Spotlight – Coming Home to Magnolia Bay

12 Tuesday Sep 2023

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Babette de Jongh, Coming Home to Magnolia Bay, Welcome to Magnolia Bay series

People and pets find their forever homes in this charming small-town romance from Babette de Jongh featuring:

*A single mom doing her best
*Her young son who needs a helping hand
*An animal trainer who might be the answer to their troubles
*A bustling animal rescue where everyone gets a second chance
*The magic of humans who know how to communicate with animals

Coming Home to Magnolia Bay

Welcome to Magnolia Bay Book 3

by Babette De Jongh

Genre: Small Town Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Sara Prescott’s eight-year-old son Max wants a dog. But their apartment doesn’t allow pets, and the divorced single mom can’t afford the certified seizure-alert dog Max needs. Instead, she and Max volunteer at the Furever Love Animal Shelter. Max forms a special bond with Jett, a big black bully breed and three-time loser who keeps getting dumped.

Animal Trainer Justin Reed comes back home to Magnolia Bay and visits the shelter to find a dog actor for a TV series set in nearby New Orleans. Justin chooses Jett, but the shelter’s director rejects his application because Jett needs a finally-forever home, not a job with an end date. The shelter’s resident animal communicator proposes a win-win. Justin can use Jett as an animal actor if he also trains Jett as a service dog for Max.

Sara and Justin have no business indulging their mutual attraction. Sara is focused on her son, and Justin will be leaving soon. But Max and Jett have other ideas…

**Only .99 cents! **

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*****

Excerpt:

“Close your eyes,” Reva said in an I’m-about-to-hypnotize-you tone. “Allow the seat to support your body. Relax into it.”

Justin sighed, releasing a little of the tension he’d been holding on to. Maybe if the telepathy thing didn’t work, she’d let him take a nap.

“Put your focus on your breath, on the sound of your breathing, on the feeling of the air moving into your body and filling your lungs.”

The sound of the car’s tires receded, and he found that it wasn’t so hard after all to focus on his breathing.

“Now, imagine that your body is an empty straw, and that your breath is moving through you, coming up from the soles of your feet when you inhale…then moving back down through your body from the top of your head when you exhale.”

She paused while he took a few slow breaths. “How’re you doing?”

“Mmm.” He might fall asleep if she didn’t hurry up with the animal telepathy bit.

“Imagine what it would look like if you were sitting in a quiet room with Jett. Imagine it like it’s a movie scene you’re remembering. You’re sitting in a soft, comfortable chair, and you see Jett walk up and sit in front of you. Imagine him giving you his attention as if he’s waiting for your next command.” She waited a few beats. “Can you imagine it?”

“Yes.” But he couldn’t believe that imagining scenes in his mind had anything to do with animal communication.

“Good. Hold on to that scene in your mind. In a minute, you’re going to ask Jett a question. He might answer with words, or you might imagine a visual image like a snapshot or a short movie clip. Or he might send emotions or even the memory of a taste or a smell. Are you ready?”

“Yes.” But even as he said the word, anxiety skittered through him. What if he couldn’t do it?

Even more disturbing, what if he could?

“Ask Jett to let you know where he is.”

Justin’s anxiety intensified. The visual image of Jett and him sitting together in a room had fled his mind, leaving nothing but darkness. Strange swirls of color and light bloomed behind his closed eyelids. “I don’t see anything. Just color and light and swirls of energy.”

“You’re trying to see with your eyes. That’s not the way telepathic images come through. It’ll feel more like dreaming or like remembering something that happened a long time ago. Like remembering a place you’ve been or the way someone’s voice sounded.”

He quit focusing on the swirling energy behind his eyelids and tried to recapture the visual of him and Jett sitting together. A flash of something—like a word he was trying to remember but couldn’t—caught his attention but faded before he could catch it. He made a sound of frustration.

“That’s okay,” Reva said in a calm, quiet voice. “Just start over.”

Once again, he brought that image to mind, of Jett sitting in front of him, waiting for instruction on what to do next. The snapshot morphed into a movie clip… Justin imagined Jett coming closer and propping his chin on Justin’s knee. Justin manipulated the scenario by reaching out and stroking Jett’s head. He imagined himself leaning forward and asking the question again. “Where are you?”

Water. The word popped into Justin’s mind, immediate and clear. Then he remembered going to the river with his parents when he was very small. He remembered being afraid to step into the muddy waves. Afraid that he’d be swept away.

His father had been so angry, so dismissive of Justin’s fears. He’d picked Justin up by the arms and thrown him backward into the cold water. It had hit him like a smack on the backside, then shot up his nose and down his throat when he went under. Anxiety swamped him, and he sat up, shaking his head to dispel the vivid memory. “This isn’t working.”

*****

Catch up with the rest of the series:

Warm Nights in Magnolia Bay

Welcome to Magnolia Bay Book 1

Welcome to Magnolia Bay where:
*The animals interfere in their owners’ love lives
*Everyone (humans and animals alike) has an opinion about everything
*The neighbor is as infuriating as he is gorgeous
*And a sprinkle of hope is just the right thing to have you believing in love again

Abby Curtis lands on her Aunt Reva’s doorstep at Bayside Barn with nowhere to go but up. Learning animal communication from her aunt while taking care of the motley assortment of rescue animals on the farm is an important part of Abby’s healing process. She is eager to begin a new life on her own, but she isn’t prepared for the magnetism between her and her handsome, stubborn and distracting new neighbor.

Quinn Lockhart snapped up the foreclosed estate next door determined to renovate and flip the beautiful bayou property. It’s all part of a plan to make a financial comeback and reconnect with his estranged son. Definitely not part of the plan is the noisy petting zoo next door dragging down his property value. But getting rid of it becomes more difficult when he falls for the lovely and passionate Abby and bonds with an abandoned wolf dog who’s mournfully waiting for his family to return. For humans and animals alike, it will take all the courage they can muster to learn to love again. But that’s a journey worth taking—with a little help from their furry friends.

You’ll fall in love right along with Abby as animals and humans alike find unexpected ways to connect, nurture each other, and thrive.

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Magnolia Bay Memories

Welcome to Magnolia Bay Book 2

Babette de Jongh brings you a bright and hopeful romance filled with:
*People and animals who get a second chance
*A community that makes everyone feel at home
*Friends-to-lovers romance that proves everyone deserves a forever home

Struggling widow Heather Gabriel takes a job at Magnolia Bay’s Animal Shelter to provide for her family. She isn’t ready to be anything more than colleagues with Adrian Crawford, the shelter’s new business consultant. But the shelter’s animal communication expert Reva Curtis knows there’s more attraction between Heather and Adrian than they let on, and she’s determined to bring them together. With the help of Heather’s three children and all the animals at Bayside Barn, Heather and Adrian soon realize they can have a future together…if they can let go of the past.

Small town romance will never look the same once you’ve traveled to Magnolia Bay!

“Charming…a satisfying blend of romance and animal cameos.”—DEBBIE BURNS, bestselling author of the Rescue Me series

“Babette de Jongh’s books are crafted with heart and humor, roaring heat and cuddly love.”—JOANN SKY, author of the Biggest Little Love Story series

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

**Celebrate National Black Dog Day on Oct 1 with Hear Them Speak!**

Hear Them Speak

A Twelve-Week Course in Telepathic Animal Communication

by Babette de Jongh

Genre: Nonfiction, Pets, Animal Communication

Would you like to know what your animal companion is really thinking? If you’re holding this book, the ability is literally within your grasp. Hear Them Speak is an engaging and easy-to-follow twelve week course that guides you through the process of discovering your own superpowers of telepathic animal communication. With real-life examples to increase understanding and tasks to help you practice your emerging skills, animal communicator Babette de Jongh walks you through every step of the journey to claim your innate ability to hear them speak.

Amazon * Goodreads

*****

Author Info:

Babette de Jongh is a telepathic animal communicator, energy healer, Reiki Master, and award-winning romance writer who has taught ballet, yoga, elementary school, and animal communication. Whether it involves a happy-ending romance, a way of self-nurturing, or help in understanding our companions, the cohesive thread that ties all these things together is a desire to save the world, one happy ending at a time.

Babette’s first romance novel, Angel Falls, won two Readers’ Choice awards. In Hear Them Speak, Babette helps humans better understand their animal companions. In Welcome to Magnolia Bay, a romance series from Sourcebooks Casablanca, a telepathic animal communicator conspires with the human characters’ animal companions to help everyone—humans and animals—find forever love.

All this is only the beginning for a late bloomer who is just getting started. To find out more about Babette, everything she does, and everything she’s up to these days, please visit her website at http://www.BabettedeJongh.com.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

$20 Amazon

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Review – You, Again

08 Friday Sep 2023

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

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Book Review, Elmwood Stories series, Lane Hayes, You Again

You, Again

The Elmwood Stories #1

by Lane Hayes

Blurb:

The hometown hockey hero and his best friend’s brother…

Vinnie

Hockey is in my blood. I learned to skate before I learned how to ride a bike. I’ve been on a wild ride, playing at the highest level for some of the biggest and best teams in the league. But now it’s over, and I’m not sure what to do with myself.

So I’m going home to Elmwood.

But I’ll tell you what I’m not gonna do—I’m not going to coach my buddy’s junior hockey league. No chance. I don’t know how to deal with kids, and besides, the other coach—who happens to be my best friend’s brother—hates me. With reason.

That may be old news, yet something tells me we’re going to have to deal with the past.

And that’s almost as scary as coaching teens.

Nolan

No, I don’t hate Vinnie, but he drives me nuts.

He’s cocky, goofy, selfish, and yeah…after all these years, I’m still attracted to him. But I’m a responsible adult now. I run my family’s business, and with the help of my ex, I’ve made Elmwood Diner into a New England institution.

So maybe my life isn’t particularly exciting at the moment, and maybe Vinnie isn’t the worst. Nonetheless, I have no desire to rekindle a friendship with the hockey hero who no doubt will be on the first flight out of town the second he gets bored or gets a better offer.

And I’m not coaching with him. No way.

Ugh…

I can’t believe I’m doing this again.

You, Again is an MM bisexual, best friend’s brother, frenemies to lovers romance featuring old friends, a new quest, and a little hockey HEA!

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*****

Excerpt:

Vinnie set a twenty on the table and stood. “Thanks for the coffee.”

“It’s on the house,” I insisted, pushing the money toward him.

“No, no. I support local businesses. Keep the change.”

His over-the-top wink practically begged me to roll my eyes, but I had more to say. We had to clear the air…at least a little.

“Um…hey, even if you don’t make it through summer, your presence alone is good for business for the whole town. ‘NHL Hero Comes Home’ and all that bullshit. If you don’t mind the attention, and I’m assuming you don’t—come help out at the rink. It’s easy and fun. You won’t regret it.”

Vinnie rubbed his scruffy jaw thoughtfully. “Okay. I’ll do it.”

I smiled tentatively and raised my hand for a high five. “Great.”

“But only if you’re my assistant.”

“What?” I pulled my hand away before he could slap it, furrowing my brow. “No way. Gavin is perfectly capable of—”

“Nope. It has to be you.”

I frowned. “Why?”

“ ’Cause…” Vinnie blew out an exasperated breath. “I want to fix this. Me and you. And I can’t do that if you ignore me.”

And just like that, the invisible wall between us shook in its foundation.

“We’re fine,” I bluffed.

Vinnie arched a brow. “You’re mad at me. I know why, and I get it. We don’t have to go into it now, but at the very least, we should call a truce ’cause if we’re working with impressionable teens, you really oughtta be nice to me, Moore.”

My mouth opened in a perfect O. “I’ve been perfectly civil to you. More civil than you deserve, Kiminski.”

“See? That wasn’t nice,” he teasingly scolded. “I can’t believe I’m the voice of reason here.”

I fixed him with a bored sardonic stare. “You are never the voice of reason.”

“I kind of am now.”

“No, you aren’t.”

“Yes, I am.”

“No, you—oh, my God.” I pointed at the door. “Good-bye, Vinnie.”

He snickered, flashing a lopsided devil-may-care grin my way. “Wait up. Let’s seal the deal on this truce.”

“Oh, brother.”

“I’m serious. Let’s shake hands, hug it out, kiss and make up, or all of the above.”

I regarded his outstretched hand suspiciously and cautiously slid my palm against his. “Fine. Truce.”

“See, that didn’t sound friendly. You ruined it. Gimme a hug,” he demanded, pulling me into a bear hug, squeezing me hard enough to crack a rib.

I let out an oomph of surprise and tried to wriggle out of his hold. He took the hint and loosened his grip. I knew it was all in good fun or at least meant to playfully rile me up, but when he bent to kiss my cheek, I turned my head just as he swooped in and bam! Our lips collided in an actual, honest-to-God kiss.

A fucking kiss.

I couldn’t speak for Vinnie, but I was too shocked to move.

We’d been here before.

Sure, it had been almost twenty years ago, but I was positive neither of us was looking for a repeat. I certainly wasn’t. Any second now, he’d back up, swipe his hand across his mouth and make some ridiculous joke to right the balance. But he didn’t.

He softened his lips and molded them to mine, tilting his chin as if testing a new angle. And suddenly, this felt real.

Oh, no.

Oh…no.

I pushed out of his arms, sucking in a gulp of air.

Holy shit.

My heart beat like a drum, and my mouth was bone dry.

“I think—I think we’re good now,” I rasped.

Vinnie’s shell-shocked expression gave way to something unreadable. He scratched his nape and stepped aside.

“Yeah. Uh…what time is practice?”

“Thursday at three.”

He nodded and tried a smile that never reached his eyes. “Cool. See ya, Nol.”

I froze in place as the door swung shut behind him, willing my heartbeat to calm the fuck down.

Did that happen?

It wasn’t real. I knew that, but he didn’t pull away. He lingered, he pressed closer, he…he kissed me.

Reality check: Vinnie was a notorious prankster. He was always doing something to push boundaries—make you laugh, make you mad, make you stop taking life so damned seriously. Silly was his fallback language. If lighthearted pranks and teasing kept some uncomfortable parts of the past at bay, I was all for it.

But I was still confused. Very confused.

*****

Review:

I’m going to say straight up that I’m pretty sure the reason I didn’t like this one as much as the other books by Lane Hayes that I’ve read is … me. I just didn’t like Vinnie as a character. He’s one of those overgrown guy’s guys that just irritates me to no end. He’s in his late 30s, still giving people noogies, playing practical jokes, and acts the class clown. Not that I’m against people having fun but that’s not my idea of fun and that colored my reading of the book. I get that he’s got a lot of issues – from his mother’s death to his father’s absentee parenting to coming to grips with his future and sexuality. But I just couldn’t let the rest go to really invest in him. When he was more serious, though, I definitely could see the appeal.

On the other hand, I loved Nolan. He’s a pillar of the community and his family, a fabulously loving & supportive uncle, and once he gets over the way things ended between them he’s there for Vinnie too. Even knowing it most likely means another broken heart.

I always enjoy Hayes’s writing — she gives readers robust characters (even when they aren’t my type), compelling stories, and satisfying HEAs. And I’m definitely excited to see what happens next – the little teaser with JC has me impatient to see him and Riley together. This one character being not my favorite in no way reflects on Hayes and her skills, it’s just a me thing.

*****

Author Info:

Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. She loves wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband and her fabulous pup, George.

Connect with Lane:
My Readers’ Group, Lane’s Lovers: https://bit.ly/3aIbMYg
My Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3cICfaK
Blog: www.lane-hayes.com
Twitter: twitter.com/LaneHayes3
FB: facebook.com/LaneHayesAuthor
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/lanehayes
BookBub: bookbub.com/authors/lane-hayes
Instagram: instagram.com/lanehayes3/
Instagram: instagram.com/lanehayesauthor/
Goodreads: goodreads.com/LaneHayes
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@lane_haye

*****

Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of You, Again, Lane is giving away the Winner’s choice of an audiobook or ebook of your choice from her published works!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

*****

Review – Bad Pucking Timing

05 Tuesday Sep 2023

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

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Bad Pucking Timing, Book Review, Colorado Bulldogs series, Michele Lenard

Bad Pucking Timing

Colorado Bulldogs, Book 1

by Michele Lenard

Blurb:

The ice is my happy place. My sanctuary. The source of my happiest memories, and the promise of my future. It’s also the reason I’m living a lie.

As a kid you don’t think about the sacrifices you’ll have to make for your dreams. After all, dreams are supposed to be happy, so all you see is the finish line, not what you’ll have to give up to get there.

I surrendered a carefree childhood to hours upon hours of grueling practices. Abandoned life with my family in favor of a boarding school that would hone my skills to perfection. But my biggest sacrifice, the one I couldn’t predict I’d have to make as a little boy, is denying who I am.

To the world I’m the top rookie in this year’s NHL draft. The most promising defender the league has seen in years. For years that’s all I wanted to be, and now that I’m here…

I knew my career would intersect with my personal life at some point, I just didn’t expect it to happen before I played my first pro game.

That’s why he is so dangerous. My lifelong dream is within reach, and now there’s another I want to pursue. If only it weren’t such bad pucking timing.

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*****

Excerpt:

“What’s your address?” I change the subject, pulling my phone from my pocket to open my contacts. “I need to get an Uber back to my car.”

“Uh, uh. No address until I get your phone number.” He smiles triumphantly around a mouthful of coffee.

“Didn’t Tripp already give you my information so you could deliver me home last night? Which you clearly didn’t do.” I make a show of looking at the room around me.

Niko rubs the bridge of his nose. “He gave me your address, which I lost while I was trying to copy it in the Uber app, so no.”

“Typical jock.” I can’t stop the corner of my lip from ticking up as I shake my head.

“Don’t avoid the subject,” he barks. “Phone number, or you’re walking. And stop pretending you don’t like jocks.”

“I don’t.”

“You like me.”

“I tolerate you.” I drink my coffee to disguise what I’m pretty sure is a grin.

“You tolerate hockey. You like me. That smile you’re trying to hide says so.” He crosses his arms in front of his broad chest with a proud smirk.

I look at him from under hooded eyes. “Still not fucking you, Nikolas.” Flirting yes, fucking no.

“Yet… Alexander.” His blue eyes seem to promise there’s a distinction.

Jesus he’s going to give me a semi.

“Address.” I tap the screen of my cell.

“Phone number.”

“Address first.”

“Same time.” He slides his phone toward me and picks mine up, arching a sly brow as he waits for me to meet his challenge.

“Fine.” We each tap at the screens, entering the information, and the moment my phone is back in my hand it starts to vibrate.

“Just checking.” He flashes me those coy dimples.

*****

Review:

Xander, still a little burned by a relationship gone bad, is comfortable in his life and pretty much only looking for a good time. Meeting a hottie at the bar for a night of great sex and a definite connection … not his usual but he’ll never see him again. Well, not until Xander finds him in his dad’s backyard and discovers that his one night stand is the newest member of his dad’s hockey team.

Niko is new to town and thrilled to see Xander again. But things are complicated – not only does he play for Xander’s dad but he’s also not exactly looking to broadcast his sexuality the first year of his NHL career. But that connection is still there and one night of great sex turns into more. Can they figure out how to balance their needs and wants?

I loved Niko’s teammates. They are a hoot and help support him as he figures out how to be a pro player, to settle into his new life. And Xander’s friend Tripp is definitely a highlight, with how he supports them in his own way and how he unabashedly enjoys life.

I enjoyed the start of Lenard’s Colorado Bulldogs series. There’s some drama, but not too much. Lots of steam, but there can never be too much. A grumpy/sunshine mix that can go bad but is a delight when done right (which it was). And entertaining secondary characters that are just begging for their own stories. A good mix of humor and heat, Bad Pucking Timing is a fun first book and I’m all for finding out what’s coming up next!

*****

Author Info:

Michele is a tomboy who writes contemporary romance (usually sports themed) that is both sweet and steamy. Her goal is to make you fan your face as you wipe a tear from your eye. Her books are part of a series but there are no cliffhangers so each can be read as a standalone. When she isn’t reading or writing she enjoys the outdoors, something that pops up in her books from time to time.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21706386.Michele_Lenard
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/michele-lenard
https://www.instagram.com/mlenardbooks/
https://www.facebook.com/michelelenardbooks
https://mlenardromance.com/newsletter-signup/

*****

Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Bad Pucking Timing, Michele is giving away a paperback copy of the release!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

*****

Review – The Fortunate Son

23 Wednesday Aug 2023

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

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Aimee Nicole Walker, Book Review, Redemption Ridge series, The Fortunate Son

The Fortunate Son

Redemption Ridge Book Two

by Aimee Nicole Walker

Blurb:

Ivan Gallagher’s first and only attempt at love nearly cost him everything—his reputation, family, and even his freedom. Needing an outlet for his pent-up passion, the gruff foreman turns his beekeeping hobby into a successful business. Just when he’s on the verge of taking his liquid gold to the next level, a granted favor transforms his orderly life into a sticky mess.

Rory Snyder was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but wealth couldn’t spare him from loss and heartache. Finding himself at the center of a dangerous media storm, the social media influencer seeks refuge at Redemption Ridge. Too bad the Viking-sized Ivan seems impervious to Rory’s charms because he could use a sexy distraction from the chaos threatening to ruin his life.

Predawn collisions in the hallway lead to revelations, explorations, and something far sweeter than honey. Soon, living in the moment becomes living for the moment. But for how long? A future seems impossible for the humble foreman and the fortunate son until a common nemesis makes Ivan and Rory realize what they truly stand to lose.

The Fortunate Son is book two in the Redemption Ridge series. Though each story features a different couple, reading the series in order is essential. The Fortunate Son contains mature themes and is intended for adults.

Content Warning: homophobia, underage alcohol addiction, and intentional overdosing are briefly discussed in this book, though no graphic descriptions are used.

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*****

Excerpt:

The big mountain of muscle doth protest too loudly, even if it was presented as stomping away from the conversation. Rory wasn’t really into the whole daddy thing, but it was sure fun as hell to rile people up. His brother had cringed when he’d applied the label to Cash when the silver fox had headed in their direction, but Rory suspected Ivan’s reaction had nothing to do with disgust. The guy reminded him of a Viking with his broad shoulders, narrow waist, and thick thighs. He wore his auburn hair in a fade with closely shorn sides and longer strands on top. The Viking’s beard was a darker red, and Rory wanted to know what the rest of his body hair looked like. He’d bet the hunk was furry in all the right places too. Christ, the man was even sexier up close. Amber eyes the color of expensive whiskey assessed him in a way that made Rory feel vulnerable. He couldn’t have that and decided to regain the upper hand with outrageous flirting.

Ivan. His name, build, and dark scowl belonged to a conqueror as he’d said, but his soft voice belonged to someone gentler like a scholar. Would his touch be rough and firm or soft and teasing? A Viking-sexual such as he could hope for both. Fascinated by the dichotomy, Rory was eager to follow the man who held his fate at the ranch in the palm of his enormous hand, but first he turned his attention to the dark-haired hottie who’d entered the kitchen in time to overhear Ivan shouting his displeasure about having Rory foisted on him to settle a debt between Cash and Nick.

Dark brown eyes had studied Rory with unabashed curiosity. “Who are you?”

“I’m the favor.”

*****

Review:

I’ve chosen a lot of low angst stories lately, which just means that they are meant for a certain reader (or at least a reader in a certain mood). But readers who read Guys Like Him won’t be surprised and, like the first book, there’s a lot more than just the mains involved. There are some complaints about that in reviews and I think that maybe we get used to connected but stand alone series, which this isn’t. Instead these are interconnected stories that focus on particular people in each book, but don’t end on a cliffhanger for the main two characters. Like the fact that there isn’t a lot of drama, I think that this means it won’t appeal to everyone. Personally, I loved getting attached to all the characters, not just the mains – I want all of them to be happy and content and finding the HEA they need. I’m look forward to seeing more of them, even if they have to share a book.

Here, though, we focus on Ivan (who I think pretty much everyone wanted to get to know better), a strong but silent type that just begs to be ruffled and whose secrets need to be exposed. His history just tugged at the heart strings and made him even more likable as a character. He’s obviously a nurturer who cares deeply but who’s also been hurt badly, and we see that even more so here.

Rory is the opposite of Ivan and the perfect match for him. He’s more in your face, sassy and vibrant. From the moment they meet, and Rory challenges him with his cheek, you just know they are going to be a hoot together. And he doesn’t disappoint.

Funny and steamy and emotional and fun, The Fortunate Son is an entertaining read. From the way Rory and Ivan make amends with their families to their obviously going to fail attempt at keeping things short-term, I adored their story. They have their struggles but when together they are so open, caring, and just absolutely loving that it made my heart melt. And I can’t forget the rest of the characters – I loved seeing more of the others on the ranch (especially Dylan and Harry), but as always Hope stole the show and a little more of my heart. I can’t wait to see what is coming in book 3 because there are more guys that need their story told.

*****

Series Info:

Join us for Book 1 in the Redemption Ridge Series with Guys Like Him

Kieran Sullivan is broken when he arrives at Redemption Ridge. A wrongful conviction and twenty months in lockup will do that to a man. The ranch is a place for second chances and fresh starts, but for him, it’s an opportunity to discover who set him up. Get in, get answers, and get out. The plan sounds easy enough until Kieran meets an equine specialist whose sunny smile could warm the coldest heart.

Finley Ashe is a sucker for bruised spirits and sad eyes. The horse whisperer and broken-boy magnet is six months into a hiatus from love when Kieran, the king of emotionally unavailable men, gets assigned to work under his supervision. Mutual attraction is gasoline on proximity’s flame, testing Finley’s resistance in new ways.

Priorities shift, shields come down, and truths get exposed. Will the inevitable combustion redeem Kieran and Finley or consume them?

Guys Like Him is book one in the Redemption Ridge series. Though each story features a different couple, reading the series in order is essential. Guys Like Him contains mature themes and is intended for adults.

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*****

Author Info:

Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titles—wife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day.

I’d love to hear from you.

You can reach me at:
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/aimee-nicole-walker
Twitter – https://twitter.com/AimeeNWalker
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/aimeenicole.walker
Instagram – http://instagram.com/aimeenicolewalker
Blog – AimeeNicoleWalker.blogspot.com

Want to be the first to know about my book releases and have access to extra content? You can sign up for my newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/dlhPYj

My favorite place to hang out and chat with my readers is my Facebook group. Would you like to be a member of Aimee’s Dye Hards? We’d love to have you! Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AimeesDyeHards/

Connect with Aimee:
https://linktr.ee/AimeeNicoleWalker

*****

Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of The Fortunate Son, Aimee is giving away 3 e-copies of the release!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

*****

Review – The Worst Darcy

13 Sunday Aug 2023

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

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Book Review, Robyn Gynne, The Worst Darcy

The Worst Darcy

by Robyn Gynne

Publication date: August 15th 2023

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Blurb:

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Brodie Bishop is the worst.

Vivian Trent is desperate. Her family doesn’t approve of her life as a single mom and the small town of Austen still won’t accept her as one of their own four years later. Playing Elizabeth Bennet at the annual Jane Austen Festival is the perfect way to win over the locals and prove that she’s thriving. But when Austen’s favourite festival hero is replaced by his tattooed, metalhead brother, how is she supposed to achieve perfection with such a bad boy playing Mr. Darcy? He’s never read the book. He’s brash and unpolished. He’s… blond?!

You must allow me to tell you how ardently I dislike you.

Brodie’s used to being the town disappointment, so when Vivian turns her nose up at him, he’s not surprised. Hot librarian or not, she’s way too uptight. But once the festival gets underway, they see new sides of each other. When he finds out her dark secret, suddenly she’s much more endearing. She’s vulnerable, but strong. And the way she looks in that gown only blurs the lines between playing the part and falling for her for real.

But when her goal is within reach, can Vivian go off-book and choose Brodie, if it means risking everything she thought she wanted?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/180264775-the-worst-darcy

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Qp90zp

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-worst-darcy-robyn-gynne/1143696630?ean=9781739074906

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/the-worst-darcy

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=7ufGEAAAQBAJ&PAffiliateID=1l3vnbh

*****

Excerpt:

Cuppabeans was the only cafe in town, a cute little corner shop with a mint green and white striped awning out front, knotty pine framing inside, and a constant, thick miasma of warm, rich Arabica beans in the air.

Inhaling deeply as I stood in line, I tapped my foot and checked the time. It was fine. I still had a good cushion to get this done before I had to be at the library. I reached the front and ordered the largest size they had.

“Name?” the perky teenage server called over the morning din.

“Vivian,” I said.

“Lydia?” she asked.

I emphasized each syllable so she could at least read my lips. “Vivian.”

She nodded in a way that made my hopes plummet. I crossed my arms and stepped to the side to let the next person up. I blinked as I saw the man who’d stood behind me. He wore black head to toe, including a thick pair of leather cuffs at his wrists, the dark shade contrasting with his fair skin. The only hint of colour on him popped from the tattoos covering his forearms and the wheat blond of his overlong hair. He left his black aviators on as he put in his order and came to stand beside me, crossing one long leg over the other as he leaned back against the wall.

I watched him in the mirror on the opposite side of the cafe. He crossed his arms and appeared generally standoffish, the sharp line of his jaw ticking as he clenched it. I watched the muscle move as discreetly as I could. By the look of him, he was hardly a Prince Charming candidate, but I could still appreciate a nice jawline. I was only human, after all.

But then a smirk kicked up one corner of his mouth and he tipped his sunglasses down, revealing that his eyes were locked on mine in the mirror. My heart squeezed in surprise. Not only from the frantic feeling of being caught staring, but the shock of how incongruously dark brown his eyes were against that hair, stark in his only slightly sun-kissed face. They tilted up slightly at the outer corners, reminding me of a cat. He nudged the shades off his face and turned to me with a matching feline languor.

I flicked my eyes to the ground, face flaring with heat.

“Don’t like tattoos?” he asked, his voice a slightly gravelly tenor. By that grungy, heavy metal look, he’d probably spent his life screaming into a microphone.

“I wasn’t looking at your tattoos,” I said with a sharp shake of my head. Hopefully, my neck wasn’t going blotchy with embarrassment.

“Yeah?” he asked. In my periphery, I saw him lean closer. “What were you lookin’ at?”

I threw a desperate glance at the server and she held a cup up with a nod. Relief flooded me as I grabbed it and pivoted on my heel to escape this awkward encounter. But as I passed the man, I faltered, frowning down at the cup. It read Vanilla. “Oh, come on,” I grumbled under my breath.

A snort drew my eyes back up to the man. His dark eyes sparked with a mocking amusement. “Hey, at least she got the V right.”

I rolled my eyes and marched past him, ignoring the snicker that followed me out the door.

*****

Review:

I enjoyed the heck out of this one. Brodie is down right awesome – an honorable, sweet man wrapped up in a bad boy package. He’s so supportive of Vivian, validating her and her interests, and helping her when she needs it. But I will say the man has to have the patience of a saint to put up with her attitude, especially after the way he’s treated by everyone else. As she gets to know him, her attitude changes and she starts to appreciate him & support him as well, and It’s great to see, but I do wish we’d been given a little bit more resolution with his family. I’d have loved to see them supporting him and treating him well too. He’s a good man and we need to see more people recognize that as well.

Humorous, sizzling, and fun, The Wrong Darcy is a light-hearted, rom-com with that right touch of emotional turmoil to give it depth. Gynne is another new to me author and I’ll be looking forward to reading more from her.

*****

Author Info:

Robyn writes spicy contemporary romances about resilient women and memorable men. Having self-published numerous short romances over the years under different pen names, she is pleased to present her first full-length novel, THE WORST DARCY. When she’s not writing, you can find her catching up on her TBR pile, watching spooky movies, and woodburning crafts. She lives in the Greater Toronto Area with her husband and son.

https://www.robyngynne.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@robyngynne

https://www.instagram.com/robyngynne

https://authorrobyngynne.ck.page/b547f7b75b

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/40510863.Robyn_Gynne

*****

Giveaway:

$15 Amazon gift card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251235514/

*****

Spotlight – Kicking it in Vegas

07 Monday Aug 2023

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Kicking it in Vegas, Out and Kickin' series, Riley Long

Kicking it in Vegas

Out and Kickin’, Book 2

by Riley Long

Blurb:

I woke up in Vegas with a hangover and a ring on my finger.

At my last recollection, the bachelor party was off to a great start. During dinner I met sexy celebrity Chef Oliver who was far more intriguing than his surly public persona let on.

Afterwards, my buddies and I set out to bar-hop at some of Sin City’s biggest hot spots. To my surprise, I ran into Oliver again as he was unwinding by tossing back drinks at a bar. What followed was a hot night of dancing and drinking… and a very confusing morning.

Not only did we spend the night together, we got married. Oliver is quick to suggest divorce, but I’m not ready to give up so easily. We may be opposites in every way imaginable, but there’s a chemistry between us I can’t deny or ignore.

Can I convince Oliver to give our unlikely romance a chance? Or will what happened in Vegas end in Vegas?

Universal Link

Add to Goodreads

Check out Book 1: Kicking it with the Best Man

*****

Excerpt:

Oliver

My best friend, Grant, looked up at me, a strangely curious expression on his face, before turning the phone so that I could see the screen. On display was a paparazzi photo of two men kissing outside of a twenty-four-hour wedding chapel. The headline above boldly stated “Chef Ridley Marries Mystery Man.”

“Oh God,” I muttered, snatching his phone from his hand. I scrolled through the article and there were a half dozen more photos of us. We were kissing, holding hands, and walking arm in arm along the sidewalk. In one, Cam carried a bouquet of flowers. In another, we were taking shots out of glasses that were each labeled “Groom.”

My stomach turned sour again. “I did say I had something to talk to you about,” I murmured as I passed the phone back to him.

Grant pressed a palm to his face and slid it down. “What the fuck did you do last night?”

I held up my left hand, which still had the ring on it, and wiggled my fingers. “Looks like I got married.”

*****

Author Info:

Riley Long is an author of gay romances novels spanning many genres from contemporary to paranormal. They live a quiet life in Virginia, with their husband, son, and two very silly pit bulls.

They spend their evenings writing, reading, and watching bad television (or not so bad television).

For fun, Riley participates in NaNoWriMo, GISH, and reads with her book club, the BAMFs.

They like things with silly acronyms.

Riley can tell you two different stories about getting covered in dairy products for a hug.

https://www.facebook.com/WriterRileyLong
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1097122257097073
https://www.instagram.com/writerrileylong/
https://sendfox.com/writerrileylong

*****

Giveaway:

To celebrate the release of Kicking It in Vegas, Riley is giving away an e-copy of Book 1!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

*****

Review – Always the Best Man

28 Friday Jul 2023

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

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Always the Best Man, Book Review, Deanna Wadsworth, Destiny Ink series

Always the Best Man

Destiny Ink Romance, Book 13

by Deanna Wadsworth

Blurb:

What happens in Vegas doesn’t just stay in Vegas.

Since high school, Dillon Hintz has been in love with his straight best friend, Jackson McCaughey. He knows nothing will come of his crush, however, because Jackson is getting married… until his fiancée leaves him at the altar. WTF?

To compensate for a lost honeymoon, Destiny Resorts offers Jackson a jilted groom vacation at their luxurious Las Vegas casino, courtesy of the sisters Fate. Jackson invites his twin cousins and Dillon to be his plus-threes, and the guys set out for a fun-filled weekend to help Jackson party away his heartbreak. But Dillon is surprised to find his best friend isn’t very heartbroken.

In fact, Jackson is being unusually attentive with Dillon. Flirty even.

It has to be Dillon’s imagination, right? There’s no way his straight best friend is interested in nerdy Dillon.

But after one night of too much fun and alcohol, Dillon wakes up in Jackson’s bed… wearing a wedding band. WTF?

Just what did they do last night?

Universal Link

Add on Goodreads

Be sure to check out all the stories in the Destiny Ink Romances

Universal Series Link

*****

Excerpt:

Sensations he’d never experienced before—being pleasured by someone who truly loved him—washed over him, until a startling thought hit him.

You can’t fuck this up.

If he ruined this, he would break Dillon’s heart.

It would shatter his own, too.

When he saw the honesty, the vulnerability in Dillon’s eyes, felt it in his soul as he rose up and down on his cock, sudden fear whipped through Jackson, dampening the pleasure.

This was why he’d waited.

Right here, right now, was exactly why Jackson had denied the magnetic pull toward Dillon. Their souls had been trying to unite for years, waiting for Fate to give them the destiny neither could’ve foreseen. But if Jackson had acted sooner, he would’ve destroyed Dillon’s heart and a friendship that meant everything—to them both.

Recently, after being reminded of pleasure with men, he’d only felt emptier, more wanting than ever before. Because Jackson didn’t want gay porn, angry make-up sex, or hot three-ways.

He wanted Dillon.

Needing to reassure his husband, reassure himself, Jackson stroked Dillon’s hair, his gaze locked, emotions flayed open.

I can’t hurt you.

Jackson whimpered at the thought. Dropping his head back on the pillow, he squeezed his eyes closed, the intimacy suddenly too overwhelming.

Dillon pulled off, still gripping his shaft. “You okay? Change your mind?”

The fear in Dillon’s voice kicked him in the figurative gut, and Jackson’s eyes popped open. He caressed Dillon’s brow until the wrinkle disappeared. The fearful look Dillon wore broke his heart.

You’re putting that fear there.

Sober, this was scarier than expected—not the sex, he wanted that—rather, the magnitude of tonight.

“No,” Jackson whispered. “I didn’t change my mind.”

“Then what is it?” Dillon let go and pushed onto one elbow, leaning against Jackson’s leg. Dillon traced the prominent veins on Jackson’s forearm, almost distracting him.

He’d never keep secrets from Dillon again. “I’m scared.”

Dillion’s eyebrow arched in concern.

Fearing Dillon might change his mind or stop touching him, Jackson hurried to say, “I want to be here, like this. But this is, I dunno, significant? Our first time. We’re really doing this. It’s for real. It hit me for a second how important this is.” He stroked Dillon’s cheek, heart swelling with love. “I don’t wanna hurt you, or lose you, or disappoint you. I’m afraid I’ll never be good enough for you.”

Rodgers Jackson McCaughey III had never said anything like that to anyone, even when concerned about losing past relationships.

But this was Dillon.

He didn’t have to be the person his parents wanted. He didn’t have to put on a front. There were no games, no expectations.

With Dillon he could just be Jackson.

“You’re worried you’re not good enough for me?” Dillon scoffed. “How do you think I’ve felt forever? The nerdy friend with a crush? The hanger-on—”

“Don’t,” he begged, not wanting his father’s degrading bullshit to tarnish tonight.

“You know what I mean, Jacks,” he said softly. “I’m terrified you’ll change your mind, too.”

Sitting up and forcing Dillon to his haunches, Jackson grabbed his arms fiercely. “Never! I love you. I want to be your husband. I’m just…”

Dillon’s lips quivered—wet and swollen from blowing me.

Jackson could hardly meet his eye but forced himself to. “I’m so damn afraid I’ll fuck it up.”

“Then don’t fuck it up, Jacks.”

Jackson laughed mirthlessly. He cupped Dillon’s face and kissed him hard. “I’ll try.”

“There is no try. Do or do not.”

He laughed harder, for real this time. “That is honestly the first time someone’s quoted Yoda before they sucked my dick.”

Dillon smirked. “Oh, I have more up my sleeve.”

His heart skipped. “And that would be?”

“Talk no more. Show you I will.”

“That is the worst Yoda I’ve ever heard!” With a hearty laugh, Jackson dropped back on the pillows, cradling his head in one hand. “But I love what a dork you are.”

“You’ll love this even more.”

*****

Review:

**some mild spoilers**

I feel so bad for Dillon. To love your best friend, and pretty much have everyone know it, only to have him be with every one but you. I can totally understand why he struggles so much after waking up married to Jackson. There’s so much there and while there’s good, there’s a lot of hurt too.

Jackson, oh my goodness poor Jackson. That poor man has been through so much and he’s so lucky to have Dillon there for him. It’ll take patience and honesty but he knows a life with his best friend is worth just about anything.

Readers will get plenty of steam but even more emotion with Wadsworth’s newest. The characters have heart and I just felt for them every step of the way, anxiously waiting for them to figure things out and get the HEA they deserve. The author is new to me, as is the series, but I’m looking forward to more.

*****

Author Info:

Deanna Wadsworth might be a bestselling erotica author, but she leads a pretty vanilla life in Ohio with her wonderful husband and a couple adorable cocker spaniels. She has been spinning tales and penning stories since childhood, and her first erotic novella was published in 2010. She has served multiple board positions for different RWA chapters, including President of the Rainbow Romance Writers in 2017. When she isn’t writing books or brainstorming with friends, you can find her making people gorgeous in a beauty salon. An avid reader, she also loves gardening, cooking, music, and dancing. Often she can be seen hanging out on the sandbar in the muddy Maumee River or chilling with her hubby and a cocktail in their basement bar. In between all that fun, Deanna cherishes the quiet times when she can let her wildly active imagination have the full run of her mind. Her fascination with people and the interworkings of their relationships have always inspired her to write romance with spice and love without boundaries.

Join Deanna’s Facebook Group HERE

Website│BookBub│Amazon│Facebook│Twitter │Goodreads │Instagram │ Pinterest

You can also find her young adult alter ego, K.D. Worth Amazon│Twitter│BookBub

*****

Giveaway:

To celebrate the upcoming release, Deanna is away 2 e-copies of Book 2 Accidentally Beautiful!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

*****

Review – Roughing the Kicker

03 Monday Jul 2023

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

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Book Review, Emerson Beckett, Package Deal series, Rheland Richmond, Roughing the Kicker

Roughing the Kicker

The Package Deal Book 6

by Rheland Richmond & Emerson Beckett

Blurb:

Do you believe in fate? Yeah, me neither until the sexy Navy SEAL I hooked up with three years ago suddenly reappears back in my life in the form of one of my best friends’ older brother. And now, they want me to share a room with him in the Keys.

“Can you share a room with Jesse tonight?”

How could I say no?

What Greg and Cooper didn’t know was Jesse and I met three years ago in Madrid. And when I finally hooked up with the handsome Navy SEAL, our night turned into a weekend of the best sex of my life. Jesse made me see stars twenty-four hours a day. We had a connection, but our timing wasn’t right. He was going back to America, and I was headed back to Italy to play soccer.

It was all for the best because I didn’t do relationships. Especially with a man nine years older and the total opposite of me. But I never forgot him, even though I tried.

Fast forward three years later, and we find ourselves thrown back together again in Portland. I’m the new kicker for the Portland Pirates and Jesse Evans has reappeared in my life. And just as fate would have it, my dream hookup is Cooper’s older brother, and he’s moving his security firm to Portland.

Would he remember me? Did that weekend three years ago affect him as much as it did me?

I guess time would tell when we shared that room in the Florida Keys.

Roughing the Kicker is a bisexual age gap and opposites attract MM Sports Romance and Book 6 in The Package Deal Series.

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Add to Goodreads

*****

Excerpt:

“Do you mind sharing a room with Jesse? It would only be for the night. They’ll have the other one ready tomorrow.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. Think Dom, think. But nothing useful came to mind except images of Jesse Evans naked. What was I supposed to say? No?

I inclined my head and somehow managed to form words. “Sure. Uh… no problem.”

“Are you sure?” Greg held my gaze, searching my reaction for any indication that I wasn’t okay spending the night with that hot fucker. And honestly, I wasn’t sure I was.

Still, I swallowed and just let the first thing I could think of fall out of my mouth.

“Yeah, it’s fine. I was just worried. I have sleep apnea and I might snore. That’s all,” I laughed maniacally. “Don’t wanna keep him up or anything.”

Don’t think about him being up. Don’t think about him being up.

Greg blew out a breath. The look of relief on his face would have been comical if I wasn’t a massive ball of nerves, but there was no way I’d burst his bubble. He and Cooper didn’t have to invite me, but they did. And I needed to be gracious and not bust a nut right here in the airport. Or get on the next available flight back to Portland.

“Oh, yeah, okay. I’m sure it’ll be fine. Jesse was in the military, so I’m sure he’s used to all kinds of noises at night.”

I tried to control the squirming, but I couldn’t stop myself from fidgeting. I tried tamping down my raging, overwhelming lust for the former Navy SEAL . “Yeah. Yeah, okay.”

Greg clapped me on the shoulder. “Thanks, man. We really appreciate it.” With that settled, he walked away and went over to talk to Marcus.

Jesse Evans was the hottest man I’d ever seen. He had muscles for days. Muscles I wanted to lick, and—no. Couldn’t go there or I’d be sporting a huge boner. It seriously wasn’t fair for one man to be so damn tempting. He was tall and dressed like a runway model, with his perfect blond hair and his perfect smile. And then there was his commanding tone that just did it for me. I felt like I might have a heart attack right here at the airport and he was nowhere around to resuscitate me with vigorous mouth-to-mouth. I’d die right here on the floor of the airport before I could get my hands on him.

Dropping my head back, I stared at the ceiling and prayed to Saint Rocco to protect me from myself tonight. All I wanted to do was to climb him like a tree and rub myself all over him.

I bet he could make me cum just by looking at me with that piercing and smoldering look that said hold your ass still while I rim you till you lose your damn mind.

And I would, too. I’d hold still and let him have his wicked way with me in any goddamn position he wanted. God, now I was hard.

Fanculo la mia vita. Fuck my life.

*****

Review:

This is a good chance for returning readers to catch up with the rest of the guys, see Dom get his chance at love, and be introduced to what comes next. It’s low angst, insta-love, and STAH-EEMY (!)

There were a few things I had problems with – mainly around what happens in the second half of the story. Things that I felt weren’t realistic (or maybe that weren’t handled correctly, because I could see it happening in real life) but as a conclusion to the series I’m glad that we got the chance to see Jesse & Dom’s HEA.

*****

Author Info:

Rheland Richmond

For as long as she can remember, Rheland’s had her nose stuck in a book, getting lost in the world of someone else’s creation (She still does). Her love for writing came from her love for reading. She could never have one without the other.

Writing has always been a hobby and a cathartic experience for her. There are many stories lost to the never to be completed or published pile but needed to be written at the time.

She’s just a girl that loved stories so much she decided to write hers.

Rheland would love to hear from her readers and learn more about y’all. So if you get a chance… Get in touch.

Connect with Rheland:
www.rhelandrichmond.com
https://www.tiktok.com/@rhelandrichmondmmauthor
https://www.instagram.com/rhelandrichmond/
https://www.facebook.com/rhelandrichmond.author.58
https://www.facebook.com/groups/RichmondsRiders/

Emerson Beckett

Emerson Beckett is new to the publishing world. As an avid sports fan and lover of well-written M/M romance books, Emerson loves her new career as an author of gay romance. It’s even more fulfilling for her when she can combine the two.

The journey to becoming an author started with an idea while reading on the sofa. That idea became an email that ultimately resulted in Emerson using those teacher skills to edit novels for three phenomenal MM romance authors. The third referral led to an opportunity to co-write a book series with one of the most genuine and kindest people she’s ever had the pleasure of knowing- Rheland Richmond. Emerson is the co-author of The Package Deal Series, which includes The Quarterback Keeper, Pass Interference, Unnecessary Roughness, Two-Point Conversion, Illegal Motion, Ineligible Receiver, and one more upcoming book in the series. She plans to release her first solo book in 2023.

Besides being a retired teacher and author, Emerson lives in North Carolina and has been married to the same man for 32 years. She is the mother of three beautiful adults, one of whom is proudly part of the LGBTQ Community and completely responsible for her addiction to MM Romance. Even though the kids no longer live at home, they filled the empty nest with an Australian Shepherd, three cats, and a cute bunny rabbit.

Emerson would love to hear from her readers. So if you get a chance… Get in touch.

Connect with Emerson:
www.emersonbeckett.com
https://www.instagram.com/mm.author.emerson.beckett/
https://www.tiktok.com/@mmauthoremersonbeckett
https://www.facebook.com/author.emerson.beckett
https://www.facebook.com/groups/beckettsbookbrigade

*****

Giveaway:

To celebrate the cover reveal of Roughing the Kicker, Rheland & Emerson are giving away 2 e-books of your choice from the series!

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win!

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

*****

Review – It Had to be You

09 Friday Jun 2023

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

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Book Review, Chances Inlet series, It Had to Be You, Tracy Solheim

It Had to be You

A Chances Inlet Novel

by Tracy Solheim

Publication date: June 5th 2023

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Blurb:

It’s hard to keep a big secret in a small town . . .

When Paige Hollister discovers her “Mr. Right” already has a “Mrs. Right,” she swears off men forever. Even more humiliating, she suddenly finds herself labeled the other woman and out of the teaching job she loves. So Paige does what every unemployed single woman staring thirty in the face does: She hightails it to the beach. Bad luck like hers is hard to outrun, however. Her getaway is stalled when her car breaks down in a small-town chock full of meddling, nosy residents. The worst of them being the local sheriff—none other than her estranged father.

Finally on top of the golf world, Tanner Gillette is poised to show everyone he’s not just an entitled playboy coasting through tournaments on his pedigree. That is until his life is turned upside down by a little girl who shows up on his doorstep with a birth certificate inexplicably bearing his name. Complicating matters more, the kid isn’t talking. When the stress of caring for a child whose mother is AWOL gives Tanner a bad case of the yips, he’s forced to enlist help from the one person in town who can’t wait to leave.

Sticking around Chances Inlet and her father’s shiny new, über-successful family isn’t on Paige’s to-do list. Especially when she’d prefer to keep her embarrassing incident under wraps. Yet she can’t walk away from the troubled little girl. Or the sexy Australian golfer who just might make her want to take a chance on trusting her heart again.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61848830-it-had-to-be-you

Purchase:

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

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/it-had-to-be-you-tracy-solheim/1142991886?ean=2940186569206

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/it-had-to-be-you/id6445539754

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/it-had-to-be-you-68

*****

Excerpt:

Tanner was already halfway to her when his brain kicked in, reminding him that this was unwise. He was supposed to be avoiding Paige. He couldn’t be trusted around her. But he couldn’t retreat now. Not when he could feel the eyes of every woman at the pool tracking him.

Make that every woman except Paige Hollister. She was too engrossed in her book to notice.

“Where’s Whitney?” he practically barked when he tossed down his towel onto the chaise next to her.

Paige jolted at the sound of his voice before pulling her sunglasses down and eyeballing him. “She and Emily went joyriding in your golf cart.”

“Not funny.” Her snark had him relaxing. He needn’t be worried about Whitney. Paige took her role very seriously. Likely, she was off with Kate and Emily somewhere. He stepped out of his slides before lowering himself down to the chair.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“That should be obvious.” He let out a satisfying sigh, crossed his bare feet at the ankles and closed his eyes.

Paige huffed beside him. “Fine. Kate is taking the kids for lunch after visiting the sea turtle rescue hospital.” She shoved her book into a canvas bag. “I’ll just finish my book on the porch at home.”

Let her go, his brain screamed. The rest of him wasn’t listening, however. Without opening his eyes, his fingers reached between them, finding her wrist, gently encircling it.

“Stay,” he heard himself saying. Opening his eyes, he turned toward her. “Please,” he whispered, not liking the pleading tone of his voice one bit.

Paige’s eyes leapt from his hand on her wrist, up to his face, only to drop back down to where her skin was scorching his. Judging by the wary expression on her face, she thought it was a bad idea, also. Still, she sank her teeth into her bottom lip before nodding.

Relief raced through him. He brushed the pad of his thumb against the pulse throbbing at her wrist. Time seemed to stand still.

“I’ve got your lunch, Mr. Gillette,” a voice from above announced.

Paige yanked her hand away. The server was holding a folding table, but he seemed unsure where to put it until Paige gestured wildly to place it between them. She grabbed a fry from the plate and popped it into her mouth before he’d even set it down.

“Mmm. Do you have any ketchup?”

The server produced several packets from his pocket. “Anything else, sir?”

Paige picked up half the club sandwich and unabashedly took a bite.

Tanner sighed. “Apparently I’m going to need another one of those.”

“And an Arnold Palmer,” Paige mumbled around the food in her mouth.

Tanner held up two fingers. The befuddled server nodded and disappeared.

“Enjoying yourself?”

“Mmm,” she replied. “You might have mentioned lunch was part of the deal. I wouldn’t have been in such a rush to leave.”

He shook his head to avoid laughing at her cheekiness. “Thank you.”

She paused mid-bite. “Does that mean lunch is on me?”

This time he did laugh. “No. Thank you for staying.”

Her eyes darted away. Despite her outward bravado, she was skittish around him today. Not that he blamed her. He turned into a fool whenever he was near her.

The server brought their drinks. Paige swallowed half of hers in one gulp.

“I doubt you would have been lonely too long,” she said.

“Precisely what I’m trying to avoid.”

She lowered her sunglasses again. “Are you telling me I’m the . . . what? Some sort of decoy?”

“It’s been my experience that women won’t approach me if I’ve got a beautiful woman by my side.”

Paige choked on a fry. Tanner leaned over to slap her on the back. She glared at him when he let his hand linger too long.

“Puh-lease. I’m no competition for those women.” She waved a hand in the direction of the co-eds shimmying to an R&B song blasting from one of their mobile phones.

Was she kidding?

How could this woman not know she was a stunner? He let his eyes wander down her torso, lush and full in all the right places. Her legs were sturdy and toned right down to the purple nail polish on her toes. But it was the challenge in those pale blue eyes of hers that always seemed to draw him in. That and her saucy, sinful mouth.

“Why do women always do that?”

“Do what?”

“Put themselves down. Find fault with their appearance no matter how gorgeous they are.”

Her mouth opened and closed twice. “Well—”

“No,” he argued. “Don’t you dare shame your body, Paige Hollister. It’s magnificent just the way it is. You are beautiful just the way you are. Any man who doesn’t see that is a damn fool.”

*****

Review:

(warning: maybe some slight spoilers)

This is the first in this series that I’ve read so that may have something to do with it, but I really didn’t quite understand Paige’s bad feelings toward her dad. I get that he wasn’t there for her growing up, but I felt like I was missing something that would explain why she was so against getting to know him. Maybe it was explored more in his story. I also was a little lost on why she was so adamant about keeping quiet what was going on in her life. I get why she’d be a little embarrassed, but she seemed to take it a little far.

I did like her with Tanner though. I found them to be amusing & entertaining as they flirted and danced around their attraction. They were fun together and their obvious affection for Whitney endeared them even more.

Speaking of Tanner, he’s dealing with a lot. I felt so bad for him, with his childhood and then losing his brother. That’s a lot for anyone to handle but throw a surprise kid in the mix and it’s a good excuse to be a less than stand-up guy. Not our Tanner though. He’s there to support Whitney (and Paige) in any way he can and as all the details come out, he’s does the best he can for everyone involved, every step of the way.

Family drama mixes wonderfully with a little bit of a mystery, a small-town HEA romance, & meddling busy body family creating a delightful beach read. If the rest of Solheim’s books are like this one, I’ve got quite a few titles to add to my TBR pile!

*****

Author Info:

USA Today bestselling author Tracy Solheim writes books with shirtless men on the cover. Some of them are actually best-sellers. The books, not the men. When she’s not writing, she’s practicing her curling. . . bottles of wine, that is. She’s been known to cook dinner but no more than two nights in a row. Most days, she’d rather be reading, which to her is just necessary research. She lives in the suburbs of Atlanta with her husband and a neurotic Labrador retriever. Her two adult children visit but not often enough. (See the note above about cooking.) Check out her romantic suspense series featuring the Men of the Secret Service–shirtless, of course! See what she’s up to at http://www.tracysolheim.com

Author links:

https://www.tracysolheim.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tracysolheimauthor/

https://www.twitter.com/TracyKSolheim

https://www.facebook.com/TracySolheimBooks

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6519003.Tracy_Solheim

*****

Giveaway:

$25 Amazon gift card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d04251235439/

*****

Spotlight – Stars At Dusk

08 Thursday Jun 2023

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Sable Riders series, Sky Gold, Stars at Dusk

Stars At Dusk

The Sable Riders #2

by Sky Gold

Publication Date: April 1, 2023

Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction

Blurb:

‘Your brass is ballsy, Kage Sable.’ – Harlow Meridien.

Running from her past, Harlow lives for the present. She’s sassy-smart-strong. A genius, generous, confident scientist developing a groundbreaking propulsion technology that’s attracted the attention of The Sable Group, and Kage Sable, to be exact.

He’s a master builder, an ex-warrior, a kick-ass engineer with sexy nerd energy and her new ‘boss’. His shop is responsible for an enviable fleet of high-tech corvettes, luxury flyers and racing pinnaces – helping to cement the Sable Riders’ dominance across Pegasi.

Convinced she’s the woman for him, Kage is determined to make Harlow his. He strongly believes every superwoman needs a superman. Problem is, she’s not so sure. She’s got a bad history with men. All she wants to do is focus on her work that could shift the balance of power in the Pegasi System.

She’s wary of Kage’s moxie and full-on thrust at life and love and doesn’t think she’s ready for that much intensity yet. But he slowly draws her in, one delicious moment at a time.

From subterranean speakeasies, sunken casinos and ancient ruins to fighting dens and exquisite eateries, Kage takes Harlow on dizzying flights of pure bliss across Eden II to convince her he’s light years from the ‘lame, always running game’ losers of her past. Instead, he’s a real man with strong convictions and the best intentions, who believes in an impossible love.

Together, they’ll fight for the relationship they want while keeping their top-secret breakthrough from a swarm of greedy, ruthless galactic hustlers. Together, they’ll fall into a twilight dusk of heady love and impossible starlight.

If you’re in the mood for:

A strong, smart heroine AND a sexy, badass anti-hero
Unrequited love and personal growth sagas that span a universe
Steamy, hot epic jolts!
Paranormal action
All the feels AND heartfelt escapism

Then take to the Skies Above Eden II. A whole new world awaits you.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/124933470-stars-at-dusk

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZPzWd0

*****

Excerpt:

Forgive me kara, if I’m being too forward or intense,’ Kage said softly. ‘But I’ve never met a woman quite like you,’ he rumbled into her ear.
‘Not my fault you’ve spent time with women who can’t compare to me,’ she said with a soft smile.
He gave her a long look.
‘Too right,’ he finally drawled. ‘And now that I’ve met you, what should I do about it? I can’t go back to all those other girls who don’t live up to you.’
‘You’re going to have to try existing without me because I’m unavailable,’ she shot back.
‘Says who?’
‘Says me, and there’s nothing you can do about it.’
‘Is that right?’
‘Yep, you’ll never have me,’ she said.
He let out a loud laugh. ‘You know all you’re doing is waving a red flag in front of this bull?’
‘And just like a matador at the top of their game, I’m going to escape you.’
‘Are you daring me?’
‘Damn right,’ she said, then she slapped her hand over her mouth when she realised her mistake. ‘No, I meant no, I’m not.’
‘Too late, Harlow, game on,’ he drawled. She saw a glint in his eye that sent a shiver down her spine.
‘I’m serious; I’m not in the game,’ she retorted.
‘Well, that’s good, babe, because if I ever decide that I want you, it won’t be a game. I’m not those lame-ass, gamin’ losers you’re used to. Trust me, they’re not even in my race, let along in my league. See, I’m a man with no shame in going after the prize I want. I’ll give you the time, kara, but don’t keep me waiting too long.’
This time she almost choked at his absolute balls. He had quite the pair. ‘Play all your want, Kage. Doesn’t mean you’ll win,’ she managed to breathe out.
‘Thing is, babe, you need to win too, for this to work,’ he said, a small smile on his lips. ‘Which is why this is more than just a game to me.’
She heard the depth of care in his words and felt like she was being pulled into a hot, thick whirlpool of longing for something beyond her reach. What was he doing to her?
She nailed him with a long look. ‘Your brass is ballsy, Kage Sable,’ she eventually retorted.
She turned around and stepped out of his hold of her. But she shot him a look over her shoulder that was part tease, part challenge.
He winked long and slow back at her, placing a thick arm on the gold frames of the cloud-shaped enclosure on either side of her. Heat emanated from his body behind her, and she instantly felt enveloped in a strangely wild mix of freedom and possession.
She realised at that moment that for the first time in months, years, that she was having the time of her life. In a man’s company.
Although brunt, a tad crude and unrelenting, Kage made her laugh. He challenged her. He aggravated her. He pushed her buttons in a highly exhilarating way. Yet he hadn’t put her down or demeaned her, ever.
She also liked that he appreciated the good things in life like she did. He did it without the snobbery and pompousness many of her exes had exhibited. He seemed a man who derived great pleasure from life but the simple, raw variety.
He was also extremely smart, kind, and intensely loyal to the things he cared for. So different to the aggro, sexist and fake macho men she’d dated in the past.
They’d been the ones who’d wanted to mould her into what she was not.
He was possessive, yet he never acted like he wanted to own her. In fact, Kage didn’t seem to care to control her. Instead, she was secretly touched by the words he’d said to her ten months ago about respecting her body and choices. That flew high in Harlow’s world.
Yet she was determined to keep her pledge to herself to leave dating and men alone for a few months. It sucked because the spark between them was becoming a small blaze. One that, if fanned the right way, could fire up into a major inferno.
But she just wasn’t primed for it. She wasn’t sure she was ready for any of it, ever. She needed to work out if love, romance and relationship were what she needed or even wanted for her life. She had little to work with, especially after the piss-poor example set by her parents.
However, those were troubles and worries for another day.
Maybe after her project with The Sable Group was delivered.
Maybe when she had time to unpack all of her and all of him.
Maybe, maybe, maybe.