Shooting Star Book Reviews

Monday, February 23, 2015

Blitz: The Apollo Academy by Kimberly P. Chase

The Apollo Academy by Kimberly P. Chase

(The Apollo Academy #1)
Published by: Harlequin
Publication date: February 22, 2015
Genres: New Adult, Science Fiction

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23877720-the-apollo-academy?ac=1

Purchase:

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B00S493CRC

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-apollo-academy-kimberly-chase/1116306835?ean=9780857992284

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/the-apollo-academy/id952861808?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/the-apollo-academy

SYNOPSIS

Take off with this dynamic, thrill-seeking, sexy New Adult Science Fiction series debut. Welcome to the exclusive Apollo Academy, where Aurora is about to discover that achieving her dream is only the first step towards her future.

As the heiress to Titon Technologies, eighteen-year-old Aurora Titon can have whatever she wants—clothes, expensive gadgets, anything money can buy. But all she really wants is to escape her pampered, paparazzi-infested life for the stars. Becoming the first female pilot to train as an astronaut for the exclusive Apollo Academy is exactly the chance for which she has been waiting.

Flying is everything she ever dreamed, her best friend also got into the Academy, and the paparazzi is banned from campus. Everything would be perfect, but for her unreciprocated crush on a fellow student, the sexy astronaut bent on making her life hell, and the fact that someone keeps trying to kill her.

The most important education doesn’t happen in the classroom…

Early Praise:

"I am obsessed with this book! Suspenseful, sexy, and just a great read!" - Cora Carmack, New York Times Bestselling author of LOSING IT.

“Exquisite worldbuilding, thrilling suspense, and a sexy flight instructor! Chase’s exciting debut novel is one you don’t want to miss.” - K.A.Tucker, Author of Ten Tiny Breaths and One Tiny Lie

EXCERPT

Exclusive Excerpt from THE APOLLO ACADEMY:

(Chapter 10. Aurora in flight training with Sky, her domineering (and

not to mention hot) flight instructor.)

Whoop, whoop. ‘Thrust warning, loss of main engine one.’ Whoop, whoop.

The shrill warning bell caused the hair on the back of Aurora’s neck to stand on end. She thrust the throttles on the remaining two engines full forward. She knew Sky stood behind her simulation panel, probably smiling as she struggled to recover from the engine failure he’d just caused with the flick of a switch.

He'd been overseeing everyone’s progress and of course decided now to come over, waiting until she was at an extremely critical altitude before creating this failure for her to handle.

Whoop, whoop. ‘Stall imminent.’ Whoop, whoop.

Aurora knew she was approaching the aircraft’s stall speed, but the loss of a single engine made it extremely difficult to control the overly large shuttle. Her yoke shook, another warning that a stall was close.

Aurora had to resist the urge to pull the nose of the aircraft up.

"Aurora, you’re going to stall if you don’t increase your airspeed," he whispered right next to her ear. She jumped, accidentally pressing her foot down on the rudder pedal. She still felt his breath on her cheek. Sky’s constant hissing in her ear was more distracting than being yelled at.

“Shit!" She didn’t even have a chance to alter the course of events because she was at too low of an altitude to recover from the spin she'd just entered.

‘Terrain, terrain.’ Whoop, whoop. ‘Pull up, pull up.’

She wasn’t going to make it. It was like her last simulation flight all over again.

The screen cracked and blacked out when the shuttle hit the ground, killing everyone on board. This was followed by flashing red lights and a loud siren that alerted her and everyone else around her of the failure.

She slammed her finger down on the automatic warning system. The red warning lights swarmed around her, making her cringe in on herself. She already knew she had messed up; she didn’t need the incessant light show. If Sky hadn’t scared her half to death, she wouldn’t have stomped down on the rudder so hard at such a low speed. Okay, so maybe scared wasn’t the right word, but his breath on her face definitely distracted her.

"Damn it, Sky!" she said taking her frustration out on the one who was really responsible for her crash.

Now sitting down beside her, his large frame towered over her. He whispered in her ear, "Tell me why you crashed."

He was still too close. "Oh, I don’t know, maybe because you scared me half to death by hissing at me." She touched her ear. "Who does that? It made me stomp down on the rudder."

Sky grinned, showing off his dimples. "Are you saying you were distracted by my very presence?" He had the audacity to wiggle his eyebrows suggestively.

Heat ran to Aurora’s face, but instead of backing down like she normally would, she decided to wipe that grin off of his face. She'd had it with everyone treating her differently. It might not have been the best idea, but she flirtatiously leaned toward Sky anyway. His eyes widened in surprise.

Now that he was distracted, she discreetly pulled a piece of gum from her bag on the seat next to her. "Here, maybe next time your breath won’t cause so much trouble."

His mouth opened in shock, and Aurora took the opportunity to place the gum into his mouth. The instant she did it, she felt horrible. What was wrong with her? That was the most immature thing she’d ever done.

Sky calmly shut his mouth and popped a bubble, but the grin on his face was definitely gone.

Oh stars, he was going to make her regret that . . .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kimberly P. Chase holds a Bachelor's Degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, which basically means she's kind of a geek and loves flying airplanes. Naturally, her books tend to include aviation, hot flight instructors, aviator glasses, and—let's not forget—kissing! When Kimberly's not writing or reading, she's hanging out with her husband, five-year-old son, and two dogs in Charleston, SC.

Author links:

http://www.kimberlypchase.blogspot.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/KimberlyPChase

https://twitter.com/kpchase817

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7092596.Kimberly_P_Chase

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Double Cover Reveal: The Good Samaritan Series by Jolie Mae Miller

Series: The Good Samaritan

Including: The Good Samaritan (#1) and The Unlikely Samaritan (#2)

Author: Jolie Mae Miller

Find on Goodreads

Can money really buy you happiness?
What would you do to support your family?
The Macintyre family faces struggles of alcoholism and severe financial hardship after having it all and losing everything. Jeremy is forced into the ranks of the long- term unemployed, destroying his family with his alcohol addiction, and leaving Lizzie Macintyre to provide for the family in a most unconventional way. Just how far is Lizzie willing to go to save her family?
Jack Loving Jr., of the Loving family, is sole heir to Richmond’s most philanthropic family’s Trust. He and wife, Victoria, work hard to honor his family’s long-standing tradition of serving the less fortunate, forcing Jack to sacrifice his lifelong dreams. Jack faces serious challenges when someone close betrays him, turning his world upside down. Can Jack create happiness for himself?
When Jack has a chance encounter with Lizzie, never could they imagine their families would eventually need one another.
This book has strong explicit sexual content and not intended for readers under 18 years old.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

In book one, the Loving and Macintyre families, faced hardships caused by those closest to them. Left to pick up the pieces, they're unable to shed the painful experiences, from a life they wish to leave behind. In book two, their entwined histories become the platform for a hopeful future.

Multimillionaire, Jack Loving, Jr.'s romantic obsession with Lizzie Macintyre, was immediate. While present on her darkest day, he vowed to save her, making her part of his life -- helping others as good samaritans.

After her exposed secret led to personal tragedy, Lizzie, consumed with guilt, moves on. Taking steps to further secure her future and others, she forms new secret alliances, putting everyone she cares about, at risk.

Forces converge, led by the couple individually, and others with hidden agendas, creating great harm to their future. Will they survive, finding forgiveness for Lizzie's secrets which have the power to destroy them personally and professionally? Is Jack keeping secrets of his own? Prepare for an unexpected ride to discovering the most unlikely samaritans, in this very explicit, suspenseful, contemporary erotic romance, in Book Two -- The Good Samaritan series.

Jolie Mae Miller is an independent author, living in Prince George, Virginia, with her loving husband and amazing children. Her busy home also includes a yorkie, a poodle, and a St. Bernard. Her favorite job is being a Mom and Meme (because she's too young to be a "GRANDMA!").
She grew up in Powhatan, Virginia, working in her family's auto parts business for many years. After her sister received a life-saving transplant, she pursued and was hired by Richmond-based, non-profit, United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). She enjoyed thirteen years working in the Accounting department managing various functions. Today, she has the best job, Mom.
In her free time, she enjoys reading and watching baseball. Whether it's her husband who umpires, her son, or the Orioles. Additionally, she's an ancestry junkie, knowing quite well it's a never ending project. Jolie Mae is incredibly blessed to have a supportive family behind her while she pursues her love and passion of complex-themed writing. She credits her amazing parents for continuing to be positive, guiding forces in her life . Her love of reading definitely came from her Mom, and is constantly inspired by her Dad's outgoing personality and knack for great storytelling.

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Excerpt: Sloth by Ella James

He looks down at me, and his face is so stern, so solemn…so hungry that I almost flee right then. Instead, I ride it out. I tell myself I can handle whatever happens, and I stand my ground as he turns the knob and pushes it open. His eyes cling to my face as he waves me inside first. I step inside expecting something grand. Elaborate. Even magical. And that’s exactly what I find.

The wall in front of me is nothing but a sheet of glass, giving me a stunning view of the tops of pines, and the river rushing over rocks below them. Above the treetops, the pale sky stretches on and on, marred only by another crow or hawk or raven.

I could get lost in that view, but I don’t let myself. I roll my gaze around the room, taking in its deep plum walls, high ceilings. There’s even a fancy indention at the center of the ceiling, something that looks right out of a home and garden magazine. And to my left is the bed. A huge, imposing, mahogany canopy with a pale green duvet and curtains that drop down around it.

A bed for sex.

My hunch is confirmed when I notice, amongst the heavy dresser and wide desk, a claw-footed tub in one corner of the bedroom. I’ve got my mouth half open, trying to decide if I should just be me and blurt out "sex cave," or continue with my act and feign charm. I turn around to him, belatedly realizing I should be making sure he doesn’t shut and lock the door. I find his eyes on me, but when my gaze meets his, he breaks away and walks over to the window.

"This used to be my room," he says without turning around to look at me.

"Until?"

"I gave it up for trainees."

"That sounds kinky." It’s unplanned; I just murmur it.

He turns to me, his eyes hardened, his mouth gone sensuously soft. "You think so, Miss Whatley?"

I nod, and he walks over to me. His hands close around my wrists. He looks into my eyes, like he’s desperate to see what I’m thinking. He brings one of my hands to his mouth. The soft brush of his lips on my palm makes me tingle, but it doesn’t matter. I’m going through with my plan regardless of how attracted I am to him.

"Can you see yourself staying here?" he asks, in that low, deep, sexy voice of his.

"I don’t know." I try to sound weak; uncertain. "I think I’d miss my friends at the Tri Gam house."

"I could make you forget about them while you’re here."

IS KELLAN WALSH PROPOSITIONING ME?
"How could you do that?"

He steps a little closer to me, sending my pulse racing. His wide chest is inches from my breasts. I find myself longing to step forward. Instead, he does. My breasts mash against his chest as our hips brush. Half a heartbeat later, I feel his dick pressing against my lower belly.

Oh my God.
His hands come up and frame my face. His eyes, on mine, are hypnotic.
"I’m not going to lie to you. I want your body, Cleopatra. I’d like nothing more than for you to stay here with me. I’ll teach you to deal—teach you how to avoid getting caught, how to maximize your, our earnings—and we can see if this goes anywhere."

"That’s why you brought me up here?" I whisper.

He nods slowly.

Cover Reveal: Final Death by Rose Garcia

Release: April 27th, 2015

Dominique has conquered the evil within her, only to find her one true love now has to kill her. Desperate to save her friends and loved ones from sharing her fate, Dominique ditches her companions in an effort to protect them. With Trent left for dead in the past, she has no idea that Infiniti and Fleet have banded together, facing their own adversity as they struggle to find her.

Sure of nothing, and trusting someone from first life who promises to be on her side, Dominique decides to set out on her own mission: kill before being killed. With time running out and her friends in hot pursuit, Dominique is hell bent on finishing what was started nine lives ago. Or finally face her final death.

ADD TO GOODREADS

SMALL TEASER :)

GET THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES TODAY FOR ONLY 99¢

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rose Garcia is a lawyer turned writer who's always been fascinated by science fiction and fantasy. From a very young age, she often had her nose buried in books about other-worlds, fantastical creatures, and life and death situations. More recently she's been intrigued by a blend of science fiction and reality, and the idea that some supernatural events are, indeed, very real. Fueled by her imagination, she created The Transhuman Chronicles--a series of books about people who have overcome human limitations.

Rose lives in Houston with her husband and two kids. You can visit Rose at www.rosegarciabooks.com

Monday, February 16, 2015

New Release: Damned (Four Horsemen MC #3) by Cynthia Rayne

Damned by Cynthia Rayne
(Four Horsemen MC #3)
Publication date: February 17th 2015Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Rose Weston is in hell.

After being kidnapped and held as a sex slave, she is struggling to come to terms with the trauma. Under the care of her sister, Daisy, Rose is recovering at the Hades Motel& Diner, owned by the Four Horsemen MC. When Rose is threatened by her former captor, she asks Duke for help.

Duke has been to hell and back.

After surviving an abusive childhood, dangerous black ops missions, and a couple stints in prison, Duke is reluctant to give a damn about anyone but himself. Despite his better judgment, he finds himself helping Rose. She touches a place in his cold heart, no other woman has. He reluctantly agrees to teach her self-defense skills. Together, they will make the man who held her captive pay. But he doesn’t count on what a temptation Rose can be. She wants to share his bed, have a sexual relationship on her own terms, but is she ready after the abuse she’s suffered? Or is she damned?

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22546370-damned?ac=1

Purchase:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Cynthia+Rayne+damned&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ACynthia+Rayne+damned

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cynthia Rayne is the author of the Amazon best-selling Four Horsemen MC series. Her first erotic book was written when she was thirteen. Of course, the most risqué scene involved kissing, but it was the talk of her middle school!

She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in education and writes whenever she can. In her spare time, she enjoys dating, shopping, reading way too many romance novels, and drinking a truly obscene amount of coffee. Find out more about Cynthia Rayne and the Four Horsemen, and signup for the new release newsletter on the website: http://www.cynthiarayne.com/

Author links:

http://www.cynthiarayne.com/

https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.rayne.9

https://twitter.com/RayneCynthia

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2030751.Cynthia_Rayne

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: #Player by Cambria Hebert

BOOK & AUTHOR INFO:

Title: #Player
Release date: March 9, 2016
Series: Hashtag Series #3 (this book is not a standalone)
Genre: New Adult College Romance
Author: Cambria Hebert
Other books in this series: #Nerd (book one) and #Hater (book two)
Format: Ebook and print

SYNOPSIS:

Players gotta play.
Hate is like a poison. It contaminates everything.

So does doubt.

Even though I deny what I overheard, even though I insist it isn’t true, the seed of doubt has been planted. I can’t help but be tormented with the endless what-if’s that have taken over our lives.

Romeo and I were happy in love. The future stretched before us brighter than any star in the darkest sky. Now everything is broken. Literally broken. Romeo’s entire career is at stake, my entire future is threatened… and my past?

It’s coming back to haunt me.

To haunt us.

Romeo says we’re in this together and right now the only sure thing is us. But how far can a love so new be pushed? The lengths we will have to go to save each other puts everything at risk.

Romeo is a #player but how much of the game can one person play?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24568119-player?ac=1

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Cambria Hebert is a bestselling novelist of more than twenty books. She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair.

Besides writing, Cambria loves a caramel latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching movies. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chorkie (the real boss of the house).

Cambria has written within the young adult and new adult genres, penning many paranormal and contemporary titles. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense. A few of her most recognized titles are: Text, Torch, Tryst, Masquerade, and Recalled.

Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.

You can find out more about Cambria and her titles by visiting her website: http://www.cambriahebert.com.
Email: cambriahebert@rocketmail.com
Facebook: http://smarturl.co/CambriaHebertFanpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cambriahebert
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/cambriahebert/pins/
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5298677.Cambria_Hebert

Friday, February 13, 2015

Valentine's Day SALE - One To Love by Tia Louise

Title : One To Love

Author : Tia Louise
LIMITED TIME PROMOTION!
$0.99 VALENTINES DAY WEEKEND

Tattoos, bad boys, love...
Boxing, fame, fortune…
Loss.

It’s the one thing Kenny and Slayde have in common. Until the night Fate throws them together and everything changes.

Their chemistry is undeniable, their love blazing hot, but is history destined to repeat itself?

It’s a story about fighting. It’s about falling in love. It’s about losing everything only to find it again in the least likely place. And it's about the one hit you never see coming.

A STAND-ALONE, ONE TO HOLD NOVEL. New Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

eBOOKS

AMAZON | B&N | iBOOKS |KOBO | ARe

GOOGLE PLAY |AMAZON INTERNATIONAL

PAPERBACKS

AMAZON | CREATESPACE

Tia Louise is the Amazon and International Bestselling author of the ONE TO HOLD series.

Her debut adult romance ONE TO HOLD was #1 in Military Romance on Amazon, a 2014 "Lady Boner" award-winner, and a Top 20 Contemporary Romance novel for several months. Subsequent books in the series have performed equally well.

From being a "Readers' Choice" nominee two years running, to picking up USA Today "Happily Ever After" nods, nothing makes her happier than communicating with fans and weaving new tales into the Alexander-Knight world of stories.

A former journalist, Louise lives in the center of the U.S.A. with her lovely family and one grumpy cat. There, she dreams up stories she hopes are engaging, hot, and sexy, and that cause readers rethink common public locations...

It's possible she has a slight truffle addiction.