Romance Book Excerpt: Cassie Alexander's Deadshifted

Author: Cassie Alexander

Series Connection: An Edie Spence Novel

ISBN: 978-1250037947

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

Purchase Link: Amazon

Just started reading Cassie Alexander's new Edie Spence novel Deadshifted. The book is just out today. Haven't gotten very far into the new story yet, but the first few paragraphs really draws the reader in, which, as everyone knows in so important in writing any novel. 

Excerpt:

Chapter One

I wake up with a start, gasping for air. I have to tell Asher something.

Everything’s bright and orange, and I can only see through one eye. The other eye’s swollen shut, it burns when I try to open it. Water slaps rubber, over and over, in endless slow applause. I remember the sound from childhood, floating down a lazy river in an innertube, drunk with beer my older brother had snuck me when I was sixteen.

“Edie? Are you okay?” Asher’s leaning over me. His voice is hoarse.

I have to tell him something.

But I can’t. There’s rope in my mouth. And I can’t pull the rope away because my hands are tied. My feet too. I’m hog-tied, and when I move, my shoulder starts to throb.

“Is it still you?” Asher asks me. I don’t know why he’s asking. I don’t know what he means.

I have to tell you something, I try to say around the rope, even though I can’t remember what it was.

“I’m so sorry, Edie. I’m so, so sorry. It is you, right?” he asks, and his voice cracks.

I want to comfort him. To tell him that I’m okay, even though it’s clear that I am not. He looks so afraid right now. I’ve never seen him this afraid before.

“We’re going to be all right. We’re going to get away from here. I’m going to save you,” he says, more to himself than me. He scuttles backwards and brings up what I realize is a paddle, and leans over the side of the orange thing we’re riding on, paddling for all his might.

Inside my mind, things slid into place. My ties, our lifeboat. What I want to say to him.

He’s paddling so hard that salt water is spraying my face.

And I remember.

Everything...

Can't wait to read the rest. I hope it continues to delight.

Description:

Edie Spence just wanted a vacation. A nice, relaxing, stress free, non-adventure away from the craziness that's dominated her life since becoming a nurse for paranormal creatures. But from the start, her trip on the Maraschino, a cruise ship bound for Hawaii, has been anything but stress free, especially when Edie's boyfriend Asher recognizes someone he used to know. Someone from his not-so-nice past. With their lives in the balance, will Edie and Asher be able to save their growing family or will this adventure be their end?

Romance Book Review: Tracey Rogers' Best Fake Day

Author: Tracey Rogers

Digital ISBN: 9781937325985

Genre(s): Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Beachwalk Press

Purchase Link: Beachwalk Press

Jack Carter was a fixture of Izzy Latham's dreams when they were growing up. He was the boy from across the way that spent more time at her home than his own. Then one day he just left and so did Izzy's dream of a life with him. 

Now Jack's back. He needs her help getting out of a jam her sister put him in. The only problem is that with Jack back in her life for just a little while all those feelings are coming back. She can't let that happen because Jack isn't the marrying kind and as their rouse brings them closer together Lizzy can only hope to leave without getting her heart too involved. 

Good quick read with wonderful character development and strong leads. Izzy is a character to fall in love with. She's so good, she wants to help, but she's stubborn too. Jack is wounded but strong enough to understand himself.

Description:

Faking it never felt so good.

Wedding photographer and romance lover Izzy Latham dreams of finding her own happily-ever-after. When her former teenage crush arrives at her doorstep, looking sexier than ever, and asks to marry her, it should be her dream come true, right? Wrong. It turns out he doesn’t want to actually marry her—he only wants to pretend to marry her.

Marriage hater Jack Carter will do anything to close his latest business deal, including finding a wife. The only person who can help him is his childhood friend, Izzy. Except Izzy isn’t a little girl anymore. She’s definitely all woman, and there’s an attraction between them that’s hard to ignore.

Jack has to convince Izzy to fake it, but the problem is that she hates to lie. However, she can’t deny her feelings for him either. So when Jack makes her an offer she can’t refuse, she reluctantly agrees to help him out.

Faking it is the easy part. But what happens when fake starts to feel so real?

Romance Book Review: Jess Buffett's An Archangel's Promise

Author: Jess Buffett

Series Connection: Sons of the Seven

Digital ISBN: 9781937325992
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance, Angel Romance

Publisher: Beachwalk Press

Purchase link: Beachwalk Press

Hunter Bailey and Gabriella Richards were best friends as children. As teenagers they share a love that has bonded them through years of friendship and deeper romantic feelings. On the night before his 18th birthday after making love to Gabby, Hunter disappears.

Ten years later he shows up into Gabby's life to take back the life he lost all those years ago with the girl he loves. But Gabby isn't a girl anymore, but a woman, and she isn't about to make it easy on Hunter. It is hard enough to tell her the outrageous story his life has become, Hunter only hopes that Gabby is able to take on what he is about to put her in the middle of. The girl he knew could take on the world, will he find an even stronger woman?

This is the first book in the Sons of the Seven series which features seven sons of the archangels. Each son has his strengths and the first book begins the introduction into the lives of each other half-angel/half-angel (Nephilim). All but one of the men had turned into angels and have become the protectors of the other Nephilims in the world. Good character development and strong story line keeps the book moving with graphic love scenes, strong romantic bond and a little bit of comedy from the strong heroine. 

Description:

Will the enemy be powerful enough to break an archangel's promise?

For the last ten years, Gabriella Richards has struggled with the pain of losing the only man she's ever loved. From out of nowhere he returns to throw her life into chaos, and it isn't without consequences.

Hunter Bailey had always known he was different, but nothing could have prepared him for the truth. As the son of an archangel, he has been on the run for years from those who seek to wipe out his kind—the Nephilim. With a destiny unknown even to himself, nothing will stop him from returning to claim the woman he loves and the happily-ever-after he was promised.

Gabriella finally has the love of her life back, but at what cost? And will the enemy be able to break an archangel's promise?

Content Warning: strong language, graphic sex

Romance Book Review: Imogene Nix's A Bar in Paris

Author: Imogene Nix

Digital ISBN: 9781937325954
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance

Publisher: Beachwalk Press

Purchase Link: Beachwalk Press

Davina is taking a long weekend for herself in Paris. She hope that she'll be able to find someone who is willing to enjoy the weekend with her and then maybe she can go back to her lonely life satisfied. After spending an evening in a bar she almost gives up home before Johnathon walks in the door. 

Shoring up all her energy Davina approaches the handsome man and propositions him.

Never having done this before, Davina is nervous, but excited at the same time. Now just to not fall for the charming Englishman.

This is a wonderful short story that I wish could have had more scene development and less bedroom scenes. I liked the character development, even for a story with only one point of view, there was a lot to be learned about Johnathon's character as well. Nice for a short evening read.

Description:

Turning 30? All alone? A commitment-free weekend in Paris should help…shouldn't it?

What does a single woman do when she's turning thirty? She takes a weekend trip to Paris looking for commitment-free sex. Or that's what Davina Chandler does, anyway.

Enter Johnathon, a tall, charming Englishman. How can she possibly resist his magnetism and that sexy dimple?

What starts out as a lark quickly becomes so much more, but can one weekend turn into a lifetime? And will a lie of omission bring everything into jeopardy?

Romance Book Byte: Aimee Duffy's A Week In Milan

Author: Aimee Duffy

ISBN: 9781940744032

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Beachwalk Press

Purchase Link: Beachwalk Press

Description:

Getting what she wants isn't going to be easy…

Designer department store owner Giovanni Monastero thought moving to LA would help him forget the nightmare of his childhood. Until he visits Milan during Fashion Week with one of their designers he doesn't realize how much his past still haunts him.

Fashion designer Amanda Hart has been chewed up and spat out by her son's father. The only dating she does now is in her dreams. None of the guys she fantasizes about can hurt her. When the star of those fantasies offers her the career chance of a lifetime "no" isn't an option even though it means spending a week in close contact with him.

With one dream coming true, will Amanda have the courage to go after another?

Content Warning: contains smoldering sex, enough doubt to keep an island afloat, and more persuasion than a guy should need.

Romance Book Byte: Alianne Donnelly's Blood Debt

Author: Alianne Donnelly 
Series Connection: The Blood Series 
ISBN: 978-1-59578-921-1
Genre: Sci-Fi, Futurist, Romance
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

Purchase Link: Liquid Silver Books

Description:

Some things a woman can never prepare for. Like being locked inside her own home with a maniac who insists that she inject him with a highly unstable virus and help him liberate a planet. Oh, but Amelia’s not a hostage, she’s an employee. Bad enough he’s so eager to die, but he keeps asking for far more than her doctor-patient responsibilities. And the longer Amelia spends with him, the more reasonable it all seems. The trouble comes when reason starts to fail her. 

All Gabriel has left to lose is his life, which he will gladly give up if he can take his enemies down with him. To do that, he’ll need an advantage only Dr. Chase can provide—if she agrees. With the face of an angel and the devil’s hand on her shoulder, every rumor about the female has turned out to be true, and Gabriel soon finds there is something he desires even more than his long overdue revenge. But the wheels have already been set in motion and there may be far more at stake than Gabriel ever realized… 

Romance Book Byte: Eliza Knight's Highlander's Sins

Author: Eliza Knight
Series Connection: Stolen Bride
ISBN: 978-1492888772
Genre: Historical Romance/ Highlander
Publisher: CreateSpace

Purchase Link: Amazon

Description:

He stole her away… But she set him free… They called him The Priest. Maybe because of his billowing black robes and the steel crucifix that hung around his neck. Or perhaps it was because those who met him were compelled to pray. But Duncan Mackay was anything but a saint. He was a sinner—a paid mercenary. Until he met her, and she made him want to change his ways. 

Lady Heather Sutherland, has never been compelled to follow rules. And this time, she’s gone too far. Following in the footsteps of her brothers and cousins, she chooses to join the fight for Scottish freedom—and gets herself abducted by a handsome, rogue warrior, whose touch is sweet sin. Duncan’s duty was clear—steal Heather away from Dunrobin Castle. What he didn’t expect, was to be charmed by her spirit and rocked by her fiery kiss. Now, he doesn’t want deliver her to those who hired him, instead he wants to keep her all to himself. 

THE HIGHLANDER'S SIN is the sixth book in the Stolen Bride series, but it can stand alone. Check out the other books in the series! The Highlander's Reward The Highlander's Conquest The Highlander's Lady The Highlander's Warrior Bride The Highlander's Triumph And releasing early 2014 -- The Highlander's Temptation

Romance Book Review: Patricia Bate's Counter Balance

Author: Patricia Bates

Digital ISBN: 9781937325978

Genre(s): Contemporary Romance/ Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Beachwalk Press, Inc.

Purchase Link: Beachwalk Press

Slade and his team are sent on a mission to extract a woman who has been kidnapped. When he finds Alex she has been tortured and is nearly dead. Once Slade extracts her he can't seem to get her or her circumstances out of her mind. 

When he finds her, Slade pulls her out again just as she is about to be attacked again. Taken her to a secluded cabin Slade and Alex spend a few days alone with the chance to explore their mutual attraction. But someone is still wants Alex and they need to find out who.

I don't usually go for military romance books, however this one was had a great alpha man with a strong alpha female. Well written but a little short in story. 

Description:

A woman with secrets. A man with honor. Can love survive?

When an unknown foe kidnaps Alex Caden, her rescue comes at the hands of an elite Navy SEAL team. But there are secrets that will keep those who want her dead on her trail.

Slade Lake has dedicated his life to keeping civilians safe. When he saves Alex, he knows as soon as he sees her that they're meant to be together. With killers dogging their every step and secrets unfolding can they find love or will the enemies from the shadows destroy everything?

Romance Book Review: Eliza Knight's A Kilted Christmas Wish

Author: Eliza Knight

ISBN: N/A

Genre: Holiday/ Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Knight Media, LLC

Purchase Link: Amazon

Darla has a Christmas wish, to meet a handsom Scottish man for the holidays. Oh and if it wouldn't be too much her personal hero would be dressed in a Kilt. Okay so maybe that would never happen in the middle of New York City. Or so she believes, until a handsome man with a Scottish accent shows up for lunch in her deli. Aaron turns out to be everything Darla has wished for. 

Aaron has moved to American to heal his wounded heart. After meeting Darla is might just succeed, but he never envisioned that a woman would be in his new future and he isn't sure he is ready to get past the sadness of the past. 

This is definitely a simple, sexy holiday short story. The romance of New York City with a white Christmas and all is explored through the pages of this romantically sweet, but sexy love story. 

Description:

Down on her luck with men, Darla Strider wonders if she’ll ever meet her own kilted hero. Considering she lives in present day New York City, the likelihood of that happening is nil. She’s certain only a Christmas wish could make her dreams come true. Until the day Aaron Sutherland walks into her café, and changes her whole world. 

Leaving his pain in Scotland for life in the States, the last thing Aaron has in mind is hooking up with a city girl. But one look at Darla and she’s got him singing All I Want for Christmas is You.

