Review: South of Surrender by Laura Kaye

Review

So far of all the Hearts of the Anemoi series books this one has me speechless! Laura continues the battle of the Greek Gods with a story that will leave you aching for more, crying at all the right moments and smiling at the joyous ones.There is SOOOO much to this story that it makes it difficult to do it without major spoilers. However, this story truly deserves it as you need to experience for yourselves the epic continuation of the looming battle of the Anemoi gods, the women they love and the one god out to ruin it all.

As the synopsis states, Chrys is out to save his brother of the East, Eurus, from his fate of death, believing he is redeemable. But when things get heated between them Chris ends up in his animal form plummeting from the sky right into the stable of Laney's horse farm. When the storm hits and Laney is truly in the dark without power she is reluctant to leave her home until the panicked cry from her horses demands she venture out into the dangerous storm. When she finds is beyond comprehension, but quickly it fleas as she realizes the creature is badly injured. She wastes no time in tending to his wounds and keeping him warm, even if she isn't believing what her hands are telling her.

When Chrys realizes that someone is caring for him, and that she's seen his animal form it makes him want to flea, but when he realizes that Laney can't see it has him all the more curious about her. He also realizes that she too is injured and needs help. Knowing HE caused her to get hurt, well that makes him feel even worse. It makes him realize just how dangerous being around her can be, even when his heart is screaming at him to stay and protect her.

Laney's helper, takes her to get help while Chrys tries to confront Eurus. However, in his absence a strange woman comes looking for Chrys and this woman has Laney on edge, she gives off strange vibes and frightens Laney and her dog. Laney is left to rely on her friend to care for her horses while Chrys finds out things are only getting worse. His father is nowhere to be found, the other gods are getting impatient that Chrys has let things go on as long as they have and that it is already to late to keep Laney from danger she is already involved in.

As Chrys begins to fall as hard for Laney as she has already for him, Chrys does everything he can to keep her safe, including asking another Greek god for help. What he gets is more then he bargained for. As everything comes crashing down on the Anemoi they spring into action to protect the women they love and their families. The story ends on a HUGE cliffhanger you have got to read!

Laura takes us to the next level in South of Surrender. We get the romance between Laney and Chrys and we also get into the battle of the Anemoi. I did not want to put this book down. In her usual fashion Laura gets you hooked from the beginning. I was completely absorbed in the world of the Anemoi and the heartbreak, wonder and the fights! I cried at the moments I didn't see coming and I rejoiced at seeing Chrys and Laney get a HEA that was beyond what I saw coming. A full 5 star for this gut wrenching, heart stopping, and smile through the tears story!!

Where to Buy South of Surrender

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Add to your Goodreads Shelf!

About Laura Kaye

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

 

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South of Surrender RELEASE Day BLITZ Giveaway!!!

I am thrilled to welcome Chrysander Notos and Laney Summerlyn to the world today! Chrys is the hero of South of Surrender, the third book in my Greek-mythology inspired Hearts of the Anemoi series. The Anemoi were wind gods the Greeks associated with controlling the wind, the weather, and the seasons, and as the summer god, Chrys is the hottest of them all! Laney is Chrys’s nearly blind love interest who sees him more than anyone else ever has. Together, they are pure sweet, sensual, sexy win! Need more proof? Check out this sweet, sensual excerpt from when they’re traveling in elemental form and the giveaway that follows!

They went up into the sky, and though the rain and wind were all around them, were them, it was just as Chrys had said.

The wind didn’t buffet her, because she was the wind. The rain didn’t batter her, because she was the rain. The thunder and lightning didn’t scare her, because she knew exactly when they’d occur. A tremendous thrill roared through her. That she got to experience this, that he’d made her see the beauty in something that had long terrified her, that he’d shared it with her at all.

This is amazing, Chrys, being a part of this, being a part of something bigger than yourself. Thank you for bringing me with you tonight. Thank you for…getting involved. Even if he’d only done it out of obligation or duty, this moment, this night, this whole time since she’d first laid eyes on him was something to be cherished forever.

Warmth surrounded her, like he was hugging her. Words came to her, in that odd language she’d sometimes heard him speak, but not in the way they normally communicated. It was like the words were on the wind. Something about the sound of them flooded longing through her being. And heat.

Overwhelmed with everything she was feeling, everything she’d experienced this night, Laney didn’t speak again. Instead, she just soaked in every bit of the splendor of the nighttime world. After all, this was the world she’d been without the longest. Her night vision had been the first to go. Normally, she was completely blind in the dark. Now, she could see that the night wasn’t black, but was painted with a palette of blues and greys and purples that possessed its own beauty.

And Chrys had made it all possible.

Win 1 of 5 $50 gift cards to winners’ choice of Amazon/B&N/iTunes!

HOW TO ENTER?

Did you have a favorite line from the excerpt? Comment with your email address to enter to win! Open to international! Giveaway runs for one day and ends at midnight PST on May 28!

Visit more participating Blitz Day sites for more excerpts and more ways to win! And look out for the South of Surrender Blog Tour to start next week with more excerpts and giveaways! Check out the awesome early reviews coming in for the book, too!

Thanks for reading!
~Laura

South of Surrender:

She's the only one who can see through his golden boy façade to the broken god within...

Chrysander Notos, Supreme God of the South Wind and Summer, is on a mission: save Eurus from his death sentence and prove his troubled brother can be redeemed. But Eurus fights back, triggering vicious storms that threaten the mortal realm and dangerously drain Chrys.

Laney Summerlyn refuses to give up her grandfather's horse farm, despite her deteriorating vision. More than ever, she needs the organized routine of her life at Summerlyn Stables, until a ferocious storm brings an impossible—and beautiful—creature crashing down from the heavens.

Injured while fighting Eurus, Chrys finds himself at the mercy of a mortal woman whose compassion and acceptance he can't resist. As they surrender to the passion flaring between them, immortal enemies close in, forcing Chrys to choose between his brother and the only woman who's ever loved the real him.

Where to Buy South of Surrender

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Add to your Goodreads Shelf!

About Laura Kaye

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

 

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Cover Reveal - Avoiding Mr. Right by CJ Ellisson

Cover Reveal

Avoiding Mr. Right
Walk on the Wild Side #2
by CJ Ellisson

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

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

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

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

Release date is set for June 20th. Below is a link to add to your GR TBR list!

Link to GoodReads

Cover Reveal - The Rising King By Shea Berkley

Cover Reveal

The Rising King
(Keepers of Life, #3)
by Shea Berkley

The summer before Dylan Kennedy’s senior year in high school is turning out to be anything but boring. Ridiculously hot girlfriend? Check. Killing evil Dark Souls who suddenly have aspirations of taking over the magical realm of Teag because its protective spell is gone? Check.

Not even Teag’s King, Dylan’s father, Baun, can stop them. People are dying, and a dark magic that his girlfriend, Kera, received from Baun is growing stronger. Dylan wants to believe Kera is suppressing the darkness that’s in her, but every day he sees that control slip just a little more.

Baun sends Dylan to find a powerful magic that stop the Dark Souls, a magic so strong that Baun hid it so no one else could use it. What Dylan doesn’t expect to find along with it, are consequences that could end the lives of those closest to him.

Excerpt

I ease my hand into Kera’s and lace our fingers together, bringing her deep violet eyes onto me. They sweep over my face, and the edges of her full lips curve upward as if she’s fighting a smile. She sets aside the book and leans close bringing the scent of summer with her. “You scared me to death.”

I love it when she worries about me. When it comes to my life, someone caring enough to worry is sort of a new thing. “You do that all the time to me.” I tug her hand and bring her closer so I can snag a quick kiss. Kera pushes away, but I don’t let go. The look she throws me is serious. “I’m not kidding, Dylan. You have to be more wary, especially when it comes to creatures like the millispits.”

“I didn't die.” It’s a reminder that’s kind of obvious.

“Because I saved you.”

“What’s that make? Two for me and one for you?”

She leans back, testing the limits of our reach. “Are you keeping score?”

“No…” I hate getting caught like that, and slowly pull her back toward me, “…it just sounds like I am, but I’m not.” I pull her right off her chair and onto the bed and on top of me. I bury my face in her hair and breathe deeply. No one smells as good as Kera. “Was anyone else hurt?” I ask even as I place little kisses along her jaw.

She stretches her neck back for me. “Leo received a splinter.”

“Ummm,” I say, enjoying the feel of her skin against my lips. “Will he live?”

“To see Lucinda hover over him after we got back, you would not think so. She very clearly said we were not allowed to take him anywhere without her.”

I twist and flip her onto her back until I’m hovering over her. As seriously as I can, I say, “Lucinda’s crazy. You know that, right?”

“I am aware of a few odd peculiarities that make up her personality.” She brushes my hair back and twirls a piece over my ear. “With that said, she does seem to honestly care for Leo.”

“Like an owner does a pet. But for how long?” I ask, more to myself than to her.

“As long as it pleases her to do so, I imagine.”

I’m not in the mood to dwell on Lucinda and what her agenda might be. All I want is to hold Kera. I nibble just below her ear and she giggles. I love the sound of her laughter. I stop and place my forehead to hers. “And how long will you care for me?”

“My heart would be crushed if I were to never see you again. I would die a thousand deaths every day.” Are those actual tears in her eyes? “My heart is crushed every time I see you and I can’t kiss you.” I’ve never said a sappier statement, or a truer one.

She places a sweet kiss on my lips. “That rarely happens.”

I kiss her back, and say against her lips, “Because you crave my kisses.”

She laughs and pushes free. Rolling to her feet, she says with a smile, “Because I like to kiss.”M

“Me,” I say, popping up on my elbows. “You like to kiss me.”

Her smile widens.

I snatch her hand. She’s adopted wearing a wide, tight leather bracelet on her right wrist. It’s etched and embossed with a swirling pattern that is so Kera, I can’t remember when she didn’t wear it. We do a quick, playful game of tug of war before I yank her back. “Tell me you love me.”

She winds her arms around my neck and smothers my face with tiny kisses. “I love you madly.”

Where to Find Shea Berkley

Her Website | Goodreads

The Keepers of LIfe Books

The Marked Son (Keepers of Life #1)

Goodreads | Amazon US | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

The Fallen Prince (Keepers of Life #2)

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Review - Werewolves Be Damned by Stacey Kennedy

Nexi Jones—part witch, part guardian, and wannabe kick-ass warrior—can’t throw a punch or conjure the simplest magic. But that doesn’t stop her from hunting the werewolves who slaughtered her human family. She’ll have her revenge, but only if Kyden, the elite guardian, would get the hell out of her way.

Kyden can’t decide if Nexi wants to get herself killed or if she just has no clue what she’s doing. But her father made it clear: keep Nexi safe…or else. Of course, the more Nexi runs toward revenge, the more she needs Kyden’s aid, and as she grows into her power and confidence, so does his desire to protect her. The only problem? She’d rather he dropped dead.

But when a vampire paints a bull's-eye on Nexi’s back, she’s hard-pressed to deny Kyden and the help he’s offering. Even if it means getting her revenge will be a little bit harder. At least it will still be as sweet.

Note: Book was provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Review

Nexi Jones has been living life as a human in the human realm her whole life, until one night when her world shifted on it's axis. She's finding it hard to believe that a HUGE wolf is attacking her family, and not only that but it shifted into a man. Trying to battle between what she's seeing and believing, shes even more shocked when Kyden runs in calling her by name and he's wearing only a kilt?? He manages to kill some of the attacking wolves and then whisks her of to the Otherworld to keep her safe.

It's there she meets her real father, and finds out she's not human, but part witch and part guardian. When she was taken into the Otherworld it activated her powers, which were put under lock and key to protect her from having to find out about the Otherworld to begin with. Now all she wants to do is hunt down the were who killed her family. she's gotten in trouble with her father for doing just this, but her determination won't be undermined. After a trip and finding she was hunted, and not her doing the hunting, her father and Kyden decide it's time to train her so she can do whats she's been doing from the start...hunt the were who hurt her family.

Who better to train her then Kyden. This both intrigues and infuriated Nexi as she's not sure what to make of him. Sometimes he can be an arrogant jerk other times he's a sweet guy! His hot-cold attitude just makes her attraction to the guardian stronger and she knows this attraction isn't one sided. As she's training and learning her skills she goes out on missions with Kyden, to find out that the attacks in the human realms aren't miscellaneous...but aimed at Nexi! Add in her soul-sister witch who has truly unique and highly valued power and you have a deadly team.

As she find out who or WHAT is hunting her, she grows in her strength and powers as her witch half comes into play. When things go from bad to absolute worse, she must rely on Kyden to help keep her safe, but what happens next is a turn I didn't see coming. I can't elaborate too much as it would spoil some of the best part of the story, but what I can tell you is this is where Nexi shined as a character! She grew into herself and her role as a potential lover for Kyden, the ultimate guardian to her father, and to the full strength of her witch powers. How she handles her situation is not something for the faint of heart when faced with danger and the unknown, but she does it splendidly, cleverly and with cunning! I loved seeing her in action and doing her worse to make the villain get his sweet revenge for all he's done to her family - both human and otherworld.

A 5 star start to Stacey's new series! Magic & Mayhem is set to be one you'll come to love. Werewolves Be Damned is a excellent first in an intriguing new series sure to please any Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance fan. From the building love to the action Stacey put it all into this new series! So if you love the romance, but crave action then this book is for YOU!

Hellhound By Kaylie Austen - Top 10 List and Review

Today on the Blog I have Kaylie Austen telling about her Top 10 Books of all time. Without forther ado I give you Kaylie's Top 10:

Top 10 List:
My favorite books:

1. Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare. Technically it’s a play, but I’ve been digging Shakespeare since middle school.
2. Grace Grows by Shelle Sumners. This is a 2012 release that completely took me by surprise. I still think about hunky Tyler.
3. Enclave by Ann Aguirre. A fast and easy YA post-apocalyptic about zombies who turn out to really be semi-intelligent mutants.
4. Ours is Just a Little Sorrow by Gwen Hayes. Technically, this is a novella on the longer side. The prose is great and reminiscent of the Victorian era, and I love everything about it from the developing relationships to the romance to the gut-clenching, sort of creepy climax.
5. Scarlet by Marissa Meyer. This is a 2013 sequel to Cinder in the Lunar Chronicles. I’m so impressed with Meyer’s writing, which isn’t simplistic but easy enough to follow. The flow is fabulous and how she integrates so many characters into a multi-threaded storyline but keeps the reader focused and maintains a storyline that we can still follow is mind-blowing.
6. Play With Me by Piper Shelly. This is a very cute coming of age story about a girl and her first kiss with down-to-earth characters with lots of sparks.
7. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This is a classic with a unique voice and compelling writing style.
8. The Feast of Roses by Indu Sundaresan. This sequel to The Twentieth Wife takes me to Agra during the imperial rule of India when women quietly obeyed their fathers, then husbands, but the new princess makes a bold move by speaking her mind, shaping decisions through men, and changes the events of a dynasty.
9. The Walking Drum by Louis L’Amour. A western plus a smidge of romance made this a fast read.
10. Raptor Red by Robert T. Bakker. This is an older book which I read in high school and it stuck with me through the years. It’s an unique perspective of the world through the eyes of a female raptor.

Summary:

Selene is the Hellhound, a powerful and ruthless descendant of the Greek gods. She is bound by tradition and tied by bloodlines to lead her people against the mortals. Although she is arranged to marry Nathanial, she falls for Demetrius, the self-professed Black Angel, and things take a bitter twist. When she stumbles across the corpses of her father and Nathanial, all eyes move in on Demetrius. Selene must take the assignment to hunt down her accused lover. Facing the untrustworthy cerebral chamber, powerful shape-shifting sentinels, superhuman archers, and a deceitful Council, the Hellhound must work quickly to uncover the truth before she is forced to annihilate her lover.

Review

I have to admit this story was very action packed. Almost too much at times with the myriad of characters you briefly meet. This story focuses on Selene and Demetrius.

Selene is the only child and daughter of a pair of clan Elders. She is destined to take her father's place on the Council once he dies. She has been bethroved to Nathanial, the son of another Elder and council member. Set to ascend and become a great Elder Selene isn't so thrilled with the way of life the current council has the clansmen living.. One night she meets a hunter, Demetrius who challenges her to leave the domicile - the "apartment living" she calls home. He takes her out into the human realm and she sees the kind of life he lives and beings to understand why he likes it living there. Upon returning her family is upset, but somewhat understanding of her "infatuation" with him and his life. However as she beings to spend more and more time away form the domicile and seeing Demetrius hunt and how her powers are valuable, she begins to want a different life - a life with Demetrius.

Back at the domicile, her family and the other council are beginning to suspect something is going on between them. In order for the clan to trust her they force her to step into the cerebral chamber. A father unpleasant experience where the person gives up their memories to the chamber to preserve the integrity of the clan. But is that all the chamber does? Selene doesn't think so. And she has good reason to believe so. her father is disappointed in her choices, but is wiling to let her become a hunter and she is given the nickname of Hellhound.

When She is called into a "ceremony" and in the mele things begin to happen. Her father was murdered and so was her bethroved, Nathanial. With the memories of her friend and witness, her lover is the murdered. She is forced to hunt Demetrius as her prey. She is torn between believing her lover, who is declaring his innocence and following orders to hunt, capture and bring him in to face the council. She takes on her job and hunts for him, but having been taught by him, finds it to be tough to find him.

In her search for answers, she beings to Ascend, much to her dismay. Having taken in her fathers powers she's begin the transition to Elder. She only finds that her help is non-existent and they only lead to more questions than answers. However questions DO get answered, but at what cost. You'll want to read to find out. The ending leaves one to believe there is more here than meets the eye and that there could be a sequel in the works.

I did like this book, but felt the romance between Selene and Demetrius was a bit YA. They fall in love a bit to fast, and being called lovers seemed out of place. There is a lot of action throughout the book. It fits fairly well into the Paranormal Suspense genre, but I left it lacked some substance with characters. We get to see Selene hunt and figure out the true circumstances of her father and fiancee's death. But there are so many other things I would have liked to have seen fron her, maturing and growth for example. It has enough suspense that it make sone wonder what is next.I give it a rating of 3 stars.

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Love Me Top 100 Kindle Giveaway from Diane Alberts

CONTEST RUNS THROUGH JULY 4th! 

If Love Me gets to the Top 100, Diane is giving away a Kindle (wi-fi) with a customized cover with Tommy’s abs on it! That’s right, not only do you get a Kindle, but you get an AUTOGRAPHED Love Me cover for your Kindle, too! But remember, Diane only gets to give one away if enough people hear about Love Me and buy it so it hits the Top 100!

Enter as much as you want, but unless Love Me hits the Top 100, no one wins the grand prize! Buy, share, and tweet this contest! Let’s reach our goal!

She's planning a celebration already! She's going to be giving away a Kindle with Wi-fi (Est. Value $69) AND an autographed, custom Love Me cover (Est. Value approximately $30) if Love Me hits the Top 100 on either site!

Already have an e-Reader? She’ll give you a giftcard for the value of the e-Reader if you prefer, to Barnes and Noble OR Amazon! I know a lot of people don’t have one yet, and I’d love for more people to get to read eBooks.

To help make that happen, all you have to do is spread the word in any way you can–blog about it, post on twitter, Facebook, etc! The sky is the limit! While a purchase is not required to win, those fans that have already purchased Love Me, can get an extra ten entries! Simply submit your order confirmation number.

Can it get any easier than that?! Help make Love Me hit the Top 100 today, and spread word about the contest. The more people involved, the higher the chances of hitting the Top 100! You can gain extra entries by tweeting about the contest EVERY SINGLE DAY! Winners will be picked after the contest closes, on July 4th, 2013. Contest opens today, April 30th, and the deadline to enter is midnight on July 4th, 2013.

 

If Love Me doesn’t hit the Top 100, she's still giving away a consolation prize–a signed Kindle case with Love Me’s book cover–aka Tommy’s abs!!

Barnes and Noble | Amazon

Suggested tweet(in Rafflecopter below):

If #LoveMe hits the Top 100, @DianeAlberts is giving away a Kindle! Check out #LoveMe & RT! http://www.amazon.com/Love-Me-Take-Chance-ebook/dp/B00CK52XJY/ref=sr_1_10?s http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-me-diane-alberts/1115213932?ean=9781622661404

 

 

Love Me by Diane Alberts - Guest Post & Review

Diane Alberts - Writing “Crushing” Scenes

Yep, we all know those moments. Those moments the whole story builds up to. The moment when the reader is sure that the world they’ve come to love can never be repaired again. The characters hate each other, or one is injured and possibly dying. Maybe the hero ran away from the heroine because the love he felt for her terrified him.

There are lots of ways to get to this crushing moment, but they all have the same effect on us readers. We’re gutted, along side our characters. We want to shout and cry and throw the book. We might even threaten to avoid reading the rest of the book, or any other books from this author, if they don’t FIX IT.

Even if you’re sure of a happy ending, the best kind of book out there makes you doubt that happy ending you’re positive is coming. It makes you wonder how in the heck they’re going to overcome ALL THE THINGS and live happily ever after. And getting to this point is as hard for writers as it is for the readers.

Sometimes, I sit there in my evil lair—aka my desk—and rub my hands together, plotting out what would gut my characters the most. I figure out their worst fears, and then I slam them over the head with it. Sometimes repeatedly. Mean, I know. But very effective! Other times, the black moment creeps up on me, and I’m as surprised as the rest of you. Sometimes I think those are the best kind, because even I don’t see them coming. Everything is unicorns, ponies, and rainbows…and then bam! Tornadoes, killer monkeys, and rainclouds.

In Love Me (Take a Chance #2), my newest release with Entangled Publishing, Thomas and Brianna both have some pretty intense pasts. They both have some deep-set fears and insecurities, and their “black moment” comes to a head with both of these. And I won’t lie. There’s blood. Yep, real blood.

My goal, as a writer, is to make you care as much about these characters as I do. If you shed a tear, or whoop with joy when they get their happily-ever-after…then I get mine.

Thomas Jones has come to Vegas to win yet another account for his marketing company. But when he sits across from beautiful and sensual Brianna Falk to deliver his pitch, his desire to leave Vegas as quickly as possible is replaced by the need to get closer to her. Yet she resists his charm.

Brianna knows a date with Thomas could jeopardize her job, but he’s so maddening and insistent, she has a hard time denying him just one date. But that’s all it can be: one date. Because she has to protect her job and her secrets, even if it means giving up a chance at a life she never thought she’d have again.

Buy Links:
B & N | Amazon US | iTunes | Kobo

About Diane

Diane Alberts is a multi-published, bestselling author with Entangled Publishing, Swoon Romance, and Decadent Publishing. She has, as of this date, four books with Entangled Publishing, one book with Swoon Romance, and five older books with Decadent Publishing. Her February release with Entangled Publishing, ON ONE CONDITION, hit #18 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list, and TRY ME hit #76 on Amazon. Her Swoon Romance novella, CAPTIVATED BY YOU, hit #31 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list. Diane is represented by Louise Fury from the L. Perkins Agency.

Where to find Diane

Her Website | Her Blog | Twitter | Her Facebook Page

Review

In Love Me we have two very tortured people. Thomas Jones is still feeling like his last (and only) failed marriage has marred him for good. Brianna Falk is a widowed mother of three with her hands full. She too is haunted by memories of loved ones past, but for a different reason.

We start our story with Thomas returning to Vegas to market his company to bid on a new local casino project. His connection to getting the bid has been dodging their meeting for weeks. He has finally snagged the meeting. He is on his way to meeting the client when a woman (Brianna) so caught up in her technology she's not watching her surroundings... Thomas to the rescue (or so he thinks) until she narrowly misses running into something, but she ends up colliding with Thomas instead and dropping her iPhone. Witty banter ensues and they pair think their parting ways...until he walks into the restaurant for the meeting and comes to find out it was Brianna.

At first she act rather cold, but Thomas is very persistent and crafty at getting what he wants. This time it's not only the bid he wants...its Brianna. He does some pretty smooth talking about getting MotoTek in the running for the project, but also convincing Brianna to be his local guide and show him whats the night life can be like. She dodges his moves, but Thomas' marketing skills pays off and she eventually relents and allows the "date".

As the date begins and progresses, Brianna and Thomas don't waste too much time before their chemistry nearly explodes! They end up together at his apartment and they don't waste time with waiting for the dors to close, but afterwards Brianna leaves hastily feeling dirty and used, thinking Thomas was only in it for the job, he can't want a cold-hearted executive. If he knew the truth he'd go running faster then his mouth can smooth talk a bid. This only makes Thomas more intrigued and wanting to find out what is going on.

They end up doing the dodge and Perry fencing bit, with her now avoiding him. But Thomas isn't giving up. He pins her down, but she again tries to put up her walls. As they eventually learn about whats holding them back, they have to learn to open up and believe they are accepting of each other and their true feelings.

As both of their shells begin to crack, reality sends a curveball... Thomas' stay is soon up. Will he stay and complete Brianna and her family, or leave her hurt and alone once again?

I have intentionally left out some of the bigger details of what has Brianna putting up her steel barricades so as not to spoil everything. I can safely say I can empathize with her situation, and seeing how she's being protective only reminds me of why I am being like that as well with certain aspects of my personal life. Diane once again has hit home wit this sequel to her Take a Chance series. We eventually see the tie in with the first book about Jeremy and Erica (Try Me). They play a part in this story as well. Their story of finding love is heart warming and strikes a chord that tugs at our hearts. I feel in love with both as they grew together and completed each other in ways they never saw coming. All I can ask now is, is there a third story coming to this series??? If so, I can't wait to see what Diane brins to the table next! Kudos to Diane for the perfect follow-up to a great starting series!

Hellhound by Kaylie Austen

Hellhound

Author: Kaylie Austen
Print ISBN: 9781939865304
E-Book ISBN: 9781939865311
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Suspense

Release Date 05/01/2013

Blurb:
Selene is the Hellhound, a powerful and ruthless descendent of the Greek gods. She is bound by tradition and tied by bloodlines to lead her people against the mortals. Although she is arranged to marry Nathanial, she falls for Demetrius, the self-professed Black Angel, and things take a bitter twist. When she stumbles across the corpses of her father and Nathanial, all eyes move in on Demetrius. Selene must take the assignment to hunt down her accused lover. Facing the untrustworthy cerebral chamber, powerful shape-shifting sentinels, superhuman archers, and a deceitful Council, the Hellhound must work quickly to uncover the truth before she is forced to annihilate her lover.

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About the Author

Kaylie Austen was born in India, and raised in Austin, Texas where she attended the University of Texas. Her multi-cultural upbringing fueled her desire for languages, cultures, and travel. Kaylie is perhaps best known for her sudden and infectious laugh. She enjoys anything science fiction and fantasy related, and writes in both genres for adults and young adults.

Kaylie began writing at the tender age of ten, and completed her first novel at the age of sixteen. Throughout her school years, her writing earned trophies, awards, publication in scholastic magazines, and scholarships. Kaylie currently lives in beautiful Washington State with an amazing husband. She loves to hear from readers, so feel free to contact her.

Where to find Kaylie:

Her website | Her blog | On Twitter | Facebook