Tuesday 14 January 2014

Blog Tour ~ The Sweet Spot ~ Aria Williams






Ani Winthrop has spent the last ten years trying to forget what it meant to be Ani Mackenzie, the girl who had to say good-bye to her childhood love Sebastian O’Reilly when she was just sixteen. She married a wonderful man, had a beautiful daughter with him, and opened up her own bakery, The Sweet Spot. But when Sebastian walks into her bakery after fifteen years apart, she cannot ignore that he is the only one who could ever truly find her sweet spot.

Sebastian has returned to Boston now, no longer a boy, a man with a feral intensity and a hard muscled body tattooed with the story of his years away from Ani. He has returned to claim the love of his life, only to find that Ani is a wife and mother to another man’s child. 

Now Ani has to choose between the love that she has for her husband Jordan, a handsome and successful pediatric neurosurgeon, and the love for Sebastian that she has never been able to let go of.




Buy Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Boston-Harbor-Romances-ebook/dp/B00EBMSK00/



Nook:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-sweet-spot-ariel-ellman/1116309081

Excerpt:

Sebastian’s eyes darkened with desire at Ani’s teasing words and he pushed her plate away from her and leaned in to capture her lips between his teeth.
“Hey, I’m hungry,” Ani protested against Sebastian’s mouth with a laugh.
“I’ll feed you,” Sebastian whispered, picking up a piece of dripping chicken with his fingers and sliding it into Ani’s mouth. Ani sucked Sebastian’s finger into her mouth and licked the dripping juices as he fed her.
“More,” Ani whispered, twisting around and lifting herself up onto the table until she was sitting in front of Sebastian with her legs in his lap.  
Sebastian dipped his fingers into the dish of chicken and rubbed the dripping sauce across Ani’s bottom lip as he slipped his thumb under her teeth, rubbing the taste of curry on the roof of her mouth.
“I’ll never be able to taste curry again without thinking about you in my mouth,” Ani moaned, throwing her head back as Sebastian continued to drip sauce onto her lips.
“Still want to eat?” Sebastian breathed, pushing the bowl aside and laying Ani down onto the table.
“Yes. You,” Ani moaned in reply, reaching for Sebastian and pulling him toward her.
“You want to know what I dreamed of in prison when I had my hand wrapped around my dick?” Sebastian whispered, unbuttoning his jeans and pulling Ani up toward him.
“Yes,” Ani breathed, reaching forward and pulling Sebastian out of his jeans.
“I closed my eyes and imagined your hands on me instead of my own,” Sebastian whispered, wrapping his hands around Ani’s as she stroked him. I imagined you tasting me.” Sebastian rubbed his fingers across the tip of himself and wet them with the beads of pre-come that oozed out. “I imagined this,” Sebastian murmured, bringing his sticky fingers up to Ani’s mouth and rubbing them against her lips. 
“I missed the taste of you,” Ani moaned, licking the salty residue on her lips and bringing her face down to run her tongue across the tip of Sebastian’s leaking cock.
“But you know what I dreamed of the most?” Sebastian moaned as Ani took him in her mouth.
“What?” Ani breathed, lifting her head up to stare into Sebastian’s piercing eyes.
“Being inside you,” Sebastian confessed, pushing Ani back down onto the table and spreading her legs open as he peeled off her jeans. “I yearned to sink myself inside you.” He slid a finger into Ani, stretching her open for him.
“Please,” Ani begged, pulling Sebastian down on top of her.
“I remember our first time like it was yesterday,” Sebastian murmured, sliding his finger out of Ani and thrusting inside her with a groan. “You were so tight and wet, so sweet.” He traced the hickeys down Ani’s body with his tongue.
“You smelled like the sea,” Ani whispered back.

Author Bio
I got my first taste of romance novels tucked away in the back of Papyrus, a little bookstore near Columbia University in Manhattan, when I was eleven years old. They had a children’s section, but it was downstairs in the basement, accessed by a separate street entrance, and they always closed it before we got there.

My father liked to take me and my brothers to bookstores late at night, after spending at least an hour lingering over black coffee and poppy seed cookies at The Hungarian Pastry Shop on Amsterdam Avenue and we never made it over to Papyrus before ten p.m.

Out of boredom, trapped in the dusty aisles of Papyrus late at night, I started browsing through all the old used books. I wasn’t too interested in the textbook sections that catered to the Columbia students, but I did fall in love with the paperback romance novels. The first one that I read was an epic 500-page historical love story set during the War of 1812. I was drawn in instantly, and I fell in love with romance novels after that. My oldest and dearest friend Barbara’s older sister, Audrey, lent me my second romance novel, a tattered paperback that reminded me of a steamier version of the movie Romancing the Stone with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. After that, I could always be found in the romance section of B. Dalton Books, devouring steamy historical romance novels by Catherine Coulter and Dorothy Garlock.

I then proceeded to write my own romance series, which I thought was fabulous, but since I was only twelve and had an almost non-existent love life to base it on, it probably wasn’t actually that exciting.

Over the years, I detoured away from the standard romance novels as I delved into classic literature as an English major in college at Drew University, and I fell in love with the classics: Jane Austin, George Elliot, The Bronte Sisters, Hardy, and Hawthorne. In my personal reading, I delved into Gail Tsukiyama, Dorothy Allison, Kathryn Harrison, Julia Alvarez, Anita Shreve and many others. I devoured memoirs by Alexandra Fuller, Adeline Yen Mah and Helen Fremont. I went through a Patricia Cornwell phase and even considered becoming a mortician, earning the nickname Morticia from my husband’s high school buddy Jeremy. But through it all, the constant theme that attracted me to everything that I read was romance, and in the end, I found myself circling back and falling in love with the good old romance novel again.

Upon my return to my old love, the romance novel, I fell in love with Julie Garwood and read every historical romance that she wrote at least five times. Then I discovered Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander books and tore through them, sulking and grumbling as I waited for each new book in the series to come out.

During this process of abandoning the romance novel and finally returning to it, I graduated college, married a wonderful man and spent the next twelve years having five children, which kept me a little busy and distracted me from the one thing that I love more than reading romance novels, writing them.

So armed with a little more history in the love department than I had at twelve, I decided to dive back in and write The Sweet Spot. I had no idea initially that it was going to be the first book in my Boston Harbor Romance series, but as I was writing it, I realized that I didn’t want the story to end, and that so many of the characters in the book had stories that needed to be told.

Whenever I finish reading a great romance, it is always bittersweet because I miss the characters that I have fallen in love with. The wonderful thing about a series is that you never have to say good-bye.

Author Social Media Links:
Goodreads Book II: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18712139-mixing-it-up



Mixing It Up Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mixing-It-Up-Book-II-by-Ariel-Ellman/522103127868600

Website: www.arielellman.com

Interview with Ariel:

What is your writing inspiration?:
Everything around me inspires my work. Sometimes something simple will spark an idea, like the feel of a raindrop on my cheek, and sometimes my inspiration will come from something deeper, a feeling that a friend or loved one evokes in me.

What would you die without?:
My AMAZING support network of friends and family

What is your favorite guilty pleasure?:
Definitely reading romance books! And drinking my coffee with heavy cream ;).

Did any of your early ideas or characters make it into your current work?:
Yes and no. All of the characters in The Sweet Spot were original to the book, but the idea of Ani and Sebastian’s story came from a fictionalized memoir that I was working on before it. Everyone that read my memoir kept fixating on the story of my first love from my teenage years, and the unresolved way that we left each other. The interest that everyone showed in that aspect of my original story sparked the idea of Ani and Sebastian’s love story in The Sweet Spot.

Do any of your friends or family inspire the characters in the book?:
Yes! My relationship with my little sister definitely inspired the relationship between Ani and Sawyer in The Sweet Spot and the entire series. My sister and I cannot be around each other without doubling over in hysterics every five minutes. We laugh non -stop when we’re together, we both have foul mouths and a playful sense of humor, and we know each other inside and out. We mother each other to death, and we know that we can always count on each other no matter what. There is nothing like a sister to get you through all your good times and bad, and Ani and Sawyer’s relationship reflects that throughout the entire series.

Do you have any new projects in the work for another book?:
Yes! I am currently writing Book IV in my Boston Harbor Romance Series, which is about Bella, Bobby’s little sister, who you meet briefly in Book II. I’m really in love with this story, partly because I feel like I have a little more freedom and flexibility with this book than I had with Book II, Mixing It Up, and Book III, Mississippi Spice, which will be released next month. In books II and III, the characters had already been established from The Sweet Spot, and while I loved telling both Sawyer and Jordan’s stories, I didn’t have as much room to play with them as I do with Bella, because I’d already given my readers certain expectations of Sawyer’s and Jordan’s personalities. With Bella and book IV in general, I feel like I have a blank canvas again, the way that I did with The Sweet Spot when I started the series, and it’s a lot of fun. I love that I can continue to develop all of the existing characters in the series, especially Raffi, who is slowly becoming a teenager and approaching her own story, and yet, I’m also creating something fresh and new at the same time with Bella’s story.

Do you let your close friends and family read your work while you are writing it?: 
Initially I did, and The Sweet Spot went under the microscope with my friends quite a bit through all of it’s stages, but as I’ve progressed through the series, I’ve become a little more hesitant about letting anyone read anything until the first draft is at least complete. While I definitely think it’s valuable to get input from “test” readers, I also think it can sometimes be distracting when you’re still trying to figure out the exact direction that you are heading with the story yourself.  









Release Day ~ Weak for Him ~ Lyra Parish

Weak for Him Cover
Title: Weak for Him (Weakness #1)
Author: Lyra Parish
Genre: New Adult
Release Date: January 11, 2014
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Buy the Book

Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble

 
Synopsis
"Have you heard the saying, 'sex sells'? Well, I'm the supplier."
Finnley Felton sells sex. Jennifer Downs is a virgin. With the help of lady luck, the two meet. Money. Bright lights. Sex. Jennifer is made an offer: sell her virginity to the highest bidder and transform into one of Finnley's girls. But she finds herself weak for him, and doesn't fully realize what she's agreed to until it's too late. Will she rise to the challenge and play by the rules in a land where money is king and love is prohibited? Or will she lose herself and values in the attempt? Weak for him is not considered a "dark" read, but does have unlady-like language, adult subject matter, and s-e-x-ual situations. Weak for Him does not have a cliffhanger. There is resolution but the story does continue on. "If you think I am bluffing by when I say that "Weak For Him" will give you the ride of lifetime, then I say, take a gamble and see for yourself." –Tiffany @ The Naughty Book Dames"  
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Excerpt
Mr. Felton stood facing the windows in a neatly pressed suit. The black tie complemented the black suit, designer from head to toe. His green eyes met my brown gaze, and I smiled, but only received the ghost of one in return. Once the secretary left us, I searched the room, trying to take in every little detail: abstract art on the wall, a conference table in the back, and a lounge area in the middle. The afternoon light cast a yellow glow in the room. A large oak desk, which screamed business executive, had two chairs tucked in front. The room looked comfortable, welcoming, but also professional. The red velvet curtains that overlooked the atrium were jerked closed. "Hi, Finnley. Thank y—" "It's Mr. Felton." My face flushed. How could I be so inconsiderate and unprofessional? I immediately felt stupid. "Mr. Felton. Thank you for allowing me to interview. I've brought my resume and a list of recommendations. I'd love to join your accounting team if you'd allow me." I outstretched my hand and he left me standing there, awkwardly. The smile faded from my face as he leaned against the wooden desk with his arms crossed. "Take off your clothes." His voice was low and silky. "Excuse me?" The words hit me like cool water. I don't think so, asshole. "The interview has begun, Ms. Downs. If you'd like to join my team, you will do what I say and if you'd prefer not, you are more than welcome to turn around and walk that tight ass through the door, and we can pretend as if this never happened." The fierce tone behind his English accent made me cower. I froze as I calculated my next move. What the fuck? The way he looked at me, exploring my body as if he were undressing me, made my stomach flip. No one had ever observed me that way. With a sprinkle of courage, I searched the blank matter-of-fact expression that covered his face. This man was all business. As his long eyelashes hit the tops of his slightly sun-kissed cheeks, I closed my eyes to regroup my thoughts, then opened them quickly. I couldn't let my nerves get the best of me. He moved his messy hair behind his ears, and then sat on the desk, waiting, wanting, daring me to make my move. "Have you decided? Or are we going to waste the good portion of my time daydreaming?" I swallowed. All I ever wanted to do was live in Vegas among the lights and fast-paced city. How did I get myself into this? Take off my clothes? I wasn't some cheap whore to be bossed around. The thought of undressing in front of him disgusted me… or did it? My heart sped as he watched with a lust and want so fierce I shivered. It was now or never, you only live once, right? I peered behind him and stared at the Vegas strip in the distance. With perfect plump lips, and straight white teeth, Mr. Felton smiled at me. In that very moment, I decided to gamble. I didn't know why because I wasn't much for risks. If anyone was a play-it-safe type of girl, it was me. But in that moment, I wanted to be someone different. I wanted to know the outcome of what waited on the other side. I played with lady luck to see what hand she dealt. Maybe I would get lucky.  
About the Author
Lyra Parish loves to write, travel, and sing obnoxiously loud at the top of her lungs in the shower. Sweet love stories (along with the dirty ones) make her gush. She is a firm believer that a person can never have to many cats, cups of coffee, or read to many happily ever after's. When she isn't busy writing, she can be found sipping various beverages from her non-alcoholic drink buffet, pimp slapping excel spreadsheets, or riding her bike. Weak for Him (Weakness #1) is Lyra's debut novel. Weak Without Him (Weakness #2) will release Spring 2014. Lyra currently resides in Texas with her husband and black cat. For more information or to contact, please visit: lyraparish.com
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Blog Tour ~ Banished From Grace ~ Aria Williams

Banished From Grace
By Aria Williams


Life should be easy for this attractive (not to mention, immortal) woman, but throw in two handsome men, a coffee addiction and memory loss that dates back to the medieval ages, and you've got a life that's more than complicated...

