Wednesday, 26 August 2015

SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY: FALLING FOR THE P.I by VICTORIA JAMES


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Falling for the PI
Still Harbor # 1  
By: Victoria James
Releasing August 10th, 2015
Entangled Bliss
 
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BLURB:
Teacher Kate Abbott's fresh start in Still Harbor was the beginning of the life that she and her two best friends always imagined for themselves. Still, being a working single parent of a special needs daughter hasn't exactly improved Kate's love life. But Kate's preference for nachos over men quickly disappears when she meets the oh-so-sexy Matt Lane.
 
Until she finds out he's a cop.
 
Matt is a former cop-turned-private investigator, and he knows fear when he sees it. A cop clearly spooked Kate…or hurt her. Still, something about the gorgeous professor catches his attention, and despite his “no settling down” policy, he can't resist her. But all of the attraction in the world won't be enough to overcome Kate's past…
 
 
Buy Links:  Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo
 
 
EXCERPT:
 
Matt’s mind was spinning. What the hell had he gotten himself into? Kate was a mother. Well, one date wasn’t going to hurt him. He could sign up for the donation and then never see her again. He paused before getting into the SUV and pretended to glance down at his phone. He hadn’t made any commitments. It was a working date, nothing more.
 
He opened the door for her and he could read the surprise on her face when he did. “Uh, thanks,” she said, but then paused, not stepping into his SUV. Instead, she turned to look at him, crossing her arms in front of her.
“I just want to be clear,” she began softly. “I’m not looking for anything other than a donation. I can tell you’re surprised that I have a daughter.” Her head was tilted back so that she could look at him squarely in the eye.
He cleared his throat. “So only one is yours?”
Kate surprised him by smiling, and he found himself smiling in return, then looking at her mouth. She was not what he’d expected, and his attraction to her was only increasing instead of diminishing. That should have sent off some warning bells.
“Yes. The little girl with glasses, Janie, is my daughter. She has Down’s syndrome. I adopted her. There is no father, no husband, no anyone,” she said softly, but in a voice that was filled with conviction, slightly defensive.
He stared at her, speechless, impressed. She made him think of all the good women in his life, the ones who had sacrificed and loved him. She made him think all the naïve thoughts he’d once had about people when he was little, before he learned how horrible they could really be. Her expression reminded him of himself when he’d defiantly look up to his father, hoping for acceptance, but bracing himself for the worst.
He swallowed, hard. “Why didn’t you introduce me to your daughter?”
Her eyes narrowed. “I read the expression on your face. I saw the shock and I have no intention of introducing my daughter to someone who won’t be around tomorrow. Don’t worry, I’ve gotten used to it. I also know that I’ve had to choose my…friends wisely. I don’t put up with crap from people, so if you want to donate, it will be greatly appreciated. If you were after something else and now want out, that’s fine too. Just don’t waste my time and don’t bother acting all charming if you’re after a quick screw. I don’t work that way,” she said, backing up abruptly.
Matt grabbed her hand, finding his voice. “Don’t do that, don’t assume I’m like everyone else.” He didn’t know what the hell he was doing, or what he was promising, but he didn’t want to be that guy she was describing, and he didn’t want to say good-bye to Kate.
 


 
Topic: An author's muse and how they help them to write

I remember reading a quote by a famous author and how she didn't believe in waiting for one's  muse to show up. I agree with this! When you're writing for a publisher, you have deadlines and a schedule. There are some days that I find writing very difficult. There are some days that it's so easy, I don't want to stop. But either way, the writing needs to get done.

The days that the words come fastest are when I'm on a tight deadline ;-)...but always when I'm really into the story. The characters become very familiar to me, almost like old friends. I love topics surrounding families, redemption, healing, and home.

In my newest book, Falling for the P.I., I'm able to capture all my favourites into one book. It's an emotional read that tests the meaning of family and the power of healing.
 
 
AUTHOR INFO:
Victoria James is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.

Victoria always knew she wanted to be a writer and in grade five, she penned her first story, bound it (with staples and a cardboard cover) and did all the illustrations herself. Luckily, this book will never see the light of day again.

In high school she fell in love with historical romance and then contemporary romance. After graduating University with an English Literature degree, Victoria pursued a degree in Interior Design and then opened her own business. After her first child, Victoria knew it was time to fulfill her dream of writing romantic fiction.

Victoria is a hopeless romantic who is living her dream, penning happily-ever-after's for her characters in between managing kids and the family business. Writing on a laptop in the middle of the country in a rambling old Victorian house would be ideal, but she's quite content living in suburbia with her husband, their two young children, and very bad cat.

Sign up for Victoria's Newsletter to stay up to date on upcoming releases and exclusive giveaways, follow her blog for daily antics and insight into her daily life, and get to know her on twitter and Facebook. She loves hearing from readers!
 
Author Links:  WebsiteFacebook | Twitter | GoodReads
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 














Tuesday, 25 August 2015

REVIEW: TAMED BY THE OUTLAW by MICHELLE SHARP @ HARLEQUIN JUNKIE


In Tamed by the Outlaw by Michelle Sharp (a What Happens in Vegas story), a simple misunderstanding has left Jessica Jameson loathing Grayson Reynolds – CEO of the publishing company she’s contracted to as a romance author – for a year now. He’d lied to her about his name before they spent an incredible night together, and then disappeared the next morning without saying goodbye, or so she believed. When he reappears in her life, she’s less than thrilled. Yet, it’s not as if she can ignore him, when he dares her to a game of poker. Where the stakes are high, and could cost them both, what they desperately need in their lives – love.READ FULL REVIEW @ HJ>>>
 
 
OVERALL RATING:
 
 
 
 
BOOK INFO:
 
Publication: August 17th, 2015 | Entangled Publishing | What Happens in Vegas

Author Jessie Jameson is the Bad Girl of romance, making a huge name for herself writing love stories with sizzling hot sex scenes. No one needs to know that her real-life inspiration is sexy publishing exec Grayson Reynolds. Or that after the hottest sex of her life, Grayson walked out on her.
 
Grayson’s finally taken the reins of his family’s publishing business, and he’s determined to sell off the romance division. But Jessie Jameson’s contract is complicating things. It’s like she’s been trying to ruin him ever since the mind-blowing night they shared-the night she walked out on him.
 
Now the sparks are flying. Heated, sexy sparks. It’s a Wild West showdown between Jessie and Grayson. But when Romance ends up in bed with Business, only one can walk away…

Sunday, 23 August 2015

REVIEW: NEXT STOP - LOVE by MIRANDA J. FOX @ HARLEQUIN JUNKIE



In Next Stop: Love by Miranda J. Fox, Sophia Neumann has decided it’s time to start living her life the way she wants, instead of continuing to follow the expectations dictated by her overbearing mother. An interview with an entertainment company is the perfect opportunity to start afresh. Yet, she has to survive the train ride to Berlin first, after a ticketing error forces her to share a train compartment with sexy businessman, Luca Marcs. Read Full Review @ HJ>>>
 
 
OVERALL RATING:

 
 
 
 
BOOK INFO:

Publication: September 15th, 2015 | Amazon Crossing |
Twenty-five-year-old Sophia Neumann has a big interview in Berlin, and if it goes well, the new job will allow her to escape her overbearing mother and make a life on her own. Unfortunately, the trip starts off on the wrong foot when she is forced to share a train compartment with an arrogant and devastatingly handsome businessman, one who both provokes and intrigues her. Once they arrive, Sophia is relieved to leave him behind—until she walks into her interview at Marcs Entertainment and discovers that he’s Luca Marcs, her potential new boss.


 

With office politics in mind, Sophia is determined not to mix business with pleasure. Yet what began as discord soon turns to desire, and when Luca reveals his feelings for her, Sophia will have to ask herself: Is this just a case of interoffice lust, or is Luca the real deal?
 
 
 

 

Friday, 21 August 2015

REVIEW; HEAT EXCHANGE by SHANNON STACEY @ HARLEQUIN JUNKIE

 
 

In Heat Exchange by Shannon Stacey, Lydia Kincaid isn’t happy about returning to her hometown, when her sister asks for her help in tending the family bar, so she can take some time off. What she thinks will be an easy job, soon becomes her worst nightmare. Read Full Review @ HJ >>>
 
 
OVERALL RATING:
 
 


BOOK INFO:
 
Publication: August 25th, 2o15 | Carina Press | Boston Fire #1

Lydia Kincaid’s shipping back to Boston, but she’s not happy about it. She left to get away from the firefighting community—her father was a firefighter, her brother’s a firefighter and, more important, her ex is a firefighter. But family is number one, and her father needs her help running the pub he bought when he retired. Soon, Lydia finds it hard to resist the familiar comfort and routine, and even harder to resist her brother’s handsome friend Aidan.
 
