BLOG TOUR: Upper Hand by Freya Barker *GIVEAWAY*

Book: Upper Hand

Series: Cedar Tree #5

Author: Freya Barker

Cover Designed: Margreet Asselbergs

Model: Alfie Gordillo

Photographer: Reggie Deanching of R+M Photography

Hosted By: Francessca’s Romance Reviews

Synopsis:

More often than not, Clint Mason has his foot firmly wedged in his mouth, which tends to get him in plenty of hot water with the ladies. Although his laid back good ole’ Southern charm does not fly far with the female population of Cedar Tree, the big burly contractor hides his dark side well. 

The only one Beth Franklin allows herself to rely on is Beth, and so far that has served her well. Just when her son disappears after dropping his little guy off on her doorstep, her life seems to spiral out of control. For the first time ever, fearing for his safety, the fiercely independent waitress is forced to be on the receiving end of a helping hand. That’s not easy for her, especially since the shovel-sized hand belongs to a man whose approach has run hot and cold the last year, leaving her feeling off balance. With a steady and commanding force, he exposes her softer side, while doing everything he can to keep her and those close to her safe.

**Due to some content of a sexually explicit nature, this book is recommended for a mature audience only.**

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Excerpt:

EXCERPT for reading: 

I watch her puttering around the kitchen wondering whether I should call her on the strange mood she’s been in since she got home. It’s not even nine-thirty yet, by all accounts early for a Saturday night and what better way to spend it than try and make some headway with this stubborn woman.

“You okay, Beth? You’ve been a bit off since you got home from the diner, is it that time of the month?”

With a clatter the spoon she was holding to scoop coffee grinds drops to the counter and I realize in that moment I probably just fucked up again.

“Say what?” 

Damn that woman can look angry.

“I just meant that you seemed a bit off, like you weren’t feeling well or something.” I struggle to recover but once unleashed, there is no escaping the wrath of Beth.

“I’m off and so being a woman it must be my time of the month? Un-fucking-believable! You are such a Neanderthal, Clint. What do you call it when a guy is ‘off’, huh? Oh wait, that’s right, men stronger than that, right? Not bothered by ‘little’ things that would affect only us ‘fragile’ women?” The sarcasm is dripping off and before I have a chance to throw up a defense, she’s back in action, the coffee spoon clutched in her hand, waving around like a weapon. “For your information, buster, I haven’t had a period since the doctor removed my chicken coop twelve years ago!” 

I swear I try to follow what she’s saying and I think I’m doing okay until she brings up a chicken coop. Confused I shake my head and repeat it back to her.

“Chicken coop?”

For a minute I think the dramatic eye roll is all I’ll get for an answer, when in reality she’s just gathering steam. Fucked up as it may be, it makes me harder than steel to see her all riled up. My cock is straining behind my zipper to the point of serious self-mutilation.

“Oh. Em. Gee. Yes Clint. Chicken coop. The works. The baby factory. I had a hysterectomy, you baboon!” 

Okay, sue me, but all I can think right now is the promise of sliding into her without the barrier of a condom between us. Fuck yeah.

Excerpt 2:

EXCERPT for reading: 

Her hands on her rounded hips in challenge, she stirs the darker side of me. A challenge like that is not wasted on me and before she can blink I am on her. My arms pull her tight into my body, one hand sliding down to clasp that luscious ass and the other one tugging at the damn elastic band in her hair so I can weave my finger through. 

Eyes wide and mouth opening in what I assume to be protest, I take away that option forcing her to swallow her words when I slam my mouth down on hers. Hands that were braced against my chest in rejection, slowly curl to find purchase in my shirt as my mouth eats at hers in a dance for the upper hand. 

I win.

Her whimper along with the moulding of her body to mine shows me that underneath that bristly fierce creature lives a woman who craves giving up control. Who despite the tight reigns she keeps on her life and everyone in it, secretly wants to let go. The knowledge that I’m able to bring that out in her makes my chest swell with emotion. Fuck yeah. 

With Beth wedged between my body and the counter I hold her head in place with my hand tangled in her hair, while the other hand goes exploring. Over her soft hips to the dip of her waist, skimming the slight swell of her stomach I can feel her suck in, to the weight of her breast overflowing my palm. I pull back slightly, leaving my lips barely touching hers and will her eyes to open to mine. I need to see her reaction as I use thumb and forefinger to sharply pinch and tug on her nipple poking through the lace of her bra. The sharp hiss and instant darkening of her chocolate brown eyes tells me enough.

“Bed,” I mumble against her mouth. “I need my mouth on you in the worst possible way and I’ll end up on my face if we don’t get horizontal right fucking now.”

What Others Are Saying

I just took a wonderful trip back to Cedar Tree. Freya Barker is a brilliant, creative, and freaking amazing writer. I love her stories. I love her characters. She delivers another great addition to the series. ~ Goodreads Review

This is my second Freya Barker book and I loved it! Her writing style is so down to earth and it’s a refreshing change from all the fluffy stories I come across. Her characters are just people, not glamour dolls. ~ Goodreads Review

The suspense plot line is well thought out and paced. Love this series and am anxious to read more from this author. ~ Goodreads Review

I love the excellent mix of romance, humor, and mystery that is woven through the book. A page turner from beginning to end. Definitely recommend! ~ Goodreads Review

About The Author

Freya Barker craved reading about 'real' people, those who are perhaps less than perfect, but just as deserving of romance, hot monkey sex and some thrills and chills in their lives – So she decided to write about them. Always creative, from an early age on she danced and sang, doodled, created, cooked, baked, quilted and crafted. Her latest creative outlets were influenced by an ever-present love for reading. First through blogging, then cover art and design, and finally writing. Born and raised in the Netherlands, she packed her two toddlers, and eight suitcases filled with toys to move to Canada. No stranger to new beginnings, she thrives on them. With the kids grown and out in the world, Freya is at the ‘prime’ of her life. The body might be a bit ramshackle, but the spirit is high and as adventurous as ever. Something you may see reflected here and there in some of her heroines.... none of who will likely be wilting flowers. 

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email: freyabarker.writes@gmail.com

Other Books 

CEDAR TREE Sales Links: 

Slim To None (#1)

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Hundred To One (#2)

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Against Me (#3)

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Also by Freya Barker: 

”FROM DUST”A Standalone Dark Emotional Romance Novel

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BLOG TOUR: Swelter by Nina G. Jones *GIVEAWAY*

Title: Swelter

Author: Nina G. Jones

Genre: Erotic Romance

Release Date: October 1, 2015

Synopsis

I married the right brother.

At least that's what I tell myself at night, when I stare at the ceiling and listen to the rhythm of the grandfather clock down the hall. It never feels like the mere passage of time, but a countdown towards something inevitable. Bobby Lightly is selfish, irresponsible, and careless. I haven't seen him since the day I married his brother. He slipped out during the wedding reception without a word. A year later, I heard Bobby was drafted to Korea. He never said goodbye to anyone. Never sent a letter. We had all come to terms with the fact that he was probably dead somewhere, either a victim of the war or its aftermath. That is, until in the midst of an unrelenting heatwave, he showed up at the doorstep of the house I lived in with his brother. Everyone thinks I'm cruel. Everyone thinks I should be easy on him. They think I don't understand him. They all think I hate him. But what no one understands is that it was Bobby who broke my heart. And I think he’s back to do it again.  

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Excerpt

I snickered to myself. "He never had a chance. Rory never had a chance." I shook my head in pity for the man I had grown to begrudge. "From the first day of our marriage, he couldn't win because he wasn't you." I spun around, looking to the black forest for a way out, an exit from my tragic dilemma. "I don't know how to fix this. He'll never be you. It's not his fault or our fault. It just is. And for years I resented him for that. I loved you. I loved hating you. I loved loving you. And when you left, I blamed him. It's not fair. None of it is fair. For him. For us." My shouts vanished into the dark night. Just like all my efforts, they meant nothing. "We tried so hard to do the right thing. We sacrificed us for him. And I think it just made things worse. Look at him." "Stop," Bobby said firmly.  "I was so cold to him. I pushed him away so much. I created that man you see today. Do you think that was the right thing?" "Stop," Bobby repeated. My emotions erupted out of me, explosive from years of being crammed into a secret space. Years of secrets I couldn't tell. Of unrequited love. Of a life unfulfilled. Of dreams demolished. I pounded my fist to my chest. "It hurts. It physically hurts to see you every day. You are the first person I think about when I wake up. When I thought you died, I died. Rory was with a corpse." Bobby stepped closer to me. "Stop it, Lil." "And you keeping being you and I am trying so hard not to love you." I didn't care anymore about pretending. The threads were ripped and I felt as raw as the festering wound I had dealt with for the past seven years.  "And then you take me dancing and you tell me how you wrote me letters that you never sent and you bring me here. You make it impossible not to love you, dammit.” I thrust a finger in his direction and scowled. “And I hate you for that."  

About The Author

Nina G. Jones is the author of the bestselling novel DEBT, the Strapped Series and the erotic romance, Gorgeous Rotten Scoundrel. Her next novel, Swelter, releases on October 1st, 2015. Nina LOVES connecting with readers. You can connect with her via Facebook, Twitter, or through this site. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads  

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Blog Tour & Review ~ Finding Us by Debra Presley ~ JMAC

Book Title: Finding Us (A Nucci Securities Novel) Author: Debra Presley Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: July 31, 2015 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Pop star Abby Murphy is living every girl’s dream. She has fame, fortune, and a handsome boyfriend, a guitar player named Sean. That changes the night she finds him in the arms of another woman. Hurt and betrayed, Abby ends their relationship. But Sean won't accept the breakup, and she soon learns that he’s had a hidden agenda all along. Overnight, Sean transforms from loving boyfriend to dangerous adversary, and Abby no longer knows who she can trust among her friends and family. Abby turns to her bodyguard, Danny Nucci, a man who will do everything in his power to keep her safe. But when Abby realizes her feelings for Danny run much deeper than she thought, she refuses to give in to her attraction in order to preserve her new found independence as well as protect Danny from Sean's machinations. When Abby finally finds the strength to reclaim her life and acknowledge her growing love for Danny, will she be able to let him in? And will Danny be able to overcome his own demons to be the man she needs him to be? Or will she be forced to let him go forever?

*JMAC'S REVIEW*

Finding Us was a great debut by Debra!

Finding Us had a lot of aspects to it.  A crazy ex boyfriend, a mother who has no care, and a girl who is basically just lost, and can't seem to trust anyone.  

I loved Danny.  I thought he was a great leading male in the story. The one thing I can't take is a weak female, and in some cases Abby was really weak.  I wanted to shake her and tell her to not care what people were telling her to do.  I wanted her to just do what SHE wanted to do..But I did understand why she had to do what she did.  Being a musician, they live completely different lives.  I totally understood why she couldn't just do what she wanted at times.  

I do wish that Danny and Abby had a longer time together than they did, but maybe there will be another book with them in it, because I really do love them together.  

All in all it was a good read.  It was a mixture of funny, sexy and serious.  Great job on your debut Debra, I can't wait for the next one!

©2015 Debra Presley Abby sagged against the elevator wall, completely exhausted from her long day. All she wanted now was the hot bath Sean had promised, followed by blissful sleep. Sophie, along with her personal security detail, Danny Nucci and Ron Miller, stepped into the elevator with her. “That wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been,” Sophie said. “Danny was lucky enough to get cornered by that woman.” Ron chuckled and pressed the buttons for their floors. “Left me to hold back all the squealing teenagers.” Abby fought the urge to roll her eyes. The woman was gross. She was dressed like a cheap whore. And, she was there with her daughter, not at some nightclub. She wouldn’t leave Danny alone. “You could’ve given me some help. She was disgusting.” He shook his head exaggeratedly. “She was quite fond of you.” Abby laughed to mask her real feelings. “Not one of you tried to intervene. I’m gonna need to shower for a week in order to get her perfume out of my nose. She reeked.” “Yeah, you do smell pretty,” Abby goaded. “I’ll remember this. Just wait,” Danny warned as the elevator door opened to Sophie’s floor. “Night.” Sophie gave Abby a quick peck on the cheek before she stepped off the elevator. “Night.” Abby waited inside the elevator with Danny. He held the door open while Ron walked Sophie to her room. “So, what are your plans for the rest of the night? A late night rendezvous with the smelly cougar?” Abby teased. “Aren’t you the funny one this evening. Well, baby doll, it’s two-thirty in the morning, so I’m thinking sleep. Why? Did you have something in mind?” She got lost for a minute in his deep-brown eyes that sparkled with mischief. She’d always thought he was hot, but she was caught off guard by the desire to touch his cheek, to smooth her fingertips over his dimples. This visceral reaction to Danny kept happening more and more frequently, no matter how much she tried to suppress it. “Um, you still with me, Abby?” She blinked, and her cheeks flushed with heat. “Oh, you want me to answer you?” she laughed to cover up her embarrassment. She didn’t want him to realize she’d been daydreaming about how rough his five o’ clock shadow would feel against the flat of her tongue. “I told you how I feel about your stupid nicknames.” She tried to sound pissed, but didn’t pull it off. Ron laughed as he entered the elevator and pressed the button for their floor. Danny glared at him for a moment then started laughing with him. Abby changed the subject. Much safer that way. “What time are we heading out in the morning?” “Oh-nine-hundred hours,” Danny replied. “Okay, Drill Sergeant, I’ll be ready.” The elevator dinged, and the doors opened to the semi-private floor which held the suite she shared with Sean, along with another across the hall where Danny and Ron stayed. “Well, Military Man, it’s been a pleasure. I’m gonna go pass the hell out. Have a good night. See ya, Ron.” She waved over her shoulder as she slid her keycard through the electronic lock. When the reader beeped and the green light came on, she gave the men one last smile before entering her suite. She closed the door and removed the nude color platform pumps from her aching feet. Clearly, her shoes were made for showing, not walking. She made her way into the large sunken living room; the muted neon glow from the Vegas strip was the only light in the room. “Sean?” Abby called on her way to the bedroom. She dropped her shoes next to the dresser. Sean wasn’t there, even though he’d said he would be. Abby blew out a puff of air, annoyed with herself for believing him, yet again. She wasn’t lying when she said she’d reached her limit, but that didn’t matter when he knew that it wasn’t up to her anyway. Her mother would never let her leave him. She had plans, and it didn’t matter what Abby wanted. Abby turned the light on then dug into her bag for her phone. It wasn’t there. “Fuck,” she muttered. She picked up the hotel phone and dialed Sean’s number. It went to voicemail. She hung up. There was no point in leaving a message. She dialed back to the operator and asked to be connected to Sophie’s room. “Hey, sorry to bother you, but do you have my phone?” “No, I don’t think so, but let me look. Hold on.” Abby chewed her lip, thinking about Sean. Where the hell was he? Worse, who was he with? A hard knot formed in her stomach as she thought about what he might be doing. “Hey,” Sophie said. “I don’t have it.” “I must’ve left it in my dressing room.” Typical, considering the way her luck had been tonight. “Sean’s not here. You know what that means.” She sighed. “I’m gonna go find my phone.” “Why do you even bother with him anymore? We’ve hashed this out before.” “It’s late. Can we talk about this later? He’s not here and right now I can’t even think about what that means, but I know I need my phone.” She was sick of it all. “You shouldn’t go alone.” “It’ll take twenty minutes. Quick and easy.” Thankfully the arena was connected to the hotel. “Okay, but ask one of the boys to go.” “They’ve had a long night. I don’t want to bother them. I won’t be long, and besides, you’ll know where I am. When I find my phone, I’ll call you.” “Abby! Tell them. I get that you’re upset, because Sean’s disappeared…again but don’t do something stupid.” “Fine. Will you come with?” “I’ll meet you at the elevator.” “Perfect. Thanks.” Abby slipped on a pair of flats and unhooked the panic button from her purse and attached it to her bracelet. Danny insisted that she wear the damn thing. She insisted that it looked good as a charm she could wear hanging from wrist or attached to her purse. After all, security was important, but appearances could make or break her career. She didn’t want it to look like she had a tracking device on her. Abby double-checked that her keycard was in her pocket before she let her door close behind her, then she jabbed the call button for the elevator. She was about to knock on the door to Danny and Ron’s suite, but a ding sounded behind her and announced the arrival of the elevator. “Damn.” She decided to call the guys when she got her phone and hurried into the elevator before the doors could slide shut without her.

