Review: Forgotten Promises by Jessica Lemmon

Perfect for fans of Jay Crownover and Jennifer L. Armentrout, this edgy, seductive novel from Jessica Lemmon (“An author to keep your eye on!”—Katee Robert) introduces the ultimate bad boy . . . and a love that crosses all boundaries.

Morgan Young had a perfect upbringing, and now she’s got a perfect boyfriend and a perfect future—until her twenty-first birthday changes everything. First Morgan finds out, in the most painful way possible, that her relationship is a sham. But that’s nothing compared to the nightmare about to unfold.

It’s too late for Tucker Noscalo. A brutal childhood left him with a bad reputation and a criminal record. Fresh out of jail, Tucker has a score to settle with Baybrook’s crooked chief of police—his own father. Nobody will believe Tucker’s explosive accusations without proof and a good lawyer, neither of which he has on his side. Until he sees someone he used to know, someone who just so happens to be the daughter of the best lawyer in the county.

He needs Morgan to convince her father of the ugly truth. But first he has to convince her, and he’ll do whatever it takes to get her to listen. Confronted by the story of Tucker’s dark past, Morgan feels utterly compelled to help him. And as their connection grows into a fierce bond fueled by raw passion, Morgan finds herself falling for the wrong guy—but never has the promise of love felt so right.

Kindle Edition, 193 pages

Expected publication: January 19th 2016 by Loveswept 

Genre: Romance/Contemporary Romance

Kristine's Thoughts:

** I received an advanced readers copy from Loveswept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**

In theory, this type of story is one that I don't like and that I tend to pick apart. The sweet, innocent girl falling for her bad boy kidnapper would have my eyes rolling. I'd be picking it apart at the seems. I'm happy to report that this book defied the odds because I liked it. I really liked it.

Perhaps it was Morgan and Tucker's history that softened the story or perhaps it was Tucker's desperation that drew me in, I'm not sure. This story was filled with emotion and turmoil that had me tearing through the pages. Tucker was most definitely the sexy bad boy but truly out of necessity. It was easy to empathise with him and understand the predicament he was in. Although he made some bad choices along the way, he was still easy to like.

What I really enjoyed about this book was the way the pages heated up. Morgan was the instigator and the teacher which was a refreshing change from the typical story. I enjoyed the way they grew close and learned about each other. It was sweet yet sexy at the same time.

This is the second book by this author for me and I think her stories get better each time. I will be watching for whatever she delivers next. Forgotten Promises provided me with just the right amount of sweet and sexy to satisfy my romance craving in a quick and entertaining read.

About the Author

A former job-hopper, Jessica Lemmon resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dog. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When she’s not writing super-sexy heroes, she can be found cooking, drawing, drinking coffee (okay, wine), and eating potato chips. She firmly believes God gifts us with talents for a purpose, and with His help, you can create the life you want.

Jessica is a social media junkie who loves to hear from readers.

Connect with Jessica

Website/Twitter/Facebook/Pinterest/Goodreads 

 

Review: Sanctuary Bay by Laura J. Burns & Melinda Metz

In this genre-bending YA thriller, will Sarah Merson's shiny new prep school change her life forever or bring it to a dark and sinister end?

When Sarah Merson receives the opportunity of a lifetime to attend the most elite prep school in the country-Sanctuary Bay Academy-it seems almost too good to be true. But, after years of bouncing from foster home to foster home, escaping to its tranquil setting, nestled deep in Swans Island, couldn't sound more appealing. Swiftly thrown into a world of privilege and secrets, Sarah quickly realizes finding herself noticed by class charmer, Nate, as well as her roommate's dangerously attentive boyfriend, Ethan, are the least of her worries. When her roommate suddenly goes missing, she finds herself in a race against time, not only to find her, but to save herself and discover the dark truth behind Sanctuary Bay's glossy reputation.

In this genre-bending YA thriller, Sanctuary Bay by Laura J. Burns and Melinda Metz, Sarah's new school may seem like an idyllic temple of learning, but as she unearths years of terrifying history and manipulation, she discovers this "school" is something much more sinister.

Hardcover, 320 pages

Expected publication: January 19th 2016 by St. Martin's Griffin

Terri's Thoughts

**I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher St. Martin's Griffin vis Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  the expected publication date is January 19th 2016**

Full Disclosure:  I have an extreme dislike for anything that revolves around cults as I find them extremely creepy.  While I am okay with paranormal, magical realism etc, for some unexplained reason cults terrify me.  This story had some aspects of a cult in it and therefore may have impacted my overall view as a result.  This may not be the opinion of all.

