Blog Tour: The Fab Life by Mercy Amare Blog Tour: When It's Least Expected by Heather Van Fleet

• Blog Tour: The Fab Life by Mercy Amare    
• Blog Tour: When It's Least Expected by Heather Van Fleet

 

One of my absolute faves is on our blog today... Mercy Amare!!! Today we are celebrating her book, The Fab Life!!

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Blurb:
It’s the life I was born to live: billionaire’s daughters, living amongst the rich & famous. But my mom kept me a secret from my dad. Until now.

I am so out of my league. Fancy parties, expensive cars, and a private school for the elite… It sounds like a dream. But everything is not as perfect as it seems on the outside. Here, the secrets are dirty, and the lies comes easy.

Welcome to my fab life.


Excerpt:
“You look amazing,” I hear Gabe’s voice. I turn around, and see him standing inches from me. I take a step back.

“Thanks.” I take a good look at him. He looks good in his designer suit. He even fixed his hair. I have to admit, Gabriel is very gorgeous. If he wasn’t so overbearing I think I could like him. Maybe.

“Where is your date?” He asks.

I shrug. “Your guess is as good as mine. He disappeared about ten minutes ago with Jason and Emmett.”

“His loss is my gain.” Gabriel holds out his hand for me. “May I have this dance?”

I start to say no. I should say no. But, instead, I say “Yes.” What could it hurt? It’s not even a slow song. Once he sees how bad of a dancer I am, he will gladly ditch me.

Gabe takes my hand in his and leads me out to the dance floor. I hate the butterflies that appear in my stomach when he is touching me. But I also love them. No matter how much I want to deny it, Gabriel has a part of my heart. But he can’t keep it.

Just as we step on the dance floor, the song changes.

To a slow song.

Really?

Gabe smiles mischeviously, and pulls me close to him. I put a couple of inches between us, but he pulls me closer. I should pull away, but I don’t. Our stomachs are touching, and my chest is against his.

“I don’t think you realize how beautiful you look tonight,” Gabe says. “I bet every guy in this place is envious of me right now.”

Gabe’s words are sweet. Ty has said similar things to be, but it feels different coming from Gabe. Maybe more genuine? I don’t know, but I like it.

I am in trouble.

“I’m here with Ty,” I remind him.

My words don’t affect him at all. “You say that, but where is your date? Right now, you’re mine. I intend to enjoy this moment very thoroughly.” He slides he hand down to my lower back, right above my butt. He’s teasing me, and I pretend like it isn’t effecting me. I like his hand there. Part of me wishes he would slide it further down.

I lay my head against Gabe’s chest, and listen to the steady sound of his heart. I smell his cologne, and it smells good. Though I suspect he would smell good no matter what.

Gabe leans down, kisses my cheek, and then whispers in my ear. “One day, you will be mine.”

His words should make me mad, but they don’t. Instead, my heart beats faster. My stomach feels like I’m free falling, only I’m not scared. I’m excited. Whatever this is between us feels so real.

Your boyfriend is Ty, I remind myself.

I choose not to reply to Gabe’s comment. I just let him hold me close as we dance. I try not to think. I just want to feel. I know it’s wrong, but after this dance I will go find Ty. I will forget this ever happened. I can’t fall for Gabe. As bad as Ty thinks he is for me, Gabriel is that much worse. He not only has the ability to break my heart, but to rip it into so many shreds that I may never find all the pieces.

“I wish I would have went after you first,” he whispers again. “You should be mine. It isn’t fair.”

“We don’t always get what we want.” I say it more for me than for him.

“I know that you don’t want him,” he replies. “I see the way you look at me, and I see the way you look at him. You belong with me, Kihanna.”

“Maybe so, but I am with him. Not you.”

“You could be.”

I take a step back. “I’m sorry, I have to go.”

Guest Post: How Music Inspired Me.

I am a musician. I started playing guitar when I was 12 years old, and along the way I also picked up the bass and drums. I also sing, and write songs.

When I was 14-18, I toured with different bands, playing different instruments. My main instrument was always guitar, but I generally played the bass for other people. I also worked at a studio. I got paid to play for musicians who were recording their CDs. I got paid per instrument, per song. The great part of my job was that I got to play a LOT of different types of music… from rock, to country, to Christian, jazz, blues, etc.

