December 31, 2013

My Book Chatter's Favourite Reads of 2013

So 2013 has come to an end, and although I didn't quite meet my reading goal of 100 books this year, I did find some new favourites!

Below, and in no particular order, you'll find my 10 favourite reads for the year that was 2013. I've included the links to my review and the goodreads page for each book, should you want to check them out.

So, I hope you all have a happy and safe New Year, and here's to finding some amazing reads in 2014!!
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Favourites Reads of 2013

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Book Blast and Giveaway ~ Permanent by Kim Carmichael



Title: Permanent
Author: Kim Carmichael
Series: Indelibly Marked (#1)
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Breathless Books an Imprint of Assent Publishing
Release Date: Oct 7 2013
Formats/Editions Available In: eBook

An accountant's calculated attempt to fit in entangles her with Hollywood's hottest tattoo artist who thrives on standing out.  Worlds collide as the two decide what is truly permanent.

What is Permanent?
Always on the outside looking in, accountant, Lindsay Stevens, has calculated her transformation from a small town, nerdy bookkeeper to a sleek, high-powered accountant down to the last penny.  With all her checks finally in balance, she moves to California to start a new life free of her embarrassing past she never wants revealed.
As Hollywood's hottest tattoo artist, Shane Elliott thrives on standing out.  Charismatic and free of commitments, he travels through life with a wink and a smile, hiding the letters he receives from the IRS as if they don't exist.  Now with bills to pay and tax collectors breathing down his back, for the first time in his life Shane can't charm his way out of his situation.  However, when his new neighbor literally falls into his life, he knows he has struck gold once again.
Though Lindsay tries to keep her distance, she suddenly finds herself trying to hide her true self as she thrust into a world she doesn't think she belongs, but can't resist.  In his good-time life, Shane  must discover there is more to life than a party if he wants something more.
With their lives intertwined, the two must learn accept each other, themselves and their love.
Worlds collide as they decide what is truly permanent.
Permanent is the first book in the Indelibly Marked Series that follows the lives and loves of those surrounding Permanent Tattoo.

Book Links


 


An entire entourage, including a few people she didn’t know had joined in her search party, but she could only focus on Shane as he guided her into the driveway and sprinted to her car.
She barely threw the transmission in park before Shane opened the door and practically got inside with her. Though she wanted to protest, or tell him he was making too big of a thing out of it, her body disobeyed and she wrapped her arms around his neck. This time she denied herself nothing and purposely leaned in and took a big long whiff of his soap. She was done for. “Oh God.”
“We’re never going to do that to Shane again, are we?” He leaned in and kissed her lightly on the cheek, grazing the corner of her mouth.
She didn’t realize she’d held her breath until her lungs demanded air and she gasped and grabbed Shane’s leg. When her hand grazed across his jeans, she swore she’d never felt anything quite so supple and pliable, a well-worn fine nap not unlike the most expensive velvet beneath her fingertips. Beneath his jeans she could clearly make out the definition of his toned thigh. The contrast of textures overloaded her senses.  “Did you know the 5 freeway and the Golden State freeway are the same?”
He chuckled but didn’t move away from her. In fact, his dark blue eyes stared so intently that she studied his arm tattoos. One thing about Shane was that every part of him was interesting to look at.
“Why were you on the 5?”
“I was trying to get back from Orange County.” She admitted it like she’d committed a felony, and stared at his forearm. His smooth skin gave him the perfect showcase to display his personal artwork. Without really thinking, she touched his arm and used her nail to trace one of the leafy vines that trailed and curled around his forearm. “I’m sorry, it was for work.”
“What did you think of it?”
“I thought it was very repetitive.” She took in a black panther’s paw. The tattoos were all part of him and her mouth dried, causing her voice to sound strained. “Why was Orange County off limits?” Her finger made it around the back of the panther, and then almost as if she awakened from her trance, she stopped.
Shane put his hand over hers. “Finish.”
“Why didn’t you want me to go to Orange County?” She looked up at his face, his focus clearly on her hand and she allowed her finger to resume its trek.
“I didn’t want you to like it there.”
Her hand made it back to where it started and she shook her head. “Everything there was too much the same.”
“It’s good to like things that are a little less conventional.” His voice lowered.
She licked her lips to impart any moisture she could into her arid mouth. With Shane in her car in front of a tattoo shop in downtown Los Angeles, she doubted her problem was being conventional. Her problem was that she didn’t have the data to deal with the unconventional.
Kim Carmichael began writing eight years ago when her love of happy endings inspired her to create her own.
A Southern California native, Kim's contemporary romance combines Hollywood magic with pop culture to create quirky characters set against some of most unique and colorful settings in the world.
With a weakness for designer purses, bad boys and techno geeks, Kim married her own computer whiz after he proved he could keep her all her gadgets running and finally admitted handbags were an investment.
Kim is a member of the Romance Writers of America, as well as some small specialty chapters.  A multi-published author, Kim's books can be found on Amazon as well as Barnes & Nobel.  From alcohol to makeup to infrared cameras and even scientific lasers studying the atmosphere, Kim has worked in some aspect of sales and marketing for over twenty years.
When not writing, she can usually be found slathered in sunscreen trolling Los Angeles and helping top doctors build their practices.

