tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55337822593944899512024-03-12T22:37:40.032-04:00CS Maxwell ~ Where's My Muse?C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.comBlogger948125truetag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-52336478221917148842016-03-29T09:06:00.001-04:002016-04-24T23:16:19.700-04:00ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ LA VIE EN ROSE BY LYDIA MICHAELS<h1>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsHrkaBmXIoBwL85cT9sx-tHdTlJCDNV0tQGnKwoHyeSFYIgy8_fOlpDMsztF9OuV2nzB7wj4NnaD7iUPjXerNa94Wgyk-JrZHT3Jp6Tdhh2o47ogfBSk1iCF8xKXYAmHlX0fjuiDxJKO/s1600/lydiamichaels3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvsHrkaBmXIoBwL85cT9sx-tHdTlJCDNV0tQGnKwoHyeSFYIgy8_fOlpDMsztF9OuV2nzB7wj4NnaD7iUPjXerNa94Wgyk-JrZHT3Jp6Tdhh2o47ogfBSk1iCF8xKXYAmHlX0fjuiDxJKO/s320/lydiamichaels3.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Title: La Vie en Rose (Life in Pink)</span></h1>
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<b>Author: Lydia Michaels</b></div>
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<b>Genre: Women's Fiction/Romance</b></div>
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<b>Format: Print/eBook/Audio Book</b></div>
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<b>Date of Publication: April 12, 2016</b></div>
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<b>Book Length: 398 pages</b></div>
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<u>BLURB</u></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Emma Sanders has always dreamt of being a bride, wearing fancy gowns, pretty pearls, and—of course—falling madly in love. Then life happened. Finding herself one fiancé short of her happily ever after, she leaves the fairytales behind. Some days are simply too perilous for pink gowns and pearls.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Riley Lockhart is the sort of man who can make a woman lower her gaze with only a smile. That he doesn’t realize his charm makes him all the more enchanting. Determined to save Emma the pain of her breakup, he steps in as a friend, but soon finds himself wanting more.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">She was just a girl, but she somehow winds up being the strongest woman he’s ever known. Losing her is not an option and when life can’t be tied neatly in a pretty little bow, he holds tight to all that he loves—his Emma. His hero.</span><br />
<em><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes the greatest scars are worn on the inside.</span></em></h1>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Book Review</u></span></b></div>
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I love it when a book takes me on an unexpected journey. Where you think you know where you're going and --WHAM -- the author throws you a doozy of a curve ball and leaves you breathless. And the end result is something you never saw coming, but you are so damn glad you experienced the ride.</div>
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La Vie en Rose is that unexpected journey. At least for me, it was. I went in totally blind. I had no clue what to expect. So, writing this review is difficult. I'd hate to ruin the reader's own journey when they decide to pick up this book and delve into the unknown. </div>
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By definition, La Vie en Rose is NOT your typical hearts and flowers romance. It isn't painted with pretty images of perfection. It is ugly, rough, and honest, which gives it its own flavor of perfection. It is the definition of what it truly means to love someone. It is about the sacrifices we make for those who matter to us. It is the pain and struggles, the sorrow and the joy, the little things that make a difference, and the fact that no matter what happens---your partner stays by your side. Your family, whether by blood or not, will always have your back. </div>
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I went through a gamut of emotions while reading this book.I laughed and cried and thought about how I live me own life--the decisions I make--and experienced some much needed self-awareness. </div>
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Thank you, Lydia Michaels, for showing me the not so pretty picture of what true love is and writing such a thought provoking book. You never cease to amaze me with your courageous stories and beautiful words. </div>
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<u>AUTHOR BIO</u></h1>
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L Y D I A M I C H A E L S</h2>
<span style="line-height: 1.5;"><b>Lydia Michaels is the award winning author of 23 romance novels. Her novels from the darkly compelling Surrender Trilogy were iBooks Bestsellers and her work has been featured in USA Today. In 2015 she was the winner of The Best of Bucks Award and she has been nominated as Best Author in the Happenings Magazine two years running [2015 & 2016]. She is a four time nominee for the prestigious RONE Award. Her books are intellectual, emotional, haunting, always centered around love.</b> </span><strong>Lydia Michaels loves to hear from readers! </strong><br />
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<strong>She can be contacted by email at </strong><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="color: #32a4a8;">Lydia@LydiaMichaelsBooks.com</span></a><br />
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<strong>Webpage: </strong><a href="http://www.lydiamichaelsbooks.com/"><span style="color: #32a4a8;">www.LydiaMichaelsBooks.com</span></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Excerpt</span></b><br />
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It was amusing how the girls on the subway watched Riley. Emma supposed he was above-average handsome, but since he was Rarity’s older brother she never looked too hard.<br />
Now, seeing him in his element, riding the subway in a Pet Shop Boys T-shirt, jeans, and battered chucks, she recognized what the other women on the train were seeing. Riley was hot.<br />
His brown eyes were so clear they shined as though they were blue. Sloppy chestnut waves curled in perfect careless disarray, complimenting his naturally tanned olive skin. He even had the five o’clock shadow down to an art.<br />
Scanning the surrounding female passengers, she counted six of them gawking at him, begging with their eyes for him to glance their way. Amazing. The pheromones could choke a prostitute.<br />
Skimming the male passengers, she frowned. Not a single one was looking at her.<br />
What if <em>she</em> was Riley’s girlfriend? They were standing close enough, but the other girls didn’t seem to notice her at all.<br />
She rolled her eyes. <em>Invisible. </em>Meanwhile, Riley scratched his nose with his thumbnail—it was practically a casual pick—and three of the six leering women sighed as if he read a verse of poetry. <em>So unfair.</em><br />
“Wait until you taste some of the food there,” he whispered in her ear.<br />
Her chest filled with warmth as his voice sent a thrill of excitement tearing through her belly. It wasn’t sexual. It was what being feminine was all about. Who cared what he said? He was talking to <em>her</em>; the guy every other girl was drooling over was talking to her. And in that moment, the other women finally registered her presence. Every stink eye she got was so totally worth the thrill of attention.<br />
<em>Ha! Not only does he talk to me, he lives with me. I’ve seen him in his skivvies. Take that, ladies.</em><br />
As the ride continued, her pride mended with each spiteful glance tallied in her favor. Not used to this catty need for attention, she chalked it up to recently being dumped. It was against her nature to behave like a clingy girlfriend, but with Riley it was all make believe, a temporary tonic for her battered ego.<br />
Sometimes it was nice to be seen, though a great deal of her life had been conducted as a wallflower. Perhaps her affability gave her fiancé the impression that she wouldn’t mind him delving into another woman’s panties. Or maybe he’d already lost interest…maybe she wasn’t good at sex. Oh dear God, was she vanilla? A wallflower in bed?<br />
Again, the emphasis she placed on other people’s perception concerned her. Riley didn’t care what anyone thought and people loved him. Even when they were in school, he was always a popular guy. Teachers loved him, jocks loved him, and, of course, women adored him.<br />
Rarity was popular by default, because she was Riley’s sister. Publicly kissing girls promoted her to a novel level of cool only genuine lesbians could achieve in high school, but she’d always been cool by proximity first.<br />
Emma was drawn to their energy like planets to the sun. No one was immune. They were simply attractive people. And as the permanent sidekick that existed in the cool guy’s sister’s shadow, it felt nice to have a bit of Riley’s innate popularity rub off on her as they stood together on the subway.<br />
<em>You’re pathetic. Those girls only know you exist because you’re pretending to be something you’re not. Oh, well! Self-esteem is in the gutter and pretending is helping.</em><br />
She arched a brow at one of the gawkers.<br />
“What are you grinning about?” he whispered.<br />
Her attention jerked to his smiling russet eyes. He was almost a foot taller than her. Should she tell him? Would he laugh at her? Deciding she didn’t care, she whispered, “You’re inadvertently inflating my ego.”<br />
Confusion tightened his brow so she tipped her head at the other passengers. Shockingly, it seemed the first time he noticed the other women.<br />
“They all assume I’m with you. They hate me.”<br />
He glanced at the other woman, each glare transforming to a seductive pout the moment his attention fell upon them. With his hand gripping the rail above her head, he leaned close. “And them hating you is a good thing?”<br />
Didn’t he get it? “They’re jealous of me. Not many people are.”<br />
The train rattled and slowed. People got off as new passengers climbed on and settled into seats as it whistled back up to speed.<br />
His scrutiny heated her cheeks as he unabashedly studied her. “I can play that game,” he whispered.<br />
“What game?”<br />
Rather than answer, his mouth hooked in a half smile and he winked. She flinched as he dragged his curved knuckle down her bare arm, making the fine hairs rise in its wake. His fingers laced with hers and she watched, amazed, as every female followed the motion.<br />
Her belly tightened with the thrill of exhibitionism. Her feet pointed toward the aisle. His pointed to her, his hip angled at their audience. Shifting a step closer, still holding on to the bar above, he spoke loud enough for the others to hear. “I caught you.”<br />
Her eyes traveled past his lips, no longer shaped in a smile, and landed on those dark eyes. Her brow knit in confusion, unsure what he was doing.<br />
“Looking at me,” he clarified. “You know how that makes me crazy.”<br />
<em>Oh, my God. </em>She should have never told—<br />
“It’s like this morning, when we were spooning in bed, my body pressed tight against yours, flesh to flesh, belly to back, nook to cranny. Everything was fine until I pressed that one kiss on the back of your neck right here.”<br />
Her body tensed with awareness as his finger touched an extremely sensitive spot behind her ear. She couldn’t remember anyone ever touching her there.<br />
“The second I kiss that spot you turn to liquid in my arms, soft and wet, and I can’t help but drink you up, taste every square inch of you on my tongue. My lips. Everywhere. When I catch you looking at me like that, it’s my kryptonite, <em>my</em> secret neck kiss.”<br />
She swallowed and glanced at the women watching them. They were literally gaping, some even appeared to be quietly panting. Holy crap he was slick. “Um…”<br />
Thank God he didn’t let her say anything. She didn’t have his skill. “Next time you look at me like that…” He tucked a curl behind her ear as chills raced over her shoulders. “I can’t be held responsible for what happens.” His fingers squeezed hers tightly and the train hissed and whined to a stop. He winked. “Let’s go. I’m suddenly ravenous.”<br />
He tugged her off the train and into the loud subway. Musicians played for coin and people bustled through the underground world, racing to get where they needed to go. She saw it a thousand times before, but now it was brand new, her senses overstimulated and raw.<br />
As they climbed the stairs to the street her heart pounded wildly. Wafts of traffic, people, and city food greeted them under the August heat. Voices and motion mingled into a cacophony of commotion until she was standing above sea level, fighting to catch her breath. What the hell had he done to her?<br />
Laughing, he released her hand and turned—a totally unaffected grin on his charming face. “That was fun.”<br />
“Y—yeah.” It wasn’t fun, it was thrilling and telling, and in some secret way, quite embarrassing. He’d been toying with those women, putting on a show, yet in those few seconds of phony attention, his artificial reverie trumped every <em>real</em> experience she had. She needed to get a grip.<br />
Demanding her emotions go back into the shadows, she focused on their purpose. “So where’s this Smorgasburg?”<br />
“Can’t you smell it?” He breathed deeply and grinned as his chest expanded, raising his broad shoulders. Weird. She didn’t want to keep cataloguing his every masculine trait, yet she couldn’t stop. “Ah, it’s just past the bridge. Let’s move.”<br />
The snap of her flip-flops put a melody to their strides. As the impressive Brooklyn Bridge stretched before her, she had one of those out of body moments that reminded her she lived in one of the coolest cities on earth. “I don’t appreciate New York the way I should.”<br />
Walking beside her, a pleasant set to his mouth, he sent her a sidelong glance—not bothering to disagree.<br />
“Becket and I never walked around like this. Once he took me to Tiffany’s, but we were in and out. I’m not even sure what he was picking up.” Probably something for his mistress. “He never stopped for street meats or pretzels. We only dined at restaurants that held reservations.”<br />
“You can’t plan New York through a concierge. It’s meant to be experienced. It’s alive, pulsing, like an animal. We can only observe it and let ourselves be led by its verve. The minute we try to control it we miss something spectacular, like with nature. It really is the world’s largest organism. There are so many people setting its rhythm, better to experience it organically.”<br />
“I never thought of it that way.” The scent of ethnic faire grew thick in the air; tempting her appetite out of hiding and drawing her steps toward the mouth-watering aroma of succulent meats grilled over open flames.<br />
Voices traveled, rising in volume as they stepped into a mass of people patronizing what appeared to be a market of New York’s cleverest food venders. How had she not known about this event?<br />
Riley rotated, a phenomenal grin on his face as though he’d entered man heaven. “Where should we begin?”<br />
“You’re my captain. I trust your instincts.”<br />
Canopies and makeshift booths formed long aisles for people to wander. Steam clouded the various sites, eliciting attention with each peculiarly pleasant aroma.<br />
Chefs acted as street performers, enchanting patrons, drawing them near with careful explanations for pairing fermented spices and specialized condiments with seared meats. It was a sort of live gallery, showcasing the artistry of New York cuisine.<br />
Servings were sometimes dainty, offering a sampling of what could be the world’s most eclectic menu. The selection was endless, filet mignon sliders, fresh pecan bread sold by the slice, doughnuts the size of grapefruits, and even specialty booths for vegans and other diets she’d never heard of before.<br />
“Oh, we have to start here,” he veered to the right and she followed. When the walkways became clogged with people, he reached through the crowd and pulled her to his side. “Watch this, Em. This is how meat <em>should </em>be treated.”<br />
It was indeed a performance. The vendor tossed a steaming brisket onto the wood surface and unwrapped the charred foil covering. Juicy morsels of fat were trimmed away to unveil perfectly cooked, tender, pink beef. As the peddler made a show of slicing the meat in precise portions, it fell apart and her mouth watered.<br />
Riley’s voice turned gravely. “Oh my God, we are so eating that.”<br />
She grinned at him, loving the glazed lust in his eyes. Only men got that way with meat. She supposed beef and pork were to a guy what shoes and purses were to most women.<br />
As the chef prepared their sandwich, Riley asked questions about the smoking process. The vendor was very friendly and informative. “You want everything on it?”<br />
“What’s everything?” Riley asked.<br />
“Cheese, pickles, hot peppers, sweet sauce.”<br />
He glanced at her. “You afraid of hot?”<br />
“No.” She wanted to taste the sandwich the way the creator intended it.<br />
Riley grinned. “Give us the works.”<br />
The man dressed the small sandwich until it was bursting with meat and dripping with sauce. Riley paid and she followed him to the side of the booth where coolers held the vendors’ supplies.<br />
“Are you ready for this?” he asked, eyes set with excitement.<br />
“You taste it first.” She wasn’t sure what would be more enjoyable, watching his exhilaration or actually tasting it for herself.<br />
“You sure?”<br />
She nodded as he carefully held the messy sandwich and took a bite, bits of cheese and meat falling from his fingers. “Oh my God,” he moaned over a mouthful. “You have to try this.” She reached out, but he shook his head, still chewing. “Just open. It’s too messy.”<br />
Opening wide like a ridiculous baby bird, she let him shove the corner of the sandwich in her mouth and bit down. “Oh my God!” she echoed.<br />
“I know, right?”<br />
An exquisite blend of flavors burst over her tongue. “It’s amazing,” she mumbled, holding her fingers over her lips so food didn’t fall out.<br />
“I could eat twenty of these.” He took another bite.<br />
“We so should.” She opened as he held the rapidly shrinking sandwich out for her again.<br />
They didn’t waste time talking for the next few minutes as they devoured the most delicious sandwich she’d ever tasted. When they finished, Riley snagged some napkins and passed her several to wipe her mouth.<br />
As they journeyed onward they sampled maple bacon cupcakes, Bangladeshi street cuisine, and even shared a pumpkin spiced S’more cooked under the flame of a blowtorch. It was an incredible festival of food.<br />
“Do you like oysters?” he asked as they approached a merchant standing before a bowl of crushed ice.<br />
“I don’t know.” She’d never tried an oyster before.<br />
“Wanna try one?”<br />
“Sure.”<br />
As the chef sliced open the rocklike case and revealed an opalescent inner shell, she tried not to be revolted by the goopy booger looking mollusk inside. He shucked the blob loose, leaving it resting on half a shell, and placed it in a bed of crushed ice.<br />
“What do they taste like?” she asked.<br />
The chef continued to shuck. “Briny, like the ocean. If you’re virgins I can dress them in a mignonette sauce to soften the taste. I have a nice ginger cucumber one.”<br />
“What do you suggest?” Riley asked.<br />
“I’m a purist, sir. I like them with a bit of pepper and lemon and that’s it.”<br />
Riley glanced at her.<br />
“I think I should try it with the sauce.” The more she stared at the little glob the more unappealing it became. These were considered delicacies? If she was remembering correctly, they were also aphrodisiacs. She didn’t see anything sexy about them.<br />
“Ready?” Riley asked, holding his lemon oyster while offering her the one dressed in the ginger sauce.<br />
Timidly, she reached for the shell.<br />
Their eyes met and he counted off. “One… two…three.” His head tipped back and her mouth filled with—<br />
<em>Oh my God. What the fuck is in my mouth?</em><br />
“Not bad.” Riley grinned then started laughing. “Are you okay?”<br />
She shook her head, booger mollusk sliding around her tongue, and desperately searched the table for a napkin. <em>You gag and it’s all over.</em><br />
“Swallow it!” he shouted, laughing at her.<br />
The vender passed her a napkin.<br />
“No, don’t spit. Swallow!”<br />
Oh my God, she was going to kick him if he didn’t shut up. People stared as they walked by and she spit the disgusting thing into the napkin and balled it up.<br />
Riley shook his head. “Oh, Emma, I’m disappointed. Good girls swallow.”<br />
“Shut up,” she snapped, her face burning.<br />
He laughed and nudged her, tossing a few dollars on the table and directing her into the crowd.<br />
“That was disgusting. Now I can’t get the taste out of my mouth.”<br />
He stopped and ordered a cup of cranberry Brooklyn soda. “Here, you big tissue.”<br />
“I’m not a tissue. I tried it.”<br />
“Let’s sit for a while.” He led her to a stout cement barricade along the jetties and they sat facing the East River.<br />
They’d walked miles in a matter of hours so she was grateful for the respite. The short wall was warm from the afternoon sun. “Today was really fun, Riley. Thanks for bringing me here.”<br />
“I had fun too. It’s nice to waste a day taking advantage of everything the city has to offer. We can get immune from living here.”<br />
She smiled, her cheeks tingling under the moist wind off the river. “There’s so much I’ve never experienced. I’ve never even been to the Empire State Building.”<br />
<em>“What?”</em><br />
She laughed at his shock. “I know. I’m the worst New Yorker in the world.”<br />
“You gotta get out more, Em.”<br />
“I want to.” Letting out a deep breath, she relaxed. “I’m so sick of being me. It’s so tedious, always doing what everyone else thinks I should do.”<br />
He frowned. “What do you mean?”<br />
“I think you were right. I don’t think I loved Becket.”<br />
“Conceivable.”<br />
“Was it that obvious? Because if I’m being honest, I’m still getting over the shock.”<br />
“Don’t hate me, but Becket was a prick. He didn’t bring anything to the table. You guys were always running off to meet <em>his </em>friends or attend functions at <em>his </em>father’s law firm.”<br />
“Well, I do work there.”<br />
“Exactly. You work for <em>his </em>family. When was it about Emma Sanders?”<br />
There wasn’t an excuse at the ready. “I guess it never was.”<br />
“Yeah, that’s not love. So when you say you don’t think you were in love with him, I can believe it.”<br />
“You’re a pretty deep guy, Riley. Not a lot of men are like that.”<br />
He shrugged. “I’m comfortable with you. I can just say what I feel.”<br />
“Yeah,” she agreed, her mind drifting back to Riley as a tousled child in grass stained corduroys and wild curls. Although they knew each other since braces and bike rides, this was the first time they actually hung out alone. It was strange they never talked about personal things before, because she really was extremely comfortable around him.<br />
“What do you say we head back and go get that mani-pedi?” he asked.<br />
Her feet were killing her and the idea of a pedicure sounded divine. “Okay.”<br />
He glanced down at her flip-flops and tsked. “I’m not sure they can help those stank walkers.”<br />
She gaped at him. “There is nothing wrong with my feet!”<br />
“Whatever. Where’s your baby toe?”<br />
“It’s right here!” She lifted up her foot.<br />
He leaned forward and squinted. “You can’t call that Darwin freak show a toe.”<br />
“If it’s not then what the hell is it?” Her toes were perfectly normal!<br />
“That’s a nubbin.”<br />
“Whatever.” She stood.<br />
He rose as well. “You think you can manage on you’re deformed hobbit hooves? We got a hike back to the subway.”<br />
She stomped away. “Jerk.” And just when she was starting to think he was nice!<br />
“Wait up,” he called. “Don’t be like that. We don’t have to wee-wee-wee all the way home. It was a good day at the market, piggy.”<br />
She held up her middle finger and prodded on—laughing under her breath.<br />
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-83307691923594910462015-12-08T00:00:00.000-05:002015-12-08T00:00:04.158-05:00AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT ~ LYDIA MICHAELS AND HER SIMPLE MAN ~ On sale for the month of December<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSI05XqIFFw2MyFPk_6_Nke1Dz-duHuX2nPyDHbd7CnzJLJaDl33SLYFtpxetNwPOYarYJPJSHAWpq6TwzbfYIxup2vAwy8k3ZREnINtBFh4L-8FI6eDy-BjqcQmSiuuULwBop-RezbXQ/s1600/simpleman4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSI05XqIFFw2MyFPk_6_Nke1Dz-duHuX2nPyDHbd7CnzJLJaDl33SLYFtpxetNwPOYarYJPJSHAWpq6TwzbfYIxup2vAwy8k3ZREnINtBFh4L-8FI6eDy-BjqcQmSiuuULwBop-RezbXQ/s400/simpleman4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatwDjUpZmUACLEYe3pftrLakng4_1SEBuoxhzfUExslxCxyY16pSg-j1P2ZPtz2eyQCy5w5UEUKAI1d93uScT7LvwiM_phV6cUczn-KN8WBPLcdrhognuhLkBIIJLnopqcXdUIvIDkc_l/s1600/18714023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiatwDjUpZmUACLEYe3pftrLakng4_1SEBuoxhzfUExslxCxyY16pSg-j1P2ZPtz2eyQCy5w5UEUKAI1d93uScT7LvwiM_phV6cUczn-KN8WBPLcdrhognuhLkBIIJLnopqcXdUIvIDkc_l/s320/18714023.jpg" width="213" /></a><b>Title:</b><br />
SIMPLE MAN<br />
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<b>Author: </b><br />
Lydia Michaels<br />
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<b>Genre: </b><br />
New Adult<br />
Contemporary Romance<br />
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<b>Heat Level: </b>Romance<br />
<b>Book Length: </b>263 pages<br />
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<b>Date of Publication: </b><br />
September 7, 2015 (2nd edition)<br />
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<b>Formats Available: </b><br />
eBook, Print, & Audio<br />
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<b>2014 </b></div>
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<b>Best New Adult </b></div>
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<b>InD’tale Magazine </b></div>
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<b>RONE Award Finalist</b></div>
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<b><i>Secret Cravings Bestseller List</i></b></div>
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<b>Blurb:</b></div>
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Behind every simple man is an unsung hero waiting for love... </div>
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Months after Shane Martin’s sister vanishes, life crashes down and he finds himself the guardian of a nephew he never knew existed. Blissfully ignorant, Shane trades in his musician status, full of late nights and fast women, for midnight feedings and lullabies. But when Kate McAlister, his prissy, stuck up caseworker, arrives unexpectedly, he realizes he could lose everything. </div>
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Kate isn’t impressed by Shane’s messy bachelor pad, rocker image, or sexy tattoos. As a matter of fact she finds it all very sophomoric. The sooner she’s off the case the better. Everything from his long hair to his sarcastic attitude threatens her professionalism. But when he lowers his guard and asks for help, she discovers a side to this tattooed musician she can’t resist.</div>
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<b>Simple Man </b>touched a special place in my heart and I loved every minute of Shane's heart wrenching story. It is one of strength and loss. Love and personal growth. It made me laugh. It made me cry.</div>
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Shane Martin starts out as an unlikely hero. On the surface, he is seemingly nothing special. Definitely NOT worth a second glance. Living in a trailer and only looking for the next high, Shane doesn't have much to offer anyone. </div>
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But when life throws a shit load of crap in his lap, he has no one to turn to and its up to him--sink or swim--to make a difference. </div>
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Michaels is brilliant and her writing is fresh as well as honest. She has a talent for creating characters that speak to your heart and make you get a serious case of the feels. </div>
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<b>Simple Man </b>is simply wonderful! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnHLY1RHMCf9LG4A4Xwr19aX_8UmPTkHbP1EbIGGDySMj13E7XHucYSkWxqn6IQrPyhxpT1A-f3fLpRQGd00Bbm3XCE8Ofsskt38IQbwHjr0g3uLV7PYECYQlDBXx-2HlkmlPplZ8NEpp/s1600/lydiapic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnHLY1RHMCf9LG4A4Xwr19aX_8UmPTkHbP1EbIGGDySMj13E7XHucYSkWxqn6IQrPyhxpT1A-f3fLpRQGd00Bbm3XCE8Ofsskt38IQbwHjr0g3uLV7PYECYQlDBXx-2HlkmlPplZ8NEpp/s320/lydiapic.jpg" width="320" /></a>Award winning and bestselling author, Lydia Michaels, writes all forms of hot romance. She presses the bounds of love and surprises readers just when they assume they have her stories figured out. From Amish vampyres, to wild Irishmen, to broken heroes, and heroines no man can match, Lydia takes readers on an emotional journey of the heart, mind, and soul with every story she pens. Her books are intellectual, erotic, haunting, always centered on love.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Excerpt</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
trailer existed under a thick smog of dirty air. Everyone was laughing. He
tried to smile at all the appropriate times, but felt nothing inside. The
music, which was blaring suddenly cut off and everyone got quiet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Shane
opened his eyes and saw why. Kate stood at the stereo, scowling. Oh, pretty
Kate. She was so good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Shane,
what the hell’s going on?” she hissed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She
wore a shirt that said <i>Save Ferris.</i>
“I like your shirt,” he slurred.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She
shook her head. She wasn’t amused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Hey,”
he yelled, trying to hoist himself off his couch. “Do you guys know that Kate
has a tattoo of a gremlin?” The others acted interested, but Kate eyes widened
with fury. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Can
I talk to you? Outside?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">God.
Déjà vu. Noel, standing in that very spot, saying those very words, shimmered
in his memory. He laughed, even though it wasn’t funny. “What’s up?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Outside.
Now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She
turned and marched through the door, which slammed behind her. She had a great
ass. “Hate to see you go, but I love to watch you leave,” he grumbled as he
stumbled to his feet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">He
tripped out the front door and saw her standing by his car. Kate did nice
things, like bring his car back when he left it places. He clumsily walked up
to her and hugged her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She
stiffened and pushed him away. He pulled her back and kissed her, jamming his
tongue in her mouth until she shoved his face hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“What is wrong with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">He
glowered at her, disliking the sharp sting of her open rejection. “Nothing.
What’s wrong with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“You
stink.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Gee,
thanks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Shane,
what are you doing? Do you think acting like this is solving anything?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Anger
made him turn away. What could he say? His head wasn’t thinking clearly. She
was smarter than him and he had nothing intelligent to bring to the table. He
walked to the trailer and pushed against the siding. “Why are you here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Because
I’m worried about you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Because
I care about you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">He
laughed and spit in the sand. “You’re supposed to be smart, Kate. When are you
going to get it? I. Am. A. <i>Loser.</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“You’re
sure acting like one now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">He
pivoted and nearly fell. Catching his balance, he scowled at her. “Don’t be
like that. You’re not a bitch.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“And
you’re not a loser so stop acting like you are.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“Really?
I don’t have a job. I live in a trailer. I’m on fucking food stamps. And I just
lost the only person, aside from you, that I care about in the whole world. It
won’t be long before you wise up and leave me too. Yeah, I sure sound like a
winner.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She
marched up to him and jerked a fistful of his shirt. He looked down at her. It
was like being attacked by an elf, which was kind of funny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“You
listen to me, Shane Martin, the only way I’m leaving you is if you push me
away. Now stop acting like an idiot and grow up!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I
am grown up!” He’d been a grown up since he was seventeen fucking years old!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“No,
you’re being a child right now! If you’re unhappy with your life, do something
about it. Don’t sit here and drink your liver away, waiting for situations to
fix themselves, because it’s not going to happen.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“What
do you know? You have <i>everything</i>!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She
got in his face. “Do you think those things were just given to me? I worked my
ass off for everything I have—”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“And
I didn’t? I sweat my ass off pouring concrete in a hundred degree weather. I
bust my balls trying to make extra money playing guitar when I can. I’ve been
struggling to make ends meet since I was seventeen fucking years old and God
decided to pull the rug out from under me! I follow the rules. I play the game,
but no matter what I end up getting fucked! I didn’t have the opportunities in
front of me that you did, so excuse me if I don’t see us as equals.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She
shook her head. “You may not have had the same opportunities as me, but don’t
act like this is your only option. You have yourself so pegged as this lower
class bum, because you’re afraid if you try to be anything more, you’ll fail.
It’s a shitty self-fulfilling prophecy and if you think that way, you’ve
already lost.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">His
jaw locked as he breathed rapidly through his nose. “You don’t know what it
feels like to be me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“You’re
right. I don’t. But I could say the same thing about you.” She put her hands on
her hips and looked down, taking a deep breath, as if collecting her thoughts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">“I’ve
watched you, for months, go against all odds and do something most men could
never do. You sit here and claim to be this simple man. Well, I don’t see a
simple thing about you. As a matter of fact, you’re so complicated, I was
afraid of getting too close to you. I knew, the minute I let you in, I’d fall
for you. Shane, I love you, but this,” she waved her hand in front of him.
“This is not the man I love.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">He
looked down. Everything he loved, everyone that ever loved him was always taken
away. “Don’t love me, Kate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Her
hands cupped his jaw. He fought her hold, too ashamed to meet her gaze. She
turned his face until he finally looked at her. “Too late.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">It
was too much. Everything finally collapsed inside of him and he broke. Shutting
his eyes tight, he fought the tears, but it was a losing battle. His face
twisted as a sob broke painfully from his chest. “I’m dying inside.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .3in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">She
wrapped her arms around him. “I know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">He hugged
her tight, probably tighter than she could take, but she let him.<br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Book Trailer Link:</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwSnY5u_sak"><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwSnY5u_sak</span></b></a><b><u><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Other
Titles by LYDIA MICHAELS<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Falling In<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Breaking Out<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Coming Home<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Sacred Waters<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Skin<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Chaste<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Faking It<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Forsaking Truth<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">As Tears Go By<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Hold Me Fast<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Simple Man<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Breaking Perfect<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">First Comes Love<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">If I Fall<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Something Borrowed<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Remember Me<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Called to Order<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Calling for a Miracle<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Destiny Calls<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Call Her Mine<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Why We Go<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Protégé<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">Blind<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">La Vie en Rose<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
</div>
</div>
C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-82648825047897949202015-08-10T10:18:00.000-04:002015-08-10T10:18:05.409-04:00BOOK REVIEW ~ HOLD ME FAST BY LYDIA MICHAELS<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<b>Title: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.6666666666667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hold Me Fast {McCullough Mountain 7}</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lydia Michaels</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Genre: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romance</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heat Level:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Romance (graphic)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Book Length: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">258 pages</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Date of Publication: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">August 10, 2015</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blurb:</span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-71777fb5-17b9-d4b0-7e72-754625aaddbe" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s more than a mountain. It’s a love story generations long.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maureen O’Leahey has always hoped for a family to love, but with so many men returning from a lost war, she finds life to be a bit less romantic than expected—until she stares in to the blue eyes of Frank McCullough. Though the odds are against them, Frank and Maureen can’t seem to keep their distance. Against her father’s wishes, Maureen falls for the boy trying so hard to make it as a man and Frank fights to keep every promise made to the fiery red head that’s captured his heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.6666666666667px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Book Review </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkB-l9HEw_0hmxn9vYtILD6Ho2KSqNtv3lFG6wwwTavktJGJlXzeFCLNRpD98hRFxDPWcTz_7qfGiYWAu26LfBUcobtZYGzTXyk20jWlup-KE1Pr7dT7MZHhFLxTivfteRO8p6zxi6mnQ/s1600/4.5+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpkB-l9HEw_0hmxn9vYtILD6Ho2KSqNtv3lFG6wwwTavktJGJlXzeFCLNRpD98hRFxDPWcTz_7qfGiYWAu26LfBUcobtZYGzTXyk20jWlup-KE1Pr7dT7MZHhFLxTivfteRO8p6zxi6mnQ/s1600/4.5+stars.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>There are not that many series that make me wish they were real and I could travel to for a visit . . . maybe stay for a week . . . or forever. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><b><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And one of my favorite series on that list is Lydia Michael's McCullough Mountain. Seven swoon worthy romances that have put me through the emotional wringer . . . and I have enjoyed every gut-wrenching moment. Every audible and slightly inappropriate snort of laughter. Every sob-fest as I lost it and could no longer see the words in front of my face. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>I have fallen hard for this family. They have found a special place in my heart and burrowed deep. </b>Hold Me Fast <b>is the last book of this series and even though I am sad to see the end, I am very well satisfied how Michaels concluded their journey. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Throughout the series, Maureen and Frank McCullough have been the backbone of this Pennsylvania Irish family. Their roots are deep, their loyalty unshakable, and their love for one another unending. They have struggled to get to where they are and faced hardships. To finally get to see how Maureen and Frank get together is the supreme icing on such a delicious and spicy cake. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><b><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have always loved Maureen. She has been my favorite secondary character throughout the series. Her sass and strength had me laughing one minute and crying the next. And I have to say, her style of swearing is epic. I have a highlighted several sections on my kindle for Maureen's colorful and witty retorts. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><b><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Frank, although quiet, has had me charmed from the get go, as well. He's a lumberjack . . . logger. Not sure what the politically correct term is, but I envision nicely corded muscles. Thick arms. Tanned skin from hours out in the sun. </span></b></span><b style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Firm tush. Strong, capable thighs. </span></b><b style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flannel. (Sigh)</span></b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;">He is such a virile hero--hard working, devoted, and . . . Irish. Yes, I admit I have a weakness for such things. But I guarantee it would be hard for any warm blooded woman NOT to fall for this man. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first half of the book is how Frank and Maureen meet and their rocky beginning. They endure ups and downs, heartaches, and the struggles of discovering exactly who they truly are as individuals and what they want from their marriage. </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>The second half was especially awesome--as the reader gets to revisit with the rest of the clan. Kate, Colin, Luke, Finn, Kelly, Sheilagh, etc . . . have had some very interesting developments and it was great to catch up on their lives. Although . . . as a side note here . . . and in no way negative . . . I could have had more Kelly time. AHEM. But that's just my obsessive streak showing. There is NEVER enough Kelly time. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Lydia Michaels has done a fantastic job creating a series worth reading . . . and rereading . . . and falling in love all over again. I have no doubt I will be visiting McCullough mountain whenever I need a good laugh or an emotional cry. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Cambria;"><span style="font-size: 18.6666660308838px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Come to the mountain. It will be a journey well worth taking--you won't want to leave. </b></span></span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-71777fb5-17c1-3244-5498-e6dcf371cd42"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.6666666666667px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Excerpt:</span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“When’s that birthday of yours, love?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She frowned. “July twenty-fifth. Why?” Was he planning on getting her a present?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He nodded, making a masculine sound in his throat. “I’d like to get my lips on you before then, lassie.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Appalled, she turned and scowled at him. “And that is how you ask? I’d like a lot of things, Frank, mostly, to meet a man who knows how to ask a woman for favors. And if that is why you’re waitin’ for my birthday you can just forget it. I’m saving myself for marriage.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every trace of cockiness fled his face as her words sank in. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh Christ. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She wasn’t necessarily saving shit, but it pissed her off that he’d assume the calendar was all that was holding him up from gettin’ into her knickers.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I wasn’t… I hadn’t meant to insinuate—”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Don’t try backtracking now. I know what you meant.” It was like her mouth had disconnected from her brain and there was no stopping her words. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Like a runaway train, she’d unleashed on him. “You think I have nothin’ better to do than wait around so you can legally take my virginity? You can think again, Mr. McCullough. I have standards and they aren’t the sort that crumble for some blue eyed, silver-tongued Irishman wantin’ to put his lips on me. I’ll be expectin’ a gentleman, next time I see you, if your lips will be getting’ anywhere near me—”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His mouth was suddenly crushing hers as he pulled her halfway across the seat and cut off her words. She’d never been kissed before, at least not like that. His hand cupped the back of her head as his mouth slanted and his tongue pressed deep, teasing and awakening parts of her she’d rather ignore. Her eyes held wide as his other hand fit around her thigh and massaged through the fabric of her skirt.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You talk entirely too much, Maureen O’Leahey,” he whispered against her lips. “I’m thinkin’ it’s high time a man shut you up in a way you found acceptable.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He kissed her again and her chest lifted, her nipples tightening as heat pulled in her stomach and a strange pressure set her insides on fire. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No,” she mumbled as his hand slowly rubbed higher on her thigh. Pulling back as that hand steadily crept to a place she strongly considered off limits to others, she did the first thing she could manage and smacked him across the jaw.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The sharp slap left the car in dark silence. Quietly, he chuckled. “You really are something.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I told you,” she said, out of breath. “You’ll need to be a gentleman to get your lips on me. Buyin’ me dinner doesn’t prove shit.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The side of his mouth kicked up in a half-smirk. “You sure got a mouth on you, woman.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She liked being called woman, considering she was only seventeen. “And wouldn’t you like to see all the things it can do.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His half-smirk turned into a full smile as he laughed. “Well, look at you. You’re tongues as sharp as mine is silver. You better be gettin’ home before real trouble finds you. Tomorrow’s a big day.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That was right. Tomorrow she was graduating. Funny how such a monumental achievement paled in comparison to being kissed by Frank McCullough. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Good night, love,” he said, cracking open the door.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Frank?” He stilled and she took a second to process her sudden insecurities. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He paused, still facing the door. “Yes, Maureen?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The kiss… did I do it okay?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His head tilted as he again faced her. “Have you not been kissed before?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Never like that,” she whispered, her fingers tracing where his mouth had been.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He slid back inside the car and turned to the windshield, pulling his lower lip in for a taste. A quiet chuckle escaped, but he didn’t seem amused. “You’re that innocent then?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Never mind,” she immediately said, wishing she’d never opened her mouth—for anything.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“No, it’s fine. I shouldn’t have assumed…” he shook his head. “A gentleman indeed.” He laughed. “I’m sorry I came on so strong, love, but when I’m around you, I lose sight of right and wrong and all I can tell is that I want you.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her eyes widened as she choked on her words. “Me?” That couldn’t be right.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His gaze turned on her, his eyes appearing almost pained. “Aye, you. I think you’re bonny, smart, funny, and I think about you naked every day.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Frank!”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Sorry, but it’s true. Your curves enchant me.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Was that how men and women spoke to one another? “I’ve never been naked in front of anyone but my mum and my sisters.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A smirk pulled the corner of his mouth tight. “We could remedy that.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She smacked his arm. “Don’t be a pig.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I have a healthy appetite for beautiful women, love. There’s nothin’ wrong with that.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Aye, well if your wantin’ this woman you’ll lose your taste for all others, do you understand?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Aye.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They were silent for several minutes. She fidgeted as she waited for him to say more, but he didn’t. Finally, she broke the silence. “What does this mean, Frank? People will talk if they see us together.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It means I like you.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Like me? Why?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He shrugged and pointed to his chest. “It’s here, in the way my chest gets tight at just the sight of you and I want to hold you fast, but never feel like we have enough time.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Oh.” That was rather sweet and more poetic than she’d expected. “Are you saying we’re…”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I want you to be mine for more than a minute.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lots of things were longer than minutes but still quite short. “Are you askin’ to date me? I’m not trying to be thick headed, but I’ve never much dated and…”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Aye. I’m wantin’ you to be mine, Maureen O’Leahy. Mine and only mine.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Liquid heat swirled in her belly as her veins pulsed with excitement. “I can’t let my parents know.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“It’s no one’s business.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Insecurity made it difficult to look in his direction. She didn’t want to say the wrong thing and sound foolish. “I…I never much dated,” she repeated.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Me neither.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She laughed, still finding that hard to believe. A thought occurred to her and she frowned. “I’ll not have you hitting on other girls if you want to be with me.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I wouldn’t dream of it.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His gentle tone retrieved a bit of her courage. “And I’m not easy. I’m not promising you a thing, if you get what I mean.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Aye. It’ll keep.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shooting him a sidelong glance, she snickered. “You seem certain I’m keepin’ it for you.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“You are,” he said with palpable cockiness. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her mouth gaped at his surety. “There’s something wrong with you.”</span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-71777fb5-17c1-df52-3399-210d4acfc810"></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.6pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“To be sure, but I speak the truth. I’ll have you, Maureen O’Leahey, make no mistake of that. I’ll be a gentleman for you, as you’re deserving of such, but make no mistake, I’m a man and I will not deny what I want no matter how long you deny me from gettin’ it.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Author Bio:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-71777fb5-17c2-720a-0108-942c82b330a3" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Award winning author, Lydia Michaels, writes all forms of hot romance. She presses the bounds of love and surprises readers just when they assume they have her stories figured out. From Amish vampyres, to wild Irishmen, to broken heroes, and heroines no man can match, Lydia takes readers on an emotional journey of the heart, mind, and soul with every story she pens. Her books are intellectual, erotic, haunting, always centered on love. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lydia Michaels loves to hear from readers! She can be contacted by email at </span><a href="mailto:Lydia@LydiaMichaelsBooks.com" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lydia@LydiaMichaelsBooks.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-71777fb5-17ca-bbca-1a72-5164ca583e08"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1125123910847770/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline;"><img height="212px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tKWdIHMfUbC4nipV6MWDkRju7RbH28ONHH0GFMWHui4Jz_6P2sW7X86JxVsJiSuNKNJP6AYG-hLuXgUZ4Cr_2jZ_sx36rVrG6La4bZOEd_F3BX_SlSZRJCFDU2BhQYSwdW_7GVJrOOQP86pZ" style="-webkit-transform: rotate(0.00rad); border: none; transform: rotate(0.00rad);" width="576px;" /></span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-71777fb5-17cb-21a7-f509-91b63aa39daf"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1125123910847770/">here</a> for Virtual Release party link: </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Other Titles by Lydia Michaels:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-71777fb5-17c4-eb85-b2dd-76842335ed27" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Falling In</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Breaking Out</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Coming Home </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sacred Waters</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Skin</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chaste</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Faking It</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Forsaking Truth</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Tears Go By</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hold Me Fast</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Simple Man</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Breaking Perfect</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">White Chocolate</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All 4 You</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To Catch a Wolfe</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 18.666666666666664px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chasing Feathers</span></div>
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C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-28074307191743129702014-11-22T08:23:00.001-05:002014-11-22T08:26:41.355-05:00BOOK REVIEW ~ AS TEARS GO BY -- LYDIA MICHAELS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdTWScDLVp7YA-fj6Gz0GtCU5RzPKeE7IBe7pRsA5JAXZKLDkbuR7xi0ctMxucP8x6buc1I6PVjZyZlgG95kG2NxkIsfCOvIfSwIHrKiNaw2qjiE4Gj4-dKeMLdJ-ETMvBDypq2BgDGcM/s1600/lydiamichaels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdTWScDLVp7YA-fj6Gz0GtCU5RzPKeE7IBe7pRsA5JAXZKLDkbuR7xi0ctMxucP8x6buc1I6PVjZyZlgG95kG2NxkIsfCOvIfSwIHrKiNaw2qjiE4Gj4-dKeMLdJ-ETMvBDypq2BgDGcM/s1600/lydiamichaels.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><b>Title: </b>As Tears Go By (McCullough Mountain, Book Six)<br />
<b>Author:</b><a href="http://www.lydiamichaels.org/"> Lydia Michaels</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Secret Cravings<br />
<b>Format:</b> ARC eBook<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance<br />
<b>Release Date:</b> November 18, 2014<br />
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ARC provided by author for honest review<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23173187-as-tears-go-by?from_search=true"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLCKcZT-D3NSGooIg5R_wdHOKgR_6ALRPJLk7LdBlmGw3KMA7vm_Qw6cdi-bnWcl-ho0ZkkSfn05ZQVBktD77snhU1MKxzkrrwrb5bSH0AaxZMhLRj4rDrJZsXAB87uiBluq76r6jClkD/s1600/images+(2).jpg" height="62" width="200" /></a><br />
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Sometimes love speaks without a word and throws the world into color.<br />
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Braydon McCullough has spent his life searching for the perfect woman. When a shy beauty propositions him, he assumes he’s found her. Blindsided by their chemistry, his life takes a bewildering turn when she vanishes as quickly as she appeared.<br />
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Becca Stevens can’t afford to take risks, but when persuaded by friends to commemorate her divorce by approaching a gorgeous stranger in a bar, common sense abandons her. After an unforgettable night of passion, she panics, running back to her methodical life, promising never to be so reckless again. That is until her Braydon unexpectedly tracks her down.<br />
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Braydon’s unwelcome persistence is a complication to Becca’s already challenging life. As a single mother of a son living with autism, she has no room for personal affairs. Braydon’s determination tempts to show Becca how vibrant life can be if she’d only dare to dream again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PF4Gob70hFUSmh1WiYT2lL2q5hnTUauXsM_QUYwekgHbqseyewNyvphLrvrv0i8Pmd7LEUAIQPqLGchxSqWiV7eHNC9EtZgSnUMDLVfqRqqUK7CUzaF-wWKI5NsOoYoS57rioxhuJNtU/s1600/lydiamichaels2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PF4Gob70hFUSmh1WiYT2lL2q5hnTUauXsM_QUYwekgHbqseyewNyvphLrvrv0i8Pmd7LEUAIQPqLGchxSqWiV7eHNC9EtZgSnUMDLVfqRqqUK7CUzaF-wWKI5NsOoYoS57rioxhuJNtU/s1600/lydiamichaels2.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a>Award winning author, Lydia Michaels, writes all forms of hot romance. She presses the bounds of love and surprises readers just when they assume they have her stories figured out. From Amish vampyres, to wild Irishmen, to broken heroes, and heroines no man can match, Lydia takes readers on an emotional journey of the heart, mind, and soul with every story she pens. Her books are intellectual, erotic, haunting, always centered on love.Lydia Michaels loves to hear from readers! She can be found of Facebook or contacted by email at Lydia@LydiaMichaels.org</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lydiamichaels.org/default.html">Website</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LydiaMichaels">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/Lydia_Michaels">Twitter</a> / <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5428994.Lydia_Michaels">Goodreads </a></span></b></div>
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I cannot rave enough about how much I love the McCullough men. Lydia Michaels has created a series I have grown quite fond of and knowing it is reaching its conclusion has me a bit sad. </div>
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Okay, truth? I'm totally devastated. </div>
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That being said, <b>As Tears Go By</b> is an emotional read dealing with heart breaking issues. Something Michaels has done throughout the McCullough Mountain series. She knows how to tug at your heartstrings and sucks you inside her world--a world where family loyalties and romance shine. </div>
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Braydon McCullough has had his heart broken once. His girlfriend, Sammy, ended up marrying his older brother, Colin. His search for finding that perfect someone has left him alone in the big city and wanting what others in his family has found. He wants a woman who will choose him above all others and, until then, he plays the field like any typical male would do. </div>
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Becca Stevens is just coming off a failed, ten-year marriage. The ink on the divorce papers is barely even dry. Her best friend and boss convinces her she needs to approach the sexy man sitting across the bar and have a one night stand. </div>
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Not looking for a relationship, she approaches Braydon McCullough. And they share one night of hot,sweaty sex that leaves both unprepared for what follows.</div>
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<b>As Tears Go By</b> is a tale of forgotten dreams, broken vows, and inner strength. One of the core themes I loved in this story revolves around Becca. She is a single mother struggling to take care of her son, who is autistic. Being a parent is soul-draining, emotionally harrowing at times, and the most thankless job on the planet. But having to raise a child with autism has a trillion different issues-ones that Becca has met, and surpassed, with each turn. Her entire world centers on her son and there is no time for a relationship in her life. </div>
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Braydon is amazed by Becca's strength, her love and devotion to her child, and the passion hidden deep inside a woman afraid to follow her dreams. He wants to give her everything. Be the man her husband failed to be. And more importantly, Braydon wants Becca to choose him over the man who originally claimed her as his wife. But fears and the past continue to plague Becca's heart and threaten to break the delicate connection the new lovers share. </div>
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Be prepared to experience an emotional journey as you read <b>As Tears Go By.</b> It has all the components of an addicting series: laughter, love, and a sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine. </div>
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<b><u>Favorite moments:</u></b></div>
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"Special like you like him a lot or special like he has an IEP?"</div>
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"What would a kid be doing with a bomb?"</div>
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"Not an IED, you ass. An IEP. An individualized Education Program." </div>
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"I'm sorry," Carla said, leaning close, but keeping her eyes on Kelly. "My vagina's in some sort of spasm right now. I couldn't quite make out your words." </div>
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"Smurf sex is when you fuck until you're blue in the face." </div>
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"Why are you trying so hard?"</div>
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"Why are you waiting for us to fail?" His shoulders drew up tight. He shook his head. "I guess I thought trying was what people did when they cared. I've never experienced so much opposition in my life." </div>
C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-68401154433414402052014-10-24T00:00:00.001-04:002014-10-24T00:00:01.171-04:00SEVENTH GRAVE AND NO BODY BY DARYNDA JONES with GIVEAWAY <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2gJIjcfGHJHeaEEVtFmc_pNl5AxJsf-t2l8fVFzMyJDCrT6TcgauvSVKcsxwNLoMAVzTvqJvDBT_ybuvo_hYXVIxFUxIa_W4JVpBcAyplZpAYDpFSaZFDfb0xQke8FtTgNxslGWqB3XH/s1600/darynda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2gJIjcfGHJHeaEEVtFmc_pNl5AxJsf-t2l8fVFzMyJDCrT6TcgauvSVKcsxwNLoMAVzTvqJvDBT_ybuvo_hYXVIxFUxIa_W4JVpBcAyplZpAYDpFSaZFDfb0xQke8FtTgNxslGWqB3XH/s1600/darynda.jpg" height="192" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Title:</b> Seventh Grave and No Body (Charley Davidson, Book Seven)</div>
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<b>Author: </b>Darynda Jones</div>
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<b>Publisher:</b> St.Martins Press</div>
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<b>Format:</b> Hardback, 336 pages</div>
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<b>Genre: </b>Mystery, Series, Romance, Paranormal</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjwiuQi2mPIoa47JiQPw-b6Gv1k04VrfoLgZZqykajbY5Ee5C1XDa8jpMgbuDIgQMJ_P3dBwBHkeBCOTbkA5AJwbUvpP8NWLYbfbtGcikyqzDdoAfJSYz0uxlG9IBUgToxF5D45wn9igu/s1600/darynda6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjwiuQi2mPIoa47JiQPw-b6Gv1k04VrfoLgZZqykajbY5Ee5C1XDa8jpMgbuDIgQMJ_P3dBwBHkeBCOTbkA5AJwbUvpP8NWLYbfbtGcikyqzDdoAfJSYz0uxlG9IBUgToxF5D45wn9igu/s1600/darynda6.jpg" height="320" width="219" /></a><span style="background: white; color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Twelve. Twelve of the
deadliest beasts ever forged in the fires of hell have escaped onto our plane,
and they want nothing more than to rip out the jugular of Charley Davidson and
serve her lifeless, mangled body to Satan for dinner. So there’s that. But
Charley has more on her plate than a mob of testy hellhounds. For one thing,
her father has disappeared, and the more she retraces his last steps, the more
she learns he was conducting an investigation of his own, one that has Charley
questioning everything she’s ever known about him. Add to that an ex-BFF who is
haunting her night and day, a rash of suicides that has authorities baffled,
and a drop-dead sexy fiancé who has attracted the attentions of a local
celebrity, and Charley is not having the best week of her life.</span><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
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<span style="background: white;">A tad north of hell, a hop, skip, and a jump
past the realm of eternity, is a little place called Earth, and Charley
Davidson, grim reaper extraordinaire, is determined to do everything in her
power to protect it.</span><br />
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<span style="background: white;">We’re doomed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Buy Links</b></span></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250045649/">Amazon</a></b> /<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seventh-grave-and-no-body-darynda-jones/1117685340?ean=9781250045645&itm=1&usri=9781250045645&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10:1&r=1,%201"> B&N </a>/ <b><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/seventh-grave-and-no-body/id896488819">iTunes</a></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: x-large;">Meet Darynda Jones</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jx48A32OKsZcFi03JhZ0RXj5YDYwwLTM1NEmvCDvpjM3D4b7kB45KocKaditWIlGqlIuFgt623jL9jx0Ur-jUXJ2zfho-FcIzOcGL_4sT5fPiE1loSPW587r4UiQLXUtXp4W0VqERT0O/s1600/darynda4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7jx48A32OKsZcFi03JhZ0RXj5YDYwwLTM1NEmvCDvpjM3D4b7kB45KocKaditWIlGqlIuFgt623jL9jx0Ur-jUXJ2zfho-FcIzOcGL_4sT5fPiE1loSPW587r4UiQLXUtXp4W0VqERT0O/s1600/darynda4.jpg" /></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">NYTimes
and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her
work, including a prestigious Golden Heart®, a Rebecca, two Hold Medallions, a
RITA ®, and a Daphne du Maurier, and she has received stellar reviews
from dozens of publications including starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly,
Booklist, and the Library Journal. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up
spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate
soul who happened by, annoying man and beast alike, and she is ever so grateful
for the opportunity to carry on that tradition. She currently has two series
with St. Martin’s Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy.
She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her
husband of almost 30 years and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones
Boys. She can be found at www.daryndajones.com.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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He stood
and took my hand into his. He looked like one of those jolly priests who
preached about hellfire and damnation but then qualified his sermon with an
assurance that if his parishioners strayed, they need only repent to be washed
of their sin. I’d tried to be washed of my sin once, but I ran out of Dial.
Tricky business, that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’m
Father Glenn,” he said, his voice and manner full of exuberance. He had sandy
hair, thinning up top, and wire- framed glasses fitted over chubby cheeks. “I
didn’t mean to interrupt your lunch.” He gestured toward the lunch he could see
through the adjoining door. It sat on my desk, calling my name. Metaphorically.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My
stomach growled on cue. I offered a sheepish grin, then said, “Oh, no, I’m
saving it for later. I’m not the least bit hungry.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Gutsy,”
he said as I sat in the chair next to the one he’d been sitting in.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Gutsy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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He
followed suit, crossing his legs to get comfortable. “Fibbing to a priest,” he
explained.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Oh,
that.” I laughed and waved it off. “I do that kind of crap all the time. Except
to my clients,” I assured him. “I don’t lie to my clients.”</div>
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I took
the interior stairs back to my office, refusing to spare another glance his
way. Just as I put my plate on my desk, I noticed a priest waiting in Cookie’s
office. He was wearing a jacket and jeans, but the collar gave it away every
time. We’d apparently forgotten to lock the door, but in all my years as a PI,
a priest was new. I felt like I should do the sign of the cross as I walked
forward, but I could never remember if it was up-down-left- right or
up-down-right-left. I was so bad with directions.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’m
sorry,” I said, going over and holding out my hand. It was shaking even more
now than it had been that morning. Shaking from too much coffee was one thing,
but shaking from none at all? Utter agony. Torturous. Inhumane. Of course,
Reyes and his new gal pal could have had something to do with my trembling. “I
didn’t mean to leave anyone waiting here,” I continued. “I’m Charley.”<o:p></o:p><br />
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C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-28065895699043518172014-10-24T00:00:00.000-04:002014-10-24T00:00:01.770-04:00BOOK REVIEW ~ KILLER QUEEN BY L.H. COSWAY and GIVEAWAY <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBNeOcI65xPxMTaDncHO5SbI9diligYNv4YrE8D58UEdskOeRycD9xi9N1J5znG9UEIluYa5RfCZ_e7MS7t4wVK9r9_DzvDP7ME0lZF4KDEls4_ARpGOWctqkvT7aSm41EPgVsGUfaP_9/s1600/l.h.cosway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBNeOcI65xPxMTaDncHO5SbI9diligYNv4YrE8D58UEdskOeRycD9xi9N1J5znG9UEIluYa5RfCZ_e7MS7t4wVK9r9_DzvDP7ME0lZF4KDEls4_ARpGOWctqkvT7aSm41EPgVsGUfaP_9/s1600/l.h.cosway.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a><b><br /></b><br />
<b>Title:</b> Killer Queen<br />
<b>Author:</b> L.H. Cosway<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Smashwords<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>October 20, 2014<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Romance, Contemporary<br />
<b>Format:</b> eBook<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22879950-killer-queen?from_search=true"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguboJKdk5xE96Kj6k2EPkNF_R25OEQsC6MUADWkrYLkg386SWbGP1tgLDJUayHbuOwreyqBFAEyoMEvT9Oi7wNGJWW75hKBK2ppcu_c7P_91hpD8vD4YgPGMUELEUzUWCE46wgJY9Pg4H4/s1600/images+(2).jpg" height="62" width="200" /></a><br />
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<b><u>Buy Links</u></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Killer-Queen-Painted-Faces-Novel-ebook/dp/B00OEY479S/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1413753707&sr=1-1&keywords=killer+queen+lh+cosway">Amazon</a></b> / <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Killer-Queen-Painted-Faces-Novel-ebook/dp/B00OEY479S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413753969&sr=8-1&keywords=killer+queen+cosway"><b>Amazon UK</b> </a>/ <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/killer-queen-lh-cosway/1120440719?ean=2940046206999">B&N </a>/ <b><a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/books/killer-queen-2/2ISgVbHRdkSmZxQ3fy0NVw?MixID=2ISgVbHRdkSmZxQ3fy0NVw&PageNumber=1">Kobo</a></b> / <b><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/481397">Smashwords</a></b> / <b><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/killer-queen/id925366721?mt=11">iTunes</a></b><br />
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<b><i>Willkommen, Bienvenue, Welcome…</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>Come inside The Glamour Patch club to see the star of our show, Miss Vivica Blue. </i></b><br />
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Do you want to read my diary you nosy little devils? Have a glass of champagne (you’ll need it) and get comfortable because you’re in for some crazy shenanigans brought to you straight from the horse’s mouth.<br />
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I can be whatever you want me to be: boy, girl, a little bit of both.<br />
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If you have a problem with a man in a dress then best be off with you. If males in make-up give you the willies, then I’ll say au revoir and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.<br />
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So, who are we left with? Ah, a fine collection of curious souls. I want to tell you a tale of love, because those are the most glorious kind. I want to tell you about real love, a love that transcends labels and gender stereotypes.<br />
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The moment I first laid eyes on my Freda I knew that we were kindred. Well okay, I also knew I wanted to get into her pants, but that’s beside the point. My world was a grey place. I was at my lowest ebb. Then she came along and patches of colour began to spring forth. One day the daffodils were yellow and before I knew it, colour was everywhere, lighting up my life.<br />
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Love is not about how we appear on the outside, it’s about the soul contained within.<br />
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Our story was not a conventional one, but it was ours, and that’s what made it shine.<br />
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<b>Killer Queen is a companion novel to L.H. Cosway’s contemporary romance, Painted Faces. It contains scenes that take place before, during and after the original story. It can also be read as a standalone.</b><br />
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I originally reviewed L.H. Cosway's <b>Painted Faces </b>back in 2013 (<a href="http://www.csmaxwell.blogspot.com/search/label/Painted%20Faces">click here for my 5 Star review</a>). This was the first time I was introduced to Cosway--and I was HOOKED! I also picked it as one of my favorite reads of 2013. It absolutely blew me away.<br />
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Cosway brilliantly takes a character that you would assume could in no way be considered sexy...and makes him super hot, super charming, and King of Dirty Talking. I cannot rave enough about Nicholas.<br />
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So when I was asked to read and review <b>Killer Queen</b>, there was no hesitation. Killer Queen is the retelling of <b>Painted Faces,</b> but from Nicholas's POV. Something that I had to have. I wanted to delve inside the mind of one hell of an intriguing character. One that continues to be so damn unique, so damn sexy, and plagues my mind with all sorts of dirty fantasies.<br />
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Do you have to read <b>Painted Faces</b> first in order to understand<b> Killer Queen</b>?<br />
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No.<br />
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But you should.<br />
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Both are delicious in their own way.<br />
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Both are hot.<br />
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And both remain on my top fave list.<br />
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Nicholas has always been in awe of his mother. He loved to watch her as she prepared to perform on stage. She was stunningly beautiful to him. And when she tragically died, Nicholas knew of only one way to experience that closeness he used to share with his mother.<br />
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Young Nicholas would sneak into the attic and watch old films of his mother, slip inside her beautiful dresses and sing along to the haunting and seductive tones of his mother's voice. It was through this strange behavior he felt closer to the mother he lost. It was his secret. One he kept from his father for fear of horrible repercussions. And one that he could not--would not--deny himself. <br />
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Until an evil man who worked close with Nick's father discovered his secret--his shame. And Nicholas's life would be irrevocably changed.<br />
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Now, Nicholas is an adult. He shines on the stage as the magnificent drag queen--Vivica Blue. It is with the make-up, the dresses, the stunning shows that make it possible for Nick to metaphorically give the middle finger to the perverted monster who continues to haunt him. Who took something beautiful and tried to make it something ugly. As Vivica Blue, Nick embraces that inner little boy who once sang along with his mother. Those moments when little Nicholas watched in awe as she painted her face before a show. He becomes an entertainer, a performer, and the limelight loves him. He shines--is glorious upon the stage. He is Vivica Blue.<br />
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But drinking, partying, and maniacal highs and lows is taking its toll on Nicholas. He is slowly sinking into a pit of despair...one that may claim his very soul. He is lost and alone.<br />
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Until he meets Phil.<br />
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Until he moves to Ireland<br />
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Until he meets Freda.<br />
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And everything once again dramatically shifts in Nick's life.<br />
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But can he pull himself from out of the darkness and realize he isn't utterly destroyed and deserving of love?<br />
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Here are just some of my favorite moments in Killer Queen:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Every woman is different. Some of them make you feel satisfied, others make you feel high, most just make you feel used or dirty. But you, Fred, you make me feel cleansed. </i></blockquote>
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<i>Okay, so when it came to sex, I was a talker. In fact, dirty talk was my forte. I couldn't help but say what was on my mind, and I loved the different reactions I got. </i></blockquote>
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<i>Great fucking tits, Fred. I can't wait to suck on the other one next time.</i></blockquote>
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<i>Her sweet little sighs filled the room, and I knew in that moment that we weren't fucking, we were making love. I felt like running away and never leaving all at once. </i></blockquote>
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<i>I could have lived forevermore between the beauty mark on her neck and the freckle on her collarbone quite happily. </i></blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And for a limited time---Painted Faces is free on Amazon. 10/22/14 through 10/26/14 </i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1WPVTarrp-xjGXL9UnCcvXzLD0jChc87-VdvSVbS6Lpy0iBtMqUJ5qQS00fuJcGWZF8UYwyH57K53K-DRq778MNMwW9xq3VrpXH6BFnu-eW3NfhUxRyeBOEyqmSbPJGQlB8FHf_qAuem/s1600/Painted+Faces+Free.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1WPVTarrp-xjGXL9UnCcvXzLD0jChc87-VdvSVbS6Lpy0iBtMqUJ5qQS00fuJcGWZF8UYwyH57K53K-DRq778MNMwW9xq3VrpXH6BFnu-eW3NfhUxRyeBOEyqmSbPJGQlB8FHf_qAuem/s1600/Painted+Faces+Free.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoaG0fDP4kvdxqPeSR0xe1ymaD0-4oVR_YmzFip8t_a_ZCwW_hfDIDQfeuI0jJ9VtA3XidpegeNIX8l94yxyQiiMer6-abdWOxxRx24ebbMIyLb_ADFFNQizuwAKPSoy_thY8T7EkIYRU/s1600/242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqoaG0fDP4kvdxqPeSR0xe1ymaD0-4oVR_YmzFip8t_a_ZCwW_hfDIDQfeuI0jJ9VtA3XidpegeNIX8l94yxyQiiMer6-abdWOxxRx24ebbMIyLb_ADFFNQizuwAKPSoy_thY8T7EkIYRU/s1600/242.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Author Links:</span></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.lhcoswayauthor.com/p/blog-page.html">Website</a></b> / <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/LH-Cosway/171041853046034">Facebook</a></b> / <b><a href="https://www.twitter.com/LHCosway">Twitter </a> / <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5622223.L_H_Cosway?from_search=true">Goodreads </a></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Excerpt </span></b></div>
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“What has you so excited tonight?” Phil asked me, one hand on his hip, the other holding Pickles under his arm. The tiny dog struggled to break free, and Phil finally let him down.</div>
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I sat in front of the mirror in my dressing room at The Glamour Patch, using some mousse to slick my hair back away from my face. My lips were red, and I’d gone for a smoky grey eye shadow that highlighted the blue of my irises.</div>
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“My new neighbour’s coming to see the show. I can’t wait for you to meet her, Phil. She’s quite something.”</div>
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His lips quirked. “Ah, I was wondering why you were going all Frank-N-Furter tonight.”</div>
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I glanced at him as I topped up my mascara. “What’s that supposed to mean?”</div>
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He raised an amused eyebrow and folded his arms. “You always whip out the Rocky Horror when you want to get a lady all hot and bothered. They love that androgynous shit, not to mention those hot pants leave very little to the imagination.”</div>
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I grinned mischievously. “I do believe I’ll take that as a compliment, Philip.” A pause before I continued, “So, does it usually work?”</div>
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“Depends on the lady. If she’s that way inclined, yes, it works a charm.”</div>
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His answer pleased me. “Good to know.”</div>
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Phil was right — I was definitely going for androgyny tonight rather than full-on female, and it wasn’t because my head was messed up. It was because my own vanity was surfacing, and I wanted Fred to find me sexy. I wasn’t certain that a dress was going to do it for her, but once she saw how little my hot pants left to the imagination, as Phil so graciously put it, I was sure she’d be shifting in her seat.</div>
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Yeah, that’s right, my package, for lack of a better word, was well on display. Are you regretting picking up my diary yet, you nosy little things? No? Well, let’s see if we can change your minds. I will find a way to make you tug uncomfortably at your collars yet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZ4IlOfCP5J-pC1kMxHdDRiwadCWYz3f8RZEHeiXxQxilmAiSlnWWvCsSZJSbSFgsZlbTlXalWOBJ4FKQrSYdFgWMrwIfVjiIJtxNVKL6szF6P_6EXmtvysejLt4xo2YUgpahnv260_73/s1600/KQ-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZ4IlOfCP5J-pC1kMxHdDRiwadCWYz3f8RZEHeiXxQxilmAiSlnWWvCsSZJSbSFgsZlbTlXalWOBJ4FKQrSYdFgWMrwIfVjiIJtxNVKL6szF6P_6EXmtvysejLt4xo2YUgpahnv260_73/s1600/KQ-4.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-58516707356667487602014-10-04T12:27:00.002-04:002014-10-04T12:27:44.401-04:00BOOK REVIEW ~ MAYBE SOMEDAY BY COLLEEN HOOVER<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylC91lG-UpZ3uQlP-JeBTlSPm_MD5fPCVPZ4tFwnjLJ59ekqbSd4bKZyqo75RED5pe5ya_bzNwvcFmm90mmJ2x9MwWatxlyuqNo079RIDZGHjFQv11gOldyN6C-l_gZSLJmCpRHhuH9Yf/s1600/colleenhoover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiylC91lG-UpZ3uQlP-JeBTlSPm_MD5fPCVPZ4tFwnjLJ59ekqbSd4bKZyqo75RED5pe5ya_bzNwvcFmm90mmJ2x9MwWatxlyuqNo079RIDZGHjFQv11gOldyN6C-l_gZSLJmCpRHhuH9Yf/s1600/colleenhoover.jpg" height="400" width="257" /></a>Title: Maybe Someday<br />
Author: <b><a href="http://colleenhoover.com/">Colleen Hoover</a></b><br />
Publisher: Atria Books<br />
Release Date: March 18, 2014<br />
Genre: New Adult, Romance<br />
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ARC provided by NetGalley<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17788403-maybe-someday"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguboJKdk5xE96Kj6k2EPkNF_R25OEQsC6MUADWkrYLkg386SWbGP1tgLDJUayHbuOwreyqBFAEyoMEvT9Oi7wNGJWW75hKBK2ppcu_c7P_91hpD8vD4YgPGMUELEUzUWCE46wgJY9Pg4H4/s1600/images+(2).jpg" height="62" width="200" /></a><br />
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At twenty-two years old, aspiring musician Sydney Blake has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her good friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter cheating on her with Tori—and she is left trying to decide what to do next.<br />
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Sydney becomes captivated by her mysterious neighbor, Ridge Lawson. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the daily guitar playing he does out on his balcony. She can feel the harmony and vibrations in his music. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either: He seems to have finally found his muse. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one…<br />
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**I love the way Colleen Hoover set the stage for Maybe Someday. It's something that came as a complete surprise to me, so I don't want to put spoilers up to ruin it for other readers. So, this review will be tough to write without giving things away.<br />
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Sydney Blake has just found out that her boyfriend is cheating on her--with her roommate. Her devastation has her packing her bags and fleeing the apartment, not making any plans or knowing where the hell she's going. Her abrupt departure leads her to the door of one of her neighbors--the cute guy she has seen from her balcony. Although they have never talked face to face, she has studied him from beneath her lashes and watches him as he plays his guitar.<br />
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Ridge Lawson cannot help but notice his beautiful neighbor, Sydney. And through texts, they discover each other's passion for music. But when Sydney has no place to go after the harsh break-up with her boyfriend, Ridge offers her a place to stay.<br />
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Through their connection of music, Ridge and Sydney grow closer. But there is only one problem---and it's a biggie--Ridge is already involved with another girl. One he refuses to hurt, one he cares deeply about.<br />
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Sydney refuses to be the other girl. She knows the hurt, the devastation that follows with that kind of choice. And she refuses to hurt Maggie, Ridge's unsuspecting girlfriend.<br />
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Colleen Hoover is brilliant in crafting a story that makes you feel the emotions and pain experienced by her characters. And Ridge and Sydney's story is one that tugged at my heart strings. Some readers may find offence in what Ridge and Sydney struggle with--and view it as cheating. But their connection isn't about just the physical attraction. It's a deeper, emotional connection--and one that they fight so damn hard to prevent. And I think that Colleen Hoover presented both sides well and showed how their feelings ran deeper that just a few minutes of physical pleasure. <br />
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<b>Maybe Someday</b> is ultimately finding that person you are meant to be with--it just may not be the right time in your life. And maybe, someday....the two people that are meant to be together will find their way back to each other again. C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-58038208854185556842014-09-22T00:00:00.000-04:002014-09-22T00:00:00.639-04:00KILLER QUEEN COVER REVEAL BY L.H. COSWAY<b><u></u></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAduzLBJBMPC0MI_RlTK_UstbDKMMByjyKw13dbMEtGh9E05YIDAABf35VzWq7HpONlmyOlQ__Q4oJk2iCIatpcqUKf9WQQPjcInTp-_s22v3_S-_icKdrGssvoSRVPRj21Scx6UuJD1F5/s1600/LHCKillerQueenCover6x9-NEW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAduzLBJBMPC0MI_RlTK_UstbDKMMByjyKw13dbMEtGh9E05YIDAABf35VzWq7HpONlmyOlQ__Q4oJk2iCIatpcqUKf9WQQPjcInTp-_s22v3_S-_icKdrGssvoSRVPRj21Scx6UuJD1F5/s1600/LHCKillerQueenCover6x9-NEW.JPG" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover design by Letitia<br /><i>Romantic Book Affairs</i></td></tr>
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<b><u>Title:</u> Killer Queen (Painted Faces)</b><br />
<b>Author: L.H. Cosway</b><br />
<b>Publisher: L.H. Cosway</b><br />
<b>Expected Release: October 20, 2014 </b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAduzLBJBMPC0MI_RlTK_UstbDKMMByjyKw13dbMEtGh9E05YIDAABf35VzWq7HpONlmyOlQ__Q4oJk2iCIatpcqUKf9WQQPjcInTp-_s22v3_S-_icKdrGssvoSRVPRj21Scx6UuJD1F5/s1600/LHCKillerQueenCover6x9-NEW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><b>Genre: Contemporary Romance</b><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22879950-killer-queen?from_search=true"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3WhSnpvV2kwEiDH5kFPI0EFyo000vYco64vzFHhIpZUGemJVTqb_EQjrakK1CN63W2FJcUXFzyB9vZryoO-j8bt_1TrtP1leaFv_XiEmsiU2MkUA40aDmgLpoIgrX819HK2WsWquWIIi/s1600/images+(2).jpg" height="62" width="200" /></a><b><u><br /></u></b><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Synopsis</span></u></b><br />
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<b><i>Willkommen, Bienvenue,</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Welcome…<br />
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Come inside The Glamour Patch club to see the star of our show, Miss Vivica Blue.<br />
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Do you want to read my diary you nosy little devils? Have a glass of champagne (you’ll need it) and get comfortable because you’re in for some crazy shenanigans brought to you straight from the horse’s mouth.<br />
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I can be whatever you want me to be: boy, girl, a little bit of both.<br />
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If you have a problem with a man in a dress then best be off with you. If males in make-up give you the willies, then I’ll say au revoir and don’t let the door hit you on the way out.<br />
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So, who are we left with? Ah, a fine collection of curious souls. I want to tell you a tale of love, because those are the most glorious kind. I want to tell you about real love, a love that transcends labels and gender stereotypes.<br />
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The moment I first laid eyes on my Freda I knew that we were kindred. Well okay, I also knew I wanted to get into her pants, but that’s beside the point. My world was a grey place. I was at my lowest ebb. Then she came along and patches of colour began to spring forth. One day the daffodils were yellow and before I knew it, colour was everywhere, lighting up my life.<br />
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Love is not about how we appear on the outside, it’s about the soul contained within.<br />
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Our story was not a conventional one, but it was ours, and that’s what made it shine.<br />
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<b><i>Killer Queen is a companion novel to L.H. Cosway’s contemporary romance, Painted Faces. It contains scenes that take place before, during and after the original story. It can also be read as a standalone.</i></b><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">About the Author</span></u></b><br />
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L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5622223.L_H_Cosway">Goodreads</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/LHCosway">Twitter</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LHCosway">Facebook</a> / <a href="http://www.lhcoswayauthor.com/">Website </a></span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Excerpt</span></u></b></div>
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I was immediately happy to be left alone with my most recent object of attraction, and tried to think of a way to endear myself to her. She seemed a little defensive, and I didn’t like it. She was focused intently on stirring a pot of simmering bolognaise, not paying me any notice. Deciding to take the bull by the horns, I walked across the room and stepped up right behind her, taking her by the hips and affectionately resting my head on her shoulder.</div>
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Sometimes, forcing physical closeness with women worked for me. Not that kind, I’m not completely depraved. Often though, women liked it when I took them into my arms for a hug or pulled them onto my lap to sit. Unfortunately, Fred’s entire body went ramrod straight the moment I touched her. I instantly regretted the move, but at the same time I didn’t. Her supple hips felt good beneath my palms.</div>
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“Smells delicious, Fred,” I told her, brazenly giving her a squeeze. It was ridiculously inappropriate, but I wanted a reaction out of her. Needed one. Still, she barely moved and instead gave me a one word reply, “Yep.”</div>
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I leaned closer, allowing my breath to whisper across the back of her neck. She shivered and I think I saw her breath hitch, which made me grow a little hard. “The wine cost twenty Euros, and I got it from the off-licence down the road.”</div>
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“Oh, very la di da, Viv. You must be a big spender.”</div>
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I grinned, liking how she was subtly taunting me by continuing to call me by a woman’s name. “You like calling me Viv, do you?”</div>
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“What can I say, feminine blokes really do it for me.”</div>
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Enjoying this interaction, I decided to up the ante a level…or twenty. I spoke low and quick into her ear. “I can do that, if it's what you're into. In fact, I can be whatever you want me to be. I don't think it is, though. I think you're the kind of woman who likes a man to take the lead.” Then I pulled her hips back into mine. The feel of her soft arse flush against my cock did wonderful things. Wonderful things. I was having visions of throwing her over my shoulder and carrying her into my apartment so that I could have my wicked way with her. Unfortunately, my forwardness was not taken in the manner I had intended. Pulling swiftly out of my hold, she lifted up her stirring spoon and pointed it at me, as though it were a weapon that would keep me at arm’s length.</div>
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“Okay. Listen here, back the hell up or I'll knee you in the balls.”</div>
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<b><i>A SIGNED COPY OF OF PAINTED FACES -- OPEN INTERNATIONALLY </i></b></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Title: Six Of Hearts</b></span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Author: <a href="http://www.lhcoswayauthor.com/p/blog-page.html">L.H. Cosway </a></b></span></div>
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<b>Publisher: Self-published </b></div>
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<b>Expected Release Date: July 28, 2014</b></div>
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<b>Genre: Contemporary Romance</b></div>
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<b><i>ARC provided by author for an honest review</i></b><br />
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22324683-six-of-hearts?ac=1">Add to Goodreads </a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Six-Hearts-L-H-Cosway-ebook/dp/B00M5KESIS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407787354&sr=8-1&keywords=Six+of+Hearts+L.H.+Cosway">Buy on Amazon</a></b><br />
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<b style="line-height: 24px; text-indent: 19.85pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Step right up and meet Jay Fields: Illusionist. Mentalist. Trickster.</span></b><br />
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<i>I think in triangles. You think in straight lines.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I show you a table and make you believe it’s a chair.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Smoke and mirrors, sleight of hand, misdirection. I trick and deceive.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>But most of all, I put on a good show.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The world thinks I killed a man, but I didn’t. Bear with me. It’s all a part of the plan.</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Revenge is what I want. I want it for me and I want it for her.</span><span style="line-height: 24px; text-indent: 19.85pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I want it for all six of us.</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>She doesn’t remember me, but she’s the reason for everything. She’ll be my prize at the end of all this – if I can hold onto my willpower, that is. Maybe I’ll slip up a little, have a taste, just a small one.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>So go ahead and pick a card. Come inside and see the show. Look at my hands, look so closely that you can’t see what’s happening while you’re so focused on looking. I’ll be destroying your world from right here in the spotlight.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>You’ll never see me coming until it’s too late.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I’ve only got one heart, and after I’ve pulled off my grand deception I’ll hand it right to her.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 24px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>So, sit back, relax, and let my girl tell you our story. You’re in for one hell of a ride.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: left; text-indent: 19.85pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I simply cannot get enough of L.H. Cosway--at least, her books. It was love at first read when I picked up a copy of her book, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: left; text-indent: 19.85pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Painted Faces.</b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; text-align: left; text-indent: 19.85pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Her unique hero, Nicholas, is a shocking and sexy surprise. Bonus--Cosway's writing is fresh, and her humor is highly contagious. I wanted more from this extremely talented writer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; text-indent: 19.85pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">When I received an email to be a part of this blog tour for her newest release, it was a NO BRAINER. </span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Six of Hearts</b> starts out with a tragic past and fast forwards to the present where --- hang on to your seats--Cosway takes the reader through the mind-boggling world of magic and illusion. And intermingled, she writes a beautiful love story with engaging characters and sizzling sexy times. </span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Jay Fields is the dark and secretive illusionist who has a secret past. As I was reading Six of Hearts, I couldn't help but compare the story and Jay to the famous street magician David Blaine. Of course, Jay Fields, is waaay more sexier. My vivid imagination works that way, lol. </span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">But if you have watched any of David Blaine's unique and totally fascinating "tricks", you can understand the appeal Six of Hearts had for me. It was AMAZEBALLS! </span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I really don't want to give anything away in regards to this book--it's a journey one has to experience without the possibility of swaying the reader or creating false expectations. It is a delicious, addictive, and sexually combustible read filled with twists and turns along the way to keep you on your toes. </span></div>
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<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I leave you with one of my favorite quotes that summarily defines how I feel about Six of Hearts.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>“Isn’t it more exciting not knowing, just letting the possibilities be endless?”</i></b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="line-height: 24px; text-indent: 19.85pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books. </span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 19.85pt;">She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMmFgSrPQdnvo4LGgWS09atML_qoxkZKtjSYm1tnUOMs91fTY6J5u58HB1X5qpa45drJg_b6-YncIfGUZuKSZlNgyA9w1QnlELByMqnHlYoCDrghExoZ50BrJYtT4ObFHEZdZlL1JyJmT/s1600/Six-of-hearts-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirMmFgSrPQdnvo4LGgWS09atML_qoxkZKtjSYm1tnUOMs91fTY6J5u58HB1X5qpa45drJg_b6-YncIfGUZuKSZlNgyA9w1QnlELByMqnHlYoCDrghExoZ50BrJYtT4ObFHEZdZlL1JyJmT/s1600/Six-of-hearts-6.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Making my way down the narrow staircase that leads out of the building and onto the street, I bump into a tall man with golden-brown hair. I wouldn’t normally notice a man’s hair so specifically, but this guy has some serious style going on. It’s cut tight at the sides and left long on the top, kind of like a sexy villain in a movie set in the 1920s. I stare up at him, wide-eyed. He’s wearing a very nice navy suit with a leather satchel bag slung over his shoulder. Even though it was the first thing I noticed, his hair pales in comparison to the wonder that is his face. I don’t think I’ve ever been up close to such a handsome example of the male species in my life.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why can’t men like this write to me online?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I ponder dejectedly.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because men like this don’t even know the meaning of the term “socially awkward</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,” my brain answers.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My five-foot-something stares up at his six-foot-whatever, and I think to myself, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">what’s a prize like you doing in a dive like this?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Actually, now that I’m looking at him, he does seem vaguely familiar, but I can’t put my finger on where I’ve seen him before.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Probably on the pages of a fashion magazine, if his looks are anything to go by.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If it hasn’t already been deduced from the fact that I can’t even find a date using the romantic connection slut that is the Internet, then I’ll spell it out. I’m useless with men, and I’m talking all men. Even the nice approachable fellows. And I’m not looking at a nice approachable fellow right now. I’m looking at a “chew you up and spit you out” tiger.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rawr.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Since the entrance to the building is so narrow, we have to skirt around each other. I give him a hesitant smile and a shrug. His eyes sparkle with some kind of hidden knowledge as he lets me pass, like beautiful people know the meaning of the universe and are amused by us ordinary folks who have to bumble along in the dark.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m just about to step out the door when the tiger starts to speak. “I’m looking for Brandon Solicitors. Do you know if I have the right place?”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I step back inside. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He sounds like Mark Wahlberg when he’s letting his Southie roots all hang out. His deep American accent makes me want to close my eyes and savour the sound. But I don’t do that – because I’m not a complete psycho.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Yeah, this is the place. I work here, actually. I’m the secretary slash receptionist slash general dogsbody. It’s my dad’s firm,” I reply. Too much information, Matilda. Too. Much. Information.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The tiger smiles, making him better-looking, if that’s even possible. And thankfully, he doesn’t comment on my fluster. “I have an appointment with Hugh Brandon at nine. I’m Jay,” he says, and takes a step closer to hold his hand out to me. My back hits the wall, his tall frame dwarfing mine. I don’t think he realises just how narrow this space is, and now I can smell his cologne. Wow, it’s not often that I get close enough to a man to smell him. And Jay Fields smells indecently good.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Ah, right. Jay Fields. Yeah, I have you pencilled in. You can go on upstairs, and Dad will take care of you,” I reply, shaking his hand and letting go quickly so that he doesn’t notice my sweatacular palms. “I’ve got an errand to run.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He stares at me for a long moment, like his eyes are trying to take in my every feature, but that can’t be right. When he finally responds, it’s a simple, “I won’t keep you, then, Matilda.”</span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-8056a1a1-5975-bde6-a755-ecbdec4d44fa"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 19.85pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God. Why does the way he says “keep you” in that deep voice have to make my heart flutter? It’s been literally thirty seconds, and I’m already well on my way to developing a crush. He makes some keen eye contact with me, then turns and continues up the stairs to the office. I’m already on the street when I realise I hadn’t offered my name, and yet he knew it.</span></div>
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/93b4d12/" id="rc-93b4d12" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script>C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-7876649172292831442014-08-11T15:43:00.001-04:002014-08-11T15:43:55.216-04:00ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ NO LIMITS BY LORI FOSTER <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZiyXfqZaNEZEbqFhuaMM_C5qgG_Jidf0UQpEXxGPIUqW8qrGWTcvq-pa7RASFg-LXiI5wYCW-gOKgkRHpfooVK7ozCDeS-Ct31E6x18_oJbYlqETmn9NB_k5h7Xo2EGQn-8qkF7MuVmR/s1600/lorifoster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZiyXfqZaNEZEbqFhuaMM_C5qgG_Jidf0UQpEXxGPIUqW8qrGWTcvq-pa7RASFg-LXiI5wYCW-gOKgkRHpfooVK7ozCDeS-Ct31E6x18_oJbYlqETmn9NB_k5h7Xo2EGQn-8qkF7MuVmR/s1600/lorifoster.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a></div>
<b>Title:</b> No Limits (Ultimate, Book One)<br />
<b>Author:<a href="http://lorifoster.com/"> </a></b><a href="http://lorifoster.com/">Lori Foster</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Harlequin HQN<br />
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance<br />
<b>Paperback: </b>432 pages<br />
<b>Expected Publication: </b>August 26, 2014<br />
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<span id="goog_536231345"></span><span id="goog_536231346"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/No-Limits-Hqn-Lori-Foster-ebook/dp/B00JIH8WZQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407782898&sr=1-1&keywords=no+limits+lori+foster"><b>Buy the book on Amazon</b></a><br />
<b><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-limits-lori-foster/1118656162?ean=9780373779048">Buy the book on Barnes & Noble</a></b><br />
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<b><i><span id="goog_536231331"></span><span id="goog_536231332"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a>ARC provided by NetGalley</i></b><br />
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<b><i>A surprise inheritance reunites a mixed martial arts fighter with the woman he's never forgotten in the first in a smoldering new series from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster…</i></b><br />
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Cannon Colter is quintessential hero material: chiseled jawline, shredded body—the works. He's also the guy who rescued Yvette Sweeny from kidnappers, only to put an end to her romantic dreams. These days, she's older, smarter, determined to face whatever life throws her way. Even the prospect of sharing a house and business with Cannon.<br />
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Cannon knew Yvette wanted him three years ago. But she was young—and some things are worth waiting for. Thrown together by her grandfather's legacy, he realizes how deep Yvette's scars really go, and how much danger lurks in their quiet town. As pent-up desire explodes between them, protecting her becomes the only fight that matters. And he'll break all the rules to do it…<br />
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I can remember the first book I read by Lori Foster. It is one that I have recently re-read. It is<b><i><u> that</u></i></b> good. And for those of you who have a curious nature, the book I am referring to is <b>Simon Says</b>, which is book two in her<b> SBC Fighters series</b>. Which....also happens to be loosely connected with her newest series, <b>Ultimate.</b><br />
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Lori has a way of making her characters jump off the page and into my living room...at least, metaphorically speaking. But what I truly love about her writing is the abundance of sexual chemistry her characters have from the get go. She can take a few, innocent words and have me swooning. She has talent in spades and will always be an auto-buy for this reader.<br />
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That being said, <b>No Limits</b> was not a disappointment. Combustible sexual chemistry, a supreme cast of secondary characters, a dash of suspense, and cameo appearances from her<b> Love Undercover series:</b> all the key ingredients needed to make a hot read you don't want to end. <b>Lori Foster</b> delivers it and has whetted my appetite for more.<br />
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Cannon Colter is a young fighter on the brink of success. He has recently returned from Japan and learned of the death of a close friend. When he returns to Ohio, he finds himself face to face with the woman he hasn't been able to stop thinking about--Yvette Sweeny.<br />
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Yvette returns to Ohio to settle things after the death of her grandfather. Her childhood home holds horrific memories of a time she wished she could forget. And the presence of Cannon, her teenage crush, has her facing long-denied desires she thinks best left alone.<br />
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But the heady and smoldering sexual tension is something that will not be denied between them. And as the two spend more and more time together, things are bound to pretty damn hawt.<br />
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Because of what happened to Yvette years ago, she feels broken and afraid she will disappoint the man she has fallen for. But Cannon is determined to show Yvette she has no problems whatsoever when it comes to sex and his slow seduction is almost painful in a lip-biting, squirming-in-my-seat kind of way.<br />
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<b><i>“Stay with me, honey.” And then, “You’ll like this.” With building anticipation Yvette watched him bend down until his dark head was between her thighs, his breath hot, his mouth hotter”.</i></b></blockquote>
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<b><i><br /></i></b><b><i>"First time will be fast and hard. Second time might be better. I'm still up in the air on that one." He drew her close and playfully bit her lower lip. "The third time, though...for sure, that one will be all for you." </i></b></blockquote>
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Of course, Foster throws in some suspense to keep you turning the page...an unstable ex-boyfriend who waits in the shadows for his chance to grab Yvette could prove to be dangerous and deadly. Or is it someone else, someone unsuspecting, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike back with malignant intent?<br />
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Since first publishing in January 1996, Lori Foster has become a Waldenbooks, Borders, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and New York Times bestselling author. Lori has published through a variety of houses, including Kensington, St. Martin’s, Berkley, Silhouette and Samhain. She is currently with Harlequin.</div>
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Click <b><a href="http://lorifoster.com/bookshelf/">here </a></b>for a complete list of Lori Foster's books. </div>
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C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-79204342527887808882014-07-28T23:08:00.001-04:002014-07-28T23:08:04.201-04:00ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ DARK SKYE BY KRESLEY COLE <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Author:</b> <a href="http://kresleycole.com/">Kresley Cole</a><br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Gallery Books<br />
<b>Series:</b> Immortals After Dark, Book 14<br />
<b>Expected Release Date:</b> August 5, 2014<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Paranormal<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Un6M-qobiZvOPGyos-GpTvx3qaq-ILMxk8h1k0LNaDa880Km-68_ze571iIN6_v_3eUE-3B7l5ggi3WNJeidVPsO9fEEah4689twF9IHiqFNwEmLUkl4q2nw-dXyaoinWWy9pzQIz4-8/s1600/4.5+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Un6M-qobiZvOPGyos-GpTvx3qaq-ILMxk8h1k0LNaDa880Km-68_ze571iIN6_v_3eUE-3B7l5ggi3WNJeidVPsO9fEEah4689twF9IHiqFNwEmLUkl4q2nw-dXyaoinWWy9pzQIz4-8/s1600/4.5+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><b>Pages: </b>384<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Skye-Immortals-After-ebook/dp/B00GKKTZZU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1406601291&sr=8-1&keywords=Kresley+Cole+Dark+Skye" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uuirwzQe5ai5HpCeaRruTwhm5t_Ge89mVGO5wOgyo-jo_OzGSXSYKbu85cXElKxJvXFCSHP5wYtSXR7vZQjsdUao1BrzWAPjOxoZlkKGjspodwY7f7AaPrItLpMdhQSs9YuELtJ5s4Rs/s1600/amazon_buy_logo-s.jpg" /></a><b>Format:</b> eARC, Netgalley<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18775652-dark-skye?ac=1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYS9WjLSZ9w9I6d20s352S4xpHS3z2cr_ztcm5fXwW4tBelzo-3AspJS5Wr3J5hrqKyhwxhv1Pf0338ttF7HMq3jhMwe85BEh2WatprPgAhJGh0PPxmusgEvI9H8HFApC0xCk_0yBljyC3/s1600/images+(2).jpg" height="62" width="200" /></a><br />
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<b><i>In this highly anticipated novel in the Immortals After Dark series, #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole spins a sultry tale of a mighty warrior scarred inside and out and the beguiling sorceress with the power to heal him - or vanquish him forever.</i></b><br />
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<b>Eternal Obsession </b><br />
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As a boy, Thronos, Lord of Skye Hall, loved Lanthe, a mischievous Sorceri girl who made him question everything about his Vrekener clan. But when the two got caught in the middle of their families’ war, tragedy struck, leaving Thronos and Lanthe bitter enemies. Though centuries have passed, nothing can cool his seething need for the beautiful enchantress who scarred his body - and left an even deeper impression on his soul.<br />
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<b>Endless Yearning </b><br />
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Lanthe, a once-formidable sorceress struggling to reclaim her gifts, searches for love and acceptance with all the wrong immortal suitors. But she’s never forgotten Thronos, the magnificent silver-eyed boy who protected her until she was ripped from the shelter of his arms. One harrowing night changed everything between them. Now he’s a notorious warlord with a blood vendetta against Lanthe, hunting her relentlessly.<br />
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Can the heat of desire burn brighter than vengeance?<br />
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With their families locked in conflict and battles raging all around them, will Thronos and Lanthe succumb to the brutal chaos that threatens everything they cherish? Or will the fragile bond they formed so long ago spark a passion strong enough to withstand even the darkest doubts?<br />
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<br /><b><u>Book Review</u></b><br />
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<b>Kresley Cole</b> continues to amaze me. After fourteen books in her <b>Immortals After Dar</b>k series, <b>Cole</b> knocks it out of the ballpark -- AGAIN. <br />
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I am simply amazed and blown away with Cole's ability to make her books in her IAD series flow seamlessly as they do. As a reader, and a writer, she has me gobsmacked at how she jumps from story to story and keeps up with all the character ARCs and timeline.<br />
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This time around her hero is Thronos, Lord of Skye Hall. For centuries he has been searching for his mate, Lanthe. But he doesn't know whether to kill her or kiss her. Their factions are sworn enemies--but as children, they developed a friendship. Thronos knew the little sorceress was to be his mate.<br />
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But a dark betrayal will break them apart.<br />
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Lanthe has spent centuries avoiding her mate. But after escaping from being imprisoned on an island, she runs into the very man she wishes never to see again.<br />
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As both Thronos and Lanthe try to find their way back to their respective worlds, lies and misconceptions from the past begin to unravel. And just when they start to find forgiveness and a possible future within their grasp, a powerful Sorceri obliterates Thronos's memories. <br />
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But the unrelenting Lanthe is determined to find Thronos and show him just how strong their love is...it is more powerful than magic...and forever always.<br />
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<b>Dark Skye</b> is filled with plot twists and the occasional WTF moments you don't see coming. Just when you think you know what's happening, Cole slips a few surprises along the way. It has everything fans of Kresley's books will appreciate and relish with every page.<br />
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Keep 'em coming, Kresley.C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-28653569051129806002014-07-28T17:02:00.000-04:002014-07-28T17:02:00.320-04:00AWESOME GIVEAWAY ~ Winner's Choice - and FREE BOOK FROM SKYE JORDAN <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpq1JbuErmr43dui1AQ2WcPgvj-JgnA_PB2j98kUU3GT_xlp-s_iHVWQxAUNVeAHcChyd74AXE6aVbtmn7ijai8ULAz7RcS_kRhfJbDYeVtC_v38cxDx7K1Ya-jVcuxQyF2Di0jWSEdbXb/s1600/skyejordan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpq1JbuErmr43dui1AQ2WcPgvj-JgnA_PB2j98kUU3GT_xlp-s_iHVWQxAUNVeAHcChyd74AXE6aVbtmn7ijai8ULAz7RcS_kRhfJbDYeVtC_v38cxDx7K1Ya-jVcuxQyF2Di0jWSEdbXb/s1600/skyejordan.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author:</b> <a href="http://skyejordanauthor.com/">Skye Jordan</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher: </b>Cygnet Books</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Format: </b>audible and eBook, 305 pages </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Buy Link:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reckless-Renegades-Book-Skye-Jordan-ebook/dp/B00EQMKEE0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1406580492&sr=8-3&keywords=Skye+Jordan">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reckless-skye-jordan/1116836243?ean=9780985870119&isbn=9780985870119">B&N</a>,<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/reckless/id720831740?mt=11"> iTunes</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Author, Skye Jordan (also writes under Joan Swan) is offering a fantastic giveaway. Go check out the details on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SkyeJordanAuthor/photos/pcb.339588999528164/339588482861549/?type=1&theater">Facebook</a> for your chance to win either a Kindle Paperwhite or a Kindle Fire HD. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Renegade Series is a sexy, erotic romance guaranteed to steam up your summer nights! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Good Luck and Happy Reading ~ </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reckless, Book One</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFNe26M4n04ULhd4h9Knrl6ivf8DBlM3RsdPnBLCcdh2Nno_fnIaj7zP1RYOqpqVUBULdDfaqIV-JYL0cQR66PV2lz3xpNLhC4VodKtc3dOZNLJ51eSNfvU0NxfqaWxEBcTQZdEX02uNI/s1600/skyejordan1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFNe26M4n04ULhd4h9Knrl6ivf8DBlM3RsdPnBLCcdh2Nno_fnIaj7zP1RYOqpqVUBULdDfaqIV-JYL0cQR66PV2lz3xpNLhC4VodKtc3dOZNLJ51eSNfvU0NxfqaWxEBcTQZdEX02uNI/s1600/skyejordan1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reckless, Book Three</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLRtoI-8JLUh5a03KZUv0u-bFfDbLosaAXCTkWFZWg34yABzypekIlp9ajRIPFQ1fFitFR1KCD7_B1mdjpHeuA4se_ZcPCKuDbiKGVGNhoDKUIDCYhEwfIfYUGNakeX5HiSOiBLoKp4rZ/s1600/skyejordan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLRtoI-8JLUh5a03KZUv0u-bFfDbLosaAXCTkWFZWg34yABzypekIlp9ajRIPFQ1fFitFR1KCD7_B1mdjpHeuA4se_ZcPCKuDbiKGVGNhoDKUIDCYhEwfIfYUGNakeX5HiSOiBLoKp4rZ/s1600/skyejordan2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reckless, Book Two<br />
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C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-65003713780879964982014-05-06T16:49:00.000-04:002014-05-06T16:49:01.688-04:00BOOK REVIEW ~ FORSAKING TRUTH BY LYDIA MICHAELS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQ7ryIrVrn2xIw6jCoLm7Gw3S2s3cIXvQeORBzJThEFlozwuhoDMk8crm1oOjvqXH8hieF5X_UcgD2yxadkmv7ZlMI9Tfsikd88zDQ2-etkPqGOfgz3gPZisOVHlMBwxrcuwK4X-s10Fm/s1600/bookreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQ7ryIrVrn2xIw6jCoLm7Gw3S2s3cIXvQeORBzJThEFlozwuhoDMk8crm1oOjvqXH8hieF5X_UcgD2yxadkmv7ZlMI9Tfsikd88zDQ2-etkPqGOfgz3gPZisOVHlMBwxrcuwK4X-s10Fm/s1600/bookreview.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Title: Forsaking Truth ( McCullough Mountain, Book Five)</b><br />
<b>Author: Lydia Michaels</b><br />
<b>Publisher: Secret Cravings</b><br />
<b>Release Date: May 5, 2014</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78TV8WKKNteYl6qQZyAHcMmdHXWV73W7JWEs-KfihX3T6crh7quVH0U6mHSm8MSf78e7SuT692vhJqi-T3G3H_okkiwgpo9UA2GQaB8Yerq7Cz59MGS5dmMqergpNDHaBh0E_-k4zDe36/s1600/lydiamichaels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78TV8WKKNteYl6qQZyAHcMmdHXWV73W7JWEs-KfihX3T6crh7quVH0U6mHSm8MSf78e7SuT692vhJqi-T3G3H_okkiwgpo9UA2GQaB8Yerq7Cz59MGS5dmMqergpNDHaBh0E_-k4zDe36/s1600/lydiamichaels.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<b>Genre: Romance, M/M</b><br />
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<b><i>ARC provided by author for an honest review</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22033654-forsaking-truth?ac=1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjryRPV-IYalzugLOpZFeDxx-Xik3AYNtPAbZZoWDYj6lMrpCdUrDinDmJQZNhyA14qxSpc6tZNLL6WfTzERcLOHRCUxDHyeM7S_CoUJOQTyEPJV5z2qmOEN0QpbmOFsi8tDmjOLd0N5OeH/s1600/images+%25282%2529.jpg" height="62" width="200" /></a><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Book Blurb</span></u></b><br />
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When Luke McCullough’s athletic potential is diminished by a field injury, his pride pays the price. Returned to Center County a broken man, the long road to recovery seems dreary and overshadowed by opportunities lost, until he meets Tristan Hughes.<br />
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Tristan came to Center County to escape his past and start anew, but nothing prepared him for Luke. Intrigued, Tristan cautiously gets to know this powerful man, only to fall head over heels for the vulnerable soul hiding behind all that intensity and drive.<br />
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Luke has never been interested in men, so when he can’t get Tristan out of his head he doubles his efforts to fight the inevitable. Stolen glances lead to heated encounters, followed by punishing regret, but Luke’s inability to face the truth of who he really is may cost him the only happiness he’s ever known.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Book Review</span></u></b><br />
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I cannot get enough of this series.<br />
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I fell in love with the McCullough family with book one, Sacred Waters. Lydia Michaels has created an Irish family you cannot help but want to be a part of, and more importantly, married into, lol.<br />
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This large family has had its ups and downs over the years and its share of emotional turmoil. But Luke's story has its own unique circumstances and Michaels does a superb job at writing a heart-wrenching tale of two men who struggle coming to terms in their romantic relationship.<br />
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Luke McCullough was born to be a professional football star when an injury took him out of the game--permanently. He returns to Center County feeling like an utter failure. Now working at his father's lumber yard, he tries to find his way in a world that doesn't fit right. He is bitter about the future now denied him and feels about as useless as tits on a bull (Luke's own words from Forsaking Truth). In a nutshell, Luke is his own worst enemy.<br />
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Tristan Hughes moves to Center County and moves in with a relative to the McCullough's and accepts an entry position at the local lumberyard. This is where both Tristan and Luke meet and where friendship turns into something...more.<br />
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Forsaking Truth flashes to scenes previously seen in earlier books, but are told from Luke's perspective. So a lot gets explained on the hows and whys of Luke's burly behavior. He is coming to terms with sexual feelings toward another man--something that has never plagued him before. He has had relationships with only women at this point. But there is no denying the attraction he feels with Tristan. Luke finally feels like those odd pieces of his life are falling into place. He feels accepted for who he is and most importantly, he feels a love that is all encompassing.<br />
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But there are bumps along the way as Forsaking Truth covers five years. Five years of fights, hurt feelings, and denial. Both Tristan and Luke have to work through some serious issues. The major one being Luke's unwillingness to come out to his parents.<br />
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There were a few things I felt was missing in this story and I had wished to have seen more conversation between Finn and Luke. They are twins and I felt their relationship was sort of skimmed over.<br />
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Also, there is not enough interaction with Mama McCullough. I seriously love this woman. She is a secondary character that has wormed her way into my heart. She makes me laugh out loud and giggle like a little girl.<br />
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However, Michaels does provide a very touching and emotional scene with Luke and his parents.<br />
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Be prepared for a more serious subject matter with Forsaking Truth. It's not as humorous as previous books, but I didn't expect it to be. Luke is a quiet and private person, so unlike the other Chatty Cathys in the McCullough Clan. But the romance, the heat, and the sizzling sexual chemistry is still strong and very present.<br />
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A great addition to the McCullough Series.<br />
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<br />C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-78979342288919409872014-05-04T19:12:00.001-04:002014-05-04T19:12:13.196-04:00BOOK REVIEW ~ ISLAND PERIL BY JILL SORENSON<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KjxR8emljnE103eZLWiW3rzKlM2YB7zwHXfj3GEUTbNzrPoObMCz8q5HIKBi-M4grFF_PBvl-bcsIRuM1-ty1Zy12-Zmym7sNr1nIlpdJIJacfjry5sswWl62W98MCnqYppNvx8VZJ3q/s1600/bookreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KjxR8emljnE103eZLWiW3rzKlM2YB7zwHXfj3GEUTbNzrPoObMCz8q5HIKBi-M4grFF_PBvl-bcsIRuM1-ty1Zy12-Zmym7sNr1nIlpdJIJacfjry5sswWl62W98MCnqYppNvx8VZJ3q/s1600/bookreview.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Title: Island Peril (Aftershock, Book 3.5)</b><br />
<b>Author: Jill Sorenson</b><br />
<b>Publisher: Harlequin HQN</b><br />
<b>Release Date: May 1, 2014</b><br />
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<b><i>ARC provided by NetGalley</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn_OZV_VvXVUV6IEFiVIHbfB5BxBfHBNgQliEtx57OMiJ22JB6Ps36Mzp-xIWEciOQQYMmvInGPQqyIxy3SPNAiACnLqqsIvgAsIHpMlR3wMMFsRG6q-Rm-78Iodk8CTBvrwCw9psF41k/s1600/jillsorensen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbn_OZV_VvXVUV6IEFiVIHbfB5BxBfHBNgQliEtx57OMiJ22JB6Ps36Mzp-xIWEciOQQYMmvInGPQqyIxy3SPNAiACnLqqsIvgAsIHpMlR3wMMFsRG6q-Rm-78Iodk8CTBvrwCw9psF41k/s1600/jillsorensen.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20923094-island-peril?ac=1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizClybGlzZLfi_5DQEImFnG6DLOla3HJx0Be0-4wfOHWNu8XjrARHsUXPN9iJLfVTmagjazDOapOXQ2P9HXBFlczf0VrTiTptGZ08e0DbM0amjEt1FaoWkNE3nYWfTIhyvqKdd2HMHavap/s1600/images+%25282%2529.jpg" height="62" width="200" /></a><br />
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<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>Book Blurb</u></b><br />
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Red-hot writer Jill Sorenson brought readers to the edge of their seats in Aftershock. Now they can catch the beginning of Paul and Ella's relationship in this fast-moving novella packed with danger and delight!<br />
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It started as a girls' outing to California's beautiful Channel Islands State Park. When Ella Hammond embarks on a kayaking trip with sexy adventure guide Paul Dawson, sparks fly—but so does gunfire from a boat of drug smugglers.<br />
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Now Ella and Paul are on the run, soaked and stranded in a rocky hideout. Ella feels like she'll never be warm again. Until Paul shares his body heat—igniting a fire between them that's nearly too hot to handle!<br />
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The adventure continues in Backwoods, and pick up Paul's sister's novella in Passion and Peril, both from Harlequin HQN!<br />
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<b><u><br /></u></b>
<b><u>Book Review</u></b><br />
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I admit that I have not read the first books of this series...and it did not affect my enjoyment of this story. In fact, it made me want to immediately read the others in this action-packed series.<br />
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I can also admit I am not a fan of novellas. I like my stories meaty. Long. Page after page of excitement and spellbinding. But, a novella is a great way to introduce a new-to-me author and a way to see if this series would be something I would want to continue reading.<br />
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Island Peril is compact, but provided it all. Great sexual chemistry, enough action to get your blood pumping, and an engaging read until the last page was read. It whetted my appetite for more.<br />
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When Ella Hammond takes a kayaking trip with her sister and niece, things quickly turn from good to bad.<br />
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The trip is lead by the very sexy Paul Dawson. Picture tall, dark, athletic. Sexy. Charming. He has it in spades. And when Paul and Ella find themselves marooned on a deserted island with bad guys shooting at them, things quickly go from bad...to deadly.<br />
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All in all--Island Peril is a captivating tale filled with danger and steamy romance. <br />
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<br />C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-90976552959905244602014-05-04T18:51:00.001-04:002014-05-04T18:51:22.418-04:00BOOK REVIEW ~ STILL LIFE WITH STRINGS BY L.H. COSWAY <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Title: Still Life With Strings</b><br />
<b>Author: L.H. Cosway</b><br />
<b>Publisher: CreateSpace</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7YVfjY26ZhxvVT8ZZiAvZcSJz7_pqLWds8wfdTFzRkTiBwRptvVpFVsUKJ2uVNONv1qEtvP8AHLWDVzWWgLyPPOOxhGERr7J5fWN8Q5SbVj8x7OWjmK8JDuryXA6-J4UGIKKsw7EKFDY/s1600/lhcosway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7YVfjY26ZhxvVT8ZZiAvZcSJz7_pqLWds8wfdTFzRkTiBwRptvVpFVsUKJ2uVNONv1qEtvP8AHLWDVzWWgLyPPOOxhGERr7J5fWN8Q5SbVj8x7OWjmK8JDuryXA6-J4UGIKKsw7EKFDY/s1600/lhcosway.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></b></div>
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<b>Release Date: March 24, 2014</b><br />
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<b><i>ARC provided by NetGalley</i></b><br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>Book Blurb</u><br />
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My name is Jade Lennon and I stand still for money.<br />
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The night I saw Shane Arthur watching me everything changed. A man in a suit always catches my eye, but it was the way he looked at me that was different. Like he knew me or something. He didn’t know me, especially not in my costume. My sobriety rests on staying away from men, but there was something about him that made me throw caution to the wind.<br />
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After all, I was never going to see him again, right?<br />
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Wrong.<br />
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Standing still isn’t the only way I make my money. I also bar tend at a concert hall. Never in my wildest dreams did I think Shane was going to show up there. Not only that, but he’s the most recent addition to the orchestra. So now on a daily basis I have to resist one of the most beautiful men I’ve ever met and he plays the violin. For me that’s one hell of a deadly cocktail.<br />
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He wants me to teach him how to live. I’m not sure how much a twenty-six year old recovering alcoholic who works in a bar and moonlights as a living statue can teach a world class concert violinist, but I’m sure going to try.<br />
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Still Life with Strings is a story of music, art, sex, magical realism, and romance that you will never forget.<br />
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<b><u>Book Review</u></b><br />
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I fell in love with Cosway's writing style with the release of her book, Painted Faces. It was a no-brainer for me to read Still Life With Strings.<br />
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Right away, I was hooked. The characters were fresh, full of life, and simply amazing.<br />
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Jade Lennon is a strong, self-assured, young woman on the cusp of something life changing--she just doesn't know it yet. She has an artistic soul and will do anything for her family. Her mother is dead and her job as a bartender at a local orchestra house provides her the income to support her family. And she moonlights as a living statue on the streets. She is a recovering alcoholic. Her life is far from easy.<br />
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While in her "butterfly" disguise, Jade spots a mysterious stranger watching her. She is intrigued. And caution is thrown to the wayside as they come together in a darkened alley. Never exchanging names. Until, the next day...<br />
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Jade is shocked to discover her one night stand is now working at the orchestra where she tends bar. And that instant attraction she felt for him makes it hard for her to stay away.<br />
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Shane Arthur is a gifted violinist who has never experienced the simple joys of life--spontaneity never a luxury he explored. His strict upbringing and constant training has left little time for fun.<br />
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Jade and Shane are truly opposites but come together in an explosive story that will leave you wanting to have your own virtuoso. It is a character driven tale filled with sensual delights as well as painful moments. Cosway makes classical music sexy with her beautiful love story -- Still Life With Strings.C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-33540019487837009662014-04-07T17:18:00.000-04:002014-04-07T17:18:20.524-04:00BOOK REVIEW ~ TALK DIRTY TO ME BY DAKOTA CASSIDY <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Title:</b> Talk Dirty To Me (Plum Orchard, Book One)<br />
<b>Author:</b> Dakota Cassidy<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Harlequin MIRA<br />
<b>Expected Release Date:</b> April 29, 2014<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance, Humor<br />
eBook, 400 pages<br />
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ARC provided by NetGalley<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18371649-talk-dirty-to-me?ac=1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhkm2lwCauJDxW-n8UfT22vWI6fbj5MRHhoJHH0ChmUM0k75gqyuUBHAzugCKlMU6CrbAa8BYIZ0xsLDRMz1E_TVFIe_bghawCrCaNBDW1dZerJUkJfX05XWuQ1fX11NGCfBJKq5vwQUu/s1600/images+(2).jpg" height="62" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Book Blurb</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRpPBKz7_BKapUN5kVBzMHYrwPsHdtL-IQwKVS0JJT2CUbftFneQn1HqlyEQD-9jA-9J6ZvswwNTOSKKPzSBbC6hiotAfp57Tv2COS5lPxSxes7K4sYalrfLiiZGxgX8u2wt3fIOwiq8D/s1600/dakotacassidy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRpPBKz7_BKapUN5kVBzMHYrwPsHdtL-IQwKVS0JJT2CUbftFneQn1HqlyEQD-9jA-9J6ZvswwNTOSKKPzSBbC6hiotAfp57Tv2COS5lPxSxes7K4sYalrfLiiZGxgX8u2wt3fIOwiq8D/s1600/dakotacassidy2.jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a>Notorious mean girl Dixie Davis is back in town and it's payback time. Literally. Dixie is flat broke and her best—make that only—friend, Landon, is throwing her a lifeline from the Great Beyond. Dixie stands to inherit his business…if she meets a few conditions:<br />
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She's got to live in Landon's mansion.<br />
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With her gorgeous ex-fiancé, Caine Donovan.<br />
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Who could also inherit the business.<br />
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Which is a phone sex empire.<br />
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Wait, what?<br />
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Landon's will lays it out: whoever gets the most new clients becomes the owner of Call Girls. Dixie has always been in it to win it, especially when it comes to Caine, who's made it clear he's not going down easy. (Oh, mercy.) Can Dixie really talk dirty and prove that she's cleaned up her act? Game on!<br />
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<b><u>Book Review </u></b><br />
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I am so happy I decided to pick up Cassidy's newest book in her upcoming series. <b>Talk Dirty To Me </b>was like a huge glass of iced tea on a hot, summer day. It has a little bit of everything I relish in a book--a sexy leading man, a sassy heroine who is hiding her vulnerable heart, southern humor that has me giggling aloud (and sometimes inappropriately), and moments that have me sobbing and resembling Tammy Faye Baker...that is, if I wore mascara and shellacked a ton of make-up over my face.<br />
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The small town of Plum Orchard is getting ready to have their feathers ruffled. Or at least have the snooty ladies of the town gasping in outrage. And it's not enough that their southern sensibilities have been compromised by "housing" a phone-sex company in their quaint corner of the world....Oh, no...Dixie Davis, former resident and queen-of-mean, has returned after leaving Plum Orchard years ago in the likes that still has tongues wagging.<br />
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Dixie returns to Plum Orchard after the death of her best friend, Landon. Her life is in tatters--a failed business with an empty bank account. Her past behavior has also made some of the people wary of this new-and nicer version of Dixie Davis. There are those who are just waiting for the other shoe to drop and the old Dixie to show her ugly side. But Dixie is determined to make a life change and make up for past mistakes.<br />
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That is, IF the residents will let her.<br />
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Caine Donovan is one person who is not swayed by Dixie's change of heart. Years ago, he believed Dixie loved him. But it was all a big fat lie. Now he is stuck living with a woman he wants to hate, but ends up falling back under Dixie's spell. And he's determined not to make the same mistake twice.<br />
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Emmeline has been cut by Dixie's sharp tongue one too many times in the past. But as mediator to Landon's will, she is stuck with the job of making sure Dixie and Caine adhere's to the stipulations of the will. They (Dixie and Caine) must reside in Landon's mansion while competing for clients in the phone sex biz.<br />
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What happens is hilarious, unexpected, and knocks those prissy southern belles on their as---er, derriere.<br />
Be prepared to go through a gamut of emotions when you read Cassidy's tantalizing southern tale of redemption, passion, and friendships--It's a keeper.<br />
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<br />C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-78228302464789515172014-04-06T20:00:00.000-04:002014-04-06T20:08:23.792-04:00BOOK REVIEW ~ HER BEST LAID PLANS BY CARA MCKENNA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7kyIQWvwmGSEHwhKkyjSsJfFBHjdMBm9FKZKuqq51HSO7I8_werE2JWZlbOcsqbbKu82DcQsxRlyFKAcF4y-pMR3AJDbaEUxme9I4LDMeozgtQPhVuEcr14ld3bHpGGpyPlc_Ahgf_z1/s1600/bookreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7kyIQWvwmGSEHwhKkyjSsJfFBHjdMBm9FKZKuqq51HSO7I8_werE2JWZlbOcsqbbKu82DcQsxRlyFKAcF4y-pMR3AJDbaEUxme9I4LDMeozgtQPhVuEcr14ld3bHpGGpyPlc_Ahgf_z1/s1600/bookreview.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>Title: </b>Her Best Laid Plans<br />
<b>Author:</b> Cara McKenna<br />
<b>Publisher: </b>Cosmo Red Hot Reads<br />
<b>Expected Release Date:</b> April 15, 2014<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Romance, Women's Fiction<br />
eBook format<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AeAC0wks_8zJbrB7MwVhYlN9BY6X2rp89_ixWWUyGVcZnp-1V4SfMaeijZF8f3IO4YIqPxpZ9c09WRoQTHc7N3gyO4EeWJyuHM6YIYJYrskbSbfcPRxBhghScc20FeTEa-qp1TmerBXB/s1600/caramckenna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AeAC0wks_8zJbrB7MwVhYlN9BY6X2rp89_ixWWUyGVcZnp-1V4SfMaeijZF8f3IO4YIqPxpZ9c09WRoQTHc7N3gyO4EeWJyuHM6YIYJYrskbSbfcPRxBhghScc20FeTEa-qp1TmerBXB/s1600/caramckenna.jpg" height="320" style="cursor: move;" width="202" /></a></div>
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<b><i>ARC provided by NetGalley</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20410569-her-best-laid-plans?ac=1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIl3icoKVa98YEqst7gdwd4ZjIRa-TNe0ZjhpqMw9SfPnxgYgUOwV7xZD5HOJlxa56F-zFxKLb33Jb9WzmGc0qMw5FuZcED_PLL4n2BPOF2IBlrCbVvlpRIWygwi876o92-_odY-gB3k9/s1600/images+(2).jpg" height="62" width="200" /></a><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Book Blurb</span></u></b><br />
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Experience Ireland—the dramatic beauty, the warm hospitality...and the smoking-hot local guys!<br />
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Imagine nursing a pint in a cozy, authentic country pub, far from Cork City’s busy pulse. Getting here took you a plane, bus, taxi, and...erm, bicycle. But just as you’re resigning yourself to drinking beside gray-haired farmers, you see him—a man with the looks and charm to soothe any heartbroken girl.<br />
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He’s your bartender. Your really, really gorgeous bartender.<br />
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For American Jamie Webb—recently dumped and housesitting for two weeks—Connor Kelleher is like a six-course feast after a 23-year starvation diet. But it’s gotta be casual. She’s just begun re-routing her life after an extended, man-related detour. Still, a sexy romp (or twenty!) with Sexy McBartender?<br />
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But what about when Jamie's best-laid plans for no future plans with any man begin to change?<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Book Review</span></u></b><br />
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I absolutely loved every minute of <b>Her Best Laid Plans</b>. I wanted to hop on a plane, take off to Ireland in search of my own sexy Irish bartender and drink some Guinness. But McKenna painted such a vivid story, I truly felt like I was in the Emerald Isle.<br />
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Jamie Webb had made plans with her friend to vacation together in Ireland. But Jamie finds herself alone, sitting at a local pub, slamming down some Guinness, when Donna has to cancel on her at the last minute. But Jamie is still determined to experience everything Ireland has to offer. <br />
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At one point in her life, Jamie had given everything up for her boyfriend. She moved across the US to live with him and helped put him through school. But two years later, she finds herself boyfriend-less. Never again will she give up her dreams, her plans, for a man. And right now, in Ireleand, she was, free, free, free!<br />
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But you know what the say about the best laid plans, right?<br />
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Connor, a very sexy, very charming, bartender, has Jamie itching to get her flirt on. His good looks, wicked accent and killer smile just about do her in. They chatter it up and Jamie not only likes what she sees, she loves what she hears. He is a reformed bad-boy, working his arse off to earn money to return to college. The chemistry between him and Jamie is thick with sexual tension. And McKenna expertly draws it out with humor, meaningful conversations, and the beautiful sites of Ireland.<br />
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I love how strong Jamie is, how determined she was to make it on her own. To not make the same mistakes she had in the past. Despite her growing feelings for Connor, she is very much an independent woman. And Connor, in his own right, is forthright with his feelings, yet understanding of Jamie's feelings. He knocked my kickers off with his sexy Irish charm.<br />
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Both would love a chance to see what could have been but are at different points in their own lives, the distance between them too vast. Will she choose to stay, or will she go back home to America?<br />
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McKenna has become a go-to author for me when I want to immerse myself in a sexy, romantic, story with memorable characters.C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-8319849176576422242014-03-31T19:59:00.002-04:002014-03-31T19:59:39.056-04:00BOOK REVIEW ~ TWISTED BY EMMA CHASE <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Title: </b>Twisted</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author: </b>Emma Chase</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Expected Release Date: </b>March 25, 2014</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher: </b>Gallery Books</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance, Humor </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">eBook, 272 pages</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>ARC provided by NetGalley</i></b></span></div>
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There are two kinds of people in the world. The ones who look first, and the ones who leap. I've always been more of a looker. Cautious. A planner. That changed after I met Drew Evans. He was so persistent. So sure of himself – and of me.</div>
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But not all love stories end happily ever after. Did you think Drew and I were going to ride off into the sunset? Join the club. Now I have to make a choice, the most important of my life. Drew already made his –in fact, he tried to decide for the both of us. But you know that’s just not my style. So I came back to Greenville. Alone. Well, sort of alone....</div>
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What I've come to realize is that old habits die hard and sometimes you have to go back to where you began, before you can move ahead.</div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Book Review</span></u></b></div>
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I fell in love with Emma Chase's writing with her first book, <b>Tangled.</b> It was told from Drew's POV and was the story of the very rich, and very man-whorish, Drew Evans and how he succumbed to Cupid's mighty arrow. He fell hard for Kate Brooks. <b>Tangled</b> was sexy, funny, and filled with angst.</div>
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<b>Twisted</b> is told from Kate's POV and picks up two years into their relationship. But things aren't as rosy as them seem. And it's all because of a HUGE mis-communication between Drew and Kate. Drew still has some insecurities and when Kate isn't upfront about meeting up with Bob (who is a woman), things quickly unravel between the two lovers. Both characters over-react, their emotions at an all-time high. And something that would have taken a few minutes to work out, if they had just stopped and TALKED, turns out to devastate the both of them. Of course, without the mis-communication, there would be no story. </div>
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<b>Twisted i</b>s everything I expected it to be: A highly entertaining read with sex appeal galore. Drew is still the charming ass as in Tangled. But the moment when he realizes that no matter what happened, he cannot live without Kate, and he falls to his knees? S-W-O-O-N. Despite his flaws, Drew is a great character to watch as he muddles his way through his mistakes.<br />
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<b>Tangled </b>wraps up with Drew's POV , voicing his pearls of wisdom and what he has learned throughout the terrible debacle he and Kate suffered through. And it is his blunt honesty is what makes Drew such the funny, flawed, yet charismatic man we, the reader, love to read about.<br />
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C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-16228484816679712702014-03-31T19:46:00.002-04:002014-03-31T19:46:42.458-04:00Winner Announced ~ Uncovering You by Scarlett Edwards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Congratulations</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Mary Preston is the winner of an ebook copy of Scarlett Edwards' book--Uncovering You.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">I have emailed the winner for prize information. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you to all who stopped by and left a comment. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Happy reading! </span></b></div>
C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-4116877046869135582014-03-26T13:22:00.002-04:002014-03-26T13:22:46.373-04:00BLOG TOUR ~ UNCOVERING YOU -- PART ONE BY SCARLETT EDWARDS <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VvphhzKKC18ai_VxYjAO9Ik7Imls37P5xb0gIYr4G_4y3S9q-iPq74v1Bgf2kiPOWHRZbpK8ZUU6IXHulCMjOQ9QbXm7vmwf9AOFNEFUD7ngKEpc8f0J29Z5zsVEW2Hj3WdtvsL_Ob0G/s1600/scarlettedwards2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VvphhzKKC18ai_VxYjAO9Ik7Imls37P5xb0gIYr4G_4y3S9q-iPq74v1Bgf2kiPOWHRZbpK8ZUU6IXHulCMjOQ9QbXm7vmwf9AOFNEFUD7ngKEpc8f0J29Z5zsVEW2Hj3WdtvsL_Ob0G/s1600/scarlettedwards2.jpg" height="147" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i>First of all, I would like to take the time to apologize to both Scarlett Edwards and Lisa, from Tasty Tours. I have some issues with my computer and email and missed my scheduled post for this blog tour. There was a giveaway offered during this tour which my followers missed. I will be giving away an ebook copy of Scarlett's book to one random commentor from this post. Please include your email address so that I may contact you to send you your prize. I will select the winner on Monday, March 31, 2014. </i></b><br />
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<b><i>Again, HUGE apologies. </i></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Available: March 27, 2014 </td></tr>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Book Blurb</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20512700-uncovering-you"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqIefHbqA7RocTdJk0_QZkFXOpJ-JbQ26JmxrS4qY4EwNYVCKB_zHqdzD8uK4_xHF1CcDMMdNNcYsKQYIJalpu9KYyk67f_nSDYP65QRa80LRnh1EdkoVFO7kjosg84mYSe4VzRaJNaCk/s1600/images+(2).jpg" height="62" width="200" /></a><br />
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When I wake up in a dark, unfamiliar room, I have no idea what's waiting for me in the shadows. My imagination conjures up demons of the worst kind.<br />
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Reality is much worse:<br />
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A collar with no leash. A prison with no walls. And a life stripped of meaning.<br />
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I am presented with a vile contract and asked to sign. It outlines the terms of my servitude. The only information I have about my captor are the two small letters inked at the bottom:<br />
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J.S.<br />
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Armed with only my memories, I must do everything I can to avoid becoming ensnared in his twisted mind games. But in the end, it all comes down to one choice:<br />
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Resist and die.<br />
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Or submit, and sign my life away.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Author Info</span></u></b><br />
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I’m Scarlett Edwards. I wrote my first book as a college sophomore. After six months of edits, it made its debut as Yours to Savor.<br />
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That was at the start of 2013. I’ve written more books since then. You can find them all here.<br />
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It’s funny how quickly life changes. I used to think I’d need a degree to get a “Real Job.” Then I wrote a few books, they got somewhat popular, and now I’m living the life as a full-time romance author.<br />
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Thanks to all my readers for making my dreams come true!<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Author Links</span></u></b><br />
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<a href="http://www.scarlettedwards.com/">Website</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ScarlettEdwardsAuthor">Facebook</a> / <a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fscarlettedwards&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFggU2AqGBTeUqLsXDlluevud5Tkg">Goodreads </a><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Book Excerpt</span></u></b><br />
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“Lilly.”<br />
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Oh God. It’s him. There’s no mistaking that rich, masculine treble.<br />
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What’s he doing down here?<br />
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“M-Mr. Stonehart,” I stutter, turning. I curse my inability to hide my surprise. He totally caught me off-guard. I have to look up to meet his eyes. Then up some more.<br />
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The face that I find is so striking it should belong to a Greek god.<br />
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He’s younger than I expected. Late thirties, maybe early forties.<br />
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That means he started his company when he was younger than me!<br />
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Dark scruff lines his angular cheeks. His jet-black hair is styled in long, natural waves. My fingers itch to run through it.<br />
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Totally inappropriate.<br />
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He has a prominent nose that might be too big on a less imposing man, but on him, it’s perfect.<br />
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In short, he’s a package of the purest masculinity I’ve ever seen.<br />
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And then there are his eyes. Oh my God. His eyes. They pierce into me like honing missiles. They are the deepest black I have ever seen. They would be frightening if they weren’t so beautiful. When the light reflects a certain way, you catch a glimpse of the purple underneath.<br />
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They are like midnight sapphires. His eyes reveal a cunning intellect. Those eyes do not miss a thing.<br />
Add all that to his towering height, his wide shoulders, his confident-yet-at-ease posture… and Stonehart cuts an intimidating figure.<br />
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My gaze darts to his left hand before I can stop it. No ring. He’s unmarried.<br />
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He looks down at me, expectantly. His eyes narrow ever so slightly, and I feel like I’m being dissected, measured up, and tucked away in some small corner of his brain. I imagine this is what a gemstone feels like under the magnifying class of the most critical appraiser.<br />
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Stonehart clears his throat. I come to with a start, realizing I haven’t said anything in ages. I open my mouth, but the capacity for speech seems like a foreign concept to my brain. “I—”<br />
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Somebody bumps into me from behind. I stagger forward. I’m not used to these shoes, so my heel steps the wrong way. My ankle twists under me, and I start to fall.<br />
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I don’t fall far. The hand still on my elbow tightens, and Stonehart pulls me into him.<br />
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I plaster myself onto the solid steel wall the man has for a body. I catch a scent of his cologne. It’s a deep, musky smell with a hint of charred spruce that is all male. It scrambles my thoughts even more.<br />
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“Sorry!” a rushed voice calls out. From the corner of my eye, I see the postman giving a hurried, apologetic wave.<br />
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Although the sequence lasts less than a second, it feels like an eternity. Pressed up against him like that, I don’t want to move. I know that I couldn’t have made a worse first impression.<br />
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Stonehart eases me off him with a firm yet gentle grip. Our eyes meet. I flush the most vibrant red. His fingers graze my forehead as he brushes a lock of hair out of my face.<br />
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Any tenderness I may have imagined vanishes when Stonehart takes out his cell. He long dials a key and growls an order. “Steven. See the delivery boy leaving right now? Have his building pass revoked.”<br />
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I gape. Stonehart keeps speaking. “Wait. I thought of one better. Bar his company from accessing the building.” There’s a pause. “For how long? Indefinitely. FedEx can talk to me when they have an improved employee selection program in place.”<br />
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The phone call gives me just enough time to compose myself. My heart’s still beating out of my chest. But nobody has to know that.<br />
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I speak without thinking. “You’re going to restrict the entire company from serving this building because of that?”<br />
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Stonehart humors me with an answer. “A company’s employees are its most important asset. Their behavior reflects the organization as a whole. If FedEx decided that clown is good enough for them, it tells me they’re sloppy. I do not do business with sloppy organizations.”<br />
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“What about the other tenants in the building?” I ask. “Won’t that piss them off?”<br />
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When I hear myself and realize how improper my question is, my cheeks flame red again.<br />
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Stonehart’s eyes darken, as if he cannot believe I asked that question. I open my mouth to apologize for my imprudence, hating the way my professional skills have evaporated into thin air. I’m cut off by a short, barked laugh.<br />
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“Miss Ryder.” He sounds amused. “I believe that is the most direct and honest question anybody has dared ask me in weeks.” He takes my elbow again and leads me to the elevators. I have to take two quick steps to match one of his long strides.<br />
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“Yes,” he continues. “They will be ‘pissed off.’ But the perk of owning a building—” he hits the elevator call button, “—is that you get to make executive decisions.” He gives me an unreadable glance as the doors open. “That is, at the risk of being questioned by inexperienced interns.”<br />
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If that isn’t a loaded remark, I don’t know what is. I flush scarlet red for the third time since I’ve met him. I’ve never had a man throw me so off balance.<br />
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The elevator is packed, for which I’m infinitely thankful. The trip up will give me some time to properlycompose myself.<br />
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Gratitude turns to panic when the crowd files out, meek as mice, when Stonehart steps in. None of the people waiting in the lobby follow us.<br />
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The doors close. I’m alone in here with him. My heart’s beating as fast as a hummingbird’s wings.<br />
He catches me staring. “Impressed?” he asks.<br />
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“They know you,” I manage.<br />
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His dark eyes flash with amusement. “Astute.”<br />
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<b><i>Don't forget to leave me a comment -- Winner for an eBook copy of Uncovering You by Scarlett Edwards will be selected by Random.org on Monday, March 31, 2014. Thank you! </i></b></div>
C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-66110619001183671792014-03-26T12:18:00.001-04:002014-03-26T12:18:59.485-04:00BOOK REVIEW ~ BLIND WOLF SERIES BY AUBREY ROSE <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfINyv5SlkcQCQ7G7KtrEaolhbzULwhXGmmHFjUIEP__C2gMAOYQz6SRN3EDig9dtTsdI0AO03ec4gRAhO5iaDkOVLiwNxDzkA4eO34I6khhLrUY7eUA6uqUwoE_2rucpKaRPt1jis-SI/s1600/bookreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfINyv5SlkcQCQ7G7KtrEaolhbzULwhXGmmHFjUIEP__C2gMAOYQz6SRN3EDig9dtTsdI0AO03ec4gRAhO5iaDkOVLiwNxDzkA4eO34I6khhLrUY7eUA6uqUwoE_2rucpKaRPt1jis-SI/s1600/bookreview.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Title:</b> Blind Wolf (The Complete 4 Book Paranormal Shifter Romance Boxed Set)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author:</b> Aubrey Rose</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher:</b> Fido Publishing</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Release Date: </b>December 23, 2013</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Genre:</b> Paranormal Shifter Romance</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>ARC provided by NetGalley</i></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18490071-blind-wolf?from_search=true" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBtwGjc7ZNQdChxTAP7AcJ8AopijYnL197GQkxDjnRjOoopZwwSJ8vffLJYhCRNWm3TUM3MEAmsAsTc2N0uGLlJfqc3AFKScQE96srGBDGYvBXQG4nKGf4RckH6FxUzwpU9opkvKDrFDJ/s1600/images+(2).jpg" height="62" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Book Blurb (Book One)~ Blind Wolf</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOO6Q2anDCAqW8TGVxqkpSdy_qI9-8T9fzBizQcXs00E0QT8PzCF4JwLc4ZUBoLo2TuCObhv919c553cnFVJy7vxDhSXVd9EZbAe0zH8VpDx81mIWQb8zFyv2JVrWWNv3G5bLpeTQRt8Y/s1600/aubreyrose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOO6Q2anDCAqW8TGVxqkpSdy_qI9-8T9fzBizQcXs00E0QT8PzCF4JwLc4ZUBoLo2TuCObhv919c553cnFVJy7vxDhSXVd9EZbAe0zH8VpDx81mIWQb8zFyv2JVrWWNv3G5bLpeTQRt8Y/s1600/aubreyrose.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>Julia has never been on a date in her life. She's a curvy girl with no money, no education, and no way out of the town she works in as a library assistant... until Damien shows up. He's just like the prince charming Julia always imagined would sweep her off of her feet. There are just a few things standing in the way of true happiness: he's blind, he's dating someone, and he's WAY out of her league.Oh, and he's a werewolf. Damien lost his eyes two years ago in a wolf battle. Ever since then, the straggler pack of disabled wolves he leads has been searching for a place to call home. One house seems like the perfect choice, but Damien realizes too late that the person who lives there is the girl he met at the library. The human girl. Damien is torn between loyalty to his pack and raw lusting desire for the girl who haunts his dreams day and night. She's a human. How could she be his true mate?</div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Book Blurb (Book Two)~ Perfect Mate</span></u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejMwhy5wi0hp3Fzk4YZLKj8iEke-a_Nmd6ygkF-bg0_d4_0FLtZPSR11UDIWoQFSbZD0mjDPI6F5DjzN7gJ5MGQvtf-9KZ3lHNQBqPlraeFE01Rlo4AWZm0vOxeMkJBc0BS234j6wqJEQ/s1600/aubreyrose2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejMwhy5wi0hp3Fzk4YZLKj8iEke-a_Nmd6ygkF-bg0_d4_0FLtZPSR11UDIWoQFSbZD0mjDPI6F5DjzN7gJ5MGQvtf-9KZ3lHNQBqPlraeFE01Rlo4AWZm0vOxeMkJBc0BS234j6wqJEQ/s1600/aubreyrose2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a>Julia always thought that she was human. When the blind leader of a pack of straggling misfits claims her as his one true mate, she accepts that she is in love with Damien despite their radical differences. But after another shifter wolf attacks them, he points to her as he dies and utters words that will change Julia's life forever: "...she's not what you think she is..."</div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Book Blurb (Book Three) ~</span></u></b><b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Human Shifter</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDhupdQRpPo9iR4AK7I6AnY612UOT_urk6XzYRJb9uFXSENRe61R235lx8ZCSBx9EijrtdbQ65r85DAkYG5QUa5e1jZ6_QsiUGjNchW6ZMGjNOSgVgg9wVttXVU2CyKfEa-5sXI4VjzFb/s1600/aubreyrose3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDhupdQRpPo9iR4AK7I6AnY612UOT_urk6XzYRJb9uFXSENRe61R235lx8ZCSBx9EijrtdbQ65r85DAkYG5QUa5e1jZ6_QsiUGjNchW6ZMGjNOSgVgg9wVttXVU2CyKfEa-5sXI4VjzFb/s1600/aubreyrose3.jpg" /></a>Julia and Damien are aching to start a family, but Julia's shifting ability has been suppressed for years. Despite the danger, she ventures out on a quest to find the werewitch who took away her ability to shift, so that she can get it back... and have a child with her one true mate.</div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Book Blurb (Book Four) ~ Alpha's Child</span></u></b><br />
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Julia just found out that she is pregnant with the alpha's child.<br />
Damien's pack of misfit wolves has finally settled down into their territory.<br />
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Nothing could be better...until everything goes wrong.<br />
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Book Review </span></u><br />
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I really, really liked the premise of this story. A sexy, Alpha wolf (shifter) who was blind. I hadn't seen it done before, so my interest was definitely peaked before beginning this series.<br />
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Julia is the quintessential shy, plain, overweight heroine, who has never had a relationship with the opposite sex. She lives with her grandmother and works at the local college library, where she meets a good looking stranger, Damien. He is unlike the typical college jocks that frequent the library--he is simply stunning. Julia feels she has finally met her prince charming. When she discovers that a beautiful and thin woman is waiting on her sexy stranger, Julia realizes that he was never her prince to begin with. <br />
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Damien immediately senses that the woman helping him at the library could be his mate. But when he finds out she is human, he feels the Calling has gotten it wrong. Shifters were never mated with humans.<br />
Damien needs to put the beautiful stranger out of his mind and focus his attention to finding a place for him and his pack to settle. And as Alpha to this small pack, he must also choose his mate.<br />
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Despite the promising premise of this book, I just could not get into the characters (Damien and Julia). Julia's constant pessimistic attitude towards herself was off-putting. I was hoping for a stronger character--one who not only accepts herself and what she <i><b>thinks</b></i> she lacks, but who would stand up for herself and believe she was capable of love. And the fact that Damien also suffers from low self-esteem just made it worse.<br />
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Another bothersome issue for me was the fact that I felt Damien only wanted to be with Julia because he was her mate. They had an instant connection, instant sex, instant relationship. It just didn't fly for me and made everything seemed rushed. The story itself is filled with lots of holes and could have been presented a lot better. Blind Wolf was a difficult-to-finish series plagued with difficult-to-like characters.<br />
<br />C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-51437266032373759192014-03-24T12:20:00.002-04:002014-03-24T12:20:56.731-04:00BOOK REVIEW ~ DASH OF PERIL BY LORI FOSTER <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Title: </b>Dash of Peril ( Love Undercover, Book Four)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Author:</b> Lori Foster</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Publisher: </b>HQN</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGas9qbB0mszp33wW0KBT7WSCrUDw3g3yFUMHR7E8JrQdi4r2ZKyjSxd8rU1nHZ5r4sPDsLJhAdAm3aibXv5JGcPzCbtQi-Ygy_0y-fO9w7rozk_SG-spHDX4gutW8Ha7tfez0bbpKkGV/s1600/lorifoster+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGas9qbB0mszp33wW0KBT7WSCrUDw3g3yFUMHR7E8JrQdi4r2ZKyjSxd8rU1nHZ5r4sPDsLJhAdAm3aibXv5JGcPzCbtQi-Ygy_0y-fO9w7rozk_SG-spHDX4gutW8Ha7tfez0bbpKkGV/s1600/lorifoster+(2).jpg" height="320" width="202" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Expected Release Date:</b> March 25, 2014</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mass Market Paperback:</b> 384 pages</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance, Suspense</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13562593-dash-of-peril?ac=1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKoM73L7IkroCA4sUOlrVF4rxjNHOAqe0JuAVnEGVgVqgQXS-7aAaPBXBkrFuGlC6UxlHmhWJenjCokxzQUhchbmIBH4BS9cKPEYhiETAwfulqTHaCEMgVCWyEHWo_ERlMBKZoWRD7v3MS/s1600/images+(2).jpg" height="62" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>ARC provided by NetGalley</i></b></span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Book Blurb</span></u></b><br />
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A no-nonsense female cop reluctantly teams up with the one man who makes her lose control in a deliciously sensual new novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster...<br />
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To bring down a sleazy abduction ring, Lieutenant Margaret "Margo" Peterson has set herself up as bait. But recruiting Dashiel Riske as her unofficial partner is a whole other kind of danger. Dash is 6'4" of laid-back masculine charm, a man who loves life—and women—to the limit. Until Margo is threatened, and he reveals a dark side that may just match her own.<br />
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Beneath Margo's tough facade is a slow-burning sexiness that drives Dash crazy. The only way to finish this case is to work together side by side…skin to skin. And as their mission takes a lethal turn, he'll have to prove he's all the man she needs—in all the ways that matter.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Book Review</u></b></span><br />
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Lori Foster is my go-to-author when I know I want something a little spicy, a little on the edge of your seat, and great characters that leave me a little breathless.<br />
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<b>Dash Of Peril </b>is the story of Dashiel Riske--brother to police detective Logan Riske. (<b>Run The Risk</b>, Book One in the<b> Love Undercover </b>series). Throughout the series we have gotten a peek or two of Dash's character. We know he is in the construction business (insert sexy constructor image here with faded jeans and a low-hung tool belt). And Foster, the pro that she is, has given us a tantalizing glimpse of him...until we are begging for more.<br />
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Dash has agreed to help out Lieutenant Margo Peterson in discovering who is behind the abduction of several women and drugging them to use in pornographic videos. But the criminals remain one step ahead of the police department and Margo takes matters into her own hands to find the sick men responsible.<br />
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I loved Margo's character. She is a tough-as-nails police lieutenant who comes across as a ambitious, hard-working, and candid. She <i><b>IS </b></i>those things, but she is so much more than the visible exterior she presents to the men who work for her.<br />
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When a car chase leads to a car crash, followed by a shoot out, Margo is injured. Dash, who had been following her to make sure she got home safe has now been thrust into the madness.<br />
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And it is Dash who is able to see that there is so much more to this woman. He lets her be the kick-ass lieutenant she is and supports her strengths. But he is also there for her more vulnerable moments and understands that her vulnerability does not make her weak.<br />
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To Dash, Margo is <b><i><u>all</u></i></b> woman. And he is determined to win her heart.<br />
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What I loved about <b>Dash Of Peril:</b> Lori Foster shows the reader that just because a woman sometimes fantasizes about submission, it doesn't make her weak. And Dash is the kind of man who knows what Margo desires as well as what she <b><i><u>needs</u></i></b>. He doesn't "lose" his man-card when he steps aside to let Margo do her job. Their relationship is in no way intended to be a representation of a D/s relationship. For me, it was about understanding your partner. Understanding their wants, needs, and giving the other a safe place to let your hair down, so to speak. Being naked in front of your new lover is a vulnerable feeling. Baring your soul can be dramatically worse.<br />
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Another pleasing aspect of the book was when two characters from Foster's earlier novels made a brief appearance. I literally swooned. I think I may have even shouted out a "YES!" and done a little dance.<br />
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Cannon Colter, a secondary character,has street smarts and the innate ability to recognize trouble. And Yvette from his neighborhood is just that with a capitol "T". It is apparent that Yvette has a thing for him, but Cannon has his sights set on fighting with the big dogs in the MMA. Their side-story in <b>DoP </b>is like a preview to Foster's upcoming series, <b>Ultimate</b>. Cannon's story, <b>No Limits</b>, will be the first.<br />
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<b>Dash of Peril</b> is a gratifying conclusion in the <b>Love Undercover</b> series and gives us loyal fans something to look forward to in August with Foster's new spin-off series.<br />
<br />C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-8532950654710529782014-03-10T11:43:00.002-04:002014-03-10T11:43:31.125-04:00BOOK REVIEW ~ SAVING QUINTON (NOVA, BOOK TWO) BY JESSICA SORENSON<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Title: Saving Quinton (Nova, Book Two)<br />
Author: Jessica Sorensen<br />
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing<br />
Release Date: February 4, 2014<br />
Genre: New Adult<br />
eBook, 384 pages<br />
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ARC provided by NetGalley<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18210225-saving-quinton" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1eNUiv-QBnyFTPMWZVhunG_gVBjW0H6gMJj2-obFnZGn0ohpgMWOW4rBxVGO5D_BuRWvPnqM0-ZoFJLK0xan5zpgGuLO8PztpUx2z0KXDUKj717CsHevOfqqMjBbxC6mD4N8yeOokQlM/s1600/images+%25282%2529.jpg" height="62" width="200" /></a></div>
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Nova Reed can't forget him-Quinton Carter, the boy with the honey-brown eyes who made her realize she deserved more than an empty life. His pain was so similar to her own. But Nova has been coming to terms with her past and healing, while Quinton is out there somewhere, sinking deeper. She's determined to find him and help him . . . before it's too late.<br />
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Nova has haunted his dreams for nearly a year-but Quinton never thought a sweet, kind person like her would care enough about a person like him. To Quinton, a dark, dangerous life is exactly what he deserves. And Nova has no place in it. But Nova has followed him to Las Vegas, and now he must do whatever it takes to keep her away, to maintain his self-imposed punishment for the unforgivable things he's done. But there's one flaw in his plan: Nova isn't going anywhere . . .<br />
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<b><u>Book Review</u></b><br />
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<b>Saving Quinton</b> was a very disturbing and difficult read. Not something that gives one the warm fuzzies to be sure.<br />
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But <b>Jessica Sorensen </b>captures a compelling story -- one that sucks you into the dark world of hopelessness, guilt, and pain. I had to come up for air after beginning Quinton's fall into darkness. There were times when I felt like my head was barely above the surface and I was struggling against a tumultuous riptide, threatening to pull me under.<br />
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If you haven't read the first book, <b>Breaking Nova</b>, you will be missing a vital piece to this saga. Nova Reed has suffered great pain in her young life. She has watched her father die, feeling utterly helpless, as he suffered a fatal heart attack. Then, her boyfriend, Landon, commits suicide--with Nova finding his body after hanging himself.<br />
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The heartache and pain is palpable in Sorensen's tragic tale. And when Nova meets Quinton Carter, she spirals further down into hell. Nova turns to drugs to numb herself from the emotional pain and grief that overwhelms her. Theirs is a dysfunctional relationship--tainted with drugs. Both Quinton and Nova escaping emotions they cannot face. Despite everything, they connect. And when they are together, they provide a ray of light amid the darkness.<br />
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But in the end of<b> Breaking Nova,</b> Nova manages to realize that she is sliding down into a world that she doesn't want to be a part of. She discovers that she wants to live. She is better than what she has become.<br />
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At the beginning of <b>Saving Quinton</b>, Nova hasn't seen Quinton in almost a year, but he has never left her thoughts. She wants to help him--save him--like she was unable to save her boyfriend. She feels a connection to Quinton and understands that he his covering up his pain with drugs. When she finds out that he is in Las Vegas,she makes plans to go there and reach out to him--before it becomes too late.<br />
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What she finds is a hard pill to swallow. Not only is Quinton using meth--but he is involved with individuals that are dangerous. Living in filth and wasting away, Quinton is slowing trying to kill himself. He feels he deserves the direction his life has taken. He is a junkie. A loser. No one.<br />
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Since surviving the horrific car accident that kills his cousin and his girlfriend, Quinton's drug use has gotten worse. Moving from marijuana, to crystal meth, to being almost continuously high. Unable to face reality. Unable to face his emotions. Unable to deal with his guilt.<br />
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But when Nova shows up and reaches out to him, he starts to feel things. Things he has tried to suppress. He doesn't deserve what Nova is trying to offer him. He doesn't want to feel all the emotions that being with Nova make him feel.<br />
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Finally at the breaking point, Nova leaves Las Vegas, after her mother comes to retrieve her. And once again, Nova feels she has failed to help the ones she loves.<br />
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But how can you help someone who doesn't want to be helped? Who only wants to die and have the guilt he suffers from every day finally end?<br />
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<b>Saving Quinton</b> is a tragic tale filled with horrific images of drug use and is in no way a pleasant read. And Jessica Sorensen doesn't try to paint it with pretty colors and beautify the life of a junkie. It's harsh, real, and painful. And despite its sharp edges and grisly descriptions, I could not stop reading. It made me appreciate the good in my life. It made my cry in empathy of what both Nova and Quinton had to endure. And although I felt spent after reading the last page, I felt better for reading it.<br />
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Book Three, <b>No Regrets</b>, is expected to release April 15. And I am hoping for a touching, yet satisfying conclusion to Nova and Quinton's tumultuous journey. <br />
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<br />C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-52284786250819116852014-03-09T20:37:00.000-04:002014-03-09T20:37:37.289-04:00LUSTING FOR COVERS #70 ~ INVINCIBLE BY ALANA ALBERTSON <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This meme is hosted by TBQ @ <a href="http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com/">TBQ's Book Palace.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Once you are ready to join the fun, please fill out Mister Linky over at TBQ's blog with your name/blog name and the direct link to your Lusting for Covers for this week!</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20566499-invincible"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBwWxTNt2oOKFfiEyITeRshkPtFE4EHTqZYXjl0vr01xqqYZkcOArF-cUGaEI04Q_m_HM5Y5UZ7pPj8RRfatNye6eFCS53od4JEZ2XPiiRmaT41ZHyiFzXKhEJxVsOr-hv1I57vhhF0vy/s1600/images+(2).jpg" height="62" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is my candidate for this week:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzfHfrPXtDySRrIr8B8GaX_4JiW_w4vAgPNnNGpr7J-FehdZhprbp0YNVtO0QdT9NzkNyxrAhrbhJqmH8d9Bl5TggC1OT_5K8oRNJ7gWp4tYCESe8tKiqBmbSepdBMaJT3PvdK19uJ-pJ/s1600/alanaalbertson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzfHfrPXtDySRrIr8B8GaX_4JiW_w4vAgPNnNGpr7J-FehdZhprbp0YNVtO0QdT9NzkNyxrAhrbhJqmH8d9Bl5TggC1OT_5K8oRNJ7gWp4tYCESe8tKiqBmbSepdBMaJT3PvdK19uJ-pJ/s1600/alanaalbertson.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"I'll be honest with you—I'm no hero. Sure—the media tries to brand every Navy SEAL as some kind of Batman dressed in cammies. There’s even a line in one of our cadences—"superman is the man of steel, he ain’t no match for Navy SEAL." You've seen the movies—we're indestructible, invincible, invulnerable. But that night, the one you read about in the papers—all I really wanted to do was get laid.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One harmless fuck with a Curaçao whore—no strings attached. I picked her out of a lineup—wild, dark hair, long legs and a crooked smile. After she sucked me off, I relaxed back onto the creaky, cum-stained cot, thankful for the blissful moments she gave me when I actually forgot for a second the faces of my buddies who died because I made the wrong call, the tears of the children I couldn't save, and the eyes of the enemies I slaughtered during their last seconds of life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But before I left, her green eyes peered into my soul. She whispered in a distinct So Cal accent, "My name is Annie Baylis. I'm an American citizen. I was kidnapped from a cruise ship five years ago. You're my last hope. Please save me."</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">One desperate plea. This wasn’t a Hollywood blockbuster or a New York Times best-selling thriller. I knew that this time there was no room for excuses, no margin for errors. I had one chance to put the cape on and be her hero.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Why I chose this cover:</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ya'll know me by now, right? Black and white photo with a sexy Navy SEAL as the hero? </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">After reading the blurb, I'm not expecting a light and fluffy read, but sometimes, those are the best kind of books. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Invincible sounds hard, gritty, and dark. I'm there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now it's your turn to show me what cover you are lusting over---leave me a comment, I'd love to hear from you. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5533782259394489951.post-71975169369280012932014-03-07T00:00:00.000-05:002014-03-07T00:00:00.558-05:00ON THE ROCKS BLOG TOUR AND REVIEW BY SAWYER BENNETT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTN74FUwRv2PGa3L1Vd8M956BKvbi45WH6IMk2_Up0NR4q9vk0W-T_ruwvKbCCh8Fwhf5K5ZPsld_8Uhxn1hZUcuaDDBv1KhEcw9GHzxatuw07G1K0rtX0TwPY3uqKlCDH8-YppOpBDmi/s1600/unnamed+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTN74FUwRv2PGa3L1Vd8M956BKvbi45WH6IMk2_Up0NR4q9vk0W-T_ruwvKbCCh8Fwhf5K5ZPsld_8Uhxn1hZUcuaDDBv1KhEcw9GHzxatuw07G1K0rtX0TwPY3uqKlCDH8-YppOpBDmi/s1600/unnamed+(1).jpg" height="146" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">NEW SERIES</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">BY<i> USA </i>TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">SAWYER BENNETT</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">ON THE ROCKS</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last Call, #1</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Adult Contemporary Romance</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Released February 17th, 2014</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigh9kEnfRghG0wvs_5X2lwna196JMDsQ0qVL0PFY6gsUgisxBqn8BQUwgR_uQ9PulCeTnfdqjrmhnKS8IgVoRt8JfaBgVglmaJcfTt44do_PjLqeHjRL5SERytyGWwz2EvsNlgmgfYmqt/s1600/sawyerbennett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigh9kEnfRghG0wvs_5X2lwna196JMDsQ0qVL0PFY6gsUgisxBqn8BQUwgR_uQ9PulCeTnfdqjrmhnKS8IgVoRt8JfaBgVglmaJcfTt44do_PjLqeHjRL5SERytyGWwz2EvsNlgmgfYmqt/s1600/sawyerbennett.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a><b>Title:</b> On The Rocks (Last Call, Book One)<br />
<b>Author:</b> Sawyer Bennett<br />
<b>Publisher:</b> Big Dog Books, LLC<br />
<b>Release Date:</b> February 17, 2014<br />
<b>Genre: </b>Contemporary Romance<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20343102-on-the-rocks?ac=1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiws4TOjqkqdqhAgcURihczroqOTOww0PhCF-LHnWoFr6jZwXPWA34NOjama3shx8jLTywkkZt_YuPmVXgmqTGWdHf2ngADk4q6GvyLzvW-URQA0dekMOLCdbH8zp3qtf528c9v6cysxiXU/s1600/images+(2).jpg" height="62" width="200" /></a><br />
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<b><u>Purchase Links:</u></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rocks-Last-Call-Sawyer-Bennett-ebook/dp/B00I0EG7NM/ref=la_B00B42TO0U_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1393902070&sr=1-1">Amazon </a></b>/ <b><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/on-the-rocks-sawyer-bennett/1118632026?ean=2940148288602">Barnes and Noble</a></b><br />
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<b><u>Book Blurb</u></b><br />
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He left to travel the world for fame and glory, but only after spurning Gabby Ward and crushing her young heart. Now Hunter Markham has come back home to the sand and salty breeze of the North Carolina Outer Banks so he can open up Last Call, a beach bar nestled among the dunes of the Atlantic.<br />
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Gabby Ward is not happy that Hunter has returned. Bitter over his rebuff years before, she’s content to stay far away from him and his dangerously charming ways.<br />
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Gabby’s well-schemed plans to ignore Hunter go up in flames when he presents an offer to her that she simply can’t refuse, throwing them together in a common quest to each reach their goals. Working together day in and day out proves to be problematic for Gabby, who soon realizes that the feelings she had for him are still very much alive. Hunter struggles to reach through to Gabby’s cold heart, all while starting a new career away from his life as a top ranked, professional surfer.<br />
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What starts out as a mutual business arrangement soon turns into a passion that neither of them can continue to deny.<br />
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Hard choices lay ahead for both of them when Hunter is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to return to the pro surfing tour.<br />
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Choices that could destroy what they have built or take them further than they ever had dared to hope.<br />
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<b><u>About the Author:</u></b><br />
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<b><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlk2Q4QP8wd2TrKiAecC4HGXsZ6u09zs5NatA42FNTPom1R7PRd7AqdPm2ErG9zajI17kGQyVt4POoiM66PJO7T6641enAVEnyLmlW8p5cDrvfyvPBFqn34r-NiA3EBdRCF3O9Pp8h6gR/s1600/sawyerbennett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlk2Q4QP8wd2TrKiAecC4HGXsZ6u09zs5NatA42FNTPom1R7PRd7AqdPm2ErG9zajI17kGQyVt4POoiM66PJO7T6641enAVEnyLmlW8p5cDrvfyvPBFqn34r-NiA3EBdRCF3O9Pp8h6gR/s1600/sawyerbennett.jpg" height="298" width="320" /></a></u></b></div>
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USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.<br />
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<b><u>Author Links:</u></b><br />
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<b><a href="http://sawyerbennett.com/">Website</a></b> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bennettbooks">Facebook </a>/ <a href="https://twitter.com/BennettBooks">Twitter </a> / <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sawyer-Bennett/e/B00B42TO0U/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1">Amazon</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2yLvMAj_-apj_dZ25KczT54IzqAKTdtlQRlKzhDWshcV0JIgYdu9cuYjUTFXhKRUY6WzyqQtVLAeclAh4KaTtpga5C5i4hRtkxZN-r33OXBDmpCIknKOIWEJVK-RnLAD0HLDm-1C_ZXQ/s1600/bookreview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2yLvMAj_-apj_dZ25KczT54IzqAKTdtlQRlKzhDWshcV0JIgYdu9cuYjUTFXhKRUY6WzyqQtVLAeclAh4KaTtpga5C5i4hRtkxZN-r33OXBDmpCIknKOIWEJVK-RnLAD0HLDm-1C_ZXQ/s1600/bookreview.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pPBBxFpfNRZH3QyS-W9FscI9dSGWYag10OJxU97cCAgzegxUdM9HL3hEOuJNnBSDI93F3ahUSN_D4xlZ0JoI4iXW43KVzoK6jSfpeIM7o4WL32ZiQEa9ZisBMzGMOGUo6E751gIoaTLW/s1600/4-stars.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3pPBBxFpfNRZH3QyS-W9FscI9dSGWYag10OJxU97cCAgzegxUdM9HL3hEOuJNnBSDI93F3ahUSN_D4xlZ0JoI4iXW43KVzoK6jSfpeIM7o4WL32ZiQEa9ZisBMzGMOGUo6E751gIoaTLW/s1600/4-stars.png" /></a></div>
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Gabby Ward grew up in a small town on the Outer Banks, along with her best friend, Casey Markham. After graduation, Casey's older brother and best friend, are the DD's for the recent grads as they get the drunk on. But the night turns Gabby's world upside down as she takes matters into her own hands and kisses Hunter Markham--her childhood crush. </div>
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Hunter cannot believe his sister's best friend has just laid a lip lock on him. A kiss like no other he has received. It leaves him stunned, turned on, and disgusted with himself. He looks at her like a little sister. Granted, Gabby has grown up some, her body not in any way like a little girl. But he refuses to let the sizzling, hot kiss change things between them. </div>
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Gabby mistakes Hunter's look of disgust for one toward her and just like that--her feelings for Hunter are flipped to one of hurt and anger. She will not let him how much his reaction has devastated her. And each time she runs into him over the next several years (although not often), she treats him with disdain.</div>
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Even though her heart never truly got over him. </div>
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Hunter has spent several years traveling the globe as he sought to be the world's top surfer. But when Hunter's twin brother, Brody, gets out of prison, he returns to his coastal hometown and buys a local bar--Last Call. </div>
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Gabby is now running her father's construction company and has put in a bid to do the revamping of Hunter's bar. She knows that if she gets the job, it will put her in direct contact with Hunter Markham. But she has her shields in place and there is no way she will fall for him this time around. </div>
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But things are just as heated between the two now that they have matured and grown over the years. With their friendship recently mended, will Gabby take another chance at a possible relationship with Hunter when he makes his feelings known? </div>
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I love the feel of the small coastal town on the Outer Banks. Being a NC gal myself, I felt right at home. There were also many other layers in the story--one very complex story with Brody Markham. He has been in prison for the last five years. He is aloof, moody, and going through a very difficult time adjusting to life on the outside once more. But the reader can get a sense of sparks and something developing between Brody and Alyssa. I cannot wait to see what happens next in this series with these two. </div>
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<b>Bennett </b>has written an engaging tale with great characters and set it against one of my favorite places in the world--the beach. The story was lined with tension and heat guaranteed to make you wish for own tan, sexy, surfer and long, romantic walks along the beach. It definitely made me reminiscent of my own home town and the carefree days of summer. </div>
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<b>Last Call</b> is a promising start to a pulse-pounding, addictive read. </div>
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<b><i>Giveaway open to International: See Rafflecopter below: </i></b></div>
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(1) $50.00 Amazon Gift Card<br />
(1) Off Series Boxed Set (Off Sides, Off Limits, Off The Record, Off Course, Off Chance)<br />
(3) Signed books by Sawyer Bennett (winner's choice of any book in print)<br />
(1) Epic Love Boxed Set – releasing 3/10/14 with following novels: <br />
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-Off Chance by USA Today Bestselling Author Sawyer Bennett<br />
-Trophy Husband by NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Lauren Blakely<br />
-Finding the Right Girl by NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Violet Duke<br />
-Indulgent Pleasures by USA Today Bestselling Author Karen Erickson<br />
-Keeping You by iBooks and International Bestselling Author Jessie Evans<br />
-With Every Heartbeat by USA Today Bestselling Author Melody Grace<br />
-Unravel Me by NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Kendall Ryan<br />
-Text Appeal by NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Lexi Ryan<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f6237f401/" id="rc-f6237f401" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>C.S. Maxwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13679976373972772798noreply@blogger.com0