Review & Giveaway ~*~ Unexpected Consequences by Sloan Johnson

Unexpected Consequences

Isthmus Alliance Book Three

By: Sloan Johnson

Releasing March 19^th, 2014

Blurb

Zeke Reed lives his life by his rules, the biggest one being that he refuses to settle down. Through the years, it has become a running joke amongst his circle of friends that his condo would be well served by the installation of a revolving door.

That’s what makes his friendship with Mary and Jeff work. All three of them are looking for some no-strings-attached fun. Until fate steps in, making them all take a look at what’s been developing while they’ve been busy fooling around.

Unfortunately, every decision in life has consequences. When you choose to openly share your life with more than one person, things get complicated. Will Zeke, Jeff and Mary be able to stand together as the world tries to pull them apart?

Buy Links 

Amazon  ~  B&N

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19547910-unexpected-consequences

Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2014/01/now-booking-release-day-blast-for.html

Excerpt

“It’s not that I was trying to hide it from you. I just… it’s a part of me that I’ve worked hard to bury for a long time.” Right about now, I’m really wishing I had listened to Dylan and pulled down the Johnnie Walker. I’m irritated that I’ve driven this wedge between us. Dylan has been there for me since college. He pushed aside his aspirations to help me start the promotions company when he could have easily been hired on with any fancy corporation and raced his way up the ladder.

Dylan’s feet drop to the floor as he leans over the desk. “But why? If you’ve been burying it, that means this wasn’t a surprise to you. Why wouldn’t you tell me what was going on in that thick skull of yours? Some of the shit we’ve been through together, I can’t think of a single fucking thing I would keep a secret from you.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, D,” I groan, tilting my head back against my chair.  “I just… if I told you, I’d have to tell Tommy. And if he knew, everyone would know and I’m not ready for that. Maybe someday I’ll have someone in my life and I’ll have to tell them, but until then, I don’t see a reason for my family to know.”

“Seriously? Do you really think Tommy would run to your mom? And even if he did, I think you’re imagining a worse reaction than they’ll have. You have the type of family most people would kill to have.” He reaches across the desk, slapping me across the back of my head. The cockeyed grin on his face lets me know that while he might be upset with me for keeping this secret, he’s not angry and this won’t be the death of our friendship.

“You’ve met my family. What do you think they’re going to say when they learn that I like dick?” For as accepting as the Reed family can be about a lot of things, that acceptance doesn’t extend to one of their own having bisexual tendencies. They’d run with the fact that I am attracted to women and ask why I can’t be happy finding a good woman to settle down with. Until Mary, there wasn’t a woman I would have considered such a move for. With Mary, I feel as if we’d be incomplete without Jeff.

“Fair enough. But I’m not them and I highly doubt Tommy would say anything. After all, he knows them just as well as you do and I don’t see him throwing you under a bus.” I get what he’s saying, but it’s too late to change it.

“You could have told me.” If I’m not mistaken, Dylan sounds more hurt than angry. That shouldn’t surprise me, but it does. It wasn’t until recently that the man showed any sort of emotion. “You should have told me, man. You and me, we’re closer than I am with my own brother. I just…”

Review ~
This is my first book by Sloan Johnson, but I don't expect it to be my last.  While it is part of the Isthmus Alliance series, it can be read and enjoyed without reading the others.  But I have a feeling you might be like me and ready to head out and get the others after finishing Unexpected Consequences.

Sloan Johnson creates a world and characters that readers can connect to.  They face struggles and issues that some of us might face at some point in our life.  I really enjoyed the way she was able to suck me into her world and tug at my heart with each of her characters.  That is one of the true gifts of a good story for me. 

The characters face some struggle. jealousy, and other issues as they struggle to figure out how to make a menage relationship work for them.  Sloan Johnson doesn't just give us hot, steamy sexual encounters she gives us the gritty emotional side of trying to make a m/f/m relationship work.  Unexpected Consequences is one of my top reads of the year and one I would recommend. 

Author Info

Sloan is a Midwestern mom who began writing nearly seven years ago as a way to make money while staying home with her daughter. Now, with two kids in tow and having written more articles on how to assemble various pieces of furniture than she can count, she is reaching to make her dreams come true.

Author Links

http://authorsloanjohnson.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7162059.Sloan_Johnson

https://www.facebook.com/authorsloanjohnson

https://twitter.com/authorsloanj

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Review & Giveaway ~*~ Uncovering You, Part One: The Contract by Scarlett Edwards

Uncovering You

Part One: The Contract

By: Scarlett Edwards

Releasing March 27^th, 2014

Blurb

When I wake up in a dark, unfamiliar room, I have no idea what's waiting for me in the shadows. My imagination conjures up demons of the worst kind. 

Reality is much worse: 

A collar with no leash. A prison with no walls. And a life stripped of meaning. 

I am presented with a vile contract and asked to sign. It outlines the terms of my servitude. The only information I have about my captor are the two small letters inked at the bottom: 

J.S. 

Armed with only my memories, I must do everything I can to avoid becoming ensnared in his twisted mind games. But in the end, it all comes down to one choice: 

Resist and die. 

Or submit, and sign my life away

Buy Links 

Coming March 27th

Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20512700-uncovering-you

Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2014/01/now-booking-cover-reveal-for-uncovering.html

Excerpt:

“Lilly.”

Oh God. It’s him. There’s no mistaking that rich, masculine treble.

What’s he doing down here?

“M-Mr. Stonehart,” I stutter, turning. I curse my inability to hide my surprise. He totally caught me off-guard. I have to look up to meet his eyes. Then up some more.

The face that I find is so striking it should belong to a Greek god.

He’s younger than I expected. Late thirties, maybe early forties.

That means he started his company when he was younger than me!

Dark scruff lines his angular cheeks. His jet-black hair is styled in long, natural waves. My fingers itch to run through it.

Totally inappropriate.

He has a prominent nose that might be too big on a less imposing man, but on him, it’s perfect.

In short, he’s a package of the purest masculinity I’ve ever seen.

And then there are his eyes. Oh my God. His eyes. They pierce into me like honing missiles. They are the deepest black I have ever seen. They would be frightening if they weren’t so beautiful. When the light reflects a certain way, you catch a glimpse of the purple underneath.

They are like midnight sapphires. His eyes reveal a cunning intellect. Those eyes do not miss a thing.

Add all that to his towering height, his wide shoulders, his confident-yet-at-ease posture… and Stonehart cuts an intimidating figure.

My gaze darts to his left hand before I can stop it. No ring. He’s unmarried.

He looks down at me, expectantly. His eyes narrow ever so slightly, and I feel like I’m being dissected, measured up, and tucked away in some small corner of his brain. I imagine this is what a gemstone feels like under the magnifying class of the most critical appraiser.

Stonehart clears his throat. I come to with a start, realizing I haven’t said anything in ages. I open my mouth, but the capacity for speech seems like a foreign concept to my brain. “I—”

Somebody bumps into me from behind. I stagger forward. I’m not used to these shoes, so my heel steps the wrong way. My ankle twists under me, and I start to fall.

I don’t fall far. The hand still on my elbow tightens, and Stonehart pulls me into him.

I plaster myself onto the solid steel wall the man has for a body. I catch a scent of his cologne. It’s a deep, musky smell with a hint of charred spruce that is all male. It scrambles my thoughts even more.

“Sorry!” a rushed voice calls out. From the corner of my eye, I see the postman giving a hurried, apologetic wave.

Although the sequence lasts less than a second, it feels like an eternity. Pressed up against him like that, I don’t want to move. I know that I couldn’t have made a worse first impression.

Stonehart eases me off him with a firm yet gentle grip. Our eyes meet. I flush the most vibrant red. His fingers graze my forehead as he brushes a lock of hair out of my face.

Any tenderness I may have imagined vanishes when Stonehart takes out his cell. He long dials a key and growls an order. “Steven. See the delivery boy leaving right now? Have his building pass revoked.”

I gape. Stonehart keeps speaking. “Wait. I thought of one better. Bar his company from accessing the building.” There’s a pause. “For how long? Indefinitely. FedEx can talk to me when they have an improved employee selection program in place.”

The phone call gives me just enough time to compose myself. My heart’s still beating out of my chest. But nobody has to know that.

I speak without thinking. “You’re going to restrict the entire company from serving this building because of that?”

Stonehart humors me with an answer. “A company’s employees are its most important asset. Their behavior reflects the organization as a whole. If FedEx decided that clown is good enough for them, it tells me they’re sloppy. I do not do business with sloppy organizations.”

“What about the other tenants in the building?” I ask. “Won’t that piss them off?”

When I hear myself and realize how improper my question is, my cheeks flame red again.

Stonehart’s eyes darken, as if he cannot believe I asked that question. I open my mouth to apologize for my imprudence, hating the way my professional skills have evaporated into thin air. I’m cut off by a short, barked laugh.

“Miss Ryder.” He sounds amused. “I believe that is the most direct and honest question anybody has dared ask me in weeks.” He takes my elbow again and leads me to the elevators. I have to take two quick steps to match one of his long strides.

“Yes,” he continues. “They will be ‘pissed off.’ But the perk of owning a building—” he hits the elevator call button, “—is that you get to make executive decisions.” He gives me an unreadable glance as the doors open. “That is, at the risk of being questioned by inexperienced interns.”

If that isn’t a loaded remark, I don’t know what is. I flush scarlet red for the third time since I’ve met him. I’ve never had a man throw me so off balance.

The elevator is packed, for which I’m infinitely thankful. The trip up will give me some time to properly compose myself.

Gratitude turns to panic when the crowd files out, meek as mice, when Stonehart steps in. None of the people waiting in the lobby follow us.

The doors close. I’m alone in here with him. My heart’s beating as fast as a hummingbird’s wings.

He catches me staring. “Impressed?” he asks.

“They know you,” I manage.

His dark eyes flash with amusement. “Astute.”

Review ~
First let me tell you what I didn't realize when I agreed to review Uncovering You ~ I didn't realize it was a serial / series.  I am really glad I read it because I might have missed out, but this is only the first installment so be prepared to be left hanging a bit. But don't let it being the first installment make you think that it's a really short story, this is novella length (I think the PDF was about 125 pages). 

Lily is a kick-a$$ character.  She is strong even in the face of adversity. I did really enjoy getting so much of the back ground ahead of Lily's turmoil rather than  a bunch of flashbacks in an otherwise developing story.  This installment is really just the beginning of what looks to be a dark and dangerous journey for Lily.  We don't learn a lot about J.S. yet.  I expect that is to come in future installments. 

Uncovering You is a dark story.  Whether it will be dark erotic, a little more horror or even a thriller remains to be seen.  I have to admit while I enjoyed Part One, I was left feeling disappointed there wan't more.  If I get the chance to review part two, I will probably jump on it otherwise, I might just wait until all of them are out and then pick them all up so I can get lost in the full story.

Author Info

I’m Scarlett Edwards. I wrote my first book as a college sophomore. After six months of edits, it made its debut as Yours to Savor.

That was at the start of 2013. I’ve written more books since then. You can find them all here.

It’s funny how quickly life changes. I used to think I’d need a degree to get a “Real Job.” Then I wrote a few books, they got somewhat popular, and now I’m living the life as a full-time romance author.

Thanks to all my readers for making my dreams come true!

Author Links

www.facebook.com/ScarlettEdwardsAuthor

www.scarlettedwards.com

www.goodreads.com/scarlettedwards

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway ~*~ With Every Breath by Valerie Chase

With Every Breath

Sea Swept #2

By: Valerie Chase

Releasing March 31^st, 2014

Blurb

Yasmin Alejo used to a plan: get into grad school, work her butt off, and become Dr. Alejo, PhD. 

But then her sister’s death shatters everything.

Heartbroken, Yasmin gets a job as a photographer aboard the Radiant Star, a top-of-the-line cruise ship. She just wants some time to heal, but her infuriating—and annoyingly sexy—boss won’t give her any peace.

West Campbell used to care about more than money, but those days died along with his mom’s passing. Now he has only one goal: squeezing as much profit from the Radiant Star’s photography department as he can, in order to win a prized corporate job. He won’t let anyone mess with that—especially not the feisty and gorgeous Yasmin, who seems more interested in getting to know the passengers than selling them photo packages.

As they sail across open waters, Yasmin and West will fight storms, seasickness, and each other, until they can’t deny their connection any longer. Every delicious kiss will take their breaths away … but if they can’t get over the past, it might destroy their future.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20749019-with-every-breath?from_search=true

Book One of the Sea Swept Series is on Sale for $.99 to celebrate the Cover Reveal, 

Amazon

Author Info

Valerie Chase writes New Adult romance in the suburbs of Washington, DC. When she isn’t typing away on her laptop or dreaming up swoon-worthy kiss scenes, she loves sipping hot tea, taking long walks by her house, and getting lost in indie bookstores. (You’ll probably find her in one right now.) Full Steam Ahead is her first book.

Author Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Valerie-Chase-Author/324942107643538?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/val_chase

Blog: http://valeriechase.blogspot.com

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Review & Giveaway ~*~ Sway With Me by Shelly Bell

Sway With Me

By: Shelly Bell

Blurb

When ex-millionaire Ryan Sullivan learns he and a sexy stranger inherited a mansion with the condition they must first live in it together for three months, he doesn’t see the downside. In ninety days, they’ll sell the house and walk-away millionaires. He didn’t count on falling for the ethereal woman he’s forced to live with and vowed not to touch. Brought up by an eccentric mother who believes she and her daughters are Muses possessing the magic to inspire creativity in the right men, Portia Dubrovsky never gave credence to her mother’s delusions—until Portia meets Ryan the morning after dreaming of him. Craving the permanent home she’s never had, she’s determined to find a way to buy Ryan’s share of the house—one way or another.

As the walls of the luxurious mansion crumble around them, they can’t deny the electricity they share as they dance to the music which only they can hear. But when the music stops playing, will they sell the home and go their separate ways or have they have built a sturdy enough foundation to last a lifetime?

Buy Links

Amazon   

Goodreads 

Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2014/01/now-booking-tasty-review-tour-for-sway.html


Sway With Me Extras (Playlist, Cast, Inspiration Behind the Story) http://shellybellbooks.com/extras/sway-with-me-extras/

Review ~

This is a the first book I have read by Shelly Bell and it probably will not be the last.  She creates a world that the reader can get lost in with characters you can see as your friends and really get into them emotionally.

Sway With Me is a romantic journey in which Porita and Ryan encounter a few of the usual and unusual obstacles as they are tossed together in way neither of them ever imagined. While forced to share the same living space, they butt heads while trying to ignore their attraction since they each want different things.  It makes for some fun moments filled with humor and passion. 

I definitely recommend Sway With Me if you are looking for a contemporary romance on the sweeter side. Again the characters an realism of the situation work really, as do the supporting characters.  Shelly Bell really creates a world that the reader can sink their teeth into and relate to, while giving us closure in Sway With Me, there are openings for other books with supporting characters which means we might get to revisit with Portia and Ryan again. 

 Author Info

A sucker for a happy ending, Shelly Bell writes sensual romance often with a bit of kink and action-filled erotic thrillers with high-emotional stakes for her alpha heroes and kiss-ass heroines.

She began writing upon the insistence of her husband who dragged her to the store and bought her a laptop. When she’s not working her day job, taking care of her family, or writing, you’ll find her reading the latest smutty romance. 

She currently writes for Avon Red Impulse, Loose Id, and Soul Mate Publishing. 

Author Links

Facebook         https://www.facebook.com/ShellyBellBooks?ref=hl

Twitter            https://twitter.com/ShellyBell987

Goodreads      https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2766097.Shelly_Bell

Website:          www.shellybellbooks.com

Blog:                www.thesmutpeddlers.com

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Excerpt & Giveaway ~*~ Her Insatiable Scot by Melissa Blue

Her Insatiable Scot

Under the Kilt Book #2

By: Melissa Blue

Releasing February 20^th, 2014

Blurb

Keri Pearson is currently between jobs, so there's nothing to lose when her cousin promises her a glowing recommendation from a top expert in their field in exchange for a small favor. All she has to do is lie about who she is and pretend to be married to a charming Scot for three hours. Her sexy-as-hell pretend husband makes it too easy to play the part of newlyweds. The last thing she should do is trust him or the genuineness of his lust or adoration, but his touch ignites an unexpected desire.

Tristan Baird turned his back on his past with plenty of regrets, but when his brother blackmails him, Tristan can’t say no. Given his brother saved his neck, an afternoon doing what he does best doesn’t seem like too much to ask. And it’s for a good cause. Doing the job right guarantees his brother and new wife will have the home of their dreams. But his stunning accomplice complicates the job. She is everything he always wanted and couldn’t have. The kind of woman who is too smart to ever trust a former conman.

The three-hour commitment stretches into five sexually charged days as they fight the explosive connection. As each day passes, Keri must remind herself what is true and what is false, but the lines are blurring. Tristan can only hope his past doesn't come back to ruin their future.

Buy Links ~

 Amazon   ~   Smashwords   ~   B&N 

Goodreads Link to UNDER THE KILT Series: https://www.goodreads.com/series/120356-under-the-kilt

Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.blogspot.com/2014/01/now-booking-tasty-blurb-tour-for-her.html

Excerpt

“Uh,” she started but lost the train of thought.

The warmth of his hand shifted from above her shoulder to her collarbone. His fingertips caressed her bared skin and trailed to her chin. His touch was soft, firm, and shot straight down to her stomach. She bit her lip to keep in a moan.

Heat and need filled her at the simple touch and it probably showed in her gaze. More than likely she poured out the kind of pheromones that let him know on some primitive level she wanted him to keep caressing her.

He nodded. “There you go. You're looking wary again instead of frightened. We can't be having the latter.”

“You're touching me.” She pointed out the obvious.

“I am.” He didn't look sorry for it. “And I don't plan to stop until you look less scared.”

Her spine straightened at the accusation. “I'm not scared.”

“No?” His brows rose, and he took another step forward. One leg invaded the space between her thighs.

She suddenly wanted to jerk her hips forward and hope the hard muscle of his leg would press against the ache his stare and touch ignited. Blood rushed from her heart and other limbs to assist the basic sexual need to have him lift his leg so she could straddle it and for once in her life let go.

He seemed like the kind of man who wouldn't bat an eye that they were standing in a hallway, right next to the class they'd have to enter. He'd steady his leg against the wall, grip her hips to guide her straight to an orgasm, and still he wouldn't be satisfied until her come dampened his slacks.

And because it seemed like he was that kind of man, she had to take control as always. Common sense had vacated the moment she stopped breathing air that wasn't scented with spice and man.

She pushed back her shoulders and they met the cold hard wall behind her. “Crowds unnerve a lot of people. Factor in the noise, the number of people in one small enclosed space, and my reticence to dive headlong into it makes sense. I wasn't prepared for this. I'm thinking of all the ways we'll likely get caught. And once again you've broken our hands-only rule. Do you blame me?”

No emotion graced his face for a moment and then he threw his head back and laughed. “You'd be amazed by what a man can do with just his hands.”

She wanted to know, more than she wanted control. “I bet you could do a lot, but I think we've established that we're a hot and heavy newlywed couple.”

He dipped his head, crushed his mouth to her neck. The move was so unexpected she did moan. He didn't lick her, just let his mouth trail up to her ear. “Anyone looking at your flushed face and my reaction to it will assume what we're going to do once this class is over.”

Buy Links ~

 Amazon   ~   Smashwords   ~   B&N 

Author Info

Melissa Blue's writing career started on a typewriter one month after her son was born. This would have been an idyllic situation for a writer if it had been 1985, not 2004. Eventually she upgraded to a computer. She's still typing away on the same computer, making imaginary people fall in love.

Where you can find me:

Website: http://www.themelissablue.com

Blog: http://melthegreatest.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themelissablue.author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mel_thegreat

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