Cover Reveal: Downfall by Jay Crownover

 

From New York Times bestselling author Jay Crownover comes DOWNFALL, a sexy, standalone contemporary romance releasing March 27^th! Check out the amazing cover below!

 

Cover Design by Hang Le

About DOWNFALL (Coming 3/27/19):

Solomon Sanders doesn’t have time to fall in love. Until a stunning, skittish, single mother forces him to pause and recognize just how empty and hollow his busy life has become.

From the start, it’s been ingrained in Solo’s DNA to fight.

Fight for what he believes is right.

Fight for the people he loves.

Fight for the traces of good in a place which tends to be filled with a variety of bad.

Fight for survival, so at some point, his life will quiet down and find a normal pace.

He wasn’t ready for the impact his secretive, shy, obviously out of place new neighbor was going to have on him. And never in a million years was he prepared to fall head over heels for her and her young daughter.

Now, he’s facing the most important, and the hardest fight he’s ever fought… the battle to win Orley’s damaged heart.

Orley Vincent’s heart is full of fear, leaving no space for love. Until a big, brash, brawler of a man forces his way in and makes her realize facing her fears is the only way she can ever be free.

From the start, Orley was groomed to believe she wasn’t good enough.

She wasn’t the perfect daughter. Or student. Or girlfriend.

But, she has always been the best mother she could be to her daughter, Noble.

Keeping Noble safe has always been the one thing she was determined to do, which ironically, is how she ended up on the wrong side of the tracks, living next door to an unlikely hero. Orley’s a woman on the run. She had no idea her frantic sprint was going to land her in the tattooed arms of a man ready to teach her how to fight for herself… and for love.

Amazon Live Alert: https://amzn.to/2tWo63W

Kobo: http://bit.ly/DownfallKOBO

iBooks:http://bit.ly/iDownfall

B&N: http://bit.ly/DownfallBN

 

---

Sign up here to be notified when DOWNFALL is available: jaycrownover.com/subscribe

---

        

About Jay Crownover: 

Jay Crownover is the International and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men series, The Saints of Denver series, The Point and Breaking Point series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays, as well as live music and terrible TV shows. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road. For more on Jay and her books, visit www.jaycrownover.com.      

Website | Facebook |Twitter | Goodreads

New Release: Pure Bliss by Lexi Blake

 

 

Re-released in a second edition with new content. 

 The town of Bliss, Colorado, offered Hope McLean a second chance at life, a gift she cherishes every day. Her past was dominated by dark secrets and regret, most of which centered on a man named Christian Grady. All of that was behind her now, years of horror distilled down into the occasional nightmare or a random feeling of being watched. Surrounded by new friends, she tried hard to leave the past where it belonged—in the rearview mirror. Raised together, James Glen and Noah Bennett were the best of friends. They dreamed of growing up in Bliss, finding love, and settling down to share their lives on the Circle G ranch. James would manage the day-to-day operations of the ranch while Noah served the town as the resident veterinarian. Everything was perfectly planned out, until a woman came between them and their future shattered. Noah left Bliss for New York City and James was left to struggle to keep the Circle G alive on his own. Noah returns to Bliss on a mission to rebuild his life. When he sees Hope, he knows his return home was meant to be. Hope’s kindness shines like a beacon calling him to her. Unfortunately, he isn’t the only man interested in Hope. James is also interested in the beautiful girl with a mysterious past. He can’t be forced to choose between the woman of his dreams and his best friend again. As romance begins to bloom, a dark specter from Hope’s past returns to claim her. To save Hope, and themselves, James and Noah will have to rebuild the relationship they lost and fight for their future with Hope together.  

AVAILABLE NOW

Amazon | B&N | Apple | Kobo | GooglePlay | Print | Smashwords

   

REVIEW: 

3.75 stars

****

 Pure Bliss is a good, solid addition to this fun series. This is James, Noah and Hope's story. James and Noah are adopted brothers. Both of their fathers were single dads who met a woman and became a MFM trio, running a ranch in Bliss and raising their sons together. The brothers always imagined they too would become a trio when they met their perfect lady. But fate and bad decisions had other plans. The brothers' relationship split apart when Noah chose the wrong woman over James, moving away and leaving him alone to run the ranch. Now, years later, Noah is back, alone, and realizing the mistakes he made. Hope is a woman with a bad past who has been on the run and is now hiding out in Bliss. She has wanted James, and he has wanted her, but he has not felt that he was secure monetarily after years of struggle, running the ranch alone, so he pushed her away. Noah takes one look at Hope and knows she is the real, perfect woman to complete the dream he and James had. But the brothers have some healing to do to repair their fractured relationship. And Hope's past has come back to haunt her and threaten her future with the men she is falling in love with.

