Tuesday, December 31, 2013
The Bad Boy Billionaire's Wicked Arrangement by Maya Rodale Blog Tour Excerpt & Kindle Paperwhite Giveaway!
 Title: The Bad Boy Billionaire's Wicked Arrangement Author: Maya Rodale Publisher/Expected Publication Date: Avon Impulse/HarperCollins, December 31, 2013 Genre: Contemporary Romance Order Links Amazon Barnes & Noble iTunes Book Summary from Goodreads
The first installment of a sexy, whirlwind romance about a modern day
heroine writing historical romance novels based on her romantic misadventures
with the bad boy billionaire.
Jane Sparks has accidentally announced her engagement on Facebook—to the
infamous Bad Boy Billionaire, Duke Austen. As soon as it’s discovered that Jane
and Duke barely know each other (One hot kiss at a party does not a
relationship make), she’ll be humiliated. And then Duke does something Jane
never expected. He plays along with her charade.
With his hard partying, playboy reputation jeopardizing a fifty million dollar
investment deal, Duke realizes an engagement with the hot but oh-so-proper
librarian could be just the thing to repair his reputation. This good girl
tempts him to be very wicked…but just with her. It’s unprecedented.
Inconceivable. Totally alluring.
As the unlikely match of librarian and tech entrepreneur set out to convince
the world—and the internet—that their love is real, something unexpected
happens: they start falling for each other. But Jane is secretly writing a
historical romance novel that could expose their carefully constructed
romance…unless two perfect strangers are content to be perfectly scandalous
together.
Excerpt: The Bad Boy Billionaire’s Wicked Arrangement
By Maya Rodale
Bar Veloce—the next day
@TechCrunch: Duke Austen’s
startup, Project-TK , is rumored to be seeking $150m investment at a
$1.2 billion valuation. Here’s why it might not happen.
Is the third time a charm for
Silicon Alley party boy Duke Austen? After the spectacular flameouts of his
first two startups, he’s on the verge of a major win—as long as investors can
overlook his reputation for hard-partying and worries about him paying more
attention to the hot supermodels instead of hot new products. Even if he gets
the funds, Austen’s prospects of remaining in charge of the company he
founded are slim, unless he cleans up his act. Read More . . .
“What is this?” Roxanna
asked, looking up from her iPhone. We often met here after work for drinks
and supper before returning to our microscopic, claustrophobia-inducing
Chelsea apartment.
“This is the invitation to
my tenth annual high school reunion. In other words, I have just been invited
to a party to showcase what an utter failure I am.”
“What are you talking about? You
have ditched Bumblefuck, Pennsylvania, and your boring ex-boyfriend for the
glamorous life of a single working girl in New York City.”
“I’m working as a library
assistant, which is a step down from my previous job as head Librarian. I
told everyone I was going to write a novel but I only have a word document
that reads ‘Untitled Romance Novel’ and not much else. And I still love my
ex-boyfriend, thank you very much. And he’s been dating. I saw it on
Facebook. I have not been dating.”
“No, you’re just having hot and
heavy hook-ups with strangers. Much better if you ask me,” Roxanna said with
a grin. I had told her a little bit about what had happened at the party last
night, leaving out the most embarrassing bits. Which is to say, I left out
most of the story.
“One hook-up. Once. And
while I was pawing at some random guy in the library like an adolescent,
everyone else has gotten married and had children. Look—” I said, pulling up
the list of my friends on Facebook, many of them from Milford High School.
“Melissa, married. Has a baby. Rachel and Dan, married. Two children
when some people don’t have any! Kate Abbott, who was totally horrible to me
throughout high school is ‘seeing someone special.’ And it’s only a matter of
time before Sam posts MARRIED! BABY! He keeps posting about dinners at all
romantic places around town.”
“What, all three of them? You have to unsubscribe to his status updates,” Roxanna said dryly.
“I don’t know how,” I grumbled.
“Technology mystifies me.”
“Here, let me see if I can do this
on your phone,” Roxanna said. I handed it over without a second thought.
“I’ll take care of this while you pine away for the days of card catalogues,
horses and bayonets.”
“We were voted Most Likely to Live
Happily Ever After,” I said glumly.
“Aww, should we go home and look
through your yearbooks?” Roxanna asked, pushing her red hair over her
shoulder.
She was tough as nails and just
what I needed. In return, since she was a disaster at things like laundry,
cooking, and paying bills, I helped make sure she had clean clothes, Wi-Fi,
and didn’t subsist exclusively on bourbon and popcorn.
“No, it will only make me feel
worse,” I said with a sigh. I knew because I had already looked through them.
It was all the inscriptions that slayed me. Stay in touch. Don’t ever
change.
Growing up, I had this idea of
what my life would be like, and I did everything I could to make it happen.
Good grades, good school, career in the library sciences, which would allow
me some flexibility when Sam and I married and had kids.
We planned to get engaged after he
finished his dissertation. Then he’d get a job as a professor at the nearby
Montclair University.
We planned to have a house on
Brook Street—I knew just the one—with great bookshelves and a yard for the
kids. Maybe a couch from Pottery Barn. .
Then POOF—fired. Then POOF—dumped.
Sam had coldly explained that he
wanted to see more of the world. Date other people. Be with someone more
adventurous. Someone who didn’t have every detail of her life already
pre-ordered.
“Ah, this will make you feel
better,” Roxanna said when the bartender set down our drinks: a glass of
chardonnay for me and bourbon on the rocks for her. “Cheers.”
“I just had this idea of what my
life would be like by now,” I said as Roxanna messed around with my phone.
“And so did everyone else. I had already planned my wedding on Pinterest. Now
he’s squiring some girl around town to all the romantic spots while I’m
working at the low level job I had in college and I’m hopelessly single.”
“Personally, I wouldn’t give a
fuck what my loser high school classmates thought of me,” Roxanna said,
sipping her bourbon and still messing around with my phone.
“I know. I’m seething with
jealously.”
Truly, I kind of was.
“But since you clearly do care,
why don’t you show up with a totally hot, successful date?”
I sighed and smiled. “It would
make everyone jealous, wouldn’t it? No one would ask me if I missed my old
job, why Sam and I broke up or how my novel writing is going. The problem is
your plan requires me knowing a hot, successful guy. The only guy to ask me
out since I moved here is José at the bodega.”
“Speaking of hot, successful guys,
why do you have a friend request from DUKE AUSTEN?” Roxanna looked up
at me, her blue eyes wide and her mouth open in shock.
“Hey, why do you still have my
phone?”
“Jane! Is this the guy you hooked
up with?” Roxanna held out my phone showing the Facebook profile of That Guy.
All dark eyes, tousled hair, unshaven. Like a pirate or a highwayman or some
rogue up to no good. Yeah, that was the guy.
“I think so. It was dark. I had a
mask on,” I said. I figured he was just some charming but scruffy guy who was
probably a struggling actor who tended bar at some hipster dive in
Williamsburg. Totally un-dateable.
“OMG,” Roxanna said. Gasped,
really. “OMG.”
“What?”
“Jane, this is DUKE AUSTEN,” she
practically shrieked. Then she looked around as if someone might overhear
this conversation. As if he were Somebody.
“I can see that. But who is he?”
“He’s only the billionaire
co-founder of Project-TK. See, you do know someone hot and successful. OMG do
you ever!”
“He didn’t look like a
billionaire.”
“Why? Cos he didn’t wear a suit
and grey tie and wave around fat cigars and a bottle of 26-year Macallan?
Welcome to the startup world, Jane. Where the billionaires look and act like
the guys next door.”
OMG, indeed.
“He caught me on my hands and
knees,” I whispered, horrified. “And shushing people at a party.”
“And then he hooked up with you. I
spent all day working on a story about him, in fact,” Roxanna said. She
grinned wickedly before launching into everything I needed to know about him.
“His company is seeking a series C-round of financing but everyone is
freaking out because he’s a brilliant disaster and they’re afraid he’ll blow
it like he did in his first two companies. Even if he gets the money, the
investors might force him to step down. He can code and he can sell anyone on
anything. But then he was always getting wasted and missing work or getting
embroiled in all sorts of scandals with models. And there are rumors of drug
use. He’s all kinds of bad news.”
“Why can’t I just find a nice guy
with a steady job and benefits?”
“Oh, the romance. Oh, be still my
beating heart,” Roxanna said dryly. “I have an idea.”
Roxanna grinned wickedly and
started doing something on my phone. I reached for it, and she lunged away.
“Hey, Jane, watch the drinks.”
“Roxanna, what are you doing?”
“This.”
She held out the phone.
Heartbeat: stopped.
Breathing: stopped.
My life: Over.
Duke
Austen was tagged in Jane Sparks’ life event
Jane
Sparks and Duke Austen got engaged
Everyone would see it. My mom, my
dad, my sister. Everyone from Milford, my co-workers at the library, everyone
I had ever known that had an Internet connection. Sam. He would see it.
And then all those people would
see that it had been a joke, a prank or the desperate and wishful thinking of
a lonely girl. Haven’t I had enough mortification?
I couldn’t do it again. I couldn’t
answer all those people saying sweetly (or not so sweetly) “I thought you
were with so-and-so. What happened?” It hurt too much to always say I
don’t know when things kept going wrong.
Instead, I shrieked and lunged for
the phone knocking over my class of chardonnay. It shattered, spilling all
over the bar and dripped down into my nude patent pumps. My life was in
shambles. And there was wine in my shoe.
“What have you done?” I gasped.
“I just got you a hot date for your high school reunion. You’re welcome.”
“No, you just got me a fiancé!”
“Even better, right? I hope he
gets you a giant diamond ring,” Roxanna said dreamily. “Although, he’s
probably only a billionaire on paper—or he will be once Project-TK has their
IPO. But don’t worry, I’m sure he’s got a few actual millions tucked away.”
“How do I undo this?” I
frantically jabbed at the screen. It was so unsatisfying.
“I have no idea,” she said with a
shrug. “Facebook settings are impossible to figure out.”
“Roxanna!”
My phone dinged with an incoming
text message from a number I didn’t recognize.
917-123-4567 : Meet me at Soho House in ten minutes for celebratory
drinks.
Jane Sparks: Who is this?
917-123-4567: Your fiancé
Who’s
that girl? Meet the heroine who captured the heart of the bad boy billionaire
By Maya Rodale
What’s
not to love about a bad boy billionaire? Modern day Wallflower Jane Sparks
can’t think of any reasons not to…other than the possible broken heart. But
his kisses are damn hard to give up. Here’s what you need to know about the
girl who captures the heart of Duke Austen, the bad boy billionaire.
1. She’s a small town girl, living in the big city. After one really
bad day in which she lost her job and got dumped by her boyfriend of twelve
years, Jane does the sensible thing: ditches her small town life and moves to
New York City for bigger and better adventures.
2. She’s a librarian by day…A lifelong book lover and librarian, Jane
lands a job at the New York Public Library. True fact: I had a really awesome
day researching NYPL! It’s definitely a great place to visit in the city.
3. …And a romance novelist by night. She’s always kept a stack of
romance novels under the bed, but now she’s determined to write one. The
problem: she doesn’t have an idea for a story. The solution: Duke Austen, the
bad boy billionaire. He definitely
gives her something to write about (and it’s The Wicked Wallflower, a historical
romance).
4. The hero calls her Sweater Set. Because Jane wears sweater sets.
She’s a good girl who plays by the rules, likes things just so and hasn’t done
a daring thing in her life. Until now…Duke tempts her in ways she never
imagined (and gives her pleasure she’s never imagined). Soon enough this good
girl is breaking all the rules.
For
more of Duke and Jane’s sexy romance, check out The Bad
Boy Billionaire's Wicked Arrangement and The Bad Boy Billionaire’s Girl Gone Wild.
Question: Are you a small town girl or a
city girl?
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Monday, December 30, 2013
Covet's December Release Day Blast & Giveaway!!!
Covets have all the sexiness, emotion, and happily ever after that readers have come to expect and love from Entangled. They are firmly grounded in the contemporary world, but each novel brings in supernatural twists, breaking the contemporary and paranormal rules, alike. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books you’ll be coveting next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, LIKE their Facebook page, and join the Book Club.
Today I'm happy to be featuring Covet's December releases:
Beg Me to Slay by Lisa Kessler
He’ll slay her demons, but it may cost her heart…
Four years ago Tegan Ashton was attacked. Determined never to be a victim again, she devotes her life to martial arts and self-defense. When her assailant returns to finish what he started, only one person can help her.
Gabe is a private investigator by day and demon slayer by night. After losing loved ones, he vows to defend people from a threat they don’t realize exists.
The relationship is supposed to be strictly business, but fighting demons together stirs up emotions they never expected. Turns out demon slaying is a breeze compared to facing their scarred pasts and even worse - hearts.
Ashes by Sarah Gilman
Journalist Ambrosia Pellerin accepts an assignment involving the legendary phoenix, expecting, if nothing else, a little entertainment. Instead, she winds up pregnant—by a surprisingly human-looking firebird, Reece Bennu.
As the Phoenix prince, Reece is next in line to the throne and expected to marry a purebred royal. A common human such as Ambrosia is not in the cards. He swears, though, he’ll never be an absentee father.
As Ambrosia’s due date grows closer, so do the soon-to-be parents. But will their tentative love survive the prejudice of Reece’s grandmother, who will stop at nothing to tear the two apart?
Visit Chloe Neill's Website & Enter the Howling Good Kindle Giveaway !!!!
 Title: Howling For You (A Chicagoland Vampires Novella #8.5)Publisher/Expected Release Date: NAL, January 7, 2014 Pre-Order Links Amazon Barnes & Noble Goodreads Synopsis Jeff Christopher is a shapeshifter and ally of Chicago’s Cadogan House of vampires—he’s also a tech whiz and mostly-legal hacker. And the only protective shields he’s never been able to find a way around are those of the powerful Keene Family. For a long time, Jeff has only had eyes for the beautiful Fallon Keene. Unfortunately, she is the only sister of the lethal North American Central Pack Apex Gabriel Keene. The intricate balances of power and politics make it all but impossible for Fallon to trust her feelings. Read More Chloe Neill's Howling Good Kindle Giveaway "Chloe Neill is celebrating the Jan. 7 release of HOWLING FOR YOU with a howling good Kindle giveaway! Details at http://chloeneill.com" Now, just click on the link to visit Chloe Neill's website for a chance to win some amazing prizes!!!!! |
Friday, December 27, 2013
ARC Review: The Spider (Elemental Assassin, #10) by Jennifer Estep
Title: The Spider (Elemental Assassin, #10)
Author: Jennifer Estep
Publisher/Publication Date: Pocket Books, December 24, 2013
Source/Format: Edelweiss/Publisher, E-ARC & Purchased/Paperback
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Amazon Barnes & Noble
Synopsis from the Back Cover
How did I end up in a career where I always have blood on my hands?
Well, let me tell you a story about an assassin who thought she could do no wrong. . . .
Ten years ago. A blistering hot August night. I remember like it was yesterday. The night I, Gin Blanco, truly became the Spider. Killing people is what I do best, especially now that I've honed my Ice and Stone magic. But back then, I had yet to learn one very important rule: arrogance will get you, every single time. This particular job seemed simple: murder a crooked building contractor with ties to ruthless Fire elemental Mab Monroe. My mentor, Fletcher Lane, had some misgivings, but I was certain that I had the situation under control. . . right up until I exposed my weaknesses to a merciless opponent who exploited every single one of them. There's a reason assassins aren't supposed to feel anything. Luckily, a knife to the heart can fix that problem, especially when I'm the one wielding it. . . .
My Thoughts
When an origin story focuses on the history of one of its characters, It's often repetitive information provided throughout the series. That’s just not the case with Jennifer Estep’s book, The Spider. In my review of Heart of Venom, I posed this question: “Have you met the Spider, Gin?” Now that I have read book #10 of the series, I know that you haven’t really met Gin until you read this book, which provides an in depth view of her past. For anyone who hasn’t started reading the Elemental Assassin series, as was true with Heart of Venom, The Spider is a great place to start. The story is well written and the characters are well-developed. Estep does an excellent job of portraying Gin in her early years as an overzealous novice who transforms into a hardcore assassin. The story will simply keep the reader on edge as lies unfold, Gin’s world starts to crumble, and the action heats up.
The
Spider is a must read if you are an urban fantasy fanatic. And needless to
say that I am looking forward to reading additional books from the Elemental
Assassin series.
Rating 5/5
****I
received an e-arc from Edelweiss/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I also purchased a paperback copy, because I plan to read the series from the
beginning during 2014. ****
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Thursday, December 26, 2013
Review: Vicious by V.E. Schwab
 Hello readers of Reading on the Rocks. From this day forward I will be blogging here! Hooray! *throws confetti on everything* So, yeah, this is my first review on this site and it happens to be Vicious by V.E. Schwab—enjoy! :D
Title: Vicious
Author: V.E. Schwab
Publisher/Publication Date: Tor, September 24, 2013
My Thoughts
Vicious by V.E. Schwab is a wonderfully twisted novel filled with characters that walked the thin line between superhero and villain. To say that this is my first try with V.E. Schwab’s writing, I can officially say that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. To say the least, Vicious is one of my favorite books of 2013.
Vicious follows the story of Victor Vale, a man who spent ten years locked in prison, for crimes he may or may not have committed. While Eli Ever walked free, and seemingly convinced everyone of Merit that he was a hero. Both Eli and Victor were wonderfully complex characters, and it was hard not getting wrapped up in their story. Then there were the Clarke sisters, Serena and Sydney. Serena was a bit of a mystery—that was solved in due time—and throughout Vicious I had a hard time really understanding her motives until it was revealed at the end. Although, I didn’t like her any more than I did because of what she’d done. Sydney was a nice addition to the story, and I found that her power was a big part of the plot. I would say more about the characters, but then I might end up spoiling something, so, moving on.
Oh the plot. Vicious was one of those rare books that kept me hooked till the very end, and wishing that there was a sequel. From the first page, we are presented with a world filled with EOs, lies, and murder. And old friends now turned enemies. I really felt like the end result was fitting for Eli and Victor. To say the least, I am giving Vicious 5 stars!
Rating 5/5
And don't forget to check this awesome trailer!
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Tuesday, December 24, 2013
And the Real Molly McAdams is.......
Have you been following along with
Molly McAdams’ Prank-Tacular Blog Tour in honor of NEEDING HER? Do you think
you guessed who was the REAL Molly McAdams correctly? Well, here’s a who’s
who of a prank-tacular New Adult authors. And the winner of the prize pack is
Stephanie Zhang—congrats to you, and happy holidays to everyone!
12/16—The Molly-Impersonator on
the following sites was…JAY CROWNOVER:
12/17—The Molly-Impersonator on
the following sites was…MONICA MURPHY:
The Irish Banana Review
Lebooksquirrel
12/18—The Molly-Impersonator on
the following sites was…MOLLY McADAMS:
Reading Teen
12/19—The Molly-Impersonator on
the following sites was…J. LYNN
Tea Time Romance
Will Read For Books
12/20—The Molly-Impersonator on
the following sites was…SOPHIE JORDAN:
Books Like Breathing
Owl Always Be Reading
My Summer Girl Books
12/21—The Molly-Impersonator on
the following sites was…YARA SANTOS (of ONCE UPON A TWILIGHT):
12/22—The Molly-Impersonator on
the following sites was…NICHOLE CHASE:
Whirlwind Books
Brazen Reads
12/23—The Molly-Impersonator on
the following sites was…LISA DESROCHERS:
Babbling about Books, and More
Mean Girls Luv Books
Reading Lark
Doing Some Reading
The Reading Vixen
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