BLOG TOUR, REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Love Wasted by Shirl Rickman

Title: Love Wasted

Author: Shirl Rickman

Genre: NA Romance

Published: June 22, 2017

Available on Kindle Unlimited

“A great slow burn” - Amazon Review

“SO MANY FEELS THROUGHOUT…” - Amazon Review

She loves him. She loves him not. 

When Cassandra Porter was seven years old, she fell in love with her next door neighbor and her best friends brother. Cass loved that boy every single day…until he broke her heart and all that remained were the pieces.

Ten years and what feels like a lifetime apart, that boy—now a grown and sexy, warm blooded man—is thrust back into her life. He might make her temper flair and blood boil, but a few unresolved feelings are no match for the way her heart races when he is near…

She drives him the good kind of crazy. 

Paxton Luke led his life with one thing on his mind: success. Friends and family come first, with no room for emotional attachments—not even with the neighbor girl, who's turned into a complete knockout. His sister's best friend. Emotions only lead to love, and love was trouble.

They’re determined to fight this undeniable attraction to the bitter end. It’s too damn bad their hearts are about to get love drunk-- wasted on love.

Caroline's Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Uncomfortably polite. It was uncomfortable because it never seemed sincere when she spoke to me. She kept her distance, and when she was forced to talk to me, it was curt and without much emotion.”

When Cassandra Porter was 12YO, her best friend’s brother, Paxton Luke, broke her heart. She’d idolised him since she was little but, from that day, she hated him. Over the subsequent years, she avoided him as much as she could or, when in his company, acted indifferent towards him. However, Paxton seemed to enjoy provoking her, but she gave back as good as she got.

“I’ve been away a long time, and I shouldn’t still feel this way when it comes to Cass – that conflicting feeling of want and guilt over allowing myself to want her.”

Paxton was determined to make a name for himself, and that meant leaving his home town to spread his wings. His ambition to succeed was everything to him. He’d always had a soft spot for Cass but she made him feel things that he wasn’t prepared to face, so he buried them by hurting her, over and over.

“I want Cassandra. I crave her more than I thought possible. She complicates what I’ve always thought I wanted for my life.”

By the time he comes back home to live, it’s been ten years since they’d seen one another. Cass is dismayed that her feelings for him have never changed. He’s dismayed that she affects him in ways he’s not prepared to acknowledge. However, when they find themselves living in close proximity, they attempt to start over as friends, but old feelings, mutual attraction, and jealousy get in the way.

Overall, I thought this was a great read, although I was a bit mystified as to why Pax felt so driven. There didn’t really seem to be a trigger for his ambition to prove himself. He had a loving family growing up, and a good upbringing. Cass really held onto her hurt and resentment, but I guess these feelings just festered over the years. I didn’t really understand her relationship with her on-again-off-again boyfriend. They had some weird understanding between them. I guess she hung onto him because she felt safe in a relationship that seemed to be going nowhere, and she only had to give a small part of herself over to it, since deep down, she still carried a torch for Pax.

It was clear that these two were destined to be together, but over the years, they just sabotaged their connection. It was great to follow them as they forged a deeper connection and understanding, and give in to the attraction that had always been there between them.

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Shirl Rickman is a writer, a dreamer, and an optimist. A small town Texas girl currently residing in the San Francisco Bay Area, Shirl adores her husband, daughter, and two crazy dogs. When she's not dreaming up new love stories, Shirl can be found reading, drinking her favorite coffee, Kona Blend with coconut milk. She loves kindness, laughing and meeting her readers. 

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NEW RELEASE & REVIEW: Country Nights by Winter Renshaw

Country Nights by Winter Renshaw

Sixty country days and nights—that’s all I wanted. 

I needed to get away from the city, away from the hot mess that had become my life. 

When I stumbled upon my childhood home on RentBnB.com, I took it as a sign, cleaned out my life savings, and hightailed it to the only place that ever meant something to me, a place I hadn’t seen since a lifetime ago. 

Only, when I arrived to the familiar South Dakotan farmhouse, I was met by a brooding, we-don’t-take-kindly-to-strangers cowboy by the name of River McCray, who insisted this was his house and most definitely not a rental property. 

I’d been Internet scammed. 

And that cocky, smart-mouthed stranger had the nerve to make me a humiliating offer: I could stay in his house for the next two months rent-free, but I had to work for him. 

With no money and nowhere else to go, I agreed. But nothing could have prepared me for the tension, the attraction, and the bombshell revelations that changed … everything. 

AUTHOR’S NOTE: This full-length, angsty, steamy romance is a complete standalone and contains subject matter that may trigger sensitive readers. For a limited time, I've also included my second chance/country romance, NEVER IS A PROMISE! Please note: both novels are full-length, with Country Nights being slightly longer. :-)

COVER REVEAL: The Scene Special Edition by R.M. Gilmore

**COVER REVEAL**

The Scene

a Dylan Hart novel

SPECIAL EDITION

is coming July 17th!

New Cover! New Interior! New forward! Same killer story!

Havoc ensues when journalist Dylan Hart takes on the story of a lifetime. Exsanguinated hookers? Vampires in real life? What more could the public want? As the death toll rises, Dylan discovers she's put herself on the killer's radar and will have to fight to survive.

★★★★★ "Seriously just read it."

★★★★★ "Wow, I want to be Dylan Hart."

★★★★★ "Sarcastic lead, fast paced fun, witty dialogue, paranormal twists and turns; what's not to love?"

NEW RELEASE & GIVEAWAY: Absolution by Missy Johnson

Absolution

by Missy Johnson 

Publication Date: June 28, 2016 

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Taboo, Romance

Read for FREE in KindleUnlimited: Amazon

Declan James was the perfect guy. He was sweet. Charming. Caring. Until he wasn’t. Fourteen years ago, his actions tore apart my family. He ruined my sister’s life and nothing was ever the same again. But now, more than a decade later, he’s back. When he walks into my office, asking for my help, I’m shocked, but nothing prepares me for what I’m about to learn. I see how far he’s gone to redeem himself and I know that he’s changed. I also know that, as a priest, he’s more off limits than ever. If I help him, my family will never forgive me. If I fall in love with him, I will never forgive myself.

About Missy Johnson

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Missy lives in a small town in Victoria, Australia with her husband and her confused pets (a dog who thinks that she is a cat, a cat who thinks he is a dog…you get the picture). When she’s not writing, she can usually be found looking for something to read.

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COVER REVEAL: The Darkest Sunrise Duet by Aly Martinez

Today we are sharing the incredible covers for The Darkest Sunrise Duet by Aly Martinez. Check them out below, along with the blurbs for each title. The first book in this contemporary romance duet will be released on July 13th! Be sure to follow Aly's newsletter to be notified when the books are up for pre-order.

     

The Darkest Sunrise (The Darkest Sunrise Duet, #1)

Coming July 13

Sign up for Aly's Newsletter to be notified when the book is up for pre-order!

Synopsis:

Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me. Whoever coined that phrase is a bald-faced liar. Words are often the sharpest weapon of all, triggering some of the most powerful emotions a human can experience. “You’re pregnant.” “It’s a boy.” “Your son needs a heart transplant.” Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me. Lies. Syllables and letters may not be tangible, but they can still destroy your entire life faster than a bullet from a gun. Two words—that was all it took to extinguish the sun from my sky. “He’s gone.” For ten years, the darkness consumed me. In the end, it was four deep, gravelly words that gave me hope of another sunrise. “Hi. I’m Porter Reese.”

Add The Darkest Sunrise to Goodreads

   

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The Brightest Sunset (The Darkest Sunrise Duet, #2)

Coming July 27th

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Synopsis:

Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me. Bullshit. Words destroyed me. “I’m sorry. She didn’t make it.” “Daddy, he can’t breathe!” “There’s nothing more we can do for your son.” Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me. Lies. Those syllables and letters became my executioner. I told myself that, if I didn’t acknowledge the pain and the fear, they would have no power over me. But, as the years passed, the hate and the anger left behind began to control me. Two words—that was all it took to plunge my life into darkness. “He’s gone.” In the end, it was four soft, silky words that gave me hope of another sunrise. “Hi. I’m Charlotte Mills.”

Add The Brightest Sunset to Goodreads

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You won't want to miss this amazing series! Click here to get the pre-order links as soon as they're live, and to hear about giveaways and events for this duet.

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

 

Originally from Savannah, Georgia, USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez now lives in South Carolina with her four young children. Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, mystery leggings, and baked feta. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person. She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.    

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COVER REVEAL: So Good by Nicola Rendell

On the roof of a house outside Truelove, Maine, master carpenter Max Doyle looks down through a skylight and sees the most beautiful woman he’s ever laid eyes on. She’s naked, she’s gorgeous, and everything about her is perfect, down to the ball-busting tattoo of a rose that wraps around her hip. But it isn’t just any woman making his knees buckle. It’s his best friend, Rosie Madden. And as he stands there, mesmerized and precariously close to toppling off the roof, he knows he’ll never, ever be able to look at her the same way again.

Rosie can’t help but notice that Max is suddenly acting very strange—lots of long stares, totally tongue-tied, and not at all like the slightly cocky hunk she’s proud to call her best friend. She can’t figure it out, until later that night when Max rescues her from the world’s worst date, challenges her to a game of pool, and shows her just exactly what she’s got him thinking about. Repeatedly.

But life is complicated. Rosie’s cat, Julia Caesar, wants to eat Max’s dog Cupcake for an afternoon snack. A dream job threatens to pull them apart. And another glance through the skylight changes everything, one more time. Yet try as they might, they can’t go back to being just friends, because falling in love with the one you’ve always adored?

It feels so good.

