Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Whiskey Secrets by Carrie Ann Ryan - Chapter Reveal

Carrie Ann Ryan's WHISKEY AND LIES kicks off in just under a week...but we couldn't wait to share the first chaper of the first book, WHISKEY SECRETS, with you! 

Read it below below, find out more about the series (and how it ties into the Montgomery Ink series!) and preorder your copy today!

 

About the WHISKEY AND LIES series

The Montgomery Ink world just got a big larger. Dark heroes, tragic pasts, and heroines who rock their worlds…the Collins Brothers are about to see what happens when their small Pennsylvanian town gets shocked to its core.
The Collins Brothers just want to go about their business and live their lives. They’re in no mood for what happens when three women come into their lives when they’re least expecting it. One comes to change what was lost, another comes to prove what could be, while the third reveals what’s already been there all along.
Whiskey, Pennsylvania just got a little bit bigger and this town might not be ready for what’s coming.
Tabby’s Brothers from Ink Exposed get a series of their own.
Each book is a complete stand alone and can be read in any order.
 




Book Description:

Sparks fly between a former cop-turned-bartender and his new innkeeper in the first installment of a Montgomery Ink spin-off series from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan.
Dare Collins is a man who knows his whiskey and women—or at least that’s what he tells himself. When his family decides to hire on a new innkeeper for the inn above his bar and restaurant, he’s more than reluctant. Especially when he meets the new hire. But he’ll soon find that he has no choice but to work with this city girl and accept her new ideas and the burning attraction between them.
Kenzie Owens left her old life and an abusive relationship behind her—or so she thought. She figures she’ll be safe in Whiskey, Pennsylvania but after one look at her new boss, Dare Collins, she might still be in danger, or at least her heart. And when her past catches up with her despite her attempts to avoid it, it’s more than her heart on the line. This time, it might mean her life.


Read the first chapter of WHISKEY SECRETS:

Shocking pain slammed into his skull and down his back. Dare Collins did his best not to scream in the middle of his own bar. He slowly stood up and rubbed the back of his head since he’d been distracted and hit it on the countertop. Since the thing was made of solid wood and thick as hell, he was surprised he hadn’t given himself a concussion. But since he didn’t see double, he had a feeling once his long night was over, he’d just have to make the throbbing go away with a glass of Macallan. There was nothing better than a glass of smooth whiskey or an ice-cold mug of beer after a particularly long day. Which one Dare chose each night depended on not only his mood but also those around him. So was the life of a former cop turned bartender. He had a feeling he’d be going for the whiskey and not a woman tonight— like most nights if he were honest. It had been a long day of inventory and no-show staff members. Meaning he had a headache from hell, and it looked as if he’d be working open to close when he truly didn’t want to. But that’s what happened when one was the owner of a bar and restaurant rather than just a manager or bartender— like he was with the Old Whiskey Restaurant and Bar. It didn’t help that his family had been in and out of the place all day for one reason or another— his brothers and parents either wanting something to eat or having a question that needed to be answered right away where a phone call or text wouldn’t suffice. His mom and dad had mentioned more than once that he needed to be ready for their morning meeting, and he had a bad feeling in his gut about what that would mean for him later. But he pushed that from his thoughts because he was used to things in his life changing on a dime. He’d left the force for a reason, after all. Enough of that. He loved his family, he really did, but sometimes, they— his parents in particular— gave him a headache. Since his mom and dad still ran the Old Whiskey Inn above his bar, they were constantly around, working their tails off at odd jobs that were far too hard for them at their ages, but they were all just trying to earn a living. When they weren’t handling business for the inn, they were fixing problems upstairs that Dare wished they’d let him help with. While he’d have preferred to call it a night and head back to his place a few blocks away, he knew that wouldn’t happen tonight. Since his bartender, Rick, had called in sick at the last minute— as well as two of Dare’s waitresses from the bar— Dare was pretty much screwed. And if he wallowed just a little bit more, he might hear a tiny violin playing in his ear. He needed to get a grip and get over it. Working late and dealing with other people’s mistakes was part of his job description, and he was usually fine with that. Apparently, he was just a little off tonight. And since he knew himself well, he had a feeling it was because he was nearing the end of his time without his kid. Whenever he spent too many days away from Nathan, he acted like a crabby asshole. Thankfully, his weekend was coming up. “Solving a hard math problem over there, or just daydreaming? Because that expression on your face looks like you’re working your brain too hard. I’m surprised I don’t see smoke coming out of your ears.” Fox asked as he walked up to the bar, bringing Dare out of his thoughts. Dare had been pulling drafts and cleaning glasses mindlessly while in his head, but he was glad for the distraction, even if it annoyed him that he needed one. Dare shook his head and flipped off his brother. “Suck me.” The bar was busy that night, so Fox sat down on one of the empty stools and grinned. “Nice way to greet your customers.” He glanced over his shoulder before looking back at Dare and frowning. “Where are Rick and the rest of your staff?” Dare barely held back a growl. “Out sick. Either there’s really a twenty-four-hour stomach bug going around and I’m going to be screwed for the next couple of days, or they’re all out on benders.” Fox cursed under his breath before hopping off his stool and going around the side of the large oak and maple bar to help out. That was Dare’s family in a nutshell— they dropped everything whenever one of them needed help, and nobody even had to ask for it. Since Dare sucked at asking for help on a good day, he was glad that Fox knew what he needed without him having to say it. Without asking, Fox pulled up a few drink orders and began mixing them with the skill of a long-time barkeep. Since Fox owned the small town newspaper— the Whiskey Chronicle— Dare was still surprised sometimes at how deft his younger brother was at working alongside him. Of course, even his parents, his older brother Loch, and his younger sister Tabby knew their way around the bar. Just not as well as Dare did. Considering that this was his job, he was grateful for that. He loved his family, his bar, and hell, he even loved his little town on the outskirts of Philly. Whiskey, Pennsylvania was like most other small towns in his state where some parts were new additions, and others were old stone buildings from the Revolutionary or Civil war eras with add-ons— like his. And with a place called Whiskey, everyone attached the label where they could. Hence the town paper, his bar, and most of the other businesses around town. Only Loch’s business really stood out with Loch’s Security and Gym down the street, but that was just like Loch to be a little different yet still part of the town. Whiskey had been named as such because of its old bootlegging days. It used to be called something else, but since Prohibition, the town had changed its name and cashed in on it. Whiskey was one of the last places in the country to keep Prohibition on the books, even with the nationwide decree. They’d fought to keep booze illegal, not for puritan reasons, but because their bootlegging market had helped the township thrive. Dare knew there was a lot more to it than that, but those were the stories the leaders told the tourists, and it helped with the flare. Whiskey was located right on the Delaware River, so it overlooked New Jersey but was still on the Pennsylvania side of things. The main bridge that connected the two states through Whiskey and Ridge on the New Jersey side was one of the tourist spots for people to drive over and walk so they could be in two states at once while over the Delaware River. Their town was steeped in history, and close enough to where George Washington had crossed the Delaware that they were able to gain revenue on the reenactments for the tourists, thus helping keep their town afloat. The one main road through Whiskey that not only housed Loch’s and Dare’s businesses but also many of the other shops and restaurants in the area, was always jammed with cars and people looking for places to parallel park. Dare’s personal parking lot for the bar and inn was a hot commodity. And while he might like time to himself some days, he knew he wouldn’t trade Whiskey’s feel for any other place. They were a weird little town that was a mesh of history and newcomers, and he wouldn’t trade it for the world. His sister Tabby might have moved out west and found her love and her place with the Montgomerys in Denver, but Dare knew he’d only ever find his home here. Sure, he’d had a few flings in Denver when he visited his sister, but he knew they’d never be more than one night or two. Hell, he was the king of flings these days, and that was for good reason. He didn’t need commitment or attachments beyond his family and his son, Nathan. Time with Nathan’s mom had proven that to him, after all. “You’re still daydreaming over there,” Fox called out from the other side of the bar. “You okay?” Dare nodded, frowning. “Yeah, I think I need more caffeine or something since my mind keeps wandering.” He pasted on his trademark grin and went to help one of the new arrivals who’d taken a seat at the bar. Dare wasn’t the broody one of the family— that honor went to Loch— and he hated when he acted like it. “What can I get you?” he asked a young couple that had taken two empty seats at the bar. They had matching wedding bands on their fingers but looked to be in their early twenties. He couldn’t imagine being married that young. Hell, he’d never been married, and he was in his mid-thirties now. He hadn’t married Monica even though she’d given him Nathan, and even now, he wasn’t sure they’d have ever taken that step even if they had stayed together. She had Auggie now, and he had… well, he had his bar. That wasn’t depressing at all. “Two Yuenglings please, draft if you have it,” the guy said, smiling. Dare nodded. “Gonna need to see your IDs, but I do have it on tap for you.” As Yuengling was a Pennsylvania beer, not having it outside the bottle would be stupid even in a town that prided itself on whiskey. The couple pulled out their IDs, and Dare checked them quickly. Since both were now the ripe age of twenty-two, he went to pull them their beers and set out their check since they weren’t looking to run a tab. Another woman with long, caramel brown hair with hints of red came to sit at the edge of the bar. Her hair lay in loose waves down her back and she had on a sexy-as-fuck green dress that draped over her body to showcase sexy curves and legs that seemed to go on forever. The garment didn’t have sleeves so he could see the toned muscles in her arms work as she picked up a menu to look at it. When she looked up, she gave him a dismissive glance before focusing on the menu again. He held back a sigh. Not in the mood to deal with whatever that was about, he let Fox take care of her and put her from his mind. No use dealing with a woman who clearly didn’t want him near, even if it were just to take a drink order. Funny, he usually had to speak to a female before making her want him out of the picture. At least, that’s what he’d learned from Monica. And why the hell was he thinking about his ex again? He usually only thought of her in passing when he was talking to Nathan or hanging out with his kid for the one weekend a month the custody agreement let Dare have him. Having been in a dangerous job and then becoming a bartender didn’t look good to some lawyers it seemed, at least when Monica had fought for full custody after Nathan was born. He pushed those thoughts from his mind, however, not in the mood to scare anyone with a scowl on his face by remembering how his ex had looked down on him for his occupation even though she’d been happy to slum it with him when it came to getting her rocks off. Dare went through the motions of mixing a few more drinks before leaving Fox to tend to the bar so he could go check on the restaurant part of the building. Since the place had originally been an old stone inn on both floors instead of just the top one, it was set up a little differently than most newer buildings around town. The bar was off to one side; the restaurant area where they served delicious, higher-end entrees and tapas was on the other. Most people needed a reservation to sit down and eat in the main restaurant area, but the bar also had seating for dinner, only their menu wasn’t quite as extensive and ran closer to bar food. In the past, he’d never imagined he would be running something like this, even though his parents had run a smaller version of it when he was a kid. But none of his siblings had been interested in taking over once his parents wanted to retire from the bar part and only run the inn. When Dare decided to leave the force only a few years in, he’d found his place here, however reluctantly. Being a cop hadn’t been for him, just like being in a relationship. He’d thought he would be able to do the former, but life had taken a turn, and he’d faced his mortality far sooner than he bargained for. Apparently, being a gruff, perpetually single bar owner was more his speed, and he was pretty damn good at it, too. Most days, anyway. His house manager over on the restaurant side was running from one thing to another, but from the outside, no one would have noticed. Claire was just that good. She was in her early fifties and already a grandmother, but she didn’t look a day over thirty-five with her smooth, dark skin and bright smile. Good genes and makeup did wonders— according to her anyway. He’d be damned if he’d say that. His mother and Tabby had taught him something over the years. The restaurant was short-staffed but managing, and he was grateful he had Claire working long hours like he did. He oversaw it all, but he knew he couldn’t have done it without her. After making sure she didn’t need anything, he headed back to the bar to relieve Fox. The rush was finally dying down now, and his brother could just sit back and enjoy a beer since Dare knew he’d already worked a long day at the paper. By the time the restaurant closed and the bar only held a few dwindling costumers, Dare was ready to go to bed and forget the whole lagging day. Of course, he still had to close out the two businesses and talk to both Fox and Loch since his older brother had shown up a few moments ago. Maybe he’d get them to help him close out so he wouldn’t be here until midnight. He must be tired if the thought of closing out was too much for him. “So, Rick didn’t show, huh?” Loch asked as he stood up from his stool. His older brother started cleaning up beside Fox, and Dare held back a smile. He’d have to repay them in something other than beer, but he knew they were working alongside him because they were family and had the time; they weren’t doing it for rewards. “Nope. Shelly and Kayla didn’t show up either.” Dare resisted the urge to grind his teeth at that. “Thanks for helping. I’m exhausted and wasn’t in the mood to deal with this all alone.” “That’s what we’re here for,” Loch said with a shrug. “By the way, you have any idea what this seven a.m. meeting tomorrow is about?” Fox asked after a moment. “They’re putting Tabby on speaker phone for it and everything.” Dare let out a sigh. “I’m not in the mood to deal with any meeting that early. I have no idea what it’s going to be about, but I have a bad feeling.” “Seems like they have an announcement.” Loch sat back down on his stool and scrolled through his phone. He was constantly working or checking on his daughter, so his phone was strapped to him at all times. Misty had to be with Loch’s best friend, Ainsley, since his brother worked that night. Ainsley helped out when Loch needed a night to work or see Dare. Loch had full custody of Misty, and being a single father wasn’t easy. Dare had a feeling no matter what his parents had to say, things were going to be rocky after the morning meeting. His parents were caring, helpful, and always wanted the best for their family. That also meant they tended to be slightly overbearing in the most loving way possible. “Well, shit.” It looked like he’d go without whiskey or a woman tonight. Of course, an image of the woman with gorgeous hair and that look of disdain filled his mind, and he held back a sigh. Once again, Dare was a glutton for punishment, even in his thoughts. The next morning, he cupped his mug of coffee in his hands and prayed his eyes would stay open. He’d stupidly gotten caught up on paperwork the night before and was now running on about three hours of sleep. Loch sat in one of the booths with Misty, watching as she colored in her coloring book. She was the same age as Nathan, which Dare always appreciated since the cousins could grow up like siblings— on weekends when Dare had Nathan that was. The two kids got along great, and he hoped that continued throughout the cootie phases kids seemed to get sporadically. Fox sat next to Dare at one of the tables with his laptop open. Since his brother owned the town paper, he was always up-to-date on current events and was even now typing up something. They had Dare’s phone between them with Tabby on the other line, though she wasn’t saying anything. Her fiancĂ©, Alex, was probably near as well since those two seemed to be attached at the hip. Considering his future brother-in-law adored Tabby, Dare didn’t mind that as much as he probably should have as a big brother. The elder Collinses stood at the bar, smiles on their faces, yet Dare saw nervousness in their stances. He’d been a cop too long to miss it. They were up to something, and he had a feeling he wasn’t going to like it. “Just get it over with,” Dare said, keeping his language decent— not only for Misty but also because his mother would still take him by the ear if he cursed in front of her. But because his tone had bordered on rude, his mother still raised a brow, and he sighed. Yep, he had a really bad feeling about this. “Good morning to you, too, Dare,” Bob Collins said with a snort and shook his head. “Well, since you’re all here, even our baby girl, Tabby—” “Not a baby, Dad!” Tabby called out from the phone, and the rest of them laughed, breaking the tension slightly. “Yeah, we’re not babies,” Misty put in, causing everyone to laugh even harder. “Anyway,” Barbara Collins said with a twinkle in her eye. “We have an announcement to make.” She rolled her shoulders back, and Dare narrowed his eyes. “As you know, your father and I have been nearing the age of retirement for a while now, but we still wanted to run our inn as innkeepers rather that merely owners.” “Finally taking a vacation?” Dare asked. His parents worked far too hard and wouldn’t let their kids help them. He’d done what he could by buying the bar from them when he retired from the force and then built the restaurant himself. “If you’d let me finish, young man, I’d let you know,” his mother said coolly, though there was still warmth in her eyes. That was his mother in a nutshell. She’d reprimand, but soothe the sting, too. “Sorry,” he mumbled, and Fox coughed to cover up a laugh. If Dare looked behind him, he figured he’d see Loch hiding a smile of his own. Tabby laughed outright. Damn little sisters. “So, as I was saying, we’ve worked hard. But, lately, it seems like we’ve worked too hard.” She looked over at his dad and smiled softly, taking her husband’s hand. “It’s time to make some changes around here.” Dare sat up straighter. “We’re retiring. Somewhat. The inn hasn’t been doing as well as it did back when it was with your grandparents, and part of that is on the economy. But part of that is on us. What we want to do is renovate more and update the existing rooms and service. In order to do that and step back as innkeepers, we’ve hired a new person.” “You’re kidding me, right?” Dare asked, frowning. “You can’t just hire someone to take over and work in our building without even talking to us. And it’s not like I have time to help her run it when she doesn’t know how you like things.” “You won’t be running it,” Bob said calmly. “Not yet, anyway. Your mom and I haven’t fully retired, and you know it. We’ve been running the inn for years, but now we want to step away. Something you’ve told us we should do. So, we hired someone. One who knows how to handle this kind of transition and will work with the construction crew and us. She has a lot of experience from working in Philly and New York and will be an asset.” Dare fisted his hands by his sides and blew out a breath. They had to be fucking kidding. “It sounds like you’ve done your research and already made your decision. Without asking us. Without asking me.” His mother gave him a sad look. “We’ve always wanted to do this, Dare, you know that.” “Yes. But you should have talked to us. And renovating like this? I didn’t know you wanted to. We could have helped.” He didn’t know why he was so angry, but being kept out of the loop was probably most of it. His father sighed. “We’ve been looking into this for years, even before you came back to Whiskey and bought the bar from us. And while it may seem like this is out of the blue, we’ve been doing the research for a while. Yes, we should have told you, but everything came up all at once recently, and we wanted to show you the plans when we had details rather than get your hopes up and end up not doing it.” Dare just blinked. There was so much in that statement— in all of those statements— that he couldn’t quite process it. And though he could have yelled about any of it just then, his mind fixed on the one thing that annoyed him the most. “So, you’re going to have some city girl come into my place and order me around? I don’t think so.” “And why not? Have a problem with listening to women?” Dare stiffened because that last part hadn’t come from his family. No. He turned toward the voice. It had come from the woman he’d seen the night before in the green dress. And because fate liked to fuck with him, he had a feeling he knew exactly who this person was. Their newly hired innkeeper. And new thorn in his side.  


See the WHISKEY SECRETS Trailer:

 
 

Find out more about SECOND CHANCE INK, a newsletter exclusive Montgomery In romance, here!

 

 About Carrie Ann Ryan
Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 2.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.




Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ 

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Shelter by Jay Crownover - Release Day Review and Excerpt!

   

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jay Crownover returns with the second standalone title in her Getaway series, SHELTER. Check out the excerpt below and pick up your copy today!

And that’s not all! RETREAT, the first standalone title in the Getaway series, is on sale! You can grab your copy for just $.99 for a limited time only.

     


Author: Jay Crownover
Publication Date:  26 December 2017
Publisher: Self-Published
Series:  Getaway Series, Book 2
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Age Recommendation: 18 and Up
Rating: 5 Stars


~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~



Book Description:

His life is chaos and confusion. It’s a storm of uncertainty and raging emotion.

Sutton Warner is a mess. Everything in his life feels like it’s unraveling.

He’s let a lot of people down lately, including his daughter. Sutton always promised his little girl he would never disappoint her and that he would always be there when she needed him. Until he wasn’t.

The truth is, he’s used to disappointing the women in his life. First was his mother who couldn’t find a reason to stick around when he was growing up. Then there’s his ex. The woman who takes unbridled delight in making his life incredibly complicated. Luckily, his daughter is still young enough to believe her old man is some kind of hero. But, he knows the day is coming when she realizes the truth, that he’s just a man with some serious flaws and a list of ever-growing weaknesses.

Finally, there’s the woman he’s desperately trying to forget with every shot tossed back and each pill popped.

He more than disappointed Emrys…he almost got her killed.

Her love is steady and sure. It’s a shelter shaped by conviction and silent assurance.

Emrys Santos is lost. Everything in her life feels pointless and futile.

She’s been busy running away from her feelings and all the people who love her the most—including her best friend, the one person who knows exactly what she’s been through. They promised to always stick together and to lean on one another. It was a promise Em had to break so she could lick her wounds and figure out her next move. For once, there is no easy way out of the tangled web of emotions she’s caught up in, and right now, she recognizes that all roads lead back to Wyoming…and back to Sutton.

The man she nearly got killed.

Shelter is a standalone novel, the second book in the Getaway series, which features the hardheaded and brokenhearted Warner brothers and the women who dare to love them. These boys are very good at putting the wild in wilderness.

 

         


My Review:

The second book in Jay Crownovers GetAway series is a great addition to this series.  I have to say that while I throughout enjoyed the first book, Retreat, it wasn't one of my favorite Jay Crownover books and I worried that I would never fall head over heels for this series like I have for others of hers but Shelter proved my worry to be unfounded.  I am totally head over heels now, maybe even have done a few back flips in the process of getting there.

Sutton Warner's life is out of control and he has no chance of staying a step or even a mile ahead of the downward spiral he is in.  After almost dying in the back country of Wyoming and failing to protect the best friend, a woman he could have fallen for, of his brother's girlfriend Sutton is on the run from his emotions and failures, both actual and perceived.  He knows, HE KNOWS, that he is letting down his family, especially his little girl but he just can't let the physical and emotional pain remain and the only way he's found to dull it is through alcohol.  He's spending his days in a drunken haze and his nights passed out.  The one thing the alcohol isn't taking away is his thoughts of her.  His thoughts of the girl that he couldn't help out there in the wilds, the girl he couldn't save, the girl he sent away.

Emrys (Em), changed on the outside and inside forever by that terrible idea of hers to getaway, leaves Wyoming and somehow even in that short time, her heart behind and runs when Sutton pushes her away.  Em is a fixer, she makes everything better for the people around her while forgetting herself but she knows that Sutton, in those days after those terrifying hours in the mountains of Wyoming, neither can nor wants to be fixed and her feelings for him are too real for her to stay anyway.  She runs and works on heeling herself but in all that time away she knows she can't leave Sutton unfixed, she knows that she could be the one to mend his broken heart and body if he would let her.  What she doesn't realize is how bad his state has become since she ran.

I adored Em in this book, I was worried because she felt a bit whiney to me in Retreat and I didn't think I would like her, but Em is such a strong heroine.  You don't realize how strong she is until really meeting her in Shelter.  She is a character where the saying 'more than meets the eye' truly applies.  I honestly want to be her.  Em is very much her own person, even when she puts so much of herself aside to help others, she always stay true to herself.   The way she handles everyone she comes in contact with, I don't know how she isn't a caregiver in some way, (nurse, psychologist, social worker...) with everyone she interacts with she gives them her whole self and that is exactly what Sutton and his baby girl need after years of feeling left behind or forgotten about.

Sutton is just a great guy, even when he is troubled and when it seems like he is failing everyone around him.  His heart is always on the line for the people he loves.  He could be four sheets to the wind and still feel the pain of hurting those around him, the fear of their disappointment, the want to prove himself even when he is hurt so deeply inside that he fears he will never be able to dig himself out or be the man he wants to be or the one they expect him to be.  His little girl, he knows he's hurting her, he knows he's failing her, but he doesn't know how to stop hurting himself long enough to see the road ahead.  Once a little light comes back into his life he is that amazing father, brother, and more that we expect.  He is a man who has middle child syndrome and has felt all his life that he never had a place to really fit in so it is so wonderful to see that when he rights his world with the help of some amazing people he comes into his own and finds his path.  It takes him a long time to get there and a whole heck of a lot of physical and emotional pain but it is truly beautiful when they all get their HEA.

I loved the whole book, especially the little twist that I hadn't seen coming until a good 3/4ths into the book.   Once hints started to get laid out it was a little easy to see what was going on but for the majority of the book I had no idea and I loved the bit of suspense that it added to this emotional story.


I am so ready for Lane and Brynn's story as well.  There has been so much build up for the two of them and even though I know they will have an HEA because that's what Jay gives us, I am worried about the struggle that will occur to get them there.  It is going to be a pretty powerful story with a lot of mountains to climb but I know like Sutton and like Cy Jay Crownover will get us there.  It might not be pretty but it will be well worth the 'ride' and I can't wait to take it.  

This is a wonderful story about love, redemption,  and character growth and development. If you love Kristen Ashley books, like her Colorado Mountain series, you will love the Getaway series.  I know that thais is slated as a Standalone and I think that it is feasible because Jay does a wonderful job in going back in time and telling us the story of how Sutton and Em met but I really feel like to get the most out of their story and history you should start at the beginning and although this is a bit of future telling I think it will be even more important when it comes to Lane and Brynn's story, Escape.  But don't let that stop you.  If you haven't read book 1 don't be afraid to dive right in with book two, just be ready to head right out when you are done to grab up a copy of Retreat, haha


~ HAPPY READING AND
 HAPPY NEW YEAR! ~







EXCERPT: 


I’d been fooled once by the promise of quiet nights and serene days in the sunshine. I believed the brochure when it said I could leave my worries at home and escape to a simpler, quieter kind of life. I let myself be lured in by the picturesque landscape and stunning mountains. I foolishly fell prey to the temptation of leaving my current set of troubles behind in San Francisco while I hid away in the middle-of-nowhere Wyoming. I now knew firsthand the glossy brochure that brought me to Wyoming the first time was nothing more than a bunch of pretty, packaged lies. I knew the bar brawl erupting in front of me was hardly the worst thing that could happen here. In fact, the level of bloodshed and violence was child’s play compared to what I’d witnessed the last time I’d stepped foot in this small, quaint town. Well, I hadn’t really been in Sheridan last time I was here. I’d spent most of my time in the backwoods that surrounded the Warner brothers’ ranch, which was still a good forty-five minutes outside of this tiny town. The ranch was where I was currently trying to get to so I could see my best friend. When I left Wyoming, I told myself I would never come back. Ever. I told myself there was nothing here for me but bad memories and heartache. I was a pro at lying to myself, at telling myself exactly what I needed to hear to justify my actions. I could convince myself of anything, like it was okay that my last boyfriend stole my grandmother’s silver when I kicked him out because he needed it more than I did. I had no problem believing that pulling Leo out of the city was the only way to heal her broken heart even though she didn’t want to go. It was easier to distract her than it was to watch her wallow. I persuaded myself into believing what I needed to heal was space and solitude. I held onto that until time passed and I was still a mess. I was sick of my own company and of hiding from everything I was feeling. I was the one who always went out of my way to fix everyone else around me, it wasn’t exactly a shock to learn I didn’t have the skills to repair myself. I spent my days helping others focus on their goals, on doing better and achieving more, so I didn’t have to think about the lack of any ambition of my own. I turned thirty at the end of the year and I was still trying to figure out what and who I wanted to be when I grew up. I’d been aimless for a long time; the only direction in my life come from the fact I knew all the way down to my bones that I had to go back to Wyoming and face off with Sutton Warner.    




And don’t miss the first standalone novel in the Getaway series, RETREAT, on sale for just $.99! 

Grab your copy today!

 ✦ RETREAT on Amazon

 RETREAT on Other Retailers


         


And preorder you copy of the third standalone novel in the Getaway series, ESCAPE, releasing January 30, 2018! 

✦ ESCAPE on Amazon 

✦ ESCAPE on Other Retailers 

✦ Goodreads


            


GiveAway:
(Signed copy of RETREAT for 1 winner)




     


  

Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, the Point Series, the Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.        

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Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Sinful Empire by Meghan March - Release Day

        

  

AmazonUS ~ AmazonUK ~ AmazonAU ~

 iBooks ~ Barnes&Noble ~ Kobo



Book Description:

The Mount Trilogy concludes with Sinful Empire! 

What’s mine, I keep, and that includes Keira Kilgore. It’s no longer enough to have her in my debt. No longer enough to own her body. I want something more. She can try to resist, but I’ll never give her up. Nothing will keep us apart. Not her. Not my enemies. No one. Her debt will only be paid one way—with her heart.

 Sinful Empire is the third and final book in the Mount Trilogy.    


          



  Get ready for the darker and dirtier side of New Orleans with a brand new alpha romance from USA Today bestselling author Meghan March.

 AmazonUS ~ AmazonUK ~ AmazonPB ~ 
iBooks ~ Barnes&Noble ~ Kobo      

*Ruthless King is book one of the Mount Trilogy* 

New Orleans belongs to me. You don’t know my name, but I control everything you see—and all the things you don’t. My reach knows no bounds, and my demands are always met. I didn’t need to loan money to a failing family distillery, but it amuses me to have them in my debt. To have her in my debt. She doesn’t know she caught my attention. She should’ve been more careful. I’m going to own her. Consume her. Maybe even keep her. It’s time to collect what I’m owed. Keira Kilgore, you’re now the property of Lachlan Mount.   


 
 iBooks ~ Barnes&Noble ~ Kobo  


The Mount Trilogy continues with Defiant Queen... 

I’m his entertainment. His toy. Payment on a debt. I tell myself I hate him, but every time he walks into the room, my body betrays me. How can I want him and fear him in the same moment? They told me he’d mess with my head. Make it go to war with my body. But I didn’t realize it would be complete anarchy. I should’ve known better. When Mount’s involved, there are no rules. I will not surrender. I will not show weakness. I’ll stand my ground and make it out of this bargain with my heart and soul intact. But he has other plans . . .  

Defiant Queen is the second book of the Mount Trilogy. 
Mount and Keira's story concludes in Sinful Empire.   

  
     


meghanmarchpic
Meghan March has been known to wear camo face paint and tromp around in woods wearing mud-covered boots, all while sporting a perfect manicure. She's also impulsive, easily entertained, and absolutely unapologetic about the fact that she loves to read and write smut. Her past lives include slinging auto parts, selling lingerie, making custom jewelry, and practicing corporate law. Writing books about dirty talking alpha males and the strong, sassy women who bring them to their knees is by far the most fabulous job she's ever had. She loves hearing from her readers at meghanmarchbooks@gmail.com.




Cowboy Up by Harper Sloan - Release Day Review and Excerpt

   

 

Author: Harper Sloan
Publication Date:  19 December, 2017
Publisher: Pocket Books
Series:  The Coming Home Series, book 3
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Age Recommendation: 18 and Up
Rating: 5 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 


Book Description:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Harper Sloan returns with a passionate and breathless romance about the sparks that ignite when a cautious cowboy and a once-scorned woman open up to each other in the third installment of the Coming Home series. 

As the eldest Davis, Clayton has always tried to lead by example. He takes his job as head of the family businesses seriously, making sure the farm and auto shop are running smoothly—along with keeping an eye on his brother and sister. For him, there’s a time and place to let go of the control he holds with an iron grip. And with the way he grew up, coupled with a disastrous end to his last relationship, he’s just fine with his quiet, solitary life. Most of the time. What he hadn't counted on was the cute, quirky, shy bookstore owner, Caroline Michaels. She's the proverbial woman next door—well, the next town over, that is. Caroline hasn't lived an easy life, but after escaping a verbally abusive ex, she's finally living it for herself. The last thing she ever expected was a one-night stand with Clay Davis she can’t stop thinking about. So when she falls on hard times and Clay comes out of nowhere to her rescue, she realizes just how impossible it’ll be to stay away from him. Now all she has to do is convince him to live a little…. Will Clay be able to give up the reins and finally settle down? And, more importantly, will Caroline muster enough courage to lasso him up?  



My Review:


I am so happy that this book came about.  I have to admit after falling hard for Lost Rider and then feeling a little disappointed in Kiss My Boots I was really worried about how Cowboy Up would go for me.  I can't say it was the same for me as Lost Rider but Cowboy up was a total five star read for me and hear are just a few reasons why:

1. I read this entire book in an afternoon.
2. Clay, uhm...swoon
3. ROMANCE!!
4. Caroline, such a sweet heart!
5. Luke and Lucy.
6. Maverick!!!! 

So yea, this was totally a couldn't put it down book for me.  I sat down on a quiet day in teh late morning and had finished the book by mid-afternoon, I could not walk away from it.  I loved the suspense aspect, I swooned over  the relationship between the two main characters, and I adored the brother and sister bond between the Davis family.  I'd say that Clay is every cowgirls dream but that would be a lie, Clay is EVERY girl's (and a few guys, I am sure) dream.  He is dedicated to his family, he is compassionate, he is hard  working, he is driven, he is passionate with a capital P...basically Clay Davis is smoking hot in all ways! 

 The romance is Cowboy Up is beyond swoon-worthy and I loved the mature aspect to it.  Are there some anxiety inducing issues, sure, but in general it was wonderful having a couple old enough to be past playing games with each other, to put it all out there on the table.  Clay Davis is a good guy, a really good guy, but he's got  bad boy streak to him and it comes out in the best place of all...the bedroom.  *fans face*

Caroline, man she is such a sweetheart and for a woman who has gone through what she did it is amazing but completely believable that she kept that sweetness around her.  She is an amazingly strong character, coming back from a terrible situation and making the  life she wanted for her self on her own.  I loved her sweetness, he determination, her drive...she was truly the perfect compliment to Clay.  I loved the the could tuck that sweetness away and be a 'dragon' when she needed to.  She got 'run over' in life once and no one will do that to her again, if she doesn't make you proud while you read this book then we need an intervention!  

Let's talk#5 Luke and Lucy....Harper Sloan, I need these two to have their own books.  I need a spin off and these two need to be the Heroes!  I want more of this world and I feel like you gave me a little taste of what more would be like so I am begging you to not let it end here.  I think Luke and Lucy could take this little world and stand it on it's head and be just the most fun books to read.  These two are secondary characters that really shine and deserve to be the main character in their own book. Okay Harper, I'll stop...harping (like you'e never heard that one before right *rolls eyes at myself*) on it and let you get to work, writing books for Luke and Lucy. *grins*

And finally #6....MAVERICK.  Really do I need to say much more?  It was so wonderful to see him again, to see how he has continued to evolve, to see how his relationships have grown, to see the man he has become that he was always meant to be.  He will always be my first love in this book series so getting as much of him as we did in this book made my heart soar!  

If you love contemporary romances that are truly heartfelt and full of beautiful relationships do not hesitate to pick up this series.  Can you read this as a standalone, I'dsay Cowboy Up less so than Kiss My Boots, but technically yes you could.  Some things will get a tad bit spoiled for you by reading out of order but we all know these are HEA's so you aren't going to ruin any huge surprise factor, just one of the little elements that might be nice to discover individually in each book.  Regardless of how you read them you will want to read the entire series, trust me.  I could seriously gush about these books for days but instead I am just going to leave you with a buy this book and...


~ HAPPY READING ~

Excerpt:

  I push my hands from his shoulders and palm his jaw as his stubble prickles against my fingers while my hands wander up to his hair. His hat falls to the ground with a thud and I know he’s just as lost in me as I am in him, because he doesn’t even make a move to pick it up. He lets out a deep grunt when I mold myself against his body, seeking some sort of friction. The next thing I know, my back is against the door and he’s gripping my bottom. His mouth hits my jaw with a bite of his teeth, making a squeak of pleasure shoot up my throat, and his deep rumble of laughter reaches my ears as he presses me harder into the door with his hips. The heavy bulge of his erection against that spot makes me so desperate for him that I whimper in relief when his mouth finally closes over mine in a wet tangle of tongues. I’ve never been kissed so thoroughly. This is the kind of kiss that sets the bar for any that might follow. The kind that shows you everything you’ve been missing and everything you never knew you wanted. I’m going to be comparing every kiss I ever have to my dark cowboy’s, even though I know there’s a good chance no one will ever compare. The sounds coming from my mouth, the ones being swallowed by his, are nothing short of needy. My hips move in tandem with the thrusts of his, and even though we’re both fully clothed, I know it won’t take much more of this for me to go off like the town’s fireworks on the Fourth of July. “Fuck, you taste just like apple pie,” he whispers against my lips, breaking away with a gasp. “Huh?” “Goddamn, I love apple pie,” he says before his mouth is back on mine, this time with a whole new kind of hunger deepening his kisses. I’m held captive, enraptured. Then his hands move from my bottom to glide up my torso. He lifts his hard chest off mine and suddenly those delicious fingers are at my breasts. Even if I had big boobs his hands would dwarf them, I’m sure, but as it is he covers both with a firm grasp before adjusting his hold with a deft twist of the wrists. His mouth continues to feast on mine while his huge hands learn my body with slow movements. I tear my mouth from his with a breathy moan when he pushes my shirt up and slips his fingers into the cups of my bra to tweak my nipples. “Oh, God,” I moan when he does it again. “I can’t get enough of you,” he rumbles. “Please,” I beg, not with the slightest clue as to what I’m begging for. His hips dig even harder into mine as he leans back, supporting me against the door with that connection alone as he pulls my shirt off. The darkness makes me feel more confident than I normally would be, almost half naked with a man—no, a stranger. “Yours too,” I tell him as his fingers move to unclasp my bra. “I want to feel your skin on mine,” I breathe, taking over the task so he’ll hopefully give me what I want. I fumble in my haste to feel more of this dangerous arousal he’s creating in my body, but the second my bra is free and dangling toward the floor, his naked chest collides against mine, pushing me into the door with a force that sends the air rushing out of my lungs. His mouth hits my collarbone at the same time his hands grasp my bottom, sliding me up the door until I feel the wet heat of his breath against my breast. Then he stops.    

         



 Harper is a NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL and USA TODAY bestselling author residing in Georgia with her husband and three daughters. She has a borderline unhealthy obsession with books, hibachi, tattoos and Game of Thrones. When she isn't writing you can almost always find her with a book in hand. 






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Thursday, December 14, 2017

Blasphemy Series by Laura Kaye - Double Cover Reveal

   

Decadent… Sensual… Forbidden…

Meet the Masters of Blasphemy…

   

A note from Laura Kaye…

I’m excited to share the amazing cover art for the last two books in my erotic romance Blasphemy series. These are both standalone reads, and they’re going to be scorching hot and so full of emotion! Be sure to add them to your Goodreads and preorder them today! Now, check this out:  



Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ 



Book Description:

Getting on his knees makes him question everything…and want even more…

Another failed relationship has lawyer Jamie Fielding confronting the truth—he’ll never be satisfied with any woman until he admits what he needs…to submit and to be used—hard. When a friend invites him to the exclusive Blasphemy club, Jamie is stunned to find everything he ever wanted—in the fierce, ruthless hands of a man.

Psychiatrist Alex McGarry will play with anyone who craves his rough brand of domination, but what he really wants is to settle down. Which makes the submissive male he meets at his club a bad idea—the man might be hot as hell but he’s also new to everything Alex has to offer. Except that doesn’t keep them from coming together again and again, sating every one of their darkest desires.

Master Alex sets Jamie’s whole world on fire and makes him question everything—and that’s good. Because Alex won’t tolerate hiding what they have for long and he wants much more than just having Jamie on his knees...

   

On His Knees Releases

  February 13, 2018


     
 Goodreads ~ Amazon (link coming in January) ~ Barnes&Noble ~ iBooks ~ Kobo

Book Description:

She’s the only one who’s ever driven him to his knees…

Blasphemy founder and hedge fund manager Hale O’Keeffe is spiraling. Nothing in his life makes sense anymore—and nothing gives him pleasure, either. Not his work, not his club, and not domination. Feeling like a fraud, he turns to an old friend for help—and receives an offer he’s surprisingly tempted to take.

Real estate investor Alina Lane likes to switch things up—houses, investments, and partners, too. She enjoys commanding and being commanded. But not everyone likes to switch, so she’s stunned when sexy, brooding, crush-from-afar Hale attends one of her private parties and reveals he needs something more, something different. Something she’s always fantasized about but never thought he’d accept.

Soon, one scorching night turns into many, and Hale realizes he’s found everything he’s been searching for. But Alina won’t be anyone’s dirty little secret, forcing Hale to decide if he’s brave enough to admit to the other Masters of Blasphemy that he craves serving her as much as dominating her.

   

SWITCHING FOR HER Releases

 April 24, 2018


     

And don’t miss the complete Blasphemy series! Hard to Serve #.5

Bound to Submit #1 – FREE EVERYWHERE!

Mastering Her Senses #2

Eyes on You #3

Theirs to Take #4

On His Knees #5 (2/13/18)

Switching for Her #6 (4/24/18)

   

About Laura Kaye: Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in contemporary and erotic romance and romantic suspense, including the Blasphemy, Hard Ink, and Raven Riders series. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. Laura also writes historical fiction as the NYT bestselling author, Laura Kamoie. She lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.        

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Everwylde by Donna Grant - Cover Reveal

EVERWYLDE_COVER REVEAL-2.jpg

Everwylde, an all-new paranormal romance from Donna Grant is is coming April 16th!

Everwylde Cover2 v300dpi.jpg

GoodReadsAmazon ~ BAM ~ 


Book Description:
 
To live in the light, they hunt in the dark…

Strong-willed and cunning, Ravyn was taken in as a child by a group of witch Hunters who raised her to be the best of the best. When she receives word that the witch who murdered her mother and ripped apart her world is nearby, Ravyn begins her hunt. In her quest to locate the witch, she finds her hunt impeded again and again by a gorgeous and powerful man. But she won’t be denied and intends to do whatever is necessary to complete her assignment. But the Coven is more dangerous than ever, and Ravyn may not be enough to thwart their latest endeavor.

Despite his bravery, Sir Carac is content to spend his days in the tavern when he’s not leading his men. But when a skirmish breaks out that threatens the marquis’ precious holdings, Carac is sent to the front lines to head off the attack. He suddenly finds his mission changed after he's approached by the most spirited and beautiful woman he has ever seen. But trust doesn’t come easily to the spitfire, and his loyalties make it hard to do anything but follow orders. It’s soon apparent that priceless antiquities are only the beginning of what they’re fighting for―and what they stand to lose.
 



Donna Grant.jpgAbout Donna:

Donna Grant is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the sizzling Dark King series featuring dragons, immortal Highlanders, and the Fae. She was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica, Mexico, and Scotland. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding. Despite deadlines and voracious reading, Donna still manages to keep up with her two children, four cats, and one long haired Chihuahua.


Connect with Donna:

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