Christie’s Review

Knocked Up by Stacey Lynn
Publication Date: June 12^th, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance

First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes baby in a baby carriage. Just not necessarily in that order….

Braxton: I should probably be dead or in jail right now. Instead, thanks to some tough love, I worked my ass off and now I own a string of tattoo parlors throughout the Pacific Northwest. And yet the one thing I’ve always wanted—a family—still seems out of reach. When my best friend gets married, I’m just hoping to blow off some steam with the super-hot maid of honor. But after Cara Thompson tracks me down to tell me she’s pregnant, she’s more surprised than I am when I tell her I’m all in.

Cara: For the first time in my life, I’m living for myself—not for my parents and their ridiculous expectations. I gave up on my MBA, dropped out of the Ivy League, and moved to Portland to pursue my dream of becoming an artist. And what’s the first thing I do? Get knocked up. For a tatted-up sex god, Braxton Henley seems way too eager to “be there for me.” Is this guy serious? Maybe. He sure is patient. Because he won’t back down until I admit what I know in my heart: that our one night stand might’ve led me to the one.

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Excerpt:

I quickly take everything off and drape the paper sheet over my lap, leaving my socks on, and when I’m ready, the edges of the sheet tucked under my thighs and backside, Pam knocks on the door.

“Ready?” she calls as she’s already pushing open the door.

“Yup.” I sound like I’m about ready to croak, and Braxton’s deep, rumbling chuckle worsens my rattled nerves. He kissed me!

I raise my hand to my mouth and as my fingertips press my lips, they’re taken away, gripped in Braxton’s warm hold. He smiles down at me knowingly and I force my attention on Pam.

She pulls the internal monitor out of the drawer, along with a bottle of lubricant and a condom, and Braxton’s grip on my hand turns almost bone-crushing.

“Is that—”

“Yup.” I cut him off.

“Um.”

“Now you see why I wanted the external one,” I mutter quietly.

I can’t look at him. My cheeks are on fire, and for some absolutely insane reason, other parts of my body are warming and this should not be happening at my midwife’s office.

“So,” Pam says, turning around and back to business. Except it’s hard to take her seriously as she waves what looks like a massive vibrator in her hand. “We’re going to insert this inside of you.”

“Holy shit,” Braxton mutters. And God, kill me. Please kill me now.

If Pam hears him, she ignores him as she steps toward me, and pulls out a set of stirrups from beneath the table. “I’m going to need you to lie down, Cara, and spread your legs, and slip down to the edge of the bed for me.”

“I feel like I’ve heard this before,” I say, unable to stop myself. My filter has evaporated along with my self-respect and all of this is so absolutely humiliating.

Pam pauses, glances at me and then at Braxton and nods, understanding. But I swear, as her gaze sweeps down Braxton’s arms, even she blushes. Which is great . . . my midwife thinks my non-boyfriend baby daddy is hot.

“I feel like I’ve said this before,” Braxton says, and both of our eyes whip to him. My gracious. He’s smiling, shoulders shaking like he’s holding back the world’s most boisterous laugh, and it’s all I can do to not kill him while he’s standing there, glancing between the monitor-slash-vibrator and my spread legs and I can’t hold it in anymore.

“This is embarrassing.”

Pam is back to business, already spreading the condom over the phallic-shaped instrument, and then she drizzles on the lubricant.

Braxton’s breath brushes over my cheeks. His dark locks tickle my temple as he whispers, “I feel like I should be offering to help with this.”

“Shut up,” I grit, my stomach muscles clenching from trying not to die or laugh. “This isn’t funny.”

“Oh. This is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen, I’m not going to lie.”

My fingers squeeze his hand and Pam is in front of me. She holds a small black box in her other hand and the tip of the wand against my center. “I’ll go slow, and it might be cold, okay?”

“Yup.”

“Sweet Jesus,” Braxton whispers. “I don’t know whether to be terrified or turned on right now, Cara.”

 

4.5 STARS

Knocked Up is the perfect combination of sexy and sweet. It’s the love story of two people who do everything backwards…baby then dating!!!

Cara is the last woman you would expect to have a one-night stand, but she does at her best friend’s wedding with a man who is so completely different from her. She thinks she will never see him again, even though she would LOVE to. However, she gets more than she ever bargained for…a baby on the way!

…life wouldn’t be life if it didn’t throw you a curveball every once in a while.

Life has just thrown both Braxton and Cara a major curveball! I really like both characters. Stacey Lynn did such a great job of making both of them so relatable and loveable. She did that by giving her readers a look into both of their pasts and how that helped make them the people they were in the present.

Cara grew up with wealthy parents, but she was always seen as a “distraction and annoyance.” Her parents really were clueless and completely unfeeling. However, she had an amazing relationship with her brother, and that is what helped her step out of living her life for her parents and finally taking a chance to live a life that made her happy. Braxton was a big source of support for her.

Braxton grew up very differently than Cara…not a lot of money. However, he had a man in his life who was always there and helped shape him into the great man he is. Braxton really is a great man. Of course, he is gorgeous, but it’s who he is on the inside that drew me to him. Instead of running from his responsibility, he ran towards it. Not only does he want his baby, but he wants Cara too. He is willing to pull out all the stops to get her.

There is a bit of misunderstandings and miscommunication between them that cause some angst, but it doesn’t overwhelm the underlying storyline. I so enjoyed watching these virtual strangers get to know each other and learning how to be parents together, all while falling in love with one another!

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About the Author

Stacey Lynn currently lives in Minnesota with her husband and four children. When she’s not conquering mountains of laundry and fighting a war against dust bunnies and cracker crumbs, you can find her playing with her children, curled up on the couch with a good book, or on the boat with her family enjoying Minnesota’s beautiful, yet too short, summer.

She lives off her daily pot of coffee, can only write with a bowlful of Skittles nearby, and has been in love with romance novels since before she could drive herself to the library.

If you would like to know more about Stacey Lynn, follow her here:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/staceylynnbooks
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Website: http://www.staceylynnbooks.com
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New Release: Left A Love Story by Mary Hogan with Excerpt

 

Left A Love Story

by Mary Hogan

 

“A touching novel. The book poignantly portrays Fay’s struggle to come to terms with…uncomfortable yet necessary questions about the conditions of love.”—Publishers Weekly

“Hogan (The Woman in the Photo, 2016) does a good job of mixing humor and heartbreak in this sharply observed novel, drawn from her own experience.”—Booklist

 

In this beautifully crafted novel from the bestselling author of “Two Sisters” comes an illuminating story of how the link of love cannot be severed, even when memories fade

About the Book

Set against the gorgeous architecture of New York City, LEFT centers on Fay and Paul Agarra, a couple forced to reckon with Paul’s life-altering diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. While the subject matter can be heavy, LEFT is an often humorous story, and a poignant love story and love letter to anyone coping with an unforeseen event that tests their wedding vows to honor in sickness and in health.

What makes this novel so deeply felt, and quite frankly so special, is that Mary’s husband, actor Bob Hogan, is the inspiration for the fictional “Paul Agarra.” As she notes about the genesis of the book: “When I first thought about writing LEFT, I had the idea to create a hybrid: part memoir, part novel. Meaning, I would fictionalize true events that happened in my marriage. The final product turned out to be part truth, part fiction, and part my imagining of how my real life will be in a year or two.”

Paul and Fay Agarra have a happy—though untraditional—marriage. A criminal court judge in New York City, Paul is in his late 60s; Fay, an entrepreneurial artist, is in her late 40s. For the span of their twenty- year marriage, Paul has always been the man Fay can rely on no matter what. But when he inexplicably disappears during their dream vacation in Spain, Fay knows something is terribly wrong.

Soon there are more signs that Paul is beginning to change. Bouts of forgetfulness lead to mistakes in the courtroom. Simple tasks cause unexplainable outbursts of anger. As her husband transforms before her very eyes, Fay copes with her fears by retreating into an imaginary life filled with promise instead of pain. In Fay’s invented world, she envisions herself living a glamorous life free from heartache, with a handsome neighbor she barely knows rescuing her from a future she can’t accept. Sometimes when life falls apart a little fantasy goes a long way. But somewhere between hope and reality an unexpected future—one born out of life’s aching uncertainties—will find its way forward.

Mary’s emotionally rich and vibrant prose color the narrative with a layer of truthfulness that only comes from obeying the age-old adage: “write what you know.” And Mary knows the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s, as her father passed away from the disease and now her husband has been diagnosed with a form of it. A triumphant story about a family who faces the unimaginable and perseveres LEFT is a heartening celebration of the bonds of marriage and a love that overcomes all obstacles.

 

Excerpt

I’d pushed for sightseeing. Of course. Málaga—the birthplace of Picasso—is an artist’s dream. Color everywhere. The Persian blue Mediterranean Sea, butter yellow high-rises, marmalade rooftops, basil green mountains, air the color of honey. Paul would have been happy relaxing at the cottage, puzzling over words like “spork” in the New York Times crossword. Not me. I needed to see color the way other women needed to eat chocolate.

“Orange.” It’s what John—Paul’s teenage son—had answered when I’d asked him what color he wanted to paint his bedroom.

“Carrot, pumpkin, or cantaloupe?” My face was as inscrutable as Mona Lisa’s. Back then, John was in a Trainspotting phase. Peroxided hair, black turtlenecks, Lou Reed, heroin

chic. He liked to test us. In those early days, I was a young stepmother learning on the fly.

Stupidly, Paul and I bought a run-down duplex apartment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side when we were newlyweds. Marriage, I learned quickly, was hard enough without Sheetrock dust all over your clothes. Still, the moment I set foot in that space, I knew it was my home. Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a bricked garden on the ground floor. And, its own special gift: a sunny nook for my easel. It was everything I ever wanted. Worth our sweat and tears.

Every other weekend, Paul’s son lived with us. When it came time to paint his room, he smirked when he replied,

“Carrot.”

Paul weighed in from behind a newspaper. “N.O.”

“It’s my room!” All teenage grimace and pimply flush, John stamped his foot like a child.

“In my apartment,” said Paul.

“Our apartment,” I gently reminded him. “And it’s John’s room. Why not let him pick the color? It’s only paint.”

Paul shot me a dark look; I helped him lighten up.

In the paint store, John chose a sickening nacho color. Paul opened his mouth to protest, but I silenced him with a tented brow. What did it matter? John was a good kid. A teenager, yes—moody, slouchy, occasionally reeking of hormonal funk—but tolerable. He chuckled when I said, “We should get two dogs named George and Ringo. You know, round out the band?” I loved him for not groaning. When John was with his dad, Paul, I’m sure he heard comments like that all the time.

Seriously, I could have done worse. Paul could have had a daughter.

“It’s not like he’s doing heroin,” I quietly told my brand-new husband.

In the screech of a Primal Scream CD, the three of us painted the walls—and ceiling!—of John’s bedroom. Afterward, sitting on the floor eating pizza, Paul’s son looked around and said, “This is the ugliest room I’ve ever seen.”

We all got a good laugh out of that.

John is a coder now. He lives in Boston with a beautiful wife and amazing daughter. Like I said, it was only paint.

“Fay is wise beyond my years.” It’s Paul’s favorite quip. Or was. Whenever he said it, he threw his head back and howled at his own cleverness. My husband’s laugh was an invitation to join his party. What I wouldn’t give to hear that sound one more time.

***

“Grilled sardines on the beach in El Palo?” I suggested on our cottage patio, in Spain’s afternoon light.

“Too many Speedos.”

“A trek up Gibralfaro?”

“So darn uphill.”

“How about a stroll along Calle Larios in central Málaga?”

“Watch every Latin lover ogle my wife?”

“Paul.”

“Spoon and fork!” he yelped, filling in the crossword. Then he set the puzzle aside and joined me in touring Málaga. Because he loved me.

I loved that city. It felt like warm bread to me. Irresistible. The sort of city a person could devour when she felt cold or empty.

Each day, Paul and I strolled the avenidas. Leisurely, like Spaniards. We left our New York pace at home. In the nave of La Manquita, we blessed ourselves with holy water and sat in dark pews to soak up the angelic rays slanting down from the heavenly stained glass windows. My husband lassoed me into the crook of his arm, pressed a kiss on my temple, and whispered, “Seeing you in this light is worth the trip.”

I grinned, blissful. Wrapping my arm around Paul’s soft waist, I quietly leaned in to kiss the baby skin under his chin, the spot I owned. My body fit so snugly into his I almost heard a click as we interlocked. In Paul Agarra’s devouring hug, the world and its perils were safely caged away.

Our life is a postcard, I thought, clueless. With a contented smile, I rested my cheek against my husband’s strong shoulder.

Love as it should be.

Not once, not ever, did I regret my choice. Not after our first anniversary or our last one: our twenty-second. In the early days of our marriage, I raised my right hand in the air and vowed, “I, Fay Agarra, do solemnly swear to allow my husband to be exactly who he is.” Paul promised, too. Our word to each other. We’d never expect the other to be older or younger. Paul wasn’t my dad; I wasn’t his midlife crisis. In the shower, Paul sang obscure blues songs about somebody doing somebody wrong. I danced the Macarena in our living

room. I added blond streaks to the front of my brown hair; Paul let his temples go peppery gray. I tolerated his Tom Selleck mustache (for a while); he patiently waited for me to blow-dry my “Rachel.”

After two miscarriages, my husband consoled an inconsolable me. He softly said, “Okay, love,” when I refused to try again. After my mother, my brother, my dad, I couldn’t bear to lose anyone else.

Men my age seemed like boys, heads bent over their cell phones as if the present moment was never riveting enough. Eyes roaming the other tables in a restaurant; brows cocked when a woman asked a waiter, “Do fries come with that?”

Paul is different. He’s a grown man. Words of commitment never get trapped behind overly bleached teeth.

I love you. You’re mine. We’re us.

Yeah, it shouldn’t have worked. Yet it did. Until it didn’t.

**********************************************

ABOUT THE BOOK LEFT: 

Trade Paperback ISBN:9780062678379; Price: $15.99

Ebook ISBN:9780062678386; Price: $10.99

Digital Audio ISBN:9780062850515; Price: $17.99

Available from Amazon & Barnes and Noble

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MARY HOGAN is the bestselling author of Two Sisters and the historical novel, The Woman in the Photo. Previous novels include the young adult titles, The Serious Kiss, Perfect Girl and Pretty Face (HarperCollins). Mary lives in New York City with her husband, actor Robert Hogan, and their Catahoula Leopard rescue dog, Lucy. Find out more at MaryHogan.com

 

What reviewers are saying:

PRAISE FOR MARY HOGAN “A must read for everyone who longs for a page turning novel that holds you in its tender, often hilarious and poignant grip from page one. Loaded with emotion, laughter, surprise and ultimately the message of the fragility of life, Two Sisters will burn through the sisterhood of book clubs like a fever.” —Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of The Shoemaker’s Wife

“A mesmerizing journey into the secrets that can split apart brothers and sisters, children and their parents. It’s the perfect read for anyone who knows the way families can hold you up while breaking your heart.”—Lauren Grodstein, author of Our Short History, on Two Sisters

“Gripping and thought provoking, Two Sisters digs deep into emotions getting to the heart of family dynamics.”—New York Journal of Books

“A fascinating tale of two women, generations apart, who defy expectations to find their own paths to happiness and purpose. Awash in historical detail, this book is a real page-turner.”—Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Swans of Fifth Avenue, on The Woman in the Photo

“A fascinating snapshot of two women separated by time—each compelling in her own right—who together make for a novel so appealing you can’t stop reading. Well-researched history and modern intrigue, original and heartfelt.”—MJ Rose, New York Times bestselling author on The Woman in the Photo

“There is no doubt that The Woman in the Photo is a beautiful work of historical fiction…Hogan does a brilliant job at weaving their two stories together to make one fabulous novel about growing up and discovering who you are in more ways than one.”—New York Daily News

Tattered (Lark Cove Series Book 1) by Devney Perry Release Day Launch

 

 

Thea Landry has always known her place in modern-day society. It’s somewhere just above the trash can her mother dumped her in as a newborn but below the class where much comes easy. With her tattered shoes and bargain-bin clothes, her life has never been full of glamour.

So when a rich and charismatic man takes interest, she doesn’t fool herself into thinking their encounter is anything more than a one-night stand. Months later, she’s kicking herself for not getting his phone number. Or his last name. She’s given up hope of seeing him ever again.

Until one day, years later, Logan Kendrick waltzes into her life once more and turns everything she’s built upside down. This time around, she won’t make the same mistake. She’s going to fight to keep him in her life—not for herself.

But for their daughter.

 

 

 

 

AVAILABLE NOW

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He stared at me for a long moment. “You’re sure she’s mine?”

“She’s yours.”

“Then that’s good enough.”

“I—really?” I blinked. He didn’t want to verify paternity? He just . . . trusted me?

He nodded. “Really.”

“I swear, I tried to find you, Logan. On my life, I swear it. But the hotel wouldn’t give me your name no matter how much I begged. And you paid cash for your drinks and never mentioned your last name. I tried, but I just . . . didn’t know where to start.”

“It’s not your fault. I believe you.”

The sincerity in his voice made my throat burn. Goddamn it. I was going to cry.

I’d worked so hard not to cry today. I’d fought to keep my emotions in check and my head from spinning out of control. But this was going to make me break.

I wanted so badly for Logan to believe that I hadn’t kept Charlie from him intentionally. The fact that a man like him would trust someone like me without proof meant more than he’d ever know.

“Thank you,” I choked out past the lump in my throat.

“So, um, is Charlie inside with your husband? Or boyfriend?”

The urge to cry disappeared and I barked out a laugh. “Smooth.”

He chuckled. “It’s been a long day for me. Give me a break, will you? This morning I was in New York, then I came to Montana for a business meeting and discovered a daughter. I’m off my game.”

 

 

Devney is the USA Today bestselling author of the Jamison Valley series. She lives in Montana with her husband and two children. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her kids. She loves reading and, after consuming hundreds of books, decided to share her own stories. Devney loves hearing from readers! Connect with her on social media.

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Unexpected Love Story (Love Series) by Natasha Madison Release Boost

Title: Unexpected Love Story

Series: Love Series

Author: Natasha Madison

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: June 5, 2018

When one man’s death exposes a complex web of lies, three couples discover the true meaning of love, loss and redemption.

Crystal

I was the strong one, they said, until two words brought me to my knees. 

It was a secret I didn’t share with anyone. A secret that made me promise I’d never fall in love. 

I no longer wanted that white picket fence of every woman’s dreams. 

Until the unthinkable happened. 

Gabe

I thought I had it all with the best medical practice in the state and the woman of my dreams. 

I wore a smile on my face every single day. 

I couldn’t wait to watch her walk down the aisle and start our forever, except she never did. 

My runaway bride made me realize love isn’t worth it. 

What happens when your dreams unexpectedly come true?

This is the story of unexpected love.

 

An enemies-to-lovers romance with epic chemistry, fantastic banter, and passion that practically explodes off the page. It’s fun, feisty, sexy and beautifully heartfelt, and I loved every moment! – Aj The escapist Book Blog

I finished this book in a couple hours, devouring every sentence, every page Natasha gifted the world with, until it was over and I was crying happy tears. – Cait’s Creatures

 

Unexpected Love was just that unexpected. The storyline at times has some heartbreaking moments for both characters that made you want to hug both of them. -Melissa BookSmacked

Releasing July 10th

When her nose isn’t buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she’s in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It’s a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn’t listen to her…

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Catching Teardrops (MAC Security Series Book 5) by Abigail Davies Release Blitz

Title: Catching Teardrops

Series: MAC Security #5

Author: Abigail Davies

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: June 19, 2018

Cover Design: Pink Elephant Designs

ILLUSION—NOUN

A deceptive appearance or impression.

Life is an illusion. A mirage of what you want people to see.

I’ve perfected mine. 

I let people judge me for who they think I am, not willing to bare my true self. 

But perception isn’t reality.

Reality is painful, full of sorrow and sins.

I keep my secrets guarded closely, not willing to let them free.

But it only takes one person to see you—the real you—for your mask to evaporate.

One look. One promise. 

Life will never be the same again.

Abigail Davies grew up with a passion for words, storytelling, maths, and anything pink. Dreaming up characters—quite literally—and talking to them out loud is a daily occurrence for her. She finds it fascinating how a whole world can be built with words alone, and how everyone reads and interprets a story differently. Now following her dreams of writing, Abigail has found the passion that she always knew was there. When she’s not writing: she’s a mother to two daughters who she encourages to use their imagination as she believes that it’s a magical thing, or getting lost in a good book. If she’s doing neither of those things, you can be sure she’s surfing the web buying new makeup, clothes, or binge watching another show as she becomes one with her sofa.

HOSTED BY:

 

Almost Impossible by Nicole Williams Release Day Blitz

 

 

 

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Fans of Sarah Dessen, Stephanie Perkins, and Jenny Han will delight as the fireworks spark and the secrets fly in this delicious summer romance from a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author.

When Jade decided to spend the summer with her aunt in California, she thought she knew what she was getting into. But nothing could have prepared her for Quentin. Jade hasn’t been in suburbia long and even she knows her annoying (and annoyingly cute) next-door neighbor spells T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

And when Quentin learns Jade plans to spend her first American summer hiding out reading books, he refuses to be ignored. Sneaking out, staying up, and even a midnight swim, Quentin is determined to give Jade days–and nights–worth remembering.

But despite their storybook-perfect romance, every time Jade moves closer, Quentin pulls away. And when rumors of a jilted ex-girlfriend come to light, Jade knows Quentin is hiding a secret–and she’s determined to find out what it is.

 

 

 

Nicole Williams is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary and young adult romance, including the Crash and Lost & Found series. Her books have been published by HarperTeen and Simon & Schuster in both domestic and foreign markets, while she continues to self-publish additional titles. She is working on a new YA series with Crown Books (a division of Random House) as well. She loves romance, from the sweet to the steamy, and writes stories about characters in search of their happily even after. She grew up surrounded by books and plans on writing until the day she dies, even if it’s just for her own personal enjoyment. She still buys paperbacks because she’s all nostalgic like that, but her kindle never goes neglected for too long. When not writing, she spends her time with her husband and daughter, and whatever time’s left over she’s forced to fit too many hobbies into too little time.

Nicole is represented by Jane Dystel, of Dystel and Goderich Literary Agency.

 

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Just an Illusion-The B Side Audiobook Release

We are thrilled to be sharing the audiobook release of D. Kelly’s JUST AN ILLUSION – THE B SIDE with you today! THE B SIDE is the second book in the Illusion series and contemporary romance lovers are going to want to get their hands on this one!

 

About JUST AN ILLUSION – THE B SIDE

Three life-altering months …

That’s how long it’s been since Amelia Greyson joined the Just an Illusion Tour with Bastards and Dangerous. She’s made new friends, embraced her past, and even found love.

Back on the road …

Following a tragic situation, Amelia is determined to hit the road, put her life in order, and finish the book she was hired to write. Mel’s not the only one affected by what happened; the men of BAD are all trying to move forward, not wanting the past to ruin the remainder of their farewell tour.

Brother vs Brother …

Tensions are high on the Weston brothers’ bus. As each brother settles into their role in Amelia’s life, secrets threaten to rip their relationship to shreds. Can Noah and Sawyer find a way to save the brotherly bond they share? Or will the woman of their dreams end up tearing them apart for good?

Add JUST AN ILLUSION – THE B SIDE to your Goodreads TBR here!

 

Listen to a sample from the JUST AN ILLUSION – THE B SIDE audiobook here!

 

Grab your audiobook of JUST AN ILLUSION – THE B SIDE today!
Tantor Audio / Audible / Google Play

 

Prefer ebooks? Grab your copy of JUST AN ILLUSION – THE B SIDE from these retailers!
Amazon / iBooks / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

 

 

About D. KELLY

Kelly, author of The Acceptance Series, The Illusion Series, and standalone companion novels Chasing Cassidy and Sharing Rylee, was born and raised in Southern California. She’s a wife, mom, dog lover, taxi, problem fixer, and extreme multi-tasker. She married her high school sweetheart and is her kids’ biggest fan.

Kelly has been writing since she was young and took joy in spinning stories to her childhood friends. Margaritas and sarcasm make her smile, she loves the beach but hates the sand, and she believes Starbucks makes any day better.

A contemporary romance writer, D. Kelly’s stories revolve around friendship and the bond it creates, strengthening the love of the people who share it.

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Dirty Defiance by Chelle Bliss & Brenda Rothert Excerpt Reveal with Pre-Order Links

Today we are sharing an excerpt for DIRTY DEFIANCE by Chelle Bliss & Brenda Rothert. This book is a contemporary romance, standalone, title that you won’t want to miss! The book releases on July 3rd and it is currently up for pre-order.

Just when you thought politics couldn’t get any dirtier…

 

DIRTY DEFIANCE by Chelle Bliss & Brenda Rothert

Releasing July 3

Pre-order it Now!

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Book Blurb (unofficial blurb):

Reagan

My husband and I know how to fight. We perfected the art when running against each other for Congress. But that fighting revealed a passion for each other that we couldn’t deny. Battle lines were erased as enemies became lovers. But now we’re in the fight of our lives – we’re battling a smear campaign as he runs for governor. And again, we find ourselves drawn to do what we do best. I won’t be controlled, even by the man who owns my heart. But as tensions escalate to a boiling point, I discover there is one place I like checking my defiance – the bedroom. As Jude takes his dominance over me to a new level, I discover that submission can bring me to places I’ve ever known.

 

Add the book to Goodreads

Pre-order it Now!

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EXCERPT:

I don’t pay much attention to what I’m throwing into my suitcase as I pack. Some of the clothes are still in their dry cleaning bags. I’ll manage a few work outfits out of all this stuff.

I’m pretty pissed. After three weeks apart, Jude took off on me and won’t answer my calls or texts. I missed him like crazy, playing the role of doting politician’s wife while he campaigned.

He knows how much I was dreading that fucking interview and photo shoot for a magazine spread about our home life. Even with the cleaning and decorating help his staff hired, I had to make sure everything was just perfect myself. When a photographer is coming into your home, you have to make sure every last thing is on point.

But I gladly did all of it for him. He’s only home for two days before he hits the campaign trail again, and I’m livid that he fucked me and hardly said two words to me before storming out of here.

We agreed before we got married that nothing would ever come between us. Not politics, not my father—our marriage comes first.

But today his fucking ego came first, and I’m not waiting around until he decides to come home.

I’ve been sidelining my work for months now, focusing on helping Jude instead. And that’s been hard for me, because I’m passionate about my work. I’m the US Congress liaison for The Lancet Foundation, an organization founded two years ago to advocate for bipartisanship.

Jude and I have become the poster children for crossing party lines to find common ground. As Congressional opponents, we should have been enemies. For a while, we kind of were. But I quickly fell for him, seeing that what brought us together was more important than what we disagreed about.

I didn’t drop out of the race because of our relationship, but because the revelation about my father’s secret family made me reevaluate what was really important to me. But I’ve taken lots of hits from women’s groups within the Democratic Party for stepping aside for my man.

Fuck them. They don’t know me, and they don’t know us.

I add a couple pairs of heels and my travel makeup bag to the suitcase, zipping it closed. When I pick up my phone, I see a text from Julia, my assistant. She’s booked my flight and arranged for me to be picked up in DC when I arrive late this afternoon.

I’ve been pushing this trip back for weeks, prioritizing Jude and his campaign. No more.

————

PURCHASE THE PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES

 

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————————

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

BRENDA ROTHERT:

Brenda Rothert is an Illinois native who was a print journalist for nine years. She made the jump from fact to fiction in 2013 and never looked back. From new adult to steamy contemporary romance, Brenda creates fresh characters in every story she tells. She’s a lover of Diet Coke, chocolate, lazy weekends and happily ever afters.

 

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Wattpad | Amazon

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CHELLE BLISS:

Chelle Bliss, USA Today Bestselling author, currently lives in a small town near the Gulf of Mexico. She’s a full-time writer, time-waster extraordinaire, social media addict, and coffee fiend. She’s written over thirteen books and has three series available. She loves spending her free time with her boyfriend, 2 cats, and her hamster.
Before becoming a writer, Chelle taught high school history for over ten years. She holds a master’s degree in Instructional Technology and a bachelor’s in history. Although history is her first love, writing has become her dream job and she can’t imagine doing anything else.

 

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Google+

 

 

 

Rock King (Nothing But Trouble Series) by Tara Leigh Promo Tour with Review

Today we are taking part in the promo tour for ROCK KING by Tara Leigh! ROCK KING is available now, and the second book in the Nothing but Trouble series, ROCK LEGEND, is available for pre-order and will release on July 17! Check out some teasers for both titles below.

 

ROCK KING by Tara Leigh – available now!

Blurb:

Fans of Kristen Callihan and Kylie Scott will scream for this sizzling bad boy rock star romance!

I’m not who you think I am.

Shane Hawthorne has it all. At least, that’s what the headlines say about me. I have millions of fans, awards, more money – and women – than I know what to do with. But what you don’t see is the wreckage I’ve caused. The memories and pain I can’t escape, even when I pour them into music and spin them into gold.

I tried to forget. To lose myself in booze and groupies. It didn’t work. It hurt me and – worse – it hurt my band. That’s the last thing I want to do, so I’m cleaning up my act… starting with Delaney Fraser.

Gorgeous, smart, drama-free, and even nice – Delaney is the perfect “girlfriend.” When I’m with her I don’t have to pretend. It’s like she sees the real me. And I can see a future with her. But that’s dangerous. Because the truth is, Shane Hawthorne doesn’t actually exist. He’s a shield to hide who I really am. Fraud. Runaway. Addict. Murderer.

And it’s impossible to love a lie, right?

The Nothing but Trouble series:
Rock King
Rock Legend
Rock Rebel

ROCK KING purchase links

Kindle | Universal Link

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Add ROCK KING to Goodreads

Christie’s Review

5 STARS

Wonderful romance full of emotion! Can’t wait for the next book in the series!

If you think Rock King is your typical rock star romance, you would be so wrong! It is  packed full of emotion. It will make you sad, mad, and happy! Those three emotions are what make a book great for me! This book was magnificent!!!!

Shane Hawthorne appears to have it all, but it is just a façade he has carefully constructed. It is one that will crumble with one small move. When he meets Delaney Fraser, he thinks she is the answer to all his problems. Too bad, he doesn’t realize he will soon have to face each lie he has told himself.

Delaney has started a new life as well, running from her past. She is a waitress and is working hard to save money to put herself through school. When a chance encounter puts her in the crosshairs of Shane Hawthorne, her life will never be the same.

Shane wants Delaney, and he is used to getting what he wants. He tries to convince her that he just needs her as his “girlfriend” while he is on the road touring with his band. Having a beautiful woman by his side keeps the groupies away, and it also helps keeping his demons locked up. He wants more from her. She seems drama-free, and there is an innocence there. She really sees Shane as a person, not the rock god. He finds that calms his dark demons. He doesn’t realize she has her own demons and darkness.

Delaney is a very complicated character. No, she is by far not perfect. However, she is a good person. I, myself, don’t know how she puts one foot in front of the other each day. The baggage she carries would completely suffocate me. She and Shane have to overcome a lot to find their happiness. It definitely won’t be easy.

What I loved about this book is that it wasn’t just about the romance and chemistry. Yes, those are beautifully intertwined within the story, but Leigh takes on several issues. She does it so seamlessly. They all blend perfectly together to create a phenomenal book.

I can always tell when a writer loves what they’re doing…they aren’t just going through the motions. When a writer feels what he or she is writing, that always come through to me. I know Tara Leigh feels every word she writes. Shane and Delaney proved that with their actions and their words. I knew this was an important story for Leigh to tell, and it was even reiterated in her author’s note at the end of the book. I hope someone who is struggling with the same issues or knows someone who is will find hope in Shane and Delaney’s story!

*************************************************

 

 

 

Pre-order the next book in the series…

Pre-order Now – Releasing July 17!

 

Kindle | Universal Link

iBooks | Nook | Kobo | Purchase in Paperback

Add ROCK LEGEND to Goodreads

——————————-

AUTHOR BIO:

Tara Leigh writes steamy contemporary romance featuring tortured heroes worth lusting after and the women they didn’t know they needed. She attended Washington University in St. Louis and Columbia Business School in New York, and worked on Wall Street and Main Street before “retiring” to become a wife and mother. When the people in her head became just as real as the people in her life, she decided to put their stories on paper. Tara currently lives in Fairfield County, Connecticut with her husband, children and fur-baby, Pixie.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook Profile | Facebook Page | Bookbub | Amazon | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads

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Join Tara Leigh’s Reader Group

Whole Lotta Frogs by Samantha Harris Release Blitz with Excerpt

WHOLE LOTTA FROGS

RELEASE BLITZ

AUTHOR: SAMATHA HARRIS

RELEASE DATE: JUNE 19, 2018

COVER DESIGNER: T.E. BLACK DESIGNS

 

My name is Lennox Brooks and I’ll admit, I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I don’t take the big risks, I cover my insecurities with snark, I’ve shown my crazy a few more times then I would’ve liked, and I’ve been trying, and failing at love pretty much since I first grew tits. 

 

Weirdos, Mama’s boys, the over-coiffed, and underwhelming, I’ve been out with them all, just read my blog. I’ve got horror stories that would curl your toes and singe your nose hairs, but none of them compare to the toad who started it all, Ellis Walker.

He was the boy next door, the charming, infuriatingly gorgeous one who broke my heart and disappeared without a trace. Now he’s back and determined to throw my life into chaos, dredging up painful memories just when things were getting good.

But the thing is there are always two sides to every story.

I’ve spent the better part of my life hating him for everything he put me through, but without that resentment clouding my judgment how will I ever resist him?

Love is complicated, appearances are deceiving, and sometimes you have to kiss a whole lotta frogs before finding your prince.

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I stepped into an enormous bowl made of trampolines. Bright neon-green padding ran in a grid-like pattern across the entire arena, separating each trampoline into its own little rectangle. The springy black fabric covered every available surface, including the walls.

I stepped down into the closest square, giving it a test bounce, and smiled. It doesn’t matter how old you get. It’s impossible not to smile when bouncing on a trampoline.

We had the entire bowl to ourselves. I could still hear the music and the screaming, but it sounded distant and not nearly as deafening.

Ellis bounced back and forth from square to square, the squeaking of the springs mixed with my own tentative steps.

“Is this part of your plan?” I asked.

Ellis stopped jumping and rested his hands on his hips to catch his breath. “I could’ve gone with the cliché dinner and movie, but I figured you could use a little bit of fun.”

I laughed. “You’re right. I could use some fun. I’ve been a little stressed since this guy from my past came back into my life and won’t leave me alone.”

Ellis shrugged. “Maybe he likes you.”

I laughed and jumped to another square. “He thinks he does.”

“Trust me, Len. He knows.”

“Okay, so what’s next? Or was your grand plan to make me work out against my will.”

Ellis held up one finger and disappeared through the curtain of netting, only to reappear with a bag of bright red balls.

“What is that?”

“I was thinking about what you said about me torturing you when we were younger. I was a punk kid trying to get the attention of the girl he liked, but I get how it may not have felt that way to you.” He dropped the bag at my feet and turned it upside down, emptying six rubber balls at my feet. “This is your chance to get me back.”

Ellis made his way to the other side of the bowl and opened his arms. “Let me have it, Len. All I ask is that you don’t aim for the face.”

“You want me to hit you?”

“If you’re ever going to give us a chance, you need to let go of the past, and if this is what it takes to get you to forgive me then so be it. I’m willing to take the hit.”

I picked up a ball, testing the weight in my hands and eyeing him as he stood, arms wide open, feet spread apart, muscles tense and prepared for impact.

I wanted to hit him. I really did. But I am an adult, and adults don’t solve problems by hurling rubber projectiles.

“I can’t,” I said. “This is childish.”

“You scared?” he asked that trademark smirk of his spread wide across his face.

“I’m not scared. This is stupid.”

“I agree, but continuing to punish me for the mistakes I made as a kid is also pretty stupid.”

Anger welled inside of me and I drew back, hurling the ball as hard as I could toward his chest. The ball hit its target with a loud thud and bounced away.

Victory swelled inside my chest.

“See?” Ellis said. “Feeling a little vindicated, aren’t you?”

“Shut up,” I said, hurling the next ball toward him.

Samatha “Sam” Harris lives near Baltimore, Maryland with her husband David and daughter Ava. Born in Florida, she migrated north which most people agree was a little backwards. She has been an artist all of her life, a Tattoo Artist for more than ten years, and a storyteller since she was a kid. 

 

Sam has a slightly unhealthy love for Frank Sinatra, classic movies, and Jazz and Blues music, but her first love will always be reading. From Romance, to Thrillers, to Historical Fiction and everything in between, she loves to become a part of the story. As a writer she tells the stories that she would want to read.

Website: 

www.samathaharrisbooks.com

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/Samathaharrisauthor

Twitter: 

https://twitter.com/samathaharris08

Instagram: 

https://instagram.com/samathaharrisbooks/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14244788.Samatha_Harris

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