Carver's Book Cravings

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Living in Sin by Isabel Lucero

Title: Living in Sin

Author: Isabel Lucero

Genre: Erotic Romance

Publication Date: January 1, 2014

Tour Host: Dreams Come True Promotions

~ Synopsis ~

**This story contains graphic sexual content and strong language. Intended for mature audiences only.**

Jace Jamison is every woman’s fantasy. He’s a mysterious businessman willing to sweep you off your feet, a tattooed bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks, and a sexy friend you want to take that next step with. Jace is everything and anything you want him to be. He’s a highly paid escort.

But nobody knows who Jace really is; the man whose dad abandoned him, whose brother was killed, and who had to take care of his mom at a young age. At the age of nineteen, he was living in Sin City, ready for a life away from stress and struggle.

Adrienne has been having a sexual drought since she broke up with her boyfriend. Even then she wasn’t getting fully satisfied. Being an event planner, she’s constantly working at numerous events. Several times she’s seen a man she can only refer to as the God-like creature at her work functions. He’s devastatingly handsome, tall, and has beautiful eyes, but he’s always with a different woman. The last thing she needs is another player in her life.

After a few chance encounters with Jace, her best friend convinces her to just get some good sex out of him and not worry about who she’s seen him with. But what happens when she finds out that he isn’t dating these women because he wants to, but because he’s paid to?

Keeping his job a secret from Adrienne seems easy at first, but when she begins meeting people he knows in his escort life, and they begin getting closer, he knows he has to tell her before someone else does.

When their worlds entwine, and confessions are made, will they be able to work through it? Will she be able to push aside his sins and focus on the good in him? Will Jace get what he’s never had? A woman who wants him despite what he’s done. Or will living in sin cost him what he never knew he wanted?

*An erotic, contemporary romance*
*Book one in a series, but can be read as a standalone.*

Add to GoodReads

~ Review ~

3 Stars by Guest Reviewer Cybill

The start of this book is so hot, I just don't have words to explain it. Jace is a male escort, and we get a true look at what his job entails. It had some hot scenes, it had some humor and some manipulation.
Jace
Hot, conceited male escort doing what he has to do for his family. He has a plan to get out of the business and do something great with his life. He see's Adrienne, he wants her. Will she be able to accept what he has done to make his money?

Adrienne
Beautiful, smart, independent and unlucky with men. She has seen Jace a few times, admiring how gorgeous he is but he is with a different woman every time she has seen him. He is obviously a major player, right? Their paths continue to cross, sparks fly. Will Jace tell her what he does for a living or will she find out on her own? How will she handle what he does? Will it be enough to destroy what they have started? Can she handle being with a man whose job is to please other women?

This was an average book, overall. It had some humor, and drama. It started out hot and steamy then just kind of started to drag in the middle. I found myself putting it down to do other things. The sex is hot, the man is gorgeous, the story is ok. A 3 star read for me.

~ Teasers ~

~ Author Bio ~

Isabel Lucero is a military wife who has been lucky enough to travel the world, and see some amazing sights. She has been married to her best friend for ten years, and together they have two of the most beautiful children in the world. She and her husband are Junior High Sweethearts, a couple who are truly meant to be together. One day, their love story might make it into a book.
Isabel is the middle name of the author, and Lucero is her maiden name. Together they create her pen name. She was born in a small town in New Mexico, and was more than happy to move far, far away.

She is a collector of high heels and tattoos, and is highly obsessed with both. She owns a crazy, little Miniature Pinscher who thinks he’s a Doberman. His name is Tyson.
Isabel has always been an avid reader, able to devour books in a day or two. With her now focusing on writing, the reading has slowed, but her love for reading is still there.
Something noteworthy is that Isabel loves to hear from her readers. Never hesitate to get in touch. She’s always willing and ready to talk about anything. If you enjoy this book, she encourages you to not only let her know, but let the world know. Goodreads, Amazon, book blogs, groups, etc. She understands that word of mouth is the best form of promotion.

