COVER REVEAL: Once Upon a Darkness by Aria Kane

Title: Once Upon a Darkness 

Author: Aria Kane

Release Date: June 17, 2013


Synopsis:
Gretchen and her twin brother, Hank, were abandoned to a zombie horde when they were five years old. Intended to be a sacrifice by their zealot parents, they were instead rescued by The Company. Raised to become soldiers in the war against zombies, they now provide safe passage through danger zones, one contract at a time. 

Clint's only skill is war, but he's weary of killing other men. When his contract with the Marines runs out, he takes a job on Gretchen's team, hoping that the search and rescue life will suit him better. 

On Clint's second day, their four man team is attacked, drugged, and taken to a prison full of frightened civilians. The only way in or out is by helicopter, and here, their enemies are human. One by one, the captives are culled from the holding area. Rumors say the facility director uses the prisoners as experimental subjects for the testing of a zombie cure. 

When Hank is taken, Clint and Gretchen must put aside their personal feelings and find a way out of the prison, surrounded by thousands of starving zombies, before Hank becomes just one more disposable guinea pig in the hands of a twisted mad woman. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Author

Aria Kane is a recovering mechanical engineer and romance writer. She lives in sunny Florida with a 60 lb mutt who thinks he's a Chihuahua. You can learn more about her on her website, or by following her on Twitter. 

BLOG TOUR: Because of You by T.E. Sivec

(Playing with Fire series, book 2)

Brady Marshall has made a career of playing it safe. When he decides to do something rash and becomes a Navy SEAL, he thinks he's finally escaped the rigid structure of the high society life his parents forced down his throat. All he does is trade in one set of rules for another. He follows military protocol to a T, but it still results in the death of an entire team of Navy SEALS and puts his best friends directly in harm's way. He’s struggled to stay afloat and not drown in grief, guilt, and booze, but he's losing that battle quickly. When his baby sister flees her abusive husband and shows up on his doorstep with his young niece in tow, he has no choice but to clean up his act. He will stop at nothing to protect them and never let them down again, even if it means taking a job that goes against everything he believes in. If protecting a pop star princess who thinks she's better than everyone means he can keep a roof over their head, what other choice does he have? 

Layla Carlysle has lived a life of luxury. She's been a star since the young age of fifteen, and every record she releases shoots straight to the top of the charts. She has people surrounding her every single day telling her how amazing she is, how beautiful she is, and how lucky she is, but she’s never felt more alone in her entire life. She wants nothing more than to break free and do what she really wants to do: write her own music, sing her own songs, and find a way to finally be happy with her life. The only thing standing in her way is her mother, Eve Carlysle. Eve has controlled every single aspect of her daughter’s life and will stop at nothing to achieve fame and fortune, even if that means using her daughter to get there. When an overly-amorous fan’s letters become increasingly more sinister, Brady will have to suck up his opinion of how the other half lives to take the job seriously. The pair will need to learn to trust each other and put aside their differences before the letters become a reality and someone’s life is in jeopardy. 

Brady has been to hell and back, and he refuses to let anyone else get close to him again. Layla has never lived her life for herself, and the emptiness is threatening to break her for good. 

Sometimes our lives are already planned for us, but because of you, all of that could change in an instant.

"Because of you, I am stronger than I've ever been. Because of you, I can finally live my own life and make my own choices. You sent me that note and you gave my father back to me. You gave my life back to me. Because of you being here right now, coming here tonight, even though it took you long enough...I know that I never want to be without you again." - Layla 

I can sum up this novel in three, little words: HOT. AS. FUUUUUUUUCK.

We all have that one author that holds a super special place in our heart – you know, the one that you took a chance on when they released their debut novel and you had absolutely no idea what kind of writer they were. You just bought their book and prayed that it was worth your time. And then when you were balls deep into the story, anxiously flipping page after page, something happened – you fell in love with someone you didn’t even know. Then before you know it, you’re creeping on them on their website, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace (God I hope no one still has a MySpace) and you’re looking for any news on when they are releasing their next book and it’s never soon enough…well, at least not for me because I never could grasp that virtue. By now you’re probably wondering where this is going and since I refuse to be patient, I won’t ask you to be either…….

Tara Sivec is that author that holds a super special place in my heart.

I have read every book she has published, and after I finished Because of You, I literally sat here thinking “How the fuck does she do it?” She has yet to disappoint with her work, and Because of You juuuust might top my love for A Beautiful Lie. The story of Brady and Layla evokes an array of emotions and has a depth that a lot of romance novels lack; this isn’t just about the two main characters and their feelings for each other. It’s about Brady’s commitment to his sister and niece, his willingness to do whatever it takes to provide for them, and his attempt to conquer his demons. It’s about Layla’s heartbreaking childhood, her terrifying run-ins with a desperate man who has made it his mission to have her for his own, and her attempt to please her mother…even if it means forfeiting her real dreams. It’s just so much more than your regular run-of-the-mill romance/suspense novel. It will make you grin, make your heart race, make you cry, and oh yes…it will make you so hot you will feel your heartbeat in your vagina. I’m not kidding. I felt my heartbeat in my vagina during a couple scenes. Or maybe my vagina was just fist pumping out of excitement. Either way, you get my point – it’s hot. And I refuse to give away any spoilers, but I just need to say one thing right now. THE ENDING IS JUST…IT’S JUST…JESUS TITS, I can’t even say anything without giving something away!!!! Just know this – your heart might stop for several minutes. I know mine did.

Tara’s writing is near flawless, and is the kind that will make you stay up until 4 AM even though you have to work at 8 AM because it’s absolutely impossible to find a good stopping point. I don’t know how she does it, but I pray she never stops because I am so in love with her writing…and clearly my vagina is a pretty big fan, too. Because of You is just another 5 star piece of perfection that reiterates why Tara is that author for me. Now if you’ll excuse me…I guess I’ll try to go learn that little virtue called patience while I wait for the third book in this series.

Oh, one last thing –here are my Brady and Layla ;) 

Purchase on Amazon Kindle

Purchase from Barnes and Noble

Click HERE to enter the giveaway for a signed paperback copy of Because of You and a bunch of other goodies!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Author

T.E. Sivec is the pen name for Tara Sivec. Under T.E. Sivec, she delves into a more serious genre that is her absolute favorite to read -- romantic suspense. She loves reading a book and feeling her heart speed up with anticipation and wanted to be able to give that feeling to her fans. T.E. lives in Ohio with her husband and two children, living the dream of being a full-time writer. 

T.E. Sivec I Facebook I Goodreads 

In the Air by Crystal Serowka

(The City series, book 1)

It all began on a New York City sidewalk. It was so surreal. Juilliard, the enormous brick building that held my dreams and the possibilities of my future. I was prepared for the challenges ahead. What I didn’t expect was to lose my focus the second I met him. Living the dance was no longer the important thing in my life.

The City opened my eyes, but he transformed me.

Two dancers. One big city. He was determined to make a new start. She was ready to make it in the ballet world. Neither expected love to play a part in achieving their dreams. They also didn’t expect it to be so destructive. Samson and Natalia took the leap anyway, not worrying about the fall.

For 14 years, dance was my life. I took 2-3 classes per night, five days a week; so it should come as no surprise that I read any and every dance related book I can get my little hands on. I get so anxious to be absorbed in the world of pointe shoes, barre class, and rigorous rehearsals again that sometimes it causes my expectations to be a little high. I wish I could just tell the ballerina inside of me to calm the fuck the down, but I’ll be honest…she has yet to listen to me.

In the Air is an enjoyable debut novel from Crystal Serowka that centers around Natalia and Samson, two Juilliard ballet dancers trying to make their dreams of dancing professionally come true – and avoid anything that could throw a wrench in their plans.

Enter said wrench; they immediately develop feelings for each other and are thrown into a tumultuous relationship. Natalia is trying to keep up the walls she has built around herself, and Samson is struggling with the fact that he has developed strong feelings for a girl he just met – a girl who definitely isn’t like his girlfriend back home.

I don’t typically like stories that involve cheating because it makes me mad, sad, frustrated, pissed off, and wanting to throw my iPad against the wall. This story is an exception; the way Samson handled his feelings towards Natalia didn’t make me dislike him, not one bit. Crystal painted a wonderful picture that allowed the reader to see just how at war with his feelings he was – he didn’t want to hurt his girlfriend, but he couldn’t stay away from Natalia. The way he handled it made me actually like him more! Yeah – I couldn’t believe it at first either! I love Natalia and Samson together, and while they go through their fair share of ups and downs, their relationship ends up being pretty cute and heartwarming.

Now, since I’m being honest – as much as I adore Natalia and swoon over Samson, neither of them are my favorite character. What?! Yep, you read that right. My favorite character is Natalia’s roommate, Kingsley, and her “I don’t give a fuck what anyone thinks about me” attitude. She adds a little grittiness and is the type of girl who doesn’t make any qualms about who she is; she owns it. I kind of despised her at first but she grew on me, chapter by chapter, and pretty soon I was eagerly anticipating the next time she would somehow be involved in something…anything!

There are only a couple things that I take issue with – the first being the somewhat insta-love between them. I kind of expected the story to span over a longer time frame, and their relationship does feel a little rushed. I also hoped to have a little more dancing in the novel, and while I know that the main focus is supposed to be their relationship, I just wish there had been more dance-related scenes. Overall, this was a good, quick read with just enough angst to satisfy the masochist part of me and just enough love to make the hopeless romantic part of me smile and sigh in content.  

Purchase on Amazon Kindle

Purchase from Barnes and Noble (not available)

COVER REVEAL: His Risk to Take by Tessa Bailey

Synopsis:

The greater the risk, the hotter the reward?

Homicide cop Troy Bennett had a reputation on the Chicago PD for being fearless and in control; until the night his daredevil partner is killed during a raid. From that moment on, he swears he'll never again be responsible for the loss of a loved one. To escape his demons, Troy transfers to the NYPD, bringing him up close and personal with Ruby Elliott, a beautiful, street-savvy pool hustler. 

Reckless and stubbornly independent, Ruby embodies everything Troy's avoiding, but when she walks into O'Hanlon's Pub and blows his carefully laid plans to hell, Troy knows he has to have her; risks be damned. But there's a connection between Ruby's shadowed past and a case Troy's working involving a notorious Brooklyn felon, throwing her safety into jeopardy. Confronted with his biggest fear, will Troy push Ruby away to keep her safe or fight to keep her in his arms where she belongs?

Pre-order on Amazon Kindle

Pre-order from Barnes and Noble

Click HERE & enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card!

COVER REVEAL: Gabriel's Redemption by Sylvain Reynard

Gabriel's Redemption is the third & final book in the Gabriel's Inferno Trilogy

Synopsis: 

Professor Gabriel Emerson has left his position at the University of Toronto to embark on a new life with his beloved Julianne. Together, he's confident that they can face any challenge. And he's eager to become a father. 

But Julianne's graduate program threatens Gabriel's plans, as the pressures of being a student become all consuming. When she is given the honor of presenting an academic lecture at Oxford, Gabriel is forced to confront her about the subject of her presentation -- research that conflicts with his own. And in Oxford, several individuals from their past appear, including an old nemesis intent on humiliating Julia and exposing one of Gabriel's darkest secrets. 

In an effort to confront his remaining demons, Gabriel begins a quest to discover more about his biological parents, beginning a chain of events that has startling repercussions for himself, Julianne, and his hope of having a family. 

Pre-order paperback on Amazon

Pre-order ebook on Amazon

CONNECT WITH SYLVAIN REYNARD:

Website I Twitter

BLOG TOUR: Date Me by Jillian Dodd

*Date Me is the third book in The Keatyn Chronicles - check out my reviews for the first two books, Stalk Me and Kiss Me.*

Synopsis & My Review:

I’m not scripting my life anymore.

I’m living it.

I’m done with the God of all Hotties.

I’m going to give my heart to the boy who I think deserves it.

The boy whose kisses are hotter than molten lava.

The boy who offered me the key to his heart.

The boy who asked me to Homecoming in a big, sexy way.

There are so many things to look forward to.

Parties at The Cave. Homecoming festivities. Drama Tryouts. Shopping trips to NY.

But things aren’t always as perfect as they seem.

I find out that my best friend has been keeping a secret from me.

Not that I blame him.

I have secrets, too.

But, for now, I’m going to pretend I’m just a normal girl.

I’m going to pretend he’s not still out there.

I’m going to pretend he’s not getting desperate.

I’m going to pretend I’ll never see him again.

But, I will.

And this time, I might not get away.

This series just keeps getting better and better! Wait, no…it keeps getting hotter and hotter! Scratch that, it keeps getting sweeter and sweeter! Okay screw it, I give up. This series continues to rope me in and send my emotions all over the damn place. Date Me is my favorite book in The Keatyn Chronicles so far, and I absolutely loved it.

Most of you probably know by now that I am not a fan of love triangles; very rarely do I find a book or series where I’m not pissed off at a love triangle because she chose the wrong guy or because she led the other guy on. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS SERIES IS ONE OF THE EXCEPTIONS! Although, can you really call it a love triangle? It’s more like a love hexagon…or maybe it’s a heptagon. Honestly, who can keep up with all these boys?! All I know is, they are all swoon-worthy in their own way and I would show any of them a good time ;)

I refuse to give away any spoilers, so the specifics on which boy(s) catch Keatyn’s eye in Date Me are going to stay with me. If you read Kiss Me, you know she was with Dawson at the end of that novel and Date Me does pick up immediately where Kiss Me left off. So…that’s something for you. And in case you were wondering – I am still Team Dawson and it’s going to take a lot to change that! Although I will say, Riley and Dallas grew on me quite a bit in this novel. BUT I’M STILL TEAM DAWSON. And Aiden...well…he is his usual perfect/charming self. Except for when he sees Keatyn rubbing up on another guy – then he turns into a bit of a prick. And as hot as this dude obviously is, I just feel like he’s too perfect. He may be a Greek God but guess what? I’M STILL TEAM DAWSON.

The suspense that was prevalent in Stalk Me and unfortunately slightly lacking in Kiss Me made a huuuuuge comeback in Date Me. Mix that in with all the smokin’ hot “no-pants-dance” scenes, some incredibly romantic gestures, a couple heartbreaking moments, and you’ve got another amazing Jillian Dodd novel. Seriously y’all, this woman doesn’t ever disappoint so if you haven’t read this series yet, do it and do it now! And then come back and gush to me over which “team” you planted yourself on! 

Purchase on Amazon Kindle

Purchase from Barnes and Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About the Author

Jillian is the author of the That Boy series and The Keatyn Chronicles. She grew up on a farm in Nebraska, where she developed a love for Midwestern boys and Nebraska football. She lives in Texas with her family. 

Jillian Dodd I Twitter I Facebook I Goodreads

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks to AToMR for organizing this blog tour

Blog Hop: Claim Me by J. Kenner GIVEAWAY

Synopsis

For Damien, our obsession is a game. For me, it is fiercely, blindingly, real. 

Damien Stark's need is palpable -- his need for pleasure, his need for control, his need for me. Beautiful and brilliant yet tortured at his core, he is in ever way my match. 

I have agreed to be his alone, and now I want him to be fully mine. I want us to possess each other beyond the sweetest edge of our ecstasy, into the deepest desires of our souls. To let the fire that burns between us consume us both. 

But there are dark places within Damien that not even our wildest passion can touch. I yearn to know his secrets, yearn for him to surrender to me as I have surrendered to him. But our troubled pasts will either bind us close...or shatter us completely. 

Release Me is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*This giveaway is open to US residents only and you must be 18+ to enter*

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE!

Follow the blog hop here -- visit other sites to enter again and increase your chances to win!

Giveaway organized by Romance at Random