LAST FIRST KISS by Lia Riley

 

 

Last First Kiss
Brightwater Series Book #1

By: Lia Riley

Releasing June 23rd, 2015

Avon Romance

 

 

Blurb

New to Avon author Lia Riley makes a splash with her first sexy, hilarious book in the sizzling Brightwater series!

A kiss is just the beginning…

Pinterest Perfect. Or so Annie Carson’s life appears on her popular blog. Reality is... messier. Especially when it lands her back in one-cow town, Brightwater, California, and back in the path of the gorgeous six-foot-four reason she left. Sawyer Kane may fill out those wranglers, but she won’t be distracted from her task. Annie just needs the summer to spruce up and sell her family’s farm so she and her young son can start a new life in the big city. Simple, easy, perfect.

Sawyer has always regretted letting the first girl he loved slip away. He won’t make the same mistake twice, but can he convince beautiful, wary Annie to trust her heart again when she’s been given every reason not to? And as a single kiss turns to so much more, can Annie give up her idea of perfect for a forever that’s blissfully real.

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Excerpt #4

“So back to Sawyer,” Claire said as she entered the kitchen, her raised eyebrows vanishing beneath her thick bangs.

            Annie sighed. “It’s complicated.”

            “Maybe stop fighting yourself on this. Bury the hatchet.”

            “It sounds like you mean that as a gross metaphor.”

            Claire spied the mini blueberry muffins cooling on the counter and crammed one into her mouth. “Oh man, that’s delicious, and yes, I do, but in a good way.”

            “Gross and good are two vastly separate things.”

            “It’s not like that.” At least we’re not mouth kissing. “He’s been helping out around here is all. Odd jobs. Fix-it-up stuff like repairing broken boards in the barn floor and the like.”

            “Aw.” Claire crinkled her nose. “That’s adorable.”

            “It’s kind.”

            “Have you thanked him properly? For all that hard manual labor?” More suggestive eyebrow waggling.

            Annie propped a hand on her hip, hoping to appear the picture of moral outrage. “Hey, I’m not going to thank him by—”

            “Whoa, whoa, don’t get your panties in a knot. All I’m suggesting is to fix him a plate of those delicious muffins and pay a friendly neighborly visit.”

           “Muffins?”

            “Trust me, food is the way to a man’s heart.”

            “I’m not sure I want into his heart.”

            “His pants then.”        

            “Claire!”

                                        

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Author Info

Lia Riley writes offbeat New Adult and Contemporary Adult romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling XXXX with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments.

A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn't mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about future books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. Right now, Icelandic hot springs and Scottish castles sound mighty fine.

 

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

 

 

 

 

 

New Adult Christmas blog hop (Lia Riley) UPSIDE DOWN Bonus Scene W/ Giveaway

It's a ‪#‎NAChristmas!

Thanks for joining us as we celebrate the holidays with thirteen New Adult authors. Check out every stop leading up to December 24 to get excerpts, exclusive content, and hopefully a cutie under the mistletoe! Be sure to enter the rafflecopter to win a grand prize pack of an ebook from every author!

 

 

Bran’s Christmas Miracle

 Bran opens the umbrella as I step out the passenger side of Dad’s four-runner. “This weather fucking sucks, Captain.”

“Don’t be a Grinch, embrace California in December.” I brush my lips over his scruffy cheek. “The rest of the country gets a White Christmas or Silver Bells. We score pelting rain.”

The Sacramento Mall’s parking lot is packed with fellow procrastinators. Bran ushers me around a giant puddle as his phone rings, barely audible over the downpour.

“Aren’t you going to answer that?”

“Nope, I’m here with you.” His half smile does double duty as a grimace. “Shopping.”

“You make it sound like medieval torture.”

 “If malls existed in the fourteen hundreds, I’ve no doubt the Spanish inquisition would have put them to good use.”

“Sorry I left this to the last minute. Buying presents for my dad is so hard.”

Bran rubs against me as we step onto the sidewalk. “I’m the hard one, Captain.”

I nudge him back and tap my lower lip. “Maybe we can sneak into a department store dressing room. Have a little ho, ho, ho for two?” Got to say, the idea of Bran rocking into me while I watch in a three-way mirror has a certain appeal.

A low groan tears from his throat. “Maybe I’m in the holiday spirit after all.”

“Santa can put us both on the naughty list.” I giggle before a sobering realization douses my anticipation. “Crap, wait, aren’t there security cameras behind the mirrors to catch shoplifters?”

Bran opens the mall’s entrance door, pulling me close as we enter. His tongue slides up the backside of my ear, the place that always makes me shiver. “I’ll take my chances if you will.”

“Sorry, Tiger, the idea of a security guard watching my bare ass while polishing off a Krispy Kreme is killing my lady boner. Save it for the veranda.”

We’re crashing on the broken futon at Dad and Jessie’s tonight. It’s a little sucky, but I’m not kicking my baby brother, Wyatt, out of his nursery.

Bran grimaces. “But that means Chester will watch.”

 “You and that chinchilla.” I roll my eyes. “What’s the deal? He’s adorable.”

“You mean a bloody nightmare. The way he looks at me?” Bran cringes. “It’s just not right.”

“Come to think of it, I’ve never seen him looking at anyone. He’s normally, a little, you know, preoccupied?” I make a subtle wack off motion.

“Fucking hell.”

A mother leaving Starbucks with her two small children gives us a dirty look.

“Hush! Can’t take you anywhere.”

“But you’re the one who--”

I poke him in the upper ribs, while debating a peppermint latte.

He yelps. “Bloody hell, Captain, not the ticklish spot.”

“Was that a squeak?” I poke again, harder. “Wow, didn’t know you could hit that octave.”

            “Stop, stop,” he gasps, trying to twist free but laughing too hard to move.

“Pretty sure dropping f-bombs at the mall is illegal, especially on Christmas Eve.”

“Fine. Fine.” He throws up his arms in mock surrender. “Anything you say.”

We’ve made it to the mall’s center. An embossed sign reads “North Pole” and a red carpet leads to a bored looking Santa lounging on a velvet throne. There’s no line, guess everyone’s already taken their obligatory holiday pictures. An elf photographer absently jingles a bell.

Suddenly, I get an idea. An awful idea. A wonderful, awful idea.

Bran’s green eyes widen a fraction. “Captain? That smile, it scares me.”

“Anything I say, huh?” I grab his jacket and tug him closer.

“Please tell me you’ve changed your mind about the dressing room.” He arches a brow, his expression wolfish. “That jumper does things to me.”

I glance at the ugly Christmas sweater Jessie’s mother knit me, it’s a picture of a sleigh and says “I believe.” As ugly sweaters go, this is probably their high lord and master, but I didn’t have the heart to reject it.

Obviously Bran finds my outfit hilarious.

I release my hold and cross my arms. “Just for that, you’re going to do whatever I say.”

“Fine, highness, what’s my punishment?”

I point at Santa Claus.

“No.” Horror takes root in his features. “No, no, no.”

“Hey, you said anything.” I shoot him a look. The look. “You can’t put caveats on what you’ll do for love. Don’t be Meatloaf”

A muscle twitches in his temple. “And what exactly do you want me to do?”

It takes epic restraint not to rub my hands together. Oh, man, this is going to be fun. “I want a picture of you on Santa’s lap.”

There’s a drawn out silence. “Little Drummer Boy” plays over the sound system.

“Captain.” His intense green eyes are panicked. “I can’t.”

I tap the toe of my boot on the ground. “What are the last four letters of American?”

He throws up his hands. “But I’m Australian.”

“You’re a token American now, even have a fancy new green card thanks to Zavtra.”

His phone rings again.

“Jesus, who keeps calling?” I ask.

He tugs out his smart phone and holds the call screen for my inspection. “Speak of the devil.”

“Z’s calling?” I shake my head. “On Christmas Eve?”

“He doesn’t get out much.”

“Your boss needs to get a life.”

“Or get laid.” Bran powers off the phone and shoves it in his pocket. “So,” his sigh is epic. “A photo of me with Santa Claus, huh?”

I bat my eyes. “Make my Christmas wish come true.”

“Bloody hell.” He hands me the umbrella and sets his shoulders as if preparing to face down a firing squad.

“You’ll do it?” My jaw drops.

 “Of course.” His look is unfathomable. “You asked me too.”

I snort. “Since when does that ever make a difference?”

He gives my forehead a peck. “Consider this a holiday miracle.” He turns and strides up the red carpet, past the giant Christmas tree and reindeer cutouts, arms rigid at his sides. I press my fist to my mouth, stifling giggles.

There’s no way he’ll go through with this.

He exchanges a few curt words with the elf who glances in my direction with an amused expression before ushering Bran forward.

Santa straightens in his throne and hands Bran a candy cane. The elf nudges Bran’s shoulder, coaxes him to sit on the edge of the big man’s knee. Bran looks like he might commit murder, but he perches, doesn’t flinch, even when the elf shoves reindeer horns on his head.

The elf heads back to the camera and calls out, “One, Two, Three, Merry Christmas.”       

Then Bran does it, he switches on a smile that lights up his whole face, and sets my damn heart afire. I’m so charmed that I can barely stand it.

Santa and Bran exchange a few more words before he stands and saunters toward me.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe you did that,” I say.

The elf motions for us to stay put as the printer hums to life.

“Merry Christmas, Captain.” He gives me a brusque kiss on the tip of my nose.

“So, naughty boy.” I whisper into the side of his neck. “Did Santa happen ask what you wanted for Christmas?”

“Yeah.” He braces my face between his hands and this time his kiss is slow and gentle. “I told him I already have it.”

 

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Lia Riley Bio:

Lia Riley writes offbeat New Adult and Contemporary Adult romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling XXXX with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments.

A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn't mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about future books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip.

She and her family live mostly in Northern California.

 Lia Riley Social Media:

 Twitter: @liarileywrites

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorleariley

Tumblr: http://offthemapliariley.tumblr.com/

Website: http://www.liariley.com

 

Lia Riley Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lia-Riley/e/B00HV0DFRM/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1417829791&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/lia-riley

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/lia-riley/id797017723?mt=11

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/search?Query=lia+riley

 

NEW ADULT READ ALOUD- DAY FOUR

If you haven't heard about the #NewAdultReadAloud, here is how it works. Each day two amazing authors will post a video of themselves reading an excerpt from a #newadult novel written by one of the other participants. 

I will update the videos each day after they go live. Enjoy!

Anne Tibbets, author of CARRIER, is reading UPSIDE DOWN by Lia Riley. 

 

Amy Jo Cousins, author of OFF CAMPUS, is reading MAKE IT COUNT by Megan Erickson.

For some reason, blogger can't find the YouTube video. I'll try to add it again later. For now, here is the link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwnhAEqH1OI&feature=youtu.be

Click the link to check out all of the #newadultreadaloud videos.

NEW ADULT READ ALOUD-DAY TWO

The #NewAdultReadAloud is in it's second day. Here is how it works. Each day two amazing authors will post a video of themselves reading an excerpt from a #newadult novel written by one of the other participants. 

I will update the videos each day after they go live. Enjoy!

Jennifer Blackwood, author of UNETHICAL, is reading LET ME KNOW by Stina Lindenblatt.

 

 

 



 Lia Riley, author of UPSIDE DOWN, is reading PUSH by Claire Wallace.

 

Click the link to check out of the #newadultreadaloud videos.

UPSIDE DOWN BLOG TOUR- LIA RILEY W/ AN AUSTRALIAN-THEMED PRIZEPACK

 

I'm excited to feature my friend and publishing house sister, Lia Riley, on the blog today. I'm currently reading UPSIDE DOWN, and I have so much love for Bran and Talia.

UPSIDE DOWN by Lia Riley (August 5, 2014; Forever E-Book; $3.99)

If You Never Get Lost, You'll Never Be Found

Natalia Stolfi is saying good-bye to the past-and turning her life upside down with a trip to Australia. Everything is going to plan until she meets a brooding surfer with hypnotic green eyes.

Bran Lockhart is having the worst year on record. Yet no amount of disappointment could blind him to the pretty California girl who gets past all his defenses. He's never wanted anyone the way he wants Talia. But when Bran gets a stark reminder of why he stopped believing in love, he and Talia must decide if what they have is once in a lifetime . . . of if they were meant to live a world apart.

Buy Links:

Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / BAM! / Google Play / Amazon

Upside Down Excert #1

“Is it true you have no regrets, not even one?” Hopefully he has no idea how dead serious I am in his response.

“There’s no point.” His fingers tighten infinitesimally on the wheel.

“The past is the past. That’s it.”

“Like whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger?”

“No, that’s a dumb-ass cliché. I mean there’s no meaning to life, despite what people pretend. Once I figured that out, everything got easier.”

“Has anyone ever said you are intense?”

“Since the day I was born.” He checks the rearview mirror. “So I got to ask you something. Maybe I’m presuming but—”

“If that’s your lead-in, then you’re probably correct.”

“You don’t fool me.”

He’s right. No matter how hard I try to hide and pretend away my crazy, Bran sees too much.

“But you try to fool everyone, don’t you?” He turns and catches me staring. “With the act. You, all breezy, cute as hell, always smiling like we’re at some big-deal party. You know what I think—”

“No, actually.” Wait, I’m cute? He thinks I’m cute?


“Not sure what your issue is, but—”


“I’m fine,” I mutter tightly. Reality wanders back, as unwelcome as a drunk uncle at a family picnic. Let’s face it, no one wants to be around a girl with issues. “Really, I’m all good.” Right, I sound like a five-year-old watching worms die in puddles.

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About the author: 

After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, LIA RILEY scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction.

 

When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about as-of-yet unwritten books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. She and her family live mostly in Northern California.

Social Media Links:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Tumblr / Goodreads

HOW AMAZON BLINDSIDED THREE DEBUT HACHETTE AUTHORS

I’ve been living in a happy bubble for the last few months as I prepared for the July 1^st release of my debut, DARK PARADISE. The contract negotiations between my publisher, Hachette Book Group, and Amazon were barely a blip on my radar.

I should have paid more attention to the news about Amazon discouraging customers from buying Hachette titles and delaying shipment of some books, as reported in the New York Times by David Streitfeld.

If I had, I would’ve known that many popular Hachette authors like Malcolm Gladwell, Stephen Colbert, James Patterson, J.K. Rowling, writing as Robert Galbraith, and others have been affected by these tactics. 

Maybe I wouldn’t have been blindsided on Thursday night when I went on Amazon and searched by title for DARK PARADISE, and discovered it’s missing.

 

The only way to find DARK PARADISE is to search by author, ANGIE SANDRO.

Not that it does a potential buyer any good, since my novel is currently UNAVAILABLE! Amazon even removed my beautiful covers.

 

I’ve had a few days for this to sink in, and I’m still writing this post with a rage cloud hovering over my head. I despise bullies! Amazon's actions made me feel helpless and spat upon. I may be just a little voice in this fight, but I will YELL as loud as I can until I'm heard.

I always root for the underdog, and I'm not the only author whose publication dreams are being stomped on.

Hell, I don't even have it the worst out of the Grand Central/Forever authors debuting in July and August. 

Lia Riley's novels, UPSIDE DOWN and SIDE SWIPED, are missing. As in, the only thing remaining on Amazon is her author profile. 

 

 

 

Eliza Freed still has her gorgeous covers, but her novels, FORGIVE ME, REDEEM ME, and SAVE ME, are also unavailable. How random is it that three authors have been slammed in three different ways?

 

 

It was an eye-opener for me to realize how often I purchase books on Amazon. I would check my author ranking on Amazon and do a little dance every time I had a pre-order listed. My mindset in this regard has changed.

I linked the novels listed in this post to Barnes & Noble, but there are a lot of stores out there supporting Hachette authors. Books-A-Million and Zola Books are offering 30% off Hachette titles.

Also check out THE BOOK WHEEL #ReadHachette campaign to support your favorite Hachette authors.

I said earlier that my voice is small, but it is amazing what can happen if we all yell together. My thanks to everyone who has supported me by pre-ordering DARK PARADISE through other vendors. I appreciate your words of encouragement by tweet, email, and FB like. You've turned a stressful time into one of hope.

Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

UPSIDE DOWN (OFF THE MAP #1) GIVEAWAY- LIA RILEY

Mmm, a variety of sweets, the kind you eat and the kind you enjoy in other ways. 

 

The prize IF you enter and win: An UPSIDE DOWN gift bag, which includes: University of Melbourne tote and pen, scratch-off-where-you-have-travelled World Map, TimTams (Australia's famous chocolate biscuits), caramel Koalas, and a $25 Amazon gift card.

 

Wicked cool, right? So what are you waiting for?

 

 

 

 

 

If You Never Get Lost, You’ll Never Be Found

 

 

Twenty-one-year-old Natalia Stolfi is saying goodbye to painful memories—and turning her life upside down with a trip to the land down under. For the next six months, she’ll pretend to be a carefree exchange student. Everything is going to plan until she meets a surly surfer with hypnotic green eyes, and the troubling ability to see straight through her act.

 

Bran Lockhart is having the worst year on record. After the girl of his dreams turned into a nightmare, he slunk back to Melbourne to piece his life together. Yet no amount of disappointment could blind him to the pretty California girl who gets past all his defenses. He’s never wanted anyone the way he wants Talia. A single semester abroad won’t cover something this serious. But when Bran gets a stark reminder of why he stopped believing in love, he and Talia must decide if what they have is once-in-a-lifetime . . . or if there’s a plane to California with her name on it.

 

 

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Author Bio:

Lia Riley writes offbeat New Adult Romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling fourex with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments.

 

A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn't mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c'mon, who doesn't love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about as-of-yet unwritten books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. Right now, Icelandic hot springs and Scottish castles sound mighty fine.

 

She and her family live mostly in Northern California. Her debut New Adult romance, UPSIDE DOWN, releases August 5, 2015 from Grand Central/Forever.