Release Day Launch: Dusk (Dire Wolves #2) by Alyssa Rose Ivy

 

We are so excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Alyssa Rose Ivy's DUSK! DUSK is the second novel in her The Dire Wolves Chronicles Series, a New Adult Paranormal Romance. The Order of the books is: Dire, Dusk, Dawn. Enter to win a paperback copy of DIRE then grab your copy of DUSK today!

 

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About DUSK: The Dire Wolves Chronicles continue... After you have sacrificed your freedom what else is there to lose? Mary Anne has given her word to Hunter that she’ll stay as his mate, but every second she spends with him takes her further away from Gage when he needs her the most. Caught between love and duty, Mary Anne discovers that her troubles are just beginning, and that sometimes love comes at a great price.  

Don’t miss DIRE, the first book in The Dire Wolves Chronicles…

About DIRE: Dire: The Dire Wolves Chronicles Gage was the first guy I ever wanted. He was my first crush and my first fantasy, but he wasn't my first in any other way because he never saw me as anything more than a friend— at least not until the night that changed everything. It was all Gage's fault. He insisted we drive through the storm and take the back roads. By the time the storm hit full force we had no chance. One night of snowbound sex changed our relationship forever. The problem was at the same time I caught another guy’s attention. This other guy happened to be the alpha of a pack of shifter wolves. I thought the wolves were the worst of my problems, but I was wrong. When things went from bad to worse I had to make a lifelong sacrifice to save Gage, but what price is too much to save the one you love?

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      About Alyssa Rose Ivy: Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.      

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My Review:

I'm so excited and honored to be included in the release day launch of Dusk by Alyssa Rose Ivy! I feel in love with Alyssa and the characters in Dire, book one in the series! The story line is original and so refreshing! Alyssa's writing gave typical paranormal romance a twist. I enjoyed reading the progression of Mary Anne & Cage's relationship in book two. I loved Hunter's POV; I think it helped in showing a different side of him. That he wasn't being an @$$, that he did/does have the best intentions of his pact at heart. His POV show that he's one of the good guys. It can also be a segway to his own series. I know I definitely want to know more about his past and how his pack came to be, especially more info on the relationship with his brother.

I think the story could use more details and fleshing out, such as more internal conflict from the characters. And, why is Marli such a b!tch!?!? Does Hunter have the ability to make Mary Anne feel tired or sleepy? Why does she seem to have a calming effect on Cage? I guess we'll find out in book three (unless Marli gets her own book). :)

Cover Reveal: Asa (Marked Men #^) By Jay Crownover

We are so excited about the cover reveal for Jay Crownover's ASA! ASA is the sixth and final book in Jay's Marked Men Series, published by HarperCollins. Check out the hot cover and don't forget to pre-order your copy today!

   

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About ASA: Starting over in Denver with a whole new circle of friends and family, Asa Cross struggles with being the man he knows everyone wants him to be and the man he knows he really is. A leopard doesn’t it change its spots and Asa has always been a predator. He doesn’t want to hurt those who love and rely on him, especially one stunning arresting cop who suddenly seems to be interested in him for far more than his penchant for breaking the law. But letting go of old habits is hard, and it’s easy to hit bottom when it’s the place you know best. Royal Hastings is quickly learning what the bottom looks like after a tragic situation at work threatens not only her career but her partner’s life. As a woman who has only ever had a few real friends she’s trying to muddle through her confusion and devastation all alone. Except she can’t stop thinking about the sexy southern bartender she locked up. Crushing on Asa is the last thing she needs but his allure is too strong to resist. His long criminal record can only hurt her already shaky career and chasing after a guy who has no respect for the law or himself can only end in heartbreak. A longtime criminal and a cop together just seems so wrong . . . but for Asa and Royal, being wrong together is the only right choice to make.  

And don’t miss the previous books in The Marked Men Series!

RULE

JET

ROME

NASH

ROWDY

And don't miss Jay at 3pm EST over at the Between The Covers page on Facebook today! Come chat with her!

About Jay Crownover: Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men series. She also introduced the dark and sexy world of The Point that started with BETTER WHEN HE's BAD and is currently working on her newest series The Saint of Denver. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.      

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Release Day Launch:ROWDY (Marked Men Series) By Jay Crownover

 

We are over the moon excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for ROWDY by Jay Crownover!! ROWDY is the fifth novel in her Marked Men Series published by William Morrow, and imprint of HarperCollins and you do NOT want to miss it!

 

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EXCERPT: WHEN I PUT THE key he had given me in the door to his apartment it felt like the end of a long journey. Really it was only a little over twelve hours and I had stopped to nap once along the way, but it still felt like too long since I had seen his face or been able to touch all that toned and tattooed skin. Jimbo greeted me at the door when I pushed it open. His tongue lolled out of his mouth and he jumped up and put his paws on my legs. He was going to be huge when he finally grew into his fuzzy body and I was overwhelmed at how happy I was to see him. I dropped to my knees and rubbed my face in his neck as he licked me all over my face. I was obviously missed and I had to say it was just one more reason I knew I was finally where I was supposed to be. It was late, so the apartment was dark. I checked the dog’s food and water, trying to be quiet in case Rowdy was already asleep. I was winding my way toward his bedroom when a haphazardly discarded sketch pad lying on the couch caught my eye in the dim light. I paused for a minute to pick it up and felt my heart stop and then start to race as I flipped through the first few pages. There were a couple of drawings that were obviously for clients, tattoos that hadn’t made it from paper to skin yet, but most of the pristine white pages were covered with images wearing my face. There was mermaid me, and naughty- sailor- girl me. There was sassy Indian girl me with long Pocahontas braids and there was sexy devil me standing next to angelic me. There were dozens of them all in different shapes and sizes, but every single image was undoubtedly modeled after my distinct look. I wasn’t sure if he had drawn them all over this last week while I had been gone or over the months we had been chasing each other in circles. Either way it made my heart swell and the full certainty that I was it for him settle deep inside my bones. I set the pad down and tiptoed through the hall. Jimbo took one look at where I was going and huffed out a disgusted- sounding snort. The poor guy had learned early on that he wanted no part of what happened between his humans when they were together in the bedroom. The light was off and Rowdy was sprawled on his stomach across the covers. His blond hair was sticking up every- where and he hand one arm bent up under his head. The only thing that could have made the sight better would have been if he hadn’t bothered with the black boxers before crashing out. Even with them obscuring the view, I couldn’t complain. I let out a breathless sigh and crept closer so that I could lean over and touch my lips to that anchor on the side of his neck. I felt his pulse leap and tasted the salt on his skin as he murmured sleepily and rolled over onto his back. Those infinitely blue eyes glowed at me in the dark as a grin pulled up the corner of his mouth. “Hey.”     About ROWDY: The New York Times and USA Today bestselling Marked Men series continues with this sizzling, sexy story of love, heartbreak, fate, and second chances. After the only girl he ever loved told him that he would never be enough, Rowdy St. James knocked the Texas dust off his boots and set out to live up to his nickname. A good ol’ boy looking for good times and good friends, Rowdy refuses to take anything too seriously, especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Burned by love once, he isn’t going to let himself trust a woman again. But that’s before his new co-worker arrives, a ghost from the past who’s suddenly making him question every lesson he ever learned. Salem Cruz grew up in house with too many rules and too little fun—a world of unhappiness she couldn’t wait to forget. But one nice thing from childhood has stayed with her; the memory of the sweet, blue-eyed boy next door who’d been head over heels in love with her little sister. Now, fate and an old friend have brought her and Rowdy together, and Salem is determined to show him that once upon a time he picked the wrong sister. A mission that is working perfectly—until the one person that ties them together appears, threatening to tear them apart for good.     About Jay Crownover:

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men series. She also introduced the dark and sexy world of The Point in a new series this last summer starting with BETTER WHEN HE's BAD. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.      

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ROWDY Goodreads ** Jay Crownover Goodreads

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Review: Dire (Book 1 Dire Wolves Chronicles) by Alyssa Rose Ivy

We are so excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for Alyssa Rose Ivy's DIRE. DIRE is a first novel in her The Dire Wolves Chronicles Series.The Dire Wolves Chronicles Series is a New Adult Paranormal Romance! The Order of the books is: Dire, Dusk, Dawn. We can't tell you enough how excited we are for Alyssa's newest series, The Dire Wolves Chronicles!!

 

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Excerpt:

A single howl made me stop short. “The wolves!”
“Let’s hope they are farther away than they sound.” Gage tightened his hold on my hand and pulled me forward.
Three more howls filled the night. “They sound closer.”
We picked up the pace, and I chanced a glance behind me. That was a mistake. Several large grey wolves came into view. “Run!”
Gage didn’t need to be told twice. He broke into a run without letting go of my hand.
I ran as fast as possible over the frozen snow, but we didn’t get far before the wolves started circling around us. “Oh my god.” Could things get any worse?
“You have to make a run for it.” Gage’s voice quivered. “They’re going to kill us.”
“I’m not leaving you.” I tried to stay strong, and I kept my eyes locked on the wolves. There were five of them. All of them were massive, much larger than any wolf I’d seen before, but one of them was even bigger and had a large silver streak running down its back. That wolf seemed to be staring right at me.
“I’ll distract them. You run. I’ll catch up.”
I spotted an opening next to one of the smaller of the wolves and went for it. I didn’t make it far before one of the wolves stepped in front of me. I froze, paralyzed with fear, before my legs were knocked from under me. Suddenly, I was lying in the snow with a giant wolf hovering over me.

“We’re fucked.” Gage voiced exactly what I was thinking.
The silver streaked wolf stared down at me. It’s almost glowing eyes bored into mine. Was I really going to die as half-frozen food for a giant wild animal?
Then things got hazy and the air seemed to buzz. Moments later it wasn’t a wolf on top of me—it was a man. A completely naked man with a faint scar across his face.
“What the heck?” I tried to scurry back, but Hunter didn’t move. His very exposed parts nearly touched me. I didn’t want to notice his size, but I did. He was huge. He also didn’t look remotely concerned with the cold.
His lips brushed against my ear. “Were you going somewhere?”

About DIRE: Dire: The Dire Wolves Chronicles

Gage was the first guy I ever wanted. He was my first crush and my first fantasy, but he wasn't my first in any other way because he never saw me as anything more than a friend— at least not until the night that changed everything. It was all Gage's fault. He insisted we drive through the storm and take the back roads. By the time the storm hit full force we had no chance. One night of snowbound sex changed our relationship forever. The problem was at the same time I caught another guy’s attention. This other guy happened to be the alpha of a pack of shifter wolves. I thought the wolves were the worst of my problems, but I was wrong. When things went from bad to worse I had to make a lifelong sacrifice to save Gage, but what price is too much to save the one you love?

My Review:

I was won over by the werewolf theme (think Alcide Herveaux from True Blood!) of Dire. However, this story was so much more than a single supernatural creature. There's an entire secret supernatural world right under our noses with witches and vampires! This is one of the beautiful things about this series; there are so many different directions the series can go. I love this unique twist to the mainstream werewolf/vampire trend. Similar to the True Blood books but without all the craziness. Job well done, Alyssa!!

Alyssa did a wonderful job of switching the POV between Gage and Mary Anne. I'm a sucker for the dual narratives from male and female perspectives. Gage's inner monologues beginning in the middle of book and towards the end is priceless :)

I loved Mary Anne and Gage's story, though I think their relationship deserved a stronger foundation, substance, or a little dimension in the first few chapters. I didn’t think of it as insta-love or slow burn or anything. It was just there and it was nice to read about but they definitely deserved more.

The cliff-hanger built a high level of anticipation; I actually had a book-hangover. I cannot wait until the next book(s) to see what happens with Gage, the consequences to Mary Anne's decisions, and hopefully learn more about the Dire Wolves and their world.    

About Alyssa Rose Ivy:

Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.        

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Review: A Spiral of Bliss Series (Books 1, 2, & 3) by Nina Lane

I recently had the opportunity to read the A Spiral of Bliss series by Nina Lane. Though these weren't my normal paranormal genre, the descriptions were interesting, so I decided "why not!" Three books later...and I haven't looked back - this series did not disappoint!


Arouse (Book 1)
In book 1, we're introduced to the poignant love story of Dean & Liv and their perfect marriage that is now on the road to falling apart.  Starting in the present, about a few years into their marriage, we learn who they are, and as the story continues, we learn their history through Liv's flashbacks.

At first, I thought the flashbacks were a bit confusing because there was no indication the time period was switching. One sentence we're in the here-and-now, next it's five years earlier but this could be because I read it on a Sony app and not an ereader.

Kelsey made the book! Her character and witty come backs

Nina lures you in and gets you hooked on Dean (oh, and Liv too) as they begin the trials and tribulations of marriage. Then BAM! A cliff hanger. Thank goodness book two was readily available!

I love how realistic Nina made Dean & Liv's marriage throughout the series: the arguments, the jealousy, the makeups,  and the separation. 

By book three you can't help but wonder how much more their marriage can withstand, or how fickle is Liv (I can leave you, but you can't leave me?!?).  Personally I was a little disappointed in the ending and how everything ended so quickly. Seemed almost anticlimactic or a typical "Hollywood ending"  

Release Day Launch: BETTER WHEN HE’S BAD by Jay Crownover

EXCERPT:

I let out the breath I was holding and took another step closer to her. The water was splashing on the sleeve of my shirt as I reached up to grab both of her cheeks in my palms. “Are you scared of me?”

It was the start of the questions I had asked her what felt like a lifetime ago. Her answer didn’t change, but this time when she answered, she was holding back a smile that made my heart hurt.

“Terrified, but I kind of like it now.”

“Do you trust me?” My voice broke. I had never really trusted anyone but Race and now there was her and my brother and just all kinds of new things making my life so much more complicated and undeniably fuller.

“With my life. I trust all the parts of you, Bax. You need to know that.”

 “You going to go to bed with me?” That made her outright laugh and she reached up to curl her hands around my wrists.

 “As often as I can and anyplace in between when the mood strikes.” The rest of the blood racing around my system went solidly south.

 

 I dropped my forehead so it was resting on hers and the water from the shower head was cascading down around us. I was making a mess, but I didn’t care because I had her, and she was my home. “Do you love me?”

The words sounded so foreign, but so right, when I was saying them to her. She brushed her full lips across mine and the last three months without her faded away.

“Do you want me to lie to you or tell you the truth?”

 I smiled against her mouth and kissed her back twice as hard as she had kissed me. “Lie to me.”

 She reached up and put her arms around my neck and took a step back, dragging me all the way into the shower stall with her. The water was lukewarm at best, and it made me shiver. So did the fact that she started to impatiently pull the tail of my shirt up over my head. A task made increasingly difficult considering I was now soaked head to toe and the material was clinging to me.

 “Of course not. You’re the last person in the world I could love.”

About BETTER WHEN HE’S BAD:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jay Crownover returns with a heart-stopping new series… Welcome to the Point.

There’s a difference between a bad boy and a boy who’s bad . . . meet Shane Baxter.

Sexy, dark, and dangerous, Bax isn’t just from the wrong side of the tracks, he is the wrong side of the tracks. A criminal, a thug, and a brawler, he’s the master of bad choices, until one such choice landed him in prison for five years. Now Bax is out and looking for answers, and he doesn’t care what he has to do or who he has to hurt to get them. But there’s a new player in the game, and she’s much too innocent, much too soft…and standing directly in his way.

Dovie Pryce knows all about living a hard life and the tough choices that come with it. She’s always tried to be good, tried to help others, and tried not to let the darkness pull her down. But the streets are fighting back, things have gone from bad to worse, and the only person who can help her is the scariest, sexiest, most complicated ex-con The Point has ever produced.

Bax terrifies her, awakening feelings she never thought she’d have for a guy like him. But it doesn’t take Dovie long to realize . . . some boys are just better when they’re bad.

BUY LINKS:

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About Jay Crownover:

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men series. She will also be introducing the dark and sexy world of The Point in a new series this summer starting with Better When He’s Bad. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.

Links:

Website ** Blog ** Facebook ** Twitter

BETTER WHEN HE’S BAD Goodreads ** Jay Crownover Goodreads

Blog Tour & Review: Nash (Marked Men #4) by Jay Crownover

Title: Nash (Marked Men #4)

Author: Jay Crownover

Genre: New Adult/ Coming of Age

Publication Date: April 29, 2014

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks, an imprint of HarperCollins

Event Organized By:  Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis

Will their past determine their future?

Saint Ford has worked hard to achieve her childhood dream of becoming of nurse. Focused on her work and devoted to her patients, there’s no room for love. She doesn’t need a guy making waves in her calm, serene life—especially when he’s the unforgettable hottie who nearly destroyed her in high school. Dark, brooding Nash Donovan might not remember her or the terrible pain he caused. But he turned her world upside down . . . and now he’s trying to do it again.

Saint has no idea that Nash isn’t the cocky player he once was. Uncovering a devastating family secret has rocked his world, and now he’s struggling to figure out his future. He can’t be distracted by the pretty nurse he seems to meet everywhere. Still, he can’t ignore the sparks that fly between them —or how she seems so desperate to get away from him. But the funny, sweet, and drop-dead gorgeous Saint is far too amazing to give up on—especially since she’s the only thing in his life that seems to make sense.

When Nash discovers the truth about their past, he realizes he may have lost her heart before he could even fight for it. Now, Saint has to decide: is Nash worth risking herself for all over again?

Add to Goodreads

Purchase Links:  Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Books A Million | Indie Bound

About the Author

I'm supposed to share interesting details about myself so that my readers get to know me so here we go in no particular order: I'm an natural redhead even though I haven't seen my real hair color in years, I'm a big fan of tattoos and have a half sleeve on either arm and various other pieces all over the place, I've been in the bar industry since I was in college and it has always offered interesting insight into how men and women interact with each other, I have 3 dogs that are all crazy, I live in Colorado and love the snow, I love music and in all reality wish I could be a rock star not a writer or a bartender but I have zero talent so there is that. I love to write, love to read and all I'm interested in is a good story with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. Thanks for taking the time to check my stuff out...

Connect with Jay: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

Entry-Form

It's time to fall in love with Nash and learn his story. In the forth Marked Men book, Jay Crownover takes, in my opinion, a different approach with Saint. The precious heroines were practically perfect (shaw is pretty much up there with Mary Poppins!); they were smart, beautiful, strong, confident. Saint, however, was insecure & socially awkward. Despite her achievements, she hid in bathrooms (in the New Years party scene). Something Shaw, Ayd or Cora would have never done. But I think this is why the readers love Saint, because so many of us (especially so many young girls) think less if themselves because they weren't/aren't skinny or popular. I love how Jay makes it "ok" to not be perfect and how important it is to love yourself first & foremost. If you can't, how can anyone else love you.
The gang faces a lot life changing events in book four, but they continue to come together, ink & all, pull each other through. I love how the previous main characters made appearances. Judging by the "cliff hanger", I don't think we've seen the last of Rule & Shaw!