Tuesday, June 30, 2015

A little bit o man candy ~ just because




I just had a urge to share some of my favorite pics today,

enjoy!








Happy Independence Day !

I wanna go for a ride!





Help, I'm drowning!




I can cool you off!





Wet Wednesday~1 day early!



Just Yummy!





A little bubbly to celebrate the 4th!

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Safe At Last: Slow Burn #3 by Maya Banks ~ Review!

Safe At Last
Slow Burn Series #3
by Maya Banks


The third book in the beloved #1 bestselling author’s sexy, romantic suspense Slow Burn series…
They say young love doesn’t last, but a girl from the wrong side of the tracks with unique abilities and the hometown golden boy were determined to defy the odds. For Zack CovingtonAnna-Grace—his “Gracie”—was the one. Until one night forever alters the course of their future, when a devastated Gracie disappears without a trace, leaving Zack to agonize over what happened to the girl he loved. As the years pass, his desperate efforts to find her uncovered nothing.
Now working for Devereaux Security, he stumbles across a painting featuring a special place only he and Gracie would know. The image is too perfectly rendered for it to be coincidence. His Gracie must be alive. When he finally tracks her down, he is shocked—and heart-broken—to discover the wounded shell of the girl he once knew and still loves. Her psychic gifts are gone, and worse, she believes he betrayed her all those years ago.
Zack has enemies, and once his weakness is discovered, Gracie becomes a target for revenge. He’ll have to save her before he can earn her trust and her love. And he vows they’ll never be torn apart again.


Buy Links:

Review:
This review was a bit difficult for me. I love Maya Banks and every book I have read of hers, Slow Burn series included. This just wasn't exactly what I would expect from a Maya Banks book-though not a bad thing-just not what I would expect!
We have met Zack in the previous Slow Burn books, he is an agent for DSS security and as is expected in someone working for Devereaux Security, Zack is a bad-ass, alpha male who thrives on saving & protecting people. He fell in love at a young age with Gracie and had his life-plan in place. Then one day Gracie just disappeared. Zack has spent the past 12 years looking for her. While on an assignment, Zack discovers Gracie is alive and is shocked to find she will have nothing to do with him. From there we have bad guys attacking anyone that has to do with DSS security and all the while Zack is trying to figure out why Gracie has changed so much and why she won't have anything to do with him.
This story is not what you would typically find in a Maya Banks book. Although there is some suspense and some romance, it just wasn't to the extremes that you would normally find in Maya's books.(call it a bit tame). A major part of the story-line was Zack trying to get Gracie to explain her disappearance and why she won't speak to him. This seemed a bit repetitive to me. I found the story very emotional, especially when we do discover what Gracie had been going through for the 12 years. 
Safe At Last can be read as a stand-alone book, but I think it would be enjoyed more by those who are fans of the series. I think because I love the series so much is why I can give this book a 4 key rating. I hope to see more in the Slow Burn series in the future.



You can find my reviews for the first 2 books in the Slow Burn Series here
Author:
**My name is Maya Banks and I live in Texas with my husband and three children and our assortment of pets. I’m more of a cat person, but my daughter became convinced she NEEDED a dog. So convinced in fact that it became her mission to convince her father and me. She prepared aMaya's Dogtwo page hand written proposal that detailed WHY she needed a dog, and well, after I sent her to her father (I knew he wouldn’t tell her no) we embarked on the search for the perfect dog. The journey that was two hours away and that I got pulled over for speeding while I was on the phone with my agent who had an offer from a publisher for one of my books… The officer wasn’t impressed. He wrote me a ticket anyway. Thus, I now tell my daughter that her dog turned into one very expensive concession! But isn’t he cute? 
 

When I’m not writing, I love to hunt and fish with my family. We all love the outdoors and go on family hunting trips every year. We also love to travel. One of our more recent trips was to Scotland, which was every bit as comical as National Lampoon’s European Vacation. You know the part about “Look kids, Big Ben, Parliament” as they went round and round the roundabouts? Yeah, that was us, only we couldn’t even get out of the airport in Glasgow without hitting three of those suckers. 
 

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of a writing career is getting to meet so many wonderful readers. There’s nothing better than dishing books with someone who loves the romance genre as much as I do. Romance readers are passionate and vocal. We love our books, love our happily ever afters, and we love to spend time talking to others about our favorites. THIS is why I love my job so much, and I’m so grateful to readers who gave ME a chance when I began my career. So thank you. 
**From author's website
Author Links:



Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Blog Tour ~ Relentless; Renegades #4 by Skye Jordan ~ Review & 2 Giveaways!

 Relentless 
Renegades #4
by Skye Jordan
About the Book



Book Summary:

Bad boy Troy Jacobs is all about taking risks. As a stunt double for Hollywood’s A-listers, there’s no fall he won’t attempt. With one exception—women. Troy fell hard once, and it nearly broke him. Since then, he’s vowed never to trust like that again and he’s got everything under control. Until the woman who shattered his heart years before shows up on his movie-set.

Country music star Giselle “Ellie” Diamond learned long ago that sometimes love isn’t enough. When love got in the way of her goals, she made the tough choice to let go of happily ever after and chased the glitz and glamour of the stage. It may not be all she expected, but now it’s all she has. And with a worldwide tour on the line, Ellie needs one last gig to rocket her toward stardom: a high-profile role in a blockbuster film.

Passion sparks, and old feelings return. But while Troy and Ellie grow closer their problems from the past simmer in the background. And this time around, there’s more tearing them apart than just one star-studded career.


~~~


Buy Links:




Review:

Relentless is another wonderful installment in the Renegades series! 

Troy and Ellie have a past together, their lives were all planned out, and then Ellie got her "big break" and their lives came crashing down. Ellie became the big star she always dreamed about and Troy left a piece of his heart behind when he left Ellie.

Overall, the entire Renegade's series has been an absolutely fantastic red-hot read, and Relentless doesn't disappoint! Second chances at love, smokin' hot alpha dudes, edge of your seat drama, lots of heat between the sheets, and I just adore the sense of camaraderie & humor we get between all the guys from Renegades!

Any book by Skye Jordan is an automatic read for me, but, the Renegades series is a must-have, need-to-read, right-now, set of books! 
If you haven't started this series yet...what are you waiting for?






About the Author:

Skye Jordan is a pseudonym for New York Times bestselling romantic suspense author Joan Swan. Skye’s novels are about enjoying that little wild streak we don’t let out often enough. About those fantasies we rarely get the opportunity to indulge. About stretching limits, checking out the dark side, and maybe even acting a little naughty. They’re about escape and fun and pleasure and romance.


And, yes, even love, because while wicked-great sex is good, happily ever after with wicked-great sex is even better.

Skye (aka Joan) lives on the central coast of California in the heart of wine country with her husband and two daughters. As often as possible, she retreats to a hotel with critique partners for a power-writing week where much drinking, laughing, and yes, even working, ensues.

When she’s not writing, Skye goes to breakfast with her hubby, attends her daughters’ barrel races, and spends a lot of time with her own horse, Riddle…while her two dogs, Paxton and Indie, tag along. She also loves to read, knit, craft, row, ride, and dabble in photography.


Author Links:



~~~



Giveaway Information

Tour-wide giveaways include:

·         Kindle HD ~OR~ Kindle + Kindle Unlimited (US Only)
·         (5) $20.00 gift cards to Amazon or Barnes & Noble

See Rafflecopter below

Individual blog giveaways include:

·         Each blog will be giving away a digital copy of any of Skye’s backlist
 (winner’s choice, does not include Relentless, open internationally)

To enter comment below and tell me if you have read anything by Skye Jordan 
and if so what has been your favorite?




a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Blog Tour Stops:

June 22, 2015

June 23, 2015

June 24, 2015

June 27, 2015

June 28, 2015

June 29, 2015

June 30, 2015



Thursday, June 18, 2015

Passionate Addiction by Eden Summers ~ Blake Kennedy Character tour


Passionate Addiction
by Eden Summers
Blake Kennedy Character Tour
June 7 - June 27

Add Me To Goodreads



Buy Links



About My Book

He’s been her ultimate untouchable desire. 

Nothing says happy birthday like a rock god flying thousands of miles to surprise a woman he's never met. But that's exactly what happens to Gabi Smith when she gives her long distance best friend a flippant invitation to her laid back girl’s night out. She never expected to turn on the dance floor and find Blake Kennedy’s gaze holding her body captive.

She’s his everything and he’s never laid eyes on her. 

Gabi means more to Blake than life itself. She’s his strength, his savior, and the only person who helped to vanquish his demons. No one means more to him than his angel. So when things between them start to sizzle, he's ready to fight for the future he never thought he would deserve.

Skeletons from his past will threaten his only chance at love... 

Blake has come a long way—with Gabi's help—to leave the hell of his youth behind him, but sometimes memories don’t want to stay buried. Determined to stand on his own for once, Blake is willing to stretch the truth to keep his troubles from burdening the woman he adores.



Little white lies can create black holes in any relationship. Only time will tell if an Aussie with a heart of gold will forgive her bad-boy boyfriend or if the deceit will end his passionate addiction.

Teasers





What they are saying about me...

"Sweet Baby Jesus. I didn’t think the second book would rock me as much as the first, but boy was I wrong." 5 STARS - Insightful Minds Reviews.

"Eden Summers has done it again with Passionate Addiction." 5 STARS - I am a Book Addict & Proud of It.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Inside Dirt on Blake Kennedy by Mitch, Mason, Ryan & Sean

Want some dirt on the tattooed, smart-mouthed, bass guitarist of the group? Well, Mason, Mitch, Ryan, and Sean are here to let you have it. In the lead up to the Passionate Addiction release, the guys of Reckless Beat want you to be aware that the famous bass guitarist isn't as shit-hot as he seems to be.

So here's the dirt -

Mitch: The fucker snores. Loud. Not all the time. Only when he’s really tired, but it gets so bad I’ve contemplated smothering him on more than one occasion.

Mason: He never keeps secrets. In fact, he uses them as leverage, or blurts them out at inappropriate times because he thinks he’s funny. He's not funny.

Ryan: Blake is pretty cool. But his preference not to drink alcohol means he has the perfect opportunity to set the rest of us up when we’re drunk. I’ve woken up more than once with ‘Loser’ written in permanent marker across my forehead. I don't appreciate that.

Sean: My bro, Blake, is a pussy magnet. The tattoos, wrist cuffs, and merciless raven eyes get ‘em every time. And you may think he doesn’t notice the attention, but he does, and he loves it. Cocky little fucker.Inside Dirt on Blake Kennedy by Mitch, Mason, Ryan & Sean
Want some dirt on the tattooed, smart-mouthed, bass guitarist of the group? Well, Mason, Mitch, Ryan, and Sean are here to let you have it. In the lead up to the Passionate Addiction release, the guys of Reckless Beat want you to be aware that the famous bass guitarist isn't as shit-hot as he seems to be.
A Little More About Me


Name: 

Blake Kennedy

Chief disappointments: 

The mistakes I’ve made in my life. I’ve made some shitty moves. Onward and upward though, right?

What do you look like? (Include height, weight, hair, eyes, skin, apparent age, and distinguishing features) 

Spiked dark hair, brown eyes and more ink than your local stationery shop.

What is your most prized mundane possession?

Why do you value it so much? My first guitar. It was a Gibson acoustic. Second hand, with scratches and a chip in the wood at the first fret. But it’s a symbol of where I’ve come from and where I’ll never go back to.

What one word best describes you? 

Damaged.

What was your family like? 

Worse than most but better than some. My upbringing made me work for what I have, so it couldn’t have been all that bad.

What is your fondest, childhood memory? 

When my music teacher decided not to give up on me. Instead, he dragged me into his classroom to spend his lunch breaks teaching me guitar. It gave me something to focus on. A passion to divert my mind away from family life and the kids who wanted to kick my ass for the threadbare clothes I wore.

What is your worst childhood memory? 

There’s too many to name. Not that they were all crappy, just that there weren’t many that were good.

What were you like in high school? What "clique" did you best fit in with?

I was the loner. The loser. The kid who wore secondhand clothes and got the shit kicked out of me.

What were your high school goals? 

To make something of myself and get out of my shitty life.

Do you have a job? What is it? Do you like it? If no job, where does your money come from? 

I’m the bass guitarist for Reckless Beat—the best fuckin’ bassist to walk the stage *winks*

What is your boss or employer like? (Or publisher, or agent, or whatever.) 

Our label is…professional. I guess that’s the only word to describe them without getting in trouble. But our band manager, Leah, is a hard ass. She doesn’t let us get away with shit.

What are your co-workers like? Do you get along with them? Any in particular? Which ones don't you get along with? 

The guys of Reckless Beat are my family. I depend on them for everything. As much as the constant sarcasm annoys me, I wouldn’t change them for anything.

Do you tend to save or spend your money? Why? 

Save. I grew up without money. I like to know I’ve always got some on standby. No matter how healthy the bank account gets.

What bands do you like? Do you even pay attention? 

I like a lot of music. Especially some of the indie bands coming out these days. I like to cheer on the underdog so I tend to search for unknown artists and stick to the ones who move me.

What song is "your song?" Why? 

Ha. I actually created a song for the woman I love, but I’m not going to give out any more details. You’ll have to read about it.

What annoys you more than anything else? 

Mason. Is that a good enough answer? I’m pretty sure the whole band feels the same way. The guy is a loveable douche.

Would you consider yourself straight, gay, bi, or something else? Why? 

I’m not bi. I definitely don’t like dick. But I’m happy to share the fun with friends. As long as a woman is involved, I’m there.

Have you ever had a same-sex experience? Who with, what was it like, and how did it go? 

Apart from the time Mitch crawled into the wrong bed and thought I was Alana, the answer would be no. I gotta tell ya, the feel of another guys dick spooning into my ass isn’t something fun to wake up to.

What was the wildest thing you've ever done, sexually? Who was it with and when did it happen?

I don’t really consider anything ‘wild’ anymore. On tour you have these nights that turn into a blur of sex and carnality. I’m not a prude, so nothing seems too wild.

What was the worst injury you've ever received? How did it happen?

I’ve done some pretty stupid shit with drugs. I didn’t receive any physical injuries but the emotional ones cut pretty deep.

Prologue

Lost: Is anyone there? I need help.

Blake Kennedy typed with shaky hands, hoping one of the four people in the online chat room would respond. There hadn’t been any talk amongst them since he signed on five minutes ago, and he’d begun to worry they wouldn’t reply.

This was his last option. His only option. He didn’t know what else to do. He had no one to turn to. No one to trust. And if he didn’t pull his shit together soon, his life wouldn’t be worth living.

Modaroo: I’m here. How can I help?

He rested his fingers against the keypad. The tattoo marking his right-hand knuckles mocked him in thick black, broken text--Reckless. No shit. He should get “moronic” splayed across the other hand.

Lost: I need a distraction. I can’t go back again. I just want someone to keep me company until the burn wears off.

The demons were overtaking him, clawing, enticing—almost succeeding at dragging him back to the dark side. He huffed out a breath and wiped the sweat of exhaustion from his forehead.

The anonymity of the internet was his only solace. Support meetings weren’t an option, neither was rehab. If the paparazzi or anyone in the public found out about his problem, he would be booted from Reckless Beat and disgraced in front of a worldwide crowd.

Modaroo: I can do that. I’m quite adept at chatting about inconsequential things until I put people to sleep. It’s a female thing.

He gave a half-hearted laugh, and the noise came out stuttered, maniacal. This was good, though. It was a start. The pounding agitation in his chest even wavered, igniting a spark of hope.

Lost: So you’re a female and enjoy staying up late chatting in drug addiction support groups? Are you a moderator or an abuser?

Modaroo: Yes, I’m female. One of, if not the most stunningly brilliant females you will ever encounter. But no, I’m not a late night person. I love my sleep. I assume I’m on the other side of the world to you. I live down under ;) And yes, I’m a moderator.

Blake’s cell phone vibrated on the couch cushion beside him with an incoming call. He rushed to grab it, to smother the miniscule noise. The laptop teetered on his thighs, threatening to fall.

“Shit.” Clutching the phone in one hand and the laptop in the other, he closed his eyes, breathed deep, and waited for the buzzing to stop. Each passing second tempted him, pulled at him, demanding he answer. His demons knew who was calling. He didn’t need to glimpse the screen to verify.

Seconds later, sweet relief rushed through his veins. He passed the first test. If he could ignore the calls, maybe he could overcome everything else. First thing in the morning, he would change his phone number. For now, though, he would turn the damn thing off.

He glanced across the hotel suite toward Mitchell Davies’ open bedroom door. The lead guitarist must have sensed Blake’s restlessness after tonight’s performance and had started asking questions. Questions Blake didn’t want to answer, or couldn’t answer, if he wanted to keep his position in the band. He’d only been part of the team for eight months and already he’d fucked up. Big time.

Lost: Yeah, I’m in the States. It’s three a.m. here, and I’m so fucking tired. I just want to sleep, but the crazy-ass nightmares won’t quit.

So tell me about Australia. What’s it like down under?

He needed to stop thinking about it. To stop turning every thought process into something that related to the white powder destroying his life.

Modaroo: Withdrawal can be nasty on your mind and body. Just remember, it’s all temporary, and it WILL get better. Do you have someone locally you can depend on?

And what’s it like down under? Pretty darn awesome. At the moment, the weather is hot, the air con is cold, and the beach is looking mighty fine.

Blake ignored her question. He had no one. Not a single soul, and he refused to tell her why.

Lost: You surf?

Modaroo: A little. I can stay on a board for about as long as I can hold my breath.

He let out another laugh. This time it came easier, more natural, less hysterical.

Lost: Lol. So in other words, you kinda suck.

Modaroo: Now, now. No need to point out my failings. I prefer to think of it as a balance imperfection.

Blake snickered and ran a lazy hand through the tangled spikes at the front of his hair. A total stranger, on the other side of the world, had made him laugh for the first time in months.

She was his savior.

Lost: Your failings are nothing in comparison to mine, honey. I’m going to lose the best thing that ever happened to me if I don’t control my cravings for cocaine.

Modaroo: Sorry, Lost, but please don’t use specific drug names in the open chat rooms. The reminder can be harmful to others.

Shit. The last thing he wanted to do was make things harder for another addict.

Lost: Sorry.

Modaroo: Not a problem. So is it a woman?

Lost: A woman?

He rotated his shoulders, cracked his neck, and stretched his arms above his head. The state of relaxation was miles away. However, each second chatting with this woman brought him closer.

Modaroo: The “best thing” you will lose.

He clenched his fists. Disgust and self-loathing were his companions, and he was too weak to do anything about it. All of this pain, suffering, and craziness because of one simple little thing—beauty.

Oh, and lust.

Lost: No. A woman is what got me into this mess in the first place.

About My Creator

Eden Summers is a true blue Aussie, living in regional New South Wales with her two energetic young boys and a quick witted husband.

In late 2010, Eden’s romance obsession could no longer be sated by reading alone, so she decided to give voice to the sexy men and sassy women in her mind. 

Eden can’t resist alpha dominance, dark features and sarcasm in her fictional heroes and loves a strong heroine who knows when to bite her tongue but also serves retribution with a feminine smile on her face. 

Stalk her...