Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Book Review and Release Day Blitz ~ AT HIS MERCY (A Forbidden Lovers Novel) by Shelly Bell {Giveaway}



 AT HIS MERCY
Author: Shelly Bell
Series: Forbidden Lovers, #1
On Sale: June 20, 2017
Publisher: Forever
Trade Paperback: $14.99 USD
eBook: $4.99 USD

“Bell opens the Forbidden Lovers series with a sexy thriller that will leave readers breathless. This novel is sultry and hot in all the right places, with just enough plot to keep the pages turning.” –Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“With a liberal dose of suspense and mega-hot sex, Bell's compelling first novel in the Forbidden Lovers series is exciting right through to the epilogue...absolutely nothing is wasted in this taut tale.” –RT Book Reviews, Top Pick Review
Angel in his arms . . . Devil at her heels

One last, no-strings night of indulgence. That's all Tristan wants before he begins a much-needed new chapter in his life. Instead he finds an innocent angel in pink who brings him to his knees.

Isabella is done hiding from the world . . . and her haunting memories. Discovering courage in the arms of a perfect stranger, she finally lets go and sheds her inhibitions.

To Isabella's shock, she soon learns that Tristan is more than her mystery man-he's her professor. But Tristan isn't the only person who's found Isabella on campus. A dark figure from her past has come back for her. Now Tristan will risk anything to protect Isabella . . . even if it costs him his life.

Click HERE to add to Goodreads

Everything about this story was exceptional.  Tristan and Isabella are by far my favorite fictional couple.  They both had a haunted past that was threatening to reemerge and tear apart what was building into an amazing relationship filled with trust and most importantly love.  In addition to the amazing sex scenes, there was suspense and a twist that I didn’t see coming.  But let’s talk about those sex scenes, shall we?  Oh. My. Gosh!  Talk about out-of-this world chemistry! The sex in this book is OFF THE CHARTS and oh so HOT and delicious! It’s edgy, steamy and intense.  Oh, did I mention HOT? The sex didn’t overpower the story though, but complemented it and made it breathtaking! 

It has been forever since a book has consumed me, but At His Mercy did just that - controlling my life until the very last page was read – it was impossible to put it down!  It’s a story that grabbed me from the very first page and consumed every waking moment.  It’s superbly well-written and flows effortlessly.  I am truly excited and totally in love with the start of this series and will most definitely be picking up the next installment when it releases.

This book won’t be for everyone, but if you love erotic romance that includes some light BDSM, an enthralling plot and a happy ending that will leave you utterly satisfied, then pick up At His Mercy.  Shelly Bell has some serious talent with her amazing storytelling ability and is an author I will be adding to my list of favorites. This story is well deserving of a five-star rating and one that I would not hesitate to recommend.

“You want to know what I’m going to do to you if you consent to playing with me tonight?” His hot breath tickled the shell of her ear. “Anything I want.” He bit down on her lobe, causing a slight sting before soothing it with his tongue. “And what I want is to turn that creamy white skin of yours pink as your T-shirt. Then, when you’re wet and throbbing, and you’re out of your mind with the need to come, I’ll finger-fuck that pussy of yours until you see stars. How’s that to start? Does it meet with your approval?”
Holy hell in a handbasket.
The image sent a flash of heat to her lower belly, rocking her off her axis and causing her to wobble, her knees suddenly weak as a newborn foal’s. Between her thighs, the muscles clenched and rippled with what she swore was a mini orgasm. “Yes.” She coughed, clearing the rasp of arousal that had formed in her throat. “I can honestly say I approve wholeheartedly.”
His expression turned hungry as his eyes raked over her from head to toe. For a moment, she had the urge to flee just to see if he’d run after her. Pressing her hand to her chest, she shivered, the idea of it surprisingly arousing. What would he do to her when he caught her?
He didn’t give her the chance to find out, snatching his black duffel bag off the floor before interlacing his fingers with hers and dragging her through the throngs of people.
She couldn’t help but wonder what was in that bag of his that would turn her skin pink. “Where are you taking me?” she asked, her heart hammering wildly.
“Somewhere we can talk.”
Talking was the last thing she wanted to do. Her body was hovering on the edge of the unknown, and ready to make that giant leap. “Couldn’t we skip the talking?”
Tristan placed a hand on the base of her spine, directing her past the kitchen. Although the gesture probably meant nothing, it felt almost…territorial, as if he was staking his claim to her. “Safety first. This is your first time and you deserve the full experience. Besides, negotiating is part of the fun. Think of it as cerebral foreplay.”
He was right. She knew nothing about him other than his first name. To hand over her submission without at least having a conversation about safe words and limits would be foolish. But negotiation, fun? She could think of several other things she’d rather do with her mouth at that moment.

A sucker for a happy ending, Shelly Bell writes sensual romantic thrillers. When she's not working her day job, taking care of her family, or writing, you'll find her reading the latest romance.
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Monday, June 19, 2017

Blog Tour & Giveaway ~ Savaged Dreams (Savaged Illusions Trilogy #1) by Jennifer Lyon


Savaged Dreams
(Savaged Illusions Trilogy #1)
by Jennifer Lyon
Going away to college gives LIZA GLASNER a chance to escape her painful and dangerous past…or so she thinks. At fourteen years old, she survived an attack by a famous musician. After that, the media, groupies and crazies hounded her with a merciless cruelty that ruined her life. But now she’s thriving—until an internship brings her face to face with the sizzling hot lead singer of a rock band, and she finds herself drawn to the very thing that once destroyed her. Justice is a temptation she can’t resist…and one that could get her killed.


Sexy rock star JUSTICE CADE is determined to take his band, Savaged Illusions, to the top by winning the Court of Rock T.V. show. Tortured by guilt for failing his family, he believes fame is his only path to redemption. But when the fiery college-intern hiding her beauty beneath baggy sweaters and a snarky attitude bursts into his life, Justice is forced to choose between the woman he loves and the stardom he craves. The wrong choice will cost him more than he can bear.

**This is book one in a trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. However the next two books are being released in July and September so readers won’t be stranded on the cliff for long!

Click HERE to add to Goodreads

 “If you need someone to hold on to, I’m right here.” He tugged her to his front, tucking her between his arms.

“Justice…”

“This isn’t me flirting with you. Getting the drink for you, yeah that was.”

“Then what’s this?” She really didn’t understand. And why had she felt trapped when he had held out that drink, but now his solid warmth soothed the fear? As if he protected her from all the harsh stares and judgments that had been her world for years?

He settled his chin on her head. “Being a friend.”

Jennifer Lyon is the pseudonym for USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer Apodaca. Jen lives in Southern California where she continually plots ways to convince her husband that they should get a dog. After all, they met at the dog pound, fell in love, married and had three wonderful sons. So far, however, she has failed in her doggy endeavor. She consoles herself by pouring her passion into writing books. To date, Jen has published more than fifteen books and novellas, including a fun and sexy mystery series and a variety of contemporary romances under the name Jennifer Apodaca. As Jennifer Lyon she created a dark, sizzling paranormal series, and The Plus One Chronicles, an emotionally sensual adult contemporary series. Jen’s won numerous awards and had her books translated into multiple languages, but she still hasn’t come up with a way to persuade her husband that they need a dog.

Jennifer is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card to celebrate the release of Savaged Dreams. Enter below!

Be sure to follow the tour, too! Find interviews, reviews and spotlights HERE!


Sunday, June 18, 2017

Audio Book Review & Blog Tour ~ Heavy Weather by Normandie Fischer, narrated by Laura Jennings



Heavy Weather
(A Carolina Coast Novel)
by Normandie Fischer
Narrator: Laura Jennings
Length: 11 hours 7 minutes
Publisher: Normandie Fischer⎮2017
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Series: Carolina Coast, Book 2
Release date: January 30, 2017

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Death, life, family, domestic abuse--Heavy Weather explores all these themes in a memorable and compelling narrative. When Annie Mac's life explodes like a storm at sea, she is helpless to fight back. Left for dead, her two children targeted by her abuser, her life appears to be over. The people who help her show her how to weather a storm that she cannot control.

It takes a town to save a child. That town is Beaufort, North Carolina.

Annie Mac’s estranged husband vows that nothing will stop him from getting his baby girl. Not Annie Mac and certainly not that boy of hers.

Only four blocks away, Hannah Morgan lives in comfort with her husband and dog, making pottery and waiting for her best friend to come home. When she discovers the two children cowering in the bushes and their mama left for dead, it doesn’t take her long to set her coterie of do-gooders to some extra-strength do-gooding. Add in Clay, a lonely police lieutenant yanked out of his comfort zone and into the heart of this small family, and who knows what will happen?

From the author of Becalmed comes this latest tale of the Carolina coast, introducing some new characters to love--and to loathe.

Annie Mac’s life has never been easy, but she has tried to make the best of it.  When her husband, Roy, beats her to almost death, the small town of Beaufort pulls together to help and protect Annie Mac and her two adorable children. 

Heavy Weather is a very compelling story in which emotions run rampant and the tensions are high.  It is a story of pain – both physically and mentally, a story of love, a story of healing and most of all a story of keeping faith when doing so seems utterly impossible. The characters are well-developed and are ones I was able to easily connect with which made this book impossible to stop listening to – needing to know what would happen next.

Normandie Fischer has crafted a richly captivating story that is filled with drama, suspense and Christian values.  The story was well-written and flowed practically effortlessly.  Ms. Fischer did a marvelous job creating characters that I cared about and she also did an outstanding job at portraying domestic abuse in a raw and honest way that brought tears to my eyes.

Laura Jennings narrates Heavy Weather and I think she did a fantastic job portraying the characters and setting the tone for this amazing story.  Each of the characters voices was distinct and the pacing was just right.  With her pleasant voice and her ability to incorporate all the right emotions made this a truly wonderful listening experience that is worth the credit.

If you are looking for a clean, well-written, touching and believable story with characters you will love and some that you will despise, look no further than Heavy Weather.  This story touched my heart and is one that I would not hesitate to recommend.

Story – 4 stars
Performance – 5 stars
Overall – 4 stars



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Click HERE to listen to an excerpt


Normandie Fischer studied sculpture in Italy before receiving a BA, summa cum laude with special honors in English. Her books, which have garnered numerous awards, include her Carolina Coast stories: Becalmed, Heavy Weather, Twilight Christmas, and Sailing out of Darkness. From Fire into Fire and Two from Isaac’s House—a Romantic Times Top Pick—form the beginning of her Isaac’s House series. A lifelong sailor, Normandie and her husband spent a number of years on board their 50-foot ketch, Sea Venture, in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico, sailing home to North Carolina in 2011 to take care of her mother. They have four children, two grandchildren, and an aussiedoodle named Rhion.

Having graduated with a Masters Degree in Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Laura has an intrinsic
appreciation of the mechanisms and techniques that comprise the art of the tale. She's able to
analyze the underlying moods and currents of a book and bring these into her interpretation of
the author's work. She believes her place as narrator is to be the facilitator for all the nuances of
the spoken word and the written word between the author and the listener. Her naturally clear
and fresh voice as narrator contributes that extra dimension of enjoyment.
Laura works full time as a professional narrator and voice-over artist. She has narrated titles for Tantor Media, Audible Studios, Dreamscape Media, Insatiable Press and Cherry Hill Publishing.

She enjoys a quiet lifestyle in the Pacific Northwest with her loving husband and aged beagle, Dottie. Her days are filled with narrating, yoga, hiking and, of course, always reading.

    Heavy Weather Giveaway Heavy Weather Giveaway #2



Jun. 7th: CGB Blog Tours Jun. 8th: A Book and A Latte Jun. 9th: Read Day and Night Jun. 10th: Lilly's Book World Jun. 11th: Buried Under Books Jun. 12th: Ronelle Antoinette Jun. 13th: Lomeraniel Jun. 14th: Wall-to-Wall Books Jun. 15th: Blogger Nicole Jun. 16th: The Book Addict's Reviews Jun. 17th: Simply Kelina Jun. 18th: Avid Book Collector Jun. 19th: Christian Chick's Thoughts Jun. 20th: Spunky-n-Sassy

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Friday, June 16, 2017

Kelly Bowen Sweepstakes + Vote on Kelly’s New Duke


Forever Romance is giving away a Kelly Bowen historical romance prize pack and asking for your help in choosing the cover design for Kelly’s February 2018 release. Click the link below to enter for a chance to win and you can cast your vote on the dreamiest duke while you’re at it!

Click here to enter for a chance to win.

Prize pack consists of a Forever/Forever Yours tote bag and the following six (6) Forever titles from Kelly Bowen:
Duke of My Heart by Kelly Bowen
A Duke to Remember by Kelly Bowen
Between the Devil and the Duke by Kelly Bowen
A Good Duke is Hard to Find by Kelly Bowen
I’ve Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm by Kelly Bowen
You’re the Earl That I Want by Kelly Bowen


NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE CHANCE OF WINNING. Void where prohibited. Must be legal US resident 18 years or older as of June 16, 2017 to enter. Sweepstakes begins June 16, 2017 at 12:01 am ET and ends June 30, 2017 at 11:59 pm ET. Visit http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/features/forever-romance/kellybowen/ for Official Rules and details. Sponsor: Hachette Book Group, Inc., 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104.


Kelly Bowen grew up in Manitoba, Canada. She attended the University of Manitoba and earned a Master of Science degree in veterinary physiology and endocrinology. But it was Kelly's infatuation with history and a weakness for a good love story that led her down the path of historical romance. When she is not writing, she seizes every opportunity to explore ruins and battlefields.

Currently, Kelly lives in Winnipeg with her husband and two boys, all of whom are wonderfully patient with the writing process. Except, that is, when they need a goalie for street hockey.



Pre-order Kelly Bowen’s February 2018 release