Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Review: Second Chance Hearts by Heather Lire


TITLE – Second Chance Hearts
SERIES – Holiday Vermont
AUTHOR – Heather Lire
GENRE – Contemporary
PUBLICATION DATE – August 1, 2014
LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 148 pages
PUBLISHER – Desert Breeze Publishing

 

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Jessica Chase has always done what's expected of her, including betray the love of her life. But that has never earned her the love of her parents. She's decided to throw off their superficial values and actually contribute to society.

Case Sanderson should be happy; he has his three year old daughter, even though the women he was about to marry turned against him in the paternity suit. But, until he learns to forgive her he can't seem to put himself back on the market.

Case and Jessica must come together to help a refugee in the battered women's underground. And they have been given the perfect opportunity at a second chance to heal their broken hearts and find love.

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EXCERPT
 
Jessica closed the flap of a box and stood, rubbing the small of her back with the knuckles of her right hand. With this box her office was officially all packed up. All of her cases had been reassigned to other attorneys, and she was ready for the next phase of her life.
A phase she was in complete control of.
"What in the hell is this?" A voice thundered from her door.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She'd been hoping to be out of the office before he returned. She'd timed her resignation for when he took his month-long vacation every year, so she wouldn't have to have this confrontation. She'd wanted to be gone before he came back. With two other senior partners she'd been hoping HR didn't inform him.
She turned and faced the man who had helped to destroy her dreams..
"What does it look like I'm doing?"
She caught the flash of anger and surprise in his eyes before he narrowed them.
In twenty-eight years she'd never once talked back to him. She'd always done exactly what he'd told her, never bucking under his or her mother's plans for her.
"It looks like someone throwing a fit because she didn't get her way."
She wasn't throwing a fit. She was throwing away a life, a life that was all but destroying her.
"No, I'm not throwing a fit. I'm taking charge of my life. I'm no longer going to do what you and mother want me to, to suit your plans. I'm living it for me."
She didn't need or want to hear what she knew would be a tirade on her responsibility to him, to her mother, and to the family.
Jessica put on her coat and picked up the box. Ignoring the sputtering and yelling coming from her father she walked out the door of the office she'd never wanted or deserved. Just because her great grandfather had started the law firm didn't mean she shouldn't have had to prove herself before making junior partner.
She guessed she had proved herself years ago when she'd had to let the best thing to ever happen to her walk out the door because of a case.
She'd put it aside, because there was nothing she could do about it. She'd seen the anger and hatred in his eyes when Case had walked into her office that day. It hadn't mattered her heart was in pieces on the floor to anyone in the room, as she'd watched the man she'd been planning on spending the rest of her life with and the daughter she'd never get to have, walk out the door.
She'd gone home, opened a bottle of wine, and cried deep gut-wrenching tears. Three days later she walked into the Cobble Hill women's shelter and volunteered her services. If she couldn't have Case in her life, she could do something that was important to him and his family.
It was a move that had changed everything for her. Effective today, she was now the family attorney in residence. For once she was going to be doing something good with the degree she'd gotten because of parental pressure.
 
Review:
This book is a great example of people getting a second chance to be together. Jessica and Case have been together in their past. When they come together for a mutual project can they get past their past? Can they learn to let each other in again? to trust again? Case is a great father and man. Jessica needs to learn to trust herself. I enjoyed this book. This is the fourth book in the series, and the first one I have read. I think I need to go back and start from the beginning. Who wouldn't want a second chance with the one who still hold a piece of their hear?!

AUTHOR BIO

Heather has traveled all over the world, speaks several languages, collects romance books like they're going out of style, and has multiple book boyfriends. Ok, she hasn't been all over the world, except in her mind. She does however speak multiple languages and collect romance books. Her long-suffering husband and sons roll their eyes at all her book boyfriends. When she's not busy on her next novel she can be found at one of her sons many sporting events or on twitter talking about what else, romance books. She loves to hear what you think about her stories so please drop her a note.
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Book Blitz: The Gemstone Collection

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What to read after 50-part6-set
Book Title: What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection Part Six Author: Various Authors Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Synopsis
Outlaw Revenge By London Casey Emily didn't want to go watch a bunch of bikers fight each other, and by the time the fight is over, her best friend is shot dead and Emily finds herself clutching the leather cut of a sexy guy named Gaige as she's on the back of his motorcycle, escaping gunfire. The war in Emily and Gaige's hearts rage on, but the war outside needs to be fought... the question is, who is going to make it out alive? This Fire By Emily Ryan-Davis& Elise Logan Trauma surgeon Eden Thomas has never experienced anything like the inferno raging inside after one kiss from the DC metro firefighter Seth Ripley. Despite her best friend's warnings to take care, self-preservation is the last thing on Eden's mind as she begins to play with fire. Fallen Ever After By A.C. James The long-standing feud between the faeries that run the Chicago Crew and a lethal toxin puts Holly and other fledgling vampires in danger. Can they stop a vampire-fae war that’s been brewing for nearly a century? Egyptian Voyage By T.J. Michaels An overworked undercover agent desperately in need of rest, Chrysalyn Geyer couldn't have been more miffed with her boss. What was she supposed to do on a mandatory three month vacation? Stuck on a private residence cruise ship, she tried to prepare herself for what was sure to be pure boredom. Then he appeared—Rahn Benson. What the hell was he doing here? And while her lioness was happy to see the man, Chrys couldn't see past knocking him senseless for breaking her heart. First Breath By Cate Dean Trapped in the ancient past, Kane and Elizabeth must find a killer - before one of them becomes a victim. Jackson Kane and Elizabeth Barrritt head for home - and land at the edge of Roman Britain, on Hadrian's Wall. The wrong side of Hadrian's Wall. After Kane is accused of murder just minutes into their painful arrival, Elizabeth does everything she can to free him. When the body count rises, the investigation takes a dark turn, and she becomes desperate to prove him innocent. She has to find the real killer - or risk losing Kane forever. Chasing Perfection By M.S. Parker DeVon Ricci needs to be in control and with hard work and perseverance, he has risen in a cutthroat industry to emerge as the head of one of the top talent agencies in Los Angeles. There, women are plenty, ready to give it all away on the casting couch for a chance of a life in the spotlight. It is a good plan for DeVon Ricci until he meets his match in Krissy Jensen, a young headstrong lawyer interviewing for a position in his agency. Could she be what he has been chasing his whole life? Could she be perfection? Working on Wicked By Lilly Cain Sarah Pickman had never been a particularly good witch. But she’d never been this terrible. With her luck on a downswing, and her lovelife non-existent, she decides to use the power of Halloween to grant her a night of pleasure in a fantasy lover’s arms—just the pick-me-up she needs. Too bad she never did learn to mix potions the way her granny had. It's a hot case of mistaken identity on Halloween night. Billion Dollar Baby By Simone Holloway Selene is stuck in a rut; she hasn't had a boyfriend in years and she's drowning in debt. She had almost resigned herself to life alone, when an ad for a wealthy man seeking a woman to have a baby, catches her attention. She decides it's time to change her life and agrees to the arrangement. But who is this man? Why is he willing to pay her so much money to carry his child? Selene soon finds herself caught in a whirlwind, when her attraction to him becomes more than professional. Foundation for Three By Vella Day You aren't free to love until you realize you can't make someone love you back. Detective Thad Dalton was never so scared in his life when a madman grabs psychologist Zoey Donovan in the hospital corridor and threatens to kill her if his demands aren't met. Thad ends up taking a bullet to save her but would do it again if it means having her in his life. When Zoey meets Thad’s roommate, Pete Banks, she decides she wants a more personal connection to these two men. Too bad, Pete doesn't think he's worthy, and his self-loathing forces him to retreat and casts doubt on their future together. A Measured Risk: By Natasha Blackthorne He is her most dangerous temptation and now he is demanding her submission. Emotionally scarred in the horrific accident that took her husband's life, Lady Cranfield is imprisoned by her lingering terror of horses and carriages. She longed to be closer to the fascinating Earl of Ruel. She sensed intuitively that he could teach her how to overcome the terrors that held her in bondage. And now she's willing to risk almost anything-her reputation, even her virtue-to find out. But what he proposes startles her. His help in exchange for her complete submission for one month. Dare she take the risk? Summer’s Journey By Summer Daniels Join Summer on her journey of sexual self-discovery; a well written, intelligent and sexy series about the beginning of her sensual, sultry love affair with life, and all the joys of being a woman
. Meet the Author
London Casey: London Casey is the pen name for bestselling romance author Karolyn James. Sign up for the official Karolyn James newsletter and you'll never miss a new release! Sign up HERE

Emily Ryan-Davis& Elise Logan: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Emily Ryan-Davis has written more than a dozen steamy, romantic tales about flawed individuals who fall in love–and into bed–despite their imperfections. Elise Logan writes completely hot stories that cross genres and boundaries. Her fiction has placed in multiple contests and her stories have found homes at Freya’s Bower, Liquid Silver, and most recently Carina.

A.C. James: New York Times and USA Today bestselling author A.C. James writes paranormal romance and erotica, including Eternal Ever After which was featured in the bestselling Spice Box anthology. A.C. resides in northeast Pennsylvania where she entertains her husband with her imaginative yarns and quirky sense of humor. She spends her time drinking large vats of coffee while taming two toddlers by day and writing by night. Recovering video game beta tester and tech geek who grew-up going to cons and watching SmackDown. There's probably some cosplay pictures around somewhere of her dressed up as Bloodberry from Saber Marionette J. Just don't tell anyone.

T.J. Michaels: TJ is a USA Today and NY Times bestseller, and an award-winning author of several romance genres, including paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi and urban fantasy romance. Writing like a madman, TJ hasn't lost steam. Her mind? Yep, that's gone, but steam there is a-plenty.

Cate Dean: Cate Dean has been writing since she could hold a pen in her hand and put more than two words together on paper. She grew up losing herself in the wilds of fantasy worlds, and has had some of her own adventures while tromping through the UK, and a few other parts of the world. A lover of all things supernatural, she infuses that love into her stories, giving them a unique edge. When she's not writing, she loves cooking, scaring herself silly in the local cemeteries, and reading pretty much anything she can get her hands on.

M.S. Parker: M. S. Parker is a USA Today Bestselling author and the author of the Erotic Romance series, Club Privè and Chasing Perfection. Living in Southern California, she enjoys sitting by the pool with her laptop, writing on her next spicy romance.

Lilly Cain: Lilly Cain writes erotic romance set in many worlds. It provides her with an escape that she hopes her readers can enjoy too!

Simone Holloway: Simone is a bestselling author of erotica and erotic romance. Whether you enjoy steamy romances with alpha males and adventurous heroines, or naughty stories of bad girls and bad boys... there's a little something for everyone. Enjoy!

Vella Day: Not only do I love to read, write, and dream, I'm an extrovert. I enjoy being around people and am always trying to understand what makes them tick. Not only must my books have a happily ever after, I need characters I can relate to. My men are wonderful, dynamic, smart, strong, and the best lovers in the world (of course). Want to know more? Sign up for my newsletter: http://eepurl.com/U1dm1

Natasha Blackthorne: Escape into the past with intensely erotic, emotionally driven love stories. Natasha Blackthorne writes character-focused historical erotica romance featuring strong internal conflicts. Her stories are most frequently about the intimate journey of the characters as they learn to open their hearts to love. Her heroines are not perfect ladies. They are wildflowers and wallflowers who enjoy flirting with the forbidden. Whether they are bold or shy, her heroines' strong desires and deep emotions drive the plot and drive their heroes to the point of no return.

