(Late) Release Day Blitz- The Secret by J.L. Beck & C. Hallman

Today we have a release blitz for THE SECRET by J. Beck & C. Hallman! Check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!

Title: THE Secret

Author: J. Beck & C. Hallman

Genre: Contemporary Romance

About The Secret:

Secrets… they can make or break you.   I would know. I’m hiding the biggest secret of all. My scars are so much more than skin deep. They consume me, control me.   Then I meet him, Clark Jefferson. Six foot two inches of greek god hotness, with a smile that’ll make your panties disappear. He wears a clear warning label: Heartbreaker, and if I was smart I would stay away from him.   With my past, my secrets nothing could ever come of being with a man like him. Still I cannot ignore the feelings he stirs inside me. He frightens me and excites me all at once. He makes me want to break free of the suffocating fear that claims my heart.   Our meeting isn’t fate though, he needs me as much as I need him, and so we strike a deal. He’ll be my fake boyfriend and I’ll help him get out of trouble with his dad.   But secrets can’t remain secrets forever and as I grow closer to Clark my feelings for him grow too. Soon the line between fake and real blurs and when the past I’ve been running from finally catches up with me I’ll have to confess to Clark the truth or let go of a love that was only ever supposed to be fake.   **This is book three in the North Woods University Series. It can be read as a complete standalone and contains NO cliffhanger, NO cheating, and a HEA. Please be advised this series contains material not suitable to all readers. This is NOT a YA series.**  

Grab your Copy Today:

AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | AMAZON CA | AMAZON AU

Exclusive Excerpt:

“Please don’t look at me like that…” I slur. “Please leave… just… leave me alone,” she pleads and my heart breaks at her words. That’s what my mom used to tell me. She asked me to leave her alone and I listened to her. Maybe if I hadn’t listened to her and listened to my gut instead she would still be here, alive. “I won’t leave you,” I tell her, shaking my head, determination coating my words. “But please don’t look at me like I’m going to hurt you. Please, don’t be scared of me.” “You’re dunk,” she points out and that wild look in her eyes overtakes her features now. She continues taking small steps backwards, retreating further into the room, further away from me. I want her close, in my arms, safe, secure. It’s the strangest, but truest emotion I’ve ever felt before. “Yes… I had something to drink, but that doesn’t change the fact that I would never hurt you. I can control myself,” I sigh and set the plate down on top of the dresser “You’re scaring me,” she admits, her voice small and shaky. I don’t know who hurt her, but in that moment I vowed to myself to find out. I will find out who did this to her and then I will make them pay. It’s obvious she was powerless, weak, but she’s not anymore. She has me now, and I’ll protect her, defend her till my last breath. I know this without even thinking. Holding my hands up, with my palms showing, I try to calm her like I would a scared animal. “You don’t have to be scared of me. Not ever,” I assured her. “I just want… I want you to feel safe. You don’t have to be scared here. I promise I’ll keep you safe. No one will hurt you, least of all me.”  

About J.L. Beck & C. Hallman:

J.L. Beck & C. Hallman are two ladies with a love for coffee, books, and the bad boys who live inside them.   They’re a dynamic duo who love writing all genres of romance, from erotica, to suspense. To date they’ve written ten books together and don’t plan to stop any time soon.   When they aren’t writing you can find them making jokes, discussing their next book, arguing over cover photos, and of course drinking more coffee.   They’re humble, and truly blessed to have found such amazing readers.

Connect with J.L. Beck:

Newsletter | Join Smut Queens | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram | Follow her on Amazon | Bookbub

Connect with C. Hallman:

Newsletter | Facebook Group | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram | Bookbub | Twitter

 

Review- Echoes of Scotland Street by Samantha Young

Summary-

Shannon MacLeod has always gone for the wrong type of man. After she drifted from one toxic relationship to the next, her last boyfriend gave her a wakeup call in the worst possible way. With her world shattered, she’s sworn off men—especially those of the bad-boy variety.

Cole Walker is exactly the sort that Shannon wants to avoid—gorgeous, tattooed, charming, and cocky. But his rough exterior hides a good man who’s ready to find “the one.” He’s determined to pull Shannon from her self-imposed solitude and win her heart.

As Shannon opens up in the face of Cole’s steady devotion, the passion between them ignites to blazing levels. But when Shannon’s past comes back to haunt her, her fears may destroy the trust Cole has built between them—and tear them apart for good…

Release date: October 7th 2014

Published by: NAL

Page numbers: 331

Review-

I have been following the On Dublin Street series by Samantha Young since the beginning. Cole Walker has easily been one of my most favorite characters in the series so I was really excited for Echoes of Scotland Street. I will say the book was good but it wasn't brilliant like some of its predecessors. 

Shannon has had a horrible past where relationships are concerned. She always goes for the wrong man. She's here for a new start in Edinburgh but what she doesn't expect is to come face to face with Cole Walker at her work place. I really didn't like Shannon. She was very judge mental in the beginning and I  didn't like her behavior towards Cole.

It did improve as the misunderstandings between them got cleared but I didn't love her like say Joss or Olivia. Cole works as a tattoo artist where Shannon has just got a job. I found Cole to be a really nice and genuine guy. He was still the sweet guy we'd met before, just the grown up version. But I did feel at the end Cole should have been more understanding of Shannon's situation.

The chemistry between Cole and Shannon is present from the moment they meet. Samantha Young has a certain charm while writing romance and it comes through in the book. The book goes from Shannon's point of view and I really wish we'd get the guy's pov too for a change. It would make understanding things much better. Also, I felt it was necessary here and I felt restricted reading only from Shannon's point of view.

We also get to meet the whole gang in this book. It was a  little weird looking at a 42 year old Braden from Shannon's point of view. I am not liking the huge time gaps in this series. We also get to meet Logan, Shannon's brother who looks like he'll be getting the next book. Echoes of Scotland Street was a good read, if not the best.

Blog Tour- Away in the Woods by Heather Mullins

Title: Away in the Woods

Author: Heather Mullins

Genre: Mystery, Crime

Cover Designer: Freya Barker

Editor: Eden Rose

Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR

Blurb: Angelo Baldoni wants nothing more than to enjoy the temporary distraction of small town life and win back the woman he loves.  But vicious wounds from his past will not be granted time to heal before the  shackles of violence clamp down once more. Women are being hunted for sport, their bodies strung up like trophies. Any evidence found at the crime scene leads only to more questions. Every clue proving to be yet another dead-end. Knowing Angelo’s background as a Homicide Detective, the local Sheriff seeks his help to catch the killer.

Will calling in Bobby and Nate, his trusted team, be enough to help Angelo solve the case before the body count rises? Or will his chance at happiness be left dangling in the breeze, as one of his own finds themselves caught in the killers noose?

Buy Links:

In Dreams / Renewed Faith / Deep Within / 

Chasing Liberty / Away in the Woods

Heather Mullins has always loved to read and has been writing poems and stories since childhood. She truly enjoys doing so much with other indie authors and fully supports this outstanding community. She uses her outgoing opinionated personality to help write and run multiple blogs.

Heather graduated in June 2017 with her Bachelors in Human services. She is now working on specializing in substance abuse counseling. She's an Air Force Veteran and is honored to have served her country.

Heather supports many different groups that help out other veterans.

She is a mother of 3 wonderfully crazy kids and has been married for 16 years. When she isn't playing taxi she is living vicariously through the lives of characters in any number of books.

Author Links:

Facebook / Twitter / Amazon / Goodreads / Instagram

Buy Links:

In Dreams / Renewed Faith / Deep Within / 

Chasing Liberty / Away in the Woods 

Chapter 1

UNKNOWN

I release her letting her think she has a chance. I don't even bother chasing her; she's running the wrong way. This forest has always been my safe haven and I know it like the back of my hand. It's only a matter of time before I’ll hear the sweet sound of agony echo among the trees.

It's all about the hunt and I'm out for blood.

Hours go by before I finally hear it - the pain of defeat. It took this bitch longer than I anticipated. She's a fighter ... my favorite. It's no fun when they just lie there. It’s starting to get dark but with a little pep in my step, I slowly head toward her cries. The fun is about to begin ... Well for me anyway.

The fear in her eyes as I walk up makes me smile knowing that horror is for me. She steps into one of my bear traps in just the right way that her ankle’s broken and her calf is sliced open causing blood to run down. The blood is creating a beautiful pool in the dirt. If I left, her here the wild animals would have a field day. Maybe next time.

Kneeling, I grab the whore by her hair. "Look at what you went and did, how are you going to run now, little girl?"

She spits in my face but doesn't answer the question. She’ll be taught it's not okay to be rude.

“Now, that’s not very nice.” Smacking the cunt across the face, she whimpers.

Unlocking the trap causes my prey to scream out. Lifting my catch over my shoulders, I carry her back to my hunting cabin.

“Someone please help me!” She screams loudly in my ear. Pulling out my hunting knife, I give her a quick shallow jab. The serrated edge barely cuts into her side, but it does the job, she shuts up.

“No one can hear you out here, we’re miles away from anyone, so yell all you want just not in my ear.”

Defeated my catch goes limp and sobs.

Darkness has fallen by the time I reach the cabin. I carry her inside, placing her clumsily on my cleaning table. There’s no need to tie her up yet; she’s not going anywhere. As I begin to prep the things that I will need to ensure everything goes smoothly, my phone beeps, I’ve got a pickup.

“Well, my dear, it looks like you may have a roommate.”   

Cover Reveal- We Were Forever by Brandi Aga

🔥🔥 Check out Brandi Aga’s hot cover! We Were Forever is releasing on August 27th! Preorder today!! 🔥🔥

BOOK BLURB

My marriage is healing, and my baby girl is growing like a weed. So why does it seem like all good things are coming to an end?

Prison changes a man--or maybe he was always this corrupt and I was just too blind to see the monster hidden beneath the chains.

He still wants me but he can't have me.

It's about time someone showed him you don't always get what you want, and I'm going to be the one to do it.

Designer: Jay Aheer, Simply Defined Art

Photography: Paul Jamnicky Photography

Model: Chris Fleming

Goodreads

PREORDER LINKS

Amazon US / Amazon UK / AmazonAU / Amazon CA

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brandi Aga is a stay at home mom of two boys and three cats. She spends her free time reading, writing, and online gaming with her husband of eleven years. Her love for books quickly escalated the need to tell her own stories. Dark, taboo, and dystopian romance are her favorites, but she reads a little bit of everything. Feel free to reach out and stalk her on all platforms to say hi and keep up with future new releases!

AUTHOR LINKS

Facebook / Instagram / Website / Newsletter

GIVEAWAY

Brandi will be giving away a $20 Amazon Gift Card and a signed paperback. Please head to her FB page to enter.

Waiting on Wednesday #287

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spines, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating. 

All the Bad Apples by Moira Fowley-Doyle

Publication Date: August 1st, 2019

Summary-

The day after the funeral all our mourning clothes hung out on the line like sleeping bats. 'This will be really embarrassing,' I kept saying to my family, 'when she shows up at the door in a week or two.'

When Deena's wild and mysterious sister Mandy disappears - presumed dead - her family are heartbroken. But Mandy has always been troubled. It's just another bad thing to happen to Deena's family. Only Deena refuses to believe it's true.

And then the letters start arriving. Letters from Mandy, claiming that their family's blighted history is not just bad luck or bad decisions - but a curse, handed down through the generations. Mandy has gone in search of the curse's roots, and now Deena must find her. What they find will heal their family's rotten past - or rip it apart forever.

What are you waiting on? :)

Cover Reveal- Kylest's Reign by Michelle Dare

Title: Kylest’s Reign

Author: Michelle Dare

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Cover Designer: Regina Wamba at Mae I Design

Publication Date: August 30^th, 2019

Hosted by: Lady Amber's Reviews & PR

Blurb:

As fae prince, Kylest, treated protecting his people as a sacred honor and duty. His sister’s unexplained disappearance dealt a blow to his heart and pride. He would leave no stone unturned in his search for her.

Raven, a common fae, never dreamed Prince Kylest would ask her to help find the princess. Turning him down never crossed her mind. For Raven, a chance to serve the royal family was a special privilege.

They searched high and low, spending every moment together. Kylest tried to stay focused, but somewhere along the way, Raven became more than just a friend. He wanted more. He wanted her to be his.

Fate worked in mysterious ways, even if it had terrible timing.

The princess was still missing. Chaos erupted. Enemies resurfaced. The only way Kylest and Raven would emerge unscathed was to admit love made them stronger together.

NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER!

Michelle Dare is a romance author. Her stories range from sweet to sinful and from new adult to fantasy. There aren’t enough hours in the day for her to write all of the story ideas in her head. When not writing or reading, she’s a wife and mom living in eastern Pennsylvania. One day she hopes to be writing from a beach where she will never have to see snow or be cold again.

Author Links:

Facebook / Facebook Reader Group / BookBub / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / 

Amazon / Website / Newsletter Sign-Up

Buy Links:

Wake’s Claim / Ford’s Fate / Kylest’s Reign

Review- The Hook Up by Kristen Callihan

Summary-

The rules: no kissing on the mouth, no staying the night, no telling anyone, and above all… No falling in love.

Anna Jones just wants to finish college and figure out her life. Falling for star quarterback Drew Baylor is certainly not on her to do list. Confident and charming, he lives in the limelight and is way too gorgeous for his own good. If only she could ignore his heated stares and stop thinking about doing hot and dirty things with him. Easy right?

Too bad he’s committed to making her break every rule…

Football has been good to Drew. It’s given him recognition, two National Championships, and the Heisman. But what he really craves is sexy yet prickly Anna Jones. Her cutting humor and blatant disregard for his fame turns him on like nothing else. But there’s one problem: she's shut him down. Completely.

That is until a chance encounter leads to the hottest sex of their lives, along with the possibility of something great. Unfortunately, Anna wants it to remain a hook up. Now it’s up to Drew to tempt her with more: more sex, more satisfaction, more time with him. Until she’s truly hooked. It's a good thing Drew knows all about winning.

All’s fair in love and football…Game on.

Release date: September 7th 2014

Published by: Kristen Callihan

Page numbers: 352

Review-

I am a fan of new adult so after reading several good reviews of The Hook Up by Kristen Callihan I really wanted to read it. I am glad I gave this book a chance.The Hook Up was a pleasant read. It had all the elements which make a good new adult novel. I won't say that there was anything especially new with this book which I've never read about before but still I enjoyed it.

Anna wants to finish college and figure out what she wants to do for the rest of her life. But its the first day of class and she clashes with Drew and a lot of things change. Anna was a hard character to like at first because she was riddled with insecurities. She was also a bit harsh with Drew and never showed her true feelings. But slowly and steadily she learns and by the end of the book you at least understand her.

Drew on the other hand is the star quarterback. He has everything going for him but still he feels empty with the same routine. That is until he meets Anna and then its like a part of him has woken up. Drew was an easy character to like. He pursues Anna with determination and wears his heart on his sleeve. I also found him to be very sweet and understanding.

If you are not a fan of insta lust this is not the book for you. Drew and Anna are pulled towards each other since the first moment their eyes meet. While Drew chases Anna, Anna tries her best to resist. The chemistry between them was undeniable. I also loved that we got to see different sides to Anna and Drew's personalities.

The book goes from dual pov so I loved that. I also loved all of Drew's team and Anna's friends. The Hook Up was a long novel for new adult but I liked the pace. The steamy scenes in The Hook Up were hotter than I expected.With a good amount of angst added in The Hook Up was an enjoyable new adult read.