Why Author Kathryn Perez Has "Unlimited" Talent

I don't care for erotica books.  There are only so many throbbing members and glistening body parts and mewling noises being made before I find myself skipping through pages.

BOOORING!!

I know.  I should probably find it more exciting, but let's face it...there's maybe one of us in the entire world that actually has regular sex like that.  To me, the lack of realism throws off my concentration.

I much prefer a good story line with some sex mixed in.  And that's what Author Kathryn Perez seems to do best.

While her newest release, "Foreplay Unlimited" is categorized as erotica, it's so much more than that. 

"Foreplay Unlimited" is the follow up to Ms. Perez's best selling novella series "Sex Unlimited".  (Which, if you didn't read it, you need to.  It's HOT.  Get "Sex Unlimited: The Complete Series" by clicking here.)  

This installment follows Janette who is tired of being single.  Despite loving the life she has and sewing her wild oats, she's actually kind of jealous of her best friend, Candace, who is now married with a baby. So Janette decides to go on a quest to see if a relationship, or just sex in general, is what is missing from her life.

Enter sexy Remington who is suffering from a really bad ending to a really bad marriage, and...well, sparks fly.

But as always, just when you think you know what's coming, Ms. Perez throws us for a loop and adds some layers that have your jaw hanging open and your resolve screaming "Just one more chapter!"

While "Foreplay Unlimited" is not my favorite of Ms. Perez's books (her masterpiece, Therapy, is still on my Top 5 list of all time), it does exactly what it's intended to do....

It brings a sexy, fun, entertaining story to your fingertips and lets you engage in some fun, erotic fantasies.  All with a fantastic story line so it never gets boring.

Leery of trying out her brand of erotica?  Well now's a great time to take the plunge.  The box set is on sale for just $0.99.  Get it by clicking here.

I'm thrilled that Ms. Perez keeps plugging away with a variety of different genres.  She is not recognized enough for the talent that she is.  

Author Kathryn Perez truly has "Unlimited" talent for a solid

"Here's To" a Review AND Giveaway!

Kristin here.  I love finding new authors, especially when I just know they’re going to be one of the "Greats" one day. 

My next Diamond, Teagan Hunter, is one of those.  Remember her name because you will not regret following her from now on. 

Her newest release, Here’s to Yesterday, is the follow up to Here’s to Tomorrow (which you should also read!). If you want to check them out, stay with me until the end of this post for a giveaway of both books!  Here's the synopsis:

"You ever realize that what you're doing and where you are in life isn't where you're supposed to be?

I did.

My name is Maura Doughers.  I'm perfect.  I have the ideal soldier boyfriend and all the money a twenty-two year old girl could dream of.  My life is just like it should be.  But it's nothing close to what I want.

I'm beginning to realize the person I am isn't who I'm meant to be...and maybe the person I'm with isn't the one for me.  Is what I feel love or lust?  I don't know...

What I really want is forbidden and most certainly not something my parents would approve of.  But what about me?  What about what I want?

Well, I'm about to go get it.  No matter the consequences."

This is technically part of a series, but can be read as a standalone since each book is about a different couple. I suggest that you read Here’s to Tomorrow first to get the proper back story, though.

I fell in love with Maura from the very beginning of this series. She just seems to be my kind of people and I want to find her and make her my friend. She is fiercely protective of her friends and loves with her whole heart. 

Then there’s Tucker. I’m not sure how I can think he’s so hot from just reading the author’s description, but I guess my mind is very receptive to suggestion since I can totally see how hot he is while I read. Maybe it’s his sarcasm that I’m drawn to and not the physical description. I do love a sarcastic sense of humor! I’m also a complete sucker for a musician, so there’s that too.

Teagan Hunter just knows how to write a book that I will always read and I look forward to watching her grow bigger and bigger with each new release.

If you can’t wait for my giveaway, you can get the first book in the series, Here’s to Tomorrow, by clicking here.  You can get the newest release, Here’s to Yesterday, by clicking here.

I give Teagan Hunter and Here’s to Yesterday a shiny

To enter for a copy of both books, just leave a comment telling me YOUR newest Diamond in the Rough. I might just feature them in an upcoming review!

Author Erin Noelle Takes Over as "Destinies Collide"

A vast majority of the romance novels I read fall under the New Adult or Contemporary sub-genres; however, occasionally I find the storylines from the last several books I’ve read blurring together or I’ll catch myself skimming over sex scenes that I know should be melting my panties off. That’s when I know it’s time to mix it up. After all, variety is the spice of one’s book life, too.

Last week when I took a good look at the recent downloads on my Kindle to decide on my next read, I realized it had been quite some time since I delved into the Young Adult world, and it just so happened that several ladies in one of my online book groups had been talking about a new YA release from a debut author that they had beta read for and loved. So I thought…why the hell not? I could spend hours searching Amazon, reading blurb after blurb, getting lost on the trail of never-ending suggestions of “people who bought this also bought this,” or I could just take a chance and dive head first into the brain of newly-published author of When Destinies Collide, Shirl Rickman.

And boy am I ever glad that I did.

It was exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it.

When Destinies Collide is written in the dual POV of Selene and Drake, and from the very first chapter, I knew I was going to be on an emotional rollercoaster with these two teenagers who are struggling to overcome adversity in their young life and find their way. The circumstances that lead to their paths crossing are heartbreaking, but it’s the relationship and bond that they form once they’re together that is truly awe-inspiring.

A touching story of coping with loss and finding love when you least expect it, Rickman delivers a well-written novel that had my heart aching with sorrow one minute, then soaring with hope the next, as I couldn’t stop turning the pages. 

When Destinies Collide is a book I’d definitely recommend.  You can get it by clicking here.

I can’t wait to see what is next for new author, Shirl Rickman.

CD Hussey Delivers an "Unexpected" Surprise of a Book

I've reviewed CD Hussey before because she writes these insane paranormal books that I just can't put down.  For real.  Two of them are on my Top 10 list for 2014.  

So imagine my surprise when I ran into her at the Traveling Book Shelf author event earlier this month and found out she had written a romance book as well!  Of course, I snatched up "Unexpected Oasis" and brought it home.  And I'm glad I did because it was so much fun to read.

The story is about Andrea Ellis who is running away from home because of her recent scandalous divorce.  And I mean, running as far away as possible by taking a civilian contract job in Afghanistan.  Can't get much further away than that!  Her goal is to give herself some breathing room while she grieves over her douchebag of an ex husband.  And yes, you just wait.  He is seriously a douchebag.

What she doesn't expect is to have an attraction to the head of security, Jason Trey.  And he's a good guy.  A really good, swoon-worthy guy.  

While the romance part of the book is great and watching Andrea try to move through her demons is great, what makes this story so exciting is the backdrop to it all.  They're in war zone, so of course things get a little heated and tense at times.  And Ms. Hussey delivers all the excitement you need to make it engaging without overdoing it.  It's perfectly well done.

So much so that if this was a series, I would have already picked up the next one and started reading. (Hint, hint, Ms. Hussey.  I really wanna know Double D's story!)

Does this sound intriguing so far?  Well the icing on the cake....it's only $0.99.  You can grab it by clicking here.

CD Hussey really delivered an "Unexpected" gem with this one, for a solid 

Author Emily Hemmer Shows Us Why Being "Plus None" Isn't Always a Bad Place to Be

I met Author Emily Hemmer at the Traveling Book Shelf event last summer.  She taught me the art of taking the perfect selfie.  You just keep changing positions and taking pics until you get the perfect one! So of course, when I ran into her again at this year's Traveling Book Shelf event, we had to try out the skills I had perfected over the past year!  

Here's what we ended up with:

Ooookkkkk.....

Apparently I either need some more guidance on this selfie thing or just to never, ever put photography on my list of potential career choices.  

*sigh*

Next year....

But before taking the world's most blurry pictures, I picked up a copy of Ms. Hemmer's book "Plus None".  And then I devoured it in a day.

"Plus None" is about a small town girl, Charlie, who loves her small town life.  Her family is full of strange and stereotypical rednecks.  In fact, it's pretty clear she's probably the only one who wasn't dropped on her head as a baby.

On the other hand, Alex is from money.  Lots and lots of money.  And while he doesn't have a problem with this small town girl and her honky tonk life, it becomes painfully clear that when it comes to money, the greedy bastards around you aren't going to look kindly on anything that may rock the proverbial yacht.

"Plus None" was full of heart and humor and some pretty crazy chemistry.  Of course, there were moments I also wanted to kick Alex in the junk for being spineless and punch Charlie in the throat for not being stronger.  But what's a good love story without the realism of human nature weaved in?

One thing is for sure, "Plus None" isn't your typical rich-guy-falls-for-small-town-girl story.  There are quite a few more layers to it and quite a few more twists and surprises.  Hence, why I devoured it in a day.

Lucky us, there is also a prequel to "Plus None" called "Just One".  It gives the background story as to how Charlie and Alex actually met. And it's only 99-cents.  You can get it by clicking here.

But I guarantee you'll want to see how the rest of the story plays out. So pick up "Plus None" while you're at it by clicking here.

Next time I see Ms. Hemmer, I will definitely be picking up more of her books.  And maybe taking another selfie lesson or two.

Ms. Hemmer doesn't need a Plus One to pull off

Jessica Prince Pushes the Boundaries and Wins

For several months, I've seen Jessica Prince's books pop up on my newsfeed and in some of my online book clubs.  I haven't really paid much attention because, well, there are so many books out there it's hard to catch them all!

Then I met her at the Traveling Book Shelf signing at the beginning of the month.

I'm so glad I did!  Not only did we hit it off, but it turns out, she lives five minutes from me.  I'd say she must be stalking me, but considering I'm the one with the word "Stalker" the my name, I don't have much of a leg to stand on.

As an added bonus, though, I picked up her book "Pushing the Boundaries".  I'm really, really glad I did.  I devoured it in a day. Which is not easy to do when the kids are out of school for summer!

"Pushing the Boundaries" is the story of Trevor and Lizzy.  They're best friends, but Trevor has always been in love with Lizzy.  Deep down, Lizzy loves Trevor, too.  But ya know.  We're girls and it's not always that easy.

Here's the twist.  On a drunken night in Vegas, they get married much to Trevor's delight and Lizzy's horror.

And then the fun begins.

Not only do we get to watch their romance unfold in "Pushing the Boundaries", but it's really funny in part.  The lengths Trevor will go to for his marriage are really sweet and funny.  Lizzy, on the other hand, I wanted to slap several times.  But under the circumstances, her reactions may have been justified.  I'll leave that to you to decide.

Keep in mind, "Pushing the Boundaries" is actually Book 3 in the "Picking Up the Pieces" series.  However, they can all be read as stand alone novels.  As much as I am DYING to read the entire series, my OCD wants me to start at the beginning.  And Ms. Prince herself has forbidden me from reading the first one, "Picking Up the Pieces" until my 9+ months pregnant self is a little more hormonally stable.

Let that be a challenge to those of you who love angst and getting your heart ripped out.  You may want to start with Book 1.  You can get it by clicking here. 

However, if you're intrigued by Trevor and Lizzy, as you should be, pick up their story by clicking here.

Next time I see Jessica Prince's books come across my newsfeed, I'll be sure to take more notice.  I recommend you do, too.

Ms. Prince pushed the boundaries on this book for a well-earned

A Book Guaranteed to Fan Your "Flame"...And Our Paperback Winner!!!

Around here, we love Erin Noelle.  That's no secret.  She's just a fabulously fun person in general and I'm proud to say she is my unborn baby's godmother.

Ok, not really.  Ms. Noelle calls herself the baby's godmother, but specifies it's only until he's born and the real work begins.

Rude.

But we also love her because her writing just seems to get better and better.

What I love about Erin Noelle's stories is that she takes the taboo and writes it in such a way that you walk away questioning why it was so taboo in the first place.  And making you question how you really feel about it.

She doesn't disappoint with her brand new release, "Flame".

"Flame" is part of the "Fire On the Mountain" series.  Don't let that throw you, though.  It can absolutely be read as a stand alone as it focuses on different characters than the first book.

In this installment, Levi is the top ranked Freestyle Motocross rider in the world.  Dakota is a massage therapy student.  They meet, have a connection, she goes with him on tour for a couple weeks for fun and well...flames are ignited.

Sounds simple enough, right?  Here's where Ms. Noelle takes what could be a simple story and makes it her own...

They're both whores.

Levi is a man-whore.  Dakota is a she-whore.  They both know it.  They both get it.  They both don't care.  It doesn't change their attraction to each other or the hot, hot sex they have.  And because of that, it's not your normal everyday story.  It's not the inexperienced girl falling for the overly experienced bad boy, experiencing a sexual awakening while he learns to reign it in.

They are on complete and total equal footing.  And I love it.

Are there some jealous moments?  Well of course.  But "Flame" doesn't get bogged down by that typical storyline.  Instead, it looks at how you can be independent and not lose yourself as a person, while still giving into loving someone else.

Ah, Ms. Noelle...you did it again.  You took the taboo (in this case, lots of whorish ways) and made me question my own thought process.

That, my friends, is the sign of a genius writer.

Don't miss out on this fabulous book.  You can get "Flame" by clicking here.

And for another fabulous read, if you didn't already read "Spark", the first installment in this series, don't miss it.  Get it by clicking here.  It's on sale for just 99-cents!

Author Erin Noelle definitely fanned my "Flame" with this sexy book for a stellar

OH!  I almost forgot!!

The winner of the paperback copy of "Things Liars Say" by Sara Ney is....

HELEN COPE!!

Email me your mailing address at chelleauthorstalker@gmail.com to claim your prize.  CONGRATULATIONS HELEN!

I'm Not a "Liar" When I Say, You Can Win A Paperback of this Fabulous Book!

Sometimes you're in the mood to read something not so drawn out. You know what I mean?  Something short and sweet.  Something you're guaranteed to start and finish in a day but will still give you all the feels.

"Things Liars Say" by Sara Ney is that book.  

It's a stand alone novella, so it covers all the bases in this situation....short, sweet, no cliffhangers, brand new characters we've never met before.  In short...the perfect novella.

The story is about Greyson who has made up a fake boyfriend for herself due to circumstances I'll just let you figure out when you read it. Problem is, she accidentally picked the name and characteristics of someone who actually does exist and lives close by.

Oops.

The thing that sticks out most in my mind about this novella is the vastly different descriptions of the two characters.  Greyson is gorgeous.  She doesn't flaunt it, but she is.  Calvin, on the other hand, isn't all that attractive.  Sure he plays rugby and has abs, but that's really about it.  Physically, it reminded me of Heidi Klum and Seal...who would have ever seen that match coming??  Not me.  But in this situation it works.  And it's real.  And it's wonderful.

"Things Liars Say" is the first in a series of three books in the "Three Little Lies" series.  All of them are stand alones.  All of them are about new characters.  All of them are undoubtedly going to be fantastic.

Best of all, "Things Liars Say" is just 99 pennies.  Yep.  Totally affordable.  You can get it by clicking here.

Ms. Ney is also gracious enough that she is giving away a paperback copy of "Things Liars Say" right here on this blog!  Keep in mind, the paperback copies aren't even for sale.  So one lucky winner will get their hot little hands on this gem!  

All you have to do is:

1)  "Like" Sara Ney's author page on Facebook here ----> https://www.facebook.com/saraneyauthor?fref=ts

2)  Make sure you have already "liked" the Diamonds in the Rough Facebook page here ----> https://www.facebook.com/authorstalkerchelle

3)  Comment below.  If you can't comment below, you can comment on the Diamonds in the Rough post of this blog post.  (comments on other pages will not be considered part of the contest)

In the meantime, don't forget to pick up your ecopy.  I'm not lying when I say this novella earns