Summer Daniels: Summer Daniels is the webmistress of WTRAFSOG, a unbelievably active reader recommendation / author promotion community. She also has penned the first few volumes of a True Romance / Erotica series called Summer’s Journey which tracks her sexual awakening after a long, boring marriage.
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Release Day: Fate's Love by L.A. Cotton

Fate's Love

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Book Title: Fate's Love Author: L.A. Cotton Genre: New Adult Contemporary Fiction Release Date: September 30, 2014 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Synopsis
When you meet that one person in the world meant for you... you should hold onto them.
Olivia Bannon walked away. Twice. When 17-year-old Livy meets Ethan, she can’t deny their inexplicable connection. Lost in his dark, intense eyes and smile-to-die-for, Livy never thought she would feel like this. It almost makes her want to break her childhood vow, but Livy knows happily ever after is just an illusion, and despite her heart wanting Ethan, her head is telling her to stick with the plan. The one that doesn’t include falling in love. Period.
Eight years later, Livy finds herself back in her hometown. After the way she left things, the last time they were together, Livy is anxious about seeing Ethan again. It shouldn’t come as shock to discover he has finally moved on—but it hurts. A lot. Accepting that she will never get the chance to put things right isn’t easy, but it’s not until life comes crashing down around her that Livy realizes what she could’ve had. Left broken, alone, and depressed, only one person can pull her out—the guy she thought she'd pushed away one too many times.
Livy has finally realized that you can’t fight fate… Some things are just meant to be. Is this finally her time to get it right, or has Livy missed her last chance with Ethan? Meet the Author
Author Pic
A. Cotton has a busy mind in need of constant stimulation. A youth worker from the Midlands, UK, if L. A isn’t immersed in a book, she’s figuring out what course to study next. With an imagination that refuses to stay quiet, early this year, L. A finally decided to put finger to keyboard and start typing. Her first novel, Fate’s Love is due for release September 30th.
When she’s not busy reading, writing, and plotting future books, L. A. is mum to two gorgeous children, and their hyper terrier, Rocky.
excerpt
“Liv, what’s going on? Is she okay? Keefer told me what went down.”
I moved away from the door and met Ethan halfway. “No, she isn’t okay.” It came out bitter.
“Can I do anything? I could come-”
I shook my head. “We’re fine, thanks.” Without realizing I stepped back and Ethan’s face paled.
“And us?”
My eyes dropped to the floor.
“Liv, look at me. What. About. Us?”
I forced myself to look at him. My head and heart were at war. My heart wanted him to wrap me in his arms and tell me everything was going to be okay. That Amber would heal. That Sharn would meet her Prince Charming. That we really did have something. But my head knew better. My head would always know better.
“There is no us. I’m sorry, Ethan. Goodbye.” I turned from him and fled back to the limo.
“You’re running from me, Liv. Don’t use this as an excuse to run,” he called out.
Once in the safety of the limo, I slammed the door behind me, ignoring Sharn’s questioning glare.
“How is she?”
“A mess. This will leave scars.” Sharn answered.
I leaned my head onto the backrest and pressed a finger to my lips, trying to remember what kissing Ethan felt like. Was it even real? It didn’t feel real. Not now. It felt like a dream—the really good kind, until you wake up and realize it was just that.
A dream.
Because in the harsh light of day, life wasn’t like that. It was hard—full of hurt and people who let you down.
No, life wasn't like a dream at all.
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Monday, September 29, 2014

Review: A Desperate Wager by Em Taylor

A Desperate Wager - Tour Banner
 

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – A Desperate Wager AUTHOR – Em Taylor GENRE – Historical Regency Romance PUBLICATION DATE – 25 August 2014 LENGTH – 71,000 words COVER ARTIST – Samantha Holt
A Desperate Wager - Book Cover
   

BOOK BLURB / SYNOPSIS

Nathaniel Spencer, the Fourteenth Duke of Kirkbourne wakes up with an almighty hangover and a wager note in his pocket stating he has agreed to marry the Earl of Brackingham’s daughter. And he can’t even remember ever meeting the chit. Clearly his drinking has got out of hand.
Lady Sarah Steele is horrified when her father announces that the Duke of Kirkbourne has agreed to marry her and even more horrified that her father wagered her hand in a game of cards. Not only that, but the earl has not told the duke of the riding accident that left Sarah paralysed when she was sixteen. But he’s dying and she knows he wants to see her settled before the inevitable happens.
Despite Nate’s drinking and Sarah’s possible complicity in the earl’s plan, they agree to marry. But when accidents start to happen, the newly-weds must deal not only with the fact they are practically strangers, but they must find out who is trying to kill one or both of them. Nate’s drink problem and Sarah’s disability are only a couple of the hurdles they must face to find lasting love.

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A Desperate Wager - Teaser
Review: I absolutely loved this story. The author does a great job of setting the time period and transporting you there. I immediately liked both Nate and Sarah. Despite her circumstances Sarah is tough and proud. Nate is a good man having a hard time with some circumstances of his own. When they are thrown together by her father can they make it work? Can the be what they both need? I could not put this book down and read it all in one setting. I know I will be searching out and watching for more by this author.
 

EXCERPT

Nathaniel Spencer, fourteenth Duke of Kirkbourne groaned and rolled over in bed. A tattoo beat a steady rhythm inside his skull, his stomach was bilious and the world spun at an alarming rate. Last night he had been in his cups—again. He knew he should take a more moderate attitude to alcohol but recently, staying sober had seemed somewhat pointless. Why stay sober if you were just going to end up dead at the side of the road—another silly young buck who had killed himself in a curricle race? Damn Crosby! Why had he made the damned challenge? Nathaniel, or Nate as he preferred to be called, would never forget Crosby’s lifeless eyes staring up at him, or the crack of the pistol as a bystander put his horses out of their misery. And he would never forgive himself for being the man whom Crosby was racing. Nate closed his eyes and willed his stomach to stop churning as he tried to recall the events of the night before. He had been at White’s for dinner and had moved to the card room. The brandy had been flowing, and Ormsby had suggested moving on to a less reputable gaming hell. He remembered the Earl of Brackingham tagging along for some reason that defied Nate. He had no issue with Brackingham, but the earl was at least twenty years the senior of everyone else in their party. He had been coughing somewhat alarmingly, Nate recalled. He hoped the old man was not spreading disease around. The last thing Nate needed was to be laid up in bed—his mother fussing around him and pouring vile-tasting concoctions down his throat. There was another thing that took many young, seemingly healthy lives—fever. Curricles and fever—good reasons to get absolutely foxed if ever he needed any. Brackingham! The name seemed to be prodding his tired and very painful brain—waiting for him to remember something significant from last night. He had a vague memory of playing vingt et un with him. There had been a ludicrous bet. Brackingham wagered his daughter’s hand and if Nate lost, he would have to marry the girl. Nate had been on a winning streak. Bravado and alcohol made him foolish. He had a three and a queen. He sat up as the king of diamonds flashed before his eyes. God, damn it. The king of diamonds took him to twenty-three. His head swum and he tamped down the urge to cast up his accounts. Twenty-three. But surely a wager like that was a joke. It had to be. Brackingham did not expect him to marry his chit of a daughter, did he? Had he even set eyes on the girl before? Again, some piece of information about the girl needled his brain. He had no recollection of dancing with her at balls. But then he hardly ever danced at balls. He had no plans to seek a leg-shackle on the marriage mart, so he steered clear and spent most of the evening in the card room. God, he hoped she was at least old enough to have had her come out and this was not some medieval plan to marry a thirteen-year-old off to him. Eighteen was quite young enough—too young in his rather jaded opinion. But no. He had no recollection of ever having set eyes on Lady… Lady what? He had no idea. He fished in the pocket of his waistcoat, which he still wore, having obviously been so foxed when he had returned that he had either shooed his valet away or he had arrived so late the valet had been asleep. There was a note. A wager. He hoped he owed the man a vast fortune instead. Marry Lady Sarah Steele. Dowry - £10,000. Meet Brackingham on 5th day of March to make arrangements. Today must be the fifth of March. Yesterday had definitely been the fourth. Christ, he had to see if this was a big joke or, if not, was there any way he could inveigle his way out of it. He had no plans to marry. None at all. And that was that.
A Desperate Wager - Author Photo

AUTHOR BIO

Em was born and brought up in the Central Belt of Scotland and still lives there. She was told as a child she had an over active imagination--as if that is a bad thing. She's traded her dreams of owning her own island, just like George in the Famous Five to hoping to meet her own Mr Darcy one day. But her imagination remains the same.

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