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Thursday, 22 August 2019

Last Love of Luka Hale by Eden Butler - Release Blitz



TITLE: The Last Love of Luka Hale
SERIES: Saints and Sinners (prequel)
AUTHOR: Eden Butler
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
GOODREADS TBR:https://bit.ly/2MQkiMy 

#TLLOLH #EdenButler Available Now!

Blurb:
She isn’t the girl Luka Hale loved.
Gia Jilani killed the child she’d been, right along with the memory of his smile and the sting of his sweet kiss.
But sometimes, against her will, Luka comes back to her— his smile, his laugh, the crooked twist of his lips just before he kissed her. He’s a phantom that won’t ever fade. He’s a reminder of what happens if you love too deeply.
Now Gia returns to the place where the past and the present converge. Where pain and pleasure threaten to consume her. Where she is forced to face a past that has never really left her and the memories that still haunt her and likely always will.  
This is a Saints and Sinners prequel novel set in the Thin Love timeline

SAINTS AND SINNERS SERIES ORDER
Last Love of Luka Hale
Roughing the Kicker
Offsides (September 2019)
OFFSIDES, BOOK 2 (September 2019)
PRE-ORDER TODAY!
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2Nd6Anh
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2YLwzsN
PLATFORMS: Amazon, Nook, Apple, Kobo & Tolino


Meet the Author:
Eden Butler is a writer of contemporary, fantasy and romantic suspense novels and the nine-times great-granddaughter of an honest-to-God English pirate. This could explain her affinity for rule breaking and rum.
When she’s not writing or wondering about her possibly Jack Sparrowesque ancestor, Eden patiently waits for her Hogwarts letter, reads, and spends too much time in her garden perfecting her green thumb while waiting for the next New Orleans Saints Superbowl win. She is currently living under teenage rule alongside her husband in southeast Louisiana. Please send help.   

 Social Media Links:

Website: www.edenbutler.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/edenbutler_  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edenbutlerwrites/  
Facebook: www.facebook.com/eden.butler.184
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/VXQXD   GoodReads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7275168.Eden_Butler   Saints & Sinners Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/345844502509364/

LAST LOVE OF LUKA HALE EXCERPT:

“You got no idea, do you?” He kept his voice soft, low, though his insides were burning with the instinct to touch her, to lick dry the water from her beautiful skin. Luka closed his eyes, inhaling that lilac scent like it would satisfy him. He knew it wouldn’t. “You’re clueless how easy it would be to have any man you want?”
Luka opened his eyes when he felt the wet touch of her fingertips near his cheek. Gia didn’t smile. She didn’t seem able to do anything but hold every emotion off her face as she watched him. Her control awed him.
Gia opened her mouth, pink lips glistening with moisture as she wet them with her tongue. “I only want one man,” she admitted, her words confident, but there was still a wobble in her tone. Luka tensed, not sure what she wanted or how she’d go about getting whatever that was.
She meant him, he knew, but that wouldn’t make him move. It wouldn’t keep the reminder of her age, her probable inexperience from his thoughts. “You’re young,” he told her, hoping that would keep her from touching him again. 
“I’m old enough.”  
Luka was starting to realize this Gia was one that might be tired of the sidelines. Maybe she was tired of watching and waiting and never having what she wanted. Maybe, he thought, she was ready to step onto the field and play.
Gia moved, making Luka step back, her wet body closer to him now, her breath heating his skin as she spoke. “I'm old enough for you, Luka.” Her breath was cool, smelled like mint, and there was a low, soft moan in her voice that made him harder. “My…my uncle…” She cleared her throat, looking down, then quickly up at him as though internally convincing herself to finish this. “My uncle will leave for Florida after tomorrow’s practice.” Some of her confidence slipped when she brushed her wet hair behind her ear, but she still looked directly at Luka. “My dorm is empty. We could be alone.”
Fuck me, he thought.
She was off limits, right? She was forbidden. Luka knew that. It was information that ran like a ticker tape scrolling in his mind. Gia wasn’t some beautiful woman he’d flirted with at a club or some Blue Devil-proud girl eager to thank Luka for his performance on the field.
She was his coach’s niece. She was his coach’s eighteen-year-old niece.
He could have taken her right then. She was already wet. He was sufficiently hard, but Luka held back, teeth gritted, jaw working as he grabbed the towel hanging from the hook next to the entrance. He moved close, his skin wetting as he grazed her chest and shoulder when he covered her body with the thick towel in his hand. The smallest twist of his head and he could reach her mouth. Their lips were so close already, their breath heated and mixed and did things to Luka’s head he wasn’t sure he liked.
Gia shifted her gaze, moving her chin like she was prepared for whatever he gave her. Like she wanted it all and wouldn’t settle for anything less. But Luka reminded himself one last time who she was and why he shouldn’t be there with her. He lingered, unable to pull back out of her reach before he inhaled, taking in that lilac scent and the teasing delicious taste of her breath.
He moved his chin, a half an inch away from her lips, then grinned, a half smile gesture that made her release the breath she’d been holding.
“Be sure to lock up before you head out,” he told her, winking before he turned to grab his clothes and put as much space between that off-limits girl and himself as he could.
GIVEAWAY: Two $10 gift cards and FOUR ebook copies of The Last Love of Luka Hale to International and US readers. Giveaway ends 9/1/19

