Release Day Blitz (May 27th) : Unbreak Me by Lexi Ryan

SORRY EVERYONE, FOR SOME REASON THIS DID NOT STAY ON THE BLOG. I THINK I DELETED IT BY ACCIDENT BUT HERE IT IS NOW, NEARLY FOUR DAYS LATE, SORRY :( -TIA



Title: Unbreak Me
Author: Lexi Ryan
Publication date: May 27th, 2013
Genre: New Adult Romance

Synopsis:

“If you’re broken, I’ll fix you…”

I’m only twenty-one and already damaged goods. A slut. A failure. A disappointment to my picture-perfect family as long as I can remember. I called off my wedding to William Bailey, the only man who thought I was worth fixing. A year later, he’s marrying my sister. Unless I ask him not to…

“If you shatter, I’ll find you…”

But now there’s Asher Logan, a broken man who sees the fractures in my façade and doesn’t want to fix me at all. Asher wants me to stop hiding, to stop pretending. Asher wants to break down my walls. But that means letting him see my ugly secrets and forgiving him for his.

With my past weighing down on me, do I want the man who holds me together or the man who gives me permission to break?

Goodreads

Amazon / Barnes & Noble


AUTHOR BIO


New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Ryan writes romances with humor, heat, and heart. Her books are described as fun, flirty, and wickedly sexy. A lover of learning, Lexi has been in the classroom all her life and currently holds the title of assistant professor of English at her local community college. Lexi is a proud member of Romance Writers of America. She lives in rural Indiana with her husband and two children.

Author Links:
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Excerpt

“You’ve had a long day,” he says. “You want to talk?”

I drape my arms behind his neck. “Why would you think I want to talk to you at all?” 

He grunts. “Because you’re looking at me like a starved woman at a prime rib buffet.”

“Yes,” I murmur. “What does that have to do with talking?”

His eyes are so damn sexy. The kind of eyes you see in magazines, where the man staring at you from the pages seems to invite you to strip bare while promising you’d enjoy it. 

“Don’t you want us to get to know each other before you indulge?”

I pretend to consider it. “I’m more about the meal than the conversation.” 

“You’re a kid.” If it’s supposed to be an objection it rings weak against the pressure of his hand on my hip.

I trace a rivulet of water down his neck. “I’m twenty-one.” I bring up my knees and wrap my legs around his waist, satisfied when he draws in his breath with a sharp hiss.

“Is this about him?” he asks.

I frown. “Who?”

“The groom at your sister’s wedding? He has some kind of hold on you. I saw it in your eyes. In his.”

“This has nothing to do with William Bailey.”

He looks unconvinced but doesn’t call my bluff. Instead, he brushes his lips over mine. Gentle. Careful. Sweet.

The only thing that can break me tonight is sweet, and I won’t be broken. I bite his full bottom lip and dig my nails into his shoulder blades.

A quick study, he gets my message. His hand tangles into my hair while the other digs into my ass and pulls me against him. The hard length of his cock rests between my legs and lights a hot coil of pulsing energy.

He rubs his tongue against mine and moans. Or maybe that’s me, because I’m pulling him closer. I wrap my arm tighter behind his neck, and I’m practically crawling up him in my efforts to get closer and closer still. 

I break the kiss and make myself back off. I’m not the kind of girl who loses control. I don’t lose my mind over men and expect to be saved. I don’t want Asher to save me.

His fingertips are at my hip, tracing an invisible path down and under, moving ever closer to that coiled ache between my thighs. His lips part and our breath mingles as I savor the heat of his body against mine, the sweet anticipation of his fingers inching closer to where I want them.

I slide a hand down his bare chest and between our bodies and cup him through his swim trunks. I’m rewarded with another hiss and then his lips, his tongue, his teeth, hot and desperate against my neck, nipping, toying, playing. Electrifying the sensitive skin.

He cups my breast, and this time I know the moan I hear is my own.

“So goddamn sexy.” His thumb flicks across my nipple, a strangled sound escaping his throat.

I graze my fingertips under the waistband of his swim trunks. I want to feel him in my palm. I want that power to whip through me as I wrap my hands around his hot flesh and it pulses thicker, harder.

For a moment, that’s where this is headed. His hands are greedy, all over me, his mouth doing delicious things to my neck.

“You have protection, right?” I ask.

He laughs and stops toying with me, his head leaning against my shoulder. Slowly, he slides his hands to my back. “That’s not exactly something I keep tucked in my swim trunks.” 

I’m so aroused it hurts. Asher is stunning. Solid. Delicious. I want to bite into that corded muscle of his neck. Want to explore that smattering of chest hair with my fingers while I drag my mouth down his flat stomach. 

But he doesn’t have protection, and that’s a deal breaker. 

“In your house?” My breathing’s unsteady, my heart pounding.

He cups my face in one big hand. “Why don’t you run home and get dressed? I’ll take you to breakfast.”

My jaw goes slack. Who the hell is this guy? Who has brakes that good?

Excerpt © Lexi Ryan, 2013

Giveaway!!!

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Blog Tour: Playing the Maestro by Aubrie Dionne

Title: Playing the Maestro
Author: Aubrie Dionne
Publication Date: February 11, 2013
Published By: Entangled Publishing: Bliss

Blurb:

Melody Mires has sworn off dating musicians, but when the sexy European conductor Wolf Braun takes over her struggling symphony, her hesitation almost flies out the window with the notes of her flute—until he opens his mouth. Wolf is arrogant, haughty, and seems to have a personal vendetta against Melody. Oh, and he’s her boss. If she wants to keep her job as principal flutist, she’ll have to impress Wolf while simultaneously keeping her undeniable attraction to herself.

Wolf came to America to get as far away from his past as possible, and to recover some of the swagger he had as one of the world’s best maestros. He never imagined being forced to reassess the entire orchestra’s talent—and potentially fire anyone who doesn’t make his cut. Dating the attractive flutist is out of the question, but as their feelings reach a fever pitch, can they risk both their careers for a chance at love?

Links
Goodreads  / Entangled Publishing  / Barnes & Noble-Nook   / Amazon-Kindle   /  Kobo

About the Author 

Aubrie grew up watching the original Star Wars movies over and over again until she could recite and reenact every single scene in her backyard. She also loved The Goonies, Star Trek the Next Generation-favorite character was Data by far-, and Indiana Jones. But, her all time favorite movie was The Last Unicorn. She still wonders why the unicorn decided to change back to a unicorn in the end.

Aubrie wrote in her junior high yearbook that she wanted to be "A concert flutist" when she grew up. When she made that happen, she decided one career was not enough and embarked as a fantasy, sci fi author. Two careers seems to keep her busy. For now.

Now for the professional bio:

Aubrie Dionne is an author and flutist in New England. Her writings have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, Emerald Tales, Hazard Cat, Moon Drenched Fables, A Fly in Amber, and Aurora Wolf. Her books are published by Entangled Publishing, Lyrical Press, and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. She recently signed her YA sci fi novel with Inkspell Publishing titled: Colonization: Paradise Reclaimed, which will release in October 2012. When she's not writing, Aubrie teaches flute and plays in orchestras. She's a big Star Trek TNG fan, as well as Star Wars and Serenity.

Author Links-
Goodreads / Twitter / Blog

Facebook Event

Excerpt

"Wolf threaded his arms behind her waist. His golden brown eyelashes framed a wild sparkle in his eyes, and Melody couldn’t believe she’d put it there. Every thought in her rational mind told her to end the date now before it got complicated, but the passionate feelings radiating from her wild heart planted her firmly in place.

What was the harm in one kiss?"

Giveaway

Aubrie is giving away 2 ‘Key to My Heart’ Necklaces, This giveaway is for US ONLY.


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My Review

4/5

I really liked this book. The only reason I took away 1 star is because it was a little bit hard to keep reading. It started of good and had the right amount of detail and information about the characters and their lives but after a while it became a little bit harder to concentrate on. 

All in all though it was a good book. Melody was a strong character and the plot was enjoyable.

I don't have much else to say only that it was an ideal read for those of you who are looking for a romance story that you can get enveloped in. It was more of a winter read than a summer read, something you would curl up with a cup of hot chocolate with rather than lie out on the beach.

-Tia

RELEASE DAY BLITZ - Change of Heart by S.E. Edwards

Release Day Event

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Synopsis:

Persevere. 

