Monday, September 30, 2013

REVIEW: "Stripped" by Jasinda Wilder


Title: Stripped
Author: Jasinda Wilder
Release: August 16, 2013


Rating:  5 Star *****


Blurb:

So how did I get myself into this situation, you ask? Simple: desperation. When you're faced with being homeless and hungry or taking off your clothes for money, the choice is easier than you'd imagine. That doesn't make it easy, though. Oh no. I hate it, in fact. There's nothing I'd like more than to quit and never go into another bar again, never hear the techno beat pulsing in my ears again, never feel the lecherous gazes of horny men again.

Then, one day, I meet a man. He's in my club, front and center. He watches me do my routine, and his gaze is full of hunger. Not the kind of desire I'm used to though. It's something different. Something hotter, deeper, and more possessive. I know who he is; of course I do. Everyone knows who Dawson Kellor is. He's People Magazine's Sexiest Man alive. He's the hottest actor in Hollywood. He's the man hand-picked for the role of Rhett Butler in the long-awaited remake of Gone With the Wind. 

He's the kind of man who can have any woman in the entire world with a mere crook of his finger. So what's he doing looking at me like he has to have me? And how do I resist him when he looks at me with those intoxicating, changeable, quicksilver eyes? 

I'm a virgin, and he's an American icon of male sexuality. I'm a stripper, and he's a man used to getting anything and everything he wants. And he wants me. I know I should say no, I know he's the worst kind of player…but what my mind knows, my body and my heart may not.

And then things get complicated.



Review:


16 year old Grey, daughter of a Baptist preacher, grew up in Macon, Georgia in a very conservative household. No dancing, no music, no boys, and not a whole lot of freedom. She started taking dance classes that her mother helped hide from her father. Dancing was her freedom but film was where she wanted to be – not in the film but behind the scenes – it was her dream. After her mother dies she moves out to LA to attend USC for film. While there she makes no friends and puts all her time and energy into school. Unfortunately her scholarships run out and she has to find work to pay for school, dorm, and food. She has internship with a major film studio in Los Angeles but it doesn’t pay so…….

She finds a job at a semi-nude strips club and tries valiantly to keep her two identities separate – Grey, the film intern and Gracie – the sweet, sultry, southern belle who rocks the stripper pole. Despite her best efforts those worlds collide.

While working the VIP room she notices she’s dancing for four of Hollywood’s hottest actors and the one she can’t look away from, the one who sends tingles down her spine, the one who makes her want to do things a sweet southern Baptist preachers daughter should never think of is Dawson Kellor. Hollywood’s “it – bad boy”. He’s keeping a close eye on her; noticing she doesn’t belong in a place like that. He’s drawn to her and she to him. It’s instantaneous, electrifying, need at first sight.

The next morning while walking into her first meeting as an intern who does she meet? Who’s the lead actor in the film she’s working on? Who’s she going to be assistant to? Dawson Kellor.

So their story begins. She wants to stay hidden and private; and she doesn’t believe Dawson can actually want her; she has nothing to offer him; she knows his history and it’s a world away from hers. Dawson wants Grey – no matter the cost. Dawson wants her and he’s a spoiled brat and used to getting everything he wants. He wants to make her life better; no stripping, not having to worry about money for school, wants her to eat regularly, and he wants to reunite her with her dad. Can they make this a true Hollywood Happy Ever After?

This book was a great read. It moved along really well. I wish Grey hadn’t been so wishy washy but she was great. She had this belief system all her life and as a southern girl that belief system was her life foundation; and Dawson shook that foundation. Other than that I had no concerns over the characters – Dawson was great – a hero, in fact, because he saved her from that life. The sex scenes were hot and great! I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I did!!


~ Shannon D.


Favorite Quotes:


“Wanting you, needing you, being confused, being mad, frustrated, needing a release I can’t find, wanting to even hold your hand like some fucking sappy teenager…..it’s all feelings. And that…..it makes me feel alive in a way I’ve never known.”

“Words can lie. Words can deceive and delude and conceal and avoid. But the things you do, how you move, how you touch, those things cannot.”

“You think you’re the first girl to strip her way through college? You’re fucking amazing at it, Grey. You should own it. It doesn’t have to define you.”

“He’s brought me breakfast. In bed. And he’s done it shirtless. Women of America, be jealous.”


Author Info:



Jasinda Wilder is a Michigan native with a penchant for titillating tales about sexy men and strong women. When she's not writing, she's probably shopping, baking, or reading.

www.jasindawilder.com

Email Jasinda at JasindaWilder@gmail.com

Friend Jasinda on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/jasinda.wilder


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Friday, September 27, 2013

COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY: "What's Left of Me" by Amanda Maxlyn


Book Title: What’s Left of Me
Author: Amanda Maxlyn
Release date: December 13, 2013

Blurb:
Life works in mysterious ways.
Four years ago I became known as the girl with cancer.
I refuse to cry.
And I refuse to give in.
A relationship with a man is the last thing I’m looking for right now, but one night with Parker changes everything. He is persistent, and he knows what he wants. Me.
He doesn’t treat me like I’m fragile.
But he doesn’t know, and I’m not ready to tell him.
What if it changes everything?
Tragedy found me when I was seventeen.
Love found me when I was twenty-one.
My name is Aundrea McCall, and this is my journey.  




Teaser
I’m grateful when I reach the door to the ladies room that there isn’t anyone around. I reach for the handle when I hear from behind me, “Not going to use the men’s room again?” I know that sexy voice. It’s the same one as earlier this evening in this same area.

With my heart picking up pace, I turn around smiling sweetly, “No, I’m going to sit down and pee this time.” My smile spreads a little wider and I say a silent thanks to sweet baby Jesus for letting me find my voice this time.

He doesn’t respond. He just steps closer to me with the corner of his lips spreading upward.

I don’t breathe.

I can’t breathe. Not when he is this close.

God he smells amazing. Like a mixture of spice and mint. Maybe a hint of beer too. It's the type of scent that would awaken a primal desire within any female, and good God do I feel awakened.

“You ran off before I could thank you for the dance earlier.” No, thank you. His voice is a faint whisper and his face is now so close that our noses are almost touching. I glance down at his very attractive red lips just as the corners of his mouth move up into the most beautiful smile. Shit. He knows I’m looking at his lips.

I’m transfixed by him. In this very moment, I would do whatever he said or answer to any name he called; even if it was one of those fluffy names like baby or princess. All I can think about is the desire flowing through my body for those lips to be on mine. I would take him in this hallway. There I said it. Or, did I think it?

Do something.

Anything!

I look back at his lips.

I lick my own.

I can’t think about anything but wanting to feel his lips against mine. All thoughts go out the window of me not being able to pick up a man at a bar. I don’t care, but I will say any cheesy pick up line if it means I get to go home with him.

I know he’s watching me. He has to be thinking about my lips too because just then his tongue comes out licking his own. I try to think of something else to do, but nothing comes to mind. I feel him close the distance between us. He puts a finger under my chin for the second time tonight lifting my face so I’m looking right into his eyes. Without taking his eyes off mine he speaks in a quiet, low, raspy whisper, “I’m going to kiss you now.”

Without waiting for my permission, his lips crash down against mine. He takes my top lip into his mouth tugging ever so gently. I let out a soft moan as his tongue lightly traces my lips- tasting me. I can smell the fresh mint and beer off his breath and all I can think about is tasting it. I grab his neck brining him closer -opening my mouth- inviting him in. He groans as I wrap my arms around his neck running my hands through his hair.

Shit, if I die tomorrow, I can die a happy woman knowing this was my last kiss.

His tongue enters my mouth and I meet it with my own. He reaches down to lift me up and I let him. I wrap my legs around his waist just as he slams my back against the wall in the corner of the hallway. There’s a rush of pain that shoots down my legs causing me to cry out. He must take that as a cry of pleasure because he kisses me harder.

I feel my dress rise all the way to my waist exposing myself for anyone that walks by. My head falls back against the wall and he immediately starts kissing down my chin to my neck, then up to my earlobe bringing it into his mouth biting down. “Do you want to get out of here?” He whispers so softly into my ear I almost don’t think I hear him correctly. When he asks me again I just nod in agreement. Afraid if I were to say anything it wouldn’t be yes, and I really want it to be yes.

Setting me down, he runs his hands over my dress laying it back into place, then grabs my hand and starts speed walking away heading towards the red exit sign.
What’s Left of Me. Copyright 2013. Amanda Maxlyn. Unedited and Subject to Change.





Author Info:


I am the mother of two little boys, married to the love of my life, and living in one of the smallest towns in Minnesota. When I’m not chasing or cleaning up after my boys (yes, all three), I can be found writing or snuggled up with my kindle, a glass of wine, and spending time with my fictional friends and family.


Giveaway:
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Friday, September 20, 2013

COVER REVEAL: "Collide" & "Pulse" by Gail McHugh

We are very excited to be a apart of the Cover Reveal for the new look of the Atria release of "Collide" and "Pulse" by Gail McHugh. These covers are gorgeous! Check them out along with the book, author and cover designer info as well as all the buy links. If you haven't met Mr. Gavin Blake... WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Go get him ladies. Happy Reading ;)

 



Book Titles: Collide and Pulse
Author: Gail McHugh
Cover Designer: Mae I design and photography

Cover Designer Links:



BLURBS:

Collide:
Attracting, compelling, colliding, their chemistry--to say the least--was explosive. He felt it the first time he laid eyes on her…
On the heels of college graduation and the unexpected death of her mother, Emily Cooper moves to New York City to join her boyfriend for a fresh start. Dillon Parker has been sweet, thoughtful, and generous through Emily’s loss, and she can’t imagine her life without him--even as her inner voice tells her to go slow.
Then she meets Gavin Blake. A rich and notorious playboy, Gavin is dangerously sexy and charming as hell. Their first encounter is brief, but it’s enough to inflame Emily’s senses. When their paths cross again through an unexpected mutual acquaintance, she tries to deny the connection she feels, but Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome won’t let go so easily.
As she discovers Gavin’s pain-filled past and Dillon’s true nature begins to surface, Emily knows she must take action or risk destroying everyone—including herself. But how can she choose when she can’t trust her own heart?

Pulse:
“Do you know how scary it is to want something so bad you’re willing to change your whole life for it?”
Emily Cooper is ready to risk everything to be with the man who has consumed her thoughts and dreams since the fateful day they met. Unraveling fast, she can only cling to the hope that Gavin Blake still wants her.
Nursing his wounded heart, Gavin has cut himself off from society and retreated into a self-destructive, mind-numbing world. Emily isn’t used to being the strong one, but she’ll have to find the daring and confidence within to fight for their love and bring Gavin back from the edge—even if it means losing herself to their all-consuming, pulse-pounding passion.
A New York Times bestseller, Pulse is the unforgettable conclusion to the story of Emily and Gavin that began with Collide.

Book GR Links:



About the author:


I’ve always been a lover of writing, but mostly dabbled in creative poetry while raising my three beautiful children. I am grateful that my husband of fifteen years has supported me—albeit sometimes kicking and screaming—as I pursue this “hobby” of mine. Without his help, writing would be an impossible endeavor.

In late June 2012, I felt an urgent tug of my pen, and I began writing one of my first novels, Collide. Although I thought it might never see the light of day, it gave me the courage to plunge headfirst onto a path I had never considered before.

Author Links:



Purchase Links:
Amazon

Barnes and Nobles

Books a Million


Thursday, September 19, 2013

RELEASE BLITZ: Skipping Stones by JB McGee


Amazon Buy Link






Blurb:

They say there are five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Not everyone will grieve in this order, nor will everyone go through every stage. It’s during the stage of denial when Alex Hart meets Andrew Foster. He takes her one-step closer to acceptance: the stage when new, meaningful relationships are formed. The stage when the realization occurs that this is now the new state of normal.

Just when Alex thinks she is on her way to healing, she enters the bargaining phase. That’s the phase where you wonder what you could have done differently. You wonder “what if?” Specifically, what if the ones you loved hadn’t left you?

Leaving…this is what makes heading off to war so difficult and frightening for Alex. She knows all too well what it’s like to be the one on the losing end of life, which is why she’s made it her personal mission in life to save as many lives as possible. The extreme high she gets from treating trauma victims turns into Alex’s own form of therapy, or so she thinks.

When faced with her world being turned upside down, Alex may just find that her true therapy is in the one who has always saved her.






Author Links

A Note from J.B. McGee 



Bio:

J.B. McGee was born and raised in Aiken, South Carolina. After graduating from South Aiken High School, she toured Europe as a member of the 1999 International Bands of America Tour, playing the clarinet. While attending Converse College, an all-girls school in Spartanburg, South Carolina, she visited Charleston often. It quickly became one of her favorite vacation spots. She met her husband, Chad, during Christmas break her freshman year, and they married in 2001 and she moved back to her home town. 

In 2005, the couple welcomed their first son, Noah. J.B. finished her Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of South Carolina-Aiken in 2006. During her time studying children's literature, a professor had encouraged her to become a writer.

In 2007, she welcomed their second child, Jonah, and she became a stay at home mom/entrepreneur. In 2009, the found out their two children and J.B. have Mitochondrial Disease. In 2011, a diagnosis also was given to Chad. Please take a moment and learn more about Mitochondrial Disease. Awareness is key to this disease that has no cure or treatments.

J.B. McGee and her family now reside in Buford, Georgia, to be closer to their children's medical team. After a passion for reading had been re-ignited, J.B. decided to finally give writing a shot. Broken (This Series), is her first book and first series. 


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Monday, September 16, 2013

SALE SPOTLIGHT: Girl with Guitar & Girl on Tour (Kylie Ryan's #1 & #2) by Caisey Quinn

Have you read the Kylie Ryan's Series by Caisey Quinn? NO? Why not??? It is a must read and right now both books, "Girl with Guitar" and "Girl on Tour" are ON SALE for only $0.99 on Amazon! That is Trace Corbin for less than a dollar ladies. Check out the book blurbs and Amazon purchase links below. Book #3 and the conclusion to the series is coming soon so get ready. Happy Reading!


Title: Girl with Guitar (Kylie Ryans #1)
Author: Caisey Quinn
Release: May 22, 2013


Blurb:

After Kylie’s dad dies in a freak accident, he leaves her with nothing other than her crazy step-mother, Darla, and the ability to play guitar. When Darla kicks Kylie out and she loses her job all in the same day, she hops a bus to Nashville determined to make her late father’s dreams come true. Waitressing and saving her pennies to record a demo, her big break comes when she’s asked to join a tour going down the tubes with once platinum album-selling country music superstar Trace Corbin. But touring with Trace is hardly a dream come true since he’s pretty much drinking his career down the drain. If Kylie can’t pull Trace out of his rut, he’ll pull her and her dreams down with him.

Amazon Buy Link:








Title: Girl on Tour
Author: Caisey Quinn
Release: August 27, 2013

Blurb:

An up and comer trying to make a name for herself...

KYLIE never expected to be stuck on a tour bus with a pampered princess and her boyfriend’s ex.

A troubled artist struggling to hold onto his career...

TRACE thought he was finally getting to do things his way. Until the label added co-headliner Gretchen Gibson, the only person in country music with more issues than him, to his No Apologies tour.

Surrounded by tabloid rumors and people they can't trust, Kylie and Trace need each other more than ever. But the choices they make will change everything.

Because chasing your dreams and following your heart don’t always lead you to the same place…

Amazon But Link: