Spotlight – The Opposite of Falling

12 Monday Oct 2020

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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This has got to be one of my favorite covers that I’ve seen lately. If the inside is anything like the outside, it’s gonna be fabulous!

*****

The Opposite of Falling

by Jillian Liota

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

BRIAR MITCHELL is home in Cedar Point – single, broke and unemployed. Back in the town she tried so hard not to get stuck in. A job at the local grocery will have to do until she figures out what’s next, even if it means working for her teenage crush. Not that he noticed her back then.

ANDY MARSHALL has always loved the small town life. Things might be rough at the moment – the family business is struggling and his dad’s health has taken a turn – but he’s trudging forward. What he doesn’t see coming is the attraction he feels towards his newest employee.

Choosing to explore their instant chemistry, Briar and Andy embark on a no-strings ride they hope will provide a few things they each desperately need. Sweet friendship, sexy fun, and a chance to escape from a life that isn’t going according to plan.

But in the face of a town disaster, they start to realize that maybe there’s something more between them. Something with a depth they weren’t expecting. Something that feels a lot like falling in love.

Get Your Copy Today!

*****

Excerpt:

I scrub my hands over my face, wondering what the hell is wrong with me, wishing I’d kept my damn eyes to myself. Now I’m worried I’ve made her uncomfortable on her first day by staring at her mouth, at those light pink lips I’m starting to wonder more about…

How they taste.

How soft they feel.

What they’ll look like wrapped around my…

I let my head fall back, my eyes closed as I try to think of other things. Baseball stats and naked grandmothers, right? Isn’t that what’s supposed to help?

God, I haven’t had to do this in years. It feels ridiculous to be sitting in my office trying to get rid of the hardness that’s growing in my pants at the thought of Briar on her knees. What am I, a teenager? Getting turned on at just the thought of a beautiful woman?

And it’s not just any woman. It’s Briar Mitchell.

Boyd’s sister. My new employee.

But now that the door has been opened, I’m unable to close it, and my mind begins to ramble through the weeds. Thinking about her thick hair and beautiful eyes, the small swell on her chest and those slender hips that lead to legs that are a mile long.

Maybe most guys wouldn’t blink at allowing a momentary daydream like the ones that keep popping into my mind about Briar, but I’ve never made a habit of spending too much time dwelling on women I know aren’t for me.

I know what I want in life. I want to find someone to settle down with. Someone to have a family with. Here, in Cedar Point. Briar is not that woman, and the fact that I can’t seem to get that through my head is just…it’s infuriating.

But damn if the idea of something short and sweet with Briar isn’t enough to get the heat climbing up my neck, making me wonder whether having a little bit of fun couldn’t be something to enjoy, at least while she’s in town.

Though even thinking that kind of thing about my new employee would have my dad finally sitting up and barking at me.

Huh. Maybe if I tell him about my sudden interest in Briar, he’ll be pissed enough to get out of this funk he’s been in.

That actually makes me laugh a little bit, and I finally manage to shake out my tense shoulders and turn my attention to the work in front of me.

I take all of my thoughts of Briar—the friendly ones and the dirty ones in kind—and place them firmly on the to handle later shelf in my mind.

It will still be there to ponder when the day is done.

*****

Author Info:

Jillian Liota is a new author writing contemporary romance and new adult fiction. She lives in Kailua, Hawaii with her amazing husband, 2 cats, and 3-legged pup. 

She is the author of the new adult romance novel The Keeper, which focuses on a female college soccer goalie, as well as the follow up novella, Keep Away. Her newest release, Like You Mean It, is in the contemporary romance genre and has a more mature voice, as it follows a pregnant mother finding love in a new town. The next novel in the Like You Series, Like You Want It, will be published in Spring 2019

She has a master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs, and she is passionate about all things improvement, development and organization.

She’s also a big fan of taking walks with her husband and dog Maia, reading romance (obviously), watching a handful of horrible reality TV shows, and exploring the island she calls home. Check out her Contact page for more information on how to connect.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Email

*****

Spotlight – Her Sweet Temptation

09 Friday Oct 2020

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Her Sweet Temptation, Nina Crespo

When good things come in bad-boy packages.

*****

Her Sweet Temptation

by Nina Crespo

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

She vows to find the right kind of guy but a tempting stranger challenges everything…

“Bad Choices” should have been Rina Tillbridge’s middle name and it’s time to turn over a new leaf. But when stuntman Scott Halsey struts onto her property for his latest film, her impulsive alter ego threatens to make a comeback. The quintessential thrill-seeking stuntman has no designs on commitment. So why are all his red flags igniting white-hot passion…and inspiring dreams of a Hollywood ending?

*****

Excerpt:

“Tears that wouldn’t fall stung in her eyes.

The front passenger side door opened and Scott stood there. When had he gotten out of the driver’s seat? He held out his hand.

She took it and as soon as she got out, he enfolded her in his arms.

Scott’s long exhale blew over her temple as he tightened his hold. Solid strength seeped into her. “Thank you for telling me.”

Rina held her breath, waiting, but he didn’t say it. Scott hadn’t said the word she’d forced herself to nod or smile through even though it felt like a dagger in her heart. Sorry for your loss. Sorry this happened to you. Sorry, we have to operate on your leg again. Sorry, the funeral already happened. Sorry, Xavier’s family doesn’t wish to speak with you. Sorry…

She looked up into Scott’s unwavering gaze and tears escaped from her eyes. In the short time they’d known each other, he always knew what she needed to hear and how to show up for her. Even now, as she looked in his eyes, she could see that he knew.

“Scott covered her mouth with his and the loss of the past started to recede in the firm pressure of his lips. The way he boldly swept in when she opened to him conveyed what she needed to feel. Alive. And what she strived so hard to be. Authentic in who she was now and not governed by her past.

She’d confronted her worst memory, and for the first time, she felt as if she hadn’t looked into the void alone. Scott had done it with her and he wasn’t shying away or treating her differently. What they felt for each other hadn’t changed.

As Scott eased back, he stroked her cheek, searching her eyes.

Rina already knew the answer to the question in his. She was absolutely sure what she wanted. To let go and focus on now. She just wanted to enjoy being with him.

*****

Author Info:

Nina Crespo lives in Florida where she indulges in her favorite passions — the beach, a good glass of wine, date night with her own real-life hero and dancing.

Her lifelong addiction to romance began in her teens while on a “borrowing spree” in her older sister’s bedroom where she discovered her first romance novel.

Let Nina’s sensual contemporary stories and steamy paranormal tales feed your own addiction for love, romance, and happily ever after.

Stay connected with Nina on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or through her newsletter.

*****

Giveaway:

2 Signed Copy of THE COWBOY’S CLAIM (US Only)

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4cf78adb910/

*****

Spotlight – Home for the Baby’s Sake

07 Wednesday Oct 2020

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Christine Rimmer, Home for the Baby's Sake

Home for the Baby’s Sake

by Christine Rimmer

Blurb:

He’d do anything for his son…including returning to the town he left behind.

Valentine Bay’s the perfect place for real estate developer Roman Marek to raise his infant son. But when he snaps up the charming local theater, he doesn’t bargain for tempestuous director Hailey Bravo. Hailey won’t let Roman wreck the thing she holds most dear—and she’s certainly gotten under Roman’s notoriously thick skin. As the duo spar and sparks fly, Roman’s surprised to find that Hailey’s the perfect missing piece for his family. But how can he convince her that this partnership’s for keeps?

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/home-for-the-babys-sake-christine-rimmer/1136387506?ean=9781335894847

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Home-Babys-Mills-Bravos-Valentine-ebook/dp/B0876JM6HG

Google: https://books.google.ca/books/about/Home_for_the_Baby_s_Sake.html?id=kevODwAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y

Indie Bound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335894847

Harlequin: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488070112_home-for-the-babys-sake.html

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51183107-home-for-the-baby-s-sake

*****

Excerpt:

When she arrived at the fish place on Ocean Road, Roman was waiting outside for her, leaning against a sleek black sports car—the famous one made in Italy, with doors that opened upward, like wings.

“This car,” she said, shaking her head, trailing a finger along the gleaming hood. “You’d better write the arts council a check, Roman Marek.”

He put his hand to his broad, hard chest, right over his heart. “You have my solemn word on that.”

They went inside. The food was excellent, as always, and being with Roman was easy and fun. Even the silences were comfortable. He said he’d moved back to town from Las Vegas and bought a house on Treasure Cove Circle. Hailey knew the house. It was a mansion nestled in its own private oceanfront reserve, surrounded by beautiful old-growth forest, overlooking a secluded stretch of beach.

“I want to see you again,” he said as he walked her back out to her car. She gave him her number and when he gathered her close, she didn’t resist.

The kiss was just right, a tender, sweet getting-to-know-you kind of kiss. His lips felt so good brushing against her own, and excitement sizzled through her. They both pulled back slowly and just stood there at the driver’s door of her Kia Sportage, grinning at each other for a long string of lovely seconds.

“See you soon,” he said as he pulled open the driver’s door for her.

She climbed in and he shut the door. Then he stood there, the afternoon sun gleaming on his dark brown hair, as she backed from the parking space and drove away.

For the rest of the day, Hailey felt like the living, breathing representation of some old romantic song. She walked on air and danced on clouds. She’d met a guy she wanted to see again. That hadn’t happened since Nathan.

She couldn’t stop smiling as she sat at the kitchen table in the family cottage she shared with Harper and worked on her plans for the Christmas show—which desperately needed an actual name. Later in the afternoon, she was back at the theater, greeting the parents as they dropped off their children for Fall Revue rehearsals.

It was the usual circus, corralling all the kids, giving them instructions that they immediately forgot. There was some pushing and one of the little girls cried. Hailey consoled and coaxed and loved every minute of it—she always did. But somehow, more so today.

Because she kind of had butterflies over Roman Marek, and for three long years she’d honestly believed that all her butterflies had shriveled up and died.

*****

Author Info:

A New York Times bestselling author, Christine Rimmer has written over ninety contemporary romances for Harlequin Books. Christine has won the Romantic Times BOOKreviews Reviewers Choice Award and has been nominated six times for the RITA Award. She lives in Oregon with her family. Visit Christine at http://www.christinerimmer.com.

Website: https://www.christinerimmer.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RimmerChristine

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinerimmerauthor?ref=hl

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21949.Christine_Rimmer

*****

Spotlight – Alaskan Christmas Redemption

06 Tuesday Oct 2020

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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Alaskan Christmas Redemption, Belle Calhoune

Alaskan Christmas Redemption

by Belle Calhoune

Blurb:

Some secrets are meant to be shared.

Before he gives his heart…

he’ll have to forgive himself.

Returning to Owl Creek after years away, Braden North’s determined to help his best friend, Piper Miller, save her failing diner. But as they work to revitalize her business, Braden’s convinced he must hide the truth about a tragedy from their past…or risk losing Piper for good. If he can find the courage, might telling her everything make this Christmas a time for healing and forgiveness?

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/alaskan-christmas-redemption-belle-calhoune/1136624444?ean=9781335488459

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Alaskan-Christmas-Redemption-Home-Creek/dp/1335488456

Google: https://books.google.ca/books/about/Alaskan_Christmas_Redemption.html?id=N_LrDwAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y

Indie Bound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335488459

Harlequin: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781335553935_alaskan-christmas-redemption.html

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52515535-alaskan-christmas-redemption

*****

Excerpt:

Braden watched as Piper’s eyes widened with surprise. The shock on her face made him want to laugh out loud, but he knew the situation was far from humorous. The Snowy Owl Diner was at stake, and although he’d agreed to provide his assistance, he wasn’t sure if Piper even believed it could be saved. From this point forward, she would have to tell him everything about her situation. He would have to look over the books with a fine-tooth comb. If he was truly going to help her, he needed to understand exactly what she was facing. The good, the bad and the ugly.

“A-are you serious?” she asked, sputtering.

“Completely,” he said, a smile twitching at the corners of his mouth. “Whatever you need is what I’ll do.”

She pressed a hand to her chest. “You will? Really? You were so decisive last night. What made you change your mind?”

Braden paused before answering. “Because I owe you, Piper.”

“For what?” she asked, confusion radiating from her eyes.

Telling her the truth wasn’t an option. She wouldn’t want to know why he would forever be indebted to her. “For a million different things. You’ve always being in my corner. How could I say no to you when you’ve always said yes to me? No matter what trouble I got into or the problems I laid at your feet, you always jumped in to help me. There’s no way I could do any less for you.”

Tears slid down Piper’s face, and she made no attempt to wipe them away. She bowed her head, and he could see her lips moving. When she raised her head back up, Braden saw pure happiness emanating from her eyes.

“Thank you, Braden. I’m so grateful that you changed your mind. I know it’s complicated, but in my heart I truly feel that I was meant to carry on Daddy’s legacy. I just can’t imagine my life without this place in it. I’m willing to do just about anything to save it.”

Braden couldn’t envision Piper losing ownership of the restaurant either. It would be agonizing for her. Not to mention Trudy and Hank. They were all invested in it. The townsfolk would be both saddened and upset. Piper would be the subject of endless gossip about the circumstances of her losing ownership of the Snowy Owl. She wouldn’t be able to bear it if the townsfolk discovered that the diner had been struggling since before her father’s death.

He knew Jack’s reputation was important to Piper. People would sympathize with her as well, but he knew she would be inconsolable. If there was even a small chance of them reversing things, he wanted to give it his all. It would be his penance for shaving years off Jack’s life. If it hadn’t been for him, Jack might be here today, doing everything he could to boost the restaurant and spreading his effortless charm throughout the establishment.

“We should meet up so you can give me an opportunity to look over the books and all of your monthly bills along with revenue. That’ll at least give me a snapshot of what’s been going on.”

Piper made a sad face. “Sure thing. I hope you see something in there that I missed, but I crunched the numbers over and over again. It’s not looking good.”

“We have to look at all your options. You might need a lawyer or a consultant.”

She shook her head. “I don’t have money for an attorney. It’s a lack of money that’s gotten me into this situation in the first place.” Piper let out a frustrated groan.

“Why don’t we meet this evening to try and sort some of this out?” he suggested. From what he’d initially gathered, they had only a short window of time to get things dealt with before everything imploded. That needed to be prevented at all costs.

“That sounds good. Come by after I close up,” she told him. “I have to get back out there, but I’m so thrilled you changed your mind about helping me.” She flashed him a smile. “In case you didn’t realize it, I’m super grateful.”

*****

Author Info:

Belle Calhoune lives in Connecticut with her college sweetheart husband and two daughters. After a thirteen year career as a Federal Investigator, she chose to pursue a writing career. An avid lover of romance novels since she was a teen, she enjoys writing love stories and reading them. She loves spending summers in beautiful Cape Cod and traveling to new places. A dog lover, she has a mini poodle and a chocolate lab. More than anything, she believes in happily ever afters.

Website: https://bellecalhoune.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BelleCalhoune

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Author-Belle-Calhoune-280681912035512/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6862710.Belle_Calhoune

*****

Book Review – Stuck On You

30 Wednesday Sep 2020

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Book Review, Portia MacIntosh, Stuck On You

This so put me in a holiday mood!

*****

Stuck On You

by Portia MacIntosh

Blurb:

Could a post-it note really lead to love…?

Sadie doesn’t have time for finding love. She’s too busy as PA for famous artist Damian Banks. When she’s not arranging exhibitions, she’s organising his dry cleaning or dumping his never ending stream of girlfriends.

But when she strikes up an unusual friendship with her desk share buddy, she finds a confidante and a new potential love interest. Problem is, they’ve never actually met…

With Christmas just around the corner, can Sadie put herself first for a change and find what she’s been looking for all along?

The brand new romantic comedy from top 10 bestseller Portia MacIntosh. Perfect for fans of Sophie Ranald, Mhairi McFarlane and Zara Stoneley.

Purchase Link – buff.ly/3f9Yy8M

*****

Excerpt:

It doesn’t matter how many times you break up with someone, it never gets any easier, does it?

While I’m not actually sure whether or not there is a good way to break up with someone there are, without a doubt, a million terrible ways to do it.

Dumping someone by text – that has to be the worst one, right? Text, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or any other kind of written digital communication is about as low as you can go. The absolute coward’s way out. And, sure, a phone call is better than a text but only in a similar way to how a broken finger is better than five broken fingers.

Break-ups must always be done in person, that’s just the way it is – they should probably make it the law, which might sound extreme, but I’m sure it would cut down on a whole host of angry follow-up crimes. I know a guy who got his car windscreen smashed after breaking up with a girl over e-mail – and I’d be tempted to say he deserved it.

Still, it’s not enough to simply say it to a person’s face, you have to say it right. If you’re wanting to do it as gently as possible there are many little sayings you can reach for. A classic ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ is a fine example. It’s a way to take full responsibility without saying anything negative about your dumpee – of course, we all know if it were true you wouldn’t be breaking up with them in the first place, but still, it’s a way to do it without actually telling the other person what you think is so wrong with them that you don’t ever want to see them again.

‘I think we’re better as friends’ or ‘I don’t want to ruin our friendship’ are other ways to try and edge away from things being romantic. Who the hell stays friends with an ex though, seriously? I honestly can’t think of anything worse than trying to stay buddies with someone who has seen me naked. While we’re making these break-up laws, perhaps we should draft something about how exes have to cease to exist, or at the very least move to a different country, after a break-up. I’m sure the world would be a much better place if we could all agree on that.

If I ever decide to get out of the art business and wind up in politics, I’ll start some kind of Ex-it movement where, if you want to leave a romantic union, one of you has to go and live abroad or something.

‘Hi, Sadie.’ I hear a bright, excitable voice coming from behind me. It snaps me from my thoughts. I was miles away. I guess I’m so used to sitting in noisy bars these days I don’t find it all that hard to let my mind wander.

I turn around to hug someone who clearly has no idea they are about to get dumped. This one is going to be an Ex-it Remoaner, I can tell.

‘Hello,’ I say with an equal, although completely put-on, enthusiasm. ‘Take a seat, I’ll grab us a couple of drinks.’

As I gently push my way through the crowd in the busy Belgravia bar I’ve been drinking alone in for the past thirty minutes it does cross my mind whether or not I’m doing the right thing, but the more I think about it, the more I don’t feel as if I have any other option.

So I buy our drinks, I sit down at the table, I take a deep breath and I give one of my break-up speeches – perhaps my best one yet. I allow myself to think this might actually be a straightforward break-up, until…

‘But things were going so well.’

Oh, God, I can’t handle those sad eyes. I was deluded to think this would be fine, because there’s always a ‘but’…

‘I know they were,’ I lie. I shift uncomfortably in my seat. ’It’s just, you know, things are so busy with work, as I said – no one has time for relationships at the moment.’

‘But we have to make time, otherwise no one would have relationships at all, no one would have kids, the human race would die out!’

I mean, what can I actually say to that? I’m kind of over a barrel. On the one hand, things are really hectic at work. On the other hand, working in the art industry is hardly comparable to people like doctors and firefighters who work crazy hours and still find time to have families. I’m going to have to change strategy.

‘It’s not you,’ I insist.

‘Oh, come on, don’t give me that.How often do we women have to hear that bullshit?’ she replies with a roll of her eyes.

*****

Review:

(I don’t know how to write a review for this one without giving away a few things … so beware now and stop reading if you need to 🙂 )

I really enjoyed reading Sadie’s story and seeing her get closer to Damian over the holidays. She’s got such a fun personality that it is very easy to like her. She’s struggling a little in her job – it’s unfulfilling and not what she is looking for long term but when she gets the chance at something different, will she take it? How will it impact her flirty relationship with her deskmate? And how will she handle spending Christmas with her boss knowing that she’s quitting her job?

Sadie’s family and the community’s Christmas celebrations are just the absolute best. They are so quirky and lovable and have me ready to move so I can be adopted by them ASAP. The way they open their home and embrace Damian is wonderful and it allows him to set aside some of his worries, to relax and reconnect with himself. And to develop a deeper relationship with Sadie. Maybe address a few things that need to be put to rest so everyone can find a happy place.

As much as I liked the characters and the majority of the book, I have to be honest that I didn’t love (or understand) the first third or so of this book. I don’t know if it was there to give us a feeling for Damian and his relationship to Sadie, but it felt kinda unnecessary. Once they agree to spend the holidays together in her hometown, though, things definitely take a turn towards the awesome. There’s humor and feels and enough holiday magic to make you smile.

*****

Author Info:

Portia MacIntosh is a bestselling romantic comedy author of 12 novels, including It’s Not You, It’s Them and Honeymoon For One. Previously a music journalist, Portia writes hilarious stories, drawing on her real life experiences.

Social Media Links –

Newsletter sign up: http://bit.ly/PortiaMacIntoshNewsletter

https://portiamacintosh.com/

https://www.facebook.com/macintoshportia

https://twitter.com/PortiaMacIntosh

http://instagram.com/portiamacintoshauthor

http://bookbub.com/authors/portia-macintosh

*****

Spotlight – Lethal Temptation

29 Tuesday Sep 2020

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

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Kaylea Cross, Lethal Temptation, Rifle Creek series

Who needs a new distraction from 2020? Kaylea Cross has a new one and she never fails to keep me on the edge of my seat.

*****

Lethal Temptation

Rifle Creek series

by Kaylea Cross

Blurb:

She’s got her guard up.

Detective Avery Dahl finally has her life back on track after a painful divorce. She’s not going to risk her heart again, especially to a sexy veteran with heartbreak written all over him. Due to extenuating circumstances at an upcoming family wedding, she reluctantly agrees to bring him as her fake boyfriend—and soon realizes her mistake. Because Mason is as lethal with seduction as he is with a weapon, and keeps pushing her boundaries until her carefully constructed walls begin to crumble. Her instinct is to push him away, but when a mysterious enemy targets her, Avery has a choice to make. Face it alone, or take a risk and let him in.

He’s determined to get past it.

After a horrific accident ended his military career, Mason Gallant has struggled to fit into the civilian world. Now that he and his buddies are opening a business together in Rifle Creek, he’s finally found his footing again. But he never counted on meeting a woman like Avery. He can’t stop thinking about her, so when she needs help, he steps up. Except posing as her boyfriend makes things even worse—because he soon realizes he wants way more than just her body. Now that he’s seen the caring, sensual woman inside the tough cop, he wants to protect her from whoever is threatening her. As the attraction between them heats up, the danger escalates. Mason must prove to her that she can trust him with her heart as well as her life—or risk losing her to the bullet of a stone-cold killer.

Add it to your TBR Pile: http://bit.ly/33NHyj0

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Ec1QMn

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2E2L16H

Apple: https://apple.co/2YlCAKn

Nook: https://bit.ly/32beuTJ

*****

Author Info:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.

Website: http://kayleacross.com/v2/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kayleacross

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

Newsletter: http://kayleacross.com/v2/newsletter/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2902054.Kaylea_Cross

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2V6iyQs

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/KayleaCrossBB

*****

Book Review – Tempted by Love

18 Friday Sep 2020

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest

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Book Review, Melissa Foster, Tempted by Love, The Steeles at Silver Island series

NEW RELEASE…

Enjoy heart-meltingly beautiful and toe-curlingly sexy romance in Tempted by Love, an emotionally riveting story about a man who has lost it all and carries a torturous secret, a divorced single mother who has everything to lose, and the little girl who helps them heal. Fall in love on the sandy shores of Silver Island, home to coffee shops, boat races, midnight rendezvous, and the sexy, sharp-witted Steeles.

In TEMPTED BY LOVE…

Years ago, bestselling author Jack “Jock” Steele lost his girlfriend and baby in a horrific accident that drove a wedge between Jock and his family, keeping him from sharing a devastating secret. An aging philanthropist saved him from the brink of despair, and for a decade Jock cared for his ailing friend who became his family. Now his friend has passed away and left him a fortune—on the condition that he publishes another book. Jock is floundering, unsure how to rebuild the life he’d walked away from, much less find his muse, have another relationship with a woman, or even think about having a family of his own. But he can’t get his sweet, sexy new friend, single-mother Daphne Zablonski out of his head, and her adorable toddler must know something he doesn’t, because she wraps her tiny fingers around his heart and won’t let go.

Daphne has been through the wringer with her ex-husband and doesn’t believe true love is in the cards for her. Friends she can handle, but letting a man see her mom bod naked? Especially someone as strikingly handsome and unbelievably sexy as Jock? No, thank you. Besides, she has a toddler to chase after and enough fictional boyfriends to fill her lonely nights. If only her book boyfriends could make her body tingle the way one look from her mysterious neighbor does.

As Jock and Daphne’s friendship turns to something too tempting to deny, their lives take an unexpected turn. Can a man who has lost everything find redemption with a woman who has everything to lose? And then there’s that secret…

More Steeles at Silver Island are coming soon!

MY TRUE LOVE (Jules) – Releasing 31st March 2021!
ALWAYS HER LOVE (Levi)
ENTICING HER LOVE (Sutton)
CAUGHT BY LOVE (Archer)
WILD ISLAND LOVE (Leni)

Available to buy from…
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Barnes and Noble Kobo Apple GPlay Paperback

Also available in audio!

“Melissa Foster is synonymous with sexy, swoony, heartfelt romance!” – NYT Bestseller Lauren Blakely

“You can always rely on Melissa Foster to deliver a story that’s fresh, emotional and entertaining. Make sure you have all night, because once you start you won’t want to stop reading. Every book’s a winner!” – New York Times Bestselling Author Brenda Novak

“With her wonderful characters and resonating emotions, Melissa Foster is a must-read author!” – New York Times Bestseller J. Kenner

7T4BWnCQ

Releasing 31st March 2021!!
My True Love (The Steeles at Silver Island, Book 2)
Can a man who resents the hand he’s been dealt and a woman who spends her days grateful for every little thing find true love in each other’s arms—or are their differences stronger than both of them? Find out in this funny, sexy, heartfelt romance, and fall in love with Grant and Jules on the sandy shores of Silver Island, home to coffee shops, boat races, and midnight rendezvous.

Even war heroes need a little help sometimes…

After spending years fighting for his country and too damn long learning to navigate life with a prosthetic leg, Grant Silver returns to Silver Island to figure out a future he couldn’t fathom without fatigues and a gun in his hand. He’d almost forgotten how a man could suffocate from the warmth and caring community in which he’d grown up, and if that weren’t bad enough, his buddies’ beautiful and far-too-chipper younger sister won’t stop flitting into his life, trying to sprinkle happy dust everywhere she goes.

As a cancer survivor, Jules Steele knows better than to count on seeing tomorrow. She doesn’t take a single moment for granted, and she isn’t about to let a man who used to be charming and full of life waste the future he’s been blessed with. She’s determined to get through to him, even if it takes a few steamy kisses…

Available to buy from…
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Barnes and Noble Kobo Apple GPlay Paperback

About the author
Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and women’s fiction 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 and new adult romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet romance under the pen name Addison Cole.

Melissa enjoys chatting with readers and book clubs. Send her an email invitation to your next event!

Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.

Find Melissa on the following sites…
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I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

Review:

Foster is brilliant at giving her readers realistic, enjoyable characters and her latest is no different. I truly enjoyed reading about both Jock and Daphne, rooting for them page after page to figure things out so they could find a HEA.

Daphne is not confident in her appearance or her appeal to men, especially after her treatment by her ex. Jock on the other hand has no issue with telling her exactly how sexy he finds her and I so appreciate his patience, and humor, as he showed her how much he enjoyed her mom bod. She definitely caught a keeper there and eventually she starts to believe it too which was empowering for her.

If that’s not enough to make you fall for him, being there while Jock works so hard on his own troubles, trying his best to be able to be the man that Daphne and her daughter need, and opening up to Daphne, facing up to his past so he can be a part of his family again, made for a truly emotional read. There was a time or two when I teared up, more than one sigh, and quite a few smiles along the way. All hallmarks of a really good Melissa Foster book. And while there is some angst it isn’t overwhelming and doesn’t take over a truly enjoyable love story.

(Unfortunately I’m not sure that a little professional assistance wouldn’t have been a good idea for Jock. There’s also trouble with Jock’s twin, Archer, that while a long time coming hopefully will be better addressed with Archer’s POV in his own story. There’s a LOT of baggage between the brothers that needs to be properly cared for and hopefully another story will help that. Usually I’m good at just going with the flow, and it was here, but sometimes I worry that these issues are a little too easily resolved and it creates a great disservice to them.)

The start of a new series, Tempted by Love sets up lots of potential pairings and I’m SOOOO very excited to see what she does for Grant & Jules in the spring. Although this is tied into a world of different existing series, I’ve only read some of them and I had no problem jumping right in. Don’t be afraid if you are new or missed a few – I don’t think you’ll have any trouble and I’m sure that you’ll fall in love as well.

Click to get your FREE Love in Bloom Series Reading Order

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Spotlight – Hard Checked

17 Thursday Sep 2020

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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Hard Checked, Ice Kings series, Stacey Lynn

Hard Checked, an all-new beautifully written, second-chance-at-love sports romance that will bring all the heat and feels from Stacey Lynn is available now!

*****

Hard Checked

Ice Kings series

by Stacey Lynn

Blurb:

I’ve been checked hard into the boards, right off my skates, and I’m not only spinning out of control…

I might just be falling in love all over again.

Getting served divorce papers was not how I planned spending New Years Day.

I probably shouldn’t have gone to my favorite bar and gotten wasted trying to drown my sorrows.

I definitely shouldn’t have spent the night passed out in the bed of the bartender’s daughter, Gigi.

And the absolute last thing I should have done was let my guard down and start having fun. Now I’m thinking of her all the time… fantasizing about the things I want to do to Gigi.

I’m in the middle of the best hockey season of my life. I need my head in the game and my focus on the playoffs – not playing house with the gorgeous bartender who makes me feel more alive than I have in years.

Finding someone new so soon after a failed marriage isn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done.

But it just might be too late. I’ve been checked hard into the boards, right off my skates, and I’m not only spinning out of control…

I might just be falling in love all over again.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3kf1zsf

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2Xw3qit

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/hardchecked

Nook: https://bit.ly/3kjU0AK

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2XxnSzF

Google Play: Coming Soon!

Add HARD CHECKED to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3keNV8l

*****

Excerpt:

Another set of drinks arrive at our table, served by a pair of small hands, with a tiny little broken heart tattoo on a ring finger and dark purple nail polish.

“Thanks, Gigi,” I say, lifting my head and grinning at her.

She smirks at me. “No problem, hotshot. Dad wanted me to give you these but says it’s last call.”

“Damn,” Jason groans. “I didn’t realize it was so late.”

“You can take off. I’m good.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.”

He turns to Gigi who’s taken our empties and is starting to walk away.

I try. I try really hard to not let my gaze drop to her short, cut-off sweat shorts, to the length of her legs beneath them. The shape of her calves or to notice the dark red polish on her toenails.

I fail.

Miserably.

There’s something so damn attractive about her petite size.

I grip my new beer bottle harder and take a healthy swig.

“Hey Gigi,” Jason calls out. “Keep this loser company for me so he doesn’t get shit-faced before practice tomorrow?”

“Me?” She’s turned, gaze bouncing from me to Jason and she frowns. “You need my help?”

“No—”

“Yes—” Jason says at the exact time I disagree.

She smirks at Jason. “Seems to me he doesn’t need it.”

“Sometimes this asshole doesn’t know what he needs.” He slaps the table and slides out, holding out his arm in a gesture for Gigi to take his spot.

“Jason—”

He shrugs and holds out his fist. “I’ll pay the tab. You get home safely, yeah?”

“Yeah,” I grumble and return his fist pump.

“And you’ll thank me for this someday, too.”

I watch him go, frowning.

What the fuck does that mean?

“I can pretend to sit here until he leaves if you want to be alone.”

Her voice does something to me. Like a bug is happily leaping in my gut when she looks down at me, all that teal hair and new nose ring and tattoo peeking out from the wide collar of her sweatshirt.

It’s the collar I’m noticing. And the tattoo.

Not the thin, white strap of her bra.

Shit.

“You can sit. Please. You want Jason’s last beer?”

“Nah.” Her nose crinkles and the soft light above the bar flints on her nose ring. I quickly look away as she slides in. “I’ve never acquired the taste for beer. No matter what kind it is, it always tastes like wet cardboard.”

“You know what cardboard tastes like?”

“Yeah. Like beer.” She grins.

I grin back.

This girl is funny. Well-traveled.

Divorced. Cute. And fun.

The exact kind of temptation I do not need in my life right now. Yet as I sit across from her, taking in every little nuance about her like the freckle on the back of her hand, that broken heart tattoo… I can’t for the life of me think of an excuse to leave.

*****

Author Info:

Stacey Lynn likes her coffee with a dash of sugar, her heroes with a side of bossy, and her wine a deep shade of red.

The author of over thirty romance novels, many of which have been best-selling titles on Amazon, AppleBooks, and Barnes & Noble, she loves being able to turn her vivid imagination into a career that brings entertainment and joy to her readers. Focused on sports romance and emotional, small-town romance, she also loves stretching herself in different genres.

Born in Texas and raised in the Midwest, she now makes her home in North Carolina and loves all things Southern. Together with her ultimate tall, dark, and handsome hero, she has four children. Her life is a chaotic mess that fights with her Type-A, list-making, neurotically organized preferences and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Connect with Stacey:

Facebook: http://bit.ly/379Te19

Twitter: http://bit.ly/3bjzOKx

Instagram: http://bit.ly/3bn1e2o

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2H8K22u

Amazon: https://amzn.to/375UpP7

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2G52o5q

Website: http://bit.ly/2uyDibF

Stay up to date on Stacey’s latest news! Subscribe to her Newsletter today!
http://bit.ly/36zXy9R

*****

Spotlight – Kane

15 Tuesday Sep 2020

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Arizona Vengeance series, Kane, Sawyer Bennett

Who else just AH-DORES Bennett’s hockey players?!?!?

*****

Kane

Arizona Vengeance, Book #8

by Sawyer Bennett

Release Date: September 15, 2020

Blurb:

I have a problem.

Potential problem?

I’m not really sure. Here’s the deal.

There’s this girl—isn’t that how it always starts?—and her name is Mollie. I like her. I mean really like her. I hope that doesn’t make me seem less manly than my professional hockey player persona implies. But here’s the issue—she’s my best friend. The one person I can count on for everything, who’s been there with me for all the moments, big and small.

When Mollie shows up at my door, travel weary and scared following an incident with an ex, my instinct to protect her goes into overdrive. It’s then that I know she’s more than just my best friend and the skates are swept out from under me when I find out she feels the same way.

Our transition from friends to lovers to potentially something more is seamless, the Arizona Vengeance is back on the ice looking for a repeat championship, and my life has never been better. Just when I think I’ve got it all figured out, the realities of us both having careers which keep us on the road put our blossoming relationship on ice.

It feels like the game just went into overtime and I’m on the verge of either the biggest win or most disappointing loss of my life. And losing is never an option.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2tfwhLN

Nook: http://bit.ly/2ZCsxQA

Apple: https://apple.co/37oDCri

Google: http://bit.ly/37owUBE

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2F8AvYo

Print: https://amzn.to/2GW6BYh

Audible (narrated by Jeremy York and Lessa Lamb): https://adbl.co/2D5AnLQ

*****

Author Info:

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

Connect with Sawyer:

Facebook: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_FB

Reader group: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_NEP

Twitter: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_TW

Instagram: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_IG

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_GR

Amazon: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_AMZ

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_BN

BookBub: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_BB

Newsletter: http://sawyerbennett.com/signup

Master Blogger List: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_Bloggers

*****

Spotlight- Temptation on Ocean Drive

27 Thursday Aug 2020

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

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Jennifer Probst, Temptation on Ocean Drive

Temptation on Ocean Drive, a heart-stirring novel of unrequited love and second chances by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst is live!

*****

Temptation on Ocean Drive

by Jennifer Probst

Blurb:

Young widow Bella Sunshine-Caldwell is focused only on raising her daughter and running the family business, Sunshine Bridal. There’s no time for romance—especially with her fellow wedding planner, Gabe, whom she’s growing increasingly attracted to. He’s too enterprising to stay in Cape May for long, anyway. And too tall, dark, and handsome to be anything but a heartbreaker.

Every woman in town has her sights on Gabe Garcia. The only woman he has eyes for doesn’t seem interested. All he wants is to fall in love, be a father, and settle down. As he and Bella work together on a magical winter wedding, the distance between them closes, the nights grow warmer, and Bella might be seeing Gabe for who he really is: a man worth the effort.

But all it takes is a single rumor for these two hearts’ fragile love story to shatter. And now the happy ending Bella and Gabe hoped for is something they’re going to have to fight for.

Download your copy today or read free in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/39SrTmm

Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/TemptationonODJP

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2mf4He3

*****

Excerpt:

He repeated the question. “I need to know. Why was it easier not to believe me?”

This time, she didn’t hesitate. “Because then I could pretend you weren’t the man I really wanted.”

“And do you? Want me?”

She jerked back. Her tongue slipped out to wet her bottom lip. Her voice was barely a whisper. “Yes.”

He muttered a curse. Then leaned forward, his hand cupping her chin. “I want to kiss you, Bella. I’ve been wanting to kiss you forever, but I need to know it’s okay.”

She stared at him, pupils dilated, ragged breaths panting from her lips, and he knew this moment would be carved out in his mind—the first time he saw her face reflect her open want for him. She gave a tiny nod.

He moved closer. His lips stopped an inch from hers. “No. You need to say it.”

“Yes. Kiss me, Gabe.”

His mouth covered hers.

*****

Author Info:

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She holds a masters in English Literature and lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley in upstate New York. Her family keeps her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean. Her passions include horse racing, Scrabble, rescue dogs, Italian food, and wine—not necessarily in that order.

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, spent 26 weeks on the New York Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a “romance phenom” by Kirkus Reviews. She is also a proud three-time RITA finalist.

She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

Website: http://bit.ly/3aDYahd

Twitter: http://bit.ly/39oyHbf

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2Inzazf

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

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2wYw26y

YouTube: http://bit.ly/39oy9SJ

Amazon Page: https://amzn.to/2VKes3O

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/32O8Hn4

Sign up for her newsletter at http://bit.ly/2TGXAYU for a chance to win a gift card each month and receive exclusive material and giveaways.