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Wednesday, March 4, 2015

"Crashing the Net" (Jami Davenport) ★★★★★ with GIVEAWAY!!

BOOK INFORMATION
Crashing the Net
Game On In Seattle # 3
By: Jami Davenport
Releasing February 24th, 2015
Self-Published


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BOOK SUMMARY

Hockey star Cooper Black and professional party crasher Izzy Maxwell return in this sequel to Crashing the Boards.

Jealous boyfriends and glitzy parties can be a recipe for disaster. When the gorgeous yet controlling Cooper interrupts a party Izzy was paid to crash and almost ruins her career as a professional party crasher, Izzy kicks him to the curb. She learned early in life not to count on anyone, and she will not relinquish her independence, not even to a sexy-as-sin pro athlete who can melt her with one wink.

As the Sockeyes hockey team opens their inaugural season in Seattle, Cooper finds himself minus a girlfriend and plus a surly teenaged nephew. Cooper doesn’t want to be a surrogate dad, he doesn’t want to play in Seattle, and he doesn’t want to be alone. He misses Izzy, but seeing her with other men at parties turns him every shade of green. Regardless, he wants her back, and he’s willing to change, if only she’ll give him a second chance. Aware of her precarious finances, Cooper makes an offer she can’t refuse by hiring her to be responsible for his nephew when he’s traveling with the team.

Fearing Cooper isn’t capable of changing his control-freak ways, Izzy resists his efforts to turn their financial arrangement into a personal relationship. He needs a sweet, docile girlfriend, and Izzy cannot be that woman. Yet, when tragedy strikes, Izzy is there when Cooper needs her the most, and love has a way of getting what it wants, no matter the circumstances.




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EXCERPT

“What are you doing here?” Izzy hissed, ever mindful their voices could carry down the hallway to anyone loitering about the ballroom entrance.
“Looking for you,” Cooper growled right back while his gaze raked up and down her body clad in a form-fitting little black dress which revealed a tasteful amount of cleavage and bare thighs.
“Cooper, I told you I had to work tonight.”
He scowled and stepped toward her, backing her up until she hit the wall behind her. He put his big hands on either side of her face and leaned in. “I don’t like you hanging out with all these wealthy businessmen and athletes who’re salivating after you like tomcats on the prowl.”
“You are a wealthy athlete,” she reminded.
“Exactly,” he responded with a grimace.
“It’s just a job.” She stared up into his stormy blue eyes, forcing herself to stay on task and not get lost in those passionate depths.
“I have more than enough money to support you while you go back to school. You don’t need to do this job.”
“I love my job.” Izzy shook her head. She would never be dependent on anyone. After all, when you couldn’t trust your own parents to provide the bare minimum basics of food and shelter, why would you set yourself up to depend on anyone else?
“I don’t.” He glared down at her, his strong jaw set and his kissable mouth drawn in a firm line. If she kissed him right now, he’d forget about everything and the situation would be defused. Until next time. She gathered her strength and did what she had to do. For herself, her sanity, and her business.
“You, buster—” she jabbed her finger in his hard chest. “Do not get a vote.”
He ground his jaw. She cringed at the thought of what that’d do to his implants if he kept it up.
“Cooper, please—”
“This isn’t working. I can’t live like this, not knowing where you are and what you’re doing.”
“You know where I am. I tell you what parties we’re crashing.”
“Yeah, but I worry about you.” Concern softened the anger in his eyes, but judging by his clenched fists, it still bubbled beneath the surface even as he fought to control it.
“There’s nothing to worry about.” Izzy sighed. She wouldn’t quit this job. Number one, she loved it. Number two, it supported her three younger sisters and their college tuitions. Number three, Cooper would not take away her ability to control her present or future.
“You don’t know these people.”
“I don’t have to know them. It’s not like I’m going to establish a relationship with any of them.”
“You did with me.” He pointed out the fact that they’d met at a party her company, the Party Crashers, had been hired to crash over a month ago.
“That was the only time that happened.” She lifted her head and glared at him. “Is that what this is all about? You don’t trust me?”
A muscle ticked in Cooper’s square, stubbled jaw, and his face hardened to stone. That was all the answer she needed.




