COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY: Protecting Shaylee (Fae Guard #1) - Elle Christensen

Book: Protecting Shaylee (#1 Fae Guard Series)

Author: Elle Christensen

Genre: Paranormal Contemporary Romance

Goodreads Book Link

Synopsis

As a child, I believed in the fairy tales my father told me.

Until he was gone and with him, that belief.

As a girl, I believed in the friendship and protection of Aden.

He made me begin to believe again.

As a woman, I believed in the possibility of love and passion between myself and Aden.

Until he was gone and with him, my belief in magic and happy endings.

When she was a child, I was tasked with her protection.

As a girl, I became her friend.

As a woman, I could no longer see the child I knew and was forced to fight a growing attraction.

Unable to lie and unable to tell the truth, I left.

Now I’ve returned to give the knowledge I couldn’t before, that she is half Fae.

The darkness is stalking her and I am desperate to teach her what she needs to know to protect herself.

And determined to make her mine.

Author Bio

I'm a lover of all things books, I've been an obsessive reader since I learned how to spell! I've been writing novels and short stories since I was twelve, but they say to write the genre you love the most, so as an adult, I fell easily into writing romance. My husband is my biggest supporter and he's a great sport when it comes to fighting the people in my imagination for my attention. I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them!

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1st Blog Anniversary Giveaway - Week 1

Friends, followers, authors, readers, bloggers, it's time! Since I have received an astounding amount of donations from very generous authors who all have been a part of Mara's Bookshelf's 1st year in the blogging community, I am starting the giveaway celebration 2 DAYS EARLY! 

For Week 1, we are going to have a total of 7 winners. That's 1 per day. Don't worry, I mentioned I got a lot of prizes to give away, right? Well, number of winners will go up each week PLUS there will also be some Flash Giveaways on Mara's Bookshelf Facebook Page, too. This 7 will probably be 12 when Week 1 is over. ;)

Are you all ready?

Here's a Sneak Peek on the Week 1 Prizes:

 

He’s twenty-four. She’s eighteen.

His life is exactly the way he’s always wanted it to be...stable.
She’s quite possibly the very definition of unstable.

Noah saved her.
Georgina never wanted to be saved.

Growing up, Noah Clark was passed from one relative to the next until he finally ended up living with his abusive, alcoholic uncle in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Thanks in part to the unwavering love and support of his best friend, Ellie Turner, Noah survived those years, escaped his uncle, and grew into the man he is today. Now he runs his own business and lives a pretty normal, no-nonsense life—one where he maintains a high level of control. 

Georgina is Ellie’s younger sister. Four months ago, Noah saved Georgie’s life, but he thought that was where his involvement with his friend’s sister would end. Now Georgie has returned home from the recovery facility her parents sent her away to and Noah, still haunted by the night that connects them, can’t stop himself from continuously trying to protect this girl he barely knows. But is he willing to give up all of the control he’s worked so hard to build in his life and risk everything for her? Even more importantly, would she do the same for him?

My Kill Devil Hills Review

Her story started long before she started working at The Sky Launch... 

Screw fairytales. The only reward Gwen Anders got from her rough childhood was a thick skin and hard heart. She’s content with her daily grind managing a top NYC nightclub—Eighty-Eighth Floor. So hers isn’t a happily ever after. She doesn’t believe in those anyway. 

Then she meets J.C. 

The rich, smooth talking playboy is the sexiest thing that Gwen has ever encountered, but she’s not interested in a night-in-shining latex. But when a family tragedy pushes her to the brink, it’s J.C. who’s there to teach her a new method of survival, one based on following primal urges and desires. His no-strings-attached lessons require her to abandon her constant need for control. Her carefully built walls are obliterated. 

Gwen discovers there’s a beautiful world outside her prison. Freedom is exhilarating—and terrifying. When she starts to feel something for J.C., she fears for her heart. Especially as she realizes that he has secrets of his own. Secrets that don't want to set him free. 

This series can be read alone or with the Fixed Trilogy.

My Free Me Review

 

I’m strong—or at least, I want to be. I try to be. Oh, how I’ve tried.
But life screwed me over. When I was at my weakest and lowest, desperate and alone, he found me.
Robert changed everything. He gave me everything.
He was every woman’s dream—rich, powerful, and charming. He made me forget the fact that he’s twenty-four years my senior.
He made me feel alive, and for the first time in my life, I was content.
Until I met Cooper—his son.
And Robert? He began to change.
I’m despicable. I know I am. I’m ashamed of what I want.

Things are never what they seem.

Greed.
Lust.
Lies.
Murder.

Deception. 

Please Note: This isn’t your typical love story. Things are messy. Characters aren’t always what they appear to be. Wrong decisions are made. If you’re not a fan of the darker side of love, this might not be the book for you. Read at your own risk.

 

Typical college student, Olivia Marshall embarks on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Spain with her best friend, Nolan, a handsome all-American. After three years, they share a special bond, but there’s a fine line between friendship and…more. 
Spain turns out to be more of an experience than Olivia imagined. She meets Andres Cruz, a mysterious, sexy man. Lead singer of a band, his charm and passion is rarely denied, and Olivia is immediately drawn to him. 
Torn between two men promising her forever, Olivia will discover if she can trust herself and her instincts as she chooses between the comfort of what she’s always known or the excitement of a connection she’s never felt before.

   

I knew the exact moment I’d become a ‘yes’ girl. 
December 16th, a cold winter’s night, four years ago. 
The night my innocence was stolen, the night I made the mistake of saying no—a mistake I’d never make again. 
The dream of a ‘happily ever after' was now a locked away myth. I promised myself that I’d never return to the place of my worst nightmare, that I’d never let anyone get close, but then again, I never thought I’d meet someone like him. 
The intense, confident and beautiful Ky Crawford.

I had no plans to become someone’s Prince Charming. 
I couldn’t be. I refused to be. My plan was simple—do whatever it takes to correct my biggest mistake, my one regret that now controlled my life. 
I was on track. I had plans, but then everything changed when I saw her—the girl in the red jacket, the girl who I was told couldn’t say no. 
The reserved yet stunning Eden Rivers.

A girl who can’t say no.
A guy who craves redemption.
A chance encounter?

It all comes down to this.
One question.
One month.

Be My December?

My Be My December Review

This giveaway will run from March 30 to April 4, 2015.

Good luck!

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REVIEW: Bride in Bloom - J.B. Hartnett

Title: Bride in Bloom

Series: Book 1, The Beachy Bride 

(standalone series)

Author: J.B. Hartnett

Release Date: March 12, 2015

 

4.5 Brawny and Fairy Princess Stars

ARC provided by the very sweet author for an honest review

"But when you know, you know. And when you've lost everything you thought was real, you recognize real when you see it. You just have to trust it."

Absolutely charming! J.B. Hartnett sure is full of surprises when it comes to her books because she always have something different to offer each time. I'm not just talking about different names or different occupations to her characters. No. She gives us entirely different stories and makes us feel different emotions from whichever book of hers you last read. I guarantee it.

Bride in Bloom is the first book in her new standalone series, The Beachy Bride. This is the incredibly sweet story of Cameron Muir and Victoria Harper. Where J.B. Hartnett used to mess up my emotions from The Leaves Series and Genevieve Clare from heartaches and a bit of angst with a sprinkle of sexiness and swoon-worthy moments, Cam and Tori's story was all smiles and giddiness for me. It is such a refreshing and easy read not just from the author's other works but from all the other romance books out there as well.

"That's not my motivation. If you saw her, you'd understand. She makes you want to smile and all she has to do is stand there."

Cameron, Cam, Brawny, has been in love with Victoria, Tori, Fairy since the first time he saw her. Unfortunately for him, Tori was in a relationship and engaged to his boss, Josh. But when a secret Josh was hiding was made known to Cam, he saw his opportunity to whisk his Fairy Princess away from the unworthy Josh. He knows it was a heartbreak waiting to happen for Tori, he knows it will punch her in the gut but he also knows that he will be there with and for her. He had a plan laid out. He will be her friend, she will fall in love with him, he will do everything he can to not just tell her but show her and make her feel that she is a princess, she is worth it to be treated as such. Those scenes where Cam was being a dorky, in love guy had me smiling like a dork. He was such an easygoing dude but at the same time he is serious about what he wants and that's Tori and her heart.

"He was worthy of the dress, of my heart, of everything. And most important, he was... The One."

Victoria was a nutty heroine, she's sassy, sexy, and it's easy to understand why Cameron was so smitten with her. She's also strong and when that secret Josh was keeping from everyone blew up the night of their rehearsal dinner, she was devastated, confused. I think she was dumbfounded and couldn't get her thoughts straight right away which is understandable. But I mentioned she was strong and sassy, right? The way her relationship ended with Josh didn't bring her down. Sure she was sad and wallowed for a while, but she was still a lovable heartbroken heroine to read. Seriously, she was not one of those who I wanted to slap around. She picked herself up, with the help of her loving friends and family and of course, Cam, she started building a business of her own.

"The minute my hand felt her skin, I wanted her. I'd wanted her before, but now, just breathing in her scent...

I sounded like a goddamned woman."

Cam and Tori's love story was fast-paced, if you don't particularly care for a quick love story, maybe you will have a hard time connecting with them, however, I am not one for "too insta" when it comes to love, it has to make me feel, make love the characters apart and together, and the circumstance should be believable (at least for me) and Bride in Bloom hit the spot for me. It was incredibly charming (oh, I did mention that already) and sweet and fun but also a touch passionate and moving. 

Stars: 4.5 stars

Recommended to: Everyone looking for a light romance that will make you laugh and have you swooning at the same time, Cam and Tori will do it for you.

Series: Yes. Interconnected characters.

POV: First person. Dual POV. (I love that this is dual POV, I don't think it would be as much fun without reading Cam's thoughts.)

Extra Comment: A little birdy told me that I should enjoy the carefree feel of Bride in Bloom because the next book's story will bring me feels again. Also, this has got to be one of my favorite book covers because look at it! So colorful and pretty.

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RELEASE DAY BLITZ & GIVEAWAY: Revved - Samantha Towle

Happy Release Day to Samantha Towle and her new standalone REVVED! You will LOVE Carrick Ryan!!! #BreakTheRules #ToTheLimit

♥ BUY THE BOOK ♥

Revved will be on SALE during RELEASE WEEK ONLY for $2.99!!!!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

Race car mechanic Andressa “Andi” Amaro has one rule—no dating drivers. With a good reason behind the rule, she has no plans on breaking it.

Carrick Ryan is the bad boy of Formula One. With a face and body that melts panties on sight, and an Irish lilt that leaves women on their knees, begging for more. He races hard and parties harder. The youngest driver to ever sign with F1, he’s still at the top of his game five years later, breaking hearts on and off the tracks.

When Andi is offered her dream job working in the glamorous world of F1, she leaves her home in Brazil, positive she can handle working for Carrick. But she’s not prepared for the off-the-chart sparks that fly the moment they meet.

Now, Andi has a crush on the one man she can’t have, and her resolve is about to be put to the test, because Carrick has decided he wants Andi, and he plans on testing her to the very limit…

I run my fingertips over the blue-and-silver paintwork as I walk toward the back end. Bending over, I start poking around, taking a look at the engine. 

 “Please tell me that you’re my birthday present.” The Irish drawl has the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. I turn my head to find Carrick Ryan standing behind me. 

Oh. Wow. He’s definitely better looking in the flesh than on television. I knew he was attractive. But blonds aren’t usually my thing. I’m more of a dark-hair-and-dark-eyes kind of girl. But his dirty-blond hair, blue eyes laced with sin, and full lips—the kind of lips you spend hours sucking on—and that chiseled jaw decorated with stubble…yep, it all seems to be working for me. Well, my body anyway. Definitely not my head. Man-sluts are not my thing. My eyes meet with his as he lifts them from blatantly staring at my arse. The look in them hits me straight in the gut, surprising the hell out of me. His eyes are profoundly blue and filled with heat. My skin starts to prickle as his intense stare burns me up. I’ve never had such an instant visual reaction to a man before. 

Fuck. Take it easy, Andi. This isn’t a problem. You’ve met good-looking men before. You can turn this off. Drivers are a no-go area, especially ones you work for. My job is too important to lose over a man. Straightening, I turn to face him. 

 “Hello,” I say in my most confident and formal voice. I get nothing back, and that’s because he hasn’t heard me. He’s too busy staring at my breasts. Typical man. I have the sudden urge to punch him in his handsome face. But I won’t because I’m a professional. I’ll handle this in the best way I know when it comes to dealing with pervy dickheads like him. 

 “It’s your birthday?” I say sweetly, my smile a little on the flirtatious side. He grins. 

“It sure is, and it’s definitely looking up now that you’re here. Are you going to make it extra special for me, sugar?” 

 He thinks he’s about to get lucky. Far from it. Smarmy twat. I tilt my head to the side, keeping the flirty smile on my face, as I walk up to him until there’s very little space between us. I press my fingers to his chest. God, that’s firm. I can feel the ridge of his muscles underneath my fingertips. He’s tall, too, a good few inches higher than my five-nine. I’d say he’s six-one, which is tall for a driver, but he’s lean. He needs to be to fit into those cars. I bet, under those clothes of his, there’s nothing but toned muscle. Drivers have to be seriously fit, and Carrick Ryan certainly ticks that box on both counts. Now, I’m imagining him naked. Great. Just fucking great. I force my focus back to the now. 

“Well…” I lean in closer to him, hearing him suck in a sharp breath. I lower my voice as I whisper, “If you ever call me sugar again, you won’t see your next birthday. That’s for sure.” 

He tilts his head back in amusement. “Feisty. I like it.” 

I take a step back, dropping my hand from his chest. “There’s nothing here for you to like.” 

His eyes run the length of me, lingering on my legs, the lusty look firing in them again. “I see plenty to like. Jesus…your legs go on forever.” I wish I had something to hide my legs behind. Instead, I fold my arms to bring his focus up. “I’m not your type.” Lifting his eyes back to mine, he gives me a confident smile. “Amazing arse. Great stems. Awesome rack. Beautiful face. Yep”—he nods—“you’re definitely my type.”    

New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and international bestselling author Samantha Towle began her first novel in 2008 while on maternity leave. She completed the manuscript five months later and hasn't stopped writing since.

She has written contemporary romances, THE MIGHTY STORM, WETHERING THE STORM, TAMING THE STORM and TROUBLE.

She has also written paranormal romances, THE BRINGER and the ALEXANDRA JONES SERIES, all penned to tunes of The Killers, Kings of Leon, Adele, The Doors, Oasis, Fleetwood Mac, and more of her favourite musicians.

A native of Hull and a graduate of Salford University, she lives with her husband, Craig, in East Yorkshire with their son and daughter.

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BLOG TOUR & REVIEW: Southern Boys Series - C.A. Harms

~ SOUTHERN BOYS SERIES ~

Forgiving Reed, Book 1

Finding Gavin, Book 2

Loving Colt, Book 3

FORGIVING REED

Author: CA Harms

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Romance

~ SYNOPSIS ~

Kori suffered a great loss, one that left her feeling so desolate and alone, that she believed nothing would ever fill the void…

The only thing that kept her going was the one little piece of joy she still had in her life, her baby boy, Rhett. 

She had no choice but to move forward and give her son the best life she could. Which meant moving back home. 

Except there was one problem.

Home was where Reed would be… 

The man who once held her heart, then shattered it into a million pieces. 

Grieving the loss of Rhetts dad, and learning to forgive those who have betrayed her, Kori was battling it all.

But will she ever have the strength to forgive Reed? 

~ PURCHASE ~

Amazon

4.5 Sweet Tearful Stars

"I was lucky enough to fall in love twice in my life, and most people wished for it to happen at least once."

I admit to be a weird reader when I start something mid-series and when I end up liking that book, I'll skip and start with the first one until I catch up. That's what happened with me with CA Harms' Southern Boys Series. I bought Forgiving Reed but started Loving Colt -- the 3rd book in the series -- first and fell in love with the characters that I immediately wanted to know what their stories were.

Hot damn, Reed and Kori made me bawl my eyes out and even though I am a self-confessed crybaby when it comes to emotional books, Forgiving Reed was a different experience for me and the author's skill in writing their story was short of wonderful. Reed and Kori have history together, Kori had a different life and went back home heartbroken but determined to live not just for herself, Reed and Kori saw each other again after years of being apart and started to heal from their past. See that? It may seem too direct or fast, but that's what I liked about this book. The emotions are so full, heavy enough to have me in tears for about 80% of it, both from happiness and sadness, yet the story didn't drag on too much on the past. CA Harms was able to capture the feelings of Kori and Reed without making it bland, too short or too long, it was just right and definitely worth the tears I shed at 2 in the morning.

Stars: 4.5 stars

Recommended to: If you're ready to cry and fall in love at the same time, Reed and Kori and little Rhett, go give Forgiving Reed a read! ;)

POV: First person. Dual POV.

Series: Yes. Interconnecting characters.

Extra Comment: Maria and Gavin's story... I cannot wait! 

FINDING GAVIN

Author: CA HARMS

Series: Southern Boys, Book #2

Genre: Contemporary Romance
~ SYNOPSIS ~

Gavin was a broken hearted cowboy from Savanna… 

The one she fell for even though he tried to warn her away.

Maria’s entire life had been one rejection after another, always going after things that were just out of reach. 

Gavin was no exception. 

She wanted him, so desperately…

But life had a way of making things unattainable, at least for her anyway. 

Just when things began to change, once again the darkness glooms, and Maria finds that her happy ending may once again be…

Unreachable.

~ PURCHASE ~
AMAZON

4 Gavin Stars
Review copy received for an honest review

"We were lost in the feelings of love and pleasure. This woman held my heart in her hands and had the ability to destroy me, but I just knew she wouldn't."

Okay... this did it. CA Harms proves to be one of those authors who can write different stories for each of her characters. I mentioned that I started with this series backward, starting with Loving Colt before Forgiving Reed. That gave me a shock I didn't expect because while one made me tingly and smiling, the other one made me cry my eyes and heart out and with those experience under my belt, the only thing I expected from Finding Gavin is that I will be surprised yet again. And I was right.

Gavin and Maria's story is so different from Forgiving Reed but still as addicting! We met these two characters in the first book and I kept wondering if I would end up smiling like a crazy person or a crazy person crying while reading. Surprisingly, I smiled, shed a tear AND felt like I want to strangle Gavin at some point. CA Harms managed to add another emotion for me with her Southern Boys series. The conflict in Gavin and Maria's story was effective in making me feel for their struggles. Maria's patience and understanding was admirable, I know I would've handled some things differently. I love the sensitive part of Finding Gavin, that dancing scene with Mikey stole my heart! Gavin's wooing was drool-worthy, too. All of the Southern boys are yummy. Yummy with substance. I hope that made sense! 

Stars: 4 stars

Recommended to: Cowboy lovers!

Series: Yes. Interconnecting characters.

POV: First person. Dual POV.

Extra Comment: More, more, more!

LOVING COLT

Author: CA Harms

Series: Southern Boys #3 ~ Standalone

Genre: Contemporary Romance

~ SYNOPSIS ~

Alexis and Colt never planned on crossing paths.

Alexis and her three year old daughter were running from their past and Colt was looking for his future.

Neither planning on finding salvation in one another.

One night changed it all and they had no hope of ever being the same again.

Finding a way to make it work when it felt like everything was against them was something they would have to work hard to overcome.

Will Colt be strong enough to handle Alexis's past?

Or will it all be too much?

~ PURCHASE ~

AMAZON

Read my Loving Colt review here

~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~

CA Harms

C.A. Harms is like any other addicted reader. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories. She hasn't always been a lover of Romance and had once been addicted to a good Mystery. Just recently she has taken on a new liking and now is a full blown Romance novel addict.

She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. You will always find her with her kindle or paperback in hand as it is her favorite pass time.

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RELEASE DAY BLITZ & GIVEAWAY: Step-Lover - Bella Jewel

Title: Step-Lover

Author: Bella Jewel

 Release Date: March 9, 2015

A STEPBROTHER ROMANCE

Intended for mature audiences only

I met him before I knew.

I loved him before I knew.

I didn’t know he was my stepbrother when I fell for Bladen. I fell for a mystery guy who I spent a long, amazing weekend with. Then he got up and left me, without even a goodbye. I was nothing more than a bit of fun.

He broke my heart.

I didn’t see him again.

Until my mom and her new husband, Jack, decide to take us all on a family vacation to the lake so I can meet my new stepbrothers for the first time.

I don’t see it coming.

When he gets out of that car, my world stops. My passionate lover is…my stepbrother.

He isn’t the same man. He’s a prick and he makes sure I know it.

I’m not the same woman. I’m in love with him and I very much plan to make sure he knows it.

He won’t make my life easy. I won’t give up.

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AMAZON US / UK

Bella Jewel is a self published, USA Today bestselling author. She’s been publishing since 2013. Her first release was a contemporary romance, Hell’s Knights which topped the charts upon release. Since that time, she has published over five novels, gaining a bestseller status on numerous platforms. She lives in North Queensland and is currently studying editing and proofreading to further expand her career. Bella has been writing since she was just shy of fifteen years old. In Summer 2013 she was offered an ebook deal through Montlake Romance for her bestselling modern day pirate series, Enslaved By The Ocean. She plans to expand her writing career, planning many new releases for the future.

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