Blog Tour: Bleeding Love By: Harper Sloan

I've loved once. I gave everything that I had to that love. Blindly believing that nothing could ever take that feeling away from me. Away from us. And when my little world of happiness was ripped from my fingers, I felt a loss that still haunts me to this day.

Now I use that lingering grief as a shield to keep my heart from loving again. It's that fear that keeps me from letting anyone, except my daughter, get close enough to make it hurt. To make my heart bleed when I inevitably lose again.

Until the day I met Liam Beckett and everything I thought I had protected myself from was shoved back in my face.

He's on a mission to prove to me that a love worth having is a love worth fighting for.  

Would it be wrong and possibly embarrassing to admit that when the ARC of Bleeding Love hit my kindle that I may have screamed like a teenage girl at her favorite boy band concert? Yes? No? Maybe?  Oh well I don’t care because that is exactly what I did when I saw that Liam Beckett was in my dirty minded little hands.  I may have petted my kindle a little and hissed when my husband came near and tried to take it away from me because his words “it’s official she’s lost her damn mind” may have been said as a prayer for patience and sanity. Can you tell that I was excited?

Now you know I love my man Cohen, yes I said my man, I am still trying to work out the visitation schedule with Dani though; but Liam Beckett oh my god he is going to have to share me with Cohen because I want a Liam of my own.  Hmmm... Cohen and Liam fighting over me, give me a second while I picture this… Damn I wish that would happen because Liam Beckett is one hot determined stubborn alpha male that left me changing my panties, remembering what it is to feel loved that you are the most important thing in the world and had me absolutely in love with him.  I never thought that the sons of my favorite Corps Security men would have me loving them more than I did their fathers but it’s true, their sons are even more bad ass, sexier, alpha, panty wetting, and everything we love in our book boyfriends.  I just love them period.

Bleeding Love was emotional, sexy, enthralling, and showed what the love of a good man can do in healing wounds.  I felt so much for Megan, she really broke my heart more than once when we learn of her past.  I loved how her daughter was her world and that while she wanted Liam she wanted to make sure her daughter would accept him, although it is quickly shown that she more than does.  I’m not going to give anything away but make overs, tea parties, and big tough alpha men make for some hilarious moments and sweet memories.  Liam knew he wanted Megan and he waited but when he couldn’t wait any more he still went in gently, well maybe not gently but he made me love him more and more with everything he would do.  He truly loved her.  And he is one smoking hot sexy alpha man, if you think his daddy was determined to win his mom you haven’t seen nothing yet.

I could go on and on about my love for Bleeding Love, Liam Beckett, Harper Sloan and a million other things, but I won’t.  What I will say is this.  This is one of the best books I have read this year, one that I have already reread since getting the ARC, and I can guarantee I will be reading it again in the future.  I love how Harper Sloan has continued the legacy of the Corps Security men that we all fell in love with, with their sons and daughters, and the way she has done it is beautifully.  You do not have to have read the Corps Security series or Unexpected Fate to read Bleeding Love, but I encourage you to do so, just so you get to meet the men we all loved and now their children who once again prove that love can overcome some of the hardest times and deepest pains.

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1RiNskm

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1NPEUMz

Nook: http://bit.ly/1HKBNX7

 His mouth leaves mine and with his hand still on my leg, he demands, “Dig your heels in deep, baby.”

I give him what he wants, but not because he told me to.  I give him what he wants because when his hand leaves my leg and pushes into the mattress, bringing his body up he goes even deeper into my body and those heels push hard.

Just as he demanded earlier, my hands go to his shoulders on my own accord and as he takes my body hard, my nails dig in with my heels still pushing hard against the small of his back.  Our eyes never leave each other’s probing gaze.  Never once do I take my eyes away from his, so full of lust that I know there isn’t an ounce of control left in his body.

He drops his head and I lift up to meet him in a kiss so sweet it doesn’t match the powerful way that he’s taking my body.  A kiss that gives me more than words ever could at this moment.  His hips slow and as his tongue rolls against mine, his hips start to take me in slow, deep rolls.  He doesn’t pull back, just rocks his hips against mine.

I push up and cry out when he slips even deeper.

His lips come from mine and his hooded eyes open a sliver.  “Feels like heaven,” he says softly.  “Everything, darlin’.  Feels like everything.”

Harper lives in small town Georgia just a short drive from her hometown of Peachtree City. She (and her 3 daughters) enjoy ruling the house they dubbed 'Estrogen Ocean', much to her husband’s chagrin. Harper has a borderline unhealthy obsession with books; you can almost ALWAYS find her with her eReader attached. She enjoys bad reality TV and cheesy romantic flicks. Her favorite kind of hero--the super alpha kind!

Harper started using writing as a way to unwind when the house went to sleep at night; and with a house full of crazy it was the perfect way to just relax. It didn't take long before a head full of very demanding alphas would stop at nothing to have their story told.

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Release Blitz: Brave By Natalie Gayle

A moment in time, that’s all it took. Beauty, pain and tragedy.

Xander “Pretty Boy” Todd was a demon in the ring. A professional MMA fighter with a career that had the world a buzz—but now it’s gone. Or is it?

Eden Sommers had her dreams of an international modelling career within her grasp—and lost it. Gone within a few seconds, leaving nothing but pain.

How do you go on, when the one thing that defines you is suddenly ripped away—only to leave scars and a hollow shell in its place? Has the beauty gone forever? Or has it just retreated—to now be hidden, and dormant; guarded by the inner demons?

Can these two wounded souls find the inner strength to fight back the demons together and find the beauty in their lives once again?

To do this, they must first accept—The hardest demons to defeat are the ones inside. They’ll have to be BRAVE.

I was first introduced to this author when I reviewed her previous series for a different tour and really liked the books so when I saw that she had a new series out I was excited to check it out.  Especially when I read the blurb I wanted to read it even more so I jumped and signed on as soon as I could to read and review Brave.  Let me tell you, I was expecting it to be emotional, angsty and possible a little on the darker side.  What I didn’t expect was to be sucked in from the start and be completely unable to do anything but read until I reached the very end.

This book was proof that beauty can come from pain and that even the worst of out demons can be battled when you are with someone who heals you.  I quickly fell in love with Xander, my heart broke for Eden, I cried tears of sadness, anger, loss and finally love.  Be prepared Brave will pull your emotions from your body on more than one occasion.  This is the first book of the series and I will anxiously await the next.  

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"If I could give Brave more than five stars I would. It deserves so many more than that. It has become my number one book of 2015 and one that will stay with me for a very long time to come."   Angela—Books and Friendz Blog

“This book has a lot of heart and so many emotional moments!! I totally fell for Xander, I mean how can you not?? Great great book, you’d be crazy not to one click this!!!”  Melissa—Apha Book Club

“This book contains it all! There are swoon-worthy moments, witty moments, steamy moments, and tearful moments that all come together to make this one fabulous read." Paige Smith—Hooked on Books Blog

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Excerpt

Fear struck through me. I hated the conversation directed to me, particularly when there were strangers involved. I could have cursed Tori. She knew better than to put me on the spot like this. I could just see her smirking face across the table from underneath my lashes as my throat started to constrict.

“You’re more than welcome to come along and watch. I encourage people to come along and see for themselves what it’s all about.” Oh, there was that voice again.

I was torn. I didn’t want to look up. I didn’t want to see the embarrassment and the man with the beautiful voice looking uncomfortable when he realised what my face looked like.

Surely there was a limit to the torture?

Manners, fear, self-consciousness all warred within me.

The silence around me was deafening. I could tell they were all waiting. I could feel three sets of eyes on me watching and wondering if I was actually going to respond. Finally I took a deep breath. What did it matter if he rejected me? It had happened before, and it would happen again. I could do this. It would hurt, but I was no stranger to pain, both physical and emotional.

Very slowly I raised my chin and turned just slightly towards him. I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t because my throat was closed in fear and uncertainty.

The first thing I noticed was the dark jeans that hung on narrow hips, then a white T-shirt that emphasised his flat belly and defined pecs. Bravely, I raised my eyes a little higher and the pecs ran into a set of wide shoulders. There was a hint of a tattoo peeking out from under one of his short sleeves. It only made his bicep look more delicious and enticing.

I took one final harsh intake of air and allowed my eyes to complete their journey. They travelled up and up the column of his corded neck to his wide angular jaw.

His full lips were slightly turned up in what looked like a half smile or was it amusement? I could only image how it would look once the shock registered when he saw my face.

Above those lips, that looked far too sensual for any man, was a long straight nose with a hint of a flare to the nostrils. The knot in my stomach tightened even further as I finally tilted my head back far enough so my eyes could meet his.

Every muscle in my body was tensed waiting for the shock, horror and embarrassment I was about to see, once my scars registered with his brain. It was an involuntary reaction I realised. Nobody could hide it, no matter how hard they tried. It was just the shock and surprise. I don’t blame them for their reactions, it just hurt that was all.

I raised my eyelids that final few millimetres and forced my eyes to focus on his. Right then and there the world stopped spinning for me. Time halted. My sisters faded into the background and I looked into the eyes of one of the most compelling people I had ever seen. Oh, he was handsome, but he was so much more.

But that was not what had me struck dumb—nope that wasn’t it.

It was his eyes—those bottomless pools of black onyx. I did a mental double take. For eyes so dark they should have appeared cold and icy.

But they didn’t—they weren’t cold at all. They were warm and rich. Right then was the first time I could recall in the last five years, a stranger looking at me with warmth in their eyes. Not shock, not pity, not embarrassment. It was warmth.

The shock paralysed me. I didn’t know what to do or how to act. My brain was shorting out. Nothing made sense. Somewhere in the back of my mind I registered my leg being kicked under the table, but even that didn’t break through my connection with those eyes. I wanted to swim in them, wrap myself in their warmth and burrow down tight.

I have no idea how much time passed.

Finally, he thrust his hand forward to me and without conscious thought, I placed my hand in his to shake. What happened next shocked me even more.

He lent across the table and pulled me into a loose hug and brushed his lips against my left cheek.

My brain was fried and my nerves were all misfiring. Nothing made sense. I was so far out of my comfort zone.

He pulled back slowly and gave me a smile that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

Then he spoke and his words seemed to swirl around me in a caress.

“Hi Eden. I’m Xander Todd.” Suddenly, I realised I had no box to categorise him into.

Author Bio

A confessed readaholic and romantic junkie, Natalie spends her time juggling a busy career as an IT professional and author. In between staring at a computer screen (she spends lot time doing that!) Natalie, enjoys living the Gold Coast life with her very tolerant husband and two school aged children.

She loves spending time with family and friends, hitting the beach, cooking, working out and curling up with a good book. Her pet hates are cleaning and anything else that can be considered “domestic dullness”. If she could have one wish it would be to be able to fit 48 hours into 24.

Natalie is the author of the Centre Games Series. A fast paced, romantic suspense series set on the Gold Coast, Australia. The series tells the stories of the Centre, a quasi government agency established to fight environmental, biological and agricultural threats. The Centre Games books are filled with hot alpha males and the feisty independent females strong enough to capture their hearts. Natalie’s books pack lots of action, hot romance and surprises.

Natalie is currently working on her fifth instalment for the Centre Games Series and a brand new series for 2015. Look out for her new release BRAVE, coming very soon and a couple of surprise projects.

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Sale Blitz: A Life Less Broken By: Margaret McHeyzer

On a day like any other, Allyn Sommers went off to work, not knowing that her life was about to be irrevocably and horrifically altered.

Three years later, Allyn is still a prisoner in her own home held captive by harrowing fear. Broken and damaged, Allyn seeks help from someone that fate brought her.

Dr. Dominic Shriver is a psychiatrist who’s drawn to difficult cases. He must push past his own personal battles to help Allyn fight her monsters and nightmares.

Is Dr. Shriver the answer to her healing?

Can Allyn overcome the broken?

Contains distressing content. Only suitable for 18+. Standalone.

A Life Less Broken is an extremely hard book emotionally to read.  This is not a book to read if you have any type of rape trigger, please if this is a topic that you know that you don’t like to read about then skip this one.  Just please take what I just wrote to heart.

God, what do I even say about this book?  From the start you know how horribly that Allyn suffered at the hands of her attackers.  I had tears in my eyes when I read what happened to her and then when you see how she hasn’t been able to cope just makes it all so much harder.  I had to step away from this book multiple times because of what I was reading.

When she meets Dominic, her new doctor you start to see that maybe, just maybe she can begin to live again. Slowly ever so slowly Allyn begins to battle the fears that have caused her life to just be at a standstill since her attack.  Feelings between the two begin to move past doctor/patient and that is when I started to not like the book as much.  It’s not because of their relationship but because it went from doctor treating patient to bam something else without a second thought to what would be at risk for him.

Then all of a sudden thing just go from bad to worse for Allyn, I won’t say what it is because I don’t want to give anything away but for me, that would have been my oh hell no breaking point.  It almost became over the top with the drama surrounding the truth. 

I liked A Life Less Broken but I can’t say that I loved it.  I love dark reads, rape in a book is not an issue for me, but this one just didn’t sit right with me for some reason.  I have had 50/50 luck with this author so maybe it is a case of we just don’t mesh well together or maybe it was the book itself but if you take anything from this review, please keep the warning I posted at the beginning of my review in mind if you do give it a chance.  This is one read that will stay with me for a while and not in a good way but one that will make me wish that nothing like this ever happens to any woman, ever.

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Author Bio

**Bound by custom or unique by choice.**

There's something about the written word that's pure magic.

Possibly it's the fact that there are 26 letters in the English alphabet, and they can create something so beautiful or so empowering that they're able to change our lives.

How important is it that we break suit and stretch our minds?

I like to think of myself as 'unique'. My stories aren't for everyone, and sometimes I may push what you believe to be 'normal'.

Normal is subjective.

I prefer to be known as a person who's never been 'bound by custom' but is 'unique by choice'.

Until next time

Mxx

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Blog Tour: Black Box by Cassia Leo

SYNOPSIS

♥ Three fateful encounters.... ♥ Two heart-breaking tragedies.... ♥ One last chance to get it right. From New York Times best selling author Cassia Leo, comes an epic love story about rewriting destiny. Over the course of five years, Mikki and Crush cross paths on three separate occasions. Their first encounter changes Mikki's life forever, but their second meeting leaves them both buried beneath the emotional wreckage of a violent attack. Mikki is left with more questions and grief than she can handle, while Crush is forced to forget the girl who saved his life. Now nineteen years old, Mikki Gladstone has decided she's tired of the mind-numbing meds. She books a flight to Los Angeles to end her life far away from her loving, though often distant, family. Twenty-one-year-old Crush has always channeled his blackest thoughts into his music, but he's never had great aspirations. He decides to fly to Los Angeles to record a demo of the only song he's never performed in public; a song he wrote for a girl he doesn't even know: Black Box. He has no expectations of fame and he's never felt like his life had any purpose... until he meets Mikki in Terminal B. When Mikki and Crush cross paths for the third time in Terminal B, neither has any idea who the other person is; until they slowly piece together their history and realize that fate has more in store for them than just another love story.

BLACK BOX PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1arEdUx

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1dNmKMC

iTunes US: http://bit.ly/blackboxitunes

iTunes UK: http://bit.ly/1ffAjpG

Kobo US/CA: http://bit.ly/blackboxkobo 

My Review:

This is a heartbreaking story of fate and tragedy. Can you handle it?

What are you running from?

It’s an intense read that casts tortured and damages souls. These poor characters, namely Mikki, have been to hell and back. Mikki and Crush have been brought together after struggling from a past event that has wrecked their lives. Crush recognizes himself in Mikki, and puts himself out there, knowing that she needs a friend and a little help.

This book is for those who understand and enjoy the abstract. Those who appreciate the beauty of a book that doesn’t wrap things in a big, pretty, pink bow. The serendipity in the book ties events and circumstances together, but the book understands the unknowns of life, and forces nothing just to give you the typical ending.

I really loved that each chapter started off with a link to a song that sets the tone for the chapter. This book is one for lovers of music and musician heroes. The story is told in a first person narrative, which alternates POV with each chapter. It occasionally throws in flashbacks chapters where the story needs enrichment. Cassia Leo is a solid author that has a real authenticity to her voice. The stories and characters feel unique and accurate to the twenty-something voice.

What I would have loved more of? The story within a story, regarding the book that has brought the couple together, Black Box. I would have loved to experience this part of the plot more. It was unique and fun, and I couldn’t get enough obviously. It brought a mysterious element to the story and I loved trying to figure out where the story was leading.

Insta-love. It may have an inkling of this. I read about complaints regarding this in books. I personally bought the history that these characters had with each other that would warrant them saying ‘I love you’ to each other. So this didn’t bother me one bit, but I could easily see some complaining about it. This book just scratches the surface of their relationship, and only a brief period of time within a week. They fall in love due to this strong pull of fate and how important past events have intersected their lives. Bottom line: the demand right now is for stand-alones, and with 250-300 page stand-alones, you’re going to get insta-love. The market has demanded it. I personally would love more from this couple.

Well I enjoyed the emotional journey that this book took me through. There were tears shed and nail biting. If you are looking for a touching and emotional read, look no further. Black Box by Cassia Leo is your next purchase.

AUTHOR BIO

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cassia Leo grew up in California and has lived in three different countries. She loves to travel and her dream is to one day score a record deal based on her awesome shower singing skills. She is the author of the Shattered Hearts series (Relentless, Pieces of You, Bring Me Home, Abandon) and the Luke and Chase series.
Website: http://cassialeo.com 
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorcassialeo 
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AuthorCassiaLeo

                      

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Blog Tour and Review: Escaping Reality

It’s official. I have a love/hate relationship with Lisa Renne Jones and her books.

Amy is on the run. She’s been on the run for years. She finally feels safe and then…she has to run. New name, new city, new state. Along the way, she meets Liam. Liam is rich, powerful, sexy, protective and possessive. Amy has never trusted anyone. Can she trust Liam?

Escaping Reality is another AMAZING story. I was hooked from the very beginning and read the entire thing in one sitting. I could NOT put it down.

This story is erotic, hot, sensual, sexy, and suspenseful all at the same time. Liam makes Amy feel safe. He keeps the monsters at bay. He also tries to take care of her. Unfortunately everyone Amy gets close to is in danger. She can’t let Liam get close. Liam’s seduction of Amy is everything a girl could want. He does all he can to make Amy feel safe while at the same time giving her the space she needs.

Amy slowly falls under Liam’s spell. Just when she starts to feel ready to tell Liam everything, her world comes crashing down. Lisa’s portrayal of Liam and Amy was amazing. I felt everything Amy felt. Every nightmare, every sensation, every touch. Lisa has a way with words that will suck you in and make you part of the story.

That’s the good news. Here’s the bad news. CLIFFHANGER!  Yep. Cliffhanger. And I have to wait until OCTOBER to get the next one. Yep. October! Really?  I can’t wait that long! I need to know NOW!

You better get busy writing Ms. Jones. I’m READY!!

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT TRILOGY which has sold to more than ten countries for translation with negotiations in process for more, and has now been optioned by STARZ Network for a cable television show, to be produced by Suzanne Todd (Alice in Wonderland).

Since beginning her publishing career in 2007, Lisa has published more than 30 books with publishers such as Simon and Schuster, Avon, Kensington, Harlequin, NAL, Berkley and Elloras Cave, as well as crafting a successful indie career. Booklist says that Jones suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann.

Prior to publishing, Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by Dallas Women Magazine. In 1998 LRJ was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her through her website and she is active on twitter and Facebook daily.

Connect with Lisa:

Website:  http://www.lisareneejones.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaReneeJones

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLisaReneeJones?fref=ts

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/73977.Lisa_Renee_Jones

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