Pure Bliss is a good MFM romance. There is some drama and emotion, sweet, sexy, suspenseful and a few funny moments. I liked James, Noah and Hope. They were all sweet and sexy together. I did feel like the first half of the book was a little slow to get moving, but once it picked up, I enjoyed the book. I did think the book was missing that something extra special, though. This series is entertaining, but after a while, the books start to run together a bit. Still, I do enjoy this series in general and I will definitely continue to read them.

Overall, this is a good MFM romance and definitely worth reading. I look forward more from Ms. Blake and Bliss, CO!

   

      NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Blog Tour: The Girl in the Painting by Max Monroe + Excerpt & Review!

Love is blind, but fate sees everything

The Girl in the Painting, an all-new standalone romance from New York Times bestselling author Max Monroe, is available now!

Ansel Bray, an artist known around the world for his tragic hiatus from the canvas.

Ansel Bray, a broody, handsome man not known by me, at all.

Long dark hair, blue eyes, and dimpled cheeks. I’ve never met her, but her image is imprinted in my mind. An angel muse who inspires me to paint again.

There is something about him. Something that spurs a need to be as close to him as possible. A need to find out why.

There is something about her. Something that draws me in. Something that urges me to find out what her presence means.

Why does the girl in his painting look so much like me?

Who is this girl, and why can I see her so vividly?

I shouldn’t fall in love with him.

I shouldn’t fall in love at all.

But fate plays her hand.

But fate has other plans.

The lines of my life will blur.

The needs of my heart will change.

What a beautiful mess we’ve made.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2H5p2uQ

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TheGirlinthePainting

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2UbdiL1

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2HSvZS8

*********

REVIEW:

3.5-3.75 stars

***

 I liked this book, but I had a few issues with it. The Girl in the Painting is Ansel and Indy's story. Ansel was a famous artist who lost his sight in an accident. He lives a very tortured existence as a blind man until he gets a life-changing eye-transplant, thanks to an organ donor. He awakens with memories of a beautiful woman in his mind, but he doesn't know who she is. He paints her over and over, with her becoming his muse. Indy is an elementary school music teach, whose boyfriend gets tickets to a gallery showing of Ansel's. She is shocked to discover that it is her picture in the exhibit. She has no idea how the artist knows her, but she decides to find out by meeting him and getting to know him.

Despite the issues I had with a few things in this book, I really liked Indy and Ansel. I loved them together. The love that they had overcame the issues that I had enough for me to still enjoy the book. I felt the extreme love between the couple. Period. Which trumped any issues I had. The mystery at play in this book, about why Ansel sees Indy in his mind and paints her before he ever meets her in person, has a very fated mates feeling. It definitely felt like they were meant to be and were a perfect match. They were fun and sweet together. I liked the mysterious feeling in the book. I also really liked the artist and musician aspect. The glimpse into painting and the art world was interesting.

So, overall, I enjoyed this book because I really liked Indy and Ansel and felt the love between them. They both really deserved their happy ever after and I'm glad they got it! I look forward to more from Max Monroe in the future!

**************

If you want to know the detailed issues I had with the book, they are listed in spoiler tags at the bottom of my Goodreads review here:  https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2705165862?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

**********

Excerpt:

Ansel

Three knocks rap against the closed door of my studio, and I sigh. Apparently, my assistant doesn’t understand what no distractions means. I shouldn’t be surprised, though. Lucy’s priorities have nothing to do with her role as my assistant. Half the time, people who come to my studio don’t even realize she works here. They probably just assume she’s some sort of social media influencer wasting time in my lobby by taking cleavage shots. Another two knocks ring out, and I ignore whoever is on the other side and focus my gaze back on the half-painted canvas in front of me. As if my hand is on autopilot, I watch as it gently creates the soft lines of her hair. Stroke after stroke, dark brown and honey-beige and gold combine to make the flowing locks that cascade down her back. Eventually, though, the knocks grow so persistent that I can hardly follow the rhythm of the soft background music serving as a medium for my artistic exploration. Fucking Lucy. “Go away!” I call over my shoulder, but the answering chuckle is not an annoyed feminine laugh. No. It’s husky and deep and rough around the edges. “Ans, it’s Nigel,” the disturbance answers back. Nigel Marx. We grew up together on the outskirts of the Bronx and found our way into the art world during our college years. Where I’ve always had an innate ability to create, Nigel has a natural talent for seeking out beauty. If anyone can find art worth seeing, it’s Nigel. Or Nye, as I’ve grown to call him over the years. Even though he’s one of my oldest friends, I groan and contemplate at least ten different ways to tell him to fuck off. I may not be as grumpy as I was before the surgery, but being interrupted during the creative process brings me as close to that level of aggravation as I come these days. But even the bad-tempered side of my personality knows a verbal middle finger is unwarranted. Technically speaking, it’s probably not even his fault. My assistant is undoubtedly too busy posting pictures of her new nose job on Instagram to follow my instructions and man the reception desk in the front. So, eventually, I set my brush down beside my paints, move the canvas into the small, hidden nook near the windows, and tell him to come inside. Dressed in a sharp black suit and tie, Nigel strides in as I head over to the sink to wash the dried paint off my hands. “Did I interrupt?” he asks, and I glance at him over my shoulder. “Yep.” A big, hearty laugh escapes his throat. “You don’t even want to pretend I’m not being a huge inconvenience to you right now?” “Pretty sure you know me better than that,” I say with a grin and swipe the extra moisture off my hands onto my jeans. “I’m not a beat-around-the-bush kind of guy, Nigel.” He grins at that. “What brought about this gloriously annoying visit of yours today?” “Just want to make sure you’re ready for the big opening,” he says and slides his hands into the pockets of his dress pants. I don’t miss the way he takes it upon himself to peruse my studio, his eyes taking in all of the empty canvases stacked in the corner and the finished works scattered along the floor and the walls. “By all means, please feel free to browse. You know how much I love that.” He ignores my jab completely. “So, can I count on you to be there?” “Be where?” “You know where, you bastard.” He glares. “Does January 31st ring a bell? The big exhibition some of us have been working so hard on.” “If I weren’t such a big person, I wouldn’t be able to ignore the fact that you’re insinuating I, the artist, haven’t done any work for the show.” He rolls his eyes. “You know that’s not what I meant. Stop trying to distract me.” Now it’s my turn to make a show of my new eyes’ ability to move. “We’ve already been through this, man. There’s no reason for me to be there.” Unconvinced, Nye presses on. “It’s your opening, Ans. You need to be there.” “I don’t need to be anywhere.” “Tell me this…why wouldn’t you want to be there? This is your first exhibition in five years. Since before the accident. This is huge. If anything, you should be there to celebrate that you’re painting again. That you’re alive.” And just like that, he’s answered his own question. He just doesn’t know it. Circuslike fanfare and a giant spotlight on my tragic past are the last things I want. I just want to paint without all of the fucking hoopla. “How about this? I’ll drink a glass of whiskey tonight to celebrate. I’ll even give myself a special toast.” “If you drink that glass of whiskey inside my gallery, on the night of your opening, then we have a deal.” It’s my turn to laugh. “Not happening.” “The press will be there. Your fans will be there. People want to see you. They want to talk to you. Interview you. Why don’t you want to be there?” “For those exact fucking reasons, Nye,” I answer honestly. “While I’m thankful people still want to see my art, I don’t need the ego trip that comes with gallery openings and interviews. I don’t need fans kissing my ass, and I sure as fuck don’t need rich investors schmoozing me up because it makes them think they’ll have a better shot at getting their greedy hands on one of my paintings.” Silence stretches between us, and I hope that means Nigel has finally come to terms with the reality of my absence at the opening. Before the accident, I would’ve been there in a heartbeat. I would’ve been the guy with the big fucking ego and some random, superficially beautiful model attached to my arm. The douchebag looking at everyone inside that gallery and mentally giving myself a pat on the back. But I’m not that guy anymore. I haven’t been that guy since the day I went blind. Do I claim to be the world’s happiest, most-together guy? Fuck no. Like I said, on my best day, I’m still an asshole. But after living in the dark for what felt like an eternity, I’ve at least realized a few things. For one, money, success—material shit—doesn’t mean a fucking thing. You can’t buy happiness. And, two? Friends are better to have than fans. Friends stick with you no matter what. “Okay.” Nigel’s voice breaks our silence. “Fine. I won’t ask you again.” I grin. “That sounds like a truly brilliant idea.” “Why haven’t I seen this one?” I follow his gaze to the far corner of my studio, and instantly, I know which painting he’s talking about. My chest tightens with unease. I can’t believe I left that one out in the open like this… I run a hand through my hair and try to make myself sound at least somewhat disinterested. “Because it wasn’t a painting I wanted to put in the exhibition.” My voice sounds slightly higher pitched, even to my own ears. Dammit. About a year after my transplant, Dr. Smith cleared me to go back to my normal life—back to painting. I found myself inside this studio with a brush in my hand and a beautiful girl in my mind. Crystal-blue eyes, dark, dimensional hair, and dimpled cheeks, every detail of her face and features vivid to the point of precision. I couldn’t stop picturing her. The way her full lips appear when they’re curled into a smile. The way she looks mid-laugh. The way her eyes light up beneath the sun. She was all I could see, this girl I’ve never met before, this girl I’ve never actually seen. She was the first thing I painted after the transplant, and she’s been locked inside my mind ever since—for nearly three years, to be exact. But who’s counting, right? I nearly snort out loud. The truth is, my obsession is nearly pathetic and almost certainly unhealthy. But I can’t seem to stop myself. “This is…stunning,” he says quietly as his eyes rake over the canvas. “She’s stunning.” His words, while holding no harm or ill will, make me feel incredibly uncomfortable. Like I need to shield her from his eyes. I feel too vulnerable. Too raw. Nigel turns to meet my eyes. “Why didn’t you want to put this one in the exhibition?” “I don’t know.” Because it’s too special to me. He looks at the painting for a long moment before moving his eyes back to mine. “Should I know who she is?” “No.” A figment of my imagination? Some kind of angel muse? I don’t know, but I can’t stop painting her. “Is this the only one of her?” “Yes,” I flat out lie. Besides the one he’s looking at, there are another four finished canvases hidden away and at least seven in progress. But I’m already pissed enough at myself for leaving this one out for him to see. Strange and most likely fucking insane, I know, but it’s the reality. “You need to add this one to the exhibition.” I shake my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” “Your other works are amazing, but this,it’s something else, Ans,” he says and glances back at the painting. “It belongs in the exhibition.” Silence stretches between us, and I’m torn about what to say. Fuck no seems inappropriately callous, but I’m having a hell of a time coming up with any other words. The artist inside of me agrees with his assessment. That painting—and the other paintings of her—is special. She draws the viewer in just as she’s done with me, like a mermaid luring sailors to their deaths. But everything else inside me wants to keep her to myself. “Ans, people need to see this painting,” Nye urges. I let out a deep exhale. “I don’t know…” “Ans, this one has to be in the show.” His gaze is steady, unwavering. “You and I both know it would be a fucking travesty if it weren’t in there.” My back tenses, but for some reason, the word “Okay” slips from my lips. My stomach churns and my mind races and I don’t know why I’m agreeing, but I am. I don’t know why I feel sick over the prospect of other people seeing this painting, but I do. The way I’m feeling, the way my emotions intertwine with her paintings, is a complete mystery to me. Just like her.

About Max Monroe:

A secret duo of romance authors team up under the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling pseudonym Max Monroe to bring you sexy, laugh-out-loud reads. Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of more than ten contemporary romance titles. Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their Facebook newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like they’ve found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far.

Connect with Max Monroe:

Website: https://www.authormaxmonroe.com/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/max-monroe

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ReoxkK

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormaxmonroe/

Stay up to date with Max Monroe by joining their mailing list today: https://www.authormaxmonroe.com/newsletter

New Release: Naked Love by Jewel E. Ann + Excerpt!

Naked Love

by Jewel E. Ann

What happens when a high-heeled diva goes camping with her sister’s dog?

Avery Montgomery, fashionista and preacher’s daughter, needs a ride from Milwaukee to Los Angeles.

“Make my death quick, and please don’t tie me up. I’m claustrophobic.”  

Jake Matthews, diva-hater, agrees to let her tag along on his annual but primitive trek to the West Coast.

“Okay, Princess, I’ll take you to L.A., but your crown won’t make it there in one piece.”

She’s desperate and out of options.

He’s ruthless and out of patience.  

Don’t miss this sexy, hilarious, and heart-warming journey of self-discovery and raw … naked love.

Get started reading Chapter One!

https://www.jeweleann.com/naked-love-chapter-one

AMAZON US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PBG1FYF

AMAZON UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07PBG1FYF

AMAZON CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07PBG1FYF

AMAZON AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07PBG1FYF

Excerpt:

“Psst …”

I nudge Jake. He groans.

“Psst!”

He rolls away from me.

“Jake! I need the truck keys,” I whisper-yell.

Another groan.

My eyes flit between his bared torso turned away from me and his partially unzipped duffel bag at his feet. Jake has nice feet. I’m not sure I’ve ever thought this about a guy before. But—I move my phone’s flashlight an inch closer—yes indeed, he has nice feet. Not a single nasty callous, and his toenails are perfect.

Not fair. What the heck, God? Why would you give a guy such perfect feet? Jackass Jake must use an expensive foot cream.

I roll my eyes at myself. What is this? The beginning of a foot fetish? Therapy of some sort might be in my future. After one last inspection of his flawless feet, and maybe a nanosecond glance back up his bare torso—because why the hell not?—I inspect the contents of his bag.

It has five outer pockets, but I come up empty. No truck keys. Unzipping the main part feels a little too snoopy. Biting the corner of my lip, I sweep the beam of my phone’s light across his still body. If I’m completely honest, his feet are attached to some other really nice body parts, but why start being honest now?

The light goes out. “Shit.” I frown at the dead screen. What happened to my final three percent?

Key.

I need the key. I need to charge my phone.

“Jakey Jakey, wakey wakey,” I whisper, knowing he’s nothing more than a dead log on top of a sleeping bag. A dead log with sexy feet and a drool-worthy trunk I could climb—

Gah!

I must NEVER think of the Devil as sexy. Did I learn nothing about temptation from Eve and the complete debacle in Eden? A questionably flawed story if you ask me. Still—religion permanently haunts one’s conscience, and I’m no exception.

Don’t snoop.

Wait until he wakes up.

It’s not like it’s an emergency.

It’s just my phone—my connection to the rest of the world, a way to see in the dark, keeper of time, contact list, social media notifications, my savior in an emergency … MY LIFE!

Muzzling my conscience, I dive into the main compartment of Jake’s duffle bag, the way a police officer would break open a door after a 9-1-1 call. It’s filled with clothes, but within ten seconds I have all aforementioned clothes strewn all around me.

No keys.

A jingle startles me, and my head whips back, but it’s just Swarley. “Don’t!” I warn in my sternest whisper as he abandons his spot in the corner and plops down on my sleeping bag. “Get. Off!”

He shakes his head once. I realize how crazy that sounds, but it’s true. Swarley is not your average dog, he’s a demon—much like Jake—out to destroy me. He can do things like nod and shake his head as well as rip my poor hand apart when he sees something worth chasing, much like Anthony ripped my heart apart when he discovered that chocolate does in fact taste amazing.

Fucker.

Before my herbivorous travel buddy wakes up, I start shoving his clothes back into his bag, taking a deep inhale. What’s that smell? It’s good. Really good.

Herbaceous? Woodsy? Maybe piney, but we’re not amidst that many pine trees here. Bringing one of Jake’s shirts to my nose, I take a whiff.

Oh … that’s nice. Son of a bitch! Sexy—uh—I mean, soft feet and amazing detergent.

Eat the shiny red apple, Eve …

I’m not going to eat his shirt, but I indulge in one more sniff before—

“Why are you smelling my underwear?”

“Shit!” I jump, tucking the shirt behind my back. 

I can't wait to read this book ASAP! Stay tuned for my review!

New Release: The Girl in the Painting by Max Monroe

Love is blind, but fate sees everything

The Girl in the Painting, an all-new standalone romance from New York Times bestselling author Max Monroe, is available now!

Ansel Bray, an artist known around the world for his tragic hiatus from the canvas.

Ansel Bray, a broody, handsome man not known by me, at all.

Long dark hair, blue eyes, and dimpled cheeks. I’ve never met her, but her image is imprinted in my mind. An angel muse who inspires me to paint again.

There is something about him. Something that spurs a need to be as close to him as possible. A need to find out why.

There is something about her. Something that draws me in. Something that urges me to find out what her presence means.

Why does the girl in his painting look so much like me?

Who is this girl, and why can I see her so vividly?

I shouldn’t fall in love with him.

I shouldn’t fall in love at all.

But fate plays her hand.

But fate has other plans.

The lines of my life will blur.

The needs of my heart will change.

What a beautiful mess we’ve made.

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2H5p2uQ

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/TheGirlinthePainting

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2UbdiL1

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2HSvZS8

About Max Monroe:

A secret duo of romance authors team up under the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling pseudonym Max Monroe to bring you sexy, laugh-out-loud reads. Max Monroe is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of more than ten contemporary romance titles. Favorite writing partners and long time friends, Max and Monroe strive to live and write all the fun, sexy swoon so often missing from their Facebook newsfeed. Sarcastic by nature, their two writing souls feel like they’ve found their other half. This is their most favorite adventure thus far.

Connect with Max Monroe:

Website: https://www.authormaxmonroe.com/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/max-monroe

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2ReoxkK

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authormaxmonroe/

Stay up to date with Max Monroe by joining their mailing list today: https://www.authormaxmonroe.com/newsletter