Heart of a Billionaire Blast

The scrumptiously romantic series continues with the second book in the Almost an Angel Series by Bestselling Authors Jenifer Youngblood and Sandra Poole Gracie, an angel-in-training, has completed her first assignment, reuniting Alex and Dawson after their tumultuous breakup. Her elation is cut short when she receives her next assignment: Brooke Matthews—the snotty, entitled, princess, who did everything in her power to snatch Dawson away from Alex. Where in the world will Gracie find a man to put up with this beauty of a beast? Nash Rigby is a bull rider. Used to taking life by the horns, he’s willing to enter into an arrangement—a dubious arrangement—to save his father’s ranch. He’s trained to hang on for all he’s worth for eight seconds, but can this cowboy hang on to Brooke long enough to win the prize? Or, will he be able to see Brooke’s inner beauty and find the love of a lifetime? Maybe … with a little help from an almost angel. Faced with the insurmountable task of helping the cowboy and the billionaire’s daughter fall in love, Gracie digs in, determined to do things her way. When Sheldon, a dark angel with killer looks, floats back into her life, err … afterlife, Gracie must fight against her growing attraction to heaven’s bad boy. Heart of the Billionaire is a stand-alone novel. But to get the full effect of how things work in the realm of angels, check out Candlelight Kisses (Book 1 in the Almost an Angel Series) Praise for the Series: "I did not see that ending coming! Gracie is not what I expected either...she doesn't fit the mold of what you think an "angel-in-training" is supposed to be like, and it will be fun to see her continue to learn and change. I love her mentor, Gertrude! It is a fun, clean romance that keeps you interested and entertained. Eagerly anticipating the next one in the series!” by Verified Amazon Customer "Love this series! Nash's desire to save his father's ranch touched me. And it helped he's hot and swoon worthy! And Gracie's love story with the 'bad boy' makes it even more interesting! Love this! Don't miss it!” Always Reading   Excerpt From Heart of the Billionaire (Book 2 in The Almost an Angel Series) Stewart Matthews sat poised on the edge of his seat, his body taut—his face wearing the laser-beam focus of a General preparing for battle. In many ways, he was fighting the greatest battle of his life, for it involved the heart of the one he loved the most. He could only see one way to help Brooke, but she wouldn’t like it. In fact, she would be so angry that she might never speak to him again. That was the price he would have to pay for attempting to save her. Better to be a parent than a friend. Even though he dreaded what was to come, he knew there was no other option. His money had been the thing that sent Brooke down her path of self-destruction. He could only hope that it would also be the catalyst that would save her A feeling of resignation settled over him as he looked down at the blank page. Then he picked up the pen and began to write … My Darling Brooke, From the moment you were born and I held you in my arms, I knew that my life would never again be the same. Never before had I experienced such pure and complete love. And that love has only grown and multiplied over the years. You are my heart, my primary responsibility, and I will take any measures necessary to protect you, even if that means protecting you from yourself. Sweetheart, my only desire is that you find joy and contentment—the kind that can only come from within. You need to learn to love unconditionally and to love someone so completely that you are willing to put his needs before your own. Please know that I have spent many a night, walking the floors, trying to determine the best course of action to set you back on the right path. A way has been opened up, and I intend to take full advantage of it. My only hope is that you will one day find it in your heart to forgive me, for what I’m about to do. A knock sounded. He looked up as his assistant stuck her head in the door. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but the attorney is here and waiting in the conference room. It’s time.” The moment of truth was here. Once he signed the documents, there would be no going back. He blew out a breath, a rigid look of determination on his lined face. “Tell them I’ll be there in five minutes.”     Jennifer Youngblood & Sandra Poole Jennifer and Sandra—daughter and mother writing duo—have been writing together for many years and have over a dozen published novels, a collection of short stories, and a children’s book (released under the pen name of Periwinkle Blue). They feel it’s a great privilege to be able to collaborate with each other as it adds a depth and spice to their work that neither of them could get independently. For them, writing is a continual journey of discovery. They have so many ideas for books that it’s hard to focus on one at a time. Both of them have a penchant for chocolate, seafood, and movies. Jennifer has a B.A. in English and Social Sciences from BYU Hawaii, and Sandra has a Masters in Business Administration. Jennifer and Sandra now live in the Rocky Mountains with their families.

Website * Facebook * Newsletter * Twitter

  Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/13/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

Competing with the Star Blog Tour

Competing with a Star by Krysten Lindsay Hager Hadley Daniels’s life seems perfect… Before the beginning of sophomore year of high school, Hadley and her family move to a beautiful beach town, where she makes amazing new friends and lands the boyfriend of her dreams—Nick Jenkins. He’s the kind of guy every girl swoons over, and it isn’t long until Hadley discovers some are still swooning. A famous ex-girlfriend makes matters more complicated… After some time dating, Hadley and Nick form a deep bond. But insecurity sets in when Hadley discovers her boyfriend once had a huge crush on her friend—who just happens to be the beautiful former teen TV star, Simone Hendrickson. The past is the past—or so they say… Hadley confronts Nick, who confesses about his history with Simone. Though he claims to only have eyes for Hadley now, it’s hard to believe—especially when she’s blindsided with the news that Nick and Simone kissed after school. Now Hadley must determine who is telling the truth. Love, betrayal, friendship…who needs soap opera drama when you’re busy competing with a star? Praise: “Hadley our teenage heroine has many of the insecurities, which inflict most of us at this young age…A lovely story, with some good lessons about friendship, self-esteem and relationships, perfectly pitched for teen/young adult readers.” From author Jane Hunt. “…Hager's main character is representative of every teenage girl. The author really nailed the reality of a young girl's early high school years. I think this is a valuable read for girls ages 12-18.” Review from Readers’ Favorite book reviews. “…The story gives you so much insight into the minds of teenage girls and makes you realize that deep down, everyone has the same insecurities and everyone goes through the same things in life. Despite these insecurities and fears, the main character stands up for herself. This is such an important message for teen girls!” Amazon customer review

Jewelz Review~
Competing with the Star is a contemporary YA novel that is full of teen drama. Elizabeth is somewhat new to the school and has become friends with a fairly popular group of girls. Sabrine is a former TV star and Elizabeth can't help but feel inadequate in comparison. She's dating Nick and they have a perfectly comfortable relationship - their best friends and a couple, what could be better? The problem is that Elizabeth is insecure - her "friends" are full of relationship advice, talking about the Hollywood ideal and her relationship with Nick seems too tame. Does he really like her, or does he secretly really want a more passionate, dramatic relationship?

It's a great YA story that explores the real insecurities and inadequacies that teen girls can experience in relationships with their friends and with guys. As a mom I wanted to grab Elizabeth and shake some sense into her, but I feel that way with my own teens at times. She has such a sweet, perfect relationship with Nick it's sad that she is so insecure and doesn't realize how sincere Nick is. It's defintely a book teens would enjoy.

FYI ~ clean read
honest disclosure ~ a review copy was provided in connection with this blog tour

~Excerpt~

“So you don’t miss your old school? Or anyone back home?”

“Who? Lexi’s in Dallas now.”

He shifted. “I dunno, some guy or somebody you used to date.”

I shook my head.

“You know, I heard you guys ran into Jack Brogger a couple weeks ago. How can I compare to that?”

I tried to hide my embarrassed smile. Everyone teased me about my insane crush on Jack who was my favorite pop star and I had no idea Nick knew about all of that.

“Jack’s cute, but…”

“Don’t even tell me he’s not your type. I heard all about your love for him from Asia and Simone.”

My face was getting so warm now. “I admit I do like him a lot, but you know…”

 “What? He’s not here, so you’re stuck with me until he comes back to town?”

