Monday, 16 June 2014

A Love Discovered by Ella Jade




When they met, love was the last thing they were looking to discover…

Local bar owner Cali Tate has always been trendy, easy-going, and impulsive. She isn't afraid to take chances, but her carefree attitude may have put her restaurant in jeopardy. Her failing business is beginning to take a toll on her, both mentally and financially. When her best friend asks her to do a favor and take some books to the town's reclusive professor Cali welcomes the distraction. To her surprise, the sexy professor is nothing like she had pictured him.

Dr. Carter Stavros wants to be left alone. He's set in his ways and doesn't want to be bothered with the outside world. Wanting to escape the demons of his recent past, he moved to Steeple, taking a sabbatical from his teaching job to write a book. He wasn't prepared for the spunky, persistent bar owner to invade his life. But the more she pushes, the more intrigued he becomes.

Neither one of them expected to find any common ground, much less fall in love. What happens when an OCD professor collides with a risk-taking woman who won't take 'no' for an answer?

Content Warning: contains graphic sex and mature content



I'm excited to announce the release of A Love Discovered. If you've read A Love Stolen you've met Cali. See how the sassy bar owner discovers love with a sexy, domineering professor.



After lunch, another hour of conversation, and a long swim, Cali lounged on the chair by the pool. Her shoulder-length blonde hair dried naturally and curled at the ends. Carter watched as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the afternoon sun. Her tanned skin glistened with sunscreen and her tiny bikini was almost dry. He wondered how many hours of intense workouts created a body like hers.

"Are you admiring me again?" she asked with her eyes still closed.

"How many tattoos do you have?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" She giggled.

"I would."

As improper as it was, he couldn't take his gaze away from her right nipple. The evidence straining against her damp bikini indicated a piercing of some sort. He'd never been more fascinated by anyone before. Throughout the years he'd seen quite a few attractive young women on campus, but he never acted on impulse when it came to students, no matter how tempting. Cali wasn't a student. She was a quirky, attractive woman who was very much in touch with her sexuality. She turned him on. He wanted to explore with her.

"Four."

He sat on the edge of the lounge chair, taking her right ankle into his hand. "Here." He outlined the small butterfly that permanently marked her skin.

"That's one." She opened her eyes when he trailed his hand up her leg and to her hip.

It had been years since he had pursued a woman. He'd gotten married when he was twenty-four and stayed faithful through the whole fourteen years of that turbulent relationship.

"Two." He swept his fingers over the pink-and-purple-colored rose petals sprinkled along her hip.

"Keep going."

He took her hand in his and examined more rose petals on the inside of her wrist. "Do they hold significance?" He traced his fingertips over the tattoo, indulging in her smooth skin beneath his touch. The way her flesh prickled in response instigated his actions.

"I like roses." She sat up, placed her legs across his lap, and leaned closer to his face. "My mother had the most beautiful rose bushes in our backyard." She pushed her hair to the side and tilted her neck. "Four."

"It's exquisite," he mumbled as he took in the ivy that started at her collarbone and flowed down the back of her shoulder blade.

"I wouldn't have pegged you for a man who likes ink on his woman."

"I'm not usually." He ran his thumb from the start of the tattoo to where it ended on her back. He wanted to feel every inch of her forbidden flesh. She shivered when he stopped. "It goes back to those boundaries you don't have."

Reaching out, she placed her palm on his cheek, directing him closer to her lips. "The question is…" She brushed her mouth against his chin. "Do you have enough for both of us?"


Enter for your chance to win an eBook copy of Book One in the series. A Love Stolen...


Can time forgive the mistakes of the past?

After a six year absence, Lila Crofton has returned to her hometown of Steeple to bury her father. Hopefully she can avoid Trevor Matheson, her ex-boyfriend, long enough to take care of her business and get back to the city. With everything she's dealing with the last thing she needs is to run into the man who betrayed her and broke her heart.

Recently divorced Sheriff Trevor Matheson is picking up the pieces of his life. When his high school sweetheart, Lila, returns to Steeple, Trevor sees it as a sign. He's getting over a failed marriage and she's grieving the loss of her dad. They need one another. The timing couldn't be more perfect. But can they move past the events that tore them apart six years ago?

Is there a second chance in their future, or is their stolen love gone forever?







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Wednesday, 28 May 2014

Gods and Gladiators by Jaye Shields - Review



Blurb


When the Olympian Gods contest that the Romans aren’t nearly as mighty as they think they are, Ares, the God of War, is the first one to prove it by spending a month as a Roman. Ares arrives in Rome as a Gladiator, thrilled to have a human body in which to kick some ass. His first chance at Gladiator glory is to reenact the slaughter of the Sabines but when Ares spots a beautiful slave with eyes blazing with courage, he refuses to tear through the defenseless prisoners.

Eirana of the Gauls is only one of hundreds of women taken as slaves by the Romans. Weaponless and starved for days, she’s forced into the coliseum to be symbolically massacred. She’s seen the infamous Gladiators in action enough to know there will be no mercy. But then something incredible happens, one Gladiator chooses to protect the defenseless women. He claims to be a God, but he bleeds just like a human.

Eirana is the most incredible being Ares has ever seen. With only a month in the human realm, the God refuses to leave until knowing she is safe. But if he can conquer the Romans keeping her as a slave, will his heart still be able to let her go?

Amazon

My Review


I love ancient Rome, I love mythology, and Jaye managed to bring the two together in an intense, thrilling romance that kept me captivated from the first page. This was one of those rare books where I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen next right up until the very last page. The romance that blossoms between Ares and Eirana was both sweet and sensual, and totally addictive. Jaye managed to create a true hero who leapt right off the page, and a heroine who was brave, and who’s back story really plucked away at the heart strings. A really great book, I loved everything about this. More please Jaye!

Tuesday, 27 May 2014

Want to see what I've got in store for you this summer?

Firstly, I'm so sorry for the silence! I know that apart from posting the odd review and promotion, you haven't heard much from me for, well, far too long. Mostly it's because my personal life has been so very busy I hardly seem to have time to get near my laptop to do anything writing related these days. However, you'll be glad to know that when I have had a spare hour here and there, I was busy writing! I have a stand alone, hot summer read coming your way in August called Let It Burn, coming of course from my favourite publisher Beachwalk Press. Want to see the cover?


Told you it was hot ;) watch this space and I'll post a blurb and excerpt soon!

Monday, 26 May 2014

Sexual Politics - Review

 
Is the scandal worth it? Only she can answer that.

For two years Justine Hubbard has played the supportive wife role for her husband in public...and nowhere else. Senator Gary Hubbard’s philandering ended her love for him. But sometimes there are reasons people decide to maintain the illusion of a happy marriage when the relationship is over.

Living a lie until after the election wasn’t an issue—until she met Sean O’Donnell. She can’t fool the perceptive photographer. He understands her. He wants her. After feeling invisible to her husband, that’s an intoxicating discovery. But having condemned her husband for his hushed affairs, it would be hypocritical to give in to her desire for Sean.

All it would take is a whisper of scandal for her husband’s political enemies to bring him down. She wouldn’t dream of sacrificing Gary’s career, their causes, and her own good name. But how can she stay away from Sean now that she’s fallen for him?

 

Excerpt


The senator put his arm around his wife while she stood, frozen, her smile brittle on the edges. “Justine is a big patron of the arts. I’m glad she found someone interesting to talk to tonight. She hates these functions.”

Sean smiled tightly, noting her discomfort. “She’s not the only one.”

“Yes, well…” The senator rubbed his hands together. “The sooner I get out of here, the sooner I can get home.”

Sean felt the next perfunctory kiss was for his benefit. His heart went out to her.

“Don’t wait up,” the senator said to his wife.

One more insincere handshake with Sean and the man was gone.

She seemed to shrink, as if letting go of the tension took an inch off her height. “I think he forgot to call for my car.”

“I’m just about to leave. Would you like to share a cab?”

The corner of her mouth twitched and she nodded, her lovely hazel eyes shining, though not a tear fell.

They ditched their glasses and headed to the atrium. Twice his hand strayed automatically toward the small of her back as they walked. He had to remind himself not to touch her.

Collecting their coats, he helped her into hers then slipped on his own, winding his slate gray scarf around his neck.

He didn’t hesitate to offer his arm on the way out. Her high heels demanded it. Even though the sidewalk had clearly been shoveled once already, snow continued to fall, the scattered salt leaving circular patterns of melt amidst the slick. The doorman waved a cab forward and opened the door for them. Sean helped her into the back then slid in after her.

The doorman shut them in as Sean adjusted his long coat on the seat around him. “Let’s drop you off first.”

“All right.” She leaned forward and gave the cabbie her address.

* * * *

Justine was hyper aware of O’Donnell’s hand resting on the seat not eight inches from hers as they rode across the city. If they both stretched out a pinky, they might even touch. Beyond handshakes, she hadn’t touched a man in so long. Gary no longer counted. He only touched her in public. After his second brief affair, she’d insisted.

Her life, her marriage, her husband—all of it was a sham.

Glancing surreptitiously at Sean O’Donnell as he watched the scenery pass, she was struck by how handsome he was, in a completely natural way. There was no hint of product in his hair to tame and control the wayward curls flaring out behind his ears. If anyone gave Gary’s hair a little pat it would shift on his head like one solid, perfect helmet.

Even though it was faint, she could smell Old Spice coming off her quiet seatmate. It made her smile. Ah, memories. Back in the day, she used to love that aftershave. Gary only wore expensive cologne.

Sean cleaned up nicely, but she could tell he was as uncomfortable with the public side of his life as she was with hers. There was something genuine about him. After living with a facsimile of a human being for seven years, that was an attractive quality to have.

The cab turned onto her street and she began to worry the purse in her lap. Their ride had taken no time at all. They pulled to the curb in front of her townhouse and she started to open the clasp on her purse for her share of the fare. That’s when Sean O’Donnell finally touched her bare hand, stopping her.

“It was on the way,” he said.

“Thank you.”

He exited the car then held the door, assisting her out. “I’ll walk you up.”

Afraid it would feel too much like the end of an awkward date, she declined his offer, though she appreciated his consideration. “That isn’t necessary.”

“Don’t forget, the Russell Gallery. I hope to see you there, Mrs. Hubbard.”

Flattered, she laughed softly. “I’ll be there. But please, call me Justine.”

She liked how his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. “Sean.”

“Thank you for the ride.”

“My pleasure. Goodnight, Justine.” He stood there, silent and seemingly unaffected by the large, fluffy snowflakes settling on his hair and shoulders.

“Goodnight, Sean.” Feeling a blush coming on, she hurried up her front steps and slipped her key in the lock. He was still watching over her from the open car door when she turned on the light and stepped into the foyer. Lifting her hand, she gave him a final parting wave.

Nodding once in return, he dipped his head and got back into the taxi.

As the car pulled away, she fell against the door and turned the deadbolt, her heart racing in a thrilling and inappropriate way.

 

About the Author


Tara Mills is a contemporary romance writer, lover of laughter, wit, and all things beautiful.

I'm a pampered wife, mother to three fantabulous sons and one awesome daughter-in-law, and an immature nana who loves to play. Yep, I think I've covered it all. Oh, and I'm altitude challenged—teeny, tiny, little me.

Please visit my website Tara Mills Romance for some awesome reads and my quirky blog. You can also find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, or follow me on Twitter.
 
 

My Review

 

Tara Mills really does know how to evoke some pretty strong emotions. Her characters just seem to jump right off the page. Justine Hubbard is trapped inside a loveless marriage with a husband who continues to have affairs, but she stays with him because despite this, she can’t bring herself to damage his career by leaving him. She then meets Sean O’Donnell, a super sexy photographer who can see the cracks in their relationship. The attraction between them is so electrifying that it had me hooked, but it was the emotional side to the story that really had me unable to put it down.
This is a great story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it. Well done Tara!

Friday, 25 April 2014

Too Hard to Resist - Review


 

Blurb

 

Jamie knows Mark is all wrong for her, but he's so damned hard to resist.

Jamie Shultzer's life is in a tailspin. Her husband has left her for another man, and to top it off, she's stranded on a desolate highway in the middle of Nebraska. The last thing she needs is another complication, especially when it shows up as the tall, sexy as hell, and much too young for her, Mark Adams. Though to be fair, he's only ten years too young, and she has to find some way to repay him for rescuing her.

Mark wants to be the good guy and leave Jamie alone. After all, her son is his friend and Jamie is in the middle of a divorce. But he's been smitten with her since the first time he laid eyes on her years ago. Now that she's available, it's hard to say no to her sweet tasting lips, and even harder to walk away from her willing body.

Is this the start of something wonderful, or a disaster in the making?

 

Excerpt

 
Jamie's car rolled to a stop by the curb in front of her home. Mark hopped out and started undoing the chains that he’d attached to the undercarriage of her vehicle. She got out of the truck and stared at the dark front porch. It looked so vacant and unwelcoming.
"Don't drive it until you fill it with coolant." Mark gave the hood of her car a pat. "Or at least water."
"Okay, where do I put said coolant or water?"
In the glow of her security light, Mark gave her a grin that could be called nothing less than dashing. Crooked, with the adorable dimple that she remembered when he'd made a brief appearance at her son's college graduation party. He walked past, a little too close, and his body brushed hers. He smelled of clean wet earth. The black t-shirt he wore fit the play of toned muscle beneath it to perfection. Jamie licked her lips; she'd like to approach him like a popsicle. Lick him head to toe and back up again.
They'd seemed to have shared a moment of chemistry while driving back to her place. She grasped onto the way Mark had looked at her. The way a man looks at a woman he desperately wants to kiss. Jamie couldn't remember the last time she'd experienced such a feeling. It'd been startling and she'd panicked.
Mark reached inside and popped the hood before walking to the front of her car.
"Come over here."
His voice was low, gravelly, seductive, and she floated toward his command like a moth to a flame. She'd come anywhere, and anytime, with him. Bad porn music started to play in her head. Bom chica wow wow.
She squeezed her eyes shut. Good God, she would be in the middle of a messy divorce soon, what the hell was wrong with her?
"You'll want to put it in here." He pointed to a part of the engine that looked like a square plastic container.
Her head was swimming; lack of oxygen most likely. Her blood had rushed south to her naughty regions.
"Okay." Her voice squeaked, and she cleared her throat.
"You don't want to fill it to the top, her unit can't take that. Just put it to here."
Oh, come on! The double entendres were killing her.
She couldn't help but notice his long, strong fingers. Long fingers might mean a long…
"Uh-huh, great." She bit into her top lip until it stung.
"So, that should be it." He dropped the hood and brushed his hands together. "Do you need anything else, Mrs. Shultzer?" It was an open-ended question on his part that left Jamie with way too many answers.

 

My Review

 

Too Hard To Resist had me hooked from the word go! A fast paced and punchy afternoon read that you won’t be able to put down. Jamie and Mark were great characters, and the storyline was in turns funny, emotional and, of course, extremely sexy. I loved the way that the issues were dealt with, and especially loved the little twist at the end. Another winner from Ms Starke!
 

Buy Links

 

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Review - Caution:Filling is Hot by Tara Mills

 

Blurb


Some men should come with a warning.
Here’s a recipe to share with friends. Take one prickly demonstration cook, handle carefully. Add one lonely widower, slightly beaten. Mix gently. Fold in two six-year-olds, one at a time to temper the batter and avoid scrambling. Then finally, add the mother with an agenda—but just a dash because she’s spicy. Whip into stiff peaks then spread over an ungreased sheet for best results. Method of cooking can vary, however--Caution: Filling is Hot.

Piper Frost is taking a break from men when contractor Chad Thomas crashes her cooking class and turns on the charm. His persistence annoys her but she’s already melting, even without his sneaky mother and conspiring twins in the mix. But just when things are really starting to sizzle, disaster strikes. Can Piper save her recipe for happily ever after or is it already ruined? Grab your oven mitts and find out.

Excerpt

“Looks like you’re ready to go. I’ll walk you out.” He took her arm and turned her down the hall.

Tenderness for this man was blooming to life inside her and he was walking her to the door? Tonight he had to behave like a perfect gentleman? Piper didn’t know what to think. She was all screwed up, totally confused by her feelings all of a sudden.
Just as Chad reached out to take the doorknob, Piper turned and leaned heavily against the door, keeping it closed. She took a deep, steadying breath.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t attracted to you, or that I haven’t fantasized about...well, getting intimate. But what happens then? I don’t have many friends here, and I worry about ruining the friendship we’re building if I give in to those temptations. I’d rather keep the friendship if I have to make a choice.”
His surprise was obvious. “Who says there has to be a choice? Friendships are the best basis for deeper relationships.”
She smiled weakly. “I knew if I brought this up, you’d have a good argument. But right now, friendship is all I’m prepared to give.”
She reached up and touched his face. It was a mistake. The look in his eyes was killer. There was so much roiling around in them. A storm of emotions he’d held in check were suddenly spilling out across his handsome face as he looked at her, needed her. The unmistakable strain he was under to resist touching her back was palpable.
His desire spoke to the gnawing ache inside her too. Even though it felt like she was letting them both down, she wanted to believe leaving was the right thing to do. She had to go, now, before regrets could start.
Please don’t stop me, please don’t stop me. Those words repeated over and over in her head. She knew, with absolute certainty, one more word, one more look from him, would destroy her already shaky determination to leave.
He was breathing deep and hard when he said, “Thanks for coming over. You were a lifesaver tonight.”
She was still leaning against the door, but she didn’t know why. No, that wasn’t true. She knew why, wasn’t comfortable exploring it, yet felt compelled to remain anyway. This just sucked. What was she supposed to do?
Probably not this.
“Have you ever heard of friends with benefits?” Piper asked then launched herself into Chad’s arms.

Buy Caution: Filling is Hot NOW on Beachwalk PressAmazonAmazon UKAmazon Au, and Barnes & NobleAll Romance, and Bookstrand.
 
 

My Review

 

Once again Tara has blown me away by another great story!
Piper Frost has reservations when it comes to men after her last relationship, and Chad Thomas is recovering from a broken heart after his wife died. After stumbling into Piper's cookery class Chad just knows he has have her. Piper on the other hand tries to deny her attraction to him, jumping to conclusions about the kind of man he is.
The sparks fly as Chad goes to any lengths to persuade her he’s the right guy for him, including enlisting the help of his twins.  The tension between them sizzles, the sex scenes are scorching, and the family element of this book makes it a whole lot more than your average boy meets girl. Totally irresistible! Five stars from me!


Friday, 21 March 2014

Compromising Miss Tisdale by Jessica Jefferson

 


Blurb


Ambrosia Tisdale is the very picture of propriety and the epitome of what a respectable young lady should be.  Haunted by a memory and compelled by her family, she pursues perfection to a fault.

The Earl of Bristol, Duncan Maddox, has returned to London after years of familial imposed exile.  As the second son, he has led a life filled with frivolity, leisure, and a healthy dose of debauchery.  Now his older brother has died, leaving the family’s flailing legacy in Duncan’s unwilling arms. 

At the behest of his uncle, Duncan is advised to do the one thing that could provide instant fortune and respectability – he must marry.  But there is only one prospect who meets all the unique requirements to solve all the Earl’s problems – the lovely Miss Ambrosia Tisdale.  But securing Ambrosia’s hand will not be easy.  The prudent daughter of a Viscount proves to be a worthy adversary for the scandal ridden second son of an Earl. 

Duncan has no choice but to compromise Miss Tisdale.

But with scandal, extortion, treachery, and even love itself threatening to keep him from his goal, compromising Miss Tisdale proves to be far more challenging than he had bargained for.



 

Buy Link


Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GH2UEMO/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1DRV321500B3XAPV9YRF&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1630083502&pf_rd_i=507846

Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2013/12/now-booking-tasty-blurb-tour-for.html


Author Info


Jessica Jefferson makes her home in northern Indiana, or as she likes to think of it – almost Chicago. Jess is heavily inspired by classic sweeping, historical romance novels, but aims to take those key emotional elements and inject a fresh blend of quick dialogue and comedy. She invites you to visit her at jessicajefferson.com and read more of her random romance musings.


Author Links


http://jessicajefferson.com/home-1.html
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-Jefferson/545243542195152

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7376474.Jessica_Jefferson 

https://twitter.com/authorJessicaJ



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