Release Day Event- Change of Heart by S.E. Edwards! Excerpt and Giveaway!

 

 

Title: Change of Heart

Author: S.E Edwards

Age Group: New Adult

Release Date: May 19th

Release Day Event Organized by: The Book Enthusiast

 

Synopsis:

 

Persevere.

That's how I've gotten through nineteen years of life. It's what I do every single day—no matter how badly the odds are stacked against me.

Persevere, and survive.

Those are my two guiding words. I never knew either of my parents. I have no family and no home. The only person I could ever rely on was myself. In this cruel world, that's about as much as I could ask for.

Love? Hah. Don't talk to me about love. I stopped believing in it the day my first boyfriend ripped out my heart three years ago.

That's why love is the last thing on my mind when I leave a packed college bar with a captivating stranger. Yet everything changes when I'm awakened in the middle of the night by a pounding at the door. Suddenly, an arrangement meant for just one night threatens to become something much deeper.

All expectations are thrown to the wind as I'm tangled in a dangerous world unlike anything I can believe. The man I met has secrets swirling around him like a dark cape. I'm about to become his biggest one...

 

Read an EXCERPT from Change of Heart...

 

Together, we stumble toward the elevator. Rich breaks away for a second to hit the button. The light doesn’t come on.

 

“Damn,” he growls, “it’s busted again.”

 

I’m one step ahead of him. I’d spotted the stairs when we entered. I grab his hand and pull him after me with no hesitation. I start up the cement stairwell, determined to get to his room as fast as possible.

 

“Penny, wait.”

 

I look back, confused. “What?”

 

A devilish smile plays on his lips. “Only this.” Without warning his hands wrap around my waist, and I’m  being lifted up as easily as if I were a doll. He turns to the side and presses my body against the wall, suspending me between him and the concrete.

 

His mouth crashes down on mine again. I curl my legs around his torso, locking my ankles together, and kiss him back with the passion reserved for a lover after ten long years apart. I didn’t think it was possible, but I’m getting even more turned on. Rich’s hands move down to grasp the outside of my thighs, and I moan into his kiss as the muscles of my core clench in sinful fashion. I want him so badly. If we don’t get somewhere private soon, I won’t be wholly opposed to jumping him in public.

 

I gasp as he steps away, freeing me from the wall. I start to fall, but one of his hands darts down to catch me just beneath the knees.  The other one cradles my shoulders. Before I know it, I’m slung across his   arms like a bride on her wedding night.

 

“I’ve always wanted to carry a girl up these stairs,” Rich admits.

 

I laugh, and wrap my arm around his neck. “Oh, you are just the best type of romantic.”

 

Four flights of stairs later, Rich pushes open the fire door to a dimly-lit hallway. He carries me down the hall and stops in front of an entrance on the right. He sets me down, then fishes around in his jeans for the key. When the door creaks open, he sweeps a hand out in front of him. “Welcome to my humble abode.”

 

I walk in, curious about his apartment. I tend to side with the camp of people who believe that a person’s living arrangements can reveal a lot about his personality. But, I don’t find much to work with here.

 

The apartment is sparse and dark. Pale moonlight filters in through the balcony window, shining down on the only piece of furniture present: a queen size mattress lying on the floor of the living room. The red brick walls are totally empty—no girly posters or other things I might expect in a bachelor’s apartment. There are no lamps, no chairs, no couches.

 

After a moment, I notice a second piece of furniture: a small, old-school CRT TV camped in one corner of the studio apartment.

 

Rich switches on the light. “So?” he asks, “what do you think?”

I walk past the entrance. There’s one hall leading away from the room. It is filled with brown cardboard boxes. Lots and lots of boxes. “Did you just move in or something?”

Rich laughs behind me. “Yeah, something like that. You want a drink?”

“A drink?” I say. “No, I—”
 

The words catch in my throat as he grabs my hips and spins me around. I had no idea he’d come so close. He’d moved from the door to me without making a sound. His fingers lock together against my lower back, and he tugs me into him, pressing my belly to his waist. I feel his growing erection right away, and a diabolical excitement builds inside me.

 

Nothing happens.

 

For a long moment, Richard just holds me like that, staring into my eyes as I’m left dangling off his arms. His irises are the color of sea mist. I’m hypnotized by the deep intensity I see brewing just beneath the surface. I have no doubt that that type of intensity is mirrored in my eyes.

 

Then, moving slowly, as if restraining himself, Richard lowers his mouth to cover mine. This time, his kiss is sweet and gentle. Subtle and caring. He explores my upper lip first, then traces the line going to the corner of my mouth. His lips form a perfect mold over mine.

 

I was wrong before. This is the kiss reserved for a lover you haven’t seen in ten years.

 

About the Author: 

I’m Scarlett Edwards. I’m a full-time student (2nd year, undergrad) and part-time writer. I hope to switch those around soon! Yours to Savor is the first full book I worked on. It went through six drafts, and took me ten months to complete. In the two months since getting it done, I finished two drafts of brand new stories. I’m getting faster. I love hearing from my readers. I love getting feedback about my books. I’m just getting started, and plan on doing this writing gig for a long, long time. Every review I get helps me write a little bit better.

I take inspiration from all the indie romance authors. Addison Moore, Samantha Young, Colleen Hoover, Jessica Sorensen, and everyone else... you girls rock!

 

Connect with Scarlett on Goodreads.

 

A personal message from Scarlett...

"I love hearing from readers!  If you read my book and want to share your thoughts, good or bad, email me!  Scarlett@ScarlettEdwards.com.  I'll be sure to reply!! <3"

 

Purchase Change of Heart now!

 

Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Amazon UK / Amazon CA

 

**Giveaway!**

 

Enter to win:

-1 of 2 $50 Visa Gift Card

-1 of 10 eBook copies of Change of Heart

-1 of 5 signed paperback copies of Change of Heart

 

Good luck!

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NEW RELEASE & GIVEAWAY! PICTURE PERFECT by Alessandra Thomas

Happy release day to Alessandra Thomas!! I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of PICTURE PERFECT and you guys are definitely going to want to read this one! I loved it. Congratulations to Alessandra on her new release :) And here's all you need to know about this fantastic book and author! The Picture Perfect blog tour is also going on RIGHT NOW, so be sure to check out the links at the end of this post for some info :)

Picture Perfect

by Alessandra Thomas

★★★★

Synopsis:

Fashion design major Cat Mitchell has a closet full of gorgeous clothes - and not a single thing fits. After two years of runway modeling for easy cash, an accident shattered her lower leg bone and her self-esteem in just one swift fall. Ten months of no exercise, prescription steroids, comfort eating and yoga pants meant returning to campus as a size twelve instead of her former size two.


When her gorgeous long-time friend with benefits sees her for the first time after her accident and snubs her in front of all her friends, Cat’s self-image hits rock bottom. Her sorority sisters all insist that she looks gorgeous, but all Cat sees is the roll of her stomach when she sits down, or the dimpling at the back of her thighs that wasn't there last year. Cat’s therapist prescribes something radical to stop the downward spiral - nude modeling for a nearby college's human form drawing classes.


When Cat faces her fears and bares it all for the class, she realizes that she's posing naked in front the most gorgeous, buffest guy she's ever seen in her life. He asks her out after the class, and after one steamy night together, Cat's absolutely smitten.


Nate’s pretty close to perfect – he takes Cat rock climbing when he discovers that it makes her feel strong and becomes a great chef after he learns that the perfect pesto sauce makes her swoon. Cat starts to feel like her old self again - confident and beautiful - as long as Nate's around. Even when he discourages her from entering the Real Woman Project, a design competition for plus-sized apparel, she reasons that he's just trying to prevent old body image wounds from splitting wide open again.


But when Cat goes home with Nate for Thanksgiving, she discovers something shocking from his recent past that proves that he hasn’t always been so encouraging of women of all shapes and sizes. Cat has no idea what to think, but she does know one thing - this might destroy their relationship before it's even had a chance to get off the ground.


Before Cat can figure out whether the real Nate is the sensitive, adoring guy she fell in love with, or an undercover asshole, she'll have to finally feel comfortable in her own skin - even if it means leaving him forever.

(This book contains sex and adult language.)

____________________________________________________________________

PICTURE PERFECT by Alessandra Thomas is a story about Cat, a college junior and and model who, after recovering from a horse riding accident and horrible injury, is left 60 lbs heavier and feeling insecure and out of place in her old life. After having a difficult time adjusting to her new size and feelings of depression, her therapist suggests that she pose nude for a human form class at a nearby college. This is where she meets Nate, an aspiring architect, who soon becomes the perfect person to finally make her see how beautiful she is, no matter what size she wears. There were several moments in book when I was afraid that she was using Nate as a crutch, which her therapist does point out to her, but then there were other times when their relationship just seemed normal and supportive, so I went back and forth with that a little. But as perfect as Nate seemed, he turned out to have an interesting past and some issues with body image as well. And Cat's perception of sweet, perfect Nate came crashing down big time. This little shocker definitely threw me for a loop and I was just as surprised and devastated as Cat to find out about Nate's not so "supportive" past.

As a bigger girl myself, I found Cat's thoughts, feelings of discomfort, and insecurities about her size to be very believable, although she really isn't that big at all. At her heaviest, she is actually at a normal, healthy weight. But I suppose after being a stick thin model, 180 can probably seem huge. And when your whole life and profession is based on how good you look in teeny tiny clothes, judging your appearance above everything else and constantly comparing yourself to others, then I can definitely see how it would be difficult for her to find her place again after her accident and weight gain.

The supporting characters were pretty great. Cat's friend Joey was supportive of her during her entire journey and an extremely good friend to her, always there when she needed a shoulder to cry on or a good pep talk. Of course Nate was wonderful, even despite his drama there at the end, and I loved everything about him. I really wish this novel would have been a little bit longer, I found myself wanting to read more about these characters. Overall, I think Picture Perfect is a very realistic story about a young woman with self esteem issues learning to love her body and, most importantly, love herself despite her body. I truly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend this book! I can't wait to read more from this author! 4 STARS!

____________________________________________________________________

Alessandra Thomas on PICTURE PERFECT:

PICTURE PERFECT is about a girl who went from a size two to a size twelve in just under a year, and has some serious body image issues.

Yes. This book is about a girl who is size twelve and hates her body. She hates it so much that she tries to hide it, squeeze it into Spanx, cries over it, and emotionally eats up a storm. She hates it so much that she doesn’t believe her friends when they tell her how gorgeous she is. She hates it so much that she thinks no guy will ever want to have sex with her again.

Is Cat’s body image healthy? Lord in heaven, no.

Is Cat’s body image REAL? Yes.

Raise your hand if you’ve ever hated your body unreasonably.

Raise the other one if you’ve known someone who has hated her body unreasonably.

Yep. That’s what I thought. (Now do the Harlem Shake. You know you want to.)

Cat Mitchell, the protagonist of PICTURE PERFECT, is a freaking disaster. That’s what the book is about – her journey to becoming not-a-disaster. If Cat felt awesome about rolling out her new bangin bod all over campus, I’d be all, good for you, honey, but you make a damn boring story.

Are you a size twelve, and you love it? Good for you. Go on with your bad self. I’m a size sixteen, and while I have occasional moments of woe about a belly (or knee) roll, I’ll tell you right now, I’m freaking gorgeous. Not to mention that between the sheets, The Boy has nary a complaint. (*wink*)

Cat hates her size twelve body, but that doesn’t mean that I’m saying you should hate yours. In fact, what I want is for you to root for her to feel as good about herself as you do.

I’m so happy you like your body the way it is. I like it too. I think you’re DEAD SEXY, in fact. So you can bet that Cat Mitchell is gonna feel dead sexy by the end of the book, too. And no, it’s not the way you think.

______________________________________________________________

About the Author:

Alessandra Thomas is a New Adult writer who swears she was in her twenties yesterday. Since she's not, she spends her time looking back on her college years fondly, and writing sexy stories about guys and girls falling in love and really living life for the first time. When she's not writing, you can find her with a spoonful of ice cream in one hand and the newest New Adult release in the other.

Connect with Alessandra:

Twitter

Website/Blog

Goodreads

PICTURE PERFECT IS AVAILABLE NOW!

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

**GIVEAWAY**

Prizes:

- 2 signed copies of Picture Perfect

- 2 ebook copies of Picture Perfect

Enter below to win! Good luck!

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Be sure to visit these two awesome blogs,

they're the next stops on the Picture Perfect Blog Tour!

          

Blog Tour & Release Day Event Organized By:

Reviewed by Brittany

Sawyer Bennett EXCERPT & GIVEAWAY!

If you haven't had a chance yet to read OFF SIDES by Sawyer Bennet, you should defintely do so. I was asked by the author to review this book (you can find my review & find out more about the author HERE as well as info on where to buy this awesome novella). It was also a kindle freebie a while back so some of you might already have snatched it up and don't realize it (I know I go a little crazy with grabbing freebies and always forget what I have!)

 

Synopsis:

 

“I'm not sure what possessed me to do it. Maybe it was the impossible expectations I faced, maybe it was my own self-loathing. But I just knew I needed something different to happen. I needed someone...something...to derail me from my current path. Otherwise, I would become lost...a hollowed out shell of a man. So I did it. I approached her, then I pursued her, then I made her mine. And my life was saved...”

Ryan Burnham is the privileged son of a U.S. Congressman and captain of his university’s hockey team. While he is on the verge of fulfilling his dreams to play in the NHL, his parents want him on a different course. One he is expected to accept for the sake of his family’s public image.

Forced her to abandon her music career after the heart breaking death of her parents, Danny Cross exists on the opposite side of the tracks from Ryan. She is struggling to make her own way, working two jobs, attending college part time and volunteering in a homeless shelter. She is on a mission to build her own success.

With a chance meeting, their vastly different worlds collide, causing each to evaluate whether they are truly on the correct path to self-fulfillment and happiness. Can their relationship survive? Particularly when others are against them every step of the way. A lot can happen in just ten short days...

___________________________________________________________________

 
EXCERPT:

"You are so beautiful, Danny."

"I could say the same about you."

He gives me a hint of a smile but then his look turns molten. He leans in and kisses me gently. I follow his pace, soaking in the experience. I know I'm not losing my virginity tonight but I know I'm going to learn something new and I am tingling with anticipation.

Before long, our kisses turn more urgent. I feel like I am spinning out of control and Ryan masters my mouth. He commands it and it obeys him. My tongue and his move together and then apart. Needing to be together, then needing to roam.

Ryan's hand grabs a hold of my waist and he pulls me closer to him, his fingers digging deliciously into my tender skin. He brings my pelvis flush with his and he groans when we make contact.

Sliding his hand up the back of my shirt, he gently caresses my back while moving his lips to my neck. He's driving me crazy and every point of contact is burning where he touches and then freezing when it leaves. I'm in sensory overload and when his hand moves around to my front and gently cups my breast, I'm almost embarrassed over the guttural moan that escapes my lips.

"Sssshhhhh," he soothes me, yet his hand fondles me with more urgency and I want him to slip it beneath the barrier of my bra.

All of a sudden, Ryan pulls back and I am bereft. I reach toward him and he takes one of my hands and kisses my fingers.

"I'm not going to make love to you, Danny." I'm not sure if he says this to convince himself or me. "But, I would like to see and touch more of you. Will you let me?"
______________________________________________________________________

 

And today I have a GIVEAWAY for you-- You can enter to win 1 ebook copy of any ONE of the following titles by Sawyer Bennett:

• FOREVER YOUNG
• SECOND CHANCE
• STOLEN HEART

When the winner is chosen, you can let me know which title you chose! Winners will be chosen on MONDAY, APRIL 1st-- GOOD LUCK!
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Promotion Event Organized By:

 

Blog Tour & Giveaway- Never Forget by Emma Hart

 

 

Title: NEVER FORGET

Author: Emma Hart

Genre: Mature YA/NA

Released: Feb 22, 2013

 

★★★★

 

 

Synopsis:

 

A city girl.
A small town boy.
A summer they'll never forget.

Spending the summer at her Grammy's in Lilac Bay, Devon, is city girl Alexis 'Lexy' Edwards idea of hell. That is, until she reconnects with her childhood friend, Jen, and meets Alec Johnson.
Alec is the kind of guy Lexy knows she needs to stay away from. He's the village flirt, ridiculously hot and very dangerous to her self control. But there's a problem – she can't seem to keep him out, even though she knows he'll break her heart.
As Alec slowly strips away Lexy's defences and the two embark on a summer romance she never wanted, their feelings grow to more than either expected. But nothing lasts forever, and reality intrudes.
As her world is shaken to it's core, Lexy's self made prediction comes true when she discovers she's spent six weeks surrounded by secrets. Kept out by her family and the only guy she's ever trusted, she falls apart.
And when Grammy tells her that 'you might not end up where you wanted to be, but you'll always end up where you're meant to be,' she has to figure out if her meant to be is back home in London, or if it's been in Devon the whole time.

______________________________________________________________

 

This really is such a sweet story. This was the first book of Emma's that I've had the opportunity to read and her writing style pulled me in from the very beginning, the dialogue between the characters was very real and believable. I loved both of the MCs and the chemistry between the two of them was great. I loved the fact that they both seemed to have their heads on straight and I enjoyed their witty banter. One character that I absolutely adored was Grammy. She reminded me so much of my own Grammy and she was so funny! There were quite a few touching moments in this book and I definitely shed some tears towards the end. Ok, maybe not just some. A lot. I'm talking noisy, sobbing, snotty, gross tears. There was no stopping them. And I knew it was coming, I called it from the first chapter, but it didn't make it any easier to deal with.

 

I'm glad that I was given the opportunity to review this book! There were a few times when the story seemed to drag a bit for me, but I still really enjoyed it as a whole. This was Emma's New Adult debut and what a fantastic debut it was! For me, this was a nice, light read with a very sweet ending, a lovely coming of age story. I'm looking forward to reading more from Emma in the future! 4 Stars :)

 

"You have to learn ...that you might not end up where you wanted to be.. But you'll always end up where your meant to be. Maybe Alec is your meant to be"

''But it was only tragic because they were so in love. That tragic kind of love is the kind that consumes you until you can't do anything but live and breathe it. When you have that kind of love, you know you've found what true love is all about. So really, when you think about it, dying for the person you love isn't that all that tragic at all.''

''Never forget how I held you under the stars, how I showed you there's more to life than just shopping and weekend partying. Never forget everything we've shared in the last six weeks, all the smiles, laughter and everything else that made us as close as two people can ever be. I know I won't. I won't forget it, okay? So you don't either. Never forget that somewhere along the way you became the only thing worth waking up for. But most importantly, never forget how much I love you. Never forget about us.''

 

Ok, Alec, you had me there *swoon*

______________________________________________________________

About The Author:

 

 

By day, Emma Hart dons a cape and calls herself Super Mum to a terrible two year old. By night, she drops the cape, pours a glass of wine and writes books.
She likes to write about magic, kisses and whatever else she can fit into the story. Sarcastic, witty characters are a must. As are hot guys. She has two new series planned as well as her New Adult Romance, Never Forget, due February 2013. The spin off novel, Always Remember, is currently in the works and she's hoping for a March/April release. She likes to be busy - unless busy involves doing the dishes.
Her debut YA series, The Mauve Legacy, is an Apple iBooks Bestseller - and this makes Emma excited.

 

Connect with Emma:

 

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

Goodreads

Amazon

Smashwords

 

 

*PURCHASE NEVER FORGET*

 

AMAZON

AMAZON UK

SMASHWORDS

 

NEVER FORGET- PLAYLIST!

 

 

GIVEAWAY- ENTER TO WIN:

1 SIGNED COPY & SWAG, OR

1 EBOOK COPY OF NEVER FORGET!

THERE ARE 2 GIVEAWAYS RUNNING FOR THIS TOUR!
ONE FOR READERS IN THE UK AND ONE OPEN INTERNATIONALLY.
PLEASE BE SURE TO ENTER THE CORRECT GIVEAWAY!

ENTER THE INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY HERE
ENTER THE UK GIVEAWAY HERE

______________________________________________________________________________

NEXT STOPS ON THE NEVER FORGET BLOG TOUR:

 

 

JLuis Licea

FREE!! Book Blast & Giveaway! Reinventing Claire by Darian Wilk

 

Reinventing Claire by Darian Wilk is FREE this week (2/25 to 3/1) on Amazon. Get your copy and find out how to enter to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card below.

Reinventing Claire by Darian Wilk

August 20, 2012 

People get divorced, but that's what happens to other people. That's what Claire thought anyway, until her husband, Charlie, tells her he wants a divorce.

Claire has no choice but to take on the title of Divorced Woman, and face the question she has no idea how to answer. Who is Claire without Charlie? Her family believes her newly divorced woes can be cured by landing herself a boyfriend. With her dating dunce cap in hand, Claire stumbles her way through the foreign territory of online dating.

A teacher from hell, a softball coach, and a sap later, Claire proclaims herself the dating idiot she thought she was, and fears she's doomed to be a lonely, crazy cat lady. But an accidental run-in with an old acquaintance might change everything. What starts with comparing dating battle wounds over a cup of coffee, quickly turns into something Claire had given up on.

As Claire discovers maybe there is love after Charlie after all, Charlie realizes his mistake. He wants her back, and he'll do anything to prove it to her. Now Claire must choose who deserves her heart, and if she's really willing to give it away again.

About the author:

Darian Wilk was born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the younger of two children.  While still a toddler her family moved back to their home state of Michigan, where she still lives today. 

After high school Darian tried her hand at college, majoring in Nursing, while she worked as a Physical Therapy Technician.  "I loved my job, but I still couldn't picture doing it forever," she says now.  But before she finished her degree she became pregnant, and focused her attention on the challenges of being a single mother to her daughter.

In 2005, Darian married her best friend, Steve, whom she met and became close friends with several years earlier.  In their second year of marriage, Darian became pregnant with her son.  She worked on and off throughout her twenties as a Home Health Aid to the elderly, but preferred to stay home and raise her babies.

In 2007, her mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and Darian quit working to tend to her mom.  It was in those three years of taking care of her that Darian realized how precious, and short, life really is.  In her moms last year of life, she finally had the courage to pursue what her heart always secretly longed for; becoming a writer.  It was then that she started her debut novel, Love Unfinished, and continues her writing journey today. 

Find out more at DarianWilk.weebly.com. 

Giveaway Details

One winner will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card.

Giveaway ends at midnight on March 1, 2013 EST.

Open internationally as long as you can use a Amazon.com gift card. 

This book blast and giveaway is hosted by Krazy Book Lady.

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COVER REVEAL- Pretending He's Mine by Lauren Blakely

I am so excited to be participating in this cover reveal. I so enjoyed Lauren's first book, Caught Up In Us (You can view my review HERE) and I am really loving this cover! This novella sounds awesome & I can't wait to read it!! Also check out the giveaway at the end of this post!! There are 3 ebook copies of Pretending He's Mine to be won! ;)

 

Title: Pretending He's Mine

Author: Lauren Blakely

Release Date: March 2, 2013

 

 

 

Blurb:

Once upon a time in New York City, there was a down-on-his-luck actor
named Reeve, who was talented and gorgeous in that dreamy, broody sort
of way that makes all the women swoon. But show biz is a rough biz –
he lost out on a part in a big film, and now his day job hours have
been cut too. What’s a handsome young thing in need of a role to do?

Enter Sutton Brenner. She’s sexy and shrewd and the most top-notch
casting director there is. She’s this close to landing a coveted gig
casting a film based on a best-selling mega-romance novel, but there’s
a catch. After one too many transgressions with lovely single ladies,
the film’s philandering producer has been put on a short leash by his
wife, who’s forbidden him from working with anyone unattached.

So the happily single Sutton strikes a pact with Reeve – play the role
of her fiancee until she closes the deal, and he’s guaranteed to get
an audition for the starring role in the film.

But as the two play pretend, the lines between make-believe and
matters of the heart start to blur. Especially after that hot night in
the balcony of the Broadway theater. And that scorching afternoon in
the stacks of the New York Public Library. Who’s playing who? Or is
someone else really the director in the secret affair of their lives?

PRETENDING HE’S MINE is a 30,000 word companion novella in the New
York Times and USA Today bestselling CAUGHT UP IN US series.

(It’s not necessary to have read CAUGHT UP IN US to enjoy PRETENDING HE’S MINE.
This is not a sequel. However, CAUGHT UP IN US fans should be pleased
to know that Jill has several scenes and that both Kat and Bryan
appear in a key scene in this novella! There will also be a bonus
scene from CAUGHT UP IN US never seen before included in the novella!)


Excerpt:

“You were all weird and awkward when I kissed you at your office,” he added.

 

“I’m sorry. I was just surprised.”

“I know. But we need to make sure you don’t jump the next time I kiss you.”

“We do?”

“Well that would give it away, wouldn’t it? You need to get used to
being kissed by me.”

“Okay,” she said with a business-like nod.

“That means we need to practice.”

“Practice kiss,” she said slowly, then nodded quickly. “Right. Of
course. Like a stage kiss. Like actors. So of course we’ll stage
kiss.”

She sounded chipper and cheery, as if she were trying to convince
herself. She seemed to need the convincing, so he went along with it.

“Think of this as a dress rehearsal. We’re prepping for the big kiss
scene that makes the audience swoon and totally believe we’re in love.
Got it?”
She nodded.
“Ready?”
“Right here in the dressing room?”
“What better place to rehearse a kiss than a dressing room?”
“Totally. Absolutely. Definitely.”

Reeve wondered how many more adverbs she’d need to utter before he
kissed her. Perhaps they were a sort of liquid courage. Either way, he
knew he had to lead. He suspected he had more experience with stage
kisses than she’d had.

So he looked at her, as if she were the woman he’d been dying to kiss
for years. She was his leading lady, she was the only woman he wanted.
She returned her gaze, and then it was as if a flame burst. Reeve
pictured her ravenous and greedy, wanting to be consumed with kisses,
and hands, and so much more. Her lips were parted slightly, and her
breathing had become…lustful. Maybe she was acting too. In that
moment, he didn’t care. He wanted to taste her lips, he wanted to feel
more of her beautiful body. There was something about her, maybe it
was the age difference, maybe it was the power play. But there was no
time for analysis because his head was turning cloudy with a need he
hadn’t had before. He wanted to do things to this woman. He wanted to
make her feel the way a good boyfriend would make her feel – desired,
wanted, craved. She deserved all that. He could give it to her now. He
could give it to her for a week.
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And here's another little teaser from the lovely Lauren Blakey! :)

He glanced back at the entrance to the box seats. The Pinkertons seemed long gone, there weren’t any other ushers nearby, and the closest patrons... were in the next box over, a low wall between them. So he went for it. He placed one hand on her opposite cheek and shifted her face toward him, then moved his other hand to her thigh. She looked at him, and even in the dark of the theater, he could read those blue eyes, he could tell they were trying so hard to resist, but yet not wanting to resist in the least. Hell, he didn’t either. He moved his thumb along her cheek, tracing a line to her lips. Then over her lower lip, and she nipped playfully at the pad of his thumb. He smiled in the dark, as he outlined her mouth, then moved down to her neck, as if he were imprinting the feel of her throat, the heat from her skin, the way her body seemed to pulse toward him with every touch. She practically radiated the words kiss me and so he took the liberty to do just that. It was the barest of kisses, the kind that signals the beginning of something.

As he savored the cherry taste of her mouth, he played with the top of her stockings, slipping a finger along the band that held them in place. Sutton seemed to like him there.

 

ADD PRETENDING HE'S MINE TO YOUR GOODREADS TBR LIST HERE!

 

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Promotion, Excerpt & GIVEAWAY- Boys of Summer by C.J. Duggan

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For those who haven't had a chance to read THE BOYS OF SUMMER by C.J. Duggan, here is everything you need to know about this book. You can find my 5 star review HERE! I absolutely adore this book and definitely recommend it! First of all, this cover is gorgeous! It's currently only $3.99 for kindle, so everyone just run on over to Amazon and pick it up! Seriously, read the excerpts-- they have me all kinds of excited to read this. It's been on my TBR list, but you I'm sure you all know how hard it is to keep up with those! Ok, so here's all the info you need on this book and the author! Enjoy :)

 

Title: The Boys of Summer

Author: C.J.Duggan

Release date: December 17^th 2012

Genre: Romance

Age Group: New Adult

Book Description:

It seemed only natural to nickname them the ‘Onslow Boys’.Every time they swaggered in the front door of the Onslow Hotel after a hard week’s work, their laughter was loud and genuine as they settled onto their bar stools. I peeked through the restaurant partition, a flimsy divider between my world and theirs. I couldn’t help but smile whenever I saw them, saw him ... Toby Morrison.

Quiet seventeen-year-old Tess doesn’t relish the thought of a summertime job. She wants nothing more than to forget the past haunts of high school and have fun with her best friends before the dreaded Year Twelve begins.

To Tess, summer is when everything happens: riding bikes down to the lake, watching the fireworks at the Onslow Show and water bomb fights at the sweltering Sunday markets.

How did she let her friends talk her into working?

After first-shift disasters, rude, wealthy tourists and a taunting ex-boyfriend, Tess is convinced nothing good can come of working her summer away. However, Tess finds unlikely allies in a group of locals dubbed ‘The Onslow Boys’, who are old enough to drive cars, drink beer and not worry about curfews. Tess’s summer of working expands her world with a series of first times with new friends, forbidden love and heartbreaking chaos.

All with the one boy she has never been able to forget.

It will be a summer she will always remember.

Warning: sexual references and occasional course language.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

 

C.J Duggan is an Australian author who lives with her husband in a rural border town of New South Wales, Australia.
The Boys of Summer is Book One in her Mature Young Adult Romance Series.
For more on C.J and ‘The Summer Series’, visit www.cjdugganbooks.com

CONNECT WITH C.J DUGGAN:

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FACEBOOK (BOYS OF SUMMER)

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Excerpt 1 from THE BOYS OF SUMMER:

“Don’t you dare.” I grabbed his arm, pulling him backwards. His eyes darted to where my hand rested on him. I didn’t move my hand, I couldn’t physically bring myself to break the contact; all of a sudden there were no smiles, no jokes, just him and me and our space on the couch. I could only hear the music and be aware of the heat of his skin and the rapid rise and fall of my chest in this moment.

The only thing that snapped me out of my daze was Toby’s words which seemed low and raspy.

“Is Adam your boyfriend?” His gaze flicked over my face as he waited for my answer. My mouth gaped open; I couldn’t hide the fact I was dumbfounded by the question.

I blinked quickly and took my hand from his arm. I struggled to construct a legible sentence.

“Oh – um, no, we’re just friends, it’s not like that.”

His stony expression didn’t falter, didn’t reveal any kind of emotion. He was so hard to read, and I wanted to read him so badly. He gave a small nod and handed me the CD cover.

“Better go and make sure these guys aren’t cheating.” And without another word, he got up and headed towards the pool table.

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Excerpt 2 from THE BOYS OF SUMMER:

Moon rays filtered through the windshield, giving the cabin an otherworldly glow.

Toby’s perfect teeth were illuminated when he smiled. “You know, you are the worst winner!” He shook his head. “Ever since you won the bet, you’ve been apologising. Just go with it, enjoy it, because I assure you, next time …” - he leaned closer - “… you will not be the winner.” He pulled back, smug.

I curved a brow. “Next time?”

He nodded. “I fully intend to redeem myself.”

“Want a chance to rebuild your shattered ego, do you? I bet you’re itching to fix my bike so you can be rid of me once and for all.” I shouldered him gently, teasing him as I would Adam. And then I realised what I had done; I had treated him like my friends. He looked down at his shoulder, then up at me. His eyes shadowed with untold meanings that I couldn’t read.

“What if I didn’t want to fix your bike?” he said in all seriousness.

“Why, is my company so stimulating that you can’t bear the thought of being without me?” I teased nervously.

I was aiming for light and airy, but something must have gone wrong with my delivery because Toby’s face went blank. He looked out into the lights of Onslow, ran his tongue over his bottom lip and sighed.

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C.J.'s Inspiration for THE BOYS OF SUMMER:

It was something that has been churning in my mind since I was a little girl, even if it was something no more mapped out than a group of friends hanging lakeside over a summer. It was an idea that has manifested into an entire world and I felt that I owed it to that eleven-year-old little me to develop it into a story. I know I was eleven because I had found an old exercise book with the story plotted out in my child-like handwriting and I could seldom believe it was something that had been swimming around in my subconscious for so long. It fell perfectly in line with me doing NaNo that year (National Novel Writing Month) and that was that, in one month I smashed out the bones of ‘The Boys of Summer’ (TBoS). In writing TBoS I really wanted to capture the essence of growing up in Australia. I set it in a small fictional lake side town in the 90’s to give it a certain flavor and provide a rich setting for a coming of age story, it is an absolute labor of love.

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