All posts by Kelly S

Contemp. Romance, NA

#Review – Beneath The Skin (A College Obsession Romance #2) by Daryl Banner

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Beneath The Skin (A College Obsession Romance, #2)

 

This is the second book in the College Obsession Romance series. This book is a standalone but has recurring characters from the first book.

They call me a player, but really I’m a lover.
I fall in love seven days a week.

Give me a few minutes and I’ll charm my way into any woman’s heart. Give me a few hours and I’ll have her flat on her back, headboard dented, panties on the lampshade, and begging for more – guaranteed.

Until I’m knocked off my feet by Nell, the bangin’ art school chick with the killer bod.

No, it isn’t some love-at-first-sight kind of thing. In fact, I hate how she looks at me with those sharp, gorgeous eyes and I’m tripping over my feet, my swagger lost.

What is it about this woman that drives me crazy?

She deflects all my advances. She doesn’t laugh at my jokes.
She makes me feel like I’m the joke.

Now, she’s got her hands on a new art project.

I’d rather she had them on me.

**** If you haven’t read “Read My Lips” – the first book in this series – don’t worry: the FULL novel is included with your copy of Beneath The Skin! PLUS, Read My Lips contains a *bonus* epilogue exclusive to this Kindle edition that you won’t want to miss. ****

The College Obsession Romance series centers around a group of friends and the relationships they form during their time at a small-town Texas school. They are angsty, steamy new adult novels with HEAs and NO cheating. Although they are obsession-themed romances, there are no stalkers or psychos!

 

Goodreads

 

This is what happens when the player becomes the played! Not intentional by any means but Brant is the player….at least that is what everyone says. He thinks with his second head all of the time. But when he is caught in a tricky position by Nell, he all of a sudden can’t get her out of his head. The interest in other women leave and he his swagger has vanished. It is completely hilarious seeing Brant trip over himself trying to get and keep Nell’s attention. Nell is the tortured artist who decides to give Brant a whirl. She tries to do what she can to scare him off but Brant doesn’t learn and keeps coming back for more. These two characters are completely different but the antics and shenanigans that they get into will keep you wanting more. Then again, opposites attract. The characters complement each other in an amazing way. The perfect love/hate relationship. As they get to know each other we get to see a completely different side to each character. The best thing about these characters and the story is that you feel that you are right in the story and you can relate to what each one is going through. I found myself smiling and laughing and the next minute my heart strings were being pulled. Bravo, Daryl Banner! You did it again! Looking forward to the next story.

 

Amazon

 

Daryl Banner

Daryl Banner is an author and composer who graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Theatre and Psychology. He writes new adult romance, M/M romance, post-apocalyptic fantasy, and dystopian. He is most inspired by the smart and unlikely hero, but urges you (the reader) not to fall in love with them; they may deceive you with their innocence.

Join his mailing list here for updates and cool stuff!
He gives away an Amazon gift card every newsletter:
http://eepurl.com/bflbIH

Follow him on Facebook here:
http://www.facebook.com/DarylBannerWr…

Connect with fellow readers of his work in Daryl’s Doorway:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/Daryls…

Interesting tidbits: Daryl is also an obsessive piano player, video game enthusiast, and occasional actor. He’s been remixing video game music for over fifteen years, and is a passionate Final Fantasy and Nintendo fan. You can feed your ears with many of his remixes (as well as his original music) on his YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/DarylBanner

He also composes original soundtracks that accompany his books and series. You can listen to and download them here: http://darylbanner.bandcamp.com

Contemp. Romance, Part of a Series, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR #Review – More Than a Memory (Cottage Grove #1) by Amber Nation

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More Than a Memory (Cottage Grove, #1)

 

Disappearing without a word, Eden Richardt fled from her naïve former life in Oregon to start anew in the Midwest. Being a morning radio show host, she’s got a lot going for her except finding someone to share her life with. In that aspect, no one seemed to compare to the one. Having absolutely no desire to step foot back in her hometown of Cottage Grove, her decision was swayed with an invitation to her high school reunion and solidified after receiving a letter from her first and only love from her past.

Living his life the best way he knows how, Baylor Jenkins spends his time running the family plumbing business, after giving up his dream to be an Architect, and raising his almost teenage daughter solely without the help of his ex-wife. In the back of his mind he knows something was missing from his otherwise enjoyable life. But that something was actually a someone who disappeared after graduation; a former best friend turned lover.

Locking eyes after fifteen long years raises deep emotions and unanswered questions:

What happened to make Eden run?

Could their love for each other still exist?

Or will their past time together be nothing more than a memory?

 

Goodreads

 

Everyone wants to be more than someone’s memory. This is a cute story about second chances. Everyone deserves a second chance. Eden, Baylor, and Dean have been the best of friends….since, forever. They are finally graduating from high school and they all have their own little secrets. Eden has always been one of the boys but has secretly been in love with Baylor. She just didn’t know how to tell him. Come to find out that Baylor has secretly been in love with Eden. And just when he makes his move to let Eden know how he feels, Eden vanishes. She just falls off the face of the earth. 15 years go by. Everyone’s life has changed. Eden has gone off to make a career in radio for herself and Baylor has started running the family business and has a daughter. Neither has gone a day without thinking about the other. Thankfully for some meddling by others, Eden decides to attend her 15 year high school reunion. Emotions run high as secrets are revealed. So many misunderstandings but soon enough everyone’s laundry is aired out. This is a super cute story with everyone’s favorite second chances. This is a new author for me but I am hooked! Definitely looking forward to the next story!

 

Amazon

 

Amber Nation

Amber is a stay at home mom currently residing in Southern Indiana with her husband and two beautiful daughters. If she’s not shopping, going to concerts or on road trips, or having her nose stuck in a book, you’ll often find her at the ball field watching one of the numerous sports that her girls are involved in.

She is the author of the contemporary romance Brown County Series, titles include Not Alone, Runaway Love, How To Save A Life, and Unconditionally (M/M).

Follow her on Twitter @nation_amber, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ambernationauthor, on Pinterest at Ber2885, and check out her website at www.ambernationauthor.com.

Fantasy Romance, Paranormal, Shifters, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR #Review Mack (Black Mountain Pack) by Miranda Lynn

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Mack (Black Mountain Pack)

 

His missing sister or his mate?

Casey grew up in the foster care system and it wasn’t easy. A whirlwind of events after she ages out shows her why. Her repressed shifter side emerges with the help of her soon to be mate and his pack. She does her best to learn who and what she as while under the pressure of being hunted by her biological father and his pack.

Mack has been searching for his adopted sister for years after her kidnapping and thinks he has finally found her. His shifter side on the other hand thinks they have found their mate. Fate throws them together in the midst of an oncoming battle and Mack lets instinct take over and follows his heart.

When the truth comes out the mating instinct takes over and together Mack and Casey change the rules of shifter laws once again.

 

Goodreads

 

Shifters! Need I say more?! This is your must read shifter book! Some shifter stories seem to be along the same lines but this one goes beyond what we think we already know. These packs are different than what we all know. They are comprised of many different types of shifters/species. Many were hunted almost to extinction and have now come together to help their cause. There are many packs hiding in plain sight.

Casey has had a terrible childhood growing up in the foster system and being treated differently because of some of her heightened senses. She is living on the street but with the help of her friend she is taken care of. One night this all changes. She discovers that she is actually a shifter. She is taken in by the Black Mountain Pack. Little does she know she was once part of the pack…and another pack. She is the cause of an impending war with this other pack. She has to learn very quickly about what she is and how to handle this life that she didn’t know existed.

Mack is part of the Black Mountain Pack and has been looking for his long lost sister. But when he finds Casey they find out that they are not siblings but are destined to be mates. We also see the struggle he goes through to help her with her new found life.

Mack is a very fast paced, action packed, and HAWT book. This is the first book in the series and I have already begun to beg the author for the next. Anxiously waiting on pins and needles for the sequel. Check this out. You won’t be sorry.

 

Amazon

 

Miranda Lynn

Mother to two boys, 3 four legged babies, and wife to a loving husband who doesn’t mind the extra voices in her head. Miranda grew up on a dairy farm in Illinois, but calls Portland, TN home now. She is an avid reader, coffee addict, and loves her day job working at the local public library. Though her true passion is in creating her own worlds, characters, and stories for her readers.

Website: www.mirandalynn.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MirandaLynn
Twitter: @MirandaLynnBks
Email: mirandalynnbooks@gmail.com
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+MirandaL…

Contemp. Romance, NA, New Release, Standalone

#Review #NewRelease – Broken Wide Open by Susan Griscom

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Broken Wide Open Front 1-24-17

A new stand-alone Romance from award winning author, Susan Griscom.

When your heart is broken, sometimes all you need is a gentle smile.

Grace Davidson didn’t have the smoothest childhood, but now, years later, she’s ready to start her new life with her amazing new husband—until she discovers his infidelity…with her best friend. Hurt and betrayed, Grace takes off alone for the exotic resort where she should be spending her honeymoon, only to realize it’s as lonely as it sounds. Until her hunky next-door neighbor says hello.

Leo was just a man Grace met while enjoying her un-honeymoon. They became friends, but that’s it. Yet even after she returns home, she can’t get him out of her head. Too bad she’ll never see him again.

Starting over in a new town after finding her dream job, Grace suddenly runs in to Leo in the last place she expects. But is he the man she believes him to be? Or is her heart in danger of being broken wide open?

Broken Wide Open yellow fonts 1-24-17

Goodreads

This standalone is anything but broken. Right from the beginning you are pulled right into the story. Grace is a strong woman that experienced true heartbreak. She goes to Bora Bora alone trying to get herself together. She meets Leo in Bora Bora. Fireworks are exploding but things don’t go the way you would expect. Then back to reality. Grace is getting back on her feet after the wedding that never should have happened. Grace runs into Leo and the tension is palpable. There is always something in the background that is trying to keep them apart, but the attraction is incredible. As the story continues you feel like you are going to continue on with a predictable happily ever after. But then you are hit unexpectedly with a twist. When this happened it clenched my heart. The raw emotion that you take from these characters is moving. Then I started questioning whether the outcome of this story was going to be what I wanted. It was anything but predictable and is an absolute must read. The spin is perfectly flawed. It’s exactly what you need for an incredible ending.

 

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Susan Griscom

Find me on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Griscom/…

Find me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SMGriscom

Award winning author, Susan Griscom, writes paranormal and contemporary romance. She’s hooked on gritty romances and is a huge fan of superheroes and bad boys confronted with extraordinary forces of nature, powers, and abilities beyond the norm mixed with steamy romance, of course.

She loves those days when she gets to sit around in her sweat pants, doing nothing but writing emotionally charged stories about love and violence and drinking coffee.

She lives in Northern California with her romantic husband and together they have five great superhero kids and eight mini-superhero grand kids, so far.

Fantasy, New Release, Novella, Part of a Series, Thriller, Urban Fantasy/Urban Fiction

#Review #NewRelease Priceless by Sarah J. Pepper (Once Wicked Series #1)

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Priceless (Once Wicked Series, #1)

 

“It was everything
I
Could do to breathe when his gaze fell to my lips. Her perilous stare left me without words. It was the very way a lover left you speechless with a passing glance. But Declan didn’t just take a glimpse. He hardly blinked as he stepped closer, like he
WANTED
All space between us eliminated. Simultaneously, I gravitated towards him and wanted to run away. Everything I thought I knew about love and hate was destroyed in a heartbeat. The two were opposing feelings, but now I wasn’t so sure. And it was all because of
HIM.”

Sometimes the bad boys have the greatest romance stories. In the Once Wicked Series, the infamous villains we love to hate are no different. But in this series, they finally get the chance to tell their stories…

Updated and re-edited. Originally published in the Fairy Tale Confessions anthology.

 

Goodreads

 

Absolutely Priceless! Everything has a price. Some want money, power, or….freedom. In this retelling of Rumpelstiltskin and the Pied Piper we see how they finally meet and how their attraction all started. Declan Stilts wants his freedom and makes a deal with Piper’s mother for the soul of her first born child. The thing he doesn’t anticipate is to be absolutely captivated by Piper. In this novella we see how their push pull attraction starts. Does everything still have a price? This is an incredible story that pulls you in right from the beginning and will make you want to continue this in Soulless. You will not be able to put it down. Go get your copy now!

 

Amazon

 

Sarah J. Pepper

Award Winning Author, Sarah J. Pepper, specializes in fantasy and paranormal romance. She unveils the beauty of love in her new adult/young adult novels. Her works envelope dark, paranormal romance – think “happy ever after” but with a twisted, dark chocolate center. Real-life romance isn’t only filled with hugs, kisses, bunnies, and rainbows. True-love can be more thoroughly described in times of darkness and tribulation. It’s in those harsh moments where you see what a person is truly capable of – both the good and bad. Sometimes prince-charming isn’t always on time, and the glass slipper is a little snug. However, it doesn’t mean Charming is not Mr. Right, and who says every shoe is the perfect fit? www.sarahjpepper.com

Fantasy, NA, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Shifters

#Review – Monster Mine, Fear University #3 by Meg Collett

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I, Sunny Lyons, am chasing my best friend’s ghost.

Or at least I thought I was until Ollie calls me on the phone and tells me to come to Anchorage, Alaska. We find her in a renovated warehouse surrounded by halflings and Hex, her father and the greatest aswang warrior who has ever lived.

