BLOG TOUR: Last Heartbeat by T.R. Lykins

Welcome to the Official Blot Tour for Last Heartbeat by T.R. Lykins!

Genre:

Contemporary Romance

Publish Date:

March 29, 2014

Synopsis:

Alexia has fought hard to over come a tragic illness in her past. Barely getting on with her life, she finally leaves home to enter the real world. This first big step makes her appreciate all that she has struggled with. This next step in her life, also leads her to a possible heartbreak. How can Alexia keep up with all of her struggles and keep going on?

Phillip has lost someone close to him when he was younger. This person was the most important person in his life. He has struggled to get past this loss, and once he does, he finds out something about his favorite person that makes him feel the hurt all over again. Why can’t Phillip move on for good? Can he really forgive someone in the past, if they no longer live?

A chance meeting has Alexia and Phillip spending hours talking. This sparks an attraction for each other. Every day, running into each other makes the attraction grow stronger until they finally give in to it. When another accident strikes, both of their pasts come barreling back to haunt them. Can they move forward knowing the secrets they now know about one another? How much more can two broken people endure? Will they find their way back into one another's arms or have they finally come to a breaking point in life?

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*Excerpt*

Before I can start, Phillip has his arms around me and has my back pressed to his chest.  “I am not joking to you.  I know we just met, but this feels right.  You and me just feel right.  I can’t explain it.  It does.  We can hang out together and take it slow, but believe me, I want you to be with me.” 

He keeps his arms around me, holding me close to him.  I feel his heart beating as hard and fast as mine.  This does feel right, but I am so scared to get close to him.  I said that I would let things happen, but now I don’t know if I can.  I’m scared of what might happen to me.

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**About the Author**

T.R. Lykins

Being a stay at home mom, I became a reader who loves and reads most genres.  I’ve read over a thousand books in the past five years. The love of these books spiked my interest to learn more about the book world and the process it took to become an author.  Ive had this story building in my head for over a year and I just needed to share it. So, educating myself in this industry has made me work hard to obtain my goals of writing and becoming an author.  The learning process has made me appreciate what all these authors have accomplished and all the hard work they put in. I can’t wait to share my story with you!!!

Stay connected with T.R. Lykins

Website

   

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***The Giveaway***

1 Winner will receive a Kindle Paperwhite (WiFi only)

*Giveaway is U.S only*

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Giftcards Giveaway open Internationally & U.S.

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Blog Tour Organized by

BLOG TOUR: Recklessly Royal by Nichole Chase

Welcome to the Official Blog Tour for Recklessly Royal, #2 of the Suddenly series, by Nichole Chase!

Genre:

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Series:

Suddenly Series

Publish Date:

March 25, 2014

Publisher:

Avon

Synopsis:

Catherine has spent her life being the perfect princess. She’s kept her hands clean, her head down, and most importantly—men at arm’s length. After all, most men are after only one thing, and for Cathy there’s a lot more at stake than her bed; she has to worry about the fate of an entire nation. But at the rate she’s going, Cathy is afraid she’ll give the Virgin Queen a run for her money. She is tired of waiting for someone good enough to come along. She has a plan, and it all hinges on seducing the one man who seems utterly unimpressed by all things royal. The one man she is tempted by more than any other . . .

When David arrives at the royal wedding of his friend, the newly ordained Duchess Samantha Rousseau, he expected to feel uncomfortable and out of his element, but he wasn’t prepared to be targeted by Prince Alex’s gorgeous younger sister. With Cathy’s giant blue eyes, killer figure, and sense of humor, it won’t take long before he gives in. But when he finds out just how innocent the crown princess really is, will he play the part of knight in shining armor or the dashing rogue?

     

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*Interview with Nichole Chase*

Thank you for taking the time for this interview! I thought we could start with all-too-common question, especially for readers who are new to your books, what inspired you to become a writer?

I would say it’s more of a compulsion. I’ve always had stories in my head and the only way to get them out is to write them down. Sometimes it starts with a character or a random thought.

I started writing when I was little and never thought it was something I would do professionally. One day I decided I was going to try! Thankfully I haven’t stopped.

Favorite books and/or authors?

This is tough. I read a lot of paranormal and fantasy. I also love cozy mysteries and romances. Oh, and I’m a sucker for Christmas romances!

As for authors, I love:

Anne McCaffrey
JK Rowling
Janet Evanovich
Tamora Pierce
Patricia Briggs

Kelley Armstrong
Chloe Neill
Elizabeth Hunter
Fisher Amelie
Sophie Jordan

A TON MORE!

What genre is your favorite to write?

I started out writing paranormal and loved it, but contemporary romance is just as much fun. I have to say it’s not the genre that’s important to me, but the story that has captured my brain.

Describe Princess Catherine in three words.

Bright, caring, fun.

Which point of view do you prefer to write in, first person and/or third person?

I’ve written in both and think each have their good points. When writing contemporary I think it’s helpful for the reader to be directly in the heroines/ heroes mind.

What is the best part of being a writer? And the worst?

The best part is living in my imagination. I get to daydream for a living!

The worst part would be deadlines! Some people work better with them, but for me they make me feel rushed.

What gave you the idea or inspiration to write the Royal series? How many books will be in this series?

At this time, there are three books planned in the Royal series. (Suddenly Royal - available now, Recklessly Royal - available 3/25, Reluctantly Royal - available 8/2014)

The series really started out with the idea of Samantha—a normal, down to Earth character that would abhor being in the spotlight, wearing fancy clothes, and playing princess. From there it just spiraled into a full story. What would make her accept that lifestyle and responsibility? I had to know.

Did you have to do any research for this series?

Yes! There are a lot of things I didn’t know about royals and how titles worked. I took some liberties since the country is one from my imagination, but I tried to walk the line of reality.

I also researched raptors (the bird kind, not the dinosaurs) to make sure I got my facts correct. I sort of cheated here, because my sister is a wildlife biologist working with raptors. This meant I had an easy access to information. I just plied her with books and gift certificates to get a massage.

Are the characters from your imagination or from real people and/or experiences? Or a little bit of both?

Mostly from my imagination, though I think Sam from Suddenly Royal is the closest character to me that I’ve ever written. The rest of them are made up, though maybe little bits and pieces of real life sneak in.

Which character(s) in this series was your favorite to write?

That’s like asking me to choose a favorite child! I can’t. I love them all.

What are you currently working on? What can we, readers, expect in the near future?

I have several things in the works, but I can’t say exactly what is going to come next.

Cookies or cupcakes?

Cupcakes. Gawd, I love cupcakes. I even like making and decorating them! And then eating them, of course.

I have a lot of friends who are aspiring writers, what advice would you give them?

Keep going. Don’t stop. Get people in your life that you can trust to be honest and give you brutal feedback. Then keep going. Keep working.

Thank you again for taking the time for this interview.

Thank you for having me on your blog!

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Suddenly Series:

  

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**About the Author**

Nichole Chase is a daydreamer. No, really, just ask any of the math teachers that had the misfortune of seeing her name appear on their class schedule. For years, she has had story lines and character begging for attention, but she resolutely pushed them aside to focus on more normal (read, boring) jobs.

Well, no longer! She is currently heeding the voices in her head and frantically writing their stories. Ms. Chase is the author of the Dark Betrayal Trilogy, Flukes and Suddenly Royal (including several short stories).

Nichole resides in South Georgia with her husband, energetic daughter, dog, tortoise, and two cats. When not devouring novels by the dozens, she may be found writing, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.

Stay connected with Nichole Chase

Website

   

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***The Giveaway***

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Blog Tour Organized by

RELEASE DAY LAUNCH: Four Seconds to Lose by K.A. Tucker

Welcome to the exciting Release Day Launch for Four Seconds to Lose, book 3 of the Ten Tiny Breaths series, by K.A. Tucker!

Genre:

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Series:

Ten Tiny Breaths Series

Publish Date:

April 1, 2014

Publisher:

Atria Books

Synopsis

Owning a strip club isn't the fantasy most guys expect it to be. With long hours, a staff with enough issues to keep a psych ward in business, and the police regularly on his case, twenty-nine-year-old Cain is starting to second guess his unspoken mission to save the women he employs. And then blond, brown-eyed Charlie Rourke walks through his door, and things get really complicated. Cain abides by a strict "no sleeping with the staff" rule. But being around Charlie challenges Cain's self-control...and it's been a long time since any woman has done that.

Twenty-two-year-old Charlie Rourke needs a lot of money, really fast, in order to vanish before it's too late. Taking her clothes off for men makes her stomach curl, but Charlie tells herself that at least she's putting her acting and dancing skills to good use. And though her fellow dancers seem eager to nab their sexy, sophisticated, and genuinely caring boss, she's not interested. After all, Charlie Rourke doesn't really exist -- and the girl pretending to be her can't get distracted by romance.

Unfortunately, Charlie soon discovers that developing feelings for Cain is inevitable, and that those feelings may not be unrequited - but losing him when he finds out what she's involved with will be more painful than any other sentence awaiting her.

    

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*Excerpt*

Charlie

The small exhale escapes my lips before I can stop it. When I came up with this plan two weeks ago, I wasn’t fully aware of the inner workings at these clubs. But you can find anything on the internet. I found out that many owners charge a high stage fee, so the girls actually earn their money working hard on the floor and in the private rooms. Rumor has it that, though illegal, many of them do “extras,” on top of the lap dances. The idea of stripping on a stage in front of people is a giant pill to swallow for me. But lap dances . . .

I’ll do it.

I have to do it, I remind myself.

When I ran out of Sin City that day, I was sure that my plan was dead in the water. I mean, how was I going to perform daily lap dances when I couldn’t even get through my interview!

But Ginger told me that Penny’s is different. That Cain is different. That no one in the private rooms will be taking their pants off, and that doing “extras” is one of the only ways that you get fired at Penny’s.

Cain sounded too good to be true.

Setting my chin with steely determination, I say, “Both, please.” Swallowing the revulsion bubbling up in my throat, I clarify with a struggle, “I want to work the private rooms as well as the stage.”

Cain blows air out of his mouth, one hand on his hip while the other pushes through perfectly styled, slightly wavy dark hair as he stares hard at me. There’s an inexplicable look in his eyes, but I know he’s trying to read me. I wonder if he’s deciding whether to ask me for a demonstration. My gaze drifts to the couch again and my stomach tightens. Somehow I think giving this guy an interview lap dance might be harder than doing one for a sleazeball.

Because if I could get past the embarrassment and nerves, I might enjoy it.

But he doesn’t ask me to demonstrate. Instead, he asks me, “Have you ever bartended before?”

 I shake my head, frowning.

“I have too many girls working the private rooms right now. But working behind the bar would bring your earnings up significantly. It’s what another stage dancer of mine used to do.” He continues, more to himself, “Maybe we see how that works out first.”

I came in here expecting the worst—that I’d be grinding on guys’ laps by the weekend because I have to. And yet, now, the relief is pouring out of me.

“Why are you in this profession?” he suddenly asks, lifting his eyes to bore into me once again.

One question I did expect. I meet his stare and hold it as I explain, “Because I’m good at it, I’ve got a decent body, and have no interest in serving French fries for minimum wage while I figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life.” I deliver that as I practiced it—calmly, clearly, convincingly. It’s a good answer. One that creates no doubt.And so far from the truth. I know exactly what I want to do with my life.

End it and begin a new one.

He nods slowly, his lip pressed together in a grimace. I don’t know if that means I’m hired or not, so I bite my tongue and wait for a concrete verdict. I’m still waiting for Cain’s decision when his cell phone rings. I watch with fingers laced together in front of me while he answers with a gruff, “Yup.” He listens, his free hand absently rubbing a small tattoo behind his ear. A second later he barks, “No! I’m on my way.” Hanging up, he digs into a drawer and comes out with a handful of papers. “Fill these out, please. Bring a copy of your driver’s license tomorrow night with you.” Whatever gentleness crept into his voice before has vanished. It’s all business now, as he slides the sheets across his desk with hands that look strong and muscular but incapable to soothe. “If the crowd likes you, you’ve got a job.” Turning those eyes my way once more and pausing for a moment, he adds, “Fair?”

“Absolutely. Thank you,” I say with a nod and what I hope is a courteous smile as I collect the forms.

With that, he turns and crouches down behind his desk. I hear something metal slam that reminds me of my stepdad’s safe door. When Cain stands again, it’s to fit a holster and gun on him, startling me. It’s not the first time I’ve seen a gun. I have a gun. I’ve used a gun. But seeing Cain with one right here, right now, was unexpected. Why does he even need one?

Throwing a light jacket over himself to conceal it—he’ll die wearing that in the summer heat, but concealing your weapon is a law in Florida and I guess Cain is a law-abiding citizen—he walks over and, with one hand on the small of my back, ushers me toward the door. It’s not exactly rude, but it’s also far from polite. With me in the hall, he pulls his office door shut and marches out the back exit, not turning once.

I’m left standing alone, inhaling the faint scent of beer, my ears catching someone testing the sound system. The one that will play music that I strip to tomorrownight.

I take a deep breath as a rash of butterflies swirl through my stomach, the sudden urge to let loose my bladder overwhelming.

It’s not a big deal.

Mom did this.

I can do this. 

After everything I’ve done, that I’ve been accomplice to, taking my top off in front of a bunch of drunks is nothing. I deserve to suffer a bit.

I glance down at the paperwork in my hand. He said he wants a copy of my license. That’s fine. The only accurate thing on it is my picture.

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**About the Author**

Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.

Stay connected with K.A. Tucker

Website

  

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****The Giveaway****

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TRAILER REVEAL: How to Get Ainsley Bishop to Fall in Love With You by T.M. Franklin

Welcome to the exciting Trailer Reveal for How To Get Ainsley Bishop To Fall In Love With You by T.M. Franklin!

Genre:

Young Adult

Publish Date:

June 12, 2014

Publisher:

The Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing House

Summary from Goodreads:

1. Join the Drama Club
2. Do Your Research
3. Provide Something She Needs
4. Make Her Feel Secure and Important
5. Pay Attention!
6. Be a Good Friend
7. Be More Attractive
8. Be Complimentary, But Not Obsequious
9. Establish Rapport
10. Be Encouraging and Supportive
11. Give Her Space
12. Admit When You’re Wrong and Apologize
13. Find the Perfect Birthday Gift
14. Tell Her How You Feel

Seventeen-year-old Oliver Wendell Holmes (Yes, his parents are just that peculiar, but his brother’s name is Sherlock, so it could have been worse) knows that he’s different. He’s quirky, awkward, and he’s okay with that. Oliver also likes making lists—meticulous procedures for achieving his goals, step-by-step. Whether it’s “How to Get an A in Chemistry” or “How to Get Accepted to MIT,” he has a process, and it’s worked for him so far. He doesn’t even care that the popular kids mock him. Oliver’s got his eye on the prize.

So when he decides it’s time to declare his feelings for Ainsley Bishop, the girl of his dreams, it’s only natural for him to make a list—a point-by-point strategy to win her heart. He knows it will take a grand gesture for her to see all he has to offer, and her approaching birthday provides the ideal opportunity for Oliver to put his plan into action.

Finding the perfect gift is a challenge Oliver meets with his usual dogged determination. He’ll need to watch her carefully for clues to pinpoint exactly what he should give her. And along the way, he might just learn that what Ainsley really needs is not quite what he expected.

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**About the Author**

T.M. Franklin started out her career writing non-fiction in a television newsroom. Graduating with a B.A. in Communications specializing in broadcast journalism and production, she worked for nine years as a major market television news producer, and garnered two regional Emmy Awards, before she resigned to be a full-time mom and part-time freelance writer. After writing and unsuccessfully querying a novel that she now admits, “is not that great,” she decided to follow the advice of one of the agents who turned her down—write some more and get better at it. Her first published novel, More, was born during National Novel Writing month, a challenge to write a novel in thirty days.

She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Mike, is mom to two boys, Justin and Ryan, and has an enormous black dog named Rocky who’s always lying nearby while she’s writing. Whether he’s soothed by the clicking of the computer keys or just waiting for someone to rub his belly is up for debate.

In addition to More, T.M. Franklin penned the Amazon best-selling short story, Window, as well as another short story, A Piece of Cake, which appears in the Romantic Interludes anthology. The sequel to More, The Guardians, was released November 7, 2013.

Stay connected with T.M. Franklin

Website

  

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***The Giveaway***

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COVER REVEAL: Special Agent Francesca by Mimi Barbour

Welcome to the exciting Cover Reveal for Special Agent Francesca, book 1 of the Undercover FBI series, by Mimi Barbour! A brand new romantic suspense series that can be read as stanalone novels, no need to read in sequence!

Genre:

Romantic Suspense

Series:

Undercover FBI Series

Publish Date:

2014

Synopsis:

An introvert, Special Agent Francesca moves to Las Vegas to escape her powerful, domineering mother. On arrival, multiple obstacles challenge her. She needs to approach a father she’s never met, a man who doesn’t even know she exists. Then she must play the role of a loving fiancée with a stranger. One who makes her question every unexpected emotion he provokes. Craving the chance for real undercover work, she grabs the opportunity to be involved in cleaning up gang corruption in a nasty neighborhood. When she poses as the new owner of a hotel, the deadly-dangerous situation ramps up and she’s forced to fight her way from one conflict to the next.

Sean Collins, Psychiatrist and LVPD Profiler, has never known anyone like Francesca Donovan. From first sight, he believes her to be a screwball but her beauty and maddening personality attracts him. Despite her prickly disposition, which gets them into a load of trouble, her rotten driving skills and her constant battles, he’s hooked. Once he’s roped into a mock engagement with her, his desire to make it real takes precedence over everything else in his world.

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*Excerpt*

        
          Sean Collins shared the seat kitty-corner in the four-booth set-up. He’d worked late trying to get a patient through a crisis and had gotten as far as the steak house, before hunger grabbed hold and dragged his sorry ass inside. Exhaustion had left his eyes gritty and his brain twisted like a pretzel, but two male voices still got through. Listening to a man unloading on his buddy about a mistaken one-night stand had his attention pretty darn quick.

          When the friend’s advice matched with his own ideals of truthfulness between a husband and his wife, he found himself nodding. He didn’t agree with the jerk’s reasoning about being a player but he his basic counsel of honesty was sound.

          Not that he was married; hadn’t found a woman he could trust further than he could throw her. What was it with the females in the state of Nevada? Did they all have to get caught up in the hype of the fun city?

Suddenly, a female voice entered his awareness. The husky note in the slightly slurred words was pleasing and he concentrated on what she was saying.

          “Don’t listen to your friend. Not only is he an asshole, he’s full of shit. If you love your wife, then don’t tell her—ever.”

          What the hell?

          The screwball continued in the same vein, proceeding to give unwanted advice to a man who was in a fragile state and probably willing to listen to anything that would get him off the hot seat.

          Sean came close to standing up and cutting her off. If he weren’t so tired, he’d have given her a piece of advice. Mind your own business! As a psychologist and profiler who often worked with the cops and saw every kind of misfit out there, he knew she’d most likely wrecked this man’s life. In her final statement, she let the poor guy have it with both barrels.

          “In my way of thinking, being the best husband and father you can be will go some ways to making up for being the miserable, lyin’, cheating prick that you are.” Sean heard the noise of a chair being knocked over, a grunted swearword and light footsteps heading toward the door.

          Something beyond his power to control brought him to his feet. The redheaded advice-giver stopped and their eyes caught for as long as it took her to stumble. Hers were pure liquid heat, the bluest blue he’d ever seen. Her glance slid past him as she straightened the chair and carefully manoeuvered her way to the door. The light over the entrance caught the coppery-gold highlights in the mane of loose hair flowing every which way over her shoulders and down her slight back. She bumped into the doorframe on her way out, stopped, re-aligned herself and then the nut-job was gone.

          Stunned, he slid back down into his booth and the truth hit him. Hell, in Las Vegas there was every kind of mental disorder, maladjusted behavior, psychosis, neurosis and insanity a person could imagine, but some just blew the others right out of the murky pool. That stunning deranged wacko, whose fabulous long legs might get a man to do almost anything in order to get his hands on them, had just ended his otherwise shitty day perfectly. What a fucking shame!

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**About the Author**

     
Author of The Vicarage Bench Series, Angels with Attitude Series, Vegas Series, Elvis Series and the brand new sizzling romantic suspense series called Undercover FBI. Mimi Barbour lives on the East coast of Vancouver Island and writes her romances with tongue in cheek and a mad glint in her eye. “If I can steal a booklover’s attention away from their every-day grind, absorb them into a fantasy love story, and make them care about the ending, then I’ve done my job.”

Stay connected with Mimi Barbour
Website | Blog

  

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