January 31, 2019

Blurb Reveal with Louise Bay

 
    THE WRONG GENTLEMAN by Louise Bay

Release Date: February 19th

 
Add to Goodreads:
 
Pre-Order: 
Applebooks exclusive pre-order: https://apple.co/2C8VLeE 

Amazon Paperback pre order: https://amzn.to/2VGK3Rp
                             

 I’m an all-or-nothing man—100 percent focused on whatever has my attention.
First it was serving my country in the Special Forces. Then it was building my business. Right now it’s the hot blonde at the bar who’s about to become another notch on my bedpost.
But women never keep my attention for more than a night.
Until I peel off Skylar Anderson’s clothes and her mask starts to crumble, showing me glimpses of the girl she’s hiding. She’s funny, sexy and vulnerable and throws me out of bed before I can catch my breath and suggest breakfast.
When I start my last undercover job on a yacht, turns out, she’s one of the crew. I try, but I can’t look away.
Her high ponytail shows off her kissable neck that tastes like summer.
Her short uniform reveals the killer legs that were wrapped around me last night.
And her provocative smile? I know what that mouth is capable of.
I want to explore her body, discover her secrets and sail off into the sunset with her.
I might want to go all in for Skylar, but she should stay away from me. I’ve got secrets of my own and they can only bring her trouble.
 

USA Today bestselling author, Louise Bay writes sexy, contemporary romance novels – the kind she likes to read. Her books include the novels Faithful (not currently on sale as undergoing maintenance!), Hopeful, The Empire State Series, The Royals Series, The Nights Series (both series of standalone books each following different characters) and the standalone Gentleman series.
Ruined by romantic mini-series of the eighties, Louise loves all things romantic. There’s not enough of it in real life so she disappears into the fictional worlds in books and films.
Louise loves the rain, The West Wing, London, days when she doesn’t have to wear make-up, being on her own, being with friends, elephants and champagne.
She loves to hear from readers so get in touch!
 
           


January 29, 2019

New Release for the Sports Romance Junkies!!

                           

Today we are celebrating the release of ANTON by Brenda Rothert. This is a contemporary romance, standalone title, and it kicks off the brand new Chicago Blaze hockey romance series. Purchase your copy now for only $2.99!

BUY IT NOW! 

Amazon  |  Nook  |  Kobo  |  Apple Books

Follow Brenda's newsletter for exclusive details! 

Anton by Brenda Rothert

Chicago Blaze, #1

AVAILABLE NOW

Amazon  |  Nook  |  Kobo  |  Apple Books

He’s known as Father Anton to his teammates—the brooding, sexy captain of the NHL’s Chicago Blaze has a reputation for…not having a reputation. Just like his diet and sleep routines, celibacy is part of Anton Petrov’s on-ice mojo. Or so they say. Anton stays mum on the subject. If the world thinks he chooses to abstain from sex, so be it. Better that than the truth getting out: there is a woman he burns for, but he can never have her. She’s his teammate’s wife, after all. Mia Marceau is finally on her own. Now that she and her husband are living apart, she’s finding the peace she was desperate for. She spends her days in classes and late nights bartending, making her own way in the world at last. After what she’s been through, as long as her husband leaves her alone, she doesn’t plan to rock the boat. He still has the power to hurt those dearest to her, and she can’t demand a divorce with such a high cost. A chance encounter with Mia has Anton hoping for a shot he never thought he’d get. And while she’s drawn to the intense, serious hockey center, Mia’s leery about playing with fire. That’s all Anton has ever known for Mia, though—a living, burning desire that won’t be denied—no matter the cost.

Add the book to Goodreads




This was my first book from this author and for the most part I enjoyed it. Of course what caught my eye first was the cover, I mean how could it not? Lol When I realized it was a sports romance, Hockey, I was ready to start reading! I love sports romance. Something about the adrenaline mixed with chemistry within the characters is always a go to for me. 

With Anton, the first book in the Chicago Blaze series, it revolves around how Anton has this long time secret infatuation with Mia, who just happens to be his teammates wife. The big catch is that he finds out there has been a separation between Mia and her husband so finally it's Anton's time to disrobe his true feelings that he's been harboring and comes in to sweep her off her feet. For Mia, she has a lot of obstacles she needs to overcome and a transformation she wants to desperately achieve. Finally finding out about Anton's true feelings for her and his desires to help and protect her, she struggles to navigate through the next phase of her life. 

Plot - I was invested in the story. A few character traits kind of annoyed me, but I think it was just who the type of people I vibe with in the real world spilled over into my overall experience so I do believe I may be in a minority pool. 

Chemistry - The anticipation was on point!! Anton and Mia were downright HOT at times, some scenes made me snap my head back like WHOA lol but trust me it will be enjoyable when you get to those parts to say the least! 

Overall - Being a sports romance (or a romance that centers around a certain sport) book I wish I had more time on the ice. I felt as if the hockey life was glossed over but again I think that falls to personal preference. The writing was good, the flow I think steady. And I am definitely interested to see how the series goes with book 2 of The Chicago Blaze.





                                              

Brenda Rothert is an Illinois native who was a print journalist for nine years. She made the jump from fact to fiction in 2013 and never looked back. From new adult to steamy contemporary romance, Brenda creates fresh characters in every story she tells. She’s a lover of Diet Coke, chocolate, lazy weekends and happily ever afters.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Wattpad | Amazon







InkSlinger Blogger Final

January 7, 2019

New Release - The Kiss Thief - from L.J. Shen

   
THE KISS THIEF BY L.J. SHEN
Release Date: January 9th
Cover Designer: Letitia Hasser at RBA Designs.
   
   

AVAILABLE NOW!
FREE IN KU!
AMAZON UK:
AMAZON CA:
AMAZON AU:
         
                          

They say your first kiss should be earned. Mine was stolen by a devil in a masquerade mask under the black Chicago sky. They say the vows you take on your wedding day are sacred. Mine were broken before we left church. They say your heart only beats for one man. Mine split and bled for two rivals who fought for it until the bitter end. I was promised to Angelo Bandini, the heir to one of the most powerful families in the Chicago Outfit. Then taken by Senator Wolfe Keaton, who held my father’s sins over his head to force me into marriage. They say that all great love stories have a happy ending. I, Francesca Rossi, found myself erasing and rewriting mine until the very last chapter. One kiss. Two men. Three lives. Entwined together. And somewhere between these two men, I had to find my forever.
   



The Kiss Thief reminded me why I love to read! L.J. Shen has written a tale of intrigue while romanticizing secrets and lies that are woven throughout this emotional love story. 

What felt like a lifetime of events was actually me being consumed from the perfect mixture of words that successfully trapped me in a bubble as page after page brought me closer to the truth of the whom and why.   

I loved my journey of emotions with Wolfe. I hated him for most of the book. But come on, this is a Shen book. She knows how to write the perfect jerk! Just when things got really rough, a little light was shed on Wolfe and there was no where for my heart to go but swoon. As for Francesca, I immediately was her ally. Her character grows with each chapter and I could  feel her strength when it came to the forefront. 

The Kiss Thief was my most anticipated read of 2019 and I was not disappointed . I loved how I was made to change my palate of reading in every part of this story. How the mixture of romance, mythology, politics and mob bosses, crossed with old world Italian morals and traditions topped with coming of age forbidden lusts clicked lusciously together. It should not have worked but with L.J. Shen’s brilliant imagination, The Kiss Thief became flawless. 



   
“Are you sure you’re on my card?” I turned to the man with a polite yet distant smile. I was still disoriented from the exchange with Angelo when the stranger pulled me against his hard body and pressed a possessive hand lower than socially acceptable on my back, a second from groping my butt. “Answer me,” I hissed. “My bid on your card was the highest,” he replied dryly. “The bids are undisclosed. You don’t know how much other people have paid,” I kept my lips pursed to keep myself from yelling. “I know it’s nowhere near the realm of what this dance is worth.” Un-freaking-believable. We began to waltz around the room as other couples were not only spinning and mingling but also stealing envious glances at us. Naked, raw ogles that told me that whomever the blonde he’d come to the masquerade with was, she wasn’t his wife. And that I might have been all the rage in The Outfit, but the rude man was in high demand, too. I was stiff and cold in his arms, but he didn’t seem to notice—or mind. He knew how to waltz better than most men, but he was technical, and lacked warmth and Angelo’s playfulness. “Nemesis.” He took me by surprise, his rapacious gaze stripping me bare. “Distributing glee and dealing misery. Seems at odds with the submissive girl who entertained Bishop and his horsey wife at the table.” I choked on my own saliva. Did he just call the governor’s wife horsey? And me submissive? I looked away, ignoring the addictive scent of his cologne, and the way his marble body felt against mine. “Nemesis is my spirit animal. She was the one to lure Narcissus to a pool where he saw his own reflection and died of vanity. Pride is a terrible illness.” I flashed him a taunting smirk. “Some of us could use catching it.” He bared his straight white teeth. “Arrogance is a disease. Compassion is the cure. Most gods didn’t like Nemesis, but that’s because she had a backbone.” “Do you?” He arched a dark eyebrow. “Do I…?” I blinked, the courteous grin on my face crumpling. He was even ruder when we were alone. “Have a backbone,” he provided. He stared at me so boldly and intimately, it felt like he breathed fire into my soul. I wanted to step out of his touch and jump into a pool full of ice. “Of course, I do,” I responded, my spine stiffening. “What’s with the manners? Were you raised by wild coyotes?” “Give me an example,” he said, ignoring my quip. I was beginning to draw away from him, but he jerked me back into his arms. The glitzy ballroom distorted into a backdrop, and even though I was starting to notice that the man behind the demi-mask was unusually beautiful, the ugliness of his behavior was the only thing that stood out. I am a warrior and a lady…and a sane person who can deal with this horrid man. “I really like Angelo Bandini.” I dropped my voice, slicing my gaze from his eyes and toward the table where Angelo’s family had been seated. My father was sitting a few seats away, staring at us coldly, surrounded by Made Men who chatted away. “And see, in my family, we have a tradition dating back ten generations. Prior to her wedding, a Rossi bride is to open a wooden chest—carved and made by a witch who lived in my ancestors’ Italian village—and read three notes written to her by the last Rossi girl to marry. It’s kind of a good luck charm mixed with a talisman and a bit of fortunetelling. I stole the chest tonight and opened one of the notes, all so I could rush fate. It said that tonight I was going to be kissed by the love of my life, and well…” I drew my lower lip into my mouth and sucked it, peering under my eyelashes at Angelo’s empty seat. The man stared at me stoically, as though I was a foreign film he couldn’t understand. “I’m going to kiss him tonight.” “That’s your backbone?” “When I have an ambition, I go for it.”
A conceited frown crinkled his mask, as if to say I was a complete and utter moron. I looked him straight in the eye. My father taught me that the best way to deal with men like him was to confront, not run. Because, this man? He’d chase.
   

   
L.J. Shen is an International #1 best-selling author of Contemporary Romance and New Adult novels. She lives in Northern California with her husband, young son and chubby cat.
Before she’d settled down, L.J. (who thinks referring to herself in the third person is really silly, by the way) traveled the world, and collected friends from all across the globe. Friends who’d be happy to report that she is a rubbish companion, always forgets peoples’ birthdays and never sends Christmas cards.
She enjoys the simple things in life, like spending time with her family and friends, reading, HBO, Netflix and internet-stalking Stephen James. She reads between three to five books a week and firmly believes Crocs shoes and mullets should be outlawed.