Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Stacked Up by Sidney Halston Blog Tour


Opposites attract in this seductive novel from the author of Against the Cage (“Funny, steamy, scorching.”—Toni Aleo), with a chiseled MMA fighter falling for a single mom who could use a real man in her corner.

Working two jobs to support her infant daughter is harder than anything Penny Richards has ever done, but it sure beats living under the rules of her stepfather, a television preacher who demands a picture-perfect family. And if Penny hadn’t struck out on her own, she never would have met Travis Calhoun. The intensely physical heavyweight brawler has a way of drawing out her wild side. But Travis lives fast, with no responsibilities—and that just isn’t for Penny.

Most of the women in Travis’s circle wear tight clothes, high heels, and tons of makeup—not pearls or plaid headbands. But once he works past Penny’s inhibitions, Travis discovers a kindred spirit who longs to trust someone with her body, and her secrets. Still, Travis can’t help but wonder if this rich girl is just slumming it before she returns to her privileged life. Now it’s up to Penny to prove that she wants her hard-edged, hard-loving fighter just the way he is.


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Book 6
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If there was one thing Travis knew with absolute certainty, it was that there wasn’t a single female on God’s green earth that could look more out of place in a strip club than Penny Richards. Her curly brown hair was held back with a headband thing that reminded him of a private school girl, and not the sexy ones he fantasized about. More like the pretty, yet awkward and out of place stuffy ones. She had black straight-legged pants and flats that looked completely practical and not at all sexy.

Even Ruby’s suggestive t-shirt looked unassuming on her. Maybe it was those damn pearls she rubbed when she was nervous. He was used to showy women with tight clothes, high heels, heavy make-up and poofy hair. Women that valued their own self-worth by the reactions they received from men. Men such as himself.

And, if any man in the place knew that her mouth was as fucking unexpected as a typhoon in Ohio, they’d be all over her. He hadn’t been exaggerating when he’d said it was the best kiss of his life, her kiss had been slow and sweet and quickly erupted into maddening need and desire.

The problem was that since he’d first laid eyes on Penny, something had clicked. He wasn’t sure what it was, but something had shifted inside of him. Something he wasn’t sure could be put back together to its original state. Maybe it was those big brown doe-like eyes that said everything but nothing all at the same time. Her naiveté, her awkwardness, her big easy smile that hid something he couldn’t seem to figure out.

He’d always thought it was strange that his friends had fallen head over ass in love with their girlfriends and never again saw another woman. The way they wanted to possess and protect their women had been incomprehensible to him.

Until he’d met Penny.






Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Lee'Anne☆☆☆☆☆
This is an addicting read, once you start it you won’t want to put it down!

Penny Richards grew up the step-daughter of a renowned preacher who has millions of followers to his TV show. When she was 18, her step-father’s friend convinced her they were in love and took her virginity resulting in a pregnancy. When her step-father found out he sent her away, demanding that she put the baby up for adoption. When Sarabelle was born Penny took her and ran away to a small town in Florida. Bartending was the only job Penny was able to find and this is where she runs into Travis Calhoun. Travis is a recently-famous MMA fighter and from the moment his eyes met Penny’s, he’s had a need to protect her. It takes a year but Travis is finally able to break down Penny’s barriers enough to get her to agree to a date, not realizing that Travis’s publicity would get her picture in the news. When her face starts showing up in the news she knows her past is about to come back to haunt her, but this time she has Travis to protect her.

This was such a sweet read, I adored Travis! He’s a tough MMA fighter but his soft spot for his family as well as Penny and Belle makes him amazing. This is a super-fast paced book, I read it one sitting because I couldn’t wait to read what was going to happen next. It’s part of the Worth the Fight series however, it’s the first book I’ve read in the series and it’s able to be read as a standalone. I look forward to reading more from Sidney Halston.


Shannan☆☆☆☆☆
I loved this series. Honestly by this book, it felt like I was reading about friends’ lives. Ms. Halston draws you in and you just immerse yourself in the world she created.

Stacked Up is Travis "Texas" Calhoun and Penny's book. You get to see them throughout the series, they appear somewhere in each book. I love that Ms. Halston chose to end the series with Travis. He had the hardest shell to crack and Penny and Belle did it beautifully!

Travis lives to fight. He's always been a fighter. Whether it was fighting to get food for him and his sister, JL, or if he's fighting in a cage for money. It's who he is. He doesn't want complicated. He doesn't want to settle down, doesn't want kids. He wants sex and fun. When he finds out that the girl he's had his eye on for over a year has a daughter, is it too late to change his mind on her or are his feeling involved?

Penny's been on the run from her past. She's the daughter of a well-known pastor. She was supposed to be living a certain way, to look good in the public eye. She finds herself not only pregnant but to a married man. She runs to keep her baby. Will Travis be the safety she needs? Or is he too much a player? Will her past and future collide?

I'm sad that this series is over, it definitely became a favorite for me. Bittersweet to say goodbye to Worth the Fight.

Definitely a MUST READ.


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
This is the 6th in the series and is another cracking read. I would definitely recommend that you read them in order, as there are plot threads through the series. That said each one concentrates on another character and their burgeoning romance, so can be read alone if necessary.

Both Travis and Penny are familiar to fans of the series, and there have been plenty of hints about a possible romance – but given the huge lie that Penny has continued to maintain about her life, is this going to go how we want it to. An interesting decision by a Penny has the odds improving...until part of the secret is revealed. I loved how the story unfolded, how changes and accommodations were made to altered circumstances. I enjoyed all of it, except one thing. Why did Travis have to keep calling Penny, "Momma"? – even when alone, it really grated with me.

This is a very sweet, hot, and satisfying read, and makes some good points, from which our leads have to learn.


Also Available in the Worth the Fight Series

http://amzn.to/1uHkpNc
Book 1
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For reviews & more info, check out our Against the Cage post.


http://amzn.to/15FqmyE
Book 2
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Full Contact post.


http://amzn.to/1GNQgRh
Book 3
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Below the Belt Blog Tour.


Book 4
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For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Laid Out Blog Tour.


Book 5
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For reviews & more info, check out our Fighting Dirty post.




USA Today bestselling author, Sidney Halston lives her life with one simple rule: "Just Do It"--Nike. And that's exactly what she did.

After working hard as an attorney, Sidney picked up a pen for the first time at thirty years old to begin her dream of writing. Having never written anything other than very exciting legal briefs, she found an outlet for her imaginative, romantic side and wrote Seeing Red. That first pen stroke sealed the deal, and she fell in love with writing. Sidney lives in South Florida with her husband and children. She loves her family above all else, and reading follows a close second. When she's not writing, you can find her reading and reading and reading. She's a reader first and a writer second. When she's not writing or reading, her life is complete and utter chaos, trying to balance family life with work and writing (and reading). But she wouldn't have it any other way.

Connect with Sidney

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Follow the Stacked Up Blog Tour HERE.


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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Stacked Up (Worth the Fight #6) by Sidney Halston to read and review for this tour.

The Anatomy of Jane by Amelia LeFay Blog Tour


Jane

I’ve always been on my own. My life used to consist of nothing but work, keeping Allen out of trouble, and if I had time, sleep. Then I became their maid.

Max

Every day more than half a million people tune in to watch my show. They trust me. I know it’s because I’m the only son of the prominent Emerson family. However, I like to believe it because I’m honest no matter what story I report on. I’m honest about everything but the man I’ve been f**king for the last four years… and now her.

Wesley

I want three things: First, Maxwell Emerson and Jane Chapman both in my bed. Second, to be the best bloody chef in the country. Third, to figure out how to simultaneously get the first and second things I want without any of us getting hurt.

THREE PEOPLE.

ONE LOVE STORY…

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Book 1
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie☆☆☆☆
We know from the title that this is the first in a series, so I guess that it was inevitable that the story would leave us somewhat in the lurch, but it is done with great style – so don't let it put you off!

The stories of each of the three lead characters are interesting, and are revealed to us in clever, meaningful ways, as if peeling layers of wrapping simultaneously from three very different presents. Each explains, gives excuses, yet demands change and compromise. Through this process the reader gains a full view of what is happening and develops a wariness of what is likely to happen next, and how it will play out...only for Ms. LeFay to pull the rug from under one's feet. That level of engagement can be difficult to achieve, but most certainly exists here. If you then consider that is the underlying setting of the story, let me assure you that the intimate scenes between them is electric. Voyeurism on the page, no holds barred descriptions of intense passion and desire. Probably best read in private, with a cold drink to hand...

There is depth and detail which works very well in this book – it is going to be excruciating waiting for the second in the series, and even worse, I am guessing, for the third...but at the same time, so worthwhile!

NB (My copy was a draft, so I am not judging the book on the word errors etc., as I assume they will be corrected by the final edited version. Even though they were distracting, I enjoyed the story so much, I had to keep going!)


Shannan☆☆☆☆
Jane Chapman is a hard worker, she has to be, she depends on only herself to get by. Working as a maid cleaning the penthouse she sees something she shouldn't. Her feet are frozen in place when she sees Max and Wes in a compromising position. Max is worried about his reputation and Wes is interested in the lust he saw in Jane. When Wes can finally get Max to admit he sees the same things in Jane, they decide to bring her in as a third in their relationship. In the penthouse, life is perfect, but on the outside, they need to hide who they are to each other. They have to decide if it's worth it?

There are some definitely hot and sweaty scenes involving this trio. It's sexy and page turning. I loved that it left you hanging, it was done in a way that leaves the door open for a quite interesting series.





Who am I?

You might already know. I’m an author writing under a new penname. If you think you know who I am, you can message me on Facebook or Twitter. I’ll gift you one of my other novels (signed). However, you must keep my secret.

Amelia LeFay is a character of my own imagination. She’s a single woman in her mid twenties in love with sex. Dirty sex, rough sex, sex of any type. She’s not a whore or a slut. She believes a woman should be allowed to sexually express herself anyway she wishes.

She stands for Gay Rights, Women’s Rights, the rights of Minorities, and Environmental protection.

She can be a bitch but doesn’t think there is anything wrong with that.

She has uneven boobs, stretch marks on her ass, astigmatism, and thighs that rub together as she walks. (Which means no pair of jeans last as long as she wishes they would.)

But most importantly Amelia is a Dreamer…she has dreams so big it scares even her, because if she fails…if she can’t make it…she feels like nothing.

Connect with Amelia

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of The Anatomy of Jane (WJM #1) by Amelia LeFay to read and review for this tour.

Stepping Over the Line by Laura Marie Altom


If you love the stepbrother romances of Sabrina Paige, Caitlin Daire, and Krista Lakes, you’ll fall hard for Laura Marie Altom’s tale of forbidden love—a red-hot novel in her Shamed series featuring two tortured souls with an unbreakable bond.

As the chief legal counsel for dot-com billionaire Liam Stone, Garrett Marsden has grown accustomed to being universally loathed. In fact, he welcomes it. Because the bigger the fight, the easier it is to run from his desire for someone he can never have: his stepsister. But when Garrett flies back to Julep, Mississippi, for Savannah’s med school graduation, a steamy encounter makes all his wildest dreams come true—and leads to his undoing. Because that’s when he meets Savannah’s boyfriend...

Five years later, Savannah Boudreaux couldn’t be happier as a small-town Southern doctor and single mom to a young son. There’s only one thing missing. Her stepbrother, Garrett, has just been released from prison, and although he may be a free man, he’s become a bitter shadow of the kind and caring man who once came to her rescue. Now Savannah will cross the line to save Garrett from himself: to prove that he can live his life, love whoever he wants...and be a wonderful father to their son.

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Book 1
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie☆☆☆
I found this to be a somewhat unusual story, which did a good job of bucking some obvious trends. At times it didn't feel like it held together very well, but I liked the premise behind the book. It is difficult to explain much more than that without revealing spoilers.

There are some good scenes and the side characters, such as Violet, add to the story. Probably the most inconsistent element is the parents. They are either genuinely clueless, or not the great parents they are claimed to be!



Laura Marie Altom is the author of more than fifty books in three different genres. Now that her kids done with college, Laura spends her days writing and chasing after a menagerie of pets: a mini long-haired dachshund named Cocoa, a Yorkie named Chewie, a mutt named Sweet Pea, a GIANT kitty named Foxy, and Domino—a black-and-white stealth cat she rarely sees. She’s happily married to her college sweetheart (go, Hogs!), and when night falls, Laura steals a few romantic moments for herself with her own hunky cover stud.

Connect with Laura

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http://readloveswept.com/


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Stepping Over the Line (Stepbrother #1) by Laura Marie Altom to read and review.

Don't Wake the Dead by C.C. Wood Is Now Available & Reviewed


My name is Zoe Thorne and I'm just an ordinary woman. My life is mundane, and that's perfectly fine with me; I work a boring job, watch TV, read books, and sleep alone. There's nothing special about me.

Except that I can see ghosts.

After suffering years of rejection due to my freakish ability, I'm determined to hide my "gift" from others. That is until I meet Malachi Flemming and his peculiar yet amusing friends. Mal hosts a paranormal web show titled The Wraith Files and when he discovers my talent, he offers me a job. Well, offer may not be the right word.

He won't take no for an answer.

One night, we stumble across a spirit on the side of a deserted, country road. He seems lost and scared, convinced someone murdered him. Mal's interest is piqued and he insists on helping me investigate the accident. The deeper we dig, the clearer it becomes that the killer doesn't want us to discover the truth.

Desperate people will go to any lengths to keep their secrets buried. Sometimes it's best not to wake the dead unless you plan to join them.

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Book 1
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica☆☆☆☆
I don't usually read paranormal books, even when my favourite author writes them I don't give them the time of day. But this year I've been branching out and trying new genres, so when I saw the blurb for Don't Wake the Dead and it looked fun, I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm so glad I did because it was fun. I head a good time reading this book.

Zoe has been able to see ghosts since she was a child. Not generally accepted by the people in her town because of her ability, when she is approached by Mal who wants to film her house for his YouTube show on haunting, she is weary about accepting his offer. But the need for cash wins out and she says yes.

Zoe finds acceptance with Mal and his crew and the four of them make a great team. There are plenty of laughs to be had and Teri, the ghost Zoe's shares her house with, is a riot. But things become a little more serious when a ghost asks Zoe to investigate his murder. Throughout this, the attraction between Zoe and Mal is growing and weaving a little bit of romance through the story.

If, like me, you haven't branched out into paranormal reads, I think Don't Wake the Dead is a great place to start. I hope Ms. Wood give us more of The Wraith Files soon.






A native Texan, C.C. grew up either reading or playing the piano. Years later, she’s still not grown up and doing the same things. Since the voices in her head never shut up, C.C. decided to share their crazy stories and started writing books.

Now that she has a baby girl at home, C.C.’s non-writing time is usually spent cleaning up poopy diapers or feeding the poop machine. Sometimes she teaches piano, cooks, or spends time bugging her hubby and two beagles.

Connect with C.C.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Don't Wake the Dead (The Wraith Files #1) by C.C. Wood to read and review for this tour.

Monday, May 30, 2016

Beta Test by Annabeth Albert


Player vs. Player. Fight!

Brilliant graphic designer Ravi Tandel is ahead of the game—he's just been asked to present a top secret project at a huge conference in Seattle. All systems are go…until he learns his buttoned-up office nemesis is coming along for the ride.

Tristan Jones isn't really the gamer type, but he knows the back end of the video game business inside out. Together, he and Ravi will give an awesome presentation. If they survive the cross-country trip first.

Tossed together in close quarters, Ravi's shocked to see Tristan's sexy, softer side emerge from such a conservative shell. He's less shocked to learn his handsome colleague's prominent family would never support an out-and-proud son. But Ravi didn't struggle through his own coming out to hide who he is now. To be together, Tristan will have to push past his fear and ultimately decide: Does he want a future with Ravi? Or is it game over before they've even begun?

Book Two of the #gaymers series

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Book 2
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica☆☆☆☆
4.5 geeky stars.

I've been waiting to read Beta Test since beginning Status Update, and even before finishing this installment, I want the next – Connection Error.

I'm a sucker for geeks and gamers. Beta Test was a quick-paced read, with a good deal of angsty slow-burn. Tristan is a straight-laced new employee, who is all about spreadsheets and organizational skills. On page one, he meets his fellow coworker, Ravi. The Indian-American is described as flashy yet masculine, and he was exactly Tristan's type. Too bad both have had relationships blow up in their faces – especially Ravi when it comes to workplace romance. A love-hate, push-pull commences, until they are forced to go on a long roadtrip to a convention for work.

I enjoyed the angst to both Tristan and Ravi's backgrounds, their reluctance to share it, and the slow way they fell into trusting one another. The culture of Ravi's family was a great addition, and equally intriguing. There was less coding and geek-speak in this installment, leaving the reader to enjoy the storyline instead of being educated. The LAN party made me crave and miss game night with my old friends (made me want to reconnect or find new gamer friends). This brought out the nostalgic side of me – little bit bittersweet.

Recommended for those who are fans of MM contemporary romance, for my fellow gamer geeks, and fans of Annabeth Albert. I can't wait to get my hands on book #3 come this fall.


Shannan☆☆☆☆
Tristan is quiet, shy, conservative and keeps everything in his life very organized. He keeps his personal life out of the office, he is very discreet. Ravi is the exact opposite of Tristan. Ravi is an excellent graphic artist, but completely a fly by the seat of your pants guy. He's out and doesn't care who knows it. He's the popular one in the office, friends with everyone. Tristan keeps more to himself, not liking being the center of attention.

With these two not really friends, Tristan and Ravi are thrown together to drive to Seattle to set up the booth for the game con. It's not the perfect situation for either of them, but after accidentally outing Tristan at a work thing, Ravi feels he has a lot to make up for. He can be nice while they are forced into this situation.

Ravi and Tristan find out their lives really aren't so different and they have more in common than either one ever thought. Can they change the opinion of each other by the end of the trip? Or will the close quarters drive a bigger wedge in between them?

This is sweet read. I enjoyed the gaming aspect of the plot, just something different than the usual m/m that is out there right now. I love that it isn't an insta-love, and the boys had to work for it some. Can't wait to see where #3 goes!


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
Having read, and totally enjoyed the first book in the series, I was really happy to have a chance to review this one too. It was good to catch up, even if only briefly with Adrian and Noah's relationship.

There is less game geekery in this story, mainly because Tristan is a marketing guy, of the plan everything perfectly variety, and Ravi is an amazing illustrator, rather than techie geek. There is however a wonderful party, where Tristan may reveal a side to him that we might not have expected! Both men have their issues, yet are able in the main to be honest about their pasts. They are not quite so honest about their feelings, but Ms. Albert manages to turn things around and get them where we want them!

There are some truly lovely scenes between these two men, and watching them develop as a couple was delicious. A vivid reminder of how parents can really do some damage to their children, and that it does not end as they enter adulthood, is front and centre. Thankfully, these men have the strength to make choices which lead to better futures.

I am excited to see who next gets a chance, and to catch up with these guys!


Veronica☆☆☆☆
Tristan and Ravi are opposites. Tristan is super-organised, a bit square, and introverted. Ravi is super cool, outgoing, and always socialising. When the story started, I immediately connected with Tristan as he watched the cool and confident Ravi be everything he isn't. It took me a little time to warm up to Ravi, but when I saw how good these guys were together I fell in love with him as well.

It was a pleasure to watching this couple try to figure each other out and to figure themselves out too. They bring out the best in each other. Beta Test is a lovely m/m romance.


Also Available in the #gaymers Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Status Update Blog Tour.




Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter.  In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.

Represented by Saritza Hernandez of the Corvisiero Literary Agency

Connect with Annabeth

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http://netgalley.com/


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Beta Test (#gaymers #2) by Annabeth Albert to read and review.