Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Vouched Book, Q&A & Exclusive Giveaway—Escape from Paradise by Gwendolyn Field



Escape from Paradise
by Gwendolyn Field
Publication: June 26th, 2013 by Gwendolyn Field
Genre: Adult Dark Contemporary Romance | Mild BDSM

Amazon B & N Goodreads

When college sophomore Angela Birch sneaks from Texas to Mexico for Spring Break, she believes the worst that can happen is her parents finding out.

Wrong.

The worst is falling for the ruse of handsome, alluring Fernando. One spontaneous choice whisks Angela across the world to the pseudo paradise of Spain’s Mediterranean Riviera where she has another choice to make: live cooperatively as one of billionaire Marco Ruiz’s slaves, or die.

* * *

Colin Douglas’s future was seized and choked when deliberate tragedy struck his Scottish family at the age of sixteen. He spent his remaining youthful years infiltrating the U.K.’s crime world, seeking power, control, and revenge, all leading to a position as an undercover agent. With nothing to lose, Colin accepts the seemingly impossible job of rescuing America’s famous missing girl, Angela Birch. Colin knows that to enter a snake lair, one must become a snake. It turns out to be a mission which will put his desire for control to the ultimate test, and make him wish for things he never knew he wanted.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Woken Gods by Gwenda Bond

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine,
spotlighting upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Raina's pick this week:

The Woken Gods
by Gwenda Bond
Expected publication: September 3rd, 2013 by Strange Chemistry
Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy | Mythology

Goodreads
Five years ago, the gods of ancient mythology awoke around the world.

This morning, Kyra Locke is late for school.

Seventeen-year-old Kyra lives in a transformed Washington, D.C., dominated by the embassies of divine pantheons and watched over by the mysterious Society of the Sun that governs mankind’s relations with the gods. But when rebellious Kyra encounters two trickster gods on her way home, one offering a threat and the other a warning, it turns out her life isn't what it seems. She escapes with the aid of Osborne "Oz" Spencer, a young Society field operative, only to discover that her scholar father has disappeared with a dangerous Egyptian relic. The Society needs the item back, and they aren’t interested in her protests that she knows nothing about it or her father's secrets.

Now Kyra must depend on her wits and the suspect help of scary Sumerian gods, her estranged oracle mother, and, of course, Oz—whose first allegiance is to the Society. She has no choice if she’s going to recover the missing relic and save her father. And if she doesn't? Well, that may just mean the end of the world as she knows it. From the author of Blackwood comes a fresh, thrilling urban fantasy that will appeal to fans of Neil Gaiman, Cassandra Clare, and Rick Riordan.

Why I'm waiting:
Urban Fantasy + Egyptian mythology with what sounds like a post-apocalytic or dystopian society? It sounds unique and awesome. Count me in, with grabby hands!


What book releases are you eagerly anticipating?
Let us know in a comment, or link us up to your own WoW post!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Cover Reveal! Moirai by Ruth Silver


Welcome to the cover reveal for:



Moirai
by Ruth Silver
Aberrant #2
Genre: Young Adult Romantic Dystopian Adventure

Olivia has been on the run from the government of Cabal since the marriage ceremony. Finally settling in and finding herself a place to call home, in Shadow, Olivia and Joshua are preparing for the uprising that they and the rebel alliance have been planning for months.

With new abilities and special talents, from Mindonsiphan, Olivia learns that she can do more than most ordinary eighteen year olds. Learning both to hide and perfect her skills will be one of the biggest challenges she'll be forced to face.

A constant rollercoaster of emotion and adventure await Olivia and Joshua, as they embark on a journey to the rebel city of Torv, and what was once home, Genesis.

Expected Publication: September 2013 by LazyDay Publishing

Cover Reveal! Guarded by J.D. Rivera


Welcome to the cover reveal for:



Guarded
by J.D. Rivera
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance | Novella

Vanessa Smith has her heart guarded. She’s been married to a man that sleeps around and has made her think she’s ugly and undeserving. Everything changes when she is knocked down by the famous basketball player, Jackson Berrios. A friendship ensues and everything she thought she knew about men turns out to be wrong.

Jackson Berrios was out for a run in a new city when he made contact with the beautiful Vanessa Smith. He instantly knew she was different from most girls but can he make her see that he’s different from her cheating husband?

Expected Publication: September 17th, 2013
Cover design by EM Tippetts Book Designs

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Blog Tour {Review & Giveaway}—Precious Embrace by Dana Mason


Stopping by The LUV'NV today is Precious Embrace blog tour, organized by Reading Addiction Blog Tours.




Previous Embrace
by Dana Mason
Embrace #2
Publication: July 11th, 2013 by Sapphire Star Publishing
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Book Depository Amazon B & N Goodreads

A second divorce and a new baby wasn’t the vision Alison Hayes had for her future. Now a single mother with two young boys, she wants to focus on her kids and what’s left of her stagnate career.

When Detective Johnny Rhay Bennett breezes into her life with his country-boy accent, she wants to run. She doesn’t need another man in her life, or another reason to make people talk. But when her worst nightmare becomes a reality, Johnny is the only person who can pull Ali out of her despair, forcing her to stay strong and not give up hope of finding her missing child.

~~~

Who falls in love after a one-night stand? Johnny Rhay doesn’t believe it’s possible until it happens to him. With Nashville in his rear-view mirror, he’s determined to convince Alison she loves him too, even if it means moving to the West Coast.

Ali’s not easy, and she’s living on just this side of bitter after her divorce, but Johnny doesn’t care. He’s up for the challenge. At least, he believes he’s up for it until baby Micah is stolen right out from under his nose. Now Johnny has to keep it together and get that sweet little boy home safe before his dreams of having a family vanish too.

Vouched Book! Dangerous Embrace by Dana Mason


Dangerous Embrace
by Dana Mason
Embrace #1
Publication: October 4th 2012 by Sapphire Star Publishing
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Book Depository Amazon B & N Goodreads

Sarah Jennings wants nothing more than a quiet life—alone. Raised by an eccentric mother, their life on the road only taught her how to run away from hard times. When she finds herself in an abusive relationship, this lesson serves her well.

Eight years later, she’s settled back in her hometown and less fearful than she’s ever been in her life. She’s a first grade teacher, and with few friends and less family around, she has what she wants, a quiet life under the radar where she can be free of her past and live quietly. Until one night and one brutal act of violence changes everything.

Injured and afraid, Sarah wants to run again, but Mark Summors refuses to let her go.

Mark was born and raised in Santa Rosa. He married his high school sweetheart and never questioned his life, until he found his wife with another man. Now divorced, he wants something more. He's passionate about his job, he wants to protect people, and he devotes his life to it. This time he's protecting more than just another client, he's protecting his future; at least, Sarah Jennings will be his future, once he convinces her she loves him.

When Sarah agrees to let Mark help, she doesn’t anticipate just how important of a role he’ll play in her future or how the violence in her past will come back to threaten them both.(

The Verve and Stacking the Shelves

The Verve is our Sunday edition of the weekly memes "The Sunday Post," hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer,
and "Stacking the Shelves," hosted by Tynga's Reviews. We feature the books we bought, borrowed, were gifted and given for review,
as well as share blog news from the past couple weeks and what you might see in the next two.



** Click on the individual bookcovers for the respective book's review or Goodreads page **

REVIEWS:

EXCERPTS:
Avoiding Mr. Right  by C.J. Ellisson (Erotic Romance)
Speak Easy  by Melanie Harlow (NA Historical)
Norse Jewel  by Gina Conkle (Historical Romance | Viking)

INTERVIEWS:
Ivy Sinclair, author of New Adult Contemporary Romance Bittersweet Junction

GUEST POSTS:
On Heathcliff and Retellings by V.J. Chambers, author of Wuther
Romancing the Bookworm  Character Profiles by Kate Evangelista

COVER REVEALS:
Homecoming  by Cecilia Robert (NA Steampunk Paranormal Romance)
Courage  by Carrie Butler (NA Paranormal Romance)

SPOTLIGHTS:
Kinetic  by S.K. Anthony (NA Urban Fantasy)
Unbreakable  by Kami Garcia (YA Urban Fantasy Suspense)

NEW GRAPEVINE BOOK TOURS:

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Vouched Book! Sanctuary of Mine by S. Pratt


Sanctuary of Mine
by S. Pratt
Publication: July 13th, 2013 by S. Pratt
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: Bought

Book Depository Amazon B & N Goodreads

When you see someone who looks like they need saving, you save them right?

Mackenzie Deeks is struggling. Outwardly she plays the tough guy and acts like being a young adult with an eating disorder is no big deal. Inside, she's crumbling.

Ever since her parents’ divorce, the only way she has been able to feel in control of her life is by purging the despair that has its grips on her and won't let go.

Tyler Redding knows when someone needs help - he's seen it before. This time, though, he's not going to take no for an answer. From the moment he first sets his sights on Mackenzie, he's unable to think of anyone else. But how can he focus on a football career when all he wants to do is date the most unassuming person he's ever met?

As their lives become intricately entwined, it becomes more than wishful thinking when Mackenzie and Tyler find each other again as adults. With successful careers, a beachside lifestyle and each other’s love to contend with, life should be pretty damn good. But just when they think they’ve found their wonderful kind of normal, their perfect world comes crashing down.

It’s going to take a lot to keep Mackenzie from succumbing to old habits, but Tyler thinks he might just be the one to save her for good.

Sanctuary of Mine is a New Adult novel, recommended for 17 years old and over due to sexual content and social situations.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday: Finished Book Destination

Alison Can Read Feature & Follow

To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
  1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
  2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers
  3. Put your blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
  4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post. This post is for people to find a place to say "hi" in your comments and that they are now following you.
  5. If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn't have GFC (Google Friend Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
  6. Follow follow follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow; comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI."
  7. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the love...and the followers
  8. If you're new to the follow Friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

The question for this week is:
What do you do with your books after you’re done reading them?

I keep them and stack (more like jam-pack) them on my "finished" bookcase by age group category or genre. The books that I find aren't for me when I finish them, I'm still likely to keep. :P In some cases, I'll donate them to the library or St. Vincent's. I'm reading more eBooks as of late. Unless I know I'll read it again, I usually archive or delete the eBook from my devices but keep it in my online library. For books I absolutely loved upon finishing, I usually buy another copy to give away.

What about you? What do you do with a book when you finish reading it?
Let us know in a comment below—we enjoy hearing from you. And feel free to leave us a link to your F&F Friday.
We love discovering new blogs. Thanks for stopping by.

You certainly don't have to follow, but if you'd like to, our GFC, Linky, and Bloglovin' link can be found at the bottom of the blog. Everything else is at the top of the sidebar. We'd appreciate it if you stop by to check out Grapevine Book Tours, a brand new tour site. Thank you kindly!
Hope you have a great weekend!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Book Blitz {Q&A & Giveaway}—Ivy Sinclair, author of Bittersweet Junction


Bittersweet Junction
by Ivy Sinclair
Publication: July 10th, 2013 by Leeds Lake Publishing
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Amazon B & N Kobo Goodreads

Best friends once, lovers never, yet an attraction that can’t be ignored.

Five years ago, Julia Bell walked away from her life the moment her high school diploma was in her hand. She left her family and friends behind to start over and escape the chokehold of small town life in Benton Hill. But an urgent call from her little sister brings Julia back to her hometown wholly unprepared for what awaits her.

Ben Miller was always the nice guy. Just before high school graduation, he stepped out of that role hoping to capture the heart of the woman he loved. Instead, in quick succession he lost the girl, and the future he worked so hard to achieve.

Even though Julia and Ben are drawn to each other, echoes of the past block them at every turn. Secrets are exposed, and reality needs to be dealt with if they can ever hope to move past the bittersweet junction that ripped them apart.

Vouched Book! The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead by Max Brooks


The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead
by Max Brooks
Publication: September 16th 2003 by Broadway Books
Genre: Horror | Humor | Reference

Amazon B & N Goodreads
The Zombie Survival Guide is your key to survival against the hordes of undead who may be stalking you right now. Fully illustrated and exhaustively comprehensive, this book covers everything you need to know, including how to understand zombie physiology and behavior, the most effective defense tactics and weaponry, ways to outfit your home for a long siege, and how to survive and adapt in any territory or terrain.

Top 10 Lessons for Surviving a Zombie Attack

1. Organize before they rise!
2. They feel no fear, why should you?
3. Use your head: cut off theirs.
4. Blades don’t need reloading.
5. Ideal protection = tight clothes, short hair.
6. Get up the staircase, then destroy it.
7. Get out of the car, get onto the bike.
8. Keep moving, keep low, keep quiet, keep alert!
9. No place is safe, only safer.
10. The zombie may be gone, but the threat lives on.

Don’t be carefree and foolish with your most precious asset—life. This book is your key to survival against the hordes of undead who may be stalking you right now without your even knowing it. The Zombie Survival Guide offers complete protection through trusted, proven tips for safeguarding yourself and your loved ones against the living dead. It is a book that can save your life.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Waiting on Wednesday: Unbreakable by Kami Garcia

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine,
spotlighting upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Raina's pick this week:

Unbreakable
by Kami Garcia
Legion #1
Expected publication: October 1st 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Genre: Young Adult Urban Fantasy Suspense

Goodreads
Supernatural meets The Da Vinci Code in this action-packed paranormal thriller, the first book in a new series from New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia.

I never believed in ghosts. Until one tried to kill me.

When Kennedy Waters finds her mother dead, her world begins to unravel. She doesn’t know that paranormal forces in a much darker world are the ones pulling the strings. Not until identical twins Jared and Lukas Lockhart break into Kennedy’s room and destroy a dangerous spirit sent to kill her. The brothers reveal that her mother was part of an ancient secret society responsible for protecting the world from a vengeful demon — a society whose five members were all murdered on the same night.

Now Kennedy has to take her mother’s place in the Legion if she wants to uncover the truth and stay alive. Along with new Legion members Priest and Alara, the teens race to find the only weapon that might be able to destroy the demon — battling the deadly spirits he controls every step of the way.

Suspense, romance, and the paranormal meet in this chilling urban fantasy, the first book in a new series from Kami Garcia, bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures  novels.

Why I'm waiting:
Um, Supernatural  meets The Da Vinci Code. Need I really say more? I normally don't like book comparisons, but this one did its job. It pulled me in and had my fingers fiercely hitting "Want to Read," "wish-list," "cannot-wait," and every other critical shelf. Maybe I'm in the minority, but I haven't read Beautiful Creatures. *shrugs* I'm curious about it, but not desperate. For this book, I am. Ghosts, chilling suspense, some romance? *both hands in the air* Give meee!


What book releases are you eagerly anticipating?
Let us know in a comment, or link us up to your own WoW post!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Spotlight Excerpt, Book Trailer & Giveaway—Norse Jewel by Gina Conkle


Norse Jewel
by Gina Conkle
Publication: June 17th 2013 by Covet/Scandalous | Entangled Publishing
Genre: Historical Romance | Viking

Amazon B & N Kobo Goodreads

AD 1022

A stolen woman of rare qualities ...

Seized by marauders and taken to the icy northlands by the wolf-eyed Viking warrior, Helena will do whatever it takes to earn her freedom and return to France.

A powerful warrior who’s lived by the sword ...

Betrayal has turned Hakan’s heart to ice, but the spirited Frankish maid warms him in a way he’s never known. The spell she weaves leaves them both breathless, but can he keep his promise to return her home even if it means he’ll lose his precious jewel forever?

Monday, July 22, 2013

Blog Tour {Excerpt & Giveaway}—Speak Easy by Melanie Harlow


Stopping by The LUV'NV today is the Speak Easy blog tour, organized by AToMR Tours.
We have an exclusive excerpt from this New Adult Historical to share with you,
and you can enter to win an eBook copy or an awesome grand prize swag pack with a signed copy of Speak Easy.


Speak Easy
by Melanie Harlow
Speak Easy #1
Publication: July 22nd, 2013 by Melanie Harlow
Genre: New Adult Historical

Amazon B & N Kobo Goodreads

Temptation is everywhere.

It's July, 1923. By day twenty-year-old Tiny O’Mara works for her father’s smalltime bootlegging operation. By night she craves the roll-your-stockings-down lifestyle of a flapper, but with her mother gone, she’s usually stuck at home with two younger sisters—until her father is kidnapped by a mobster in Detroit's exploding organized crime scene, and it’s Tiny who has to come up with the ten-thousand-dollar ransom.

In one week.

Enzo DiFiore’s screen-idol looks and dangerous charm leave her breathless, even though he’s the son of the mobster holding her father hostage. But when the forbidden spark between them refuses to burn out, she tries to use their powerful attraction to buy more time.

And then there’s Joey Lupo, the irritatingly handsome pest from her childhood who’s got the street smarts Tiny needs to smuggle enough booze to make a quick ten grand. But he’s got his own agenda where gang rivalries are concerned, and despite his promise to protect her, Tiny isn’t sure she can trust Joey—or stop her growing feelings for him.

To save her father’s life, she’ll have to choose between them. But deciding whom to trust isn’t easy in a world where everyone wants something—be it booze, money, power, or sex—and no one cares what it takes to get it.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Blog Tour {Character Profiles & Giveaway}—Romancing the Bookworm by Kate Evangelista


Stopping by The LUV'NV today is the Romancing the Bookworm blog tour, organized by AToMR Tours.
We have Romancing the Bookworm's character profiles to share with you,
and you can enter to win an eBook copy, print copy, or swag!


Romancing the Bookworm
by Kate Evangelista
Publication: July 9th, 2013 by Omnific Publishing
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Amazon B & N Goodreads

Sometimes, even the best-laid plans can unravel.

It's spring break, and Tamara Winters would rather stay on campus and read romance novels than flaunt her size-fourteen body on a beach. But her best friend, Ronni, has other ideas. Against her wishes, Tamara is whisked away to picturesque Maverick Bay, where she's wrangled into waiting tables with Ronni at the Shore Shack for its busy week leading to Maverick's Surf Invitational. There she meets fellow schoolmate Xavier Solomon, the Invitational's organizer and campus womanizer by reputation. From the moment Tamara sees him emerging from the waves like a hero in of one of her romance novels, all she wants to do is run away from the feelings he inspires in her.

Little does she know Xavier has been watching her for weeks now. In fact, after failed attempts at asking her out on campus, he's concocted a crazy plan: fabricating romantic situations straight out of her favorite books. Xavier quickly realizes that if Tamara gets a whiff of his designs, he might as well spell CREEPER across his forehead. Yet as they grow closer, he's convinced it's a risk worth taking. What he hasn't planned on, of course, is his drug-addicted, alcoholic stepbrother, who decides to join the fun and put a wrench in Xavier’s scheme.

Spring break is proving hotter than Tamara expected. Will her romance novels be able to compete?

Feature & Follow Friday: Book Vacay

Alison Can Read Feature & Follow

To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:
  1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
  2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers
  3. Put your blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
  4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post. This post is for people to find a place to say "hi" in your comments and that they are now following you.
  5. If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn't have GFC (Google Friend Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
  6. Follow follow follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow; comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI."
  7. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the love...and the followers
  8. If you're new to the follow Friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!

The question for this week is:
Book Vacay: Where is the best destination reading spot for you?
(Where do you like to go to read other than your home?)

Choice place to read for me always depends on the season and weather. By a fireplace during the winter, inside a screened porch when it's raining, or in a large, body-hugging arm chair in an air-conditioned room if it's over ninety degrees outside. Right now, during the summer, the best place is my in-laws' lake, Lac La Belle (Oconomowoc, WI). With the view, the pontoons chugging by, the sound of the water lapping against the stone, and a gravity chair, which I've just discovered is awesome for laying out on once you get the over the falling feeling the second you lay all the way back, the place is so relaxing. I'm there every weekend. Wouldn't miss the chance.

Now if I were fortunate enough to have an actual book vacay with no distractions or interruptions, best place would be a cabin at Lake Tahoe or in Napa Valley or the Alps in the late fall. While I enjoy reading outside the best, I'm not a fan of burning hot weather and the sun beating down on me and my Kindle. :P

What about you? What's the best or favorite place to read?
Let us know in a comment below—we enjoy hearing from you. And feel free to leave us a link to your F&F Friday.
We love discovering new blogs. Thanks for stopping by.

You certainly don't have to follow, but if you'd like to, our GFC, Linky, and Bloglovin' link can be found at the bottom of the blog. Everything else is top of the sidebar. And while you're here, we'd appreciate it if you checked out the new tours open for signups on Grapevine Book Tours. There's a giveaway for a Kindle Paperwhite and Amazon/B&N gift cards. Hope you have a great weekend!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Book Blitz {Guest Post & Giveaway}—Wuther by V.J. Chambers


Wuther
by V.J. Chambers
Publication: June 3rd, 2013 by Punk Rawk Books
Genre: New Adult Retelling

Amazon B & N Kobo Goodreads

A gypsy orphan, Heath Galloway adores Cathy Earnshaw, his childhood sweetheart. He would do anything to protect her from her drunken, abusive father--even push the man down a flight of stairs to stop him hitting her.

But with her father dead, Cathy's older brother Matt runs the Earnshaw farm and both of their lives. And Matt despises Heath. Forced to drop out of school and work the fields, Heath is separated from Cathy and the two begin to drift apart.

When Cathy meets the rich, blond, and suave Eli Linton, she finds herself torn between Eli's charm and Heath's brute potency.

Fiercely proud and stubborn, Heath doesn't take well to being brushed aside. He'll get what he wants, or he'll get revenge. No matter how long it takes.

This New Adult retelling of Wuthering Heights is intended for mature readers due to explicit sexual content and coarse language.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Blog Tour {Review & Giveaway}—Indelible by Bethany Lopez

Stopping by The LUV'NV today is the Indelible blog tour, organized by AToMR Tours.
We had the pleasure of reading and reviewing this NA Contemporary Romance, and you can enter to win a signed paperback copy!


Indelible
by Bethany Lopez
Publication: June 20th 2013 by Bethany Lopez
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Amazon B & N Smashwords Goodreads

After a year of partying, Sam decides to buckle down and focus on college. Things are going great until a one-night stand leaves her pregnant and alone. Raising a child while going to school isn’t easy, but Sam is determined to be strong for her daughter. She doesn’t have time for guys or relationships, and takes great care to protect her child and her heart.

Judd doesn’t fit the mold of a college ballplayer. His long hair and tattoos may fit the life he’s created for himself, but baseball is the one thing he takes seriously. When he meets Sam, he’s immediately drawn to her curves and refusal to put up with his crap. When Judd learns the truth, can he handle the responsibility that comes with loving a single mother?

Sam yearns for the fire that Judd fuels in her, but her child’s needs have to come first. Can two people at different stages in their life find a way to make a life together?

Waiting on Wednesday: Kinetic by S.K. Anthony

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly book meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine,
spotlighting upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Raina's pick this week:


Kinetic
by S.K. Anthony
The Luminaries  #1
Publication: September 20th, 2013
Genre: New Adult Urban Fantasy


Being strong is one thing. Being an unlimited source of power is quite another.

Genetically altered by the Organization, Annie Fox takes down criminals CIA-style with her luminary strength. With nothing to mend but her broken heart, she is relentlessly pursued by her boss Derek Lake. Just when Annie is about to give him a chance, her ex-husband unexpectedly comes out of hiding.

A wanted man, Nick Logan is a cold-hearted murderer who is considered enemy number one, and orders are clear: kill on contact. He is more powerful than ever and threatens the lives of those she holds most dear. His plan? Get his hands on Annie and use her Kinetic energy to destroy them all. When Annie finds herself with an opportunity to end him, she pauses, horrified by the scars covering the face she once loved. A split second that will cost her everything ...


First, that cover ... GORGEOUS! Genetic alterations, a CIA-style female and organization, a psycho who happens to be the ex-husband, plus kinetic energy/physics? Um, gimme. Gimme, gimme, gimme. Ever since my seventh grade science project on kinetics, I've been obsessed with the subject, the very notion of it. Add the fact that this is NA, and my clutching hands are in the air.


What book release are you eagerly anticipating?
Let us know in a comment, or link us up to your own WoW post.
Have a book/blog tour that deserves some WoW LUV? Link us to that, too.


Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Spotlight Excerpt & Giveaway—Avoiding Mr. Right by C.J. Ellisson



Avoiding Mr. Right
by C.J. Ellisson
Wild Side  #2
Publication: June 3rd, 2013 by Red Hot Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance

Amazon B & N Kobo Goodreads

Carla Johnson thinks issuing orders to a lover will keep her heart safe and leave her in charge of her own destiny. Afraid for Carla’s future, her best friend Heather implores her to change her self-centered ways, handing her a list of love life mistakes to steer clear of:

1. Casual Sex
2. Friends with Benefits
3. Avoidance of Intimacy

Carla ignores the list—unwilling to face she might have a commitment problem. Until she invites a co-worker to her place one night. She instantly regrets the hum-drum sexual encounter and discourages the accountant from pursuing her.

Andy Shea refuses to become another lover the feisty blonde dumps. It'll take a patient man with a strong hand to unlock Carla's sexual awareness and win her heart. He’s up for the challenge to convince her he’s the one—and eager to prove this number cruncher won’t make a boring bedmate.

Avoiding Mr. Right is only 99 cents* on Amazon!
Get your copy today

Monday, July 15, 2013

Blog Tour {Review & Giveaway}—An Endless Summer by C.J. Duggan


Stopping by The LUV'NV today is An Endless Summer  blog tour, organized by YA Bound Book Tours.
We got the pleasure of reading and reviewing this fun New Adult novel,
and you can enter to win one of five eBooks or a signed copy of the book!



Endless Summer
by C.J. Duggan
Book #2 of the Summer series
Publication: July 11th, 2013 by C.J. Duggan
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

Amazon Goodreads

Sean looked out over the lake, squinting against the sunlight. He turned to me, his expression sobering as his eyes flicked over my face in silent study.
“Come on, Amy, I saved you once, I’ll save you again.”
I met his stare unflinchingly. “I don’t need saving.”
A wicked grin formed slowly on his face. “Don’t you?”


After a rebellious summer night that almost claimed her life, Amy Henderson – the Onslow publican’s only daughter – is sent away to suffer a fate far worse than any other punishment:

Boarding School.

Three years on, a now nineteen-year-old Amy returns to Onslow for the summer. What once was a cauldron of activity with live bands, hot meals and cold beers, the Onslow Hotel now lies dark, deserted and depressing. All fond childhood memories of loitering on the hotel stairs and eavesdropping on customers’ colourful conversations are in the distant past.

How had her dad let it come to this?

With the new threat of putting the Onslow up for sale, Amy reluctantly turns to a local tradesman for help: Sean Murphy, the very same Onslow boy who saved her life all those years ago. With his help and that of some old friends, the task is clear: spend the summer building the hotel back up to its former glory or lose it for good.

In an endless summer, Amy soon realises that sometimes in order to save your future, you have to face your past, even if it’s in the form of a smug, gorgeous Onslow boy.

Cover Reveal! Courage by Carrie Butler


Welcome to the cover reveal for:



Courage
by Carrie Butler
Mark of Nexus #2
Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Making a deal with the bad guys wasn’t the highlight of Rena Collins’ semester, but, hey, it saved her boyfriend. Now, in order to appease the human-altering organization known as ERA, she’ll crawl under their microscope while they study the Mark of Nexus and plot their eye-glazed version of the future—until she realizes that’s not all they’re plotting.

Wallace Blake has always known his girlfriend is unlike most girls. But now that information has surfaced regarding the two bloodlines that balance his supernatural race, he finally understands why. Rena belongs to one of them. She’s been augmenting his power, all along...

Enter: Corynn Catley. Brought into the country under the guise of an internship, she’s intended to become ERA’s secret weapon. Kind of. Her abilities cancel out Wallace’s, rendering him powerless, but that’s exactly what he’s always wanted. Too bad it only works when his girlfriend’s not around.

All the while, Rena fails to notice the crush her geeky best friend, Aiden Ross, is nursing. He’d give anything for her to see him in a new light—even reinvent himself through questionable means—but there’s a reason people are told to be careful what they wish for. Finding the courage to tell her could put everyone’s lives in danger.

Expected Publication: October 15th, 2013 by Carrie Butler
Cover design by Carrie Butler

Isn't the cover just purrty? The author does all her own graphic designs, which are fabulous,
and this book two of the series is a perfect match to the first book, Strength.

Participate in Courage's blog tour, happening October 14th–26th!

Cover Reveal! Homecoming by Cecilia Robert


Welcome to the cover reveal for:




Homecoming
by Cecilia Robert
A Cloaked Devices  short story
Genre: New Adult Steampunk Paranormal Romance

Five years ago, twenty-three-year-old panther shifter Sera Czedar left her home and her newly mated groom in a humiliating position after a mating ceremony gone wrong. She built a new life for herself in Varselles, the City of Outcasts where shifters exiled from their clans in the Seven Kingdoms can go for sanctuary.

Five years ago, panther shifter Levian Grayson was abandoned on the bonding bed by his bride, Sera. After years of tracking her, he arrives in Varselles, intent on staking his claim on her once and for all, even if it means hauling his slippery woman over his shoulder just to make sure that happens.

Sera has always known her homecoming would eventually catch up with her one day. The one thing she can’t bear to do is hurt Levian, which will happen as soon as he finds out the reason she left him. Is she ready to take that path? Most of all, will Levian still want her when the truth comes out?

Expected Publication: October 2013 by Cecilia Robert
Cover design by Ravven

Sunday, July 14, 2013

The Verve and Stacking the Shelves (14)

The Verve is our Sunday edition of the weekly memes "The Sunday Post," hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer,
and "Stacking the Shelves," hosted by Tynga's Reviews. We feature the books we bought, borrowed, were gifted and given for review,
as well as share blog news from the past couple weeks and what you might see in the next two.



Grapevine Book Tours
Hi, LUVs! It's been a much slower week than usual with a small stack all around but no less sweet. Did you see we launched Grapevine Book Tours last week? We did, and we're so excited! We're connecting even more with authors and bloggers and really enjoying it. As beta readers, editors, and (once) aspiring authors, we've always been involved in the writing community and understood the need to connect with readers, but now we're delving deeper and get to be a part of another facet.

More exciting news ... this week, we're sponsoring NA Lit Chat. Grapevine Book Tours is giving away one complimentary blitz and one complimentary tour! Join us, NA authors, and fans of the genre this Thursday night at 9pm EST on Twitter for an all NA discussion. Follow @NALitChat or search #NALitChat. We hope to see you there!


Become a Grapevine Book Tours host and you can enter a giveaway for
a Kindle Paperwhite and two $25 Amazon or B&N gift cards here.

RECENT REVIEWS:

EXCERPTS:
A Good Time  by Shannyn Schroeder (Adult Contemporary Romance)
Silence of the Wolves  by Hannah Pole (Adult Urban Fantasy)

INTERVIEWS:
Devon Ashley, author of NA Romantic Suspense Nearly Broken

CHARACTER PROFILE:
AJ from Banished from Grace, NA Paranormal Romance by Aria Williams

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Spotlight Excerpt & Giveaway—Silence of the Wolves by Hannah Pole



Silence of the Wolves
by Hannah Pole
Book #1 of Call of the Wilderness
Publication: June 26th 2013 by Carina UK
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy

Amazon Goodreads

In the depths of England, a Kingdom lurks beneath the confines of normality...

A hierarchy of supernaturals run by the deadly council fights daily to keep their world a secret from the humans that appear to rule the world. With the Magi's in control, the rest of the community must keep their heads down and do their duty – or face the ultimate penalty.

Shifters and Vampires have the hardest task of them all, fighting in the war against the Circle, a deadly band of rebels, practicing blood magic and capturing souls in their wake.

A day will come little wolf when you must decide which evil you fight for.

Tamriel Chambers, hard hitting journalist for the Kent News!... Or not.

Wishing her life away seems to be her main pass time these days, with a dead end job and a distinct lack of friends, Tam finds herself walking into danger for the thrill of an interesting story, for the chance of something new.

When a seriously sexy man stalks his way into her life (literally) she finds out not only just how different the world can be, but just how much she really didn't know about herself. Cue talk dark and handsome!

Leyth is a wolf with a viscous edge, tied to Tamriel because of his past. He just wants to get her through her change and leave her behind. When Tam gets more involved in his world than he expects, he faces the ultimate choice, does he risk everything for a half breed female, bring down the council and change the kingdom as they know it?

Or does he let her risk her life alone, and face a fate worse than death.

Announcing Grapevine Book Tours and Tour Signups


We're pleased to announce the grand opening of Grapevine Book Tours!
Dedicated to spreading the word ... your words.
Promoting authors and appreciating bloggers.

Grapevine Book Tours aims to get authors more exposure, with higher stop quantities per rate, full tour coordination, excerpt selecting, and a giveaway already included in the package. With the month-long Maximum Exposure package, participant signups do not have to close until the last week of the tour, giving reviewers and bloggers a chance to join the book bandwagon after seeing all the buzz. Each event is promoted daily on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus throughout its duration, and advertising is included.

On a tight budget? Just say the word! Tours can be customized. The gift card giveaway can be changed or excluded, and if the event is scheduled at least three months in advance, payment plans can be discussed[1].

Debut authors receive 20% off the listed rate.
For a limited time only, first-time signup authors have no tour stop limits.
Referrals receive 15% off.

Bloggers are appreciated, too! They will be followed. Tour posts will be shared on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus to help their blog gain traffic, and tour hosts can enter in a quarterly, participant-only giveaway.

Become a Grapevine Book Tours host
and you can enter a giveaway for a Kindle Paperwhite
and two $25 Amazon or B&N gift cards here.


First tour, with signups now open:

Tours opening soon:
The Beast Within optioned for a movie!

Courage cover (and tour banner) to be revealed July 15th!
Blog tour signups will open the same day.