Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Book Release Blast for Ciao Bella by Rachel Van Dyken….

 

A journey of revenge doesn't go quite as planned in this contemporary New Adult romance that has enemies uniting in an unexpected connection between two mafia families.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Ciao Bella by Rachel Van Dyken, then add this standalone sensual and suspenseful tale to your bookshelf!

How thin is the line between love and hate? Find out in Ciao Bella, a brand-new standalone mafia romance from Rachel Van Dyken, the number one New York Times bestselling author of the Eagle Elite series.
The Five Families thought the war was over. They have no idea, I'm the very beginning.
I kidnapped her to prove a point—at knife point, it seemed sharper that way. See what I did there?
I used the perfect virginal daughter from one of the most powerful Families in the Cosa Nostra to fix the broken pieces, knowing that in the process—I’d spread hers for the world to see.
I would embarrass her, shame her, use her, but I would never touch her...my one and only vow to her father in exchange for his allegiance.
The flowers at our wedding would be extravagant—people would watch it like a celebration, she’d live it as her funeral.
Call me twisted, but I thrive off her hate, I wouldn’t know what to do if I had her heart—I’m not good with pretty things I’m capable of breaking.
I’ll use every single person I can to restore order...to bring about the peace that my Family deserves. But something sinister lurks in the darkness.
In the end, it may not be just my Family I save but theirs as well.
They say the past comes back to haunt you—that history repeats itself. Bet they never saw this coming.
After all, when one Family falls—another will rise.
Ciao Bella.
The Rise of the De Langes


BUY BOOK here.


AUTHOR INFO:

Rachel Van Dyken is the #1 New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over 100 books ranging from new adult romance to mafia romance to paranormal & fantasy romance. With over four million copies sold, she's been featured in Forbes, US Weekly, and USA Today. Her books have been translated in more than 15 countries. She was one of the first romance authors to have a Kindle in Motion book through Amazon publishing and continues to strive to be on the cutting edge of the reader experience. She keeps her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, adorable sons, naked cat, and two dogs.
Keep up with Rachel Van Dyken and subscribe to her newsletter HERE.
To learn more about Rachel & her books, visit HERE!
Connect with Rachel Van Dyken:  FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE  |  FACEBOOK FAN GROUP

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Book Release Blitz for Ignite Your Soul Vol 1: A Romance Charity Anthology (REVIEW featuring D.M. Earl)……

 Readers have reason to celebrate as it's the 10 year anniversary of the Ignite Your Soul Author Event where an eclectic collection of authors came together in support of kids. To celebrate this anniversary a wonderful collection of authors have put together an anthology of short stories that I'm giving you a taste of today, with a brief review, that will have you wanting to add it to your bookshelf!


From the authors of Ignite Your Soul Author Event, a collection of short love stories from meet-cute to second chances, sweet to spicy, there's something within these pages for every romance lover.

Featuring authors: DM Earl | Crystal St.Clair | Erin Cristofoli | J.C. Hannigan | Cassidy London | JA Lafrance | AW Clarke | C.A. King | Kayleigh Malcolm | Shana Gray | M.A. Abraham | Allison M. Cosgrove | Amy Ruttan | Anjelica Grace | Devin Sloane | Jennifer Luerssen | Kendra Mei Chailyn | Melinda Falgoust | Rachel Hope | Tricia Daniels



***BUY THE ANTHOLOGY ON Amazon IN SUPPORT OF THE SICKKIDS FOUNDATION.***

Featuring Magnetic Allure a short story from DM Earl!

As a traveling nurse, Luna Zawacki loves the freedom her job provides. Seeing new places and meeting new people always makes the work more interesting and exciting. However, a transient lifestyle makes little time for personal or even romantic connections. But when two young girls are rushed into her emergency room after a tragic car accident leaves the daughters without parents, Luna can't resist the pull the girls' loss has on her heartstrings. Ensuring their safety and well-being while they recover becomes her top priority.

Being on the hospital board poses some challenges for Eli Stanford. He likes to keep his work at work, and his home life separate from his business. But everything changes when his two nieces are fighting for their lives after a fatal crash kills his sister (brother?). Now, more than ever, Eli must trust the hospital to care for the girls. Luckily, the determined and compassionate nurse assigned to his nieces shares his vision.

As Luna and Eli drop everything to focus on the care of the innocent girls, the two grow closer. But is the magnetic allure that pulls them together a reaction to trauma or will Eli and Luna find a real connection after the devastation subsides?



MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS STORY:

It's a tempting morsel Ms. Earl gives readers with this short story of death and recovery from both physical and emotional wounds.  The lead couple are both lonely, yet hesitant to make connections, until the needs of two little girls brings them together in their first steps of becoming a family.  It's a story that pulls at the heartstrings while warming your heart, providing some steam as well as sweetness along the way.

It's easy to connect to Eli and Luna, their issues are understandable, and I liked their first steps to HEA and look forward to where things will go between them.  I saw myself a lot in Luna as she's left her family behind after being used by them for years and finally becoming tired of the monetary anchors they became.  Books and her cats have become her lifelines and it made for an endearing foundation to her character.  Eli is a man living off the grid, a man who likes to have control over the things around him.  Having his whole life upended leaves him battered, bruised, and full of uncertainties which has him pulling Luna closer and closer to him.  She becomes his emotional port in the storm while she has the chance for a family of her own making once this pair brings Eli's nieces into their lives.  They're a likable couple, one you're rooting for from the moment they meet, and I like where they're at by the end...but there needs to be more.

A common theme amongst Ms. Earl's books is that of found families...and with taking in his two nieces, Eli and Luna have a little family of their own.  It’s a heartwarming connection between them and just what they all needed to start healing.  The romance between Eli and Luna was one of emotional support, balanced out by sweet interludes and a steamy encounter.  It's a quick read that easily invests you in the story but the ending is definitely where I felt a bit frustrated.  With an ending that CAN be seen as a conclusion I still feel like there's more between these two.  There's still a ticking clock hanging over these two in a happily for now conclusion that has me curious for this couple's future.  On a whole it's another good read from DM Earl that is a satisfying addition to her backlist!

My rating for this is a B+

*I got this story from the author for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Book Tour for Shakti of the Illuminated Lotus by Luki Belle (GIVEAWAY)…….

Readers looking for something unique will get just that with this compelling combination of darkly erotic, adventuresome, and atmospheric in a tale with one delicious layer after another.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Shakti of the Illuminated Lotus by Luki Belle, along with learning even more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour.  In honor of this unforgettable story fill out the form below for the chance to win a $10 bookstore too!

In a fictitious, mysterious, and futuristic Earth, the Western and Eastern continents are poised to become entangled in an ancient holy rivalry and epic battle.
The enigmatic and powerful king of Asukhas rules over the technologically, scientifically, and militarily advanced Western Continent, closely guarding his blissfully ignorant population of captive humans.
The golden-haired spirit, Ahankara, is suddenly released from captivity in the void and unleashes a powerful reptile upon the world's oceans.
Associate professor of philosophy Anjali Valpolicella seeks psychotherapy from renowned Western psychologist Dr. AlexanDRA, and their therapy sessions may reveal an important secret to possessing the much-coveted Trident of Kumarun.
In Shakti of the Illuminated Lotus: A Dark, Erotic & Futuristic Fantasy for Adults oceans roil as factions doggedly compete in a dark and erotic quest to find the Trident, hidden by the Eastern continent's divine panthers for centuries. The fate of the World teeters on the brink. Who will possess the Trident? Do they want to use it to gain access to the holy realm of Juwala, or will they use the Trident to destroy the realm and take command of military forces of unimaginable power?

EXCERPT:

“Cousin Ahankara! You escaped!! And with an unconscious Medhani!!” Kunjahl exclaimed and submerged himself in the ocean.
The waves instantly parted away from Kunjahl’s body, and the waters around him suddenly became calm. Kunjahl held up an unconscious Ahankara’s head upon his arms, the golden strands were covering his cousin’s face. Kunjahl gently blew upon the spirit’s face which made the golden hair delicately fall back and undulate upon the water’s surface.
Sol saw the two large golden horns extending and coiling out from the temples of the man’s head. His eyes skewed, the identity of these identical men and the child were not known to him. He repeated their names silently in his mind. Sol marveled at the intuition of the magister, now he understood why Kunjahl wanted to be here tonight by the ocean. Not even the king of the Western Continent was here tonight, despite The Spring being so close to where they were now at the tip of the New East Island. “
Speak to me, awake my brother, let me hear your voice” Kunjahl spoke gently to the unconscious Ahankara “Tell me how you were released.”
Sol watched as a pair of golden eyes slowly opened and looked up at Kunjahl. The gaze of this man exuded an enchantment that even the likes of Sol could not resist admiring.
A faint smile appeared on Ahankara’s face “Kun-jahl?” he asked in a weak tone.
“Yes! Yes, Ahankara it is I and you are safe in my arms now!” the son of Kumarun replied.



BUY AT AMAZON here.

AUTHOR INFO:

Luki Belle works in the media industry. Listening avidly to stories from diverse cultural fiction books read to her by her extended family, storytelling was a fixture from early childhood. Pouring over magnificent and enchanting illustrated books in her family's library, Luki was drawn to the mythology of South Asian Indians, Greeks, and Romans. These diverse mythologies were her strongest inspiration when, many years later, she started penning the first outline for her debut novel, Shakti of the Illuminated Lotus.

TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM  |  YOUTUBE  |  FACEBOOK

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

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Friday, June 7, 2024

Book Tour for Kissing Kin by Karen Hulene Bartell (GIVEAWAY)…..

Life takes an unexpected turn for a veteran looking to start over in this twisty tale of mystery and romance.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of Kissing Kin by Karen Hulene Bartell, along with learning more about this book by visiting the other sites hosting this tour, then add it to your bookshelf.  In honor of this standalone book in the Trans-Pecos series make sure to fill out the form below for the chance to win a $25 bookstore GC too!

Maeve Jackson is starting over after a broken engagement—and mustering out of the Army. No job and no prospects, she spins out on black ice and totals her car.
When struggling vintner Luke Kaylor stops to help, they discover they’re distantly related. On a shoestring budget to convert his vineyard into a winery, he makes her a deal: prune grapevines in exchange for room and board.
But forgotten diaries and a haunted cabin kickstart a five-generational mystery with ancestors that have bones to pick. As carnal urges propel them into each other’s arms, they wonder: Is their attraction physical...or metaphysical?

EXCERPT:

“Mind if I camp out ’til the roads clear?”
“Under the circumstances?” The clerk shook his head. “Not a problem.”
“Thanks.” He started toward the sitting room and nearly bumped into Maeve, leaning against the wall. “Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t.” She tossed her chin. “I was cat-napping.”
“Right.” He compared her guarded veneer to her sleeping-beauty persona. Which is closer to her true self?
“Couldn’t help overhearing.” Gesturing toward the clerk with her chin, she grimaced. “I’m responsible for you being out tonight--”
“No.” He shook his head. “This is just a freak storm.”
“You don’t have to sleep in a chair.” She took a deep breath and gave a quick, tight-lipped smile. “My room has two queen beds, and you’re welcome to one of ’em.”
Unsure of the extent of her invitation, he did a double take.
“Just so we understand each other, this is a bunk, a place to sack out. Period. Amen.” She spoke in a low-pitched, no-nonsense voice. “Nothing more, so don’t get any--”
“Got it.” He covered his disappointment with a laugh. “Thanks, I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be fine dozing by the fire.”
“Hey, I’ve bivouacked with soldiers in Afghanistan. We do what’s necessary under extenuating circumstances.” Shrugging, she glanced at the door. “And this blizzard qualifies.” Her face relaxed into a smile.
Her offer tempting, he compared sitting up all night to stretching out in a bed. Then he glimpsed the clerk.
“If you’re worried about my reputation, don’t be.” She laughed, the sound like sleigh bells tinkling on a crisp, wintry night.
What is it about her that conjures thoughts of other times--other eras?



BUY AT AMAZON here.

AUTHOR INFO:

Author of the Trans-Pecos and Sacred Emblem series, Karen is a best-selling author, keynote speaker, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life, who writes multicultural, offbeat love stories. Born to rolling-stone parents who moved often, Bartell found her earliest playmates as fictional friends in books. Paperbacks became her portable pals. Ghost stories kept her up at night—reading feverishly. The paranormal was her passion. Novels offered an imaginative escape. An only child, she began writing her first novel at the age of nine, learning the joy of creating her own happy endings. Professor emeritus of the University of Texas at Austin, Karen resides in the Texas Piney Woods with her husband Peter and her “mews”—three rescued cats and a rescued *Cat*ahoula Leopard dog.

FACEBOOK  |  MEWE  |  TWITTER  |  INSTAGRAM  |  GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE  |  WEBSITE  |  EMAIL  |  AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE  |  BOOKBUB  |  LINKEDIN

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

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Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Book Release Blitz for I Can't Even by Lani Lynn Vale (REVIEW)…..


It's an exhilarating blend of romance and suspense that readers will find amongst the pages of this fast-paced tale.  Keep reading to get a tempting taste of I Can't Even by Lani Lynn Vale, along with getting my impressions of it, then add this second installment in the Carter Brothers series to your bookshelf!

Ellodie Cassandra Solaire made a single, solitary New Year’s resolution.
That resolution was set in stone, and she wouldn’t be breaking it, no matter what.
It was simple: Say yes to every person who asks her out on a date until she finds a boyfriend.
Easy, right?
Wrong.
She breaks that New Year’s resolution three months into the year after a guy gives her serial killer vibes.
Fast forward three months, and she’s unhappily saying yes to any man who asks.
Until one day, there she is, eating a chicken burrito waiting for traffic to clear, and he appears like a knight in shining armor.
One second, she’s counting down the seconds until the parade dissipates so she can go home, and the next, a car is flying through the air directly beside her, courtesy of a hot cop performing a PIT maneuver.
It’s during the middle of the arrest when Quaid Carter’s eyes find hers.
From that moment on, she’s lost to anyone else but him.
The only problem is that serial killer vibe she got off of her potential date a few months ago isn’t just a vibe. It’s a full-blown obsession. And the serial killer decides that she won’t be the one to get away.
Quaid Carter has different ideas, though.


FIND AT GOODREADS here.

FIND AT BOOKBUB here.


BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  AMAZON (AU)  |  BN  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO


MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:

With each new release Ms. Vale continues to hold a guaranteed spot on my shelves.  With stories that keep me on the edge of my seat, to pairings that pull me in wholeheartedly, I'm left rooting for their richly rewarding and satisfying HEA.  The main couples are likable with connections that sizzle and are surrounded by a cast of secondary characters who leave you excited for future installments.

Ellodie Solaire is the proverbial plucky heroine, a quirky woman you're drawn to from the very beginning as she's a tough cookie you can't help but admire.  She's a woman unlucky in love though who starts off the year determined to change the romantic course of her life by saying yes to every offer of a date.  From one painful encounter after another, Ellodie soon goes from laughable exchanges to one of danger when she gains the attention of a serial stalker.  At the same time, she finds herself crossing paths with the one man who will not only keep her safe, but set her heart racing in a combustible coupling.  That man is Quaid Carter and he certainly makes a dramatic first impression while inadvertently involving her in his catching a criminal.  Quaid's a delicious hero, self-assured and heroic, with a bit of cockiness to add some spice to a man unashamed to fall fast and first.  The more time Quaid and Ellodie spend together the more the sexual tension builds and the more fiery the banter.  They're a compelling pair with an entertaining connection that is a perfect balance of romance and suspense.  Heart pounding moments of danger made for even steamier encounters between these two both in and out of the bedroom.  Add in glimpses of Quaid's family members and you have another well-crafted addition to Ms. Vale's newest series that has me excited for what comes next.

My rating for this is an A-

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


***THE NEXT BOOK IN THE CARTER BROTHERS SERIES***

THIRST TRAP - Releasing July 9th


BUY LINKS:  AMAZON (US)  |  AMAZON (UK)  |  AMAZON (CA)  |  AMAZON (AU)  |  BN  |  iBOOKS  |  KOBO  |  BOOKS2READ

AUTHOR INFO:

Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown, in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.