Cover Reveal: Just Once by Julianna Keyes

by Julianna Keyes

Publisher: Omnific Publishing

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 29, 2013

 Kate Burke is done making bad decisions. Thirty years old and belatedly determined to grow up, the successful travel writer and one-time party girl returns to work at the remote Ponderosa Pines Ranch to reassess her life. 

Although her kitchen/cabin staff is lacking and the workload never relents, Kate’s main challenge is Shane Maddox, the ruggedly handsome and doggedly stubborn ranch foreman. Instantly at odds, they battle over everything from ceiling fans to bothersome bats—studiously ignoring the sparks they generate with each confrontation. 

They can’t explain their explosive physical chemistry, but after a few frustrated weeks they can’t deny it either. Their solution? Just once. They’ll get past their inconvenient lust and move on. 

Kate’s been trying to think with her head instead of her hormones, but is this just another bad decision in a lifetime of careless choices? Has she really changed at all? 

Set in the striking and serene hills of southern Colorado, Julianna Keyes’ debut novel offers a sizzling and satisfying tale of unexpected chemistry and the power of second chances. Her characters will get under your skin and into your heart. Just once may not be enough for you either.  

    

  

About the Author 

Julianna Keyes is a Canadian writer who has lived on both coasts and several places in between. She’s been skydiving, bungee jumping, and white water rafting, but nothing thrills—or terrifies—her as much as the blank page. She has volunteered in Zambia, taught English in China, and dreams of seeing pink dolphins in the Amazon. This is her first book. 

 Website | Twitter  

 

Excerpt & Giveaway! On Best Behavior (Conduct #3) by Jennifer Lane

The final book in the Conduct Series has released! Read the excerpt below and enter the giveaway!

On Best Behavior by Jennifer Lane and Omnific Publishing

   Planning a wedding is never easy—especially when the Russian Mafia wants you dead. On Best Behavior—the third and final book in The Conduct Series—finds our favorite couple moving forward, despite the odds. Following a pardon by the Governor of Illinois, ex-cons Sophie Taylor and Grant Madsen are finally free to pursue their love and the life that lies ahead for them. Grant now fights the forces that have hurt his loved ones by working undercover for the FBI, and he has infiltrated the Russian Mafia in Chicago. Sophie dives into swimming with Grant’s nephew, Ben, and into her career as a psychology professor. Thankfully, now it’s Ben’s turn to heal through therapy sessions with Dr. Hunter Hayes. With so many things going right for Grant and Sophie, it's too bad the Russians aren’t their only threat. When Grant’s father, Enzo Barberi, discovers his own son thwarted his plan to break out of prison, his overdeveloped sense of vengeance flares to life. As Sophie scrambles to save her fiancé, it's impossible to say who will kill Grant first—the Russians or his Italian family. Can love triumph over evil? Are hard work and a pledge to be on best behavior ever enough? Once again, author Jennifer Lane brings a harrowing tale of romantic suspense with a psychological twist, and it's sure to leave readers breathless.

Genre: Romance
Age Group: Adult
Series: Conduct #3
Published: September 24, 2013

   
Buy Links:
Amazon / B&N

Excerpt:
 He leaned back and skated his fingertips from her temple to chin with the softest of touches. Then she noticed the shadow of a bruise on his cheek.

"Where--?"

"I love you," he said.

Before she could respond, his mouth found hers. This kiss started as a gentle brush of lips, a warm feather of air settling over her skin. She inhaled his light scent of sandalwood. He hovered over her lips, and she felt the slight tug of his long fingers sliding through her hair. When she could wait no longer and leaned in to kiss him back, his pressure deepened, his touch more urgent. Desperation now pressed into these kisses, hard and burning. She clutched him to her chest as his mouth melded to hers.

She didn't know why he needed her right then, but she was there.
She'd always be there--listening to his anguish, taking his pain. He's been through so much.

She prayed he'd make it out of this assignment alive.

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 About the Author

People fascinate the psychologist/author (psycho author) known as Jennifer Lane. Her therapy clients talk to her all day long about their dreams and secrets, and her characters tell her their stories at night. Jen delights in peeling away the layers to scrutinize their psyches and emotions. But please rest assured, dear reader, she isn’t psychoanalyzing you right now. She’s already got too many voices in her head! Stories of redemption interest Jen the most, especially the healing power of love. She is the author of The Conduct Series—-romantic suspense for adult readers—-and recently completed the third and final installment: On Best Behavior. Streamline is her first foray into writing for young and new adults, but she’s found this sort of writing even more fun. A former college swimmer, Jen was able to put a lot of her own experiences into this book. Whether writing or reading, Jen loves stories that make her laugh and cry. In her spare time she enjoys exercising, attending book club, and hanging out with her sisters and their families in Chicago and Hilton Head.

 Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Cover Reveal: Wild Child by M. Leighton

Jenna Theopolis has always known what she wanted.  Getting out of her small hometown of Greenfield was number one on her list of priorities.  Until she met Rusty Catron.

Rusty’s fun-loving personality was the perfect match for Jenna’s inner wild child.  But what started off as a summer fling quickly turns into something more.  At least it does for Jenna.

Rusty has lived with the ghost of his father’s abandonment since he was a child, but now he’s beginning to feel the crippling effects of his scars.  He wants to trust in Jenna, but deep down he doesn’t believe someone so wild and free can ever be tamed. 

But tragedy strikes, pushing Jenna out of Greenfield and leaving Rusty with a choice to make—face his inner demons or lose the love of his life.  Forever.

Series: The Wild Ones #1.5

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: Novella

Release Date: October 22, 2013

Add Wild Child to your TBR on Goodreads

About the author

M. Leighton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Wild Ones and The Bad Boys romance trilogies.  She is a native of Ohio, relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she lets her mind wander to romantic settings with sexy Southern guys much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books.  When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

 Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / Amazon author page

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Unattainable (Undeniable #3) by Madeline Sheehan

Warning: This is not a virtuous and tender love story. It’s chaotic, ruthless, and tragic. This story takes love and kills its innocence, steals away the pure moments, and crushes the hearts of the broken. A story born in childhood, tying one girl to one boy, leads to a destructive path—that hurts more than it doesn’t, that shatters more than it heals—testing the love that binds the two through a lifetime. 

Tegen Matthews is the daughter of Dorothy Kelley, a club whore in the Hell’s Horsemen. A plain little girl, Tegen falls into the gritty world of the motorcycle club. When she meets a sweet, caring boy, she embraces the warmth and affection he shows her. Cage West is the son of the president of the Hell’s Horsemen. Tall and blond with deep brown eyes, as he grows up Cage realizes the power of his dimpled smile and smooth drawl. With one chance encounter, Tegen becomes forever tied to Cage. Following is a wayward journey that is filled with regrets, mistakes, and heartache, pulling at the threads that hold them together. Cage and Tegen fight hard but love harder, and in the end, what matters is where the journey takes one girl and one boy, who have been twined with one another since the beginning. 

This is Tegen and Cage’s story. 

Love doesn’t erase a broken heart, and it sure doesn’t change people. But no matter how old, how flimsy, how frayed the rope of love is, it keeps you tethered to the people you love.

I will say one more time that these BOOKS ARE CRACK!!! I can’t devour them fast enough, in fact, when this one was released I did something that I NEVER DO!! I quit a book I was reading right in the middle to dive into this one!! 

I need to make clear right off the bat that I love The Hell's Horseman as much as I ever have but I had to knock a star off of this one just because I didn’t feel Tegen and Cage the way I thought I would. The passion between them is OFF THE CHARTS, but a lot of the time it was hate and angry sex. Not that there is anything wrong with angry sex but fuckin’ seriously?! If you hate the guy that drunkenly took your virginity and never looked back for over a decade, you don’t just get over it in a weekend or two. Their story seemed rushed to me. When we met Duece and Eva, their story spanned their entire lives. Danny and Rippers story spanned many years and I feel like the story of Cage and Tegen deserved so much more time and background that we didn’t get. That is the only reason I knocked off a star.

Tegen is an angry, hot mess and has become someone she doesn’t even recognize half the time. When she ends up back home and has to deal with Cage yet again, it is obvious she still loves him by the way she vehemently hates on him all the time. I think I had the hardest time with the way they talk to each other. It is so nasty most of the time. Even when they seem to be getting it right, it fucking derails and they are off to scratching and spitting at each other again. Tegen is simply trying to guard her heart – I get that!

If my past were a person, I would grab the throat of the motherfucker, drag her ass down Re-do Street, and once I’d beaten the ever –loving shit out of her, I’d stand over her beaten-down, broken body and say: “You stupid bitch. You ignorant, stupid bitch. Love isn’t a fucking answer. It hurts more than it doesn’t, it’s harder than it is easy, it takes work, guts and perseverance. 

