Friday 29 May 2015

Chasing the Dragon (Deception Duet #1) T.K Leigh

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Hes trying to protect his heart
She
s a shell of the girl she once was
Can he chase away the demons threatening to destroy her?

Mackenzie Delano craves control. After tragedy strikes during her freshman year of college, she compensates for the helplessness she felt by micro-managing every aspect of her life, from her business life to her social lifeto her love life. But she wasnt expecting to cross paths with a mysterious man who seems to invade her every thought.

Tyler Burnham has been living his life with one rule in mindnever fall in love. Focusing solely on his career, he is able to remain a detached observer of life Until a case is dropped in his lap, forcing him to form an intimate relationship with a sharp-tongued woman in order to obtain the location of a man deemed an enemy of the State.

When Tyler finds himself falling for Mackenzie, will he be able push his feelings aside and recover the information he needs? Or will he put the mission and their lives at risk to follow his heart?

Chasing The Dragon is the first installment of a two part series of deception and betrayal where nothing is as it seems.

***Note - Chasing The Dragon is the first book in a two-book duet and is a spin-off of T.K. Leigh's USA Today Best Selling Beautiful Mess series. It is not necessary to have read that series in order to read this duet, but it will contain a mild spoiler from the third book in the Beautiful Mess series, Gorgeous Chaos.***


ARC received for an honest review

Move over Alexander Burnham - it is time for another Mr Burnham to shine!

This series focuses on the youngest Burnham sibling, Tyler.  And what focus it is!


After events in the past, Tyler has closed himself off from love.  Love em and leave em, that has been as far as his relationships have gone for a lot of years.

Until Mackenzie.

Mackenzie has demons of her own that she has pushed to the side but never tried to overcome.

Until Tyler.

There is an intensity between Tyler and Mackenzie.  There is such strong attraction between the pair, but there is something more too.

Both have secrets from each other, and we all know how that always works out!

And when I got to the end of Chasing the Dragon, I knew that it was going to end in some kind of way like it did.  There was no other way that this first part of the duet could end.  I wanted to yell at Tyler and Mackenzie to stop what they were doing, knowing where things were heading.

T.K Leigh pulled me into this story, and I was dragged kicking and screaming out of it!  I was captivated, needing to know more and more about our lovelies.  There is a bit of a mystery woven into our story that will keep you on your toes.  Who is the good guy, who is the bad?

Ms Leigh took me on an emotional rollercoaster.  I laughed out loud at times, wanted to cry at others. The flow and pace of the story was just right.  Though set over the period of only a couple of weeks, nothing felt rushed.  The progression of the relationship felt natural (I am not a fan of the insta-love relationships we get in so many books).

I loved Mackenzie's best friends - I think we all need friends like them in our lives.

We were left on a bit of a cliffhanger (which Ms Leigh does apologise for at the end of the book), and yes I am impatient to find out what happens to Tyler and Mackenzie, but the wait (which is not going to be toooo long) is well worth the anticipation - delayed gratification and all that shiz!






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“Dance with me, Mackenzie,” he said, holding my hand in his, sensually placing the other just below my hip bone.
“What are you−”
“Shhh…,” he admonished, expertly leading me in our dance, the band playing Cole Porter’s Every Time We Say Goodbye. “Just enjoy it and don’t think.”
I simply nodded, turning my head to scan the restaurant.
“Mackenzie, eyes on me. I need to know you’re with me.”
I snapped my eyes back to his, my mouth slightly agape as my heart pounded in my chest. He was warm and spellbinding. The way he held me in his arms comforted me and made me feel as if they were made to hold me.
“Are you with me?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Yes,” I said, my voice soft.
He leaned toward me and the bit of stubble on his chin brushed my skin. “Yes what?” he whispered.
“I’m with you.”
The corners of his lips turned up slightly and there was a spark about him that wasn’t present yesterday. “I like the sound of that, Miss Delano.”
He pulled me closer and I tilted my head to peer into his striking eyes, needing the connection I felt at that moment. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced, all because of a well-placed hand, a sinfully sexy voice, eyes that made me want to melt, and arms that felt like home.
“Who would have thought that the Mackenzie whose lips I couldn’t stop seeing in my dreams last night would turn out to be Mackenzie Delano, proprietor of South Padre’s hottest new spot?”
“How did−”
“Shhh,” he said once more. “You think too much. Just enjoy the moment because it’s over once the band plays the final note to this melody.”
I snapped my mouth shut, a strange awareness of loss washing over me at the prospect of this complete stranger walking away from me once the song came to an end, wondering if I would ever see him again.
“You’re a lovely dancer, Miss Delano,” he commented.
“Thank you,” I answered, unsure of whether to say anything further. He seemed to be in complete control of the dance, of his words…and of mine. And, for the first time, I was okay with someone else calling the shots.
“You have a dancer’s body. I’m confident you’ve bewitched quite a few men with the way you can seamlessly navigate the dance floor.” He leaned toward me and whispered, “I must confess… You’ve bewitched me.”
His voice was sweet as it crooned in my ear, and I was left a silent, blubbering mute, the sincerity in his declaration sparking a renewed sense of longing I had ignored for years. My breathing grew ragged, and I was unable to formulate any response. I simply lost myself in the moment of our dance, wanting his sensual words to ring in the recesses of my mind for all eternity. I wished I could have recorded his voice murmuring those endearing words to me so I could replay them over and over again when I needed to feel something I didn’t think I would ever feel again.
He molded my frame to his, our bodies swaying to the classic tune, and began to sing along with the band. I imagined he was singing to me, and me alone. His voice was deep and guttural, but sweet as he leaned toward my neck and crooned the last verse into my ear. I closed my eyes, losing myself in his warmth, his voice, his everything.
All too soon, the final note rang out, silence encompassing the room, but we continued to sway to the music in our heads, our rhythm perfectly in tune to each other. A loud drum kick echoed, startling me, and I opened my eyes, almost expecting it all to be a dream. But it wasn’t, and I was met with my mysterious stranger’s strong face. Time stood still as we simply stared at each other, neither one of us moving. I licked my dry lips, nerves causing my breathing to grow more intense and labored.
He grabbed my hand and brought it to his soft lips, placing a kiss on it. The contact caused a rush of adrenaline to run through me. Before I could ask his name, he was gone, leaving me stunned and alone once more.





 T.K. Leigh, otherwise known as Tracy Leigh Kellam, is the USA Today Best Selling author of the Beautiful Mess series. Originally from New England, she now resides in sunny Southern California with her husband, dog and three cats, all of which she has rescued (including the husband). She always had a knack for writing, but mostly in the legal field. It wasn't until recently that she decided to try her hand at creative writing and is now addicted to creating different characters and new and unique story lines in the Contemporary Romantic Suspense genre.



When she's not planted in front of her computer, writing away, she can be found running and training for her next marathon (of which she has run over fifteen fulls and far too many halfs to recall). Unlike Olivia, the main character in her Beautiful Mess series, she has yet to qualify for the Boston Marathon.






Tour Host OUAA





✪ Revue ✪ KM Golland ✪


     


He was on a collision course.
I had paved my way
He answered to no one.
I respected authority
He wanted me.
I despised him
He didn
t take no for an answer.
... NO!

When freelance photographer, Corinne Lee, is required to visually document the nationwide tour of Wild Nights Male Revue, she finds herself in a world of near-naked, testosterone-fuelled men on stage
not her photographic muse of choice. She also finds herself in the arms of Josh, the revues star performer.

Josh Adams thrives on the limelight, the stage and, most of all, the attention of women who endlessly throw themselves at him. He dances sex, speaks sex, breathes sex
is sex! Josh lives for sex, but never with the same woman.

When both opinionated and headstrong characters are closely thrust together in a lust-ridden and sexually-charged environment, which of the two will break first?
Will Josh realise that Corinne could be the exception to his
no strings rule? Or will Corinne let go of the fantasy of finding Mr One and Only?


ARC received for an honest review

Corinne Lee has just scored every woman's dream job - 12 weeks on the road photographing the sexy men of Wild Nights Male Review - what woman (or many a man) with a heartbeat wouldn't jump at the chance?

Admit it, you would jump right on that tour bus, right?

Yep, dream job alright.  Until Cori meets resident man-whore Josh Adams.

You know when you are reading,  and you come across one of those characters that just does you head in?  You sit there and they frustrate you so much, that you clench your fists, want to throw your kindle across the room, you yell at your screen?

That was how I felt about Josh.  I wanted to knee him in the balls then kiss the sh*t out of him.  What a frustrating douche of a man he is at times - well, most of the time.

To say the attraction between Cori and Josh is intense would be underplaying it.  It is electric, it is unmissable.  And you just know that it is going to be one hell of a ride.

I adore Cori and know that not many women could be strong enough to resist all that sexy testosterone.  And those boys really need to learn a few boundaries.  I was mortified for her at times when they pushed things a little too far.

Josh - gah!  Just when you think this guy has changed his man-whoring way, BOOM, back he goes.  My heart just breaks, not just for Cori but for Josh too.  I just want him to get his crap together!

I loved the rest of the guys in the troupe.  They are all sweet and caring - but such men!  I do hope we get more of their stories.

I could not put Revue down once I started, and I am looking forward to what Ms Golland gives us next.















 














Wednesday 27 May 2015

✤ Back To You ✤ Lauren Dane ✤ The Hurley Boys #3 ✤

© Bianca ✰ 



LAUREN DANE - BACK TO YOU
The Hurley Boys #3
• release date: 26 May 2015
• 384 pages


The Hurley Boys is a contemporary romance series featuring Paddy, Ezra and Vaughan and Damien Hurley (who found his HEA in LUSH). Set in their home town, Hood River, Oregon, these three brothers and founding members of mega alt rock and roll band, Sweet Hollow Ranch will find their HEA. First up is lead singer Paddy in The Best Kind of Trouble out in August 2014, followed by Ezra in December 2014 and last but not least is baby brother Vaughan in March 2015.

 

★★★★★
4.9 Stars

Former model Kelly Hurley has finally put the ashes of the past behind her. After a passionate but turbulent marriage to rock star Vaughan Hurley that ended in heartbreak and divorce, Kelly rebuilt her life in Portland, where she settled so their two young daughters could be close to their father. Just not so close Kelly couldn’t truly make her own way without interference from the man who shattered her heart. Now Kelly’s finally ready to move on, and she’s planning to marry another man.

But not if Vaughan has anything to say about it.

Vaughan knows he was a fool all those years ago. A young, selfish
and pridefulfool. Even as he buried himself in the fast, decadent rock star lifestyle, he could never drown out the memory of Kelly’s beauty and love. Or the sweet, searing heat whenever they touched. For years, he’s had to deal with the pain of seeing her only because of their daughters, but it was never enough. Now Vaughan must prove that he’s the only man Kelly needs, before he loses her for good. And there’s only one way to do it



 
 ♥ KELLY & VAUGHAN

We all remember Kelly & Vaughan from the previous books in the Hurley Boys series ... and now - kind of at the same time as Ezra & Tuesday's story is taking place, we finally get to hear about Kelly & Vaughan.
We knew that they were married once - back when they were really young - and they had two adorable daughters - but somehow they ended up divorced and all of Vaughan's family seem to hate Kelly now. But of course that's all Vaughan's fault, he never really explained to his family what all happened back then between him and his wife.
The thing is - he couldn't deal with the rock-star fame and lifestyle and still take care of his girls and he basically screwed it all up. And even though he never really meant what he did and said back then - his pride kept him from doing something for a long time.
But now he's ready. He's grown up a lot over the years, and now he's ready to be a full-time Dad and husband.
But it's not as simple as just telling Kelly that - she needs proof. And apologies - apologies that he really means.
Plus there's the fact that Kelly is kind of engaged to Ross now :/

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH KELLY & VAUGHAN?
WILL THE TWO OF THEM FINALLY GET THEIR HEA?
OR WILL THERE BE A HORRIBLE CLIFFHANGER? o.O

I'm not telling you that of course ☺
 ____________________________________________________


SUCH AN ADORABLE ROMANCE!!!!!


Finally Vaughan.
We always wondered why his marriage with Kelly didn't work out....
Now we know and we sooo want them to have their Happy Ever After!!!

I really enjoyed the story.
It wasn't one of those weird romances with lots of misunderstandings and lots of unnecassary drama.
It was just perfect.

Starting with the shock of Kelly & Vaughan's daughter getting sick ... and then, when she's back home from the hospital, Vaughan decides to move in to help with the girls and prove to his ex-wife that he has changed.
And of course other romances would make a big deal out of the ex not wanting him living there bla bla - but Kelly is mostly thinking of her girls - and what could be better for them, than to have their beloved Daddy live with them.
And of course it doesn't hurt that he's still the hottest guy she's ever laid eyes on...



and she's still in love with him. But there have been soo many mistakes and bad times....Vaughan has a lot to prove until Kelly is ready to totally forgive him.

It was a really sweet & sexy romance. With no drama and weird artificial problems. Just a great love story about two people who were not ready to be together once...now they finally are. It's so adorable to watch Vaughan try. How he finally realized that he missed soo much of his girls lives ... but he's really giving everything he has now!!!

And the whole Hurley family is so great. I would sooo love to be part of this crazy family! They're all so funny and cute and nice - plus, most of them are ROCKSTARS!!!!☺☺☺

 And now I will just quote from my review for the first books in this series - because it kind of applies here too:
When I started reading I was kinda expecting something different - something more exciting, or more ...hm no idea - more suspensy or rock-star-ish maybe.
But the book just flows along like one of those 90's rock ballads - maybe NOVEMBER RAIN by Guns'n'Roses...no idea what I mean exactly though☺ Maybe when I read the words ROCK STAR in the blurb - I kind of expected the book to be like SEX ON FIRE by Kings of Leon, but like I said, it's more of a long and slow ballad....BUT - that doesn't mean that I didn't love it - I totally did.

BACK TO YOU  was an adorably sexy Rockstar-Romance - about second Chances ... which hopefully finally lead to a Happy End.



I would totally sit in front of a TV every week if someone would make a tv-series out of this amazing Hurley Family!!!! Fangirling at rockstars every week??? HELL YEAH! ☺
Why are there no TV-Show about rock-stars on TV at all??? Where are Josh Schwartz & Joss Whedon when you need them?

LINKS TO THE BOOK AND AUTHOR






 

STALK LAUREN ON:

FACEBOOKHOMEPAGEGOODREADSTWITTER
 

Lauren Dane has been writing stories since she was able to use a pencil, and before that she used to tell them to people. Of course, she still talks nonstop, and through wonderful fate and good fortune, she’s now able to share what she writes with others. It’s a wonderful life!

The basics: Lauren is a mom, a partner, a best friend and a daughter. Living in the rainy but beautiful Pacific Northwest, she spends her late evenings writing like a fiend when she finally wrestles all of her kids to bed.

Sunday 24 May 2015

✜ COVER REVEAL ✜ TRANSCENDING NIRVANA ✜ V.L. BROCK ✜ #3 ✜

© Bianca   
    


o COVER REVEAL o


V.L. BROCK - TRANSCENDING NIRVANA

• release date - 16 June - 2015
The Dark Evoke Series #3



 

Con·trol:
tr.v. con·trolled, con·trol·ling, con·trols
Noun
1. The power to influence or direct people's behaviour or the course of events.
2. To hold in restraint.

Survivor:
sur·vive
v. sur·vived, sur·viv·ing, sur·vives
v.intr.
1. To remain alive or in existence.
2. To carry on despite hardships or trauma.

Kady Jenson was a fighter.
For four days, she fought through the darkness of her unconscious, and for weeks she fought for answers as to why her long-term boyfriend was more of a stranger, while she felt so connected to the Irish stranger at her hospital bedside.

The apprehension, fear, anxiety, scars she had no memories of gaining and an unfamiliar passion which spawned each time she was in close proximity to the stranger, provided a wake-up call.

Receiving something she secretly craved helped regain the memories of the 3 years she had lost...and nothing could prepare her for the gut-wrenching truth.

Kady discovered she had gone from fighter to victim at the hands and manipulation of the one person she truly loved - The one person who was supposed to love and cherish her.

Beatings, emotional cruelty and mental torture were an everyday occurrence.
This was her life...

Now, she's back and so are her memories. With Irish at her side to protect her and maintain any residual fight she has left, can she finally break free of Liam's hold?

What remained left of the fighter, fought to discover that she, at the lowest point of her life, was a victim.

Now she must continue to battle against the darkness before she can call herself A SURVIVOR.
 



FOR ONLY 99cent!!!!





EXCERPT:

When my fingertips grazed over the stripe along his ribs, he shuddered and inhaled loudly. By the time I moved to the ones on his torso he was barely reacting to my touch.

It was when I lifted my inspecting gaze from my roaming hand and looked him in the eye that I sensed his dread. He knew where I was going to next. My heart was constricting at not only seeing the look of unadulterated disgust, pain and shame in his eyes, but sensing how great that perception of himself was.
This six foot, tattooed, muscular Irishman was physically shaking, his muscles and jaw clenching to painful proportions. The mere fact that he remained standing in front of me was enough to stun me. He looked ready to cave and drop to his knees.
Still, when I softly traced around the leather-like scalded, discolored flesh, his breathing was frantic, his eyes screwing tightly as though willing me away. This I was used to. This wasn’t the first time he allowed me to touch it, but I wanted him to show me, to prove to me that his body was mine also. I’d lived treading on eggshells for far too long. I wasn’t going to continue walking on them because of his inability to allow me in, and placing barriers between us, regardless of how painful.
Eyes closed tightly, his face contorted while I held my breath. I silently inched closer to the area. My lips narrowly managed to make a featherlike contact against it, when his eyes sprang open as he gasped, pushing me away.

And don't forget to read books #1 + #2 first ☺








V.L. BROCK




Raised in a creative family, witnessing one another expressing themselves through creativity, albeit musically or through a form of literature, it was only a matter of time before my passion for devising characters and their unique stories in their own world, began to form and grow. From there the seed was sown and flourished into a young girls dream.
Throughout the years I have often toyed with the idea of pursuing this path, yet unknowing where to begin. There are so many routes in this day and age to help get from A to B, that the dream was both tangible and terrifying. So with that, and after a few months of kicking myself into gear thanks to a certain someone, I decided to self-publish, and that decision was most probably one of the best decisions I have ever made.
I am a mother of a 6 year old son who knows how to keep me on my toes.
If I’m not writing I’m constantly thinking about writing and can be found either chasing my son around, with my nose in book or being creative in the kitchen.