Saturday, February 21, 2015

Book Review: Pros & Cons by Sydney Logan

Con artists Jenna York and Ethan Summers always seem to cross paths during their travels around the world. With their partners in tow, the cunning criminals wreak havoc across the globe, stealing from the rich and giving to the richer. While Jenna tries to convince herself that she sees him as nothing more than a professional rival, Ethan finds it a little harder to fight his attraction to the beautiful thief.

When tragedy strikes, Jenna and Ethan join forces, but are the stakes too high? Can they escape this last job with their lives—and their hearts—intact?


Excerpt


As I slip quietly out of the suite and rush toward the elevator, I can’t deny I’m feeling a little better about Vegas.

That is, until the elevator doors open.

Standing there, leaning against the stainless steel wall with a cocky smile on his face, is the one person I really didn’t want to see this weekend.

With a miserable groan, I step inside the elevator and furiously stab the button.

“Are you following me, Summers?”

“I’d follow your dimples anywhere, York.”

Ethan Summers is infuriatingly charming and handsome. Both assets have proven to be beneficial to his career and detrimental to mine.

“Well, these dimples just lifted Bradley Jones’ credit card numbers.”

“Impressive. Although, one might argue that a more superior con artist would be capable of accomplishing such a feat without showing a little skin. Really, Jenna, I’m disappointed.”

He rarely calls me by my first name. Last names have always been our thing.

“Were you watching me?”

“Every heterosexual man in the casino was watching your little performance. Nice legs, by the way.”

Crap.

“Not good,” I mutter.

“No, but I enjoyed it.”

Ethan grins as the elevator doors open. I don’t protest when he grabs me by the elbow and leads me toward the nearest exit. It’s not brightly lit, but there’s a very nice bouncer that Ethan greets by name who allows us to walk right out the door and into the starry Nevada night. He doesn’t let go of my arm as we hurry toward a black SUV.

“Why are you helping me?”

“You drugged a millionaire and stole his credit card info. I think it’s best we get you out of town.”

That doesn’t really answer my question, but I can’t argue with his logic.
Ethan opens the passenger door and helps me inside.

“Nice stilettos.”

I glare at him, and he shoots me a sexy smile before slamming my door.

It’s really too bad that I hate his guts.

Ethan Summers and I have crossed paths many times throughout the past couple years. It’s unavoidable, considering we’re two of the finest criminal minds in the world.

That’s what the news says, anyway.

“Let me guess,” Ethan says as he pulls the SUV out onto the highway. “You used Rohypnol on Jones?”

I roll my eyes. “I’m a thief, not a sexual predator.”

“Well, you obviously slipped something into his drink.”

“Sleeping pill.”

Ethan hums his disapproval. I can’t argue with him. Slipping Bradley a sedative is so amateur.

“I was desperate. The entire weekend has been a complete waste of time. When did the Viper install dome cams?”

“A few weeks ago. The casino’s hosting the U.S. Poker Championship next month. Ceiling cams are a requirement.”

“Super.”

“I know.”

“So, if you knew about the cameras, what were you doing at the casino?”

“Let’s just say a little birdie told me you were hitting the Viper tonight. I had a feeling you might need my assistance.”

“So you’ve been talking to Abby.”

He remains silent and keeps his eyes trained on the freeway, giving me the chance to study his profile. Ethan has a mop of unruly dark hair and deep blue eyes that make most girls go weak in the knees.

Not this girl. Nope.
“Like what you see?”

My face heats. I hate when he catches me ogling him.

“You’re an ass.”


He laughs. “Someday, Jenna, you’re going to stop fighting this attraction between us. I’m really looking forward to that.”


Review

This book was so much fun! It was fast paced and managed to suck me into its world right from the get go. It really says a lot to me about the writing when I can completely lose myself in another world for a while, the faster the better. It's full of excitement, tragedy, sexual tension leading into a sweet romance - what's not to like?

Jenna and Ethan are a perfect match in more ways than one. They trade witty barbs and banter whenever they run into each other on the job, trying to ignore the sparks that fly any time they get remotely close to one another. Although there is always a heavy dose of playful flirting involved, they both know deep down that if they ever give in to what they really want, the results are going to be explosive. All it takes is one inquisitive kiss to send them both running for the hills in self-preservation, but when tragedy touches too close to home they are forced back together again and eventually into each other's arms. 

My only complaint is that I think I would have enjoyed a slightly longer look at these expert con artists and thieves at work. It is stated multiple times that these two are "the best" at what they do, but we are only given a slight glimpse of them actually doing it. I wouldn't want a lot more; I'd hate to get bogged down with too much information and lose sight of the budding relationship, but still it would be fun to see more of them in their element.

Otherwise, this is such a fun, lovely read! There were a few instances where I thought I was sure I knew what was going to happen next only to have the glorious pleasure of being wrong. I HATE when I can predict an entire book. Why bother reading it? When a writer like Sydney Logan can keep me entertained AND guessing like she does in this book I'll be sure to click that purchase button every time she has a new release! 


Goodreads:

Buy links:
Kindle: http://amzn.com/B00T8HOVTM



About the Author

Amazon bestselling author Sydney Logan holds a Master's degree in Elementary Education. She is the author of three novels - Lessons Learned, Mountain Charm, and Soldier On. Sydney has also penned four short stories and is a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul. 
A native of East Tennessee, Sydney enjoys playing piano and relaxing on her porch with her wonderful husband and their very spoiled cat.







Friday, February 20, 2015

Release Day Blitz: The One That Got Away by M.B. Feeney

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Genre: Contemporary Romance

Content Warning: Sexual situations and bad language.

Cover designer: Grafix Momma ~ Editor: Sydney Kalnay & R. E. Hargrave

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There’s something about that one person we date in our teens but never become intimate with. Why does a sexless relationship render us unable to stop carrying that person, the what if, with us into our adult life?

For Heidi Johnson, Shane Hughes is her “one that got away.” Through the years, he has stayed in the back of her mind while she became an adult, a mother, and her own person. Meanwhile, Shane has lived a life of regret that he let Heidi go for the wrong reasons: fear and a misguided sense of not wanting to hurt either of them. When they reconnect online, the memories they've tried to suppress over the years return, reigniting the feelings never explored ‘back in the day.’ Will a school reunion in their home town of London, surrounded by old school friends, help the pair address the questions the years apart left unanswered? Or will they still be left with wanting more?  

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For almost half an hour I sat at an abandoned table by the wall, smoking my cigarettes one after the other. Apart from a few voices filtering out through the open doors, I sat in complete silence. Not one other person came out, but I could hear voices. It seemed most of the smokers were outside the front, leaving me to feel like I was the only smoker in the building.

Leaning back against the wall, I let the soft breeze play over my flushed face and was savouring a bit of peace and quiet when I looked at my watch and jumped. I hadn’t realised that it was so late—time certainly does fly when you’re having fun. Which I had been having, before the need to escape into the dark overtook me. Crushing out my cigarette in the huge metal ashtray, I stood to go back inside. I stalled when I caught sight of Shane making his way through the crowded downstairs room of the pub, walking in the direction of the beer garden. Towards me. Crumpling back down onto the seat, I lit another cigarette, my hand shaking from nerves, and . . . something else. It was okay sitting close to him in a crowded room surrounded by people, but the garden was deserted and dark. He spotted me pretty quick thanks to the glowing orange tip of my lit cigarette.

“Nice spot.” He pointed to the overhanging branches of ivy that partially hid the table. Without speaking further, he sat down next to me and took my face between his warm, strong hands. All I could see were his beautiful eyes locking on me—right before his lips crashed into mine.

 

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Amazon Author Page

 

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6578767M. B. Feeney is an army brat who finally settled down in Birmingham, UK with her other half, two kids and a dog. Currently at university studying for her BA (Hons) in primary teaching, she procrastinates on her assignments by listening to music of all genres and trying to get ‘just one more paragraph’ written on whichever WIP is open. She is also a serious doodler and chocoholic. Writing has been her one true love ever since she could spell, and publishing is the final culmination of her hard work and ambition.

Her publishing career began with two novellas, and she currently has multiple projects under way whilst Honour, a compilation of her own military based shorts, was released in November 2013. Always having something on the go can often lead to block which eventually gets dissolved by good music and an even better book. Her main reason for writing is to not only give her readers enjoyment, but also to create a story and characters that stay with readers long after the book is finished, and possibly make someone stop and think “what if...”

Join M. B. Feeney's Street Team

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Monday, February 2, 2015

Cover Reveal: Pros & Cons by Sydney Logan

Sydney Logan is revealing the cover of her upcoming novel, Pros & Cons! She's also revealing the video book trailer and offering readers the chance to win an advanced copy of the ebook!
Cover by T.M. Franklin
Book Release: February 21, 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Suspense
Publisher: Mountain Media
 
Con artists Jenna York and Ethan Summers always seem to cross paths during their travels around the world. With their partners in tow, the cunning criminals wreak havoc across the globe, stealing from the rich and giving to the richer. While Jenna tries to convince herself that she sees him as nothing more than a professional rival, Ethan finds it a little harder to fight his attraction to the beautiful thief. When tragedy strikes, Jenna and Ethan join forces, but are the stakes too high? Can they escape this last job with their lives—and their hearts—intact? 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24445498-pros-cons
As I slip quietly out of the suite and rush toward the elevator, I can’t deny I’m feeling a little better about Vegas.
That is, until the elevator doors open.
Standing there, leaning against the stainless steel wall with a cocky smile on his face, is the one person I really didn’t want to see this weekend.
With a miserable groan, I step inside the elevator and furiously stab the button.
 
“Are you following me, Summers?”
“I’d follow your dimples anywhere, York.”
Ethan Summers is infuriatingly charming and handsome. Both assets have proven to be beneficial to his career and detrimental to mine.
“Well, these dimples just lifted Bradley Jones’ credit card numbers.”
“Impressive. Although, one might argue that a more superior con artist would be capable of accomplishing such a feat without showing a little skin. Really, Jenna, I’m disappointed.”
He rarely calls me by my first name. Last names have always been our thing.
“Were you watching me?”
“Every heterosexual man in the casino was watching your little performance. Nice legs, by the way.”
Crap.
“Not good,” I mutter.
“No, but I enjoyed it.”
Ethan grins as the elevator doors open. I don’t protest when he grabs me by the elbow and leads me toward the nearest exit. It’s not brightly lit, but there’s a very nice bouncer that Ethan greets by name who allows us to walk right out the door and into the starry Nevada night. He doesn’t let go of my arm as we hurry toward a black SUV.
“Why are you helping me?”
“You drugged a millionaire and stole his credit card info. I think it’s best we get you out of town.”
That doesn’t really answer my question, but I can’t argue with his logic.
Ethan opens the passenger door and helps me inside.
“Nice stilettos.”
I glare at him, and he shoots me a sexy smile before slamming my door.
It’s really too bad that I hate his guts.
Ethan Summers and I have crossed paths many times throughout the past couple years. It’s unavoidable, considering we’re two of the finest criminal minds in the world.
That’s what the news says, anyway.
“Let me guess,” Ethan says as he pulls the SUV out onto the highway. “You used Rohypnol on Jones?”
I roll my eyes. “I’m a thief, not a sexual predator.”
“Well, you obviously slipped something into his drink.”
“Sleeping pill.”
Ethan hums his disapproval. I can’t argue with him. Slipping Bradley a sedative is so amateur.
“I was desperate. The entire weekend has been a complete waste of time. When did the Viper install dome cams?”
“A few weeks ago. The casino’s hosting the U.S. Poker Championship next month. Ceiling cams are a requirement.”
“Super.”
“I know.”
“So, if you knew about the cameras, what were you doing at the casino?”
“Let’s just say a little birdie told me you were hitting the Viper tonight. I had a feeling you might need my assistance.”
“So you’ve been talking to Abby.”
He remains silent and keeps his eyes trained on the freeway, giving me the chance to study his profile. Ethan has a mop of unruly dark hair and deep blue eyes that make most girls go weak in the knees.
Not this girl. Nope.
“Like what you see?”
My face heats. I hate when he catches me ogling him.
“You’re an ass.”
He laughs. “Someday, Jenna, you’re going to stop fighting this attraction between us. I’m really looking forward to that.”
Amazon bestselling author Sydney Logan holds a Master's degree in Elementary Education. She is the author of three novels - Lessons Learned, Mountain Charm, and Soldier On. Sydney has also penned several short stories and is a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul.

A native of East Tennessee, Sydney enjoys playing piano and relaxing on her porch with her wonderful husband and their very spoiled cat.

Visit her website at 
www.sydneylogan.com
. She can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.