Release Day for Lex Martin - Shameless!

Title: Shameless

Author: Lex Martin

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

 Release Date: April 26, 2016

Blurb

Brady…

What the hell do I know about raising a baby? Nothing. Not a goddamn thing. 

Yet here I am, the sole guardian of my niece. I’d be lost if it weren’t for Katherine, the beautiful girl who seems to have all the answers. Katherine, who’s slowly finding her way into my cynical heart.

I keep reminding myself that I can’t fall for someone when we don’t have a future. But telling myself this lie and believing it are two different things.

Katherine…

When Brady shows up on a Harley, looking like an avenging angel—six feet, three inches of chiseled muscle, eyes the color of wild sage, and sun-kissed skin emblazoned with tattoos—I’m not sure if I should fall at his feet or run like hell. Because if I tell him what happened the night his family died, he might hate me. 

What I don’t count on are the nights we spend together trying to forget the heartache that brought us here. I promise him it won’t mean anything, that I won’t fall in love.

I shouldn’t make promises I can’t keep.

Shameless is an adult contemporary romance/spinoff featuring a character from The Dearest Series, but it can be read as a complete standalone.

ADD TO GOODREADS

Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / UNIVERSAL

B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS

Also Available

The Dearest Series Boxed Set is FREE on KU for a limited time. Get all three Dearest Series books, including Dearest Clementine, Finding Dandelion and Kissing Madeline, as well as Dearest Series bonus scenes and the first chapter of Shameless.

Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / UNIVERSAL

Author Bio

Lex writes adult novels, the sexy kind with lotsa angst, a whole lotta kissing, and the hot happily ever afters. When she's not writing, she lives a parallel life as an English teacher. She loves printing black and white photos, listening to music on vinyl, and getting lost in a great book. Bitten by wanderlust, she's lived all over the country but currently resides in the City of Angels with her husband and twin daughters.

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Giveaway

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My very FIRST book signing event!

Hey y'all!

So 2 weeks ago (sorry to take so long to post about it!) I got to experience my very FIRST book signing event!!! I was able to go to the Books are Bigger in Texas (or BABIT) author event, and I have to say that it was one of the most fun and awesome weekends of my life!

I originally discovered this event because one of my favorite authors (KD Robichaux) was a participant. I discovered her books right before Christmas, and quickly devoured her first 2 books,  Wished For You & Wish He Was You. Anyway, once I heard she was part of this event, I really wanted to go meet her & tell her how much I enjoyed her books. I mean, who doesn't want the ability to share with someone how they've impacted your life, whether its just that they make you smile, or for me, that they're able to make you escape your life and see how someone else lives.  It's one of the reasons that I love books. So, as soon as I was able to, I purchased tickets!

After I did research, I found out that there were a bunch of authors that I admire were also attending. I was even more excited to attend once I found out that Kathy Coopmans, Kacey Shea, Lani Lynn Vale, Terri Anne Browning, Skye Warren, Rochelle Paige, and Hilary Storm (to name a few) were part of the event.  Now I've mentioned before that I'm a self proclaimed super awkward introvert, so going out and making myself talk to people that I admire is very difficult.  I was very lucky that my friend, Kathleen, was able to go with me. I was so excited because several of my favorite people would be in the same room as me, AND there were several book cover models attending as well. And I hate to be someone who only appreciates a pretty face or body, but honestly, it was so cool to be able to meet several of the men, and women, who grace the covers of the books that I love so much!

I loved meeting all of the authors and getting some of my babies (my paperbacks) signed by the women who wrote them! :) I was worried about seeming awkward or too much like a fangirl, but honestly, it seemed like most of the authors were just as worried about having people come see them.  One of the things I was most worried about was talking to the authors I hadn't read before. Luckily Kathleen was amazing at breaking the ice! We'd take turns picking a table and she'd go over and start by saying that we hadn't read their books before but we liked their table, and then she'd ask about which book of theirs was their favorite and which one they'd suggest we start reading first. I definitely discovered several new authors to check out.

I honestly think that all bibliophiles should go to at least one book signing in their life. It is a wonderful way to meet some of the people you admire & get your babies signed. Someone found out that it was my first signing, and they said "It'll be the first of many! Once you start going to them you get addicted."

I have to say that's the truth, I'm already planning on going to another in July!!

Until next time,

between friends
L

COVER REVEAL! The Empty Jar by M. Leighton

Cover Reveal

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Title:        The Empty Jar

Author:    M. Leighton

Release:   May 8, 2016

Today is cover reveal day for M. Leighton’s upcoming new release entitled

The Empty Jar.  She wanted to say a little something about the cover before

she revealed it and the description, so here she is.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First of all, a huge, heartfelt thank you to every single one of you amazing

women who is helping me reveal this cover today.  I appreciate everything you

do for me, for authors and readers in general and for this community.

Secondly…

OMG IT’S FINALLY TIME FOR THE EMPTY JAR COVER REVEAL!!!

I feel like I’ve been waiting AGES to share this with you!

This cover… GAH!  Y’all, it took me forEVER to get it just right. There was a

certain “feel” that I wanted to achieve with it and I wasn’t happy until I felt that

it jumped right out when I looked at it.  I wanted the cover to speak of the

book, wanted it to show the highs and lows, the sweet and the poignant, the

depth of it, if you will.  And finally…finally, I feel like it does:) You might not

realize just how much NOW, but once you read it, you’ll be like, “Yeah. It’s

perfect for this book!”

When I got the paperback proof in the other day, I held it in my hands and I

just stared at it. Not only is this story extremely special to me, but this is

probably my favorite cover of all my books.  Ever.  When I look at it, I see so

much more than just a picture.  I see all the things that I find in life as well as

what I put into the story that is The Empty Jar.  It’s a blend of happy pinks and

brooding blues. It’s light and it’s dark.  There are highs and there are lows.

There is morning and there is night.  But if you notice the sky on this cover,

there are little flickers of brightness in the bodies of the lightning bugs.  Life is

that way, too.  Even in the darkest part of the night, there is a spark of hope.

There is beauty. There is the romantic glow of a full moon, the silvery face of

your mate, the delicate twinkle of fireflies. It’s all there if we look hard

enough—that balance of beauty and tragedy.

Always love.

Below is a little more about the book. It’s hard to tell you much without spoiling

anything, but I think you can get a feel for it.  It’s such a special story. So raw,

so real.  I honestly can’t wait for y’all to read it!  I hope you love IT and the

cover as much as I do:)

A great dose of Laughter - Saving Grace

For me, it is pretty normal to feel the gambit of emotions during a book. Generally, I may chuckle or smile which then gets me a crazy look from my boyfriend wondering what on earth I am reading. Inevitably, I try to explain and he doesn't see the humor.

With Saving Grace, I laughed out loud MULTIPLE times and at one point was laughing so hard I was crying. ::insert crazy looks from boyfriend here:: (Trying to explain a dog who is afraid of pickles, and cheese, and water...yeah, that one didn't go over well. But BELIEVE ME! It was worth it.)

Katie really outdid herself with the humor in this one. From the witty banter between the main characters to the characteristics of the dog, and the crazy antics from the twins to the imagery she created with her details, Katie created an amazing book that made me feel like I was living the story right along with the characters. It's such an amazing story full of love and laughter, heartbreak and life.

Katie Graykowski has a way with words and I would recommend this book to ANYONE! ESPECIALLY if you want a good dose of laughter.

between friends,
J

PUCKED -- Helena Hunting

Hey y'all! So I recently finished 'Pucked' by Helena Hunting. Let me tell you...it has to be one of the funniest & hottest books that I've ever read. I originally was a little unsure because it's was $5 (I know 😱 how expensive right😉) on Amazon, & I don't usually purchase books under $3. I luckily had a gift card left and decided to try it. I am so glad I did.

I love Violet! She's so delightfully awkward and nerdy, yet at the same time she really is adventurous and out going with Alex. I like that this was so different from other books where most times the nerdy girl is quiet, and it's a lot of work for the girl & the guy to get together. I'm not saying that Violet & Alex don't have to work to be happy but they definitely get there a little differently.

Alex is a great guy too, although he really did have a giant doofus moment 😡! He doesn't like his playboy reputation (& neither does Violet!) and he works hard to get Violet to see him.

One thing I love most about their relationship is the way they talk to each other. A majority of this book I was laughing, especially when Violet was talking about Super MC, her beaver (😂), & if Alex was talking about Violets boobs! Helena was amazing at showing the quirkiness of their interactions without taking away from the heat & chemistry.

I cannot wait to start the rest of the series! And discover what happens in book 4 where you get to see how Alex & Violet are doing!

 

You can find Helena Hunting online:
http://helenahunting.com/
IG: @helenahunting
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hunter.hunting.31/

Hope y'all check it out 😊❤️

between friends,
L

My new found love of Mary Catherine Gebhard --L

In the past couple of months I have been lucky enough to receive 2 ARCs from Mary Catherine Genhard. Elastic Heart and Tied (part of the Mouth Rocks the Heart anthology). 

I have to say first that her romances are darker than the normal "fluffy" romances I tend to read. However, I think that the darkness really adds to her stories. And honestly I'd love to see the way her mind works while she's writing her books, and the process that she goes through to create the final product! 

Elastic Heart is the story of Nami & Law. Nami is a woman who is trying to recover from being raped. Her trust was ravaged by a man who should have used his power to do good for others, and right the wrongs in the world. Instead that man uses his power to hurt those he perceives as weaker and allows those women to suffer. 

Nami meets Law in her pursuit of justice and finds a way to heal that was unexpected (at least I think she thought that) to her. When she meets Law she isn't in the place to find someone to love, mostly because she hasn't recovered from her trauma. I think that Law forces her to see what is right in front of her and how to accept the help of those around her. My favorite quote in the book is: 

"Are you threatening me?!" 

"No I'm trying to date you."

I that's the perfect way to show the struggle that the two have to beat to achieve their HEA. 

Tied is the novella that occurs after the first 2 books of her Owned series. I didn't read the first two books in the series; I don't think it was necessary to read them, but i do think it would add to the story of you knew the first 2 books. 

Tied is the story of Vera & Charlie. Charlie is a tough man who lives by his own set of rules. He is dealing with the loss of his leg from a previous mission that went bad. Vera is a woman who was trying to move on and better her life. She is perpetually unlucky in love, & that is made so clear when her most recent ex has kidnapped her & tortured/raped her. 

Charlie is sent in to rescue her and once he does, he doesn't let her go. From the start they have a weird relationship, but I think that it's the relationship they need to heal from their pasts and move towards the future. 

Mary Catherine Gebhard has become one of my new favorite authors. She describes her books this way on her website: "My romance is dark and sometimes unsettling. l tell stories without sugar coating. At first it tastes bitter, but unlike sugar it doesn’t make you feel sick afterward. Hopefully after reading my work, it sticks with you–but in a good way. Sometimes it’s not pretty, but often times life isn’t pretty." 

I would definitely recommend y'all check out her books! 

  

You can find her online:

http://www.marygebhard.com/

IG: @marycgebhard

FB: https://m.facebook.com/marycgebhard/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/marycatherinegebhard

Until next time ️

between friends,

L

Silver Bastard by Joanna Wylde - another great read! - J

I just finished the first book in the Silver Valley series by Joanna Wyle, Silver Bastard.

It was another great read and she certainly knows how to write a hero and heroine!  I love that her women are fighters. Yes, they have their quirks (or weaknesses), but who doesn't? Joanna always allows them to pick themselves up and show strength despite their circumstances. She finds a way to bring her characters to life and gives them charm that makes them seem like people you could meet/know in real life. 

Puck and Becca are relatable, loveable and hateable all at the same time. Becca knows her mom is messed up but she takes it out on the person closest to her. I'm sure we've all misplaced our anger at some point in our life and that helps to make these characters real to me. At the same time I  wanted to yell at her and tell her her mother is not worth it! The book was a great transition from the Reapers MC series Puck was introduced in and I can't wait for the next book in this series. 

I highly recommend this book (but first the REAPERS MC!) to anyone who loves an alpha male with a strong heroine. 

between friends,
J 

Laura's Introduction

Hey! I guess it's my turn to introduce myself 😊
Like Jamie said in her post, we bonded over our love of all book Kristen Ashley; funnily enough, we met in college and had several classes together! We talked school and life, but we never discussed books-which is surprising for me. As a self-identified super awkward and, at times, painfully quiet introvert, usually I am happiest to talk about a favorite book or author of mine.

As an introvert, I find that books are the best way for me to recharge from the craziness that is everyday life (I live in a house with 4 kids!). I love finding a new character that I can relate to, or how an author is able to drag me, at times kicking and screaming, into their world and fall in love with their characters, whether they deserve that love or not!

To me, one of the greatest things about books is that it doesn't matter where you live, your age, what's happening in your life--you are able to find a place to belong. And in the community of book lovers I have found a group of people who can understand why I choose to escape the daily grind and find a new life for a couple hours. For me each book is an emotional journey, and whether I'm laughing so hard my stomach hurts or crying because my heart has been broken I couldn't think of a better way to escape the world 😊

Hopefully Jamie & I can help y'all find some new favorite books and create a place and community to find others who feel the same.

Until next time😘

between friends,
L