Review: Pushing The Limits By Brooke Cumberland

From USA Today Bestselling Author comes a new contemporary student/teacher romance standalone...

He’s my art professor.
I’m his student.
With an electric connection and undeniable chemistry, I know it won’t be long until one of us cracks.

When the opportunity arises to pose naked for the entire art class, I can’t help the thrill of knowing he’ll be watching me.
While they all look past me with their eyes narrowed and concentrated, drawing only the lines and angles of my body, he sees right through me down to my vulnerability.
He sees more than just the physical aspects—he sees me.
That’s when I see the struggle in his features as he tries to stay in control.

How do we keep our distance when everything seems to be pulling us together?
What feels so right can only go wrong if we keep pushing the limits. 

There is just something about reading a taboo book that, for me at least, makes it oh so much more exciting.  It’s no secret that I like these types of books, but I especially enjoy them when they are teacher/student romances.  And ladies and gentleman, this is not only a hot teacher/student romance, it will have you on an emotional rollercoaster with your feelings.  Let me make that last statement perfectly clear, you will feel emotions, you will be sucked into this book and you will not want to put it down until the very end. 

This is not just a book about a teacher and a student, nor is it just a book about that same teacher and student having a hot taboo affair, it is so very much more.  I don’t want to give anything away that could spoil the book for you and honestly I can’t believe I am about to type this, but I hope that you don’t even read any reviews, including mine, and just dive right into Pushing The Limits.  I am a huge advocate of reading reviews, and the reviews I have seen have been great but I want you to take the chance and just read this if you like teacher/student romance books.

Brooke Cumberland, you have a fan for life in me.  I am truly amazed at the way you hooked me in and didn’t let go until the end.  Days later I am still thinking of this book and this is one that I will not forget any time soon.

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Stepbrother Mine By Mandy Lou Dowson

They were always taught that family was about more than blood, but when step-siblings Sophie Ellis and Logan Castle meet for the first time, their attraction is instantaneous. Forever trying to keep each other at arm's length, they discover that sometimes the best laid plans fall apart, when lovers fall together.
 
He's everything she's ever fantasized about, and everything she can never have.

She's all he's ever wanted, but never hoped to have.

Trying so hard to be his stepsister, she can't shake the attraction she feels.

He decides it's best to leave, but when circumstances see them reunite, and he discovers their initial attraction is still there after all the intervening years, he can't help himself. He has to have her.

Running scared, she cuts all ties.

Left behind, his bitterness grows.

When again circumstances force her back into his arms, her past comes back to haunt her.

He's determined to make her pay for leaving him.  

Desires are forbidden. Loyalties are tested. Hearts are broken. And in the end, is love strong enough to conquer all?

**This book is a stand alone. It is not suitable for anyone under the age of 18, due to explicit scenes, language and situations.

When I first started Stepbrother, Mine I will admit I was sort of disappointed.  I have loved in previous books that the Stepbrother starts off as this massive asshole who makes his Stepsister’s life a living hell, blah, blah, blah and in this book it doesn’t start off like that.  Logan actually seemed to be a great guy.  Maybe it’s the twisted side of me but I was asking myself out loud, where is the asshole?  Well, we get him later on and holy shit he makes up for his lack of assholeism (yes I made up a word lol).  Now I can sort of understand why he was as big of an asshole that he was.  Yep I am actually standing up for the asshole.  What Sophie does was not just hurtful but in a way sort of cruel especially since their situation was different.  I’m not even sure if they would be considered stepsiblings anymore.  Sophie made me want to throat punch her multiple times.  I can understand her reluctance up until a point and after that point was reached I really didn’t feel much sympathy for her or her feelings at all.  But together?  These two are a bomb ready to explode from all the sexual tension that they have had since the minute they meet.

While I may have started off disappointed I finished liking the book very much.  Am I still a feeling the love for the stepsibling love craze?  Yes I am because with every new book that has come out, the variations in the storylines are what make me keep coming back for more.   Mandy Lou Dowson may become an author to watch out for, especially if she continues writing  books like Stepbrother, Mine that are on the edge of being taboo without actually crossing over that no go line.

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Author Bio

Mandy Lou Dowson was born and raised in a small town in Ireland, in 1983, and at this stage in life, she's pretty sure the town won't let her leave. Family is a huge deal to Mandy. She has three wonderful children (most of the time), and two Siberian Huskies who are each as naughty as the other – in fact, she's sure they egg each other on in silly cartoon voices when nobody is looking.

~

“Climb out the window and get covered in mud.”

“No, I did it last time. You do it!”

“R'uh, r'oh, here SHE is. Shhh.”

~

When she's not writing, reading, or plotting her next book -- or, you know, world domination – , she likes to relax with a few glasses of wine and some karaoke. You can usually find her procrastinating on social media of some sort, chatting to fans and talking nonsense.
 

Mandy started reading at quite a young age and her appetite for the written word has only increased with time. It would not be at all surprising to find her reading anything and everything from shampoo bottles to Edgar Allan Poe.
 

She is the author of three different genres of romance books. The Moon Bound series, which is in the Paranormal Romance genre, and is gathering rave reviews, and the Taboo series, which is Contemporary with a hint of the forbidden, the first of which has gathered very mixed reviews across the board, from one extreme to the other.

She has also made a foray into Dark Romance recently, with her first title in the genre, Retribution, releasing in Summer 2015.

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Release Day Launch and Giveaway: Pawn (Volume One) by Maya St. James

Happy Release Day to Maya St. James and Book 1 of her 3 part serial - PAWN! Make sure to enter the giveaway below for a chance to win a $50 Gift Card! Good luck!!

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“I want to spend your last semester getting you out of those fucking pearls and on all fours.”

That’s what he said to me when he found out that with one semester of college left, my father—his colleague—had cut me off. Young, wickedly handsome, and deliciously moody, Senator Graham Delaney’s filthy proposition to cover tuition in exchange for one semester of kink was terrifying and thrilling and offensive. Very, very offensive.

If you’re wondering if I told him to go screw himself after he gave me his ultimatum—if the night ended with me slapping that smirk off his face—that didn’t happen.

Instead, I did what I needed to do.

I just didn’t expect to like it.

Book 1 of a 3 part serial. Volume 1 (ebook) : January 27, 2015 Volume 2 (ebook): February 14, 2015 Volume 3 (ebook): February 27, 2015 Vol 1 to 3 Paperback: February 27, 2015

*WARNING: The pages of this book contain filthy words and naughty situations. Reader discretion advised.

He fingers the string of pearls around my neck, and I hold back a tremble when his thumb traces my collarbone. “I know you don’t.” He drops my necklace, backing away from me, and gesturing to a glassed-in balcony with a fantastic view of the city lights and the Washington Monument. Squinting, I see there’s a table set for two out there. “Dinner, Elle, before I decide our time is better suited with my face against your—” Tuning out that last little bit, I walk a little too quickly onto the balcony, but the clench in my thighs makes me stumble. He steadies me, gripping my hips from behind me, and pouring gasoline on the fire his words started. “Are you always so clumsy?” Only when hot men who are a decade older than me threaten to go down on me in lieu of dinner. “No. Do you start all your dates like this?” I retort. “No.” We sit down, and the look he gives me is downright predatory. “I normally fuck first, dine later. I usually prefer the dining to be done alone without all the awkward chit-chat.” Flushed, I glance away from his face, focusing on an elaborate chess table, complete with tan and black marble pieces, sitting in the far corner of the balcony. Does he play? I’d learned from my maternal grandfather as a child, but I’d probably get my ass taken to town now, especially by someone like Graham. And instantly, my thoughts go south, carnal, and I blame his suggestive words. I sigh. “You know, you talk about fucking so much it makes me question—” I release a yelp when he pulls my hand in his under the table and shoves it against his zipper, closing my fingers around the unquestionable—and admittedly very, very impressive—bulge. Wow. “That’s not hard, Elle,” he tells me in a low voice, “but if you’re doubtful of my ability to make you forget your fucking name, how to walk—and everything else but yes, please, and more—it won’t take long for you to get me there.”
  

About the Author

Smut addict and hopeless romantic, sometimes at the same time. I have an odd fascination with reality TV, vintage clothing, and Marvel movies. Books are my passion. I'm the author of the upcoming PAWN and INTERTWINED serials.

Let's get to know each other and talk books. Find me on Facebook or email me at mayastjamesauthor@gmail.com.

Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads

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Blog Tour & Giveaway: A Little Too Far (A Little Too Far #1) by Lisa Desrochers

Have you ever gone just a little too far?

Lexie Banks has.

Yep. She just had mind-blowing sex with her stepbrother. In her defense, she was on the rebound, and it’s more of a my-dad-happened-to-marry-a-woman-with-a-super-hot-son situation. But still, he’s been her best friend and confidant for the better part of the last few years … and is so off limits. It’s a good thing she’s leaving in two days for a year abroad in Rome.

But even thousands of miles away, Lexie can’t seem to escape trouble. Raised Catholic, she goes to confession in hopes of alleviating some of her guilt … and maybe not burning in hell. Instead, she stumbles out of the confessional and right into Alessandro Moretti, a young and very easy-on-the-eyes deacon … only eight months away from becoming a priest. Lexie and Alessandro grow closer, and when Alessandro’s signals start changing despite his vow of celibacy, she doesn’t know what to think. She’s torn between falling in love with the man she shouldn’t want and the man she can’t have. And she isn’t sure how she can live with herself either way.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Desrochers lives in central California with her husband and two very busy daughters. There is never a time that she can be found without a book in her hand, and she adores stories that take her to new places, and then take her by surprise.

Look for her New Adult novel, A LITTLE TOO FAR , courtesy of HarperCollins Sept 17, 2013, and companions, A LITTLE TOO MUCH (Nov 12, 2013), and A LITTLE TOO HOT (Jan 21, 2014). Also in stores is her YA PERSONAL DEMONS trilogy (Macmillan).

For more info, find me on-line at https://www.facebook.com/LisaDesroche..., or visit www.lisadwrites.com

EXCERPT #1 - Lexie’s Confession

I breathe deep and pull myself to my feet, walking slowly to the open confessional. I hesitate at the door, but then remind myself that this is Italy … where they speak Italian. I can confess my worst of sins, and the priest probably won’t understand a word. I step in and close the door, then kneel in front of the thick red curtain separating the saint from the sinner.

“Nel nome del Padre, e del Figlio, e dello Spirito Santo. Amen,” a deep sandpaper voice says from the other side of the curtain.

I cross myself as the priest prays the Sign of the Cross, then bow my head and close my eyes. “Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned. It has been … well … a whole lot of days since my last confession. Probably a year or more. I accuse myself of the following sins. I … used the Lord’s name in vain at least … oh, God—” Shit! My hands fly to my face. “Like that … I just don’t think about it, and it comes out of my mouth. I’ve done it thousands of times. Maybe a million. Twice just since I walked into this church.” I shake my head at myself. “I’m terrible. But that’s not the worst. I’ve stolen from my friends. There was this scarf I got for Sam for her birthday that I decided to keep … so I guess it’s not really stealing, but it felt like it, and there were the flip-flops that Katie loaned me that I never returned—I even brought them with me to Italy. And I swore at my stepmother when she wouldn’t let me go out with my boyfriend until I cleaned the bathroom, but I knew he had this big romantic thing planned for our three-year anniversary and I was pretty sure we were going to have sex … which I guess I also need to confess … I had a lot of sex with my boyfriend before he turned into a douche—pardon my French … or English, I guess—but that was almost a year ago … when I still had a boyfriend … and, what else … I sort of cheated on a history exam last semester because Drake Mulhollan left his book open where I could see it, and during finals I wished my roommate dead one day when she was having sex with her boyfriend all freakin’ day so I couldn’t get into my room to get my books—she didn’t die, by the way … I mean, my wish didn’t come true or anything like that … but I wished it, which I’m pretty sure is a sin. And then there was the time I lied to Dad about the dent in the car … and the baggie he found in my backpack wasn’t really oregano … which, oh yeah, there was the pot thing too, but it was just a phase so …” I trail off, recognizing the fact that I’m babbling on to avoid the actual reason I’m here. I breathe deep and wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans. “And I stole my stepbrother’s T-shirt …” I swallow hard, “after we had sex,” I blurt, then I’m running downhill again, words tumbling out of my mouth before I even think them, “and it was truly mind-blowing. It’s all I can think about, and I want to do it again and, oh God—shit! See, I just can’t stop myself from saying oh God. But my stepbrother is so …” I growl in frustration and grab fistfuls of my hair. “ … incredible. He’s just fucking incredible—pardon my French. I’ve never felt the things he made me feel, you know … and God, I think I might …” I yank my hair as I shake my head hard. “I don’t know. It was just sex, right? I mean … as much as he made me feel, it was just …” I bury my face in my hands. “He’s my stepbrother. Why can’t I stop wanting him?”

“That is a question you will have to answer for yourself,” the voice says from the other side of the curtain.

“Oh God!”

“That would now be a million and seven, by my count. I hope you brought your rosary to Italy as well as your friend’s flip-flops.”

“You speak English!”

“I do, child. Is there more you are in need of confessing?”

“Hell, no!”

 

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