I am a Killer. A Rapist. A Monster.I know only pain and survival.That is until the Cappo’s sister walked into my life.And changed everything.

She’s a light who makes my darkness darker, her smile makes my heart turn to ice, and I can’t escape the fear her seductive looks instill–knowing it’s only a matter of time before I fail–again, and take her for myself.

This is the story of my redemption.

But it’s not pretty…I died, and now I’m alive, but not living, breathing but not surviving. I am Phoenix De Lange, son to a murdered mob boss, estranged brother, horrible friend, monster in the making, newest leader to one of the most powerful families in the Cosa Nostra.

And I will have my vengeance.

Or die trying.

I am Phoenix De Lange.

Death is all I know.

Until she offers me a piece of life–I can’t resist taking.

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Excerpt

Once we were on the road, Phoenix chose the correct music for our drive. I say correct because, according to him, one didn’t start the day listening to hip-hop or anything remotely fun. No. Mr. Rogers had me listening to classical music.

Classical.

Mozart, to be exact.

Not that I wasn’t a fan of the arts, but really? It just seemed so against what you would expect from him. He was the bad boy personified; like, if you put his name in the dictionary, right next to it would be “And mothers warned their daughters to stay away, but the heart wants what the heart wants, and that heart wants that body… bad.”

He was all lean muscle and tight abs.

And I could have sworn he had a dimple, but I’d never actually seen it. Phoenix’s dimple was like Bigfoot; I’d seen glimpses in pictures and via rumors, but I had never actually seen it for myself.

One day.

One day I’d catch it and take a mental picture or five. Maybe ten. Needless to say, I knew that if I had one of his smiles, it would be a magical thing.

His hands gripped the steering wheel so hard I had a brief moment of panic thinking he was actually going to rip the thing from the dash and have a breakdown. Sad part? I half-expected it. He wasn’t acting normal… well, he was always moody, but this morning he seemed downright suicidal.

“So…” I tried to zone out the instruments assaulting my sanity. “You went to Eagle Elite, right?”

He was quiet for a minute then gave a swift nod.

“Wow, don’t talk so fast. I almost didn’t get all that.”

And crickets. Again.

I cleared my throat. “You graduate?”

“Sort of.”

“How do you sort of graduate?”

“Did you bring lunch money?” He asked in a tight voice.

I gaped. “Did you just ask me if I brought lunch money?”

He shrugged.

“You’re driving me to school, forcing Mozart on my poor sensitive morning ears, and just asked me if I had money for milk.”

“I’m concerned about you eating. Sue me.”

“Pretty sure the Nicolasi boss can afford to spare me a few dollars for a sandwich and a can of pop.”

“No pop.”

“Who died and made you my grandpa? Seriously. I want to know so I can steal your gun and point it at them.”

“Nobody touches my gun.”

“Which one?” I smirked, hoping he’d find the humor in my sexual innuendo, but who was I kidding? It was Phoenix. He simply grunted, rolled his eyes, and kept driving.

In a moment of pure rebellion, I undid the first two buttons of my white, collared shirt.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked, his voice calm, his eyes still on the road.

“Wow, you really are like a parent. You can see me even when you aren’t looking.”

“Button that shit to your chin before I pull this car over.”

“Put on Jay-Z, and we’ll talk.”

More cursing.

I undid another button.

“Son of a bitch, you’re annoying.”

“Is this our first lovers’ spat?”

“Were there drugs in your toast?” He finally glanced at me, his blue eyes chilling me to the bone. “Be serious. I don’t want to get called into the dean’s office because you’re high.”

“Do I look like I’m on drugs?”

“Is this a trick question?”

SERIES

Elite:

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Elect:

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Entice:

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Elicit:

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BANG BANG:

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ENFORCE

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 GIVEAWAY

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About Rachel Van Dyken

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com

Links:

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Excerpt

New American Library

Coffee Beans Part II

Time to get down to business.

I stomp out of the bedroom and down the stairs. The TV is on and I can hear the weatherman announcing the same info the driver relayed to me. “Tropical Storm Angela seemingly having stalled out once it passed over Cuba is picking up wind speed as it makes its way toward the Florida Keys.”

The rain is still beating down, but there are no calls for evacuations so I can only assume I am fine staying here.

Determined to get this conversation over with, I’m stopped dead in my own tracks. Nate is standing in front of a built-in coffee maker, waving his hand frantically up and down cursing under his breath, “Motherfucking piece of shit.”

“What happened? Did the Miele not do what you told her to do?”

He turns.

I feel like I’m watching him in slow motion.

Without warning, the air crackles.

He’s momentarily taken aback, but then a look of amusement crosses his face. “Zoey Flowers, you are . . .”

Words pop into my head—sexy, beautiful, hot as hell, fuckable.

Where did those come from?

That grin lingers on his mouth. “Your brother’s sister, without a fucking doubt.”

Tears prick my eyes. Not the words I hoped to hear, but so much more meaningful.

His face contorts, the glow of amusement gone from his eyes, shadowed by something darker. He sets two cups of coffee on the counter that separates us. “Hey, I’m really not good at this stuff. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

I swipe the drops away. “No, really, it’s okay. I just miss him. That’s all.”

Nate’s hands grip the counter and his head falls. “Yeah, me too.”

Silence sweeps the vastness of the space, but strangely it’s not uncomfortable.

His gaze lifts. “Zoey, it’s nice to finally meet you.”

I can’t help but be charmed. “It’s nice to finally meet you too, Nate.”

He clears his throat and a bit of shyness seems to cross his face.

I fear I might be staring, so I avert my gaze to look down at the counter and it lands on the two cups. “Are those lattés?”

His head lifts at the same time mine does. The connection is immediate—a jolt of electricity travels between us and I swear I see a little smile—not a smirk, but an actual smile on his face.

The most adorable boyish grin.

My belly flutters and I can’t help but return the smile, feeling a little shy myself.

“Yeah, well that’s what they’re supposed to be. I didn’t know what you drank, but thought I’d try these.”

I move closer, close enough that my hipbones nudge the edge of the counter. “Lucky for you, I’ll drink anything made with coffee beans.”

Then it hits me, that his hair is the color of the finest imported coffee beans.

“Yeah, lucky for me,” he repeats.

Taking a seat on one of the barstools, I blow on the top of the latté. The froth is not exactly froth-like, more like big soap bubbles or maybe clumps of soured whipped cream.

“You’re a schoolteacher, right?” he asks.

“Something like that,” I say. “I’m employed by the University of Rochester. You’re a landlord, right?”

His lips tip up a fraction. “Something like that.”

I laugh. “Just kidding. I know all about you—big successful CEO of an up-and-coming development company, who buys unprofitable businesses, turns them around, and then sells them.

Zach said you are very business savvy.”

This is true, but what I fail to mention is Zach told me so much more about him.

He raises one brow in the sexiest way. “You’re going to make me blush if you keep talking like that. But it sounds to me like you’re leaving some crucial things out. I’m sure your brother must have given you some dirt on me.”

How does he know Zach told me all about his inability to commit, his obsession with work, and his need to always be in control? He never spoke of him in a demeaning way though. No, rather Zach seemed to idolize this man. The words integrity, hard working, and respectful always followed anything that might have been construed as negative. Zach once mentioned that he thought something must have happened that triggered Nate’s extreme behavior.

He could understand that.

Honestly, so could I.

“Z never could give a compliment without making sure to put a little bite in it. My guess is he would have said something like this: “Big shot asshole of some  rising development company.”

I shrug. He did have my brother pegged. “Maybe it did go more like that.”

He smirks, and God help me. I have to look away.

I try to tuck my emotion aside by sipping on my latté. It tastes more like water, but the coffee lover in me is distracted by the trouble that’s watching me.

His eyes seem to darken as they follow the liquid into my mouth and then down my throat.

His breath seemingly goes shallow as if he’s picturing my mouth on something else.

My imagination must be in overdrive. I shake it off and point to my cup. “Not bad.”

He takes a sip of his and practically spits it out. “Not bad! It tastes like shit.”

I can feel my lips turning upward again. I swear I haven’t smiled in so long that I snap and just let the laughter roll through me—my body quaking, my hair bouncing like a lion’s mane.

Nate stares flabbergasted, and I can see his body tensing.

Once I’m finally able to speak, I manage to say, “Really, it doesn’t taste terrible. You just have your timing and ratios off, that’s all. Steam the milk a little longer, and add more beans.”

He sets his cup down and gives me a skeptical look.

“I used to work at a coffee shop when I was in college. I can show you if you like?”

Our gazes lock.

When he doesn’t respond, reality crashes down around me. I can’t let this become flirtatious.

I clear my throat. “Well, anyway, can we get back to why you’re here in the middle of the night? You can be honest with me—have you been staying here?”

A muscle twitches along Nate’s jaw, but he doesn’t answer me. Instead, he picks up his cup and turns to the sink, dumps his full latté down the drain, and then walks to the back of the house in the darkness.

My head twists so my eyes can track him.

He flicks a light switch on and twists his own head.

I know he must have caught my stare, and God knows what possessed look I might have had on my face. I quickly turn back.

“Zoey, I think we need to talk.”

“I know we do. And Nate, it’s okay. Really. I don’t mind that you’ve been staying here,” I reassure him as I turn back around.

He opens one of the many sliding glass doors and the sound of the storm gets louder. “Come over here. I want to show you something.”

Something draws me toward him.

He’s a man of authority. I can tell he’s used to getting his way, but I’m not usually one to submit to dominance. I’ve been around it enough at work—male professors are the poster children for authoritative personalities.

But still I move forward, approaching him with caution.

The sound of the waves crashing against the shore is beautiful. With the door open the smell in the air is pungent in the most delicious way, or maybe that’s Nate—clean, fresh, manly.

Without realizing it, I’m standing right in front of him. I get lost in the wind, the air, the sound—and him. I tilt my head back to look at him. I’m tall, but he’s almost a head taller than I am—he must be six-two. Something about his proximity makes my body feel possessed.

It’s nothing like I’ve felt before.

He steps out the door and onto a covered deck, scrubbing his stubbled jaw. “I told you I’m shit at this kind of stuff so I’m just going to get this over with.”

Relief takes over.

Here it comes.

Finally!

Pre-order The 27 Club

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RELEASE DATE: March 3, 2015

You don’t know when…

You don’t get to choose if…

When it’s time to join…you’ll know.

You might think you want to be a member—but trust me this is one club you don’t want to join. It’s not a place where people go to live out their deepest, darkest sexual desires—there are no handcuffs or blindfolds.

The 27 Club only admits those who die young and tragically. My brother was recently bestowed membership and joined many of our ancestors before him. I know I’m next. This is my destiny, and I was ready to yield.

But then I met Nate. He awakened a sensuality in me that had never been explored, never satisfied. I knew then I could no longer accept my destiny. Nate’s presence controls me. I’m overwhelmed by his touch, his words; my every thought is consumed by desire. I believe he was brought into my life for a reason.

Nate doesn’t believe in destiny.

But I do.

And if there’s a way to cheat it—I must.

View a book trailer here:  https://vimeo.com/109601829

About the Author

I live in Florida with my husband and four kids. I’ve always had a love for reading books and writing. Being an English major in college, I wanted to teach at the college level but that was not to be. I went on to receive an MBA and became a project manager until quitting to raise my family. I currently work part-time with my husband and full-time embracing one of my biggest passions—writing.

Stalk Her:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

RELEASE DATE: FEB 19

I am a Killer. A Rapist. A Monster.

I know only pain and survival.

That is until the Cappo’s sister walked into my life.

And changed everything.

She’s a light who makes my darkness darker, her smile makes my heart turn to ice, and I can’t escape the fear her seductive looks instill–knowing it’s only a matter of time before I fail–again, and take her for myself.

This is the story of my redemption.

But it’s not pretty…I died, and now I’m alive, but not living, breathing but not surviving. I am Phoenix De Lange, son to a murdered mob boss, estranged brother, horrible friend, monster in the making, newest leader to one of the most powerful families in the Cosa Nostra.

And I will have my vengeance.

Or die trying.

I am Phoenix De Lange.

Death is all I know.

Until she offers me a piece of life–I can’t resist taking.

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Review

A phoenix rises out of the embers and begins anew, but in order to get there, who gets dragged into the fire with him, and are they safe from the blazing flames, or will they get irreparably burned?

