Sam's Book Basket

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

BLOG TOUR: Sex on the Beach Series – Jenna Benett, Jen McLaughlin and Jennifer Probst + Character interview & giveaway!

Before You

Released: March 4th, 2014

It’s all fun and games

I had a simple plan for spring break.

Sun, sand, and a hot guy. Sex on the beach, with no strings attached.

A chance to get rid of this pesky virginity once and for all.

And when I met Tyler McKenna, I thought I had it made.

Until someone gets hurt

But then girls started turning up at Key West landmarks. Girls who looked like me, but with one crucial difference: They’d all been drugged and relieved of their virginity.

The virginity I still have. The virginity Ty refuses to take.

And now I’ve begun to wonder whether there isn’t more to him than meets the eye.

Suddenly, sex on the beach doesn’t sound so good anymore…

✭ BOOK LINKS ✭

(Click book cover for Goodreads link)

The Sex on the Beach series:
♕ Between Us by Jen McLaughlin ♕

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Kobo | My Review

♕ Beyond Me by Jennifer Probst ♕

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Kobo

♕ Before You by Jenna Bennett ♕

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Kobo

Hey there, fellow bookworms! I've got a little something special for you guys. I have the two awesome characters from Before You, Ty and Cassie here with me today ;D and I asked a few questions so check out the interview below:

Sam: So, let's start of with Ty, what was your first impression of Cassie?

Ty: Pretty. Sweet. Someone who’d get herself in trouble if I didn’t interfere. (scowls at Cassie.) Don’t you know never to turn your back on a drink in a crowded bar?

Cassie: Now I do. And anyway, I was fine. If you hadn’t talked to me that night, nothing that happened later, would have happened. So it’s all your fault.

Ty: If I hadn’t talked to you that night, we wouldn’t be here now.

Sam: [clears throat] Now, Cassie, if you had to describe Ty in one word, what would it be?

Cassie: Hot. Or maybe cute. Or sweet. No, wait. I know. Hero! (Ty blushes and murmurs something. She reaches out to pat his hand.) Well, you are to me.

Sam: You guys are too cute! What are your ideas of dream dates?

Ty: I’m not difficult. I just want Cassie. And a couple hours off duty.

Cassie: Moonlight. And sex on the beach.

Ty: You’re kidding.

Cassie: Of course. It’s going to be a long time until I’m comfortable going on the beach again. Especially at night. I still want you, though.

Sam: Last but not least, do you guys believe in the idea of love at first sight?

Cassie: Of course.

Ty: Really?

Cassie: It happened to us, didn’t it?

Ty: Did it? (Cassie scowls at him. He grins.) Just kidding.

Sam: Wow, you guys are beyond adorable! Thank for you for being here today :D

Win a HUGE Theme prize pack (US ONLY) including:
Signed books
Jewelry
T-Shirts
Sunglasses
Shot glasses
AND MORE!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jen McLaughlin

Check her out in these sites:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

✽ ✽ ✽

Jennifer Probst

Check her out in these sites:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

✽ ✽ ✽

Jenna Bennett

Check her out in these sites:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

This tour was brought to you by InkSlingerPr.

BLOG TOUR: Deep Blue – Jules Barnard + Excerpt!

Released: March 6th, 2014

First loves, second chances…

When Cali Morgan kicks off her perfect post-college summer in Lake Tahoe, she has everything she ever wanted: acceptance into a top law program, a gorgeous boyfriend, and an incredible summer planned with her best friend.

Confident about her place in the world, Cali makes it her mission to be her friend’s wingwoman and help her meet guys. What Cali doesn’t count on is running into Jaeger Lang, one of her older brother’s high school friends, or the sparks that fly when she’s around him.

Jaeger has changed, and it’s not just the added height and muscle. There’s something about him that’s deep and a little scarred. In spite of the changes, Jaeger becomes a top pick for her friend—if Cali can keep her hands off him.

But when Cali’s boyfriend dumps her and her carefully laid plans begin to unravel, she finds herself questioning what it is she truly desires. In the midst of doubts about her future, one thing is very clear: she wants Jaeger for her own. The question is, has her friend already fallen for him?

✭ BOOK LINKS ✭

(Click book cover for Goodreads link)

♕ Deep Blue ♕

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Kobo

Gen and I approach the seamstress counter in the Blue Casino basement, the hub of lower employee relations. The managers’ offices are located above the casino floor, where bosses peer at everyone through stealthy security cameras. Blue stockpiles its uniforms in the basement and allocates them to the minions at the beginning of every work shift. To remove a uniform from the premises is considered stealing. I don’t get management’s proprietary clamp on polyester, but I’m happy to let them do my laundry for me.

I hand the attendant my claim check and she passes me a pair of black slacks and a white button-down shirt. Boring, but I’ll make it work with a few buttons open at the top. Gen hands in her claim check next, and I step away, searching for our lockers. After a long moment, I glance back.

She’s still in front of the counter, staring at what I’m guessing is her uniform. Her back’s to me, so I walk up and look over her shoulder.

“Don’t say anything. Anything, Cali!”

Oh, God. This is perfect. I couldn’t have set things up better.

Now I remember why I chose the dealer position. I’m an absolute wuss when it comes to the cold—I used to dress like an Eskimo during Tahoe winters. Having grown up around the casinos, I know a thing or two about the air conditioning and the cocktail uniforms. I didn’t want to freeze my nipples off every day.

I cover my smile with my hand. “It’s pretty,” I mumble through my fingers.

The look she gives me . . . appalled, peeved. She’s seriously pissed. I don’t know why, but seeing her like this always makes me want to laugh. It’s like watching an angry kitten or a furious fluffy bunny. It’s so out of character.

I squeeze my lips together and bend over, holding in a snicker.

Gen leans down, her mouth to my ear. “You. Suck. You did this on purpose!”

I straighten. “How could I do this on purpose? You picked your job position.”

Aside from the freeze-your-nipples-off factor, I wouldn’t have minded the cocktail uniform. I hadn’t warned Gen, because I didn’t think it was a big deal. She needs to loosen up, and I couldn’t have arranged a more perfect outfit to attract guys to my reserved best friend.

Gen’s hands shake as she crushes the small piece of black, shiny fabric in the shape of hot pants and the blue-and-black-sequined bustier to her chest. She stomps away.

“Good luck tonight,” I call out, a smile in my voice.

Without looking back, she holds her hand above her head and flips me off.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jules Barnard is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. She attended UC Davis, whose college landscape often finds its way into her New Adult novels. She has a Master’s degree and spent many an hour running statistical analysis, until she realized her favorite part of the job was writing reports. She decided to cut out the math and add in some hot guys, and so began her career as a novelist. Jules is a Northern California native living on the coast with her husband and two children. She has no impulse control around cupcakes and credits herself with the ability to read while running on the treadmill or burning dinner.

Check her out in these sites:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

This tour was brought to you by InkSlingerPr.

Monday, March 10, 2014

BLOG TOUR: Wickingham Way (A Harbour Falls Mystery #3) – S.R. Grey + Review & giveaway!

Released: January 19th, 2014

When Maddy Fitch discovers there's a hit out on the love of her life--the handsome, but often secretive Adam Ward—she concludes life with such a powerful man may never be normal.

But who wants normal? Not Maddy—mystery writer and sometimes-sleuth.

The heart-stopping action begins immediately in Wickingham Way when an attempt is made on Adam's life, prompting the couple to seek refuge at a "safe house."

Tucked away in a cabin deep in the heart of Maine, Maddy and Adam fall deeper in love. But their happiness is cut short when someone they care deeply for is kidnapped, by the same organization that wants Adam Ward dead.

Adam and Maddy return to Harbour Falls, and a dangerous cat-and-mouse game ensues. Twists and turns abound, keeping Maddy and Adam on their toes. But will the consequences of the decisions they must make prove deadly?

Only time will tell.

Final novel of A Harbour Falls Mystery Trilogy. Romantic Suspense/Contemporary Romance/Mystery genres.

*Mature themes, graphic sex, violence*

"The past always has a way of catching up to you."

**ARC PROVIDED BY AUTHOR**

An amazing ending to an amazing trilogy. This is probably one of the romantic suspenses that I love! S.R. Grey pulls us in with a cliffhanger at the end of each book. But here, it all unravels. This novel is sexually charged and electrifying. Intense and exciting. Just a fantastic book!

Okay, the second book was definitely BEST by far because of the secrets that were discovered and also the tension and suspense. The first one was okay but the mystery just wasn't as exciting. This book made me pissed at Maddy because, to be fucking honest, she's someone who can't look at a damn situation. But I'll elaborate more later.

Although I must admit this is the perfect ending to the trilogy because it all unfolds here, but of course there are also the imperfections.

Adam is definitely my favorite. He has his secrets. He is a wealthy man after all. But damnnnn. He's so goddamn sexy and smart. HE'S A TECH-GEEK WHICH IS WOW. I'm a sucker for sexy nerds, just saying. But Adam is the type of guy who knows how to act in every situation. He doesn't behave or think stupidly.

And since all the secrets were discovered, they got even closer to each other.

In my relationship with Adam, with all the secrets and mysteries finally behind us, I felt closer to him than I had at any time during our first six months together.

Then there's Maddy. My God, this frustrating woman.

She was pissing me off throughout most of the book. I mean, I really liked her in the first two because she's this daring woman who's willing to dig into a mystery people have been avoiding for a decade. But the fact that she's an amateur who acts like a pro pisses me off.

I HATE HOW SHE NEVER TRUSTS HER INSTINCTS. Dude, if you want to investigate something, even if you're fucking paranoid, might as well confide in Adam. But does she do that? Nooo. Does she tell him when she felt followed? Nooo.

One of the situations that she DOESN'T know how to act in was when she felt like she was being followed and didn't tell Adam sooner. When she did, they had to leave for safety, and yet…

I really wished we could still try out the new restaurant, maybe grab a takeout order at the very least, but I knew not to press the issue.

Well, no fucking shit, Sherlock. You're getting hunted down and you're thinking about food. I just…

Anyways, but the rest of the book is actually pretty damn good. The intense situations, the supporting characters, the plot. A great read.

MY RATING:

3.5 - 4 APPLES!!!!!

✭ BOOK LINKS ✭

(Click book cover for Goodreads link)

♕ Harbour Falls (A Harbour Falls Mystery #1) ♕

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | My Review

♕ Willow Point (A Harbour Falls Mystery #2) ♕

Amazon | Barnes&Noble | My Review

♕ Wickingham Way (A Harbour Falls Mystery #3) ♕

Amazon | Barnes&Noble

SETS of Harbour Falls trilogy (3) – International
$20 Amazon gift card (1) – International

a Rafflecopter giveaway

S.R. Grey is the author of the bestseller Harbour Falls and Willow Point, first and second books in A Harbour Falls Mystery series. She is also the author of I Stand Before You, the first novel in the new Judge Me Not series (New Adult/Contemporary Romance).

Ms. Grey resides in western Pennsylvania. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree, as well as an MBA. Her background is in business, but her passion lies in writing.

She is currently working on Never Doubt Me, the second novel of the Judge Me Not series. Expected publication: Spring 2014.

Other novels slated for 2014 are Just Let Me Love You (Judge Me Not #3) and another New Adult novel, title yet to be determined.

When not writing, Ms. Grey can be found reading, traveling, running, or cheering for her hometown sports teams.

Check her out in these sites:

Website | Twitter | Facebook

This tour was brought to you by AToMR Tours.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

BLOG TOUR: Tempo – Kelley Maestas + Review, giveaway, excerpt & teaser!

Released: December 3rd, 2013

What happens when the tempo of your life is destroyed by circumstances out of your control? Do you give up and give in, or do you fight to get your life back?

Karlie McKenna is facing a dilemma, does she continue to follow her safe but celibate lifestyle or does she race toward a new beginning? Summoned to the boss’ office she has no option but to head to Las Vegas for the opportunity of a lifetime.

Vincent Scarpetti has been running from his own demons. Attempting to right the wrongs in his past, Scarpetti searches for his freedom in Tempo, the newest and most anticipated resort in Las Vegas.

Set on a collision course, can they survive the impact?

Tensions rise as the lines between conference room and bedroom blur. Will Vincent offer Karlie what she wants? Can Karlie give Vincent what he needs?

"Ready to play, Karlie?"

**ARC PROVIDED BY AUTHOR**

Whew, this book was filled with high emotional and sexual tension. Tempo was a riveting and exciting journey. With their different backgrounds, yet both just as conflicting, Vincent and Karlie finds love in each other and manages to move on from their pasts. A beautiful and intricate romance that urged me to read on.

Wow, this book actually surprised me.

I honestly didn't have high expectations because I have never heard of the author before and I mean that in the least offensive way possible. But I'm happily surprised. I look forward to more works by Kelly Maestas.

Both characters were equally as wonderful. Karlie was this independent woman with a successful career but a horrible past that she still seems to hold on to. Until Vincent. Vincent on the other hand has a background that everyone knows about, the son of a mobster. But he's slowly building an empire of his own to give the Scarpetti name a clean slate.

But, of course, you can't avoid your past forever. When Karlie gets involved with Vincent, she is dragged into the fame that the Scarpetti name has always had. And this, attracts unwanted attention from people from her past.

I like Karlie's character very, very much.

"I am not a victim but a survivor."

Despite all the horrible things that's happened to her in the past. Karlie has a quite positive outlook on her life. She works for a successful design company and is now slowly working her way to the top.

So, when she gets recruited for one of the biggest projects ever in LAS VEGAS, of course she agreed to go. And there she meets the alluring and dangerous Vincent Scarpetti.

Vincent on the other hand has had his name dragged through the mud no thanks to his no-good father. Not to mention, he's been repeatedly targeted because of that. But, yet, he stays strong and is determined to create this hotel/casino to bring goodness to his name.

And he's sweet too with Karlie!

"You are sorry about the tears that I made you shed? I will pay for every one of those tears for the rest of my life, Karlie."

Can you stop being so perfect?!

And I love how easy their connection was. They were bantering back and forth and it was sweet and simple. And, yet, they're as close as best friends as they were lovers, which was really fantastic.

Exhibit A of their banter:

“Let’s begin in the bathrooms, we’ll get to the bedrooms a little later.”

“I can’t wait to follow you to the bedrooms later. Carry on, Karlie.”

Exhibit B:

“When did you decide you liked me?” I ask.

“The moment you stared at my package on the plane; I knew I liked you. How could I not like a girl who obviously has an eye for quality?”

MY RATING:

4 - 4.25 APPLES!!!!!

✭ BUY LINKS ✭

(Click book cover for Goodreads link)

♕ Tempo ♕

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Australia | Canada

HOT HOT HOT EXCERPT FOR YOU GUYS!!! + SMOKIN' TEASER

My head rests against his chest. I can feel his soft kisses on the side of my face. I turn in his arms and we embrace, his strong arms envelop me. Taking my hand he leads me to the corner where our umbrella and blanket are awaiting our return. He sits with his back against the wall and pulls me to his lap. My arms go around his neck and we share a kiss. It’s a beautiful moment. Leaning my back against his chest, his arms encircle my waist. I rest my head in the crook of his neck. My bottom is nestled between his legs, the length of his firm shaft is pressing against me.