Release Day Blitz + Release Day Review, Excerpt & Giveaway: Hitched by Karpov Kinrade

Posted in 3 hearts, Giveaways, Reviews, Spotlight by Lacey

Happy Release Day to Karpov Kinrade! Hitched is LIVE!

Hitched by Karpov Kinrade
Series: The Red Shoe Memoirs #1 (full reading order below)
Release Date: November 23rd 2014

He called me “wife.” This man standing naked in front of me. Tall. Dark. Sexy as sin… He’s my husband?

Disjointed images from the night before, the night I can’t entirely remember, float into my mind. Meeting him in the bar. Sharing tidbits of our lives. I own a company that plans bachelor parties. He’s a pediatric heart surgeon. We both live in Las Vegas, but we come from very different worlds.

And then I remember that kiss. The way his lips brushed against mine, gentle at first, then harder, deeper, with more urgency. Sex in the elevator. Hot, forbidden, delicious.

I remember the way he made me feel. The way our bodies fit perfectly together. But I don’t remember marrying him. And now, he won’t let me go. Dr. Sexy who saves children for a living. He wants the summer to prove we are meant to be.

I can give him a summer. But can I give him a lifetime?

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas…or it changes your life forever.

WARNING: This book has lots of sex and lots of swearing. Now go enjoy it.

Buy Links:
Amazon • B&N • iTunes • Kobo

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of Hitched, because hello, look at that blurb! Maybe I’m a sucker, but I always end up reading these types of books where the main characters accidentally get married. Hitched wasn’t quite what I expected, but I still enjoyed it. It was sexy, flirty, and fun. Anyone wanting a quick, light-hearted, hot read should definitely check out Hitched!

Our heroine Kacie wakes up hungover and not remember anything from the night before… which means she has no clue how she ended up married to the sexy doctor Sebastian Donovan. Sebastian is literally sex on a stick, and add in the fact that he saves children for a living just makes him a total package. He’d be the perfect guy to end up accidentally married to, right? Well… Kacie’s not exactly looking to get married, not even to her attractive husband. But Sebastian sees the potential the two of them have, and they strike a deal. Kacie will get her annulment if she agrees to spend the entire summer spending time with and getting to know more about Sebastian.

“We’re from two different worlds. It would never work. What could a girl with a business degree who plans bachelor parties possibly have in common with a fucking pediatric heart surgeon?”
He throws his arm over my shoulder. “I don’t know. But there’s no harm in finding out, right?”

And by getting to know Sebastian, I mean Kacie and Sebastian get hot and heavy A LOT. Maybe a little too much, but only because the book isn’t very long. Still, Kacie and Sebastian do start getting to know each other better outside of the bedroom. It’s easy to see that Sebastian loves Kacie, maybe even since the beginning, so Kacie’s the one who holds back between the two of them. She’s not sure how to juggle a blossoming career and marriage. She’s worried she might have to give up one or the other, so she’s afraid to commit to spend her life with Sebastian, no matter how much she wants, and eventually loves, him.

Hitched was short, sweet, and sexy. I didn’t get hooked onto this book as much as I expected, but I definitely enjoyed it. It did get cheesy at times, and things seemed to be too easy for the characters, but I was able to overlook that for the most part. I’d recommend Hitched to anyone in the mood for a fun (and hot) read!

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Now here’s an excerpt of Hitched! ❤

As I sink into the luxurious heat, my body breathes a sigh of relief. The tension and stress from the last few days drains out of me, and I close my eyes and lean back, enjoying the music, the sips of wine, the calm.

But it doesn’t take long for my mysterious future ex-husband to creep into my mind, undoing my reverie with memories of our torrid night together.

His hotel room had an extra large bath, one we used to full avail.

He undressed me slowly, his long fingers and strong hands caressing my body with each movement as I stood still, breathing deeply, taking in the moment. I stood naked before him while he was still fully clothed, and the disparity between us sent waves of erotic charge through me.

As I pull this memory up and view it like a movie in my mind, my hand dips under the soapy water and between my legs. I spread my labia and tease my clit, slipping a finger inside of me as I remember him doing the same that night.

His hand over my mound, finger exploring my wet center, my pussy aching for more of him. I could see his cock through his slacks, hard and demanding, and I wanted to free him from that constraint, but I also wanted to continue enjoying this moment as he worshiped me with his eyes and explored me with his body.

I rub at my clit, fingering myself as I use my other hand to tease my nipples. I want this to be him touching me, his fingers, his hands, his tongue and mouth. His cock. But I settle for the memories as I bring myself closer to climax.

He knelt in front of me, his mouth positioned at my pussy as he flicked a tongue out and lightly licked my clit. My body shuddered, knees weak as he pushed his tongue deeper into me, fingers digging into my hips, holding me tightly against his mouth. My hands fell to the top of his head, to his thick dark hair as he pleasured me beyond reason. The bath filled with water as I came hard in his mouth. He finally let me undress him, just before lifting me up and placing me in the steaming bath. He got in beside me, then pulled me onto his lap, impaling me on his hard cock.

My wet pussy took him in greedily, eagerly, and our bodies rocked together in the water, his hands exploring my breasts, waist, hips, his fingers finding my sensitive, swollen clit and sending me over the edge again, quickly this time, as I came on his cock.

I’m nearly there, the memory of him inside me tipping the scale as I come to thoughts of him, alone in my bathtub.

And I realize then that getting him out of my mind is not going to be as easy as signing a few papers.

Reading Order: Red Shoe Memoirs series

#1 ~ Hitched: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Whipped: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Stripped: Goodreads (release date TBA)

Karpov Kinrade is the pen name for the husband and wife writing duo of bestselling, award-winning authors Kimberly Kinrade and Dmytry Karpov.

Together, they write all things sexy in romance, mystery and paranormal that will get your blood boiling and keep you turning pages.

Look for more from Karpov Kinrade in the Call Me Cat trilogy, the Seduced Saga and the Forbidden Trilogy. Read all about their extensive book list at www.readKK.com.

They live with three little girls who think they’re ninja princesses with super powers and who are also showing a propensity for telling tall tales and using the written word to weave stories of wonder and magic.

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10 HITCHED fabulous swag packs (poster + bookmark + postcard + red shoe keychain)
*US/CANADA*

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14Oct2014

Release Day Review: Sublime by Christina Lauren

Posted in 3 hearts, Reviews by Lacey

Sublime by Christina Lauren
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: October 14th 2014
Purchase: Ebook • Hardcover
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

True love may mean certain death in a ghostly affair of risk and passion from New York Times bestselling duo Christina Lauren, authors of Beautiful Bastard. Tahereh Mafi, New York Times bestselling author of Shatter Me calls Sublime “a beautiful, haunting read.”

When Lucy walks out of a frozen forest, wearing only a silk dress and sandals, she isn’t sure how she got there. But when she sees Colin, she knows for sure that she’s here for him.

Colin has never been captivated by a girl the way he is by Lucy. With each passing day their lives intertwine, and even as Lucy begins to remember more of her life–and her death–neither of them is willing to give up what they have, no matter how impossible it is. And when Colin finds a way to physically be with Lucy, taking himself to the brink of death where his reality and Lucy’s overlap, the joy of being together for those brief stolen moments drowns out everything in the outside world. But some lines weren’t meant to be crossed…

I’m very… conflicted about this book. On one hand, it’s gorgeously written – Christina Lauren’s writing is poetic. It makes Sublime feel haunting and mysterious. But on the other… I was NOT a fan of the romance. Still, it’s a fascinating read, no doubt, but Sublime wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be. I wanted an epic ghost romance, but the romance fell flat. I mean, I knew that a story about a boy and a ghost girl couldn’t exactly end well, but I wanted something more substantial for the plot. For the most part, the writing was what kept me hooked.

