Release Blitz! Dare to Desire by Carly Phillips
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News, Reviews on April 10, 2014
Title: Dare to Desire
Author: Carly Phillips
Release Date: April 10th, 2014
Synopsis
Quarterback Alex Dare, had it all — an all-star football career with the Tampa Breakers and his choice of willing women — until a severe injury forces him into early retirement. When he is offered a ground-breaking position with a rival team, he’s intrigued, but there’s a catch. He’ll be working alongside the same woman he hasn’t been able to get out of his head for too long.
Social worker Madison Evans grew up in foster homes and knows first hand what it means to have-not. She isn’t impressed by Alex Dare’s wealth or charm. Not since she fell hard for him once before, only to discover she was just one of his too-easy conquests. This time around Madison refuses to succumb to Alex so easily.
But Alex wants Madison. And if there is one thing Alex does well, it’s to get what he wants. The playboy athlete must prove he’s got game in more places than on the field. He means to prove that he’s a changed man but no sooner does he begin to break through Madison’s defenses when a new opportunity comes knocking and threatens her new-found trust. Can he make Madison take a risk and dare to love?
Excerpt:
Without replying, Ian opened the door. They stepped into the room, and Alex laid eyes on the one woman he hadn’t been expecting to see. The same woman who’d haunted his dreams and sidetracked him from many of his nightmares.
Madison faced him head on. Her shoulders drawn back, golden-blonde hair pulled away from her face, she didn’t back down from his stare. She wore a pair of black slacks that hugged her curves and a white silky-looking top that clung to her generous breasts. And those unusually blue eyes frosted over at the sight of him.
“Alex, I believe you know Madison Evans.”
Blindsided — and his half brother knew it — Alex strode up to her. He inhaled her familiar fruity scent, which only served as a reminder of the hot times he’d spent breathing her in as his cock moved inside her body. Her effect on him was potent, and even the most common expressions failed him.
“Alex,” she said, her cool tone bringing his head out of the desire-filled fog he’d found himself in.
“Hey, Angel,” he said, using the endearment he’d started calling her during their brief time together. Another sign he’d had it bad, whether he’d wanted to admit it or not.
Her head whipped up, her eyes narrowing and settling on Ian. “This won’t work.” She turned to go.
Alex still had excellent reflexes, and he grabbed her arm before she could stride past him.
She glared.
He didn’t look away, determined to win this battle of wills. This potential job, which had interested him on an intellectual and emotional level initially, suddenly felt even more important, and she was the reason.
“We need to talk,” he insisted.
“I have nothing to say.”
“Ian’s proposition said otherwise.”
Madison looked over his shoulder in search of Ian and frowned. “Well, the traitor is gone. No big surprise there.”
Smart man, Alex thought. “If I let you go, will you stay long enough to discuss this position Ian and Riley want me to take?”
She let out a frustrated puff of air.
He took that as a yes and released her.
“Us working together is not a good idea, and somewhere in that thick head of yours, you know that.”
“Because we slept together? More than a couple of times?”
She set her jaw. “That was a mistake.”
Ouch. That hurt, he thought, and filed away the why to deal with later. “I want to know more about this training program and what my role in it would be.”
“Why? You can’t possibly be interested.”
“It sounds more like you don’t want me to be interested.”
She rolled her shoulders back even farther, stiffening her posture. “You’re right. I don’t. This is a serious project that could help a lot of people and have far-reaching positive repercussions for years to come. I need a partner willing to go all in. And let’s face it, I’ve seen your staying power. It’s nonexistent.”
REVIEW
This is a wonderful story that brings together two of my favorite pastimes; football and romance!
When Alex and Madison are thrown together for a good cause, a tug of war begins for Madison’s heart. Alex has grown to understand his mistakes and wants her back, but the damage she’s endured throughout her life could make his efforts useless. It seems the pain he caused her was the straw that broke the camel’s back!
There are several things about this novel that make it such an endearing story. The subject matter is a touching topic that has recently been brought to light, and the story line is plausible. I was impressed with the author for including legitimate statistics concerning athletes, which gives the story more depth. There were a few times that I wanted Madison to put up a better fight, but the sensual reward was worth waving the white flag! The writing style and flow of this novel made an extraordinary read that I recommend.
Purchase Links:
•About the Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels that today’s readers identify with and enjoy. After a successful 15 year career with various New York publishing houses, Carly is making the leap to Indie author, with the goal of giving her readers more books at a faster pace at a better price. Her Serendipity books will still finish up in January/February 2014 via Berkley as planned. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find all information about Carly at her website and other social media sites …
Facebook | Goodreads | Carly’s Website | Twitter
STORY TIME!! RELEASE DAY: FALLEN SOULS & THE FIREDRAGON..COVER REVEAL: SOUL BOUND!
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News on April 8, 2014
All proceeds from the StoryTime events will be donated to SDDAS Spirit Fund, a
nonprofit society dedicated to giving homeless animals the medical care they need. For more information, visit their website at sddac.com/donations.asp.
The Firedragon- A Flynn Nightsider Tale
Mary Fan, April 8th, 2014
Almost a hundred years ago, the Enchanters defeated the Lord of the Underworld in one of the most fearsome wars the world had
ever seen. The public thinks that this victory means the people are safe. But they’re wrong. The supernatural beasts the Lord unleashed remain on the earth, multiplying and ravaging what’s left of civilization. As long as these monsters exist, mankind will be in danger. And though the government, ruled by the magic-wielding Enchanters, seeks to protect their people, they are too few in number. They need the Defenders – a special class of non-magical humans – to fight the monsters. The Defenders are an elite force, and mankind’s only hope against the horrors that live beyond their gates.
Fourteen-year-old Aurelia “the Firedragon” Sun has been training since she could walk to become a Defender, and her extraordinary combat skills have earned the attention of the powerful government. In fact, she’s been tapped to represent her nation in an international monster-fighting competition, which pits champions from across the globe against creatures of the Underworld in a violent spectacle. If she wins, she will become a full-fledged member of the Defender force.
But as Aurelia moves deeper into the competition, she realizes that all is not as it appears. There’s something sinister behind the competition, something that could change the way she sees everything … and the Enchanters, it seems, are not the heroes she thought. Aurelia begins to ask questions.
But before she can discover the truth, she is pitted against the most dangerous monster in the competition
– one that will take her life if it can .
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Fallen Souls- A Realm of the Claimed Novella
Linda Foster, April 8, 2014
Ash never thought going to a party could be dangerous. He certainly never thought it would change his life. But when a man with red eyes begins following him – and his sister – he realizes he was wrong. Soon they’re running, leading the man on a desperate chase over icy roads.
When Ash crashes his car, nearly killing his sister, the red-eyed man offers Ash a choice – save his sister, but pay the highest price possible. Bring Grace back to life, at the cost of his own soul.
Suddenly, Ash is facing a choice he never sought. But will he use that choice to save his sister? And if he does … what will it mean for Ash himself?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COVER REVEAL
Soul Bound: The Realm Of The Claimed #1
Ash laughed — an evil, hollow sound – and grasped his knife more firmly. Kali blinked slowly, her heart breaking. This wasn’t her Ash, she reminded herself. This wasn’t the boy who’d sold his soul to save his sister, or fought by her side. This wasn’t the boy who had changed everything she thought she knew about life, love, and herself.
“I’ll die before hurting you,” Kali repeated, lifting her chin. He possessed the greater strength now, she knew, and would beat her even if she fought. At least, in the end, she would die at his hand rather than someone else’s.
Maybe he would still win his soul back that way.
A boy who sold his soul to save his sister’s life.
A fallen angel turned demon, seeking her redemption.
And a surprising love story that could save them both … or destroy the world.
Join Ash and Kali, and a cast of dark characters, as they fight for the fallen angels of the world, the right to choose their own path, and the one thing they never thought they’d find – true love.
***Story Time Facebook Party***
April 10th
RSVP HERE
Tons of fun to be had and Giveaways to enter!
About the Authors
Mary Fan
Mary Fan is a hopeless dreamer, whose mind insists on spinning tales of “what if.” As a music major in college, she told those stories through compositions. Now, she tells them through books—a habit she began as soon as she could pick up a pencil. And what stories she has! Currently, she has three series in progress: her well-received Jane Colt sci-fi novels (Red Adept Publishing, released 2013), her upcoming Flynn Nightsider YA dystopian fantasies (Glass House Press, 2015), and her recently contracted YA fairytales, Fated Stars (Glass House Press, 2015). Mary would like to think that there are many other novels in her bag, and hopes to prove that to the world as well. And though she’s well on her way, she can’t help dreaming of more.
Mary lives in New Jersey and has a B.A. from Princeton University. When she’s not scheming to create new worlds, she enjoys kickboxing, opera singing, and blogging about everything having to do with books.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Linda Foster
Linda Foster was born and raised in Colorado, where she still lives with her (very patient) husband and four (very spoiled) ferrets. Linda became an avid reading enthusiast the moment she picked up her first book, and has
grown steadily worse with time. By the time she was 15 years old, her library had become too big for her shelves, and she was forced to donate all of her books to the local school, just to make room for new ones. She started writing short novellas for her friends in middle school, and expanded into full-length novels several years later. Soul Bound is her first published novel.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
GIVEAWAY! PURETEXTUALITY CONVENTION TICKETS ARE STILL ON SALE! GET THEM NOW!
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Romancebookworm.com Goodies on April 6, 2014
CLICK THIS LINK TO LEARN MORE FROM ROMANCEBOOKWORM’S REVIEWS:
GIVEAWAY! PURETEXTUALITY CONVENTION TICKETS ARE STILL ON SALE! GET THEM NOW!.
RELEASE DAY BLITZ! RUNAWAY by S.M. KNOWLES
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News, YA Fiction on April 4, 2014
At seventeen years old, Courtney Apuzzo is fed up. With a dead mom and an alcoholic father that beats her every chance he gets, Courtney decides that enough is enough. Packing up only what she needs, Courtney leaves home without telling a soul and heads off to find her new life.
Life on her own is not exactly as she thought it would be. With nowhere to stay, Courtney finds herself sleeping on an old stoop in an abandoned apartment alleyway. A chance meeting with a new group of friends seems like a great beginning to her second chance at a real life. But everything is not as it seems.
Tricked into a life she never wanted and fears, Courtney needs to run away, again. She needs to find a way out of this new and dangerous life. With the help from a man she barely knows, will Courtney find her way out? Or will she find herself on the run from a dangerous past, and a hopeless future? Faced with a choice that will change her life forever.
About the Author
While growing up, S.M. would travel the roads around her house while imagining she was somewhere else. Her imagination would take her everywhere, making the long hot summer days seem shorter throughout her fantasies.
At the age of twelve, she decided to write her first book. Filled mostly with dialog, she filled up one-hundred pages, front and back. After taking the book downstairs to show her mom, and persuading her to buy her more paper, she excitedly ran back to her room. As she barreled through the door, S.M. tripped over items left on her floor, and her papers came raining down in her room. Discouraged, she stood there in tears, picking up her papers and throwing them in the trash. Her work had no organization, no numbers on her pages, just a child fulfilling a joy that she would put down and not pick up again.
When she became older, she joined the military for something different. In that time, she was able to explore many places and even met her husband in Iraq. After coming home, she started her family in Arizona and went back to school, earning a Master’s degree in Adult Education and Training.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
TRAILER PREMIERE: THE GIRL IN 6E by A.R. TORRE
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News on April 3, 2014
Book Title: The Girl In 6E
Author: Alessandra Torre
Genre: Erotic Thriller
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
My life, inside this apartment is simple. It works, as long as I follow the rules.
1. Don’t leave the apartment. Not in case of fire, not to mail a letter, not to run an errand. The door stays shut, and I stay inside.
2. Don’t get attached to clients. I take off my clothes, I stand in front of the camera, and I perform. What they want, I give. Their secrets, I keep. Everything I tell them, is a lie.
3. Don’t kill anyone. I’ve obeyed that rule for over three years.
My life, inside this apartment was simple, and it worked. Then, I started breaking rules.
About This Literary Chef:
Alessandra Torre is a new author who focuses on contemporary erotica. Her first book, Blindfolded Innocence, was published in July 2012, and was an Erotica #1 Bestseller for two weeks. The sequel to Blindfolded, Masked Innocence, will be released in February 2014.
Alessandra lives in the Southern United States and is married, with one young child. She enjoys reading, spending time with her family, and playing with her dogs. Her favorite authors include Lisa Gardner, Gillian Flynn, and Jennifer Crusie.
Learn more about Alessandra on her website at http://www.alessandratorre.com, or you can find her on Twitter (@ReadAlessandra) or her Facebook fanpage.
REVIEW: SHADOWS DANGERS(Book One of the Last Hope Series) by Cyndi Mezni
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Reviews, YA Fiction on March 31, 2014
Blurb:
Losing a loved one is never easy. Although Deliah learned to live without her parents when fate took them from her as a young girl, history repeats itself and causes her to face even greater challenges when Tess, the woman who raised her and was like a second mother to her, passes away. But even worse than dealing with her loss is the coinciding arrival of inexplicable nightmares that haunt Deliah’s nights.
She becomes consumed with images she didn’t understand and a recurrent dream about her parents’ car accident. Oddly, this dream details different versions from what she had always been told about the accident.
But when a new family, The Wates, arrive in town and begin to pay close attention to her, even stranger events follow. Now, Deliah must not only face her nightmares, but the possibility that a world she never suspected exists. And this world may cost her everything.
REVIEW:
Mezni has created a world unlike any other!
To say that this novel is unique would be an understatement. The author has blended several genres into a mystical tale that’s both creative and enchanting. My mind raced for an explanation as the author revealed only the necessities, which caused my anticipation to skyrocket! Deliah’s an endearing character, with a heart of gold, and Garreth is an enigma in which I enjoyed learning about.
There may be a few controversial responses about certain areas of this novel, but paying attention to the detailed narrative may clear up most of them. I don’t know whether the author is going to give another POV in the next installment, but she’s done a wonderful job of introducing Deliah. You get to know this heroine’s every thought, response, and feeling. Admittedly, there were a few times that I had to remind myself of her age, due to her lack of judgment. The story line is different and quite enjoyable, and the creative factor is incredible. There were questions left unanswered, but I was given enough to satisfy my curiosity, for now. I’m intrigued and I’ll definitely follow this series.
ABOUT THIS LITERARY CHEF:
Cindy Mezni is a young Swiss writer. She discovered her passion – became obsession – for writing by chance, during a winter afternoon where she had fun by rewriting the story of a popular book because the sequence of events were not to her liking.
Consequently, she began to publish fictions and fanfictions on Internet for almost two years to share her stories and submit them to criticism to improve her writing. After receiving encouragement and compliments from the jury of a writing competition at her school, Cindy finally took the path of publishing with The Last Hope series then the Nëphyr trilogy and Poisoned Iris trilogy – and many other books in the future, she hopes.
Since the said winter afternoon, not a day goes by without her fingers touching her computer’s keyboard to write new fantasy or sci-fi adventures…
The publishing journey of Cindy Mezni in a few words: In May 2011, her first book, Shadow’s Dangers (The Last Hope, Book One) was published by a small French publishing house. Since, Ex Tenebris (Nëphyr, Book One) has been published by the French publishing house, J’ai Lu, in April 2013. The book two, Chaos, will be released in 2014. The books one (second edition) and two of The Last Hope series will be self-published in July 2013 in French. In Fall 2013, the book one in the Last Hope series will be published in the US by Evatopia Press and the first books of Poisoned Iris and Nëphyr will also be released in the following months by Evatopia Press.
https://www.facebook.com/cindymeznibooks
https://twitter.com/CindyGMezni
Brought To You By:
“NEW” COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY: DISCOVERY by BRINA COURTNEY
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News, YA Fiction on March 27, 2014
Discoveries can be dangerous. Discoveries can be deadly.
Nine months ago, Teagan Matthews’ boyfriend disappeared and took her sense of stability with him. But when the opportunity to live with her aging grandmother in Salem arises, she decides it’s time to get on with her life. A new home, new job, and new friends are adding up to a beautiful summer…
…until a young girl’s body shows up one night in town, wearing a pentagram necklace exactly like Teagan’s.
Now a guy looking remarkably like her missing boyfriend has arrived in Salem along with a mysterious stranger who may have some answers that Teagan has desperately been searching for. Teagan must now decide who to trust. It’s a matter of life… and her death.
GIVEAWAY
a Rafflecopter giveaway
***NOT SUITED FOR ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 17***
About The Author
Brina Courtney is a young adult author obsessed with chocolate, crime shows, and fantasy movies. She’s spent the last few years as an elementary teacher and a high school cheering coach. She lives in a small town in Pennsylvania with her husband and two very loud, small dogs.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY: RENEGADE REJECT (Renegade Sons MC #2)
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News on March 27, 2014
We are very excited to share with you the amazing cover for
Emily Minton and Dawn Martens’ newest book,
Renegade Reject (Renegade Sons MC #2),
which is releasing MAY 13th!!
RELEASE DAY REVIEW: FOREVER (Time for Love Book 1)
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Reviews on March 24, 2014
Blurb:
Rebecca Andrews knew she was lucky to be hired as a private nurse for an elderly lady who was going on a one-month trip aboard a luxury cruise ship. But there was one big problem. The client was the grandmother of her ex-boyfriend–the guy she was still in love with, the guy who didn’t love her back.
Zach Carmichael couldn’t say no to his grandmother’s plea to join her on a month-long cruise for her eightieth birthday. But he didn’t expect his spritely gran to bring two private nurses with her. One of them happened to be the woman who’d broken his heart–the one he believed lied to him about her feelings.
Aboard a luxury liner, their passion for each other flared again. Was it just a temporary flame brought about by the romance of being on a cruise? How could they give love another chance when they were both afraid to put their hearts back on the line?
Book Links:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21525499-forever
Review:
Communication seems to be the problem in this relationship, which is often the cause of many break-ups! After a short lived love affair, Zach and Rebecca can’t seem to shake what might have been. Their effort to fight the inevitable becomes much harder when they’re forced to deal with the past. While they’re trying to mend fences, however, a few vicious tempered individuals keep kicking the posts.
This was a quick read with a great cast of characters and plausible story line. The erotic scenes were placed perfectly, and the details were on the naughty side! Too many times, I’ve seen wonderful people torture themselves unnecessarily because of misunderstandings and the work of gossipers. I could easily place an actual face on some of these vile characters. The ending brought everything together nicely, though, and I look forward to following the series!
About This Literary Chef:
Ever since I was a young teenager, I have loved reading romance novels. My auntie used to send me boxes of her books and I would devour them one after another.
Every so often, I would read a mystery or a suspense or a paranormal novel as I love those genres too. But romance is still my favourite. 🙂
For many years, I wrote technical and non-fiction materials for professional use and had only dreamt about writing a novel.
Then, one day, after a period of binge-reading sexy romances, I decided to sit in front of my computer and start writing my first fiction book. The result? My first novel in the hot and sexy Lifestyle by Design series.
After that, I knew that I would love to tell more beautiful love stories through my books.
I live in Sydney, Australia with my amazing husband who lovingly cheers me on (and yes, sometimes irritates and annoys me 😉 ) in my journey as a novelist.
COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY: FINDING HOPE FOR TOMORROW By Kathryn McNeill Crane
Posted by The Literary Melting Pot in Book News on March 24, 2014
Title: Finding Hope for Tomorrow
Series: Tomorrow #2
Author: Kathryn M. Crane
Release Date: Summer 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Add to Goodreads
Synopsis
One fateful night. Convictions forgotten. Foundations crumbled.
For the past ten years, Liam lived his life with one foot in the present. He spent time with his parents, his sister Wrynn and her three daughters, and worked to build his business. His other foot was firmly planted in yesterday where his memories tortured him. Despite encouragement from friends and family, Liam rarely considered dating for fear of ruining another person’s life. After all, he obviously hurt Lara to the point that she ran with no further contact. Just when he met someone and felt ready to move on, the voice from his past once again exploded into his life.
Unexplained absence. Lives forever changed. Secrets revealed.
Fleeing was a way of life for Lara. When a call came ten years ago, Lara may have left Highlands, but her heart stayed behind with Liam. Now, another call gave Lara the words she needed so that she could safely return to the only place that soothed her soul. While anxious about seeing Liam after so many years, Lara knew that her reappearance would be the easy part for Liam and his family to deal with. What she worried about was the other information that she’d held close to her heart.
When past collides with present, one soul finds hope for tomorrow, and the other mourns for things that can never be.
Playlist
***************
Other Books in the Series
Searching for Tomorrow (Tomorrows #1)
Amazon US – Amazon UK – Amazon CA – Amazon AU – B&N – iTunes – Kobo
Some people are blessed to find that one certain person who completes them.
Wrynn’s yesterdays were what others only dream of having. She and Tripp were the best of friends before they even thought about love. They had the fairy tale life where ‘like’ turns into ‘love’, and ‘love’ becomes ‘happily ever after’.
What happens when life conspires against you, and snatches your soul mate from your arms?
…only her forever love ended much too soon.
Broken beyond her own ability to repair, Wrynn boxes up her grief and attempts to raise her three girls the best she can on her own. As time slowly passes, Wrynn relives her life with Tripp while struggling most days to get out of bed. She is reminded of him at every turn.
How do you set your grief and anguish aside? How do you pick up the shattered pieces, put those pieces back together again, and try to move on?
Wrynn tries to find the joy in life every single day through her daughters, family, and friends. Her twin brother Liam has dedicated himself to helping Wrynn put her life back together after losing his own love. On the other hand, her mother-in-law lives to torment her at every turn. Wrynn can’t even find a chance to breathe, much less a desire to somehow search for her tomorrow.
Trailer
Playlist
***************
About This Literary Chef
Blog – Facebook – Twitter – Goodreads
If you are reading this, I think you should know that “About me” sounds so very pretentious to me. I guess that is what I am supposed to write about, so here it goes!
Kathryn is a simple country girl who likes to spend time with her hubba, hunka hubby, her three kids and her friends. She loves to cook and really loves to eat! During the spring and summer, you will more than likely find her outside puttering around in her garden. When the veggies start coming in, she will probably be sweating over a hot canner in the kitchen, canning all the goodies she is blessed with. Kathryn likes to hike and go camping, and gets to do this pretty often! On cold winter nights, you will probably find her wrapped in a warm blanket, lost in a good book, while sitting in her rocking chair on the front porch!
Kathryn was born and raised in North Carolina, and while she loves to travel, she can’t imagine ever leaving the mountains that she has come to call home. Not a day goes by that Kathryn doesn’t thank God for abundantly blessing her. He has been so good to her, and she is very grateful. She holds Jeremiah 29:11 very close to her heart and believes it with every fiber of her being. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Kathryn loves flip flops, chocolate, sweet tea and dirt between her toes. As far back as she can remember, she’s had a book in her hand. Reading has carried her to places she will never go. It has introduced her to people that she will never meet. When life is great and when it is rough, she’s always been able to find a book to carry her through. She finally decided to write down some of the stories in her head and heart after dawdling around and wasting years dreaming. She hopes you enjoy reading those stories as much as she loves writing them!
The Literary Melting Pot 