Thursday, January 30, 2014

This Could Have/Would Have Been our Song


 







This Could Have Been Our Song (Book One)
Lucia Mpobo-Riddell could have been a dancer like the rest of women of her family but instead she chose music. Marcus Grant could have been a doctor like the rest of his family but instead he chose music. She also could have not fallen for Marcus on her birthday but she did. And Marcus, he could have told Lucia the truth about his real reason for being in Toronto that night, but he didn't.
 Now they have to deal with big reveals and consequences: Marcus almost stealing her job and being force to work on an album together. Marcus, because he couldn't swallow his pride, leave Toronto and go home to London. Lucia, because she just couldn't give up on her first amazing opportunity to produce a whole album.
 And to complicate the situation further, the band they're working for is not the easiest one. Mary Gillis, Marcus' on and off flame, still has a hold on him. Greg McMullen, Lucia's close friend and former dance partner is back in town and has been in love with her for years. Then there's Marcus and Lucia, in the middle of their own a professional and personal tug-of- war with each over and the rest of the world. But maybe things could still work out... All things considered, this could have been one heck of a love song!

Excerpt:
LUCIA
“The meeting is now adjourned. We’ll meet again in two weeks’ time to discuss and finalize the hen party.” She (Axelle) pours herself another glass. “To D-Day minus one hundred and five!” she tells us, raising her glass. “Luce, be a dear and order another pitcher or two.”
I order the pitchers as well as a dirty martini for the bride-to-be.
Axelle turns to me, her glass in her hand. “So…what’s new? And you look fantastic, honey!”
“Hey, I look good too!” Noor scowls.
Axelle laughs and turns to Noor. “Oh my God! Did I just compliment the wrong sister? You’re Nooradine?”
“Jealousy is not a good color on you, Noor,” I sneer back, filling myself another drink.
“Please, you’re dieting,” she tells me. “She’s dieting, Axelle!” she says even louder and finishes her drink.
“I’m so not. I’m doing a cleanse and some yoga.”
“The one with Beesly,” Axelle says, serving Noor another glass. “I’ve heard of it. You have to do a lot of stretching with it.” She blows me a kiss. “Good for you, Luce, and shame on you, Noor.”
Nice try, Noor. My turn now. I pour myself another margarita. How many have I had so far? Three or four glasses? Do I even care? I feel warm and tickly. “Andrew is holding out on Noor…sexually.” Bam!
“You don’t say,” Axelle giggles. She finishes her drink and pours another. “What did you do to shift the balance of power?”
“I don’t want to have the suburban house and baby talk right now. It has only been a week.” She empties her drink. “Thanks, big mouth.”
Liar, liar, shorts on fire! “You told me five days,” I tell Noor. I turn to Axelle. “Anyway, did I tell you I was dancing again. Just for fun of course. Not like you or Noor.”
“Oh, I’m so happy!” Axelle gets up and hugs me. “So are you shagging anyone?”
So, I guess we’re back on me. I finish my drink. “Nope.”
“Why the bloody hell not? Isn’t that Marcus bloke still in town?” she asks. And another drink.
“She doesn’t know what she wants,” Noor interjects. Another drink there too. “Greg or Marcus.”
“Greg was in town? Don’t you dare break that young man’s heart…again!” She raises her glass to me and wiggling her finger.
“I never broke his heart!” I tell Axelle. “Greg is one of my closest friends. And I don’t have a lot of those.”
“Hey…you have us,” Noor says.
“My point exactly, Noor,” I say.
“That poor kid was so in love with you back at the dancing academy and he’s still in love you.” Axelle gives me the most loving look. “Who could blame him? My baby is breathtaking.”
“Aw, I love you too, Lelly.” I give her a kiss. “But I’m not going to sleep with Greg. Ever.”
“Right.” Axelle winks at me.
“Your loss. That man is ravishing,” Noor says.
I know he is, inside and out. Let’s change the subject. “Lelly, do you have a dress for the launch party?” I innocently ask.
“Yes I do. An original Renee G creation. She sent it to me earlier this week,” she proudly says. Of course anything for Mrs Anderson. “So… Are you bringing someone?”
Where did this come from? I look to Noor for cover, but she’s too sloshed to be of any help.
“Well are you?” Noor asks.
“Can I bring Beesly?”
“Are you going to be shagging her after? I thought she was married. And straight? And so are you. We were thinking about a man,” Lelly tells me, laughing.
“No! Gosh, Lelly… Marcus then,” I say and I can’t take it back.
“Are you going to be shagging him after?” Noor asks.
“It’s good PR for us. There will be no shagging! Please stop asking or saying it. Understood.” I’m losing my buzz. Another drink it is.
“Okay,” Noor chuckles.
“Right,” Axelle giggles.
“Somebody needs to take that stick out of her butt, or just–” Axelle says.
“Enough!” I clumsily get up. My buzz hasn’t gone after all. “I’m going home…in a taxi…I think.”
“I was just going to say–” Axelle continues.
“It has been months after all since–” Noor says at the same time.
“I got the picture, thanks. Bye.” I’m ready to leave.
“Please stay. We’re sorry,” Noor begs. “We just want you to get some because we care.”
“And you can’t leave yet. We haven’t played refugee African princesses yet,” Axelle begs.
I do like to play that bar game. Axelle is the best story teller. “One more drink and then we go home,” I say sitting back down.
“Okay,” Noor chuckles.
“Right,” Axelle giggles.
Our fourth pitcher arrives and Axelle fills our drinks.
“I don’t have to deal with that kind of shit when I drink with Beesly,” I say, sulking.
“She’s your soul sister. We’re blood and, Luce, it’s thinker than water and wine,” Noor literally burps out. She looks around. “We should get some wine!”
“We’re not going anywhere anytime soon are we?” I say, smiling at my crazy sisters. Let the game begin. We’ll worry about getting home later – much, much later…

Book Links:




Review: Get ready for a bit of music, drama, heartbreak, love...and...well, so much more!

Let's start off with Lucia. She's got a strong voice. She may not always know what she wants and how to go about it, but she's got some pizazz that kept me intrigued.  Can I spend a day with her? Sounds fun to me.  Lucia has expectations given to her, but chooses to follow her own path. Good for you, woman!  

Marcus...he's a little harder to read. He also has family expectations that are not working with his own dreams, and he's a bit of a mystery. His attitude sometimes drove me a little nuts, but I guess it's supposed to work that way, it brings on more interest on who he is, what he's doing and why.  

The story explores the idea of what could be. Lucia and Marcus have a lot of fireworks, and they aren't always the good kind. Their back and forth banter and comments kept me on my toes.  The secondary characters have a lot of their own drama, which at times could be a tad confusing, but it did bring some interesting things along in the book. I haven't had a chance to read book 2 yet, but I'm very interested to see how things play out! '

But, in the meantime, check out some info on book 2! 





This would have been their perfect love song…
It has been two years since Lucia Mpobo-Riddell has made her choice between the two men in her life. She and her beloved would have been perfectly happy if it wasn’t for… the constant distractions from her past, her sister Noor’s complicated life, her own doubts and fears. Maybe there wasn’t such a thing as perfection and this was a lesson that Lucia was going to learn the hard way.
Greg McMullen and Marcus Grant’s lives had been affected by Lucia’s choice that day in Glasgow two years ago. Since then one had been fighting to keep her when the other had been relentlessly trying to get her back. It soon became apparent to them that she wasn’t the Lucia they met and fell in love with anymore. Her life and priorities had completely shifted. To even consider keeping her or just getting her back, they would have to accept it or they would have to let her go. But would they ever be able to do either?  

Excerpt:
IV. Marcus - Out of love and air supplies…
“Nosy much?” I say sitting next to her. “I just wanted to be left alone and Mary isn’t always good at taking ‘no’ for an answer.” She looks lovely. No she looks wonderful. There’s been something so different about her since her arrival. I still cannot put my finger on it.
“Yes, I’m nosy you cheeky boy! Leaving Doddy and Patrick on their own downstairs! I came to check up on you. Now stop being rude. It doesn’t really work on me.” She puts her head on my shoulder and takes my hand. “I did the same thing on my dad’s funeral. People keep asking if you are fucking all right! I was just eight, idiots, I felt like I would never be all right again.” She lightly kisses my palm. “I promise you, you will Marcus,” she whispers.
“Luce…” I whisper back and kissing her palm. She’s this close to bolting out of here or retrieving into her shell. “Fancy a pity shag?” I say with a sad smug smile.
She knocks her elbow in my rib cage and winces. “That hurts! What have you been doing with yourself?” She asks me rubbing her elbow.
“Hitting the gym, takes the frustration out.” And I have been a frustrated lad.
“Not even my usual friendly nap today Sir! But I have something for you.”
“I said I would not touch you and I have been pretty good so far haven’t I?” I plead with my best puppy dog stare. Lucia has been falling asleep on my bed three times over the last two days. Jetlag…but last night she fell asleep in my arms…my bed smells of her intoxicating smell, it’s pure torture.
“Your mum gave me this. She completely forgot about this picture,” she smiles and hands me the photo. “You lied to me Marcus,” she adds.
“What?” She couldn’t know about The Plan…could she? I look at the photo and flip it. Mercutio and Lucia 1983. “Is this real?”
“Is your real name Mercutio?” she shivers with fake disgust.
“Yeah. I never liked it and wasn’t able to say it properly,” I shrug. It’s a two-year old me nicely kissing a very tiny cute baby. “Is this you?” I point at the baby in the photo.
She nods, “Mercutio…Cushion of course! I always thought that Cushion and a long stretch from Marcus. So…Mercutio, you kissed me first!” she laughs.
“Hey, I was two! It doesn’t count,” I laugh back.
“I don’t know about that. Doddy said that you wouldn’t stop snogging me and they had to take me away. You cried when you went out of the room… aww your first crush,” she smirks.
“You sassy–,” I laugh, I just can’t stop laughing. I haven’t laughed in days… “–how long–“
“She gave it to me when I arrived from London. I thought it would cheer Mercutio up,” she says a bit embarrassed. She’s finally letting her guard down and she knows it.
“I love you Luce.”
“Marcus don’t. You promised,” she says getting off my bed.
“What did you expect me to say or do after that?” I haven’t let go of her hand yet. The hand with the giant engagement ring.
“Let’s go back downstairs with the others.” She pulls me up.
“You’re avoiding the conversation,” I say following her.
“And you sound like a broken record Mercutio. I’m engaged, remember?”
“Yes, how can I forget? But I love you and I’m not ashamed of my feelings. So… pity shag is really off the table?” I ask when I close the door behind us.
She waves her ring at me. “Again, engaged!”
“Right, that you certainly are.”
But The Plan is working. 

Book Links:




“My life journey is like my playlist, amazingly unique but full of contradictions with surprising joys with every song...”
I was born in Quebec City, Canada from Gabonese parents but grew up in Paris and Libreville the Gabonese capital until the age of 18. Are you yawning yet? I am...
I moved back to Canada in 1999 after high school in Libreville to study Cinematography and Digital movie production in Laval University in Quebec then The International Academy of Design and Technology in Toronto. After graduating in 2003, I decided to sell my soul to the corporate world and worked in the Benefit Outsourcing Industry for seven in Toronto before reconnecting with her first passion writing.
"A teacher told me in high school that people didn't read anymore so I decided that I would make movies instead...so that didn't stick…"
I finally went back to school to study creative writing at Georges Brown College in 2010 and 2011. I started to write The Coulda Woulda Shoulda Song Series as an assignment and finished Book One in late 2011 before moving to London.
And the rest as they say is history... Almost two years later, I'm in London and wrote three novels: This Could Have Been Our Song! A coulda woulda shoulda ballad... (Book one) currently available on amazon and soon in iTunes, Kobo, Barnes and Nobles and Smashwords. The sequel This Would Have Been Our Song! Catchy tune and dancers’ tales will be released in January 2014 and the third part of the trilogy This Should Have Been Our Song! The happy ever after melody will be released in January 2015. Bird Of Prey, my first mystery romance novel has been released in October 7th, 2013. The first sequel The Plot Thickens (a novella) release date is December 27th, 2013. The second one Polliannah Got Married! will be released in April 2014 or earlier. 

Stalker Links:


There is a giveaway with the tour, but the Rafflecoptor info is giving me fits today, so follow along with the tour and check out the other stops with the Rafflecoptor in it....hopefully Blogger will sort itself out and i can get the link in at some point! :D 





Virtue





Virtue
Amy Jarecki

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Turquoise Morning Press

Date of Publication: 12/3/13

ISBN: 978-1-62237-234-8
ASIN: B00H343Y1S

Number of pages: 338
Word Count: 88,640

Cover Artist: Kim Jacobs


Book Description:

Sheltered, raised in rural Utah, Zoe Marshall has never heard of the Mayan Prophecy of the Golden Goddess—but she’s about to.

At the moment she’s thrilled to have landed her dream job dancing on a cruise ship where she meets Belizean Gabriel AhKin. The sizzling bartender stirs her passion.
When the ship docks in Belize, Zoe disappears—spirited into the bowels of a Mayan cult led by a reclusive fanatic. When the madman sees her, he divines Zoe is the Golden Goddess. She is “the one” to fulfill the prophecy. Now Gabriel’s driving obsession is to save the woman who’s captured his heart.






 Virtue “The Cut Scenes” Book, is free to everyone on Smashwords, Barnes & Noble and the iBookstore.



Excerpt:

The first time the hero sees the heroine:
Long blond hair fluttered with the breeze, legs that wouldn’t stop, and a body so well proportioned, he’d only seen the likes in swimsuit editions of Sports Illustrated.
She looked his way and his breath caught. He quickly glanced down, busying himself with the glasses. Gabriel’s heart thundered in his ears as she approached.
Hi,” she said, her American accent friendly, not bitchy like other incredibly beautiful tourists he’d encountered. “You think I could get a Diet Coke?”
Gabriel looked up. She smiled, white teeth, eyes that reflected the sea, flawless skin. “Ah. Sure.” He reached for a glass, one of the fancy plastic tumblers. He scooped in some ice and grabbed a toothpick umbrella, garnishing it with a lime and a red maraschino cherry. Holding up her special drink, he grinned. “Why diet?”
She lowered her extraordinarily long lashes. “I’m a dancer—always watching my figure, you know.”
You’re a dancer on the ship?”
She took a sip. “Uh huh. Arrived last night.” When she leaned in, he caught a delicious fragrance like rain falling on orange blossoms. “I’m pretending I’m lost and taking a little self-guided tour on my way to the theater. I thought I’d have a look around before spending who knows how many hours tied to the stage.”
Off to rehearse, huh?”
Yep. Had to learn two shows in a week.” She pointed to her white flip-flops. “I’m wearing these to air out the blisters on my toes.”
He glanced down, but only made it as far as her well-muscled, slender thighs. Perfection. “Sounds painful.”
It’ll be all right.” She leaned closer with the most adorable smile he’d ever seen in his life. “Know what?”
Gabriel hoped drool wasn’t draining out the corner of his mouth. “What?”
The lead dancer is leaving the show after this tour, and I’ve been picked for the fan dance.”
God in heaven, why did that not surprise him? He’d choose her for any spotlight dance. He’d pick her just to stand center stage for hours on end. You want to drape those pegs across my bar so I can stare at them all day? Holy mother, she could do anything she wanted.



About the Author:

Before college, I was a showgirl. I toured—singing and dancing my way around the world in a review called Follies on Broadway. Several years later, I dreamed up the plot for VIRTUE after I took a cruise to Belize...

How cool would it be to write a romantic suspense about a dancer who falls in love with a hot Belizean man and ends up in more trouble than Indiana Jones?