“My type is someone who is sweet and someone I can talk to about anything. I think Jack’s more into the club scene. From what I’ve read anyway,” I said, not sharing that I had Jack’s name on a Google Alert so any mention of his name came across my radar—or my phone to be more accurate.

“Sweet? Usually that’s what girls say before they tell you there will be no second date and then you enter the friend zone,” Nick said.

“Nope, I’m a girl who appreciates the sweet guys. I’d much rather go out with a guy who’d spend his sixteenth birthday with his grandpa than a guy who would take me to a big concert or a club,” I said. “I’d pick the thoughtful guy every time.”

Nick stopped walking and looked at me. “You know, I don’t tell a lot of people about everything that’s going on with my grandpa. It’s been so hard to watch his decline—his life changed overnight with that stupid surgery. I run into Pilar at the home a lot and she’s never once asked what’s going on. Maybe she doesn’t want to be nosy—I dunno. But you’re the first person I’ve shared all that stuff with.”

I smiled. “I’m glad you did.”

“Me too,” he said, and kissed me. Okay, this was officially the perfect first date.

We walked to the end of the pier and he put his arm around me. “You know, forget what I said about the fancy dinner thing. I think this was seriously the best first date ever,” he said.

“That’s what I was thinking.”

 “You didn’t even ask me to take a selfie with you,” he said. “Simone and Morgan and those girls are always taking so many selfies here on the pier, I’m not even sure they notice the water around them.”

“I got caught up in the moment and forgot all about taking pictures,” I said. “But would it be lame if we took one? I feel if we don’t, this moment didn’t happen.”

He started to laugh. “Okay, sure. That’s what I like about you. You were in the moment and not just posting crap online so all your friends could see it.”

“Yeah, but that’s what everyone does.”

“Exactly, and I like that you’re not just like everybody else.”

Author Krysten Lindsay Hager Krysten Lindsay Hager writes about friendship, self-esteem, fitting in, frenemies, crushes, fame, first loves, and values. She is the author of True Colors, Best Friends...Forever?, Next Door to a Star, Landry in Like. and Competing with the Star (The Star Series: Book 2). Her work has been featured in USA Today, The Flint Journal, the Grand Haven Tribune, the Bellbrook Times, and on Living Dayton.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Instagram

  Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/12/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway END

Narine of Noe Blast

  Narine of Noe (Faerie Tales from the White Forest Book Four) Narine of Noe should have had her whole life to train to take her father’s place as High Sage. But when a mysterious force falls from the skies, sending the world into elemental chaos and her father into mortal danger, the fate of every living creature lands on her shoulders . . . including that of the Eternal Dragon. Without the Dragon it is impossible to regain the Balance of All Things. An elaborate plan to save the world must be hatched, and Narine is forced to take charge in a world gone mad. Before the White Forest was born, before the Great World Cry, the story that started it all. . .
 
 Praise for Narine of Noe and the White Forest series A charming, magical journey... ~Cassandra Rose Clarke, Author, The Assassin's Curse series Dinsmore weaves a coming of age story through a world that is both fantastic and believable. ~Rise Reviews I was hooked before I finished the first chapter . . . I fell in love with Narine and you will, too. ~Brenna D'Amico, actor, Disney’s Descendants
~Excerpt~
Narine dropped to the sand from the force of the Eternal Dragon’s energy. Never could she have imagined the power of Its presence. There was no resisting or competing with that power; the Dragon commanded the elements like no other. Each bit of earth, air, fire, water inside of Narine blew open, mere seeds popping over a fire.

The Dragon glanced at her with Its eternal eyes, no more than a flick, but in that flick she plummeted deeper inside herself than she had ever known. Her existence in that eternity lasted less than a moonsbreath before she was back, gasping for breath.

Her father, perched at the edge of the dock, caught her eye, a look as eternal as the Dragon’s. He smiled at her, gestured with open hands, and then fell from the pier. Before she had time to react, to digest what had just happened, the Dragon opened Its mouth and inhaled. The world froze. She felt the Dragon’s great inhale pulling at her heart, but she could do nothing as It drew that breath and absorbed Thorze’s corporeal energies as Its own.

As It exhaled, Narine felt her own cells fill back up with her Father’s Knowing. His Transitioning of himself into her. She could feel it rooting, thin tendrils weaving themselves through the miniscule spaces within her being.

But it was too fast; it was too much. There was no way she could contain it all.

She wasn’t ready! It wasn’t her time!

“No!” she cried and grasped at the wet sand. “Father, no!”

The world popped back into place, her cries became those of Vendra’s, reaching her great flipperpaw after Thorze’s body as it plummeted into the water’s darkness.

Vendra leapt to the side of the pier, the waves shook the world, and she slammed into a silver pillar.

The great Dragon huffed and knocked Thorze’s scepter away with Its thick sea green tail. The scepter flew across the water and landed on the shore before Narine with a heavy, wet thud. No! It couldn’t be!

“Father!” she cried, searching the waters, tears streaking her cheeks. “Father!”

The Dragon dipped Its head back into the lake, and, in one fluid motion, arced Its massive body after it. The tail of the great serpent flicked out from the water like a tongue, and the serpent was gone. The World Sages stared at the water in silent shock. Waves lapped at Narine’s feet, dragon-sized ripples.

She looked down in her daze. The scepter. She picked it up from the sand, and her body immediately seized up. A white light tortured her vision, and then streaks of blue and silver blended within the reassuring voice of her father, Yes, Narine. Take the Dragon’s Gift.

  Author Danika Dinsmore Danika Dinsmore is an award-winning author, performance artist, and educator. Over the past 25 years she has developed content for the page, stage, screen, and web. Danika currently works in literary and speculative fiction with an emphasis on juvenile & young adult literature. Author of children’s fantasy adventure series FAERIE TALES FROM THE WHITE FOREST, she often takes her interactive Imaginary Worlds Tour on the road, performing and teaching world-building & creative writing at schools, conferences, and festivals across North America.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/30/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.     a Rafflecopter giveaway

Official Book Tour: Where Shadows Dwell

"A Fathers Betrayal. A Lover's revenge. One woman, determined to save them both"

For Lily Frost, love is a double edged sword. She craves it, she needs it, but the asking price for love may be her life.
After her mother's apparent suicide, Lily receives a terrible warning: leave California or run the risk of death. Afraid for her life, she flees. Her only hope for safety lies with her father, a man who abandoned her when she was five. But while she searches for him, she discovers love and safety in the arms of James Prescott.
James is a man tormented by his mother's unsolved murder. More than anything he wants to see her killer lifeless, lying in a shallow grave. When Lily enters his life, he realizes that he hasn't been living. Lily shines for him, a light that finally pierces the darkness. For the first time in years, he feels hope. Their relationship blossoms and Lily discovers that she is worthy of love. However, she soon realizes that the safety she craves and the love she's found may be short lived.
The past James carries and the life Lily left behind collide, throwing the couple into the path of the murderer. Secrets long buried come to surface and threaten to destroy everything. Will they face their demons together or will they let the past tear them apart?

~ Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon UK ~ 

~ Amazon Canada ~ Amazon Australia ~

Julianne Kelsch is an author and freelance writer who picked up the pen after the birth of her second child. A mother of four, she believes words have a special kind of magic all their own. With a word you can open the heart or break the soul; you can breathe life into love or distinguish the final flame. For her, reading is a place to experience worlds unseen and lives never lived; writing is the place to create them. 

Connect with the Author here: 

~ Facebook ~ Website ~ Twitter ~ Pintrest ~

Jewelz Review~

Where Shadows Dwell is a compelling romantic suspense novel. The story of Lily and James is a complex roller coaster of emotions and events. Each has a past that affects their relationship. While they believe they are able to leave the past behind and move forward, it's never that easy. The past can't seem to stay there. As Lily tries to find her father, she realizes that what she finds may not be what she's looking for. Likewise, as James seeks justice for his mother's murder things don't go as smoothly as he'd hoped either.

The story of two young people, both scarred from their mothers' deaths, trying to find peace, security, understanding, and possibly even love in one another's arms.

Honest Disclosure~ a review copy was provided for participation in the blog tour

FYI~ some mild language, plot topics include murder and drugs

~Excerpt~

I didn't hear anything from James for almost a week. It was pure agony; absolute hell. My mind ached to see him. My arms ached to hold him. My heart longed for him. But as hard as it was, I knew Jim was right. I needed to give him time. I needed to see if he could work through this...I needed to know if there was anything left for us, but I had to do this on his terms.

So I waited.

James finally broke the silence. He showed up on my doorstep, keys in hand, and gestured to his car.

“Can we talk?” He asked quietly. He didn't wait for my answer, just walked to his car. He knew I would follow.

When we were both seated he silently pulled out of the driveway and started down the street.

“Where are we going?”

“I don't know. Away from here.”

Away from here. I was with him. I hoped that was a good sign.

Ten minutes later he pulled into a deserted camping area and parked the car. It was private, secluded, and quiet.

He left his hands on the wheel, his fingers flexing in and out, as if he couldn't quite hold still.

He didn't look at me.

“Lily,” he finally said after what felt like hours of agonizing silence. “I want you to know that I love you. I do.” His hands dropped from the wheel, into his lap, “But... I can't think of you without thinking of your dad. I can't think of your name without seeing his name in my mind. I can't look at you and not see him.” He looked up and his eyes caught mine, “Every time I think of you, all I can see is him. My vision has been tainted and...” He looked away, swallowing hard, “I can't do it. I can't go on that way.”

I can't go on that way. The words bounced inside my body, screaming, echoing, ripping away the last shreds of my heart. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. Jim had given me hope. I'd been stupid to listen.

“So...” I finally choked, “We're over?”

“I don't know what else to do.” He watched me, his eyes imploring, begging me to understand.

“But you said you loved me.”

“I do love you.”

“Then why can't we work through this?”

“Because it hurts too bad! You know how awful it is thinking of you and seeing him? That's hell in itself. But then, I also know I shouldn't see you and see him. I know the kind of person you are. I know you! And yet, I can't separate you from him. Lily, I'm not worth it. I don't deserve you. A better man wouldn't be influenced by it, but I am.”

“Don't say that James,” I cried. “Of course you deserve me. If anything, I don't deserve you!”

He sighed, “That's where you're wrong Lily. I know you feel that way, but I'm not worth it. Not after this. If we go on this way, it's not fair to you. It's not fair to me.” He sucked in a deep breath, steadying his hands in his lap. “I'm sorry. I'm sorry you fell in love with me. I'm sorry I'm hurting you now, more than you know. You don't deserve this. But I can't do it.”

I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. How much more pain was I expected to take?

“So are you leaving me because of my dad, or because of you?”

I had to ask. I couldn't always wonder.

James slumped into his seat, his hands finally going still.

“I don't know. Both, I guess.”

“Oh.” How could I fight that? I couldn't change what my dad had done. I couldn't change that he was my flesh and blood.

We sat in silence. I was still, trying to hold myself together. He moved, rubbing his hands along the wheel, then stopping, sitting still as stone, then starting up again - nervous motion. It was heart-wrenching to watch.

“James,” I said quietly, breaking the silence. “Remember that day on the beach?”

He nodded.

“You said then that my dad's actions didn't define who I am. Do you still believe that?”

James swallowed hard, “Yes. I do.”

“Then why are you letting them define us?”

He shook his head and I saw a tear drop into his lap. “I don't know. I don't know how not to. I guess I'm just weak.”

“You're not weak.” I placed my hand on his, hoping to give comfort. He jerked away as if I'd burned him.

“Oh,” I gasped, “I see.”

“I'm sorry, Lily.” He dropped his head in his hands, “I'm so sorry!” The cry wrenched out of him.

“Can we go now, James?” I asked, my voice trembling. I was reaching the end. I felt like I had a dam in my soul that was rapidly eroding. I could feel it coming, the loss of control. The sobbing and crying, the gasping for air between sobs. I didn't want him to see that. But it was coming. My hands were shaking and already I felt like I couldn't get enough air. “Please?” I begged.

His face twisted in pain, as if my words hurt. “Yes. I'm sorry.” He started the car and turned back toward home.

Ten minutes. That's all I had to do. Hold myself together for ten minutes.

After he parked he reached over and took my hand.

He held it gingerly, but he did hold it. Then, in a gesture that completely shocked me, he brought my hand up to his lips, kissing my fingers, my palm. His eyes were squeezed tightly shut. Tears dripped onto my skin. Finally, he looked up at me.

My own tears were flowing. It was too late to control them.

“I really am sorry, Lily,” he said, “But I want you to know, I'll always love you.”

“Then why are you leaving me?” I whispered.

“Because it's not fair to either of us if I stay, like this.”

“It's more fair to leave us broken?”

“I don't know. But you deserve better.”

I choked on a sob that bubbled out of my throat. “That's not true and you know it."

He let go of my hand and stepped out of the car, working around to open my door.

"I'm sorry."

"Me too." I turned away from him, away from the knowledge that I could do nothing about this. When I reached my room I yanked a pillow off the bed and curled up in the corner in as small a ball as possible and holding it like a life raft. My chest felt like it was going to implode on itself, about like my life had done. I clutched the pillow harder. The control I had carefully held onto vanished like my dreams and I sobbed, harder and harder, gasping, crying, suffocating. One coherent thought kept coming into my head. He didn't do it. My dad didn't do it. That was all I could think. If my dad didn't do it, than I could have my life back.

I was going to have to prove his innocence.

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The One by Kristin Vayden ~ Release Blitz

Title: The One

Author: Kristin Vayden
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Blue Tulip Publishing

When your best friend is also your boss, ‘great ideas’ aren’t always optional.

After all, when you run the largest fashion, gossip and trend blog in the country, you got to take risks to keep it edgy.

Believe me. This is edgy.

The idea? For one week, date every male fantasy.

The list?

The Jock

The Rock star

The Billionaire

The Stepbrother

See how they are all crossed off except one? That’s because he’s Satan.

And Scottish.

And my best friend’s stepbrother.

And there may or may not have been an incident in Jr. high that he hasn’t forgiven me for…but that’s history.

Or so I hope, because I’m at his mercy for the next week…

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA

iBooks | B&N | Kobo | Smashwords

I pushed too hard on the handle and it sprang off, clattering to the floor and increasing the water to full blast as it poured into the sink.

“I’ve got it.” I bent down to get the handle, grasping it just as Kirby did. And even though I had held his hand all day, on and off, just the simple touch of his fingers across mine was electric. I glanced up, wondering if it was just me.

His blue eyes dilated slightly as his gaze moved from mine and down to my lips, then back. I released the handle and stood as he did.

I backed into the corner to let him access the sink, but all I could really do was inch over so he could lean across me. The air was permeated with his spicy sweet cologne, calling to me and sending heat to all the wrong — or right — places.

“Fixed.” He turned the water off, but didn’t back away. Rather he shifted, making us hip to hip. He rested his hands on the counter; I glanced down noticing how they practically dug into it, as if holding himself there when he wanted to move… to touch. My heartbeat pounded through my body, echoing in my ears. I glanced up. He didn’t move and I watched as he watched me… as if waiting.

Waiting for me to make the first move.

Instinctively, I knew that this was different. This wouldn’t be just a kiss. This would be a turning point — and there would be no going back.

Did I want that?

Hell, yes.

Did I want to risk that?

Hell, no.

He must have seen the conflict in my expression, and he glanced away, shifting as if about to move. But I knew that as pivotal as this was… if I didn’t take the risk, I’d regret it.

Forever.

So before he even moved a full inch, I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him back. “Not this time.” His eyes flashed with blue fire and he leaned forward slightly, but paused.

Still waiting.

I reached my arms up and slowly trailed my fingers through his beard, marveling at its soft texture. He groaned low in his throat as I continued my caress up to his head and tugged on the tousled curls.

“Merry,” he murmured my name, low and deep.

I gently pulled his head down toward me, marveling at how easily and carefully he did as I asked.

I rested my hands in his soft beard as I gently kissed his lower lip, savoring the smooth texture of it as I caressed it with my tongue.

After releasing his lip, I went back for more. This time I flicked my tongue against his mouth, tentatively meeting his and then pulling away gently.

His hands moved to splay across my hips, pulling me in tight against him, running his fingers up and down my side then wrapping around my back and holding me secure as he returned the kiss. His hands roamed my back as he bit my lip, taking it into his mouth and caressing it softly with his tongue before releasing it and starting over, only with a different angle. His hands wove through my hair. I reached around his broad shoulders and pulled him in close, yet not nearly close enough. He broke the kiss and lifted me onto the counter so that I straddled his stomach, my legs wrapped around his back as he continued kissing down my neck, giving me shivers that made my toes curl.

I ran my fingers through his hair as he tugged the neckline of my sweater down and nipped at my shoulder, giving me goose bumps. I traced my fingers around his belt and tugged at his Henley, lifting the fabric up. He lifted his hands and broke the kiss only long enough to pull the shirt over his head before he attacked my lips once more. His bare skin was smooth against my palms as I memorized the lines and valleys. Warm heat radiated from him and I pressed in, wanting — needing to be closer.

The heat from his back burned my hands, searing them. There was no way I could touch him enough, or pull him in tighter. As if reading my mind, he reached behind me, pulled me off the counter, and carried me toward the living room. His lips left mine just long enough to navigate the narrow hall of the kitchen and pass by the sofa until we reached his room. He met my lips once more, slowly kissing me as if savoring the sensation, the contact. Holding tightly to his warm back, I memorized his flavor — the scent of masculine spice that simply permeated the air around him.  With his foot, he kicked the door fully open and then leaned back, breaking the kiss.

With a smirk, he all but dropped me on the bed.

“Hey!” I balanced myself, narrowing my eyes. But I didn’t have a chance to fully right myself before Kirby gave me a playful shove, making me lie back down with him hovering over me.

“Much better.” He grinned, his blue eyes twinkling before he hungrily captured my mouth in a kiss that put all others before it to shame.

Jewelz Review~

Kristin Vayden never disappoints. I love all her books and The One is a wonderful addition to my collection. Poor Meredith has gotten herself roped into an unusual predicament. She has the assignment to date the top women's fantasy men and then blog about the experience. Each of the dates has been a disappointment, but a snag comes about for the final two dates. The final two are a millionaire (was supposed to be a billionaire) and the step-brother (also a replacement from the original). The upside is that she gets to travel to Scotland for the final dates.

At first, the millionaire seems to be a great match and Roxie's step-brother Kirby is simply annoying. But then the millionaire turns out to not be what we expected and Kirby really does have his charms. Meredith and Kirby are definitely an unlikely pair to begin with, but it becomes clear rather quickly that they are meant to be together - despite the fact that they are both in complete denial of their mutual attraction.

The One is a fun, contemporary romance that will have you laughing out loud and swooning moments later. Definitely one to pick up and read this summer.

Honest disclosure~ A review copy was provided

FYI ~ mild language and intimacy

Kristin’s inspiration for the romance she writes comes from her tall, dark and handsome husband with killer blue eyes. With five children to chase, she is never at a loss for someone to kiss, something to cook or some mess to clean but she loves every moment of it!

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM| GOODREADS | AMAZON

Sign up for Kristin’s Newsletter

Enter to win a Kindle Fire!

a Rafflecopter giveaway