou. But when Egyptian agents board the boat, she can either jump overboard…or claim she’s Demetri’s new bride.

    Tired of being no more than the bastard disgrace to the Christodoulou name, Demetri intends to build a luxury resort below his grandfather’s house so the old man has no choice but to acknowledge that Demetri has made something of himself. But first, he needs a wife to complete the land purchase.

    With Rania now at his mercy, a plan comes together. He’ll play along, protecting her and helping to free her uncle, but in exchange, he demands a real marriage. But keeping the vivacious heiress out of his heart will be a lot harder than keeping her on his ship…

This book is available to order on :

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** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **




"His Southern Temptation"
[Boys are Back in Town Series, Book 2] by Robin Covington

Author's Book Description :
    Finalist in the short contemporary category of the Booksellers Best Awards!

    Some women are bad. Some women are a bad idea. The best ones are both…

    As a Black Ops assassin, “Lucky” Landon has had more than his fair share of close calls. Now he’s turned in his sniper rifle for the simple life of his small hometown. So the last thing he ever expected was to end up at gunpoint. Or that the woman holding the gun would be his best friend’s little sister and Lucky’s on-again/off-again lover.

    Taylor Elliott is Trouble, and she likes it that way. And seeing Lucky again? Well, he’s been her dirty little secret for the past few years and everyone knows that secrets in a small town are almost impossible to keep. But Taylor has bigger problems on her plate. Like the local mob boss who wants her dead.

    And right now the only thing standing between Trouble and disaster is a hottie named Lucky…

This book is available to order on :

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** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **




"Heart and Sole"
[Kingston Family Series, Book 1] by Miranda Liasson

Author's Book Description :
    When the other shoe drops, she’ll steal his heart…

    Maddie Kingston just walked away from everything in order to take over her family’s struggling shoe business. And she’s in some serious trouble. The majority of the company’s shares have been bought out by none other than Maddie’s ex-boyfriend, self-made billionaire Nick Holter. Now Maddie needs his help…even if it means buying Nick from a charity bachelor auction.

    After the Kingstons destroyed his grandfather’s career, Nick vowed to take over their company. He’s inches from victory when he finds himself bought and paid for…by his sexy ex-girlfriend who’s hell-bent on saving her family’s company. Between their families’ feud and their own unfinished business, tempers—and emotions—run hot. Too hot.

    Because kissing with the enemy is a guaranteed shoe-in for trouble…

This book is available to order on :

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** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **




About the Authors :

Sherilee Gray’s always had a big (some may say warped) imagination, and as a kid scared herself conjuring up horror stories full of ghosts and other terrifying creatures. As she got older the stories changed quite a bit, but they were always there. Still, she never dreamed of actually writing down any of those wonderful imaginary people or places. Not until many years later when her sister introduced her to the wondrous world of romance novels, and her very large book collection.

She’s pleased to say, she still has the big imagination… only now her characters are chasing their happily ever after.

Sherilee Gray is a kiwi girl and lives in beautiful New Zealand with her husband and their two children. When she isn't writing sexy, edgy contemporary romance or fueling her voracious book addiction, she can be found dreaming of far off places with a mug of tea in one hand and a bar of Cadburys Rocky Road chocolate in the other.


Naima Simone's love of romance was first stirred by Johanna Lindsey and Linda Howard many years ago. Though her first attempt at writing a romance novel at age 11 never saw the light of day, her love of romance and writing has endured. Now, she spends her time creating stories of unique men and women who experience the dizzying heights of passion and the tender heat of love.

She is wife to Superman--or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent--and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.






Carmen Falcone learned at an early age that fantasizing about fictional characters beats doing math homework any day. Brazilian by birth and traveler by nature, she moved to Central Texas after college and met her broody Swiss husband—living proof that opposites attract. She found in writing her deepest passion and the best excuse to avoid the healthy lifestyle everyone keeps talking about. When she’s not lost in the world of romance, she enjoys spending time with her two kids, being walked by her three crazy pugs, reading, catching up with friends, and chatting with random people in the checkout line.









Alexia Adams used to travel the world, meeting new people, experiencing new sights and tastes. She’s lived in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, England, and France, as well as spending three months in Panama and two months in Russia. When life demanded that she stay rooted in one place, she took to vicarious voyages through the characters she created in her romance novels. Her stories reflect her love of travel and feature locations as diverse as the wind-swept prairies of Canada to the hot and humid jungles of Guyana.









