The crossing paths of friendship, family, love, and loss are often complicated.

June Deckert and Caroline Smith sparked a friendship in college that carried them through graduation. Although they are complete opposites in every way, they have spent the last four years inseparable.

That is, until now.

June finds herself falling for a man who seems unattainable. As she works side by side with him on a new media campaign, their feelings for each other come alive. But when his actions start to speak louder than words, she wonders if she’s missing something.

Meanwhile, Caroline is fighting against her feelings for a recent acquaintance, and she decides to keep her new love interest a secret from June. Overwhelmed by these new emotions, her moods change swiftly, swinging up and down like a yo-yo.

While June and Caroline try to maneuver their way through new relationships, Caroline starts lying to June to protect her from a truth that threatens to break her heart and tear them apart.

In the end, Caroline’s deceit will test their friendship, and June will have to decide if her chance at love is worth putting her heart on the line.

I’m not sure why I did it, but I got up two hours early, took an extra long shower, made sure my hair cooperated, and put on my good makeup. Okay, that’s a lie. I know exactly why I put so much effort into getting ready. Today, I am supposed to see Cohen. Not only am I supposed to see Cohen, but we also have plans to go out to dinner. Once again, I’m unsure about what he wants to discuss, but this time, I’m trying not to make any assumptions. Also on the agenda, I hope to not injure him or myself while we’re spending time together.

I walk into the office with my chin up and a big smile on my face. If he is already here, I want to look like I’ve been fine. I sure as hell don’t want him thinking that I’ve been moping around and pining away for him since last Friday morning. Making my way through the maze of cubicles toward my office, I see no sign of him. I let out a sigh as I step through my door. I place my workbag next to the desk, and I turn to glance at the clock.

Something moves in my peripheral vision. It scares me enough to make me jump back, causing me to fall into my large potted plant-tree-thing in the corner. To avoid hitting the ground, I sit cockeyed in the pot. My face is covered in limbs and large green leaves. Peeking through the human-eating plant, I can see Cohen sitting on the comfortable sofa with one hand held over his mouth. I don’t hear any sounds, but from the looks of it, he’s laughing. For some reason, my usual standoffish self takes a holiday. I launch myself up from my seat in the pot holding the plant, and I take brisk steps toward him.

“What are you doing in my office? Do you enjoy scaring the crap out of women and causing near catastrophes? Or is it just when you see me?”

His eyes grow wide, and those sexy wrinkles beside his eyes fade. Thank God. I don’t think I could hold on to my angry attitude if he kept smiling.

“Mr. Hargrove wanted me to tell you that we’ll be meeting in the conference room at eight thirty. I have to leave by the end of the week, so we need to get started on the rest of our project. I came to tell you, but you weren’t here yet, so I made myself comfortable. I’m sorry if I scared you.”

“Right. Okay. Well, you can go now. I’ll see you at the meeting,” I say, turning toward my desk.

With my shoulders back and head held high, I walk over to my desk chair and sit. Looking back at Cohen, I give him the meanest stare I can muster.

“See you there.” He stands to leave, but then hesitates as if he wants to say something else. His mouth is open, but then he bites down on his bottom lip, holding back.

“Did you need something else?”

“Actually, I was just going to tell you that unless you enjoy the feel of sitting on bark, you should probably find a mirror and wipe off your skirt.”

You have got to be kidding me!

He walks out of the office with the wrinkles by his eyes reappearing.

My rating: 4.5 stars

“I talked myself into believing that I lost my chance at a lifelong love because of what I had done…until your eyes met mine at that airport”

Crossing Paths was a great little read. I enjoyed every minute of it. June and Caroline became instant friends at a party in college and were inseparable after that moment. After college both woman moved to Texas, where June’s family is from, to start their careers. 

Soon after moving to Texas, Caroline is introduced Liam who just so happens to be off limits to her. She struggles with her attraction towards him and the idea that she shouldn’t be. Liam, who is also struggling with the same feelings, thinks he is ready to prove his family wrong and maybe settle down. Do they keep fighting these feeling or give into them?

June is sent on a business trip and that is where she sees him…Cohen. She is instantly attracted to him. When he passes by her on the plane she thoroughly embarrasses herself which leaves a lasting impression on Cohen.  They end up crossing paths again and Cohen feels things for June that he hasn’t felt in a long time for anyone, but is he ready? Is he ready to move on and share a part of himself with June? Will June see past Cohen’s actions and see what he really feels?

Crossing Paths is from the POV of all four characters. In the beginning it took a little bit to get used to jumping back and forth between the different points of view, but I ended up loving it. I loved being in the head of the men and seeing how different they saw things than the women. This was such a sweet read that had a little bit everything. It made me smile, it made me mad, it made me sad and even shed some tears.  This was a great debut novel for Melanie Stinnett and I can’t wait to read more from her.

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I have enjoyed reading and writing since I was very young. Some of my fondest memories from childhood are of spending time with my mom or grandma reading a good book. Over the years, it never crossed my mind that writing my own novel would be an attainable goal. After reading several independently published novels by Jamie McGuire, Colleen Hoover and others, I decided I needed to give that dream a chance.

When I’m not reading and writing, I enjoy spending time with my three favorite guys: my husband and my two little boys.

Find Melanie Stinnett:

Twitter - https://twitter.com/melstinnett_

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMelanieStinnett

Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6884041.Melanie_Stinnett

Website/Blog - http://melaniestinnett.com/

 Amazon

Very Bad Things Promo Buzz

Born into a life of privilege and secrets, Nora Blakely has everything any nineteen-year-old girl could desire.  She’s an accomplished pianist, a Texas beauty queen, and on her way to Princeton after high school.  She’s perfect…

Leaving behind her million dollar mansion and Jimmy Choos, she becomes a girl hell-bent on pushing the limits with alcohol, drugs, and meaningless sex. 

Then she meets her soulmate.  But he doesn’t want her.

When it comes to girls, twenty-five-year old Leo Tate has one rule:  never fall in love.  His gym and his brother are all he cares about…until he meets Nora.  He resists the pull of their attraction, hung up on their six year age difference.

As they struggle to stay away from each other, secrets will be revealed, tempers will flare, and hearts will be broken.

Welcome to Briarcrest Academy…where sometimes, the best things in life are

Very Bad Things.

Excerpt #1

Nora and Leo Meet

“Drop the paint and turn around slowly with your hands in the air.” The loud command was said with a deep voice. “I’ve got a gun, so move nice and slow.”

I bent over and placed the can on the pavement. I started to turn when— “I said put your hands in the air!” he yelled.

I yanked my hands up and eased around to face the owner of the voice.

He was about ten feet away from me, standing six feet and then some. He was missing a shirt but wearing a pair of black athletic shorts and flip-flops. Judging by his disheveled dirty blond hair and bloodthirsty eyes, I’d have to guess this might be the owner of the Escalade.

And I’d just woken him up.

He came closer to me, and my eyes were immediately drawn to his green-and-blue dragon tattoo. Like a giant snake, the scaled body of the dragon wrapped around his forearm and bicep with the neck coming down from his shoulder and the head resting on his broad chest. Red flames poured from its mouth, between laser sharp teeth.

This guy looked medieval.

So, I squinted and pictured him as a rugged Viking, wearing a horned helmet and gripping a spear instead of a gun. Maybe holding a shield instead of his flashlight and definitely wearing some of those laced-up leather boots. The word berserker (from round two of the famous spelling bee) came to mind, and I rolled the syllables around my tongue . . . ber-serk-er. Yep, that was him alright: one pissed off Norse warrior.

I grinned at my amazing analogy because, well, I’d had too much to drink.

“You think this is funny, son?” he snapped.

I shook my head, suddenly aware that some guy was pointing a gun at me.

And he thought I was a boy.

Excerpt #2

Leo Resists Nora

As if he’d made a decision, he pulled me out into the quiet hallway. Once we were alone, he said, “Now, about last night—” he stopped, appearing stuck on what to say.

“Yeah?”

He took two steps away from me, like he needed some space between us, like what he was going to say was difficult. He ran his hand through his hair furiously, pulling on the ends a little. “Nora, look, I think you’re a pretty girl, but there won’t be anything between us.”

My face flushed because I had acted inappropriately last night. Like a slut, really. Yet I didn’t regret it. And then there was my bad list. I wanted him for my meaningless sex. Still.

“Because you think I’m too young.”

“Yes.” He blew out a breath. “I’m sorry if I come across as a prick here, but I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about me. I don’t do serious relationships ever, and you deserve something good, not just a quick fuck.”

I stared at his full lips, not holding back. “I like it when you say ‘fuck.’”

Excerpt #3

The Kiss in the Library

“I got one last request, and I’ll never ask again,” Leo said.

“What?” I croaked out.

He set his books on a shelf and then took mine and set them beside his. He tugged me to him until our chests were touching.

“What are you doing?” I mumbled in confusion.

He put his hands on either side of my face and slid them into my hair, letting out a breath as if in relief. “Just saying goodbye, Nora.”

“You’re going to kiss me?” I asked, tears pricking my eyes at the sadness in his face.

“Please, just this last time, Buttercup,” he said.

And with that one word, I was his.

He lowered his head, his gaze holding me captive. When our lips touched, his heated eyes stayed open and mine did, too. My mouth melted into his, moaning as his hot tongue explored the details of my tongue, my teeth, my lips. We started slow but it escalated rapidly, the passion between us burning higher and higher. He owned me with his mouth, and I was lost.

I palmed his ass, grinding myself against him. He hissed at the increased pressure and pushed me back against the sturdy bookshelf, positioning me so his hips fit into my pelvis. I lifted one of my legs, and he caught it and wrapped it around him.

“Say my name,” he muttered gruffly as I sucked hard at his neck. He grunted, and I dug my nails into his back as I kissed my way around his collarbone, sucking another spot.

“Say it, Nora.”

“Leo, Leo, Leo,” I pleaded, arching my back and pushing into him.

He shuddered. “Fucking love that,” he whispered.

 He placed his lips back on mine, dominating my mouth, like a man starved. All I could think about was him, him, him . . . his lips, his tongue, his taste, his butterscotch smell. I wanted all of him, and I’d never have him, and that thought made me frantic. I gripped him tighter, pushed my nails deeper, and kissed him harder.

I never wanted to say goodbye.

Ilsa Madden-Mills wrote her first work at the age of twelve when she penned a little ditty about a handsome prince who had no sense. Since then, she’s always written, whether it was for work or fun. When she was young, she entered every short story and poetry contest around; when she was in college, she wrote for the university paper; when she taught English, she wrote a play along with a wonderful group of drama students.

Very Bad Things is her first full-length novel and part of a new series called Briarcrest Academy.

She graduated summa cum laude with a master’s in English from an esteemed university in the South where she now resides. She spends her days with two small kids, a neurotic cat, and her Viking husband. When she’s not typing away at a story, you can find her drinking too much Diet Coke, jamming out to Pink, or checking on her carefully maintained chocolate stash.

She loves to hear from fans and fellow avid readers. Check her out on Facebook or her author website.

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7059622.Ilsa_Madden_Mills

Book trailer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue0eLwXXpdc

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorilsamaddenmills

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/ilsamaddenmills

Author Website:  https://www.ilsamaddenmills.com

Through Glass Cover Reveal

We are so excited to be able to bring to you the cover reveal for Rebecca Ethington’s THROUGH GLASS which releases in less than a month on September 20th, 2013.



Both the book’s cover and description are awesome and more than a little bit chilling and we cannot wait for its release.



If you’d like to know more about the author, Rebecca Ethington, be sure to check out her website, or any of the other places she hangs out online.



And if you can’t wait until September 20th for the release of THROUGH GLASS, the first book in her Imdalind series, KISS OF FIRE, is now available in eBook format for free at AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE and for the KOBO.



We love the cover, but what do you think?

COMING SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2013

About THROUGH GLASS



Everyone remembers the day the sky went black. They remember the screams as the blackness ate those who were out in the open, those who surrounded themselves by light, and those who made noise.



Everyone remembers the voice from the sky, the way food disappeared.



Everyone remembers the day the sky went black, and the sun was wiped from the sky.



At least that’s what I hope. I hope that there is an ‘everyone’ that will remember.



I hope that I am not alone.



Because I remember.



I remember, because it was the day I became alone.



It was the day the house went silent, and the birds stopped singing. It was the day when everyone disappeared, everyone except the boy, the only person I have seen in two years.



The boy I talk to through the glass.

GOODREADS

***

About Rebecca Ethington



Rebecca Ethington has been telling stories since she was small. First, with writing crude scripts, and then on stage with years of theatrical performances. The Imdalind Series is her first stint into the world of literary writing.



Rebecca is a mother to two, and wife to her best friend of 14 years. She was born and raised in the mountains of Salt Lake City, and hasn’t found the desire to leave yet. Her days are spent writing, running, and enjoying life with her amazing family.

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | WEBSITE | GOODREADS | PINTEREST | TUMBLR

Bully Review

My name is Tate. He doesn't call me that, though. He would never refer to me so informally, if he referred to me at all. No, he'll barely even speak to me.

But he still won't leave me alone.

We were best friends once. Then he turned on me and made it his mission to ruin my life. I've been humiliated, shut out, and gossiped about all through high school. His pranks and rumors got more sadistic as time wore on, and I made myself sick trying to stay out of his way. I even went to France for a year, just to avoid him.

But I'm done hiding from him now, and there's no way in hell I'll allow him to ruin my senior year. He might not have changed, but I have. It's time to fight back.

*This novel contains adult/mature young adult situations. It is only suitable for ages 18+ due to language, violence, and sexual situations.

**This book is the first in a series but can be read as a STAND ALONE. The next books will focus on side characters from this story.

When I started this book, I didn't know what to expect.  I expected your typical case of mean boy picks on girl and ruins her life.  Boy was I wrong!
Tate moved in next to Jared after her mom died when she was 10 years old and it was an instant connection between her and the boy who lives next door, Jared.  They did everything together and were destin to be bff's for the rest of their lives.  The summer before her freshman year, Jared goes off to spend the summer with his dad and comes back with a very strong disliking to Tate.  He pretty much makes her life a living hell- to the point that she takes off her Junior year of high school to France to become a foreign exchange student.  Well, just like Jared, she comes back a changed girl and has decided that she is not going to be a fly on the wall anymore and take any of the crap that Jared puts in front of her.

I LOVE that you can see how Tate evolves in this book from a wallflower to a girl who don't take shit from anyone.  You can see the sparks that fly between her and Jared and that is part of the fun of the book.  You know that there is a story as to why Jared treats her the way that he does, trying to guess is part of the fun of the book.  At one point you are cheering Tate on as she is racing cars on the dirt track and then wondering why Jared let her drive his car to begin with.  When it finally comes down to Tate knowing why Jared acts the way that he does towards her,  you go through the emotions with her as she tries to decide if she should or shouldn't forgive him.
I honestly could not put this books down and if you are a fan of New Adult Fiction, then this is one that you need to read.  I can't wait for the other books in the series as those characters are fun to read about.  


We asked Jared why you should read Bully~

Jared’s Top Ten Reasons You Should Read BULLY!

1. Learn how to shut down a noisy neighbor's party in seconds.

2. The sexual tension might actually set fire to your Kindle.

3. Girls push back. Literally.

4. Your teeth will clench, tears will fall, and your heart will pound. All in one scene.

5. Fast cars...with female drivers?

6. Guns to knife fights.

7. Tate got in more fist fights than I did.

8. It almost made ME cry.

9. Great frickin’ playlist!

10. Sex, lies, and videotape.

Penelope Douglas is a writer and teacher in Las Vegas. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, she is the oldest of five children. Penelope attended the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, because her father told her to "just get the degree!" She then earned a Masters of Science in Education at Loyola University in New Orleans, because she hated Public Administration. One night, she got tipsy and told the bouncer at the bar where she worked that his son was hot, and three years later they were married. To the son, not the bouncer. They have spawn, but just one. A daughter named Aydan. Penelope loves sweets, the show Sons of Anarchy, and she shops at Target almost daily.

AUTHOR CONTACT INFO

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

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7139136.Penelope_Douglas

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PenDouglas

http://www.amazon.com/Bully-Fall-Away-1-ebook/dp/B00DGT3VL2/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1377669089

Addicted to You Book Tour

When twenty-one-year-old Leah Carter’s latest one night stand burglarizes her apartment, her roommate forces her to attend therapy for sex addicts. Leah insists she isn’t a sex addict; she just doesn’t do relationships. After all, sooner or later, everyone lets you down.

At first, the group sessions are little more than an education on how to be promiscuous. Until she meets the newest addict—blue eyes, killer body, and a smile that tempts relapse.

Psychology student Will McLean is posing as a fellow addict while researching a case study on unusual addictions. But the more he learns about Leah, the more certain he is that his desire to break through her walls and unearth her secrets has nothing to do with his assignment.

As the uncertainties spike alongside the sexual tension, the only thing Leah knows for sure is that falling in love would be disastrous. Too bad love might be one addiction she can’t kick.

Addicted to You is a playful and quick read, perfect for anyone looking to cure a serious book hangover. I was hooked in a matter of pages, and consumed this novel in less than two hours.

Colina Brennan delivers humor, characters you can’t help but fall in love with, and some wicked sexual tension in her debut novel. There is something so refreshing about this story that makes it truly enjoyable for readers of all genres.

After a random hookup goes awry, Leah is forced into group therapy for sex addicts. Hell. Yes. She hates every minute of it and refuses to admit she is an addict. I loved the therapy scenes because there were so many whack-o attendees. The banter between all of the various characters made me smile and laugh. There was never a dull moment.

Oh the characters! I loved Leah. She had wit and sass, but there was also a vulnerable side to her when it came to her family. She only wants the best for her little brother, and that means having him move in her with and away from her parents.

I also adored Finn. He was the perfect tension breaker when moments between Leah and Will got hot and heavy. He was saucy and at times did whatever he wanted without regrets or apologies. There were plenty of awkward yet funny scenes when Finn was involved.

Hello, sexual tension. This novel has plenty of it. Some of the dirty thoughts are hot. Every time Leah went off on a dirty thought tangent about Will, I wanted to high five her. Then there were moments where the sexual tension was downright hilarious. I’m looking at you old lady in therapy.

Overall I was thoroughly impressed with Addicted to You. In a market full of angst and drama, Colina Brennan shines with this entertaining and sweet story. Treat yourself to this fresh new read and one-click it today!

Author Links:

Website: http://colinabrennan.blogspot.ca/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7068218.Colina_Brennan

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrennanColina

http://www.amazon.com/Addicted-to-You-ebook/dp/B00DKAQGSW/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1377667743&sr=1-3&keywords=addicted+to+you

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