{Cover Reveal + Excerpt} The Librarian Principle by Helena Hunting

We are so excited to unveil the cover of Helena Hunting's The Librarian Principle! It is one of our most anticipated reads of 2014 so we're really looking forward to this one.

Title: The Librarian Principle
Author: Helena Hunting
Publication date: December 21st 2014



Annaliese Harper knows that one tiny mistake can jeopardize a career before it’s even begun. Letting your boss find the extensive collection of porn on your personal laptop is one way. Sleeping with him is another. Liese manages to do both.

As the new librarian at a prestigious small-town private high school, Liese is drawn to her sexy, charismatic principal, Ryder Whitehall—an attraction she refuses to acknowledge given their relationship and her recent liberation from a delusional ex-boyfriend.

Liese is certain Ryder’s flirtation is the product of her sex-deprived imagination—until he discovers her digital porn stash during working hours and demands a private meeting. Behind closed doors, their attraction explodes into a dangerous, passionate affair that not only threatens their jobs and reputations, but most of all, their hearts.

     Liese was in the middle of adjusting her skirt when her phone chimed. She rummaged around inside her purse and found Marissa had sent her a message. Against her better judgment, she checked it. There was no text, only a photo, and it was too small in the message window to adequately discern the content. She clicked the image, and it expanded on the screen.

     A noise that sounded vaguely like a cat dying escaped her. Marissa had done it again. Ryder's head was superimposed onto the body of yet another well-hung porn star, and this time the image also included a woman—superimposed with Liese’s face—sprawled out over a desk, much like the one she stood in front of now.

     “Hi there.”

   Liese screamed, caught completely unaware. She turned to find Ryder standing in her office doorway, leaning against the jamb, his coat thrown over his arm, briefcase in hand. His suit jacket was unbuttoned, giving him a more relaxed look than usual. And sexier. If that was possible.

    “Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you,” he said. “You seemed rather invested in whatever you were reading just now.”

     Liese hit the button on her phone, and the screen went blank. “It was my girlfriend,” she explained.

     Ryder stared at her, unblinking.

     At his lack of reaction, she elaborated. “My best friend—she's expecting me later this evening. She was just checking in.”

     “Oh.” He sounded relieved for some reason she couldn't fathom. “Am I keeping you? We can reschedule for next week if you need to go.”

     “No, no, it's fine. I'm happy to meet with you, unless you have another engagement.” Liese slid her phone back into her purse, turning off the volume as she did so.

     “I have no prior engagements.”

     They stared at each other for a few interminable seconds before Liese realized they were on her territory, and she should invite him in. “Would you like to work in my office or out there?” Liese gestured to the empty library beyond.

    He glanced over his shoulder and then surveyed their current surroundings. “I think your office would be more private.”

     “Sure. Right.” Liese nodded, clutching the back of her chair.

     “Unless you'd be more comfortable working out there,” Ryder supplied, watching her speculatively from his spot in the doorway.

     “What? Oh, no. Not at all. I'm perfectly comfortable with you in me.”

     His shock formed a counterpoint to her horror.

     “In my office! I'm perfectly comfortable working with you in my office.”

About the author:

Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s putting her degree in English Lit to good use by writing contemporary erotic romance. She is the author of Clipped Wings, her debut novel, and Inked Armor.​

You can find her here:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

{Cover Reveal + Excerpt} Easy Virtue by Mia Asher

I really enjoyed Mia Asher's Arsen (my review here) so I am very excited to reveal the cover of her upcoming novel, Easy Virtue.

Title: Easy Virtue

Author: Mia Asher

Publication date: December 3rd 2014

Love is selfish…

My name is Blaire.

I’m the bad girl.

The other woman.

The one who never gets the guy in the end.

I’m the gold digger.

The bitch.

The one no one roots for.

The one you love to hate.

I hate myself too.

Everyone has a story. Are you ready for mine?

Part I

Innocence

Past

     What is love?

     I don’t know.

     I’ve never had it.

     Is it even real?

     No, I don’t think so. I mean, how can I believe in love when I’ve never witnessed it? When it seems to only exist in books and films, or in the lives of more fortunate people than me? Trust me, I know.

     Love is my personal chimera.

     I am gazing at brown eyes, admiring the richness of the color, the beauty of the man to whom they belong to.

     “You’re so beautiful, Blaire … so wet,” he murmurs, his hand going between my legs as he begins to rub me. His fingers spread me open to their soft invasion, tuning my body to his wants and needs, preparing me to be taken as the hot friction of his touch lights a wild fire within my body. It’s not the first time he has touched me like this, but each time feels better and better—the sensations all-consuming and heady.

     One finger.

     Two fingers.

     One finger.

     Two fingers.

     Over and over again.

     His invasion is fast and slow, deep and shallow. His touch is soiled heaven.

     As I open my legs wider for him, I wonder if it feels this good because of him or because I’m taking something that doesn’t belong to me and making it mine.

     “Oh God … I love you, Blaire. I love you … I love you …” he pants in my ear.

     “Don’t stop … it feels so good,” I breathe.

     Okay, maybe it’s because at this moment in time this man thinks he loves me and no one else but me, however false his proclamation may be.

     I close my eyes as his lips land on mine. He kisses me softly as if I’m made out of gold, kissing me with that familiar mouth I’ve seen smile tenderly at me so many times before. The assault of his tongue debilitates me but doesn’t incapacitate me.

     “It’s four dollars, gorgeous,” the cute barista says, smiling at me.

     I’m about to pay for my cappuccino when I hear a deep, manly voice say, “Let me get that for you.”

     A man wearing a beige suit comes forward, standing next to me as he hands the barista some bills.          “I’ve seen you around … you’re Paige’s friend.”

     I smile, licking my suddenly dry lips. “Thank you, and yes … I know Paige.”

     The smile on his handsome face seems to freeze as his gaze follows the tip of my tongue, the spark of hunger brightening his eyes. Inwardly, I smile because who knew it was so easy to make men desire me, particularly when I went without attention for so long.

     “My pleasure. Are you,” he coughs, “here with someone else?”

     I shake my head and look at him through fluttering eyelashes. “No, I’m here all by myself.” I pause, touching his arm invitingly, and smile. “Would you like to join me?”

     He looks around the coffee shop, probably considering if he should, if it’s proper to do so, but less than five seconds later, he’s staring at me once again. “Sure.”

     Yes, just like that.

     The beige walls are spinning.

     The clock is ticking.

     The bedsprings creak as the moon cries outside the motel window.

     And the man above me kisses me while he fingers me, preparing me for him. Gotta love such a thoughtful man.

     I can taste his sweet saliva mixing with mine, and I love it.

     “Please,” I beg against his lips, reaching for his hard cock and wrapping my fingers around it. “I’m ready.”

     I feel his mouth leave mine as he begins to make his way down my partially dressed body. “Are you sure, Blaire? Are you sure you want to do this with me?”

     I open my eyes to witness what I think I want him to do. No, what I’m sure I want him to do. I can’t help the smile I feel playing on my lips as I see him struggling with his conscience. He asks me if I’m sure when he has already fucked my mouth with his cock countless number of times, when his fingers have filled every orifice of my body. Should I laugh? No … I decide to take pity instead.

     “I’m sure, so sure,” I say, letting my arms land like dead weight on the bed, the cheap fabric rough against my skin.

     “All right.”

     When I feel the bed dip between my legs, I instinctively open them for him and watch as he brings a condom package to his mouth. As he rips it open with his teeth, I admire his perfect full lips that emphasize how masculine he is.

     I feel pleased with myself.

     So fucking pleased because he wants me.

     Mr. Callahan wants me. Me. Can you believe it? Chubby Blaire. Ugly and awkward Blaire.

     Unlovable Blaire.

     I guess I’m not that ugly anymore. My body? What was considered fat as a child is now called boobs and ass. Guys want it. They want me. They want to touch me, grope me, feel me … they want to screw me. And it feels good to be wanted … so good. It makes me feel powerful, and like a potent drug spreading inside your bloodstream, I want more.

     I need more.

     “Hurry up,” I say, not bothering to be shy or coy about it. I mean, he brought me here to have sex, right?

     “Fuck, give me a second, Blaire. Trying to get the damn condom on my dick.”

     As he rolls the rubber on his stiff dick, his eyes wonder over my bare chest, my face, my spread legs. Shaking his head as if trying to clear his mind, he mutters, “You’re so beautiful. I want you so much.”

     That’s not the first time I have heard those words come out of a man’s mouth. Josh tells me all the time how beautiful I am, how perfect I am, how much he wants me, how much he loves me. But he’s my friend with benefits. The words kind of lose their meaning when it’s the same person saying them to you over and over again.

     “Show me.”

     Those two words are all it takes for him to spread my legs wider with his hands and finally enter me with his throbbing dick. Pain shoots through my body, and a groan escapes my mouth when he covers my body with his. I feel his whole length inside me in one deep thrust.

     “Christ, you’re so tight.”

     He lifts both my legs, wrapping them around his lean waist and starts to thrust. Hard. It hurts. But I like the pain. It sobers me.

     And that’s when reality comes crashing down on me. It hits me with the speed and blinding power of a torpedo, making me realize what I’m doing. What I’m giving away and the man doesn’t even know it.

     What the hell am I doing?

     Proving that you are your mother’s daughter.

     Making her proud.

     The room is filled with the noises of the man grunting his pleasure and the wet slapping of our skin; it makes me want to gag. I want to throw up. Maybe it’s the alcohol I drank.

     Maybe it’s self-disgust.

     The initial pain is gone and now I just feel sore. And strange.

     His beautiful face lowers, his lips about to connect with mine, and I feel the bile rise inside my throat. I turn my face to the side, his kiss landing on my cheek. My eyes watch the way the lights in the bathroom illuminate all its used and dirty ugliness.

     “Oh God, I’m going to come … I’m going to come … I’m going to come,” he continues to pant in my ear, pumping in and out of my body. Before I know what’s happening, he half-screams and half groans, his body going tense on top of mine.

     And just like that it’s over. In less than five minutes I’ve managed to kill a part of me.

     Our breathing evens and he pulls out, moving to stand up. I push myself up on my elbows to see him inspect his condom. It still glistens. By the time he lifts his eyes, connecting with mine, I’ve already wrapped my body with the duvet cover.

     Confusion, shock, and pleasure reflect in those brown eyes. “I-I didn’t know … I …” His hands go to his hair as we stare at each other. “I didn’t know you were a virgin.”

     I shrug my shoulder carelessly, causing the duvet to slide down, exposing my bare breasts to him. His eyes immediately flare with lust. “It doesn’t matter … I wanted it to be you.”

     And that’s the truth.

     “But—”

    “But nothing. If it bothers you, then forget it happened. I already did,” I say, ending the conversation.

    This is my body. I will have the last word. Not him. Not anyone. This is my life. This is my decision.

    Without giving myself a chance to doubt my next words, I turn to look at him in all his naked beauty, the gold wedding ring on his finger catching my attention. “Don’t worry, Mr. Callahan … I won’t tell your daughter that you fucked her classmate.”

     And with that, I seal my destiny.

About the author:

My name is Mia Asher.

I'm a writer, a hopeless romantic, a wanderer, a dreamer, a cynic, and a believer. And, oh yes…I might be a bit crazy - but who isn't?

You can stalk follow her here:

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Review: Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh

Title: Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss #1)

Author: Nalini Singh

Publisher: TKA Distribution

Publication date: September 9th 2014

Buy the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

A bad boy wrapped in a sexy, muscled, grown-up package might be worth a little risk… 

Molly Webster has always followed the rules. After an ugly scandal tore apart her childhood and made her the focus of the media’s harsh spotlight, she vowed to live an ordinary life. No fame. No impropriety. No pain. Then she meets Zachary Fox, a tattooed bad boy rocker with a voice like whiskey and sin, and a touch that could become an addiction.

A one-night stand with the hottest rock star on the planet, that’s all it was meant to be…

Fox promises scorching heat and dangerous pleasure, coaxing Molly to extend their one-night stand into a one-month fling. After that, he’ll be gone forever, his life never again intersecting with her own. Sex and sin and sensual indulgence, all with an expiration date. No ties, no regrets. Too late, Molly realizes it isn’t only her body that’s become addicted to Fox, but her heart…

(Image and summary taken from Goodreads.)

Review:

When I heard that Nalini Singh would be releasing a Contemporary Romance, I knew that I needed it. Like, with a burning passion. If there are two things that I love, they would have to be rock star romances and Nalini Singh; and putting those two things together pretty much made my year. Rock Addiction had me addicted, I could not pull myself away from it, while the story may not have been the most original, the intensity and writing really drew me in.

While Molly may have been apprehensive about Fox, I was apprehensive about her. I felt that she was a bit too innocent (if you know what I mean) and the genericness of that aspect of her kinda bummed me out, even her being a librarian added to that. But what distracted me from her virginal-ness was her snark and fierceness, I really liked that Molly gave as good as she got. And while her occupation had a downside in terms of originality, I liked that it bled into her everyday life as well; her unintentional usage of highfalutin (hehe) words was really cute. As I read on, I grew to like Molly not just as a character, but also as a human being. Nalini Singh was able to flesh her out and make her likeable and more realistic, someone with normal problems (and not just a rockstar chasing after you). In the beginning, Molly started out as a dull blade, aged and rusty with unuse, her fears preventing her from doing anything significant, but as the story wore on, she started to sharpen and become lethal, someone brave and confident enough to face the craziness that is the life of being a rockstar's girl and also to know and accept her own self.

Zachary Fox was the epitome of a rockstar sex god. His voice was actual sex, like, insta-eargasm. If you have never done the dirty deed, just listen to his voice, that is what sex sounds and feels like; Fox's voice will wrap itself around your body, slowly caressing you and while it is whispering the most erotic things to your ear, it will also fill your body up until all you can think and breathe is Fox. *fans self* I swear, that man is so damn potent. Fox is the perfect mix of dirty, sexy man and sweet, protective lover. Make no mistake, while he may have a soft side (usually only shown to Molly), he is still an alpha male and like to be in charge. Like, please, you can be in charge of me any time. I mean it, any time. Ahem, excuse me. But seriously speaking, I loved the way Nalini Singh characterised Fox. Sighhh.

The chemistry between Fox and Molly was evident right from the very beginning, the sexual tension was so thick I could literally feel it emanating from the book. I really enjoyed the banter between them, the clash of ideas and personalities made their relationship all the more interesting. The two had their ups and downs but that fueled the romance between them even more (angry sex = so hot). But their relationship wasn't just about their sexual chemistry, the stories exchanged between them and the trust that grew between them warmed my heart. I was also very impressed by how Nalini Singh was able to paint the image of what it is like being with a rockstar and how the public will view it. The whole paparazzi and fame aspect of the book added more drama and excitement to the book. I found myself cheering for Fox and Molly throughout to book. I mean, who wouldn't?

I was very surprised by Nalini Singh's writing in this book; it was completely different from her normal style. It was impressive how she was able to distance herself from her normal writing and transition into a different voice; it almost felt like I was not reading her book but then I would find signature bits and pieces of her in Rock Addiction that reminded me why I love Nalini Singh so much. I swear, that woman is some kind of writing goddess. *bows down*

Rock Addiction is the perfect read for anyone who is looking for a book with the right amount of angst, steam (okay, Rock Addiction was H-O-T) and substance; this book was not just about Molly and Fox, Nalini Singh created a great cast of characters that will make you laugh, sympathise and fall in love with them. Nalini Singh was able to compose the the most perfectly imperfect song with Rock Addiction, the edges and rhythm rough and sensual but tone and harmony balanced and will greatly appeal to your senses, get ready to be taken to a whole new level of wow, you will not want to stop listening to this song (trust me, you will have the best/worst case of Last Song Syndrome). You will be addicted. I really look forward to reading to rest of the Rock Kiss series!

Rating:

ARC Review: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3)
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: Dutton
Publication date: August 14th 2014
Source: Review copy received from publisher (Thank you sooo much, National Book Store and Penguin!!)
Buy the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble



From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

(Image and summary taken from Goodreads.)

Review:

Books like these make my life a lot more optimistic. From the first page to the last, this book radiated romance and kilig-ness (is there an English translation for that?) I love how it started with a silly Isla and not a perfect goddess of sexiness. It adds a touch of reality to the story. I also love how their problem seems to be a real possible problem, one that is not too overused either. I mean, I know how parents can be so unaccepting of young love and how someone always cheats on the other but Isla and Josh's problem seemed so crazy and wild that I just immediately knew it could happen somewhere, sometime. In all it's glory, Isla and the Happily Ever After is definitely something I would read and re-read and let others read. (Yup, that great).

I feel that Ms. Perkins' writing style really grew all the while staying true to the sweet, romantic prose she is known for. Isla's story-line is more "filled" and well constructed compared to Anna and the French Kiss. Though Anna was as great, I just feel Isla had a bigger impression and impact on me in comparison to her two previous works. 

Isla made it into my "Fictional BFFs list" because 1) Her personality is like a thousand watt light bulb (super bright once you turn it on) 2) She is sensitive and in an okay way. She takes notes on the people around her and how they react to what she says. Some people may find that weird, but I think it is a great quality. 3) She is smart and sensible but reckless and spontaneous at the same time. 4) Josh is her man-candy. Which makes me friends with him too. Perks!! Josh also makes it into my "Swoon" list because he is as cute as he is complex. I really dislike it when characters are too predictable for their own good. One can only read too much YA books and not know that that seemingly perfect goody-two shoes will be the one who will cause the relationship to fail or that mysterious, brooding punk is the perfect boyfriend. These days, few twists and problems actually push me to think if they can happen and "reckless" behavior sometimes is not so reckless for me anymore but Isla and Josh proved themselves different from the lot. Their relationship is not as whirlwind as the rest and that is what I liked about it because it gave me the impression that even long after I read the last page, their love will still go strong. 

