Blog Tour Teaser & Giveaway: SINGLE by Collette West!

Single by Collette West

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance

Series: Stockton Beavers #1

Underdog Luke “Single” Singleton is yearning to make a comeback. After getting hit in the neck with a pitch—an injury that nearly cost him his life—he has one last chance to play for his hometown team, the Stockton Beavers. But his mom has Alzheimer’s, and he’s all she has to depend on. How can he pursue his career, much less someone special?

Personal care aide Roberta Bennett is done dating baseball players. Having had her share of heartbreak, she heads to Stockton hoping for a fresh start. But after she finds Luke’s mom outside, lost, and alone, she can’t refuse when he hires her on the spot. Unbeknownst to Luke, Roberta is all too familiar with the violent tendencies of the pitcher who hit him.

Now that they’re living under the same roof, the last thing either of them is looking for is a relationship. But it’s not long before they find themselves drawn to each other. And right when Luke is thinking about finally making a change to his single status, a secret from Roberta’s past emerges with the power to tear them apart.

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Teaser

She lifts my arm and bends it at the elbow. It would have to be the arm, the one I couldn't move after receiving the blow to my neck. At first, the docs didn't know if I was partially paralyzed or not. Let's just say it was a scary four and a half days before I finally detected the first sign of feeling in it. I gaze up at her. But does she know that?

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 About the Author

Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball's biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette's impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.

Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as many games as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she's not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her at collette_west@yahoo.com.

She is the author of NIGHT GAMES, GAME CHANGER and GAME ON.

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Blog Tour & Giveaway: Going All the Way by Cynthia Cooke!

Going All The Way by Cynthia Cooke

Genre: Contemporary, Romance

Release Date: February 8th, 2016

After a failed marriage and quitting her high-pressure job, Carrie Steinhem is ready for uncomplicated fun. Love? Not what she’s looking for. She’d rather crash a wedding with her friends and find a hot hookup. The bride’s father is onto her, though. But just as her night out veers toward public embarrassment, a sizzling stranger sweeps in and claims Carrie as his date.

Potential hookup? Check. If she doesn’t get cold feet first.

Ryan Burton is on the fast track to a promotion…assuming he can avoid distractions and nail this new account. Except the woman he rescued at a friend’s wedding ends up not only being his new neighbor—she’s his client’s ex-wife. And his client has every intention of winning her back.

Carrie and Ryan would love to leave complicated alone, but when two people share a duplex and irresistible chemistry, temptation—and love—is right around the corner…

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Excerpt

            “Yes, I know. I blew it. The truth is, I can’t stop thinking about you and the time we had together, as little time as it was. I want to try again. I know it sounds crazy, and I told myself when I was chasing you out here that I wasn’t going to do this. I wasn’t going to ask you out again, and yet here I am doing exactly that.”

Finally the truth. “But you’re still leaving soon.”

“Yes. But what I’m going to do next is up in the air. I haven’t quite decided, and I’m feeling off-balance. Out of my element.”

She smirked. “Yes, I’m aware of that.”

“Hey now,” he protested.

“And you think I can help you with that?”

“No, I have to figure out what it is I want on my own, but I can’t do that until I fix things with you.”

“Why’s that?”

He hesitated, his blue gaze meeting hers and connecting. “Because I can’t think about anything else but you.”

His words were a sucker punch to the gut. She wanted to believe him so badly. To trust what he was saying was true. But she was so afraid if she let him in, if she gave him all she had, if she started to believe they could have something together, he’d eventually turn his back on her and let her down. Again. She resumed running. Slowly, if for no other reason than to put some distance between them. He was getting to her: the sincerity in his eyes, the truth in his tone. She couldn’t say for sure whether he was being honest, but she could say that she knew how he was feeling, because she was feeling it too.

 “I was looking forward to taking my buddy Riley here to the beach that day,” she said, dipping that first toe into proverbial waters.

“We would have had a great time.”

            “So I might be open to giving it a try. As long as this isn’t about sex.” She looked at him. “That’s not what this is about, is it? Are you just hoping to get back into my pants?"

"I would never..." he said, his hand on his chest. And she couldn't help laughing.

"Yes, you would."

"Okay, I would,” he admitted. “But no, that's not why I'm here. Though I really do like watching you run in those pants."

"Funny!”

She’d missed him. She'd missed this, right here—their ease with each other. And the way he could make her laugh. God, she missed laughing.

"All right,” she agreed. “Tomorrow. Same time, same place. But you're going to have to keep up. And if you can..."

“Yes?” he asked hopefully.

“Then maybe after we win the Costas account we can take Riley to the beach.” And with that she took off, leaving him in the dust.

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About the Author

Cynthia Cooke is an award-winning author who has published several books with Harlequin/Silhouette, Steeple Hill, and Entangled Publishing. She has a deep affection for romance, thrillers and all things that go bump in the night. So if you choose to delve into one of her stories, don’t forget to turn on the lights. Cynthia’s books aren’t sweet and they aren’t for the faint of heart.
Embrace the Seduction and prepare to get naughty and have a little fun!

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Blog Tour Excerpt & Giveaway: Game Winner by Collette West!

Game Winner by Collette West

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance

Series: New York Kings

Playing center field for the New York Kings, Jake Woodbury has one of the most prestigious jobs in all of sports. To the world, he's the good-looking, soft-spoken minister's son who’s survived celebrity without a hint of scandal. But, inside, he's reeling from a secret that seems destined to haunt him forever.

Scarlett Moore is one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, famous for singing about her celebrity ex-boyfriends. The CEO of her record label has carefully honed her provocative image since she was fifteen. Sex sells, and Scarlett’s well aware that it takes more than talent to stay on top.

One thing is clear: She’s the last thing Jake needs. And he’s the do-gooder jock she should avoid at all costs. But when the game begins, all bets are off.

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Excerpt

      Something's bothering him.

      And I'm going to drag it out of him, one kiss at a time if I have to.

      He didn't want to come up to my room with me, but he did, and that tells me all I need to know.

      By following me up here, he conceded any chance he had at maintaining home-field advantage. Yet, based on the way he's ravishing my mouth, he fully intends to score.

      I tease him with my tongue, prodding him to let go and give in to me. He groans, nipping at my bottom lip before quickly soothing it over with his tongue. I smile against his lips, loving how his gentle side is always quick to emerge, even when he's attacking my mouth, consumed with desire.

      The elevator chimes and the door slides open, but he doesn't stop. Instead, he walks backward with me clinging to his body, his mouth all over mine. Luckily, I made sure to have my keycard in hand before leaving the ballroom. It takes me a few tries before I'm finally able to swipe it over the automated lock, and then we crash through the door, blindly stumbling across the room before collapsing onto the bed.

      "Jake!" I gasp, breaking away from him.

      But he just recaptures my lips, not even giving me a chance to catch my breath.

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About the Author

Collette West grew up as somewhat of a jock-nerd hybrid. Entering the world three weeks premature, her dad nearly missed her birth because he had seats behind the dugout for a sold-out, highly-anticipated match-up between two of baseball's biggest rivals. Not to be outdone, her book-loving mom taught her how to read by the time she was three. A love of the game coupled with an appreciation for the written word were instilled in Collette's impressionable brain from a young age. No wonder her characters believe in the philosophy: sports + romance = a little slice of heaven.

Splitting her time between the Pocono Mountains and Manhattan, Collette indulges her inner fangirl by going to as many games as she can from hockey to baseball and downloading every sports romance novel in existence onto her iPad. When she's not clicking away on her laptop, she enjoys walking her dog in Central Park, satisfying her caffeine craving at the Starbucks on Broadway and keeping an eye out for Mr. Right. But above all, she loves dishing with her readers. Email her at collette_west@yahoo.com.

She is the author of NIGHT GAMES, GAME CHANGER and GAME ON.

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Blog Tour Teaser & Giveaway: Played by Clare James

Played by Clare James

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publication: October 19th, 2015 by Entangled Publishing (Brazen Imprint)

Play. Or be played.
The music should be enough. End of story. But Aaron Major is finding out it’s not, and now his agent has hired a firm of suits to help launch his debut album, turning his life into a goddamn circus. Smile here. Play there. Be nice. Well, screw that. If Aaron wanted to spend his time shaking hands and kissing babies, he would’ve gone into politics.

Helping launch the career of country singer Aaron Major should be a cakewalk for PR pro Melody Sharp. Aaron is charming, sexy, and oh-so-appealing when he’s on stage. Off stage, though, he’s her worst nightmare. A stubborn, ornery, reclusive nightmare without a lick of business—or fashion—sense. The only way he’s going to make it in music is with a serious makeover—and quite possibly a personality transplant.
Soon, they’re engaged in a game of give and take, and though it’s Melody calling the shots, it’s Aaron who holds all control…

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About the Author

Clare James writes contemporary romance and new adult novels with spunky heroines and sexier-than-sin heroes. Her books have made several best-selling lists including the tender love stories in the Impossible Love series; the steamy romantic comedy Dirty Little Lies; and the touching family drama Wednesday. She’s also the author of a new series with Entangled’s Brazen line about the women of Elite PR and their very naughty clients. The first two books in the series are out now!

