Book Release Blitz & Review: The Sex Education of M.E. by L.B. Dunbar

Title: The Sex Education of M.E.

Author: L.B. Dunbar

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 Release Date: August 22, 2016

Blurb

I’m forty, flabby, and frustrated. Don’t get me wrong, I have a good home, a decent job, and great children. I had a loving marriage for twenty years where we had our ups and downs. It wasn’t perfect; but it wasn’t awful. Then he died. 

After the grief took its course, and the reality of my life set in, I grew frustrated. It wasn’t the bills or the struggle to keep my interest in my work. It was life without a man – the only man I’d been with for twenty years. And before you go all feminist on me, it isn’t that I can’t be an independent woman, but there are certain areas where a man is necessary. 

You need a fuck buddy, my friend said.
I didn’t even know what that meant.
Is it friends with benefits?, I asked.
Better, you don’t even have to be friends, she offered. 

Boy, did I need an education in the modern workings of dating, and sex.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 

A coming-of-an-older-age novel.
Something new from L.B. Dunbar -- a stand alone!

ADD TO GOODREADS

Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK

B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS

Author Bio

L.B. Dunbar loves the original legend of King Arthur. Inspired by this classic tale, she pulled over to the side of the road to take notes when it hit her that if King Arthur lived today, he'd be a rock star. A lover of fairy tales, myths, legends, and anything with happily ever after, she loves to read and write contemporary romance. Her Legendary Rock Stars series is complete with the final tale: The Trials of Guinevere DeGrance, but the story began with The Legend of Arturo King. She also wrote The Sensations Collection, which includes five stand alones based on the five senses in a small town setting near Lake Michigan. Raised on one side of that lake, she grew up in Michigan, but now lives on the other side, in Chicago. Mother to four, wife to the one and only, and teacher to hundreds of former students, she looks forward to sharing more stories in the future.

Author Links

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

INSTAGRAM
PINTEREST

NEWSLETTER

AMAZON
GOODREADS

MY REVIEW

 I went into this book with interest because it was about a woman who had recently lost her husband and was looking to get back out into the dating world. She had met her husband in college and therefore had little experience in the dating world or with sexual relationships. I found similarities in myself and her and was interested to see how she handled it. 

Through her best friend she is put into situations that she's really uncomfortable with. But she finds herself going through with them even though that is totally against her character. I found myself living vicariously through her. If it were me in those situations, I would definitely have baled and run. 

We knew from the start that Merek was hiding something from Emme. But I have to say that the author did surprise me with what he was hiding. Although she did give some clues, I just didn't link them to the truth. 


I have to admit that toward the end of the book M.E.'s insecurities began to frustrate me and I really felt like slapping her.  In the end Merek turns out to be a real smooth talker. He knows how to express his feelings and wants in a swoon-worthy way. I really would like to share something he tells Emme at the end of the book, but I'm afraid of spoiling anything. 

L.B. Dunbar really knows how to write some hot and steamy scenes. If you're into those type of scenes, this book is worth it for those. 

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Mr. Corporate by J.A. Huss

Mr. Corporate
J.A. Huss
(Mister #3)
Publication date: August 17th 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Weston Conrad is the best headhunter in the business. That handsome smile goes a long way towards convincing most people to trust him with their future.
I’m not most people. I’m his direct competition. And it doesn’t hurt to be just the kind of woman he’s been looking for.
I’m gonna flash you these legs, Weston Conrad.
I’m gonna wear low-cut shirts and micro-mini skirts.
I’m gonna dazzle you with wit and conversation and kiss those lips like they’re exactly what I’ve been waiting for.
So don’t hate me when you figure out my secret.
You understand, right? You’re Mr. Corporate and this is just business.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks

—

EXCERPT

Weston takes off his tie and begins unbuttoning his shirt. My eyes open a little wider. I watch every move. The way his fingers flip each button loose. The way his tanned and muscular chest flashes me as the shirt comes apart. That stupid Corporate grin on his face.

I sigh with frustration just as he takes the whole thing off and starts going for his belt.

Will Weston Conrad strip naked to swim?

Oh, yeah. You bet your ass he will. I called him Naked Man back when we were together. He has a thing for it.

“Come on, Tori. Let’s swim. You don’t need a suit. I’ve seen your goods.”

“First of all,” I say, crossing my arms and maintaining eye contact as the pants come down, “I’m not ‘goods.’ Second of all, I’m not giving you the pleasure of seeing me naked after you’ve been such an asshole.”

“When was I an asshole?”

He’s kidding, right? “All the time.”

“I’m just truthful, Victoria. You just can’t handle the truth.”

“I’m tired of fighting—” But I stop talking. Because yeah, he still looks amazing in those black boxer briefs he’s partial to.

“Did you miss him?” West asks.

“Who?” I say, forcing myself to look up at his face.

“Naked Man?”

I almost laugh, but catch myself just in time. “Weston—” But before I can get anything else out, he’s crossing the floor, I’m backing up, my hands are up, warning him to stay away, and I bump into the couch and fall back.

He stops in front of me, his goddamned bulge staring me in the face.

At least he’s not hard.

Ooops. Spoke too soon.

“Weston, stop it.”

“Come on,” he says, extending his hand. “We’re going to the beach.”

“I’m not getting naked with you.”

“I don’t need you naked. Your fucking skirt is so short you could wade in up to your thighs.” He shakes his hand at me, urging. “Come on.”

I close my eyes so I can stop staring at the bulge, stop imagining his hard cock and all the ways I’ve been intimate with it in the past, and take his hand, letting him pull me to my feet. His arm slips around my back and he pulls me into his chest. God, I can feel his fucking dick against my hips.

“Victoria,” he says in my ear. “You’ve missed me,” he says, switching to the other one.

I wait for what comes next. It’s a thing he always did with me when I was on the verge of something. Panic, or sadness, or whatever comes with all the things we went through.

He would stand behind me, both hands squeezing my shoulders. His mouth would go to work on my earlobe, and my neck, and my mouth. Then his fingers would dip down into my bra to squeeze my breasts and pinch my nipples.

We’d always have sex after that. Always. It drove me crazy.

But before I can say anything—No, we’re not doing that, or, Back off, mister, I’m not yours—he backs away and he’s heading for the door, tugging me along.

I sigh, missing his attention so much in that unused moment.

COMING UP NEXT – MR. MYSTERIOUS!

PRE-ORDER TODAY:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iTunes

Author Bio:

JA Huss is the USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty romances. She likes stories about family, loyalty, and extraordinary characters who struggle with basic human emotions while dealing with bigger than life problems. JA loves writing heroes who make you swoon, heroines who makes you jealous, and the perfect Happily Ever After ending.

You can chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AuthorJAHuss), Twitter (@jahuss), and her blog, New Adult Addiction (www.jahuss.com).

If you’re interested in getting your hands on an advanced release copy of her upcoming books, sneak peek teasers, or information on her upcoming personal appearances, you can join her newsletter list (http://eepurl.com/JVhAr) and get those details delivered right to your inbox.

Newsletter / Private Fan Group / Blog / Personal FB Profile / Pinterest / Twitter / Amazon / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Bound by Duty by Stormy Smith

Bound by Duty
Stormy Smith
(Bound #1)
Publication date: July 24th 2014
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult

Amelia grew up in a world of half-truths. She knows she’s an Elder but has no idea what that means. Her father reminds her daily that she must maintain control but he refuses to explain why. Even worse, she’s betrothed to the prince of the Immortals and she doesn’t even know his name.

Finally breaking free to live a few normal years at a community college, the last thing Amelia expects is to find her best friend in a cheeky Southern girl and to fall for a self-assured human who sees her for who she is and not what she’ll be.

As she learns more about herself, Amelia realizes the line between love and duty is a thin one. As her power continues to increase exponentially and her questions are slowly answered, Amelia must make the ultimate choice. The question is, will her head or her heart win the battle?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Kobo

Grab your copy for FREE today!

—

EXCERPT:

To set the stage, this scene features Amelia and Aidan. They are just getting to know each other and both have pasts that have irrevocably changed the people they have become. There are secrets and fears that have been buried their whole lives. The question is if they can trust each other?

Without looking back at me, he squeezed my hand tightly. His fingers pressing hard into the divots between the bones in my hand. He clutched at my hand as if I could keep him here, pull him away from the memories that overwhelmed him, that threatened to pull him down into a place I could feel he didn’t want to go.

“You can tell me, but only if you want to.” I put the words between us and let the silence follow. Turning back to stare at the sky, I gave him time to decide. I had no idea what he had been through, what he would say, but I understood what the darkness of truth could do to you if you let it.

“I don’t know why, but I want to tell you, Amelia. It’s insane because I never tell anyone this stuff. But, I want to tell you. Before this goes any further, I want you to know who I am.” He still wasn’t looking at me so while I saw him in my peripheral, I kept my gaze on the clouds. “Then, tell me,” I said. Taking a deep breath, I finished with a surprising, “Tell me and I’ll tell you.”

The longer Aidan held my hand, the more I got used to the feel of my nerves being raw and the increased sensations that vibrated from our point of contact throughout the rest of my body. As I lay there, waiting for him to speak, he kept our hands locked, sliding his middle finger up and down in a slow rhythm over the back of my hand. I could feel callouses on his palm and the heat he radiated. It was soothing and, for once, I was truly in control, at least as far as my power was concerned. My heartbeat, however, raced triple time as I had time to realize that I was laying on the forest floor holding hands with Aidan Montgomery, waiting for him to unlock doors I hadn’t known I wanted inside of. Someone I could give some of my truth to and who wanted to give me theirs in return.

Author Bio:

Stormy Smith calls Iowa's capital home now, but was raised in a tiny town in the Southeast corner of the state. She grew to love books honestly, having a mom that read voraciously and instilled that same love in her. She knew quickly that stories of fantasy were her favorite, and even as an adult gravitates toward paranormal stories in any form.

Writing a book had never been an aspiration, but suddenly the story was there and couldn't be stopped. When she isn't working on, or thinking about, her books, Stormy's favorite places include bar patios, live music shows, her yoga mat or anywhere she can relax with her husband or girlfriends.

If you want to stay tuned in to all of the new release news, sign up for Stormy's spam-free newsletter. It only comes out when something exciting is happening...promise! http://eepurl.com/WLlq1

Get more information on her website - www.stormysmith.com.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz & Giveaway: From Titans by Mary Ting

The Titans possess power more than anyone anticipated, and Cronus is hungry for revenge after his own children locked him up in Tartarus.

No one is safe. Not even the humans. Visit the world of Descendant Prophecies in FROM TITANS by Mary Ting…

About FROM TITANS

Everyone is searching for Mason. 

Zeus sent Hermes, and the Oracles have used their magic, with no success. A sparkle of hope arises when Eris, the goddess of Chaos, sends an invitation to her wedding engagement party. She’s holding Mason hostage, and Skylar and her friends only need permission to enter Eris’s world to rescue him. 

At the party, Eris gives them one condition: In exchange for Mason, they must travel to the Land of Reverse and bring back the bottle of gold water King Midas used to wash himself free of his gift. Further chaos follows when Eris not only sets up a hunt in the Labyrinth of Crete, but makes a bargain with the Titans she rescued. 

The Titans possess power more than anyone anticipated, and Cronus is hungry for revenge after his own children locked him up in Tartarus. No one is safe. Not even the humans.

Book trailer: http://bit.ly/1VFM79g

On Sale in Digital: June 24, 2016

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Barnes & Noble 

 Add FROM TITANS to your TBR pile on Goodreads!

CELEBRATE THE RELEASE WITH A GIVEAWAY!

1 Grand Prize: $25 Giftcard to Amazon + Print Set of Entire Descendant Prophecies Series + Signed Bookplates

2 Runner-Ups: Digital Edition of Any Backlist Title from M. Clarke or Mary Ting

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt:

“Cron-ass!” I roared in pain when the moving earth tossed me aside, grinding my shoulder against the pebbled road.

“His name is Cronus.” She grunted and landed flat on her stomach while I bounced on my back almost on top of her.

“It’s Cronass now,” I groaned.

Dust lingered around us. The clouds above spun. I closed my eyes in defeat and listened to Eris’s rampage.

 “You’re going to get it, Cronus. You want Zeus? You’re going to have to work for it. I have plans for you. One will come out alive and the other one will die, or maybe both of you will die and I will rule the human world.” Her pitch rose and her laughter shrieked in madness.

Cronus was far too gone to hear any of Eris’s threats. I wished I were far gone too.

Check out the entire Descendant Prophecies series!

About FROM GODS (Descendant Prophecies Book 1)

***2013 InD'Tale RONE Award Finalist for YA**** 
Did you just see a flash of lightning across the sky on a clear sunny day? 
Don’t blame Mother Nature. 

Skylar Rome can’t wait to spend her last summer before college with her cousin, Kayla. Everything changes when they meet the Grand brothers. Skylar is sure she should stay away from Mason Grand, but their attraction is undeniable. Then Skylar’s life erupts into turmoil. She steps into a world where descendants of ancient gods have super powers, evil beings chase her, and questions arise about her own identity. She is running out of time and running for her life, while trying to unravel the mystery of what they want from her. 

Forced into a battle set into motion long before she was born, will Skylar find the answers she seeks, or will she die trying?

Order this title at these online retailers:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Audio 

About FROM DEITIES (Descendant Prophecies Book 2)

A mysterious stranger enters Skylar’s inner circle, destroying her precarious peace. She begins college amid new secrets, emerging powers, fresh dangers, and a potential stepfather. 

In New Olympus, a hidden dwelling place for descendants of the gods, she finally gets answers. But can she trust them? Skylar and the Grand family must work together with these descendants to discover the key to their rescue from the evolving, evil vultures of Hades. 

As the threat increases, Skylar must learn to control her newfound powers and decide who to trust before it’s too late.

Order this title at these online retailers:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Audio

About FROM ORIGINS (Descendant Prophecies Book 3)

Faced with an impossible choice, Skylar and the other descendants embark on a deadly quest to the underworld to confront Hades, who has been plotting to kill them all. 
  
They discover the ancient gods are not dead, as once believed, but are instead held captive in a secret location. In order to save the world from destruction at the hands of Hephaestus, the descendants must rescue their ancestors, the gods of Olympus. 
  
Skylar learns more about her bloodline and her powers, but there is a heavy price to pay. The darkest forces known to man are about to return to reclaim their stolen kingdom.

Order this title at these online retailers:

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Author Bio:

International Bestselling, Award-Winning, Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great.
Connect with Mary: 

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Amazon | Newsletter |

Instagram | Pintrest | Goodreads

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Shopping for a CEO's Fiance by Julia Kent

Shopping for a CEO’s Fiancée
Julia Kent
(Shopping for a Billionaire #9)
Publication date: June 22nd 2016
Genres: Comedy, New Adult, Romance

We skipped right over the whole fiancée thing and went straight from girlfriend to wife.

At least, I think that’s what happened. I woke up after my brother’s Vegas wedding reception with my luscious girlfriend in bed with me. We’re both wearing wedding rings.

So is her coworker, Josh.

And our Vegas chauffeur, Geordi.

Who the hell am I married to?

Unraveling this mystery will be as difficult as figuring out why Amanda and I are having panic attacks over the thought of being husband and wife.

Or, whoever we’re actually married to.

Oh, ^%$#.

It’s true that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, with one exception:

If she’s my wife, we’ll make it work.

If she’s not?

I’ll make it happen.

Get the 9th book in Julia Kent’s New York Times bestselling romantic comedy series as Andrew and Amanda sort out their wild Vegas night…and the rest of their lives.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iBooks / GooglePlay

EXCERPT:

“We’re not—you don’t really—we can’t be—”

“Married?”

She laughs, but it’s a brittle sound. “Come on. We didn’t actually have a wedding last night.”

“We didn’t? You’re sure?” I perk up. Great. She remembers last night. I squeeze my eyes and try to recall something—anything—that happened after Declan and Shannon said their goodbyes at the reception last night.

“I’m, well, I mean…” Twisting in my arms, she looks at me with those big, wide, trusting eyes, her left hand splayed against my bare chest, digging in where the robe has separated. “You don’t remember what happened?”

My voice drops with uncertainty.

Hers goes up.

“No.”

“Quit joking.”

“Not joking.”

“We both can’t remember any part of last night?”

“When does your memory end?” I ask.

Mascara is streaked along the corner of her eye, and any makeup she wore last night currently resides somewhere on my skin or on the bedsheets. I can only imagine what I look like.

Amanda, though, is gorgeous. In my arms and looking at me with a perplexed expression, biting her lower lip while she flips through the filing cabinets of memory in her mind, and—

“I don’t know.”

I sit up. “You’re the fixer.”

“I know! But I remember saying goodnight to Shannon, hugging Declan, and then—poof! Nothing.”

Poof.

“That’s when my memory ends, too,” I say, my skin beginning to crawl. “I know one thing: we did not have a foursome.”

“And I soooooo did not sleep with Josh. He’s gay. The man can’t handle watching a birth video. A real-life vagina would send him into cardiac arrest.”

“I know my heart pounds whenever I see yours,” I whisper. She gives me a reluctant smile, in spite of her hangover.

“That was baaaaaad,” she groans.

“All signs point to the sex question being put to rest. Worst case, all we did was sleep with each other,” I note.

“Worst case? Buddy, sleeping with me is best case. Best case. Always best.”

That was an unfortunate choice of words on my part. Before I can do damage control, she speaks.

“What if we are?” she hisses.

“Are what?”

Her eyes dart to mine.

“Married.”

Author Bio:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge, and new adult books that push contemporary boundaries. From billionaires to BBWs to rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every book she writes, but unlike Trevor from Random Acts of Crazy, she has never kissed a chicken. She loves to hear from her readers by email at julia@jkentauthor.com

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Newsletter

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Mr. Romantic by J.A. Huss

Mr. Romantic
J.A. Huss
(Mister #2)
Publication date: June 22nd 2016
Genres: Contemporary Romance

Charm is the key to the world.
Charisma, magnetism, sex appeal—that ‘it’ factor that can’t be described.
Nolan Delaney has it is spades.
The infamous Mr. Romantic.
And maybe he is out of my league… But I’m going to give it the old college try anyway. Because I didn’t travel two thousand miles for a job interview at his request just to be put out like trash.
Don’t underestimate me, Mr. Delaney.
I’m really not as innocent as I look.

ALL BOOKS IN THIS SERIES CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE!
Mr. Perfect
Mr. Romantic
Mr. Corporate (Releases 8-17-16)
Mr. Mysterious (Releases 10-12-16)
Mr. Match (Releases 12-7-16)

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Kobo

—

While you’re at it, grab your copy of Mr. Perfect!
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Kobo

You can also pre-order Mr. Corporate today!
Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes / Kobo

—

MR. ROMANTIC SNEAK PEEK:

“What do you think so far? Do I live up to the hype?”

“Not really.”

“No?” He chuckles as we walk past the pool. “Why not?”

The whole thing becomes surreal for me in that moment. The emptiness of the resort. The heat and the sun. I am two thousand miles from home and I’m clutching Mr. Romantic’s elbow like we are lovers taking an evening stroll.

“You’re a little bit quiet so far.”

“Is that right?”

“Your sister is the bigger personality. I’m surprised she wasn’t accused of something inappropriate in college. I think she has it in her.”

Nolan laughs. “That’s kind of true. She’s a handful to most, but she’s been good to me. She’s very protective.”

“She called you dangerous.”

“What?” He stops walking and looks down at me. “When?”

“Today. She told me to stay away from you. Didn’t you know that?”

“What exactly did she tell you?” His mood has changed. Not a lot, but there’s an edge to his words.

“She said something like…” I struggle to remember her exact words, but can’t. I shouldn’t have said anything. He’ll probably confront her and use me as an example.

“Like?” Nolan pushes.

“You’re not romantic. Something like that. They called you Mr. Romantic when all that stuff happened because it was a joke.”

“And the dangerous part?” His words are low and when I look up at him, the easygoing expression has changed into something else.

“I don’t know why she said it. She was telling me to stay away from you all day. And I was angry that she was so dismissive of me. She said I was here by mistake. So I told her I was going to do my best to get the job anyway. And while I agree those men you hired are far more qualified, it was not fair of her to dismiss me so quickly. I’m not as innocent and inexperienced as I look, Mr. Delaney. I have ideas and I’m smart. Hiring everyone in the applicant pool but me was about the most humiliating thing I’ve ever experienced.”

Nolan continues our walk, silent for a few seconds. “You’re lucky.”

“I am?” I ask, a small laugh escaping. “How so?”

“You’re lucky that you’ve never been humiliated the way I have.”

Oh, shit. Way to go, Ivy.

“Do you think I’m dangerous?” Nolan asks, staring down at me in that way he does.

It makes me uneasy. “Maybe.”

“You’re willing to take that chance?”

“Maybe.”

“Well, good,” Nolan says. “Let’s have a nice dinner and I’ll tell you why I sent Claudette away and kept you here against her wishes.”

He did what?

My heart starts to beat faster. Why would he do that? Maybe Claudette was right to warn me? There’s hardly anyone here at the resort. Especially now that all the construction people have left for the day. The main pool is empty when we pass, and even the desk clerks are missing when we enter the lobby.

The dining room has two couples eating dinner and Nolan greets them by name as he leads me to the rear part of the restaurant. Back into a dimly lit room with a single table, white linen tablecloth flowing over the sides. Candle glowing in the center. Set for two.

“This is… unexpected.” My mind is filled with possibilities. And even though I came here with the intention of getting his full attention, possibly losing my virginity to him—and even though I’ve talked myself into feeling ready to take on a man like him, both professionally and personally—I am not excited. I am suddenly scared.

There’s not enough people. There’s not enough noise. There’s not enough of anything to make me forget just who I’m having dinner with.

Mr. Romantic. A man accused of raping a woman ten years ago. A man who was not prosecuted for that crime because the woman died before she could testify. A man who might be guilty.

Nolan pulls out a chair and waits for me to sit, sliding it in perfectly the way a gentleman does, before taking his seat across from me. “I like the unexpected, Miss Rockwell. Get used to it.”

I am in way over my head.

Author Bio:

JA Huss is the USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty romances. She likes stories about family, loyalty, and extraordinary characters who struggle with basic human emotions while dealing with bigger than life problems. JA loves writing heroes who make you swoon, heroines who makes you jealous, and the perfect Happily Ever After ending.

You can chat with her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/AuthorJAHuss), Twitter (@jahuss), and her blog, New Adult Addiction (www.jahuss.com).

If you’re interested in getting your hands on an advanced release copy of her upcoming books, sneak peek teasers, or information on her upcoming personal appearances, you can join her newsletter list (http://eepurl.com/JVhAr) and get those details delivered right to your inbox.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway