Book Spotlight: Lovely, Dark, and Deep by Susannah Sandlin

Lovely, Dark, and Deep
The Collectors, Book 1
Susannah Sandlin

Genre: Romantic Thriller
Heat level: moderate; language; violence
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Number of pages: 320



Book Description:
From award-winning author Susannah Sandlin comes a heart-pounding romantic thriller that pits a quick-witted scientist and a scarred ex–combat diver against a ruthless billionaire treasure hunter with ties to the White House.

When biologist Gillian Campbell makes an offhand comment about a family curse during a TV interview, she has no idea what her words will set in motion. Within days, Gillian finds herself at the mercy of a member of the C7, a secretive international group of power brokers with a dangerous game: competing to find the world’s most elusive treasures, no matter the cost, in money or in lives.

To save her family, Gillian teams up with Shane Burke, a former elite diver who’s lost his way, navigating the brutal “death coast” of the North Atlantic to find what the collector seeks: the legendary Ruby Cross of the Knights Templars, stolen by Gillian’s ancestor and lost at sea four hundred years ago.Amazon 


About the Author:

Susannah Sandlin writes paranormal romance and romantic thrillers from Auburn, Alabama, on top of a career in educational publishing that has thus far spanned five states and six universities—including both Alabama and Auburn, which makes her bilingual. She grew up in Winfield, Alabama, but was also a longtime resident of New Orleans, so she has a highly refined sense of the absurd and an ingrained love of SEC football, cheap Mardi Gras trinkets, and fried gator on a stick.

She’s the author of the award-winning Penton Legacy paranormal romance series, a spinoff novel, Storm Force, a standalone novelette, Chenoire, and a new romantic thriller series, The Collectors, beginning this month with Lovely, Dark, and Deep. Writing as Suzanne Johnson, she also is the author of the Sentinels of New Orleans urban fantasy series. Her Penton novel, Omega, is currently nominated for a 2013 Reviewer’s Choice Award in Paranormal Romance from RT Book Reviews magazine.

Author Links:
Website/Blog | Twitter | FB 

Book Spotlight: Divide by Jessa Russo

Divide
Jessa Russo

Genre: Young adult, fantasy, fairytale redux
Date of Publication: 4/17/14
Number of pages: 340
Cover Artist: Michelle Johnson of Blue Sky Designs 

Book Description:
From senior class president to dejected social outcast, with just the flick of a match.

After accusations of torching her ex-boyfriend’s home are followed by the mysterious poisoning of her ex-best friend, seventeen-year-old Holland Briggs assumes her life is over. And it is. But not in the way she thinks.

As Holland learns the truth about her cursed fate—that she is descended from the Beast most have only ever heard of in fairytales—she unites with an unlikely ally, good-looking newcomer Mick Stevenson.

Mick knows more about Holland’s twisted history than she does, and enlightening as it is to learn about, his suggestion for a cure is unsettling at best. Holland must fall in love with Mick in order to break the spell, and save their future generations from repeating her cursed fate. Having sworn off love after the betrayals of her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend, this may be difficult to accomplish.

Complicating things further for Holland and Mick, time runs out, and Holland’s change begins way before schedule. With Holland quickly morphing into a dangerous mythical creature, Mick struggles to save her.

Should they fail, Holland will be lost to the beast inside her forever.

Trailer

Amazon  | BN  | Kobo


About the Author:

Jessa Russo believes in fairytales, ghosts, and Jake Ryan. She insists mimosas were created for Sundays, and that’s not up for discussion.  She’s obsessed with the great city of New Orleans—where she’s collected too many beads to count, eventually married her sweetheart, and visited graveyards they don’t include on maps.
She’s loud, painfully honest, and passionate about living life to the fullest, because she’s seen how abruptly it can be taken away.
What began as a desire for reading and writing young adult paranormal has bled into stories of all kinds. From fantasy to pre-dystopian to erotic contemporary, Jessa’s stories always include romance, though she’s given up on pigeonholing her work into a category or genre box.
Jessa was born and raised in Southern California, and remains there to this day with her husband (a classic car fanatic), their daughter (a Tim Burton superfan), and a Great Dane who thinks he’s the same size as his Chihuahua sister.
ENTWINED, the final installment of Russo’s Ever Trilogy, will be released later this year, as well as an erotic romance written under the pseudonym Parker Jameson, so please stay tuned!

Author Links:
GoodReads  | Website  | Twitter  | Facebook  

Tour giveaway:

1book bundle that includes:

1 signed paperback of DIVIDE

1 signed paperback of EVER (Book One of The Ever Trilogy)

1 signed paperback of EVADE (Book Two of The Ever Trilogy)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review & Giveaway: Turning Home by Stephanie Nelson

Turning Home
A Small Town Novel
Book 1
Stephanie Nelson

Genre: New Adult
Date of Publication: Feb 18, 2014
Number of pages: 336
Cover Artist: Once Upon a Time Covers

Book Description:

When Brooke Kingsley finally captures the interest of her four-year crush-Dylan Crawford-her world turns upside down. Feeling alive for the first time, Brooke decides to spend her last three days of summer with Dylan and discovers there's more to him than the rumors being whispered all over town. The problem is, Brooke's father doesn't want his daughter anywhere near the blue-collar bad boy.

As Brooke leaves for college, she'll realize that some boys aren't easy to forget.
Dylan Crawford has hated the Roseville Snobs his whole life, but one particular Snob has captured his eye-Brooke Kingsley. He knows he should stay away from her, but willpower has never been his strong suit. Soon Brooke is all he can think about. When she leaves for school, Dylan tries to move on with other girls, but the memory of Brooke taunts him. There's an undeniable pull to the very girl he's been warned to stay away from.

When tragedy strikes the Kingsley household, secrets are uncovered. Brooke and Dylan must decide if what they feel for each other is strong enough to conquer their families' dark past.

Trailer

Amazon  | BN  

Our Review~

I liked this one!! Rich, teen-aged socialite Brooke Kingsley isn’t willing to simply follow the rules when it comes to her life. For most in her position, her path is laid out with this simple formula: good grades + good college + good marriage (based on breeding, not love) + never, ever questioning the status quo = A Perfect Life. But to Brooke the formula equates to BORING WASTE OF A LIFE. And she’s not willing to go there – especially when the only boy who has ever made her heart come to life is the bad boy who lives on the wrong side of town – one Dylan Crawford.

The constant refrain that all the rich people are bad, selfish, and shallow, while the poor are paragons of trampled virtue was a bit heavy-handed. Apparently only these two lovebirds are able to look for, or see worth in anyone from the other side, a la West Side Story. Thankfully, this one ends better for all, and that definitely made me smile.

Well Done.

~Cary Morgan Frates 

About the Author:

This may be my least favorite part about writing a book. You guys may be surprised to learn that I am the most boring person you’ll ever meet. The most interesting thing about me is that I write books, most of the time in my pajamas and jacked up on caffeine.

I began writing six years ago for fun and published my first book in 2012. Since then, my hobby has become my job and I love every second of it. I live in Illinois, in the country where I’m surrounded by corn and soybean fields. When I manage to escape my office, I enjoy fishing, spending time with my family and playing Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong. Yes, I’m a huge video game nerd.

Author Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter: 

Tour giveaway:

2 prize packs featuring A signed paperback copy of Turning Home, bookmarks, postcards and a $25 Amazon giftcard.  Open to US Shipping

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz: The Secret Life of Amy Bensen Series by Lisa Renee Jones

Escaping Reality
The Secret Life of Amy Bensen Series
Book One
Lisa Renee Jones

Genre: New Adult Romance
Print Length: 204 pages
Publisher: Gallery Books
June 17, 2014


Book Description:

His touch spirals through me, warm and sweet, wicked and hot. I shouldn’t trust him. I shouldn’t tell him my secrets. But how do I not when he is the reason I breathe? He is what I need.

At the young age of eighteen, tragedy and a dark secret force Lara to flee all she has known and loved to start a new life. Now years later, with a new identity as Amy, she’s finally dared to believe she is forgotten—even if she cannot forget. But just when she lets her guard down, the ghosts of her past are quick to punish her, forcing her back on the run.

On a plane, struggling to face the devastation of losing everything again and starting over, Amy meets Liam Stone, a darkly entrancing recluse billionaire, who is also a brilliant, and famous, prodigy architect. A man who knows what he wants and goes after it. And what he wants is Amy. Refusing to take “no” as an answer, he sweeps her into a passionate affair, pushing her to her erotic limits. He wants to possess her. He makes her want to be possessed. Liam demands everything from her, accepting nothing less. But what if she is too devastated by tragedy to know when he wants more than she should give?

Amazon | Goodreads

Excerpt 

Infinite Possibilities
The Secret Life of Amy Bensen Series
Book Two
Lisa Renee Jones

Print Length: 208 pages
Publisher: Gallery Books
June 17, 2014

About the Book:
They are everywhere: haunting her, tormenting her. In the midst of it all, he’d been her escape, her passion. The only person she’d trusted in six years. And then he’d made her doubt that trust, cutting her deeply. But she is ready to fight and not just for survival. She is fighting for the truth and she won’t stop until she has it, not even for…him.

Amazon  | Goodreads



About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT SERIES, and is now in development by Suzanne Todd (Alice in Wonderland) for cable TV. In addition, her Tall, Dark and Deadly series and The Secret Life of Amy Bensen series, both spent several months on a combination of the NY Times and USA Today and USA Today lists.

Since beginning her publishing career in 2007, Lisa has published more than 40 books translated around the world. Booklist says that Jones suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann.

Prior to publishing, Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by Dallas Women Magazine. In 1998 LRJ was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

Author Links:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | GoodReads | YouTube | Sulia 

Book Spotlight: Haven by Celia Breslin

Haven
Tranquilli Bloodline Series
Book 1
Celia Breslin

Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance
Publisher: Champagne Books
Date of Publication: July 2, 2013
Number of pages: 372
Cover Artist: Amanda Kelsey

Book Description:
San Francisco nightclub owner Carina Tranquilli works hard, plays hard, and never allows the death of her parents and her twelve-year memory gap to get her down. But her life takes a left turn when a witch attacks her on her twenty-fifth birthday.

Three hauntingly familiar vampires emerge to reveal she possesses a latent power. To protect her from their enemies, they admit to wiping her memories clean and abandoning her as a child, but now they need her help. As she struggles to evade her new protectors and even newer enemies, she meets Alexander, an enigmatic, undead musician. Insta-lust flares, leaving her wanting more.

With evil’s minions hounding her every move, and everything she thought she knew turned on its head, Carina must harness her burgeoning power, unravel her vampire family’s web of deceit, and fight to have a love life...without getting killed in the process.


Amazon | OmniLit  | ARe  | Amazon UK  | Kobo  | BN | Smashwords | iTunes | ChampagneBooks

About the Author:

Celia lives in California with her husband, daughter, and two feisty cats. She writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance, and has a particular fondness for vampires and the Fae. When not writing, you’ll find her exercising, reading a good book or indulging her addiction to Joss Whedon’s TV shows and movies.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads  

Tour giveaway:

1 - $10 Amazon e-gift card

1 - $5 Starbucks e-gift card

5 - e-book copies of Vampire Code

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz: Tender Deceit by H.Y. Hanna

Tender Deceit
First Love Series
Book 1
H.Y. Hanna

Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Cover Artist:  Kim Killion

Book Description:
First love. Second chance. All they have to do is stay alive…

Following her father's mysterious death in Singapore, Leah leaves her life in London and returns to the island that was her childhood home - braced to confront her past. Toran James may have been the boy her fourteen-year-old heart yearned for, but the magic of stolen glances and first kisses faded with his betrayal.
The enigmatic man she meets upon her return, though, is nothing like her memory, and the past holds more secrets than she realized. Was her father's death really an accident? What was hidden in his study? And why has Toran contacted her again after all these years? Someone is out to silence Leah - and that someone might be the man she is rapidly falling in love with... again.



About the Author:

H.Y. Hanna was born in Taiwan and has been a globe-trotter most of her life, from growing up in the United Arab Emirates to attending school in New Jersey, from working in the glamorous world of London advertising to emigrating Down Under. 
Along the way, she somehow managed to pick up a wonderful husband, a huge, slobbery dog, two rescue cats, an assortment of cardboard boxes and a slightly dodgy "trans-atlantic" accent. 
After graduating from Oxford University, she tried her hand at a variety of jobs before returning to her first love: writing. 
She’s the author of the Amazon bestselling children’s mystery series, Big Honey Dog Mysteries, and is now diving into the world of romantic suspense with the launch of Tender Deceit, Book 1 in the First Love Series. You can find out more about H.Y. Hanna and her books at: www.hyhanna.com or catch her on Facebook at “H.Y. Hanna” or the Big Honey Dog Mysteries Facebook Page.

Author Links:
Website | Facebook | Amazon  | Goodreads 

Book Spotlight: The Letter by Mina Carter

The Letter

Calendar Men Series:  Mr. July
Mina Carter

BOOK GENRE: Contemporary romance

PUBLISHER: Decadent Publishing

PUBLICATION DATE: 1^st July

AVAILABLE FORMATS: eBook

About the Book:

Sergeant Rick Week’s career ended in a hail of bullets and the death of a friend. After months of recuperation, he’s finally able to fulfill a promise he made to that friend. All he has to do is find a girl and deliver a letter. Simple. Maybe…

Hattie Jameson lost the man she loved. KIA. A year and a half later, she’s trying to move on but a letter for a charity calendar shoot addressed to her late fiance, Billy, rocks her. Not as much as the sexy as hell Scottish soldier who turns up on her doorstep. The man who was with Billy when he died. She shouldn’t find him attractive. Not at all…
Meanwhile fate, and Billy himself, have plans to bring the reluctant lovers together.

Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | ARe | DecadentPublishing

Check out the other books in the Calendar Men Series:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mina Carter is a bestselling, multi-genre author. She lives in the UK with her husband, daughter and a bossy cat.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Newsletter

TOUR GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

GRAND PRIZE: $20 Amazon GC

RUNNERS UP:  3 runners-up will receive an eBook copy of Dragon’s Honor

a Rafflecopter giveaway