Blog Tour: The Last Rodeo by Delores Fossen

Author: Delores Fossen

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of publication: June 2018

The most important two words for this Wrangler’s Creek rodeo cowboy? I do…

Lucian Granger isn’t winning any Mr. Cowboy Congeniality awards. Known in his small Texas town as “Lucifer” thanks to his surly nature and knack for scaring people away from getting too close, the handsome rancher has no trouble ignoring the gossip. But when he’s in danger of losing the land he’s put his blood, sweat and tears into maintaining, Lucian sets out to prove he’s a changed man—by claiming he’s about to settle down with his invaluable assistant, Karlee O’Malley.

Their pending nuptials may be just for show, but from the moment they kiss, the proverbial fireworks start going off in his head—and in his heart. Before long, the man who’s usually as emotional as a brick wall is tired of pretending and wants to share a real future with Karlee. With his world suddenly turned upside down, Lucian will risk losing the business and the ranch if it means holding on to the one woman worth becoming a better man for..

The Last Rodeo is the sixth book in the Wrangler Creek series.  This one is Lucian and Karlee's story.  For the most part, it held up well as a stand alone as it focuses mainly on Lucian's issues with the fmaily business.  There was enough back story to get you caught up.

This one was better than the last one in the series.  There was much more humor and it made the mood lighter.  There were a lot of "madcap" moments that did have me laughing.  I loved the resolution for Lucian and his family business.   The romance for me was the weaker part of the book.  Lucian and Karlee have worked together for ten years.  Karlee has always been in love with Lucian, but he has always been hung up on an ex-girlfriend.  While I was rooting for them to get a HEA,the relationship lacked heat.  This is one of the things I have felt about most of the romance portions of this series.  I just would have liked more.  

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About Delores Fossen

USA Today bestselling author, Delores Fossen, has sold over 70 novels with millions of copies of her books in print worldwide. She’s received the Booksellers’ Best Award, the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award and was a finalist for the prestigious Rita ®. In addition, she’s had nearly a hundred short stories and articles published in national magazines.

.

Connect with Delores

Website | Facebook | Twitter

INSTAGRAM TOUR:

Monday, June 25th: @novelgrounds

Tuesday, June 26th: @novelmombooks

Wednesday, June 27th: @_literary_dreamer_

Thursday, June 28th: @thepagesinbetween

Friday, June 29th: @suey_library

Friday, June 29th: @bookish_4_life

Saturday, June 30th: @girlandherbooks

Sunday, July 1st: @booknerdingout

 

REVIEW TOUR:

Monday, June 25th: The Romance Dish

Thursday, June 28th: A Holland Reads – excerpt

Friday, June 29th: Jathan & Heather

Monday, July 2nd: What is That Book About – excerpt

Tuesday, July 3rd: Books & Bindings

Thursday, July 5th: Moonlight Rendezvous

Friday, July 6th: Just One More Chapter – excerpt

Monday, July 9th: Books & Spoons

Tuesday, July 10th: Romantic Reads and Such

Wednesday, July 11th: Stranded in Chaos

Thursday, July 12th: A Chick Who Reads

Monday, July 16th: Book Reviews and More by Kathy – excerpt

Tuesday, July 17th: Books and Blends

Tuesday, July 17th: Written Love Reviews – excerpt

Wednesday, July 18th: Cheryl’s Book Nook

Friday, July 20th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, July 23rd: Into the Hall of Books

Tuesday, July 24th: Written Love Reviews

Wednesday, July 25th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

TBD: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Spotlight: Wednesday by Victoria Danann

Author: Victoria Danann
Publisher: dba 7th House, Imprint of Andromeda LLC
Date of publication: July 2018

All things magical and mundane happen for a reason. But when romance is involved, that reason may wear a more confusing disguise than usual.

New York Times bestselling author, Victoria Danann, adds some more night magic to the captivating Witches series.

Wednesday's not just a witch. She's a modern woman who doesn't like being told what to do. It's her turn for the spring rites, but she stuns the entire colony by saying no. She further befuddles everyone by refusing to give her reasons. Hoping she'll change her mind, they recruit her friends to apply pressure and proceed with plans as usual.

The warlock, Rally, met Wednesday at a witches' gathering in Aspen. They barely spoke the entire weekend and he didn't think much of it until afterward, when he found himself waking during the night with her on his mind. He could track her down, but to what end? He certainly had no interest in a relationship lasting longer than forty minutes, but it had been months since the brief encounter and he was still being caught by friends, musing about Wednesday instead of listening.

Then one day it came to him that she must have cast some kind of spell. That was all the reason he needed to track her down.

Perhaps he expected to travel a great distance to find a compliant, cooperative, submissive female with inferior magics. One thing was certain. He was not prepared for an aloof witch who couldn't manage to care enough about the accusation to even pretend indignation. When she laughed in his face, said, "Think what you want," and walked away, he was left standing with an open mouth and the ancient hunter's impulse to chase, the essential masculine principle, blooming to life. In his pants.

Find out why readers call this series magical, enchanting, and witching good fun.

“Earth to Rally,” Aodh snapped his fingers in front of Rally’s face. They sat in a dive bar in Key West hoping the party occupying the table next to the oscillating fan would leave so they could grab it. “Even if you were looking at that little blonde who keeps finding reasons to twitch her butt back and forth, you’ve been out of your body long enough to fantasize all the way to great grandchildren.”

The glaze over Rally’s near-yellow eyes cleared as he focused on Aodh. “Hmmm? No. I wasn’t out of body. I wouldn’t do that in the middle of a bar.”

“It was a figure of speech. Geez. What is the matter with you? What do you think is the matter with Rally?” Aodh directed the question to Jean Mar.

“Maybe he’s just out of it because it’s too humid for humans in this place,” said Jean Mar. “Why are we here?”

“Because,” Aodh said, “we’re doing a twenty city bachelor party tour before Rally’s ensnared in the witches’ web.” He chuckled. “For good.” Aodh turned his baseball cap backwards. “Say goodbye to happy days.”

Rally had gotten one of the witches’ invitations to join them for a weekend in Wimberley. He knew about the weekends and their purpose, but had never heard of a warlock being targeted. “You talk too much, Aodh.”

Aodh laughed. “Since when? You know I’m kidding. And there’s a good chance you’re not the one. Or ones.” Aodh turned to Jean Mar. “How many do they ensnare every year?”

“One or two. I think. But watch your words if you don’t want to end up on the auction block.” Jean Mar seemed to be serious about the admonishment, which irritated Aodh. They were supposed to be having fun, preferably at Rally’s expense.

Rally looked at Jean Mar. “It’s not an auction block.”

“Oh, I know,” Jean Mar said. “Supposedly the men who get picked rave about how they wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“But they’re not us. Right?” Aodh added.

“Yeah,” Rally smiled. “But I’m not a man. Not if you mean it in the purely human sense. The sham of bachelor party just went away as your reason to exist today.”

“You’re not going?” Jean Mar’s question sounded like he might be shocked or might be scandalized.

Rally nodded. “Oh, I’m going to the witches’ little farce, but not because I have to and not because I have any intention of being… what did you say? Ensnared?”

Jean Mar looked doubtful. “Then why are you going?”

Rally’s eyes slid to Jean Mar. “For the food.”

Aodh laughed.

Jean Mar shook his head. “Underestimate them at your peril.”

“They’re. Female,” Rally said as if that explained everything in the universe.

“They are,” agreed Jean Mar. He was nodding, but also not joking around. He looked over his shoulder like he was concerned the wrong person would overhear then toward Rally and spoke in a low voice. “They’re also powerful. Like us.”

Rally and Aodh stared at him for a full five beats before bursting into laughter. When that ran its course, Aodh said, “You didn’t hear me right. I said they’re female.”

“Look.” Jean Mar eyes ping ponged between his friends. “We’re not talking about who can lift the biggest shovel of horse shit. I know you’re old. Older than I am. But if you think it follows that they’re magically inferior because they’re women? Well. You’re wrong.”

Rally started to say something, but Aodh held up his hand in a gesture of, ‘Hold on. I’ve got this’.

“When and how did you become an authority on magical equality?” Aodh asked.

Jean Mar slouched back in his chair, took a drink of something spicy with rum, and looked around the room shaking his head. “You don’t really want to know what I think.”

“Sure,” Rally said. “We do.”

“Alright. In a head to head contest, which to my knowledge has never been done, but if it was? They might win.”

Again Aodh and Rally burst into laughter.

“Okay. Tell yourselves whatever you need to.” Then Jean Mar directed a warning to Rally. “Walk into Wimberley full of piss and pride, thinking you’re a god. See what happens.”

Rally sighed deeply then turned up a bottle of Mike’s Hard Lemonade before surprising both his friends by saying. “I’ve already been there.”

“What?!” Jean Mar and Aodh said in unison. “When?!?”

Amazon ✯ Amazon Int'l

WILLEM

Amazon ✯ Goodreads

Romance that is destiny laced, fantasy infused, and dressed in a little night magic.

If he leaves, he can never come back. But is he dumb enough to get in his car and drive away anyhow?

New York Times bestselling author, Victoria Danann, begins a sizzling new series about an enclave of modern day witches who are sexy, philanthropic and living in the Texas Hill Country. They're selfless to a fault when it comes to generosity, but when it comes to the men they choose for themselves, they don't settle for anything less than the best. 

"Enchanted from the very first page. I couldn't put it down!"- Night Owl Reviews 5* TOP PICK

While waiting for what would probably be his last acting audition ever, the guy standing in line behind Willem gave him a card with a phone number on it and said, "You're a good looking guy. If you're definitely quitting, try the witches."

Willem took the card for the sake of being polite. He planned to throw it away, but didn't. Crazy as it sounded, it seemed like the card was bugging him. It even kept him awake when he put it in the refrigerator.

He called the number, entered the competition and won. Winning meant getting everything he'd never even dared to dream about.

WITCH WANTS FOREVER

Amazon ✯ Goodreads

You don't know what you've got till it's gone.

Only one thing could be worse than never finding the love of your life...finding her and forgetting. 

From New York Times bestselling author, Victoria Danann, "mistress of modern romantic fantasy".

"...illustrated that love is the strongest magic of all." 

Rachel can't imagine life without Dashiell Fonteneau. They were the kind of couple who believed they were destined to find each other eons before they were born.Married people, but forever lovers.

When Dash goes to Denver on a business trip that was supposed to last for three days and doesn't come home, Rachel finds herself in conflict with the colony at Wimberley over what to do.

The entire community is in complete agreement when they decide magic can't be used to bring him back. They say she'll have to learn to live without him.

"I was tense the entire time I was reading this book. It keep me riveted. I couldn't put it down."

READERS ARE SAYING: It's the perfect blend of angst, humor, and a little night magic.

Victoria Danann is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty romances. For the past four years in a row, Victoria's Knights of Black Swan series have won prestigious Reviewers' Choice Awards for both BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE SERIES and PARANORMAL ROMANCE NOVEL OF THE YEAR. This past year three of her series and three of her novels were nominated. Two of her series took the top two places and two of her books took first and second place in the PNR Novel of the Year category.

In addition to vampire hunting knights, Victoria writes other paranormal romance, scifi, fantasy, and contemporary romance.

Victoria co-hosts the popular ROMANCE BETWEEN THE PAGES podcast which can be found on itunes or at → www.romancecast.com

Website ✯ Twitter ✯ Goodreads ✯ Amazon ✯ Facebook ✯ Street Team ✯ Newsletter ✯ Pinterest

Blog Tour: Jane Doe by Victoria Helen Stone

Author: Victoria Helen Stone
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Date of publication: August 1, 2018

Jane’s days at a Midwest insurance company are perfectly ordinary. She blends in well, unremarkably pretty in her floral-print dresses and extra efficient at her low-level job. She’s just the kind of woman middle manager Steven Hepsworth likes—meek, insecure, and willing to defer to a man. No one has any idea who Jane really is. Least of all Steven.

But plain Jane is hiding something. And Steven’s bringing out the worst in her.

Nothing can distract Jane from going straight for his heart: allowing herself to be seduced into Steven’s bed, to insinuate herself into his career and his family, and to expose all his dirty secrets. It’s time for Jane to dig out everything that matters to Steven. So she can take it all away.

Just as he did to her.

Jane Doe was a refreshingly unique read.  It's narrated by the main character, Jane.    She is seeking revenge on Steven for taking away something dear to her.  I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. 

Jane was an interesting narrator.  She is an admitted sociopath, but she also admits she has no desire to become a killer...unless necessary.  I found that I liked Jane more and more as she tells the reader why she is seeking revenge.  While I'm not usually a huge fan of revenge stories, I was applauding her at the end. I could sympathize with her.  Her solution was brilliant.  I won't give too much more away. The ending was perfect.  

This is one a definitely recommend. I've read and enjoyed this authors book under her other name, Victoria Dahl.  This is a whole new side of her and I look forward to seeing what she comes out with next.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About Victoria Helen Stone

Victoria Helen Stone is the nom de plume for USA Today bestselling author Victoria Dahl. After publishing more than twenty-five novels, she is now taking a turn toward the darker side of genre fiction. Born and educated in the Midwest, she finished her first manuscript just after college. In 2016, the American Library Association awarded her the prestigious Reading List Award for outstanding genre fiction. Having escaped the plains of her youth, she now resides with her family in a small town high in the Rocky Mountains, where she enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, and not skiing (too dangerous).

