Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of Can't Hardly Breathe by Gena Showalter

Author: Gena Showalter
Publisher: Harlequin
Date of publication: August 29, 2017

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with an irresistible Original Heartbreakers story about a woman who’s never felt desired and the man who wants her more than air to breathe…

Bullied in high school, Dorothea Mathis’s past is full of memories she’d rather forget. But there’s one she can’t seem to shake—her longstanding crush on former Army Ranger Daniel Porter.  Now that the sexy bad boy has started using her inn as his personal playground, she should kick him out...but his every heated glance makes her want to join him instead.

Daniel returned to Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma to care for his ailing father and burn off a little steam with no strings attached. Though he craves the curvy Dorothea night and day, he’s as marred by his past as she is by hers. The more he desires her, the more he fears losing her. 

But every sizzling encounter leaves him desperate for more, and soon Daniel must make a choice: take a chance on love or walk away forever.

Can't Hardly Breathe is the 4th book in the The Original Heartbreakers series.  It is definitely a welcome addition to the series.  This book focuses on Dorothea and Daniel. She was the one who Harlow worked for at the inn in the send book. Dorothea was bullied all through high school.  She has also had a crush on Daniel since they were little.  Daniel has moved back home to take care of his father.  He isn't looking for commitment, but Dorothea is tempting.

I enjoyed this one.  Although, I will warn you it is filled with a bit of angst.  I felt so bad for Thea.  She just couldn't seem to catch a break for most of her life.  She was always playing second to everyone else. I loved Daniel and Thea together.  Their banter was fun.  Their negotiations were hilarious. I was really rooting for them.  I was so hoping Daniel would finally stop being a butthead and quit letting fear of the future hold him back from loving someone.   In addition to her relationship with Daniel, I was really pulling for her to work things out with her sister Holly.

I definitely recommend this one.  It has great characters and some laugh out loud moments.  I am looking forward to Ryanne and Jude's story next!

Get your copy of CAN’T HARDLY BREATHE here!

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Enjoy this excerpt!

Excerpt 3:

Hands trembling, she hooked the vacuum to the cart and rolled the cargo to the supply room…where her younger sister Holly was smoking a cigarette.

Coughing, Dorothea claimed the cigarette and stubbed the tip into an ashtray.

“Hey!” Eighteen-year-old Holly glared at her. “I wasn’t done.”

“You mean you weren’t done giving our guests lung cancer and stinking up the inn?”

“Exactly.” Ever the smart aleck, Holly tossed a piece of gum in her mouth and popped a bubble in Dorothea’s face. “Besides, we don’t really have guests, now, do we? Since you took over, only four people have stayed here. Mayor Trueman and his side slice, and Daniel Porter and whatever bimbo he happens to be banging.”

Not true! A few months ago, Dorothea had hired Har­low Glass, and everyone in town had rented a room to witness the former bully’s downfall.

Good times.

Dorothea hadn’t wanted to like Harlow, but dang it, something bad had happened to the girl in the years since

high school, and she’d changed. More than that, Harlow had done everything in her power to make amends, and eventually Dorothea had warmed up to her.

Now the beautiful brunette was married to reformed playboy Beck Ockley. The happy couple were expect­ing their first child in a few months.

A razor-sharp pang cut through Dorothea. Won’t think about my own—

Nope. Slam the breaks.

To ward off the oncoming pity party, she drew in a deep breath…slowly released it… Good, that was good.

She focused on her sister. Holly had pinned back the sides of her jet-black hair, the remaining locks tumbling all the way to the metal links anchored around her bi­ceps. She’d paired a crimson corset top—her first pop of color in months—with a ruffled black skirt, ripped fishnet stockings and combat boots caked with mud Dor­othea would have to clean from the floors.

In a town as small as Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, Holly was a legend. Unique.

“My inn, my rules,” Dorothea said. “No smoking. Ever.” Besides, she suspected the teenager only ever lit up to aggravate her. Not once had Dorothea witnessed an actual puff.

“You’re worse than a Mogwai that’s been fed after midnight.”

A Gremlins reference? Seriously?

“No wonder Jazz left you,” her sister added.

Air hissed between her teeth. Holly might hate her guts, but the teenager loved to insult her, and this barb hit harder than most.

Rather than waiting for love, as Dorothea had dreamed, she’d settled for companionship, marrying the first guy to pay attention to her. Worse, she’d believed his words rather than his actions. I adore you and only want what’s best for you…for us.

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About the author:

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the spellbinding Lords of the Underworld and Angels of the Dark series, two young adult series--Everlife and the White Rabbit Chronicles--and the highly addictive Original Heartbreakers series.  In addition to being a National Reader's Choice and two time RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan (Red Hot Read) and Seventeen magazine, she's appeared on Nightline and been mentioned in Orange is the New Black--if you ask her about it, she'll talk for hours…hours!  Her books have been translated in multiple languages.

She’s hard at work on her next novel, a tale featuring an alpha male with a dark side and the strong woman who brings him to his knees. You can learn more about Gena, her menagerie of rescue dogs, and all her upcoming books at genashowalter.com or Facebook.com/genashowalterfans

Links:

Website: www.genashowalter.com

Twitter: @genashowalter

Facebook: Facebook.com/genashowalterfans

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/48192.Gena_Showalter

Follow the tour:

August 21^st

Fictional Rendezvous Book Blog – Excerpt

Obsessed by books – Review

once upon a romance blog – Review

Scandalous Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

The Book Maven – Review & Excerpt

August 22^nd

Alpha Book Club – Review

Beware Of The Reader – Review & Excerpt

Evermore Books – Review & Excerpt

Melena`s Reviews – Review & Excerpt

The Romance Rebels – Review & Excerpt

August 23rd

Booknerd1107 – Review

East Coast Book Chicks – Review & Excerpt

Reads & Reviews – Review

Sweet Red Reads – Review & Excerpt

Under The Covers Book Lovers – Review & Excerpt

August 24^th

Lynn's Romance Enthusiasm – Review & Excerpt

Rainy Days and Pajamas – Excerpt

Read. Eat. Love. – Review & Excerpt

Reese's Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Shannonbookishlife – Review & Excerpt

August 25^th

A geordielass honest blog on reviews – Review

Never without a book in hand – Review & Excerpt

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

Reads All the Books – Review & Excerpt

August 26^th

Brittany's Book Blog – Excerpt

Kayns Book – Review

Ramblings From This Chick – Excerpt

The Lovely Books – Review & Excerpt

With Love for Books – Review & Excerpt

August 27^th

From the TBR Pile – Review & Excerpt

Kdrbck – Review & Excerpt

Living in Our Own Story – Review

Nessa's Book Reviews – Excerpt

August 28^th

Book Angel Booktopia – Review & Excerpt

My Nook, Books & More – Excerpt

Read-Love-Blog – Review

The Book Reading Gals – Review & Excerpt

August 30^th

As The Book Ends – Review & Excerpt

Nerdy Dirty and Flirty – Review & Excerpt

Red Cheeks Reads – Review & Excerpt

Smut Book Junkie Reviews – Review & Excerpt

August 31^st

Embrace the Romance – Review & Excerpt

Milky Way of Books – Review & Excerpt

Once Upon a Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Straight Shootin' Book Reviews – Review

Two Girls with Books – Review

September 1^st

BJ's Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Books and Things Blog – Review & Excerpt

Foxylutely Books – Review & Excerpt

Somewhere Lost in Books – Review & Excerpt

September 2^nd

A Fortress of Books – Excerpt

Nicole's Book Musings – Excerpt

The bookworms obsession – Review

What Is That Book About – Excerpt

September 3^rd

a crazy vermonters book reviews – Review

Bad boys and bedtime stories book blog – Review & Excerpt

Bloggin' With M. Brennan – Review

Francoise's Reading Corner – Review & Excerpt

Susan’s Books I Like – Excerpt

September 4^th

All Things Dark & Dirty – Review & Excerpt

Lover of Big Books Cannot Lie – Review & Excerpt

Rantings of a Reading Addict – Review & Excerpt

September 5^th

Escape Inside the Pages – Review & Excerpt

Reading Escape Reviews – Review

Taylor Fenner's Bookish World – Review & Excerpt

The Sassy Bookster – Excerpt

September 6^th

Romancing the Readers – Review

Travels N Reads – Review & Excerpt

Sassy Book Lovers – Review & Excerpt

September 7^th

JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC – Review & Excerpt

Lina's Reviews: A Book Blog – Review

Sofia Loves Books – Review

Wrapped Up In Reading – Review & Excerpt

September 8^th

Book Lovers Hangout – Review & Excerpt

Crazii Bitches Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Dirty Girl Romance – Review

Stuck In Books – Excerpt

Shannon's Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

September 9^th

ContemporaryCween – Review & Excerpt

G & T's Indie Café – Excerpt

Jax's Book Magic – Excerpt

Ms. Me28 – Review & Excerpt

Relentless Romance – Review & Excerpt

Throwback Thursday Blog Tour: Darkest Night by Gena Showalter

In honor of Gena Showalter's upcoming May 13 release of The Darkest Torment, I am reviewing the first in the Lords of the Underworld series, The Darkest Night as part of the TLC Book tour.  Make sure to check out the amazing giveaway at the end of the post!

Author: Gena Showalter
First published in 2008 by Harlequin

All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she'll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member -- a man trapped in a hell of his own.

Neither can resist the instant hunger than calms their torments... and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction -- and a soul-shattering test of love...
Though they carry an eternal curse, the Lords of the Underworld are irresistibly seductive -- and unimaginably powerful...

The Darkest Night is the first in the Lords of the Underworld series.  I had heard a lot about this series, but for some reason never got around to picking it up.  I'm kicking myself for waiting for so long.  I thought this was a refreshing paranormal story.  I was worried it was going to be a lot like the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and didn't want a repeat of that one. I wanted something different. In ways they are similar, but instead of vampires. we are dealing with demons and gods.  The guardians of the gods opened Pandora's box and released the demons inside.  Each of them now share a body with a particular demon.

Maddox is Violence.  He also has a double cursed because he has to die every night in the same way Pandora did and spend the evening in hell, only to rise again.  Ashlyn has ventured to Budapest in search of "angels" who might be able to help her learn to control her gift.  She can hear voices from the past.  I have to say that I loved these two together.  I liked that there was a reason for them to have an insta-love.  They each calmed the other's troubles.  And let's just mention the sacrifice in the end! It really made me sigh.

I liked the world that this author has built.  There are some great characters, definitely some laughs and really hot love scenes.  Being the first in the series, there was a lot of information to take in, but I am hoping it becomes a little clearer as the book progress.  I already have the next book waiting in the wings!

And don't forget to check out The Darkest Torment coming May 13, 2016! 

Find it at Amazon!

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with her most explosive Lords of the Underworld tale to date, about a fierce warrior on the brink of sanity who will stop at nothing to claim the exquisite human with the power to soothe the beast inside him…

Driven to his death by the demon of Distrust, Baden spent centuries in purgatory. Now he’s back, but at what cost? Bound to the king of the underworld, an even darker force, he’s unable to withstand the touch of another…and he’s quickly devolving into a heartless assassin with an uncontrollable temper. Things only get worse when a mission goes awry and he finds himself saddled with a bride—just not his own.

.

Famed dog trainer Katarina Joelle is forced to marry a monster to protect her loved ones. When she’s taken hostage by the ruthless, beautiful Baden immediately after the ceremony, she’s plunged into a war between two evils—with a protector more dangerous than the monsters he hunts. They are meant to be enemies, but neither can resist the passion burning between them…and all too soon the biggest threat is to her heart.

But as Baden slips deeper into the abyss, she’ll have to teach him to love…or lose him forever.

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Tour Stops:

Monday, March 28th: Read Love Blog – Series spotlight

Tuesday, March 29th: Supernatural Snark **The Darkest Craving

Tuesday, March 29th: Booked on a Feeling **The Darkest Night & The Darkest Kiss

Thursday, March 31st: Bewitched Bookworms – spotlight, The Darkest Passion

Friday, April 1st: Reading Reality **The Darkest Touch

Monday, April 4th: Reader Girls **The Darkest Lie

Tuesday, April 5th: Bibliotica **The Darkest Secret

Wednesday, April 6th: Romancing the Book **The Darkest Seduction and The Darkest Craving

Thursday, April 7th: From the TBR Pile **The Darkest Night

Monday, April 11th: Lovely Reads  **The Darkest Whisper

Monday, April 11th: Books that Hook **The Darkest Touch

Tuesday, April 12th: Stranded in Chaos  **The Darkest Night, The Darkest Kiss

Wednesday, April 13th: Romancing the Readers **The Darkest Seduction

Friday, April 15th: Bibliophilia, Please ** The Darkest Night

Monday, April 18th: Stuck in Books – **The Darkest Pleasure

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of The Hotter You Burn by Gena Showalter

Author: Gena Showalter
Publisher: Harlequin
Date of publication: July 2015

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter is back with a sizzling Original Heartbreakers tale featuring a troubled playboy and the woman he can’t resist…

Beck Ockley is ruthless in the boardroom...and the bedroom. He's never been with the same woman twice, and vows he never will. With a past as twisted as his, meaningless sex keeps the demons at bay. His motto: One and done. No harm, no foul.

Harlow Glass is the most hated girl in town. The beautiful artist is penniless, jobless and homeless. When she sneaks into Beck's home—her ancestral estate—for food, she's shocked by his early return...and her immediate, sizzling and intense attraction to him.

For the first time in Beck's life, he can't get a woman out of his mind. All too soon, friendship blooms into obsession and he'll have to break her heart...or surrender his own.

The Hotter You Burn is the second book in the Original Heartbreakers series.  I definitely liked this one a lot more than the first book. This one is Beck's story.  He is a one and done kind of guy.  He never commits to anything other than his two best friends.  Harlow Glass is pariah in the town of Strawberry Valley.  She spent her early years as a bully and most people in the town shun her now. When the two of them get together the sparks fly.

I think my heart broke a dozen times while reading this.  When we meet Harlow, she is at the lowest point in her life.  No home, no job, no friends and camping in the woods.  I had to give her credit for doing what she had to do to survive.  The most heartbreaking part of her story is that no one believed her when she was trying to change her ways and make amends to those she hurt in the past.  Beck definitely has his demons, but Harlow's just really got to me.  I was really rooting for her to find peace and a fresh start.

One of the things that I am discovering about this author is the way she writes amusing and fun banter between her characters.  Not only the way Harlow and Beck interact, but the way all of her characters interact with each other makes the story really fun to read.  I found myself laughing out loud many times throughout the book.  Check out the excerpt below to see what I mean!

The next book, The Harder You Fall, is out later this year.  It's Jessie Kay and West's story.  These two have been circling each other for the past two books.  I can't wait to read their story!

Excerpt:

“I’m leaving, that’s what,” Harlow said. Determined words, snotty tone. She attempted to wrench herself from Beck’s grip.

“Oh, no.” Beck merely tightened his hold. “We’re going to have a glass of sweet tea while you two crazy kids get to know each other better.”

Harlow anchored her hands on her hips. “You know what? You’re right. We are going to get to know each other. But your presence is unnecessary, Beck. Leave.”

“Not gonna happen.”

“We don’t need—”

He cut her off, whispering, “If you and West get married and live happily ever after, you’ll have to get used to having me around.”

She snapped her mouth shut, then lifted her chin and grumbled, “That’s a very sad point.” She flashed a too-bright smile at West and eased into the chair Jase had vacated. “I’m game if you are.”

Beck vibrated with irritation as he carried a pitcher of tea and three glasses to the table and settled between the pair. “My girl here has certain ideas about the kind of man she wants to end up with,” he explained, “and I’d like to know if the two of you are compatible.”

Understanding dawned on West’s features, a smile nearly breaking free. He cleared his throat and donned his most uncaring expression. “Sure. Whatever.”

Beck poured the tea, handed out the glasses, and Harlow clutched hers as if it were a lifeline.

“Kick us off, sweet pea,” he said. “Tell my good buddy Lincoln—that’s his first name, in case you didn’t know—a little about yourself.”

“Well.” There was a slight tremor in her voice. “I’m twenty-six, and I’ve never been married.”

“Would you like a medal?” West muttered, while staring down at his cell phone, playing one of the games he’d created.

She glared at Beck, but he merely arched a brow.

Don’t make plans with men you don’t know.

“Yes, actually, I would like a medal, considering I’m hot but don’t realize it, which makes me even hotter.” The tremor had vanished, the snotty attitude firmly in its place. “It’s a miracle no one’s snatched me up. But then, most men are idiots, so…”

West smiled, realized his mistake, and glowered at his screen.

Beck braced elbows on the table. “You’re suggesting outward beauty is all that matters.”

“Hardly. My personality is hot, too. But Beck, darling.” Sugary-sweet tone now. Too sweet. “You aren’t part of this get-to-know-you session, even though you insist on being a total third wheel, so do us all a favor and zip your stupid lips.”

Then, she dismissed him. Looking to West, she traced her fingertips over the collar of her shirt, so feminine Beck’s every masculine instinct growled, hungry for the next meal. “So. Lincoln. How old are you?”

West played the video game a little longer before deigning to answer. “I’m twenty-eight, but I’ve got the stamina of an eighty-year-old coma victim. Horrible lover. Even worse cuddler.”

“Well, those skills can be taught,” she said, reaching over to caress his shoulder. “Anyway, you’re quite young to be so successful. It’s impressive.”

It was impressive. Beck wasn’t sure where he would have ended up without the guy.

West shrugged. “I work hard,” he said, then added, “probably too hard. I tend to ignore the people in my life. Especially women.”

“Well, I understand how taxing such a busy work schedule can be, and I commend you for it.” She gave his shoulder another caress, and Beck almost jerked the two apart. “I hope the lucky ladies in your life are as understanding as I am.”

“I guess,” West said and shrugged again.

“Wow, just look at these muscles, West. You are amazingly strong, aren’t you?” She cast another narrowed glance Beck’s way, presumably to make sure he was watching as she scooted her chair closer to West’s. “You know,” she said, the tip of her finger toying with the rim of West’s glass. When she caught a bead of condensation, she brought it to her lips and sucked, causing Beck’s groin to twitch behind his zipper. “I have a skill of my own, but it’s quite naughty.”

West glanced up, phone forgotten. “Do tell.”

“Yes. Do.” Beck simmered with renewed anger—even more desire. He smoothed a lock of hair from Harlow’s face. One touch, but he was greedy for more.

Her breath caught, but she leaned away from him, getting closer and closer to West, until her mouth was poised at the shell of his ear. In a husky voice low enough to be considered a whisper but loud enough for Beck to overhear, she said, “I’m super good at parking.”

Stick a fork in me. I’m done. Done with the conversation. Done with watching the object of his obsession doing her rock-solid best to arouse another male. “West doesn’t need to hear about that. Let’s go—”

“Even boys from two counties over dreamed of making out with me in the backseat of their trucks,” she continued with an effortless sensuality. “I’m very bendy.”

Beck slammed his glass on the table, tea sloshing over the sides of the rim. “Harlow here is looking to settle down forever,” he barked. “She thinks you’d make an awesome groom.”

“Marriage?” West sneered with distaste. “Me? Hell, no. Never.”

“He’s all for others tying the knot, but when it comes to himself he thinks the Newlywed Game should be called the Dig Your Own Grave game,” Beck explained, relaxing now that the conversation had taken a new direction.

Harlow unveiled a brittle smile. “Maybe you just haven’t met the right person, Lincoln. You don’t mind if I call you Lincoln, do you?”

“Call me whatever you like, but I have met the right person.” His voice cracked. “She died.” He stood, his chair skidding behind him, and strode out of the kitchen.

Harlow rounded on Beck, all hint of supple, willing female gone. “I hope you’re happy with yourself. You did this.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you.” The words were nothing more than a hiss. “You wanted me to know I can’t win the affections of anyone else, that I’m stuck with you, destined to be your newest conquest.”

“Stuck with me?” he snarled.

“Yeah, that’s right. You aren’t the prize you think you are, Beck Ockley, but maybe West is. Maybe he’s worth fighting for. Maybe, unlike you, he has a heart and the ability to care for someone other than himself.”

“I have a heart. I care.”

She didn’t seem to hear him, plowing ahead. “You know, there are plenty of guys in town. Why focus all my efforts on just one? I’m sure lots of guys would like a chance to get to know the new me. I can bring them back to my RV—”

“My RV.”

“—and practice being married, just the way you suggested.”

Beck would burn the RV to ash first.

Too far gone to fight his sense of possession, he hooked his foot around the bottom of her chair and forced her chair closer, closer still. Their thighs touched, and she gasped, perhaps at the force he’d used, perhaps with a desire of her own.

He grabbed her by the waist and easily hefted her onto the table, on his feet and between her legs a second later, glaring down at her.

“I want you, and it’s past time I showed you how much. You’ll keep your sweet ass parked on this table and you’ll show me your skills. Me. No one else.” And then his hand was cupping the back of her neck, drawing her forward.

About the author:

Gena Showalter is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose works have appeared in Cosmopolitan and Seventeen magazines, as well as Entertainment Weekly. Her novel Red Handed has been optioned by Sony Television. Critics have called her books “sizzling page-turners” and “utterly spellbinding stories,” while Showalter herself has been called “a star on the rise.” Her mix of humor, danger and wickedly hot sex provides wildly sensual page-turners sure to enthrall.

Social Media Links:

Website: http://members.genashowalter.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/@genashowalter

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/genashowalter            

Buy links:

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

B&N: http://bit.ly/1BKwtec

The Closer You Come by Gena Showalter

Author: Gena Showalter
Publisher: Harlequin
Date of publication: March 2015

Just released from prison, Jase Hollister has a dark and twisted past. And now, he has only one goal: stay out of trouble. Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, sounds like the perfect place for him and his two brothers-by-circumstance to settle down and live a nice, simple life. But model citizen isn’t exactly this rugged bachelor’s default setting—especially when it comes to a certain hot-blooded Southern beauty…

Brook Lynn Dillon has always been responsible. Not that it’s done her much good. The down-on-her-luck waitress is broke, single and fun-deprived. Until Jase comes along. He is dangerous, stunningly protective, breathtakingly sexy and as tempting as sin, and the passion sizzling between them is undeniable. But can it melt her resistance? After all, the right kind of trouble might be just what they both need.

The Closer You Come is a new non-paranormal romance series by Gena Showalter featuring three rich bad boys who have moved to Strawberry Valley for a new life.  The first book, focuses on Jase and Brook Lynn. For the most part, I liked this story.  Jase and Brook Lynn both carry some heavy baggage.  They are really good for each other.  Having been in prison, Jase has some major PTSD as a result of his experience.  He is reluctant to tell Brook Lynn the truth about where he was for 9 years.  Brook Lynn has her hands full trying to make ends meet and keeping her sister in check.  Not and easy task.  Watching them fall for each other was really fun.

The one thing that really kind of skeeved me out and made me almost make it a DNF, was the way the two of them met.  It was a very awkward and kind of icky scenario that had me questioning what the author was thinking with that.  But, if I ignored that first scene, the rest of the book was great.

I did also love the relationship between Jase and his two friends.  Having grown up in the system together, their bond is strong and they are as close as brothers.  I look forward to reading their stories in the upcoming books!