Posted in Book Blast, Giveaway, New Adult, romance, Spotlight, Young Adult on September 24, 2014

My Summer Roommate
By Bridie Hall
YA
Contemporary Romance
@39k
Chloe needs a place to crash for the summer before college. When Chris offers, she moves in with him. It’s just for two months, no biggie. But soon she realizes she may have made a mistake. He’s too perfect—a former snowboarder, laid-back and kind to boot. And he’s smitten with her. But she’s got trust issues and a relationship feels daunting. When he keeps trying to win her over, the temptation becomes overwhelming.
Just as she gives in and decides it’s not worth fighting their emotions anymore, Chris reveals he’s made a stupid mistake which might ruin Chloe’s trust in him and tear them apart.
ARe     Bookstrand

Excerpt

“Remember Chris? He was in History with us this year,” I say over my shoulder to Isabelle, as I lead the way into the deli. Isabelle’s expression is confused, but I know she remembers Chris. We’ve talked about him before. A lot of girls from class were all ‘gaga’ over him because he was hot and a snowboarder––or a shredder, as he called himself.
Except for Isabelle, who’s had love troubles with Harper and Jamie, two brothers from Atlanta. Harper won. I like him well enough. I even had a crush on him way back when.
“That cute guy with iPod earphones practically glued to his ears?” she asks, recognition lighting up her face.
“Yes. I’m going to crash with Chris for the next two months,” I say quickly, hoping that Isabelle won’t react too strongly to the news.
“What do you mean?”
I drop into a chair.
“Aren’t you going to stay with me?”
Isabelle said I should come live with her. But Harper hangs out at her place constantly, because their relationship is still in the head-over-heels stage, too.
“I don’t want to be in the way. You and Harper need some alone time, Izzy.”
The waitress takes our orders and then rushes back with a small bowl of peanuts.
“My dad’s there, too, and he’s not in the way,” Isabelle says, taking a peanut and munching it absent-mindedly.
“Because he’s holed up in his study all day long.”
I smile and keep the tone light, but the thought of everyone around me starting their new lives, with their new, happy relationships, makes me feel lonely. Deserted. Even though I’m not looking for a relationship.
“It’s just for the two months until I go to college.”
“You wouldn’t be in the way, Chloe. You could never be in the way.”
“Okay, okay, I admit it. Watching you two being all crazy about each other would just make me envious.”
“Oh.”
Izzy’s my best friend, which means I know her well enough to have predicted such a response. Fact is, I broke up with Adam a few weeks ago. For the second time, but this time it’s for real. Of course Isabelle thinks I’m broken-hearted about it. I am sad, but not too much. I’ve never really thought our relationship would last. He was just a pretty boy, selfish and immature. I wasn’t looking for a long-term relationship, anyhow. I’m too young for that. Or maybe I’m too selfish and immature, too.
“Yeah.” I sigh. I feel a bit guilty for not being entirely honest with Isabelle, but the waitress bringing our drinks distracts me so I forget it quickly enough. Besides, I’m doing it to give her some space. Well, her, and Harper.
“So … You’re just moving in with this Chris? I didn’t know you were tight.”
“We’re not. I mean, I saw him at Adam’s birthday party. We started talking and he was sort of cool. We stayed in touch.”
“And he just asked you to come live with him?”
She looks incredulous, a bit worried, perhaps.
“I told Mark—Jamie’s friend? The lacrosse team captain?—about my situation, and apparently he told Chris. He called me last week and said I could crash with him for the two months, no prob. He’s got enough space now that his roommate went back home for the summer.”
“Hm.” Isabelle looks thoughtful as she sips her drink.
“How are things with you and Harper?” I say to change the topic, because I don’t like her frowning. I grin when I see Izzy’s cheeks warm up. “That cozy, huh?”
“We’re … great.”
“Uh-huh.” I’m amused by Isabelle’s short answer. She has always been very private and reserved. I wonder how that works with Harper, but my thoughts quickly veer into the gutter territory. Good thing Izzy can’t read my mind.
“Okay, okay,” Isabelle says, holding up her hands in surrender. “He’s wonderful. He’s so much fun, and experienced and …”
I wiggle my eyebrows just to taunt her and it has an immediate effect. Isabelle turns scarlet and starts to protest.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I meant in a general sort of way, like … he can teach me about life and such.”
“Sure.” I can’t help my lips stretching into a wide grin. This is better relaxation even than yoga.
“Well, he’s experienced … like that, too.”
Isabelle stumbles over the words, but it is obvious that she is more than happy about it.
I snort in my tea, spilling it all over the table. “Good for you.”
Isabelle’s face radiates with happiness, different than when she was with Jamie, Harper’s younger brother. I’ve always known Harper was the right one for her, but Isabelle didn’t believe me until she spent one long day with him on the way home from Atlanta. That road trip made her see that Harper wasn’t just an arrogant jerk that taunted her at every opportunity he got. I saw right through him the first time I saw him with Isabelle, long before they ended up together. I could tell he’d fallen for her and that he wasn’t the bad person everyone thought.
I’m pretty good at that, reading people and their deepest secrets. I think that’s because I have experience guarding my own heart against selfish bastards, so I know all the tricks in existence. I’ve even invented some.
“You sure you’re going to be okay with Chris?” Izzy asks.
“It’s just two months. He’s a cool guy. Honestly. I wouldn’t accept his offer if I wasn’t sure I could handle it.”

Author Bio

Bridie Hall sold her first story at fourteen. Since then, she has written dozens more, translated books, studied writing, and started writing novels. Her days revolve around stories and words, her sleepless nights involve plotting and inventing fascinating new characters. The only activity that takes up more of her time than writing, is reading.
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Posted in 4 paws, Blog tour, Giveaway, New Adult, Review, romance on September 21, 2014

Claiming Callie.v1

Claiming Callie – Part One

Synopsis

Her love of Michael Kors might be her downfall.

Callie Cartwright is a college senior on the verge of graduating and getting the job of her dreams. But her illustrious shopping habit and expensive tastes backfire when her future employer gives her an ultimatum. She has less than six months to lower her debt or she’ll lose the job she’s worked so hard for.

His secret crush may be his undoing.

Dean Michaels has everything going for him. He’s a manager at the local coffee shop, a sophomore in college, star of the university basketball team, and don’t forget, gorgeous. The only thing he needs is the girl of his dreams to make his world complete. And he’s finally ready to go after her. The only problem: it’s his sister’s best friend he’s crushing on. And all she sees in him is the love for a brother.

But desperate times call for desperate measures.                                                                                 

When Callie concocts a crazy plan as a way to make quick money and pay down her debt, Dean’s feelings go into overdrive. It’s time to show her how he feels.

And the plan he proposes, just might be the one to finally catch the girl.

*Claiming Callie is part one of a series of four serial novellas and is approximately 28,000 words in length (about half the length of a full novel).*

*Contains adult language.

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Review

This is a short starter to this 4 part series. Callie is like most college students but she is getting ready to graduate and her crazy spending over the past 5 years has put her $25k in debt and the company she works for may not hire her because of her bad credit history/score (and yes this does happen, so watch your spending and your score!)

So she decides to try a lame brain idea and start an escort service to get herself out of debt, but one that only offers companionship/dates for events. No sex! Needless to say it doesn’t work so she has to find another way to get herself out of this debt and keep the job she has been interning at for the last 2 years. Enter Dean, long time friend and brother of his best friend, Jinny. He has a plan, will Callie go through with it?

This book is like a train wreck, you see all the stupid things that Callie is doing but you can’t stop reading…or at least I couldn’t. The sad thing is that I see so many people like her that are in this same situation and making the same sort of mistakes.

The book sets you up well for part 2.

We give it 4 paws.

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Claiming-Callie2.v2-Am

Claiming Callie – part two

Synopsis

He’s the man of her dreams. She just doesn’t know it yet.

Dean Michaels has nothing to lose and, after all these years, he’s finally hatched a plan to win the heart of his long-time crush Callie Cartwright. Operation Get the Girl is on. For however long it takes, she will pretend to be his girlfriend in an effort to make his ex jealous and win back her affections. What Callie doesn’t know is that Dean only has eyes for her, and his plan is simply a ploy to win her heart.

But with Callie’s job hanging in the balance, her future uncertain, and the anniversary of her parents’ death looming, Dean’s scheme is one more thing adding to the chaos of her life.

Will his plan work? Or will it backfire, leaving him brokenhearted?

 

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Review

This is a nice follow up to part 1. Callie has agreed to be Dean’s “pretend” girlfriend in attempts for him to win his former girlfriend, Maya, back. Little does Callie know that Dean wants to be with her and not Maya.

In this book, Callie isn’t quite the train wreck she was in book 1…but she is still oblivious to Dean’s interest in her. Callie is still trying to turn her internship into a job and I was glad to see that the few times she did go into a store, she managed to not buy anything. For her that is HUGE because she is an emotional shopper….I wish I had that problem!

I am curious now how part 3 of this story is going to continue the story. Will Callie discover feelings for Dean?  We will know soon!

We give this book 4 paws.

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About the Author

Paige Rion is a contemporary romance author. She’s a mother, wife, blogger, hopeless chocoholic, coffee-addicted, wine-lover. Her debut, novel—a new adult romance—Written On Her Heart, is the first in the Callaway Cove series. She is also the author of the new adult romance serial, Claiming Callie. The fourth and final installment of Claiming Callie is due out in October, followed by the release of the second Callaway Cove novel.

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Posted in Book Blast, excerpt, New Adult on September 15, 2014

 

 

Someday, My Forever  
Carrie Fox
Genre: New Adult
25k words

Synopsis

Rae Ann Bailey has focused on her family and education for her entire life. Now a college freshman, she’s looking forward to everything that being in college entails. She has always thought about what everyone wants and making them happy, so she’s relieved to be out on her own and making her own decisions.

Sam Jenks is a junior, and a vital part of the college rowing team. Studying and getting his team to the national championships are his only priorities. He doesn’t have the time or the desire for a girlfriend.

When Sam and Rae Ann meet, they have an instant connection that neither of them can deny. As they get closer, his commitment to the rowing team strains their new relationship, and Rae Ann has to decide if she can handle rowing being number one. Just when it seems that things are going well, someone from Sam’s past threatens to tear them apart. Can Sam and Rae Ann move past their obstacles and decide that their forever is worth it?

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Excerpt

Several minutes later, Heidi breezed back inside and smiled widely.  “Let’s celebrate our freedom!”, she exclaimed.

I shot her a confused look and she laughed.

“Rae Ann, you and I are at the UW, free of parents…it’s time to cut loose!”

Gib smiled at Heidi.  “It’s good to see you again.”  He looked over quickly and waved me away.  “Go on, she won’t take no for an answer.”

Sighing resignedly, I followed her onto the elevator, which quickly rose to the 6th floor.  We made our way down our way down the hall in a comfortable silence.  I knew the night ahead would be an adventure.

 

About the Author

Carrie Fox has been an avid reader since childhood.  Since discovering the Indie author community, she has become a blogger and joined street teams for established authors.  Someday, My Forever is her first published work.

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Posted in Blog tour, New Adult, romance on September 9, 2014

The Lover’s Game

by J.C. Reed

Genre: Mature New Adult/ Adult Contemporary Romance

Recommended for ages 18 and up.

250pp

When love is a game…

After having her heart broken, Brooke tries to rebuild her life and closes herself off from the one man she loved deeply. When she meets Grayson, a photographer, she has no idea that her new boss will offer her more than she bargained for. The pay is great, her new friends more than welcoming and everything seems to be running well…until everyone insists she find herself a new suitor during a night out.

Jett knows how to play games. He is used to getting attention from everyone except the beautiful dark haired woman who doesn’t like to be fooled with and doesn’t trust him as far as she can spit. He wants Brooke but, more than that, he wants to own her, and the only way to get her is to make her owe him…against her will.

And what Jett owns, Jett keeps forever

The Lover’s Game:

Find the The Lover’s Game on Goodreads:

No Exceptions #2 (No Exceptions, #2)

***Giveaway***

1x Signed paperback copy of THE LOVER’S GAME

1x sterling silver custom book pendant necklace $200 value

$100 Amazon Gift Card

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About J.C. REED

J.C. Reed is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of SURRENDER YOUR LOVE series. She writes steamy contemporary fiction with a touch of mystery. When she’s not typing away on her keyboard, forgetting the world around her, she dreams of returning to the beautiful mountains of Wyoming. You can also find her chatting on Facebook with her readers or spending time with her two children. 

Connect with Author

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Other Books: in the No Exceptions series:

The Lover’s Secret (Book 1) is available now:  Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ iTunes~Goodreads

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Posted in Book Blast, New Adult, romance, Spotlight on September 8, 2014

Synopsis

Summer Jones thought she lost Nat Donovan, the boy she had always had a crush on since she could remember, when he went off on a mission to find his father, the founder and CEO of Donovan Dynamics, the billion dollar security and intelligence corporation who is now protecting her from the stalker who has attempted to kill her twice.

He had always been her rock, had always been there for her, but now Nat has disappeared. According to Donovan Dynamics, it was for good.

Could Summer continue on? Could Nat’s playboy one-night stand legend brother Drew Donovan live up to Nat’s legacy as the family’s perfect son, as the one who could eventually run Donovan Dynamics? With Nat gone, could he finally get
Summer to commit to him with all her heart and soul?

