Showing posts with label Christina Phillips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christina Phillips. Show all posts

Monday, January 4, 2016

Release Day Blitz and Giveaway: Hold Me Until Forever by Christina Phillips


Welcome to the release day blast for Hold Me Until Forever by Christina Phillips! This shiny new Brazen novel publishes today! Read all about it, and enter the giveaway below. :)



Hold Me Until Forever by Christina Phillips
Book Three of the Grayson Brothers series
Publisher: Entangled Brazen
Publication Date: January 4, 2016

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

She's the only one he wants...and the one he can never have.

Ella Clark has been in love with Alex Grayson forever. She’s tired of being invisible—or worse, being treated like his kid sister. If she can just get him to drop his iron-fisted control for two seconds, she’ll prove she knows exactly how to blow his mind.

Alex has been fighting his attraction to Ella since her should-have-been-innocent sweet sixteen kiss burned down his world. He's damaged, and there's no way he'll ever drag her into his screwed up life. Until she offers him something he's always craved—steamy, no-strings sex inside his exclusive BDSM club. Where she'll be safe from the darkness that haunts him.

Except there's nothing safe about being with Ella, and the more she gives, the harder it is to let her go. If he stays, he risks everything, but how can he walk away from the only woman he's ever needed?




Read my review of Hold Me Until Forever HERE


About the Author:


Christina Phillips is an ex-pat Brit who now lives in sunny Western Australia with her high school sweetheart and their family. She enjoys writing paranormal, historical and contemporary romance where the stories sizzle and the heroine brings her hero to his knees. 

She’s addicted to good coffee, expensive chocolate and bad boy heroes. Christina is also owned by three gorgeous cats who are convinced the universe revolves around their needs. They are not wrong.




(Ella’s just told Alex that she’s leaving Grayson’s, and Alex has gone round to her apartment to try and talk her out of it…)

Guilt twisted through her again. Before he’d taken her into Grayson’s she’d been floundering, her self-confidence still in bad shape after her mom’s asshole boyfriend had cornered her when she’d been fourteen. Her succession of part-time and casual jobs was nothing to brag about, and the only constant in her life had been her volunteer work at the Wildlife Retreat.

“I’m not leaving you in the shit. There’s plenty of time to find a replacement for me.”

He gave her a smoldering look. Oh, for fuck’s sake… “No one could take your place.”

If only he were talking about her as a woman and not his indispensable work colleague.

“Hate to say it, but you’ll probably be surprised.”

He didn’t immediately deny it, which stung more than it should.

“You plan on staying in touch?”

She couldn’t tell by his tone of voice whether he gave a damn one way or the other. So much for no one being able to take her place. Looked like he was already over it.

Don’t you dare say it. Heat flooded through her, but the words spilled out anyhow. “I might come visit you in your club one night.”

At least it wiped that infuriating, unreadable expression from his face. He stared at her as though she’d just grown a pair of horns.

“I don’t think so.”

It was the note of finality in his voice that really pissed her off—as if he thought she was joking and he didn’t find it funny.

“Why not? I think I’d really get off on a night at your club.” Take that. If only she didn’t look so rough. It was hard trying to act like a sophisticated woman of the world when she was barefoot and Alex could’ve stepped off the cover of GQ.

“Didn’t know you were into that scene.”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.” Including the fact I sleep in one of your old shirts. At least he hadn’t recognized it. Then again, it was about three years old. He’d left it here when the brothers had helped her move in, and somehow she kept forgetting to give it back to him.

Accidentally on purpose.

“I would’ve known about this.”

Was he laughing at her? He didn’t look as if he was, but it was hard to tell what he was thinking.

Whatever. She wasn’t backing down.

“I might not be hardcore, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like to experiment now and then.”

“Define what you mean by ‘experimenting.’”

He damn well was laughing at her. What’s the kinkiest thing I’ve read lately? “Ménages.” That’d shut him up. Or turn him on.

“You enjoy having sex with two men at the same time?”

She glared at him. “You find it so hard to believe that two men would want me?”

“That’s not what I find hard to believe.”

His quick-fire response took her breath away. Trust Alex to compliment and insult her in one easy comment.

She cleared her throat, which kind of ruined the worldly aura she was going for, but it was better than choking on her own words. “So, does your club cater for that kind of thing?”

What was she saying? She’d die if he called her bluff.

He didn’t answer right away. His eyes were all dark and smoky and it was suddenly hard to breathe properly. He seemed to be considering her question, which sent prickles of alarmed excitement over her bare skin.

