Guest Post & Giveaway ~*~ Break Me In by Sara Brookes

Often I’m asked if I base my character off anyone in real life. The answer is always no. Now, that isn’t to say that I haven’t taken tidbits from people I know or things I see on my travels around the internet. Alex, the hero of Break Me In, used to play golf in his spare time. He was really, really good at it too. And Elena, the heroine, helps him rediscover his love of the game (in more ways than one, if you catch my drfit). My husband and daughter both are avid golfers, so they proved to be valuable sources of information when I had questions.

I also had a clear picture in my mind of what I imagined Elena looked like. Or more importantly, her hair. I had seen a picture on a stock image site years and years ago that I thought captured the look I imagined Elena embodied. Years later, I was kicking myself because I couldn’t locate the image again. I put my graphic design skills to use and spent a few days manipulating a stock image to fit the image in my head.

So, I thought I would share my design effort today. Enjoy this exclusive peek!

Blurb:

Elena avoids relationships by using her flogger as a shield. Alex is struggling with substance abuse and Elena will do nearly anything to help him conquer his demons, even risk losing him forever. When he comes home, whole and healthy, he raises the stakes by requesting their friendship turn to a D/s bond. His submission will change their dynamic forever. She convinces herself it’s just sex. Love and desire aren’t part of the equation.

Under Elena’s reverent command, Alex finds a comfort he’s always yearned for. He’s happier than ever as he spends his days slinging coffee and his nights bound and collared. Submitting to Elena exposes more than his strengths—it reveals a powerful attraction. Most of all, it uncovers their passionate love. He’s ready to convince her there’s no reason to mask her feelings, but his efforts are derailed when his toxic past resurfaces to annihilate their future.

Warning: A hunky, tortured barista. A seductive, stubborn Domme. Desire that can’t be tamed by cuffs, ropes and chains. And angst. So much drama and angst, John Hughes would be proud. Being bad never felt so good.

Excerpt:
When the door to the warehouse opened, his heart slammed hard against his ribs. It tripped once, slammed again, reminding him he needed to breathe. The air burned his lungs has he inhaled and his heart settled into a normal rhythm.

Elena leaned against the casing, her red hair smooth and sleek as the tips curled under her chin. She’d left her bangs straight tonight so her hair framed her heart-shaped face. Her eyes shined brilliantly under the fringe, her full red lips curving up into a sensual smile.

He was so taken by the sinful curve of her mouth, it took him a few seconds to notice she wore a green corset. The very same one he’d lusted heavily over when she’d worn it during Tony and Genevieve’s engagement party last year. It had played a starring role in more than one masturbation fantasy during his recovery time.

At least after his sex drive had returned.

To further add to the hot lust curling through his system he noticed she hadn’t paired it with the men’s shirt. Instead her bare creamy ivory skin was pillowed at the edge, her breasts threatening to spill over if she moved.

And oh how he wished she would move.

~ Buy Links ~

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Review ~

Break Me In is the third book in the Geek Kink series by Sara Brookes and stands completely on its own.  While you will get glimpses at what look to be previous couples, it isn't enough to make you feel like you can't enjoy Break Me In without reading them.  But if they are anything like Break Me In, you'll want to go back and enjoy the world Sara Brookes creates.

First, I have to admit Break Me In was a little slow in places.  There is a lot of back story to these two characters which isn't a bad thing.  I love an in-depth novel as much as the next person.  But, there are times it just sort of dragged and i was waiting to get to the next scene and watch things progress.

Alex has an abusive past to deal with along with a crazy ex-wife and alcoholism that must be fixed before he can truly explore what he craves.  Elena has her own share elf issues that we don't delve into as deeply as Alex's but she has some pretty thick walls of her own. Alex and Elena have known each other for years, fighting an attraction recently, they are both scared to give in.

Overall, I thought that Break Me In was enjoyable and a nice view of the D/s scene with characters who aren't perfect.  There are so many things going on, I think I might have been a little disappointed a the lack of sex scenes (oh my, I can't believe I said that ~ lol).  But I really enjoyed the way these characters worked, with each other and friends, to overcome internal and external obstacles.

A recommended read if you enjoy some kink, a little bit of geeky, a female dominant that isn't over the top and a male submissive who is just trying to figure things out.


Author Links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sara_Brookes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brookesofbooks
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorsarabrookes
New Release Announcement List: http://eepurl.com/mbG31


Giveaway: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review ~*~ Still by Ann Mayburn

Blurb ~*~

Dr. Michelle Sapphire and Gunnery Sargent Wyatt Callahan formed an unbreakable bond and an unacknowledged, forbidden attraction to each other while serving together in Afghanistan. Their lives are forever changed when a mortar attack grievously wounds Wyatt and Michelle brings him back from the brink of death. But when they both return to the civilian world Michelle discovers that her rock-solid Marine is suffering from severe PTSD and may even be suicidal.

Wyatt Callahan fell hard for the aristocratic blonde doctor the moment he laid eyes on her. After reentering civilian life in his hometown near Austin, Texas, Wyatt is plagued by nightmares of the death and suffering he witnessed during the war. He’d love to reach out to Michelle, but there is one thing stopping him. Michelle is a Dominatrix and she has made it very clear to Wyatt she isn’t interested in a relationship with anyone who doesn’t accept her lifestyle. An Alpha male to the core, he can't imagine the appeal of being submissive, but at the same time, the idea of serving Michelle, of being everything she wants and needs rings true in his wounded soul.

Michelle has dark secrets of her own and together with Wyatt she will have to battle her personal demons in their emotional journey of healing, redemption, and love.

Available ~*~ eBook
Pages ~*~ 294
Rating ~*~ 5 Stars

Review ~*~
     The first word that comes to mind is simply WOW.  I literally just finished this and rushed to do a review because I am utterly blown away and aching for part two of this story. I definitely wasn't ready for Still to end and the shocking thing is I heard that Ann Mayburn had decided to rewrite pieces of this story to make it better after I got my ARC- I can't imagine anything better than this. I have been a fan of her writing for several years and while I haven't read every book written by Ann Mayburn ~ yet ~ Still ranks up there as one of my all time favorites.
     Still is the first book in the Long Slow Tease series and it represents its name very well.  This book is simply one long slow tease for the reader as well as the characters.  Michelle and Wyatt are two very strong alpha characters who have survived things most of us don't want to imagine ~ yet we all respect and attempt to empathize with what they have been through.  Michelle spent her time in the Navy in combat zones as a doctor doing her best to save the men who put their lives on the line.  Wyatt spent much of his time on the front line or supporting the front line in various combat zones.  Both came home with scars ~ physical and emotional.
     When Michelle gets a call to come rescue Wyatt's drunk a** from jail, she knows that thing need to change.  While they did have an intimate relationship while in the service, she wants one with him now that they are out.  But she has to come clean with what she expects from this alpha Marine and see if he can open himself up enough to be a part of her life. Michelle is a fascinating dominant who knows that Wyatt needs a firm hand to bring him around and she isn't afraid to be the strong person that he needs. 
   I can't really say enough about Still.  The issues of PTSD are real and vary from person to person.  As someone who has family the suffers from these issues, I am amazed and in awe of the wonderful authors who can put it out there so everyone can see at least a piece of what our military men and women go through. Ann Mayburn takes a sensitive topic and gives it legs.  The scenario's she creates are realistic enough that you ~will~ need Kleenex nearby for some of this story. From the very first page of this story, she will take you on a journey unlike anything you have ever experienced.  An emotional roller coaster that is scorching hot with each climb and drop of your stomach.   By the time the happy for now ending rolls around you'll probably be like me and whining for Ann to get Penance out like right now because you just can't wait and the tease she gives us in Still makes us want it more than Wyatt wants to please his Domina...

Available at All Romance or Amazon


I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review