Monthly Archives: April 2018

Spotlight – Embracing Her Heart

18 Wednesday Apr 2018

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I absolutely LOVE a good second chance love story and this one looks all sorts of AWESOME!!

*****

Embracing Her Heart

The Bradens and Montgomerys

(Pleasant Hill – Oak Falls) – Book 1

by Melissa Foster

Releasing April 17, 2018

World Literary Press

Blurb:

Leaving New York City and returning to her hometown to teach a screenplay writing class seems like just the break Grace Montgomery needs. Until her sisters wake her at four thirty in the morning to watch the hottest guys in town train wild horses and she realizes that escaping her sisters’ drama-filled lives was a lot easier from hundreds of miles away. To make matters worse, she spots the one man she never wanted to see again—ruggedly handsome Reed Cross.

Reed was one of Michigan’s leading historical preservation experts, but on the heels of catching his girlfriend in bed with his business partner, his uncle suffers a heart attack. Reed cuts all ties and returns home to Oak Falls to run his uncle’s business. A chance encounter with Grace, his first love, brings back memories he’s spent years trying to escape.

Grace is bound and determined not to fall under Reed’s spell again—and Reed wants more than another taste of the woman he’s never forgotten. When a midnight party brings them together, passion ignites and old wounds are opened. Grace sets down the ground rules for the next three weeks. No touching, no kissing, and if she has it her way, no breathing, because every breath he takes steals her ability to think. But Reed has other ideas…

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35711151-embracing-her-heart-the-bradens-montgomerys

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/151180-the-bradens-montgomerys-pleasant-hill—oak-falls

KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/EHH_Kindle

iBOOKS: http://apple.co/2vDGJbO

KOBO: http://smarturl.it/EHH_Kobo

NOOK: http://smarturl.it/EHH_Nook

GPLAY: http://bit.ly/2gLs8IZ

PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/EHH_Pb

*****

Excerpt:

Check out the First Chapter Excerpt here!

*****

Author Info:

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

Author Links:   WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

*****

Giveaway:

Five winners will receive a digital copy of BRETT: BAD BOYS AFTER DARK

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81373/

*****

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

Spotlight – Embraced at Seaside

18 Wednesday Apr 2018

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Today we’ve got Melissa Foster being both sweet (as Addison Cole) and her normal sexy self … you can’t go wrong with either!

*****

Embraced at Seaside

Sweet with Heat: Seaside Summers #8

by Addison Cole

Releasing April 11, 2018

World Literary Press

Blurb:

After working hard all day creating his beautiful metal sculptures, Hunter Lacroux likes to unwind with a hot babe–or two. But after spending a handful of nights with smart, sassy, and beautiful Jana Garner, the woman who challenges everything he does and says, Hunter wants more.

As a dancer, boxer, actress, and waitress, Jana is tough, organized, and as dedicated as she is committed. She has to be to maintain her crazy schedule. But when it comes to men, Jana’s had a string of bad relationships, and there’s only thing she’ll commit to–not committing.

Passion ignites every time Jana and Hunter are together, but the closer Hunter gets, the faster Jana runs. When Hunter lays on the charm, Jana throws out a challenge she’s sure he can’t meet, and Hunter steps up to the plate, forcing her to face her hurtful past or let go of him forever.

Embraced at Seaside is the sweet edition of the steamy romance novel Seaside Embrace by Melissa Foster

PLEASE NOTE: “Embraced at Seaside” is true sweet with heat. Jana and Hunter’s story is the steamiest in the series, and remains true to the characters’ personalities. As with all Addison Cole novels, “Embraced at Seaside” does not include any explicit scenes or harsh language (with the exception of an occasional “damn” or “hell”).

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37902582-embraced-at-seaside

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/203990-sweet-with-heat-seaside-summers

Buy Links: AMAZON | iBOOKS | KOBO | B&N | GPLAY

*****

Excerpt:

Check out the first chapter here!

*****

Author Info:

Addison Cole is the sweet alter ego of New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Melissa Foster. She writes humorous and emotional sweet contemporary romance. Her books do not include explicit sex scenes or harsh language.

Addison spends her summers on Cape Cod, where she dreams up wonderful love stories in her house overlooking Cape Cod Bay.

Visit Addison on her website or chat with her on social media. Addison enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups and welcomes an invitation to your event.

Author Links:   WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | INSTAGRAM

*****

Giveaway:

Five (5) e-copies of SEIZED BY LOVE AT SEASIDE

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81372/

*****

Click the link below to check out the rest of the tour

Spotlight – Star

17 Tuesday Apr 2018

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Y’all this is getting some down right awesome reviews … head over to Goodreads to see what everyone is saying!

*****

Star

A 44 Chapters Novel

by BB Easton

Release: April 12, 2018

Blurb:

Because BB Easton had so much fun writing her best-selling, award-winning memoir, 44 CHAPTERS ABOUT 4 MEN, she decided to give each of her four men his own steamy stand-alone. STAR is Hans’s book—a real-life rock star romance…with a twist.

In 1999, Brooke “BB” Bradley met her Prince Charming. He was the tall, tattooed, wickedly handsome bass player for the up-and-coming rock band, Phantom Limb. But, more importantly, he was hers. She knew it the moment he flashed her that shy, dimpled smile.

And he knew it too.

Hansel “Hans” Oppenheimer wore his heart on one sleeve and scrawled lyrics about BB on the other. Unlike the assholes of her past, he showered her with tenderness, took her places she’d never been before, and showed her the type of all-consuming love she’d thought only existed in fairy tales.

But, like any good fairy tale, BB’s road to happily ever after was paved with challenges, and right when she least expected it…it forked.

In 1999, Brooke “BB” Bradley met her Prince Charming.

In 2000, she met her soul mate.

Amazon US: http://bit.ly/STAR-AmUS

Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/STAR-AmUK

Amazon CA: http://bit.ly/STAR-AmCA

Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/STAR-AmAU

Goodreads: https://goo.gl/MZTC9R

Check out the rest of the series:

44 Chapters: http://bit.ly/44chapters-AmUS

Skin: http://bit.ly/Skin-AmUS

Speed: http://bit.ly/Speed-AmUS

*****

Excerpt:

Equestria

I awoke, nauseous and confused, in a lilac-colored room plastered with peeling My Little Pony decals. The midday sunlight leaked in through the closed blinds, searing and uninvited. The sheets touching my exposed skin were itchy. Stifling. And my mouth tasted like the inside of a beer bottle that had been used as an ashtray.

Ugh.

I searched my alcohol-logged brain for clues that might help explain why I was waking up inside the magical land of Equestria. Images from the night before began to surface, grainy and out of order. It was like flipping through a scattered stack of Polaroids taken during a house party—scene after scene of teenagers in black lipstick and black vinyl thrashing in the darkness. A house party. A keg in the kitchen. A heavy-metal band playing in the living room. A guy. A tall guy with messy black hair and a full sleeve of horror-movie tattoos.

The bass player.

Locking eyes with Clover, a purple pony with a peeling pink mane, I thought, This is what Cinderella must have felt like the morning after the ball. Except I don’t even have a glass slipper to prove it was real. And also, I’m pretty sure Cinderella wasn’t this hungover.

Groaning, I pulled the pony-covered polyester comforter up under my chin and rolled over.

Onto a body.

I screamed and scrambled backward, realizing a moment too late that, with two people in a twin-size bed, there was no backward to scramble to. As soon as I felt myself falling over the edge, I reached out and grabbed the first thing I could get my hands on.

It was an arm. And it was covered with the stuff of nightmares. Hellraiser and Jason and Freddy and Pennywise sneered at me as I clawed at their faces, trying to keep from going overboard.

The arm flexed and jerked away from me, but I held on for dear life. The motion yanked me back onto the bed where I landed face-first with a smack on the bare chest of my unexpected roommate.

Laughter, deep yet boyish, vibrated under my cheek.

“You scared the shit outta me!” the beast chuckled, wrapping his tattooed arm around my shoulders and pulling me in closer. The gesture and the warmth from his body turned my insides to goo.

“You scared the shit outta me!” I giggled, smacking him on the chest. I wanted to sit up and look at him, make sure he was real, ask him a million questions about what had happened the night before, but I couldn’t. Not yet.

As I snuggled into his side and draped my right arm over his bare torso, I inhaled and savored his masculine scent—cigarette smoke and sweat. The smell of rock and roll. I smiled against his chest and let my eyes roam over the hills and valleys of his abs, which were peeking out from under the covers. I couldn’t believe this was the same man who’d intimidated me the night before. He might look like seventy-five inches of pierced, tattooed, heavy-metal mayhem, but he was one hundred percent snuggle bunny.

On a sigh, I finally forced myself to sit up. The giant gazed up at me with soft, denim-colored eyes, rimmed in lashes so thick and black they looked like eyeliner. My heart sputtered.

“What are you doing in here?” I asked, smiling even wider and trying not to think about the hungover swamp monster I must have resembled.

“I was sleeping…until somebody sank her fuckin’ talons into my arm.” Hans looked down at his bicep. “I’m surprised I’m not bleeding.”

I laughed. “You know, for a guy with Freddy Krueger tattooed on his arm, you’re kind of a pussy.”

“I thought I was being attacked by Freddy Krueger,” Hans teased, rolling onto his side and propping his head up on his hand. “He waits until you’re asleep, you know.”

Hans’s bottom half was covered by the world’s girliest comforter, but his top half…

Drool.

*****

Author Info:

BB Easton lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia with her long-suffering husband, Ken, and two adorable children. She recently quit her job as a school psychologist to write stories about her punk rock past and deviant sexual history full-time. Ken is suuuper excited about it.

Facebook: http://www.fb.com/bbeaston

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/author.bb.easton

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/bb_easton

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/artbyeaston

Goodreads: https://goo.gl/4hiwiR

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/bbeaston

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbyeaston

*****

Giveaway:

$24 Gift Card

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/a8323af850/

*****

Spotlight – Exonerated with Love

16 Monday Apr 2018

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For those who love their heroes to be bad 😉

*****

Exonerated with Love

The Mobster Files #2

by Skye McNeil

Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing

Genre: Romantic Suspense/Mafia Romance

Release Date: April 14, 2018

Blurb:

Can second chances really exist for a bad boy mobster and the only woman to ever steal his heart?

There’s a hit out on Cameron Shearer’s life, his mafia ties dragging him down the path of darkness once more. After a harrowing meeting, he discovers no one ever stays dead when you’re in the mafia. Determined not to lose the only woman he’s loved, Cameron turns to the Del Rossi mob for one last favor. Unfortunately for him, the ending may not be as happy as he once hoped.

Joci Dorous has it all. She’s happy, engaged, and just started her own law firm with her best friend. Everything appears perfect, until she discovers a suspicious trail of money in her business accounts and her once dutiful fiancé suddenly turns as shady as his mob boss. When strangers clash amid mobs, Joci is left to decipher who her heart truly belongs to.

GOODREADS LINK: https://www.goodreads.com/…/s…/37980892-exonerated-with-love

PURCHASE LINKS – $1.99 for a limited time

US: https://amzn.to/2GRBTxW

UK: https://amzn.to/2uXEgha

CA: https://amzn.to/2GOB7ld

AU: https://amzn.to/2Jzhv6v

B&N: http://bit.ly/2C31rt7

Kobo: http://bit.ly/Exonerated_Kobo

iBooks: https://apple.co/2Cnk3PX

Books2Read: books2read.com/exonerated

ALSO AVAILABLE

Appointed by Fate, The Mobster Files Book 1 – $1.99 for a limited time

US: http://amzn.to/2fEdZh1

UK: http://amzn.to/2wnFcrf

CA: http://amzn.to/2x2JNP3

AU: http://amzn.to/2k6RHpi

B&N: http://bit.ly/2fDcKyv

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2yLzv80

iBooks: http://apple.co/2vOJwSs

*****

Excerpt:

“Can we go home, please? I need to fit in a quick catnap before heading to the office.” She yawned, suddenly drained from the busy morning.

Crossing his long arms over his chest, Cameron shook his head. “No way. You’re not going to work after what you’ve been through. You need to take it easy.”

“No, I need to go to work,” she argued, her face heating up.

“The hell you do.” His low voice rumbled, scaring a passing orderly.

Realizing fighting through this wasn’t the best course of action, Joci unclenched her fisted hands. Slanting eyes over him, she sighed at his chaotic curls, from the wind or pushing his fingers through it she wasn’t sure. The holes where his nose and eyebrow rings used to sit glared at her, fleetingly making her wish they were in place once more. His jaw was set but his lips were pouty, an irresistible sight if she ever saw one. The adamant expression in his dark brown eyes siphoned all anger from her. He was concerned for her health, but there was something else lying behind his tone. His reflection sent her back to their childhood in Ohio. He’d puckered a similar face when they disagreed as kids. No wonder he always got his way, the ass.

He wasn’t wrong in his apprehension, however, letting him win this argument wouldn’t happen. He loved her, which meant he knew she was as stubborn as him. They were a perfect match from the start. Bullheaded and ornery. Work would always be at the top of her list and he knew it better than anyone from personal experience.

Stepping to his sulking position against the wall, Joci slipped her hands around his waist, her fingers grazing each of the devices hanging from the police utility belt. “Cam, all this excitement drained me. I need a bit of cuddle time, and I bet you know the perfect guy.”

His face released its strained hold and his lips slackened. “Maybe.”

Beaming up at him, she tilted her head to the right. “Maybe you know a guy, or maybe you are the guy?”

His chin lowered until she was touching noses with him. “I am the guy,” he fiercely replied.

Joci snaked her hand up his spine to the back of his head. Compelling his neck toward her, she locked her gaze with his stormy mahogany one. “The only guy.”

A tiny smile broke across his cheeks. “Then there’s no place I’d rather be.”

He leaned forward, imprinting his lips to her for eternity. The taste of mint clung to his breath, luring her to kiss him until she explored every facet of his mouth. His tongue tangoed with hers, causing adrenaline to spike through her body. Pressing harder against his mouth, she gasped when her back carefully hit the wall. Anyone could witness their brazen embrace, but she didn’t care. She needed his lips on her right now. His teeth nipped her lower lip. And if he wasn’t careful, she’d lug him to the nearest supply closet and bar the door just to show him how much she needed him.
When he finally eased away, Joci wasn’t sure if she was breathing on her own. He had this effect on her when she least expected but sorely craved it.

“I’m glad you’re safe,” he whispered, his brown eyes etched with leftover concern. “Promise you’ll never leave.” His hands rubbed the protruding stomach between them. “I can’t do this without you.”

Kissing him hard, Joci hoped he felt a molecule of the havoc his lips caused in her. “I promise.”

At Cameron’s relaxed sigh, she snuggled into him. A movement behind them distracted her as he straightened. She couldn’t see who was spying, only recognized a shock of red hair as they moved to the exit.

*****

Author Info:

Skye McNeil began writing at the age of seventeen and has been lost in a love affair ever since. During the day, she moonlights as a paralegal at a law firm favoring criminal law.

Skye enjoys writing romantic comedies and cozy mysteries novels that leave readers wanting more and falling in love over and over. She writes contemporary and historical novels ranging from sweet and sassy to steamy and sultry.  Her constant writing companions are two cats and two dogs. When she’s not writing, Skye enjoys spending time with family, photography, volleyball, traveling, and curling up with a cup of coffee and reading.

Website: http://www.skyemcneil.com

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

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/skye_mcneil7

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14437675.Skye_McNeil

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Skye-McNeil/e/B017Y63B6C-2

Newsletter: http://www.skyemcneil.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcneilskye

*****

Giveaway:

2 paperbacks of Exonerated with Love

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ea80a6ed304

*****

Book Review – Mornings on Main

13 Friday Apr 2018

Posted by in Blog Tour, Book Review, Sneak Peek

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This is one of those reads that you need to be prepared to invest some time in.  Wait until you can give it your full attention – you will be glad you did!

*****

Mornings on Main

by Jodie Thomas

Blurb:

“Compelling and beautifully written.” —Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author on Ransom Canyon

From the beloved and bestselling author of the Ransom Canyon and Harmony, Texas series comes a powerful, heartwarming story about generations of family and the ironclad bonds they forge.

When Jillian James lands in the small town Texas community of Laurel Springs, she’s definitely not planning to stay—except to find a few clues about the father who abandoned her and destroyed her faith in family.

Connor Larady is a single dad, and the only one caring for his grandmother, Eugenia, who has Alzheimer’s. And now he has to close Eugenia’s quilt shop. When Connor meets down-on-her-luck Jillian, he’s out of options. Can he trust the newcomer to do right by his grandmother’s legacy?

Jillian is done with relationships. But as she grows closer to Connor and Eugenia, she must consider giving up her nomadic life for a future with those who need her.

An inspiring family saga that asks us to consider what love and chosen family really mean.

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

Get your copy at:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ouUokx

Kindle: http://amzn.to/2EX7H7B

B&N: http://bit.ly/2HPRb73

B-A-M: http://bit.ly/2HPRe2J

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2EVGvWH

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2F0hp4Y

iBooks: https://apple.co/2GNnlyD

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2GKhRVt

Book Depository: http://bit.ly/2CoRNRC

*****

Excerpt:

A long slice of light shone into the dark shadows of the quilt shop. For a moment, Jillian thought she was in the wrong place. No soft ribbons of florescent bulbs twenty feet above. No laughter from the quilter’s corner. No smell of coffee drifting from the tiny kitchen.

Only a long-legged girl dressed in black, staring at her as if Jillian had just interrupted a demonic ritual.