Nardia is a very special nurse, one with a unique gift. With the touch of her bare hands, she can heal any physical ailment. With the help of her angel guide, Benilde, Nardia has healed her way through countless centuries.

When she meets AJ at her favorite coffee shop, she can't help but feel an immediate attraction to him. At the same time, she knows there's more to his story than what he's letting on. And then there's the handsome Doctor Regan, who she feels a connection with, but is she trying to make it more than is really there in order to spare her the heartbreak of being with AJ?

Only adding to her problems is the new resident, Dr. Jeffries, who seems out to get her from day one, and a murder case she can't help solve without revealing her own secrets.

Can Nardia uncover the secrets of her own past while still moving forward and saving those in need of her help in the present?


Excerpt


I touched the door. His strides were erratic as he moved toward me, and with one quick turn of the lock, he pulled me inside, sliding his lips onto mine. I met his lips with the same ferocious impact, parting my mouth, tangling his tongue with mine, and sending spikes of fire up my spine. AJ’s hand went behind me, pulling the cord of the blinds closed. This desire was intense. I felt the softness of the corner chaise lounge against my back. I ripped off his shirt, trailing my hands up and down his back. I could feel how hard he was against my leg. My own shirt hugged his on the ground. Undoing his pants, I thought how they would complement the already growing pile. Before I could throw his pants, my own pair joined the pile. We only had our underwear on when AJ pulled back and lightly kissed my neck, slowly stroking my thigh.

Purchase Links


Author Bio


Aria was born in the large county town of Orange situated in NSW, Australia. In 2011 she moved to Forest Reefs NSW and settled on nine acres with her husband and young family. 

Aria completed her Enrolled Endorsed Nursing studies over a year ago, while completing this course the idea for first novel came to her. This dream was put on hold till she finished her studies and settled into her new life in Forest Reefs.

Aria travels to a residential care facility and cares for the disabled during the day and at night enjoys her passion of writing YA and paranormal romances. In her spare time she loves to play with her five Siberian huskies who give her great joy.

Aria novels are being represented by Limitless publishing, with two current series in the works , she has brought us, Banished from grace and Heavenly hell in 2013. Heavenly Hunted second in the heavenly hell series is coming very soon.

During 2014 Aria hopes to delight us with two contemporary romance series.  

Connect With Aria Williams


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Release Day Blitz ~ London Falling ~ T.A. Foster

London Falling by T.A. Foster
 
January 2014
 
 
 
BOOK SUMMARY:
It’s London’s senior year and she only needs one class to graduate. She just didn’t expect her final assignment: fall in love.
Communication 224 has a reputation for giving out the most unique projects of the semester. When London James and Beau Anderson signed up for the class they had no idea they would be paired up together, much less spend an entire semester working on their final grade.
Professor Garcia tasks them to produce a study on the hit reality show, Love Match, a show about strangers falling in love on over the top dates. London and Beau decide to debunk the popular show’s fantasy portrayal of romance. Determined they can date the entire semester and not fall for each other, the classmates share blogs about their dates and start a website where everyone can follow their dating experiment. Resisting their growing attraction for one another is harder than they thought.  
London is in for the toughest class of her college career. The headstrong and success-driven student discovers there might be more important things in life than an A. 
 
BUY LINKS:
Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/L2Li8w
 
 
 
 
Author Information
 
 
T.A. Foster is a Southern girl whose heart and spirit are connected to the beach. She grew up catching rays and chasing waves along the North Carolina Outer Banks and now resides in the state with her adventurous pilot husband, two children and two canine kiddos.
 
Her long love affair with books started at an early age, and as soon as she was able, she transformed imaginative stories into words on paper. Time Spell is T.A.’s debut novel, and the first in a series about a very adventurous, clever, and magical girl named Ivy.
 
T.A. has an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a graduate degree in Educational Psychology from Texas A&M University. When she’s not chasing her two-legged and four-legged children or trying to escape for date night, you can find her reading, writing or planning her next beach trip.
 
 
Author Links: