Thursday 28 June 2018

Preorder Blast: Make Me Crave - Katee Robert


Have you Pre-ordered MAKE ME CRAVE Yet?

In MAKE ME CRAVE by NYT Bestselling Author, Katee Robert, Roman Bassani will do anything to close a deal. Even chase down Allie Landers on her Caribbean vacation to make an offer on her company.


Pre-order MAKE ME CRAVE and add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads! Then keep reading to get a sneak peek excerpt and enter the giveaway for a $25 Amazon gift card or one of three (3) ebooks from Katee Robert’s backlist!


Title: Make Me Crave
Author: Katee Robert
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 1, 2018
Publisher: Harlequin Dare
Series: Make Me
Page Count: 144 pages
Format: Digital
ASIN: B0779DL61K

Synopsis:

“I crave you…”

Can their hunger be satisfied?

Roman Bassani will do anything to close a deal. Even chase down Allie Landers on her Caribbean vacation to make an offer on her company. He expects a challenge—but not their immediate intense attraction. After an accidental one-night stand they agree to put business aside—for now. The island lulls them into a heated sexual journey…but what happens to their opposing interests when they return from paradise?

“Dare is Harlequin’s hottest line yet. Every book should come with a free fan. I dare you to try them!”
—Tiffany Reisz, international bestselling author

Available at:




Praise for Make Me Crave

“Make me Crave by Katee Robert is such an amazing and captivating read that you will not put it down. Sexy, fiesty, hotness, chemistry, laughter and love Make me Crave is a must read for all book lovers. This is hands down in my opinion the best book that I have ever read by Katee Roberts.”—Goodreads review

“Wow! I can't emphasize enough how much I loved Make Me Crave (Make Me #2). It has sass, steam and great characters with loads of chemistry. Katee Robert is definitely an author on my ‘must read’ list.”—Goodreads review

“Hello Adonis! Roman is just...yeah. I mean, sex on a stick with a good heart (despite his past misdeeds), and a more than capable brain! Allie is his perfect match and their time together sets the pages on fire while making you root for them to get more than just the pleasure they find from each other on the island! A great book!”—Goodreads review


Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card or one of three (3) ebooks from Katee Robert’s backlist!

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Make Me Crave Excerpt
Copyright © 2018 Katee Robert

Tomorrow would be soon enough for them to go exploring and try out the stand-up paddleboards Allie had eyed when she’d checked out the beach.

Her face heated at the fact she’d been caught topless sunbathing. Whoever that guy was, he’d been far off enough that she couldn’t clearly see his face. Those shoulders, though… Allie shivered. Even at a distance, she’d seen the cut of his muscles and how purposefully he’d maneuvered the kayak through the turquoise waters. The island must have already gone to her head, because she’d spent a truly insane moment hoping he’d come to shore so she could get a better look at him.

Maybe more than a better look.

Allie laughed at her fanciful thoughts. Vacation hookups were all well and good, but if that was what she’d wanted, she’d chosen the wrong place to go. Isolation and relaxation were the name of the game on West Island, which was exactly what she’d craved when she let Becka talk her into booking the trip. It was the exact opposite of New York and her life there.

But now she found herself wondering if maybe something slightly more chaotic would have been a better choice. The sun and sea had soaked into her blood and the heady feeling had her convinced anything was possible. It was only a week. The perfect length of time for a fling…

If she wasn’t on a private island in the middle of the ocean without a single man in sight.

She bypassed the little golf cart that was one of the main forms of transportation here. It felt good to walk after being cooped up on the plane and then lying prone while she sunned herself. She usually taught at least one class a day at Transcend—more if she needed to cover someone else’s schedule—so being inactive wasn’t natural for her. It was only a mile or two to the restaurant and the day had started to cool as the sun reached for the horizon. It’d be downright pleasant tonight.

She’d make sure to wake early and attend one of the yoga classes offered, and the rest of the day would be filled with activities that would keep restlessness from setting in. There was even scuba diving available, though Allie wasn’t sure she was feeling that adventurous. Snorkeling? Sure. Going deeper with only a tank and a few tubes between her and drowning? That would take a whole lot more convincing.

The path was cleared and well maintained to allow the carts to drive without problems, so she let her mind wander as she fell into a natural stride that ate up the distance without tiring her out. Every once in a while, the path would branch off in different directions, some heading toward other villas, some heading deeper inland. There was a small selection of hiking trails that offered tours of the history of the island.

She made it to the restaurant easily, and found it practically deserted. Allie paused in the doorway, wondering if she’d misunderstood the woman who’d checked them in. Maybe it was closed?

“Looks like it’s just you and me.”

She jumped and spun around. The man stood a respectable distance away, but his sheer size ate up the space and made her feel closed in. She froze. I’d recognize those shoulders anywhere. Confirming her suspicion, his gaze slid over her body as if he was reminding himself of what she looked like with nothing but what she’d worn on the beach. She tried to swallow past her suddenly dry throat. “You.”

“Me.” He finally looked her in the face, and she rocked back on her heels. The man was an Adonis. There was no other way to describe his blond perfection, from his hazel eyes to the square jaw to the cleft in his chin to the body that just wouldn’t quit. He might be wearing a shirt now, but the button-down did nothing to hide his muscle definition.

He held out a wide hand with equally perfect square fingers. “Let me buy you a drink?”

“We’re at an all-inclusive resort.”

His lips twitched, eyes twinkling. “Have a drink with me.”

Oh, he was good. Charm practically colored the air between them, and she had the inexplicable impulse to close the distance and stroke a finger along his jawline. To flick that cleft chin with her tongue.

Allie gave herself a shake. “Since we’re the only ones here, it’d be silly to sit apart.”

The look he gave her said he saw right through the excuse, and why not when it was pathetically flimsy? The truth was that this man was magnetic and she suspected she’d be drawn to him even in a room full of people. He waved a hand at the empty place. “Lady’s choice.”

“How magnanimous of you.”

“I try.”

She laughed and headed for the table in the middle of the small patio. There were half a dozen tables, and she picked a spot that put her back to the building and presented the best view of the ocean through a carefully curated gap in the foliage.

He eyed the view and then the chair on the other side of the table, and then he picked it up and set it adjacent to hers so they were sitting on a diagonal, rather than directly across from each other. “Nice view.”

She turned to agree—and found him staring at her.

Allie wasn’t falsely modest. Life was too short to play games with body shaming and pretending she didn’t have access to a mirror. She was pretty—beautiful when she put some effort into it—but she’d given up being skinny or petite after the agony of high school, and she wasn’t athletically built like some of the women at her gym. Sure, she had muscle beneath her softness, and she could keep up with the best of them in her spin classes, but she loved food just as much as she loved to sweat, and her curves reflected that. Some guys had a problem with that, though she didn’t keep them around as soon as comments like “Should you really be eating that?” started.

This guy looked at her like he wanted to put her on the table and feast on her for dinner.

The desire stoked the flame inside her that had kindled the second she saw him. She leaned forward, checking his left hand. No ring. No tan lines, either. “What brings you to West Island?”

“It’s paradise, isn’t it? Who wouldn’t want to come here to get away from it all?”

That wasn’t quite an answer, but she was distracted by the intoxicating way his mouth moved when he spoke. Get ahold of yourself, Allie. You’re in danger of panting for him. She took a quick drink of water that did nothing to quell the heat rising with each minute she sat next to him.

Luckily, a waiter appeared to save her from saying something truly embarrassing. He outlined the menu for the night and took their drink orders, then disappeared as quickly as he’d come.

They were in the middle of one of the most beautiful places Allie had ever seen, and she couldn’t manage to tear her gaze away from this stranger. She licked her lips, every muscle in her body tensing when he followed the movement. She opened her mouth, but before she could speak, he took her hand, running his thumb over her knuckles.

The touch was innocent enough, but she felt that light movement in places that were most definitely not innocent. She didn’t have to look down to know her nipples now pressed against the thin fabric of her sundress.

His smile was slow and sinful and promised things she never would have had the gall to ask for. “This is going to sound unforgivably forward, but what do you say we get out of here and go back to my villa?”

It was crazy. More than crazy. She didn’t even know his name, and she sure as hell didn’t know anything more pertinent about him.

But there on the softly lit patio with the tropical scent of some flower she didn’t recognize and the soft shushing sound of the tide coming in, she didn’t feel like Allie, gym owner and mother hen, the responsible one who could never afford to do anything out of line or make a misstep because too many lives depended on her.

Here, she was just Allie, a woman. A woman who desperately wanted the man staring at her mouth as if he was doing everything in his power to keep from kissing her right then and there. She licked her lips again, secretly delighting in the way a muscle in his jaw jumped. “Yes.”

“Yes?”

“Yes, let’s get out of here.”


About Katee Robert

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa's knee. Her 2015 title, The Marriage Contract, was a RITA finalist, and RT Book Reviews named it 'a compulsively readable book with just the right amount of suspense and tension." When not writing sexy contemporary and romantic suspense, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her children, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

Connect with Katee at: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Instagram

Wednesday 20 June 2018

Cover Reveal: Memento Mori - Lexi Blake


Six men with no memories of the past

One leader with no hope for the future

A man without a past

Jax woke up in a lab, his memories erased, and his mind reprogrammed to serve a mad woman’s will. After being liberated from his prison, he pledged himself to the only thing he truly knows—his team. Six men who lost everything they were. They must make certain no one else gets their hands on the drugs that stole their lives, all while hiding from every intelligence organization on the planet. The trail has led him to an unforgiving mountainside and a beautiful wilderness expert who may be his only hope of finding the truth.

A woman with a bright future

River Lee knows her way around the Colorado wilderness. She’s finally found a home in a place called Bliss after years lost in darkness. The nature guide prefers to show her clients the beauty found in the land, but she also knows the secrets the mountains hold. When she meets Jax, something about the troubled man calls to her. She agrees to lead him to the site of an abandoned government facility hidden deep in the forest. She never dreamed she was stepping into the middle of a battlefield.

A love that could heal a broken soul

Spending time with River, Jax discovers a peace he’s never known. Their passion unlocks a side of himself he didn’t even know he was missing. When an old enemy makes his first move, Jax and River find themselves fighting for their lives. But when his past is revealed, will River be caught in the crosshairs of a global conspiracy?

PREORDER NOW


Kobo, and Smashwords coming soon!

Excerpt:

“Hello. I’m Jax.” His voice was deep but there was a musical quality to it. She would bet he could sing. “This is my brother, Tucker.”

Brothers. They oddly didn’t look a lot alike, but she’d seen siblings who she would never have guessed came from the same parents. Tucker wasn’t bad himself. Dark, wavy hair any woman would love to have. It was slightly overgrown but did nothing but enhance his male-model beauty. He seemed far softer than his incredibly masculine friend.

Her first impression of Jax hadn’t been false. He was broad and muscular, his face defined by stark planes and lines. He looked predatory and hungry.

She could barely breath. Maybe this was a mistake. She would have a hard time watching this gorgeous man fawn all over Heather. Something about him pulled her in, made her want to forget that she had terrible taste in men. It was like there was some invisible tether connecting her to him.

Except that was stupid because he couldn’t be here for her.

“I’m Heather and my very quiet friend’s name is River.” Heather was smiling that ridiculously sunny smile of hers, the one no man could resist. “Thanks for the fries. You know normally men send over drinks. I’m glad you’re so concerned with consent. That’s very forward thinking of you.”

Tucker shook his head. “We’re not allowed to have sex without consent. Do we need a note? Like a contract?”

Jax jabbed an elbow in his brother’s ribs. “He’s being a weirdo and moving way, way too fast. Sorry about that. He doesn’t get out much.”

Tucker frowned and said something under his breath that sounded like neither do you, but then a sweet smile came over his face. “Sorry. Sometimes my jokes fall flat. Can we please join you? We’re in town for a week or so and besides the Russian dude, we haven’t met anyone.”

“Sure.” Heather slid over.

River did the same, expecting Tucker to slide in next to her, but it was Jax’s big body that moved beside her. She felt tiny compared to him. She watched as Heather grinned her way as though to say you were wrong.

Tucker sat beside Heather and started passing out the small plates.

Jax probably wanted to be able to look at Heather. That was it.

God, he smelled good. She kind of wanted to lean over and run her nose along his shoulder and up his neck. He smelled like soap and sandalwood.

“Can I get you some? I like French fries but they’re even better with cheese and bacon. I think maybe everything is better with cheese and bacon, but if you want something else, I’ll get it for you. You can have anything on the menu. And I’ll buy the wine or beer or whatever. I merely wanted you to understand I don’t want to get drunk tonight. I would rather get to know you.”

She turned, expecting to see Jax staring across at Heather. Nope. Those stunning green eyes were staring at her expectantly. He had a plate in his hand as though waiting for her permission to serve her.

Her. He was looking at her.

“She does talk,” Heather said. “I’ve heard her and everything.”

“Yeah, I would love some.” She was hungry, actually. It was odd. Her stomach kind of rumbled, but in a good way. For the last year and a half it seemed she’d lost her appetite and had to force herself to eat, but tonight she smelled the fries and cheese and bacon and wanted.

And she wanted him, too. She wasn’t going to lie to herself. This time she would be smart. If he turned out to be a nice guy, she might spend the night with him. Might. And then she would send him on his way because he was a tourist.

She wouldn’t fall for him because she wouldn’t spend more than a night.


About Lexi Blake:

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn't until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Tuesday 12 June 2018

Review: Ocean Light - Nalini Singh

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh dives beneath the surface of her Psy-Changeling world into a story of passionate devotion and selfless love . . .

Security specialist Bowen Knight has come back from the dead. But there's a ticking time bomb in his head: a chip implanted to block telepathic interference that could fail at any moment - taking his brain along with it. With no time to waste, he should be back on land helping the Human Alliance. Instead, he's at the bottom of the ocean, consumed with an enigmatic changeling . . .

Kaia Luna may have traded in science for being a chef, but she won't hide the facts of Bo's condition from him or herself. She's suffered too much loss in her life to fall prey to the dangerous charm of a human who is a dead man walking. And she carries a devastating secret that Bo could never imagine . . .

But when Kaia is taken by those who mean her deadly harm, all bets are off. Bo will do anything to get her back - even if it means striking a devil's bargain and giving up his mind to the enemy.

Psy-Changeling Series:
(Season One in the Psy-Changeling World)
Beat of Temptation (Novella included in Wild Invitation and the An Enchanted Season anthology)
Whisper of Sin (Novella included in the Burning Up anthology or as a separate ebook)
Slave to Sensation
Visions of Heat
Echo of Silence (Novella included in the Wild Embrace anthology)
Caressed by Ice
Stroke of Enticement (Novella included in Wild Invitation and The Magical Christmas Cat anthology)
Mine to Possess
Hostage to Pleasure
Dorian (Novella included in the Wild Embrace anthology)
Branded by Fire
Blaze of Memory
Bonds of Justice
Play of Passion
Declaration of Courtship (Novella included in Wild Invitation)
Kiss of Snow
Texture of Intimacy (Novella included in Wild Invitation)
Tangle of Need
Partners in Persuasion (Novella included in the Wild Embrace anthology)
Heart of Obsidian
Flirtation of Fate (Novella included in the Wild Embrace anthology)
Secrets at Midnight (Novella included in the Night Shift anthology)
Shield of Winter
Shards of Hope
Allegiance of Honour

Psy-Changeling Trinity Series:
(Season two in the Psy-Changeling World)
Silver Silence
Ocean Light
Wolf Rain

Visit Nalini Singh's website for more information

Review:
Nalini Singh is one of the few authors who has never let me down, I preorder her books the second they pop up on amazon, devour them the minute I can get hold of them and I always know that I'm in for heartwarming romance, fantastic characters and wonderful world building. Her Psy-Changeling series is one of the best paranormal romance series out there and this new second phase of the series is proving that she's still at the top of her game. As much as I love the SnowDancer and DarkRiver packs I'm really enjoying the expansion of this world first with the bears in Silver Silence and now getting to know the water changelings of BlackSea in Ocean Light.

Bowen has always been a character I've been curious about, as the human leader of the Alliance he has a lot of power in his hands but the ticking time bomb of the telepathic blocker implanted in his brain has him desperately looking for answers. Then there was the shocking attack in the last book which of course left me even more keen to get answers. He's such a sweet hero, I loved how open and honest he was with Kaia from the very beginning and how determined he was to make the most of the time he had left if they weren't able to fix his implant safely. I've always admired the way he wanted to put humans on the same playing field as the Changelings and Psy too, even though humans are physically weaker than the Changelings and defenceless against most Psy telepathic abilities they vastly outnumber those two groups and Bowen is fighting for equality amongst the races.

Kaia is a character we've not met before but she was brilliant too, very intelligent but the best thing about her was her huge heart and the way she cared for everyone in her circle. Kaia is the kind of person that is always there to offer a shoulder to cry on or moral support but who never wants to burden anyone with her own problems so she always sees to her own needs last. Bowen saw that immediately and went to great effort to show her how important she was to him. They fitted together really well and balanced each other out in a lot of ways.

There is no denying that the first half of Ocean Light is a little slower paced and more character driven than most books in this series, the action doesn't really pick up until later on but I was having so much fun exploring BlackSea's underwater home and meeting so many different water changelings (whales, turtles, sharks and so many more - including ones with tentacles!) that I really enjoyed the change of pace. Later on as the danger increases and things get more complicated I was so fully invested in the characters that I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how the story would end. This was another fantastic instalment in the series and I can't wait to find out who will be the stars of the next one!

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Hardback / Paperback / Kindle:

Tuesday 5 June 2018

Review: Order of Protection - Lexi Blake

To high-end defense attorney Henry Garrison, Win Hughes is a woman he met during one of the most trying times of his life. She’s soft and warm, and he finds solace in their brief relationship. But Win has a secret. She’s actually Taylor Winston-Hughes—born to one of the wealthiest families in the country, orphaned as a child by a tragic accident. Win moves in the wealthiest circles, but her lavish lifestyle hides her pain.

When her best friend is murdered in the midst of a glittering New York gala, Win’s charged with the crime, and the only person in the world she wants to see is Henry.

Henry is shocked at the true identity of his lover, but he can’t reject the case. This case could take his new firm into the stratosphere. Still, he’s not getting burned by Win again. And yet every turn brings them closer together.

As the case takes a wild turn and Win's entire life is upended, she must look to the people she's closest to in order to find a killer. And Henry must decide between making his case and saving the woman he loves…

Courting Justice Series:
Order of Protection
Evidence of Desire

Visit Lexi Blake's website for more information

Review:
Henry Garrison, also known as the Monster of Manhattan, is an extremely successful defence lawyer who saw his career go up in flames when he spiralled into alcoholism during the spectacular break up of his marriage to an actress. Now he's finally starting to put his life back on track, he's sober and he's started up a new law firm with friends hoping to slowly rebuild his reputation. He meets Win Hughes when he's on a last vacation before building his business starts to take over his life again, they have a hot fling but agree not to continue it when they get back to their lives no matter how much they might want otherwise.

What he didn't know is that Win is actually Taylor Winston-Hughes, daughter of an incredibly wealthy family and part of the rich and famous set he promised never to join again after his breakup. When Win is accused of murdering her best friend Henry is the only person she trusts to prove her innocence but, as much as his firm could use the publicity of such a high profile case, he's worried about getting involved with someone who is constantly harassed by reporters and being dragged back into the limelight.

I really enjoyed the first half of this story, I thought Henry and Win's first meeting was cute and I enjoyed seeing them connect with each other. They both have a lot of baggage, Henry is an alcoholic and Win is also in recovery from an eating disorder, but I liked the way they opened up to each other and they were able to understand each other better because of their own issues. They made a really sweet couple and even though I knew Henry wouldn't be happy when he discovered Win's identity I was still rooting for them as a couple. Then when they returned to their daily lives things went a bit sideways.

Win was the same sweet girl she'd always been, someone who had worked hard to rid her life of the toxic people who helped drive her into an eating disorder and just trying to stay out of the spotlight. Henry on the other hand found his inner shark again and that wasn't an improvement on his personality. When he uncovered the truth about Win's identity he was vicious about it. Yes she'd hidden things from him and I get why that upset him but I think he took it too far and if I was Win I'd have given up on him long before he came around. Unfortunately that made it much harder to root for them as a couple and I started to wonder if they'd be better off apart. Henry did sort himself out eventually but I would have liked it to have happened a little sooner than it did.

I also felt the murder mystery ended up being a bit too far fetched, certain parts made sense but others were just ridiculous and I can't understand how nobody ever suspected anything sooner. One thing I will say is that I liked Henry's business partners, David and Noah, far more than I liked Henry so I have very high hopes for their stories. I also like the way Lexi Blake manages to connect all of her different series together, I've not read her Masters and Mercenaries or Lawless series yet (I'm new to Lexi Blake's writing and have been slowly working my way through her backlist!) but I always enjoy cameo appearances and they definitely make me more excited to get to those stories.

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Blog Tour: Order of Protection - Lexi Blake


Order of Protection:
A Courting Justice Novel
By Lexi Blake
Available Now


To high-end defense attorney Henry Garrison, Win Hughes is a woman he met during one of the most trying times of his life. She’s soft and warm, and he finds solace in their brief relationship. But Win has a secret. She’s actually Taylor Winston-Hughes—born to one of the wealthiest families in the country, orphaned as a child by a tragic accident. Win moves in the wealthiest circles, but her lavish lifestyle hides her pain.

When her best friend is murdered in the midst of a glittering New York gala, Win’s charged with the crime, and the only person in the world she wants to see is Henry.

Henry is shocked at the true identity of his lover, but he can’t reject the case. This case could take his new firm into the stratosphere. Still, he’s not getting burned by Win again. And yet every turn brings them closer together.

As the case takes a wild turn and Win's entire life is upended, she must look to the people she's closest to in order to find a killer. And Henry must decide between making his case and saving the woman he loves…

Now Available!



Excerpt from Order of Protection:

Henry glanced up at the clock. Two thirty p.m. Somehow he’d expected Win to show up bright and early this morning. He’d woken up and made a pot of coffee, and he’d gone over all the ways he would explain to her that this was a bad idea.

Because it was still a bad idea.

Alicia might have given in to Noah and Drew Lawless’s blackmail, but she would be back at some point. Then there was the fact that he dealt with unsavory clients on a daily basis. He took on high-profile cases and often got dragged through the mud along with the client.

There were plenty of people out there who hated him. Loathed him and despised the very fact that he existed and cheered if he failed. He was used to it. Sweet little Win was not and would be horrified.

So he was going to tell her how amazing their night together was and then turn her down gently.

Except she hadn’t shown up and that bugged the hell out of him.

She’d been the one to claim she would be here despite the fact that he’d told her not to come. She’d told him she didn’t care what he thought.

It was perverse, but if he’d had her number, he might have called and said a few things about setting expectations and then not meeting them.

He started another pot of coffee. This was completely foolish. She’d put some distance between the two of them and realized how little they had in common. At least one of them had some sense.

The scent of French roast hit the air and he realized he was pro-crastinating. He was putting off the moment when he had to step back into the city and face the music. He would have to work his ass off to find anyone who wanted to hire a lawyer with his tarnished reputation. It didn’t matter that his addiction issues had never cost a client a dime. The perception would be there, and perception was over half the battle in life.

He should pack up tonight and leave it all to the agent. It’s what he should have done yesterday, but he’d enjoyed spending time with David, showing him places on the island and telling him stories.

It was time to go home now. Time to forget about pretending to be someone he couldn’t afford to be anymore. Time to put away thoughts of quiet and peace and get back to being the Monster of Manhattan. That was the only way he was going to survive.

The Monster of Manhattan didn’t give in to urges. He plowed through all problems with a single-minded, ruthless intent. The Monster didn’t need attention, though he tended to get it. Attention didn’t matter to the Monster. Money mattered. Power mattered.

He would get them both back.

The Monster certainly didn’t need some do-gooder in his bed. He would select a woman, rationally discuss his needs with her, and pay her for her services, whether they be as a plus-one to gatherings or as a body in bed. That was how he would view it. Transactional.

Transactional was safe.

So he was going to stop being such a whiny asshole and be grateful that Win had some sense.

A knock broke through the quiet of the house.

He practically ran for the door.

He opened it and there was Win, standing in the soft light of the afternoon, her hair up in a ponytail. She was wearing denim shorts and a blousy, feminine shirt. She had a bag of groceries in one hand and what looked like a duffel in the other.

“I know you said I shouldn’t come back, but you’re wrong and I’m going to give you all my reasons why.”

He didn’t care. She was here. He walked straight up to her and cupped that pretty face in his hands and kissed her for all he was worth.

Fuck transactional. He wanted something real for once in his damn life.

When he came back up, he was rewarded with a soft look in her eyes, her lips curving into a small smile.

“No arguing with me?”

He did have some problems they should discuss. “You’re late.”

Her smile went brilliant. “I had some things to clear up. I thought if you didn’t mind, I might stay with you for a few nights.”

He took the bag of groceries out of her hand and led her inside. “I think that sounds like a great idea.”

“This is way easier than I thought it would be,” she admitted. “Have you had lunch? I could whip up some sandwiches and we could have a picnic.”

He stashed the grocery bag in the fridge. She set down her duffel, and that made it much easier to scoop her up and into his arms. “I know exactly what I want for lunch.”

Her eyes went wide, but she didn’t struggle at all. Her arms went around his shoulders as he carried her to the big bedroom.

It had been cozy in his old room, but he needed more space if she was going to live here with him for a few weeks.

He stopped at the edge of the big bed he’d had brought in after he’d inherited the place. It was the only room he’d redone, with the thought of spending long weekends with his friends up here. He never had managed the time, but now he was happy he’d spent the cash to do it because he could share it with her.

The last few weeks of being Henry before going back to the real world.

He set her down on the bed and pulled his shirt over his head. He wasn’t playing around this time. That was for later. It had been entirely too long since he’d had her.

He needed her.

He knew it was something he should question, even be slightly afraid of, but he didn’t care in the moment. All that mattered was she was here and he could put off any thoughts of letting her go for a few days. He could sink into her.

She was his reward for every crappy thing he’d been through in the last couple of years.


About Lexi Blake:

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn't until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE


Release Day Launch: Roar - Cora Carmack


From New York Times bestselling author Cora Carmack comes her debut young adult fantasy, ROAR! Now available in paperback, ROAR takes readers on an adventure filled with charismatic characters in an enthralling world sure to keep them turning the pages. Grab your copy today!


About ROAR (Stormheart #1):

New York Times bestselling author Cora Carmack's young adult debut: Roar.

In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.

Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora's been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.

To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings. They’re storm hunters.

Legend says that her ancestors first gained their magic by facing a storm and stealing part of its essence. And when a handsome young storm hunter reveals he was born without magic, but possesses it now, Aurora realizes there’s a third option for her future besides ruin or marriage.

She might not have magic now, but she can steal it if she’s brave enough.

Challenge a tempest. Survive it. And you become its master.





EXCERPT:

“This life is not glamorous,” Duke told her. “We travel constantly. We sleep on the ground most nights. When we’re not in danger from storms, we’re in danger in cities where we are considered criminals. This life is not for the faint of heart.”

“There are things I do not know, things I will have to learn. But I am capable. I am familiar with sacrifice. I know what it is to make hard choices.”

“Tell me you’re not considering this,” Locke said to Duke.

The old man was silent for a long moment, both Locke and Roar looking to him for support. Duke rubbed at his mustache, a habit of his when he was thinking deeply. “Let’s think about this, Locke. She’s smart. And determined.”

“She’s a child.”

Roar’s shoulders hunched in Locke’s peripheral vision, and he swallowed back the guilt. He could apologize later. For now, it was imperative that he won this argument.

You were a child when I brought you into the fold,” Duke said. “She’s a young woman with a good head on her shoulders. And if this is what she wants, I’m inclined to at least hear her out.”

Just like that, Roar’s shoulders straightened, and Locke turned to watch a devastating smile bloom across her mouth. His weakness when it came to her only made him more cross.

“What skills do you have?” he snapped at Roar.

“Skills?”

“Yes, skills. What can you do? Or do you just plan to tag along for the ride?”

A flush spread over her cheeks, and her voice was tentative when she answered, “I’m good on a horse. Very good.”

Where in the world would she have learned to ride? He quickly hardened his expression. “Horses are fine for travel, but they don’t do well in storms. They, unlike you, have good survival instincts.”

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Locke could have sworn he felt an updraft—the first sign that bad weather could occur—and he knew that this time he had pushed too far.

Roar marched toward him, spearing a finger into his chest and said, “I can read and write. I can speak Taraanese, Finlaghi, and Odilarian. I can read maps. I know enough about grassland vegetation and wildlife to survive without a market to buy food and drink. I’m good with knives and a bow. I learn quickly, and I’m not afraid of hard work. And I’ve spent my entire life reading as much about storms as I could get my hands on.” For a moment, her voice cracked under the weight of her anger, but she took a huffing breath and continued: “I’m good with numbers. It’s been a while, but I think I can probably still draw the constellations from memory, which should make me decent at navigation. I can—“

“Enough.” Locke’s voice came out in a deep rasp. He captured her long, delicate finger in his fist before she could continue poking him. He felt short of breath at the sight of her—livid and lovely. “Enough.”

The old Locke might have kept arguing, and Roar would have met him toe-to-toe. But if becoming a storm hunter had taught him anything, it was that fighting head-on wasn’t always the way to win. Sometimes strategy was required. He met Duke’s eyes over her shoulder, and if he had thought Roar looked smug before, she had nothing on his mentor. The man raised his eyebrows in a challenge and asked, “You?”

He hated the idea of bringing someone into this dangerous life, but if it was going to happen regardless, he sure as hell wouldn’t hand her safety over to anyone else, not even Ransom. And at the very least, it would give him the opportunity to change her mind. He gritted his teeth and nodded his acceptance.

Book Trailer:


Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway



About Cora Carmack:

Cora Carmack is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Since she was a teenager, her favorite genre to read has been fantasy, and now she’s thrilled to bring her usual compelling characters and swoon-worthy romance into worlds of magic and intrigue with her debut YA fantasy, Roar. Her previous adult romance titles include the Losing It, Rusk University, and Muse series. Her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages around the world. Cora splits her time between Austin, TX and New York City, and on any given day you might find her typing away at her computer, flying to various cities around the world, or just watching Netflix with her kitty Katniss. But she can always be found on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and her website www.coracarmack.com.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads


Monday 4 June 2018

Cover Reveal: Hour of Darkness - Lara Adrian


It's no secret I'm a HUGE fan of Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed and the spin off Hunter Legacy series so I'm thrilled to be taking part in the cover reveal for the next book in the series Hour of Darkness! The book releases on the 31st of July 2018 in ebook and print and you can order from all major retailers now or visit www.LaraAdrian.com for more information.


Blurb:

New York Times bestselling author Lara Adrian returns with a pulse-pounding new novel in the thrilling Hunter Legacy series of vampire romances set in the darkly seductive Midnight Breed paranormal story world.

Born and raised as an assassin in the notorious Hunter program, Breed vampire Cain has since put his specialized skills to use as a mercenary willing to clean up any problem for a price. Or so he thought. After a job in Las Vegas strains even his dubious code of honor, Cain pulls up stakes and lands in Miami for a much-needed break. All he wants is time away to clear his head and regroup, but then a beautiful young woman is nearly killed in front of his eyes and the ruthless former Hunter becomes the only thing standing between her and a sniper’s bullet.

Marina Moretskova is no stranger to dangerous men. As the niece of a Russian organized crime boss, she’s grown up around killers and criminals. But her uncle wants out now, and he’s enlisted Marina’s help in buying his freedom by delivering valuable intel to a secret contact in exchange for protection. Not even Marina’s bodyguards are aware of her mission, so when an attempt on her life is averted by a handsome, steely-eyed vampire, as grateful as she is for Cain’s intervention, the last thing she needs is the shrewd Breed male nosing around for answers. Cain’s cold, haunted gaze and merciless abilities attest to his brutal nature, yet the rough, solitary Hunter stirs a powerful longing in Marina—a darkly seductive hunger she can neither afford nor resist. With a target on her back and covert enemies closing in from all sides, trust is a risk that can prove deadly . . . and the safest shelter she may find is in the arms of the most lethal man she’ll ever know.


Pre-order Links:

EBOOK LINKS
Kindle US: https://amzn.to/2kFyskl
Nook: http://bit.ly/2kJBiVf
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2LbwgMz
iBooks: processing
Google Play: available on release day 7/31/18

EBOOK INTERNATIONAL LINKS
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2LR7ouD
Amazon DE: https://amzn.to/2smbAe0
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2smtOMu
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2Lcotht

PRINT LINKS
Available on release day 7/31/18

AUDIOBOOK LINKS
Release day TBA

Add it to your Goodreads shelf: http://bit.ly/2JiCTPR

Sunday 3 June 2018

Review: Honor Among Thieves - Rachel Caine & Ann Aguirre

Meet your new favorite kickass heroine in this daring YA series by New York Times bestselling authors Rachel Caine and Ann Aguirre, a thrilling yet romantic futuristic adventure perfect for fans of Claudia Gray's A Thousand Pieces of You.

Petty criminal Zara Cole has a painful past that's made her stronger than most, which is why she chose life in New Detroit instead moving with her family to Mars. In her eyes, living inside a dome isn't much better than a prison cell.

Still, when Zara commits a crime that has her running scared, jail might be exactly where she's headed. Instead Zara is recruited into the Honors, an elite team of humans selected by the Leviathan--a race of sentient alien ships--to explore the outer reaches of the universe as their passengers.

Zara seizes the chance to flee Earth's dangers, but when she meets Nadim, the alien ship she's assigned, Zara starts to feel at home for the first time. But nothing could have prepared her for the dark, ominous truths that lurk behind the alluring glitter of starlight.

The Honors Series:
Honor Among Thieves
Honor Bound (2019)

Visit Rachel Caine's website or Ann Aguirre's website for more information

Review:
I've been wanting to read Honor Among Thieves ever since I heard Ann Aguirre give a reading last year, let's face it you don't often get to read stories about a girl who falls in love with a sentient space ship so the concept had me hooked! This was such a fun story and the writing switched seamlessly between Ann Aguirre and Rachel Caine, I definitely couldn't pinpoint who wrote which parts.

The story starts by showing us Zara's life on earth, things have been hard for her and she ended up living on the streets and working with a gang to survive, she's done things she's not proud of but she's only ever done what she needed to do to survive. When things go badly she ends up in a young offenders institute and without drastic changes she knows her life is on the line when her old gang eventually manage to catch up with her. It's then that she is offered the chance to take part in the Honors Program, a highly specialised training program that gives her the opportunity to travel through space with one of the Leviathans. The Leviathans are huge, whale like aliens that swim through the galaxy like it's an ocean, they are ancient and powerful and they have the ability to allow humans to live inside them to join them on their journeys.

After training Zara and her crew mate Bea are paired with Nadim, one of the younger Leviathans who is only just beginning his own journey. Working together the girls have to figure out how to survive in space and when Nadim gets injured in a fight with one of his own they start to realise how little humans really know about the Leviathans and what they want with us.

I really enjoyed this story, the world building was great but it was once Zara and Bea go to space and start to bond with Nadim that things really get interesting. I loved that both girls were immediate allies and friends rather than two women facing off against each other like you so often see in YA. They both have different strengths and personalities but they're happy to work together so there are no petty issues to worry about. What I liked most was getting to know Nadim though and seeing the girls through his eyes, the way the Leviathans are described and the way they see and hear the universe was just fascinating and the authors made it so easy to picture what was happening. Leviathans form a psychic bond with their crew and the developing feelings between Nadim and Zara were really well written, there is definitely love there but it's more of a soul bond than anything particularly romantic so there was nothing that weirded me out.

This was a great introduction to the series and it definitely left me excited to see how the story continues. I think we still have so much to uncover about the Leviathans and the reason they contacted humans in the first place and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how that plays out.

Oh and in case you're interested in knowing what Nadim looks like check out this gorgeous illustration from the book:


Source: Received from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review, I also won a signed copy from Ann Aguirre.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Hardback / Paperback (Preorder):

Saturday 2 June 2018

Review: Four Psychos - Kristy Cunning

I'm not so different from most people.
Like everyone else, I have life goals.

Goal #1: Become a real girl instead of this invisible ghost thing I currently am.

Goal #2: Convince the four men I've been haunting for the past five years to pick me to be their new toy after goal one is complete.

Goal #3: Figure out who/what I am and why I can't remember anything past the five years I've been haunting this quad.

Goal #4: Eat popcorn.

See? Perfectly normal. Sort of.
Gotta start small, after all.
It's not like anyone else is perfect either.

**Sexual situations
**Reverse Harem
**Dark humor galore
**Language warning

The Dark Side Series:
Four Psychos
Thee Trials
Two Kingdoms
One Apocalypse

Visit Kristy Cunning's website for more information

Review:
Four Psychos is the start of a fun reverse harem series with a very unusual premise. The main character Keyla is a ghost who has no memory of life before she died, her whole existence boils down to the last 5 years which she has spent living with a group of four supernatural men. She may have been stalking these guys but until now she's had no way to communicate with them, they can't see or hear her and she can't have any kind of effect on her surroundings. It's been a lonely time for her but the men have become like family, she knows everything about her even though they have no idea she exists. Keyla's powers have slowly been growing though and during an attack on her men she suddenly makes a break through so for the first time she can remember people can actually see and talk to her.

Keyla is over the moon by this development but Kai, Jude, Ezekiel and Gage are much more sceptical about things, not surprising really when a strange woman appears and seems to know everything about their lives! The guys don't trust her and have no way of knowing whether she is telling the truth or not but it's very obvious from her abilities that she is something they've never come across before and they're determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.

This was a great introduction to the series and it definitely left me wanting more. I really enjoyed the banter between Keyla and the others and I really liked the fact that they were so sceptical about her sudden appearance and the strange things she was telling them. I also appreciated that although they found her attractive this didn't dive immediately into a full on harem relationship (it's actually pretty tame, there's no sex just a couple of steamy scenes but I'm sure we'll get much more in the sequel!). Their relationship feels more realistic because it's a slow build and I'm enjoying seeing them all get to know each other properly now they can communicate. I have to admit I got a little annoyed with how badly some of the guys treated Keyla but she was more than capable of standing up to them and calling them out on their bad behaviour so it did have that going for it.

I'm looking forward to finding out more about what is going on, who Keyla really is and why she seems to be linked to the guys, who is targeting the guys and why, and of course watching their relationship continue to develop.

Source: Purchased

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:

Friday 1 June 2018

May 2018 Recap


Books read in previous months but reviewed in May:
(Links will take you to my reviews)
  1. Burn Bright - Patricia Briggs (Read Twice) (Read in January & March, reviewed in May)
  2. Hero at the Fall - Alwyn Hamilton (Read in February, reviewed in May)
  3. Unearthed - Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner (Read in February, reviewed in May)
  4. The Whispering Room - Dean Koontz (Read in February, reviewed in May)
  5. Four Psychos - Kristy Cunning (Read in March, review coming soon)
  6. Scythe - Neal Shusterman (Read in March, reviewed in May)
  7. The Queen's Gambit - Jessie Mihalik (Novella) (Read in March, review coming soon)
  8. Tricks for Free - Seanan McGuire (Read in March, reviewed in May)
  9. Aliens Abroad - Gini Koch (Read in March, reviewed in May)
  10. Honor Among Thieves - Rachel Caine & Ann Aguirre (Read in April, review coming soon)
  11. The Girl in the Tower - Katherine Arden (Read in April, review coming soon)
  12. Steal the Day - Lexi Blake (Read in April, review coming soon)
  13. A Fistful of Flirtation - Rebecca Chastain (Novella) (Read in April, reviewed in May)
  14. The Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman (Read in April, review coming soon)
  15. The Smoke Thieves - Sally Green (Read in April, reviewed in May)
  16. Two to Love - Lexi Blake (Read in April, reviewed in May)
Books read in May:
(Links will take you to my reviews)
  1. Burn for Me - Ilona Andrews (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
  2. Shoot the Messenger - Pippa DaCosta (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
  3. Game of Lies - Pippa DaCosta
  4. Claws, Confessions of a Professional Cat Groomer - Anita Kelsey
  5. Harry Potter Hedwig Owl Kit and Sticker Book (Model & Sticker Book)
  6. Harry Potter Talking Sorting Hat and Sticker Book: Which House Are You? (Model & Sticker Book)
  7. A Fistful of Frost - Rebecca Chastain
  8. Magic Shifts - Ilona Andrews (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
  9. Ocean Light - Nalini Singh (review coming soon)
  10. Ace of Shades - Amanda Foody
  11. Legendary - Stephanie Garber
  12. Fighting for Everything - Laura Kaye
  13. Recklessly Royal - Nichole Chase (review coming soon)
  14. Temeraire - Naomi Novik (review coming soon)
  15. White Hot - Ilona Andrews (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
  16. Magic Stars - Ilona Andrews (Novella) (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
  17. Furyborn - Claire Legrand (review coming soon)
  18. Monstress, Vol 2: The Blood - Marjorie M. Liu & Sana Takeda (Graphic Novel) (review coming soon)
  19. Order of Protection - Lexi Blake (review coming soon)
  20. Iron and Magic - Ilona Andrews (review coming soon)
  21. Magic Binds - Ilona Andrews (I re-read this book but the link takes you to my original review)
    Other May Posts
    May Books of the Month:
    (Choices are made from books reviewed this month and the links will take you to my reviews)

    My top YA read in May:


    Scythe by Neal Shusterman (read my review here)

    My top NA read in May:

    I didn't read any NA books in May

    My top adult read in May:


    Game of Lies by Pippa DaCosta (read my review here)

    My Challenge Updates:

    Here are the 2018 challenges I've signed up for:
    2018 Read 100 Books in a Year Challenge - Read 95/200
    2018 British Books Challenge - Read 9/20
    2018 New Author Challenge - Read 11/20
    2018 Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance Challenge - Read 48/100
    2018 Contemporary Romance Challenge - Read 13/20

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