Blog Tour Review: Escape From Eden by Elisa Nader + Giveaway!

Welcome to my stop on The Darkest Part blog tour hosted by YA Bound Book Tours.  Click HERE to see the full blog tour schedule!

Escape from Eden
by Elisa Nader
Release Date: 18th August 2013
Merit Press
213 pages
Buy it! Amazon | B&N | Powell's | IndieBound

Since the age of ten, Mia has lived under the iron fist of the fundamentalist preacher who lured her mother away to join his fanatical family of followers. In Edenton, a supposed “Garden of Eden” deep in the South American jungle, everyone follows the Reverend’s strict but arbitrary rules—even the mandate of whom they can marry. Now sixteen, Mia dreams of slipping away from the armed guards who keep the faithful in, and the curious out. When the rebellious and sexy Gabriel, a new boy, arrives with his family, Mia sees a chance to escape.

But the scandalous secrets the two discover beyond the compound’s façade are more shocking than anything they ever imagined. While Gabriel has his own terrible secrets, he and Mia bond together, more than friends and freedom fighters. But is there time to think of each other as they race to stop the Reverend’s paranoid plan to free his flock from the corrupt world? Can two teenagers crush a criminal mastermind? And who will die in the fight to save the ones they love from a madman who’s only concerned about his own secrets?

ADVANCED PRAISE

"The chemistry between Mia and Gabriel is palpable in their teasing dialogue and sizzling moments of physical connection. Its rewards … are many: fast-moving action, a capable heroine and a resolution that leaves plenty of room for a sequel.” – Kirkus Reviews [STARRED REVIEW]

“Debut author Elisa Nader hits a strong note with her ESCAPE FROM EDEN… At-times swoony, at-times extremely dangerous, and at-other times completely shocking.” - Examiner.com

"Nader has done something amazing: written a really original novel, one full of characters you’ll care about; smart, witty dialog; and plenty of shocks and thrills. A wonderful balance of light and dark." —Michael Grant, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Gone Series 

"An exciting, terrifying, page-turning thrill ride you will not be able to put down.” - Gretchen McNeil, Author of POSSESS, TEN and 3:59

 About the Author

Hi. I'm Elisa. I like cheese and reading and TV show marathons. Writing is scary, but not as scary as, say Civil War amputations. I'm an Aquarius. Uh... let's see... I'm not very good at writing my own biography. Or autobiography. I guess this is reading more like a slightly incoherent personal ad.

Find her!

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

 

 

 

 

Review!

 

First impressions.....

I am the type of person who is guilty of judging a book by its cover. However, just because I don't particularly like the cover does not mean I would not read the blurb or try it out.

For this book, I wasn't really crazy about it... I thought it could've been way prettier and more meaningful due to the story but that was ok. I loved the girl's eyes though... so green.... but I don't know it that's contacts or....

Anyways, the plot was the reason why I was so drawn to reading this story. It was original and I've never read anything like it before. It was about a girl, Mia living in 'The Garden of Eden'. This place is basically like a prison and Mia is questioning about her life there and also the God-loving dude who runs the place. Trust me, I have nothing against religion (I'm not an atheist) but this was like using religion as an excuse for extreme actions.

It is quite frustrating how everyone thinks it is ok. They worship him and after day after day of always praying and praising God. He is the one sinning and killing people.

Gabriel is one of the new members of this 'community' (if you call it that...) and he reminded Mia of the world that she was forced to leave. This leads to having her ideas about things that may leave her in trouble.

This story was way darker than I thought it was and that made it even more compelling. I loved every single page that I read and I hope to read more from Elisa Nader!

 

GIVEAWAY!

Win...

(2) Sets of Moleskine Sketchbook, set of Le Pen colour fine tip pens, a copy of Otherkin andOthermoon by Elisa's crit partner Nina Berry, and a personalized copy of Escape from Eden!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for the visiting =)

Blog Tour Promo: In Harmony by Helena Newbury + GIVEAWAY

 

Release Date: September 21st 2013

Publisher: Foster & Black New Adult
Buy it! Amazon US| Amazon CAN | Amazon UK | B&N |Kobo| All Romance Ebooks

Everyone expects her to succeed….

Karen plays the cello like an angel, and it’s the only thing that makes her truly feel alive. But her father’s dream—for her to join a prestigious orchestra—leaves no time in her life for anything but music…not even love. Trapped on her path, she doesn’t know how to rebel.

Everyone expects him to fail….

Connor plays rock guitar like the devil himself, and his ability has got him all the way from a dead-end life in Belfast to a scholarship at Fenbrook Academy. But beneath his arrogance and charm, he doesn’t believe he has what it takes. He’s spent his time in New York drinking and partying, and the only future he sees is a return to Ireland as soon as he flunks out.

But what no one expects….

When Karen’s duet partner is injured, the bad boy guitarist and the shy, sheltered cellist are forced to team up. Neither likes the idea, but what begins as anger and distrust slowly spirals into love…and lust. If they can face up to their feelings, they might just have a chance together. If Connor will allow Karen to stop his fall, maybe he can show her a life she never thought possible....

 



 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Helena Newbury is a New Adult Romance author with a love of bakingly hot summer days, strawberry gelato, good coffee and interesting people. Unlike the characters in her books, Helena cannot dance, act or play anything (though she is substantially more flexible since she started writing Dance For Me and tried doing dancer’s stretches, so she's hoping that something will rub off on her from each book).

Helena writes in a very noisy, very busy coffee shop which means she sometimes end up mainlining caffeine to keep her seat. You’ll know when this happens because she’ll still be on Twitter that night at 4am.

She loves meeting and talking with other authors, traveling to new places and discovering new books. You can find her on:
www.helenanewbury.com | @HelenaAuthor | facebook.com/HelenaNewburyAuthor

 

 

GIVEAWAY

Win $50 Amazon Gift Card [OPEN INT'LY]

Win "Dance For Me" & "In Harmony" eBooks [OPEN INT'LY]

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Excerpt: Shiloh by Helena Sorensen + Giveaway!

Release Date: April 22nd 2013

Publisher: Alpha Wolf Publishing

Purchase: Amazon

In a world of perpetual darkness, a boy is born who wields remarkable power over fire. Amos is no more than seven when he kills a Shadow Wolf and becomes a legend in Shiloh. He would be destined for great things were it not for the stories his father tells about a world beyond the Shadow and a time before the Shadow. Only madmen hold to such tales, and in Shiloh, they have always come to bad ends.

Amos is fearless. He walks with easy confidence, certain that the Shadow cannot touch him. Even his family is in awe of him. His father marvels at his skill with the bow, his mother thanks the gods that he has all the courage she lacks, and his sister, Phebe, worships him for saving her from an attack of the Shadow Cats.

On a trip to the village of Emmerich, Amos rescues the Magistrate’s son, Simeon, from the village bullies. Simeon, fair-skinned and pale-eyed like other Dreamers in Shiloh’s history, becomes Amos’s constant companion and dearest friend. Simeon becomes a part of Amos’s family, listening to fireside stories told in a way he’s never heard them before and learning to wield a bow and arrow.

The year the boys turn twelve, they are itching to prove themselves. An impetuous plan to steal a beautiful lantern goes miserably awry, and the lantern’s owner prophecies that Amos will be devoured by the Shadow. For the first time, a seed of fear is planted in Amos’s mind, and when his father is killed by a Shadow Wolf on the last day of the Great Hunt, the fear takes hold. If so great and brave a man as his father could fall to the Shadow, what hope has he?

Buy your copy of Shiloh today to find out more ... or wait on our give away and maybe you can win it!

 

About the Author

It is only in recent years that Helena Sorensen discovered how deep her love is for epic fantasy. In preparation for writing Shiloh, and as part of her independent education in literature, Helena has read scores of books: books for children and young adults and adults, National Book Award Winners, and Newberry Honor Books. But she always comes back to the fantasy novels. Helena loves the idea that anything is possible in the world of fantasy. There is no limit to the imagination, and she can choose to embark on any kind of adventure.

 Find Her!

Website |Twitter | Facebook  

 GIVEAWAY!   

Win

 -A Paperback of Shiloh (US Only)

- $15 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hop on to another blog for interviews, guest posts and more!

Sept. 16 - As the page turns *Interview

The Book Town *Review & Excerpt
Faerie Tale Books *Blurb & Excerpt

Sept. 17 - A Dream Within A Dream *Blurb & Excerpt

Everything Marie *Review & Excerpt
Lost in Ever After *Guest Post

Sept. 18 - We All Make Mistakes In Books *Interview

The Library *Review & Favorite Quotes

Sept. 19 - Reading the Alphabet *Guest Post

The Unknown Random *Blurb & Excerpt
Vicariously! *Review & Excerpt

Sept. 20 - Rose & Beps Blog *Blurb & Excerpt
Bound 4 Escape *Review & Excerpt
Novels they Wrote or Movies they Made *Review & Favorite Quotes
Reading In Twilight *Interview

 

 

Review: Waiting for Dusk by Nancy Pennick + Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the Waiting for Dusk blog tour hosted by Young Bound Book Tours!

Waiting For Dusk
by Nancy Pennick
Release Date: 27th November 2012
227 pages  
Purchase Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
 
Read a book.
Fall asleep.
Meet a boy.
Is it real or just a dream?
Katie’s everyday life suddenly turns exciting when she travels back in time and meets the boy of her dreams. Thinking of nothing else, willing to leave the real world behind, she’s determined to find out if it’s all a dream or not. Returning again and again, Katie almost has her answers until one day her precious book goes missing.

About the Author

Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, Nancy currently resides in Mentor, Ohio with her husband and their college-age son, plus a delightfully entertaining lovebird. She secretly wrote short stories as a child, typed them up and put them in a drawer. She’d give anything to see those stories one more time. Her writing is influenced by all the years of working with young people as a teacher and raising her own son. When not writing, Nancy loves to travel with her husband and enjoys a good cup of tea. 

Find her!

Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Website

 

Review

I was disappointed when it ended.... really...

So, Katie is a typical teenager and is bored during the summer break. Her mum lent her the book to help her get over the boredom not knowing that Katie was going to fall in love.

Katie reads the book and falls asleep. Travelling to a place she's never been before and a time way long before hers but, she convinces herself it was just a dream.

Before I actually read this book, I thought that it was about a girl being in a fictional book every time she goes to sleep and I was quite excited to read it but... the story isn't like that. (I had a very short version of the blurb!)

However, the book didn't fail to entertain me. I was very interested and it always kept my attention. I don't usually read books about time traveling however, this book kind of opened a new world to me and it also educated me as well. I mean.... I didn't know that there were dishwashers around the 1920s... I mean did you??

There is a small love triangle embedded in this story and for some reason, I kinda rooted for the other guy... I usually root for the other guy... like Jacob from Twilight and Ren from Nightshade by Andrea Cremer- until... the guy was really stalkerish and creepy. C'mon! And he's hot as well... what a shame... what a really, really huge shame...

I instantly liked Katie from the beginning. She was like me- a teenager and I felt a connection with her. Felt that she was quite young to fall in love with this dude but oh well....

One thing that I didn't really particularly enjoy was that the plot twist was at the end. So, when I'm still surprised because something really big happens...
It.
Fricking.
Ends.

I flipped that pages back and forth to check if I missed anything out (I didn't) I quietly screamed  Argghhhh!!!! (If that  makes sense....)

Is this like cliffhanger or something because, I would like it to be a cliffhanger. You cannot end a story like that.
I'm sorry... if that is the ending of Katie's story then I would like the end to re-written.
I was sitting so comfortably in my chair and I'm like oh mi god, oh mi god.... then the words

The End

Appear. So disappointed. I hope this is a cliffhanger. I'm still confused and it's been 2 weeks since I finished it....

Anyways, really good book. Cute and very realistically written (well... excluding the time traveling bit.) If there is a sequel to this, then I'm definitely buying it. So yeah...... read it people!

---Update---
So apparently there is a sequel.............. Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!



GIVEAWAY

Win 3 e-book copies of Waiting For Dusk (PDF or Mobi) (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 



As you already know, I'm part of a book tour so please hop on to another blog to explore more about the book and the author.

Thanks x 

 

September 16:

Kelly P's Blog - http://kellyatx.blogspot.com/ - Promo Post

Books for Birds - http://thepageturner-blog.blogspot.com/ - Review

Cristi's Reviews - http://www.myproductreviews-cristi.blogspot.com - Review

September 17:

Jesus Freak Reader - http://jesusfreakreader.blogspot.com/ - Review

V's Reads - http://vsreads.com - Review

September 18:

Mom With A Kindle - http://momwithakindle.blogspot.com - Promo Post

The Unknown Random - http://www.theunknownrandom.blogspot.co.uk - Review

Books4life - http://elite4books.blogspot.com - Review

September 19:

Christian Chick's Thoughts - http://christianchicksthoughts.blogspot.com - Review

ReadingToTheStarsAndBack - http://www.readingtothestarsandback.wordpress.com – Review

ki0lu & mimi - http://ki0lu.wordpress.com - Promo Post

alwaysjoart - http://alwaysjoart.blogspot.com/ - Promo Post

September 20:

StuckInBooks - http://stuckinbooks.com - Review

Kaidans Seduction - http://kaidansseduction.blogspot.com/ - Review

WOrkS of FiCTioN – www.bkwrm29.wordpress.com - Promo Post

September 21:

Booksessions – www.madbookreader.blogspot.com - Review

Mommasez... – www.ccclubbs.com - Promo Post

 

 

Review: Not Pretty Enough + Excerpt + $40 Amazon GC Giveaway!

Genre: Contemporary YA Comedy
Release: 1st August
Author: Jaimie Admans  
Purchase: Amazon


“New Year’s Resolutions:
1. Lloyd Layton will know I exist. He once said three whole words to me, so this is obviously progress. If I don’t get a proper conversation out of him soon, then I’ll take my top off and streak through the cafeteria, because nobody could fail to notice these boobs.
2. I will not get expelled for streaking through the cafeteria.”

Those are the words that begin her mission.
Chessie is fourteen, not pretty enough, and very much in love. Lloyd Layton is hot, popular, and unaware of Chessie’s existence.
Her goal is clear: to get Lloyd to love her as much as she loves him, and she has exactly one year to do it.
As Chessie’s obsession with Lloyd reaches boiling point and she starts to spin a web of lies that spiral out of control, Lloyd turns out to be not quite the prince she thought he was. Can Chessie avoid the gathering storm before things go too far?"

Not Pretty Enough is a contemporary young adult comedy suitable for ages thirteen and over.

Book two in the series will be released early 2014.

Excerpt


I hear the words, “Sir, I don’t get this,” come from the seat next to me. This is very strange because it sounds like Lloyd’s Welsh accent, but Lloyd is some kind of genius and always gets maths stuff. I risk a glance towards him, and sure enough, he has his hand in the air and is beckoning for Mr Griffiths to come over. Wow, I think. Lloyd doesn’t get this, and I look like I do. He must be so impressed.
 
But Mr Griffiths is a bit busy. He is bending over Cole’s work, shaking his head and muttering. He looks at Lloyd distractedly. Then he looks at me. Then he says a terrible, terrible thing.
“Ask Francesca to explain it to you, she knows what she’s doing.”
Oh, crap. Why can’t we be doing something easy?
I immediately go to put my hand up to object, but Mr Griffiths has gone back to Cole’s work, and Lloyd is looking at me expectantly.
 
Okay, deep breath. All I have to say is one simple sentence. All I have to say is, ‘actually, I don’t really understand it myself,’ and all will be well. The teacher will come over and explain it to both of us, and Lloyd will ask me what I’ve been writing in my book for the past twenty minutes, and I might have to admit that it mainly involves CC loves LL doodled in various fancy handwriting with my new pen. So instead I say, “Sure, I’ll explain it to you.”
 
He nods and smiles at me, and I wonder how the hell I’m going to get out of this one.
I close my own book and glance nervously around the class. Everybody has their heads down, concentrating on their work, except for Leigh. She is resting her head in her hand and staring longingly at Ewan, who is working obliviously. It’s pathetic. It’s obvious to the whole class that she’s yearning for him. God, I hope it’s not that obvious that I like Lloyd. I mean, Leigh is practically drooling on the desk over Ewan. At least I don’t drool on the desk. Not very often, anyway.
 
“Well,” I say, leaning over to look at Lloyd’s book and turning a page, just as he goes to move the book closer to me. Our hands brush together and I pull back startled by the intensity. Our hands brushed! And there was electricity! This is meant to be!
“So,” I say, wondering what to do next. “This is algebra…” This is ridiculous. He knows what bloody algebra is. I rest my pen against my top lip and try to look intelligent and seductive at the same time. Lloyd still has an expectant look on his face. Except, I’ve obviously rested the pen too high up my lip, and it’s tickling my nose. Really tickling now, and…
 
“Atchooooo!” I yell, a sneeze catching me by surprise. Oh my god. I’m aware that every person in the classroom is staring at me.
“I’m sorry,” I say, holding up my hand. “I just…” Oh no. 

“Atchooooo!” I sneeze again. “Atchoooooo!” I grip my nose firmly between my thumb and my finger. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that is the best way to stop sneezing. Or is that hiccups? Either way, it doesn’t work. It just makes me want to sneeze more. “Atchooooo!” I yell again. Oh God, this is so embarrassing. Why do I have to have a sneezing fit on the one day I am sitting by Lloyd Layton? It’s highly unlikely that I will ever be lucky enough to sit by Lloyd Layton again; I get my one big chance to impress him, and what do I do? I sneeze.
 
“Atchooo!”
 
Oh God. Now my nose is running. I’m still gripping it with one hand, and frantically feeling around in my bag for a tissue with the other.
 
“Atchooooooooooooooo!” It comes again, and this time something so horrible happens that it’s like being in slow motion. A huge lump of snot, my snot, straight out of my nose, flies out of my nostrils, and goes zooming up into the air, turns around, and like a giant pancake, starts plummeting back down to earth, to land smack bang in the middle of Lloyd’s textbook.
 
Oh. My. God.
 
“Ugh!” Lloyd yells and pushes his chair back so fast that he nearly falls off it.
 
Oh my god. What do I do? What do I do? My face has gone so red I must resemble a lobster, and when my hand finally closes around a tissue in my bag, I have no idea what to do but lean over and wipe the snot from Lloyd’s book, and deposit the offending tissue back into my bag. I’m so embarrassed I could die. And to make things so much better, Mr Griffiths is laughing like he’s never seen anything funnier in his life.




Review

The cover is so beautiful. If I knew nothing about this book then I would think he would have a heartbreak element to it because of the title and the look on her face... if you get what I mean....

Anyways...Wow! Let me just say... WOW. Chessie reminded me of those really crazy fangirls that are so out of control. The writing and the scenes was so very well written that I lost count of how many times and buried my head in my hands due to me cringing for her or just wondering why?

Chessie is a very impulsive person who was blinded by the idea of love to this guy who was apparently hot and swoon-worthy. She put herself through torture and total embarrassment for this guy. I mean, no matter how hot a guy is, you have to think about yourself first! It was so embarrassing for me to read and if she was a real person, I can't really imagine how she felt.

This is a story that anyone can really relate to I guess. Um, I don't really know if this book is going to attract male readers but this book is definitely great for a female.
Since she is around the same age as me, I can really connect with her- ish- kinda- a bit....

I felt she was really dumb at times and her really stupid decisions led to other people around getting hurt. For me as a reader, some of the decisions she makes are absolutely hilarious and I felt really sorry for her.

This book is quick and fun to read. It can make you feel the character's emotions even though you are not experiencing it first hand.

I was going to talk about the ending but I think that will give away the whole story so I'm just going to say that I'm really pleased with the ending but kinda frustrated at the same time. I really don't know why.

There is going to be a sequel to this book and I'm really excited to see what's going to happen next and how the relationships are going.

 
About the Author

Jaimie is a 28-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, drinking tea and watching horror movies. She hates spiders and cheese & onion crisps. She has been writing for years but has never before plucked up the courage to tell people. Afterlife Academy is her third novel and she hopes you enjoy it. There are plenty more on the way!

Find Her!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter 

GIVEAWAY!
$40 Amazon GC + swag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I'm part of a book tour so please hop on to another blog to explore more about the book and the author.
Thanks x 

Sept 16

Danasquare - Review
Victorialovesbooks - Review
The Unknown Random - Review
Starbucks & Book Obsession - Review + Playlist
Fragments of Life - Review + Deleted Scene
Inside the Mind of a Bibliophile - Review
The Love of a Good Book - Review
Stay Bookish - Review
Musings of a Blogder - Review
Literary Meanderings - Guest Post
Fox Tales - Interview
Books & Tales - Excerpt
Unputdownable Books - Excerpt

Sept 17

Sheli Reads - Review
From the Writer's Nest - Review
Please Another Book - Review
ReadingToTheStarsAndBack - Review
Crawling Over the Pages - Review
Books and Cake - Review
Living a Different Fairytale - Review
Krystal's Enchanting Reads - Guest Post
Writers and Authors - Interview
Reader Girls - Excerpt
Sab The Book Eater - Excerpt

Sept 18

Tishylou's World - Review
Jess Time To Read - Review
Living in a Bookworld - Review
Sweet Southern Home - Review
Books Books Books - Review
candy coated book blog - Review
Georgia Beyers Book reviews & Blogs - Review
Cu's Ebook Giveaways - Excerpt
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! - Excerpt

Sept 19

The Bookish Confections - Review
The Phantom Paragrapher - Review
Brooke Blogs - Review
Lindsay and Jane's Views and Reviews - Review
random jendsmith - Review
Books and Needlepoint - Review
Mostly YA - Review
My Seryniti - Review
Jess Resides Here - Guest Post
Cosmochicklitan - Guest Post
alwaysjoart - Excerpt
Jody A Kessler - Excerpt

Sept 20

A Bookish Escape - Review
The Serial Reader - Review
Kats Read - Review
On Emily's Bookshelf - Review
Life with Lesley - Review
Stacey J. Mitchell - Review
jennyinneverland - Review
Sarah Elizabeth's Bookshelf - Review
Mom's Focus - Review
Amy Bookworm - Page 99 Test
Reviewing in Chaos - Excerpt

Sept 23

Read-A-holicZ - Review
Mera's YA Book List - Review
Bookcomet - Review
SBookLover Reviews - Review
Reads and Thoughts - Review
Ramblings of a Diva Booknerd - Review
Words Create Scenes - Review
Bookworm in Boots - Review
Mom's Focus - Review
Indy Book Fairy - Guest Post
A Dream Within a Dream - Excerpt

Sept 24

Lauraslittlebookblog - Review
Love, Literature, Art and Reason - Review
Island Lovelies Book Club - Review
Ramblings of a Daydreamer - Review
Mom in Love with Fiction - Review
Books, Coffee and Wine - Review
frustrated yukky mommy - Review
A Little Bit of R&R - Guest Post
Bookmarks, Spoilers and Happily Ever After - Dream Movie Cast
Rose & Beps Blog - Excerpt
Literary Chanteuse - Excerpt

Sept 25

The Bookish Panda - Review
pretty in pink book reviews - Review
Letter Trails - Review
The Escapist - Review
Pink Polka Dot Blog - Review
Oops! I Read A Book Again - Review
Words and Tea Bottles - Review
Hot Off the Shelves - Review
Mommasez... - Review
The Book Addict - Review
Such A Novel Idea - Review
Mom with a Kindle - Excerpt
Deal Sharing Aunt - Excerpt

Sept 26

A Diary of a Book Addict - Review
Rebbie Reviews - Review
Butterfly Feet Walking on Life - Review
Incandescent Enchantments - Review
oldvictorianquill - Review
Amy Bookworm - Review
Paperback Princess - Review
Paranormal Sisters - Interview
Mythical Books - Excerpt

Sept 27

Bianca2b - Review
paranormal book club - Review
Jany's Book Club - Review
Room for Reading - Review
The Fantastical World of Wonders - Review
scandalous Book Blog - Review
Shawna's survey - Review
Sher A. Hart - Review
Me, Bookshelf and I - Review
Faerie Tale Books - Guest Post
random jendsmith - Guest Post

Book Blitz: Hungry for Love by Rachel Harris + Guest Post+ Excerpt + Giveaway!!

Taste the Heat (Love and Games #1)
by Rachel Harris
Release Date: 07/08/13
Entangled Bliss


One sexy fire captain. One Cajun chef, One combustible kitchen…

When chef Colby Robicheaux returned home to New Orleans to save her family restaurant, the last person she expected to reconnect with was her brother’s best friend and her childhood crush. As tempting as a sugar-coated beignet, Jason is one dish she doesn’t want to taste. Colby is counting down the days till she can leave the place where her distrust of love and commitment originated and go back to Vegas.

Fire captain Jason Landry isn’t looking for love, either. He knows he should focus on finding the perfect mother for his daughter, but when he first sees Colby, all grown up and gorgeous, he can’t help but be drawn to her. And when she suggests a no-strings-attached fling, Jason doesn’t want to say no.

As their relationship grows more intense, Colby finds that Jason isn’t as easy to leave behind as she thought. Could turning up the heat on something real be worth the possibility of getting burned?

 

 

Buy It!

Amazon| B&N| Kobo| iBookstore

 

 

Guest Post

 

A Dash of Spice: Are YOU Hungry For Love?

I love food. Growing up in New Orleans, events focused around meals were as big a part of my childhood as cartoons and chocolates.From seafood boils and barbeques, to red beans Mondays and fish fry Fridays, my family and friends gathered together often with our objective in mind: to celebrate life via yumminess.

When I sat down to write Taste the Heat, I went in wanting to share the unique culture with the world. Over the years, Hollywood has certainly provided comedic fodder about my hometown, but rarely do they capture the strong family bonds and the deep-rooted love community that makes up our lives. History is made and life is shared around our meals, and what better way for me to show that- an take it up a notch- than feature a trio of siblings who own a Cajun Restaurant.

Our feisty middle child, Cajun chef Colby Rovicheaux, kicks off the culinary series of love and games, but she's far from the lone cook in this book. Jason Landry, aka our hottie fire captain hero, knows his way around the kitchen, too. And when theses two collide on page, you best believe there's sparks. Because you see, food is more that just nourishment for our bellies. Or even a reason together with loved ones. Food is a universal language. Eating, and preparing a meal for someone special, is a sensual experience And I have a lot of fun- some may say too much fun- exploring that in Taste the Heat. So this is my official warning: you will be hungry reading this book. Heck, you'll be hungry reading the entire series (Seven Day Fiancé feauturing rugged big brother Cane releases October 14th). And to warn you properly, I though it was only fair to share one of my favourite excerpts... Bon appetite!

Delicious Excerpt:

 

Colby inhaled deeply, trying to get a hint of what Jason cooked. Not picking anything up, she asked, “What’s for dinner?”

 
A muscle clenching and unclenching in his jaw was her only clue—and not much of one—before he said, “That’s a surprise.”
 

Curious, she let him pull her farther inside. But instead of heading toward the dining room as she’d expected, or even toward the more intimate kitchen table, he led her into the living room. He gently backed her against the leather sofa. “Take a seat.”
 

Okay. No need for concern here, she told herself, sinking into the soft cushions. Just because she absolutely hated surprises, didn’t trust them, and hadn’t had a good one since her life fell apart twelve years ago, she didn’t need to go mental. This was a date, and dates were supposed to be fun. Spontaneous. She could go with the flow.

 
Besides, it was possible he wanted to talk before they ate. Or watch a movie, breaking out the TV trays like they did when they were kids. She could handle that. It wasn’t romantic, but she didn’t need romance. She and Jason were just two old friends hanging out, throwing in some much needed benefits, and getting their freak on.

 
Do people still even say that?

 
Colby shook her head, her inner-monologue only confirming how long it had been for her. And how badly she needed this. She put on her sexiest smile and glanced up at him, feeling it freeze on her face when she glimpsed the object in his hands.

 
A black silk blindfold.

 
Now that was the type of surprise she could get behind.

 
“And the night takes a turn for the intriguing.” She bit her lower lip as Jason started rubbing the soft material between his long, work-roughened fingers. She cleared her throat and asked, “But shouldn’t we eat first? You know, shore up our strength?”

 
Jason chuckled. “This is for eating.” At her nose crinkle of confusion, he sank to his knees in front of her. “I’m going to feed you blindfolded.”

 
Oh my.

 
She didn’t know what she had expected from tonight, but this certainly wasn’t it. Not that she was complaining. She knew very well how sensual food could be. And how turning off one sense heightened all the others. Colby swallowed hard as Jason leaned forward, gently stretching the elastic band of the blindfold.

 
“Do you mind?” His voice was a husky whisper at her ear. All she could manage was a small shake of her head. Already her pulse was taking flight and heat was pooling in her belly.

 
What will it be like later? Was it possible to self-combust from anticipation alone?

 
He chuckled lightly under his breath, most likely hearing the pant of her breath. She’d be embarrassed if she weren’t so damn excited. As he secured the band around her head, the spicy scent of his aftershave flooded her senses, making everything electric. Goose bumps skittered down her spine as his palm smoothed the back of her hair. Just before tugging the silky material over her eyes, Jason looked into them and said, “Bon appétit, Chef.”

A pop of a joint and the rustle of fabric told Colby that he was moving. The pad of his footsteps on the carpet grew faint, letting her know he was walking away, probably into the kitchen to get their dinner. She still couldn’t pick up any scents, but then, the thrum of expectation coursing through her body made it hard to concentrate. Soon those same soft footsteps returned, growing louder as Jason neared. “I hope you don’t mind, but I outsourced dinner. This is a three-course tasting.”

She stopped herself from saying that all she wanted to taste at that moment was him. The admission seemed a bit over the top—even if it was the truth. Instead, she said, “Can’t wait to see what you brought me.”

The sounds of preparations stilled and then the warmth of Jason’s hands pressed on her thighs. “Colby, before we start, I just want you to know that I care about you. And all I ask is that you trust me.”

“I do trust you.” Right now, in this moment, she couldn’t think of anyone she trusted more.

He squeezed the sides of her legs and moved away, taking the heat of his skin along with him. A clink of glass meeting glass then, “Open your mouth and suck.”

Colby barked a laugh. The teasing tone of his voice told her he knew exactly how that had sounded. “So that’s how you’re gonna play it, huh?”

His seductive whisper came at her ear. “Gotta keep you on your toes.

About the Author

I grew up in New Orleans, where I watched soap operas with my grandmother and stayed up late sneak reading my mama’s favorite romance novels. Now a Cajun cowgirl living in Houston, I still stay up way too late reading my favorite romances, only now, I can do so openly. I firmly believe life’s problems can be solved with a hot, powdered-sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations.

When not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, I homeschool my two beautiful girls and watch reality television with my amazing husband.

I write YA, NA, and Adult Fun & Flirty Escapes. Taste The Heat is my adult romance debut, and I'm also the author of MY SUPER SWEET SIXTEENTH CENTURY and A TALE OF TWO CENTURIES, as well as a ton of other books to come. I love hearing from readers and dishing books!

Find Rachel and her books here!

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GIVEAWAY!

 

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1-Apron

4-inch mini icing spatula (great for frosting cupcakes or spreading just about anything), mini apple-shaped cutting board, microfiber dishrag.

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