Release Day: THAT ONE SUMMER by C.J. Duggan

Book: That One Summer

Author: C.J. Duggan

Genre: New Adult Romance

Release Date: December 17, 2013

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Loving Chris Henderson would be wrong. Diabolically disastrous. I mean, what is there about him to love? He’s moody, bossy, brooding, a control freak, and that’s on a good day … but there was one achingly obvious fact that haunted my every thought, every minute of every day …

He sure could kiss.

As the countdown to the new millennium begins, there is one thing everyone agrees on: no one wants to be in Onslow for New Year’s Eve.

So that can only mean one thing: road trip!

No longer the mousey, invisible, shy girl from years ago, Tammy Maskala is finally making up for all those lost summers. A new year with new friends, which astoundingly includes the bossy boy behind the bar, Chris Henderson.

She likes her new friends (at least most of them), so why does she secretly feel so out of place?

After chickening out on the trip, a last-minute change of heart sees Tammy racing to the Onslow Hotel, fearing she’s missed her chance for a ride. The last thing she expected to meet was a less-than-happy Onslow Boy leaning against his black panel van.

Now the countdown begins to reach the others at Point Shank before the party is over and the new year has begun. Alone in a car with only the infuriating Chris Henderson, Tammy can’t help but feel this is a disastrous start to what could have been a great adventure. But when the awkward road trip takes an unexpected turn, Tammy soon discovers that the way her traitorous heart feels about Chris is the biggest disaster of all.

Fogged up windows, moonlight swimming, bad karaoke and unearthed secrets; after this one summer nothing will ever be the same again.

Warning: sexual references and occasional coarse language.

“So what do you think?” Chris stood with his elbow leaning casually on the open door of his jet black panel van. He looked up at me expectantly. “Pretty sweet ride, huh?” “If you’re a serial killer,” I said, cautiously descending the steps. Chris’s head snapped around with surprise, his eyes almost as dark as the van itself. He slammed the car door and folded his arms, glowering at me as I approached. “I’ll have you know, Toby and I have spent the better part of six months fixing this old girl up.” I wrinkled my nose. “Really?” “It’s got a 308 and a four barrel carby.” “Why, it could be grease lightning,” I smirked. I didn’t think a death stare could vary in so many ways, but Chris had mastered a variety of pissed-off stares like no other. The one he was now casting me was a whole new level of anger. Oops. I cleared my throat and looked away, suddenly super aware that the last thing I should do was alienate my ride, but then the thought did occur to me: did I want to be trapped in a car with Chris Henderson for three days? Three long, insufferable days – could I subject myself to any more death stares, sneers, scoffs and deep sighs? Maybe I would be doing myself a favour if I gave him good reason to leave me behind. Before I fully acclimated to the idea, my attention was snapped back to the present and the duffle bag that landed at my feet. I frowned toward the verandah where Chris had moved and was readying himself to turf my other bag down. “Hey! Watch it,” I snapped. “You might break something.” It was a possibility, though I didn’t know exactly what. Maybe Mum had slipped in a crockery set? Who could honestly guess? “Let me guess,” Chris said with a smirk as he slung my beach bag over his shoulder and trotted down the steps. “Hairdryer?” He threw a cocky smile and grazed my shoulder as he passed, heading for the van. My eyes burned into his back as he opened the double doors to chuck in my bag. He turned to me expectantly, his hand out for me to pass him the duffle. I snatched it up, trying not to let the strain of its weight show as I lugged it over and carefully placed it into the back. I attempted to, anyway. With a rather inelegant lack of grace, I hitched it up onto my knee, trying to be all cool and casual, as if I was totally in control … I so wasn’t. Chris plucked it from me as if the bag weighed nothing and turfed it into the back. “Careful!” “Relax, it landed on the mattress.” Mattress? I peered into the back. Sure enough, a mattress lined the whole floor up to the front bucket seats. The windows were blacked out and the inside walls were lined with black carpet. Oh, ick. All it needed was some leopard-print cushions and a disco ball. It would seem that black was a common theme throughout Chris’s van, and the colour matched his mood.
Chris slammed the back shut. Viewing time was over.
I half expected him to say, “Let’s get this show on the road,” or “We’re burning daylight,” but instead I got a rather lacklustre, “Get in.”Yep! Three long days.

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C.J Duggan is a Number One Best Selling Australian Author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia.For more on C.J and her highly successful ‘Summer Series’, visit www.cjdugganbooks.com

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LET LOVE HEAL by Melissa Collins: RELEASE EVENT

Perfection. We all strive for it, but what happens when the desire to be perfect consumes you? What happens when the need to bury your mistakes blinds you?

Melanie Crane has always been the perfect daughter, friend, student – she’s been perfect at everything, in fact. But when she lets her insecurities, the ones that she keeps hidden from everyone, get the best of her, she falters in her pursuit of perfection. Melanie crumples under the pressure and buries her pain. Numbed by sadness and guilt, she is determined never to let anyone find out how broken she really is.

Bryan Mahoney may appear to have everything in order. He’s charming, witty and completely swoon-worthy. In short, Bryan has life all figured out, but appearances can be deceiving. When the landscape of Bryan’s family changes in an instant, he’s left to pick up the pieces.

Not all bruises leave a mark. Now, weary and afraid, Melanie and Bryan must find a way to let love heal their broken and jaded hearts.

I’ve always been an avid reader. Majoring in English Literature was a no brainer. Becoming a teacher and instilling my love for reading into my students was also a no brainer. I’ve spent the last ten years teaching and I’ve loved (mostly) every minute of it. When I was home on maternity leave for my third son, I discovered a new genre that sparked my creativity. My passion for writing sprang from my love of reading and once I knew I had a story to tell, I couldn’t wait to get it out there. I only hope that my readers enjoy reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Read the Prologue on:

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HER by Carey Heywood - RELEASE DAY + Giveaway!

Book Title: HER

Author: Carey Heywood

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 26, 2013

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

    

You know her side of the story, now learn his. 

"It was useless. I felt branded beneath my skin by a girl who left without even saying goodbye." When Will Price was assigned a partner for a sixth grade class project he had no idea she would become his best friend. After years of friendship, she eventually became so much more. Then, one day she left with no explanation.

Will’s life shattered right before his eyes and he was left alone to pick up the pieces. Floundering, Will must figure out a way to carry on, to find a way to exist without her. 

Seven years later, a chance encounter leaves him desperate to get her back. He has one week to make her his again. Not everyone gets a second chance with the love of their life and Will is determined to never lose her again.

Click here to read my review of Her

Click here to read my review of Him 

I have to preface this little bio with the fact that Ms. Carey here is one of my favorite people in the world! See, isn’t she just cute over there in her little picture. So, that said… I’d like to introduce you to one fantastically fun and hilarious woman… Carey Heywood! ~B

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author. I make up stuff and write it down. Here are some things that make up who I am, in no particular order; Books, Swedish Fish, Rivers, Kids (I have some), Husband (I have 1), Dog, Wuss, Reader, Elephants, Mermaid Shows, Belgian Chocolate, Plastic Rings, Fizzy Water, Abs (I don't have them...well yes, I have them but they're nothing to look at I meant Abs that I like to look at), Twitter (@careylolo), Making up Words, Chair Dancing, Old Movies, Cartoons, Belgian Waffles, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, People, Kayaks, Screen Porches, Laughing, Colored Paperclips, Junky Green Laptop, Golden Rule, Falling in Love, Jumping in Puddles, Spellcheck, Windy Days.

 

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THE TEMPTATION OF LILA AND ETHAN by Jessica Sorensen: Launch Day Blitz

The Temptation of Lila and Ethan 

by Jessica Sorensen

Published: 10/22/13

On the surface, Lila Summers is flawless: good looks, expensive clothes, and a big, beautiful smile. But a dark past and even darker secrets are threatening to bubble over her perfect façade. She'll do anything to keep the emptiness inside hidden-which leads her into situations that always end badly. Whenever she hits bottom, there's only one person who's there to pull her out: Ethan Gregory.

Ethan set the rules a long time ago: he and Lila are just friends. He doesn't do relationships. Although his tattooed, bad boy exterior is a far cry from Lila's pretty princess image, Ethan can't deny they have a deeper connection than he's used to. If he's not careful, he could be in serious danger of becoming attached-and he's learned the hard way that attachment only leads to heartbreak.

When Lila falls farther than she ever has before, can Ethan continue to help as a friend? Or is he also getting close to falling . . . for her.

Excerpt

“Why is this bothering you so much?”

“It’s not,” she snaps, turning her back to me. “I was just wondering why. That’s all.”

I stare at the back of her head as she rests her chin on her knees, staring out at the desert land. “It seems like you’re bothered,” I point out.

Her shoulders lift and descend as she shrugs. “If you leave, then I’ll be alone.” She mutters it so quietly I can barely hear her.

I’m silent for a while, unsure what to say or if there’s anything I can say—want to say. “You can come with me.” It slips out and I want to smack myself on the head. Taking her with me would defeat the purpose of escaping the noise and people, yet at the same time I know I’d miss her if I left her behind.

She glances over her shoulder with skepticism on her face. “Could you imagine me living in your truck, because I sure as heck can’t.”

“Why not?” Again, what the hell is wrong with my mouth? Why can’t I just let it go? She’s giving me such an easy out to a huge commitment I shouldn’t be taking.

“Because.”

“That’s the silliest reason I’ve ever heard.”

“Because I don’t understand why anyone would want to take off from a city where you have everything at hand and live in a truck where you have nothing but a backseat. It’s pretty much like being homeless.”

I kneel behind her, inching close to her, then hesitantly place my hand on her shoulder. “Shut your eyes.”

She leans away, like I’m scaring her. “Why? ”

“Because I’m going to prove what’s so awesome about my idea.” I wait for her to do what I ask and she stubbornly drags it on for longer than necessary, then finally surrenders and turns

around.

“Fine.” Her voice softens a little. “Show me what’s so great about a backseat.”

“There’s a lot of great things about a backseat,” I joke in a low voice, and then dip my lips toward her ear and whisper, “Now shut your eyes.”

I expect her to argue, but she very willingly obeys, shutting her eyes the second I utter the words. I shut mine, too, but only because being so close to her, breathing in her scent, feeling the warmth emitting from her body is driving my body into a frenzy.

“Now picture nothing but mountains,” I say softly, picturing it myself. “No city. No noise. No crazy-ass parents who act like children and treat their children like shit. No nothing. Just the quiet.”

“It seems like an awfully lonely place, if you ask me,” she tells me. “Just me and the dirt and the quiet. Although I wouldn’t mind the being without the parents part.”

“You wouldn’t be completely alone.” I sweep her head to the side and rest my chin on her shoulder. “You’d be with me.”

She pauses for an eternity and her breathing is ragged. Or maybe it’s mine. “What would we do at this mountain place together?” she says.

“Anything we wanted.”

“Hike?” There’s disdain in her voice.

“Maybe,” I say. “Or maybe we’d just sit and enjoy each other’s company in the quiet.”

She shifts her weight and situates her hands underneath her legs, leaning back against my chest. “That kind of sounds nice.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

As strange as it is, and as much of a pain in the ass asLila can be, I can actually picture us sitting together up on the mountains in the noiselessness, living in my truck, driving anywhere and everywhere. Together. And the comfort in the idea is kind of frightening because it means I’m thinking about

our future. Together. Shit.

I think about moving away from her, putting a little space between us because obviously I’m heading down a road I shouldn’t be headed down. The dream of living on the road has always been one I’d planned to live out alone and now suddenly I’m telling Lila she should come with me. God knows

what would happen between us if we lived in a truck with one another. We’d either grow really close or end up hating each other. Or maybe both. But I can’t bring myself to move and break the peaceful moment. So instead I sit down and wrap my legs and arms around her and we just sit there in the sun,

enjoying each other in the quiet.

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Author Bio:

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she's not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

Author Social Media links:

Blog: http://jessicasorensensblog.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jessFallenStar

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-Sorensen/165335743524509

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4601855.Jessica_Sorensen

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RELEASE DAY EVENT: NOT AT FIRST by Phalla S. Rios

Book: Not At First

Author: Phalla S. Rios

Release date: July 19th

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Synopsis:

Falling for two men at the same time was something Angel Mabbott never expected to happen.

Leaving a past full of pain and loss in California, Angel is determined to make something of her life when she starts college in Minneapolis.  But life takes a turn when she finds herself torn between Kevin and Roman.

Kevin Hawken is a domineering man who forces himself into Angel’s life and changes everything she thought she knew.  But how much can he be trusted when he is so secretive about himself?

Angel was instantly intrigued when she first laid eyes on Roman Conti, an Investment firm owner.  He was everything she ever wanted in a man: romantic, loving, and protective over her.

As Angel begins to weave a bitter web of desire and deceit, will she find herself consumed, or will she be able to find her way out and follow her heart?

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Excerpt:

“Angel, I’m so happy that you are living in the house. I hope we will become the best of friends.” Aubrey yells across Zoe and Lola in order for me to hear her.

I give her a small smile and we all click our glasses together.

“I want to dance now,” Zoe says, dancing in her seat.

“You guys go ahead I want to enjoy more of my champagne.” I say.

“Are you sure?” Lola asks.

“Yes,” I nod

The girls leave with Lola glancing back at me once.

I slowly sip my drink and look out, at the crowd and I blink, and then I blink again. My eyes stay focused on a figure across the room.

Boy, does he look pissed.

I move my gaze away from him and pretend I didn’t see him. As if that will be enough to keep him away.

Shit, he’s making his way over to me. I set the glass down, make my way to the stairs, and out onto the dance floor in a panic. I feel my phone buzzing in my wristlet.

It’s him, don’t look, and just keep moving, I tell myself.

I find Lola and the girls dancing together. They have guys around them. Lola has her back to a guy, dancing her heart out, and she’s grinning.

She reaches her hands out to take mine and I start to move with her. She lets my hands go when she see that I am dancing.

A very good looking boy comes up to me and starts dancing. I hook an arm around his neck to bring him in closer. He presses his body into mine and sways his hips. I move with him.

“You’re so beautiful. Where have you been all my life?” He murmurs into my ear.

I giggle and move my back to him without breaking any body contact. He pulls me in close with his hand that is on my stomach.

As we continue to dance, my mind drifts away from him. Is he still coming after me? Is he watching me dance with this guy? I want him to see how much I am enjoying dancing with cutie boy here, I don’t know why. But I do.

I move my dance moves up a notch in the sexiness range by bending down and tapping the floor with one hand. I move back up slowly and grind my hips against my dance partner.

We dance just like this for a moment. I don’t understand what is happening when I feel his hands slide off of me. I am a little irritated that he doesn't even have the courtesy to tell me he’s leaving.

My irritation is cut short when a big strong arm circles around to the front of my body and crushes me to him. The familiar scent of sweet, earthy manliness invades my senses and I fight to get his tattoo covered arms off of me. His arm comes back and he presses his hand on one of my boobs. He chuckles into my hair.

Yanking his arm away from me, I turn around, and slap him.

“You really need to know your boundaries, Kevin,” I yell at him and stomp away.

He follows right behind me.

Author Bio:

Phalla S. Rios lives in California with her husband and two goofy pit bulls. She loves to read and write drinking her favorite tea, Joy, from Starbucks. During her spare time she is usually at the movies or looking for the next best place to eat. She often refers to herself as a foodie. Right now she is finishing up her debut novel, Not at first.

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5 ebooks

1 $10 gift card 
2 signed paperbacks with mini books

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RELEASE EVENT: MID-LIFE LOVE by Whitney G. + Giveaway

Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Release Date: June 28^th

Author: Whitney G.

Synopsis:

If you'd asked me what love was two years ago, I probably would've said, 'It's this amazing feeling that obsesses and possesses you; it's what me and my husband currently have.' If you ask me that same question today, I'll say, 'Please get the hell out of my face.’'

Claire Gracen's life is picture perfect. Her career as a marketing director is on the brink of being legendary, and her marriage to her high school sweetheart has never been stronger. No, wait. It has. It used to be amazing and fulfilling, but one day Claire realizes that she's been living a lie and her best friend and husband have committed the ultimate betrayal. 

Broken and depressed, Claire is in need of something new—new city, new job, new friends. 

When she happens to attract the interest of the sexiest man she's ever met, a man significantly younger than her, she immediately turns him down—only to later discover that this man is Jonathan Statham, self-made billionaire and CEO of Statham Industries. Her boss.

Jonathan Statham is unlike any man she's met before. He's used to getting whatever he wants—whenever he wants, and he isn't about to take no for an answer. 

Sexy, unpredictable, and charmingly clever, Mid Life Love is a story that will captivate you, entertain you, and force you to fall deeply in love with the characters.

Snippet of Jonathan and Claire’s first encounter:

“Need some help?” A deep voice said from behind.

“Sure.” I didn’t look up. I kept stacking the red boxes in between the yellow ones, making sure each box was perfectly aligned into the tacky half diamond formation.

As I stacked the last cereal box atop the display, I turned to look at the man who’d helped me out.

OH. MY. GOD…

He had one of those faces that belonged in a Ralph Lauren ad—stark blue eyes that gleamed with the faintest hint of light, a perfectly chiseled jaw line with a light sexy stubble, and full, well defined lips that looked inviting enough to kiss all day.

He was dressed in dark blue jeans and a black sweat shirt with “San Fran” in white letters. And for some odd reason, he was smiling at me.

He’s probably a student at the law school down the street….If only I could go back in time…Oh well…

“Umm…Thank you for your help.” I turned away and went back to my basket.

“Wait a minute,” he said as he walked over. “I didn’t catch your name.”

How cute…“Claire.”

“Nice to meet you, Claire. I’m Jonathan.” He reached out to shake my hand. “I know this may seem forward, but I can’t leave the store without knowing if I can I take you out tonight.”

What? Did he just ask me out? For tonight?

“Umm…”

“You can pick the place.” He smiled a perfect white smile and ran a hand through his jet black hair. “And we can meet there if you don’t want me to pick you up.”

Stop looking at his smile and avert your gaze somewhere lower…Not that lower!

“I would but…” I literally couldn’t take my eyes off him. He was the sexiest man I’d ever seen and I could feel this strange rush of warmth coursing through my veins. “I can’t.”

“Is it because you’re seeing someone else?” His eyes veered to my bare left hand. “Are you married?”

He has to be kidding me…“No. I’m not married or seeing anyone else. I’m—”

“So would eight o’ clock be fine? And where exactly do you want to meet?” He looked directly into my eyes and I almost collapsed onto the floor.

The look he was giving me should’ve been reserved for a seductive scene in a romance movie and his dreamy smile was lethal.

“Look, I’m completely flattered but you look kind of young.”

He furrowed his eyebrow. “That’s very nice of you to say, but that doesn’t answer my question. Where do you want to—”

“How old are you, Jonathan?”

“Twenty eight.” His beautiful eyes lit up.

Twenty eight?! Why am I still standing here entertaining him? He’s eleven years younger than me! No thanks…

“Well, that’s way too young for me. I have a little cousin that’s more in your age range. She’s currently studying law, but if you want I can call and ask her if—”

“You don’t want to go out with me?”

“No. I’m way too old for you, and I’m not a cougar or a cradle robber. I have two daughters and I would feel some type of way if they dated someone who had our age difference.”

“Our age difference?”

“Yes. I’m thirty nine, which means that when you were eight years old and learning how to build fires with the Boy Scouts, I was nineteen and in college. It means that when you were nineteen and trying to figure out what major you wanted to pick, I was thirty trying to build a career in marketing. And just in case you don’t realize how many years there are that separate us, there are eleven. Do you not see the problem with that?

“Not really.” He grinned. “But I can’t force someone to go out with me, can I?

KOBO

Author Bio

A self-diagnosed candy addict, travel junkie, and hypochondriac, Whitney Gracia Williams LOVES to write about characters that make you laugh, cry, and want to (in the case of Selena Ross) reach through your Kindle and slap them.

She is the "imaginary bestselling" author of the Jilted Bride Series, Mid Life Love, Wasted Love, and Captain of My Soul.

When she's not locked inside her room, feverishly typing away on her laptop, she can be found here: http://www.whitneygracia.com

She also loves getting emails from her readers, so if you want to tell her how much you loved (or hated) her stories, email her at whitgracia@gmail.com

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GIVEAWAY

2 signed paperbacks of Mid Life Love (US only)

3 winners:

Claire's necklace from Jonathan (US only)

5 ebooks (open internationally)

$10.00 amazon giftcard (open internationally)

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