Friday 31 July 2015

Spotlight: Take The Fall by Marquita Valentine


Take the Fall
Take the Fall # 1
By: Marquita Valentine
Releasing July 21, 2015
Loveswept



Take The Fall

Take The Fall Series


Fans of Abbi Glines and Katy Evans will adore Take the Fall, the first spinoff novel from Marquita Valentine’s New York Times bestselling Boys of the South series. In this emotional new romance, passions run hot as a rugged, brooding Marine rekindles an old flame.

As a teenager, Seth O’Connor went to jail for a crime he had nothing to do with. He took the fall to protect the girl he loved, but the cruel realities of prison hardened him. After doing his time, Seth shuts her out and enlists in the Marines—until his grandmother’s funeral forces him to come home and face Rowan Simmons once again. The woman she’s become puts all his high-school memories to shame, and Seth wants her more than ever. Can he be honest about why he denied her for so long?

After Seth pushed her away, Rowan swore that no man would ever hurt her again. But the boy who broke her heart has become a sexy Marine, capable of fulfilling her every desire—and now that he’s back in town, old feelings are simmering to a boil. Rowan wants to stay strong, even as her body surrenders to his expert touch. She only hopes that by taking him back, she can finally help heal the wounds that drove them apart

A girl wearing a plaid skirt and a white shirt with the ends tied in the middle of her very impressive cleavage steps in front of our cars. The headlights shine right on her as she flashes a seductive smile.
Her hands shoot up into the air. “Ready?” she shouts.
Tony guns his engine, his maniacal laughter louder than anything. The sound makes my skin crawl. Actually, Tony himself makes my skin crawl. He’s twenty-nine years old and still hangs out with the high school crowd—that’s fucking weird.
“Shut the fuck up, Johnson,” Jase shouts, flipping the other driver off. Then he turns to me. “Two turns left, then a hard right, before a quarter-mile stretch.”
I flex my fingers and nod. Jase cranks up STP’s “Dead and Bloated.”
“Go!” Plaid skirt girl’s hand drops down.
I hit the gas and manage to break out in front of Tony’s Camaro.
“No braking in the turn,” Jase shouts.
I nod. My knuckles are white as I grip the steering wheel. Adrenaline pumping, I shift gears, and the Mustang shoots forward.
Jase bangs on the dash. “Two car lengths ahead. You can do this, O’Connor.”
I’m equal parts exhilarated and terrified I’ll screw this up. What if I lose?
“Get out of your head, Seth. Nothing good in there right now.”
I slice my gaze to Jase, and then back at the road. The hard right is up next. “I got this.”
“Don’t say shit like that,” Jase grouses over the music. If I hadn’t been driving, I’m pretty sure he would have smacked the back of my head to emphasize his point.
Tony suddenly pulls up beside me, and I blink. “Where in the hell did he come from?”
“Pay attention.”
Tony edges ahead of me. The right turn is only a few hundred feet away. I let up on the gas a little and Tony surges. His taillights are in my peripheral now.
“Why the fuck are you slowing down?”
Because Tony’s speeding up, and he’s going to spin out on the turn. “Trust me.”
Jase blows out a hard breath, and I can practically hear his teeth grinding. If this doesn’t work, then Jase will hand me my ass. And I like my ass; I like sitting on it. More specifically, Rowan likes my ass. I like it when she digs her fingers into my cheeks when I’m inside her.
“Fine,” he bites out.
Tony and I make the hard right. His car spins out, making a wider half circle than needed. That’s my cue.
“See. Ya.” I downshift and stomp on the gas pedal.
Jase’s Mustang rolls across the finish line, engine purring. I barely pull up the e-brake before jumping out. Banging the roof of the car, I let out a yell. The crowd goes wild, some groaning because they didn’t bet on the rookie.
While Rowan collects the money we won, I do a little victory shuffle.
Jase joins me, his smile as wide as mine, but he doesn’t celebrate like I do. That’s fine with me; I don’t care how damn goofy I look or sound right now.
I just fucking won my first race. And Tony Johnson’s Camaro is mine.
Mine.
I don’t bother to pay any attention to Tony as he parks his Camaro a short distance away. He probably needs a little time to find the pink slip to sign over to me and cry.
Poor bastard.
Rowan jogs to me, looking fine as hell in her tiny shorts and tank top. There’s lace at the top, highlighting the best-looking pair of tits I’ve ever seen. And by the way she’s smiling at me, I know I’ll be getting up close and personal with them tonight.
“I’m so proud of you,” she squeals, launching herself into my arms.
I bury my face into her hair. She smells and feels so damn good that my skin gets all tight. “Does this mean I can sneak into your room tonight?” I whisper in her ear.
She nods. “I’m gonna show you such a good time, lover boy.”
I straighten, taking her gorgeous face in my hands. “You know I love you, right? I’d do anything for you.”
Her nose wrinkles, freckles dancing across it as she does. “I love you, too, Seth.”
I know she does, but sometimes it feels like the love I have for her is like air or water—something I can’t live without. I have no idea what I’d do if I couldn’t have Rowan in my life.
Die, most likely.
“Fuck you, Tony. I’m not a cheat.”
Rowan’s head turns and so does mine. A few feet away, beside Tony’s car, he and Jase are shouting at each other. Fingers are pointing and Tony’s shoving against Jase’s chest.
I start to go and join in, to see if I can help diffuse the situation, but Rowan grabs my arm. “Don’t. Let Jase handle it.”
I frown.
“Not that I don’t think you can handle it,” Rowan quickly adds, mistaking my frown for displeasure at her words.
“Don’t worry about it,” I say, then kiss her forehead. “I’ll stay right by your side until Jase needs me.”
Rowan steps closer to me, wrapping her arms around my neck. She grinds slowly against me, barely moving against my hardening dick. “I need you. We could find a dark corner.”
Picking her up, I head in the opposite direction, away from the crowd and the argument. Rowan’s legs wrap around my waist. She kisses her way up my jaw, stopping at my ear to nibble. My eyes start to water.
“Slow down, wildcat.”
In response, she starts sucking on my earlobe. Rough brick bites into my hands when I hit the wall of an abandoned factory. Rowan tugs at my shirt, helping me pull it up and over my head. I cup her breasts, feeling her nipples harden.
“You looked so hot driving,” Rowan breathes. “I want to ride you while you drive us around. I want to feel you so deep inside . . . and the vibrations from the engine will make me come so hard.”
My heart slams against my chest. This girl . . . God, she knows how to amp things up. “Tomorrow,” I promise. “You wear that skirt I like and no bra. I’ll let you do whatever the hell you want while I drive.”
Rowan giggles and I smile, then stare into her eyes. “I really love you.”
“Why do you keep saying that?” She tilts her head to one side. “I know you love me.”
“Because after my conversation with your brother, I—”
“FIGHT!”
“Oh my God,” Rowan says, shoving at me. “Put me down.”
I let her legs slide down, and turn. Jase and Tony are going at it. Punches are being thrown and there are grunts, curses, and shouts. It’s too dark and the guys are built too much alike to see who’s whaling on who the most.
“I need to—”
Rowan hands me my shirt, and I kiss her. Hard. “Don’t let that perv hurt my brother, Seth.”
Pulling the shirt on and letting it fall, I stride in their direction, my heart slamming against my chest. “I won’t.”




Marquita Valentine is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Holland Springs and Boys of the South series, having sold more than a quarter of a million books around the world. She’s been called “one of the best new voices in romance” (Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews) and her books have been praised as “sexy, fun, and slightly addicting” (The Book Queen). When she’s not writing sexy heroes who adore their sassy heroines, she enjoys shopping, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. Married to her high-school sweetheart, Marquita Valentine lives in a seriously small town in the south with her husband, two kids, and a dog.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads


New Release Spotlight: Make Me Believe by Karen Ferry

MakeMeBelieveTour

Make Me Believe


Publication Date: July 6, 2015

Tour: Make Me Believe by Karen Ferry


Amazon • Nook • iBooks


Sometimes, a chance meeting is just the push you need in order to break free from the darkness within…
My name is Emma, I’m 23, and I’ve never been kissed. I’m no virgin…But kissing is too intimate, too intense, and I don’t want that – not ever. I like sex, though, and most of my hook-ups don’t seem to mind the no-kissing part.

But then I meet Daniel, who’s such a geek, and definitely not the kind of guy I’d normally take an interest to. He’s the shy, quiet type, but with such a charming smile, and he makes my heart race – something I’ve never experienced before.

Daniel has his own issues to work through, and I know my hardened heart shouldn’t melt when he looks at me. I really shouldn’t be falling for him, either, but somehow, he manages to tear down my walls, and I’m scared…because once he learns my secrets, he’ll want nothing to do with me.

All I know is that Daniel makes me feel things that I have never felt before – but do I dare let down my walls and confide in him?

Will I let him be my first kiss?

This is my story, and I’ll reveal everything in my own sweet time…

Just don’t expect all the hearts-and-flowers stuff.
Life is messy, and mine is no different…

INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS

***Due to possible ‘triggers’ and adult situations (yes, there is lots of sex in this book) it is not recommended to persons under the age of 18.



Emma

I’m just applying the last coat of mascara when I hear the expected knock on my door. I sigh and turn my neck from side to side, gearing myself up for whatever Daniel could be up to, and I hurry to get the door for him.
Hi,” I say, and I take a step back, allowing him to come inside.
He remains silent as he walks through and into my living room/bedroom. He takes a look around and I stand in the doorway, unsure of what to do. I look at the time on my phone: it’s only ten am. As the silence continues, I become more and more uncomfortable, and I cross my arms in front of me.
Do you want a soda or something?” I ask him, trying to break the awkward silence.
Daniel turns away from my bookshelf and looks closely at me. I’ve only put on a pair of capris and a sleeve-less black top, and I haven’t put any shoes on. My hair hangs wildly around my face, and I curse at not having the time to do something about it. But then it hits me: Why do I even care?
Just some water, please,” he answers, and I go to the kitchen. I hear him follow me and I groan on the inside.
Listen, Daniel, I really don’t know why you’re here, so . . . ” I hint as I stand with my back to him, reaching for a glass on the shelf above the sink.
I know . . . ,” he answers, and I can hear how nervous he is.
As I fill a glass of water for him, I turn to him. “Come on, out with it, then.” I smile, but I know it doesn’t look genuine.
You put on make-up,” he blurts out, and I roll my eyes, fed up with his stalling.
Yes, I know. So what? Don’t get the idea that I did it for you, though. I always wear make-up when I’m around people.” I walk closer to him and hand him the glass of water.
We can sit outside on the balcony,” I tell him, and I brush past him.
I take a seat and surreptitiously look down to the hidden pack of cigarettes I keep behind the door as Daniel takes the other chair beside me. I only smoke when I drink, or when I can’t fall back to sleep after having a nightmare, but I’m seriously thinking about lighting one up right about now.

Daniel takes a sip of water, and then he sighs. “I need your help,” he mumbles, but he doesn’t meet my eye. In fact, his entire body language seems withdrawn and definitely embarrassed.
What do you mean?” I ask him, and I’m more confused than ever.
Well . . .” He hesitates before finally manning up and meeting my stare. “I’m dyslexic,” he blurts out.
I shrug. “So? Many people are dyslexic, Daniel.” My voice softens. “It’s nothing to be ashamed about, you know.” And it still doesn’t tell me anything about why he’s here.
He looks away, towards the park across from the complex, and a flush starts to spread on his neck again.
It is when you are about to study English at the university,” he answers back.
Oh, I see.” But I really don’t. I mean, I can imagine that it’s bound to cause some trouble, and it’s far from easy being a student at all these days.
Daniel remains silent, still staring straight ahead. I allow him more time to get to the point, but, finally, I lose patience and ask him, “So why do you need my help?”





author-pic
Karen Ferry is a thirty-something writer, wife to a quiet, laidback man, and mother to a gorgeous, stubborn, redheaded girl who keeps her parents on their toes.

Karen tends to have a short fuse if she does not get a proper caffeine fix first thing in the mornings, but she is, in fact, a gentle person deep down.

Karen loves Italian food and wine, travelling, and spending time with her family. When she is not writing, she reads – her favourite genres are New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Erotica and Romantic Suspense. She can never get enough of romance. Or of too many book boyfriends, either.

Even though Karen is Danish, she has always felt more at ease writing stories in English, and she has not read a book in her native tongue in over ten years.

She can be very outspoken and a complete fan girl of other authors online but will, in fact, be very shy once she meets you in person.