Lost Rider by Harper Sloan - Review and Excerpt

 

GoodReads ~ AmazonUS ~ AmazonPB ~ 
Audible ~ AmazonUK ~ AmazonAU ~ AmazonCA ~ 
Barnes&Noble ~ Kobo ~ iBooks ~ BAM ~ Google

Author: Harper Sloan

Publication Date:  25 April, 2017

Publisher: Pocket Books

Series:  The Coming Home Series, book 1

Genre:  Contemporary Western Romance

Age Recommendation: 18 and Up

Rating: 5 Stars

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

Book Description:

In Lost Rider, the first Western romance in New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Harper Sloan’s Coming Home series, an injured rodeo star encounters an old flame but will she be just what he needs to get back in the saddle? Maverick Austin Davis is forced to return home after a ten-year career as a rodeo star. After one too many head injuries, he’s off the circuit and in the horse farming business, something he’s never taken much of a shine to, but now that it’s his late father’s legacy, familial duty calls. How will Maverick find his way after the only dream he ever had for himself is over? Enter Leighton Elizabeth James, an ugly duckling turned beauty from Maverick’s childhood—his younger sister’s best friend, to be exact, and someone whose heart he stomped all over when she confessed her crush to him ten years back. Now Leighton is back in Maverick’s life, no longer the insecure, love-stricken teen—and Maverick can’t help but take notice. Sparks fly between them, but will Leighton be able to open her heart to the one man who broke it all those years ago? Written in the vein of Diana Palmer and Lindsay McKenna, this Texas-set series is filled with sizzle, heart, and plenty of cowboys!      



My Review:

This book has given me back my faith in the romance book community.  Lost Rider for me is one of those books that you just can't manage to get over.  It sits in your mind and on your heart and you just want to tell everyone that this needs to be their next read and you hope like heck that everyone loves it the way you do because otherwise we just can't be friends any more. *wink*  The crazy thing about loving a book this much though is that, I in turn, find it difficult to review since all I really want to do is throw books at people shouting 'YOU MUST READ THIS!'  I don't want to tell you anything because I want you to hunker down, read, and fall in love as hard as I did so that then we can talk about ALL THE THINGS!

I want to talk about how emotional the story is.  I want to talk about how heartbreaking it is.  I want to talk about how beautiful it is, how romantic it is, how freaking hot and swoon worthy this couple is.  I want to talk about how we have all now become obsessed bull riding fans and how we are going to jump in my Honda Odyssey and truck it down to Texas so we can follow the circuit....but we have to take our families with us otherwise we're Maverick's mom and that is a big NO so, CARAVAN!!!!!

I want to talk about Maverick and this guy:

(photo credit: Andrew Giangola)

Bolton Bonner

(photo credit: Mario Testino for V Magazine)

and how I don't know if he was the inspiration for Harper, but he is totally my pick for Maverick.  I want to swap picture after picture with you and follow Instagram and Twitter feeds.  I want to, gasp, start watching Dancing with the Stars, something I have never done, haha.  I want to talk about how much I adored Leighton who may have had her heart broken in so many ways but never once gave up on her dreams.  Who may have become stand offish and frightened because the people she loves never stay, but still opens her heart up to possibility.  I want to talk to you about how reading this book will remind you that our dreams are just there waiting for us to fulfill them and that we just have to have a little faith in ourselves and those that we love.  I want to talk about how no matter the hurt we may have suffered we can't quit, we can't give up.  I want to make pie and have picnics, I want to sit around a bonfire and wear colorful cowboy boots.  I want to buy my husband a black Stetson and a pair of Wranglers.  I want you to want all of those things too so you have to read this book.  You have to see what made me fall so hard for this story, to not want it to end, to be anxious for Quinn and Clayton stories, to want to see little Mav and Leighton babies running in the bluebells.  I want you to fall in love with reading again, if like me you found your self tired of the same old thing.  I want you to fall in love with love and I want you to read this because this book will give you that.  Maybe it just came at the right time for me but I don't believe that, I believe that this book is a book everyone can love. I feel like I am putting myself out on the line a little by saying that because you know some people just don't like the same things I do, I can't understand it but its true, *wink*, weird people, lol. Truly though this book is just simply a beautiful story that is easy to open yourself up to.   It's a book that will melt your heart and have your soul smiling by the time you get to the end.  I hope that you will love it as much as I did and when you are done reading I hope that you will come find me so we can have all the chats about Mav, Leighton, Quinn, and Clayton.  I'll be here anxiously waiting for you!

~ HAPPY READING ~

        

Excerpt:

 I should tell Quinn and Clay that he’s here. But one look at him and it’s like the last ten years have never passed and I’m back at the bonfire, the awkward high schooler uncomfortable in her own skin. Marching away from him in the woods. It was the last time I saw him. How is it possible that he can affect me this much after all this time? He hasn’t noticed me, not with his head bowed, so I quickly turn around and focus on Pastor John as he finishes up his prayer. Him being here means nothing. I should be happy that I remember the pain from that night so well, it will make keeping my walls up around him so much easier. “On behalf of the Davis family, I want to thank everyone for coming today. At this time, the family has asked for some time alone as they say their good-byes. They wanted me to remind everyone that the PieHole will be opening up for a few hours tonight starting at five for anyone that wishes to join them.” I keep my arm around Quinn, not looking back to where I saw Maverick. I can hear the church slowly emptying and I feel a frown pull at my lips. I had hoped that when everyone started to leave that he would have come up front to be with his family, but so far, the pew we’re in is still empty save for the three of us. We sit and wait for everyone to leave, something that Clay had asked Pastor John to make arrangements for in place of the customary recessional, knowing that no one in this town would really mean a word of it anyway. Plus, I know Quinn is having a hard time. Regardless of the fact that she wasn’t the closest with her father, she was really counting on this—Maverick home. She’s still shaking in my arms, but when I look over at Clay I realize his silence isn’t because of the heaviness of Buford’s death, but instead anger over his brother’s absence that has started to build to a boil. I fear that he’s seconds away from tipping over the edge. I stand when Clay and Quinn do, but hang back at the edge of the row we had been sitting in as they meet Pastor John and gather their father’s ashes. I can’t wait to get out of these heels. If it would have been acceptable to wear my boots, I would have, but Quinn would have killed me. As it is, I feel like I can’t take a deep breath with how tight my dress is against my chest. I never wear tight shirts. I haven’t since my boobs became beasts of their own right. I’m too busy fiddling with the straps of my dress, trying desperately to get some of the pressure against my chest to ease up so I could take a deep breath, when I heard Quinn gasp. “Mav!” Next thing I know she’s running past where I’m standing, her black hair streaming in the air behind her as she speeds forward right into her brother’s arms. Clay moves to stand next to me and I look up to meet his green eyes, the questions he isn’t vocalizing dancing in their emerald depths. He’s not stupid and I’m doing a crappy job at hiding the memories haunting me right now. He gives me a small smile, shifting his hold on the urn to wrap his free arm around me and pulls me into a strong hold. “You’re shakin’,” he says against my temple and I just nod. “I’m good, Clay. Go see your brother.” “I’m fine right where I am, sugar.” I keep my eyes to the ground, focusing on his worn boots instead of looking up, hating myself for making this moment about me when I should be focused on them. Like it or not, I can’t fight the feelings that being near him bring me. I’m that stupid, naive sixteen-year-old all over again. “Let’s get out of here,” he says after a few silent seconds. I look up and give him a smile, hoping that it looks a hell of a lot braver than I feel. Inside I feel like I might puke. “You think I could have a second with my family?” My head shoots up at the coldness I hadn’t anticipated in Maverick’s voice. He’s not focused on me, though, instead looking at his brother with a hard expression and one brow raised upward. “Mav!” Quinn gasps and he moves his attention from his brother to her. “Sorry, Quinn, but I’m thinkin’ that Clay’s lady friend would understand that this should be a moment for our family and give us time alone.” “I’ll just—” “Don’t you dare finish that sentence, sugar,” Clay all but spits through clenched teeth and drops his arm to take a step forward. “You’ve got something to say, Mav, then say it.” “Nothing to say, Clayton, I just think it would be nice for your girlfriend to give us some space.” “My girlfriend,” he parrots sarcastically, his deep voice vibrating in anger. “Mav.” Quinn attempts to butt in, but stops when Maverick leaves her side and turns to stalk out of the church. I should find it comical that he obviously didn’t recognize me, or hell, maybe he did and he’s just picking up where he left off ten years ago in the middle of the dark woods. I take a deep breath. “It’s okay. He’s right. Y’all need some time as a family. I’ll head over to the PieHole and start settin’ up for tonight.” Quinn brushes a tear from her cheek and just shakes her head. I look at Clay to see him staring in the direction that his brother just left. “You’re family,” he finally says, not looking in my direction. “Clay, really, it’s okay. It’s been a long time since y’all were back together and I don’t need to be there for that reunion. It sucks that it takes all of this to finally bring him home, but he’s here and y’all need to make up for a lot of time lost.” “Shut up, Leighton.” “Don’t, Clay.” “Don’t what? You’ve got every right to be here. You’re just as much a part of our family as he is. Hell, maybe even more so than he is at this point. So just shut up, come with us, and ignore him.” I shake my head, the fight instantly leaving my sails, knowing I would be arguing until the end of time if I pressed this issue. “I can’t believe he doesn’t even recognize you,” Quinn whispers.    

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. 

  Facebook ~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon Author Page

Ride Rough by Laura Kaye - Review

GoodReads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes&Noble ~ Kobo ~ iBooks

Author: Laura Kaye

Publication Date:  25 April, 2017

Publisher: Avon Books

Series:  Raven Riders, book 2

Genre:  Contemporary Romance, MC based

Age Recommendation: 17 and up

Rating: 4 Stars

Book Description:

Brotherhood. Club. Family.
They live and ride by their own rules.
These are the Raven Riders...

Maverick Rylan won’t apologize for who he is—the Raven Riders Motorcycle Club Vice-President, a sought-after custom bike builder, and a man dedicated to protecting those he loves. So when he learns that the only woman who has ever held his heart is in trouble, he’ll move heaven and earth to save her.

Alexa Harmon thought she had it all—the security of a good job, a beautiful home, and a powerful, charming fiancé who offered the life she never had growing up. But when her dream quickly turns into a nightmare, Alexa realizes she’s fallen for a façade she can’t escape—until sexy, dangerous Maverick offers her a way out.

Forced together to keep Alexa safe, their powerful attraction reignites and Maverick determines to do whatever it takes to earn a second chance—one Alexa is tempted to give. But her ex-fiancé isn’t going to let her go without a fight, one that will threaten everything they both hold dear.

My Review:

Laura Kaye always gives me a book I didn't even know I needed.  I fell in love with her through her Hard Ink series and I just fall deeper and deeper with each Raven Riders book.  There is just something about the way she writes her heroes that completely melts readers hearts.  These guys are heroes in the truest sense.  They're alphas out to protect the vulnerable, in fact this is the basis on which the Raven Riders live.  They protect those who are unable to protect themselves and they do it with so much heart and passion that they simply make the reader want to be a better person.

Maverick's world is the Raven Riders M.C.  He not only dedicated himself to his brothers, their way of life, their mission but after loosing the one woman he had ever loved because of the MC he sank deeper into his role as V.P.  Five years after losing the love of his life, Alexa returned bruised and broken.  Maverick's instincts scream out to protect her but its hard to protect someone who doesn't think they need it....that is until they do.

Alexa Harmon left Maverick and the Raven Riders M.C. after the death of her brother from a motorcycle accident.  Alexa can't stay and watch the other man in her life that she loves suffer the same fate and he since he can't/won't walk away from his brothers she has to walk away from him.  For 5 years Alexa has been building a life that will give her everything she thinks she wants, but it turns out that the grass really isn't greener on the other side, that money, 'normalcy', consistency...none of those things equal safety or in the end love.

As always the story that Laura weaves pulled me right in.  There is something extra special about the Raven Riders, much like the men of Hard Ink and as soon as you start reading you find yourself immersed into their world.  She 'paints' such a vivid picture it feels like you are right there watching it all play out in front of your eyes.  I loved Maverick and I loved him with Alexa.  He's a rough and tumble guy with a heart and soul of gold.  His love for his brothers, his mother, Alexa it is all right there laid out for everyone to see.  He may be a bad arse but that doesn't keep him from showing his soft side to those he loves.  My only challenge and what kept this from being a 5 star read for me was Alexa.  As much as I wanted to love her I just never truly clicked with her.  I understand the reason she left Maverick, I understand her hesitation to leave Grant her fiancé, what I didn't get was her solid belief that she had to keep working for him, or her apparently easy ability to jump from Maverick to Grant then right back to Maverick with out batting an eye lash.  Laura is always very careful about making sure her heroines (who are always kick butt women, even when they have been used and abused, figuratively and literally) have their time.  They are always given the respect that they deserve, they are always given the time that they need and while Alexa was afford that through Maverick I was completely taken aback by her rush to jump back into an intimate relationship or any romantic relationship with Mav so suddenly.

 Other than that throwing me a bit off this was another fantastic read for me from Laura Kaye.  I loved getting to catch up with all the other characters, even a quick hello from the Hard Ink team.  There are a few things in the book that are hard to read, the abuse in Alexa's relationship, the injury of some beloved characters, the 'illness' of Alexa's mother...there are several things that will have you wiping away tears but they all build a beautiful story of redemption, hope, and love.  If you are a Laura Kaye fan this is a must read.  If you are new to Laura, don't start here but definitely start.  I would suggest going all the way back to Hard Ink if you can but if not start with the crossover novella Hard as Steel and then get ready to have a new group of men and women etched on your heart.

~ HAPPY READING ~ 

Laura Kaye is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance and romantic suspense, including the Hard Ink, Heroes, and Hearts of the Anemoi series. Laura's hot, heartfelt stories are all about the universal desire for a place to belong. Laura grew up amidst family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with storytelling and the supernatural. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ GoodReads ~ FacebookFanGroup

Too Hard To Forget by Tessa Bailey - Release Day Launch, Review, Excerpt and Giveaway

GoodReads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes&Noble ~ 

BAM ~ Googleplay ~ iBooks ~ IndieBound ~ Kobo

Author: Tessa Bailey

Publication Date:  25 April, 2017

Publisher: Forever Books

Series:  Romancing the Clarkson's, 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:

The third book in New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey's Romancing the Clarksons series about four siblings on a cross-country road trip, perfect for fans of Gena Showalter and Julie James!

This time, she's calling the shots.

Peggy Clarkson is returning to her alma mater with one goal in mind: confront Elliott Brooks, the man who ruined her for all others, and remind him of what he's been missing. Even after three years, seeing him again is like a punch in the gut, but Peggy's determined to stick to her plan. Maybe then, once she has the upper hand, she'll finally be able to move on.

In the years since Peggy left Cincinnati, Elliott has kept his focus on football. No distractions and no complications. But when Peggy walks back onto his practice field and into his life, he knows she could unravel everything in his carefully controlled world. Because the girl who was hard to forget is now a woman impossible to resist.

