The King: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward
Release Date: April 1, 2014
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood (Book 12)
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori & Donna
Ratings: Cori 5 Stars/ Donna 4 Stars
J.R. Ward’s # 1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood continues as a royal bloodline is compromised by a grave threat to the throne.
Long live the King…
After turning his back on the throne for centuries, Wrath, son of Wrath, finally assumed his father’s mantle–with the help of his beloved mate. But the crown sets heavily on his head. As the war with the Lessening Society rages on, and the threat from the Band of Bastards truly hits home, he is forced to make choices that put everything–and everyone–at risk.
Beth Randall thought she knew what she was getting into when she mated the last pure blooded vampire on the planet: An easy ride was not it. But when she decides she wants a child, she’s unprepared for Wrath’s response–or the distance it creates between them.
The question is, will true love win out… or tortured legacy take over?
BDB fans wait impatiently all year for the next book in this incredible series and The King did not disappoint! I loved it! Without giving too much away because these books are best read spoiler free we got to hear Wrath’s parent’s story and I completely fell in love with his father. We also got the side stories of three other potential couples. I’m looking forward to all of them. J.R. Ward announced at her signing that the next book will be titled The Shadows and will include Trez and iAm’s stories. I loved this second look at Wrath and Beth’s relationship, all the hotness that comes with it and their struggle with whether to have a baby. This series is so incredibly addicting and I think it’s because it’s emotional, action packed, suspenseful and incredibly hot. They always leave me wanting more and The King was no exception. I can’t wait for the next book!
I truly enjoyed the book and was unable to put it down. I don’t want to give too much away on the story but the intrigue and emotional situations had me tense one moment and relieved the next. Which is always a good thing. I loved Wrath’s father! I will however, go out on a limb and say that I almost wish she had written Wrath and Beth as a side story and focused on someone new. Or narrowed the number of side-stories down to just a few, so those stories could be told in greater detail. That being said, I laughed, cried and bit my lip on more than one occasion and I want to read it again soon. It’s a shame that we have to wait a year to see what happens to them all.
J.R. Ward is a #1 New York Times and USAToday Best Selling author of erotic paranormal romance. She lives in the south with her incredibly supportive husband and her beloved golden retriever. After graduating from law school, she began working in healthcare in Boston and spent many years as Chief of Staff of one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation. Writing has always been her passion and her idea of heaven is a whole day of nothing but her computer, her dog and her coffee pot.
When he lost the only woman he’d ever loved, it seemed there was nothing left to live for.
Even as a boy, all Ben Covington ever wanted was to spend forever with Dahlia London, the beautiful girl next door…then one life-altering decision tore them apart and he was forced to leave her.
Now, despite having returned to win her back, he’s still alone. She’s with someone else—someone she’s never going to leave.
Resigned to a future without his former girlfriend, Ben numbs his broken heart in a haze of liquor and women. But then the only woman who ever even turned his head while he was with his girl reappears unexpectedly. And he’s never forgotten their one incredible night together. But will Ben’s destructive behavior destroy his future with her before it even begins?
Trying to escape a horrific past, Shyla has immersed herself in life as a tough cop in the bustle of LA. When the case of a lifetime takes her back to her hometown of Redding, she is thrown into a world of organized crime, deceit, and bitter reminders of her childhood.
As Shyla’s path crosses that of Brennan, a troubled sidekick to the ringleader she’s intent on taking down, she discovers he has a past even darker than hers and she is forced to re-evaluate everything she believes about herself, her job, and what she knows about right and wrong.
Can she face the demons of her upbringing and learn to trust again? Her life will depend on it.
About the Author:
Michelle Bellon lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their four children. She loves to travel with her family. She is desperately confused as to why she lives where it rains all the time because she lives for sunny days and blue skies. She drinks coffee until she’s manic and loves to dance.
She married Pablo Bellon in her early twenties and relished her time as a stay-at-home mom for many years before she decided to go to college. She graduated with her nursing degree in 2005. Then when she and her husband decided to have their fourth child she took leave of her medical career to be with the baby. It was during this time that she began writing her first book.
Six months later, she sat back and stared in complete disbelief at the final page of a young adult novel and said, “I think I just wrote a book.” What next? So she set to doing the research on what it took to publish a novel. That’s when she discovered that writing the book was the easy part. Publishing and marketing that book was another beast altogether. She also discovered that her book was somewhat of a mess. It needed a lot of work!
So she immersed herself in the business. She found a writers critique group. She read everything she could on the craft of writing. She went to conferences and listened to the wisdom of authors and editors. She researched on the internet until her eyes felt like they were bleeding. But most of all, she wrote. And wrote. And wrote. Until she began to feel like she might, just might, have a chance at making a name for herself in this tough industry.
In four years she wrote seven books. Three have been published. Four are currently contracted to be published with Pandamoon Publishing. In the summer of 2012, she won the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for her YA, Embracing You, Embracing Me. Later that same year she won a silver medal award from Wise Bear Media literary contest for her YA, as well as a silver for Rogue Alliance, the first edition.
As a multi-genre author, she writes suspense, romance, women’s fiction, literary fiction, YA, and her latest is crime suspense with paranormal elements.
Excerpt:
“Where did you say you were from?” Shyla asked.
“I didn’t,” Brennan quipped.
Her head was tipped up and she squinted into the morning sun as she walked alongside him, keeping up with his brisk pace.
“Yeah, that’s right. You avoid the question every time. I wonder why that is?”
He stopped and faced her. “I wonder why you have so many damn questions.”
Shyla suddenly moved toward him, uncomfortably close. Brennan could breathe her in. He became intoxicated with the scent of female, and sweat. Two opposing urges fought within him—the urge to take a step back, and the urge to step in and close the distance. He resisted both and stood firm.
He looked into her face. Her chin tilted up as she searched his eyes. It took him off guard, when she reached up and touched his cheek.
“You haven’t shaved. It’s nice. I like it.”
He could feel the softness of her palm, even through his stubble. She was toying with him. Why, he wasn’t sure. But she was doing a damn fine job of it. Gently he put his hand over hers. They stood and locked gazes. Then, he wrapped his grip around her wrist and gave it a firm squeeze.
“I’m not someone to play your little games with, Shyla.” The warning was strong in his tone.
Her expression was wide-eyed and innocent as she took a step back.
“Well it’s a good thing I’m not playing games then, isn’t it?
Book Title:Knockout – A Wayward Fighters Novel Author: J.C. Valentine Genre: New Adult Romance Release Date:April 8, 2014 Hosted by:Book Enthusiast Promotions
From the wrong side of the tracks…
Alyson Blake had learned early on that the only one she could depend on was herself. The only light in her life was a boy whom everyone agreed was destined for prison; but with his first kiss, he had set her soul on fire. Since the day the police dragged him away in handcuffs, she had managed to lead a quiet life, but when she attends an event fraught with mayhem, trouble resurfaces. The one person she can’t forget…
Jamison Weston is the kind of guy dads load their shotguns for; endowed with a hot temper and a rap sheet as long as both tattooed arms. Known as “The Judge,” Jami’s hot temper, lethal fists, and cocky attitude have earned him respect and admiration both in and out of the ring. But just when he thinks he’s pummeled his past to death, Alyson Blake reenters his life. Two paths collide…
After years of separation, Alyson is eager to reexplore the man who’s never left her thoughts, but for Jamison, she’s both the distraction he wants, but doesn’t need. As the two embark on a relationship that neither of them expected or bargained for, an outside threat closes in. When Alyson crosses the line of professionalism and takes her work home with her, her life is put in danger, leaving Jamison with no choice but to once again step in and become her protector.
J.C. Valentine is the alter-ego of Brandi Salazar, whose enjoyment of tales of romance spurred her to branch out and create her own.
Brandi Salazar lives in the Northwest with her husband, their wild children, and far too many pets. As a university student, she studies literature, which goes well with her dream of becoming an editor. Brandi entertains a number of hobbies including reading and photography, but her first love is writing fiction-in all its forms.
Her eyes warmed as she studied him. Touching his face, she traced the line of his jaw from ear to chin. Then her fingers found his lips. He opened his mouth and licked the tips as she skimmed his bottom lip, and he committed the sultry look that flashed in her eyes to memory. “You don’t lie to me, do you?”
Jami held her head in his hands and looked into her eyes. “No, and I never will.” Jami couldn’t tear his eyes away. She smiled up at him, her expression soft, welcoming. Completely open to him. No one had ever looked at him quite like she did. As if she trusted him, and she did. He knew that. It wasn’t even a question.
He could fall in love with this girl. With this woman. This person who was his friend, and the only one who knew everything about his past—everything—and didn’t judge him for it. Even Coach didn’t know what he had done before they crossed paths. He knew he had a history with the cops and a bad home life, and that was the extent of it. Was she what people thought about when they thought of soul mates? The type of person they dreamed of when combing the world for The One?
How was a guy to know?
“If you keep looking at me like that, you’re face is going to freeze. All the guys at the gym will laugh at you, and then I’ll be forced to fight for your honor.”
Jami smirked, peeled her shirt up to expose her abdomen, and lowered his head. He glanced up at her. “You have a sassy mouth, Ally. I aim to fix that.”
“What—Jami!” Ally wheezed and squirmed beneath him in a futile attempt to escape his teasing tongue. Again and again, he swirled his tongue across her stomach, chuckling with each clench of her muscles, each lost breath, and squeal of delighted torture. When she grabbed two fistfuls of his hair and pulled, he decided to have mercy on her before she ripped a chunk of it from his scalp.
Somehow, he just didn’t think bald or patchy would be a good look for a guy his age.
“All right, okay,” he said, pulling her hands away gently. “Truce.”
Her laughter abated. When he let go of her hands, her arms fell out to the side. “You’re such an ass,” she panted. “My abs will hurt tomorrow, thanks to you.”
“No, thanks to you,” he corrected her. “It’s that sassy mouth getting you into trouble.” He was grinning, amusement, and true joy filling him up to the brink of overflowing. “You make me happy,” he blurted out.
Ally’s smile faltered and Jami wanted to punch himself. Why did he say that? Touching his face, Ally angled her head, studying him. “I’m glad. You’re always so serious. You need to smile more.”
“I smile all the time,” he protested.
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, you’re right. What was I thinking? You smile every day when you get to beat on poor Mike and whatshisname. You’re a very happy man then.”
“Hey, you gotta take it where you can get it.” Jami shrugged.
Silence fell between them, and they stared into each other’s eyes. This close, there was never any room for escape. It felt like he could see into her soul, and she into his. All the layers of bullshit were stripped away, cutting right to the heart. He’d never felt this way before. As a sliver of truth sat on his tongue, he opened his mouth to say what he knew she was waiting to hear. “Ally, I—” His throat closed up and no words came out.
Placing her finger over his lips, Ally hushed him. “Shh, you don’t have to say anything. I can see it every time I look at you.” She kissed him lightly on the mouth. “I feel it whenever you touch me.”
“But you want—”
She cut him off. “It doesn’t matter. I can wait. I don’t want you to say it unless you feel it in here.” She flattened her palm over his heart. “I don’t want you to choke on the words. I want you to say them because you can’t not say them. Okay?”
He stared down at her. Who was this girl? Hundreds of women would be lined up outside his door just to hear those words, and she was telling him to wait? Unbelievable.
“I see those wheels turning,” she teased, then grew serious again. “Jami, let me ask you a question. Out of all the women you’ve had sex with, how many of them have you stuck around for?” Zero. She saw the answer in his eyes right away. “That’s what I thought, and that right there is why I am okay with waiting. Your heart already knows what it wants. Now we just have to wait for your brain to catch up.”
Tom Hardy as Jamison Weston
25 years old
6′ 3″
205 lbs.
Natural born fighter
Protector
A bit of a neat freak
First stint in juvie at age 13 for ripping off a convenience store
Has only been in love with one girl: Alyson Blake
Jane Levy as Alyson Blake
23 years old
Vertically challenged
Nervous habit: lip biting
Slovenly
Women’s advocate
Has been in love with Jami since…forever
Amanda Seyfried as Olivia “Liv”
Alyson’s best friend since high school
Hails from Tennessee
A little high strung
Fun, confident, and looking for a good time
Is dating Jami’s friend Spencer
Cam Gigandet as Spencer “Spence”
Jami’s closest friend
Organizer
Wing man
Dating Alyson’s friend Olivia
Aloof
A tiny bit shady
Max Ryan as Don
Jami’s Coach
Former Fighter
Widower
Owns a spastic terrier named Sparky
Stern but loves Jami like his own son
Isn’t too fond of Alyson
Seduced By Fire: A Partners in Play Novel by Tara Sue Me
Publication Date: March 4, 2014
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Dawn
Rated: 4 Stars
✿BOOK DESCRIPTION: Tara Sue Me became a worldwide phenomenon with the Submissive Trilogy. Now she presents a scorching tale about a risky passion too hot to ignore.…
Julie Masterson craves a taste of danger.
Despite being familiar with the different games people play in the bedroom, she’s never given into her curiosity about putting her body in someone else’s power—until a chance meeting with Daniel Covington, the seductive Senior VP of Weston Bank, draws her into a titillating new world of sexual experience, one that she never knew she desperately needed.
Daniel is highly respected within his community, but he hasn’t had an exclusive relationship for over two years. Yet Julie’s eager innocence is driving him to the brink of ecstasy, making him rethink his feelings about commitment.
As their sizzling connection heats up, Daniel is ready to take Julie fully under his command. But when the dangerous side of their play rears its ugly head, Julie will have to decide if she trusts him enough to surrender completely—or if she should escape before she gets burned…
✿REVIEW:
What an amazing emotional journey. I could not put this book down. Julie became curious about the BDSM world because her best friend was a submissive, but she wasn’t sure if it was anything more the just curiosity until she met Daniel. Julie met Daniel when he came into her flower shop and she was immediately captivated by him. Daniel couldn’t get her off his mind and eventually asked her to go on a date. The date ended up being the best night of Julie’s life, and left her wanting more. Julie’s best friend talked Julie into going to a BDSM meeting, and she found Daniel there and was shocked to learn he was not only part of the BDSM world, he was one of the head masters. Julie and Daniel embarked on an emotional journey where Julie had to decide if she would fit into Daniels world or discover if his needs be too much for her. This was a hot erotica romance!
*Review copy provided by Berkley/NAL in exchange for an honest review.
If you love fantasy, the paranormal, romance and twisty-turny stories featuring two young women in the fight of their lives then we have the book for you! Pick up Jessie Lane’s THE BURNING STAR, available now, and we have a special little teaser from the book to whet your appetite! Learn more below and be sure to enter the author’s amazing giveaway while you’re at it!
*This book is a re-release and revision from the original book. Please be aware that some things have been added, deleted or changed.* Kay’s journey of a lifetime started in the woods outside of Asheville, North Carolina. It was there that the 17 year old met a beautiful man along with a monster. The chance encounter led her to an unbelievable world that shouldn’t exist; a place where myths and fairy tales were real, and in some cases, deadly. Kay knew she would have to brave this new world if she hoped to find a cure for her terminal cancer. With a strange yet beautiful cast of characters that she would meet along the way, Kay uncovered truths that would change her life forever. However, before it was all over, it would become clear that Kay wasn’t the only one with problems. Yet another 17 year old young woman was fighting for her freedom and her life.Kira had lived in a magical world that Kay had only dreamt of. Despite this, her life had not been filled with many good things. As a matter of fact, she considered her empty, emotional solitude the only positive aspect of her life. She fought daily battles to escape abuse and torture. Trained to be an expert assassin, she was charged with kidnapping Kay and delivering her to Kira’s master, Lord Donovan. As the two young women set forth in their journeys, their paths would cross in unimaginable ways. The only question that would remain was who would come out alive and whole in the end? WARNING: This is a upper ya/young adult/new adult fictional story that includes some explicit language, graphic violence, and mild sexual situations. Recommended for ages sixteen and up.
Crystal and Melissa often live half their lives with their heads in the clouds dreaming of alpha military hunks, werewolves and kick ass heroines crazy enough to chase after creatures that they unquestionably should know better than to chase. Their first YA novel, The Burning Star, was released in May 2012. Big Bad Bite is their second novel, but their first adult paranormal romance. They are now working on their next two novels, Walk On The Striped Side and Secret Maneuvers. With these projects underway, they are looking forward to showing the rest of the world their crazy stories, heroes and heroines that often plague their minds until written, and hope you will join them on their journey!
✦Romance✦Paranormal Romance✦Erotica✦Romantic Suspense✦New Adult✦ *This list will be pinned to the top of our FB page and updates will be made throughout the week. Buy links for Amazon Global, B&N, Kobo, and Paperbacks. Genre codes included with titles. Key to codes listed at the bottom of the list.
✿SUNDAY, April 6, 2014
✦Dangerously HOT: A Hostile Operations Team Novel #4 by Lynn Raye Harris #RS #CR ➢ Kindle $4.99 http://georiot.co/2ds7
✦Mud Vein by Tarryn Fisher #RS #CR ➢ Kindle $4.99 http://georiot.co/3FgS
Up by Five (Counting on Love) by Erin Nicholas
Publication Date: April 8, 2014
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Dawn
Rated: 5 Stars
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
He’s got the last thing he ever wanted…and it’s the best thing that ever happened.
Counting on Love, Book 5
Ace paramedic Conner Dixon has sworn to never live with another woman after raising his four younger sisters. Now that they’re all in love, Conner’s ready to retire—from worrying, fixing problems, and cleaning up messes. Yet when fellow paramedic Gabrielle Evans’s apartment burns down and she needs a place to stay, he can’t say no.
Gabby’s penchant for poker and her ability to overhaul a transmission definitely make her different from Conner’s usual women—not to mention a total lack of interest in getting involved with him. With her sights set on medical school, Conner’s crazy mix of family and friends is the last thing Gabby needs right now.
But within forty-eight hours of moving in, Gabby’s up to her eyeballs in a family crisis and Conner’s got the last thing he wanted—a girl and all her stuff, all over his stuff. Still, the more she makes herself at home, the more he thinks that maybe this is exactly where her stuff should be. For good.
Warning: Contains a girl who thinks she wants to be just one of the guys, a guy who happily proves why that won’t work, and a very good reason to buy cinnamon roll icing—you know, other than for use on cinnamon rolls.
REVIEW:
Wow! Blown away! I have loved this entire series and couldn’t wait for Conner’s book. He was the doting brother in the first four books in this series and I just knew it was going to be excellent. Conner had worked with Gabby for years and thought of her as one of the guys until one night a fire ripped through her apartment building. When Conner saw Gabby with an oxygen mask on her face and her barely there pajamas he was awestruck. Her pajamas showed Gabby was definitely not just one of the guys and she was clearly one smoking hot woman. Gabby was everything that he never looked for in a woman. Tall, brunette, smart and fiercely independent. Conner could think of nothing else and since he had a spare bedroom insisted Gabby stay at his place after the fire. Gabby had always had a thing for Conner, but she tried to avoid even thinking about it because Conner didn’t do relationships, and Gabby didn’t do one night stands. With the sparks flying between these two they knew they would have to come up with a compromise because there was no way they could keep there hands off of each other. Gabby was starting med school in two months, so they set an expiration date and about set the sheets on fire with the passion arcing between each other. As their time together nears the end, will they be able to stick to their original plan? Or will Conner and Gabby realize they need each other? I absolutely loved this book. It was funny, romantic, and there was amazing chemistry between the characters. This book can be read as a stand alone, but the series, Counting on Love, is such a fantastic series I recommend reading them all.
*Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Jagger Kennedy never went looking for fame, he just fell into it. After scoring a major modeling contract, his clean-cut good looks and charm catapulted his career. But when his actress girlfriend breaks his heart, he moves to L.A. to try his hand at acting. He’s not looking for love—he just needs to make a change.
Aerie Daniels is a woman in control … until she meets Jagger. Her surprising connection with him leaves her dazed and it’s unlike anything she’s ever felt. But just when she lets her walls fall, she makes a startling discovery about Jagger that breaks her fragile heart into a million pieces.
To keep from losing the woman who’s changing his world, Jagger is willing to give up anything—including his career. But even that might not be enough to regain Aerie’s shattered trust…
I loved Dazed! Kim Karr delivered another amazing love story! I’m a huge fan of The Connection series and was so excited to read Jagger and Aerie’s story. Jagger is River’s cousin so I knew going in he had to be hot. Plus he graces the Dazed cover with all his hotness. If I wasn’t familiar with this series I’d buy it based on the cover alone. Without giving away any spoilers, I loved how Jagger and Aerie met and how they interacted with each other. Jagger is the perfect man for Aerie. Just a beautiful love story. Dazed is a novella in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. It is a complete story. I recommend the entire series though. Connected, the first book in the series, was originally recommended to me by a reader on our Facebook page last year and I am so grateful she did because this is a series I’ll read over and over. It’s a series the reader carries with them long after they’ve closed the book. I love them and can’t wait for the next book in the series!
*Review copy provided by Berkley/NAL in exchange for an honest review.
Giveaway for 5 signed sets of Connected and Torn paperbacks (open internationally). a Rafflecopter giveaway
There’s something deliciously perverse about staring through the clear glass. All of my senses engage as I wait in line—the fragrance that fills the air as the fire crackles beneath the foil wrapped treats wafts under my nose, the beauty in each and every small package as they line the shelves with tiny dots and colored sprinkles mesmerizes me, the sound made as the silver sheet is peeled back to reveal the magnificence it holds captivates me, and the anticipation of the taste makes my mouth water. Ummm… just thinking of the first bite into the moist brown exterior with its bittersweet Belgian chocolate complimenting the flavor of the Madagascar bourbon vanilla that oozes from its inside has me trembling. The black and white cupcake—it’s simply perfection.
Amidst the skyscrapers in Los Angeles’ South Park neighborhood, Sprinkles is a gem tucked away for those of us who seek out a small piece of heaven. I don’t come here often, but when I do it’s for that one special treat. The menu describes it as, “Yin and Yang.” An ancient proverb that says, “Complementary opposites, such as light and dark, day and night, and masculine and feminine, seemingly may exist as contrary forces, but are actually interconnected.” Simply put, it says one gives rise to the other and it’s true— opposites attract. Without the vanilla inside, one could not possibly crave the chocolate outside—looking at the two parts united has me drooling.
“You know what they say about staring through the glass,” a deep husky voice says from behind me.
His words tingle my skin and my gaze snaps up. “Excuse me?” I stop short, in a daze, not even sure what he just said I was so lost in my thoughts.
He chuckles. “You know what they say about staring through the glass,” he repeats.
My eyes blink and come into focus on the upward tilt of his full lips. Then my eyes move to his smooth pale skin flecked with a light stubble, his nose seemingly sculpted even with a slight imperfection in its slope, large eyes with the most unusual gray color swirling from within, and chocolate brown colored hair framing his face in pieces—I’m not sure if he has just rolled out of bed or if product molds it just so. Either way, he is utterly beautiful.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Just be careful so you don’t fall in like Alice.” He smiles, displaying his bright white teeth.
“Again, I’m sorry but I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I notice his eyes sweep over me and my heart starts pounding.
“Through the Looking Glass,” he responds in a dangerously husky voice.
This time when he speaks I catch an accent, ever so slight but extremely sexy.
It reminds me of how Robert De Nero talks, just not as loud or fast. I continue to stare, unable to respond. I notice that his physique is long and lean. He’s dressed in worn jeans that fit him perfectly. His orange laced hiking boots scream I don’t conform. A pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses hang from the V of his gray sweater, which clings to his body perfectly. And an outdoor vest tops the outfit. It throws me off. It makes him look more like an Abercrombie model than a James Dean type. It’s a navy blue down and quilted one with a silver zipper. I don’t know why, but something about his outfit, about this man, captivates me.
“Number 98,” calls the girl from behind the counter.
He steps closer. His warm breath whispers across my neck. “Through the Looking Glass is the sequel to Alice in Wonderland. When Alice gets too close to the glass, she falls in and starts on a crazy journey,” he tells me as his arm waves in the air with a green ticket on display. Stepping closer, his gaze cuts from mine to the glass case as he hands his number to the clerk whose wearing a cute brown apron with the word Sprinkles scripted across it.
“Can I have a dozen of the black and white cupcakes?” he asks.
Suddenly alarmed, my eyes dart to the case as I watch the single remaining row of beautifully crafted cupcakes diminish until there are none left. My irritation flares as I glance at my number—97.
The beautiful stranger hands the clerk his credit card and waits to sign the slip.
“I was number 97, my number was before yours,” I say as he’s handed the bag that holds his treasure.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Here let me get the sales clerk’s attention so you don’t have to take another number,” he says.
I want to stomp my feet. I want to scream. I don’t want her attention. I don’t want another number. I want the cupcakes that he stole from me.
“Miss,” he calls draping his perfectly fit body over the case. She looks his way and with a charming grin he says, “Can you help this lovely lady? She missed her number being called.”
“Of course, I’m so sorry. How can I help you?” the girl asks averting her eyes from the man who looks like he should be on the cover of GQ magazine, over to me.
He smiles at me with a face that belongs on a billboard. “Don’t fall in.”
I swear he’s goading me. But then he tips his chin and a sexy, smoldering grin passes over his lips and I’m not so sure anymore. He turns to look at me one more time before he exits, and excitement flushes over my face. I nod a slight cursory acknowledgement, then he disappears and disappointment washes over me—he’s gone. Crap. The cupcakes are also gone. Double crap. And now I’m left wondering if he saw me staring at that flavor? Did he distract me on purpose so he could purchase them first? Urrr…I’m so angry right now I consider walking out, but when the clerk asks me what I’d like I settle for the Vanilla Milk Chocolate cakes—they are the mirror reflection of the black and whites, with vanilla cake and chocolate frosting, but they are not nearly as good.
INFORMATION ABOUT BOOK #2:
Title: TORN (Connections #2)
TORN SYNOPSIS:
Rock star River Wilde brought Dahlia London back from the brink of hopelessness with his unwavering love and devotion. But their entwined history is about to test the strength of that love…
Dahlia was certain she had found true love and met her ‘Once in a Lifetime’ when she reconnected with River. But Dahlia’s world comes crashing down when someone from her past resurfaces, and all of River’s carefully hidden secrets are exposed.
River wants to show Dahlia that life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass—it’s about dancing in the rain! But how many times can one broken heart be mended? Will River and Dahlia be able to face the turmoil together or will they be torn apart?
** TORN ** (available now – follow up to Connected)
INFORMATION ABOUT BOOK #1:
Title: Connected (Connections #1)
CONNECTED SYNOPSIS:
What if a ‘Once in a Lifetime’ could happen twice?
Suffering from a past full of tragedy, Dahlia London’s soul has been left completely shattered. Happily ever after is a far cry from reality in her world. But, when she is reconnected with her past, the bonds that form are irrefutable.
When River Wilde, lead singer of The Wilde Ones, comes back into Dahlia’s life, the intensity that fires their relationship combined with underlying feelings that have never died lead her to believe she has met her soulmate.
Struggling with confusion as old connections fade and new ones begin, Dahlia’s grief begins to lift–but guilt remains. River wants to be the one to mend all that is torn within her.
But with a past that is never really gone, can their future survive?
** CONNECTED ** (available now – first book of the series)
FINDING THE RIGHT GIRL is joining the anniversary festivities too! In addition to the Nice Girl trilogy being free, the Nice GUY spin-off (the other brother’s HEA) is *** $0.99 *** this week only!
✦$0.99 Pre-Order Sale ➢ #DangerousDozen Romantic Suspense Boxed Set by Charity Pineiro, Tina Wainscott, Maureen Child, Paige Tyler, Tawny Weber, Nina Bruhns, Virna DePaul, Karen Fenech, Kristin Miller, Gennita Low, Joyce Lamb, Maureen A Miller
Kindle: http://georiot.co/WZ0
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1fiGB2u
iTunes: http://bit.ly/1hM4mE0
B&N: not available yet
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✦$0.99 Sale ➢ Wish Upon a Tiger: A BBW Weretiger Shifter Romance (Fountain of Love) by A.T. Mitchell #PNR
Kindle: http://georiot.co/3MRV
Amazon Only
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✦$0.99 Sale ➢ Tattered Love (Needle’s Kiss) by Lola Stark
Global Kindle Link: http://georiot.co/l8E
Amazon Only
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✦$0.99 Sale ➢ Serving the Billionaire (The Silver Cross Club) by Bec Linder
Global Kindle Link: http://georiot.co/O9h
Amazon only
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✦$0.99 Sale ➢ Know Me (DEFIANT Motorcycle Club) by Cora Brent #BikerRomance
Kindle http://georiot.co/3hAn
B&N: http://bit.ly/1d8dVO3
Kobo not available
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✦$2.99 (Limited Time) ➢ Make Me: Twelve Tales of Dark Desire by Skye Warren, CJ Roberts, Aleatha Romig, Pepper Winters, Jasmine Haynes, Shoshanna Evers, Cari Silverwood, Eliza Gayle, Claire Thompson, Pam Godwin, Annika Martin, Annabel Joseph
Kindle: http://georiot.co/3z9h
B&N: http://bit.ly/1emsXhK
Kobo: not available
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KINDLE FIRE SALE: http://amzn.to/1fUBqYN
Limited-time offer: Get Kindle Fire HD from $119, Kindle Fire HDX $199, or Kindle Fire HDX 8.9″ $339.
Reading in Pajamas 