Connect with Victoria

Website | Twitter

Instagram Tour:

Monday, July 30th: @girlsinbooks

Tuesday, July 31st: @suspensethrill

Wednesday, August 1st: @read.write.coffee

Thursday, August 2nd: @jennblogsbooks

Thursday, August 2nd: @ladyofthelibrary

Friday, August 3rd: @willbakeforbooks

Saturday, August 4th: @katyslibrary

Sunday, August 5th: @shereadswithcats

Review Tour:

Tuesday, July 17th: Patricia’s Wisdom

Wednesday, July 18th: From the TBR Pile

Thursday, July 19th: @theliteraryllama

Tuesday, July 24th: Moonlight Rendezvous

Wednesday, July 25th: Books & Bindings

Thursday, July 26th: A Bookish Way of Life

Friday, July 27th: Helen’s Book Blog

Saturday, July 28th: @bookenetics

Monday, July 30th: Jessicamap Reviews and @jessicamap

Tuesday, July 31st: Midwest Ladies Who Lit

Wednesday, August 1st: Thoughts from a Highly Caffeinated Mind

Thursday, August 2nd: Thoughts on This ‘n That

Friday, August 3rd: Write Read Life

Monday, August 6th: Novel Gossip and @novelgossip

Tuesday, August 7th: The Book Diva’s Reads

Wednesday, August 8th: Why Girls are Weird

Thursday, August 9th: Sweet Southern Home

Friday, August 10th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Monday, August 13th: What is That Book About

Wednesday, August 15th: Girl Who Reads

Friday, August 17th: Kritter’s Ramblings

Freed by Carly Phillips

Author: Carly Phillips
Publisher: CP Publishing
Date of publication: July 2018

Juliette Collins is privileged and isolated from the world by her over-protective father. She thinks she knows the truth about her history until a file on her father’s computer reveals she has sisters she never knew about. A family she’s never met. Betrayed, she realizes there’s a life waiting for her outside the walls of her daddy’s New York City penthouse and Juliet is determined to live it. Against her father’s wishes, she heads to a small beach community to meet her siblings… and finds herself way out of her depth instead.

In the personal protection business, Braden Clark thinks nothing of taking on a job to watch over a city girl in town for the summer. If her father wants to know his daughter is safe, it’s no problem and an easy way of earning a paycheck. Except Braden doesn’t count on falling for the sheltered Juliette. Watching her experience her firsts, getting an apartment, finding a job, meeting up with her lost sisters, soon Braden’s brand of protection becomes a little too personal. He’s mixing business with pleasure and lying to a woman he’s coming to care deeply about.

In Freed, we finally get to meet the missing Ward sister, Juliette.   She finds out that she has two sisters her father never told her about and sets out to met them.  Having been sheltered for most of her life, she is ready to be on her own.  Braden is a local PI who is hired by Juliette's father to watch over her and give him regular reports.

This is another solid addition to the series. I really liked Juliette and the fact that she wasn't a naive and spoiled rich kid. For someone who had been sheltered most of her life, she was surprisingly street smart and had a good head on her shoulders.  It was easy to see why Braden would end up liking her. They were great together.   His story was more heartbreaking as he dealt with his father's worsening Alzheimer's.  I really enjoyed their love story.  I do wish that there was more interaction between Juliette and her sisters.  I felt like I could have used more on page time with them getting to know each other.  

This is a sweet and fun series.  I do recommend giving it a shot.  I am looking forward to reading Andi's story, especially after reading the epilogue.  I'm intrigued!

Blog Tour: Excerpt of Queen of Thorns and Roses by Connie Suttle

Author: Connie Suttle

Series Black Rose Sorceress #4

Genre Adult; Urban Fantasy; Paranormal Fantasy
Publisher Subtle Demon Publishing, LLC
Publication Date July 5, 2018

The present King of Az-ca has been rendered powerless through an unsuspected coup, and is overcome with despair.

Kaakos has escaped death, but is forced to leave Ny-nes. Now, his sole focus is revenge.

Az-ca’s citizens have fallen victim to the enemy’s lies, and civil war threatens to split the country.

Sherra is forced to divide her attention between searching for the enemy, dealing with traitors and struggling with the King’s misery and desolation. When the blood spell that rendered Kerok powerless takes a turn even its maker didn’t expect, only her dreamwalker, with help from another, can hope to turn the tide…

Book One on Amazon http://amzn.to/2z7FDb2
Book Two on Amazon http://amzn.to/2y5fae4
Book Three on Amazon http://amzn.to/2y5uA1I
Book Four on Amazon https://amzn.to/2KPjdAQ

Excerpt:

Ny-nes

Kyri

"There are three of us. How do you suggest we teach the entire population to read, write and follow a new set of rules—all at the same time?" I demanded.

North wasn't speaking to me. I was barely speaking to him. His back was turned toward me as he gazed out a window in what was left of Kaakos' suite.

Garkus ignored both of us in favor of showing the few who still lived inside the city how to clear ground and plant seeds. The seeds he'd scrounged from the kitchen—beans, corn and such, that hadn't yet been used as food.

At least it was late spring, and if the ground were willing, we might see results—unless the soil and air were so toxic that plant growth was no longer possible.

I watched as North's shoulders drooped, letting me know I'd hit a sensitive spot with him. "I was hoping we could bring teachers and such from Az-ca."

"After you rendered their King helpless? Those people from Az-ca?" Sherra would make his life miserable—and mine, too, if we even suggested such a thing.

"You say she's smart," he whirled to face me. "What if there's a way to reverse this?" he tapped his chest in frustration. "I wasn't intending," he stopped before saying something else.

"Intending what?"

"I thought we could unite the country—like it once was." He turned his back to me again.

"You thought you could walk right into Az-ca, take over where you left off centuries ago, and everybody would just fall in with your plans. Is that it?"

"I didn't count on her—never saw her in all my divinations."

He meant Sherra. An unseeable. He'd divined Thorn II, just not his Queen and partner. "So. You wanted to take over after practically destroying their current King—who was a very good King, and before that, an excellent Commander of the army. That's a hell of a way to get Az-ca's population to adore you, isn't it?"

"I can offer them peace," he began.

"Except you can't. Kaakos is still alive, remember, and he'll be coming for you—of that I have no doubt. You know it, too, and you can't take him on without Thorn's army at your back."

"I thought we could work together—Thorn and I. That he'd see the reason in it after a while."

"And, as he's currently powerless, what choice would he have?" I sniped. "Except he has the strongest Queen you've ever seen at his side, and she certainly won't fall for that bullshit."

"I could be his right arm. His power," North turned to argue with me.

"It's not the same, and you know that."

"It's what I'm willing to offer."

"Go ahead. I want to hear what Sherra says when you say it. Frankly, the only reason you're still alive is that you and he are connected."

"You think she can kill me?" He snorted and turned his back to me again.

"You saw what she was doing with that army—she'd have taken Kaakos down and his palace with him, if you hadn't done what you did and distracted her. She kept him inside this place. He'd be dead, if you hadn't decided to pull Thorn's power away."

This time, I watched him stiffen. He knew it just as I did. Had he left things alone, we wouldn't be having this argument, now. Had he not interfered as he did, Sherra and Thorn II would be happy to send troops and teachers, I think.

Instead, Kaakos was still alive, and that meant he was a hidden threat to anyone who thought to stand against him.

Like his bastard son, Thorn I didn't think any woman was good enough to do the job—not when a man was available.

Both those things—his son and his attitude—had ruined our relationship centuries before.

Not much had changed between then and now.

"How—is he?" His voice was quieter, now.

"Depressed. Not eating. Refusing to leave the palace. That's how he's doing." I received regular mindspeak from Doret—there was no sense in attempting to contact Sherra. I was too ashamed to try, actually.

You should have told her the moment North pulled you away from Kaakos' clutches, a small voice taunted me.

Yes, I should have. I'd told Doret, but as neither of us wanted to inform Adahi, we'd kept that secret from him and everyone else.

Now we were left with the aftermath of that malformed decision.

"Will it do any good to write her a letter, asking Az-ca to stand with Ny-nes for a common purpose? She can hate me as much as she wants, and he can, too, but until the threat of Kaakos is eliminated, neither Ny-nes nor Az-ca will be safe."

"Feel free," I tossed a hand in the vague direction of Az-ca. "Just be prepared to have your ass handed to you."

"It's what the diplomats of old would do," he said. "The enemy of my enemy, and so on. We can send the letter—and Jubal, at the same time."

"You think returning a traitor to Az-ca is a peace offering?"

"His execution belongs in the hands of Az-ca, not Ny-nes. If I thought I'd receive a civil audience, I'd go myself."

"You try that," I said. "To see how far you get."

"What about approaching the army Commander?"

"Armon? He'd be waiting with Sherra at his side. You have no idea how close she is to him and much of the army."

"Then I'm back to writing a letter, or contacting her in some way, to request a civil audience with the King and Queen."

"If I thought I'd be welcome, I'd go, just to watch them take you down a peg or two."

"If they accept my request, feel free to accompany me."

TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY 

To celebrate the release of QUEEN OF THORNS AND ROSES by Connie Suttle, we're giving away a $25 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner!

LINK:  https://www.subscribepage.com/QueenOfThornsAndRoses

GIVEAWAY TERMS & CONDITIONS:  Open to internationally. One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. This giveaway is administered by Pure Textuality PR on behalf of Connie Suttle.  Giveaway ends 8/18/2018 @ 11:59pm EST. Limit one entry per reader. Duplicates will be deleted. 

ABOUT CONNIE SUTTLE

CONNIE SUTTLE is the author of the Blood Destiny series, the Legend of the Ir’Indicti series, the High Demon Series, the God Wars series and the Saa Thalarr series. Other titles are scheduled for release very soon.

Connie earned her MFA from the University of Oklahoma and has taught courses at the university level. Reading (and writing) have been a constant throughout her life.

The author lives in Oklahoma with her patient, long-suffering husband and three cats. Obviously, the cats are not so long-suffering and are certainly not patient.

AUTHOR LINKS

Website http://subtledemon.com/
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Connie-Suttle-Author/220330094696864
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/subtledemon
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4349456.Connie_Suttle
Amazon http://amzn.to/2fC75aY

Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Author: Gretchen McNeil
Publisher: Balzar & Bray
Date of publication:  September 2012

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie are looking forward to two days of boys, booze, and fun-filled luxury. But what starts out as fun turns twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine. And things only get worse from there.

With a storm raging outside, the teens are cut off from the outside world . . . so when a mysterious killer begins picking them off one by one, there’s no escape. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on one another, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine? 

If you are a fan of And Then There were None by Agatha Christie or the 80s movie April Fool's Day, then you'll probably enjoy Ten.  It definitely pays homage to the Christie novel.  Meg and Minnie are best friends who get invited to a secret weekend party on a private island. Their host is not there, but they decide to make the best of it and party with the other guests who have shown up. It's fun until people start dying.

I actually thought this book was a lot of fun.  Yes, it's super cheesy and is dripping with cliches and red herrings, but I found I didn't mind.  That was due to actually liking the main character, Meg.  She was someone  I could root for and thankfully didn't have any "too stupid to live" moments.  Some of the other characters were annoying and I wasn't sad to see them meet their demise.  The story kept me engaged and guessing to the conclusion.  I had no idea who the killer was so that was an added bonus.  I definitely recommend this one.  It's a fairly mild YA horror and a quick read.  

Elusion Series by Claudia Gabel & Cheryl Klam

Authors: Claudia Gabel & Cheryl Klam
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, 
Date of publication: March 2014

Soon, Elusion® will change the world and life as we know it.

A new technology called Elusion is sweeping the country. An app, visor and wristband will virtually transport you to an exotic destination where adventure can be pursued without the complications—or consequences—of real life.

Regan is an Elusion insider. Or at least she used to be. Her father invented the program, and her best friend, Patrick, heir to the tech giant Orexis, is about to release it nationwide. But ever since her father’s unexpected death, Regan can’t bear to Escape, especially since waking up from the dream means crashing back to her grim reality.

Still, when there are rumors of trouble in Elusion—accusations that it’s addictive and dangerous— Regan is determined to defend it. But the critics of Elusion come from surprising sources, including Josh, the handsome skeptic with his own personal stakes. As Regan investigates the claims, she discovers a disturbing web of secrets. She will soon have to choose between love and loyalty…a decision that will affect the lives of millions.


Elusion is the first in the Elusion duology.  Taking place sometime in the future in Detroit, Regan's father invented a way for people to escape the polluted world they live in using a new technology called Elusion.  It's kind of like virtual reality on steroids.  After her father's death, rumors that Elusion is addictive start to surface and Regan wants to try to prove the rumors wrong.

I enjoyed the first book.  I liked Regan, although she was a bit naive in the beginning.  She did grow on me.  I also liked Josh.  I was definitely team Josh the whole time. I found Patrick whiny and annoying.  There was the potential for a love triangle, but thankfully, it didn't end up the way I thought it would.  I'm not a fan of love triangles, so if you aren't either, don't worry.  

The world building could have been better.  I would have liked more background on how the world became the way it did.  However, the technology was explained pretty well, so I had a good grasp on how it worked.  Danger potential aside, it sounded pretty cool.  The book ends on kind of a cliffhanger with questions unanswered.  But, overall it was a good read.


Authors: Claudia Gabel & Cheryl Klam
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books, 
Date of publication: March 2015

Elusion was hailed as an exciting leap in technology—until users began to disappear amid rumors of addiction. Regan’s search for the truth led her and her new love interest, Josh, to Etherworld. Etherworld is a dimension hidden deep beyond Elusion's firewall, where players can hide, and ultimately fight back. Regan's father and others are here working to destroy Etherworld, but the longer they stay the less likely they'll be able to return to the real world alive.

Escape means attacking Elusion from within the program. It's dangerous and it’s a puzzle. And even if they manage it, how will they be able to stop Orexis from distributing Elusion to the masses when the people who run it are corrupt?

Etherworld is the sequel to Elusion.  It picks up right after the events of Elusion.  So, If you didn't read the first book, you will be lost.  This does not hold up as a stand alone.   In this one, Regan and her friends set out to take down the technology of Elusion and save the world from dangerous addiction.  

This was a solid follow up to the first book.  There were a lot of answers that helped things make a little more sense.  I kind of liked this one a bit more than the first.  There was more action and more tense moments.  The ending was satisfying and wrapped up the story in a nice neat package.  I was actually glad that this was only two books.  I was satisfied with how the story ended and didn't feel the need to revisit the characters in any future books.  

I do recommend this one along with the first for any dystopian/scifi YA reader. They were a fun escape for a little while.

Blog Tour: Torn (Whiskey Sharp #3) by Lauren Dane

Author: Lauren Dane

Publisher: Harlequin

Date of publication: June 2018

Sometimes what you find isn’t what you were searching for

Beau Petty has been searching his whole life. Searching for a place that fills all the empty spaces in him. Searching for a way to tame the restlessness. Searching for answers to the secret he’s never stopped trying to solve. What he wasn’t searching for was a woman to claim all of him, but when Cora Silvera walks back into his life, he’s ready to search out all the ways he can make her his.

Cora has spent her life as the family nurturer, taking care of others. But now she’s ready to pass that job on to someone else. It’s time to make some changes and live for herself. It’s in that moment that her former teenage crush reappears and the draw and the heat of their instant connection is like nothing either of them has experienced. He craves being around her. She accepts him, dark corners and all.

Beau thinks Cora’s had enough drama in her life. He wants to protect her from the secrets of his past, even if it means holding back the last pieces of himself. But Cora is no pushover and she means to claim all those pieces.

Torn is the third book in the Whiskey Sharp series.  This is Cora and Beau's story.  Picking up about two years after the events of Jagged, Cora is back from an extended business trip with her mother.  Tired of traveling, she is finally ready to settle down and plant some roots.  Running into an old friend may help make part of that plan a reality.  

I liked this one,  just didn't love it.  It wasn't my favorite of the series.  Cora and Beau were cute together, but I kind of wanted more.  It was almost too easy with no real obstacles in the way. They clicked, had sex, and fell in love.   So, their story got a little dull toward the end.  Beau's past and Cora's mother aren't huge issues for them.  I guess I was expecting a deep dark secret, but there really wasn't one. I was a bit unsatisfied with the resolution to Beau's situation.  

Don't get me wrong, there is plenty to like about the book.  Beau was adorable and surprisingly well adjusted given his cult family background.  I also loved Cora.  There is the added bonus of the Dolan sisters, Rachel and Maybe showing up in the book.  It was nice to catch up with those characters.  It's a fast read and a nice addition to the series.  It just wasn't as dark as I was expecting it to be based on the synopsis.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

About Lauren Dane

The story goes like this – While on pregnancy bed rest, Lauren Dane had plenty of down time so her husband took her comments about “giving that writing thing a serious go” to heart and brought home a secondhand laptop. She wrote her first book on it before it gave up the ghost. Even better, she sold that book and never looked back.

Today Lauren is a New York Times bestselling author of over fifty novels and novellas across several genres.

Connect with Lauren

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

INSTAGRAM TOUR:

Monday, June 25th: @laceybooklovers

Tuesday, June 26th: @booknerdingout

Wednesday, June 27th: @utcbookblog

Thursday, June 28th: @novelgrounds

Friday, June 29th: @sarahandherbookshelves

Saturday, June 30th: @novelmombooks

Sunday, July 1st: @remarkablylisa

Monday, July 2nd: @mellys_books

TBD: @_literary_dreamer_

REVIEW TOUR:

Monday, June 18th: The Book Disciple and @thebookdisciple

Wednesday, June 20th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Thursday, June 21st: A Holland Reads – spotlight or excerpt

Monday, June 25th: Moonlight Rendezvous

Thursday, June 28th: Why Girls are Weird

Thursday, June 28th: Books and Spoons – excerpt

Friday, June 29th: Stranded in Chaos

Monday, July 2nd: Book Reviews and More by Kathy – excerpt

Monday, July 2nd: Books and Blends

Tuesday, July 3rd: Read Love Blog – excerpt

Monday, July 9th: A Chick Who Reads

Tuesday, July 10th: OMGReads

Wednesday, July 11th: Romantic Reads and Such

Thursday, July 12th: Books & Bindings

Friday, July 13th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, July 16th: What is That Book

TBD: Jathan & Heather

TBD: Books a la Mode – excerpt/giveaway

TBD: Reading Reality

Cover Reveal and Excerpt of Free to Dream by Tracey Jerald

Author: Tracey Jerald
Publisher: Self
Date of publication: August 9, 2018

Cassidy Freeman doesn’t believe dreams come true because every night her dreams trap her in a nightmare she barely escaped as a child. She maintains rigid control over all aspects of her life, giving the illusion she's strong and confident. Allowing very few close enough to see the brave heart buried beneath, she’s convinced she’ll carry her burdens alone.

From the minute they met, Caleb Lockwood disrupted everything by destroying her sense of order. His patience, compassion and sensuality obliterated her defenses. It’s as if he knew her from the inside out. 

Helping his younger brother hire a wedding planner shouldn’t have led to this. In just a few short days, Caleb’s learned untold secrets about his family – and about the Freemans. When he demands to meet them, he doesn’t expect the pull he feels towards the petite dynamo in front of him whom life has dealt an unspeakable hand.

With Caleb, Cassidy’s lost her semblance of control. Now, she's not sure she wants it back. Not if giving it up means having a chance at something she never imagined.

Love.

Get a Release Alert!

Exclusive Excerpt:

“So, about that first appointment,” Phil starts. I slowly uncross my legs and sit forward.

“Yes?”

“There’s something you should know.”

I’m going to throttle my brother. After all our years of working together, if he left out telling me any minute detail about this appointment, I’m going to lose it.

Knowing Phil, this could be anything from the appointment was supposed to be at the Lockwood company headquarters in Manhattan or their family compound in Greenwich.  If Phil suddenly springs on me that he forgot to tell me the client’s expecting to have a champagne catered breakfast ready, I’m going to give up on keeping my legendary control, take my scissors and straddle him while I cut off all his hair in massive chunks. He won’t be able to stop me because he’ll be too busy choking on the extra-skinny, watered down latte he just made me pick up.

In my calmest voice, I ask, “What about it?”

Ali whispers “Uh-oh” under her breath.

Phil looks at his hands, then at the clock. Another minute ticks by. Sixteen minutes until this appointment. He looks at Ali, who just stares back at him with a mean look. He looks back down at his hands. Silence. Fifteen minutes.

From the doorway, Holly pipes in with “Did you fuck the groom or something?”

Ali starts to laugh as I gasp. Standing in the door, Corinna, Em and Holly are standing in varying states of arms crossed, waiting for Phil’s answer. Em just mean mugs Phil. I check the clock again. Fourteen minutes.

Phil sighs and looks at me with guilt on his face. That was my only warning.

“No, but Jason was engaged to him about ten years ago and broke it off to be with me. Or so the story goes.”

Chaos erupts in my office. In my disbelief, I make a few mental notes. First, Phil is prohibited from doing any further client event profile forms. I also give myself a mental reminder to review all his other forms for new clients for the rest of the week. How could he not think this information was important for me to know, especially now, having more than mere minutes before the Lockwoods come through my door?

 As I sit back, listening to my siblings yell among each other, I try to regroup. I have no time to call Jason to discreetly find out what occurred.

I now have five minutes to get this under control.

Forget who fucked who or who fucked whom over. This is not how we built this business.

Phil. Might. Die.

Slowly.

Blunt force trauma caused by my planner. That’s a delicious thought. 

But later.

I’ll enjoy planning it in detail, after I deal with damage control.

“All of you, get out of my office. RIGHT NOW!” I yell at my siblings. “I have exactly four minutes to figure this out. I think you all might be depraved lunatics, and how I know this and continue to work with you all on a daily basis is eluding me. This is not the impression this company will give under any circumstances, short of the building catching fire. Find your offices and have your meltdowns in there.”

Then I hear it. That fucking bitch Fate. Three goddamn minutes early. Of course.

“I happen to agree with Ms. Freeman. She and I have an appointment on behalf of my family.”

I find myself staring briefly into a set of the most gorgeous, chocolate brown eyes I have ever seen. 

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About Tracey:

Tracey Jerald knew she was meant to be a writer when she would re-write the ending of books in her head on her bike when she was a young girl growing up in southern Connecticut. It wasn’t long before she was typing alternate endings and extended epilogues “just for fun”.

After college in Florida, where she obtained a degree in Criminal Justice swearing she saw things she’ll never quite believe and never quite forget, Tracey traded the world of law and order for IT. Her work for a world-wide internet startup transferred her to Northern Virginia where she met her husband in what many call their own happily ever after. They have one son.

When she’s not busy with her family or writing, Tracey can be found in her home in north Florida drinking coffee, reading, training for a runDisney event, or feeding her addiction to HGTV. Friend her on Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/tracey.jerald.71) or on Instagram (TraceyJerald) to see what antics she’s up to on a regular basis.

Connect with Tracey:

Website | Facebook | Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Instagram | Pintrest | Goodreads | Spotify