Book Review – This Love of Mine

08 Thursday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Book Review, Miranda Liasson, Mirror Lake series, This Love of Mine

This Love of Mine

A Mirror Lake Novel

by Miranda Liasson

Bridal shop owner Meg Halloran spends her days making other women’s wedding dreams come true—and her nights dreaming of her childhood crush, hometown heartthrob Dr. Benjamin Rushford. After a lifetime of wearing her heart on her sleeve, she’s done waiting. Meg’s ready to find love, with or without him. Moving on feels right—until Ben pops an unexpected question.

To win the open ER position in Mirror Lake, Ben has to convince the board that he’s settled and ready to put down roots. His latest stroke of genius? Asking Meg, the local good girl, to be his pretend girlfriend. With her by his side, he’s a shoo-in for the job. But he’s in over his head because, as much as he tries to deny it, Meg tempts him. And if she learns the truth about a secret that has shadowed and shaped his life, will she ever be able to forgive him?

I didn’t read This Thing Called Love, the first of the Mirror Lake books, but I don’t think it made that much of a difference because with This Love of Mine we focus on Ben and Meg and their pretend relationship. Of course, like any good romance, it doesn’t stay pretend for very long and Liasson makes sure that it is a lot of fun getting to their HEA.

My heart goes out to these two for a lot of reasons. The opening with the elevator, and all of the humorous embarrassment that goes with it, sets the mood for the rest of the book and I totally feel for Meg as she tries to make herself as invisible as possible so Ben doesn’t realize she’s there. She’s been living with a crush on him for years and she’s finally decided to give it up … when she’s guilted into a fake relationship with him. But it’s just for one night, right? Then she can go back to moving on … yeah, that worked.

Ben’s been carrying around a lot of guilt since Patrick, his best friend and Meg’s brother, died. So many of his decisions have been because of Patrick, including ignoring his attraction to Meg. Except now that he’s pretending to be in a relationship with her, ignoring her pull on him becomes so very difficult. I really like how his feelings, both for Meg and about Patrick’s death, get resolved. It is handled with care and all of it felt realistic to me.

**Begin Spoiler** The HEA ending, though, does feel a little rushed to me. I feel like the wedding was forced a little and that it could have been part of a future story (this is part of a series). I get that it is Ben’s way of making things up to Meg after he screws up yet again, but maybe he could have made about half of his gesture with the same impact. **End Spoiler**

Overall though I am very pleased. The characters are believable & interesting and the story is sweet & emotion-packed. I feel like I really knew them when I got to the last word and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.

Buy on Amazon

Spotlight – The Cougar Diaries

07 Wednesday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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Aoife Brennan, The Cougar Diaries

Got a treat for you today – it looks like a scorching hoot and a half (especially after reading the sneak peek Aoife has for us below!) and it is getting some great reviews on Goodreads. As long as you don’t mind your reads being HOT, this one looks to be a winner.

*****

The Cougar Diaries Trilogy – Parts I, II & III – and the Prequel

Thinking Women’s Erotica – the Genre that dares to speak its Name!

The Cougar Diaries Trilogy is a fast paced, sassy story of Aoife Brennan, newly separated and struggling with her new life as single mum to her two teenage boys. Set in austerity torn Ireland, Aoife has to struggle to keep her job and her home, to mind her two teenage boys, deal with a recalcitrant ex-husband, mind her aging parents, and to learn to date again.

Her dating exploits in Book One are a mix bag. She is faced with all the insecurities of a woman in her forties, but also with the bravery of a woman who has lived life. This combination creates some sizzling action, hilarious incidents and some sobering moments as she explores her inquisitive sexuality.

Book Two takes up the story. Aoife is now dating and continuing her exploration of herself as a sexual being. However, much as she would like to retire to her ivory tower to contemplate her navel, and other body parts, Ireland in 2013 is a scary place financially. She had to deal with the aftermath of financial meltdown in the country and the impact that has her personally. She also has to deal with series issues faced when dating a younger man.

Book Three poses yet more issues for our brave heroine. She learns that she cannot compromise who she is for another person. This is a very tough road as she is very human, full of hope and desire. Her world is also full of adventure, daring and exploration. She seizes every day and shakes the guts from it. She has a second chance at living and while her path is not clear, she is taking every opportunity that life can offer.

The Prequel is a collection of three stories based on peripheral characters from Book One; the novella was long listed for a Doire Press International Literary Short Story Award in 2013.

Find them on Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/The-Cougar-Diaries-Part-I-ebook/dp/B00BHIUK6S

*****

Excerpt:

Which is how I had come to be standing stark naked wearing a blindfold in the middle of the room. Steven had told me to stand and piece by piece to remove my clothes. It was a strip tease only I wasn’t dancing. When I got down to my bra and panties I hesitated. ‘Remove your bra,’ he repeated. Fuck I thought. In for a penny I thought and I unhooked my clasp and let the bra fall to the ground with the rest of my discarded clothes. Steven stood up and walked around me. ‘Good girl,’ he said. ‘You are very sexy. Now take off your panties and I’m going to put a blindfold on.’

