What I'm Reading: December 2014

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Christmas at Thorncliff Towers by Marina Myles (Review)

Last week, I was able to read Christmas at Thorncliff Towers by Marina Myles. I'm kind of glad the story focuses on Katrina Petri and Constantin Stoica, and not the rest of the series. If you couldn't figure out why, you really don't know me. Anyway.

Well, Constantin is stuck at Thorncliff, because of Katrina's mischief which got his brother stuck there. However, Constantin was able to convince the lord of the manor for him to trade places with his brother. He's been there for awhile. Now Katrina pops back into his life and he knows that no good can come from her being around. Now Katrina needs to break some news to him about his grandfather, and while she's at might as well try to get him to love her. Nothing wrong with that, right?

This was a fun quick read that centers around Christmas time. I like the fact that Constantin tries to avoid Katrina's mischief, but seems to be drawn to her. Granted he doesn't want to be drawn to her cause something bad happens whenever she's around. By the end, we have a happy ending for these two. If you are still in the mood to read a Christmas story, you might look at Christmas at Thorncliff Towers.

Copy provided by Kensington via NetGalley

Spotlight + Excerpt + Giveaway: Playing with the Drummer by Robin Covington

Friends –

I love a good Hollywood romance. The glamour. The sexy vibe of the opulent life. Add in the edgy, exciting world of rock-n-roll and I jump from “yes, please.” to “gimme, gimme” at the speed of Eddie Van Halen’s guitar riff on “Hot for Teacher”.

So writing about a broody, Alpha, reclusive drummer from the world’s most popular rock band and an entertainment journalist hell bent on getting her own TV show¼was a ton of fun. Add in the fact that they have a combustible history and you’ve got a story I hope you cannot put down.

Warning: This book contains a sexy, Alpha rock star who just wants to be left alone and the gorgeous, super talented reporter who thinks that is the worst idea ever. When they are thrown together and forced to play nice, the competition begins in the bedroom but ends on the front page. The author is not responsible for spontaneous combustion of the reader.

Blurb:

Jenn LeBlanc's Takeover for Absolute Surrender (Giveaway)

Hey everyone I would like to turn What I'm Reading over to Jenn LeBlanc and she's going to share some fun info about #Twitchy. I guess I better turn it over to her now.

Hey y'all!! I was going to come do a post here, talk about #Twitchy and the cover redesign, but it's a long boring story dealing with audience, numbers, math and analytics. Yuck. I love the new cover, I think it's beautiful and it speaks to how very alone Amelia feels even when in a crowded ballroom surrounded by people.

Alone.

I then decided a playlist in order... but there's really only one song that spoke to me while I was writing #twitchy.

This one:

Lusting for Covers (52): Wicked, My Love by Susanna Ives

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:

Wicked, My Love by Susanna Ives

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca (Mar 2015)

Series: Wicked Little Secrets, 2

Genre: Historical Romance

Blurb:

A smooth-talking rogue and a dowdy financial genius...

Handsome, silver-tongued politician Lord Randall doesn't get along with his bank partner, the financially brilliant but hopelessly frumpish Isabella St. Vincent. Ever since she was his childhood nemesis, he's tried—and failed—to get the better of her.

Make a perfectly wicked combination...

When both Randall's political career and their mutual bank interests are threatened by scandal, he has to admit he needs Isabella's help. They set off on a madcap scheme to set matters right. With her wits and his charm, what could possibly go wrong? Only a volatile mutual attraction that's catching them completely off guard...

Purchase Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Author's Site

Why?

I absolutely love the dress on the cover, and the guy isn't bad looking. I normally would not choose a gold dress, but it works. Plus, enemies to lovers sounds like a win to me. Anyway, that's my pick. What are you lusting for?

InkSlinger PR Launch Release: Forbidden (Anthology)

Is there anything more scrumptious than forbidden love?

Tasty Book Tours Spotlight + Review + Excerpt + Giveaway: Return to Clan Sinclair by Karen Ranney

Return to Clan Sinclair
Clan Sinclair #3.5

By: Karen Ranney

Releasing December 23rd

Avon Romance

Blurb

The stunning follow-up novella in New York Times bestselling author Karen Ranney’s beloved Clan Sinclair series.

It’s true love in the Scottish highlands. When Ceana Sinclair Mead married the youngest son of an Irish duke, she never dreamed that seven years later her beloved Peter would die. Her three brothers-in-law thought she should be grateful to remain a proper widow. After three years of this, she’s ready to scream. She escapes to Scotland, only to discover she’s so much more than just the Widow Mead.

In Scotland, Ceana crosses paths with Bruce Preston, an American tasked with a dangerous mission by her brother, Macrath. Bruce is too attractive for her peace of mind, but she still finds him fascinating. Their one night together is more wonderful than Ceana could have imagined and she has never felt more alive.

But when the past reaches out in the form of an old foe, Ceana’s life is in danger. Now Bruce fights to become her savior-and more-if she’ll let him.

My Thoughts:

WordSmith Release Day Celebration: Wicked Weekend by Karen Erickson

We're celebrating the release of WICKED WEEKEND by Karen Erickson!

WICKED WEEKEND (Vegas Nights Series #.5) by Karen Erickson

Erotic Romance

Goodreads

Blurb:

Seaside Sunsets

Seaside Dreams # 3

By: Melissa Foster

Releasing December 16^th, 2014

Blurb

Jessica Ayers has lived a sheltered life with little more than cello lessons and practices taking up her day. Now a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, she escapes the prim and proper symphony to vacation in the Seaside community in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, and determine if she is living life to the fullest or missing it altogether.

For the first time since developing the second largest search engine in the world, billionaire Jamie Reed is taking the summer off. He plans to work from the Cape and spend time with his elderly grandmother—and falling in love is not in his plans.

From the moment Jamie and Jessica meet, the attraction is white-hot. Once-overly-focused Jamie can think of little else than sensual, smart, and alluring Jessica, and Jessica discovers a side of herself she never knew existed. But when Jamie’s business encounters trouble and his attorney and best friend intervenes, he proves that the blond beauty is too distracting for Jamie. To make matters worse, it appears that Jessica might not be who she says she is, turning Jamie’s life—and his heart—upside down.

In a world where personal information is always one click away, Jamie must decide if he should trust his heart or watch the woman he loves walk away.

My Thoughts:

Tasty Book Tour Holiday Tour + Giveaway: Holidays and Historicals with Kensington

Holidays and Historicals with Kensington

Kensington Publishing

Holiday Promo Tour for Kensington Historical titles: SEASON FOR DESIRE by Theresa Romain, ONCE UPON A PLAID by Mia Marlowe, MADELEINE’S CHRISTMAS WISH by Ella Quinn, AN OATH TAKEN by Diana Cosby, CHRISTMAS AT THORNCLIFF TOWERS by Marina Myles and CHRISTMAS DELIGHTS by Heather Hiestand.

Lusting for Covers (51): The Devil Takes A Bride by Julia London

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 Devil Takes A Bride by Julia London

Publisher: Harlequin

Series:

Genre: Historical

Blurb:

From powerful love to sizzling passion, Julia London always delivers an incomparable reading experience. Returning to her acclaimed Cabot Sisters series, we meet an earl who can only be tamed by one wicked lady…

A plan born of desperation…

Once the toast of society, Grace Cabot and her sisters now await the shame of losing high status and fine luxuries upon the death of the Earl of Beckington. The dire circumstances are inevitable unless, of course, Grace's wicked plot to seduce a wealthy viscount into marriage goes off without a single hitch. But once a stolen embrace with the wrong man leads her to be discovered in the arms of Geoffrey, the Earl of Merryton, her plan takes a most unexpected—and scorching—twist.

…and altered by passion.

Governed by routine and ruled by duty, Geoffrey had no desire for a wife before he succumbed to Grace's temptation. Though his golden-haired, in-name-only bride is the definition of disorder, he can't resist wanting her in every way. But once her secrets meet his, society might consider their lives to be ruined beyond repair…while Geoffrey might just see it as a new beginning.

Add to Goodreads

Author's Site

Why?

I love the cover cause it's red, of course. That's the main reason I picked this cover. Plus, she looks very statisfied. So, what are you lusiting for?

Friday, December 19, 2014

I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm by Kelly Bowen (Review)

I finally finished I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm by Kelly Bowen. I have to say that this an ingenuity read from a debut author.

First off, you have Gisele Whitby who was able to escape a horrible situation by faking her own death. However, she finds out that her husband plans to marries again and she would never wish what happen to her on anyone. So, she needs to find someone who can help her save this poor girl a fate worse than death. Jamie Montcrief is that soul comes to Gisele's aid. However, he's not sure if he could fully trust her cause she's being kind of shady, yet he agrees.