~ Social Media Links ~

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorisabellucero
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorIsabel
Author Website: http://authorisabellucero.blogspot.com/
Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7152948.Isabel_Lucero

~ Buy the Book ~

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1afor2G

~ Giveaway ~

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Blog Tour and Giveaway: Living In Sin by Isabel Lucero

Title: Living in Sin

Author: Isabel Lucero

Genre: Erotic Romance

Publication Date: January 1, 2014

Tour Host: Dreams Come True Promotions

~ Synopsis ~

~ Our Review ~

3 Stars by Guest Reviewer Cybill

~ Excerpt ~

~ Author Bio ~

~ Social Media Links ~

~ Buy the Book ~

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1hUCj3x

~ Giveaway ~

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Friday, March 14, 2014

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: Talk to Me, Public Lives Series Part 1 by Clare James

Title: Talk to Me, Public Lives Series Part 1

Author: Clare James

Release Date: April 2014

~ Synopsis ~

*Caution: This story contains explicit sex scenes with an alpha hockey player...who gives an entirely new meaning to the term Body Checking. * Finn Daley took the world by storm two years ago when he was drafted by the NHL. The young, handsome, high-scoring player quickly became a fan favorite. He had everything going for him: fame, fortune, a promising career, and his pick of women. But when he made an abrupt exit from the NHL last spring, everything changed and he’s been in hiding ever since. Casey Scott plans to find out why. After interning for free all summer at the top television station in the Twin Cities, Casey lands an on-air gig. Trouble is, the new role is Sports Girl—which means reporting from local bars and tailgating parties to create excitement for the hometown heroes. All while wearing tiny team jerseys that are so tight they leave little to the imagination. But she has a plan. Uncover the biggest sports mystery of the decade, and she’ll be on her way. Question is, how far will she go to get the story?

~ About the Author ~

Clare James is the author of steamy contemporary romance and new adult novels: BEFORE YOU GO and MORE. A former dancer, Clare still loves to get her groove on—mostly to work off her beloved cupcakes and red wine. A fan of spunky women, gorgeous guys, and super-hot romance, Clare spends most of her time lost in books. She lives in Minneapolis with her two leading men—her husband and young son—and loves to hear from her fans. Find her at: www.clarejamesbooks.com ,@clarejamesbooks , http://www.facebook.com/clarejamesauthor

~ Giveaway ~

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Release Day Blitz and Giveaway: Off the Record by K.A. Linde

~ Synopsis ~

Liz Dougherty has no idea that a single question is about to change her life.

Her first big reporting assignment for her North Carolina college newspaper has her covering a state senator’s impromptu press conference. Brady Maxwell may have everything it takes to be a politician—a winning pedigree, devastating good looks, a body made to wear suits—but his politics rub Liz the wrong way. When Liz’s hard-hitting question catches the upstart senator off-guard, it impresses Hayden Lane, Liz’s editor who feels she’s headed for a promising career as a reporter.

But Liz is also headed into a secret romance with Brady that could destroy both their ambitions. Though he’s a bachelor, potential voters might frown on Brady cozying up to a reporter. And Liz isn’t sure sneaking around is enough for her—especially when things between her and Hayden might be less platonic than she thought.

K.A. Linde’s Record series begins with a sleek, sexy, and smart venture into a high-stakes political campaign and an even higher-stakes affair that, in the end, will leave you wanting more with one of Linde’s gripping cliffhangers.

