Raising the Sun by Karina Halle Release Blitz and Giveaway

From the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of Where Sea Meets Sky comes a new adult novel about a young woman who becomes a nanny in Capri and falls for her charges’ bad-boy brother.

When I’m traveling, I feel like the secret to my life, to myself, to really becoming, is one step ahead. It’s in the next destination, the next town I get lost in, the next stranger I talk to. It’s always next but never here . . .

After six months of backpacking and soul-searching across the world, Amber MacLean is flat broke. There are worse places for a twentysomething to be stuck than the Amalfi Coast, but the only way she can earn enough money for a plane ticket home to California is to teach English to two of the brattiest children she has ever met.

It doesn’t help that the children are under the care of their brooding older brother, ex-motorcycle racer Desiderio Larosa. Darkly handsome and oh-so-mysterious, the young master of the crumbling villa tests Amber’s patience and will at every turn—not to mention her hormones.

When her position turns into a full-time nanny gig, Amber grows dangerously closer to the enigmatic recluse. But can she give up the certainty of home for someone whose closely guarded heart feels a world apart from her own?

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With her USA Today Bestselling The Artists Trilogy published by Grand Central Publishing, numerous foreign publication deals, and self-publishing success with her Experiment in Terror series, Vancouver-born Karina Halle is a true example of the term "Hybrid Author." Though her books showcase her love of all things dark, sexy and edgy, she's a closet romantic at heart and strives to give her characters a HEA...whenever possible.

Karina holds a screenwriting degree from Vancouver Film School and a Bachelor of Journalism from TRU. Her travel writing, music reviews/interviews and photography have appeared in publications such as Consequence of Sound, Mxdwn and GoNomad Travel Guides. She currently lives on an island on the coast of British Columbia where she’s preparing for the zombie apocalypse with her fiancé and rescue pup.

LINKS: FACEBOOK TWITTER GOODREADS AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Dangerous Desire by Sebastian Ex Reivew

4 Stars

My name is Brandon Edwards. Men like me don’t come along often. I'm a gentleman, a lover, a protector, and a Dominant. I've never been the type who can – or even wants to – commit to a woman…until I met Penny a couple of years ago. Since then, we've been in a committed relationship. I adore and cherish her.

Penny has a darkness inside her, a yearning for extreme pain. But I don’t want that for her, nor can I give her what she’s so desperate for. Her craving has led her down risky paths, and it’s my job to keep her off those now.

There’s a dangerous desire lurking within all of us. But when does wanting more become too much?

“Strength comes from within. We aren’t shown it; we aren’t taught it. Some of us seek it, some of us need it, but all of us have it. And it’s times like this that make you dig deep for your own strength.”

This was another great book from Sebastian Ex. The first book was about Matthew and it really surprised me how much i loved that book by the end. This one was different all together, but that is because Brandon is different all together. I think the quote above covers who he is pretty well. He is the softer side to the duo. And while Matthew has his softer side, it took us a while to see it. Brandon was sweet right off the bat. 

At first I hadn't read the synopsis in a while so I started the book off not really knowing what was going on. It was a difference experience and one I enjoyed. Who was he going to be with? It made the progression between him and Penny so much more realistic. I really enjoyed watching their relationship. It was a steamy book, but also very tame. 

Penny was a great character I enjoyed. She was a strong woman who knew what she wanted out of life. I really enjoyed reading back about her past and her discovery of becoming a submissive. I love how she accepted who she was. I loved how Brandon did what he needed to to take care of her.  

Once again this book was written in a male POV and I liked hearing from Brandon. There was one off chapter from Penny's POV which threw me off, but not enouhg to really bother me. 

Overall, the book was a quick fun read with a good amount of tension. I'm really keeping my eye out for what Sebastian has coming out next! Enjoy!

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Riot (Mayhem #2) by Jamie Shaw - Review

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars!!
Synopsis: When Dee Dawson meets sexy mohawked guitarist Joel Gibbon, she knows it won’t be long before she has him wrapped around her finger. No guy has ever been able to resist her… but Dee’s met her match in a player like Joel.

Dee’s not the relationship type—not after seeing the pain “love” has caused her friends and family—yet she’s desperate to make Joel want her more than anyone else. He quickly becomes an obsession, and when a reckless attempt to make him jealous ends in disaster, Dee turns into the damsel in distress she never wanted to be. With her carefree world crashing down around her, the last thing she needs is Joel’s pity.

But Joel is suddenly determined to prove he cares, and no matter how hard Dee tries to push him away, he refuses to let her shut him out. Now the girl who swore she’d never say those three little words must choose between guarding her heart and losing Joel forever… or falling head-over-heels for the tattooed rock star of her 

Review:

Dee and Joel...two people who couldn't be more perfect for each other. Boys want Dee and the ladies want Joel. And those two? They have a fun little "causal" game going on between them.

Dee isn't afraid to admit she likes sleeping with men and then throwing them out the door. It is what it is. Her reason is simple: She doesn't want to get in too deep with a guy. She just wants to have fun, love can come after.

"Guys have told me they’ve loved me before, but I never believed them. They’ve given me flowers and gifts and declarations I didn’t want, and all it did was make me run away even faster. I’ve made grown men cry, and all it ever did was make me lift an eyebrow and wonder why I dated them in the first place."

And Joel, our sexy guitarist. He's been with Dee for months and they both agree to have a non-monogamous relationship. And it works...until something happens to Dee.
Joel starts sticking to her a lot more, he's more controlling and protective.  Dee relents, but eventually she warms up to him and they have a bond like they didn't think was possible...even for them.

What else is in store for these two? You have to find out and read the book yourself because I purposely didn't cover all the points. :)

Hearts of Blue by L.H. Cosway - Cover Reveal

Today is the final day of the Release Week Event for L.H. Cosway's King of Hearts and what better way to celebrate as we reveal the cover for HEARTS OF BLUE, book 4 in the Hearts series releasing in November 2015!

She upholds the law. He breaks it.

Two blue hearts, both alike in bravery

In not-so-fair London, where we lay our scene

From gun crime to petty theft

Where family is blood and survival makes hands unclean

In this place, we find two hearts who should be foes

And yet, amidst the turmoil their love still grows

Misadventure abounds and the divide will bring them strife

But with luck, death doesn’t always mean an end to life

Hearts of Blue is a standalone contemporary romance that tells the story of star-crossed lovers Karla Sheehan and Lee Cross, a police constable and the thief who steals her heart.

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.

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♥ READ THE BOOKS ♥

Six of Hearts

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Hearts of Fire

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King of Hearts

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He Found Me Series: Books 1 & 2 by Whitney Barbetti - Cover Reveal

He Found Me: 

When I was seventeen, I disappeared. I walked out the door of my apartment with a backpack and never looked back. I left the life of Cora Mitchell behind, seeking freedom from my real-life nightmare. But my freedom came with a cost. I lived a fictitious life for the next six years, never letting anyone close enough to see underneath the facade that was Andra Walker. I was content with my simple little life. Until I met Julian. And the moment I started allowing myself to open up, allowing someone to see through the superficial, was the very same moment the Monster from my past would return to find me.

He Saved Me: 

Julian

I’ve come to understand that I’ll always find her. She’s my north star, my sense of direction. In her, I’ve found my home. She tells me I saved her. But the truth is, she saved me.

But nothing good can ever last. Andra’s keeping secrets. She’s holding something back. I’m trying, desperately, to anchor her. To let me in, to let me help.

But will all my efforts end up with a ghost of a girl I love?

Andra

I'm used to disappearing. Vanishing into thin air, without a trace of who I've been or where I've gone.

But it’s so much harder to do with a broken heart and no hope for a happy ending. Sometimes the only people who can put all the pieces of us back together are the ones we least expect to. That's what Julian did for me.

Julian found me. But now, all Six wants is to keep me locked up, away from the world, away from the Monster. I can't live like that. It's not living at all. Because I still have unfinished business.

And I'm going to make sure the Monster gets what’s coming to him.

Pre-Order Links: (Releasing July 31)

 Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon AU ~ Amazon CA

I like nachos and champagne and clean sheets. I spend far too much time at Starbucks. I wrote a couple books

He Found Me ~ Ten Below Zero ~ He Saved Me

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He Found Me Series by Whitney Barbetti Cover Reveal

Desertion by River Savage Blog Tour

Title: Desertion (Knights Rebels MC #3)

Author: River Savage

Release Date: July 14, 2015

Goodreads

 SYNOPSIS

Honor. 

Courage. 

Commitment.

Three things Jesse Carter has lost. A former Marine, Jesse used to stand proud of his achievements and live by the code. But when circumstance made him question everything he believed in, those most basic values didn’t feel so important after all.

Sex. 

Lies. 

Knights Rebels.

Three things Jesse Carter has found. Reborn into a brotherhood not so different from the one he left behind, Jesse finds it all too easy to block out his past and claim the role as the Rebels' fun loving player.

Until he meets Bell.

Shy, awkward, and with troubles of her own, Bell Johnson's no stranger to hiding her pain. When Jesse forces himself into her life, she’s at risk of her defences crumbling.

Does Bell have the strength to survive Jesse and his demons or is she fated to become another casualty in the self-destruction of Jesse Carter?

 Purchase Links:

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1LXvHU3

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1QkmXdQ

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1K9PvQj

Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1LludPM

B&N: http://bit.ly/1LXwmF0

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1KPYqdb

Itunes: http://apple.co/1RaoErc

EXCERPT

I wake up to the heat of someone’s palm against my shoulder. Twisting around, my hand moves faster than my brain, and I snatch it off me. 

“Jesse, it’s me, Bell,” she rushes out before I can take it any further. 

“Fuck.” I release my grip on her arm and sit up, forcing myself back to the here and now. 

“Did I hurt you?” I reach for her searching for any sign of a mark left by me.

“It’s fine. You barely touched me.” She holds her arm out letting me inspect it. I check it over one more time before releasing her and relaxing.

“You wanna talk about it?” I study her face, eyes calm, soft mouth. She’s not freaking out.

“Just some shit that visits my dreams sometimes, nothing that needs to touch you,” I reply, shocked I’m not retreating. 

“I don’t mind, Jesse,” she pushes, and I almost cave. Almost. 

“The last thing I want to do is talk about this shit, Bell.” She doesn’t argue or press, and I’m grateful for it. I don’t think I’d be able to keep my cool if she did. 

“Come back to sleep.” She lies back down and I follow her. She doesn’t ask me any more questions, or make me feel like I need to tell her everything. 

“That ever happens again, don’t wake me,” I warn. A menacing thought strikes through me picturing what could have happened if I didn’t wake in time. She’s lucky I didn’t hurt her, like the last time a woman touched me while I had a nightmare. 

“You don’t always have to be so brave, Jesse.” Her hand moves to my dog tags. I don’t stop her. I’m starting to like the feeling of her hands touching them. 

“Never tried to be, Bell. But talking doesn’t help me. Never has.” I think back to the time when I did try and it forced me out of control. Talking about those triggers only amplified my insecurities. When death sits afar, mocking you in the dangerous confines of your surroundings, it fucks with your head; nothing was going to change it. 

Besides, my issues weren’t what I had done. They were what I had survived. My conscience wasn’t clear and my honor wasn’t clean.

“Promise me you won’t touch me.” I keep my tone even, controlled.

“I promise.” I take her hand in mine and bring it to my lips. Maybe one day I will let someone in. Let her in. 

Today isn’t that day. 

But today, I didn’t push her away. 

That has to count for something.

AUTHOR INFO

River Savage is the Author of the Knights Rebels MC Series. She released her debut novel, Incandescent, in August 2014. 

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...

Email: riversavageauthor@gmail.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RiverS_Author ( @RiverS_Author )

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Website: http://www.riversavage.com/

King of Hearts by L.H. Cosway - Blog Tour: Review + Character Interview + Giveaway

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Synopsis

Welcome to the City, London’s most prestigious square mile, where finance reigns and Oliver King is a rising prince. 

I used to rule the world.

There might be wolves on Wall Street, but there were crocodiles in Canary Wharf. Some of us craved money. Some of us craved power.

I liked money, and power had its advantages, but what I really wanted was to excel, to surpass the men who came before me. I never cared much for love and romance until I met Alexis.

I could feel it the very moment she walked into the interview, with her outspoken charm and vivacious personality. She cast all the others in shadow, made me laugh when life held no humour. 

Our friendship should have remained professional, but it wasn’t long before the lines started to blur.

You know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men? Well, I never foresaw where my plans would lead, and only in my darkest hour did I finally see the light…

You can have all the money and prestige in the world and still be the poorest man alive. And love, well, I hate to use a tired old cliché, but love can be the thing that truly sets you free.

Buy Links

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes | Smashworks

Review

**Received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**

5/5 Stars!

Needless to say that, again, L.H. has conquered and succeeded and I am one happy woman to be reviewing and most liking buy this book in paperback format when I can. I mean, I've rated all her books a solid 5/5, but this entire series? It deserves so, so much more than just a rating. So here's another review.

Even if this story is told in Alexis's point of view, I adored reading about King in both his past and future. I loved how this gave me the story of what happened to that drunkard back in Hearts of Fire. I knew, like Jay said, "I bet you could tell me some stories." 

And boy did he have a story. 

|He moved closer, his lips at my ear again, as I felt every muscle in his body go taut. His words were lethal. They held equal parts anger, triumph, and satisfaction when he whispered, "I fucking knew it." |

This wonderful story starts off in the past, where a young girl, Alexis is going for an interview applying to be a personal assistant for Oliver King, who is a very talented banker. And i'm talking about those high corporation bankers, the ones that are rich. Anyways, after a rather interesting interview, she get's the spot and gets settled in within a few months. During that time, King notes that she isn't like a typical PA, and he considers Alexis more like a friend...a friend he's rather turned on by.

But alas, to prevent any relationship at any cost with King, Alexis proclaims that she's gay and she has no lingering eyes for King. We all know that doesn't stop him. 

King finds more and more reasons to like Alexis, both for her beautiful personality and her gorgeous looks, especially when he is asked to model with her in a photo shoot set by Alexis's friend. Let's just say the secret is out, and King takes advantage of that. 

| "We're in something of a predicament, love."

I turned my face to look up at him. "We are?"

Reaching out, he stroked my cheek with the back of his hand. "Yes, my darling, because I very much want to fuck you." |

There's much more to the tale, and King's story is a dark one. One where he ends up making a huge mistake of leaving and he really does lose it all. You've given a glimpse of how King's alcoholism began and it only gets worse without him really realizing.

5 years later (or was it 6), in the present, Alexis receives a letter by...(guess who)... 

Lily!

She has somehow found out about Alexis's whereabouts and realizes that she's the person that's on the picture that King holds so dear to. She tells her that King is at the circus and she hopes that she can make things better. Alexis is distraught, and she doesn't know if she can go.

But she must. She wants to see him, after all those years of wondering where he went and if he was alive and well. Besides, she has a few important things to tell him...

...and people to meet. 

I cannot emphasis how much I want everyone to read this book. I have no clue why I thought reading King of Hearts wouldn't make me cry, because it did. Those last chapters broke me and again, i'm left reeling over a relationship that is so pure, so true, that it makes me truly believe that love exists. Whether it's in a story or real life, true love always wins.

This book can be read as a standalone although I HIGHLY recommend you read the first two books, as they are important to the story. 

Excerpt

“I’m…” I began and then paused, feeling ridiculous. “This is stupid. I never make apologies for who I am or where I come from, but I just feel a bit embarrassed about my flat.”

“Your flat is lovely, Alexis.”

I pulled my lips through my teeth. “Thank you, but I mean the outside, not the inside. It’s probably because I’ve been to your place and seen how fancy it is. I bet you’ve never even stepped foot in a building like mine before in your life.”

He studied me, face drawn into a serious expression. I felt his shoulder brush mine when he said, “I haven’t, but what does that matter? You don’t always have to be stuck where you are. You can improve your life endlessly so long as you have the capability of doing it, and you, Alexis, have the capability. Don’t ever let anyone else tell you otherwise. But back to the matter at hand. You’re my friend, therefore, I don’t care where you live.”

I stared at him, dumbfounded and kind of flattered by all that stuff he said about my capabilities. I didn’t want him to know I was flattered though, so I ignored his compliment and blundered on. “And that’s another thing. Isn’t it a bit weird that I’m your friend and I also work for you? Do you normally make friends with your PAs? Isn’t this, whatever we’re doing, against the rules?”

“That’s a lot of questions.”

“I need a lot of answers.”

He was close enough that I could feel his breath on my ear. “Okay, I’ll endeavour to give you some. First, I wouldn’t say it’s weird that we’re friends. It’s more out of the ordinary.”

“Same difference.”

“Let me finish.”

“Fine,” I huffed.

“Second, no I don’t normally make friends with my PAs. In fact, I’d never planned to make friends with you. It just sort of happened. I like you. You make me laugh. And you’re different from other people I know. Having you around makes the day that little bit more interesting. I enjoy the spontaneity of never quite knowing what you’re going to come out with next,” he paused to laugh gently. “And third, no, it’s not against the rules. I’m free to be friends with whomever I choose, employee or not.” He went quiet then and I turned to see why he’d stopped talking. 

His eyes looked…heated. 

Now he whispered, his breath kissing my ear, “If I were to fuck you, it would be frowned upon, but it still wouldn’t be breaking the rules. I’m not your teacher or your college professor, Alexis.”

Spotify Playlists

I am in love with L.H.'s Spotify playlists and I lovee how she's arranged them for this book. Here are the links to both parts for King of Hearts:

Spotify Playlist Part One

Spotify Playlist Part Two

Interview

I got the honor of talking to both Alexis and King and I asked them a few questions that made me feel very, very awesome. Here it is:

**contains spoilers**

Oliver King: 

Me: "Do you think you've turned out the way your parents expected?"

King: *laughs gently* "No. I don’t think anyone expected how I would turn out, nor the journey it would take for me to become who I am today."

Me: "Tell me about your best friend, Jack was it? He must have been a special guy if he was your best man. How did you two meet?"

King: "We met through my sister at her circus. He told me I needed to quit the booze. I told him he needed a haircut. I think we both appreciated the other’s honesty, even if we had no intention of taking the advice. There began our friendship."

Me: "What are you most ashamed about not knowing: Your son, who was born after you left Alexis, you father being sent to jail, or your mother who is alive and well?"

King: "I’ve learned not to feel ashamed of any of these things anymore. In order to stay well I don’t dwell on the past, but instead live in the moment and enjoy each day as it comes."

Alexis:

Me: How do you feel about your life right now? What, if anything, would you like to change?

Alexis: I love my life now. I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, maybe I’d like to have someone to come and clean my house every once in a while. Oh, and do the ironing. Yeah, that’d be nice.

Me: We've seen what King likes to eat, but what is your favourite thing to eat for breakfast?"

Alexis: Eggs Florentine, because I’m fancier than him.

Questions for the two:

Me: "What is something that you have and the other person wants?

King: *smirks* "There’s an inappropriate answer here, but I’ll resist. I think Alexis secretly covets my luscious blonde locks."

Alexis: *laughs* "Oh yeah, definitely. Unfortunately, I can’t resist the inappropriate answer. He’d love to have my boobs. Then again, if he did he’d never leave the house."

King: "It’s true. I wouldn’t."

Me: I re-watched The Longest Ride and I recall Ira saying that "Love requires sacrifice." What would you say that you had to give up in order to be together?

King: "If I have sacrificed anything, I’ve gained far more."

Alexis: "Yeah, I agree. Being with him brings more into my life. It’s never felt like a sacrifice."

Me: "What is the most attractive quality or what draws you in about the other?"

King: "Her eyes."

Alexis: "His voice."

About the Author

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.

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The Hearts Series 

Six of Hearts
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Hearts of Fire
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Giveaway

The author is giving away one prize pack open international which includes:  Signed King of Hearts paperback, King of Hearts tote bag, King of Hearts key ring and L.H. Cosway swag

L.H. Cosway KING OF HEARTS Release Week