BOOK TOUR: Forbidden Surrender - Priscilla West + REVIEW, GIVEAWAY AND EXCERPT!

Released: July 23rd, 2013

"What gives you a thrill Kristen?"

The minute I saw Vincent Sorenson, I knew he was trouble. Billionaire. Bad boy. And dangerously sexy. He was everything I craved, and nothing I needed.

Unfortunately, I just couldn't avoid him. The higher ups at my company decided they needed his business, and I was on the team to bring him in. Vincent Sorenson didn't seem as interested in business as he was in me, but I knew that was a door better left unopened. If I got involved with him, it would only unearth the pain I spent years trying to bury.

I thought I had it under control, but I seriously underestimated Vincent's seductive charm and silver-tongue. I would soon find out how delicious it would feel to let myself fall into this forbidden surrender.

**COPY PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR/RABT**

"You either feel safe with someone or you don't. It doesn't matter how long you've been together."

OH MY GOD!!! I loved it! I abso-freaking-lutely looooved it! The book was a quick read though I could see how the relationship developed and how the characters had their own personality (if they didn't, it would've been so bland).

Okay, so let's start this review with the first time they met. Kristen and Richard, her boss, are trying to convince Vincent to sign in to their company and Richard's totally messing this whole thing up because he thought that Vincent would be an overly-obsessed, buff, idiotic surfer. Richard thought up all all those surf lingos and shit, and did it work? HELL NO. Vincent was insulted. But then when Kristen was bringing some papers over to him, she fell. RIGHT ON HIM. HAHAHAH. That was definitely one of the best moments in the book.

"Curiosity overriding logic, my fingers pinched one of the rings through his shirt. I've never met a guy who had nipple piercings before."

I was just like:

SHE PINCHED HIS NIPPLE RINGS.

Oh my God. I can't breathe.

And he never. I repeat, never let her live this down.

And then basically, Kristen blew me away. She was this intelligent and independent woman. Since I'm almost a complete feminist, I'm totally rooting for her. She was stubborn at first because she didn't want to risk her job, but anyways, it's Vincent. You don't say no to Vincent Sorenson. But I liked her character and I rarely ever like the heroines in books.

VINCENT SORENSON. Now, that is a man I want to keep around in my bed.

When he met her the second time:

"Consider it a test. How far are you willing to go to serve my interests?"

If that wasn't an innuendo, I don't know what is.

AND HE COOKS. Holy shit, I'm a total sucker for men who cook. I mean, how hot is that?

"I'm taking you to the best restaurant in the city – my kitchen. Tonight's an opportunity to impress you with my culinary skills."

Boy, did he ever. And that wasn't the only skill she was impressed with.

Overall, a fantastic romantic read! I absolutely loved it and since it ended in half a cliffhanger, I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.

Minor Faults:

• A bit too fast? Just a teensy bit. But then remember Vincent's quote in the beginning.

MY RATING:

4 AND A HALF APPLES!!!!!

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

❤ READ MY REVIEW OF HER BOOKS ❤

Secret Surrender (Surrender #2) ❊ 4.5 APPLES!!!

Beautiful Surrender (Surrender #3) ❊ 3.5 APPLES!!!

EXCERPT:

“Mistake?” His brows furrowed.

“I wasn’t thinking clearly and you took advantage of it. We can still move on and pretend like it never happened, or I can transfer you to Richard—” My nails dug into the palms of my hands.

He let out a frustrated breath, shaking his head. “I’m not working with anyone else but you. I thought that was settled.”

“Look, I admitted I’m attracted to you, but we shouldn’t have acted on it. You’re a client for Christ’s sake. You caught me off guard and I was confused.” I tried to make it sound as convincing as I could, but he didn’t look like he was buying.

He stooped to pick up the paperwork and my work bag. As he walked over to me, I scrambled to my feet. My heels felt wobbly, and I took a step back, worried he was going to kiss me again.

He eyed me darkly, “Are you sleeping with anyone?”

He just wasn’t going to give up. “No, but I don’t—”

“Then there was no mistake. Stop apologizing, and stop denying what happened. We both wanted it.” His brows narrowed, his gaze was intense. It was clear we were both exasperated, but for very different reasons. “If you still think you’re confused, I’ll make you a bet: before this week is done, you’ll be touching yourself while thinking about me.”

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About The Author:

Priscilla West is the author of the popular erotic romance series The Sandstone Affair and is currently writing the Surrender series. She likes to write stories with sassy heroines and strong but flawed heroes.
She enjoys: cuddles, men in suits, eskimo kisses, life-sized teddy bears, and eggs over medium

Check her out in these sites:

Website | Goodreads | Facebook

THIS TOUR WAS HOSTED BY Reading Addiction Blog Tours

[Review] The Break-Up Psychic - Emily Hemmer

Released: May 26th, 2013

Ellie has a bad habit of picking the wrong man; a cheating ex-boyfriend, a mild-mannered foot fetishist, and let's not forget about the hillbilly with the impolite hard-on. But when Sam James, the oh-so-hot bad boy Ellie has sworn off to stay away from, keeps turning up like a bad penny, she's going to need more than her psychic senses to see what's coming her way.

"You can try to avoid getting hit by a car but if you're standing in the middle of the street, you're gonna get run over eventually."

This book was an easy, fun read about a hilarious girl who hears bells ringing in her head whenever a breakup was coming up. I could use those senses sometime. And then there's Sam James, the super shmexy mechanic working merely a few blocks away from Ellie ;)

I really liked Ellie's character even though she was so initially stubborn about Sam since she was just waiting for those stupid bells to start ringing. It's funny though knowing that she expects a breakup coming up.

"I know the breakup's coming, and I know somewhere nearby, there's a big-boob bimbo getting all of my good foreplay."

But this is Ellie summed up in one quote:

"Meaning you need to repave this rocky road you've been travelling down and start fresh. You're in love with the idea of love, but the reality of giving yourself over to someone whole-heartedly scares the beejesus out of you."

I just feel so horrible for her sometimes since she keeps getting stuck with those weird guys. First, there's Tim, her cheating ex who's suddenly obsessed with her again. And then hillbilly whose name I forgot honestly. Then HOLY SHIT! Ellery was fucking best. Damn you, Celery. You made me choke and laugh and cry.

"Do you like it? It's the mating song of a South African tribe. It's supposed to arouse the libido and bring forth fertility."

And after he gives her the marvelous foot-rub???

But something warm and wet has suddenly enveloped my big toe. I snap my eyes open to find Ellery, head down in full toe-sucking euphoria.

Fuck, I just lost it after that. AND SHE BROKE HIS NOSE!!! Holy shit. High-five me, girl!

Enough about those weirdos *sigh* ONTO SAM "PLEASE-DO-ME" JAMES!!!

He's insistent, romantic, so freaking adorable. Despite him being secretive of a few things and Ellie's friends warnings of the man he is, she still fell head over heels for him because, God, he was like the perfect gentleman outside and a sex god on the bed.

"Ellie girl, I would love the opportunity to bring pleasure to you."

AND HE SAYS THE SWEETEST THINGS ALWKERJWEJR

"Because the first time I saw you, you took my breath away, and it wasn't until I walked into that bar three weeks ago that I felt like I could breathe again."

How do you not fall for a man like that?

Another awesome character was definitely Hart. I freaking adored Hart.

"Love is a powerful thing. It consumes you, makes you do foolish things. When you're in love, everything is heightened, all your senses. The air smells fresher, the whiskey tastes sweeter, and the sight of an old dirt path looks for the entire world like the smoothest stretch of road on earth. But we forget; there's another side to those feelings, a darker side."

"Trust is earned. Faith is given." 

 Minor Faults:

• Sometimes the characters seemed too blehh, like their personalities were just too bland
• The plot was somehow a bit off for me, I have no idea why

MY RATING:

3 AND A HALF APPLES!!!!!

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

About The Author:

Emily Hemmer was raised in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago before settling in Kansas City in 1996. In October 2012, Emily learned she came in 2nd place for the SFARWA's Heart-to-Heart Contest for her first work, The Break-Up Psychic. This year, she plans to publish three books, win countless accolades from her peers, and literally roll around in a bed made of money. She also plans to purchase a new dishwasher.

Check her out in these sites:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

WoW: Unspoken - Jen Frederick

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine to spotlight releases that we're looking forward to! Here is my choice this week...

Unspoken

Title: Unspoken

Author: Jen Frederick

Is it a sequel? Book #2 of the Woodlands series

Release Date: September 16th, 2013

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Whore. slut. Typhoid Mary.

I've been called all these at Central College. One drunken night, one act of irresponsible behavior, and my reputation was ruined. Guys labeled me as easy and girls shied away. To cope, I stayed away from Central social life and away from Central men, so why is it that my new biology lab partner is so irresistible to me?

He's everything I shouldn't want. A former Marine involved in illegal fighting with a quick trigger temper and an easy smile for all the women. His fists aren't the danger to me, though, it's his charm. He's sliding his way into my heart and I'm afraid that he's going to be the one to break me.

Impulsive. Unthinking. Hot tempered.

I allow instinct to rule my behavior. If it feels good, do it, has been my motto because if I spend too much time thinking, I'll begin to remember exactly where I cam from. At Central College, I've got fighting and I've got women and I thought I was satisfied until I met her.

She's everything I didn't realize I wanted and the more time I spend with her, the more I want her. But she's been hurt too much in the past and I don't want to be the one to break her. I know I should walk away, but I just can't.

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

My Comments:

God, I found this awhile ago and I'm so freaking excited for it! I didn't read the first book but this one sounds so fucking fantastic! Plus, he's a marine with CHARM HOLY SHIT ;)

What are YOUR choices this week? Let me know in the comments below!

[Review] Into The Deep - Samantha Young

Released: August 9th, 2013

Live young. Live hard. Love deep.

Charley Redford was just an ordinary girl until Jake Caplin moved to her small town in Indiana and convinced her she was extraordinary. Almost from day one Jake pulled Charley into the deep and promised he was right there. But when a tragic incident darkened Jake's life, he waded out into the shallows and left Charley behind.

Almost four years later, Charley thinks she's moved on. That is until she takes a study year abroad in Edinburgh and bumps into none other than Jake Caplin at a party with his new girlfriend. The bad-boy-turned-good attempts to convince Charley to forgive him, and as her best friend starts spending time with Jake's, Charley calls a truce, only to find herself tumbling back into a friendship with him.

As they grow closer, the spark between them flares and begins playing havoc with their lives and relationships. When jealousy and longing rear their destructive heads, Charley and Jake struggle to come to grips with what they mean to one another.

And even if they work it out, there is no guarantee Charley will ever trust Jake to lead her back into the deep…

"We are all looking for a place in life, somewhere we fit. It's not a place that changes who we are or what we do – perhaps it shapes us, makes us better, makes us more – but mostly it shelters us with a sense of peace, a sense that whatever we do, whoever we are, we're not alone in it."

SAMANTHA YOUNG, CAN I JUST LIKE HUG YOU AND STALK YOU FOREVER?! That sounds horribly creepy but damn, once I started this book, I just couldn't stop. I was working on homework and I just went, "Screw it." and I read on. This book, as all of Samantha Young's books, just made my heart ache all over.

Into The Deep was a beautifully written romance about second chances at love. A story about falling in love all over again. This book told me that age didn't matter. Screw those people who tell you that you just cannot fall in love at 16 or younger, or that it's just small puppy love and a phase. Screw them. When you're in love, it just hits you like a damn hurricane and, as cliché as this might sound, you've just got to learn to dance in the rain.

I absolutely loved LOOOVED On Dublin Street and Down London Road, and Before Jamaica Lane is coming out next year! I've been a huge fan of Samantha Young since her first two books and now THIS, this was amazing and certainly didn't disappoint.

Maybe I'm a teensy bit biased but then again, I wouldn't be biased if she wasn't awesome.

The romance was just MIND-BLOWING. I loved their relationship, how they're so easy with each other. They were best friends first and then lovers. God, I love that kind of relationships.

Charley: "You're very good at the flirting thing. Very confident for your age."

Jake: "I don't know about that. I've never really had to wor–"

Charley: "Work at it. Confident or arrogant…"

Jake: "You think you're pretty smart."

Charley: "No. I know I'm pretty smart."

Jake: "Now who's arrogant?"

Charley: "Well, I have a reason to be. I'm awesome."

Those two are TOO cute!

My copy in my iPad was highlighted all over with such awesome quotes because, well, they're highlight-worthy.

Charley: "I'm not too sure about the deep. I breathe better in the shallow."

Jake: "Not true, you hate the shallow."

AND UGHHH JAKE. Despite him being an asshat who finally pulled his head out of his ass. He is the sweetest little fucker.

"All I know is that you probably deserve better than me, but I'm too selfish to let you. I'm into you, and I want you to be so into me, you don't even care that I'm not good enough for you."

Charley, because she's been hurt before has this certain way of thinking. She becomes much more cynical and skeptical towards everything, where in the past she used to be more of a romantic.

"I don't think we're ever anybody's, and to believe otherwise will get you hurt." 

Okay, but I won't bore you with the details and spoil the whole thing so JUST READ IT! It's an extremely lovely book that will make you fall in love with the characters over and over again.

Not to mention the awesome supporting characters like Lowe, Claudia and Beck.

Charley: "Well, my mother would hate him. He said 'fuck' twice within a matter of seconds."

Claudia: "I'd fuck him twice in a matter of seconds." 

And then Claudia and Beck with the ~~sexual tension~~

BUT LOWE. OH MY GOD. LOWE IS MY FAVORITE. Can I just please have a best friend like him? Please? Pretty please?

"You're not doing anything wrong here, Charley. You're just trying to protect yourself and I don't blame you."

He is so freaking supportive and sweet towards Charley that I just want to pack him up and take him home with me ;)

I SOOO CANNOT WAIT FOR OUT OF THE SHALLOWS!!!

Minor Faults: can't think of anything right now

MY RATING:

5 CAN-I-FEEL-NOW APPLES!!!!!

I MIGHT CHANGE IT TO A 6 IN THE FUTURE BUT IDK YET ;)

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

❤ READ MY REVIEW OF HER BOOKS ❤

Down London Road (On Dublin Street #2) ❊ 5 APPLES!!!

Castle Hill (On Dublin Street #2.5) ❊ 5 APPLES!!!

About The Author:

Samantha Young is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. She's been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Author and Best Romance for her international bestseller On Dublin Street. This novel is Samantha's first adult contemporary romance and has sold in twenty-three countries.

Check her out in these sites:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

BLURB TOUR: Cosmetic Heart - Kathy Bosman + GIVEAWAY AND EXCERPT!!!

Released: July 29th, 2013

Lisa works for a top South African magazine as the make-up artist but writes articles on the quiet. When the chief editor, Daniel, asks for her help in posing as his ex-fiancée to save face with his family, Lisa agrees, hoping to obtain a promotion in return. She doesn't expect to fall for the handsom editor nor to fit in with his family who love her unconditionally. But Lisa has more secrets, and she doesn't believe in love and family. After Daniel finds out her secrets, will his forgiveness and determination be enough to cut through all the layers lisa has put over her heart?

BUY LINKS:

Astraea Press | Smashwords | Amazon | B&N | All Romance Ebooks

EXCERPT:

It was Thursday, the 30th December, and Dan was rounding off some edits on an article for the February magazine. Kate, the feature editor, needed to come up with something more unique next time. It was too late to change the piece now — okay, maybe he was too tired to bother, and he had the next week to get through. He would worry about her story once the reunion was over.

Lisa still hadn’t had her hairdo. Would they have to lie about her drastically changing her hairstyle to outdated and unsuitable?

He sighed. She was proving to be quite interesting though. He’d rummaged through the bag of presents she’d wrapped and left in his office this afternoon before she knocked off. They were beautifully decorated with ribbons and cards, written neatly in her curly handwriting style. He’d opened the one card and read it, astounded at how she’d written the verse to a poem before a quick “happy Christmas” wish. The woman was into detail. Maybe his family would approve for once. They’d have to get used to the idea that the relationship would end eventually though.

Someone knocked on his office door. Lisa, at last.

“Come in. I thought you were finished work hours ago.” 

She smiled at him and then propped her hands on her hips. “So?” She gave a sigh — loud and raspy. “Typical male!”

He gasped. “You had it done finally. Looks great!” Looks more than great. Wow, transformation.

“Thanks.” Her smile was genuine and soft. That was the first time he caught a glimpse into the real Lisa. Maybe she was starting to thaw. Finally.

“Come here.”

“Why?”

“Just listen.”

“Okay.”

“No, don’t get that employee-boss look in your eyes. Try to relax and pretend that we actually belong together.” He took her by her stiff shoulders and pulled her into a hug.

“It’s like hugging a statue,” he whispered into her ear. Her soft hair brushed against his tongue. He pulled the strands away gently with his finger and accidentally touched her cheek with his lip.

She stepped out of his grasp. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

She craned her neck around frantically at the doorway.

“Everyone’s gone home.”

“So?”

“You love that word.”

She giggled.

“Okay, if not a hug, let’s try a kiss.”

Her eyes were wild.

“Have you ever been kissed before?”

She nodded numbly.

“Too bad. You have to grin and bear it. I can’t be that bad.” He reached for her hands, pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers. Sweetness flooded his being, spearing right into his inner core. What was inside this girl’s being that surged into his?

Even though her lips were unresponsive, he kissed her further. Then he pressed her chest against his. For a moment she stiffened, and then she relaxed, obviously realising there was no way out and she had to play along with it. But he wasn’t playing anymore. This was for real. He wouldn’t tell her that though. That would make her run a mile.

She pulled away and turned around, wiping her mouth with her hands.

“Not bad,” he teased.

“I’d better get going now. I’ll see you in the morning.” Her voice was shivery.

“Have you packed yet?”

She nodded, her back to him still.

“See you then.”

She was out the door without showing her face once. The back of her head was gorgeous. That hairdo did something to her whole demeanour. If only it would warm her up to him a little.

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About The Author:

Kathy loved reading and writing from early childhood, but her dream to write books was put aside until her kids were small, and she had little mental stimulation. The writing became a passion as well as her love for romance. She hasn't looked back since writing her first romance novel in 2007. She homeschools her three children so in between deciphering algebraic problems for her teenage son (with little success), conducting science experiments, and tackling piles of laundry and dishes, she miraculously finds time to write books and read many others for fun.

Check her out in these sites:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

This blurb tour is brought to you by Tasty Book Tours, you can find the other blogs in this tour right here.

SNEAK PEEK: Worth The Fight - Vi Keeland

Worth The Fight

By Vi Keeland

Adult Romance
Date to be Published: 10/3/2013

SYNOPSIS:

It didn't matter that the ref called it a clean hit. Nico Hunter would never be the same.

Elle has a good life. A job she loves, a great apartment, and the guy she's been dating for more than two years is a catch and a half. But it's boring… and she strives to keep it that way. Too many emotions are dangerous. Her own past is living proof of what can happen when you lose control.

Then Nico walks into Elle's office and everything changes… for both of them. But what can the tattooed, hard-bodied MMA fighter and the beautiful and always steady attorney have in common? A lot more than they bargained for.

Dayumm, I've been looking forward to this book for so long that I'm freaking excited to be part of the sneak peek "tour" ;)

#1 EXCERPT (Elle on Nico):

I’ve never seen a body like his so close before.  It just doesn’t seem real.  Both of his arms are covered in tattoos, it looks like he’s wearing colorful sleeves, only he has no shirt on.  They intertwine and wrap around his bulging biceps and I get the urge to trace a path from the first splat of ink to the last with my tongue.  My body’s reaction to him is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.  These aren’t feelings that I’m used to, they seem to come out of nowhere and are uncontrollable. 

One side of his lip curls up slightly, as though he is amused at my staring.  He hands me a glass of wine without asking if I want one and I take it because I need it to calm my nerves.  I’m here staring at this bigger than life man, and suddenly I’m speechless.  The wine can’t seep into my bloodstream quick enough.  Half the glass is gone in one long, unladylike gulp.  

“Thirsty?”  I look up at him and find a glimmer of amusement in Nico’s eyes, mixed with something else.  I think he knows I’m trying to calm myself and I fidget in my seat on the couch as he stands there looking so unaffected.

#2 EXCERPT (Nico on Elle):

I’m up at five a.m. every morning.  Well, every morning except today.  I slept like shit, my body a mass of pent-up frustration.   I kept my word all night.  Even though all I wanted to do was pick her up, carry her into my bedroom, and ram myself into her to claim her as mine.   Then she kissed me.  I know I could have taken it further after that kiss.   But I don’t want one night with Elle.  I want more.  I have no idea why, but I do.  A lot fucking more.

By the time I drove back home last night, I’d gotten myself under control.  I’d reasoned with my hard-on until it finally saw my way.  Who knew you could reason with a fucking hard-on.  I guess I never tried. I just took care of it, did what it wanted me to.

But then I walked into my loft and I smelled her.  And all reasoning went out the window.  I couldn’t sleep with a steel pipe in my pants, so I took a cold shower.  It didn’t help.   Then I was wide awake with a hard-on.  I tossed and turned with a picture of Elle smiling at me in my head.   Taunting me for being such a sap.  

About The Author

Vi Keeland is a native New Yorker with three children that occupy most of her free time, which she complains about often, but wouldn't change for the world. SHe is a bookworm and has been known to read her kindle at stop lights, while styling her hair, cleaning, walking, during sporting events, and frequently while pretending to work. She is a boring attorney by day, and an exciting smut author by night!

Check her out in these sites:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

SEE WORTH THE FIGHT HERE:

Goodreads

This sneak peek is brought to you by AToMR Tours.

[Review] Unlocked - Maya Cross

Released: August 18th, 2013

Who is Sebastian Lock?

The heart can lead you to dangerous places. Abandoned by the man she loves, with nothing more than sweet words and riddles for an explanation, Sophia Pearce felt like her life was crumbling before her eyes. And then they came for her. Now, things will never be the same.

Confronted with the truth about Sebastian's identity, she's thrust into a high stakes world beyond anything she could have imagined. A world that threatens much more than just her feelings. Sebastian's enemies will stop at nothing to get what they want, and they want her.

Their passion for one another consumes them, but as the danger mounts, and loyalties are tested, Sophia must answer one simple question. What is she willing to risk for love?

"But I'm not willing to risk it. I'm not willing to risk you."

Another kind of short review??? SEBASTIAN LOCK. Babe, can I just like kiss your face? Or just hug you? Or basically just touch you in any way. Because, man, you are damn sexy and hot. The only thing that pissed me off about you was that, in the previous books, when Sophia asked about your little secrets, you actually kept it a secret. But here? You just blabbered like a baby.

Nevertheless, you were so sweet that I'm somehow willing to forgive you.

"This isn't me giving up my life, Sophia. This is me beginning it."

HOW DO YOU NOT SWOON TO THAT???

But, on the other hand, Sophia pissed me off more than ever. I mean seriously. She's so demanding and insistent and forceful. SEBASTIAN CAN HAVE SECRETS OF HIS OWN! She was like one of those clingy girlfriends who need to know every single fucking thing.

I was so ready to give this book a 2.5 until I reached the plot twist. When I got to that part, I was just like:

I was really like, "How the hell did this happen?" 

Anyways, fantastic for an erotica but not-so-bad for a romance ;)

Minor Faults:

• FREAKING SOPHIA
• Sebastian was weird
• Some of the parts were too predictable

MY RATING:

THREE APPLES!!!!!

Goodreads | Amazon | B&N

❤ READ MY REVIEW OF HER BOOKS ❤

Locked (The Alpha Group #1) ❊ 3 APPLES!!!

Lockout (The Alpha Group #2) ❊ 3.5 APPLES!!!

About The Author:

Maya Cross is an author who enjoys making people blush. Growing up with a mother who worked in a bookstore, she had a lot from a very young age, and soon enough picked up a pen of her own. Her previous work spans many genres, including horror, science fiction, and fantasy, and she has no started this pen name as an outlet for her spicier thoughts (they were starting to overflow). She likes her heroes strong but mysterious, her encounters sizzling, and her characters true to life.

Check her out in these sites:

Website | Twitter | Facebook