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2016/03/31

Beneath the Layers by Mia Rivers

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BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Beneath the Layers SERIES (& book #) – 1st book in a duology (must be read in order) AUTHOR – Mia Rivers GENRE – Contemporary Romance/Steamy suspense PUBLICATION DATE – 3/2015 PUBLISHER – Self Published COVER ARTIST – Kari Ayasha from Cover to Cover Designs

Beneath The Layers - Cover 

BOOK SYNOPSIS

I have a secret.
A secret that no-one besides my boyfriend, my mother and I know. A secret from my past which has me trapped in a relationship from hell.
Refusing to tell a soul, I’ve kept it balled up inside for the past few years, trying to seem composed for the world while my reality was the complete opposite. I gave up on any hopes of a different life. A life where love and happiness existed. Alex, personally saw to it himself. He made sure it was drilled deep within my brain. This was the hand that life had dealt me. The life I learned to accept.
Until the day I bumped into Nick.
A gorgeous man who's haunted my thoughts and awakened my desires. A man, whose persistence turned my world upside down, more than it already was. The same man who also happened to be my boss and had a secret of his own. A secret that I couldn't decipher, even when it stood right in front of me. A secret that would blow me away.
My name is Tara and this is my story.

********
 REVIEW



Tara was starting her new job at the Law office of Rossi & Rossi P.A.; she has been a paralegal for the firm Lombardi & Associates for the past seven years. This was her chance to work at a higher paying job and she really liked the idea. Not wanted to be late for her new job she took the Metro to work due to the loads of traffic in the Miami area. When the Metro got to her destination she realized she was early so she decided to get a coffee. As she was heading towards the coffee shop across the street she bumped into a tall drink of water. By doing so her cell phone went flying, except the tall drink of water kept her from falling flat on her face be grabbing a hold of her wrist. She looked up into his eyes and all she seen was the most gorgeous emerald eyes a girl could get lost in. He asked if she was okay minus the fact that he phone screen was cracked she was fine. He offered to buy her a new phone and she turned him down so instead he offered her coffee. Once she finally excepted they were getting ready to enjoy their coffee when she noticed the time. Quickly she told him she had to run; before he could say anything else she was out the door running to her new office she would be working at.
When she arrived everyone in the building was on high alert trying to make sure that everything was running smoothly. She was at a loss as to what was happening, Mrs. Peterson finally explained after showing her to her office that Mr. Rossi was making an appearance at the office today.
Tara has a dark secret that has her kept to her awful boyfriend who is a major jerk. He all but used this secret to keep her in his life but do as he pleased. Tara only told a few of her friends part of the truth about their relationship. She didn’t want them to lose them as friends if they ever found out the truth about her.
 There are so many twist and turns in the story that I don’t want to give them a way in the review. If you have ever read anything my Mia Rivers, you already know her writing style. This was my first time reading her work and let me tell you she doesn’t disappoint with all the emotions you will feel reading this story. 


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BUY & TBR LINKS


Authors Log - Mia Rivers 

AUTHOR BIO

Mia Rivers lives in sunny South Florida with her super-cool son. She channeled her deep-rooted passions for reading and writing into the creation of her very own fictional world and characters.
When she's not writing, she can be found listening to a good band, hanging out with friends, or planning a future trip. But, you'll rarely see her without her treasured Kindle. Especially, when she's getting her daily coffee fix at Starbucks.

 

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Voices Carry by Diane Rinella

VOICES CARRY
Part of The Rock and Roll Fantasy Collection

BY

USA Today Bestselling Author Diane Rinella

GENRE: Contemporary Romance
COVER DESIGNERHeidi 'Azurylipfes' Darras



An incredible romance involving a man, the music he craves, and the voice that haunts him.

Rock and roll turns Brandon Wayne into a juvenile delinquent in all the best ways—crazed, ambitious, and with a slip of danger nagging at his hips. His marketing job at Endeara Candies and hunting down classic vinyl nirvana at Warped Records make his world seem ordinary, but there is another side to his life.

As an anniversary of tragedy approaches, odd occurrences riddle Brandon’s mind with questions. Whose voice is suddenly materializing in his head? Is he fabricating a psychic who looks like one of his favorite rock stars? Why is he having retro dreams involving welded beer cans, disco, and a punk rock girl? The puzzle seems never ending.

Have the musty fumes at Warped Records and the terrible candy at work rotted Brandon’s brain? Has he crossed into the realm of insanity? Or is the reason for the madness beyond his comprehension?



The ambient noise from Dale’s end of the line disappears. I lean back, put my feet up, and close my eyes.

Hold music creeps in. Warrant’s “Cherry Pie”? That’s an odd choice. My foot starts pounding out the rhythm of the bass drum. The song becomes an anthem, beating itself into my head and making me rally behind it. This is totally gonna be stuck in my head all day.

“So far, today has been promising.”

No!

I bolt up in my chair, gripping its arms with white knuckles while my heart tries to gallop out of my chest. That voice came over the phone! It wasn’t any voice either! My words sprint out, cracking as they go. “Dale, you there? Who’s with you?”

Ambient noise returns, followed by Dale’s voice, “Hold on another sec.” I’m definitely not on hold now, yet I still hear Warrant. This is exactly what happened in the car two days ago with Mötley Crüe.

“Anyway,” Dale says, “I was thinking maybe …”

“Sometimes this job can be so boring.”

My lungs struggle for air. There she is again, and she sounds as clear and loud as Dale does. I’m tempted to throw down the phone and run, but all I can do is sit here, frozen and gripping the chair.

Haze begins to coat my inner vision. Pixels form and merge. At first the image is black with a smattering of light peering through, and then browns and creams work their way in, leading to full color, yet it is all buried under fog. My jaw clenches. What the hell is going on?

The haze clears, and although my heart won’t stop racing, something tells me I am safe, regardless of how I have a hard time believing it.

The image before me is of a female arm reaching toward a coffee table and a copy of Neon Angel, the autobiography of Cherie Currie of The Runaways. Next to it is a stereo with an iPod attached. Is that where Warrant is coming from?

“I find myself waiting around, wasting so much time. At least I’m becoming well read.” She chuckles. “If you can call this well read. At least I finally have a chance to look into some of the things that interest me.”

Dale’s voice slips in. “I think I’m headed to great places.”

Everything sounds jumbled to the point where I’m not sure who said what. I don’t want to risk disturbing the vision by asking Dale to stop talking. I also fear that if I speak, I’m so far over the edge my voice won’t work.

The view slips to a dark brown carpet, and although I am still gripping my chair, I seem to be walking; yet I can’t tell where. All I catch are glimpses of what I’m pretty sure are pictures hanging on the wall of a fairly small space. Is this a trailer?

We pass through a door and the music fades, but the sound of heels clicking on tile echo into the mix. The acoustics also change, and I catch sight of a bathroom sink.

“Anyway, I need to head off. We’re getting ready to …”

Was that Dale? I’m not sure anymore.

Sweat builds on my brow as my view turns to a mirror. My ability to breathe is strained when I see the woman wearing jeans and a T-shirt with a design I can’t make out. Her skin is fair and freckled. Her eyes seem hazel or maybe brown. I can’t tell the color of her clipped-up hair, but it seems dark red. Who is this woman whose voice keeps infiltrating my mind? And why am I suddenly seeing through her eyes? It’s almost as if I am her, yet I know I am not.

I’m not, right?

No. I’m Brandon Wayne. I’m sitting at work in Los Angeles, California. I’m thirty-one years old. I’m on the phone with Dale who is in Canada.

I force my view downward and see what I know is real—my hands gripping my chair.

“Yo! Brandon, you there?”



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I think Diane and I are kindred spirits because her books touch my life in ways I cannot explain. I am many years older than her, and yet she hits my soul with her writing. I cannot say enough about her books. She is an incredible writer. I cannot wait for the next one and I can't put them down when they come. By Iolanthesf on February 14, 2016 (Verified Purchase)

I enjoyed this book. The author has so many unique writing styles that make her stories jump of the page. She has crafted, in this book, a finely intertwined bit of interaction between the two lead characters and also managed to tie in her other books in the Rock and Roll Fantasy.

This story introduces Brandon Wayne. He is a marketing person for Endeara Candies and in his spare time-which becomes almost fulltime-tracks down vinyl records. But his life becomes troubled when he thinks he is hearing voices? Is he going crazy. Does it have anything to do with the terrible accident where he lost his love? His co-worked is very concerned about him and gets caught up in the voices.

There are well thought out twists that causes the leader to wonder how Brandon can figure this all out. Since I am anti-spoilers, I highly recommend you read this story and become immersed in the "voices". By Brian P. Lane on January 12, 2016 (Verified Purchase)



Voices Carry is a standalone novel that takes place in the Rock and Roll Fantasy universe, alongside It’s A Marshmallow World, Scary Modsters ... and Creepy Freaks, Queen Midas In Reverse, and the upcoming Moonlight Serenade.


Enjoying San Francisco as a backdrop, the ghosts in USA Today Bestselling Author Diane Rinella's one hundred and fifty-year old Victorian home augment the chorus in her head. With insomnia as their catalyst, these voices have become multifarious characters that haunt her well into the sun's crowning hours, refusing to let go until they have manipulated her into succumbing to their whims. Her experiences as an actress, business owner, artisan cake designer, software project manager, Internet radio disc jockey, vintage rock 'n' roll journalist/fan girl, and lover of dark and quirky personalities influence her idiosyncratic writing.

2016/03/29

Take Two by Traci Hayden

TAKE TWO

A Picture Perfect Novel

by

Traci Hayden
Official genre of book: Contemporary Romance


Beth Huntley, photographer and devoted bachelorette, doesn’t believe in true love. Too much hurt and disappointment has left her hiding behind the camera. All she can see is a black and white world through the lens.

William Lorde, widower and father, was once an open and carefree man. The loss of his wife has left him wrapped up in the needs of his little girl. He can no longer see the colors of the world as he struggles each and every day.

What happens when these two similarly different people meet and help each other to step out of the world they’ve created for themselves? Will they find a love that helps them heal from the past, enjoy their present and create a beautiful future?


The gentleman was looking at some of my photography displayed on the wall. The red and orange tints of his light brown hair reminded me of the vibrant colors of a sunset over the ocean. The touches of blonde which frosted the tips were incredibly sexy. I wanted to run my fingers through his hair while he made wild passionate love to me.

From my vantage point, his physique was lean and muscular. Hardened muscles bulged against his plaid shirt and overalls. The dark bronze tan of his skin glowed like it had been kissed by the sun. Everything about him left me speechless and totally breathless and I had yet to see his face.

Realization hit me hard. Jude was trying to fix me up! If she had her way, I was going to become a mini-Jude; a Judette, if you will. From the looks of this guy, it might just happen.

A jab to my ribs got my attention. My head swung in Jude's direction; my eyes, however, didn't. Heat was burning deep inside me, pushing its way to the surface like molten lava. The rise and fall of the burn matched the timing of my labored breathing.

Reality came racing back when a sharp pain stabbed my foot. I bounced slightly on one leg as I rubbed the offended limb on the back of my calf. Tearing my eyes away from the God standing in my studio, I glared at Jude.

What's happening to me? This wasn't my normal reaction, I wasn't the type to go gooey over a guy. To me, they were all trouble, and they interfered with my professional plans. That was the excuse anyways.

Jude stepped back and slowly raised her hands up in a gesture of surrender. Grabbing the counter to hold myself steady, I looked down at Jude's four inch spikes, one of which had surely lanced my foot. Through my gritted teeth, I growled. "What the fuck?"

Jude's eyes darted between me and the sexy man across the room. She whispered so softly, it was impossible to tell if I'd heard the words or read her lips. "Pull your tongue in, you sexual deviant."

It was at that precise moment that the star of my erotic fantasies turned around, and every nerve in my body exploded. His unshaven jaw line begged to be licked, his naturally red lips begged to be kissed, and his eyes - oh my god, those eyes! My heart shattered into a million pieces.

His gorgeous, ocean blue eyes were haunted with such despair. Where there should have been light shining brightly like the moon on a clear summer's night, there was a blank stare. His eyes were filled with almost agonizing grief. For an instant, his anguish overwhelmed me. I wanted to wrap him in a cocoon and protect him from the world. A cruel world of torture and grief, that's all his eyes portrayed.



  This book is specially discounted till one week after publication. Get your copy today.  





My love for books began at a very small age. I lived inside the many worlds the local library could provide. The characters within those pages were my companions and my support when I needed someone most.

My imagination began to soar as I grew. I began writing small poems as a teenager, but never thought much about publishing or expanding beyond put my words to paper.

After my children were born our love for a certain TV show fueled my love for writing. Using my children as inspiration, I began to write fanfiction, my children being the characters within the stories.

My passion for putting words to paper (or screen as is the norm now) has turned from passion to obsession. I've made some incredible friends through this journey and in turn, have become not only an author but a promoter and supporter for those whose imagination dreams character and worlds that I can lose myself in.

I thank my precious children, my beautiful soul-mate and my forever sister and best friend for being my constant rock and support as I continue to walk this road called life.

2016/03/28

Corralling Kenzie by Joanne Jaytanie

CORRALLING KENZIE
The Winters Sisters series Book 4

by

Joanne Jaytanie

Official genre of book: Romantic Suspense with paranormal elements



Will Kenzie ever find peace and security inside the corrals of her ranch again?

Kenzie Vaughn is lucky to have a big-city, big-paycheck position. But her great job serves as nothing more than the path to her dream: a horse boarding and training ranch outside the big city. Kenzie is a horsewoman who loves Dobermans and peaceful country living. Now she’s found the perfect ranch, right next door to a lovely campus that houses the Winters Corporation. Her luck is holding, for the Corporation is run by the Winters’ sisters, wonderful women who could easily grow to become great friends.

One night her peace was shattered by a gunshot that wounded her horse, Boone. Good thing for Kenzie, Victory Winters is a veterinarian. Still the gunshot was no accident, and Kenzie’s past and the Winters’ present are dangerously intertwined. Kenzie is sucked into a vortex of rogue scientists who only want her for her DNA. Fortunately, the Winters Corporation can help. Even better, a Special Ops team member, Logan Mendoza, is assigned to watch her ranch. He isn’t interested in Kenzie’s DNA; he wants her for much more. Logan takes Kenzie’s personal security personally.

Will corralling Kenzie become Logan’s full-time mission?




As she spoke gently to him, she began inspecting his body. His blanket was securely strapped around him. She left the blanket in place as she ran one hand over him. At the same time, she searched the ranch with sweeping beams of the flashlight. As her hand worked its way down his flank, she felt something warm and wet. He snorted and his muscles rippled under her touch. There was a tear in his heavy, brown blanket. Surrounding the tear was a dinner-plate size spot. Carefully Kenzie loosened the strap closest to the tear and lifted the blanket. Underneath, she found a long, deep, gouge that oozed blood. She followed the blood path and discovered deep red spatters and a pool on the pristine white ground.

“Boone. Oh Boone, you’re hurt!”

She examined the snow and spotted two sets of large boot prints. The prints crisscrossed and headed to the backside of the paddock. She gasped as it dawned on her that someone else could be near.

Smearing blood everywhere, she patted herself down frantically, hoping her phone was still in a pocket. Yanking it out, she murmured, “come on, come on,” as she impatiently waited for the phone to come to life. She punched in the number she knew by heart. The phone call went directly to voice mail.

“The doctor had a family emergency and will be out of town until next week. If this is an emergency please contact—”

“That vet is ninety minutes away,” she said as she disconnected the call. By the time she loaded Boone up in the horse trailer and drove him out to the vet, he could bleed out. The same thing could happen if she waited for the vet to arrive. She had one other option, except she told herself she would never use it. She scrolled through the phone numbers until she found it. The phone rang and rang, but Kenzie refused to disconnect the call.

“Hello?” came a sleepy female voice.

“Hello, is this Victory Winters?”

“Yes, who’s this?”

“I’m terribly sorry to call you so late. Normally I would never do such a thing. I tried to reach my vet, but he’s out of town and this is an emergency. My name is Kenzie; I own the ranch south of your campus. Todd gave me your number. He told me to call you if I ever had a problem with my animals. He said you can work on all types of animals. My horse, Boone has been injured. He’s bleeding—can you please help me?”

“What?” Now Victory’s voice sounded alert and worried. “What did you say?”

“Boone. My horse. He’s been shot, and I just found boot prints in the snow. They came from the direction of your campus. Is there someone shooting there?”

“Kenzie, is it? I haven’t heard any gunshots. I will come out and help you. Try and keep Boone quiet. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

“I’m going to stay with Boone. I’ll be in the barn when you get here, right past the house. Thank you, Victory.”






Catch up with The Winters Sisters before Kenzie makes her worldwide appearance.





Joanne was born and raised in Sherburne, New York, a quaint village surrounded by dairy farms and rolling hills. From the moment she could read she wanted to explore the world. During her college years she slowly crept across the country, stopping along the way in Oklahoma, California, and finally Washington State, which she now proudly calls home. She lives with her husband and Dobermans, in their home located on the Kitsap Peninsula with a panoramic view of the Olympic Mountains.