“Excalibur caters for almost anything,” he said.


The Giveaway:

Brazen Blast: January 4, 2016


Forget the resolutions you're likely to break by making the one you're sure to accomplish with Brazen! Start the new year right with three daring, sexy new romance reads. Who needs cardio when these books are sure to get your heart racing?

Hold Me Until Forever by Christina Phillips

Ella Clark has been in love with Alex Grayson forever. She’s tired of being invisible—or worse, being treated like his kid sister. If she can just get him to drop his iron-fisted control for two seconds, she’ll prove she knows exactly how to blow his mind.

Alex has been fighting his attraction to Ella since her should-have-been-innocent sweet sixteen kiss burned down his world. He's damaged, and there's no way he'll ever drag her into his screwed up life. Until she offers him something he's always craved—steamy, no-strings sex inside his exclusive BDSM club. Where she'll be safe from the darkness that haunts him.

Except there's nothing safe about being with Ella, and the more she gives, the harder it is to let her go. If he stays, he risks everything, but how can he walk away from the only woman he's ever needed?

Find a copy of Hold Me Until Forever:

About Christina Phillips: Christina Phillips is an ex-pat Brit who now lives in sunny Western Australia with her high school sweetheart and their family. She enjoys writing paranormal, historical and contemporary romance where the stories sizzle and the heroine brings her hero to his knees.
She is a triple finalist in the 2013 ARRA Awards for Favorite Erotic Romance, and finalist in the 2012 ARRA Awards for Favorite Paranormal Romance. She is published by Entangled, Ellora’s Cave and Berkley Heat and has dipped her toe in the indie pubbed waters. She is a member of the Romance Writers of Australia, Romance Writers of America, the Dark Side Down Under Group blog and Historical Hearts Group blog. She helped establish the inaugural Professional Development for Authors program and has been a member of the editorial team for the RWA’s monthly newsletter, Hearts Talk. She loves hearing from her readers!
Christina is addicted to good coffee, expensive chocolate and bad boy heroes. She is also owned by three gorgeous cats who are convinced the universe revolves around their needs. They are not wrong.

Connect with Christina Phillips

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Tell Me You Want Me by Joya Ryan

Determined to find her inner badass and save her business, boutique owner Michelle Ruby signs up for a twenty-four hour survival class. Except, she’s the only person who registered, and the guide is a sex-on-a-stick G.I. Joe come to life. Between his massive muscles, smoldering blue eyes, and “there’s no crying in camping” attitude, she’s in trouble…in more ways than one.

Search and rescue squad member Dex Young never thought he’d be roped into teaching “survival skills” to pageant queens. His sole student is upper class, upper state, and sexy as hell. And he has a sneaking suspicion that beneath her tight updo and designer jeans, there’s a sex kitten waiting to claw her way out.
But Dex knows women like her. Knows they only bring guys like him home to piss off their daddies. If it’s the bad boy experience she wants, she’ll get it. And Dex? Well, he can’t wait to find out just how dirty Michelle’s willing to get…

Find your copy of Tell Me You Want Me:

About Joya Ryan: National and international bestselling author Joya Ryan is the author of the Shattered series, which includes Break Me Slowly, Possess Me Slowly and Capture Me Slowly. She has also written the Sweet Torment series, which includes Breathe You In and Only You. She loves writing spicy Brazens which include The Chasing Love Series. Passionate about both cooking and dancing (despite not being too skilled at the latter), she loves spending time at home. She resides in California with her husband and her two sons.

Connect with Joya Ryan

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Tied to Trouble by Megan Erickson

A sexy new M/M romance from Entangled’s Brazen imprint…

Chad Lake only showed up at his sister's party for the free food, but when he spots an uptight nerd at the edge of the crowd, he can't resist trying to ruffle the guy's perfect bow tie and impeccable hair. The hottie’s ready for him, though, and in the end, it's Chad who's left wide-eyed, his ears still ringing with the filthy things Bow Tie whispered in his ear. No one gets the upper hand on Chad. Ever.
Owen Hawkins has heard all about the cocky Adonis from Chad’s sister—the same sister who holds Owen’s career advancement in her hands. He has every intention of steering clear of the other man…until Chad's sexy taunts push him too far. There’s something intriguing about Chad, and even though Owen knows that getting tangled up with the infuriating man is trouble, he can’t seem to stay away…



Find your copy of Tied to Trouble:

About Megan Erickson: Megan worked as a journalist covering real-life dramas before she decided she liked writing her own endings better and switched to fiction.

She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and two cats. When she's not tapping away on her laptop, she's probably listening to the characters in her head who won't stop talking.

Connect with Megan Erickson

Friday, December 18, 2015

Review: Hold Me Until Forever by Christina Phillips


Hold Me Until Forever by Christina Phillips
Book Three of the Grayson Brothers series
Publisher: Entangled Brazen
Publication Date: January 4, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

She's the only one he wants...and the one he can never have.

Ella Clark has been in love with Alex Grayson forever. She’s tired of being invisible—or worse, being treated like his kid sister. If she can just get him to drop his iron-fisted control for two seconds, she’ll prove she knows exactly how to blow his mind.

Alex has been fighting his attraction to Ella since her should-have-been-innocent sweet sixteen kiss burned down his world. He's damaged, and there's no way he'll ever drag her into his screwed up life. Until she offers him something he's always craved—steamy, no-strings sex inside his exclusive BDSM club. Where she'll be safe from the darkness that haunts him.

Except there's nothing safe about being with Ella, and the more she gives, the harder it is to let her go. If he stays, he risks everything, but how can he walk away from the only woman he's ever needed?

What I Liked:

I've not read the other two books in this series! They don't sound particularly special and I'm not sure I would have enjoyed them since the heroine in each book is rich and/or famous (I'm not a huge fan of books that have a famous hero or heroine). This book, however, dealt with two close friends. I really enjoy the friends-to-lovers trope in romance, and I'm glad I chose this Brazen novel!

Ella is sure that her friend and boss Alex Grayson will never notice her. She's been in love with him since she was sixteen, but he treats her like a sister. Ella is ready for some change in her life - so she resigns from the company and is going to start at a new job. Little does she know that Grayson has wanted her for years, but he knows he isn't good enough for her. Juvie past? Too damaged for this kind, good woman. But Ella surprises him when she comes with him to his BDSM club for an exclusive night with him - and another, and another, until they've become friends with benefits. But Ella wants more - can Alex let himself trust again?

This book was a lot more dense than I thought, in terms of the issues that the author went into. Usually Brazen novels have steamy romances and *some* angst, but not too much. In this book, Alex has a really, really bad past (not your cliche type either), and it has been eating him for years. Going to juvie is definitely a reason for guarding oneself from others emotionally, especially for why he went. I felt so bad for him! But I loved seeing this aspect explored so well, especially emotionally. Alex shut down emotionally after juvie, in terms of relationships. 

I liked Alex. He's not your typical alpha Brazen hero, though he is definitely still domineering and manly in other ways. He's the silent type, but he isn't arrogant and doesn't play hard to get - he just doesn't want people to bother him. He loves his brothers and would do anything for them. He's been love with Ella for years, but can't let himself be that close to her. Alex has been shouldering guilt for years, and it makes him somewhat of a hard man. He's swoony and broken, if that makes sense.

Ella is a cutie. She's kind of awkward but also kind of bold, and she's got a good sense of intuition. I like that she kept trying with Alex, never really let him go. She understood his issues and didn't run from him, not when they were younger and he went to juvie, not now when he pushes her away. Ella is emotionally strong and independent, which I liked!

The romance between these two started a little slowly, but really picked up speed. I'm not into BDSM so I liked how the author incorporated BDSM into this book - very mildly. Ella and Alex go to the club, but it's just Ella and Alex exclusively - nothing else going on. Their physical relationship is really steamy, and Ella picks up certain things quickly. But their emotional connection also progresses nicely - I liked seeing Alex slowly trust Ella with his "dark side".

I think the author constructed this romance very well! It wasn't over the top with drama in the end, and both parties worked to be together (not just one of the other). I liked the ending - it was an interesting and adorable end!

What I Did Not Like:

I think there could have been a little more chemistry before the couple had their first sexual experience... but that's just me. Maybe because they were supposed to be platonic friends, it was hard to write the chemistry between them. But the chemistry was off the charts after that first night! *fans self*

Would I Recommend It:

If you're into Brazen novels, this one was pretty good! I don't think I'd call it a favorite, but I enjoyed it, and I could see myself remembering this or possibly rereading it or recommending it. There wasn't anything that bothered me *too* much!

Rating:

3.5 stars -> rounded up to 4 stars. This author is new to me, but I can tell that she writes a good romance! I'll be looking out for more novels by her in the future.


Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!