Blood, Sex, and Adrenaline – “The Nightlife San Antonio” by Travis Luedke #nightlife #review @travisluedke @twluedke

Book Scorecard

	**Stars**
Overall	4	New characters, same world, same great energy. A paramedic is dragged into not only paranormal world, but also drug underworld when he answers a call to treat a shooting victim.
Fantasy World	3	We get a brief introduction to border issues and drug trafficking in Texas. More detail would be even better. Lots of medical jargon. Procedures sound so real I could almost hear the heart monitor's beep.
Tingle	5	Mostly M/F action with a unique twist a la Jessica from “True Blood”. Action is as hot and wild as expected.
Characters	4	Adrian wavers between destiny and determination as he tries to choose between soldier and paramedic. His patient with amnesia is so damaged she is instinct only, and must slowly regain her connections to humanity via Adrian. Drug dealers, sleazy neighbors, and corrupt cops round out the cast.
Story	4	Good pacing. Resolution is wrapped up a bit too quickly, but battle descriptions are delicious.

Summary

“The Nightlife San Antonio” by Travis Luedke is a new offshoot of the The Nightlife series, and contains the same non-stop adventures full of sex and violence. There are echoes of “Blow”, and “Traffic” as the police, the feds, and Mexican gangs circle Adrian and his patient as they desperately try to figure out the mystery of who she is.

This is a stand alone read, although once you become familiar with the Nightlife world, you probably won't be able to stop at just one book. The $3.99 price isn't bad for 193 pages. Grad it today and enjoy the ride!

Availability

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, Kobo

You Can't Choose Your Family – “Bloodline” (Whyborne & Griffin #5) by @jordanlhawk #NewRelease #Review

Book Scorecard

	**Stars**
Overall	5	Another fabulous book in series. Stunning, new revelations accompany both sweet and scorching moments.
Fantasy World	5	Widdershins is so real, I can smell it. Author continues to expand town with further details.
Tingle	5	Make-up sex! Wahoo! Victorian sensibilities on display, but still hot action.
Characters	5	Usual cast plus Percival's sister returns from England with cousins in tow. The cousins are outrageous, and we see a new side of Percival.
Story	5	Author builds on details from previous books in unexpected ways which simmer into a savory story.

Summary

Author Jordan L. Hawk continues to deliver a “Sleepy Hollow” on steroids storyline with book 5 in the Whyborne & Griffin series, “Bloodline”. This series is a long way from becoming repetitive or boring. Story arcs which started in book one, “Widdershins”, are concluded, and new arcs begin. As usual story is chock full of Gothic themes, monsters, and arcane magic.

If you haven't started reading this series yet, call in sick and get started. This book is more than worth th $5 ebook price. I highly recommend buying the whole series, and putting future books on pre-order. Neither series nor author disappoint.

Availability

Amazon, Goodreads, Kobo

"Temporarily Employed" Author @VickiBatman vs. Margo in a Battle Royale! The Purse-Off!

To celebrate the release of her new book, "Temporarily Employed", author Vicki Batman is joining me today for a bit of fun. Here on Margo's Red Light Fiction District, I mostly talk about books, but that's not my only hobby/addiction. I also have unholy love for handbags in general, and Kate Spade in particular. Vicki loves handbags so much she features a new one on her blog each week. If you haven't checked out her blog or her Pinterest page, I highly recommend doing so. She's not just a great author. She's also got fabulous taste!

 From Vicki Batman:

When Margo invited me to her blog, we decided to post about something we love: handbags.

I adore handbags and have acquired many over the years. I have vintage, handmade, and designer ones. But mostly, I look at vintage. For a while, the designers were churning out the same ol’ style: large garbage bag. That was so not buttoned-up, nice, value-conscious me. And I would much rather buy a whole passel of bags for $100 than one. Of course, it depends on the bag.

So Margo and I came up with three categories: Best Bargain; Most Over-the-Top; and Least Practical. I doubt Margo can top mine. LOL

LET THE BATTLE COMMENCE!  

If you have a favorite amongst these handbags, don't be shy - let us know in the comments.  If you don't, how will we determine a victor?

Vicki's Handbags

Best Bargain: This is a lovely rectangular, green kid leather bag, definitely vintage, and I can’t read the manufacturer. The handle is short which I like as shoulder bag handles fall off my shoulders. The catch is plastic with a fun gold latch. Surprisingly, it does hold many items. But I bet you are wondering how is this a best bargain? I paid $3.00 for it at a flea market. Go me!

I’ve purchased many a vintage bag and some have never been carried. Surprising—right? So that makes them brand new in my book. But if it had been carried, wouldn’t it be lovely to think of that bag belonging to someone special who had been given it by someone special or picked out for a special occasion.

Most Over-the-Top: Many of you will recognize this sparkly embellished with everything from the kitchen sink handbag from the sixties. It’s an Enid Collins. Collins of Texas opened its doors in Medina, Texas in 1959, producing whimsical, happy handbags. Enid Collins, owner and designer, operated the company until 1970, when it was purchased by the Tandy Leather Corporation. Each purse was decorated by hand with paint, sequins, and rhinestones in themed designs. They were intended to be good quality, fun day handbags.

Mine is entitled “Cable Car.” And in case you are wondering, I do have six more Enid bags, all different (and two papier mache brooches). I probably paid about $70.00 for this lovely one. A lot of things fit inside. It does get a tad heavy as the bottom is wooden—rare nowadays!

Least Practical: Sometimes, when I go out, I carry a party bag. This little pink box with a very long chain was gifted to me by my sister. Being small in size, I can get my phone, a couple of cards and cash, and a small lipstick in it. The case is plastic covered in a pink Parisian themed fabric. Can you say A-DOR-A-BLE!

I have no idea about the cost as this one was a gift. However, what I like about handcrafted handbags is they are handcrafted. And sometimes, you can work with a designer to create a unique piece.

But for every day wear, yeah, not practical. Sometimes, I like to carry a small needlepoint project and that wouldn’t fit; yet, I wouldn’t be taking a needlepoint project to a concert. LOL

 

 

Margo's Handbags

Best Bargain: This pink Coach beauty ended up costing me a grand total of $27. I bought it at a fabulous site for like-new clothes and accessories called Thred Up. I used a coupon for new customers, and scored big. It's the perfect size for me to be able to carry everything I need, without being so big that I end up with shoulder/back pain. I love a big purse, but it doesn't always love me back. It's a little plain, but I have plans to fix that by next spring. I'm thinking of adding a flower garden to the front flap to really make it pop. Yes, I'd be defiling a Coach bag, but it was so inexpensive I don't care. If I screw it up, I'll replace it.

Most Over-the-Top: I have a confession. I'm a Pinterest junkie with a crochet addiction. Sometimes I see fabulous designer bags, and I think to myself  "I could make that." Especially when the designer bags cost over $2000. So I decided last winter to put my hook where my pins are. I bought a basic leather handbag from Amazon, and some black size 3 crochet thread from Michaels. I found a free pattern for a modern type of fan lace on Pinterest, of course, and got to work. It had to re-do the lace several times to get it the right size/shape, and glueing it on to the purse took several tries. Finally I bought a gold bracelet, and broke it apart for the gold embellishment. The links are individually sewn on to add a touch of bling. Sewing through leather is tough! This purse may not be completely over the top in appearance, but it sure is in effort.

Least Practical: I found this salmon-pink, snakeskin beauty on sale at Franklin Covey. Who knew they sold purses? I didn't, but I was happy to take this large handbag home at a bargain price. It was supposedly big enough to hold all my stuff including a 14 inch laptop, and had all kinds of little pockets in it for phones, pens, lipstick, etc. Perfect right? Not so much it turns out. The only laptop which actually fits in the purse is too small for me to actually do any work on. Also, if I do stick a laptop and all my purse contents in the bag, it's too heavy for my shoulder. The shoulder strap is painful to use when the bag is fully loaded, and is not attached to the bag well enough to actually support the weight. Using it for any time at all results in a big pull in the side of the purse. Good idea and looks practical, but does not deliver.

Author bio:

Like some of her characters, award-winning author, Vicki Batman has worked a wide variety of jobs including lifeguard, ride attendant at an amusement park; a hardware store, department store, book store, antique store clerk; administrative assistant in an international real estate firm; and a general “do anything gal” at a financial services firm--the list is endless, giving her plenty of material for her writing.

Writing for several years, she has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories to TRUE LOVE, TRUE ROMANCE, TRUE CONFESSIONS, NOBLE ROMANCE PUBLISHING, LONG AND SHORT REVIEWS, MUSEITUP PUBLISHING, and THE WILD ROSE PRESS. She is a member of RWA and several writing groups and chapters. In 2004, she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. DARA awarded her the Robin Teer Memorial Service Award in 2010.

Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking "What if??"

Find Vicki at:

Website: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1ipdLkv

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VickiBatman

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vickibatman

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814608.Vicki_Batman

Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/vickibatman

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=116288777&trk=hb_tab_pro_top

Google+: bit.ly/1zUggDF

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/vickibatman

Plotting Princesses: http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com

Shelfari: http://www.shelfari.com/o1515093723

Email: vlmbatman@hotmail.com

Puritanical Cleaner Reforms Bad Ass Biker – "Reaper's Stand" by Joanna Wylde

Book Scorecard

	**Stars**
Overall	3	Business as usual at Reaper's MC (motorcycle club) – sex, blood, parties, and bikes. Plenty of memorable quotes which help balance out shudder inducing cleaning details. "Sons of Anarchy" fans will enjoy.
Fantasy World	3	Wild parties are mostly abandoned for trips to the dungeon. Gritty details are not spared.
Tingle	3	Picnic is too well behaved, and London's constant squeamishness is a buzz kill.
Characters	2	London is neither likable nor admirable. She's a helicopter mom on steroids who treats her niece like a small child instead of a new adult. Picnic abandons previous outrageous behavior to accommodate her prissy views.
Story	4	Villains are lacking. Plot is overly focused on London's maternal urges instead of romance or club intrigue.

Summary

Reaper's Stand by Joanna Wylde is the story of Reaper's Club President Picnic Hayes and a sanctimonious, prudish cleaning lady. Saint London is overly proper and reading her say “heck” even in her own private thoughts was annoying. How is this woman even remotely a match for Picnic, the man who lives by his own rules? I was very much looking forward to Picnic's story, and I can't help but feel let down. It's always fun to visit the Reapers, but previous books were much more enjoyable. I can see the author was trying to introduce us to a different side of Picnic, but softening him up didn't do either him or the reader any favors.

Reaper's Stand is worth the $5 -6 cover price for 336 pages, but just barely. It can be read as a stand alone book, although I recommend starting with the first book, “Reaper's Property”. I love this series, and hope upcoming books get back into the outlaw MC mindset.

Favorite Quote

“Nice. Fucking bitch thought I was nice. If she thanked me for being her friend, it was over. I'd have to go on a killing spree.”

Availability

Amazon, Goodreads, Kobo

Got Kleenex? – Survival (Twisted #1) by Rebecca Sherwin @RRSherwin @Lady_LovesBooks #Review #NewRelease

Title:   Survival  
Author: Rebecca Sherwin  
Release Date: September 20, 2012
Tour Hosts:  Rebecca Sherwin and Passionate Promotions

~Synopsis ~

With intertwining memories and world of deceit and betrayal yet to be exposed, Survival, book #1 in the Twisted series, is an intense, compelling page-turner, seen through the eyes of Skye 'the Skillet' Jones. With no friends, no family and a life of loneliness ahead, Skye was looking for a reason to fight. To live. To survive. A once happy family was torn apart, leaving a hazy cloud of confusion, abandonment and fear in its wake.  Her twin brother, Oliver, was all she had. Until the talons of death and the consequences of his dangerous coping mechanism tore his life from him. Skye was left alone, mourning the loss of her brother and the life he would never live, when Cut Throat Curtis swooped in and taught her to fight; to control her emotional anguish with physical strength. But he was dangerous, a force to be reckoned with. A man with turmoil and secrets of his own. He soon left as quickly as he'd appeared, becoming a ghost in the life she no longer knew. She had nothing. She had no one. When all Skye had was her will to survive, fate have her Thomas. He fought for her, he fought with her and he loved her like no other. But fate was waiting, ready to strike with the force of a hurricane when she thought she had everything she'd ever wanted. It was coming, the cruel twist of fate that would bring Skye to her knees and threaten her survival once more...

~ Excerpt ~

“That dress makes your tits look incredible.” Thomas curled his arm over my shoulders, taking one of my breasts, sheathed in midnight blue, in his hand. “Yeah, well, those trousers are too tight. I could see your cock twitching for me all night.” “Mmm,” he groaned, moving his arm and slipping both hands into his pockets. “It’s been twitching for you for thirty-six hours.” That was how long it had been. Sometimes we would only last an hour without each other. Sometimes we’d go at it all night, multiples times, until I was so exhausted I only just made it to work the next day. And sometimes we would go for days with nothing but a teasing touch and a goading glare. It was what we enjoyed most. The anticipation. Building the need until it was on such a base level we couldn’t stop for hours. It had been thirty-six since he was last inside me. The only contact we’d had was chaste kissing, an ass grab on his part and a crotch stroke on mine. I ached for him; I would have torn my clothes off and rode him on the back seat if it weren’t for the game. We played it every time we went out.

~ Review ~

  Book Scorecard

	**Stars**
Overall	3.5	Angst fest. Riveting story. Jumps around a bit though and feels slightly incomplete. Since this is the first book in a new series, I expect more answers will come in following books.
Fantasy World	4	UK based scenery feels real. Some events are a little shaky, but overall a world you can sink into.
Tingle	4	Sex scenes are hot. Mostly vanilla, but they do play some fun games.
Characters	3	Skye is a great character. ADORE her husband Thomas. Cut Throat wants to be a great character, but doesn't have enough page time to do it.
Story	3	Ending is abrupt. Resolution is shortchanged. Reader doesn't have time to recover from last punch of angst. Needs more detail on why her family fell apart so completely and so fast.

Summary

The title is no lie. This chick has it all thrown at her, and somehow manages to keep going. Every time Skye's life seems to have even a scrap of hope, brace yourself because something truly horrible is going to happen. Readers who like angst will get a full serving. Those who are prone to depression should probably avoid "Survival” because even this hard hearted reviewer shed more than a few tears.

"Survival” by Rebecca Sherwin is worth the $2.99 cover price and is also available via Kindle Limited. I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series which promises Cut Throat's story. This time I'll have the Kleenex and a stiff drink ready before opening the first page!

 ~The Trailer ~

 Survival on YouTube

Add Survival to Goodreads

Buy Survival with One-Click!

AMAZON US  -  AMAZON UK

~About Rebecca Sherwin~

 “Mother of a superhero…Writer of romantic smut.”

Rebecca is a coffee drinking, music loving, working single mother and writing insomniac. When she’s not writing, she’s reading and when she’s not reading she’s squeezing her eyes shut and willing sleep to descend. She writes about serious issues, giving emotional turmoil a twist and adding a little ‘British’ humour and dry wit. Her stories are real and relatable, yet unexpected and unpredictable. Every writer was a reader first and Rebecca owes her passion for creating and telling emotional tales to the stories she has read and the people, places and experiences that have, and continue to, inspire her. Rebecca wants her readers to escape to a world where fairy tales and true love exist, wrapping her stories up with angst, passion and curveballs you won’t see coming. Her writing aims to bring problems and tragedies people face every day to light, make them relatable and leave her readers thinking long after they’ve read the last page.

 ~ Connect with Rebecca ~

Facebook   Website/Blog   Twitter

Enter the Tour Giveaway!

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"Survival" by @RRSherwin Author Takeover! #releaseblast #giveaway #trailer @LadyLovesBooks

Book Blurb

With intertwining memories and a world of deceit and betrayal yet to be exposed, Survival, book #1 in the Twisted series, is an intense, compelling page-turner, seen through the eyes of Skye 'the Skillet' Jones.

With no friends, no family and a life of loneliness ahead, Skye was looking for a reason to fight. To live. To survive.  A once happy family was torn apart, leaving a hazy cloud of confusion, abandonment and fear in its wake. Her twin brother, Oliver, was all she had... until the talons of death and the consequences of his dangerous coping mechanism tore his life from him.

Skye was left alone, mourning the loss of her brother and the life he would never live, when Cut Throat Curtis swooped in and taught her to fight; to control her emotional anguish with physical strength. But he was dangerous, a force to be reckoned with. A man with turmoil and secrets of his own. He soon left as quickly as he'd appeared, becoming a ghost in the life she no longer knew.

She had nothing. She had no one.

When all Skye had was her will to survive, fate gave her Thomas. He fought for her, he fought with her and he loved her like no other.

But fate was waiting, ready to strike with the force of a hurricane when she thought she had everything she'd ever wanted. It was coming, the cruel twist of fate that would bring Skye to her knees and threaten her survival once more...

BUYING LINKS

AMAZON US:

http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Twisted-Book-Rebecca-Sherwin-ebook/dp/B00NOFDNSO

AMAZON UK:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Survival-Twisted-Book-Rebecca-Sherwin-ebook/dp/B00NOFDNSO

Enter the Giveaway!

I Wanna Go On This Vacation! "Forever Starts Tonight" by @RoniLoren #blogtour #giveaway #excerpt

Book Blurb:

The wait is over. They fell in love in Melt Into You, but that was only the beginning. Now New York Times bestselling author Roni Loren dials up the passion as three lovers reinvent the meaning of togetherness and find out if love is truly enough…

Two dominant men, one beautiful woman. Jace Austin knows he doesn’t have what you’d call a conventional relationship with Evan and Andre, but it works. Boy, does it work—until Evan starts acting strangely and Andre’s ex-fiancée pops back into his life, unbalancing a perfectly happy threesome. Jace is forced to face the unthinkable: that the two people he cares most about in this world are in danger of slipping away from him.

So Jace plans a surprise getaway to a secluded mountain cabin for the three of them. And he knows exactly what he needs to do: give both his lovers a fantasy week they’ll never forget. And the possibilities for pleasure are endless. But when they get snowed in and the heat between them reaches a fever pitch, secrets come out. And Evan has one that could change all their lives forever.

Available to purchase here:

Amazon, Barnes& Noble, iTunes, Kobo

EXCERPT

Jace let his gaze slide over and drink in the view. Andre worked out regularly, keeping in shape for the police department, but it was more than the body that drew Jace’s eye. Jace had never been one to pin himself down with labels, but not until Andre had he ever seen a man as so damn fuckable. This guy had been his best friend for so long. He was his bro in every sense still, his fellow dominant. But there was so much more there now. Once Jace had acknowledged the attraction he’d been ignoring, had seen Andre’s submissive side, there’d been no turning off that desire. The guy made him hard. He made Jace want to do things he’d never craved before.

And as Jace’s focus moved over that tanned skin and the trail of dark hair that disappeared beneath the band of Andre’s pants, he suddenly had a laundry list of cravings. He let his eyes close again.

“Or we could wave the white flag, miss another hour of sleep, and get ready for the day,” Jace said, not opening his eyes, a mischievous smile touching his lips.

“What do you mean?”

“Ev was right about that shower. Would be a shame to waste it. And I could use a hot one right now.” He flopped his head to the side to look over at Andre.

Andre’s smile was sardonic. “So you really were looking at porn when I came in.”

“On my computer? No. In my head? It’s always there.” He reached out and slipped his fingers into the waistband of Andre’s pants. “And right now I’m thinking you slicked up with soap and tied down to one of those benches sounds way better than sleep or a cup of coffee. You game?”

“You asking or telling?”

Jace leaned forward, letting his hand slide lower until he gripped Andre’s already half-hard cock in his hand. He gave it a squeeze, knowing the snap of discomfort would put Andre in the right state of mind. “I’m telling. Lose the pants and go get the water warm.”

Andre’s dark eyes flared in the low morning light. “Yes, sir.”

Jace moved his hand away and brushed his lips over Andre’s. “And thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being so good to both of us. You’re an incredible man, Medina.”

Andre tipped his face forward, touching his forehead to Jace’s. “And here I just thought you were letting me hang around because I was such a spectacular fuck.”

Jace grinned. “Well, there’s that, too. Prereq for hanging out with me. But seriously, I’m glad that we’re all in this together.”

Andre leaned back and gave Jace’s thigh a squeeze. “We’ve got this, bro. Whatever happens, we’ve got it.”

Jace nodded, and not for the first time, he thanked the universe for blessing him with not just one but two people who filled him up like this, who made everything feel right. He stood and cocked his head toward the hallway. “Get your ass in the shower and wait for me with a blindfold. I’ll be there in a minute.”

Andre headed that way, and Jace went in the other direction toward the bedroom. The hazy morning light was just peeking through the blinds and Evan was curled under the puffy down comforter, dark hair splayed over the pillow, arms hugging a pillow as if she were missing their presence in the bed. He stood in the doorway, watching her for a long moment, his chest swelling with emotion. He could still remember what she’d looked like when he met her as a teenager. She’d been beautiful then, too, but so lost from having lived such a rough life for a young girl. Those blue eyes had held wariness and hurt. Now she’d grown into this strong woman, this stunning creature who made him laugh, made him think, made him love. And on top of all that, she could match him on the freak scale notch for notch, which was quite a feat.

Which was why, despite the early hours, he climbed into bed behind her, curled his arms around her, and whispered, “Good morning, love. I’m about to fuck your boyfriend in the shower if you want to join us.”

She murmured softly and stirred. “Mmm, am I having that hot dream again about guys playing Drop the Soap in the communal showers?”

He huffed a quiet laugh against the curve of her neck. “Dirty girl. Sorry to wake you so early. But you said last night you wanted to watch. Or you could join in.”

She nestled into him. “Is it weird that I have a fantasy about being a fly on the wall instead of a participant?”

“Not at all. I don’t even have to tell Andre that you’re there. He’ll be blindfolded.”

She groaned. “You guys are getting really good at the wake-up call. Normally, nothing could get me out of bed this early, but you’re pushing my buttons, Jace Austin.”

He gave her neck a soft bite. “Give me five minutes, gorgeous, then you can sneak in. 

Giveaway:

• 1 $50 B&N Gift Card (if international winner is chosen, a $50 Amazon card will be sent instead)

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Author Bio:

Roni wrote her first romance novel at age fifteen when she discovered writing about boys was way easier than actually talking to them. Since then, her flirting skills haven’t improved, but she likes to think her storytelling ability has. Though she’ll forever be a New Orleans girl at heart, she now lives in Dallas with her husband and son. 

If she’s not working on her latest sexy story, you can find her reading, watching reality television, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to rockstars, er, rock concerts. Yeah, that's it. She is the National Bestselling Author of The Loving on the Edge series from Berkley Heat.

Places to find Roni Loren:

Site: www.roniloren.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/roniloren

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4877863.Roni_Loren