Debauched Blog Tour: Excerpt & Giveaway!!!

Debauched

by Jennifer Dawson

One night in a moment of sheer madness I confessed my secrets to him. All my life I’ve been pretending. Pretending to be the woman I thought I should be instead of the woman I really am. I’ve been faking it and I am good. No one has ever guessed. Except him. He just looked at me and knew.

Chad Fellows is not the man I want, but he’s fast becoming the man I need.

One night in a moment of sheer madness I held her in my arms and let her cry. I did the right thing, letting her walk away, no matter how much she calls to the part of me that wants to rescue her. We are nothing alike, and she’s a mess of complications in a life I’m trying to keep simple. But then I touched her and made her tremble and now I can’t turn away.

Ruby Stiles is not the woman I want, but she’s fast becoming the woman I need. 

By Jennifer Dawson

Undone #3

Contemporary Erotic Romance w/BDSM elements

Release Date: April 26, 2016

Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble |Kobo | iTunes

I read this book and LOVED it-see my review here!

Chapter 2 of Debauched

Chad

I keep my eye on Ruby Stiles, even though I want to forget that night where I’d held her in my arms while she cried. I have a lot going on right now, work’s crazy, I just got a promotion and my competition for the job now works for, and hates, me. I’ve got building development going on—a little side project I started with one of my friends— that’s now taken on a life of its own. I’m putting everything I have into business right now and Ruby is not something I want to distract me.

It’s why I didn’t press after I called her the day after Valentine’s and she gave me the brush off, even though I wanted to. I’d hung up the phone and sighed in relief, because when I’d called I’d been half afraid she’d want to follow up on what had gone down between us the night before. Most guys in my situation wouldn’t have called Ruby at all, but I’m unfailingly responsible, especially when it comes to women. I’d done the right thing, ensured she was okay, and asked if she needed to talk. She’d said no.

Responsibility absolved. That should have been the end of it.

Only, I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind since that night. That strange, perception-altering night, where nothing played out as I’d been expecting. Before then, I’d always viewed Layla Hunter’s best friend as a pretty rocker girl with whom I have nothing in common. She’s beautiful and has a body that won’t quit, but she didn’t interest me that way I need a woman to interest me.

Then Valentine’s happened and—I don’t know—something changed between us.

I can still feel her quivering, trembling body in my arms. The stain of tears on her cheeks as she looked up at me with her blue, watery, desperate gaze. Still remember the sound of her voice as she spilled her secrets.

She is nothing I need in my life right now. And even though I don’t want anything to do with the complications she presents, I can’t take my eyes off her.

As Ashley drones on and on about a subject I can’t even remember, I watch Ruby and that ridiculous excuse for a man she brought with her tonight. She might not be my type, but she looks gorgeous. Her code of dress seems to vacillate from retro rocker to pinup girl with an edge. Like a rebel Snow White. She pulls it off very, very well.

Tonight she’s decked out in an outfit right out of the nineteen forties, that slimfitted skirt and black-and-white top hugging every curve to perfection. She’s curled her shiny black, shoulder-length hair into sleek waves and even from across the room I can see the brilliance in her blue eyes. And then there’s her mouth, full and ruby red, matching her name. She looks different from every other woman in the room, and when her date slides a hand over her hip, I experience an inappropriate surge of possession.

As soon as he settles in next to her she darts a nervous glance in my direction. Our eyes lock, the air pulses, and she jerks her attention away from me. Right then I know her date is about me. That she’s brought him as a diversion. “So what do you think?” Ashley says, ripping me from my thoughts. I stare down at the cute little blonde who, in theory, is exactly what I need right now. She’s lush, pretty, and has a set of tits I could spend hours torturing. Best of all she’s not mentally taxing. I’m pretty sure she’s been discussing makeup for at least thirty minutes. She’s the kind of girl you take to dinner and don’t have to say a word because she talks a mile a minute.

I’ve clearly missed some sort of question. I give her my most winning smile. “I’m sorry, what did you ask?” I raise my hand to my ear and say in a too loud tone, “It’s kind of loud in here.”

She grins up at me, her expression brilliant and tinged around the very edges with desperateness. I’ve heard all about her trials and tribulations with the guy she used to hook up with. She’s on the rebound and I’m her prey.

She hasn’t seemed to cue into the fact that I’m not interested. What Ashley wants, I have no interest in giving her, and the truth is, I feel bad for her. She’s been screwed over enough. Only I don’t know her well enough to give her a much-needed lecture about men who don’t treat her the way she deserves.

Her lashes flutter and bat up at me in an exaggerated way. “I said I have tickets to the Bulls from work and I was wondering if you wanted to go with me.”

Oh hell. Now I’m going to have to hurt her feelings and I really don’t want to do that. But my lack of attention is not getting through to her, so I’m forced to be direct. I put my hand on her arm and her skin is cold. “Thank you, that’s very sweet, but I’m going to have to pass.”

Her expression falls but I trudge on. Ashley doesn’t realize this, but I’m doing her a favor by not wasting her time, and squashing any hope she might have for us. I want to give her the work excuse, but based off her history, that won’t cut it. I rub my hand over her arm and smile. “I’m not an option for you, Ashley. I’m sorry about that, but you deserve a guy that is going to give you the time and energy you deserve, and I’m not that guy.”

She jerks a little under my touch. Her face twists for a moment before it surges with hope. I repress my sigh. She puts her hand on my waist and I immediately drop my hand from her. She shakes her head and laughs a little. “That’s cute. But you’ve misunderstood; I’m not looking for anything serious. I’m not looking for commitment. I’m looking for fun. That’s all.”

All bullshit, but I’m more than happy to let her save face. She’s looking for the loophole most guys would fall into, but I’m not that easily manipulated. Most women confuse good guy with push over, thinking that I am not wise to their games, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. I shrug. “I apologize if I misunderstood. But I’m not available.”

Her attention drops to my mouth, turning hungry. Annoyed, I glance over her head and see Ruby talking to Jillian Banks and Leo Santoro, she laughs at something they say and then her gaze catches mine. She frowns, and then it disappears almost as though she’s caught herself. Which she probably has. I’ve noticed that about her. She filters everything. Reveals a glimpse of her true emotions before covering it up with what she believes she should feel.

“What about for fucking? Are you available for that?” Ashley’s words rip me back to her. She’s wearing a seductive expression and her hand has curled into the waistband of my pants. “We could go upstairs right now and I could blow your mind.”

I resist the urge to express my exasperation with her. In her defense, this approach would work on ninety-eight percent of guys, so it’s her misfortune I fall into the two percent. I contemplate my options. I could go stern, but she’d probably like that. I could continue being nice but assertive, but that doesn’t seem to be working. I run through a couple other choices but decide on the truth.

I wrap my fingers around her wrist and forcibly pull her off me. Then I look deep into her eyes and say with complete sincerity. “I am not an option for you. We are friends and that’s where you and I will stay.” Her expression falls again and her chin quivers the tiniest bit.

While I’m sympathetic, I don’t relent. I release her hand and reach up to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. “You’ve been hurt, Ashley. I’m sorry about that. But as a friend, let me tell you, this isn’t the way to mend your broken heart. A man won’t fix what’s broken inside you. You have to do that all on your own.”

Over her head I see Ruby climb the steps leading to the second floor.  I smile at Ashley. “I wish you luck. You deserve to be happy and I hope you find it. But I’m not your guy.” Her eyes brighten. “Okay.” I chuck Ashley under the chin. “You okay?” She nods and points to a group of girls hovering around the kitchen island. “I should get back to my friends.” I smile at her. “Sounds like a good plan.”

Ashley walks away, leaving me alone. I drain the rest of my drink and narrow my eyes on the stairs.

The last thing I should do is go upstairs. I put my drink down on a small bar table.  But I’m going anyway.    

Check out the rest of the series:



CRAVE Undone #1

Buy Links: Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Kobo|iTunes

Sinful Undone #2

Buy Links: Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Kobo|iTunes

Unraveled Undone #2.5

Buy Links: Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Kobo|iTunes

About the Author:

Jennifer Dawson is the author of the popular Something New series; spicy, small town romance released with Kensington, and pens the dark and edgy contemporary romance series Undone.    Jennifer grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and graduated from DePaul University with a degree in psychology. She met her husband at the public library while they were studying. To this day, she still maintains she was NOT checking him out. Now, over twenty years later, they are married and living in a suburb right outside of Chicago with two awesome kids and a crazy dog. These days Jennifer can be found sitting behind her computer, writing her next novel, chasing after her kids, keeping an ever-watchful eye on her ever-growing to-do list, and NOT checking out her husband. Jennifer loves connecting with her readers and invites you to check out her website, Facebook page, and join Dawson’s Darlings, her private Facebook Fan group. Sign up for her monthly Newsletter for exclusive insider peeks, new release information and more.

Website | Facebook| Facebook Fan Group| Twitter |Amazon |Sign-up for Newsletter

Giveaway International:

A tour wide giveaway for 25.00 Amazon gift card (Paypal for International winner) and eBook collection of the Undone series

Entry-Form

Models On Top-Danny by S.L. Scott

Summary from Amazon:

     Everything you've heard about modeling is true, and you haven't heard the half of it. It's glamorous. It's sexy. And yes, the line between work and reality often blurs.
     We're not just prototypes of perfection. Models have feelings and desires, too. We may be genetically gifted, but we're still human.
     I'm only human. Yes, an extraordinary specimen that earns more in a day than most make in a year, but this eight pack didn't create itself. I spend hours working on this body. The good looks just come natural. *Winks* Thanks, Mom and Dad.
     I'm Danny Weston, Supermodel.
     But one path was traded for another when I chose this career. Ten years later, I would trade my career to have it back. To have her back.
     Reese Carmichael is the one woman I would give it all up for, and the only one I can't have. Yet.

 

My Thoughts:

     Danny Weston is one of the most sought after male models in the industry.  He’s in his early thirties and his career is going great but the parties and dating are getting old.  He still wonders what happened ten years ago when he lost the love of his life.

     Reese Carmichael has worked hard to get her career in marketing and advertising to where it is today.  A huge opportunity comes her way to run a major ad campaign for a famous men’s designer and she knows just the model for the job. But is forcing her old love back into her life a good idea?

     I really liked the premise of this book as it is the opposite of what you usually see.  Most books involving models/celebrities in relationships have the female in the famous role with the male partner being the jealous one who can’t handle things so this was a refreshing change. 

     My problem was that it took forever to get around to why Danny and Reese’s relationship fell apart the first time.  They never really ever talked about their problems or what happened with each other and that just didn’t make any sense to me.

      I really liked Reese but wish we could have got more in her head about things and also wish she hadn’t been so back and forth with her decisions.  Some of the supporting characters were intriguing, funny and for me, outshined the main characters in like-ability.

     This book has a lot of promise but sometimes it just felt disjointed from sudden scene change with no warning, to conversations that were stilted and confusing, and lots of interruptions during key moments.  I just think with a little polish this could have been a better, less confusing experience for the reader.

2.5/5 stars

 

Author’s site: http://www.slscottauthor.com/

Debauched by Jennifer Dawson

Summary from Amazon:

     One night in a moment of sheer madness I confessed my secrets to him.
     All my life I’ve been pretending. Pretending to be the woman I thought I should be instead of the woman I really am. I’ve been faking it and I am good. No one has ever guessed. Except him. He just looked at me and knew.
     Chad Fellows is not the man I want, but he’s fast becoming the man I need.
     One night in a moment of sheer madness I held her in my arms and let her cry.
     I did the right thing, letting her walk away, no matter how much she calls to the part of me that wants to rescue her. We are nothing alike, and she’s a mess of complications in a life I’m trying to keep simple. But then I touched her and made her tremble and now I can’t turn away.
     Ruby Stiles is not the woman I want, but she’s fast becoming the woman I need.

 

My Thoughts:

     This is book three in the Undone series but the first one that I have read.  It is a stand alone novel and I no trouble jumping right into the series.  I will definitely be going back and reading the first two books of the series!

     Ruby grew up in a small town with a very conservative, religious family that she never truly felt a part of or understood.  Now that she is a grown woman, living in New York City, and being her own person she is happy but still feels like something is missing from her life.  She is surrounded by friends who are living their dreams and in great relationships but she can never seem to make one work. 

     Then she confesses her fears and biggest embarrassment to a mutual friend, Chad, and things between them change and become awkward.  After some time away from each other they are thrown together at a party and a relationship begins to form that changes the way Ruby sees her life, her decisions and most importantly, herself. 

     I was fully prepared for this to be just another sexy, smutty, romance novel with a fairytale ending but it really surprised me.  Ms. Dawson really delves deep into the psychology behind Ruby and how her upbringing, and some of her preconceived notions about life and love, affected her and all of her relationships.  Many times I found myself stopping and realizing there were some similarities between Ruby’s way of thinking about love and relationships and how I thought about them as well.

     The story of Ruby and Chad was sweet, sexy, and funny.  I am still thinking about it several days later.  This, to me, is the marks of a really good book! 

4.5/5 Stars


*Stop by next week for the Debauched blog tour and a giveaway!*

Icing by Kelly Jamieson

Summary from Amazon:

     Duncan Armstrong may be an NHL star, but he’s a country boy at heart. His ultimate fantasy is going home with the Stanley Cup, not a gold-digging airhead who aspires to be a trophy wife and nothing more. Newly single and hoping to enjoy a night out with his teammates, he ends up hitting it off with a down-to-earth waitress who’s a complete breath of fresh air—until Duncan learns that she’s a part-time model. He tries to forget about her, but their sizzling chemistry has him coming back for more.

     Amber is working hard to put herself through school, and has zero interest in dating a professional athlete. She’s seen firsthand how fame and fortune can mess with their heads—her father’s brilliant football career ended in a firestorm of addiction and infidelity. So Duncan’s attentions immediately have her on the defensive. Still, there’s something different about him. And once she stops trying to freeze him out, irresistible temptation turns into all-consuming passion.

 

My Thoughts:

     Icing is the third installment in the Aces Hockey series but it is a stand-alone novel.  I have not read the other two books and had no trouble getting into this one or any confusion about the plot.

     Amber is a pretty good female lead as she is strong, hardworking and independent but she obviously has issues from her past.  Once she meets Duncan she is very charmed by him but when she finds out he is a professional athlete she pulls back but he is so charming she has trouble staying away.  We aren’t clued in until later exactly what from Amber’s past makes her leery of professional athletes but it is obvious that this is a BIG issue for her.

     Of course, Duncan has his relationship issues as well due to the fact that most of his exes used him for his money and notoriety.  The problem is that he is intrigued by Amber and can’t wait to get to know more about her but her secretive ways and stubbornness make that nearly impossible!

     It took me a few chapters to get into the story due to a few choppy parts in the writing but overall I did enjoy this one!  As mentioned, Amber is a good, strong female lead-no giggly, dopey girls here-and Duncan is such a great guy you want them to work out their crap. 

     There were a few phrases that kept getting repeated so many times I got really annoyed (if I hear “boo” one more time…).  There was also one time in the book where several pages were devoted to detailed play-by-play of a hockey game and it seemed a bit much to me.  I am not a huge hockey nerd and I understand there is going to be some in there and I am fine with this but this was too much. 

     All in all, this was just an okay book for me.  The characters were good but sometimes cheesy and the sexy parts weren’t all that sexy.  And to be a bit shallow and judge a book by its cover-the cover creeped me out a bit.  I think the series has potential but as this is book #3 I am not sure if I will continue reading it. 

3/5 stars*

*I was given an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

New Additions to the Pile

    It’s been quite a month for book buying for me! And yes, I remember how I said that I was going to try and not buy so much so I could whittle down my To Be Read pile but come on! Did you really believe that would happen?

     In my defense several of the books that were on my Amazon Wish List went on sale and .99 cents can’t be passed up!  Also, my amazing hubs took me to Half Price Books so I had to be nice and buy something since he made the effort…right???

Here’s most of what I added: (I may have already read a few…)

A Tap on the Window by Linwood Barclay: great author! Funny and suspenseful

Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich: I’ve read the other 21 so I might as well get this one even though the last one didn’t thrill me

Past Imperfect by Julian Fellows: From the guy who writes Downton Abbey? Yes, please!

Never, Never (parts 1, 2, 3) by Colleen Hoover: LOVE her books and they were on sale for .99 cents!

Icing by Kelly Jamieson: ARC copy for review-coming soon

All You Need is Love by Marie Force:  really enjoyed her other books and the first in this series was on sale.

Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben: Come on, you knew this one would be on here…one of my top five faves!

Rum Runner by JA Konrath:  Another amazing author continuing a series that I love!

The Magicians by Lev Grossman: The Hubs & I love the show so I wanted to read the book too…duh!

The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury: Found at HPB and sounded right up my alley-Da Vinci Code-esque.

Key of Light by Nora Roberts: One of the few series of hers that I haven’t read.

The Virgin Romance Novelist by Meghan Quinn: Can’t wait to read this one-Ms. Quinn is HILARIOUS!

The Air He Breathes by Brittainy Cherry: If you look up the cover, you’ll know why…but the story sounds great too. J

Forever, Jack by Natasha Boyd: Sequel to Eversea which was really good….and yes, on sale!

Cleat Chaser by Sloane Howell: Baseball book? Yes. 99 cents? Double yes!

Geoducks are for Lovers by Daisy Prescott: Got this one after hearing from several sources (That’s Normal?) how good it is.

     Whoa! Sixteen books and that’s not counting the other ARCs that I’ve already read and reviewed or the other books I’ve already finished…eep! I might have a problem but it’s not drugs or alcohol so I’m good right? Right????????

Runaway Love by Pamela Washington

Summary from Amazon:

Love...
I’m damned if I do, damned if I don't.
How did I get myself into this complicated situation? I just wanted to be loved, to matter to someone, to feel like I’m worth something, to belong…
I grew up in foster care, never knowing where I came from or where I was headed. I met my first love, the love of my life, in a group home. Scott and I only had each other; he was my everything! He left with a promise to return, but he broke his promise and my heart. Scott shattered my soul and nearly destroyed me.
I wanted to die, but I was saved by a man who loves me, protects me, takes care of me, and worships me. Tony will do anything for me and accepts me just the way I am. I married him, but I can’t give him my heart; I can’t love him as much as he loves me… We have a son who I adore, and although my life may appear to be perfect, it’s not enough to make me completely happy.
I still yearn for my first love. When Scott returns, I’m faced with a decision… Do I choose what's right or what seems right, but is wrong? Do I choose safe love or runaway love? Someone will be hurt when my past meets my present…
This is my story, my life… Can I handle it? 

My Thoughts:

     Who would you choose? The guy that was your first and only true love but whom abandoned you and was never there for you. Or the guy whom you care deeply for but aren’t in love with but who loves you unconditionally and is always there for you no matter what.

     This is a great premise for a book and one that I had never heard or read before which is why I was excited to get a chance to read and review it.  When you have never been shown love do you know how to love yourself and others? The main character has never really had a loving relationship with anyone until she meets Scott in her teens and I think she becomes almost obsessed and understandably so.  Can Grace learn to love and have a healthy relationship?

     I wish that we had gotten to know a little more about Grace before all the drama.  A bit more backstory of her life in the foster home instead of just brief flashbacks so that we had would have given us more insight into her state of mind. The plotline for this story is a new one to me and sounded very interesting but I had a hard time connecting with Grace but we never got much of a chance to really get inside her head/feelings.

     Past problems suddenly popping up half way through just out of the blue make it hard to keep up and we never got a chance to get to know Scott story either.  There is a second book which gives his side of the story but I could have used a little more of it here.

     I don’t want to tell you what happens and spoil it for you but I am happy with the way the book ended.  I think Grace has some serious issues to work out and I didn’t agree with most of the things she did but I think she made the right decision for herself. 

2.5/5 stars



March 2016 Reads

   

     March was quite a month for me; fourteen books read in total and five were sent to me for free just to review for my little, ol’ blog!  This was a month of various types of books (still trying to branch out a bit) and various qualities as well. I only had one dud, several Just Okays, several Greats and one Perfect.

Check out this month’s list:

The Mechanic by Alexa Riley: This was my dud (2/5 stars)-it was all I could do to make myself finish it…thank goodness it was a short one.

 

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly:  See my review here. Excellent historical fiction book.

 

Beautiful Boss by Christina Lauren: I love this series but this one might be my lowest rated of the whole bunch. L 3.5/5 stars

 

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard: See my review here. Great start to a YA series.

 

Roomhate by Penelope Ward: I was hearing a lot of great things online about this book but it was just okay for me. 3/5 stars

 

Royal by Winter Renshaw: Another that everyone kept raving about but I was just “shmeh”.  3/5 stars

Beautiful Secret by Christina Lauren: This was a re-read for me and is my second favorite in this series. 4/5 stars

 

Karma is a Killer by Tracy Weber: See my review here.  

Crave Me by Geneva Lee: The fourth installment in the Royal Saga with a new couple which was a nice change of pace as the first couple was growing stale for me.  3.5/5 stars

 

Felony Ever After by Various: See my review here.  Such a fun read and great idea!

 

When I’m Gone by Emily Bleeker: see my review here. Great little thriller!

Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan: Sweet book set in England about life’s upheavals and how it never seems to turn out like you expect.  4/5 stars

 

Forever Pucked by Helena Hunting: I was so excited to get an advanced copy as I love this series!  See my review here.

 

Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting: Helena’s first series which is also amazing but darker.  4/5 stars

     Stay tuned for April as I have several more advanced copies and new (to me anyway) authors sitting in my giant stack of books to read. Can’t wait!