A USAToday bestseller, Robin Covington loves to explore the theme of fooling around and falling in love in her books. Her stories burn up the sheets. . .one page at a time. When she's not writing she's collecting tasty man candy, indulging in a little comic book geek love, hoarding red nail polish and stalking Chris Evans.

A 2016 RITA® Award nominee, Robin's books have won the Golden Leaf Award and finaled in the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice, the Book Seller's Best and the National Reader's Choice Awards.

She lives in Maryland with her handsome husband, her two brilliant children (they get it from her, of course!), and her beloved furbabies, Dutch and Dixie Joan Wilder (Yes - THE Joan Wilder)


My Previous Review(s) for Robin Covington : The Prince's Runaway Lover

My Previous Mention(s) of Robin Covington's Books/Characters : Second Sentence Saturday: The Prince’s Runaway Lover

Miranda Liasson loves to write stories about courageous but flawed characters who find love despite themselves, because there's nothing like a great love story. And if there are a few laughs along the way, even better! She won the 2013 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart Award for Series Romance and also writes contemporary romance for Montlake Publishing. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, three kids, and office mates Maggie, a yellow lab, and Posey, a rescue cat with attitude. Miranda loves to hear from readers!











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Monday, August 1, 2016

Entangled TEEN Balloon Pop Booth at Entangled Publishing's Summer Carnival | Blog Tour, Guest Post, Spreading the Word & Multiple Giveaways


Welcome to the Entangled TEEN Balloon Pop Booth! Entangled TEEN is all about the excitement of first love, so we are talking about all of the reasons a summer carnival makes a good date! Pintip Dunn, Vivi Barnes, Heidi R. Kling, and Gloria Craw are here to share their reasons and we would love to hear some of your carnival date stories. Then check out books by those lovely ladies and a few more! ALSO, be sure to leave a comment and don’t forget to enter the giveaway below! [Blog Tour & Giveaway will run from August 1 – 14, 2016]



First Dates, Summer Love, and Carnival Rides Featuring Pintip Dunn, Vivi Barnes, Heidi R. Kling, and Gloria Craw

Pintip Dunn :
OMG, I think one of my first dates ever was at a summer carnival! Why does it make a good date? Because it is fun, thrilling, playful, giddy, and romantic! You get to be a kid again as you scream on rides that smash you up against your date. Feel that rush of excitement when your hoop lands on the bottle and you win a gigantic stuffed animal. Taste the sticky sweetness of cotton candy on your date's lips. Best of all, you form memories that you still remember fondly 20 years later!


Vivi Barnes :
No other date can measure up to the excitement and… opportunities…of a carnival. Where else can you legitimately be smashed up against the cute guy without having to apologize for being in his space? Or be lifted a couple hundred feet in the air for a few peaceful minutes of conversation with zero possibilities of someone butting in? Or be given the opportunity to win a huge stuffed monkey that you know you must have, whether or not you really do. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll receive that special kiss you’ll remember far longer than that ugly orange monkey.


Heidi R. Kling :
Hot. Summer, Night. Well, that's enough right there for romance to spark, but add some sticky cotton candy, popcorn, rides that push you into your partner instead of further apart, and if you're lucky? A moonlit kiss on a Ferris Wheel. Only thing missing from Paige and Jake's summer in Jackson Hole was the town carnival. Why didn't I think of that? Maybe in the sequel.


Gloria Craw :
Carnivals are all about roller-coasters, so we can get some quality handholding-time in as we scream on the way down. Our guy might show off his man-skills and win a stuffed animal, and the food can be amazing. The best thing about a carnival date, though, is we’re going to get windblown hair, he might choose the scary, stuffed clown prize, and there’s a chance someone will spill Slurpee on their jeans. I think when the fun gets chaotic, we let our guard down and that’s when we really get to know someone.




"Forget Tomorrow"
[Forget Tomorrow Series, Book 1] by Pintip Dunn

Author's Book Description :
    Imagine a world where your destiny has already been decided…by your future self.

    It’s Callie’s seventeenth birthday and, like everyone else, she’s eagerly awaiting her vision―a memory sent back in time to sculpt each citizen into the person they’re meant to be. A world-class swimmer. A renowned scientist.