“I think I’m here for you.”

Lucy is a ghost. She doesn’t realize she’s a ghost at first – she wakes up at a school with no memories, no idea who she is, and it’s only when she tries to interact with others and they ignore her, don’t see her, that she realizes something is off. But it turns out Lucy’s not invisible to everyone, because Colin can see her.

As if she can feel him staring, she turns, an involuntary smile lifting the corner of her mouth. Her dimple makes him think of giggled pleas, mischievous promises, and the taste of sugar on his tongue. Gunmetal eyes meet his, and the color is alive, churning like an angry ocean, pulling him in.
He lets himself drown.

Colin and Lucy have an instant connection with each other. They are drawn to each other and neither are hesitant about forming a relationship, even though they don’t understand what that connection is or why Lucy is there as a ghost. I was a bit skeptical about their insta-love, but I was rooting for them to find a way to be together. It was pretty innocent at first – boy and ghost girl fall in love, they want to be together, it seems like they’re meant to be together. It’s only when they actually TRY to be together, in the physical sense, that things started turning a bit dark, even sinister.

Lucy and Colin become slightly obsessed with one another. It didn’t bother me at first – I wanted them to find a way to be together, but there’s a point where you have to pause and think, exactly WHAT will you do to be together? Their relationship started turning unhealthy – Colin kept putting himself in harm’s way to be with Lucy. At this point, their romance was a bust for me. So I turned my focus on the why’s and how’s of the story. Why was Lucy there? What happened to her? How was she a ghost?

Every step of the way, I wasn’t sure what was going on, which was a good and bad thing. Sublime intrigued me to no end – I expected some answers, but all I got were more questions. None of my questions were answered, and I was really disappointed about that.

So yeah, the writing was what kept me reading. And I have to say, the writing was beautifully written, even though I didn’t exactly like the content. I liked HOW Sublime was written, not WHAT was written. Christina Lauren really have outdone themselves with the writing in Sublime – it’s hauntingly gorgeous and elegant.

The premise held a lot of potential but I’m sad to say Sublime was only an okay read for me. There were some aspects I loved, some aspects I hated. I expected a lot more than I got. The romance just did not sit right with me, so I wouldn’t recommend reading this for the romance. Mainly, you should try Sublime out for the writing.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

19Aug2014

Blog Tour + ARC Review: Hard Knox by Nicole Williams

Posted in 3 hearts, Blog Tours, Reviews by Lacey

Welcome to today’s stop on the Hard Knox blog tour!
You can follow the tour here.

HARD KNOX
A New Series by NYT Bestselling Author Nicole Williams

The Outsider Chronicles #1 (full reading order below)
New Adult/Adult Contemporary
Released August 12, 2014

Knox Jagger. The name inspires resent in every male at Sinclair University, want in every female, and contempt in Charlie Chase.

Charlie can be summed up in three words: independent, independent, and independent. To Charlie, Knox epitomizes everything that’s wrong with college males: prolific one-night stands, drunken senseless fights, and a body that hints at prioritizing gym time over study time.

As an up-and-coming writer for Sinclair University’s newspaper, Charlie’s tasked with getting to the bottom of who’s been dropping little white pills into girls’ drinks at parties. In an ocean of All-American boys sporting polo shirts and innocent smiles, Knox is the obvious suspect. As evidence piles up against the bad boy of Sinclair, Charlie becomes more and more certain it isn’t Knox. But when her drink is dosed at a party and she wakes up on Knox’s couch the next morning, Charlie’s left with more questions than answers when it comes to Knox Jagger.

How can Charlie ever hope to uncover the truth behind a guy so closed off he’s become . . .

Hard Knox.

Buy Links:
Amazon • Barnes and Noble

I’m a huuuge Nicole Williams fan. I totally fell in love with her Crash series, and then her Lost and Found series. So when I found out she had a new book releasing? I pounced on it. Nicole Williams is definitely one of my go-to authors because I know I’ll no doubt enjoy her books. And while I didn’t LOVE Hard Knox, it was a quick, fun read, and fans of Nicole shouldn’t miss it.

Charlie Chase is a writer for her university’s newspaper, and she’s, well, the glass-half-empty kind of girl. She wasn’t the most likable heroine for me, even with her quirky, deadpan sense of humor. I didn’t connect with her much–she’s a bit pretentious, buuut it worked for the story. She’s the type of person who has preconceived notions of people without getting to know them, and the second she meets Knox Jagger, he blasts all those preconceived notions away.

Knox Jagger is the ultimate bad boy at Sinclair University. He’s who every guy wants to be, and every girl wants to have. Except Charlie, of course. When Knox goes to parties, and endless stream of girls put their panties with their numbers on them, and apparently he calls every one of them.

Other than knowing he was a junior, probably majoring in Single-Handed Bra Removal, the notes scribbled onto just about every woman’s bathroom stall on campus told the rest of the story. Gems like For a good time, call Knox, 1-800-BIG-DICK or Add to Bucket List: Get Fucked by Knox Jagger.

Based on all that, Charlie doesn’t have the best opinion of Knox. Charlie wouldn’t want to get near Knox if it weren’t for the paper she needs to write. Her job is to find out who at the university has been dropping date-rape pills into drinks at parties. And Knox would be the number one suspect, if it weren’t for the fact that he saved her after she herself got drugged.

Charlie and Knox work together to get to the bottom of this, much to Charlie’s chagrin. The best part about the book was Charlie and Knox’s banter. The two of them are hilarious together–Charlie is full of wit and sarcasm, which would usually just shoot a guy down, but Knox definitely shows her up and offers his own quips. There’s also an undeniable tension between them that the two of them try so hard to ignore, but can’t.

“What’s changed is that I care about you.”

I loved that the two of them gradually moved from friendship to something more. The way they fell for each other was realistic and once they fell, they fell so hard. Their relationship blossomed into something so wonderful (and hot) once the tension exploded between them

“What I feel for you scares me, Knox. It terrifies me.”
“Why?” … “What terrifies you?”
“That the person I thought I’d have to search the world and a lifetime for might be standing in front of me right now.”

Knox and Charlie are so adorable together. I was definitely glad when the two of them got together! They open up more to each other, even though Knox does keep things hidden. But I loved that as Charlie learns slowly more about Knox, she also learns more about herself. She’s not quick to judge anymore–she’s not the same girl as she was from the beginning of the book.

Overall, I liked Hard Knox, but I just didn’t love it. It was missing that spark that usually makes me love a Nicole Williams book. Still, I enjoyed it–it has Nicole’s great writing, a couple with hot chemistry, and some witty banter that’s sure to make you smile.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: The Outsider Chronicles

#1 ~ Hard Knox: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Damaged Goods: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads

I’m the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the CRASH series (HarperTeen, S&S UK), LOST & FOUND series, UP IN FLAMES (S&S UK), The EDEN TRILOGY, and a handful of others. I write stories about everyday kinds of people who find themselves in extraordinary kinds of situations. I tell love stories with happy endings because I believe in making the world a better place, and that’s one tiny way I can make it so. I’m one of those people who still believe in true love and soul mates, and would rather keep my head in the clouds any day over having my feet firmly on the ground.

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18Feb2014

Blog Tour + ARC Review: Past Imperfect by Alison G. Bailey

Posted in 3 hearts, Blog Tours, Reviews by Lacey

Click the banner to follow the tour!

Title: Past Imperfect
Author: Alison G. Bailey
Release Date: February 15, 2014
Series: Perfect #2 (full reading order below)
Hosted by Wordsmith Publicity

In Present Perfect, Brad Johnson was sexy, cocky, rich and a complete Smurff**ker. He could afford anything he wanted and could charm any girl he set his eyes on. Everything was laid out in front of him, all for the taking except the one thing he craved and needed. A tragic event forces him to reevaluate his life. When he tries to change, will the people in his life let him move on from his past or will they constantly hold him to the life altering mistakes he’s made?

Mabry Darnell is intelligent, ambitious, beautiful, and sassy. Secrets from her past haunt the present causing her to question her actions in order to shield her heart and protect her life.

From the moment Brad and Mabry met, their connection was strong, intense, and electrifying. Both knew they had found the one person who could satisfy what the other ached for. When their pasts collide with their present, will it prevent them from having a future together or will love be strong enough to conquer their demons?

Buy Links:
Amazon US • Amazon UK • Amazon CA • Barnes and Noble • Smashwords

I had a feeling Brad from Present Perfect was going to get his own book, and I’m glad he did! He was a real douchebag in Present Perfect, but he makes a huge 180 after a tragic event and is a completely different person now. I was so excited to see how Alison G. Bailey would make me NOT hate Brad anymore, and wow, I so don’t hate Brad anymore. He’s sexy, he’s charming, he’s in love now, and he’s so, so sweet. His and Mabry’s story is gutting and heart-wrenching, and although I didn’t fall in love with it, it’s definitely worth reading for fans of the first book.

“I’m sorry, Mabry. If I had known you were going to be in my future, I would have been a better man in my past.”

Brad was an epic jerk in Present Perfect, and he continues to be throughout college, until one day his cruelness causes something terrible to happen, and makes him reevaluate the kind of person he is. And for the years since that tragic event to the present, he’s been trying to make up for everything bad he’s done–and though he knows he won’t be able to make up for everything, he’s still going to make sure he never reverts to how he was before ever again.

People have told her I’m a player, that I lie and cheat my way through life and use women. I used to be like that, but I’m not anymore. I’ve worked hard to make amends for the pain I’ve caused and move past the mistakes I’ve made. I wish others would stop trying to pigeonhole me to the past.

Right now, Brad is in love with Mabry, but she’s the one who’s putting the brakes on having a relationship. She wants to keep everything casual, but Brad wants more. It’s heartwarming to see Brad in such a different light–he’s much more mature, but he’s also still got his boyish, cocky personality in him too. But my heart went out to Brad, because what he really wants more than anything is for Mabry to admit she loves him. And OH MY GOSH! I had no idea how loving and sweet and HOT Brad can be! I melted quite a bit because of the things he says. Just–swoon! And seriously, Past Imperfect is one hot read.

“Do you think it’s possible to love someone before you’ve met them? Because I think I’ve loved you my entire life.”
“I do. I’ve been waiting for you my entire life.”

The book is told through both Brad and Mabry’s POVs, and they alternate between the present and the past. We’d have a scene from the present in one chapter and a scene from the past in the next, but to be honest, I wasn’t really a fan of this style. I was bouncing back and forth between the Brad from the past and the Brad in the present that I never really was able to love him. I liked him well enough, but I wasn’t able to fully immerse myself in his story. And I had a hard time liking Mabry as well. She’s had a hard life–her mother committed suicide, and her father checked out after this–but she seemed very weak to me. I wanted her to be stronger, to embrace her love for Brad, and while she does eventually do this, it took longer than I liked.

For fans of Present Perfect, you should read Brad’s story! I liked that we get to see hidden depths to Brad, and him in love is something you definitely shouldn’t miss. I was hoping I’d love the story more, but overall, Past Imperfect was a sweet, emotional romance I enjoyed reading.

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Perfect series

#1 ~ Present Perfect: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#2 ~ Past Imperfect: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Presently Perfect: Goodreads (Nov. 6, 2014)

Alison was born and raised in Charleston, SC. As a child she used her imagination to write additional scenes to TV shows and movies that she watched. She attended Winthrop University and graduating with a BA in Theater. While at Winthrop she began writing one act plays which she later produced. Throughout the years she continued writing and producing several one act plays, but then life got in the way and she hung up her pen for a while. On the advice of a friend, she started writing again. In January 2013, Alison sat down at her computer and began writing her first novel, Present Perfect.

Alison lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband, Jef, and their two furry children (dogs). She’s addicted to Diet Pepsi and anything with sugar.

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18Jan2014

Blog Tour + Review: Wrecked by Priscilla West

Posted in 3 hearts, Blog Tours, Reviews by Lacey

Click the banner to follow the tour!

Title: Wrecked
Author: Priscilla West
Release date: Dec 16^th, 2013
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Romance
Tour organized by: AToMR Tours

A New Adult Romance Novel by USA Today Bestselling Author Priscilla West

Two years ago, Lorrie’s mother was murdered. But that wasn’t the end of it. Reeling from the tragedy, Lorrie’s father spiraled into alcohol, depression, and finally suicide.

The two most important people in Lorrie’s life are both gone but she’s still alive.

Trying to recover from the tragedy, Lorrie returns to campus, ready to pick up the pieces of her life. All Lorrie wants is to get back to “normal.”

Then she meets Hunter. The man, the legend, “The Hammer.”

Hunter is a cage fighter who takes on every fight like he’s got nothing to lose. His life is a tangled mess of girls, booze, and fist fights. And while it may seem like he’s got a devil-may-care attitude, he’s fighting a private cage-match with a monster he can’t defeat.

Lorrie knows that Hunter is exactly the type of guy she should stay away from, especially in her fragile state, but Hunter has other ideas.

As Hunter and Lorrie grow closer together, will they be able to overcome their pain and heal each other? Or will they both end up wrecked?

GENRE: Mature New Adult Romance (18+)
LENGTH: Novel, 350 pgs
RESCUED (WRECKED BOOK TWO: Coming Early 2014)

Purchase:
Amazon • B&N

Wrecked pretty much is the quintessential NA book. If you’re looking for a book with believable, likable characters with tragic pasts, then Wrecked is for you! I really enjoyed reading this book, and even though the story moved a bit too slow for my taste, overall this was a sweet romance that had my attention from the start.

Lorrie is a girl who has basically lost all the important people in her life. I felt very sad for this girl, but I didn’t connect with her as much as I wanted to. Still, I liked her character, how she wants to be normal and overcome her past. And Hunter is… WOW! I found myself so intrigued with his character. He and Lorrie meet when he saves her from drowning, and there’s obviously some strong tension between them. He’s a bad boy MMA fighter, which I totally adored, because I LOVE fighter heroes! They make me swoon so much, and add that he’s a bad boy? Even more swoon. He’s slightly clichéd, but I really did like him, and found myself more curious about his character. I didn’t fall in love with him, but his character is portrayed really well, and I was so shocked at his secret! Usually I can end up guessing what sort of tragic past a character has, but this one blinded me, so props to the author for that!

I really liked how the characters formed a strong friendship first. Lorrie knows that there is some sexual tension between them, but she’s afraid of what will happen if she does form a relationship with bad boy Hunter. But slowly, she finds herself falling more and more in love with him everyday. You can tell that Hunter wants more, but this sweet boy goes along with this friendship Lorrie wants. But then finally the two come together, and a sweet romance forms.

Unfortunately, Lorrie and Hunter are not done with the heartbreak from their past, and they have even more obstacles to face, mainly Hunter’s secret. I was really hoping his secret would come out sooner than it did, but what can you do? The ending part of the book was crazy, was so emotional and intense and full of angst. But… cliffhanger!

I had a great time reading Wrecked. The writing style is easy to follow, the characters were believable, the romance was heartfelt. And the drama was so intense! Now I really need to read the second book because the cliffhanger is a major one!

3 hearts!

Priscilla West is the author of the popular Surrender series. Her next release titled: Wrecked will be available on December 16th. She likes to write stories with sassy heroines and strong but flawed heroes.

She enjoys: cuddles, men in suits, eskimo kisses, life-sized teddy bears, and eggs over medium.

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