A former dancer, Clare still loves to get her groove on – mostly to work off her beloved cupcakes and red wine. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and young son, and is always on social media chatting with readers.

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Blog Tour, Guest Post: A Wife in Every Sense by Joanne Walsh

A Wife in Every Sense by Joanna Walsh

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance

Publication: September 14th, 2015 by Entangled Publishing

Kate Burrows is crushing on her boss big time. Aleksei Aleksanou is tall, dark, and every inch the image of a classic Greek god—if said Greek god was incredibly sexy, rich, and a complete player. The only way she can get over him is by quitting her job and seeing the world...once she indulges in one wickedly-hot night with him.

Only now she's pregnant.

Aleksei is furious when Kate arrives on the small Greek island of Naxea and tries to hide the truth for him. He takes matters into his own hands—by announcing the pregnancy to his family and asking her to marry him. Now Kate must decide if she can marry the man of her hottest, sexiest dreams...knowing she will never be the wife of his heart. 

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About the Author

Joanne Walsh became hooked on romance when her grandma gave her a copy of Gone with the Wind for her birthday. The teachers at her strict girls' school didn't approve of reading such a 'racy' novel and confiscated it. But Joanne had been introduced to Rhett Butler and so began her life-long love affair with the rogue alpha hero. She became a voracious romance reader and, later, enjoyed a long career as an editor for one of the world's leading women's fiction publishers, where she collaborated with some wonderful writers.

These days, Joanne lives in the south of England and divides her time between working as a freelance fiction editor and writing romance, and spending time with her very own real-life hero...

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Guest Post

Why I Love an Alpha Hero by Joanne Walsh

Hi, I’m Joanne and I’m an alphaholic!  I’ve always loved romances where the hero is an alpha male.  My addiction started when my grandmother gave me her copy of Gone with the Wind (1936 first edition!) and I encountered Rhett Butler: tall, dark, handsome, wiley and wealthy, with that indefinable charisma and a touch of the boy-gone-bad. And I’ve been hooked ever since.

Some people tell me loving alpha heroes is bad for me—they’re all the same and not very nice.  But I don’t think so.  To me, the alpha is the ultimate in male heroism: strong, a natural leader, with high values and morals.  Okay, some can start out being a little arrogant and stubborn, maybe they’ll need to learn a lesson in how to love. But they’re good men at heart, and I adore the process of seeing them discovering this as they seek redemption.  If there’s an alpha male starring in a romance, you can guarantee the story will be fast paced and passionate; the man whom all women want, he’s a little harder to get, and the heroine will fall hard for him, with all the resulting delicious conflict and sexual tension!

When I found an opportunity in my life to realize a long-held ambition to write, I knew instantly that it would be romance, and that I would create alpha heroes of my own.  Aleksei Aleksanou, the Greek hero of A Wife in Every Sense is a classic alpha. Tough, driven, incredibly gorgeous and extremely rich, he’s quite traditional in his outlook. Deep down, he wants a wife whom he can protect, who will give him children he can nurture and indulge.  But Aleksei’s own childhood was marred by tragedy and a lack of love, so he cannot trust himself in relationships.  However, one night spent with Kate, his ex-personal assistant—who has secretly fallen for him—has unexpected consequences, and suddenly he’s faced with having to step up a plate filled with marriage and fatherhood.

I hope you will enjoy a little drop of alphaholism when you read A Wife in Every Sense, and also Aleksei’s journey to where he finally opens his heart.

 

Blog Tour w/ Giveaway: Take a Risk (bundle) by Robin Bielman!

Take a Risk (bundle) by Robin Bielman

Complete Novella Series

Romance

Available September 14th, 2015 from Entangled Publishing

The Take a Risk bundle by USA Today best selling author Robin Bielman includes three of her popular Take a Risk novellas plus an additional, never-before-published novella, One Night of Risk.
Worth the Risk Their love was ancient history...until their paths crossed again. Samantha Bennett put Dean Malloy out of her mind five years ago, when he broke her heart after a summer fling. But now he's back in her life, and ready to steal a heritage protection contract that could make or break her career–if he doesn't steal her heart first. Samantha's vowed to hate him, but it's more than anger heating the competition between them. With sparks flying across the conference table and sizzling in every touch, Dean proposes a weekend liaison. Anything to have Sam again–anything to get her out of his system. But the unresolved feelings between them complicate their personal and professional lives, and one wild weekend could turn into a disaster that would destroy the one job that means more to Samantha than anything. Risky Surrender She'll search for treasure but steal his heart. Lucy Davenport made a promise to her father and husband right before they died, and she's vowed to keep it any cost. But when she draws unwanted attention to her secret plans, she's forced to risk everything she's kept guarded. Because the man standing in her way threatens not only her goal but the walls she's carefully constructed around her heart. Keats McCall is an environmental preservationist navigating the globe on behalf of heritage protection. When he catches Lucy at his latest project, he suspects she's up to no good. She's secretive, sexy as hell–and has trouble written all over her. He devises a plan to keep her close so he can watch her. But what he isn't prepared for is just how close he wants to get. His Million-Dollar Risk Determined to make his latest preservation project on Route 66 a success, Connor Gibson will take any good press he can get–even if it means spending a week with a reporter. And even if it’s one from a publication he has good reason to hate. Connor certainly isn’t expecting a spontaneous and undeniably attractive blonde who makes him seriously hot for the press... Charlize Beckett is in deeeep trouble. This is her one chance to prove to her publisher dad that she's a serious journalist, even if she has to pretend she's someone else. Worse, is trying to maintain any objectivity with the way too charming Connor. She can't help but get into all kinds of sexy trouble with him. But by going off the record, Charlie is putting both her reputation and her heart on the line... One Night of Risk It's good girl Malia Davis's turn to be bad. Very bad. Malia has returned to Kauai to retrieve a piece of crystal her sick mother believes has healing properties. Malia thinks her only problem is accessing the “closed to the public” temple where the crystal is buried. She's wrong. She has an even bigger problem—the guy who broke her heart ten years ago. The guy she hates...and still wants oh-so-badly. A former Navy SEAL, security expert Clay Doherty is investigating the thefts at the temple. Malia's presence and the undeniable chemistry between them complicate matters. Certain that Malia is up to something, Clay will do whatever it takes to protect her...even if it means losing her for good.

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About the Author

When not attached to her laptop, USA Today Bestselling Author and RITA Finalist, Robin Bielman loves to read, take hikes with her hubby, and frequent coffee shops. A California girl, the beach is her favorite place for fun, relaxation, and inspiration. She loves to go on adventures, and has skydived, scuba dived, parasailed, gotten lost in the wilderness (and only suffered a gazillion bug bites for it) hiked to amazing waterfalls, and swam with dolphins. In her spare time she also tries to put her treadmill to good use while watching her favorite TV shows, indulges her sweet tooth, and plays a mean game of sock tug of war with her cute, but sometimes naughty dog, Harry.

Writing is a dream come true, and she still pinches herself to be sure it’s real. She lives in Southern California with her high school sweetheart husband and younger of two sons. Her oldest is out in the real word and she couldn’t be prouder. She loves to connect with readers. Get the scoop on Robin, her books, and sign up for her newsletter on her website at http://robinbielman.com

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Excerpt

Hi everyone! Thank you Debbie, Raquel, Wanda and Damaris for having me here to celebrate my new boxed set release! I thought I’d share an excerpt from One Night of Risk with you today.

One Night of Risk is the fourth and final novella in my Take A Risk series, and a bonus to the newly bundled boxed set. Each book is a stand alone, but connected by my heritage protection heroes. Guys who are passionate about the environment and preserving history, and love adventure. Falling in love isn't on their radar, but my heroines’ trip them up…big time.

Excerpt from One Night of Risk…

Malia woke to the sound of rain tapping the window. She stretched her very satiated muscles and before waking fully, pictured Clay. His gaze full of warmth and passion; his incredible, naked body as he pushed inside her; his smile, the one filled with mischief when he reacted to something she said or did.

            Turning to her side in hopes of catching him in slumber, she opened her eyes and her heart bottomed out. She slid her hand over the cool, abandoned spot as her chest squeezed. She’d promised herself not to let him in, not to treat last night as anything special, but the tightness burning a hole behind her ribs said she’d failed epically at that.

            Of course he’d hightailed it out of here this morning. He’d agreed to stay the night, nothing more, and the stupid way her heart hurt was ridiculous.

            She rolled onto her back and pressed her fingers to her eyelids to push back the emotion threatening to spill out in tears she thought had dried up. She wasn’t a teenager anymore and could handle this.

            She didn’t regret their night together. Not for a single second.

            The only thing she regretted was not waking first and kissing him good-bye with a carefree attitude.

            She brought her arms down and pressed her palms into the mattress, taking a deep breath. She needed to put last night in the “win” column. Sex multiple times with a sexy man who had ninja-level seduction skills should probably be at the top of that column actually.

            The ache started to dissipate and she smiled.

Besides, she was here on a mission and the man in her bed last night compromised that. She sat up and glanced out the window. Early summer storms usually passed quickly, but digging in the mud wouldn’t be fun. And if Clay were onto her, which she suspected he was, she’d better not trespass again too soon. She wished he’d just come out and tell her he knew instead of waiting for her to come clean. Didn’t he realize how hard that was for her?

She closed her eyes and allowed herself one more vision of his gorgeous everything. One more thought. When she opened her eyes she wouldn’t spend another second thinking about Clay Doherty.

Only when she did lift her lids, she saw him standing in the doorway watching her. “Goddammit.”

The Clay in the doorway chuckled and said, “Good morning to you, too.”

She blinked, but he still stood there. In the flesh. Her forehead fell into her palm. Her heart did a shimmy. “I thought you were a mirage.”

He laughed again and the sound was altogether too delicious. “On a tropical island?” He moved into the room.

She shrugged.

“You thought I’d left.” The bed dipped as he sat and handed her a cup of something that smelled like hot chocolate with cinnamon.

“Maybe.”

His brows screwed up in disbelief.

“Can you blame me?”

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Blog Tour with Giveaway: Finding Center by Katherine Locke

Finding Center by Katherine Locke
New Adult, Contemporary Romance
District Ballet Company #2
Expected Publication: August 17th, 2015

Zed and ballet are my two greatest loves.

But a tragic accident ripped them from Aly's life six years ago and it took all her strength to get them back. She’s had a long road to recovery and has returned, dancing full-time for The District Ballet Company and carrying Zed’s child. But Aly is slipping. Each day becomes a fight to keep her career from crumbling under the weight of younger talent, the scrutiny of the public eye, and the limitations of her ever-changing body. A fight she fears she’s losing.

I’m scared Aly is broken to her core.

Zed recognizes signs, but he doesn’t know how to fix her. The accident left him with his own demons, and while he wants nothing more than to take care of Aly, it’s getting harder the further she spirals. When Aly’s life is threatened and Zed’s injuries prevent him from saving her, he’s never felt so useless, so afraid he is no longer capable of being the man Aly and their child needs.

With new life comes new hope. And with their fractured lives already hanging by a thread, Aly and Zed must discover if they have what it takes—both together and apart—to rebuild and carry on.

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5 Songs from Finding Center’s Playlist (Guest Post)

Like many writers, I love to listen to music as I write. I don’t mind music with lyrics either, though I usually pick a song in another language to put on loop while I edit. Here are five songs from Finding Center’s playlist that helped me get into the mood for writing Zed and Aly!

1.      STORM WARNING by Hunter Hayes – This reminded me a lot of Aly from Zed’s perspective. I think Aly doesn’t always know that she’s fun, and lively, and lovable. Zed doesn’t forget that, but sometimes he feels like he’s in a huge storm: thrilling and terrifying at the same time.

2.      BLESS THE BROKEN ROAD by Rascal Flatts – this was my quiet song for Zed’s POV. If you know this song, I think it’s easy to understand why. No matter where these two were in the world, they were always going to find each other, and then find each other again, and again, as often as they need to.

3.      PAST LIVES by Kesha – I love this song, way more than I thought I would. It was the song I listened to for when Aly was sad or struggling. She never doubts Zed, and this song reminds me of that. “I keep on falling for you, time after time, time after time, I’ll make you mine, time after…”

4.      ALREADY HOME by A Great Big World – another gentle sweet song about love, after the happily ever after. After the we’re in love and this is what we want our lives to be. “I say, we’re right in the heart of it. A love only we understand. I will bend every light in this city and make sure they’re shining on you.”

5.      MESS IS MINE by Vance Joy – I’m not saying that I’ve written Zed and Aly’s first dance to this song, but I’m not saying it’s not sitting on my hard drive. I love this song so much and it makes me cry. In a good way!      

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About the Author

Katherine Locke lives and writes in a very small town outside of Philadelphia, where she’s ruled by her feline overlords and her addiction to chai lattes. She writes about that which she cannot do: ballet, time travel, and magic. When she’s not writing, she’s probably tweeting. She not-so-secretly believes most stories are fairy tales in disguise. She can be found online at katherinelockebooks.com and on Twitter: @bibliogato.

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