Audiobook Blog Tour #Trinity Forest @AnAudiobookworm @JenniferAlsever

Author: Jennifer Alsever

Narrator: Moira Todd

Series: Trinity Forest Series, Book 1

Publisher: Sawatch Publishing

Released: Sep. 7, 2017

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Author Jennifer Alsever delivers an addictive story ideal for fans of The Uglies, We Were Liars, and Before I Fall about a teen grieving over her parent's tragic death who becomes entangled with a mysterious forest teeming with urban legends of strange disappearances and witchcraft.

Ember Trouve used to be alive, driven to become a musician and on a path to college. That was before her parents died. One day, after venturing into the fabled Trinity Forest, she goes missing. Now, Ember must confront the truth behind her parents' death - or lose herself to the forest forever.

In this fresh and compelling novel, Jennifer Alsever creates a paranormal world of loss, mystery, love, and survival as Ember searches for escape - and a path back to herself. Ember Burning is the first installment of the three-book Trinity Forest series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-F0XsTvVAnw

A teenager still lives inside author Jennifer Alsever. She spent two decades as a professional journalist, contributing to such publications as Fortune Magazine, the New York Times, Inc Magazine and the Wall Street Journal, before letting her imagination run wild in 2016. The result is Ember's story told in the three-book Trinity Forest Series, her first published fiction work.
When not absorbed in writing, Alsever enjoys a good hike, doing some yoga, hanging with her boys, some moguls on skis, a rigorous mountain bike ride or indulging in the simple pleasures of life. Her favorites: untouched snow, frozen chocolate chips, savasina on a yoga mat and yes, bowls of pan fried brussels sprouts. Jennifer is working on her upcoming novel, Psychic Monkeys, to be released in 2019.

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Moira Todd is a Washington, DC-based actor. She originally hales from Mt. Hood, Oregon where the trees are always green, the mountain is always pointy, and the weather is usually rainy. It was there that she learned the secret arts of alpine skiing and whistling at the same time as you hum. While neither has proved useful in her theatre career, she remains hopeful. These days she spends most of her free time swimming, baking bread, and watching whale documentaries.

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YA and Urban fantasy are my jam, so you should know this going into my review. That said, the cover tagline "Would you sacrifice your future to forget your past?", makes a big promise that it cant necessarily deliver in the first installment of the Trinity Forest series but I truly believe Jennifer Alsever has the ability to make it happen given more time (ie 2nd and 3rd books). I wrangle with world building in the most cleverly crafted stories many times and this series is no different. Ember Trouve begins as a mopey, angsty teen and her constant description of her synesthesia is simultaneously intriguing and distracting. The book's plot meanders a bit, not quite divining the forest from the trees and then, just as suddenly as the meadow delivers the cast of Trinity's characters, the plot tightens and the arc develops into something that is suspenseful and dramatic. The writing, however, is well done overall.

There are a host of themes in the book that can either attract or repel young audiences, from grief and depression to date rape and drug addiction. Certainly they are all handled with care and the story weaves around them without making anything an overarching theme (aside from the grief, as that is the critical motivation for Ember's actions and reactions most of the time both in and out of Trinity Forest). The secondary characters are quite interesting and as the sinister side of Trinity unfolds, the drama highlights the good and bad in everyone. Time takes on new meaning and the insane ramblings of her now gone mother may hold the key to her survival. How can you not get wrapped up in that? Despite it's slow start, Trinity Forest picked up speed and became an out of control freight train that I couldn't stay away from and definitely need the next installment to. For readers who enjoy action, mythology, like a little romance with their fight to survive, and fans of stories that keep you listening past your bedtime, Trinity Forest is right up your alley.

As for the audio narration, Moira Todd does an outstanding job narrating. I agree with the author when she says, "you are Ember". She manages a decent vocal range of character voices and sings beautifully which is fairly important since Ember is a musician/singer. I think the overall narration and the last 3rd of the storyline are my favorite parts.

I give Trinity Forrest four chocolate dipped strawberries and I'll be back for more adventures with installment #2, Oshun Rising!

I received these audiobooks as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Jennifer Alsever. The gifting of these audiobooks did not affect my opinion of them.

• Tell us about the process of turning your book into an audiobook.
  
  • As an avid audiobook fan, I knew when I finished my trilogy that I wanted my books to be an audiobook. But finding the right voice was going to be key. I went into ACX, Audible’s back-end system for authors, and I listened to dozens of sample narrators until I found Moira Todd, an actress in Oregon. I wrote her an email and said, ‘You are Ember!’ She had a gorgeous voice, youthful with the perfect amount of snark and authenticity plus, I didn’t know it at the time, but she could sing. Working with Moira has been a dream, as she sent me samples along the way, and I ate the chapters up as we went.
• Was a possible audiobook recording something you were conscious of while writing?
  
  • No. While I was writing, I was conscious only of the voice on the page. I was fully engrossed in the logistics of the writing and pacing and ensuring readers could see what I saw in my mind’s eye.
• How did you select your narrator?
  
  • I listened to Moira’s sample on ACX, the backend of Audible, and loved her voice. She had a youthful voice that exhibited the kind of intellect, angst, snark, strength and sweetness of my main character Ember. When I heard her audition, I emailed her saying “You are Ember!”
• How closely did you work with your narrator before and during the recording process?
  
  • Moira gave me periodic updates on her editing and chapters as she finished them. We collaborated, but really, Moira just nailed it with no revision requests on my part.
• Did you give them any pronunciation tips or special insight into the characters?
  
  • I didn’t give her insight into characters-- nothing more than what was on the page. I gave her some pronunciation tips when asked, places and names and some weird Egyptian words.
• Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?
  
  • I drew on my experiences walking around the real-life town of Leadville and the scenery of the Colorado mountains where I live, plus took nuggets of scenery from my past visits to Utah, California and L.A. I also peppered in small bits and pieces of real stories from people gathered and heard over the years. To get into the teen head, I invited a group of seniors at a local high school for pizza when I was writing the book, and I listened to them talk. I got a lot of good perspective and a few nuggets of stories from them. They were so generous with their stories and time. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them. The general plot, too, is taken from real-life theories from crazy websites about the Annunaki, energy vortexes and Egyptian mysticism. I did a lot of research and drew on interviews with people who had experienced what Ember did-- mainly a friend who lost her parents as a teen.
• How do you manage to avoid burn-out? What do you do to maintain your enthusiasm for writing?
  
  • When I get stuck, I give myself time and space to do something else. I hike, read, ski, watch smart TV shows or I write other things. I don’t feel like I honestly can get burned from writing. I was obsessed with my story and it just flowed out of my fingers. It’s my most favorite thing, outside of my family and friends.
• Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?
  
  • I am an audiobook listener for sure. As a slow reader, I love listening to a book while I get other things done, whether it’s chores around the house, a long drive or a hike. I am very picky about the narrator of the books I consume, and the voice can make it or break it for me. I’d listened to enough YA books that had similar voices or tones I liked, and I knew Moira would be perfect for my series. She had a voice I personally could enjoy hearing for hours.
• Is there a particular part of this story that you feel is more resonating in the audiobook performance than in the book format?
  
  • Ember is a singer-song writer, and so that was a challenge for me to write lyrics to songs. Some of the lyrics had a loose tune in my head but not really. It was so fun to hear Moira take the lyrics, make a song and then sing it in the audio recording. She has a beautiful singing voice.
• What do you say to those who view listening to audiobooks as “cheating” or as inferior to “real reading”?
  
  • I say a story is a story, heard or read. People say they don’t have time to read. So if listening is an easier way to dive into a imaginary story without sitting in front a screen, then go for it.
• In your opinion, what are the pros and cons of writing a stand-alone novel vs. writing a series?
  
  • Pros of a series: You have more time to develop a storyline and a character, and you can fall more deeply into that world. People can binge your books just like they can binge watch TV.
  • Pros of standalone: You’re done with one and can dig into another entirely new idea next.
  • Cons of a series: Some people hate series and so maybe they read one book and may grumble about having to read another two to find out all the answers. It’s harder to market the other books in the series because they’re a continuation of the story so you end up having to tout your first book over and over, when you really might be proud of the writing or the story in the second and third too.
  • Cons of standalone: Sometimes, it can be hard to get everything you want in the book and it feels rushed. As a reader and an author, you’re sad to leave those characters behind and close the book to move on to the next idea.
• Have any of your characters ever appeared in your dreams?
  
  • The genesis of my book came from a dream. I was running through a forest, but I wasn’t myself. I was someone else. I came to a gate, went inside and met three of my characters, Tre, Lilly and Zoe, and after spending time there, they whispered how I could never go home, despite the world spinning forward on the outside.
  • When I woke up, I told my son about the dream because it was so vivid and striking to me, and he told me to turn it into a novel. So I did.

with Author Jennifer Alsever

• Waffle fries or curly fries?
  
  • Curly fries for sure. They were my downfall in college.

• GIF with a hard g or soft g?
  
  • Hard G. Though it’s enough of a conundrum I try to avoid saying the word out loud.

• Fantasy or science-fiction?
  
  • Sci-fi. I don’t like reading about queens and goblins, and must prefer to consider aliens and future tech worlds. I actually love contemporary with a little twist of magic.

• Superman or Batman?
  
  • Batman for sure. Though he would probably get on my nerves after awhile with that voice.

• Text message or call?
  
  • I unfortunately prefer text messages because I like to get to the point quickly.

• Pancakes or waffles?
  
  • Waffles because they’re not something I’d make at home. Making me hungry as I answer this.

• Doctor Who or the Walking Dead?
  
  • Meh to both. Walking Dead is beloved by so many people but it’s too gruesome for me and a little depressing. Dr. Who is a little too old-school.

• TV Shows or movies?
  
  • Depends. I’m loving some Netflix and Amazon originals right now, and I appreciate the thoughtful character development you can do with a show. But I am always a fan of a good movie.

• Facebook or Twitter?
  
  • Facebook. Twitter feels very impersonal to me.

• Alice in Wonderland or Robinson Crusoe?
  
  • Alice in Wonderland! One fantasy I do like.

• Being too warm or too cold?
  
  • I am always too cold. Hands, feet. I wear a puffy coat when I work during the winter. Isn’t that weird?

• Netflix or Hulu?
  
  • Netflix. I’ve been a loyal Netflixer since the days of DVDs 15 years ago. They almost lost me with their crappy online offerings-- until they started developing their own killer content.

• Work Hard or Play Hard?
  
  • I like both. I love what I do, so it doesn’t feel like work. But you got to get out and enjoy life since it’s flying by too fast.

• Passenger or Driver?
  
  • Passenger for sure. I love writing in the car while my husband drives. Naps. Those are good too.

• Amusement Park or Day at the Beach?
  
  • Beach. Gotta get your nature.

• Honesty or Other’s Feelings?
  
  • Not sure I get this one, but I’m all about honesty. I’m an open book.

• Movie at Home or Movie at the Theater?
  
  • I love the theater. Popcorn. Gotta get my popcorn.

BOOK ONE

Jun. 24th:

Once Upon a Twilight

The Book Junkie Reads . . .

Jun. 25th:

The Layaway Dragon

Jazzy Book Reviews

Jun. 26th:

Happily Ever BookWorm

Bound 4 Escape

Jun. 27th:

Chapter Break

Lomeraniel

Jun. 28th:

A Page to Turn

Guilty Indulgence Book Club

Jun. 29th:

Notes from 'Round the Bend

Lilly's Book World

Jun. 30th:

Bookworms Corner Blog Spot

The Book Addict's Reviews

Here's to Happy Endings

BOOK TWO

Jul. 1st:

Writers and Authors

The Book Junkie Reads . . .

Jul. 2nd:

The Layaway Dragon

Jul. 3rd:

Happily Ever BookWorm

Bound 4 Escape

Lilly's Book World

Jul. 4th:

Lomeraniel

Jul. 5th:

A Page to Turn

Guilty Indulgence Book Club

Jul. 6th:

Notes from 'Round the Bend

Chapter Break

Jul. 7th:

Bookworms Corner Blog Spot

The Book Addict's Reviews

Here's to Happy Endings

➜Sign up as a host here

Paradise Cove tour, #Hooked On You, @AnAudiobookworm @PatriceWilton

Buy Links
Buy Paradise Cove on Audible⎮Amazon
Buy Hooked On You on Audible⎮Amazon
Buy Play Right By Me on Audible⎮Amazon

About the Audiobooks
Author: Patrice Wilton
Narrator: Cynthia Vail; Rita Page
Length: 7 hours 53 minutes; 8 hours 40 minutes; 8 hours 6 minutes
Publisher: Patrice Wilton⎮2016; 2016; 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Paradise Cove, Books 1-3
Release date: April 19, 2016; July 13, 2016; March 14, 2017
Synopsis Book #2: This riveting romance is the second book in the Paradise Cove series set in the Florida Keys. Three high-spirited sisters inherit Paradise Cove Cottages, and each story is a stand alone. Taylor Holmes has a lot on her plate--running a family owned resort, planning a wedding for her sister, and now the added worry as she opens her dream café. Throw in a hurricane and a sexy boat captain who doesn't take no for an answer, and this book will keep you glued to your Kindle. Romance, passion, danger, and hot, hot nights guarantee reading pleasure.

Reviews

Hooked on you returns readers to Paradise Cove in book 2 of Patrice Wilton's charming series of 3 sisters and their adventures in life and love.  While book one set the tone, book two brings the stories of the sisters and mom running the resort and side characters they make into family back to life.  And without extensive world building and descriptions of every person, place and thing, book two has more juice...and is much juicier with the romance between Taylor and Colt.

The Holmes family has a real routine going - Paradise Cove is doing well and Taylor now has her own namesake Café.  Opening day comes and all is quiet until her good buddy Colt shows up to lend support and pans in traffic to fill her seats and get the word out that Taylor's Café is the place to brunch.   Having turned him down repeatedly, theirs is a friendship with flirting and caring until an old flame shows up and sends him into a jealous tailspin.  Turns out the old flame is a bad guy and Colt happens to be there to save the day.  The classic romance trope friends-to-lovers is successful for a reason - we always want to like the one we love, not just jump his bones (although that helps)!

Naturally the course of true love never runs smoothly and Taylor is unbelievably stubborn and closed off, but Colt manages to persevere.  The best part is the chemistry that this pair has - and with a fair amount of meddling from Anna and the rest of Taylor's team, theirs is a hard fought romance win at the end!  Who doesn't want an HEA from their summer beach read, right?  Having fixed many of the issues that seemed to pop up in book one, book two of Paradise Cover series, will truly have it's readers "hooked".

As for the narration, book two was also read by Cynthia Vail, who again did a  nice job voice acting this story.   Her slightly huskier female voice for narration and there were no major accent inconsistencies as in book one.  Ms. Vail carries the story with strength and delivers characters both male and female that are unique and interesting and keep the reader wanting to keep tuning in chapter after chapter. 

I still highly recommend this fun, summer perfect series if you're looking to take your brain on a sunny getaway!

I give Paradise Cove, Hooked on You, Book 2, 4 chocolate dipped strawberries. I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Patrice Wilton. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

About the Author: Patrice Wilton


Patrice Wilton knew from the age of twelve that she wanted to write books that would take the reader to faraway places. She was born in Vancouver, Canada, and had a great need to see the world that she had read about.


Patrice became a flight attendant for seventeen years and traveled the world. At the age of forty she sat down to write her first book—in longhand! Her interests include tennis, golf, and writing stories for women of all ages.


She is a mother of two, has four lovely grand-daughters and one grandson, and a wonderful man at her side. They live in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he teaches her golf, and she teaches him patience.


She has twenty-five books published on Amazon, and is a NY Times and USA Today best selling author.

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Merry #MistletoeHop! Operation White Christmas on #HunkyDays with @Nicki_Edwards

DAY FOUR...Happy Hunky-Days!
Got your Christmas Tree decorated?
Listening to Holiday Music?
Presents wrapped?
Baked those Sugar Cookies?


NOW it's time for YOU... the Ndulgent Bloggers are all about the BOOKS. Every year we highlight our favorite twelve romance books of the season with our HUNKY DAYS event so if you are visiting us now for the MISTLETOE HOP, be sure to check out all our recent posts with holiday book ideas.

Today's book feature is Operation White Christmas (Escape to the Country #2.5) by Nicki Edwards...

It was like reading a Hallmark movie! It was oozing sweetness and bursted with an HEA. There's no drama here - just love, love, love. During the holidays, these are the type of sweet romances I enjoy losing myself in as I wait for batches of cookies to come out of the oven... and it's just as sweet.

Hollie Douglas has dreamed of a White Christmas ever since she was a child, but her dream implodes when her fiancé breaks her heart two months before their big day. Convinced by her best friend to go ahead with her planned honeymoon anyway, Hollie doesn't expect to find herself stuck in a snowstorm in rural Canada two days before Christmas.

Jim Bell has been dreading another Christmas without his wife. When one of his orphaned animals goes missing in the middle of a snowstorm, he didn't expect he'd be rescuing a stranded Australian tourist as well. He quickly realizes Hollie is carrying as much emotional baggage as him, and when she accepts his offer to seek shelter at his farm, he wonders if he's doing the right thing.

As Jim helps Hollie fulfil her White Christmas dreams, the winter wonderland and spirit of Christmas work their healing magic on both of them.

RATING:
3 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
This book was given to us through NetGalley. Many thanks.

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Read excerpts from some good books. Enter each of the author contests. Tell us what you like to read during the holidays. Find some new-to-you authors to ring in the New Year with.

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Never Been Kissed

Two’s Company. Three is perfection.
Second Chances, book 5

Shelly MacIsaac has pretty much given up all hope. Hope that she’ll lose weight, that she’ll find any excitement in life, that there will ever be any man in her bed besides Barney, her cat.

When her friend Zoey suggests the wine girls come up with resolutions for the New Year, Shelly latches onto the one everyone expects her to choose—the tried-and-true commitment to go on a diet and get into shape. Deep inside, however, Shelly knows she needs to change a lot more than just her physical appearance.

After a year licking his wounds over a broken romance, Christian is through. He’s been quietly lusting after Shelly at work, and he’s not wasting any more time. There’s something about her that makes him believe she’s the one. Unfortunately, Shelly’s kickboxing instructor, Lance—Christian’s best friend—has set his sights on the sweet blonde as well.

Instead of pistols at dawn, the two friends come up with a deliciously erotic answer to their shared dilemma—if the shy beauty will accept their racy proposal.

Warning: There is a chance this story will encourage you to go on a diet and begin an intense exercise regime. After all, flavored body lube is low cal, right? And sex is a great way to burn calories.

REVIEW:

Mari Carr’s newest release Never Been Kissed wraps up her Second Chances series. For those who have cheered and swooned through all the "wine girls'" stories, this is the one you've waited for.  For anyone else who picks this up without reading the previous four - put the book down and go get Fix You first. No, this isn't the kind of book that needs the previous volumes to make sense, but it's impact will be even more meaningful if you have all five friends' tales. 

Good romance stories have pretty standard elements - hero, heroine, trials and tribulations, happy ever after.  Great romance stories have storylines that stick with you after the eReader is off for the night, dialogue that makes you snicker and quip the following day, and a willingness to tackle those everyday subjects that really aren't very romantic but are really very real to most people.  The best romance stories involve characters that you wish really existed because you'd love to meet them and just hang out!

Never Been Kissed finally tells Shelly’s story. The baby of the group, Shelly has decided her weight is holding her back - from life and love. Her personal challenge is to get fit, get a life and get laid (for the first time).  To aid her journey, Shelly must tackle her lifelong self esteem and body issues.  Armed with a fitness trainer, a handsome co-worker and the "wine girls", how can she achieve anything less than success?  Who knew that Shelly would become the ultimate over-achiever?  

As a curvy girl, I simultaneously craved and feared this story.  Shelly takes the reader to some pretty dark places during her struggle to find the good and the pretty inside.  It is hard to battle those voices and the message that Ms. Carr sends the reader is honest and realistic without being sappy or preachy.  Sure, everyone knows fitness and diet are the keys to healthy living - finding the inspiration and determination to follow through makes the story. And seriously, Christian and Lance the power to inspire and captivate... Holy cats! When Shelly breaks out of her shell, she goes for more than your average gusto when the two best friends decide she shouldn't have to chose between them!  Good things come to those who wait - and everyone deserves a Second Chance!!

RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries.  Many thanks.

BUY LINKS:
Samhain
AMAZON
ARe
B&N

Don't forget to stop by our Hop page and enter our 4 year BLOGiversary contest. Just click on the picture below.

 

Underground: Special Teams by @seanmichael09 @torquere #REVIEW # TOUR #CONTEST

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:
Keeping it Fresh

First of all, thank you Indulgent Bloggers for having me today!

I was asked about longevity and keeping my stories fresh. Well, you see, my characters regularly pinch my ass. No? Not that kind of fresh? ;)

Seriously, though, I am going to blame the characters. They keep showing up and I keep writing their stories. In the end, for me, that’s what it boils down to.

I will say that there are days when I’m tired or cranky (or tired and cranky) and uninspired and I just don’t feel like writing. Or that while I’m writing, the work seems clunky and boring, lacking that spark. I keep slogging through, because I’m a writer and that’s what I do. I write every day whether I want to or not. And usually, it turns out that the uninspired and clunky feeling I had about the work was actually just me and it reads just fine when I go back over it on another day.

That missing spark doesn’t happen all that often, though, because in all honestly, I love what I do. Writing is in my bones and it’s what I do, it’s who I am. I think loving what you do, whether it’s a creative endeavor or a non-creative one, makes a ton of difference. That love shows in the finished product.

I think that is what contributes most to my longevity, to my keeping things new and fresh for myself (and hopefully my readers!), the fact that, while this is a job, it’s the best damn job on earth and I love doing it with a passion.

Sean Michael
smut fixes everything
www.seanmichaelwrites.com

EXCERPT:

"Do you want me to observe only this evening?"

"For a few hours at least. Jack has vouched for you, but it's important to learn us, how we work."

Hunter nodded slowly. If these people were forcing men to be subs, making them stay, abusing them, he'd be very surprised. This level of care didn't come out of a place of abuse.

"Let's go downstairs. I'll introduce you around. Ben wants to shave his boy today, head to toe, and he wants an audience."

"Even eyebrows?" That was some hard core shit. And wouldn't that surprise people who thought BDSM was all about whips and chains?

"Everything. This isn't a punishment, but Pete is having serious issues with hiding from Ben."

"Ah, Ben sounds like a very wise man." Inventive, attentive, a good master.

Hunt already liked this group. If it turned out anyone was being held here against their will, if they weren't on the up and up, he was going to be extremely disappointed.

"They're both learning, but they're getting there."

"Are they a new couple?" Hunt asked, watching Dan move around the kitchen, triple checking everything.

Jack answered him. "Yeah, Ben has been waiting for Pete for years, but the connection is new."

"I look forward to seeing them together, then. Watching their scene."

"It should be intense, emotional. Pete is a fighter."

Hunt nodded, already affected, just by the conversation.

Daniel chuckled. "Pete used to be a surgeon, and he had a breakdown. Went to work on a construction crew before he started working from home."

"Those high pressure jobs often produce subs, don't they?" The best sub Hunt had ever had was a man who ran a fortune five hundred company.

"You know it. We have a number of subs that are desperate to break, to allow someone else in."

"I enjoy a challenge." Hunt had to remind himself he was here on the job, not to find someone.

Jack grinned. "Me, I'm looking for a sweet boy, a good bottom who likes a hard fuck but isn't pushing constantly."

Daniel's laughter filled the air. "In other words, you're not looking for a boy like Keif?"

"Fuck, no. No, Keif needs an owner, not a Dom."

Hunt's eyebrow went up. "Keif?"

"One of our unattached subs," Daniel said. "He's got the need to be hard-used, broken down. No one man can handle him, no offense Jack."

"None taken."

"Is he here tonight?" Hunter asked, intrigued despite himself.

"He's with our group every night he's not on call."

"Is that a yes?" Because he hadn't heard a yes.

"He is here -- plugged, bound, gagged, and, I would imagine well-sounded by now."

Jesus Christ. A bolt of pure desire went through Hunt.

Daniel grabbed a case of water. "Come on, guys. Let's go down."

"Can I take anything?" Hunt offered.

"Can you grab the fruit bowl? I find fruit to be hydrating, erotic, and less messy than chocolate."

"You got it." These guys were pros at this hosting a BDSM party thing and Hunt found himself once again hoping they were all on the up and up. He wanted to play, not to make arrests.

Following Dan downstairs, he felt his anticipation ramping up.

Instead of a dark, club-like atmosphere, downstairs there was a room with couches and lamps, pillows. It looked totally normal, at least until he saw the cage in one corner. The massage table. The man kneeling, wearing nothing but a collar.

Hunter took everything in, eyes moving over the men in the room, cataloging them. The man in the collar had to be Pete, the slender, whip-like man looking on proudly, Ben. There were a couple of men sitting together, a few wandering. In the back, bound and ring gagged, cock stuffed was...

Wait. Wait. Hunter knew that shock of near-white hair, the icy blue eyes. He saw that face every time the SWAT team was called out. Keifer Magnessen.

Underground: Special Teams, Sean Michael, Torquere Press
When Hunter Simms goes undercover at an underground BDSM party, the last thing he expects to see is SWAT’s leading shooter Keifer Magnessen bound, gagged, plugged and very bare. He is immediately drawn to Keifer, and wants to get to know his fellow cop better. Much better.

With such a high stress job, Keifer needs to give up control on his down time in order to decompress, but it’s a secret he holds close to his vest. So, when Hunter walks into his chosen place to submit, he tries to cut and run. Lucky for him, Hunter is shrewd, persistent and quite possibly just the Dom that Keifer needs.

Can these two strong men find a way to make their personal lives mesh?

REVIEW:

I have been a fan of Sean Michael ever since I picked up my first Jarhead novel back in 2008. I know going in that I am going to get strong characters with an interesting story and some of the best sex I have ever read.

Hunter is a Detective who goes to a home BDSM party to check out a lead that the subs are being abused. Being a Dom, as well as a Detective, he has a personal interest in this lead. While he is happy to find the accusations are unfounded he is even happier to find Keifer bound and needing a Dom to take him in hand.


Keifer is a sniper for the SWAT team and needs a Dom that can understand his need to be taken out of his head. He has yet to find a man or Dom strong enough to handle his attitude. When Hunter sees to his aftercare against Keifer wishes he realizes he may have just found the Dom he needs.

One of the things I have always liked about Michaels books is the insight that we get as to why someone needs to submit. With Keifer, the high stress level of his job as well as the ramifications of sometimes having to take a life, he needs to give up control somewhere in his life just to be able to decompress. His books always take the time to explain the aftercare and the satisfaction that a Dom gets in seeing to his sub.

I would love to see another book with these characters, to see where they end up and the further exploration of their Dom/sub relationship.

RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries This book was given to us by the author. Many thanks.

BUY LINKS:
TORQUERE
AMAZON
ARE
B&N


Author Name: Sean Michael

Author Bio:

Often referred to as "Space Cowboy" and "Gangsta of Love" while still striving for the moniker of "Maurice," Sean Michael spends his days surfing, smutting, organizing his immense gourd collection and fantasizing about one day retiring on a small secluded island peopled entirely by horseshoe crabs. While collecting vast amounts of vintage gay pulp novels and mood rings, Sean whiles away the hours between dropping the f-bomb and pursuing the kama sutra by channeling the long lost spirit of John Wayne and singing along with the soundtrack to "Chicago."

A long-time writer of complicated haiku, currently Sean is attempting to learn the advanced arts of plate spinning and soap carving sex toys.

Barring any of that? He'll stick with writing his stories, thanks, and rubbing pretty bodies together to see if they spark.

Author Contact:

seanmichaelwrites@gmail.com

www.seanmichaelwrites.com

@seanmichael09

https://www.facebook.com/SeanMichaelWrites

http://seanmichaelwrites.blogspot.ca/

Tour Dates/Tour Stops:

9/22: Amanda C. Stone, Fallen Angel Reviews

9/23: Guilty Indulgence Book Club, Cate Ashwood

9/24: Love Bytes, The Hat Party

9/25: Decadent Delights, MM Good Book Reviews

9/26: Carly’s Book Reviews, Kimi-Chan

9/29: Wake Up Your Wild Side, 3 Chicks After Dark

9/30: Up All Night, Read All Day

10/1: Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Havan Fellows

10/2: Book Reviews and More by Kathy, Inked Rainbow Reads

10/3: Parker Williams, Multitasking Mommas



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Rafflecopter Prize: $25 Torquere Press Gift Certificate

Don't forget to stop by our Hop page and enter our 4 year BLOGiversary contest. Just click on the picture below.

 

Pitch & Wet Paint by @WillParkinsonau @HarmonyInkPress

Pitch, Will Parkinson, Harmony Ink Press
Transitions #1
The day Jackson Kern walks into Taylor Andrews’s classroom is a momentous day in Taylor's life. He's had crushes before, sure, but as time goes on, this is starting to look a whole lot more serious. Still, Jackson doesn’t return Taylor’s feelings.

Taylor has his own admirers, though. Kevin Richards is used to getting what he wants, and what he wants right now is Taylor, so when Taylor rejects him, Kevin retaliates. At first Taylor’s entourage rallies around him, but then Kevin takes his deception one step further and Taylor sees his support dwindle, teaching him the valuable lesson about who he can truly consider a friend.





REVIEW:
Pitch is my first book by Will Parkinson and what a beautiful beginning.

Taylor is your typical high school student who is struggling with where they fit in. The day that Jackson walks into his homeroom Taylor knows he wants Jackson. But why would the popular, good looking, starting pitcher for the baseball team look twice at him?

Jackson is the new guy in school, which is something he is familiar with and is hoping baseball is his ticket to being accepted. After struggling with his mom leaving when he was young and moving from place to place as he grew up Jackson just wants a place where he can put down some roots.

In comes the bitchy cheerleader (no I do not have jealousy issues left over from high school LOL) and she basically messes up everything. Throw in a crazy stalker, and the most awesome best friend in the world and you have the makings for a truly engaging story. And that doesn't even take into consideration the incredible summer camp that Taylor and his best friend Ben are peer counselors at.

This is a story of friendship and loyalty and betrayal that is told without being preachy. It's told in a way that I think any YA can read and relate too. Situations arise that a kid of 16-17 would absolutely react to in the way that the author portrays. And you as the reader can see what's happening but have no way to stop it. You have positive adult representation which doesn't always happen in YA books but was great to read here.

Fabulous story with great characters!


Buy Link - HARMONY INK

RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries. This book was given to us by Harmony Ink. Many thanks.

Wet Paint, Will Parkinson, Harmony Ink Press
Transitions #2
Although Addy’s heart and body bear the scars from his life before he was adopted by the Deans, he’s ached for something he thought he would never find. Until he met Benny. He isn’t sure how anyone can care for someone as broken as he is, even though he wants it desperately.

High school senior Benny Peters has his whole life planned out for him, until a chaste kiss at summer camp opens a new world of possibilities. Determined to erase Addy’s insecurities, Benny works to take away his boyfriend’s pain and replace it with love.

When Addy’s past intrudes on their future, it’s going to take everything Benny can muster to show that no matter what–or who–they face, they belong together.



REVIEW:
If you read Pitch then you know going in that this one is not going to be easy. If you haven't read pitch then stop right now and go do that....NOW!

Benny Peters is that teenager that every parent wants but few of us ever get. he is a true friend, loyal, super smart and an all around nice guy. When he falls in love you know it's going to be that EPIC kind of love.

Addy was broken. His story will tear you up and make you wish for for the most heinous death for an  imaginary characters(his father) ever written. He was broken but he is a survivor and that makes him stronger than he knows. But Ben knows....Ben SEE's Addy.

What an incredible story of survival and love. And while parts of it may have seemed a bit overly done, it so fit with the character that I was fully into the story.

All of the important characters are back from Pitch and we meet a new one that I hoping can find his way out of the darkness. these stories deal with some heavy issues but they are done in a caring realistic way. Not all hurt can be fixed over night and  the author does a wonderful job of showing that.

Another great addition to this series. I would recommend this series to anyone who likes a well told story!

BUY LINK - HARMONY INK

RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries This book was given to us by Harmony Ink Press. Many thanks.

Don't forget to go to the Hop page and enter our BLOGiversary party!!! Just Click on the Picture below!!!

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It seems like only yesterday a few of us were sitting in a car on our way back from a reader conference and came up with the idea to start our own review site. Now, here we are four years later, blogging right along!

We pride ourselves in providing reviews on all genres of romance books, primarily because we have reviewers who like to read a little bit of everything. Our unique book club roots means we still feature one book each month that all of us read and review, and very likely disagree about. But then we make time to provide a review-a-day.

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Get Ndulgent on The Freedom Hop! @Cat_Johnson #FreedomHop

Live. Love. Read.
As book lovers, we are celebrating our freedom to read. In this era of technology, books are at our fingertips and reading is something we always make time for. We take them any way we can get them! eBooks, audiobooks and good old-fashioned paperbacks are all good.

Which type of books do you enjoy? Is it the fingernail-biting suspense? The thrill of an erotic romance? Or the fantasy of paranormal romance? Do you like your books to take you out of this world? Or is all about the possibilities in a contemporary romance?

This week, we're spotlighting one of our favorite authors... CAT JOHNSON... and her newest series all about hot American heroes!

Night with a SEAL, Cat Johnson 
Hot SEALs #1
Ten years of dedication to the Navy taught SEAL Jon Rudnick one thing—he’s not afraid to risk life and limb for his country. But when navigating military red tape begins to present more challenges than the enemy it makes Jon question his future. So does Alison Cressly, the woman he can’t get out of his head.

When Ali’s life is threatened and military rules won’t allow him to intervene, Jon decides it’s time to take back control.

A team of sexy SEALs, a terrorist threat, and an attraction that can’t be denied . . . it all comes together in this launch of the new Hot SEALs romantic suspense series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author Cat Johnson.

CONTEST
Leave a Comment for a chance at an ebook from Cat's Red Hot & Blue series or her military eBooks from her back list.

This book is part of the Hot Alpha SEAL's: Military Romance MEGA set that will be out on July 22, 2014 but is available for pre-order at Amazon.

12 New York Times, USA Today or Award-winning bestselling Hot Alpha Authors bring you this Military Romance Megaset for your reading pleasure:

THE KISS OF A SEAL by Award-winning Author Anne Elizabeth
NIGHT WITH A SEAL (Hot SEALS #1) by New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Cat Johnson
HOT BAYOU SEAL by Award-winning author Cindy Dees
DELTA: RETRIBUTION by USA Today bestselling author Cristin Harber
WATCH OVER ME (An Uncharted SEAL story) by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Delilah Devlin
SEAL'S OBSESSION (A Take No Prisoners story) by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Elle James
The SEAL (a Sex, Lies & Spies novella) by USA Today bestselling author Gennita Low
UNBREAKABLE SEAL by USA Today bestselling author J.M. Madden
MISTER BLACK A Billionaire SEAL Story, Part 1 (In the Shadows) by Award-winning author P.T. Michelle
STONE HARD SEAL by Award-winning author Sabrina York
SEAL'S PROMISE by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sharon Hamilton
BREAKING TIES (a SEAL Team Heartbreakers story) by bestselling author Teresa Reasor

CHECK OUT THE OTHER HOP PARTICIPANTS

Emergency Servicing #HAHAT #REVIEW #GIVEAWAY @Totally_Bound

Emergency Servicing

Eleanor Bruce, Elizabeth Coldwell, H.L. Holston, Noelle Keaton, A.J. Llewellyn, Serena Yates, Sara York

'Down to Earth' by Elizabeth Coldwell

When Ryan's life comes crashing down, can the hottest nurse he's ever met help put it back together again?

It started out the happiest day of Ryan Johnson's life. At breakfast, his long-time boyfriend Craig accepted his proposal that they enter a civil partnership, and in the afternoon he's making a parachute jump—a surprise organised by his new fiancé. But when his chute fails to open, experienced skydiver Ryan finds himself in the hospital, in traction and not going anywhere for a while…and everything starts to fall apart.

High-maintenance Craig doesn't seem to want to be there for him anymore, but down-to-earth Luke—the hottest male nurse Ryan has ever seen—is determined to help him make a full recovery…and maybe even win his heart in the process…

'Please, Doctor' by Serena Yates

Patrick McNeill is obsessed with doctors. A serious-looking man in a white coat gets him hot enough to do…anything to please the physician.

Doctor Russell Walters is a successful emergency physician at the Royal Winkham Hospital during the day…and an occasional expert for a medical fetish club at night. He's only doing his best friend and club owner a favour—until he sees Patrick walk into their pretend clinic. The gorgeous brunet who casts shy glances at him inspires Russell to put his best bedside manner forward. Suddenly he is the one who wants to play doctor!

The 'medical examination' that follows is definitely not authentic—but who cares when both participants find more satisfaction in one another's arms than either thought possible…

Reader Advisory: This book may be hazardous to your health! Do not read if allergic to any of the following: unauthorized use of medical equipment, misappropriated procedures, or a significant dose of kinky sex between an extremely hot physician and his very eager patient.

'Roley's Wood' by A.J. Llewellyn

When Dr Jack Hanrahan set out for a much needed vacation, he had no idea his life would forever change on a remote biking trail in Roley's Wood…

Jack Hanrahan is a California surgeon taking a brief cycling vacation with friends in Edinburgh, Scotland. A woman's scream shatters his peaceful ride in the recently cleaned up Roley's Wood.

He and his best friend, Paul, a heart surgeon, race towards the sound. They find a woman lying on the ground, clinging to life, an arrow sticking out of her body. Jack and Paul have no way of knowing that she disappeared weeks ago and has been the subject of a huge manhunt. They try to help her, working on her frantically until they are able to call for help but by the time they reach the hospital, it's too late.

In the confusion, they realise whoever fired at her must have been an onlooker because the arrow Paul took out of the victim is missing. How could they have not noticed the killer sneaking back to remove it?

The case soon lands in the procurator fiscal's hands. Jack has never heard of this but soon finds that the man in question is the very sexy public prosecutor Brodie Shaw, who promptly asks Jack for help in the twisty mystery as they begin to fall in love with each other…

'Love Without Borders' by Sara York

Work brought them to the jungle, lust brought them together. But staying together may prove too difficult a task.

Jason believes the attraction he has for Doctor David Blankenship will never be more than lustful dreams until David shows up at the firehouse, asking Jason to travel to Guatemala with him for a charity trip. Excited that they'll be working together, Jason is ultimately disappointed because their schedules are too hectic for them to even speak to each other.

Then magic happens when David seeks out Jason on the third night in the jungle giving both of them a taste of paradise. With the ice broken, David plans some time alone. But David's ex wants to derail Jason and David's relationship. Insecurities eat away at Jason, leaving their relationship hanging in the balance.

'Doctor, Doctor' by HL Holston & Eleanor Bruce

Chief Petty Officer Daniel Stewart has a problem, namely Dr Ryker Kincaid. Secret lovers for a year, is their romance doomed when Ryker decides to leave the Navy?

Daniel Stewart, Chief Petty Officer and dedicated Corpsmen, works at the Naval Hospital in Naples, Italy where he carries around two big secrets—one, he's gay, and two, he's in love with a very sexy Navy doctor, Ryker Kincaid, who he's been having an affair with for a year. Yes, Don't Ask, Don't Tell may be gone, but military rules that prevent officers and enlisted from dating are still in place. Ryker and Daniel have to keep their relationship hush-hush or face discharge.

When Ryker elects to leave the Navy after his current tour is up, all of Daniel's future plans for their careers are blown to bits and causes Daniel to spiral out of control. Will Daniel's rash decision cost them everything or push their relationship to the next level?

'Trusting the ER Doctor's Heart' by Noelle Keaton

People trusted Kyle and Trent with their lives every day, surely the two men could entrust their hearts to each other.

After his last relationship resulted in a nasty break-up, the last thing emergency room physician Kyle Montgomery is looking for is another romance. Yet when he meets hunky paramedic Trent Jones, Kyle cannot deny the immediate attraction and undeniable spark between them. As their love develops, Kyle begins to put the past behind him and focus on his burgeoning relationship with Trent.

Trent, who has been drawn to Kyle ever since he first laid eyes on him, can hardly believe the handsome and sophisticated physician would give him a second glance, much less return his feelings. Coming from a modest background, Trent wonders if he's in the same league as Kyle and if their relationship can go the distance. 

When Kyle's former lover surfaces with allegations that cause Trent to question Kyle's true feelings and motivations, it is up to both men to take stock and decide whether theirs is a love worth fighting for, a love worth trusting in…

BUY LINK:  Totally Bound

REVIEW:

I completely forgot I loved Medical themed romance stories until I read this fabulous anthology!  I thought, having worked in a hospital for more than a decade, doctors could have very little draw anymore.  Boy was I wrong!  Totally Bound delivers another amazing anthology filled with sexy doctors and nurses guaranteed to cure whatever ails you.

Consistently well written, each novella delivers novel length quality with captivating characters and fully developed romance story lines.  Be it military, mission, hospital or clinic - in the wilds of the jungle or the woods - these fine fellows know how to provide a hefty dose of sexual healing.  Touches of humor and raw emotion flesh out each tale, drawing the reader in and keeping them up way past bedtime.  

I was pleased to reconnect with some favorite authors and find some new ones to love - always an opportunity with an anthology.  Each story left this reader with a sigh and a little wish that there might be more - also a very good sign since the best stories always leave you wanting to know what happens next!

RATING: Five Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries and winner of our Ultimate Indulgence Award! This book was given to us by the authors. Many thanks.

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