Spotlight – Can’t Walk Away

10 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Can't Walk Away, Nashville Dreams series, Sandy James

We’ve got a couple of great books to look at today – I’m actually about halfway through this one and it is fabulous!

*****

Can’t Walk Away

Nashville Dreams, Book 1

by Sandy James

October 10, 2017

Forever Yours eBook

$3.99

Blurb:

In Nashville the stars shine a little brighter, songs sound a little sweeter, and love lasts a lifetime.

Young, rich, and better looking than a man has a right to be, successful songwriter Brad “Hitman” Maxwell was once Nashville’s biggest celebrity. Then a heartbreaking loss and a shocking betrayal caused his light to go out. Now, instead of pouring his soul into song, he pours beers at Words & Music. His bar is the perfect escape—a place to forget his past—until the night she takes the stage…

Savannah Wolf used to dream of becoming Nashville’s hottest star. Now, as a young single mom, she dreams of a steady income and being home to tuck her daughter into bed. So when Brad Maxwell offers her the gig of a lifetime—playing as the headliner at Words & Music—Savannah discovers the best of both worlds. And she refuses to ruin this opportunity by falling for her sexy boss. Except that Brad suddenly starts writing music again…music inspired by her.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2u5osnC

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2v128y5

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

iBooks: http://apple.co/2v3CqHJ

Google: http://bit.ly/2wpKSjW

*****

Excerpt:

By the fifth take, Brad was losing his patience.

Had he been wrong in thinking Savannah was something special, something new? He sure as hell didn’t think so.

Then why couldn’t he get her to sing with the passion she’d shown back at Words & Music?

Maybe it was the song. “That Smile” was his first attempt at writing in a long time. Perhaps it wasn’t up to snuff?

No. When Brad had heard Savannah sing it earlier, he’d known he’d written a strong song with a good melody and a catchy beat.

Something was clearly blocking her talent.

“I’m sorry, Brad.” She dropped the headphones from her ears to let them rest around her neck. Then, head bowed, she started shuffling through the sheet music.

He’d never seen her look defeated before, and he didn’t like it. This wasn’t the Savannah who’d been his muse. This wasn’t the woman who brought back his music.

This was…a disaster.

But why?

He watched her closely, trying to find some telltale clue as to what was going on today that had robbed Savannah of the passion and talent he’d counted on. Her hair was braided, the braid an eclectic mixture of blond and blue. A blush tinted her cheeks, and he could hear her nervousness through the quaver in her voice, especially in the last notes of her fifth recording.

Something was definitely wrong, and he was going to have to find a way to fix it. But he couldn’t do that from another room. Even though he could see her, something told him she needed something more personal. Unsure of whether being closer to her would make a difference, he figured it was worth a shot.

Brad started a new recording so he could capture the song if he was able to help her, pushed himself away from the console, and headed to the recording booth with his remote control in his pocket. He pulled the door open and stepped inside.

Savannah glanced up from the music, offering him a wan smile that made his frustration evaporate. She knew something was wrong, too. Maybe if they put their heads together, they could get back the magic.

By the fifth take, Brad was losing his patience.

Had he been wrong in thinking Savannah was something special, something new? He sure as hell didn’t think so.

Then why couldn’t he get her to sing with the passion she’d shown back at Words & Music?

Maybe it was the song. “That Smile” was his first attempt at writing in a long time. Perhaps it wasn’t up to snuff?

No. When Brad had heard Savannah sing it earlier, he’d known he’d written a strong song with a good melody and a catchy beat.

Something was clearly blocking her talent.

“I’m sorry, Brad.” She dropped the headphones from her ears to let them rest around her neck. Then, head bowed, she started shuffling through the sheet music.

He’d never seen her look defeated before, and he didn’t like it. This wasn’t the Savannah who’d been his muse. This wasn’t the woman who brought back his music.

This was…a disaster.

But why?

*****

Author Info:

Sandy James lives in a quiet suburb of Indianapolis and is a high school psychology teacher. She owns a small stable of harness racehorses and enjoys spending time at Hoosier Park racetrack. She has been an Amazon #1 Bestseller multiple times and has won numerous awards including two HOLT Medallions.

www.sandyjames.com

www.twitter.com/sandyjamesbooks

www.facebook.com/sandyjamesbooks

Add Can’t Walk Away to your shelf on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2u8qK9q

Follow Sandy James on BookBub: http://bit.ly/2vuaGOF

Follow Sandy James on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2u8HL3g

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win 1 of 15 free ebook downloads of Can’t Walk Away!

http://bit.ly/2yEbU8o

*****

Spotlight – Thrill of Love

04 Wednesday Oct 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

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Melissa Foster, The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor MD series, Thrill of Love

Today we’ve got another FANTABULOUS book from the always awesome Melissa Foster!!!

*****

Thrill of Love

The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor, MD #6

by Melissa Foster

Releasing October 4, 2017

World Literary Press

Blurb:

Do you believe in fate?

World-renowned mountain climber and nature photographer Ty Braden never believed in second dates, much less heart-pounding, steal-his-breath love. But that was before a trip to Saint-Luc, where he met funny, strong, and entrancingly beautiful Aiyla Bell, a ski instructor and fellow photographer whose hopes and dreams, and love of the outdoors, aligned perfectly with his—and whose kisses alone turned him inside out.

After spending five magical days and four sweet, soulful nights falling in love, Aiyla couldn’t imagine a day without Ty. But when he asked her to go with him on his next assignment, his reputation for having women at his beck and call stopped her from upending the life she’d worked so hard to create.

Months later fate steps in when a chance encounter brings Ty and Aiyla together for a five-day wilderness event held in the Colorado Mountains. Their deep, passionate connection is stronger than ever, and Ty is bound and determined not to lose her again. But when tragedy strikes and their worlds are turned upside down, their love faces the truest test of all.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24779253-thrill-of-love

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/174204-the-bradens-at-peaceful-harbor-md

*****

Excerpt:

“Do you believe in fate?”

His warm breath coasted over her cheek, and she swallowed hard, paralyzed by the sound of the deep, seductive voice she’d heard in her dreams so many times she wasn’t sure it was real. Her heart thundered against her ribs, and she forced her shaky legs to work. She turned, both of them rising at the same time, bringing all six-plus broad, muscular, feet of Ty Braden into focus. Oh God. It’s really you. His silky brown hair was in desperate need of a trim, stopping just short of his shoulders and framing his rugged features. The mix of longing and shock in his golden-brown eyes unearthed a storm of memories—her hand in his, his lips on hers, deep conversations as they shared their hopes and dreams, which were as perfectly aligned as the stars in the skies of Saint-Luc.

“Ty” came out ridiculously breathless. She wanted to scale him like a mountain, to kiss his hot, sensuous mouth again and feel him holding her as he once had. But she couldn’t do any of those things. She was frozen in place, and that was probably a good thing. He was still Ty Braden, the world-renowned mountain climber and photographer, with a reputation as a player that preceded him.

In an effort to regain control, she shifted her gaze away and managed, “What are you doing here?”

“It’s fate,” he said confidently, as if he believed in it. “Fate has brought us together for another five days.”

She forced herself to meet his gaze, her heart thundering at the prospect of more time with him. “You don’t believe in fate, remember? You believe people are in charge of their own destiny.” Their last night in Switzerland, he’d asked her to leave with him the next day and travel with him “to see where things end up.” Oh, how she’d wanted to throw caution to the wind and join him. But she’d worked years to build the life she had always dreamed of, and she couldn’t risk it all to be one in a long line of Ty’s women. She’d fallen hard for him—fallen in love with him—and she hadn’t been able to bring herself to confront the rumors about his reputation. Instead, she’d said, Do you believe in fate? And though he’d said he didn’t, she always had, and she’d said, if this is meant to be, we’ll meet up again. They’d agreed not to exchange phone numbers or addresses, and not to track each other down by any other means, but to truly leave their future in fate’s hands.

“I think that’s changed, Aiyla.” He said her name like he’d been waiting to say it for all these months. He stepped closer, so close she could smell something minty on his breath. “I can’t believe you’re here. After all this time, you’re really here.”

The longing in his voice confused her even more. She looked into his eyes, and memories swamped her. She remembered the feel of him holding her in his arms as they fell asleep fully clothed and waking to his sweet whispers and gentle kisses. Cuddling under blankets as snow fell around them and they reminisced about their childhoods and families. She felt like she already knew his five siblings, though she’d never met them. A lump rose in her throat, and she shifted her gaze over his shoulder to try to regain control. Two female competitors were whispering and watching them. Her stomach knotted again. Why did the only guy she’d ever fallen for have to come with a womanizing reputation? He hadn’t seemed like a player in Saint-Luc. He hadn’t even tried to sleep with her until that very last night, when she knew he’d been picking up on all of her sexy signals. Signals she’d then dashed with one sentence. She’d been seconds from going back to his hotel room when he’d stepped away to answer a call. The brief moments it had taken him had given her a chance to clear the lust from her head enough to make a more rational decision. He probably thought she was a cocktease, but it wasn’t merely sex she’d been avoiding. She’d thought she was saving her heart. And she’d regretted that decision ever since.

*****

Author Info:

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

Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

*****

Giveaway:

Win a Digital e-copy of WHISPER OF LOVE (Two Winners)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81360/

*****

Wednesday, Oct 4th

Lynn’s Romance Enthusiasm – Rev

Texan Girl Reads – Promo

IreneChart – Rev

Cat’s Guilty Pleasure – Promo

The Book Junkie Reads – Rev

Star Crossed Reviews – Rev

Romantic Reads and Such – Promo

Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance – Promo

All Things Bookaholic – Rev

Wicked Reads – Rev

Thursday, Oct 5th

Lady Celeste Reads Romance – Rev

Ashleyz Wonderland – Promo

Happy Ever After Romance Book Reviews – Rev

Lady Muslin Myst’s Mysterious Hodgepodge – Promo

Once Upon a Page – Rev

Paranormal Romance and Beyond – Promo

Polished Bookworm – Rev

Blogger Nicole Reviews – Promo

Ellesea Loves Reading – Rev

Friday, Oct 6th

Room with Books – Rev

Making it Happen – Promo

Ramblings from this Chick – Rev

Once Upon a Book Blog – Rev

Essentially Bookish – Rev

Monday, Oct 9th

Hike2Forty and beyond – Promo

Hearts & Scribbles – Promo

Nadine’s Obsessed with Books – Rev

TBR Book Blog – Rev

Romance Book Review for You – Rev

Crystal Blogs Books – Rev

Tuesday, Oct 10th

Buried Under Romance – Rev

The Power of Three Readers – Rev

Karen’s Killer Book Bench – Promo

The Many Faces of Romance – Promo

Tfaulcbookreviews – Rev

Wednesday, Oct 11th

Inside the mind of an avid reader – Rev

Sofia Reads Books – Rev

I’m a Book Shark – Rev

OMGReads – Rev

Thursday, Oct 12th

My Reading Journeys – Rev

The Book Quarry – Rev

Underneath the Covers – Promo

Ever After Book Reviews – Promo

Jenn Avery Romance Lover – Rev

Friday, Oct 13th

Once Upon a Book – Promo

Nightbird Novels – Promo

Book Lover in Florida – Promo

Reese’s Reviews – Promo

The Crafty Engineer’s Bookshelf – Rev

Sass from the South – Promo

Monday, Oct 16th

Francoise’s Reading Corner– Rev

JoJo the Bookaholic – Rev

Books, Coffee & Passion – Promo

Moonlight Rendezvous – Rev

Thoughts of a Blonde – Rev

My Book Filled Life – Rev

Tuesday, Oct 17th

Aurora B’s Book Blog – Rev

Evermore Books – Rev

Ginger Mom & the Kindle Quest – Rev

Teatime and Books – Promo

Booked All Night – Rev

Mello & June, It’s a Book Thang – Promo

Wednesday, Oct 18th

Becca the Bibliophile – Rev

Margie’s Must Reads – Promo

Kitty’s Book Spot! – Promo

Short and Sassy Book Blurbs – Rev

Ebook Indulgence – Rev

Spotlight – A SEAL’s Strength

03 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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A SEAL's Strength, JM Stewart, Military Match series

I’m reading this one right now and I’m super excited to bring it to you … hopefully I’ll have a review soon 🙂

*****

A SEAL’s Strength

Military Match #2

by JM Stewart

Release Date: October 3, 2017

Forever Yours ebook – $3.99

Blurb:

This second chance was worth the wait . . .

As a SEAL, Gabriel Donovan did the toughest jobs imaginable without blinking an eye. But three years after his wife’s death, the idea of dating still makes him sick to his stomach. His daughter desperately needs a mother, though, and there’s nothing Gabe won’t do for his little girl.

Stephanie Mason doesn’t run from anything. Not even coming face to face with the “one that got away” on a blind date. Steph’s body vividly remembers every single thing about Gabe and while some things have changed, the way he makes her feel sure as hell hasn’t.

Gabe and Steph know that love comes with risks, but if they’re brave enough, this second chance might just bring them the love of a lifetime.

A sizzling new series about three friends looking for love-and the sexy SEALs who are ready to fulfill their craziest fantasies.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2wfm2X9

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2fcIeLe

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

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

Google: http://bit.ly/2wQeQyz

Add A SEAL’S STRENGTH to your shelf on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2wq6TPG

Follow JM Stewart on BookBub: http://bit.ly/2uow57Z

Follow JM Stewart on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2hsq5da

*****

Excerpt:

Maybe he was right. Maybe it was time she was honest with him.

Careful to keep her voice low, she turned her head and looked off down the street. Honesty might be the best policy, but she couldn’t force herself to look into that disarming hazel gaze while she said the words.

“I wasn’t prepared for this. I was prepared for a weekend. A little fun with someone I trusted once. That’s different, you know, than a hookup in a bar. But you’re…you. It’s childish, really, to still feel that way. To be jealous of a dead woman.” She heaved a sigh and finally forced herself to look at him. “But I am.”

Her insides shook as she waited. That was the most she’d ever told him. She didn’t know if she actually wanted his response and yet part of her craved it. A holdover from all those years ago. Back in college, she’d wanted him to know she’d fallen in love with him, because she’d held out this hope he’d tell her he loved her back. Pathetic that the need still hovered beneath the surface.

Those keen eyes worked her face. Then, finally, he smiled, warm and alluring. “So, dinner? Next Friday?”

There was that sexy smile she’d known would make an appearance, and she was caving, exactly the way she’d known she would.

She heaved a sigh and nodded. “Fine. You win. I’ll have dinner with you next Friday. But since I owe you for the car and clearly you’re not taking my money…”

“Nope.” He winked, eyes gleaming with playful impishness and a touch of smug self-satisfaction.

Giddy, happy little butterflies took flight in her stomach. “Then I’m cooking.”

One dark brow arched and the corners of his mouth twitched. “Can you do that?”

This time, her facade cracked. She punched him in the shoulder. “Yes, thank you very much. Contrary to popular belief, I have actually grown up.”

Those gorgeous eyes glinted at her. “So you have.”

“Friday. Six o’clock. Don’t be late.” She pivoted and marched toward her car, determined to get away from him before she embarrassed herself. As she reached into her purse, however, it hit her. Gabe had her keys. She halted, sighed, and, face hot as Hades itself, turned back.

Gabe stood grinning at her, his right arm extended. He jangled her keys, dangling from his thumb and forefinger. “Missing something?”

She rolled her eyes and strode back to him, but when she reached for the keys, he held tight to them.

“I look forward to seeing you, you know. I’ll say it again, in case you missed my point last time. Were you anybody else, that first date wouldn’t have gone this far.” He finally released her keys and winked at her. “And I won’t be late. I’m never late.”

*****

Author Info:

J.M. Stewart is a coffee and chocolate addict who lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two sons and two very spoiled dogs. She’s a hopeless romantic who believes everybody should have their happily ever after and has been devouring romance novels for as long as she can remember. Writing them has become her obsession.

www.AuthorJMStewart.com

www.twitter.com/JMStewartWriter

www.facebook.com/AuthorJMStewart

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win 1 of 15 free ebook downloads of A SEAL’S STRENGTH!

http://bit.ly/2xIvi59

*****

Spotlight – Acting on Impulse

02 Monday Oct 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Acting on Impulse, Love On Cue series, Mia Sosa

Check out the first in a fun, flirty new series from Mia Sosa!!

*****

Acting On Impulse

Love On Cue series

by Mia Sosa

Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Avon Impulse

Publication Date: September 19, 2017

Blurb:

After a very public breakup with a media-hungry politician, fitness trainer Tori Alvarez escapes to Aruba for rest, relaxation, and copious amounts of sex on the beach—the cocktail, that is. She vows to keep her vacation a man-free zone… but when a cute guy is seated next to her on the plane, Tori can’t resist a little harmless flirting.

Hollywood heartthrob Carter Stone underwent a dramatic physical transformation for his latest role and it’s clear his stunning seat mate doesn’t recognize the man beneath the shaggy beard and extra lean frame. Now Carter needs help rebuilding his buff physique and Tori is perfect for the job. It doesn’t hurt that she makes his pulse pound in more ways than one.

Sparks are flying, until a pesky paparazzo reveals Carter’s identity. Tori is hurt and pissed. She wants nothing to do with another man in the limelight, but she’s still got to whip him into shape. Can Carter convince Tori he’s worth the threat to her privacy that comes with dating a famous actor, or will Tori chisel him down to nothing before he even gets the chance?

Grab the popcorn . . .

Avon https://store.digitalriver.com/store/harperco/en_US/buy/externalrefid.9780062690333/hcstoreID.Avon

Amazon http://amzn.to/2wH62Og

Barnes & Noble http://ads.harpercollins.com/avonsite?isbn=9780062690333&retailer=barnesandnoble

Google Play http://ads.harpercollins.com/avonsite?isbn=9780062690333&retailer=googleplay

Walmart http://ads.harpercollins.com/avonsite?isbn=9780062690333&retailer=walmart

iBooks http://ads.harpercollins.com/avonsite?isbn=9780062690333&retailer=apple

*****

Excerpt:

As I crawl into the tiny space—it’s been a while since I’ve traveled coach class—I catch a whiff of her scent and close my eyes. Not sure if it’s perfume, body wash, or what, but it smells like vanilla and reminds me of the candles my mother used to buy at the local craft store. That right there is a sign. My mother would most heartily approve of this woman.

Now to find out her name.

I turn in my seat, prepping myself for a short conversation—too much too soon isn’t part of the playbook—but then I realize she’s not next to me. I raise myself off the cushion and pretend to stretch as I turn my head to scan the back of the plane. She’s a few rows back, standing and chatting with a guy who doesn’t appear to have anyone sitting next to him.

Oh, hell no.

Do I have to go to the restroom? You bet.

Before I stand, a bell rings and a flight attendant announces that there will be a short delay while the ground crew clears debris from the runway. Perfect.

I rise and make my way through the aisle, pushing down the bill of my baseball cap so no one notices me. But, of course, someone does. For all the wrong reasons.

A little girl with huge brown eyes and a mop of bright red hair tugs on her mother’s shirt and says, “Mommy, that man looks like a bear.”

The cutie’s pronouncement is loud enough that several nearby passengers chuckle. Even the object of my fascination turns and laughs. I grin at the kid, and she growls in her best imitation of a bear. So freaking adorable, that girl. Enjoying her fascination with my beard, I channel my inner Leonardo DiCaprio and growl right back.

Now I’ve done it.

The little girl’s eyes go round, and her eyes water. Then she lets out a shriek like the hounds of hell are chasing her. Unfortunately, I’m the hounds, and everyone on the plane, including my future wife, knows it.

The girl’s mother tries to quiet her, rocking her and telling her everything will be okay. Their seatmate, meanwhile, throws daggers at me with his eyes.

“He’s so scary looking,” the little girl chants over and over into her mother’s chest.

“Sir,” the flight attendant says behind me, “we’re getting ready to take off soon. Could you please return to your seat?”

Bewildered by the past ten minutes of my life, I nod and amble back to my row. How the hell did things go south that quickly? Fantasy woman returns, and my stomach drops when I catch the look of sympathy on her face. I slide down into my seat, give her a pathetic smile, and cover my face with my baseball cap as though I’m settling in for a nap. I need to regroup before I can speak to her. And I refuse to listen to the preflight safety demonstration unless the attendant can teach me how to save me from myself.

So now I know another thing: Whatever I tell my kids about how I met their mother, it’s going to be a lie. A big, fat fucking lie.

*****

Author Info:

Mia Sosa was born and raised in New York City. She attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications and met her very own romance hero (spoiler alert: she married him). Mia once dreamed of being a professional singer, but practical considerations (read: the need to generate income) led her to take the law school admissions test instead.

A graduate of Yale Law School, Mia practiced First Amendment and media law in the nation’s capital for ten years before returning to her creative roots. Now she spends most of her days writing contemporary romances about smart women and the complicated men who love them. Mia lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters and will forever be on the hunt for the perfect karaoke bar.

Avon http://www.avonromance.com/book-author/mia-sosa/

Website https://www.miasosa.com/

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

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

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14552097.Mia_Sosa

Amazon http://amzn.to/2iP7717

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win a $25 Gift Card. Open internationally.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/637fbedf99/

*****

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Spotlight – Second Chance Girl

28 Thursday Sep 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Happily Inc Series, Second Chance Girl, Susan Mallery

After the awesomeness of You Say It First, Susan Mallery invites you back to visit Happily Inc., a wedding destination founded on a fairy tale …

*****

Second Chance Girl

Happily Inc #2

by Susan Mallery

Blurb:

From the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Susan Mallery, read the second irresistible installment in the Happily Inc series!

Mathias Mitchell’s easy smile hides a world of hurt. After the worst kind of family betrayal, he moves to Happily Inc., California—the wedding destination town supplies a steady stream of bridesmaids, perfect for his “no promises, no pain” lifestyle. Yet he can’t stop watching for his beautiful, elusive neighbor on the animal preserve behind their homes.

Gamekeeper Carol Lund knows she’s not special enough to attract an alpha male like Mathias, so his offer to help her adopt a herd for her lonely giraffe is surprising—and his determined seduction, even more so. But just as she finally welcomes him into her bed, his careless actions crush her heart. Will she give him a second chance to prove she’ll always come first in his heart?

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

Get your copy of SECOND CHANCE GIRL here!

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

Kindle: http://amzn.to/2f0uSyi

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2x8frhe

Nook: http://bit.ly/2x5y3gk

Book Depository: http://bit.ly/2x5h8KW

Powell’s: http://bit.ly/2x8l2UX

iBooks: http://apple.co/2x4ZgQl

BAM: http://bit.ly/2jvkyn9

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2f01EQd

GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2xFiEq6

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2y3yebo

Audible: http://adbl.co/2wgKDfC

*****

Excerpt:

The Sweet Dreams Inn off of Eternal Drive was the stuff of nightmares—at least for Ulrich. His plan had been to leave Happily Inc after he concluded his business with Violet Lund—thief and swindler—return to Los Angeles and catch a flight back to England. Only nothing had gone according to plan.

His meeting with the surprisingly attractive and very animated woman had left him feeling both awkward and confused. She had been able to produce a bill of sale for the buttons his grandmother had sent, and buttons were not what had been stolen from the house. Was she not the thief and if not her, then who?

Ulrich had driven to LA only to reschedule his flight and return to Happily Inc. The Sweet Dreams Inn had been the first hotel he’d seen, so he’d pulled in. Too late he’d discovered it was a themed hotel with each of the rooms representing something ridiculous. For reasons not completely clear to him, he’d agreed to a couple of nights in the Drive-In room, which was how he found himself with a mattress fit into a red, 1959 Cadillac convertible, a television the size of a movie screen and a sitting room decorated like a concession stand. Even he had to admit the car was beautiful—with big fins and white-walled tires. Still, it wasn’t where one expected to sleep. Regardless of the strange surroundings, the Wi-Fi was excellent and the kitchen delivered meals to his room.

Ulrich had spent nearly a day researching Violet Lund and antique buttons only to come to the conclusion that it was more than possible that she had been telling the truth. There was money to be made in the world of buttons. Even more troubling, it seemed Miss Violet Lund was nothing more than a very honest shopkeeper.

She had no criminal record, no trouble with the IRS, not even a ticket. He’d used several online sites to investigate her and she’d come back annoyingly normal and law abiding. How could he have been so wrong?

He was never wrong—he made it a point to be sure of things. He’d only been seriously fooled once in his life and that had been by his ex-wife Penelope. In that case, the deception had been deliberate—at least on her part. Thinking about that didn’t help him at all, and he mentally turned his back on his former wife. The bigger question was what to do about Violet. He’d slept on the information, then had woken up in the morning with no clear idea of what to do next.

After showering, he ordered breakfast and knew he had to come up with a plan—only he had no idea what it would be. He opened another file on his computer and reviewed the list of missing items provided to him by his housekeeper and his own investigation.

The trouble had started three months ago when Ulrich had ordered a complete inventory of the house, including the attics. The project had taken over a month and they’d discovered some truly wonderful pieces. But many things had also been missing.

The public rooms were closely monitored and protected, and the guests who stayed in the hotel wing didn’t have access to the private residence without an escort. The previous inventory had been conducted by his father, nearly five years before. Ulrich had no way of knowing what had been taken when. Or so he’d thought.

*****

AND don’t miss the first standalone title in the Happily, Inc. Series, YOU SAY IT FIRST! Grab your copy today!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2v8LYiZ

Kindle: http://amzn.to/2vPA7bW

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/2whleC3

Nook: http://bit.ly/2uYd5yk

Book Depository: http://bit.ly/2ic2aiq

Powell’s: http://bit.ly/2idcg2G

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

BAM: http://bit.ly/2woIihs

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

GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2uONR9o

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2woHZDA

Audible: http://amzn.to/2woIxJE

*****

Author Info:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women’s lives—family, friendship, romance. She’s best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.

Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Visit her online at SusanMallery.com.

Website: www.SusanMallery.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/susanmallery

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SusanMallery

Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanmallery

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

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/susanmallery

Newsletter: http://www.susanmallery.com/join-mailing-list.php

*****

Giveaway:

$100 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice)

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c1a0383/

*****

Susan Mallery’s SECOND CHANCE GIRL – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

September 18^th

A Southern Girls Bookshelf – Excerpt

Fire and Ice Book Reviews – Review

Little Bookworm Reviews – Review

The Butterfly Reads – Review & Excerpt

September 19^th

Collector of book boyfriends – Excerpt

I Love Romance – Review & Excerpt

Mama She’s Crazy About Books – Review

Ramblings From This Chick – Excerpt

September 20^th

Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

It’s all About the Romance – Review & Excerpt

Rachel Loren’s Love of Reading – Review & Excerpt

Stephanie’s Book Reports – Review & Excerpt

September 21^st

Adventures in Writing – Excerpt

Books and Things Blog – Review & Excerpt

Reading Reality – Review

Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance – Excerpt

September 22^nd

Becky on Books – Review & Excerpt

Jen’s Reading Obsession – Review & Excerpt

KDRBCK – Review

Romancing the Readers – Review

September 23^rd

Brittany’s Book Blog – Excerpt

OMGReads – Review & Excerpt

What Is That Book About – Excerpt

September 24^th

E-Romance News – Excerpt

K.T. Castle – Excerpt

Melena’s Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Nicole’s Book Musings – Review & Excerpt

September 25^th

For the love of romance – Review & Excerpt

Inside The Mind of an Avid Reader – Review & Excerpt

Smokin Hot Reads Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

September 26^th

Always a happy ever after – Review & Excerpt

Bookishly Yours – Excerpt

Cesya MaRae Cuono, Author – Excerpt

Lattes & Paperbacks – Review & Excerpt

September 27^th

Loves Great Reads Blog – Excerpt

Pervy Ladies Books – Review & Excerpt

Reads & Reviews – Review

Thoughts of a Blonde – Excerpt

September 28^th

I’m A Book Shark – Review & Excerpt

Romantic Reads and Such – Excerpt

Tales From A Bookworm – Review & Excerpt

September 29^th

Gataleitora – Review

Nose Stuck in a Book – Excerpt

Remarkablylisa – Review & Excerpt

TBR Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

September 30^th

A geordielass honest blog on reviews – Review

Dog-Eared Daydreams – Review

Sofia Loves Books – Review & Excerpt

Two Book Pushers – Review

October 1^st

Miss Riki – Review & Excerpt

Shannon’s Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

The Book Maven – Review

October 2^nd

Crazii Bitches Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

From the TBR PIle – Review & Excerpt

Living In Our Own Story – Review & Excerpt

Booknerd1107 – Review & Excerpt

October 3^rd

Katy and Zetti’s Book Ramblings – Excerpt

I love My Bookgasms blog – Review & Excerpt

Readaholic – Excerpt

Renee Entress’s Blog – Review & Excerpt

October 4^th

Booked All Night – Review & Excerpt

JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC – Review & Excerpt

My Nook, Books & More – Review

Sascha Darlington’s Microcosm Explored – Review & Excerpt

October 5^th

Book Reviews By Lexi – Review

Mean Girls Luv Books – Review & Excerpt

The bookworm chronicles – Excerpt

Sweet Red Reads – Review & Excerpt

October 6^th

Book Lovers Hangout – Review & Excerpt

G & T’s Indie Café – Excerpt

Lover of Big Books Cannot Lie – Review & Excerpt

Shelf_Life – Review & Excerpt

Book Review – Kisses Sweeter Than Wine

27 Wednesday Sep 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Book Review, Heather Heyford, Kisses Sweeter Than Wine, Oregon Wine Country series

Who’s ready to fall in love with a troubled, but sexy (of course), soldier?

*****

Kisses Sweeter Than Wine

Oregon Wine Country #3

by Heather Heyford

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pub Date: 8/29/2017

Blurb:

When the town of Clarkston, Oregon, welcomes Captain Sam Owens home from the service, Sophia “Red” McDonald is first in line. The sassy psychotherapist has known Sam since they were kids, and the grown-up Sam is darned near irresistible. With his abs of steel and those gorgeous hazel eyes, he could have any woman he wanted. Naturally, Red is thrilled when he takes her hand . . .

She’s a modern woman, happy to canoodle with the sexy soldier, no strings attached—until her heart changes the rules. Suddenly, after months of casual hookups, Red finds she wants more. She longs to possess Sam body and soul. But his warrior’s heart was wounded long before he joined the service. As a therapist, Red has ways of making him talk. Only if Sam opens up and spills his secrets can they finally have everything their hearts desire . . .

Add to Goodreads

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*****

Review:

(So who is surprised that this is the first of this series that I’ve read … no one?)

I have to admit, I’m not sure that I actually found Red to be that good of a therapist. Unfortunately she lets her personal feelings take over and influence her interactions with Sam and, while he isn’t her patient, she should know better. She recognizes it at one point but I think she didn’t take his feelings into consideration as much as she should have, as even just a normal person would. And definitely not for a trained professional.

But I also felt really bad for her with the way her friends treated her a couple of times. I don’t know if the author intended for us to pick up on a personality trait of her’s instead but I felt like she was the injured party. There is one part where she’s helping a friend try on a wedding dress and gets cut off in the middle of a statement. It just seemed rude and awful from someone who was supposed to be her great friend. She does make some good strides by the end of the story. While she still has some issues to work out and I really hope she continues to work on things – for her sake and for Sam’s.

Sam, though, absolutely stole the story for me – he’s so conflicted and for so many reasons. From the very beginning his troubles just grabbed onto my heart and didn’t let go. Between his up-bringing and his time in the military the poor man never had a chance of being all that well-adjusted. Luckily he’s finally reached a stage in his life, and found a person he wants to commit to, that he’s willing to look his demons in the eye and come out the other side.

A complex story with thorny personal issues, Kisses Sweeter Than Wine isn’t an easy read but seeing Sam finally face his troubles makes it all worth while. Maybe if I’d read the previous stories I’d have been even more involved in this couple, I don’t know, but I can definitely say that he won me over.

*****

Author Info:

Heather Heyford is the author of contemporary romances set in the wine country.

See what inspires her writing on her many Pinterest boards, read more about her on HeatherHeyford.com, and connect with her on Facebook and Instagram.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Amazon * Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

Win your own copy of Kisses Sweeter Than Wine

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/23d974a9376/

*****

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

Spotlight – Chasing Christmas Eve

26 Tuesday Sep 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Chasing Christmas Eve, Heartbreaker Bay series, Jill Shalvis

I love Christmas romances and I love Jill Shalvis … so excited to bring you both with her newest release!

*****

Chasing Christmas Eve

Heartbreaker Bay series

by Jill Shalvis

Blurb:

Meet cute…

Run for the hills—temporarily. That’s Colbie Albright’s plan when she flees New York for San Francisco. Wrangling her crazy family by day and writing a bestselling YA fantasy series by night has taken its toll. In short, Colbie’s so over it that she’s under it. She’s also under the waters of a historic San Francisco fountain within an hour of arrival. Fortunately, the guy who fishes Colbie out has her looking forward to Christmas among strangers. But she’s pretty sure Spencer Baldwin won’t be a stranger for long.

Make merry…

Spence’s commitment to hiding from the Ghosts of Relationships Past means he doesn’t have to worry about the powerful—okay, crazy hot—chemistry he’s got with Colbie. Just because she can laugh at anything, especially herself… just because she’s gorgeous and a great listener…just because she “gets” Spencer immediately doesn’t mean he won’t be able to let Colbie go. Does it?

…and hope for a miracle.

Now the clock’s ticking for Colbie and Spence: Two weeks to cut loose. Two weeks to fall hard. Two weeks to figure out how to make this Christmas last a lifetime.

Order CHASING CHRISTMAS EVE in ebook or paperback, releasing 9/26/17

Amazon | iBooks | Kobo| Barnes & Noble

Add to your Goodreads

*****

Excerpt:

Spence, still crouched low and easily balanced on the balls of his feet, dropped to his knees and pulled her up to hers. Brushing the hair from her forehead, he eyed the spot where they’d connected. “You okay?”

She started to say yes but his gaze slid to her mouth and she lost her train of thought, instead licking her suddenly dry lips.

Spence, watching the movement avidly, let out a rough breath. “Colbie,” he said quietly, in a very serious, very low octave that sounded like pure sex.

She stood up. “Y-yes?”

Also standing, he slid his hands up her arms, giving her a very slow tug, almost as if expecting resistance.

There was no resistance. Hell, she nearly took a flying leap at him.

He laughed softly, sending a bolt of heat through her. Her knees wobbled and his arm wrapped around her waist, steadying her. Their gazes locked and they both froze in place, she from a sudden rush of emotions, Spence probably from watching them play out across her face. She once again started to say something—still had no idea what—but was silenced by his hot mouth covering hers.

Yes was her only coherent thought and she pressed up against him as he angled his head, taking the kiss even deeper.

*****

Author Info:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s sexy contemporary and award-winning books wherever romances are sold and click on the blog button above for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

*****

And don’t miss the previous books in Jill Shalvis’s Heartbreaker Bay Series, SWEET LITTLE LIES, THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE and ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE, now available! Grab your copies HERE!

*****

Giveaway:

Set of signed SWEET LITTLE LIES, THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE, ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE and CHASING CHRISTMAS EVE for 3 winners

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c1a0384/

*****

Tour Schedule:

September 18^th

Bea’s Book Nook – Review & Excerpt

From the TBR PIle – Review & Excerpt

I Love Romance – Review & Excerpt

Reading in Pajamas – Excerpt

Sognando dietro ai libri – Excerpt

Writing My Own Fairy Tale – Review & Excerpt

September 19^th

Books and Things Blog – Review & Excerpt

East Coast Book Chicks – Review & Excerpt

IreneChart – Review & Excerpt

JordansBookReviews – Excerpt

Romancing the Readers – Review

September 20^th

Bridget’s Book Bungalow – Review & Excerpt

Fiction Fangirls – Review & Excerpt

Marieke’s Books – Review & Excerpt

Reese’s Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Seraphim Book Reviews – Review

What Is That Book About – Excerpt

September 21^st

Inside The Mind of an Avid Reader – Review & Excerpt

Rachel Loren’s Love of Reading – Review & Excerpt

Thoughts of a Blonde – Review

What I’m Reading – Review & Excerpt

September 22^nd

JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC – Review & Excerpt

Love Notes Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Melena`s Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Red Hot + Blue REads – Review & Excerpt

Southern Yankee Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

The Readdicts – Review & Excerpt

September 23^rd

Miss Riki – Review & Excerpt

Naturally Nerdy Books – Excerpt

Renee Entress’s Blog – Review & Excerpt

The Reading Cafe – Review & Excerpt

September 24^th

A crazy vermonters book reviews – Review

Fictional Rendezvous Book Blog – Excerpt

Lover of Big Books Cannot Lie – Review & Excerpt

Sofia Loves Books – Review & Excerpt

The Book Maven – Review & Excerpt

September 25^th

Book Angel Booktopia – Review & Excerpt

Cara’s Book Boudoir – Review & Excerpt

Kitty’s Book Spot! – Review & Excerpt

OMGReads – Review & Excerpt

Shannon’s Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Two Girls with Books – Review

September 26^th

Becky on Books – Review & Excerpt

Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

KT Book Reviews – Excerpt

Lightning City Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Romantic Reads and Such – Excerpt

September 27^th

Booked All Night – Review & Excerpt

Embrace the Romance – Review & Excerpt

Sascha Darlington’s Microcosm Explored – Review & Excerpt

Somewhere Lost in Books – Review

Two Book Pushers – Review & Excerpt

September 28^th

A Hopeless Romantic’s Booklandia – Review & Excerpt

BJ’s Book Blog – Review

Bookishly Yours – Review & Excerpt

Evermore Books – Review & Excerpt

Sweet Red Reads – Review & Excerpt

The Heathers Blog – Excerpt

September 29^th

Book Munchies – Review & Excerpt

BooksPieAndCoffee – Review & Excerpt

Bloggin’ With M. Brennan – Review

Four Chicks Flipping Pages – Review

I’m A Book Shark – Review & Excerpt

TBR Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Wrapped Up In Reading – Review

September 30^th

Books and Tequila – Review & Excerpt

ContemporaryCween – Review

Jax’s Book Magic – Review & Excerpt

MI Bookshelf – Review

Nose Stuck in a Book – Review & Excerpt

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

Shelf_Life – Review

The Reading Belles – Review & Excerpt

Spotlight – One Summer Night

22 Friday Sep 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Caridad Pineiro, One Summer Night

I just love the idea of enemies (kinda) to lovers that Pineiro has going here!

*****

One Summer Night

by Caridad Pineiro

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Pages: 352

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

An offer that’s impossible to accept . . .

Maggie Sinclair has tried everything to save her family’s business, including mortgaging their beloved beach house on the Jersey Shore. But now, she’s out of options.

The Sinclair and Pierce families have been neighbors and enemies for almost thirty years. That hasn’t stopped Owen Pierce from crushing on Maggie, and he’s determined to invest in her success. Now he has to convince her that he’s more than just trouble with a capital T…

PRE-ORDER BELOW!

Amazon Kindle | Amazon Paperback | B&N | iBooks

*****

Excerpt:

Tracy Parker was in love with being in love.

That worried her best friend and maid of honor Maggie Sinclair more than she cared to admit.

In the middle of the temporary dance floor, Tracy waltzed with her new husband in a satin-and-lace designer gown, gleaming with seed pearls and twinkling sequins. But the sparkle dimmed in comparison to the dreamy glow in Tracy’s eyes.

The sounds of wedding music competed with the gentle rustle of seagrasses in the dunes and the crash of the waves down on the beach. The fragrance from centerpiece flowers and bouquets battled with the kiss of fresh sea air.

Connie and Emma, Tracy’s two other best friends and members of the bridal party, were standing beside Maggie on the edge of the dance floor that had been set up on the great lawn of Maggie’s family’s beachfront mansion on the Jersey Shore. Huddled together, Maggie and her friends watched the happy couple do a final whirl.

“She’s got it so bad,” Maggie said, eyeing Connie and Emma with concern past the rim of her rapidly disappearing glass of champagne.

“Do you think that this time he really is The One?” Connie asked.

“Doubt it,” Emma replied without hesitation.

As the DJ requested that other couples join the happy newlyweds, Maggie and her friends returned to the bridal party dais set out on the patio. Grabbing another glass of champagne, Maggie craned her neck around the gigantic centerpiece piled with an almost obscene mound of white roses, ice-blue hydrangea, lisianthus, sheer tulle, and twinkling fairy lights and examined the assorted guests mingling around the great lawn and down by the boardwalk leading to the beach.

She recognized Tracy’s family from their various meetings over the years, as well as some of Tracy’s sorority sisters, like Toni Van Houten, who in the six years since graduation had managed to pop out a trio of boys who now circled her like sharks around a swimmer. Although the wedding invite had indicated No Children, Toni had done as she pleased. Since Tracy had not wanted a scene at her dream beachfront wedding, Emma, who was doing double duty as the wedding planner for the event, had scrambled to find space for the children at the dinner tables.

“Is that Toni ‘I’ll never ruin my body with babies’ Toni?” Connie asked, a perplexed look on her features. At Maggie’s nod, Connie’s eyes widened in surprise, and she said, “She looks…happy.”

A cynical laugh erupted from Emma. “She looks crazed.”

Maggie couldn’t argue with either of their assessments. But as put-upon as their old acquaintance seemed, the indulgent smile she gave her youngest child was positively radiant.

Maggie skipped her gaze across the gathering to take note of all the other married folk. It was easy enough to pick them out from her vantage point on the dais where she and her friends sat on display like days’ old cakes in the bakery. They were the last three unmarried women in an extended circle of business and college acquaintances.

“How many times do you suppose we’ve been bridesmaids now?” Maggie wondered aloud. She finished off her glass and motioned for the waiter to bring another.

“Jointly or severally?” asked Connie, ever the lawyer.

“Way too many,” replied Emma, who, for a wedding planner, was the most ardent disbeliever in the possibility of happily ever afters.

Maggie hadn’t given marriage a first thought, much less a second, in a very long time. She’d had too many things going on in her life. Not that there hadn’t been a few memorable moments, most of which revolved around the absolutely worst man for her: Owen Pierce.

But for years now, she’d been dealing with her family’s business and its money problems, which had spilled over into her personal finances. As she gazed at the beauty of the manicured grounds and then back toward her family’s summer home, it occurred to her that this might be the last time she hosted a celebration like this here. She had mortgaged the property that she had inherited to funnel money into the family’s struggling retail store division.

Unfortunately, thanks to her father’s stubborn refusal to make changes to help the business, she spent way too much time at work, which left little time for romance. Not to mention that none of her casual dates had piqued her interest in that direction. Looking down from her perch, however, and seeing the happiness on so many faces suddenly had her reconsidering the merits of married life.

“Always a bridesmaid and never a bride,” she muttered, surprising herself with the hint of wistfulness in her tone.

“That’s because the three of us are all too busy working to search for Prince Charming,” Connie said, her defense as swift and impassioned as if she were arguing a case in court.

“Who even believes in that fairy-tale crap?” Emma’s gaze grew distracted, and she rose from her chair. “Excuse me for a moment. Carlo needs to see me about something.”

Emma rushed off to the side of the dance floor, where her caterer extraordinaire, Carlo Teixeira, raked a hand through his thick brown hair in clear frustration. He wore a pristine white chef’s jacket and pants that enhanced his dark good looks.

Emma laid a hand on Carlo’s forearm and leaned close to speak to him, apparently trying to resolve a problem.

“She doesn’t believe in fairy tales, but her Prince Charming is standing right in front of her,” Connie said with a sad shake of her head.

Maggie took another sip of her champagne and viewed the interaction between Carlo and Emma. Definitely major sparkage going on, she thought.

“You’re totally right,” she said with an assertive nod.

Connie smiled like the proverbial cat, her exotic green-gold eyes gleaming with mischief. “That’s why you hired me to represent your company as soon as I finished law school. Nothing gets past me.”

“Really? So what else do you think you’ve seen tonight?”

Raising her glass, her friend gestured toward the right of the mansion’s great lawn where some of the fraternity brothers from their alma mater had gathered. One of the men slowly turned to sneak a peek at them.

“Owen has been watching you all night long,” Connie said with a shrewd smile.

“Totally impossible, and you of all people should know it. Owen Pierce has absolutely no interest in me.”

She set her glass on the table to hide the nervous tremble of her hand as her gaze connected with his for the briefest of moments. Even that fleeting link was enough to raise her core temperature a few degrees. But what woman wouldn’t respond like that?

In his designer tuxedo, Owen was the epitome of male perfection—raven-black hair, a sexy gleam in his charcoal-gray eyes, broad shoulders, and not an ounce of fat on him, which made her recall seeing him in much, much less on a hot summer night on Sea Kiss Beach. She had been staying in the quaint seaside town on the Jersey Shore with her grandmother that summer, much as she had all her life. As they also had for so many years, the Pierce boys had been residing next door for the entire season.

The two beachfront mansions had been built side by side decades earlier, before the start of the Pierce and Sinclair rift. The cost of waterfront real estate had escalated so drastically since their construction that neither family was willing to sell their beloved home to put some distance between the warring clans.

Well, make that the warring fathers, because as far as Maggie was concerned, she had no beef with Owen. They had played together down on the beach as kids. She couldn’t count the many sand castles they’d built or the time they’d spent out in the surf.

But after her mother had died, things had changed, and the carefree spirit of those halcyon days had disappeared. The Pierce boys had stopped coming down to the Shore for the next few years, and combined with the loss of her mom, it had created an emptiness inside her that hadn’t really gone away.

By the time the Pierce brothers returned years later, the feud had gotten worse, and Owen and Jonathan had been instructed to stay away. But an ill-timed and half-drunk kiss with Owen on a moonlit summer night had proved that staying away was impossible. It had also helped the emptiness recede for a bit. Since then, fate had seemed to toss them together time and time again in both their business and personal lives, keeping alive her fascination with him. She felt not quite so alone when he was around, not that she should get used to that.

Owen Pierce had left her once before when she’d needed his friendship the most: right after her mother’s death. His on-again, off-again presence in her life proved that she couldn’t count on him.

Owen stood next to his younger brother, Jonathan, who couldn’t be more different. While Owen was clean-cut and corporate, Jonathan had the scruffy hipster look going on. It was appealing in its own way, but not to her.

“Trust me, Maggie. Your families might be at war, but Owen would clearly love to sleep with the enemy,” Connie said.

She blew out a frustrated sigh. “More reason to avoid him. You know I’m not the kind to sleep around.”

Emma returned, color riding high on her cheeks, but not in a good way.

“Something wrong?” Maggie asked.

Emma kneeled between the two of them and whispered, “It seems the groom had a bit too much to drink and Tracy caught him being hands-on with an old flame.”

“Not Amy? Tracy always lost it if she spotted him with Amy,” Maggie whispered.

“Definitely Amy. Now Tracy is refusing to come out and cut the cake. I have to say, this takes the cake, literally. Married a few hours, and already there’s trouble.”

“Ever the hopeful romantic, Em,” she kidded.

“If you think you can do better, why don’t the two of you come help me talk Tracy off the ledge?”

*****

Author Info:

Caridad Pineiro is a transplanted Long Island girl who has fallen in love with pork roll and the Jersey Shore, but still can’t get the hang of tomato pies. When Caridad isn’t taking long strolls along the boardwalk to maintain her sanity and burn off that pork roll, she’s also a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author with over a million books sold worldwide. Caridad is passionate about writing and helping others explore and develop their skills as writers. She is a founding member of the Liberty States Fiction Writers and has presented workshops at the RT Book Club Convention, Romance Writers of America National Conference as well as various writing organizations throughout the country.

Want to receive Caridad’s newsletter with exclusive content just for subscribers and special giveaways?

Just visit http://bit.ly/2cbxlYw to sign up.

Caridad values your privacy and will not share your e-mail or personal information.

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | GOODREADS

*****

Giveaway:

Caridad Pineiro is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Terms & Conditions:

* By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.

* One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive $25 Amazon Gift Card

* This giveaway ends midnight September 29.

* Winner will be contacted via email on September 30.

* Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1a49cf61210/

*****

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

Book Review – A Hero To Love

20 Wednesday Sep 2017

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

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

A Hero to Love, Book Review, Changing Tides series, Gail Chianese

So far we’ve had a hot firefighter and a sexy hockey player … how about a hard-to-resist naval officer?

*****

A Hero to Love

Changing Tides #2

by Gail Chianese

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pub Date: 8/22/2017

Blurb:

A military police officer on the verge of a new beginning. A beautiful woman devoted to her career and her dream of putting down roots. The hardest thing they’ll ever do is to take a chance on love . . .

Navy Chief Master at Arms Jackson “Jax” Faraday is at a crossroads. He has to decide whether to reenlist or get out while he’s young enough to make a difference in the civilian world. Either choice could mean leaving behind his girl: his K-9 partner, Bella. But when she’s injured during a training session, Jax’s only concern is making sure she’s okay.

As the Navy base veterinarian, town local Risa Reynolds is right where she belongs: close to her parents in a farmhouse full of animals—with room to grow. She’s seen enough to put military men are on her “not happening” list, because they always leave.

But when a tall, hazel-eyed sailor arrives in her clinic with his dog in his arms, Risa finds herself falling hard. And all kinds of rules will get broken when Jax, a man who sticks to the straight and narrow, learns that there’s no predicting the twists and turns of the heart . . .

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Kensington

*****

Excerpt:

Chapter 1

Jackson Faraday was worried about his girl.

He should have been worried about his future. Time was running out for him to make a decision—stay in the Navy or get out—and the detailer was breathing down his neck. But the decision to throw away the past twelve years wasn’t easy.

He wanted more.

If NCIS—Naval Criminal Investigative Service—would make a decision on his application, that would be great. But what if they turned him down? Did he stay in for twenty years and retire? Then what? Start over at the bottom? Go home to a one-stoplight town with a police force that spent all its time dealing with bored teens wreaking havoc or frustrated couples fighting? Work security for one of the nearby casinos? All viable options, just not what he wanted.

He wanted to make a difference.

He shoved away the nagging questions. He had more pressing concerns. Like what was wrong with Bella, which was why he was at the base training center, even though his shift was officially over.

“Come on, Bella. Give me your best for an hour, and then I’ve got a treat for you.” He wagged the Frisbee to get her attention. Instead, Bella whined and flicked her ear.

“Hey, Jax. Heard we had a win in the courtroom today.” Chief Casey Thomas drove his Jeep up next to the chain-link fence.

“Stone? Yeah, he’s going away for a good couple of years for that little video stunt of his. Not that it makes up for what he put Lieutenant Riley through, but it’s a start.”

“Me and a couple of the guys are going to grab some grub and head out to the beach. Enjoy what’s left of summer. Come join us.” Casey drummed his fingers on the outside of the driver’s door, giving away he had more on his mind than a night’s celebration.

“What’s up with you, man? You seem agitated.” He and Casey went back a ways; spent some time in the sandbox together. Normally the guy was as easygoing as cool beer slipping down your throat on a summer day. “Got my orders in today.” Casey slid out of the vehicle and walked

through the gate. “I’m heading to Pensacola.” “Isn’t your ex-wife there?”

“Near enough.” Casey squatted down and scratched Bella’s ears. “Did you hear back on your application yet?”

“You know what they say: No news is good news.” At least he hoped that’s what it meant.

“You know what you need? To find a nice lady who can take some of your stress away and make you forget your worries.”

“The only lady I need in my life is Belladonna.” “She’s a little hairy and full of attitude.”

“Aw, but you forget. She loves me unconditionally and always has my six.” “Not lately.” Casey stood and looked out at the obstacle course. “The new handler had her out this morning, running her through basic commands, and she ignored them all. I know you two have a tight bond, especially after two tours, but you’re leaving soon. She’s got to get used to new people.” Bella had been more than his partner while deployed; she’d been his anchor, his pillar of strength, his confidant, and his hope when all seemed lost. She wasn’t just his K-9 partner. She was his family, and the idea of leaving her was ripping him apart inside. Chances were she could sense

his mood and the turmoil going on inside.

“Which is why I’m passing on your offer.” Jax released the German shepherd’s leash. “Thought I’d do some special one-on-one training with her and see how it goes. Find out if it’s the new guy or her.”

“She wouldn’t be the first dog to burn out.” Casey looked down at the dog, who hadn’t moved. “Of course, if she’s declared unfit for duty, you could adopt her. But then, what would you do with her while you’re in Glynco for NCIS training?”

Jax dropped the leash and Frisbee on top of his backpack and looked into the brilliant blue sky. He’d been playing the “what if” game for two months now with no answers in sight.

“Let’s deal with one problem at a time.”

“If you change your mind about tonight, you know where to find us.” Casey waved as he hopped back into his Jeep and drove off.

Jax squatted down and ran his hand down Bella’s back. “Okay girl, let’s get the work over so we can play.” Truthfully, everything they did was work. The game of Frisbee honed the dog’s speed, agility, and tracking ability just as much as anything else they did. She simply liked it better than the obstacle course. Not that Jax blamed her.

Jax stood up and gave the hand signal for sit.

The dog looked at him, then closed her eyes with a deep sigh. “Bella, sit,” he commanded.

She rolled over onto her side and laid her paw across her nose. Casey really nailed it with his description. The dog was full of attitude—bad attitude—and a military working dog that didn’t follow orders was of no use to the service.

Jax went through the commands again and again, getting no response. The two of them had worked together for almost six years, since Bella’s first assignment, and she’d transferred with him from the Middle East to the Sub base. In all that time, she’d never ignored an order from him. He bent back down and gave her a cursory inspection, but he didn’t find any obvious reason for the dog to balk. Concerned, Jax sat down on the ground next to his partner.

“Bella girl, talk to me. What’s going on in that brain of yours? Is it the heat? Don’t you like the new guy? Tired of the same old routine? Trust me, I’d understand if that was the problem. Maybe we should call it a night, and tomorrow go see Doc and make sure you’re okay.”

Bella scooted closer and laid her head on Jax’s lap, her tail thumping in the grass.

“You gotta be okay, girl.” Absently, he scratched behind her ears as he thought of the past six years. “I don’t think I could handle it if we’d come this far and something happened to you.”

Jax leaned forward and picked up the Frisbee. As he talked about nothing to the dog, he tossed the toy up and caught it, making no demands on Bella. Pretty soon she was sitting, her gaze following the disc.

“Ah ha. Okay, I get it. There are times when I don’t feel like working either. I’ll make a deal with you. Five minutes of play and then a lap around the course. Deal?”

Bella barked in response.

Jax laughed and jumped to his feet, relieved to see her respond like her old self. He threw the Frisbee, and Bella took off at the speed of light. She caught the disc and returned it.

They repeated it again and again.

“Okay, last one and then we work.” Jax threw it with all his strength. The disc flew up. Bella chased, but instead of running straight across the lawn, she ran up the stairs of the dog walk. When she got to the top, she jumped and caught the disc in her mouth. But as she came down, she twisted. The scene before him unfolded in slow motion. He ran, reaching for Bella. Almost there. He dove to catch her but it was too late. Bella crashed to the ground a couple of feet in front of him, letting out a yelp that made

Jax’s stomach cramp. He crawled to her side.

Thank God she was breathing. He ran his hands over her body. Nothing protruded and there was no blood, but she was crying.

Carefully, Jax scooped her up and ran for his truck. “Hang on, baby.

Everything’s going to be okay.”

And he prayed like he hadn’t done since his last night in the desert. Just like now, Bella had been at his side and they’d been pinned down by enemy fire. He’d prayed that night that they’d make it home alive and in one piece. He prayed now that his dog would live, because even though she technically belonged to the U.S. Navy, she was the love of his life.

*****

Review:

I enjoyed being there while Risa and Jax fell in love. Neither one of them is really looking for someone and, while they feel a pretty big pull toward one another, circumstances just want to get in their way. Luckily they keep getting pushed together because they make an adorable couple.

Risa has an extremely soft heart – caring and hard-working for her patients & their people. That dedication has her in Jax’s orbit and she’s finding him awfully tempting. One of those super-awesome southern gentleman, Jax was raised right but he’s still got a bit of a bad boy streak in him 🙂 Sexy, attentive, and sharp, he’s just about perfect … except he’s also military and that’s a big no-no for Risa. But he’s also determined and turns his considerable charm on her.

My only real complaint came at the very end. There’s this aha! moment with who was causing trouble (although it isn’t hard to figure out) but it isn’t explained. I have absolutely no idea why Jax was able to figure it out. Maybe I skimmed over an important detail in my zest to find out what happened next (which kept me turning pages quickly through a lot of the book) but if I missed it then I’m sure others will too.

Other than that, I will say that I was a little disappointed with Risa. When the big conflict in their relationship comes up (which pretty much all romances have at some point) she shuts down. Totally reverts to teenage drama and she should be mature enough to handle things better. But then the resolution would have been a little too easy, I guess 🙂

For a first introduction to Chianese and this series (while this is the second book it can easily stand on its own), I found A Hero to Love a delightful read. I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next – I understand that it is Risa’s uber-cool friend, Fiona. I’m anxious to see who gets to be her HEA!

*****

Author Info:

Gail Chianese’s love of reading began at the tender age of three, when she’d make her grandpa read Fourteen Country Rabbits over and over and over again (and correct him when he skipped parts). While she’s branched out over the years by reading mystery, women’s fiction, and urban fantasy, she always circles back to romance in the end. That’s probably because she’s married to her real life hero. Her wonderful hubby has served in the US Navy for the past twenty two years and he’s done things he can’t tell her about. But it doesn’t stop her from being extremely proud of him and the sacrifices he makes for her, his family, and his country. He’s also uber-supportive of her dreams and of their three children. Living in Mystic, CT and a member of Connecticut Romance Writers of America, Gail loves to hear from readers.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Amazon * Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win your own copy of A Hero to Love

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*****

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Spotlight – The Best Man’s Proposal

18 Monday Sep 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Hamilton Sisters series, The Best Man's Proposal, Wynter Daniels

Let’s start our week with a sexy firefighter … what do you think?

*****

The Best Man’s Proposal

Hamilton Sisters, #2

by Wynter Daniels

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Release Date: September 18, 2017

Hosted by: Book Partners In Crime Promotions

Blurb:

Niki Hamilton had her hopes pinned on moving to Europe with her boyfriend. But then he dumped her. By text message. Just before her sister’s wedding. Left dateless in a flamingo-pink monstrosity of a bridesmaid dress, she decides to drown her sorrows in a glass of tall, dark, and handsome.

Firefighter Grant Powers has been burned by love, but when his best friend’s new sister-in-law falls into his arms—and stays there for one sexy night—he enjoys the experience a little too much. Then a rental snafu leaves Niki temporarily homeless. So, gentleman and masochist that he is, Grant offers his spare bedroom. Despite the smoldering sexual tension between them, starting anything would be playing with fire.

Now, they just have to survive living together for a few weeks…

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Also in the Series:

Book 1: The Surrogate Husband

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*****

Excerpt:

Saying a quick prayer that he didn’t have any nosy neighbors with itchy 911-dialing fingers, she kneeled down and peered under the door. The paper was only an inch or two away. If she could stick something long and thin through the space, she could pull it out.

Rifling in her purse, she found a nail file. Perfect. On the first attempt, she missed by a fraction of an inch. She held her breath, ready to give it another try.

Out of nowhere, an orange furry paw landed on the note. Before she could grab the paper, a triumphant meow let her know that Grant’s cat had moved it out of her reach.

“Son of a—” Sweat ran down her face. She wiped it away and got even lower, hoping to get a better visual. “Here kitty, kitty.”

The damn cat was nowhere in sight. Nor was her note.

“Aw, seriously.”

“Looking for something down there?”

Oh God. She knew that honey-smooth, deep voice.

Squeezing her eyes shut, she imagined what she must look like, on all fours, butt up in the air, peeking under his door. The very picture of elegance. “I can explain,” she said to the ground.

*****

Author Info:

As a child, Wynter Daniels told her parents she wanted to be an archeologist, an actress or a sculptor. Unfortunately she didn’t demonstrate the natural ability to sculpt or to bring an audience to tears with her Ophelia. Nor could she stand getting dirt under her fingernails. But she could always talk her way out of anything by spinning quite a colorful tale.

Wynter has authored more than three dozen romances, including contemporary, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance books for several publishers including Entangled Publishing and Carina Press, and she writes for Kristen Painter’s Nocturne Falls Universe. She is also one of the foursome known as The Jewel Box Authors who write the Jewel Box Anthology series.

She lives in sunny Florida with her family and a spoiled kitty named Chloe.

-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wynter-Daniels-Romance-Author-112308715446045/

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-Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Wynter-Daniels/e/B003U2KQCM/

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-Website: http://www.wynterdaniels.com/

-Blog: http://wynterdaniels.blogspot.com/

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-Email: wynterdaniels@gmail.com

*****

Giveaway: