Category Archives: Spotlight / Blog Tour
NEW RELEASE SPOTLIGHT ~ Roadside Assistance (Body Shop Bad Boys #2) by Marie Harte
Underneath the axle grease and tats
He’s a gentleman
Foley Sanders figured he’ll always be content with a life of cars and casual hookups. Until a run-in with Cyn, a statuesque firecracker with a hate-on for men, leaves him bewitched and intrigued—much to her annoyance.
Maybe Cynthia Nichols was a little hard on Foley, that muscular, tattooed, super-hot mechanic next door. But she’s tired of feeling defensive about her size and has sworn off men. She’s got a new job, new life, perfect plan. Foley has trouble written all over him—no way is she going to fall for his charms.
Foley might look like a bad idea, but underneath, he’s all gentleman. Too bad Cyn’s not buying it. What’s a bad boy to do when the goddess of his dreams won’t give him the time of day?
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GET TO KNOW THE BODY SHOP BAD BOYS
Johnny, Foley, Sam, and Lou are the rough and tumble mechanics of Webster’s Garage.
These reformed bad boys are used to living fast, but it’s the women in their lives who take them from zero to sixty in a heartbeat.
Excerpt:
She and Nina worked together to help a few more customers. Funny how the rushes came and went with no discernible pattern, not counting the morning craziness.
“Have I mentioned I’m thinking about becoming the neighborhood cat lady?” she said to Nina just as the bell over the front door chimed again. She finished cleaning up after the last order, not looking at Nina. But her friend’s silence made her curious.
A glance at Nina’s smirk had her groaning inside, because trouble was sure to follow.
“Hey, Foley,” Nina said with way too much pleasure. “How are you?”
“Lookin’ good, Nina. How’s Matt?”
“He’s great. And if he’s smart, he’s done all his Christmas shopping by now. Not like last year’s fiasco.”
The deep chuckle went straight through Cyn…and had her bristling at her reaction.
“I, ah, I’m here to apologize to your friend, actually.”
Cyn took that as her cue to turn around. Hell. Foley Sanders looked even better under the bright lights of the shop. She tried to pretend she wasn’t studying him as intently as he studied her.
But damn, where the hell had he come from? He topped her own grand six feet by a few inches, and even despite his jacket, she couldn’t detect any body fat on the man. He had broad shoulders and—as she vividly recalled from eyeballing him at the garage—huge, tattooed arms.
Short black hair framed a handsome face. Rough and manly. He had a five-o’clock shadow, and that rumpled hair look that on her would have appeared messy but on him shouted “sexy.” Bright gray eyes watched her with caution, showing he had a measure of intelligence under all that muscle and ink.
She steeled herself not to get taken in by so much manliness. Neighborhood cat lady, remember? Besides, his cars are littering the parking lot! Men suck. He’s probably only into skinny chicks anyway.
That made her feel better, imagining his intolerance for real women.
But real women can be any size. Plump or stick thin, fat or slender, tall or… Shut up, Cyn! This isn’t time for a life lesson. Deal with Conan and love your gender later.
“Yes?” she said with an icy politeness that had Nina trying to bite back a grin.
“I’m sorry. I think we got off on the wrong foot.” He smiled, but she wasn’t buying the charm. “I’m Foley Sanders.” He held out a hand.
Nina stepped on her foot, and she jerked toward Foley before realizing it. She glared at Nina before reminding herself to be a professional. She’d dealt with overwhelming men before and would no doubt again. So she held out her hand and pasted a smile on her face. “Cyn Nichols.”
He blinked. “You’re related to Matt?”
“Yes, is there a problem with that?” She didn’t even have to pretend to be tired of that question. Matt was so handsome and in shape and popular. What tree had they shaken her out of?
“Not at all.” His grin broadened. “I just hadn’t realized Matt had such a hot sister.”
She blinked. “What?”
“Before I somehow piss you off again, I’m here to get the cars,” he said in a hurry. “Dale, our new guy, must have parked them in the wrong spot. Apparently our agreement was with the sewing place next door, not your parking lot. And I’m sorry I never answered your calls. I misplaced my phone again.” He gave her a disarming smile that—damn it—worked.
She felt herself blushing. “Oh. Sorry if I came on a little strong.” A little? Even she knew she’d been over-the-top bitchy. “It’s just that we had some complaints with customers, and I couldn’t understand why no one had gotten back to me.” She still didn’t understand that. What professional these days ever parted with his or her cell phone? But he’d made amends, so she could forgive him the lapse. “So you’ll move the cars?”
He held up a ring of tagged keys. “Right away, Ms. Nichols.”
“How do you know I’m not a Mrs.?” she asked, annoyed with the assumption. Was she so unattractive and ungainly she couldn’t land a man?
He had the gall to wink and nodded to her hand. “No ring. Trust me. First thing I checked…after that dress. That’s a really, really nice dress you’re wearing.” He let out a small sigh and left before she could think of something to say.
Like I’m sorry for being so damn defensive about my size. It’s not you, it’s me. But then, it’s guys like you who made me this way. Well, you and my mother.
Thoughts of her mother scared her straight. She’d told herself time and time again to stop letting Ella Nichols dictate her feelings about herself. She just needed to follow her own advice.
“Ahem.”
Knowing she had to face the inevitable, she looked at the smug woman standing next to her and groaned at Nina’s wide smile.
“You and Foley Sanders. Oh my God, will you guys have the best-looking, tallest babies or what?”
BLP REVIEW – Tracy
Roadside Assistance is the second book in the Body Shop Bad Boys series, which is a spin off from the McCauley Brothers series that is a favourite of mine by Marie Harte.
Foley Sanders was quite a surprise…. We knew from the previous book that the guys at the garage all have a bit of a past, they are all big, tattooed and badass….. but Foley had a really sweet, caring and protective side to him which we saw often, particularly when he was dealing with his mum.
When he encounters Cyn, who is so unlike the females he usually dates, he is instantly intrigued and more than a little interested in the feisty female even though she seems to have a serious dislike of him.
Cynthia Nichols had pretty much had it with guys.. They can’t accept her as she is and no matter how things start out with them they end up trying to change her. Between this and the hurtful comments from her mother about her size and how she’ll never get or keep a man if she doesn’t pay more attention to how she looks Cyn has all but given up on men – until she runs into Foley.
This story was about acceptance and love. Not only being cared for as you are by someone else but about loving and accepting yourself and being open to the fact that someone can be and is interested in you for ALL of you, and that they honestly do like what they see, even when you can’t.
I loved how determined Foley was when it came to pursuing Cyn and how he made her feel. He was all in, regardless of how much she may have doubted his feelings. Don’t get me wrong, he was an idiot at points and had the typical ‘foot in mouth’ issue (especially on their 1st date) but he was a straight talking guy and had the best intentions when it came to the women in his life that he cared for. There’s so much more to Mr Sanders than how he looks, the guy is smart, funny, loyal, hard working, sexy and a hot as hell dirty talker (always a plus in my book… 😉 )
Cyn was sarcastic and funny and gave as good as she got – the banter between her and Foley was great fun to read. As the story unfolded we found out just how aware of her looks she was and why she felt as she did. Once or twice I wanted to give her a bit of a shake and make her stop looking back and comparing Foley to previous boyfriends, she needed to believe in him more than she did – but given her history, I did get why she had doubts and an occasional lack of self confidence. When she eventually got her head on straight I was cheering her on for finally getting with the program – and not just when it came to her relationship.
We once again met up with the other guys at Webster’s garage – always a lot of fun – and we found out a little more about Sam Hamilton (Foley’s best friend, and the main man in the next book in the series) that gave us a little insight into his character and why he did some of the things he did in the book (I could have happily smacked him at one stage) and we caught up with Del and Mike (from What to do with a Bad Boy, McCauley Brothers #4) and how things were going with them.
We were also introduced to the Donnigan’s (now, there’s another great series – let me tell you that’s gonna be as good a read as the Body Shop Bad Boys, but I digress)
I loved Nina, Cynthia’s sister in law, but gods, when it came to her mother….. aahhhh, that woman! As you’d expect from Marie’s books, the supporting characters were likeable and interesting and I now want to know some of their stories more than ever.
Roadside Assistance was a really great read and another hit in the Body Shop Bad Boys series. I’m really loving these books and can’t wait for more in the series!!
About the Author
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, MARIE HARTE is a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit her website and fall in love.
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BOOK SPOTLIGHT ~ My Wild Irish Dragon by Ashlyn Chase
ONE JOB OPENING
TWO SHIFTERS APPLY…
SPARKS FLY
Blurb:
Dragon shifter Chloe Arish is hell-bent on becoming a Boston firefighter. She uses her Irish charm and fake documents to score an interview, knowing she has to work every bit as hard as a man—harder if she wants their respect.
Born into a legendary Boston firefighting family, phoenix shifter Ryan Fierro can’t possibly let someone best him on the training course or the job. He’d never hear the end of it. When a feisty new recruit comes along who’s determined to do just that, Ryan plots to kick her out—until their sizzling chemistry turns explosive…
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Excerpt
“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Ryan asked.
Chloe had her gym bag over her shoulder and laughed. “Why? Did that little hotel fire yesterday tucker you out?”
He grinned. “What fire?”
“Exactly. I thought a big city like this would be a lot busier.”
“I know from listening to family members that it can be crazy busy. Sitting around and waiting for something to happen was the hardest thing about yesterday.”
“I’m looking forward to the physical exercise,” Chloe said.
“Me too.” He held open the door for her.
She had almost given up on trying to change his “ladies first” mentality. It seemed as if that was ingrained in his makeup. Obviously he’d had no sisters who were willing to run up and over his back to be first.
“So, what do you think of this twenty-four hours on and four days off schedule?” he asked as they waited for the elevator.
She laughed. “Yeah, the schedule is feckin’ crazy. But I guess we hit it right. It could just as easily have been three or four days round the clock, and then a day off.”
“That would have been fine by me. I get bored easily.”
The elevator arrived and they stepped inside. Chloe didn’t address his comment. It was hard to tell if it was his competitive nature again, or if he just meant it as an innocent comment.
She would see if his competitive streak showed itself again soon enough. They changed in their respective locker rooms and met at the weightlifting equipment.
As she spotted him, he lifted more weight than she thought the average man could manage. But Ryan was proving he was anything but average.
The weight he kept adding to the barbells was bordering on ridiculous. His skin glistened with a fine sheen of sweat, and she couldn’t help noticing his muscles. Damn it all, her mouth watered. Don’t drool, Chloe. He has enough of an ego without you feeding it.
At last it was her turn. He started removing the weights, and she said, “Leave ’em.”
He cocked a brow. “Seriously? You think you can lift this?”
“I can.”
He smirked. “All right, princess. I’ll let you try…but just so you know, I’m going to hover. You don’t need an injury before your next shift.”
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. Hover all you want. I’m tellin’ you, I can do this.”
As he stood behind her and she lay on the bench below the barbell, he chewed his lower lip. Ah, a tell. Now she knew when he was nervous.
Her toned arms looked even leaner as she reached for the barbell.
“Don’t,” he said and clamped his hand over the middle of the bar.
“Excuse me? It’s my turn.”
“I know, but I can’t let you do this. Even if you did manage to lift it, the strain isn’t worth it. You need your arm strength for the job.”
At that moment a woman appeared dressed as if she were auditioning for a remake of the ’80s movie Flashdance—complete with leg warmers and a poofy perm.
“I need to speak with you, miss,” she said.
“I’m in the middle of—”
“Now!” The woman grabbed her hand and all but yanked her off the bench, then marched her to the ladies locker room. When they saw a couple of women chatting, the staff member barked, “Leave!” They immediately scurried out.
“Jaysus, there’s no need to be—”
Suddenly the woman transformed into none other than Mother Nature herself. Her hair turned white, long, and loose, and she wore her signature ivory robe, belted with a vine.
Chloe gasped. She had only met the deity once, but it was a meeting she’d never forget. One isn’t often lectured by the Goddess of all. And here she was, almost breaking the rule she’d been lectured about.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
When she recovered her decorum, Chloe answered, “Defending the right of women to be as strong as a man.”
Mother Nature paced, staring at her with narrowed eyes. “Are you an ‘idjit,’ as your people would say?”
Chloe folded her arms. “Not a’tall.”
“I beg to differ. What if I had been a real staff member? Without the muscle to back up your ability, you’d reveal that you’re supernatural. You know that’s not allowed.”
“I—I…”
“Yeah. I-yi-I! Not. Good. Downright stupid.”
“I get it! You don’t have to insult me intelligence.”
“Oh, I think I do. If I were sweet about it, would you listen?” She mockingly said in a meek voice, “If it’s not too much trouble…that is, if you wouldn’t mind…would you kindly refrain from trying to show your strength?”
Chloe had to agree. She’d steamroll a request like that and do whatever she wanted. And she wanted to show Ryan she was his equal.
“I understand your competitive nature. Hell, I gave it to you! I thought women might need it, being the smaller, gentler sex.”
“So you knew we’d have to prove we’re equal?”
Mother Nature rolled her eyes. “Again. Just who do you think you’re talking to?”
“Oh.”
“Now, go out there and take at least half the weight off that barbell. If you can’t do that, make up an excuse to leave.”
Chloe sighed. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll make up an excuse and go home.”
Mother Nature’s eyes widened and she rose about a foot off the floor. “I hate being called ma’am! It’s Goddess, or Gaia, or Mother Nature. Understand?”
“I do. My apologies, Goddess.”
She nodded and floated to the floor again. “That’s better.” She patted Chloe on the head. “Now be a good little dragon and pretend to be normal.”
Oh, that rankled. But when dealing with the Goddess of all, the least of her problems was a little patronizing behavior—or would it be matronizing? Whatever. The woman could reduce her to ash if she wanted to. Her fireproof gift could be removed in the blink of an eye, and then where would she be? Reduced to competing with the others on a human basis. Ugh.
Chloe changed into her street clothes and found Ryan. She waved her cell phone. “Sorry. I got a call from my brother. Apparently he needs me right away.”
“Oh. Sure,” Ryan said as he put the free weights back in the rack. “Just give me a minute to change and I’ll drive you home.”
“Not necessary. I can find my way.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind leaving early. Maybe I can help.”
“Ah, no. It’s a family matter. I’ll see you at work in a few days.”
When she saw the disappointed look on his face, she impulsively invited him to their session at the Boston Uncommon Tea Room the following night. During training she had told him that her family formed a small Irish folk band and he’d said he liked that kind of music.
Now she had to think up a plausible family emergency and ask Rory and Shannon to play along.
About the Author
ASHLYN CHASE specializes in characters that reinvent themselves, having reinvented herself numerous times. She has a degree in behavioral sciences and has worked as a psychiatric and a Red Cross nurse for several years. She lives with her real-life hero husband in New Hampshire.
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SPOTLIGHT TOUR ~ Her Rogue Alpha (X-Ops, #5) by Paige Tyler
Title: Her Rogue Alpha
Series: X-Ops, #5
Author: Paige Tyler
Pubdate: September 6th 2016
ISBN: 9781492625896
HE’LL DO ANYTHING FOR HER
Former Special Forces Lieutenant Jayson Harmon can’t believe that his war scars don’t matter to beautiful feline shifter Layla Halliwell. Why would she saddle herself with a broken man?
But Layla knows that Jayson is a hero to the core, and that only she can heal his wounded soul. So when Jayson is deployed on another deadly mission, no way is Layla staying behind…
Paige Tyler is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sexy, romantic fiction. Paige writes books about hunky alpha males and the kick-butt heroines they fall in love with. She lives with her very own military hero (a.k.a. her husband) and their adorable dog on the beautiful Florida coast. Visit www.paigetylertheauthor.com.
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This September, Paige Tyler releases Her Rogue Alpha, the fifth in her heart-pounding X-Ops series. To celebrate, we have a letter from the hero and heroine to share with you. We also have the first THREE chapters to read FOR FREE!
Letter from Jayson Harmon, hero of HER ROGUE ALPHA.
Hi everyone. I’m Jayson Harmon, and you’ll be seeing me in the next X-OPS book called HER ROGUE ALPHA. Paige asked me to tell you about my background and how I feel about my girlfriend, Layla Halliwell. I usually don’t like talking about personal stuff like this, but Paige threatened to go back into the book and give me a pink Mohawk and size six boots if I didn’t, so here goes.
I used to be in the Army Special Forces, but I got injured during a mission in Afghanistan and ended up taking a butt load of shrapnel in my back. The Army did their best to patch me up, but it didn’t help. I still got medically separated from the Army. I have to admit; I’m not dealing with that decision very well. The Army was going to be my life, and now that’s all gone. Worse, the guys on my SF A-team are still out there, fighting and risking their lives without me. That stings. Now I’m left figuring where my so-called life goes from here—if anywhere. I have a job running the weapon ranges at the Department of Covert Operations, but watching field agents train to go on missions I’ll never be able to is hard as hell. It wasn’t the life I pictured having, but I’m trying to make the best of it.
I also have an amazing girlfriend, though I can’t for the life of me figure out why she’s interested in broken man like me. Feline shifter Layla Halliwell is total perfection. She’s beautiful, talented, and has everything going for her. She’s even getting ready to go out on her first field mission as a DCO agent. Thinking about her being out there, in danger, without me there to watch her back is driving me crazy with worry.
Now the deputy director of the DCO wants me to take an experimental drug that will not only heal my injuries, but give me shifter abilities. Problem is, people who were given previous versions of that same serum either died or ended up like wild, uncontrollable animals. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was terrified to take the stuff, but at the same time, I’m afraid not to take it.
Is it crazy for someone like me—as screwed up as I am—to want to be whole enough to be able to be Layla’s partner in every way possible, including in the field on missions? I’d do anything for a chance like that.
Letter from Layla Halliwell, heroine of HER ROGUE ALPHA.
Hi! It feels kind of strange to write an open letter to people I don’t know, disclosing personal—not to mention classified—information. But Paige is nodding at me, so I guess this is okay.
I went to college to become a psychologist because I’ve always wanted help people. After graduation, I got a job at the Department of Covert Operations so I could work with shifters like me. I didn’t take the job intending to ever become a field agent, but now that I’m in training to become on, I’m excited at the prospect. I’ll still help people and I won’t have to sit behind a desk to do it.
My boyfriend, Jayson Harmon, on the other hand, isn’t as thrilled about my career change. He’s exactly what I’m looking for in a man and I really care about him. He’s strong (physically and mentally), heroic, charming, romantic, and yeah, he’s attractive as hell, too! Problem is, he seems determined to push me away. I know he’s still dealing with injuries he sustained in Afghanistan and I want to help him get through this rough time in his life, but I have to admit, it’s wearing me down. I don’t know how much more I can handle. How can I help him when he refuses that help? This mission I’m about to head out on might be the last straw. I’m not sure if our relationship can handle something like that. And if that isn’t enough, the deputy director of the DCO is trying to talk Jayson into taking an experimental drug he claims will not only heal Jayson, but also give him shifter abilities. I’ve tried to talk him out of it, but I don’t think I was very successful. I’m scared he’s going to be something stupid and extreme while I’m away on this mission, and I won’t be there to stop him…
You can find out more about Layla and Jayson’s story in Paige Tyler’s latest release, Her Rogue Alpha.
Download the first THREE chapters here!
BLP REVIEW ~ Tracy
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About the Author
Paige Tyler is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, romantic suspense and paranormal romance. She and her very own military hero (also known as her husband) live on the beautiful Florida coast with their adorable fur baby (also known as their dog). Paige graduated with a degree in education, but decided to pursue her passion and write books about hunky alpha males and the kick-butt heroines who fall in love with them.
She is represented by Bob Mecoy.
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