During this time, I wrote a lot of songs. I would say about 200 songs. I also wrote 2 full length novels, and was able to graduate high school at 16. (I was an overachiever, with no friends, and no social life). When I was 18, I started my own band. We were an all girl band. I played the guitar and sung. We eventually broke up because my bass player got pregnant, and my drummer got engaged. Music was always my dream. I thought I was going to be a rock star.

I continued writing. After my band split up, I stuck to writing books. I was also working a pretty miserable job. I looked forward to the weekends so I could write. I took a chance, and published Don’t Tell. All while working.

I had an idea for another book. It was based around a song I wrote called “You Got Me”… The lyrics are in the book... I wrote a lot of this book while I was working… I was about half done when I had to take medical leave for my back. (I was on bed rest for quite a few months)… I was bored. And I finished You Got Me in less than ONE WEEK. (I wrote over 10k words in one day!)

During this time, I lost my job because I couldn’t go back to work. This was bittersweet. I wanted to write full time. But I couldn’t afford to lose my job. So I just kept writing. I decided to write a book about a girl rock star. I already knew SO MUCH about the music business. So, I wrote Jaded.

Now, I am a full time author. I just bought my first house, and am releasing my FIFTH BOOK in a year!! It’s absolutely amazing. I am so thankful for this experience. I know that without music, I wouldn’t be a writer.

Author Bio:
I am a YA/ NA author, with an addiction to NOS & Red Bull energy drinks. My guilty pleasure is the TV series The Lying Game and The Vampire Diaries. I'm 23 years old. I currently live in St Louis, with my husband of 2 years.

Stalk Links:
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

Giveaway:
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We also have the amazeball Heather Van Fleet and her awesome book When It's Least Expected on our blog today!!

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Blurb: Recommended for 16+ due to some language, underage drinking, and slight sexual content

Moving on after a tragedy can be impossible, especially when you’ve been dealing with those tragedies for over two years. But it’s her senior year, and Harley Anderson is more than ready to do just that, even though the skeletons in her closet can’t exactly be hidden.
 

Enter Mason Daniel, the egotistical, sexy, surfer boy from California. A boy with his own hidden demons, and an even bigger secret agenda. Mason isn’t right for Harley. He knows this better than anyone. He’s the epitome of a runner, a guy who takes what he can get, only to split a short while later. But he can’t deny the emotions that Harley brings out of him, so he’s going to break his rules for once.

He should have known what it would lead to…
 

Two kindred souls, both lost and then found. Will they fail in their search for contentment and happiness, or will they instead find true love when it’s least expected?

Excerpt:

Mason’s heart raced, his hands trembled. His mouth went dry. Finally, she turned around, and shit…there was no way he could tear his gaze away at that point.
 

Damn, when had he turned into a creeper?
 

Her profile appeared first as she dug her slender hand into some wallet thingy. And then boom, she finally glanced up at him.
 

He gaped, and then he blinked. Holy…shit…the girl…was a goddess.
 

His body numbed, his eyes bugged from his head. The breath in his chest was lost in that stunned sort of way, just as the sexy as sin creature, with the chocolate brown eyes, glared back at him. Mason blinked again, this time his jaw practically became unhinged. He knew he should look away, or maybe at least wipe the drool hanging from his mouth, but he was too frozen in place to a damn thing.
 

“What the hell are you staring at?” she snarled. Her upper lip curled on one side, Elvis style.
 

Damn… Who knew grimaces could be so sexy? She owned that grimace – worked it likea sex slave. Like a love sick puppy, Mason found himself grinning back at her, only to get assaulted with more nasty words from that pretty full-lipped mouth.
 

“Umm, are you going to answer me sometime tonight, pal, or are you just going to stand there, grinning like the idiot you most likely are?” She finished wiping off her hands with some sort of napkin before she moved in closer, stalking him with fierceness in her hateful eyes.
 

The site of her body coming near should have had Mason running, but he didn’t. Couldn’t was the better word. He needed to be near her. Hell, he needed to touch her… He tucked his hands back in his pockets to keep from doing just that. He had to get control before he did something stupid.
 

“I couldn’t help but notice your little problem, so I thought I’d be your knight in shining armor tonight…” he winked. God, where did all his game go? He wanted to smack his own face, but he was too distracted by the sudden appearance of her barely there freckles across her cream colored skin. In fact, the closer she got to him, the harder he tightened his fists to fight off the freakish urge to reach out and play connect the dots with them.
 

He shook his head, clearing his pussy thoughts, taking a breath to steady his voice at the same time. He wiped a damp palm down the front of his face. There was no way some little mid-western girl, with hair that resembled midnight ocean waves, was going to get to him.
 

“Wow, I’ve got my own very own hero here, Abs. Why ever didn’t you tell me?” She tried her hand at an Alabama drawl, fanning her face at the same time. Her attitude should have turned him off, but damn if it didn’t draw him in more.
 

“Hey now, no need to get an attitude with me, Little Beast,” he replied, digging the lost key chain from his pocket. Her eyes narrowed down at his hands, reaching out to swipe it from him. He grinned, holding it above his head. No way was he letting it go that easily.
 

It was play time.

My Review:

When It's Least Expected is a heart wrenching, sweet love story about two 17 year olds trying to find their way through the crappy hands that they have been dealt and find themselves and that special someone This book has everything.... heartache, heartbreak, ups, downs, laughs, cries, and I never knew exactly how it was going to end. That was what really kept me turning those pages quicker than my fingers could swipe my Kindle. AMAZEBALL!!

Mason and Harley were absolutely, positively matches made in heaven. They complimented each other so well and their constant banter hooked me from the minute they met. Some book couples have to rub off on you, not these two... they are peas and carrots, hot dog and mustard, peanut butter and jelly made for each other. Their connection was instantaneous and brought out the best and worst in each other. They had me belly laughing with nicknames (AKA Little Beast), they were both extremely strong willed individuals who fed off of each other, locked horns, and gave off the you suck... but please suck me vibe! LOL

There were parts of WILE that I had to bookmark my Kindle only to regain my composure and not wake my entire house up from my boo-hooing. The part where Mason explains why he calls Harley his Little Beast... get your tissues ready! Both of these young lovers had their fair share of heartache. Mason thinks he is leaving his sunny California for some boring small, backwater town in Nebraska. Little does he know that he will meet the girl of his dreams and his other half there. I thought this book had the perfect mix of all emotions and wish now that I wouldn't have devoured it so fast so I wouldn't be finished with it already.
 

The hero and heroine are amazeball, but the secondary characters are just as intriguing! he combination of amazing writing, like able characters, and a stupendous story rate WILE a definite 5 stars on the knock my socks off scale!! Kudos to Heather Van Fleet for writing an out of the ballpark book!!

 

When It’s Least Expected Playlist:

I Won’t Let Go: Rascal Flatts

Try: by Pink

Fix You: by Cold Play

Only Exception: by Paramore

Let’s Stay Together: Al Green

Here Come’s Goodbye: Rascal Flatts

Disaster: JoJo

I Hurt Too: Katie Herzig

I’m Movin On: by Rascal Flatts

 

Bio:

Heather Van Fleet currently resides in northern Illinois, with her three daughters, Kelsey, Emma, and Isabella, and her fabulous hubby (and high school sweetheart) Chris, with whom she’s been blissfully married to now for ten plus years. She’s a stay at home mom by day, and an avid and completely obsessive writer and reader by night.

 

Giveaway:
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Cover Reveal: Inky by J.B. Hartnett

Check out the Cover for Inky.... it is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! J.B. Hartnett is a new author coming on to the scene. Her debut novel, INKY, is a unique story filled with angst, steam and mystery. INKY is Book One in the Leaves Series. 

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BLURB:

Anika “Inky” Redding is passionate about two things; her love of painting and her fiancé Evan. While working as a bartender to pay her bills, she meets Cole, a sexy divorcee. She denies their mutual attraction and tries to put him out of her mind.

When an abusive person from her childhood makes an unexpected visit, Inky’s world is turned upside down. Secrets are revealed and truths are exposed leaving Inky devastated and questioning what she thought was love. As she picks up the pieces and tries to move on, she finds her path crosses with Cole once again and this time, she cannot deny the passion between them.

Once she opens her heart again, will she be able to move forward or will her past find a way to stop her?

Teaser:

“Please…” I begged. The way he spoke and the words he used, I wanted him more than ever. I felt him move to my feet, straddling the end of the chaise. He was stroking his cock harder and hissing between his teeth. “Come for me. Come for me so I can put my cock in you and fuck you hard and finally make you scream, Anika. Come for me.” His words were like fire igniting my flesh. I came at his urging and as soon as the first shudders of my orgasm began, he thrust himself into me, hard and deep. “Ah, Cole, yes…please, please.” I felt the second wave begin as he rammed against me, his sweat dripping onto my face as we came together. He cried out my name, almost a roar and I’d never heard anything more erotic and sexy in my life. I wasn’t sure if I did indeed scream but it was beyond amazing. He collapsed against me, panting and breathless. “God, what you to do me. How did you know I’d like that?” “Lucky guess?” I replied trying to catch my breath.

About the Author:

Julie is a Southern California native, a fan of a really good story (preferably romance with a happily ever after), really good pie (preferably pumpkin) and copious amounts of coffee (preferably Folgers).

She has always enjoyed writing and at one time thought she could be a singer songwriter...the 'writer' part is the one that stuck.

Julie is obsessed with pi...the equation (and the food). She's allergic to cats and cantaloupe and hates mushrooms...so if you ever want to give her a gift, those are out for sure.

She currently lives with her own romance hero husband and two boys in Melbourne, Australia.

 

Giveaway: (7/29/2013 10 AM EST to 7/31/2013) $10 GIFT CARD 5 Ebooks AND A BEDAZZLER!
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Book Blast: Snake in the Grass (Good Gods #2) by Staci Hart

We are super excited to be a part of the release day blast for Snake in the Grass: Book #2 in the Good Gods series by Staci Hart!!! We hosted Staci's first book in this series, Deer in Headlights... And LOVED it!!!
 

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Blurb: It’s Round Two of high stakes Love Connection on Olympus, and this time, everything has changed. For Aphrodite, at least.

Ares is on deck, and Aphrodite is nervous. As much as she loves to hook up with him, she doesn’t trust him as far as she could throw him, which isn’t very far. He’s a big dude. They haven’t been together in a very long time, but she can’t resist him. She never could. Even when every part of her screamed that he was a liar.

He has a plan to keep Aphrodite, for good this time. He wants to win the game, but he’ll hold back to get what he wants. He’s sitting on a chance that he’s been waiting thousands of years for, and he’ll do what he has to do to convince her to stay forever.

The only thing that could stop him is the secret that he’s been keeping from her for eons. If she finds out, it will destroy everything.

 

Aphrodite is getting crap for her choice in player, because from the outside, it looks like a match that would never work.

Kat and Dillon have been through a lot, and everything has been to protect their younger siblings. They sacrificed everything to make sure their brother and sister would be safe. The players are tough and loyal. Fierce and determined. But they become each other’s weakness, even though they fight it, and even though it means danger for Kat and her sister.

If Aphrodite can get the players over their egos long enough to see that they’re meant for each other, this competition will be a piece of cake. One that she’ll eat a la mode, right in front of Ares, if she beats him.

Excerpt:

Dillon parked in front of MacLennan’s and stepped out of the car. He looked up at the green and gold pub sign with a small four-leaf clover next to the name. They hadn’t been there in forever, since Brian liked to tour Brooklyn’s Irish pub circuit, to “keep it fresh.” He walked up to the door with his hands shoved in the pockets of his leather jacket, his grey hoodie hanging out of the neck, and Owen walked behind him with his collar flipped against the cold.
 

Dillon hated these after parties. He didn’t drink. Drinking made him too unpredictable. On top of that, he was always wiped out after fights. He’d much prefer to be home, but there was no way around it. The bigger he got, the more people expected to see him after a fight.
 

Brain said that it was all about PR. If the people who bet on him got to hang out with him, they’d be more likely to bet on him again. But the attention was too much for Dillon. He was honored that so many people wanted to wish him well, but the whole ordeal exhausted him.
 

He grabbed the brass handle to the pub door and gave Owen a look before pulling it open. The sound of music and people hit him like a wave, which surged once the crowd saw him and exploded into cheers. He smiled and ran a hand through his hair. The crowd parted, and Brian stepped through to him, grinning.
 

“Took you long enough. Come on, this way.” Brian turned, and the crowd opened up to let him through. They called Dillon’s name, some slapped him on the back. A few tried to hand him drinks, which he graciously turned down, and followed Brian to the bar with Owen in his wake.
 

They reached the long bar, all mahogany and brass, and the minute he sat down, a small pack of girls led by a bleached blond pushed their way in next to him.
 

“Hey, Dillon. Congrats on the fight.” Her glossy lips turned up in a smile, and she batted her mascara heavy lashes at him. She squeezed in close and laid her hand on his forearm.
 

“Thanks, Jessica.” He slid his arm out from under her hand and turned to Owen.
 

She poked out her lip for a split second, then pasted her smile back on and tried again. She pressed her arm against his as she leaned over the bar and shoved her breasts together. “So, you gonna buy a girl a drink?”

 

Dillon’s gaze swept over her cleavage spilling out of her low-cut shirt and he rolled his eyes. “You should ask Brian. He’s in charge of rounds.”
 

Her lip popped out again, and her cheeks flushed. A brunette next to her gave her a nudge and whispered something to her.
 

Jessica put on a seductive smile and slipped her hand down to his thigh. “Come on, Dillon.” Her words were sugary sweet. “For old time’s sake?”
 

Dillon looked her over again, his jaw set. “There weren’t ever any ‘old times’.” He turned in his stool and jerked his chin at Brian. “Hey, Bri. Jessica wants a drink. Can you help her out with that?”
 

Brian snickered. “Yeah, come on, Jess. The bartender’s down here. What are you drinking?” He draped his arm over her shoulders and steered her away. She looked back at Dillon, blowing him up with her eyes with her cronies on her heel.

Owen laughed and shook his head. “God, she never quits.”
 

“If I had known she was crazy, I never would have hooked up with her.”
 

“She’s not just crazy, she’s the queen of the asylum.” Owen leaned over the bar. “Damn, what does it take to get a drink around here?” Owen flagged his hand behind the bar.
 

A girl bent down behind the bar, hidden by a sheet of long, black hair, and when she stood up and turned to face him, all the breath left Dillon’s lungs.
 

His eyes met hers, intense and gray-green, lined with thick, black lashes. He traced the bridge of her long nose, over the tiny freckles sprinkled across it and onto her flushed apple cheeks. Her rosy lips were full and parted, and his gaze lingered there before pulling back to her eyes, snapping his to hers like magnets.
 

Owen’s face ping-ponged between the two, amused as they stared at each other. The noise in the bar was almost deafening, but the two of them were still and quiet, two unmoving points in an ocean of people.
 

Dillon shook himself, and she did the same. She turned to Owen. “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear what you ordered.”
 

Owen cocked a smile, his eyes on his brother as he answered, “Uh, Guinness. Thanks.”
 

“And for you?” Her voice was smoke and fire, and she turned to Dillon again, he swallowed hard.
 

“Just water,” he said, his eyes fixed on hers.
 

“Sure,” she said and turned to walk to the taps, looking back over her shoulder at Dillon.
 

He watched her walk away, and Owen gave him a sly smile.
 

Dillon blinked a few times as his brow dropped. “What?”
 

“Nothing.” Owen smirked and turned back to the girl.
 

She came back a moment later and set their drinks down. Owen pulled out his wallet, but she put her hands up. “This goes on Brian’s tab.”
 

Owen snorted. “Right, Brian’s tab. Hey, what’s your name?”
 

She stood tall and confident, with her eyes on Dillon, and his on hers. “I’m Kat.”
 

“Hi, Kat. I’m Owen, and this here,” he slapped Dillon on the shoulder, “is Dillon, my big brother.”
 

“Yeah, I heard.” She cracked a smile, and Dillon’s heart beat a little faster. “Brian’s been talking you up for the last hour.” Someone shouted to her from the other end of the bar. “Nice to meet you,” she said casually and turned to the mob.
 

Kat blinked a few times as she walked away. For a second, she had been connected to him, his eyes holding her captive like a snake charmer, and she couldn’t look away. Her brows knit together while she poured a drink, trying to understand what happened. She glanced back over at him and found his eyes on her. The bruise on his jaw was dark, and he had a small cut under his eye. His lips were full and wide, and the bottom one was split. He looked at her fiercely, and she flushed, dropping her eyes back to the drink in front of her.

About the Author:

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life — a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can’t forget that. She’s also been a mom; she has three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She’s been a wife; even though she’s certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She’s also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she’s been drinking whiskey. Her favorite word starts with f, ends with k, and there a uc in there.

From roots in Houston, to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she’s not writing, she’s sleeping, cleaning, or designing graphics. But let’s be honest, she’s mostly writing.

Author Links:

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Check out Deer in Headlights Book #1 in the Good Gods series!!!

 

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Book Synopsis: DIH is a light, fun read that will keep you laughing, tug at your heartstrings, and maybe make you change your panties. It’s steamy and sweary, a lighthearted romance with a Greek mythology twist.

What do the Greek gods do when they’re bored? Because they’re always bored, so humans are the perfect players in their games.

Aphrodite owns love; she hasn’t lost a competition on her turf in over three millennia. Apollo is on a mission to win. He’s counting on it to finally get the one woman he’s never been able to have. The two gods will choose their human players, and if Aphrodite can’t get them together before the clock runs out, Apollo will get his way. And Aphrodite couldn’t have that.

Lex and Dean are perfect for each other, they just don’t know it yet. Dean is a perpetual bachelor, and a brooding, beautiful rock star. Lex is always with a man, but she’ll never fully give herself up. Aphrodite has her work cut out for her, but if she can’t make it work, no one can.

The gods have their own drama. Apollo killed Aprhodite’s mortal love – they’ve got beef that’s been dragging on for thousands of years. Ares, the douchebag, is forever trying to pick a fight, and trying to get Aphrodite into bed. And Persephone, Aphrodite’s best friend, is the one person who Aphrodite shares everything with.

Follow the gods as they fight, laugh, cry, lose love, gain power, and make a mess with humans.

Book Blast: The Island by Jen Minkman

Book Info-

Title-The Island

By- Jen Minkman

Publication Date-June 1, 2013

*Novella* (80 pages)

Genre- YA Dystopian

Blurb-

‘I walk toward the sea. The endless surface of the water extends to the horizon, whichever way I look.

Our world is small. We are on our own, and we only have ourselves to depend on. We rely on the Force deep within us, as taught to us by our forefathers.

If I were to walk westward from here, I would come across a barrier – the Wall.

Behind it, there are Fools. At least, that’s what everyone says.

I have never seen one.’

Leia lives on the Island, a world in which children leave their parents to take care of themselves when they are ten years old. Across this Island runs a wall that no one has ever crossed. The Fools living behind it are not amenable to reason – they believe in illusions. That’s what The Book says, the only thing left to the Eastern Islanders by their ancestors.

But when a strange man washes ashore and Leia meets a Fool face to face, her life will never be the same. Is what she and her friends believe about the Island really true?

Or is everyone in their world, in fact, a Fool?

Book Blitz: Emerge by S.E. Hall

Today we are celebrating Emerge by S. E. Hall!!!!

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 Blurb-

No sooner than Laney Walker and her long-time best friend Evan Allen finally delve into romantic feelings for each other, college sends them packing, miles apart. Never the social butterfly, Laney is slow to adjust to life with a new softball team, crazy roommate and co-ed dorm. Without the support system of her Dad and her Evan, she's left to cope with diving into the real world on her own.
 

Just when she thinks nothing could tear her apart from her old life any further, she meets the mysterious, debonair Dane Kendrick and her heart is left divided.
 

The familiar love she shares with Evan has always been easy and sweet, but she can't help wondering what would happen if she let go and took a leap of faith into what she never knew she wanted? A jump that Dane seems more than happy to help her through.

Excerpt # 1- Prologue- Lil Laney

I simply cannot hang out with the girls at recess. No one should expect me to, right? At the ripe old age of 10, I’ve already figured out one should be interested in far more than boys and gossip; the only two things they ever seemed to talk about.

Besides, they don’t want anything to do with me anymore. Michelle, the loud one, has made it clear that her mother thinks “it’s a shame I have no female influence,” so surely my dad will completely understand the call from Principal Mills…again.

Principal Mills doesn’t really ever get mad at me. He’s a lot like my dad, easygoing and a bit of a softie, so it’s easy to sit with him in his small, cramped office until Dad gets here. I’m not too concerned about getting in trouble; I never get in any real trouble. 

 I’ve heard them talk many times after sending me out to the hall. They think I’m “angry and acting out.”

  

They’re wrong.

I’m not angry and I don’t need their pity. They should pity her. She’s the one who gave up. Well, she gave us up, anyway. Who knows what her greener grass was exactly.

Soon enough my dad strides in, casual as always, and all too comfortably takes a seat.

He’s here at least once a month, after all. They shake hands like they’re poker buddies or something. I’m not even sure Dad calls him Principal Mills, or even Mr. Mills, anymore. I think he just calls him Paul. They talk for the first ten minutes about this year’s high school hopefuls. This town lives for high school football and baseball, depending on the season. Hopefully they forget my dilemma altogether.

No such luck.

“Wanna tell me what happened, slugger?”

I put on my best puppy dog face, “Daddy, ‘member what you said about not starting a fight, but I could damn sure finish one? “. 

  

The fine Principal tries to hide a chuckle and my dad reminds me to watch my mouth.

“Well…Andy Collins shoved me first, cause he’s a sore loser, so…I finished it. I whooped him in Horse and then I whooped him for shoving me.” That should clear all this up, right?

“Now, Laney, one shove only warrants one shove back. If I got a call, you musta tore the boy up. Why didn’t you just go tell a teacher?”

 Is he serious right now? I’m not a snitch.

“Daddy, please. I didn’t tear him up that bad…I didn’t have to.”

“And why is that?” He cocks one eyebrow curiously.

Principal Mills answers for me. “Cause Evan Allen did it for her.”

  

Character Bios-

Laney Jo Walker- Laney lives in GA, with just her father, her mother left when she was young. She’s 18 when Emerge starts and has her 19th birthday during. She is a daddy’s girl, tomboy who has played fastpitch softball her whole life. She’s blonde, brown eyes and trusts few. She loves to fish and her favorite thing of all, basically her guide to every lesson or comparison in life, is DISNEY.

Evan Mitchell Allen- Evan is a brown haired, blue eyed, football playing country boy. He loves to fish, hunt and take care of Laney. He has both his parents, to which he is very close, drives a big pickup truck and was raised with southern gentleman manners and charms.

Michael “Dane” Kendrick- Dane keeps his cards close to the vest, having suffered major personal loss and the chance to experience young adulthood normally, i.e. he missed the college experience being thrown straight into responsibility. Dane is a protector, he literally takes care of those around him and would give the shirt off his back. He has brown hair, dark brown eyes and his cross necklace never leaves his neck. Dane plays three instruments and music is the center of his soul.

 

Bennett Cole- A bubbly, carefree redhead who brightens any room. Bennett is Laney’s roommate in college, a drama major and a great friend.

 

 

Sawyer Beckett- What to say about Sawyer...his pierced, muscled body takes up a room just like his bigger than life, rude crude and socially unacceptable personality, but he’s fiercely loyal and lovable, but nothing before his love for his friends.
 

Zach Reece- This 6’4 blondie with green eyes plays football for Southern and dishes out tough love advice with a level head.
 

Tate Kendrick- Dane’s older brother, Tate rooms with Sawyer and falls fast and hard for the lovely Bennett.

Laney's Top 10 Fave Ways to Relax:

1. Swinging a bat

2. Fishing

3. Listening to music

4. Watching a Disney movie

5. Hot Tub

6. Hanging with Crew

7. Bubble bath

8. Snuggling

9. Dancing

10. Reading

About the Author:

S.E. Hall resides in Arkansas with her husband of 17 years and 3 beautiful daughters. When not in the stands watching her ladies play softball, she enjoys reading YA and NA romance.

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Book Blitz: Maverick by Anna Cruise

HAPPY BOOK BLITZ for Maverick by Anna Cruise!!!

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Blurb:
Kellen Handler is in deep.

Ever since he can remember, he’s wanted to be a professional surfer. And he made it, rising to the top of the ranks, traveling the world and riding every break he’s ever dreamed of. His good looks and reputation for living on the edge—both in and out of the water—have made him an international superstar. But when his best friend dies in a tragic accident, Kellen wipes out big time, spiraling so badly that everything he’s worked for starts to disintegrate.

Tour officials scramble to do damage control and demand he work with a public relations company to clean up his bad boy image. It doesn't help that the person assigned to him, Gina Bellori, has her own demons associated with the surfing world.

Against her better judgement Gina accepts the job and concentrates on repairing Kellen's tattered reputation, despite his protests and despite the pain it causes her. With her past colliding with her present—and Kellen in the thick of it—she begins to realize that some secrets can't stay hidden.

And suddenly, Kellen Handler is no longer worried about losing his career. He's more worried about losing his heart.

About the Author:
Anna Cruise has been writing -- and drooling over boys -- since middle school. Lots of years have passed but some things never change... Her books include the best-seller IT WAS YOU (New Adult), IF I FALL (Mature YA) and MAVERICK (New Adult). Additional titles releasing in 2013 will include a follow-up to Abby and West's story from IT WAS YOU.

Anna loves to hear from readers and authors.

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Cover Reveal: Everything I've Never Had by Lynetta Halat

SQUEE!!!!  My girly Lynetta Halat is at it again!! Check out the cover for Everything I've Never Had.... wonder if this one will make me ugly girl cry too!!!

Designer: Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations


Release date: 9/2/2013

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Blurb
:
Celeste Hebert has always appeared to have it all, but there are many things she's never had, been forbidden from having.

One night. One song. One kiss. The perfect trifecta to unleash the floodgates of a forbidden attraction between the widow and her husband’s bad boy cousin, Adrian.

Celeste endeavors to rebury the feelings that surface after this one night since her powerful family despises him. Kindred spirits, best of friends they attempt to douse their attraction; however, Adrian always seems to know exactly how to push her buttons and may prove too much to resist.

Having defied his family by making his way on his own terms, Adrian struggles to regain their acceptance. When he meets his cousin’s wife and wants her for his own, he feels he’s finally lived down to the title—black sheep. But, when his cousin dies unexpectedly, Adrian fights his attraction and swears to honor them both by helping her raise her boys.

Finding himself enveloped in a cocoon of love and acceptance, Adrian knows it’s more than just physical attraction. However, unforeseen events threaten to destroy those he now holds dear and his newfound peace. Will the ties that bind them be their undoing? 


Excerpt #1— Everything I’ve Never Had by Lynetta Halat—Sept. 2013 (Unedited and subject to change.)
 
Adrian runs his hands up my arms and shoulders until they grasp both sides of my neck to tilt my head back so that I'm staring straight into his arctic blue eyes. I immediately start trembling, and it's not with fear. "Celeste, I'm begging you not to leave here looking like that. You look gorgeous, babe, but I can't sit here all night wondering who's hitting on you, who's imagining moving that scrap of fabric over to get a glimpse at what is..."

"What is what?" I breathe heavily.

"What is underneath it all." His brow wrinkles, and I feel his hands tighten their pleasurably painful grip. "What is underneath it all?"

"Just me, Adrian, just me," I breathe. "That's all."

"So everything then. Just like I thought." He removes one of his hands to run it up the back of my thigh. My eyes widen and I swallow hard.

"That's not a good idea," I whisper. His hand wraps all the way around my thigh, his fingertips coming to rest along the crease of my left cheek. My thigh pulses with fire.

"Why not?" His fingertips tease back and forth a little. Even though it’s a light touch, it feels like his calloused fingertips mark me.

"Why not? Look at us. We can't even have a civil conversation for everything that has passed between us, and you want to further complicate it. What you're doing will further complicate matters."

His hand stills. He exhales loudly and lets his head drop on my chest. "You do this to me. I don't act like this. That day in the park, watching you cross and uncross your legs. Throwing your hair over your shoulder. Laughing without a care in the world. Cheering me on like it was your favorite thing to do! It killed me. Killed me. I've never wanted a woman the way I want you. Never."

His words rain down on me like fiery drops of lust. I close my eyes and rewrite that memory. I thought he was just being an ass, but his unexpected anger was because he was yearning for me. I bite my lip, open my eyes, and shake my head. "It's just because you can't have me, Adrian. I'm nothing special."

"Oh, baby, you have no idea." He runs his nose up my throat, scenting me as he goes. I lean my neck back, giving him more access even as my brain screams at me to run—not walk—out of this room. But when he says, "You're everything to me." My head falls back even further and my eyes close again as I feel him slant his head and attack my chin, throat, and neck with closed-mouth kisses. I hear myself moan and give myself one more little jolt to try to spare myself from this delicious torment that will only end in frustration.

All rights reserved. Copyright Lynetta Halat 2013.


Author Info
:
For as long as she can remember, Lynetta Halat has lived to read and has written countless stories and plays since she was a young girl. A teacher by day and an avid reader and closet writer by night, she has always dreamt of penning books that people could connect with and remember; and her first novel, Every Rose, was the perfect catalyst to launch her into the world of publishing. Her love of the English language prompted her to attain her master's degree in English from Old Dominion University in Virginia. A self-proclaimed "Coast Girl," she lives in Mississippi with her adorable husband, two amazing sons, and two loveable dogs. She is currently at work on her third book.

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