Wednesday 30 April 2014

Cover Reveal - Infinity + One by Amy Harmon

 
INFINITY + ONE COVER
 
Title: Infinity + One
Author: Amy Harmon
Cover Design: Berto Designs
Release Date: June 2014
 
 
When two unlikely allies become two unwitting outlaws, will two unforgettable lovers defy unbeatable odds?
 
Bonnie Rae Shelby is a superstar. She’s rich. She’s beautiful. She’s impossibly famous. And Bonnie Rae Shelby wants to die.
 
Finn Clyde is a nobody. He’s broken. He’s brilliant. He’s impossibly cynical. And all he wants is a chance at life.
 
One girl. One boy. An act of compassion. A bizarre set of circumstances. And a choice – turn your head and walk away, or reach out your hand and risk it all?
 
With that choice, the clock starts ticking on a man with a past and a girl who can’t face the future, counting down the seconds in an adventure riddled with heartbreak and humor, misunderstanding and revelation. With the world against them, two very different people take a journey that will not only change their lives, but may cost them their lives as well.
 
Infinity + One is a tale of shooting stars and fame and fortune, of gilded cages and iron bars, of finding a friend behind a stranger’s face, and discovering love in the oddest of places.
 



He bit back a curse and strode to his truck. Unlocking the door, he tossed his bags in the backseat, climbed in, and slammed the door. He turned the key and backed out resolutely, trying to ignore the fact that she had risen, her hands on her bags, and that her hood had slipped from her head. She didn’t move forward, didn’t call out to him to wait. She just stood there, watching him go. He shifted into drive and made it 100 feet before he let his eyes find her figure in the rear view mirror.
 
“Unbelievable,” Finn ground out, and slammed the wheel with the palm of his hand. He slowed to a stop. “UNBELIEVABLE!” he reprimanded himself even as he engaged the brake, pushed the door open and lurched out of the idling vehicle. Bonnie still stood with her two duffle bags in her hands, her grandma’s stolen purse on her shoulder, but now her lips were slightly parted, clearly stunned that he’d stopped.
 
And she wasn’t the only one. Finn felt like he was split right down the middle. The rational part of his brain, the side that ensured his survival and his sanity, was outraged, demanding that he keep driving, while the side of his brain that was connected to his heart and other parts of his body was breathing a sigh of relief that he hadn’t let her get away.
 
She didn’t move, as if she was sure that the moment she did he would change his mind, climb back in the Blazer, and drive away. So he walked back to her, battling with himself every step of the way. He walked until they were practically toe to toe, her dark eyes wide and lifted to his, his hands shoved into his pockets so he wouldn’t strangle her. But his pockets felt like manacles around his wrists and he yanked them free, fisting them in the front of Bonnie’s puffy pink coat and raising her up on her toes and into him until they weren’t toe to toe any longer but nose to nose. His emotions were a big tangled ball of anger, longing, and injustice all wrapped up in impatient outrage, and Finn couldn’t separate one feeling from another. So he did the only thing he could do. He kissed her.
 
It wasn’t a soft kiss or a sweet kiss. It was a ‘you-scared-me-and-messed-with-me-and-I’m-mad-and-relieved-and-unbelievably-frustrated’ kind of kiss. It was teeth and lips and nipping and bruising, and Finn couldn’t make himself stop, even when Bonnie’s teeth tugged at his lower lip and her hands pulled at his hair. Especially then. And when she wrapped her arms around his neck and stepped up onto his toes so that she could press herself flush against him, he decided revenge really was sweet, and enjoyed the feel of her face against his, the wet heat of her mouth making him forget he was standing in the middle of a Motel 6 parking lot with his ride rumbling behind him, the driver side door still hanging wide open. The rational part of his brain was stunned into peaceful silence…for all of ten seconds.
 
 
INFINITY + ONE FULL WRAP
 


amy harmon

Amy Harmon knew at an early age that writing was something she wanted to do, and she divided her time between writing songs and stories as she grew. Having grown up in the middle of wheat fields without a television, with only her books and her siblings to entertain her, she developed a strong sense of what made a good story.
 
Amy Harmon has been a motivational speaker, a grade school teacher, a junior high teacher, a home school mom, and a member of the Grammy Award winning Saints Unified Voices Choir, directed by Gladys Knight. She released a Christian Blues CD in 2007 called “What I Know” – also available on Amazon and wherever digital music is sold. She has written five novels, Running Barefoot, Slow Dance in Purgatory, Prom Night in Purgatory, the New York Times Bestseller, A Different Blue, Making Faces, and coming in June, Infinity + One.




 
Amy Harmon is giving away three pre-release ARC paperbacks to three lucky winners!

Open Internationally!
 

Blog Tour - Bender by Stacy Borel

Bender Blog Tour Banner

Bender Cover

Title: Bender
Series: The Core Four #1
Author: Stacy Borel
Release Date: April 21, 2014
 
 
 
All Keegan wanted was a roommate who was quiet, minded their own business, and paid for part of the rent. Instead, she got Camden Brooks.
 
Camden, with his sinful body, sharp tongue, and the inability to stay out of Keegan’s personal business, couldn’t seem to curb his interest in the new girl who wouldn’t put up with his domineering ways.
 
Feelings were running rampant, sexual tension was thick, and both were struggling to let go of control.
 
To some people, getting a roommate simply meant living with another person. But to both Camden and Keegan it was a curveball that neither was prepared to swing at.
 
 
 
Bender Blog Tour Teaser 6
 



 
 
Ever since I saw the cover for this book, I could not wait to get my hands on it! Sports Romance is one of my favorite genre's and even though this book did not have a lot of baseball in it, it was a HOT and SEXY read!!  Wasn't sure I was going to like Camden in the beginning but he turned out to be that Alpha Male we all come to love. I also loved the characters names in this book as well (don't want to give away any spoilers). This is an excellent start to what I'm sure we be a have-to-have series. Stacy Borel hit this out of the park and I give her 5 STARS. Will be waiting for the next one for sure!!

~ Review by Stacey


 
I love sports romances and as soon as the cover for this one was revealed I knew I needed to read it.

Keegan needed to escape from her home life and try to make it on her own, when she comes across an ad from someone looking for a roommate she knows it may just be too good to be true. In some ways it is. Gorgeous apartment with an even more gorgeous roommate. Not only is Camden hot he is just full of brooding sexual tension.

I don't know what it is but I love heroes that start off as assholes, because you KNOW once that woman gets under his skin he is going to turn into a big puddle of mush. It was fun to watch these two try to work out their feeling s for each other Camden and Keegan ended up being a good pair of opposites attracting and it was fun to see them battle their feelings.

I enjoyed this book and am looking very forward to reading more about Camden's other brothers in the future! I love how their first names are all baseball related.
 
~ Review by Erin
 
 


Bender Blog Tour Teaser 2

 
 
Stacy Author Pic
 
Stacy Borel currently resides in southeast Texas with her husband and two kids. She grew up as a military brat and has lived everywhere from California, Alaska, Azores Portugal, and Hawaii. She loves traveling and seeing new places, so being a military spouse is perfect for her. Stacy enjoys the adventure of moving every 2-4yrs. It's refreshing to experience a new place.
 
Stacy is a self proclaimed reading addict and Facebook addict. If she's not doing one of those two things, she can be found writing, or playing with her kids. Some of her hobbies are listening to new music, going fishing, being active outdoors, and she always loves spending time with her out of state family.
 
Stacy discovered Indie Authors in early 2012 after reading Fifty Shades of Grey, and there began her passionate love affair with books. She always wrote stories and journals growing up, but she decided in December 2012 to really dip her toes in the water with a romance novel. She now has three full length novels under her belt, and a whole new series for the 2014 year.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Tuesday 29 April 2014

Review Tour - Take Me For Granted by K A Linde


 
 Title: Take Me For Granted
Author: K A Linde
Release Date: April 29, 2014

 

Grant

Manwhore. Adrenaline junkie. Lead singer of ContraBand. What you see is what you get. I make no apologies for my actions, and by now no one expects any from me. I live my life the way I want and as long as it pushes the demons back, then I'm solid. I've never needed a chick for more than a good lay. Why would I need just one when I can have a different one every night?

Until she walks into my world.

Aribel

Mouthy. Perfectionist. Princeton student. Chemistry major. Yes, that pretty much describes me. Oh, and virgin. But I'm only nineteen, and have more important things to concern myself with. What really matters is finishing my degree and getting a good job. I’ve worked hard for what I want, and do what’s expected of me. I don’t need anyone to get in my way.

Until he opens up my world.

But if I give you my world, whatever you do…don’t TAKE ME for granted.
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
  
☆ ☆ ☆ 3.5 “Princess” Stars ☆ ☆ ☆
 
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Nineteen year old  virgin meets manwhore lead singer of Contraband. How could you not want to read this book? Right off the bat, I dove right into this story and found myself immersed in young love.  

Aribel Graham is a virgin and Ivy league college student. Her sheltered life mostly consisted on her academic success. What makes Aribel really stand out is her wit and feisty attitude.  Surrounded by girlfriends who are dying for her to lose the V-card status, Aribel just doesn’t seem to care until she meets Grant McDermott.

Grant McDermott classifies himself as a manwhore. Simply, Grant’s life is a revolving door of endless groupies, who are happily eager to be a notch on his bedpost. When his band, Contraband, performed at a local college bar, it was like any ordinary night, except this time his charm didn’t work for Aribel.

Grant doesn’t get rejected...he’s usually the one doing the rejection, but this blonde blue-eyed girl got under his skin. He made it his mission to get to know who this feisty sassy smart-mouth is.  And so begins the angst.. I loved how Grant pursued Ari. The banter between these two had me smiling! I really enjoyed the sexual flirtations, innuendos, and the back and forth banter. Ari’s sassy attitude and smart-mouth complemented Grant’s personality.  

As much as I love the feisty smart-mouth virgin and manwhore rocker concept, there was something missing in the story-line to make me really like this book. I wanted to know more Grant and Aribel. During their dates, I think I would have loved to get to know more of Ari’s past and see what made Grant so attracted to her and why he considered her different from the rest.  Personally, I wanted to see that spark that as a reader make you fall in love with Ari and Grant as couple.  I also felt the character, Vin was overshadowing the story-line between the main characters. I found myself more annoyed with Vin and I think his character distracted the story-line.  But overall, I enjoyed reading my first K.A. Linde book and I can’t wait for the next installment to see what happens with Grant and Aribel.
 
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 ~ Review by Michelle
 
 
 


K.A. Linde graduated with her Masters in political science from the University of Georgia in 2012. She also has a bachelors in political science and philosophy. She wrote her the Avoiding Series while struggling through advanced statistical modeling and writing her thesis. She enjoys dancing and writing novels that keep you guessing until the very end.
 

She currently resides in Georgia with her boyfriend and two puppies, Lucy and Riker.








Paperback Launch Day Blitz - The Bet by Rachel Van Dyken



 
 
Title: The Bet
Series: The Bet #1
Author: Rachel Van Dyken
Paperback Release Date: April 29, 2014
 

 
"I have a proposition for you." Kacey should have run the minute those words left Seattle millionaire Jake Titus's mouth. It's been years since Kacey's seen her childhood friend Jake, but the minute Jake mentions his ill grandmother, Kacey is ready to do anything for the sweet old woman. And if that means pretending they're engaged for her sake-so be it.

But Kacey wasn't counting on Jake's older brother Travis still being there. She calls him "Satan" for a reason: she's never forgotten the way he teased and taunted her. Yet when they meet again, Travis's gorgeous smile is a direct hit to her heart . . . and Kacey's more confused than ever. As the days pass, only one thing starts to become alarmingly clear-she never should have accepted Jake's deal . . .
 

 

 
PAPERBACK
 
EBOOK
 
 
 
 
4 Lighthearted Romantic Stars!

From emotionally touching stories to fun, easy ones, Ms. Rachel Van Dyken has a talent to make you feel like a part of the characters’ stories.

I enjoyed reading Jake, Kacey, and Travis’ friendship and romantic growth. It was a fun and completely delightful experience to read about these 3 characters. Do you remember all those 90’s teen romantic-comedy movies? The one that makes us feel good and in love while watching it? The one that we like to waste our 2 hours of the day to just to take our mind off things and distract ourselves with comedy and romance? But not without some twist and drama to the story? That was The Bet for me.

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Travis was such a dorky, hilarious guy! The way he was during the prologue was very  "aww" worthy and I can just imagine a 7-year old little boy acting the he does around his crush. Adorably annoying yet so very endearing and is a closet-sweet man. I want to hug his muscled goofiness! He is one of those guys you want to smack over the head while still laughing at him and finding him cute.

Jake is the young brother of Travis, the sweet one, the one who always say the right things, the playful brother. But when he grew up, he was still sweet and even more charming hence, the situation he got himself into with his business and his grandma and now, he needed Kacey’s help.

Kacey had been friends with Travis and Jake since they were little kids, but she and Jake are more close with each other. She is also a pretty funny lady, sarcastic, witty, and beautiful. I can imagine her as one of the 90’s romantic leading ladies who stars in movies alongside Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Julia Roberts.

I absolutely had a good time reading their banters, especially Travis! Obviously, you can see how much I adore the guy. And their Grandma. For an 85-year old, grandma still rocks! Grandma is hip and nutty and you will laugh at her cunning ways!

Ms. Van Dyken made my heart happy!

Stars: 4 stars!
Recommended to: If you’re looking for a breather, The Bet is an enjoyable pick! You’ll love Travis Titus.
POV: Third person. Multiple POV.
Series: Yes. But standalone.
Cliffhanger: No.
EXTRA COMMENT: Funny, cute, sweet! A light read for everyone to enjoy!
 
~ Review by Mara
 


3.5 Titus Stars

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The Bet by Rachel Van Dyken is a cute sweet unrequited love story. Two brothers, one girl..who will capture her heart? If you are thinking love triangle, relax because there is no such thing. Right off the bat, readers will know which Titus brother has clear intentions and who loves Kacey for all the right reasons.
 
Jake and Kacey were childhood best friends. Growing up they were inseparable and had Jake's older brother, Travis always tagging along. Young Travis would tease and make fun of Kacey. You know what they say, you make fun of those of you like but in this case love.  When Jake ask Kacey to be his pretend fiance to help his playboy image, the craziness in the Titus household ensues. What happens when the only girl who captured and owned Travis Titus heart comes back home in the arms of his playboy and inconsiderate brother, Jake? Will Kacey finally see Travis?

I enjoyed reading The Bet. It was sweet, cute, funny and a quick read. You can't help but fall in love with Travis Titus. So if you are in the mood for two childhood friends finally getting their shot at love, then go read The Bet.

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~ Review by Michelle
 

 
I knew Rachel Van Dyken had successfully done her job as an author when I immediately hated Jake. “The Bet” is focused on the relationships between Kacey and brothers Jake and Travis Titus. Throughout the book all three mcs have to re-learn each other, and transition their relationships from childhood friends into adult friends. It is difficult to discuss this book without giving anything away (aside from personal biases), so I will stick to my emotional connection to the characters.

I liked the duality of the brothers with Jake the obvious player and Travis the loyal companion. Kacey’s relationship with each was different, and it took me awhile to fully grasp Kacey’s relationship with Jake. I understand that they have deep roots and were once best friends, but in the first 3rd of the book Jake clearly and unabashedly manipulates Kacey to get his way. I gave my kindle many dirty looks when he acted like a complete ass towards Kacey, and loved it when she didn’t put up with his shit! Needless to say, I was definitely rooting for Travis throughout the book.

Travis was the most complex character, and I had the biggest connection with him. While Jake’s intentions are not always clear, Travis has an obvious stake in attempting to win Kacey’s heart. While many times the antics pulled by Travis were a bit misguided or misunderstood by Kacey, he learned from his mistakes and always meant well. He was loyal to a fault, and was a great off-set to the flirtatious and hard to pin down Jake. The dynamic between the brothers vying for Kacey’s affection and attention was one of the highlights. Another favorite part of “The Bet” was the loving but meddling Grandma Nadine– she definitely brought in the comic relief when needed. I also loved that the story switches between povs so that the reader was able to see inside the heads of Jake, Travis and Kacey. It added a further understanding and insight necessary for the plot to develop that would not have happened with a single pov.

I am not one typically to enjoy a love triangle but this one definitely had me hooked! I was emotionally invested in the lives of Jake, Travis and Kacey for the whole story. Rachel Van Dyken is a fabulous writer, and overall give “The Bet” 3.5 stars.
 
~ Review by Alicia
 
 
 

 
Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor. She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com