Monday, September 30, 2013

Book Tour for Crimson Lust by Rebecca Royce (Review & GIVEAWAY)


Rebecca Royce returns to my site today with her short story Crimson Lust that combines a few different paranormal elements into an immensely satisfying story.  Keep reading to get a taste of this story along with my impressions of it.  Make sure to leave a comment for your chance to win book and a GC!

Felicity Hahn is a thief on the run in Ireland. She can’t go home and spends every day hoping Interpol doesn’t catch up with her. But when she steals a crimson-red necklace, she may have gotten more than she bargained for.
Cian Finnegan is a vampire who was turned outside the gates of Castle Tullamore over three hundred years earlier. He chases the woman who stole his necklace back to the Castle, now a hotel, both to recover his possession and because her scent makes him as hard as hell.
Can the magic of the Emerald Isles give these two a happy ending, or is it too late for them both?


EXCERPT:

Just outside of Castle Tullamore, 1615.......
“Stop him. He’s getting away.” The panicked voices of Chichester’s guards filled the almost-dawn landscape, replacing the usual sounds of the curlew chirping, announcing the rise of the sun, the beginning of a new day. 
Cian Finnegan grinned, pressing the necklace more firmly into his hand. They could search for him all they wanted—Chichester’s cronies wouldn’t find him. He’d spent enough time hiding out and running from authorities that he could virtually disappear from sight any time he wanted. No one knew the path he was walking even existed, thanks to the numerous landowners who had taken over Tullamore through the years. Thank the heavens for short memories. 
And right now, given that he’d just stolen a small fortune in the form of a ruby necklace from the haughty Arthur Chichester, or to be more specific, Chichester’s wife, Cian had no intention of being caught with the pilfered jewelry. He’d sell it, buy passage on a ship heading for anywhere, and be done with the misery that was Kilmorny. Wherever he went, no one would know anything about his father or what the bastard had done to soil their name. 
Somewhere where the ladies would fawn on him and the Chichester devils wouldn’t be staring down their British noses at the poor commoners too low for their haughty notice. 
Cian stopped in his tracks. A shiver traveled up his spine. He turned around, scanning the area as best he could. The darkness didn’t bother him. He’d walked the dirt paths in the blackness enough that he knew every ditch, every large stone, every possible disaster. The sun would be fully up soon and the dots of light appearing over the horizon gave him more than enough brightness to navigate his surroundings. 
So what had him jittery? 
Nothing alarming called his attention. The air blew lightly around him. His friends would be long home from the pub, not knowing that he’d done what he always wanted to do, taken the crimson symbol of all that was wrong with his world right out from under their noses. 
The guards were going the wrong way looking for him. He grinned. His nervousness had to be some kind of delayed reaction to the whole night. Nothing more. Unless the rumors proved true and monsters really did roam the countryside at night. 
He turned back around. Nope. He would not—could not—let his imagination run away with him. Not when he’d got so close to acquiring everything he’d ever wanted out of life. 
With his hands in his pockets, he strode down the path toward his small cottage. He’d spend one more night sleeping in poverty before he moved on to the next phase of his existence. Soon, Kilmorny would barely factor in his memory. 
He rounded a sharp corner, colliding with something in the still-dark morning. Falling backward, he stumbled two steps before he caught himself. Dodging to the right, he tried to make sense of what had happened. What on earth had he run into? A tree? A wall? Had he misjudged his location? 
“Easy there, Cian. You’re not going to find me swinging around like that.” 
Cian jolted to the right, in the direction of the voice that had spoken to him. He hadn’t recognized it. 
“Who’s there?” He tried wildly to figure out who he was talking with. Had the guards somehow found him? 
“You don’t know me. But I know you. For the last three weeks you’ve traveled these paths at this hour. Planning something, were you? From the way you smell tonight, I’d say you accomplished your goal.”


MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

Ms. Royce has the talent to say a lot in few words and this short story is the perfect example of that.  Whereas most short stories feel incomplete with little characterization, Crimson Lust succeeds in feeling like a long-form story with surprisingly fully fleshed-out characters amidst an intriguing storyline.  It presents a strong and steamy romance between two likable characters with heart-pounding action and an all-seeing creature reminiscent of a fairy godmother bent on ensuring a HEA no matter what.

Felicity grew up in a family of drunks and thieves and grew up stealing for a living, but with her latest burglary she's changed her entire future.  Fate has had a hand in keeping her from selling this life-altering necklace and keeping her at Tullamore Castle to force a meeting between her and the vampire Cian.  She's immediately drawn to him and finds herself opening up to him as no one before.  She's grown weary of running and being alone and is looking to give up her thieving ways.  She's actually willing to change her entire future for Cian until he opens up about himself.

Cian was a thief for one night only to protest against the rich, but that decision damned him for eternity after his encounter with a bloodthirsty vampire.  After a few hundred years he's become lonely and jaded with nothing making an impression on him until he senses Felicity.  For the first time he's able to control his hunger to woo her as a normal man with help from someone unexpected.  This leads to a hot and heavy encounter that makes him feel human and willing to do whatever to keep her in his life.

Ms. Royce has created a compelling story that doesn't take the expected route in bringing the protagonists together.  This story's conclusion is clever with heart-pounding action that even brought a tear to my eye.  On the way to this surprising denouement there was steamy romance and fast-paced action between two lonely people who ended up being perfect for each other.  Ms. Royce can add another success to her repertoire in a story that fans of the paranormal will find refreshingly unique and immensely satisfying.

My rating for this is an A.

*I received this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.


AUTHOR INFO:

As a teenager, Rebecca Royce would hide in her room to read her favorite romance novels when she was supposed to be doing her homework. She hopes, these days, that her parents think it was well worth it.
Rebecca is the mother of three adorable boys and is fortunate to be married to her best friend. They’ve just moved to Texas where Rebecca is discovering a new love for barbecue!
She's in love with science fiction, fantasy, and the paranormal and tries to use all of these elements in her writing. She's been told she's a little bloodthirsty so she hopes that when you read her work you'll enjoy the action packed ride that always ends in romance. Rebecca loves to write series because she loves to see characters develop over time and it always makes her happy to see her favorite characters make guest appearances in other books.
In Rebecca Royce's world anything is possible, anything can happen, and you should suspect that it will.


**********GIVEAWAY**********

Rebecca will be awarding a backlist ebook to a randomly drawn commenter at every stop, and a Grand Prize of a $50.00 Gift Card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

-To be entered, LEAVE A COMMENT TELLING US WHAT YOU LOVE ABOUT VAMPIRES, along with your email addy (no email=no entry).
-Winners will be chosen randomly from all comments made throughout the tour, so the more you comment the greater your chances of winning.  A list of all participating blogs can be found here.
-Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST on 10/7.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Book Tour for Her Eternal Rogue by Gina Danna (GIVEAWAY)


To wrap up the weekend I'm introducing you to a thrilling mix of historical and paranormal with Her Eternal Rogue by Gina Danna.  Keep reading to get a tantalizing taste of this book and make sure to fill out the form for your chance to win a copy of this book and a $25 Amazon GC!

Alexander Barrington flees his tyrannical uncle for the open seas where he becomes a ruthless pirate who turns vampire.
Captured and sentence to hang, a fate he must avoid to keep his vampire self hidden, a reprieve comes if he rescues Lady Lavinia Sinclair from the French pirates and returns her to her fiancé in England.
Alexander falls for the woman who makes him feel human and alive, but can he really have her without exposing what he is – a thief, the undead? The damned?  Refusing to taint her innocence any further, he erases her memory of him and vanishes into the night but can he really exist without her?

EXCERPT:

Alexander pulled her into his embrace, keeping the respectable distance though his eyes caressed her intimately. She flushed with excitement. He seemed to know the dance and picked up the beat, swirling her about the room. Handsome, with a cocky smile on his face and merriment in his eyes, he whirled her through the steps with expertise. She fought enjoying herself but the whiff of his scent, the aroma of spice and the ocean, enticed her to remember the summer not long ago and being—
She opened her eyes and glared at him. “That was inconceivably rude.”
“No,” he countered. “I broke in, he released you to me. All perfect English manners.”
“You shouldn’t be dancing with me,” she said harshly. “Especially a waltz.”
“This dance is perfect for lovers,” he replied with a seductive tone. “Or have you taken Monroe as your lover? Frankly, if so, the way he relinquished you to another does not prove any quality. You could do better.” He swung her around the next turn, closer to the edge of the floor.
“How dare you! I have done no such thing and for you to accuse me of—”
They were at the edge of the dance floor, near the opened windows that led to the terrace. Alexander stopped and pulled her closer, behind a statue near the doors. “Darlin',” he said, his voice holding more of the West Indies sway. “Surely ye know the laws concerning matrimony.” He looked her straight in the eye, a half grin on his lips that didn’t reach his eyes. “Knowin’ it’s illegal to marry yer deceased husband’s brother, my dear.”
She furrowed her brows. “What are you referring to, sir?” She turned, trying to find Nicholas, and opened her mouth to call for him, ignoring the commotion that would create.
He stopped them on the dance floor and took her out of the ballroom with lightning vampiric speed. “I am the deceased husband, Lavinia, and you married my brother.”
She shook her head vehemently. “I did not marry you—”
“Darlin', but I’m afraid we were married on board The Lily,” he told her quietly, his voice factual. “As captain of a ship, I am the law—”
“I don’t remember any marriage ceremony, no vows exchanged.” She searched her memory frantically, looking for some truth in his declaration. The scene came crashing into her mind: standing on deck with those three vile pirates, and him protecting her, claiming her…
“No!”
He said nothing.
“You’re lying.” A chill raced down her spine. “How can that be marriage? A vampire? A pirate? A dead man?”
“Sweetheart, keep your voice down,” he said, his voice calm as he encircled her waist. “Tell me how we are not.” He bent, sealing his lips over hers.

BUY LINKS:   AMAZON   |   BN   |   iTUNES

AUTHOR INFO:

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Gina has spent the better part of her life reading. History has been her love and she spent numerous hours devouring historical romance stories, dreaming of writing one of her own. Years later, after receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees in History, writing academic research papers and writing for museum programs and events, she finally found the time to write her own stories of historical romantic fiction.
Now, under the supervision of her three dogs and three cats, she writes amid a library of research books, with her only true break away is to spend time with her other life long dream - her Arabian horse - with him, her muse can play.
Website: ginadanna.com
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/ginadannaauthor
Twitter:  @GinaDanna1

**********GIVEAWAY**********

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Book Review of Tell Me by Olivia Cunning


He had planned a perfect weekend for her…
Gabriel “Force” Banner has been unable to get a certain sexy accountant out of his head. Sole Regret’s inventive drummer has created big plans to keep sweet Melanie entertained all weekend long. Unfortunately, Melanie arrives for their rendezvous with a bit of baggage that just might ruin their fun.
She didn’t mean to make things difficult…
Melanie wouldn’t blame Gabe if he left her at the airport with her bit of baggage, but he’s determined to make their limited time together work. When they leave behind the bustle of New Orleans and the rock ‘n’ roll scene to visit his serene oasis outside of Austin, Texas, their romantic weekend seems to be back on track. But life has a way of butting in at the worst possible times.
Can they learn how to support each other in the face of adversity or will reality destroy their budding relationship before it even takes flight?

********************


As a fan of Ms. Cunning's other rock star series of books I was immediately drawn to this series and taken on a rollercoaster ride of differing degrees of satisfaction throughout each of the installments so far.  This book left me equally torn as there were some great moments between the main characters and their crackling chemistry, with other moments leaving me irritated, mainly concerning the secondary characters of Lindsey and Nikki.

This story reunites Gabe and Melanie for a weekend of sexual delights and to see if their initial attraction can become something longer lasting.  After a rocky start due to Melanie's friend Nikki and her constant neediness, the two head off to the countryside to indulge in numerous erotic encounters and a sharing of intense emotions. There's a nice balance of steamy interludes and heartfelt talks during this section of the story as we learn about Gabe's sole regret which is truly heartbreaking and rears its ugly head when an accident befalls his beloved dog.  We get to see the non-famous side of Gabe which is just as charming and sexy as his on-stage persona.  We see a loving man happy to be seen for who he truly is inside as opposed to what he does for a living.  We also get to meet his parents who are endearing and who further show his average Joe personality with their typical parental meddling ways.  These moments of laid back happiness and scorching sexuality come grinding to a halt courtesy of the increasingly annoying Nikki who has once again been hurt and needs Melanie to make everything better.  Her issues and neediness cause the story to veer off into over-the-top misunderstandings and ruin the happy vibe the story had going.  Ultimately this speed bump brings them closer together in a conclusion leaning towards happiness that will change the band even more in future installments.

I thoroughly enjoyed Gabe and Melanie together and their time in the countryside was both sweet and super sexy.  Gabe is immensely hot, charming, and incredibly caring towards those he cares about.  He wants nothing more than Melanie and knows she's "the one" and seeks to prove it to her using many of his sexually satisfying toys.  Melanie left me conflicted in her dealings with Nikki.  Melanie's extremely caring and feels obligated to keep Nikki safe after all the horrors she endured as a child.  Melanie's smart but dumb when it comes to being manipulated by Nikki.  She lets herself be walked all over and almost ruins her relationship with Gabe because of Nikki's machinations.  In her interactions with Nikki she shows herself to be weak-willed and it's when I'm the most irritated with her.  When with Gabe she's carefree and playful and after everything Nikki puts her through she deserves every moment of happiness she can get.

Unfortunately other women in this story are shown in equally poor light.  Nikki is reckless and puts herself in positions where she can get hurt.  She's manipulative and cares only for herself and the attention she gleans for being flamboyant and I cringed every time she came on the scene.  She chases after men who don't want her for more than a moment and her over-the-top melodrama got in the way of my enjoyment of this story.  The equally grasping Lindsey returns again, clinging to Owen in hopes of convincing everyone that he's the father of her baby.  She's just as annoying as Nikki and I wanted to scream when she came on the scene demanding attention with one rub of her large pregnant belly.  These two characters single-handedly brought this story down from the pleasantly entertaining story it was whenever they weren't around.  I'm at a loss as to why Ms. Cunning continues to include these toxic characters in this series, but until they vanish permanently, this series will always be inferior to her Sinners on Tour series.  Ignoring their existence I enjoyed Gabe and Melanie's evolving romance and the heartfelt moments they shared nicely alongside some super sweaty scenes.  Even with my exasperation this is still a series I'm obsessed with as these rockers are to die for and I look forward to their continuing journey towards individual happiness.....and for Lindsey and Nikki getting kicked to the curb!

My rating for this is a C+

*I bought this with my own money for my personal bookshelf.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Book Tour for The Weekend Proposition by Ella Jade (Review & GIVEAWAY)


We're ending the week with a sweet yet sexy story that put a smile on my face.  Keep reading to learn more about The Weekend Proposition by Ella Jade through my review and learn even more by visiting the other blogs hosting this tour.  Make sure to fill out the form for your chance to win a $10 bookstore GC!

One weekend—no strings, no expectations, and no commitments. On Sunday afternoon it all ends, or does it?
No-nonsense businessman Spencer Cannon has a dilemma. He's headed to Connecticut for the weekend to attend his cousin's elaborate wedding. His whole family will be there in addition to his obsessed ex-girlfriend Ava. According to Spencer's brother, Ava has been telling her friends she's planning a magical reunion with her favorite ex-boyfriend. Spencer's not in the mood to deal with her, but he can't miss the wedding. He needs a plan.
Struggling Brooklyn waitress and aspiring graphic designer Dakota Vercelli has fallen on hard times. College debts, pending eviction, and her sick mother are taking a toll on her. A chance encounter with Mr. Cannon, CEO of Cannon and Carrington Advertising, leads to a proposition that may be just the thing to solve both of their problems. Spencer's offer—spend four days with him during the wedding festivities and keep his ex off his trail. In return, he'll compensate her generously for her time. He needs a weekend girlfriend, and Dakota needs the cash.
It was just supposed to be a business deal, but after sharing a room, kissing under the stars, and attending a wedding, their attraction is undeniable. Will the illusion end when the weekend is over or is the proposition just the beginning?

EXCERPT:

"I have a proposition for you," Spencer said.
"A proposition?" What could he possibly have to offer her?
"I have to attend my cousin's wedding this weekend. Actually, I have to leave tomorrow afternoon. I don't want to go alone for reasons I don't wish to discuss right now. I need someone to accompany me. I'm offering that to you."
"And you think I'm 'to the point'?" Coda shrugged.
He smiled but didn't say anything. She couldn't stand the silence. She wanted to figure out his game. There had to be some sort of catch.
"You want me to go to a wedding with you?"
"It's in Connecticut. I would require your services until Sunday afternoon. All of your expenses would be paid, including a wardrobe which would be yours to keep after the weekend."
"You need a date?"
"I would need you to appear as my girlfriend."
"Is this a joke?" she asked.
"I wouldn't joke about something like this. I've thought the entire thing through."
"A man who looks like you should have no problem finding a real girlfriend to buy clothes for and flaunt in front of his family." She thought for a moment. "Unless there's something wrong with you."
"There's nothing wrong with me." He raised his voice a bit. "I had planned on attending alone but circumstances have changed. I'm in a bind and from what I gather, you are too."
Her instincts screamed to run in the opposite direction. She'd never been the type to fall for a scam. "I'm not interested in—"
"I'll pay you two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for your time."
"What?" Apparently a side of crazy came with those good looks.
"One hundred and twenty-five thousand today, if you agree." He pulled out a check from the inside pocket of the jacket he had draped on the back of the chair. He slipped the mint green paper across the table. "You'll get the rest on Sunday afternoon."
"That's fifty grand a day." She studied the check. It would take her years to make that kind of money working these shit-end jobs.
"I'm aware." He nodded as if the money meant nothing. "I'm asking for your time, a commodity I believe should be well compensated."
Too good to be true.
"Do you make it a habit of paying women to be your girlfriend?"
"Pretend girlfriend," he reminded her. "You would be the first."
"Why me?"
"Does it matter?"
"What exactly do you expect me to do for that money?"
"I told you." He narrowed his eyes. "I need a date for a long weekend. Everyone needs to think we're a couple."
"You're willing to pay me to go away with you for four days. I'm supposed to take your word we're going to a wedding in Connecticut? How do I know you won't kidnap me and want to do all sorts of kinky stuff to me? You could be some sex-obsessed lunatic."
"Kinky stuff?"
"Yeah, you know, like bondage and blindfolds."
"Do you like that sort of thing?" He tried to conceal his smirk.

BUY LINKS:   AMAZON   |   BN   |   ARe

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

When I first started reading this book the overall theme felt familiar, but as each page was turned Ms. Jade brought new life into a tried and true storyline.  From its memorable characters to crackling chemistry an indelible mark was left that kept a smile on my face throughout and sad when I reached the end knowing there was no more.  Fans of the theme of opposites attracting will be drawn to Spencer and Coda and rooting for them every step of the way as they realize they're more alike than they thought.

Spencer is a tough businessman who gave up his personal dreams to run the family business as he's devoted to his family.  He's also a workaholic who gives everything to his work leaving little time for happiness.  Part of his past involves Ava, the woman he broke up with after realizing she was completely wrong for him.  Unfortunately Ava doesn't want to take no for an answer and promises to win him back at an upcoming wedding he's attending.  His brilliant plan to convince Ava they're over involves another woman pretending to be his girlfriend.  That woman, cleaning woman Coda, appears to be his complete opposite but as the wedding weekend progresses he realizes she's exactly right and he just needs to convince her of it too.

Coda too is dedicated to family working two jobs to keep a roof over her and her sick mother's head.  She desperately wants a career in advertising but college debts and a pending eviction leave her no choice but to work and put her future on hold.  One night she gets an unexpected offer and the chance to finally live her life in exchange for playing the pretend girlfriend to a serious-minded yet sexy man for one weekend.  Their weekend ends up being more than they counted on as the sexual tension mounts and their supposed differences become a match made in heaven.  Once the weekend's over though do they have faith in a future together to grab their HEA?

This was a sweet story with immensely likable characters.  Coda was a delightful heroine who stood her ground against Spencer.  She took pleasure in goading him into having fun and relaxing and it drew her to him even more than his initial attraction.  Spencer was a different man in her presence, playfully laid-back and even more sexy.  Their banter was crisp and delightful to witness.  The issue of money was handled in a completely business-like manner so as to not sully their burgeoning relationship.  As they got closer together their contract evolved to reflect their deepening feelings.  Though their relationship is sweet that doesn't mean there's no steaminess.  The connection between them starts out as a slow burn but the fireworks soon arrive in some very sensual moments.  The only issue I had with the story was the annoying Ava who acted as the stereotypical villain bent on uncovering the truth about Coda in a vindictive way to pull the lovebirds apart.  For me she put a damper on every scene she was in.  Overall though I found this a heartwarming story that was immensely entertaining and satisfying and lovers of true romance will find this the perfect read.

My rating for this is a B+

*I received this book from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Ella Jade has been writing for as long as she can remember. As a child, she often had a notebook and pen with her, and now as an adult, the laptop is never far. The plots and dialogue have always played out in her head, but she never knew what to do with them. That all changed when she discovered the eBook industry. She started penning novels at a rapid pace and now she can't be stopped.
Ella resides in New Jersey with her husband and two young boys. When she's not chasing after her kids, she's busy writing, attending PTO meetings, kickboxing, and scrapbooking. She hopes you'll get lost in her words.
She loves connecting with readers. You can find her here…

WEBSITE:  http://ellajadeauthor.blogspot.com/
FACEBOOK:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ella-Jade-Author/186959391390708?ref=hl

**********GIVEAWAY**********

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Book Tour for Fire on Ice by Dakota Madison (Review & GIVEAWAY)


As a fan of sports-themed romances I was immediately drawn to this fast-paced sensual book.  For that reason I'm thrilled to give you a glimpse of Fire on Ice by Dakota Madison.  Keep reading to learn more about this release through its excerpt and my impressions of it.  Make sure to leave a comment for your chance to win books too!

He’s Fire on Ice and she’s afraid to get burned again…
After Taylor Thompson’s heart was completely shattered by her high school’s most popular jock, she vowed never to date another athlete. She keeps that promise through her first three years of college. But after a chance meeting with a star hockey player, the charming and irresistible Kian Kavanagh, Taylor’s carefully constructed walls are in serious danger of being burned down by Mr. Fire on Ice.

EXCERPT:

I shook my head and glanced around the club. Runt was right about one thing: the kids who frequented this place were loaded. Most of them were wearing top notch designer clothes and sporting hundred dollar haircuts. I grew up dirt poor, lucky to have second hand clothes from the donation bin and the occasional coupon-day haircut at Super Cuts. Even now, I didn’t like to waste money even though I was earning good coin. I knew there was a big chance my hockey career could be cut short, so I saved as much as I could for my future, which I hoped would someday be a sports bar, if I saved enough and was smart with investing.
As I glanced around the bar at the sea of perfect young faces, I spotted a girl sitting by herself at a small table in the corner. She was looking in my direction but when our eyes met, she quickly looked down and started reading a book.
What the hell?
Who reads a book in a bar, I wondered. I was intrigued.
The first thing I noticed about her was her beautiful wavy brown hair. The long waves were tucked behind her ears, which were decorated with a single pink pearl in each center. She was wearing a flowered blouse tied over a black tank top and a long black skirt. It was such an odd outfit to be wearing at a bar. She looked like she was ready for a stroll through a museum or art gallery. Most girls at bars tried to show as much skin and body parts as humanly possible. They left little to the imagination. But this girl had her arms and legs completely covered.
I could tell she was different and I wanted to know why.
I tipped back the rest of my beer, put the empty glass on the bar and made my way over to the girl. I just couldn’t get over the fact she was reading a book in a bar. It was such a strange sight. As I got closer, I noticed the book was a lot thicker than I initially thought. A textbook? Who studies at a bar?
She didn’t even have a drink in front of her. She was just intent on reading her book.
I stood next to her table and cleared my throat to get her attention. When she glanced up at me, her expression was neutral.
“Hey,” I said and gave her a quick smile.
She just stared at me. I have to admit, it kind of freaked me out. I was used to girls doing most of the work. Usually all I had to do was decide if I wanted to take them home or not.
Her hazel brown eyes were completely captivating. I felt like I was swimming in the deep end of two delicious pools. I gulped and suddenly couldn’t think of anything to say. The girl made me nervous and I never got nervous. All I could do was stare into her beautiful brown eyes.
“What do you want?” she said finally. The question wasn’t mean; it was like she was really curious why I was standing there.
“I was just wondering what you were reading.” As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I knew I sounded like a complete asshole.
And why was I second guessing myself? That was not like me at all. From the time I was fourteen, and started to really show off on the ice, girls dropped their panties for me with little more than a wink and a winning smile on my part.
But this girl was different. When she looked at me, it was like she was looking right through me, like she could see into every part of my mind and soul. And that scared the hell out of me because there was a lot going on in there that I never wanted anyone to see.

BUY LINKS:   AMAZON   |   SMASHWORDS

MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

As a fan of sports-themed romances I was drawn to this story from the first page and its harsh but realistic view of hockey players and their groupies.  Kian has always enjoyed the benefits of playing hockey but has never gone too over the top in his actions.  He's saving his money for the future and after many meaningless one-night stands decides to eschew that life once he sets eyes on the studious Taylor.  Even though he knows, and gets told by many others that he's not good enough for her, he wants no other.  He grew up poor with an alcoholic mother who never showed him affection and thus he's never experienced unconditional love.  He finds happiness in Taylor's sense of goodness and she makes him want to be a better man.  Unlike most women though, she doesn't fall at his feet and he has to learn how to woo her and win her over in some sweetly endearing scenes.

From the outside it looks as if life has been easy for Taylor, but a betrayal from her first and only boyfriend caused her to withdrawal into a world that's safe but unexciting.  She's devoted herself to school and has no friends except for Kyle, the friend who wants to be more to her.  Taylor is a sweet girl who still seems a bit naive even after what her ex-boyfriend did.  She doesn't want to set herself up for heartache again and is very suspicious early on of the feelings Kian engenders in her.  His being a hockey player creates even more suspicion as her despicable ex played hockey too.  It doesn't take long for him to win her over and after a slow build-up they finally connect in a close-knit mature relationship.

I enjoyed Kian immensely as he was sexy and charming.  He had a bad childhood but didn't continue down that road of excess like his friend/fellow hockey player Runt.  He wants to be a better person and has plans for his future after hockey which shows a man of maturity.  While I enjoy a hero who can express his feelings I found Kian becoming a bit too emotional in the latter half of the book as he seemed just as likely to cry as the heroine.  Taylor has let a past betrayal rule her life for too long so it was exciting seeing her come out of her shell to be with Kian.  She's also too emotional at times and I wished for a stronger-willed heroine to complement Kian's confidence when playing hockey.  Except for Kian most of the male characters in this story were creepy or crappy in their treatment of women.  From Runt and the other hockey players crass treatment of the female groupies to a stalker who's introduced out of the blue to put Taylor in danger the men in this story are seen as the enemy.  Though most of the men in this story were losers I still fell for Kian and the sweet yet sexy relationship that progressed between him and Taylor.  Just when they looked to be on their road to happiness though the author gave us an unexpected cliffhanger that left me wanting to scream but dying to read the next installment in a story that nicely balanced a believable relationship amidst the fiery world of hockey.

My rating for this is a B.

*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

AUTHOR INFO:

Dakota Madison has been writing since she learned to read and fell in love with books. When she's not at her computer creating spicy new romances, Dakota is traveling to exotic locales or spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds.

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/DakotaMadisonAuthor
BLOG: http://12novels12months.tumblr.com/
GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/DakotaMadison
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/shortontimebook

**********GIVEAWAY**********

Dakota will be awarding a backlist eBook to three randomly drawn commenters during the tour, and a grand prize of a print copy of After Alex Died (US ONLY) to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

-To be entered, LEAVE A COMMENT TELLING US YOUR FAVORITE SPORT, along with your email addy (no email=no entry).
-Winner will be chosen randomly from all comments made throughout the tour, so the more you comment the greater your chances of winning.  A list of all participating blogs can be found here.
-Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM CST on 9/27.