Book Review – The Hard Truth About Sunshine

31 Friday Mar 2017

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

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Book Review, Sawyer Bennett, The Hard Truth About Sunshine

We’re going to end the week with a book that … well, it’s a heartwrencher but SO worth it!

*****

The Hard Truth About Sunshine

by Sawyer Bennett

Release Day: March 28

Standalone

Blurb:

New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett has written her most gripping and poignant tale yet. Provocatively heart-breaking, audaciously irreverent and romantically fulfilling, The Hard Truth About Sunshine exposes just how very thin the line is between a full life and an empty existence.

Despite having narrowly escaped death’s clutches, Christopher Barlow is grateful for nothing. His capacity to love has been crushed. He hates everyone and everything, completely unable to see past the gray stain of misery that coats his perception of the world. It’s only after he involuntarily joins a band of depressed misfits who are struggling to overcome their own problems, does Christopher start to re-evaluate his lot in life.

What could they possibly learn from one another? How could they possibly help each other to heal? And the question that Christopher asks himself over and over again… can he learn to love again?

He’s about to find out as he embarks upon a cross country trip with a beautiful woman who is going blind, a boy with terminal cancer, and an abuse victim who can’t decide whether she wants to live or die.

Four people with nothing in common but their destination. They will encounter adventure, thrills, loss and love. And within their travels they will learn the greatest lesson of all.

The hard truth about sunshine…

Warning: This book deals with some tough issues including suicide and sexual abuse.

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34078139-the-hard-truth-about-sunshine

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2jAJ31R

Paperback: http://amzn.to/2l4OenI

B&N: http://bit.ly/2kZxgKO

iBooks: http://apple.co/2k409nt

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2jHejr5

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2kWpkd2

*****

Excerpt:

Jillian holds my gaze for a moment, her eyes drilling into mine before she gently tugs on the material of my jeans near the shin rod of my prosthetic. “What happened to you?”

She doesn’t look away. Not down at the fire, not down to my legs. She stares right at me. Although my gut is turning slightly at the thought of telling her what she asked, I forge straight ahead. For the first time, I tell someone who is not medical personnel or a shrink my story.

“I was driving a military Humvee and the right front tire ran over a roadside bomb,” I say, and Jillian makes a sound of distress low her in throat as her eyes turn sad. “It completely obliterated my buddy sitting in the passenger seat.”

To my surprise, Jillian scoots over closer to me and lays her head on my shoulder. She pushes her hand in between my ribs and my arm, curling her fingers over my bicep. It’s a show of support. Solidarity. That she’s settled in for the long haul of this story, and she wants to hear it all.

“It didn’t blow my leg off,” I tell her, and I can feel her body jerk slightly in surprise. Her fingers squeeze my bicep. “The fingers yes, the leg no. It just shattered and shredded it badly, but the doctors tried hard to save it.”

“Obviously, they couldn’t,” she whispers the obvious.

“They tried for three months,” I tell her, reaching down to grab my phone laying near my left hip. Jillian lifts her head up, watching as I pull up my pictures. I scroll backward, but it doesn’t take long to find what I’m looking for because I don’t take a lot of photos. I hold the phone out so she can see. “This was taken about a month after my injury.”

Jillian makes a strangled sound as she looks at the photo of me in bed. My eyes are half open because I was bombed out on so many heavy-duty pain medications, and I have a grimace on my face. I vaguely remember this picture being taken, and I think it may have been by my brother, Hank, when he came to visit once during that first month. He came a few more times after that, and then he didn’t.

Jillian’s eyes roam over the photo. My leg is encased in the external fixator with several rods leading from the outside of the cage right into my skin, where it’s drilled through and into the bone to hold the pieces together. The wounds on my leg are all open to the air, red and some of them dripping with puss and lined with blisters. I’ve got IVs in both arms and a PICC line in the right side of my neck to deliver the hordes of antibiotics and pain meds I needed to keep me alive and functioning. I took the maximum dosages they allowed me, preferring to try to be oblivious to what was happening. Yet, the pain was so great it just couldn’t be fully erased.

Jillian turns her head to look at me, and I lay the phone back down. “How long were you like that?”

“Three months. But they couldn’t get ahead of the infections, which were delaying the bones from knitting. I was in so much pain that I wanted them to amputate.”

“You had to make that decision?” she whispers.

I nod. “Yup. I mean… the doctors were at the point they felt it was the right way to go, although they were willing to keep trying if I wanted. But I wanted it gone. I was tired of being in the hospital and being in so much pain. I just wanted it gone.”

“Do you regret that decision?” she asks me bluntly, but with that still-sweet melody her voice makes. The question doesn’t bother me, because even her hard questions sound lovely.

“Yes,” I tell her without any shame. “I wonder what would have happened if I held on just a little bit longer. Not long after the leg came off, the pain receded and I became more lucid. Once I’d forgotten how bad the infections smelled, I regretted it.”

“Three months is an awful long time to be in pain like that,” she points out the obvious.

I shrug. “And the rest of my life is a long time to wonder ‘what if.’”

*****

Review:

I’ve read quite a few of Bennett’s books and a few of them have taken me on a ride of emotions before … but I think that was just to prepare me for this one 🙂 While there are deep moments, there is also a good amount of humor and fun. It took me up and down and around. And I enjoyed all of it!

I really loved this little group of troubled souls, road-tripping their way across the US for all different reasons. It starts out as a chance for Connor (dying of cancer) to knock a few things off his bucket list, but everyone ends up learning something along the way. And while Christopher is our main character, you quickly find yourself attached to everyone as he (and us) discovers a little more every day about the others, and himself.

He’s drawn to Jillian, who has an amazingly bright outlook on life even though she is slowly going blind. She, along with Connor, has been the most open about therapy and embraced all of them, regardless of their prickly nature. Conner is facing death head on and trying to experience life a little bit more before his time. Barb is as negative about the whole process as Christopher but she too starts to open up, just a little, and we find out that her scars are so much deeper than what you can see on her wrists. Christopher also has signs on the outside of his body of what he’s been through, but nothing compares to the turmoil underneath.

While they are each dealing with some of the heaviness that life has to offer, they are handling them in different ways. But together, they might manage to get to a place where they can face life, and all that it brings, with their heads held high. To find a way to laugh, love, and enjoy again.

This book is definitely not for everyone. But if you think your heart can take it then grab a box of tissue, put your feet up, and go for a journey. You’ll laugh and cry and sigh and you might even find bits of them in you.

*****

Author Info:

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.

*****

Book Review – One Wild Night

30 Thursday Mar 2017

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Book Review, Melissa Cutler, One and Only Texas series, One Wild Night

One Wild Night

A One and Only Texas Novel

by Melissa Cutler

Return to beautiful Briscoe Ranch Resort in Melissa Cutler’s next steamy installment of the One and Only Texas series, One Wild Night.

Get ready for the ride of your life…

A cowgirl at heart, Skye Martinez has a rebellious streak she’s determined to shake. Especially since she’s poised to take the reins of her family’s business at Briscoe Ranch Resort. It’s time for her to settle down and get serious about her future…right after one last night of fun with a handsome stranger she meets in the resort’s stable. But when a midnight horseback ride turns into a red-hot weekend with one of country music’s biggest stars, Skye’s world is rocked beyond her wildest dreams…

Gentry Wells rode his bad boy image all the way to the top of the country music charts. But churning out hits has dried up his creativity, and he can’t remember the last time his life was his own. Skye is a sexy distraction he can’t resist, especially since she breathes new life into his music. They bring out the wild side in each other, which is great for Gentry’s career—but a major threat to Skye’s. Too bad he’s fallen in love with her. With their hearts and futures on the line, can Gentry convince Skye to turn their joyride into a real chance to ride off into the sunset together?

“Melissa Cutler is a bright new voice in contemporary romance.” — New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde

I really enjoyed seeing Gentry find his way. He’s lost himself over the years as he’s fallen into being the bad boy of country music, but it’s just not him anymore (if it every really was all that much). While struggling to find himself in his music again he’s roped into playing at a wedding where he meets Skye. And things just click … in all sorts of ways!

Skye is also struggling between being the girl she thinks she should be and the freedom that her heart craves. It’s not easy for her and a sexy man in boots is temptation she isn’t looking for.

While I liked Skye OK and I understood where her conflicts came from, it really was Gentry that held me. And it definitely was entertaining seeing him convince Skye to walk on the wild side 🙂 Oh, I should warn everyone that they do put the wild in One Wild Night so those who like their love stories a little tamer might want to skip this one. But if you are up for some spice then come join Skye and Gentry as they find themselves, each other, and a HEA that works for all their miscellaneous sides.

(While this is part of a series, it can easily stand on its own. It’s my first full length book by Cutler and I had no problem keeping up.)

Book Review – Twist

29 Wednesday Mar 2017

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Book Review, Diver Bar series, Kylie Scott, Twist

This one doesn’t come out for another couple of weeks but you’ll definitely want to preorder it … and maybe pick up a few others in the series while you wait 🙂

*****

Twist

A Dive Bar Novel

by Kylie Scott

Blurb:

From New York Times bestselling author Kylie Scott comes the second sizzling stand-alone novel in the Dive Bar series!

When his younger brother loses interest in online dating, hot bearded bartender Joe Collins only intends to log into his account and shut it down. Until he reads about her.

Alex Parks is funny, fascinating, and pretty much everything he’s been looking for in a woman—except that she lives across the country. Soon they’re emailing up a storm and telling each other their deepest, darkest secrets…except the one that really matters.

When Alex pays Joe a surprise visit, however, they both discover that when it comes to love, it’s always better with a twist.

*****

Excerpt:

I watched the streetlights cast shadows on the angle of his cheekbone, the furrow of his brow. Strange how his manly beauty had grown on me, redefining or rather stretching my usual boundaries.

Perhaps some people’s allure came from the inside out. A good thing. Their ways and their words did the wooing instead of their physical appeal. Not to diss Joe’s impressive physique. As nice as a pretty face was, though, the personality, the person beneath the skin, should matter more. Anything else was pretty shallow and unlikely to last. Guess that was the difference between my scratching an itch with a stranger and the way this man had me tied up in knots. And not even neat, sea-worthy knots. I’m talking, haven’t washed or brushed your hair in forever and there’s a big old mess back there.

Shit.

At the bar, he’d flirted with me. Full-on flirted with me, his supposed platonic friend who was not his type. No way did I know what to do. Normally Valerie would be first on my hit list of people to call. But she’d just tell me to jump him, regardless of what else was going on, or any possible consequences. Plus, with him beside me it would be kind of uncool. But a couple of whisky sours or no, I was pretty certain I hadn’t imagined his interest.

As Mom had always said, however, best to be sure.

“What are the renovating plans for tomorrow?” I asked.

“Rip out the old fittings and prepare the space for new.”

I nodded. “So we’ll be doing some pounding and screwing?”

“Ah, yeah.” The man cast me a look out of the corner of his eye. “Sound okay?”

“Absolutely. Can’t wait to get my hands back on that big hard hammer.”

*****

Review:

This is such a fantastic premise – and very fitting for today’s world. I do appreciate that Scott didn’t take it someplace too dangerous. Instead there is a bit of a misunderstanding about who exactly Alex has been emailing, with the expected hard feelings, but Joe is a good man and things quickly turn around.

None of these people are perfect and both Alex & Joe have their hesitations for putting themselves out there. While their face-to-face introduction leaves A LOT to be desired, there are all of those emails that built a good foundation for their friendship. They just have to believe in themselves and each other … but of course trusting is never easy.

Twist is full of humor, heart and heat. It’s fun to be with these two as they move from a virtual friendship to a real one, with lots of sparks and playfulness along the way. While they let life get in the way and freak them out for a bit, eventually they figure things out – and it fits them so well 🙂

(This is the first of Scott’s books that I’ve read but it definitely can stand alone. She does such a great job of keeping you in the know wither everything relevant that you can easily jump right in.)

*****

Author Info:

Kylie is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She was voted Australian Romance Writer of the year, 2013 & 2014, by the Australian Romance Writer’s Association and her books have been translated into eleven different languages. She is a long time fan of romance, rock music, and B-grade horror films. Based in Queensland, Australia with her two children and husband, she reads, writes and never dithers around on the internet. You can learn more about Kylie from http://www.kylie-scott.com/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/kyliescottwriter/

FACEBOOK FAN GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/599197093487040/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/KylieScottbooks

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/kylie_scott_books/

GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6476625.Kylie_Scott

*****

Spotlight – Immortal Unchained

28 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest

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Argeneau series, Immortal Unchained, Lynsay Sands

From sexy cop to a hottie with fangs … and this is exactly why I love romances!

*****

Immortal Unchained

An Argeneau Novel

by Lynsay Sands

On sale: 3/28/2017

ISBN: 9780062468840

Blurb:

In a spellbinding new Argeneau novel from New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands, a dangerous rescue is just the beginning of red-hot adventure…

Ever since Domitian Argenis recognized Sarita as his life mate, he’s been waiting for the perfect moment to claim her. Those fantasies did not include him being chained to a table in a secret lab, or both of them being held hostage by a mad scientist. Somehow, they have to escape…

Sarita has seen some crazy things as a cop, but nothing to rival Domitian. A vampire? Seriously? But his healing ability, incredible powers, and their mind-blowing physical connection-none of it should be possible, yet her body knows differently. Now, not only do they have to save each other, but other innocent lives are at stake. Failure is not an option, for Sarita intends for Domitian to show her exactly what an eternity of pleasure feels like…

*****

Author Info:

Lynsay Sands is the nationally bestselling author of the Argeneau/Rogue Hunter vampire series, as well as numerous historicals and anthologies. She’s been writing stories since grade school and considers herself incredibly lucky to be able to make a career out of it. Her hope is that readers can get away from their everyday stress through her stories, and if there’s occasional uncontrollable fits of laughter, that’s just a big bonus.

Please visit her on the web at www.lynsaysands.net

https://twitter.com/lynsaysands

https://www.facebook.com/Lynsay-Sands-125138040836322/

https://www.pinterest.com/lynsaysands/

*****

Giveaway:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112ffc1578/

Enter for your chance to win All previous Argeneau Books

A Quick Bite
Love Bites
Single White Vampire
Tall Dark & Hungry
A Bite To Remember
Bite Me If You Can
The Accidental Vampire
Vampires Are Forever
Vampire, Interrupted
The Rogue Hunter
The Immortal Hunter
The Renegade Hunter
Born To Bite
Hungry For You
The Reluctant Vampire
Under A Vampire Moon
Lady Is A Vamp
Immortal Ever After
One Lucky Vampire
Vampire Most Wanted
The Immortal Who Loved Me
About A Vampire
Runaway Vampire
Immortal Nights

*****

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Spotlight – Grounds for Seduction

27 Monday Mar 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Grounds for Seduction, Seattle Steam series, Shelli Stevens

How about we start off the week with a hot cop 🙂

*****

Grounds for Seduction

A Seattle Steam Novel

by Shelli Stevens

Publication Date: March 27, 2017

Genres: Adult, Entangled: Select, Contemporary, Romance

Blurb:

Madison Phillips is focused on making her new coffee shop a success. She also wouldn’t mind if the sexiest cop in Seattle, Gabriel Martinez, would start seeing her as more than just his best friend’s little sister. When her shop gets robbed and she’s the only one who can identify the increasingly violent Espresso Bandit, Gabe’s there to keep her safe. Having Gabe act as her personal bodyguard is certainly no hardship, and Maddy’s ready to try anything to tempt him into providing some hands-on protection.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nU8tsC

Paperback: http://amzn.to/2nkPIM2

B&N: http://bit.ly/2nXiRAh

iBooks: http://apple.co/2nkEpnp

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2npWcv7

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2mEz2lP

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2nClCpF

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2okjEXX

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2nUcayz

*****

Excerpt:

“I was just about to head back inside. Nice to see you again, Maddie.” Gabe stepped toward the door.

Tell him to stop, she ordered herself. Ask him out to dinner.

“Nobody calls me Maddie anymore.” She winced. Okay, totally blew that one.

“Gotcha.” He gave a slight smile and opened the sliding glass door to the house. He sounded almost disappointed when he murmured, “You sure have grown up, haven’t you?”

Madison darted forward in her Valentino heels, trying not to trip as she intercepted him at the door.

“I don’t know if Eric told you,” she began, “but I’m opening up my own espresso shop. The grand opening is Monday morning.”

His eyes held the faintest flicker of surprise, “Really? Hmm. Maddie Phillips, the newest coffee entrepreneur.”

“Madison. I know, isn’t it great?” She laughed, and her attention caught on his hard chest outlined through his Seahawks T-shirt. Swallowing hard as her pulse skipped, she tore her gaze away and fumbled in her purse for a business card and pen.

She scrawled a hurried note on it and handed it to him. “Here’s my card. I wrote you a coupon for a free drink. I’ll be getting things set up all weekend, so if you drop by, I can make you a practice mocha.”

“Ooo La Latté. Nice name.” He glanced up from the card and started to hand it back to her. “But I’m not big on coffee—”

“We also have tea,” she interrupted, a little more forcefully than necessary. “And hot chocolate. In any case, it’s a free beverage. You can’t pass that up.”

He remained quiet for a moment, then nodded. “You’re right, I can’t. I’ll see if I can drop by.”

He tucked the card into the back pocket of his jeans.

“I’m going to need a big, faithful customer base, so I hope you come by often.” She touched his arm and felt the bulge of his biceps.

This time, she didn’t miss the flicker of sexual awareness in his eyes, and her pulse sped up. This was pretty forward, even for her.

“After all,” she continued, her voice husky. “You really should support your best friend’s little sister.”

His eyes narrowed, and she knew she’d made a massive mistake. Great, Madison. She ground her teeth together. Remind him that you’re Eric’s little sister.

“You know what? I’m going to grab some of that crab quiche. So yummy. See you this weekend, Gabe.” She slid past him, smothering a gasp when her hip brushed his thigh as she opened the door and went back into the house.

*****

Author Info:

Shelli is a New York Times Bestselling Author who read her first romance novel when she snatched it off her mother’s bookshelf at the age of eleven. One taste and she was forever hooked. It wasn’t until many years later that she decided to pursue writing stories of her own. By then she acknowledged the voices in her head didn’t make her crazy, they made her a writer.

Shelli currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her daughter. She’s a compulsive volunteer, and has been known to spontaneously burst into song.

*****

Giveaway:

$20 Amazon Gift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5440a3541107/

*****

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Spotlight – Special Delivery

24 Friday Mar 2017

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Judi Lynn, Special Delivery

I don’t do a lot of cover reveals … but I really couldn’t resist Judi Lynn’s newest – how often do you get a sexy mailman for a hero?!?

Not to mention that the cover is all sorts of sweet:

Special Delivery

by Judi Lynn

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pub Date: 11/7/2017

Blurb:
In Mill Pond, Indiana, neighbors always look out for each other. And even though tourists are drawn to the small town’s charms, it’s the locals who fill it with warmth …

Traveling nurse Karli Redding doesn’t have many fond memories of her aging grandfather, Axel—or of Mill Pond. But with Axel’s health in decline and Karli on a month’s hiatus between jobs, she volunteers to set him up with the help he needs. The house and her grandfather could both use some TLC. Good thing Keagan Monroe, the very attractive mailman next door, is always ready to lend a hand…

Not a lot slips by a mailman, and Keagan appreciates Karli’s dogged attempts to spruce up the neglected property. Painting, fixing the sagging porch, delivering a constant stream of casseroles from caring neighbors—he’ll help however he can, all while keeping his feelings under wraps. A short-term fling just doesn’t fit into his schedule. But with each passing day, Karli’s bond with the town grows a little deeper. Has fate sent her exactly where she needs to be? Karli’s willing to find out, and the first step is figuring out the perfect route to Keagan’s heart…

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06X6FJLXK/

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/special-delivery-judi-lynn/1125779376?ean=9781516101399

GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Judi_Lynn_Special_Delivery?id=RR4cDgAAQBAJ&hl=en

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/special-delivery-87

Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/special-delivery/id1209823332?mt=11

*****

Author Info:

Judi Lynn received a Master’s Degree from Indiana University as an elementary school teacher after attending the IPFW campus. She taught 1st, 2nd, and 4th grades for six years before having her two daughters. She loves gardening, cooking and trying new recipes. Readers can visit her website at judithpostswritingmusings.com and her blog writingmusings.com.

Website: http://www.judithpostswritingmusings.com/

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

*****

Book Review – Roman

23 Thursday Mar 2017

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Book Review, Cold Fury Hockey series, Roman, Sawyer Bennett

Roman

A Cold Fury Hockey Novel

by Sawyer Bennett

New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett steams up the ice all over again as the Carolina Cold Fury hockey team’s hottest bad boy gets his first taste of something good.

In a league full of troublemakers, Cold Fury defenseman Roman Sýkora stands out—at least when it comes to negative publicity. When he’s not chilling in the penalty box, the sizzling Czech skate demon is racking up tabloid headlines for his scandalous behavior with the ladies. But now Roman’s feeling the burn from management to clean up his act, or else. Luckily he’s got an enticing distraction: a fun-loving barista who plays the ukulele and brings out a side of Roman he didn’t know he had.

Lexi Robertson came to Raleigh, North Carolina, to finally meet her father, Brian Brannon, and her half sister, Gray, both of whom work in the Cold Fury’s front office. That’s where she first meets sexy, intimidating Roman—who’s really a big softie at heart. As one relationship takes off, another begins: Brian seems to be clicking with Lexi’s boss at the coffee shop. But when the friction between Roman and her new family heats up, Lexi wonders whether she’s a pawn in their game. Feeling hurt and foolish, Lexi’s ready to quit while she’s ahead. Trouble is, Roman’s not ready to quit on her.

While this one doesn’t have the big emotional upheaval that some of the earlier Cold Fury books does, there is still a lot of good feelings going on here. And I for one enjoy an angst free romance from time to time 🙂

Roman may be a troublemaker but he isn’t a bad guy. He just enjoys life in a big way and it occasionally causes some waves. From the moment he meets Lexi, though, things are different and with a little faith he proves himself to be a worthy boyfriend.

It takes a lot of guts for Lexi to come to NC and confront Brian with her news. We know that he’s a fantastic dad to Gray and he proves that he’s a genuinely good guy by immediately accepting Lexi into his life. Unfortunately it’s a little harder for Gray to accept, but Lexi has such a warm and upbeat personality that she quickly wins her over. Unfortunately the tension between Gray and Roman intrudes on Lexi’s life and causes a bit a trouble. But she’s a smart girl and with a little help quickly figures things out.

I think the most fun thing about this is that we also get Brian’s POV here – he not only finds out that he has another daughter but thanks to Lexi he might also find a woman who can liven up his life. He’s gotten a little buttoned up over the years and he needs the shake up that he has coming! It’s super sweet and brings a little extra joy to the story.

Some family drama and a couple of romantic entanglements make Roman a great Spring read. It perfectly shows off Bennett’s smooth writing style and knack for creating fun-to-read characters. I’m excited to see what she brings us next!

Spotlight – The Heartbeat Hypothesis

22 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Lindsey Frydman, The Heartbeat Hypothesis

This one just calls out to me but I can see how it might just tie you up in knots.

*****

The Heartbeat Hypothesis

by Lindsey Frydman

Blurb:

Audra Madison simply wanted to walk in the shoes of Emily Cavanaugh, a free-spirited teenager who died too young. After all, Audra wasn’t supposed to be here.

Thanks to Emily, Audra has a second chance at life. She’s doing all the things that seemed impossible just two years ago: Go to college. Date. Stargaze in the Rocky Mountains. Maybe get a tattoo. You know, live.

Jake Cavanaugh, a photographer with mysterious, brooding gray eyes, agrees to help chronicle her newfound experiences. She makes him laugh, one of the only people who can these days. As they delve into each other’s pasts – and secrets – the closer they become.

But she’s guarded and feels like she can’t trust anyone, including herself.

And he’s struggling with the fact that his beloved sister’s heart beats inside her.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nSVdAK

Paperback: http://amzn.to/2mV1MWX

B&N: http://bit.ly/2n4zGaB

iBooks: http://apple.co/2nmtiwH

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2n2eylC

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2n4zW9W

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2np0W4I

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2nGOmLH

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2lSL8pX

Music Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/embed?uri=spotify%3Auser%3A1221285876%3Aplaylist%3A1jiu5TsEABQkekl7rN3g7T

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsJi1xV2gOk&feature=youtu.be

*****

Excerpt:

I pulled out my phone and set it on the table. Sixty daunting seconds later, I’d found Emily’s page and twisted the display so he could see.

Jake tapped on the phone, scrolling for only a moment before removing his finger and looking at me. “Why would you think these are mine?”

“Most of them share the same hashtag: my favorite photographer Jake. That’s you. Right?”

He returned his attention to the phone, this time picking it up, interest lighting his face. “Oh. Yeah, I took these. There’s so many damn hashtags, I didn’t even see my name.”

“Well, her whole page, it’s a done-it list.”

His gaze lifted, along with the corners of his lips. “A what?”

“According to her, she never understood why people made lists of the things they were going to do, so she made a page dedicated to all the things she did do.”

“Sounds like Emily.”

Now that is a smile. “Well, it’s inspired me to start my own done-it list, but I want to start by re-creating her list.”

Jake set the phone down and slid it across the table. “Re-create it?”

“Yes. Like this one…” I scrolled until I found the photograph. “She threw glow sticks in a pool and went swimming.” I assumed he remembered, since he’d been behind the camera. “I’m going to do that, then put it on my own done-it Tumblr list. Emily only had sixteen done-its, so I plan on redoing all of them.”

After taking a slow sip of coffee, he leaned forward like he was going to share a secret. “Can I make a suggestion?”

I winced, instilled with a burning desire to flee from the coffee shop. There I was, alive and well—with a perfectly functioning heart—and Emily lay six feet under, dead and gone. Jake probably thought—

“You should name it something else,” he said. “Done-its sounds like Cheez-Its, and that’s a little weird, don’t you think? Don’t get me wrong, kudos to my sister for the idea, but uh, she could’ve been more original with the name.” His smile grew, crooked and adorable.

Relief washed over me, and I smiled, too. “I agree done-it is unoriginal, but I can’t think of anything better that isn’t also weirder. Can you?”

With a considering expression, Jake leaned back in the booth, and while he thought, I took a sip of my coffee and cream mixture.

“See. Not as easy as it sounds.” I laughed, warming my fingers around the mug.

Jake chuckled, shaking his head. “Guess I’ll have to get back to you on that one. But where do I come into this?”

I let go of the ceramic and splayed my hands across the tabletop. “I want you to photograph my…poorly named list.”

*****

Author Info:

Lindsey has been writing since she was nine years old, when she discovered the awesomeness that is Harriet the Spy. Her books always include a romance, though sometimes there’s an added sci-fi or magical realism twist. She lives in Columbus, Ohio (where the weather is never quite right). Her BFA in Photography and Graphic Design has granted her a wide assortment of creative knowledge that serves as inspiration (and not much else). When she’s not crafting YA and NA stories, you’ll likely find her spending waaay too much time on Pinterest, playing a video game, singing show-tunes, or performing in a burlesque show—because she enjoys giving her introversion a worthy adversary. (Plus, it’s the closest to Broadway she’ll ever get.) Lindsey was a proud 2016 Pitch Wars Mentee and thoroughly adores being a part of the wonderful writing community. THE HEARTBEAT HYPOTHESIS is her debut novel.

*****

Giveaway:

$20 Amazon Gift Card

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5440a3541102/

*****

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

Book Review – The Trouble With Bachelors

21 Tuesday Mar 2017

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

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Book Review, Caitlyn Blue, The Trouble with Bachelors, Windy City Bachelors series

I want to share with everyone the first in a new series that comes out today. It’s by a new author for me but she’s sure to have lots of great things to come!

*****

The Trouble With Bachelors

Windy City Bachelors #1

by Caitlyn Blue

Releasing March 21, 2017

Sassy Muse, LLC

Blurb:

Falling for her sister’s first love, how could that possibly go wrong…

Zach Thorne is supposed to be off limits. He’s her sister’s high school boyfriend and his love life is a revolving door of women. He’s also handsome, sexy and the one guy Emma Callahan has never been able to forget.

Now they’ve been thrown together as best man and maid of honor for her sister’s wedding and some serious sparks are flying. Zach is perfect wedding fling material until he starts to take their romance seriously. Now, Emma is left wondering: is he for real or is she about to get her heart broken?

The trouble with bachelors is you never know.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33813952-the-trouble-with-bachelors

Buy Links: AMAZON | B & N | ITUNES | KOBO

*****

Excerpt:

“This was fun,” I murmur as his fingers coast over my cheek.

He tucks a lock of hair behind my ears and traces my jaw. It’s been a year since a man has touched me. And no one has ever caressed me like this. It’s like he’s trying to memorize my features. I’m enthralled. It’s hard to know what to do next, so I clutch my hands in my lap and stare at him. His eyes lock on my lips and I realize I’ve seized the lower one between my teeth.

His breath hisses out on a soft sigh. “Do you have any idea how sexy you are?”

“No.” It’s not the default word anyone uses when describing me.

“You are.”

How many women has he used this line on? Hundreds surely. He’s a player. A guy you sleep with not someone you date.

At the moment I’m standing at the line that separates the woman I am and the woman guys like Zach sleep with a few times and never call again. I can listen to my body and have several amazing orgasms to relive over and over, or I can listen to my heart, stay true to who I am and keep looking for a guy who can make me happy long term.

His fingers curve around the back of my neck. As he draws me forward, I ask, “Are you going to kiss me again?”

“I’d very much like to.”

This time his kiss is more direct. Firm and determined, he claims my lips and as his tongue darts forward, I open for him. He tastes like the striped peppermint candy we snagged on our way out of the restaurant.

The kiss quickly goes nova. Heat explodes in my midsection and lances downward as Zach’s hand curves over my knee. I clutch his shoulder, trembling with longing. Phrases spill through my mind. Naughty things I’d want to say to him. Images of taking him into my mouth again and making him cry out my name as he comes. I’ve forgotten that I’m not the type who has sex in cars. Right now, all I’m thinking is: yes, please, let’s do this.

Our tongues are dueling, my legs are parting and Zach’s hand is riding up my inner thigh when the phone in my lap buzzes with an incoming text. It’s close enough to my happy place that the vibration only adds to my arousal. I moan. Zach drags his lips from mine.

“That’s it, baby. Let me hear it.”

As his other hand dips inside my coat, fingers gliding over my breast, it’s easy to moan again. Damn, he’s good at this. Trembling with need, I bite my lip as the urge to whimper builds. I shift my hips as my clit perks up and starts crying for attention. If he doesn’t touch me there I’ll go out of my mind.

A second text follows the first or maybe it’s just that reminder that I haven’t looked at the first one. Either way, it feels great. So does Zach’s mouth on my neck. And is that his teeth? I open my thighs, silently begging him to go higher. He’s so close. I’m so close.

Buzz.

I’m panting. He’s sucking on my earlobe. Shit. That’s amazing. His thumb grazes my nipple.

Buzz.

The hand beneath my skirt reaches the elastic on my panties and I shift my hips, pushing into his fingers. Can he feel how wet I am? A little higher, please.

Buzz.

The vibration is so constant it’s like a sex toy and I’m so close to getting off. Just a little bit more. His finger brushes over the soaked crotch my panties. The lightest of touch and my body is electrified.

“Fuck,” he mutters, tracing over my hot, aching core a second time. “These are soaked.”

A garbled noise emerges from my throat.

Buzz.

And then Zach’s fingers are retreating and I groan in protest. “Um, do you need to get that?”

Get what?

Buzz.

“Oh for fuck’s sake,” I exclaim as Zach removes his lovely, clever hands from beneath my clothes.

He flops back against his seat with a hearty curse. Eyes closed, breathing hard, he shields his face as his shoulders move. Damn the man. He’s laughing.

Snarling, I pick up the phone and see at least a dozen texts from my cousins. Looking over at the house, I spy all three of them lined up at the living room windows. Well, what did I expect? I’m making out with Zach in front of our house. I might as well have set up a neon sign on the front lawn that says orgasms happening here. Almost happening…so close. A growl vibrates my chest.

“Your cousins?”

“Yes.”

*****

Review:

There is so much I enjoyed about Emma and Zach getting together – friends (of a sort) to lovers, high school crush, taboo relationship, reformed rake … there’s just a lot here to make me happy!

Zach is misunderstood in quite a few places throughout the story. He’s known to be a bit of a player but he really is a nice guy. He’s got a good heart, does a lot for his friends, and when he comes across a girl he wants to settle down with he’s willing to do a lot for her. Unfortunately she’s got some baggage that makes it hard to believe he’s sincere.

Most of the time I really liked Emma but she really doesn’t give Zach a break. She’s struggling with her attraction to him and is putting a lot of that on him when he really doesn’t deserve it. He may have a history (and really a big part of it was in high school, people!) but he never does anything to her to suggest that he isn’t being true. I think a little openness and a whole lot of good old fashion talking would have helped these too a lot 🙂

While the story appealed to me and I enjoyed the feelings developing between these two, there were a couple of writing style choices that I found a little strange. One was the way that the people and their lives were revealed to us – it almost felt like this was a middle of a series story but it is the first and all the other characters have books coming up. Blue does a great job of giving you the information that you need but it is presented in a way that it felt like you should know it already and she’s getting new readers up to speed. It doesn’t keep the characters from being interesting (which they are and I’m looking forward to getting their stories, especially Emma’s sister because there is some complicated stuff going on with her) or the story from flowing smoothly, it just seemed an odd choice for a first book in the series.

The other thing was that there were a couple of times when I got a little confused about the timing of things. A chapter would end but when the next one started I wasn’t confident about how much time had elapsed and what happened to the characters during that time. The explanation would come but not before I felt just a little bit lost first. And even then I’m not 100% sure I got all of the details about what happened. It doesn’t keep the story from moving well or for me to feel like I got a complete and enjoyable story, but it felt an odd choice to me.

Overall, though, the fun that is Zach falling in love and winning over Emma far outweighs any trouble spots that come up. With 5 more romances for this group coming soon, I think a lot of this will work itself out and we’ll be left with just the joy of a great love story. And I’m ready to find out all their secrets (Emma’s sister especially – that girl is just a big ball of conflict).

*****

Author Info:

Caitlyn Blue is a voracious reader with an overactive imagination and a chocolate addict. She loves fancy cocktails and tasty edibles, is a sucker for adventure movies and any music with a beat. When not writing, Caitlyn loves to connect with her readers for whom she’s extremely grateful. Join her VIP list to stay up to date on giveaways and exclusive offers.

Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

*****

Giveaway:

a $25.00 Amazon or Barnes Gift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81255/

*****

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

Spotlight – Hard Justice

20 Monday Mar 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Body Armor series, Hard Justice, Lori Foster

I’m so glad we are kicking off the week with one of my favorite authors. We’ve seen the first book in the series already and now it is time to see what these guys are up to next!

*****

NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Lori Foster returns with the second installment in her explosive new series featuring sexy bodyguards who’ll do anything to protect the ones they love.

Hard Justice

A Body Armor Novel

by Lori Foster

Blurb:

Playing it safe has never felt so dangerous…

Justice Wallington knows how to harness his strength and intimidating size—skills he put to good use first in the MMA cage, and now as a bodyguard at the Body Armor agency. But no opponent has ever left him feeling as off balance as his new client, heiress Fallon Wade. Far from a spoiled princess, she’s sweet and intriguingly innocent. It’s a risk-free assignment, until he’s required to fake a relationship with her in order to blend in.

Sheltered from the world after a family tragedy, Fallon longs to experience life—going to bars, dancing, talking to strangers. Not easy with a huge, lethal-looking bodyguard shadowing her every move. Justice seems like her polar opposite, but pretending to be a couple stirs undeniable heat. And when danger strikes again, it’s not just her safety in jeopardy, but a passion that’s real, raw and absolutely against the rules…

Grab your copy of HARD JUSTICE here!

Amazon * Kindle * Barnes& Noble * Nook * Book Depository * GooglePlay *iBooks * BAM * Kobo * IndieBound

And don’t miss the first book in the Body Armor Series!

Amazon * Kindle * Barnes * Nook * Book Depository * GooglePlay * iBooks * BAM * Kobo * IndieBound

*****

Excerpt:

“If anything happens to her, we will hold you and the agency personally responsible.”

“Nothing will.”

Her father scowled. “Ms. Silver swears you’re capable.”

“That I am.” Though Justice spoke to her father, he didn’t look away from Fallon, and she shivered at the deepness of the voice that stroked over her skin like a warm caress.

“She also said you were a professional fighter,” her father continued.

“Was once,” Justice agreed. “I fought with the SBC, but I don’t compete anymore.”

“SBC?” her father asked.

“Supreme Battle Challenge. Best known fight organization there is.”

Ah, a fighter. Fallon gave him another quick glance. She supposed that explained the damaged ear, crook in his nose and the outrageous hairstyle. “Not a boxer,” she guessed.

“Mixed martial arts, so kicking, grappling, submissions, but yeah, I’m a pretty good boxer, too.” He jokingly threw a few shadow punches, then, with a glance at her dad, quickly sobered. “Not to brag or anything.”

With a critical eye, her father said, “Admittedly, you’re not what I expected.”

“You were looking for Rocky Balboa? The one in the later movies, not the first? He did get slick in the last few, huh? That’s not me, though. Never will be.”

Such an outpouring left her father stymied for a moment. “Well, my wife and Ms. Silver did suggest that you’d be able to blend in.”

Fallon remained on the last step—and still Justice towered over her. She smiled up at him. “That was my stipulation. That you be able to blend, I mean. I didn’t want a bodyguard to be super conspicuous. But seeing you now, I can’t imagine you blending in too easily.”

He crooked a brow. “Why not?”

“You’re rather large to blend.”

“Depends on where we go, right?” He took her elbow and very unnecessarily helped her down the last step. “Bar, club, steakhouse—no one will pay much attention to me. In this house?” He looked around as if a little put off by the grandeur. “Or a fancy party?” He rasped a big hand over his beard stubble. “I can shave, spiff up a little and force myself into a suit, but that still might not do the trick.”

*****

Author Info:

LORI FOSTER is a New York Times, USA TODAY and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than 55 titles, beloved for her contemporary romance novels revolving around alpha males and the women they fall for. Lori has been a recipient of the prestigious RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Series Romantic Fantasy, and for Contemporary Romance. For more about Lori, visit her website at LoriFoster.com, or check out these online locations where she interacts with readers: Facebook.com/LoriFoster, Twitter.com/LoriLFoster, Goodreads and Pinterest.com/lorilfoster.

You can also sign up for her monthly newsletter at LoriFoster.com/Newsletter.

Links:

WEBSITE: http://lorifoster.com/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/lorifoster

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/lorilfoster

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17597.Lori_Foster

PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/lorilfoster/

YOU TUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/lorifosterauthor/

*****

Giveaway:

$50 Amazon Gift Card for 1 winner

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c1a0364/