[#Excerpt + #Giveaway ] Second Chances by @daydreambooks #ContemporaryRomance

Second Chances - Mega PROMO Blitz

By Jo Briggs

Publication : June 2013
ISBN:  149058241X
ASIN: B00DNKSCS6
Length : 252 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book Description: 

Layla Keyes is back in England.  Much has changed in the five years since she moved to New York to pursue a modeling career - On the outside she appears independent, self-assured and enjoying running her own successful fashion label.

On the inside she is determined to take back what she lost five years ago when misunderstandings allowed a jealous third party to manipulate and interfere in destroying her relationship with Evan Carter.

Evan Carter has spent all that time pretending to not be affected by the loss of Layla from his life.

A twist of fate brings the two back together as they are forced to share a few days alone.

Can their love be rekindled despite the secrets they still have to confess to each other?

Buy it :   Amazon   | Barnes and Noble | Apple  | Smashwords

EXCERPT

Once satisfied that all her belongings were safely in the boot of her car, Layla slammed the heavy, oak front door closed behind her, fully aware that she was also closing the lid on her relationship with Evan Carter.

She gulped down the rising sensation of guilt she felt at taking the coward’s way out by leaving when the man was still on a business trip. While sharing Evan’s sense of emptiness, Layla was unable to express it in words, but she did know that she could no longer deal with the look of pain on his face when he tried to talk about what happened. Whenever she attempted it, her throat seized up and no sound came out, only an endless stream of tears, which seemed to frustrate him even more.


Layla had not been especially close to her parents, but the abruptness of their death, followed by the traumatic horse-riding accident that resulted in the loss of her baby, had placed an irreparable strain on her two-year relationship with Evan.
Settling into the 4x4, she plugged her phone into the hands-free system and set off for Surrey, where her BFF, Keely lived. She was the only person who knew of Layla’s plan to leave Yorkshire and head to New York. Activating the voice-dial on her phone, which connected to her friend’s home number, she heard a familiar voice come over the speaker. “Hello?”


“Hey, it’s me,” said Layla, unable to conceal her subdued mood. It was becoming more than a regular occurrence and she was fed up of feeling that way. She just hoped a change of scenery would lift her out of her despair.


“Are you on your way?” Keely asked, her voice sounding tight and restrained. 


“Yes,” said Layla, suspecting her friend of holding back on what she truly wanted to say.


“Are you really sure you want to do this?” 


Layla sighed. Keely had been trying to persuade her to stay and work through her problems with Evan ever since she’d revealed her plans to leave. Layla recognised it was going to be hard, but she could see no other solution. The stabbing pain from the healing wound, caused by the accident, and the ache of her breaking heart had merged into one. 

As well as writing, Jo also enjoys reading; her favourite classics include Pride & Prejudice, Persuasion and Jane Eyre having studied English Literature before moving onto Art and Graphic Design. Current genre of choice on her iPad are dark, angsty steamy romances. Particular favourites at the moment are by S.C Stephens, Abbi Glines, R K Lilley, Sylvia Day and Jodi Ellen Malpas. Jo is also a regular visitor to eBook readers anonymous to keep her addiction under control.

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[ #CoverReveal ] Let it Be Me by @tonilovesweber6

Let it Be Me - Cover Reveal

By Toni Aleo

Genre: New Adult

Date to be Published: October 2, 2013

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Synopsis:

Do you see that woman there?


The one with long, wavy blonde hair and blue eyes that used to sparkle?


That’s me, Violet Moore.

Do you see those men over there?

One is my husband, Rob.

A man who claimed he loved me, but proved his fist loved me more. 


The other is Tucker McCloud, my savior and confidant. 


I'm torn between what's right and my own fear.


But not anymore.


I’m taking my life back now.

I will fight back.


I will be happy

Toni Aleo

Author Bio

I am a wife, mother, and hopeless romantic.

I have been told I have anger issues, but I think it’s cause of my intense love for hockey!

I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!

When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughters dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, and reading the latest romance novel.

I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, and did I mention I love hockey?

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[ #Excerpt ] Relentless by @mollymhallbooks

Dark Prophecy (Book 2)

Publication:  April 2013
ASIN: B00D0RRAJ4
Length:  284 pages

Genre:  YA Parnormal 

Book Description: 

" Out of the darkness and into the fire.  The truth changes everything."

The discovery of who and what she is changed Kat Matheson's life forever, revealing a world she never knew existed.  A world filled with ominous spirits, mystical beings and dark magic.  And a powerful ruler who will stop at nothing to achieve his ultimate goal : her death.  Now, in her fight to stay alive, and to protect those she loves, Kat beings the battle to take back what's hers.

Teaming with the enigmatic Lovell, Kat searches for clues that hold the secret to her destiny.  Clues that take her to places she never imagined, exposing her life --and her heart-- to dangers she never saw coming...

Buy it :    Amazon   |    Barnes & Noble

Using a poker, Lovell shifts the remnants of blackened logs, adding two fresh ones to the top. Stepping back, he lowers his head and stares into the firebox. Two small flames appear, slowly working their way up from the bottom of the pile. Growing larger, they sweep up and around the logs, the wood popping and snapping as it ignites. 

 I look at him in astonishment. "How did you do that?" 

"I'm a man of many talents," he says, pouring water into a mug. He takes a sip. "You can do it, too." 

 "What?" I shake my head. "There's no way…" 

 "Yes, you can." 

 I cross my arms, one hip thrusting out. "How?" 

 "Come here." Lovell gestures me forward, positioning me in front of the hearth. He sweeps his hand through the air and the fire goes out.  

I look at him, a comment on the tip of my tongue. He returns the look, one eyebrow raised. I swallow the comment and exhale through my nose. Standing behind me, he places his hands on the side of my head. 

 "Clear your mind and concentrate," he says. "Don't think about anything but the fire. Picture the flame where you want it to appear." 

 I take a deep breath, exhaling slowly. Closing my eyes, I try to empty my mind. But it's impossible. Too many thoughts, too many images flash in a Technicolor stream. 

 "Concentrate, Kat," Lovell whispers. "Nothing but the flame." 

 I can't help but wonder if he can actually read my thoughts. I hope not because the feel of him behind me is conjuring images I don't want to think about. Or him to know. 

 "Just the flame," he repeats. 

 I force myself to think of nothing but a blank wall. Black and empty. When I've succeeded, I picture a flame, small and hot, working it's way through the wood. 

 "Keep focusing, Kat. Don't let it go." 

 I picture it building and building, growing larger as it consumes the logs. I hear Rick gasp behind me. But I keep the image in my head, holding onto the flame until the logs are ablaze with fire. The logs begin to shift, morphing into twisted, fiery shapes. They pop and sizzle as sap bleeds out of them. And, then, they aren't logs anymore. They've melted and burned, realigning themselves into a shape that becomes slowly human. A head and shoulders and torso emerge. It grows taller and taller. The flames part to reveal a face. 

 Aratus. 

 He smiles, his silver-blue eyes challenging me. I will the flames higher and hotter and he throws his head back and laughs. I can feel the heat washing over me, the sweat accumulating on my forehead, my neck. I push my energy forward again, and the flames engulf him, igniting his hair, his flesh. His face begins to melt and I feel a surge of power, so energizing, so invigorating, it's intoxicating. I revel in it, thrilling to the force pouring through my blood. 

 "Kat!" Lovell's voice is far away, a distant echo on the wind. "Kat!" It comes again, louder this time. "Stop!" He pulls me away from the fireplace, swiping his hand through the air. 

 I gasp and stare at the hearth. At the logs, now no more than ashes. At the black scorch marks, reaching towards the mantle. Rick is looking at me with a mixture of shock and awe. "What happened?" I stammer. 

 "You almost turned this place into an inferno," Rick says. 

 I look at Lovell. 

 "That is not what I expected," he says. "At this stage in your training, you should not be able to do that."

I’ve spent most of my life in Colorado and currently live just outside of Denver. I write my books on a laptop perched atop a rather creaky desk, surrounded by two crazy and loving cats. I love to travel and have visited 27 of the 50 states, as well as Canada, Ireland and England. And there are still a lot of places I want to go.

I spent entirely too many years in the gray dullness of the corporate world, imagining something more exciting as I punched numbers on a keyboard. During that time, I worked on a degree in English Literature, but never quite managed to complete it. Mostly because I was too busy reading and creating fantasy worlds in my head. It’s actually my love of reading and imagining that led me to take up writing full time. I thought I should finally give all the characters in my head a voice.

Music is a huge part of my life and plays a big role in the creation of my books. Although I listen to everything from Johann Sebastian Bach and Dvorak, to Glen Miller and Bobby Darin, to Rihanna and Nox Arcana, as well as movie and video game soundtracks, there are two bands whose music is practically my lifeblood: Daughtry and Linkin Park. I will listen to or see them live anytime, anywhere.
I’m a fan of British television, Doctor Who (favorite doctor? David Tennant. Let the debate begin!), The Vampire Diaries, Japanese animé, Ghost Hunters, MI-5 and Eureka. And anything featuring James McAvoy. And I probably would never be able to unwind without That 70′s Show.

When I’m not reading and writing, you'll probably find me listening to music, practicing yoga, working on my very inadequate French, playing piano, enjoying a lovely glass of red wine or champagne, or looking for inspiring landscapes to photograph.

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[ #BookBlitz + #Excerpt ] Mid-Life Love by @WhitGracia

Mid-Life Love - PROMO Blitz

By Whitney Williams

Contemporary Romance

Date to be Published: 6/28/2013

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If you'd asked me what love was two years ago, I probably would've said, 'It's this amazing feeling that obsesses and possesses you; it's what me and my husband currently have.' If you ask me that same question today, I'll say, 'Please get the hell out of my face.'

Claire Gracen's life is picture perfect. Her career as a marketing director is on the brink of being legendary, and her marriage to her high school sweetheart has never been stronger. No, wait. It has. It used to be amazing and fulfilling, but one day Claire realizes that she's been living a lie and her best friend and husband have committed the ultimate betrayal.

Broken and depressed, Claire is in need of something new--new city, new job, new friends.

When she happens to attract the interest of the sexiest man she's ever met, a man significantly younger than her, she immediately turns him down--only to later discover that this man is 

Jonathan Statham, self-made billionaire and CEO of Statham Industries. Her boss.Jonathan Statham is unlike any man she's met before. He's used to getting whatever he wants--whenever he wants, and he isn't about to take no for an answer.

Sexy, unpredictable, and charmingly clever, Mid Life Love is a story that will captivate you, entertain you, and force you to fall deeply in love with the characters.

“How long have you been working here, Miss Gracen?” He placed subtle emphasis on the word ‘Miss’ and smiled. 

“About four years.”

“Hmmm. I can’t believe I’m just now finding you.” He rubbed his chin. “Do you like it?”

There has to be a better word than “sexy” to describe you…

“Do I like what?”

“Your job, this company.”

“You want me to be completely honest?”

“That would be nice.”

“I absolutely hate it here, but the offices are decorated quite nicely. The interior designers did one hell of a job.”

“Good to know.” He laughed. “I take it that since you haven’t called, you’re not interested in going out with me?”

I nodded weakly. “Clearly.”

“May I ask why, Miss Gracen?”

He needs to stop saying my name like that…

“There are several reasons why.”

“Name the best ones.” He stepped in front of me and looked deep into my eyes. “But your age and the fact that you have kids aren’t good enough reasons for me.”

Poker face…Poker face… “Well, as I’m sure you already know, it’s against company policy.”

“I can have that rewritten by the end of the week.”

“It’s also completely immoral and highly inappropriate.”

“That’s…debatable.” He reached out and pushed a strand of hair away from my face. “Is that all?”

I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t say anything. 

I was too busy getting lost in his incredible eyes. I realized that they weren’t entirely blue; his irises were outlined in a wispy cloud of charcoal gray and there were speckles of emerald green gleaming within them. 

“Miss Gracen? Are there any other excuses?” He inched even closer to me, slightly rubbing his nose against mine.

Why am I so turned on right now? I shouldn’t be feeling this way…He’s way too young for me, way too young for me…

“I’m not attracted to you.”

He raised his eyebrow. “Oh really?”

Snippets:

Snippet of Jonathan and Claire’s first encounter:

“Need some help?” A deep voice said from behind. 

“Sure.” I didn’t look up. I kept stacking the red boxes in between the yellow ones, making sure each box was perfectly aligned into the tacky half diamond formation.

As I stacked the last cereal box atop the display, I turned to look at the man who’d helped me out. 

OH. MY. GOD…

He had one of those faces that belonged in a Ralph Lauren ad—stark blue eyes that gleamed with the faintest hint of light, a perfectly chiseled jaw line with a light sexy stubble, and full, well defined lips that looked inviting enough to kiss all day.

He was dressed in dark blue jeans and a black sweat shirt with “San Fran” in white letters. And for some odd reason, he was smiling at me. 

He’s probably a student at the law school down the street….If only I could go back in time…Oh well…

“Umm…Thank you for your help.” I turned away and went back to my basket.

“Wait a minute,” he said as he walked over. “I didn’t catch your name.”

How cute…“Claire.”

“Nice to meet you, Claire. I’m Jonathan.” He reached out to shake my hand. “I know this may seem forward, but I can’t leave the store without knowing if I can I take you out tonight.”

What? Did he just ask me out? For tonight?

“Umm…”

“You can pick the place.” He smiled a perfect white smile and ran a hand through his jet black hair. “And we can meet there if you don’t want me to pick you up.”

Stop looking at his smile and avert your gaze somewhere lower…Not that lower!

“I would but…” I literally couldn’t take my eyes off him. He was the sexiest man I’d ever seen and I could feel this strange rush of warmth coursing through my veins. “I can’t.”

“Is it because you’re seeing someone else?” His eyes veered to my bare left hand. “Are you married?”

He has to be kidding me…“No. I’m not married or seeing anyone else. I’m—”

“So would eight o’ clock be fine? And where exactly do you want to meet?” He looked directly into my eyes and I almost collapsed onto the floor. 

The look he was giving me should’ve been reserved for a seductive scene in a romance movie and his dreamy smile was lethal.

“Look, I’m completely flattered but you look kind of young.”

He furrowed his eyebrow. “That’s very nice of you to say, but that doesn’t answer my question. Where do you want to—”

“How old are you, Jonathan?”

“Twenty eight.” His beautiful eyes lit up. 

Twenty eight?! Why am I still standing here entertaining him? He’s eleven years younger than me! No thanks…

“Well, that’s way too young for me. I have a little cousin that’s more in your age range. She’s currently studying law, but if you want I can call and ask her if—”

“You don’t want to go out with me?”

“No. I’m way too old for you, and I’m not a cougar or a cradle robber. I have two daughters and I would feel some type of way if they dated someone who had our age difference.”

“Our age difference?”

“Yes. I’m thirty nine, which means that when you were eight years old and learning how to build fires with the Boy Scouts, I was nineteen and in college. It means that when you were nineteen and trying to figure out what major you wanted to pick, I was thirty trying to build a career in marketing. And just in case you don’t realize how many years there are that separate us, there are eleven. Do you not see the problem with that?

“Not really.” He grinned. “But I can’t force someone to go out with me, can I?

Whitney Williams

A self diagnosed candy addict, travel junkie, and hypochondriac, Whitney Gracia Williams LOVES to write about characters that make you laugh, cry, and want to (in the case of Selena Ross) reach through your Kindle and slap them.

She is the "imaginary bestselling" author of the Jilted Bride Series, Mid Life Love, Wasted Love, and Captain of My Soul.

When she's not locked inside her room, feverishly typing away on her laptop, she can be found here:http://www.whitneygracia.com

She also loves getting emails from her readers, so if you want to tell her how much you loved (or hated) her stories, email her at whitgracia@gmail.com

Author Links

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[#CoverReveal + #Excerpt ] Created & Consumed by @JeanBooth

Created

By Jean Booth

Paranormal Romance

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Four hundred years ago, my life was destroyed. Everything I knew and loved was obliterated as my powers surged for the first time. My family, my home and my life were taken from me, in flames.

I was transformed against my will into an abomination, a dizzien of hell to forever walk the night, a vampire. For four hundred years I've walked this earth, the painful screams of my family a constant reminder of the monster I am.

I've never known love, or the gentle touch of a man. The only respite from the agony of my existence was the three hundred years spent with Stephan. Although, once She came, I was again tossed aside, shunned and ignored.

Never again!

I'm done with being condemned, suffering for the consequences of something I didn't know I was capable of. It's time I lived.

My name is Victoria, and this is my story.

Buy it :  Amazon

Today I sat on a rooftop overlooking the city, the muggy heat of the Miami night pressing on my shoulders. I didn't feel the heat, or the soft undercurrents of wind as it tried to whip me off my precarious perch. I felt nothing beneath the hollowness of my aching heart. Seeing Stephan with her, hearing his heart wrenching pleas for her to stay with him, and watching as they embraced, was simply too much for my wounded heart to bear.

I ignored the pink tinged tears that refused to abate. There'd been so much pain in my life; I could no longer remember a time when hope existed. Secretly, I treasured the tears. They represented my broken heart, and wouldn't exist if I didn't have the capacity to hope, to love. That I was still capable of hope amazed me.

I sat on the rooftop of the tallest building in Miami and thought about what I'd do next. I certainly couldn't go back to Stephan's. Watching them together, night after night, expressing their love in gestures or looks, would hurt beyond measure. It was time for me to move on.

A shiver of fear slithered up my spine. I'd never been alone before. I'd never experienced the wide incalculability of life's infinite possibilities. The opportunities were an endless expanse in front of me. I could do anything, be anyone or go anywhere I wanted to go. I could see snow.

In my four hundred twenty-two years of life, all I'd ever known was the tropical paradise of my homeland, followed by the tropical paradise of Southern Florida. I secretly held a love of the cooler climates in my heart, hidden behind a well of pain no one could cross. Excitement followed fear. Should I dare go into the unknown, be an invisible person in the vast openness of the country? Should I venture out into the north, where I'd be unprotected, unknown and have to rely solely on myself for survival?

I shook, but could no longer tell if it was from excitement or fear. Perhaps it was a little bit of both. A small smile curved my lips as I thought of finally escaping the clutches of men, and living my life as I was meant to. I shed my final tears for the man who saved me, for the vampire I dearly loved, and for the life I'd so foolishly thought we'd build together once he realized how perfect we were together.

It was time I lived.

