Covers to Covet

One Sweet Ride

by Jaci Burton

(Play by Play # 6)

Gray Preston was born into money, but he’s built his racing empire on hard work and muscle. Now, with millions of fans, his senator father sends one of his aides, Evelyn Hill, to elicit Gray’s help in garnering votes for his upcoming national election. Gray wants nothing to do with his estranged father’s campaign, but Evelyn can be pretty persuasive. She’s willing to learn about racing, and maybe even get a little dirty.

 Evelyn’s number-one goal is politics, which makes working with Gray difficult, because his only passion is fast cars. As she and Gray spend time together, he teaches her about the sport he loves, and she learns a lot about the man behind the wheel. The more she learns, the more she wants him. But any desire that threatens to derail the carefully laid plans for her future is a dangerous one.

With the passion Gray and Evelyn share running hotter than either imagined, one of them is going to have to compromise, or run the risk of losing more than their hearts.

Available June 2013

Wolf Nip
by Vivian Arend
(Granite Lake Wolves # 6)

Cat got your tongue?

Tessa Williams is looking to make her mark outside the family business, and the unusual landlocked paddle wheeler she spots in Haines, Alaska, strikes her as the perfect location. Only the owner is being difficult, refusing to sell. Still, she’s sure that replacing her written queries with a little in-person charm is all she’ll need to shortly have her Eco-tour B&B on the road to success.

Local wolf-slash-owner of said vessel, Mark Weaver, isn’t hanging on to the landmark building out of spite. There are more reasons for holding back the sale than are easily explained on paper. A face-to-face meeting to resolve the matter only confounds it—when Mark recognizes Tessa as his mate.

But she’s a cat…and cats don’t do insta-mates.

The sexual attraction between them isn’t in question, just everything else. He wants her. She wants twue wuv. His wolf can’t figure out what the holdup is. Her cat thinks the entire situation, and the pack, are rather amusing.

Somewhere in here is the beginning of a beautiful relationship—if they don’t drive each other mad.

Warning: One hyper cat, one laid-back wolf. Inappropriate use of permanent markers, and a heaping side dish of cat/dog jokes. Shenanigans (read: nookie) in front of a roaring fire. Spiced liberally with sarcasm. Enjoy!

Available February 12, 2013

The Secret Santa Wishing Well

by Nikki Lynn Barrett

The magic of Christmas has been lost to Jacob Winston. At the suggestion of his ill sister, Jacob takes a job as a Secret Santa at a mall, hoping to restore his Christmas spirit. Even that doesn't seem to work until a special little boy ambles up to make a very special wish...

Cheyenne Jensen is struggling to raise her two kids without the help of her ex husband who refuses to acknowledge his daughter's existence and doesn't provide for the son he does. Christmas is shaping up to be as heartbreaking as the last until her son Ben's kind actions lead a stranger to them.

Ah, but it's Christmas time and the magic has begun.

When Jacob and Cheyenne meet, neither can deny their immediate attraction to one another. As situations arise that require they spend more time together, the stronger their feelings grow.

With Christmas fast approaching, the pair learn what matters most in life, now if only they could ditch the ghost of Christmases past.

Maybe this holiday will bring some wishes come true- for everyone after all.

 

Halloween Heat V Menage

Available October 5, 2013

ARC Review: Silver Mine by Vivian Arend

Silver Mine

by Vivian Arend

(Takhini Wolves # 2)

It's always amazing how much I enjoy Vivian Arend's writing.  It flows so smoothly and it's just so enjoyable I can't help but find her stories entertaining.  Add in some sexy shifters and I'm in heaven.  SILVER MINE follows the same Arend formula but it's not your typical story.  The few twists she put to this story are refreshing!

First of all there's the hero Chase, who is a crossbreed and can actually shift into a cougar AND a wolf.  How cool is that?  Maybe this is just me but after all the shifter books I've read, this was a first.  Then there's the heroine, Shelley, who can't shift at all even though she is a wolf.  The dynamics of their relationship had to work with these obstacles and finding a mate had to have its own set of complications and rules for them.  I liked that the author didn't throw in a magical fix it all pill at the end of the story.  Their relationship was real in spite of and because of the differences.

