REVIEW: Undercover Temptations by Amanda McIntye

Undercover Temptations
Red Boot Diaries
Amanda McIntrye
 
Cat Madsen left her hometown ten years ago, escaping to Vegas with hopes of becoming a famous showgirl, but those dreams evaporate when she finds out that the owner of the club she pole-dances at also dabbles in drug trafficking. Now, using her ailing father as an excuse to return home to the town that rejected her, Cat is back with a renewed determination to prove her worth. But her tarnished reputation may prevent her from building a future among small-town attitudes.

When an undercover assignment lands Detective Reese Jamieson in the tiny town of Sweetwater, he is skeptical it’s a hotspot for anything. Then he gets his first glimpse of the ex-Vegas showgirl who runs the new pole-dancing workout studio. Reported to be a hometown gal with a checkered past, she is considered the prime suspect to front a drug ring, but he begins to wonder once someone threatens the beautiful woman’s life and business. Reese struggles to keep things professional. When things become personal, Reese must risk everything, including Cat’s trust, to protect her from the past.
Genre: Contemporary, sweet romance, suspense/thriller Heat level: 2 Word count – 24k Cover art by Scott Carpenter
~Excerpt~
He arrived a few minutes early, noting the lone baby-blue F-150 in the gravel lot. The sun sat like a red fireball on the horizon, casting long shadows across the parking lot. He got out of his car and dropped his bag in the trunk, squeezing the automatic lock on his keys. He took his time walking to the front door, taking in the solitary light pole at the driveway entrance, the sagging overhang of the front porch, and the sputtering welcome sign missing its last vowel. As he got closer, he heard the thump-thump of sensual bass coming from an exceptional sound system. The wicked beat caused goose bumps to rise on his flesh and thoughts he shouldn’t be toying with to filter into his brain.

Yeah, she’s wild, our little Cat. The words of the man at the bar slithered with a slow hiss into his brain, and he swallowed hard to fight off the images it brought with it. The daily grind and pressure of his job left little time for dating. Besides, he was getting too old for the bar scene and though they’d tried, the younger guys on the force had only managed once or twice to drag him to a dance club. He paused at the front door, observing the weathered barn-board exterior. In its day, it was probably a busy place—maybe even a place he might have frequented. The door stuck, and he shoved his shoulder against it, forcing it open.

The main room was empty, dark except for the tables and chairs stacked to one side. Farther back beyond the bar was an area that appeared to be a dance floor. It didn’t take long as he moved toward the dim light to realize it was no ordinary dance floor. He stepped from the shadows and halted in his tracks at the sight before him. It resembled a silvery forest with at least nine—to his quick count—steel poles positioned at spaced intervals across the room. Above, bare light bulbs stuck out from sockets strung across the beams of the ceiling, providing light to each of the stations. He wasn’t sure what he should have expected, but this wasn’t it. The music grew a bit louder, drawing his astonished gaze to a tenth pole set up in the middle of the small stage at one side of the room. Above it, a single bulb housed in a metal, industrial shade spotlighted the pole.

From the heavy black drapes hiding the backstage area emerged a woman the likes of which Reese had never seen. Her long legs were encased in skintight black Spandex that rode miles, it seemed, before disappearing beneath a faded, cherry-red zipped hoodie. She gripped the pole with one hand, letting it slide effortlessly as she dropped her body to a squat position and let her body sway to the provocative beat. She dropped her head back, her dark brown hair done up in a ponytail swished back and forth. Her eyes were closed. Performing silently, she obviously thought she was alone.

Lord have mercy.

Sarah's Review: 

Thanks to Decadent Publishing and Amanda McIntrye for the chance to read and review this story.  This is from the Tease line that DP has out as well.  These stories truly fit their line name.  I was left wanting more with this story, even after the epilogue.  

What I loved most about this story is that it could have happened in my hometown.  The small-town drama that everyone seems to know what everyone is doing, yet they truly don't know what anyone is doing is so true.   I enjoyed watching Reese and Cat learn about each other, but then when Reese's true job came out, watching Cat decide whether she could trust him.   

This one is more difficult for me to review because if I say what I want, I will give the story away. 

August Gift Card giveaway

This month begins the new method for gift card giveaways. 

New monthly $5 Amazon/B&N gift card giveaway will be done through rafflecopter.  I will create the rafflecopter two days before the month ends and end it on the 3rd of every month.  

Here are the options that will be on the Rafflecopter:
1. "Like"   https://www.facebook.com/SarahsaysReadRomance

2. "Share" the giveaway on FB and provide the link. That can be found by clicking the date/time stamp.

3. Tweet the giveaway and provide the link.  That can be found by clicking the date/time stamp.

4.  Provide email that you follow the blog with.  Follow if you are not following.  Must have confirmed subscription, I will verify through feedburners for email.  If you follow through Google account, provide the name so I can match the names.


In addition, for every 100 "likes" or followers (verified GFC or email), I will add in an extra gift card.  As of August 15, 2013, this page is at 152 likes and 46 GFC and 20 verified emails.  There are 3 emails unverified.  I will check the numbers on September 1st.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

FIREFIGHTER FRIDAY: Blue Flame by Jill Shalvis

IF YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE HEAT . . .Callie Hayes is the hardworking manager of the Blue Flame, Arizona's most remote, relaxing guest ranch. She's given everything to the ranch, body, heart, and soul-three things that go haywire when her sexy employer suddenly shows up. Their intense, stormy past has taught Callie to never mix business with pleasure. But something about Jake is different now . . .

San Diego firefighter Jake Rawlings knows the ranch he inherited from his father is safe in Callie's capable hands. After being injured in a high-profile rescue, Jake decides to recover in solitude at the Blue Flame. He may have left the fires behind, but he hasn't escaped the heat; Callie is just as hot and irresistible as he remembers. Now coming home doesn't seem like the best idea-as the sparks between Jake and Callie threaten to burn out of control . . . 

Sarah's Review:

This is the second story for Firefighter Friday and the final one before my September 11th rememberance blog will be Seeing Red.  As with White Heat, I was disappointed that this was not available last summer.  I was excited to hear that it was coming to Kindle since I can't read print books anymore.   I am a huge fan of Jill Shalvis, so I plan to finish reading all of her books at some point.  

This story was different than any other stories I have read by Jill Shalvis but it was still good.  While it was difficult for me to get interested in it, I was able to finish it.  It may have been my schedule though for the reason that I could get interested in it.  

Jake and Callie have a history after Jake's father died and left Jake the Blue Flame.  Callie works for the Blue Flame but wants to buy it from Jake.   Some strange start happening after Jake appears at the Blue Flame. 

I had more of a connection with Amy and Tucker than I did with Jake and Callie.  

PROMO: Travis (Buffalo Rocker Series) by N Kuhn

Buffalo Rocker Series: Travis

By N Kuhn

Publisher Nevermore Press

Cover Design: Nevermore PR

Lots of people want to be Rock Stars, but the question is, can they handle it? Travis Dane has never wanted anything more than to be a Rock Star. He dreamed of being just like his father, Marcus. What the idol in his life never told him, is that the road to fame is paved with self destruction. Music, drugs, drinking, fighting and crazy stalkers all battle for his attention. Throw in an uncaring mother and Paparazzi following his every step is disaster waiting to happen.

Brittany Landers has never loved anyone like she did Trav. But his temper and drug use drove her into the arms of another man. Finally getting her life on track, striving for her law degree, can Aiden Bland take her mind off of Travis and what he’s going through? Or is he just Mr Wrong Right Now? The emotional rollercoaster of fame is never a Happily Ever After.

Buy Link Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/mdkvwce

Excerpt:

Tossing her one of my shirts, so she can clean up, I pull on a pair of boxers. A red thong happens to fall out of the shirt in her hand. Holding it up with one finger, she stares at me.

“Who’s is this? My ass isn’t this big.” Running a hand through my hair, it’s pointless, as it just falls right back into my eyes. Turning to look at the naked woman in my bed, she is beautiful, even when she’s angry. Maybe this is what I need, Britt’s a handful right now. She will only drag me down and I have to focus on music. Now that we have the Battle of the Bands to get ready for, and we have gigs almost every night, Death Polish is on its way. We will be the next Poisonous Love. I’m going to be just like my dad.

“I said whose is this? Are you screwing around on me Trav? What the hell? Some groupie skank I would assume,” Brittany pouts, snuggling back up under the sheets.

“Britt, you need to go. Bas and I have to go practice. I don’t have time for this shit. Get dressed and run back to mommy. Go get your nails done or something.”

“You know what Trav? You’re a loser. Fuck this. I’m done. You treat me like crap, and I don’t know why I put up with it. I can get a better lay anywhere else, from guys with more money than you. You will never amount to anything. You’re just a wannabe loser with big dreams that won’t come true. Sticking your dick in anything that comes along. Why can’t you get a real job? A real place, instead of this shit hole? Time to grow up and be a man. We aren’t in high school anymore.”

Book Trailer

http://youtu.be/eKFWU6i_eIQ

Meet N Kuhn

N Kuhn was raised in a small town, in the middle of nowhere. Small town life is something she cherishes. Having spent her afternoons outside or with a book, she grew up with a love of reading and writing. Her mother and grandmother fully encouraged this in her. Many years later, after a husband and children, she made a promise to her dying grandmother to fulfill her dream of being an author. Her grandmother lived to see Nicole's name in print. This was a turning moment for her. Driven by ambition and a promise made, she has since published her first trilogy (The Mohawk Series). N Kuhn has also signed on with WheelMan Press for Tucked In (The Hollywood Files) series as well as Nevermore Press for the much anticipated Buffalo Rocker Series, and Parlor Tricks.

When not writing, Nicole spends her time cuddling up with her daughter or enjoying her husbands company. Encouraging reading in our youth is something Nicole feels strongly about. She reads to her daughter daily and loves to see others do the same. She exists purely on coffee and still enjoys to read as much as she enjoys writing.

Fan Links

Check her out on facebook. www.facebook.com/nkuhnauthor

You can also follow her on twitter @mrsnkuhn

Check her Goodreads Page http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6966339.N_Kuhn

Amazon Author Page http://www.amazon.com/N.-Kuhn/e/B008HR897Y/

And show some love to Nevermore Press https://www.facebook.com/NevermorePress

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spotlight & Giveaway: Vows by Tamaria Soana

Hello, I'm Tamaria Soana a WNY Author. I live in the suburbs near Buffalo. I'm pushing forty-two but feel my life has just begun. I write   sexy contemporary romance stories that always end with a ‘happily ever after’. I'm a stay-at-home mom of two beautiful girls and one puppy-from-hell. LOL.

My author links:     Site     Facebook Author Page     Twitter

Today, I want to share with you my short story called Vows. Writing this story was difficult because I put a lot of myself into the heroine Addison. This story is about forgiveness and second chances! I hope you joy it!

Addison Klein’s marriage is falling apart. She’s contemplating whether she should fight to keep her family together or walk away. After the sudden death of her best friend, Peyton, and a vicious fight with her husband Tyler, Addison knows she needs to finally decide her future.

Just when she thinks she's all alone in making this life altering decision, she gets a little guidance from her guardian angel. Addison rediscovers herself and realizes that the vows she said on her wedding day meant something to her... for as long as we both shall live.

Addison sets a plan in motion to seduce her husband.

Excerpt:

Peyton's funeral was beautiful and emotionally overwhelming for me. Tyler went to his parents’ house after the church service to pick up the girls. He was never good at showing emotion or handling it when I did.

I accompanied Colin to the graveside service and the funeral brunch afterward for continued moral support. He was a wonderful man, but he wore his emotions on his sleeve. After the brunch was over, the immediate family and I went back to Colin’s house. We spent the day consoling each other and telling stories about Peyton and her antics. We talked about how she seemed to have a sixth sense, a feeling about how things were going to turn out. I finally said my goodbyes and headed home.

I looked over at the clock on my dashboard as I pulled back into the driveway and was stunned by how late it was. I was tired and emotionally drained. I just wanted to go to bed. I opened the door and set my purse and keys down on the table, slipping off my shoes.

"Nice of you finally to come home," Tyler snarked before I saw him walking into the foyer.

"What?" I asked, shaking my head and trying to figure out what he meant.

"You’ve been gone all day," he snipped.

I started to walk away from him and down the hall. "I was with Colin. Where did you think I was?" I replied just a snarky.

"Is there something going on with you and Colin?" he spat, ripping what little was left of my heart out.

I spun around to face him. "You have got to be kidding me! Really, Tyler? Is that what you think?" I took a deep breath and my body started to shake. I was on emotional overload and about to explode. "Do you really think I would do that to Peyton?” I seethed as I wiped the tears running down my cheek with the back of my hand. 

"That's what I mean. You ask if I think you could do that to Peyton and I’m wondering if you would do it to me," he yelled.

Buy Links:   Amazon     All Romance eBooks      Barnes & Noble

Watch the Trailer:

Giveaway: 

I'll be giving away a $5.00 Amazon Gift Card. All you have to do is leave a comment with your email address for a chance to win. I'll pick a winner on Monday using random.org.

Good luck!