Showing posts with label dystopian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dystopian. Show all posts

Monday, February 29, 2016

The Bellator Saga: The first Trilogy by Cecilia London

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Two souls intertwined. One epic love story.
Get swept away in the passionate romance between political opposites Caroline Gerard and Jack McIntyre in the first half of The Bellator Saga.
This set contains the first three books in the series, Dissident, Conscience, and Sojourn. ***
"If you only read one series in 2016, make it The Bellator Saga by Cecilia London!" - Irene, The Literary Gossip 
"I can't recommend this series enough. It's one for any contemporary romance reader, any Hunger Games lover, any dystopian lover, any fans of erotica. I IMPLORE you to read this series. You don't want to miss it." - TeriLyn Reviews 
"...One of the most unforgettable reads of my life. This riveting and compelling story gripped me. Stole my heart. And I don't think I will ever get it back." - Bianca, Biblio Belles 
"This series is unique, poignant, and unforgettable. Readers will be irreversibly captivated by London's writing and intensely invested in the exquisite creativity that her mind has to offer." - Vivian, Beauté De Livres
"An unforgettable saga unlike anything I've ever read before...I can't recommend this series enough!" -Suzanne, Tied Up In Romance
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Dissident:

Rising Democratic star Caroline Gerard is reluctant to fall in love again after losing her husband. Can Republican playboy Jack McIntyre break through her grief and capture her heart? Told mostly in flashback and set against a chilling fascist backdrop, Dissident is a rollercoaster ride of political intrigue, passionate romance, and undying love.

Conscience:

Caroline faces the biggest challenge of her life when confronted with the cruelty and sadism of her captors at The Fed. Hope fades quickly, even as she holds onto her one last bit of sanity and her unshakable belief that her husband will rescue her. But is that faith just a mirage?

Sojourn:

Reeling from her experiences at The Fed, Caroline tries to forge ahead and create a new identity. But that’s hard to do with the ghosts of the past constantly whispering in her ear. She is determined to find the rebellion and move on with her life, but what will she find when she arrives there?

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When they reached the ballroom he locked the door behind him. Jack walked over to one of the decorative side tables and produced a box wrapped with red paper. 
“Merry Christmas,” he said, handing it to her.
“Why didn’t you give this to me earlier?”
“I needed us to be in private when I gave it to you. Open it.”
It had to be jewelry. “I told you not to get me anything outlandish.”
“I don’t have to listen to you. Even if we are married.”
Caroline ripped the paper away. She opened the box and was greeted with an exquisite emerald necklace. Fringe design, with each individual green stone framed by tiny sparkling diamonds. The necklace was dripping with jewels from end to end. It looked like a prop from an eighties soap opera except it was stunningly, gorgeously real. She wouldn’t even want to speculate about the cost. “Jack-”
“Do you like it?” he asked.
She was convinced he only gave her presents just to gauge her reaction. To see how long she’d gawk at them before starting to gush. Caroline wasn’t refined when it came to her spontaneous responses to him. Did she like the necklace? A rather silly question since it was one of the most amazing things she’d ever seen. 
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
He took the box from her. “I didn’t recall seeing you with anything other than sapphires or diamonds. We’re going to have to do something about that.”
She could only imagine the media attention they’d get if she paraded around wearing a necklace that cost more than what the average household made in a year, several times over. Sometimes her husband forgot that he was running for governor, not auditioning for the cast of Falcon Crest. “It’s too much, Jack. It’s so…elaborate. I can’t wear that in public.” 
He smiled. “Then don’t. Wear it just for me.”
“Just around the house? Like, when I’m watching baseball and stuff?”
He laughed. “‘And stuff’?”
Her language was less polished than usual. “I’ve had a ton to drink today. I can’t always be articulate.”
Jack pulled her to him, leaning toward her ear. “How about you wear the necklace and nothing else, and grant your husband a dance?”
Now she saw where he was going. “A nice Christmas waltz?” Caroline suggested. “Fully clothed, of course. We must always be proper.”
He tugged at her sweater. “Try again.”
His romantic and seductive gestures were sweet, but impractical. “It’s cold in here.”
“I’ll turn the heat up.”
“What about you?”
“We don’t need to worry about me.”
Caroline sighed. “I meant your clothes.”
He unbuttoned her pants. “They’re staying on.”
That seemed unfair. “I’m not sure I like this power differential.”
Jack ran a finger under the waistband of her panties. “I think you do,” he whispered.
She shivered when he pulled her pants and underwear down. “Will there be music? Or are you going to parade my naked self around the ballroom in silence?”
“I picked a special song for the two of us.” He grinned. “And you won’t be naked. You’ll be wearing the necklace.”
She ran her hands down the front of his shirt, imagining how it would feel for her bare chest to rub against it while they danced. “You will undress at some point, right?”
He kissed her again. “Upstairs. Let me do this,” he said softly, stripping off the rest of her clothes, even her bra and panties. He laughed when he reached her socks. “Are those dinosaurs?”
Caroline liked wearing fun socks. She didn’t care if they were juvenile. She’d get away with it for as long as she could. “They’re wearing little Santa hats.”
Though he’d started to yank them down, he hastily pulled them back up to below her knees. “These can stay on. But only because they make you look so damn adorable.”
She tried not to think of what she’d look like wearing nothing but whimsical dinosaur knee socks and an emerald necklace, but the expression on his face indicated that Jack didn’t particularly care. He kissed her deeply before retrieving the necklace. He took his time placing it around her neck, then stepped back to look at her. It took all her effort not to blush. She hadn’t anticipated the night ending this way. 
Jack tipped her chin up. “You look fucking marvelous.”
Her face had to be as red as a cherry. “Even with the socks?”
He brushed a stray hair out of her face. “There are few things sexier than a woman wearing an emerald necklace and dinosaur socks…and nothing else.”
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Join Cecilia on her Facebook like page for the release party!
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Cecilia London is the pen name of a native Illinoisan currently living in San Antonio, Texas. She's filled several roles over the course of her adult life - licensed attorney, wrangler of small children, and obsessed baseball fan, among others. An extroverted introvert with a serious social media addiction, she is the author of The Bellator Saga, an epic, genre-crossing romance series. You can catch all of her quirky updates on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or at her website.

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Sunday, February 14, 2016

Underground by Janelle Stalder Release Day!!! Plus Silence


Blurb...

Love isn't something you find.
Love is something that finds you.

Phoenix has spent her whole life fighting. All she's ever wanted was to return the world to a peaceful state, and bring down the New World Order. But now she finds herself in a different sort of battle. No longer set in the streets of New Berlin, the fighting has moved beneath them, in a vicious underground fighting ring run by outlaws bent on causing trouble. And if that isn't hard enough, she's stuck with the one person who loves to fight more than she does - Trent McKay. Now the race is on to get out of their new prison and back home - before they end up killing each other. 

Or worse - fall in love.


Quick Review

If you love dystopian and you love romance, this is the best of both worlds. I love, love, love this author and this series is no exception. Her imagination knows no bounds. You will fall in love as I have with this series. I do suggest reading the books in order from the begining for maximum enjoyment.


And for more about one of the couples in the story above, pick up the companion novella.


Blurb...

It is better to be seen and not heard…

A firm believer of observing and listening rather than adding to the noise surrounding her, Pixie has always been the quiet one out of the Archers. Her intelligence and quiet confidence makes her the perfect choice to join Garrett, Tyler and Missy on their mission to get their friends back. But when she enters the underground network run by Sebastian Black, she suddenly finds her voice. Bastian rattles her like no other, breaking her silence. He sees and hears her more than anyone has in her entire life. But how can she trust a man like him? Now it’s a battle of wills, between what her head tells her, and what her heart insists.

Monday, December 14, 2015

Sojourn (Bellator Saga #3) by Cecilia London




Sojourn (Bellator Saga #3) by Cecilia London

This is an adult romantic suspense with a dystopian twist (Rated NC-17)



Book Summary

Haunted by her experience at The Fed, Caroline tries to create a new identity. A new present, a new future. She can’t escape the memories that dog her when she least expects it, leaving her mired in a depression that she finds difficult to escape. Caroline needs to regain her physical and mental strength if she intends on surviving the journey to find the elusive rebellion. But that’s easier said than done with the ghosts of the past constantly whispering in her ear.

The road is long and dangerous, and there are no guarantees. She and her companions have no idea what they will find when they arrive at their destination. And what they finally discover may change everything.

Part Three of a Six Part Saga. Sojourn (approximately 89,000 words) is not a standalone and must be read after the first two books in the series. Ends in a cliffhanger. For readers 18+. This book contains adult situations including explicit sex and violence.


My Summary

There isn't a whole lot I can say without giving away spoilers, but let me try.

This book starts off where we left off in book two. We continue to move forward in the story with flashes of the past to give us more of what we want. (You have to read to understand that comment).

I have to admit, this book shows a side of Caroline I didn't always like but understood given her circumstances. In fact, I can't totally blame her for most of her actions, but it didn't mean I had to like them all. 

The end of this part leaves us satisfied and unsatisfied at the same time. How? Well, I think there are some good things there, only the freaking book ends. And its a good thing when you're left wanting more.

The major goodness about this series is that although there are six parts, this story isn't dragged out with fluff. Things happen that keep you turning the pages and wanting more. I'm scared and excited for what's to come, which makes this series so thrilling.

You are missing out if you haven't read this one. If you don't like dystopian, this isn't your typical "Divergent or Hunger Games" dystopian story. And although the world has changed in major ways, the landscape of the story remains the same. So you not walking into a strange new world. There are just a few government type changes that have occurred that have made life difficult. So don't be afraid of the word dystopian and dive into this one.

My book Boyfriend will always be Jack.



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*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.

Monday, December 7, 2015

SOJOURN Release Day Blitz + Excerpt




BLURB

Haunted by her experience at The Fed, Caroline tries to create a new identity. A new present, a new future. She can’t escape the memories that dog her when she least expects it, leaving her mired in a depression that she finds difficult to escape. Caroline needs to regain her physical and mental strength if she intends on surviving the journey to find the elusive rebellion. But that’s easier said than done with the ghosts of the past constantly whispering in her ear.

The road is long and dangerous, and there are no guarantees. She and her companions have no idea what they will find when they arrive at their destination. And what they finally discover may change everything.

Part Three of a Six Part Saga. Sojourn (approximately 89,000 words) is not a standalone and must be read after the first two books in the series. Ends in a cliffhanger. For readers 18+. This book contains adult situations including explicit sex and violence.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cecilia is my pen name. I may or may not live in San Antonio, Texas. I've been known to apply quotes from 'The Simpsons' to everyday life. I live for baseball season.

Twitter: @authorclondon


EXCERPT 
She slid the key in the lock and opened the box. A set of five books lay inside, arranged in order. She stared at the binding. “Decameron de Bocace,” she read.
“Very good,” Jack said. “I was afraid you’d forgotten how to read French.”
Caroline was tempted to smack him but contained herself. She examined the books closer. “This set is exceptionally old.”
“1757, I believe. One of the more valuable 18th century editions.”
It would have been too easy for him to pick up a paperback copy from a normal bookstore. “Why French?”
“You are fluent,” he pointed out.
As if the classics weren’t challenging enough in English. “You bought me Boccaccio in a foreign language?”
“I do love how you enjoy the oldies,” Jack said.
The Decameron is more than an oldie. It’s one of my favorite books.”
“I know.” He smirked. “I read that interview you did for Philadelphia magazine.”
“You set up that interview,” Caroline said.
“I remember. Did you tell them that you only mentioned that book so you could sound intellectual?”
She very rarely spouted off about that sort of thing but they’d asked about it and she’d answered. She’d also mentioned her favorite childhood reads and a host of dystopian tales, but Jack had clearly forgotten that part. “It’s a wonderful example of medieval literature. Hush up.”
He glanced at her nervously. “What do you think?”
Was he worried that she would be disappointed in such an incredible gift? “Do I even want to know how much you spent on this?”
“I’m not going to tell you,” he said. “Not without a little bit of prodding or a lot of sexual favors.”
She could work on that later. The book set was in near perfect condition for its age. “This is beautiful,” Caroline said.
He looked a little too proud of himself. “I thought you’d like it.”
“I want first editions of Harry Potter next,” Caroline said. “The U.K. versions.”
“Instead of telling me to stop buying you things, you’re giving me ideas?”
“Damn right.” She leaned in to kiss him, long and hard. A gift like this deserved more than a peck. “Thank you, darling.”
“Read it to me,” Jack said.
He didn’t speak French. That request made no sense. “What?”
“Read it to me,” he repeated.
Maybe she’d misheard him. She was thoroughly confused. “In French?”
He moved behind her and leaned toward her ear. “Bend over the desk and read it to me,” he whispered, taking one of the volumes and carefully turning the pages to where a bookmark marked the spot.
Caroline scanned the words, swallowing hard. She recognized the tale immediately. Rustico and Alibech in the desert. The randy monk exposing himself to the curious virgin and seducing her. Possibly one of the most salacious tales in the entire book. “You want me to read this to you?”

“Yes,” he said. “If you promise to translate it correctly and are very, very good, you might even get a reward.” He slid his hand under her skirt. “You can do that, right?” 
PURCHASE LINKS:

Dissident (Bellator Saga #1)
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1H2DBLi
Amazon CA: http://goo.gl/iqTFhY
Amazon UK: http://goo.gl/DP1lrS
Amazon AU: http://goo.gl/cErx49
B&N: http://goo.gl/eGq1cl
iBooks: https://goo.gl/yXNV8k
Kobo: https://goo.gl/wr8ziq
Smashwords: https://goo.gl/4BjYw8

Conscience (Bellator Saga #2)

Friday, June 26, 2015

Conscience (Bellator Saga #2) by Cecilia London

Conscience (Bellator Saga #2) by Cecilia London

This is an adult dystopian novel (Rated NC-17)

♥♥♥♥1/2
(Four and a Half Hearts)


Book Summary


An escape plan foiled….

A determined woman….

One last tiny sliver of hope….

Jack will find me.

The Fed wants answers. And Caroline is determined not to provide them. They pull out all the stops, testing her sanity, testing her strength, testing her humanity.

Jack will find me.

Subject to cruel and merciless treatment at the hands of a government she once trusted, Caroline clings to her sole lifeline, her only chance at maintaining her tenuous hold on reality: her memories of her husband, Jack, her children, Marguerite and Sophie, and the friends who mean the world to her.

Jack will find me.

But what happens when hope starts to fade? How long until her interrogators cross over into the unspeakable sadism she fears ? How long before she finally breaks apart?

Part Two of a Six Part Saga. Conscience (approximately 120,000 words) is not a standalone and must be read after the first book in the Bellator Saga, Dissident. All books in the series end in a cliffhanger. For readers 18+. This book contains adult situations including graphic violence, explicit (consensual) sex and light BDSM, psychological and physical trauma, and an oftentimes raw, dark, and gritty plot. 

It's free for a time, here are the links.


My Book Boyfriend

This author has me wrapped around her finger. I’m aching to get my hands on the next installment. In this one, things change. The story is still going forward from the past and the present. And Jack gets dreamer by the second.

There are certain parts of this book that may be uncomfortable for some. But it’s certainly not the darkest thing I’ve read. It doesn’t even come close. It’s not dark like say Captive in the Dark, Bang, Consequences, etc. So don’t get scared. But there are things that will make you squirm.

Although we learn more about how Jack and Caroline got to this point, there certainly are unanswered questions like where will we go from here. But that’s a question at the end of every book in a series except the last.

This book was also sexy as hell, I’ll just warn you. This author surprised me with that and that’s a good thing.

Overall, although I categorize this as dystopian, it’s not a “save the world” kind of book even though in a small way it is. It’s more that the world is still the same but there is such a fundamental change in the way the government is run, it’s worth the dystopian categorization. But it’s as much as a love story/thriller as well.

My book boyfriend Jack.


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*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.