Laura Kaye's East Of Ecstasy Blog Tour!

We are so excited it's release day for Laura Kaye's EAST OF ECSTASY! EAST OF ECSTASY is the final book in her Hearts of the Anemoi Series. See below for a note from Laura and an excerpt!!

East of Ecstasy Excerpt: By Laura Kaye You guys! I can’t believe release day for East of Ecstasy is finally here! This is the final book in my Hearts of the Anemoi series, which includes: North of Need, West of Want, and South of Surrender. The Anemoi were wind gods the Greek associated with controlling the wind, weather, and seasons. In East of Ecstasy, hero Devlin Eston is the heir to the East Wind which has long been associated with unluckiness, misfortune, and, thanks to Devlin’s father, even evil. Devlin himself has been the victim of father’s evil, and thereby finds himself an outcast among his own divine family. In this scene, heroine Annalise Fallston—who gets visions that she’s forced to paint in order to quiet them in her mind—sees Devlin for the first time. Here’s what she says: Forcing the chaos in her mind away, Anna dipped her brush into the gray and stepped to the canvas. Motion captured her attention from the corner of her eye. The Dark Man, the subject of her recent paintings, stood in the doorway and leaned against the jamb. Anna jumped and her pulse raced, but this time, anger flooded in instead of fear. “I will deal with you on my own damn terms,” she said, taking a perverse amount of pleasure from putting a figment of her imagination in its place. Because that’s all he was. He didn’t move or speak. Not that he could, since, you know. Figment.Of.Imagination. Anna rolled her eyes, done with being scared and so pissed to have to do this again that she was nearly out of her mind. “I’m doing your damn painting already. So just leave me alone.” She cut her gaze back to the expanse of white, but the desire to see if his image would still be there if she looked again drove her to distraction. Finally, she gave in and…he was still there. Completely still.Blatantly scowling.Totally unfathomable. Was this a vision? Another image she’d have to paint? Her heart tripped into a sprint, and she couldn’t look away from him. Like the compulsion that forced her to paint these images, Anna couldn’t help but return his stare and memorize his masculine features. The sharp angles of his face, the harsh set of his mouth, the dark shadows around his even darker eyes.Black eyes. Blades of black hair hung low over his forehead and just touched the hooded shirt he wore under his short, scuffed leather jacket. He’d crossed his arms over his chest, and the position caused his biceps to bunch up under the worn leather. In fact, everything about him appeared worn—the coat, the threadbare jeans, the scuffed boots. None of it struck her as the kind of shabby chic you could buy in some upscale store for a small fortune, either. The whole effect was rough. Dangerous.Deprived. Deprived? What a strange way of describing him. But as Anna’s gaze swept over him again, the thought stuck. For his height, he seemed thin, with his lean hips, clad in old black jeans, a trim waist, and pronounced cheekbones. Her fingers twitched around the nearly forgotten paintbrush. What would it feel like to cup that harsh face in her hand? Anna gasped and tore her gaze away. She had to blink to pull herself out of the haze of thoughts. Frustration surged through her and tensed the muscles of her shoulders and neck. She didn’t want to be working on another of these paintings as it was, so the last thing she needed was to lose a bunch of time daydreaming. Or would it be daynightmaring? As she stared at the blank canvas, the image of the shackled man behind the prison bars filled her mind’s eye. Definitely the latter. Curiosity pulled her eyes to the left again. The doorway was empty.   So, did you have a favorite line from the excerpt? Thanks for reading! Laura

About EAST OF ECSTASY: The final chapter in the award-winning and bestselling Hearts of the Anemoi series… She’s the only one who can give him the strength to save them all… Annalise Fallston made peace with postponing her big-city dreams to care for her ill father, but lately she's been filled with a restlessness not even her beloved painting dispels. Worse, the colors don't speak to her as they always have, and all her efforts produce dark, foreboding images of a dangerous man and a terrifying future. Devlin Eston, black-souled son of the evil Anemoi Eurus, is the only one who can thwart his father's plan to overthrow the Supreme God of Wind and Storms. But first, Dev must master the unstable powers he's been given. Distrusted and shunned by his own divine family, he never expected to find kindness and passion in the arms of a mortal. But Devlin's love puts Annalise in the path of a catastrophic storm, and in the final Armageddon showdown between the Anemoi and Eurus, sacrifices will be made, hearts broken, and lives changed forever...or lost.

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Catch up on the whole series with the Hearts of the Anemoi box set featuring the first three books: North of Need, West of Want, South of Surrender!

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Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

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Delightful and Charming Contemporary Debut

Let me start by stating that I’ve been a fan of Kieran Kramer’s since her debut historical romance When Harry Met Molly. Naturally when I discovered that Ms. Kramer was making the leap into the contemporary romance genre, I was completely on board. Sweet Talk Me is written in true Kieran Kramer style. It is a delightfully funny and sweet romance.

Sweet Talk Me is a small-town romance set in the south. Country music super star, Harrison Gamble and the down on her luck southern belle, True Maybank shared a secret night of passion while they were still in high school. So Harrison is the last person True expects to run into while she’s picking up her wedding gown. Harrison is in town to help out his older autistic brother; True is determined to settle down and marry, but what happens when her child hood sweet heart comes back to town?  

Kramer’s writing talents excel is this sweet and charming small – town romance.  She adds more than a small amount of realism to her writings and even the secondary characters steal your heart. The overall feel of the book is colorful and lush with layers upon layers of emotions. Sweet Talk Me is written in a way that the readers can feel why Harrison and True fell apart and what it will take to reunite this loving pair.

I loved Sweet Talk Me for all of its realism and emotion. If you are looking for a romance with a lot of steam factor then this is not the book for you; however if you love a charming romance that will touch your heart and soul then be sure to read Sweet Talk Me.

4 Stars 

Vicky Dreiling's What a Reckless Rogue Needs Blog Tour!

Why I Love Historical Romance

By Vicky Dreiling

My love of historical romance came about purely by accident. Back in the early nineties, I apparently was the only person on the planet who didn’t know about historical romances. With two young kids and a part-time job, my reading consisted of parents’ magazines and the nutrition labels on cereal boxes. But one day in the supermarket, I picked up a paperback with a pretty cover. I never read the description on the back because my daughter who was a preschooler at the time escaped down the aisle. I pitched the book in the basket and raced after her. When I got to the check-out counter, I almost put the book back, but my daughter distracted me again by trying to climb out of the basket.

When I got home, I put my daughter down for her nap and started the book. I was stunned that it was a romance. To be honest, I didn’t know what to think. I opened up the book. Two hours later, my daughter awoke, and I was in shock. I hadn’t been able to put the book down. The heroine was gutsy and sweet, and the hero was swoon-worthy. I couldn’t wait until bedtime to read again!  The book that forever hooked me on historical romance was Judith McNaught’s ALMOST HEAVEN.

Over the years, I’ve pondered what it is about historical romance that draws me in time after time. I finally realized it’s because no matter how much of a rake the hero is he always has a core sense of honor. Also, I love when the heroine refuses to let the alpha male rule over her and eventually she sees his vulnerability. And don’t we all love when the hero is finally brought to bended knee? 

How about you? What book was your gateway to historical romance? Be sure to leave your e-mail below for your chance to win one of two copies of What a Reckless Rogue Needs! I will pick two random winners on March 24th, the last day of the blog tour.

What a Reckless Rouge Needs

Will the Rogue’s Perfect Plan….

Colin Brockhurst, Earl of Ravenshire, has no desire to wed, this season or any other. So when his father demands he give up his wild ways and a take a wife, Colin refuses. But his father raises the stakes and threatens to sell the ancestral home if Colin doesn’t comply. Now Colin has no choice but to find a wife. Unfortunately, the only woman he wants is the one whose heart he broke years ago.

Lead to the Perfect Seduction?

Regardless of the ton’s whispers, Lady Angeline Brenham won’t settle for anything less than true love. After rejecting more than her share of suitable suitors, spinsterhood looms before her-until the devilishly handsome Colin reappears in her life with a proposition. Angeline vows to keep her feet on the ground and her heart in check. That is, until one searing kiss melts her resolve and reignites a burning desire for more.

Available Everywhere books are sold March 25^th!

About the author:

Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the UK allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her “Trouble.” When she’s not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and most of all, long lunches with friends. A native Texan, she holds degrees in English literature and marketing.

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Just What a Reckless Rogue Needed!

To date I’ve read everything that has come from the pen of author Vicky Dreiling and I have to admit that she has not once failed to disappoint. Her books are always packed with plenty of exciting adventure, laughable moments and tender romance. What a Reckless Rogue is book two in her Sinful Scoundrel series and picks up almost right after What a Wicked Earl Wants. What a Reckless Rogue Needs is no exception to this rule. In traditional Dreiling fashion this book is filled with plenty sweet romantic goodness.

Colin Brockhurst, Earl of Ravenshire returns to his home when he learns that his father has plans to sell his boyhood home, Sommerall, the very place that is his mother’s final resting place. Colin is a known rakehell with a wild reputation. It is due to this reputation that causes his father to issue an ultimatum, to prove that he has matured and changed his ways by marrying someone within six weeks or lose Sommerall in a sale.   Colin’s biggest challenge is the short amount of time he’s been given to find a willing bride, six weeks after all is not that much time.

Lady Angeline is no stranger to Colin or scandal. As one of his early childhood friends/rivals, Lady Angeline has also recently returned home following having jilted her fiancée. It did not matter that her ex-fiancée was a cheater and a liar, Angeline as a female still bore the brunt of the scandal which included driving a wedge between herself and her father.  Angeline’s scandal could have other repercussions including causing trouble for her younger sister who is about to make her own debut.

Due to their closeness as children it was at one time assumed that Angeline and Colin would wed each other, but as an incident during their youth causes a falling out the pair went their separate ways. Angeline is not without sympathy towards Colin’s plight and soon puts her skill in room renovation to work on Sommerall.  It does not take Angeline and Colin to hatch a plan that would solve both of their problems in the form of a marriage of convenience of sorts.  One that would allow her to repair her tarnished reputation and him to keep his property.

The growth between Angeline and Colin is incredible as the pair soon find there is more to their relationship then a simple childhood rivalry. As a pair they work tirelessly to restore his childhood home and their hearts. It was almost sweet harmony as the pair stumbled their way into each other’s arms and into love.

What a Reckless Rogue Needs is simply a delight. It is filled with fantastic storytelling and wonderful secondary characters.  It brings out the bittersweet emotions of loss and the glorious moments of falling in love. It is the second book in the series and I would strongly advise readers to start with What a Wicked Earl Wants first as the books do play on each other. However it can be read as a standalone. I for one cannot wait to see what happens to Harry in book three.

Advance reading copy provided by Forever via Netgalley

4 ½ Stars

Wonderful First For a New Series!

What a Wicked Earl Wants is the start to Vicky Dreiling’s Sinful Scoundrel series. It is a delightful tale of what happens when two people who are determined to remain single come together for a worthy cause and find love along the way. It is a typical Dreiling book in that it is filled with plenty of humor, heart wrenching emotion and wonderful secondary characters that will engage your heart along with your mind.

 It is the complicated and often emotional tale of Andrew, the Earl of Bellingham, a known rake who is determined to never form a permanent commitment or to ever marry and have children. It is also the tale of Laura, Lady Chesfield a widow who has come to London to allow her step-son the chance to enjoy the London season with his friends. Like with Bell, Laura is also determined not to remarry, as all she wants to do is to raise her stepson. Laura finds herself at wits end as her stepson begins to rebel by staying out late and getting drunk with his friends. When Bell witnesses the boy’s rebellion first hand, he soon finds himself do everything he can to protect Laura and her son from her son’s guardian.  Bell and Laura’s romance is slow to develop but as it does it filled with the right mix of passion and tenderness.

I loved Bell’s friends Colin and Harry, each have fantastic personalities and made for many humorous moments throughout the story. I found myself more captivated by Bell’s character as he found himself dealing with his grief from the loss of his family. There were moments when I wanted to strangle Laura as she came off wishy-washy at times, when it came to dealing with her budding feelings for Bell.

All in all What a Wicked Earl Wants is a really good historical romance that any person who enjoys the genre can melt into. Vicky Dreiling has that knack of penning remarkable characters that stick with you page after page and keeps her readers returning for more.

Arc provided by Forever for an honest review

4 ½ Star Read

A Heartfelt and Intriguing Romance

It Takes Two to Tangle is my first foray into reading author Theresa Romain’s books.  It Takes Two to Tangle is overall a good book but, while I liked the book, I didn’t love it and I will spell out my reasons why. 

Henry Middlebrook has returned from the Napoleonic Wars, wounded with a lost soul. The loss of his right arm has left him unable to resume the simple pleasure he had before leaving for the war. As a way for him to gain a bit of his previous peaceful life, Henry begins to seek a wife. He soon sets his cap on Lady Caroline Stratton. In order to pursue Lady Caroline, Henry enlists the aid of her companion and cousin Frances Whittier. Frances is no stranger to the war wounded, having lost her own husband in the war.  Frances has a sharp wit and an equally sharp tongue and for as content as she is in her role in life, secretly her heart yearns for more.  At a chance meeting Frances secretly begins to pen letters to Henry in her cousin’s name, which offers him the confidence that her cousin is interested in his pursuit.  When Henry learns that without the use of his right arm, he has difficulties replying to the letters and thus enlists Frances’ aid when it comes to replying to the letters.

Both Henry and Frances are very interesting characters. They both are very intelligent and intriguing characters. The problem I ran into when reading this book is that it took over half the book for Henry to take notice of Frances in a romantic light.  Once his notice is taken book moves quickly, and is very heartfelt. It is obvious that these characters belong together from the beginning but it takes a bit longer than I would have liked for them to mesh. 

Theresa Romain has written and enjoyable troupe with both vibrant first and secondary characters. This book is not your typical quick feel good read as it takes time building up to those tradition feel good moments. It explores Henry’s grief and Frances’ losses and their attempts at rebuilding their lives. It explores the impact on the families involved with war wounded soldier. The book hooked me from the start, and it kept me until the midway spot. At that point I was quite invested in Henry as a character and wanted to continue in order to see what was to come. The book regains its speed after the half way point and holds until the emotional end.

Would I recommend this book? But of course, but I would also make it clear that is not the typical light fluffy romance that many readers seem to enjoy. It is heavy on the emotions and delight by the end. That said I cannot wait to delve into Lady Caroline’s story, which is sure to come.

Arc provided by Sourcebooks

4 Stars

A Sexy Marine/Manny? What More Could You Ask For?

Tawna Fenske is fast becoming my go to author for that sexy laugh a minute read. In her latest release Marine for Hire, Fenske pairs a sexy marine with a recently divorced mother of infant twins and what do you get?  The basic premise is big bad marine Sam portraying a nanny (or manny, as the book describes) in order to guard and protect the sister of a fellow marine from her stalker “ish” ex husband. The ink on Sheri’s divorce papers is barely dry when she finds herself in need of a nanny in order to return to work. Upon meeting Sam the sparks begin to fly for this loveable pair and the laughs just keep coming. Add in some intriguing secondary characters and this book simply becomes one of those all around feel good reads.

Although Marine for Hire has its fair share of steamy scenes, and that this book is from Entangled’s Brazen line of book it is not quite as steamy as other titles I’ve read by this publisher. I loved every inch of this book, from its sweet romance to its intriguing storyline. Fenske proves that she has the humorous writing talent to run with the big comedic romance authors.  As for Marine for Hire it is the start of a series that this reader is looking forward to following.

4 ½ Starred Review; Arc provided by Entangled for an honest unpaid review