Spotlight – Links

10 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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A reader said she giggle-snorted her way through the story. How can you not love a book that has that kind of review?!?!

*****

Links

by Lisa Becker

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

“Witty, heartfelt and emotionally satisfying. Everything I want in a second chance romance! Once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down!” #1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken

In high school, Charlotte Windham went through a typical ugly duckling phase – glasses and all, while harboring a crush on Garrett Stephens, the school’s athletic heartthrob. Fifteen years later, Charlotte and Garrett have a chance encounter at a Los Angeles restaurant. However, this time around, Charlotte has leveled the playing field. She’s a bestselling novelist and no longer “Glasses,” the humiliating nickname Garrett gave her. She’s a catch and, thanks to corrective eye surgery, it’s not just her eyes that see better…so does her heart! Garrett hasn’t fared poorly either, transforming from teen heartbreaker to adult lothario and is now a successful professional golfer suffering from a possible career-ending injury. Can Charlotte forgive Garrett for his past ways, and more recent Don Juan lifestyle? And, can Garrett change his ways for a second chance with Charlotte, who may just be perfect for him?

Goodreads * Amazon

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSwM4S3l9Pc

*****

Excerpt:

Chapter One

Garrett

Present Day

Damn! I’m late…again. You’d think with nothing to do, I’d get my act together enough to be on time for a family lunch. I fell asleep on the couch after my rigorous night’s activities with Dani, spelled with a heart over the “i.”

She’s a Laker girl. It took me three weeks, and a dinner reservation at Genevieve, to convince her to go out with me, but it was worth the effort. She was insatiable in bed and her flexibility was a total turn on. Without much sleep last night, it’s no wonder I passed out on the couch after my morning workout.

I rush past the valet and glance at the incoming call on my cell phone thinking it’s Mom checking on my arrival status. It’s not Mom. It’s only been a few hours since I slipped out of Dani’s bed before she woke up this morning and she’s already calling me for the second time today. I let it go to voicemail again and figure she’ll get the hint. Then again, she likely won’t. Dani with a heart over the “i” isn’t the brightest bulb in the marquee.

As I race to the restaurant, I scowl knowing Mom’s going to have my head. Actually, she’s probably used to it by now. I’m surprised they don’t give me fake arrival times knowing I’m always ten minutes behind.

I rush through the revolving door of the restaurant, through the bar, and smack into a woman. She brushes against my bum shoulder and the pain burns right through me. Minding the manners Mom hammered into me from a young age, I mutter, “Sorry,” when I’m honestly not. I look down and notice something familiar about her.

“Hi, Garrett,” she says, sharing a small smile. “It’s been a long time. How are you?”

“Um. I’m fine.” My brows furrow as I wrack my brain trying to figure out who the hell this woman is. She’s short, about five two and roughly my age. I glance down and notice full, round breasts, slightly wide hips and thick thighs. Not my usual type, so I’m pretty sure I haven’t slept with her. At least I don’t have to worry about that embarrassing scene. She’s got chocolate brown eyes, looking at me with warmth. “And…how are you?” Shaking my head I am still trying to place her.

“I’m doing well,” she replies, her smile growing.

“I’m glad to hear that,” I say, trying to be polite and end this awkward reunion that clearly has me clueless.

“Well…I guess I should go.” She turns back and waves to a woman sitting in a far booth of the restaurant. On further inspection, she’s waved to Lindsay, my sister, who of course made it to our family lunch on time. Seated with her are my parents, with Mom frowning at me and shaking her head. Like she didn’t expect I would be late. Marcus isn’t here yet either. Guess the twin thing really does run deep.

“You know Lindsay?” I ask her.

“Uh, yeah,” she says, with a small chuckle and a noticeable hint of sarcasm.

“My parents?”

“Of course.” She shakes her head slightly like it’s hitting her I have no damn clue who she is. Then she confirms my suspicions and just lays it on the line. “You don’t know who I am, do you?” Her eyes are alight with humor.

“Umm. I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage,” I splutter, rubbing my hand behind my neck – my tell – before flashing her my most charming, dimpled smile. Before she can respond, a lady in her mid-sixties with salt and pepper hair wearing an outfit appropriate for someone twenty years younger – but this is LA after all – walks over.

“Pardon the interruption,” she begins. “I would just be kicking myself if I got home and didn’t take advantage of telling you what a big fan I am.”

“Oh, thank you,” I say, turning on the faux charm I reserve for situations such as this.

“My husband and I loved your book.” The lady turns fully toward this mystery woman. “I wish I had it with me for you to sign. Maybe I could get your autograph on something else?” I cock my head to the side and watch Mystery Woman. She turns back toward the elderly lady and smiles sincerely.

“Sure. I’d be happy to sign something.”

The lady reaches into her oversized zebra-print bag and produces a pen and small notepad. She hands them to Mystery Woman and turns to me, smiling.

“Who should I make this out to?” asks Mystery Woman.

“Donna and Frank. Your dear friends, Donna and Frank.”

“My… dear… friends… Donna… and… Frank,” Mystery Woman murmurs aloud as she writes. Watching her autograph the paper, I can’t help the grin spreading across my face. Once she finishes, Donna reads through the note, her eyes widening with delight.

“Thank you, Charley,” she says.

“My pleasure,” replies Charley – Charley? – who looks tickled.

“Charley?” I rack my brain to no avail.

“Yes,” replies Donna with pride. “You are standing with the brilliant novelist Charley Windham.” She turns back to Charley before walking away. “Thank you again, dear.”

“Charley Windham?”

“Uh-huh,” responds Charley, giving me a look like I should piece it together.

“Charley Windham. Why does that name sound so familiar?” I rub my hand on the back of my neck while Charley looks at me with amusement. “Wait, you’re Charley Windham? Who wrote The Crossing Guard?” Charley shakes her head and laughs.

“That’s me.” She’s unable to control the wide smile spreading across her face.

“Yes. Now I know. I read your book. In fact, everyone on the tour read it. You couldn’t walk around a locker room or airport terminal without seeing someone with it in their hands.”

“That’s nice to hear.” She grins at me with her head tilted, nodding it slightly up and down, giving me the impression she’s waiting for me to say more.

“That explains who you are, and I get you would know who I am, but how do you know my family?”

“That is the question of the moment, isn’t it?” She smiles smugly.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Immensely.” She is grinning unabashedly.

I look back over at my parents and sister and see my brother Marcus walk in through the restaurant’s back entrance. After a quick exchange, Lindsay points to where Charley and I are standing. Marcus waves to Charley and she waves back.

“Oh, you know my ugly as shit brother too?”

“Ugly as shit? You’re identical twins,” she laughs.

“Nah.” I shake my head with a playful sneer. “I got the looks. He got the brains.”

“You got the looks?” She watches me with a raised brow.

“Yep. All of ‘em.”

“I suppose you got all of the humility too?” I can hear the humor in her voice.

“Seems more like humiliation these days.” I rub the back of my neck and look down at my shoes. I really messed things up and now I don’t know if my career is over.

“Hey, don’t knock yourself. Not your fault you have shoulder issues.” She places a hand on my arm and her slight touch causes all my blood to rush south.

“You follow my career?” I ask, my spirits surprisingly improving. There’s something about this woman that’s got me intrigued and I don’t just mean ‘cause I can’t place how I know her.

“I’ve been known to glance at the sports page now and then,” she says with smiling eyes.

“So, how did you say you know my brother again?” Marcus, his wife Abbey, and Lindsay start to walk over to us.

“I didn’t.”

“You’re not going to tell me.”

“I’m finding it quite entertaining you don’t know who I am,” she says again.

“Of course I know who you are,” I scoff.

“You do?”

“Yes. You’re the charming and talented writer having dinner with me on Saturday night.” Charley lets out a nervous giggle and glances down at the floor and damn, if that’s not the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.

“You want to have dinner with me on Saturday?” she says on a breath and I wonder how she would breathe my name as she’s coming undone beneath me. Before I can respond, Marcus places his hand on her shoulder.

“Well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” Charley turns toward him and Marcus scoops her up into a big hug.

“Good to see you, Marcus. This must be your wife.” She turns to the short red head with wide green eyes and a full smile standing between Marcus and Lindsay.

“Yeah, this is Abbey,” says Marcus, turning to the side, allowing the small woman to shake Charley’s hand.

“Wow. I’m a huge fan,” she begins, grasping Charley’s hand and pumping it furiously. “The Crossing Guard was my favorite book of last year. My book club spent hours discussing it.”

“Oh, thank you,” says Charley, with the same genuine appreciation she showed to Donna a few minutes ago.

“I didn’t realize Marcus knew you. I probably would have begged him to ask you to come meet with us,” Abbey continues, still holding onto Charley’s hand.

“Oh, believe me, she doesn’t owe me any favors. It’s the other way around. If it weren’t for Charlotte here, I probably wouldn’t have gotten into a good college,” he says to Abbey.

“Charlotte?” I repeat.

“Of course. Charlotte Windham. You know, our high school English tutor,” he says, looking at me like I’m a dumbass.

Charlotte Windham. Charlotte Windham. Then it hits me. “Oh, Glasses. You’re Glasses.” I smile widely, proud of myself for finally putting it together.

“Yep. I’m Glasses,” Charlotte sighs loudly. “Well, I need to get going. Great catching up with you all again and nice to meet you Abbey.”

“I’m sorry, Charlotte,” says Lindsay, shooting daggers at me with her eyes. What is that death stare for, I wonder.

“It’s okay. Um…give me a call if you want to grab lunch. I’m waiting for a manuscript back from my editor, so I’ve got a ton of free time.” With that, she turns and walks away.

“You’re an idiot.” Lindsay shakes her head and scowls at me.

“What? What did I do?” I’m flummoxed.

*****

Author Info:

Lisa Becker is a romance writer who spends her time like she spends her money – on books and margaritas. In addition to Clutch: a novel, she is the author of the Click trilogy, a contemporary romance series about online dating and Links, a standalone, second chance romance readers. As Lisa’s grandmother used to say, “For every chair, there’s a tush.” Lisa is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach, California with him and their two daughters. So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for anyone! You can share your love stories with her at www.lisawbecker.com.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

Wrap Bracelet

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/23d974a9990/

*****

Click on the banner below for a second sneak peek and a look at the other stops on the tour!

Spotlight – A Love So Sweet

08 Monday Oct 2018

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest

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A Love So Sweet, Addison Cole, Sweet with Heat: Weston Bradens, Weston Bradens series

If you like your romances a bit on the sweeter side, but still with a bit of sizzle, these reimagined books by Addison Cole are a must read!

*****

A Love So Sweet

Sweet with Heat: Weston Bradens #1

by Addison Cole

Releasing Oct 10, 2018

World Literary Press

Blurb:

Discover the magic of the Bradens, and fall in love with Addison Cole’s rich and romantic storytelling.

In A LOVE SO SWEET…

Treat Braden wasn’t looking for love when Max Armstrong walked into his Nassau resort, but he saw right through the efficient and capable facade she wore like a shield to the sweet, sensual woman beneath. One magnificent evening together sparked an intense connection, and for the first time in his life Treat wanted more than a casual affair. But something caused Max to turn away, and now, after weeks of unanswered phone calls and longing for the one woman he cannot have, Treat is going back to his family’s ranch to try to finally move on.

A chance encounter brings Treat and Max together again, and it turns into a night of intense passion and honesty. When Max reveals her secret, painful past, Treat vows to do everything within his power to win Max’s heart forever—including helping her finally face her demons head-on.

A Love So Sweet is a Sweet with Heat novel and conveys all of the passion you’d expect to find between two people in love without any graphic scenes or harsh language. If you’re looking for a spicier romance, pick up the steamy edition, Lovers at Heart, Reimagined, written by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster. Addison Cole is Melissa’s sweet-romance pen name.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39320827-a-love-so-sweet

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/229458-sweet-with-heat-weston-bradens

KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/ALSS_Kindle

iBOOKS: http://smarturl.it/ALSS_iBooks

KOBO: http://smarturl.it/ALSS_Kobo

NOOK: http://smarturl.it/ALSS_Nook

GPLAY: http://smarturl.it/ALSS_GPlay

PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/ALSS_Pb

OUR SWEET DESTINY – Weston Bradens Book 2 (Rel 11/14)

Loyalties are tested, and relationships are strained as Rex and Jade find out if true love really can conquer all.

KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/OSD_Kindle

iBOOKS: http://smarturl.it/OSD_iBooks

KOBO: http://smarturl.it/OSD_Kobo

NOOK: http://smarturl.it/OSD_Nook

PLAY: http://smarturl.it/OSD_GPlay

PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/OSD_Pb

*****

Author Info:

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

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

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

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

*****

Giveaway:

Two ebook copies of SWEET LOVE AT BAYSIDE

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b25fc618420/

*****

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

Spotlight – Suddenly Single

05 Friday Oct 2018

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Julia London, Lake Haven series, Suddenly Single

Julia London’s latest Lake Haven book is getting a lot of really fantastic reviews. No surprise there!

*****

Suddenly Single

Lake Haven Book 4

by Julia London

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publication Date: September 19, 2018

Blurb:

Freespirit Jenny needs to get her life together. Pragmatic Edan has his life together. Unicorn, meet mule…

Jenny Turner needs to get her life together. She knows it, everyone knows it, and she’s going to do it. Soon. But one night when she catches her sometimes “boyfriend” cheating on her in the middle of a summer camping trip, she winds up at a quaint inn on the north shore of Lake Haven that it closed. This presents a problem. She can’t go home–her dad has a new woman in his life and doesn’t need Jenny’s help anymore. She can’t go to her friends–they are too eager to hook Jenny up with a job. With no place else to go, Jenny must convince the gruff but very hot innkeeper–who is wearing a kilt for some reason–to let her a stay a night. . .or ten.

Edan Mackenzie is closing up shop and going home to Scotland. He came to America a few years ago to help a favorite aunt with her inn and to see part of the world. But he ended up working so much he saw nothing, his aunt died, his girlfriend left him, and suddenly, the usually pragmatic Edan doesn’t know who he was or what he’s doing with his life anymore. He’s come up with a firm plan and specific goals and has no patience for those who don’t do the same. But then a woman with shining blue eyes and long legs walks right past his CLOSED sign and into his life, and clearly has no idea what she’s doing.

At first, Edan is mystified. But then he notices that chatty Jenny is starting to make sense in a weird way, and maybe her plans for getting her life together are perhaps better than his, and maybe this pretty, daffy woman is exactly what Edan needed all along. Just maybe, two people struggling to figure out where life will take them stumble into each other in the right cozy inn at the right time. . .

https://bookunleashed.com/books/suddenly-single

Kindle: https://amzn.to/2PH9bnW

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

iBooks: https://apple.co/2LuqQMp

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

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2NQZup0

*****

Excerpt:

Jenny leaned over the kitchen island to get a look at the trout. “Well now, that looks delicious. I don’t suppose you have any wine to go with it?”

“All civilized men have wine to go with fish. What sort of wine would you like, lass?”

She stopped chopping and gave him a pointed look. “Jenny,” she said, and smiled sweetly. “My name is Jenny. I know you know that, but I am reminding you in case it slipped your mind now that we’re hanging out.”

“Now that we’re…? We’re no’ hanging out,” Edan said instantly, quite sure he’d never uttered those words in his life, and quite sure this was not that.

“Yes we are,” she said with great assurance. “A man doesn’t offer to take a woman to town and then invite her in for dinner if they aren’t hanging out.”

He gaped at her. “How have you managed to finagle your way into a ride and invite yourself in for dinner and somehow convince yourself it was the other way around?”

“Well, whatever you want to call it, we keep ending up together–”

“We donna end up together. You keep appearing,” he said, gesturing in the direction of the terrace.

“Yes, and you keep calling me lass. Not that I’m opposed to that,” she said. “I actually like the way it sounds. Lass. I get a shivery feeling when you say it. It’s kind of a turn-on.”

Edan raised his brows. What the hell was she talking about now?

“Hey,” she said, gesturing with her knife, “don’t you think it’s interesting, all the little things that are a turn-on to people? Like your accent, or the way you call me lass. Hands are a turn-on, too,” she said, and held up her hand.

Edan looked at his.

“See?” she said, wiggling her fingers at him. “Hands.”

“Who are you?”

“I told you. Jenny. Don’t forget it.” She winked.

“I think there is verra little chance I shall ever forget it,” he said in all sincerity.

Jenny laughed, and her eyes had a mischievous little shine to them. He put the trout down. “All right, then. What sort of wine would you like, Jenny?” he asked, articulating her name.

Her lips curved into a pert grin. “White, please, Edan. Is it all right if I call you Edan? I know I have and I didn’t ask you before, but you said most people call you Mr. Mackenzie, which, let’s be honest, does not feel right, especially since, you know, we have this thing going.” She gestured between them with a knife. “We’re like, two peas in a pod.”

“We’re no’,” he countered.

“But we are! We’re both sort of drifting.”

*****

OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Lake Haven, a picturesque lake set amid green hills, is just a short drive or train ride from New York. The people who find their way here are fleeing heartbreak, or a life that has not lived up to expectations…but what they will find on the lake’s shore is love

BOOK ONE
Suddenly In Love
Buy Link: https://amzn.to/2pp1IxT

BOOK TWO
Suddenly Dating
Buy Link: https://amzn.to/2NWCJjv

BOOK THREE
Suddenly Engaged
Buy Link: https://amzn.to/2NnUybL

*****

Author Info:

Julia London is the New York Times, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly best-selling author of more than forty romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the critically acclaimed Highland Grooms historical series, including Wild Wicked Scot, Sinful Scottish Laird, Hard-Hearted Highlander, Devil in Tartan, Tempting the Laird and Seduced by a Scot. She is also the author of several contemporary romances, including the Homecoming Ranch Series and the Lake Haven series, including Suddenly Dating, Suddenly in Love, and Suddenly Engaged.

Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. She lives in Austin, Texas.

Website: http://www.julialondon.com

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

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

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

*****

Giveaway:

Suddenly Single eBook, book bag and author swag

Enter October 3-9, 2018

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5ddfc19f214/

*****

Spotlight – Tempt the Flames

03 Wednesday Oct 2018

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Marnee Blake, Tempt the Flames, The Smokejumpers series

I love the look of this second chance romance!!!

*****

Tempt the Flames

The Smokejumpers #1

by Marnee Blake

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Pub Date: 9/11/2018

Blurb:

Meg Buchanan is determined to prove she didn’t get the trainer job in Redmond, Oregon’s rookie smokejumper class because of her family’s long history as firefighters there—or out of pity. But if teaching one of her own brothers isn’t challenging enough, Lance Roberts is in the new class of recruits. Once her brother’s best friend, and her first, unrequited crush, he’s also the son of the man responsible for her dad’s death.

Lance is stunned to realize that this confident redhead is the stubborn girl he once dreamed about. There’s no way he can fall for her now. He needs to focus all his attention on his training—and discovering the truth about the long-ago fire that killed both of their fathers. But as the undeniable heat between them threatens to ignite, someone attempts to put an end to Lance’s amateur sleuthing—and his life…

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo

*****

Excerpt:

Chapter 1

Driving from Bend to the smokejumper base in Redmond, Oregon, was like traveling back in time. It only took a half an hour, but the trip set Meg Buchanan back ten years.

As she pulled into the parking lot of Redmond Air Center, the tires of her Forerunner crunching on the dirt and gravel drive, she repeated the pep talk she’d been giving herself the entire ride.

She had the job. She was officially an assistant trainer and safety instructor for this year’s Redmond smokejumper rookie training.

She wasn’t a firefighter, but she was a physician’s assistant with lots of practical medical knowledge. She was qualified. More importantly, she was a seasoned triathlete. She was in tiptop shape, and she definitely could run some rookies through their paces. Add her willingness to do the job for barely any money and her uncle’s glowing recommendation, and she’d been approved.

That was her mantra. She could do this. She had the skills. She’d been approved.

She refused to accept that she’d been given this job because of her last name.

Sure, Will, her oldest brother, was an active Redmond smokejumper, and Uncle Joe was the base manager. Her middle brother, Hunter, would be in this year’s rookie class. Together, they made a pretty impressive Buchanan family legacy at Redmond.

But, if she’d received preferential treatment, it was because her father’s name—Jason Buchanan—rested on the memorial wall at the base, along with the other firefighters who’d given their lives in sacrifice to this job.

After shifting the truck into park, Meg dropped her hands into her lap and abandoned that train of thought. No use tempting the universe by spilling doubt and negative energy all over it. She had the experience, and she was going to give this job everything she had.

This was her chance.

She’d never been able to become a firefighter like her brothers. After hours of counseling, she couldn’t overcome her paralyzing fear of fire. But, this? She could do this. These rookies were in for the training of their lives.

And she’d finally feel like she was honoring her birthright.

With a deep breath, she checked her reflection in the rearview mirror. She’d pulled her red hair into a low ponytail and applied light makeup. Dressed in tan slacks and a pale pink blouse, she looked more like she was seeing patients than reporting for a physical trainer position. She was more comfortable, though, professionally dressed, put together.

If things were orderly on the outside, the inside would follow. She’d learned that lesson years ago, after her father’s death. Her mother had cried, and their home fell to pieces. When people showed up with food and condolences, the disaster in the house amplified how broken they were. Dishes in the sink, overflowing laundry baskets. Sleep eluded Meg those first nights, so she washed dishes, did laundry, and dusted until her body gave out. The next day, she’d cooked to fill the silence. The days stretched on, and no one ate unless they were reminded.

Eventually, though, the movements of normalcy made her feel more normal.

Fake it ‘til you make it, her mom had joked. She’d never taken that advice, but it had worked for Meg. Pretend until the lie matched reality.

She exhaled slowly, pursing her lips. With shaking fingers, she smoothed her perfectly tidy hair once more, nodding at her reflection. She had this.

Snagging her wallet and phone off the passenger seat, she tossed them into her well-worn gym bag and zipped it up. Slinging it over her shoulder, she gripped the straps to her chest like a shield and opened the truck door.

Gravel bit into her ballet flats, but she ignored the discomfort. Around her, the parking lot was full of pickup trucks and Jeeps, a few larger SUVs and late-model sedans, and even an Econovan thrown in for good measure. The van had curtains. She wouldn’t be surprised if its owner lived out of it.

There were a few guys unloading their cars, yanking duffel bags and equipment from trunks. Most of them were in their twenties and thirties. All of them were in amazing shape. The uniform seemed to be a mix of camo, Under Armor, and facial hair. A couple of the men paused to watch her walk by.

Maybe she should have put on her running clothes, some track pants. She looked as out of place in her business clothes as a peacock at a rhino tea party.

Her eyes straight forward, she hiked her bag higher on her shoulder and picked up her pace. As she approached the door, her uncle stepped out.

“Meggy.” His smile, buried under a few days of beard growth, was as warm as always. Her shoulders relaxed in response. “You’re early.”

She stepped into his open arms. Uncle Joe gave the best hugs. “They pulled back on my hours last week in preparation for my time here. I finished earlier than expected today.”

He leaned out of their embrace, scowling at her. “You’re sure this won’t affect your position with Dr. Colman, right? They’ll let you return when training is over?”

She grinned at him. “I told you. Dr. Colman is happy that I’m helping. She’s fine.” It had taken a little sweet talking, playing up how good of a community outreach opportunity this was and promising to pick up shifts on the weekends while she was at the air center. Patrice Colman recognized a good deal when she saw it. She’d wanted to start opening on Saturdays for months, so she hadn’t passed up this opportunity. But, Meg wasn’t about to tell Uncle Joe that.

He patted her shoulder. “That’s good, then. I’m not going to answer to your mom if this impacts your career.”

Meg stiffened. “I’m twenty-five, Uncle Joe. I manage myself.” Besides, they both knew her mother hadn’t managed much of anything in years.

Joe nodded. “Right. Well, your brothers should be here soon. Do you want me to show you around?”

She laughed. “It’s been a while, but I think I know where I’m going.” She and her brothers had visited her father here often. Years ago, her mother would bring the smokejumpers cookies, muffins, whatever. She used to love to bake, and it gave her an excuse to see her husband. These days, the only time her mother’s oven heated was for the Sunday dinners Meg cooked for them.

Meg scanned the exterior of the air center. “Place hasn’t changed.” Ten years later, but the air center looked the same. Behind the hangar, the airfield stretched across the open field. The Cascade Mountains filled the horizon. Here, without the multi-story buildings in Bend, the peaks were in full, majestic view.

“Why ruin a good thing?” He chuckled, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get you settled.”

As he guided her to the door, the rumble of an engine made her pause.

Either the Jeep that turned into the parking lot needed a new muffler or its owner wanted everyone to hear him coming. As it parked, everyone in the lot had stopped to look. Which meant this truck wasn’t a regular fixture at the air center’s lot.

She sniffed. Apparently, the diva of this year’s class had arrived.

The Jeep’s engine died, and its doors swung open. Like the other men in the lot, the one who jumped down from the passenger side was in excellent shape. He was probably six-two or so, and his T-shirt did nothing to hide the cords of muscle on his wide shoulders. But, it wasn’t the passenger that snagged her attention.

The driver slammed his door and strode to the back liftgate. She didn’t see his face, only the back of him, but his gait was familiar, with more swagger than his passenger. He was as tall as the other man, and just as broad-shouldered and slim-hipped. The tilt of his head as he tossed a few bags onto the ground, the set of his shoulders as he closed the back of the Jeep, though…if returning to the Redmond base was a blast from the past, this man was a punch to the gut.

“Lance.”

She didn’t realize she said his name out loud until Joe grunted. “Yes. Lance Roberts.”

Meg hadn’t needed his confirmation. She’d know Lance anywhere. After ten years, her body hadn’t forgotten watching him, wishing he was hers, with the added misfortune of embodying the “little sister in love with brother’s best friend” cliché.

Hard to forget embarrassment like that.

Lance the boy had been the stuff of her girlhood dreams, and more than a few other girls’ dreams, too. As she watched, he grabbed his bags off the ground and the muscles of his forearms tightened. Heat stretched up her spine, warming her stomach.

Lance the man probably occupied more than a few women’s dreams now as well.

Meg spun sideways, not wanting to be caught staring at him. “What’s he doing here?” she whispered. She smoothed the end of her ponytail, and then tugged at her blouse, straightening imaginary wrinkles.

Catching herself, she squeezed her fingers together in front of her, forcing them still.

“Now, Meggy. I need you to be open-minded. And, I need your help with your brothers…” Joe’s head dropped, and he rubbed the back of his head.

“Joe, what have you done?” There were only so many reasons that Lance would be here, at the air center, right now…

“I offered Lance a job, if he makes it through training.” His half grin looked pained. “He’ll be in this year’s rookie training class.”

*****

Author Info:

Award-winning author and RITA® finalist Marnee Blake used to teach high school students but these days she only has to wrangle her own children. Originally from a small town in Western Pennsylvania, she now battles traffic in southern New Jersey where she lives with her hero husband and their happily-ever-after: two very energetic boys. When she isn’t writing, she can be found refereeing disputes between her children, cooking up something sweet, or hiding from encroaching dust bunnies with a book.

Website * Newsletter * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Amazon * Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

$20 Amazon

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/23d974a9962/

*****

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

Book Review – Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas

01 Monday Oct 2018

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Book Review, Katie Ruggle, Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas, Rocky Mountain Cowboys series

Once again, Katie Ruggle gives readers a page-turner!

*****

Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas

Rocky Mountain Cowboys #1

by Katie Ruggle

Blurb:

In the heart of the Rockies

In the arms of a cowboy

One white Christmas can change everything.

When firefighter and single dad Steve Springfield moved his four kids to a Colorado Christmas tree ranch, he intended for it to be a safe haven. But he never expected danger to follow them to his childhood home…

Or that he would come face-to-face with the one girl he could never forget.

Folk artist Camille Brandt lives a quiet life. As the town’s resident eccentric, she’s used to being lonely—until Steve freaking Springfield changes everything. Brave and kind, he’s always had a piece of her heart, and it doesn’t take long before she’s in danger of falling for him again. But as mysterious fires break out across the sleepy Colorado town, Steve and Camille will have to fight if they want their happy family to survive until Christmas…

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

B&N: http://bit.ly/2NBz8r1

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

*****

Excerpt:

As she started toward the store, Camille heard the jangle of sleigh bells and saw Steve jogging toward her, a draft horse that wasn’t Buttercup trotting next to him. She stopped, struck yet again by his rugged beauty and the picture-perfect scene of his strong form next to the huge, chestnut horse, their breath turning to steam in the clear, cold air. Even the sunny day seemed to exist just to be a perfect backdrop for Steve in this moment.

“Hey,” he said, not even breathing hard after his jog. “Glad I caught you before we had to head out to get another tree.”

The horse lowered his head to her shoulder and breathed puffs of warm air into her neck, making her giggle. “Who’s this?”

“Harry. He’s green, and we need to work on him respecting people’s boundaries, but he means well.”

“Oh, I don’t mind him breathing on me.” She rubbed the horse’s cheek as he lipped at her collar. “He’s very handsome.” But not as handsome as Steve, a wicked voice whispered. She firmly ignored it, knowing that she couldn’t focus on thoughts like that if she wanted to be able to have a conversation without blushing.

“He knows it, too. He’s like Ryan that way.”

When Camille let out a surprised laugh, Steve winced, rubbing his neck with the hand not holding Harry’s lead rope. “Sorry. That was rude.”

“Maybe,” she said, still amused, as Harry nosed at her pockets, probably checking for treats. “But it was also true.”

“Hey,” he said to Harry, giving the lead rope a sharp tug so that the horse backed up a few steps. “Quit trying to mug her for carrots.” He shot her a quick glance, looking uncharacteristically uncertain. “So…you and Ryan really aren’t…?”

“Aren’t what?” she asked, confused by the half of a question. As soon as she said it, though, she realized what he’d meant. “Oh! No. We’re not doing anything. I mean, he’s asked, a bunch of times, actually, which surprised me, since he’d pretty much looked right through me until you found me at the scrapyard—not that I was lost, of course—and he walked back with me and Sasha. Anyway, whenever he tries to drag me somewhere for lunch, I run away or tell him I can’t because I need to feed my cat.”

Steve gave his rare, booming laugh. “You turned him down because you needed to feed your cat? No wonder he’s so touchy when it comes to you.”

“He’s touchy about me? Why? I don’t think he’s all that interested.” Not really interested, the way she was in Steve. “I know he’s been persistent about trying to get me to go out with him—well for the last few weeks, at least—but I figured he asks out everyone he runs into, and most people don’t reject his offers, so I’m just a challenge.”

“It’s true he’s not used to being turned down.”

She shrugged. “He’ll need to get used to it with me. I’m just not interested.”

“Good to know.” Steve’s gaze seemed several degrees warmer than usual, and Camille found prickles of sweat beading under her coat as she tried to puzzle out his meaning. Why was it good to know that she wasn’t interested in his brother? The way he was eyeing her made her almost think that Steve was actually attracted to her.

Her breath caught at the thought, but she immediately doubted herself. Beautiful, kind, and strong Steve Springfield had to have just as beautiful, kind, and strong women falling at his feet on a regular basis. Why would he be interested in an almost-hermit who answered almost every question with a nervous monologue? Despite all that, she knew she wasn’t imagining the heat in his eyes when he looked at her.

Suddenly tired of not knowing what was going on in his mind, she blurted out, “Why is it good to know?”

He shifted closer, nudging Harry back when the horse took the opportunity to try to nibble on Camille’s coat again. With Steve this close, she could smell his evergreen and peppermint scent. His coat was unzipped slightly, showing his insulated flannel shirt underneath, and the urge to press her face against that soft-looking fabric was so strong that her breath caught. She jerked her gaze back to his. There was no missing the heat in his eyes now, especially as he tipped his head down so their faces were even closer. Her heart thrummed in her chest at his nearness, making it almost impossible for her to hear his words. “I wanted to ask y—”

“Steve!” Nate’s yell drifted from the store lot, cutting Steve off midword and smashing the perfect, crystalized moment between them. Closing his eyes for a moment, he let out a hard breath that stirred the strands of hair on her forehead before he turned toward his brother.

“What?” he called back, his voice a little growly.

Blinking as reality returned with a rush of cold air, Camille shifted back a step, needing some distance from Steve to get her thoughts working again. Even as she tried to tell herself that she’d imagined that moment, that he’d been about to ask her a normal, not-at-all-sexy question, she couldn’t keep the butterflies from tumbling around in her belly. Stop, she told them firmly. She should know better than to think that he’d be interested in her, and she needed to knock it off before she ended up embarrassed and hurt.

Despite the internal lecture, she still wanted to throw a pinecone at Nate’s head. Why did he have to shout right when Steve was getting to the interesting part? Now she was going to die of curiosity if she didn’t find out what he’d been about to tell her. She liked Nate well enough, but right now she wished he’d fall in a hole.

“You’re up!” Nate gestured toward a family clustered together by the edge of the lot. Even at a shout, Nate’s words sounded testy, and Camille felt a rush of annoyance. Couldn’t he have helped the family? Even as she thought it, she knew she was being unreasonable. This was why she shouldn’t indulge in daydreams about unobtainable firefighting ranchers. It stole all of her good sense.

Steve gave Nate a wave of acknowledgment before turning back to Camille.

“Duty calls,” he said with a slight, rueful grimace. His gaze lingered on her face for a charged second before he sighed and turned Harry around, being careful the horse’s oversized rump didn’t knock into her. As he started leading the gelding away, Steve glanced over his shoulder at her. “We’ll talk soon.”

With that completely unsatisfying ending to their conversation, he jogged back toward the family waiting in the lot. Realizing that she was staring after him like a lovestruck idiot, Camille forced her feet to move. She followed more slowly, watching as he greeted the parents and their three kids, tying Harry’s lead rope to the hitching post. As he put on the horse’s harness, he explained each step to the customers, letting the kids touch each piece with curious hands. When the smallest child toddled too close to one of Harry’s oversized hooves, Steve swept him up with the ease of long practice before handing him off to the boy’s dad.

Camille loved how he worked around the horse and the kids, calm and easy, but with a careful firmness that showed he wouldn’t put up with any nonsense. Although she wished they’d been able to finish their conversation, she enjoyed being able to stare at Steve to her heart’s content without him noticing. He stroked Harry’s thick, fuzzy neck absently as he listened to one of the kids, and she was transfixed by the movement of his hand, so firm yet gentle. As stupid as it was, she couldn’t keep her mind from dwelling on how that hand would feel against her skin.

As if he’d heard her thoughts, he looked straight at her, the corners of his mouth tucked in as if he were holding back a smile. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she knew she had to be bright red. If he hadn’t guessed the direction of her thoughts before, her vivid blush had to be giving her away now.

Completely flustered, she lifted her hand in an awkward wave. His smile stretched more widely, and Camille lost what little ability she had to act normally. It was time to retreat. Turning away from the tempting man in front of her, she hurried the rest of the way to her car, not allowing her gaze to stray in his direction. Once she got into the old Buick, she closed her eyes and shook her head at herself. Why couldn’t she have even a smidgen of game? Why had she given Steve that goofy wave?

Carefully backing out, she ran through their brief encounter in her mind. What had he been about to say before Nate interrupted? From the way he’d prefaced the question, it had felt as if it was going to be important. She huffed out a breath. Between thinking about this, her spying neighbor, the creepy night noises, and the industrious mice who shared her home, she’d never be able to sleep that night.

*****

Review:

Note: While this is loosely tied to Ruggle’s Rocky Mountain K9 Unit (Steve was a firefighter in Monroe) but other than realizing that some pretty bad things happened there this one pretty much stands on its own.

I absolutely love Steve & his kids and how they accept & understandd Camille. She also brings her own unique views to this lovely family, adding a little softness that they all needed. It’s sweet, heartwarming, and absolutely hilarious because she’s so awkwardly endearing when it comes to falling for Steve. They made me giggle so many times 🙂 And his kids are just so darn adorable – smart, precocious, and brilliant.

There is a bit of danger in the story but it doesn’t take central stage. Instead Ruggle makes sure to tie it in just enough to remind you that there is a bad guy out there but not enough to take away from all of the important emotional moments and the bonding between Camille & the Springfields.

*****

Giveaway:

3 copies of Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/54ca7af7692/

*****

Spotlight – Hunting Danger

28 Friday Sep 2018

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Hunting Danger, Katie Reus, Redemption Harbor series

Reus does a fantastic job of mixing heat and suspense … and returning readers will love the idea of this attraction finally coming to a head.

*****

Hunting Danger

by Katie Reus

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Blurb:

The one woman he wants…

When a childhood friend needs help, Nova doesn’t hesitate. They endured the foster system together, forging a bond Nova can’t ignore. Relying on her friends from Redemption Harbor Consulting—including Gage, the computer genius she’s falling for—is out of the question. She used to work for the CIA and she’s trained—she can handle this. Besides, the whole team is working on their own important jobs. She’s not going to drag anyone away when she’s not sure it’s necessary.

Is the one he can’t have…

When Nova asks for time off out of the blue—and use of the company jet—former Marine Gage takes note. Of course, he notices everything about Nova. But as one of her bosses, his growing attraction to her is a line he won’t cross. However, that doesn’t mean he’ll let her run straight into danger—and a quick hack of her computer proves she’s gotten in over her head. Gage is coming along for the ride, whether the sassy assistant likes it or not. He’ll do whatever’s necessary to save her friend…and keep Nova out of the clutches of a lethal enemy who won’t hesitate to kill anyone who gets in their way.

Amazon | Nook | Kobo | Apple Books | Paperback

*****

Excerpt:

As she headed out, she scrolled through her phone and called Brooks, one of the cofounders of Redemption Harbor Consulting, where she worked. He owned a private jet and the company used it fairly frequently. She’d never asked for any sort of favor like this and felt strange doing so, since it was pretty huge. Jet fuel was expensive. But she also didn’t care. She would do anything for her best friend. The girl who was more a sister to her than her actual blood-related sister was.

And that was a whole other can of worms she wasn’t even going to think about right now.

Brooks answered on the first ring. “Hey, Nova. Everything okay?”

It was definitely too late for her to be calling, and it wasn’t like they were friends. Sure, they were friendly, and Nova was most definitely friends with his wife, Darcy. But it was strange that she was calling him. So she wasn’t going to waste time bullshitting him.

“Look, I have a pretty big favor to ask, and I feel weird asking, but I need to borrow your plane. Would it be possible for your pilot to file a flight plan and take me where I need to go?” She could easily just get a plane ticket, but she wanted to get there as soon as possible and not deal with bullshit TSA or airports, in case she and Layla needed to make a quick getaway. She wanted to be with her friend, like yesterday.

There was a long pause, and she thought maybe she’d overstepped her bounds. Then he said, “Of course. He’ll take you wherever you need to go. This about a job?”

She paused, trying to gather her thoughts. “No. This is personal. And I really appreciate your discretion.” She wasn’t exactly asking him not to say anything to anyone at the company, but she was implying it. Even if it was stupid, because right after this she had to call Skye and tell her that she was taking time off for the foreseeable future. She wasn’t coming back to South Carolina until she was sure Layla was all right.

“You know the whole team has your back if you need something.” Brooks’s words were neutral enough, but he was clearly fishing for information. Not that she blamed him.

She was asking to borrow his plane, something that felt a little insane even though he could afford it. “Of course, I do know that. Like I said, this is just personal stuff, and I really appreciate you letting me use the plane.” The billionaire cowboy was generous and kind and she’d seen the way he was with his wife. He’d screwed up once with Darcy, but since he’d won her back, he practically worshiped the ground the woman walked on. Nova liked the guy for that alone. “I can text you all the details or just get in contact with the pilot myself.” She had Jim’s info because Nova was the executive assistant/operations manager of Redemption Harbor Consulting, and they’d used the jet for on- and off-the-books jobs.

“Just text me. I’ll set it all up. And…call any of us if you need anything.”

“I will, thanks.” Once they disconnected, Nova set her security system as she stepped out of her house. Before she headed to Montana, she was going to do some research on her best friend’s fiancé.

Layla had told her only a little bit about her boyfriend, who she was now apparently engaged to, and Nova had never thought to look the guy up. Her friend had seemed happy and said she loved where she was living. Nova had been so busy with her new job and settling into Redemption Harbor that she’d taken everything her friend had said at face value. Because why wouldn’t she? They’d never lied to each other or hidden anything.

But something was clearly wrong. And if Layla was in a bad situation, Nova was going to get her out. She had a few tricks up her sleeve, after all. The only thing she could think of was that Layla was being abused or something was wrong with the man she was engaged to. So she probably needed an escape plan. Getting out of a spa should be easy enough.

Yeah, Nova knew she was jumping to conclusions, but she’d worked for the CIA once upon a time. She often went worst-case scenario in her head. It was better to be prepared than to be dead.

So right after she checked out the fiancé, she needed to pull up the schematics of the spa—which meant she had to go to the office. And she knew exactly whose computer she was going to use.

Gage “too sexy for his own good” Yates was a hacker extraordinaire who had all sorts of interesting programs on his many, many computers. Occasionally he let her “play on them,” as he called it. She was familiar enough with some of the programs, even if she had no idea how they actually worked.

Once she had all the information she could find, she’d figure things out. Because if her best friend was being abused or needed help for any reason under the sun, Nova was going to get her the hell out of Montana.

*****

Author Info:

Katie Reus is the New York Times, USA Today, and IndieReader bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it.

However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense. Her book Avenger’s Heat recently won the Georgia RWA Maggie Award for Excellence in the fantasy/paranormal category.

*****

Giveaway:

Kindle Fire, autographed copy of Hunting Danger and book swag

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4cf78adb707/

*****

Spotlight – Mistletoe in Texas

27 Thursday Sep 2018

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Kari Lynn Dell, Mistletoe in Texas, Texas Rodeo series

Is it wrong that I snorted a little at this sneak peek?

*****

Mistletoe in Texas

Texas Rodeo series

by Kari Lynn Dell

Blurb:

He’s always been the black sheep: the troublemaker.

But this Christmas, the prodigal cowboy returns.

Rodeo bullfighter Hank Brookman was headed straight for the top. But after a single misstep resulted in a devastating injury, he disappeared under a mountain of regrets. Now he’s back, ready to face the loved ones he left behind—starting with the one girl his heart could never forget.

When Hank stormed out of Texas, he left Grace McKenna picking up the pieces…and struggling with a secret that changed everything. He may be back looking for redemption, but after everything they’ve been through, how can she admit what he really walked away from all those years ago?

Hank always knew persuading Grace to trust him again would be a tall order. Convincing her they deserve a happily ever after? That may take a Texas-sized Christmas miracle.

Amazon: amzn.to/2xlXATO

B&N: bit.ly/2xm0AzD

Apple: apple.co/2xkwAUZ

Kobo: bit.ly/2xhxLnM

IndieBound: bit.ly/2xlYjo0

*****

Excerpt:

Hank flipped his reins over Ranger’s head and stepped aboard, then kicked his foot out of the left stirrup and held a hand out to Grace. “Get on.”

“What?”

Hank gave his hand an impatient shake. “Get on behind me.”

“I…don’t know how.”

“You’ve never ridden double?”

“Hey! Not all of us grew up on horseback.” Grace scowled at Ranger. Why did he have to be so tall? And climbing the horse would require her to practically climb Hank too, since she didn’t see anything else to grab on to. “You ride on the back. I’ll drive.”

“Fine.” Hank kept hold of the reins, but hitched himself back to sit behind the cantle.

Okay. Good. But Grace still had to contend with the unfamiliar bulk of the chaps and bones that wanted to collapse into a shuddering pile. And she couldn’t see any way to swing her leg over the saddle without waving her butt under Hank’s nose. Again.

Ranger, bless his heart, stood stock-still as she grabbed the saddle horn, got her foot hoisted up and into the stirrup, and took a deep breath. So much for fantasies. Not one of her juvenile daydreams about Hank and this ranch had included getting dumped off her horse because of a damn pig.

He could have gotten her killed.

The tiny part of Hank’s brain still capable of logic argued that there was no way he could have known about the feral hog—when had those bastards moved this far north, and why hadn’t Cole told him?—but it was drowned by the echoes of that unearthly shriek. When Hank had seen Grace trying to drag herself up that bank…God, his heart had just disintegrated.

Distracted, he didn’t lean out of the way when Grace heaved herself into Ranger’s saddle, and the leg she’d intended to swing over the horse landed a roundhouse kick square to his rib cage.

“Shit!” He clamped his heels to keep from being knocked clean off, digging them into Ranger’s flanks. Startled, the bay gave a single, high kick that threw Grace up onto his neck. Hank caught a fistful of her coat with one hand and the reins with the other before Ranger could bolt. The gelding danced in a circle as they teetered, a tangle of arms, legs, and curses.

“I…can’t…breathe,” Grace gasped.

No wonder. The saddle horn was digging into her belly, and Hank had her pinned in place. He started to slide off, but Grace squeaked when she was dragged with him.

Hank stopped. Damn. The toe of her boot was hooked in the pocket of his coat. He hitched his hips back to the center of Ranger’s rump and took stock. He had a fingernail grip on the reins, his cheek was mashed up against Grace’s butt, and even Ranger wasn’t going to tolerate this much longer.

She had a double-fisted, white-knuckled grip on Ranger’s mane, so Hank let go of her coat and reached down to grab her ankle, prying it out of his pocket and letting it drop so she had a leg on either side of the horse. Better. Now if he could just get himself straightened out…

“’Scuse me,” he said as he planted his palm on her left butt cheek and pushed himself upright. She stiffened but didn’t try to kick him. “Scoot back,” he said.

She wiggled. Grunted. Wiggled some more. Hank got hold of the back strap of her chaps and pulled. She didn’t budge.

Her words came in short puffs. “I’m…stuck. Front of my…chaps. Over…the horn.”

Oh. Shit. That was not good. Hung up like that, if Ranger did bolt, her head would end up between his front feet. Hank slid off the side, thankfully keeping his feet under him. Ranger shied a step, his eyes rolling toward the woman who was draped over his neck, clinging like a monkey. Her coat was rucked up to her armpits, and the brim of her hat had been shoved around so the earflap covered her eyes and tufts of curly hair stuck out every which way.

A wild bubble of laughter swelled in Hank’s throat. He swallowed hard. There was no time for hysterics. He eased the rein over the horse’s head and unclipped one end, then put a calming hand on Ranger’s shoulder while he tried to figure out how to get Grace loose.

Damn. No matter what angle he studied it from, there appeared to be only one option. “I have to lift you up and over the horn, then catch you before you hit the ground.”

“Okay.”

“I’m going to have to grab you by the crotch.”

“Oh.” Her hips twitched, as if in protest, but she said, “Well, uh, male cheerleaders do that all the time, right? No big deal.”

Yeah. That sounded convincing. He shucked his gloves, wrapped the end of the rein around his hand, and stepped so close that her face was buried in the curve of his neck. “Hang on to my shoulders.”

She untangled her fingers from Ranger’s mane and latched on to Hank. Her breath was hot against his skin, and he both felt and heard her soft eek! as he slid his hand, palm up, between her thigh and the saddle.

“Ready?” he asked.

Her chin dug into his shoulder as she nodded. Before either of them had time to think about exactly what he was grabbing, he slid his hand to the center, hoisted her hips up, and then pulled forward.

She dropped like a rock, her weight slamming into his chest. He went down hard on his butt, then his back, Grace sprawled on top of him. Ranger shied, but Hank kept his grip on the rein. The horse stopped, snorting and wide-eyed as he stared down at them.

Hank let his head flop back and his arms splay, spread-eagled in the dirt, limp with relief. He’d done it. She was safe.

Then Grace started to shake, tremors that rocked her body as she made a choked, hiccupping sound. Oh shit. She was crying. Was she hurt? Scared half to death? Fixing to slam a knee into the same part of his anatomy as he’d just—

Her laughter burst out, ringing in his ears and echoing off the sides of the ravine. “Oh…my…God!” she gasped. “That was so ridiculous. If anyone had seen—”

She broke off, quaking against him, and the vibration broke something loose.

This wasn’t funny, dammit. Except it was, especially when he lifted his head to see her blindfolded by her cock-eyed hat, hair sticking out every which way and giggling her fool head off.

A deep, uncontrollable belly laugh rocked him. And the harder he laughed, the harder Grace laughed, and then Mabel started jumping and yipping around them, eager to join the fun, and they laughed even harder, helpless to fend her off when her tongue swiped at their faces.

Meanwhile, the horse continued to stare down at them as if they’d lost their ever-loving minds.

*****

Giveaway:

5 Copies of Fearless in Texas

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/54ca7af7694/

*****

Spotlight – Make Me Fall

26 Wednesday Sep 2018

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Books & Brews series, Make Me Fall, Sara Rider

Out yesterday, this one is already getting fab-u-lous reviews! I love the idea of these two going from adversaries to so much more.

*****

Make Me Fall

Books & Brews #2

by Sara Rider

Release Date: September 24, 2018

Series: Books & Brews #2

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Page Count: 226

Blurb:

After losing her job, her home, and her friends in her divorce, Nora Pitts is determined not to make the same mistakes when she starts over in the small town of Shadow Creek, Washington. No more toiling away in the lab at the expense of her social life, and definitely no more men. Ever. But making friends in her thirties is so much harder than she anticipated. And when it comes to her gorgeous yet obnoxious neighbor, it’s a whole lot easier to make enemies.

Eli Hardin doesn’t have a lot of sympathy for his uptight neighbor, until he overhears her so-called new friends making fun of her un-datable status. Suddenly he finds himself volunteering for a date with a woman who’s been leaving angry hate-notes in his mailbox, and in way over his head. Because all it takes is one disastrous date with Nora for Eli to fall hard.

But falling for Eli isn’t something Nora’s ready for—not when he’s her complete opposite, and especially not when he turns out to be the best friend she’s made in Shadow Creek. But as her attraction and her feelings for Eli grow hotter, resisting him might just lead to heartbreak anyway.

Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2v1Vbws

*****

Excerpt:

Eli marked off twenty-six and three-quarter inches as precisely as he could and lifted the blade of the circular saw.

“Oh my God, I soooo wasn’t kidding,” one of the women next door said loudly. “Nora really does need to get laid.”

His shoulders tensed. This wasn’t the first time he’d overheard the women loudly shit-talking his neighbor behind her back. He had no idea why she hung out with them.

“Maybe you should set her up with someone,” another woman added.

The other two laughed. “Can you imagine Nora on a date? She’s so uptight and frigid. Who would want to date her? No lay is worth that kind of torture. Can’t you just picture her busting out her bottle of sanitizer before the poor sap tries to hold her hand?”

His jaw tensed and he felt the last of his patience snap like an icicle in his warm hands. He sliced the saw through the wood, threw his protective glasses onto the ground, and marched over to the waist-high chain link fence. “I’d do it.”

All three women turned to look at him like he was a space alien who’d just beamed down to earth. The one who’d been talking the most leaned forward in her seat. “What did you just say?”

“You heard me. I’d go out with her.”

“You can’t be serious.”

The more this woman pushed, the more he wanted to put her in her place. No, Nora was not the kind of woman he would normally ask out—mainly because she was one of the few who didn’t seem to fall for his charm. In fact, he was pretty sure she didn’t think he had any charm whatsoever, but she was attractive and smart enough to read a book every month. That alone made her more dateable than half the population in this town. “Sure as hell am.”

The woman leaned forward, smiling at him like he was freshly caught prey in her snare. “If you’re looking for a date, I could show you a much better time.”

He shrugged, keeping his fake smile on his face. “No thanks. Backstabbing and mean isn’t my type.”

He probably enjoyed the shocked look on the woman’s face a little too much, but it was seriously fucking rude to trash-talk the hostess while sitting on her porch and eating her canapés.

The screen door slid open right at that moment. Nora walked out with a plate of decadent-looking mini-chocolate cakes that made his mouth water on sight. Her eyes darted from her friends to him and back again. “Um, what’s going on?”

He rested his hands against the old chain-link fence. “What’s going on is that your so-called friends are talking trash about your love life behind your back and don’t seem to think you can get a date. So I volunteered.”

“You what?”

“Volunteered. You and me. Tomorrow night at seven. I’ll drive.”

She slammed the cake tray onto the coffee table and set her hands on her hips. She looked around, like she couldn’t decide where to focus her anger. Of course she settled on him. “Who says I’d want to go out with you?”

He raised his eyebrow, liking the way she got flustered around him a little too much. “Got better plans?”

Even at the distance between them, he could see her suck in a breath. Her mouth hardened into a flat line, but she didn’t say no.

“Tomorrow. Seven. Dinner. Oh, and consider making new friends who aren’t so damn mean. These ladies don’t deserve any of those amazing-looking cakes.” He grabbed his plank of wood and headed into the house, wondering what the hell he’d just gotten himself into.

Want Some More Books & Brews from Sara Rider? Pick up a copy of RIGHT KIND OF LOVE today!

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*****

Author Info:

Sara Rider writes contemporary romance full of heart, heat, and happily ever after. She lives in British Columbia with her husband and daughters. She spends far too much time in public libraries and never leaves the home without her e-reader stuffed in her purse.

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card and six digital copies of REAL KIND OF LOVE!

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*****

Spotlight – Hot Winter Nights

24 Monday Sep 2018

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Heartbreaker Bay series, Hot Winter Nights, Jill Shalvis

Rom-com mixed with a touch of suspense? Yes, please! And when it’s done by Jill Shalvis you know it is going to be fabulous!

*****

Hot Winter Nights

Heartbreaker Bay – Book 6

by Jill Shalvis

Avon Books – Sept 25^th, 2018

Blurb:

Who needs mistletoe?

Most people wouldn’t think of a bad Santa case as the perfect Christmas gift. Then again, Molly Malone, office manager at Hunt Investigations, isn’t most people, and she could really use a distraction from the fantasies she’s been having since spending the night with her very secret crush, Lucas Knight. Nothing happened, not that Lucas knows that—but Molly just wants to enjoy being a little naughty for once . . .

Whiskey and pain meds for almost-healed bullet wounds don’t mix. Lucas needs to remember that next time he’s shot on the job, which may be sooner rather than later if Molly’s brother, Joe, finds out about them. Lucas can’t believe he’s drawing a blank on his (supposedly) passionate tryst with Molly, who’s the hottest, smartest, strongest woman he’s ever known. Strong enough to kick his butt if she discovers he’s been assigned to babysit her on her first case. And hot enough to melt his cold heart this Christmas . . .

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36220363-hot-winter-nights

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/169076-heartbreaker-bay

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Winter-Nights-Heartbreaker-Novel-ebook/dp/B075JDXZ68

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/hot-winter-nights/id1278863804?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hot-winter-nights-jill-shalvis/1127949172?ean=9780062741844

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hot-winter-nights-12

GPlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jill_Shalvis_Hot_Winter_Nights?id=GUhEDwAAQBAJ

Paperback: https://jillshalvis.com/books/hot-winter-nights/#order

Series Buy Link: http://jillshalvis.com/books/#heartbreaker-series

*****

Check out the link below to read the Chapter One Excerpt!!

https://jillshalvis.com/books/hot-winter-nights/

*****

Author Info:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes warm, funny, sexy contemporary romances and women’s fiction. An Amazon, BN & iBooks bestseller, she’s also a two-time RITA winner and has more than 10 million copies of her books sold worldwide.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

*****

Giveaway:

$10 Amazon eGift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81383/

*****

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

Spotlight – Got It Bad

21 Friday Sep 2018

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Bad Boys Gone Good series, Christi Barth, Got It Bad

Kellan might not have the mob ties his brothers do but that doesn’t stop him from being a bad boy …

*****

Got It Bad

Bad Boys Gone Good series

by Christi Barth

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Kellan Maguire’s on the run from the mob, living a secret life. The only bright spot is his U.S. Marshal handler. Yeah, he wants to handle her….a lot. And in spite of all the rules it would break, Federal Marshal Delaney Evans secretly fears she’d risk everything for one night with Kellan. Even though Delaney’s career, her entire world, could implode if she admits how important he is to her. And all that is before the biggest complication of all hits…

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*****

Excerpt:

Kellan clasped a thin bracelet around her left wrist. A silver key and a heart-shaped lock dangled from it. “This is my way of saying thank you. A reminder that you’ve got my heart all locked up now.”

All that thick blond hair hid her face as she stared down at her wrist wordlessly. For a while. For too long. Long enough that Kellan focused on the rushing of the river and the squawk from ducks at its edge.

Shit. Was it too much? Had he pushed too fast?

Delaney slid out of the chair to her knees. Then she threw her arms around his neck, locking her crossed wrists at the back of his head. “Thank you. I . . . I never planned on having someone feel like this about me. I was sure I didn’t want it to happen. But I’m genuinely thrilled to hear you say all this.”

Never planned on—what did that mean? How many secrets had she still not shared?

This near whisper of an admission sounded as if it was wrenched from deep inside of her. Pushing for more seemed like a sure-fire way to set off one of their old habitual fights. And Kellan was damn pleased that it’d been a while since they’d fallen into that trap. They deserved one of those OSHA safety signs—It has been 10 days since our last incident. “Any time I can provide a thrill, I call it a good date.”

“I’m truly touched. I wish I had something to give you. For making me feel so special.”

“No way. That’s like writing a thank you note for a thank you note.” On the other hand, he could press his luck a little more. Because Delaney was damned hard to read. “You could maybe let me know if and/or when you feel the same way.”

Her eyes flew wide open. “Can’t you tell?”

Maybe? The thing was, “maybe” didn’t cut it. Kellan needed to know. “I don’t like to raise at the poker table unless I’m damned sure of what I’m holding—and what everyone else is holding.”

“Oh, for God’s sake.” Delaney rolled her eyes and dropped her head back. But to Kellan, her oh-so-habitual look of annoyance was simply adorable. “What is it with men? Not every analogy has to come down to poker or The Godfather.”

“That movie actually never played in my house. I guess now I know why.”

“Ironic.” Delaney wriggled up against him. Then she kissed him, slowly. Softly. When she started to pull away, Kellan tightened one arm around her waist. Okay, sort of her waist. More that he started there before immediately moving down to anchor his hand on her sweet ass. Then he took charge of the kiss.

He liked to take charge in the bedroom. And, surprisingly, his hard-as-nails, normally take-charge marshal seemed to relish it when he did. Just more proof that they were right for each other.

So Kellan drew out the kiss. Kept it soft. Tender. Romantic, to suit the day and the setting. He wanted Delaney to go back over these kisses, these stolen moments, a hundred times a day on all the days when they were stuck hundreds of miles apart. Until he figured out a way to keep them together.

There had to be a way.

*****

Author Info:

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

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

*****

Giveaway:

2 Series Blankets, Mug and Notebook

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4cf78adb703/

*****