My Bookish Escapades

Release Day Blast: THE PLAN (A Crystal Cove Romance #2) by Tawdra Kandle

Monday, June 29, 2015

THE PLAN

A Crystal Cove Romance Book 2

*** Available Now! ***

iBooks/ Amazon/ Nook/ Kobo/ Smashwords/ Google Play/ All Romance Ebooks/ Goodreads

Emmy Carter is a hard-working, no-nonsense woman. She's focused only on supporting her family and growing her pie business. Working weekend nights at The Riptide is just something she does to help pay the bills. When it comes to men--or love--she's not interested.

Since the day her surfer-boy husband walked out the door to find bigger waves, Emmy's been determined never to give another man power over her heart. Cooper Davis agrees. He's been married--and divorced--twice, and he's got no desire to make it a trifecta. He has his carpentry business, which is his passion, and his teen-aged daughter to keep him busy. The posse, his best friends since boyhood, tease him about finding the right woman. But Cooper knows she doesn't exist.

When Emmy and Cooper share a casual hook-up late one night, isn't a big deal. It's just a one-time thing. Until it isn't. And although neither of them will admit to themselves or each other that they want more, each encounter only brings them closer to the happily-ever-after they never planned to have. Like it or not. . .it's all part of The Plan.

***Special price for THE POSSE (A Crystal Cove Romance Book 1)***

***99 cents for a limited time only!***

iBooks/ Amazon/ Nook/ Google Play/ Kobo/ All Romance Ebooks

One women, three men, and a love story as unpredictable as the riptide . . .

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Being a widow at the age of forty-four was never in Jude Hawthorne’s plans. After her husband’s death, she’s left with her family’s beach restaurant and two nearly-grown children. The last thing she’s looking for is another chance at love. However, if her husband’s best friends, the Posse, have anything to say about it, love is just what she’s going to get.

The Posse is determined to take care of Jude, and when they decide the best way to do that is for one of them to sweep her off her feet, three begin to vie for her affections. But only one can reach her heart. In a story of friendship, loss and second chances, Jude will learn her life is far from being over.

*** Coming August 25th! ***

THE PATH

A Crystal Cove Romance Book 3

Abby Donavan came to the small beach community of Crystal Cove to start over. After a painful affair broke her heart and derailed her burgeoning career, taking over management for the just-opened bed-and-breakfast was the safe choice.

In this sleepy town, Abby figured she could bury her memories and forget the pain. When the chance to have her own hotel falls into her lap, though, she can’t resist the temptation. Making the old Riverside Inn into the showplace she’s always dreamed of running offers the second chance she never expected.

Abby didn’t expect another kind of second chance to land on her doorstep at the same time. Ryland Kent wants to help her bring the Riverside back to life, and his passion for restoration is irresistible. But as much as she wants to ignore it, she can’t help seeing another spark in his eyes . . . one that offers to reignite her own flame. Sometimes the path to a happily-ever-after is anything but smooth.

Pre-order here! iBooks/ Amazon/ Nook/ Kobo/ Google Play

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tawdra Kandle writes romance, in just about all its forms. She loves unlikely pairings, strong women, sexy guys, hot love scenes and just enough conflict to make it interesting. Her books run from YA paranormal romance (THE KING SERIES), through NA paranormal and contemporary romance (THE SERENDIPITY DUET, PERFECT DISH DUO, THE ONE TRILOGY) to adult contemporary and paramystery romance (CRYSTAL COVE BOOKS and RECIPE FOR DEATH SERIES).

She lives in central Florida with a husband, kids, sweet pup and too many cats. And yeah, she rocks purple hair.

Follow Tawdra here: Facebook/ Twitter/ Tsu/ Pinterest/ Instagram/ Website/ Newsletter/ Amazon

Release Day Blast: HOT BEACH ROMANCE: SAND, SUNSHINE AND SIZZLE

Summer is here! Time for long, lazy days poolside or on the beach, and of course, a super hot read is a must-have. We've got you covered. Or . . . uncovered . . .

Ready for a summer escape? Get 15 contemporary romance stories by best-selling and award-winning authors for 99¢! Each novel and novella has a beach setting, an irresistible love story with HEA, and high sizzle factor. Slather on the sunscreen, grab a cool drink, and get ready to get hot!

HOT BEACH ROMANCE: SAND, SUNSHINE AND SIZZLE

iBooks/Amazon/Nook/Kobo/Google Play/All Romance Ebooks/Smashwords

Join the Facebook party on June 28^th for the official release of the bundle. Find out more about the books and the awesome authors in the bundle here!

Here's just a taste . . .

Ecstasy By the Sea by Chris Almeida & Cecilia Aubrey

A honeymoon to remember.

Burn Me by Eirinn Brennan

She was sure of the future until she experienced what else it had to offer.

Finding Joy by EmKay Connor

You can run from your secrets, but you can't hide.

Kissing Drake by Jenna Dales

A tall, dark and seriously hot hero and the woman who makes him forget about being so serious.

Madrona Sunset by Jami Davenport

Damaged souls craving comfort for a moment or a lifetime.

The Good Enough Husband by Sylvie Fox

What would you do if you met your soul mate, but you were already married?

The Posse by Tawdra Kandle

One woman, three men, and a beach romance as unpredictable as the riptide.

How to Say Goodbye by Amber Lin

She's here for the summer. He lives on the streets. They'll both learn how to say goodbye.

Last Call by Alannah Lynne

One unforgettably hot night could lead to forever...or...death...

Sunny and 75 by Scarlett Metal

Can paradise heal their broken hearts or will their pasts come back to haunt them?

Midnight Shadows by Lisa Marie Rice

She sees shadows that aren't there.

Two Are Better Than One by Suzanne Rock

Two Irish exchange students convince the straight-laced Hannah that two men are better than one.

The Billionaire's Assassin by Margaret Taylor

Adrian Hoyle couldn't know that meeting a hot Hollywood actor would be hazardous to her health.

Sun Kissed by Nancy Warren

It's hard not to mix business and pleasure when your business is surfing.

Miami Dreams by Layla Wilcox

Starting over in the Magic City means believing in second chances when none seem possible.

ARC Review: DIRTY THOUGHTS by Megan Erickson + Giveaway

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

DIRTY THOUGHTS (Mechanics of Love #1)

by Megan Erickson
06/16/2015; Avon Impulse

About the book:

Some things are sexier the second time around.

Cal Payton has gruff and grumbly down to an art...all the better for keeping people away. And it usually works. Until Jenna Macmillan—his biggest mistake—walks into Payton and Sons mechanic shop all grown up, looking like sunshine, and inspiring more than a few dirty thoughts.

Jenna was sure she was long over the boy she'd once loved with reckless abandon, but one look at the steel-eyed Cal Payton has her falling apart all over again. Ten years may have passed, but the pull is stronger than ever... and this Cal is all man.

Cal may have no intention of letting Jenna in, but she's always been his light, and it's getting harder to stay all alone in the dark. When a surprise from the past changes everything, Cal and Jenna must decide if their connection should be left alone, or if it's exactly what they need for the future of their dreams.

BUY LINKS:

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes&Noble | iTunes | Google Play

BOOK REVIEW:

Rating: 3.8 of 5 stars

Dirty Thoughts is one of those books that will grab you from the very beginning and never let you go. I was looking for a sexy, funny, swoony contemporary romance and that is exactly what I got. And damn, I loved every second of it!

Jenna is an amazing heroine. I didn't like her at first because she acted a bit entitled in the first few chapters but afterwards I realized I was wrong to even think that. She has a blunt and fiery personality and I really liked that about her. I love her "take control and take no shit from anyone" attitude. The moment she and Cal laid eyes on each other after years of no contact, I just knew sparks were going to fly! Cal takes gruff, sexy mechanic to a whole new level and if I could just bundle him up and take him home I would. Cal and Jenna are both so different from one another and yet they complement each other so perfectly you'd want to hit their heads when they kept on denying what's clearly between them. The sexual tension was off the charts!
Don't get me wrong though. This book wasn't just about the romance. Jenna and Cal both have issues to deal with. Jenna's mom and brother especially made me want to hurl the book. What is with those two? They're total jerks with hearts of thorns. I don't understand how Jenna could have come from the same family tree. But while Jenna's family make me want to punch someone, Cal's family is the exact opposite. Although I'm not Cal's dad's biggest fan, I have to say one of the highlights of this book would be the banter between the Payton brothers. I don't know whose book is coming next but I really, really hope it's Brent's. I may be in love with Cal but Brent is just the kind of guy you cannot not love. And Asher. That kid made me laugh from the moment he showed up! I love how the author made him such a big part of Jenna and Cal's growth.

Overall, Dirty Thoughts was sexy and steamy and was a perfect blend of romance, humor and drama. I cannot wait to read more!

I received a review copy as part of the tour.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Megan Erickson grew up in a family that averages 5’5” on a good day and started writing to create characters who could reach the top kitchen shelf.

She’s got a couple of tattoos, has a thing for gladiators and has been called a crazy cat lady. After working as a journalist for years, she decided she liked creating her own endings better and switched back to fiction.

She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and two cats. And no, she still can’t reach the stupid top shelf.

Praise for MEGAN ERICKSON

“A super sweet, extra sexy second chance romance that will have you laughing out loud and needing a minute to cool off. Dirty Thoughts is right!”

— Jay Crownover, New York Times bestselling author

“Megan Erickson ratchets up the romance and sizzle in her sexy new series. The Mechanics of Love will rev readers’ hearts.”

— Jennifer Ryan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author

“Megan Erickson writes hot, hot, HOT stories packed with emotion and humor. You’re going to want to read everything she’s ever written!”

— Sophie Jordan, USA Today bestselling author

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: THE HEARTBREAKERS (The Heartbreak Chronicles #1) by Ali Novak

Monday, June 15, 2015

THE HEARTBREAKERS

(The Heartbreak Chronicles #1)

"When I met Oliver Perry, I had no clue he was the lead singer for The Heartbreakers. Unbeknownst to him, I was the only girl in the world who hated his music."

Since Cara's health has been deteriorating, all Stella Walter can think about is trying to cheer her sister up. Her life revolves around Cara to the point where Stella drops out of one of the country's top photography programs so she can spend what little time she has left with her sick sister.

With Cara's birthday around the corner, Stella wants to get her the perfect gift. An autographed poster of her sister's favorite boy band should do the trick. Sounds simple enough, right? But life isn't always so easy.

Not only does Stella hate The Heartbreakers because of their terrible music, but when she realizes that the cute boy she met at Starbucks is really Oliver Perry, the lead singer of the band, her life seems to spin out of control...

Will Stella be able to swallow her pride and get the autograph that she so desperately needs to make Cara happy? And will Oliver be able to show Stella how to live her own life again?

Meet... The Heartbreakers.

Add it on Goodreads. Pre-order on Amazon.

BOOK REVIEW:

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I don't know what to say. This book caught me completely off guard. I've never read anything by Ali Novak and young adult contemporary where the heroine falls for the cocky, heartbreaker vocalist of the hottest boy band isn't usually right on my alley (I usually think them cliche, too unrealistic or overly dramatic), so I was pleasantly surprised when I picked up the book and couldn't stop reading.

Ali Novak's writing felt flawless. It was engaging and very humorous. You ever have that feeling of knowing that you're going to love a book just by reading the first chapter and you never want to put it down? Well that's how I felt. I got sucked in from the start and I never wanted to stop reading.

Stella is a wonderful heroine. She's funny, sassy and relatable. I found it easy to sympathize with her. I too have siblings of my own. I'm the youngest of three and I have two older sisters. I tell them everything. I can't imagine how devastating it must feel to know that you may lose one of the most important person in your life. To know that one of these days you may never be able to speak to them again, argue with them or tell them about the new, hot boy in school.

I really loved reading about the interactions between Cara, Stella and Drew. I felt just how deeply they care for each other and I love how they always got each other's backs. I think siblings are our very own fraternity brothers and sorority sisters without having to recruit them. And I loved it that Ali Novak wrote Stella, Cara and Drew's relationship in such an authentic and heartfelt way.

I love everything about the book! Cara has cancer but it wasn't the whole focus of the story so that didn't make it all dark and sad. But I think that has mostly to do with The Heartbreakers band members who are adorable dorks. They were definitely what I didn't expect. They were effortlessly endearing and their quirky antics were just too funny not to love. I greatly enjoyed meeting and getting to know them. I love how the author gave each of them a part to play in helping Stella's character grow. They weren't introduced, tossed aside and forgotten. JJ especially has his own place in my heart. He's kinda like the little brother who is always up to no good but you can't help but love anyway. But Oliver... swoon. Why does every Oliver I meet so droolworthy? (Is this the universe's way of telling me something?!)

If you're looking for a light ya contemporary that is sweet, hilarious and heartwarming, this book is definitely a must-read. (I learned that the next book is about Alec and damn it if I'm not excited.)

I received a copy of the book via NetGalley to read and review.

12 Days of Great Summer Reads Featuring Author Kelly Oram + Excerpt + Giveaway!

Friday, June 12, 2015

Let's add a little suspense, comedy and romance to the summer!

Kelly Oram wrote her first novel at age fifteen--a fan fiction about her favorite music group, The Backstreet Boys, for which her family and friends still tease her. She's obsessed with reading, talks way too much, and likes to eat frosting by the spoonful. She lives outside of Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, four children, and a cat named Mr. Darcy.

Newsletter signup: http://www.kellyoram.com/p/email.html
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Oram/e/B003UPV4RA/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_12?qid=1430338217&sr=8-12

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkellyoram

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kellyoram

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3203095.Kelly_Oram

Googleplus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+KellyOram/posts

Ellie’s Sweet 16 is a summer of firsts.

First car.

First kiss.

First boyfriend.

First serial-killing stalker…?

Hockey-obsessed tomboy Eleanor Westley has never been the object of a guy's affection before. So when the hottest boy she's ever seen moves in across the street and starts treating her like she's the center of his universe, naturally she's going to be a little skeptical. But everything starts to make sense when girls who look just like Ellie start dying all around the city. Obviously the new guy is the killer, and of course he only likes her because he wants to slice her into tiny pieces. Right?

The more Ellie gets to know Seth the more she's convinced he's a psychopathic killer. Problem is, he's the sweetest psychopathic killer she's ever met. Not to mention he's brutally hot. No matter how hard she tries, she can't help but fall for him.

From the best selling young adult author of The Avery Shaw Experiment and V is for Virgin, comes a lovable, quirky, and wildly funny coming of age contemporary romance about a girl, her strange but hot neighbor, and the crazy summer that changed both of their lives forever.

Will Ellie find true love?

Or will her summer of firsts turn out to be a summer of lasts?

Grab your copy here:

http://www.amazon.com/Serial-Hottie-Kelly-Oram-ebook/dp/B008GR3SYO/ref=la_B003UPV4RA_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1430338225&sr=1-6

AUTHOR TOP 10:

1. I went to college as a voice performance major

2. I once competed in the Miss Michigan Teen USA pageant. (I did not win LOL.)

3. I’m a baseball fanatic. (Go D-backs!)

4. I broke my head as a kid and had to wear a hockey helmet to school.

5. I own my own 10-sided dice for role-playing that no one but me is allowed to role.

6. I wrote my first novel when I was fifteen.

7. I’m a big fan-fiction geek.

8. The Backstreet Boys were my 1D, and I was a total fangirl.

9. I love Broadway musicals.

10. I love to play golf. (Though I totally suck at it.)

SNIPPET:

“Bruno, no! Stay! Bad dog!” I called when I realized he wasn’t going to stop. But it was too late. Bruno jumped up and knocked me right off my skates.

Everything happened so fast. I crashed back against my driveway hard, and for a second, things went totally black. When I came to my ears were ringing, my head was pounding, and I felt like I was going to vomit at any moment. Then, just as I’d suspected would happen, a giant tongue attacked my face.

Bruno only got the chance to give me one good lick before he yelped and fell limp beside me. That’s when I looked up to see the new guy staring down at me with the most intense eyes I’d ever seen. And, get this. He was holding a Taser. “Hi, Ellie,” he said in a strong, deep voice. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Well of course I screamed. The psycho just killed the Haskins’ dog. I screamed loud enough that the J’s probably heard me all the way at camp. Then I tried my best to push the new kid away from me, but he was too strong. I would have freaked out that such a hot boy was touching me, except I was too busy freaking out that such a hot boy was touching me! Pinning me to the ground, actually.

“Easy there, Ellie,” New Guy ordered me and then did the weirdest thing ever. He took off his shirt.

Not that I didn’t appreciate what was under his shirt, but I screamed again. Well what was I supposed to do? The guy comes out of nowhere, kills a dog, pins me to the ground, and takes his clothes off? Oh yeah, and he knows my name. How does he know my name?

It wasn’t until he wadded up his shirt and plastered it against the back of my head that I realized maybe he wasn’t attacking me. Once I understood this it finally dawned on me how much pain I was in.