My Review:

What you have to know to begin with is that Tessa Bailey always hits it out of the park for me.  She is a go to author, a one click, an OMG a new book is coming how am I going to wait patiently, I'll just 'stalk' her everyday waiting for any little piece she might drop type of author. I know that when I pick up a book of hers I will walk away totally satisfied but sometimes, sometimes she leaves me completely wordless because the book was pure perfection and that was Too Hard to Forget for me.

The minute I finished this book I hit Twitter to announce that this book holds it's own against the one Tessa Bailey book I hold all the others up against, Duke's book from Made in Jersey, Worked Up (click to read my review).  Duke is the standard for me now, he's practically a Goliath so facing him is a daunting task but one that Elliot goes toe to toe with.  While Duke is a big teddy bear of a man who holds his emotions close to his great big barrel chest and is afraid to let love in, Coach Elliot Brooks is truly flawed.  He's not a hero who just doesn't know how to let himself be loved, he's a hero who has created an entire world around his belief that he is undesirable unless he's on a football field. He takes Catholic guilt to a whole new level and honestly I am never going to look at my rosary the same way again.

Sidetone: Good Night Tessa, I am going to have to go to confession just for using my rosary from now on and 10 Our Father's and 7 Hail Mary's is not going to be enough, haha!

You almost don't want to like Coach Brooks but true to a Tessa Bailey book you will end up falling in love with him, his flaws only make him more relatable in the end, more deserving of the love he finds, and more devoted when he gives it in return. 

Peggy, this lady.  I am going to be straight up honest, (as one should do) I did not think I was going to like this book because I did not think I was going to like Peggy.  Tessa's build up to Peggy's story gives us a glimpse of a spoiled girl with commitment issues and a whole lot of audaciousness and, dare I use the term, cockiness.  All the siblings on this road trip have their issues, but hers always rubbed me a bit of the wrong way and I am going to be even more honest when I say at the start of this book I still didn't think I was going to like it or her.  She does to portray I suppose what we have come to see as a typical heroine.  She comes across as brash, seemingly self absorbed, risky and risqué, and flippant.  The thing is she is so much more that then woman we think we know.  Her story is deeper and more emotional than any one realizes.  Her secrets will bring you to tears and her fight for her heart and the heart she knows is hers to care for will have you falling just as in love with her as you will with Coach.  Both of these characters are so deeply flawed that you want to jump in the book and try to fix them yourself.  

This story is as beautiful as it is devastating at times.  It is full of broken pieces being glued back together with love and hope.  It's a book about commitment on so many levels, commitment to faith, ethics, values, love, hope, trust, family, friends, self.  This is a book that will have you rooting for the couple from, eh, maybe to exactly at the beginning but not much later, to the end.  All the couples in Tessa's books deserve happiness and I am so glad that she gives it to them, but this couple have earned that happiness and they earned it through pain and tears.  They earned it by completely laying themselves open to each other and finding that having just a little faith that you deserve something beautiful opens a whole new world.  I could go on and on about this book and this couple, but I will leave it with this: You know when you go into a Tessa Bailey book you are going to get ALL the steamy moments.  She's going to give you a romance that is going to knock you off your feet but she gives us so much more.  Every book she surprises me because every book has a story with in a story to tell.  Her characters face emotional obstacles that tear at your heart.  I think I say this in every review of one of her books; go for the romance but stay for the heart and soul.  These books are deeper than you would expect and that just makes them all the more satisfying.  

Final note, Belmont.  Crap, Belmont and Sage.  I do not know how I am going to make it through their story in one piece.  Belmont is going to tear you up in this book so I can only imagine what he is going to do to us when he finally gets his own.  I am already so in love with him and Sage and I know they are going to break me before making me smile.  I feel a little twisted that I can't wait for it.  

~ HAPPY READING ~ 

Excerpt:

“I don’t know, Peggy.” He whirled on her, closing in until she was forced back onto the desk. “I had an All-American on my squad this morning and now I don’t. That’s all I know.” He pointed a finger toward the window. “I solve problems down on the field. Saving people isn’t my job.”

Saving people. God, there was such a wealth of regret and pain in those two words. But he couldn’t hear it and she couldn’t address it. Letting him know she saw right through his façade to the hurt beneath might force Elliott to close himself off. “You didn’t always limit yourself. Why are you doing it now?”

“Accepting things that can’t be changed isn’t a limitation. It’s realistic.”

“But how will you know if something can’t be changed unless you try?”

“When it comes to certain things, Peggy, trying leads to losing.” He was in her face now, the mint from his toothpaste familiar and inviting where it slid over her lips. “And I don’t lose.”

No one ever stood up this man but her, and she wouldn’t be cowed now. “No? You’re out a receiver.” She hitched herself up on his desk. “I’d call that a loss.”

The tips of his shoes met Peggy’s, his hands gripping the furniture on either side of her hips. “Who do you think you are, little girl? Coming into my office and telling me what I’ve done wrong?” His eyes were brilliant in their vexation, the attraction he was trying so hard to fight. “Where do you get the goddamn bravery?”

“The bravery is what you liked best about me,” she breathed, heat sizzling in a downward V toward her thighs. “Isn’t it?”

“No. That bravery is what almost led to my downfall.” His hands found her bottom, jerking her to the edge of the desk. “I resented it. Still do.”

“Liar,” Peggy whispered, easing her thighs wider. “You’re dying for an excuse to head for another downfall.” When her legs were as open as she could spread them, she leaned up to Elliott’s ear and let her breath shake loose. “One thrust.”

Elliott’s right hand came up out of nowhere, molding over Peggy’s mouth as his hips crowded into the notch of her legs. With a quick maneuver to recline her halfway back, Elliott’s erection found the apex of her thighs, delivering an aggressive pump against her underwear that sent a scream climbing up Peggy’s throat, only to be trapped by his hand. Knees jerking up out of reflex over the rush of sensation, an orgasm almost—almost— broke past the surface, sending her waters rippling out on all sides. Her legs wanted to hug Elliott’s waist, her voice wanted to beg for one more, one more, one more, but he shook his head, denying her, even though his gaze was hot, a low groan issuing from his harshly masculine mouth.

He leaned in and nipped the lobe of her ear. “Next time, ask for two.”

GiveAway:

(10 copies of Too Hard to Forget)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

THE ROMANCING THE CLARKSONS SERIES

TOO HOT TO HANDLE

TOO WILD TO TAME

TOO HARD TO FORGET

TOO BEAUTIFUL TO BREAK

Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans, and laptop, and drove cross-country to New York City in under four days. Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend, and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention.

She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband and daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

Website ~ Facebook ~  Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads

FOLLOW FOREVER ONLINE

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

Ride Rough by Laura Kaye - Release Day Launch, Excerpt, and Giveaway

   

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Laura Kaye brings you the second title in her Raven Riders Series, RIDE ROUGH, releasing today! A sexy romantic suspense, you might’ve first met the Ravens in the Hard Ink world, but this series about a different kind of a motorcycle club with a protective mission stands on its own and is even sexier, edgier, and grittier! The Raven Riders Series takes you on a new adventure and kicks it into overdrive! Grab your copy of RIDE ROUGH today!

   

Amazon ~ Barnes&Noble ~ 

iBooks ~ Kobo ~Goodreads

Book Description:

Maverick Rylan won’t apologize for who he is—the Raven Riders Motorcycle Club Vice-President, a sought-after custom bike builder, and a man dedicated to protecting those he loves. So when he learns that the only woman who has ever held his heart is in trouble, he’ll move heaven and earth to save her.

Alexa Harmon thought she had it all—the security of a good job, a beautiful home, and a powerful, charming fiancé who offered the life she never had growing up. But when her dream quickly turns into a nightmare, Alexa realizes she’s fallen for a façade she can’t escape—until sexy, dangerous Maverick offers her a way out.

Forced together to keep Alexa safe, their powerful attraction reignites and Maverick determines to do whatever it takes to earn a second chance—one Alexa is tempted to give. But her ex-fiancé isn’t going to let her go without a fight, one that will threaten everything they both hold dear.

 

     

And don’t miss all the books in the Raven Riders Series!

HARD AS STEEL now available RIDE HARD now available RIDE ROUGH coming April 25^th, 2017 RIDE WILD coming October 31^st, 2017

     

Order RIDE ROUGH by May 1^st, fill out this form, and receive an email with a bonus short story of more of Hard Ink’s Beckett after Release Week! Don’t miss this amazing opportunity!

     

     EXCERPT FROM RIDE ROUGH: 

 “What am I going to do? My entire life is wrapped up in him. My job. Where I live. My car. Where Mom lives. Everything. Oh, God. This is going to be a nightmare, isn’t it?” Maverick grasped Alexa’s hands. “One thing at a time. You’re out. You can stay here as long as you need to. I have plenty of room. I’ll help you through it. That’ll give you time to figure out what it is you want. There’s no rush.” “Okay,” she said. “Okay. God, thank you.” A shiver raced over her skin. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m so relieved for you that I might fall the fuck over,” he said, his thumb rubbing over her knuckles. She almost managed a little smile. “Your hands are like ice, Al. I shouldn’t have made you stand her all this time when you’re soaking wet.” Alexa shook her head. “It felt good to get it out, Maverick.” “Glad to hear it. Would a hot shower make you feel better? I can find you a T-shirt and a pair of boxers to change into while your clothes dry.” All the TLC and understanding he was giving her reached right inside her chest. When was the last time someone had taken care of her this way? The last time you were with Maverick. The truth of that thought made her breath catch. “Yeah. I’d like that,” she managed. He gave a tight nod and stepped back, and she missed his heat immediately. “Uh, good. That’s good. You remember your way around?” “Of course,” she said. How much time had she spent here over the years? Even before they dated? At one point, Maverick’s place had practically been a second home. “You okay?” he asked, watching her. She pushed off the door. “I don’t know yet,” she said, coming to him. “But what I do know is how grateful I am to you. For everything. For being there when I told you not to. For listening. For just . . . being you.” “Always.” He crossed his big arms and ducked his chin, like something about the exchange made him uncomfortable. “I mean it,” she said, and then she pressed onto tiptoes and kissed his cheek, his stubble tickling her lips. “You saved me tonight.” “No,” he said, eyes flashing, one brow arched. “You saved yourself, Al. I was just your getaway driver.” Staring into one another’s eyes, the tender moment stretched out, morphed, suddenly flashed hot. Being so close to him set her body on fire, and finally she could actually consider acting on it. Need roared through her, a living, breathing thing. “Maverick,” she whispered. “Fuck, Alexa, I think you better go take that shower,” he said, his jaw ticking. “Now.” She released a shaky breath and nodded. He was right. Of course, he was. So, showering. She could handle that. Afterward, God only knew what she was going to do.    

Raven Riders Series Trailer: https://video214.com/play/r1VEuIF50oumtHVUulO2vg/s/dark

       

GiveAway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

About Laura Kaye: Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in contemporary romance and romantic suspense, including the 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. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and monster puppy, Schuyler, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.      

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Newsletter Sign Up

       

I Do, Babe by Tillie Cole - Release Day!

GoodReads ~ Nook ~ iBooks ~ Kobo

Book Description:

WHEN DARKNESS AND LIGHT COMBINE, DESTINED SOULS WILL IGNITE . . .

Connected since childhood.

Two souls: one dark and one pure.

Bracing to take the greatest step of all.

River ‘Styx’ Nash loves his woman. Ever since he met Mae at the fence of the cult that had kept her captive as a child, he has never loved anyone else. He loves her black hair, her pale skin and of course, her ice-blue ‘wolf eyes’.

Since Mae came crashing back into his life, his only wish has been to marry her; finally to make her his wife. But now the wedding is booked, and only weeks from forever having Mae by his side, a lifelong problem is plaguing him.

He wants to marry her; he has never wanted anything more . . .

. . . if only he could speak the words and declare it to the world.

Salome ‘Mae’ Nash’s life had been filled with heartache and pain . . . until, at age eight, she met a strange dark-haired boy from the outside world. Years later, and reunited with her great love, Mae is ready to solder her heart to his. Finally, Mae is getting ready to marry her man. But her fiancé has become withdrawn. Something is deeply troubling him.

But Mae has no idea what.

Or what to do to help.

Can Styx open up and conquer his deepest pain? Or will the infamous Hangmen Mute allow his fears to overcome his love for Mae and watch their much-anticipated wedding crumble to dust?

Dark Contemporary Romance. Contains explicit sexual situations, offensive language and mature topics. Recommended for age 18 and over.

***I Do, Babe: A Novella (Hades Hangmen #5.5) is to be read AFTER Damnable Grace (Hades Hangmen #5)***

“Mae,” Bella whispered as I walked from the changing room and stood on the elevated plinth opposite my friends and sisters. The mirror was behind me, but I did not yet dare look at my reflection. I glanced at Bella sat beside Ruth, her mother-in-law and Rider’s mama. Her eyes were filling with tears as she stared at me. Her hands were in front of her mouth.

“Do you like it?” I ran my hand over my pronounced stomach.

Bella nodded. “You are perfect,” she whispered. Ruth nodded in agreement.

I looked at Maddie. “Madds?”

She smiled warmly. “You are beautiful, Mae, this dress only enhances that. But this gown could not suit you more if you tried.”

“Styx will love it,” Lilah said and held Grace tighter on her lap.

“You look like a Disney princess,” Grace said.

A hand came down on my arm. I turned to see Beauty behind me. “You ever gonna look in the mirror, darlin’?” She smiled. This boutique belonged to a friend of Beauty’s, and Beauty had practically organized my wedding for me. I was clueless where to even begin.

“You look good, Mae.” I smiled at Letti as she sat uncomfortably on the couch. She had told me she was here to support me, but she had no opinion in such matters as wedding dress shopping. Or anything girly, she’d said affectionately.

“Turn, honey,” Lilah said and I nodded my head. I had no idea why I was so nervous. I knew that Styx loved me and I loved him. I felt as though I had been waiting for this day my whole life. That I had been waiting for the day I finally cemented him as mine. Forever mine, and me forever his.

Closing my eyes, I turned, allowing Beauty to guide me. “You ready?” she whispered. I pulled up the image of Styx in my mind. Me in his arms as we lay in bed. His large tattooed arms holding me close as we spoke. His voice gruff and deep. Then I pictured us laughing. The infamous Hangmen Mute of the Hades Hangmen, so different with me than with anybody else. To others he was aloof, silent, and menacing. But to me, he was loving, caring, and the most beautiful soul in the world.

The other half of my heart.

Tillie Cole hails from a small town in the North-East of England. She grew up on a farm with her English mother, Scottish father and older sister and a multitude of rescue animals. As soon as she could, Tillie left her rural roots for the bright lights of the big city.

After graduating from Newcastle University with a BA Hons in Religious Studies, Tillie followed her Professional Rugby player husband around the world for a decade, becoming a teacher in between and thoroughly enjoyed teaching High School students Social Studies before putting pen to paper, and finishing her first novel.

Tillie has now settled in Austin, Texas, where she is finally able to sit down and write, throwing herself into fantasy worlds and the fabulous minds of her characters.

Tillie is both an independent and traditionally published author, and writes many genres including: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Young Adult and New Adult novels.

When she is not writing, Tillie enjoys nothing more than curling up on her couch watching movies, drinking far too much coffee, while convincing herself that she really doesn’t need that extra square of chocolate.

   Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website
Instagram ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads