Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Decadence by Karen Stivali (Virtual Book Blast Event)

In association with Goddess Fish Promotions, Jersey Girl Sizzling Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book blast event for Decadence by author Karen Stivali!












Decadence by Karen Stivali
Spice Rack series
Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing
Publication Date: July 5, 2013
Format: eBook - 80 pages / Kindle - 162 KB / Nook - 142 KB
ISBN: 1419945297
ASIN: B00DSOY4RK
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance


BUY THE BOOK: Decadence


Book Description:

A book in the Spice Rack series. 

In eight years of marriage, Eric Carlson has never forgotten to kiss his wife Jessica goodbye—until this morning. As Jessica runs her errands, all she can think about is the missing kiss. When Eric calls to tell her he thinks he left the toaster oven on, she rushes home, annoyed and afraid her house may be burning down. Instead of smoke and flames she finds Eric, looking hot and sexy as hell as he prepares fresh waffles. 

Eric knows he and Jessica have been drifting apart. He’s bought the hot new product everyone’s talking about—the Spice Rack, guaranteed to spice up your love life. The jar he opens advises them to “Spend a decadent day indulging all your senses.” With the whole day ahead of them, a fridge full of tempting treats and the house to themselves for a change, that’s exactly what Eric intends to do—in the kitchen, on the washing machine, wherever the mood strikes. And Jessica’s got a super-steamy surprise for him too. 

A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave.


Book Excerpt:

He didn’t even kiss me goodbye. Jessica knew it was silly to get upset over something so minor, but she couldn’t help it. In the eight years they’d been married, she couldn’t remember another morning when Eric had forgone the farewell kiss. Sure, the kids were running amok, a sea of backpacks and lunchboxes, but that was normal. Eric saying goodbye with a wave was not.

“See you later.” He’d thrown her his trademark sexy grin. She’d stood still for a few seconds, holding the door open as the kids piled out of the house, waiting. And…nothing.

While queued in the drop-off line at the elementary school, she flipped open the vanity mirror. She didn’t look like a beauty queen but at least she’d showered. Her skin was clear, her cheeks even a bit rosy from gardening the day before. She grimaced. I should have brushed my hair. Dark hair, wavy and out of control, pulled into a loose ponytail paired with t-shirt and yoga pants. I look like a teenager. Not exactly sexy. Frowning at her reflection, she heard the car behind her honk.

“Mom, pull up, it’s our turn.” Timmy, though only seven, had been a backseat driver for nearly five years.

“Sorry.” She inched the car toward the orange drop-off cone and stopped. “Have a good day, guys. I love you.”

“Love you too, mom,” the chorus of three came from the backseat as they scrambled out the door.

Taking a last quick glance in the mirror, she snapped it shut and eased back into the parking lot. As she was about to turn onto the main road, her cell rang. XXXXX, Eric’s ringtone. She fumbled in her purse and slid the purple case open. Holding the phone to her ear with her shoulder, she pulled onto the street, not wanting to get beeped at a second time this morning.

“Hey, sweetie,” Eric said. “Can you do me a favor?”

Sighing, Jessica shifted to keep the phone in place as she changed lanes. “What’s up?”

“I know you said you were going to the grocery store, but I need you to stop home first. I think I may have left the toaster oven on.”

“Can’t you go check?”

“I’ve got a really important meeting this morning. I need you to do it. Please?” She could hear the smile in his voice. The charming, irresistible smile to which she’d never been able to say no.

“Fine.” Even if you didn’t bother to kiss me this morning.

“Thanks.”

Did he just chuckle?

She hung up and tossed the phone back into her purse. Great. Now I have to go all the way home, which means I won’t get to the store for another hour. Not that it was a huge deal. With all three boys in school this year she had her days to herself. She’d been looking forward to that for years, but it wasn’t as fun and freeing as she’d expected. All the same responsibilities were there. The house still needed to be cleaned, dinner still needed to be made, laundry was always piling up. And she always had a stack of work on her desk. Freelance graphic design was the perfect work-from-home job and she could do it any time of day or night, but lately she felt as though everything was getting away from her. Somehow she’d had more structure to her days when the kids were home than she managed to have with them in school all day.

As she turned onto her block she couldn’t help but look for signs of smoke pouring from her windows. God, I hope he didn’t really leave the toaster oven on. What the hell was he even using the toaster oven for? Eric ate cereal for breakfast, though now that she thought about it she hadn’t seen him pour himself a bowl this morning. She’d been too distracted by the fact that he was wearing only pajama pants as he plodded around the kitchen. She’d been so busy the past few weeks with back-to-school shopping and beginning-of-term projects they’d barely spent any time together. Seeing him bare chested, hair tousled from bed, reminded her that it had been a while. Too long. Her stomach fluttered from a combination of longing for Eric and fear that her house might be burning.

Jessica slammed the door of the minivan shut, breathing in deeply to see if she could catch any hint of smoke in the air. Nothing. As she opened the front door, another scent greeted her instead. The incredibly delightful aroma of…waffles. Why does the house smell like waffles? She rounded the corner into the kitchen and saw the waffle maker on the counter with Eric poised before it, faded jeans slung low on his narrow hips, a t-shirt clinging to his muscular back, dark hair still damp from a shower hanging loosely into his eyes. A wave of heat washed over her, settling between her legs. Her mouth watered from thoughts of more than just a bite of the waffle Eric was lifting out of the grates.

“Perfect timing,” he said, grinning so wide the dimples on his cheeks were positively cavernous. Blue eyes twinkled at her, full of mischief.

“What are you doing?” She tossed her purse onto the counter, mystified.

“Celebrating Mother’s Day.” He plucked a strawberry out of the colander in the sink, swirled it in a bowl of what appeared to be freshly whipped cream, and approached.

“Mother’s Day is in May. It’s October fifteenth.”

“I know.” He held the plump red berry close enough that she felt the gentle brush of cream melting against her lips. “I was thinking it was something we should celebrate more than once a year.”

She curled her tongue around the cream-covered berry and gave a quick suck before biting off a piece.

The moan Eric emitted sent a tremor rolling down her body, making her knees weak. His lips were on hers before she finished chewing. The sweetness of his velvety tongue blended perfectly with the fruit and cream. This was already better than any Mother’s Day she could recall.




About The Author




Karen Stivali is a prolific writer, compulsive baker and chocoholic with a penchant for books, movies and fictional British men. When she's not writing, she can be found cooking extravagant meals and serving them to family and friends, who never seem to mind the excessive quantities she tends to prepare. She attributes her ability to multitask to the fact that she rarely sleeps, which gives her more hours every day. Prior to deciding to write full time Karen worked as a hand drawn animator, a clinical therapist, and held various food-related jobs ranging from waitress to specialty cake maker. Planning elaborate parties and fundraisers takes up what's left of her time and sanity.

Karen has always been fascinated by the way people relate to one another so she favors books and movies that feature richly detailed characters and their relationships. In her own writing she likes to explore the dynamics between characters and has a tendency to craft romantic tales filled with sarcasm and sexy details. Although she writes in three genres (erotic romance, contemporary romance and women's fiction) all of her stories are love stories with happily ever after endings.

Karen has published several erotic romance novels with Ellora's Cave including two award winning stories: Always You (published September 2011, First Place Winner of the RWA Passionate Plume Award - 2012)Marry Me (published June 2012, First Place Winner in the NEC-RWA Bean Pot Reader's Choice Award - 2013) and Decadence (July 2013).

Her works of women's fiction, Meant To Be, and its sequel, Holding On, (published by Turquoise Morning Press in August and November 2012, respectively) both made the Best of 2012 list at Literati Literature Lovers.

Karen's contemporary romances Then, Again (May 2013) and Leave the Lights On (coming November 2013) are published with Samhain publishing.

To learn more about Karen you can visit her website karenstivali.com where she blogs original recipes, sassy commentary on The Bachelor, and tidbits about her journey in the writing world. Karen can also be found attempting witty banter on Twitter http://twitter.com/karenstivali.


AUTHOR WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
GOODREADS
Decadence by Karen Stivali ~ Virtual Book Blast Page: Goddess Fish Promotions




Virtual Book Blast Contest Giveaway


One randomly chosen commenter will receive a digital copy of his/her choice from Karen's backlist.

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

The tour dates can be found here:

http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2013/07/super-book-blast-decadence-by-karen.html







Friday, July 26, 2013

Virtual Book Tour Event: Week of 7/28 - 8/3/13


Virtual Book Tour Event: 7/28 - 8/3/13



Tuesday 7/30/13


Decadence by Karen Stivali



In association with Goddess Fish Promotions

Virtual Book Blast Event / Contest Giveaway

Book Description: Decadence


A book in the Spice Rack series.

In eight years of marriage, Eric Carlson has never forgotten to kiss his wife Jessica goodbye—until this morning. As Jessica runs her errands, all she can think about is the missing kiss. When Eric calls to tell her he thinks he left the toaster oven on, she rushes home, annoyed and afraid her house may be burning down. Instead of smoke and flames she finds Eric, looking hot and sexy as hell as he prepares fresh waffles.

Eric knows he and Jessica have been drifting apart. He’s bought the hot new product everyone’s talking about—the Spice Rack, guaranteed to spice up your love life. The jar he opens advises them to “Spend a decadent day indulging all your senses.” With the whole day ahead of them, a fridge full of tempting treats and the house to themselves for a change, that’s exactly what Eric intends to do—in the kitchen, on the washing machine, wherever the mood strikes. And Jessica’s got a super-steamy surprise for him too.

A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave





Thursday, July 18, 2013

Seductive Shadows by Marni Mann (Author Guest Post / Book Review)

In association with Reading Addiction Blog Tours, Jersey Girl Sizzling Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Seductive Shadows by author Marni Mann!






Author Guest Post


Ten Things Readers Would Be Surprised To Know About Me
By: Author Marni Mann


1. I’m from the same hometown - Bangor, Maine - as Stephen King. He also lives about fifteen minutes away from me in Florida. I’m not stalking him. I promise.

2. I’m extremely sensitive to smells. This usually doesn’t work in my favor, especially when I’m out in public, stuck in a small, cramped space. But then there are times when a scent triggers a memory and I’m filled with nostalgia and I wish I could recreate those moments every day.

3. I treat my dogs - Bella, a Yellow Lab and Codi, a Maltese - like they’re my children. I might be jealous of them. No, I’m definitely jealous of their lives.

4. Since I was a kid, I’ve had an obsession with macaroni and ketchup. I have to force myself not to eat it every day.

5. Out of all the states and countries I’ve traveled to, Italy is my favorite. It’s my special place, and I hope to be able to live there one day.

6. I met my husband my freshman year in college and we’ve been together since my sophomore year. Instead of aging myself, I’ll just say that was…quite a few years ago. He’s my best friend, my everything.

7. Music has a huge presence in my life, so does chocolate, coffee, and sushi. The perfect day is when I can combine all four, along with friends, laughter, and love.

8. All of my protagonists come to me in dreams. They also wake me up very early in the morning, refusing to let me sleep in or think about anyone besides them. I’m not sure why I create such needy, demanding women, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.

9. I would take flip-flops over heels any day.

10. I can touch my tongue to my nose, fold it into a four-leaf clover and wiggle my ears, but not all at the same time. That might have to be my next trick.




About The Author



A New Englander at heart, Marni Mann is now a Floridian inspired by the sandy beaches and hot pink sunsets of Sarasota. She taps mainstream appeal and shakes worldwide taboos, taking her readers on a dark and breathtaking journey. When she's not nose deep in her laptop, she's scouring for chocolate, traveling, reading, or walking her four-legged children.


AUTHOR WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
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Seductive Shadows by Marni Mann ~ Virtual Book Tour Page: Reading Addiction Blog Tours




Book Review



Seductive Shadows by Marni Mann
Publisher: Entice by Booktrope
Publication Date: July 17, 2013
Format: eBook - 256 pages / Kindle - 455 KB / Nook - 825 KB
ISBN: 9781620153420
ASIN: B00CY22GOU
Genre: Erotica


BUY THE BOOK: Seductive Shadows


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Reading Addiction Blog Tours.


Book Description:

Charlie is a passionate, sensually inspired art student, desperately seeking an escape from an abusive past that haunts her and a tragic accident that emptied her heart. Scarred and unable to love, her yearning for physical pleasure and contact leads her into a tantalizing, dangerous world of power and seduction. The anonymity of the deal offers security, the money provides financial freedom, and the madam’s authority is the mother figure she longs for.But the thrill of the mansion and its arousing dominance quickly fades when she meets the renowned yet mysterious Cameron Hardy, whose intense, baby blue eyes send a nervous flutter through her core. He’s sexy, and not in a subtle way. Cameron stimulates her art, intellect and desires. Just as he begins to break through her emotional boundaries, Charlie discovers a devastating connection between her past and her scandalous work at the mansion, shattering everything she thought to be true.

Provocative, intoxicating and erotic, Seductive Shadows is the unforgettable tale of a young woman’s discovery as she learns to forgive, to love and be loved, and to find redemption amidst a memorable journey that will captivate your mind and stimulate your soul.

This book is for mature audiences 17+. It contains explicit language and sexual content.


Book Excerpt:


I wasn’t a prostitute. I was an artist who used her fingers to paint a fantasy and her body fulfilled it. The muse, or the canvas, but always the artist. And when I was desired by men was when I felt the most creative.

Just because I was hired to provide pleasure, didn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy every moment of passion and every uninhibited deviant thought. I was turned on by the cameras that would point toward my bed, the lust that would be whispered in my ears, and playing out the fantasy that I would compose. Not knowing anything about these men, what the top half of their faces looked like, their names, meant they also knew nothing about me. I would never have to discuss my past or the accident; the only thing I would have to unzip would be my lingerie. I would have enough money to pay off my mother’s debt in a reasonable amount of time and take more than one class a semester. The arrangement was perfect.

But then I met Cameron. With icy, baby blue eyes so intense...he was sexy, and not in a subtle way. Bold and confident, he inspired my art and challenged my emotions and, for the first time since the accident, I felt a strong connection to another person.

I had a burning desire to trust Cameron, to escape the dark life I had been leading and reveal to him the wounds of my soul…until I discovered a devastating connection between my past and the mansion. And in the midst of all the truth I uncovered, I learned my life was in imminent danger....


My Book Review:

Seductive Shadows is a gritty and provocative story of one girl's journey of self discovery. Written in the first person narrative, author Marni Mann weaves an enticing, dark, and emotional tale that delves into the life of Charlie, a twenty-three year old art student. Charlie has had a troubled life, through her passion for art, she tries to escape her abusive past with a neglectful and alcoholic mother, and the memory of a tragic accident that occurred five years ago, but the past still haunts her, leaving her scarred and unable to love. Charlie uses art as a way to channel her emotions and sexual acts as a way to forget her past. Charlie accepts a position in a high class brothel that allows her to hide behind a mask as Cee, her alter-ego that enables her to leave Charlie behind. When she meets a fellow artist named Cameron, she finds someone who she can trust and love. Cameron encourages Charlie to take the journey toward self-discovery in order to move forward with her life.

Seductive Shadows is so much more than an erotic tale, it is a riveting story that takes the reader to a deeper and emotional level as it delves into a flawed person's journey to come out of the recesses of her dark shadowy past and into the light in search of herself. The author does a wonderful job of creating layers upon layers within this story, alternating between flashbacks to the past with the present, she entices the reader with intriguing twists and turns as each of the layers are uncovered. You can't help but feel for Charlie as her story unfolds. From her troubled life with her mother, to the tragedy and loss of her best friend, to the choices she has made in her life, it is easy for the reader to relate and understand Charlie, feel her pain, and cheer as her journey leads her towards self-discovery and moving forward in her life. This story deserves to have a sequel, it's open-ended and surprising conclusion leaves the reader wanting more. I would love to be able to continue to follow Charlie and Cameron's story, I know they have more to tell the readers.

Seductive Shadows is a thrilling and provocative story, it is captivating and thought-provoking, it is simply a must read.

RATING: 4 STARS ****






Friday, July 12, 2013

Virtual Book Tour Event: Week of 7/14-20/13



Virtual Book Tour Event: Week of 7/14-20/13


Thursday 7/18/13


Seductive Shadows by Marni Mann


In association with Reading Addiction Blog Tours

Author Guest Post / Book Review

Book Description: Seductive Shadows


Charlie is a passionate, sensually inspired art student, desperately seeking an escape from an abusive past that haunts her and a tragic accident that emptied her heart. Scarred and unable to love, her yearning for physical pleasure and contact leads her into a tantalizing, dangerous world of power and seduction. The anonymity of the deal offers security, the money provides financial freedom, and the madam’s authority is the mother figure she longs for.But the thrill of the mansion and its arousing dominance quickly fades when she meets the renowned yet mysterious Cameron Hardy, whose intense, baby blue eyes send a nervous flutter through her core. He’s sexy, and not in a subtle way. Cameron stimulates her art, intellect and desires. Just as he begins to break through her emotional boundaries, Charlie discovers a devastating connection between her past and her scandalous work at the mansion, shattering everything she thought to be true.

Provocative, intoxicating and erotic, Seductive Shadows is the unforgettable tale of a young woman’s discovery as she learns to forgive, to love and be loved, and to find redemption amidst a memorable journey that will captivate your mind and stimulate your soul.

This book is for mature audiences 17+. It contains explicit language and sexual content.