Friday, December 6, 2013

Grounded By You Book Blitz and Giveaways



Grounded By You by Ivy Sinclair
Publication date: November 20th 2013
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis:
Lights, camera, and passions flare as a small town boy gets the break of his career. As the lines of life and art blur together, can he also find a way to win the love of the girl who got away?
Carter Samuel Groveson.
His name is on the lips of every woman in the country who has a pulse. An actor pulled from obscurity to star in the most anticipated movie of the century, he’s an enigma to all. Everyone wants a piece of him.
Except her.
Amelia St. John isn’t about to follow the life plan that her father set out for her. She refuses to be tied down or commit to anyone. A year ago, she ran as far and as fast from Sam Groveson as she could. But when he reappears in her life and asks her to be the friend he needs to keep him tethered to reality in the midst of the chaos, she can’t say no.
Unfortunately for Sam, his big break comes with expectations that threaten his career if he doesn’t toe the line. In this high stakes game of love, everyone is watching.

AUTHOR BIO:
Ivy Sinclair cut her romance teeth on classics like Gone With the Wind, Casablanca, An Affair to Remember, and Sabrina. She is a firm believer in true love, a happily ever after ending, and the medicinal use of chocolate to cure any ailment of the heart. Ivy's guilty pleasures include sushi, endless Starbucks lattes, and wine. Readers of Ivy's stories can expect smoldering sweet stories of romance that tug at the heartstrings.

Author links:
Grounded By You Excerpt:

Sam held up his beer bottle. “Here’s to the wild and wacky world of finally being a grown-up.”
Millie giggled and clinked his bottle. She took a long pull and then startled him when she reached over without warning and grabbed his bicep. “I notice that somebody’s been hitting the gym. Impressive.”
His muscle twitched reflexively under her fingers, and her eyes widened. Sam wondered if she was looking at him in that moment like a friend, or something more, but then the expression on her face was gone. “It’s kind of a requirement for the acting thing,” he said. He downed the beer and put the bottle down, feeling anxious again.
“Have you snagged any decent parts? Will I get to see you on Broadway someday?” Millie giggled again.
It was the perfect opportunity to tell her. “I actually got a call today about a role I’m pretty excited about,” he said carefully.
Millie sat up straighter and then scooted closer to him. “Really? Tell me all about it!”
“Well, it was a complete fluke that I decided to audition for it at all,” Sam said slowly. “I’ve got so little film experience that I didn’t think there’d be anyway they’d consider me.”
“So it’s a movie? Anything I would have heard of?” Millie started to bounce on the sofa cushion. Sam loved her like that, so attentive and open. She had always made him feel like he could do anything.
“Funny you should say that.” Sam cleared his throat wondering how to say it just right. “I’m sure Kate told you that she got a call a few months ago from that executive producer in Hollywood who wanted to rent out the Willoughby for a few weeks.”
Millie squealed and clapped her hands over her mouth. “You got a role in Where My Heart Breaks? I couldn’t believe it when I heard that they finally cut through the red tape with Walter Moolen’s estate and got the green light for the film adaptation. It’s going to be HUGE! That is so exciting!”
“Yeah, I know,” Sam said. “It’s generated a lot of interest already.”
“So what’s the part?”
Sam took a deep breath. “Jackson Monroe.”
Millie’s eyes widened, and she looked shocked. “Are you serious? You got the lead?”
Hearing it said out loud made Sam’s mouth run dry. “I know. It’s crazy, right? That they picked a complete unknown for the part? I’m having a hard time believing it myself.”
Millie stood up and disappeared into the kitchen. She came back out with a magazine that he knew covered Hollywood gossip and news. She flipped open the cover and then shoved an article under his nose. “They’ve been speculating for weeks about who would be cast as Jackson. Like, everybody in the entire country is waiting to hear the news with bated breath. Sam, this will be massively huge when everyone finds out.”
His stomach muscles tightened. He knew that any expectation he had of what was about to happen was probably woefully inadequate. “They told me that the press release goes out tomorrow morning.”

Giveaways:
There are two giveaways, one from my blog hosted by the author and one tour-wide giveaway.  Make sure you enter both!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
 
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Xpresso Book Tours



Push the Envelope by Rochelle Paige Cover Reveal & Giveaway

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Title: Push the Envelope
Author: Rochelle Paige
Genre: New Adult Romance
Cover Designer: Kari Avasha at Cover to Cover Design
Expected Release Date: December 20, 2013
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Synopsis
Alexa is just your average college junior, attending classes and piloting Mile High Club charter flights. Boys haven't been on her radar for a couple years after a disastrous breakup with her high school sweetheart. Her plans to focus on school hit a bit of a snag when she meets bad-boy Drake Bennett and he sets his sights on making her his own. Drake transferred to Blythe College for the rugby team, not for a new assortment of college girls. He's sexy and cocky, and he attracts women like moths to a flame. When he meets Alexa, Drake knows he's met his match. She tries to resist him, but Drake isn't used to taking no for an answer. Warning: 18+ due to sexual content
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Excerpt
I stared at him as he drove back to campus. His face was chiseled as his jaw clenched. There was no sign of the dimples that flashed when he laughed. No smiling twinkle in his eye. No softness in his gaze as he flashed a heated look my way. It felt like time hung suspended, but before I knew it we were parked in front of my dorm again.
Drake cut off the engine and turned his body towards me. He unclipped his seatbelt and pocketed his keys, but he didn’t move to exit the car. His eyes had darkened to the color of melted chocolate, and a flush spread across his cheekbones. I stayed silent, trying not to push him over the edge.
“Want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone before, but I know you aren’t ready to hop in between the sheets with me yet. You’re different, special. Gotta make sure I treat you right.” Drake reached across and stroked his thumb over my cheek as he held my chin in his hand. “Now isn’t the time for this. I know that in my head, but fuck if my body will listen to reason.”
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About the Author
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I absolutely adore reading - always have and always will. My friends growing up used to tease me when I would trail after them, trying to read and walk at the same time. If I have downtime, odds are you will find me reading or writing. I am the mother of two wonderful sons who have inspired me to chase my dream of being an author. I want them to learn from me that you can live your dream as long as you are willing to work for it. When I told my mom that my new year's resolution was to self-publish a book in 2013, she pretty much told me "About time!"

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads Author Page | Website

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Giveaway
 
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Cover Reveal: All I Ever Wanted by Lexi Ryan, Rhonda Helms, Marilyn Brant and Caisey Quinn

Today I have the cover reveal for All I Ever Wanted by Lexi Ryan, Rhonda Helms, Marilyn Brant and Caisey Quinn.  If you are love anthologies and have been looking for one featuring New Adult then look no further.  First a little info about the book and then get your first look at this gorgeous cover!


All I Ever Wanted by Lexi Ryan, Rhonda HelmsMarilyn Brant, and Caisey Quinn 
Publication date: January 13th, 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

Synopsis:
Winterfest is heating up in Abbott Springs…

As the town’s yearly festival kicks off, cold days turn into steamy nights, new flames will be ignited, and old romances will be rekindled.

All About Us by Marilyn Brant—All Sami Abbott ever wanted was permission to be herself. At home, she aims to be the perfect daughter but never measures up. At college, she’s the bold girl who had a one-night stand with sexy musician, Alex Hamilton. When he arrives unexpectedly in Abbott Springs, her worlds collide and she must reconcile the girl she tries to be with the person she really is.

All I Need by Caisey Quinn–All pink-haired rocker chick Everly Abbott thought she wanted was acceptance in her straight-laced hometown. But her best friend and bandmate Justin Cohen is about to show her that what she thinks she wants isn’t necessarily what she needs.

All for Love by Rhonda Helms–All Maya Monterey ever wanted was to belong. Happiest with the Abbott family, Maya’s been secretly in love with sexy pastry chef Oliver Abbott for years. With a flirty new look, she’ll pull out all the stops to get him to notice her. And if her plan fails, she’ll walk away from the only home she’s ever known–and Oliver–for good.

All or Nothing by Lexi Ryan—After years of placing the wrong bets, all Aubree Baxter wanted was someone to take a chance on her. Golden boy Kennedy Hale plays it safe in life and love, but to keep Bree in Abbott Springs, he’ll have to go all in.

And the cover:


and in it's full-wrap glory:


Xpresso Book Tours


Thursday, December 5, 2013

Sugar & Salt by Pavarti K. Tyler Review, Tour & Giveaway

Today I'm hosting Pavarti K. Tyler and her newest project, Sugar & Salt (A Sugar House Novella). Be warned, this a Erotica, or more specifically Erotic Romance and intended for readers over 18. Check out my review below and make sure to enter the giveaway Pav has put together with free paperbacks and eBooks from some of the best Indie Erotica authors around.

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Summary:

After over a decade working in the sex industry, Janice Cane retains no illusions about the nature of relationships. Everyone lies and everyone wants something. Still, a part of her longs for a connection. Speed-dating becomes her addiction, a place to find a man for the night when she needs a quick fix, and her last hope that true love may still be waiting around the next corner. When a mysterious man entices both her intellect and her lust, she becomes entangled in an affair more complicated than she’d expected. Enter the world of The Sugar House. Here you’ll meet the illustrious Madam Janice Cane and her brood of men and women who will fulfill your every fantasy. But can they find a way to fulfill their own?

Review:

First and foremost I love Pavarti Tyler as a writer and she's very nice to communicate with as well.  But I have to say even knowing I liked her work in the past I was blown away by Sugar & Salt!  What did I love?  Everything.  While erotic romance, I love that Ms. Tyler took the time to setup the series in this novella.  For a novella there is a lot packed into it.  First there is some background and setup to what The Sugar House is.  There is also a nice look into Janice too.  And my favorite thing of all, that spark between the two main characters in this book, Janice and Greenpeace as she knows him as to begin with.  That spark and heat is what really drew me in.  Janice is intrigued by him when they first meet and I love that it's not sexy clothes or the looks though both are attractive, it's the mind that attracts them to each other.  They are both intrigued by the other and it really sets the stage for quite an explosive relationship.

This book is steamy just as it should be but I liked that I felt the relationship built along the way along with the passion.  Sugar & Salt is a fun steamy book, a great setup for the books to come and a great read in it's own right.  I loved this romance and Ms. Tyler has topped herself in my book. I am really looking forward to others in this series and I can easily see this being a quick re-read and I don't like to re-read books.  But Sugar & Salt has me intrigued and it drew me in with no problems.  I was only sorry to see it end.  I hate parting with characters I truly like, but at least I know I may see them in future books.  And I can't wait for Portia's story! 

My Rating: 5.0/5.0

Purchase your copy

Giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway

pavartiktylerAbout Pavarti K. Tyler Award winning author of multi-cultural and transgressive literature, Pavarti K Tyler is an artist, wife, mother and number cruncher. She graduated Smith College in 1999 with a degree in Theatre. After graduation, she moved to New York, where she worked as a Dramaturge, Assistant Director and Production Manager on productions both on and off Broadway. Later, Pavarti went to work in the finance industry at several international law firms. She now lives with her husband, two daughters and one very large, very terrible dog. She keeps busy working with fabulous authors as the Director of Marketing at Novel Publicity and penning her next genre bending novel.
Connect with Pavarti at www.PavartiKTyler.com
 

9781622532919About Sugar & Salt Author Name: Pavarti K Tyler Title: Sugar & Salt: A Sugar House Novella Publisher: Evolved Publishing Genre: Erotic Romance Release Date: 12/2/2013 Length: 40,000 Words Available Now Amazon Smashwords Barnes & Noble

Watch for Book Two - Protecting Portia Coming 2014!



***I received this book from the author for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***

Mine To Tarnish by Janeal Falor Book Blitz & Giveaway


Mine to Tarnish (Mine .5)
Release Date: 12/02/13

Summary from Goodreads:
Katherine’s place is the same as any woman’s—on the shelf next to the dresses and bolts of cloth. When she’s sold to a warlock, life grows even bleaker. Her new owner is as old and rancid as he is cruel, driving her to do the unthinkable: run.

Nothing prepared her for being on her own. And she’s definitely unprepared for the warlocks hunting her down. But she must stay one step ahead because if caught, the best she can hope for is death.

Available from:

Excerpt:
“You’ve been owned your entire life. It's hard to change from that even if it’s what you want.”
There’s a burning behind my eyes that grows and spills onto my cheeks. He pulls a handkerchief from his pocket and hands it to me. After I take it, his hand lingers on mine. It’s soft. Not his skin, though. His skin is rough with callouses, but the way he touches me. Gentle, so unlike the way other men grab and pinch and slap.
“It’s clean.” His words startle me from my thoughts.
It takes me a moment to realize he’s referring to the handkerchief. I dab my tears and laugh. “I didn’t know tarnished carried handkerchiefs. I thought you weren’t allowed anything except your clothes and materials you need for whatever job you are assigned.”
He smiles, warming me. “One thing about tarnished. Always be prepared.”
“All tarnished or just you?” I offer the handkerchief but he waves me away.
“Keep it. You need it more than I do.”
I fold the handkerchief and tuck it carefully in my pack. “Thank you.”


Book One:
(linked to Goodreads)

About the Author
Janeal Falor lives in Utah where she’s finally managed to live in the same house for more than five years without moving. In her spare time she reads books like they’re nuts covered in caramel and chocolate, cooks whatever strikes her fancy, and enjoys the outdoors. Her husband and three children try to keep up with her overactive imagination. Usually they settle for having dinner on the table, even if she’s still going on about the voices in her head.


Author Links:
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***GIVEAWAY***
10 e-ARC copies of Mine To Tarnish, PDF, Mobi, or ePub (INT)
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Book Blitz Organized by:

I Found You by Jane Lark release day blitz (guest post + giveaway)

Today I welcome author Jane Lark who's New Adult Romance I Found You launches today!  Please enjoy her guest post, learn a little more about the book and enter her launch day giveaway.


Researching a modern story by Jane Lark

Research? I hear you query… I am used to writing historical stories - think Pride and Prejudice/ Downton Abbey, only they are a lot more spicy ;) . Those obviously require a lot of research to create a genuine back drop for the stories. For those stories I read memoirs and letters of the period and visit lots of houses to get a feel for how people lived in the 1800s. But why would I need to research a modern story, I know what it’s like to live in 2013?

Because I don’t know what it’s like to live Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass (DUMBO) in New York in 2013, which is the setting for Jason’s and Rachel’s story.
So how did I find out? Well the modern day version of memoirs for a start, I searched for blog posts from people who lived there, or visited there. One talked about how Manhattan Bridge was rarely used by people because of the noise of the subway trains which crossed it, another spoke about the view of Brooklyn Bridge, and another spoke about the only people you really saw were young men jogging. Well then, Jason immediately became a runner. Other people talked about properties there, and I looked up the local mall, places to go out in Manhattan and what Times Square was like… lots :)

Then I discovered the Brooklyn bridge park, another place people said was not a really busy area, and a perfect, beautiful, setting for some of Rachel’s and Jason’s more moving moments.
But other than that, there’s another awesome tool open to an author in the 21st century. Google maps little man. I can put him in a street anywhere and get him to walk along it and see exactly what a street looks like. I had him walk on the Manhattan Bridge, and around the access to it, and then all around the streets in DUMBO, and the Brooklyn Bridge park. Such a clever tool. I used Google maps to research Jason’s home town in Oregon too.

I have a sister-in-law who lives in Klamath Falls in Oregon, but Klamath was far too big, I wanted a small town for the place Jason called home. So I researched the populations of towns in Oregon, and picked on a place to base Jason’s home town on, although I don’t give it a name in the book as I didn’t want to be bound by this exact town. But I did research blog posts about this one town and viewed it all on Google maps, so that the fictional home town I developed for Jason, could be a real place in Oregon.

So, you may think there’s no research to a modern book, but actually if you want to make it real, there is.

I also had to do a lot of research on Rachel, but if I told you all that it would be a huge spoiler for the story ;)…


I Found You by Jane Lark  
Publisher Harper Impulse
Publishing date 5th December 2013


Tomorrow is for regrets. Tonight is for being together.

On a cold winter night, Rachel and Jason’s lives collide on Manhattan Bridge. She’s running from life, he’s running toward it. But compassion urges him to help her.

His offer of a place to stay leads to friendship and trouble. There’s his fiancée back home in Oregon and a family who just don’t trust this girl from the wrong side of the tracks.

But when the connection between them is so electric, so right… everyone else must be wrong. And as the snow begins to settle on the Hudson, there’s nothing but the possibility of what could be – of this, right here, right now. Them.



About the Author

Jane is a writer of authentic, passionate and emotional Historical and New Adult Romances.

She began her first novel at sixteen, but a life full of difficulty derailed her as she lives with the restrictions of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

When she finally completed a novel it was because she was determined to be able to say I’m a writer.

Now Jane is thrilled to be giving her characters life in others’ imaginations at last.

Jane is also a Chartered Member of the Institute of Personnel and Development, and uses her knowledge of psychology to bring her characters to life.

‘Basically I’m a sucker for a love story. I love the feeling of falling in love and it’s wonderful to be able to do it time and time again in fiction, plus my understanding of people helps me write the really intense relationships I enjoy creating.’

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter


Giveaway:
It's launch day and the author is running a giveaway of a rucksack.  This giveaway is International.

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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Book Review & Giveaway: Consoling Angel by Denise Alicea


Consoling Angel by Denise Alicea
Genre: Young Adult, Time Travel, Paranormal, and Romance
ISBN: 9781483507491
Book Length: 24 pages
Publisher:Book Baby (self published)


My Review:
Consoling Angel was a quick enjoyable read with an interesting premise. What a sweet way to deal with death of a loved one and the aftermath of getting over that death in a book.

This is a novella, so there is not a huge amount of character development. However in the short span of the story I loved getting to know Mira. Mira is dealing with the loss of her father and throwing herself into everything she can to pretty much ignore it. She carries her Dad's and her shared love of all things James Dean as her one way to hold onto him which I thought was sweet. Then the plot really starts and Mira falls asleep and dreams. I loved the dream aspect of the plot and how everything happens and the explanation at the end. Every aspect worked well together and kept me turning page to find out how this story would turn out.

For a short novella, there is a lot to process in a good way. Denise Alicea doesn't overload you with too much but gives just the right amount of plot and character development to fit into the novella framework. But the nice thing is you don't feel shorted by the shorter number of pages. The story fits perfectly into the novella framework and was one I really enjoyed. I look forward to more reading of Ms. Alicea's work in the future.

My rating: 4.75/5.0


Description:
Mira did not know what she had in store the day she fell asleep while wanting to escape her current situation. Overcoming a death from someone so close and burying herself in school and an internship has kept her somewhat awake and alive. An admiration for the actor, James Dean was all that kept the memory of her father alive. If she couldn’t be with her father, she could at least remember what they shared an admiration for together. She always wanted to meet James Dean… she didn’t know it would come true. Be careful what you wish for. It may just come true.

Buy Links
Amazon
B&N
Apple
Kobo

About this author
Born in Manhattan, New York and raised in Connecticut, I found that I was more interested in what went on in the past, than in the future. This makes me a huge history buff. I’ve always enjoyed reading books starting from ancient history, fantasy, science fiction, poetry, and of course romance. I also loved the arts so my first love was once drawing and painting until I found a new medium that would inspire me to try something new.

What led me to write? I started to write poetry when I fifteen years old. This was all due to a family member sending me a poem that she had written and sparked a fire that has never gone out. I began to write my heart out and went from writing poetry to my own stories. I love to write with a bit of everything from romance, humor, and of course adventure. Everything inspires me from art, people, and music


Contact Links
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
You Tube

Excerpt
My life couldn’t be more complete. As we reached the apartments, I slowly got off the bike, surprised at myself that I had done this. Ordinarily, I’d never get on a motorcycle. James leaned over and caressed my cheek. Before I could open my mouth to tell him what was to happen to him, he gave me a quick peck on the lips. I couldn’t let James walk away, not now.
    Something in me grasped his wrist; my breath caught in my throat. I no longer cared about the rain. I must have looked like a drowned rat to him. “I have to tell you something,” I blurted as I waited for his reaction.
    James smiled, then chuckled as he caressed my face.  The rain was preventing me from seeing clearly. “Sweetheart, it’s raining and you’re soaked. I hope this is important.”  Pulling him toward me, I faced him. I could change history. I could have him live out his life as he was meant to. If I couldn’t save my father, I could save him.
    “In the future, when you become famous, please be careful. Remember this: there will be a day that you are off to a race. You will not see a car until it’s too late. James, please promise me. It could mean your life.” I must have sounded like a complete and total idiot to him. Geez! I think I watched Back To The Future too many times. I sounded like Marty talking to the professor about his impending death.
    Chuckling, he shook his head, expelling the rain off his head and onto me. Laughter erupted between us as I covered my face. He then cupped my face, kissed my forehead. “Are you sure you’re not an angel? I cannot promise anything, but baby, I can promise I’ll see you tomorrow. I’ll pick you up here and you can ditch your responsibilities. Ride with me.”
    Sighing, now I knew how all those girls felt when they looked at him. What an offer that would be. Ditch school to ride with the man who was loved by so many. I was determined he’d listen to me.  Gripping his hands from my face, I gazed into his eyes. “I’m serious!”
    Before I could utter another word, his lips descended on mine. My body went toward him and melted. I couldn’t help but respond as I brought him closer.  I was lost in his warm lips as they caressed mine. Lingering near my lips, he breathed, “I know you are.” Then, winking as he kissed me again, smiling that beautiful smile of his, “How else can my angel guard me if she isn’t with me?”


Giveaway:
5 E-copies of Consoling Angel by Denise Alicea
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

***I received this book from the Paranormal Cravings Book Tours for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any other way except receiving the book for free.  ***