Coming August 7th

iBooks

Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs

Cover Photographer: Sara Eirew Photographer

Cover Model: Justin Edwards

Cover Model: Bella/Nikki Sebben

Nicola Rendell writes dirty, funny, erotic romance. She likes a stiff drink and a well-frosted cake. She is at an unnamed Ivy and prefers to remain mostly anonymous for professional reasons. She has a PhD in English and an MFA in Creative Writing from schools that shall not be named here. She loves to cook, sew, and play the piano. She realizes that her hobbies might make her sound like an old lady and she’s totally okay with that. She lives with her husband and her dogs. She is from Taos, New Mexico.

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REVIEW & EXCERPT: Lost Love by Kelly Elliott

   

      

 Moving back home to my parents’ cattle ranch in Texas was the last thing I thought I’d be doing. But, here I stand … in front of my high school girlfriend. A beautiful, confident woman has replaced the young girl I once knew and loved. Hell. I’m still in love with her. Yep. Paxton Monroe was my first love and the one girl in town who now hated my guts. So much so, Paxton swore her revenge on me if it took her until the day she died. The last words she spoke to me were a vow to cut my dick off and shove it down my throat. The fight between my heart, my head, and last, but certainly not least, my dick starts tonight. Because all I can think about is how I want to be buried so deep inside Paxton she won’t remember how I broke her heart, or how I left her when she needed me the most. But who will win? My heart is too broken to listen to my head. And my dick, yeah it’s not listening to anything or anyone. Not until it gets what it wants and what it wants is Paxton Monroe.   Lost Love is book one in the Cowboys and Angels Series  

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Julie's Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A story like that can only come from someone with as much love in her heart, as was portrayed in Pax and Steed's heart-warming beautiful story.

I, for one, could not wait to get head first into another hot, sexy, fine specimen of a cowboy, and what a family of cowboys and girls they were.

I loved the fact that Amelia, Steed's sister, is a romance writer, and that all Steed's family were so very close.

Really enjoyed the nod to Josh and Ari, the husband and wife horse breeders with fantastic stock!

I felt this was a book of two halves. They were both hurting so much with what had happened when they were seniors at high school, and it took a lot of talking and working out of things to get back on track.

The second half has so much love and affection, it beamed off the pages, where Pax and Steed, oh! and not forgetting little Chloe, get to know each other all over again. They were a truly beautiful couple and, dare I say it, Steed was on top form in the romance stakes - certainly knocked the Wanted gang off their pedestals.

This was a story of love, anger, frustration, friendship, siblings, second chances, and a sweet little girl to melt the coldest of hearts.

I can't wait to see what the other Parker siblings get up to as we delve into their lives, as we move through the first in this new and sexy cowboy series.

A well-thought-out storyline, with greatly developed characters. This is most definitely a page turner.

 

“Whatcha doing?” I nearly jumped out of my skin as I spun around and clutched at my chest. “Jesus, Amelia! Why would you sneak up on me like that?” She tried to hide her smile and failed. Lifting her brows, she glanced past my shoulder. “Were you watching Steed and Chloe?” My cheeks heated. “What? No! Are they here? I haven’t seen them. Why would you say that?” When her eyes moved back to mine, I knew she saw right through my blunder of lies. “Uh-huh. I know I was little when you and Steed dated, so we really don’t know each other all that well.” She smiled. “But I can already tell you’re a terrible liar, Paxton.” I dropped my head then peeked up at her. “I wasn’t spying.” Amelia held up her hands. “I didn’t say you were.” Chewing on my lip, I sighed. “Okay. I was spying. I’m lost, Amelia.” With a soft sympathetic grin, she glanced at her brother. “So is he, Paxton. His eyes are so sad. Earlier this morning we all had breakfast together as a family and both Mom and I noticed it.” “The family was all together?” I asked. She nodded with a grin. “The boys have been working the ranch the last two days so they’re all staying at the house. It’s been nice having Steed home again. Dad’s thrilled he’s back and digging deeper into the business side of the ranch. The idea of having another son run day-to-day operations has him all kinds of happy.” Guilt hit me square in the chest. It was my fault he left. I told him to leave. He left his family and stayed away because of me. “I’m so sorry he left town,” I said. “Paxton, you didn’t keep him away all those years. That was his decision. A poor one, but his nonetheless.” I shrugged. Turning, I glanced back at Steed and Chloe. “He’s such a good father.” The sadness in my voice caused Amelia to put her hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze.  

           

 

Kelly Elliott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author. Since finishing her bestselling Wanted series, Kelly continues to spread her wings while remaining true to her roots and giving readers stories rich with hot protective men, strong women and beautiful surroundings. Her bestselling works include, Wanted, Broken, Without You, and Unconditional Love, to name just a few. Kelly has been passionate about writing since she was fifteen. After years of filling journals with stories, she finally followed her dream and published her first novel, Wanted, in November of 2012. Kelly lives in central Texas with her husband, daughter, and two pups. When she’s not writing, Kelly enjoys reading and spending time with her family. She is down to earth and very in touch with her readers, both on social media and at signings. To find out more about Kelly and her books, you can find her through her website. www.kellyelliottauthor.com

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