Ellesea Loves Reading: 06/21/15

Sunday, 21 June 2015

Book Spotlight: Do Not Disturb by Stephanie Julian

A seductive affair is twisted by secrets in the latest Salon Games novel from the author of Over Exposed.

To the outside world, Dane Connelly is the playboy heir of a media mogul, his life a series of one-night stands with no commitments. Only in the Salon does he satisfy his darker urges with willing partners. Life was perfect…until his best friend fell in love. Now Dane knows exactly what he’s been missing—and exactly who he wants.

Talia Driscoll enjoys creating perfection. She loves bright, glittery parties and fairy tale weddings. But she knows the illusion is short-lived. Nothing lasts forever and everyone lies to get what they want. After all, she lies about her true identity every day.

After an explosive night at the Salon, Dane is determined to sway the reluctant Talia to be his completely. But the secrets that keep them apart are at odds with the erotic passion that draws them together…

Praise for the Salon Games novels:

“Ms. Julian gives the readers what they want and so much more.”—Fallen Angel Reviews

“An emotionally charged journey filled with lust, betrayal and secrets.”—RT Book Reviews

“Stephanie Julian know[s] how to write seriously hot, melt your e-reader sex scenes.”—Sinfully Sexy Book Reviews

“Hey. Come look at this.”

Jed called him back, holding out his hand, palm up with a ring in the center.

“She chose the matching ring to mine.”

Dane picked up the delicate gold band inlaid with yellow and white diamonds.

When he glanced at Jed, Jed’s smile made Dane shake his head. “You really are a sap.”

“Sue me. I love her.”

“Yeah, I know. And you’re damn lucky she loves you just as much.”

Jared took the ring from Dane and held it up in front of his face, his smile softening. “I never thought I’d do this. Never thought I’d find a woman I wanted to wake up beside every morning or go to bed with every night. I thought I’d be bored out of my skull having to spend so much time with one woman. And here I am, thinking I just won the lottery.”

“If you start to cry, you’re on your own. I’m all out of hankies.”

That made Jed laugh, as it was supposed to. And when Jed turned to smile at him, Dane couldn’t help but grin back as he shook his head.

“There’s still hope for you,” Jed said.

No way was he giving Jed ammunition. “I never said I didn’t want to get married. Hell, my parents are the poster children for marriage. For that matter, so are my brother and sister.”

“So you do think about it?”

Dane shrugged. “Honestly . . . No. I’ve never had the urge to ask anyone to marry me.”

“At the risk of sounding like a Hallmark commercial, when you meet the right woman, you’ll know it.”

Nodding, Dane tried not to laugh in his best friend’s face but finally lost the battle. Jed didn’t take offense, though.

“Go ahead and laugh, buddy. Someday the shoe will be on the other foot.”

“Not sure there’re any more like Belle out there, so don’t be fitting me for new shoes just yet.”

“So, you’re gonna ask Talia to the party.”

“I already did.”

Jed didn’t bother to look surprised. “And . . .”

“She’s going to let me know.”

“Ah.”

“Don’t make me tell you to fuck off again.”

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Stephanie Julian writes sophisticated, sultry romance for the adventurous reader. She’s a reformed reporter with a BA in English and a perpetually messy house (and no real desire to do anything about that).

She’s happily married to a Springsteen fanatic and is the mother of two sons who introduced her to the joys of Slipknot, Warped Tour and never-ending headaches.

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June 16

undercover book reviews Guest Post

promoting authors with read along with sue Excerpt

June 17

Textteaser Review

An Aussie Girls WILD Book Addiction! Excerpt

bibliophile wonderland reviews Excerpt

June 18

grownupfangirl Guest Post

Books to Breathe Excerpt

She Hearts Books Review Only

June 19

2 Greek Girls Reading Excerpt

Untamed Bibliophiles Review

Steamy Books Lover Review

June 20

JJ's Kinky Books Review Only

Lady Amber's Review Excerpt

June 21

read-Love-Blog Excerpt

Ellesea Loves Reading Excerpt

June 22

Romance Obsessed Book Blog Review Only

Reading Between the Wines Book Club Guest Post

DANIELRIDING.com Playlist

June 23

The Dark Realm Excerpt

Mama She's Crazy About Books Review Only

Roxy's Reviews Excerpt

June 24

Gemma reads too much for it to be normal book blog Review Only

Between The Lines Review Only

Southern Yankee Book Reviews Review

Reese's Reviews Review

June 25

Books Need TLC Review Only

Boundless Book Reviews Review

June 26

Jax's Book Magic Review

Seeing Night Reviews Review

Evermore Books Excerpt

June 27
Engaging Secrets Publishing Review

Love Affair With Fiction Excerpt

June 28

Us Girls & A Book Review

Mikky's World of Books Excerpt

Wicked Babes Blog Reviews Review

New Release Spotlight & Excerpt: Change Rein by Anne Jolin

Amazon

London Daniels is returning home to Willow Bay, Alberta, on the heels of a televised loss. She blew her shot at the Summer Olympics and cost Canada the gold medal in dressage.

During her years of training abroad, her family's stable has fallen on hard times, and thus, they’ve accepted an offer to board the racehorses of Branson Tucker, the infamous tycoon, for the winter.

London lacks conviction after her ill-fated fall. And as if returning to her hometown to watch her epic failure replay on everyone's big screen isn't torture enough, she’s expected to cater to a man with an ego bigger than her hundred-acre farm just to earn a dime.

Is London saddling up for another ride that will leave both her heart and her ass in the dirt? Or could the handsome, unwanted guest at Willow Bay Stables be her second chance to go for gold?

Twenty minutes later, Aurora steps into the feed room. “The stalls are done. You ready?” she asks, wiping the dirt from her hands on her jeans before shoving them into her front pockets.

After lining up the last of the now-labeled containers on the shelf, I rest my hands on my hips. “Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.” I follow behind her to the green gator we use to get around the property, huffing as I position the junk in my trunk on top of the elusive ass pillow.

“Have you been into town at all?” she questions, driving the howling hunk of junk towards the house.

Picking at the rip in the knee of my jeans, I fight against the urge to fidget. I know full well the actions will only serve to irritate both my injuries and me. “No.”

“You’ll have to go eventually.”

Rolling my shoulders back in an effort to exude more confidence, I shake my head. “To give the small town vultures a chance to pick apart what’s left of my dignity and career in person? I think I’ll pass.”

“You’re only making it worse by hiding out. You’re becoming some kind of attraction by staying holed up here. They need to see you. They need to see it hasn’t broken you.”

I don’t even consider answering her—for the simple fact I’m afraid to tell her it may have indeed broken me, at least more so than anything before.

“I’m meeting some of the girls at the Sundance tonight. They’re doing karaoke. Come with us.”

I open my mouth, an assault of excuses ranging from a sore ass to a headache on the tip of my tongue, but she abruptly pumps the brakes, turning almost fully in her seat to look at me.

“Stop.”

“Stop what?” I shrug.

As she pokes my chest with her finger, she loses the battle with the moisture in her eyes. “Letting this become you…” She struggles with her words, repeatedly fluttering her eyelids. When the familiar blue stares back at me this time, it’s with more fire than she usually harbors. “You’re not this person”—she now waves her hand in front of me—“and you’re not the person in that article, either. So let them choke on their ignorance. Heaven is filled with redeemed sinners sporting crooked halos, and your sins or mistakes hardly stack up to those of others. None of us are perfect, London, so to Hell with the bastards. It’s not your job to

make them understand. You’re not the asshole whisperer.”

Clenching my jaw to ward the threatening tears off, I nod. “A saint, a sinner, and a cowboy—Lord have mercy, Daddy has his hands full.”

“So, you’ll come?” she urges.

I’ll admit I’m still furiously unsure about whether the idea is good, but my sister is a saint, and she just pulled her guns out for me. Seems downright unsisterly to tell her no.

“I’ll come,” I say, giving in.

Without any warning, she morphs back into her dominant personality and enthusiastically claps her hands. “Then let’s get this godforsaken meeting over with so I can laugh at your attempt to sing Shania Twain,” she deadpans, pressing the gas pedal down and lurching us forward.

Hey y’all,

I was born and raised in Ladner, a small farm town just outside Vancouver, Canada. I grew up riding horses, shooting guns, and driving in trucks.

I never expected to be an author. A massage therapist? Yes. Take over the family construction company? Yes. But an author? No. Writing was something that snuck up on me and rooted itself into my life. It was beautiful to discover that love, and I’m truly grateful to say I’ve found my passion.

Since I’ve always been a creative person, it feels amazing to harness all of that energy and use it to tell a story I love. I enjoy incorporating bits of my real life into the stories I write. What parts are true? Hah. I’ll never tell—what would be the fun in that?

If I could leave y’all with one thing, it’s that life’s far too short to not live it out loud. Drown in your passions, hold on tight to the things that inspire you, and chase your dreams relentlessly. I can promise you without a doubt that you won’t regret it. I know I don’t.

Mad love,

Anne Jolin