COVER REVEAL with ARC GIVEAWAY for Against the Tide by Nikki Groom

 
Against the Tide

by Nikki Groom

Release Date: April 13, 2015

Contemporary Romance

I was happy until I met him.

I was content until I met her.

That's a lie. I was lonely.

That's a lie. I was incomplete.

He was nothing but a handsome distraction.

She was nothing but a pretty pastime.

That's untrue. He changed my life.

That's untrue. She altered my world.

I blame him.

I blame her.

I blame myself. He wasn't to know.

I blame myself. It wasn't her fault.

I don't want to need him.

I hate that I want her.

There's no easy solution.

There's no going back.

I realise that I’ve been waiting to see her since the last time she was here. I’ve wanted to feel that electricity that fires off her when she holds my gaze, and every week that she’s not been here, I’ve been disappointed. We haven’t spoken, haven’t even exchanged smiles. There’s just something there. It’s like we seek each other out, and I don’t know why. It’s turned in to a habit I like more than the ecstasy I take.

“Hey Finny boy, Tequila, you in or you going for a piss?” Kyle calls out behind me loading his question with the silent search of my intentions for this evening.

I glance back at him answering “Yeah, man.” When I look back, she’s still there. Looking. Just looking. No smile. No scowl. Just looking at me like there’s something compelling her to do so. The light catches her lip ring and my eyes roam the length of her body like a hungry man that’s been starved for weeks, no, months. She gives off something that makes my hormones run rampant, like an unbalanced teenager. Only I’m fully aware that I’m a grown man and I know exactly what I want to do to her. God, what I would do to her. She’s dressed in a little black dress, and I mean, little. It’s simple, but the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. It hugs her tiny, perfect waist, and only just covers her ass. Her legs, her perfect legs, which even though she isn’t tall, look just long enough to wrap around my waist …

“Here.” Harley nudges my arm and hands me a shot of Tequila. I take it mindlessly, all the while still locked on to the enigma on the other side of the room. Then she does something that floors me. She nods, winks, and raises her glass to me across the room. For a second, I’m stunned at the action. We’ve been watching each other for weeks, no words, no actions, just the silent knowledge that we both know we are looking at each other. Now she’s broken the silent pact, what does that mean?

Nikki Groom is a hopeless romantic, lover of all things happily ever after and firm believer that love makes the world go around. 
In her spare time, you will find Nikki laughing with her very treasured family, walking with her beloved dog in the hundred acre wood or curled up in a cosy corner with words and wine. 
She lives in East Sussex with her husband and two children. Having turned her hand to many things over the years, Nikki is now proud to add ‘author’ to that list. 
Having always been a dreamer, Nikki’s imagination stretches far and wide, which enables her to get lost in faraway places and imaginary people. 


 

Nikki loves to chat, especially about books! You can find her here…

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authornikkigroom

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiGroom4

Blog: http://nikkigroom.blogspot.co.uk

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8126807.Nikki_Groom

Email: nikkigroom.author@gmail.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Nikki-Groom/e/B00KP7AJY0

Additional Books by Nikki Groom

Holding Aces (The Kingdom, #1)

AMAZON US- http://amzn.com/B00KLO4M9U

AMAZON UK- http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KLO4M9U

High Stakes (The Kingdom, #2)

AMAZON US - http://amzn.to/1F4uHJv

AMAZON UK: http://amzn.to/1x98Pps

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Blog Tour: Cowboy Paradise by Rhonda Lee Carver

Cowboy Paradise

Author: Rhonda Lee Carver

Genre: Cowboy Romance

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Exhausted with carrying around the weight of a damaged past, Cara is ready to take the ultimate step in finding her old self, before she met and married her evil husband. She needs to get away from the small town where rumors are spinning and people know her. When she visits Nirvana Ranch, an R&R, she realizes life isn't as bleak as she thought.

Ben is missing something. He doesn’t feel the excitement he once did as a ranch hand at Nirvana, until he meets a guest that turns his world upside down. He has a connection with her that he can't brush off or deny. Getting to know her breaks every rule in his book, but he is willing to take the risk.

Cara didn’t expect her life to change the moment sexy and rugged Ben walks in. Parts of her are flaming hot for cowboy, and she has an opportunity to break the rules, something her husband never allowed. Ben triggers her every fantasy and every desire. She’s on the ride of her life and it doesn’t require a saddle.

What started as a strong urge to take Cara to a new level of passion becomes much, much more for Ben. Cara’s touch destroys the boundaries he’d built—exposing a secret of his own, a past of heartache and guilt.

Warning: Read at your own risk of falling for a cowboy.

This is escapism in the most perfect way.  Curl up with some chocolate and a cup of coffee and take yourself away to book nirvana with this cowboy read.

Nirvana is a retreat out in the country where people can go to recharge their batteries and get a bit of pampering.  All the workers there are cowboys and just happen to be very easy on the eye.

Cara decides to go on a week long break at Nirvana after surviving an abusive marriage that has left her emotionally scarred.  She is looking forward to being able to just let go and relax.  She was not anticipating meeting someone like Ben.  He is assigned to look after her during her time at Nirvana ranch.

Fraternizing with the 'heartbreaks' is not encouraged but Ben just can't seem to stay away from Cara.  She has this sad, haunted look about her and he has this unexplained desire to protect and care for her.

Maybe Ben has finally found someone he can picture a future with.  Cara has such bad self esteem and finds it quite unlikely that a man like Ben would look twice at her.  These couple just seem so perfect for each other but can they overcome their fears and find their personal nirvana with each other?

I give this 3.5 stars.

“Ben, something’s in my pants.”

He dropped the basket to the ground. “What is it?”

“I don’t know, but…ouch! It stung me!” She froze. “Afraid if she moved an inch either direction whatever it was would sting her again. “I think it’s a bee.”

“What does the sting feel like?”

“Are you serious? A sting! Like someone shot a staple into my butt.” Tears came to her eyes.

“Drop your pants, Cara.” He was beside her in a flash.

The back of her thigh started to throb in pain but she continued to stare at him in confusion. “I’m not dropping my pants.” She was mortified.

“If it’s a wasp, it’ll sting you again,” he warned.

Fear washed over her, but not from the wasp. If she pulled down her pants he would see her panties, not the pretty, lace ones she wore once upon a time. Not the panties she knew men like Ben wanted to see on a woman. Cara’s panties certainly wouldn’t be found in a sexy lingerie shop. These were the comfy panties—as she liked to call them—she started wearing when James continually told her how fat she was getting. They didn’t cover up enough for her liking.

Had she gone mad?

And why did she care one hoot what underwear she was wearing? If Ben didn’t like them, then so what!

She smiled. Wow! She was getting the aggressive thing down. Deirdre would be proud.

“Do you need some help?” he asked.

She smacked his hand away. “No. I’ll do it, but you have to turn your head.”

“Cara, we don’t have time for this. Is it not processing that you could be stung again? This is for emergency reasons only.” The sincerity in his expression made it easier to do what she knew must be done.

Unbuttoning and unzipping her jeans, he was polite enough to keep his gaze on her face as she slowly slid the denim down her hips and thighs, slipping them to her knees. All of James’s cruel and degrading verbal assaults crawled through her mind as she stood there, partially naked. He had been the only man who’d seen her without clothes. And he’d never liked what he saw.

“Where did it sting you, sweetheart?” His gentle voice soothed her—a little.

“On my thigh, the back.”

“Turn and let me take a look.” His gaze slipped past her chest, her stomach and she crossed her, vulnerability easing through her.  “If it’s a bee sting you could still have the stinger in your skin, which could cause infection. We can’t let that happen. You’re in Nirvana and that bee just wanted a little taste of honey.”

How did he do that? How did he make everything seem okay? How did he make her concerns seem ridiculous? In actuality, her fears were silly. She was being silly. James was gone and she was moving on. The internal scars were fading.

Reluctantly, she turned and closed her eyes. His breath rushed from his lungs and she jerked. Then he was quiet for the longest time. Was he silently gawking at her large butt or her huge thighs? She’d never claimed to be a supermodel and never wanted to be.  She read in a magazine that men liked juicy butts, but what exactly did ‘juicy’ mean? Seconds turned into a minute. She started to turn back but he stopped her with a hand on her waist.  “What is it, Ben?”

“It’s definitely a bee sting, darlin’.” His voice was smooth as silk.

“Then get it out fast. This is awkward standing here with my pants down around my ankles.”

“Well, sweetheart, there’s a problem.”

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At an early, Rhonda fell in love with romance novels, knowing one day she’d write her own love story. Life took a short detour, but when the story ideas would no longer be contained, she decided to dive in and write. Her first rough draft was on a dirty napkin she found buried in her car. Eventually, she ran out of napkins. With baby on one hip and laptop on the other, she made a dream into reality—one word at a time.

Her specialty is men who love to get their hands dirty and women who are smart, strong and flawed. She loves writing about the everyday hero.

When Rhonda isn't crafting sizzling manuscripts, you will find her busy editing novels, blogging, juggling kids and animals (too many to name), dreaming of a beach house and keeping romance alive. Oh, and drinking lots of coffee to keep up with her characters.

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Cover Reveal for Before Someday by Julie Prestsater

Title: Before Someday

Author: Julie Prestsater

Genre: Young Adult, New Adult, Romance, Romantic Comedy

Release Date: March 29, 2015

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Cover Design: Perfect Pear Creative Covers

Before Someday is the perfect combination of sweet and sexy, humor and angst, and a whole hell of a lot of love. Alex is the irresistibly sexy and charming guy who Meg falls madly in love with her freshman year. There is just one problem. He’s going off to college and she’s still in high school.

* * *

“I love you, Megan.” The subtle brush of her lips along mine fills my heart with emotion.

“I love you, too, Alex. This is it. This is our someday.”

A hint of a smile reveals itself as my gaze catches hers. Four years of heat, desire, love is shared between us. “No, Megan.” I lay a soft kiss on her lips. “This…is our forever.”

* * *

In the Double Threat series, you were captivated by the sassy wit of Megan Miller and the heartwarming romance she shared with the guy who stole her heart and took off with it four hundred miles away. You wondered what Alex was up to while he was away at college. You questioned what he was thinking the night they played strip Twister. And you were dying to find out what the hell he could possibly see in Amy. Now’s your chance to find out when you read Alex Aguilar’s point of view in Before Someday. Alex tells all about finding the one in this Double Threat novel.

 

About The Author: Julie is a high school teacher by day, and a writer by night. She writes both young adult and adult romances. When she's not writing, she can be found out and about with her family, reading, and watching football. As a reading intervention teacher, she prides herself on matching her students with great books to encourage them to become life-long readers.

 

Connect with Julie:

Website | Facebook | Double Threat Series on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon

The Double Threat Series... the books that started your long-lasting love affair and obsession with Alex. 

Put your hair up, grab some popcorn, kick off your flip-flops and devour this four-book young adult romantic comedy series.

So I’m A Double Threat, #1 

In this fun-filled, fast-moving young adult novel, sassy fourteen-year-old Megan Miller, and her close-knit friends, begin their four year high school journey. Expectations and hopes are high for their Freshman year. Meggie wants nothing more than to experience all high school has to offer – growing freedom, hot boys, parties, make-out sessions, and did I mention hot boys?

Enter Alex Aguilar. At seventeen, he is Carver High’s sports superstar and dreamy superstud. Yet, despite the hype, Alex is undeniably sweet, and Meggie is beyond smitten. But, of course, he is a SENIOR. So, ought to be completely off limits for a ninth grader, right?

Age doesn’t always dictate whom you will love, though. So I’m A Double Threat is the start of their journey. Will young love survive the challenges presented them or is friendship all they can only really hope for? Backs will be stabbed, hearts will be broken, tears will be shed. But, despite this, Meggie’s strong-willed determination, loyalty, and zest for fun, will ensure the ride is a memorable one.

Double Threat My Bleep, #2 

Megan Miller's someday came and she and Alex Aguilar are a couple. She nabbed her dream guy and couldn't be happier. The only problem is, he is miles away in college and Meg is stuck at Carver High dealing with girl drama, boy problems and the fact that Alex is constantly surrounded by half naked girls. What should be the best year for Meg and company is shaping up to be a year filled with drama and tears and the possibility of a broken heart. Not to mention the confusing feelings she has about Travis, the newest member to the group. Can Meg and Alex make the distance work or will circumstances lead to Meg's happily-ever after being a thing of the past? And will Travis be there willing to pick up the pieces if it happens?

Double Time, #3 

Megan Miller has done the crush thing, had her heart broken and flirted with a close friend to the point of an almost relationship. She is over the drama of her Freshman and Sophomore years and is ready to be single and to mingle. With Keesha and Steph by her side the girls are ready to rock the single hood in their Junior year. Playing the field, meeting new people, doing different things sounds like the life. But is it? What happens when you are out their working the dating scene but your heart is somewhere else, or better yet with someone else? Can you be tied down and still manage to enjoy not being attached? Meg is about to find out. Sometimes being single takes double time.

Double Threats Forever, #4 

After three years of broken hearts, back stabbing, lying, cheating, and fighting, Megan Miller and crew have finally made it to their senior year. They are ready to rule the school and show Carver High what the true meaning of being a double threat is, that is if they can manage to keep the drama out of their life. With Ben gone and Amy creating some waves, Meg feels like she is in over her head. What should be the year of prom, parties and memories, is quickly becoming the year of pressure and figuring what path you want your life to go on, and what it means when you may not have your friends by your side. With Alex and her parents' encouragement, watch as Meg learns sometimes just because you stand on your own two feet doesn't mean you won't be a Double Threat Forever.

(These books have mature content that is intended for older young adult audiences.)

Amazon | iTunes | Barnes & Noble | Kobo 

 

Stay tuned to Julie's website and Facebook page for 21 Days of We Want Alex!

REVIEW for The Deal (Off Campus #1) by Elle Kennedy

She's about to make a deal with the college bad boy...

Hannah Wells has finally found someone who turns her on. But while she might be confident in every other area of her life, she's carting around a full set of baggage when it comes to sex and seduction. If she wants to get her crush's attention, she'll have to step out of her comfort zone and make him take notice...even if it means tutoring the annoying, childish, cocky captain of the hockey team in exchange for a pretend date.

...and it's going to be oh so good

All Garrett Graham has ever wanted is to play professional hockey after graduation, but his plummeting GPA is threatening everything he's worked so hard for. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his position on the team, he's all for it. But when one unexpected kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, it doesn't take long for Garrett to realize that pretend isn't going to cut it. Now he just has to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him.

***New Adult/Contemporary Romance. First of a series, but each book will be a standalone***

 

 

This book was rated 'G' for GOOD!
4 HEARTS out of 5
Genre: New Adult Romance

 
That DELIGHTFUL feeling when you find a witty fantastic read…




I enjoyed The Deal, its that classic read where boy asks girl for tutoring and because of who he is he thinks he’s got it in the bag ONLY he doesn’t. Girl turns boy down and boy is persistent so he refuses to take no for an answer. Because boy is smart he pays attention to what catches the girls eye and devises a plan to make them both get what they want ONLY it backfires. Now boy really wants girl and he has to prove to her that she wants him too!

‘Something’s happening to me. I can’t stop kissing him. He’s too addictive. And even though this might have started with me somewhat in charge, I’m no longer in control.’ -Hannah


My Thoughts
I saw a friend post a small excerpt from this book on facebook and it had me laughing so I immediately went to 1-click! Garrett and Hannah clicked from day one even though it comes across as irritation on her part… In my opinion she was the yin to his yang from the start!

Why the book worked for me
I got dual points of view
I got some cute sexy times
The lead was a fun strong heroine
The male lead was cocky yet had his sweet moments
Despite the male lead, Garrett being coveted by the campus female population Hannah was able to resist a lot longer than I would have ;)
And last but not least, there was a splice of darkness tucked in the story and still my two leads are victors!

Overall , I thought the book was fun, fast paced and gave great secondary characters. I look forward to book 2, The Mistake!

My Ratings
Characters- Sweet, Sexy with tons of witty banter
Writing Style- Good
Plot/Storyline- A deal is struck between Garrett and Hannah in order to help Hannah catch another guys attention. Only Garrett decides he wants Hannah alllll for himself!
Steam Factor- Lo-Med-Hi I say High, On a scale of 1-10 I say 7.5
Entertainment Level- On a scale of Lo-Med-Hi I would say HIGH, I was very much entertained!
Overall- I L O V E D IT!!!

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REVIEW for Saving Jay by E.M. Abel

Jay
My life was a dark and desolate place. Consumed by work and full of regret, loneliness had become my closest friend. Ink and a tattoo machine were my therapy, a way to claim my own skin with the art that I loved.
The day I walked into her shop, I knew I’d found what I needed.
The light I’d been looking for.

Jade
When I first looked into those blue eyes I saw a depth behind them that I wanted to explore. Jason “Jay” Clarke was more than a perfectly pressed suit and dimpled smile. He was a man with a heart of gold drowning in the weight of his world.
He wanted me to mark him.
I never expected him to soothe my aching heart.

When our worlds collide and Jay begins to fall apart, will my love be enough to save him?

**WARNING: Not recommended for younger readers due to sexual content and language.

This book is Rated ‘W’ for Well Done!
4.5 HEARTS out of 5
Contemporary Romance

I had the pleasure of meeting the wealthy sexy as all hell business man Jason Clarke in Freeing Asia which was the first book in the freeing series. His character left more than an impression. Jay was UNFORGETTABLE. The small taste of him was not enough; so when E.M. Abel announced he would be getting his own book the countdown had begun.

The most eligible bachelor
Coming from a prominent and wealthy family Jay along with the Clarke name is well known. Jay finds himself being set up on some blind dates by his mother much to his dismay. However he entertains his mother by going on each and every date. Trust me when I say that he does NOT need her help finding the one for him. He LITERALLY walks right up to her.

Jade Holliday left Boston and has returned to Virginia Beach after her relationship with her ex-boyfriend went bad. She reopened a local Tattoo shop and has business pouring in. With a broken heart on the mend Jade now has her guard up when it comes to the opposite sex. Yet and still when a well dressed handsomely suited up Jason comes walking in looking to get inked she can’t help but fall for his charm.


Jay needs a woman strong enough to save him because on the outside everything in his world looks good but on the inside behind closed doors not so much… Jade finally meets a guy who will be honest with her no matter what. But can she save him from the dark place he’s found himself in.


The Characters:
Jay- The first on site physical description of Jason Clarke and actually getting to know the man who is Jay TWO totally different people… Yes, he is a sexy well suited up business man but underneath is a tatted up dominate alpha male who leaves nothing to the imagination. He lives out his desires and I love that about him!
Jade- A girl we all would love to know! She’s fun, sexy, has no filter and will often speak her mind at will. What I loved about her was the way she easily decided to live and love again by opening herself up in just about every way to Jay regardless of what happened in her past.

Together these two are explosive!

Readers also get introduced to some new secondary characters one of which I’d like to get to know better ;)

My Thoughts
Told in dual points of view E.M. Abel keeps her characters relatable with true to life situations. She has fun with them within the story lines but is not afraid to delve a little deeper and pull on your heart strings. The writing is great, Abel put the main characters chemistry on display and it was INCREDIBLE! As we all know chemistry is sooo important and she nailed it! These characters are sure to capture the hearts of its readers.

My Ratings
Characters- Sweet, Sexy and Relatable
Writing Style- Good
Plot/Storyline- After experiencing heartbreak two people find themselves falling for each other. One saving the other with some good old tlc(tender loving care)
Steam Factor- Lo-Med-Hi I say High, On a scale of 1-10 I say 8
Entertainment Level- On a scale of Lo-Med-Hi I would say Medium
Overall- I loved it!

                              Link:Amazon US

 

 

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