Waiting on Wednesday (28)

Hosted by Breaking the Spine

Waiting On Wednesday (WOW) is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating at A Bookish Escape.

Kissing Under the Mistletoe: 

A Sullivan Christmas

By: Bella Andre

Release Date: September 24th, 2013

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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Book Description:

For Mary Sullivan Christmas is, and always has been, about family. And this year is no different. As she awaits the arrival of her eight children and their partners at the cottage in Lake Tahoe, she hangs the ornaments that they made for her over the years. Each decoration brings with it a tide of memories, all of which she holds dear to her heart. 

But when she comes across the oldest ornament, the one her beloved husband, Jack, gave her on their very first Christmas together, Mary is immediately swept back to the first days of their whirlwind romance, to the love that would be the foundation on which they built the family she is so proud to call her own. 

Join the Sullivans this Christmas for a story that explores the wonder of the holidays, the meaning of family and a love that transcends time.

Why I Can't Wait:

When I read a Bella Andre book, I feel like i'm going to my annual family gathering. It just feels like HOME to me. Do you ever get that feeling? When one of her books goes LIVE, I.DROP.EVERYTHING!

From the moment I read The Look of Love, I fell for all the family members of The Sullivan clan.  Each sibling found love in the most unexpected way and from one book to the other, we follow how this family grows. 

In Kissing Under the Mistletoe, Bella Andre brings us back to where it all started : Jack & Mary Sullivan's love story. I'm so excited that Bella is writing about their story. Mary gives the best advice. She has set the perfect example for their children. The Sullivans are all about LOVE & FAMILY. I don't usually read Christmas books in September, but The Sullivans are my exception ;) I think that this book is going to be an emotional roller coaster for me. Here goes another tissue box!!!

Check out The Sullivans

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     About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Bella Andre has always been a writer. Songs came first, and then non-fiction books, but as soon as she started writing her first romance novel, she knew she’d found her perfect career. Known for “sensual, empowered stories enveloped in heady romance” (Publishers Weekly) about sizzling alpha heroes and the strong women they’ll love forever, nearly all of her novels have appeared on Top 5 lists at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple and Kobo.

Her books have been Cosmopolitan Magazine ”Red Hot Reads” twice and have been translated into nine languages. Winner of the Award of Excellence, The Washington Post has called her “One of the top digital writers in America” and she has been featured by NPR, USA Today, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. She has given the keynote speech at Book Expo America on her self-publishing success and has sold more than one million books.

If not behind her computer, you can find her reading her favorite authors, hiking, swimming or laughing. Married with two children, Bella splits her time between the Northern California wine country and a 100 year old log cabin in the Adirondacks. 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Book Blitz: All In by Marta Brown

All In

by Marta Brown

Release Date: 05/28/13

Summary from Goodreads:

On the picturesque island of Martha's Vineyard, there are two kinds of residents. Locals and Stays.

Local boy, Lane McCarthy, plans on spending his summer working at the country club to save money for college in the fall, while summer stay, Ashley Whitmore, and her elite group of friends are only there to play.

As the summer heat goes up on the island, so does the ante, when both Lane and Ashley must decide what they’re willing to wager in order to follow their dreams… and their hearts.

With stakes as high as the surf, and hopes as high as the midday sun, will they risk everything and go all in?

Available from:

   

Excerpt #1:
Ashley

“Good afternoon and welcome to the Field House Grille. May I start you two off with drinks or an appetizer today?” The waiter’s voice startles me out of my conspiracy theories, and I resume perusing my menu.

“Yes, I’ll have a long island ice tea and a white wine spritzer for the lady.” Gregory orders with confidence. He’s only a year shy of the legal drinking age so he may pass as old enough to get served, but it’s obvious I’m not old enough to drink yet. “And then we’ll have an order of the calamari to start and for our entrees she’ll have the sea bass, and I’ll have the filet.” He shuts his menu and hands it back to the waiter with bravado.

“I’ll actually have a bottle of San Pellegrino please,” I say, staring at my menu, trying to avoid the embarrassment of being carded and then denied, or worse, my parents finding out I tried to order an alcoholic drink, at the club no less. “And what salad would you recommend?” I start to ask, but the words get caught in my throat when I finally look up and see the waiter.

Whoa.

He. Is. Gorgeous.

“Well…our house mixed salad is very popular. It’s locally grown organic and is fresh picked daily. It comes with a light raspberry vinaigrette dressing that can be tossed on or left on the side,” he says, holding my gaze.

“Oh. Yes. That sounds… yummy.” The words come out all breathy, and I’m immediately humiliated at the way I must have sounded.

Yummy. Breathy. Seriously, Ashley?

“Then on the side, miss?” the waiter asks, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“Yes, thank you,” I say, feeling my face flush with warmth.

Apparently Gregory Chase isn’t the only boy in town who can make a girl blush, and by the daggers Gregory’s shooting the poor guy with his eyes, he knows it too.

Gregory clears his throat and pulls the attention of the waiter back on him. “Fine. We’ll have one house salad with dressing on the side and an order of calamari to start.” Then with a dismissive flick of his hand, “Now, go fetch our drinks.”

Go fetch our drinks? Is he serious? How can he think it’s okay to speak to someone that way? But before I can say anything the cute waiter lets out an amused laugh that surprises me.

“I’m sorry sir, but I’m gonna have to see an ID first.” The waiter looks not at all sorry to ask, which makes me have to hide a smile.

“You have got to be kidding me,” Gregory starts. “I left it in the men’s locker room,” he explains, but his confidence is shaken. No one ever challenges Gregory.

“I’m sorry sir, but without a valid ID I’m not gonna be able to serve you, but I’ll be happy to wait here while you go and get it.” The waiter gives Greg a fake smile and then me a real one. He clearly is enjoying himself.

It’s evident Greg’s not going to get his way, so he finally concedes, but without an ounce of grace. “How about you take your eyes off my date, and go do your job.” He levels the waiter with his eyes. “And just bring me a damn coke while you’re at it.”

“Will do, sir,” the waiter says with artificial politeness, giving Gregory an almost imperceptible bow before turning around and leaving.

This time, I’m the one who gets caught watching one of the waitstaff walk away.

Lane

“Dude, I just busted some richie-rich for trying to order drinks underage, and he had the nerve to yell at me for looking at his date. Too bad for him, she was looking right back,” I say with a cocky laugh before giving Mario a high five. “Man, it’s the jerks like that, that always get everything in life—the money, the power, the girl. Probably has some big fat trust fund to pay for college too.”

“Sorry, man, but try not to let him get under your skin, amigo.”

I know Mario’s right, I should just let it go, but I’m sick and tired of Stays treating us locals like we’re nothing. And who the hell tells someone to ‘go fetch’? What am I? A dog? What an ass.

I drum my fingers against the metal counter at the pass until Mario rings the service bell with a grin and hands me their starters.

“Here, orders up and good luck.”

I give him a nod then try to shove my jealousy and anger down when I enter the dining room again, but I feel it hovering right on the surface. I take a deep breath before setting the calamari in the center of the table and the salad in front of the girl.

“Is there anything else I can get you right now?” I ask, and it’s hard to keep my eyes off of her long dark hair, her light green eyes and her legs that go on for miles. Maybe that douche had a point.

“No, I’m fine. Thank you,” she says politely, and I wonder why she’s on a date with such an ass-hat. Either way, girls like her don’t date boys like me. Unless they’re trying to piss off their parents, which is fine by me, but she doesn’t look like the rebellious type.

I turn to face him, lifting my eyebrows. “And you?” I ask because it’s my job.

“Yes, there is something you can do for me, how about you explain why my silverware is off of the floor.” He holds up his dinner fork, but I don’t understand what he’s talking about. Off the floor?

“Excuse me?” I reach for the fork to examine it. I personally set this table less than an hour ago, and the silverware hadn’t touched the ground. Why would it? But right before I’m able to take the fork from him for a closer look he opens his thumb and pointer finger letting the fork fall to the hardwood floor with a loud ping that echoes through the dining room.

“See.” He looks me right in the eyes, a smirk plastered across his smug face, challenging me.

You have got to be kidding me. This guy picked the wrong day.

I calmly pick the fork up off the ground, bring it to my mouth and spit on the tongs before lifting my apron and polishing it until it’s dry and shining. So much for not letting him get under my skin.

“My apologies, sir.” I place the fork back on the table in front of him like I’d accidentally brought out the wrong appetizer instead of spitting all over the dude’s silverware. “If there’s anything else I can do for you please let me know, otherwise your entrees will be out shortly.”

I watch his eyes go wide with shock before walking away looking cool, calm, and collected, even though on the inside I’m totally freaking out. This is not going to end well.

***

About the Author

Marta Brown grew up in the Pacific Northwest and was a teenager when Doc Martens, Pearl Jam and flannel were the norm and Dylan loved Kelly forever. (Beverly Hills 90210 shout out) 

She still lives just outside Seattle, now with her husband and cat, and loves the rain.

When she’s not writing about cute boys, first kisses and the magic and wonder of being seventeen, she’s watching The CW. And she sleeps in. Late.

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***GIVEAWAY***

1 signed copy of All In (open US only) and 10 e-books copies of All In (open internationally)

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Book Blitz hosted by:

Blog Tour: Again by Brandy Jeffus

To Add to Goodreads Click HERE

Again

By Brandy Jeffus

Published:  May 15, 2013

Source:  Author

Purchase At: Amazon | Kindle

Blurb:

From recess buddies to high school sweethearts, Eli Stone and Bonnie Jinks were constants in each other's lives. Although young, their relationship had withstood the test of many teenage tribulations. Marriage and a happy ever after were in their future plans.

One alcohol fueled mistake rips them apart. Bonnie ends up on the road with her new boyfriend while Eli joins the military. It seems as if their lives will never intersect again.

A near  fatal accident brings them together and their chemistry is undeniable. But will the pain of the past keep them apart? Can they make their love work again?

Welcome to our Tour Stop.  To review the other stops on the tour click HERE.

My Take on this Journey:

Again, by Brandy Jeffus, is the story of  Bonnie Jinks and Eli Stone.  These two are the main characters in this childhood/high school sweetheart drama through adulthood.  Bonnie Jinks is a young girl madly in love with her "almost perfect," (too good to be true) boyfriend.  Bonnie thinks she knows her boyfriend inside out.  Eli asks Bonnie to marry him as soon as they graduate, and she is over the top.  She says, yes, of course, and the following week he bursts her perfect bubble, and tells her that he got drunk at a party and slept with another girl.  What is really unbelievable is that Bonnie says that she is sure they can work it out!!!  I was so angry for her lack of strength and pride in herself.  To add insult to injury, Eli, tells her "no," that there must be something missing in their perfect relationship if he was able to cheat on her!  He writes Bonnie a letter telling her that someday he is sure they will find each other again...AGH!

The book fly's.  Fast forward in to a mega-second, and it is 6 years later, and she has been with a Rock Star boyfriend named, Mick Jones.  Ms. Jeffus tells us that Bonnie went off on a road trip with her boyfriend for the last 5 years, leaving her younger sister, Tatum, and her mother, Ms. Cindy, (who she adores) on a whim, while she was off doing her thing, possibly mending her wounds.  Eli joined the service.  Fast forward once again, and Bonnie's mom is in a near fatal accident, and who is the first police officer on the scene, but the infamous, Eli, who has returned from the service to become a police officer.  Of course, Bonnie leaves Mick's road trip, and he gives her an ultimatum, (Ms. Jeffus tells us again) and Bonnie walks out to go home to her home town to take care of her mother.  When she arrives, everything has changed about the town, but of course, the attraction to "Eli the perfect!"  Somehow, she ends up looking like the bad guy in her mother, and her sisters' eyes, cause she is too naive to realize what a great guy she lost!!!  Eli treats her like he was a jilted lover and she cheated on him!  REALLY?!  Sometimes men can be selfish!  Eli never gave up on her.  He was searching for himself, and he fought to find his way back to her.

I wish that this had been more realistic for me.  I felt like it was slightly over the top.  Some people love corny, and magical endings.  The cover was great, the concepts were great.  I wish we would have experienced her ideas, rather than have been told the story.  I know I would have connected more with the main characters, if I had experienced their lives as they lived them, but I realize this might have made the story too long.  All in all, I finished the story and was able to appreciate the ideas and concepts behind it.  I give Again by Brandy Jeffus, 3 Romantic, Reunited, Long Lost Love Stars!

About the Author:

Brandy Jeffus has been writing stories since an early age. She would dictate them to her mom who would type them out on a typewriter.  She is a mother to two precious children and lives in North Texas, but she'll always consider herself an East Texan, hailing from the Rose Capital of the world, Tyler. 

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Giveaway:

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Summer Giveaway Hop 2013

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & BookHounds

U.S/CANADA Winner gets a SIGNED COPY of Good Vibrations by S.L. Scott & INT. Winner gets an eCopy :)

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Cover Reveal: Exception by Patty Maximini

  Title

 Exception

  Author

 Patty Maximini 

  Expected release

 October 24, 2013 

  

Genre

 Contemporary Romance 

  

Age Group

 Adult 

  

Cover designed by

 Okay Creations   

Cover Reveal Organized by

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  With her life packed in boxes in the back of a U-Haul truck and a promise to her sister, Charlotte, that she’d find a way to let go and be happy, Emily crossed the country to escape the haunting memories of her past. As she settles into her new life, Emily holds true to her promise and begins to open her walls to those around her and overtime, she selectively begins to trust again. However, some wounds are too great to overcome, and between her recurring nightmares and her fear of even the slightest physical contact, she wonders if she will ever heal completely. In walks Taylor, a handsome out of towner, with his own past to overcome. Against all odds, an undeniable special friendship forms almost instantly between the two. Not minding his company or touch, Emily is jolted into realization that he is her healing, her strength, her protection and her escape from her daunting past. He is her exception. 

  

  About the Author 

 I’m Patty, and words have always been a passion of mine. I’ve always loved to read them, write them and learn them in other languages. Last year, I’ve decided to take that passion and turn it into a book, the result was Exception, my very first novel due this October. Whenever I’m not sitting behind my computer, I’m either enjoying the company of my dear hubby, Alex, and our four four-legged babies or reading. I’m a firm believer in long hand written letters, love of any kind and good stories.

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Cover Reveal : Only For You (Boys of the South - Book 2) by Marquita Valentine‏

Title: Only For You (Boys of the South ~ Book 2)

Author: Marquita Valentine

Expected release: September 2, 2013

Genre: Contemporary

Age Group: New Adult

Cover designed by: Marquita Valentine

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

Book Description:

Loose ends left loose for too long tend to strangle.

Cole and Violet knew it wouldn’t be easy. They knew their relationship would take work. But when the press finds out about Violet Lynn’s newest boyfriend, they start digging.  And when his past come to light, exposing all of his family’s secrets, their relationship begins to fray.

Country Music’s Golden Boy, Jaxon Hunter, has it all, except the girl that got away. What she saw, she really didn’t. What she thought happened, he allowed her to believe for reasons so insane that no one would ever have believed him if he had confessed. But now that everything’s out in the open, he’s going to do his damndest to convince her that he’s the only one for her.

Now Violet must choose between Jaxon— her first love and the guy she thought had cheated on her—and Cole—the guy who helped her heal and love again.

 Or will one of them make the decision for her?

About the Author:

New York Times Bestselling Author, Marquita Valentine, writes sexy heroes that make you swoon and sassy heroines that make you laugh. She’s the author of the bestselling contemporary romance series, Holland Springs, and the new adult romance series, Boys of the South.

Marquita met her husband aka Hot Builder at Sonic when they were in high school. She suggests this location to all of her single friends in search of a good man—and if that doesn't work, they can console themselves with cheesy tatertots. She lives in North Carolina in a very, very small town with Hot Builder and their two children.

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Cover Reveal : A Perfect Mess (A Perfect Secret #1) by Zoe Dawson‏

Title: A Perfect Mess

 (A Perfect Secret, #1)

Author:  Zoe Dawson

Genre: Mystery

Age Group: New Adult/Adult

Cover designed by: Okay Creations 

Cover reveal organized by: AToMR Tours

Expected release: June 17, 2013

Book Description:

I know what you did last summer.

Aubree Walker, the perfect girl most likely to succeed, is sure there’s only one person who knows what she did.

Booker Outlaw, one of the three Outlaw brothers—all identical, all gorgeous, all from the wrong side of the tracks, and all pure bad boys. He was always the unpredictable one, the one who would be brash enough to make it big self-publishing horror novels on the internet. He promised never to tell, but everyone knows you can never trust an Outlaw.

Then a year later, in the middle of the night, she receives a phone call at Tulane. Her aunt, who took her in after her mother’s death, has passed away under suspicious circumstances. Now she has to face that one person who knows all about what she did that summer—sexy Booker.

Returning to Hope Parish to lay her beloved aunt to rest, stirs up all those ugly memories. When Aubree starts getting threats, she can’t help but wonder if what she did last summer was tied to her aunt’s death. Afraid, she turns to the only person who knows the truth and Booker doesn’t hesitate to offer his broad shoulder for her to lean on. But Booker has a secret of his own that could crush their fledgling relationship.

As the hot, sultry summer days move on, she finds that even a perfectly smart girl can lose her heart to a perfectly bad boy. What is she going to do when someone starts asking questions Aubree doesn’t want to answer? She’s knee deep into a terribly dangerous, wholly life changing, who-can-she-really-depend-on perfect mess.

A Perfect Secret Series: Three perfect girls, three perfect secrets, one unholy trinity

Click HERE to add to Goodreads

About the Author

Zoe Dawson is the alter ego of Karen Anders, award winning, multi-published author. Her writing journey started with poetry and branched out into fiction. With a couple of college English courses under her belt, she penned a historical, then moved onto contemporary romance fiction. Today, she is happy producing romantic suspense, romantic comedy/mystery, new adult, and urban fantasy. The words feed her soul and the happily ever afters feed her heart.

Author social media links:

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