Cover Reveal and Amazon Freebie ~ Cedar Hollow by Tracey Smith

Cedar Hollow by Tracey Smith
has had a cover update and to celebrate, it's currently free!

Cassidy St. Claire still wasn't sure what she'd been hoping to find when she began the search for her birth parents, but all she’d uncovered was a bunch of death certificates and one ailing great-uncle who’d finally kicked the bucket last week. Since Cassidy is the last surviving member of the family that means his estate, a small seaside bed and breakfast in New Hampshire, has been left to her. An odd stipulation in his Will requires that she appear in person to inherit the property. Cassidy isn't very hopeful that this weekend trip will lead to anything more than a momentary distraction from her busy life, and an excuse to take her convertible for a long drive up the coast.

She certainly isn't prepared for Mr. Tall Handsome and Brooding; Ben Riley has been running the bed and breakfast for the last several years, and he is definitely less than welcoming. His instant dislike for her is staggering, but his penetrating green eyes burn with a dangerous mixture of hostility and attraction.

Within days of her arrival an attempt is made on her life and then another. Suddenly Cassidy finds herself trying to unravel the mysteries of the past, while outrunning the dangers of the present and finally turning to the strong, protective arms of Ben Riley and a future she'd never imagined. 

**FREE** Amazon Purchase Link

*note: book was free at time of blogpost*

Cover Reveal and Giveaway ~ Beautiful Failure

Title: Beautiful Failure

Author: Mariah Cole

Genre: New Adult Romance

Expected Release Date: December 12, 2013

YouTube Video Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D61-vaYmKfU

Synopsis

If you're looking for a heartwarming story about a girl who falls deeply in love with a troubled boy who changes her life— a sob story with pretty metaphors and a million ways that'll tell you how "broken" she is, STOP. Don't read another word of this. I'm not that type of girl. My name is Emerald Anderson and I'm not going to bullshit you: I flunked out of college after my sophomore year, I've been fired from every job I've ever taken, and I've never had a fully functioning relationship in my life. I wish I could say that I had a cheerleader in my corner, someone who says, "No, Emerald—You're great and you are good at something!" but I don't. My grandparents are completely oblivious to my life, and my mother's dying words to me were "You're going to end up just like me one day. A beautiful nothing." She was right. As I decide to start my life over and take two jobs that will forever change me--one from the inside, and one from the outside, I keep my mother's words close to my heart so I can keep the sexy and mysterious Carter Black away. He's the first man who's ever pursued me, the first man who seems bent on finding out why I am the way I am, but he's wasting his time. I'm not broken. I don't need to be fixed. I'm perfectly fine being a beautiful failure..

Prologue

*subject to change before publication*

My mother was a whore. Her name was Leah Isabelle Anderson—“Leah Belle” for short, and she was one of New Jersey’s most sought after escorts. With deep green eyes that could take any man’s breath away, and skin so porcelain and smooth that it looked too perfect to touch, she was breathtakingly beautiful. Often compared to a supermodel, her raven black hair fell past her shoulders, and her naturally long eyelashes were always coifed to perfection. Growing up, I had no idea what she did with the men who picked her up in their shiny and expensive cars—the men who wore thousand dollar suits and patted me on the head while saying, “Your mom is really something special.” In a way, these strangers became the closest thing I had to a family since I never knew my father: Her regulars, Christian and William, sent me gifts every Christmas. Arnie bought me my first bike, Steve taught me how to change a tire, and her most ruthless suitor—Vincent, took me shopping for designer clothes once a month. Leah Belle—she never ever let me call her “mom,” wasn’t exactly a mother to me; she was more like an older friend. An older ‘I’ll-be-there-when-it’s-convenient’ friend. She missed every elementary school play, every middle school writing competition, and never gave a damn about my grades. At first, the involuntary loneliness bothered me, but after I created an army of invisible friends and easily accessible fantasies, I came to terms with her neglect and happily accepted any attention she was willing to give me. When I became a teenager, she started to hang around me more often—promising that she would do better, promising that she would make sure that “from here on out, [we’d] be best friends.” Since she’d run away from her parents after having me at sixteen, she made a point to never lecture or discipline me. But, she did teach me three very important lessons: 1.) “Always put tons of effort into the way you look. You need to be beautiful on the outside, no matter how fucked up you are on the inside. If you ever feel sad or depressed, suck that shit up and add more mascara.” 2.) “Don’t make friends. Make sponsors. If you can’t get anything out of someone or use them for a specific purpose, kick that person out of your life ASAP.” 3.) “Beauty wins over brains every time. Your body will always be your most important asset. Remember that.” For my fourteenth birthday, she poured me my first shot and offered me a short line of coke, saying, “Welcome to life, Em!” I shook my head at the coke—I’d read about the effects, but I happily took the red shot glass from her hand. “To the best fuckin’ daughter in the world!” She lifted her glass in the air, waiting for me to do the same, and then she ordered me to toss it back. The initial burning sensation was painful—disgusting, but in the years to come, that bitterness tasted better and better, and I looked forward to the two of us drinking together. It was the only time that she gave me her undivided attention. In those moments, I would tell her about another writing competition I’d won or how I’d received more early college scholarships. When it was her turn, she would tell me about “turning tricks” like other parents told their kids about a day at the office. “I can’t tell you how weak Ben’s dick was today,” she’d say. “I mean, I feel like I should be charging him double for the weak ass fucks he puts me through.” “You don’t enjoy it with him? Ever?” I’d ask. “No. Never with him. But he’s a sponsor, I’m getting his money, and that’s all that matters. I just lie there, scratch his back, and say ‘Harder… Harder’ to make him think I’m into it until—” “Until he cums?” “Yep.” She’d pass me a cigarette before sighing. “With him and a few others, I usually have to take a few shots beforehand to numb my mind. With the really good ones, all I have to do is relax. Sex can be fucking incredible when it’s done right…” One particular Friday, after she let one of her regulars take me shopping for a Chanel bag, I unlocked the door to our home and saw droplets of blood all over the floor. “Leah?” I set my shopping bag down. “Did you get another nose bleed?” No answer. I headed into the kitchen, looking for her usual remedies—hot tea and Q tips, but she wasn’t there. “You here?” I walked around our living room and checked all the rooms upstairs. Confused, I pulled out my cell phone and called her. No answer again. I shrugged and opened a bottle of vodka, tossing back a few shots. I figured she’d left with one of her sponsors for a quickie and would be back by the time our favorite show started. I decided to take a shower before it came on and headed into the downstairs bathroom. The second I hit the lights, my heart fell out of my chest. I wanted to believe that what I was seeing was simply a sick joke by my imagination—a twisted fantasy I’d snap out of in seconds. Pale and blue, Leah’s body lay lifeless in our tub. Her left arm was dangling over the edge, and the small velvet bag where she kept her cocaine was dangling from her fingertips. Scattered across the floor were hundreds of prescription pills and empty orange bottles that bore the names of strangers. On the vanity, there was an empty syringe and a folded note that read “For my Em…” Trembling, I rushed to her side and pressed my finger against her neck, hoping for a pulse. Nothing. I tilted her head back and tried to breathe life into her—pressing her chest with my hands every few seconds, but it was no use. She was gone. I sank down to the floor in tears—cursing her, hating her, for doing this to me. To us. I had no friends to call, no family either, so in my numb and dazed state I somehow managed to call 9-1-1. While the operator attempted to calm me down by asking me to take deep breaths, I walked over to the vanity and unfolded Leah’s last note:

Em,

I know you’re confused right now, but I want you to know that I love you. I love you so fucking much… You were the only thing that made my life worth living, and I wish I was strong enough to keep that in mind…

I’m not.

I’m tired of living a lie and I haven’t been happy in a very long time… I just can’t take it anymore…

I’ve fucked up a lot of things in my life, but the biggest regret I have is the way I raised you…I’m so sorry… This is going to be hard for you to believe—especially since I’m gone, but I need you to forget all that shit I taught you. Right now.

Fuck using your looks to get what you want. Go to college and do some good shit with your life, like write or something. You’re a good writer, you’re very smart, and you need to use your brain to get ahead. Can you promise to do that for me, Em?

Then again…It’s probably too late and I’m willing to bet that you’ll end up just like me: A beautiful nothing…

It won’t be your fault though. It’ll be—

I stopped reading and flushed that note down the toilet. Her last words were clearly written out of sadness and they were only compounding my pain. As far as I was concerned, Leah had raised me the best she could and she was far from a “beautiful nothing” in my eyes. In fact, I cherished every single thing she’d taught me. Even though I was beyond hurt that she’d selfishly left me all alone, I was determined to remember her at her best and for everything she was to me: My mother. My best friend. My role model.

About the Author

Mariah Cole is a Starbucks addict (hazelnut shots please!), New Adult author, and an incessant daydreamer. Known for pushing the envelope, she’s an avid reader of indie books and is always looking to chat with readers and authors alike.

Connect with Mariah

Author Goodreads | Author Facebook | Beautiful Failure Goodreads

Giveaway

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Cover Reveal and Giveaway ~ Lick by Kylie Scott

Lick by Kylie Scott
has received a brand spanking new cover and I'm so happy to be able to share it with you!
(and check out the giveaway at the bottom of this post!)

Title: Lick (Stage Dive #1)
Author: Kylie Scott
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release: Available Now
Add to Goodreads

Waking up in Vegas was never meant to be like this.

Evelyn Thomas's plans for celebrating her twenty-first birthday in Las Vegas were big. Huge. But she sure as hell never meant to wake up on the bathroom floor with a hangover to rival the black plague, a very attractive half-naked tattooed man, and a diamond on her finger large enough to scare King Kong. Now if she could just remember how it all happened.

One thing is for certain, being married to rock and roll's favourite son is sure to be a wild ride.
(My review here)

Amazon Purchase Link

About the author

Kylie is a long time fan of love stories, rock n roll and B-grade horror films. She demands a happy ending and if blood and carnage occur along the way then all the better. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and one delightful husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet.

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

  

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~ Do What You Love ~

"I use Grammarly for english proofreading because even though I speak english, I can't always spell it!"

Not everyone has the luxury to do what they love. Plenty of people, even well in to adulthood, still don't know what it is they want to do, let alone love to do.

I love to read, always have, and when I was 17 I read my first Harlequin Mills & Boon romance and fell in love. After reading mostly great books by great authors, I did come across a few ‘stinkers’, and that’s when I first had the idea that I could do this. I wanted to write romance novels!

Now that wasn’t the first time I’d ever considered writing. At 15, I planned to study photography and journalism and had hopes of traveling the world, interviewing famous people, and covering outbreaks of war in far off places! Long story short – I dropped out of high school a year later and, so my dreams of photo-journalism were never realised.

At age 19, I decided to sit down with my electric typewriter (those were the days!) and hammer out approx 30, 000 words that I thought were pretty good back then. On reflection, not so much, and they will never see the light of day! 

Fast forward to mid 2011, and I’m a busy wife and mum to three daughters. I work evenings cleaning my local medical centre, and I read whenever I can, but I have this desire - to write something, anything. And that’s when I discovered book blogs. Places where people could freely voice their opinions on books, write all sorts of book related posts, rants, raves, reviews – pure joy!

So, I’ve been doing this blogging thing awhile now, sometimes with great success, other times, not so much. But it’s always evolving, changing shape, becoming something more.

At the moment, the blog is a little neglected. I’m behind with reviews (when am I not!) I’ve not posted any new content in a while. I’m behind with my promo spots, my author spotlights, my everything!

But my kids have been sick, one of them requiring weekly medical checkups.
I’ve been unwell.
It’s the end of the school year, and things are hectic.
I’m now working part time as an author’s assistant (best job ever!)
And who doesn’t need time off from time-to-time?!

But hopefully things can get back on track, because blogging is what I love to do, and if I can’t write books, I’ll write about them!

Do you know what you want to do?

What do you love?

 

Cover Reveal ~ WILD by Adriane Leigh

Title: Wild

Author: Adriane Leigh

Expected Release Date: December 13, 2013

Genre: Erotic Romance

Hosted by: Love Between the Sheets

About the Book

Kat Kennedy moved to the rugged coast of Maine to start a new life, but encountered much more than she bargained for in dark, dangerous, and seductive Lane Wild… Desire and temptation smolder before she succumbs to her darkest fantasies with the captivating stranger. She doesn't expect to see him again after an explosive one-night stand leaves her breathless and craving more, but just like lightning in the darkness, he shows up in her life at the most unpredictable moments. A sensual game of cat and mouse ensues before the attraction between them reaches a fever pitch—the magnetism combustible, the sexual tension nearly unbearable—and Kat finally abandons inhibition and explores the cunning, selfish, and sexual side of a world she's never known. They have the perfect non-relationship—passion-fueled nights with no strings attached—until lifegets real and the past and present collide in a dangerous storm of lust and obsession.