Supplementary characters like the lovebirds Anna and Etienne and head over heels Lola and Cricket really adds a touch of humor/friendship to the story. I do not know why, but I have always loved books that incorporate characters from previous books into the new one. It makes me feel smart for some odd reason.

Isla and the Happily Ever After (whew, what a mouthful!) really shed a new, interesting light on how teenage love affairs can be and how sometimes even the best of people make the worst of mistakes. 

Rating:

Review: Shameless by Nina Lemay

Title: Shameless
Author: Nina Lemay
Publication date: August 19th 2014
Buy the book: Amazon



Girls like me don’t get happy endings.

I know what I am. At worst a cliché, at best a cautionary tale. I put an international border between me and my past, only to wind up working in a low-end titty bar. Even my excuse is as lame as it gets: I’m paying for college, getting my art degree from Montreal’s most prestigious school. Although some days it becomes confusing: am I just a student who moonlights as a stripper, or a stripper who masquerades as a student?

But the inevitable happens and my two lives collide. And now there’s one other person who knows both the quiet, antisocial Hannah and the sensual, shameless Alicia. One person who keeps my secret.

He’s beautiful, he’s sophisticated. He comes from the other side of life, the one where I’m not wanted or accepted. But he calls me la petite Américaine, and his hot, hot hands on my skin promise me things I long ago gave up on.

The problem? He teaches my Classic Photography class.

(Image and summary taken from Goodreads.)

Review:

If there are two things I love when it comes to book themes, they would be strippers and student/teacher relationships. And Nina Lemay made my every fantasy come true when she decided to write a book about a stripper in a student/teacher relationship There is something about the taboo that makes it so enticing and addicting but it is also a topic that does not incite a lot of creativity in authors. Fortunately, Lemay had no problem in terms of creativity and uniqueness of her plot. And I will admit, I shamelessly devoured this book in a matter of hours and even asked for seconds.

Hannah's cynicism and confidence felt like a welcome home hug from my two best friends. I have a deep infatuation for heroines who can tell people off and have a very deep and intellectual mind. Although most would think that those characteristics are actually Alicia's (Hannah's stripper alter-ego) and not Hannah's, I beg to differ. The two have identical voices and I believe that Hannah just needs to discover that all that spunk and snark actually belongs to her. I really enjoyed being in Hannah's mind, the way she sees things gave the world a dimmer light but also managed to tilt it sideways, her mind was different, intriguing and very enthralling. I just could not stop reading! (Hannah actually reminds me of Maise from Leah Raeder's Unteachable, I can't decide if they would make great friends or be enemies because their personalities would clash.) I also really liked how vulnerable Hannah was at times but still manages to straighten her back, keep her chin up and snap her fingers in Z-formation. Her  growth as a protagonist and as a person progressed and showed as the book went on and I found myself looking up to her as she matured but still stayed true to herself. Hannah and Emmanuel's relationship was also a factor in her character growth.

I am still trying to decide if I love Emmanuel or if I am going to friendzone him. I loved him and Hannah together but there were times I felt as if for every step they took forward, they had to take three back. Their lack of trust in each other was their undoing. While their "love" was very passionate, it lacked the emotional connection between the two. There were also times when I felt as if Emmanuel was way harsh towards Hannah about her occupation. I mean, dude, give her a break! But what really struck me the most about Emmanuel was his backstory. When Hannah and Emmanuel's layers were being pulled back and their secrets exposed, I realized how much both of them let their pasts affect their future and because of this, their capacity to trust each other diminished. I was very impressed with the way Lemay piece things back together.

This may come as a surprise but what really amazed me about Shameless wasn't the romance between the two characters, it was the portrayal of women in this book. How women are actually condemned in society and are constantly victimized and preyed on because no matter how much we fight for women's rights, the stigma in society will take a looong time to destroy. The craziness and suffering that Hannah went through absolutely broke my heart but her bravery and determination made me want to hug her. Putting herself out like that? Amazing. I also have a newfound respect for strippers, really.

There were only a few characters that were mentioned in this book but Lemay managed to give them all a role. I never expected some people to turn out the way they did but as I read on, their roles started to make sense. Also, I super adored Marys, one of Hannah's coworkers. Haha!

Shameless is not just about a stripper in a student/teacher relationship, you may think that at first but as you read on, you'll see what I mean. Shameless is about self-discovery and finding that fight in you to defend yourself no matter how bleak the situation may be. This book was raw, powerful and spoke volumes, it transcended the very boundaries that society had set and freed itself. Reading Shameless was a beautiful experience and I definitely look forward to reading more of Nina Lemay's books.

Rating: