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~ Book Blogger & Reviewer

Romantic Reads and Such

Monthly Archives: October 2015

Spotlight – Brazen Blitz – His Fantasy Girl by Nina Croft

20 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest

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His Fantasy Girl, Nina Croft, Things To Do Before You Die series

If you like your heroes hot, the sex hotter, and a swoon-worthy romance to swoop in and save your happily ever after, Brazen has the story for you. Sinfully sexy soldiers. Alpha cops who demand control. Sweet guys with a naughty side in the bedroom. At Brazen, they’ve got the hero destined to melt your… heart. Visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, Like their Facebook page, and follow them on Pinterest.

*****

Today’s featured read:


HFG_500His Fantasy Girl

by Nina Croft

Blurb:

There’s nothing like a near death experience to make a guy reassess his life. And that’s exactly what nightclub owner Logan McCabe decides to do, starting with looking up the girl he spent one wild night with eleven years ago, right before his life turned to crap. He spent a year fantasizing about her. Now he’s ready to see how reality matches up.

Abigail Parker is a perfectionist. She’s only strayed from the straight and narrow once in her life, on her eighteenth birthday. It was supposed to be one wild night with a totally unsuitable man before she settled into her sensible future. Instead it changed her life forever.

Logan might still be the sexiest man Abigail has ever seen, but a dirty-talking, tattooed, ex-con is the last thing she needs in her perfect life. He claims she’s his fantasy girl, but what he doesn’t know is she’s also the mother of his ten-year old daughter…

Amazon * B&N * iTunes * Kobo

*****

Author Info:

Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia, which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of nine-to-five work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain. Nina writes all types of romance, often mixed with elements of the paranormal and science fiction.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Newsletter

*****

Giveaway:

Win an Amazon Gift Card

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb55495639/

*****

Don’t miss all five fabulous 10/19 Brazens!

Played_500

Play. Or be played.

Find out more!

HFG_500

When Fantasy and reality collide…

Find out more!

AMoW_500

He can fight anything…except his need for her.

Find out more!

TtNB_500

Sometimes you have to break the rules…

Find out more!

Wild_Ride_500

Good girl, meet bad cowboy…

Find out more!

*****

Come back every day this week as I highlight each of these great books!

Yesterday’s featured read:

Wild Ride by Cathryn Fox

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Spotlight – Brazen Blitz – Wild Ride by Cathryn Fox

19 Monday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest

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Tags

Brazen Blitz, Cathryn Fox, Playing for Keeps series, Wild Ride

If you like your heroes hot, the sex hotter, and a swoon-worthy romance to swoop in and save your happily ever after, Brazen has the story for you. Sinfully sexy soldiers. Alpha cops who demand control. Sweet guys with a naughty side in the bedroom. At Brazen, they’ve got the hero destined to melt your… heart. Visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, Like their Facebook page, and follow them on Pinterest.

*****

Today’s featured read:

Wild_Ride_500Wild Ride

by Cathryn Fox

Blurb:

Good girl, meet bad cowboy…

Marketing Tycoon Tyler Mackenzie, a.k.a. Wildman Mac, has a knack for knowing what people want and, more importantly, what they need…so when he decides to show sweet and sexy yoga instructor Jess Gray that she’s the one for him, he puts a seductive campaign into motion.

When Mac defines the terms for the week and insists she do everything he says, Jess can’t help but be intrigued. Since this good girl wants to break free and do something naughty, she agrees to his terms and soon finds herself embarking on a sexual journey that knows no limits. For Jess this is one week of living out her fantasies, but Mac is determined to make this wild ride last forever.

Amazon * B&N * iTunes * Kobo

*****

Author Info:

New York Times and USA today best selling author, Cathryn is a wife, mom, sister, daughter, and friend. She loves dogs, sunny weather, anything chocolate (she never says no to a brownie) pizza and red wine. Cathryn can never find balance in her life, is always trying to find time to go to the gym, can never keep up with emails, Facebook or Twitter and tries to write page-turning books that her readers will love.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Newsletter

*****

Giveaway:

Win an Amazon Gift Card

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb55495639/

*****

Don’t miss all five fabulous 10/19 Brazens!

Played_500

Play. Or be played.

Find out more!

HFG_500

When Fantasy and reality collide…

Find out more!

AMoW_500

He can fight anything…except his need for her.

Find out more!

TtNB_500

Sometimes you have to break the rules…

Find out more!

Wild_Ride_500

Good girl, meet bad cowboy…

Find out more!

*****

Come back every day this week as I highlight each of these great books!

EntBraz-webbanner-ad11-STATIC(476x286)

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Spotlight – Practice Makes Perfect, Here He Comes Again and Two Family Home

16 Friday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

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Charlene Groome, Here He Comes Again, Melissa Shirley, Practice Makes Perfect, Sarah Title, Southern Comfort Romance series, Storybrook Lake series, The Warriors series, Two Family Home

We’ve actually seen one of these already but I wanted to make sure that I got all three in front of you again.  (If you are interested click here for my reviews of Two Family Home.)

*****

Practice Makes PerfectPractice Makes Perfect

by Charlene Groome

Release Date: August 18, 2015

Publisher: Lyrical Shine

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Ebook

Blurb:

She’s in the front office. He’s a star player. It’s a match-up guaranteed to melt the ice…

Left winger Jared Landry is one of the (gorgeous) faces of Vancouver’s Warriors hockey team—except he’s not comfortable in the spotlight. He gets that charity events are important to the community, he just wants to contribute in his own way. Face-time with the fans puts him in a vulnerable position, bringing up past memories—and present complications. But a certain fiery newcomer won’t take no for an answer…

Meghan O’Riley is the Warriors’ new events coordinator, and she wants everyone on board—including Jared. Meghan knows he has a history of flaking out on important occasions, and she has no patience for his devil-may-care attitude. But Meghan will have to hone her rookie flirting skills to get the star to commit to the team—and maybe even to her…

B&N | Amazon | Kobo | Google Play | Goodreads

*****

Charlene GroomeAuthor Info:

I have always been a writer. Ever since I can remember, I penned stories, but it wasn’t until grade twelve when my creative writing teacher marked a story and said it was the start of a novel. I can’t even remember what the story was about, but I do remember her encouragement and excitement of handing me back my A-paper. That’s when I had a light bulb moment. How fun would it be to write novels? And so my writing ventures began. I took journalism in college, wrote as a fill-in journalist a my local newspaper and Freelanced articles to magazines and took the creative writing diploma program through Surrey’s Continuing Education. I found my love. I also found a job I cared a lot about. I worked in television and radio, where my media career soared. I took part-time radio studies at college. I am always trying to push myself, to make myself excel in my chosen career. Although media has had a huge impact on me, writing novels is everything I dreamed of.

I hope you live your dreams, and accomplish what your heart desires because you’re the only person who can make that happen.

website | Twitter | Facebook

*****

Here He Comes AgainHere He Comes Again

by Melissa Shirley

Release Date: August 18, 2015

Publisher: Lyrical Shine

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Ebook

Blurb:

Welcome to Storybook Lake, where dreams come true.

Not all fairy tales have a happy ending. Jocelyn learned that the hard way, when she married her high school sweetheart Keaton Shaw—only to have him break her heart.

But that was a long time ago. The papers were signed, the divorce finalized, and Jocelyn is no longer a little girl with her head in the clouds. That’s why no one in Storybook can believe it when Keaton, the All-American dream boy, walks into Jocelyn’s bakery, looking as sweet as one of her frosted cupcakes, and demanding a second chance with the woman he still calls his wife.

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Google Play | Goodreads

*****

Author Info:

As an author, Melissa Shirley believes in fairytales, happily ever after, and destiny. Born and raised in Illinois, and a mother of eight, she lives with her husband and three youngest children in a quiet town in the southern part of the state where she spends her time writing and watching her children grow into the people she has always dreamed. Please visit her at melissashirley2.wix.com/melissashirleyauthor

website | Twitter

*****

TWO FAMILY HOME_FINAL jpgTwo Family Home

by Sarah Title

Release Date: September 18, 2015

Publisher: Lyrical Shine

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Ebook

Blurb:

Lindsey Alford moved to Willow Springs, Kentucky, to prove to all doubters (mostly her parents) that she’s all grown up. Something her neighbor Walker Smith never questioned—those short shorts of hers!

Put a cute single girl with an overactive imagination next door to a reclusive hot guy, add in a decadent blue velvet sofa, a locked garage and a nursing home full of busybodies, and trouble is bound to pop up. Literally, in the form of an adorably naughty stray pup with a longing for two people to lick and a home all his own.

Love isn’t complex…it’s a duplex!

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Google Play | Goodreads

*****

Sarah TitleAuthor Info:

By day, Sarah Title is a (sort of) mild-mannered librarian in West Virginia, and by night, she writes funny, steamy, comfort reads.  Sarah holds a B.A. in English from Vassar College and an M.L.S. from Indiana University.  Her first book, Kentucky Home, was released by eKensington in April 2013.  The follow-up novella, “Kentucky Christmas,” came out, surprisingly, the following December.  She also contributed to the anthology, Delicious, with Lori Foster and Lucy Monroe.

Her newest book, Home Sweet Home, was released by eKensington in April 2014.

Sarah is represented by Louise Fury with the Bent Agency.

website | Twitter | Facebook

*****

Click on the banner below to check out the rest of the tour

Practice Makes Perfect, Here He Comes Again and Two Family Home Banner

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Spotlight – The Doll Making Delta

15 Thursday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review, Sneak Peek

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A Delta House Novel, Gretchen S. B., The Doll Making Delta

Doll Making 101

Reneé Edward has a lot on her plate. She took over as President of the Reneé-Gal company from her father a few months
ago. Just in time for a merger with a new parent company. As if that timing was not bad enough she finds out several Junior Executives have been ruining the
merger from within. 

Just as she is scrambling to pick up the pieces, Ruben Blackthorne strolls into her life. He is sexy, tall and clearly into her. Though she is excited about this new development in her love life Reneé finds it a little hard to juggle the new addition. As everything in her life finally seems to fall into place for the first time in almost a year Reneé finds herself confused as Ruben begins to pull away. Had she imagined their connection? Were things moving too fast? Lost and confused, at least she has her family and her fellow Deltas to get her through. 

 That is until everything takes another unexpected turn.

 

Get into the Delta
Excerpt
“Okay, sip and spill. What kept you away for
the better part of a week?” Naomi asked before tipping her cup to her
mouth.
Sighing Reneé unwrapped her sandwich. “You
remember how Uncle James and I couldn’t figure out why there were all these
hang ups with the negotiations right?”
Naomi’s eyes grew cautious and narrowed as she
nodded over her mug.
“Well as it turns out three of our junior board
members were sending emails sabotaging the merger. They claimed I was holding
on to information to sweeten the deal for our side. They also said that they
could, with help, oust me and make a more agreeable deal.”
Naomi’s eyes widened as she set down her mug.
“Wait, what? Isn’t that illegal or something? Are you going to sue them?
Can you save the deal? How did you find out?”
The shocked disbelieve from her friend made Reneé
feel better. It made her feel like she wasn’t losing her mind to have someone
as upset as she was. Uncle James had seemed more downtrodden than upset.
“One of their assistants got wind of what was
going on and clued in Debbie. You know how she gets about finding information.
She found the email correspondence between these guys and our soon to be parent
company. When Debbie showed the emails to Uncle James and I we fired them. As
for suing, I don’t know. Our lawyers are handling it.
We think the deal may be salvageable but they are
sending in one of their acquisitions and negotiations guys to do the rest in
person. That way there can be no mistakes. Uncle James is all for this. He says
the guy they are sending is the same one that approached him and Dad years ago.
That he is a trustworthy guy. I still don’t know. While I appreciate that they
still want to negotiate it almost feels like I am being chastised for not
having a better handle on the board.” Some of the stress crept back in as
Reneé finished.
Smiling sympathetically, Naomi reached across the
counter to squeeze her hand. “I’m sorry you have to deal with all this.
But it is going to get easier right? I mean once this thing goes though your
load will be lighter. There are maybe six months left, yes a hard six months
but there is light at the end of the tunnel.” She gave another squeeze
before letting go and grabbing her cup again. “Now eat your
sandwich!”
Rolling her eyes Reneé complied, knowing full well
Naomi wouldn’t let her talk again until at least half the sandwich was gone.
They sat in a companionable silence for several minutes
when the bell above the door rang several times. When one particular time Reneé
saw Naomi’s face light up she turned to see who entered. Then it was like she
stopped breathing.
He was tall, maybe six-three and gorgeous. He had
shaggy light brown hair, a sharp nose and jaw. As well as the palest blue eyes
Reneé had ever seen. The mystery guy had one of those lithe builds that suited
the jeans and t-shirt he wore as well as the guitar case strapped to his back.
Reneé made herself start breathing again as he came
to stand next to her, beaming at Naomi.

 

 

Meet The Doll Maker
Indie Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Romance author

Gretchen is a Seattleite who loves her home. She has a day job as a Program Coordinator at a local university. She is a struggling Indie Author, struggling as in she is trying to make her living writing books. She loves to read, write and create characters. As well as knit and binge watch Netflix. She is also on a sporadic book blog and internet radio show with some of her college friends. She currently lives with her husband and their mischievous Rotti mix, who always seems to find something new she shouldn’t be chewing on.

MORE BOOKS FROM THIS AUTHOR

                                                       

 

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Spotlight – All I Need Is You

15 Thursday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

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All I Need Is You, Loving You series, Wendy S. Marcus

All I Need Is You is already getting some great reviews (as did the first book in the series, Loving You Is Easy).  If you are looking for a great military romance series, you’ll definitely want to give these a chance.

*****

AINIY_CoverAll I Need Is You

Loving You #2

by Wendy S. Marcus

Releasing October 6, 2015

Loveswept

Blurb:

Perfect for fans of Kristan Higgins and Robyn Carr, this sexy yet sweet military romance reunites a headstrong dancer and a rugged army soldier after one steamy encounter tears them apart.

As a dancer who creates mesmerizing visions onstage, Neve James is looking for the same kind of stability in her love life. Her pen pal, Rory McRoy, is on leave from deployment in Afghanistan, so she heads to Boston to surprise him. After corresponding for months as part of a “Support Our Troops” initiative—and exchanging dozens of “Read When You’re Alone” letters—Neve knows what Rory likes, and she intends to fulfill his every fantasy. But all they get are a few blissful moments together before they’re interrupted by a woman claiming to be Rory’s fiancée.

Rory has fallen hard for Neve’s letters. When he finally meets her in person, he has to have her, right then and there—until Neve takes off in a fit of anger. Forced to return to Afghanistan before he can fix things between them, Rory waits four agonizing months to prove that he’s not the man Neve thinks he is. But by the time he arrives in New York, she’s already made up her mind. Luckily, Rory never backs down from a challenge, and he’s prepared to put everything on the line for love.

Advance praise for All I Need Is You

“Wendy S. Marcus has penned a perfect romance in All I Need Is You, with a sexy dancer heroine, a hot military hero with a sense of humor, and a story you won’t want to end.”—New York Times bestselling author Claudia Connor

Buy Links:  Amazon | B & N | iTunes | Kobo

*****

Excerpt:

“I warned you not to come back here,” Nate snapped at Rory.

“And why are you sniffing around my sister when you have a fiancée?”

“I’m not sniffing around yaw sistah,” she heard Rory say in his thick Boston accent. “And I don’t have a fiancée. I’m not engaged and have nevah been engaged. I didn’t lie to you. . . . Damn it, Neve. We’re friends. Give me—”

“You’re no friend of mine,” she told Rory. Not anymore. Not after what happened when he’d come home on leave several months ago. She lifted her left arm halfway up, glanced back at Nate, and gave a dismissive wave. “Get rid of him.” Thank God she reached the kitchen milliseconds before a humiliating collapse to the floor and managed to land on her chair instead.

“I’m sorry you’re still upset,” Rory called out. “If you’d just let me explain. You wouldn’t answer my calls, didn’t respond to my emails, and sent all my lettahs back, unopened. Now that I’m home for good I’m not going anywhere until we talk.”

“We’ve been talking.” She removed the plastic container of warm soup from the bag and placed it on the table. “Now I’m done talking.” She looked at him. “Goodbye, Rory. Go home. Have a nice life.”

At that, Rory walked inside her messy condo.

Sheesh. Men. Why don’t they ever do as they’re told?

“Stop,” Nate said in his police voice.

“Arrest him,” Neve suggested while struggling to remove the lid, which seemed to be glued on. Suddenly the effort didn’t seem worth it. What little appetite she’d had was gone.

“He didn’t arrest me last time.” Rory crossed his arms over his chest. “Just drove me away, took me to the train station, and waited around for me to get on.”

Last time when he’d showed up, uninvited, two days before he needed to head back to Afghanistan, banging on her door, demanding to be let in, insisting she give him a chance to explain. Nope. Instead she’d called her brother. “What is the benefit of having a sibling who’s a cop if you won’t arrest people when I tell you to?”

Nate ignored her, as he often did. His full focus elsewhere, he leaned down to look Rory in the eyes. “I recall telling you if you came back around I’d arrest you for real.”

“For what?” Rory asked.

“Trespassing,” Nate answered.

“Harassment,” Neve added. The word had come out of her mouth, she’d felt the vibration of her vocal cords, and yet the voice didn’t sound like hers. A wave of hot, achy, nauseating weakness slammed into her. Her peripheral vision started to narrow. The room started to blur. She needed to get back to bed, to sleep this off, but when she tried to stand a horrific pain shot through her right hip into her lower back.

Then everything went black.

*****

Wendy_SMarcusAuthor Info:

Wendy S. Marcus is an award-winning author of contemporary romance. A nurse by trade, Wendy holds a Master of Science in Health Care Administration, a degree that does her absolutely no good as she now spends her days, nights, and weekends mucking around in her characters’ lives creating conflict, emotion, and, of course, a happily ever after. Wendy lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley region of New York. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her dog Buddy, and blogging/ emailing/ tweeting/ facebooking with her online friends.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

Loveswept Ebook Bundle

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/235babe7252/

*****

Click on the banner below to check out the rest of the tour

all-i-need-is-you-virtual-tour

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Book Review – How Forever Feels

14 Wednesday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Book Review, Friends First series, How Forever Feels, Laura Drewry

cover72118-mediumHow Forever Feels

Friends First series

by Laura Drewry

From USA Today bestselling author Laura Drewry comes a warm and witty new Friends First novel—perfect for readers of Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery. How Forever Feels is a sweet tale about the one that got away . . . and the one that came back.

Maya McKay’s heart is as big as Jack Rhodes’s shoulders are broad. Their chemistry is out of control, but it could never work between them because Jack is more than just best friends with her cheating ex-husband—they’re like brothers. Maya, the sensitive, practical florist, has given up on love and is ready to settle for like. But now that Jack’s around again, he’s stirring up old feelings—and turning Maya’s fantasies into irresistible reality.

Jack blew his chance with Maya years ago when he stepped aside for his best friend, Will, and he’s still kicking himself about it. Maya was promised forever once before, and she got burned. But when Jack realizes that second chances aren’t going to fall out of the sky, he seizes the moment—and the woman he’s always loved—to show her how forever truly feels.

Jack and Maya are fantastic together, so sharp and cute and fun, and Drewry writes them so well you can totally understand how Jack has loved Maya for years and yet she has no clue 🙂  There are so many roadblocks standing in the way of anything happening between the two – Jack is Maya’s cheating ex-husband’s best friend and his family IS Jack’s family.  A relationship between the two is going to be hard, but it could be worth it if they are willing to take a chance.

Maya was put thru the ringer when she found out her husband was sleeping with someone else.  He was supposed to be her HEA so it left her unsure of herself and of men.  Everyone except Jack that is and now that he’s back in her life, she couldn’t be happier.  Until she starts thinking of her old friend as more than just a friend.

I think some people might feel like Jack needs to find his backbone, but I actually understand why he lets things get to the point that they do.  He’s all alone in the world except for the Carson’s and when they fostered him they pulled him out of a situation that was REALLY bad.  His dedication to that family is deep and it just breaks my heart at how he’s torn between Maya and the family.  It’s easy for others to say that he should have chosen Maya from the beginning, and maybe he should have, but that’s a lot to ask of him.  He’s had to live with that for years – I think he’s paid a lot for his choice.

I’ve not read any of the other Friends First novels but I think that Drewry does a great job of giving you’re the basics on how they came together.  I’m curious enough that the other books are going in my TBR pile, but it in no way interfered with how much I loved this one.  (And I’m really hoping she’s going to give Griffin a story because I want him to find his own person who won’t put up with his crap.)

How Forever Feels is both heartbreaking and heartwarming and I highly recommend that you check it out.

Buy on Amazon

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Stirring Up Trouble

13 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Andrea Laurence, Rosewood series, Stirring Up Trouble

We’ve seen the first two books in this series before – Facing the Music and Feeding the Fire.  So, I’m super excited to welcome Andrea Laurence to stop by and share a little with us about the third book, Stirring Up Trouble!

*****

Hey everyone. I’m excited to be here today to tell you about my latest sassy, sexy Rosewood romance – Stirring Up Trouble. This is the third book in the series, featuring the great characters you’ve grown to love and a few you’ve grown to hate. This book features Chamberlain sister and prissy princess, Maddie. She’s purchased an old Victorian home across the street from the town bar, owned by laid back bartender, Emmett Sawyer. These two couldn’t be more different, from the hours they keep, to their ideas of a good time, but sometimes opposites attract and for these two, it’s explosive. But first, they’ve got to stop trying to make each other miserable and that’s going to require the help of the town judge, some sweet treats and the infamous town vandal, the Penis Picasso. Here with me today are Maddie and Emmett. We’ve asked them what sweet treat or frosty drink reminds them of one another, so I’m going to turn it over to them!

Maddie: It just so happens that it’s also Emmett’s favorite treat, but I’d say he’s one of my homemade MoonPies. Now, for those of you who’ve had a MoonPie, they don’t look like much of a gourmet treat on the outside and frankly the ones you get at the gas station really aren’t. They’ve got a reputation as being a little country – but like Emmett – looks can be deceiving and the MoonPies I make in the shop have so many layers of surprising, refined flavors. They’re made with homemade marshmallow cream, sandwiched between freshly baked gingersnap cookies. Then I dip them in a dark chocolate ganache and sprinkle the edges with some crushed, candied pecans. They’re a little spicy and very sweet, just like Emmett. I just can’t get enough of him.

Emmett: Hey, folks. So, if I had to sum up Fancy in a drink… she would be imported French Champagne. The good stuff, not some knockoff sparkling wine. She would be a little sweet, a little dry. If you’re not used to her, she can give you a headache. Some people thinks she’s too fancy for everyday consumption, but once you’ve tasted her, nothing else quite measures up. That’s my Maddie in a glass.

*****

Stirring Up TroubleStirring Up Trouble

Rosewood Series

by Andrea Laurence

Release Date: October 12, 2015

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

Blurb:

When a prim and proper baker and a laid-back bartender have a neighborly disagreement that gets them both in trouble with the law, a sweet reconciliation is stirred up in the playful third romance in Andrea Laurence’s sexy Rosewood series.

Maddie’s life is perfectly sweet. Her bakery’s tasty treats are rising to the top of every must-have list in town, and her commute is just a block away by foot. She loves everything about her little downtown Victorian bungalow—except for her unbearably noisy neighbor, Woody’s. The bar’s obnoxious and sexy owner, Emmett, seems to live to aggravate Maddie. But he mostly thinks she could use a stiff drink to dislodge the stick up her ass. He’s just trying to run his business. Bars stay open late, they play music, they serve alcohol. If she doesn’t like it, why did she buy a house across the street?

When Maddie and Emmett’s battle lands them in front of the local judge, they’re ordered to do several weeks of community service cleaning parks and painting over graffiti. As they scrub away the latest works of art by the town’s anonymous “Penis Picasso,” the baker and the bartender slowly begin to see there’s more to each other than meets the eye. So what happens if they wave the white flag and surrender into each other’s arms?

Buy Links

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1htnQ3G

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1P1TrYV

iTunes: http://apple.co/1jS0OW6

*****

Excerpt:

“You know, Fancy Pants, that’s your problem.”

Her eyes widened as he used his new favorite nickname for her. He didn’t know why it would offend her. She was a fancy pants, through and through. “I don’t have a problem.”

“Yes, you do. You think you’re so much better than everyone else, but you’re not. So what? You studied in Paris. Estelle was a self-taught baker using her grandmother’s recipes, and her chocolate chip cookies were better than yours.”

Maddie gasped. “My chocolate chip cookies are made with vanilla beans from Madagascar and chopped milk and dark chocolate from Switzerland!”

“It’s a cookie, not a piece of art that needs provenance to display in a gallery. Some people just want what’s familiar. Nobody’s grandma used vanilla beans from Madagascar. Importing all that fancy stuff might make you feel special, but it doesn’t make you better. Frankly, I think it would hurt your bottom line. You think you’re going to pay back your daddy for this place while you blow money on embossed pink pastry boxes and imported chocolate? This isn’t a patisserie on the Champs-Élysées, Fancy Pants. You might think it sets you apart, but to be successful, you need to know your customer. People around here don’t care where Madagascar is, much less if that’s where your vanilla comes from.”

“People want high-quality products, and that’s what I’m going to give them. My clientele is a little more sophisticated than yours. I suppose you’re well versed in your customers and what they want, right? Beer and football.”

“Damn right, and that’s what I give them.” Emmett turned to face her and leaned down so she heard every word he said. “They want a place to relax and unwind. They want to watch sports and listen to music. You might think that I started bringing those bands in just to keep you up at night, but you’re giving yourself a little too much real estate in my brain, Fancy. It doesn’t have anything to do with you. You’re just an unwelcome distraction.”

Maddie looked up at him, her full bottom lip trembling slightly as he railed at her. “Earlier you said I was beautiful—a sadist—but beautiful. Am I distracting because I drive you crazy or because I’m beautiful?” she asked in a breathy voice that made his chest and his pants tighten at the same time.

Those pouty lips made him want to run the pad of his thumb across them and kiss away her frown. It was a ridiculously unhelpful thought, but like he’d said, she was a distraction in a variety of ways. He wished she wasn’t so attractive because that just crossed the wires in his brain. He’d much prefer her outsides matched her annoying insides, then it would be easy to ignore her.

She had the shiniest hair he’d ever seen. It was always up in a ponytail or a bun, which was a shame because it was like shimmering chestnut silk. He wanted to know what it would look like if it fell free around her shoulders. He wondered how it’d feel to run his fingers through it. Her skin was like porcelain and her eyes like the shells of a robin’s egg. Maddie’s every feature was delicate and feminine, rousing a protective nature in him he wasn’t used to.

And then she opened her mouth and ruined everything.

“Both,” he said.

*****

 

AndreaLaurence (1)Author Info:

Andrea Laurence has been a lover of reading and writing stories since she learned to read at a young age. She always dreamed of seeing her work in print and is thrilled to finally be able to share her special blend of sensuality and dry, sarcastic humor with the world. A dedicated West Coast girl transplanted into the Deep South, she’s working on her own “happily ever after” with her boyfriend and their collection of animals including a Siberian Husky that sheds like nobody’s business.

Social Networking Links

Website: http://andrealaurence.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAndreaLaurence

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Andrea_Laurence

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5398672.Andrea_Laurence

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win a Kindle and the Rosewood series

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/07c2363f84

*****

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Book Review – A Wedding in Truhart

12 Monday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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A Truhart Novel, A Wedding in Truhart, Book Review, Cynthia Tennent

cover69450-mediumA Wedding in Truhart

A Truhart Novel, Book One

by Cynthia Tennent

Welcome to Truhart, Michigan, population 1300 and dropping. Where everyone knows everyone else and garage sales are front page news. Not exactly where you’d expect to find the celebrity wedding of the year. As Maid of Honor, and the famous bride’s big sister, Annie has to plan a wedding suitable for America’s newest sweetheart reporter on The Morning Show. But what she didn’t plan on was seeing Nick Conrad again. Her older brother’s best friend who left Truhart for the big city, Nick just happens to be Annie’s embarrassing childhood crush. He’s also the Best Man.

As Atlanta’s High Society descends on the tiny Midwest town, Annie has the impossible task of controlling her eccentric family and nutty neighbors, while hosting a wedding fit for a princess at her family’s rundown Amble Inn. But what she can’t control is the spark reigniting between her and Nick. Between snowstorms, an A.W.O.L. gown, and the broadcast of the wedding on The Morning Show, Annie is just hoping to survive the big day without losing her mind. And to survive being around Nick again without losing her heart.

A Wedding in Truhart may be a little light on the romance for some – Nick and Annie really aren’t together that much and when they are things usually don’t end all that well 🙂 – but I really enjoyed their relationship.  And there is so much more going on to keep you glued to the pages.

You only get Annie’s POV, which is both good and bad.  The good is that you feel like you understand her and what she’s going thru, allowing you to see why she says and does different things.  Everything is revealed to you at the same time they are revealed to her so we feel a better connection to her.  The bad is that you don’t get that same connection to everyone else and there is some confusion on things because she doesn’t have all of the information.  I usually like to have the male and female voices in my romances because I’m intrigued by where both are coming from, but here it works.  Annie goes thru moments of clarity in dealing with her family and friends so having only her voice makes that better.

And while there are a bunch of clichés at play (rich snobs, small town bumpkins, that kind of thing) it brings levity and fun to Annie’s growth.  With family issues, romantic entanglements, and a touch of humor, A Wedding in Truhart is a wonderful start to a new series and I can’t wait to see where Tennent takes us from here.

 

Buy on Amazon

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World’s Best Story: Unique Contest for Writers!

12 Monday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Contest

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World's Best Story contest

 
 
2015 CONTEST!
Writers submit your Story
Enter for a chance to join the House of transmedia stories company

What is World’s Best Story?

“This is not just a literary contest, we’re looking for stories that will be consumed in multiple media formats – from books to the big screen and beyond,” says Vincent Salera, founder of World’s Best Story. “Our goal is to revolutionize the traditional literary contest and identify a story with blockbuster appeal. We’re looking for a story that audiences will love and help authors turn that story into trans-media franchises, which is why we’re empowering readers to judge the contest.”

How does it work?

Readers will vote for stories and awarded judges will declare the final Top 10 winners.

2015 Judges: Warren Adler, Victor Malarek, Tamarra Kennelly, Brooke Burgess, Samreen Ashan, Alistair Cross, Rhonda Hayter

Timeline:

Entry Period Closes/Public Voting ends. (November 8)

Top 10 Winners Announced! (November 8)

Professional Review/Voting (November 8 – December 8)

Winner and Top 10 Ranking Announced (December 8)

What are the prizes?

The top 3 winners will receive a full publishing package by FriesenPress, trademark protection in the U.S. and Canada by IP agency Benoit & Cote, a virtual book tour by Laura Fabiani of iRead Book Tours as well as consulting/marketing services with book expert Anne Chaconas of BadAss Marketing. Busbud and YoDough will be providing lots of goodies for both writers and readers.

How do I submit my story?

To learn more about World’s Best Story, including how to enter, please visit World’s Best Story.

World’s Best Story : info@worldsbeststory.com

See what’s buzzing at World’s Best Story:

How to Get Readers Buzzing About Your Book: Secrets from the World of Book Blogging

Viral campaign with famous characters:

What if Oscar Wilde wrote Sex and the City? (series of posts)

What if Lady Gaga wrote Gone With the Wind? (series of posts)

The Current Top 10 Most Voted Stories

Connect with World’s Best Story:
Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Pinterest

Enter your story today!
 
 

 

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Spotlight – Wilde at Heart

09 Friday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

≈ 1 Comment

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Tonya Burrows, Wilde at Heart, Wilde Secruity series

If you are looking for a great romantic suspense book you cannot go wrong with Tonya Burrows.  I remember reading SEAL of Honor and being blown away.  I’ve loved her stuff every since 🙂

*****

Wilde at HeartWilde at Heart

by Tonya Burrows

Publisher: Entangled Ignite

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Format: Kindle

Blurb:

He has everything under control. Except her.

Reece Wilde put everything in his life on the backburner to protect his brothers and their struggling company, Wilde Security. With a major contract on the line, Reece can’t afford any mistakes…like getting caught in a red-hot, X-rated moment with wild child Shelby Bremer, who’s more trouble than he can handle. Now he’s being blackmailed.

Shelby’s mile-long impulsive streak gets her in more trouble than she’d like to admit. Between her sister’s wedding, her coffee shop set on fire, and getting down and dirty with the groom’s brother, things are definitely coming off the rails. With both their careers and their safety on the line, Reece is determined to keep them both safe…even if it means a Vegas-style shotgun wedding.

But gambling on a wild card—and a wild soul—is risky…and sometimes, it can get a guy killed.

Amazon | Kobo | B&N | Google Play | Goodreads

*****

Tonya BurrowsAuthor Info:

Tonya Burrows wrote her first romance in 8th grade and hasn’t put down her pen since. Originally from a small town in Western New York, she’s currently soaking up the sun as a Florida girl. She suffers from a bad case of wanderlust and usually ends up moving someplace new every few years. Luckily, her two dogs and ginormous cat are excellent travel buddies.

When she’s not writing about hunky military heroes, Tonya can be found at a bookstore or the dog park. She also enjoys painting, watching movies, and her daily barre workouts. A geek at heart, she pledges her TV fandom to Supernatural and Dr. Who.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

*****

Tour Schedule:

Wilde At Heart Banner

September 7

Guest blogging at What is That Book About

Book featured at Lore Lush Books

Interviewed at I’m Shelf-ish

September 8

Book reviewed at Romance for Every World

Guest blogging at Belle’s Book Bag

Book featured at Voodoo Princess

September 9

Guest blogging at Queen of the Night Reviews

September 10

Book featured at Mikky’s World of Books

September 11

Book featured at Confessions of a Reader

September 14

Book featured at Busy Bumble Bee Book Reviews

September 15

Guest blogging at Reading Between the Lines Book Club

September 16

Book featured at Authors and Readers Book Corner

September 17

Book featured at Angel’s Guilty Pleasures

September 18

Guest blogging at The Dark Phantom

September 21

Interviewed at The Book Tart

September 22

Guest blogging at The Literary Nook

September 23

Book featured at Sapphyria’s Book Reviews

September 24

Book featured at Booklover Sue

September 25

Book reviewed at LeAnn’s Book Reviews

October 5

Guest blogging at Archaeolibrarian

October 6

Guest blogging at Poseidons99

October 7

Book featured at Inner Goddess

October 8

Guest blogging at Around the World in Books

October 9

Book featured at Romantic Reads and Such

October 12

Book featured at Abibliophobia Anonymous

October 13

Interviewed at Deal Sharing Aunt

October 14

Book featured at Erotic Romance News

October 15

Guest blogging at Lori’s Reading Corner

October 16

Book featured at Crystal’s Chaotic Confessions

October 19

Book reviewed and Guest blogging at Becky on Books and Quilts

October 20

Book featured at Harmonious Publicity

October 21

Book featured at A Sky Full of Stars Blog

October 22

Interviewed at Teatime and Books

October 26

Book featured at Write and Take Flight

October 27

Book reviewed at Books and Spoons

October 28

Guest blogging at Kitty’s Book Spot

October 29

Book reviewed at Books and Authors

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