Lusting for Covers (35): Into the Shadows by Carolyn Crane

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers.

This meme is hosted by TBQ @ TBQ's Book Palace.

Into The Shadows by Carolyn Crane
Publisher: Carolyn Crane (July 2014)
Series: Undercover Associate, 3
Genre: Suspense Romance

Book Blurb:

He’s working undercover for the good guys. That doesn’t mean he’s one of them. 

HE’S A KILLER.
Thorne McKelvey knows exactly how Nadia sees him—as a brute and a killer just kinky enough to play her sexy games. And that’s how it has to stay. Leaving her was the hardest thing he ever did, but his undercover mission could blow up at any second. No way will he drag Nadia down with him.

SHE CAN’T RISK HER HEART.
Maybe it was foolish to fall in love with her late father’s deadliest henchman, but Nadia Volkov’s not sorry; without Thorne she wouldn’t have their beautiful little boy. There’s nothing she won’t do to protect Benny, which means she must hide his identity—especially from his father.

Now Thorne has burst back into her home, searching for clues to a gangland mystery…and stirring a hunger Nadia hasn’t felt in two years. But Benny’s identity isn’t the only secret she’s keeping, and things are turning deadly. Can Thorne and Nadia trust each other long enough to stay alive and have a chance at happiness?

Purchase Links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Author's Site

Why?

Boy he looks like he means business. I mean he has a smokin' body and pretty hot tat. He just looks like my kind of trouble. I'm probably not the only one who would be willing to go into the shadows with him. So, what are you guys lusting for, hot bad boy or something else. 

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: Hot Ice by Lynn Raye Harris

Book Information

Title: Hot Ice

Author: Lynn Raye Harris

Release Date: December 29, 2014

Summary

When fire and ice collide, you get steam…

Grace Campbell leads a privileged life. The daughter of a United States senator, she moves within the social circles of the rich and famous. But Grace is also a scientist, and when someone learns she possesses the knowledge necessary to create a new super virus capable of destroying entire nations, she becomes a target for terror groups and foreign governments alike.

Garrett “Iceman” Spencer didn’t join the Army’s elite Hostile Operations Team to babysit a spoiled rich girl, but when his superiors insist on assigning him to a senator’s daughter as her security detail, he has no choice but to comply.

It’s a shock to find that beneath the glasses and serious scowl, Grace Campbell burns hot. And Garrett, who’s been burned before, suddenly wants to immerse himself in the flames.

Keeping Grace alive—and keeping his hands off her—is a full-time job for this HOT soldier. Failure is not an option…

Spotlight + Giveaway: The Laird by Grace Burrowes

Book Information

Book: The Laird

Author: Grace Burrowes

Release Date: September 2, 2014

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Genre: Historical Romance

Summary:

He left his bride to go to war...

After years of soldiering, Michael Brodie returns to his Highland estate to find that the bride he left behind has become a stranger. Brenna is self-sufficient, competent, confident-and furious. Despite her anger at Michael's prolonged absence, Brenna has remained loyal to her husband, though Michael's people, and most especially the uncle who held the estate together for him, make it clear they expect Michael to set Brenna aside.

Though his most important battle will be for her heart.

Michael left Brenna when she needed him most, and then stayed away even after the war ended. Nonetheless, the young man who abandoned her has come home a wiser, more patient and honorable husband. Brenna is hurt, bewildered, and tired of fighting for the respect of those around her, but if she trusts Michael with the truths she'd been guarding, he'll have to choose between his wife and everything he holds dear.

One Rogue Too Many by Samantha Grace

I have finally got around to reading One Rogue Too Many by Samantha Grace. Yes, this has been sitting on my shelf for a few months. Here's the reason why: I have a hard time dealing with love triangles. Seriously, I don't like them. Granted One Rogue Too Many isn't a love triangle per se, but it might come off as one. Some might say it is cause you have two guys vying for one girls attention. However, I look at love triangles more like two guys liking the same girl, and the girl has the same feelings for both guys. Which make it hard for the girl to make up her mind. Now that's my definition of a love triangle.

Now Gabby isn't really in love with Baron Sebastian Thorne, she just believes they would suit well. So, Sebastian is going to pursue her, but he has ulterior motives. Come on he just wants to needle Ellis with the fact that he could get Gabby. Now Anthony and Gabby have come to an understanding or so he thought when he got back to town. Of course Thorne has to needle Anthony Of course, Anthony has to prove to Gabby he's the man for her. However, there are other people that wreaking havoc on his love life other than Thorne.

So, you can see why I would have problems plowing through this story. Granted Gabby has to live with the decision and not me, but it can be rough on the reader. However, I finally sat down to read One Rogue Too Many. Yes, I did have an anxious feeling throughout the book until Gabby made the final decision. Trust me that gave me heart palpitation. There were times I wanted to scream "NO, don't do it." Even her brothers were questioning her. I felt bad for Anthony cause he's just had such a cruddy situation you wanted to cheer him on. I kind of felt bad for Thorne. Okay that's an outright lie. He does some pretty bad things that almost sacrificed Gabby's happiness. It wasn't intentional, but it was pretty rotten. Overall, I did enjoy One Rogue Too Many even though I wanted to shake Gabby at times. I loved the last few chapters, cause it made everything right. Now I need to check on Thorne as he licks his wounds.

Favorite Lines:

Anthony kissed the tip of her nose. "It's one thing to forgive yourself a misstep, but there are different sets of rules for one's sister.""Good thing I'm not your sister," she teased.He laughed. "Yes, or this would be very awkward."

Copy provided by Sourcebooks via NetGalley (I did end up buying the book)

Rating:
4 Stars

InkSlinger PR Spotlight + Excerpt + Giveaway: Dare Series by Carly Phillips

DARE TO LOVE

When it comes to family, Ian Dare gives his all but in relationships he offers the bare minimum. Until one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor arouses his dominant and protective instincts. He will do anything to possess her … and does. But any future with Riley must include him dealing his half-brother who is a constant reminder of the pain he’d rather forget. 

Riley Taylor believes herself immune to domineering men – until charismatic Ian Dare turns a simple kiss into an all out assault on her senses and she discovers she likes his brand of control in the bedroom. As their affair heats up, they soon realize they complete each other in ways neither imagined. But Riley’s past is closer than she cares to remember, and her struggles with Ian’s dominance might just cost her everything. (love story, contemporary romance, alpha heroes, beach reads, sports heroes, bad boys, billionaire)

Sizzling PR Spotlight: Love Match By Reggie Thomas

Book Title: Love Match  Author: Reggie Thomas

Release Date: May 16,2014   Genre: New Adult Romance

Book Synop-sis: 

Harper Reed loves balls. Tennis balls, that is. A tennis ace, Harper earned a full scholarship to a prestigious Philadelphia universi-ty. There, the demure virgin meets her first lover, the gorgeous, rich, connected, football star Wes Wood. Harper thinks Wes is the man of her dreams, but is he? Or will some other lover capture the beauty's heart, like the exotic surgeon Dr. Raj Sharma or the irresistible actor Cam Carpenter?  Or maybe Harper's sexy tennis pro, Gabriel Garcia, is Harper's true love. Read Harper's account of her wildly enter-taining adventures and find out. The fascinating young woman will instantly captivate you with her re-markable life, straight out of Sex and the City, and leave you yearning for more.

InkSlinger PR Release Day Blitz + Giveawa: Deep Surrendering (Episode 6) by Chelsea M. Cameron

Deep Surrendering (Episode 6) 

by Chelsea M. Cameron

 August 2014

BOOK SUMMARY:

For the first time in their short and rocky relationship, Marisol is having doubts about how to move forward with her relationship with Fin. Will the secrets and the distance finally come between them and end things forever? 

Tasty Book Tours Spotlight + Review + Giveaway: Not Quite A Wife by Mary Jo Putney

Not Quite a Wife

The Lost Lords # 6

By: Mary Jo Putney

Releasing August 26^th, 2014

Kensington

Blurb

Marry in haste, repent at leisure.

James, Lord Kirkland, owns a shipping fleet, half a London gaming house, and is a ruthlessly effective spymaster. He is seldom self-indulgent…except when it comes to the gentle, indomitable beauty who was once his wife.

Laurel Herbert gave James her heart as an innocent young girl—until she saw him perform an act of shocking violence before her very eyes. That night she left her husband, and he let her go without a word of protest.

Now, ten years later, a chance encounter turns passionate, with consequences that cannot be ignored. But as they try to rebuild what was broken, they must face common enemies and a very uncommon love….

InkSlinger PR Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Stealing His Heart by Diane Alberts

STEALING HIS HEART 

by Diane Alberts

 August 2014

BOOK SUMMARY:

A sexy category romance from Entangled publishing’s Brazen imprint…

Shillings Agency employee Jake Forsythe is not happy to discover that the thief who he has to track down is none other than his ex-partner from his past. Now he’s forced to blackmail her into submission…or throw her in jail.

Tara Harris steals from the rich and corrupted, returning objects to their rightful owners one case at a time. When Jake shows up in her life, at first, she’s thrilled. But then when she finds out that she has to help the man she stole from or go to jail…it’s the choice between two evils.

These two can’t deny the burning passion between them, but when push comes to shove, they’ll have to lay their hearts and their lives on the line.

Review: Keeping Mr. Right Now by Robin Bielman

Last night I finished, Keeping Mr. Right Now by Robin Bielman. I have to say that it was a cute read with a little more heat than normal Bliss books. However, not as steamy as a Brazen book. Anyway, I guess I should tell you why I liked this book.

First, I adore Sophie Birch. She's cute, adorable, and a bit of a nerd. Yes! Let's rock the nerdy girl heroines. So, she wouldn't be deem as hot. Now, Zane Hollander is a play-boy surfer who wants to clean up his act. Now his buddies think Sophie is the perfect solution to his image problems cause isn't his typical type. Plus, it helps that she will be around cause working on the film festival.

I love the fact that at the beginning of the book Sophie is understated. I mean she was a good-looking, but never saw herself that way. Plus, when you been teased your whole life for your looks you have self doubt that anyone is looking at you. So, he wore her nerd-girl self as a security blanket, but wanted to let go and create a new image. She was lucky to meet Honor to help her find a new image. Plus, it helped that Zane started to see how special she was. Bad-boy Zane who "wore his charm like a second skin", and knew his limitations that were ingrain by his lovely father (not really).  After all his father would say things like:

"You've got shit for brains, son. The only thing you're good at is surfing. Quit school. Take endorsement deal and go where they want you. The only thing that suits you is the water." 

Zane is actually more than that, but when you get stuff like that ingrain you start to believe.  I liked that both of them had insecurities, and they were able to help one another.

Overall, Keeping Mr. Right Now was a cute story. I liked that it had two people from different worlds come together. I also liked how you can kind of see who might be the next story. So, if you are looking for a light fun read with a little California sun, you might want to checkout Keeping Mr. Right Now.

Copy provided by author (I also purchased the book).

Book Trailer: Dare to Submit by Carly Phillips

Decklan Dare knows about the unexpected loss of loved ones and for this reason, he values control in all areas of his life. Amanda Collins enjoys the freedom she finds in casual encounters without the emotional connection a relationship brings. They meet and their physical attraction is mutual but both experience feelings that could run deeper – if they drop their guard and let each other in. Decklan is first to trust, but when he discovers the secret Amanda’s been hiding, will he forgive? Or will he rebuild every wall before she has a chance to explain?

Keeping Mr. Right Now by Robin Bielman (Blog Tour + Spotlight + Giveaway)

Book Blurb:

A temporary agreement neither could keep…

Brainy, organized Sophie Birch is no beach bunny. In fact, she’s totally out of her element among the sun-bronzed crowd at a film festival in beautiful White Strand Cove. When a surf lesson introduces her to Zane Hollander, suddenly she's up close and personal with the world's sexiest surf star. But what can a great-looking, experienced athlete possibly see in a klutzy out-of-towner who’s never set foot in the ocean?

Zane Hollander's playboy reputation has never been a problem…until recently. Now his management team wants him on his best behavior to entice a meaningful new sponsor. Sophie Birch is the perfect girl to help reform his image. She's genuine and respected—and their relationship is purely fictional. But the more Sophie blooms under the beachy sun, the more Zane knows he'll just break her heart. Because nothing's more important to Zane than following the tide.

The de Valery Code by Darcy Burke (Blog Tour + Review + Excerpt + Giveaway)

About The de Valery Code:

Title: The de Valery Code by Darcy Burke

Genre: Regency Historical Romance

Series: Regency Treasure Hunters, Book 1

ISBN: 9781939713247

Publisher: Darcy Burke

Publish Date: August 18, 2014

Miss Margery Derrington and her dear aunts are in dire straits. Their discovery of a rare medieval manuscript will hopefully stave off their creditors—if it’s worth what they hope. Margery reluctantly allies with a reclusive scholar to use the book to pursue a treasure that could exceed her expectations. Amidst danger, secrets, and an insatiable attraction, is Margery gambling just her financial future . . . or her heart?

Academic Rhys Bowen can’t believe he has his hands on the elusive de Valery text. Solving its hidden code and unearthing its legendary treasure would establish him as one of Britain’s leading antiquarians, finally casting him out of his brilliant late father’s shadow. But when a centuries-old organization convinces Rhys of the perils of disturbing the past, he must choose between his conscience…and the captivating woman he’s sworn to help.

Character Interview with Samantha Grace's Leading Men + Giveaway

I would like you all to welcome Samantha Grace’s leading men, Drew, Jake, Daniel, Luke, Anthony, and Sebastian, to What I’m Reading.

All six men are gathered in the library. Lord Andrew Forest; Lucas Forest, Duke of Foxhaven; Jake Hillary; Daniel Hillary; and Anthony Keaton, Earl of Ellis sit to one side of the room while Sebastian, Baron Thorne is alone. The gentlemen appear none too friendly with the baron.

Hello fellows, would you guys care for a drink?

The men mumble their thanks, but politely decline. Drew and Luke watch the baron through narrowed, distrustful eyes, and Anthony avoids eye contact all together. Jake and Daniel remain silent, which is a feat in itself for the boisterous Captain Daniel Hillary.

Sam pulls Melody aside to speak quietly with her. “Oh, dear. I was afraid something like this might happen if we got them all together in the same room. Drew and Luke are still unhappy with Sebastian for fighting with their good friend Anthony when he eloped with their sister Gabby. I think they understand why Sebastian would be furious—after all, Gabby was the baron’s fiancée when Anthony took her—but they haven’t forgiven Sebastian for placing Gabby in harm’s way.”

Sam glances back over her shoulder toward the Hillary brothers. “I’m afraid their association with Sebastian isn’t much better ever since their older brother Ben jilted Sebastian’s sister. Jake and Daniel don’t agree with what their brother did, but family loyalty is very strong among the Hillarys. Are you sure that you want to do this? Maybe I should have a little talk with them first.” 

InkSlinger PR Release Day Blitz + Excerpt + Giveaway: Reluctantly Royal by Nicole Chase

We are beyond excited about the Release Day Launch of Nichole Chase's RELUCTANTLY ROYAL!! RELUCTANTLY ROYAL is a New Adult contemporary romance novel being published by HarperCollins Avon imprint and is the third book in Nichole Chase’s Suddenly Series. We love the swoony romance in these books and this one delivers in spades!

Forever Romance New Release Alert: It's In His Kiss by Jill Shalvis

Book Summary:

ONE KISS CAN LAST FOREVER

Becca Thorpe has uprooted her life and escaped to the beach. Now's her chance to get away from city living, throw caution to the ocean winds, and live in the moment. Especially if the moment includes the deliciously sexy surfer she meets shortly after arriving in Lucky Harbor. Something about the dark intensity of Sam's eyes and the thrill she gets at his touch convinces her to stay awhile.

Boatbuilder and investment genius Sam Brody is a self-made man who knows how dangerous it can be to mix business and pleasure. But he can't resist offering Becca a job just to hear her laugh and have her near. Yet when her brother comes to town asking for help, will he tempt her back to her glamorous life in the city? Or do Sam and little Lucky Harbor have a chance to win Becca's heart? 

A clip from the audio edition of IT'S IN HIS KISS can be downloaded here: https://soundcloud.com/hachetteaudio/its-in-his-kiss-jill-shalvis

Purchase Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

Jill's Bio:

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill's bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

You can learn more about Jill at:
JillShalvis.com
Twitter @jillshalvis

Facebook.com/jillshalvis 

Teaser Tuesday: Boarded by Love by Toni Aleo (Coming Sept 8)

Teaser Tuesday

“If we keep on, dinner will not happen.”

“I’m reconsidering my earlier proposition.”

I smile fully as I run my nose along his. “You want me?”

He groans softly against my lips as he nods his head, his nose moving along mine. We’re basically one; we’re so close, and I don’t think I ever want him to go anywhere else. The air around us is sizzling, and I find myself fighting for my next breath.

“I want you so bad I can’t see straight.”

Boarded by Love by Toni Aleo

Coming September 8th, 2014!

>>Add to Goodreads!<<

Jude Sinclair here, hockey player for the Bellevue Bullies and lover of all ladies. Hockey’s in my blood, and not to sound full of myself, but I’m good at it…really good. The draft is within my reach—it’s mine to take—but that’s not the only reason people know my name. They know me because of my way with women. They know the score, and I aim to please. I just tend to stay away from repeat performances. In other words, I don’t do relationships beyond my family and friends. I’m happy with life. However, I should warn you that my story and how I see it playing out is about to change due to a certain redhead on campus.

Tasty Book Tours Spotlight + Giveaway: What a Lady Most Desires By Lecia Cornwall

What a Lady Most Desires

The Temberlay Series # 3

By: Lecia Cornwall

Releasing August 26^th, 2014

Avon Romance

Blurb

On the night before the final battle against Napoleon, Lady Delphine St. James finds herself dancing with the one man she has always wanted, Major Lord Stephen Ives. He makes it clear he has no time for a lady he sees as flirtatious and silly, but as the call to arms sounds, she bids him farewell with a kiss that stirs them both. When he returns gravely injured, she is intent on caring for him, even if his surly behavior tests her patience.

After the battle, Stephen is not only wounded and blind, but falsely accused of cowardice and theft. The only light in his dark world is Delphine, the one woman he never imagined he could desire. But she deserves more than he can give her.

As their feelings deepen and hidden enemies conspire to force them to part forever, can their love survive the cruelest test of all? 

InkSlinger PR New Release + Giveaway: Stealing His Heart by Diane Alberts

STEALING HIS HEART 

by Diane Alberts

 August 2014

BOOK SUMMARY:

Lusting for Covers (34): The Highlander's Bride Trouble by Mary Wine

Lusting for Covers is a weekly meme, held on Sunday, that allows bloggers to share their current cover obsession with fellow book lovers.

This meme is hosted by TBQ @ TBQ's Book Palace.

This Weeks Selection: 

The Highlander's Bride Trouble by Mary Wine

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (Aug 2014)

Series: The Sutherlands, 4

Genre: Historical 

Blurb:

Has this savage Highlander finally found a woman to tame him? 

Nareen Grant is confident, well-educated, and quick with a dagger. So when her brother, Kael, unknowingly sends her to live at a cousin’s secret brothel, she escapes to court where she meets the arrogant Highlander, Saer MacLeod…

Saer is considered savage even by most Highlanders. It will take an extraordinary woman to handle him, and Nareen enchants him like no one he’s met before. When a furious Kael threatens revenge against the cousin who wronged his sister, Saer knows its his one chance to win over Nareen and reclaim the respect his family deserves…and he’s going to take it.

Purchase Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Why?

All right it's a pretty cover. I love the dress. I also love how she looks like she's the boss. Plus, the guy is pretty hot too. So, what are you lusting for, dress, power, hot guy, or something else?

Tasty Book Tours Spotlight + Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: Heroes Are My Weakness by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Heroes Are My Weakness

By: Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Releasing August 26^th, 2014

Avon Romance

Blurb

New York Times bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips is back with a delightful novel filled with her sassy wit and dazzling charm

The dead of winter.

An isolated island off the coast of Maine.

A man.

A woman.

A sinister house looming over the sea ...

He's a reclusive writer whose macabre imagination creates chilling horror novels. She's a down-on-her-luck actress reduced to staging kids' puppet shows. He knows a dozen ways to kill with his bare hands. She knows a dozen ways to kill with laughs.

But she's not laughing now. When she was a teenager, he terrified her. Now they're trapped together on a snowy island off the coast of Maine. Is he the villain she remembers or has he changed? Her head says no. Her heart says yes.

It's going to be a long, hot winter.

Tasty Book Tour Spotlight + Review + Giveaway: Kiss Me, Captain by Gwen Jones

Kiss Me, Captain: French Kiss # 2

By: Gwen Jones

Releasing August 26th, 2014

Avon: Impulse

Blurb

French billionaire Marcel Mercier loves women. And there's a string of broken hearts across two continents to prove it. But as CEO of Mercier Shipping, he's got more important things to worry about . . . like why the charter company he just purchased in the United States is suddenly the center of an international media firestorm.

Now that big, bad Mercier Shipping owns Captain Dani Lloyd's ship, she's sure her job is at stake. But she won't go down without a fight—even if it means chaining herself to the mast of the Esther Reed and refusing to set foot on shore.

The delectable captain and her newsworthy dramatics are a PR nightmare, but Marcel is happy to let Dani prove her skills on a weeklong sail to Boston. He knows no woman can resist him for that long . . . in fact, he's counting on it.

But Marcel's plan to seduce Dani backfires as sparks fly between the billionaire playboy and the passionate captain. Which leaves Marcel realizing that winning her heart is a challenge he can't afford to lose.

Blog Tour + Giveaway + Excerpt: Operation Paris by Misty Evans

Operation Paris by Misty Evans 

Series: Super Agents (#2)

Release Date: August 4, 2014 (original release date of March 2009 as I’d Rather Be In Paris)

Genre: Romantic Suspense

                      

Book Summary:

CIA operative Zara Morgan—codename Tango—has a reputation in Conrad Flynn’s secret army as a renegade. Once held at gunpoint by terrorist Alexandrov Dmitri, she was seconds from saving herself and arresting Dmitri when Lt. Commander Lawson Vaughn, the sexy leader of a covert ops team, intervened. She’s never lived down the fact that everyone—including her boss—believes Lawson is her knight in shining armor.

Former Navy man Lawson Vaughn doesn’t consider himself anyone’s savior. He lives and breathes protocol and hates the fact that his latest assignment is to babysit Zara while she hunts down Dmitri and stops the terrorist from releasing a biological weapon on the world.

But from the time they touch down in Paris, Lawson can’t resist Zara’s sassy attitude and dauntless bravery in the face of danger. When Dmitri kidnaps Zara and injects her with the contagious and deadly virus, Lawson is once again forced to come to her rescue, whether she likes it or not.

With unflinching determination and steadfast courage, Lawson must break all the rules to save Zara, even if it means becoming the one thing he can’t stand…a renegade.

InkSlinger PR Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Hard To Hold On To by Laura Kaye

About Hard To Hold On To:

Edward "Easy" Cantrell knows better than most the pain of not being able to save those he loves—which is why he is not going to let Jenna Dean out of his sight.  He may have just met her, but Jenna's the first person to make him feel alive since that devastating day in the desert more than a year ago. 

Jenna has never met anyone like Easy. She can't describe how he makes her feel--and not just because he saved her life. No, the stirrings inside her reach far beyond gratitude.

As the pair are thrust together while chaos reigns around them, they both know one thing: the things in life most worth having are the hardest to hold on to.