Review: The McCullagh Inn in Maine - Jen McLaughlin

James Patterson’s BookShots. Short, fast-paced, high-impact entertainment.

Her second chance at love...

Chelsea O'Kane escapes to Maine with fresh bruises. She's ready to begin anew – until she runs into her old flame, Jeremy Holland. As he helps fix up her inn, her heart heals and they rediscover what they once loved about each other. But as the two play house, it starts to seem too good to last...

McCullagh Inn Series:
The McCullagh Inn in Maine
A Wedding in Maine (2017)

Visit Diane Alberts / Jen McLaughlin's website for more information.

Review:
Chelsea is on the run from her abusive ex, she left her entire life behind in Miami and has returned to her home town in Maine where she's hoping to get a new identity and start her life over again by taking over her aunt's old Inn. The last thing she's expecting is to bump into her childhood friend Jeremy, the first boy she ever loved and the first one who broke her heart. Jeremy seems pretty keen to pick things up where they left off but Chelsea has been burned by him before and she has enough troubles on her shoulders without risking her heart all over again.

The James Patterson BookShots series are books that are meant to be read in one sitting, they're fast paced reads that you can easily finish in an hour or so which is perfect when you don't have much time but still want to be able to read a complete story. I understand that relatively short books (this one is 137 pages) don't give the author as much time to fully develop the characters but that's not always an issue with second chance romances if they are able to build a sense of history between the couple. Unfortunately that didn't work quite so well as I'd hoped here because both Chelsea and Jeremy were keeping pretty major secrets.

I could understand why Chelsea didn't want to let Jeremy in because she didn't want to put him in danger and she was at least upfront enough with him to let him know that something terrible had happened in her life that she wasn't ready to talk about. I just think it would have worked better if readers had been let in on the secret sooner, we were kept in the dark alongside Jeremy and rather than adding to the suspense I found it was frustrating to not fully understand what she was running from. On the other hand Jeremy's secret actually made me angry, he had reasons to keep that secret in the beginning but once things reached a certain point I felt he should have been honest with her. Trying to pursue a relationship with her while hiding something so important was completely out of order and made me lose some of my respect for him. I found that Chelsea was a bit too quick to forgive him and that didn't help me believe their relationship would be a success.

I knew that this book was going to be a series but I'd just assumed that each book would focus on a different couple so finding out that Chelsea and Jeremy's story continues into the next book has made me think we might get to see the development that was missing a bit in this book. I'm interested to see how things go between them now that their secrets are out in the open and I think I'll end up enjoying the second book much more.

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.

Paperback / Kindle:

Cover Reveal: The Lust is the Thorn - Jen McLaughlin

Today we are revealing the cover for LUST IS THE THORN by Jen McLaughlin. This book is being released by Random House on April 19th, 2016. Check out the fantastic blurb below.

BOOK BLURB:

From the bestselling author of Bad Romance (“A sexy, emotional, steamy read.”—Addison Moore) comes an edgy novel about a reformed bad boy training to be a priest and the fallen angel who makes him think twice about giving up earthly pleasures.

Growing up hard and fast on the mean streets of Chicago, Thorn McKinney didn’t have a prayer—until tragedy inspired him to join the seminary. Now the time has come to take his vows, and yet he’s haunted by the woman he can’t leave behind: his best friend’s little sister. Despite Thorn’s promises that he’d keep her safe, she’s going through hell. And now he finds himself torn between duty and desire, entranced by the seductive pull of her trusting eyes, innocent heart, and sinfully sweet curves.

Trying to let Thorn pursue his calling, Rose Gallagher has been hiding some things: namely her abusive boyfriend and her job as a stripper. But when she hits rock bottom, Thorn is there for her—and now there’s no denying the raw temptation that draws them together in their darkest moments. Rose may have found salvation in his strong arms, but she knows that Thorn must choose his own path: in the church, or in the warm embrace of a woman’s love.

Praise for the novels of Jen McLaughlin

“Addicting from start to finish!”—New York Times bestselling author Addison Moore

“With hot, sexy chemistry and heroes to die for, Jen McLaughlin’s books always deliver!”—New York Times bestselling author Laura Kaye

“Jen McLaughlin’s books are sexy and satisfying reads!”—New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst

PRE-ORDER NOW

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Jen McLaughlin is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of sexy books with Penguin Random House. Under her pen name, Diane Alberts, she is also a USA TODAY bestselling author of Contemporary Romance with Entangled Publishing. Her first release as Jen McLaughlin, Out of Line, hit the New York Times, USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal lists. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and four cats. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Join Jen McLaughlin's newsletter!

Cover Reveal: Dare to Run - Jen McLaughlin (+ Scavenger Hunt Giveaway!)

Today I'm excited to be taking part in the cover reveal for Dare to Run, the first book in Jen McLaughlin's HOT new Sons of Steel Row series, that is being published by Penguin (NAL Signet) on the 2nd of February 2016. I'm a huge fan of Jen's writing so I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book & I'm sure you'll see why when you have a look at this cover!

To celebrate the release Jen McLaughlin is holding a scavenger hunt, there are 8 clues scattered around a selection of blogs that are taking part in the cover reveal. All you have to do is find all the clues and then unscramble the eight letters to make a word!

To make it easy for you I'll even tell you where you can find the first clue - Just go to this article on DARE TO RUN, found at USA Today HEA!

You'll be able to find links to the seven remaining clues on Jen McLaughlin's blog HERE

The clue I'm sharing with you today is number 4:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dare to Run Blurb:

The New York Times bestselling author of the Out of Line Novels takes readers to Boston, where one gang of criminals knows how being bad can be so good...

She knows what he’s like on Boston’s mean streets. Now she’s going to find out if he’s got some heart.

Lucas Donahue is not ashamed of his criminal past, but after a brief stint in prison, he’s ready to go legit and live a normal life. The problem is, no one leaves the gang without permission—even if he is one of the boss’s top men. Plus someone’s placed a hit on him. And then there’s that feisty little bartender who’s going to cause him even more trouble.

Heidi Greene knows to keep her distance from a ladies’ man like Lucas—even if she can’t keep her eyes off him. When he rescues her from an attack in the alley outside her bar, she’s forced to stay by his side for safety. But the longer she spends time with him, the greater her chances are for getting hurt in more ways than one.

Add Dare to Run to Goodreads HERE

Pre-order Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1AnqL7e
The Book Depository: http://bit.ly/1Lucber
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1HDfUZa

About the Author:

Jen McLaughlin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sexy New Adult books. Under her pen name Diane Alberts, she is a multi-published, bestselling author of Contemporary Romance with Entangled Publishing. Her first release as Jen McLaughlin, Out of Line, released September 6 2013, and hit the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal lists. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and a cat. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

Find Jen McLaughlin Online:

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Cover Reveal: Sex on The Beach Series Revisited by Jenna Bennett, Jen McLaughlin & Jennifer Probst (#SEXONTHEBEACH) + International Giveaway

I really enjoyed reading the novellas in the Sex on the Beach series by Jenna Bennett, Jen McLaughlin and Jennifer Probst last year so I was excited when I found out that they were continuing the series and giving us a chance to revisit all three couples again this year. I'm thrilled to be taking part in the cover reveal for the three new instalments in the series today. These novellas all release on the 3rd of March so less than a month before we can get our hands on them!

Finding You by Jenna Bennett

Book Summary:

Sex on the Beach, the do-over.
I had a simple plan for what to do in Key West the second time around.
Testify at the trial of the rapist I helped catch last year.
Make sure he gets locked away for the rest of his natural life, so he can never, ever hurt another girl.
Wait for my BFFs to get to town, so we can celebrate.
And stay far away from Ty Connor, because three months after breaking up with him, I still don’t know whether being with him is worse than being without him.

Spring Break, take two.
All of the above? Out the window.
Turns out testifying is a lot harder than I thought it would be.
Not only is the rapist I helped catch last year not locked away for the rest of his life, he’s on the loose and looking for me.
Oh yeah, and it’s definitely harder being without Ty than being with him, especially when I have to watch him with someone else.

Welcome to my world.

Losing Us by Jen McLaughlin

Book Summary:

When it all comes crashing down . . .

Everything I thought I had with Austin Murphy—safety, stability, the normalcy I crave but my celebrity lifestyle rarely allows—was ripped away in one night. I wanted to surprise him, but the joke was on me. Now I don't know if I ever really knew him at all.

Someone has to pick up the pieces . . .

Mackenzie Forbes was everything I ever wanted and the one person I didn't deserve. When a past mistake costs me the girl I love, I'll do everything I can to get her back. We both have demanding careers and family secrets darkening our pasts, but I need Mackenzie in my future.

Sometimes everything you have to give just isn't enough . . .

Chasing Me by Jennifer Probst

Book Summary:

Quinn and James' Story Continues in Chasing Me . . .

It was supposed to be a love story . . .

I knew she was out of my league but I didn’t care. Looking back, I wonder if I hadn’t pursued her, would things have turned out differently? Is it Fate that determines our choices in life? God? Free will? Or just plain old innate selfishness?

I got her, of course. There hadn’t been a girl I wasn’t able to seduce. Problem was she seduced me right back, body, mind, and soul. She possessed me, tormented me, and showed me a world that was so bright and pure I was almost blinded.

Didn’t she know after such a drug I could never settle for less? Didn’t she realize no matter how many times I screwed up, or broke her heart, or bent her to my will, I’d never be able to let her go?

If I hadn’t known such intensity existed, would it have been better for both of us?

True love, the real kind, isn’t nice and sweet and pure. No, it’s dirty, and sinful, and messy. It’s like ripping a chunk of flesh from your body and watching yourself bleed out in slow, helpless intervals until you thankfully pass out.

This isn’t a love story. But it’s the only story I got.

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Preorder Now:

FINDING YOU by Jenna Bennett Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1DixYUx
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Kjb01B

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LOSING US by Jen McLaughlin Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1DCF4RG
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1ufej5V

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CHASING ME by Jennifer Probst Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1xrPrTw
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1uf6jlA

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Goodreads Contest:

For each book that gets to 500 adds, 5 pages of that novella will be released! 10 pages will be released after 1000 adds, and 15 pages after 1500 adds! So, spread the word and be sure to add each book to your goodreads list.

LINKS:
FINDING YOU - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24847244-finding-you
LOSING US - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24280033-losing-us
CHASING ME - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24748839-chasing-me

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Purchase the previous books in the series:

BEFORE YOU BY JENNA BENNETT

Read my review

Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1jMeX1U
B&N: http://bit.ly/1hYqcCA

BETWEEN US BY JEN MCLAUGHLIN

Read my review

Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1i72kku
B&N: http://bit.ly/1hFWiEj

BEYOND ME BY JENNIFER PROBST

Read my review

Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1luEuzN
B&N: http://bit.ly/1i6kw9v

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About the Authors:

Jenna Bennett

Bio:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jenna Bennett (Jennie Bentley) writes the Do It Yourself home renovation mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime and the Cutthroat Business mysteries for her own gratification. She also writes a variety of romance for a change of pace. For more information, please visit her website, www.jennabennett.com

Links:
Website: www.jennabennett.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-Bennett-Jennie-Bentley/192400104127600
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bennett_Jenna
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1549070.Jenna_Bennett

Jen McLaughlin

Bio:
Jen McLaughlin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sexy New Adult books. Under her pen name Diane Alberts, she is a multi-published, bestselling author of Contemporary Romance with Entangled Publishing. Her first release as Jen McLaughlin, Out of Line, released September 6 2013, and hit the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal lists. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and a cat. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

Links:
Website: http://www.jenmclaughlin.com/
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianeAlberts6
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeAlberts
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6921962.Jen_McLaughlin

Jennifer Probst

Bio:
Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.
She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon's Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

Links:
Website: www.jenniferprobst.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferprobst.authorpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferprobst
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2965489.Jennifer_Probst

Cover Reveal: Fractured Lines - Jen McLaughlin (+ International Giveaway)

I'm a huge fan of Diane Alberts / Jen McLaughlin so I'm very excited to be taking part in the cover reveal for her new novel Fractured Lines today. Fractured Lines is the new instalment in her Out of Line series and it's a book I can't wait to get my hands on! The book is released on the 14th of October so you still have some time to catch up with the series and make sure you're ready for it.

Blurb:

The lines we once crossed so easily have widened and torn us apart . . .

Once upon a time I thought Finn and I would live happily ever after, but real life doesn't always have a happy ending. He's testing my trust, and I'm losing faith in the man I thought I'd spend the rest of my life with, and there’s nothing I do can stop it. He’s the one I trusted to keep me safe, but now he’s the source of my greatest pain . . .

Forgiveness is fragile, and some fractures never fully heal . . .

One mistake—a slip in a moment of weakness—might cost me everything I've worked so hard for. The thing about trust is that it's a lot easier to lose than it is to build. Just as I'm about to give up and surrender to the demons from my past, an unexpected threat reminds me what I'm best at: protecting the woman I love. Whether or not she wants me, I will fight for Carrie and our daughter, and I will keep them safe—no matter the cost.

Even if I have to put my life and my heart on the line.

Pre-Order Sale:

Fractured Lines is already up on Amazon for pre-order for a bargain price of just $0.99 (only £0.77 in the UK Kindle store!). This price is only for a limited time so order now to make sure you don't miss it!

Find it here:
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk

Special Goodreads Content:

Add Fractured Lines to Goodreads and help release the first pages of the book!

- Once the book gets 500 adds, Jen will release the first 5 pages.
- Once the book gets 1000 adds, Jen will release the first 10 pages.

Click Here to add Fractured Lines to Goodreads

Teaser:

Author Information:

Jen McLaughlin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sexy New Adult books. Under her pen name Diane Alberts, she is a multi-published, bestselling author of Contemporary Romance with Entangled Publishing. Her first release as Jen McLaughlin, Out of Line, released September 6 2013, and hit the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal lists. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal-clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and a cat. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

Website: http://dianealberts.com/
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianeAlberts6
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeAlberts
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6921962.Jen_McLaughlin

Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Fractured Lines Jen is giving away an ebook set of the entire Out of Lines series to one lucky winner. The giveaway is open internationally and you can enter using the Rafflecopter form below. The winner will be announced via Rafflecopter and they will be contacted directly by Jen so she can arrange sending out the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Extract from Out of Mind by Jen McLaughlin (+ Giveaway)

I'm a huge fan of Jen McLauglin and absolutely loved Out of Line so I'm excited to have an extract from the newest book in the series Out of Mind to share with you today.

Reaching for sunlight...

Finn survived the ambush and came home to me, but in his head, the battle is still raging. He’s falling apart and I’m trying my best to pick up the pieces of him, to find the us we used to be. I love him as much as I ever did, but love isn’t enough to fix this. I thought telling my father about our relationship would be the hardest thing we’d ever have to face. I was wrong.

Lost in shadows...

All I wanted was to be worthy of Carrie. One mission, just one, and I’d be able to give her the future she deserved. Then everything went wrong, leaving me tainted and broken. Carrie wants me to be who I was, but all that’s left is what they made of me. I’m no good for her. No good for anyone like this. I have to figure out how to move forward. Alone.

Sometimes love isn’t enough...

Out of Line Series:
Out of Line
Out of Time (Novella)
Out of Mind

Visit Diane Alberts / Jen McLaughlin's website for more information.

About the author:

Jen McLaughlin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She writes steamy New Adult books for the young and young at heart. Her first release, Out of Line, came out September 2013. She also writes bestselling Contemporary Romance under the pen name Diane Alberts.Since receiving her first contract offer under the pen name Diane Alberts, she has yet to stop writing. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, a cat, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she’s not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

Website: http://dianealberts.com/
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianeAlberts6
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeAlberts
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6921962.Jen_McLaughlin

Extract from Out of Mind by Jen McLaughlin

(Posted with permission from the author as part of the blog tour)

“Don’t let me die...Please don’t let me die...”

Explosions boomed in my ears, shooting me upright into a sitting position in bed, gasping for air and crying out into the empty bedroom. Gunshots still echoed in my head, along with the gurgling of Dotter’s blood as it poured out of his body until there was nothing left. I looked down at my hands, half expecting to find them bloody. They weren’t.

But metaphorically? That was a whole other fucking story.

Trembling, I rose to my feet, my broken arm casted and hanging uselessly in a sling. My body was coated in a light sheen of sweat, and even my sheets were dampened and dark. Blinking at the sunlight that crept through the closed curtains, I tried to remind myself where I was. I wasn’t fighting for my life. Wasn’t watching people die. I was safe.

As safe as I was going to be, anyway.

Pushing the curtains back, I squinted outside. After spending a couple of weeks in a hospital in Germany, followed by another couple of weeks in a hospital in D.C., it was nice to be in a home. But instead of the sandy beaches and hot weather of California, I saw a foot of snow reflecting the sun, blinding me. And we were supposed to get even more tomorrow night. Fucking ridiculous. I studied the position of the sun in the winter sky. Damn, what time was it now? Last thing I remembered, I took a few pills and zonked out. It had been...morning? Maybe? Now, judging from the sunlight streaming through clouds, it was mid-afternoon.

I’d missed a whole day.

Sure. I could act shocked about this, but that happened more often than not lately. I slept away the day, high on painkillers and drunk from whiskey. When I woke up, I swore I wouldn’t touch another drink. I’d last an hour or two.

Then I’d do it all over again.

I ran my hand over my shaved head, wincing at how rough it felt. I’d been back in the good old USA for a couple of days now. I still felt like I was trapped in the fucking desert. Instead, I was in the winter wonderland from hell. Carrie’s parents’ house.

A knock sounded on the door, and I dropped the curtain. I glanced down at myself. I had on a muscle tank and a pair of black basketball shorts. Decent enough, I supposed. “Come in.”

The door cracked, and the red hair I’d recognize anywhere appeared before the face I needed so damn much did. “You’re up?”

“Yeah.” I tugged on my tank and crossed the room. “You can come in.”

Carrie entered, shutting the door behind her. She hesitated, looking torn. Her blue eyes were sober and crystal clear, while I was a fucking drunken wreck. I’d been snapping at her lately. Pushing her away. I hated myself for it, yet I couldn’t seem to fucking stop.

“Did you sleep good? I thought I heard you cry out.”

I fingered the puckered wound on my head. It was still sensitive to the touch and ugly as fuck. Not as ugly as the rest of my scars. Inside and out. “I had another nightmare. Same old thing.”
She approached me slowly. “Anything I can do to help?”

“Yeah.” I met her eyes. “You can come hug me.”

She gave me a smile. “Anytime.”

Within seconds, she was in my arms. Well, my arm. I glowered down at my broken arm, knowing it was as marked up as my head. You just couldn’t see it right now. I closed my arm around her, burying my face in her neck. “Fuck. I missed you.”

She tilted her face up to mine. “I missed you, too.”

Giveaway Details:

As part of the blog tour Jen is holding a fabulous giveaway for a Finn necklace and a signed set of the whole Out of Line series. The giveaway is only open to US participants though I'm afraid (I can't tell you how jealous I am of whoever wins the prize because I would LOVE to enter!).

You can enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter form below, the winner will be contacted directly by Jen so she can arrange to send out your prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teaser Blitz: Out of Mind - Jen McLaughlin

Today is the teaser blitz for the upcoming book OUT OF MIND by Jen McLaughlin. This is the third, and final, book in the OUT OF LINE series!

The book will be released on April 29th!

BOOK SUMMARY:
Reaching for sunlight...

Finn survived the ambush and came home to me, but in his head, the battle is still raging. He’s falling apart and I’m trying my best to pick up the pieces of him, to find the us we used to be. I love him as much as I ever did, but love isn’t enough to fix this. I thought telling my father about our relationship would be the hardest thing we’d ever have to face. I was wrong.

Lost in shadows...

All I wanted was to be worthy of Carrie. One mission, just one, and I’d be able to give her the future she deserved. Then everything went wrong, leaving me tainted and broken. Carrie wants me to be who I was, but all that’s left is what they made of me. I’m no good for her. No good for anyone like this. I have to figure out how to move forward. Alone.

Sometimes love isn’t enough...

SERIES Buy Links:

OUT OF LINE (Book #1)
Amazon - http://amzn.to/17HLrFu
B&N - http://bit.ly/17hfkvi

OUT OF TIME (Book #2)
Amazon - http://amzn.to/1daxXYL
B&N - http://bit.ly/1g7hPas

AUTHOR BIO:
Jen McLaughlin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She writes steamy New Adult books for the young and young at heart. Her first release, Out of Line, came out September 2013. She also writes bestselling Contemporary Romance under the pen name Diane Alberts. Since receiving her first contract offer under the pen name Diane Alberts, she has yet to stop writing. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, a cat, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she’s not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

AUTHOR LINKS:
Website: http://dianealberts.com/
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianeAlberts6
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeAlberts
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6921962.Jen_McLaughlin

Review: Between Us - Jen McLaughlin

I'm just a girl…

I'm a famous country star who's spent her life cultivating a good girl persona to avoid bad press, but I've reached my limit. I'm going away for spring break with my two best friends from college, and we've vowed to spend the vacation seeking out fun in the sun—along with some hot, no-strings-attached sex. The only thing I needed was the perfect guy, and then I met Austin Murphy. He might be totally wrong for me, but the tattooed bad boy is hard to resist. When I'm in his arms, everything just feels right.

And I'm just a guy…

I'm just a bartender who lives in Key West, stuck in an endless cycle of boredom. But then Mackenzie Forbes, America's Sweetheart herself, comes up to me and looks at me with those bright green eyes…and everything changes. She acts like she's just a normal girl and I'm just a normal guy, but that couldn't be further from the truth. My past isn't pretty, you know. I did what I had to do to survive, and she'd run if she learned the truth about my darkness. But with her, I'm finally realizing what it's like to be alive. To laugh, live, and be happy.

All good things must come to an end...

Sex on the Beach Series:
This is a multi-author series made up of the following linked titles. They can be read in any order or work as stand alone stories if you prefer. (The links below will take you to my reviews)
Before You - Jenna Bennett
Between Us - Jen McLaughlin
Beyond Me - Jennifer Probst

Visit the author's websites for more information:
Jenna Bennett
Jen McLaughlin
Jennifer Probst

Review:
Between Us by Jen McLaughlin is part of the Sex on the Beach multi-author series, the stories are linked by three main characters who have all gone on holiday together for spring break and who are looking for a little romance to go along with their sun, sand and cocktails. The characters spend most of their time apart going off and having their own adventures but they do meet up occasionally so you'll get glimpses of all three of them in each story. The books can be read in any order and they each work fine as a stand alone story so you can choose whether you want to read one, two or all three of them.

Mackenzie is a country superstar, she has lived most of her life under a spotlight and has been betrayed time and time again by people who are only interested in her for what she can give them. If they're not trying to use her to boost their music career then they're selling fake stories about her to the press just to earn a quick buck and she is sick of it. All she wants is one week away with her two best friends Quinn and Cassie, a week where she can kick back and relax somewhere that nobody will know who she is and where she'll just be a normal girl out having fun. Perhaps she can even have a fling and finally lose her virginity. It isn't easy going under the radar when you're America's sweetheart though and trouble has a way of catching up with her.

Austin is a bartender in Key West, he has enough responsibilities on his plate without adding a girl into the mix - especially one who could bring him all the wrong kind of attention - but Mackenzie is very hard to resist. He has no interest in her fame or fortune, in fact Austin wants nothing to do with her career and would rather stay out of the spotlight, he knows that dating her will probably end in disaster but he just can't help himself. The pair have fantastic chemistry but life is never easy if you're in the public eye. Can they manage to keep their fling secret or is Mackenzie's clean cut image about to come crashing down around her ears?

Between Us is a really sweet and enjoyable story and Mackenzie was nothing like I expected her to be - instead of being a spoilt and pampered princess she is really down to earth and generous. She's the kind of girl you can imagine being friends with and I enjoyed seeing the connection between her, Quinn and Cassie. Having read all three pf the novellas it was fun to see each girl's opinions about the others and it really gives you an extra insight into the characters. If I had one complaint it was that the relationship between Mackenzie and Austin developed a little too quickly. Considering this is a fairly short novel and that the time line for their holiday in Key West is only a week I understand why things had to happen that way but I think I'd have enjoyed it even more if it had taken longer for them to fall completely in love. That's a minor irritation though because this was a great story and one I'd happily recommend. I think the whole series is perfect holiday reading material & I'd have really enjoyed reading it sitting on a beach somewhere drinking the series signature cocktail!

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

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Cover Reveal: Sex on The Beach Series by Jenna Bennett, Jen McLaughlin & Jennifer Probst (#SEXONTHEBEACH) + International Giveaway

Today is the big cover reveal for the SEX ON THE BEACH series! This series includes the novellas BEFORE YOU by Jenna Bennett, BETWEEN US by Jen McLaughlin, and BEYOND ME by Jennifer Probst. All three novellas will be released on the 4th of March.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHORS:

Dear Reader,
Prepare yourself for Sex on the Beach, a trilogy featuring BETWEEN US (Jen McLaughlin), BEYOND ME (Jennifer Probst), and BEFORE YOU (Jenna Bennett). Three separate novellas. Three different authors. One literary world. Read them all, or just read one. It's up to you! No matter which route you choose, these standalone novellas are sure to satisfy your need for sizzling romance and an emotion packed story.

Happy Reading!
Jen, Jenna, and Jennifer

Before You by Jenna Bennett

BOOK SUMMARY:

It’s all fun and games

I had a simple plan for spring break.

Sun, sand, and a hot guy. Sex on the beach, with no strings attached.

A chance to get rid of this pesky virginity once and for all.

And when I met Tyler McKenna, I thought I had it made.

Until someone gets hurt

But then girls started turning up at Key West landmarks. Girls who looked like me, but with one crucial difference: They’d all been drugged and relieved of their virginity.

The virginity I still have. The virginity Ty refuses to take.

And now I've begun to wonder whether there isn't more to him than meets the eye.

Suddenly, sex on the beach doesn't sound so good anymore...

BETWEEN US by Jen McLaughlin

BOOK SUMMARY:

I'm just a girl…
I'm a famous country star who's spent her life cultivating a good girl persona to avoid bad press, but I've reached my limit. I'm going away for spring break with my two best friends from college, and we've vowed to spend the vacation seeking out fun in the sun—along with some hot, no-strings-attached sex. The only thing I needed was the perfect guy, and then I met Austin Murphy. He might be totally wrong for me, but the tattooed bad boy is hard to resist. When I’m in his arms, everything just feels right.

And I'm just a guy…
I'm just a bartender who lives in Key West, stuck in an endless cycle of boredom. But then Mackenzie Forbes, America's Sweetheart herself, comes up to me and looks at me with those bright green eyes…and everything changes. She acts like she's just a normal girl and I'm just a normal guy, but that couldn't be further from the truth. My past isn't pretty, you know. I did what I had to do to survive, and she'd run if she learned the truth about my darkness. But with her, I'm finally realizing what it's like to be alive. To laugh, live, and be happy.

All good things must come to an end...

Beyond Me by Jennifer Probst

BOOK SUMMARY:

CAN FUN IN THE SUN TURN INTO LASTING LOVE?
Spring break in Key West with my besties was supposed to be casual fun. But I never expected to meet James Hunt. Sex and frolic? Yes! A relationship? No. But his hot blue eyes and confident manner drew me in. And when he let me see the man behind the mask, I fell hard, foolishly believing there could be a future for us. Of course I never considered our relationship might be based on lies...or that his betrayal could rock my foundation and make me question everything I believed in...

OR WILL A LIFE BUILT ON LIES RUIN EVERYTHING?
The moment I saw Quinn I knew I had to have her. She hooked me with her cool eyes and don’t touch me attitude. I had it all, money, social status, and looks. I could get any girl I wanted...until her. When my friends challenged me with a bet to get her into bed by the end of the week, I couldn’t pass it up. But sex wasn’t supposed to turn into love. She wasn’t supposed to change me, push me, and make me want more for myself. She wasn’t supposed to wreck me in all ways. And now, if I can’t turn my lies into truth, I just might lose her forever...

GIVEAWAY:

The authors are giving away a $60 Gift Card to one lucky winner. You can enter using the Rafflecopter form below, the winner will be contacted directly by the authors so they can arrange to send out your prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOODREADS CONTEST:

For each book that gets to 500 adds, 5 pages of that novella will be released! 10 pages will be released after 600 adds, 15 pages after 800 adds, and 20 pages after 1000 adds! So, spread the word and be sure to add each book to your goodreads list.

LINKS:
BEFORE YOU - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20371409-before-you
BETWEEN US - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20369409-between-us
BEYOND ME - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20371567-beyond-me

Time for some Teasers!

About the Authors:

Jenna Bennet

Bio:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jenna Bennett (Jennie Bentley) writes the Do It Yourself home renovation mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime and the Cutthroat Business mysteries for her own gratification. She also writes a variety of romance for a change of pace. For more information, please visit her website, www.jennabennett.com

Links:
Website: www.jennabennett.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenna-Bennett-Jennie-Bentley/192400104127600
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Bennett_Jenna
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1549070.Jenna_Bennett

Jen McLaughlin

Bio:
Jen McLaughlin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She writes steamy New Adult books for the young and young at heart. Her first release, Out of Line, came out September 2013. She also writes bestselling Contemporary Romance under the pen name Diane Alberts.Since receiving her first contract offer under the pen name Diane Alberts, she has yet to stop writing. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, a cat, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she’s not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

Links:
Website: http://dianealberts.com/
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianeAlberts6
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeAlberts
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6921962.Jen_McLaughlin

Jennifer Probst

Bio:
Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon's Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

Links:
Website: www.jenniferprobst.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferprobst.authorpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferprobst
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2965489.Jennifer_Probst

Review: Out of Line - Jen McLaughlin

Desperate to break free…

I've spent my entire life under my father’s thumb, but now I'm finally free to make my own choices. When my roommate dragged me to my first college party, I met Finn Coram and my life turned inside out. He knows how to break the rules and is everything I never knew I wanted. A Marine by day and surfer by night, he pushes me away even as our attraction brings us closer. Now I am finally free to do whatever I want. I know what I want. I choose Finn.

Trying to play by the rules...

I always follow orders. My job, my life, depends on it. I thought this job would be easy, all the rules were made crystal clear, but when I met Carrie Wallington, everything got muddy. She's a rule I know I shouldn't break, but damn if I don’t inch closer to the breaking point each time I see her. I’m ready to step out of line. And even worse? I’m living a lie. They say the truth will set you free, but in my case…

The truth will cost me everything.

Out of Line Series:
Out of Line
Out of Time (Novella)

Visit Diane Alberts / Jen McLaughlin's website for more information.

Review:
I love Diane Alberts' adult contemporary romances so as soon as I found out she was releasing her first new adult romance under the pen name of Jen McLaughlin I knew I had to read it. And that was before I found out that the hero Finn was a sexy, tattooed Marine who loves to surf in his spare time! I'm happy to say that Out of Line lived up to my high expectations and was a fantastic story.

As the daughter of a rich politician Carrie's life has been spent living under a spotlight. She has the best that money can buy but she pays for that with the over the top security measures her father insists on and in the way that she never knows if her friends like her for who she really is or because of her family connections. Going to university is supposed to give her a new start, for the first time she'll be somewhere that nobody knows who she is and where she'll be able to stand on her own two feet. She is happy to be away from having around the clock bodyguards and enjoying the chance to just be a regular student. Carrie was an easy character to like, considering her upbringing I expected her to be a bit of a spoilt brat but she was the complete opposite and was an incredibly down to earth, generous and giving person. She donated not just money but also her time and did so with no expectation of getting anything in return which made me really respect her.

Finn was sexy as hell, I've already mentioned he's a Marine who loves to surf so you won't be surprised to know he has a body to die for but I loved his personality even more. He was very sweet and caring towards Carrie and I loved the way he looked out for her but at the same time encouraged her to take risks and do the things she's always wanted to do. He has a very big secret and I'll admit that I was worried what Carrie's reaction would be when she found out. I can't say too much without spoilers but I did find myself slightly annoyed that he didn't come clean with her sooner than he did. Luckily because the story is told from both of their points of view you can see exactly what's going on in his head and you understand how much he struggles with his conscience.

I loved the way the romance between Carrie and Finn develops so slowly, they are instantly attracted to each other but they take time to get to know each other and become friends before they even hint at falling in love which is something I appreciated. They just fit so well together and I enjoyed seeing them spend time just hanging out and having fun. Carrie's reaction when she finds out Finn's secret was realistic and I'm pleased that she didn't instantly forgive him, he had to work at earning her trust back and I liked her even more for standing her ground after he'd hurt her so much. If you've read any of the author's adult romances you'll know how good she is at writing steamy scenes and creating scorching hot connections between her characters - that is no different with Out of Line and Carrie and Finn certainly know how to turn up the heat. This is a fabulous start to the series and I can't wait to read more from Jen McLaughlin (and of course from her Diane Alberts pen name too!).

Source: Received from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review

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