Wednesday 29 November 2017

EXCERPT REVEAL: THE ONE NIGHT STAND by ELIZABETH HAYLEY


     


The One Night Stand
The Players #3
By Elizabeth Hayley
Releasing December 12th, 2017
Swerve



Gabriel Torres thought his life after Major League Baseball would be simple and quiet, or at least quieter. However, as he takes over running the exclusive Players Club, he finds himself continually embroiled in scandal and drama. Surely nothing, and no one could make his life any crazier...Right?

Rachel Adler is a blast from Gabe’s past who crashed back into his life with the finesse of a freight train. But she's a welcome distraction. At least for a night.

Rachel has been working hard to become one of the top sports journalists in the country. She doesn't have time for a long-term romance or irresistibly charming baseball players. A one-night-stand with the man who she knew would hit it out of the park was all she wanted.

But when she gets a tip that Gabe could have ties to one of the biggest sports stories in history, a story that could make her career, Rachel decides that maybe she has a little time for the sexy baseball player after all. As she gets in deeper with both her story and Gabe, Rachel begins to question who she is, what she wants, and what exactly she’s willing to sacrifice for her career.

Will the potential grand-slam romance be stopped short or will Rachel and Gabe be able to go the distance?


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Chapter One

  Rachel hustled through the newsroom, her brown hair bouncing against her shoulders as her mind whirled with all of the different things her boss Rick Hartnett may want to talk to her about. None of them were good. She’d been a reporter with All Access Sports Magazine practically since she’d graduated college, but as she let her eyes roam around the room, she noticed the thrill wasn’t as strong as it used to be. It wasn’t that she didn’t like her job or had much of a desire to move on to a different publication. Moreso it was that she felt stagnant. Every day there was a reminder that she hadn’t reached the kind of success she’d hoped she would have after nearly a decade in the industry.

Reaching the door of Rick’s office, she gave it a few raps. “You wanted to see me?” she asked after he looked up from his computer.

“Yeah,” he replied, gesturing to the chair on the other side of his desk. Though All Access Sports was on the twenty-second floor of a building that was less than twenty years old, their space was anything but sleek. Stacks of old newspapers and magazines littered Rick’s floor, and Rachel had to step around them to make it to the chair. Rachel took a seat without closing the door, since Rick always preferred it stay open. She and Rick engaged in some sort of odd staring contest before he finally picked up the next edition of their print magazine and dropped it on the desk in front of her.

“You want to tell me why you don’t have an article in there?”

No, actually she didn’t want to tell him. “I didn’t have anything solid to contribute.”

Rick steepled his hands and let his chin rest atop them. “Hmm. That’s interesting. Because when I looked into our budget analytics for last month, I see that you flew across the goddamn country to chase a story. But,” Rick slapped a finger onto the magazine, “I don’t see a story.”

“The lead didn’t pan out.”

“I didn’t even approve that trip. How’d you get the go ahead?”

Rachel shrugged in an overly casual way that was an attempt to pretend she wasn’t about to get reamed out by her boss. And what was worse, she deserved it. “You weren’t here when the story came up so I asked Cal.” “You asked Cal, a junior editor with no actual authority to make this decision?”

“Accounting thinks he has authority.” It was not the brightest thing Rachel could have said in that moment, but it was at the very least true.

“But you know he doesn’t. What was the story anyway? At our last pitch meeting you said you were going to do a piece on the inflation of prices at ballparks. Pretty sure you didn’t need to go to California for that.”

Rachel looked down and studied her nails. She really needed to get a manicure. Her nail beds looked disastrous. “I heard some grumblings about the club so I thought I’d check it out.”

“Jesus Christ. Not this again.”

Rachel let her hands drop into her lap. “Yes, this again. You know this is an ongoing investigation for me. If I can figure out the truth behind the rumors, it would make my whole career.” S

ighing, Rick crossed his arms on his desk. “How long have you been looking into this club?”

“I’m not exactly sure,” she hedged. “Too long is the answer. You gotta drop this thing, Rach. If there was any truth to it, you’d have found out by now.”

“Not necessarily. It’s extremely exclusive. Only the best of the best get asked to join, so obviously they’re going to be tight-lipped about it. I just have to find the right angle.”

“Rachel.”

“And I’ve found enough details to support its existence. I just don’t have anything solid enough to base a story on.”

“Rachel.”

“But it’s only a matter of time. The source in San Diego didn’t pan out, but something else will. I just need to keep my ear to the ground.”

“Rachel!” Rick yelled. Taking a deep breath, she focused on him, even though she knew she wasn’t going to like what he had to say. “It’s time to give it up. You’re out there chasing a unicorn when there are more pressing things we need you to cover.”

“It’s not a unicorn. It’s a Triple Crown winner.”

“A hypothetical Triple Crown winner. That’s not good enough to waste resources.” “I’ve spent years on this story. I can’t--”

“You’ve spent years on it and have absolutely nothing to show for it. I’m sorry, but you need to drop it. We can’t allocate any more resources toward it.”

“I’ll work it on my own time.”

“We consider your time our resource. We pay you for it. We need your head to be in the game.”

“You can’t forbid me from working on something when I have nothing else going on.” “No. But I can fire you if you don’t start providing usable material on a regular basis.”

Rachel’s eyes shot to his, hers widening in surprise. He’d never threatened to fire her before. Nothing even close. Under her scrutiny, Rick’s face softened. “Look, I’m not trying to scare you. But I do have to be honest. I can’t have a reporter going rogue whenever she feels like it. We’re a team here, and you used to be one of our most integral players. But it’s like you’ve put yourself on the disabled list and refuse to do any more than take a few practice swings.”

“That was...a really involved metaphor.” Rick rolled his eyes, but some of the good-natured vibes they normally had between them returned, which encouraged Rachel to be completely honest.

“This story is going to be epic, Rick. And it may not happen this month, or this year, but it’s going to happen. And I’ll be damned if it happens for someone else after I’ve spent so many years on it. I refuse to lose out because I was forced to give up.”

“Listen. If something comes over the wire that even so much as hints at the club, you’ll be the first one to know. But as far as using All Access time and resources to investigate it...those days are over. When you’re here, you’re to work the assignments we give you. And for Christ’s sake, next time you use company money to travel somewhere, you’d better go through the proper channels. I don’t give a shit if you’re riding a subway to Brooklyn. You clear it with me first.”

Figuring this was the closest to a compromise as she was going to get, Rachel nodded. “Got it.”

“Good. Now get out of here and pack.” Rachel startled. 

“Pack? I thought you’d just finished grounding me for the foreseeable future.” “Stop being a smartass or I won’t send you anywhere.”

Rachel stood and smoothed out her black slacks. “Where am I going?”

Rick reached across his desk to retrieve the magazine. “The Super Bowl.”







       

Elizabeth Hayley is actually "Elizabeth" and "Hayley," two friends who love reading romance novels to obsessive levels. This mutual love prompted them to put their English degrees to good use by penning their own. The product is Pieces of Perfect, their debut novel. They learned a ton about one another through the process, like how they clearly share a brain and have a persistent need to text each other constantly (much to their husbands' chagrin). They live with their husbands and kids in a Philadelphia suburb. Thankfully, their children are still too young to read. Elizabeth Hayley's writing motto is best captured by the words of Patrick Dennis: "I always start with a clean piece of paper and a dirty mind."








































Tuesday 28 November 2017

RELEASE WEEK BLITZ: UNDERCOVER ATTRACTION by KATEE ROBERT



Undercover Attraction
The O'Malley's #5
By Katee Robert
Releasing November 28th, 2017
Forever



Scandal. Wealth. Power. Seduction. Welcome to the world of the O'Malleys.

Ex-cop Charlotte Finch used to think there was a clear line between right and wrong. Then her fellow officers betrayed her, and the world is no longer so black and white. Especially when it's Aiden O'Malley, one of the most dangerous men in Boston, who offers her a chance for justice. The only catch: she'll have to pretend to be his fiancée for his plan to work.

Aiden can't afford to let anyone see the man behind the mask. To run the O'Malley empire, he has to be cool and controlled at all times. But the moment he meets Charlie, they're playing with fire. Her slightest touch is enough to send him over the edge. At first their "engagement" was a way to eliminate his enemies. Now he'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe-- even if he has to destroy his own family to do it.










Katee Robert is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who learned to tell stories at her grandpa's knee. Her novel The Marriage Contract was a RITA finalist, and RT Book Reviews named it "a compulsively readable book with just the right amount of suspense and tension." When not writing sexy contemporary and romantic suspense, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her children, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

Connect with Katee at: Website | Facebook | Twitter| GoodReads | Instagram
















































































































RELEASE DAY BLAST - REVIEW: HIS HIGHLAND BRIDE by WILLA BLAIR




His Highland Bride
His Highland Heart #3
By Willa Blair
Releasing November 28th, 2017
Self-Published



In His Highland Bride (His Highland Heart #3) by Willa Blair, Mary Elizabeth Rose has spent a great deal of time attending to the health of Cameron Sutherland, but as her father prepares to marry again, Mary is worried what's going to come next for herself. Wanting nothing more than to spend time more time with Cameron, but knowing he's going to eventually leave because he has responsibilities to his family, Mary wonders whether she'll ever find happy ever after like her sisters have. Will Cameron be able to convince Mary's father that he's the right man for her, or will the pair lose their chance at happy ever after?

Although this story can easily be read as a stand-alone, I wish I'd had the opportunity to read the first two books just so I could get to know more about Mary's sisters and how they've achieved their happy ever afters because they sound interesting in the way they've been through so much to end up with their men. However, in saying that, this story was very entertaining, fast-paced and a story that had me reading quickly, determined to discover what decision Mary's father would make when it comes to her happiness; what would happen to the heroine's father and the clan; and what lengths the hero and heroine are willing to go to in being together. Will they get their happy ever after?

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories, the danger the heroine faces because someone believes she's a threat to their future, and what's happening with the heroine's father that had me wanting to know what would happen to him. Moreover, the heroine is resilient and brave when it comes to everything she has to deal with including her father's new bride; her father's illness and whether she will defy her father when it comes to her relationship with Cameron. I also liked the heroine's growing relationship with Cameron, as there's plenty of chemistry between them and he's so charming and determined in his pursuit to win her over. 

While the hero, he's honorable; determined to do the right thing when it comes to getting the blessing of the heroine's father; and I liked how determined he was to fight for his future with the heroine, especially when he finds she has another suitor vying for a chance with her. I also liked how protective the hero was of the heroine and that he would do anything to keep her safe, especially with what he does towards the end of the book that could add more danger for the pair, if the heroine's father's bride decides to get back at the pair for what happens.

Overall, Ms. Blair has delivered a wonderful and captivating read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was strong; the romance hot and had me loving these two together because there's so much love between Cameron and Mary; and the ending had me cheering the heroine's strength as she does her best to deal with what happens to her father while trying to handle her new role for the clan. Certainly, Mary handles herself well with what she does in dealing with her father's bride. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up nicely, as I loved the tight bond Mary shares with her sisters. They are there for each other and would do anything for each other. I would recommend His Highland Bride by Willa Blair, if you enjoy Historical Romance, the friends to lovers trope, or books by authors Heather McCollum, Julie Johnstone, Christi Caldwell and Eliza Knight.




A Dutiful Daughter No More

When Mary Elizabeth Rose’s father marries a much younger lass in hopes of siring a male heir, Mary sees her chance to escape her role as his chatelaine, but fears his next step will be to betroth her to a stranger. She has a different future in mind—with a sometimes charming, sometimes difficult and arrogant wounded Highlander.

He Owes Her His Life

Cameron Sutherland is not too delirious to recognize Mary Rose is the first woman he could seriously consider taking as his bride. He’d like nothing better than to spend years repaying the debt he owes his angel of mercy for taking him in and saving his life. First, he must convince her to defy her father one last time.

Will They Put Love Before Duty?

For Mary, Cameron has become the man whose every smile has the power to bring her to her knees. But he is as duty-bound as she is, and responsibility calls him back to Sutherland, where she fears he will stay, forgetting her and all they’ve shared. With another powerful clan’s interests at stake, Cameron’s return sets events in motion that will have life-changing consequences for the woman he can’t forget.


Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo





Willa Blair is an Award-winning Amazon and Barnes & Noble #1 Bestselling author of Scottish Historical, light Paranormal, and Contemporary romance. She has been featured on and contributes to USAToday’s Happy Ever After romance blog, Savvy Authors, Romance University, and more.

Her books have won numerous honors, including the Marlene, the Merritt, National Readers’ Choice Award Finalist, The Reader’s Crown finalist, Historical Romance finalist and Honorable Mention in InD’Tale Magazine’s prestigious RONE Award, NightOwl Reviews Top Pick, and InD’tale Review’s Crowned Heart.

A life-long student and reader, she has been a stained glass artist and instructor, a foreign language teacher, a computer scientist, an analyst, a manager and an executive. She has visited five continents and can get by in several languages. She loves scouting new settings for books, and thinks being an author is the best job she’s ever had.

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Monday 27 November 2017

BLOG TOUR - REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: BETWEEN YOU AND ME by JENNIFER GRACEN


Jennifer Gracen is back with a brand new contemporary romance! In BETWEEN YOU AND ME, a woman and her friend make an arrangement: he'll be her sperm donor, if she pretends to be his girlfriend. But maybe they're not just pretending...


Between You and Me
The Harrisons #4
By Jennifer Gracen
Releasing November 28th, 2017
Kensington  Publishing / Penguin Random House



In Between You and Me (The Harrisons #4) by Jennifer Gracen, Tess Harrison needs time away and heading to the family retreat in Aspen is perfect, especially when it will get her closer to her goal of having a family. However, Tess never imagined she'd fall in love with the man she asks to be the father of her baby. Will Tess be able to convince Logan to take a chance, so they can achieve their happy ever after; or will Logan's past keep him from ever taking another chance on love, family and happiness?

The previous books of this series are absolutely fantastic, and this story is no different. Really, Ms. Gracen proves again that she has such amazing talent when it comes to writing contemporary romance with characters that are captivating due to their back stories and all they go through on their journey to happy ever after. The way this story started had me hooked, as Tess is close with her family and she totally takes them by surprise with her plan to take time out from her busy life. She's so secretive and I could understand why she wasn't ready to tell her brothers why she needs time away. Will she eventually open up to her siblings? However, it was from the moment the hero and heroine met that was extremely intriguing, as they're complete opposites in every way.

As for the dialogue, it was well-written, completely enthralling and I loved everything this couple go through on their journey to happy ever after. However, in saying that, it took me a while to warm up to the heroine, as what she asks of Logan is a tad selfish, knowing how he feels about kids and relationships. What did she expect when she takes him by surprise with her request? That he was just going to say yes and everything would be bright and rosy. Really, his reaction was perfectly understandable and I liked the decision he did make in the end, as Tess has become important to him and he wants her to have the one thing she wants most.

Both the main characters make this story a highly entertaining read with their incredible chemistry and growing relationship, but it was Logan that made this story extra special for me. Really, I couldn't get enough of him. He's had a tough past in losing everything that was important to him, but he finally got his life back on the right track. Then there's what he goes through in this story with his mom being sick, which wasn't easy for him to deal with and I couldn't help but empathize with him, especially when it comes to the decision his mom makes. Will his mom be all right? Will Logan listen to his mom and take a chance on love, family and happiness?

While Tess, she may be an heiress and never had to worry about money, but her life hasn't been easy. Her father is overbearing and has made some terrible decisions when it comes to Tess's life, but it's palpable the man loves his daughter. Furthermore, Tess is smart; hard-working with all she's done for the family charity foundation; and I liked how determined she was to have a family, even if it means possibly losing the man she's falling in love with. I also liked the obstacles these two face on their journey to happy ever after such as a jealous woman reminding them how different they are and interfering brothers that are determined to do the same. Yet, what I liked most of all about Tess is that she finally showed her brothers that she knows how to make a scene when it comes to them being judgmental jerks that have no right to do what they do at a crucial moment in this book.

Overall, Ms. Gracen has delivered another incredible read for this series where the chemistry between this couple was off-the-charts and instantaneous from the moment they came face-to-face; the sizzling romance heats up the pages and shows how amazingly opposites attract; and the ending had me empathizing with what the hero is going through and I liked that Tess was there for him and that they finally got everything out in the open when it came to their feelings. No way could they walk away from something so right. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up perfectly, because of Logan's love for Tess and their child as well the surprise the heroine has for the hero. I would recommend Between You and Me by Jennifer Gracen, if you enjoy the opposites attract trope, the friends to lovers trope, or books by authors Samantha Chase, Melody Grace, Bella Andre and Barbara Freethy.





As the only daughter of the wealthy Harrison clan, Tess Harrison has everything—except the baby she longs for. With no husband in sight, she escapes to her family’s retreat in Aspen, Colorado, visions of sperm donors dancing in her head. Instead, she finds Logan Carter. When the ruggedly handsome manager of the Harrison ski house offers to be her baby daddy in exchange for her playing his girlfriend, Tess is breathless to begin the charade. After all, the brokenhearted heiress knows better than to fall in love . . .

She would be Logan’s dream girl, if his dark past had left him with any dreams. Now the brooding bachelor’s only hope is to satisfy his mother’s dying wish to see him happily paired off—and give lovely Tess the baby she longs for. But when he and Tess opt to make a baby the old-fashioned way, he’s fighting hard against the longing to hold on to the elusive Harrison beauty forever . . .


BUY LINKS:  Amazon Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks




By the time Logan pulled up in front of Tess’s house, she was warm, full, tired, and happy. “I had a great time today.”


“I did too,” he said with a smile. “Thanks again for inviting me.”


“Any chance you’d like to do it again sometime soon?”she asked. “You’re a worthy ski partner, and I had fun with you.”


“Yeah, I’d like that,” he said. “But next time, I pay for my lift ticket.”


“Deal. Sometime next week?”


“Sure. Give me a call, we’ll work out a time.”


“Well, you have a job with a real schedule. Right now, I don’t. I’m free as a bird. So you give me a call.”


His eyes held hers as he said, “Okay. I’ll do that. You’re on. Got yourself a ski buddy.”


God, she wanted to kiss him. Sitting so close in the warmth of his truck, he smelled good and his eyes were intense and his mouth was inviting and she wanted to kiss him so bad. But this new friendship—all the things they’d revealed to each other that day—she didn’t want to cross any lines or mess it up. For now, she’d hold back.


But still couldn’t resist flirting a little bit. “So,” she said boldly. “Are you coming in to soak in my tub or what? The offer stands.”


His gaze turned hot, a full-out smolder that made her belly do a wobbly flip. “The offer is more tempting than you know.” His voice had dropped low and dead sexy, making her shiver. “But I think I’d better head home for tonight.”


They stared at each other for a moment, pure electricity crackling between them. She could feel her blood in her veins, racing now, hot and needing, as his eyes lowered to her mouth for a few seconds before lifting to meet her gaze again. “You sure?” she asked. Her heart thumped in heavy beats.


“Only so much temptation a man can take,” he murmured. “And you’re testing my limits as it is, Tess. You have to know that.”


“I didn’t know that.”


“Well . . .”


She leaned in, her face so close to his that she could feel his hot breath feather against her lips.


“Tess.” He whispered it as a protest, but his eyes gave him away. He wanted her too, she could see it all over his face.


She closed the distance between them, pressing her mouth to his. It was a brush of her lips against his, just the slightest touch. But his hand lifted to cup the back of her neck and hold her there. He took control of the kiss, gently but surely, slanting his mouth over hers to take more of what he wanted. Her mouth opened with a little sigh as their tongues met and swirled slowly. As they leaned into each other, his fingers threaded through her hair and his other hand came up, cradling her head in his hands as his mouth consumed hers.


Her senses reeled. His full beard tickled her face, surprisingly soft against her skin. The feel of his mouth on hers, his hands in her hair, his big, warm body so close . . .her head swam with it all. He deepened the kiss and groaned softly into her mouth, and she was lost. She surrendered willingly, kissing him back with the same slow, sensual pace he’d set, her fingers clutched in his ski jacket. She could have kissed him for days.


He broke away slowly, leaning his forehead against hers, eyes still closed. “Jesus,” he whispered. When his eyes opened to focus on her, they were heavy lidded with lust. “You . . . you better go inside now.”


Still catching her breath, she touched his cheek. “You sure you don’t want to come in?”


“I do want to,” he said, his voice thick. “Too much. So I’m not going to.”


She pulled back, trying to hide her disappointment. “Okay.”


“Tess . . .” He stared at her, his mouth opening and closing as he fought with what he wanted to say. “You’re an amazing woman. I like that we’re . . . kind of friends now. Let’s try to stick with that for now, okay?”


The disappointment sharpened in her gut, but she pasted on a smile. “Fine.”


“Ah crap. No, no, don’t say fine,” Logan demanded gently. “When a woman says fine, it’s never fine. Even a loner lumberjack like me knows that.”


She couldn’t help but giggle.


“Tess, you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen,” he said earnestly. “Don’t think for a second that I wouldn’t love to go inside with you right now, because I would. But you have an agenda, you’re gearing up to go through some medical . . . stuff . . . and I don’t want to get in the way of that.”


She gaped at him in shock. “I . . . I don’t know what one thing has to do with the other.”


“You have big plans,” he murmured, trailing the backs of his fingers along her cheek, eyes locked with hers. “I’d be a distraction. You said it yourself, you don’t want any distractions right now.” His gaze turned wicked and hot as he added, “I promise you, it’d be a fantastic distraction. A sexy, fun, passionate distraction . . . but this friendship we’ve started? Means more.”


“We’re attracted to each other,” she said flatly.


“Can’t deny that.” He touched his mouth to hers again, a light brush of his lips, and her whole body shuddered. “But I shouldn’t go inside with you. Not tonight.”


Her nerves jangled, every nerve ending alight and aware of him. Her heart beat hard and fast as she nuzzled into his palm, stared right into his eyes, and whispered, “If you insist.”


“I do,” he said, not breaking their gaze. “C’mon, you know I’m right. Last thing you need right now is us starting something up like this. Didn’t you tell me your first doctor

appointment is tomorrow?”


She didn’t like it, and wasn’t sure she fully agreed with it, but had to admit she’d thought along those lines herself before his kisses had turned her brain to mush and her insides to jelly. With a heavy sigh, she nodded and pulled back from him. “Pretty early, in fact. I should go inside and get into bed.”


Logan growled, his head falling back against the leather seat. “Had to put an image like that in my head right before you leave. You, climbing into bed . . . not nice, Tess. Not nice.”


She laughed lightly, and he grinned back at her. Their eyes held for a long beat and she took a slow, deep breath, exhaling it before she said, “Good night, Logan. Thanks again for a great day.”


“Back at you,” he said. “Good night, Tess. Sleep well. Good luck tomorrow.”


With a sweet smile, she climbed out of his truck and into the cold night.






Jennifer Gracen hails from Long Island, New York, where she lives with her two sons. After spending her youth writing in private and singing in public, she now only sings in her car and is immersed in her passion for writing. She loves to write contemporary romance for readers who look for authentic characters and satisfying endings. When she isn’t with her kids, doing freelance proofreading, or chatting on Twitter and Facebook, Jennifer writes. She’s already hard at work on her next book.

 Connect with Jennifer: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Google+