Friday, January 30, 2015

Review Stop on the Virtual Book Tour for DEVIL IN DUKE'S CLOTHING by Nina Mason + #Giveaway

Welcome to my review stop on the Virtual Book Tour for DEVIL IN DUKE’S CLOTHING by Nina Mason. This is the first in what promises to be an amazing series, the Royal Pains Trilogy. It’s highly erotic with scenes containing voyeurism, bondage, flagellation, and voyeuristic ménage so it might not be for everyone, but it doesn’t disappoint either. Be sure to check out the excerpt to get a taste.

***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for DEVIL IN DUKE’S CLOTHING:

Maggie York, a convent-raised foundling, knows the Duke of Dunwoody’s sexual tastes are a shade or two darker than normal, but marries him anyway—partly because she has no other prospects and partly because, try as she might, she can’t seem to exorcize her desire for the dashing ducal devil. Two years ago, she watched him swive and spank her lady's maid, luring her from the garden of innocence into the orchard of fleshly delights--and she's been hungry for more ever since.

Robert Armstrong, the duke, is a Roman Catholic whose extreme devotions as a child warped his desires as a man. He’s also a slave to the times in which he lives--and to his king. Everything he is, everything he holds dear, depends on staying in Charles II’s good graces. Unfortunately, Maggie isn't the bride the king selected for him. Now, to make amends, the duke must choose between the lesser of two evils: whore his wife or be reduced to a penniless commoner.

Whose interests will Robert choose to serve, his own, the king’s, or the woman he loves?

*                   *                  *                  *                   *

DEVIL IN DUKE’S CLOTHING by Nina Mason is one of the most factually and linguistically accurate historical romances I’ve ever read. It also is one of the steamiest. The relationship between Robert and Maggie is an unusual one and frankly, I would like to have known more about their early years together since Maggie had lived with Robert, his brother, Hugh, and under the fear of the elder duke until his death since she was ten years old but that aside, this was a very satisfying romance. Her fascination with Robert was long lived and even though she fears his strange sexual proclivities, she still wants to marry him and be a good wife. Robert seems to have his own fascination with Maggie stemming from her youth. I believe he sees her as the only truly pure and innocent person in his life and I suppose it is one reason he treats her so gently and cautiously even as she begs to experience his sexual likes.

Nina has done an amazing job of presenting this story as if it was happening in the moment, my only wish is that it had been longer. There’s a lot of untold story here and I would love to know it. Steamy hot, exquisitely set, this amazing historical romance delights even as it holds us on the edge with anxious worry for their safety in a world where being Catholic could shorten your life, especially when you do the complete opposite of what the king wants.

DEVIL IN DUKE’S CLOTHING by Nina Mason is an intriguing tale of political unrest, sexual exploration, and a pure love, which grows stronger with every passing day even in the face of danger. I highly recommend this amazing erotic historical romance because Nina has written an exquisitely beautiful yet intriguing story encircled by a world of unrest far more real than we want to acknowledge. I can’t wait to see what she gives us in the next book in the series.

For a taste of DEVIL IN DUKE'S CLOTHING, click HERE for an excerpt.

Happy Reading Everyone!



About the Author:
 
Nina Mason is a hopeful romantic with strong affinities for history, mythology, and the metaphysical. She strives to write the same kind of books she loves to read: those that entertain, edify, educate, and enlighten.

She has two books out at present: THE QUEEN OF SWORDS, a darkly erotic Scottish paranormal romance/urban fantasy, and THE TIN MAN, a political thriller.

Ms. Mason is currently at work on two new series': an erotic historical trilogy titled Royal Pains and a four-part erotic paranormal/fantasy series titled The Knights of Avalon. DEVIL IN DUKE’S CLOTHING is book one in Royal Pains. STARRY KNIGHT, book one in the Knights of Avalon will be released on August 4, 2015 by Lyrical/Kensington.

When not writing, she works as a communications consultant, doll maker, and home-stager. Born and raised in Orange County, California, Ms. Mason currently lives with her husband, teenage daughter, two rescue cats, and a Westie named Robert just north of Atlanta, Georgia.

Author Links:



TOURWIDE GIVEAWAY


DEVIL IN DUKE’S CLOTHING, a Royal Pains novel by Nina Mason, available now in print and ebook formats at Amazon, and Barnes &Noble.
***click on links above or cover below for purchasing information, remember even pennies per sale using my links help keep this blog alive. Thank You.


   

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Review Stop on the Tasty Virtual Book Tour for FIRE ME UP by Kimberly Kincaid + #Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the Tasty Virtual Book Tour for FIRE ME UP, book four in the Pine Mountain series by Kimberly Kincaid. My stop contains a review, an excerpt, and a giveaway. I hope you enjoy your visit.

***eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for FIRE ME UP:

If You Can’t Stand The Heat…

Teagan O’Malley can handle a crisis. She’s a paramedic, it’s her job. But she never expected to land in the kitchen of her father’s pub, with no notice, no cash, and no room for error. The kitchen is not her favorite place. Lucky for her, she just scraped a bad-boy chef off the pavement after a motorcycle accident—and something about him says he can turn up the heat in more ways than one.



Adrian Holt has had a rough few years, and he’s not eager to get tangled up in anything more complicated than a good risotto. But with a broken arm and a head full of bad memories, he needs a challenge to keep him sane. Teagan’s dare-me attitude and smoldering mess of a bar are just what the doctor ordered. And the two of them together might cook up some even better medicine… 

~*~                ~*~                 ~*~                  ~*~               ~*~

When his boss returns early from her honeymoon, Adrian Holt is ordered to go home and take some time to relax. She tells him there’s more to life than being her sous chef at the restaurant. He disagrees but agrees to go home and get some rest before the dinner rush. The last thing he expects is to have mini-van clip his motorcycle and send him flying against the asphalt. When a gorgeous red-haired paramedic insists on taking care of his injuries, he has no clue where it’s going to lead but he’s willing to follow those luscious lips anywhere.

Teagan O’Malley has seen her share of bad accidents and when a motorcycle is involved she always fears the worst, but her new patient seems to think he’s more Superman than human and perhaps he is. Well, he quickly becomes her hero in the kitchen.

Kimberly Kincaid never ceases to amaze me at how true to life her characters become to us, and Adrian has always been a little bigger than life for us in this series. In FIRE ME UP, she shows us just how caring, and real, this big man is and Teagan is just the woman to bring it out in him.

We learn a lot about Adrian in his story. We discover his past has been holding him back from living life, keeping him where it’s safe – in the kitchen. After his accident, he’s happy to help out Teagan in her bar especially after Carly won’t let him back in the kitchen at La Dolce Vita because as she points out to him, he needs to heal both physically and emotionally. Carly has her own news, which shakes up the kitchen but she isn’t going to allow Adrian to run roughshod over her, no matter how big he is or invincible he thinks he is.

Teagan and Adrian make a perfect match, Superman and Red – love that! She doesn’t take any lip off Adrian, and he can’t give her enough lip action. He doesn’t call her Red just because she’s a redhead. And as usual, don’t read FIRE ME UP while hungry. I swear my stomach actually growled at one point. I’m a not a pulled pork fan but those sliders sound delicious and don’t even get me started about dreaming about those gnocchi. And then, we get treated to a tease of Nick Brennan – delicious! I'm already smitten with that guy. 

I absolutely recommend FIRE ME UP, book four in the Pine Mountain series by Kimberly Kincaid because Kimberly never disappoints. Even when you think it might be a bit predictable, turn the corner and get surprised. Adrian is just the man I always wanted him to be and I couldn't be happier than to step aside and allow Teagan to enjoy his love. If you’ve read this series from the get-go, don’t miss this one and if you haven’t tried out the Pine Mountain series, you could start with this one but honestly, I’d start the beginning and work your way to discovering the big man, Adrian Holt. He can help this redhead out in her kitchen any time.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Want to read a taste of FIRE ME UP? Click HERE for an excerpt.

About the Author:

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet. When she's not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as "The Pleather Bomber", she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book.

Kimberly is a 2011 RWA Golden Heart® finalist who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. Her digital Line series is all about the hot cops and sexy chefs of Brentsville, New York. She is also the author of the Pine Mountain series, which follows small town singles as they find big-time love. Kimberly resides in Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

Author Links:  Website | Facebook Twitter | Goodreads

TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY


FIRE ME UP, a Pine Mountain novel by Kimberly Kincaid, Kensington-Zebra Books, available now in print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.
***click on links above or cover below for purchasing information, remember even pennies per sale using my links help keep this blog alive. Thank You.

   

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Unwrapping a Release Day Blast for SWEET SURPRISE by Candis Terry + #Giveaway

Sweet Surprise
book 4 of the Sweet, Texas series
by Candis Terry

Releasing TODAY from Avon Romance

Playing naughty or nice . . .

Fiona Wilder knows all about falling in lust. Love? That's another story. Determined not to repeat past mistakes, the single mom and cupcake shop owner is focused on walking the straight and narrow. But trouble has a way of finding her. And this time it comes in the form of a smoking hot firefighter who knows all the delicious ways to ignite her bad-girl fuse. Can lead to heartbreak . . .
Firefighter Mike Halsey learned long ago that playing with fire just gets you burned. He's put his demons behind him, and if there's one line he won't cross, it's getting involved with his best friend's ex. But when fate throws him in the path of the beautiful, strong, and off-limits Fiona, will he be able to fight their attraction? Or will he willingly go down in flames? 



About the Author:

Candis Terry was born and raised near the sunny beaches of Southern California and now makes her home on an Idaho farm. She’s experienced life in such diverse ways as working in a Hollywood recording studio to chasing down wayward steers. Only one thing has remained the same: her passion for writing stories about relationships, the push and pull in the search for love, and the security one finds in their own happily ever after.

Author Links: 

Buy Links: 


*SCAVENGER HUNT*
Each tour host will have a different letter placed within their post for the SWEET SURPRISE Release Blast!  (Don’t worry, it’s easy to spot.)

My Darlings, you will have to visit EACH tour stop to find the letters, which will form 5 words, and then you can enter ONE WORD EACH DAY into the Rafflecopter Giveaway for even more entries! Great Prizes, so Have Fun and Good Luck!

Tour Stops:
Jen's Reading Obsession                  Blogger Nicole
My Favorite Things                            booknerd
Passionate Encounters                     BookSkater
Books Need TLC                                Born to Read Books
Kimberly Lewis Blog                         Toots Book Reviews
What the Cat Read                            Manga Maniac Cafe
Book Suburbia                                    Unwrapping Romance
Once Upon a Twilight                       Undercover Book Reviews
Melinda Dozier Blog                         Sarah's StoryLines
The Book Review                               Underneath the Covers
The Sassy Bookster                            StarAngel's Reviews
Pages of Comfort                               Written Love Reviews
Books Like Breathing                        PlainTalk Book Marketing
In Between the Lines                        Art, Books & Coffee
Book Liaison                                      Crystal Blogs Books
Those Crazy Book Chicks                  Brooke Blogs
Renee Entress's Blogs                       Queen of All She Reads
Nelle's Nightstand                            Cynthia Gail Blog
Obsessed by Books                            Mythical Books
One Curvy Blogger                            Books N Pearls
A Fortress of Books                           Freshly Baked Books
Gothic Moms                                     Literary Treasure Chest
Addicted to Romance                        Babs Book Bistro
Carole's Random Life                       mignon mikel Reviews
Bookhooked                                       Little Miss Book Addict
Lush Book Reviews                           Once Upon a Twilight
A Dream Within a Dream                 Fire & Ice Book Reviews
Romantic Fanatic                              Confessions of a Book Blogger
Books in the Burbs                            Roberta's Dreamworld
Reading Bliss                                      My Written Romance
          Wicked Reads                                     Magic Word


TOURWIDE GIVEAWAY
Grand Prize Giveaway for Complete Sweet, Texas Series in Print (Or ebook format of choice), a $25.00 Amazon eGift Card and a Custom “Fiona Inspired” Origami Owl Living Locket or Charm Bracelet
(Winners choice)


   

Friday, January 23, 2015

Unwrapping a Review for SWEET SURPRISE, a Sweet Texas novel by Candis Terry

I am totally in love with the Sweet, Texas series by Candis Terry so when I got a chance to read a galley for her upcoming newest release, SWEET SURPRISE, I jumped at it. It was worth squeezing it in. Stay tuned for a special Scavenger Hunt Tour to celebrate its release on Tuesday, January 27, 2015. It’s going to be a blast.

***eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest and unscripted review.

Blurb for SWEET SURPRISE:

Fiona Wilder knows all about falling in lust. Love? That's another story. Determined not to repeat past mistakes, the single mom and cupcake shop owner is focused on walking the straight and narrow. But trouble has a way of finding her. And this time it comes in the form of a smoking hot firefighter who knows all the delicious ways to ignite her bad-girl fuse.

Can lead to heartbreak...

Firefighter Mike Halsey learned long ago that playing with fire just gets you burned. He's put his demons behind him, and if there's one line he won't cross, it's getting involved with his best friend's ex. But when fate throws him in the path of the beautiful, strong, and off-limits Fiona, will he be able to fight their attraction? Or will he willingly go down in flames?

Or a sweet surprise! 

~*~                    ~*~                 ~*~                 ~*~                 ~*~ 

Jackson Wilder’s ex, Fiona Wilder is moving to Sweet, Texas to open a cupcake shop and also so her darling little girl, Izzy, can be closer to her father and his soon-to-bride, Abby. On the way, she is the unfortunate victim of two drivers’ road rage. Now she’s trying to get moved in, get the shop set up, and settled into her new life while recovering from her injuries. When her knight in shining armor from the accident shows up to help, she fights the offer. Not because she doesn’t want or need the help but because she is far too attracted to the man who also happens to be a firefighter, a very sexy, very hot firefighter. After her failed marriage to Jackson, she promised herself she’d never get involved with another hot man like that again - it was part of her wild Fiona life she'd left behind. Then again, aren’t promises made to be broken?

Mike Halsey hasn’t stopped thinking about the gorgeous Fiona Wilder, off limits ex-wife of his firefighter buddy, Jackson. With a bad marriage as baggage, he has his reasons for keeping his distance from the beautiful single mom. But when the ever matchmaking Jana Wilder collects on her auction purchase, and asks him to work it off by helping the sexy Fiona with her move, and her cupcake shop, he can’t refuse even though he knows he's playing with fire. Sweetness comes in all forms and Fiona is a sweet treat he desperately wants to taste and make his own but there’s a code between men who live on the edge, and since he’s been there with Jackson, he needs to keep his distance even though he doesn’t want to.

As usual, Candis Terry creates characters that most certainly make us care. Mike is sexy, caring, and most definitely, a knight in shining armor. Fiona is a good loving mom and has goals to be a successful woman in business. There were times when I felt I’d read this story before because the plot is rather typical. Then Candis does things like throws in a sweet ‘Milo’ moment where Mike gets to show how big his heart is, or like when Fiona gives him the space he needs to get his emotional stuff together. Fiona gets a big star for patience and it pays off big time in the end for her, and for Izzy. Truly Sweet ending to this one.

Perhaps SWEET SURPRISE didn’t tug at my heartstrings the way ANYTHING BUT SWEET did, or make me want to smack anyone upside the head the way Jackson did in SWEETEST MISTAKE, but this one was still a good solid Candis Terry read. Although, I did find it a bit of a stretch that the relationship between Fiona and Abby could be quite so intimately friendly. Of course, it lends itself to the fantasy of romance being perfection.

I most certainly recommend reading SWEET SURPRISE, book four in the Sweet, Texas series by Candis Terry. If you haven’t tried this series, or if you already love the rest of the series as much as I do, you don’t want to miss yet another of Jana Wilder’s crazy matchmaking meddles. Besides, who can possibly resist such a big-hearted sexy fireman as Mike Halsey. Also, you don’t want to miss the Milo moment or the sweetest of sweet marriage proposals.

Happy Reading Everyone and don’t forget to come back on Tuesday, January 27th for a SWEET SURPRISE Release Day Blast Scavenger Hunt. You know there will be great prizes. 

SWEET SURPRISE, a Sweet Texas novel by Candis Terry, Avon Romance, release date - January 27,  2015, print and ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks. $4.99 digital/$7.99 print
***click on links above or cover below for purchasing information, remember even pennies per sale using my links help keep this blog alive. Thank You.

   

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Spotlight on BE MINE, a Valentine's Day anthology featuring 10 Hot Romances + #Giveaway

BE MINE
~A Valentine Day’s Anthology~
featuring stories by
Shoshanna Evers, Geri Foster, Cathryn Fox, A.C. James, 
Nina Lane, Caridad Pineiro, Jan Springer, Denise A. Agnew, Monique DuBois, and Krystal Shannan

Releasing February 10, 2015

Ten Erotic Romances for Valentine's Day features contemporary romance, paranormal romance, military romance, and BDSM romance from today's New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors. This boxed set is ONLY available for a LIMITED TIME so get your copy before it's gone.

So...won't you BE MINE?

~Ten Complete Stories, Professionally Formatted, Limited Release~

SNOWED IN WITH THE TYCOON by Shoshanna Evers 
When they get snowed in together on the same piece of land they're each fighting for, unexpected desire sparks.

WRONG BRIDE by Geri Foster 
Short, sexy, fun...

CRASHING DOWN by Cathryn Fox 
Will the fire they created turn to ash when truths come spilling out?

ETERNAL EVER AFTER by A.C. James 
BDSM and HOT alpha Vampires... Oh, my!

THE EROTIC DARK, a BDSM Erotica Novel by Nina Lane 
A downright dirty book!

STAY THE NIGHT, a Navy Seal Erotic Romance by Caridad Pineiro 
He was the kind of man that every woman would want . . .

MARLEY’S MÉNAGE by Jan Springer 
Single, soon-to-be mom, Marley Madison's latest cravings are downright...naughty. She wants a ménage, and she needs it bad.

HEAT WAVE by Denise A. Agnew 
He's one hot man she can't resist.

ROMANCE QUICKIES (Encounter 2) by Monique DuBois 
Brooke is determined to have a one-night stand, but will the sexy stranger let her ride him on the subway?

MORGAN’S MATCH by Krystal Shannan 
The biggest catch to being a matchmaker...you can't work a spell on yourself.

Available for pre-order at:



TOURWIDE GIVEAWAY
Giveaway includes a $100 Gift Card, a $25 Gift Card,
a $10 Gift Card, eBooks, and audiobooks!



Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Special Guest Post: WHY I DO THIS JOB by Jess Michaels, author of THE OTHER DUKE

Why I Do This Job
 by Jess Michaels

Hi everyone, and a big thanks to Amy for having me here today at Unwrapping Romance! I’m slightly scattered today because yesterday my 49th book was released. THE OTHER DUKE, the first book in the Notorious Flynns series is a historical romance about Rafe, (Raphael Flynn) who inherits not only a dukedom but also a bride, Serafina McPhee! It’s also my first step on a new journey of being completely indie after many years of traditionally publishing. It’s a scary, exciting, wonderful time, and I just hope it works.

Today I thought I’d talk to you about why I do this job. I don’t really remember a time when I didn’t write. I have boxes of stories at my parents’ house in Idaho that I wrote in elementary school. I even once said I wanted to be a writer in one of those when I grow up essays you’re required to write at various times throughout school. But honestly, I never thought I would actually do it. I didn’t think you did artsy things for a living, you had to have a back-up.

My back-up career was psychology. I was going to be a marriage and family therapist. A funny thing happened on the way to a Master’s degree in family counseling…I realized my empathy, which is awesome as a writer (and hopefully as a human), was not that good as far as being a counselor was concerned. I brought home other people’s pain; I didn’t have the ability to turn that part of the job off at night. So it turned out I wouldn’t be a good therapist after all.

BUT I had started working on a book I wrote during college at night, and I was in love. My husband pointed out this discrepancy and suddenly, BAM! I was not going to go back to school; I was going to be a romance novelist. And that’s what I did.

So why do I still do it, even after fifteen years of being a writer full-time, and a published author for ten? Well, because I’m still in love with telling stories, first to myself, and then to my readers. I love that connection I make with someone who reads my book, and is moved by my stories. I also love the freedom my job has given me. I’m very lucky to be able to support myself and my family through my books, which means I am able to make my own schedule, and I am able to hang out with my best friend (and husband) any time I want. We travel the world thanks to books and those who buy them. Thanks to you my wonderful readers.

The world of publishing is often a high wire act but in the end, I wouldn’t have it any other way! Thank you and I hope you read THE OTHER DUKE and enjoy the Notorious Flynns.

THE OTHER DUKE
by Jess Michaels

For years Serafina McPhee has been engaged to marry the heir to the Duke of Hartholm and for almost as long, she has been struggling to find a way out of that engagement. When he suddenly dies, she does not mourn but thrills at the idea that she will be free. Unfortunately, best laid plans go awry when the next in line for the title, her intended’s cousin, Raphael “Rafe” Flynn is forced to take over the engagement. But Serafina knows Rafe’s reputation as a libertine and wants nothing to do with him, either, even if he is devastatingly handsome.

She proposes an arrangement: she will agree to the marriage and provide Rafe with his heir and spare. Once she has done her duty, he will let her go. Rafe is intrigued both by her beauty and by her utter disgust with the idea of being his bride. Women normally fall at his feet, not cringe away from him. However, since their arranged marriage is not something he can escape, he agrees to her terms.

But when he finds out on their wedding night the truth about her torture at the hands of his predecessor, he finds himself driven not just to fulfill his bargain with his new bride, but to introduce her to desire. While they move closer together, surrendering to wicked pleasures, dangerous emotions may violate every agreement they’ve made.

About the Author:

Jess Michaels began writing full-time in 1999 after being encouraged by her husband to follow her dream. In 2003, she sold her first novella, an erotic historical romance about an Egyptian tomb and a very sexy curse. Since then she has published nearly 50 novels and novellas under three different pen names with several major publishers, small presses and via self-publishing. Her erotic historical romances have been national bestsellers and won awards from booksellers and readers.

She and her awesome husband live in Tucson where she enjoys playing video games, exploring the beautiful desert, reading and spending petting her two old lady cats.

Jess Michaels always loves to hear from her readers! Feel free to visit her website or as Jess says:
“You can email me or follow me on both Facebook and Twitter! Also be sure to sign up for my newsletter to be the first to know when I have a new release out as well as chances to win some very cool prizes.”

To find out more about Jess Michaels writing historical romance as Jenna Petersen go here.
To find out more about Jess Michaels writing snarky, urban fantasy as Jesse Petersen go here.

Happy Reading Everyone and Jess, thank you for visiting. xoxo
Be sure to check out my review of THE OTHER DUKE, if you haven't already.

THE OTHER DUKE, a Notorious Flynns novel by Jess Michaels, the Passionate Pen, available now in ebook formats at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

***click on links above or cover below for purchasing information, remember even pennies per sale using my links help keep this blog alive. Thank You.