New Release & Giveaway: Once Upon A December by Sydney Logan

Title: Once Upon a December

Author: Sydney Logan

Date of Publication: November 28th 2014

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23345357-once-upon-a-december

Christmas is in the air, and best selling author Sydney Logan is gifting readers with a short story collection, just in time for the holidays. Once Upon a December features Sydney’s latest story, “What Child Is This,” along with her previously published holiday stories in one complete collection. Available for the first time in both paperback and ebook, these heartwarming and romantic tales are sure to bring you joy this holiday season.

What Child Is This?

Estranged from his family and the love of his life, Thomas Fisher finds himself stranded in an airport on Christmas Eve. Imagine his surprise when a young boy takes him by the hand and shows him the way home.

Mistletoe Magic

Melanie Taylor is on a mission to find the perfect Christmas gift for her husband. Something special. Something expensive. Something that will save her marriage. Can a chance encounter on an elevator make her Christmas wish come true?

The Little Drummer Boy

It’s Christmas Eve, and Justin Banks is on the hunt for a last-minute gift for his wife, Megan. With the help of a homeless man and the beat of a drum, Justin stumbles upon the one thing Megan has always wanted. The one thing money can’t buy. It's amazing what we can hear if we just take a moment and really listen.

Buy links

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OGLPYE6/

About Sydney Logan

Amazon best selling author Sydney Logan holds a Master's degree in Elementary Education. She is the author of three novels - Lessons Learned, Mountain Charm, and Soldier On. Sydney has also penned several short stories and is a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul.

A native of East Tennessee, Sydney enjoys playing piano and relaxing on her porch with her wonderful husband and their very spoiled cat.

Website: http://www.sydneylogan.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@SydneyALogan

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SydneyLoganAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5787300.Sydney_Logan

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Excerpt

Christmas is in the air, and best-selling author Sydney Logan is gifting readers with a short story collection, just in time for the holidays. Once Upon a December features Sydney’s latest story, “What Child Is This,” along with her previously published holiday stories in one complete collection. Available for the first time in both paperback and ebook, these heartwarming and romantic tales are sure to bring you joy

this holiday season.

***

Excerpt from “What Child Is This?”

Please come home for Christmas this year?

I don’t bother replying to my sister’s text. She knows I’m not coming home. I just power off my phone and stuff it back into my jacket. With a tired sigh, I lean back, close my eyes, and find myself doing the one thing I try never to do.

I think about the mess I’ve made of my life.

Ten years ago, I’d been an eighteen-year-old living in Paisley Springs, Tennessee—a tiny, rural town about two hours north of Nashville. Ten years ago, I’d been a popular athlete with dreams of becoming a professional basketball player. Ten years ago, I’d been the golden child of Dr. Benjamin and Olivia Fisher.

Ten years ago, I’d been a boy in love.

I still am.

Life is full of highways, and some are just too long when you’re trying to find your way home. In my case, some forgotten roads completely disappear. Time erases them, to the point that you begin to wonder if they ever really existed in the first place.

But they did. I know they did.

I close my eyes and try to ignore the image that flickers behind my eyelids. In my mind, Emma Hayes is still eighteen years old. With her long red hair and deep green eyes, she’d always looked at me as if I was her dream come true.

And I was, until I ripped those dreams away.

We were together for more than a year, and it had been the happiest time of my life. But being crazy in love makes you do stupid things. Careless things.

And then things happen that you never imagined would happen to you.

A League of Her Own by Karen Rock

He was attractive, talented…and way off limits. 

Heather Gadway may have been a world-class college pitcher and a top university coach, but she's a rank amateur when it comes to managing the Falcons, her father's struggling minor league team. And when it comes to managing her aggravating attraction to Garrett Wolf, their talented new pitcher. It's going to be difficult enough to make it as the first female manager in the league and prove to her overly critical father she's worthy. No distractions. No missteps. And certainly no romances with players. Everything stands between them—including their troubled pasts—even as Heather's world falls apart and Garrett's the one who's there to catch her…

PRE-ORDER

“What else do you want?” The question came from a part of her she didn’t recognize. Asking a man like Garrett a flirtatious question was playing with fire.

Garrett groaned, longing sharpening his features. “You.”

Without waiting for her response, his lips captured hers. She knew she should push him away, but instead her head fell back, her pulse leaping in her throat. The pressure was exquisite as he nibbled and explored. Soft. Warm. Gentle. His lips moved slowly, gradually exerting more pressure.

This felt incredible. Better than the last time. She had to stop this, but need seized her, shoving aside her good intentions.

Her body hummed and a fuzzy sensation filled her head, making it hard to focus on anything but the feel of him, the evergreen scent of the forest and his aftershave heightening her senses.

His hands gripped her waist as she swayed against him, holding her as his mouth sampled her lower lip, then put pressure on the top. Nerves sent small shock waves through her chest, and her hand rose to stroke the back of his neck, making him tremble against her.

Suddenly his kiss intensified, growing fierce and demanding. His lips moved fast against hers, their tongues tangling, causing warmth to explode in her body, melting every piece of her.

She moaned and Garrett’s arms tightened, bringing her closer still. Her lips maneuvered against his in response, loving his sweet taste. Garrett shuddered, curling his fist into her hair with a groan. She loved how her touch affected him, how it affected her.

At last his lips let her go, and he looked down at her tenderly, pleasure in his eyes, his chest rising and falling hard.

“I wasn’t getting involved with anyone. Planned to focus only on baseball,” he said when his breath came easier. “But I can’t stay away from you. You follow me, even in my sleep. Your eyes.” He kissed each lid. “Your smile.” He pressed his lips to each corner. “These freckles.” His warm mouth brushed her cheeks.

Her chest expanded, taking in his beautiful words. This incredible moment. And then it hit her, reality a cold shower.

She opened her eyes and scooted away. “Garrett. I don’t know.”

His eyes moved out over the falls, tracking the sprays of water as they hit the jutting rocks and tumbled to earth. “You don’t trust me.”

Her mouth opened and closed. He was right. While he touched a chord inside that’d never sounded for anyone else, she still couldn’t put her heart in harm’s way again. And she knew without a doubt that if Garrett let her down, he’d devastate her as much as her mother had. Even more. She’d loved and lost too many times to try again, especially with her father gone so recently.

“I’m sorry,” she said inadequately as he stood and helped her to her feet.

His blank expression gave little away. She wondered if, deep down, a part of him was relieved they weren’t taking things further. He’d said he hadn’t wanted distractions. And now she wouldn’t be one.

“I can’t make you believe in me, Heather.” His voice was steady and strong. “I need someone who’ll give me a chance to earn her trust.”

Karen Rock is an award-winning YA and adult contemporary author. She holds a master’s degree in English and worked as an ELA instructor before becoming a full-time author.  With her co-author, Joanne Rock, she’s penned the CAMP BOYFRIEND series with Spencer Hill Press under the pseudonym J.K. Rock. She also writes contemporary romance for Harlequin Enterprises. Her wholesome romance, Heartwarming novels have won the 2014 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and the 2014 Golden Quill Contest. When she's not writing, Karen loves scouring estate sales for vintage books, cooking her grandmother's family recipes and hiking. She lives in the Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, daughter, and two Cavalier King cocker spaniels who have yet to understand the concept of "fetch" though they know a lot about love. To find out about her upcoming releases, appearance and latest news, visit http://www.karenrock.com or follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/karenrockwrites or Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/karenrock5!
She’d love to connect with you!

WEBSITE ☆ FACEBOOK ☆  TWITTER ☆  GOODREADS ☆  PINTEREST


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Book Highlight: My Ex From Hell

Series: The Blooming Goddess Trilogy #1
Genre: Young Adult, mythological

Sixteen-year-old Sophie Bloom wishes she’d been taught the following:
a) Bad boy’s presence (TrOuBlE) + teen girl’s brain (DraMa) = TrAuMa (Highly unstable and very volatile.)
b) The Genus Greekulum Godissimus is notable for three traits: 1) awesome abilities, 2) grudges, and 3) hook-ups, break-ups, and in-fighting that puts cable to shame.

Prior to the Halloween dance, Sophie figures her worst problems involve adolescent theatrics, bitchy teen yoga girls, and being on probation at her boarding school for mouthy behaviour. Then she meets bad boy Kai and gets the kiss that rocks her world.

Literally.

This breath stealing lip lock reawakens Sophie’s true identity: Persephone, Goddess of Spring. She’s key to saving humanity in the war between the Underworld and Olympus, target numero uno of Hades and Zeus, and totally screwed.

Plus there’s also the little issue that Sophie’s last memory as Persephone was just before someone tried to murder her.
Big picture: master her powers, get her memories back, defeat Persephone’s would be assassin, and save the world. Also, sneak into the Underworld to retrieve stolen property, battle the minions of Hades and Zeus, outwit psycho nymphs, slay a dragon, rescue a classmate, keep from getting her butt expelled from the one place designed to keep her safe …

… and stop kissing Kai, Prince of the Underworld.

My Ex From Hell is a YA romantic comedy, Greek mythology smackdown. Love meets comedy with a whole lot of sass in book one of this teen fantasy romance series. Compared to Kai and Sophie, Romeo and Juliet had it easy.

My Ex From Hell will be on sale for 99 cents from November 28th to December 12th!

Amazon | iTunes | Kobo

When the going gets desperate, the desperate send email 

          To: ????
          From: bloomingoddess@gmail.com
          Subject: Seriously?

          Dear Your Royal Imperialness Demeter, Goddess of Grain and Fertility, Preserver of
Marriage, and Bringer of Seasons,
          Or can I just call you Mom?
          Bet you never thought you’d be hearing from me. Sorry for not having written sooner,
but until about twelve hours ago, I didn’t know you existed. Nothing personal.
          See, yesterday, I was plain old Sophie Bloom. My life sucked in your typical 16-year-old
ways. I was stuck here at Hope Park Progressive School on probation again (“mouthy
behavior”), dealing with cliquish poseurs, rampant hormones, blah blah blah.
          Then I met a guy. I know that’s the worst cliché ever. But sadly, it’s true. And of course,
me being me, he couldn’t be just any bad boy. No. He had to be Kai, son of Hades, Lord of
the Underworld. Anyway, he was really hot and there was this bone-melting kiss and …
whatever. The point is, before he showed up, I thought I was human. Afterward, well, let’s
just say everything changed. Who knew when I was cramming Greek mythology for my
English final, I was studying the family tree?
          They say when you die, your whole life supposedly flashes before your eyes. When Kai
and I kissed, here’s what flashed before mine—Mount Olympus, Zeus, the Underworld,
Hades, and you. But that wasn’t my life. Or was it?
          Here’s the Wiki version. (Do you have Wi-Fi on Mt. Olympus?) Turns out I’m
Persephone. Me, Goddess of Spring and Embodiment of Earth’s Fertility? Ew! Which makes
me your kid, Hades’ target, and totally screwed. In the myth version, I’m the innocent
maiden, you’re the grieving mother, and we’re reunited with great joy. Guess that’s why they
call it a myth.
          I know I sound like a nut bar. And maybe I’ll wake up in a padded room restrained for
my own safety. But in that moment with Kai, it felt real. Like I knew who I was. Or used to be. Those were my memories flashing before my eyes—not some fantasy or hallucination.
Part of me remembered those moments. But where do I go from here? And is there an online
tutorial I can take?
          I don’t exactly have your email. But if you’re a goddess, maybe you’ll know I’m writing.
That I really need my mom right now. And if not—well, I guess I’ll save this for my
obituary. Which I’ll probably need pretty soon because of the gods-wanting-me-dead thing.

          Take care.
          Sophie
          a.k.a. Persephone
          a.k.a. Goddess of Spring
          a.k.a. Your Daughter

Tellulah Darling

noun

1. YA romantic comedy author because her first kiss sucked and she's compensating.
2. Alter ego of former screenwriter.
3. Sassy minx.
Geeks out over: cool tech.

Squees for: great storytelling.
Delights in: fabulous conversation.
Writes about: where love meets comedy. Awkwardness ensues.

Sassy girls. Swoony boys. What could go wrong?

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

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Hosted by Good Choice Reading Blog Tours

Holiday Sale!!

HOLIDAY SALE!!

#‎99c = ‪#‎99pennies Have you been waiting to try out the Love Not Included Series? Here's your chance!

Having it all isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

When Sarah Sullivan’s perfect life blows up in front of her, she finds herself crawling back to the one place she never saw herself returning: Home.

At thirty-one, Sarah had it all. Perfect job, perfect boyfriend, perfect life. When all that is taken away from her, she is left heartbroken and angry and desperate enough to let her life swallow her whole…for a while.

Fending off love and the pursuit of happiness completely, Sarah vows to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. She creates a list of goals for herself—starting with a much needed shower—and constructs a plan to dig herself out of her rut. What she doesn’t plan for is meeting the arrogant new employee her parents have hired to work on an addition to their home. Enter Jack Calloway, the handsome, charming, lickable foreman with an insatiable effect on Sarah’s girly parts.

Jack accepts the job, but gets more than he bargained for. Unable to ignore his racing hormones—and calm his temper—over the obnoxious woman who clouds his judgment, Jack pulls her in and steals her heart until she finally surrenders. But is he up for the challenge of picking up the pieces of Sarah’s broken heart? Can he carry her out of her rut?

And if you can't get enough...

There is only one thing in life that professional pastry Chef Priscilla Westcott values more than baking and wine, and that’s honesty. A quality she soon learns that her marriage lacks when her husband runs off with their next door neighbor.

Divorced and alone, Priscilla is determined to make changes in her life. She decides to approach her new goals like one of her beloved recipes. Surely with a little time, a dash of patience, and measured planning she can whip herself—and her life—back into shape.

However, when a new—and utterly delicious—neighbor takes up residence in the house that ruined her marriage, Priscilla fears that her careful world will fold faster than a deflated soufflé.

Trent Walker knows what he wants and his sweet, sassy neighbor is at the top of the list. He’s certain that the chemistry between them would be explosive, but Priscilla fears that an affair with him, however hot, could be a recipe for disaster.

Sale: The Story of Us by Sydney Jamesson

★•**•.★ BLACK FRIDAY SALE ★•**•.★

Discover the trilogy everyone is talking about! 

"A beautifully written love story that leaves you begging for more!"

The Story of Us Trilogy by Sydney Jamesson 

TouchStone for play • TouchStone for giving • TouchStone for ever 

​

PURCHASING LINKS 

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1AZeyT1 

Barnes&Noble: http://t.co/DY2mtgsVsx 

iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/ppcfmu9

GooglePlay: https://t.co/cVHKzdbw7v

Review: Damned Sinner by Jami Denise (The Jayne Series), Book Three

Vince Donovan has lost a lot in his life. He has lived life under a code of greed, lies and crime - never allowing anyone to get too close. After losing the empire he fought to build at the hands of a psychotic man in pursuit of revenge, Vince vows to rebuild what he once had. Along with his once protege and now partner, Jayne King, he sets out to create an empire that is based on beautiful women, sex and sin.

Kelsey Franklin is young, beautiful, sexy and should be forbidden. Kelsey is also the one woman that Vince has vowed never to have and yet is the one woman he wants and needs.

When love happens in the unlikeliest of circumstances Vince must ask himself - Is love fit for the damned and the sinner?

Overall Rating:  4.5 Rockin’ ★★★★☆

When your entire life is destroyed by evil what do you do? You rebuild your empire and don’t look back.  In this book Damned Sinner, by Jami Denise you will meet a man that has vowed to rebuild his life.  Do whatever he needs to do to achieve that goal, even if that is to deny himself his one chance for happiness.

Vince Donovan has always lived by the ME motto!  Whatever it takes to achieve what he wants is what he will do!  He will lie, cheat and even delve into crime to achieve the power that he craves. When his empire is destroyed by a man that is set on revenge, Vince swears he will regain what he has lost.  Vince has always kept others at a distance because caring for someone makes you weak!  It gives others a way to control you or destroy you.  He has always walked alone until he meets the one woman that he needs to protect and keep safe.  Vince needs to keep her safe from him; he does not deserve someone like Kelsey.

Kelsey Franklin looks at Vince as her knight in shining armor!  He is bigger than life and she wants to be part of that life. She cannot understand why he keeps pushing her away.  Why he continues to look at her like she is a child?  Kelsey is a woman, young yes, but sexy and aware of her attraction to Vince.  Will she be able to sway him to the dark side with her as his leading lady?

Love is not planned, or expected!  It happens when least expected and cannot be denied.  Vince and Kelsey have found that special connection that will not be denied. Vince must find out that he is worthy and love is his if he will take the chance.  Kelsey will need to show him that he is the one that she needs.

Hero: Vince Donovan 4.5 stars
Heroine: Kelsey Franklin 4.5 stars
Plot:  4.5 stars
Steam Level: 4.5 stars
Cliffhanger:  No

Would I recommend this book:  Yes. If you love a sexy, brooding alpha male that is denying his need for his woman, then you need to read this smoking hot book! It is filled with sexy scenes, mystery and an unexpected hero.

Would I recommend this author:  Yes. Love this series of books by this outstanding author. I cannot to read more of her remarkable books.

***Received an ARC of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review***

Spotlight: Ace's Redemption by AC Bextor

Publication Date:  September 25, 2014

AMAZON US        AMAZON UK        AMAZON AU         AMAZON CA

Cherry ---

Memories alone can ruin you. Fear has a paralyzing effect, and love isn’t

always enough to keep you safe. Ace was the gateway to a freedom I hadn’t known

since I was fifteen. He offered his protection from the demons that haunted me,

both living and dead. Although I knew I wasn’t enough to keep him, this didn’t

deter my hope that one day he’d love me for who I was, not the broken girl he

tried so desperately to save. In the end, the ghosts of my past found me. Their

malevolence knew no bounds, and I was forced to succumb to their will of

darkness. Each threat named against those I loved made any escape impossible;

choosing my life for theirs became my desolate absolution. Inevitably, my own

weakness and self-doubt became my undoing. 

Ace ---

Emotional ties are sometimes

severed. Friendships don’t always endure their hardships, and love offered

isn’t always returned. I was in love once. For me, leaving her back in Ohio was the hardest thing I’ve

ever had to do. For her, moving on with her life that included her son and the

man she loved was no less than she deserved - unconditional happiness. My

reasons to bring Cherry home to California were obvious. I needed help

with my family, and she needed help staying clean and convincing her parents

she was ready to give her son the life he deserved. It was a perfect plan.

However, the best-laid plans often get lost amidst their best intentions.

Cherry fell in love with me, and in return, my love for her acted as the

catalyst to her destruction. 

Overall Rating:  4 Rockin’ ★★★★

When Ace walks out of his MC he leaves behind not only his cut but also the woman he has loved for years.  He takes with him Cherry a woman that has experienced the worst side of life and has nightmares to prove it.  Ace and Cherry return to his home and the life he left behind when he joined the MC in Ohio.  His family and friends are happy to have him back home in their lives.  This is a chance for Cherry to heal and move on with her life. 

Cherry had been a club slut but it was a place that she felt safe in until she was kidnapped and subjected to unholy torture.  The only thing that kept those nightmares at bay was Ace and his protective care.  She has loved him for over a year and even though he loved another woman she made sure that she was there to support him whenever he needed her.  It is hard for both of them to move forward from their past but as they spend time together their relationship starts to change. 

Cherry had left her little boy behind with her parents to protect him from the life that she was involved in and now with Ace’s help she was going to see him again.  She wants to be a part of his life and Ace is making that happen.   Will Cherry and Ace find their way to a different future?  Can she have her son back in their lives?  Read and enjoy the journey that they take to find their way to a new life.

Hero –‘Ace’ Mark: 4 stars

Heroine –‘Cherry’ Regan: 4 stars

Steam: 4stars 

Plot: 4 stars 

Cliffhanger: No

Would I recommend this book: Yes! This is a transition book for Ms. Bextor from MC to Rock Band.  Love the way her characters move from one lifestyle to another and still have roots in both worlds.  The book has hot sex, hot guys and gusty women that don’t ever quit.

Would I read other books by this author: Yes! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series, it is amazing!

***Received an ARC of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review***

A.C. Bextor

AC Bextor lives in a small

town in the Midwest. When she's not writing she can be

found reading or watching her favorite sports

teams. She enjoys spending time outside

fishing, swimming, or camping.

Her first book, Holding On -

Lights of Peril, published in October 2013.

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