    Or in Callie’s case, a criminal.

    In her vision, she sees herself murdering her gifted younger sister. Before she can process what it means, Callie is arrested and placed in Limbo―a prison for those destined to break the law. With the help of her childhood crush, Logan, a boy she hasn’t spoken to in five years, she escapes the hellish prison.

    But on the run from her future, as well as the government, Callie sets in motion a chain of events that she hopes will change her fate. If not, she must figure out how to protect her sister from the biggest threat of all—Callie, herself.

This book is available to order on :

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** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **

A photo posted by Pintip Dunn (@pintip_dunn) on




"Paper or Plastic"
by Vivi Barnes

Author's Book Description :
    Welcome to SmartMart, where crime pays minimum wage...

    Busted. Alexis Dubois just got caught shoplifting a cheap tube of lipstick at the local SmartMart. She doesn’t know what’s worse—disappointing her overbearing beauty-pageant-obsessed mother for the zillionth time...or her punishment. Because Lex is forced to spend her summer working at the store, where the only things stranger than the staff are the customers.

    Now Lex is stuck in the bizarro world of big-box retail. Coupon cutters, jerk customers, and learning exactly what a “Code B” really is (ew). And for added awkwardness, her new supervisor is the totally cute—and adorably geeky—Noah Grayson. Trying to balance her out-of-control mother, her pitching position on the softball team, and her secret crush on the school geek makes for one crazy summer. But ultimately, could the worst job in the world be the best thing that ever happened to her?


My Book Review :
    4 out of 5 stars! A girl tries to steal lipstick from SmartMart and is caught. As punishment, as well as to teach her responsibility, her mother gets the manager to hire her for the summer, much to her dismay. Overtime she finds that SmartMart is better than she perceived, most of the employees are really nice, and there is one hot assistant manager who is more than nice in getting to know. Yet, with life at home getting more difficult and the hot assistant manager actually being her best friend’s enemy will she be able to follow her instincts/her heart or will her fears about what everyone thinks get in the way?

    Even though at times I wish Alexis (Lex/Lexus) was more forthright to her friends and Noah, I liked how this novel progressed from Lex being snobby to her putting effort into getting to know all her employees to her overcoming her previous misgivings. [READ MY FULL REVIEW & TWO EXTRA TEASERS]

This book is available to order on :

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** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **




"Paint My Body Red"
by Heidi R. Kling

Author's Book Description :
    The world isn’t just black or white. Sometimes it’s red…

    They think I’m next. That I’ll be the seventh kid to step in front of a train and end my life. With the rash of suicides at my school, Mom’s shipped me off to my dad’s Wyoming ranch for “my own safety.” They think I’m just another depressed teenager whose blood will end up on the tracks. They don’t know my secrets…or what I’ve done.

    I wasn’t expecting Dad to be so sick, for the ranch I loved to be falling to bits, or for Jake—the cute boy I knew years ago—to have grown into a full-fledged, hot-as-hell cowboy. Suddenly, I don’t want to run anymore, but the secrets from home have found me…even here. And this time, it’s up to me to face them—and myself—if I want to live…

This book is available to order on :

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** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **




"Atlantis Rising"
[Atlantis Rising Series, Book 1] by Gloria Craw

Author's Book Description :
    We’ve stayed hidden too long…

    I am different. I have always been different, but no one can know or my life will be in danger. So I hide in plain sight, wearing drab clothes and thick glasses and trying to be invisible. I’m so good at hiding, no one has ever noticed me. Until Ian…the mysterious and oh-so-cute boy I know I need to avoid.

    Now I have been seen. And more terrifying still, I am wanted—by those who would protect me and those who would destroy everything and everyone I love. But if they’re all terrified about who I am, wait until they see what I can do…

This book is available to order on :

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** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **




"The Summer I Became a Nerd"
[Nerd Series, Book 1] by Leah Rae Miller

Author's Book Description :
    On the outside, seventeen-year-old Madelyne Summers looks like your typical blond cheerleader—perky, popular, and dating the star quarterback. But inside, Maddie spends more time agonizing over what will happen in the next issue of her favorite comic book than planning pep rallies with her squad. That she’s a nerd hiding in a popular girl's body isn’t just unknown, it's anti-known. And she needs to keep it that way.