All I can say about this story is that Burns and Metz have some seriously messed up imaginations.  In my wildest dreams I could not have thought something like this.  It was one roller coaster of crazy from the very beginning.

Going back to my opening statement, I had some issues with the "wolfpack" aspect of the story as my am pre disposition to any cult like behavior is to run for the hills without reading.  The fortunate thing is that this is only a small part of the storyline.  That being said I was totally frustrated with Sarah for wanting to be a part of it.  I wanted to scream at her and shake her and tell her to turn away.  Of course you do not always get what you want in these situations.

I can't even review this story because it is so messed up. First take a private school that is located on an island that used to house a mental asylum and a POW camp. Then add the fact that the students are not allowed to have any communication with the outside world, including family for the entire duration of their schooling and you know there will be trouble.  Would you really want to attend the s school knowing that you will have no knowledge of the outside world while you are there?  Don't even get me started on the evil that can take place.  I am claustrophobic just thinking about it!

Even with my initial hesitation the story kept drawing me in as I needed to find out where it was going to go.  For once I couldn't even foresee the direction it would take. 

I would recommend this for YA fans who like a little thriller in their plotline and who like their stories a little twisted.  Overall I ended up liking this story

About the Authors

Laura J. Burns

      Laura J. Burns has written more than thirty books for kids and teens, touching on topics from imaginary lake monsters to out-of-control Hollywood starlets. (Those two things have more in common than you'd think.)

With Melinda Metz, she has also written for the TV shows ROSWELL, 1-800-MISSING, and THE DEAD ZONE. Their next book is SANCTUARY BAY, coming in January 2016!

Laura lives in New York with her husband, her kids, and her two exceptionally silly dogs.

Website

Twitter

Melinda Metz

Melinda Metz grew up in San Jose, California. People sometimes ask if she knows the way there. She kinda does, but she has an off-kilter sense of direction, so to be confident of arriving, it's better to consult some kind of navigational device.

Her mother tried to teach her to read in kindergarten, but Melinda had no interest. She also had no interest in learning to write her name. (FYI, when Melinda was in kindergarten it was all about finger-painting, play time, and naps.) Eventually, she mastered both and even majored in English at San Jose State University.

After college, Melinda moved to Manhattan to seek her fortune, which involved learning to identify fruits and vegetables while working at a grocery store,
making $2.73 working backstage for an off-off Broadway play (her part of the box-office profits), and editing books.

Melinda and the lovely and talented Laura J. Burns pretty much became unofficial writing partners when they were editors at the same company. They teamed up to brainstorm story ideas, and at some point their brains fused in some key places. Later they worked on the Roswell High book series, Laura developing and editing the series, Melinda writing.

That series led to Melinda and Laura, now an official writing team, writing two TV pilots, moving to L.A. to work on the Roswell TV show, and briefly living in Toronto while on the writing staff of 1-800-Missing. They both continue to write books, together and separately.

Laura and Melinda's new book, Sanctuary Bay, a YA thriller, is coming out in January 2016. It's set at an ultra-exclusive private school on an island. Once a student is accepted to the school, they must stay until graduation. No visits home, no contact with the outside world at all. Find out why in January!

The first four books in Melinda's new middle-grade mystery series,S.M.A.R.T.S., are out now. The books involve a group of kids in a makerspace club and they all have lots of science info. For all the cool geeks out there!

Melinda lives in Concord, NC with her dog, Scully (yes, she loves the woo-woo so much she named her dog after a kickass X-Files character). She has never regretted learning to read and write her name.

Website

Twitter

Review: Falling Grace (Storybook Lake #2) by Melissa Shirley

ebook, 199 pages

Expected publication: February 2nd 2016 by Lyrical Shine

Terri's Thoughts

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  The expected publication date is February 2nd, 2016

If I am going to be completely honest about this story I must admit that the most overwhelming wors to describe how I felt about it is angry.

The story for me had as much of a split personality as the twins featured in it.  I was really excited at the start of this story.  It appeared to have a really interesting love triangle and a beefy plot about a child who was murdered in her bed.  I couldn't believe this story was only 199 pages as I felt there were so many directions this storyline could go and all of them involved long intricate plots.

Unfortunately the storyline took a turn part of the way through and almost all of the characters just suddenly became train wrecks.  Grace had a problem with alcohol...which was not previously mentioned and seemed completely random.  The twins had secrets that were really far fetched.  The part where Grace went home seemed to drag on to the point that I thought (and somewhat still do) that the story must be longer than advertised. 

What started out with a main character that was strong, sassy and take no prisoners turned in to a character that was so messed up it was laughable.  The reason I was so pulled in to start with was taken away from me and just left me feeling kind of empty.  Also, I had the who dunnit part of the story figured out from the beginning.

If I were to base my rating of this story on the first third, it would have rated very strong.  The book started strong and I had thought, finally a romance with some meat to the plot.  Unfortunately the rest of the story deteriorates my opinion.

About the Author

    As an author, Melissa Shirley believes in fairytales, happily ever after, and destiny. Born and raised in Illinois, and a mother of eight, she lives with her husband and three youngest children in a quiet town in the southern part of the state where she spends her time writing and watching her children grow into the people she has always dreamed.

Release Blast & Giveaway: The Virgin Auction by Jessa Fox

Enter to Win a 

$10.00 Amazon eGift Card

THE VIRGIN AUCTION

Jessa Fox 

Releasing on January 15, 2016

Self-Published 

She’s selling her virginity. He’s been secretly obsessed with her for years. They’ve only got one night together, better make it count.

She’s the last virgin on earth, at least that’s what it feels like to Kyle. Now she’s auctioning her virginity online in order to pay for medical school and give money to charity. She has no idea what she’s getting herself into, but she’s committed, and now there’s no turning back.

Caspian has been secretly obsessed with Kyle since the day they met years ago. He’s kept tabs on her for all of these years, and when he sees she’s auctioning her virginity, he knows there’s no way he’s going to let anyone else touch her. Ever.

The rules state that he gets one night with her, but rules are made to be broken.

Excerpt

“I want you to feel comfortable with me and with everything that we do. I need you to know that I would never do anything to hurt you.”

“Ok, I think I’m beginning to see that.”
 

“Good, I want you to trust that everything we do will be for your pleasure, and mine too, but mine will be second to yours.”
 

His words had me mesmerized as I tried to envision what exactly he was talking about.
 

“I want to introduce you to things that are beyond your expectations.”
 

“I would like that too. I hope that I’m able to satisfy you as well. I’m not completely inexperienced, I’ve done a…”
 

He stopped me just then, and put his finger over my lips.
 

“It doesn’t matter to me what you’ve done or haven’t done before, all that I care about is right now, being here with you. Everything from this moment on is all that matters.”
 

BUY NOW 
Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hi, my name is Jessa Fox. I’m a professional by day and an erotica writer by night. There’s nothing I love more than writing all of the smutty stories that are in my head and bringing them to life. I specialize in writing down all the taboo, sexy scenarios that we all wish we could experience, at least once.

But maybe that’s just me.

I’m also a wife and mom, and dutiful member of the Parent’s Association. Shh, don’t tell.

Jessa Fox is my pseudonym, because no one knows about all of the kinky stories and characters I love to create. They would never imagine all of the dirty thoughts running through my mind.

I hope you enjoy my stories as much as I love writing them. If you’re looking for a quick smutty treat, you came to the right place.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Sale Blitz: Irresistibly Yours by Lauren Layne

IRRESISTIBLY YOURS

Oxford #1

Lauren Layne

Released Oct 6th, 2015

Loveswept

Meet the men of Oxford magazine! In the first captivating spin-off of Lauren Layne’s Sex, Love & Stiletto series, a not-so-friendly battle of the sexes turns into a scorching office romance.

Hotshot sports editor Cole Sharpe has been freelancing for Oxford for years, so when he hears about a staff position opening up, he figures he’s got the inside track. Then his boss drops a bombshell: Cole has competition. Female competition, in the form of a fresh-faced tomboy who can hang with the dudes—and write circles around them, too. Cole usually likes his women flirty and curvy, but he takes a special interest in his skinny, sassy rival, if only to keep an eye on her. And soon, he can’t take his eyes off her.

Penelope Pope knows all too well that she comes off as just one of the guys. Since she’s learned that wanting more usually leads to disappointment, Penelope’s resigned to sitting on the sidelines when it comes to love. So why does Cole make her want to get back in the game? The man is as arrogant as he is handsome. He probably sees her as nothing more than a barrier to his dream job. But when an unexpected kiss turns into a night of irresistible passion, Penelope has to figure out whether they’re just fooling around—or starting something real.

Only $0.99 for a Limited Time

Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo | GooglePlay

Excerpt

Cole had been watching the brunette for the better part of three innings.
 

Which was just wrong on a couple of levels.
 

For starters, it was a rare woman who could come between Cole Sharpe and baseball. Or between Cole and any sport, for that matter.
 

And at Yankee Stadium in particular, the game came first. Especially a game in which the Yankees were trying to establish early dominance over the Blue Jays in the American League East division.
 

Cole’s eyes should have been glued to the field. Not only because the Yankees were his team—he’d been a die-hard fan since his Little League days—but because Cole was a sportswriter. Come tomorrow morning, Cole would be expected to know the details of every single at bat.
 

And yet . . .
 

His eyes shifted once more to the narrow figure of the brunette as he took another sip of beer.
There was something about her that demanded a second look and at the same time, there was nothing about her. She was utterly, completely unremarkable.
 

And that was the other reason why Cole’s fascination with the woman made no sense.
 

Cole loved women almost as much as he loved sports, but this woman?
 

Cole liked women curvy, but this one was slim to the point of being skinny. There was no noticeable definition of her waist through her Jeter jersey. No womanly flare of her hips.
 

Plus, Cole preferred blondes, and this one’s messy ponytail was just a couple shades lighter than black.
As for her face? Well, he hadn’t seen it yet. Not fully. But she’d turned her head once in the third inning, giving Cole a quick glance at her profile. The upturned nose was cute enough, but the rest of her features were hardly so arresting as to explain why he continued to stare at her.
 

It took Cole another half inning to realize what it was that had captivated him.
 

For the first time in his life, he was seeing a woman who was more absorbed with a baseball game than he was.
 

Tiny Brunette, as he’d started thinking of her, hadn’t lost interest in the game once. Even between innings, when the rest of the stadium was refilling on beer and peanuts, she merely scribbled like crazy in a little notebook she kept in her lap.
 

It was like clockwork. The third out would signal the swap of the players on the field, and Tiny Brunette’s attention would dip toward the damn notebook.
 

Her left hand would sneak around to twirl her ponytail around a finger while her right hand busily wrote . . .
What?
 

What did she write in that notebook? And exactly why did he want to know so badly?
 

Normally Cole would just ask. The seat beside Tiny Brunette was free. Everyone else in the suite was there more for the networking and the free food and booze than the game. It would have been so easy just to plop down beside her, strike up a conversation. Flirt.
 

But for some reason he was hesitant.
 

Cole told himself it was because he didn’t want to interrupt whatever it was she was so diligently working on, but there was an unfamiliar fear too.
 

The fear of rejection.
 

Because nothing about this woman signaled that she’d be interested in a conversation with him.
 

And that would be a first.

Lauren Layne is the USA Today Bestselling author of more than a dozen contemporary romance novels.

Prior to becoming an author, Lauren worked in e-commerce and web-marketing. A year after moving from Seattle to NYC to pursue a writing career, she had a fabulous agent and multiple New York publishing deals.

Lauren currently lives in Manhattan with her husband and plus-sized Pomeranian. When not writing, you'll likely find her running (rarely), reading (sometimes), or at happy hour (often).

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram | Pinterest

Pre-Order I WISH YOU WERE MINE, 

Book Two in the Oxford Series 

KINDLE | B & N | IBOOKS | KOBO

Don't miss the Sex, Love & Stiletto Series 

where the Men of Oxford first appeared!

AFTER THE KISS (Book One) 

KINDLE | NOOK | IBOOKS | KOBO

LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH (Book Two)  

KINDLE | NOOK | IBOOKS | KOBO

JUST ONE NIGHT (Book Three)  

KINDLE | NOOK | IBOOKS | KOBO

THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE (Book Four)

KINDLE | NOOK | IBOOKS | KOBO

SEX, LOVE & STILETTO Boxed Set

KINDLE | NOOK | IBOOKS | KOBO

Review: In Place of Never by Julie Anne Lindsey

Can the truth set her free?…

A part of Mercy died the summer her sister tragically drowned. Now Mercy has a chance to discover if Faith’s death was an accident—or murder.  Her first step is to confront the lead suspects: a band of traveling gypsies—the last people who saw her sister alive. But Mercy finds an unexpected ally in Cross, the soulful musician in their ranks. He’s a kindred spirit, someone who sees into her heart for the first time in, well, forever. Yet stirring up the past puts Mercy in danger…

Suddenly someone is shadowing Mercy’s every move, making her even more determined to uncover the facts. With Cross by her side, she is ready to face it all, even if that means opening up to him, knowing he may one day leave her. What she discovers is a truth that rocks the foundation of her small river town—and a love worth risking everything for….

Paperback, 269 pages

Expected publication: February 2nd 2016 by Lyrical Press, Inc

Terri's Thoughts

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  The expected publication date is February 2nd, 2016.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this story.  you see the thing is circus' freak me out.  So does the idea of a travelling sideshow.  I find the idea of gypsies (the ones found in fiction) extremely creepy.  I don't know why, its just something I can't explain.  At least there were not an clowns...I would have been done.

That aside this actually told a very nice story.  If you want to look really deep, it is a story about not judging a book by its cover, forgiveness, healing and young love.  If you just want to scratch the surface it is a love story with a little bit of a mystery attached.

I loved Cross who was perfect in his imperfections.  The way he saw Mercy in his eyes was swoon worthy.  Mercy herself was a good strong character once she got past her period of hibernation.

I will not say anything else as I fear it may lead to spoilers.  This story surprised me and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.  Lucky for me the travelling circus Gypsies were not as scary as I thought they would be.

About the Author

From her Goodreads profile

I tell stories, mostly to my children, sometimes to strangers. I'm fandom obsessed, over-excitable, addicted to social media, caffeine and Poptarts. You can find me online anytime lurking around the Internet, amped up on sugar and wielding a book.

Website

Twitter

Release Blast & Giveaway: Of Flame and Promise by Cecy Robson

Enter to Win a 

Cecy Robson Super Fan Prize Pack

OF FLAME AND PROMISE

Weird Girls #6

Cecy Robson

Releasing on January 12, 2016

 Loveswept

Perfect for fans of Keri Arthur and Bella Forrest, this short novel kicks off a sizzling new series in the award-winning Weird Girls saga as Celia’s sister Taran fights to have it all: independence, hot romance, and enough firepower to torch an army of blood-thirsty supernaturals.

Cursed by a spell meant to destroy them, Taran Wird and her sisters instead developed unique magical talents. With the power of fire and lightning literally at her fingertips, Taran doesn’t fear much. Demons, vamps, whatever—bring ’em on! Only one thing terrifies her: commitment.

Taran is crazy about her boyfriend, Gemini, a sexy were with the incredible ability to split into two separate wolves. But after watching her sister go through heartbreak with the pack’s Alpha, Taran knows not to count on happily ever after—despite Gemini’s desire to claim her as his mate. Reluctantly, she agrees to meet his very traditional and conservative parents. Taran’s a badass with a mouth to match, and Gemini loves her for it. She’s just not positive these attributes will please Mom and Dad.

Unsurprisingly, every attempt by Taran to bond with Gemini’s folks proves disastrous. But in the end, Taran finds that winning them over means unleashing her powers . . . and proving that this foul-mouthed fire-starter is a force to be reckoned with.

Excerpt

I’d woken only about an hour ago, Gemini’s warm, naked body curled against mine firing a need that required some serious quenching. So I buried my face in his lap to stir him from sleep.
 

Most women would have just said good morning, or nudged their partners ever so lovingly.
But I wasn’t most women.
 

Yeah, and you’re welcome, baby.
 

Gemini slowed his deep thrusts, grunting hard as he finished, his face scrunched in what appeared to be pain. But that wasn’t pain, was it? Nope, not at all. He was simply reacting to how good it felt to join his body with mine. I nibbled my way along his neck, leaving marks that faded from one bite to the next until I reached his earlobe and tugged. “Mornin’, sexy,” I whispered.
 

He growled something I didn’t quite understand. I didn’t speak a word of wolf, yet that deep snarl was as good as the dirty talk we’d exchanged during sex.  

I laughed. Okay, maybe it wasn’t as good as those naughty words. Yet a growl from a werewolf in his human form was a rare kind of hot few women would know.
 

I continued to straddle Gemini as he effortlessly carried us from the center of the room, where we’d made love standing up, and back to our bed. The gentle way in which he kissed me was in direct contrast to our wicked sex, and to the male most saw.
 

My lover was the second in command of the Tahoe region’s Squaw Valley Den Pack—intelligent, fierce, capable of crushing skulls, quietly confident, and with fighting skills few weres possessed.
 

Not to mention he was hotter than the power I generated with my magic.
 

All large anatomical parts and good looks aside, Gemini was . . . kind. When you trash-talked, and entered a room like you owned it like I did, it attracted a certain caliber of men. The kind that made me grateful I could protect myself with fire and lightning. 

Men could be cruel, and dangerous. I knew that better than most. But unlike those men I’ve known in my past, I trusted Gemini.

BUY NOW

Amazon | B & N | GooglePlay | iTunes | Kobo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CECY ROBSON is the New Adult and Contemporary author of the Shattered Past series, the O’Brien Family novels, and the award winning author of the Weird Girls Urban Fantasy Romance series. A self-proclaimed professional napper, Cecy counts among her talents a jaw-dropping knowledge of useless trivia, the ability to make her hair big, and a knack for breaking into song, despi4e her family’s vehement protests. A full-time writer, registered nurse, wife, and mother living in the South, Cecy enjoys spending time with her family and silencing the yappy characters in her head by telling their stories.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads