November 30, 2015

Review: The Strongest Steel



Title:  The Strongest Steel
Author: Scarlett Cole
Published: July 7, 2015, St Martin's Press
Genre: Contemporary


Harper Connelly never expected to find herself outside of a tattoo parlor at one in the morning, summoning the nerve to take back her past. She's determined to forget her old life and is looking for an artist who can tattoo over the scars on her back.

Trent Andrews, local legend and owner of the Second Circle tattoo studio, has his own reasons for specializing in inking over scars. And in spite of her mysterious past and the difficult road ahead, he quickly realizes that Harper is funny, smart, and--under her ridiculously oversized clothing and SPF 100 sunscreen--totally hot. He's happy to take on the challenge of designing a meaningful and deadly full-back tattoo for her.

But when cryptic messages start appearing on Harper's phone, strange deliveries arrive at her door, and Second Circle is vandalized, Harper is convinced that her ex-boyfriend has tracked her down, and worse, that he knows about Trent. Running was the only thing that saved her last time, but now that she's started to put down roots in Miami, she'll have to decide if she can finally fight back instead.









I picked up this book after Goodreads had this author up for best new author in 2015.  The synopsis looked good and I hoped the writing held up to the hype.  What I got is this wonderful story was a great deal of romance missed in with some suspense and some teary eyed pain for the characters.  So happy to have taken a chance on this author!

The story is written in alternating POV often times within the same chapter.  The author identified the switch with a break in the copy so it was not difficult to follow.  Trent and Harper come together over a heart breaking tragedy.  Slowly, Trent builds Harper’s trust and their relationship blossoms because of it.  Harper’s character development over the course of the story was inspiring.  She went from someone afraid of her shadow, to a woman very confident in her surroundings. 

I enjoyed the secondary characters in the story. The group of friends from both the tattoo shop and the coffee shop were entertaining in their own right.  It looks as though more of the gang may be hooking up in future books. I was intrigued with Harper’s brother’s story and I hope we get to meet him at some point. 


Overall, great first publication for this author.  Looking forward to what she brings us next.  



Scarlett Cole is a contemporary romantic suspense / contemporary romance author (represented by Beth Phelan at The Bent Agency). Her debut novel, THE STRONGEST STEEL, book one in the Second Circle Tattoos series, was published by St. Martin's Press on 07/07/15.

When Scarlett isn't writing, she spends her time reading, hoarding mason jars, and working out to off-set an epic sour candy habit. 

Having travelled the world for work and fun, Scarlett is a citizen of both Britain and Canada. A true city-dweller, she considers Toronto and Manchester home and likes to set her books in vibrant locations such as Miami and Los Angeles.

If you want to know more about Scarlett's books, visit her at: 
www.scarlettcole.com
@ItsScarlettCole 

Cover Reveal: On Solid Ground

Today we’re revealing the cover of K.L. Grayson’s On Solid Ground! I am so excited to share this gorgeous new cover with you! On Solid Ground is a novella in the Touch of Fate series and will be releasing Janurary 5th!

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About On Solid Ground:

June 5, 2008 I made a mistake of epic proportions. Moving home was an easy choice because I knew that I had to make things right. I had hoped to win back Harley’s friendship, but I never imagined that I’d win her heart … or the heart of her son. Now that I have, I’m never letting them go. They’re my life, the reason I breathe. We’ve worked hard to get where we are, and we’re finally standing on solid ground.

Or so I thought …

***

Tyson’s ex-fiancĂ© wasn’t supposed to move back to St. Louis … that wasn’t part of the plan. And she sure as hell wasn’t supposed to start working with him. I trust him—at least I think I do—but when secrets are being kept and things start to unravel, I’m left wondering if I made a mistake. I allowed myself to fall in love with the only man to ever break my heart.

And now I’m afraid he might break it again …

This is a Harley and Tyson Touch of Fate Novella and can be read after book #1 or book #2 but should not be read as a standalone.



Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Canada



Read the series now!


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Kirby_9135K.L. Grayson resides in a small town outside of St. Louis, MO. She is entertained daily by her extraordinary husband, who will forever inspire every good quality she writes in a man. Her entire life rests in the palms of six dirty little hands, and when the day is over and those pint-sized cherubs have been washed and tucked into bed, you can find her typing away furiously on her computer. She has a love for alpha-males, brownies, reading, tattoos, sunglasses, and happy endings…and not particularly in that order.



Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/KL-Grayson/1403900879892076?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorklgrayson

IG: @booksbyklgrayson

November 26, 2015

Author Spotlight: Laura Kaye



I started out reading Laura's paranormal series and fell in love with her heroes.  Then she came out with this incredible HARD INK series two years ago.  I am a fan for life! And this series is one of my top reads of all time.  Laura always gives her books a mix of humor, love and sexy times. It has been a joy to read all her works.  If you only want to check out one of her books, look at Hearts in Darkness.  It has developed a bit of a cult following since it was published.  Unique story and super erotic! Laura Kaye is a one click author for me. 4 and 5 star reads all around.  



Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty books in contemporary and paranormal romance and romantic suspense. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.


Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp



HARD INK SERIES

Hard as it Gets
November 26,  2013

Tall, dark, and lethal...

Trouble just walked into Nicholas Rixey's tattoo parlor. Becca Merritt is warm, sexy, wholesome--pure temptation to a very jaded Nick. He's left his military life behind to become co-owner of Hard Ink Tattoo, but Becca is his ex-commander's daughter. Loyalty won't let him turn her away. Lust has plenty to do with it too.

With her brother presumed kidnapped, Becca needs Nick. She just wasn't expecting to want him so much. As their investigation turns into all-out war with an organized crime ring, only Nick can protect her. And only Becca can heal the scars no one else sees.

Desire is the easy part. Love is as hard as it gets. Good thing Nick is always up for a challenge..



And don’t miss the other Hard Ink books, now available:
Hard to Hold On To
Hard to Come By
Hard to Be Good

Hard to Let Go


Coming February 2016:  Hard Ever After 



Hearts of the Anemoi ~
A compelling fantasy romance series from Laura Kaye

Using ancient winter mythology as an allegory for grief, Kaye has written a sexy story that packs a powerful emotional punch. With a heroine you can root for and a hero who is a dream come true, NORTH OF NEED is pure winter magic and Kaye's sparkling talent warms the heart.
~ Stephanie Draven, author of the MYTHICA series


North of Need
October 1, 2011

While attempting to escape the agonizing memories she associates with Christmas, twenty-nine-year-old widow Megan Snow builds a snow family outside the mountain cabin she once shared with her husband-and collapses in tears against the snowman at the sight of what she'll never have. Called to life by the power of Megan's tears, snow god Owen Winters appears unconscious on her doorstep in the midst of a raging blizzard. As she nurses him to health, Owen finds unexpected solace in her company and unimagined pleasure in the warmth of her body, and vows to win her heart for a chance at humanity. Megan is drawn to Owen's mismatched eyes, otherworldly masculinity, and enthusiasm for the littlest things, and her heart opens enough to believe he's a Christmas miracle. But this miracle comes with an expiration-before the snow melts and the temperature rises, Megan must let go of her widow's grief and learn to trust love again, or she'll lose Owen forever.


VAMPIRE WARRIOR KINGS SERIES

In the Service of the King
February 1, 2012

Kael, Warrior King of the Vampires, loathes the Night of the Proffering. He needs the blood of either his mate or a human virgin to maintain his strength, but hasn't enjoyed the ritual since he lost his mate centuries ago. Kael doesn't want a new companion, yet his resolve is tested when he lays eyes on his new offering, Shayla McKinnon. He is drawn to Shayla's beauty and poise...and the submission she offers. She is eager to give him anything he wishes, including her innocence, to please him. Will Kael give in to their overwhelming desire—even if it means risking Shayla's life?


THE HERO SERIES

Book #1, Her Forbidden Hero
May 14, 2012

A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...

She’s always been off-limits…

Former Army Special Forces Sgt. Marco Vieri has never thought of Alyssa Scott as more than his best friend’s little sister, but her return home changes that…and challenges him to keep his war-borne demons at bay. Marco’s not the same person he was back when he protected Alyssa from her abusive father, and he’s not about to let her see the mess he’s become.

…but now she’s all grown up.

When Alyssa takes a job at the bar where Marco works, her carefree smiles wreak havoc on his resolve to bury his feelings. How can he protect her when he can’t stop thinking about her in his bed? But Alyssa’s not looking for protection—not anymore. Now that she’s back in his life, she’s determined to heal her forbidden hero, one touch at a time…



Hearts in Darkness
May 17, 2013

Makenna James thinks her day can't get any worse, until she finds herself stranded in a pitch-black elevator with a complete stranger. Distracted by a phone call, the pin-striped accountant catches only a glimpse of a dragon tattoo on his hand before the lights go out.

Four hours…

Caden Grayson is amused when a harried redhead dashes into his elevator fumbling her bags and cell phone. His amusement turns to panic when the power fails. Despite his piercings, tats, and vicious scar, he's terrified of the dark and confined spaces. Now, he's trapped in his own worst nightmare.

One pitch-black elevator…

To fight fear, they must reach out and open up. With no preconceived notions based on looks to hold them back, they discover just how much they have in common. In the warming darkness, attraction grows and sparks fly, but will they feel the same when the lights come back on?


Coming soon!  Book #2




November 24, 2015

Release Blitz and Review: Money Shot



Title:Money Shot
Author: Scott Hildreth
Release Date: November 23, 2015
Series: Selected Sinners MC, Book 6
Cover Designer: Jessica Hildreth


If someone would have told me there was a fully patched member of a one percent Motorcycle Club that read romance novels and was a true romantic, I wouldn’t have believed them, but one sure existed.

I met him by chance one night when he ran out of gas and rang my doorbell.

Covered in tattoos and muscles, he stood on my porch asking for a favor. He was a Selected Sinner, a debt collector for drug dealers, a criminal, a thug, and loved to fight. He was quick to draw his knife and quicker to pull his gun. His temper was short, his beard was long, and he was as handsome as any man I had ever seen.

To hear him talk about the lost art of love made my legs go weak. I was sure he was a phony, a wannabe, a fake, and a player.

So I stuck around for a while to see if he was exactly who he said he was.

And he took me for the ride of my life.

I’m Sienna, and I review romance novels. This is the story of when I met the man who most women would describe as a unicorn.

I just called him Vince.








Selected Sinners MC is full of some bada$$ dudes.  I have enjoyed each book more than the next.  I like how the author mixes the MC culture in with a love story.  So hold on to your hats—this book—total romance novel.  Yeah, the hero is part of the MC but he doesn’t run with the guys.  Start voting for Vince for best Book Boyfriend right now.  

Vince and Sienna start out meeting randomly and then more purposefully every Sunday.  They are friends first and foremost.  I loved the slow build to their relationship.  Sienna was a riot.  Her inner monologue about lusting after Vince was terrific.  Her drunken blogging was hilarious!  And Vince, goodness if you ever wanted to lust after a BBF, he would do it for you.  Tough, quick draw biker on the outside.  Sweet romantic who reads novels and has Sunday dinner with his mama on the inside.  No wonder Sienna fell so hard for him. 

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Scott Hildreth book if he didn’t give a bit of inspiration and reflection on the human condition.  Two people with histories that may have left them broken, find a way to live life again. The belief that Fate: “The unexpected result of the natural development of life” has a hand in all our life moments.  Those we love and those we lose have a profound effect on who we are.   The idea that we can change the outcome if we try, doesn’t often occur to people.  It didn’t occur to Vince at all without a bit of intervention.

Sometimes I get so caught up in the reading of the story that I don’t pay attention to some details until they hit me on the head.  Big Jack is one of my favorite characters from this series.  He lives by the same code as Vince—keep your promises.  Makes total sense that these two would bond.  So happy to see Jack and Em again.  Happy, happy that Jackson helped Vince to heal his heart.  *Sigh* The whole story is one freakin’ romance novel and I loved it! 

Usually I say read a series start to end as characters cross over.  I’ll break my rules for this one.  Money Shot can totally be read as a stand-alone.  Thank you again, Scott, for bringing us fantastic characters to spend time with! 















Born in San Diego California, Scott now calls Wichita, Kansas home. Residing in Kansas with his wife, Jessica, and six children, 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


To sign up for his promotional newsletter -http://tinyurl.com/Hildrethpromosignups


Release Blitz: This Beautiful Escape


This Beautiful Escape


Ataxia Awareness Fundraiser Anthology


Release: 11/24/2015










This Beautiful Escape


Volume One


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By: Melissa Ann, Monica May, David S. Scott, Ethan Radcliff, Chelle Bliss, A.M. Wilson, Lora Ann, Airicka Phoenix, Audrina Lane, Bernard Young, Cleo Scornavacca, Heather Dahlgren, J.D. Stockholm, J.P. Barry, K.D. Grace, Kim Black, Linda Hamonou, Muffy Wilson, Naomi Shaw, S.L. Bull, Siren X. Star, Teesa Mee, Pablo Michaels, Komal Chandwani, K.L. Shandwick, Elizabeth Butts, Ella Medler, C.A. Bell, Cathy Schisel Knuth, A.T. King

Contributors: Bella Jeanisse, JD Hawkins, JW Snootz, Jenna Galicki




Synopsis:

18+

Open this book each day for an inspirational message written by some of your favourite authors.

This Anthology is special because each author that contributed has shared a piece of their heart with each and every reader.

This book is about spreading love and hope through the written word.

All proceeds will be donated to Ataxia Canada.

Available in ebook and paperback Nov. 24/2015





Buy Links:

This Beautiful Escape Volume One $2.99
U.S. http://amzn.to/1WPpDU4

U.K. http://amzn.to/1HKYmWO

PAPERBACK CS: http://bit.ly/1YkNp7H

PAPERBACK AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1XeVB76






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This Beautiful Escape


Volume Two



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By: Melissa Ann, David S. Scott, Scott Hildreth, Ethan Radcliff, C.C. Genovese, Jacqueline George, Addison Kline, Chris Kalyta, Denice Garrou, D.J. Prewer, Kora Knight, Sam J.D. Hunt, Mason Sabre, A.T. King, Aimee Shaye, Alexa Keith, J. Nichole Parkins, Krihstin Zink, Kain B. Fairbrooks, Linn B. Halton, Layla Stevens, D.S. Cuellar, Maggie Adams, L. Marshall James, Dr. Julia E. Antoine, Cecile Hoare, Aral Bereux, Teesa Mee

Contributors: Darkmantle Designs, Elise Faber, K.C. Rice, Kimberly Hart, Muffy Wilson 



Synopsis:

18+

Open this book each day for an inspirational message written by some of your favourite authors.

This Anthology is special because each author that contributed has shared a piece of their heart with each and every reader.

This book is about spreading love and hope through the written word.

All proceeds will be donated to Ataxia Canada.

Available in ebook and paperback Nov. 24/2015


Buy Links:



This Beautiful Escape Volume Two $2.99
U.S. http://amzn.to/1MMrAFN

U.K. http://amzn.to/1NO7MqK
PAPERBACK CS: http://bit.ly/1l9HvYB
PAPERBACK AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1MZknCv











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Ataxia Awareness Fundraiser Links:


If you would like to learn more about Ataxia and what Ataxia Canada does click the following link: http://lacaf.org/en/