Monthly Archives: June 2016

Cover Reveal: Archangel’s Heart by Nalini Singh

If you know me at all as a reader, you know I absolutely adore Nalini Singh. She is one of my absolute favorite romance writers hands down. She is just an infinitely talented writer. To say I’m thrilled to be helping to unveil her cover for her upcoming book, Archangel’s Heart, is a small understatement. I AM JUMPING WITH JOY. And considering it’s such a gorgeous cover, well, it makes me even more excited. So without further ado, here is the cover for Archangel’s Heart!

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Archangel’s Heart is the 9th book in the Guild Hunter series

 

Archangel’s Heart releases November 1st!
Now Available for Pre-order HERE: http://bit.ly/28P4Qel
Add it to your TBR: http://bit.ly/GoodreadsArchangelsHeart

 

One of the most vicious archangels in the world has disappeared. No one knows if Lijuan is dead or has chosen to Sleep the long sleep of an immortal. But with her lands falling into chaos under a rising tide of vampiric bloodlust, a mysterious and ancient order of angels known as the Luminata calls the entire Cadre together to discuss the fate of her territory.

Accompanying her archangelic lover Raphael to the Luminata compound, guild hunter-turned-angel Elena senses that all is not as it seems. Secrets echo from within the stone walls of the compound, and the deeper Elena goes, the uglier the darkness. But neither Raphael nor Elena is ready for the brutal truths hidden within—truths that will change everything Elena thinks she knows about who she is…

Nothing will ever be the same again.

nalini Singh

Nalini Singh is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling, Guild Hunter, and Rock Kiss series. She lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing.

If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts and free short stories on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. The Rock Kiss books are all stand alone and can be read in any order.

STALK HER:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Billionaire’s Favorite Mistake by Jessica Clare

the billionaire's favorite mistake

fillionaire's favorite mistake now available

A hot one night stand between friends might spark true love in
The Billionaire’s Favorite Mistake by Jessica Clare!

NOW LIVE!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/260YeQ5
iBooks: http://apple.co/1UOkyr6
Nook: http://bit.ly/1S4rPyp
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1UirAnR

billionaire cover

Blurb

A hot one night stand between friends might spark true love in the latest Billionaires and Bridesmaids novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Billionaire Takes a Bride.

Greer has always been there for Asher, but she wishes she could break through her shyness and show how much she truly loves him. But after a steamy, mindless fling at Hunter and Gretchen’s engagement party, Greer finds herself tossed aside and forced to admit that you can’t love someone who doesn’t acknowledge you exist.

It’s a shame he got her pregnant.

After his fiancée betrayed him and tanked his business in one fell swoop, Asher has spent his time trying to rebuild his wealth and forget the past. But he doesn’t understand why Greer blew him off after their night together—until he catches a glimpse of her belly.

Now Asher is willing to do whatever it takes to convince Greer she belongs with him. And he’s very skilled at the art of persuasion.

the billinaires Favorite Mistake teaser

Excerpt

When the group started to disperse into partying again, he got out of his chair and moved toward Greer’s table, stalking her. He saw her heading off with one of the waitstaff and jogged to catch up. “Greer!”

She turned and her face paled at the sight of him. Her mouth firmed into an angry line of distaste, and then she picked up her skirts and continued to walk away.

Yeah, he was definitely on the shit list.

That didn’t deter him, though. Asher headed after her, following her into the house and catching up despite her efforts to hurry. “Hey, wait up. I think we need to talk.”

I have nothing to say to you, Asher.” She didn’t turn to look at him.

He reached out and clasped her arm, noting how warm her skin was, and how soft. And damn it all if he didn’t start to get another inappropriate boner. His body really needed to learn to calm the fuck down. “Just give me five minutes of your time, all right? Then I’ll leave you alone.”

She exchanged a look with the waitress, and then nodded at her. “I’ll be inside in a minute. Go ahead.” When the woman left, Greer sighed and turned back to him, smoothing a stray lock of hair back behind her ear. “What is it, Asher? I’m very busy tonight with the party.”

I can imagine. This is a terrific party. I should have known you were behind it.” He knew she’d done weddings for some top-notch clients in New York and always took her job extremely seriously. Of course she’d put on a spectacular party for her father. “Listen. I feel like the last time we saw each other, we . . . well, we fucked up.”

Her eyebrows went up.

Shit. That was apparently the wrong thing to say. “I mean, it was a fuckup, but not that fucking you was a mistake.” God, where was his suaveness when he needed it? Why was he all diarrhea of the mouth when it came to Greer? He could sweet talk anyone, but the moment he came close to her, he babbled like a schoolboy. “Not that I think we should have fucked, of course. We’re friends, and friends don’t sleep with each other. Not if they want to stay friends. And you’ve been avoiding me. We haven’t had our Mondays in the last few months.”

No, we haven’t.”

It doesn’t have to be Mondays, you know. It can be any other day. Or it doesn’t have to be lunch. It can be anytime you need it to be if your schedule is all screwed.” He frowned to himself. “I should probably stop saying the word screwed, shouldn’t I?”

Her arms crossed over her chest, pressing her dress tighter against her body. “Is this conversation going somewhere, Asher? Like I said, I’m very busy tonight.”

Greer’s tits looked magnificent in that dress, he realized. They’d been small, perfect handfuls the night they’d slept together and now they seemed . . . doubly abundant. “Did you get a boob job?”

Her eyes narrowed imperceptibly. “I need to go.”

Fuck, why did he say that? “Sorry. It’s none of my business. Listen.” He reached out and grabbed her elbow when she turned to leave, stopping her. “The reason why I wanted to talk to you tonight is because I was behaving like an ass that night. I was drunk and I wasn’t myself. I was just lost in misery and in booze, and if I’d been thinking straight, I would have never dragged you off to the gardens and slept with you.” And damn if that didn’t sound all wrong, too. “Not because you’re not attractive, Greer. You are.”

You’re not winning me over, Asher.” Her voice sounded hard. “Did you truly come to this party just to tell me that you find me repulsive and you wouldn’t have slept with me if you were sober?”

What? No, that’s not what I meant at all. You’re hot. I mean, hell, you look smoking hot in that dress tonight.” She was all lush curves, which was surprising given that his memories of her were of her daintiness. But her body had changed in the last couple of months. And something about that was bothering him. “I just . . . don’t think we should have done that. As friends.”

On that, I agree completely. May I go now?”

Why wasn’t she thawing toward him? He remembered Greer as all soft, shy smiles for him. They’d been friends, good friends. The cool, remote stranger in front of him . . . well, it reminded him of Stijn and the politely disinterested-because-you-are-dirt-to-me expression he wore at all times. “I just . . . you’re a good friend and I don’t want to lose you.”

We can’t change what happened, Asher.” She hadn’t thawed an inch. One of the waitstaff moved nearby with an enormous cake, and she delicately sidestepped on the path to allow them more room. As she did, the long hem of her skirt got caught in a nearby bush and pulled taut against her body, outlining a slightly rounded stomach.

Asher’s eyes widened as realization struck him. “Greer . . . are you pregnant?”

She bit her lip and averted her gaze.

Oh fuck. She was pregnant.“Is it . . . Is it mine?”

She looked back up again. Her eyes narrowed. She crooked her finger at him, indicating he should lean down. He did—

And she delivered a ringing slap to his face.

About the Author

jessica clare bio

Jessica Clare

This is a pen name for Jill Myles.

Jill Myles has been an incurable romantic since childhood. She reads all the ‘naughty parts’ of books first, looks for a dirty joke in just about everything, and thinks to this day that the Little House on the Prairie books should have been steamier.

After devouring hundreds of paperback romances, mythology books, and archaeological tomes, she decided to write a few books of her own – stories with a wild adventure, sharp banter, and lots of super-sexy situations. She prefers her heroes alpha and half-dressed, her heroines witty, and she loves nothing more than watching them overcome adversity to fall into bed together.

Website: http://jillmyles.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJessicaClare?directed_target_id=0
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_JessicaClare
Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/q4272wf

Review: The Billionaire’s Favorite Mistake by Jessica Clare

billionaire coverI’ve been curious about Greer and Asher’s story for awhile now, knowing how much Greer seemed to worship Asher in previous books. But he was…. well, not a great guy so I’ve been curious to see if Jessica Clare could redeem him for me. She does that and more!

Greer and Asher had a one night stand (if it can even be called that!) and it was less than wonderful for Greer. Asher was a horrible lover and well, a wham bam thank you ma’m “screw” is not what Greer wanted. And now, Greer is pregnant and it is most definitely Asher’s baby, but she does not want anything to do with him.

Asher misses Greer. They used to be great friends but suddenly Greer has cut him out of her life and he just doesn’t understand why. All will be revealed pretty quickly for Asher though and his world is about to be change dramatically. I have to hand it to him though, he seems a very happy camper hearing the news of what happened between them. He is ready to do anything he can to woo Greer back and show her that he is a changed man, a man madly in love with her.

When Asher sets his mind to something, he definitely works hard to achieve success! And that is exactly his goal in trying to win Greer’s love again. He acknowledges that he treated her like crud, to put it mildly, but he is not backing down from winning her back, even if Greer doesn’t quite know that is his end goal. Thus begins their seduction lessons, designed to make Asher a better lover. And woo boy, does it work!

I was really pleased to get to know Greer better in this story. In the previous Billionaires and Bridesmaids books, only one real defining feature of Greer stood out: she was in love with Asher. There is so much more to her character though and Jessica Clare does a great job in creating a fully alive woman. Greer is dealing with a lot on her plate, including a dad who barely cares she is around to plan his wedding, and three potential bridesmaids who are a bit clueless. She is a caring woman and takes her job seriously and wants to make this faux wedding she is planning for her father a success. I really identified with how much time and care Greer puts into her career.

Asher definitely began this book as a jerk, plain and simple. It was difficult to see why Greer carried such a torch for him. Oh but then, when his back was to the wall and he realized he was about to lose Greer and their baby for good, he steps up in a big way. He realizes that he has always counted on Greer being in his life, so when she suddenly isn’t, the loss he feels is immense. It starts him on his road to redemption and by the end of the book, I felt I could celebrate these two being in love finally. They were on the same page and of the same heart and mind, though it took some courage on both their parts to get there.

The Billionaire’s Favorite Mistake surprisingly stands alone really well, despite being the fourth book in a series. I think readers who like redemption stories will enjoy Asher’s fall from grace and subsequent trials to win back Greer. And for sure all readers are going to like Greer and root for her to find happiness, in whatever form that takes. She is a strong woman and I admired her grace, her vulnerability, and her keen mind, throughout the story.

Jessica Clare impresses me yet again. She’s got a magic touch for turning jerks into men you are happy to see settle down and find their home with the woman they love.

The Billionaire’s Favorite Mistake is available now!

Other reviews:

Smexy Books

Book Lovers for Life

The Good, the Bad and the Unread

Review: Undecided by Julianna Keyes

undecidedWhen Undecided was reviewed at Dear Author, it was an immediate one-click for me. Kaetrin’s review was fantastic (I highly recommend reading it!). I’m so glad I decided to purchase the book myself.

This is a new adult book that screams college reality to me. Now, don’t get me wrong. I love MANY of the new adult books I’ve read in the past year or so but Undecided just felt incredibly true to life for me. Nora’s struggles with money, with her academic success, with friends, and yes, with men, stands out as a hallmark of what makes a college experience for many young women. Oh yeah, and there is also talk of STI’s which is a hard subject to cover, but Julianna Keyes covers it so well. Nora is now a sophomore and during her first year of college, she went a bit wild. She wanted to shed her high school image of being boring and she definitely did that. But now she has regrets and is determined to get her future back on track, even if it means becoming “boring” again.

It’s summer now and Nora has to move out of the dorms. She needs a place to live immediately and answers an ad online. Unfortunately, when she goes to meet “Matthew”, she instead meets Kellan, one of the most popular guys on campus, who has a new lady in bed with him all the time. He’s also slept with Nora but does not remember it at all, which hurts Nora. It appears she is not as memorable as she had hoped to be her freshmen year. She also meets Kellan’s best friend, Crosbie. He is also a “man-whore” according to rumors around campus. She is attracted to him but has no plans to act on it.

Except, Crosbie is around ALL THE TIME as Kellan’s best friend. And the attraction is definitely mutual. But there’s that pesky secret that Kellan and Nora slept together. And even though it means nothing to Nora, she knows it would hurt Crosbie immensely.

This book totally pulled at my heartstrings. I loved Nora as a character. She reminded me of myself at times so I had empathy with how she struggled with correcting her past mistakes. Though Nora definitely burdened herself with her past, I thought it proved to be a good learning experience overall. No one gets through college without making some mistakes, Nora just happened to do a few huge ones in one year. Jeopardizing her scholarship was a big turning point for her, as it would be for any college student who has to find money to finance school.

Crosbie, like Nora, is definitely not who he first appears to be. He may be a track star, he may be the Robin to Kellan’s Batman, but he is looking for someone who sees him for who he is, all the pieces. He’s a magician, he’s a talented runner, he needs to study to make decent grades. He’s just a normal guy really but there is something special about him that Nora sees and responds to.

Nora’s friendship with her ex-best friend also plays an important role in the story. Nora places blame on Marcela even as Nora wants to not take on blame herself. It’s a situation she has to come to terms with. I respected how Nora had to tackle that issue head-on. It’s never easy mending a friendship, no matter how old we are.

Undecided has become my go-to book to recommend to people who want to try new adult. It’s a great mesh of sexy, burgeoning relationship, and real world messes and problems. It hits all the right notes for me as a reader (though I do hate the name Crosbie spelled with an “ie” at the end and not a y). Julianna Keyes has shown how far this category has come since its inception a few years ago. I am hopeful more authors will follow her lead and create characters and stories that resonate on a real-life level. I appreciate a good romance that takes me away from the real world, but even more, I love a romance that can do this AND more using the messy world around us.

I could not recommend Undecided highly enough. Go out and buy it and then, like me, I am sure you’re going to want to devour Julianna Keyes’ backlist.

Other reviews:

Fiction Vixen

Three Girls and a Book Obsession

Tessa Bailey’s Crossing the Line Series Blitz

Tessa Bailey is one of my favorite erotic romance writers so I am THRILLED to be participating in the Crossing the Line Series Blitz. If you haven’t read any of her books yet, well you are in for a treat (a sexy one!). The first book in the Crossing the Line series is currently only $0.99! That is a total steal for this series. So, go to your favorite ebook outlet and purchase! And without further ado, here is a sneak peek at the books in the series. I hope your computer doesn’t go up in flames.

I am thrilled to be celebrating NYT Bestselling author Tessa Bailey and her sexy, scintillating Crossing the Line series today! Book four, RAW REDEMPTION, comes out on June 20th, and to get ready for the final compelling conclusion to this beloved series, I am excited to share today details and steamy excerpts from each novel. 

Sit back, relax, and enjoy these four sexy snippets from the Crossing the Line novels! 

 

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Risking It All (Crossing the Line, #1)

About Risking It All:

She’s gone rogue. Seraphina Newsom isn’t looking for vengeance…she wants justice. Three years ago, Sera’s brother was ruthlessly gunned down by one of Brooklyn’s most dangerous mob kingpins. The investigation has stalled out, deemed “too dangerous” by the police commissioner. So to track down the evidence she needs to take down her brother’s killer, Sera turns in her hospital scrubs, joins the NYPD, and goes undercover. Unsanctioned. Alone.

He’ll live to keep her safe.

With his father behind bars, Bowen Driscol has reluctantly taken over his family’s sprawling South Brooklyn crime operation. New York’s finest have other plans. By threatening the safety of his sister, they “convince” Bowen to extricate a rogue cop who’s in over her head. But when he meets Sera and feels that deep, damning shiver of desire course through him, Bowen knows there’s only one way to keep her safe without blowing either of their covers…by claiming her as his own.

ON SALE NOW FOR 99¢!

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Excerpt from Risking It All:

“Listen to me, if I wanted to fuck you, I’d end anyone or anything who got in my way. Nothing would stop me. Not a locked door. Not some lowlife. Nothing.”

“If?” she repeated, embarrassment cooling her desire. “You don’t want to?”

His laughter was harsh. “Want to? Want to?” One of his hands loosened its grip to drop down and grasp the bulge in his pants. “I didn’t even know it was possible to ache this bad. It hurts to breathe, baby.”

The heat came rushing back in full force. “Then I don’t understand.”

“I can’t. We can’t.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “See, I’m wondering if keeping my hands off you will buy my way out of hell. God knows I’ll have experienced the worst hell has to offer already. You think he’ll make me go through it twice?”

The suffering in his voice lacerated her. There was so much more going on here than sexual frustration, although there was definitely a healthy dose of that. He seemed to think there would be consequences for getting physical with her. But that didn’t make any sense. Since when does a man who rules streets with fear care about consequences for anything? This man took what he wanted and damn the outcome. Right?

Without thinking, she took the hand he’d dropped and brushed a stray piece of hair off his forehead. His body went liquid, melting against her for long moments while she held her breath. “Aren’t there other ways to buy yourself out of hell?”

“Not for me.”

***

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Up In Smoke (Crossing the Line, #2)

About Up In Smoke:

Never start a fire you can’t control…

Connor Bannon is supposed to be dead. Dishonorably discharged from the Navy SEALs, he’s spent the last two years working as a street enforcer in Brooklyn for his cousin’s crime ring. Through a twist of fate, he’s now in Chicago, working undercover to bust criminals. But when a cute little arsonist joins the team-all combat boots, tiny jean shorts, and hot-pink hair-Connor’s notorious iron control slips.

Erin “she’s getting away” O’Dea knows two things. She hates authority. And… Nope, that’s it. When she’s forced to operate on the “right” side of the law, her fear of being confined and controlled blazes to the surface. The last thing she expects is a control freak like Connor to soothe her when she needs it most. Worse, something behind the sexy ex-soldier’s eyes ignites a dangerous inferno of desire. One that invites Erin to play with fire. And one that could get them both killed…

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Goodreads

 

Excerpt form Up In Smoke:

Connor broke away, allowing them both to suck in oxygen. “Stay. I’m sorry. Stay.” He bent his knees to bring them eye to eye. His spoke of torture, but he was trying to hide it. “Look at me. I can handle this. I want you here. Don’t leave.”

“I don’t know if I can handle it,” she whispered.

His heavy breaths ceased. “What do you mean?”

She drew out a lighter from her back pocket and ignited the flame. It cleared her head a little, allowing her to search for the right words. Words that wouldn’t sound crazy. “I like touching you. It makes me feel really…good. And there isn’t a whole lot that makes me feel good, you know?” Her throat closed up. “I wish you could touch me, too. I don’t think I can stay here knowing I’m hurting you by making myself feel good…and I don’t think I can stop touching you. It feels like a must.”

A flare of panic flashed across his face. “I shouldn’t have said what I did earlier. You just caught me off guard.” He massaged his forehead with four fingers. “Did I scare you? Is that why you’re really leaving?”

“No.” She shook her head. “No.”

“Okay. Jesus. Okay.” He was silent a moment, but gears were turning behind his eyes. “You need to touch me and I need you to stay. Let’s give each other what we need. All right?”

Why was this so damn confusing? She’d only met this man yesterday and they were already tangled up in her web of fucked-up issues. He should want to be clear of her, shouldn’t he? No one else had ever bothered with her this long before. “Why? Why do you need me to stay? I—”

“I won’t rest,” he growled. “I’ll think about you somewhere, scared like you were last night, and I’ll go fucking crazy.”

Her heart lurched, dislodging her pride. “I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time. If the only reason you want me here is to play nursemaid to the crazy girl, that’s not going to work for me.”

“You know there’s more to it. You know.” He visibly centered himself with a deep breath, appearing to debate with himself. “I’ve got my own skeletons, Erin. They don’t rattle so much when you’re around. Your touching me…it makes me hot. But it soothes elsewhere.”

She knew her expression was pathetically hopeful, but couldn’t find a single shit to give. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” he repeated. “I’m not going to lie, Erin. Yes, I want to sleep with you like hell. But only if it’s healthy. Would you trust me enough to go slow? A little at a time?”

Her pulse hammered out of control. “You touching me?”

Connor watched her closely. “When you’re ready. Not before. Never before.”

This is where she should climb down the fire escape and vamoose toward the street. A weight pressed down on her rib cage, making it difficult to draw a breath. It felt like the point of no return. But Connor’s eyes grounded her.

Safe. He’s safe.

“Okay, baby. Slow.”

His body drained of tension. “Thank you.” He leaned in and brushed their lips together, gently, reverently. “First, we talk.”

***

BoilingPoint_500

Boiling Point (Crossing the Line, #3)

 

About Boiling Point:

Falling for a con man is the most dangerous game of all…

Con artist Austin Shaw’s been in disguise so long he’s not sure where his fake identities end and he begins. Now that he’s been strong-armed into working for a specialized undercover unit working with the Chicago police—criminals with unique “skills”—the last thing he needs is to risk his iron control. Especially when it comes to a certain stunningly sexy hacker who tempts him with every look of disdain.

Polly Banks will never, ever trust a con man. On the trail of a ruthless crook who destroyed the only family she’s ever known, Polly is unnerved by the shadow who follows her every move. The one who makes her pulse pound and breath short with lust. Austin. He’s infuriating, enigmatic, and pure sex appeal, and she’s determined to resist him.

But an untrustworthy man of disguise can become anyone he wants…including a man that Polly must trust if she’s to escape their dangerous game alive.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Goodreads

 

Excerpt form Boiling Point:

“Drop the gun.” He issued the order through clenched teeth. “I find the idea of hurting you distasteful.”

She twisted her body, an attempt to regain control of the Beretta. “I can’t believe you don’t have the decency to put your dick away before charging at me.”

Call him sick, call him whatever you liked, he liked Polly talking about his dick in any capacity. Look at it. Want it. “I’m the furthest thing from decent.”

“No shit.” They were breathing heavily, inches from each other’s mouths. And hell if the swollen bastard between his thighs didn’t react favorably to having her close, even though she might have come there to murder him in cold blood. Pity, his cock didn’t deal in semantics.

“One last chance, Banks. Drop the gun or I’ll take it away from you.”

She pretended to think about it. “See, I’m not really in the mood to cry uncle.”

“Are you in the mood to cry Austin? Now that could be interesting.” She attempted to jerk the Beretta away again, giving him no choice but to dig his thumb into the pressure point on her wrist, releasing her grip automatically. “There now.” Keeping his attention trained on Polly, he placed the gun out of her reach on an overhead shelf. “That wasn’t so difficult, was—”

Her freed fist drilled him in the stomach. A grunt burst past his lips, but masculine pride kept him standing upright. Well, masculine pride and another fist flying in his direction, this time at his head. He shot a hand out to intercept the punch, using the grip to drag Polly off the sink and twist her arm behind her back.

“Aiming for this moneymaker face, sweet?” He clucked his tongue. “Now that’s just cruel.”

“Let me go,” she demanded, her voice vibrating with anger. Although he detected more embarrassment than anything else. He’d never seen her anything but confident. Ready for a challenge. It didn’t sit well that he’d scored her pride, so he let go of her arm. He had questions that needed answering, though, so as soon as he refastened his pants—not an easy feat when his cock still stood at attention—Austin pressed her body back against the sink, blocking both avenues of escape with his arms.

“How did you find my address? I’ve made it impossible.”

Some of her confidence returned in the form of a chin lift. Jesus, he would’ve liked to see that chin pointed toward the ceiling as she wailed for more tongue. “You should know by now that nothing is impossible for me.” Intelligence glimmered in her eyes. “I know you asked Derek to pay you by money order. I tracked the last several serial numbers to four different check-cashing places in the neighborhood.” Her shrug appeared grudging. “That was smart, not using the same place consistently. But I was able to pinpoint your general location down to a three-block radius, nonetheless. This building is the only one not run by a professional management company, and the most likely to rent without a proper credit check and accept cash deposits.”

It took an effort, but Austin managed to hide the chest-expanding awe she’d inspired. “And my apartment number? How did you manage to glean that information, my hot little sleuth?”

“I’m not your anything, Shaw.” She narrowed her gaze. “And your buzzer has the name I.M. TheTits on it.”

 ***

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Raw Redemption (Crossing the Line, #4)

About Raw Redemption:

Loving her might cost him everything…

Disgraced cop Henrik Vance is having a shit year. Banished to a derelict undercover squad, he’s been tasked with hunting down the daughter of Chicago’s most dangerous criminal. His obsession with saving the beautiful girl destroyed his career. And this time, it might cost his life.

Ailish O’Kelly doesn’t need a hero. She’ll save herself from her father’s violent criminal dynasty, thank you very much. Unfortunately, the sexy as sin cop who crashes her hideout isn’t hearing reason—especially not after the kiss that becomes much more.

His boss wants her as an informant. Ailish wants Henrik to keep whispering filthy things against her skin. But she knows too well the evil they’re up against, and when it comes down to protecting the man who owns her body and soul, she only has one choice…

PRE-ORDER NOW!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Goodreads

Raw Redemption (2) #DONE #1

Excerpt from Raw Redemption:

Henrik’s sigh blew her hair back like a stiff gust of wind. “While I’m with you, Ailish, I’m working. There are lines I can’t cross.”

Even knowing it was a little evil, nothing could suppress the pop of excitement in her belly. She was alone with a man—a gorgeous man—who wanted her. But had to keep his hands off. It was a tease’s paradise, and they were both screwed. Or not screwed, depending on your point of view.  “We can’t sleep together.”

“No.” He dropped his needful gaze to her breasts again. “We can’t.”

She executed her best nonchalant shoulder shrug. “Oh.”

“You’re smiling again.”

Ailish couldn’t stifle her chuckle. Man oh man, she really liked this big ol’ man, and they’d only just met. He deserved a fair warning about what he was getting himself into. “Henrik, you should probably put as much distance between you and me as possible. I really like that you want me. And I probably won’t be able to help trying to keep it that way.” She drew a lazy circle on his abdomen with her index finger, watching in awe as the ridged muscle shuddered under her touch. “For instance, I’d love to tell you I’m wearing cheap white panties and you can see clear through them in the right light.”

His body did this kind of heave, right at Ailish, flattening her backside against the sink. Their mouths were suddenly so close, she could feel his hot puffs of breath on her lips, feel his chest lifting and falling where it met her breasts. “I don’t like hearing that you’ve talked to other men that way.”

“I haven’t,” she whispered. “I don’t. I usually just—”

“I do not want to know.”

Henrik made a subtle move, just a downward roll of his hips that dragged his erection over the crotch of her leggings. But it wasn’t really subtle at all because he stopped right over her clit and nudged forward. She nearly jumped out of her skin, it was so unexpected, her body’s deluge of need so extreme. “H’oh boy.

His mouth sifted through the hair covering her ear. “Tease me as much as you want. Just don’t try to send me packing again. Are we clear?”

“I told you I don’t like being ordered around.”

He rasped the stubble of his jaw against her neck. “You’d love the way I do it.”

***

 

Review: Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt

dukeofsinI fully admit, I was prepared not to like Duke of Sin. Despite my love of Elizabeth Hoyt’s books, I did not understand his appeal at all in Sweetest Scoundrel. I found him rather despicable and just kind of odd. And well, the odd thing still holds true. Valentine Napier, the Duke of Montgomery, is one of the more different heroes Elizabeth Hoyt has created. He is just rather brazen in his likes, dislikes, wants and pleasures. Nothing will stop him from getting what he wants and he knows it.

When Val becomes intrigued by his housekeeper, Bridget Crumb, he does not expect that fascination to last or for it to go anywhere. She seems too rigid for his… amorous ideas and well, Val is all about pleasure.

Val is just really different. He is not a hero type I normally prefer reading about. He is almost dandy like in his obsession with color and fashion, in his fastidiousness and judgments about people. I tend to prefer really stereotypical romance heroes: manly men. But color me really intrigued when Hoyt showed me how much I would enjoy this romance. From the moment Bridget and Val are on page together, there is an immediate ferocity in their exchanges. Even when Bridget is initially wary about being too outspoken with Val, there is still a very vibrant chemistry between them. Val’s sly humor, which I found off-putting in the previous book, worked a lot better here. Elizabeth Hoyt does a fantastic job of exploring what makes Val tick, from his awful upbringing, to his important relationship with Eve, his sister. It was really good to see the man behind the mask as it were.

I also really liked Bridget. I was incredibly impressed at her efficiency in running the household of the Duke of Montgomery. I haven’t read a lot of historicals featuring housekeepers as the leading lady so it was refreshing and just really interesting watching her manage the house. She was well respected by the staff, that was very clear, but she was not afraid to step in and take of issues herself. I liked the inside look at her role in the household. It was very Downton Abbey-esque!

Val went through some truly terrible things growing up so it’s not surprising that he has a different way of looking at life. Bridget is the bastard daughter of a member of the aristocracy and that has influenced her entire life. I liked the scenes between Bridget and her mother and seeing that Bridget was far from a “mistake”.

As usual, the sex is HOT. Elizabeth Hoyt never shies away from writing scorching love scenes and this book is no different. Bridget and Val definitely set the sheets on fire (cliche, I know, but true) but they also just work together as a couple, as incongruous as they seem at first.

I clearly should never doubt Elizabeth Hoyt and her writing skills again. Shame on me! Fortunately my reward was a great story and another fabulous installment in the Maiden Lane series.

Duke of Sin is available to purchase now.

ARC provided by publisher, via Netgalley, for review.

Other reviews:

Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

Fiction Vixen

Smexy Books