August 31, 2015

Cover Reveal: Some Sort of Happy

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Coming September 22, 2015



Skylar Nixon is a twenty-seven year old failed actress with no Plan B. After a humiliating stint on a reality TV show crushes what’s left of her childhood dream, she finds herself back in her hometown with no money saved, no college degree, and no confidence she’s anything but a joke—a small town starlet who couldn’t hack it in the big city.

When she runs into former classmate Sebastian Pryce, she can’t believe the hot body and chiseled jaw belong to the shy, troubled loner she knew ten years before. He’s not exactly friendly at first, and she’s heard the rumors about his tragic past, but something in his sad eyes intrigues her. She only wants to get to know him better.

Until the night she wants more—and takes it. (Hard and deep. Twice.)

Are they just two lonely people seeking solace? Or can a disgraced beauty queen and flawed, frustrated man find some sort of happy ever after?

**SOME SORT OF HAPPY is a full-length, dual POV novel, complete with a happy ending.**

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Melanie Harlow likes her martinis dry, her lipstick red, and her history with the naughty bits left in. When she's not reading good books, she gets her kicks from TV series like Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, Masters of Sex, Deadwood, Mad Men, and Downtown Abbey (although she wishes it were more HBO and less PBS). Melanie is the author of the FRENCHED contemporary romance series (FRENCHED, YANKED, FORKED) and the sexy historical series SPEAK EASY (SPEAK EASY, SPEAK LOW), set in the 1920s. She lifts her glass to romance readers and writers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband and two daughters.



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August 28, 2015

Review: The Lost




Title: The Lost
Author: Cole McCade
Published: 8/24/15, indie
Genre: Romantic Erotica, dark



There's something wrong with Leigh. 

She's known it her whole life. She knows it every time she spreads her legs. Every time she begs for the pain, the pleasure, the heat of a hard man driving deep inside. She's a slave to her own twisted lusts--and it's eating her alive. She loves it. She craves it. Sex is her drug, and she's always chasing her next fix. But nothing can satisfy her addiction, not even the nameless men she uses and tosses aside. No one's ever given her what she truly needs. 

Until Gabriel Hart. 

Cold. Controlled. Impenetrable. Ex-Marine Gabriel Hart isn't the kind of man to come running when Leigh crooks her pretty little finger. She loathes him. She hungers for him. He's the only one who understands how broken she is, and just what it takes to satisfy the emptiness inside. But Gabriel won't settle for just one night. He wants to claim her, keep her, make her forever his. Together they are the lost, the ruined, the darkness at the heart of Crow City. 

But Leigh has a darkness of her own. A predator stalking through her past--one she'll do anything to escape. 

Even if it means running from the one man who could love her...and leaving behind something more precious to her than life itself.

Amazon US Buy Link





       5++ Hearts




This is the first book of Cole McCade’s After Dark moniker. It takes place in the fictional Crow City. We see the under belly and the upper crust common to most major cities. What this book brings to the reader is the blatant dichotomy of what it feels like to move between the societal classes. The blurb starts with “There’s something wrong with Leigh.” And there is. Her history up to this point has been riddled with poor self-esteem, rebellion and hatred. But what unfolds in this story is much more a statement about what is wrong with all of us than just what is wrong with Leigh. Are there still good people in the world who don't pass judgement? Are we bound by the class we are born into or can we spread our wings and fly so we can be who we really are? 


Leigh exists through her days and nights trying to find who she is inside. She wants to fly. She just can’t grasp on to what it is she needs to get there. She is wandering around just…lost. 

“I feel like I live in the keen still days of September, but I don’t know how to find my way to the mellow warmth of an October sun.” 

Until she meets Gabriel Hart. This guy is one tough, ex-marine. Very hard shelled and broody. He is fighting demons of his own. They mix like fire and water, yet Leigh is drawn to him. He stirs within her…hope. Gabriel could be a top ten book boyfriend for me. He has the bad boy image but it’s what he brings to the table in inner beauty and strength that makes him appealing on many levels. For Leigh, he becomes a safe place. A refuge. The book is labeled as a Dark Erotic read. Make no bones, what happens between Leigh and Gabriel will offend some people. I really felt that deep down, Gabriel was giving Leigh what she needed in a way she needed it because he cared for her. I don’t think he needed the roughness and pain, but he did it for her. I felt he understood her limits and his own. That makes him a great guy to have around. 

“Do you think lost people recognize each other, when they meet?” she whispered. “We did,” he said, and kissed her.

Please read the trigger warning at the beginning of the book. There are many dark elements that people may find offensive. I did get the willies at a couple of points, but the elements were relevant to character building. Labels for genres can get confusing. This is a dark read and there is a fair amount of s3x happening throughout the book. However, to me, this book is driven by the story line. If the s3x was not described in such detail, the reader would still enjoy this book. It is an extremely well written novel. We see the world through Leigh’s eyes and experience her emotional transformation. The characters are broken and angsty but there is also light and hope. 

I devoured the book. I lost track of time. I shed some tears. It wrung me out. I completely fell in love. I found myself so absorbed in reading this book that I got to the last four chapters and thought, “What?….Wait? ....So did not see that coming!” I need a re-read. I want to cheer for Leigh and Gabriel. I need to have all the feels again!










Corporate consultant by day, contemporary romance author by night.
Mid-thirties. Coffee addict. Cat lover. Bibliophile. Technophile. Definite sapiophile. Native Southerner. Runner. Country boy turned city suit. Shameless collector of guitar picks, vinyl records, and incense holders. Aficionado of late-night conversations over live music in seedy bars. Browncoat with a secret crush on Kaylee Frye.
Fascinated by human sociology, and particularly by the psychology of sex and gender – and their effect on relationship expectations, the culture of dating, and what it means to fall in love.
Non-smoker. The picture’s just a stock photo. A rather broody, dark one for someone who isn’t all that broody or dark, but sometimes forgets to smile even when he means to.

August 27, 2015

Blog Tour and Review: Ex-Con

Title: EX-CON
Author: Scott Hildreth
Release Date: August 17th, 2015
Series: Selected Sinners MC, Book 5
Cover Model: Darren Birks


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People break promises. It happens every day.

Jack Shephard is tall, muscular, covered in tattoos, and rides in an Outlaw Motorcycle Club. Most people wouldn’t believe a word he said based on his appearance alone.

But they don’t know Jack like I know Jack, and Jack made me a promise.

There’s one small problem. Jack’s been arrested on a murder charge he didn’t commit, and he’s facing life in prison.

But he promised me he’d always come home.

And Jack doesn’t break promises.


EX-CON is a stand-alone, no cheating, no sex outside the relationship, HEA story of love, loss, second chances, and living life outside of the boundaries most citizens live in. It is Book V in the Selected Sinners series of MC Erotic Romance novels, and is able to be enjoyed fully as a stand-alone. To experience the series in full, Making the Cut, Taking the Heat, Otis, HUNG, and EX-CON may, however, all be read (in that order).






4.5  Hearts





This is the 5th book in the Selected Sinners MC series by Scott Hildreth.  We know some of this story already because “Big Jack” is Syd’s brother.   The MC helped him get acquitted and out of Federal prison. The story we don’t know, is really who Jackson Shepherd is.  Where has he come from? How does he choose to live his life?

You will love the man that Jackson Shepherd is.  He is not like many of the typical MC men that you read about.  Jackson is honest, loyal and willing to be in a committed relationship.  For him, finding the perfect woman is the challenge.  He is not willing to jump into bed with just anyone.

I really enjoyed the first half of the book.  This is Jackson and Emily’s story.  I like his protective nature with her.  I love how he makes sure her needs are met always.  I love how they just fall into easy with each other.  The s3x is off the charts hot! Very patiently written explanation of Jackson’s needs.   Truly theirs is a love story for the record books.  They ooze the confidence of a long married couple. 

“She allowed me to see for the first time that not only is love blind, but luck is even more so, and it was by mere luck that we happened upon each other.”

The story is written in “before” and “after” jail time.  Excellent move by the author.  Flashbacks can get annoying after a while and there was a lot of Jackson/Emily story to tell.  It is written in alternating POV—also a favorite of mine. 

The second half of the book was a little more conflicting for me.  Partly because I couldn’t imagine coming out of jail after 10 years and trying to live my life as I knew it.  And partly because, I missed Jackson and Emily.  I was cheering in my head for them to get back together.  I had felt that strong connection and just knew that time would not take that love away! 

The book has a lot of the author poured into it, by his own admission.  I had to sleep on it to better digest what I read.  Bottom line is it is an extremely well written book.  How do I know this?  I am screaming for more!  I need to feel that happy…..more! Assimilation into family and brotherhood….more!  Jackson and Emily….more, please!  Scott Hildreth…Bring on the next book…I’ll take more.  


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Personal Note from Scott About Himself and 
His Personal Journey with this Book


I began riding with my first MC after 20 years of riding alone. Although I didn’t know it at the time, immediately following my introduction to the club, I became the target of an ATF investigation. 

The investigation ended when a helicopter, over 30 ATF agents, US Marshalls, and countless other SWAT Team members converged on me one day. 

I was indicted on more than two dozen criminal counts, and given the option to plead guilty to one and receive a light sentence (probation). If I fought them, they explained, I would face life in prison. 

Well, I’ve never been one to give up easy, so I chose to fight. 

And I fought all the way to the US Supreme Court. 

The fact I lost my case didn’t really matter to me. Fighting was more important. Standing up when most citizens would sit down had always been my nature. 

My time in prison wasn’t easy, but I made it the best I was able. The days drug on forever, at least initially. In time, my mind made sense of it all, and digested it as being a new way of life; my only choice, so to speak. 

In EX-CON, Jack’s thoughts, feelings, decisions, and actions were mine. What he felt, thought, and went through in the book is accurate down to the smallest of details. 

My experiences in life cause my books to have more ‘feel’ than a conventionally written novel. EX-CON is no exception. It’s gritty, real, and raw as are most of my novels. But one thing it has that no other Scott Hildreth novel shares. 

300 pages of compassion. 

Enjoy knowing a little more about me. And enjoy EX-CON, which is a reflection of part of my life.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~



Born in San Diego California, Scott now calls Wichita, Kansas home. Residing in Kansas with his wife, Jessica, and five children (and another on the way in November 2015), he somehow finds twelve hours a day to work on his writing. 

Addicted to riding his Harley-Davidson, tattoos, and drinking coffee, Scott can generally be found in a tattoo shop, on his Harley, or in a local coffee house when not writing. 

Loyal to the fans, fan girls, and faithful followers who allowed him to make writing a full-time career, Scott communicates with his followers on Facebook almost daily. He encourages his readers to follow him on Facebook and Twitter. 

Twitter: @ScottDHildreth 

Face book “OFFICIAL LIKE” page - (for updates on released books and upcoming books) www.facebook.com/ScottDHildreth

Facebook Author Page - (currently at 5,000 friend limit, but Scott invites you to come enjoy his contests, giveaways, and playful book banter) www.facebook.com/sdhildreth

Goodreads Author Page - www.Goodreads.com/ScottHildreth


**Win a copy of Ex-Con for yourself**
Enter HERE

August 26, 2015

Blog tour and Review Caged Series: Release Blitz: Book #3-- Released


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Liam & Tria’s gritty love story concludes in RELEASED!
AVAILABLE NOW
Released (Book Three) Caged Series
Amazon US   Amazon UK   Barnes & Noble   Kobo   iBooks


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Oblivion is a sweet, sweet place.
No pain. No disturbing thoughts of the past. No guilt from my recent actions.
Deep down, there is still a part of me that knows how screwed up I am. I don’t see a way out, not now. Tria’s gone, and the possibility of her forgiving me in my current state is exactly zero. I know I have to pull myself together, accept my responsibilities, and try to make amends, but I have no idea where to start.
No job. No apartment. I’m living on the streets with the other junkies. As little as I had to offer Tria before, I have nothing to give her now. The only way out is to come clean and tell Tria the truth about my past, but the idea of reliving the memories is so painful, I can’t think about it long enough to figure out a solution.
I’ve hit rock bottom, and I don’t even know which way is up any more.
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Excerpt
I reached out and touched the edge of the pillow.  It was insanely soft and warm.  I stroked it, and images of Tria’s breasts crawled through my head, making me smile.  I stroked my cock as I thought about her, but I couldn’t come.
I could hear a voice in the other room, but it didn’t concern me, so I didn’t move.  Through heavy eyelids, I watched the piles of dirty laundry all over the floor.  I found shapes of animals in the patterns, just like cloud pictures.
“The beans are gone.”
I rolled my head to the side and looked up at Krazy Katie’s face.  I smiled and tried to say something, but my tongue wasn’t cooperating.  I focused on her eyes as they stared down at me quizzically.
“Trains need an engineer,” Krazy Katie said.
“It’s okay,” I said.  My tongue still felt weird, all numb and heavy.  I twisted it around in my mouth, and it tickled my teeth.  I blinked a couple of times before looking back at my neighbor.  “I got the helm.  I’m all good.”
Did trains have a helm, or was that just boats?  I laughed.
Krazy Katie covered her eyes with one hand.  I could see her chest rising and falling as she took long breaths.  I started counting slowly in my head but quickly forgot the number.
“Left the station,” she said quietly.  “No engineer.  Kicked in the caboose.  Nothing but tracks.”
She turned in slow motion, and I watched vapor trails of her dull blue T-shirt swirl around the room as she left.  I heard the window slide shut and then silence.
“I’m all good,” I whispered.
There was no reply.
Even though my arms and legs were way too content to be bothered with moving, I shoved myself out of bed anyway.  My rig was sitting on the kitchen table, all ready to go.  I was still pretty high, but I could feel darkness closing in around me, and I didn’t want it.
I wanted warmth and happiness.
Plastic tube, arm slap, needle prick.
“Like a fucking pro.”
I lay my head on the table as the fluid sensations rippled through me.  Tria didn’t matter.  She’d forgive me in time.  In fact, she was probably already over it.  How could she not be?
“I’m good.  Really, I am.”
I was never one to lie to myself, but it was getting easier all the time.


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      5 Hearts




Oh Liam Teague….you are a tortured soul.  The conclusion to Liam and Tria’s story came with all the feels.  Don’t think for a minute that the cliff hanger from book two will be resolved all nice and neat.  Oh no, that’s not how Shay Savage rolls.  So much angst and self-discovery in this book.  I wanted to punch Liam on more than one occasion because he just could not get his sh*t together! We finally get the whole story of Liam’s past and as he faces all those demons, we witness a strong man crumble and try to re-build. 

This author has done a fantastic job of becoming a 20 something male.  The POV is spot on and I love seeing the world through the male mind.  It also lends the reader to give Liam all the feels for what his life has been like since he left home as a teenager.  There is a fair bit of humor as the story moves on.  Liam’s inner dialogue will have you cracking up at times! 

Tria’s strength as a character is tested to the limits in this book.  I was happy to see her find herself and finally stick up for what she wanted.  She was not about to just hand everything back to Liam and that made her move up notches in my favorite heroine scale.  As the both of them struggle through Liam’s issues, they begin to bind themselves to each other admitting that love may heal most wounds. 

Overall, a fantastic trilogy.  I would love a novella at a later date just to catch up on these two.  Thank you, Shay, for bring the world of Liam Teague to the masses!



*I received an ARC of this title through TRSOR for an honest review. 


**ADDITIONAL EXCERPTS FROM
BOOK ONE & TWO ARE LOCATED HERE**

Book 1 Review HERE
Book 2 Review HERE


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CAGED Series Reading Order
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Takedown (Book One) Caged Series
Trapped (Book Two) Caged Series
Released (Book Three) Caged Series


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Shay Savage lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her family and a variety of household pets. She is an accomplished public speaker, and holds the rank of Distinguished Toastmaster from Toastmasters International. When not writing, she enjoys science fiction movies, masquerading as a zombie, is a HUGE Star Wars fan, and member of the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers. When the geek fun runs out, she also loves soccer in any and all forms - especially the Columbus Crew, Arsenal and Bayern Munich - and anxiously awaits the 2014 World Cup. Savage holds a degree in psychology, and she brings a lot of that knowledge into the characters within her stories.


Stalk Shay Here: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads


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