Title: Indie Insider: Fundamentals
Authors: Chelsea Camaron and Ryan Michele
Genre: Nonfiction
Release: May 10, 2017
Cover Designer is Susan Garwood from Wicked Women Designs
Have you ever thought about life behind the pages? Have you ever wondered what an author goes through? Have you considered writing a book but don’t know what to do with it?
Well, the Indie Insider is here for you.
No, this is not a how-to guide. This is a real, raw, uncut, behind the scenes sight from two established authors. What works for one person may not work for another, but there will be something you can take away from this.
Even if you are just curious, this is a book that will entertain as well as encourage. If you’re already established, happy in your writing life, this book will only offer you the solace that the times you have been down you were not alone. If you are just starting out, struggling, or just at a standstill, then this book is here to motivate and educate.
Sit back, grab a drink, and take a look inside the mind of an Indie author today.
Please note, this is Indie Insider: Fundamentals. As the first episode in this serial, you will find this to be an overview that briefly touches on a multitude of subjects an Indie author faces. If the series is well received, there will be additional volumes to come where we will breakdown the items here and so much more in detail.
USA Today Bestselling author Chelsea Camaron is a small town Carolina girl with a big imagination. She is a wife and mom chasing her dreams. She writes contemporary romance, erotic suspense, and psychological thrillers. She loves to write blue-collar men who have real problems with a fictional twist. From mechanics to bikers to oil riggers to smokejumpers, bar owners, and beyond, she loves a strong hero who works hard and plays harder.
Ryan Michele found her passion in making fictional characters come to life. She loves being in an imaginative world where anything is possible and has a knack for special twists readers don’t see coming.
She writes MC, Contemporary, Erotic, Paranormal, New Adult, Inspirational, and many more romances. And whether it’s bikers, wolf shifters, mafia, or beyond, Ryan spends her time making sure her heroes are strong and her heroines match them at every turn.
When she isn’t writing, Ryan is a mom and wife living in rural Illinois and reading by her pond in the warm sun.
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LOCKE AND KEY by Cristin Harber is available now! We're so excited for you to get your hands on this next book in her bestselling Titan series - and for you to get to know Locke Oliver! Find out more about LOCKE AND KEY below, and grab your copy now!ABOUT LOCKE AND KEYTHE STOIC SPECIAL FORCES OPERATOR There’s only one person to blame for darkening the last years of Locke Oliver’s military career: Cassidy Noble. And damn if he doesn’t have to save her from the side of a frozen mountain. Even after the job is done, he can’t shake the woman from his thoughts. He blames her for the deaths in his Army unit so many years ago, and he’s not ready to let that go. It’s driving him to the point of distraction, and now his Titan Group boss says to get his act together or get out. THE FEISTY, FALLEN REPORTER Cassidy is a disgraced journalist, once accused of treason—Or she’s an American hero. It depends on who you ask. She’s on a mission to rebuild her name and started with a simple question but discovered a complex web of spies and possible human trafficking. Titan Group believes in her. Locke does not. Until he can’t deny the truth any longer about the past or what she’s uncovered in her investigation. BECOME AN INSEPARABLE TEAM Cassidy volunteers to go undercover. Locke would do anything to stay by her side as she slips into the network and is sold to the highest bidder. All is going right until everything goes wrong. Nothing is as they expect including falling in love with the woman he thought he hated. Get your hands on LOCKE AND KEY now: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Google Play READ A SNEAK PEEKLocke ducked close to her ear, purposefully rasping a five o’clock shadow against her neck, and again asked, “Do we know anything new?” She whimpered. He had to have heard the quiet groan, and he swayed them together and— damn, she felt him. Cassidy’s eyes went wide as he held her backside against his crotch. Was Locke turned-on? Locke was turned-on. And he wanted her to know. The realization was as potent as a narcotic. It hit her blood, and she was high. But he’d asked about work. What was she supposed to do? She tried to recover. Shaking and stupidly pretending this wasn’t a thing, she turned. Eye to eye, she couldn’t read him! He didn’t move. Didn’t touch her. Was the ball in her park? He’d asked about Alex, twice. But he had a hard-on! Cassidy was so confused and turned on that she couldn’t trust her instincts. She needed to do what she did best— work. Focus on the job. “He’s in there.” Cassidy, failing to regain her composure, was still breathless. Locke smiled. “Good to know.” She’d made the right choice in focusing on work. She was there for Alex. If Locke wanted to… pursue something, he could do it when she wasn’t busy. He had her number. “Cass…” His eyebrows challenged her to admit their tension escalating. There was Cass again. She hated nicknames— until they flowed from his mouth. They needed space, but she didn’t trust her legs. They were weak as her mind was wild. She tried to swallow, shifting away— “Don’t go.” He was holding her, hugging her. Locke cupped her cheek and let his fingers slide along her jaw. She was drowning in him as Locke’s hand moved down her neck, letting the thump of her pulse jump against his fingertips. “I—” “Excuse me,” a woman snapped as she bustled in, grabbing her shawl, and she sneered on the way out. “Oh, God.” Cassidy jumped, her cheeks hot and her embarrassment swallowing her alive. She choked on the knot in her throat and covered her face, backing away from him. “I’m so sorry.” “Cassidy.” Locke reached for her. “So, so sorry.” She tilted to face him, and they stood in the dark shadows. She was the reporter; he was the protector. His voice rumbled, not judgmental or embarrassed. “You have nothing to say sorry about. To anyone.” “We might disagree on that.” She’d staked the rebound of her career on Alex, but when Locke came around, she always seemed to forget. “I don’t try to upset you.” The pregnant pause hung heavy. “Not on purpose anyway— maybe for fun, playing around, but I won’t do that again.” “Okay…” He was playing down their moment of intimacy. Maybe for him it had been nothing but an erection and a tease, while for her it was the stuff of nightly fantasies. How foolish was she? Embarrassment made her stomach drop. But still. Again, they were almost stomach to stomach. Too close. Too intimate. Too… much. “I’m not upset.” But that wasn’t true. “You’re something,” he said. “Something,” she agreed. “True.” Something she’d never, ever admit to. Tugging her bottom lip between her teeth, she couldn’t map out his intentions— “Don’t do that.” “Do what?” Cassidy froze, wondering what she’d done wrong. His gaze lasered on her lips. “That.” Finally, she saw the same desperate hunger on his face. The authority in his command made her shiver. Unquenched lust boiled in his eyes, and Cassidy didn’t know how to handle this Locke— the uncontrolled and unscripted one. “Oh… um. I…” In a tailspin, she couldn’t decide whether to fight for what she could finally read on his face or pull her act together and act like they were working together. She did neither, standing there, still unsure. “You keep biting that lip, Cass.” Locke lifted an eyebrow and scorched her panties. “Don’t do that.” “Okay.” The devil on her shoulder whispered, Bite your lip again. Or bite his. Maybe they could kiss and work. Locke lifted his chin, his gaze falling past her. “Alex is leaving.” Wait— what? Damn it.ABOUT CRISTIN HARBERCristin Harber is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling romance author. She writes sexy, steamy romantic suspense and military romance. Readers voted her onto Amazon’s Top Picks for Debut Romance Authors in 2013, and her debut Titan series was both a #1 romantic suspense and #1 military romance bestseller. Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Team Titan Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Coming May 22nd
Pre-order Exclusively
via iBooks
Single father, Weston Parker is set in his ways, and raising his daughter is his top priority. But his ten-year-old feisty little girl is growing up faster than he ever realized. Her go-getter attitude is one he's seen before--mainly on himself. When she starts trading in her ponytails for makeup, Weston realizes he just might be in over his head. Dedicated and driven veterinarian, Timber Sellers always knew that she'd head back home, but she wasn't quite ready for it to happen so soon. Running into the stubborn and bossy Weston from her high school days doesn't make it any better either. But when she meets his spunky daughter, Timber knows she's right where she's supposed to be. As Timber grows closer to Weston's daughter, his rough exterior softens. Suddenly, the heat between them explodes and neither can deny the attraction. Weston always goes after what he wants, and this time, he wants a future with Timber.
Casey Peeler grew up in North Carolina and still lives there with her husband and daughter.
Growing up Casey wasn't an avid reader or writer, but after reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston during her senior year of high school, and multiple Nicholas Sparks' novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading. That love ignited the passion for writing several years later, and her writing style combines real life scenarios with morals and values teenagers need in their daily lives. When Casey isn't writing, you can find her near a body of water listening to country music with a cold beverage and a great book.
Connect with Casey
Coming May 9th
He’ll show her exactly what’s under his kilt. Molly The first time I saw Mr. McGowan, he was walking into our class wearing a kilt. Our substitute professor, he was big and brooding, masculine, and had a sexy Scottish brogue going on. Maybe I didn’t need that extra tutoring, but I sure as hell wanted it. Alastair I noticed Molly the moment I stepped into the classroom. She was the wee lass with the fire-colored hair, the intense green eyes, and a body that had me burning alive. I didn’t want to look away from her because I knew she was mine. Maybe there was a rule about staff not fraternizing with students. But given that I’m just the substitute professor, and that I wanted her like a fiend, I was about to cross some lines and break some rules. Warning: You ever wonder what’s under a man’s kilt? Well, this story won’t leave you in the dark. It’s short, of course filthy, and has a Scottish hero with a sexy brogue. He only has eyes for his heroine, and will teach her a thing or two about how good it can feel to get dirty.
Jenika Snow is a USA Today Bestselling Author that lives in the northwest with her husband and their two daughters. Before she started writing full-time she worked as a nurse.
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Title: Letting Love In
Series: Damaged Heart #2
Author: Katharina LeBoeuf
Genre: New Adult/Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 16, 2017 Cover Model: Justin Edwards Photographer: RplusMphoto Cover Designer: Cover Me Darling
Emma believes it’s only a matter of time before Justin realizes she will never be good enough for him. To save her heart from breaking, she runs from the one person who opened a door she thought was forever closed.
Justin is determined to do whatever it takes to make Emma his. But fate is a spiteful bitch, and a secret he’s tried to keep in the past has resurfaced, threatening to destroy everything they’ve started building together. Can Justin earn Emma’s love despite it, or will this revelation prove to be too much for them to overcome?
Ryan lost Emma once and he is determined to win her back. Seven years later, a chance encounter brings Ryan and Emma face to face again, and the truth behind what tore them apart all those years ago is brought to light. Will the discovery of those past actions be enough to alter their future choices? Will Emma open her heart to loving him again?
Emma has been dealt a terrible hand when it comes to both life and love, and now her heart is torn in two. She realizes she’ll have to make a choice; one that will decide her destiny. Will she choose the boy who stole her heart so many years ago, or the man who finally opened her heart, letting love in?
***This is the conclusion to Emma's story***
Katharina LeBoeuf grew up in New Orleans water skiing on the bayous and getting her fill of Cajun food. She graduated from LSU School of Nursing and currently works as a Registered Nurse.
She loves sitting in her hammock and reading a good book. On the rare occasion there’s not a book in her hand, she’s watching her favorite shows like Friends, Seinfeld, The Walking Dead, and Criminal Minds on Netflix. She loves cheering on her boys during their baseball games and attending plays her daughter performs in. Oh yeah, and she loves writing! Katharina lives in Orlando with her high school sweetheart, three children, a smelly cat named Chester (it’s not his fault) and a dog named Rhett.
Title: Beard Up (The Dixie Wardens Rejects MC #6)
Author: Lani Lynn Vale
Genre: MC Romance
Title: Gypsy's Chance
Author: Emily Minton and Shelley Springfield
Genre: Romance
Release Date: May 22, 2017
Gypsy Rose’s life is changed by one brutal act. She is forced to leave her home behind and head to the smalltown of Macon, Missouri. While there, she finds love and contentment with a family that isn’t her own. She is finally able to bury her past and look to the future with hope and excitement. After an unexpected tragedy hits, she is left to start over again. When she meets Chance Ryan, he offers her a helping hand. She can't help from being skeptical, but trusting this supposed knight in shining armor seems like her only option. With nothing left to lose, she really has no other choice but to take what he offers. Can she take a chance on him giving her the happily ever after she always wanted?
USA Today Bestselling author, Emily Minton is a Kentucky native. She is proud to call the Bluegrass State home. She claims she bleeds blue–Wildcat Blue! She has been married to her husband, David, for over twenty years. They share two wonderful children.Emily loves to read and has more books on her kindle than most people could read in a lifetime, but she intends to read every single one. She has published nine books, but there are many more are floating around in her head. Shelley was born and raised in Kentucky and doesn't see herself leaving the bluegrass state anytime soon. Shelley and her husband have been together for sixteen years, and they share three beautiful daughters and one handsome son.Although Grim Bastards is her first published novel, she has been a fan of romance reads for many, many years. Shelley loves all sorts of genres of romance but Contemporary, New Adult, and Romantic Comedy are her all-time favorites.
Title: U-Turn
Series: Highway 17 Series Book Two
Author: Leaona Luxx
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 22, 2017
Cover Model: KK Raines
Cover Designer by: TE Black Designs
TROUBLE.
That’s all she is and all she’ll ever be.
What in the hell was I thinking getting involved with her?
Everyone knows her reputation precedes her.
But I’ll be damned if I don’t like it.
Hurricane Ava crashes to shore wreaking havoc, the beautiful disaster she is.
And I love it.
What’s worse, she does too.
So, why am I in love with her? Because, she loves me.
She just doesn’t know it yet.
Leaona, also known as Lea, lives with her husband, cat and two dogs near Myrtle Beach. She was born and raised in WV by her parents whom she adores before attending Marshall University. A small business owner and mother of three, she enjoys Carolina Panthers and Marshall University Football, reading, writing, gardening, crafts, NASCAR, TWD, hot rods, and surf fishing.
Leaona was inspired to write while she raised her family, never dreaming one day, she would be published. While loving all genres of books, Lea writes contemporary romance stories that are not your everyday love stories. Gritty and true to life, she draws from her life and loves to create her characters.
Leaona's debut novel will release June 7, 2016. Cherry Grove is the first in The Cove Series. She’s your everyday girl and lives to connect with her fans via social media. Leaona also doesn't mind dishing about her favorite authors and their books. Beach, life, and love.
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Title: The Bohemian and the Businessman Series: The Story Sisters #1 (A Blueberry Lane Spin Off) Author: Katy Regnery Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: April 28, 2017 BLURB Priscilla Story, the self-proclaimed “wild child” of the straight-laced Story clan, has always had a knack for getting herself trouble. Except this time, her “growing problem” is going to require a Daddy sooner than later…or she can kiss her inheritance good-bye. Shane Olson, who previously dated Priscilla’s sister, Margaret, isn’t opposed to a marriage of convenience for the sake of furthering his business interests, but Priscilla – with her wild ways – is just about the last woman he’d choose to marry. In order to make the marriage look convincing, they end up having to spend more time together than they’d originally planned. When rolling stone, Priscilla, who lives by the seat of her muu-muu, and seriously-ambitious Shane, who’s had his whole life planned since he was eleven, start falling for each other, it’s going to take a whole lot of compromise for this Bohemian and her Businessman to find their happily ever after. GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32721286-the-bohemian-and-the-businessman PURCHASE LINKS – 99c for a limited time US: http://amzn.to/2qil3PX UK: http://amzn.to/2pl4Da5 CA: http://amzn.to/2poVkrU AU: http://amzn.to/2poPnv3 Free in Kindle Unlimited AUTHOR BIO New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Regnery started her writing career by enrolling in a short story class in January 2012. One year later, she signed her first contract and Katy’s first novel was published in September 2013. Twenty-five books later, Katy claims authorship of the multi-titled, New York Times and USA Today Blueberry Lane Series, which follows the English, Winslow, Rousseau, Story, and Ambler families of Philadelphia; the six-book, bestselling ~a modern fairytale~ series; and several other standalone novels and novellas. Katy’s first modern fairytale romance, The Vixen and the Vet, was nominated for a RITA® in 2015 and won the 2015 Kindle Book Award for romance. Katy’s boxed set, The English Brothers Boxed Set, Books #1–4, hit the USA Today bestseller list in 2015, and her Christmas story, Marrying Mr. English, appeared on the list a week later. In May 2016, Katy’s Blueberry Lane collection, The Winslow Brothers Boxed Set, Books #1-4, became a New York Times E-book bestseller. In 2016, Katy signed a print-only agreement with Spencerhill Press. As a result, her Blueberry Lane paperback books will now be distributed to brick and mortar bookstores all over the United States. Katy lives in the relative wilds of northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, where her writing room looks out at the woods, and her husband, two young children, two dogs, and one Blue Tonkinese kitten create just enough cheerful chaos to remind her that the very best love stories begin at home. AUTHOR LINKS Website/Newsletter Signup: http://katyregnery.com/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7211470.Katy_Regnery Amazon: http://amzn.to/2dqySsy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatyRegnery Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatyRegnery Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/katharineregner/
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Title: Royal Player Author: Katie McCoy Genre: Romantic Comedy Release Date: April 27, 2017 BLURB Charlie Davenport is the bad boy of British tennis - and third in line to the throne. He’s a beast on the courts, and a wild animal in bed (according to all the tabloids). Girls are lining up for chance at his crown jewels, and when I stumble into the wrong Wimbledon dressing room and catch a glimpse of his game, set, AND match, I can see why. So what’s a little good luck kiss between strangers? I know better than to get involved with a bad boy like Charlie. But now he’s on a winning streak, he thinks I’m his lucky charm - and you know what’s luckier than a kiss? Everything. Suddenly, I've got paparazzi on my trail, exes coming out of the woodwork — and you don’t know ‘cutthroat’ until you’ve seen a pack of hungry socialites set loose near the Royal Family. I’m in way over my head, and even worse - I’m falling in love. Can this American girl win her Prince Charming? Or will we both crash out of the championships in flames? Wimbledon-meets-The Prince and Me in this hilarious, sexy new romance from Katie McCoy! GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34777015-royal-player PURCHASE LINKS – 99c for a limited time US: http://amzn.to/2q3E9Nr UK: http://amzn.to/2q24N6i CA: http://amzn.to/2otbEIM AU: http://amzn.to/2qbxe0W Free in Kindle Unlimited AUTHOR BIO Katie McCoy is a self-proclaimed sushi addict, Cardinals baseball fanatic, and lover of all things theatrical. A St. Louis native transplanted to Brooklyn, she acts, sings, and shakes her booty when she isn't writing books about hot men and the girls who love them. AUTHOR LINKS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Katie-McCoy-Author-1652753354971134 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14261736.Katie_McCoy GIVEAWAY There is a giveaway for a $25 Amazon gift card We're less than a week away from the release of USA Today Bestselling Author J.L. Berg's FRAUD - and we have an excerpt for you! Check it out below and preorder your copy for a special price of just $2.99!About FRAUDAvailable May 1st, 2017 From USA Today Bestselling author J.L. Berg comes a sexy standalone about love, lies and every dirty little thing in between. Her real name was Kate O’Malley and not only did I plan on finding her, but I fully intended on learning every dirty secret she had and exploiting it for my own gain. But I underestimated my prey. I didn’t anticipate how her words would intoxicate me, or how the curves of her body would consume me. I never meant to fall in love. And now I had a choice to make. Do I give up everything for the woman I set out to destroy, or walk away, making me the biggest fraud of all? Add FRAUD to your to be read shelf on Goodreads! Preorder FRAUD for a special preorder and release week price of $2.99:iBooks | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Google Play Find out when FRAUD goes up for sale on other retailers by subscribing to J.L. Berg's newsletter! Read an excerpt from FRAUDWhat had started as a fun little game to bring this timid beauty out of her shell somehow turned into a wrestling match. And I was the one about to lose. Katelyn O’Malley was nothing like I’d imagined. What had I imagined? I wasn’t sure exactly. I’d diligently done my homework— reading Scandal not once, but twice— before I’d hopped on a plane to Oregon. I’d thought the novel would give me insight to this perplexing woman I was about to meet. It hadn’t. Not one bit. If anything, it’d created a thousand more questions. At first, cracking her ironclad shell seemed like a daunting task. She had come off dry and dull. God-awful boring. But boring women didn’t do tequila shots until two in the morning. Boring women didn’t lie to waiters for free wine and dessert. And boring women definitely didn’t make me feel this way. Needy. Desperate. And fucking horny as hell. Even the way she licked the chocolate off her fork was making me shift uncomfortably in my seat. This was a job. Get your head in the game. “You were pretty good at that,” I said, trying not to stare at the way her pink tongue darted out to grab the last bit of mousse from the tip of her finger. “Good at what?” she asked. “Lying.” She let out a choking cough, patting her chest with her palm. “I’m not a good liar,” she argued. “Really? You seemed to have everyone around us fooled, including that charming elderly couple who offered their congratulations on their way out.” “That really was sweet.” She smiled, a touch of whimsy in her gaze. “Did you see the way they held hands? I’m pretty sure he even grabbed her ass when she walked past him to go to the restroom.” I laughed. “My kind of guy.” “I just wonder what it’s like— to be that in love after all that time,” she said, bending forward and resting the curve of her chin on her hand. “How do you know it has been a long time?” I asked. “Maybe they got married late in life.” She shook her head. “I don’t think so.” “Why?” I asked, curious how she’d reached that conclusion. “There was a familiarity in the way they touched. The way they leaned into one another, the way they walked. It was as if they’d been doing so forever.” I studied her for a quiet moment, recalling the intensity of her words and the passion in her voice. It was the first time since meeting Katelyn O’Malley, I could actually see a sliver of Laura Stone, the author, somewhere inside. “I do believe you are a bit of a romantic at heart,” I replied. She smiled sweetly. “Maybe a hopeless one.” My hand reached out to hers, a needless gesture since we’d already achieved our goal for the evening and sold everyone on our false marital status. This time, I touched her because I wanted to. “Definitely not hopeless,” I said softly, knowing that instant that I was crossing the line between business and pleasure. And heading straight to the land of hell. “So, tell me about technical editing,” she said, shifting topics. “How does one get into something like that?” I suddenly felt like I’d been hit in the face with a bucket of ice water. Here I was, in a dimly lit room, romancing the hell out of a woman I’d just met, and then reality hit. I was lying to her. Flat-out lying. I needed to remember that. “There’s not much to tell,” I said, straightening slightly in my chair. “Rather boring really.” We continued to chat about our lives. She told me more about her work at the college. I rambled off more lies about mine until the check came around. I was feeling quite good about myself as I led us outside. My head was clear. But then I saw the way the moonlight highlighted her golden-blonde hair. I became mesmerized by the sway of her hips and the soft curves of her body. Katelyn O’Malley was casting a spell on me, and she didn’t even know it. And I wasn’t sure I wanted her to stop.About J.L. BergJ.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series, The Walls Duet, and the Lost & Found Duet. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she's not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC. Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Title: Daring the Pilot
Author: Jeannie Moon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 4, 2017
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Series: Men of Marietta (Continuity series, book #3 of 5)
Word Count: 328 pages
Format: Digitial
ASIN: B01N2AQ7JH
Still settling back into Marietta after a harrowing stint as an army helicopter pilot, Jonah Clark plans to spend a few days hiking the local mountains to prepare for his job as a pilot for Crawford County’s Search and Rescue team. When he stops to help a stranded driver, Jonah is shocked to find his best friend’s younger sister is the one behind the wheel. Only now, instead of the geeky teen he remembered, Keely is all grown up with curves he can’t resist. Though the sparks of attraction ignite immediately, they’re hesitant to act because of their shared past. But when a project dear to their hearts is threatened, and a boy is lost on Copper Mountain, Keely and Jonah drop everything to fight for what matters, including each other. ************************************************************** This is part of a series, however, you don't have to read them all to understand this one. If I were you, I would just for the pleasure though!! It's amazing to me all the information fit into this book but I like those types of books. I love a good book with a plot and Jeannie does that really well. I also love a book about 2 people who have known each other forever. Friends to lover books are my favorite! He was her brother's age and she was a couple years younger and did I tell you I LOVE those books???! Cause I do! He saved her and that was it for her...Jonah, bless his heart he's just unaware that there's anything there. He just knows he saved her life. Jonah keeps saving her over and over and they keep getting thrown together and one thing leads to another....again my favorite!!! Read this because you won't be able to put it down and you'll want to pick up the rest in the series. I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on NetGalley for an honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.
Shortlinks
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2mgeKx1
iBooks: http://apple.co/2n8C91b
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2lWsVEU
GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2mde1eg
About the author
Bestselling contemporary romance author Jeannie Moon, has always been a romantic. When shes not spinning tales of her own, Jeannie works as a school librarian, thankful she has a job that allows her to immerse herself in books and call it work. Married to her high school sweetheart, she has three kids, three lovable dogs and resides on Long Island, NY. If shes more than ten miles away from salt water for any longer than a week, she gets twitchy. Visit Jeannies website at www.jeanniemoon.com
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Out of the Ashes by R.C. Boldt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars Phoenix /fēniks/: (in classical mythology) a unique bird inhabiting the Arabian Desert that burned itself on a funeral pyre before rising from the ashes with renewed youth to live through another cycle. This isn’t mythology, it’s war, and Hendy is left in the hands of Hell’s cruelest gatekeepers. His team is killed before his very eyes, and despite his efforts to save them, he’s captured and subjected to merciless torture—losing virtually every piece of his identity but his pulse. After his rescue, he returns home from Afghanistan, saddled with facing the daunting task of healing his physical scars as well as the invisible ones—his emotional demons. Dr. Presley Cole isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. Embarking on a new journey, she makes it her mission to prove to Hendy that his life isn’t over; that he’s worthy of love. Because sometimes even a phoenix needs help to rise… ********************************************* RC has become one of those authors that I don't really read the blurb, I just buy or request to review her book - because I know in my heart it's going to be 5 stars. This was NO EXCEPTION!!!! That girl can write. I met her at a book conference and I didn't fangirl because I hadn't read all her stuff...If I had read this book before I had gone I would have hugged the snot out of her. I absolutely adored this book. Can you tell that I loved this book?? I've already preordered it for 3 friends...1 of whom has PTSD. I work in mental health and I believe that this book is about as true in its facts as they come. Okay, enough of my word vomit of how awesome this book is and let's talk about the actual book... My thoughts on Hendy (Aka Cristiano Hendrixson) and former Navy SEAL. He's one hot guy until he's taken hostage while overseas and his entire unit is KIA. He's tortured for an entire year and presumed dead before being brought back to life and the states. He isn't just scarred internally but externally and now he's jaded. Enter Dr. Presley Cole, chiropractor and Jeopardy enthusiast who wants to heal Hendy from the inside out. From the first page to the last page, I absolutely loved everything in between. I didn't find any inconsistencies or things that made me shake my head. Coming from a Navy family and having a dad who was Navy, I know the information that should be in there and I hate when I read a book and it's incorrect - this wasn't!! I want a Kane...I'll just throw it out there. The man is awesome and I can't wait for his story. If the cover looks just as good - If I lick it...it's MINE!! I've always had a thing for badass heroes but badass heroes who go through something that is tragic and come out on the other side better than they were before = Perfection. The next time I see RC, she better prepare to get a giant hug because coming from a Navy family - she did an awesome job and deserves the accolades and then also PTSD is all too common among our veterans and us as a society need to open our eyes and see it. It's a problem when the suicide rate among veterans is higher than it is for teenagers. Sit on that for a minute. When a veteran can't go and watch fireworks because it throws them into an episodic nightmare - there's a real problem. When they wear earplugs to these events and they do...I've spoken with a couple that says it's easier to do that than to skip out on what their families want - What are we doing? For me, this is a real issue with no end in sight. It's my cause and this book touched me in a way that very few have. Some may say "Oh, it's just fiction!" but to be honest...we live in a world where this happens. Go to Walter Reed Medical and you'll see it. I had the pleasure to review this and I'm glad I did. If you get the pleasure to read it, then do it. It's worth your time. Veterans are worth your time and the next time you see one...Instead of thanking them for their service - Donate to the Wounded Warrior Project Wounded Warrior Project I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher/author for an honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's. View all my reviews
Title: Hook
Series: No Prisoners MC Novella
Author: Lilly Atlas
Genre: MC Romance
After ten years away, Marcie is finally venturing back to where she grew up. She isn’t in town for twenty-four hours, when she crosses paths with Hook and Striker, the two boys who kept her safe and happy as a young girl. Only they aren’t boys anymore. They are fully grown, muscular, and alpha men. Members of the No Prisoners’ motorcycle Club. All through her teenage years, Marcie’s heart belonged to Hook. Not that he ever seemed to notice. And it appears that as an adult, not much has changed with regards to her feelings toward the sexy biker. But a bossy, alpha man is not what independent Marcie is looking for.
The moment Hook lays eyes on Marcie, it’s as though the last ten years apart never existed. He wanted her back when she was off limits, and it doesn’t take long before he realizes he still wants her. Marcie’s changed, though. She’s no longer a frightened teenager in need of a safe haven. Now she’s a beautiful, confident, and a bit too independent woman. Will Hook be able to convince Marcie a life with him wouldn’t stifle her independence? Their relationship is tested when Marcie clings to her hard-won life and when an aspect of that life threatens not only their future together but their safety as well.“It's got twists and turns, it’s steamy and sweet. It's a fast read and can standalone.” - OMG Reads "I love this authors work and she certainly never disappoints with any of her work." - Wendy's Book Blog “I am so glad I found the author Lilly Atlas and look forward to the next book.” - Readers Review
Chapter 1
Marcie lifted the long-necked bottle to her lips and drank a sip of the warm, stale beer she’d been nursing for the past forty-five minutes. As the tepid liquid filled her mouth, she cringed and forced herself to swallow. The desire to finish the beverage had long fled, but she needed something to keep her hands and mind occupied. With a small grunt of disgust, she set it down on the table and let her gaze wander around the smoke-filled bar.
She couldn’t imagine any place she would rather be less than she wanted to be in this bar, back in her hometown of Crystal Rock, Arizona, sitting next to the boyfriend she desired about as much as the lukewarm beer. It wasn’t his fault. Timing sucked. They’d only been dating for two weeks when her mother passed. Really, she hadn’t been all that interested in him, but it was nice to have something to do a few nights a week. Ugh, that sure sounded shallow. Poor Tanner had tried to coax her onto his lap, but that would have made her look dependent on him for comfort. And she wasn’t. She barely knew the guy.
For the first time in ten years, Marcie had made the trip back to Arizona. She’d returned to bury her mother, a miserable woman who spent the majority of Marcie’s childhood stoned and in bed with one random man or another. They hadn’t spoken in almost five years, and while she wasn’t surprised to learn of her mother’s passing, Marcie was truly shocked to discover what little the woman possessed was left to her only child.
A second shock came when her new boyfriend—if she could even give him the strong label—Tanner, offered to accompany her from Seattle to the unassuming town of Crystal Rock, claiming he wanted to assist in settling her mother’s affairs. The show of support touched her, and in a weak moment she caved to his request. Had she been in her right mind, she’d have turned him down. His help wasn’t necessary. She could handle the trip and her mother’s meager affairs on her own, as she handled everything else life threw at her. Independently. Alone. Lonely.
But Tanner insisted, and for the first time in years, she relented and allowed someone the possibility to take care of her. And she’d been secretly relieved by the knowledge that she wouldn’t have to make the journey alone. That was until he invited two of his friends, and turned the trip into a bro’s trip complete with a two-night stop in Vegas.
From the moment Tanner hit the gas and left Seattle in the dust, aspects of his personality she hadn’t yet been introduced to began to emerge. Unfortunately, he transformed into an overgrown frat boy would couldn’t see past his next drink. Even his buddies Cameron and Billy seemed surprised by his slide back to his college days. What did she expect? This is what she got for giving a man she just met some control over her life.
His party mentality wasn’t impressive and she wasn’t they type to overlook poor behavior on the off chance it would improve with time. Nope, she was done with him.
The kind thing would probably be to just inform him tonight that they were through, but her brain was fried and she’d much rather do it back in Seattle, and not in a town where more bad than good memories lurked around every corner.
So, she’d end it as soon as they returned, and she’d be on her own once again. And wasn’t that just how she liked it? It wasn’t the eighteen hundreds. She could and would take care of herself. Too much of her childhood was spent afraid and cowering behind the protection and care of two very special friends. Now, she lived how she wanted without depending on anyone for anything.
Fatigue weighed heavy on Marcie’s shoulders. She’d spent eight hours, today, sifting through a run-down trailer full of tragic childhood memories, and that was after a very simple and unattended burial service. Spending another night with three men who were happiest when in whichever bar was closest was about as appealing as a trip to the gynecologist.
Glancing down at her lap, she smoothed the front of the simple, yet elegant, black skirt she’d worn with a black blouse to the lonely burial. Marcie had been the only person in attendance, unable to wake a hung-over Tanner before she had to leave. Her prostitute mother hadn’t had true friends, and alienated her family, so Marcie was it.
Tanner downed his own drink then grabbed her abandoned beer to polish that off as well. He clanked her beer bottle on the table and she jolted, lost in her own melancholy thoughts. “Damnit, Marcie, this is piss warm. Go grab me a new one from the bar.” As he spoke he gave an unaffectionate tug on her short blonde hair. “I gotta take a piss. Where the hell’s the john?” He glanced around the crowded bar. “Jesus, there’s so many people here it’s gonna take me a year to get to the damn can.”
Marcie shot him a death look, but refused to allow him the satisfaction of seeing her rub the sore spot on her head. Tanner had been in a rotten mood all day, complaining about being stuck in Crystal Rock with nothing to do while Marie dealt with her mother’s personal effects. God forbid he offered to help. Not that she need it. She handled it without him. If she had enough energy to deal with the fallout, she’d just walk away tonight, but she couldn’t handle a confrontation right now.
Relief was almost immediate as she left the three men at the table. The one and only reason she followed his command to grab a beer was to get away from them a few minutes. Tanner was right about one thing. The bar was jam packed. It took quite a bit of fancy maneuvering to work her way to the bar without rubbing up on every body in the place.
With a heavy sigh, she took a seat at the bar in no rush to grab the attention of the cute bartender.
A commotion from the opposite side of the dimly lit bar caught her attention, and she turned in time to see a group of large, gruff bikers enter the establishment. Growing up in Crystal Rock, there was no way to escape knowledge of the No Prisoners motorcycle club. They ran the town, and had always patronized Black’s as their bar of choice.
No surprise, the tattooed men in leather were accompanied by a gaggle of women with tiny skirts and even smaller tops, leaving less than nothing to the imagination.
“What’ll it be, darlin’?” the young, thin man slinging bar asked with a flirty smile, most likely hoping to garner a larger tip. A bull ring ran through his septum and his hands resting on the surface of the bar had the words game over tattooed across the knuckles.
“Another please,” she said, indicating the bottle she’d returned to the bar.
“Sure thing, sweetness. Be right back.” He winked as he turned to grab her beer. Shaggy dark hair stuck out from under a backwards baseball cap and his tan was nicely on display around his dark grey wife beater. Obviously, this was a casual establishment.
She smiled, charmed by his friendly nature. Crystal Rock boasted an eclectic mix of people from all walks of life. A few seconds later, he returned with the uncapped beer and another flirty wink. Marcie paid and swiveled on the stool. Looks like she’d stalled long enough. Time to rejoin the bromance at her table.
“Holy shit! Marcie? Marcie Barringer?” The voice was familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it.
Her head snapped around, and she came face-to-face, well face to chest—the man was tall as a building—with Dylan Parker.
“Dylan?” she asked, unable to keep the delight from her voice. Without thinking, she launched herself off the stool, landed against his hard chest with a grunt, and wrapped her arms tight around the body that was no longer that of a young boy, but a full-grown man. And a hot one at that.
He seemed just as elated to have run into her, and returned the embrace with gusto. “I can’t believe it, Marce,” he said, gripping her arms and holding her away from his body. He raked her up and down with his eyes. “Damn girl you grew up into something gorgeous. I like that pixie haircut. Fits you.”
Marcie blushed, but couldn’t remove the giant grin from her face. She’d known Dylan for as long as she could remember. Without him, she may not have survived her childhood, at least not in one piece. Neither had any siblings, and, being six years older, Dylan had appointed himself her surrogate older brother and protector.
He was the one person from the childhood that she could remember truly caring about her. It was a sibling kind of love, and she hadn’t seen him since the day she left Crystal Rock almost ten years prior. The boy grew up in to one hell of a sexy man, and apparently was now a member of the motorcycle club, if the leather cut he wore was any indication.
She could barely believe he was here, in front of her. Time melted away at being near her surrogate big brother and she felt like the past ten years had never occurred. He was tall, muscular, and deadly looking, with dark, almost black hair and chiseled features that made him look every bit the dangerous man he probably was now. The thought made her laugh. She knew way too much about him to ever consider him a danger, at least not to her.
Damn it was good to see him.
“I can’t believe I ran into you, Dylan,” she said, giving him another quick squeeze.
“It’s Striker now, babe.” An arrogant smirk played across his lips.
“Striker?”
“Handle given to me by the club, on account of my impressive skills.” A teasing glint lit his eyes and he bounced on the balls of his feet, fists up in a boxer’s stance. He was forever getting into fights as a kid. As he grew into his teens, he put that energy to good use learning to box, and becoming quite proficient in the sport.
“Striker it is then,” Marcie returned.
“What are you doing here, hon? How long are you in town?” he asked, genuine concern filling his voice.
That concern was so familiar, a warmth she hadn’t experienced in far too long bloomed in Marcie’s chest. As long as he’d known her, he’d been concerned about her wellbeing, and at the time she’d been too young to appreciate the rarity of a man who wanted nothing more from her than her happiness. Marcie shrugged. “My mom passed. I’m here for a few days dealing with the details.”
Striker grimaced. He’d had a front row seat to the shit show that was Marcie’s childhood, and knew full well what a deadbeat her mother had been. “Shit, Marce. I wish I’d known. I’d have offered to help you. Is there anything I can do now?”
“No, Striker, there isn’t much left and I can handle it.”
He slung an arm around her shoulders and steered her back to the bar. “Well then, we at least need to have a drink or ten, while you’re here. Wait until Hook sees you here. He’s gonna flip his shit.”
She raked her memory but came up with nothing. “Hook?”
Striker laughed. “My bad, honey. Man, I forget how long you’ve been away. Remind me to yell at you about that later.” He gave her a playful scowl. “TJ.”
Every last drop of saliva dried up until her mouth could rival the arid desert. TJ and Dylan, Striker, had been inseparable as teenagers and if she’d loved Striker as a brother, her tender young heart and innocent body had loved TJ in a very different way.
“Oh, there he is.” Striker gestured toward the end of the bar. “Hey, Hook,” he hollered over the music and loud chatter, getting the other man’s attention. “Get your ass over here. Bet you a lap dance you won’t’ believe who’s here!”
Marcie was not in any way prepared for the punch to the gut she experienced when she got her first look at Hook in ten years.
Holy hotness. The man was the sexiest thing she’d ever laid eyes on. The boy had been every teenage girl’s fantasy, but the man, the man was more than she’d dared to fantasize about.
Every feeling she’d ever had for the bad boy she lusted after as a teen came rushing back full force when that sinful mouth lifted in a wide, genuine smile.
Lilly Atlas is a contemporary romance author, proud Navy wife, and mother of two spunky girls. By day she works as a physical therapist for a hospital in Virginia. Lilly is an avid romance reader, and expects her Kindle to beg for mercy every time she downloads a new eBook. Thankfully, it hasn’t happened yet, and she can often be found absorbed in a good book.
After ten years away, Marcie is finally venturing back to where she grew up. She isn’t in town for twenty-four hours, when she crosses paths with Hook and Striker, the two boys who kept her safe and happy as a young girl. Only they aren’t boys anymore. They are fully grown, muscular, and alpha men. Members of the No Prisoners’ motorcycle Club. All through her teenage years, Marcie’s heart belonged to Hook. Not that he ever seemed to notice. And it appears that as an adult, not much has changed with regards to her feelings toward the sexy biker. But a bossy, alpha man is not what independent Marcie is looking for.
The moment Hook lays eyes on Marcie, it’s as though the last ten years apart never existed. He wanted her back when she was off limits, and it doesn’t take long before he realizes he still wants her. Marcie’s changed, though. She’s no longer a frightened teenager in need of a safe haven. Now she’s a beautiful, confident, and a bit too independent woman. Will Hook be able to convince Marcie a life with him wouldn’t stifle her independence? Their relationship is tested when Marcie clings to her hard-won life and when an aspect of that life threatens not only their future together but their safety as well.
**************************************
I love Lilly Atlas and I'll continue to love her. While this was a novella and they always leave me feeling a little meh, this had some backstory that should be read (I think) before Striker and Jester. There were some grammar errors that didn't really make me go crazy and say "Self, you're not reading this ANYMORE!!" I loved all the guys in this and I loved Striker because he's my fave! If you're a fan - you'll definitely pick it up and if you've never read this series, I would say start with this book because it explains sooo much that I didn't get in the first book. I would really say that this is a prequel of sorts and go with that description. The heat in this book was off the charts and they are both really strong characters. I liked that about this book - that they could both hold their own. Overall, this was a 4 Star Read for me and I would recommend it to new and old fans of the series.
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