Tuesday, February 24, 2015

A Ghostly Undertaking (A Ghostly Southern Mystery #1)

A funeral, a ghost, a murder . . . It's all in a day's work for Emma Lee Raines . . .

Bopped on the head from a falling plastic Santa, local undertaker Emma Lee Raines is told she's suffering from “funeral trauma.”   It's trauma all right, because the not-so-dearly departed keep talking to her. Take Ruthie Sue Payne—innkeeper, gossip queen, and arch-nemesis of Emma Lee's granny—she's adamant that she didn't just fall down those stairs. She was pushed.

Ruthie has no idea who wanted her pushing up daisies. All she knows is that she can't cross over until the matter is laid to eternal rest. In the land of the living, Emma Lee's high-school crush, Sheriff Jack Henry Ross, isn't ready to rule out foul play. Granny Raines, the widow of Ruthie's ex-husband and co-owner of the Sleepy Hollow Inn, is the prime suspect. Now Emma Lee is stuck playing detective or risk being haunted forever. 

HarperCollins Publishers
Ghostly Southern Mysteries Book 1
February 24, 2015

I was lucky enough to get a review copy from Edelweiss thanks to the publisher. I've always enjoyed books by Tonya Kappes and was excited to get a chance to read the first book in her new series early.

I absolutely loved A Ghostly Undertaking. This book was a great mystery that had me laughing out loud at times from the humor. Emma Lee Raines is such a fun character. The fact that she suffers from "funeral trauma" and can see dead people was so much fun.  I also loved how close Emma Lee became with Ruthie while working to solve who killed Ruthie.

The mystery was really well done in A Ghostly Undertaking. I had my suspicions as to who the killer was and have to say the clues throughout the story were very well done. 

I also loved the budding romance between Emma Lee and Jack Henry. Mostly I loved that Emma Lee couldn't believe that Jack Henry wanted to actually date her. Jack Henry made me fall just a little bit in love with him as he romanced Emma Lee.  There was such a sweet chemistry between them and I look forward to seeing this relationship grow as the series progresses.


I've been a fan of Tonya Kappes for some time and absolutely love her new Ghostly Southern Mysteries series. I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

MAKE ME UP

Avery Flynn
Make Me Up
Release Date: February 16th, 2015


Blurb:

Murder, mayhem and makeup.

Panty dropper, knee knocker and all-around-good time Cam Hardy leaves a trail of broken hearts wherever he goes. His lady killer reputation never bothered the private investigator until he met Drea Sanford. Getting the tough as nails make up artist in his bed proved to be the easy part. It’s keeping her there that’s harder than any of the special ops missions he’s run in South America.

Falling into Harbor City’s modern day Casanova’s bed was never on Drea’s list of smart things to do—but hotness happens, especially in the form of the six-foot-five-inch motorcycle riding Cam. Then he takes their secret affair public and she swears to never let him crinkle her sheets again. But when one of Drea’s clients is murdered and the police zero in on her, the only person she can count on is the one man she never thought she could trust.

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24701704-make-me-up

Buy links:




YouTube Video:


Giveaway:


Note from Avery on Prize Pack:

When you're a makeup artist, you have to look good--even when you're on the run from the cops and a crime boss. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the person standing between you and the bad guys is a sexy, motorcycle-riding former special ops hottie who just happens to be your ex-lover. Yeah, those kind of days require Sexy Mother Pucker lipstick, Most Wanted eyeliner, Making Headlines nail polish, Gun Ammo eye shadow and Sweet Verbena scents. Lucky you, you don't have to be on the run like Drea and Cam in Make Me Up to get all of these goodies. Just enter the giveaway for your chance to win the Make Me Up Makeover Basket from author Avery Flynn & Entangled Publishing!



About Author

Avery Flynn has three slightly-wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip.
She fell in love with romance while reading Johanna Lindsey’s Mallory books. It wasn’t long before Avery had read through all the romance offerings at her local library. Needing a romance fix, she turned to Harlequin’s four books a month home delivery service to ease the withdrawal symptoms. That worked for a short time, but it wasn’t long before the local book stores’ staffs knew her by name.
Avery was a reader before she was a writer and hopes to always be both. She loves to write about smartass alpha heroes who are as good with a quip as they are with their *ahem* other God-given talents. Her heroines are feisty, fierce and fantastic. Brainy and brave, these ladies know how to stand on their own two feet and knock the bad guys off theirs.


