Travels n Reads

BARNES & NOBLE

Shame by Rachel Van Dyken from Becca the Bibliophile on Vimeo.

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street
Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances.
When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and
plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.

She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir
Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing
journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com

Links:

Amazing journey with INDECENT PROPOSAL by Molly O’Keefe

October 6, 2014October 6, 2014 / travelsnreads / Leave a comment

INDECENT PROPOSAL by Molly O’Keefe

September 2014

Boys of Bishop, book #4

BOOK SUMMARY:

Perfect for readers of Susan Mallery and Rachel Gibson, Molly O’Keefe’s gritty and sensual tale of passion and politics features the brother of the heroine from the author’s beloved novel, Never Been Kissed. He’s a driven man who refuses to be distracted—until he meets a beautiful bartender who just may change his life.

With his chiseled jaw and his thick blond hair, Harrison Montgomery was born to lead. Four generations of Montgomery men have served the state of Georgia and now he’s next in line. Harrison, though, is driven to right wrongs: namely to clean up the political mess left by his father’s greed and corruption. But Harrison must first win his congressional bid, and nothing can get in his way—not even an angel who served him whiskey and gave him a shoulder to lean on and a body to love for a night. Problem is, she’s pregnant. Scandal is brewing and there is only one solution: marriage.

Damage control? Ryan Kaminski can’t believe that a cold, calculating political animal now inhabits the body of the emotionally vulnerable stranger who’d given her the most unforgettable night of her life. Really, she doesn’t want anything from Harrison, except to be left alone to have her baby in peace. But Ryan is broke, jobless, and essentially blackmailed by Harrison’s desperate family to accept this crazy marriage deal. For two years, she will have to act the role of caring, supportive wife. But what is Ryan supposed to do when she realizes that, deep in her heart, she’s falling in love.

INDECENT PROPOSAL BUY LINKS (book #4):

My Review

I love the Boys of Bishop series and couldn’t wait to read Indecent Proposal. Sex, politics, family and love…the makings of a story to remember. At first I just wasn’t sure if I was going to like the Harrison and Ryan match. It wasn’t very long before I was convinced it couldn’t be any other way. Both are strong characters but we get that glimpse of vulnerability that is irresistible.

Molly O’Keefe continues to deliver emotion-packed contemporaries that are filled with realistic characters that stay with you. If you haven’t picked up the Boys of Bishop, you’re missing out on strong characters that pull you into their lives and have you remembering them long after the last page.

BETWEEN THE SHEETS PURCHASE LINKS (book #3):

NEVER BEEN KISSED PURCHASE LINKS (book #2):

WILD CHILD PURCHASE LINKS (book #1)

Molly O’Keefe is the RITA Award winning author of over 25 books and novellas. She lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband, two kids and the largest heap of dirty laundry in North America.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website – Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Day – TYLER’S UNDOING by L. P. Dover

October 6, 2014October 6, 2014 / travelsnreads / Leave a comment

She was what he wanted … but she was also his undoing.

Through mutual understanding, Tyler’s secret affair with Gabriella Reynolds has come to an end. It’s a
decision that not only saves their friendship, but it’s one that will change
his life forever.

For the past couple of years, Tyler Rushing has been known as one of the UFC’s most memorable and sexy
heavyweight fighters. Now he has the chance to win the title and claim the fame
he so deserves. He has everything he could ever want until Kacey Andrews walks
through the door of his gym, wanting nothing to do with him. Keeping his eyes
off of her is a challenge; there’s an innocence about her that draws him to
her, and he’s not going to stop until he makes her his. Little does he know
that Kacey Andrews isn’t a stranger. She’s a part of his world; he just doesn’t
know it. It’s a secret she’s worked hard to keep hidden.

Kacey spent years trying to get away from the fighting world, away from the man who’s hated among the MMA elite
… her brother, Kyle Andrews. Unfortunately, she’s brought back into it when Tyler’s relentless battle for her heart wins her over, drawing her in. The only
problem is that secrets never stay buried forever. In the end, Tyler has a decision to make, and it’s one that can possibly destroy his and Kacey’s life …
forever.

GOODREADS

AMAZON ** B&N ** iTUNES ** KOBO ** SMASHWORDS ** AMAZON.UK ** AMAZON.AU ** AMAZON.CA

EXCERPT:

“I have one more question for you,” she murmured, leaning her head against the seat and biting her lip provocatively. Her skin tight green T-shirt hung so close to her skin I could see her nipples peeking through the fabric; I wanted to taste them, to roll my tongue around them and make them pucker more. I wanted to taste all of her.

“What’s the question?” I growled low, watching her tongue slide across her lips.

Slowly, she moved forward and stopped only an inch away from me, her mouth so achingly close. It killed me to keep my calm, to not pick her up, carry her into my house, throw her on my bed, and just fuck her like I’d been dying to do since the day I met her. I had never wanted someone so bad and not be able to have them.

“I’m ready for you, Tyler. Are you ready for me?”

Grasping the back of her neck, I brought her closer and gently nipped her bottom lip making her gasp. “You have no fucking idea.”

TRAILER:

A FIGHTER’S DESIRE – PART ONE

Two is always better than one.

What would you do if you were given the chance to spend the night with not one, but two fighters? Would you do it? Could you open yourself up to the pleasures they offered and do exactly what they said in order to pass on to the next round?

It was common knowledge that Ryley and Camden Jameson, well-known MMA fighters and identical twins, were just as aggressive and passionate in the bed as they were in the ring. The only problem was that if you didn’t pass their test on the first night, then you didn’t proceed to the next round. They loved a good fight, and that’s what they got when they met Ashleigh Warren.

Ashleigh knew what was going to happen when the twins approached her with a proposition, and needless to say, she knew exactly how to handle them … or so she thought. The rules had changed, and in order to get them both she had to first spend one night with each and last until they were done with her. It was a proposition she couldn’t refuse, but she knew it wouldn’t be easy to win. However, it was one that she was going to enjoy.

A FIGHTER’S DESIRE – PART TWO

When you’re told to stay away from someone or something it only drives the urge to go after it more. In this case, that was exactly what happened. For years, Gabriella Reynolds—younger sister of MMA’s Heavyweight Champion, Matt Reynolds—was warned by him to stay away from his fighter friends; she deserved better and they would only break her heart.

Did she listen? Yes, for a while, but temptation can only consume you so much until you fall into its trap. There’s a certain fighter she’s interested in, and it just so happens that he’s her brother’s best friend, the only one that is completely off limits to her. However, she’s not the only one fighting temptation. Tyler Rushing can’t deny his attraction to her, but he’s afraid she’ll want more and he can’t give that to her. When he finds out that’s not the case … everything changes.

Secrets can be dangerous, but they can also be thrilling and intense. Gabriella and Tyler have no choice but to keep their time together a secret … and it’s a secret that’ll stay with them forever.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZWE4MGE2ZWQzYTFlNmJhZTE5ZjI0OWMyMmY2YzAyOjc=/

USA Today Bestselling author, L.P. Dover, is a southern belle residing in North Carolina along with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she even began her literary journey she worked in Periodontics enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries. Not only does she love to write, but she loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes, white water rafting, and you can’t forget the passion for singing. Her two number one fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime and those songs usually consist of Christmas carols.

Aside from being a wife and mother, L.P. Dover has written over nine novels including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, and her standalone novel, Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read is romantic suspense and she also loves writing it. However, if she had to choose a setting to live in it would have to be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.

FACEBOOK – GOODREADS – WEBSITE – TWITTER – PINTEREST

Release hop – YOU TURN by Marion Croslydon

October 6, 2014October 3, 2014 / travelsnreads / 3 Comments

Happy Release to YOU TURN by Marion Croslydon!

You can find YOU TURN on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

I love to escape to different places while caught up in a good read. I’ve always thought Paris was the perfect place for lovers and so very romantic. Tell me one of your favorite romantic destinations for a chance at a $10.00 Amazon gift card. Giveaway open from October 6-October 12 for US only(this time around).

Marion is offering a Release Grand Prize! Visit her stop on the hop to enter to win (1) BOURJOIS PARIS Beauty Bag ($50 retail value, International), (1) Signed Copy of You Turn, and (1) $10 Amazon Gift Card

Don’t forget to stop by the other Release Hop stops and enter their giveaways too!!

Adult Contemporary Romance

Second Chances Series

Release: October 6, 2014

From the author of No Reverse, comes a life-changing journey to Paris and a chance to find l’amour again.

Eleanor Carrington knows how to love, and to love deeply. She also knows how it feels to have your heart torn to pieces. The blue-blooded daughter of a political heavyweight, she has never wanted for anything…

… Except the love of two very different men.

She was engaged to her second lover, Joshua McBride, only to find out he already had a wife and a child. After that ego-bashing experience, she flees to Paris to stay with her self-medicated mother. While keeping her mom from popping pills like gummy bears, Eleanor launches a new, no-strings-attached life plan: sleeping around and absolutely NO falling in love whatsoever. On her part at least, because her self-esteem could do with one or two Frenchmen going un peu crazy for her.

What she doesn’t need is for Grand Amour Number One to burst back into her life. What she doesn’t need is all-American Zachary Murdoch—or a more mature and sensitive version of him—to schmooze his way into her life again.

Now a club-owner in Paris, Zach is intrigued by the troubled woman who was once the sweet girl he had to give up. Offering a shoulder for her to cry on is what he owes her. Falling for her is what he has lost the right to.

But Paris is known as the City of Love for a reason…

Will he be her turn at love?

*** You Turn is a contemporary adult romance and part of the Second Chances series. However, Lenor’s story can be read as a stand-alone novel. There is no cliffhanger. ***

About the Author

Marion loves to share happy vibes, talk book crush, fictional boyfriends and sexual chemistry with like-minded people. And because she spends most of her days on her own deep inside her writing cave—and under the grey London sky—, you are welcome to come and say ‘hello’ from time to time. Just to make sure she doesn’t sink into insanity. Her friends, family and arch-enemies (there are quite a few) will be forever grateful for your help.

Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Promo Blitz – LM CREATIONS

October 6, 2014October 6, 2014 / travelsnreads / Leave a comment

The amazing Louisa of LM Creations is a designing goddess, appropriately named by her mass of clients who are in awe of her phenomenal designing skills and attention to detail.

Enjoy learning a little about Louisa. Check out six (which was crazy-hard for Louisa to limit herself) of her diverse cover designs and get a taste for this designers fabulous talents.

Be sure to enter her wonderful cover design giveaway too. You’re going to want to enter this one authors!

Website ~ Facebook

ABOUT L.M. CREATIONS:

L.M. Creations originated accidently from what was merely an avid book lover’s hobby. Louisa of LM Creations is a passionate artist and photographer who enjoys the simplicity of creating and reading. Specialising in portraiture and photography, she aims to bring author’s (the true artists) visions to life by creating unique and tailor-made designs, to ensure your book gets the recognition it deserves. She loves to throw in some quirky author SWAG too.

Six Fresh Designs of Louisa’s of LM Creations To Drool Over!

L.M. Creations Testimonials

‘Louisa @ LM Creations is a skilled cover artist and designer. Reaching out to her as an author, alien to the world of design, I was immediately reassured and felt confident in her talented hands. She has an amazing eye for detail, and walked me through every step of the design process, offering suggestions, ideas and always wanting the best for me and my book cover, A Perfect Moment. I will definitely be returning to Louisa @ LM Creations, for my design needs.’

~ Becca Lee, Author of A PERFECT MOMENT, A PERFECT LOVE

~*~

Covers sell. First impressions count. Give your book the best chance by having a professional cover done by a cover artist who has the skills and talent to transform the vision from your words and story into an artistic masterpiece that will help you not only sell more books, but stand out from the overcrowded marketplace.

There are a few things that can be a real pain in the butt for an author – one of them is finding a cover artist who has the talent, the vision and the understanding to translate a brief (the authors ideas) into a spectacular work of art.

And that’s where I got lucky. I met Louisa from LM Creations through a mutual friend whose covers were sensational and I wanted to give my books the same chance to be noticed by readers.

Louisa is an absolute pleasure to work with. She is talented, interprets an authors vision with ease, but even more so, she is lovely to work with, delivers over and above what is expected and goes the extra mile to make each cover special. I plan to work with Louisa on many more covers in future, because I know I’ll always get what I want. There is no bigger recommendation than going back to work with somebody again because you trust them with your baby. And I trust Louisa 100%.

I only have one small problem with Louisa’s work: how on earth can I keep the beautiful finished covers to myself before reveal day and sit on it without showing it off to the world?? I am so in love with the awesome cover for “No Regrets” that I’m going to have a hard time waiting to share it.

Louisa also did the cover for the Born To Ride Biker Collection and it was pot on, exactly portraying through images what the set was all about. They say a picture is worth a thousand words – Louisa has that nailed!

Thank you Louisa for the beautiful work you have done and I look forward to working with you on many more covers.

Best of luck for your future career,

Jani Kay’

~ Jani Kay, USA TODAY Bestselling Author of RYDER, TWO WORLDS COLLIDING, LOST IN FRANCE, NO REGRETS

~*~

It was Louisa’s passion for design that appealed most to me. I was in search of a professional cover artist who offered more than just technical expertise. Louisa immersed herself into my cover and offered the perfect blend of creative input and highly skilled talent. She is there for every question and concern and it is a privilege to be able to have her as my cover artist. My highest acclamation goes to Louisa from LM.Creations.

~ USA Today Best Selling Author, River Savage.

~*~

GIVEAWAY

L.M. Creations would like to giveaway a Full Jacket Cover Design Package & Free SWAG Design pack for free.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book trailer – TYLER’S UNDOING by L. P. Dover

October 4, 2014October 3, 2014 / travelsnreads / Leave a comment

Release Date Oct 6

She was what he wanted … but she was also his undoing.

Through mutual understanding, Tyler’s secret affair with Gabriella Reynolds has come to an end. It’s a decision that not only saves their friendship, but it’s one that will change his life forever.

For the past couple of years, Tyler Rushing has been known as one of the UFC’s most memorable and sexy heavyweight fighters. Now he has the chance to win the title and claim the fame he so deserves. He has everything he could ever want until Kacey Andrews walks through the door of his gym, wanting nothing to do with him. Keeping his eyes off of her is a challenge; there’s an innocence about her that draws him to her, and he’s not going to stop until he makes her his. Little does he know that Kacey Andrews isn’t a stranger. She’s a part of his world; he just doesn’t know it. It’s a secret she’s worked hard to keep hidden.

Kacey spent years trying to get away from the fighting world, away from the man who’s hated among the MMA elite … her brother, Kyle Andrews. Unfortunately, she’s brought back into it when Tyler’s relentless battle for her heart wins her over, drawing her in. The only problem is that secrets never stay buried forever. In the end, Tyler has a decision to make, and it’s one that can possibly destroy his and Kacey’s life … forever.

GOODREADS

TRAILER:

About the Author:

Not only does she love to write, but she loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes, white water rafting, and you can’t forget the passion for singing. Her two number one fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime and those songs usually consist of Christmas carols.

Facebook – Goodreads – Website – Twitter – Pinterest

Release – SEEDS OF INIQUITY by J.A. Redmerski

October 3, 2014October 1, 2014 / travelsnreads / Leave a comment

RELEASE

The first book in the series, KILLING SARAI, will be on sale for a limited time for $1.99 (Kindle and Nook) starting October 1^st.

Book #4

In the Company of Killers

Adult Crime/Suspense/Mystery

Released October 1, 2014

Victor Faust’s new Order is growing. Business is good as there is no rest for the wicked in an underground world of hardcore criminals and contract killing. Relationships among the operatives have changed little over the past year—but things are about to change now, and all six high-ranking members of the new Order will be blindsided by an unlikely enemy.

Loved ones whose only ties to Victor’s organization are their relationships with its members, are abducted. The price to get them back safely—the six must confess their deepest, darkest secret to this mysterious young woman named Nora, who is as deadly as she is beautiful, and who seems to know more about each of them than they know about each other. And although no one has any clue about who Nora really is, it becomes clear that she also isn’t who she appears to be.

So much more is at stake than secrets and the lives of innocent loved ones; with each member that Nora forces to confess, the truth about their dark pasts and their present objectives will cast suspicion, pit some against each other, and may tear others apart.

Before the game is over everyone will know who this woman is and why she is here, but the damage she will leave in her wake could be the beginning of the new Order’s destruction.

Whose dark secret will be the darkest of all? And can Victor’s Order survive any of them?

IMPORTANT NOTE: SEEDS OF INIQUITY is NOT a prequel about Fredrik Gustavsson as previously stated. It is a brand new present day book.

Amazon – B&N – Kobo

Exclusive Excerpt

Something inside of me snaps, and my eyes spring open wildly in my face. I scream out something I can’t even decipher and finally get my fingers between the chain and my throat. I pull it away with everything in me, spurred on by rage and vengeance and the will to live, until I overpower her and set my neck free, slamming her legs down against the floor.

She starts to crawl away on her hands and knees in the direction of my overturned chair. I leap to my feet, pulling Pearl from my boot before I’m fully upright, and I’m standing over her with the blade against her throat and the back of her hair in my fist, pulling her neck back as far as it’ll go without snapping.

“I’ll cut off more than your finger, bitch!”

She freezes; her hips and pelvis and legs pressed against the floor; the whites of her eyes visible to me as I stand over her from behind.

“Where is Dina?!” I yank on her scalp, pulling her neck back even farther; if she even flinches the wrong way the blade will break the skin and she knows it. “Fuck these games of yours! Tell me where you took her!”

“Come closer and I’ll tell you,” she says with difficulty, her voice strained.

Without even thinking about it I do, but I keep the blade against her throat as I sit down on her back.

“Try anything and I’ll kill you,” I growl, my lips next to her ear.

She doesn’t try to fight back, but I’m not feeling defeat from her. It’s something else. That confidence about her that I’ve grown to despise. Even though I’m the one sitting on top of her, the one with the knife pressed to her throat, I can’t help feel like she’s still the one in control.

“Where is she?” I whisper harshly against the side of her face.

“If you want Dina Gregory to live,” she says, still in a whisper too low for the audio to pick up, “then you and I need to have a talk about the specifics of the relationship you had with Javier Ruiz.”

It feels like an eternity that I sit on top of her, straddling her back, lost in some kind of stunned submission. I can’t find words. Or my heartbeat. And my mind is running away from me.

Then my knife hand begins to tremble and my breathing becomes unsteady.

I slide the knife away from her throat, push her head down forcibly against the tile with the other hand, shoving myself angrily to my feet and off of her. I don’t look at her when she gets up, struggling into a stand with her ankles bound. And I look only at the floor when she shuffles right past me, picking up her black heels along the way, and goes back over to her seat on the other side of the table.

I keep my back to her, unable to move; my eyes beginning to burn from the angry tears pushing their way to the surface. My knife is gripped within my hand firmly, resting down at my side. I feel like using it on myself.

“Shall we begin?” Nora says as calmly as ever, waiting for me at the table.

GIVEAWAY

The author is giving away (3) Signed Sets of the In the Company of Killers Series! If you would like to enter, please visit AToMR’s Facebook page.

About the Author

J.A. Redmerski, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas with her three children, two cats and a Maltese. She is a lover of television and books that push boundaries and is a huge fan of AMC’s The Walking Dead.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Fan tour – THE FIXED TRILOGY by Laurelin Paige

October 2, 2014October 1, 2014 / travelsnreads / Leave a comment

Get your fix – pick up the FIXED trilogy!!

Title: The Fixed Trilogy

Author: Laurelin Paige

Amazon

FIXED ON YOU (Book 1)
Stalking and restraining orders are a thing of Alayna Wither’s past. With her MBA newly in hand, she has her future figured out–move up at the nightclub she works at and stay away from any guy who might trigger her obsessive love disorder. A perfect plan. But what Alayna didn’t figure on is Hudson Pierce, the new owner of the nightclub. He’s smart, rich, and gorgeous–the kind of guy Alayna knows to stay away from if she wants to keep her past tendencies in check. Except, Hudson’s fixed his sights on her. He wants her in his bed and makes no secret of it. Avoiding him isn’t an option after he offers a business proposition she can’t turn down and she’s drawn further into his universe, unable to resist his gravitational pull. When she learns Hudson has a dark history of his own, she realizes too late that she’s fallen for the worst man she could possibly get involved with. Or maybe their less than ideal pasts give them an opportunity to heal each other and finally find the love their lives have been missing.

FOUND IN YOU (Book 2)
Alayna Withers has only had one kind of relationship: the kind that makes her obsessive and stalker-crazy. Now that Hudson Pierce has let her into his heart, she’s determined to break down the remaining walls between them so they can build a foundation that’s based on more than just amazing sex. Except Hudson’s not the only one with secrets.
With their pasts pulling them into a web of unfounded mistrust, Alayna turns to the one person who knows Hudson the best–Celia, the woman he almost married. Hoping for insight from someone who understands all sides of the story, Alayna forms a bond with Celia that goes too far–revealing things about Hudson that could end their love for good.
This is the first relationship where Alayna hasn’t spiraled out of control. And she might lose Hudson anyway…

FOREVER WITH YOU (Book 3)
Alayna Withers relationship with Hudson Pierce has tested both her and his ability to trust. They decide that the only way they can move forward together is with open doors and transparency. It won’t be easy for the scarred lovers, but they’re committed to each other more now than ever. Alayna, in particular, has grown through their trials, and has emerged more confident and faithful to the man she loves.
But while the pair is focused on the future, their past shows up again to threaten their fragile bond. Promises that were made are broken, and Alayna learns that Hudson still has very potent secrets–secrets that will tear them both apart. As much as she feels for him, her ability to forgive and forget is tested beyond her limits.
Even though she found the only man who could fix her, a forever with Hudson seems more and more out of reach.

About Laurelin:

Laurelin Paige is the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Fixed Trilogy. She’s a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Adam Levine. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn’t do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio.

You can connect with Laurelin on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LaurelinPaige or on twitter @laurelinpaige. You can also visit her website, www.laurelinpaige.com, to sign up for emails about new releases and a chance to win a $100 giftcard in a monthly drawing.

Facebook – Twitter – Website – Newsletter – Pinterest

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Day – THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR by Sarina Bown

October 2, 2014September 30, 2014 / travelsnreads / Leave a comment

I am so excited about this book–I love Sarina’s Ivy Years series, and this male/male romance was so gorgeous and beautifully told. Today, we have an interview with Sarina about the series, as well as a great giveaway! Be sure to check it out! 🙂

Blogs Taking Part in the Release Day Launch

Making it Happen

Kitty Kats Crazy About Books

Just Booked

mustreadbooksordie

V’s Reads

SnoopyDoo’s Book Reviews

Adventures in Writing

undercover book reviews

Love Between the Sheets

A Dream Within A Dream

Reading Addict

Naughty Book Eden

Mythical Books

The Phantom Paragrapher

Lita’s Book Blog

One Click Bliss

sue cover reveals & book promotiins

101 Ways to Make Love to a Spoon

Short and Sassy Book Blurbs

Kindle Crack Book Reviews

Cocktails and Books

The Adult Cover (and Everything in Between)

Sassy Lit Chic Reviews

Ms C’s Diversions

those naughty girls book club

I Heart YA Books

A Life Bound By Books

Southern Belle Book Blog

Broadway Girl Book Reviews

Books by Migs

Obsessed by Books

Hooked On Books Forever

Ramblings From This Chick

grownupfangirl

Born To Read

Nancy’s Romance Reads

Engaging Secrets Publishing

Crawling Over the Pages

Cruising Susan Book Reviews

Red Hot + Blue Reads

Inner Goddess

Confessions of a Y.A. and N.A. Book Addict

Nancy’s Romance Reads

Interview with Sarina:

Q&A for Sarina Bowen:

Q: Is Harkness College from the Ivy Years series based on Yale?

A: Heck yes! But it’s based on a Yale which has gone soft and fuzzy in my mind, in all the best ways. So I’ve fictionalized it to avoid the errors and inaccuracies that I’d be likely to make if I tried to get everything just right.

Q: So what parts of Harkness are the Yaliest?

A: The architecture! The turrets and gargoyles, the Harry Potteresque dining halls, the slate footpaths and the creaky oak doors. The iron gates. The courtyards. The window seats, where you perch while you wonder if you’ll find true love. (Or just do your homework.)

Q: Why did you decide to write a book about two guys this time?

A: In the first place, I didn’t really decide, so much as the idea for Graham’s struggle surgically implanted itself in my brain and would not let go. And when I pictured the two of them meeting up again in a locker room after five years of silence, I just got the chills. This became the book that I cheated on all my other books to write. (If my editors of other projects are reading this… sorry! I’ll get back to work now. Probably.)

Q. Why college hockey?

A. Because… duh! Hockey players are hot. And hockey is a fast-paced game where whining is categorically disallowed. Interestingly, fighting is not legal in college hockey, either. At the college level, it’s all about the game. I love that!

Q: How many Ivy Years books do you have planned?

A: Five, if you’re counting the novella. After Rikker and Graham’s book, Bella is going to need her own book. What, you haven’t met Bella yet? Just wait. She steals quite a few scenes in The Understatement of the Year. She is a kick-ass chick in much the same way as Corey, Scarlet and Katie. You’ll love her. You can read a bit more about all the titles on The Ivy Years page on my website.

Q: How did you come to write romance?

A: I’ve always loved novels—all kinds of novels. And my goal is to make the reader do three things when she’s reading my book: cry, laugh, and sigh. Romance is the best vehicle for that goal, and I’ve really enjoyed the ride.

The Understatement of the Year Synopsis:

What happened in high school stayed in high school. Until now.

Five years ago, Michael Graham betrayed the only person who ever really knew him. Since then, he’s made an art of hiding his sexual orientation from everyone. Including himself.

So it’s a shock when his past strolls right into the Harkness College locker room, sporting a bag of hockey gear and the same slow smile that had always rendered Graham defenseless. For Graham, there is only one possible reaction: total, debilitating panic. With one loose word, the team’s new left wing could destroy Graham’s life as he knows it.

John Rikker is stuck being the new guy. Again. And it’s worse than usual, because the media has latched onto the story of the only “out” player in Division One hockey. As the satellite trucks line the sidewalk outside the rink, his new teammates are not amused.

And one player in particular looks sick every time he enters the room.

Rikker didn’t exactly expect a warm welcome from Graham. But the guy won’t even meet his eyes. From the looks of it, his former… best friend / boyfriend / whatever isn’t doing so well. He drinks too much and can’t focus during practice.

Either the two loneliest guys on the team will self destruct from all the new pressures in their lives, or they can navigate the pain to find a way back to one another. To say that it won’t be easy is the Understatement of the Year.

Warning: unlike the other books in this series, this heartbreaking love story is about two guys. Contains sexual situations, dance music, snarky t-shirts and a poker-playing grandmother.

AMAZON | B&N | KOBO | iBOOKS

Previous books in the series:

#1 The Year We Fell Down (March 2014)

#2 The Year We Hid Away (June 2014)

#2.5 Blonde Date (July 2014)

Sarina Bowen Bio:

Sarina Bowen makes her home in the Green Mountains of Vermont, where she lives with her family, eight chickens and a large pile of skis and hockey equipment. She is a graduate of Yale University.

Email | Website | Twitter | Facebook

Enter Sarina’s release day giveaway!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal – DARE TO TOUCH by Carly Phillips

October 2, 2014October 2, 2014 / travelsnreads / Leave a comment

RELEASE DATE: January 13th, 2015

Olivia Dare, executive director of the Miami Thunder, and team travel director Dylan Rhodes share more
than just a passion for football. Their chemistry is explosive — their
feelings for each other intense. Yet Olivia has ended things for reasons he
still can’t fathom and she won’t explain.

Unwilling to let something special go so easily, Dylan has been pursuing Olivia ever since. When
the Pro-Bowl takes them to the tropical paradise of Hawaii, Dylan is determined
to make sure their time together isn’t all business. What happens in paradise
is life altering but once Olivia admits her deepest secret and fear, will Dylan
still want the forever he’s been pushing for?

ADD TO GOODREADS

PREORDER at iBooks

Please check www.carlyphillips.com for updates

EXCERPT

Ian glanced around the now empty room before speaking. “I realize I’m in no position to
judge relationships in the work place.”

Hell no, considering Ian had pursed his now-wife, Riley, brought her into the business,
and promoted her, Dylan thought.

As for Olivia … “There is no relationship.”

“But you want there to be one. And my sister isn’t cooperating. Am I right?”

When Dylan didn’t reply, Ian continued. “I saw you two in the hallway. At the party.”

Dylan blew out a long breath. “Not that I owe you an explanation but nothing happened.” He
ran a hand over his goatee, buying time.

“Bullshit. I saw the kiss.”

Dylan inclined his head. “Fine.”

He knew Ian was overprotective of his sisters. He even understood the man’s reasons. For
that reason alone, Dylan wouldn’t lose his temper now.

“Look, you’re my friend. More than that, I respect you as my boss. But whatever is or
isn’t going on with me and Olivia … that’s none of your business.”

Ian eyed him through his infamous narrowed gaze, assessing him, causing Dylan to
straighten his shoulders and meet his stare head on.

Ian cleared his throat. “My sister is tough on the outside but she’s … more fragile
inside,” he said, clearly considering his words carefully.

“Your point?” Dylan asked the other man.

“Don’t play with her head or her heart.”

Dylan inclined his head. Unknowingly, Ian had just reaffirmed that whatever kept
Olivia at arms length, it had nothing to do with business. If anything, she
felt too much or she wouldn’t have run.

“We good?” Ian asked.

“Always.”

“Then good luck in Hawaii,” Ian said, turned and walked out the door, leaving Dylan alone
to strategize his next step.

Dylan wasn’t the type to give up on something he wanted. He’d been too soft with Olivia,
giving her space, figuring she’d give in to chemistry eventually. Obviously
that wasn’t going to happen. He needed to take control and should have done it
sooner. Where better than the tropical paradise of Hawaii to make his
intentions crystal clear.

Yes they were going to Hawaii on business, but she was interested in enjoying the
island. They were staying in the same hotel and attending the same events. That
added up to opportunity and Dylan wasn’t above taking advantage if it meant
getting what he wanted. And he wanted Olivia.

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels that today’s readers identify with and enjoy. After a successful 15 year career with various New York publishing houses, Carly is making the leap to
Indie author, with the goal of giving her readers more books at a faster pace at a better price. Her Serendipity books will still finish up in
January/February 2014 via Berkley as planned. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.

When it comes to family, Ian Dare gives his all but in relationships he offers the bare minimum. Until one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor arouses his dominant and protective instincts. He will do anything to possess her … and does. But any future with Riley must include him dealing his half-brother who is a constant reminder of the pain he’d rather forget.

Riley Taylor believes herself immune to domineering men – until charismatic Ian Dare turns a simple kiss into an all out assault on her senses and she discovers she likes his brand of control in the bedroom. As their affair heats up, they soon realize they complete each other in ways neither imagined. But Riley’s past is closer than she cares to remember, and her struggles with Ian’s dominance might just cost her everything. (love story, contemporary romance, alpha heroes, beach reads, sports heroes, bad boys, billionaire)

B&N

Quarterback Alex Dare, had it all — an all-star football career and his choice of willing women — until a severe injury forces him into early retirement. Social worker Madison Evans grew up in foster homes and knows what it means to have-not. She isn’t impressed by Alex Dare’s wealth or charm. Not since she fell hard for him once before, only to discover she was just one of his too-easy conquests.

This time around Madison refuses to succumb to Alex so easily. But Alex wants Madison. And if there is one thing Alex does well, it’s to get what he wants. Can he convince Madison to take a risk and dare to love?

After ending a relationship to a cheating, domineering man, Isabelle Masters takes off in her leased Mercedes, only to be arrested for grand theft and hauled to a local police station. To her surprise, she is rescued by the most unlikely person possible, Gabriel Dare, a man she’s been attracted to for far too long. Gabe offers Isabelle freedom along with an invitation to Eden, an exclusive island resort where everything and anything is possible.

Although Gabe yearns to possess Isabelle, he knows all too well he must fight his primitive need to bind her to him, and instead help bring out the independent woman she yearns to become – or risk losing her for good.

A woman who needs to run her own life. A man who needs to exert control. Can she surrender to his erotic demands without losing her sense of self once more?

Decklan Dare knows about the unexpected loss of loved ones and for this reason, he values control in all areas of his life. Amanda Collins enjoys the freedom she finds in casual encounters without the emotional connection a relationship brings. They meet and their physical attraction is mutual but both experience feelings that could run deeper – if they drop their guard and let each other in. Decklan is first to trust, but when he discovers the secret Amanda’s been hiding, will he forgive? Or will he rebuild every wall before she has a chance to explain?