Blue Moon Brides Series by Anne Marsh-Review, Blog Tour and Giveaway

Blue Moon Brides Series by Anne Marsh-Review, Blog Tour and Giveaway

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Tempted by the Pack
Blue Moon Brides #1
by Anne Marsh
Genre: paranormal, shifters, romance

Tempted by the Pack

ABOUT THE BOOK:

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Once in a blue moon…

For Rafer Breaux, life in the Louisiana Bayou is harsh, violent—and deeply sensual. The Cajun werewolf lives for his Pack and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep his brothers safe. The longer a wolf lives without a mate, the harder it becomes for that wolf to shift back. To remember that he is a man—and not a monster. And those mates can only be found during a blue moon. When a blue moon finally rises, Rafer will need every weapon in his sensual arsenal to tempt one special woman into his arms and the heart of the Pack.

The Pack hunts for mates

Fighting to keep her family farm, Lark Andrews isn’t looking for love. Even if the very sexy Breaux brothers make her dream of hot bayou nights spent in their arms. When the blue moon leads Rafer to her door, however, Rafer has her rethinking her position on all work and no play. Now, the bayou nights are heating up as Rafer fights to convince her, one sensual touch at a time, to give love and passion a chance. But Rafer isn’t a one wolf deal. Is there room in Lark’s heart—and bed—for Rafer and his Pack?

My review …

This puts a different twist on a para-romance.

Wow wow wow …. I need me a blue moon wolf 😉

This is a SCORCHING hot series, and not to be read in a packed train 😉 lol

Rafer is the main character in this book.

I first I wasn’t sure at the idea that Rafer would share Lark with his brothers. But I total got it as it was established early on that Rafer was utterly devoted to the Pack. They were a dying breed and they were brothers. If sharing his mate prolonged the life of his brothers until they found their own mate, it was plausible. The two scenes were incredibly sensuous and didn’t feel uncomfortable.

Rafer lives for his pack, and was consumed with worry for himself and his brothers, because unlike most para books I’ve read, these males will remain as wolves, if they don’t find their blue moon brides. And that was the twist that made me read on.

Lark, is a gentle soul who owns and runs a flower stall and greenhouse.

And at first is reluctant to entertain Rafer, but as the blue moon approaches, her hormones kick in, and the chase is on.

In these books the female is allowed to choose a mate, so although Rafer technically “caught” Lark, it doesn’t mean he gets to keep her. And a small part of him wants to be kept by this intriguing woman.

And we do meet his brothers in this story, and in fact though the next 2 books, they are all intertwined together, like a proper pack.

The conflict or danger part of the story involved vampires. While lots of books have werewolf/vampire elements, usually they both have redeeming qualities. This book didn’t. The vampires were evil to the bone. And were looking to “wear” the wolves pelts,( this helps them to walk in the sun)!

As the sun sets, then the vamps come out to stalk Lark and the brothers.

As for the naughty scenes in this book, they were done with real love for the characters. (I have read many menages and group books, and some of them totally mess up the love scenes).

She accepts the whole pack as hers. And has a special moment with Dag and Rafer.

It’s a great book to start the series with.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Julie B.

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Pleasured by the Pack
Blue Moon Brides #2
by Anne Marsh
Genre: paranormal, shifters, romance
Release Date: May 2013

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Pleasured by the PackDre and Landry Breaux do everything together. Fishing, fighting—and loving. A whole lot of loving. When the blue moon leads these Cajun werewolves to their fated mate, however, they’re ready to reform. Now, they’ll fight to keep the woman of their dreams safe from the evils lurking in the Louisiana bayou—and to tempt her into taking a chance on two of the bayou’s sexiest bad boys.

Mary Jane Johnson is no heartbreaker. Running from a troubled past, the bayou captain wants only to be left alone. When she takes a pair of bayou bad boys on board, however, Dre and Landry have her rethinking her need for space. These two big males have promised to take orders—all of her orders. Suddenly, she’s dreaming of getting as close as possible… to both of the Breaux brothers.

••••••••••••••••••••••••

Oh my …..
Reading this, you will need plenty of ice 😉

I do love this series, it keeps springing those surprises on a girl.

And Dre and Landry are a mighty fine surprise.

Their blue moon bride won’t know what has hit her, these boys do EVERYTHING together “wink”

They are given the task of retrieving the packs next blue moon bride. And they need to use the owner if the boat to get closer to her. And the twist in this story, is that they are drawn towards Mary and not their intended target.

We still have the vamp angle, and there is still no redeeming quality to these bad guys.

Mary is a great character, she a little bit of a loner. She is happy with her own company, but seeing the Breaux boys together, makes her want more from her solitary life.

The tension between these three makes for a great read. And the twists in this book makes it and even better read than the first.

___________________________________

Claimed by the Pack
Blue Moon Brides #3
by Anne Marsh
Genre: paranormal, shifters, romance
Release Date: October 2013

Claimed by the Pack

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The rising of the Blue Moon will lead the Pack to their destined mates… but some women are hard to claim.

Alpha to the bone, Cajun shifter Dag Breaux must find his Blue Moon bride to preserve his humanity. Each passing day sees him lost further and further in the shift, more wolf than man. Emotions and feelings are foreign territory for Dag and all he has to offer his newfound female is raw, passionate sex and protection from the centuries-old vampire stalking the Louisiana bayou.

Bayou mechanic Riley Jones stands on her own two feet. Always. She doesn’t need or want Dag’s infuriating brand of protection. Plus, she has secrets of her own that she’s desperate to keep. But there’s no denying the passion that burns between them and in the arms of her rough and tough shifter she discovers a darkly sensuous, no-holds-barred loving. When the vampire threatens Riley’s nearest and dearest, she must ask herself if resisting Dag’s mate claim is worth losing everything she cares about… or if teaching her wolf to love is worth the risk.

•••••••••••••••••••••••

This series continues to delight and surprise me. And I have to admit that the 3rd book is my favourite so far.

Dag has been my wounded soul from the very start. And as you ladies know, I do like a wounded soul 🙂 Dag is losing his humanity a little more each day, he finds it hard to remain in his human form, and knows it will only be a matter of time, before he goes completely feral 🙁

So he is sent to retrieve the 3rd blue moon bride. She has been captured by a vamp, who wants to use her as bait to trap a wolf. Only this bride is capable of more than just being a bride, A WHOLE LOT MORE. You need to read to find out 😉 lol

Riley has had to manage older brothers all her life, so one pesky wolf shouldn’t be a problem. But as she finds out, Dag is prepared to do anything to keep this lady for the pack, although he is hoping she is his mate, as he desperately needs his female to balance him out.

So …….

All three books NEED to be read in order. You read them as stand alones, but it gives you more to the series if read together.

And talking of series, I’m hoping this fabulous author continues with this series. And is secretly hoping Rileys brothers each get a book 😉

Copies supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Julie B.

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About The Author Black and White

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FOLLOW: Goodreads / Website / Facebook / Twitter

Anne Marsh writes sexy contemporary and paranormal romances because the world can always enjoy one more alpha male. She started writing romance after getting laid off from her job as a technical writer—and quickly decided happily-ever-afters trumped software manuals. She lives in Northern California with her family and six cats.

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Ann is giving away the following prizes at the end of the tour:
GRAND PRIZE: $25 Amazon card
RUNNERS-UP: Three (3) runners-up get an eBook of choice from the Blue Moon series.

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour promoter.

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Born in Blood by Alexandra Ivy-Blog Tour and Giveaway

Born in Blood by Alexandra Ivy-Blog Tour and Giveaway

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The Sentinels, Book #1
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: December 31, 2013
ISBN-13: 978-1-4201-2514-6

Born in Blood Dec 13

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In a stunning new series, Alexandra Ivy lures readers into the dark, seductive world of the Sentinels—humans outcast by their hidden abilities, treading the line between life and death, good and evil, pleasure and pain. . .

In The Heart Of Darkness

Sergeant Duncan O’Conner has seen it all before. Beautiful erotic dancer, murdered at home, no suspect, no motive. But there’s one clue: she’s missing her heart. It’s enough to make the hard-bitten Kansas City cop enlist the help of a necro–one of the dead-channelling freaks who live in the domed city of nearby Valhalla. It’s a long shot, but desperate crimes call for desparate measures.

Lies The Kiss Of Death

Unlike the other “high-bloods” in Valhalla, Callie Brown considers her abilities a gift, not a curse. But when she reads the dancer’s final thoughts, she senses a powerful presence blocking her vision. This is no ordinary homicide. This is the work of a legendary necromancer who controls souls. A ravenous force that will put Callie’s skills to the test, O’Conner’s career at risk, and both their hearts on the line. . .literally.

About The Author beige

Alexandra Ivy

Alexandra Ivy is the New York Times bestselling author of the Guardians of Eternity series, the Immortal Rogues series and the Sentinels.

Alexandra graduated from Truman University with a degree in theatre before deciding she preferred to bring her characters to life on paper rather than stage. She currently lives in Missouri with her extraordinarily patient husband and teenage sons.

Connect with Alexandra:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

 ••••••••••••••••••••••••

Part 4

A SENTINEL LOVE STORY
By
Alexandra Ivy
Part Four

She hunched a shoulder, deeply regretting her brown hair that was pulled in a ponytail and the predictable dark eyes that came with her Italian heritage. She wasn’t ugly. She was…plain. Ordinary. Just once she wished she could be the sort of woman that made a man like Anton look at her as if she were more than an unwelcome intruder.

“Only a place that has something to hide goes to such insane efforts to keep people out,” she accused, trying to remind herself why she was there.

This was all about Charlie.

Wasn’t it?

“We have nothing to hide, but a great deal to protect,” he countered, his gaze skimming down to land on her mouth, lingering there as if he was considering what it would feel like to kiss her. She shivered. Yes, please. His fingers moved to stroke over her heated cheek. “It’s amazing how many norms assume we’re savage mutants who are a threat to the world.”

Her mouth went dry. She’d been desperately aware of Anton since he’d arrived on her doorstep. Now she struggled not to make an idiot of herself.
No throwing yourself at the sumptuous, edible male…

“I don’t think you’re a threat to the world,” she muttered.

His thumb traced her bottom lip. “But you don’t trust us.”

“You have my brother.”

“We don’t have him,” he protested, his voice oddly absent. As if his thoughts were distracted. “Charlie came here of his own free will, as you well know.”

He wasn’t the only one distracted. Jayne struggled to breathe as he explored her face with the tips of his fingers.

What was he doing? Was it a high-blood thing?

She tried to pretend the light caress wasn’t sending tingles of arousal pulsing through her body.

“It’s true he agreed to come to Valhalla.” Jayne was forced to halt and clear her throat. “But that doesn’t mean he’s happy here.”

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The last 3 days of blogs will post the ENTIRE story for people that missed it throughout the tour.

First Place: $50 GC to Amazon or B&N
Second Place: $25 GC to Amazon or B&N
Third Place: $10 GC to Amazon to B&N

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Tricia Talks

TRICIA TALKS

Tickle Your Fancy is one of our Themes. Since The Reading Cafe is a place we can all hang out, while we drink our coffee or sip our margaritas, the talk of everything books can lead to funny stuff when we are having fun. Since this feature has been so much fun, We asked Tricia to find some time to talk to us again.

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When Barb approached me with the idea of resurrecting the Tricia Talks column, I was worried.  What am I going to write about?  What should I focus on?  Well you know what?  I’m just going to ramble.  For those of you who know me, rambling is as normal as breathing.  Y’all are so lucky! 

It’s been a year that’s all I can say.  WHEW WHAT A YEAR!  On a personal level, things have gone great.  A few minor ups and downs, but nothing to really complain about.  I could complain, don’t get me wrong, but I’ll spare you the boredom.  Let me think…..what was special about this year?  Hmmmmm. I really didn’t have anything major happen, my family is healthy, I have a lot of blessings to be thankful for.  My son is 13.  I officially am the owner of a teenager.  A teenager that is a boy.  His voiced changed one day.  One morning, after staggering to the coffeepot and fumbling around to make my first cup of happiness, I’m startled by this MAN’S voice behind me that says, “good morning mom.”  GASP!  That’s my little boy speaking to me.  I managed to shove my heart back into my chest to tell my sweet boy good morning.  Don’t care how big he gets, he will always be my little boy.  And I’m the type of mom that will remind him of that when he’s surrounded by his stinky teenage friends. 

I FOUND PINTEREST!  Pinterest and I have a love/hate relationship.  Thanks to Pinterest I am cooking up a storm, making all kinds of great breakfast meals, dinners and desserts.  Well with Pinterest making me such a great cook, my rear is spreading.  Pinterest is making me fat, dang it.  I blame Pinterest.  So many recipes packed full of melted cheese and gooey deliciousness, I have to cook them all.  I need a 12 step program to cure my addiction to Pinterest.  It’s ridonkulous.  I have pinned hundreds of recipes.  I can make you any and every kind of pasta dish or bake you 10 varieties of oatmeal.  Plus I’ve pinned tons of useful household tips. I am now armed with tons of facts that’ll I’ll never use again, how to clean with dryer sheets as scrubbers, making my own laundry detergent, make my own coffee creamer.  Great ideas for the do it yourself gal.  I’m a buy it at Walmart already made kind of girl.  But I still save all of the tidbits of info, just in case.  Maybe one day there will be a Pinterest game show and I’ll win tons of money.  Don’t laugh, it could happen.

I went to Las Vegas this year!  Little ole southern me hopped on a plane and jetted over to Las Vegas for a week on vacation.  Let me just say WOW.  First, let’s talk about heat.  Now remember, I’m in Mississippi, about an hour north of New Orleans.  We have heat and humidity, temperatures over 100 in the summer months.  I know what heat is.  People kept saying “Oh, it’s a DRY heat in Las Vegas.  It’s not that hot.”  Let me define dry heat.  “Dry heat” is like standing on the sun.  I was sweating in places that I didn’t even know existed.  Oh yeah, it’s a dry heat.  I love that baking like a rotisserie chicken in an oven, dry heat feeling.  NOT!  The only good thing about the hotter than hades dry heat, is there was no humidity which meant my curly hair was looking awesome.  But my great hair days were defeated by the puddle of dripping sweat that followed me everywhere I went.  Besides the heat though, I had a wonderful time, it was a vacation of a lifetime.  Beautiful city, gorgeous sights.  I have some beautiful pictures and memories that will last forever.

The holidays are approaching!  For Christmas this year, I bought my son a gaming desktop computer.  I gave it to him early because I didn’t want to make him wait.  I’m impatient like that.  Plus his computer had died and he needed a new one for school stuff too, which justified his early Christmas present.  Logical thinking at its best!  Well anywho…….  Brand new computer out the box, should be easy to get up and running, right?  Um, NO.  Things never go smoothly for me.  When I bought the desktop, I did not buy a new monitor.  Our existing one was in great shape, why waste the money?  Haha, the computer gods laughed and laughed at me for that idea.  My sweet boy is all excited, waiting for his desktop to be put together.  All is going smoothly until I try to plug in the monitor to the computer.  I was almost done, things had gone great up till that moment.  The brand new computer didn’t have a plug that my monitor cable would fit in.  There were USB plugs, DVI plugs, HDMI plugs, ear plugs, microphone plugs, speaker plugs, you get the point.  No VGA plug, which is what my antique monitor has.  ROAR!!!!  I dash off to Walmart to get an adapter.  The Walmart guy tells me they do not have an adapter for what I need.  He kindly suggests for me to just buy a TV, which will work great.  Or I can buy a new monitor, but he recommends the TV.  Ok, thanks Walmart dude for the advice.  I buy a new monitor.  Dash back home, where my sweet boy’s face is waiting patiently for his new toy.  Unpack the monitor and what does it have???  A VGA plug, just like my old monitor.  CURSE YOU COMPUTER GODS!  I will not be defeated!  I jump into my super mom mobile and go to Radio Shack looking for an adapter.  Radio Shack dude says nope, they don’t have one either.  I explained how I bought a brand new monitor and it also has the stupid old fashioned VGA plug.  He says, just get a TV screen, it’s cheaper and the picture will be better.  Well apparently Walmart dude and Radio Shack dude must’ve talked before I got there.  I kicked Radio Shack dude in the shins and stomped off to Walmart to buy the TV that I should’ve purchased the first time.  I also purchased an HDMI cable while I was there because I figured with my luck, the TV wouldn’t come with the proper cable.  HAHAHAHA, can’t fool me computer gods, I was right!  No cable in the box, but I was prepared with my HDMI extra purchase.  Get ready to hook up the TV, which is the last crucial piece before the computer is ready, and the cable is about an inch too short.  Really?  REALLY?  Two stacks of computer paper under the desktop later, I made the cable reach until I could get a longer cable.  My son was thrilled.  I defeated the computer gods.  Super mom wins again, although super mom was exhausted after that little adventure.

To wrap up my rambles, I would like to wish all of you a blessed and wonderful Holiday season!  May you and your families be happy and healthy!  Until next time, happy reading!

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Third Daughter (The Dharian Affairs #1) by Susan Kaye Quinn-Release Day

Third Daughter (The Dharian Affairs #1) East-Indian Steampunk Fantasy Romance by Susan Kaye Quinn-release day

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Third Daughter
The Dharian Affairs #1
by Susan Kaye Quinn
Genre: steampunk,fantasy, romance, adult
Release Date: December 13, 2013

Third Daughter

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 13, 2013

The Third Daughter of the Queen wants her birthday to arrive so she’ll be free to marry for love, but rumors of a new flying weapon may force her to accept a barbarian prince’s proposal for a peace-brokering marriage. Desperate to marry the charming courtesan she loves, Aniri agrees to the prince’s proposal as a subterfuge in order to spy on him, find the weapon, and hopefully avoid both war and an arranged marriage to a man she does not love.

Third Daughter is the first book in The Dharian Affairs Trilogy (Third Daughter, Second Daughter, First Daughter). This steampunk-goes-to-Bollywood (Bollypunk!) romance takes place in an east-indian-flavored alternate world filled with skyships, saber duels, and lots of royal intrigue. And, of course, kissing.

excerpt 1

From Chapter One, Third Daughter (The Dharian Affairs #1) – steampunk fantasy romance

The cloudless night whispered sweet promises to Aniri.

Below her stone rooftop, the shadows of the forested grounds danced in the summer’s breeze, their small rustlings calling to her like a lover. The sound was the perfect cover for escape into the darkness and the warm arms she hoped to find there. No one should notice her absence. Of all the guards, handmaidens, and many silent keepers of the royal household, none would venture up to her private observatory this late in the eve. But she still had to be careful. Even this close to her birthday, the Queen would not be forgiving if she was caught.

Aniri scanned the palace grounds to make sure it was clear of any witnesses. The manicured lawns were empty: the only sign of life came from the distant embassy windows where gas lamps flickered and soft music trilled from late-reveling partygoers. Aniri pressed the leather eyecup of her aetherscope to her face, slowly turning the brass knobs to bring the party into focus. The instrument was meant for watching the rise of the twin full moons, but it worked well enough for spying on the Samirian ambassador and her assemblage of guests.

Their shiny new automaton was thick-legged and awkward, but the Samirian tinker’s design was still clever: the steam-driven mechanical wonder actually danced, albeit just one clumsy pirouette after another. When it came to a graceless stop, the guests snapped their fingers in appreciation. The faint sound of their applause drifted over the lawn, but the party continued on. With the grounds still empty, Aniri swung her aetherscope to the forest. The broken edges of the river snaked through the darkened trees, slipped under a stone bridge, and then flowed past the red sandstone walls of the Queen’s estate. A black shape darted out from under the bridge, then disappeared into the shadows between the trees.

Time to go.

About The Author

Susan Kaye QuinnSusan Kaye Quinn grew up in California, where she wrote snippets of stories and passed them to her friends during class. Her teachers pretended not to notice and only confiscated her stories a couple times.

Susan left writing behind to pursue a bunch of engineering degrees, but she was drawn back to writing by an irresistible urge to share her stories with her niece, her kids, and all the wonderful friends she’s met along the way.

She doesn’t have to sneak her notes anymore, which is too bad.

Susan writes from the Chicago suburbs with her three boys, two cats, and one husband. Which, it turns out, is exactly as a much as she can handle.

FOLLOW:  GoodreadsWebsite / Facebook/Twitter

 

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Prizes (pictures on Rafflecopter):

–20x “Third Daughter” mini M&M packs (US only)

–A steampunk key necklace (INTL)

–“Third Daughter” East-Indian style bridal jewelry (INT)

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Cover Reveal: Legal Affairs-Objection by Sawyer Bennett

Cover Reveal: Legal Affairs-Objection by Sawyer Bennett

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Legal Affairs-Objection
by Sawyer Bennett
Genre: contemporary, romance, erotic, adult
Format: Serial

Objection

One year ago, I graduated from law school and embarked on a career as a purveyor of high priced legal shenanigans.

Six months ago, my boyfriend dumped me when I thought he might be proposing.

Two weeks ago, I got drunk and joined a secret sex club.

Two days ago, I had a torrid one-night stand with a stranger.

Today? Well, today I’m contemplating having an affair with my boss.

Matt Connover is all kinds of forbidden temptation wrapped up in a deliciously wicked package, and he’s made it clear… he’s only interested in sex.

My name is McKayla Dawson but everyone calls me Mac. I work at the powerhouse firm of Connover & Crown, LLP, where the law has never felt so hot.

But between you and me, I’m afraid my heart won’t survive these Legal Affairs.

______________________

Legal Affairs is a serial romance with a whole lot of hot and a little bit of funny. It has six volumes that will be released every two weeks, the first one, entitled Objection, on January 10, 2014.

Legal Affairs – Objection – releasing January 10, 2014
Legal Affairs – Stipulation – releasing January 24, 2014
Legal Affairs – Violation – releasing February 7, 2014
Legal Affairs – Mitigation – releasing February 21, 2014
Legal Affairs – Reparation – releasing March 7, 2014
Legal Affairs – Affirmation – releasing March 21, 2014

www.sawyerbennett.com
www.facebook.com/bennettbooks
www.twitter.com/bennettbooks

Excerpt

NOTE:  Excerpt is for mature audiences. Not recommended for anyone under 18 years of age.

I’m frozen in place. I have to clue what to do.

Yes, I have hormones, pheromones, and even just good old, run-of-the-mill moans stuck in the back of my throat, which are on the verge of busting loose. My mind whirls… what did Matt meant by that statement?

Do I slap him or jump him?

We stare at each other… his eyes blazing an inferno of desire, mine probably reflecting the “deer in the headlights” look.

Swallowing hard, I say, “I think—”

Matt lunges at me, catching me with one arm around my waist and the other swiping across my desk, sending binders, papers, folders, pens, a tape dispenser, a stapler, two legal pads and a box of paper clips flying to the floor. “Don’t say a f*cking word, McKayla. Just don’t.”

Pushing one of his rock hard thighs in between my legs, he bends me back onto my desk and settles against me, raising both hands now to cup my face. My heart is on the verge of exploding in my chest, and only two things fill my mind.

First, please, please, please kiss me, Matt.

Second, please, please, please don’t let me have a heart attack before he does.

I’m saved on both concerns as Matt pours lust, desire, anger, and passion into a kiss that causes my toes to curl against the flip-flops, which are barely clinging to my feet after I was practically thrown onto my desk.

My tongue is shy at first, but it only takes Matt one tiny rock of his hips against mine, and then it’s on.

We kiss like we never kissed on that one night we spent together. It is filled with not only yearning, but with a bit of frustration and shame that we have no control over our actions.

This is wrong… we both know it.

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Crista McHugh – Deception’s Web- Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

Crista McHugh – Deception’s Web- Review, Guest Post & Giveaway

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Deception’s Web
The Deizian Empire series
Book #3
Release Date: December 9, 2013

Deception's WebLinks to order Deception’s Web:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The BookDepository

Description:
A soldier looking for redemption falls into the arms of the empire’s Black Widow… Galerius, former Captain of the Legion, is honored to be given a chance to redeem himself by discovering who is behind the failing barrier. A series of anonymous letters all point to Hostilius, governor of Lucrilia, but Galerius thinks he’ll learn more about the plot by seducing the governor’s thrice widowed daughter, Claudia. Although he warns himself not to fall into snare of the empire’s most deadly temptress, one kiss leaves him begging for more. Claudia has spent years as a pawn in her father’s political games and longs to break free of his rule, even it means betraying him to the emperor. When Galerius arrives in Tivola, she’s not sure if he’s there to aid her father or stop him. She willingly submits to his seduction, despite their class differences, in order to find the truth. What she doesn’t expect to find is a man who indulges her secret fantasies, satisfying her in a way none of her previous husbands did, and treats her as something more than a conquest. As time runs out to thwart her father’s plans, she must decide if she can trust Galerius not only with her life, but her heart

Review:

Deception’s Web by Crista McHugh begins with more threats against the Emperor and the Empress and the empire that Titus and Azurha are working ever so hard to bring together.  Someone is trying to sabotage the barrier that protects their planet from the barbarians and they both know that they will need someone that they can entrust such secrets with.  And to add to the secrecy, we discover that Azurha is pregnant and Titus will do anything to keep the love of his life and his unborn child safe.

 

When Galerius is summoned to the palace, he’s not quite sure what to make of it.  After all, he failed the emperor and resigned his post as Captain of the Legion, even though Titus and Azurha protested, he felt he had no other choice.  Once he is brought up to speed regarding the new threat to the empire, he still doesn’t feel that he is the one for the job.  But, once Azurha plays him like a fiddle and gets him riled, he jumps at the chance to redeem himself in their eyes and to himself.  However, when he finds out that he will have to interact with the empire’s notorious Black Widow…………  Gods help him…

 

To say that Claudia has been a pawn in her father’s quests to take over the empire is like saying that Moby Dick was a sardine.  She has bore the brunt of her father’s ire as well as her brother’s.  But, once she realizes that her father is planning something big and strike at the Emperor and seize control of the empire, she knows that she can no longer be his pawn.  And, once she realizes that Galerius is there to stop her father, she sets out to aid him without his knowledge.  The one thing that Claudia didn’t count on was Galerius making her wish for things that she dared not to ever wish for.  Could they place their trust in each other and, just maybe, find happiness together?  Well my friends, you will have to read to find out.

 

Oh my sweet Jesus, where to begin?!  McHugh has once again left me astounded with her storytelling skills.  Everyone knew that Galerius was being too hard on himself when he left the Legion, which made us love him even more.  And, when Titus and Azurha played good cop/bad cop in order to have him help them once again, the pride with which he embarked on this mission made your heart swell.  BUT, how in the world would McHugh make us accept Claudia?  After all, she had made a play for the Emperor and was horrid to Azurha.  Seems Azurha knew there was more to Claudia than met the eye and Crista McHugh did a fabulous job in letting us see even more than what Azurha seemingly already knew.  The absolute disdain that Claudia’s father and brother had for her will make your heart break, but once she knows she can no longer accept her role in her father’s machinations, she holds her head high and does what she has to do to right the atrocious wrongs reaped upon their people by her father.

