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Musings From An Addicted Reader

Musings From An Addicted Reader

Monthly Archives: November 2015

When A Beta Roars by Eve Langlais

30 Monday Nov 2015

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When a Beta Roars (A Lion's Pride, #2)When a Beta Roars by Eve Langlais
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pride Beta Hayder is not happy about his newest assignment, babysitting a wolf shifter who is in danger. He has other things to do, like tame his mane. However he did not plan for the timid shifter to be his mate, with his black book full Hayder was not ready to settle with his mate. As the mating bond becomes harder to resist Hayder has to convince his lovely mate Arabella that they are meant to be together, even if she is gun shy.

Very fun read. Loved Hayder, he is arrogant and typical cat shifter. Arabella is really sweet but does not hold her temper when it comes to Hayder. Eve Langlais always comes thru with entertaining books, another fantastic read from the talented author.

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Malice’s Possession by Jenika Snow

29 Sunday Nov 2015

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Malice's Possession (The Brothers of Menace MC, #1)Malice’s Possession by Jenika Snow
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Trevor “Malice” Mason knew the minute he saw Adrianna Carmine and her battered body that his protective instinct was on full alert. It wasn’t just that she was abused, underlining all of her history there was a connection. Malice wanted to bide his time and make Adrianna his old lady, however he couldn’t stay away from the innocent beauty. Adrianna though surprises Malice with her own confession she feels the same. With a cult in the mix set on destroying the club, Malice wants to keep his woman protected no matter what.

This was decent but had a very abrupt ending. I liked the overall story but wanted kind of a what happens next in the story. Malice I liked but would have liked to read more about his past. Adrianna I thought was sweet and you do feel the connection between the two characters.

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Under Locke by Mariana Zapata

28 Saturday Nov 2015

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Under LockeUnder Locke by Mariana Zapata
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Iris had survived everything that life had thrown at her. It had been a bumpy ride but now she is in another transition, moving from Florida to Austin, Texas. Her brother, a biker in an MC, gets her a job as receptionist in a tattoo parlor owned by Dex Locke.

Dex is a man who has a temper, it is a legendary temper and no one escapes his wrath. He is curt and takes no prisoners and when he meets Iris he knows she is all wrong for the shop but he is doing a brother a favor. Iris normally doesn’t shy away from rude people but Dex makes her nervous and finally he pushes her too far. She lashes out and a friendship ensues that leaves her confused where Dex is concerned. Are they building something or is he just protecting her from a mess her long lost father has caused?

I liked this a lot, it is not an insta-love story by any means. Dex keeps everything close to his chest and has Iris on her toes trying to figure him out. Had great supporting characters and was a book I wondered why I did not pick up sooner. Look forward to reading more by this author.

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Floured by Lane Martin Book Tour and Review

26 Thursday Nov 2015

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Title: Floured
Author: Lane Martin
Release Date: Nov 12, 2015
Find on Goodreads
Emily Barnes likes things measured and timed, just like any baker. When she loses the apartment that she needs to run her home-based muffin business, she’s faced with a choice: couch surfing at her very loud best friends’ separated by thin walls or house sitting an otherwise empty Upper East Side luxury apartment overlooking Central Park. Obviously it’s a no-brainer for this smart cookie.
Declan Hayes is used to people asking things of him and saying no. However, for Maggie, his parent’s cook and housekeeper, he would do just about anything, including going over to his parent’s apartment to check on her pseudo niece who is staying there. His plan was to get in and get out, but the second he saw her, something changed. Something about her sparked the normally cold and dismal place to life; she made it warm and inviting. He finally understood the phrase “there’s no place like home.”
Can Emily and Declan trust the timing of their lives or adjust the lens from which they see them?
Hope, faith, trust and…love?
Will these things be enough for Emily and Declan to get the one thing they both never thought they needed in life?
It’s a good thing they are “Floured” because life is about to get sticky.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes
“He seems so perfect, Nat, but then he says things that confuse me.”
“Like?”
“He asked me to forgive him and said this was all new to him, and Marissa acted like she was a jealous ex or something. I don’t understand it. When I asked him if they dated, he said they had a “history” but that he wouldn’t call it dating.”
“Maybe they just bumped fuzzies in the wine cellar.”
“Did you really just say that?”
“What would you like me to say? They shagged, boinked, screwed, banged, humped, or fucked? Take your pick.”
“How much time a day do you spend on Urban Dictionary?”
“What has my bride to be said now? Do I need to wash her mouth out?” Gabe asked as he approached us. It was sweet that my two best friends were checking up on me.
“Oh, baby, you know you love this dirty little mouth.”
“God, do you two need a room?” I asked as they practically began to maul each other. “I need to grab a few things and head back to the apartment for a nap.”
“Is that code for something else?” Gabe asked. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at him.
“No, Gabe. I really need to go back to the apartment and get a few hours of sleep so that I can get ready for tomorrow.”
“Okay, but don’t forget about me, and it’s not too late to change your mind about coming to my parents tomorrow. You know the invitation is always open.”
“It’s all good, and I could never forget about you.” We said our goodbyes and I left.
I’m not sure if I walked or floated into the apartment. After placing my grocery bags in the kitchen, I headed back to bed. A fresh arrangement of flowers was on sitting on the nightstand. I was thankful that I had taken the time to remove one of the Bachelor Button’s from the arrangement to dry before I left. The faint scent of apple filled the room. The flowers were delicate and varied in color from white to pink. I quickly opened the card and read.
To the promise of more to come – Dec 
Review
Emily Barnes life was in temporary mode. While her budding career was flourishing, she was currently homeless and staying at her Aunt’s home where she was employed as a cook and housekeeper. Watching over the apartment she is thrilled with her new digs and the ability to cook and experiment in the kitchen. She however did not expect Declan Hayes.

Declan is entranced by Emily and is not a man who is used to not getting what he wants. The more time he spends with Emily, the more he sees the man he wants to become. Their journey is not easily paved though and after a unique start both are wanting to see where it will lead.

This had a few unexpected surprises. I thought Emily had a zest for life and was infectious in the little things that made her who she is. Declan is a bit of a puzzle which you understand as the book progresses. Highly entertaining read.

I never thought that I would write a novel, although my English teacher my freshman year in college told me that he would hunt me down if I wasn’t published by the time I was thirty. Well, thirty came and went. I was busy being a wife and working mother of two, and nobody came looking for me.
I doubt my sister thought she was about to change my life forever when she got me a book of “mommy porn” for my birthday in 2012, but that’s exactly what she did. After reading the first book in the trilogy, I rushed out and got the other two books. I became obsessed and read the series several times before learning about Fanfiction. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t get enough. The idea fascinated me and I thought, “I can do that.” I was a nervous wreck when I posted my first story, a one shot about my new favorite couple. One story lead to another and then another. My readers encouraged me to write something that was all mine, so that‘s what I did. Thank you to everyone who told me that I could do it. It wouldn’t have been possible without you.
I love reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with my family.  Thank you for going on this journey with me.
Facebook | Goodreads

Lane Martin – Flouredhttps://js.gleam.io/e.js

 

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Lover’s Surrender by J.C. Reed Book Tour

25 Wednesday Nov 2015

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The Lover’s Surrender by J.C. Reed

Title: The Lover’s Surrender

Author: J.C. Reed

Released: November 25th, 2015

Genre: Mature New Adult/Adult Contemporary Romance

350pp

Synopsis:

LOVE…sometimes it’s good. Sometimes it’s bad. And sometimes it’s dangerous.

Brooke Stewart, a realtor in New York, is sure of one of thing. She should never fully trust someone who has secrets. Especially when said bad boy is the sexiest man walking on earth. She is running away and has no intention of ever returning to him. But when a friend is killed and the one man she thought she would never meet again is accused of murder, she knows the story doesn’t add up.

Dangerously sexy and arrogant millionaire Jett Mayfield knows his secrets are not doing him any favors. However, when they serve to save Brooke’s life, he has no intention of revealing them. When problems spiral out of control and his life is turned upside down, he knows he needs her more than ever. He needs her more than he knows. But will he be strong enough to do what needs to be done?

In a world where truth shatters and danger is closing in on them, where love is their only sanctuary, will they be able to find each other or is it time to let each other go?

Buy Links:

Amazon ~ B&N ~ iTunes ~ Kobo

Amazon US:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B018FCTT2O

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B018FCTT2O

b&n: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940152679656

itunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1060842131

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-lover-s-surrender

Review

4.5

Jett Mayfield will do everything to protect the love of his life, Brooke Stewart, even if she is keeping him at a distance. With a threat that could take away everything including Brooke, Jett has to explain a few misconceptions Brooke has had and together they have to trust one another to move forward. With a storm brewing they need to lean on one another to survive.

Action packed story that doesn’t let up until the very end. Loved Jett, he is intense and pure alpha male. I was so entranced with this couple,you want them to work and are fully invested in what happens between them. Excellent read.

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Red Hot Holidays Anthology

24 Tuesday Nov 2015

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Red Hot Holidays Release Banner

Red Hot Holidays Anthology
by: Lacey Silks, Blair Babylon, Olivia Rigal, Shannon Macallan, Sarah M. Cradit, Daizie Draper, J.C. Valentine, JC Andrijeski, Mira Bailee, Daisy Prescott, V.J. Chambers, Alison Foster, Jacqueline Sweet, Gillian Cherry, Ella Dominguez, Amity Wilde, Jazzmyn Wolfe, Felicia Tatum
Publication Date: October 1, 2015
Genres: Adult, Anthology, Erotic, Romance

Red Hot Holidays Box Set Cover

Buy: Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Kobo • iBooks • Google Play

Synopsis: Forget shopping. Forget wrapping. Spend the holidays with these 17 gorgeous alpha males. They have something they’d like to put in your stockings, because they’re definitely on Santa’s naughty list in these 17 all-new stories.

NYT, USA Today, and top-selling authors have banded together to bring you 17 all-new, sweet to sexy books about love, romance, and the holidays. Take a break and rip open this boxed set to cuddle up with these romantic comedy, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance books. These authors have pulled out all the stops, bringing back some of your favorite characters from their bestselling series for one more bite at the fruitcake or penning stories about new characters and new love!

For a limited time, you can pick up all 17 of these naughty men for a really great price! Over 1000 pages of love, laughter, and romance! From billionaires and filthy rich rock stars to undercover police and bear shifters, we’ve gathered all 17 passionate stories in one big box with a bow on top. This heart-pounding collection is filled with confident, sexy, and romantic men you’ll want to spend the holidays with.

Click now to get this special box set of best-selling books before it’s gone forever!

Perfectly Kissed ~ Lacey Silks. Mistletoes, sneaky best friend and an old lady, coerce best friends and former lovers, Millie and Dave, to reunite for Christmas Holidays.

Montreux ~ Blair Babylon. Wulf von Hannover and Rae Stone are about to marry in Montreux, but Wulf’s aristocratic father makes one last attempt to derail the wedding.

Home Bound ~ Olivia Rigal and Shannon Macallan. Trapped by a storm in a cozy, a voluptuous architect and a sexy TV news reporter melt the ice by a roaring fire.

A Band of Heather ~ Sarah M. Cradit. Colleen and Noah belong to two very different worlds, but a band of heather changes their lives forever.

Christmas on the Run ~ Daizie Draper. Wannabe rock star Tristan runs from a dangerous bookie and falls for the girl he’s only using as his perfect escape.

Noel: A Blue Collar Christmas ~ J.C. Valentine. Nurse Noel Walker doesn’t date patients, but Officer Hunter Davis won’t give up until he slaps the cuffs on.

Black Christmas ~ JC Andrijeski. Quintin Black vanishes, leaving Miri alone after a harrowing ordeal in Thailand. Will she forgive him in time for Christmas?

Winter Tryst ~ Mira Bailee. One destroyed marriage. Two broken hearts. When Sean visits Lyla to say goodbye, winter’s magic forces the lovers to face the painful truth.

Give and Take ~ Daisy Prescott. You never know who will show up at the Sip ’n Stroll in Langley. Someone’s pregnant. Someone’s engaged. And someone’s getting a puppy.

Slow and Steady ~ V. J. Chambers. When danger interrupts Christmas shopping, Leigh and her husband Griffin sizzle.

Take Me Home ~ Alison Foster. All my Christmas wishes were snatched away by an evil brute. What can you do when the man you hate most makes your mouth water?

Bearfield Snowed In ~ Jacqueline Sweet. A hunter tracking her prey finds herself snowed in with a sexy shifter. Is he her mortal enemy or her fated mate?

My Cowboy Soldier ~ Gillian Cherry. Holidays draw lovers and families together, except when war tears them apart.

A Cub for Christmas ~ Ella Dominguez. This May-December romance burns up the pages when Aricelli realizes that unwrapping her Christmas package is only half the fun.

Rosy Cheeks ~ Amity Wilde. Good things sometimes come in unlikely packages. When an online flirt stumbles into Karen’s very real life, he might be just what she needs.

A Beary Merry Christmas ~ Jazzmyn Wolfe. After a season of frustration and pain, will curvy Kassandra and Brendan finally have a beary merry Christmas?

Alec’s First Christmas ~ Felicia Tatum. Daphne and Zander welcomed their baby boy, Alec, and their lives changed forever. Alec’s first Christmas is approaching and with it, magical surprises for his parents.

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Sin and Sorrow by Marion Croslydon Book Blitz

24 Tuesday Nov 2015

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SinSorrowBlitz

Sin and Sorrow
by Marion Croslydon
Publication Date: November 24, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Paranormal, Romance

sinsorrow

Purchase: Amazon | Kobo | iBooks

O-negative is Marie Aberdein’s favorite treat and she hates herself for it.

But she hates the MacLeod Vampire Hunters even more. They stole everything from her. Twice. The first time, on the night of the Battle of Culloden, the Hunter killed her husband and their child. Marie has survived the last two centuries hidden away with the man she calls Father, keeping their vow never to feed from humans. But the latest Hunter—the direct descendant of her husband’s murderer—doesn’t care about their good intentions. All he wants is for their ashes to blow away in the wind, so he tracks them down and burns the only family she has left.

Payback is long overdue. Marie has escaped the MacLeods’ clutches and she intends to make this lease of life count. Merely digging her fangs into the Hunter won’t do. She’ll take everything he holds dear, starting with his heir, History undergrad and rugby-playing Gabriel. Once she has Gabriel in the palm of her hand, she’ll rip out the boy’s heart. And make his father watch.

Only Gabe is more angel than demon. His heart is warm, his soul loyal. He makes Marie feel like the girl she has never had the chance to be. A girl who wants to laugh, flirt, and be kissed. But allowing their love to kindle will clash against the beliefs that make them who they are. When Gabriel becomes the next Hunter at twenty-one, Marie will be one of the creatures he is destined to slaughter. And loving him means giving up her vendetta against his father—something she won’t do.

Sin and Sorrow is a New Adult paranormal romance set at St.Andrews University in modern-day Scotland.

ABOUT MARION CROSLYDON

IMG_3544_cropped1-234x300

Marion loves to share happy vibes, talk book crush, fictional boyfriends and sexual chemistry with like-minded people. And because she spends most of her days on her own deep inside her London writing cave, you are welcome to come and say “hello” from time to time. Just to make sure she doesn’t sink into insanity. Her friends, family and arch-enemies (there are quite a few) will be forever grateful for your help.

Her debut novel, Oxford Whispers, a New Adult paranormal romance, won the IndieReader Discovery Award, 2013. Her contemporary romances, No Reverse and Fast Forward, were Amazon bestsellers, both in the New Adult and Kindle Top 50 charts. Please get in touch with HER: marion AT marioncroslydon DOT com

By the way Marion wrote that bio, but she likes using the third-person. It makes her feel as cool as shit 😉

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

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Sinful by Jennifer Dawson Book Tour, Crave Sale, and Giveaway

24 Tuesday Nov 2015

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sinfulbanner

sinfulSinful by Jennifer Dawson
Undone #2
Contemporary Romance Hear Level 4
November 17, 2015
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26163784-sinful

Buy Links:
Buy Links for Sinful
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/p46gmt3
Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/pjfkkv7
Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/pmfrph6
iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/o5zjrko

Synopsis:
I’ve wanted my brother’s best friend, Leo Santoro, for too many years to count.
No matter what I do, he won’t confront the attraction that burns between us.
It’s time to put him behind me once and for all.
I have no choice but to call his bluff.
And then I will walk away.

The last woman I should want is my best friend’s baby sister, Jillian Banks.
No matter what I do, she won’t ignore the attraction that burns between us.
It’s time she learns the real me.
The only promise I can make is that her fantasies are no match for reality.
And then I’ll watch her walk away

Sinful Chapter 1

Jillian

 

“Is he going to be there?” my roommate Heather Cowan asks, carefully studying her bright, glittery pink nails. She’s been painting them on my nightstand table as I tear through my bedroom like a mini tornado to get ready for this evening’s festivities.

The “he” in question is my brother’s best friend. And tonight, I’m going to put an end to our extended game of cat and mouse, once and for all. In the mirror, I grin at Heather. “Oh, he’ll be there.”

Heather gives me a long-suffering smile and shakes her head at my craziness.

Which, I’m totally used to, and honestly I can’t blame her.

Where he is concerned, I’m impossible.

The party is for my older brother. It’s his birthday, and he’s recently been promoted to the next rank of homicide detective in the Chicago Police Department. He’s one of those overachiever types. Between his birthday and the career success my parents’ heads were in danger of exploding with pride and they couldn’t resist throwing him a big bash.

Which works to my advantage.

I survey myself in the full-length mirror, twisting and turning in my minuscule dress, pleased with what’s staring back at me. I turn to my roommate. “So, what do you think?”

Heather flicks a glance over me. “I think you’re going to give your poor brother a heart attack.”

“Don’t you worry about Michael, he’ll be fine.” Yes, he’s annoyingly overprotective, but I’m twenty-eight, and there’s not much he can do but grumble and scowl. Since he can’t help himself, I take it in stride and don’t deny him his big brother privileges. Nope, I’m a good sister. I just smile, nod and do what I want. See, a win-win for both of us.

I plant my hands on my hips. “You didn’t answer.”

Heather sighs, and flops down on my bed, holding her hands in the air so she won’t ruin her manicure. “You look like I hate you and I’m glad I don’t have to stand next to you and watch men drool all over you.”

“Perfect.” I’ve achieved the intended effect, although the man I want to drool all over me refuses to bend to my seductive will.

“Please, Jillian, I’m begging you, let this go.” Heather’s voice is a pleading whine. We’ve had this conversation before, but I’m nothing if not determined.

“Not going to happen. So just deal.” I twist once again in the mirror. I’m not normally this vain, but tonight I have to look perfect. Impossible to resist. “And the dress?”

“You look like a very expensive escort.”

“Excellent.” I beam, my lips extra full and pouty with the dark crimson gloss I’ve slicked on. It goes with my light olive skin, long, dark wavy hair, and hazel eyes.

I must say I do look spectacular. Yes, my red dress is painted on, short on my long legs, extra slinky, and maybe a bit slutty. But I’m going for show stopping here.

Subtly is not one of tonight’s words.

No, I’m going for hit-you-over-the-head bold.

Heather rolls her eyes. “This will only end in disaster. I’ll be gone this weekend, who will help you pick up the pieces of your tattered heart?”

I step away from the mirror and put on a pair of nude, stiletto heels. “I’ll be fine, I promise. Yes, it will probably be a disaster. But, I’ve tried everything else, I’m running out of options.”

Most girls probably would have taken no for an answer a long time ago, but I’ve been told I can be a bit stubborn at times. Just a bit.

Heather rolls off my bed and stretches her long, lean frame. She’s a ballerina at the Joffrey Ballet, and with her platinum blonde hair, fine classical features and clear blue eyes she looks the part. Dressed in black yoga pants and a tank top, she reaches for her heel and stretches her leg to the ceiling. Her flexibility is something to marvel.

I tilt my head at her. “Are you sure you won’t come tonight? Even for a little bit?”

“As much as I’d love to watch you make a fool out of yourself, I’ve got to be up at the crack of dawn tomorrow.”

“Too bad.” While I’d love her there to support me, which she would despite her belief that I’m being dumb, I’ll know plenty of people at the party, including my best friend Gwen Johnson. We grew up right next door to each other so she’s almost as close to Michael as I am.

My father had rented the back of the hot new Irish pub featured in all of Chicago’s “what’s trending” magazines. Michael protested the celebration, but my father refused to budge. His only son being a homicide detective wasn’t what my investment banker father wanted, but he was proud and showed it. At least my older sister took pity on him and married a partner in my dad’s firm.

I’m the last Banks hold out.

After college I gave it a try, taking a low-level entry job in my dad’s office, but I hated it. I’m not cut out for corporate life. I lasted three months before I quit. Since then I’ve flitted around in various careers, abandoning each one much to my parents’ worry.

I’m affectionately what they call a free spirit. Aka, I have no idea what I want to do with my life.

Something with art, where I’m not cooped up in an office all day—in other words—poor. Of course my family worries about my lack of direction, but I don’t. When I finally hit upon that elusive “thing” I’ll know. And I’ll give it everything I’ve got. In the meantime, I support myself by waitressing at Gwen’s trendy restaurant.

With a six-month waiting list, it’s a great gig, but I’m a mediocre waitress and the restaurant business isn’t my passion. The best I can say about my job is I use my relationship with Gwen for the best shifts, and didn’t have to work out much.

I straighten my dress and walk into our tiny living room. I’ll figure out my career another time, tonight is about pursuing my other elusive passion.

Leo Santoro.

My brother’s best friend and partner. Object of my lust-filled fantasies.

And general pain in the ass.

Heather follows me down the hallway that leads to our living room. “You’ve been practicing in those heels.”

I laugh. There is an art to walking around in too high stilettos, and it’s not innate.

“I have.”

“Your legs look fantastic.”

“Why thank you.” They did. I’m tall, five nine to be exact, and I’ve been told by men and women alike that my legs are endless. I consider them one of my best assets.

I move to the kitchen and start transferring necessary essentials from my big purse to my small evening bag.

Heather slides onto one of the stools that line the breakfast bar and watches me. “Do you think it’s smart to wear heals that put you eye level with him?”

I toss my hair over my shoulder and search for my powder. When I can’t find it I empty everything onto the counter. “He can handle it.” Four-inch heels are part of my strategy.

I want him looking me straight in the eye when he rejects me.

Heather picks up a piece of Double Bubble from the contents of my purse and opens it. “What makes you think this time will be the last.”

“I’m realistic, he’ll probably say no.” Leo always says no. I find the powder and pluck it from the rest of the chaos, and put it in my bag. “But for me it will be the last time, and that’s what we need to focus on.”

The first time I met Leo was the day my brother graduated from the academy. They’d been in the same class. It had been just like the movies. Our eyes locked and when we shook hands electricity actually jolted up my arm. I know he felt it too, because his dark gaze had flickered before dropping to my mouth for a heartbeat.

I’d fallen in instant lust.

He’d ignored me for the rest of the day.

Things hadn’t improved over the years. I’d tried a variety of ways to seduce him but he continues to treat me like a little sister. Gently rebuffing me in a brotherly sort of way.

A girl can only get rejected so many times before it starts to mess with her selfesteem, so of course, I’ve tried to move on. I’ve dated loads of guys, and even had sex with a few of them. Sometimes I came, sometimes I didn’t, but when I closed my eyes, it was Leo who filled my mind. There’s just something about him that calls to me and eclipses every other man I come in contact with.

Despite evidence to the contrary, I was stubbornly sure he wanted me. There was something about the way he looked at me, lingering a bit too long on my mouth, the hint of narrowed eyes when another man showed his appreciation.

What I couldn’t figure out was why he refused to act.

Sure, he was my brother’s best friend, and Michael was universally considered intimidating as the devil himself, but Leo didn’t seem the type to let a thing like friendship and intimidation get in the way of what he wanted.

So, why was he resistant? The more I couldn’t figure him out, the more fascinating he became.

I’m twisted that way.

“Well, you know what I think.” Heather popped the gum into her mouth. We’d discussed the topic ad nauseam, and I suspected the whole thing bored her. Not that I blamed her. My obsession bored me too.

That’s why I’m taking action.

I’m going to give it one more try, and if he rejects me, I’ll move on. My plan is to do things differently this time. If it didn’t work, well, I’ll live with it and put him behind me once and for all. I’m far too old and have too much respect for myself to continue to hold out for a guy that didn’t want me enough to fight for me.

I shut my purse. “Tonight’s the night. I promise, when he says no, I will stick to the plan.”

Heather touches my hand and gives me a sympathetic frown. “I don’t know what his problem is, you’re awesome. And I think he wants you, I just don’t think he intends to do anything about it.”

“Of course he doesn’t. That’s why it’s up to me to prove him wrong.”

 

As soon as I walk into the bar, I spot him, laughing down at some blonde with big tits and a waist so small she could rival Scarlet O’Hara, pre-baby. Apparently enraptured with her, he doesn’t notice me as I make my rounds through the room.

This isn’t off to a good start.

Casual as can be, he’s leaning against a wall, wearing a pair of jeans and a tight black shirt that hugs his muscles and broad shoulders and emphasizes the narrow cut of his waist. He looks ridiculous and just seeing him makes my heart kick into double time.

My best friend Gwen, a gorgeous redhead, with light blue eyes and a lean frame that doesn’t belong on a restaurant owner, runs over to me. “Damn, girl, you look hotter than hell.”

That was the idea. I smooth down my skirt. Thanks.”

She hugs me, then stands back and whistles. “If he resists this dress, the man is officially a candidate for sainthood.”

We’ve been friends since practically birth; she knows everything about me, including my Leo fixation. But Leo talk is for the privacy of our apartments, not out here in the open with a bunch of nosey cops milling around. “Sssshhhh!!” I hiss, glancing around. “Someone might hear you.”

“Oh relax, I didn’t say his name.” Gwen hooks an arm with mine. “Come on, let’s put you on display.”

I glance one more time in Leo’s direction but his attention is still on the blonde.

I throw my shoulders back. This will not deter me.

We begin our crawl through the room. The place is packed and I’m pleased to see men giving me the down and dirty once over. Their eyes shifting hungrily between Gwen and me, as if trying to figure out who to eat up first.

Now if I can only get the attention of the right one, I’ll be set.

I spot my parents, my sister and her husband, and Michael over by the bar. I point in their direction and we make our way over to the group.

When we get there, I grin. “Happy Birthday, big brother.”

Tallness runs in our family and Michael is six feet, five inches of badass with dark hair, ridiculous cheekbones, and a body carved from granite. He’s scary, beautiful and drives women absolutely crazy.

And right now he’s frowning at me. “What in the hell are you wearing?”

“A dress, geesh,” I say and shoot a glance to my dad, jerking a thumb at Michael. “Can you believe this guy? Isn’t that supposed to be your line?”

My father’s mouth forms a matching frown, showcasing their similar features. “It does seem your dress needs more of it.”

“Don’t listen to him, dear,” my mom says, kissing me on both cheeks. “You look lovely.”

“Doesn’t she?” Gwen beams at me.

Michael practically growls at her. “Don’t encourage her. This place is full of cops, you need to put on a sweater.”

“If it’s full of cops, I’ll be perfectly safe,” I point out helpfully. See what a good sister I am? I turn toward Gwen. The family is not helping my mojo. “Let’s get a drink.” We wave and head to the bar.

Of course everything is free, and Gwen and I take full advantage. Now that my reckoning is drawing near, nerves dance in my stomach, and I need to relax. We order shots of Patrón in honor of our college days and then margaritas so we don’t mix alcohol.

“So tonight’s the night?” Gwen takes a sip and surveys the crowd. Gwen is like super model gorgeous, and between the two of us we’re causing quite the stir.

I do a sideways glance in the direction I last saw Leo. Still talking to the blonde.

That jerk doesn’t even know I’m here.

“Tonight’s the night.” I nod. I will not be thwarted. Gwen knows all about my plans and my promises to move on if I fail. She’s sworn to go hard-core on me if that happens. Zero tolerance for anything Leo related. I smooth a hand over my stomach. “What do you think?”

“I have faith in you.” Gwen tilts her head and it sends her hair swaying over one shoulder. “But remember, sometimes you have to be careful for what you wish for.”

I furrow my brow. “What do you mean?”

Gwen flashes a dazzling smile at the guy across the bar, and then shrugs. “All I mean is that you don’t really know him. If he goes for this, the real guy might not live up to the guy you’ve conjured in your fantasies.”

I wrinkle my nose and nod. I’m no dummy, and of course, she’s one-hundredpercent right. It’s actually an argument I’ve made to myself a million times. On occasion, I’ve even followed it, but then I see him again. I catch the spark of awareness on the air between us, and I fall right back into my infatuation.

I sigh. “I know, but the only way to find that out is to take the plunge, and it’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

The cute guy from across the bar gives Gwen a long, slow smile and when she returns it with a flirty look, he starts the path over. Gwen winks at me. “One more shot and then you go get him, deal?”

“Deal.” I glance over to where Leo stands, his head bent talking to the blonde.

His hair is dark, almost black, matching the depth of his eyes.

 

Tonight’s the night. I either go big, or go home.

 

About the Author:
Jennifer Dawson grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and graduated from DePaul sinfulauthUniversity with a degree in psychology. She met her husband at the public library while they were studying. To this day she still maintains she was NOT checking him out. Now, over twenty years later they’re married living in a suburb right outside of Chicago with two awesome kids and a crazy dog. Despite going through a light FM, poem writing phase in high school, Jennifer never grew up wanting to be a writer (she had more practical aspirations of being an international super spy). Then one day, suffering from boredom and disgruntled with a book she’d been reading, she decided to put pen to paper. The rest, as they say, is history. These days Jennifer can be found sitting behind her computer writing her next novel, chasing after her kids, keeping an ever watchful eye on her ever growing to-do list, and NOT checking out her husband.

Author Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenDawsonAuthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Dawson-504365856291806/timeline/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Dawson/e/B001K87MSY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1444265596&sr=8-1
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7278601.Jennifer_Dawson

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crave

Crave Sale: November 9th through the 31st get book one, CRAVE for 1.99

Crave Blurb:
I vow. I crave. I give in.
I used to be a nice, normal girl. I had dreams. Good, happy dreams of white picket fences, 2.5 kids, and a fairytale love that lasts forever. Nobody warned me the prince dies three weeks before the wedding.
Like any addict, I swear this time is the last….
Now, I go through my days, a shadow of my former self. I pretend I’m okay, and the people in my life pretend to believe me. But, sometimes, when I can no longer stand the craving my dead fiancée left behind, I roam an underground sex club looking for my next hit. It’s dirty and wrong, but I can’t stop, and my only line of defense between them and me, is the rules I’ve designed to keep me safe. With free, no-strings attached sex; men always abide by my rules. Until I meet him.
And, like any addict, I’m wrong.

Buy Links:
Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/nbygk73
Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/p6hblwy
Book Depository: http://tinyurl.com/pxtevgu
itunes: http://tinyurl.com/p5b85zy
Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/pya2etd

Review

Jillian Banks knows there is no turning back, she has been rejected enough by her long time crush Leo Santoro but now she is letting him know she is done. She understands Leo’s hesitancy of getting involved because he is her brother’s best friend, but she also knows he wants her as much as she wants him.

Leo wants Jillian but as much as she thinks she knows him, she has no clue about his darker side. When he realizes he is about to lose her he makes his move and he plans to push her as any dominant would, only it could backfire in a way he never imagined.

This was a bit of a surprise. I liked Jillian, she is a self assured woman and you never question her feelings for Leo. Leo is a haunted character, for a dominant man I think he had not factored in how strong his feelings were for Jillian as a sub. Look forward to more in this fascinating series.

Tour Giveaway:
Tour wide giveaway for $30.00 Amazon gift card and e-copies of CRAVE and Sinful. Open internationally.
Code:

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Center of Gravity by Lina Andersson

23 Monday Nov 2015

Posted by ehmusings in Uncategorized

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Center of Gravity (Marauders, #3)Center of Gravity by Lina Andersson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anna led a very structured life as the principal dancer for the New York City Ballet. It was ripped from her in an instant and now Anna has returned home to her aunt Irina in Greenville, Arizona. Anna wont deny that she had a soft crush on Mitch while in school, but she always avoided him as she knew he was a bad boy through and through.

With the help of a friend and a few embarrassing lonely confessions, her close friend sets her up with Mitch. It is supposed to be a one time roll in the hay, but Mitch sees no reason to continue seeing one another. Mitch quickly realizes his feelings are involved, he doesn’t want to admit it and with issues in the club he is not sure where he wants it to go. Mitch’s role in the Marauder’s MC is important and he is in danger and so is Anna. However Mitch’s closed mouth about his feelings can cause everything to ruin apart, will he be able to survive the storm that is brewing?

This became an immediate favorite. I loved Anna, she is trying to heal and is struggling with what path she wants to take. Mitch comes off as a laid back bad boy but there is a lot more to him that you didn’t see in the previous books. One of the best couples in the series so far. Excellent read.

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A Family Man by Sarah Osborne

23 Monday Nov 2015

Posted by ehmusings in Uncategorized

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A Family Man (The Freaks MC, #1)A Family Man by Sarah Osborne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Joe “Tiny” Taylor has only two things in his life that are consistent. His MC club, The Freaks, and his ex’s daughter Amy. Although Amy is not his daughter by blood, she is in every way it counts.

Joe has had a toxic relationship with his ex Maria. He knew she was not old lady material and frankly Joe did not see himself settling enough to take one. He knows her younger sister Beth crushes hard on him, but he is not going down that road with the sweet woman.

This story follows Joe’s life and that of Amy, Maries, and Beth’s. You see life with the Freaks as well as the struggles each one of them share. This book felt more like you are part of their family. It has bumps and a few shocks along the way. I thought this was a fantastic story, shed a few tears as well as feeling invested in this broken family. I will definitely pick more up by this author.

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