Romance Book Review: Pepper Anthony's Amber's Fantasy

Author: Pepper Anthony

Digital ISBN: 9781937325961
Genre: Erotic Contemporary Romance/ Interracial Romance/ Ménage
Publisher: Beachwalk Press

Purchase Link: Beachwalk Press

Amber Jackson is an up and coming executive in her firm. The rules are pretty clear, no dating between employees, but what is Amber suppose to do when she suddenly finds herself attracted to another employee at the firm. Ray Ferris is certainly handsome, but is he worth losing everything she has worked for?

Ray is certainly attracted to Amber and he doesn't believe that she is the ice princess that the other men call her at the office. He knows he should respect her ideals and stay away, but after he gets a look at the books he finds in a box in her office, he can't keep his mind off of her. 

I sure hope that this book is the start of a series. I'm curious where the author would take Ray's shy cousin Cal. This is book is well written and I appreciate the characters aren't players and how much Ray's character wants Amber to have her fantasy. 

Description:

If you had the chance to act out your secret fantasy, would you dare?

Ray Ferris is the first person to discover Amber Jackson's naughty secret desires. While helping her move some boxes, he stumbles on her stash of erotic romances featuring ménages. Despite a strict company policy prohibiting co-workers from dating, Amber finds herself inexorably drawn to Ray. She's never been attracted to a white man before, but his intriguing invitation to actually have sex with two men at one time captivates her imagination. When the barriers to their relationship are swept away, will Amber have the courage to finally act out her forbidden fantasy? And if she does, will the experience open doors to a whole new world, or cost her a chance at true love?

Content Warning: contains scenes of explicit sexual activity

Romance Book Review: Amber Daulton's A Hero's Heart

Author: Amber Daulton

ISBN: 978-1493752218

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Self Published

Purchase Link: Amazon

Jarrett Brandt intends to only go home for a short time to pay respects to his dead twin brother. The black sheep of the family Jarrett could never measure up to his brother Joel in his father's eyes. His poor relationship with his father and his drug addition as a teen lead him to leave home as well as the love of his life Marissa.

When he returns home he runs smack into his family. His father still seems to hate Jarrett and thinks the worst of him, however Marissa reaches for him with open arms. Marissa confesses to never stop loving him, even though she eventually married Joel and had his child. 

After a night of passion, Jarrett and Marissa confess their love for each other, but with trouble following him Jarrett can't possibly stay without putting those he loves in danger.

A fairly good and quick read, but I wish there was a little more to the story. 

Description:

When it comes to revenge, nothing is sacred, not even Christmas.

DEA field agent Jarrett Brandt returned home on his Harley Davidson to visit his brother's grave, not to reconnect with his first true love.

Now widowed with a son, Marissa Reinn Brandt expected nothing from the one who broke her heart--the twin brother of the man she married--but when her son offered him a place to stay for Christmas, she agreed for her son's benefit. 

As they rekindled the flames of love and lust that once bound them together, an enemy from his past and a trusted mentor from his present threatened to destroy everything they held dear.

Warning: a hero with a drug-filled past, lots of hot sex with a sexy redhead, an adorable little boy and bad language.

Romance Book Review: Sable Hunter's Hot on Her Trail

Author: Sable Hunter

Series Connection: Hell Yeah!

ISBN: 978-1490302089

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Cowboy Romance

Publisher: Self Published

Purchase Link: Amazon

Jessie has just learned that the baby she is carrying belongs to Jacob McCoy, one of the notorios rich, playboy McCoy brothers. She isn't sure what type of a father she will make, so she decides to check him out and then talk him into not taking custody of their child. 

Jessie has never met Jacob, but when the two meet it is like dynamite. The instant attraction brings the two together. 

With Jessie's insecurities it is hard for her to keep positive that she and Jacob have a future, but Jacob is determined to convince her.

In the meantime a man from the past is after Jessie and he won't stop until her gets what he wants.

This is the "Sweeter Version" of the book, but don't expect this version to be any less sexy. The scenes do not leave the bedroom and are still pretty explicit. 

Description:

Jacob McCoy wishes for a wife and a family. Tis the Season for miracles when a young woman shows up on his doorstep: homeless, in danger and expecting a child - Jacob's child.

Their relationship is complicated by the fact that, A - they've never met before and B - she's a virgin. Jessie is determined not to be a burden to the McCoy family. As far as she's concerned, she is just passing through. Jacob has a different opinion - he wants Jessie in his life, in his bed and in his heart.