    Summer is the only time Maddie lets her real self out to play, but when she slips up and the adorkable guy behind the local comic shop’s counter uncovers her secret, she’s busted. Before she can shake a pom-pom, Maddie’s whisked into Logan’s world of comic conventions, live-action role-playing, and first-person-shooter video games. And she loves it. But the more she denies who she really is, the deeper her lies become…and the more she risks losing Logan forever.

This book is available to order on :

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** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **




"Live and Let Psi"
[Psi Fighter Academy Series, Book 2] by D. R. Rosensteel

Author's Book Description :
    She’d rather kick butt than fall in love.

    Rinnie Noelle would rather kick some creepy villain butt than go on a date. As a Psi Fighter trained in the Mental Arts, she can’t be distracted by emotion. Her nemesis, Nicolaitin, is manipulating students from her school, using them as puppets to carry out his new plan to find the infamous Morgan Girl, and he doesn’t care who becomes collateral damage in the process. People’s lives are depending on Rinnie’s ultimate focus.

    But Mason Draudimon keeps slicing into her soul sharper than a Thought Saber, and her feelings for him knock her off her game with the strength of a psionic War Hammer. Mason insists on helping Rinnie take down Nicolaitan for his own reasons—to avenge his mother—and the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous the dance between mind and heart, life and death, logic and love.

This book is available to order on :

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** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **

My, my, what have we here?

A photo posted by D.r. Rosensteel (@d.r.rosensteel) on




About the Authors :

When Pintip Dunn first-grade teacher asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she replied, “An author.” Although she has pursued other interests over the years, this dream has never wavered. Pintip graduated from Harvard University, magna cum laude, with an A.B. in English Literature and Language. She received her J.D. at Yale Law School, where she was an editor of the YALE LAW JOURNAL.
Pintip is represented by literary agent Beth Miller of Writers House. She is a 2012 RWA Golden Heart® finalist and a 2014 double-finalist. She lives with her husband and children in Maryland.








Vivi Barnes was raised on a farm in East Texas where her theater-loving mom and cowboy dad gave her a unique perspective on life. Now living in the magic and sunshine of Orlando, Florida, she divides her time writing, working, goofing off with her husband and three kids, and avoiding dirty dishes.

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



Heidi R. Kling writes about normal girls in fantastic situations. "PAINT MY BODY RED," a romantic thriller about a girl fleeing secrets from home launches November 2 with EntangledTeen, followed by several more novels on various Entangled imprints. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from the New School, but has been writing books, plays and screenplays since she could practically hold a pencil.








Gloria Craw grew up in the desert southwest, inspired everyday by the wide skies and rich colors around me. Gloria attended the University of Utah where she majored and got a degree in anthropology. These days, she lives in the burbs just outside of Seattle, Washington. She's married and has four daughters. When she's not running them to volleyball or swimming, you'll find her reading, writing or fangirling over some TV show.









Mother, wife, and YA author living on a windy hill in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Leah Rae Miller loves fuzzy socks, comic books, cherry coke, and brand new office supplies. Her first novel in her Nerd Series titled "THE SUMMER I BECAME A NERD" came out Summer 2013 from Entangled Teen, and the second novel in the series came out Spring 2016. Stay cool!








D. R. Rosensteel writes clean YA fantasy action-adventure stories wrapped around real teen issues like bullying, drug abuse, and peer pressure. There may be a hint of romance or a touch of horror, but there will always be action, action action!

His message to kids who feel different—stick together. We have the rest of the world outnumbered.

His message to parents—pay attention. The evils of bullying, drug abuse, and peer pressure are real, and our kids don’t always talk about it. Don’t be a helicopter, but never be afraid to be a parent. Our kids need our guidance and our love. It’s great that they have friends who have their backs, but it’s better that they know you do.

His message to Psi Fighters—Vanquish Evil, Do Right, Protect the Innocent!




Check out all of their Book Previews :




Giveaways!! :

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Soo .... COMMENT & TWEET on/about this post!! And you could WIN!! =0)

ALSO -- Be sure to join Entangled Publishing's Summer Carnival FB Party!



Find Pintip Dunn :

Find Vivi Barnes :

Find Heidi R. Kling :

Find Gloria Craw :

Find Leah Rae Miller :

Find D. R. Rosensteel :

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Made the Grade: Bump in the Night by Dakota Rebel

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon: Kindle Edition - File Size: 347 KB | Expected Release Date: October 21, 2014 | Publisher: Resplendence Publishing | Obtained: Dakota Rebel

"Bump in the Night" by Dakota Rebel

Author's Book Description : Ainsley Tennant has a secret. By day, she is the quintessential girl next door, a mild-mannered, small-town librarian with a 401k and no social life. But when the sun sets, she turns into a preternatural magnet. Every ghost, vampire and demon in a fifty-mile radius is drawn to her. Since she was a child, all she has ever wanted was to find someplace safe, far away from murder and mayhem so that these lost souls would no longer be drawn to her.


She believes she has finally found such a place in Logan, Ohio and has planted her roots firmly in the small, happy town. Still, not one to tempt fate, she does her best to be safely ensconced in her home before night fully takes hold of her peaceful village.


Unfortunately, her house may not be the safe haven she believed it. On Halloween, she finds herself walking the two blocks from work to her house well after midnight and realizes she is no longer alone on her journey. Turning to confront her pursuer, she comes face to face with one of the sexiest vampires she has ever encountered. Though her head tells her to run, her body begs to find out if anything good ever goes bump in the night.

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars!

Okay this review is a bit different because my original review, which was well thought out if I do say so myself, got accidently deleted by my Kindle. I’m still not happy about that happening but there isn’t a way to get it back. So … here you go from what I recall about this novel …

It’s about Ainsley a woman who has the powers to see and unintentionally draw paranormal creatures to her. However, she is sick of her power so she finds a “out of the area” place to live where she has created a home she enjoys. But as Halloween is a few days away, she finds that something very evil is after her and her strongest protections won’t save her. Therefore, when unlikely help from a handsome vampire comes along Ainsley finds him and his help impossible to resist. Quickly a crossroads in her life comes to pass, will she take the course that will lead her to a new future (one she never expected) or will she try to protect herself from the upcoming events so she can try to keep her life as normal as possible?

I really enjoyed how this novel was laid out; it’s intensely written with a surprise romance wrapped in a fast-paced adventure that keeps you interested from the beginning. In addition, I LOVED Ainsley’s relationship with both Zane and Kate! Zane seemed like Ainsley’s perfect half, plus he’s described as a handsome vampire who was also sweet and charming, while Kate was just a sweet girl who Ainsley and Zane unintentionally grew to love and wanted the best for her future.

Though this novel was not written as I had expected, its main and secondary characters won me over. I am also curious to know if Ainsley’s witch and angel/guardian friends ended up together too.

I recommend it to those looking for a unique first person paranormal romance.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :
icon
Kobo (e-Book) USD : Bump in the Night

Amazon (Kindle) USD : Bump in the Night
Bump in the Night (Paranormal Vampire Erotic Romance) by Dakota Rebel
Barnes & Noble (NOOK Book) USD : Bump in the Night

Book Teaser(s) :
“You’re a strange one,” I said, before trying to stifle a yawn. “Why do you want to hang out with me?”
“You smell like a Christmas cookie.”
“Excuse me?” I asked with a giggle.
“You do.” He shrugged, and the motion moved my head forward. He shifted in the swing, turning us both so he was almost reclining and I could rest fully against his chest. His arms wrapped around me, and though I knew I should move or protest or something, I couldn’t. It felt so good to be held by a man, especially this one, that I just allowed it to happen. I don’t know why I felt safe with him, but somehow, I knew he wouldn’t hurt me.
“Christmas cookies,” I repeated with another yawn. “I’ve never heard that before.”
“You smell like butter and sugar and fresh pine needles,” he murmured into my hair.
“That’s not pine,” I said. “That’s wine.”
“Oh,” he whispered. “Well, it certainly is intoxicating.”
“I didn’t need any cheese to go with that.” ~ within Chapter 5
Could my life get any more messed up? ~ within Chapter 11

Book Preview(s) :
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Dakota, then please check out her Amazon Acct.

Monday, July 25, 2016

Idolizing In: The Dream Chronicles, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon: Paperback - Pages: 252; Kindle Edition - File Size: 757 KB | Expected Release Date: March 25, 2015 | Publisher: ImaJinn Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"DreamSinger" / "Dream Singer" [The Dream Chronicles, Book 1] by J. A. Ferguson (aka Jo Ann Ferguson, Joanna Hampton, Jo Ann Brown, Rebecca North, & Marianne Ellis)

Author's Book Description : A world lost . . .

First Daughter Nerienne, heir to the Tiria of Gayome, faces the destruction of everything she knows when her mother’s enemies kill the Tiria. Nerienne is left with just her magic and with Bidge, a mysterious creature that speaks only to her. She is rescued by Durgan Ketassian, leader of the rebels in the northern woods, but can she trust this man whom her mother condemned to die?

A dream found . . .

Durgan knows he cannot trust Nerienne. Her mother had been his enemy ever since she began slaying dreamsingers, skilled musicians who sing the future through one’s dreams. He has vowed to see his people free of the Tiria’s domination, never guessing the Tiria’s daughter could awaken parts of his heart he’d shut away.

A song without end . . .

To save Gayome, Nerienne and Durgan must work together to defeat their common enemy. But to become allies opens them to the greatest threat of all . . . falling in love.

My Book Review : 5 out of 5 stars!! One woman struggles to uphold her responsibilities in the face of her world crumbling around her while one man seeks vengeance for all he has lost. Together they become unlikely allies against those who plan to give them equal harm. Yet, can they do so without losing themselves and their hearts to one another in the process?

This epic journey begins with this enticing novel! Intense and spell binding, I was riveted from the very beginning when Durgan is plotting his “escape.” In ways, it reminded me a lot of Maxine Mansfield's The Academy Series because of how the characters from Ms. Mansfield's series and this one (Ms. Ferguson's) seem to have similar characteristics to me, and how the series' are laid out.

Their snark, courageousness, and determination won me over in the beginning and reading about them slowly falling for one another made me root for Durgan and Nerienne more so then most characters I’ve read about. Together they make one grand couple (two pieces of a whole) that could rule all if only they'd allow it. I LOVED their banter! Plus, adding cute/sweet Bidge into their relationship didn’t hurt either.

I HIGHLY recommend this novel to those looking for a fantasy romance with an epic tale.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here : Shop Your Indie/Local Bookstores (IndieBound - Paperback) USD : DreamShaper / Dream Shaper (Book 2) | Shop Your Indie/Local Bookstores (IndieBound - Paperback) USD : DreamMaster / Dream Master (Book 3) | Shop Your Indie/Local Bookstores (IndieBound - Paperback) USD : DreamTraveler / Dream Traveler (Book 4) | Shop Your Indie/Local Bookstores (IndieBound - Paperback) USD : DreamSeeker / Dream Seeker (Book 5) | Amazon (Kindle) USD : DreamShaper / Dream Shaper (Book 2) | Amazon (Kindle) USD : DreamMaster / Dream Master (Book 3) | Amazon (Kindle) USD : DreamTraveler / Dream Traveler (Book 4) | Amazon (Kindle) USD : DreamSeeker / Dream Seeker (Book 5)


Shop Your Indie/Local Bookstores (IndieBound - Paperback) USD : DreamSinger / Dream Singer (Book 1)
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Kobo (e-Book) USD : DreamSinger / Dream Singer (Book 1)
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Alibris (Paperback) USD : DreamSinger / Dream Singer (Book 1)

Amazon (Kindle) USD : DreamSinger / Dream Singer (Book 1)

Amazon (Paperback) USD : DreamSinger / Dream Singer (Book 1)
Dream Singer
Barnes & Noble (NOOK Book) USD : DreamSinger / Dream Singer (Book 1)
Dreamsinger
Barnes & Noble (Paperback) USD : DreamSinger / Dream Singer (Book 1)
Kobo (e-Books) USD : The Dream Chronicles

Book Teaser(s) :
"You are a woman, not a goddess. You are mortal," he whispered. "A single slash of a blade here will rid Gayome of you."
"You will not kill me." Her voice wobbled on each word, but she kept her chin high. She must not let him discover how his touch unnerved her. "You need me."
"You have no idea how much."
His lips claimed hers as he swept her to him. She gripped his sleeve, caught between wanting to flee and wanting to stay in his strong arms. ~ within Chapter 4
Their guards argued over who would have the honor of announcing their victory. Underneath their voices, Nerienne whispered, "How do you fare?"
"Not bad," Durgan answered. "The bleeding's stopped. I should survive long enough to be executed." ~ within Chapter 13
"Let's go and look about the marketplace. There is no sense fighting about this now."
"I am sure we can find something else to argue about."
"Without a doubt." ~ within Chapter 17

Book Preview(s) :
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by J. A. / Jo Ann, then please check out her Amazon Acct.