 

Crista McHugh has once again written an awesome story full of political intrigue and steamy romance.  There is also a wonderful path of self discovery after a life full of self doubt for both Galerius and Claudia.  One that will absolutely leave you wanting more from this wonderful world that McHugh has so effortlessly created.  Very well done Crista McHugh, very, very well done……  Oh, and, by the way, there will be more, right?!?!?!!?  =D

 

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Author

Deizian Series

 

 

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The Isle of Capri, Tiberius, and Caligula

crista picture 1

When creating my fictional setting of Tivola (in the province of Lucrillia) , I turned to the Isle of Capri for inspiration. In addition to being the home of the beautiful Blue Grotto and other amazing scenery, it was also home to several emperors during their reigns. This was where young Caligula spent his formative years under the care of Emperor Tiberius (who was fond of tossing people he didn’t like off the cliffs). And when I decided to create a power-hungry villain and son, I didn’t have to look much further than that pair.
Crista picture 2

Completed in 27 AD, Villa Jovis was where Emperor Tiberius basically ruled the Roman Empire during the last ten years of his reign. Rumors of sordid behaviors, from the aforementioned executions for entertainment to the orgies that last for days, filtered back to Rome. The people were so appalled by Tiberius’s behavior that they publically rejoiced when his ward, Caligula, smothered him in his sleep. But of course, we all know about Caligula’s reign… If you could set a story in any place, where would it be?

Giveaway
Crista has graciously offered to give one lucky member of The Reading Café a copy of her first two books in her Deizian Empire series, Tangled Web & Poisoned Web.

Deizian Series 2

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3.  Giveaway open Internationally

4.  Contests runs from December 10 to December 14, 2013

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Cover Reveal-Lost Hope (Lost #3) by Frankie Rose

Cover Reveal-Lost Hope (Lost #3) by Frankie Rose

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Lost Hope
Hope #3
by Frankie Rose
Genre: YA, paranormal, romance
Release Date: January 15, 2014

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Add to Goodreads shelf: LOST HOPE

“How Many Miles To Babylon?”

“Threescore and Ten.”

“Can I Get There by Candlelight?”

“Yes, and back again. If your heels be nimble and light, you may get there by candlelight.”

London 1891

Two boys meet in a foggy, darkened alleyway in London. Poised to fight, they recognise a quality in each other that stays their hands: they’re different. Not human. Well, not entirely, anyway. The universe, God, Kismet…something brought them together, forged a bond between them as strong as brothers’, and even they know it has to be for a reason.

London Present Day

Daniel and Kayden are cut from the same cloth. Their lives, their histories are so intertwined and tangled together that the last fifty years they’ve been at each other’s throats have seemed like an eternity. For Kayden, it’s been a punishment. For Daniel, a painful burden.

Now that circumstances have drawn them back to London once more, repairing the bridges they’d once burned to the ground is taking time. Time they don’t have.
Farley Hope is used to things going wrong. Epically wrong. A dead mother; a half-brother who recently went on a killing spree and refuses to come out of his room; a friend whose body has been hijacked by a malevolent, powerful being…

All of that would be bad enough, but considering her brooding boyfriend hasn’t brought up the fact that she agreed to marry him in weeks…her run of bad luck is really starting to take its toll. Things had better start looking up, otherwise her new-found powers are going to be put to use, and there’s no guaranteeing what will be getting blown up.

This is where it all began.

Where chance meetings set an unstoppablechain of events in motion.

How a prophecy came to be realised.

How Lost Hope was found.

Series Spotlight Black and White

Sovereign HopeSovereign Hope
Hope #1
by Frankie Rose
Release Date: July 1, 2012

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/

Everyone has a soul

Some are just worth more than others

Farley Hope was seventeen when her mother disappeared. In the last six months not much has changed, except that her eighteenth birthday came and went and still no sign of Moira. Her life is just as complicated as it always was. Since her father died in a car crash before she was even born, she’s officially parentless, and to top it all off she’s still suffering from the hallucinations. Mind-splitting, vivid hallucinations- the kind prone to induce night terrors and leave you whimpering under your covers like a baby.

The last thing on her mind is boys. Farley is on break from St. Judes’ when she meets Daniel. It’s not some casual run in at a party, or even a blind date with friends, though. Daniel is the guy following her in his 1970′s Dodge Charger; the guy standing at her window in the LA lunch hour traffic, trying to persuade her to leave everything behind and follow him. And he’s hot as all hell.

_________________________

Eternal Hope cover releaseEternal Hope
Hope #2
by Frankie Rose
Release Date: October 12, 2012

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/

He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me

When your friends go missing and you don’t know if they’re dead or alive; when you tie your soul to the one you love; when you kill to protect and your family suffers, there’s only one thing you can do:

Move to Montana.

Farley Hope is special. She was prophesied to kill the forebears of her bloodline- a race of cold-blooded Reavers, men who steal the souls of the living to gain power. The Quorum had counted on Farley ending her own life in the process, but when Kayden came to her aid and helped save both her and Daniel, he undid their plans. Now the Quorum are displeased, not only with Kayden, but with Farley and Daniel too. Though her father is now dead, Farley’s troubles with the Reavers are far from over. An ancient Immortal, trapped for a thousand years, wants Farley for himself, and he will stop at nothing to claim her.

With secrets that lead to anger and pain, that turn friendship to dust, the group must overcome the problems within their own circle before they have a hope of fighting off the powers that threaten their lives.

About The Author Black and White

Frankie Rose

 

Frankie Rose was born in the United Kingdom, but now lives with her husband in sunny Australia.
She officially makes things up for a living, and when she’s not doing that, she is generally making paper birds out of receipts and old lists or taking photographs that make her smile.

FOLLOW: Goodreads / Website / Twitter /

 

 

Love Between the Sheets

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Cover Reveal and Giveaway-Give In To Me (Heart of Stone #3) by K.M. Scott

Cover Reveal and Giveaway-Give In To Me (Heart of Stone #3) by K.M. Scott

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Give In To Me
Heart of Stone #3
by K.M. Scott
Genre: Erotic, Contemporary,Romance
Release Date: TBA

Give in To Me

The third book in the Heart of Stone series concludes the sensual and emotional story of Tristan and Nina that began in Crash Into Me and continued in Fall Into Me…

Tristan Stone has lived a life other men would kill for. Literally. But all the money, women, and fast cars mean nothing to him since Nina came into his life. Danger lurks around every turn with enemies wearing friendly faces. Whatever it takes, he’ll protect the woman he loves because without her, life isn’t worth living.

Nina Edwards had no idea of the world Tristan would give her. All her dreams have come true, but with the good comes the bad, and this world of his has more than enough of that. For love, though, she’ll face not only Tristan’s demons but anyone who stands in her way of finally finding happiness with the man she loves.

_____________________________________

Series Spotlight Black and Gold

Crash Into MeCRASH INTO ME
Heart of Stone #1
by K.M. Scott
Release Date: August 28, 2013

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

What would you give up for everything?

Tristan Stone was powerful, commanding, sex incarnate. And he wore it all so well. From the moment his mesmerizing gaze met mine, I had no choice but surrender to everything he was. His power. His decadence. His passion. He was all I never knew I needed.

He wanted to possess me, and I wanted to be his everything. All I had to do was accept what he offered. But everything has a price.

The world he gave me fulfilled my wildest dreams, but would that be enough when the past crashed into the present?

••••••••••••••••••

Fall Into MeFALL INTO ME
Heart of Stone #2
by K.M.Scott
Release Date: November 25, 2013

Amazon.com Kindle /Amazon.com Paperback/ Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk Kindle/ Amazon.uk Paperback/Barnes and Noble / KOBO / Smashwords

Wealthier and more powerful than most men his age, Tristan Stone merely has to give voice to his desires and whatever he wants is his. Money has given him the ability to say nothing and no one is beyond his reach.

Except for Nina. Stripped of her memory after an accident, she doesn’t remember the man who loves her. Now he must find a way to show her why she fell in love with him, but the past is always just a step behind, threatening to take her away forever.

Unsure of everything about the past four years, Nina believes that Tristan loves her. But will the secrets he holds tear them apart just when she needs him most?

About The Author

Gabrielle Bisset

 

A writer for years in other genres, K.M. Scott writes sexy contemporary romances like the ones that she loves. In love with love from the moment she picked up her first romance novel, she considers herself blessed that she has the chance to tell her own characters’ stories now. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, feeding her addiction to TV, or cooking a new dish for family and friends. She loves to hear from readers, so drop by her Facebook page and say hi or e-mail me at kmscottauthor@gmail.com.

Author Contact Info:
Website / Google Plus / Facebook / Goodreads

Rafflecopter Giveaway Black and Gold

Cover Reveal giveaway:

K.M. is offering up (1) $10 gift card from Amazon gift card (INTL) for grabs.  Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST 12/11/2013.

NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the promoter.

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