Monday, July 4, 2016

Monday's Montage Mantlepiece: Hotshot Alphas: Too Hot to Handle


Title: Hotshot Alphas: Too Hot to Handle
Authors: Nina Bruhns, Sable Hunter, Rachelle Ayala
Chantel Rhondeau, Angelique Armae, Kelly Collins
Series: Hotshot Collection #3
Genre: Adult Romance, Action, Suspense
Release Date: June 6, 2016
Summary:
Because you just can't get enough! Hotshot Alphas are men who know what they want and get what they want. Will it be you? 6 full-length heroes, oops, I mean, romances with brash and exciting lovers from NY Times, USA Today, and International bestselling authors. Get your cowboys, chefs, special operatives, and sexy bad boys today. LIMITED TIME OFFER.

Clocking in at over 528000 words, this super boxed set is packed with action, romance, suspense, love, danger, and fun. Look for other Hotshot Romance Collections: Hotshot Heroes: Strong Enough to Love and Hotshot Danger: Packing the Heat for more full-length stories from your favorite romance authors.


Stories Included:
In His Control by Nina Bruhns
Enemies by Day... Detective Jean-Marc Lacroix is obsessed with catching a clever art thief who has outwitted him at every turn. Lovers by Night... Little does he know the thief is really the beautiful woman he just seduced. Or does he...?

Hot on Her Trail by Sable Hunter
Sexy cowboy, Jacob McCoy, longs for a family. His wish is fulfilled when beautiful Jessie walks into his life. Pregnant. With his child. The only problem? They've never met before.

Claiming Carlos by Rachelle Ayala
Choco Sanchez has been friends forever with chef Carlos Lopez until flashy food consultant Johnny Dee steps in to makeover both her and the restaurant. Carlos isn't about to lose his best friend. He sets out to claim Choco's heart by cooking hot, spicy, and steamy.

Love & Redemption by Chantel Rhondeau
Former special agent Shelley Daniels is struggling to tame her bad-girl tendencies. Jewel thief Gavin Hart wants fast money and a fresh start--until he witnesses a murder. Gavin drags Shelley back to the world she was desperate to escape with rogue agents, assassin plots, and a frantic race to stop a terrorist group.

Shadows of the Soul by Angelique Armae
When Hell's sexiest bad boy--Nicolai Valentine--defied Lucifer, he lost everything. Now Heaven's fearless human warrior--Isabel Heart--has come to Nicolai's aid. When the two meet... A haunting past is reborn...

The Dean's List by Kelly Collins
Twenty-five-year-old honors student, River Roberts, knew her life had to change. With only forty dollars to her name, she was hungry, tired, and out of options. Sexy, charming and motivated, she met the requirements for The Dean's List, a university society that offered alumni anything they desired. It was the perfect job for her or was it?



Author Bios:
Nina Bruhns
New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author Nina Bruhns pens adventurous romantic thrillers that contain a unique blend of interesting characters and settings, twisty suspense, and sizzling romance. To date, she has published over 35 award-winning novels, including several under the pen name Nikita Black.

Aside from hitting #16 on the New York Times Best Seller List, Nina’s had three RITA nominations, and her books have won a bunch of awards, including three Daphne du Maurier Awards for the Year's Best Overall Mystery-Suspense Book, two RT Awards, and the National Reader’s Choice Award.

Sable Hunter
Sable Hunter is a New York Times, USA Today bestselling author of nearly 50 books in 7 series. She writes sexy contemporary stories full of emotion and suspense. Her focus is mainly cowboy and novels set in Louisiana with a hint of the supernatural. Sable writes what she likes to read and enjoys putting her fantasies on paper. Her books are emotional tales where the heroine is faced with challenges. Her aim is to write a story that will make you laugh, cry and swoon. If she can wring those emotions from a reader, she has done her job. Sable resides in Austin, Texas with her two dogs. Passionate about all animals, she has been known to charm creatures from a one ton bull to a family of raccoons. For fun, Sable haunts cemeteries and battlefields armed with night-vision cameras and digital recorders hunting proof that love survives beyond the grave. Welcome to her world of magic, alpha heroes, sexy cowboys and hot, steamy to-die-for sex. Step into the shoes of her heroines and escape to places where right prevails, love conquers all and holding out for a hero is not an impossible dream.


Rachelle Ayala
Rachelle Ayala is a bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Her foremost goal is to take readers on a shared emotional journey with her characters as they grow and become more true to themselves. Rachelle believes in the power of love to overcome obstacles and feels that everyone should find love as often as possible, especially if it's within the pages of a book.

Her book, Knowing Vera, won the 2015 Angie Ovation Award, and A Father for Christmas garnered a 2015 Readers’ Favorite Gold Award.

She is also a writing teacher and founder of the Romance In A Month writing community. She lives in California with her husband and has three children and two birds.

Chantel Rhondeau
Bestselling author Chantel Rhondeau once thought a great mystery or fantasy book with strong romantic themes was the highest level of reading bliss. After reading her first romantic suspense novel, she never looked back. Chantel is author of six romantic suspense novels, a Christmas novella, and the new McCallister’s Paradise series with many more in the works. She lives in the western United States, and when she's not writing she loves playing cards with her family, bowling on leagues, and snuggling with her lazy kitties.


Angelique Armae
Angelique Armae / J. C. Makk is a native New Yorker who loves all things royal, can trace her Irish roots back to the Scottish Highlands, is half Italian, and is owned by a long-haired Tuxedo feline. She spends most days writing, unless her cat deems otherwise.

Miss Armae's books and novellas have garnered numerous awards and nominations, including the Sapphire Award, P.E.A.R.L. Award, and Word Weaving Award. Her books have also been featured on Midwest Book Review's Book Watch TV. Angelique's first novel, COME THE NIGHT, made Fictionwise's Best of the Best list, rounding out the top five bestselling Dark Fantasy books of the year. Her Urban Fantasy/Paranormal romance, SHADOWS OF THE SOUL, as well as COME THE NIGHT, were Kindle bestsellers. Under her J.C. Makk pen name, Miss Armae writes Contemporary romance. Her Royals of Countavia story—HIS ROYAL REDEMPTION—was featured in the International Bestselling anthology ROYALS AND ROGUES. 

Aside from writing, Angelique/J.C. also dabbles in digital art. She is the recipient and two-time nominee of the Dream Realm Award for best cover art.

When not working, Miss Makk enjoys traveling, learning about the ancient Celts, exploring history, and learning new languages. J.C. studied history and French literature at Skidmore College.

Kelly Collins
Kelly Collins writes with the intention of keeping the love alive. Always a romantic, she is inspired by real-time events mixed with a dose of fiction. She encourages her readers to reach the happily ever after but bask in the afterglow of the perfectly imperfect love.

Kelly lives in Colorado at the base of the Rocky Mountains with her husband of twenty-five years, their two dogs, and a bird that hates her.

In her spare time, she enjoys walking the trails and visiting the mining towns like Cripple Creek. Could be there is gambling there, but she likes to think it's the ambiance that brings her there and not the amazing slot machine in the back of the casino.

In the winter, you'll find her tucked into her seat at The World Arena cheering her beloved Colorado College Tigers Hockey Team. After several losing seasons she knows there's a win coming soon. Kelly is no fair weather fan.

She has three amazing children, and she wonders how they all turned out to be engineers when only the creative side of her brain seems to work. She just chalks it up to the engineering genes her husband contributed to the mix.

Creative minds need an outlet and writing books is where she focuses her excess energy.


Nina Bruhns
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Sable Hunter
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Rachelle Ayala
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Chantel Rhondeau
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Angelique Armae
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Kelly Collins
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The Proverbial Mr. Universe by Maria La Serra

Title: The Proverbial Mr. Universe
Author: Maria La Serra
Genre: Contemporary New Adult Romance
Release Date: June 27, 2016
Summary:
Dear girl with the red scarf,
Love was never meant to be conquered;
you have to surrender to it.
Trust me. After all, I am Mr. Universe.

When the universe conveys a message, you listen.

Olivia Montiano just caught her fiancรฉ cheating. Now she is forced to question what she wants out of life and love. Striving to live up to her father’s unrealistic standards for the past twenty-three years, every decision she has ever made was with her father’s wishes in mind—until she finds mysterious, handwritten letters tucked away in places only meant for her. That’s when she realizes she’s been on the wrong path all along and gives her heart to a guy her father thinks is entirely wrong.

Washed-up abstract artist Nick Montgomery has had quite a few setbacks in life. He’s become accustomed to never needing anyone, thinking he’s just fine—until he meets the girl with the red scarf. She’s not his type. But the universe has other ideas. Nick has a secret he’s keeping from her, afraid it will bring their new relationship to a sudden halt.

Will they figure out what the universe holds for them?


“I think it’s safe to say it would be safer for you if you took your bike to work.”

He winked at her.

“Ha, funny.” She looks at the people who gathered around; some were locals, and some were tourists.

What she enjoyed the most was the view of downtown Montreal.

Nick waited for her to get settled on the steps of the Chalet du Mont Royal before handing her back a vanilla ice-cream cone.

“Wasn’t that fun?”

“Yes, it was. But I don’t know how I’m going to get back. My legs are so tired.”

“What’s the rush?”

Olivia shrugged and smiled at him.

“Is there somewhere you have to be?”

“Do you?” She acted nonchalant, not wanting to give Nick the satisfaction that she was easily available.

He smiled appreciatively. “Great, we both have nowhere to be. So there’s no rush.”

He glanced down and frowned. “You better start working on that ice cream before it drips.”

Olivia licked her ice cream, making more of a mess of herself. She laughed, and Nick handed her more napkins to help her clean off her sweater.

“You know what else I haven’t done in ages?” She looked up at Nick, who sat one step above her.

“What’s that?”

“Ping pong.”

He made a funny face like she said something revolting.

“Come on, who doesn’t like ping pong?”

“Just to let you know, I’m silently judging you.”

Olivia glanced at his gray polo shirt with happy faces scattered all over it.

“Don’t you dare be judging me, Montgomery. Where did you find this lame top?” She playfully ran her hand across his chest, feeling him stiffen under her touch. His smile slowly faded and out of nowhere, there was a particular affliction overshadowing his face.

“Don’t worry, Montgomery, my hands are clean.” She put her hand up to show him.

“No, it’s not that.” His voice had become heavier. “There something I’ve wanted to tell you.” Something in his tone caused for concern. Then she thought maybe he didn’t want things to go back to the way they were. Maybe he realized during their time apart that he’d rather be just friends. Or worse … there was someone else. She was afraid of what he was about to say. Whatever it was, it wasn’t good. She could feel the presence of it, this thick air hovering above them. Olivia didn’t know if it was the ice cream or this familiar feeling of complete disappointment because the tugging in her stomach began to grow.

Aware of his stare, she glanced up to find his eyes on her, and for a moment Olivia wished he would kiss her to make it all go away.


Author Bio:
Maria La Serra, a fashion designer, turned writer, lives in Montreal with her husband and two children. She will try everything at least once, except for skiing, hiking or camping-okay anything relating to activities done in the great outdoors. The Proverbial Mr. Universe is her first novel.


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A Journey Home by Angela Scavone

Title: A Journey Home
Author: Angela Scavone
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 29, 2015
Summary:
Stephanie Tyler’s sole job is to fly overseas to war torn areas of the world to retrieve and escort the bodies of fallen soldiers back home to the United States. It is a tough and emotional job but she is honored for the privilege. Her duty also helps her to escape her past and her failed marriage.

But those flights have become increasingly more dangerous and she is forced to have a partner accompany her. Much to Stephanie’s surprise and dismay, she is partnered up with her ex-husband, Captain “D.A.” Douglas Aston.

From the moment Captain D.A. enters the scene, he irritates her. It could have something to do with the fact he slept with her best friend while they were married. As they go on several missions together, Stephanie is forced to be courteous and professional with D.A. even though the very sight of him irritates her beyond comprehension.

Then, Stephanie’s cheating, husband stealing, ex-best friend is killed in Afghanistan and Stephanie and D.A. must escort her body home. While executing this difficult duty, a myriad of conflicting emotions makes Stephanie ponder how short life really is . . . and to question her own ability to forgive.


“Do you have any idea how hard it is to make friends when you don’t trust anyone anymore?”

Our eyes met and he let the question linger in the air before answering.

“I understand that.” He held my gaze. “But why can’t you just have fun?”

“I used to have fun. A lot of fun, in fact, with this person I called a best friend. He and I would go on walks in the evenings, to the beach on the weekends. We’d go to movies, the theater, concerts. I could even convince him to go get a pedicure and a massage with me once in a while.”

DA smiled at all the memories.

I added, “I also had this other really good friend. She wasn’t as close as my best friend, but she and I would do all the girly things that my guy friend wouldn’t do with me, like shop for hours on end.”

“Yeah, I still hate shopping.” DA maintained his smile.

“Then, both of them broke my heart and my trust in one afternoon.”

The smile on his face disappeared and he dropped his eyes to stare at the floor.

I could feel the familiar prickle of tears and jumped off the couch. “I gotta go. It’s past my bedtime.” I headed toward the front door. “Thanks for the pizza.”


DA had risen from the love seat and crossed the room in two strides to waylay me. He shut the door with my hand still on the knob. He was so close behind me I could feel his breath on the back of my neck.

“Steph . . . I’m sorry.”

I refused to turn around. I didn’t want him to see that I was about to start crying.

“If I could do it all over again, I would never have become such good friends with Alex,” he whispered against my hair. “If I had known what her intentions were, I would’ve stopped it before it ever became an issue. I honestly didn’t know what she was trying to do until that day in the kitchen. Then you left so fast and wouldn’t take any of my calls or see me.”

He pressed his forehead to the back of my neck. “I’m so deeply and truly sorry for ever hurting you. And I really hope one day you can forgive me.”

By the time he’d finished speaking I had tears streaming down my face and I didn’t know what to say to him. He kissed the back of my neck, the warm sensation so familiar that I couldn’t resist turning around. He had me pinned against the front door as we began kissing, lightly at first, then deeper, urgent.

I wanted to believe him, but I just couldn’t. I couldn’t get past the image of the two of them together. I abruptly pushed him away.

“I have to go,” was all I could say, then I opened the door again and this time he let me go.

What Others Are Saying:
✯✯✯✯✯ - honor and forgiveness highlight this spiritually inspiring tale of love, love lost By Frank Scozzarion Verified Purchase 
Sometimes in life, one is thrown into situations which defy imagination. In A JOURNEY HOME, a twist of fate throws Air Force Captain Stephanie Tyler into a cockpit with her cheating ex-husband, Captain Douglas ‘DA’ Aston. Flying long hours overseas with him is uncomfortable enough, and made even more unimaginable when the two must retrieve the body of an Afghanistan War casualty (the woman who caused the demise of their marriage). Powerful emotions, reverence, honor and forgiveness highlight this spiritually inspiring tale of love, love lost, and salvation. It is a sobering look at the true cost of war. Several times while reading this book I felt a shiver run through my body. The story, and how it’s told, is that compelling. Angela Scavone does an excellent job of writing with realism and sentiment in a way that literally swept me away. A moving book that will keep you reflecting long after you’ve turned the last page.

✯✯✯✯✯ - Grab some tissues and a quart of mint chocolate chip ice cream---A Journey Home is an awesome read! By Rebecca
A Journey Home is beautifully written, balancing the tragedy of fallen soldiers with light-hearted moments of a couple falling back into love. Honor. Protocol. Faith. Trust. Friendship. Love. This novel will stick with me for a long time.

✯✯✯✯✯ - A MUST READ By Amazon Reader
I don’t remember the last time I had tears rolling down my cheeks from a poignant passage in a novel. An ex-marine friend of mine who worked at an airport in Afghanistan verified the authenticity of these scenes of bringing fallen soldiers home. I felt so honored to share in this beautiful reading experience. We are reminded by Angela Scavone of the ultimate sacrifice that some must give in order for us to live free while sharing a sweet love story of a marriage reunited.

There was much love and humor between the couple who needed to learn to trust each other again. At the end, I sighed, with a wonderful, ahhh and slept soundly for the first time all week.

Author Bio:
Angela lives in Ontario, Canada sharing her home with her father and her two much-loved pups (and one evil cat). She currently works for the Board of Education behind the scenes supporting and analyzing student data, however, in her spare time, apart from her avid love of storytelling, she likes to read, spend time with family and friends and concoct dairy free recipes from scratch. Sometimes she wins some, and sometimes she loses some – tofu, banana and peanut butter pudding we are looking at you.






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