Amazon

~ Excerpt ~

Before she had a chance to retort, Brady slammed her backward into the doorframe, her body colliding with the hard wooden door. She heard a dull thud echo around the room and wondered if the sound was as loud on the outside. Would people know what they were doing in the dark hotel room? Did she care?
She stared from under thick, black lashes at the man before her, seized with her growing desire. His hands came down hard and fast on either side of her head, rapping against the wood. She felt the vibrations ring in her ears, and her heart sped up double time. She stared up at him, trapped in his deep chocolaty eyes, lost to the world she lived in. His eyes consumed her, devoured her, absorbed her—and she was fully clothed.
Fuck! She wanted him. She wanted him badly enough that she all but begged him to continue. She could feel the heat radiating off of their bodies, the electrifying atmosphere, and the ever-present tension from the minimal space between them. He was so close, so damn close. His lips were hovering only inches above her, tempting her, teasing her. She swallowed hard, her chest heaving with the exertion it took to not throw herself at him.
“Brady,” she groaned as his hand moved from the doorframe to trail gingerly across her cheek, flutter down the curve of her neck, brush against her exposed collarbone, and continue to her breast and waist. She thought she might combust.
“No talking,” he growled, circling his arm around her waist and pulling her hips away from the wall. Her feet slid forward against the carpeted floor as he pushed himself against her, his lower half covering her body. Her breath caught at the feel of him through his suit pants. Damn!
Liz tried to hold her focus, but she was having trouble thinking about anything but what he was pressing up against her. She was burning with desire and any thought of stopping had flown out the window when she had been thrown up against the door. Not that she had ever given any real thought to it to begin with.
Brady leaned forward, pressing against her harder, and kissed the same trail he had made with his hand. She whimpered trying to keep from squirming at his slow progression. His grip on her waist tightened as he kissed across her breast and down her stomach. She could hardly keep her eyes open, but she had to watch him as he knelt before her.
She would never forget the day she brought a Senator to his knees.

~ About the Author ~

K.A. Linde graduated with her Masters in political science from the University of Georgia in 2012. She also has a bachelors in political science and philosophy. She wrote her the Avoiding Series while struggling through advanced statistical modeling and writing her thesis. She enjoys dancing and writing novels that keep you guessing until the very end.

She currently resides in Georgia with her boyfriend and two puppies, Lucy and Riker.

~Connect with K.A. Linde ~

Website http://www.kalinde.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorkalinde
Twitter https://twitter.com/authorkalinde
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5421050.K_A_Linde

~ Playlist ~

~ Giveaway ~

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Cover Reveal: Dirty Angels by Karina Halle

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00036]

Title: Dirty Angels (Dirty Angels #1)

Author: Karina Halle

Release Date: Spring / Summer 2014

~ Synopsis ~

For Luisa Chavez, a twenty-three year old former beauty queen, a better life has always been just out of her reach. Sure, she’s had men at her feet since she was a young teenager but she’s never had the one thing she’s craved – security. Having grown up in near poverty, her waitressing job in Cabo San Lucas can barely let her take care of herself, let alone her ailing parents. Every day is another unwanted advance, every day is a struggle to survive. When Salvador Reyes, the depraved leader of a major Mexican cartel, takes an interest in her, Luisa is presented with an opportunity she can’t afford to pass up. She’ll become Salvador’s wife and exchange her freedom and body for a life of riches – riches she can bestow upon her deserving parents. But Luisa quickly finds out that even the finest wines and jewels can’t undo the ugliness in her marriage, nor the never-ending violence that threatens her every move. Soon, Luisa is looking for an escape, a way out of the carefully controlled life she’s leading. She finally gets her wish in the worst way possible. As it is, being the wife of Salvador makes her an ideal target for rival cartels and there’s one particular man who needs Luisa as part of his cartel’s expansion. One particular man whose quest for power has destroyed lives, slit throats and gotten him out of an American prison. One particular man who will stop at nothing until he gets what he wants. That man is Javier Bernal. And he wants Luisa. He wants to take her, keep her, ruin her. Unless she ruins him first. ***WARNING*** This book deals with drug cartels and as such it contains a lot of sex and violence and some violent sex. It can get pretty ugly, pretty dark and pretty crazy. There is drug use, abuse, a bit of torture and dubious consent. The hero is not a hero and the villains...well, they're even worse. If this sort of thing bothers you, please do not read. This ain't no cupcake farting unicorn kind of book***

~ Excerpt ~

There was a strange moment of silence and I concentrated hard, trying to hear more than the obvious. They were all waiting. Waiting for the order. Waiting for the man in charge to speak. He did. It came from the left of me. His voice was cool, calm and collected. I didn’t have to see to know who had taken me. The man I’d heard so much about. The man I’d been taught to fear. “Gentleman,” he said and I could almost feel his infamous eyes on my body, “remove the bag.” There was a rustle and my face was immediately met with cool air that seized my lungs and bright lights that blinded me. I scrunched up my face, afraid to look, to see. Now it was all so real and I wanted to stay in the dark. “Who did this?” Suddenly cool hands were at my swollen cheek and I flinched. “Who did this?” my captor repeated, an edge to his level voice, his cigar-laced breath on my face. “Sorry,” Franco mumbled. “It was the only way to quiet her.” A heavy pause filled the room like deadweight. Finally the fingers came away from my skin and my body relaxed momentarily. I felt the man stand in front of me, bending over so he was in my face, the spicy scent of tea and tobacco emanating off of him. “Look at me Luisa Reyes.” Chavez, I thought to myself, I will always be Luisa Chavez. “Darling, aren’t you curious to where you are?” “My name is Luisa Chavez,” I said. I opened my eyes to see golden ones staring right back at me. It was like looking at an eagle. “And I know where I am. I know who you are. You are Javier Bernal.” He raised his brow in amusement and nodded. I’d seen his picture before, on the news. There was only one and that was his mugshot but even in that photo, his eyes made an impression on you. They saw right into your depths and made you question yourself. He was one of the men whom Salvador feared, even though Salvador had more power. He was the one I had been told to watch out for, the supposed reason why I’d always been locked in the compound or escorted by the local police to go shopping. And yet here I was, tied to a chair in a cold, leaking basement with nothing in it except five cartel members, a video camera and a knife that lay on top of a stool in front of me. All of that for nothing. I could escape Salvador but I could never escape the cartels. I had asked for this fate. “You know why you’re here,” Javier said with deliberation, straightening up in his sharp black suit. He walked over to the stool, swiping up the knife, and glancing at me over his shoulder. “Don’t you?” I could only breathe. I wanted to look at the others, at Este, at Franco, at the two other mystery men, but I was frozen in his gaze like a cow in headlights. “What is the knife for?” I asked, my throat painfully dry. “You’ll find out after,” he said. “It is for your husband. For your Salvador.” He stepped to the side and waved his arm at the camera. “And this is also for him.” He eyed someone over my shoulder and gave a sharp nod. I heard a rip from behind and a piece of duct tape was placed over my mouth. I squirmed helplessly and the lights in the basement dimmed. The men stepped to the side while Javier went behind the video camera. A white light came off the front of it and bathed me in an eerie glow. Javier cleared his throat, his face covered in shadow and said loudly, projecting to the camera, “This is Luiza Reyes, former beauty queen of the Baja State and property of Salvador Reyes. Salvador, we have your wife and we have a long list of demands, demands which I know you can meet. I expect full cooperation in this matter, or she dies in the next seven days. If she’s lucky. I’ll give you some time to think about what you’re willing to give up for her. Then we’ll be contacting you. Good bye.” The light on the camera switched off but the rest of the room remained dim. “I hope your husband checks his emails often. It would be a shame to have to put this on YouTube.” There was a smirk on his face at that as he slowly walked toward me, the knife glinting in his hand. His eyes burned through the shadows, then grew somber. He held up the knife. “I think it’s only going to hurt the first time.” My eyes focused on the silver of the blade but the terror inside me grew too strong and my urge to breathe through the duct tape became too difficult. My lungs seized in panic, pulsing dots appeared in my vision. I felt a hand on my collarbone, gripping the edge of my blouse and then everything went black.

~ About the Author ~

With her USA Today Bestselling The Artists Trilogy published by Grand Central Publishing, numerous foreign publication deals, and self-publishing success with her Experiment in Terror series, Vancouver-born Karina Halle is a true example of the term "Hybrid Author." Though her books showcase her love of all things dark, sexy and edgy, she's a closet romantic at heart and strives to give her characters a HEA...whenever possible. Karina holds a screenwriting degree from Vancouver Film School and a Bachelor of Journalism from TRU. Her travel writing, music reviews/interviews and photography have appeared in publications such as Consequence of Sound, Mxdwn and GoNomad Travel Guides. She currently lives on an island on the coast of British Columbia where she’s preparing for the zombie apocalypse with her fiance and rescue pup. Karina is represented by Scott Waxman of the Waxman Leavell Literary Agency.

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Thursday, March 13, 2014

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: Point of Return by Stacey Lynn

Title: Point of Return (Nordic Lords #1)

Author: Stacey Lynn

Release Date: April 22, 2014

~ Synopsis ~

Deceit. Destruction. Death. Olivia Masters grew up familiar with all of them. The daughter of the President of the Nordic Lords Motorcycle Club, Olivia always knew she wanted nothing to do with any of it. Her plans were made to leave the town she grew up in as soon as she and her boyfriend, Daemon Knight, turned eighteen. But then Olivia was shot. Her mother killed in front of her. Fleeing became her reality. Forced to return to her hometown of Jasper Bay five years later, events beyond Olivia’s control put her directly back into the life she swore she’d never return to. Her dad wants her back in the family. Daemon wants her in his bed. But just as Olivia begins to accept her destiny, history finds a way to repeat itself. This time, will Olivia be strong enough to fight for the family she once turned her back on? Or will she once again flee from the only life that has ever felt like home?

~ Excerpt ~

“C’mon, Liv,” I said, walking to her and standing right in between her legs. I looked down at her in amusement. She was almost right where I wanted her. “You’re too jaded for the straight life.” I nudged the inside of her knee open a little wider with mine. She sat straight up and glared at me, but the heat was missing in her eyes. “Well, whose fault is that?” I wanted to ram my head into a wall. I was not having this same conversation again. “Already told you I wouldn’t change a thing about what I did, Liv. You might as well get over it now.” “What if I can’t?” I grinned and leaned over her so far she fell straight back onto my bed. Her hair fell from the ugly ass bird’s nest into a pile on my messy sheets. Best sight ever. “Can’t or won’t?” She smirked and I leaned closer, my lips just inches from hers. “You will. Because right now, Liv, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. And you’ve always known it. Now, you’re just done fightin’ it. And God, I want you here.” My lips brushed against hers and she sucked in a quick breath. I wanted to push it but didn’t want to push her away. Not when I finally had her right where I wanted her. My hands on either side of her head, my body leaning over hers. All I’d have to do is crawl onto the bed, bend my knees and I could enter nirvana in seconds. I knew by her pulse and her breathing she was turned on. She wanted me just as much as I wanted her. I could feel it seeping from her skin directly into mine. I flicked my tongue out, tasting her soft lips and when she moaned, I pressed against her further. My resolve to stay away completely flying out the damn window. But then she stopped me. I felt her lips curl into a smile against mine, and I opened my eyes, staring directly into hers. “What?” “I pulled a gun on Finn today. And my dad.” My head dropped to her neck as the laughter poured out of me. She really was coming back. I loved it. Fucking loved her own personal brand of craziness. The girl who wouldn’t kill a spider but had no problems pulling a gun on two men that scared the shit out of almost everyone they met. She had guts. “You’re fuckin’ crazy, princess.”

~ About the Author ~

Amazon Bestselling Author Just One Song and Just One Week Don't Lie to Me, and Remembering Us. I am a wife, a mom, and a writer. I can often be found curled up on the couch with a good book, or obsessively eating Skittles in a very complicated and organized manner. No joke.

~ Social Media Links ~

Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Blog

Cover Reveal: Reaper's Stand by Joanna Wylde

Title: Reaper's Stand (Reaper's MC #4)

Author: Joanna Wylde

Release Date: September 2, 2104

~ Synopsis ~

As Reapers Motorcycle Club president, Reese “Picnic” Hayes has given his entire life to the club. After losing his wife, he knew he’d never love another woman. And with two daughters to raise and a club to manage, that was just fine with him. These days, Reese keeps his relationships free and easy—he definitely doesn’t want to waste his time on a glorified cleaning lady like London Armstrong Too bad he’s completely obsessed with her. Besides running her own business, London’s got her junkie cousin’s daughter to look after—a more reckless than average eighteen-year-old. Sure she’s attracted to the Reapers’ president, but she’s not stupid. Reese Hayes is a criminal and a thug. But when her young cousin gets caught up with a ruthless drug cartel, Reese might be the only man who can help her. Now London has to make the hardest decision of her life—how far will she go to save her family?

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