October 2015 – Mama Likes To Read Book Blog

Cover Reveal

#CoverReveal ~ Unwrap Me by J. Kenner ~ @InkslingerPR @juliekenner #DamienStark #StarkEverAfter

Posted on October 21, 2015October 21, 2015 by mamareads2014

From New York Times bestselling author J. Kenner comes an electrifying holiday eBook novella. In Unwrap Me, fan favorites Damien Stark and Nikki Fairchild get ready for Christmas—and this year they’re both on the very naughty list.

Includes a special preview of Dirtiest Secret, the provocative first novel in J. Kenner’s highly anticipated new trilogy!

Damien Stark is my greatest Christmas wish come true. Immensely powerful and devastatingly sexy, he can undo me with the slightest touch, and with just one glance, he can see straight into my soul.

We both have dark secrets, twisted pieces of our pasts that only the other one understands. Though our fierce love and passion keeps me alive, sometimes I wonder what would’ve happened if Damien and I hadn’t met in exactly the way we did.

How would my life have been different? Would another man have laid claim to my body and my heart? Or were Damien and I destined to be
together no matter the cost?

Unwrap Me is intended for mature audiences.J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over seventy novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

ADD TO GOODREADS

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Praise for J. Kenner and The Stark Trilogy

“Kenner may very well have cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.”—RT Book Reviews

“I love the captivating writing and passionate characters that pull me into every J. Kenner story. The raw intensity and scorching sexy times mixed with an element of intrigue always keep me on the edge of my seat. She’s a must read author for me.” – Gretchen, About that Story

“J. Kenner’s writing is like a fine wine, expertly crafted into a melody of notes that will arouse your senses and warm you to your core. Her sinfully seductive men will command a delicious blush to your cheeks while breathing life into your every
fantasy. The masterful attention to detail is what brings you back again and again, and makes her work top-shelf.”

– Hilary S, Bookalicious Babes Blog

Though known primarily for her award-winning and internationally bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list and #1 internationally, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.

JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swopn for him.” A four time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy).

Book Release

#BookRelease ~ Come Halloween by Robbie Cox ~ @CoxRobbie #Halloween #Romance

Posted on October 19, 2015 by mamareads2014

Just in time for Halloween check out this new book by author Robbie Cox.

Sounds pretty spooky if you like a haunted romance…

Synopsis on book:

Kelly Ginsberg’s husband, Jared, died two years ago in a motorcycle accident. On her way to visit his grave one night, she stumbled across a way to bring him back from the dead on the anniversary of his death and the witch who could help her make it happen. Yet, where does that leave Derek Cranston and the attraction blooming between them?
NOTE: Complete novel. No cliffhanger. Rated 18+ for language and strong sexual content. This is an adult romance with erotic content and a paranormal twist.

Amazon US ~ http://amzn.to/1Kb8I1Q

Amazon UK ~ http://amzn.to/1LOGMSj

Barnes & Noble ~ http://bit.ly/1hGef9O

Apple ~ http://apple.co/1jqnNaO

Inktera ~ http://bit.ly/1LPUQS3

Kobo ~ still pending

About the Author

Robbie can be found on his back porch enjoying a cigar, a scotch, and a good story. He derives pleasure from his large family and his crazy group of friends that provide the inspiration for his blog The Mess that Is Robbie Cox. He writes fantasy, erotica, mystery, and memoirs and when he is not writing, he is out Messing through adventures with those he cares about.

He is the author of the urban fantasy Warrior of the Way series as well as the erotic romance, Losing Faith, the first in the Rutherford Series.

Connect with the author on Twitter:

Cover Reveal

#CoverReveal ~ Freed by Him by GL Chapple ~ Fighting Free Series ~ GLChapple

Posted on October 19, 2015 by mamareads2014

COVER REVEAL

Title: Freed by Him

Series: Fighting Free Series

Author: GL Chapple

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Suspense

Release date: November 19^th 2015

Blurb:

He hurt me

He broke me

He almost destroyed me

Nobody was ever going to do that to me again. I learnt to fight back. I made myself tougher, harder, stronger. I didn’t want or need anyone.

Until Nate Masters.

Until he made me feel, want and need

Then my carefully constructed world began falling apart around me. Secrets shattering my faith in those closest to me and with the nightmare from my past pushing its way back into my present, I don’t know how much strength I have left to fight with…

Could I trust him? Give someone the power to hurt me again? He’s determined to break me free from behind my walls of self preservation

I’m just not sure I’m ready or willing to be Freed by Him….