Excerpt

Drea got out of the seat and turned around to face him, but she was lost for words when she realized standing up had just given him a better view. Cam’s green-eyed gaze took in her entire body. Then he grinned, pissing her off and drenching her panties at the same damn time. 

If anyone could carry off absolutely wicked and totally charismatic at the same time, it was Cam. She itched to run her fingers through his thick mass of tousled honey blond hair. His murky green eyes were full of dark promise, the kind she knew he could deliver. 

And then there was his body. She could eat Jell-O off of his tanned washboard abs and the gelatin wouldn’t have the courage to jiggle. Being near him was like standing at the edge of the subway platform as the train whooshed by—exhilarating, dangerous, and addicting on a completely visceral level. 

But he’d broken her rule. The one thing she’d asked him not to do—and he’d gone and done it anyway. She wasn’t sure whether knowing he’d done it without thinking made the situation worse or just sad. But she couldn’t keep seeing him if she couldn’t trust him to keep this a secret. Hell, after that kiss, there was no secret. Cover blown. Everyone knew.

Time to cut her losses. Breaking it off now was the smart plan.

“I know what it is.” He stood up and closed the distance between them. “You’re embarrassed because you think someone saw your tongue push its way into my mouth—accidentally, I’m sure. And heard that sweet, soft moan of pleasure—”

She pushed her hand against his chest and forced him back. “Get over yourself, pretty boy.”

He didn’t even blink at the insult. “You want me. I want you. The sex is amazing. Why are you fighting so damn hard against letting people know we’re together?”

“Because we’re not.” She had no plans to trod down the well-worn path to Cam Hardy’s bed again. “You knew the rules when this thing started.”

“No going public.” His gaze pinned her to the spot, and he looked at her like she was the only woman in the world. “Look, babe, give me another chance.”

It made her mouth go dry and other places get wet. They’d had one hell of a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am twisting of the sheets, but they’d known from the start this was temporary. She’d known it. He’d known it. They’d agreed to keep it secret.

“It’s over.” Drea took a single step away from him. 

He moved lightning fast to get in front of her, his bulk blocking her view of the rest of the group. “Don’t go away mad, babe. Let me make it up to you. Tonight. My place. No one has to know.”

She tossed her cup and plate into the trashcan. “Charming.”

He threw up his hands in frustration. “Around most people, I am.”

“And I’m not most people.” Pushing her point home, she traced a finger across his broad, sinewy shoulders and used the softest hint of pressure to nudge him out of her way so she could march across the grass to say goodbye to her best friends. “You should remember that.”

“As if I could ever forget.”





Thursday, February 19, 2015

DARE TO SURRENDER NEW COVER & SALE

Dare to Surrender
Carly Phillips

Dare to Surrender has a brand new cover AND is on sale for $0.99 for a limited time!

Blurb:

After ending a relationship to a cheating, domineering man, Isabelle Masters takes off in her leased Mercedes, only to be arrested for grand theft and hauled to a local police station. To her surprise, she is rescued by the most unlikely person possible, Gabriel Dare, a man she’s been attracted to for far too long. Gabe offers Isabelle freedom along with an invitation to Eden, an exclusive island resort where everything and anything is possible.

Although Gabe yearns to possess Isabelle, he knows all too well he must fight his primitive need to bind her to him, and instead help bring out the independent woman she yearns to become – or risk losing her for good.

A woman who needs to run her own life. A man who needs to exert control. Can she surrender to his erotic demands without losing her sense of self once more?
Buy Links:


About Carly Phillips:
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels that today's readers identify with and enjoy. After a successful 15 year career with various New York publishing houses, Carly is making the leap to Indie author, with the goal of giving her readers more books at a faster pace at a better price. Her Serendipity books will still finish up in January/February 2014 via Berkley as planned. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She's a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she's a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find all information about Carly at her website and other social media sites:

EDGED BLADE

In the year since her life was torn apart, Kit Colbana has slowly rebuilt herself. There’s a promise of hope in the relationship with the alpha of the local shapeshifters and she no longer comes screaming into wakefulness. Life’s not perfect but then again, when was it ever?

When her best friend Justin comes to her for help, there’s little question as to what her answer will be. Witches are disappearing and Justin won’t rest until he has answers. Soon, they learn that it’s not just witches who’ve gone missing, but vampires and shifters, too.

Unlikely alliances are forged as Kit and Justin found themselves drawn into a twisted web of lies and betrayal. As the clock counts down and the culprit behind recent disappearances is revealed, those Kit loves the most become the target of somebody who will kill to protect an ugly secret.

Release Date February 3, 2015
Shiloh Walker, Inc.
Colbana Files #4

I'm a huge fan of the Colbana Files books from J.C. Daniels. I was so excited to get a chance to read Edged Blade early, as I couldn't wait to see what happened next with Kit.

I have to say that Edged Blade was a tough read for me. While I loved the time we got to spend with Kit and Damon, and even Kit and Justin, I never really connected with the rest of the story. I honestly felt like this book was a little all over the place. I can understand setting the series up for future events, and I'm guessing that is what was going on with the case Justin convinced Kit to work with him on. However, there was so much jumping around with the story and the locations I felt like my head was spinning at times and I had to go back and re-read parts to make sure I understood what had just happened.


Edged Blade cannot be read as a stand-alone book. In fact, if you haven't read the first 3 books in this series, you would be totally lost as to what Kit is recovering from and why she is so different. I've loved all the other books in this series, even when the story made me bawl my eyes out. Edged Blade had much potential, but ended up being just so-so for me. I hope the story arc that started in Edged Blade is explained more in the next book in the series.

Friday, February 13, 2015

GET LUCKY ANTHOLOGY

Get Lucky Anthology

What happens when six romance authors get together and write half a dozen brand-new, steamy, Irish-themed novellas? Everyone gets lucky! This 99-cent box set crosses genres and includes contemporary romance, new adult romance and paranormal romance novellas that will give Get Lucky a whole new meaning. Pre-order your copy today!

The Get Lucky Anthology features:

From USA Today bestselling author Nicola Marsh - Walking the Line
Finn Ahearns Irish luck is about to run out
Reformed Aussie bad girl Ellie is a decade older than Finn but that doesnt stop the charming Irishman from wooing her. Ellie doesnt believe in the happily-ever-after dream any longer, not since hers imploded a long time ago. But can a smooth-talking Irishman sway a hard-hearted cynic to believe in love again?

From reader favorite Kelsey Browning - Amazed by You
Falling again for your first love...this time for keeps.
Authors assistant Olivia McLaughlin must pull off an extravagant St. Patricks Day garden party to win a coveted promotion, but her success hinges on landscape designer Cody Kavanaugh, her old high school boyfriend. Now, Olivia must decide which she cant live withoutthe job that will make her a success or the man offering her a second chance at love.

From sizzling hot and bestselling Robin Covington - One Little Kiss
The best things start with one little kiss.
Trapped by a snowstorm in the same place at the same time, Leighton and Jonas must decide if their hot night together was the end of their story or if they started forever with just one little kiss

From RT Book Review Award nominee Avery Flynn - Big, Bad Red
She always gets her wolf...
Theres nothing little or naive about this Red Riding Hood. Red runs the biggest fencing operation for fairytale treasures out of the back of Grannys Pub. But when she comes into possession of the Caladbolg sword things get hairyas in hot, sexy Liam MacTíre the werewolf hairy.

From paranormal darling Sara Humphreys - Luck of the Irish
A leprechaun is powerless without his gold.
Banished to the mirrored realm for hundreds of years, Declan Aherne had nothing but time to plot his revenge and mourn the loss of his beloved wife. But when a beautiful human woman, with a familiar amulet, stares into the mirror....Declan's luck was about to change.

From the sexy sweet Kimberly Kincaid - Something Borrowed
Her best friend is the best man for the job
When her successful brother announces his plans for an impromptu wedding in Ireland, unlucky-in-love chef Sasha Arrington is stuck between the Blarney Stone and a hard place. Sasha needs a wingman for her brothers wedding, and the romantic destination could be just what James Sullivan needs to tempt Sasha out of the friend zone.

Are you ready to Get Lucky? Pre-order today!

Buy links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1usuH3k
B&N: coming soon
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1DRzkUy
iBooks: http://bit.ly/1vbd2rY