Book Review – Coming Apart at the Seams

16 Wednesday Dec 2015

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

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Book Review, Coming Apart at the Seams, Jenna Sutton, Riley O'Brien & Co.

I love this troubled, sexy ballplayer and I can’t wait for you to get to know him.

*****

Coming Apart at the Seams

Riley O’Brien & Co. #2

by Jenna Sutton

Releasing December 1, 2015

Berkley

Blurb:

Love can take some time to break in…

Teagan O’Brien, heiress to the Riley O’Brien & Co. denim empire, is anything but a spoiled rich girl. She’s worked hard to secure her place in the family business and can hold her own, in and out of the office. Only one man has ever been able to get under her skin—sexy football star Nick Priest. Years ago they crossed the line from friends to lovers, but he left her heartbroken. Since then, she’s been determined to keep him at arm’s length—no matter how tempting he looks in his jeans…

Nick has fortune, fame, and looks that make most women hot and bothered. But he doesn’t have the woman he really wants. He knows he screwed up when he walked away from Teagan, and now that he has a second chance, he’ll do whatever it takes to win her over—no matter how tongue-tied he gets…

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25056471-coming-apart-at-the-seams

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/139126-riley-o-brien-co

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

*****

Excerpt:

He let his gaze wander the ballroom of the Westin St. Francis in downtown San Francisco. With its lavish holiday decorations, it could have been any company party. But the huge photo banners hanging from the ceiling made this one unique.

Every black-and-white image showed a different view of Riley O’Brien & Co.’s signature blue jeans. He was pretty sure the jean-clad ass in the photos was his own.

He chuckled wryly. The banners proved what he’d always known: he was nothing but a giant ass. He had no doubt Teagan would wholeheartedly agree with that assessment.

Teagan’s date touched a curl that had fallen to her shoulder, and Nick growled under his breath when the fucker stroked the smooth skin of her upper chest. He would rather take a direct hit from a 350-pound linebacker than watch that loser put his hands on her. Hell, he’d rather be buried under the entire defensive line than suffer the torture of watching another man paw the woman he wanted for himself.

Moving his gaze from her body, he focused on her face. Her full lips were painted a deep scarlet that matched her dress, and he took a moment to remember the taste of her mouth, addictive in its sweetness.

Her wavy dark hair was pulled into an elaborate updo, emphasizing her graceful neck and smooth shoulders, which were bared by her strapless dress. Years ago, he’d had his mouth on that supple skin before he had trailed his tongue down into her creamy cleavage.

“Priest.”

Jerking his head toward the voice, he was surprised to find Quinn standing next to him. Nick mustered a smile for his old friend, clasping the hand he offered and slapping him on the back.

“It’s good to see you,” Quinn said. “I’m glad you could make it.”

Nick hadn’t been sure if he would be able to attend the party. His schedule had depended on whether his team made the playoffs. But they’d lost their last three games, dashing those hopes.

Although it didn’t reflect well on him, he hadn’t cared much that his team wasn’t heading to the playoffs. He was ready to move on, and although he had yet to announce it publically, he’d decided to retire. He had given enough of his life to the game, and it had given him what he had needed in return. Now he needed something else.

He needed Teagan.

*****

Review:

I really enjoyed this story and I think my favorite part is the relationship that grows between the two as they become friends & then more. It creates such a connection between them – one that even manages to survive how absolutely, terribly Nick screws up. It makes for an absolutely and adorably sweet end that just made me grin.

I can totally understand why some are upset by how Nick treats women (before getting romantically involved with Teagan) and then her when he’s trying to win her back. He has his reason for being a little loose with his female companionship and it isn’t like he promised them anything more. And he does realize that he’s not doing right by Teagan and works to fix it. When it comes down to it, Nick has some growing to do and he does it.

There are also complaints about Nick’s communication issues, which I just don’t get. It is such a HUGE part of this story and one of the main problems between the two. I think Sutton does a fantastic job of setting it up and explaining the whys behind it. They’ve got other troubles as well, including Nick’s relationship with his father which also play into his relationship with Teagan. I totally got him every step of the way and rooted for him right up to the HEA.

I should warn you that there’s just a smidge of Book 1 that bleeds over into this one that … well, it didn’t impact this story but it definitely made me go “I’m missing something”. Which of course, me being me, made me anxious to go out and get it to find out what that is 🙂

*****

Author Info:

Jenna Sutton spent most of her career as an award-winning journalist covering business-related topics including healthcare, commercial real estate, retail, and technology. Nowadays she writes about hot, lovable guys and the smart, sexy women who make them crazy. It’s the culmination of a lifelong dream, and she feels so lucky to be able to do it.

Jenna has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Texas Christian University and a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Northwestern University.

Jenna and her husband live in a 103-year-old house in Texas.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

*****

Giveaway:

a $25.00 Amazon eGift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c8848/

*****

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Book Review – Melted and Whipped

15 Tuesday Dec 2015

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

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Book Review, Cleo Peitsche, Melted and Whipped

This is quite the steamy read … hot enough to melt polar ice caps 🙂

*****

Melted and Whipped

by Cleo Peitsche

Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Erotic Romance

Publisher: ARe Books

Date of Publication: December 1, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-943576-47-0

Word Count: 28,000

Cover Artist: Erin Dameron-Hill

Blurb:

She’ll need more than a safe word to survive Porter Loughton.

Too broke to fly home for the holidays, ski instructor Emily is stuck on the slopes, giving lessons to the rich and the privileged. She doesn’t expect to see Porter Loughton, a former friend who broke her heart in college, ten years later and half a continent away. The mesmerizing billionaire suggests dinner, and Emily soon discovers how it feels to be bent across his knee, to be dominated by him. Their chemistry is hotter than in her dirtiest fantasies.

Emily knows it would be foolish to let him get too close after what happened before. She’s broke, her career nonexistent. The last thing she needs is to be in love with a man who doesn’t feel the same way. But when she receives distressing news, Porter is there to soothe her, and he won’t leave her side. Soon she has no control over her feelings.

Available on Amazon

*****

Excerpt:

I’m so stunned that I don’t even realize what’s happening at first, but then Porter’s tongue traces the closed seam of my mouth.

My lips soften, opening to him.

In response, his large palms cup my face even tighter, and his body rocks a little, inching closer.

A moan of longing rises in my throat. Embarrassed, I try to pull away.

Porter releases me. “Are you okay?”

All I can do is nod.

“Good.” He steps in close. His warm breath caresses my lips. “Because I’ve been thinking about doing this ever since…” He shakes his head and the next thing I know, his tongue is sliding over mine.

He tastes like the wine. Strong. Powerful. I’ll never be able to drink red wine again without remembering this, without getting turned on.

Because I am turned on. Pulsing heat throbs in my core, and I feel my pussy getting slick with desire.

I’m about to reach for him, to finally feel his perfect body under my fingertips, when he breaks our kiss.

Eyes closed like he’s savoring the moment, he continues to hold my face, then brushes his lips over mine, which are throbbing like the rest of my body. They feel swollen, lightly bruised.

“I think dinner is ready.” His voice is husky and raw.

Dinner is the last thing on my mind, but I think it would be rude to suggest we skip it in favor of doing more of the kissing thing.

When he releases me and turns his attention to the pan on the stove, I flee to my glass of wine. I don’t bother with the polite dance of asking if I can have more; it’s not like he’s going to say no.

I fill my glass and take a long swallow. Heaven help me—the wine tastes like his kiss.

“Can you carry these?” He slides two plates, two red cloth napkins, and two sets of silverware onto the counter. “It’ll save me a trip. This way.”

I follow him out the open side of the kitchen, toward the window. We enter a dining room with a table long enough to comfortably seat the entire U.S. Olympic alpine ski team.

A fancy centerpiece of candlesticks surrounded by holly adorns the end closest to us. Porter lays down two red cloth placemats and a trivet, on which he places a glass bowl of stir-fry.

I begin to distribute the place settings while Porter returns to the kitchen. He makes about six trips in all, and even though he tells me to sit, I hover uncomfortably to the side, my mind still buzzing from that kiss. Why did he do it?

The answer seems obvious: because he wanted to.

He’s not the same as he was in college. He’s even more self-assured, which I hadn’t thought was possible. It makes me unsure of myself, like there’s a predetermined amount of confidence that can exist between two people, and Porter has taken it all.

I learned a lot about men through my twenties, and while a big part of me only wants to know what Porter is like in bed, another part of me already knows I’ll be disappointed with just a one-night fling.

After all these years, it’s possible that the fantasy is better than the reality could ever be. I never thought of it in these terms before, but Porter is the perfect man in my memory, an unattainable ideal that no one could possibly live up to. What if he’s bad in bed? What if he’s a selfish lover?

Worse, what if he’s amazing, but then he disappears? He’s successful, rich, powerful. It’s insane to think his interest in me is anything more but casual. Really, with so many tourists in town with their families, and so many of the transplanted locals out of town, it’s not like there’s much choice for a man looking for fun between the sheets.

The wine isn’t helping me sort through my jumbled thoughts. As soon as I reassure myself on one front, the assault starts again from another angle.

If only this weren’t Porter, but some other gorgeous millionaire. No, billionaire. He was already a multimillionaire before college, thanks to the family fortune.

I snort. There aren’t many gorgeous billionaires to be found, and why can’t I enjoy the evening? I wish I weren’t buzzed.

*****

Review:

At around 100 pages, Melted and Whipped is a fast and very sexy read. It’s a good mix of the history between Emily & Porter and them getting to know each other again, while defining of what being together now would mean.

Peitsche does a fantastic job of explaining the whys of a BDSM relationship with Porter and how he shows Emily exactly what that would look like if she decides to get involved with him. But it isn’t all about the bedroom. When the going gets tough for Emily, Porter is there to support her and it shows what a caring man he is. Sexy with a heart – you can’t beat that!

I found this to be a truly delightful second-chance-at-love story, packaged with a whole lotta heat. It’s a quick read but Peitsche still does a fantastic job of giving a complete and satisfying story … and one that will have you turning up the A/C in winter 🙂

*****

Author Info:

If Cleo Peitsche isn’t writing (or reading) erotica, she’s probably sitting on her balcony, watching the wind blow through the trees. She loves horses, snowstorms, and piña coladas. If she won the lottery, she would hire an assistant to take care of the technical side of e-publishing so that she could write all day.

Some random facts about Cleo: 1. Thinks life’s too short to forgo HEAs and HFNs; 2. Sprained an ankle joining the mile-high club. (Never again!); 3. Favorite writers include Cormac McCarthy, Junot Diaz, and Rachel Caine.; 4. Gets weak-kneed for bookish guys who know how to fix things with their hands. *swoons*

For more information on other books by Cleo, visit her website: www.cleopeitsche.wordpress.com

https://www.facebook.com/CleoPeitsche

https://twitter.com/AmazingCleo

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6423800.Cleo_Peitsche

*****

Giveaway:

2 winners to receive two eBooks from ARe Books

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112ffc1241/

*****

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Book Review – A Cold Creek Christmas Story

13 Sunday Dec 2015

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A Cold Creek Christmas Story, Book Review, Cowboys of Cold Creek series, Raeanne Thayne

A Cold Creek Christmas Story

Cowboys of Cold Creek series

by RaeAnne Thayne

Sparkle In The Snow Leads To So Much More

Celeste Nicholas has always preferred to keep to herself in her hometown of Pine Gulch, Idaho…until she becomes an instant celebrity! When one of her children’s stories becomes a major success, she’s suddenly the talk of the town. Celeste should be gloriously happy…but something, someone, special is still missing from her life. Could the return of her childhood crush be the answer?

Flynn Delaney has moved back home for his daughter’s sake. Yet all the millionaire’s resources can’t help the little girl heal from the tragic loss of her mother. Shy librarian Celeste and her stories do hold some indefinable magic, though. Flynn came home looking for support—can he find that, and true love, in the one who got away?

This is a wonderfully sweet story about love and healing. Flynn’s daughter Olivia has survived something devastating and she’s still dealing with it. He’s back in Cold Creek, after years in California, to take care of his grandmother’s affairs and he’s hoping that the place that meant so much to him as a child can help his daughter heal. But it is meeting the author of her favorite story that has Olivia showing real enthusiasm.

Flynn’s love for his daughter and how he’s devastated by what she’s been through is so touching. He’s trying so hard to help her. But when it is obvious that Celeste is the key, he takes advantage of it … regardless of the attraction to the quiet librarian that he’s trying so hard to ignore. Celeste had a traumatic event of her own when she was a child, which gives her a special understanding of what Olivia is going thru. It takes dealing with the haunted little girl, and her father, to really face some of the scars she’s still holding onto.

I’ve read other Thayne stories, but this is my first in the Cowboys of Cold Creek series. It looks like this one has been going on for a while (this is the 14^th story) but I’m not sure how related they all are. Celeste’s sister Hope stars in Book 13, The Christmas Ranch, and while it isn’t necessary to have read it (I didn’t and it didn’t really bother me) I think there’s enough continuation that it probably would have made this one more enjoyable. So not required, but beneficial 🙂 I got along just fine and Thayne did a good job of relating the necessities.

A Cold Creek Christmas Story is super sweet and just about perfect for a holiday read. The characters are interesting and complex, the story is heartwarming and joyful, and it has that innocence that will make just about anyone feel good. I’ll definitely be looking for more in this series and by this author.

Buy on Amazon

Book Review – Xylan

12 Saturday Dec 2015

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Book Review, Rider Jacobs, Xylan

Today we’ve got a hot, sexy, emotion-packed romance for those more daring readers.

*****

Xylan

by Rider Jacobs

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Blurb:

With his latest action movie finding worldwide success Xylan decided to try something different. He became a judge for the television show Talented Americans. There he meets Jarrett, a reporter with a surly attitude and a reputation for unethical journalism.

Xylan has a secret. While he may portray the larger than life action star in films he has a desire to be dominated in the bedroom. With a room filled with equipment to fulfill that desire and a boyfriend who knows how to wield a paddle, Xylan feels he has found a perfect balance in life. Then one night, while Hamilton is away, Xylan suffers the ultimate act of betrayal. When his world comes crashing down and his secret is revealed for the world to see Xylan must decide if his love for Hamilton is enough to see them through.

*****

Review:

If you’ve made it this far then you know that this is a M/M romance. It’s also got a little BDSM thrown in too so while it isn’t going to be for everyone, it is well written so Xylan is a good choice for more adventurous readers. Amazon has it at just under 100 pages (and 4+ stars, btw), so it is definitely a fast read.

But Jacobs doesn’t pull any punches with her plot and there were a lot of different things about it that worked for me. I really liked the committed relationship between Xylan and Hamilton – the trust and honesty and love between the two. There were moments of humor as well as some that were darker. And definitely some that were sexy and hot, but it’s the ones that were from the heart that were the best.

If I have any complaint it is that I felt like I needed one more chapter to find out what happens next … maybe there will be a follow up book. Not that I want more bad things for Xylan but I’m curious to see how everything turned out. If she doesn’t have one planned, maybe we can talk Rider into writing one 🙂

*****

Author Info:

Raised in a small town in the corner of Kansas, Rider’s mother installed a love of books in her. Thanks to her mother she developed a love for all things paranormal at an early age. Her parents always encouraged her to use her imagination and write stories.

When she was 18 she left the small farming community without a stop light and headed for the bright lights of Las Vegas. She continued to write but life kept her from actually publishing anything. After ten years in the big city, Rider decided she wanted a much slower paced life and returned to Kansas.

It was here that she met a friend who loved her stories and encouraged her to submit them.

When not writing Rider loves to read anything she can get her hands on from the Dark taboo erotic books to the lighter Amish romance. She also has an interest in the lost art of pen paling. Putting pen to paper and sharing the good times and the bad through the written word with friends near and far. Rider also loves to travel and while she has been to the tourist attractions she much prefers the hidden gems off the beaten path that few know about. It is these adventures that often find their way into her books.

https://www.facebook.com/rider.jacobs.3

@RiderJacobs

Instagram riderjacobs

*****

Book Review – Wyoming Rugged

07 Monday Dec 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review

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Book Review, Diana Palmer, Wyoming Rugged

Some of you are going to recognize today’s author right away. If the name isn’t familiar to you, you may have just found a new author with a LOT of books for you to read 🙂

*****

Wyoming Rugged

by Diana Palmer

Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages

Publisher: HQN Books (November 24, 2015)

Blurb:

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Diana Palmer is back in Wyoming with a tale of love born in Big Sky Country…

Billionaire oilman Blair Coleman has always taken care of his business. After having been used and cast aside by a woman he thought he loved, his personal life is far from his first priority. He knows only one has ever truly cared for him—but the irresistible blonde beauty is the daughter of his best friend.

Niki Ashton has seen her father’s friend wounded and she’s seen him fight. Blair is the strongest—and most stubborn—man she’s ever known. That very heart and passion makes him the man of her dreams, but whenever they’ve been in danger of getting close, Blair has always pushed her away.

It takes a possible tragedy to strip away all of Blair’s misgivings. Now it’s all or nothing: marriage, baby, family, forever. But will the choice be too much for Niki…or too late?

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Wyoming-Rugged-Men-Diana-Palmer/dp/0373779739

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25181069-wyoming-rugged?from_search=true&search_version=service

*****

Review:

When I think of western romances, I almost always think of Diana Palmer. I definitely haven’t read them all but I’ve read a few over the years. To be that successful for that long, you know she’s good at what she does 🙂

It’s mentioned in the blurb that Niki is the daughter of Blair’s best friend, but it isn’t as clear that the age difference between the two of them is the big issue of the book. I got the idea that it was his heartbreak that was going to be the trouble spot but it turned out not to be the deal breaker.

A May/December conflict isn’t seen as much as it was a few decades ago, but Palmer does a good job of explaining Blair’s concerns. He’s a powerful, rich business man who has traveled the world and he’s got a strong sense of duty. Dating someone so much younger isn’t something he’s comfortable with, even if he has trouble avoiding that attraction.

I’ve seen some complaints in other reviews about Niki’s innocence. She is awfully young when the book starts, and falls for Blair, but she’s definitely old enough that by modern standards she should be more worldly than she is. And while it was a little bit much for me at the very beginning, she grew on me and I started seeing that as just a part of her personality. She did grow up with just her dad on their ranch, even living there while going to college, and she is a good church goer, so it does seem possible that she avoided some of that. Once the book gets going, it stops being an issue for me so I think that is just going to be a personal thing for each reader.

Overall, I enjoyed Wyoming Rugged. There were a couple of places that I shook my head – there were some conversations that would have definitely benefited both Niki and Blair … but then the book would have been a whole lot shorter. And I’m not sure that I would have been as quick to forgive as Niki after Blair does the hot/cold routine more than once, but she’s not a thing like me. I definitely thought things were going to go in a different direction and if I’d been Niki there would have been some words. Good thing for Blair he got her instead 🙂

It’s not going to be for everyone – between the age difference (which some found kinda icky because Blair tries to treat her like a kid when he first figures out that he’s attracted to her), Nikki’s innocence, and the old-fashioned feel that these things give the story. But I do think that there are a lot of people out there who will enjoy it. There are Palmer’s fans, but also those that like that kind of book. (If you are iffy I recommend checking out a couple of reviews on Goodreads, both good and poor – you’ll figure out quick enough if you are going to like it.)

*****

Author Info:

An icon in western romance, Diana Palmer has been writing with Harlequin since 1980 and has published over 180 titles, with over 61 million books sold! When not writing, Susan’s hobbies are gardening, knitting, crocheting, astronomy, archaeology and animals. She also has dogs, cats, birds and lizards.

Learn more about Diana at her website http://www.dianapalmer.com or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FansOfDianaPalmer/

*****

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Book Review – Snowflake Bay

04 Friday Dec 2015

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

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Book Review, Donna Kauffman, Snowflake Bay, The Brides of Blueberry Cover series

I love this time of year because of all of the fantastic Christmas romances!

*****

Snowflake Bay

The Brides of Blueberry Cove #2

by Donna Kauffman

Releasing September 29, 2015

Zebra

Blurb:

There’s no place like seaside Blueberry Cove, Maine, at Christmas—and there’s nothing like a wedding, the warmth of the holidays, and an old crush, to create the perfect new start…

Interior designer Fiona McCrae has left fast-paced Manhattan to move back home to peaceful Blueberry Cove. But she’s barely arrived before she’s hooked into planning her big sister Hannah’s Christmas wedding—in less than seven weeks. The last thing she needs is for her first love, Ben Campbell, to return to neighboring Snowflake Bay…

As kids, Fiona was the bratty little sister Ben mercilessly teased—while pining after Hannah. But Fi never once thought of Ben like a brother. And that hasn’t changed. Except Fi is all grown up. Will Ben notice her now? More importantly, with her life in a jumble, should he? Or might the romance of the occasion, the spirit of the season, and the gifts of time ignite a long-held flame for many Christmases to come…

Something old might just become something new…

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23360012-snowflake-bay

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/137224-the-brides-of-blueberry-cove

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

*****

Excerpt:

Feeling somewhat better about herself now, she disentangled herself from the satchel strap, then began mentally rehearsing a summer-weddings-areso- beautiful speech while she looked around for something to scrape the wool scarf out of her mouth. Deciding to get herself unwrapped first, she fished out the end of the scarf, already feeling her fair skin chapping even as she stood there, the warmth of the kitchen creating something of a sting in her thawing cheeks. The struggle with the scarf started almost immediately. It was as if her curls had begun actively weaving themselves into the knitting, becoming one with every loop and knot.

So, she was more wrestling with the scarf than unwrapping it, really, swearing somewhat creatively, possibly a wee bit passionately even, by the time a deep male voice that was quite decidedly not her big brother’s baritone spoke from far too close behind her.

“I’ve got bolt cutters in my truck. We could just cut you out.”

Fiona froze. Stock-still. And not because of anything having to do with the coastal winter weather or being out of shape. She wasn’t breathing hard. In fact, she might never draw breath again. It had been, what, ten years? Longer. She’d lost track.Or, more truthfully, you’ve blocked it from your memory banks. Blocked it back when the owner of that voice had left Blueberry Cove for college in Boston, excited to get started on fulfilling his dreams—none of which included coming back to his hometown. At the time, blocking her memory files had seemed the only way she’d ever survive not having him in her daily orbit ever again.

She felt his big, broad palms cup her shoulders, turning her slowly around to face him, and stupidly squeezed her eyes shut, as if that would change this sudden new reality. All it did was delay the inevitable.

“Fireplug?” he said, as the top half of her face became visible when he pushed the curls from her forehead and the scarf from where it was now haphazardly draped diagonally across her face. There was sincere surprise in his voice. “Is that you inside all that sheep’s clothing?”

Fireplug. All of the air came back into her lungs in one big, sucking gasp. Emphasis on the sucking. Her cheeks burned again, only the sting of remembered humiliation coupled with the memories of her pathetic, unrequited crush on her brother’s best friend, who’d only had eyes for Hannah, far—far—outstripped anything a Maine winter could do to her fair skin.

They were both many years older now, she reminded herself, and that meant wiser as well. Although she didn’t feel wiser at the moment. At the moment, she felt instantly thirteen again, pining after a guy who’d barely noticed her, and when he had, had seen her as nothing more than the nuisance kid sister of the girl he was trying to impress.

Of course, that girl was now engaged to another man, and for all Fiona knew, her childhood crush was married himself, with a bundle of kids stashed somewhere. Hell, for all he knew, so was she. Which meant, yeah … the distant past was just that. Distant. And past.

She prided herself on taking an extra moment to steady herself and let her breath ease out, then slowly back in again, before opening her eyes. Okay, so she was still half-tangled in a woolen neck scarf and she wasn’t exactly making eye contact with him, but it was a start. A mature, grown-up start. Between two, mature, grown-up people.

So why is your heart racing like it’s the first time a man has ever touched you? More to the point, why are all your other more mature body parts clamoring for him to touch a whole lot more than your shoulders? You’re both potentially married with kids, remember?

Only she wasn’t married. Didn’t have kids. Not even the dimmest of prospects of either on the horizon. A horizon that, at the moment, was completely consumed with a big, tall, rugged reminder of all that she didn’t have. Had never had. A reminder, it should be noted, who still had his hands on her.

All her line of vision allowed, however—now that he’d turned her around so her back was to him, tipping her head forward to allow him to work her hair free from the scarf—was the Michelin Man-style, double-padded red snow coat she’d buttoned around her short, curvy frame, under which was a layer of thick hoodie, a long-sleeved turtleneck, and a T-shirt. She surprised herself by letting out a muffled snort. “Well, if the nickname still fits,” she murmured, proud of herself for embracing the humor in the moment, only to discover a split second later she was blinking back stupid tears.

Maybe no matter how much a person grew up, no matter how much she matured, she thought, mortified all over again, there would always be a part of her who was still that same, invisible thirteen-year-old girl.

*****

Author Info:

USA Today bestselling author of the Cupcake Club Romance series, Donna Kauffman has seen her books reviewed in venues ranging from Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal to Entertainment Weekly and Cosmopolitan. She lives just outside of DC in the lovely Virginia countryside, where she is presently trying to makeover her newly empty nest into something that doesn’t have to accommodate piles of sports equipment falling out of her coat closet (okay, out of every closet…and under every bed….), size 13 cleats and sweaty uniforms cluttering her foyer (and stairwell, and laundry room, and…), and a kitchen that should have come with a traffic light. And a pantry monitor. (Anyone with a clever idea on how to repurpose lacrosse sticks into matching reading lamps, she’s all ears!) When she’s not stripping paint, varnishing an old auction house find, or trying to avoid bodily injury with her latest power tool purchase, she loves to hear from readers!

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

*****

Review:

I loved Fiona and Ben together – the ending was great, as is their shared past (full of unrequited love, embarrassment and affection). I did I feel JUST a little like I was cheated out of their romance, since a lot of their courtship happened in texts and phone calls that we didn’t get to be a part of. But it is a family piece as well, so there are those interactions, as well as Ben’s decision on what to do with the farm and the two of them getting to the point of deciding what to do with their attraction. There are a lot of important things going on, but a part of me wishes they hadn’t spent so much time with other people and more time together being cute and falling in love 🙂 Because when they were together it was fan-freakin-tastic. I definitely think it is a good read, as long as you go into it knowing there is a lot more happening than just Fiona and Ben’s love story.

*****

Giveaway:

a print copy of SNOWFLAKE BAY

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c8850/

*****

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Book Review – Fighting for Devlin

28 Saturday Nov 2015

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Book Review, Fighting for Devlin, Jessica Lemmon, Lost Boys series

Fighting for Devlin

A Lost Boys Novel

by Jessica Lemmon

Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Katy Evans, Jessica Lemmon’s irresistible Lost Boys series kicks off with the story of a good girl who plays by the rules—and the bad boy who brings out her wild side.

Devlin Calvary makes his own luck. Orphaned as a young child, he was taken in by a crew of bookies and gamblers—and they became his family. They’re the reason Dev’s running a trendy bistro, living in a high rise, and enjoying the good life with a string of women who never ask for too much. Until, one night, he finds out how much it hurts to trust the wrong people. . . .

Rena Lewis sticks to the straight and narrow, determined not to slip up again . . . like the terrible night of partying four years ago that ended in tragedy. A waitress at Oak & Sage, she knows that sleeping with her boss is not a smart move. But when Dev shows up on her doorstep, beat up and clearly shaken, Rena’s not about to turn him down . . . or kick him out of bed.

Dev reawakens something primal within her—a need to go wild. And Rena soon finds out that the heart she’d sealed away years ago still has the power to fight for love.

I don’t usually read New Adult stories (and I didn’t realize this was one until after I started reading it), but I would have made an exception anyway since it is one of Jessica Lemmon’s books 🙂 I’ve only read her Second Chance series but I’ve enjoyed those so much that I’m going to have to go back and read the Love in the Balance books too. And I’ll be waiting for the next Lost Boys book because if Cade’s story is anything like Devlin’s it will be worth it – we’re given a preview of Falling for Caden here and I’m super curious about it. I think that his story could be complex.

OK, back to this one. You have to be OK with the whole bad boy thing. It’s a popular sub-genre with the whole MC club and such, and while it isn’t my favorite it works here. Devlin had an unusual upbringing and it has transitioned into his adulthood. He’s quite comfortable with it, until he meets Rena … and gets hit (literally) with some of the seedier side of his life.

The whole arrogant, street thing is not my bag but Dev is appealing enough I can see where it works for some. (While things he says and doesn’t do it for me, I can understand why it would for others.) And I really appreciated his journey to trying to straighten out his life. He’s not a bad guy, really, just one that dances on that other side of the line.

Rena, for all the bad things that has happened to her, seems a little young in comparison to the maturity that life has given to Dev. But she has grit and determination, as well as a good understanding of people, which makes her a good foil for him. I really like how she’s not willing to just walk away when things get a little rough. He’s awfully hard on her quite a few times and she sticks it out because she sees that there is something more going on with him. Again, his treatment of her isn’t my thing, but it isn’t horrible and fits in that bad boy thing.

Fighting for Devlin isn’t going to appeal to everyone but Lemmon is a fantastic writer, creating interesting characters as well as a complex storyline. There’s a lot going on here but it is so engrossing that you will find it hard to put the book down until you turn that last page. I’m rating high because, for those that like this kind of thing, this is a story that can’t be missed.

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Book Review – Light a Candle

25 Wednesday Nov 2015

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Book Review, Light a Candle, VJ Summers

Light a Candle

by VJ Summers

Will broke Dusty’s heart their senior year. One unexpected moment of passion between them, and Will freaked out. Not only wasn’t he gay, but he wasn’t kinky either—or so he insisted to Dusty. Their long friendship ended, and Dusty was left with only bittersweet memories of their last movie night together.

Ten years later, out as gay and a Dom, Will auditions for membership at Club Deviant, only to find that he’s been assigned an all-too-familiar submissive. His scene with Dustin feels like fate, and he’s determined to get back what they once had—and more.

Dustin had buried the pain of rejection deep, but playing with Will conjures all his memories of that one electric moment they shared and the friendship it destroyed. He’s built walls around his heart high enough to keep out the Trojan Army, but together, he and Will may find the courage to move beyond their past and face their future together.

(Publisher’s Note: This is a heavily expanded and revised edition of Velvet Memories, previously published in 2011.)

I’m working on expanding my reading – this time with LGBTQIA Erotica. As you can tell from the cover, it features wax play as well as a D/s relationship between a couple of men … men with history. It’s a history that makes it very hard for Dustin to trust Will, and trust is the basis of a workable D/s relationship. Dustin definitely leads Will on a merry dance while Will tries to earn that trust again.

I really enjoyed seeing these two try to figure out how they can relate as adults. They had an unusual, and not very strong, friendship in high school. Unfortunately when Will runs from the idea that there may be more than friendship involved, it destroys Dustin. And he’s spent years making sure no one else can get that close. While Will regrets those actions, it isn’t easy to get past Dustin’s defenses. Lucky for both of them, he doesn’t give up easily.

Light a Candle is both sexy and heart-breaking. It shows how those scars that we get when young don’t heal easily and can have far reaching effects. But that sometimes the heart wants something different than the mind says is safe. Throw in a little D/s play and they steam things up very nicely on their way to finding out a way to relate together on a new level.

Book Review – Forty Candles

20 Friday Nov 2015

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Book Review, Forty Candles, Virginia Nelson

Forty Candles

by Virginia Nelson

Will she get her wish when she blows out Forty Candles?

Chloe Walker did everything right. She went to college, got a good job, dated the right men—everything. Peering at forty from a bit too close, she realizes she can be miserable that she didn’t end up happily married to the handsome prince…or she can count her lucky stars. She tries to go with stars, but the universe seems to have other plans.

Jack Leonard has loved Chloe since they were kids. He’s stood by her through all life’s little messes, been her shoulder to cry on, and figured one day they’d wind up together. He figures he’s just waiting her out. When her life goes swirly, he’s got to convince her that some men are worth risking it all for.

Can Jack make Chloe rethink her birthday wish or will she get just what she asked for when she blows out Forty Candles?

I started this book on Tuesday and finished it on Thursday – and it only took me that long because the rest of my life got a little busy. It’s a quick, enjoyable read and I really liked both Jack and Chloe. He is a strong, dependable country boy, who has been waiting patiently on the sidelines for Chloe to see him as more than a friend. She has a few hangups about commitment because of her past and values him too much to chance losing him due to a breakup. But Jack’s tired of waiting and he’s got a plan to get Chloe on the same page. Of course, it wouldn’t be a romance if things went smoothly!

I really enjoyed the back and forth between the two but I will say that I was a little confused by the time frame for the story. We started it with Chloe’s 39^th birthday and ended on her 40^th but it didn’t seem like a year passed. Maybe a few months but it definitely didn’t feel like a whole year. It’s just a minor complaint and I wouldn’t even have mentioned it if it wasn’t so blatantly stated. So in fairness I thought I should point it out 🙂

Forty Candles is a short, earthy read – with tons of heat and heart, friendship and romance. It’s got a hero who has the patience of a saint, knows exactly what to say and do, but is about to reach his breaking point. He’s ready to take on a heroine who’s too busy running that she’s not seeing that there is a man in the world that knows all her warts but loves her anyway. Jack’s just going to have to trick her into seeing the truth that’s been in front of her all along.

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Book Review – Chance of a Lifetime

19 Thursday Nov 2015

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

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Anderson Brothers series, Book Review, Chance of a Lifetime, Marissa Clarke

Oh, I can hardly wait for you guys to get a look at Marissa Clarke’s newest. I absolutely LOVED it!

*****

Chance of a Lifetime

Anderson Brothers #3

by Marissa Clarke

Releasing November 16, 2015

Entangled Lovestruck

Blurb:

Sometimes the biggest risk is playing it safe…

Gen Richards is tired of living down to her family’s expectation of the helpless blind girl. Resurrecting her high-school bucket list that begins with “kiss a total stranger” seems just the thing until she finds herself in a panty-melting lip lock with her big brother’s best friend.

Chance Anderson thrives on adrenaline, but Genny’s the one risk he’s not willing to take. His recklessness a decade ago landed her in the hospital and ejected him from her life. He’s bad for her and everyone knows it—especially her big brother.

Chance reluctantly helps Gen complete her bucket list in order to keep her out of trouble. Running through a freezing fountain, playing Spin the Bottle while fending off a mad horde of stinging insects, and skinny dipping with homicidal attack swans don’t hold a candle to the real danger: falling for the one person he can never have.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26136108-chance-of-a-lifetime

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/134421-anderson-brothers

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

*****

Excerpt:

Her agenda since this whole thing began had done a one-eighty. She no longer wanted to hurt him and show him what he’d missed when he left all those years ago; she wanted to make up for lost time. She wanted to kiss and touch and hold him like she had in her dreams—and in her imagination when she was alone. She wanted him to see her for the woman she had become. She wanted him to help her scratch number ten off her list, finally, after a decade of waiting.

“Okay,” he said. “I’ll go through with it, but I want to see the list. Keeping me in the dark is counterproductive.”

“Kinda like being me, huh?” “You know what’s on the list, so, no.” He wanted to see the list. Fine. She’d show it to him. She

pulled it out of the back of her phone case and handed it to him, waiting for his reaction with a smirk.

To her shock, he didn’t ask what to make of it. Instead, she heard him running his fingers across the surface. Shit. He could read braille. When had that happened?

“So… Speedboat, slow dance in the rain…”

“Give it back!” she swept her arms in the direction of his voice and made contact with his chest. Grabbing his T-shirt in her fist, she reached for his right arm.

“Play spin the bottle?”

“I was fifteen! Please give it back.” She had to get it away from him before he read number ten.

“Sleep under the stars…”

That was number nine. She lunged and made a mad grab for the scrap of paper, but only managed to rip a corner off of it.

“Lose it.”

Crap, crap, crap. She slumped to the floor and buried her face in her hands to hide what was surely the mother of all blushes based on the hot flush crawling over her skin.

“Lose what?”

He could not be that dense.

“Oh…that.” He sat down beside her, turned her hand over, and placed the list in her palm. “I was fifteen,” she said again as if it made a difference. “I’m sorry, Gen. I didn’t mean to upset you. You handed it to me.”

“I didn’t know you could read braille.”

He tipped her chin toward him with his fingertips and wiped away an escaped tear. “You don’t know a lot of things about me.”

*****

Review:

This is the first in the Anderson Brothers series that I’ve read, but based on Chance of a Lifetime I’ve definitely been missing out. (And it can be read as a standalone.)

Together Chance and Gen are fun, flirty and have a deep understanding of one another. Unfortunately they also have a history that makes any kind of a future hard. Gen has let her family control her for far too long and, because of an accident years before, they aren’t going to approve of her being with Chance.

Chance knows that her family considers him bad news and a long time ago he made a promise to stay away. But now that they are spending time together, Gen is providing to be impossible to resist.

From their first kiss thru her bucket list and all the way to the last page, I absolutely LOVED this story. There are so many wonderful things here – how capable Genny is, the emotions tying these two together for more than a decade, the understanding and support that Chance provides, and the lessons learned by all involved. I was so satisfied and amazingly sad to see it end.

*****

Author Info:

Marissa Clarke lives in Texas, where everything is bigger, especially the mosquitoes.

When not writing, she wrangles her rowdy pack of three teens, husband, and a Cairn Terrier named Annabel, who rules the house (and Marissa’s heart) with an iron paw.

Prior to attending University of Houston Law School, she received a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in Drama from the University of Houston. She has taught drama and playwriting in a large public high school and English in a private school.

Currently, she serves as Vice-President of Programming for the West Houston RWA Chapter, and is a founding member of Houston YA/MG Writers, and the QueryTracker.net Blog.

She loves to connect with readers, so follow/friend her on Facebook and, or shoot her an email from her “Contact” page.

Marissa also writes young adult novels for Penguin USA under the name Mary Lindsey. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Marissa Clarke’s conference, signing, & event schedule can be found here: APPEARANCES

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

*****

Giveaway:

$20 Amazon or B&N gift card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c8836/

*****

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