Monday 8 December 2014

Excerpt Reveal: Ripped by Katy Evans


Sneak Peek Excerpt
The big dose of reality hits me when I wake up and he is sprawled, in all his muscular glory, across my hotel bed. It takes a second for me to remember that I, uh . . . I let Mackenna stay over?
I groan and slap my palm against my forehead. Fuck. Why why why does he weaken my willpower? The mattress squeaks as he shifts in bed, one arm reaching out as he groans in his sleep and seems to search for me. I roll away quickly and watch his hand settle on a pillow.
Mackenna,” I say, toeing his side with my foot. “Mackenna!” I hiss.
He rolls around and sits up, and thank god the covers are halfway around his waist, because if I see one more inch of bare flesh I might explode from the heat spreading through me. I feel myself blush even deeper when his muscles bulge as he pushes himself up with his arms. His eyes adorably heavy, he blinks to adjust to the light, his mouth as perfect and generous as it was yesterday. And then he looks at me. That gaze is softer silver in the morning, not as sharp or as intimidating, almost . . . intimate when he sees me. Glimmering playfully.
And too late, I realize why he’s fucking grinning. My T-shirt got caught on the waistband of my panties. And he’s taking me in, in one quick sweep. “Well, fuck, someone woke hungry this morning,” he says, his voice bedroom sleepy as he looks at me, and I grab the pillow to cover myself.
I’m not hungry,” I say.
I was talking about me. Come over here.”
No, Mackenna! Come on. Get out of my room already. I told you to leave!”
He grins and gets up, and I toss the pillow and flush as I pull down my T-shirt while he heads to the bathroom. It only takes him a minute to come out. Not enough to comb all my fingers through the tangles in my hair. If I were into that and cared what the asshole thought. Which I don’t.
His eyes run up the length of my legs, continue from the hem of my T-shirt to my neck, then land on my head. “Leave your hair, it looks all right,” he says huskily, stopping to loom before me.
Heat flows through my body as he looks down at me with blatant need. What is wrong with him? With us?
Nothing’s wrong,” he murmurs.
I said that out loud?” I groan.
You’ve been . . . vocal, all night. I like it.”
God. I dreamed. I dreamed . . . I’m not even sure what. I dreamed about the closet again. I dreamed we were in bed. I dreamed he tried to kiss me, and when I turned away, he set a thousand shivery kisses up and down my neck.
The memory makes me flush cherry red. Did that happen during the night? By the intimate way he looks at me, I think he wanted inside me real bad. I didn’t let him, thank god. He fingers the collar of my tee, then watches me as he slowly drags his finger up my neck, his thumb caressing my bottom and top lip. Even though his hold is loose and he’s not physically holding me down, I feel trapped. His gaze alone holds me motionless.
He used to look at me with this same proprietary gleam when he was my boyfriend. My secret boyfriend, who nobody knew about . . . except me. I guess, in the end, my mom knew.
But while the secret lasted, we hid in the janitor’s closet in school and made out until I could hardly walk, my legs unsteady as I headed for class with his taste in my mouth, the scent of his soap clinging to my clothes.
I’m fighting the urge to smell his neck now. It’s a war to just stand here motionless, tracing every inch of his masculine face with my eyes when I want my fingers to do the same. The years become nothing.
The hum between us is just like in the old days, when I was the center of his galaxy. When the girls in school would stare longingly at him when he walked past my locker, having eyes only for me. Sometimes, when the halls were vacant enough, he quickly leaned over me and kissed the back of my ear and every part of my body, from my toes up to the back of my ear. I’d grow hot, and the place between my legs would start pulsing.
Too easily I remember coming home and squealing.
Me—squealing.
I would play love songs, only to replay the words he said to me and the ways he touched me. I would shower, eat, and sleep Mackenna Jones. . . .
But deep down, my mother’s bitterness and my father’s infidelity poisoned me. I kept all these feelings to myself—kept them from my mother so she wouldn’t take Mackenna from me. But because I didn’t want to lose him, because I feared it wasn’t real, I also kept my feelings from him, and now I’m used to saying nothing. Keeping it bottled up.
Why do I feel like I’m about to burst now?
Don’t, Kenna,” I say when he uses his thumb to open my lips. He stands dangerously close—his height, his breadth, his size, his do-me-now-woman sex appeal intimidating the hell out of me.
He grins wickedly and strokes a hand over my hip.
Why not?”
Because it’s not going to happen,” I say breathlessly.
Yeah, it will.” His smirk says, It definitely will.
He pats my butt slowly, and the familiar way he brushes his lips over mine brings my temper to a boil. Who does he think he is? Does he think because we made out by mistake he gets to play my boyfriend? When I growl and slap his hand away, he chuckles and heads back to the bathroom.
Soon I hear the shower, the sound of the water slapping his delicious man-flesh. Then I hear him hum a tune, a tune I’ve never heard before. My chest moves when I remember he used to do that when we were teens. God, no, stop thinking of those moments. It hurts. Truly it does. Think of the bad ones. When he left. When he left me on my own after making me need him and believe I couldn’t live without him.
Refusing to get all sappy with memories, I grab my phone and think of Melanie.
She’s probably at the office, missing the delightfully bitter morning company that is me.
I quickly text, I kissed him
Every second I wait for her answer, I feel worse and worse, not only about the closet incident but also about falling asleep with him around. When I woke up, the bastard was almost spooning me.
Melanie: What?
Me: I kissed the bastard! He spent the night. Oh god!!!!! This is suicide!
Melanie: Why? Was he into it? You know what they say about where there was once fire . . .
Me: He was into the kissing, into using me for his selfish reasons and I was selfish too.
Melanie: So what’s the problem?
Me: The problem is he’s going to think he WON!
And he will. He really, really will, because he’s so full of himself I’m surprised he fits inside this building.



  
RELEASE DATE: December 9th


A ripped rock star with attitude. An ex-girlfriend with a reckless plan.
Pandora assumed getting her heartbroken by her bad boy ex could only happen once--until Mackenna Jones comes back to town for the biggest concert of his career. They say girls are getting pregnant just thinking about the Crack Bikini tour and it's destined to be a huge hit.
Oh, it'll be a hit alright--when Pandora comes out swinging. She and her friend Melanie are determined to humiliate him onstage. But when they're caught by security and her ex is summoned, Mackenna decides not to press charges if she'll join him on tour and follow certain conditions--rules designed to give him the upper hand and keep her in close contact with him once again. Soon, the passion they once shared is reignited, and no matter how much Pandora wants to hate him, her hard exterior starts to crack.
And worse: Mackenna knows it, too. But he hasn't uncovered all her secrets...


 

Series Reading Order

Real (bk 1)

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1zT7J31

Mine (bk 2)

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1zmq1cT

Remy (bk 3)

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1ynVnBv

Rogue (bk 4)

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1wvpqI6

Ripped (bk 5) 12/9

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/11X9CAG


 
Hey! I’m Katy Evans and I love family, books, life, and love. I’m married with two children and three dogs and spend my time baking, walking, writing, reading, and taking care of my family. Thank you for spending your time with me and picking up my story. I hope you had an amazing time with it, like I did. If you’d like to know more about books in progress, look me up on the Internet, I’d love to hear from you!





Email: authorkatyevans@gmail.com


Blog Stop & Excerpt: Loving You is Easy by Wendy S. Marcus




Loving You is Easy  
By: Wendy S. Marcus
Releasing December 9th, 2014
Loveswept 


 
She’s a survivor of the front lines of politics. He’s a wounded soldier returning home from the battlefield. Can they place their trust in the power of love?
Nobody plays the role of perfect politician’s daughter better than quiet, respectable math teacher Brooke Ellstein. But she won’t be caught swimming with the sharks again, not after the son of a wealthy donor sinks his teeth into her and gets away with it. Still, political connections have their perks, such as heading up the governor’s “Support Our Troops” pen-pal initiative—and getting first dibs on the smoking-hot sergeant whose picture shakes her right down to her goody-two-shoes.
When corresponding with sweet, classy Brooke, Shane Develen instinctively hides his commando tattoos and blue-collar roots—and he can tell that she’s hiding something, too. But Shane knows he’s gained her trust when Brooke gives him a blisteringly sexy photo. Then he’s injured in an ambush and a fellow soldier posts the snapshot online. Overnight, Brooke’s reputation turns to ashes. Even though he’s totally wrong for her, Shane shows up on Brooke’s doorstep, determined to set things right—and discovers that right or wrong has nothing on the chemistry they share.

 
She could easily love this man if he’d let her. “Then what are you waiting for?” Brooke rose up on her toes, clasped her fingers behind his neck, and lifted her chin.
He dipped his head, moving his hands to her low back, pulling her close. “You’re even prettier in person,” he said a fraction of a second before his lips met hers. Soft and warm. Gentle.
One large hand slid up under her sweater to her bare back, the other slid lower, almost to her butt, both holding her tightly, pressing her against him from chest to thighs. “You’re so soft.” He kissed her again, harder. “Feel so good, smell so good.” His tongue pressed for entry and she let him in, reveled in the delectable taste of him combined with the specialness of this moment. But as his kiss grew more passionate, the politician’s daughter in her remained cognizant of the fact they were in a public place acting most inappropriately.
She turned her head to the side, breaking contact. “We can’t.” As she’d suspected a bunch of travelers had stopped to watch them.
“I’m sorry.” Yet he didn’t take his hands off of her. “I guess I got a little carried away.”
“Maybe we should stop hugging now.”
“I don’t want to.”
Neither did she. But, “For sure we’ve exceeded the acceptable limit of time allotted for friend hugging. Wouldn’t want to stray into the girlfriend-boyfriend zone, now would we?”
Apparently not because no sooner had the words left her mouth he dropped his arms and stepped back. “You’re not going to give me a break on that, are you?”
“Nope.” Not until he admitted his feelings for her and agreed not to see other women. He fought for their country; Brooke would fight for him. She already considered him her boyfriend and had stopped allowing her mother to set her up on dates, politically motivated or otherwise. She wanted Shane—wanted to explore where a relationship between them might lead.
“Come on.” He picked up his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. “I need to get my duffle.” He held out his hand, palm up, his eyebrows raised in question. “Can friends hold hands?”
They probably shouldn’t, but, “Sure. Since today’s a special circumstance.”
He smiled and took her hand into his, and they walked to baggage claim. “So what are your plans for the rest of the evening?” he asked casually.
“I was thinking maybe we could get some dinner, if you’re hungry.”
“Sounds good. Wait here.” He pushed through the throng of people and hoisted a large green duffle off of the conveyor belt like it was a down pillow with handles. When he got back he asked, “Would you mind if we made it takeout in my hotel room?”
“I thought you were heading home tonight.”
He shook his head. “Nah. I knew I’d be beat after the trip and wanted a night to myself to decompress before taking on my family and friends. Stop looking at me like that. I had no idea you’d be here so you can’t accuse me of ulterior motives.”
Okay, she’d give him that.
“But let’s not let this opportunity go to waste.” He leaned in close. “Since I just happen to have a hotel room and you just happen to be here, what do you say we . . . ?” he wiggled his eyebrows and grinned suggestively.

FOLLOW THE TOUR: HERE



 
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Wendy S. Marcus is an award-winning author of contemporary romance. A nurse by trade, Wendy holds a Master of Science in Health Care Administration, a degree that does her absolutely no good as she now spends her days, nights, and weekends mucking around in her characters’ lives creating conflict, emotion, and, of course, a happily ever after. Wendy lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of New York. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her dog Buddy, and blogging/e-mailing/tweeting/facebooking with her online friends.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads



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Release Day: Breaking the Rules by Katie McGarry

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We are so excited to bring you the Release Day launch for Katie McGarry's BREAKING THE RULES! BREAKING THE RULES is a Young Adult contemporary romance published by Harlequin Teen, and is the follow-up book to Katie's PUSHING THE LIMITS. You do not want to miss Noah and Echo's story! Grab it today!



Breaking the Rules Cover

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BREAKING THE RULES
A summer road trip changes everything in this unforgettable new tale from acclaimed author Katie McGarry.

For new high school graduate Echo Emerson, a summer road trip out west with her boyfriend means getting away and forgetting what makes her so . . . different. It means seeing cool sights while selling her art at galleries along the way. And most of all, it means almost three months alone with Noah Hutchins, the hot, smart, soul-battered guy who's never judged her. Echo and Noah share everything--except the one thing Echo's just not ready for.

But when the source of Echo's constant nightmares comes back into her life, she has to make some tough decisions about what she really wants--even as foster kid Noah's search for his last remaining relatives forces them both to confront some serious truths about life, love, and themselves.

Now, with one week left before college orientation, jobs and real life, Echo must decide if Noah's more than the bad-boy fling everyone warned her he'd be. And the last leg of an amazing road trip will turn . . . seriously epic.

BTR Teaser 1



From Echo’s POV
There’s nothing like the rush of being chased by the great Noah Hutchins…
I hold my breath and strain to listen past the late-day birds singing in the branches above. The fine hair on the back of my neck rises as if Noah has appeared behind me and deliciously blown over my skin. I close my eyes. He’s so near I can imagine his body wrapped around mine.
Noah is wily and good at seeking, but I’m crafty and better at hiding. I edge to the side again and in painfully slow movements look behind me and…
“Gotcha.”
I scream. Loudly. My heart ramming through my chest. Birds’ wings beat together as dozens of them take to the sky. The moment I spot the laughter in Noah’s chocolate-brown eyes, my scream quickly morphs into a fit of giggles. He reaches for me, but I stumble back from the solid arm attempting to sneak around my back.
“You’re not getting away this time.” Noah’s deep voice vibrates down to my soul.
Noah’s arm slides one way and in a maneuver so slick it seems choreographed, I slip to the side, once again barely dodging his grasp.
“You’re too slow,” I taunt as I gain traction and sprint for the field of untamed wildflowers. The white-and-yellow daisies brush against my legs as I push forward. My skirt swishes against my thighs, and I love how the smooth material grazes my skin. Clean air fills my lungs, and my blood beats manically in my veins. Never in my life have I felt so alive. So high that I’m soaring.
“I’m letting you win,” he calls out.

And don’t forget to read the first books in the Pushing the Limits Series…


BRT Teaser 2




Katie McGarry Author PhotoAbout Katie McGarry:

Katie McGarry was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie is the author of full length YA novels, PUSHING THE LIMITS, DARE YOU TO, CRASH INTO YOU, TAKE ME ON,  BREAKING THE RULES, and NOWHERE BUT HERE and the e-novellas, CROSSING THE LINE and RED AT NIGHT. Her debut YA novel, PUSHING THE LIMITS was a 2012 Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction, a RT Magazine's 2012 Reviewer's Choice Awards Nominee for Young Adult Contemporary Novel, a double Rita Finalist, and a 2013 YALSA Top Ten Teen Pick. DARE YOU TO was also a Goodreads Choice Finalist for YA Fiction and won RT Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Best Book Award for Young Adult Contemporary fiction in 2013.

Website | Twitter @KatieMcGarry | Facebook | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumbler | Instagram




Book Blast: Holiday Wedding by Robyn Neeley


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$5.00 Amazon eGift Card & Ebook copy of HOLIDAY WEDDING
or, Winner's Choice Backlist Romance from Robyn Neeley






Going home for Christmas this winter just might turn Drew Cannon into a real Grinch. When his college sweetheart, Lauren Kincaid, broke off their engagement a year ago, Drew retreated to Tokyo to run the Asia-Pacific division of the family’s toy company and lick his wounds. If that weren’t enough, his attempt at a high-profile holiday doll for the company was a bust. Now he’s headed back to New York City to spend the holidays with his lovestruck dad, his pissed-off twin brother, and the ex who broke his heart.

Lauren isn’t exactly keen to spend Christmas with her former flame, either. But as JDL Toys’s marketing director, she’s forced to deal with their doll problem, holiday or not. Things take a turn for the worse when she and Drew are tasked with planning surprise nuptials for his brother.

With all their focus on happily ever after, Lauren and Drew soon discover things might not be so settled between them after all. Can a holiday wedding offer them a second chance at forever?






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Robyn Neeley is an East Coaster who loves to explore new places; watches way more reality TV than she cares to admit; can't live without Dunkin Donuts coffee and has never met a cookie she didn't like. If you have a must read romance suggestion or a fabulous cookie recipe, she wants to know. Visit her at www.robynneeley.com.

Find Robyn Here


Don't Forget to Grab a Copy of the Companion Novel

DESTINATION WEDDING