Cajun Book Lover: January 2015

Friday, January 30, 2015

Welcome, Natalie Scott!

Rules for Riders, by Natalie Scott, was published in August 2014 and is available for sale on Amazon and Barnes & Noble in eBook and paperback. Genres: Young Adult / Romance

Synopsis:

Rules for Riders is a fast paced coming-of-age novel set in the competitive world of equestrian riding.

After a near fatal riding accident, Bebe Barkley is banned from riding and sent off to boarding school. There, she meets her roommate and fellow equestrian rider, Finn Foxley. The girls devise a scheme to get themselves kicked out of boarding school in order to return to the world that they love. Once back on the circuit, former friends become deadly rivals.

Bebe's handsome trainer, Billy O'Reilly, gives her seven rules to follow in order to successfully compete. Through a series of tragic events, both girls are forced to abandon their dreams of Olympic gold. Bebe ventures down a dark road of self-destruction as she breaks every rule Billy taught her, only to be forced to relearn them in order to reclaim her life. Rules for Riders is a tale of lost dreams and the struggle to create new ones.

About the Author:

Natalie Scott grew up in Melbourne, often referred as the cultural capital of Australia because of its great restaurants, trendy cafes and great shopping! Natalie developed a love of books when her fourth grade teacher read the book Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S Lewis.

In high school Natalie devoured the classics, her favorite being Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger. At University she studied English Literature and Communications, though she will openly admit to spending a lot of time at the college pub where she liked to make up outrageous stories before traveling extensively through Europe and the United States.

Throughout her travels, she fell in love with sunny California where she attended classes at UCLA Writer’s Program. Natalie also attended numerous writers’ conferences including Santa Barbara, San Diego State and Grubstreet. She was the recipient of the Outstanding Fiction award given at the Southern California Writers Conference. In her spare time, Scott worked as a spokes model for companies including the AMC Network,, We Entertainment, Hasbro, Adobe and Sony.

The Aussie gal is a foodie who loves Vegemite and currently resides in Scottsdale, Arizona where she enjoys sharing her passion for food, enjoys exploring new restaurants, happy hour, traveling, and a passion for books and fashion.

Natalie Scott’s debut novel Rules for Riders was published in August 2014.

Connect with Natalie on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

To learn more, go to http://www.nataliescott.com/

EXCERPT

KING

CHAPTER 1

I can still remember the first time I saw him...

He’s seventeen hands high, a dark bay, almost black, a white star on his forehead, and two white socks on his hind legs. I’m fifteen years old when I spy King bucking and rearing and giving the grooms a terrible time. I think he’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

I point straight at him, “I want that horse.”

My father (otherwise known as the Colonel) rolls his eyes. “No, he’s wild. You just want him because he’s difficult like you.”

We’re at our neighbors, the O’Rileys, on a crisp Sunday morning. Jim O’Riley owns Starlight stables and is one of the best horse trainers in Connecticut. Jim winks at me. “For God’s sake, Colonel, everyone knows you made a ton of money in the stock market. Let her have the damn horse.”

“I said no,” shrieks the Colonel, remaining unconvinced. “Besides, who’ll train her?”

“I will,” Billy O’Riley, Jim’s oldest son, steps forward. His clear green eyes stare straight at King. “He’s a warm blood, sir, from Holland. We just bought him.”

The Colonel growls at Billy. “Listen son, I don’t care if he’s from friggin’ Japan! For God’s sake you’re only a couple of years older than my daughter.”

We all stand there watching, while his face turns bright red with rage. There’s no way in hell he's going to let me have this horse now. That would be too perfect. Instead, he shocks the pants off of me!

“Fine, but if you break your neck, don’t blame me.”

First thing the next morning I race over to the O’Rileys. By the time I reach the stables, I’m out of breath. Billy’s busy brushing down his horse, Stargazer. I walk over to King and stroke his mane. Then I pull a sugar cube out of my pocket. “Hey, boy.”

Billy looks up. “That’s funny, he doesn’t usually take to people so quickly. So let me guess, you want to take a ride?”

God, I’ve been riding since I was six! Okay, I admit it— Billy’s a hottie. I’ve had a crush on him forever. But it makes me crazy the way he still treats me like a little kid. He leans closer and places his hands firmly on his hips.

“Bebe, if I’m going to train you, there are rules for riders. The first one’s commitment. Without it, none of the other rules exist. If I agree to train you, you’ve got to give me 100 percent.”

I stare right back at him, giving him my best killer smile. “I’m all yours!”

For the next few weeks, he insists I do nothing but flat work. He hardly lets me ride across the yard without making sure I am doing it properly. Unlike the Colonel, Billy brings out the best in me and plays down the worst. Whatever I lack, he teaches me with infinite slowness; guiding King and I so we both gain confidence.

“That’s right. Keep your back straight, hold your head up, shoulders back.”

I learn from Billy that difficult horses become easy once you know how to handle them. With Billy’s training, I’m right on course. The Colonel’s threats don’t scare me. Instead, they fuel me, making me even more determined to succeed.

A few days later, I get to the stables early for some quiet time with King. Billy sneaks up behind me. I can feel his breath against my neck.

When I turn around, he has an amused look on his face. “So, do you finally want to take a ride? Isn’t that what you’ve been dying to do—jump every fence this side of Connecticut?”

I have this wild urge to hug him. Instead, I saddle up King. “C’mon, boy.”

King and I take off.

“Tell me what you’ve learned when you get back!” Billy shouts.

4.5 STARS

I really enjoyed this book! Once I started reading it, I had a hard time putting it down. The characters and situations were realistic and interesting.

Bebe is a force to be reckoned with and never gives up. She is a fierce competitor and a loyal friend a little naive at times but an all around interesting character.

I am hoping for a part 2 soon!

Blog Tour Waiting on Justin

Title: Waiting on Justin

Author: Lucy H. Delaney

Genre: New Adult

Can everlasting love grow amidst never-ending despair? Best friends Justin and Haylee learn early on that the answer is yes. Their parents would rather spend time drinking and partying than raising children, so the two rely on each other for the care and emotional support they need. Over time, Justin and Haylee become lovers despite the age difference between them.

Theirs is a forbidden romance that would destroy them both if discovered.

The older of the two, Justin is more than a little rough around the edges. He does everything he can to protect Haylee from as much abuse as possible, but when tragedy strikes there is nothing he can to do keep her from being taken into the foster system.

The system meant to save kids threatens to pull the two of them apart.

Haylee begs Justin to run away with her, but the powers-that-be force him into an inescapable corner. Blaming Justin for the distance that separates them, Haylee shuts out everything and everyone from her past - including Justin. She tries to forget him. She tries to replace him. But he is always there. So is her own addiction. When it finally gets the best of her, she finds herself utterly alone.

She soon discovers what Justin has always known: Their love was worth waiting for.

About the Author

Lucy H. Delaney lives with her blended family in the Pacific Northwest town of Leavenworth, Washington, nestled at the feet of the Cascade Mountains. When not tucked away in her writing room making up stories or standing in her cubicle in one of the offices of corporate America, Lucy spends her time with family and friends.

Along with her husband and four children, Lucy loves to be in nature: She can often be found on her homemade backyard swing, curled up with a good book, hiking the surrounding mountains or running country roads and game trails. A fitness enthusiast who regularly practices crossfit, yoga, and distance running, Lucy also volunteers for the Chelan-Douglas CASA organization and her church's AWANA program to help keep kids safe and smiling.

Connect with Lucy online

Twitter: @lucyhdelaney

Facebook: Lucy H. Delaney

www.lucyhdelaney.com

Links

Available on Amazon.com in Kindle and paperback versions.

Available on BarnesandNoble.com in Nook and paperback versions.

Book Excerpts

He woke me up early the next morning before he had to be at work. I packed the clothes I could carry into my backpack along with the book he let me keep to finish. Inside the cover he wrote the address to the apartment that was not ours but his alone and the number to Treadmore's since we didn't have a phone yet.

“As soon as you know where you'll be, write me. Promise.”

“Yeah.” I cried again the whole way to the car and during the ride to the school. It's so much faster to get somewhere when your heart is breaking; it felt like mere seconds between the beginning and end of the trip.

“I can't go with you or I would.”

“I know. I'm afraid.”

“Don't be, baby. It'll be OK.” He pulled me in a sideways hug.

“I don't want to leave you.”

“Haylee, don't do this again; just go. Write me as soon as you can; call me at work if they'll let you.” We hugged so hard, I was trying to disappear into him, but it didn't work.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, so much!”

My hand rebelled against opening the door.

“C'mon, Haylee, you gotta do this.”

“I can't!”

“You have to.”

“I don't.”

“Yes, you do.”

He waited for five minutes before slamming his hand on the steering wheel and pulling out from the curb. I thought I had convinced him to run away with me, but I was wrong. All I convinced him to do was put his neck even more on the line for me. He peeled into the high school parking lot and jerked the car to a stop in a visitor parking space.

He opened and slammed his door shut then came around the car to my side. “Get out of the car, Haylee; you have to go.”

I was hysterical, bawling like a baby and shaking my head, “No!”

He looked around, worried someone would hear and misunderstand.

I was holding my backpack to my chest, but when he opened the door I grabbed the door handle with all my might to stay in. School wasn't scheduled to start for forty-five minutes, so the lot was empty, which was a good thing for us.

“C'mon, Haylee, get out!” he said through gritted teeth.

“No! I'm not going.”

He fought me for the door a little longer then stopped and shook his head.

“You're really going to make me do this, aren't you?” Then he turned and walked toward the building. He was going to be the one to turn me in, which meant he would be in trouble, too, for being with me. I couldn't let him do it.

“No! Stop! Fine, I'll go!” I said getting out of the car.

“You mean it?” he shouted as he stopped and turned back to me. He was already halfway to the door.

As I got out, anger, frustration, and confusion were taking over where the sorrow had been. I would not let them see me cry. I was done with the tears.

He came to me, looked around warily, and hugged me. “I love you,” he said putting our foreheads together. “You can do this. Tell me you're OK as you can.”

He stayed to make sure I went inside; then I heard him leave.

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Release Day Blitz The Hysterics

Once upon a time, I was Fallon Dunbar.

Rock and roll, drugs, and bad decisions were the life I lived.

I’d fallen so deep into the dark rabbit hole that I was certain I would never make it out alive. People like me didn’t get second chances. People like me didn’t get lifted from the darkness. So when the opportunity showed up, I had to take it.

I walked away from everything I loved, everything that was killing me, and I became Fae Dunham. After that, I hid behind makeup, long sleeves, and a closed-off heart.

All was well until I met Dane Pearson. He wasn’t convinced of the new me, and whenever he was near, I felt like the old me, the real me, filled with passion and a love for music. Every day was a struggle of self-discovery. Every day was a fight to not fall back down the rabbit hole. And every day, somehow, someway, I slowly began to discover what it meant to find myself.

It was a hysteric ride, but it was ours. And I wouldn’t change a thing.

pROLOGUE

façade

FALLON

I was Fallon Dunbar.

I was a drummer.

I was confident, strong, and driven.

I was a junkie.

I am dead.

The full boxes scattered around my small one room apartment made it feel more real. The sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach made it feel so wrong. The new title and job made it feel surreal.

I am Fae Dunham.

I am the assistant editor of Raging Underground.

I am unsure, nervous, and scared shitless.

I am in recovery.

Staring into the full length mirror I had just hung up on the back of the door in my new room, I saw the shell of what I used to be, the life I could no longer have. The only traces left of my old life were the lips piercing I refused to take out. They were my favorites and they were staying. People like me don’t get second chances, but for some reason, I was standing knee-deep in one.

There’s no turning back now.

I will live again.

AMAZON

You want to know more about me? Well, let's see...
I am just an average twenty-something following my dreams. I have a full time "day job" and by night I am author. I guess you could say that writing is like my super power (I always wanted one of those). I am the lover of wine, sushi, football and the ocean; that is when I am not wrapped up in the literary world.
Please feel free to contact me to chat about my writing, books you think I'd like or just to shoot the, well you know.
A portion of all my royalties are donated to The Marcie Mazzola Foundation.

Website/Facebook/Twitter

Fallon is trying to turn her life around. In doing so she must become Fae Dunham, editor. Things in Fae's life are going okay until she meets Dane and starts to question who she really wants to be. Can anyone completely become someone else without losing a piece of who they really are? This was a great story of love, trust, and self discovery. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good read!

Hosted By:

Blog Tour Dating in the Dark

Presented by:

Dating in the Dark - Sweet Delights Series #1

by Tracey Rogers

Audience: Adult - Genre: Contemporary Romance - Formats: E-book - Publisher: Beachwalk Press - Cover by: Fantasia Frog Designs - Editor: Kelly Anderson - Pages: 150 (50K words) - ASIN: B00QYB19M2 - Date Published: Dec 15th 2014

Can you find what you need hidden within the dark? Hiding out in his sister's bakery to recover from a recent injury isn't an ideal solution for newly unemployed meteorologist Damian Trent. Especially since he doesn't like cake. But hiding anywhere is preferable to facing the media frenzy revolving around his life. He has no intention of being seen by anyone. That is, until he hears a honey-toned voice over the phone. Public relations agent Sophie Rose has a boss who makes her working week a hellish one. He drives her to her need for sugar, so the recently opened Sweet Delights Bakery is perfect for her much needed Friday treat. But one day when she calls to place an order, she gets an unexpected surprise. Sophie's keen to dump her V-plates, though only the right man will do. Damian, with his sexy, yet familiar sounding voice, seems the ideal person for her to gain some much needed experience with. But why do they need to date in the dark? Content Warning: contains sensual sex.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Beachwalk Press

Damian rested his arm across his forehead and sighed, trying to blot out the ringing sound and failing. Sleep wasn’t happening. He ached from his walk after pushing it to a run. With each step he’d remembered Sophie’s voice. He had very little else to occupy his mind, so she was an easy focus. Every stride had gathered pace, and before he knew it a walk had become a jog; a jog becoming a run. And her voice was still inside his head. Stretching out on the creaky sofa bed, he winced at the movement. Irritated, he tugged the sheet down from his bare chest to lean over and grab the phone. He placed it to his ear and muttered something unintelligible. “Hi, sorry—did I wake you?” “Sophie?” Or was he asleep and dreaming? “Oh, crap. I did, didn’t I? I’m so sorry. I couldn’t sleep, so I thought… Anyway, my apologies. Pretend I never happened, and goodnight,” she said speeding over her words. “Sophie, wait!” he called out, wanting to stop her before she hung up, needing to listen to her voice for a little while longer. “I couldn’t sleep either,” he reassured her as he heard her soft breaths. He shuffled higher against his pillow and propped one hand behind his head. Why couldn’t she sleep? Because of him? And how had she gotten his number? “Really?” Her relieved sigh made him smile. If he wasn’t careful smiling could become a habit of his. “When you left your number in the box, I thought…” Left his number? He had no idea what his number was. “What did you think?” “I thought you might want me to call?” she asked hesitantly, as if she was worried about his response. She wouldn’t be worried if she could see the stirring going on beneath the sheet. Or maybe she would be? Though she seemed confident, he still detected a shyness behind her words. “And did you want to call?” “I did.” His jaw clenched at her immediate response, a muscle flickering in his cheek. Interesting. Her honesty was evoking things inside that he was starting to like. A lot. “I like hearing your voice.” Christ, what was she doing to him? “What do you look like?” he asked, without thinking about the repercussions of his question. Silence. “Does that matter?” she said quietly, the warmth in her tone dropping a degree or two. “No, no it doesn’t.” He frowned, the admission taking him by surprise. “Tell me what you’re wearing instead.” “Why?” “Because if you don’t tell me you’re wearing something hideous, I won’t be sleeping for the rest of the night either.” She laughed then, the sound not helping his libido whatsoever. “Damian.” “Yeah.” “I’m not wearing anything hideous.” He groaned then, obviously out loud because Sophie was laughing again. “I’m not wearing anything.” Oh, hell. A sudden spike of desire sliced through his veins, making him regret his impulsive words. “Then I’m now very grateful I don’t know what you look like.” “You could. Know what I look like I mean.” “You want to tell me now?” “No. I want to show you. On a…date?” Damian lifted a hand to his face, massaging his fingers above his brow, then lower to scrub over his jaw. His breath felt restricted by his tightening lungs. As much as he wanted to see her, to touch her, to have someone touch him in a way that wasn’t clinical or trying to fix him—he couldn’t do it. How could he see her, without her seeing him?

Supermassive Black Hole by Muse

Born of Frustration by James

Starlight by Muse

No light, no light by Florence and the Machine

Video Games by Lana Del Ray

Cosmic Love by Florence and the Machine

Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth

Wires by Athlete

Fix You by Coldplay

Gravity by Embrace

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Usually found with a pen in my hand, or my head in a book, I’m a contemporary romance author who also thinks fangs and wings are a very attractive accessory. A devourer of books from an early age, imagination was my best discovery. I spent much of my childhood stepping into wardrobes, searching for that magical snowy world where conversing with animals would be expected. When I wasn’t searching for those worlds, I wrote about them instead. My first step into the world of romance was when I stole sneak peeks into my nana’s books. I’m still in that world and I refuse to leave. I live in Staffordshire, UK, with my husband and three wonderful children. An avid reader and writer of romance, I strongly believe that words make the world go around. I like nothing more than to be swept away by the words on a page. I hope I can sweep you away too.