Author Links



GRAND PRIZE: Permanent totebag filled with Kim's swag & Permanent Trading Cards, an awesome Tattoo Gun necklace and random author SWAG.

RUNNERS-UP: Four (4) runners-up will EACH receive an eBook of choice from Kim's backlist (excluding Permanent), Permanent Trading Cards, misc piece of jewelry and random author SWAG.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Kim Carmichael's PERMANENT Blog Tour   12/30/13 - 2/01/14

12/30 - Night Owl Reviews (Spotlight)  

12/30 - New Adult Addiciton (Spotlight)          

12/30 - Bookin' It Reviews (Spotlight)   

12/30 - Mythical Books       (Spotlight)

12/30 Rose & Beps Blog  (Spotlight)      

12/31 - My Book Chatter (Spotlight)

1/03 - Book Monster Reviews (guest post)

1/03 - Literary Nook  (Spotlight)

1/04 - Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess (Spotlight)

1/06 - Monlatable Book Reviews  (Spotlight)   

1/07 - Books, Books and More Books (Spotlight)

1/10 - Inner Goddess (Spotlight & Review)       

1/11     For the Love of Bookends (Spotlight & Review)          

1/13 - Who's Reviews (Spotlight & Review)                   

1/16 - RomanceJunkies.com (interview)           

1/17 - Recommended Romance    (Spotlight & Review)

1/20 - Darkest Addictions Reviews (Spotlight & Review)      

1/20 - Tome Tender (Guest Post)           

1/21 - Lia's Book Haven     (Interview)

1/22 - Christine's Blog (Spotlight & Review)

1/23 - LITERAL ADDICTION (Spotlight)          

1/24 - CS Maxwell ~ Where's My Muse? (Spotlight)   

1/24 - Offbeat Vagabond (guest post)     

1/27 - Coffee Talk Writers (Spotlight)    

1/28 - Charlene Blogs (excerpt)

2/01 - Rumpled Sheets Blog (Spotlight & Review)

2/01 - Toot's Book Reviews (guest post & spotlight)   

2/01 - Miscellaneous Thoughts of a Bookaholic (Spotlight and Review) http://miscellaneousthoughtsofabookaholic.blogspot.com

2/01 - Delphina Reads Too Much (Spotlight & Review)                     

December 24, 2013

Release Day Blitz with Giveaway ~ Fractured Innocence by Julia Crane






Fractured Innocence
(IFICS #2Freak of Nature)
By Julia Crane
Release Date: December 24, 2013


*Warning 17+ due to sexual gritty topic and language.


Kaitlyn and Erik are sent on a mission to track down Vance Dasvoik, a ruthless monster. His latest thrill—abducting and selling young women.

Vance's current victim: Aaliyah, a seventeen-year-old who never imagined walking her brother home from school one evening would change her life forever.

The mission quickly turns personal for Kaitlyn when she finds Aaliyah beaten, her mind and soul fractured from abuse of the worst kind. Kaitlyn knows firsthand what it's like to be haunted by the past and resolves to bring justice to the elusive Dasvoik.



In the dead of night their boat went unnoticed by the sentries as the current tossed the boat around. If they were like most guards they were probably dozing on the job. But she had to assume they were heavily armed and dangerous. Erik hit the throttle and veered off at the last second bringing the boat back around again, getting as close as possible.

Dim lights glowed from some of the portholes, but most were dark.

Kaitlyn analyzed the wind and gauged the waves before leaping forward, she grabbed ahold of the ladder rung and pulled herself up quickly, climbing with ease. Erik was close on her heels.

