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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

REVIEW: HOUSE OF CARDS

3:15 PM 1 Comments
HOUSE OF CARDS BY ILANA WATERS

Published March 17th 2013 by Ilana Waters
**eBook provided by the athour in exchange of an honest review**

Eighteen-year-old Sherry has just begun her newly independent life in Paris when she is kidnapped by a group of vampires. They hold her hostage in the House of Cadamon, their catacomb lair beneath the city, ruled with an iron fist by a leader known as “the Master.” The only thing keeping Sherry alive is her ability to tell vampire fortunes through tarot cards, a task she is forced to perform night after night. She finds an unlikely ally in Lucas, a four-hundred-year-old reluctant blood drinker who is as much a prisoner of Cadamon as she is. 

Things get even more complicated when Sherry and Lucas begin falling for each other—hard. Will they be able to keep Sherry alive long enough for them both to escape the House of Cadamon? Or will the Master and his band of evil minions succeed in controlling the lives of the young lovers—by whatever means necessary? 

With its breathtaking Parisian setting, fast-moving plot, and strong-willed heroine, this paranormal romance will keep you spellbound!


House of cards is a short captivating read. Ilana Waters can really bring Paris to life in it's pages, the good, the colors and the dark and mysterious catacombs that lie just beneath the surface. 

Sherry is living on her own in Paris as a Tarot reader, when one day a group of people get her attention and she reads the fortune on one of them. Later, when she's going back to her flat she's kidnapped by them and taken to their lair as food to their Master.  
With the help of Lucas, The Master agrees to keep her alive for as long as she can entertain them.

I really enjoyed Sherry's strengh. She is a tarot Reader and even when she's not sure of where she wants to go she knows what she doesn't want and stands up for herself, or sometimes she also knows when is better to keep quiet and obey the vampires. 

Lucas is the sweetest guy she ever met. He brings her present daily and makes sure she has everything she needs. We see a part of him, of his past and how he came to be a vampire, however there could have been so much more to his character. 

The relationship between Lucas and Sherry develops slow, because they both know what they can lose but you can see the insta-love right away.

One thing I think would have been better is if it was on a first person POV. As a reader you can only read about Sherry even though the book is told from a third person's POV. It would have been more richer if using the third person's POV, we'd had more insight to the rest of the characters inner workings.

The House of Cadamon is a beautiful mansion inside the catacombs where the vampires live. And it's occupants are all very interesting, with different backgrounds. I'd have love getting to know them more, why they did what they did and what they all wanted. 

The Tarot element was a nice twist for this kind of story and I really liked that part. 

House of Cards develops in a slow pace but has exciting or important element just in the right places. 




ABOUT ILANA WATERS


I'm a freelance writer who lives in New Jersey. When not creating content for websites, I work onfiction—as well as nibble string cheese. I once pet-sat an electric eel, and enjoy walking in circles around the park for no particular reason.

My first book—The Adventures of Stanley Delacourt: Book I of Hartlandia—is a middle-grade fantasy. It's available NOW at Amazon, Kobo, Smashwords, and Barnesandnoble.com. You can find my short story, "Paying Piper," at those sellers as well (it's FREE on Smashwords and Kobo!). And my novella Castles in the Air is available exclusively at Amazon. 

I'm currently writing Book II of the Hartlandia trilogy, due out in 2013.


                       

         





COVER REVEAL: PINNED UP

2:07 PM 0 Comments

We're excited to bring you the cover reveal for Pinned up! It looks pretty good, doesn't it? 


PINNED UP by C. Michelle
NA Contemporary Romance
Coming soon!


Readers in search of something fresh in the adult contemporary romance department will celebrate the arrival of C. Michelle’s vibrant debut novel, Pinned Up. Full of snappy dialogue, edgy humor, and a lot of heart, this fun look into the world of a modern-day pin-up model is one interesting journey. Are you ready to embark on a wild ride?
Twenty-five-year-old Nina Moretti lives a double life of sorts. She’s a victim advocate during the day and as a side gig, lives out her 1940s fetish as a pin-up model. This arrangement suits her well, as does never having a steady boyfriend. Trust is an issue that was ruined for Nina at a young age and has yet to be recovered. While she may not “do” serious relationships, she has found fulfillment in her work and hanging out with her best friend, Kade—the greatest sidekick any woman could possibly want. All is well in Nina’s hectic, but satisfying life…
That is, until she meets Josh, a stunningly handsome man who has a notorious reputation as a ladies’ man. Living in San Francisco, California, Nina has met her fair share of eligible bachelors. But there is something different about Josh, something that compels her to try and get to know him better. For his part, Josh has always been reluctant to commit to any woman, largely as a way to spite his well-meaning, but rather overbearing mother. Nina, however, sparks his interest in a way that no other woman has before. What are two people, both scared of commitment, supposed to do?
Readers will feel an array of emotions as Nina and Josh do the unthinkable—embark on a relationship together. As they navigate the pitfalls of romantic entanglement, both come to realize that their pasts are intertwined in ways that they could never imagine. Perhaps they have more in common than just their fear of relationships.

A heartfelt novel depicting modern love with a refreshing twist, Pinned Up is a must-read.







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Monday, May 20, 2013

BOOK PROMO: TRAGIC BY JA HUSS

4:00 AM 2 Comments

TRAGIC: Rook and Ronin, #1
By J. A. Huss
New Adult Contemporary Romance
Published May 15, 2013
Science Future Press

Rook Walsh is TRAGIC

Because life so far – just sucks. Some girls get parents. Rook got the foster care system. Some girls get Prince Charming. Rook got an abusive frog. Some girls get lucky…

Rook got a second chance.

And she took it. Because when fate throws you a bone – you grab it with both hands and run.

Antoine Chaput knows the minute he spies Rook in his photography studio that she’s got The Look. The dark and desperate look he must have to land the exclusive TRAGIC media contract.

Rook is paired up with top model, Ronin, and he’s everything her abusive ex-boyfriend wasn’t. Patient, gentle, happy, attentive, and sexy! He knows exactly what to do to make Rook blush for Antoine’s camera.

Rook’s luck changes in an instant and suddenly she’s the darling of the modeling world. It’s a dream job to go with a dream guy and all she has to do is look pretty and follow directions. But there’s always a price to pay – and Rook is about to get the bill.

New Adult Contemporary Romance *Mature Content* Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language usage







**Does contain strong language


I gather up all my clothes and stick them in the stackable washer in the closet just off the bedroom. The breeze caresses my naked limbs and gives me the chills, but I enjoy it. The goose bumps travel up my arms and spread out to my whole body. I shiver for a second and then head to the kitchen.

And stop dead in the living room.

Ronin fucking Flynn is sleeping on the couch.

What is he doing here? My eyes track to the front door and I suppose it's my fault, I left it open. There's nothing but a screen door between this apartment and the terrace. My gaze wanders back to the sleeping man. He's lying on his stomach, his one arm tucked underneath him, the other falling over the edge of the cushion, and he's shirtless.

And then I realize I'm naked.

"Shit!"

He stirs and I make a break for the bedroom. It's one thing to let him see me naked half hidden in darkness and quite another to be fully illuminated by the bright morning sunshine. I wrangle the sheet around my body and then head back to the living room, wistfully looking at the washer that contains every single article of clothing I own.

"Ronin!" I say loudly.

Nothing except a half-muffled snore from him. Lord, this man has the most perfectly chiseled and muscular back I've ever seen. Both hands pull up and go under his face, like he's blocking out the sunlight, and this gives me the perfect opportunity to study his flexing biceps. The muscles are thick and hard-looking near his shoulders. They curve down, dip into a little valley, and then climb once again.

I lean down and smell him.

"Why are you sniffing me?" he asks groggily.

"Uh—" Because you smell delicious, the inner Rook says. But luckily the outer Rook says, "I'm checking to see if you're drunk. Why are you sleeping on my couch?"

He peeks up, opening one eye in my direction, squints, and then croaks out some words. "I love your outfit." He grins, winks, and then drops his head back down into his arms.

"Are you leaving?" I ask, frustrated and confused at the same time. "I mean, why are you here?"

"I told you I'd come back with dinner. But when I got here, the lights were on and you were in bed. I only sat down for a second to think up a rational excuse to wake you up, but I guess I fell asleep." He raises his head again, grins sheepishly, and then rolls over on his back, tucks his hands behind his neck, and flashes his perfect body at me as he closes his eyes, probably confident that I'll be checking him out.

I do check him out. It's quite hard not to notice that he's got the perfect six-pack abs and that absolutely adorable fuzzy happy trail you see on a shirtless designer jeans model. Hmmmm… maybe he is that model? "You have no shirt on."

Yes, after all that gawking, I finally manage the obvious.

He opens the one eye to look at me again. "Neither do you."









Purchase your copyAvailable on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo.




J. A. Huss likes to write new adult books that make you think and keep you guessing. Her favorite genre to read is space opera, but since practically no one reads those books, she writes new adult science fiction, paranormal romance, contemporary romance, urban fantasy, and books about Junco (who refuses to be saddled with a label).

She has an undergraduate degree in horses, (yes, really–Thank you, Colorado State University) and a master’s degree in forensic toxicology from the University of Florida. She used to have a job driving around Colorado doing pretty much nothing but shooting the breeze with farmers, but now she just writes, runs the New Adult Addiction and Clean Teen Reads Book Blogs, and runs an online science classroom for homeschoolers.








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Thursday, May 16, 2013

COVER REVEAL: MAVEN

5:30 AM 1 Comments
Hello Loves!!

We're happy to bring you the cover reveal for Maven by S.A. Huchton!!




MAVEN (The Endure Series, book 1#) by S.A. Huchton
Genre: Science Fiction Romance - New Adult
Release Date: June 3rd, 2013


How far would you go for love?
Since losing her parents at 14, young prodigy Dr. Lydia Ashley has focused on one thing: an appointment on the Deep Water Research Command Endure. Now 21, she's about to realize that dream, but nothing is how she imagined it would be. Her transitional sponsor forgets her, her new lab is in complete chaos, and, as if that weren't enough, she's about to discover something so horrific it could potentially destroy all life on the planet. 
Daniel Brewer, a noted playboy and genius in his own right, may be exactly what she needs... Or he may make everything worse.
Has she finally found a puzzle she can't solve?


EXCERPT

"Yeah, there's one or two of the guys you'll want to avoid here, but..." Cordy stopped mid-sentence, staring at something over Lydia's shoulder. "What is he doing here?"
Curious, Lydia rotated to see who she was talking about. She immediately regretted it. Daniel Brewer locked in on her like a homing beacon and strode across room to her table. "Crap," she muttered when she turned back.
"And he would be one of those.” Cordelia smirked. "Good luck." She stood, lifting her tray of dishes.
Lydia's panic level rose. "You're leaving?"
Cordelia shrugged. "Hate to abandon you, but I've got a call scheduled at 1845 I can't miss. I expect a full report on this later, however." She grinned and headed for the exit.
Lydia willed her hands to be still and her breathing calm. Her throat was scratchy and dry, but she didn't trust she could pick up her glass of water without spilling it everywhere.
"You're a difficult woman to track down," Daniel said as he plopped down on the bench across from her.
Not difficult enough, she thought to herself. "It's dinner time. People usually eat around now. Or are you skipping meals again?" She fought back a flinch, realizing what she gave away. 
His eyebrows lifted, but he didn't comment on the remark. "I see you were talking with Ms. Orietti. Interesting choice in friends."
She sniffed. "I hardly think you're qualified to judge. My personal life aside, did you hunt me down for a reason?"
"I saw your request."
Lydia feigned surprise. "The one I sent at 1700? I assumed you wouldn't see that until whatever time it is you remember to go to work in the morning."
He frowned. "Despite what you think, I actually work quite a bit. My regular hours extend until 1900, and then I'm on call until 0700. I take breaks for meals, of course, but I have several high level projects going on at any given time."
"Of course.” She swallowed. Perhaps she had crossed the line a bit with that last one. "That was uncalled for. I apologize. What did you come to ask me, Mr. Brewer?"
"You can call me Daniel," he said, his grin returning.
It was easy to see why he was so popular with women, but that he still thought that was going to work rankled her. She steeled herself. "Mr. Brewer," she said, standing and lifting her tray. “It's been a very long day, so if there's a business matter you wanted to discuss..."
He kept pace with her as she crossed the room to dump her dishes. From her peripheral vision, she saw several heads turn to follow their progress. “Well, I thought we could discuss the specific project needs you have and do some outlining so I can show you my skills.” He winked at her
The subtle emphasis he placed on the word caused her to miss a step. "I'm sorry, did you just..."
"What?" Daniel looked at her, the picture of innocence.
Lydia sighed and kept walking. "Nevermind. Mr. Brewer, I--"
"Daniel."
She stopped outside the SAT station and punched the call button. "Mr. Brewer, if you refuse to conduct yourself in a manner appropriate for someone in your position, I will withdraw my request. I would prefer to have your expertise on this, but I will not tolerate immaturity."
"Dr. Ashley, I assure you I can be nothing but professional--"
"Good," she interrupted. "Then you can prove that at 0730 when you meet with me and my lab staff to discuss the necessary details." The SAT car arrived, and she stepped inside. "My coworkers are crucial to the lab's success and they will all have input in the needed software." The door closed. The last thing she saw was Daniel's stunned expression.



ABOUT STARLA

Starla Huchton released her first novel, The Dreamer’s Thread, as a full cast podcast production beginning in August 2009. Her first foray went on to become a double-nominee and finalist for the 2010 Parsec Awards. Since her debut, Starla’s voice has appeared in other podcasts including The Dunesteef Audio Fiction Magazine, The Drabblecast, and Erotica a la Carte. She is also a voice talent for Darkfire Productions, and narrates several of their projects, including The Emperor’s Edge series, This Path We Share, and others. Her writing has appeared in the Erotica a la Carte podcast, a short story for The Gearheart, and an episode of the Tales from the Archives podcast (the companion to Tee Morris and Philippa Balantine’s Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences series), which garnered her a second finalist badge from the 2012 Parsec Awards. Her second novel, a Steampunk adventure entitled Master of Myth, was the first place winner in the Fantasy/Science Fiction category of The Sandy Writing Contest held annually by the Crested Butte Writers Conference. Maven is her third completed novel and the first in a planned series of four.

After completing her degree in Graphic Arts at Monterey Peninsula College, Starla opened up shop as a freelance graphic designer focusing on creating beautiful book covers for independent authors publishers. She currently lives in Virginia where she trains her three Minions and military husband.


  
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Stars in Her Eyes REVIEW

12:56 AM 1 Comments

We are so happy to bring you Stars in Her Eyes by Clare C. Marshall.


STARS IN HER EYES (SPARKSTONE #1) BY CLARE C. MARSHALL

Published May 13th 2013 
Publisher: Faery Ink Press

Burn hot and cold.

Read minds.

Disappear at will.

Dream your own death.

Welcome to Sparkstone University, where some students are more gifted than others.

When Ingrid learns she’s been accepted at the hyper-secretive Sparkstone University, she is sceptical. It’s an honour to attend, apparently, and yet barely anyone has ever heard of the place.

And everyone seems a little too happy that she’s there: especially when she meets Sunni and her group of friends. They seem to already know Ingrid. As if she was expected. Expected to save Earth from an imminent alien invasion. Like she has superpowers or something.

As if magic and mutations exist. As if aliens are really planning to attack.

That just sounds ridiculous. There’s no such thing.

…right?

Wrong.



REVIEW:
 
Stars in Her Eyes starts off slow, but as you read on you understand why.  Clare introduced a lot of things in the beginning, but it was at a good pace so you didn't feel overwhelmed, and slowly got used to what was going on.  Clare gives you a real sense of the mystery surrounding the unusual Sparkstone University in the beginning, especially the fact that none of their students even applied to it.  The novel really picks up after you meet Ethan.  Ethan fits my dream man description, over six feet tall, dark curly hair, British accent AND GREEN EYES!  Anyways, the novel picks up quickly after you meet everyone and doesn't slow down till the end.  It's been a while since I read any science fiction books, especially because they get so depressing and slows down so I need a break.  I didn't feel that way at all with this book, and loved that it jumped right into things after the introduction.

You Can read an EXCERPT HERE

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Guest Post by Clare C. Marshall


We All Make Mistakes In Publishing


Cynthia and Diana of “We All Make Mistakes in Reading” asked me today to write about learning from our mistakes to go along with their blog name. So I thought I’d talk a little bit about one of the mistakes I made when I first got into publishing my own books.

The biggest mistake I’ve made in publishing? I thought this:

“The YA fiction market is very saturated right now, but that’s okay, I’ll magically stand out.”

No, silly Clare, that is not how it works.

I never assumed that publishing would be easy. I never assumed that success would happen to me overnight. But maybe one of the things I did assume was that I would be the exception to the rule. After all, I have nice-looking books, publishing experience, and compelling storylines. All that together means I’m going to get some attention, right?

Well, yes. But also no. Attention is fleeting. You really have to work every day at not just getting people’s attention, but holding it as well. Holding someone’s interest is completely different than getting it.

I can hold blog tours, I can do giveaways, and these can get me attention, but once those events are over, if you don’t continue to entertain, then you’re going to fall out of a person’s mind. And then you’re back to square one again. No, promoting a book is an everyday thing. And it’s easy to forget that if you let other things take priority.

But we’re also only human! I do my best to keep people apprised of Faery Ink Press goingson between all of my other projects, and really, it’s been a slow upward climb. I’ve been doing this for a year and a half now. Looking back, I know I’m further ahead now than I was half a year ago. It’s all about keeping focused. Publishing is a lifelong thing for me. I’m twenty-four, I’ve got lots of years ahead. I’m not stopping anytime soon. And maybe, when I’m super old, I’ll stand out as that lady who just wouldn’t give up.



ABOUT CLARE C. MARSHAL


Clare Marshall grew up in rural Nova Scotia with very little television and dial up internet, and yet, she turned out okay. She has a combined honours degree in journalism and psychology from the University of King’s College, and is a graduate from Humber College’s Creative Book Publishing Program. She foundedWoulds & Shoulds Editing and Design in 2010 for self-published authors looking for quality editing and design services. When she’s not writing, she enjoys playing the fiddle and making silly noises at cats. Within is her first published novel.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Famously Engaged Review

12:35 AM 0 Comments
Famously Engaged
by Robyn Thomas
Official Summary:
A chef and a rock star. They couldn’t be from more different worlds…
 
Rock star royalty’s favorite son, Jake Olsen, couldn’t help but interfere after listening to his future brother-in-law talk non-stop about his ex-wife, Beth Carlisle. Jake decides that the only way to get the groom’s mind off his ex-wife is to give her a fake fiancé.
 
Before Jake can convince Beth of his plan, he's forced to move in with her to avoid the paparazzi. Their instant attraction makes for a sizzling "first date", but soon Jake’s fame gets in the way and Beth wants out. Too bad Jake's figured out just why her ex is so obsessed with her, and he's afraid he's not going to be able to give her up either.
 
Now it's up to Jake to convince this chef together they make the perfect recipe.

My Summary:
Jake is a world famous rock star, with a vow to his band to stay single.  The promise is compromised when Jake hears word his future brother-in-law, Brad, is spending a lot of time with his ex-wife, Beth.  With his sister's wedding date approaching, Jake takes matters into his own hands.  Jake has his manager fabricate a story about a wedding lottery, and the winner happens to be Beth.  Before the story hits, Jake flies down to help Beth through the fallout, and keep Brad away.  When Jake arrives, Beth is in turmoil and a famous rock star living in her house and paparazzi on her doorstep is the last thing she needs.

My Review:
My worry with this book was it was going to have a slow start, but you're thrown right in.  Jake is irresistible like rock stars usually are and all the complications that come with them.  Beth and Jake are a whirlwind romance you get caught up in and root for through out the book.  One of the problems with the book was the dialogue was hard to follow at times, like something was missing, or I missed something.  Same thing with the movements between them, it was confusing at times with the logistics.  Other than that I enjoyed the book and it was a fairly quick read.

BUY HERE

Monday, May 13, 2013

GIVEAWAY: THE FORGOTEN ONES BY LAURA HOWARD

11:43 PM 0 Comments

The Forgotten Ones

The Danaan Trilogy

Book One


is now available exclusively on Amazon!

And until May 19 it's only 99 cents!



Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.

What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.









About Laura Howard


Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.


Connect with Laura:

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BOOK PROMO: UNTOUCHED

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Emerson Ray is trouble. Juliet knows it the minute she lays eyes on Cedar Cove’s resident bad boy. Forced to spend her summer before college in the sleepy beach town, she never expected to crash into the most devastating guy she’s ever met—or for Emerson’s blue eyes to strip through her dark secrets, and make her feel a desire she’s never known. Their connection is undeniable, but Juliet is torn. She knows, once she gives him everything, there’ll be no turning back.

Juliet McKenzie is dangerous. Emerson can tell from the way she blows through all his defences, laying bare the demons he’s carried alone all his life. He’s left a trail of broken hearts and empty beds in his wake, but Juliet is different. Her innocence is intoxicating—and the passion she keeps hidden, just below the surface. He wants to be the only one to set it free, but with every kiss, he’s closer to losing control and doing the one thing he swore he never would: fall in love.

One summer. Two damaged hearts. Their story is only just beginning…

UNTOUCHED is a prequel novella to the USA Today Bestselling UNBROKEN. It also can be read as a stand-alone story.





“Hey,” he grins, easy, and slides his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me in for a long, lazy kiss. My heart is racing as I taste him, mint and coffee, and something else, something all Emerson.

“You ready?”He puts the truck back in drive, and then slings his right arm around my shoulder. I snuggle closer, reveling in the touch of him.

“Ready for what?” I ask, as he turns out of town.

“This is our first date.” Emerson announces.

“Really?” I laugh. “I thought we were a long way past that.”

Like, three bases past.

I blush at the reminder, and I can tell from his wolfish grin that Emerson's thinking the same thing.

“A girl like you deserves a real date,” Emerson declares. “Not just groping in the dark somewhere.”

“In case you’ve forgotten, I kind of liked the whole groping in the dark thing,” I say, amazed at my boldness.

Emerson laughs. “Only kind of? Sweetheart, if that was you kind of liking something, I can’t wait to see what happens when you love it.”

“You'll just have to find out then, won't you?” I tease.

“Oh, I will. Believe me, baby. I've got plans for the two of us.” Emerson gives me that look again, dark and wild. He curves his lips into a teasing grin.


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Melody Grace is a small-town girl turned SoCal beach lover. After spending her life with her nose in a book, she decided it was time she wrote one herself. She loves steamy romance novels, happily-ever-afters, and lusting after fictional menfolk.





UNTOUCHED is available today!

Celebrate with Melody Grace on Facebook! All day today she will chatting with readers about UNBROKEN and UNTOUCHED, and answering some of your questions!

Join BELOW









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Friday, May 10, 2013

COVER REVEAL: ACT LIKE YOU LOVE ME

6:00 AM 0 Comments
Another Cover Reveal we're really excited about!
This is part of the Accidentally In Love Series, you should totally check out the first one. Click on the image to see our review.

And now for the COVER





Act Like You Love Me (Accidentally In Love #2) by Cindi Madsen
Expected Publication: June 10th, 2013
Entangled Publishing (Bliss)
All’s fair in acting and amore...

Brynn McAdams isn’t the awkward drama geek she was in high school—she’s grown up and confident, or at least she likes to think so. But when her old crush, the impossibly handsome and impossibly unattainable Sawyer Raines, comes back to town to direct her community play, Brynn finds herself determined to be someone other than the girl he doesn’t even recognize. Good thing she’s an excellent actress.

After his bad breakup in NYC, the last thing Sawyer wants is to get involved with another actress. But the glamorous and beautiful Brynn draws him in, even though as her director, he knows she’s off-limits. There’s just something about the woman that feels…familiar. Like home.

As Brynn’s lies start to snowball, she struggles to stop acting and come clean. But what if Sawyer is already falling for the fake Brynn, not the Brynn she truly is?


EXCERPT

“Cut, cut cut!” Sawyer stood. “Was that supposed to be more passionate? Because it sucked.”


“This is supposed to be the eighteen hundreds,” Brynn said. “It can’t be too passionate or it would seem inappropriate for the time.”


The next instant Sawyer was charging up the steps to the stage. “I’m not saying it’s got to be a kiss with tongue, I’m saying you’ve got to look at each other like you’re in love so the audience will want it to work out. Our modern audience.” Sawyer shook his head. “Take it again, from before the proposal.”


It was impossible to concentrate with Sawyer standing right there, so close she could hear every shift of his body and feel his gaze on her like a weight. All her lines were swimming together.


Leo knelt, told her she was an angel. She said her line, trying to peer into his soul like she wanted to be with him, and then Leo kissed her. And it was sloppier than usual.


She did her best to not jerk back, though it was her first instinct.


“Okay, that was just…” Sawyer moved in front of her. He looked at the playbook, then lowered it by his side and stared into her eyes. The air thickened around them and she could feel every thump of her heart. “What a perfect angel you are, Cecily.” He said it so tenderly, his smile close-lipped but full of joy.


“You dear romantic boy,” she said, all out of instinct because thoughts were getting fuzzy.


He leaned in and kissed her, a soft kiss with his lips barely parted. The pressure of his lips increased for a delicious moment, and then they were gone. A quick, simple kiss, but when his mouth left hers, she felt its absence so strongly that she couldn’t think about anything else for a couple seconds. Her breath was stuck somewhere in her lungs and her lips still tingled, living the sensation over and over again. Heat wound through her body, her hands itched to reach out and touch him. And then she remembered she was supposed to. She ran her fingers through his hair and felt the whisper of his breath on her wrist as he exhaled.


“Wow, that was good,” Wendy said from the front, breaking Brynn from her trance.


Brynn stepped back and swallowed, but her throat wasn’t working right. Sawyer’s eyes never left hers, and one corner of his mouth curved up in a smug, self-satisfied way.


“It was all right, I suppose,” Brynn said, working to keep her voice steady. She crossed her arms and shrugged. “For a first-timer, anyway.”


That only made Sawyer’s smile grow wider.


Brynn couldn’t help but watch Sawyer as he jumped off the stage. Funny how she’d dreamed of kissing him all the time in high school, but her fantasy wasn’t even close to the real thing. Her heart felt like it’d just been wrung out and shoved back in her


And her scene with Leo was better. She was sure it had nothing to do with the fact that she closed her eyes and pretended it was Sawyer kissing her again.


Nope. Nothing at all.





ABOUT CINDI MADSEN

Cindi Madsen sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children. She is the author of YA novelsAll the Broken Pieces and Demons of the Sun, bestselling short romance Falling for Her Fiancé and the women's fiction novel Cinderella Screwed Me Over.