Conversion Book Blitz and Giveaway!!

Title:   Conversion (Conversion #1)

Author:  S.C. Stephens

Genre: Romance/Paranormal/Contemporary Ages 18-82

Publication Date:  September 3, 2013

Book Cover Design:  Okay Creations

Event organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Emma is happy. She's got a promising career in front of her, great friends, and a pretty amazing family. But her social life has been a little lacking lately. That's when fate stepped in, and crashed her into a tall, dark and handsome man. Sure, he has his secrets...don't we all, and, yeah, maybe his secrets are a little more unusual than most - like he's a partial vampire who can walk around during the day, but also enjoys a little plasma nightcap now and again - but to Emma, he's single, successful, and an extraordinary gentleman. That makes up for a lot. Of course, his condition is a bit more serious than he first lets on, and living a life with him will require some sacrifices that most just aren't willing to make. Will she? Is love enough to compensate for a life that will never be anywhere near the realm of normalcy? But then again...what's normal anyway?

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S.C. Stephens is a bestselling author who enjoys spending every free moment she has creating stories that are packed with emotion and heavy on romance.

Her debut novel, Thoughtless, an angst-filled love triangle charged with insurmountable passion and the unforgettable Kellan Kyle, took the literary world by storm. Amazed and surprised by the response to the release of Thoughtless in 2009, more stories were quick to follow. Stephens has been writing nonstop ever since.

In addition to writing, Stephens enjoys spending lazy afternoons in the sun reading fabulous novels, loading up her iPod with writer's block reducing music, heading out to the movies, and spending quality time with her friends and family. She currently resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her two equally beautiful children.

Connect with the Author:  Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Goodreads

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Stay with Me Blog Tour and $50 GC Giveaway!!

Title: Stay with Me
Author: Elyssa Patrick
Release Date: August 30th, 2013
Genre: New Adult/Contemporary Romance

With one look, I’m his . . .

With one touch, he’s mine . . .

With one kiss, it changes everything between us . . .

I’ve been famous since I can remember. Singing, acting, dancing—I’ve done it all. The tabloids cover my every move, but I don’t want that anymore. I want to be normal, whatever that is.

When I leave Hollywood for college in Vermont, I’m on my own for the first time in my life. This is my chance to figure out who I am and what I want in life.

But it’s a lot harder than I expected. I can’t escape my image. Classes are difficult, and I’m struggling. And then there’s Caleb Fox.

Sexy, intriguing Caleb Fox.

Caleb is the one man who doesn’t want to use me. He breaks down my walls. He challenges me. He wants me. And I just don’t know if I can give him the same—or if he’ll stick around when he finds out my shameful secret that the tabloids haven’t managed to uncover.

Dating him is risky enough, but loving him could break me.

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I drop the blackberry into his hand, and then reach for another one. I pop it into my mouth, and the sweet tartness of the berry floods my taste buds.

Caleb still hasn’t eaten his.

I raise an eyebrow. “Not eating yours?”

“No, it’s . . .” He takes a deep breath, his gaze fastening on my mouth. “It’s just, you have something right there.”

Great. Just great. I’m dribbling blackberry juice in front of a guy I find really attractive, sexy, irresistible, but totally shouldn’t. God, what is wrong with me?

I lick my mouth. “All gone?”

“Still there,” he says, his voice gruffer than before.

I do another pass at my mouth, then wipe it.

“No, you’re missing it.” Then he steps closer to me, and I suddenly can’t find my breath. “Here. Let me.”

His thumb dabs at the corner of my mouth, his every touch sending sparks through my body. His dark, dark green eyes fly to mine. “I think I got it all.”

But his thumb stays near my lips, and I don’t move.

Every point in my body is tuned to this, awareness shooting through me like a lightning bolt striking water. I feel more alive in this moment than I’ve ever felt before.

I don’t do anything but stay exactly where I am. 

Caleb takes another step toward me. His legs touch mine, his body brushing lightly against mine.

I notice the blackberry is still in his hand. “You still haven’t eaten yours.”

“I haven’t.” He places it against my mouth. “Bite.”

I take a small taste and feel the juice stain my lips.

His thumb swipes over my lips, smearing the juice onto them even more. He presses the rest of the blackberry against me but doesn’t say a word. I take the fruit in my mouth, my lips catching over the tip of his index finger as I do so. The taste of him is all I can savor—male, the salt from his skin, and the sweet bitterness of the fruit. His gaze locks onto mine, and I swallow heavily.

“You’ve got berry on you,” he says.

I try to be arch, but my voice comes out soft and wanting. “That’s becauseyou did it.”

“I did,” he admits. “I should take if off then.”

My breath hitches in my chest as his other arm slides around my waist and pulls me away from the island right to him.

“This might take a while,” he says.

I heaved out an exaggerated sigh of boredom that’s soon ruined when I shiver with delight as his fingers gather in the material of the t-shirt. “I guess I’ll just have to close my eyes and suffer through it.”

“No suffering,” he promises.

His hand slides up my back, and my muscles, already tightened with awareness, start to ache from wanting. His fingers skate up my neck, and my nerves jangle.

I’m suddenly wondering if he’s ever going to kiss me.

I stretch my hand over his chest, knotting his shirt in my grasp, and yank him to me. “Caleb.”

He lowers his head to me, and my eyelids flutter closed. I lean toward him, waiting—just waiting—for when he touches me. I tighten my hold on him, trying to urge him to do it now, but no, he doesn’t heed my unspoken demands. He doesn’t hurry. He doesn’t rush. It’s like he has all the time in the world until he kisses me.

His finger gently swipes over my mouth, tracing it softly, like he’s memorizing the shape of me. Like he’s trying to get all the details of my mouth down before he claims me. He presses lightly against my lower lip, dipping into the soft plumpness there.

I smooth my hands out on his chest. I’m pressed against him so tight that I can’t do more than reach up and grasp his shoulders. I want to slide my fingers through his hair.

But more than that, I want to feel him against me.

Almost as if he’s heard my thoughts, Caleb’s lips lightly press against the corner of my mouth, where he removed the berry stain only a few moments ago. I still, and his hand leaves my neck to slide down to rest at the small of my back before moving back up in a slow movement that has pleasure coursing through my body. I gasp, and his mouth flutters another kiss at the corner. Brief, these flutter kisses—never quite landing fully on my lips or staying too long.

I make a sound of want. I press even closer, as if I’m inking myself on his skin, in his blood, urging this patient, sexy man to take my mouth—to take it now.

He doesn’t.

His mouth finally touches mine, but it’s not a kiss that claims or declares intent.

He gives.

His lips give kisses upon mine, like rain watering parched land. His mouth moves against mine, gentle, strong, and it makes me cling to him, to give more to him, to open up in ways I never have with any man before.

His teeth catch on my lower lip, lightly tugging, as if asking a question, one that I answer by opening my mouth and letting him in. His tongue slides against me, tasting, seeking. He’s all I know, all I want to know, and I want him to know me in every possible way.

This might just be lust, but it doesn’t feel like it—not with this assured gentleness, this giving of a kiss, like he’s waited all his life for this—for me—and now that I’m here, he’s not going to do anything to mess it up.

He doesn’t make me feel weak in his kiss. I feel strong, treasured . . . desired.

His kiss turns hotter, as if he’s losing control of himself.

Oh yes, I think. Lose control, Caleb. Lose it with me.

We first meet singer, dancer, and actress Hailey Bloom as she's transitioning from her life of fame and fortune in Hollywood to life of normal, blend into the crowd college student in Vermont. While most people dream of the life Hailey had, she is just trying to escape the betrayal and devastation that comes with living in the spotlight. At her first college party she meets the dark and mysterious Caleb Fox. Although it is definitely mutual attraction on both their parts, Hailey is hesitant about getting close to Caleb because of her past damage. But Caleb continues to pursue her and Hailey realizes she's not in Hollywood anymore and she can trust Caleb.

But Hailey is still carrying around a deep secret, one she is afraid would cause Caleb to leave her if he ever knew the truth. And even though she has escaped across the country, it still doesn't stop tabloids and rumors following her, especially when her own mother is one who is fueling the gossip. Can Caleb break down all of Hailey's tightly fortified walls or will he give up when she continually refuses to let him all the way in. Will Hailey be able to accomplish her goal of being "normal" or will she always carry her Hollywood darling, starlet image?

I really liked the way Patrick wrote the developing relationship between Hailey and Caleb. Although the were initially attracted to each other they did something crazy: they date. She meets his friends and family, becomes friends with his sister, and over time the bond grows stronger and they fall in love with each other. She also does a fantastic job at writing sex scenes! This would be a perfect example of a new adult book, not over the top with the sexual content but hot hot hot. I really enjoyed the secondary characters. This is a more-than worthy addition to the comparable new adult romances out there now. It was breath of fresh air with no insta-love, no soap opera angst, no drama at every turn. It is a well developed love story with very likable characters and extra enjoyable with the bonus of very well written sexual relationship. I will definitely be following the series; I loved Caleb's sister, Daphne with all her attitude and spice, Nick's overprotectiveness of her could lead to a very combusting relationship. Plus Caleb's sexy and quiet librarian friend, Griff possibly getting together with the soft, dreamy artist Kate. 

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Elyssa Patrick writes sexy, emotional contemporary romances and New Adult. She is currently working on her next novel.

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Every Shattered Thing Blog Tour and Giveaway!!

Title: Every Shattered Thing
Author: Elora Ramirez

Stephanie fights reality every day. The voices inside, the ones declaring her worth, deem her broken, used and dirty. She is an object. A toy. Something to be tossed aside when bored. Who will believe her if she whispers the truth about her wrecking ball of a family? Eventually, her secret explodes and the person who means the most to her knows just how shattered she is and why she's so afraid. But rescue is closer than she realizes. Hidden in plain sight, her horror hasn’t been ignored by everyone. Racing against the truth of what she faces, forces are joining together and developing a plan to free her from the hell in her own backyard. And while she’s at her lowest point, she’s hit with the beauty of love at any cost - redemption in the face of ruin. Will it be enough?

*Warning: Contains mature content that may not be suitable for younger audiences*

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I realize then just how little Kevin knows about me, and I’m afraid now. What will happen when he finds out the truth? What will happen when he finally understands just how fucked up I am? I wait a little while before speaking, hoping my voice won’t give away how much I’m shaking. 

“I think it’s easier for you to talk about changing your hand when you were dealt with easier cards to begin with—it doesn’t make you wrong or insensitive.” I grab his hand and wipe a stray eyelash off his cheek. “It just means we come from different worlds. And different worlds have different rules. Sometimes, those rules are broken. Most of the time, they aren’t and you remain stuck.”

I drop his hand and stretch my shoulders. “Don’t get me wrong, Kevin. I want out of my house. I’m counting the days until I can ride off into the sunset and never look back. I want to make something of myself —I refuse to fail. But. For now? I can’t leave. It’s just something I’ve got to survive.”

He looks at me and wants to protest, I can see it in his eyes. I lean forward before he can start talking and kiss him. “Kevin. You’re one of the only people I know who truly cares about me.” I still see the questions in his eyes and I ignore them; I change the subject. “So. Why are we out here again? I see, um...a field and some grass and I’m pretty sure a spider just crawled up my leg but I don’t really wanna look.”

He hangs on to my gaze for a few seconds, probably to make sure I really want to drop the discussion about my family. I know he still has questions, but right now I want to forget about myself for awhile. He sighs and wraps his arms around me.

“You’re looking in the wrong place, Steph.” He motions for me to look up, pointing to the pitch black sky.

“Um. It’s black. That’s usually what happens at night.”

He laughs at my confusion and just says, “Wait.”

And then it happens. A sudden shower of shooting stars —brilliant and streaking across the sky. I gasp and cover my mouth as the beauty of the night sky unleashes its power.

“Kevin, how on earth did you know this was going to happen?” My words are hushed and awestruck—I’ve never seen anything like this. I’ve never had the opportunity to look at the stars because normally when I’m out late, it’s because I’m running from someone.

He pokes me in the side. “I pay attention in science.”

I glare at him and sit down in the grass, the icy blades poking through my jeans. I grimace and shift around before deciding to lay straight on my back so I’m facing the meteor shower. It looks like tiny pieces of glass tearing themselves against a black velvet tapestry.

“It’s beautiful," I whisper.

He sits down beside me and rests his hand on mine.

“I figured you might like it,” Kevin says. “It seemed to be something you would understand—complete beauty found in the darkest of places.”

I turn and look at him, the blades of grass poking my cheek. I squeeze his hand. “What do you mean? Why would I understand this more than anyone else? You can’t deny the beauty here...it’s—stunning.”

Kevin meets my gaze. “Yes. It is. But you were about to completely dismiss it. What did you see when I first brought you here?”

“A field with snakes and spiders,” I answer, suddenly feeling a little itchy around my ankles. I push the thought out of my head, keeping my eyes on Kevin’s face. I can tell he is thinking about something. Something he has been mulling over in his head for quite awhile. He seems confident. Sure.

I wish I could take some of that confidence and bottle it up to use with my family.     

Kevin laughs. “Yeah. A field with spiders,” he says. “But if your face would have been stuck in the grass, you would have missed the show.” His gaze turns electric as he places his hand on my cheek. “It’s just like you, Steph. There’s a lot of dark places inside. Places you don’t want anyone to see or know about. Places where you hide your insecurities and used razors and the bruises you don’t deserve. But you’re beautiful. You’re the most beautiful person I have ever met—inside and out—and I think if you let yourself look inside, you’d find some beautiful places you never thought were there.”

“Kevin...”

“Steph, don’t try and explain this away. Don’t try and tell me I don’t know where you come from —because I do. Don’t try and tell me I don’t know what I’m getting myself into—because I’m already in too deep. Just promise me you’ll stay with me.”

I bite my lip. No one ever makes commitments with Stephanie Tiller. No one ever pays this much attention to her.

And here I am, face to face with a boy I could very much fall in love with, and he’s asking me to promise him I will stay with him. I nod. It’s the only response I can give him because words aren’t coming to me. He smiles and moves his hands and before I know it his lips are on mine and my heart is pounding and his tongue is moving and my breath is gone. Just gone.

Every Shattered Thing was a heartbreakingly wonderful read! I hadn't read the blurb to this book before I started, I was just told that it was an amazing read, YA but with mature content. The beginning of the book reminded me of Reason to Breathe series, but after a few chapters I realized that there was more going on than just a drunken abusive father. The writing is very vivid, enough that your stomach twists in knots.. it's just down right sick in places.

The thing I liked most about this book, was Stephanie, the main character. Her life is the most crap-tastic I've ever read, yet she remains strong. Even at her most shattered and broken, she's strong. My heart ached at times when she was strong. I don't know if my will to live would have equaled hers, yet she made it. The ending made me sad though. I saw some of the components coming through, but was in denial. I have to agree with Stephanie's decision even though it hurts to think about it. 

Overall, this was a very rocky and emotional read. It will break you down but give you hope.. you will know that things can always get worse, but you need to stay positive, and hope things will get better. Since this is a dark read, it's definitely not for the light hearted, it hurts, it's real life, but a damn good read!

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Elora Ramirez lives in Austin, Texas with her chef-husband. At the age of four, she taught herself how to read and write, cutting her teeth on books like Dr. Suess and writing anywhere she could find the space—including her Fisher Price kitchen set, the pages of picture books and Highlights Magazine. Since then, she's grown to love the way words feel as they swell within her bones. Writing holy and broken is her calling, and pushing back the darkness and pursuing beauty through story is her purpose. She loves hip-hop, wishes she lived by the beach and cannot write without copious amounts of coffee, chocolate, and her husband's lavender liqueur.

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Ruin Book Blitz!!

Ruin by C.J. Scott 
(A Summer in Winter Novel 1) 
Publication date: August 2013 
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Kate Bell isn’t perfect. Not even close. The things she got up to in college would cause her parents to fall off their pedestals in shock. Home for the summer vacation, Kate settles in for a long, boring break in the tiny backwater of Winter with folks who still treat her like she’s twelve.

Then Ben Parker arrives and suddenly Winter gets interesting. He’s hot, mysterious and good with his hands. Kate falls for him instantly, but her cop father warns her to stay away. But how can she stay away from someone as compelling as Ben? Someone who thinks she’s perfect just the way she is?

When Ben’s secrets catch up to him, not only is Kate’s heart in danger of being broken, but Ben’s entire future could be ruined.

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"Give me one good reason we can't do this," I said.

He crossed his arms over his chest. "You and me...we're wrong together. I'm so sorry."

"I said a good reason." My brain was beginning to work again, but my body still felt numb from the rejection.

"You, this place, everybody...it's all too...perfect."

"What?" It didn't make sense. He was pushing me away because he thought I was perfect. "For starters, I'm so not perfect."

"You are to me."

My breath left me in a whoosh. I blinked at him, tried to work out if he was joking. But he didn't laugh. His eyes twinkled like stars, and then he looked down at his feet. In the instant our gazes had connected, I could tell that he seemed surprised that he'd said it too.

"You don't know me well enough," was all I could manage.

"Yeah," he said. "What's with that?" It wasn't an answer, but I didn't think I was going to get a better one out of him. "Look, Kate. I may not know everything about you, but I can see that you're a good person. You offered me this opportunity without judging me first. Most people would have just let me pass on through. You're funny and kind, not just to me but to Jane and even Mrs. Merriweather."

"So?"

"So...you have this stupid, blind belief that I'm more than I am. I'm not, and I'm not right for you. Not even for a night. Especially for a night. Besides, there are people worrying about you and expecting me to treat you like a gentleman would treat a lady."

"Are you talking about my parents?"

"And Jane. I'm sure the waitress in the diner is worried too, and maybe dozens more townsfolk."

"You're rejecting me because of Winter?"

He pushed off from the wall. I could just make out the flash of anger in his eyes, the grim set of his mouth as he came toward me. "I'm trying to be the good guy here. I gave my word that I wouldn't hurt you, and I'm trying to keep it. Don't make this any harder than it already is."

"Having sex with me doesn't mean you're going to hurt me, Ben."

"Maybe not, but I don't want to destroy the trust everyone has put in me."

I threw up my hands. "It shouldn't be about anyone else! It should be about you and me."

"I can't, Kate. I've come too far to break that kind of promise now, even to virtual strangers."

"What the hell does that mean?"

He shook his head and looked away.

"Okay, Mystery Man, I get it. You can have secrets. Fine. I have no right to ask what they are. We're just two adults attracted to each other, nothing more, so I don't see why we can't act on it. We have one night, Ben. One night to have a little fun together." I poked my finger into his chest. "And another thing. I'm not perfect. Not by a long shot. If my parents knew what I got up to at college, they'd be horrified. I've slept with more guys in the last three years than I care to talk about. I've smoked God knows what, I've skipped class, and last month I woke up in the gutter without any underwear. See? I'm not fucking perfect!"

My tirade was followed by complete silence. Even the birds must have gone to sleep. Then Ben laughed. His chuckle started low in his chest and became a full rumble bubbling out of him.

"You woke up without your underwear?" he said. "What the hell happened to it?"

I tried to contain my smile. My little tirade seemed ridiculous all of a sudden. "I don't know. I never found it. There's a good chance I wasn't wearing any in the first place."

He laughed so loudly I worried he'd wake up Jane and Mrs. M. "Okay, I'll agree that you've got a few personality quirks. But I still think you're perfect."

Tears stung my eyes. "Well," I said, breathing deeply. "I've never been rejected so nicely before. It sucks, by the way."

***To read the extended version of this scene and discover what Ben has tattooed on his shoulder, check out C.J.'s website http://www.cjscottbooks.com

C.J. loves reading stories that take her away to another world. If she’s in the middle of an amazing book, she’ll keep reading while cooking or cleaning (when she can be bothered doing either).

She likes interesting artwork but can’t paint, sketch or make anything more complicated than a snowman from plasticine. She enjoys beautiful gardens but hates gardening. She also hates housework, cooking (see above) and writing about herself.

C.J. loves connecting with readers. The best place to interact with her and other fans is via her Facebook page. That’s where she posts teasers and other stuff from her books.

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