I sucked in my breath and reached down to pull down my panties. As I straightened, Steven stepped behind me and pulled the blindfold down over my eyes. I could only see immediately below, I could see his shoes as he moved away. With the blindfold on, I felt utterly isolated and hyper sensitive. I heard a clink of ice again and then flinched when I felt a cube rubbed up against my left nipple. He pulled it away and then applied it to my right nipple. He rubbed it round in a circle and I felt my nipple contracting and tightening. ‘Hmmm,’ he said softly next to my ear and I felt his lips brushing my neck. My whole body shivered and contracted and I was suddenly wet. I then felt the ice cube rubbed along my pussy. It was nearly melted now and dripped as Steven pushed it back and forth between my lips. My whole being was focused on the ice and where it might go next. I wondered if the wetness was from the melted cube or me.

I sensed him reaching back to get another fresh ice cube. This time he drew a cold line down my back and round each buttock. He then brought the cold dripping cube between the top of my cheeks and rubbed me gently, easing it between them and down as far as my anus. He rubbed it and pushed the by-now diminished ice cube into my butt hole. I formed a silent O with my mouth.

Steven stepped back and I could see his shoes disappear out of sight. I strained my ears to listen and heard the sound of the fridge door opening, some packaging noises sounding loud to me and then I heard him return.

I shivered again. I felt truly naked, vulnerable and very much alive. ‘Sit down,’ commanded Steven. I obeyed feeling behind me for the chair. I perched at the edge and pulled my arms around me. I worried I might drip onto the chair.

‘No,’ commanded Steven. ‘Put your arms by your sides and open your mouth.’ I unwrapped my arms and they fell stiffly by my sides, my whole body rigid with anticipation. I opened my mouth a little. ‘Wider,’ said Steven and I did. Something cold and hard was in my mouth. I wasn’t sure what to do. ‘Bite,’ said Steven and I did. A cold sensation went through my teeth and sweetness surged in my mouth. I bit it again. It was a strawberry. I swallowed. ‘Open, said Steven and I did. He pushed the remainder of the strawberry into my mouth and I ate that too. Some juice escaped and slid down my chin. Steven rubbed it with his finger and put his finger in my mouth. ‘You missed some, lick this’ he said and I did.

Steven fed me three more strawberries. They were juicy and sweet and sometimes as I bit into them the juice squirted down my chin. Each time, Steven used his finger to wipe the fruit spit back into my mouth. ‘Good girl,’ he said, ‘but I think there is something missing.’ I heard some more muffled noises. I wasn’t sure but thought Steven had picked up something metallic. I heard a rustling noise and then quiet. My breathing was quick and sharp. I could hear his too.

‘Open your mouth,’ Steven said and I did. This time I heard a hissing noise and a frothy coolness filled my mouth. ‘Wait,’ said Steven and I did. Then I felt him push something thick into my mouth and I bit it.

That the police were not called was a miracle, I told Trish afterwards. Steven had been feeding me strawberries and decided to add cream. What he had not informed me was that he was adding his penis too. And he did not intend me to bite it. ‘I didn’t really bite that hard,’ I said. ‘It was a Pavlovian reaction. Three strawberries in and I thought I was on my fourth. They were really nice.’ I sighed.

The real damage was done seconds later. Steven’s scream had caused me to freeze and bite even harder. It was the fight or flight reaction. For what seemed like an eternity but possibly only lasting a couple of seconds, I bit down hard on the penis strawberry. My whole body froze and my arms stiffened. It was only when Steven slapped my face and called me a crazy bitch that I released my vicelike grip and fell backwards, ejecting the injured penis at the same time. Scrambling to my feet, I pulled off the blindfold and watched in horror as Steven knelt on the ground and cupped his cream covered penis moaning loudly. I half swallowed, half spat out the remained spray cream in my mouth. It didn’t taste very good at that point, just sickly sweet and wet. ‘Oh I’m so sorry,’ I said, somewhat inadequately, but I was not sure what else to say.

There didn’t seem much point in remaining after that. I dressed and Steven eventually stopped moaning. He had cursed a lot at me which, while I found it offensive, I could also understand. ‘Very regrettable,’ was the phrase that came to mind. As soon as I felt he was not in any medical danger, I ordered a taxi. It was time to go home. I did not suggest that we might meet again. Somehow accidently biting a man’s penis on the first date and causing visible harm did not seem a good basis for an ongoing relationship.

*****

Author Info:

Hello, my name is Aoife Brennan.

And yes, I’m the author of The Cougar Diaries, Part I, II & III). I am 42 years of age and I live with my two teenage boys in Dublin.

Read about the writing of the books here in the Irish Independent http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/carol-hunt-cougar-diaries-lays-bare-funny-messy-reality-of-sex-29226647.html

I have also just translated some of my novellas into Irish – come and learn Gaelic while putting a smile on your face 🙂

Cheers

Aoife
http://thecougardiariesireland.wordpress.com/

Spotlight – Ethan’s Fall

06 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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A Choices Novel, Dee Palmer, Ethan's Fall

Today we get an early look at something fun coming in the next couple of months!

*****

Ethan’s Fall

A Choice Novel

by Dee Palmer

Expected Release: 26^th November

Cover Designer: Angie O Creations

Hosted By: Francessca’s Romance Reviews

Blurb:

They say once bitten… Ethan Cates is anything but shy. A little time away from his playboy playground has hardened his heart and returning from his travels he has every intention of keeping it that way.This summer his plan is for the three S’s Sun, Sea and Surf…It’s just not his entire plan. Three more S’s… Sex, Sex and more Sex. Ethan loves women. He is just not ever going to love one women and this summer he is on a mission to prove it.

Everyone has a story but not everyone wants to tell their story. Ada is hiding and has no choice but to stay that way because she needs to find someone more than she needs to take her next breath. If she is found and identified she knows she will never get that chance. It’s not a life choice. This is self preservation, she’s lost too much but she will never give up.

For the first time since moving to the small coastal town Ada feels isolated in her opinion of Ethan, the towns favourite prodigal son. He is arrogant, rude and a complete arse to her. But, the first time in forever, Ada is distracted by a man who seems to delight in torturing her, teasing her and playing a game Ada can’t afford to lose…A game she can’t afford to play.

Add to Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26187428-ethan-s-fall?ac=1

Pre Order Links

Amazon UK – http://amzn.to/1LlXqPk

Amazon USA – http://amzn.to/1JFwliF

Other Books In The Series:

Never A Choice

(The choices Trilogy Book 1)

Amazon UK – http://amzn.to/1PxDUvK

Amazon USA – http://amzn.to/1RhGSH0

Always A Choice

(The choices Trilogy Book 2)

Amazon UK – http://amzn.to/1PxE6Lo

Amazon USA – http://amzn.to/1LlXfn3

The Only Choice

(The choices Trilogy Book 3)

Amazon UK – http://amzn.to/1CgSiCB

Amazon USA – http://amzn.to/1QMt0nq

*****

Excerpt:

The door handle seems stiff when I realise its locked. What the fuck! I shake the handle and yell.

“Open the fucking door!” I no longer contain my rage not giving whoever has the audacity to lock themselves in my bedroom time to comply with my demand. I step back and with one fierce kick I boot the door wide open. A sharp shrill scream competes with the sound of the cracking door frame and splintering wood.

Not what I was expecting. The trembling girl in front of me, her white knuckles fiercely gripping the handle but her hold is wobbly and she weakly waves my baseball bat at me.I instantly step forward and swipe it from her grasp. She yelps and jumps back against the wall. Her dark blue eyes are wide with terror and I get a sudden pang in my chest that I am causing this distress. I drop the bat and walk to my closet all the while keeping my eyes fixed on her. She looks scared shitless which is understandable. I guess I might look a little scared if some strange naked guy crashed into my room. But this is my room and I’m not the stranger she is. But yes, I am naked and I need to fix that. I pick the first set of shorts I can find and slip them on. I can see her visibly relax and I like that I have done that.

“Who are you?” Her voice waivers but she coughs and straightens her shoulders in a display of faux confidence. It makes me smile which seems to irritate her.

“My apartment darling… I get to ask the questions.” My tone is clipped. Yeah I can be irritated too. I have had way too little sleep and currently have a hard on that won’t go away. Her eyes keep dipping to take in my tenting crotch which honestly isn’t helping. “What are you doing in here…taking a break from the performance?” She is almost naked herself. Her slim bare legs peek below a skinny T-shirt that look familiar. It’s mine or at least used to belong a girl I went to school with. She must have left it here when she visited from University. It has St Andrews University blazoned across the front and it is far too small to fit me. So apart from my clothing she doesn’t appear to have anything else on…certainly no bra. Interesting.

“What?” Her shocked tone piqued with insult halts my wayward thoughts.

“Are you taking a break from the show I just broke up?” I speak slowly and I know my patronising tone is causing the fury to flash in her crystal blue eyes. I tip my head toward the other room, to the highlight my point and the scene of the crime.

“Oh absolutely…and the locked door is all part of my foreplay!” She crosses her arms tightly around her chest which just lifts her breasts that little bit higher.

“It’s effective” My face fails to hind my amusement. “Rude to point.” I fail again to hold in a laugh but then I’m not really trying. This is the most fun I have had in a long time. She instantly cups the offending nipples with her hands and flashes bright red.

“Oh my God! Sky said you were cool but you’re actually an arsehole!” Her haughty tone, however, is my breaking point. I stride over to her and grab her elbow. She yelps at my tight grip and I easily drag her from my room. There is practically nothing to her, except delicately soft skin under my finger tips, masses of unruly jet black waves and fierce piercing blue eyes. I open the front door and deposit her outside on the landing in her bare feet.I go to close the door.

“Wait!” She screeches. I hold the door and regard her cooly through the gap. “My clothes…all my clothes are in your washing machine.”

“Why?” I am confused but she looks like I have just asked the dumbest question.

“I used you laundry facilities. Sky said I could. I’ll pay for the washing tablet but I need my clothes…you have all my clothes….” She bites her words out and I fight back a grin. She is in no position to be snarky with me.

“Not all you clothes.” I casually glance at the T-shirt she has borrowed from one of my draws.

Her eyes dip to where my gaze is focused and she tugs at the material for emphasis. “This is yours…I just used it while mine where washing. Everything I own is in your machine!” She is fighting her frustration. I can see the way she is biting her cheek that she is just itching to tell me all her deepest desires. No, she’s itching to rip my fucking bollocks off but I like my internal fantasy better.

‘You are right…that is my T shirt.” I cup my hand in the universal sign language of ‘hand it over’. The shock on her face is priceless.

“What? No!” She shouts out indignantly.

“My T-shirt. You either give it to me or I will take it from you.” She takes a step back and crosses her arms once more. It’s cute her tiny frame trying to emanate any kind of barrier.

“You wouldn’t?” Her voice is a whisper and her eyes are wide like saucers, deep blue mesmerising saucers. I step up to her but don’t say a single word. I silently wait…and wait. Her eyes narrow and she huffs. “You’re an arsehole…you know that?” I wait… “Fine!” She steps away creating enough space to roughly pull the T-shirt from her body before flinging it with some considerable force at my face. Not the first time today I catch the missile aimed at my head but this time I hold it. She has cupped her breasts. I was right, no bra. My eyes flick down her body and my mouth slides into the smuggest smile I can manage.

“No…no please.” Her breathy pleas go straight to my cock which would be caged in a pair of loose fitted boxer shorts but she is wearing them. Well, she is wearing one pair of them at least. Even with the tight elasticated waste the oversized underwear hangs deliciously from her slender hips. Her delicate curves no match for the might of gravity pulling the shorts further down her body exposing even more skin.

‘Oh dear” I say solemnly but with no remorse. “Those would be mine also I believe hmmm?” I tap my finger lightly on my chin as if pondering this great conundrum. ‘What to do? What to do?”

“Please Ethan.” My name on her lips sounds…strange…familiar…sexy. I like it and fuck, I could get used to that pleading.

“I’m nothing if I’m not a gentleman.” I offer but just as she steps forward misunderstanding the limits of my chivalry, I push the door closed in her face. I let her keep the pants.

*****

Author Info:

Dee Palmer hates talking about herself in the third person so I won’t. My husband had my iPod engraved one Christmas with ‘sing like no-one’s listening’ and I know my family actually wish they weren’t listening because I am, in fact, tone deaf but it doesn’t stop me and this gentle support has enabled me to fulfil a dream. This has been a truly brilliant experience, I wrote The Choices Trilogy back to back and released them this year just one month apart…Don’t you hate waiting for the next book in a series? The entire process has undoubtedly been made possible by my incredibly supportive family. I know this is very much an acknowledgment but I know I wouldn’t be writing even this single paragraph if it wasn’t for them so this is about who I am, I am because they let me be.

Stalker Links

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Dee-Palmer-Writer-1498344013745103/timeline/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/deepalmerwriter

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13449371.Dee_Palmer

Website – http://deepalmerwriter.com/

*****

Book Review – Lorelei’s Lyric

05 Monday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Book Review, D.B. Sieders, Lorelei's Lyric, Southern Elemental Guardians series

I am so happy that D.B. Sieders stopped by today to give us a little look into how her new series got its start. If you like unusual paranormal romances you are going to enjoy her take on mermaids and other elemental beings. Throw in a sexy, but oh-so-troubled, rocker and you have the makings of a hit!

*****

Inspiration for the Southern Elemental Guardians Series

I’ve always been a bit of a mythology nerd. There’s so much inspiration to be drawn from the classics! I’m also a mom. So after watching ‘Barbie and the Mermaid Tale 2’ on DVD about five hundred times (give or take), I decided to explore mermaid lore. The fair maidens of the sea have had their share of page and screen time, but I hadn’t encountered much about their freshwater cousins. I figured, why not? That sounds like a story I can tell. From the legend of Melusine the Warsaw Mermaid, to Lorelei of the Rhine, Ondine, and Wagner’s Rhinemaidens, European folklore is rich in source material. I blended all of these legends, put in my own unique spin, and voilà, my mermaids came alive!

A sexy, wounded rock star, a giant talking catfish, a host of powerful elemental guardians, and a killer soundtrack round out this modern fairy tale for grown ups!

*****

Lorelei’s Lyric

Southern Elemental Guardians Book 1

by D.B. Sieders

Fantasy Romance – Griffyn Ink

Cover Art – Julie Schroeder Designs

Blurb:

If Lorelei sings, someone will die.

Her beautiful voice once cost a life. Still, music is her passion. What’s a mermaid to do? Run off and live vicariously through mortal musicians!

Unfortunately, gorgeous rocker Vance Idol almost succumbs to her siren call after his show in Nashville. Not that Vance cares—not since his girlfriend’s fatal overdose left him with a supersized death wish. Lorelei makes it her mission to undo the damage and help this talented and charismatic man on the eve of his band’s big break.

But saving a mortal man is a dangerous proposition. Lorelei could far too easily lose her heart, and quite possibly her immortality, during her American holiday. Bad boy Vance might be worth the risk.

Can their love survive his attitude, her fins, and an evil Pixie with a grudge against them both?

Available from Amazon in eBook and paperback formats.

*****

Excerpt:

“I asked you nicely. Once. I won’t do it again.”

The woman didn’t flinch, but her gaze turned hard and held his without faltering. “You didn’t, Vance.”

“I didn’t what? By the way, what’s your name, sugar? Guess it must’ve slipped my mind since last night,” he added, smirking.

“I’m called Lorelei,” she said as she stood, forcing him to take a step back lest she knock him over. “And what you didn’t do was ask me nicely, but it doesn’t matter. You won’t find your phone, clothing, or the means to leave until I’m sure you’re fully healed.”

He maintained his glower but found himself at a bit of a loss. Though she was tall for a woman, he still outweighed her by at least fifty pounds of muscle. Most men he’d faced down during his time on the road would have cowered, but she clearly didn’t fear him.

Since he couldn’t persuade her by fear, he shifted tactics again, reverting to his preferred method of persuasion when faced with a difficult woman. It hadn’t failed him yet. He allowed his gaze to wander down her face to her full lips, and from there down along the slender column of her neck. Her audible swallow and the bob in her throat made him smirk with satisfaction. When his gaze fell to the swell of her breasts, he grew hard again and knew she’d read the heat in his gaze when it returned to her face.

He definitely saw heat in hers.

He moved past her, taking care to brush his skin against her bare arms, and sat down on the bed. He reclined and stretched his body, allowing the towel that covered his lower half to come loose. Plastering a smile on his face, one that charmed most women right out of their panties, he said, “Well if you really want to make sure I’m healed, Lorelei, I guess you’d best get on with your examination.”

*****

Review:

(I never know how much is too much in my reviews so I’m going to say that there are some minor spoilers. So skip ahead if you don’t want to know anything.)

I found Lorelei’s Lyric to be a ton of fun – and even more so now that I know it all started with Barbie 🙂 If you’ve seen many of my reviews then you know that I read just about anything romance and so I’ve read a few paranormal ones before, but I’ve not run across that many with mermaid heroines and it’s always interesting to find a new twist in a very popular genre (and sub-genre).

Lorelei is a great heroine. She’s strong but has her troubles and a history that wasn’t always so rosy. It seems like she takes her powers and her position seriously, which is a good thing considering what she can do 🙂 And while her attraction to Vance could be his salvation, it could be her downfall so it’s interesting to see her try to balance everything and decide what she’s willing to sacrifice.

Vance has been spiraling for a while – booze, pills, and despair. He’s destroying his relationships and doesn’t have enough in him to care. I think some may have an issue with Vance’s addiction/depression and how that gets addressed. Personally I’ve been blessed to not have either really impact my life so I’m not sure how realistic any of it is here. But it worked for me so I’m going to go with it. I especially liked the fact that he actually gets real help and views it as a forever type of thing – there isn’t a quick fix for him and that I do find believable. There may have been a paranormal influence as well. It’s mentioned but it isn’t really clear to me how much it affects him or if he would have been that way regardless.

As with any great series, the supporting characters are fantastic. Jack is the perfect down-home country boy and Bruce is flirty & fun (I can’t wait for him to find someone to fall for). I’m also hoping that we either get a spin-off with Vance’s band mates or they find an elemental to love, especially Josh. I think that he needs someone good in his life. Sieders has a ton of material that she can work with and while we know Lorelei’s sister is next, there is a lot to choose from after that.

For paranormal romance readers who are looking for something a little different, Lorelei’s Lyric could be your first step into a whole new world. Unusual characters, an intriguing plot, and smart writing all combine to make for a quick and enjoyable read.

*****

Author Info:

D.B. Sieders was born and raised in East Tennessee and spent her childhood hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains, wading barefoot in creeks, and chasing salamanders, fish, and frogs. She and her family loved to tell stories while sitting around the campfire.

Those days of frog chasing sparked an interest in biology. She is a working scientist by day, but never lost her love of telling stories. Now, she’s a purveyor of unconventional fantasy romance featuring strong heroines and the heroes who strive to match them. Her heroes and heroines face a healthy dose of angst as they strive for redemption and a happily ever after, which everyone deserves.

D.B. Sieders lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, two children, two cats, and her very active imagination.

You can find D.B. Sieders on her Website, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

*****

Giveaway:

Want a chance to win some gorgeous custom mermaid jewelry?

Click here between now and October 31, 2015, sign up for D.B.’s newsletter to hear about new releases, discounts, bonus content, and events.

Rest assured, your email address is safe from third parties and will remain confidential!

Book Review – The Heat of the Moment

02 Friday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Book Review, Katie Rose, The Boys of Summer series, The Heat of the Moment

Finishing up the week with another sexy athlete … y’all, meet Gavin!

*****

The Heat of the Moment

The Boys of Summer # 3

by Katie Rose

Releasing September 22, 2015

Loveswept

Blurb:

The Boys of Summer are back! In Katie Rose’s sweet, sparkling novel, the newest New Jersey Sonic falls for the woman who’s trying desperately to save his career.

Physical therapist Jessica Hart has learned her lesson: Never date professional athletes. She’s been down that road, and barely recovered after the relationship crashed and burned. Then Jessica meets Gavin King. An All-Star slugger with chiseled good looks, Gavin was traded to the Sonics because he hurt his knee sliding into second, and now his future is in her hands. Gavin’s no bad boy—but he’s tempting enough to make Jessica think twice about all her rules.

Gavin is trying to find a comfortable routine. If he wants his old life back, he must take it easy, stay out of the limelight, and keep his distance from gorgeous redheaded physical therapists. The thing is, Gavin isn’t the kind of guy to sit on his ass and let other people pull his weight. And when he sees something he wants, he can’t help but fight for it, even if it means risking everything, even if it only lasts a single moment: like one kiss from Jessica.

Book #1 – Bring On the Heat

Book #2 – Too Hot to Handle

Book #3 – The Heat of the Moment

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24938311-the-heat-of-the-moment?ac=1

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/126154-the-boys-of-summer

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

*****

Excerpt:

The chatter in the Sonics locker room intensified as the opening-day excitement seemed to cast a spell over the place. Familiar faces appeared at the door along with an influx of new ones, rookies hoping for a permanent role in the rotation and prospects acquired in recent trades. There was much good-natured jostling and ribbing as the baseball team settled in for the season.

“What was with that bonehead play last week against Detroit?” Jimmy Reilly said as he put away a stack of towels. “Good thing it was just spring training.”

“Yeah, that was right up there with those girl balls you were pitching.” Brian McCauley grinned.

“You see the papers?” Jimmy asked, his brow lifting. “They were praising my fastball. The Trenton Times can’t say enough nice things about us. Imagine that, after last year when they were calling us the Garden State Goons!”

“You can thank his girlfriend, Nikki Case, for that,” Chase Westbrook, the starting pitcher, said, pointing to shortstop Jake Baldwin. “Best damn PR rep in the business.”

“You’re not going to get an argument out of me,” Jake said as he kicked his locker door closed. “She cleaned up our image, got rid of the haircuts, the tats, the bar fights. Have to admit, her plan worked. I hate it when she’s right.”

Chase laughed just as Pete Johnston, the Sonics’ manager, walked in with a new player. By the deferential way he was being treated, it was clear the new guy was someone important. The noise in the locker room subsided as recognition came quickly, and more than one mouth dropped as they identified the California slugger.

“Hey, boys,” Pete said in his folksy way, chomping on a wad of bubblegum. “We got ourselves a new first baseman. I know you’ll all welcome Gavin King to the Sonics.”

Their new teammate stood beside Pete like exhibit A. At six foot five, with black hair, chin scruff, and a build that went with his size, he had an undeniable presence. Even more irritating, he was good-looking, with a pair of intense dark eyes, a firm chin, and a sensual mouth. He’d been considered a star player, and rumor had it that among his other attributes, he was considered irresistible to the female fans.

But worst of all, every man who had been with the team the previous summer could only remember that devastating game when Antonio Chavez, the Sonics reliever, lobbed a curveball right over the middle of the plate and Gavin tattooed it, sending it four hundred feet over the bullpen wall to lose the game.

It still stung.

“Now we all know it was Gavin’s grand slam that kept us out of the series last year,” Pete continued, as if reading their minds. “That’s all the more reason we want him on our team. We need to fill Ryan’s cleanup spot, and he is just the guy Jeffrey thinks will do that.”

Several of the men groaned, but they were not about to challenge the manager, or Jeffrey Caine, the general manager. Yet none of them were happy to see their adversary being led to the nicest locker in the room. Pete opened the door, tossed out Jake’s belongings, and displayed the generous storage inside, a pile of fluffy towels, and a pair of shower shoes.

“Chase, why don’t you show him around, you know, make him feel at home? And Brian, once Gavin’s ready to play, I’m going to change the lineup, move you down and put Gavin behind Jake in the rotation. Any questions?”

Crickets.

“Good. Meet you all outside in fifteen for batting practice and drills. We want to keep up all the good work we started last year. Gavin, I’ll let them fill you in.”

Chase did an eye roll, but otherwise complied. As the pitcher led him out of the room, they noticed that the new player walked with a limp.

“Great,” Brian said in disgust once he was out of earshot. “On top of everything else, he’s a gimp.”

When he returned with Chase after a tour that took all of fifteen minutes, Gavin turned innocently to Jake. “So where is the concierge?”

“The what?”

“The concierge. You know, the person that orders stuff for us. I was thinking to get a salad for lunch.”

Jake’s eyes met Cody’s, and he fought the humor that threatened to burst out of control.

“We don’t exactly have a concierge,” he said seriously. “But we do have a snack stand. I’m sure if you asked real nice, they could find something for you.”

A couple of the men broke into laughter. “I guess this will take some getting used to,” Gavin said, glancing outside. Even though it was April, there was a coating of frost on the ground. He visibly shuddered. “This sure isn’t California.”

“You can say that again.” Cody grinned. “Welcome to Joisey.”

*****

Review:

Please be aware that there are very minor spoilers in this review.

I actually tried to read the first Boys of Summer story but it wasn’t quite my taste and so I skipped over the second … but thanks to the third I’m definitely going back to give it a shot 🙂

I love these guys – they are high spirited and fun, but they are serious when they need to be. Gavin has a lot on his plate. He’s coming off of a potentially career ending surgery and has been traded to a lower tier team. He’s not handling it well and is feeling sorry for himself. He just doesn’t realize yet how lucky he is to have Jessica. Not only does she work wonders on his knee but she’s good for his attitude as well.

I love Jessica. She’s grown up in a man’s world and is good at holding her own. She understands how their minds work and that is very handy in her job. She’s just what Gavin needs to get his head back in the game … and he’s just what she needs to remind her that she’s a woman too. There’s actually a few things that happen to help Jess’s new attitude – Gavin, new girlfriends, and a jerk of an ex. But the more girly she feels and the more time she spends with Gavin, the harder it is to keep from falling for the sexy (both inside and out) ballplayer.

I remember thinking that Bring On the Heat was well written but I had an issue with a couple of the characters’ actions. And it was true here as well, although not enough to keep me from enjoying the story overall – it’s a minor complaint and came at the very end. Jessica seemed to come so far over the course of the second half of the book and then just regressed. I’d thought she’d grown so much and had become such a confident woman that I was a little disappointed in her actions. But Gavin’s totally made up for it and had me falling for him just that little bit more.

Packed full of spunky characters, complimented with an appealing plot, The Heat of the Moment is the perfect read for fans of sports romances.

*****

Author Info:

Award-winning historical author Katie Rose makes her contemporary debut with the Boys of Summer novels, Bring on the Heat and Too Hot to Handle, which combine Katie’s true loves: baseball and romance! When not watching baseball, Katie is at her lake house in New Jersey, hard at work on her next book.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

*****

Giveaway:

Select Loveswept Ebook Bundle

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/235babe7251/

*****

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Fall Into Reading Blog Hop

02 Friday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

A Mighty Good Man, Crossing Realms series, Rebecca E. Neely, The Keeper

As part of the Fall Into Reading Blog Hop, I am thrilled that we get to host author Rebecca E. Neely as she gives us a look at her book, A Mighty Good Man. Even better she was gracious enough to share a sneak peek at her next book, The Keeper. Enjoy!

Oh, and be sure to check out the rest of the authors in the hop – link at the bottom!

*****

A Mighty Good Man

by Rebecca E. Neely

Blurb:

‘Hank’ Jerry…Her personal and professional life on the skids, a family emergency forces her to return to the small town, and the aunt, she left behind.

Jack ‘Gent’ Darcy…Fresh out of prison, he’s bent on cutting ties with the Creds, but when you’re a war counselor in a national gang, they don’t let you just walk away.

Injured and on the run, Jack lands on Hank’s doorstep, and makes her a proposition she can’t refuse: write his story about life inside one of the most powerful gangs in the country. It’s simple – she’ll get her career groove back, and he’ll bury the gang, then disappear – his version of freedom.

Only problem is, they can’t help falling for each other, and they’ve both got something to hide that could blow up in their faces. With time running out and gang enforcers closing in, will the trust they’ve forged survive the ultimate test?

BUY LINK – http://bookShow.me/B00PHZ3RLC

*****

Excerpt:

Well, he’d wanted hidden, and now he was hidden. Her Aunt Henry would’ve done the same, she knew. Certainly the roundup of misfits who’d odd-jobbed their way through here over the years bore testament to that. If he needed a doctor, she’d see to it. But the police, and whoever was after him? That was his concern, not hers. Hank wanted no part of it.

He could just park it in the cooler for a few minutes, stay out of sight while the help clocked in, and be on his merry way. She’d make sure of it.

Fists pounded on the door she’d just locked. She jerked to attention, pushing off the cooler. “Pretty sure that ain’t a Jehovah’s Witness,” she muttered. Shit! This wasn’t part of the deal. Now what?

The pounding continued. Whoever was on the other side wasn’t going away. If she didn’t answer the door it would only make things worse, most likely for her and ‘Cooler Man.’ Hank forced her feet to move. Act calm. Think calm.

Just in case that didn’t work, she unearthed the Smith & Wesson .32 revolver her aunt kept stashed in one of the utensil drawers, and shoved it in her pants pocket.

Adrenaline and fear pulsed through her, propelling her forward. One foot in front of the other. No big deal. She’d answer the door, see about the fist pounder and then he or she, or they, would leave. Or she could get shot. Yeah, right. No big deal.

*****

Author Info:

Raised on a down home blend of Johnny Cash, Jack London, Sherlock Holmes, the Steelers, and all things small town, Rebecca feels blessed to have grown up in a close knit, fun loving and artistic family. Her mother, a voracious reader and scratch cook, and her father, an entrepreneur, English teacher and lover of literature, taught Rebecca and her brother to work hard, aim for the stars, and live life.

With music, books and laughter as constant companions, she grew up working, cooking and eating in the family’s restaurant business. A certified book and hoagie junkie, Rebecca thrives on live music, mysteries and the outdoors.

She’s a cheddar enthusiast, lover of cats, teddy bears, hot coffee, cold beer, thunderstorms, the blast of a train’s whistle, the change of seasons, country roads, woodpeckers, spoon rings, cool office supplies, and the Food Network. She’s a sucker for a happy ending, and strives to write the kind of stories she loves to read—those featuring authentic, edgy and vulnerable characters, smack dab in the middle of action that explodes from page one.

Careers, past and present, include freelance writing, accounting, mother, problem solver, doer and head bottle washer.

Website: www.rebeccaeneely.com

Blog: http://rebeccaeneely.blogspot.com/

Mailing List & Giveaway – http://eepurl.com/bqiDi5

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9857158.Rebecca_E_Neely

Twitter https://twitter.com/RebeccaNeely1

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebecca-E-Neely/740166889351411

Google+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/+RebeccaNeelyAuthorromance/posts

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/author/rebeccaeneely

*****

Giveaway:

Enter for a chance to win a copy of some fantastic books!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b6938c4245/

*****

Special Preview:

The Keeper

First in the Crossing Realms paranormal romance series

by Rebecca E. Neely

Coming Soon!

Blurb:

Nick Geary, jaded clan leader of human guardians, the Keepers, is doomed to love a human woman who’s forgotten him, time after time, for thirteen years: Libby Klink, a skittish accountant who’s as terrified of her recent and strange intuitions as she is of her mundane existence.

When Nick is ordered by the clan’s guiding force to seek Libby’s help in defending the clan against enemy Betrayers, romance sizzles as the pair forms an unlikely alliance in their desperate search to discover the key to the clan’s salvation—which Libby alone holds.

But a haunting secret could cost Nick everything, and in a race against time, both will be forced to choose between their hearts and duty. Can their love, and the clan survive, or will the very forces that drew them together ultimately destroy them?

*****

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Spotlight – Treble Maker and Her Shirtless Gentleman (plus review)

01 Thursday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Annabeth Albert, Book Review, Her Shirtless Gentleman, M.Q. Barber, Treble Maker

Continuing with our “isn’t it a great week” theme – today we get a two-for! I only got to read one of them but I enjoyed it immensely and the other looks to be just as fabulous.

*****

Treble Maker

by Annabeth Albert

Release Date: August 4, 2015

Publisher: Lyrical Shine

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Ebook/Paperback

Blurb:

On Perfect Harmony, the ambitious competitors heat things up on stage and off…

Cody Rivers is determined to be a rock star, but couch-surfing between bar shows gets old fast. Joining an a cappella group for a new singing competition show could be his last chance at real fame—unless the college boy from the heart of the country messes it up for him. Lucas Norwood is everything gothy, glittery Cody is not—conservative, clean-cut, and virginal. But when a twist in the show forces them together, even the sweetest songs get steamy as the attraction between them lights up the stage. Lucas wants to take it slow, but Cody’s singing a different tune—and this time it may be a love song…

Treble Maker is available for order at Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Google Play

Find on Goodreads

*****

Author Info:

Annabeth Albert grew up sneaking romance novels under the bed covers. Now, she devours all subgenres of romance out in the open—no flashlights required! When she’s not adding to her keeper shelf, she’s a multi-published Pacific Northwest romance writer.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. Annabeth loves finding happy endings for a variety of pairings and is a passionate gay rights supporter. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.

Represented by Saritza Hernandez of the Corvisiero Literary Agency

Visit Annabeth’s website.

Connect with Annabeth on Twitter | Facebook | Google+

*****

Her Shirtless Gentleman

by M.Q. Barber

Release Date: August 4, 2015

Publisher: Lyrical Shine

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Ebook/Paperback

Blurb:

Her heart is in his hands…

After her marriage ends in betrayal, Eleanora Howard finds herself struggling to navigate the dating scene as a thirty-one-year-old divorcee. But feeling undesirable, and living alone in the house she once shared with her ex, is hardly the recipe for finding new love—until she meets Rob. He’s just the kind of charming, old-fashioned guy she needs—but he’s also eager for intimacy…

After serving in the Air Force and getting a well-paid civilian career, Rob Vanderhoff planned to settle down with the right woman and raise a family. But at thirty-six, he’s still single and searching—until he meets Eleanora. She’s everything he wants. All he has to do is draw her out of her shell. Soon he’s taking her on high school-style dates, fanning the flames of her desire—and helping Nora re-discover the sexy, adventurous woman they both know she really is…

Her Shirtless Gentleman is available for order at Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Google Play

Find it on Goodreads

*****

Review:

I really enjoyed reading Her Shirtless Gentleman – and the way the book gets its title is just too darn cute … like a lot of the book actually. Eleanora is out of an emotionally abusive marriage, really insecure but hoping she is ready to start dating again. But it has been so long she isn’t sure of the rules anymore and her confidence is severely dented, thanks to her husband.. She’s also out there with younger women, coworkers who really aren’t anything like her, so they aren’t exactly on the same page when it comes to looking for men. Luckily for her, because of unfortunate circumstances she’s thrown together with the absolutely awesome (and gentlemanly) Rob.

Rob is in his mid-30s & way past flings and Eleanor is just the kind of woman he can see himself spending the rest of his life with. Because she’s still dealing with issues from her marriage, though, he has to take it slow and put a lot of thought into wooing her … which he does beautifully. His dates show imagination and care and that he pays attention to the woman he’s with. I loved it! We could all be so lucky 🙂

If I have any complaints, it is with Rob actually. As wonderful as he is, I think that he comes off just a little desperate for a wife. If it had just been Eleanor that he was like that with then I would be OK with it, but he mentions that some of his previous relationships ended because he started talking marriage too quickly. I’ve got nothing against a man who is interested in commitment, but that just didn’t sit all that well with me. But it was minor and the only thing I had a problem with so it was easy to get over.

Sweet and full of emotion, Her Shirtless Gentleman gives readers a uplifting story about a woman discovering herself again and the man who supports her while she finds her confidence.

*****

Author Info:

M.Q. Barber likes to get lost in thought. She writes things down so she can find herself again.

Often found staring off into space or frantically scratching words on sticky notes, M.Q. lives with one very tolerant, easily amused husband and one very tolerant, easily amused puppy.

She has a soft spot for romances that explore the inner workings of the heart and mind alongside all that steamy physical exertion. She loves memorable characters, witty banter, and heartfelt emotion in any genre.

Her advice? Get a solid grounding in how language works, and then just write. Write every idea that comes along, even if it’s just a single line. You never know which line is the start of a thread that leads to a novel.

The former Midwestern gal is the author of the Neighborly Affection contemporary romance series. Pick a safeword, grab a partner or two, and jump in.

Visit M.Q. Barber’s website.

Connect with M.Q. on Twitter | Facebook | Google+

*****

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