Aidan Hunt is a firefighter because of the Kincaid family. He’s had the hots for Lydia for years, but if ever a woman was off-limits to him, it’s her. Aside from being his mentor’s daughter, she’s his best friend’s sister. The ex-wife of a fellow firefighter. But his plan to play it cool until she leaves town again fails, and soon he and Lydia have crossed a line they can’t uncross.
 
As Aidan and Lydia’s flirtation turns into something more serious, Lydia knows she should be planning her escape. Being a firefighter’s wife was the hardest thing she’s ever done, and she doesn’t know if she has the strength to do it again. Aidan can’t imagine walking away from Boston Fire—even for Lydia. The job and the brotherhood are his life; but if he wants Lydia in it, he’ll have to decide who’s first in his heart.

COVER REVEAL: BEST WORST MISTAKE by LIA RILEY

 
 
 

 

Best Worst Mistake
Brightwater #3
By: Lia Riley
Releasing October 20, 2015
Avon Impulse
 
 
BLURB:
The third sexy and emotional novel in debut Avon author Lia Riley’s Brightwater series set in the mountains of Northern California

 Sometimes the worst mistakes turn out to be the best…
 
Smoke jumper Wilder Kane once reveled in the rush from putting out dangerous wildfires. But after a tragic accident, he’s cut himself off from the world, refusing to leave his isolated cabin. When a headstrong beauty bursts in, Wilder finds himself craving the fire she ignites in him, but letting anyone near his darkness would be a mistake.
 
After her Hollywood life went up in smoke, Quinn Higsby decided to leave Tinseltown behind and returned to Brightwater to care for her ailing father. Spending her days in a small bookstore, her peaceful existence is up-ended by a fascinating but damaged man. Quinn is determined to not to be scared off by Wilder, not once she’s experienced the heat of his passions.
 
But when an arsonist targets the community and Wilder is accused, he must confront the ghosts of his past. Will his desire for Quinn flameout or will he be able to tame the wildness inside and rekindle a hope for their future?


 

Buy Links:  Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo

 


AUTHOR INFO
Lia Riley writes offbeat New Adult and Contemporary Adult romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling XXXX with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments.

A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn't mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about future books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. Right now, Icelandic hot springs and Scottish castles sound mighty fine.





Thursday, 20 August 2015

SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY: DEEP NIGHT by KATHY CLARK


Enter to Win Loveswept & Flirt Mugs
& a Select eBook Bundle
 


Deep Night
Denver Heroes # 3
By: Kathy Clark
Releasing August 182015
Loveswept
 

 
BLURB:
Sure to thrill readers of Nora Roberts and Karen Robards, Kathy Clark’s breathtaking Denver Heroes series continues as two adrenaline junkies find themselves fighting unexpected passion—and unspeakable terror.

Ex-soldier Chris Wilson lost too many friends to war. Back home in Denver, he’s trying to make a difference as a paramedic, treating victims of crisis situations. Not even active combat could prepare Chris for the rush he gets when violence and tragedy collide, but the job isn’t the only thing making his heart race. His partner is his closest confidant from childhood, and the girl he remembers is now a strong, sensual woman . . . who needs him more than ever.

Sara Richards is more comfortable risking her life than asking for help. The petite blonde medic put a wall around her heart long ago, vowing to never let anyone hurt her again. Only now her long-buried secrets threaten to destroy everything she’s built. And though she should be able to trust Chris, his smoldering blue-gray eyes ignite desires that feel more dangerous than whatever’s lurking in the shadows. For once, Sara can’t go it alone. But Chris might just be stubborn enough to stand by her side as she faces down her worst nightmare.
 

 
Buy Links:  Amazon B & N | iTunes | Kobo
 
 
EXCERPT:
The skies were just beginning to lighten when Chris turned the ambulance into the garage. He and Sara worked as a team, giving the vehicle’s interior a final once-over before loading their leftover supplies and their narcotics kit on a cart that they rolled to the office. Only the narcotics kit was strictly monitored, and they had to wait until it was cross-referenced with the night’s usage report.
“Want to stop for some breakfast?” Chris asked her as they headed to the parking lot once check-in was finished. “I’ve got a thirty-minute drive to Parker to get home.”
“You’re still living with your parents?” she asked. “I’ll bet that sucks.”
“I haven’t had a chance to find something in town yet. Plus, I have to pay first and last month’s rent, plus the deposit. That would cut deep into my college fund.”
She stopped next to her car, but didn’t open the door. For a few seconds, she stared down at the ground as if she was working something through in her mind. Finally, she lifted her gaze and smiled. “I have a two-bedroom apartment in a rent-controlled building over by Coors Field. I could use a roommate to split the bills.”
Chris tried to read her expression, but the offer seemed to be genuinely extended. It would sure make his life a lot easier if he didn’t have that hour-plus drive every day. Not to mention the fact that at home he was sleeping in his old bunk bed, which his six-foot-two frame had long ago outgrown.
“If you wouldn’t mind,” he said. “It would help me out a lot.”
“It’s nothing special, but it’s close and cheap . . . relatively speaking.”
“Sounds like my kind of place.”
“You buy your own food, and I’m not your maid or your cook,” she added. “Plus, there’s only one bathroom.”
“Are you trying to talk me out of it?”
“I just don’t want you to have any . . . false expectations.” She gave him a steady look that told him she was referring to much more than that.
“How about today?”
She seemed surprised, but not opposed to it. “That’s fine with me. Sharing the rent will help me. But why the hurry?”
“Other than the drive and the traffic, it’s difficult to sleep there during the day with Dad mowing the lawn and Mom vacuuming.”
“It’s usually pretty quiet on my end of town.”
“My only concern is that Mom might be upset. I just got home, and I’m not sure how she’ll take me leaving so soon.”
“She’ll understand.”
“At least she knows you and won’t think I’m shacking up with some stranger.”
Sara gave him an odd look, but didn’t comment.
He smiled. “I think we have a deal.”

 
 
 
  


Author Info
Kathy Clark is a New York Times bestselling author whose novels have sold more than three million copies in eleven languages. Her plot lines have always championed women’s empowerment, placing strong female characters in real-life situations. Her stories will make you laugh and cry, and her characters will live in your heart forever. She lives with her husband and co-author, Bob Wernly.
 Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
 
 

 
 
 
 

REVIEW: DEEP NIGHT by KATHY CLARK



In Deep Night (Denver Heroes #3) by Kathy Clark, Sara Richards and Chris Wilson were once very close friends, and it seems time hasn't changed that, even though they haven't seen one another in a few years. Working alongside each other, in their profession as paramedics, they've witnessed their fair share of traumatic situations, but Sara has never forgotten the one that has left it impossible, for her to trust a man.
 
Chris Wilson believes he still knows Sara pretty well, yet an air of sadness surrounds her, which he can't figure the reasons for. When she extends him an invitation to move into the spare room of her apartment, he takes her up on the offer. Determined to learn the truth, he's shocked by her confession. Still, it doesn't stop his growing feelings, or the fact that he'd do anything to help her move forward. To hopefully, lessen the nightmares, and maybe create some wonderful new memories.
 
Right from the prologue, I knew this book was going to take me on an emotional rollercoaster. Its plot drew me in immediately, and Sara's back story definitely sets the pace. The plot was riveting, not only because this author did a great job penning the various days in the life of a paramedic, but because the dialogue reveals the back stories of both Sara and Chris really well. And you can't help but be touched by how Sara struggles everyday to make sure her façade as a strong woman remains intact. That no one witnesses how vulnerable she really is.  The sex scenes were hot, and definitely show Sara at her most vulnerable. Trusting a man again was definitely the first step in the healing process for her.
In the end, I thought this was a really good read with wonderful main characters, as well as secondary characters that I really want to learn more about. I would recommend this book, if you're a fan of ex-military heroes, or love a story that tugs at your emotional heartstrings. Have a tissue handy, just in case. 
 
Overall Rating:
 
 
 
 
BOOK INFO:  Loveswept / 18th August, 2015 / Denver Heroes #3
 
Ex-soldier Chris Wilson lost too many friends to war. Back home in Denver, he’s trying to make a difference as a paramedic, treating victims of crisis situations. Not even active combat could prepare Chris for the rush he gets when violence and tragedy collide, but the job isn’t the only thing making his heart race. His partner is his closest confidant from childhood, and the girl he remembers is now a strong, sensual woman . . . who needs him more than ever.

Sara Richards is more comfortable risking her life than asking for help. The petite blonde medic put a wall around her heart long ago, vowing to never let anyone hurt her again. Only now her long-buried secrets threaten to destroy everything she’s built. And though she should be able to trust Chris, his smoldering blue-gray eyes ignite desires that feel more dangerous than whatever’s lurking in the shadows. For once, Sara can’t go it alone. But Chris might just be stubborn enough to stand by her side as she faces down her worst nightmare.