That's how I've gotten through nineteen years of life. It's what I do every single day--no matter how badly the odds are stacked against me.

Persevere, and survive.

Those are my two guiding words. I never knew either of my parents. I have no family and no home. The only person I could ever rely on was myself. In this cruel world, that's about as much as I can ask for.

Love? Hah. Don't talk to me about love. I stopped believing in it the day my first boyfriend ripped out my heart three years ago.

That's why love is the last thing on my mind when I leave a packed college bar with a captivating stranger. Yet everything changes when I'm awakened in the middle of the night by a pounding at the door. Suddenly, an arrangement meant for just one night threatens to become something much deeper. 

All expectations are thrown to the wind as I'm tangled in a dangerous world unlike anything I can believe. The man I met has secrets swirling around him like a dark cape. I'm about to become his biggest one...

Author Bio:

I'm Scarlett Edwards. I'm a full-time student (2nd year, undergrad) and part-time writer. I hope to switch those around soon!

I'm kind of old fashioned. I write all my stories using paper and ink. At the end of the day, I transcribe them on my laptop. It takes a bit longer, but writing in a notebook really focuses my thoughts.

I love vintage photography. I have an old-school film camera that was my mom's from before I was born. I use it to take pictures almost every day.

Yours to Savor is the first full book I worked on.  It went through six drafts, and took me ten months to complete.  In the two months since getting it done, I finished two drafts of brand new stories.  I'm getting faster!

I love hearing from my readers. I love getting feedback about my books. I'm just getting started, and plan on doing this writing gig for a long, long time. 

I take inspiration from all the indie romance authors. Addison Moore, Samantha Young, Colleen Hoover, Jessica Sorensen, and everyone else…. you girls rock!

Social Media Links:

http://www.goodreads.com/ScarlettEdwards 

Buy Links:

Here are the Amazon links:

http://www.amazon.com/Change-of-Heart-ebook/dp/B00CWABVLS

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Change-of-Heart-ebook/dp/B00CWABVLS

http://www.amazon.ca/Change-of-Heart-ebook/dp/B00CWABVLS

And the Barnes & Noble link:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/change-of-heart-se-edwards/1115382246

Excerpt:

Together, we stumble toward the elevator. Rich breaks away for a second to hit the button. The light doesn’t come on.

“Damn,” he growls, “it’s busted again.”

I’m one step ahead of him. I’d spotted the stairs when we entered. I grab his hand and pull him after me with no hesitation. I start up the cement stairwell, determined to get to his room as fast as possible.

“Penny, wait.”

I look back, confused. “What?”

A devilish smile plays on his lips. “Only this.” Without warning his hands wrap around my waist, and I’m  being lifted up as easily as if I were a doll. He turns to the side and presses my body against the wall, suspending me between him and the concrete.

His mouth crashes down on mine again. I curl my legs around his torso, locking my ankles together, and kiss him back with the passion reserved for a lover after ten long years apart. I didn’t think it was possible, but I’m getting even more turned on. Rich’s hands move down to grasp the outside of my thighs, and I moan into his kiss as the muscles of my core clench in sinful fashion. I want him so

badly. If we don’t get somewhere private soon, I won’t be wholly opposed to jumping him in public.

I gasp as he steps away, freeing me from the wall. I start to fall, but one of his hands darts down to catch me just beneath the knees.  The other one cradles my shoulders. Before I know it, I’m slung across his   arms like a bride on her wedding night.

“I’ve always wanted to carry a girl up these stairs,” Rich admits.

I laugh, and wrap my arm around his neck. “Oh, you are just the best type of romantic.”

Four flights of stairs later, Rich pushes open the fire door to a dimly-lit hallway. He carries me down the hall and stops in front of an entrance on the right. He sets me down, then fishes around in his jeans for the key. When the door creaks open, he sweeps a hand out in front of him. “Welcome to my humble abode.”

I walk in, curious about his apartment. I tend to side with the camp of people who believe that a person’s living arrangements can reveal a lot about his personality. But, I don’t find much to work with here.

The apartment is sparse and dark. Pale moonlight filters in through the balcony window, shining down on the only piece of furniture present: a queen size mattress lying on the floor of the living room. The red brick walls are totally empty—no girly posters or other things I might expect in a bachelor’s apartment. There are no lamps, no chairs, no couches.

After a moment, I notice a second piece of furniture: a small, old-school CRT TV camped in one corner of the studio apartment.

Rich switches on the light. “So?” he asks, “what do you think?”

I walk past the entrance. There’s one hall leading away from the room. It is filled with brown cardboard boxes. Lots and lots of boxes. “Did you just move in or something?”

Rich laughs behind me. “Yeah, something like that. You want a drink?”

“A drink?” I say. “No, I—”

The words catch in my throat as he grabs my hips and spins me around. I had no idea he’d come so close. He’d moved from the door to me without making a sound. His fingers lock together against my lower back, and he tugs me into him, pressing my belly to his waist. I feel his growing erection right away, and a diabolical excitement builds inside me.

Nothing happens.

For a long moment, Richard just holds me like that, staring into my eyes as I’m left dangling off his arms. His irises are the color of sea mist. I’m hypnotized by the deep intensity I see brewing just beneath the surface. I have no doubt that that type of intensity is mirrored in my eyes.

Then, moving slowly, as if restraining himself, Richard lowers his mouth to cover mine. This time, his kiss is sweet and gentle. Subtle and caring. He explores my upper lip first, then traces the line going to the corner of my mouth. His lips form a perfect mold over mine.

I was wrong before. This is the kiss reserved for a lover you haven’t seen in ten years.

Giveaway:

10 ebooks

5 signed paperbacks (open internationally)

2 $50 GCs (gift cards)

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BLOG TOUR SPOTLIGHT & GIVEAWAY - Chaotic by C.A. Williams

Title: Chaotic
Author: C.A. Williams

Series: Book #1 of The Imperfect Perfection series

Genre: New Adult, Contains Mature Content, recommended for 17+

Expected Publication Date: May 15th 2013

Blurb:

Adelaide McGregor was spinning out of control, in a world of pain that no one knew anything about. She put up a front, displaying a picture perfect girl that everyone wanted to be, but no one was truly there for her. Then she was sent away to live near her grandparents due to bad behavior when her mother decided she just didn't want to deal with her any longer. Without a penny to her name and nowhere else to go, her life was uprooted to North Carolina. Everything seems to be changing for the better with her fresh new start until she meets a guy who flips her world upside down all over again. Sometimes you have to make it through the struggles of imperfection in life for everything to come out as complete perfection, but Della hasn't quite learned that lesson yet.

Links:

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17406110-chaotic

 Kobo- http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Chaotic/book-gGa3lqpickGf1ulJ49SxxQ/page1.html?s=7jqaKNVRj0Sq0_ViTKV8dQ&r=1

Amazon Kindle- http://www.amazon.com/Chaotic-Imperfect-Perfection-ebook/dp/B00CQDELEU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368551396&sr=8-1&keywords=chaotic+c.a.+williams

Barnes & Noble -

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1115285943?ean=2940016729091

Author Info:

I am a stay at home mom to two crazy little boys, with another baby on the way.(Finally Pink!) I've been married to my high school sweetheart for almost six years now and he is my biggest supporter. I've always had a love for books since the time I first started reading and started swapping books with my mom when I got a little older. My love for reading turned into a love for writing and I've enjoyed every second of it.

Links:

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6307011.C_A_Williams

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/authorcawilliams?fref=ts

Blog- http://authorcawilliams.blogspot.com/?spref=fb

Facebook Tour Event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/394539710661008/

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RELEASE DAY BLITZ - The Edge of Darkness by Melissa Andrea

Title: The Edge of Darkness
Author: Melissa Andrea     

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Release Day: May 31, 2013

Blitz Host: Lady Amber's Tours

Synopsis:
After a tragic accident, Araya Noelle is left with a constant reminder that nothing is forever.

Instead of dwelling over her loss, she plays the hand she's been dealt without complaint. In a world as black as hers, there's no room for bitterness, no time for regret. Sheltered from the outside world, Araya has become suffocated by a life she has no control over. Until Ryland Dare comes crashing into her life.

You don’t know true darkness until you've felt the light…

Like a firecracker, showering her with colorful sparks of freedom, Ryland quickly sweeps Araya away from her dark existence. For the first time since the accident, living in darkness is no longer something Araya wants to do willingly. Unleashed by the shadows of her reminder, being with Ryland, Araya touches light. Together they will learn what it’s like to be alive for the first time.

At the edge of darkness, a ray of light, will dare them both to live.

Author Bio:

Melissa started reading in high school when she found her mom's romance book collection and has been hooked on books every since. She became a complete book-a-holic, starting her own collection and improving her reading skills. Most of the time she could finish a book walking around the store, while her mom shopped.

She wrote her first short story in high school for a competition in her writing class. It was a child's book called 'Arnold' - it was about an ant who believed he could do anything. Oh by the way, she won!

She has written many stories since then, but this will be her first YA paranormal/fantasy and the first book she will have published.

She lived in Mesa, Arizona with her husband of six years, and her 3 beautiful daughters. They are her biggest fans and they inspire her everyday. She enjoys spending time with her family, weekend dates with her mom & taking vacations. Hawaii anyone??

Links:

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5816255.Melissa_Andrea

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Andrea/e/B009Z6G982/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Blog/Web: http://melissaandrea.com/ and http://melissaandrea-justlikethat.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/melissa_andrea

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/m.andrea.author

Book Trailer:

Excerpt:

I brushed my lips across her neck again and watched as the world around us, spun. Her fingers twisted in my shirt and she pulled my  body closer. “I didn’t expect you Araya.”  I rasped against her ear and my fingers tangled in her hair, bringing her lips up to mine. Her breath was warm and sweet against my lips and I wanted to taste her so bad it hurt.

Waiting on Wednesday (#52)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine,

which spotlights upcoming books we can't wait to read.

My WoW for this week is:

Darker Days (The Darker Agency #1)
by Jus Accardo

Goodreads Summary:

Jessie Darker goes to high school during the day, but at night she helps with the family investigation business. Cheating husbands and stolen inheritances? They’re your girls—but their specialty is a bit darker. Zombie in your garage? Pesky Poltergeist living in your pool? They’ll have the problem solved in a magical minute. For a nominal fee, of course...

When gorgeous new client, Lukas Scott, saunters into the office requesting their help to find a stolen box, it sounds like a simple case—until the truth comes out. The box is full of Sin.

Seven deadly ones, in fact.

They’ve got five days to recapture the Sins before they're recalled by the box, taking seven hijacked human bodies with them. Easy peasy—except for one thing...

There’s a spell that will allow the Sins to remain free, causing chaos forever. When the key ingredient threatens the life of someone she knows, Jessie must make the ultimate choice between love and family—or lose everything.

My thoughts:

After reading previous work by this author I am really looking forward to this book. I really like her writing and this one sounds really good. 

Expected Release Date: August 3rd 2013

What book are you waiting for?

Yvonne

Blog Tour: Skin in the Game by Jackie Barbosa. Author interview and review

Title: Skin in the Game
Author: Jackie Barbosa
Date of Publication: May 27th 2013
Genre: Romance


Blurb:
Angela Peterson was always the quiet, shy kid growing up in Harper Falls, crushing on the high school quarterback and honing her football strategy skills. Now grown up and coaching the high school team, she’s shocked when that same sexy quarterback returns to Harper Falls asks her back to his hotel room. And then tries to steal her job.

Injured NFL quarterback Cade Reynolds is in Harper Falls to take over as interim head coach, and he never thought the tall, blond bombshell he propositioned would offer up any resistance. Not to a repeat of the amazingly wild night they shared and certainly not to his coaching position.

But the Harper Falls High Eagles are Angie’s team, and even the hometown hero won’t take that away from her, no matter how hot he is. As the two engage in a battle of wits and wills, this is one game neither is prepared to lose.

Author Bio:

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a writer when I grew up, but there were plenty of times when I wasn’t sure I ever would be. As it turns out, it just took me about twenty years longer to grow up than I expected!

On the road to publication, I took a few detours, including a stint in academia (I hold an MA in Classics from the University of Chicago and was a recipient of a Mellon Fellowship in the Humanities) and many years as a technical writer/instructional designer for a data processing company. I still hold my day job in instructional design, but my true passion is writing steamy romances–both historical and contemporary.

I learned to believe in love at first sight when I met the man of my dreams twenty years ago and to believe in happily ever after when I married him. I live in Southern California with my husband, our three children, and an ever-changing menagerie of pets.

Goodreads

Website

Interview

Jackie was nice to answer a few questions for us. And I must say I love her answers, so thank you Jackie for doing this awesome interview. :)

1. What inspired you to write this book?

Honestly, it’s all Cade and Angie’s fault . Once these two characters popped into my head, their story just had to be told. I love it when that happens, too, because it doesn’t always!

2. What, do you find, is the hardest part of writing?

The part where you have to sit down and get the story on the page (or the computer screen, as the case may be). It’s very, very easy to waste time on the Internet and, before you know it, all the writing time you have is frittered away. 

3. Your book involves a lot of football references, do you have a previous interest in sports or did you do research for it?

I’m a pretty devoted NFL fan—I watch almost every game that’s on over the weekend, whether my home team (the Chargers, by the way) is playing or not. Watching both Sunday and Monday night football is kind of a ritual in our household. And seriously, who doesn’t like those tight pants the players wear?

I did, however, have to do some research, specifically about the workings of high school football teams. Fortunately, one of my oldest son’s best friends plays football at their high school, so I was able to pick his brain. Of course, not every team operates the same way, I’m sure, but I did model the team in Skin in the Game on what I learned from him.

4. Is there any place you like to write in particular?

Lately, the best place for me to write is an airplane. (Don’t laugh, I’m serious!) I just find that when I’m on a plane, with no Internet (unless you pay for it, and I’m terminally cheap, so I won’t) and not much else to do, I can write like a fiend. Other than that, I usually write in bed, sitting up with the pillows tucked in behind me. I can’t write anywhere else in the house because there’s nowhere else that I can close the door! 

5. Have you always wanted to be an author?

Oh, definitely. I started writing when I was very young, and when I was in my teens, my mother made me take a typing class. After that, she gave me a manual typewriter (yes, I grew up in the days before personal computers and word processing), and there was no stopping me. Well, until I got into college and graduate school and then got married and had kids. I gave up writing for a long time for sheer lack of time and brain space. I picked it up again in about 2005, and got my first contract from a small digital press in June of 2007.

6. You write a lot of Romance books, have you ever thought of writing in a different genre, or are you happy to incorporate different genres in your novels instead?

I’m about a third of the way through a historical-set urban fantasy book, which is probably as far away from romance as I’ve ventured so far (though it does have a romantic sub-plot). I’m also toying with a middle grade and a YA book (neither of them romances, per se). My kids want me to write something they can read . But mostly, I think the story ideas I have fall into the romance genre. I’d be hard-pressed to write a thriller or a mystery, and I can’t even consider reading horror—it gives me nightmares, lol.

7. This is your debut novel with Entangled Brazen, how much do you love the cover?  (I love it! :) )

Oh, I love it a ton. The best thing, IMO, about it is that it pretty much replicates an actual scene in the book.

8. Do you have a favourite character, from any of the books that you have written?

Well, my favorite male character is probably Walter Langston, the hero of one of my historical novellas, Hot Under the Collar. Walter is the reluctant vicar of a parish in a small English village. He falls in love with Artemisia, a former courtesan, and you can imagine that might not go over well. What I love about Walter is that he’s my idea of an alpha—someone who leads by example, not just by ordering folks around.

My favorite female character so far is Elodie Capshaw, the heroine of the urban fantasy novel I mentioned earlier. She’s a ghost who’s capable of assuming solid form, and she’s fun to write because she’s smart and snarky and kick-ass in a decidedly intellectual way.

9. Do you like to hear from your readers?

Does Beyonce like a ring on it? Um, yeah! I love to hear from readers. Every single email from a reader makes my day.

10. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Patience and perseverance. Those are the qualities that matter most in this business. Sure, there are a few overnight successes, but most of the time, what seems like an overnight success is something that author has been working up to for years.

Oh, and don’t procrastinate. (That’s advice for me, too!) Speaking of which, I have another Play Action book to deliver . I hope you’ll be looking for it early in 2014!

Thank you again for that amazing interview!!!

My Review

I feel like I've been saying this a lot with my reviews but it's true: This is a perfect summer read.

It's fun, flirty and most important of all downright passionate. I requested this book on NetGalley before I found out about the blog tour and immediately started reading it. It just caught my eye instantly, between the steamy cover and the blurb I instantly wanted more. 

Angela is this beautiful, high-school teacher who has been left coaching the football team but she was once the shy and awkward high-school girl, Angie, who focused on helping Cade, the football star, with strategy. But Cade has now returned to town after his stint in the NFL is temporarily paused due to an injury. However, now he's come to steal Angie's job and seduce her without knowing who she is.

From the beginning this book captured my interest because Cade had no idea who Angie was and did not realise that she was the girl who had helped him in high-school with strategy for his team after spending time watching the team play, religiously. Instead, he just believes that she does not know as much about football as he does. Of course things get heated when he asks her back to his hotel room after their meeting in a coffee shop. She knows who he is and he doesn't suspect a thing. I love this kind of plot in a book, the deception.

As the two battle it out for the right to coach the football team, sparks fly. A battle of wills ensues and of course when two people want the same thing that's when things get interesting :)

5/5

-Tia

Blog Tour: The Wanted Bride by Sylvia McDaniel

Title:The Wanted Bride 

Author: Sylvia McDaniel

Genre: Short Contemporary

Publisher: Virtual Bookseller

Date of Publication: April 19, 2013

Number of pages: 232 pages

Word Count: 60,000

Cover Artist: Kat Baldwin

Blurb:

She’s a Runaway Bride

Valerie Burrows is running from a wedding, her attorney fiancé and the law. Pampered Valerie takes a bus to nowheresville, where she learns her cash and credit cards have been stolen. Left with only her designer clothes and luggage she takes on a new identity and must learn to be self-reliant. She swears off men, especially attorneys, only to find the one man who refuses a one night stand and wants a relationship.

He’s Looking For A Wife

Matt Jordan, the Colorado Crusher, is the most successful liability lawyer in the state. After the death of his brother-in-law, he realizes he’s ready to settle down with a family of his own. His only requirements are intelligent, great-looking, wants more than a hook-up and doesn't lie. After witnessing the lies his father told his mother, he demands complete honesty. Yet Valerie Brown shows him sometimes in order to find yourself, you must become someone else. Even if that means lying.

Purchase Links:

Amazon   Barnes & Noble

Goodreads 

Author Info:

Sylvia McDaniel is a best-selling, award-winning author of historical and contemporary romances.  Known for her sweet, funny, family-oriented romances,  Sylvia is the author of The Burnett Brides a historical western series, The Cuvier Widows, a Louisiana historical series, and several short contemporary romances.

President of the Dallas Area Romance Authors, a member of the Romance Writers of America®, and a member of Novelists Inc, her novel, A Hero’s Heart was a 1996 Golden Heart Finalist. Several other books have placed or won in the San Antonio Romance Authors Contest, LERA Contest, and was a Golden Network Finalist.

Married for nearly twenty years to her best friend, they have two dachshunds that are beyond spoiled. She loves gardening, shopping, knitting and football, but not necessarily in that order.

Currently she’s written fifteen novels and is hard at work on number sixteen, a Christmas Novella about the Burnett Family. Look for her the first Tuesday of every month at the Plotting Princesses blogspot and twice a week at her own blog Downward Dog Diva With Sass. She can be found online at: www.sylviamcdaniel.com or https://www.facebook.com/SylviaMcDanielAuthor.

Links:

Amazon- amazon.com/author/sylviamcdaniel

Website- www.sylviamcdaniel.com

Twitter- @WriterSylvia

Blog- http://sylviamcdaniela.blogspot.com/

Blog- http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/SylviaMcDanielAuthor

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/150774.Sylvia_McDaniel

Giveaway!!!

You can win a chance to win an ebook copy of The Wanted Bride or a print copy. The author is giving away four copies of the ebook which is international and one print for the US.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post

Sylvia was kindly answered my question so here it is :) .

What do you do while procrastinating / to get over writers block?

What a great question. I don’t normally suffer from writers block. If there is a problem with the story that is holding me up, I know that I’ve probably taken a wrong turn somewhere in the plot. I pick up the phone and I call my wonderful critique group and ask them their opinion. Usually we can talk our way through whatever problem is keeping me from moving on. As for procrastination...there is always something that needs to be done. Either an email to write, a blog or something that I could be doing, rather than writing. The laundry always seems to call to me. I’m trying very hard to structure my writing time. Ten pages in the morning and then after that I can work on other things. If there are no new books, I have no product, nothing to offer readers. Plus I absolutely love telling stories and that’s always the happiest part of the day

Thank you Sylvia for the insight :)

Excerpt

Chapter One

“I need a one-way ticket to anywhere,” Valerie Burrows commanded the girl behind the bus counter in downtown Dallas. A charred piece of her wedding veil sagged onto her face.

Impatiently, she flipped the singed lace away, her throat  closing off the tears that threatened her vision.  On what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life,

she reeked of smoke, not flowers, saw red not white, tasted bile

not cake.

Glancing up from the counter the clerk’s eyes widened, making Valerie acutely aware of her appearance. On what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, she felt

traumatized, not joyous.

“Where do you want to go?” the clerk stammered.

“Anywhere, as long as I leave in the next five minutes,” Valerie insisted, wishing people would stop staring. So she looked like a crazy woman. After this morning maybe she was a

little loco.

“The bus to Amarillo is loading now,” the agent advised, her large brown eyes riveted to Valerie. “I have one seat left. The one-way fare is sixty-five dollars.”

Though she preferred to travel by plane, there was no time or way to get to the airport. She could take the bus or stay and face the consequences of her actions.

Valerie dug the cash out of her Bottega Veneta purse and handed the money to the ticket agent. “I’ll take it.”

Dirty lace from her wedding veil fell onto her face again, so she yanked the offending garment off her head and threw the veil on top of her matching Louis Vuitton luggage. The beautiful lace of her Vera Wang wedding gown was streaked with gray and black. Burn streaks made a crazy pattern on the silk that didn't accessorize the seed pearls.

The heel of one of her Stuart Weitzman pumps had snapped several blocks ago, and her feet were blistered. And yet her heart beat on in spite of her ruined wedding.

The clerk handed her the ticket, sympathy in her dark eyes.  “The bus is ready. You’re the last one to board.”

Not even time to change. Head held high, spine locked in place, she limped to the white steel carriage, her suitcases trailing behind.

There, she handed her two suitcases to a gawking young man. He opened his mouth to speak, but she held up her hand. “Just load my luggage.”

She glanced up to see faces pressed against the glass windows of the bus, gaping at her like she was a freak show. Hadn’t these people ever seen a runaway bride in real life before? Julia Roberts may have made the movie, but she didn’t own the copyright to wedding disasters.

With her carry-on bag hanging from her shoulder, Valerie marched up the steps of the waiting bus as if she walked around in a wedding gown every day. The babble of sixty voices ceased

as she handed the driver her ticket.

He mumbled, “Lord, I need to retire.”

Her silk dress pressed against her legs and swished as she made her way to the only empty seat on her getaway bus. Thank God she’d ditched the petticoats in the Corvette.

A gray-haired woman glanced at her as she put her luggage in the overhead bin.

“Hm hm hm, I can’t wait to hear this story,” the elderly Hispanic woman said. “Are you all right?”

Valerie plopped in the seat, her ruined silk gown making a mighty swish. She exhaled loudly, her heart aching, her eyes blurring with unshed tears. For the last hour she’d been holding

her breath while making her escape.

But now, now all the pain she'd carefully controlled broke free and she chuckled. Hysterical laughter rumbled from deep inside her, echoed through the bus. A single tear rolled down

her cheek.

“I am now.”

My Review

I really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect summer read, short enough to get through in a day but long enough to contain all the necessities of a good book.

From the cover you can tell immediately that it's going to be a fun and possibly humorous book which is backed up by the slightly satirical title. And the content did not disappoint. From the beginning I was hooked, I could not put it down even when starvation was an issue. Valerie is a trust-fund child and she shows her naivety in the beginning but as she says in the book she is a quick learner and soon becomes accustomed to depending only on herself instead of her father. I liked this about her. She showed strength and was quick witted. I thought in the beginning that I might not like her as a character but it didn't take long for me to be won over by her strength and sassiness.

This is only a short review because I don't have much to say apart from advising anyone who loves a romantic story with a funny side and two characters who are perfectly matched through stubbornness and chemistry to read this book. It really is the perfect summer read.

4/5 stars

-Tia