"This is a must read of 2015! It’s been a long time since I read a book that was a unquestionable 5 stars for me. This book was it though." ~ 5 Stars form author Mari Brown

"Debra Presley’s novel, Finding Us (Nucci Securities #1), does a magnificent job writing a captivating story that will have you feel as if you are on an emotional roller coaster of COMPASSION, SADNESS, ANGER, DISTRUST, DECEPTION, LUST, JEALOUSY, FRIENDSHIP, SUSPENSE, and LOVE." ~ 5 Stars Just Booked "Finding Us is a very well written and engaging book. The story line was easy to follow and believable. The characters come alive and you can't help but connect with them. Which is something that speaks volumes from an author, especially with a debut book." ~ 5 STARS from Romance Bytes "This book sucked me in from the very first page and kept me reading until the very end. I couldn't believe that I finished the entire thing in less than one day. I just couldn't put it down. Everything just flowed so perfectly that I didn't want the story to end." ~ 5 Stars from Jodi's WINE List Reviews   "..let me tell you, she knocked it out of the park. This book was really good and had a great storyline. The book flowed easily and I wanted so much more when it ended." ~5 Stars from Renee Entress's Blog "This was my foray into the Rockstar Romance genre and I have to say it was a excellent way to try out a new genre! This story has everything, romance, suspense, comic relief moments, self-discovery and an empowered heroine. All of my favorite things!" ~ 5 Stars from Pretty Little Book Blog "Debra wrote such a story. She had me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading trying to figure out what was going to happen next...Debra outdid herself for her debut book. I'm really excited to see what she's going to write next!" ~ 5 Stars from Mommy's Late Night Book Ups "Debra's debut novel will blow you out the water. The edge and sass that each character gives will make you wonder where Debra came up with this story." ~ 5 Stars from MI Bookshelf "Well Done! A story that flows well from first page to last with a great deal of humor and tension interspersed throughout. This will leave you wanting to keep reading, regardless of what is happening around you." ~ 5 Stars from My Favorite Things "This one in particular feels like Debra Presley has been writing forever. I can’t honestly believe it’s her first novel.... I really enjoyed the flair of the writing, it was fresh and easy yet wasn’t too shallow, if you get what I mean. The author built her characters and plot extremely well, descriptively it was good and Debra gave the reader some fantastic imagery." ~ 4.5 Star form Klaire's Kollection "This is a very impressive debut novel, one that I quickly got pulled into and didn't want to put down....Overall this is a really entertaining and enjoyable story, I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!" ~ 4.5 My Boo Filled Life "This was a well written book and I was caught up in this story from the very beginning." ~ 4.5 Star review from Reading Drinking and Relaxing "Well developed characters, a plot that flows through the entire book and a physical attraction between Abby and Danny will keep you entertained until the end." ~ 4 STARS from Rustys Reading "Everything from the characters to the plot line was written to absolute perfection. The characters were described beautifully and the plot line was dynamic and detailed." ~ 4 STARS from Romance Obsessed Book Blog "I can't believe this is her debut novel." ~ 4 Stars from Page Turners Book Blog

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Debra is a native New Yorker who made her escape to the suburbs. She often returns to her hometown to visit her favorite deli for a bagel with butter, because there’s no better bagel than a New York bagel. When not in search of bagels, Debra spends her time running Book Enthusiast Promotions, an online promotions company that helps indie authors spread the word about their books. She’s also the owner of The Book Enthusiast blog.

She started writing lyrics in her wall-to-wall NKOTB bedroom at the tender age of thirteen while dreaming of the day she’d become Mrs. Jordan Knight. That dream never came to fruition, but she has continued to write. Now she’s working on her first novel.

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