Books – Page 20 – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Bend, Don’t Break by Skye Callahan – Cover Reveal

Published on September 19, 2014September 18, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

So excited! So excited! So excited!

Title: Bend Don’t Break

Author: Skye Callahan

Genre: Dark Erotic Romance

Release Date: November 18, 2014

Synopsis

I thought I was done.
my End
I couldn’t take my eyes off her as the bullet tore through me, leaving me with nothing but the hope that I had done enough to save her. The darkness tried to engulf me—to brand me as its own and drag me to my fate.
my Darkness
Waking to see her tear-stained face above me was enough to make my heart stutter. I was alive and free from that place—but not from the toll it had taken on my mind and body. My story should have ended, but one woman kept standing in the way of that.
my Strength
The only way I could have her was to find a way to put the darkness to rest.

Warning: This isn’t your rainbows and love sonnets kind of romance. This story explores topics of abduction and slavery, and contains explicit scenes of dubious consent, graphic violence and sex.

About The Author

Skye Callahan is an Ohio-girl who has spent a lifetime chained to the imaginary worlds of the characters who live in her head. Although it was her interest in paranormal that originally inspired her to pick up the pen, she has recently followed her interest in BDSM and dark romance to venture into other realms of fiction. She currently lives with her husband and two ferrets, who keep her plenty busy when she’s not writing.

Mailing List for releases and updates: http://eepurl.com/UW1ET

Join Skye’s Reading Hangout for more interaction with Skye and other readers, as well as exclusive events and news.

Excerpt

“How many women did you have sex with while you were there?”

It was the third time Dr. Combs had asked me that question. And for the third time I wanted to avoid it.

I had just gotten out of that hell, and I still had the bullet hole in my chest to prove it, but it didn’t stop my boss on pushing the psychiatric evaluation.

Dr. Combs cleared her throat, and my jaw clenched.

I didn’t even want to admit the number to myself even though I could se every one of the girls in my head.

Kat, the red-headed braggart who thought she owned every man who walked into the retreat.

Gabby, the indignant curly haired brunette.

Raini a gorgeous but frail girl who was transferred in right after I went undercover. I had feared that one more night in Ross’ bed would kill her before her first week was up.

Alley, a blond sweetheart who belonged to Miles, my unconventional friend.

Silver, the girl who simultaneously ruined and saved me.

She was the only reason I was alive, and the only reason I had what was left of my soul—except she wasn’t real. Like my undercover alias, Kirk, she was forged from necessity and determination.

And somewhere out there Rose was learning to live her own life again.

At least that’s what I hoped. The day after I was shot in the raid on the “sex retreat”, my superiors had me transferred to another hospital and put under protective custody until they were sure I was safe.

I was fairly positive they were more concerned that any real threat to my life would come from me, since there were very few people who knew of my undercover involvement in the operation.

The only company I was allowed was Dr. Combs, my new shrink. I didn’t want a shrink. I wanted the woman who saved me—the only person who stood a chance of bringing me any kind of peace.

The woman I could never have.

Hope for Her – Top 10 Favorite Lines – #8

Published on September 18, 2014September 17, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

Through out the month of September I’d like to introduce you to the characters and my Top 10 favorite lines in Hope for Her.

FAVORITE LINES

Line #8:

In rehab, they preached the importance of establishing a routine. Do the same thing every day to develop positive habits and replace the bad ones with something less dangerous. They got it all wrong. The drug addiction wasn’t the dangerous habit; the habit of self-loathing and fear of not measuring up was much worse.

Josh had some challenges recently, but now he is ready to turn is life around. If he can find something or someone to keep him on the right path.

I battle this constantly as I’ve been trying to lose weight all summer. It’s all about replacing bad habits with something better for me.

What do you do to avoid temptation?

The pre-order price for Hope for Her is .99 cents. Pick up your copy now, the rate will go up to $2.99 after October 1st.

French Kiss by Chanel Cleeton – Cover Reveal

Published on September 17, 2014September 16, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle1 Comment

French Kissed by Chanel Cleeton

Release Date: December 1, 2014

New Adult Contemporary Romance

International School Book 3

SYNOPSIS: On the surface Fleur Marceaux has it all—if only the façade matched reality. With one year left at the International School in London, Fleur’s struggling to graduate, her love life is a mess, and she can’t stop thinking about Max, her ex-boyfriend’s best friend. But all of that pales compared to the blackmailer determined to destroy her.

There’s a social hierarchy at the International School, and Max Tucker is outside the velvet ropes. After watching Fleur break his friend’s heart, Max knows to stay away from trouble—despite the crush he’s had on her since freshman year. But when they’re partnered on a project, Max learns there’s more to Fleur than meets the eye, and she just might be worth the wild ride.

The more time they spend together, the further Max falls. And when a kiss awakens a passion Fleur never imagined, she’s unable to resist Max, who she thought was wrong for her, but might be the only thing that’s right.

But will he stand by her when her secrets are revealed?

Don’t miss the final book in the International School series. This New Adult romance is recommended for readers 17 and up.

Want to see where it all began?

I SEE LONDON (International School Book 1)

Amazon | B&N | iBook | Kobo

LONDON FALLING (International School Book 2)

Amazon | B&N | iBook | Kobo

AUTHOR BIO: Originally a Florida girl, CHANEL CLEETON moved to London where she received a bachelor’s degree from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Chanel fell in love with London and planned to stay there forever, until fate intervened on a Caribbean cruise, and an American fighter pilot with smooth dance moves swept her off her feet. Now, a happily ever after later, Chanel is living her next adventure in South Korea.

Law school made Chanel realize she’d rather spend her days writing sexy stories than in a courtroom, and she hasn’t looked back since. An avid reader and hopeless romantic, she’s happiest curled up with a book. She has a weakness for handbags, her three pups, and her fighter pilot husband. Chanel writes New Adult contemporary romances and thrillers.

She is the author of I SEE LONDON and LONDON FALLING, published by Harlequin HQN, the upcoming FRENCH KISSED, and FLIRTING WITH SCANDAL, the first book in a new three-book NA series to be released by Penguin/Berkley in 2015.

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Tattoo Tuesday – Matthew Turner

Published on September 16, 2014September 15, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle1 Comment

I’m thrilled to bring you this amazing Tattoo Tuesday Story!

Take it away, Matthew.

To understand the meaning of my tattoo, requires us to travel back to 2004. You see, as a wayward nineteen-year-old, I drank and partied and did what I liked. I’d also spent four months travelling Australia, and although I saw a great deal and met some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet, in hindsight I wasted away my time.

I also wasted a lot of money on endeavours that ultimately lead to the same demise… the dreaded hangover.

But what fun. And if you can’t have fun at nineteen, when the hell can you? But I digress, for my tattoo story stems from another trip after Australia. A trip to Northern Kentucky, and YMCA Camp Ernst. A trip that wasn’t really a trip, rather my first real job.

Anybody who’s worked at a summer camp understands how real a job like this is, as it tests you in every single possible manner. Now, don’t for a second think I transformed into a born again Christian who never drank a drop again. I didn’t. I continued to do immature and wayward things for a long, long, long time.

But Camp Ernst taught me a lot about life… about me… about the true meaning of work and love and others…

Loving it oh-so much, I returned in 2005, and 2006, and 2007, and ended up spending eight summers within the walls of my spiritual home. I have no idea who I’d be without Camp, but I wouldn’t be the me of now. I doubt I’d write, for one. I doubt I’d live a creative life at all. In fact, I doubt a lot of things, but this is a what if I’m glad not to consider.

In 2010, I returned to Camp Ernst for a single week. In my late twenties, I had a real job with real responsibilities, but I couldn’t stay away. Like a drug, June came and sent me scurrying to the phone where I spoke to Eli (The Camp Director), pleading with her, “Can I come for a week? You don’t have to pay me! I just need to be there.”

At this stage, my once-upon-a-time campers were now my colleagues and peers. More important, my friends. Molly decided we should get a tattoo, and capture the moment and the meaning of a place we all hold dear in our hearts (despite the sleep deprivation, frustration, and low pay).

Five of us entered that tattoo parlour, with a simple design in mind: a triangle, because that’s the YMCA’s icon – an icon of strength, love, and equality; and the words, ‘This is goodnight, not goodbye’ – because these were the lyrics of Linger, a song we had all sung around the campfire hundreds of times before.

And it’s fitting, because I’ll never say goodbye to Camp Ernst, no matter how old I get. Saying goodnight to those we love is like a promise to see you soon. I like this, and so, in many ways, my tattoo not only captures my love for my spiritual oasis, and the meaning it’s brought to my life, but to those I love – those from the past, present, and the ones I’ve yet to meet.

On my right forearm, on Tim’s left, Molly’s side, Saunie’s foot, and Davey’s too, five people with the same tattoo, but in different, yet equally meaningful locations. We all have our reasons for loving camp, and we’ll be forever connected through ink.

And so, that’s my tattoo story. I plan to get many others, too. I like the idea of my arms and back and chest full of words and sentences I adore. Lyrics and quotes and sayings that mean something to me. But that’s for the future, and other stories.

For now, I have one, but it’s an awfully special one.

On the 16th September, TICK to the TOCK is having a Kindle Countdown Deal, so will be a mere $.99 🙂

Thanks so much, Matthew. Click on his book to pick up a copy.

If you want to connect with Matthew Turner, check him out on Goodreads.

Sydney Reviews Irons by MJ Fields

Published on September 11, 2014September 11, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:

Jax

I was born and bred to be the man I am today. My father and his father were both graduates from The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. Both went on to become helicopter pilots. Both had seen plenty of action. Both had met and caused devastation. Both men, who I respect more above all, had served and protected the United States and her people honorably for decades.My best friend, William Cruz, who attended the academy with me, had flown beside me, had lived the same life as I had and shared the same ambitions in life, was gone now. This was not part of the plan. Will and I were supposed to have each other’s backs, support each other and never let anything supersede our bond.

Francesca

I sat on Norfolk Beach needing to feel close to him on the anniversary of his death. It was a beautiful day in May and I was cutting class. I had done the same every year since he passed.

Jaxson Irons was only supposed to be in Pensacola for a year. But now three years later I still hadn’t heard from him. I saw a man running down the beach and I knew immediately who it was.

Jaxson didn’t respond the way I had dreamed he would. He told me we would catch up someday soon. I stood and watched until he was gone.
Thump, thump. I placed my hand on my chest as I felt my heart beat again for what felt like the first time in three years. Thump, thump. I felt the blood moving quickly through my body. Its heat once again present. Thump, thump. I looked up at the sky and let out a breath. A breath that I had been holding forever. Thump, thump.

I felt tears fall down my face as I raised my hands in the air and laughed out loud. Just then the clouds parted for the first time in forever. I saw the sun smiling down on me.

Review:

The only problem I had with this book is it ended way too soon. I needed more and am a little annoyed with MJ Fields for ending it when she did. I have to wait for book #2 & #3 or how every many the author decides to give us. Honestly, she could give us #100 and I will still read this amazing romance between these two complex characters.

I loved the story concept at it’s core. Chalked full of drama from the beginning, you care for these two characters immediately. Who says solid relationships can’t develop out of tragedy.

The story had quite a lot of suspense, which was unexpected, but flowed well into this angst filled and emotional love story.

The dynamic between Jax & Francesca can be a little frustrating, but it only adds to the enjoyment of the story. Stick with them, it’s worth it.

If you like your sexy on the intense side, you won’t be disappointed.

Can’t wait to see this story continue.

Giveaway:

Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)
–A signed copy of Irons
–3x eBook copies of Irons
–$20 Amazon Gift Card
–$10 Amazon Gift Card
–$5 Amazon Gift Card

Irons Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Author Bio: MJ Fields’s love of writing was in full swing by age eight. Together with her cousins, she wrote a newsletter and sold it to family members. Today, she has four self-published series comprised of seventeen titles, including MEN OF STEEL, which was acquired by Swoon Romance in June 2014. MJ is a bestselling erotica author and former small business owner, who recently closed the business so she could write full time.

MJ lives in central New York, surrounded by family and friends. Her house is full of pets, friends, and noise ninety percent of the time, and she would have it no other way.

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