*Content Warning: This version of the Hell Yeah! Series is LESS Explicit than the Erotic Version that is also available. If you'd like more explicit version look for the Hell Yeah! Series. Same Book but with the graphic sexual content.

Romance Book Review: Diane Saxon's Flight of Her Life

Author: Diane Saxon 

ISBN: 978-1-62210-056-9 

Genre: Contemporary, Cowboys, Romantic Comedy 

Publisher: Liquid Silver

Purchase Link: Liquid Silver

Bailey is preparing to announce her engagement to Phillip in Houston. On her way to Houston a couple of days before Christmas she gets held up as the New York airport cancels flights due to a snow blizzard. While at the airport she runs into her ex-boyfriend Sebastian. At 16 she was crazy about Sebastian, but he never seemed to be interested enough in her to stick around. 

Bailey isn't having such a great day and through a series of mishaps, that Sebastian rescues her from, she may just get a Christmas surprise she never thought she'd get.

I've read several recent stories by Diane Saxon and loved them, this current romantic comedy has quickly turned into one of my favorites by the author. Great holiday fun read that will get you giggling through the pages. 

Description:

Accident-prone Bailey must negotiate her way through a snowbound airport, a cancelled flight, and a blackout to get to her own engagement party. So the added complication of Sebastian, a cowboy from her past, is one problem she just does not need. When this comedy of errors threatens her future, her peace of mind, and her heart, Bailey has some not-so-easy decisions to make. 

Traveling from New York City to Houston to meet her future in-laws and announce her engagement, accident prone Bailey finds herself in a situation beyond her control. All flights are cancelled the night before Christmas Eve, leaving Bailey stranded at the airport with a cowboy from her past.

Against all odds, Sebastian manages to rescue Bailey from one disaster after another, but is it too late to rescue her from her future?

Faced with a heartrending dilemma, does Bailey turn her back on the man who offers her a life of security, or does she run off to Maui with a cowboy?

Romance Book Review: Maddy Barone's Wolf's Oath

Author: Maggie Barone
Series Connection: After the Crash
ISBN: 9781301563296
Genre: Sci-Fi, Werewolf, Shifter, Paranormal
Publisher: Smashwords

Purchase Link: Amazon

The continuation of the story of a group of women survivors from a plane crash that takes them from 2013 to 2064. In their own time Armageddon his taken place and over the next coming years women become a rare commodity. Now in 2064 the world is a different land. The women find none of the comforts of their time. No electricity or running water. The times have changed and the women find it is a lot to get used to.

One other change the women find is that some of the men have become a whole new race of shifters, men who turn into wolves. These men live among the humans. Like their wolf counterparts they mate for life. In the "Plane Women" some of the wolf shifters have found their mates.

Connie is the co-pilot of the crashed plane from the past. Since she and the surviving passengers have landed she has become the de-facto leader of the women who have moved into town and not mated with the wolves. These women have been making plans, but it soon becomes evident that they aren't safe unless the town continues to protect them. When Connie finds out the town has no intention of doing that, she feels helpless to come up with a plan, until Des, one of the wolf shifters, comes up with one.

Des has known that Connie has been his mate since he first met her when the plane went down. When he first tells her she rejects him, or so he thinks. Des has been patient and when he learns of Connie's dilemma, he tells her he will help if she marries him. He makes clear it is completely her choice, but Connie is a leader and warrior and wants to do what is best for the women. She attracted to Des so maybe it won't be so bad after all.

This was a very well written short novella that fits into the storyline of the series and actually I like this couple almost as much as I liked the first, Taye and Carla, book in the series. It isn't essential to read the entire series to read this short, but the stories as a whole paints a better picture of the world the author is building.

Description:

Connie Mondale, co-pilot of the crashed plane, has no intention of being forced into marriage, thank you very much. A former fighter pilot, she’s accustomed to being in charge. But leading two dozen undisciplined women is harder than flying missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. Scarier, too, with woman-hungry men outnumbering them two hundred to one. When Des, the grim-faced werewolf who is always there to support her, offers to share the load, how can she refuse?

Des Wolfe knows Connie is his mate. When she refused him, he tried to settle for being her friend. But when an opportunity comes to have her for his own, he grabs it with both hands, determined to have her love. If that means taking on a whole house full of women and making them his Pack, he’ll do it. There is no price too high for Des to pay to have Connie for his mate.

Can Connie give her heart to a werewolf, or will Des have to settle for only her body in his bed?(less)