Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Miss Radley's Third Dare by Heather Boyd (spotlight and excerpt)



Miss Radley's Third Dare Book Three, Miss Mayhem Series  by Heather Boyd
Release Date: August 4, 2015




What a woman wants…
The only person who ever understood what Julia Radley wanted most in life was the man who ruined her reputation and secured her victory in a bold swimming race. She does not hold Valentine Merton accountable for the harsh criticisms made against her character until he suggests the only way to smooth over the scandal of his defeat is to wed as soon as possible. … the gentleman must dare. After picking himself up after proposing, Valentine Merton is even more determined to tame the wild girl next door. The future he wants within the clockmaker’s guild depends on their speedy marriage. A few sweet words or, as a last resort, another brazen dare is sure to persuade her to take a chance on him… and his family.


 Excerpt:

There is nothing like having a past to shake up a happy present.


Julia Radley flopped onto her bed and groaned into her pillow. The concept of being so grievously ruined because of her harmless little dare three months ago had not truly occurred to her at the time Valentine Merton had accepted the challenge. She had thought any scandal would have blown over soon after the event that proved her an equal to a man when it came to swimming fast. To her dismay, all these months later, she had become a target of her brother’s unending fury and society’s scorn.


She had to escape.


“Don’t you dare walk away from me, young lady,” Linus, her brother and constant pain in her side, bellowed as he followed into her bedchamber to continue delivering his latest assessments of her predicament from the doorway. “You have no idea what strain this places upon me. What this has done to me. And—”


“What have I done to you?” She sat up, blowing a lock of red hair from her eyes. “All I have done is determined that I can swim faster than one man. Just one member of the male gender to prove my point that women possess more skills than merely wielding a needle. I did not parade myself around in my undergarments for the benefit of the masses. The entire event took no more than half an hour and you act like it is such a long-lasting disaster. You were there. You saw everything and said nothing at the time.”


“How could I have stopped you when I was the last to know my sister had been conspiring with a neighbor behind my back?” Linus turned an unhealthy shade of puce when he referred to her opponent, Valentine Merton. Once he’d called the man his best friend, but no more. Not since the race had they been seen together. “Everyone tried to prevent the race. If you were a lady in any shape or form, no one in Brighton would have any idea of what you look like underneath that gown. As it is—”


A loud knock pounded on the door one floor below them and Linus glanced over his shoulder swiftly.

At last, a caller had come to distract Linus from his daily lecture before he really got going. She held her breath as her brother turned on his heel and marched downstairs without another word.



 Links:  Amazon | iBooks | Kobo | Nook  | Add to Goodreads

 

 

About Heather Boyd:

HeatherBoyd_Author ImageBestselling historical author Heather Boyd believes every character she creates deserves their own happily-ever-after, no matter how much trouble she puts them through. With that goal in mind, she writes sizzling regency romance stories that skirt the boundaries of propriety to keep readers enthralled until the wee hours of the morning. Heather has published over twenty novels and shorter works. Catch her latest news www.heather-boyd.com. She lives north of Sydney, Australia, and does her best to wrangle her testosterone-fuelled family (including cat Morpheus) into submission.

Connect with Heather: Website | Twitter | Facebook Page | Mailing list

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Lead Me Home by Candi Wall (VBB, excerpt, and GIVEAWAY) GFT ADULT title








Lead Me Home
by Candi Wall


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


BLURB:


Home Is Where the Heat Is, Book 2



As far as Chloe Garrison is concerned, Nick Westing was carved by the gods. Her one and only plan while visiting her best friend in Texas: get that sexy cowboy into her bed as often as possible until it’s time to return to New York.

After a whirlwind week she slips away, thinking it best to make a clean break. Except she can’t get Nick out of her head. And when he unexpectedly walks into her office, her first instinct is to find her defenses before she loses her panties.

Nick jumped at the chance to accompany his brother to New York for a photo shoot, but now that he’s here, he’s pissed. Seems Chloe is doing everything in her power to ignore him. The tender part of him understands her need for space.

The wilder side of him teases and torments her until she finally admits she’s missed him. Even though she walks away, in his book it’s a win. Because one way or another, he’s going to convince her they belong together.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~




EXCERPT



His lopsided smile made Chloe’s stomach tighten with anticipation. “Well it’s too late now. You chose to throw down the gauntlet, and now it’s just you and me, cowboy. If you wanted to know how far I’d go, you should have just asked.”

The intensity of his gaze, ripe with undisguised promise, told her they’d both be winners tonight. Win or lose, Nick Westing would be a connoisseur in bed. Losing might not be the worst thing that could happen. Being at his beck and call—his servant—for the next twenty-four hours could prove ultra interesting.

“What’s next?” Miya’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “Whiskey?”

Chloe groaned. The swap in drinks had been Shawn’s idea. Miya’s boyfriend was one of Chloe’s favorite people in the world, but after his suggestion that they switch to each other’s choice of drink every five minutes, she wasn’t sure she liked him at all. The only concession to choking down Nick’s choice of whiskey was watching him pucker up on her sweeter, mixed shots.

“Whiskey it is,” she conceded. 

The muscles in her arms were beginning to tingle with exhaustion. She had to find a way to throw Nick off balance—figuratively of course. If she gave him a shove, she’d be disqualified. But there was one thing she’d learned about men. Cock ruled. If she played her cards right, he’d be hers for a full day.

“Hey, Nick?” She kept her voice at a whisper.

He looked her way. “Yeah?”



Buy Here:


Amazon
Samhain Publishing
B&N



~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:




Candi Wall is probably the only person whose real name is more epic than any pseudonym she could have come up with – even as an author! She writes because the voices in her head have to come out somehow. Animal rescue-ess, mother of four, and soccer mom by day, she spends her free time writing – often on napkins at kids’ games because she never knows when a juicy story will reveal its delicious self. She once wrote a sex scene at a wrestling meet. Shhhhhh!



You can find her on:

Twitter
Facebook
Website


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GIVEAWAY



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The tour dates can be found here

Monday, August 3, 2015

Through His Heart by Deborah Camp (VBT, guest post, excerpt, review and GIVEAWAY)



Here's a fun guest post by Deborah Camp...



Music to Love Levi and Trudy By
by
Deborah Camp
I’m so happy to launch the third novel in the Mind’s Eye series--Through His Heart




I love spending time with Levi and Trudy, and I hope you do, too. I haven’t submitted a “playlist” before because – well, frankly, my taste in music is all over the place and I thought you might think I’m a weirdo. But, then I AM a weird creature, so it’s no big secret.

Last night as I was dozing off, I said to my bedmate, “Maybe I should do a playlist.” We were listening to music. He said, “Do it. I dare you.” People – he dared me, so I must do it. Right?

Here is my eclectic playlist with notations about why each song is included. You should be able to find these recordings on Amazon and some on YouTube, if you’re interested.

Latch sung by Sam Smith. Or “Latching onto You.” I’m a fan of Sam’s and I’m enchanted by his album “In the Lonely Hour.” It’s mostly about unrequited love, but Latch is what Trudy has on her cellphone as a ringtone for Levi’s calls. The song is about finally being close enough to latch on and not let go, to break down barriers and grab onto each other. Sam has a great voice and he knows how to work a falsetto.

Time After Time sung by another Sam – Sam Harris (an Oklahoma boy!) from his “Suitcase of Memories” album. This is an ode to the relationship between Levi and Gregory, his spirit guide.

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face sung by Roberta Flack. This is Levi’s ring tone for calls from Trudy. It captures everything he feels about her.

Stronger sung by Kelly Clarkson. Before Trudy fell in love with Levi this was her ringtone on her “old” cellphone. It was her personal anthem. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Stand a little taller!

Little Boy Lost sung by Barbara Streisand on her “Pieces of Dreams” album. It’s Trudy’s love song to Levi. Beautiful lyrics by the fantastic Marilyn and Alan Bergman and music by Michel LeGrand. They also teamed up to create the next song on this list (one of my all-time favorites!).

How Do You Keep the Music Playing? sung by Johnny Mathis on his album of the same name. This is a lovely song that questions how a couple can keep the magic going in their relationship. I love these lines: “I know the way I feel for you it’s now or never. The more I love, the more that I’m afraid, that in your eyes I may not see forever. Forever.”

What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? Sung by Johnny Mathis on the “How Do You Keep the Music Playing? album. This is a great album and this is a great song. It is Levi and Trudy’s “love song.”

If you can’t tell by now, I’m a big Johnny Mathis fan. He’s my favorite singer. Nobody can top him when it comes to love songs. The album I’ve mentioned here is one of his best. The orchestrations in it are staggeringly haunting.

There you have it. Music to read Through His Heart by. Enjoy and happy reading!





 
by Deborah Camp

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

“Sending you an SOS.”

When psychic Trudy Tucker hears this plaintive cry in her mind and then connects psychically with a little girl’s kidnapper, she is drawn to a small town in Missouri where everyone is suspect – including herself and her lover, celebrated psychic detective Levi Wolfe. As she and Levi work together to sort through whom and what to trust, an innocent life hangs in the balance.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~




EXCERPT

A shudder raced through her and her stomach knotted. Nausea rose up to her throat as darkness descended in her mind.

“I’m sending you an SOS. Sending you an SOS. An SOS.” Can you find me? Can you hear me?

“I hear you,” Trudy whispered, answering the small, trembling voice.

“Did you say something, Rachel? Are you singing something?” This was a different voice in her head. A deep bass, but gentle. Coaxing, cajoling, cunning.

The darkness parted like a curtain in Trudy’s mind and Rachel came into view. She sat in a child’s white rocking chair, her red tennis shoes dangling inches from the floor. A wedge of purple discolored her right cheek. Her lips twitched and her chin quivered.

“Be a good girl and do what you’re told and that won’t happen to you again. No one wants to hurt you. You gotta obey, though. Can’t say ‘no’ to your elders. Your mama should have taught you that.”

“It hurts.”

“Want me to kiss it and make it well?”

Rachel rounded her shoulders, making herself smaller. “Nuh-uh.”

“Okay then. I could make it stop hurting though . . . I’ll read you a Bible story. How about that? Remember what we talked about? God is way up here . . . then there’s his disciples right here . . . and then your elders . . . and you’re way down below that.”

Glimpses of hands . . . moving up and down, illustrating the levels. Dirty nails, dry skinned knuckles.

“Where’s Mommy?”

“Are you hearing me? This is important.”

“I want to talk to Mommy.”

“She doesn’t want to talk to you! God gave you to us. Your Mommy is busy serving the Lord and now you’re here serving us because it’s been ordained. Quit touching your face! That won’t help it heal. Come sit in my lap while I read. Did you hear me ask nice? You won’t like it if I have to ask twice. That’s my good girl. You act like this all the time and you won’t get any more boo-boos.”

Was he kissing her? Was he licking her?


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:


Author of more than 40 novels, Deborah lives in Oklahoma. She has been a full-time writer since she graduated from the University of Tulsa. She worked for a few years as a reporter for newspapers before becoming a freelance writer. Deborah’s first novel was published in the late 1970s and her books have been published by Jove, New American Library, Harlequin, Silhouette, and Avon. She has been inducted into the Oklahoma Authors Hall of Fame and she is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America. She is widely published in non-fiction and writes and edits for a magazine focused on small businesses. Deborah taught fiction writing for more than 10 years at a community college. She is currently working on a series of novels featuring two psychics who work with police nationwide to identify and track serial murderers.





All of her novels are available on Amazon as ebooks


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

GIVEAWAY

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The tour dates can be found here


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

My Review:



4.25 out of 5 stars


Through His Heart by Deborah Camp is part of the paranormal ‘Mind's Eye’ series that features Trudy Tucker and Leviticus (Levi) Wolfe, psychics.  A visit to Trudy’s home and subsequent encounters with her parents causes Levi to take a hard look at their relationship.  Complicating matters is Trudy’s channeling of a young girl who has been kidnapped which causes her to become more involved with Levi’s family, much to his consternation.  Their relationship is about to be tested like it never has before, and only by finding a way to share their deepest fears will they be able to build a foundation for the future.  The question is whether each of them is willing to pay the price.





This exciting and suspenseful story explores multiple aspects of psychic phenomena even as it depicts the horror of abuse, both mental and physical.  It is wonderful to watch the maturation of a relationship between two remarkable individuals who have developed contrasting personalities in response to their pasts yet forge an intimate connection that allows each to become a better person.  There are heartbreaking revelations which give even more insight into how Levi’s personality developed but most impressive is the way that he finds the courage to reach out to Trudy.  The two of them still frustrate me as they go back and forth with their angst-filled reactions but I am starting to like the couple that they have become. I really appreciate getting a better idea of what has made Levi into the man he has become and I hope that certain members of his extended family show up in future stories because I think they can teach him a lot.


I think that it is possible to read this as a stand-alone story, but it is undeniably richer if one has read all of the stories together.  There are intensely emotional scenes that may be disturbing to the timorous, particularly with respect to evils that can be perpetrated on children, but there is also a beautiful and sizzling relationship that is unfolding which leavens some of the harsher scenes.  I think this is an excellent addition to the series and it will appeal to those who like psychic phenomena, suspense, and a sexy couple who make great detectives.










4 out of 5 stars

Through His Touch by Deborah Camp is the second story in the ‘Mind’s Eye’ series that follows the adventures of Trudy Tucker and Leviticus (Levi) Wolfe, who is reluctantly adjusting to mentoring her as she hones her psychic skills.  Levi is striving to bolster Trudy’s self-image and eliminate her feelings of inadequacy, but it is difficult to get past his own hang-ups, especially since he has the added stress of a stalker who is escalating in her efforts.  The horrific secrets that Levi finally shares with Trudy makes her determined to find a way to breach his walls but the escalating danger causes him to retreat even more and each of them will have to decide whether their blossoming relationship is worth the risk to their lives as well as their hearts.



This sensual and suspenseful story provides an exciting read even as it details the way two insecure and scarred individuals find a way to become a rock for each other to depend on.  There are fairly graphic and horrendous events described but also wonderfully romantic milestones that accompany the compromises and adjustments that are being made by both Trudy and Levi.  The psychic aspect is minimized in this story, which seems to focus more on the complicated relationship that is unfolding, but there is the added complication of the danger that is escalating.  It would be advisable to have read the first story in the series in order to have a better idea of the background for this relationship, especially since this story starts right after the first one ends. This is a very nice addition to an entertaining series that will appeal to those who like a thrilling mystery, romance and a touch of the extraordinary world of psychic phenomena.


Copies of these titles were provided to me for review






Sunday, August 2, 2015

Laird of Her Heart and more by Sabrina York plus an announcement!


I will be guest-hosting at Coffee Time Romance tomorrow, moderating a day featuring steam-punk.  Please come by and say hello!  If I don't answer right away, it's because I am going to have spotty internet...but I WILL answer at some point during the day!



And...here's some info about the delightful Sabrina York's releases!


laird-of-her-heart-e-reader


When Maggie Spencer is mysteriously transported to the Scotland of her ancestors, she is stunned to come face to face with him. Dominic Dundragon, the man she’s been half in love with her whole life. A man who’s been dead for 700 years. They both have enemies aplenty. Will she have a chance to win his love, or will this adventure end in disaster?



 Read an excerpt


-->
Maggie yelped as, without warning, the burly warrior named Declan whipped her up into his arms and tossed her over his shoulder. To her horror, she lost the hold on her locket.

“Wait,” she cried. She wriggled to get free, but his grip was too hard. When she pummeled his back with her fists as he strode from the circle of stones, he chuckled. The beast. But to be fair, he was so large, it would have felt like a kitten batting him. “Put me down.”

“I willna,” he said. “The Mackintosh will decide how you die.”

All right. That shut her up. For a minute. “Die? Why do I need to die?” What the hell had she done to him?

The man following, an enormous blond with a scar tracking his cheek bent down to peer at her. “The Mackintosh’s doona tolerate spies.”

“I’m not a spy.” Seriously. She wriggled more and Declan smacked her ass.

Smacked her ass.

She’d kill him when she got free. Just kill him.

“Yer wearing the Cameron colors,” the blond said. “And the Mackintosh’s doona—”

“Right. I know. The Mackintosh’s doona tolerate spies.” Her head was starting to spin from being upside down and jounced around with each step. Her temper was on a short leash. “But honestly, if I were a spy, would I wear the Cameron colors? It seems a little counterproductive in my opinion. I mean, if I’m spying and all. I might as wear a sign that says, oh, I dunno, honk if you love spies.”

His brow rumpled but he didn’t respond. At least, not to her. “She speaks strangely,” he complained to Declan.

Her captor snorted a laugh. “She dresses strangely too.”

“Aye. She does at that. I’ve heard the Cameron lasses are a wild lot, but I had no idea—”

“I’m. Not. A. Cameron.” She reached out and smacked the blond, but only because he came close enough. He reared back and gaped at her—as though he’d never been smacked before—and then he quickly moved out of range.

It hardly mattered, because, apparently, they had reached their destination, a camp on the edge of the woods. The sounds of nickering horses and clanks of pots gave her her first clue—she was facing the other way, after all.

Her second clue was that Declan dropped her on the ground. She landed with an oof. She glared at him. He didn’t seem to mind in the slightest. “Go get my brother, Ewan,” he barked, and the blond trotted off to one of the larger tents.

When she stood and brushed off her jeans, Declan bristled and she shot him a sardonic glare. Did he think she was stupid enough to run away? For one thing, these enormous men had her surrounded. For another, she never ran. Not if she could help it.

Instead, she made a quick survey of her surroundings. The camp was little more than a huddle of tents with the forest on one side and a sweeping plain on the other. A small herd of horses were hobbled to one side and a deer roasted over a pit fire. An entire deer. Before she could silence the thought—she often had that problem—she said, “You killed Bambi.”

Declan’s brow rumpled. “I dinna kill anyone.” And then he asked, “Who is Bambi?”

“Never mind.” She crossed her arms and turned away pretending to ignore them. But she wasn’t. She was aware they were all staring at her like she was a curiosity in a zoo, but she was taking in tiny details as well. Like the fact that their clothes were all handmade and simple. Their hair appeared to have been cut with a chainsaw and their beards were scraggly and long. Their weapons were what made her mind really start to spin though.

One held a crossbow that dated from the thirteenth century. Another had a Mackintosh dirk that resembled one she’d seen in a museum once. Declan had a simple calfskin sporran tied to his belt.

Odd. Could she have wandered into some renaissance faire? But no. It had been evening when she stepped into the woods and now it was daytime. Early afternoon. And the acres of woods around the house belonged to the family. It couldn’t be—

“So.” She flinched as a deep, melodious voice wafted to her on a hint of humor. Shivers danced through her, along with a prickling sense of premonition. “You’ve captured a Cameron spy?”

She turned slowly and froze as her gaze landed on him. On that so-familiar face. Broad, handsome, savage. Much more captivating than the sketch had been. Much more captivating by far.

She must be hallucinating. She had to be.

He was the hero of her dreams come to life.

Dominic Dundragon, Laird of the Mackintosh clan.

Large, looming and in the flesh.

Her head went woozy. Her vision blurred. And then, for the first time in her life, she fainted.



GET IT NOW! http://www.amazon.com/Laird-Heart-Dundragon-Travel-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B012EP0NT6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1437759426&sr=1-1&keywords=laird+of+her+heart  



ABOUT SABRINA YORK
Her Royal Hotness, Sabrina York, is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers. Her titles range from sweet & sexy to scorching romance. Visit her webpage at www.sabrinayork.com to check out her books, excerpts and contests.
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If you love hot highlanders, be sure to read Sabrina York’s Untamed Highlanders from St. Martin’s Press!
Lana and the Laird—Coming in 2016susana_andthe_scot (1)




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Saturday, August 1, 2015

Lady Be Good by Meredith Duran (spotlight)


Searching for the perfect romantic summer escape, complete with irresistibly reckless behavior?
 
Rules for the Reckless #3
Meredith Duran
July 28, 2015
Pocket Books
ISBN: 9781476741376
$7.99
Love transcends the limits of wealth and social rank in the smart, likable third Rules for the Reckless historical…Duran gives her characters depth: Christian grapples with his desire for revenge and anxiety over unexpectedly becoming his father’s heir, and Lilah is a pawn who fears exposure and ruin. Readers will especially look forward to Catherine finding her own romance in a future installment.”
—Publishers Weekly 

“Hot on the heels of Lady Be Good comes Catherine Everleigh’s story, and readers know they’ll be in for a fun, sexy and poignant roller coaster ride. Well paced, simmering with sexual tension and peopled with memorable characters, this is a love story to be savored.”
—RT Book Reviews gives TOP PICK HOT REVIEW for LUCK BE A LADY, 4th in the Rules for the Reckless series
 
The 2015 RITA Award for Historical Romance has been awarded to FOOL ME TWICE, 2nd in the Rules for the Reckless series by Meredith Duran!



 
Rules for the Reckless #4
Meredith Duran
August 25, 2015
Pocket Books
ISBN: 9781476741369
$7.99
“This flawless novel in the Rules for the Reckless series, set in 1866 London, pivots seamlessly to Catherine Everleigh and Nick O’Shea, lively characters who won readers’ hearts in Lady Be Good…These intelligent, multilayered characters embody the best aspects of this wonderfully indulgent series.”
Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW 

ABOUT Lady Be Good:
Lady Be Good is the third riveting novel in the Rules for the Reckless series—a sexy and evocative Regency romance that will captivate from beginning to end—one summer trip not to be missed!
catching the lady red-handed
Born to a family of infamous criminals, Lilah Marshall has left behind her past and made herself into the perfect lady. Working as a hostess at Everleigh’s, London’s premier auction house, she leads a life full of art, culture, and virtue. All her dreams are within reach—until a gorgeous and enigmatic viscount catches her in the act of one last, very reluctant theft.

chasing one red-hot passion
Christian “Kit” Stratton, Viscount Palmer, is society’s most dashing war hero. But Kit’s easy smile hides a dark secret: he is haunted by a madman’s vow to destroy anyone he loves. When his hunt for the enemy leads to Everleigh’s Auction Rooms, he compels Lilah to help him. But one tempting touch may be their undoing—for what Kit needs threatens all Lilah holds dear, and losing her may destroy him.

Luck Be a Lady in this fourth sexy novel in the Rules for the Reckless series!
 
THE WALLFLOWER
They call her the “Ice Queen.” Catherine Everleigh is London’s loveliest heiress, but a bitter lesson in heartbreak has taught her to keep to herself. All she wants is her birthright—the auction house that was stolen from her. To win this war, she’ll need a powerful ally. Who better than infamous and merciless crime lord Nicholas O’Shea? A marriage of convenience will no doubt serve them both.
 
THE CRIME LORD
Having conquered the city’s underworld, Nick seeks a new challenge. Marrying Catherine will give him the appearance of legitimacy—and access to her world of the law-abiding elite. No one needs to know he’s coveted Catherine for a year now—their arrangement is strictly business, free from the troubling weaknesses of love. Seduction, however, is a different matter—an enticing game he means to ensure she enjoys, whether she wishes to or not...
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: MEREDITH DURAN is the author of eight previous novels, including The Duke of Shadows (winner of the Gather.com First Chapters Romance Writing Competition); Wicked Becomes You (included on the Woman’s World List of Best Beach Reads for Summer 2010), and the USA TODAY bestseller Fool Me Twice. She blames Anne Boleyn for sparking her lifelong obsession with British history, and for convincing her that princely love is no prize if it doesn’t come with a happily-ever-after. She enjoys collecting old etiquette manuals, guidebooks to nineteenth-century London, and travelogues by intrepid Victorian women. Visit her at MeredithDuran.com, or catch up with her on Twitter: @meredithduran and Facebook: AuthorMeredithDuran.


Visit MeredithDuran.com August 21st for her Summer 2015 blog tour schedule!
Buy buttons for Lady Be Good:

Amazon (paperback)
Amazon kindle
 
Buy buttons for Luck Be A Lady:

 Amazon kindle
Amazon paperback
S&S
B&N
BAM
GOOGLE PLAY (ebook)