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Blog Tour - Seaside Lovers by Melissa Foster | Spreading the Word

Today I'm showing off Melissa Foster's "Seaside Lovers," which is the FORTH novel in her California Dreamers 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 July 20 - 27, 2016]



"Seaside Lovers"
[Love in Bloom: Seaside Summers Series, Book 7] by Melissa Foster

Author's Book Description :
    Fall in love with Grayson and Parker on the sandy beaches and quaint towns of Cape Cod, and find out why millions of readers are raving about Seaside Summers, a series of stand-alone romances that may also be enjoyed as part of the larger Love in Bloom big-family romance collection. Love in Bloom features wealthy alpha heroes and sexy, empowered women. They're flawed, funny, passionate, and very relatable to readers who enjoy contemporary romance and women's fiction.

    "Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!" - NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely

    In SEASIDE LOVERS...
    After months of long-distance communication, actress Parker Collins and artist Grayson Lacroux finally plan to reconnect in the seaside town of Wellfleet, Massachusetts. But Parker never shows, and weeks pass without a word, leaving Grayson to believe he's misinterpreted their budding relationship.

    Parker has been running on autopilot ever since she lost her friend, mentor, and the only family she's ever known, Bert Stein. Armed with junk food, tequila, and her big, lovable dog, she's prepared to hole up and mourn--and determined to mend a fence Bert had never been able to with his estranged and bitter brother. But Parker didn't count on the sinfully hot artist she's been fantasizing about for nearly a year walking in on her grief-induced drunken night.

    When Grayson stumbles across Parker, he has no idea what to make of the gorgeous blonde who blew him off despite the heat sizzling between them. But that doesn't stop him from feeling protective of the woman who's consumed his thoughts for months, and when he learns of Parker's plans to confront an angry old man, he refuses to leave her side. As Parker's past unfolds, they're led on an unexpected journey of discovery. Their connection deepens, and late-night fantasies become passionate realities, until good intentions spark painful secrets, threatening the love they've found.

    ***
    WANT MORE SEASIDE FUN? Read the entire series!

    "Seaside Dreams" (Bella)
    "Seaside Hearts" (Jenna)
    "Seaside Sunsets" (Jamie)
    "Seaside Secrets" (Amy)
    "Seaside Nights" (Sky)
    "Seaside Embrace" (Hunter)
    "Seaside Lovers" (Grayson)
    "Seaside Whispers" (Matt)

    SEASIDE SUMMERS is part of the Love in Bloom big family romance collection. Characters from each sub-series appear in future books.

This book is available to order on :

Amazon (e-Book) USD | Amazon (Paperback) USD | Barnes & Noble (NOOK Book) USD | Barnes & Noble (Paperback) USD | Kobo (e-Book) USD | BAM! / BooksAMillion.com (Paperback) USD | Alibris (Paperback) USD

** Be sure to add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads & LibraryThing! **





About the Author :

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance, contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café and Fostering Success. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on social media. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.


My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Catching Cassidy

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



Book Excerpt(s) :

"Trust me?” Grayson asked.

“Trust a guy who hauled me over his shoulder and kidnapped me?” She looked toward the bar.

“Yeah, trust that guy.”

“I do trust you.” She poked him in his chest. “But if I end up on the front of some rag magazine, I’m hiding out in your basement. With Christmas, chocolate, and a boatload of horror movies that you have to watch with me.”

“Sweetheart, if you move into my house, you won’t be watching movies or hiding out in the basement. You’ll be lucky if you make it out of the bedroom. In fact”—he slid his hand to the nape of her neck, causing her eyes to glaze over with desire—“maybe I should take a few of those pictures and make that happen.” He’d taken a chance, saying something so brazen and holding her like this in the cab of his truck, but he couldn’t hold back.



Book Preview(s) :




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