But it wasn't all differences because personality wise these two were perfect for each other.  A bit of loners both, passionate and funny.  Chase was just alpha enough without being too much to handle or too rough around the edges.

Then there's the side story with Evan and Caroline.  I just need to know what's going to happen there because where I liked them together in the first book, I am a bit worried about their relationship after this one.  I don't think I want to wait more than one book to see what happens with them.  Could it be they get a book next?  Or if they are not meant to be together, maybe one of them can just find a mate already?

This story was light on the action and plotting but there was some fighting and some drama.  Just the right amount to make the story interesting without overwhelming the romance.  I can't wait to read more!

*ARC provided by author

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Black Gold by Vivian Arend

Black Gold

by Vivian Arend

(Takhini Wolves # 1)

I am under the impression that this is a spin-off series of the Granite Lake Wolves series, however it felt like a continuation.  Which is a great thing because I do love the feel of this series and the personalities and characters are always entertaining.  But now we are dealing with a different pack.

Shaun was feeling a bit down, what with everyone finding their mates and being happy, that he gets plastered at the bar and his Alpha, Evan, has to take him to the local motel he owns to sleep it off.  At the same time, Gem happens to stroll into town because she is going on a wildlife expedition for her research.  Who she happens to find?  Shaun.  Who might he be?  Yep.  Her Mate.  He is also the pilot taking her on her expedition which puts them in close proximity for a few days.

This was a very cute story.  Shaun was sexy and funny, laid back but possessive at the same time.  Smart enough to give her space when she needed it.  She's from Georgia, where werewolves are pretty much shot on sight, has lived a sheltered and pampered life, and ohhh she's an heiress.  The dynamics of their relationship worked well because she is still a very down to earth girl, low maintenance and would fit in with the pack life of the Takhini wolves.

Even though they jump quickly in bed, as I've come to expect with these books when they find their mates, the relationship building was slow and progressed well throughout the book, as they went through obstacles and some danger together.

The side story with Caroline, a human, and the Alpha, Evan, was very interesting and I'm dying to read more about them as well.

Purchase Links: Amazon

Author Override: Vivian Arend

Author Override is the place where authors take the reins and take you on a journey into their world. Some may allow you into their private writing dens. Others may take you along with them on research trips or interviews. Whatever the case may be, sit back, relax and enjoy the ride because here you’ll get an in-depth look into an author’s musings.

It’s here, it’s here!

There’s been a little gap of time since the last Granite Lake Wolves story came out, but I’m so happy to be able to bring you back to the world of the wolfies—lighthearted, sexy, feel-good short stories.

Because it’s nice to finish a book smiling.

I thought in honour of the release of WOLF LINE, and since the blog is Under the Covers, I’d give you an ‘under the covers’ tidbit. Heheh. Because I’m nice that way.

~~**~~

Wolf Line

Granite Lake Wolves, Book 5

Into the best-laid plans a little chaos must fall…

Jared’s not sure how his quiet morning coffee near the harbour ended with him on a cruise ship impersonating one of his pack mates. Well, it might have something to do with a woman, but who can blame him? The female of the species was made to love, and he’s more than willing to share his considerable skills in that area. Especially since he figures the chances of meeting his own one-and-only are slim.

Keri Smith is positive the last-minute recruit sneaking aboard the Arctic Wolf Cruise Lines tour is her mate. Ix-nay on confirming that, though, at least for the next ten days. She’s promised her best friend to be overall troubleshooter for the shifter-only cruise. Getting tangled up in mating lust would reduce her skills to nil. Avoidance of the sexy wolf for the duration of the cruise, followed by jumping his bones, seems the logical solution.

But when libidos are on the line, “logic” and “wolves” don’t go together. Throw in suspicions of wrongdoing, and these two virtual strangers will need a lot more than luck to find their way through to forever.

Warning: Really? You need to be warned about the hot nookie and sarcasm? Yeah, it’s in here. Also colourful cat shifters, lupine royalty, and wild adventures in cabins like you’ve never seen before.

~~**~~

Meet Keri. Slightly confused, more than a little needy for her mate…

Keri looked longingly at the bed. The sheets were rumpled, his half-assed attempt at straightening the covers leaving it borderline messy. She gave into her longings and ditched her shoes. Her own scent was everywhere so he would already know she’d been in his quarters. Maybe a clear message would be enough to make him smarten up if he was involved in something illegal. A “don’t look now, but I’m watching you” message.

Oh, bullshit. She wasn’t trying to pass on any warning, she just wanted to root around in his bed for a minute to drive herself crazy. She crawled under the top sheet and pulled it over her head, surrounding herself in his scent like a kid diving into a swimming pool.

The itching, aching, pulsing need of her wolf soothed and heated at the same time. She needed to have him come and strip her down. To bury his face between her legs and lick her until she screamed. Needed to feel him mount over her and take her, to feel his teeth sink into her flesh as he claimed her.

Keri let the sensation overwhelm her as she lay panting with desire. Only one minute more, then she’d pull herself away and get on with her search for the thief.

*******************

Jared’s turn. Okay, not an under the covers, but an ‘into his mind’ dip.

Jared coaxed the smile back to Keri’s face, and finally his wolf stopped slapping him around. The beast hadn’t stopped poke, poke, poking since he’d hit the damn ship. He’d figured it was because of the mate thing, but now that he and Keri had gotten together—and wow, nothing had prepared him for how much better sex with a mate was—Jared had figured his wolf would take a chill pill.

Nope. Still with the poke-poke shit. The stupid beast sensed something was wrong with his mate and wanted to fix it, right now. Jared couldn’t figure out what the lupine was going on about, which made both of them slightly pissed off and started the typical shifter internal-domination games. Two-brains-in-one-head couldn’t always live together in harmony, and this was one of those times.

Keri had pulled the gown off the wall and was flipping the hanger back and forth, checking both sides. He could hardly wait to see her in it. The skimpy garment had a low, low back, which should showcase that incredible tattoo she had. Which was a good thing.

The scoop of the fabric also meant that when he managed to sweet-talk her into dancing after dinner, he’d get to have his hand on bare flesh. Which was also a good thing.

There was no way she could wear a bra with that neckline. A very, very good thing.

He was such a dog.

******************

Digital: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

 READ OUR REVIEW

~*~

Vivian Arend in one word: Adventurous. In a sentence: Willing to try just about anything once. That wide-eyed attitude has taken her around North America, through parts of Europe, and into Central and South America, often with no running water.

Her optimistic outlook also meant that when challenged to write a book, she gave it a shot, and discovered creating worlds to play in was nearly as addictive as traveling the real one.  Now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of both contemporary and paranormal stories, Vivian continues to explore, write and otherwise keep herself well entertained.

Vivian Arend: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

2 winners can pick the ebook of their choice from books 1-4 in the series

To enter:

1. Be a follower
2. Fill out the form below

ARC Review: Wolf Line by Vivian Arend

Wolf Line

by Vivian Arend

(Granite Lake Wolves # 5)

This was such a cute story. In pretty much the same style as the previous books in this series, WOLF LINE has everything you'd want, delivered in a short story.  I had no expectations about Jared and we didn't know Keri.  But there's some humor, some intrigue and action, and most importantly two adorable characters who are nowhere ready (or so they thought) to meet their mate. But when they do meet, they are great and connect right away, fireworks and all!

Jared, the man whore, was running away from the family/brothers of his latest conquest and ran into a cruise ship to get away from them.  He gets caught, gives a pack members name that was scheduled to work on the maintenance crew, and somehow finds himself aboard the cruise ship and sailing away.

With his bad sense of smell he doesn't realize when his mate is standing right in front of him!  But she knows and she it's all she can not to jump his bones, his very sexy bones.  Until they are caught in the middle of somes thefts happening on board and they will have to help solve them to clear their name.

Another great installment!  Fans of the series will love it and new readers, you're missing out!  These stories are great buys!!

*ARC provided by author

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Wolf Tracks by Vivian Arend

Wolf Tracks

by Vivian Arend

(Granite Lake Wolves # 4)

It seems like I've wanted TJ to get his story since book one.  He's the adorable, clumsy, dunny, good spirited wolf.  He will do anything for his pack and his family.  He's loyal and endearing, even though I didn't use to see him as sexy-alpha...and he wasn't very coordinated.  I guess he is the proof that a man who is not as domineering can still be very appealing.

TJ realizes right away that Maggie's friend Pam is his mate, while at Maggie's wedding.  But she is full human.  The mate bond has to be different with a human and TJ doesn't want to scare her away. Especially since she doesn't know her friend, or the family she's marrying into, are a pack of wolves.

Pam stays in town on vacation while her friend goes on her honeymoon and TJ uses that opportunity to woe her.

I loved both of them.  TJ changed a bit in this book and became more the sexy man I was expecting him to be but without losing his personality.  Pam just seemed like the perfect fit for him, even though I thought she accepted the whole wolf thing very easily.

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Wolf Games by Vivian Arend

Wolf Games

by Vivian Arend

(Granite Lake Wolves # 3)

In the previous book we read about Missy's sister.  She was used in the scheme to get Missy to marry the Alpha's brother of their old pack, so that the alpha could control Missy.  Things were done to Maggie then that changed her.  She hasn't been able to shift or even really be around wolves for a long time.  Now that Missy is happily mated and even pregnant, Maggie comes for a visit. Her sister sends the welcome committee to get her.

One of them being the Granite Lake Beta, Erik.  And there's an immediate recognition that passes thru between them.  They are mates.  Not sure if it's because he's described as this huge guy, or the fact that he can actually speak Russian, or maybe it's because he's actually really cute and funny... but I loved Erik.  Big and cuddly, hot and sensual, possessive and understanding.

Maggie on the other hand was a biiiiiiiiit whiny.  I understand that her personality and actions were probably appropriate for having gone through what she did and the problems she still goes through.  However, a heroine that normally cowers behind the hero is usually not my favorite one.

To add to this mix it is time for the Wolf Games, a series of competitions between neighboring packs.  Names are picked out of a hat to form the representing team and Erik and Maggie were chosen to go.  The games were fun, looking for the clues and using their team members and resources as best as they could.

Speaking of the Games, I cannot wait to read TJ's book.  I adore his clumsy ass!  I was happy to see Erik make the others stop teasing him but also yelled at TJ for putting himself down.  The kid is brilliant and he deserves a place in the pack.

I can't wait to see who's up next!

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Wolf Flight by Vivian Arend

4.5 Feathers

Wolf Flight

by Vivian Arend

(Granite Lake Wolves # 2)

I adore this story!  I was intrigued by Tad's character in the first book in the series.  He was our heroine's brother and he actually knew that he was a wolf, just hadn't been triggered and couldn't shift yet.  When he has to cancel on his sister for their annual trip because of work, he gets a surprise.  His high school crush is actually part of the company that hires him.  And Missy is actually a wolf and wanting to sort of mate with him.

Her plans have to change when she realizes that they are really mates.  She's actually on the run in a way from the Alpha of her pack who wants to have her because she is an Omega wolf.

Now not only does she have a real mate that she doesn't want to loose but he's not able to shift yet and will have to deal with big bad Alpha coming for them.

This was short but very sweet, I loved Tad.  It was also nice that this story happens almost at the same time as book one so we see his side of the story when he finds out his sister is mated and now knows about being a wolf.  Tad could've been triggered a long time ago but he was waiting for the right girl.  The way his personality is I wasn't surprised to find out that he was also an Omega wolf.

Can't wait for the next book.  Will it be TJ soon???

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Wolf Signs by Vivian Arend

Wolf Signs

by Vivian Arend

(Granite Lake Wolves # 1)

Robyn has a ski weekend planned with her brother until his plans change for work and she decides to go alone.  Maybe not the easiest decision since she has a major problem, she's deaf.

But to her surprise, she finds more than just company.  See, she doesn't know this but she's a full-blooded werewolf and who just happens to be at the cabin for a weekend away before a challenge for alpha is her mate.

Robyn is a very strong heroine who has overcome her problems and still faces things head on.  Even though she took the whole "Hey, you're a werewolf and oh by the way my mate" thing very easy, her connection with Keil was sweet.  After many years of being the outsider who didn't fit in, things now click for her.

Keil is just hot.  He's strong and very alpha, well of course, he's challenging for alpha of the pack.  I loved how he had patience with Robyn so she could adjust to the idea of being a wolf.  I loved that he never made an issue out of her being deaf, he was always willing to make it work.  And I also love his relationship with TJ.  Too funny!

I am looking forward to seeing more of the Granite Lake Wolves!!

* For a limited time, this book is free on Amazon click here