Anyway, the story is filled interesting characters to say the least. They makeup Gisele's motley crue of helpers. The best way to describe Gisele is a caring person who has been through the ringer and survive. Jamie is a hero of the true sort. A lot of his character his built around putting others first.

The bottom line is I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm is a creative story set in a regency time. You have a heroine who was able to escape an abusive situation, but willing to save another the same fate. A hero that doesn't realize he's more than his birth line. Overall, a pretty good read and I look forward to future stories from Kelly Bowen.

Copy provided by Forever Romance

Rating:
4Stars

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Forever Romance Blog Tour + Excerpt + Giveaway: I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm by Kelly Bowen

I’VE GOT MY DUKE TO KEEP ME WARM

The Lords of Worth #1

by Kelly Bowen

Forever Romance

December 16, 2014

WHERE SECRETS SMOLDER . . .

Calm. Cool. Collected. Gisele Whitby has perfected the art of illusion-her survival, after all, has depended upon it. Years ago, to escape an abusive husband, Gisele "disappeared." Now she must risk revealing her new identity to save another innocent girl from the same fate. But she needs a daring man for her scheme, and the rogue in question shows a remarkable talent . . . for shattering Gisele's carefully constructed facade and igniting her deepest desires.

. . . PASSION IGNITES

This isn't the first time Jamie Montcrief has awakened naked and confused from a night of drinking. It is, however, the first time a stunningly beautiful woman offers him payment afterward. Gisele has a business proposition for him, a mission involving cunning thievery and a brazen rescue. How can he say no to a plot this dangerous . . . and a woman this delectable?

Small Excerpt from I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm:

Forever Romance Blog Tour + Giveaway: The Last Cowboy in Texas by Katie Lane

The Last Cowboy in Texas

Deep in the Heart of Texas #7

by Katie Lane

Forever Romance

December 16, 2014

About The Last Cowboy in Texas, book 7 in Katie Lane’s Deep in the Heart of Texas series

Country music princess Starlet Brubaker has a sweet tooth for moon pies and cowboys: both are yummy-and you can never have just one. Now Beckett Cates may not be a cowboy, but he certainly has the heart, soul-and body-to whet her appetite. He's a sexy ex-Marine with a touch hotter than the scorching Texas sun and arms strong enough to catch her when she lands into trouble.

Playing bodyguard to America's sweetheart isn't easy for Beckett. But falling for her sure is. Unfortunately, Starlet has a reputation for keeping a guy or two wrapped around her finger and Beckett refuses to be anybody's backup. So now it's up to Starlet to prove that she's put her cowboy-crazy days behind her. Otherwise, she'll be singing solo instead of living in harmony with the man who's loved her even before her fame and fortune.

My Thoughts:

Fate Book Two
Fate #2

By: Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Releasing December 19^th, 2014

Blurb

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR…

Despite every bad guy in the world wanting her dead, nineteen-year-old Dakota Dane believes she’s finally found her “happy ever after.” Until Prince Charming (aka her hot Italian bodyguard) bolts from the church two minutes before the wedding.

Was it something she said?

Dakota doesn’t know, but she’s not about to let him off the hook. Because he loves her and she loves him. Right?

But when Dakota finally catches up to Mr. Cold Feet, she’ll find herself wishing she’d let him go when she had the chance.

Book Blurb:

Lady Gwyneth Beaumont has long awaited the opportunity to show Viscount James Ashworth that she is no longer the impetuous child who dogged his footsteps. Now a much sought-after debutante, she is determined to prove to the hard-headed rake that she is a grown woman and a worthy participant in both the spy game and the game of love.

Ash, recently returned from three years undercover in France in His Majesty’s service, wants nothing more than to complete his final mission and retire to his bucolic country estate. However, what seemed a simple assignment to protect the Prince Regent at a Christmas party turns into a maze of intrigue, desire, and treachery.

Adding to the perilous secret operation is one problem Ash never anticipated: The appearance of the reckless, enticing Gwyneth, who has blossomed into a gorgeous woman and self-appointed spy. When a snooping Gwyneth uncovers a shocking secret, she puts herself in mortal danger.

Can Ash protect Gwyneth and the Prince from French assailants and, at the same time, win the passionate lady's heart?

Can Ash and Gwyneth both triumph as winners in the game of spies and love?

My Thoughts:

Book Summary:

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

He'll give her exactly what she needs…

Protecting a princess is not what former marine Gordon Waybrook signed up for when he joined the Shillings Agency. But instead of the spoiled, regal little creature he expects, Isabelle VanGuard is a fiery, sexy-as hell woman who's been denied what she needs for too long. And he's just the man to break through her frozen public facade and give it to her.

When she's with Gordon, all Isabelle can think about is pleasure. Their blistering chemistry is immediate and intense, but volatile. In fact, the only thing they agree on is that their one night together is just that—one night. Even after it becomes more. But tempers and temptation can't disguise reality. Isabelle is a princess, and a hot, hard, and tattooed bodyguard isn't the Prince Charming her country expects…even if he's exactly what she needs.

My Thoughts:

InkSlinger PR Release Day Blitz + Excerpt + Giveaway: Seducing the Princess by Diane Alberts

Book Summary:

EXCERPT:

We are so incredibly excited to be able to bring you the Release Day Launch for Cora Carmack's INSPIRE! INSPIRE is a New Adult Paranormal Romance novel and the first book in her new Muse Series!! Holy canoli, y'all. Go out and get this today!

About INSPIRE:

Kalliope lives with one purpose.

To inspire.

As an immortal muse, she doesn’t have any other choice. It’s part of how she was made. Musicians, artists, actors—they use her to advance their art, and she uses them to survive. She moves from one artist to the next, never staying long enough to get attached. But all she wants is a different life— a normal one. She’s spent thousands of years living lie after lie, and now she’s ready for something

real.

Sweet, sexy, and steady, Wilder Bell feels more real than anything else in her long existence. And most importantly… he’s not an artist. He doesn’t want her for her ability. But she can’t turn off the way she influences people, not even to save a man she might love. Because in small doses, she can help make something beautiful, but her ability has just as much capacity to destroy as it does to create. The longer she stays, the more obsessed Wilder will become. It’s happened before, and it never turns out well for the mortal.

Her presence may inspire genius.

But it breeds madness, too.

Lusting for Covers (50): Hard to Let Go by Laura Kaye

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:

Hard to Let Go by Laura Kaye

Publisher: Avon (June 2015)

Series: Hard Ink, 4

Genre: Suspense Contemporary

Blurb:

Beckett Murda hates to dwell on the past. But his investigation into the ambush that killed half his Special Forces team and ended his Army career gives him little choice. Just when his team learns how powerful their enemies are, hard-ass Beckett encounters the biggest complication yet—seductive, feisty Katherine Rixey.

A tough, stubborn prosecutor, Kat visits her brothers’ Hard Ink Tattoo following a bad break-up—and finds herself staring down the barrel of a stranger’s gun. Beckett is hard-bodied and sexy as hell, but he’s also the most infuriating man ever. Worse, Kat’s brothers are at war with criminals her office is investigating. When Kat joins the fight, she lands straight in Beckett’s sights—and his arms. Not to mention their enemies’ crosshairs.

Now Beckett and Kat must set aside their differences to work together, because the only thing sweeter than justice is finding love and never letting go.

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Author's Site

Why?

Cause it's just yummy. Do I need a reason? NO! TBQ is probably going to kill me cause she probably was planning to use this cover. Other than the cover I can't wait for this story cause in the Hard to Come By they weren't on friendly terms. Oh the excitement. So, what are you lusting for?

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Kennedy Ryan’s MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME Holiday Blitz & Giveaway (Bonus Scene)

A Holiday Greeting From Kennedy Ryan....

Deleted Christmas Scene from When You Were Mine:

When I was reading Delilah Marvelle's Master of Pleasure the phrase kept popping into my head:

"Life is like a coin. Pleasure and pain are the two sides. Only one side is visible at a time. But the other side is waiting for it's turn."

So, pleasure and pain a lot in the story. However, Malcolm finds a it challenging to find a balance. He loves pain. He loves inflicting it, but enjoys receiving it. Yet, he was fearful to show his true nature and figure no woman completely understand what he wants. In the long run he thought it was best to avoid women. Plus he thought:

"Sex only turns people into mouth-foaming lunatics. Which he wasn't."

Yes, sometimes it does have that effect, but when the right person it can be a beautiful thing. Of course, Malcolm never completely understands that until he finds love.

Spotlight + Giveaway: Bared by Stacey Kennedy

Prepare to be BARED…

Publisher: Loveswept

(Random House Publishing Group)

ISBN: 9780804178884

Release date: February 10, 2014

InkSlinger PR Cover Reveal + Excerpt: Blurred Lines by Jen McLaughlin

Today we are revealing the cover for BLURRED LINES by Jen McLaughlin. This is the highly-anticipated adult standalone novel that is part of the New York Times Bestselling OUT OF LINE series. The book will be released on January 26, 2015.

BOOK BLURB: Once burned... Finding my fiancée naked on my couch might’ve been a good thing, if her ex-boyfriend hadn’t been with her. For the past eight years I’ve been a witness to the power of true love, but after getting burned I’d decided there wasn’t any hope for me finding it for myself. Until I met Noelle Brandt in a hotel bar. Maybe it wasn’t the most romantic meeting, but the moment I met her I knew I had to have her. The more I learn about her, the more I know I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her.

Twice shy...

I’d already found the love of my life, but I’d lost that love forever. And I’d been lost ever since. But one night a wounded man makes all of that go away. He makes me laugh, live, and feel alive. When he tells me he has no intention of letting me go, I finally begin to believe in the power of true love again. That is, until I find out who he really is…and by then, it’s far too late to correct the mistakes we’ve already made. By the time we both know the truth, the lines have already been blurred beyond recognition.

Holding Holly
Love and Football # 4.5

By: Julie Brannagh

Releasing December 2^nd, 2014

Avon

Blurb

Holly Reynolds has a secret. Make that two. The first involves upholding her grandmother’s hobby answering Dear Santa letters from dozens of local school children. The second...well, he just came strolling in the door.

For the last two years, Holly has not been able to stop thinking about gorgeous Seattle Shark Derrick Collins. His on-field exploits induce nightmares in quarterbacks across the NFL, but she knows he has a heart of gold.

Derrick has never met a woman he wants to bring home to meet his family, mostly because he keeps picking the wrong ones-until he runs into sweet, shy Holly Reynolds. Different than anyone he’s ever known, Derrick realizes she might just be everything he needs.

When he discovers her holiday letter writing, he is determined to play Santa too. And as the pair team up to bring joy to one little boy very much in need, they discover the most precious Christmas gift of all: love.

EXCERPT from Holding Holly:

So, Deadly Fallout is my fifth Red Stone Security book and I have read from Katie Reus, and by far is my favorite. At least all the ones I have read. Hey, one of the first five books could be my fave waiting to be read, but I just haven't gotten to reading them. Anyway, it's time to focus on Zoe and Sawyer.

Okay, Zoe is sister to Vincent who works at Red Stone. She's also a doctor at a hospital.

Can't Wait by Jennifer Ryan

I have finally got to Jennifer Ryan's Can't Wait, which was originally published in the All I Want for Christmas is a Cowboy. I have to say that Caleb Bowden is definitely a cowboy you want waiting under your tree. He's a pretty standup guy who actually follows the Bro-Code. You know the code that you don't go after your best friend's sister no matter what. Anyway, Summer Turner definitely wants Caleb, but there this pesky older brother that is getting in her way. It was pretty self-sacrificing of Caleb say that he wouldn't go after Summer even though he has the hots for her.

Running Hot
Bad Boys Undercover # 0.5

By: HelenKay Dimon

Releasing December 16^th, 2014

Avon Romance

Blurb

HelenKay Dimon kicks off her hot new romantic suspense series, Bad Boys Undercover, featuring the fierce men of Alliance—and the only women capable of taming their hearts.

Camped out at a resort bar in Fiji, CIA operative Ward Bennett may look like he’s on vacation but he’s really deep undercover, hunting a dictator on the run. Ward may be on the job, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t time for the sexy female bartender. That is, until she drugs him.

When Tasha Gregory discovers the hottie on the barstool isn’t who he pretends to be, her MI6 training kicks into gear, and she has no choice but to take him out. Problem is, Ward’s not an easy man to put down for long. More than once, his interference almost blows her surveillance operation—and her ability to keep her heart to herself.

As the situation heats up, these two must decide whether they can trust one another—and quick. Working together might just make everyone safer, but getting close enough for comfort … might just get them killed.

My Thoughts:

Pages

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Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Friday, December 26, 2014

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Monday, December 22, 2014

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Friday, December 19, 2014

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Monday, December 15, 2014

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Friday, December 12, 2014

Monday, December 8, 2014