New Release + Excerpt: Bad Girlfriend by Kirsten Demuzio

Excerpt - Adam’s POV 

I was overwhelmed with the urge to show her that good guys did exist, and that I was one of them.  But that’s not what she needed right now.
When we were done eating, I threw the pizza box in the fridge.  Brooke poured another round of shots for us, and this time I did mine at the same time as her, with my eyes closed.
“So, you know my story.  Now it’s your turn.”
Brooke shrugged one slender shoulder and picked at the blanket with her pale yellow fingernails.  I looked to her toes and saw they were painted in a matching shade.  At first glance, everything about this girl screamed high maintenance.  Yet, here she sat on my bed, eating pizza out of a box, drinking tequila shots and seemed to be perfectly comfortable doing it.
“There’s not much to tell.  I grew up here with Gram.  My mom was only sixteen when I was born and was too young to handle raising a kid.  She comes and goes, but mostly goes.  I went to cosmetology school after high school, and I do hair at Loraine’s Luscious Locks.”  She winced as she said that last part.  “I hate that name.  Luscious is such a weird word.”
I laughed.  “Do you like what you do?”
“Yeah, I really do.  I’m good at it.  I like making people feel good about themselves.  It’s not brain surgery, but I like it.”
“You don’t have to save lives to be doing something important.  I’m sure a good haircut can do more for a woman’s self-esteem than twenty sessions with a psychiatrist.”
“That’s probably true,” Brooke said, tilting her head to the side as she studied me.
“What?”  I asked, thinking I must have pizza sauce smeared on my face or something.
She narrowed her eyes.  “Are you gay?”
“What?”  I repeated.  This conversation was not going where I thought it would.
“It’s just that you’re so…nice.  And you seem to really understand women.”
I snorted.  “I assure you, Brooke, I am not gay.  And I absolutely do not understand women.  Your species is a complex and unsolvable mystery to me.”
She giggled and reached for the tequila bottle again.  When we both had our shots in hand, she held hers up.  “To new friends.”
I clinked my glass against hers.  “To new friends.”
That’s the last thing I have any clear memory of…

Title: Bad Girlfriend (First and Last #4) 

Author: Kirsten DeMuzio

Genre: New Adult Romance

Release Date: March 18, 2014

Brooke Mills has only ever wanted to be loved. The product of a teenage pregnancy and raised by her grandmother, Brooke went looking for love in all the wrong places. She has been the other woman or someone’s dirty little secret more times than she cares to admit. When Brooke’s questionable judgment lands her in the bed of her new neighbor, it’s the wakeup call she needs to change her ways. With the help of her friends, Brooke is determined to find a nice guy. Adam Branigan is new in town, and despite the way he and Brooke met, Adam knows there’s more to the beautiful redhead than meets the eye. He wants to be the guy to show Brooke that she deserves more than late night booty calls. But will outside pressures and past relationships conspire to keep them apart? 

**This book is intended for a mature audience, age 18 and older, due to language and explicit content. 

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I am an author of new adult and contemporary romance novels. My husband and I live in Columbus, Ohio with our two young daughters and happy golden retriever. When I’m not spending time with my family, I can be found doing one of my other favorite activities - writing, reading and napping.

Connect with Kirsten: Facebook | Blog | Goodreads | Pinterest

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Promo: Blood on the Tongue: A Cooper & Fry Mystery (Ben Cooper & Diane Fry #3) by Stephen Booth

 

Blood on the Tongue: A Cooper & Fry Mystery (Ben Cooper & Diane Fry #3)

by Stephen Booth

Genre: Mystery

Publication Date: December 3, 2013

Publisher: Witness Impulse, an Imprint of HarperCollins

Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

It’s a new year for Ben Cooper and Diane Fry, and that means new mysteries to solve in the icy depths of a bitter winter.
It isn’t the easiest way to commit suicide, but the dead woman seems to have simply curled up in the freezing snow and lay there until her heart stopped. There was no one to observe her death but the foxes and the hares. Yet she is riddled with bruises. Her death is horrifying -- is it also suspicious?
When two more dead bodies are found, Cooper and Fry begin to wonder if these tragedies are connected, and whether they will survive the winter…

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17851737-blood-on-the-tongue

Purchase Links: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble

STEPHEN BOOTH is an award winning British crime writer, the creator of two young Derbyshire police detectives, DC Ben Cooper and DS Diane Fry, who have appeared in twelve novels set in England’s beautiful and atmospheric Peak District.

Stephen has been a Gold Dagger finalist, an Anthony Award nominee, twice winner of a Barry Award for Best British Crime Novel, and twice shortlisted for the Theakston’s Crime Novel of the Year. Ben Cooper was a finalist for the Sherlock Award for the best detective created by a British author, and in 2003 the Crime Writers’ Association presented Stephen with the Dagger in the Library Award for “the author whose books have given readers the most pleasure”.

The Cooper & Fry series is published all around the world, and has been translated into 15 languages.

Connect with the Author: Twitter | Blog | Goodreads

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Promo Post: Ready To Go by Stephanie Mann

Ready To Go

by Stephanie Mann

Release Date: 11/12/13

Publisher: Swoon Romance

Summary from Goodreads:

Daniel is sick of his wonderfully boring and predictable life. He dutifully gets up every morning, goes to class, goes to work, and it never changes. He does, says and even wears exactly what others expect of him. He's so predictable that he barely notices just how unhappy he truly is.

One afternoon, everything changes when David meets a girl on the run from her own demons. She doesn't need Daniel's help, but he offers and she accepts--setting a course for an adventure neither will soon forget.

Together, on an impromptu road trip, two strangers become friends and a bit more, all while facing money problems, car problems, and tourist traps and the naked truth: they can't run forever.

Will they finally stop running long enough to discover true and lasting love?

Buy Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Excerpt:

First Day

“Who’s ready to go on a science adventure?”

The kids cheered, and as Daniel started leading his tour group through the museum, he relaxed for the first time that day. He’d started the day by oversleeping—not a thing you want to do in medical school, and as he walked through the halls of the Pittsburgh Children’s Discovery Museum, he was already planning on how to tell his professor that a grandmother died or something. At least he’d only missed his first class.  

Daniel was enrolled in the medical school at a so-called prestigious Pennsylvania college, where the reputation was more important than the education. Not that the degree was completely useless. He was going to be using that degree as a doctor in just three or four more years. Sometimes those years seemed long, sometimes they seemed short. Today, they seemed short. Classes flew by when he didn’t go.

He had to skip brushing his teeth that morning, and he hoped no one noticed. He’d just shoved a few orange Tic-Tacs into his mouth to hide his morning breath. He’d have some coffee on the way. It would stink up his breath a little bit, but everyone smelled like coffee in the morning. It was the only way they survived. They spent their classes learning about caffeine overdose, how it would fuck up their bodies, and they still needed it. Other students turned to anti-depressants, pills to keep them awake. Wasn’t hard to get them. Most of them worked with doctors on internships, fellowships, who could swipe a prescription pad. Daniel didn’t want to touch the stuff. Too tempting to get addicted.

His tie had been crooked all day, and his perpetually messy black hair had remained uncombed. The kids didn’t notice, and lucky for him, neither had his boss. Daniel didn’t care about looking good for class, but he did care about the museum. He had the job so he wouldn’t have to rely on his parents’ money all the way through school. They paid tuition, he paid everything else, and it worked out for him.

“So, kids, the first thing we’re going to do is visit the moon!” Daniel said as he led his tour group on. “How does that sound?”

“Awesome!” one of the kids, a boy, shouted a bit too loudly.

“Follow me!” Daniel continued, his voice still holding too much fake cheer. He held his flag high so that the group could see him and headed towards the space travel exhibit.

Daniel surveyed the group as they walked, trying to size them up. Who would be the troublemaker this time? There were babies in their parents’ arms, too young to understand a word he was saying. He’d have to make them wait outside for the lightning display. The noise would scare them. There were a couple of cute little girls who looked like they’d eagerly hang on to every word he said. The parents, on the other hand, didn’t look like too much trouble. One of the mothers looked like the type who might disagree with everything that wasn’t in the Bible, based on the way she fingered the cross around her neck, and he’d probably lose her around the dinosaur exhibit. He knew that thought was incredibly judgmental, but he’d actually met parents who were like that. He could tell the type.

His eyes settled on a girl in the back, carrying a suitcase, her eyes shifting around uneasily. Probably the older sister of one of these kids, forced by her parents to take the younger sibling to the museum for “quality time.” He’d had to do it himself when he and his brother were young. She might be a smartass, the older kids usually were, but that wasn’t a problem.

He wondered if he should say something about the suitcase. But he figured that it probably had the kid’s diapers, extra snacks, a toy to entertain him, stuff like that. A few of the mothers had backpacks. A suitcase wasn’t much different, even if it did have the same print on it as his grandmother’s sofa. Besides, he didn’t want to embarrass her. She looked uncomfortable being there.

She was in fact uncomfortable, but not for a reason Daniel could have guessed. Nicole was in a strange place with strange people, and she was just itching to get back on the road. She’d hitchhiked her way to the museum, and while she was grateful to be out of the sun, she was far from her destination.

Then again, her destination was just “not Philly,” so she was there if she wanted to be. She didn’t feel far enough from home for it to count quite just yet. She’d made up her mind that she was going to go a long ways away—and not leaving the state was simply not good enough. But she was on this tour now, and she was just going to deal with it and listen to the guy talk. He was kind of hot, anyway. While they walked, he was talking to one of the parents. He had the forced smile of a person who didn’t want to deal with this shit. Nicole herself had worn that smile many times, working fast food.

She would never have to go back to her restaurant. That was a huge relief, one that made her relax and listen as the guide talked about the first moon landing. She sat down on a plastic moon rock and rubbed at a wasp sting on the back of her hand. She’d never been stung before that morning.

About the Author

Stephanie Mann lives in Massachusetts. Besides writing, she spends her free time working with fan conventions. She loves to travel, and has visited many tourist traps along the way.

READY TO GO is Stephanie Mann's first novel.

***Author Links***

Website / Goodreads / Twitter

***GIVEAWAY***

1 - $10 itunes gift card & ebook of Ready To Go (INT)

3 – ebook copies of Ready To Go (INT)

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Promo Post: Never Let Go by Scarlett Edwards

Title:   Never Let Go

Author:  Scarlett Edwards

Genre: New Adult Romance

Publication Date:  October 17, 2013

Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

SYNOPSIS:

The first day of college gives every girl a chance to reinvent herself.

I go and screw mine up by meeting the most gorgeous guy I've seen in five years while talking to my cat.

But Andrew Crowner is far from judgmental. By the end of our interaction, he has me smitten by his easy manner and kind smile. And from the way his eyes linger on me before he leaves, I start to think that maybe I’ve caught his attention, too.

I let myself believe that luck may finally be on my side. That is, until I stumble on my roommate, and her overnight guest: Spencer Ashford.

Lean, tattooed, and sexy as sin, Spencer is exactly the type I need to avoid. I would have no trouble with that... were it not for his swift and inexplicable interest in me.

Suddenly, I go from a girl with next-to-no experience with boys to one caught in the crosshairs of two completely different men.

Andrew's interest is wholesome and sweet. Spencer's is edgy and raw. My choice should be easy. But there are always complications, and sometimes, matters of the heart take the least expected turns.

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Purchase Links: Barnes & Noble

About the Author

I’m Scarlett Edwards.  I wrote my first book as a college sophomore.  After six months of edits, it made its debut as Yours to Savor.

That was at the start of 2013.  I’ve written more books since then.  You can find them all here.

It’s funny how quickly life changes.  I used to think I’d need a degree to get a “Real Job.”  Then I wrote a few books, they got somewhat popular, and now I’m living the life as a full-time romance author.

Thanks to all my readers for making my dream come true.

Website | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads

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20 eBook copies / 10 Audio copies /5 hard cover copies / 4 $50 GCs (prepaid Visa cards, redeemable anywhere) / 2 $100 GCs  / 1 Kindle Paperwhite (newest version)     

OPEN INTERNATIONALLY    ENDS NOVEMBER 1

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Promo Post: Surrender to Fate (Fate's Path #1) by Jacelyn Rye

Title:   Surrender to Fate (Fate’s Path #1)

Author:  Jacelyn Rye

Genre:   New Adult Romance 18+

Publication Date:  September 17, 2013

Cover Designed By:  Damonza 

Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis

Some say fate holds the cards. But what if love deals the hand? No love goes untested. Ever. Indeed, true love is left to prove itself. And that is exactly where fate steps in to play the game.

For William and Sarah, that game begins with growing up, in the unspoiled mountains of Colorado. In a time and space as clear as the Rocky Mountain skies above, these young souls together learn about life, what matters most, what endures, what doesn’t, and about love. Innocent young love moves ever so surely toward lives they both can picture, lives spent loving each other in a place they know so well and cherish.

Will and Sarah are ecstatically swept away in the swells of new love. And it is in their rarefied bliss that they make the fragile promise of first love, a promise that fate will soon rock and pound into doubt, guilt, and epiphany.

Unexpected and unprepared, these young lovers are suddenly torn apart, first by distance, and then by the far greater pressures of temptation that test the very fidelity of their heart-held promise. No longer able to console each other, hold each other, touch each other, they face the inevitable decision: move on to other loves, or cling to the faith that they will someday be together, again.

Will and Sarah stare down an unknown path, sensing destiny will not wait long before it comes to take them. Wracked with doubt, they wonder if their love was real. Caged by guilt, they both feel tempted by others intent on stealing their hearts.

Fate plays hardest when love is tested. And Will and Sarah are no exception, letting go of their happy past to embrace hope for an uncharted future. Love plays hardest when fate tests. And so it is, even through their trials of the heart, Will and Sarah never really stop loving each other. Theirs is a love so real and pure that each just wants the other to find happiness, even if it's with another.

But fate does not surrender so easily. Dealing blow upon blow, both Will and Sarah are each struck by jolting events that take them to the very edge of life, itself.

Sarah and Will hold tightly to their past, but steadfast promises begin to wane. Life continues, filled with romance, drama, and two souls yearning to understand the challenges brought with coming of age, and learning that fate is ultimately in control. What happens to love when life is on the line? Can they both relinquish control when love is on the line? Will fate even allow them to find out?

Add to Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18231367-surrender-to-fate?from_search=true

Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Jacelyn's Top 10 Favorite Snacks While Writing

Coffee---there can never be too much hazelnut cream, right?

String Cheese---no time to pull the strings, I have to type!

Fruit Snacks (for my inner child)

Popcorn

Mint Gum

Apple slices

Cereal---well, really that’s true for anytime of the day!

Jerky

Granola Bar (Chocolate covered, of course)

Good Ol’ Fashioned Water

About the Author

Jacelyn spent her childhood growing up in the mountains of Colorado.  After graduating from college, she moved to Southern California, where she still resides with her husband and two young sons.  

Facebook  | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog

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Promo Post: Hollywood Homecoming (Red Carpet Series #3) by Sasha Summers

“Yes?” I pushed off of Chris’s chest, removing myself from his hold and turning, expecting a parent or volunteer.

Joseph stood there, looking at me with a strange molten look in his eyes. I froze, all too aware of the exquisite pressure in my chest. But he was looking at me the exact way I’d dreamed he’d look at me…a look that made me a bit breathless.

“Joseph?” My voice was far too rasping for my liking but, really, there wasn’t anything I could do about it. The intensity of his gaze was making my bones melt.

He moved so quickly, I wasn’t prepared. Not that I’d have known how to respond to him if I’d been prepared for what he was planning. One minute I was standing there stupidly staring at him, the next I was wrapped in an all too lovely embrace.

Joseph pressed a kiss to my forehead, tilting my head and nuzzling along my neck. His stubble brushed my cheek and neck, eliciting a very real shudder. His words in my ear were so soft I barely heard them. “Now’s your chance to show him you’re taken. Welcome your long-lost boyfriend home…or, if you’ve changed your mind, slap me.”

It took far longer for me to process what he was saying, partly because I’d fantasized about this—being held by Joseph—for years. And partly because I was having a hard time remembering that I was over him and I should not be reacting to him. Even though I was.

“Helen?” he whispered, his lips tickling my ear.

I give up.

I turned into his kiss and wrapped my arms around his neck.

Hollywood Homecoming (Red Carpet Series, #3)

by Sasha Summers

Release Date: 09/05/13

Publisher: Inkspell Publishing

Summary from Goodreads:

Make-up artist to the stars. The favorite aunt. Dance teacher. Baby sister. Talented musician and song-writer.

Single.

Why did that word rank above the rest? Helen loved her family and understood they wanted her to have the real love they’d all found. It’s just that she’d found her someone special and learned to live without him. She’d been too young for the quirky, idealistic doctor-off to save the world-to notice. And, really, if she had it her way, he’d never know how she’d felt. Now, he was one of her best friends, a pen pal, losing him would be too much.

Seeing him at their parents wedding, Helen realizes the horrible truth: she still loves Joseph… which wouldn’t be so bad if she wasn’t in the situation she was in.

But she was. And her secret will change everything. Will it destroy hope for a Hollywood happy ending too?

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18250008-hollywood-homecoming

Link to books 1 & 2:

Buy Links:

http://www.amazon.com/Hollywood-Homecoming-Sasha-Summers/dp/1939590191/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377925797&sr=8-1&keywords=hollywood+homecoming

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hollywood-homecoming-sasha-summers/1116374285?ean=9781939590190

About the Author

Sasha is part gypsy. Her passions have always been storytelling, history, romance, and travel. She writes both lyrical romantic fantasy AND steamy contemporary romance. Her first play was written for her Girl Scout troupe. She's been writing ever since. She loves getting lost in the worlds and characters she creates; even if she frequently forgets to run the dishwasher or wash socks when she's doing so. Luckily, her four brilliant children and hero-inspiring hubby are super understanding and supportive.

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Giveaway
5-ebook copies of Hollywood Homecoming (INT)

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