Prologue

Sunday morning and I felt like ass. Complete an total bullshit ass. Worst hangover of my entire fucking existence. I stepped through the doors of my small cottage on the beach and headed straight for the bathroom. I needed to get the awful taste of alcohol out of my mouth. I hadn’t gotten so fall-down drunk since I was in high school. That graduation party that Jenny Gordon had had when we drank vodka and juice and I made out with her brother. Every time I closed my eyes that night I saw stars. Actual stars spinning behind my eyelids. I stepped into the bathroom and assessed myself in the mirror. My cheeks: hollow. My hair: a wild mess, tangled around my shoulders. Dark circles under my eyes and a smudge of mascara rimmed beneath my eyelashes. I looked like hell and I felt like hell, and the actual worst part about it was it wasn’t just me there to witness it. Here I was, stumbling in at six am, fresh from crawling out of someone else’s bed. What a shit storm I’d created last night. His wild dark hair and sexy grin slammed into my brain. He’d driven me to distraction at the bar last night. I’d only been in town a few weeks, and I’d stopped in for just one drink. I was keeping to myself, but I couldn’t help but notice his beautiful face and body made for sin throwing darts with a few other guys. His laugh was full and hearty and echoed across the room garnering everyone's attention. The women fawned over him and the guys hung out with him; he was the most popular guy in the pace, commanding the attention of all. And even when I was trying to divert my eyes I couldn’t help but sneak glances. So I'd had another drink and pretended not to watch that devilishly handsome grin light his face. “Can I buy you a drink?” he asked. The breath caught in my throat when I turned to look at him. He looked at me with a sexy sparkle in his endlessly deep, arctic blue eyes. His full lips turned up in a seductive grin. He was so much fucking trouble, I could see it pouring off him. If I hadn’t suspected it before when he was flirting with all the girls in the place, It was obvious now that I was in his space. But unfortunately for me I so liked being there. “Thanks.” I nodded my head and turned back to my drink because there was nothing else I could say. He slid onto the bar stool beside me and nodded to the bartender. “Haven’t seen you before, passing through?” his deep voice reverberated across the space between us and slammed straight between my thighs. He had the sexiest voice I’d ever heard. How was it possible for one man to be so sexy? To be so blessed with the entire package? A sharp stubbled jaw line, the fullest lips that had me wondering what they’d feel like trailing across my body, stunning eyes that sparkled mischievously when he spoke. It was obvious he left intelligent women everywhere struggling to find words. “New, yes. Thanks.” I smiled as the bartender set our drinks down. I don’t remember much from that point on. Well that's not true, I remember bits and pieces, the most delicious parts. His hands ran up under my shirt as he pinned me against the door of his truck. His lips on my neck, teeth nipping at the flesh. Stumbling up the steps to his house, his body slamming me against the front door, hands locked above my head as one of his palms trailed up my thigh and under my dress to hook my leg around his hip. A thumb hooking in the delicate lace of my panties before his fingers breach the fabric and run up my soaking wet length. My body writhing against his as he sucked on my earlobe, his fingers working in an out of me before my first orgasm bloomed low in my belly and shot across every nerve I had. He opened the door and we stumbled into his house, making it just to the foyer before he kicked the door closed and laid me down on the floor, his hard body hovering over mine, caging me in. The sound of a zipper as he pushed the jeans down his powerful thighs. His rough hands trailing up my legs and over my ribcage before pulling the dress over my shoulders. Fingers hooking in my pushup bra and pulling the fabric down to reveal the hardened peaks of my nipples. Teeth dragging across the sensitive flesh as he slides between my thighs and teases his arousal through my slick folds. The low growl that escaped his throat as my nails dug into the hard muscle of his back and dragged across his skin. My second orgasm in as many minutes as he ground his hips between my thighs and fucked me so hard the only words that escaped my lips were, “Oh, God.” Oh, I remembered plenty. But the most mortifying of my walk of shame this morning was the realization that I still hadn’t caught his name. 

About the Author

 
Adriane Leigh was born and raised in a snowbank in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and now lives amongst the sand dunes of the Lake Michigan lakeshore. She graduated with a Literature degree but never particularly enjoyed reading Shakespeare or Chaucer. Adriane is married to a tall, dark and handsome guy, plays mama to two sweet baby girls, and is a voracious reader and knitter.
 

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Book Review ~ Dead Chaos by T.G. Ayer

Title: DEAD CHAOS (Valkyrie #3)
Release Date: 30 Oct 2013
Add on Goodreads
Purchase at Amazon US

Valkyrie Bryn Halbrook is broken and damaged...

Struggling to accept the loss of her wings, Bryn's not sure if she can be a real Valkyrie anymore. But when a mysterious prophecy claims she will be the reason the All-Father dies, she is determined to ensure the prediction will not come to pass.

A visit to the three fates who live beneath the great Tree of life, sends Bryn racing against time to find the missing Heimdall and his horn. As Odin's life hangs in the balance and Ragnarok draws ever closer, Bryn has to find a way to save Heimdall and Odin before she can discover the truth about who she really is.

In the thrilling conclusion of the Valkyrie series Bryn must battle not only the formidable frost giants and the hated God Loki, but she must also find a balance between what she will lose and what she will gain.

My Thoughts
 
I have waited so long to finally see how this amazing journey would come to an end and I wasn’t disappointed; Dead Chaos is full of emotional turmoil.

Right from the very start, the reader is thrown into the horrific crimes of hate that have been thrust upon Bryn; and yet the ever strong and stoic heroine is pushed to her very limits and still manages to think about how the people she cares about feel. Her friends and their safety are always of utmost importance to her – I love Bryn!

This really is a ‘not-to-be-missed’ story.
Love, hate, adventure, mystery, love, angst and a whole lot of soul searching culminates into the most addictive story of Valkyrie and Norse Mythology I’ve read to date. I knew the conclusion to this series would be epic but exactly how epic, well it blew my mind.
 
So many twists and turns, surprises and shocks, but I have to keep my lips sealed – no spoilers here!!
(But I did have to keep the tissues close pretty much throughout)

A tear jerker, a fun and complex quest, and an unexpected and fitting ending all make Dead Chaos one of my favorite books!
5 Stars

Promo Post ~ Trust Me? by K E Osborn

Trust Me?
The Trust Me? Trilogy
by K E Osborn
is now available for purchase for $2.99 until November 30^th 2013 at Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.

For Amazon and kindle

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F0G6JRW

You can download from smashwords in the following formats:

Epub for iPads, Nook, Sony Reader, Kobo etc.

Kindle for Kindle devices.

PDF for the computer.

Smashwords

This book is for mature audiences 18+ It contains explicit language and sexual content.

Jenifer Taylor is content with her life, dull and boring as it is. Being absent from the dating scene means she doesn’t have to deal with the major trust issues she has with men that stem from a controlling and aggressive ex-boyfriend and an absentee father. She’s happy being alone, sharing her life with her friends and family.

When Jeni starts a typical day in the big city of Mornington Vale, California, it turns from bad to worse when she’s involved in a chain collision on her way to work.

Her world changes forever that day because she meets Aiden O’Connell, the billionaire son of Alistair O’Connell, who owns Mornington Vale’s largest financial corporation. Aiden is an up-and-coming young businessman who's ready to take on the vice presidency of his father’s company. He is the good son, and it’s imperative to Alistair that Aiden succeed and follow in his footsteps. Life for Aiden involves working hard and not much else.

After the accident, however, Aiden’s world changes as well. He finds Jeni irresistible and instantly pursues her. With some coaxing, she eventually agrees to a date, and the attraction is mutual.

Jeni finds love quickly with Aiden, but trusting him is another issue. When to trust is tested in many different ways but comes to a head when Aiden is investigated for a serious crime. As her trust issues spark, she is forced to go through a journey of self-discovery.

She must decide once and for all whether she trusts the man she loves when she’s asked the ultimate question: “Do you trust me?”

This is book one in a series of three. Book two "Love Me?" is coming soon.

K E Osborn 

~~~~*~~~~

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