CAT'S REVIEW
"Crashing the Net" by Jami Davenport.  This is the continuation of Izzy and Cooper's story - it started in the novella "Crashing the Boards" but it can be read as a standalone.  This book contains it all - my emotions were all over the place.  Ms. Davenport does an amazing job of describing each and every feeling being felt.  I cried, smiled and cheered throughout.  Izzy and Cooper are a complex couple - both feel the need to be in control, which can cause a bit of conflict between the two.  Enter a teenager in the mix and things get real interesting.  Learning more about Izzy and Cooper's histories and why they are how they are was enlightening - made me like each character more and more.  I am enjoying this series and look forward to reading more from Ms. Davenport in the future.  For a super enjoyable read, pick this one up - Ms. Davenport scores with "Crashing the Net"!  (received copy for honest review)  


★★★★★







AUTHOR INFO

USA Today Bestselling Author Jami Davenport writes sexy contemporary and sports romances, including her two new indie endeavors: the Game On in Seattle Series and the Madrona Island Series. Jami lives on a small farm near Puget Sound with her Green Beret-turned-plumber husband, a Newfoundland cross with a tennis ball fetish, a prince disguised as an orange tabby cat, and an opinionated Hanoverian mare. She works in computer support in her day job and juggles too many balls, but she wouldn't have it any other way.


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Tuesday, March 3, 2015

"Stitches" (Jeremy Blunt)

stitches

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Stitches- Because Some Wounds Need More Than a Band-Aid Cure AUTHOR – Jeremy L Blunt PUBLICATION DATE – February 10, 2015 LENGTH (Pages/# Words) - 184 PUBLISHER – Upland Avenue Publishing Group COVER ARTIST – Daniela Frongia
Stitches - Book Cover Smaller

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Have you ever found yourself at a loss when trying to figure out why relating to the very people you feel you have to or should be able to communicate well with just doesn’t work? Have you ever had that feeling after you come out of something which gave you the blues while in it, was actually not as bad as you made it if only you had paid attention to the signs and lessons from previous events? If either of these things sound like you then “STITCHES” are what you need. We look for answers from everywhere in the world, our friends, church members, parents, celebrities and sometimes even our enemies but never inside ourselves.
STITCHES are the tools we need to address the issues we have. If you’re tired of putting a Band-Aid on wounds that seem to just keep resurfacing and don’t seem to go away, then I encourage you to start using stitches instead. AS you read “STITCHES”, allow it to broaden your perspective and increase your confidence that you are not as lost as you may have believed.

BUY & TBR LINKS

EXCERPT

The problem with most relationships is not the baggage that people knowingly bring into them, it is with the baggage that they have, know they have but act like it is not there. Now let's be honest. We all have baggage. Baggage is what we pick up from life's experiences that affect how we react to things, how we deal with people, and how we carry ourselves. All baggage is not bad baggage. For instance, it is only after you deal with someone who is independent that you determine if moving forward, you want someone else who is also independent or if you would rather have someone who just has independency. Either way, the baggage we carry from situation to situation affects us differently.
Ideally when we met someone we would like for their baggage to be displayed and scanned as it would be going through check in at an airport. First giving them an opportunity to dispose of anything that would be hazardous to anyone else around and then going through a thermo scan. The problem with baggage does not come when we are dealing with someone who is upfront with baggage that is not necessarily healthy but rather when things pop up that they claim to know nothing about. On my last trip to the airport, I remember hearing several announcements about baggage not being left unattended or taking packages from people that you do not know. We should treat the people we deal with every day with the same level of security and caution. Until we know what at least pops up during their initial scan, we should not pursue them past the outer lobby of our life. In other words, they should remain associates. They should not get VIP treatment or otherwise they may feel and act like they are entitled to more than they are. Then you will feel guilty and try and fast track them to the exclusive area prematurely. To catch a plane now, they tell you to be at the airport at least two hours before your flight so you can go through all of the proper checks and still make your flight on time. We should treat everyone we meet with the same expectation. If they are not willing to show up early, stand in a line or two for a few minutes, and undergo pre checks, then they may as well be labeled as a terrorist and should be treated hostile. I mean let's face it, what is the point of blood, sweat, and tears if you are not going to use the lessons it has taught you to better yourself. Would you knowingly let a terrorist come on a plane that you are boarding? Of course not! Then why do we let people in our lives without proper clearance. You need to know something about the people you deal with. Where they are from? Who have they been with? Who they people are? Have they picked up any habits, I mean packages, from strangers along the way?
Even after going through baggage check, people still can have extra stuff that can threaten your life. An example of this is insecurities. Let us say you have met this guy and he seems to have it pretty much together. He is a dream come true. You open up and allow him to board your life. Once in the air you realize he has tendencies. He always wants to know about the names of people from a previous manifest. He also asked repeatedly about current passengers who are just temporary passengers until the next stop or two. You understand his concerns but point out that none of these issues surfaced or questions were asked during initial boarding. You pacify him by giving him everything it seems that he would need but nothing is helping. He wants to dig deeper and ask more questions. This is a classic example of what I call “unauthorized baggage”. Unauthorized baggage can have you off balance with very little to no clue as to why. When a partner is overly aggressive or possessive, it can weigh you down to the point where you are ready to start throwing things off. When nothing you do seems to be working, you will start eliminating things that are actually in your life to help you; like fuel, food or even extra oxygen (friends who give you life). Again, those closest to you will give you warning signs when this happens. Your body will also be a good sign of indicators. Do not ignore the signs. Pay attention, life has a way of getting your attention. If you are not careful you will find yourself starting to become distant with friends and even point the figure at others as the reason to why things are the way they are.

BOOK SOUNDTRACK

Life and Favor – John P. Kee and New Life feat. James Fortune Her Heart – Anthony Hamilton My Favorite Thing – Ronald Isley featuring Kem Rise and Fall – Craig David feat Sting All of Me – John Legend Sweat – Toni Braxton & Babyface

AUTHORS PLAYLIST

Medelssohn: Octet in E flat, Op. 20-1 Van Cliburn Tchaikovsky: Concerto No. 1 & Rachmaninoff: Concerto No. 2 Michael Meets Mozart More Than Anything – Lamar Campbell & Spirit of Praise Grateful – Hezekiah Walker, Love Fellowship Choir
Stitches - Author Photo

AUTHOR BIO

Jeremy L. Blunt is a capitol city native of Louisiana and a graduate of the East Baton Rouge Public School System. He is a proud Husband, Father, and Mentor. He is married to the former LaTrisha Earline Milton, also of Baton Rouge. He has two daughters, Kaylie and Amerie Blunt. His hobbies include traveling, reading, exercising, and interacting with people. He is honorably retired from the Louisiana National Guard. While also defending his country, Jeremy has and continues to be very active in his community. He serves as a Minister to young people and serves and advises several boards in his community. Jeremy attended Louisiana State University and attends HOPE Bible Institute for Theology and Religious Studies.
Jeremy is a motivated speaker and teacher who delivers a message of self empowerment and change to audiences of all demographics. He continues to work with “at-risk” youth and considers it as one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. He is an advocate for service and continued education.
Jeremy lives by the motto: “Change comes from those willing to do things differently”.

AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS

INSTAGRAM – stitches4life
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Monday, March 2, 2015

"Voluptuous Vindication" (Rose Wynters) ★★★★ with GIVEAWAY!!!

Woluptuous Vindication - Banner

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Voluptuous Vindication SERIES – The Endurers – Book #4 AUTHOR – Rose Wynters GENRE – Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Erotic Romance PUBLICATION DATE – December 25, 2013 LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 415 Pages PUBLISHER – Rose Wynters COVER ARTIST – Webmark

BOOK SYNOPSIS

No good deed goes unpunished...
Reeling from a tragic event, Endurer Ian Bauer is forced back into the fight when demons set their sights on an mortal angel. He has to keep her alive for four weeks, something easier said than done, especially since it's easy to see that the plus-sized female is attracted to him. The last thing on his mind is sex, especially when it comes to a BBW.
But Ian never counted on the wicked attraction that flares up between them...
Voluptuous Vindication - Book Cover

BUY & TBR LINKS

Sunset couple

EXCERPT

“What's your story, Ian,” Sara shot back, struggling to hide her irritation. “With your attitude, it must be a big one.”
Instead of retorting, he grinned grimly. It wasn't a pleasant expression. Instead, it was simply scary. Sara had seen that look before. Somewhere in the past, something, or someone, had hurt this Endurer badly.
Her first instinct was compassion, but Ian was too hardened to take kindly to it. So she remained silent, waiting to see if he would continue. When he did, it wasn't what she was expecting.
“Consider my story a diary, with a giant padlock on it. It's not open to you, or anyone else, and it never will be. Let's just make this clear now. I've bedded hundreds of women in my lifetime, and I'm no novice when it comes to recognizing feminine sexual interest.”
He stopped, casting a firm look in her mortified direction before adding, “I'm not interested, so don't bother. I'm not in the market to get laid, and even if I were, you wouldn't be my type.”


CAT'S REVIEW

"Voluptuous Vindication" by Rose Wynters.  Ian, an Immortal Endurer, is tasked with protecting Sara, a shy, innocent Angel.  Ian is arrogant and obnoxious and wasn't a favorite...at first.  As he falls hard for the voluptuous Sara, my opinion of him changes, for the better.  Sara only wants to help others but cannot fight the attraction either.  I enjoyed reading of their love developing and truly felt for both - at times my heart breaking for them.  There are some lighter moments throughout the book when the Endurers tease and joke with each other which lightens the heaviness of the whole End of the World thing happening!  There is reference to the Bible and praying to God but it certainly wasn't pushed or over excessive, in my opinion.  I would have liked to have seen a bit more action with the demons and the threat on Sara's life - not just Ian's rejects being mean to her.  Overall, I enjoyed this one - it does have some fun moments, love and a bit of romance too, and certainly some action packed fight scenes.  If you enjoy paranormal, I would recommend this one.  Oh, I haven't read any other in the series but, to me, it didn't make a difference to read and enjoy this one.  (received copy for honest review)


★★★★

AUTHOR BIO

I've often been asked how I'm inspired to write about werewolves, immortals, and zombies. The answer is easy. I adore them.
Be it the Wolf Town Guardians or the Endurers, these characters have been a joy to write about. And why not? What woman wouldn't love a sexy immortal male or a long-lived werewolf that is destined to have them?
Not all of my books contain plus-sized heroines, but many of them do. I believe in true love and true love isn't based on a size tag. If you agree with this, I think you will enjoy my books.

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Sunday, March 1, 2015

"Warrior and the Wanderer" (Elizabeth Holcombe) ★★★★

Warrior and the Wanderer - Banner

BOOK INFO

TITLE – Warrior and the Wanderer AUTHOR – Elizabeth Holcombe GENRE – Scottish historical romance/time travel PUBLICATION DATE – December 23, 2014 LENGTH (Pages/# Words) - 249 pages PUBLISHER – Amazon Kindle COVER ARTIST – Fiona Jayde Media Designs

BOOK SYNOPSIS

An impossible adventure. A fierce, undeniable desire.
Infamous Scottish bad boy, Ian MacLean, takes a road trip to sort out his mess of a life and lands five hundred years in the past. He is taken hostage into what he is certain is a band of extreme Highland role players. The only bright light in this strange situation is his insanely beautiful warrior-princess captor who wields her claymore as well as her fiery feral charms.
To gain a strong ally for her clan, flame-haired Bess Campbell reluctantly married a powerful Highland chief who had no intentions of uniting the clans. After murdering her clan chief, he chains her to a rock condemning her to die in the rising tide, until a strangely dressed but startlingly handsome man emerges from the waves like a mythical selkie and rescues her. Bess learns her most odd savior has the same name as her murdering husband—MacLean—and makes him her prisoner.
Fearing she may have captured a madman, Bess forces Ian to journey through Scotland chasing down a killer. She finds Ian’s strange ways oddly endearing and uncommonly useful to her quest for revenge. Ian struggles to find a way back to his time, while being pulled deeper into his role in the past and his undeniable attraction for the fiery Highland warrior princess, Bess Campbell.
Warrior & Wanderer - Book Cover

BUY & TBR LINKS

EXCERPT

She knelt at his feet and began smoothing the plaid across the cold stone floor, felt him watching her every move. “Ye’d best pay close attention,” she said, “because I’m no’ gonnae do this for ye again.”
“Too humiliating?”
“Should be humiliating for ye, to have me show ye how to properly dress yourself.” “Actually, I find it charming, in a weird sort of way.”
Bess ignored the last comment and folded the bottom third of the plaid into thick pleats. She slipped the rope under them.
“Lay on the plaid,” she said. “Place yer waist at the rope in case ye’ve forgotten.” “Oh, yer sarcasm tears me apart, Blaze.”
“If it would help to tear down yer arrogance then we’d be better served, and stop calling me Blaze.” He grimaced as he folded his body down to kneel beside her.
“Your wound…,” she began.
“Is nothing,” he said behind clenched teeth as he lowered his body on top of the plaid.
He rested supine before her. Bess drew in a deep breath. She hovered over him, grasped the ends on the rope in her fists, tied it about his waist, and then adjusted the pleats under the belt.
Ian moaned from far back in his throat. Perspiration glistened across his forehead.
“Ye claim your wound is nothing, d’ye?” she chided, loosening the rope belt. Ian gave her a small forced smile.
She continued to dress him. Her fingers smoothed the wool over his hard waist, over his lean hips, and down the ridge of muscle on his thighs. Feigning indifference was the most difficult part of her task.
“Ye may stand now,” she said. “I’ll help ye.”
“No thanks,” he said struggling to sit up, “you’ve done quite enough.”
She ignored his protest.
“Bursting your stitches is no’ a sign of bravery, ’tis a sign of stupidity.” She took up his left arm and placed it over her shoulders. “Stand with me.”
“I can do it on my own,” he said.
“Ye’re just another arrogant bastard, a typical MacLean,” she said helping him anyway.
“Have you ever thought that all MacLean’s aren’t forged from the same iron as your husband?” he asked.
“Ye betrayed my trust, so aye, I do think all MacLean’s are alike,” she said.
“But what sort of man would I be if I didn’t try to escape?” he asked.
She paused. He had her there. Of course she expected he would try to escape. That was why she had chained and tied him up in the first place.
Ian on his feet, Bess took a step backward. She could not help but allow her gaze to fall down the long length of his body and discovered her task was not complete.
She bent down, and scooped up the rest of the plaid dangling from his waist and tossed it over his shoulder. He remained silent, a blessing, as she tucked the end of the plaid under the rope belt. Task done, Bess surveyed Ian, and her knees suddenly weakened.
Dear God, she thought, he’s the Highlander of my dreams, of my heart. He is the one who could make love possible, if he wasnae so arrogant and odd, and I wasnae so bound to my clan. If ‘twas another time…

CAT'S REVIEW

"Warrior and the Wanderer" by Elizabeth Holcomb.  This was a fun story filled with action and a love story.  Ian, a down on his luck entertainer from present day, is time warped back in time to his native Scotland.  I loved his reactions to his new "home".  He is truly a hero, although a bit out of his element.  His acts of love on Bess' behalf warmed my heart.  Bess, a clan chief, is a "princess warrior" as Ian calls her.  She is tough and strong, yet melts when it comes to Ian.  I love that!  Bess is sweet and caring and loves her people and will do whatever is needed to protect them, even at her own expense.  Throughout the book, everytime Ian would croon a song, I was humming along - it was great to have the connection to modern day times through the wonderful songs Ms. Holcombe chose.   Ms. Holcombe did a terrific job of describing ancient Scotland and, of course, the Scottish brogue is my favorite and she did a great job with that too.  It was fun that even Ian had a hard time fully understanding the old dialect.   Thank you Ms. Holcombe for a fun and action packed love story that truly warmed my heart!
(received copy for honest review)

★★★★


AUTHOR BIO

Elizabeth Holcombe’s background includes Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Fine Arts and Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University in her hometown of Richmond. She has taught elementary school and adult education courses on architecture in Rochester, Minnesota, and then worked as a fine arts museum registrar at the Flint Institute of Arts in Michigan.
Although she’s been writing since age ten, it wasn’t until after the birth of her son that she began penning book-length fiction. A past president of Washington Romance Writers, Elizabeth has also organized two highly successful seminars on romance for The Smithsonian Associates.
Elizabeth’s first published Scottish romance novel, Heaven and the Heather (originally published by Berkley/Jove of Penguin Putnam), was a finalist for Best Historical Romance in the Holt Medallion, nominated by Romantic Times
Reviewer’s Choice for Best First Historical Romance and the Dorothy Parker Reviewer’s Choice Award.
Elizabeth lives in Falls Church, Virginia with her husband and son. She is also the proud owner of Dime Store Chic, ranked in the top 50 for vintage shops on Etsy.com. When not writing or crafting her mixed media creations, Elizabeth frequents local estate sales and flea markets.

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