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31 December 2016

Blog Tour & Giveaway ~ Brake Failure by Alison Brodie


Brake Failure
By: Alison Brodie
Publication Date: January 9, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance


Brake Failure is a contemporary romance with a kick-ass heroine. The story is set in one of the most fascinating periods of America's history: the months leading up to Y2K "melt-down."

"Is it too late to tell him you love him when you're looking down the barrel of his gun?"

Ruby Mortimer-Smyth is an English debutante, destined for Lady’s Day at Ascot and taking tea at The Savoy. She knows the etiquette for every occasion and her soufflés NEVER collapse.

She is in control of her life, tightly in control. Until fate dumps her down in … Kansas.

Ruby believes that life is like a car; common-sense keeps it on the road, passion sends it into a ditch. What she doesn't know is, she's on a collision course with Sheriff Hank Gephart.

Sheriff Hank Gephart can judge a person. Miss Mortimer-Smyth might act like the Duchess of England but just under the surface there's something bubbling, ready to explode. She's reckless, and she's heading for brake failure. And he's not thinking about her car.

With the Millennium approaching, Ruby gets caught up in the Y2K hysteria. She joins a group of Survivalists, who give her a gun and advise her to stockpile basic essentials, such as gasoline and water-purifying tablets. So she bulk-buys Perrier, Gentleman's Relish and macaroons.

Ruby, far from home, is making Unsuitable Friends and "finding herself" for the first time. She falls in with a gang of Hells Angels and falls foul of the law. At every turn, she comes up hard against Sheriff Hank Gephart, whose blue eyes seem to look deep into her soul. She desperately wants him but knows she can never have him. She's angry at the emotions he arouses in her. Pushed to her limit, she bursts from her emotional straightjacket.

As the clock strikes midnight of the new Millennium, she's on a freight train with three million dollars, a bottle of Wild Turkey and a smoking gun.

What happened to Miss Prim-and-Proper? And why did she shoot Mr Right?
______

Note: Alison Brodie wrote this story from first-hand experience. She lived in Kansas during this time and was stunned by the hysteria, unnerved that the US government was spending $150 billion preparing for Armageddon. As Lionel Shriver says in "We have to Talk About Kevin": '1999, a year widely mooted beforehand as the end of the world.'


What Others Are Saying

5 * “OMG…I freakin’ Loved this book…going on the list of one of my favorites of 2016.” – Star Angels Reviews

5* “Everyone needs to read this book. It’s blooming brilliant.” – The Reading Shed

5* “Hilarious.” Lauren Sapala, Book Reviewer and Writers’ Coach

5* “A laugh-out-tale that will keep you flipping the pages as fast as possible.” – Tome Tender

5* “Empowering…comical…refreshing.” – San Francisco Book Review

Pre Order Your Copy Now!
Amazon US | UK | CA

Amazon US | UK | CA


That afternoon, Ruby parked outside Shady Acres. She couldn’t wait for Gephart to ask her out on a date. Then she could tell him she was married. Ha!

He sat in reception. In full uniform. Why couldn’t he have changed into civilian clothes? Now he would make her look like an offender. Or was that his intention? Just because she’d put a few scratches in his police car.

‘Hi, Ruby.’ He stood up, crushing a plastic cup in one hand and tossing it in the bin.

She stared pointedly down at his belt. ‘Are you going to put me in handcuffs?’ she asked sarcastically.

He winked. ‘Not if you’re good.’

Ruby blushed. Why was it that every time she gazed into his eyes, she felt as if a hand was pressing down on her chest? She was only thankful that once she started reading to the old lady, Hank Gephart would go.

The receptionist was busy dealing with two elderly gentlemen, so Ruby and Hank had to wait to sign-in. Ruby felt strangely jittery in the big man’s presence. She only wished he wouldn’t stand so close. She inched further along the reception counter and, wanting to hide her nervousness, started squaring up the brochures into neat piles.

He came closer. ‘Ruby, I don’t like you mixing with Hells Angels.’

She felt his warm breath on her cheek. ‘Is there a law against that?’ Refusing to look at him, she picked up a brochure and found herself reading about incontinence.

‘No, but-’

‘Then, presumably, I have the freedom to choose with whom I associate?’

‘Yeah, but I’m warning you-’

Warning you. Angrily, she grabbed up another brochure and flicked through it at speed, false teeth and hearing-aids flashing by. ‘Why do you have to be so aggressive? Why can’t you say, “may I suggest?”’

‘Okay.’ He rested his arm along the counter and leant towards her. His eyes were blue, very blue. ‘May I suggest you keep away from them?’

‘No, you may-!’ She stopped abruptly. A matronly nurse was hovering beside them.

‘Well, Hank,’ the nurse said gaily. ‘Is this your lady friend you’ve been telling us about?’

Hank beamed down at Ruby with proprietary pride. ‘It sure is.’

‘I’m not his lady friend,’ Ruby mumbled.

‘Nice to meet you, Ruby,’ the nurse said. ‘I’m Amy.’ She beckoned with a finger as if tempting two small well-behaved children to an exciting treat. ‘If you want to come along, Mrs Amstruther is waiting.’

As they walked along the corridor, Ruby noticed two pretty nurses break off from their conversation to study her. She sensed that Hank had been gossiping about her. She caught up with Amy, determined to quash whatever rumours were flying around. ‘I am not at all familiar with Geph- I mean, Hank.’

The nurse stopped at a door and knocked. ‘I love your accent.’

Ruby persisted. ‘I have merely bumped into him on various occasions.’

‘We know.’ The nurse winked and opened the door. ‘You two go on in.’

As Ruby spluttered indignantly, Hank took her by the elbow. ‘Mrs Amstruther?’ he called. ‘I’ve brought my friend to meet you.’

‘Come in, come in,’ a quavery voice replied.

Ruby stepped across the threshold and froze.

Mrs Amstruther was blind.

The old lady was sat up in bed, dressed in a faded, flower-print bed-jacket, her eyes wrapped in bandages; her skin appeared almost translucent, the pink skull showing beneath a mop of dazzling white hair. She smiled sweetly, reaching out a tentative hand.

Ruby felt a pang. Mrs Amstruther shouldn’t be here; she should be in a cottage-garden in Devon with a wicker table laden with a cream tea and a vase of freshly cut delphiniums; and surrounded by her grandchildren.

‘Dear Hank,’ Mrs Amstruther murmured. Ruby stepped forward, and put her hand in the old woman’s. ‘Hello, I’m Ruby.’

‘Oh, how lovely to hear an English voice! You’re so kind, Ruby; volunteering to read to a boring old lady like me.’

‘It’s my pleasure.’

‘Hank didn’t bully you, I hope?’ Mrs Amstruther said in mock gravity.

With an ache of sadness, Ruby gazed down at the old woman so far from home - a home she would never again see. Ruby realised the childish bickering between her and Gephart was pathetic. The discord she had brought into the room, evaporated. ‘I didn’t need to be bullied. I was delighted with Hank for asking me.’

‘Do take a seat, Ruby, dear,’ the old woman said.

Ruby pulled an armchair closer to the bed. The room was sunny, the walls covered in framed photographs of children at the seaside. Beyond the window, at the far perimeter of a vast lawn, a freight train rumbled passed, the melancholic blast of its horn fading into the distance. Gephart, too, was watching it.

Mrs Armstruther’s hand was searching the rumpled bedding. ‘Ruby, could you possibly read a few pages of Wind in the Willows? My son loved it when he was little.’ She brought out a book from under the covers. ‘It’s so annoying not being able to see. Thankfully the bandages come off at the end of the month.’

‘So it’s not …?’

‘What, dear?’

‘Permanent?’ Ruby asked, taking the book.

‘Oh, no, it’s just cataracts; the curse of old age.’

Ruby, discovering the old woman would recover her sight, felt a lightness of spirit; felt she could embrace all her fellow beings - including Hank. He was standing, studying the photos on the wall. Catching his eye, she smiled at him, tilting her head towards the door, a silent message that he could leave.

He wrinkled his brow, evidently unable to gauge her meaning.

She tried again, running her fingers through the air towards the door.

He gave her a stupid look.

‘Are you going?’ she mouthed silently.

He nodded to signify that he understood. Then he shook his head, walked over to the armchair by the window, sat down and rested his hands squarely on his knees.

He was obviously staying.

‘Have you ever read Wind in the Willows, Ruby?’ Mrs Amstruther asked.

‘Yes, years ago.’

The old lady laughed. ‘Mole is delightful, isn’t he? Who is your favourite character?’

‘Toad. I loved it when he dressed up as a woman to escape the police.’ Ruby instantly regretted the words. ‘Of course, I don’t identify with Toad,’ she added hastily, forcing herself not to look at Gephart. ‘I just think he’s a loveable rascal.’

‘Isn’t he just!’ Mrs Amstruther settled back to enjoy the story, and Ruby began:

‘“The Mole had been working hard all the morning, spring-cleaning his little home …”’

Why is P.C. Plod hanging about anyway? Surely he’s not interested in riverbank creatures.

‘“First with brooms, then with dusters; then on ladders and steps and chairs, with a brush and a pail of whitewash till he had dust in his throat and eyes and splashes of white-wash all over his black fur, and an aching back and weary arms …”’

He’s staring at me; I know he is.

‘“Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below …’”

This was too much! Ruby glared at him. ‘Haven’t you got a murder to solve?’

‘What?’ Mrs Amstruther jerked in confusion.

Ruby was appalled by her thoughtlessness. ‘Oh, I’m sorry, Mrs Amstruther, I was talking to Hank. You see, I don’t want to keep him from his work.’

He folded his arms across his chest and grinned. He was obviously taking delight in her embarrassment. ‘I’m off-duty,’ he said.

For the sake of the old lady, Ruby had to speak sweetly, but there was nothing stopping her from raking the man from head to foot with hostile eyes. ‘Do you always wear uniform when you’re off-duty?’

‘I do when I haven’t had time to get to my locker and change.’

She couldn’t bear to look at that smug face a second longer. She snatched up the book and continued to read. ‘“Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below-’” She stopped in confusion, her cheeks a fiery red.

‘Oh, I’ve read that bit already.’

She could sense him laughing at her. And he was!

He stood up, his eyes dancing mischievously. ‘I’ve got a feeling Ruby can’t concentrate with me here. I’m flustering her pretty little head.’

Her relief that he was going was rapidly replaced by horror. That awful man was insinuating she fancied him! As he passed by, he bent and kissed her on the cheek. ‘I’ll be waiting for you in the lobby … Sweet Cheeks,’ he said softly, squeezing her shoulder.

Wide-eyed and apoplectic, she watched him walk to the door.

‘He’s such a lovely man,’ Mrs Amstruther said after he had gone.

Ruby couldn’t trust herself to speak.

‘The nurses say he’s very handsome. Is he?’

Ruby was still pinning the door with a look of fury. ‘O-h-h, you don’t want to know what I think.’

She picked up the book, her decision made.

She was no longer angry; in fact, she was rather jubilant. Like any institution, this building would have a goods delivery entrance. Well, Gephart, she thought complacently. You’re about to have a long wait because Sweet Cheeks, here, is going out the back.

Alison Brodie is a Scot, with French Huguenot ancestors on her mother’s side of the family.  Alison was a photographic model, modelling for a wide range of products, including Ducatti motorbikes and 7Up.  She was also the vampire in the Schweppes commercial. 

A disastrous modelling assignment in the Scottish Highlands gave Alison an idea for a story, which was to become Face to Face.  She wrote Face to Face as a hobby and then decided to send it off to see what would happen.  It was snapped up by Dinah Wiener, the first agent Alison sent it to.  Three weeks later, Alison signed a two-book deal with Hodder & Stoughton.  Subsequently, Face to Face was published in Germany and Holland.  It was widely reviewed, ie:  “Vain, but wildly funny leading lady.” -Scottish Daily Mail.  It was also chosen as Good Housekeeping’s “Pick of the Paperbacks.” 

Unfortunately, Alison then suffered from Second-Book Syndrome.  The publisher’s deadline loomed and she was terrified because she didn’t have an idea for a story!  She found the whole experience a nightmare; and this is why she cautions first-time authors to write more than one book before approaching an agent.  She managed to finish the book – Sweet Talk – but it bombed.

While writing Sweet Talk, she moved to Kansas and lived there for two years.  She loved the people, their friendliness, their free-and-easy way of life, the history and the BBQs!  Sadly, her visa ran out and she had to come back to the UK – although her dream is to one day live permanently in America.  Now, Alison lives in Biarritz, France.

Alison has taken the exhilarating steps to becoming an indie author.  Her second ebook, The Double, is out on Amazon Kindle with some great reviews.  “Excellent.” –San Francisco Book Review.

Alison writes contemporary romance.  She aims for a strong plot line, set against the background of a world-changing event, coupled with touches of humour, sexual tension and character transformation.
She loves to hear from her readers.

Sale Blitz ~ The Alexa Series by T.R. Cupak

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T.R. Cupak has placed her Alexa Series free on Amazon for One Day Only!!!

Grab it now!!!!

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Alexa Morgan lost her mother when she was two. At eighteen, her father and stepmother died when a devastating earthquake hit the Bay Area. Only one person has remained a constant in her life: Devin.

Devin has been Alexa’s best friend since childhood. The two are inseparable—or they were until Devin declared his love for her at sixteen. When Alexa can offer him only friendship in return, Devin retreats, brokenhearted.

Alexa, on the other hand, longs for Ethan, the boy next door. Four years older than her, and with an ever-changing roster of girlfriends, Ethan is everything Devin isn’t: wild, sensual, and unpredictable.

In the aftermath of the deadly earthquake, Ethan makes his move on Alexa, who reciprocates in a confused whirl of grief and desire. When Ethan leaves town the next day, Devin comes back into Alexa’s life, offering support and expecting nothing in return.

Alexa begins to see the advantages of Devin’s quiet, stable love. Can she get past the friendship hang-up while trying to forget bad boy Ethan? It’s a choice that changes her life forever.


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After her parents died during her senior year of high school, Alexa Morgan is completely alone in the world—except for her best-friend-turned-boyfriend Devin, identical twins Becca and Jessa, and Sebastian, a mysterious associate of her father’s.

Upon graduation, Alexa wants nothing more than to move on with her life, go to college, and forget all the hard and hurtful things from her tragic past. But when her first love, Ethan, shows up on her doorstep—the night before she’s supposed to meet Devin in Miami—it kicks off a whirlwind of events that threatens the good and stable things she’s worked so hard to achieve.

Ethan and Alexa shared one night of passion before he disappeared, leaving her bewildered and confused. But now he’s back, declaring that he loves her and that the only reason he left was to protect her from his malicious stepmother, Olivia.

In her heart, Alexa knows she loves Devin, but her attraction to Ethan is so strong she can’t help but be drawn in by their shared chemistry. Meanwhile, the threat of Olivia lurks around the edges, casting a menacing shadow over everything and everyone Alexa loves.



About The Author

logo1T. R. Cupak was born and raised in the California Bay Area. She now lives in a quiet town south of where she grew up with her husband and their shihtzu Harley. She is obsessed with cars, especially fast ones, and enjoys her music louder than anyone should. When she's not at work or busy writing, you can find her curled up, reading and enjoying a fabulous glass of wine or a Dirty Shirley.

Despite her lifelong love of literature, Cupak lost touch with her creative side in her early twenties. Her passion for reading was rekindled six years ago, however, and in 2013 she started journaling. This practice helped Cupak hone her creative aspirations, and soon she saw her characters come to life. She has rediscovered her passion for storytelling and wants to share her words with everyone who wants to read them.


30 December 2016

Release Blitz & Review ~ Under Construction by Aria Cole



Amazon US | UK | CA | AU




When Paige Brennan moves into her new apartment she doesn't expect it to come with the neighbor from hell. His late night antics keep her up all hours, with every knock and bang made worse by their shared bedroom wall. When Paige finally bumps into the noisy night owl, she's determined to give him a piece of her mind, even if his broad shoulders and rogue grin leave her hot under the collar.

Stone Garrett is obsessed by the beauty next door, her smart mouth and dangerous curves driving him to utter distraction. She's way out of his league but he's hellbent on proving he can be everything she needs and more. Passions boil over after another late night exchange ends with Stone's hand down his pretty new neighbor's impossibly short sleep shorts. But does love exist beyond their shared bedroom wall? Or are they destined to only be an unforgettable one-night stand?

Warning: Heavy duty pickup trucks, chiseled, sun-kissed abs, and dusty jeans that hang just perfectly off the hips...Under Construction is a panty-melting ride through a sexy construction zone. You'll never look at a man in a hard hat the same again!



Review

Aria Cole does it again, bringing us another tall, dark, and handsome hero that will completely sweep you off your feet... even if you don't want him to.

Stone is a man that normally gets what he wants, but Paige is not like any other woman he's met before. But Stone likes to push Paige's buttons and vice versa, so what else would you expect when these two get together but sparks and flames.

I love how Stone is a simple man with dirty needs and Paige is just the one to fulfill them all. Paige is spitfire and I adore her banter with Stone. Their passion is off the charts hot and readers will require a long cold shower when Stone gets through with them. I seriously couldn't get enough of Stone and Paige, I hated to see them go but I definitely enjoyed the ride.

Some roads can be rocky and full of holes, but this one is smooth sailing. Under Construction is a quick, fun, witty, sultry, insta-love read that will keep you warm and toasty on a cold winter's night.




Aria Cole is a thirty-something housewife who once felt bad for reading dirty books late at night, until she decided to write her own. Possessive alpha men and the sassy heroines who love them are common, along with a healthy dose of irresistible insta-love and happily ever afters so sweet your teeth may ache.

For a safe, off-the-charts HOT, and always HEA story that doesn't take a lifetime to read, get lost in an Aria Cole book!

Follow Aria on Amazon for new release updates, or stalk her on Facebook and Twitter to see which daring book boyfriend she's writing next!

Sign up to get a New Release Alert from me!




Blog Tour & Review ~ Crashing Tides by Casey Peeler



Amazon US | UK | CA | AU




You can predict the tides but not the changes they make. Gunnison Del Valle was the current in the tide that was about to change my life.

Crash one we met.
Crash two we fell in love.
Crash three changed our perfectly planned lives forever.



“C’mon GC!  Let’s go dance.”  I shake my head no.

As she begins to pout, I pull her into my lap as I take a seat on the bench.  “I think I’d rather just sit here with you.”  I place a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear causing her eyes to lock on mine.

“And what are we gonna do beside sit?” she says with a raised eyebrow.

“Talk.  Mar, I want to learn everything I can about you.”

Placing her arms around my neck, “Ask away,” she says.

“Favorite color?”

“Carolina Blue.  Yours?”

“Yellow.   Favorite movie?”

“The Notebook.  What’s you’re favorite type of music?” she asks.

“Country.”  Then she begins to giggle.  “What’s so funny?”

“You’re like a Yankee Cowboy aren’t ya?”  Stunned.  Never in my life has a girl called it like she sees it, and I love it.

“Yankee Cowboy, huh?”

“Yeah, I mean look at your country boy hat,” she says with a wink.  “I mean now all you need is a horse or two and you’re good.”  I can’t help but laugh.  She obviously doesn’t know what’s funny.  “Why you laughin’?”



Review

Two people meet in a chance encounter during spring break in their junior year. A connection like theirs is undeniable, so plans are made to continue their relationship, their whole life is ahead of them. But something happens and Marleigh breaks things off suddenly. Gunnison, GC, is heartbroken and doesn't understand why, but he does what he can to put Marleigh behind him and move forward. However, life has a way of putting things in your path just when you least expect it. Now that GC and Marleigh must find a way to move past the past to build the future they always wanted.

Crashing Tide is a beautiful love story between two people that knew with certainty they were meant for each other. What I really loved is that in the beginning things seemed to come up roses for the couple, but then life throw them a curve ball that changed things completely. Even while they are apart, their feelings never waver. And when they finally do come together again, and although life will still have it's ups and downs, they find a way to be together just as they once planned.

I rather enjoyed this book with this sweet romance and endearing love. The Southern charm, slight angst, and a journey from teen love to happily ever after will warm your heart and leave you with a smile.



Casey Peeler grew up in North Carolina and still lives there with her husband and daughter.

Growing up Casey wasn't an avid reader or writer, but after reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston during her senior year of high school, and multiple Nicholas Sparks' novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading.  That love ignited the passion for writing several years later, and her writing style combines real life scenarios with morals and values teenagers need in their daily lives.

When Casey isn't writing, you can find her near a body of water listening to country music with a cold beverage and a great book.


Release Blitz ~ Redeemed, Worshipped #3, by Brie Paisley


Redeemed
by Brie Paisley
Worshipped Series, Book #3




Jason

I’ve lived in total darkness for as long as I can remember. A dangerous place where pain, love, not even remorse was felt. My world was filled with blood and death until the day I met Karen. Little by little she showed me the way out of that darkness, into her light. She was everything I needed and craved. I learned to fight my darkness, wanted the good side of me to win, until old and new enemies threaten to take away everything and everyone I care about. Darkness is winning and I fear the only one that can redeem me is the one I’ll end up hurting more than I thought possible.

Karen can save me, only if she beats the dark beast inside of me.

Karen

Control is the one thing I understand the most. It’s the one thing I’ve depended on to keep my fragile heart safe. That was my life until Jason changed everything. He opened up a side of me I thought had disappeared long ago, and the control I needed for so long doesn’t seem so appealing. There’s a void, a hole left inside me now that Jason’s not by my side. I know his demons. I know his dark beast that dwells within him waiting to takeover completely. I’ve seen it, felt it, and when the monster breaks free, I fear for everyone I love.

He thinks I can save him, but in the end, he’s the only one that can redeem himself.

*Note: This is the final book of the Worshipped Series and is not intended to be read as standalones.*






Worshipped
Book #1



Betrayed
Book #2





Brie Paisley is a small town gal from Mississippi. She always wanted to write at a young age and was always filling journals with her thoughts and short stories. Brie started with the idea of Worshipped a year ago and with the encouragement of her husband and sister in law, she was able to write her first book. When she is not writing, you can find her reading a good book, painting, scrapbooking, or watching a good movie with her husband and her boxer.



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