RELEASE DAY LAUNCH: The Music of Temptation by Verity Jacobs

We are excited to bring you the Release Day Launch and Blog Tour for Verity Jacobs' THE MUSIC OF TEMPTATION! THE MUSIC OF TEMPTATION is a contemporary romance, and the second book in Verity Jacobs’ The Expat Series. Check out all the stops along the way for fun content and new excerpts!

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THE MUSIC OF TEMPTATION is FREE for the next FIVE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!! 

About THE MUSIC OF TEMPTATION:

Margot Duke can’t keep her long-distance relationship alive any more than she can the cells that are supposed to be taking center stage in her PhD thesis. Both seem to be suffering an inexplicably long and drawn-out death, and she’s spent more than enough time fretting about it, without any solution in sight.

It figures that the one day she chooses to pack it all in and stop caring is the day she meets Jonathan Young.

Jonathan swings through town with his band, just long enough to knock Margot off her feet, and leave her feeling a little giddy in his wake. The encounter proves once and for all that her inter-continental love affair is over, but can she really stomach the idea of starting another one right on its heels? And with the darling of the indie rock world at that?

Excerpt:

Keeping it PG-13

“Hi,” Jonathan said, the timbre of his voice running up and down my body like fingertips on silk. “It’s nice to meet you all.”

I looked over at him and felt my desire bloom inside again. His smile was suddenly open and easy, his eyes twinkling under that fabulous mess of dark hair. I felt the entire table fall under his spell with a dull thud.

“So you’re in a band?” Tek squawked skittishly.

See the alpha male go all fanboy, I thought with a grin, winking when his glance flicked to mine.

“That’s cool,” he added, coming over casual and scowling back at me.

“I’m in a band,” Jonathan said with a nod.

“Not tonight though,” he continued, looking over at me and stretching an arm across the back of my chair. “Tonight, I’m just with her.”

“Her?” I repeated, getting lost in his gaze and feeling the need start to bleed through my system.

“You,” he said quietly. His hand edged forward and found the bare skin where my back met my arm. I willed it to keep going and touch the side of my breast. I wanted those hands all over me again. On my breasts and in my hair and cupping the backs of my knees as he slammed himself into me.

Now it was my turn to smile awkwardly, and he recognized the shift in an instant, a smile tugging at one corner of his mouth.

“Right, we get that you two are into each other,” said Tek, apparently having recovered from his momentary bout of groupiedom. “Can you keep it together long enough to be a little bit social?”

Jonathan laughed and turned back to face him. “Hey man, can you blame me?” he said. “She’s so fucking beautiful that I have trouble breathing sometimes when I look at her.”

I felt my heart trip over itself and then stop completely. I caught Kate’s eye just long enough to see her melt all over the floor.

“And as I only get to look at her for another twelve hours,” he was saying, “I think you’re gonna have to suck it up and deal with our shit.”

It was Tek’s turn to laugh. “Yeah, alright,” he said. “Just try to keep it PG-13, will you?”

I smiled and leaned into Jonathan’s side, snuggling up against him and shivering when his fingers found the lace of my bra, playing out the thoughts I’d just entertained.

And don't forget to grab THE SCIENCE OF ATTRACTION, the first book in the Expats Series...

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About THE SCIENCE OF ATTRACTION:

Kate Ramsey is at the top of her game.

She’s the hot new recruit at the most prestigious research institute in Germany, and she’s determined to live up to the hype — even if it means working day and night. Stress relief comes in the form of a no-nonsense affair with her neighbor, who also happens to be the director of the institute. Who says sex should be anything more than a contract between two people who have other things on their mind?

So when Tom Baker saunters into her life, Kate is understandably upset to see this well-oiled machine splutter and seize. Tom is young and smart, and far too pretty for his own good. Kate can’t help but be drawn to him, even if giving in to the attraction would mean risking everything she’s worked for.

Book trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yq9ECOdv5c

THE MUSIC OF TEMPTATION Storyboard:

http://www.pinterest.com/verityjacobs/the-music-of-temptation/

About Verity Jacobs:

Verity Jacobs is a reformed scientist, who left the lab when she fell in love with writing about love. She lives with her husband and baby girl in London, where she dreams by day and writes all night long. She is addicted to the heart flutters and stomach flips of the fictional romance world.

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THE SCIENCE OF ATTRACTION on Goodreads ** THE MUSIC OF TEMPTATION on Goodreads

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FEATURE: Waiting on Wednesday~ I Am Her Revenge by Meredith Moore (#45)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Morning Swooners :-)

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" pre-publication selections are:

I Am Her Revenge by Meredith Moore

Expected release date: April 7, 2015

Purchase: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

She can be anyone you want her to be.

Vivian was raised with one purpose in life: to exact revenge on behalf of her mother. Manipulative and cruel, Mother has deprived Vivian not only of a childhood, but of an original identity. With an endless arsenal of enticing personalities at her disposal, Vivian is a veritable weapon of deception.

And she can destroy anyone.

When it’s time to strike, she enrolls in a boarding school on the English moors, where she will zero in on her target: sweet and innocent Ben, the son of the man who broke Mother’s heart twenty years ago.

Anyone…except for the woman who created her.

With every secret she uncovers, Vivian comes one step closer to learning who she really is. But the more she learns about herself, the more dangerous this cat and mouse game becomes. Because Mother will stop at nothing to make sure the truth dies with her.

Why I'm waiting:

So it sounds like Mother has some serious issues. I can't imagine wanting to ruin a man AND his child because he broke my heart TWENTY years ago. So I feel like I really need to see what the deal is with Mother.

What are you anxiously waiting for?

RELEASE DAY LAUNCH: Manwhore (Manwhore #1) by Katy Evans

Title: Manwhore (Manwhore #1)
Author: Katy Evans
Release Date: March 24, 2015
Publisher: Gallery Books

Synopsis:

Is it possible to expose Chicago’s hottest player—without getting played?

This is the story I've been waiting for all my life, and its name is Malcolm Kyle Preston Logan Saint. Don’t be fooled by that last name though. There’s nothing holy about the man except the hell his parties raise. the hottest entrepreneur Chicago has ever known, he's a man’s man with too much money to spend and too many women vying for his attention.

Mysterious. Privileged. Legendary. His entire life he's been surrounded by the press as they dig for tidbits to see if his fairytale life is for real or all rumors and social media lies. Since he's hit the scene, his secrets have been his and his alone to keep. And that’s where I come in.

Assigned to investigate Saint and reveal his elusive personality, I’m determined to make him the story that will change my career.

But I never imagined he would change my life. But by bit, I start to wonder if I'm the one discovering him…or if he's uncovering me.

What happens when the man they call Saint, makes you want to sin?

EXCERPT:

Visit here to read an excerpt from Manwhore by Katy Evans

About the Author:

Katy Evans is married and lives with her husband and their two children plus three lazy dogs in South Texas. Some of her favorite pastimes are hiking, reading, baking, and spending time with her friends and family. She is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling The REAL series: REAL, MINE, REMY, ROGUE, and RIPPED. For more information on Katy Evans visit her website KatyEvans.net and follow her on Facebook and Twitter, @AuthorKatyEvans.

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REVIEW: Nest by Esther Ehrlich~ BEA 2014

Nest by Esther Ehrlich

Publication Date: September 9, 2014

Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Source: ARC received from Publisher at Book Expo America 2014
Guest Reviewer: Doris aka La Chiquita

Buy it at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

*This book was received from the publisher, but it did not influence this review in any way *

My rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

For fans of Jennifer Holm (Penny from Heaven, Turtle in Paradise), a heartfelt and unforgettable middle-grade novel about an irresistible girl and her family, tragic change, and the healing power of love and friendship. In 1972 home is a cozy nest on Cape Cod for eleven-year-old Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein, her older sister, Rachel; her psychiatrist father; and her dancer mother. But then Chirp’s mom develops symptoms of a serious disease, and everything changes.

   Chirp finds comfort in watching her beloved wild birds. She also finds a true friend in Joey, the mysterious boy who lives across the street. Together they create their own private world and come up with the perfect plan: Escape. Adventure. Discovery.

Being 26 years old, and reading a story about a 13/14 year old you might say i was setting myself up for a few "i-remember-when" moments. This book did not let me down there. I was very nostalgic reading the antics that our protagonist Naomi "Chirp" Orenstien gets put through. One of my favorites was set during a thunderstorm; Chirp and her older sister, Rachel, danced outside with their mother watching from the front porch. Usually their mother would be out there with them, but because of a soar leg her mother decided it would be best to sit this one out. They wiggled and swayed and brought the performance to an end with a grand can-can routine. When i was about ten or tweleve I too went outside to danced in the rain. Mind you i didnt have a porch, but a stoop nor a yard but a field of cracked concrete. The feeling was still the same though. We were lost in our movements, in feeling the cold water running down our skin and the warmth in the laughter our mother released as we did a twirl just for her.

               

Unfortunately for our little Chirp those days were few and far between once her mother became sick. This book goes from "i-remember-when" moments to "i-cant-believe-that-just-happened" moments within pages of each other. Don't read this book if you can't handle sad endings. The family dynamic of the Orenstien household goes as follows. Rachel is the daddy's girl and Chirp the mother's side kick. When their mother was at full health she lived with a light so bright that it attracted loyalty from everyone she encountered. She is loved by her husband, looked up to by her daughter and worshiped by her Chirp. As the story goes on, you see the light go out and the strains of these relationships tested. So much so that when they snap the sound of the whip reaches out of the pages and makes you hurt with them. I wanted this book to be a buddy-buddy journey with Joey and Chirp finding birds and discovering themselves together. Something with a background music of flutes and harps not something with violins and clarinets.

              

I think Joey was meant to be an outlet for Chirp, something to distract her from what was happening in her own home but it sucked that Chirp wasn't more of an outlet for Joey. At the end of the book all we got from Joey was that he was a germ-a-phobe who had two mean brothers and a meaner dad with an itch to hit. We don't get to hope for a happy future for him, or that he may get out. I really wanted Joey to get some justice for what he was experiencing. In the end Chirp is reminded that she is not the only one hurting and through this it re-builds her world enough for her to return to it. What about Joey? Nothing changes. I couldn't help feeling that these were building blocks for a good house down the street murder mystery where Joey is the murder with a messed past that could have been changed if one little girl cared just a little bit more.

               

Nest will make you relive little moments from your youth, going to school, taking the bus, playing games that your siblings made up with you to kill time while the adults did what they needed to. It will also make you sad. The story makes you want to reach out to your parent and tell them you still love them. If you lost a parent and read this it will take you back to them for a moment. I gave it 3 out of 5 because I really wanted a friendly feel good book. Though this book gave me glances into the happiness they had, the meat and feels of it was the relationship of Chirp to her mother. 

COVER REVEAL: Better When He's Brave (Welcome to the point #3) by Jay Crownover

We are swooning big time about this cover for Jay Crownover's BETTER WHEN HE'S BRAVE! BETTER WHEN HE’S BRAVE is a New Adult Contemporary Romance and is the 3rd book in The Point Series, published by William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins. It is due to be released on August 11^th!! Pre-order now and be sure to grab the first two books, BETTER WHEN HE'S BAD and BETTER WHEN HE'S BOLD while you wait!

Pre-Order Your Copy Today!

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About BETTER WHEN HE’S BRAVE:

In New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jay Crownover’s third novel in her sexy, thrilling Welcome to the Point series, a woman’s search for repentance leads her to the one man from her past she can’t forget as they join forces to save their city—and the explosive love neither can live without.

Titus King sees the world in black and white. Right and wrong. Which is why as a teenager he left behind the only family he’d ever known to make a better life for himself. Now a police detective in one of the worst cities in the country, he can’t deny his life has turned into a million different shades of gray.

The new criminal element in The Point has brought vengeance and destruction right to Titus’s front door, and the difference between right and wrong is nothing compared to keeping those he loves alive. To add to his already strained moral compass, the beautiful and mysterious Reeve Black has made her way back to town, and she might be as dangerous to Titus as the guy trying to destroy the Point because he needs her—in more ways than one.

Reeve knows all about how ruthless this new threat to destroy The Point can be… and instead of running away, she wants to help. She has a lot to repent for and saving the city, plus the hot cop that she hasn’t been able to forget might just be the only way she can finally find some inner peace.

With an entire city poised on the brink of war, Titus and Reeve stand in the crossfire—and it will take two brave souls to fight for the ultimate love.

And don’t miss the first two books in The Point Series…

BETTER WHEN HE’S BAD, Book 1

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BETTER WHEN HE’S BOLD, Book 2

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About Jay Crownover:

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men and The Point series. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.

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BETTER WHEN HE’S BRAVE Goodreads ** Jay Crownover Goodreads

                                                   

Cover Reveal hosted by: InkSlinger PR

                                                                

REVIEW: Murder at the Brightwell (Amory Ames Mystery #1) by Ashley Weaver~ BEA 2014

Murder at the Brightwell (Amory Ames Mystery #1) by  Ashley Weaver

Publication Date: October 14, 2014

Publisher: Minotaur Books
Source: ARC received from Publisher at Book Expo America 2014
Guest Reviewer: Doris aka La Chiquita

Buy it at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

*This book was received from the publisher, but it did not influence this review in any way *

My rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Amory Ames is a wealthy young woman who regrets her marriage to her notoriously charming playboy husband, Milo. Looking for a change, she accepts a request for help from her former fiancé, Gil Trent, not knowing that she’ll soon become embroiled in a murder investigation that will test not only her friendship with Gil, but will upset the status quo with her husband.

Amory accompanies Gil to the Brightwell Hotel in an attempt to circumvent the marriage of his sister, Emmeline, to Rupert Howe, a disreputable ladies’ man. Amory sees in the situation a grim reflection of her own floundering marriage. There is more than her happiness at stake, however, when Ru[pert is murdered and Gil is arrested for the crime. Amory is determined to prove his innocence and find the real killer, despite attempted dissuasion from the disapproving police inspector on the case. Matters are further complicated by Milo’s unexpected arrival, and the two form an uneasy alliance as Amory enlists his reluctant aid in clearing Gil’s name. as the stakes grow higher and the line  between friend and foe becomes less clear, Amory must decide where her heart lies and catch the killer before she, too, becomes a victim.

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. All the ingredients were there, 1930's era, British characters, murder mystery and a very alluring cover. All I could think of though was this is an interesting retelling of the movie "Clue."

The story is told by Amory Ames, an elite whose who of 1930's England who is married to Milo Ames, international playboy and wayward husband. I use wayward lightly. Milo is one of my favorite characters. Now don't judge me yet, read his lines first then tell me you don't want to smirk every time his name comes on the page.

"I hadn't expected to see you back so soon," I said. His last letter, an offhanded attempt at keeping me informed of his whereabouts, had arrived three weeks before and hinted that he would probably not return home until late July."Monte Carlo grew so tedious; I simply had to get away.""Yes," I replied. "Nothing to replace the dull routine of roulette, champagne, and beautiful women like a rousing jaunt to your country house for toast and coffee with your wife."
Without really meaning to do so, I had poured a cup of coffee, two sugars, no milk and handed it to him."You know, I believe I've missed you, Amory."Pg.2 

Amory fell in love with Milo when she was suppose to be planning her wedding to another. Now five years later she finds that the grass indeed wasn't greener on the other side. Amory is faced with the truth of her actions when she is asked a favor from her ex, Gil Trent. The pretense is that Gil wants Amory to go with him to The Brightwell Hotel to convince his sister away from mysterious and flirtatious Rupert.

The story tests the strain on Amory's marriage to Milo and her actual feelings for Gil. She is put in situations where she takes liberties that she knows she shouldn't but she feels she must to protect Gil from being prosecuted as the murder of Rupert. As the mystery is being unraveled Amory discovers that those things she felt were so black and white are really variant shades of gray. This is not just with the other characters in the book but with herself to.

The book has a steady pace, good character voices but nothing that really made it stand out as a contender. I found myself talking to Amory on occasion, begging her to listen to reason and not do or say the things she was about to. Also suppressing a giggle when the reality of the situation hits her and "all the pieces fall into place." I really wanted to just scream it was Mrs Plum in the hallway  with the candle stick!

This is book one for Ashley Weaver's series "Amory Ames Mysteries". Will I look for book two when it comes out? Of course! Why? Well I'm a sucker for Milo Ames and any dosage of him and his antics will help the simple plot line go down.