She wants to believe that Cage has suddenly given up his whoring ways and wants to be a one woman man, with her. She is so scared of being broken again and ending up like her mom. Afraid of being a club whore and left with nothing when Cage changes his mind. Their road is a rough one, no doubt, but then Cage goes and says something that melts your heart, ya know, in that biker way :)

”You were never a club slut, Tegen, ” he said. “Not once did I ever fuckin’ think that. To me, you were always D’s little girl. You were family and, Teacup, you were my best friend.” 

See....Sweet!

I love you, Teacup,” he said, smiling. “Always have,” he said. “Just didn’t realize it until now.” 

All that said, however rough the ride, Tegen and Cage will get their HEA and I love that! Makes the hurt and crazy worth it.

Ok, now on to Dirty and Ellie – oh, did I forget to mention this is kind of a two part review?!

Now, it took me a minute to remember Ellie, the friend of Danny’s when she was younger that absolutely hates anything to do with the MC. But when she ends up back in town for a job interview and is beaten and almost raped by the chief of police whom she thought was an old friend, she finds an unlikely savior in Dirty. He interrupts the assault and saves her. Up until now I never paid Dirty much mind by HOLY SHIT!! There is a huge fucking story hiding there under all that hair and dirty and yuck!! Dirty is one broken, fucked up fucker!! So we all know what he needs, right?? The love of a good woman and that’s where Ellie comes in. I really wish that Dirty had gotten his own book, this was another thing that felt rushed to me. I wanted to know so much more about Dirty and what happened to him and why he is the way he is and I wanted there to be more time spent on him and Ellie learning to love each other. That all happened really fast too!!

But, as I said, those minor complaints aside I FUCKING LOVE THE HELL’S HORSEMAN!! I will read anything and everything the beautiful Madeline Sheehan writes about them!!

----------

Four Stars

**Possible spoilers below**

“You’re a waste of big dick and a pretty face!” 

I love this series; I always look forward to each new one. There’s just something about Madeline’s in-your-face, gritty writing that just makes me want more. I love her writing style and I love how real some of these characters have come to mean to me. I am forever a fan of her books. 

From the moment I met Cage in Undeniable I was anxiously waiting for his own story. What I didn’t expect is that not only was this about him & Tegan, but we were also introduced to the secondary couple in Dirty & Ellie. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think Dirty & Ellie’s story stole the show. I couldn’t get into them at first only because all I wanted was Cage, but as the story went on, Dirty’s story started to really capture my attention. However, since technically this is Cage’s story, my review will focus mostly on his and Tegan’s story. But don’t get me wrong…I will be mentioning Dirty & Ellie before this review is done. 

“No, thank you. Sorry, Cage, been there, done you, don’t care to be a repeat offender.” 

Tegan is a woman with a grudge. She’s been in love with Cage since they were kids. They were best friends growing up. As they got older, the more Tegan fell in love. However, it wasn’t the same for Cage. He was the epitome of a man-whore. One dreadful and drunken night, Tegan gave Cage her virginity hoping that he would reciprocate her feelings. Unfortunately that is not how Cage is built. He broke Tegan’s heart, and Tegan has forever cursed the day she met him. Her motto is pretty much: Fuck Cage & Fuck the club. Both have caused nothing but trouble for her and her mother. 

A string of eight little words, eight very stupid, insignificant words that meant absolutely nothing to Cage and absolutely everything to me. 

Get on the back of my bike, Tegan. 

When Tegan’s mom calls and asks her to come home to help her through another drama, Tegan has no choice but to reluctantly agree. She hates going home, but she knows her mother desperately needs her. She does everything in her power to avoid Cage while she’s home, but alas, fate has other plans. 

Cage is tired of his man-whoring days. When he runs into Tegan, something about her looks, her smart mouth and her attitude does something to him. He’s tired of her ignoring him. It’s time to confront her and move forward. 

“I’ve always had you. Only difference is now, I’m taking you.” 

It’s no denying when these two get together, it’s pretty explosive. As much as I loved it when they finally got together, their relationship seemed a little forced. I know they were friends for a long time, but the long standing grudge Tegan couldn’t have just disappeared after a weekend with Cage…could it? I guess. And then there’s Cage. Can he really change his womanizing ways for Tegan? Is Tegan the right woman for him?

From chaos, the strongest sort of love is usually born. 

So as I stated, I did enjoy Cage and Tegan’s story, though Tegan did rub me the wrong way. I loved her attitude in the beginning, but as the story progressed, the more prevalent her bitchiness came across. Every time Cage shut her up was a highlight for me. 

Dirty & Ellie: I have to say something about this couple. I loved their story. It took a while for me to get into it, but once it got going, man oh man, their story was heartbreakingly beautiful. Dirty. Oh Dirty. The complexity of his character broke me. When all the layers that create Dirty started to peel away, the more I fell in love with him. The way he saved Ellie, gave her the space she needed, but yet still managed to make her feel safe, just floored me. I cannot wait to hear more about them in the future. For their story alone: 4.75 Stars

**Whew**

I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again: I LOVE THIS SERIES. Do you have ANY idea how anxious I am for the next book?! Do you?! I am salivating at the thought of reading Jase, Dorothy & Hawk’s story. SALIVATING! OMG! The drama and heartbreak surrounding Dorothy is off the charts and I seriously cannot wait!

Book Tour & Giveaway: Freeing Asia by E.M. Abel

How does a tomboy raised in a house full of men find the sensual woman inside of her? Growing up with a widowed, retired Marine as a father and two older brothers taught Asia to be tough. But how does she stop being one of the guys and learn to find the right one? 

Finding herself won't be easy, finding love will be even harder. 

Meeting Jay opens Asia's eyes to the possibility of love and unbelievable sex but can his country club world accept the woman more comfortable in torn jeans and flip flops? Or will she find the love she yearns for in the tattooed arms of her first love, a pro skater who has come back into her life? 

With the possibility of new love or closure from a painful first love, finding her path is riddled with uncertainty and discoveries but before she can follow her heart she must first set it free.

~excerpt one~

   "What?" he asked, amused.

     "I just love how attentive you are. You're a true gentleman. I've never been treated like a lady before." 

     "Really?"

     "I usually like the bad boys," I confessed before I took a bite of my pizza."But since you're not a bad boy anymore, I guess I should try to behave myself."   

     After swallowing a bite I put my pizza down on the plate. Jay grabbed my hand and brought it up to his mouth. His eyes locked on mine as he took my index finger and slowly licked the sauce off of it. 

     Hoooly shit. 

     "Oh, I can be bad, baby"

    My entire body tingled with that single touch. As I imagined other places where I wanted that tongue to be, I could feel myself tighten between my thighs. 

    When he was done I brought the same finger to my mouth and sucked on it as I held his gaze. His eyes moved down to watch, and his lips slowly lifted into a devilish grin.

     I slid my finger out of my mouth. "Good," I murmured before smiling back.

~excerpt two~

    “So, what do you wanna do?” I asked with my hands on my hips. I couldn’t seem to wipe the smile off my face. My day just kept getting better and better. 

    Looking at me, Marcus smiled when he saw my expression, and then his eyes swept over me, stopping at the bottom of my shorts. 

    “New rule,” he stated as his expression hardened. 

    “What?” 

    “New rule— you need to stop dressing like that when I’m here.” 

    I wrinkled my nose and glanced down at my pajamas. “What are you talking about? These are my pajamas!” I declared, holding out my arms to display my clothes. 

    He cocked his eyebrow with a slight smile. “It’s hard enough controlling myself around you, Asia. The last thing I need is you prancing around here in little shorts and tank tops.”                

    My jaw dropped, and I narrowed my eyes. “I do not prance.” 

    “The hell you don’t. You might be able to surf like one of the guys, but trust me, you don’t walk like one.” 

    I rolled my eyes, feeling my cheeks grow warm. 

    “Don’t you have some kind of muumuu or something? A potato sack?” he asked, smiling up at me. 

    “Whatever.” I turned toward the kitchen, making sure to sway my hips as I walked away.

About E.M. Abel

My husband is awesome and also a Chief in the US Navy. This means crazy schedules, uncertainty and lots of nights spent alone writing on my computer. 

I have two amazing kids who always know how to make me laugh. 

I've been passionate about writing ever since I wrote my first poem in the 3rd grade and I've been using it as a means to express myself ever since. 

I think because I hold my emotions so close and fear being vulnerable I use different forms of self expression- writing, drawing, painting, photography, tattoos- to show the world who I am.

The one rule I use everyday is the Golden Rule—"Treat others the way you'd like to be treated." I believe karma is very real and sometimes she can be a bitch if you make her that way. 

I love acting crazy, I love to laugh, I love making people laugh, I love the ocean, I love dancing like no one is watching, I love good music, I love good books... and I love my family, friends and readers. It's crazy that I feel a connection with people just because they read something I wrote, but I do. It's an awesome feeling. 

Book Review, Purchase & Author Links

Tessamari's Book Review / Amazon / B&N / Author Page / Facebook 

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