The backward lettering of A Stitch in Time circled across the front window. Right place. Jillian was in the quilt shop. Squaring her shoulders, she moved forward.

“Hi,” Jillian managed as she widened the opening of the door. She wasn’t sure if she was trying to see the invader bet­ter or simply wanted to enlarge her escape route.

The strange girl swung one leg so it bumped against the side of the counter in a heartbeat rhythm. Her hair was so light it appeared white, and hung straight past her shoulders.

A dozen bracelets, all appearing to be made out of rusty bolts, clanked on her arms as she turned toward the back of the store.

“Dad!” the intruder yelled. “Someone’s drifted in.”

Rows of lights began to click on, starting from the back and finally reaching the front. All the beautiful colors of the store returned, but the escapee from the Addams Family re­mained. Her black peacoat, with batwing shoulder pads, was ripped in several places. Black eyeliner extended almost to her ears and charcoal, lace gloves covered her hands.

Jillian studied the girl carefully. On the bright side, the coat and leggings matched. Both black and ragged. She appeared to be wearing three blouses, the last one a lace nightgown. Silk, holey as if moth-eaten, and spotted with what looked like bloodstains. Her skirt, with several chains hanging off it, reminded Jillian of a midnight plaid kilt.

They both turned as footsteps stormed from the back. “Sorry,” Connor Larady shouted. “I usually have the place all opened up by this time.”

He didn’t seem to notice the girl still perched on the coun­ter. “I’ll have a key made for you so you won’t have to wait for me if I’m running late.”

When Jillian turned her gaze to the girl, Connor finally acknowledged the goth in the room. “Oh, I’m sorry, Jillian, this is my daughter. Sunnie, this is the lady who is helping Gram organize the shop.”

Jillian offered her hand, hoping the strange girl wouldn’t try to suck her blood. She was so thin and pale she probably hadn’t eaten in days.

The girl reluctantly took Jillian’s offered hand, but her handshake was limp.

If there was a prize for someone born with the wrong name, Sunnie Larady would win. Stormy might be better. Or Scary.

She slid off the counter. Six feet of pure adolescent rebel­lion. “I need to get to school, Connor.” She said her father’s name louder than the rest of the sentence.

“Right.” Connor turned to Jillian. “Will you be all right here? Gram should be dropped off any minute.”

“I’m fine. I’ll watch for her.” Jillian smiled at Sunnie. “Nice to meet you.”

The girl shrugged and walked out.

*****

Review:

One of those sweet, small town romances that is just as much women’s fiction as it is romance, Mornings on Main is the kind of story that you have to cherish.  It isn’t fast paced and you definitely can’t speed through it.  Instead you need to settle back and get ready to enjoy every page, every encounter, every brush of the hand, every secret that slips out, every glimpse into what makes people tick, every chance to get to know them just that tiny bit better.  It’s a slow, gentle process and all the better for it.

Neither Jillian nor Connor are looking for someone.  They live their lives a certain way and figure that’s what they are built for … until they meet each other.  While the connection is immediate, they go through a lot of fits and starts because both of them are wary.  Jillian’s upbringing (and continued nomadic lifestyle) and Connor’s romantic history mean that getting close to others isn’t easy for them.  But what the heart wants can be hard to resist.

As much as I loved seeing Jillian and Connor slowly fall in love, I think the women in his life are just as awesome.  The friendship between Connor’s grandmother, Eugenia, and her lifelong friend, Joe, is oh-so-touching.  And her battle with her wandering memories is enough to bring you to tears.  But it’s Connor’s daughter, Sunnie, and her romantic woes that grabbed hold of my heart.  She’s at a difficult age but she’s got a good amount of spunk to help see her thru it 🙂

Yes, there is a beautiful love story here with two people finding something they didn’t know they were missing, but there is so much more.  The search for home and family.  The need for a connection to the past and future, as well as to someone else.  There are bonds that tie us together, some we are born with and some we make, but they are all important in making us who we are.

*****

Author Info:

New York Times and USA Today’s bestselling author Jodi Thomas has published over 30 books in both the historical romance and contemporary genres, the majority of which are set in her home state of Texas. Publishers Weekly calls her novels “Distinctive…Memorable,” and that in her stories “[tension] rides high, mixed with humor and kisses more passionate than most full-on love scenes.” In 2006, Romance Writers of America (RITA) inducted Thomas into the RWA Hall of Fame for winning her third RITA for THE TEXAN’S REWARD. She also received the National Readers’ Choice Award in 2009 for TWISTED CREEK (2008) and TALL, DARK, AND TEXAN (2008). While continuing to work as a novelist, Thomas also functions as Writer in Residence at the West Texas A&M University campus, where she inspires students and alumni in their own writing pursuits.

Website: http://www.jodithomas.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jodithomas/

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

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/JodiThomasAuthor

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/jodi0007/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20273.Jodi_Thomas

*****

Tour Schedule:

April 2nd

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

What Is That Book About – Excerpt

April 3rd

Always a happy ever after – Review

Sofia Loves Books – Review

April 4th

Hearts & Scribbles – Excerpt

Melena’s Reviews – Review & Excerpt

April 5th

Evermore Books – Excerpt

April 6th

Belle’s Book Belfry – Review & Excerpt

April 7th

Red Hot + Blue Reads – Review & Excerpt

April 8th

The Butterfly Reads – Review & Excerpt

April 9th

Geronimo Reads – Review & Excerpt

The bookworms obsession – Review

April 10th

The Book Hammock – Review & Excerpt

Two Girls with Books – Review

April 11th

Nerdy Dirty and Flirty – Excerpt

The Book Maven – Review & Excerpt

April 12th

Read more sleep less – Review & Excerpt

Totally Bex – Review & Excerpt

April 13th

KDRBCK – Review & Excerpt

Romantic Reads and Such – Review & Excerpt

April 14th

More Books Than Livros – Review & Excerpt

Ripe For Reader – Review & Excerpt

April 15th

Adventures in Writing – Excerpt

Bookishly Yours – Review & Excerpt

April 16th

Renee Entress’s Blog – Review & Excerpt

Shannon’s Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

April 17th

Aaly and The Books – Review & Excerpt

Mama She’s Crazy About Books – Review

April 18th

Jax’s Book Magic – Review & Excerpt

Maybe SS Riki – Review & Excerpt

April 19th

MI Bookshelf – Review

Tangents and Tissues – Excerpt

April 20th

Shelly’s Book Corner – Excerpt

Teatime and Books – Excerpt

Book Review – Dangerous Witness

11 Wednesday Apr 2018

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Dangerous Witness

Redemption Harbor Series

by Katie Reus

He foolishly let her go…

When the woman he loved walked out of his life, Brooks Alexander was certain she did so willingly—with the cool two-million his father had offered as incentive to walk away. So when the former Marine scout sniper learns that Darcy didn’t take a dime of his father’s payoff, Brooks realizes he made an epic mistake. He’s determined to make things right and reclaim his woman. Except neither task is as easily accomplished as he first thought.

Now her life is in his hands…

Wedding planner Darcy is no stranger to disappointment when it comes to the men in her life. When Brooks accused her of taking his father’s bribe, she was devastated that he thought so little of her—and realized he never knew her at all. So she walked away with her pride intact and her heart broken. Now, months later, an overheard conversation puts Darcy in the crosshairs of a dangerous criminal with powerful connections. With nowhere else to turn, she has no choice but to put all her trust in Redemption Harbor Consulting—and its cofounder, the man who broke her heart.

This is the first in the series that I’ve read and while technically it’s a stand-alone novel, I probably would have benefited from having read the other stories.  Reus does a pretty good job of giving new readers the info they need but I think that there are certain nuances and details that I missed out on.

While I enjoyed Brooks as a hero, he was definitely everything you could want as a part of this elite unit of mercenaries – strong, tough, smart, and ruthless.  He also loves Darcy with his whole heart … even if he did go and screw it up at the very beginning 🙂

If I was Darcy I’d definitely have made him work for it a bit more but I also have to appreciate the lack of games and dramatics between the two.  There’s hesitation on her part and a bit of groveling on his, but they do eventually figure it out.  I also like that Darcy is smart enough to realize that this is something much bigger than she can’t handle on her own.  She listens to the professionals and lets them help guide her.

And speaking of danger, Reus sure knows how to crank things up.  The action and suspense element of this story was balanced really well with the romance portion.  Overall, an enjoyable read and some more stories to add to my TBR pile because I’m dying to get my hands on the other stories in this series 🙂

Book Review – The Devilish Duke

10 Tuesday Apr 2018

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The Devilish Duke

by Maddison Michaels

Devlin Markham, the notorious “Devil Duke” of Huntington, needs a woman. And not just any woman. If he can’t woo one of the most eccentric bluestockings of the Ton within the month, he can kiss his hard-earned fortune goodbye. But he’s always thought love a wasted emotion and marriage an inconvenience at best. And oddly enough, Lady Sophie Wolcott seems unmoved by his charm…

When Sophie learns her beloved orphanage is in imminent danger, she will do anything to save it. Even marry a ruthless rake who takes what he wants in business and pleasure. A man who’s everything she’s always feared most—but whom she reluctantly begins yearning for.

Then Sophie becomes the target of a killer lurking from the dark shadows of Devlin’s past. And they find not only their lives in jeopardy but their very hearts.

These two are a ton of fun together.  Sophie is spirited, sassy, and not only willing to stand up for herself but for Devlin too.  Which makes her all the more attractive to him.  Devlin embraces his “devil” moniker but he isn’t truly as bad as they make him out to be.  Instead he’s got some pretty big walls thanks to an awful childhood and it will take a strong woman to get past them.  Lucky for him, Sophie is up to the challenge.

I do kinda wish there had been more (or maybe better) clues about who the killer was so the reader had a better chance of figuring it out.  It was tied up nicely, with a logical motive, a clever villain, and an exciting ending.  But I felt like I was given details only as I needed them so there was little chance of guessing what would happen ahead of time.  That isn’t necessarily bad but it could be frustrating for those who like to be more involved in solving the whodunit.

I read somewhere that Michaels is a new author but she proves herself to be quite the writer.  Nicely paced, great characters, excitement, romance, danger … she brings it all and does it well.  I’m definitely going to keep my eye on her – I think she’s got a great future ahead of her!

Spotlight – Never Been Good

05 Thursday Apr 2018

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I’m a huge fan of Christi Barth and how can you not love a reformed bad boy … put them together and you’ll get something awesome!

*****

Never Been Good

a Bad Boys Gone Good novel

by Christi Barth

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

USA Today bestseller Christi Barth returns with another steamy Bad Boys Gone Good novel!

Flynn Maguire isn’t really a bad guy. Sure, he worked for the mob, but he ran a legitimate business—on paper anyway—and it paid enough to keep his brother out of the lifestyle. Until they turned on him. Now he’s stuck in Witness Protection, tending bar in Nowheresville Oregon… and pissed the life he knew is gone. The only bright spot? Fantasizing about his quiet, secretive, beautiful coworker.

Sierra Williams is a woman on the run. All she wants now is to settle into small town life… and ignore the brooding, sexy bartender who can’t seem to take his eyes off her. Flynn’s bad-boy vibe pushes all her buttons, but Sierra fell for the wrong man once already. She can’t afford to let her guard down again. Except Flynn’s tough exterior is slowly melting away to reveal the sweet man beneath and their attraction is too strong to resist.

Sierra and Flynn are falling fast, but they’re both keeping so many secrets. The truth could ruin everything… unless a girl who’s a little bad is perfect for a guy who’s never really been good.

Get Your Copy Today!

Amazon  | B&N  | iBooks  | Kobo

*****

Excerpt:

Flynn pulled over the trash can, upended it, and rested her foot on it sideways, ice draped across. Then he noticed the sparkly glints of glass in her hair. “Do you have a brush?”

“No.” She looked up at that to give him an amused half smile. “I’m not one of those women who reapplies their lipstick every twenty minutes.”

He’d noticed. He’d noticed everything about her look. Natural. Like hippy-natural. Which he found weirdly sexy. Weird because the women he’d dated in Chicago were all big boobs, loud makeup, and bigger hair. Sierra was just . . . herself. Which turned Flynn on more than he’d been willing to admit. Okay, hell. He’d admitted it. He’d just refused to act on it.

Until tonight.

Until seeing her crumpled on the floor of the bar. It had sent a primal surge of protectiveness through him that unlocked everything he’d kept tamped down for weeks now. All the interest. Lust. Attraction. Need.

Carlos produced a brush from his desk drawer. “Here. It’s Madalena’s.” She was his sister who did the books for the Gorse. Flynn had only met her once, but appreciated her no-nonsense personality. “I’ll go watch the bar for you, Flynn.”

“Thanks.” He carefully pulled Sierra’s hair over her shoulders so it draped down her back. “This should be the quickest way to get the glass out.”

“Oh, but you don’t have to—”

That was the kicker. After spending years doing what people told him he had to, Flynn now did only the bare minimum. Sure, he could just hand her the brush. But this, helping Sierra, was a compulsion he couldn’t resist. “I know I don’t have to. I want to help. Let me.”

“Okay.” Her shoulders relaxed down at least an inch as she sighed. Then Sierra sighed again as the bristles made contact with her scalp. This one was different, though. It was pure feminine pleasure.

God, he couldn’t wait to make her do it again.

Flynn made long, slow passes. A little more pressure against her head, because she seemed to like it, and then a pull through the long strands to shake out the glass. It was quiet. Intimate. Something he’d never done before for any other woman. The backs of his fingers grazed her neck as he gathered her hair in his hand.

Sierra shivered.

His dick throbbed at the sight. At her whole-body shiver, and at the view of her exposed nape. Right on the spot where, if he put his lips, Flynn knew he could tease another shiver out of her.

Then he noticed how her hair looked in his fist. He flashed ahead past a million impossibilities to a scene that he could never let happen. Sierra on her knees. Naked. Looking over her shoulder at him with that shy smile while he fisted her hair and drove into her.

The ice slid off her ankle, tinkling as it tumbled out of the towel onto the floor. The moment was gone.

Although Flynn knew he’d never be able to get that image out of his mind.

*****

Author Info:

USA TODAY bestselling author Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes award-winning contemporary romance, including the Naked Men and Aisle Bound series.

Christi can always be found either whipping up gourmet meals (for fun, honest!) or with her nose in a book. She lives in Maryland with the best husband in the world.

 

Website | Blog | Pinterest | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page  | Facebook | Instagram

*****

Giveaway:

May Designs notebook & Alex and Ani bracelet

Ebook copies of The Opposite of Right & The Reverse of Perfection

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4cf78adb649/

*****

Book Review – Broken Heartstrings

04 Wednesday Apr 2018

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Broken Heartstrings

by CC Dragon

 

True love hurts. Jeff and Ben had it and lost it over a decade ago…

When Jeff is outed and attacked, the country music super star has to face his family and his choices under huge public scrutiny.

Jeff and Ben, his former producer, had a plan to come out and deal with the haters back in the day. Then tragedy struck Jeff’s family and changed everything—except the feelings. Jeff stayed in the closet and Ben walked away.

In the wake of the outing and press, Ben walks back. But why?

Revenge? Gloating? To make peace?

Or maybe for a second chance…

Note: This is a sweet m/m romance

While there is a love story here, it wasn’t the main focus.  Instead Jeff has to deal with the fall-out of being pretty much forced to out himself.  He’s kept it quiet for a long time so there is a lot to deal with – from his family (who handle it like a dream), his fans (which I thought was done very well), and his old boyfriend (hence the love story portion).  It’s not an easy journey for Jeff but I felt that Dragon treats it with the respect and emotion that it deserves.

So while the romance portion of it doesn’t happen until late it definitely shouldn’t stop you from picking up this book.  There are a lot of feels here and every one of them deserve to be savored as you join Jeff on his ride to finding a more true-to-himself place in this world.

Book Review – Deserving It

03 Tuesday Apr 2018

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Deserving It

Stolen Moments #3

by Angela Quarles

Stranded by a hurricane. Check. Hotel secured. Check. Hot guy to share it with. Check. No, wait. Not him!

A tough girl with an awkward flirt-game, Claire has long ago given up on catching the eye of Irish hottie Conor and she refuses to change. If he doesn’t like her as is, then screw him. 

A loner workaholic too busy to notice, Conor isn’t looking to nail the next chick–even one as hot as Claire–just his next bonus-earning presentation. 

But when a hurricane strands them in Atlanta and they’re forced to shack up in the same hotel room for several days, things tend to get…exposed.

DESERVING IT is a steamy, standalone romantic comedy from RITA Winning and USA Today bestselling author Angela Quarles with a happy-ever-after and no cheating or cliffhangers.

I’m not usually a fan of romances where there are prickly interactions between the characters.  Usually I feel like one or the other (or both) of them is being an a** but I think that Quarles does a pretty good job here of making it work.  Once they start to get over themselves and connect, they are a good match together.  And being stuck in the same hotel room during a hurricane definitely forces them to get friendly 🙂

I really enjoyed getting to know Conor and he’s such a good guy.  He’s got some insecurities that totally works for him – helps his image and doesn’t take away from his sexiness.  Claire also has a past that has left her with some scars and while I kinda wish she’d been a little more open with Conor I can totally see where she’s coming from.  Thanks to her childhood she’s made herself pretty tough but there’s still soft spots that she’s trying hard to protect.

Deserving It does have a shortened time frame, but with the forced cohabitation and the fact that they have known each other for a while it works for me.  They still have their issues to work through and there is, of course, the minor freak out at the end but I really like the way they find their way to a HEA.

(While part of a series, this one can easily stand on its own.)