Joanne writes romantic suspense, paranormal, and contemporary romance. She loves to submerge herself in the world of her characters, to live and breathe their lives and marvel at their decisions and predicaments. She enjoys a wide variety of books including paranormal, suspense, thriller, and of course romance.

Joanne is a member of Romance Writers of America, and past President of Peninsula Romance Writers, which was Debbie Macomber's home chapter.

2016/03/25

Offbeat by Nikki Lynn Barrett

OFFBEAT
Love and Music In Texas Book 5

by

USA Today Bestselling Author Nikki Lynn Barrett

Name of cover designer: Robert Barrett 
Official genre of book: Contemporary romantic


Life is full of choices...

Right before she turned sixteen, Taryn McAllister made several rebellious choices, one which led her to become the drummer for a major teen sensation country star. After a deadly accident, she made another choice - to get back on the wagon and play drums again, no matter that it took adapting because she's confined to a wheelchair.

Now another set of choices is thrust upon her. After reconnecting with her estranged best friend, Taryn is offered a chance to play drums for a local Texas band ready for the Nashville move. Her once strong confidence is shaken, and she's torn between her love of music and the reality that it might not work out.

Chris Roland made a string of bad choices, and it's left him feeling numb. Now he's playing the drums temporarily for his sister's band, but he knows this isn't the life for him. Problem is, he doesn't know what direction to go. He knows what he doesn't want, but can't decide on what he does want.

And then he meets Taryn, the feisty drummer who could be his replacement. He's relieved for a chance to break away....that is until he gets to know her. And while he's getting to know her, she's helping to open up a part of his soul that was long dead and buried.

It's high time to make the right choices. It's just a matter of deciding what choice is right.


Chris glanced around as he entered the house.

“You look nervous,” Matt commented.

“A little. Right now, I'm making sure there aren't any traps set for me. I heard the girls were cooking up something earlier. I'm waiting for my life to flash before my eyes.”

Matt let out a laugh and Kyra smirked. “I promise, we haven't set any death traps. Only because I never know who's going to knock on my door.” She winked. “Taryn! You've got company! Let me know if I need to roll out our plan!”

Chris exchanged a look with Matt. He held up his hands. “I know nothing about this. I've been working all day. Good luck.” Matt patted him on the shoulder and left the living room.

Hell. What in the world had been said about him today?

“Hi,” Taryn said softly as she wheeled down the hallway and stopped right before entering the living room.

“All right, I have to ask. You aren't hiding any sort of weapon, are you?” Chris asked in jest. “Because ever since I walked in here, I have a feeling some sort of master plan has been devised.”

“You're welcome to do a search.” Taryn folded her arms over her chest, casting a grin his way. She eyed the flowers.

“Don't tempt me. I don't do well with surprises.” He held out the vase to her. “I don't know if you do the whole flowers thing, but I didn't let it stop me.”

“I think it's sweet, just saying!” Kyra called from the other room.

“Quiet, Kyra!” Taryn called back, stifling a giggle.

“Don't worry. We're leaving. I'll keep the instigator away for awhile,” Matt promised.

“You're supposed to be on our side!” Kyra protested.

“Someone has to stand up for the poor guy!” Matt and Kyra appeared in the doorway, both laughing.

“Thanks, Matt. Glad to know someone has my back.” Chris shook his head. “Is this a mess with my friend and you get everyone's wrath kind of thing?”

“Pretty much. Some things never change.” Kyra shrugged.

“How do you deal with this?” he asked Matt.

“I stay in their good graces,” came the simple, yet honest reply. “But to be fair, I've feared Kyra's wrath a few times.”

“Yes but Kyra's wrath is to put you in a song. Mine involve drumsticks,” Taryn warned.

“We're going now, I promise. See you two later.” Kyra waved, then allowed Matt to drag her out the door. When they were alone, Chris let out a nervous laugh. “So on a scale from one to ten, how much does everyone want to kill me?”

“Oh, it's been all over the place today.” Taryn nodded.

“Right now?”





I'm an avid lover of books. I've been writing as far back as I can remember, completing my first "book" by fifth grade in one of those one subject spiral notebooks. I have a passion for music, photography, jewelry and all things creative. I live in Arizona with my husband and son, but dream of being somewhere much colder and stormier. For now, I'll have to live that life through my characters and stick it out with the summer heat.

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