I’m currently a SAHM to two little ones. I live in Wales in the UK and spend a huge amount of time at the beach, despite our climate…

I don’t drink any hot drinks despite trying my best to make myself like coffee! I love reading – obviously, writing and music, and hot sunny days which we never get enough of!

I’ve dreamed of writing my whole life and would often pen short stories as a child. Unfortunately, life took over and reading and writing were forced to take a back seat for the last few years. Until my husband bought me a kindle last Christmas, and well, suddenly everything changed…

Connect With GL Chapple

FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM

Cover Reveal

#CoverReveal ~ The Lies and Truth Duet Box Set by Rachael Duncan ~ @EJBookPromos @RachaelAuthor #Giveaway #rafflecopter

Posted on October 19, 2015October 19, 2015 by mamareads2014

Title: The Lies and Truth Duet Box Set

Author: Rachael Duncan

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 26, 2015

Marry for money.

This has been my motto. A motto that was drilled into my head at a young age. It’s who I am. Who I’m expected to be. All of that changes when he walks into my life.

I can’t lie.

I can’t hide.

I can’t deceive.

As my personal security guard, he sees through me and makes me second guess everything. I can’t escape him or the way he makes me feel. He makes me smile. He makes me want more from life.

Can I sacrifice those who depend on me for my own happiness?

I’m Elizabeth Fitzgerald.

I’m a Senator’s wife.

And I hate my life.

Keep it professional.

I had one job to do, and falling for Elizabeth Fitzgerald was not it. Being former Special Forces, I’m no stranger to fighting, but this is different. This is personal. The stakes feel much higher and the struggle to save her will be my most challenging mission yet.

But I have a secret. A secret that threatens to tear apart everything we’ve built.

You know me as Alex Matthews.

My mistake was getting involved with her, knowing what was on the line.

Their mistake was taking me away from her.

“Hidden in Lies by Rachael Duncan was simply wonderful. It’s a story that shows that picture perfect outside isn’t always picture perfect inside.” ~ Give Me Books

“I really enjoyed this book. It was sweet, sexy, steamy, suspenseful, and had quite a few twists and turns along the way. This book was really good and just as the getting was getting good… BAM, the book ended making me want so much more.” ~ Renee Entress’ Book Blog – Hidden In Lies

“Great action packed story full of suspense. Questions we had from book one are answered in this part of the story. Gotta admit I preferred this book than book one. Loved it.” ~ 2 Friends Pimp Your Books – Uncovered by Truth

“Overall I really enjoyed this closure of their story. I also enjoyed the danger and suspense that seemed more prominent in this book. It made it a page turner for sure. I didn’t want to put it down, I was totally engrossed in this story and was well satisfied with the ending.” ~ Nerdy, Dirty & Flirty – Uncovered by Truth

The short separation has done nothing to cool the heat between us. It’s evident in the way he drinks me in with his eyes, and the way my core tightens with his presence. I open my mouth to speak, but close it and bite my bottom lip afraid of saying the wrong thing. I don’t need to worry about the right words, because something inside Alex snaps and he comes charging toward me. He grabs my face with both hands before sealing my lips with his. I realize that no words need to be spoken. We’re communicating enough with our mouths.

I want you. I need you. You make me feel special, wanted, important, desired. Don’t let me go.

All of the things I can’t say out loud pour into this kiss. I tried to ignore it before, but there’s no denying it now. I want Alex. No, I need him. He’s become the one bright spot to my otherwise dark days. It’s his smile, his bright blue eyes, his voice, his scent, and now his kiss that make each day worth getting up for. I know I should pull away. This is wrong and Cal is in the next room, but all rational thinking flies out the window while he’s caressing me with his lips and holding me to him. He draws me in closer and I feel the ever-growing bulge in his pants spurring on my own arousal and soaking my panties. I forget all about my current heartache and anger over today, over my life. Right now I can live in the moment, in the comfort Alex’s touch provides.

Alex slows the kiss down, giving me a few pecks before he rests his forehead against mine, hands still holding my face. “What the hell am I doing?” he asks, more to himself than me. His eyes are closed tight and I wish there was something I could say, but all words fail me. I’m still riding high from that kiss and my brain is unable to perform basic functions at this point. His eyes open, staring deep into mine. “God, I’m so sorry. I know we shouldn’t—we can’t do this. You’re not mine and I had no right doing that.” His voice is strained, pained even as he removes his hands from me and takes a step back. I feel deserted from the loss of contact. “I’ve tried, Elizabeth, believe me I’ve tried to stay away from you. To keep it professional, but I can’t. I need you to keep your distance from me. Please.” His eyes are pleading as he confesses what we’ve both felt.

Rachael Duncan is an Army wife living in North Carolina with her husband and two kids. She grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and went on to graduate from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville with a bachelor’s degree in political science. After working on Capitol Hill for a short time, she realized that a career in politics just wasn’t for her. A couple years later, she rediscovered her love for reading and writing. She’s the author of Tackled by Love as well.

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Book Release

#ReleaseDay ~ A Moment of Weakness by Brooklyn Skye ~ @InkslingerPR @brooklyn_skye

Posted on October 19, 2015 by mamareads2014

We’re so excited to bring you the release day A Moment of Weakness by Brooklyn Skye. This is a great new contemporary romance! Brooklyn is sharing an excerpt and giveaway with us, so be sure to check it all out!

A Moment of Weakness Synopsis:

Until her new job starts in September, buttoned-up elementary school teacher Laurel Harris is at loose ends and in need of cash. Fortunately her best friend’s older brother is a single dad and desperately needs a nanny. Or so she’s told. She doesn’t anticipate him being such a menacing, muscled, and undeniably gorgeous man…or that he has zero interest in hiring a nanny.

Micah Crane will do right by his young daughter, no matter the cost. And right now, that cost is juggling parenthood with long hours at his bar and working as an enforcer for a notorious crime boss. He doesn’t need another complication in his life, but the sweet, frustratingly opinionated little blonde hell-bent on caring for his daughter stirs his blood like no woman ever has.

All it takes is a moment of weakness to ignite the lust blazing between them. A moment that will unravel their self-control and unleash all of Micah’s darkest secrets…

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes

Exclusive Excerpt:

Laurel opened her mouth, but before she could get anything out, Micah said, “How about I show you where you’ll be sleeping,” and walked out of the kitchen, gesturing for her to follow.

Silently, she trailed him, her suitcase bumping along the carpeted hallway. With each step, she catalogued what she knew of him so far.

Right foot. Raising six-year-old alone.

Left foot. Has taken some precautions in keeping Shaelynn safe, but might need some help with that.

Right foot. His backside is really, really nice to look at.

Left foot. I wonder if those muscles under his back pockets feel as hard as they look—

“It’s only a two-bedroom apartment,” he said, suddenly coming to a stop. The movement was too fast, and by the time her brain caught up, she was already slamming into the back of him. Right against the butt she’d been staring at.

Oh my god.

He twirled fast and clamped his huge hand around the top of her arm to steady her, those brown eyes ticking from her eyes to her forehead to her ears, mouth, over her shoulder, then back to her eyes. The force of his stare triggered a nervous giggle from her lips.

“I’m so sorry,” she said, forcing her gaze to stay with his even though the intensity was making her a little dizzy. “I didn’t expect you to stop right there.”

“We’re at the end of the hallway,” he said, unamused.

Right. But… She pointed to where the carpet dead ended. “I couldn’t see because of your…”

Butt. Not a chance she’d admit that.

Your entire ginormous body blocking my view. Yeah, not that either.

“Because of…um, you,” she said, swallowing down what she hoped was all of her embarrassment.

Praise for A MOMENT OF WEAKNESS:

“…one of the hottest first kiss scenes I have ever read.” –Escape With a Book review blog “I loved the way this book was written. At times, it was almost like poetry. Brooklyn Skye knocked it out the park with this one.” –Wicked Good Reads

“Skye’s creation was absolutely superb… a perfect blend of romance and eroticism with a dash of suspense thrown in to keep the pace running smoothly.” –Lunaland Books

“This book is a refreshing change from the run of the mill rich alpha guy falls for the beautiful girl that walks into his life and uncovers all his secrets. Micah is not rich. He is raising his six year old in a small two bedroom apartment. Trying to be a better parent than his dad was to him.” –Mollien for Alpha Book Club

Brooklyn Skye Bio:

Brooklyn Skye grew up in a small town where she quickly realized writing was an escape from small town life. Really, she’s just your average awkward girl who’s obsessed with words. She writes young adult, new adult, and romance fiction. You can follow her on Twitter as @brooklyn__skye, Instagram as @brooklynskyewrites, or visit her web site for updates, teasers, giveaways, and more. www.brooklyn-skye.com

Links:

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Blog | Goodreads

Enter Brooklyn’s Giveaway:

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Cover Reveal, Sneak Peek Upcoming

#NewSeries ~ Bait & Switch by Kendall Ryan ~ @KendallRyan1 ~InkslingerPR “Deep down, he knew he should leave her alone.”

Posted on October 16, 2015October 16, 2015 by mamareads2014

NYT Bestselling Author Kendall Ryan brings you a brand new exciting series, Alphas Undone. Each book is a standalone. We are very excited to announce the first book Bait & Switch, which will release on February 9th, 2016.

Bait & Switch

Alphas Undone Book 1

Love is a trap, a trick only other
people fall for. Former Navy SEAL Nolan has no such illusions. The only things
real in his life are his beloved bulldog and the two women who regularly share
his bed. One is light—soft, innocent, and tender touches. The other is dark—and
gives him all of the wicked things he craves behind closed doors. It’s not
cheating when each is aware of the other. But when he begins to feel much more
than he ever bargained for, the order of his carefully crafted world is shaken,
and he stands to lose everything.

Nolan thinks we met by chance. We
didn’t. I sought him out, seduced him, and in return got the sanctuary I needed
to survive. But now, impossibly, I’ve fallen in love with him. I don’t care
that he has another lover, because when he finds out who I am, it’s going to
ruin any chance I ever had with him anyway. She’s the least of my worries.

Bait & Switch is Book 1 in a new contemporary
romance series by Kendall Ryan.

Add to Goodreads

Preorder exclusively on iBooks

EXCERPT

“So, how does all this work? Do you mind if I pry a little?” Her cheeks heated slightly, knowing all the questions spinning in her mind. It was one thing to hear about it over drinks the other night, it was quite another to see it with her own eyes.

“Pry away,” he chuckled softly, his hand slowly stroking up and down against her spine.

Awareness zinged through her. It had been a long time since she’d felt a man’s touch. Six months to be exact.

“How did she end up living here with you?”

“I knew her through a mutual acquaintance, and after breaking up with her ex, she needed somewhere to live. I offered my guest room up. Rent free. No strings. And she said yes.”

“That was awfully nice of you.” She blinked at him in wide-eyed astonishment. It wasn’t something many people would do.

“Trust me, I’m very far from being a white knight.” His voice dropped lower, and his hand came to rest at her lower back again. “Our relationship sort of evolved from there.”

He didn’t continue, leaving Lacey to guess if it was some type of BDSM interest that they shared.

“What else is going on inside that pretty head of yours?” he asked.

“H-how did you come to be this way?” She cringed when she realized how it sounded. As though he was damaged goods. Then again, maybe he was. Nolan didn’t even raise an eyebrow to her question.

“After a demanding career as a SEAL …” He let out a deep sigh, gazing down at the courtyard. “My goals are much simpler now – to enjoy life one day at a time and take pleasure where I find it.”

She simply nodded. He didn’t elaborate, but he didn’t need to. Growing up in a family of men who served, she knew he had seen too much, done too much, probably experienced losing teammates he fought beside. She knew it could mess a man up. At the very least, it changed them. And in Nolan’s case, it made him harder and closed him off to the hearts and flowers kind of love she hoped to find someday. He was surviving, in his own way.

“I need to know what you taste like,” Nolan murmured.

She blinked up at him, her eyes still searching his. There was so much she was unsure about, but the electricity buzzing between them wasn’t one of them.

He leaned forward, moving slowly, and brought his lips to hers. Hesitating for just a moment, as if to give her a chance to decide, Nolan’s warm breath ghosted over her mouth. Lifting up onto her tip toes, Lacey touched her lips to his. With one hand stroking her jaw, his other came to settle against her hip, his thumb running along the bare skin at the waistband of her jeans. Nolan pulled her body close, until she felt the hard ridge of him against her belly. He felt massive. Her lips parted in a silent gasp and he stroked his tongue against hers.

His mouth seemed made to fit over hers. And the skillful way he moved his tongue provoked thoughts of what other ways he could use that tongue. While her panties grew wet, and her breathing turned ragged, they kissed deeply for several minutes.

Her hands wandered, running over his firm biceps, and down the front of his shirt where rounded pecs waited invitingly under his shirt.

Sex rolled off of him in waves. No, not just sex. Fucking. Lacey was sure that being intimate with Nolan would be unlike any other experience she’d had. And that excited the hell out of her.

“God damn, woman,” he murmured breaking away from her lips.

Lacey couldn’t disagree. Everything about that kiss felt right. Backgrounds ceased to matter. Messy entanglements forgotten. When she was kissing Nolan, nothing mattered except getting even closer. More, her body begged.

“Just keep an open mind,” he said, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today
bestselling author of more than 18 titles, Kendall Ryan has sold more than a
million ebooks and her books have been translated into several languages in
countries around the world. She’s a traditionally published author with Simon
& Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as enjoying success as an
independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012,
she’s appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world.
Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller
list 23 times.

Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras.

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Book Release

#BookRelease ~ Worth Saving by W.S. Greer ~ @EJBookPromos @AuthorWSGreer #Giveaway #Rafflecopter

Posted on October 16, 2015October 16, 2015 by mamareads2014

Title: Worth Saving

Author: W.S. Greer

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: October 17, 2015

When we first met, we were both lost. It was written in our eyes when we first saw each other. My past haunted me, your present haunted you. I could see that you were aching, yet trying to bury the pain deep down so that no one would know, but it was there. I saw it. I saw you.

I thought you needed me to swoop in and save the day; to be your hero, your knight in shining armor that would ride in and rescue you from the torment. And something inside drove me to a place I’d never been before. A place where it didn’t matter how stacked the odds were, because nothing would stand between us. Nothing would stand in the way of me being the savior you needed me to be, and I’d go to hell and back to protect you. I thought you needed me, but I was wrong.

It’s me who needs you. I need your heart next to mine in order to get over what I’ve been through, and to push through the obstacles that are in our way now. It won’t be easy. It’ll be the hardest thing either of us has ever had to endure, but as long as we make it through together, it’ll all be worth it, because you’re worth every bit of the struggle. It’s because of you that I can stare death in the face and not feel the slightest hint of fear. You make it all okay. You’re worth it. You’re worth saving.

WS Greer is a multi-genre author, and an active duty military member with the US Air Force. He’s been serving his country since 2004, and has been an author since his debut novel, Frozen Secrets, was released in 2013.WS was born to military parents in San Antonio, Texas, and bounced around as a child, from Okinawa, Japan, to Florida, to New Mexico, where he met his high school sweetheart, who’d become his wife in 2003. Together, the two of them have two wonderful children, and are currently living overseas on the tiny island of Guam.

WS has tackled different genres throughout his writing career. From suspense with his debut novel Frozen Secrets, to erotic suspense with his bestselling Carter trilogy and Defending Her, and now contemporary romance with Worth Saving. As a reader, WS usually prefers the drama of suspense, but as a writer, he’s branched out and is doing his best to reach a wide audience and a plethora of readers.

WS loves connecting with his fans and readers, and does so whenever he gets the chance, and he would love to hear from you. You can find him on his personal blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Stay tuned, there’s more great stories coming from WS Greer!

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BlogTour

#BlogTour ~ Enough by Dawn L. Chiletz ~ @DawnLChiletz @EJBookPromo #Giveaway #rafflecopter

Posted on October 16, 2015October 16, 2015 by mamareads2014

Title: Enough: A Novel

Author: Dawn L. Chiletz

Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Romance

Release Date: October 11, 2015

Broken

Scarred

Invisible

My name is Everly. I’m a stay-at-home mom of two beautiful kids. I have a husband who provides for our family, but I don’t think he loves me anymore. Inside I die a little every day.

I am not enough. Not enough of a mother, a wife, a friend, a woman… I’m not enough to get you to stay, to love me or to accept me. There’s a battle I’m fighting. It’s a battle within myself.

I’m a fixer; I help others. I try to make everyone around me happy and whole, yet I haven’t figured out a way to fix myself.

When time and circumstances push me to my breaking point, I’m forced to take a hard look at what I’ve become. A failed marriage, a failed attempt at a career, and a failed attempt at being a mother. I’m not enough to hold any of it.

This is my story. It’s about trying to figure out how to be happy with who I am, how to love myself again, and how to allow others to love me. When a second chance at love is standing in front of me, will I be able to see anything more than my broken reflection in his eyes? Will I be able to rebuild and reinvent myself when everything falls apart? Can I find the love I truly deserve?

Will I ever be enough?

“This story is very well written, and I feel a must read for anyone who might be in a bad relationship or feeling they are inadequate. I love the message of the story, YOU ARE ENOUGH. never doubt yourself, you are stronger than you think.” ~ The Book Sirens

“If I could give this more than 5 Stars, I would. This book, I have no words to describe how much I loved this book. This book is raw, it is bone chilling, it is heartbreaking and this book makes you think. But then it is sexy, heartwarming, exciting, and the journey of one women discovering that she is Enough is simply beautiful.” ~ A Beautiful Book Blog

“Mom, where are my soccer cleats?” Marlow yells from her room.

“I think I saw them by the dog’s bed in the family room.”

Marlow thuds down the hall then rounds the corner into the kitchen. “Can you untie my shorts?” she asks.

I put the lid back on the roast and close the oven door before I bend down and sigh in frustration. “Did you make this knot?”

“Yes,” she responds. “I didn’t want them to fall down when I was running, but now I have to pee and I can’t get them off.”

I attempt to dig my nail into the fabric, but there’s no nail there to use. My nail-biting habit is out of control again.

“Mom!” I hear Kale scream from upstairs.

“Kale, if you want to talk to me, come down the stairs and speak in a normal voice.”

“I don’t want to come downstairs. I just wanted you to know that Marlow left her stinky socks on the bathroom floor.”

I sigh at Marlow as she dances from place to place. “I really have to pee, Mom,” she whispers in fear.

“Why did you leave your socks on the bathroom floor?” I ask as I manage to make a small dent in the fabric.

“They were wet.”

“Why were they wet?”

“Roscoe peed in the hall and I stepped in it.”

I stop what I’m doing and stare at my six-year-old daughter.

“What?” she asks with her hands in the air.

The timer on the oven sounds, letting me know the roast is ready.

“Mom!” Kale hollers. “Roscoe peed in the hall again.”

“Then clean it up!” I shout back in irritation.

“Eww… no way!” he responds.

The timer continues to beep when the phone rings. I stand and pull Marlow toward it. I hit answer and place it on my shoulder before bending down to return to the knot from hell. She’d make a great sailor.

“Hello?”

“Did you pay the credit card bill this month?”

“Well hi, Mike,” I respond. “I’m fine, how are you?”

“Shit, Everly, just answer the damn question.”

I sigh. “Yes, I paid it.”

“Are you sure? Because I still have a balance and I told you to pay it off.”

“Mom!” Kale yells from upstairs.

“I did pay it. I called it in a week ago.”

“Mom?” Kale shouts again.

Marlow continues to dance in front of me as I finally free her from her binds and she rushes toward the bathroom.

I stand and turn off the annoying timer.

“What’s the confirmation number?” Mike asks.

“I don’t know, Mike. I’m kinda busy right now.”

He chuckles into the phone. “You have no idea what it means to be busy. You should see my desk right now.”

I pierce my lip with my tooth and begin to form the f to my favorite word when Kale charges down the stairs. I stop myself on the consonant.

“Didn’t you hear me, Mom? I called you like a hundred times!”

“Must be nice to sit around all day while I work and claim you’re too busy to get a simple number for me.”

“Mom!” Marlow cries out. “There’s no toilet paper!”

“Mom, why are you ignoring me?” Kale asks as he pulls on my shirt.

I take a deep breath and attempt to prioritize. Asshat husband wants check number… I stare at the phone for a second as he asks “Hello?” in his annoying voice to gain my attention. I end the call. Check.

Screaming Kale has something urgent to ask. “Yes, Kale. What do you need?”

“I forgot I need to bring cookies to karate tonight.”

I close my eyes to stop myself from asking why he didn’t tell me this morning so I could have picked some up from the store. I open the pantry and grab a bag of Oreos. “Done,” I tell him.

“Those are open!” he states in utter disbelief.

I glance into the package. There are only a few missing. I’m pretty sure I ate them in the car on the way home from the store. “It’ll be fine,” I assure him. Check. He mumbles something under his breath as he makes his way back up the stairs. I’m too tired to ask him what he said.

“Mom… toilet paper?”

I hurry into the laundry room and grab the new pack, pulling off the plastic wrap. I knock on the door before I open it slightly to her shriek of horror. “I’m in here!” she yells. “Privacy!”

I roll the paper to her and close the door. Check.

No more screaming. No more angry husband. All butts are accounted for. I lean against the wall and sigh as the fire alarm blares into my ears. I turn and see smoke coming from the stove.

“Should I call 911?” Kale screams from upstairs.

“What? No, Kale! Everything’s fine!” I open the oven and take out the burning roast, waving the smoke and opening a window.

“What?” he yells over the deafening sound.

I wave my towel in the air under the smoke alarm in the hall.

“Should I exit the house from the window up here like we practiced in the fire drill?” Kale asks in a panic.

“Kale, for Christ’s sake, there’s no fire!”

“There’s a fire?” he screams.

I hustle back into the kitchen and wave the smoke toward the open window. The blaring stops and I take a calming breath, staring at the crispy roast for a moment. In the distance, I hear sirens. They seem to be getting closer. I silently pray it’s the hospital coming to take me away.

Dawn L. Chiletz is the author of The Contest and Waiting to Lose. She currently resides in Illinois with her husband, two boys, and two dogs. When she’s not binge writing or reading, Dawn drinks large amounts of coffee and checks Facebook instead of doing laundry.

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#ReleaseDay ~Written In Ink by Carrie Ann Ryan ~ @CarrieAnnRyan @InkslingerPR #Giveaway #rafflecopter

Posted on October 13, 2015October 12, 2015 by mamareads2014

About Written in Ink:

A Brand New Full Length Novel in the Bestselling Montgomery Ink Series where the quiet, inked Montgomery finds his match in the woman with a fiery passion and a past full of secrets.

There’s nothing worse for a writer than missing a deadline. For Griffin Montgomery, his failure to do what he loves comes at a blow. He didn’t understand how it was affecting his life until his well-meaning family intercedes. His sisters have hired him a new personal assistant and he’s outraged—that is, until he sees who it is.

Autumn Minor is light on her feet and a bare memory for most people she meets. She does her best to blend in everywhere she lives, even if it’s only for a short period of time. Making sure no one truly notices her is the only way she’s survived this long. Only when she meets Griffin and the rest of the Montgomerys, she’s afraid she won’t be able to let go when its time to run.

Though the two begin a tentative but explosive relationship, they know it can’t last forever. Neither of them are made for the long haul when it comes to love and romance. When the demons from Autumn’s past find her and put both their lives at risk, Griffin will stop at nothing to protect her. In the end, though, he’ll be the one who needs a second chance.

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Exclusive Excerpt:

“That bad?” Griffin asked, holding out a coffee cup. “I think I remember you having sugar and cream in your coffee at Taboo. I don’t have fresh cream so you’re stuck with the powered stuff. Sorry.”

She took the cup that looked clean and full of fresh coffee from him. He raised a brow then took a deep drink from his mug after blowing on it.

“Ahh…” he whispered into his cup, looking down at his coffee like it was made from the gods, rather than a machine. “I don’t have anything in this house most days, but I always have coffee. I used to have groceries delivered, but then I got stuck in my book and forgot to order again. But coffee? I have that on an automatic delivery.” He quirked a grin at her, and she was pretty sure her womb clenched.

Seriously. Her womb.

How the hell was that even possible? And come to think of it, that kind of clenching wasn’t sexy in the least. This man was single-handedly burning her brain cells. Soon, she’d have a single brain cell left, singing a sad little tune about being lonely.

Carrie Ann Ryan Bio:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan never thought she’d be a writer. Not really. No, she loved math and science and even went on to graduate school in chemistry. Yes, she read as a kid and devoured teen fiction and Harry Potter, but it wasn’t until someone handed her a romance book in her late teens that she realized that there was something out there just for her. When another author suggested she use the voices in her head for good and not evil, The Redwood Pack and all her other stories were born.

Carrie Ann is a bestselling author of over twenty novels and novellas and has so much more on her mind (and on her spreadsheets *grins*) that she isn’t planning on giving up her dream anytime soon.

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#ReleaseTour ~ Choosing Us by Aria Grace ~ @ariagracebooks @ejbookpromos #Rafflecopter #Giveaway

Posted on October 13, 2015October 13, 2015 by mamareads2014

Title: Choosing Us

Series: More Than Friend #10

Author: Aria Grace

Genre: M/M Romance (Menage)

Published: October 10, 2015

Adam is almost done with culinary school when Lee, his instructor, kicks him out of school, his apartment and his life. Adam quickly becomes a member of the working poverty, living on the streets, and just trying to survive. With nothing positive to look forward to, Adam resorts to the only way he knows how to escape from his life.

Joey finds Adam sick and alone in Waterfront Park one night and takes him home. Steve and Joey want to help but Adam may not be ready to accept it or them. It’ll all come down whether the three men are better off together or apart.

Joey

The energy at The Pot has been weird all day. People seem antsy. Anxious. I don’t know if it’s the non-stop rain, but something just feels wrong.

“I’m heading out with Bryce to look for Kurt.” Kim is pulling her jacket off the coat rack by the door. “You gonna stay much longer?”

I pull the chewed up pencil out of my mouth and look at her. “Um, no. I’ll probably head out soon too.”

“Okay, just be careful driving home. It’s practically a typhoon out there.”

I shiver just thinking about being stuck outside. “Where are you guys looking?”

“We’re going to drive through Kelly Butte Natural Preserve to see if anyone has seen him out there. Then we’ll swing by Waterfront. He stays at both places so hopefully we’ll find him.”

“What are you going to do if you find him?” On particularly wet nights, The Pot fills up quickly. We try not to ever turn anyone away but once the beds are full and the floors are all littered with bodies in sleeping bags, it’s hard to justify going to find someone just to bring them back.

“We just want to make sure he’s fine. He’s usually here every few days so people are getting worried. There’s been some bad black going around. I’ll feel better if I know he’s alive.”

I nod then blurt out my next words without thinking. “I’ll go to Waterfront. It’s on my way home anyway. Call me if you find him before I do.”

“Will do. Have a good night, Joey.”

“Yeah.” I shut down the computer I was using to pay some bills then stand to leave as well. “You too.”

~**~

Looking for someone on a dark and stormy night is even harder than it sounds. I can’t see my hand in front of my face without my flashlight blazing. And because I don’t want anyone to think I’m a cop, I keep the light mostly shielded. Only a dim beam illuminates the pathway in front of me.

There are a few corners where junkies are known to party, so that’s where I start. Under a thick copse of trees, four people huddle together under a tarp. Keeping my voice friendly and my light low, I call out toward the group, “Is Kurt with you?”

No response so I take a few steps closer. One guy jumps up while the others fumble around behind him.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Hey, it’s cool, man. I’m not a cop.” I turn the light toward myself so they can see my plain clothes. “Just looking for a friend. Do you know a guy named Kurt?”

A girl turns on a headlight, almost blinding me with the beam before she clicks it into red mode. “I know Kurt. What do you need from him?”

“I don’t need anything.” I slowly turn the light toward her face so I can see her without shining it directly in her eyes. “Just checking to see if he’s okay. I’ve been trying to reach him for a few days.”

She shakes her head then looks at the half-conscious guys next to her. “Nah, it’s been a while but he was fine the last time I saw him.”

That’s helpful. Not.

“Well, if you see him, can you tell him to go see Joey?”

No one even looks up as I turn and head out. There’s a person on a bench near the water so I walk quickly toward them. A street light casts just enough light over the person that I can tell it’s a man, about the size of Kurt.

“Kurt?” I call out when I’m about ten feet from the man. His feet are up against his ass and his head is tucked into his bent knees. If he didn’t startle at my voice, I would have been afraid he was dead.

“What?” The man turns his head and coughs twice into his knees.

The familiar voice makes my blood run cold. Please let this be Kurt.

“Is that you, Kurt?”

“No Kurt here.”

The man buries his face into his bent knees again and coughs violently, causing me to take a few steps closer.

“Adam?” I whisper as I raise my light across his curled up body. “Is that you?”

Adam’s legs hit the ground and he stands at attention like a solider at boot camp. “Joey? Hey, how’s it going?”

He’s trying to sound casual but it’s clearly an act. He’s nervous and jittery.

“What are you doing here, Adam?” I look around to see if he’s with anyone but he’s totally alone. “It’s freezing.”

“I’m fine.” He runs his palm across his face, wiping off the water collecting there. “I like the peace of being alone out here.”

“Can I give you a ride home?” I don’t know where he’s living but he shouldn’t be walking anywhere in this weather.

“Oh, no.” He clears his throat and puts his hands in his pockets. “I’m cool, but thanks.”

I move the beam of light directly over his face until he has to squint to keep from being blinded. “No, you’re not cool. You need to get out of this rain. That cough sounds bad. Where do you live?”

Adam’s head drops and his chin lands on his center of his collar bone. “I’m fine, Joey. Really.”

His words are whispered but the anguish in his voice is unmistakable. I step right up to him and wrap my arms around his shoulders. “What’s going on, Adam? Why are you out here?”

Adam’s shoulders rise and fall until I feel his arms slowly close around my waist. He completely ignores my question while breathing into my neck. “It’s so good to see you.”

My hold on him tightens. “Why don’t you come back to my place so we can talk?”

His head bobs up and down, but Adam doesn’t say a word. After another moment, I release one arm from around his shoulders then start walking back to my car with him pressed tightly to my side.

Steve

Rain is falling in sheets as I drive the short distance home. I closed up at eight forty because the mall was dead. I normally would have waited it out but I was anxious to get home to my little duck.

Relief fills me when I see Joey’s white Ford Escape tucked away for the night in the garage. I park next to him and practically jog inside, anxious to get out of my damp clothes from the walk through the mall parking lot.

“Baby, I’m home,” I call out as soon as I step into the kitchen.

“We’re in the family room.”

I pause for just a second. Did he say we?

I inhale deeply then walk into the family room. Joey is sitting in the center of the sofa, his body turned toward the guy beside him.

My stomach churns as I take in the scene. This guy doesn’t look familiar but I trust Joey implicitly. I know whatever reason he has for inviting a stranger into our home, particularly when I’m not around, must be a good one.

I round the sofa and stand on the other side of the coffee table, facing Joey and hopefully the guy he was looking for. But it’s not Kurt. It’s Adam. The guy from the wedding.

Born and raised in California, Aria enjoys the year round sunshine and laid back environment of the west coast. She lives with her husband and two children on a quiet hill that gives her lots of time to read and write. Once she ventured into the exciting world of gay romance, she never looked back. She loves to hear from readers so please feel free to drop her a note or visit her at www.ariagracebooks.com or join her mailing list for updates and free book opportunities.

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