While trying to protect Ollie from the people who want to use her as a weapon, I stumble across a secret the halflings will kill to protect—a secret that could save the man I love. I may be the Cowardly Lyon, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to protect my friends—even if it kills me.

 

My name is Ollie Volkova, and I am not broken.

Though my friends may say otherwise after I spent three weeks with a sadistic madman. They think I’m crazy, but when a monster called the Manananggal surfaces on the outskirts of Anchorage, my father offers to tell me about my mother in exchange for my help in hunting down the winged creature. It’s a deal I can’t pass up. Not when my mother’s past is so important to my future.

But the more I learn about her, the more I discover about my monster’s soul, and when my father reveals the final, darkest truth, the decision I make will change the course of my life.

 

*Warning: Recommended for mature readers due to sexual content, violence, and language.*

 

Goodreads

 

Truths and lies, twists and turns…Fate. Ollie was kidnapped and tortured. Her friends are on a never ending hunt to find her, to help her. Turns out that Ollie has reunited with her father who she learns isn’t all the monster that everyone believes him to be, at least that is what she is trying to figure out. She learns so much about her mom and how her parents came to be, why her mother left, and why her father keeps fighting. Sunny is with Luke and Hatter looking for Ollie. Ollie reaches out to them and they come to the sanctuary that Ollie is at.

So many demons…Luke is dealing with the truth about Ollie being a halfling, Hatter is dealing with his manic episodes, Sunny is dealing with trying to protect everyone, and Ollie is putting her pieces back together.

The story goes back and forth between Ollie’s and Sunny’s POV. You are totally immersed in this story. Ollie is struggling with deciding where she belongs. With her father, Hex, and the halflings or if she needs to go back to Fear University. The lesser evil, right? They are all faced with major decisions, they fight with themselves and their demons to do what is right.

The story is jam packed with…with everything. Action, love, and all around badassery. There are so many warring emotions that you can’t help but to feel like you are right in the middle.

The Fear University series is one of my favorites and the author did not disappoint with Monster Mine!

 

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Meg Collett lives deep in the hills of Tennessee where the cell phone service is a blessing and the Internet is a myth of epic proportions. She is the mother of one giant horse named Elle and three dogs named Wylla, Mandy, and Drax the Destroyer. Her husband is a saint for putting up with her ragtag life. Her paranormal romance series, End of Days, is currently available in its entirety. Fakers, a contemporary romance, is also available.

 

MC, Military, Part of a Series, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR #Review Grim, King’s Harlots 2.5 by JM Walker

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“An unexpected evil brings both the MC and Military world together in this brand new series by J.M. Walker”

He never thought he could be happy.

Vice-One had been what he needed most, until he met Genevieve Gold.

She can’t forget her past.

The walls she’d built are hard to break, even after falling in love with Angel Rodriguez.

They have been together for months, have tried to be happy but still can’t find that certain connection—the piece of them that should ignore the evils of life and focus on the love they have for each other.

 

Goodreads

 

What an intense and wild ride. Hot and steamy with all the drama we have come to love. This novella dives you right back in the middle of Jay’s and Angel’s relationship that has been quite the rollercoaster of twists and turns. In Grit these two fell in love quick and hard. They are both broken and have been independent for so long that they don’t know how to put the past in the past and move forward with their future. This is a quick read that gives you all the dirty details. You get a lot of background on Jay and can see how each one is tortured with this past. But most importantly you get to see how they start to come around to overcome this. There is a helluva surpise at the end that could change a lot for everyone. I have fallen in love with the King’s Harlots!

 

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iBooks

 

J.M. Walker is an Amazon bestselling author who loves all things books, pigs and lip gloss. She is happily married to the man who inspires all of her Heroes and continues to make her weak in the knees every single day.

 

“Above all, be the HEROINE of your own life…” ~ Nora Ephron

Release Blitz

#NewRelease “Girl On A Wire” By Bella Roccaforte

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Girl On A Wire

(Wounded Bird Series, Bk #2)

by Bella Roccaforte

 

Blurb:

When their love is lost, will they find hope along the way?

Wren had her brief moment of happiness with Maddox, but now he’s gone. Her heart has hardened and she’s shutting the whole world out. The only one that can break through the wall she’s built around her heart is Rhys, an artist from New York.

As she continues on her journey can she learn to trust again?

Maddox couldn’t take the pressure and now he’s living in his own personal hell without Wren. He’s going through the motions of life trying to move on from his one true love. Will he learn to live without her or step up to the plate and try to win her back?

Will Wren and Maddox’s paths cross again or will Maddox stay in the shadows so she can find happiness with Rhys?

Available to purchase at

            

Excerpt

 

 

Happiness. Can you be happy without love? I’ve been pretty happy. It’s been a year since my divorce was final and months since Maddox left. In that time I’ve felt joy, happiness, accomplishment, and I didn’t need love to feel any of that.

I can live the rest of my life like this. It’s not a huge challenge filling my physical needs. I just have to dodge the ones who think they can convince me that they are the one good man. The one that truly loves me, the one that’s different than all the rest. Call me bitchy if you must, but I have a hard time containing my laughter when they start in on that speech. It’s really just kinder when I get up, put my clothes on and leave.

I’ll be unapologetic and honest. Because at the end of every single thing in life, there is always one thing left—the truth.

 

Wounded Bird Series

SALE for ONLY 99 Cents

Girl On A Swing

(Wounded Bird Series, Bk #1)

 

         

 

About The Author

Bella’s motto has always been that you can choose to watch life pass you by or your can be the one spinning the world. You have to get out and live, life won’t come to you!

Bella has always seen things in the world with a different view and has been an avid story-teller. She is enjoying putting her crazy musings into print for others to enjoy.

To her, one of the most exciting parts of writing is getting a chance to interact with readers. It is truly her hope that readers will reach out and tell her what they like and even don’t like about her stories. She’s looking forward to a relationship with the readers to better write stories they will love.

To stay current on new releases please consider joining my mailing list.

You can also find Bella at

         

 

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#Promo – Mistakes of My Past by Emily James

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What do you do when your relationship destroys everything good in your life?

It’s simple, right? You escape – by any means necessary.

Amber knew that leaving Tommy was going to be hard and quite possibly deadly. After all, she has things that he will stop at nothing to get.

When Amber flees England to start fresh with her estranged father in Ohio she starts the process of rebuilding her life.

Will is recovering from his own disastrous relationship, which has left him mistrusting of high maintenance women. And when he meets Amber, she seems just that.

Getting off to a rocky start, Amber and Will soon realise they have more in common than they thought.

Can Amber ever really free herself from the mistakes of her past?

Or are they only ever one short step behind her?

The Mistakes of my Past is a stand-alone novel.

It is only recommended for readers aged over 18 due to dark, abusive and sexual themes.

 

 

 

 

Goodreads

 

Amazon US

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Coming of Age, Paranormal, YA

#Review – The Experiment of Professor Polgas by Sarah Brownlee

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The Experiment of Professor Polgas

 

If you were an animal, what would you be? This is the question Blaise, Ash and Dinah unexpectedly stumble upon during the summer holidays when they enter a strange internet café and a mysterious woman asks them to take an online test to discover their inner beast. They are happy to oblige. Online tests are always fun and this one comes with its own special perks.

But what they don’t realise is that not far away, in the heart of London, a mad professor is watching them. Professor Polgas is preparing something; something that will change them forever; something that will have them on the run for their very lives …

This fantasy novel from Sarah Brownlee is a thrill ride of twists and turns, ready to surprise at every corner and sure to delight both children and adults alike.

 

Goodreads

 

Great storytelling of how the Morphers came to be! You don’t have to read the other two novels in order to enjoy this one. Although this is aimed to a younger teenage audience it is nice to see how the Morphers came to be. This shows how the trio came upon the experiment with Professor Polgas. This is to find out what your inner beast is. The teens are then given an opportunity to participate in the experiment. When they make this decision to be a part of this they have no idea how this will impact not only their lives but everyone else as well. After the experiment there was no direction as the hall was sabotaged. They then find out that there are others that were part of the experiment that need help too. They go on this coming of age journey. They find themselves and their animal within. There is a balance for all things. The good and the bad. They have to choose where they stand and how they will protect that. This is a fun story that will get the other books a re-read so that I can enjoy the past with the present. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to many more.

 

Amazon

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Sarah Brownlee

Sarah Brownlee is a Young Adult and Children’s author based in London, England. Her debut novel ‘How the Wolf Lost Her Heart‘ is a YA Paranormal Romance set in a grim, futuristic London where thugs and criminals run the city. Its sequel, YA Fantasy Dystopian ‘How the Tiger Faced His Challenge‘ was released in October 2015 and centres around a city at the brink of civil war.

Sarah is a prolific freelance writer who has worked for a number of establishments internationally and at home. She has been featured on Konami UK, the Good Web Guide and in the ‘Phenomena’ magazine which is distributed in the UK, Canada and Russia among others. Her personal blog reaches an international audience, with hundreds of daily readers.

When Sarah is not writing, she can usually be found walking dogs or eating copious amounts of sashimi.