Monster. Rapist. Murderer. Lost cause.

These are the terms that plague Phoenix De Lange, both in his reality and nightmares. The darkness consumes him and the monster within constantly claws at his psyche, hoping to break free and regain control of the man who has now been given a second chance and become head of the Nicolasi family. Although he has been immersed back into the Elite fold, it has not been with open arms, and Phoenix’s friends’ inability to see him as more than the sum of his misdeeds – a monster just waiting to be released back into the open – guts him more than he’s willing to admit.

Phoenix epitomizes the word damaged, and he copes with it the best he can by focusing on the job, keeping himself cold and indifferent because any type of feeling could possibly push him over the edge, and he refuses to fall again…he doesn’t want to be that man again…the one manipulated and programmed by a sadistic father. He knows he can never make amends, never regain his soul, but he refuses to allow his demons to take over regardless of how strong they push against him and whisper to him to give into temptation and become who he was meant to be.

Bianka (Bee) Campisi, Tex’s younger sister, has her own demons to keep at bay, and although they are not nearly as dark or due to a darkness within, the loneliness and insecurity she feels due to the mistreatment and neglect she endeared at the hands of her father torments her on a daily basis, making her feel worthless and rejected.

Bee is the light to Phoenix’s dark…the warmth to his cold…the blessing to his curse. From their first interaction, Bee has seen beyond the monster and has fought to show him that he’s worth fighting for, but her battle, at times, feels like it’s all for naught because the push and pull between them, the abrasive treatment at Phoenix’s hands is a bit overwhelming because of her isolated childhood and the need to feel protected and special.

Rachel Van Dyken does a tremendous job of illustrating Phoenix’s tormented thoughts and feelings and allowing an anti-hero to work towards redemption by his own actions and the love and care of others. It’s an uphill battle for most of the text between Bee and Phoenix, Tex and Phoenix, basically everyone and Phoenix, but there are moments of clarity amongst the Mafia men and their women in respect to Phoenix that empower Phoenix to pull himself out of the darkness and into a light that he may not think he deserves, but he’s finally willing to grab hold and never let go of something that unthaws the coldness that has surrounded him.

Ember continues to shed light on the duplicitous nature of the mob and those enemies who are always threatening to undermine every decision and move made. Trust is an aspect in this world that is hard to grasp and completely feel at ease with, even with those closest to you. And in true Elite series fashion, never accept anything at face value because there’s always more to the picture that what there seems to be and sooner or later, secrets and lies are exposed in dealt with in the only way the Mafia knows – blood.

Elude can’t some soon enough, especially with what happens with Sergio in Ember and what readers know, after reading it, the battle he has in front of him.

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

5+ poison apples

Excerpt

I wasn’t sure how to act. Wasn’t sure if I should apologize for attacking him or thank him for not laughing in my face. Embarrassed and irritated that he was most likely going to ignore whatever it was between us even if it killed him, I stared hard at the cement floor.

“How are you feeling, little girl?”

“I’m not little.”

“You want me to call you fat?”

“No.” I lifted my head. “Call me gorgeous like you did last night.”

“Well, shit.” Phoenix ran his hands over his face then grabbed my arm and dragged me down the hall into a darkened corner. “You remember?”

“You kissed me.”

“Prove it.”

“What’s wrong with you?” I pushed against his chest. “You like me! Admit it!”

Phoenix made a face. “You were drunk, launched yourself at me, and I caught you. Did we kiss?” His eyes went completely black. “Yeah, we did, but it meant nothing.”

“Really?”

“Really.” He hissed out a breath through his teeth.

“Prove it.”

“What?”

I pushed him against the wall. “Prove it meant nothing. Let me kiss you now, and if it meant nothing it will be like… what? Kissing your sister.”

“I’ve sworn off women.”

“So this should be an easy test then, right?”

“Bee…” Phoenix’s face was pained, as if I was holding a gun to his head rather than offering to kiss him. Was the idea so abhorrent? “Please…” His voice had a pleading tone I’d never heard before. “Don’t do this.”

“One. Little. Test.” I rose up on my tip toes and kissed him full on the mouth.

His lips refused to move against mine.

I wrapped my arms around his neck.

He stiffened even more.

Irritated, I bit his lower lip. He gasped, and I slid my tongue inside his mouth. He pushed me away with a curse then wiped his lips. “Done. Your little test is done. I didn’t respond. Happy now?”

His eyes were furious; the blue flashed like lightning against his skin. His fingertips shook as he made a fist.

“You like me.”

“Bee…” Phoenix pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingertips. “…find someone your own age, someone who’s interested in you in the way you deserve, alright?” His tone was gentle, and maybe that was what hurt the most.

It was like he was letting me down slowly, hoping I didn’t break.

But the joke was on him.

Because I was already broken.

I didn’t want boys my age — I wanted him.

“You’re a good liar.” My eyes narrowed. “And you’re lucky I’m patient.”

“Lucky?” He sputtered out a laugh. “That you like toying with me?”

“No, lucky that even though you constantly push me away…I keep coming back for more. But, Phoenix… everyone’s time eventually runs out.”

“Go to breakfast, Bee.”

“Go to hell, Phoenix.”

SERIES Buy Links:

Elite

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Elect

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Entice

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BANG BANG

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ENFORCE

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About Rachel Van Dyken

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com

Links:

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/8l7hP

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelVanDyken

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachVD

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Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Van-Dyken/e/B0054TW5AA/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1407369649&sr=8-2-ent

GIVEAWAY

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HOLD ME (Twist Me, #3)

A Dark Erotic Novel

Anna Zaires

Release Date: 2015

Cover by Eden Crane Design

Sign up for Anna’s newsletter at www.annazaires.com to be notified when the book becomes available.

Blurb

Captor and captive. Lovers. Soul mates.

We’re all that and more.

We thought we were past the worst of it. We thought we finally had a chance.

We thought wrong.

We’re Nora and Julian, and this is our story.

Pre Order HOLD ME

Kobo | iBooks

Excerpt

“What did you dream about?” I ask softly. “Was it Beth?”

“No.” She shakes her head, and I see that her breathing is beginning to return to normal. Her voice, however, still holds echoes of horror as she says hoarsely, “It was you this time. Majid was cutting out your eyes, and I couldn’t stop him . . .”

I try not to react, but it’s impossible. Her words hurl me back to that cold, windowless room, to the nauseating sensations I’ve been trying to forget for the past several days. My head begins to throb with remembered agony, my half-healed eye socket burning with emptiness once again. I feel blood and other fluids dripping down my face, and my stomach heaves at the recollection. I’m no stranger to pain, or even to torture—my father believed that his son should be able to withstand anything—but losing my eye had been by far the most excruciating experience of my life.

Physically, at least.

Emotionally, Nora’s appearance in that room probably holds that honor.

It takes all of my willpower to wrench my thoughts back to the present, away from the mind-numbing terror of seeing her dragged in by Majid’s men. “You did stop him, Nora.” It kills me to admit this, but if it weren’t for her bravery, I would probably be decomposing in some dumpster in Tajikistan. “You came for me, and you saved me.”

I still have trouble believing that she did that—that she voluntarily placed herself in the hands of psychotic terrorists to save my life. She didn’t do it out of some naive conviction that they wouldn’t harm her. No, my pet knew exactly what they were capable of, and she still had the courage to act.

I owe my life to the girl I abducted, and I don’t quite know how to deal with that.

“Why did you do it?” I ask, stroking the edge of her lower lip with my thumb. Deep down, I know, but I want to hear her admit it.

She gazes at me, her eyes filled with shadows from her dream. “Because I can’t survive without you,” she says quietly. “You know that, Julian. You wanted me to love you, and I do. I love you so much that I would walk through hell for you.”

I take in her words with greedy, shameless pleasure. I can’t get enough of her love. I can’t get enough of her. I wanted her initially because of her resemblance to Maria, but my childhood friend had never evoked even a fraction of emotions Nora makes me feel. My affection for Maria had been innocent and pure, just like Maria herself.

My feelings for Nora are anything but.

“Listen to me, my pet . . .” My hand leaves her face to rest on her shoulder. “I need you to promise me that you will never do something like that again. I’m obviously glad to be alive, but I would sooner have died than had you in that kind of danger. You are never to risk your life for me again. Do you understand me?”

The nod she gives me is faint, almost imperceptible, and I see a mutinous gleam in her eyes. She doesn’t want to make me mad, so she’s not disagreeing, but I have a strong suspicion she’s going to do what she thinks is right regardless of what she says right now.

This obviously calls for more heavy-handed measures.

“Good,” I say silkily. “Because next time—if there is ever a next time—I will kill anyone who helps you against my orders . . . and I will do it slowly and painfully. Do you understand me, Nora? If anyone so much as endangers a hair on your head, whether it’s to save me or for any other reason, that person will die a very unpleasant death. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes.” She looks pale now, her lips pressed together as if to contain a protest. She’s angry with me now, but she’s also scared. Not for herself—she’s beyond that fear now—but for others. My pet knows I mean what I say.

She knows I’m a conscienceless killer with only one weakness.

Her.

Twist Me (Twist Me, #1)

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Kidnapped. Taken to a private island.

I never thought this could happen to me. I never imagined one chance meeting on the eve of my eighteenth birthday could change my life so completely.

Now I belong to him. To Julian. To a man who is as ruthless as he is beautiful – a man whose touch makes me burn. A man whose tenderness I find more devastating than his cruelty.

My captor is an enigma. I don’t know who he is or why he took me. There is a darkness inside him – a darkness that scares me even as it draws me in.

My name is Nora Leston, and this is my story.

Keep Me (Twist Me, #2)

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Abducted at eighteen. Held captive for 15 months.

It reads like one of those headlines. And yes, I did it. I stole her. Nora, with her long dark hair and silky skin. She’s my weakness, my obsession.

I’m not a good man. I never pretended to be one. She can love me, but she can’t change me.

I can, however, change her.

My name is Julian Esguerra, and Nora is mine to keep.

About the Author

Anna Zaires fell in love with books at the age of five, when her grandmother taught her to read. She wrote her first story shortly thereafter. Since then, she has always lived partially in a fantasy world where the only limits were those of her imagination. Currently residing in Florida, Anna is happily married to Dima Zales (a science fiction and fantasy author) and closely collaborates with him on all their works.

After graduating from the University of Chicago with a degree in Economics, Anna spent eight years on Wall Street analyzing stocks and writing research reports. In 2013, she became a full-time author, pursuing her lifelong dream of writing romance novels.

Dima Zales is the love of her life and a huge inspiration in all aspects of her writing. Every book Anna writes is a product of their unique collaborative process.

In addition to reading and writing, Anna enjoys drinking tea (coconut oolong, anyone?), watching addictive TV shows, and discussing book ideas during long walks with her amazing husband.

She loves hearing from her readers, so please don’t hesitate to contact her through her website or connect with her on Facebook, where she hangs out way too often. Also, please visit her husband and collaborator, Dima Zales, at www.dimazales.com and check out their fantasy & science fiction books.

Connect with Anna

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Review

Kasey Millstead lives a quiet life in country New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and their four young children. She enjoys baking, singing (ridiculously out of tune) & spending time with friends and family. Kasey has always harboured a deep love for reading and writing, and she is now lucky enough to be living her dream of being an Author.

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Giveaway

Valentine’s Day may be over, but Damien & Nikki’s is just beginning!

This steamy new Stark Ever After Novella is available today – and it includes a glimpse at the hero in J. Kenner’s upcoming SAY MY NAME!

About PLAY MY GAME

For fans of Fifty Shades of Grey and Bared to You comes an erotic, emotionally intense eBook novella from J. Kenner, bestselling author of Release Me. Following fan favorites Damien Stark and his wife, Nikki Fairchild, Play My Game is the story of their first Valentine’s Day as newlyweds, and offers an alluring glimpse of Jackson Steele, the alpha male featured in Kenner’s upcoming novel Say My Name.

Includes a special preview of Say My Name, the highly anticipated first novel in J. Kenner’s new trilogy in the Stark series.

I never imagined that anything could top our honeymoon, but life as Mrs. Damien Stark is sweeter than any fantasy. We are forever bound by our love and our desire. His touch is my greatest treasure—and is purely mine alone.

Yet no matter where we go, the ghosts of our pasts follow. We can’t escape our secrets, or the people who desperately want to bring us down. Even on Valentine’s Day, neither of us is safe.

I’ll do whatever it takes to protect Damien, to fulfill his every need. His kiss is my calling, his passion my truest bliss. The dangers we face, we now face together—and nothing can make me run.

Play My Game is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

Add it to your Goodreads list here!

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About J. Kenner

Julie Kenner (aka J. Kenner and J.K. Beck) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of over forty novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations,” J.K. writes a range of stories including super sexy romances, paranormal romance, chick lit suspense and paranormal mommy lit. Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner, is in development as a feature film with 1492 Pictures.

Her most recent trilogy of erotic romances, The Stark Trilogy (as J. Kenner), reached as high as #2 on the New York Times list and is published in over twenty countries.

J.K. lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and several cats.

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The Hooker and the Hermit
by L.H. Cosway, Penny Reid
Publication Date: February 5, 2015
Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis

LADIES AND GENTS! I have an announcement!You know that guy I featured on my blog a few months ago? The really, really hot Irish rugby player who plays the position of ‘hooker’ in the RLI (Rugby League International)? The one with the questionable fashion choices leading me to ask whether he was the lovechild of a leprechaun and a hobbit? The one with the anger management issues and the body of a gladiator and the face of a movie star? Ronan Fitzpatrick? Yeah, that guy.Well, I have a confession to make…THE HERMITAnnie Catrel, social media expert extraordinaire at Davidson & Croft Media and clandestine celebrity blogger, can make anyone shine in the court of public opinion. She is the Socialmedialite, anonymous creator of New York’s Finest and the internet’s darling. Virtual reality is Annie’s forte, but actual reality? Not so much.THE HOOKER

Ronan Fitzpatrick, aka the best hooker the world of rugby has seen in decades, despises the media—social or otherwise. The press has spun a web of lies depicting him as rugby’s wild and reckless bad boy.

Suspended from his team, Ronan has come to Manhattan to escape the drama, lay low, fly under the radar. Only, Ronan isn’t easy to overlook, and he can’t escape the notice of the Socialmedialite…

THE PLAN

When Ronan is sent to Davidson & Croft Media to reshape his public image, he never expects to cross paths with shy but beautiful Annie, nor does he expect his fierce attraction to her. He couldn’t be happier when her boss suggests pairing them together.

What lengths will Annie take to keep her virtual identity concealed? And what happens when the hooker discovers who the hermit really is?

The Hooker and the Hermit is a collaboration between authors L.H. Cosway and Penny Reid, is a full length 100k word novel, and is a standalone.

Review

I know it’s only February, and there’s A LOT of 2015 left, but this book has all of the components that make a story phenomenal, and that’s why I can honestly say that it’s in and will stay in my top 5 reads of 2015.

The Hooker and the Hermit

When the wit of a story begins with the title and continues to resonate off of the pages from the first page until the last, it makes for an absolute gem of a read.

The Hooker ~ Ronan Fitzpatrick

From a media standpoint, Ronan’s a hothead who acts without thinking and now faces the repercussions of his actions by being suspended from the game he loves, forced to “revamp” his image in order to become the “David Beckham of rugby.”

From a reader’s vantage point, he’s a filthy mouthed Irishmen who knows how to seduce with his words, his body, and his actions. It’s hard not to fall for him because his honesty is one hell of a sexy trait, and the way he woos Annie and works to unmask the sassy introvert despite her protests will only endear him to readers more.

The Hermit ~ Annie Cartel

I don’t think I’ve ever identified more with a female character than I do with Annie. The two parts to her personality; her need to remain a controlled recluse in the public eye but behind closed doors she becomes a less socially awkward, more quick-witted extrovert is something that I can definitely relate to – more than I care to admit.

What’s even more amazing about Annie is that even though her past has scarred her in ways that no one will understand unless they’ve been through it themselves, she’s such a strong, independent woman who deserves every bit of happiness that Ronan Fitzpatrick wants to give to her.

I could absolutely be inside her head every day and still find ways that Annie’s wit, quirky profanity, and eccentricities would brighten my day and lighten my heart.

Lesson on Living and Social Media

The storyline in The Hooker and the Hermit seamlessly weaves a sizzling romance with social commentary on the manipulative nature of media/paparazzi and the effects of a past shrouded in disappointment and rejection. What works so well in the text is the fact that although some of the issues explored are a bit difficult, they’re presented in a way that adds depth and complexity to the story, making it that much richer in content. They illustrate who Annie and Ronan truly are and why, at their core, they’re exactly who each other needs to traverse through the media maelstrom and the reality of truly living; they’re each other’s teachers and one of my favorite book couples!

I’m a huge Penny Reid fan. She creates such wonderfully quirky heroines who are completely relatable to the female reader because they embody so many every day womanly features that make them just like us, and her newest release solidifies her mastery.

I’ve heard a lot of wonderful things about L.H. Cosway and her stories, and while I haven’t had the privilege of reading any of her books, not even the ones that are currently in my Kindle cloud, I’m definitely going to need to rectify that after reading The Hooker and the Hermit.

Absolutely phenomenal read!

5 poison apples

 

About L.H. Cosway

L.H. Cosway has a BA in English Literature and Greek and Roman Civilisation, and an MA in Postcolonial Literature. She lives in Dublin city. Her inspiration to write comes from music. Her favourite things in life include writing stories, vintage clothing, dark cabaret music, food, musical comedy, and of course, books.

She thinks that imperfect people are the most interesting kind. They tell the best stories.

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

about penny reid

SEX! It all started with sex, between my parents. Personally I don’t like thinking about it, but whatever works for you is a-ok with me. No judgment. The sex happened in California and much of my life also occurred in that state until I moved from the land of nuts (almonds), wine, silicon… boobs, and heavy traffic to the southeast US. Like most writers I like to write, but let’s get back to sex. Eventually I married and gave birth to 2 small people-children (boy-6, girl-4 as of this writing).

By day I’m a biomedical researcher with focus on rare diseases. By night I’m a knitter, sewer, lino block carver, fabric printer, soap maker, and general crafter. By the wee hours of the morning or when I’m intoxicated I love to listen to the voices in my head and let them tell me stories. I hope you enjoy their stories.

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GIVEAWAY

Enter to win signed books from: Mia Sheridan, April White, Daisy Prescott, Tara Sivec, Penny Reid, LH Cosway AND a signed Tote from Wicked Book Weekend and has a ton of author signatures, including Kristen Ashley, Tara Sivec, Chelle Bliss, etc.

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Title: Reclaimed (A Knights Rebels MC Novella 2.5)

Author: River Savage

Publication Date: February 17, 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Add to your TBR:  Goodreads

Review

Postpartum depression is an overlooked illness; it’s amazing the hold it can have on a new mother and the havoc it wreaks on her. River does a fantastic job of showing Kadence’s personal hell and all of her thoughts of inadequacy. Every woman who has struggled with postpartum will be able to identify with Kadence’s plight.

Nix was fucking fantastic in this novella; he stood by Kadence and pushed when he needed to and eased off as well. River captures Nix’s conflicted feelings as well as he feels so helpless in helping Kadence deal with her depression.

It’s a battle to work through an illness that swoops in swiftly, and for the most part, it’s up to the new mom to seek the necessary help because pushing only makes them feel like their back’s against the wall. Even in a group of supportive friends and family like Kandence’s, it’s not easy to admit – to say outloud that you need help, and River Savage delivers those messages and more in Reclaimed.

Kadence, slowly but surely, reclaims her life…her husband…her children…her body. It isn’t easy but it is so damn worth it.

Well done!

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 poison apples

 Excerpt

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About the Author

 

River Savage is the author of the Knights Rebels MC Series.

An avid reader of romance and erotic novels, her love for books and reading fueled her passion for writing. Reading no longer sated her addiction, so she started writing in secret. She never imagined that her dream of publishing a novel would ever be achievable.

With a soft spot for an alpha male and a snarky sassy woman, Kadence and Nix were born.

River would love to hear from you. You can contact and/or follow her via…

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/riversavageauthor?ref_type=bookmark

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Website: http://www.riversavage.com/

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Email: riversavageauthor@gmail.com

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