Rocking the Christmas Tree by KE Osburn

Book: Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree - A Red Velvet Christmas Novel
Author: KE Osborn
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Hosted By:Francessca’s Romance Reviews

SYNOPSIS



My name is Amber.
I’m the girl who dated a rock star.
The girl who supposedly tore said rock star and his girlfriend apart.

A love triangle so heart wrenching, I was left devastated and alone.
But that was only the beginning of my story…

I’m a single mother, trying to be a rock chick in a world that hates me, chaos is my middle name.
My mother died at Christmas – the anniversary of her death, just around the corner. I’m on edge.

My name is Brax.
I’m a returned soldier.
A man with dark demons.

I’ve been hired as a bodyguard for my best mate’s sister.
This red-headed goddess had my heart from the moment she walked back into my life.

Amber's life is changing. Can the new man occupying her mind, body and soul, help her realise Christmas is a time for happiness and maybe even... love?

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EXCERPT

My entire body covers in goose bumps and a shiver runs down my spine. I gasp slightly at the sensation washing over me, as I manage to pull my eyes from his and draw them over the rest of his features. His dirty blond hair is disheveled in just the right way, and his chiseled jaw is lightly scattered with an afternoon shadow. My body tenses at how ruggedly handsome this man is, and it’s unnerving. I haven’t reacted to simply looking at someone like this before. He truly has taken my breath away. Swallowing hard, I try to rein in my composure, but I’m finding it increasingly difficult to not just step toward him to be closer to his brilliance.
It’s like time stops still as his eyes meet mine again and something passes between us, a reciprocal understanding that this attraction is definitely mutual. I can hear Mason talking, but I can’t concentrate on anything he’s saying as I take a step out of Mason’s grip and toward him. Hunter clears his throat breaking the tension and pulls me to him even further.
“Amber, you remember Brax, right?” he asks and I shake my head slightly in disbelief. He’s nothing like I remember. “You don’t remember, Brax?” he asks again and Brax’s lips turn up into a slight smile.
“No. Shit, sorry. I do remember you, it’s just you look so…different,” I say my pitch a little higher than what I was aiming for.



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About The Author



Australian author K E Osborn was born and raised in Adelaide, South Australia. With a background in graphic design and a flair for all things creative, she felt compelled to write the story brewing in her mind.

Writing gives her life purpose. It makes her feel, laugh, cry, and get completely enveloped with the characters and their story lines. She feels completely at home when writing and wouldn’t consider doing anything else.

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Like Arrows by Freya Barker

Book: Like Arrows
Series: Cedar Tree #6
Author: Freya Barker
Cover Designer: Margreet Assleberg
Hosted By:Francessca’s Romance Reviews

Synopsis



An assignment has just turned interesting for GFI investigator Malachi Whitetail. When a shy, mousy woman walks into his local diner, it takes him a minute to recognize her as an employee of the real estate office he’s been monitoring. Not a believer in coincidence, Mal decides a closer look at the short brunette might be warranted. It will be the first, but certainly not the last time, he finds himself coming to her rescue.

Kimeo Lowe leads a pretty quiet existence, which is why, when she ends up a witness to a crime, her curiosity into her boss’s suspected shady dealings gets kicked into high gear. She may not be the most sociable of people, but she’s always been independent and industrious, so when an opportunity to dig a little deeper arises, she doesn’t think twice. It would seem that this time she’s bitten off a bit more than she can chew, and when a freakishly tall Native American Adonis intervenes not just once, she decides sleuthing may be best left to professionals. But it’s a bit too late.

Just when life has settled into a comfortable routine, Kim finds herself dealing with not just one, but two threats on her life. With every turn there are new challenges to face, and Mal is not about to let her face them alone. Not even when he turns out to be no match for her most dangerous enemy.

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EXCERPT 1

Mal

"I'll have a chicken salad and a glass of water, please."
Her voice is as timid as her appearance. Like a little mouse, she slipped in behind me and sat down at the furthest booth. Shocked, I tried my best not to display any reaction to her showing up here. I never expected to have one of the people I've been keeping an eye on show up at Arlene's Diner. Sure, it's popular around these parts, but given that I live in the apartment above and take most my meals here, it feels like more than a coincidence. This is why I'm keeping my back turned and my ears perked.

Arlene tags her the minute she comes out of the kitchen and is taking her order. Fucking chicken salad and water, who lives on that? I've had reason to keep her in my sights since taking on this assignment, and the woman rarely eats more than that from what I've seen. Seems to feel comfortable in the real estate office she works in, but the moment she steps out, she seems to want to disappear in the shadows. Head always low, never making eye contact and wrapping herself up in that godawful blanket thing—some kind of poncho.

It's her boss I'm really keeping track of. Gus got a call from the Ute Reservation a few weeks ago. The council had concerns about two farms backing onto reservation lands. The chief mentioned that both had sold within a month of the other through Martin Vedica, the little mouse's boss, and they had moved out within days. A third farm, owned by an older couple, was being targeted as well. The couple, Ezhno and Tiva Walker, had moved off the reservation some thirty years earlier to raise their family. They didn't go far, since their property backs right onto McElmo Creek near Finley Canyon, which is on reservation lands. In fact, it is wedged between reservation boundaries and the southern border of Canyons of the Ancients National Park.

Gus asked me to keep an eye out and I have, but with Vedica out of town since yesterday, I'd been using the time to do some online digging. So far, I have come up with little to nothing.
Keeping my eye on the stainless steel backsplash behind the counter, I can see in the reflection that her face is turned my way. It isn't busy in the diner right now, being lunchtime, but there are still a few booths occupied. Still I know they are her eyes burning in my back, and I wonder if she could possibly have spotted me before.

Kimeo Lowe. A rather exotic name for the pretty, but unassuming little thing hidden under layers of dark clothing. Soft voice, soft brown eyes, and from what I've been able to distinguish, a soft rounded body. Hardly the description for anyone associated with some kind of nefarious real estate deal, but you never know. Looks can be deceiving.



EXCERPT 2

Kim

The moment Mal walks out the door the reality of what happened earlier tonight sets in with a vengeance. Memories of crouching down in the pitch dark, fists stuffed in my mouth while Martin was being murdered on the other side of the door cause my stomach to roll. So much blood.
I barely make it to the powder room where I drop to my knees beside the toilet and heave until nothing is left in my stomach. When I sit back I notice it's dark, not only in the bathroom but there is no light at all. I can't remember if I turned the lights on or not. I thought I did. At least in the kitchen, but there is no glow under the door.

The shivering starts up again in my limbs and I'm struggling not to hyperventilate.
A noise somewhere in the house startles me and my heart starts hammering in my chest. Afraid to move, I wedge myself further between the toilet and the wall. All I can hear is the sound of my blood rushing in my ears. I squeeze my eyes shut and wrap my arms over my head protectively. When the door opens I make myself even smaller.

"Fuck," I hear, before I'm yanked up on my feet. I struggle against the big arms surrounding me, but they won't budge.
"Hush, Kimeo. You're safe."

The whispered words finally penetrate when a wet nose presses against my hand. "Boo?" The responding licks and distressed doggie whimper pulling me all the way into the here and now. Back into the hallway just outside the bathroom, with Mal holding on tight and Boo pushing his head against my side. I’m home—safe. There are no guys wielding guns here, just Mal and Boo coming back from a walk.
Fuck, I'm losing it.

"Let's go clean up," Mal's deep voice rumbles. I finally open my eyes and tilt my head back to find his eyes warm and concerned.

Right. I'm suddenly very aware of the fact I probably have puke-breath. That thought alone is mortifying enough, but add that to my smelly shirt, stringy hair and whatever my face looks like now, and I want the ground to open up and swallow me. Determined to create as much space as possible, I push hard against his chest. He immediately releases his arms and allows me to step back.
"I'll be okay now. You can go home." I try to make my voice sound firm, but the little hitch in my breath at the end ruins the effect.

"Not happening." Mal doesn't seem to have a problem sounding firm. I have no energy to fight him and without another word, I turn and walk to my bedroom, close the door and peel out of all my clothes, tossing them in the hamper on my way into the bathroom. There I turn on the tap until the water runs hot and I numbly step into the shower where I scrub myself raw, the faint light of dawn slipping through my window by the time I’m done.



EXCERPT 3

Mal

"Kimeo, you've gotta snap out of this."
At the mention of her full name her eyes finally snap open, looking wild and disoriented. It's Boo's soft whimpers from where his head is perched on the pillow next to hers, that seem to pull her back into the here and now.

"What?" Her voice sounds hoarse from the screaming. Turning her face away from Boo, her eyes finally focus on mine and she repeats, "What?"

"You were having a nightmare. Pretty bad from what I could tell. Do you remember?"
The confusion seems to disappear from her eyes only to be replaced with horror as she scans my face.

"Oh my God...did I do that?" Her shocked whisper has me raise a hand to my cheek where I feel a slight burn. It comes away bloody and instantly Kim's eyes fill with tears. "I am so sorry..." Her fingers skim over my face, leaving a cool soothing trail in their wake.

"It's fine. Just a scratch, honey. You did worse damage to yourself. Let's get you cleaned up." Without waiting for an answer, I reluctantly push up from her body and get off the bed, before pulling her off too. My hand firmly on the back of her neck, I guide her into the bathroom where she stares in shock at her reflection.

"I did that?"
"Mmm." I grab a washcloth from the shelf and wet it under the tap before gently wiping her throat while lifting her chin up with my other hand. "It's not that bad, have a look. Just a scratch," I reassure her.

"I was in the supply closet and the door opened, but it wasn't you. Just two eyes behind a mask. He had a knife." Her body does a full on shiver and against my better judgement, I dump the washcloth in the sink and wrap her tight in my arms. "Just a dream," I mumble in her hair.

"Yeah, but you rescued me again," she whispers in my chest before tilting her head back to look at me. "Thank you."

Fuck me. Those big liquid eyes, plump pouty lips, hell even the red blotches on her nose are impossible to resist. Keeping her gaze trapped with mine, I slant my mouth over hers and on her gasp of surprise, sweep my tongue inside for a taste. Sweet, hot, with a hint of spice—damn.
Big mistake.

When I feel the vibrations of her moan against my tongue I know I have to pull back or I'll lose all control. That moan travels all the way down to my cock and I know there's no way she missed that pressing in her belly.

Rather abruptly, I push her back by the shoulders. She has a dazed look on her face and I know exactly how she feels. In a last indulgence I run my thumb over her soft bottom lip before completely letting go of her.

"Have a shower. It'll make you feel better. I'm gonna whip us up some dinner." With that, I leave a not quite coherent Kim in the bathroom. So much for staying away from her...



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Early Feedback

This is not going to be a very long, drawn out review but only because there are only so many ways to say how much I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Freya Barker is one of my favourite authors…ever. I adore her writing style and LIKE ARROWS is now my favourite book in her Cedar Tree series. ~ Kez Korner

After reading Like Arrows by Freya Barker I have now added a new author to my "To be read" list. Kimeo and Malachi's story sucked me in from the start. I love how she had these characters evolve in a way that brought them together as a strong couple with flaws, but who complimented and boosted each other up. ~ Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

I have read all of Freya Barker's books in the Cedar Tree series and Like Arrows was freaking amazing. The story was fast paced and easy to read. I was hooked from the first page to the last. ~ Goodreads Review



About The Author



Author of the popular Cedar Tree series, as well as the critically acclaimed standalone “From Dust,” Freya Barker is driven to make her stories about 'real' people; with characters who are perhaps less than perfect, but just as deserving of romance, thrills and chills, and some hot, sizzling sex in their lives.

Recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None,” Freya has hit the ground running. She loves nothing more than to meet and mingle with her readers, whether it be online or in person at one of the signings she attends.
With her kids grown and out in the world, Freya has poured her creative energy into spinning story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

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Other Books In The Series



Slim To None

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Hundred To One

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Against Me

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Clean Lines

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Upper Hand

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The Truth Series by Elaine May

Title: The Truth Series
Author: Elaine May
Genre: Dark Romance
Cover Designed by: Francessca’s Romance Reviews
Hosted by: Francessca’s Romance Reviews

Synopsis



For the first time Isla and Joshie's story is in one book and edited for your enjoyment.

Lies And Truth

When Isla Holmes life as a child is turned upside down and she is ripped away from her soul mate, she is forced to live a life with evil.
When Isla and her soul mate cross paths will they find a happy ever after or will evil intervene?

Pain And Truth

After years apart Isla and Joshua were finally reunited in a beautiful night but come morning evil tried to destroy it. Will Isla and Joshua's love withstand the new evil that threatens them?

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Excerpt

As she sat on a park bench in the middle of Central Park, she couldn’t get over how beautiful and peaceful it was. The trees may have long ago lost their leaves and the grass may have looked almost dead due to the winter air, but Mother Nature was beautiful. Isla couldn’t help but feel blessed to be able to once again sit in the middle of it, rather than watch from a closed window. Looking at the picture-perfect view in front of her, Isla couldn’t believe she was in the centre of the most famous city in the world.

Although it was so cold, Isla couldn’t help but think how nice it was to be able to sit outside and feel the harsh wind against her cheek, breathe in the cold air, and just be able to be normal, even for just a little while.

Couples were walking hand in hand, children were screaming and running around and people just looked happy to enjoy the day. She’d always loved to be able to people-watch. People passed her by and it made her wonder what people would see if they stopped to notice her. Would they see the tears she had shed? Would they notice the finger marks around her neck. What would they see? Was it written all over her face that she was in hell, that she needed help?



About The Author



Elaine May is my Author name. I live in the West Country of England with my two beautiful daughters and yummy hubby. I love reading dark and twisted tales that mess with your head. I love to travel and spending time with my family. My dream is for people to like what I’ve written and hopefully get to go to a book signing event as an author.

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Forgive Me by Kaithlin Shepard

Get caught up on the Callaway series now.
Make Me Whole is on sale for only 99 cents.

Title:  Forgive Me

Author:  Kaithlin Shepherd

Release Date:  December 11, 2015

Genre: Contemporary Romance with a hint of cowboy

Series:  Callaway Series, book 2
Cover Designer:  Claire Smith 

Publisher:  Hot Tree Publishing

Sometimes your first love is also your last.

Andrew Callaway doesn't do love — not since Amanda broke his heart and left him in a cloud of dust. Devoting himself to the family ranch, he’s determined to be the man his dad would be proud of, minus the one-night stands and stream of mistakes. Five years after watching her drive away, his first love is back. Andrew finds himself wanting more than meaningless easy conquests, a lot more.

Following her dream of becoming a chef, Amanda Watkins left Montana with a beat-up pickup truck and a broken heart. Five years after watching Andrew fade away in her rear-view mirror, she's back and is dead set on avoiding the man she still dreams about. When she's hired to cater for a Callaway celebration, sparks fly and old emotions run hot. If she thought the boy she knew was dangerous, she's about to find out that the man he became is lethal. 

Blame is a dangerous game to play, but forgiveness takes courage that may just prove too difficult to reach.

On sale for $2.99. Original price $3.99

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    The top 10 tunes that get me in the writing mood 

by Kaithlin Shepherd

1. Sam Hunt's "Speakers"
2. SoMo's "Ride"
3. Chase Rice's "Gonna Wanna Tonight"
4. Jake Owen's "Alone with You"
5. Luke Bryan's "Home Alone Tonight"
6. Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar on Me"
7. Lenny Kravitz's "American Woman"
8. BB King's "Rock Me Baby"
9. Jennifer Nettles' "UnLove You"
10. Brandy Clark's "His Hands"

Book 1 in the Callaway Series
On sale now for only 99 cents

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Kaithlin Shepherd was born and raised in Canada where she learned to figure skate and crafted a love affair with coffee. Growing up in a household filled by strong-headed women, she learned early on that life is what you make it. You’ve probably never met a bigger country music fan and in the words of Brooks and Dunn, she’s a die-hard ‘George Strait junkie.’ Constructing a world away from her real life, Kaithlin loves the feeling of creating a universe where her fans can forget about everything in their life. She loves writing about hot alphas and doesn’t shy away from turning up the heat with scorching hot sex scenes.

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The Proposal by J Griffin

Carrie Harper's life with commodities trader Josh Hobbs had been all gold and diamonds. All that glitters isn't gold though. Her friend sets her up with a tall, handsome, aloof stranger, but can she forget Josh? Blind dates never work out do they? She enjoyed the date. Enough said. A standalone billionaire romance sure to make you want more.

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Parched by DP Payne

RELEASE DATE: January 4, 2016

After wandering the Earth for over 4,000 years, I, Waylon Blackman, thought I had seen it all…then a black aura crossed my path. As a wendigo, my life has been about nothing but greed and living with my curse, but the mysterious aura and the woman it belongs to send my world into a tailspin from the first second we meet. She gets under my skin and hypnotizes me with her sexy, adventurous, willing, and kinky nature, so much so, I almost let myself forget I know nothing about her. Thinking with the wrong head can certainly get a man in trouble, but for me, it could mean an end worse than my curse.

A Midwest girl living in Las Vegas with her husband and two dogs, D.P. Payne is a lover of all things kinky, romantic, and quirky. In addition to her love for writing, she is a voracious reader, avid watcher and critic of movies and television, and devourer of music like it is oxygen.

D.P. tries not to take herself too seriously; her prior career as an attorney was serious enough. In that vein, her series, Supernatural Love Stories in the Absurd, contains plots that are a bit over-the-top, and laugh-out-loud funny at moments.

D.P. loves hearing from fans. She can be contacted at authordppayne@gmail.com or on social media.

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDPPayne

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/authordppayne

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