Category Archives: Cori’s Reviews

Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: REVENGE (A Lawless Novel) by Lexi Blake

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REVENGE (A Lawless Novel) by Lexi Blake

Publication Date: June 20, 2017

Genre: Romantic Suspense/ Contemporary Romance

Synopsis

9780425283592Passion and danger collide in the latest contemporary romance featuring the Lawless siblings—from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake.

When Drew Lawless discovers a fatal flaw in his plan to avenge his parents’ deaths, he turns to the one woman he’d promised he wouldn’t touch. He offers her a deal, one that will bring her into his investigation, his life, and his bed.

Investigative reporter Shelby Gates never dreamed how twisted the case would become—or how fascinated she would be with Drew. Every day they spend together binds them. And every night brings her closer to realizing he might be the man for her.

As Drew’s feelings for Shelby grow, so does the danger. From the streets of Dallas to Austin’s high-tech business world, Drew and Shelby play a game begun twenty years before—a game they will win, or die trying.

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Excerpt

“I suppose we’re going to be seeing Carly and Bran while we’re in Dallas next week.”

She had one week to get comfortable around Drew. One week to figure out if she could actually sell this cover to his family.

“It would seem odd if I didn’t pay them a visit. Bran knows I have a meeting with Taggart scheduled. We’ll be in Dallas for two days. Dinner with Bran and Carly and Mia and Case has already been planned.”

“Exactly. And you don’t want to raise a bunch of questions. So I was thinking it might be smarter for me to get my own hotel room. I can lay low and they don’t have to know I’m in town.” She’d sat up for a good portion of the night doing two things: thinking about how much she’d wanted to kiss Drew Lawless and then freaking out about it because that was a bad idea. Beware of billionaires with six-pack abs. It was her new mantra. Yes, she’d signed the contract last night, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t reason with her new . . . boss . . . partner . . . whatever he was.

“I told Bran you’re coming with me.”

This was exactly what she’d worried about. “You told him? I thought I would have more time. How am I going to explain this to Carly? I think she’ll wonder why one of her closest friends didn’t mention she was dating her future brother-in-law.”

“I’ve already explained it. We wanted to make sure it was real before we went public. It’s that simple. We met in Los Angeles. I contacted you. We went on a few dates and we’ve been talking a lot. You’ve come out to Austin because we’re contemplating moving in together. This is a trial run,” he said calmly, as though he hadn’t upended her entire life. “Also, I asked Bran not to mention it to Carly because you would rather tell her yourself. It was a safe bet Bran wouldn’t ask too many questions, but Carly will want to know everything. It’s why we need to get our stories straight.”

She focused on the words that messed with her life. “Moving in together? You told them we’re thinking of moving in together?”

“How else was I supposed to explain it when all your belongings arrive here?”

“What?” She winced because the words had come out in a screech. “I’m having your things packed up as we speak. They’ll be here in a few days.”

“Why the hell would you do that?” How was she going to get everything back to LA?

Drew relaxed again as though he’d already gone over this argument in his mind and knew he would win. “I wanted you to be comfortable. This is going to be a full-time job, and not a quick one. I suspect we’ll have to keep up our ruse for at least six months. Potentially a year. Also, that apartment you were living in was incredibly dangerous. Did you know it was recently condemned? The movers told me about it when they explained they were charging me extra for how fast they had to move. It’s scheduled to be demolished in two weeks.”

“What?” She stared at him. He expected her to live with him for six months to a year? Somewhere in the back of her head she’d been thinking a week or two tops, and then she’d go back to LA and work from there. Her apartment building was shitty and she was fairly certain someone cooked meth in part of it, but it was all she could afford. And it was solidly built. There had been no hint that anyone was planning on building in her part of LA. Gentrification had not reared its upscale, hipster head yet, so that left her with one very manipulative bastard. “Tell me you did not buy my apartment building and schedule it for demolition in an attempt to leave me with nowhere to go.”

He managed to look almost angelic in the soft light of morning. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

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Cori 5 Stars

I thought Bran was my favorite Lawless brother, but Drew won me over and nudged his brother out of the way. I completely fell in love with him. I can’t resist a nerdy alpha hero. In the previous books I thought Drew was cold and unfeeling, but this book revealed things in his past that contributed to it. He’s the oldest Lawless sibling and when their parents were murdered he took care of and protected his family and still feels the need to protect and take care of everyone he loves. Shelby was perfect for Drew and I just loved them together. Their chemistry was fan your face hot! REVENGE had plenty of hot romance, suspense with some twists and some humor. I couldn’t put it down and thoroughly enjoyed it!

Lawless series is a spinoff of Lexi Blake’s Masters and Mercenaries series. The series has a book for each of the brothers in the Lawless family, but their sister Mia has a book in the Masters and Mercenaries series, Dominance Never Dies. You don’t have to read it before picking up the Lawless Series, but if you want to follow the complete storyline I’d read it first. REVENGE is the third book in the series and I’d recommend reading the series in order and starting with the first book, RUTHLESS.

I loved the Lawless series and highly recommend it for romance lovers looking for a great mystery/ romantic suspense series to binge read. It’s going on my list of favorites.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Amazon PBK

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✦THE LAWLESS SERIES BY LEXI BLAKE✦
✦Book 1: RUTHLESS ➢ Amazon | Review 4.5 Stars
✦Book 2: SATISFACTION ➢ Amazon | Review 4.5 Stars
✦Book 3: REVENGE ➢ Amazon

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Lexi Blake’s Lawless Series is a spinoff from her Masters and Mercenaries Series. The Lawless series is about a family and if you would like to read Mia’s book before this one you can check it out here:

Dominance Never Dies (Masters and Mercenaries Book 11) by Lexi Blake for $4.99 http://amzn.to/2aRGUKI

Masters and Mercenaries Series Link: http://amzn.to/2aRKu7B

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Giveaway

IMG_1262Enter to win Paperback Copies of The Lawless Series (Books 1-3) by Lexi Blake

ENTER ON FACEBOOK POST HERE

Winner will be announced on 6/23 by 6PM CST on Facebook.

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About the Author

imageNY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Author Page

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Review: THE DARKEST PROMISE (Lords of the Underworld) by Gena Showalter

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THE DARKEST PROMISE (Lords of the Underworld) by Gena Showalter

Publication Date: June 13, 2017

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

Cover_The Darkest Promise_Gena ShowalterNew York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with a sizzling Lords of the Underworld story about an iron-willed sovereign and the somber beauty who melts him with a glance…

Possessed by the demon of Misery, Cameo isn’t allowed to experience joy. If she dares, her memory is wiped clean. With no other recourse, she sneaks into a land more fantastical than any fairy tale, determined to find the one man with the key to her redemption.

Lazarus the Cruel and Unusual rules his kingdom with a single unwavering focus: to build his army and annihilate his enemies. Nothing distracts him—until Cameo. He is relentless in his quest to make her smile…and seduce her into his bed.

As dark forces conspire against them, threatening to destroy the fragile bond they’ve forged, the once-calm Lazarus grows crazed. Every heart-stopping kiss and wicked touch causes Cameo to teeter on the brink of happiness. But if she falls, she risks forgetting him forever…

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Cori 5 Stars

I absolutely loved everything about this book! THE DARKEST PROMISE is the thirteenth book in Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series and features Cameo, the keeper of Misery and Lazarus the Cruel and Unusual. I recommend reading the series in order to fully enjoy the series storyline.

I wasn’t super excited for Cameo’s book because I really didn’t know much about her from the previous books other than she was the only female LORD. I absolutely LOVED her though! She’s everything you want a heroine to be because she’s strong, passionate, emotional, and she fights for her man. Lazarus was just perfect for her! I loved their banter and I loved that he was the one to make her smile and laugh. Their chemistry and the romance burned up the pages. Viola, Rathorne and the twins, Ever and Urban added fun to the book and I want more of them! This was definitely a girl power book with all the strong female characters. Viola was there as Cameo’s friend and the villains were powerful women as well. This would be a fun book to read with your girlfriends and discuss with some wine one night.

THE DARKEST PROMISE is one of my favorite books in the Lords of the Underworld series! I couldn’t put it down and I just loved everything about it!  I highly recommend this series for paranormal romance lovers. Gena Showalter is one of the Queens of paranormal romance and she always delivers a great love story.

*Review copy provided by Harlequin in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle: http://amzn.to/2rymHCb | Amazon Hardback: http://amzn.to/2h4OUKB

Amazon Series link: http://amzn.to/1LB5575

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Bonnie Puppy reading with me:)

About the Author

Author pic- Gena Showalter

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the spellbinding Lords of the Underworld and Angels of the Dark series, two young adult series–Everlife and the White Rabbit Chronicles–and the highly addictive Original Heartbreakers series. In addition to being a National Reader’s Choice and two time RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan (Red Hot Read) and Seventeen magazine, she’s appeared on Nightline and been mentioned in Orange is the New Black–if you ask her about it, she’ll talk for hours…hours! Her books have been translated in multiple languages.

She’s hard at work on her next novel, a tale featuring an alpha male with a dark side and the strong woman who brings him to his knees. You can learn more about Gena, her menagerie of rescue dogs, and all her upcoming books at genashowalter.com or Facebook.com/genashowalterfan

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: SILVER SILENCE (Psy-Changeling Trinity) by Nalini Singh

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SILVER SILENCE (Psy-Changeling Trinity) by Nalini Singh

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publication Date: June 13, 2017

Synopsis

9781101987797_Silver SilenceNew York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh returns to her extraordinary Psy-Changeling world with a brand new story arc…

At a time when the fledgling Trinity Accord seeks to unite a divided world, there is no room in Silver Mercant’s life for wildness and chaos. But that’s exactly what Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater Bears, brings with him.

Though Silver is ruled by Silence—her mind clear of all emotion—-Valentin senses a whisper of fire around her. When she is almost poisoned by a shadow assassin, Valentin will do anything to keep her safe…even take her into the heart of a bear clan.

Her would-be-assassin has no idea what their poison has unleashed…

Story Locale: Alternate future

Series Overview: Nalini Singh’s New York Times bestselling series about a race of supremely gifted psychics struggling in a world torn between peace and violence, and passion and fear, in a quest for survival.

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 Cori 5 Stars

I absolutely LOVED this one! I’m obsessed with the Bear changelings! SILVER SILENCE is the first book in Nalini Singh’s new Psy-Changeling Trinity series. It’s a new story arc set in her Psy-Changeling world. SILVER SILENCE hooked me from the first page and I was quickly swept up in Nalini Singh’s unique paranormal world that is unlike any other. The descriptive details made me feel like I was in the story. It was a beautiful love story with hot romance, suspense and danger. I just loved the bears! If you haven’t read the previous series you can start with SILVER SILENCE, the beginning of Nalini Singh’s new series, or you can go back and read the previous Psy/ Changeling Series. If you pick up the Psy-Changeling series I recommend reading them in order because of all the connections and the series storyline. I recommend this series for paranormal lovers looking for a new obsession. Nalini Singh is one of my favorite authors.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review. 

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Excerpt

Laughing at the cubs’ antics, Valentin jogged down the slight incline and waded into what had to be ice-cold water after kicking off his boots and socks. He splashed the cubs, laughed when they splashed him back. Running so they could chase him, he turned abruptly and chased them back, to their unhidden joy.
Silver took a seat on the grass. When the female bear looked her way, she inclined her head in a silent greeting. The bear did the same, then they both watched an alpha bear play with two energetic cubs, his hands holding rough care for their small bodies.
By the time Valentin made his way back to her, he was drenched and his eyes weren’t human in any way. When he spoke, his already deep voice was so low it felt like thunder against her skin. “Couldn’t resist,” he said, pushing back his wet hair with one big hand. “If you weren’t in recovery and if I wasn’t in terror of Nova’s wrath, I’d have invited you. The small monsters wanted to play with you.”
Silver didn’t get to her feet. “Can we stay here a little longer?” It was patent that Valentin had an extremely high tolerance for the cold, but he might want to dry off.
“Sure,” he said, and, moving away several feet, shook off the wet.
Fine droplets settled on the skin of her cheek, but she didn’t flinch at the unintentional tactile contact. She also controlled her urge to reach up and touch the water where it lay against her skin. There was no reason to do that, and Silver was alive because she only did things that were rational.
Settling beside her, Valentin waved at the cubs as their guardian led their tired forms toward a path in the trees that was at the same level as the stream. “Gentler climb,” Valentin told her.
“They seem too exhausted to make it to Denhome.”
“It’s all an act—they’re hoping for a ride on their aunt’s back.” His tone held the same fond affection she’d heard when he spoke of Dima. “It’d take more than a few minutes’ play in the water to wipe out those two.”
The cubs had played with Valentin for almost a half hour. “They’re hyperactive?”
“They’re baby bears.”
Silver watched as those baby bears turned toward her and rose up on their back paws, as if in challenge. A stern sound from their caretaker, and they dropped down and scrambled to catch up with her. Their bodies disappeared into the trees as dusk began to turn from orange to shadowy gray.
Beside her, Valentin sprawled out, bracing himself on his elbows. His drenched T-shirt clung to the ridged muscles of his abdomen, pulled tight across his pectoral muscles, shaped itself over his shoulders. His jeans weren’t much better, outlining the raw muscle of his thighs.
Valentin Nikolaev was a man of violent physical strength even in human form. Yet he clearly had iron control over it; when he’d played with the children, they’d displayed zero fear of their alpha.
“You thought about where you’re going to live when you escape the bears who’ve kidnapped you?”
When she raised an eyebrow at him, he grinned. “Fringe netter with his own Internet channel sent out a breaking report last night. Pasha—who obviously needs more work duties—made up a fake account and posted a comment swearing to have seen you being pulled into a black van by six burly bears in bear form.”
“You don’t seem too concerned.” Amber eyes and deep voice, he remained very much a bear in human form.
“Well, according to this ‘eyewitness,’ the getaway driver was in bear form, too. Must’ve been tough for him to steer with one paw since he was drinking a beer at the same time.”
“Bears,” Silver said, making Valentin throw his head back and laugh that huge laugh that wrapped around her.

Posted by arrangement with Berkley Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © Nalini Singh, 2017.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Amazon Hardback

AMAZON SERIES LINK

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Giveaway

IMG_8808Enter to win a Paranormal Romance Prize Pack that includes a copy of SILVER SILENCE by Nalini Singh

Enter on Facebook HERE

Winner will be announced on Facebook Friday (6/16) by 6PM CST.

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About the Author

imageI’ve been writing as long as I can remember and all of my stories always held a thread of romance (even when I was writing about a prince who could shoot lasers out of his eyes). I love creating unique characters, love giving them happy endings and I even love the voices in my head. There’s no other job I would rather be doing. In September 2002, when I got the call that Silhouette Desire wanted to buy my first book, Desert Warrior, it was a dream come true. I hope to continue living the dream until I keel over of old age on my keyboard.

I was born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand. I also spent three years living and working in Japan, during which time I took the chance to travel around Asia. I’m back in New Zealand now, but I’m always plotting new trips. If you’d like to see some of my travel snapshots, have a look at the Travel Diary page (updated frequently).

So far, I’ve worked as a lawyer, a librarian, a candy factory general hand, a bank temp and an English teacher and not necessarily in that order. Some might call that inconsistency but I call it grist for the writer’s mill.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Free Story & Teasers

 

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: THE GIRL WITH THE MAKE-BELIEVE HUSBAND by Julia Quinn

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THE GIRL WITH THE MAKE-BELIEVE HUSBAND (Rokesbys #2) by Julia Quinn

Publication Date: May 30, 2017

Genre: Historical Romance

Synopsis

GIRL WITH THE MAKE BELIEVE HUSBANDWhile you were sleeping…

With her brother Thomas injured on the battlefront in the Colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead, she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health. But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He’s unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier’s life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie…

I told everyone I was your wife

When Edward comes to, he’s more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out six months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is—even if he does not recall her face—and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he’d always assumed he’d marry his neighbor back in England.

If only it were true…

Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself—completely—to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby.

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Excerpt

Manhattan Island
July 1779

His head hurt.
​Correction, his head really hurt.
​It was hard to tell, though, just what sort of pain it was. He might have been shot through the head with a musket ball. That seemed plausible, given his current location in New York (or was it Connecticut?) and his current occupation as a captain in His Majesty’s army.
​There was a war going on, in case one hadn’t noticed.
​But this particular pounding—the one that felt more like someone was bashing his skull with a cannon (not a cannonball, mind you, but an actual cannon) seemed to indicate that he had been attacked with a blunter instrument than a bullet.
​An anvil, perhaps. Dropped from a second-story window.
​But if one cared to look on the bright side, a pain such as this did seem to indicate that he wasn’t dead, which was also a plausible fate, given all the same facts that had led him to believe he might have been shot.
​That war he’d mentioned… people did die.
​With alarming regularity.
​So he wasn’t dead. That was good. But he also wasn’t sure where he was, precisely. The obvious next step would be to open his eyes, but his eyelids were translucent enough for him to realize that it was the middle of the day, and while he did like to look on the metaphorical bright side, he was fairly certain that the literal one would prove blinding.
​So he kept his eyes closed.
​But he listened.
​He wasn’t alone. He couldn’t make out any actual conversation, but a low buzz of words and activity filtered through the air. People were moving about, setting objects on tables, maybe pulling a chair across the floor.
​Someone was moaning in pain.
​Most of the voices were male, but there was at least one lady nearby. She was close enough that he could hear her breathing. She made little noises as she went about her business, which he soon realized included tucking blankets around him and touching his forehead with the back of her hand.
​He liked these little noises, the tiny little mmms and sighs she probably had no idea she was making. And she smelled nice, a bit like lemons, a bit like soap.
​And a bit like hard work.
​He knew that smell. He’d worn it himself, albeit usually only briefly until it turned into a full-fledged stink.
​On her, though, it was more than pleasant. Perhaps a little earthy. And he wondered who she was, to be tending to him so diligently.
​“How is he today?”
​Edward held himself still. This male voice was new, and he wasn’t sure he wanted anyone to know he was awake yet.
​Although he wasn’t sure why he felt this hesitancy.
​“The same,” came the woman’s reply.
​“I am concerned. If he doesn’t wake up soon…”
​“I know,” the woman said. There was a touch of irritation in her voice, which Edward found curious.
​“Have you been able to get him to take broth?”
​“Just a few spoonfuls. I was afraid he would choke if I attempted any more than that.”
​The man made a vague noise of approval. “Remind me how long he has been like this?”
​“A week, sir. Four days before I arrived, and three since.”
​A week. Edward thought about this. A week meant it must be… March? April?
​No, maybe it was only February. And this was probably New York, not Connecticut.
​But that still didn’t explain why his head hurt so bloody much. Clearly he’d been in some sort of an accident. Or had he been attacked?
​“There has been no change at all?” the man asked, even though the lady had just said as much.
​But she must have had far more patience than Edward, because she replied in a quiet, clear voice, “No, sir. None.”
​The man made a noise that wasn’t quite a grunt. Edward found it impossible to interpret.
​“Er…” The woman cleared her throat. “Have you any news of my brother?”
​Her brother? Who was her brother?
​“I am afraid not, Mrs. Rokesby.”
​Mrs. Rokesby?
​“It has been nearly two months,” she said quietly.
​Mrs. Rokesby? Edward really wanted them to get back to that point. There was only one Rokesby in North America as far as he knew, and that was him. So if she was Mrs. Rokesby…
​“I think,” the male voice said, “that your energies would be better spent tending to your husband.”
​Husband?
​“I assure you,” she said, and there was that touch of irritation again, “that I have been caring for him most faithfully.”
​Husband? They were calling him her husband? Was he married? He couldn’t be married. How could he be married and not remember it?
​Who was this woman?
​Edward’s heart began to pound. What the devil was happening to him?
​“Did he just make a noise?” the man asked.
​“I… I don’t think so.”
​She moved then, quickly. Hands touched him, his cheek, then his chest, and even through her obvious concern, there was something soothing in her motions, something undeniably right.
​“Edward?” she asked, taking his hand. She stroked it several times, her fingers brushing lightly over his skin. “Can you hear me?”
​He ought to respond. She was worried. What kind of gentleman did not act to relieve a lady’s distress?
​“I fear he may be lost to us,” the man said, with far less gentleness than Edward thought appropriate.
​“He still breathes,” the woman said in a steely voice.
​The man said nothing, but his expression must have been one of pity, because she said it again, more loudly this time.
​“He still breathes.”
​“Mrs. Rokesby…”
​Edward felt her hand tighten around his. Then she placed her other on top, her fingers resting lightly on his knuckles. It was the smallest sort of embrace, but Edward felt it down to his soul.
​“He still breathes, Colonel,” she said with quiet resolve. “And while he does, I will be here. I may not be able to help Thomas, but—”
​Thomas. Thomas Harcourt. That was the connection. This must be his sister. Cecilia. He knew her well.
​Or not. He’d never actually met the lady, he felt like he knew her. She wrote to her brother with a diligence that was unmatched in the regiment. Thomas received twice as much mail as Edward, and Edward had four siblings to Thomas’s one.
​Cecilia Harcourt. What on earth was she doing in North America? She was supposed to be in Derbyshire, in that little town Thomas had been so eager to leave. The one with the hot springs. Matlock. No, Matlock Bath.
​Edward had never been, but he thought it sounded charming. Not the way Thomas described it, of course; he liked the bustle of city life and couldn’t wait to take a commission and depart his village. But Cecilia was different. In her letters, the small Derbyshire town came alive, and Edward almost felt that he would recognize her neighbors if he ever went to visit.
​She was witty. Lord, she was witty. Thomas used to laugh so much at her missives that Edward finally made him read them out loud.
​Then one day, when Thomas was penning his response, Edward interrupted so many times that Thomas finally shoved out his chair and held forth his quill.
​“You write to her,” he’d said.
​So he did.
​Not on his own, of course. Edward could never have written to her directly. It would have been the worst sort of impropriety, and he would not have insulted her in such a manner. But he took to scribbling a few lines at the end of Thomas’s letters, and whenever she replied, she had a few lines for him.
​Thomas carried a miniature of her, and even though he said it was several years old, Edward had found himself staring at it, studying the small portrait of the young woman, wondering if her hair really was that remarkable golden color, or if she really did smile that way, lips closed and mysterious.
​Somehow he thought not. She did not strike him as a woman with secrets. Her smile would be sunny and free. Edward had even thought he’d like to meet her once this godforsaken war was over. He’d never said anything to Thomas, though.
​That would have been strange.
​Now Cecilia was here. In the colonies. Which made absolutely no sense, but then again, what did? Edward’s head was injured, and Thomas seemed to be missing, and…
​Edward thought hard.
​…and he seemed to have married Cecilia Harcourt.
​He opened his eyes and tried to focus on the green-eyed woman peering down at him.
​“Cecilia?”

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Cori 3.5 Stars review

THE GIRL WITH THE MAKE-BELIEVE HUSBAND is the second book in Julia Quinn’s Rokesbys series, but can be read as a standalone. It’s a light and fun historical romance to curl up with this summer. I’ve been on a historical romance reading binge and this was a good one. The romance between Edward and Cecilia was steamy. I thought the plot was good, but I wanted Cecilia to confess her deception sooner and thought it dragged on a little longer than necessary. The ending was satisfying though. I recommend this book for historical romance lovers looking for a steamy love story with a little mystery.

*Review copy provided by Avon Books in exchange for an honest review. 

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Buy Links

AMAZON | B&N | ITUNES | KOBO

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Giveaway

(Win a print copy of BECAUSE OF MISS BRIDGERTON (US Only))

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author

julia-homeJulia Quinn is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-five novels for Avon Books, and one of only sixteen authors ever to be inducted in the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family.

Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS

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Spotlight, Review, Guest Post & Giveaway: DATING THE UNDEAD by Juliet Lyons

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DATING THE UNDEAD (Undead Dating Service, #1) by Juliet Lyons

Publication Date: May 2, 2017

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

CVR Dating the UndeadWOMAN SEEKING VAMPIRE:
Likes to keep things casual
Absolutely no poetry
Zero romance required.

Silver Harris is over clingy men—maybe men altogether. But when she shares a toe-curling kiss with a sexy Irish vampire on New Year’s Eve, she wonders if maybe it’s human men she’s fed up with. Silver turns to the popular vampire dating site, V-Date, only to discover that vampire men are just as unimpressive as their mortal counterparts. And her mysterious hottie? He’s nowhere to be found.

Can’t a girl catch a break?

Logan Byrne can’t get that sassy redhead—or that kiss!—out of his head. When his boss assigns him to spy on V-Date, he meets Silver again. Turns out, the police are recruiting humans to snitch on vampires through the dating site. As the snark and sparks fly, feelings between Silver and Logan deepen. But, when old demons resurface—literally—Logan isn’t sure he can shield either of them from the dangers that have been lying in wait for centuries.

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Excerpt

I freeze in terror. What a waste of Dad’s money those self-defense classes turned out to be.
“Silver, it’s just me,” a lilting Irish voice says at my ear, the hand dropping from my shoulder.
I turn around to find myself nose to nose with my vampire from New Year’s Eve, his bright green eyes piercing mine.
I’m struck by several conflicting emotions all at once—anger, relief, and in a tiny measure—happiness. Anger wins out. On impulse, I slap him hard across the face, pointing with a white, clenched hand to the garden I’ve just sprinted across.
“I thought I was about to be murdered, asshole,” I hiss through my teeth. “I ripped my coat. My heels are ruined. All because you thought it might be fun to follow me home.”
He smirks, nonplussed, sliding his hands into the deep pockets of his navy pea coat. “I wasn’t following you,” he says, eyes twinkling.
“Oh, that’s right,” I say, voice dripping with sarcasm. “You were just walking me home again. Except this time from fifty yards behind and without me knowing.”
Before he has a chance to reply, the front door flies open and my landlady Vera emerges in a long, silky, oriental dressing gown. She is wigless for once, a Pucci scarf twisted into a makeshift turban covering her head. In her right hand, she holds a meat cleaver.
“Step away, you rapist bastard!” she yells, holding the large knife shakily aloft.
I glare at the vampire, expecting him to either throw his hands in the air or take a step backwards. Instead his brows knit together and his mouth drops open. “Etta Marlow?” he asks, staring at her as if she just walked on water.
The meat cleaver lowers a fraction. “What’s it to you?” Vera demands, her voice losing some of its previous menace.
I roll my eyes. Of course he remembers her. He’s probably seen all her films.
“It is you!” he erupts, wagging a finger in her direction. “You’re Etta Marlow! You played Susie De Sousa in Girl Uptown with Gregor Lane. I love that movie.”
The meat cleaver drops, forgotten, to her side as she pats her turban, eyelashes fluttering. “Fancy you recognizing me,” she mutters happily.
“Excuse me, Vera,” I interject, “but there’s still a potential rapist on your doorstep here.”
Vera looks back to the vampire, who shakes his head, smiling. “A misunderstanding, Etta. I was making sure Silver here made it home safely. She got the wrong end of the stick.”
Vera, or Etta as she was once known, glances over at me. “Do you know this charming fellow, dear?”
I scowl at them both. “Well, yes, but— “
“Well then, you must come in, dear boy. I could show you my Oscar, if you like?”
The Vampire looks as if he’s about to pee himself with excitement. “You mean the one you got for Days Like These with Vic Stevens?”
She holds out a thin hand towards him, gold bangles jangling on her wrist. “The very one, dear. Come, come in.”
I watch, stunned, as he takes her hand, green eyes lit up in excitement.
Before stepping through the door, he hangs back. “Ms. Marlow, I’m afraid it’s only courteous to let you know before I enter that I’m not human. I’m a vampire.”
Vera’s tinkly laugh echoes around the street like a bicycle bell. “Oh, you’re so sweet. Didn’t you know I’ve met dozens of vampires? They’re two a penny in Hollywood, darling.”
Following her across the threshold, he flashes the cockiest of grins. “Coming, Silver?”
My jaw drops in disgust. I’m tempted to sulk off to my basement flat, but instead, I trail after them and slam the door.
We follow Vera along an elegant gold and cream hallway into her immaculate, monochrome front room. Even though I’ve been here on numerous occasions, I’m always mesmerized by the sheer extravagance of the place—buttery white leather sofas, cream fur rugs, one wall is painted black and white to resemble piano keys. It should look tacky, but somehow, it works.
“You two make yourselves at home whilst I go and make myself presentable.” Vera says. “Then I’ll dig out that old Oscar of mine.”
I know, of course, the Oscar will not have to be ‘dug’ out of anywhere. It’s always on display in the den, alongside her film stills and other memorabilia.
“I didn’t catch your name,” she croons to the vampire before she leaves.
He puts a hand on his chest. “Forgive me, I should have introduced myself. Between the meat cleaver threat and getting slapped by Silver here, I seem to have forgotten my manners. I’m Logan. Logan Byrne.”
For strange and unfathomable reasons, my stomach flips. Logan. It suits him.
“Charming,” Vera says. “Don’t you go anywhere, Mr. Byrne.”
As soon as Vera disappears from the room, Logan collapses into one of the white leather arm chairs and puts his crossed feet onto the cut glass coffee table.
I’m still standing, one brow arched, arms folded across my chest. “So, Logan,” I hiss. “What the hell is this?”
He grins, dimples putting in their first appearance of the night as he gazes up at me. “Did anyone ever tell you, you’re particularly beautiful when you’re angry?”
“Oh, cut the crap,” I say, ignoring the hot flush climbing my neck. “Why did you follow me?”
“Like I told Etta, I wanted to make sure you got home safely, that’s all. Though I’m a little confused as to why you have three houses.” He holds up fingers to count. “The one I left you at on New Year’s, the one Nathaniel dropped you at, and now this—cohabiting with an aged 1940’s screen siren.”
“It’s none of your business,” I say, chin in the air. “And anyway, how do you know Nathaniel?”
He shrugs. “I know most of the vampires in London.”
I humpth. “I bet you do.”
In the blink of an eye, he is towering over me, face inches from mine. I inhale his clean, masculine scent like a drowning person coming up for air, and as he leans closer, I find myself gravitating towards him—a flower reaching for sunlight.
He pulls the collar of my coat aside and peers into the gap. As his fingers brush my jaw, an uncontrollable shiver zings through me. I disguise it by stepping out of reach and batting his hand away.
“He did a messy job on your neck,” he says, in a low voice.
“What’s it to you?” I snap.
Before I realize what’s happening, he closes the gap between us. One hand cupping my cheek, he bends over, lips brushing the place Nathaniel bit me, tongue gently swiping the puncture holes.
“That should stop the bleeding,” he says, pulling away. “But you’ll still have a bruise in the morning.”
I rub my neck and look at my fingers. No blood. “So, you can heal wounds? Just another of your unique skills along with beating up drunk men and following young women home for kicks?”
He sinks back into the armchair. “You’re a sexy girl, Silver. I’m glad we’ve met again.”
I snort incredulously, trying, without success, to forget the warmth of his hand on my face. “Well, you certainly made sure we did.”
“And of course,” he continues, pretending to examine a photo on the coffee table. “I’m hugely flattered I’ve managed to turn your head towards my kind.”
“You didn’t turn anything,” I say tartly.
He cocks a brow, gaze burning through my clothes like a laser. I feel a sharp twitch between my legs, as though he’s controlling my private areas by some invisible string. “Are you sure about that?”

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Dating the Undead Spotlight Graphic

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Cori 4 Stars

This was such a fun read! DATING THE UNDEAD is the first book in Juliet Lyons new paranormal series, The Undead Dating Service Series. The series title tells readers exactly what it’s about, a dating service for vampires and humans. I really enjoyed this one. It was a fun and sexy romance that had me smiling, rooting for the characters and flipping the pages. I’m adding this author to my buy list and I’ll be grabbing the next book when it releases.  I recommend this series for paranormal lovers looking for a fun new vampire series.

*Review copy provided by Sourcebooks in exchange for an honest review.

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Author Guest Post

10 Ways to Tell if Your Date is Actually a Vampire

  1. They only want to meet at night, using the excuse that they’re not ‘a morning person’.
  2. On a date to the beach, you catch them harassing the lady in the mini mart to check the stock room for Hawaiian Tropics factor 500.
  3. When you get a papercut, they’re oddly excited.
  4. They’re still not over their ex. Even though the latter has been dead for two hundred years.
  5. Every time you mention a church wedding they recoil in horror*.
  6. They often refer to Eric from True Blood as someone who ‘has their shit together.’
  7. They drink a lot of red wine, but never seem drunk. Wait—is that actually wine?
  8. They have pale, flawless skin despite the fact you’ve never once seen them cleanse and/or moisturise.
  9. When watching any kind of sporting event, they constantly scoff and sneer at the athletes. ‘Please! Is that the best they can do?’
  10. They are particularly keen to remind you that the neck is a top five erogenous zone…

*Does not necessarily mean they are a vampire. Mortals—particularly males—are also prone to behaving in this way.

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Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | Alibris

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Giveaway

Enter to win 1 of 10 copies of DATING THE UNDEAD by Juliet Lyons

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author

Juliet 2 web_ photo by Sharan Rai PhotographyJULIET LYONS is a paranormal romance author from the UK. She holds a degree in Spanish and Latin American studies and works part-time in a local primary school where she spends far too much time discussing Harry Potter. Since joining global storytelling site Wattpad in 2014, her work has received millions of hits online and gained a legion of fans from all over the world. When she is not writing, Juliet enjoys reading and spending time with her family.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Wattpad

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Review: DEADMEN WALKING: A Deadman’s Cross Novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon

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DEADMEN WALKING: A Deadman’s Cross Novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Genre: Fantasy Romance

Publication Date: May 9, 2017

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IMG_8364#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon debuts a sweeping new epic saga sure to appeal to the millions of her Dark-Hunter fans

Deadmen tell their tales…

To catch evil, it takes evil. Enter Devyl Bane–-an ancient dark warlord returned to the human realm as one of the most notorious pirates in the New World. A man of many secrets, Bane makes a pact with Thorn–-an immortal charged with securing the worst creations the ancient gods ever released into our world. Those powers have been imprisoned for eons behind enchanted gates…gates that are beginning to buckle. At Thorn’s behest, Bane takes command of a crew of Deadmen and, together, they are humanity’s last hope to restore the gates and return the damned to their hell realms.

But things are never so simple. And one of Bane’s biggest problems is the ship they sail upon. For the Sea Witch isn’t just a vessel, she’s also a woman born of an ancient people he wronged and who in turn wronged him during a centuries long war between their two races–a woman who is also sister to their primary target. Now Marcelina, the Sea Witch, must choose. Either she remains loyal to her evil sister and almost extinct race against Bane and his cause, and watches humanity fall, or she puts faith in an enemy who has already betrayed her. Her people over the totality of humanity–let’s hope Bane can sway her favor.

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*Graphics Credit: Sherrilyn Kenyon.

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Loved it! DEADMEN WALKING is the first book in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s new historical fantasy romance series, the Deadman’s Cross Series, and it is part of the Dark-Hunter World. The Deadmen are brought back by Thorn to protect humanity from demons and they’re given a second chance to earn redemption. Bane leads the crew of Deadmen. This series is different from the Dark-Hunter series. I thought it was more fantasy than romance. There is a romance between Bane and Marcelina but I didn’t think it was the focus of the book. I really enjoyed it and I recommend it for Dark-Hunter fans even if you don’t normally enjoy the Fantasy genre. The Deadman’s Cross Series is an exciting new fantasy world and it was action packed. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait for the next book. I’m already in love with Deadmen!

*Review copy provided by TOR in exchange for an honest review. 

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✦Read an Excerpt: http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/book/deadmen-walking/#bookExcerpt-2

✦Check out our favorite Sherrilyn Kenyon Quotes: http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-iI

✦You can also check out an interview we did with Sherrilyn Kenyon Here: http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-1n4

*Interview was originally posted June 20, 2014  with our “Born of Fury” review. It includes some info about “Son of No One.”

✦Order Coloring Books HERE

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Kindle | Amazon Hardback

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image imageThe #1 New York Times bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon, who is proud of her mixed Cherokee heritage, lives a life of extraordinary danger… as does any woman with three sons, a husband, a menagerie of pets and a collection of swords that all of the above have a major fixation with. But when not running interference (or dashing off to the emergency room), she’s found chained to her computer where she likes to play with all her imaginary friends. With more than twenty-five million copies of her books in print, in over one hundred countries, she certainly has a lot of friends to play with too.

In the last few years, she has placed more than 65 novels on the New York Times list in all formats including manga. This extraordinary bestseller continues to top every genre she writes. Her current series include: The Dark-Hunters, The League, and Chronicles of Nick.

Her Lords of Avalon novels have been adapted by Marvel, her Dark-Hunter novels are a New York Times bestselling manga published by St. Martins. and the Chronicles of Nick manga are published by Yen Press. Chronicles and Nick and Dark-Hunter are soon to be a major motion picture and the Dark-Hunters are currently being developed as a television series.

Social Media Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | YouTube

Review: THE GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH by Amanda Quick

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THE GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH by Amanda Quick

Publication Date: May 9, 2017

Genre: Historical Romance/ Mystery/ Thriller

Synopsis

IMG_8241The New York Times bestselling author of ’Til Death Do Us Part transports readers to 1930s California, where glamour and seduction spawn a multitude of sins…

At the exclusive Burning Cove Hotel on the coast of California, rookie reporter Irene Glasson finds herself staring down at a beautiful actress at the bottom of a pool…

The dead woman had a red-hot secret about an up-and-coming leading man, a scoop that Irene couldn’t resist. Seeking the truth about the drowning, Irene finds herself drawn to a master of deception. Once a world-famous magician whose career was mysteriously cut short, Oliver Ward is now the owner of the hotel. He can’t let scandal threaten his livelihood, even if it means trusting Irene, a woman who seems to have appeared in Los Angeles out of nowhere four months ago…

With Oliver’s help, Irene soon learns that the glamorous paradise of Burning Cove hides dark and dangerous secrets. And that the past—always just out of sight—could drag them both under…

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Excerpt

Read an Excerpt Here

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Cori 4.5 Stars

I loved this book! Amanda Quick is a pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz. She writes historical romance novels under the Amanda Quick name and romantic suspense novels under the Jayne Ann Krentz name. THE GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH is an incredible combination of both genres. It’s a murder mystery set in 1930s Hollywood. I felt like I was swept up in the story and couldn’t put this book down. The romance was a little  light but the story was great. I love Amanda Quick/ Jayne Ann Krentz’s writing style and the plot of this book would be a great movie. I really loved it and highly recommend it for readers looking for a good murder mystery with a love story.

*Review copy provided by Penguin in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle | Amazon Hardback | Amazon Author Page

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About the Author

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Amanda Quick is a pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz, the author, under various pen names, of more than fifty New York Times bestsellers; there are more than 35 million copies of her books in print. She has written contemporary romantic thrillers under the Krentz name as well as historical and futuristic romance novels under the pseudonyms Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle, respectively. Learn more at jayneannkrentz.com and connect with her on facebook.com/JayneAnnKrentz.

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Blog Tour, Review, Q&A & Giveaway: NEVER TRUST A PIRATE (Playful Brides) by Valerie Bowman

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NEVER TRUST A PIRATE (Playful Brides) by Valerie Bowman

Publication Date: May 2, 2017

Genre: Historical Romance

Synopsis

IMG_8136The rules of engagement were never so scandalous. . .

A rumored pirate and the scurrilous black sheep of his well-to-do family, Cade Cavendish relishes his world of rebellion, deception, and seduction. Nothing and no one can hold him to be the duty-bound, honorable man he is expected to be. But when an unexpected run-in at his twin brother’s estate with a ravishing, raven-haired maid leads her to believe he’s actually a viscount, Cade’s renegade life is thrown wildly off-kilter. And even though a case of mistaken identity can be quickly set to rights, matters of the heart are quite different…

Miss Danielle LaCrosse is startled to learn that the handsome gentleman who radiates sin and has the devil in his eyes is not her employer the Viscount, but rather his infamous brother. A former heiress, orphaned and left penniless, Danielle has more than a few secrets of her own. Cade may be skilled at coaxing even the most hidden desires out of Danielle but can he earn her trust—and win her heart—as they embark on an adventure to confront a dangerous enemy from both of their pasts . . . and uncover the identity of the so-called Black Fox along the way?

Never Trust a Pirate is part of the Regency-set Playful Brides series by Valerie Bowman.

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Author Guest Post

  1. What is your favorite scene in Never Trust a Pirate? I truly do love the whole book but I think everything that happens after they get on the ship is especially fun. The book is sort of pre-ship and post-ship.
  2. What’s your favorite underappreciated romance novel?
 One of my favorite romances ever is Dark Future by KC Klein. It’s a futuristic scifi romance, which is not normally something I gravitate toward (I like to read historical romance!) but I picked up KC’s book and couldn’t put it down. It’s fantastic. She also has me reading contemporary cowboy stories.
  3. Are you methodical in your writing, certain hours of the day, certain rituals you may perform before you sit down? Or are you one of those writers who binge write when the mood is upon you? I’m a binge writer, but it’s not about the mood striking so much as it’s about having more time to write on the weekend because I’m not at my day job.
  4. Are there particular tropes you are fond of using? My favorite trope is probably reunited lovers or old friends who fall in love. I love the brother’s best friend trope, too. I’ve used all of those and am currently writing a story where a married couple (who haven’t seen each other in ten years) are forced to work together again. Of course hijinx (and romance) will ensue!
  5. What lead you to writing historical romances? My love of reading them. I read them a lot as a teenager. They made me so happy.
  6. How would you describe Never Trust a Pirate using only three words? Racy Regency Romp. That’s how I describe all of my books, actually.
  7. What is your advice for other writers? Write! It’s simple. I see a lot of would-be writers taking classes and reading books about writing but the best thing to do is just write, write, write. Worry about the mechanics later. You do need to study craft and learn the business but you’ve got nothing to improve if you’re not actually writing.
  8. Do you, or your publisher decide on your beautiful covers? If your publisher, do you have any input? My publisher makes the covers for the books and I love them. They send them to me for input but it’s usually quite minimal. They are gorgeous! I’m very lucky.
  9. Why this setting and why pirates? Inquiring minds want to you, or me anyway. I unabashedly love pirates! I love to read stories about them and when I was a kid I wanted to be one. Of course I get horribly seasick and am about the least adventurous person you’d ever meet. Swashbuckling would stress me out. I guess that’s why I have to write about it instead.
  10. What do you do to relax, after a day of writing? And how, do you set your writing day in order to achieve your goal of a certain number of pages? My favorite way to relax is to take a nap. I should have been born in a country that embraces the concept of siesta. That’s where I belong. Ha! I don’t count pages so much as I count words. So if I have to get twenty thousand words (about ¼ of a novel) written in a weekend, I would need to write about 6,600 Friday night, 13,000 on Saturday, and 6,600 on Sunday. I have a day job so weekends are very important to me as far as hitting my word count goals.
  11. Another inquiring minds want to you, approximately, how long does it take you to write a full length novel?  How many books can you write in a year? It takes me about two months to actually write the novel (working mostly nights and weekends around my full-time job) but it takes months to plot and think about the novel which is why I only write two novels per year.
  12. Which Hollywood stars would you like to see as the main characters in NEVER TRUST A PIRATE? I actually have a Pinterest board set up with my idea of who all the main characters in the Playful Brides series look like. For Cade Cavendish and Danielle LaCrosse it’s Chris Pine and Zooey Deschanel. You can find the board at: https://www.pinterest.com/valeriegbowman/playfulbrides/.
  13. Do you write fulltime? No and I actually have a theory that if I did write full-time I would get much less writing done. I think having to be so disciplined about my writing time forces me to focus. At least that’s what I tell myself.
  14. Twitter or Facebook? Both!
  15. Favorite TV show? Of all time? Gilmore Girls. As for what’s on today, I love Homicide Hunter: Lt Joe Kenda. I’m a sucker for true crime.
  16. Who is your ultimate Book Boyfriend? My book boyfriend is Jason Fielding from Judith McNaught’s Once and Always. Talk about the perfect tortured hero!
  17. What are you reading right now or what’s on your TBR? I’m currently reading Kerrigan Byrne’s, The Duke, and I can’t wait to dive into Anna Bennett’s, I Dared the Duke!
  18. 2017 Movie you’re most looking forward to? I just saw a trailer for Dunkirk and I got goosebumps! I can’t wait. I love WWII-era history almost as much as the Regency. 
  19. Give us the “elevator pitch” for your new book. I call Never Trust a Pirate: The Scarlet Pimpernel meets Dirty Rotten Scoundrels in Regency England.
  20. Series or stand alone?  If series do you already have a set number of books that you plan to write? Series. When I began to write the Playful Brides series, I planned three books. I’m happy to say it’s going to be eleven altogether, plus a novella. Plans change!
  21. What literary pilgrimages have you gone on? I’ve been to Bath and seen the Jane Austen museum there. Does that count?
  22. What are your future project(s)? Right now, I’m editing book 8 in the Playful Brides series. It’s called The Right Kind of Rogue and comes out on Halloween. I’m also writing book 9 of the Playful Brides series. And I’m always plotting future books in my head. In this case I’ve already got a lot of ideas for how I’m going to end the series with book #11 (Delilah and Thomas’s book) in Spring 2019. 
  23. For novices who haven’t read a novel of yours what is it that they will find unique in your work? I hope they will find a book that doesn’t take itself too seriously and is filled with humor and heart. Above all, I just want my stories to entertain. I’m not here to give anyone a history lesson. I just want readers to smile and sigh. 
  24. Do you find that you base any of your characters on people in your life? Have you gotten any inspiration for scenes in your novel from things that have happened to you in real life? The entire Playful Brides series was conceived based on my friend’s terrible boyfriend. She wouldn’t break up with him and I kept telling her to let me call him and break up with him for her (I was kidding, sorta). On a drive home from dinner with her one night, after she’d filled my ear yet again with a bunch of stories of the awful things he’d done (forgot her birthday, asked her to pay his cell phone bill), I started thinking how funny it would be if there was a service that you could call to break-up with your boyfriend for you. The opposite of Cyrano de Bergerac. I decided that would be great story and immediately began to think about how I could set it in the Regency. That was the idea for The Unexpected Duchess, the first story in the series.
  25. Are there any books or authors that have really influenced you and made you want to write? What about those authors inspired or influenced you? Lisa Kleypas was a huge influence on me. I was snowed in at an airport in 2007 and picked up Scandal in Spring. Many hours later (I couldn’t put the book down) I considered giving romance writing a try. She is a brilliant writer and a lovely person both inside and out.
  26. Have you read anything lately that you loved? Julie Anne Long’s The Legend of Lyon Redmond was sheer perfection if you ask me.
  27. Do you usually work off of an outline while writing or do you tend to just start writing and see where the story takes you? I don’t have an outline per se, but I sketch out a few sentences for each chapter in my Word .doc so I know where the story is going. I’ve been working lately on making my stories more character driven so I may change this up a bit.
  28. Where did you get the inspiration for your main characters? What other books or movies or music influenced this novel? As with all of the stories in my Playful Brides series, Never Trust a Pirate was inspired by a play. In this case it’s The Scarlet Pimpernel. I loved the concept of a character with dual identities.
  29. What advice do you have for pair wanting to get into the writing field? If you want to write romance, join Romance Writers of America (RWA.org). Hands down it was the best thing I did to learn how to write a romance novel. Leslie Wainger’s book, Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies, is also fantastic.

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Cori 4 Stars

I really enjoyed this one! I was in the mood for a good historical romance and Valerie Bowman’s NEVER TRUST A PIRATE fit the bill. It was fun and sexy, with a bit of mystery that added to the story. It satisfied my historical romance craving and had me craving more. I’ll be checking out Valerie Bowman’s previous books and I look froward to the next book in her Playful Brides series. NEVER TRUST A PIRATE is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. I recommend this book for historical romance lovers looking for a good book to curl up with.

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

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Excerpt

Read an Excerpt Here

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Buy Links

Kindle | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Amazon Series Link

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Giveaway

Paperback Copy of NEVER TRUST A PIRATE by Valerie Bowman

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Paperback provided by St. Martin’s Press. 

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About the Author

IMG_8135Valerie Bowman grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her mini-schnauzer, Huckleberry. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS. She is the author of the Secret Brides series, starting with Secrets of a Wedding Night, Secrets of a Runaway Bride, and Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage.

Website | Facebook | Twitter |Pinterest

REVIEW: WICKED ABYSS (Immortals After Dark) by Kresley Cole

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WICKED ABYSS (Immortals After Dark) by Kresley Cole

Publication Date: April 25, 2017

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

IMG_8032This fairy tale doesn’t end with a kiss… A spellbinding Immortals After Dark tale from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole!

The terrifying king of hell…

As a boy, Abyssian “Sian” Infernas had his heart shattered by a treacherous fey beauty who died before he could exact vengeance. Millennia later, a curse has transformed him into a demonic monster—just as she’s been reincarnated. Sian captures the delicate but bold female, forcing her back to hell.

Meets his match.

Princess Calliope “Lila” Barbot’s people have hated and feared Abyssian and his alliance of monsters for aeons. When the beastly demon imprisons her in his mystical castle, vowing revenge for betrayals she can’t remember, Lila makes her own vow: to bring down the wicked beast for good.

Can two adversaries share one happily-ever-after?

As Calliope turns hell inside out, the all-powerful Sian finds himself defenseless against his feelings for her. In turn, Lila reluctantly responds to the beast’s cleverness and gruff vulnerability. But when truths from a far distant past are revealed, can their tenuous bond withstand ages of deceit, a curse, and a looming supernatural war?

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Cori 5 Stars

I loved WICKED ABYSS! It was a sexy twist on the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale with the King of Hell and a fairy princess. I loved this couple and I’m excited about the direction of the series storyline with the Møriør. I’m hoping we’ll get another member of the Møriør’s story next. Please be the soap opera watching Dragon!  The Immortals After Dark series is a series I can read over and over again and never get bored. I love Kresley Cole’s heroes and all of her heroines are kick-ass and so much fun. If you’re a PNR fan and haven’t read this series yet, you should grab them now and settle in for a great binge read. The stories are always exciting, scorching hot and so much fun. Kresley Cole is one of the queens of paranormal romance.

*Review copy provided by Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.

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Buy Links

Kindle http://amzn.to/2cLoKXl
Amazon Hardback http://amzn.to/2qaPacP
Amazon Series Link: http://amzn.to/1n7zlRw

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★THE IMMORTALS AFTER DARK SERIES BY KRESLEY COLE★

Amazon Series Link: http://amzn.to/1KMYWZ2  | ►Series Blog Post: http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-2pI
✦Novella: The Warlord Wants Forever ➢ $1.99 Amazon http://amzn.to/1yh1Ktf
✦A Hunger Like No Other ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/145JxdA
✦No Rest for the Wicked ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/18Y0dqP
✦Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/1cd4HeS
✦Dark Needs at Night’s Edge ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/1e13idc
✦Dark Desires After Dusk ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/1crWLGR
✦Kiss of A Demon King ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/19VY9k8
✦Deep Kiss of Winter Anthology ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/17qDvby
✦Pleasure of a Dark Prince ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/1crXnfN
✦Demon from the Dark ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/14gGejG
✦Dreams of a Dark Warrior ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/145Kdzt
✦Lothaire ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/1aM2glC
✦Not part of the series, but I recommend reading before MACRIEVE ~ Shadow’s Claim (The Dacians: Realm of Blood and Mist Series, Book 1) ➢ Amazon http://amzn.to/18t6DvY
✦MacRieve ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/18WSMQx
✦Dark Skye ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/1FG1h3z | Review 5 Stars: http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-1uk
✦Sweet Ruin ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/1LGNadZ
✦Shadow’s Seduction ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2e2xg73
✦Wicked Abyss (Releasing 04/25/17) ➢ Kindle http://amzn.to/2cLoKXl

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imageKresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, the erotic Gamemakers series, and five award-winning historical romances.

A master’s grad and former athlete, she has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings. 

Her IAD books have been translated into twenty foreign languages, garnered three RITA awards, a Hall of Fame induction, and consistently appear on the bestseller lists, in the U.S. and abroad.

Cole lives in Florida with her family and “far too many animals.”

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | BOOKSHELF | YOUTUBE

Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: DRAKON’S PREY (Blood of the Drakon) by N.J. Walters

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DRAKON’S PREY (Blood of the Drakon) by N.J. Walters

Publication Date: April 24, 2017

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

Drakon's Prey CoverValeriya Azarov turned her back on the family business to write and illustrate children’s books. But with a sister who leads the Knights of the Dragon, it’s impossible to get away from the secret society whose mission is to destroy and enslave dragons. When information falls into her hands along with the opportunity to save at least one of the ancient creatures, she can’t turn away any longer.

When a woman moves into the cabin above Tarrant Cooper’s secret underground lair, he’s both suspicious and intrigued. He hasn’t lasted four thousand years being careless, so when he suspects her of being a part of the Knights, the plan is to kidnap her and find out how much the organization knows about him and his brothers.

He’s drawn to Valeriya, but trusting her could get him killed. Even if she’s a pawn in the war between drakons and Knights, giving her his heart would mean forever.

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Cori 4.5 Stars

I loved Tarrant! DRAKON’S PREY is the second book in N.J. Walters new paranormal series, Blood of the Drakon. I love dragons and if you’re a dragon fan I highly recommend this series! DRAKON’S PREY had plenty of danger and smoking hot romance plus it features a sexy dragon who’s a computer genius and a heroine readers can cheer for. N. J. Walter’s new world of dragons and knights, set in present day, gives readers a new and unique paranormal world to get swept up in. I’m loving this series and I can’t wait for the next book!

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

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Excerpt

“What’s your name?” she suddenly demanded. She’d kissed him and didn’t even know his name.

He opened the refrigerator door and pulled out several packages.

“Hey.” She knew it was crazy to demand anything from this man, but she was past all caution. “I asked you a question.”

“And if I answer it, you’ll never be able to leave here.” The way he said it, with little inflection, stopped her in her tracks.

It was a variation of “If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you.” It was used in the movies all the time, but Valeriya didn’t think this man was joking. “We both know I’m never getting out of here anyway, so why don’t you tell me who you are?” Maybe if she befriended him, she could get him to release her.

And then where would she go? The Knights were everywhere.

She swayed as her knees went weak. All she’d wanted to do was warn Darius Varkas about the Knights and go back home to her life. Now she feared she was truly going to die.

“What the hell?” Her captor was around the counter and caught her before she hit the floor. He scooped her up as though she weighed nothing and set her on one of the stools on the far side of the island. “Are you all right?” He hovered beside her but was no longer touching her.

It was as though he was afraid to touch her. She wasn’t sure if that was for her benefit or for his. She should be trying to figure out a way to escape, fighting the growing attraction she had for her captor. She wasn’t a guest here, but an unwilling visitor.

Unfortunately, it didn’t quite feel that way. It suddenly occurred to her that her intuition was silent. Yes, he was a very dangerous man, no doubt about it, but she didn’t feel as though he was a danger to her.

Her gift had chosen a really bad time to go haywire.

“What does it matter, if you’re going to kill me?” She’d rather get it over with than to drag it out indefinitely. And she really didn’t want to be tortured.

He swore, long and fluently, and in a language she didn’t understand. Did that mean he wasn’t American, or did he simply know other languages?

“Tarrant. My name is Tarrant. And I told you I wasn’t going to kill you.”

She rested her elbows on the counter to steady herself. “For now. You said you weren’t going to kill me right now.”

He swore again. “No one is killing anyone.

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Buy Links

Kindle | iBooks | Kobo | B&N

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CHECK OUT BOOK 1: Drakon’s Promise – Kindle | Review

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Giveaway

$15 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author

N.J. Walters is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads