Cover Reveal, Excerpt & Giveaway: "Nuclear Heat" by J.L. White (Contemporary Romance)

Nuclear Heat
J.L. White
(Firework Girls #4)
Publication date: June 28th 2016
Genres: New Adult, Romance

They call us the Firework Girls.

I’m Sam. Let’s get one thing straight. Marriage is fine for some people, but it’s got nothing to do with me. If you knew the truth about my past, believe me, you’d understand.

But hey, I’m not complaining. I’ve got a good job. Great friends. And when I need a little something in the man department, well… I’ve never had any trouble getting that when I want it either.

Then Jack has to come along and screw it all up.

I never saw it coming. I mean, we’ve been friends for six years. Years. But in one moment… one gooseflesh-inducing, world tilting, alarming moment… it all starts to change.

Let me tell you something, the last thing in the world I wanted to do was freaking fall in love. But that Jack snuck right under my radar.

I’m not too happy about it either.

Not one damn bit.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

(Jack’s POV)

When I first saw Sam in this hospital bed a couple days ago, I’d wanted to stroke her cheeks and kiss her forehead. She was so frail and sick. I wanted to comfort her. Now she’s starting to get her color back along with a little bit of her orneriness—a good sign—but I still have this pinched, panicked feeling in my chest. I don’t know why it won’t go away.

But now, as I look at her sleeping, that feeling starts to take on a life of its own.

Something warm is blooming in my heart and my chest. Meanwhile a strange, queasy sort of feeling grips my stomach. I don’t just want to pet her cheek and kiss her on the forehead. I want to pull her into my arms and cradle her head against my chest. I want to climb right into this bed and hold her against me, feeling her body against mine from head to toe. I want to kiss her on the forehead, and on her cheeks, and on her lips.

My heart is pounding. That warm feeling is flooding my chest, my arms, my face.

As I realize how badly I want to hold her and kiss her again and again, I feel the entire world flip over.

Oh, god.

Sam.

Is this for real? Is this what I think it is?

I look down at her hand in mine. I want to kiss that too, press my lips against her hand until I make her mine.

I look back at Sam’s face and see her like I’ve never seen her before. My breath catches. My heartbeat is resonating in my chest. Her presence washes over me and envelopes me.

Holy god.

This little voice inside my brain is thinking, But, but, but… we’re friends. Just friends.

We may have been friends for a long, long time, but these feelings I’m having are brand freaking new.

At that moment Ashley comes in, giving me a quick smile before looking at Sam. “Oh, she looks so much better,” she says. She deposits her purse on the counter, flips her long braid behind her, and comes over to sit beside me. “Don’t you think?”

I’m barely breathing. Ashley’s looking at Sam, but I’m looking at Ashley. Maybe my brain is just playing tricks on me. I’m tired from practically no sleep and exhausted from being so freaked out about losing my best friend.

Friend.

So I try it on Ashley. I try to see her the way a man might see her, a man who hasn’t looked at her for years like a sister. But as I continue to stare at her, all I manage to do is draw her attention and make her give me a quizzical look. My heart draws a blank.

I try to imagine kissing her and can’t do it. It’s kind of freaking me out, actually.

“What?” she asks.

“Nothing.”

My voice sounds funny. I look back to Sam and it all hits me again. Bam.

Oh, god.

Oh, god.

Oh, god.

Oh, god.

This can’t be good.

Author Bio:

J.L. White writes steamy romances featuring smart, sexy women and the swoon-worthy men who adore them. Her sexy love stories are full of passion but don't skimp on the tenderness.

She's addicted to trendy coffee houses, poolside lounging, and HEAs. When not tapping blissfully away on her laptop, she takes time to enjoy life with her husband and their children.

Don't miss a new release! Join the JL White mailing list for updates on new books, sales, and other goodies: http://jlwhitebooks.com/get-emails-about-hot-new-releases/

Join the conversation on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JLWhiteAuthor

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: "The Prince's Bride" by Diane Alberts (Contemporary Romance)

The Prince's Bride by Diane Alberts
	Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Indulgence) Genre: Contemporary Romance Publication Date: June 20th 2016 Series: Modern Fairytales, #2 Standalone: Yes Other Books In Series: #1 Beauty and the Boss (Affiliate links)
Description from Publisher:
Alicia Forkes went to a trendy club looking for a way to forget her troubles, and she found that in the arms of the gorgeous man who swept her off of her feet…and into one of the hottest encounters she’d ever had in her life. Awesome sex with a stranger is now something she can check off her bucket list. Except he isn’t exactly a stranger. He’s the guy who broke her heart when they were teens, an experience she doesn’t plan on repeating. Prince Leo can’t believe he’s finally found the woman he’s loved for years, and she wants nothing to do with him. When she shows up at his office, she looks anything but princess-like. In fact, she’s cursing him to hell and back. She may not be Cinderella, but he’s determined to prove he’s the prince for her––even if it means letting her go.
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
Holy crap, I loved this so much! Swoonworthy romance, a worthy prince, a strong female lead, sizzling chemistry, humor... I loved every minute of this Indulgence. The characters were the perfect amount of deep, not shallow or overly dragged down by anything in their pasts or present. Their interactions, their bonding, their love... It all felt so natural, despite the fairytale aspects. Speaking of which, I absolutely adored the subtle (and less subtle) nods to not just fairytales, but Disney's Aladdin, as well as The Princess Bride (the title's similarity being a reason I wanted to read this. That movie is a treasured favorite.) It added yet more charm to an already enchanting story. The drama of the letters was perfectly executed, as was the scene before the Epilogue (seriously, *Swoon*). You also really couldn't help but love Prince Leo - he was ridiculously sweet, honest to a fault... "As you wish, my lady." :) I love that he wooed Alicia, respecting her feelings and desires, and the way he interacted with all of his staff and subjects, especially the school children they encounter on one of their adventures. Alicia is a perfect match for him, though understandably a little rough around the edges. She's a good mix of sassy and sweet, and her perseverance despite the hard knocks tossed her way is admirable. All in all, I would recommend this to ANYONE who loves contemporary romance, especially if they like a splash of fairytale in their lives.
My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher for an honest, unbiased review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is my 100% own.

About Diane Alberts
Diane Alberts is a USA TODAY bestselling Contemporary Romance author with Entangled Publishing. Under the name Jen McLaughlin, she also writes New York Times, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal bestselling books with Penguin RandomHouse. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency. Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and three cats. Her goal is to write so many fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

SPOTLIGHT: "The Prince's Bride" by Diane Alberts (Contemporary Romance)

The Prince’s Bride

by Diane Alberts

Modern Fairytales, #2

Publication Date: June 20, 2016

Genres: Adult, Entangled: Indulgence, Contemporary Romance

READ MY REVIEW HERE.

Purchase: Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Synopsis: His Cinderella isn’t looking for a fairy tale…

Alicia Forkes went to a trendy club looking for a way to forget her troubles, and she found that in the arms of the gorgeous man who swept her off of her feet…and into one of the hottest encounters she’d ever had in her life. Awesome sex with a stranger is now something she can check off her bucket list. Except he isn’t exactly a stranger. He’s the guy who broke her heart when they were teens, an experience she doesn’t plan on repeating. Prince Leo can’t believe he’s finally found the woman he’s loved for years, and she wants nothing to do with him. When she shows up at his office, she looks anything but princess-like. In fact, she’s cursing him to hell and back. She may not be Cinderella, but he’s determined to prove he’s the prince for her––even if it means letting her go.

DON'T MISS THE FIRST BOOK IN THE MODERN FAIRYTALES SERIES...

Beauty and the Boss

by Diane Alberts Modern Fairytales, #1 Publication Date: November 13, 2015 Genres: Adult, Entangled: Indulgence, Contemporary Romance

Purchase: Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

Synopsis: Beauty is about to tame her beast... Researcher Maggie Donovan has no luck with men, and it doesn't help that she can't keep her eyes off of her sexy boss - the one everyone else in the office calls The Beast. Relationships in the office are forbidden. So no one is more surprised than Maggie when she pretends to be his fiancée to save him during a difficult situation. Not only has she put her job on the line, but the future of the company. Billionaire Benjamin Gale III doesn't believe in love or romance, but the look on his mother's face when Maggie tells her that she's his fiancée is worth millions. Instead of firing her for her insubordination, he goes along with the ruse. In his arms-and in his bed-she'd be everything he could ever want…which is why he can't have her. But if he doesn't let her go, they'll lose everything…

ABOUT DIANE ALBERTS

Diane Alberts is a USA TODAY bestselling Contemporary Romance author with Entangled Publishing. Under the name Jen McLaughlin, she also writes New York Times, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal bestselling books with Penguin RandomHouse. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency. Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and three cats. Her goal is to write so many fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads | Mailing List | Amazon Author Profile

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

😍REVIEW: "The Secret Life of a Dream Girl" by Tracy Deebs (YA Romance)

	The Secret Life of a Dream Girl, #4 by Tracy Deebs Publisher: Entangled Publishing - Teen Crush Series: Dahlia & Keegan #1 Creative HeArts Ten Things Sloane Hates About Tru #1 (affil.) How Willa Got Her Groove Back #2 (affil.) Crazy, Stupid Fauxmance #3 (affil.) Genre: YA Romance Publication Date: June 27, 2016 (Affiliate links)
Description from Publisher: Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains adult language, references to drinking and drugs, and a kiss so steamy it’ll fog up your ereader. Hiding in plain sight is harder than it looks… Dahlia Greene—aka international pop superstar Cherry—is undercover as a normal high school student. She just wants to experience what real life is like, so when she overhears hottie Keegan Matthews nervously talking about liking a girl, she sees the perfect opportunity to live a real life and play a little matchmaker. What was not part of the plan was falling for a guy she can never tell the truth. Keegan Matthews has been secretly crushing on Dahlia ever since she started at his school. Sure, Dahlia thinks he’s crushing on some other girl—not realizing his Dream Girl is actually her—but he figures, play along with her tips to woo someone else, let her get to know him, and then make his move. But with so many secrets in the mix, their romance is doomed from the start…
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
I received a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.com for an honest, unbiased review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is my 100% own. This is such a sweet story with a super hot kiss! Keegan was everything a girl could want: honest, respectful, sensitive, smart, funny, romantic and hot. And it is fun that he is shy about how he feels about Dahlia, despite not being a shy person in most cases, causing an almost-Cyrano de Bergerac situation. Dahlia is quirky and cute and wonderfully stubborn/confident, and so down-to-earth, despite her rockstar status. I loved how she stayed strong with her manager, and the situation with her dad. Speaking of dads, Keegan's dad was great and I really liked the touching moments between him and Keegan. But, I have to say it, I didn't like his mom. The amount of control she felt she deserved, the pressure, the blackmail. Just downright awful. I've only read Mariely and Connor's story in this series so far, but thought this was a really great addition! As with "Crazy, Stupid Fauxmance", the setting of Austin and all of its eccentricities is a perfect setting for this elite private art school and the characters who inhabit it. It's also an innocent, though sexy, and very fitting and appropriate of a YA romance.

Review: "Mystic Summer" by Hannah McKinnon (New Adult, Womens Fiction)

	Mystic Summer by Hannah McKinnon Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books Genre: New Adult, Womens Fiction Publication Date: June 21, 2016 Affiliate links
Description from Publisher: Since finishing graduate school, Maggie Griffin has worked hard to build an enviable life in Boston. She’s an elementary school teacher in a tony Boston suburb, a devoted sister, and a loving aunt. With her childhood best friend’s wedding quickly approaching and her own relationship blossoming, this is the summer she has been waiting for. But when Maggie’s career is suddenly in jeopardy, her life begins to unravel. Stricken, Maggie returns home to seaside Mystic, Connecticut, where she expects to find comfort in family and familiarity. Instead, she runs into Cameron Wilder, a young man from her past who has also returned home, and whose life has taken a turn that puts Maggie’s city struggles in harsh perspective. When tragedy strikes for Cameron, Maggie is faced with big decisions as she weighs what matters most and strives to stay true to the person she’s become.
My Rating:	Sexiness Rating:
I received a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.com for an honest, unbiased review. My opinion is my own. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and was pleasantly surprised at the way everything played out. There weren't any characters that were 'bad' and you didn't like them. Everything felt very natural and I really appreciated the way all of the characters, who were supposed to care about one another, really did seem to care. I enjoyed the humor, the heart, and the ups and downs experienced by all of the characters. This also gets extra points for everything about children and parenthood as I really felt that was all very well done. Things that are very normal for many parents, like nursing, bottles, diaper changes, babywearing, etc. were all treat as such. This was especially appreciated by me (a mom to a small child) because the protagonist wasn't actually a mom herself. I was a bit surprised at how little romance there was, but the story was very "full" without that aspect.