Silently Kaitlyn dropped to the floor, and simply stood there watching, listening. Her mind went cold, analytical. She could hear muted voices, footsteps scraping, water dripping, the hum of fluorescent lights. In the distance someone coughed. No one was aware of their presence.

The ship was old, rusty and large. It was 965 foot long and had almost 3,000 shipping containers on it. The captives could be anywhere. Mentally she went over the blue prints seeking out the largest rooms where Dasvoik would most likely sleep. She vectored in a couple of locations.

The stench was overwhelming—rotten food, feces and urine to name a few mixed with the salty air. While her sensors were busy sorting out the different scents, sounds and possible scenarios they could encounter, Kaitlyn panned back and forth scanning the area, taking in the heat sensors.

Several different caution symbols illuminated on her internal screen. Nearby an armed guard stood off to her left. The man was completely unaware he was a breath away from death— if he made the wrong move.

Goodreads



Julia crane is the author of the Coexist: Keegan’s Chronicles. She has a bachelors degree in criminal justice. Julia has believed in magical creatures since the day her grandmother first told her an Irish tale. Growing up her mother greatly encouraged reading and using your imagination. Although she’s spent most of her life on the US east coast, she currently lives in Dubai with her husband and three children.

Amazon
Facebook Author Page
Goodreads
Blog/Website
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Fractured Innocence Schedule




For your chance to win an ecopy of Fractured Innocence by Julia Crane, please leave a comment on each Blog Page participating in the Release.


December 23, 2013

Book Blast and Giveaway ~ Layers Deep by Lacey Silks


Layers Deep
Author:
Lacey Silks

Genre:
Erotic Romance

Categories:
 M/F with HEA ending

Release Date: December 4, 2013

Publisher: MyLit Publishing

Format:
eBook (paperback TBA)

He needs her to save a friend.
She needs him to plan her revenge.
Their pasts scar them Layers Deep.
Their passion distracts them...
...and distractions can be fatal.

Tristan Cross is battling emotional demons from the past. He lives in a world where trust is earned, loyalties are tested, and love is impossible. That is, until he meets Allie Green. She’s the only woman who can help him find a kidnapped friend and to top it off, she captivates him. All he has to do now is persuade her to work for Cross Enterprises, his top investigations firm.

Allie Green is a rookie cop seeking revenge and she’s willing to sell her soul to get it. When an opportunity to use Tristan Cross presents itself so does the time for payback. As her vengeance boils her blood she can’t keep her mind off her new boss and Allie finds it difficult to keep her employment professional. With the mouth watering Tristan Cross distracting her, she struggles to prioritize an undercover job she’s been assigned and her hunger for revenge.

And when you’re ready to give up your life to save someone else, distractions can be fatal.
Note: This book is the first part of a Trilogy that is designed to be read in order. Tristan and Allie will get their happy ending but not until book 2. This book contains a cliff hanger ending you will not expect. A prequel to the series which can be read alone is Dazzled by Silver.

Warning: This title contains erotic situations, and graphic language. Intended for adult audience 18+.

Available at:  Amazon / Kobo / Barnes&Noble / Smashwords


My feet pressed to the floor as the elevator lifted against gravity. Tristan turned, facing me. His sultry stare bore through my body, and I felt my back press against the mirrored wall.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. He wasn’t supposed to hold power over me; no man ever had. I was a cop. A strong cop who wasn’t swayed by crying mothers, cute puppies, or gorgeous hunks speeding in their Ferraris, offering everything they owned and more. But I was also a woman – and to Tristan, my body responded of its own accord. I felt my breasts swell and I wished I’d worn a dress with a larger top: one that could hold the twins in better. Tristan didn’t seem to mind.

“So, what will two thousand dollars buy me, sweetheart?”

Even if we were playing, I had a feeling this was going to be one hell of an interview—one of the best ones I’d ever had.

“Whatever you want.” I wondered how far he’d go, and how far I’d allow him to go. I already knew what he wanted. My instincts were solid, especially the hormonal ones. My body had secretly ached for his touch since he’d walked into the auditorium. And that one deep kiss we’d shared in his car was like a teasing spoonful of chocolate cake. I craved chocolate cake; and not just a bite.

And before I could say another word, Tristan crushed his mouth to mine, possessing it like he owned me, spreading my lips apart with his needy tongue. The hint of scotch still lingered in his mouth. And at this moment, he did own me. Every. Single. Piece of me.

His grip on my wrists above my head would have normally enraged me. But tonight I wasn’t a cop, and his strong and demanding fingers wrapped around my hands like cuffs, burning me with a long-forgotten yearning.
The force of his lips devoured mine, his tongue exploring my mouth. The few moans that escaped me, Tristan swallowed. I had no room to breathe and found hardly enough strength to stand on my legs.
He let go of my mouth and trailed his lips along my jaw to my cheek and ear before lowering down my neck, pinning me against the wall. Oh, God, he felt so good against my body. Everything inside me twisted and tightened and released in unbearable pulses between my thighs. I breathed him in, the oak smell of his scotch imprinted in his skin and in his hair.

The elevator halted and Tristan jolted up as if he’d just realized what he’d done. He searched my eyes with his as if asking permission to go on. And for the first time tonight, doubt crept in. He leaned his forehead against mine.

“We can’t do this. I’m your employee,” I whispered into his mouth. But inside, I laughed at my own unconvincing words, feeling the heat between my legs penetrate my dampened panties.
The open elevator door chimed the second time.

“Your body says we can.” He cupped my engorged breasts, one in each hand, squeezing them in slow motion, feeling their full weight.

I held my breath, pushing my chest into his palms, filling them.

He looked straight into my eyes. “And you’re not hired until the morning.”

This time, his mouth took my lips slowly. The forceful tongue softened, teasing my gums, and I couldn’t get enough of his taste as he guided me into his apartment. We never broke our kiss and I couldn’t remember when my arms wrapped around his neck and fingers weaved through his silky hair. Tristan’s hands slid down my body and under my skirt, scrunching it up to my waist, and I felt him smile against my mouth.

“You’re prepared.” His palm covered the hand gun in a holster strapped to my thigh.

“You never know what weirdo you’ll run into on the street.”

He laughed, pulling the buckle open. Tristan set my piece aside on the table.

“What else are you hiding there?” He drew his finger along my brow, looking deep into my eyes. And for a moment I thought he could see everything, including my soul.

“Things I can never forget.” Did I just say that?

“I want to help you forget, for tonight at least.” The comfort and understanding in his eyes struck me deep inside. But behind those deep amber-like gems there was also pain. I wasn’t the only one hurting. Whatever had happened to Tristan must have been bad. Perhaps he was scarred as deep as I was? Had he ever allowed anyone to see what was hidden, layers deep inside his heart? I wondered what secrets he held and whether he’d share them.

“I’m going to fuck you now.” His voice thickened with lust as his fingers gripped the lace panties on my ass. The way he’d said this so nonchalantly comforted me. Like it was something we both needed and wanted.
A fuck to forget.

“If that’s what two thousand dollars buys, fuck away.” When I looked into his eyes, Tristan understood completely.
Tightening his grip, he lifted me up and seized my mouth. I wrapped my legs around his waist, my arms holding onto his upper body. Tristan carried me across his apartment, but I couldn’t remember a single detail about the place, except the faint smell of scotch, manly musk, and Tristan.
I loved smelling him.

His lips felt so good and natural against my mouth, just as it had when he’d kissed me that first time in the car. I’d dreamt about that luscious kiss every night. But this was much better than a dream, because his lips were warm and real. His bulging arms and flexing muscles as he carried me so effortlessly pulsed under my body. I wasn’t sure when he’d laid me down on the bed, or removed my skirt, panties, or even the top, because the next time he pulled away from my mouth and I looked up, I was naked, in a faintly lit bedroom, propped on my elbows, watching Tristan remove his jeans and shirt.


Lacey is an Author of Erotic Romance. Her stories come from her life, dreams and fantasies. She’s a happily married wife with two kids. Lacey likes to make her readers blush and experience the story as if they were the characters. Drawing on the reader’s most sensitive emotions through realistic stories satisfies her more than… …ok not really, but you get the point;) She likes a pinkish shade on a woman’s cheeks, men with large feet and sexy lingerie-especially when it’s torn off the body. Her favorite piece of clothing is a ‘birthday suit’.

Connect with Lacey:



GRAND PRIZE:   $25 Amazon gift card


2ND PLACE:   a book thong and an eBook of the prequel to Layers Deep titled "Dazzled by Silver".

 

2 RUNNERS-UP:  will each receive an eBook of the prequel to Layers Deep titled "Dazzled by Silver".

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