All the secrets, all the heartaches, come out in Lasting Summer as the Donovans and Summer learn to deal with the truth about Nat, Drew, and Summer that will test each others’ love to each other and to family.

Lasting Summer is part of the Loving Summer Series appropriate for age 18+.

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About the Author

Kailin Gow’s life is sometimes more fascinating and stranger than fiction, which is being chronicled in a feature film based on a treatment optioned and in development for a release date of 2018. (IMDB.com – The Colorful Worlds of Kailin Gow 2018). Her true life experiences as a world traveler where she has traveled to over 25 countries, logging hundreds of thousands of miles, absorbing the cultures and collecting stories relating to places and the romance of the land, and incidents in her personal life, has inspired her to write and publish over 170 books with over 30 series.

She is noted as an indie pioneer, as one of the first to publish in 2001. Breaking stereotypes, her books has crossed traditional and indie lines, gaining recognition in schools and libraries , as well as the indie community.  Her action adventure young adult fantasy series, The Frost Series, an ALA YALSA Reader’s Choice Nominated book series – had been optioned by an international film company and is currently in development as a game and a film at http://www.facebook.com/thefrostseries. Five of her fantasy/action adventure series have been optioned to be made into worldwide games.

Kailin Gow has been known in The World Journal, an international newspaper, to be a phenomenon. She was profiled on the homepage of Amazon.com as an Author Success Story who overcame personal obstacles to become a bestselling author, appeared as one of Amazon’s top authors for the Kindle Fire launch release, and is one of the earliest indie authors who have sold over a million books. She writes for Fast Company as a publishing expert, had appeared on a major network Television News as a bestselling author who writes fiction and non-fiction with a social conscious, and has made speeches and appearances across the U.S. and on top 15 national radio regarding self-esteem and issues relating to
women.

Kailin Gow was an invited speaker and signing author at Book Expo America (BEA)2014.

Having experienced bullying firsthand and slander as a woman, Kailin Gow is an active advocate against bullying in the workplace and in schools. She has written Shy Girls Social Club Hand book Against Bullying and has helped launch Stories for Amanda where all proceeds go towards the Amanda Todd Foundation against bullying. She has written several books with the theme of abuse towards women and children, especially the steamy international bestselling The
Protégé Series, which launched a book club initiative in battered women’s shelters and won The Indie Excellence Awards at NIEA for Erotica in 2014.

She holds a Masters Degree in Communications Management from The University of Southern California, and degrees in Drama and Social Ecology.

She resides in the American West with her husband and daughter, but had lived for a decade in Texas, and briefly in England. Besides being a full-time author, she volunteers for many organizations, is active in church helping build homes for the homeless and visit orphanages.  A voracious reader, when she is not writing, she loves reading an entire series in one sitting! She spends way too much time on Facebook than she is supposed but loves meeting new people from all walks of life.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

She has over 30 Series, written under Kailin Gow, and more under her middle grade, women’s fiction, and mystery pen names:

***For 16 and up***

The Frost Series – COMPLETED – Bitter Frost Series Consists of 8 full-length novels.
The Wolf Fey Series – COMPLETED – Consists of 2 full-length novels and one novella.
Fairy Rose Chronicles – age 13 and up.
The PULSE Series – Next Book – Blood Ring (PULSE #9), releasing due to readers’ demand to continue the series. Consists of 9 full-length novels and one novella.
FADE Series – COMPLETED. ALL Full-length novels.
DESIRE Series – All Full-length novels. Last Book, FRENZY – 2015.
Fire Wars Series – All Full-length novels.
Alchemists Academy – All Full-length novels.
Wordwick Games – All Full-length novels.
Wicked Woods Series – COMPLETED. Consists of 5 full-length novels.
Steampunk Scarlett – All Full-length novels.
The Phantom Diaries – All Full-length novels. Last Book, DARK VICTORY – 2015.
Stoker Sisters – All Full-length novels. Last Book, SISTER OF THE STRIGOIS – 2015.

Beyond Crystal River – 2015 NEW SERIES.

SHADES – 2015 NEW SERIES. This is a high concept psychological thriller.

***For 18 and up (New Adult/Coming of Age)***

Loving Summer – All full-length novels.
The Donovan Brothers – All full-length novels.
Saving You Saving Me (You & Me Trilogy)- COMPLETED. Consists of 3 Full-length novels.
Never Knights – COMPLETED. Consists of 3 Full-length novels.
Rock Hard Love Hard – 1st book, Rock Hard Love Hard is now Available.

Sawyer House Chronicles (Spin-off of You & Me Trilogy) – Coming in 2015
Canvas – Coming in 2015

***For 18 and up (Adult/Steamy Romance)***

The Protege – COMPLETED.  3 Full-length novels.
Master Chefs – COMPLETED. Consists of 3 Full-length novels.
The Blue Room (Spin-off of Never Knights Trilogy) – Romantic Suspense.
Barely Legal (Spin-off of The Protégé) – Romantic Suspense.
The Oyster House – Artistic Romantic Thriller set in Hong Kong and England. – Coming in 2015.

For information on the series, new series and new book releases, contests, appearances, KG-Convergences, and more, sign up here

 

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Posted in Cover Reveal, New Adult, romance on September 2, 2014

Cover Reveal

THE LOVER’S GAME by J.C. Reed

Title: The Lover’s Game

Author: J.C. Reed

Genre: Mature New Adult/ Adult Contemporary Romance

Recommended for ages 18 and up.

Full Length Novel

Expected Publication Date: September 9th 2014

When love is a game…

After having her heart broken, Brooke tries to rebuild her life and closes herself off from the one man she loved deeply.

When she meets Grayson, a photographer, she has no idea that her new boss will offer her more than she bargained for. The pay is great, her new friends more than welcoming and everything seems to be running well…until everyone insists she find herself a new suitor during a night out.

Jett knows how to play games. He is used to getting attention from everyone except the beautiful dark haired woman who doesn’t like to be fooled with and doesn’t trust him as far as she can spit. He wants Brooke but, more than that, he wants to own her, and the only way to get her is to make her owe him…against her will.

And what Jett owns, Jett keeps forever.

 

 

The Lover’s Secret (No Exceptions 1)

Available now:  

worldwide, print and ebook

No Exceptions #1 (No Exceptions, #1)

The Lover’s Game (No Exceptions 2)

Available: 9/9

No Exceptions #2 (No Exceptions, #2)

About J.C. REED

J.C. Reed is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of SURRENDER YOUR LOVE series. She writes steamy contemporary fiction with a touch of mystery. When she’s not typing away on her keyboard, forgetting the world around her, she dreams of returning to the beautiful mountains of Wyoming. You can also find her chatting on Facebook with her readers or spending time with her two children. 

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Posted in Cover Reveal, New Adult, romance on August 25, 2014

 

Title: London Loves 

            Author : Theresa Troutman

        Release Date: Sept 15th 



Synopsis

“You never know what the future holds.”
Tess Hamilton Irons is excited about her new job prospect overseas. Her husband Sebastian has second thoughts. He acquiesces to his wife so she can have her dream job in his home town, London. A city brimming with excitement and adventure at every turn—not all of it good.
Lady Lily Irons menacing persona looms large, as he vows to protect his family at all cost. With the help of an unexpected ally, Sebastian begins a search for the father he never knew.
In a split second, the life they know is blown to bits and Sebastian is forced to pick up the pieces. Can he reclaim the life he loved or is the inevitable change a good thing?

 

Friendship, love, lust, tragedy and triumph combine in the thrilling conclusion to the Love’s Great Adventure series.

 

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About the Author

Theresa Troutman lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their crazy dog, Niko. She loves reading, theatre, traveling and is an active member of the SCBWI. Works by Theresa include My Secret Summer (YA romance), A Special Connection (New Adult Romance), and Life’s What You Make It – Love’s Great Adventure Series Book 1 ( Mature YA romance)

Love This Life – Book 2 Love’s Great Adventure Series

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Posted in Giveaway, Kindle, New Adult, romance on August 20, 2014

 

Release date: August 5th, 2014

Genre: Mature New Adult/ Adult Contemporary Romance
Recommended for ages 18 and up.

When a sexy encounter comes like a dream and leaves like a nightmare…

Brooke Stewart thinks she’s finally safe. After witnessing the crime of a killer, she can move on from her past. But after one night at the Trio Hotel and meeting the sexy stranger with the green eyes that can steal one’s soul, her life is changed forever. Passions run deep. The fun is supposed to be for one night with no strings attached.

What she doesn’t know is that the sexy stranger has an agenda of his own. Brooke Stewart has something he desperately wants, something he can’t admit to the woman he tries to get to surrender. A secret so deep it would upend her life if she found out too soon. He’s almost reached his goal, and then she gets a letter she was not meant to read. Suddenly, secrets get a completely new meaning.

Is the past really ever the past?

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About the Author

J.C. Reed is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of SURRENDER YOUR LOVE and CONQUER YOUR LOVE. She writes steamy contemporary fiction with a touch of mystery. When she’s not typing away on her keyboard, forgetting the world around her, she dreams of returning to the beautiful mountains of Wyoming. You can also find her chatting on Facebook with her readers or spending time with her two children.

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Posted in Cover Reveal, New Adult, romance on August 8, 2014

Cover Reveal

SampleCV1_Jersey-2

Book Title: Happiness in Jersey
Author: Jacinta Howard
Genre: Romance
Release Date: August 29, 2014
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Synopsis

The only thing in Jersey Kinkaid’s world that she has time for are keeping her grades up so that she doesn’t lose her scholarship to South Texas University, playing the bass in her band, The Prototype, and satisfying her coffee addiction. Oh, and the occasional random hook-up she indulges in to pass the time.

Love? Eh, not so much. Save that crap for a Katherine Heigl or Natalie Portman movie.

Jersey’s seen enough in life (courtesy of her Pops) to realize that undying romance is nothing more than a myth used to sell books and movie tickets. As she knows too well, the only thing inevitable in life is death— love is definitely not promised.

That’s why when Jersey meets Isaiah “Zay” Broussard with his soulful gray eyes, quick wit and easy charm, she’s determined to remain aloof. She doesn’t have time to get sidetracked by fleeting fantasies, even if she does feel an unexplainable connection to Zay she’s never experienced before.

But when his interest in her only seems to intensify, despite her attempts to brush him off, she gets to see a side of him and herself she didn’t expect…

excerpt

I’d never seen any of the Harry Potter movies or read one Harry Potter book and sometimes that made me feel a little weird, like I missed out on a vital part of my childhood or something.

There was this girl that I sometimes used to hang out with back in middle school, Chloe, who used to keep at least one of the books with her at all times, like the bible. She always complained that her mom thought it was sorcery and believed that her love for the books would somehow cause her to grow up and eventually become a weirdo magician like David Blaine—either that or one of those tarot card readers that are always at arts festivals. I didn’t exactly agree with her mom because she was a super religious and condemned everything outside of the Fourth Street Baptist New Beacon of the Everlasting Tabernacle of Life Church as unholy, but I sort of get where she was coming from. Chloe thought the meaning of life was in the Harry Potter series.

I leaned against the counter at work, bored stiff, watching one of the neighborhood high school kids engrossed in one of the Harry Potter books. I think the kid’s name was Jeremy but I couldn’t be sure because my memory was crap. I just knew the kid is a little strange. What fourteen year-old is purposely awake at eight-thirty every Saturday morning, sitting in a coffee shop reading Harry Potter? You’d think it had just been released the way this kid’s eyes were getting bigger and bigger with each sentence he read. How he managed to not know the ending was beyond me. Even I knew how the thing ended. Clearly he wasn’t a Wikipedia user.

I frowned because then again, little weird ass, non-Wikipedia-using Jeremy will probably end up being the next Mark Zuckerberg or something since in this world, that’s kind of how shit happens.

I sighed and picked at my now purple nail polish as I flipped through my Macro notes while I still had some downtime. It was Saturday so in a couple of hours when the campus kids finally woke up from their hangover slumbers I’d have the overwhelming joy of pouring coffee for them. In the year that I’d been working at Aroma, I’d found that there’s nothing more stimulating than serving college kids who ideally should have better things to do with their Saturdays than sip lattes and discuss meaningless pop culture happenings disguised as socio-political awareness (“What is it with Kanye West and his outbursts? I actually think he’s making a statement about post-Obama race relations and corporate dominance.”). College kids believe themselves to be very deep.

“Kitten.”

I jerked my head up, my eyes colliding directly with gray pupils. Dammit. How he managed to sneak up on me every time was beyond me.

“Must you always sneak up on me?” I asked aloud, furrowing my brow, although it was difficult because he was so damn handsome, it was nearly impossible to frown and look at him at the same time. He had on another white form-fitting v-neck with a pair of worn black jeans today.

He grinned disarmingly and shook his head.

“If you call walking up to a counter in a relatively busy coffee shop that’s located around the corner from a popular campus in broad daylight ‘sneaking up on you’ then yes, I guess I must.”

I rolled my eyes.

“I feel like you really are stalking me now,” I said when he just stood there, looking at me.

“I’m actually waiting for you to take my order.”

I stared at him for a second longer then grabbed a mug and poured him a cup of plain coffee.

“You remembered,” he said, sounding a combination of happy and impressed.

I rolled my eyes again. “Yes, that was so very difficult.”

“You said you had a bad memory yesterday… or wait, did you forget?”

He laughed like he’d actually said something funny.

“Aw, come on, Kitten,” he joked in his raspy baritone, his smirk back in place. “That was a little funny.”

He studied me as he leaned his hip against the counter, making himself totally at home.

“I think your button is lying,” he said after a few seconds of silence.

“Huh?”

“Your button,” he said again in his slow drawl, nodding toward my right breast. “It’s lying.”

I glanced down at the button that said “COFFEE MAKES ME HAPPY” and rolled my eyes again, unable to stop myself from grinning.

“So, how’d you learn to play the bass?” he asked casually, interest lighting his smoky eyes.

I shrugged, caught a little off-guard by his sudden change of subject. “I just… could play.”

“So, you taught yourself?” he asked. Again, he looked impressed. I found myself kind of liking his impressed look.

“Yeah. I was having a bad day, found my Pop’s bass in the closet and started messing around with it. I sucked at first, obviously. But it didn’t take too long for me to get the hang of it.”

He nodded and smiled. I was happy to see his impressed look again so quickly. He glanced over his shoulder at the table we’d sat at the day before.

“I feel kind of weird talking to you with a counter between us.”

I shrugged again. “You know it’s against company policy for me to fraternize with customers while I’m on the clock.”

He leaned forward a little, his eyes on mine. “But I’m really enjoying fraternizing with you.” His eyes skipped down my face to my breasts, causing heat to spread everywhere his eyes touched. “Besides, you’re already breaking company policy with all the eye rolling you’ve done this morning.” He nodded toward my HAPPY button. “Eye rolling is pretty much the exact opposite of ‘happy’.”

I stared at him blankly.

“Please?” he said, tilting his head a little when I didn’t move, flashing the half-dimple in his right cheek. Damn he was cute.

“Okay,” I huffed dramatically. I grabbed my own coffee, nodding for him to lead the way.

Meet the Author

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Jacinta Howard is a writer and avid music lover who resides in the Atlanta area with her daughter and husband. Currently the entertainment editor at Upscale Magazine, she finds her happy place deep in the pages of a great novel, on the beach listening to good music and hanging with her family.

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Comments Off on Cover Reveal: Happiness in Jersey by Jacinta Howard @jacintahoward
Posted in Blog tour, fiction, New Adult, Spotlight on August 8, 2014

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Synopsis

Adriana Banovic’s 15th birthday sucked! She got fired after eight years of playing Shayanne Montgomery on the #1 soap in the country, found out that her family was on the verge of bankruptcy and worst of all, forced to return to Westwood Academy. Her only saving grace was a chance glance at dreamy mystery boy Haze Lyndon. Armed with only his picture and a determination to find him—even if it means turning Los Angeles over on its ass.

In this new adult novel you’ll meet Robin Banovic, Adriana’s father; financially challenged, dealing with the death of a family member and his brother’s disappearance. You’ll meet Savannah DaCosta aka Savi, mother/manager; Savi enjoys the life her rock star daughter Leighann has provided. When Leighann makes a choice to end her career, Savi sees it as a personal attack.

You’ll meet college boy Haze Lyndon; New to Los Angeles, Haze soon realizes how quickly money changes hands in the City of Angels. Will he return to questionable ways to survive or go back to the safety of his family in Wisconsin?

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Adriana’s thoughts

I don’t think fashion has an age limit, I don’t think fashion has anything to do with how you look. I think fashion is an attitude. Two people with the exact same body type can wear the same outfit and one of them is bound to stand out. I’ll bet the more confident one would be more appealing.

Ever notice how runway models always look good even if what they are modeling is crappy? (I’m not calling names, but seriously, not every outfit should be on the runway), back to my point, they (models) walk like they own the world. Whether they feel it or not, they exude confidence. With everybody’s eyes on them and probably praying that they don’t miss a step, the last thing I’m sure they feel is confident, but they pull it off.

Whether you choose to mix Prada with thrift store, it’s all about the attitude you wear when you wear it.

What’s my personal fashion sense? I love bohemian with long loose skirts, chunky bangles, and head scarves. I usually pair that with a tank top and open toe sandals. I’m not much into brand names, I like what I like. I’m still experimenting with different styles and sometimes I’ll throw on a pair of cowboy boots and shorts and be just as comfortable. I live in Los Angeles, and cowboy boots is not an everyday fashion statement for the locals. To me it doesn’t matter, I love pushing the envelope. I wear my cowboy boots with pride.

No matter where you are or who you are, find your own style and own it.

About Adriana

Adriana Kelly Banovic is a 15-year-old ex-soap opera star. After her career ended abruptly she was forced to return to high school; the prestigious Westwood Academy of Higher Learning. Adriana is determined to get herself expelled from the celebrity obsessed school, but gets distracted by mystery boy Haze Lyndon, she also has secrets of her own and goes through great lengths to make sure Haze never finds out.

Meet Adriana in the Family Portrait series: Changes, The Banovic Siblings and Bastard’s Brew.

This book is available for FREE on Amazon, iTunes, and B&N

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Synopsis

College boy Kevin Banovic’s casual affair with Savi DaCosta suited him perfectly. Things change when he finds out that Savi is his mom’s high school bestie. When Kevin tries to end their affair, Savi blackmails him. After Kevin rescues Savi’s stepdaughter, L’Wren, from her abusive boyfriend, he can’t stop thinking about her. He must find a way to handle Savi, protect L’Wren, and keep his sanity.

Bad girl Adriana Banovic is pleased with herself for getting her nemesis expelled from Westwood Academy. As feelings between her and her latest victim Haze Lyndon escalate, an unexpected rival discovers her secret and threatens to expose her. With emotions on the line, will her new rival beat her at her own game or end up another casualty of Adriana’s wrath?

Zax Banovic has it all. Tall and handsome, he’s an academic genius, with a killer smile and a heart of gold. When his best friend gets into trouble, he feels responsible and covers for him. But his best friend is not as honorable and has other plans for Zax.

The Banovic Siblings learn that blackmail is a gift that keeps on giving.

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Excerpt

L’Wren entered Bacchanal Jake’s with two of her girlfriends. While their intention was to have fun and enjoy the attention of guys, her mission was to see Kevin Banovic again. She knew he worked there and, without alerting her friends to her plan, casually chose Jake’s as the hangout spot for the evening.

She hated the way they’d left things. Why did she care what he thought of her? He was just some guy—some guy who cared enough to stand up for her and got hurt in the process. She carried around immense guilt, and he’d made her feel worst when she tried to apologize. She had no idea what she was going to say to him. She just knew that she had to see him again.

They ordered drinks and found a booth. L’Wren’s eyes combed the room, her breath unsteady, her palms sweaty and her stomach in knots. Maybe he had the night off.

L’Wren’s friends noticed her distraction.

“Hey, what’s going on with you?” one friend asked.

“Nothing.” She smiled nervously.

A couple of guys came over with drinks for the girls. They began chatting them up. L’Wren was not interested. She just smiled and nodded and kept an eye out for Kevin.

Her hopes began to fade after an hour. L’Wren was about ready to leave when she spotted Kevin. She took a deep breath. The air in the room was getting tight again. She watched as he flirted with a woman at the bar. The scene reminded her of Tom Cruise in the movie Cocktail, minus the bar theatrics.

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Synopsis

When L’Wren’s ex-boyfriend Jeff suddenly disappears, she turns to Kevin to help her find him. With one phone call, Kevin makes sure that Jeff stays hidden and that L’Wren’s heart is broken, leaving the door open for Kevin to pursue her. But Kevin is not as free as L’Wren thinks; she is in the dark about his affair with her stepmother, Savi. Savi constantly reminds Kevin of his devious ways and uses their secret to keep him as her toyfriend.

“You don’t deserve to be loved, and you don’t deserve to be happy. You and I are the same … we’re broken inside. Everything we touch, we destroy. We don’t get happily ever after … we don’t get to ride off into the sunset. You know who gets that? L’Wren … she gets it, she gets the guy, and she deserves a decent guy.”- Savi

Kevin desires to be the man that L’Wren deserves, but before he can assume the role of white knight, he brews one last plan to get rid of Savi for good. Will L’Wren, the innocent victim in their twisted game, become a casualty?

Kevin may have sold his body to the devil in stilettos, but he’d be damned if he let her have his heart.

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About the Author

I have been writing since I was old enough to hold a pencil. I enjoy creating characters that could be your next-door neighbor, but would you want them as your neighbor is another story.

Originally from the island of Trinidad and Tobago, I moved to the United States in 1998. Since then I have been involved in the entertainment industry for over ten years.

I am an entrepreneur and advocate for women and children’s rights and I enjoy being in nature and volunteering.

I always wanted to work with Aaron Spelling because I grew up watching his shows, but he died before I got the chance, so in a way my books are an ode to him. I know he would have loved them. I tip my hat to him.

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