Consumed
Paranormal Romance

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For three hundred years I lived with Stephan; learning about the culture forced upon me, growing as a pyrokinetic vampire and healing from Mneseus' century of abuse. Before Stephan's guidance and direction, I was an empty shell. His kindness, compassion and just beliefs showed me that there could be a life without pain. Over time, I learned to love again. Foolishly I believed Stephan and I would be partners, comfortable and content with out half-life for eternity.

Then She came and ruined it.

I left them to find a place I could spend the rest of my lonely years. Mneseus' last words reverberated through the centuries, reminding me, I wasn't worthy of love. It would be now, when I finally resigned myself to an eternity of solitude, that I would find it.Logan was everything I'd ever needed in a man, with one fatal flaw. Could I look past that, risking my heart, my future and his very life to be with him? Was love truly enough?

Buy it :  Amazon

Buy Books 1 & 2 in the Origins of the Supernaturals series :
Choice  (book 1)  - Amazon  Free July 16 & 17 only !
Changed (book 2) - Amazon

Jean Booth was born in Las Vegas, Nevada on a sweltering summer night. She's spent most of her life in the midwest, alternating between Michigan, Minnesota and Florida before returning to her roots to settle down with a husband and 9 cats. She, along with those that know her, affectionately refer to her as "The Crazy Cat Lady." She's worked in healthcare for the entirety of her adult life and was challenged in 2010 to finally start writing the stories that live in her head. She's an Indie-author specializing in Paranormal Romance, but tends to dabble into erotica, horror and suspense. While not seeking the notoriety of being a raunchy romance novelist, fans have been known to have said this about her love scenes: "Hot, steamy, detailed and so explicit I couldn't wait to be alone with my man!"When not writing, Jean enjoys cruising on the back of her Kawasaki ER-6n with her husband next to her. She's an avid reader, reading everything and anything fiction. She's also considered to be extremely "crafty", making everything from clothing to jewelry to painting the cover art for each book.

Jean loves to hear from her fans, so feel free to drop her a line whenever you like!

Authors Links

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[ #Review + #Excerpt ] Play with Me & Ryan Hunter by Piper Shelly #BookCrush

O.M.G. guys, you cannot even imagine.  Ryan Hunter , although dangerously young for me, is now at the top of my fictional boyfriend list.  :sigh:    I don't think I ever grew out of my teens or something because that boy is enough to make me drool.. lol.    :ahem:   So today I'm more than thrilled to be a part of RABT's   Play with Me / Ryan Hunter book tour.   Check out more about each of the books below and my review of them both!

Play With Me 
(Grove Beach Team, #1)
by : Piper Shelly


Genre : YA Romance
Published : Dec 2012
Goodreads

Book Description : 

Ryan Hunter's parties are legend. 

And tonite she's going to be there. 

Liza Matthews anticipates the return of her best friend and only love since kindergarten from soccer camp.  But when Tony finally shows up, his mind is more focused on another girl.  And worse, she's a soccer player.  Fighting for the attention Liza craves, she's just a hairbreadth away from making a very stupid decision.  But when extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, she's prepared to play ball to get her man.

The tryouts are hell, the first match ends bloody, and the morning after the selection party she wakes up in the worst possible place -- in the arms of the captain of the soccer team.  The hottest guy in school.  Ryan Hunter.

Buy it :  Amazon 

Ryan Hunter
(Grove Beach Team, # 2)
by : Piper Shelly 


Genre:  YA Romance
Published :  April 2013

Goodreads

Book Description: 

Ryan Hunter kissed more girls than he cares to remember.  But the only one he ever wanted is in love with his best friend.

Watching Liza Matthews' obsession with Tony Mitchell is torture Ryan conceals from everyone.  Until after a five-week soccer camp, where Tony gets involved with someone else, things suddenly take a different turn.  Ryan knows if he doesn't make his move now and grab his chance, he might never get another one.

Asked by Tony to distract Liza, Ryan is only too happy.  He subtly seduces her first into his soccer team and later on to his party.  He does all in his power to make her see that he's not just an insufferable playboy but a guy who really cares about her.  Some one-on-one soccer training, a passionate kiss --- things seem to be going the way he wants.  Except Ryan didn't reckon on his best friend showing up at the worst possible moment and destroying everything....

Buy it :  Amazon 

I thought this would be hard to do.  Comparing two books that are virtually the same story.   Yes, they are both in essence the same story told from different points of view -- Playing with Me is from Liza's  POV, while Ryan Hunter is from Ryan's POV.  Yet in reality the are completely different books.

Playing with Me (Liza's POV)  is a great story about a 16 yr old who is in love with her life long best friend.  Naturally he "doesn't notice" and even though she's basically his little groupie, he gets a girlfriend elsewhere ,breaks her heart and then decides maybe he wants another chance.  Too bad Liza has finally realized that Ryan isn't the stuck up snob she imagined in the hallways of school.   Now don't get me wrong- starting out the book, I really liked Liza and Tony (the bff) together.  I thought how adorable it would be if they ended up.  Knowing that b/c I was going to be reading  Ryan Hunter next, she obviously wasn't going to end up with Tony twirked me a little at first.  And then Ryan really started making appearances..  Probably my favorite excerpt from PWM is  after a party at Ryan's where Liza accidentally got drunk on some "berry soda" and ends up in his bed.  Bear with me and read it :

The sun breaking through the windows woke me the next morning. I felt as if I was drifting out to a restless sea on an unsound airbed. It took a few seconds for the eerie swaying to stop so that I could focus.

My cheek rested on a pillow smelling of pine trees and warmth. I inhaled deeply, wanting to keep that scent, and opened my eyes to stare at the sensual lips of Ryan Hunter. My hand on his naked chest rose and fell with his slow, even breaths.

Holy cow, what the hell happened?  I was in bed with the captain of the soccer team.  Heck, I should never have gone to that party. 

Now, my only thought was run. But shock kept me pinned to the bed as I became aware of the entangled position Ryan and I had taken on in our sleep. Lying on my right, my left leg was slung over his hip. My calf rested neatly on his groin. He lay on his back, his left leg bent so, that I wouldn’t be able to withdraw mine. I tried to stop my body from shivering. No chance.
Not daring to wake him, I didn’t move, frantically running through the options I had. Great, there were none. I was trapped.

Maybe if I lay still, pretending to be fast asleep, until he woke up and got out of bed first, then I could sneak out after him and be gone before he noticed. I would have slapped myself for that idea if I could remove my hand from his warm chest.

And a firm chest it was. He must lift weights besides playing soccer. As if my eyes had their own mind, they traveled down his gorgeous body. A thin trail of dark hair led south from his navel over his flat stomach until it vanished under the waistband of his jeans. His bent leg seemed amazingly long. I never paid attention, but he must be more than a head taller than me.
My gaze swept up to his neck and the part of his face not covered with his arm. A lean jaw and a perfect, straight nose. He sported an overnight shadow that begged to be rubbed. I resisted. Under his left ear was an old scar, about an inch long. One would never notice unless close to him, like I was now.

Suddenly his lips twitched.

"I can feel you staring at me,” he said in the softest wake-up voice I’d ever heard. “I only hope you’re a girl and not one of the drunken guys.”

My breath caught in my chest. I jerked my hand back from him. Not taking his arm away from his face yet, he reached down with his other hand. And slowly ran his palm over my naked thigh in the direction of my bum.

“Yep, definitely female,” he purred.

In panic, I held his hand in place. “Move another inch, Hunter, and you’re a dead man.”
“Matthews?” Surprised amusement filled his chuckle. Unlike me, he seemed relaxed enough.
A strange heat rose from my gut to my head as I studied his hand on my bare skin. Wearing nothing but jeans and a black wrist watch, he looked more like a guy from the many posters on the walls of Caroline Davis’ bedroom than the boy I knew from school.

I felt awkward for not letting go of his hand on my leg, but I was too scared he’d continue the path he’d started if I did.

“Tell me, Matthews,” he said as he dropped his arm to the pillow and tilted his head to study me with warm eyes. “Why do I have you in my bed, when I’m not allowed to touch you?”

“I didn’t know there were strawberries in the soda,” I whined.

His brow furrowed, his lips pursed. “Come again?”

Jeez, did he not realize that he was still holding my leg, and how very uncomfortable—and excited—it made me? “Someone was getting me sweet soda all evening.” My voice shook slightly. “I didn’t realize it was the wine cooler you meant when you said—”
“—not to touch the strawberries,” he finished for me, closing his eyes. “Damn, I told her not to punch it too much.”

What? The wine cooler? I was pretty sure I had a tad too much of that stuff.

A frown creased Ryan’s brows as he looked at me again. “Sorry, I don’t remember much of the night after I carried you up here. Am I in trouble?”

Considering I still had my clothes on, nothing had happened during the night. “As far as I remember you were pretty drunk yourself. So I was quite safe from you.”

A smirk played around one corner of his mouth. “I’m afraid my time of numb indifference is over.” His thumb had started drawing small circles on my skin. “So, unless you’re up for some trouble now, would you mind moving your leg?”

My eyes widened at his seductive threat.

“What? You know you’re not the ugliest girl in the world.”

Wow, what a compliment. Idiot. I needed to get out of here. Back to…back to… Damn, Ryan had a nice smile.

  Yum... that, the Pool Table sceen and Lime Surprise were my favorite parts of the book (sorry you have to read it on your own, I can't give everything away!  Geesh!).  It's a short book, a quick read but if you want a book that takes you through the emotions - lots of laughter, dreamy sighs and a little heartbreak, then you are looking at the right book!


And now let's talk about Ryan Hunter - Ryan's POV.  I'm not sure if this is because I obviously read Play With Me first and I was already just a tad bit in love with Ryan...but to me, Ryan Hunter  was even better.  Like I read it 3 times vs PWM's 2 times.  Part of it is how much more you get in the story (I just wanted more, more , more after PWM - in a good way).  With Liza's point of view, she doesn't even acknowledge any interactions with Ryan for a while and so there's no need for the author to write about them.. However, Ryan has had his eye on Liza since third grade and he notices everything about her.  The story starts 5weeks earlier as they leave for soccer camp and he encounters Liza seeing Tony off.  It's adorable how every little thing about her is cataloged in his brain..  How he always tries to play it cool but inside is a mess.  I always thought that reading from a guys POV was awkward at best.. I always preferred the girls POV that I could relate to more, but this time I'm going to disagree.  Both are great books, but if I have to pick one - I'm going Ryan Hunter all the way.   We get soo much more background, so  much more feeling when we don't have to deal with Liza struggling with her feelings for Tony and starts of feelings for Ryan.. Now we can just concentrate on Ryan's love for Liza thru it all.   I have the same favorite parts in this book at the last, reading them from the other point of view throws a little bit more into it and makes it just as good.. But this time I will add that my absolute favorite part of the second book is the epilogue that takes us just a bit farther past where the first book ended.. Into the land of garden swings ,cuddling and declarations of love.  : sigh:

About the Author : 

Wow, this is always the hardest part for me to write…don’t know why. You would think talking about my life should be easier.

I was born and raised in Austria. Half my life I spent in Vienna, but I didn’t like the city. I much prefer the beautiful countryside, with its many meadows and the breathtaking Alps. That’s why I moved to Upper Austria right after graduation. There are trees now in front of my window instead of just another ugly gray building, and I love to be woken by the cacophony of birds every morning.

At seventeen, I met the love of my life, but it took another four years until we finally got together. It was the best decision I could have made. I’m now married to this man, and I count myself lucky for someone like him. Even I will admit it can be hard at times to live with me. I’m moody and tend to lapse into my fantasy world at any given minute—well in my defense, I’m a writer. :-)


We have a ten-year-old son, and together we travel a lot…although I sometimes wish the trips were shorter because I can’t wait to get back to my laptop and WIP. Yeah, that’s just me. I built my world around my passion, and I like it that way.

So, you see, I'm leading a pretty normal life.

Of course it will all change the day my book follows the act of Harry Potter, and I'll become richer than the Queen.  I swear I'll never again clean my windows myself then.  Yeah, one day, LOL...

Stalk Her : 

Website           Facebook        Goodreads 

I encourage you to visit her website and sink into the adorable Character Interviews she has up.. I spent a while just looking around..  :sigh:  Damn Ryan Hunter crush.. lol. 

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[Blitz + Excerpt] To Bewitch a Highlander

mmm, mmm, mmm.. One of my old favorites- Historical Romance!  I haven't had a lot of chances to dive into that lately with all the paranormal & contemporary romances but oh do I ever love me some historical !! I hope you enjoy reading more about To Bewitch a Highlander below!   Have a great Friday !!

To Bewitch a Highlander - PROMO Blitz

By Lily Baldwin

Historical Romance

Date Published: 4/10/2013

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She will protect her identity with her very life if necessary. Who will protect her from herself?

Shoney's lightning speed with a bow captures Ronan by surprise, and their chance meeting ends with him lying unconscious at the bottom of a ravine.

When he awakens, he cannot rid his mind of her startling beauty, her valor, or the secret fear he glimpsed in her steel eyes.

He vows to find her, but as the mysteries of her identity unfold, his courage and heart are tested as never before.

Audio Book Sample

EXCERPT

Shoney gripped a large rock with one hand to keep from rising to the surface and was hurriedly scooping handfuls of Dulse with the other, putting the slimy clusters into the sack hanging about her neck. Dulse was her favorite seaweed. Its translucent pink color was hard to spot, but it grew in bushels at the bottom of her pool. If infused in a bath, it soothed sore limbs, and its oil cleansed the skin, clearing away unsightly dry patches. Satisfied she had gathered enough, she released the stone and swooshed her arms, swirling in a circle. Her hair fanned out, covering her face and wrapping around her waist.

The sting from the icy water subsided so that she could truly enjoy the feel of being submersed. The bottom of the deep pool gleamed with smooth white rocks, which seemed to light the murky water. She was enclosed inside rocks directly below her home where she knew none of the clansfolk would ever dare to venture, allowing her to leave behind the Witch’s cloak and every other stitch of clothing for that matter. Nothing delighted her more than to feel the rush of cold water over her bare limbs. Nothing made her feel more alive, but she was running out of breath and knew she had to surface.

Her feet touched down on the bottom, and she bent her knees, pushing against the white stones to hasten her swim to the surface, but she did not surge through the water as expected. Large hands grabbed her from above, blocking her momentum. She seized with panic as she flailed against her captor’s grip. The water churned, bubbling from her efforts, but she was powerless against the strong arms that wrapped around her from behind and pulled her against the unyielding hardness of a man’s chest. Every corded ridge of muscle pressing against her naked back shifted as he pushed off the bottom, propelling them both toward the surface.

They emerged from the depths, and he pulled them to the edge of the pool. Shoney sucked air into her lungs. Too long had she been submersed and now felt dizzy. Despite her reeling head, she lunged to escape the hands still grasping her shoulders, but his hold only tightened. Then, for the first time, she tilted her head back to look upon her captor.

“You”, she exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here?” he said. “This is my island. What are you doing here?”

“Taking a bath”, she gritted.

She could not believe the giant, the one called Ronan, was in her pool. How dare he invade her rightful territory. Fury consumed her but also terror. Not only was she unarmed, but he was even larger than she first realized.

“I am finished now”, she said. “So release your grip, and I will be on my way.”

“A bath she says.”

He turned her around in his arms so she faced him. Then he wrenched the sack from around her neck and threw it into the water. Shoney watched as it sunk beneath the surface. “I have been searching the whole island for you for a fortnight only to find you nigh drowning, leaving me no choice but to dive in to save you.”

“Save me? Is that what you thought? That I was drowning.” She could not help laughing, but stopped when his hand slid down the curve of back.

Shoney was suddenly very aware of her state of undress. Her curves were concealed from his eyes by the water, but what he could not see surely he could feel as his arms pressed her close. She gasped as she felt the contours of his muscles shift against her skin. The heat of his body provided warmth against the frigid water, and his arms seemed to touch more than just her waist. They reached beyond her physical form, satisfying a craving for contact, which solitude had entrenched deep within her heart. He was powerful and intoxicating, and her response to him was shocking. She never imagined a man would feel so good, so strong, but she knew it had to be wrong. Shouldn’t she be outraged? She had to escape his hold. Her hands pressed against his wide chest as she thrust away from him, but he wouldn’t budge.

“Let me go, this is indecent”, she snapped.

“No more indecent than leaving me to die, lass. I was only trying to save you.”

“The only saving I need is from you”, she hissed through gritted teeth. “Release me. You have no claim over me or my body as I am neither your wife nor your whore.” She renewed her struggles and shrieked, “Let go of me.”

His grip loosened slightly, and she felt the warmth of his breath as his head dipped close to hers. His hand swept the length of her torso and then gently caressed her cheek.

“I know I need to let go of you,” he whispered. “I know that I am disgracing you as well as myself, but I cannot bring myself to do so.”

She met his smoldering gaze. His lips were but a whisper away from hers. Try as she might, she could not take a deep breath. Her quick, shallow breathing was unnerving. And then as he pressed her body into his, her breathing was forgotten completely as was the cold water that encircled them, the crash of the waves, and the call of the birds. All she was aware of was his eyes, the closeness of his mouth, and the racing of her heart. He slowly lowered his lips, taking possession of the soft skin just below her ear. She closed her eyes, feeling a strange heat at the place where his lips had been. His hot kisses trailed down the length of her neck. The heat spread like languid fire throughout her body.

She had never felt the strength of a man’s hands on her skin. Nor had she ever known the tenderness of a kiss. Her breathing quickened. Her body felt like it was swelling, preparing to burst, and she liked it. She pressed herself closer and felt the crushing strength of his muscles as her fingers explored his form. Her hands swept down his powerful arms, sliding over muscled ridges. And then they traveled down past his lean waist to stroke the length of his hard thigh, but instead of smooth, wet skin, her fingers touched something cold and sharp.

Her eyes snapped open, and her senses returned with a strength that would have knocked her over had it not been for the water and the support of his caressing hands.

Mother of all, what spell was this?

He was even more dangerous than she first imagined, for he could control her thoughts and her body. She had to break away from his embrace. Her hand returned to his thigh, only this time she had no intention of stroking his skin. She seized his dirk from its sheath and with a practiced hand she thrust the pointed end of the blade beneath his chin. She smiled ruefully at the small droplet of blood that appeared beneath the dagger’s point.

“You keep your blade sharp. I thank you for this kindness.”

Lily Baldwin

Writing historical romance has been Lily's lifelong dream. She lives a quiet life in New England, surrounded by family.

Author Links

Website | Goodreads

Link to Buy

Amazon | Audio Book

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