Twitter: @amyjarecki




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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Come To Me Quietly




Come To Me Quietly Blog Tour!
January 7th – February 7th

Title: Come To Me Quietly (The Closer to You Series, Book 1)
Author: A.L. Jackson
Release Date: January 7, 2014
Genre: New Adult Romance
Blog Tour hosted by: Shh Moms Reading, Literary Mania Reviews, and Brandee’s Book Endings


From the acclaimed bestselling author of Lost to You and When We Collide comes a new adult novel of one woman’s obsession: a man who’s as passionate as he is elusive—and as tempting as he is trouble…

Aleena Moore is haunted by Jared Holt. It’s been six years since she’s seen her brother’s best friend, the self-destructive bad boy she secretly loved in high school. As the years pass, she knows it’s time to move on. Time to decide between a practical nursing degree and her true dream as an artist. Time to get over Jared and give another guy a chance…
Just when she opens her heart to her friend Gabe, Aly returns home to find Jared sleeping on her couch. The teenage boy she loved has grown into a man she can’t resist. Covered in tattoos and lost in rage, he’s begging to be saved from his demons—the memories of the day he destroyed his family. As the two reconnect, their passion is hot enough to torch Aly’s judgment. But can she risk her future for a man who lives on the edge of destruction?


Review Rating: 4 LIGHTNING BOLTS

Review:  This is my first read by author A. L. Jackson, and after reading Come to Me Quietly, oh, it certainly won't be the last.  I love a good emotional book that pulls me in and steals my heart. Yeah, this one did for sure. I felt so many different emotions while reading!

The point of views switch between Aly and Jared, and seeing each other after six years takes it's toll on the both of them. He's her brother's best friend, but her feelings ran deeper, as did Jared's even when he wants to deny everything because he doesn't feel he's good enough. They've both been through hell and back, and maybe if they let the walls come down, they could help each other heal.

Beautifully written and haunting, Come to me Quietly took me on an emotional roller coaster. I'm eager for more, and will be looking for other titles by this talented author. 


Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iTunes
Kobo
http://bit.ly/CTMQKobo
Goodreads
Come To Me Quietly Book Trailer
http://youtu.be/hqiqy3BkNpI


Character Inspirations


Aleena Moore: Phoebe Tonkin ~ https://www.facebook.com/PhoebeTonkinForever




Be sure to enter the COME TO ME QUIETLY Blog Tour Giveaway!!

Grand Prize: A.L. Jackson Complete Signed Paperback Collection (all six titles) + Come To Me Quietly Poster and swag

Second Prize: Come To Me Quietly Collection, which includes a signed copy of Come To Me Quietly, a Come To Me Quietly poster, keychain, and custom bookmark

Third Prize: A.L. Jackson Fun Pack stuffed full of A.L. Jackson book swag

Fourth Prize: Audiobook Gift Set from Audible.com of The Regret Series (Lost To You, Take This Regret & If Forever Comes)







And don’t miss the DAILY blog tour giveaways on A.L. Jackson’s Facebook accounts! All kinds of fun stuff will be given away ~ ebooks, gift cards, and much more! EVERY DAY from January 7th – February 7th!!























A.L. Jackson Bio:   





A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled, When We Collide, and If Forever Comes.

She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children.


Look for Come to Me Softly, book two in the Closer To You Series, coming July 1, 2014










Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Cover Reveal: Promise Me Always





Title - Promise Me Always
Author - Kari March
Genre - New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Release Date - Feb 11th 2014
Synopsis
Blake Bentley had a rough upbringing, never fully believing he was good enough for anything or anyone. After being left with a broken heart by his only girlfriend, Blake swore off relationships for good and turned to the only two things that made him feel sufficient - sex and firefighting. 

Tessa Collins was brought up in the traditional 'perfect' family - loving parents, great sister, and amazing friends. After falling in love with Jared, her life was perfect - until he betrayed her. She has no idea that his betrayal could end up costing her more than just a shattered heart.

Blake and Tessa have been friends since high school. Never wanting to admit their attraction for each other, the two always remained close friends. Now, three years later, Blake and Tessa find themselves being pulled together by a force much greater than friendship.
 

Blake and Tessa have promised to be friends forever, but as fate pulls them together, they embark on a roller coaster ride of a lifetime. Will his self doubt and her insecurities keep them apart? Or will they be able to promise each other always?
 

**content is for +18yrs. **




Excerpt Tessa POV
Blake led me through the ballroom and out into the hotel lobby. He pulled me into a corner before we got to the front desk, and slowly turned to look at me, his eyes searching mine. He lightly placed his hands on my shoulders, like he was trying to ensure he had my undivided attention. “Tess, are you sure you want to stay here? It is your call. We can get in the limo now and I can take you home. I’ll do whatever you want to do, baby girl. I don’t want you to do anything you're not comfortable with.”
I tried my hardest to fight back the laughter. I know he was trying to be a gentleman, but really what did he take me for—a virgin? He knew all too well that I wasn’t. “That's really sweet, Blake, but I am a big girl and I think I can handle sleeping in the same room with you. I promise, if I ever feel uncomfortable with anything that we are doing, I will have no problem voicing my opinion.” I gave him a sexy smile, hoping he would get the double meaning behind my statement.
“You promise?” he asked, tilting his head to the side and looking at me with that smile that made me weak in the knees. I was getting the feeling that he understood exactly what I was saying.
“Always,” I replied as I looked up at him. His dark eyes were staring at me with desire. The movement of his tongue reaching out to lick his lips drew my attention down to his perfect mouth. God, how I wanted to taste him again! But there was no way I was making the first move. Not again. I noticed his eyes shift down to my mouth and I lightly bit my bottom lip. He slid his hand from my shoulder to the back of my neck, while his other hand reached up and gently cradled my face. He slowly leaned down and placed his lips on mine. I opened my mouth slightly, allowing him to enter further. That was all he needed. He invaded my mouth with his tongue, and as he deepened the kiss, I knew in his own way he was claiming me. He was forceful and aggressive, yet slow and tender as he savored every move he made. My whole body was shaking and my sex was aching. I had never been kissed like that before.
The hand that had been cradling my face was now on my lower back, pulling my body closer to him. My arms were clutched around his neck and my hands were working their way through his dark hair. I never wanted this kiss to end.
We were in our own little world where no one else existed. As his hand moved down to my ass, my body quivered with excitement. I wanted him here and now. Then I remembered where we were—a hotel lobby with lots of people around. He must have felt me tense up a little because he slowly ended the kiss. Resting his forehead on mine, he looked down at me. We were both breathing heavy as we stared at each other.
“I have wa
nted to do that ever since you opened your door tonight,” he whispered.

Author Bio   
I am a new adult contemporary author that is currently working on my first novel, Promise Me Always. I am a wife, mother of 2 amazing kiddos, photographer and owner at K23 Photography & Design, graphic designer and cover designer at K23 Designs, as well as an avid reader and blogger at A Book Whores Obsession! I have been married since 2004 to the most amazing man ever and together we have two amazing children.

I was born in Aurora, CO and still reside their today with my amazing family. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else in the world. I have become accustom to bi-polar weather living here and I absolutely love getting all four seasons (although winters could be a bit shorter.)


I have a small obsession with Starbucks and gummy bears! They make the perfect writing snack! Wine helps a lot too especially with the late night writing sessions. I love the summer and everything that goes along with it, camping, swimming, boating, hiking, etc. I love to travel and Disneyland is one of my family's favorite places to visit together. I have a dream of visiting so many places in the world such as Italy, Greece, Australia, Fiji, Bora Bora and New Zealand (just to name a few.)
I have met so many amazing people in this journey so far and I cannot wait to see what the future holds.
Author Links
Facebook - http://facebook.com/karimarchauthor
Website - http://karimarchauthor.wordpress.com
Email - karimarchauthor@gmail.com
Twitter - @kmarch23
Giveaway
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