SAINTS AND SINNERS SERIES

Last Love of Luka Hale, Prequel Novella


 ROUGHING THE KICKER, BOOK 1
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DT3J36F
AMAZON UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07DT3J36F
AMAZON CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07DT3J36F
AMAZON FR: https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B07DT3J36F
AMAZON AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07DT3J36F
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/roughing-the-kicker
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/roughing-the-kicker-eden-butler/1129296777?ean=2940163120499
IBOOKS: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1471090337


Offsides, Book 2 (September 2019)
PRE-ORDER TODAY!

OFFSIDES, Saints and Sinners Book 3 Buy LInks:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


THIN LOVE 5th Anniversary Perma Free Buy Links:

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Wednesday, 21 August 2019

Blog Tour: TWISTED BETRAYAL by Siobhan Davis


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In the power struggle between two elite groups, one feisty girl will bring them to their knees…

Twisted Betrayal, the next story in the dark, bully romance Rydeville High Elite Series from USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis is available now!

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He thinks he’s broken me. That I’m finally under his complete control. But I’m biding my time, gathering intel, making plans, and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. So, when an unexpected savior appears—offering me a way out—I grasp it with both hands.
But the man I love refuses to let me go, and he’s hell-bent on protecting me at all costs.
Except he’s far too late.
Kaiden’s betrayal fuels the anger flowing through my veins, and now our roles are reversed—I’m the hunter, and he’s my prey. I enjoy torturing him, lying to him, and letting him believe in false truths that were never our reality.
Until the stakes are raised, and I’m forced into playing their game again. Only this time, it’s not just my life hanging in the balance.
I thought he’d done his worst. That he didn’t have the power to hurt me anymore.
But I was wrong.
His depravity knows no bounds, and now, he’s taken everything from me.
This time, it means war, and I’m taking no prisoners.
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Download your copy or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited today!
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2XqbtQ7
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Start the series with Cruel Intentions!
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2KF0Rof
Pre-Order Sweet Retribution!
Releasing October 11th
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2YUlZjg
Excerpt:
He shoots me a shit-eating grin Jackson would be proud of as he locks the door and stalks toward me. “What the fuck does it look like?” “Like you’re crazy as shit and have a death wish,” I say, backing away from him. His eyes are thick with lust, his body cloaked in anger, and he wears it proudly like body armor. I scramble around desks as I avoid capture. All the while he advances. Like this menacing form hell-bent on punishing me. Liquid lust races through me, and my core pulses with a desperate need. I love it when he’s like this. Looking at me like he wants to fuck me so hard I’ll bleed. My body purrs in anticipation as my back slams against a solid obstacle. I know I’m sick and twisted, but I think that’s why we’re so well matched. He wants to punish me, and I want to be punished.
About Siobhan
USA Today bestselling author Siobhan Davis writes emotionally intense young adult and new adult romantic fiction with swoon-worthy romance, complex characters, and tons of unexpected plot twists and turns that will have you flipping the pages beyond bedtime! She is the author of the international bestselling Kennedy Boys, Saven, and True Calling series’. Siobhan’s family will tell you she’s a little bit obsessive when it comes to reading and writing, and they aren’t wrong. She can rarely be found without her trusty Kindle, a paperback book, or her laptop somewhere close at hand. Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Siobhan forged a successful corporate career in human resource management. She resides in the Garden County of Ireland with her husband and two sons. sd author photo version 2
Connect with Siobhan
Subscribe to romance newsletter: http://smarturl.it/KennedyBoysList
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Tuesday, 20 August 2019

Hurt Me by Ker Dukey & K. Webster


NEW RELEASE + ENTER & WIN

HURT ME

a fast-paced, hot, MM instalove standalone lunchtime read from their KKinky Reads collection by Ker Dukey & K. Webster coming soon! 



I got my dream from a young age. 
The lead singer of one of the most popular bands in the world—Berlin Scandal.
I’m a rock god. 
But underneath the façade of living the dream is dark secret consuming me.

Angry lyrics and a brooding attitude propelled my career.
Getting wasted and lashing out behind the scenes could be my downfall.
I’m spiraling and don’t know how to stop the descent. 

Now my record label has issued me a babysitter. 
Blaine Mannford, a hardass detective with a dark thirst. 
And he’s looking at me like I can quench it. 

He’s not my type in more ways than one. 
Bossy. Forceful. Firm. A man.
I don’t like cops and I don’t like him.

Unfortunately, he likes it when I fight him—enjoys punishing me how he sees fit.
I’m screwed up in the head, because I’m a willing player in his dirty game.
I want him to hurt me.

This is a steamy, kinky romance with a small amount of BDSM themessure to make you blush! A perfect combination of sexy and intense you can devour in one sitting! You'll get a happy ending that'll make you swoon!





Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU 








Catch up now with the KKinky Reads Collection!

SHARE ME
They have one job.

Keep me safe.

But none of us are safe against the allure we have when we're together.

Control and professionalism used to be something they prided themselves on.

But now that we're secluded and alone, lines blur and control quickly loses to need.

Someone is trying to snuff out my life, but they may not get the chance if I’m devoured whole by my saviors first.

This is a fiery-hot mfmmm romance sure to make you self-combust! A perfect combination of sweet and sexy with a smidgen of suspense! You'll get a happy ending that'll make you swoon!

This is not a dark romance. 
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU 

CHOKE ME
I had a plan.
Make Ren Hayes pay.
But plans don’t always turn out the way we want them to.

He was found not guilty of murdering my best friend.
But that doesn’t make him innocent.
In my eyes, he’s guilty.

Guilty of charming everyone around him into believing his innocence.
Guilty of being so intoxicating I forget who he is—what he is.
And guilty of awakening parts of me I never knew existed before his touch.

I know eventually, I’ll succumb.
His allure beckons me.
Keeping me on the edge of madness between lust and hate.

In the end, it’s me who’s guilty.
Guilty of allowing him to take my breath away.

This is a super steamy romance sure to take your breath away! A perfect combination of sweet and sexy with a smidgen of suspense that you can gobble up in just an hour or two! You’ll get a happy ending that’ll make you swoon!

This is not a dark romance.
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU 

DADDY ME
Dreams are supposed to be encouraged.

Not mine.
My brother likes to keep me on a tight leash, tethered to an unexceptional life.
But when Ronan Hayes walks into our family-owned bar, he opens my cage and offers me freedom.

Ronan wants to give me the world.
A chance to take flight and soar.
He sees something special in me, and I want nothing more than to be that for him.
Special.

He’s my dream maker.
My shot. My hope. My everything.

Ronan craves to take care of me.
A protector. A confidant. A provider. A lover.
He wants to daddy me.
And I want to let him.

This is a steamy, kinky romance sure to make you blush! A perfect combination of sweet and sexy you can devour in one sitting! You'll get a happy ending that'll make you swoon!
This is not a dark romance.
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU 
WATCH ME

I like to watch.

It’s a compulsion I can’t stop.
Now, my desire is centered around one woman.
My obsession borders on stalking, but the glass wall keeps me in check.

She can’t see my face, yet she dances in an intensely erotic and intimate way that feels designed just for me.
She likes when I watch her.

But things are about to change when she waltzes out of that room and into my tattoo parlor, turning my world completely upside down.

There’s no glass wall this time.

This is a steamy, kinky romance sure to make you blush! A perfect combination of sweet and sexy you can devour in one sitting! You'll get a happy ending that'll make you swoon!

This is not a dark romance.
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU 



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Monday, 19 August 2019

Release Blitz: I HATE YOU by Ilsa Madden-Mills


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I want you . . . even when I hate you.

I Hate You, an all-new enemies to lovers sports romance from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills, is available now!

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Blaze Townsend: I hate you.
Charisma Rossi: I hate you more.
She’s been expecting this ever since their latest showdown. She had good reason.
Hottest guy she’s ever seen.
Former fling.
Dumped her in front of her friends.
At her own party.
So no, she’s not about to forgive and forget just because he sits next to her in class.
He thinks all he has to do is turn on those baby blues, and she’ll melt right back into his arms. Please.She’d be crazy to let this cocky player affect her again. (Tell that to her body.)
Charisma Rossi.
Nerd girl with a dash of bad.
The one who got under his skin.
The one he cut loose.
Blaze knows she’s the riskiest prospect at Waylon University, but none of the interchangeable girls he hooks up with have ever made him feel the way she did. There’s absolutely no way he can have the girl and the game.
So why can’t he stop trying to win her back?
Can this wide receiver score the girl or will he make the biggest fumble of his life
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Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/IHateYou
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2ZhXn0

 About Ilsa Madden-Mills
Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills is best known for her angsty new adult romances and romantic comedies. Eight of her eleven novels have placed in the Amazon Top 10 Best-seller List: Dirty English #1; Fake Fiancée and I Dare You; I Bet You, Filthy English, and Very Bad Things #6; Boyfriend Bargain; The Last Guy, her collaboration with Tia Louise. A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice, and of course, Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero. She's addicted to frothy coffee beverages, cheesy magnets, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. Feel free to stalk her online.

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Connect with Ilsa
Join her Unicorn Girls Group on FB, the best way to keep up: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ilsasunicorngirls/
Sign up for phone alert for book releases (max of 4) Text ROMANCE to 21000
Stay up to day with Ilsa by joining her mailing list: http://www.ilsamaddenmills.com/contact
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Wednesday, 14 August 2019

BLOG TOUR: Beauty in the Bayou by Erin Nicholas


Sexy, romantic and so crazy fun.”
-- Maria Luis, Amazon bestselling author

Beauty and the Bayou, an all-new sexy, small town, opposites attract rom
com from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas, is available

now!

Sawyer Landry knows he's been beastly to be around for the past few months. But he
can't seem to remember how to be fun-loving and friendly. Until he sees Juliet Dawson
on his boat dock... and realizes that hip waders are, apparently, one of his turn-ons. But
despite the beauty in the boots, the last thing he needs right now is a city girl in his way
for the next two weeks.

But he's not really getting a vote. Juliet is determined that her little brother rebuild the
dock he and his idiot friends smashed. She's quirky, klutzy, independent...and possibly
an even bigger pessimist than Sawyer is. He's incredibly drawn to the cynical fish-out-
of-water, who seems to be the one person who isn't intimidated by his growling.
The big, gruff boat captain is the first person in a long time to want to watch out for her
and Juliet finds that hotter than his grandma's jambalaya. Well, that and his sexy scar,
his emotional baggage, and the sense of humor and fun that is buried deep.
But Sawyer doesn't need any more people to worry about long-term and the things that
make him feel protective of Juliet aren't going to go away. So, this two-week adventure
can't be anything more than a fling. With Juliet down on the bayou, there's an even
bigger threat than alligators and hurricanes. There's the very good chance of someone
ending up with a broken heart.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Wv1o39
AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2WrQjk6

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/BeautyandtheBayou

Nook: http://bit.ly/2Xmmbmv
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2W8m1O2
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2wxD9mc

 Excerpt:

“I guess when we need relief from the heat, we go, you know, into the actual
shade.” He looked amused. “Among other things.”
“Other things?”
It wasn’t so much that she needed to know other ways to keep cool. But she
really liked the way he looked when he was mildly amused. It was a very good look on
him.
“Lots of water and sweet tea,” he said.
She gave an involuntary shudder.
His amused smile grew. “No to sweet tea?”
“Not my favorite,” she admitted. “But don’t tell Ellie,” she added quickly.
He chuckled at that. “I would never.”
Yeah, the chuckling was nice, too. “I’ve got the water covered though,” she said.
“Good.”
“Anything else?”
“Well, when we get hot there area couple of other things we do,” he said.
Had he moved closer?
Juliet swallowed. “Like what?”
“We take clothes off,” he said.
Yeah, his voice was definitely deeper now.

“I gue—” She cleared her throat. “I guess that makes sense, but there are bugs
and sunburn to consider.”
He gave her a nod. “Sunscreen and bug repellent are important. Cora makes bug
repellent that’s amazing.”
Huh. Homemade bug repellent. She might have to give that a try. These people
intrigued her, she had to admit. “What about the flying debris?”
Sawyer glanced at the boards behind her. “Yeah, well, I guess we do take some
risks down here.”
Ah, ha. “I’d rather be a little hot than dealing with an infection from a piece of
wood imbedding itself in my skin and muscle tissue.”
Sawyer paused, then shook his head, almost disbelievingly. “Okay, girl. Then
that only leaves one other thing to do when you get too hot.”
“What’s that?”
“Swimming.”
For a moment, looking into Sawyer Landry’s eyes, for the first time since she’d
been ten years old, Juliet wanted to take her clothes off and jump into a body of water.
That lasted about twelve seconds. But that was twelve seconds longer than she’d
considered doing it to that point.
“I don’t have a swimming suit.”
“You don’t need one. The fewer clothes the cooler you get.”
“Skinny-dipping?” she asked.
“Skinny-dipping,” he confirmed.
“You actually skinny-dip?” she asked.
“Of course.”
Sawyer Landry naked.
She just took a few seconds to relish that thought…and the images that went
with it. Skinny-dipping with Sawyer might be the one way she would ever even possibly
consider any of that. “Do you have a private pool with lots of chlorine and a maximum
depth of three feet?” she asked.

She wondered if being naked but with a life jacket on still counted as skinny-
dipping.
“Don’t need a pool when I’ve got a whole bayou in my backyard.”
She shuddered. “There is no way I’m jumping in there. Clothes or not.”
“So, the naked part of skinny-dipping isn’t the problem?” Sawyer asked. “It’s the
water?”
“It’s absolutely the water,” she said. It was actually all water, but water where she
could see the bottom, touchthe bottom, and that was pumped through a filtration system
was tolerable. Maybe. For a short period. With plenty of floatation devices within reach.
“I mean, other than just the dirt, there are snakes and alligators and fish…and fish and
alligator poopin there.” She frowned. “Do snakes poop? I mean, they probably do,
right?”
Sawyer blinked at her. “I’ve never really thought about it.”
She nodded. “They almost have to. And they probably do it in that water, too.”
She shuddered again. “No, thank you. There are just places I do notneed dirty bayou
water.”
“It’s the poop that’s keeping you from skinny-dippin’?” Sawyer asked, clearly
trying not to laugh. “You are really thinking about the wrong thing when it comes to bein’
wet and naked, darlin’.”

About Erin Nicholas:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing
romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty
sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,”
“steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily everafters.

Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only
wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex
scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).

Connect with Erin:
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Ghek4N
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2BqNKSU
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2WSZxlR
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2GAUZeb
Website: https://erinnicholas.com

Stay up to date with Erin by joining her mailing list: http://bit.ly/2Gj56oC
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Friday, 9 August 2019

Blog Tour: Discretion by Karina Halle


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Discretion by Karina Halle
Release Date: August 6, 2019
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Discretion, a full-length contemporary standalone romance by Karina Halle.
The Riviera means indulgence—if you’ve got money. For Sadie Reynolds, a down-on-her-luck student, the Riviera means dingy hostels and back streets. When a wrong turn puts her in jeopardy, the last thing she expects is to be saved by the most handsome stranger she’s ever locked eyes with. When she later wakes up in a luxury suite with a Mediterranean view, she’s in the tender care of her rescuer: Olivier Dumont, France’s most eligible bachelor, billionaire hotelier, and heir to the Dumont fashion fortune.
Olivier also owns his reputation for scandal. But Sadie is unlike any woman he’s ever met. Her humble persona and wild innocence promise real passion. He’s promising Sadie something too: anything she wants. From Bordeaux to Cannes to Paris, Sadie’s past in America is swept away and replaced with a fantasy too good to be true.
Pulled into Olivier’s orbit of wealth, glamour, and excess, Sadie discovers that the Dumont dynasty comes with a legacy of wicked secrets. And Olivier’s secrets may be the most damning of all…

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Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/KHalleDiscretion
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Y731la

Blog Tour.jpg

Excerpt:

“Care to go for a swim?” Olivier asks, his tie now loose, his hands deftly unbuttoning his shirt. Oh God. “Um,” I manage to say feebly, “I don’t have a bathing suit.” “Go in your underwear.” “I’m not wearing a bra.” He smirks. “I’ve noticed.” Then he shrugs off his jacket and shirt until he’s topless. Even in the dim light, he’s a sight to behold. Wide, firm chest, rigid abs, those lickable Vs on the side of his hips—all wrapped up in a smooth golden package. Speaking of package, now his fingers are undoing his belt, and I’m not sure I’m ready for what’s next. “I’m going in,” he tells me. “You’re free to join me. I highly advise a dip in the Mediterranean. The sea salt here is good for your soul.” I’ll tell you what else is good for the soul: watching Olivier Dumont take off his clothes, that’s what. The sound as he undoes his zipper is so loud it seems to bounce off the waves. I quickly avert my eyes, even though the temptation to stare is overwhelming, and then he moves into my vision: his perfect shoulders, back, and, yes, one hell of an ass, all lit by the soft moonlight. He stops just at the stern of the ship, climbs over the railing, and with one quick smile back at me over his shoulder, swan-dives naked into the sea with barely a splash. I get up and scramble over as quickly as I can with my ankle and peer over the side. He’s swimming and grinning up at me, his wet hair pushed off his face. But that’s not the only thing that’s taking my breath away. The water around him is lit up, like the moon’s glow has saturated it. The light continues out from around him along the dark waves, like cool white trails snaking through the sea. “It’s called une mer de lait,” he says. “The sea of milk. It’s bioluminescence from a type of Mollusca.” “It’s magical,” I say breathlessly, trying to soak it all in.

  “We have something like this in the Pacific Northwest, but it’s more blue and green. This is like . . . you’re swimming in the Milky Way.” “Doesn’t it make you want to jump in?” It does. And so does the fact that he’s so effortlessly bobbing in the waves. “Is it safe?” “Very much so.” “Warm?” “Bien sûr.” I think about it for a minute. “What about my ankle?” “You can use the steps and platform at the back, just there. Unwrap your ankle so the bandage doesn’t get wet, and we’ll put it back on you after.” “And my lack of bathing suit?” “I just went in naked.” “I didn’t see anything,” I tell him quickly. “No? That’s a shame. It was the whole point.” I smile, feeling extremely giddy all of a sudden, like everything inside me is fired up and ready to go. Fuck yes, I’m going in. “Okay,” I tell him, walking around to the back, where there’s a step leading down to a wide wooden swimming platform. I sit down on the step and start unwrapping my ankle. “But you have to turn around when this dress comes off.” “You do know by now that most women in France swim and sunbathe topless anyway?” “And you know by now that I am not a Frenchwoman, nor am I most women,” I tell him, pulling the rest of the bandage off and setting it aside before easing up to my feet. “Okay, turn around now.” He sighs but pivots in the water so he’s facing the shore. I quickly reach down and slip off my underwear, not wanting to get them wet, then unzip my dress and pull it over my head. I toss it back on the deck and look to see if he’s peeking. To his credit, he’s not, but he is letting out a sly whistle of sorts as if he might have been earlier. “You better not have seen anything,” I warn him as I hobble over to the edge. “My imagination is pretty good at filling in the blanks,” he says, and I can hear the grin on his face. “Though I have no doubt it won’t do it justice for when I see the real thing.” “When?” I repeat with a dry laugh, but inside a million fireworks are going off. Time to take the literal plunge. There’s nothing as nerve-racking as the moment before you’re about to jump, when something goes from a concept that you’ve talked about and considered to a real, actual thing. It’s scary. It doesn’t matter if it’s taking your first trip overseas or jumping into the Mediterranean Sea at night. The abstract becomes your reality, and it’s happening. So I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and jump.
Meet Karina:

Karina Halle is a former travel writer and music journalist and The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author of The Pact, Love, in English, The Artists Trilogy, Dirty Angels and over 20 other wild and romantic reads. She lives on an island off the coast of British Columbia with her husband and her rescue pup, where she drinks a lot of wine, hikes a lot of trails and devours a lot of books.
Halle is represented by the Root Literary and is both self-published and published by Simon & Schuster and Hachette in North America and in the UK.

Connect with Karina:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkarinahalle/ Amazon: http://amzn.to/2vo9pq4 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorhalle/ Join her Reader Group: https://goo.gl/wpCBSS Stay up to date with Karina by signing up for her newsletter here: https://goo.gl/Ve4eCh http://authorkarinahalle.com
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