Interview with C.C. Brown!

While thinking of things I wanted to do for my 1 year blogiversary I thought it would be fun to go back and interview the author of the first book I ever reviewed on the blog!  So I reached out to C.C. Brown and I'm so happy that she agreed to do it!

It’s officially been just over a year since you first published Red Flags, what has this year been like for you?

Kind of surreal, to be honest.  I am, by no means a huge name in this crazy world, but I have established a solid group of readers that I love and appreciate.  There have been some ups and downs, but each of them has helped me become who I am in this world.  I love it.

Holy crap, you published 4 books in 12 months!  Do you think that your writing style has changed since the first one?

Definitely!  Your writing should always change…. For the better.  I wrote Red Flags on a whim.  I learned a lot from that book and I have been fortunate enough to learn from some pretty awesome authors as well.  We can always grow.  I hope to continue growing.

I’ve noticed that your books have been getting a bit steamier as you continue writing.  Is this something that you were going for?

It wasn’t a priority, but if the story calls for it, then I will go for it. 

Is there one thing that stands out in the last year as your OMG moment?

YES!  When Fraternizing hit the Top 100 on Amazon, my mouth hit the floor.  None of my other books had ever hit that mark.  It was quite overwhelming. J

So let’s backtrack a little, What drove you to write and publish Red Flags? 

I had always wanted to write a book.  I wanted to write that crazy story, but I was working full-time, had two kids, and my husband was on a duty that afforded him little to no spare time.  When we moved to Hawaii, I took myself away from work and decided to stay home with my daughter.  That gave me the time I needed to finally write my book.  And I did it.

Is there anything in the last year that you would have changed?

Honestly, No!  Everything that has happened in the last year has helped me in some way or another.  From bad reviews, to praise, to authors, bloggers, and readers that I have met.  I appreciate all of it.  There is nothing to change.

I’m dying to read more in the Fraternizing series, can you tell us what’s in store for C.C. Brown in 2014?

Compromising is coming SOON! J  It is the conclusion to Alex and Cassie’s story.  Some people thought their story should have ended in Fraternizing, but the military lifestyle and culture is so unique, that I have more in store for them that gets them outside of that school house environment. 

Also, fan favorite, Riley, will get his own book.  I don’t have a title for that just yet.  AND…. The character we all love to hate, Jensen, will get his own book.  His love interest might shock some readers. Lol

Time for some fun, I know you’re a diehard Seahawks fan so let’s play a special football version of would You Rather:

Wear a Niners Jersey or run naked in public? Run ass naked in public!

Read or watch football? Eeeeekkkk….. don’t kill me… football takes precedence. (runs and hides)

Watch Green Bay in the Super Bowl or get a root canal?  Watch Green Bay.  I have no issues with that team. Lol

Have Tebow on the Seahawks or pay $8 for a gallon of milk?  Pay $8 for a gallon of milk. J  Nice guy, just love my team as is. J

Have your TV go out or your Kindle battery die?  As long as football isn’t on, TV go out! Lol

 

 

I'd  like to send a Huge thank you to C.C. Brown, not only for doing the interview but also for being an amazing person.  I absolutely adore her as a person and an author and wish for more amazing things in her future!!!

Books by C.C. Brown

 

Check out my review of Red Flags

 

Check out my review of Enlightened

 

Check out my review of Shattered

 

Check out my review of Fraternizing 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fighting For Irish by Gina Maxwell

 

Available NOW!

 

*On sale for 0.99 as of the date of this post*

 

5 Irish Stars!

 

Kat MacGregor has forty-eight hours to make good on the debt her ex-boyfriend owes a crime boss. Unfortunately, the measly tips she makes waitressing are barely enough for her to live on, much less cover the twenty-thousand needed to keep her breathing. With time running out, Kat 's forced to accept help from the only man who's ever made her feel fire rather than fear.

When he learns a friend's sister is in trouble, former Boston MMA fighter Aiden "Irish" O'Brien heads to Louisiana to offer himself up as collateral to keep her safe. But to satisfy the debt, he has to do the one thing he swore hed never do again: fight. With more than just money on the line, will Irish have what it takes to not only reclaim the man he once was, but become the man he needs to be for the woman he can't live without?

 



*Arc Provided in exchange for an honest review*

 



I've been a huge fan of Gina Maxwells for awhile now, ever since I read Rules of Entanglement and fell in love with Jax!  And Gina Maxwell does it again with Fighting for Irish!  I absolutely adored this book.  And Irish....oh holy hell!  If I could only choose one type of book boyfriend for the rest of my life it would be Irish, he's a hot fighter, bad boy, alpha male, protector and loving all in the same package! 

 

The story of Fighting for Irish follows the lives of Kat and Aiden "Irish" Obrien.  Because it had been awhile since reading the previous book in the series I had to remember that Kat is the younger sister of Vanessa from book 2.  We she a quick glimpse of her in the second book and get a small amount of what is going on.  When you look at the two books they actually seem to happen at the same time.  Book 3 starts around the midpoint of book 2 and ends around the same point, but the stories are completely different as the characters only barely interact.  That said, you must read book 2, Rules of Entanglement, if you haven't already because there are MAJOR spoilers to the book in the one!

 

I highly recommend the entire Fighting For Love series, especially for anyone who has a deep seated love of MMA fighters....like me!!!

 

Other Books In The Series

 

 

Blog Tour: Loving Cara by Kristen Proby

 

 

Available Now!

 

(on sale for $1.99 as of the date of post)

 

 

4 steamy ranch hand stars!

 

Synopsis

 

CHEMISTRY WAS NEVER THIS SEXY IN HIGH SCHOOL.

 

In her sizzling new series, USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby sets the stage for a passionate reunion under the breathtaking Montana sky.

 

Cara Donovan’s summer tutoring job is turning out to be a challenge—and not just because of her troubled twelve-year-old student. It’s his uncle Josh who’s the real problem. If problem is the word for an irresistibly cocky, muscle-bound rancher with a taste for tight Levi’s and shameless flirtation. . . .

 

Cara is nothing like the wallflower Josh King remembers good-naturedly teasing in high school. This Cara is gorgeous, confident, fun. From the moment the fiery teacher steps foot on his family’s Lazy K Ranch, the stubborn playboy is determined to corral her. So what happens when his luscious lover takes over the reins?

 

The first in a steamy trilogy, Kristen Proby’s enthralling novel is filled to the brim with one hardworking family’s triumphs and challenges, all the wild adventure of the modern West, and a whole lot of titillating fun.

 

 

*Arc provided for an honest review*

 

I was super excited to receive a copy of Loving Cara for the blog tour.  I had yet to read anything from the author and was excited to pop my Kristen Proby cherry!

 

Loving Cara by Kristen Proby was engaging, well written and full of steam!  The story of Josh and Cara was an extremely sweet story of love and working to get over past fears and regrets.  The best part was that the sex in the book was very, very hot.....and it was just the right amount. 

 

Josh is your favorite kind of hardworking cowboy and his character was completely authentic to the lifestyle of a rancher.  Too many times authors push the boundaries of what you expect for a type of character and Josh was pretty much perfect.  He's exactly what I picture when I think of a classic Montana cowboy.  He's hot, built like an ox, works hard for his family and when it comes down to it he's sweet, romantic and just looking for the right girl to love.

 

I liked Cara but on a few occasions I wanted to smack my kindle and tell her to wake up.  She's the type of girl that constantly has a sliver of self doubt even though the hot hero is tripping over himself to get to her.  The redeeming quality she did have was that once she got a grip on herself she really started to grow as a character and grow on me.

 

The only thing I wanted was a little more angst.  The synopsis had me thinking it was a bit more of a cat and mouse game than it was........but that aside I think it was a great read.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan cowboy romance or just romance in general with a good amount of heat!

 

 

  

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About The Author

 

KRISTEN PROBY is the USA Today bestselling author of the popular With Me in Seattle series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong characters who love humor and have a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type—fiercely protective and a bit bossy—and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves. Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, and sunshine. And naps. Visit her at KristenProby.com.

Kristen spends her days with her muse in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

Website: http://www.kristenproby.com/

Twitter: @handbagjunkie

Facebook: www.facebook.com/booksbykristenproby

Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/kristenproby

LOVING CARA Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18115028-loving-cara?ac=1

Pocket Books: http://imprints.simonandschuster.biz/gallery-books

 

 

 

1 Year Blogiversary

 

So I've written and erased this post at least 3 times....but I'm out of coffee so it's time to get my ass in gear!

 

One year ago this month I decided to start a blog.  Why? I have absolutely no idea....just kidding!!!  I was looking for an outlet, looking for other women like me who had too many book boyfriends and stayed in on Fridays to read!  It started as a silly idea that has slowly grown into an obsession.  So as a way to say thank you to all of my readers I joined with  Sandie, Dee & Shannon of Book Boyfriend Reviews and Natalee & Keelie of Read This Hear That to bring you an amazing giveaway!

 

Thank you to all the authors over the past year who have not only sent books into the blog for review but to many who have become close friends of mine.  You've shared your books, listened to my recommendations and talked me down when books ended in crazy cliffhangers.  Without you I'd just be a crazy lad with nothing to talk about!  And a very special thank you to the 60+ authors who donated to this giveaway, we reached out to all of you and were completely overwhelmed by the response!

 

To all my readers and followers, the fact that anyone actually reads the blog still astounds me to this day.  I get emails from you weekly thanking me for helping you find your next book and I love every email I get.  While standing in line for a book signing a reader once recognized me and told how much they loved my reviews....my response was "are you serious!"  I'm just me and the fact that people like my stuff makes me smile daily!

 

To Kitten & Shawna, you two are new to the blog but I am so very happy to have both of you on board!  I am so thankful for everything that the two of you do and I promise that I'll eventually get better at relinquishing control.........eventually ;)

 

To my HoeTrain, Sandie, Nat A, Nat G and Mal....I am absolutely in LOVE with all of you.  If I wasn't married with two kids I'd marry all four of you!  The fact that we met on twitter and then became so close that I talk to you girls more than I talk to anyone else is amazing.  I turn to you girls for personal problems, book drama and just about everything else in life.  You girls really do keep me sane and keep me from jumping the blogger ship monthly!

 

And now I'm about to make my own damn self cry!  Thank you again to all of you and for sticking with me on this crazy ride and buckle up cause this next year should be just as crazy!

 

Oh and on a side note, as a thank you to all those international readers we've included a special giveaway for you as well with a nice package of ebooks! (scroll to the end of the post)

 

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Blog Tour: All The Pretty Poses by M. Leighton

 

Available January 24th, 2014

 

 

5 swooning for Reese stars!

 

He never wanted to be a hero…until she needed him to be.

 

Strength…

It took Kennedy Moore years to put her life back together after Reese Spencer shattered it.  But she did.  Now, years later, strong and independent, she is in pursuit of a single dream—to dance with the Altman American Dance Theater.  Unfortunately, Kennedy is learning that a girl from nowhere with no money and no contacts might never be able to reach her goal.  

 

That is, until Reese reappears, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that Kennedy just can’t refuse.  In exchange for working on his yacht for a few short weeks, he’ll get her an audition with the famous dance troupe.  All Kennedy has to do is keep her head down, work hard and resist Reese.  That sounds easy enough, right?

 

Weakness…

Reese doesn’t want to make it easy for Kennedy.  Seeing her again has started a fire in his blood—an unwelcome one.  It took him years to forget about her before, so this time he has a plan.  It’s simple:  Get Kennedy on his yacht, seduce her, get her out of his system, move on with his life.  That sounds easy enough, right? 

 

But the one thing Reese didn’t plan for was Kennedy herself—a girl so strong yet so broken, she makes him want to rescue her, to take care of her.  To save her.  Even if he has to save her from himself.

 

 

*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*

     Let met start by saying that I love M. Leighton and pretty much everything she writes automatically goes on my favorites list.  It's a combination of her writing style, her hotter than life BBF's and her amazing uplifiting attitude that makes her my go to Author for a great read! 

---- Enough with the fangirling!----

 

All The Pretty Poses is a very well written story with enough sexual tension and angst to keep me reading well past my bedtime!  I absolutely love angst in a story, for me, personally, it just makes me want to keep reading.  The back and forth, the will she or won't she, is like kryptonite for me.  And the steam, holy crap!  M. Leighton has outdone herself again with the steam factor in All The Pretty Poses.  If you though All The Pretty Lies was HOT then be ready to read this second in the series with the A/C on!  Oh and the twist in this book...WOW.  You know a twist is coming but I just couldn't figure out what it was going to be.  I had at least 4 different scenarios in my head by the time it came but was still surprised!

 

I was a fan of the first book in this series, All The Pretty Lies, and I really liked Hemi, but if I liked Hemi than I LOVED Reese!  He's arrogant, cocky, sexy, rich, alpha, dominant, and built like a house....oh and did I mention sexy?!?  He's been born into money and the older he gets the more of a cocky ass he becomes until Kennedy dances back into his life.  Then suddenly we get to see his asshole façade start to fade away, even if he continues to try and keep it covered.

 

Kennedy is a great heroine, while she is a bit frustrating at times (what heroine isn't!), she makes up for it with willpower.  Reese try's every trick in his book to seduce her but she just keeps dodging it.  As the book goes on you see how her life has affected her and why she is how she is, but I loved how strong of a character she is.

 

 Momma's Recommendation:

I highly recommend this book for all romance readers who like angst and steam!  While this is the second in the series it does follow separate characters. We do get a glimpse of characters from the first book so you most definitely want to read All The Pretty Lies first as it contains spoilers from the first.

Giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

The ALL THE PRETTY POSES Giveaway

 

What’s up for grabs? 

 

·         2- $250 Visa Gift Cards

 

How do I enter?

 

Via the Rafflecopter posted here and on each participating site, you may:

 

·         Like the M. Leighton, Author Facebook page (5 points, can only do once)

 

·         Follow @mleightonbooks on Twitter (5 points, can only do once)

 

·         Share the giveaway graphic on Twitter along with one reason that you’re excited to meet Reese (10 points, can do once per day)

 

·         Tag three different friends in the comments under the graphic on the M. Leighton Author Facebook page with one reason you’re excited to meet Reese (10 points, can do once per day)

 

Details!

The giveaway begins at 12:00 am EST on January 14, 2014 and ends at 12:00 am EST on February 3, 2014.  Winners will be randomly selected by 5:00 pm EST on February 5, 2014.  For a complete list of rules, please see the “Rules” section of the Rafflecopter.

About The Author

 

 

M. Leighton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Wild Ones and The Bad Boys romance trilogies.  She is a native of Ohio, relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she lets her mind wander to romantic settings with sexy Southern guys much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books.  When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.  

 

For more about M. Leighton, visit her website at www.MLeightonBooks.blogspot.com or follow her on Twitter@mleightonbooks.

Links:

Blog: http://mleightonbooks.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mleightonbooks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MLeightonAuthor

Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1152263.M_Leighton

ALL THE PRETTY POSES Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18801960-all-the-pretty-poses?ac=1

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/M.-Leighton/e/B004LL0TAU/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Blog Tour: Thrash by JC Emery

Available Now!

 

  

 

Synopsis:

 

Loneliness suffocates the heart. Acceptance breaks down walls.

As a Lost Girl to the Forsaken Motorcycle Club, Nicole Whelan knows how to party. She’s not cut-out for relationships and her life is way too complicated for anything more than casual encounters. But one night when she falls into Duke’s bed at the clubhouse, he sees something in her that he can’t let go of—no matter how many times she tries to run.

Having been left to raise her teenage brother, Jeremy, she’s already got her hands full and isn’t looking for anymore complications. But Duke’s just watched his best friend fall for the only girl he couldn't have, and then lose her so shortly after, shaking him to his core. Faced with his own loneliness, he’s more determined than ever to break down Nic’s walls and show her that he can be good for her; but he’s got a bad track record and she’s got a bad temper. Changing his ways isn’t easy when he’s not sure what he’s even changing for.

The violence and turmoil are at an all-time high, and Forsaken is in a vulnerable place when a twist of fate breathes new life into the club. It’s a much-needed beacon of hope for the embattled biker family, even if everyone’s not exactly on board. With Duke and Nic’s relationship already on shaky ground, and something even more important at stake, the Forsaken Motorcycle Club will fight like hell to keep their family together and whole.

Love is never more precious than when it’s new.
 

 

 *ARC provided for an honest review*

 

I absolutely loved the characters in this book!  Duke is my perfect kind of hero, he's strong, alpha, screwed up, loving and sometimes a total ass!  But that's how I like my boys!  And Nic is an awesome heroine.  She's a lost girl to the club (club whore) but she knows who and what she is.  She's not blind to her status in the club and she doesn't seem to regret a single thing about it, and when she needs to she can be one STRONG bitch.  She avoids Duke like the plague because of feelings that she's kept secret since high school but she just can't keep away from him.

 

To tell you the truth, I was a bit worried to read Thrash after Ride.  While I really enjoyed Ride, I was left with a feeling of confusion with the ending.  It just didn't give me enough to make me feel like the story was complete.  It didn't end in a cliffhanger, but it didn't feel wrapped up like I would have liked.  One of the best parts of Thrash was that you finally see what Ryan was going through in Ride through Dukes POV.  You see the way the club reacted to Alex and how that affected Ryan's attitude and actions.  I really wish it had been written into the first book but I was thankful to get it in Thrash.

 

The relationship between Duke and Nic is great, there is lots of Angst, hot sex and turmoil.  The reason I gave the book 4 stars is I really wanted the characters to stop fighting each other so often, mostly Nic.  I wanted to slap her on multiple occasions to just get her to see what was right in front of her.

 

All in all I really, really liked the book.  For an MC book it was written very close to true MC lifestyle and no points of the book strayed too far from that.  The guys are hot and the sex is even hotter!  I can easily recommend this book to any of my readers who enjoy MC books and I highly recommend it to anyone that read Ride, even if you didn't love the first book I have a feeling that this book will make you fall in love with Ryan as well as Duke.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

About The Author

 

As a child, JC was fascinated by things that went bump in the night. As they say, some things never change. Now, as an adult, she divides her time between the sexy law men, mythical creatures, and kick-ass heroines that live inside her head and pursuing her bachelor's degree in English. JC is a San Francisco Bay Area native, but has also called both Texas and Louisiana home. These days she rocks her flip flops year round in Northern California and can't imagine a climate more beautiful.

JC writes adult, new adult, and young adult fiction. She dabbles in many different genres including science fiction, horror, chick lit, and murder mysteries, yet she is most enthralled by supernatural stories-- and everything has at least a splash of romance.

 

 

Cover Reveal: A Firefighter's Flame by Dani Hart

Title: A Firefighter’s Flame

Author: Dani Hart

Release:  March 2014

Cover credits: Design by Got It Covered Book Designs, Final formatting by Cassidy Hammermeister

Photography Credit: Rob Kristian Photography

 

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18462525-a-firefighter-s-flame

 

 

Synopsis

 

What do you do when your heart is torn between the love of your life and the man who just walked back into it holding your soul in the palm of his hands? Fate intervenes and one tragic moment will decide for Lennox and leave a permanent scar on her conscience. Follow her journey of rediscovering herself, falling in love, and searching for her own fairy tale ending.

 

Author Bio

 

My passion for writing started at a very young age. It started with a multitude of diaries as soon as I could write well, then poetry, then short stories. I received my BA at USC in Theatre with an unofficial minor in writing. While at USC I wrote my first screenplay and post-graduation I was hired to write another screenplay, which I did successfully. I have since started several books, but have never had the courage or time to finish them. I missed it, but I was discouraged from my years in the industry and I was scared to go back, so I had convinced myself I was too busy and it would be a waste of time. Then I started reading again which reignited my passion for writing. I started writing a story that had been brewing inside of me over the years. The characters were slowly developing and itching to break out onto paper, so in the summer of 2011 I wrote the first two chapters. Life got busy again and my passion was pushed aside, but then I met an amazing person who loved my story and encouraged me to start writing again. With that said, I am in a happier place now. I am fulfilling my inner desire and passion to write while raising a family and living life. Thank you so much for your support! And I hope to keep the stories coming!!!

 

Social Media Links

 

Website: www.danihartbooks.com

FaceBook: www.facebook.com/authordanihart

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/408766.Dani_Hart

Instagram: http://instagram.com/authordanihart

 

Excerpt

 

“My heart was bursting at the seams, longing to feel again. My skin was crawling with anticipation for the next fix of sensation that traveled from my fingers to my toes to my core. Was it my time or was it too late as I had convinced myself of so long ago? He made me feel again, but I hadn’t decided if I loved or hated him for it. It took only one moment to destroy the walls that years of pain and disappointment had built. To destroy me. To make me want more. Only I didn’t know if I deserved more…. I had always been ruled by my emotions, which had contributed to the extreme highs and lows in my life, but to feel numb was a curse that I had been living with for too many years that I would now fight against for life. Fight for the feelings that once inspired my soul and warmed my heart because I saw him and a shock of life brought me to my knees and begged for more, shamelessly. Practically a stranger now, an angel, my redemption.”

 

Some Like It Sinful by Robbie Terman

 

 

Available Now!

 

 

Release Date: November 25, 2013

Print Length: 300 Pages

 

 

4 Sinful Stars!

 

Some Like It Sinful is book 2 of The Perfect Recipe series, book 1 is Some Like It Spicy. These books should be read in order so you know who the characters are and how they got where they are in each book. Okay so let's get down to business, this was a great follow up book to Some Like It Spicy, it has everything you want in a great love story.  The two main characters are Chloe Nelson who is a baker owner and Griffin Lange a professional hockey player. Chloe is funny, witty and knows absolutely nothing about hockey where as Griffin is arrogant ass who is downright sexy as hell. But together they really make one dynamic couple.

Their relationship is not your typical girl meets boy and fall in love, not even close, more like girl meets boy and girl can't stand boy but there is most definitely that electrical spark between them that neither wants to acknowledge.  The banter that these to do throughout the entire book made me laugh out loud it was that funny. The author did an amazing  job with her writing and descriptions of all of the characters. The way these two may have came into a relationship was by no way conventional but as you read on you will see how perfect it is in the end.  If you loved Some Like It Spicy then you will love Some Like it Sinful, all the characters from book 1 make an appearance and it was a great follow up book. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

 

Series Reading Order

*Click cover for amazon link*