Raw Deal by Cherrie Lynn ~ Release Tour with Author Q & A

RAW DEAL by Cherrie Lynn

E-Original published by Swerve

Publication Date: January 24, 2017

ISBN: 9781250126368

Price: $3.99

Book Description

Savannah's brother was killed in a cage fight with Mike "Red Reaper" Larson after a savage punch to the head.

When Mike shows up at the funeral, he’s nothing like Savannah expected. Gone is the fierce, brutal beast she’s seen in the cage. In his place is a beautiful man torn with guilt, seeking forgiveness, and willing to do anything to ease her pain.

Her family doesn’t approve, but her heart doesn’t stand a chance. Irresistibly drawn together, neither of them can deny the intoxicating desire unleashed between them, turning their pain into the most exquisite pleasure.

But every time Mike steps into the cage, Savannah knows she could lose him too. She can’t go through that again, but how can she let go of the one man who sets her body and soul on fire?

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Q&A with Cherry Lynn:

How would you describe Raw Deal using no more than 140 characters (a la Twitter)?

Undeniable passion ignites between a fighter and the heartbroken sister of the man he accidentally killed in the MMA cage.

Which scene would you say was the hardest for you to write?

Definitely the final fight. Any time I write something action-heavy, which isn’t very often (unless it’s sex, haha), I find it terribly difficult and tedious. “This happened and that happened and so on.” And then to take it and make sure it doesn’t look like I found it difficult and tedious presents its own set of challenges. I can only hope I pulled it off, because I’m a terrible judge of my own work.

Where do you get inspiration for the names of your characters?

Michael’s and Savannah’s names simply came into my head and felt right. A lot of times, however, I torture myself trying to find the perfect character name, poring through baby name websites for inspiration. Some characters are named by accident. For instance, when I first introduced Brian Ross in Unleashed, I never planned for him to have his own book. So I just sort of stuck a name on him. But he turned out to be one of my most popular heroes (Rock Me), and same goes for his best friend Ghost (Leave Me Breathless). So, some come easily, some are like pulling teeth, and some are happy accidents. :)

You’re known for creating characters with a lot of depth and a full range of truly human emotions. What experiences do you draw on to make your characters feel so alive? 

Oh, so many. But I don’t think my experiences are so different from most other people’s. We’ve all been heartbroken. We’ve all felt loss. We’ve all felt joy. I just take those feelings and channel them as best as I can. I also listen when other people talk about their own feelings and experiences that might be different from mine, and I listen to a lot of highly emotional music. But there are things in my books that are drawn from personal experiences. The eagle in Raw Deal, for example, was taken from something similar that happened at my grandfather’s funeral a couple of years ago. I like to think whenever I see an eagle now, it’s my grandpa saying hello.

What do you love most about Mike and Savannah?

I love Mike’s fierce loyalty. I love Savannah’s mostly level-headed approach, the way she’s able to give him a chance despite her emotions and her heartbreak. I love the comfort they find in each other. They were very easy characters to write. I’m not sure if that’s because I was coming off my Ross Siblings series and invigorated by starting something brand new, or if they simply resonated deeply with me (a little of both, I suspect), but I *loved* writing their story. They still give me butterflies!

How much research did you have to do on MMA for the book? Are you a fan of the sport?

I am! But my husband is an even bigger fan. He was a great source of information, and I probably pestered him to death. I looked up so much equipment on Amazon that I kept getting ads for weeks—they obviously thought I was a fighter. I watched fights on YouTube and I read articles. And although they’re about boxing and not MMA, I’m a HUGE fan of the Rocky movies. I figured the passion, motivation, hunger and discipline would be the same for a fighter of either sport, so I drew a lot of inspiration from that. And yes, a couple of Rocky references pop up in the book! I couldn’t resist.

Did you always want to be a writer?

For as long as I can remember. As far back as third grade, you could find me writing stories that my teachers would have me read to my class. Everyone thought I was a little weird, I think. As I grew up, I wrote stories for fun and for my friends. Almost all of those involved a romance, and this trend continued as I would sneak into my mom’s stash of steamy romance novels for inspiration. :) I sought publication as far back as 2000, but that didn’t work out. It wasn’t until 2008 that I tried again with what would become my first published book. It’s been an amazing, lifelong journey!

Who are some of your favorite writers/writers that inspire you?

I read all over the place. Right now, I’m loving Alessandra Torre. She’s amazing. I’m also so obsessed with the A Song of Ice and Fire series that I’ve been reading them on repeat for two years now. I finish, I start over. Such incredibly rich and effortless world-building. (Hurry up with Winds of Winter, George!) I’m also loving Sarah J. Maas. For my horror needs, I read Stephen King and Joe Hill. I must admit, the idea of a straight-up horror romance intrigues me…

Author Bio

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author CHERRIE LYNN has been a CPS caseworker and a juvenile probation officer, but now she writes contemporary and paranormal romance on the steamy side. She's also an unabashed rock music enthusiast, and she is fond of hitting the road with her husband to catch their favorite bands live. Cherrie lives in East Texas.

Tempest in the Highlands by May McGoldrich ~ Excerpt

TEMPEST IN THE HIGHLANDS by May McGoldrick

E-Original published by Swerve

Publication Date: December 6, 2016

ISBN: 9781250106582

Price: $3.99 

Book Description

Miranda MacDonnell is on the run. When she inherited a mysterious relic from her mother, she had no idea the dangers it would bring. Now hunted by a relentless foe who will stop at nothing to find her, she has one choice: stow away on the ship of the notorious privateer, Black Hawk.

Rob Hawkins, the half-English privateer known as Black Hawk, has a mission from the Tudor king to find and kill the rogue commander, Sir Ralph Evers. To complete his quest, Hawk must find Miranda, a young woman Evers is pursuing. Caught in a tempest, he is shipwrecked with a "boy" who demonstrates an uncanny ability for saving him. Cast away on the mysterious Isle of the Dead, Hawk realizes that the "boy" traveling with him is actually Miranda MacDonnell and having her means that Evers will come to him. What begins as a ploy —using her as bait—soon changes, however, as he falls in love with her.

Ancient forces are at work, drawing the four possessors of the relic’s power to the Isle of the Dead in the Outer Hebrides for a final battle where good must overcome the forces of evil in this spectacular finale to the Scottish Relic Trilogy.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Excerpt from Tempest in the Highlands: 

One moment, Miranda was gasping for more air. The next, her very existence depended on how close she could get to him. The touch of his lips freed her mind and made her body soar. The tension gripping her limbs and her lungs melted away in an instant. She shivered involuntarily and her arms tightened around his neck.

            Hawk’s mouth moved back and forth over her burning lips, urging them to open. Surrendering to his silent demand, she parted her lips. She heard the groan deep in his throat as he took a fistful of her hair and his tongue plunged deep into the soft recesses of her mouth.

A silent thrill of desire raced through her. She’d never been kissed by a man before. But right now, all fears were forgotten. The trap in which they found themselves became trivial. Miranda allowed the rising hunger she had for him to erupt within her.

Lost in the seductive play of his tongue, the heat of his embrace, and his roaming hand, she responded with passion.

He lifted her higher in his arms and pulled her legs around his hips.

Her body ached for his touch, her heart pounded, and her mind whirled in the closeness of his embrace. Miranda gave another low moan of surrender as he deepened the kiss.

            She didn’t know for how long they were lost in the kiss, but when he tore his mouth away, he was as breathless as she had been.

“This is a dangerous game we’ve started,” he said.

She understood what he was saying. It was impossible to not feel his erection pressing against her. Unwrapping her legs from his waist, she tried to float away, but his arm around her waist kept her close.

“I don’t mean to scare you off,” he said. “But you’re too beautiful, too tempting, and I’m a man.” Hawk released his hold on the wall, and they floated together. His gaze never left her face.       “But I want you to know you can trust me.”

Author Bio

Authors Nikoo and Jim McGoldrick (writing as May McGoldrick) weave emotionally satisfying tales of love and danger. Publishing under the names of May McGoldrick and Jan Coffey, these authors have written thirty-five novels and works of nonfiction for Penguin Putnam, Mira, HarperCollins, Entangled, and Heinemann. Nikoo, an engineer, also conducts frequent workshops on writing and publishing and serves as a Resident Author. Jim holds a Ph.D. in Medieval and Renaissance literature and teaches English in northwestern Connecticut.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

The Watcher by Rebecca E. Neely ~ Release Tour and Giveaway

About The Watcher
Hell bent on avenging his own death, former Keeper Dev Geary eagerly accepts when the Watchers task him with returning to the human realm to discover the secret for rendering Similitude—the very thing that killed him.

But to succeed in the seven days he’s been granted, he’ll need to work with the one human who wants nothing to do with him, and who he can’t help falling for—Meda Gabriel, a cagey, street smart bar owner with a unique skill set, and maybe, the key to his mission.

With the clock ticking and the Betrayers barely a step behind, can Dev conquer his demons and find the answers the clan so desperately needs, with Meda at his side? Can love find a way, or will he be forced to abandon her and the clan, leaving them all to face imminent destruction?

Find out more: Goodreads / Amazon 

Excerpt:

He smoothed her bangs. His breath was warm on her ear, his lips too close to hers. “What if I kissed you?”

Her voice caught in her throat. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” she got out.

“You’re absolutely right.” Closing the distance between them, he pressed his mouth to hers.

Soft. Warm. She could’ve stopped him, knew he would. But her lips moved beneath his, sampling, cautious, fearful that impressions would make their way through.

None did.

Normal, a part of her brain registered. And yet the farthest thing from it.

A moan stirred in her throat, and he deepened the kiss. She twined her fingers into that stubborn curl brushing the back of his neck, still damp from the rain. His face, rough with shadow, grazed her cheeks. He tasted like the night, dark and hot. She reveled in him, his warmth exploding around her, through her. A wicked blend of comfort and lust burned bright, searing her, even as warm, wet heat assaulted her. Her breath hitched. She knew now, knew she’d been starving.

And he was the feast.

About Rebecca E. Neely:

A sucker for a happy ending, Rebecca writes the kind of stories she loves to read—those featuring authentic, edgy and vulnerable characters, smack dab in the middle of action that explodes from page one.

Raised on a down home blend of Johnny Cash, Jack London, Sherlock Holmes, the Steelers, and all things small town, Rebecca feels blessed to have grown up in a close knit, fun loving and artistic family. Her mother, a voracious reader and scratch cook, and her father, an entrepreneur, English teacher and lover of literature, taught Rebecca and her brother to work hard, aim for the stars, and live life.

With music, books and laughter as constant companions, she grew up working, cooking and eating in the family’s restaurant business. A certified book and hoagie junkie, Rebecca thrives on live music, mysteries and the outdoors. 

She’s a cheddar enthusiast, lover of cats, teddy bears, hot coffee, cold beer, thunderstorms, the blast of a train’s whistle, the change of seasons, country roads, woodpeckers, spoon rings, cool office supplies, and the Food Network. 

Careers, past and present, include freelance writing, accounting, mother, problem solver, doer and head bottle washer.

Rebecca is a member of the Three Rivers Romance Writers, a PAN member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA), and is honored to serve as a judge for several writing contests each year.

Connect with Rebecca: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads | Pinterest

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mistletoe Cottage by Debby Mason ~ Top 5 List and Giveaway

MISTLETOE COTTAGE Blitz Top 5 List

Top 5 songs that inspire you to write

1)The Tenors’ “Who Wants to Live Forever” with Lindsey Stirling is one of the songs I listened to every morning before sitting down to write Mistletoe Cottage. It fits the book perfectly, and not only because Liam and Sophie’s story opens on Halloween.

2)It doesn’t matter which book I’m writing; I listen to “Fight Song” by Rachel Patten. It’s like the anthem for all my heroines and Sophie’s no exception.

3)Gerard Butler singing “Galway Girl” in P.S. I Love You inspired the win-the-girl scene at the Salty Dog in which Liam performs for Sophie.

4)Sophie sang and Mia mimed “Let it Go” from Frozen in one of my favorite scenes in Mistletoe Cottage. Letting it go was also something Sophie had to do if she and Liam were going to get their second chance.

5)I don’t want to give anything away, but one of the songs I listened to while writing the end of Mistletoe Cottage was “Marry Me” by Train.Title: MISTLETOE COTTAGE

**********

Author: Debbie Mason

Series: Harmony Harbor, #1

On Sale: October 25, 2016

Publisher: Forever

Mass Market: $5.99 USD

eBook: $5.99 USD

The first novel in a brand new series from USA Today bestselling author Debbie Mason! The series will appeal to fans of feel-good romances by New York Times bestselling authors Brenda Novak, Robyn Carr, and RaeAnne Thayne.

'Tis the season for love…

Sophie DiRossi loved growing up in Harmony Harbor. But after fleeing in disgrace many years ago, it is the last place she wants to be. Left homeless by a fire, she's forced to go back to the small coastal town that harbors a million secrets, including her own. Sophie sees this secret reflected every day in her daughter's blue eyes—and she must keep it hidden from the only man she has ever loved.

Sophie's return is a shock for everyone…especially Liam Gallagher. The firefighter had some serious feelings for Sophie-and seeing her again sparks a desire so fierce it takes his breath away. Now Liam will do whatever it takes to show Sophie that they deserve a second chance at love, even if everything they've concealed threatens to keep them apart. In this special town at this special time of the year, Sophie and Liam can only hope for a little holiday magic...

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

THE HARMONY HARBOR SERIES

MISTLETOE COTTAGE, #1

CHRISTMAS WITH AN ANGEL, #1.5

STARLIGHT BRIDGE, #2

PRIMROSE LANE, #3

Series Page on Goodreads

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Debbie Mason is the USA Today bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado series. Her books have been praised for their "likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots" (RT Book Reviews). When she isn't writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, their four wonderful children, an adorable grandbaby, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella.

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Goodreads

FOLLOW FOREVER ONLINE

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rebel Bride by Elizabeth Moss - Historical Road Trip Tour and Giveaway

Title: Rebel Bride (Lust in the Tudor Court #2)
Author: Elizabeth Moss
ISBN: 9781492613855
Release date: December 1, 2015
Genre: Erotic Romance, Historical Romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca


Hilary Mantel meets Sylvia Day: the second installment in a deliciously erotic trilogy begun in Wolf Bride, set against the sumptuous backdrop of the scandal-ridden Tudor Court by Elizabeth Moss. 

HE IS UNDER HER SPELL...

Hugh Beaufort, favored courtier of King Henry VIII, likes his women quiet and biddable. But Susannah Tyrell is neither of these things. She is feisty, beautiful, opinionated and brave. And Hugh is fascinated by her—despite himself.

When Susannah pulls an outrageous stunt and finds herself lost in the wilds of England, Hugh must go to her rescue. Neither of them is prepared for the dangers that lie in wait. But most deadly of all is their forbidden desire for one another. Hugh has long held himself in check, but even his iron will has its limits as they remain alone together in the forest, far from the restraints of court...

Amazon - B&N - Kobo - BAM - IndieBound - iBooks

Author Bio 
Born into a literary family, Elizabeth Moss lives with her husband and five children in South West England, and is a keen countryside walker. She writes fun, sexy historical romances and also writes award-winning fiction as Victoria Lamb. For more information, please visit her website: www.elizabethmossfiction.com.

Website - Twitter - Goodreads

Historical Road Trip with Elizabeth Moss 
In Rebel Bride, Hugh and Susannah travel the dangerous roads of Tudor England together, forced into each other’s company by circumstances. Beautiful and feisty, Susannah has run away from her cruel father in Yorkshire. Finding her in the wild forest, Hugh is determined to escort his willful charge safely to the king’s court.

Fictional journeys like this often work as metaphors for a character’s inward journey towards emotional or spiritual development. For Susannah, this journey to London is about resistance and attraction; for Hugh, it’s a struggle between physical desire and his moral duty to protect this young woman – even from himself!

Travel in Tudor England was not easy, even for a courtier like Hugh Beaufort. Beyond London, major roads were little better than muddy tracks, with robbers and bandits lying in wait for the unwary traveller. Within towns, local citizens were charged with the upkeep of roads; in reality, this meant Tudor streets were dark, narrow and uneven, pitted with potholes, and strewn with rubbish and human ordure. The wealthy travelled by horse or curtained litter, a good horse covering up to 30 miles per day. There were no carriages yet, and carts would have been deeply uncomfortable for passengers, lacking any form of suspension as they jolted and bumped over every pothole.

Road trips around England could take a week to ten days to complete, and wealthy travellers like Hugh and Susannah usually preferred not to hurry. Every night would be spent at a wayside inn, as journeying after dark was impractical without lights. If you could find a place to stay that looked clean and was free of plague, you were lucky. Popular inns might be crowded with travellers, and being forced to share a bed with a stranger was not unheard-of. Though on their journey, Hugh has to be careful – in public at least – to keep his distance from an unmarried lady like Susannah.

Fare would have been simple too. Inn keepers or famers along the way might provide travellers with the equivalent of a packed lunch for the journey. Our hero and heroine probably dined on bread and cheese, smoked bacon, honey cakes, and a stoppered flask of beer, consumed at the roadside. As a courtier, Hugh might have insisted on wine and perhaps sweetmeats for his lady companion. Besides onions for flavor, even wealthy Tudors rarely consumed vegetables, though seasonal fruits were popular and often elaborately prepared.


Hugh and Susannah’s Tudor tips for your own road trip: 
Never argue with thy love in front of thy companions on the road, for fear of shaming one another.

Journey not for many hours without ceasing, but take thy ease from time to time, for fear of some mishap. 

Avoid excess of wine and music late at night when the body is weak and the desire strong. 

Consume not strong onions with thy cheese. Or, if thou must, keep a sprig or two of parsley close at hand and so avoid the reek of foul breath. 

Let neither wine nor ale confuse thee on horseback, but keep thy good wits sharp, remembering that robbers and uneven roads ever assail the unwary traveller. 

Carry a saint’s bone or other holy relic in thy purse, and thou shalt end thy journey safely and in good spirits.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Damage Control by Jess Anastasi - Book Tour Excerpt and Giveaway

Nick-named Captain Hardass by the new recruits, Captain Leigh Alphin is captain of the Fighter Force of the battleship Valiant Knox. He’s honorable, straightforward, and hard as nails – except for the soft spot he has for a young woman he rescued off a transport that was under attack. Now that she’s one of his new recruits, it’s imperative he stop thinking about her in that way.

Especially now that the Knox has been secretly infiltrated by the enemy.

Mia Wolf’s new commander is icy, no-BS, and completely gorgeous. His glances send heat searing through her. Neither of them can afford to make this mistake, yet desire takes hold, consuming them. For the first time, Leigh’s iron sense of honor falters as his heart fights for love… and against an enemy trying to destroy everything they hold dear.

Purchase your copy of DAMAGE CONTROL:

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Entangled | Goodreads

Excerpt:

Leigh didn’t want to examine exactly why he felt the need to make Mia his responsibility. Yeah, he couldn’t ignore how intelligent and daring—and if he were being completely honest—how goddamn sexy she was, but he’d never done anything in his life for any other reason than duty. And, he assured himself, that was what this also came down to—his obligations. She’d almost been killed under his watch. He had to find the traitor and protect his people, even if that meant going outside the regulations to achieve his ends. 

“I’ve put a lot of thought into what you did,” he started, choosing his words carefully. “And the way I see it, you have nothing left to lose. So the classified information I’m about to tell you cannot be repeated; otherwise I will see you buried.” Her eyes widened a touch, and his conscience kicked him with a vicious jolt of guilt at threatening and possibly scaring her. This could get them both killed or dishonorably discharged and dumped in prison. 

“I’ve been given reason to believe there’s a mole in the fighter-pilot squadron.” 

“So it’s true? I heard rumors, but I didn’t believe—” 

“It’s true.” A small swell of dismay washed through him that apparently gossip about the moles had spread so far already. “There could be as many as a dozen on the ship.” 

She crossed her arms, expression somber. “Why are you telling me this?” 

“Instead of reporting what you did this morning, I want you to use your specializied skills to help me find the mole in my squad.” 

She took a deep breath, seeming to process what was no doubt an unexpected request. 

“Accessing the systems one time for an hour was a risk. But this will require me to spend hours searching all kinds of data and accessing all kinds of stuff. It will increase the chance of getting caught by an infinite amount.” 

“I know, which is why I want you to use my datapad. If someone does pick up the activity, it’ll come back to me.” 

A cynical half smile tilted her lips up. “And will anyone believe that you had the necessary skills to do something like this?” 

He shrugged. “I’m sure they won’t. But they won’t ask, and I won’t tell. There’s a chance I’d be able to use my years of service to get out of it lightly, whereas you would take the fall. But that’s only if we get caught.” 

About the author:

Jess has been making up stories ever since she can remember. Though her messy handwriting made it hard for anyone else to read them, she wasn't deterred and now she gets to make up stories for a living. She loves loud music, a good book on a rainy day, and probably spends too much time watching too many TV shows. Jess lives in regional Victoria, Australia, with her very supportive husband, three daughters, one ball-obsessed border collie, and one cat who thinks he's one of the kids. 

Connect with Jess Anastasi

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Blog | Newsletter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway: Immersed (Ripple Effect Romance #6) by Jennifer Griffith

Tour Schedule

Title: Immersed (Ripple Effect Romance #6)

Author: Jennifer Griffith

Source: I Am a Reader

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: Novella

Release Date: May 19, 2014

Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 4

Sexual - 1

Lisette Pannebaker speaks five languages and has a brilliant business plan—personal
language immersion. Clients can hire her to shadow them and speak all day in any language they need to learn for business or travel—whatever. But there’s a major hitch: she’s far too pretty. Clients with less than honorable intentions sign up just to have Lisette at their side. Solution? A make-under. Way under.

The bad wig, icky makeup and puffy sweaters work like a charm. None of her male clients show her the least bit of interest. Lisette’s totally relieved.

Until...Erik.

Erik Gunnarson is charming, kind, and smart—everything she’s ever looked for. Every day as his tutor is making her fall for him more. Even though he seems to have a secret, and she’s sworn she'd never date a client, Lisette is tempted to shed her disguise—although it could mean jeopardizing her career.

Book One: Home Matters - Review 
Book Two: Silver Linings - Review
Book Three: Righting a Wrong - Review
Book Four: Lost & Found - Review
Book Five: Second Chances 101 - Review

Can someone be too pretty?  Apparently so - especially when people begin to think your language tutoring skills are actually a nice way to say "escort".  But Lisette has that handled now - with her amazing make-under people are taking her seriously and her business is taking off.  But then Erik Gunnarson walks through the door.

He's everything a woman could want in a man - and he seems to like Lisette for herself.  But Lisette still has a strict policy of no dating clients.  I thought this situation brought up some very interesting and very humorous moments (don't you hate it when you forget to put your mole on the morning).  This book sets up some amazing moments and both characters are fantastic.

There is a bit of a surprise at the end that I didn't see coming.  I'm going to be going back and re-reading a couple chapters just to see if the author was that sneaky or if I got caught up in the storyline and missed the big clue.  Either way this was a great way to wrap up the series.  It has become one of my favorites.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble

Author Jennifer Griffith 
Jennifer Griffith studied French, German, Japanese, and a wee bit of Spanish in her school days. Her grandmother was Norwegian, and Jennifer grew up with lots of Scandinavian traditions floating around, including fabulous cardamom laced cookies called Krumkaker, made on a fancy waffle iron. However, she’d never dream of trying to teach someone any of those languages. And she might botch the cookies. Instead, she writes novels in English, drives her five kids a million places, and laughs with her husband, who came up with the plot for Immersed because he’s just a cool muse like that.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

Blog Tour Giveaway 

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/9/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway: Second Chances (Ripple Effect Romance #5) by Donna K. Weaver

Tour Schedule

Title: Second Chances 101 (Ripple Effect Romance #5)
Author: Donna K. Weaver
Source: I Am a Reader
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novells
Release Date: May 5, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 4
Sexual - 1

A Ripple Effect Romance Novella

Thirty-seven year old Francie Davis, a recent widow and empty nester, gets to attend college at last. She’s sure her luck has changed when she also lands a job on campus that will pay her tuition, as administrative assistant to a history professor. When her handsome new boss yells at her on the first day of work, Francie worries she will never be good enough.

For Professor Alex Diederik, life is going downhill fast. Not only is his bitter ex-wife trying to poison their only daughter against him, but now his one place of solace—his work environment—is being complicated by his attractive new administrative assistant. She drives home his feelings of failure as a husband and father, and Alex wonders if hiring her was the right thing to do.

Francie will have to put aside her hurt and insecurities or risk her dreams, while Alex must look outside himself if he’s to mend the breach with his daughter. And, perhaps, find someone who can help heal his pain.

Book One: Home Matters - Review 
Book Two: Silver Linings - Review
Book Three: Righting a Wrong - Review
Book Four: Lost and Found - Review

Book five in the Ripple Effect Romance series takes us in a new direction.  We get to know Francie - an older widow whose son has just begun his student career at Harvard.  Francie has decided to finally fulfill her dream and return to school herself, and takes a job at the campus to help pay for it.  While at school she meets two very interesting people, Professor Alex Diederik and student named Rose.

Francie has quite an impact on the lives of both of these people, it was really beautiful to see how much just a little kindness can mean to another person.  She was a bit too good though - I had a hard time finding some sort of relatable flaw in her character, but it was just what Alex and Rose needed at the time.

This romance had a lot less drama than some of the others in the series and it was nice to see just a really sweet story where things seemed to work out for everyone involved.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

Goodreads - Amazon - Barnes & Noble

Author Donna K. Weaver
Donna K. Weaver has always loved reading and creating stories, thus she’s been ever entertained. An avid cruiser, she’s sailed the Pacific five times. Wife-mother-grandmother-Army veteran-karate black belt-Harry Potter nerd.

Website - Goodreads - Twitter - Facebook - Pinterest

The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series Enjoy this exciting new series of clean novellas by six critically-acclaimed authors. "Like a pebble tossed into calm water, a simple act can ripple outward and have a far-reaching effect on those we meet, perhaps setting a life on a different course—one filled with excitement, adventure, and sometimes even love."

Book 1: Home Matters by Julie N. Ford 

Book 2: Silver Linings by Kaylee Baldwin 

Book 3: Righting A Wrong by Rachael Anderson 

Book 4: Lost and Found by Karey White 

Book 5: Second Chances 101 by Donna K. Weaver 

Book 6: Immersed by Jennifer Griffith

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/26/14 

HERE

Blog Tour: Before the Storm by Claire Ashgrove Guest Post

Halle Rhoads has a terrifying gift--she can kill with the fury of the storm.

She should have known that kind of power wouldn't go unnoticed. Thrust into a world full of dark magic with a handsome stranger who claims he can teach her, she struggles to master her abilities and stumbles onto a dangerous truth. She's a windwalker, the chosen vessel of the ancient dragons who once ruled the world. Many will stop at nothing to possess the power in her blood, should they discover her secret. With necromancers hunting her and Halle's closest allies guarding secrets, mastering her magic becomes a matter of necessity.

But accepting her destiny is altogether different. For doing so means she must sacrifice everything

We would like to welcome Claire Ashgove and her new book Before the Storm - recently reviewed on Bitten by Romance HERE.  She's here to share with us just what makes a hero.  To visit more stops on her tour see the tour schedule HERE.

What Makes A Hero?

Hi everybody!  Thanks for letting me stop in today and share my new Urban Fantasy, Before the Storm!   I thought we’d talk heroes for a minute or two.

Three Things That Define A Hero

1.  Noble – This doesn’t mean he hails from royalty.  But at the heart of what he is, the decisions he makes are noble.  Usually this involves some degree of self-sacrifice, and that only makes him more appealing.  Particularly if that sacrifice somehow ties into bettering the heroine.

2.  Courageous – He may not be physically fighting off the bad guys, but he’s unafraid to tackle life head on.  He doesn’t wait for the world to act upon him, rather he acts upon the world.  He’s unafraid, but not foolishly risky.  He believes he can conquer any obstacle, and at the very least, he’s willing to give it a try.  Even better, when he’s defending the heroine, be that from the creepy creature intent on tearing out her heart or killing the spider that’s in her bathtub.

3.  Handsome In His Own Right – He doesn’t need to be model perfect or turn every feminine head.  But there’s something about him – maybe it’s his manner of acting, or the simple light shining in his eyes – that is irresistible.  Even his scars can be attractive when tempered with the right attitude.  

So all that said, here’s a quick list of my Top 5 Favorite Fiction Heroes.  I’d love to know your thoughts (and your five!) if you’d share them in the comments below!

            a.  Dr. Ethan Powell (from Instinct, played by Sir Anthony Hopkins) 

            b.  Kvothe (from The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss)

            c.  Aragorn (from LOTR)

            d.  Hatter (from Alice, miniseries)      

            e.  Ranulf Fitz Hugh (from Defy Not the Heart, by Johanna Lindsey)

Thanks again for having me today!  I can’t wait to hear your responses.  There are so many amazing heroes in romance, and fiction, it’s bound to be entertaining. 

About Claire Ashgrove

Building on a background of fantasy game design, a fascination with history, and a lifetime love of books, award-winning author Claire Ashgrove brings to life action-filled, passionate journeys of the heart. Her paranormal series, The Curse of the Templars, marries the history of the Knights Templar with the chilling aspirations of the most unholy--a must-read for speculative fiction fans. She also writes as the National Bestselling Author Tori St. Claire and historical romance author Sophia Garrett.

In her non-writing time, she’s runs Finish The Story, a full-scale editing house co-founded with Bryan Thomas Schmidt.  She lives in Missouri and enjoys cooking, studying ancient civilizations, and spending downtime with her two sons and too-many horses, cats, and dogs.

Keep in Touch via:

Claire Ashgrove Website

Tori St. Claire Website

Sophia Garrett Website

Untamed Spirit Blog

Twitter

Facebook

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: Review and Giveaway: Lost and Found by Karey White

Tour Schedule

Title: Lost & Found (Ripple Effect Romance #4)
Author: Karey White
Source: I Am a Reader
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: April 21, 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 3
Sexual - 1

Lydia was supposed to have an adventurous and exciting summer. Instead she's done
nothing more than read and eat takeout. Now it's time to go home, and what does she have to show for it? A big fat nothing. Unless, of course, her trip to the airport somehow turns into something more than just a flight home.

Blake feels like he's been sent on a wild goose chase. While work is piling up back in Denver, he's on the other side of the country, hunting for some mysterious box that his grandfather left him. Well, no more. Nothing inside that box could possibly be more important than the opportunity to make it as the youngest partner at his firm. So he's going home, and that's that. But that's before he discovers his flight has been cancelled.

When these two strangers meet at the airport, they make a split-second decision to search for the box together. Maybe with both of them on the hunt, Lydia can have her adventure and Blake can find the box. And maybe, if they’re lucky, they’ll even find some romance.

Book One: Home Matters - Review
Book Two: Silver Linings - Review 
Book Three: Righting a Wrong - Review

Book Three, Righting a Wrong, ends with Lydia being given an opportunity for a summer vacation (and maybe a fling).  Lost & Found picks up at the end of summer, where Lydia has finished her summer vacation and hasn't had the grand adventure that she had hoped.  When her plane home gets cancelled and she meets Blake the opportunity for some excitement opens up for her again.

Lydia was a great character, she was awkward and shy, not sure how to handle the social scene sometimes.  Blake is an over-worked lawyer that doesn't realize he's been spending so much time at work that he's been missing his life.  When Lydia joins him on his quest to find a box from his grandfather that was left with a long lost friend - everything seems to go right for them.  Lydia comes out of her shell and Blake takes a break from the stress of work and actually enjoys himself.

This was a cute addition to the Ripple Effect series with lots of really great moments.  It was more syrupy than the others and I wish there had been a little less internal worrying from both characters.  I'm still very excited to see what the next book has in store.  This is going to end up being one of my favorite novella series I think.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon - Kobo - Barnes & Noble

Author Karey White Karey is a USA Today best-selling author. She grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist. She loves to travel, read, cook, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four wonderful children.  

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

 

The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series Enjoy this exciting new series of clean novellas by six critically-acclaimed authors. "Like a pebble tossed into calm water, a simple act can ripple outward and have a far-reaching effect on those we meet, perhaps setting a life on a different course—one filled with excitement, adventure, and sometimes even love."

Book 1: Home Matters by Julie N. Ford 

Book 2: Silver Linings by Kaylee Baldwin 

Book 3: Righting A Wrong by Rachael Anderson 

Book 4: Lost and Found by Karey White 

Book 5: Second Chances 101 by Donna K. Weaver 

Book 6: Immersed by Jennifer Griffith

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/12/14 a Rafflecopter giveaway