Spotlight – Temperature’s Rising Blog Tour

13 Saturday Feb 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

Tags

Abigail Strom, If You Can't Take the Heat, J.S. Scott, Jamie Beck, Melissa Brown, Michelle Major, Nothing Like Love, Recipe for Kisses, Royal Chase, Sariah Wilson, The Billionaire's Touch, Worth the Trouble

Looking for the perfect romance read for Valentine’s Day? Below, we’ve got excerpts from six of today’s best contemporary authors. And watch out as the heat level goes from sweet to sultry to downright sinful. Read on and get ready for your temperature to rise!

*****

SWEET & SASSY

If you want a sweet read for the holiday, then look no further than Royal Chase by Sariah Wilson. When PR agent Lemon Beauchamp gets her client Prince Dante of Monterra booked on a reality show, she never expects to find love. But when flirting turns to something more, they share their first kiss…

“What is that scent?” he asked.

“Lemon sugar,” I said, my heart beating too quickly.

“Sweet and tart, like you,” he said before he planted a soft kiss at the amazing spot where my neck met my shoulder, and the earth shifted on its axis.

I decided it had been far too long since I’d last kissed somebody if this was how I was going to react. I also thought for a moment that I should stop him, but the only thing I said was, “My lip gloss is lemon-flavored, too.”

Which was such a blatant invitation, and from the fire in his eyes and the seductive smile on his face, he knew it.

“I do appreciate the commitment to your name.” He set down his drink and used his free hand to run his fingers up and down my arm, which gave me chills and hot flashes at the same time.

“Well, not everyone gets to be named after a fruit. You have to have fun with it.”

He pressed another kiss to my throat, and I closed my eyes as a tingling warmth spread slowly through my body.

Learn more here >> http://bit.ly/RoyalChase

*****

A DELECTABLE ROMANCE

For a savory reading treat, Recipe For Kisses by Michelle Major will hit the spot. Ben “the Beast” Haddox is a bad-boy chef returning to his hometown to open a new restaurant…the only problem is the sizzling Chloe Daniels. Refusing to give up her storefront–or to give into Ben’s charm–the two are at a standoff that simmers with attraction.

“I want to kiss you,” he whispered, and his soft voice and the wicked intentions it carried made her ache for more. “But only if it’s what you want, too.”

She swayed closer, caught in the intensity of his eyes. After her reaction to him reaching for her in the store and that first night when she’d maced him, he must understand that she wasn’t a good bet. “I don’t think I know how to be with someone like you. I like things ordered, soft and gentle.”

“I can be gentle.”

She almost laughed at that. “Right.”

“Give me a chance to show you, Chloe.” He ran his hand along her arm, higher to her shoulder then to her neck. She knew he was giving her a chance to become accustomed to his touch and found herself melting because of the thoughtfulness behind the gesture. “Tell me you want this.”

As his rough fingers caressed her jaw, she leaned forward with her heart beating double time and whispered, “Yes.”

Learn more here >> http://bit.ly/recipeforkisses

*****

OPPOSITES ATTRACT–AND ATTRACT–AND ATTRACT!

Kick up the heat with Jamie Beck’s Worth The Trouble. Sophisticated cover model Cat St. James could not be more different from rough-around-the-edges carpenter Hank Mitchell. But that doesn’t stop the irresistible pull these two feel for each other.

Her uncertain smile twisted him up inside as she reached one hand up and fingered the ends of his hair. “Kiss me goodnight.”

All the blood drained from his head and raced to his crotch. The relentless throbbing between his legs urged him to comply despite his better judgment. Just a kiss.

As if watching himself in a dream, he saw his fingers caress her cheek. She raised her chin and parted her lips, and he pressed his mouth against hers. He gave over to the moment, to taste her once more, to slip his tongue inside her mouth and tangle with hers. The faint taste of champagne and honey overwhelmed his senses as he grazed her lower lip with his teeth.

Time slowed. Every part of his body came alive. She bulldozed her fingers through his hair while moaning, engulfing him in desire.

“Like I remember,” she whispered against his skin. He’d been teetering on the verge of making a gigantic mistake, until her words summoned bitter reminders of the last time he fell for her games. Abruptly, he grabbed her wrists and pushed back.

“Hank!” She fell back into her pillow. “Stay.”

Learn more here >> http://bit.ly/WorthTheTrouble

*****

SPOTLIGHT ON THE ACTION

The bright lights of New York City have nothing on the dazzling attraction between set designer Simone Oliver and director Zach Hammond in Abigail Strom’s Nothing Like Love. This sexy British hero with a penchant for quoting Shakespeare and a romantic heart will have you as hot and bothered as the cynic heroine.

He spun them around so Simone’s back was against the wall. He put his hands under her arms and lifted her up, and when her legs went around his waist, he leaned in close.

His erection was cradled against her center now, and they were face-to-face. His heart was pounding hard enough to shake him and he couldn’t seem to find his breath.

But the only thing he wanted to breathe in was Simone.

When he brought his mouth to hers it was like tasting sweetness and fire at the same time. Her arms were around him, her legs were around him, and her scent engulfed him in an erotic wave.

His lips urged hers apart and his tongue slid inside.

The hot silk of her mouth was like a drug. Her tongue found his and they stroked and tangled, a thousand strands of need and desire binding them together.

His body throbbed against hers. If his lust drove them right through the brick wall and left the two of them lying in the rubble, he still wouldn’t be able to tear his mouth away.

Learn more here >> http://bit.ly/NothingLikeLove

*****

CHAMPAGNE WISHES AND BILLIONAIRE DREAMS

If out-of-control desire is your reading #goal, then J.S. Scott is going to be your new BFF. The author has won readers over with her H-O-T Sinclair brothers, but the stakes are raised with oldest sibling Evan. He is arrogant, Alpha, and amazing, and schoolteacher Miranda Tyler finds herself saying yes…to everything he asks in The Billionaire’s Touch.

“Kiss me,” Evan demanded as he moved his hands down her back and cupped her jean-clad ass with both of his large, strong hands. His fingers gripped the flesh and pulled her molten core into his hard form. “You asked me not to kiss you, so you have to kiss me.”

Randi’s willpower broke as she looked up and saw the longing in Evan’s eyes. It was an echo of exactly what she was feeling, and she could no more resist him than she could stop breathing. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she speared her hands into his coarse hair and yanked his mouth down to hers. She needed his touch more than she wanted to resist him, and as his lips collided with hers, Randi completely forgot why she was even trying to fight the urge to devour him.

He sprang into action the moment she kissed him, taking control as he demanded her complete surrender. Tasting. Teasing. Commanding. Evan’s tongue swept into her mouth, wiping away every doubt she had as he conquered her mouth with his own, leaving her breathless and mindless as he finally surfaced, his teeth catching her bottom lip and nipping at the flesh as though he wanted to mark it.

His lips were suddenly everywhere, and Randi’s hand left his hair and wrapped around his neck as she felt herself being lifted off her feet. She landed on something soft— she assumed it was the couch—but she wasn’t about to turn her head away from his mouth to look. She was too obsessed with the feel of his body against hers to give a crap what she’d landed on.

For some unknown reason, she felt safe letting Evan take control of her body while it burned for his possession. She knew he was feeling the same insane desires that she was experiencing right now.

Learn more here >> http://bit.ly/BillionairesTouch

*****

TRUE LUST LEADS TO TRUE LOVE

Forget about a love triangle, let’s talk love “square”! Author Melissa Brown’s newest romance If You Can’t Take The Heat has three sexy men after the same woman. And while casting director Whitney Bartolina is usually decisive, the choice between THREE men proves to be too hot to handle. Read on to find out how this take-no-prisoners heroine deals with a hunky cowboy from Montana.

Still holding on to his collar, she threw her head back in frustration. “You’re trying to torture me, aren’t you?”

Suddenly serious, Wes smoothed her hair down and rested his hands on her shoulders. “Not at all.”

“Then what is it?” Didn’t he want her as badly as she wanted him?

“Maybe I like keeping you in suspense.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I noticed.”

“And it gives us something to look forward to”—he trapped his lower lip beneath his teeth—“next month in Los Angeles.”

Whitney’s stomach did a gigantic flip-flop. “You’re gonna do it?”

Wes nodded slowly. “I have to see you again. It’s not a choice. It has to happen.”

He pressed his lips to the exposed skin of her neck, sucking gently as his fingers weaved through her hair.

Pure. Torture.

“My hotel isn’t far away. Pleee-eease reconsider.”

Wes said nothing but continued to lick, kiss, and suck at her sensitive skin. She wanted nothing more than to pull him into his car and straddle him right that second, but maybe he was on to something in delaying their gratification. The anticipation of seeing him again, of waiting until the next time they could be intimate, was intoxicating in and of itself.

Learn more here >> http://bit.ly/TakeTheHeat

*****

Giveaway:

Enter for your chance to win some great ebooks!

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/07c2363f93/

Spotlight – No Getting Over You

12 Friday Feb 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

MacLarens of Fire Mountain series, No Getting Over You, Shirleen Davies

We’ve seen a historical MacLaren book by Davies before with Colin’s Quest, but this is the first contemporary one … and i have to say if you like sexy, modern day cowboys this looks to be a real treat.

*****

No Getting Over You

Book Seven, MacLarens of Fire Mountain

by Shirleen Davies

Contemporary Romance Series

Blurb:

Cassie MacLaren has come a long way since being dumped by her long-time boyfriend, a man she believed to be her future. Successful in her job at MacLaren Enterprises, dreaming of one day leading one of the divisions, she’s moved on to start a new relationship, having little time to dwell on past mistakes.

Matt Garner loves his job as rodeo representative for Double Ace Bucking Stock. Busy days and constant travel leave no time for anything more than the occasional short-term relationship—which is just the way he likes it. He’s come to accept the regret of leaving the woman he loved for the pro rodeo circuit.

The future is set for both, until a chance meeting ignites long buried emotions neither is willing to face.

Forced to work together, their attraction grows, even as multiple arson fires threaten Cassie’s new home of Cold Creek, Colorado. Although Cassie believes the danger from the fires is remote, she knows the danger Matt poses to her heart is real.

While fighting his renewed feelings for Cassie, Matt focuses on a new and unexpected opportunity offered by MacLaren Enterprises—an opportunity that will put him on a direct collision course with Cassie.

Will pride and self-preservation control their future? Or will one be strong enough to make the first move, risking everything, including their heart?

No Getting Over You, book seven in the MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary series, is a full-length novel with an HEA.

Amazon | Amazon UK | iBooks | Google Play

*****

Excerpt:

“Well, I should be going. Thanks for the beer.” Slipping a hand under the strap of her purse, she paused when Matt’s hand gripped her arm.

“Don’t leave yet. Stay and talk to me for a while.”

Glancing down at his hand, feeling the same jolt she’d always felt when he touched her, she bit her bottom lip, then pulled her arm free. “I really should head out.”

“Please, Cass.”

She’d seen that look before, knew he needed the comfort only a familiar soul could provide. For a brief moment, she wished he wanted her to stay because he still had feelings for her, not just because he needed the company of someone familiar. Pushing the foolish thought from her mind, she settled back on her chair.

“All right, for a little bit.” Pulling her unfinished beer toward her, she took a sip, looking up at the television.

“We got a lot accomplished today.”

She could feel his gaze boring into her, causing her skin to prickle with heat.

“Yes…yes, we did.” She could hear the slight rise in her voice.

“I think we can wrap up tomorrow.”

Clearing her throat, she glanced over at him. “Then where will you go?”

“Crooked Tree to meet with Skye. Possibly Mitch and Sean,” he answered, mentioning her cousins. “Do you ever go up that way?”

“I’ve been there twice. I’m due to go again. Skye wants us to meet with some of the rodeo committees together. She believes it will make a stronger impact on them if we both show up.” Cassie gripped her glass tighter, quelling the almost overpowering urge to reach out, run her fingers up his neck, and play with the long hair at his nape.

“You’re welcome to ride up with me.”

“What?” Her eyes widened as panic rippled through her. “No. I couldn’t do that. It would be crazy to…” Her voice trailed off as she gulped down the last of her beer, reaching for her purse again. “Look, I really have to leave.” She headed for the door, not looking back.

“Cass, wait up.” Matt dashed ahead of her, holding the door open. “I’ll walk you to your truck.”

“It’s not necessary—”

“Yes, it is.” He placed his hand on the small of her back, ignoring the heat which flamed at the contact as they walked the short distance to her truck.

Rummaging in her purse, she pulled out the keys, groaning when they slipped from her hand.

“I’ll get it.” Matt grabbed the keys and unlocked her door, then held it open, but blocked her entry. “I’m sorry if I said something wrong.”

Wanting only to get inside and get away, she shook her head. “You didn’t say anything wrong. I just need to leave.” She lifted her face, chin jutting toward him.

“Always in a hurry. Always somewhere to go.” He lifted his hand, letting a finger trail down her cheek, along the line of her jaw, then down her neck.

Excitement mingled with fear at his touch, causing what felt like a swarm of butterflies to pool in her belly. She had to get away from him. Now.

*****

Author Info:

Shirleen Davies writes romance—historical, contemporary, and romantic suspense. She grew up in Southern California, attended Oregon State University, and has degrees from San Diego State University and the University of Maryland. During the day she provides consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses. But her real passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance. She now lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona. Email | Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | LinkedIn | Pinterest | Amazon
Author Page | Tsu

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win a gift card and ebooks

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/80af10c245/

*****

Tour Schedule:

February 1^st

Boom Baby Reviews

http://www.boombabyreviews.com/

Spotlight

February 2^nd

Apocalipstick the Book

https://apocalipstickthebook.wordpress.com/

Spotlight

February 3^rd

Hyper Ashley

http://www.hyperashley.com/

Spotlight

February 4^th

Happy Tails and Tales

http://happytailsandtales.blogspot.com/

Spotlight

February 5^th

My Book Filled Life

http://mybookfilledlife.blogspot.com

Spotlight

February 8^th

Books Are Love

www.hello-booklover.tumblr.com

Spotlight

February 9^th

Romance Novel Giveaways

http://romancenovelgiveaways.blogspot.com/

Spotlight

February 10^th

Totally Addicted to Reading

http://totallyaddictedtoreading.blogspot.com/

Spotlight

February 11^th

Books and Banter

http://locglin.blogspot.com

Spotlight

February 12^th

Romantic Reads and Such

https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com

Spotlight

Book Review – Into the Fire

11 Thursday Feb 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Book Review, Claire Boston, Into the Fire, The Texan Quartet series

We’ve already seen What Goes on Tour and Under the Covers, now for book 4 in the a fantastic series by Claire Boston!

(Yes, it is just as great.)

*****

Into the Fire

The Texan Quartet series

by Claire Boston

Excerpt:

Piper Atkinson uses the truth as a weapon, but her latest interview candidate is more than just a headline.

Piper wants to be the kind of journalist who makes people sit up and take notice of the issues, and in Houston, Texas, there are plenty to go around. In the city’s high-end restaurant world, reclusive Native American chef Taima Woods is discussed in reverential whispers, so when the opportunity to interview him arrives, Piper jumps at it.

But getting to Tai is tougher than she expected. He has a deep mistrust of reporters, and a private life he’d prefer to keep hidden. There are two passions in Tai’s life – his cooking and his tribe – and he means to keep it that way. But the closer Tai gets to Piper, the closer he comes to conceding a third.

Through Tai, Piper discovers a world she knew nothing about – a damaged and ostracized community in need of a voice. But the more Piper wants to help them, the more Tai understands that to love Piper is to turn his back on his people.

Will Tai reject the one woman who’s ever understood him? Or can Piper show him that hardening his heart helps no one?

Buy on Amazon

*****

Excerpt:

Chapter 1

The bar was one of those hip places where the design was minimal and the prices were maximal. The tables were small to encourage intimate groups and conversations. Piper Atkinson scanned the faces in the dim lighting, hoping to catch sight of her friend, George. Stagehands were checking the microphone and equipment up front. George would be somewhere nearby, perhaps giving his client Adahy some last-minute words of encouragement.

Piper hadn’t heard the singer yet, but Adahy had played at her friend Elle’s café and she’d said he was fabulous. A fusion of modern music with Native American beats.

Close to the stage there was an empty table with a reserved sign on it. It was probably reserved for George.

She ordered a drink and something to eat, and stood at the bar, waiting.

“Is your daddy a baker? Because you’ve got a nice set of buns!” a deep male voice behind her said.

Piper rolled her eyes and debated whether to ignore the pickup line or tell the guy off, when someone grabbed her butt. She whirled and slapped at the hand. “What the hell are you doing?”

The man who’d both groped her and tried the cheesy pickup line was tall and built like a linebacker. His muscles bulged out of his too-small shirt and the glaze in his eyes told her he’d been in the bar a while.

“Just checking out how fresh they are.”

“Take a hike,” she said.

Before he could respond, there was a tap-tap on the microphone. They both turned to the stage where one of the staff stood. He cleared his throat. “Let me introduce you to tonight’s entertainment. He’s a born and bred Texan – Adahy Woods.”

A young man in his mid twenties walked on to the stage. He had short, dark hair and was wearing jeans and a T-shirt.

“He’s a damn Indian,” the linebacker said. “Didn’t think they’d let that sort in a place like this.”

Luckily his comments were drowned out by the applause. Disgusted, Piper grabbed her drink and moved away.

There were now two people seated at the reserved table and one of them was George. She wandered over, and George looked up and smiled. The other man didn’t notice her.

“Hi, George, mind if I join you?” Piper asked.

“Sure, we’ve got an extra seat.” George indicated one of the chairs and she put her drink on the table and pulled it out.

As she sat, the other man tore his attention away from the stage to look at her.

His gaze was intense. Chocolate brown eyes, glaring in annoyance at the interruption, chiseled features and loose, wavy, shoulder-length brown hair. Piper’s whole body flushed warmly, and there was a delicious shiver down her spine.

“Tai Woods, this is Piper Atkinson, she’s a friend and a reporter for the Houston Age.” George turned to Piper. “Taima is Adahy’s brother.”

The name sparked something in Piper’s memory. She’d just read it at work. “The chef of The Wooden Spoon.”

Tai looked surprised but nodded once before turning his attention back to his brother.

Piper’s editor had assigned her to do a set of profiles on people of Houston. Taima Woods was the one person on her list of interviewees she actually wanted to interview, but the reclusive chef famously didn’t talk to the media. This was a great opportunity to break the ice.

“He sounds great,” Piper said to George, and nodded toward Adahy.

“He does. We’re going to release a single next month.”

The waitress delivered Piper’s order of nachos to the table.

“Help yourself,” she invited the others.

Tai frowned at her. He was obviously there for the music and not the company.

Pity even his dirty look made Piper shiver. What was wrong with her? She’d dated plenty of men, but none had given her this kind of frisson, especially not a man who was completely uninterested in her.

Still, if she was going to be interviewing him, she didn’t want to get him off side. She shut up, ate her nachos and listened to Adahy sing.

He was amazing. His tone was warm and the way he mixed Native American drums and pipes with modern pop/rock music gave it an edge, a difference that was refreshing.

Piper found herself tapping her foot to the music and when he finished his set, she added her voice to the shouts of approval coming from the crowd.

George got to his feet. “I’ll be back in a minute.” He headed to meet Adahy.

The applause died down and was replaced by voices.

“Oh my God. He’s so hot. I can’t wait to hear more of his songs,” said a woman who was sitting at the table next to theirs.

“Sounds like he was a success,” Piper commented.

Tai grunted non-committedly.

“You must be proud of him,” she tried.

“Ada’s achievements are his own.” Tai scanned the crowd.

Wow. This guy really didn’t do small talk.

Interviewing him was going to be a whole lot of fun.

She wondered whether the paper had contacted him about the special feature yet. The woman she’d phoned this evening had been expecting the call. She guessed Tai wouldn’t be.

As she was about to broach the subject, he pushed back his chair and left, walking toward Adahy and George, who were standing next to the stage.

No. Social skills really weren’t his forte.

Tai said something to his brother, gave him a hug and then wove his way through the crowd and out of the bar.

Piper sat there, unsure whether to be amused or offended by the man’s lack of manners. She decided on amused and made a mental note to ask her editor, Geraldine, why Tai was on the interview list.

George brought Adahy over to the table and introduced them.

“That was a fantastic set,” Piper told him. “Let me know when you next play and I’ll tell our music reporter.”

“Great idea,” George told her and grinned. “I’m getting drinks, do you want one?”

“Yes, please.” She wasn’t in any rush to get home and tomorrow was miraculously free, with no interviews booked or events she had to attend.

Adahy took the seat next to her and sighed in satisfaction. “That was fun.”

Fun.

When had Piper last thought her work was fun? She couldn’t remember associating that descriptor with her job at all. Even the usual positive fallbacks interesting, fulfilling and educational couldn’t be used to describe the last few months in her new position. “You looked like you were enjoying yourself,” she said.

He nodded. “You work for a paper?”

“The Houston Age,” she told him. “I was hoping to talk to your brother about a series we’ve got coming up, but he left before I could.”

Adahy laughed. “Good luck with that. Tai’s not one for talk.”

“I noticed,” Piper said.

He laughed again.

George returned with the drinks and handed them out. “What brings you out tonight, Piper? No one to interrogate?”

“Not tonight. I felt like going out and Elle said you’d be here.” She’d tried all of her friends – Libby, Imogen and Elle – but none of them had been available. Elle had suggested Piper meet her fiancé, George, at the bar.

“We haven’t seen you much lately,” George said.

Piper felt a twinge of guilt. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help clean up after the break in at Elle’s café.” Elle’s ex had trashed the place in a fit of jealousy.

“We had plenty of hands,” George said. “Besides, the piece your reporter buddy did when Elle reopened the café got so many people interested that she’s constantly busy. She’s pretty happy.”

“I’m glad.” Piper had called in a favor and asked the social pages reporter to attend Elle’s bookshop café reopening. The guy had been so impressed by the set up he’d done more than a little paragraph – he had requested his editor make it the spotlight of the week.

George turned to Adahy to discuss the performance. Piper found it fascinating to listen to people talking about subjects she knew little about. Here it was all about the music – pitch and tone, notes and keys – as well as the performance itself.

Some of George’s suggestions were good and made Piper review the set in a whole other light. It wasn’t just about singing and playing: it was about entertainment. She’d like to interview George about his work, but she’d never be allowed to because the music reporter guarded her turf.

Still, she’d chat to George about it some day when they were both free.

Piper stifled a yawn and checked the time. If she wanted to do anything constructive tomorrow – and she had to do more research on those profiles – she should go to bed. She got to her feet, said goodbye and headed home.

On the way out she caught herself looking for Tai, wondering if he had indeed gone or was waiting for her to leave.

Annoyed he was on her mind when he’d not paid her the slightest bit of regard, she reminded herself it was a purely professional curiosity. She had to interview him.

She ignored the fact her body didn’t usually respond like that to people she interviewed.

It was nothing to worry about.

*****

Review:

Tai was introduced in Under the Covers (George’s story) and I knew that I wanted to find out his story, but at the same time I was afraid that he’d be too militant about his tribe. I shouldn’t have doubted Boston. She does a great job of showing his dedication to his people and detailing their struggles. You feel for everything they’ve been thru and can understand why they might be a little hesitant to trust outsiders. And that commitment sets up the conflict, and resolution, well.

Piper is going thru a little personal life crisis – she had an idea of what she wanted to do with her life and unfortunately things aren’t going the way she expects. Throw in a new romance and she could easily have been overwhelmed but I really like how she faces it all head on. She’s a great match for strong, sensitive Tai.

I have really enjoyed Boston’s Texan Quartet (although I missed Book 2, not sure how :)) – every time she gives her readers fantastic, individual characters with realistic issues. (As with the other stories, this can easily stand on its own – returning readers will enjoy seeing their favorite characters again, but new readers won’t have trouble keeping up.)

*****

Author Info:

Claire Boston is the best-selling author of The Texan Quartet. In 2014 she was nominated for an Australian Romance Readers Award as Favourite New Romance Author.

Her debut contemporary romance novel, What Goes on Tour caught the attention of Momentum’s Joel Naoum when her first scene was read aloud at the Romance Writers’ of Australia (RWA) conference in 2013. This led to a four book contract for The Texan Quartet series.

Claire is proactive in organising social gatherings and educational opportunities for local authors. She is an active volunteer for RWA, as a mentor for aspiring authors and the reader judge coordinator.

When Claire’s not writing she can be found in the garden attempting to grow vegetables, or racing around a vintage motocross track. If she can convince anyone to play with her, she also enjoys cards and board games.

Claire lives in Western Australia, just south of Perth, with her husband, who loves even her most annoying quirks, and her grubby, but adorable Australian bulldog.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Book Review – Mending Heartstrings

09 Tuesday Feb 2016

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

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Aria Glazki, Book Review, Mending Heartstrings

Are you ready for a country boy with a big heart?

*****

Mending Heartstrings

by Aria Glazki

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance (Sweet heat level)

Cover Designer: Christa Holland at Paper & Sage

Release Date: February 9, 2016

Hosted by: Book Partners In Crime Promotions

Blurb:

Kane’s a country singer who’s tangled with too many deceitful women. He’s learned his lesson: girls are for flirting and fun; emotions are for his music. But after spending a night with an earnest woman unlike any he’s known, he can’t force her out of his mind. So he goes in search of the woman he knows only as “Elle.”

On her last night in Nashville, the staunchly pragmatic Sabella found herself in a situation more suited to a romance novel than reality. Swept away, she ignored her rigidly self-imposed rules, succumbing to the fantasy just this once. But she knows real-world relationships have nothing in common with their fictionalized portrayals. When Kane unexpectedly shows up at her Portland apartment, she must choose between the practical truths she has learned and the desire for a passionate love she has struggled to suppress.

Despite the distance, Kane’s tour schedule, and their meddling friends, both are drawn to the chance for a romance neither quite believes is possible.

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27873304-mending-heartstrings

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1PdLRW8

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1PdOozx

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1PdOpDE

Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1PdOtmP

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1PUWON4

iBooks: http://apple.co/1PdOA1F

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1PdOwit

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1PdOvLE

*****

Excerpt:

“So how did you know I was from out of town?” She hadn’t thought she stood out quite so blatantly, and there were plenty of people in Nashville without Southern accents, so that couldn’t have given her away.

“You don’t act like a local girl,” he answered, relaxing back into the couch. His hands rested gently on his thighs, and he sat with his ankles crossed. He looked so perfectly comfortable that she felt even more self-conscious, standing in the middle of the room, thumbs tucked into the pockets of her jeans.

“And how do local girls act?” she asked curiously, shifting her weight to one hip to appear more relaxed.

“Confident. Assertive. They know exactly what they bring to the table, and exactly what they want to take away.” He paused. She felt herself swallow but continued to watch him. “But they rarely take any real risks,” he finished.

Kane stood and stepped forward, which brought him a touch closer to her than would have been casual. Sabella could see the stubble beginning to grow over his angled jaw and slightly rounded chin, his hair brushing over the tops of his ears and down to the back of his shirt collar, the thin scar that angled from right above his lip toward his left cheek, and the slightly flattened line of his nose that told her it had been broken at least once. He smelled faintly of wood with an overlay of beer, a combination she never would have imagined to be alluring.

She shifted moderately closer to him. If his assessment of these women was accurate, she definitely had little in common with them. Maybe it was her natural curiosity, but she almost never knew well enough to avoid taking risks, though she relentlessly attempted to impose sensible limitations on herself. Clearly that wasn’t working so well tonight.

Over a foot remained between them, yet their stance felt oddly intimate. Until the door was opened by an older woman in a jean skirt, black halter top, and well-worn leather boots.

Sabella took a hasty step back, but the woman was looking at Kane. He hadn’t reacted as sharply as she had, but rather did a slow half turn toward the door.

“Amber Lynn,” he said by way of greeting and smiled somewhat crookedly.

“Kane,” she responded, with a voice so husky she must have spent years shouting to be heard. “Not your best night,” she said casually then turned toward Sabella. “Now you must be why the boys keep on askin’ me for a karaoke night.” Her eyes took in Sabella’s silky purple top, manicured hands, casual sandals, and loosely waved hair, which didn’t accurately reflect the fact that it had taken almost an hour to style. She took her time, as if her eyes moved through the same honey that dripped from her voice—though that’s how Sabella thought of most country accents she had heard in her brief time in Nashville.

“Amber Lynn here’s the owner of the Fiddle an’ Steel,” Kane explained. His drawl was actually not as thick, with only a hint of flattened vowels and that light softening to some of his consonants.

“Pleasure to meet you,” Sabella offered politely.

“Welcome to Nashville,” Amber Lynn replied. “What’re you hidin’ in here for? A lotta them boys would sure love to get to know ya better after that little show y’all put on.” The last few words were directed at Kane. Amber Lynn narrowed her eyes a bit and pursed her lips, as if trying to discern Kane’s motives.

“Give ’er a chance to recover, Amber Lynn.” Kane’s innocent smile never wavered.

Amber Lynn considered him for a moment, glanced again at Sabella, and turned back toward the door. “Behave yourself, boy,” she threw over her shoulder as she walked out.

“You know me!” he called after her, grinning. “So.” He turned back to Sabella, and his mouth settled into a half smile. “Can I buy you a drink?”

*****

Review:

I think the main things I like so much about this one is that there aren’t TOO many misunderstandings or drama. There are a couple of places where their hangups got the better of them but they are handled realistically and well. I saw a lot of places where Glazki could have created even more trouble for Kane and Sabella but instead it is a sweet piece about people trying to get to know each other, fall in love and find a way to be together.

There’s also a good opportunity for more great stories with Kane’s bandmates (& Ella’s friend) and I’m looking forward to them getting their own HEA. I really like seeing the friendship that had developed between the three guys and a glimpse at how they are together on the stage & on the road.

Sometimes you are in the mood for a lot of turmoil and sometimes you are in the mood for something a little more relaxed – this definitely falls into that second category. The characters are down to earth, with real life (well, as real life as you can get when one of you is a recording artist) issues and interactions. You can totally put yourself in their shoes.

*****

Author Info:

Aria’s writing story started when her seventh-grade English teacher encouraged her to submit a class assignment for publication. That piece was printed, and let’s just say, she was hooked!

Since then, Aria has run a literary magazine, earned her degree in Creative Writing (as well as in French and Russian literatures), and been published here and there. Though her first kiss technically came from a bear cub, and no fairytale transformation followed, Aria still believes magic can happen when the right people come together—if they don’t get in their own way, that is.
Other than all things literary, Aria loves spending time with her family, including her two unbearably adorable nieces. She also dabbles in painting, dancing, playing violin, and, given the opportunity, Epicureanism.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Aria.Glazki/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AriaGlazki

Google +: https://plus.google.com/113380694219047854896

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Aria-Glazki/e/B00DHUXFY8/

Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/AriaGlazki

Website: http://www.ariaglazki.com/

Email Updates: https://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=AriaGlazki

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win some great autographed Mending Heartstrings items

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*****

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Book Review – Paramour for the Devil

05 Friday Feb 2016

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

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Book Review, Hawthorne Witches, Paramour for the Devil, Savannah Hill

Today’s book review will delight those who like a little darkness to their hero 🙂

*****

Paramour for the Devil

Hawthorne Witches

by Savannah Hill

Blurb:

Darkly erotic. Supremely powerful.Haley Hawthorne is a witch. She shuns her paranormal gifts, instead escaping into a mundane, reclusive life as an accountant for her Uncle Eli’s firm. Five years earlier, Haley was kidnapped by Raden, brother of Lucifer, and held captive as his personal sex slave. She escaped but still bears the scars, both physical and emotional. Now she’s turned away from both magic and sex, and she’s certain nothing will ever bring those lost things back into her life…

Damian, son to Lucifer, has renounced his right to the throne of Hell and has become a soldier for Adversus, hunting evil supernatural creatures on Earth. Unfortunately, he’s powerless to witches, and this witch can read his mind. He can’t decide what is more dangerous—the irresistible attraction he feels for her, or the intoxicating peace she gives him. One thing is certain, they both share a tortured past.

After Damian rescues her from an attack by monstrous djinn, Haley discovers the dangerously seductive soldier has secrets of his own. One of them is the collection of whips, ropes, handcuffs, and a leather riding crops he keeps locked away, though he refuses to show her his “Master” side. But when her trust in him grows, she finds herself increasingly intrigued by all the kinky things he’s hiding. But Damian has been given a new mission to kill a monster. A monster that turns out to be her uncle…

Buy on Amazon

*****

Excerpt:

Her fingers moved automatically, stumbling only slightly over the same heavy melodies she’d once played obsessively for hours. The bedroom door opened, and Damian walked into the room, breaking her reverie.

“Oh, hi.” He stared at her in surprise, holding a towel low around his waist, and Haley caught herself gaping at the defined muscles of his upper body, adorned with scars. “I didn’t know you were in here, I’m just gonna grab some clothes.”

His half naked body had her heart beating erratically in her chest, and Haley tried not to look at him as he pulled open a dresser drawer. She suddenly realized he was reaching for his own clothes. “Is…is this your room?”

“Yeah.” He retrieved a stack of folded clothes from the drawer. “You can stay in here though, I’ll sleep somewhere else.”

“I’m so sor—” Haley abruptly stopped speaking as he casually took off the towel, and she let out a barely audible gasp. Turning away from him, she brought her hand to cover her eyes. “I’m…I can go…”

Her pulse raced at the sound of rustling cotton as he dressed a few feet away from her.

“You play guitar?”

“Uh…no, not really… I mean… I don’t play well.” She kept her eyes hidden from him with one hand while she loosely held the neck of the guitar with the other, aware that her dress had hiked up around her hips in her cross-legged position.

“You can look now.”

She opened her eyes as he sat next to her, wearing a white T-shirt over gray sweatpants. “I thought it sounded really good.”

Looking down at the beautiful instrument in her lap, recognition sparked. “Is this yours?”

With a nod, he got up to pull her red guitar from the wall. “When did you learn how to play?”

“When I was younger,” she nervously held his shiny blue Les Paul, unsure where to put her hands, “but I got a little obsessed with it when I stayed in here for a few months.”

Damian sat down with hers and started tuning it. “So this is your room…” He concentrated on the strings in his hand. “And this is your guitar?” “Red Velvet.” She nodded, trying to keep her breathing even.

“You named your guitar?” He smiled at her. Haley relaxed a little as he tuned the strings. “I was very close with it for a while.” She took a steadying breath. “It kind of felt like therapy.”

“That was after you escaped?”

“Yes.” She lowered her gaze.

“I actually took this room because it had an amp in it.” Damian mindlessly played a slow melody on her guitar.

“When did you start playing?” The sound sent a tingling warmth through her, and she found herself staring at his fingers as they expertly moved along the strings.

“When I was a kid. It came naturally to me.”

Her focus dimmed at the powerful chords. “So…you were a kid…at one time…”

He nodded. “I’ve aged normally so far, like a human, but eventually I’ll stop aging.”

“How old are you?”

“Thirty-two.” He cast his gaze downward. Haley looked thoughtfully at the bedspread, listening to the haunting music. “I’m twenty-seven.”

She volunteered the information. “I feel like I’m eighty, I never go out anywhere.” Her gaze flickered to him. “Are you really only thirty-two?”

He seemed surprised by her remark and looked back down to the strings. “It’s a lot older than you.”

“You’re immortal.” She gave him a half-smile. “You could be thousands of years old.”

*****

Review:

I still read the occasional paranormal romance but it’s definitely not my main genre right now so I’m not sure what all is out there. Which means I’m not the best to say how original this world is :), but I think that Hill does a great job of creating one that is interesting. It’s got just the right touch of real world to make you think that it could be happening around you but yet be full of witches, demons, monsters and supernatural soldiers.

Haley went through something horrible and I’m impressed by how well she’s recovered. She’s still not completely healed and hesitates to get intimate with any man, especially the nephew of the man who held her captive (and someone who saw her in that situation). But being able to see into Damian’s mind helps I think. She starts to understand him a little better and see past who he used to be.

Damian may be the son of Satan but he is now working for the other side, fighting demons and monsters. Working with her brothers introduces him to Haley and spending time with the sexy witch draws him in. But can he breach the walls that her time in Hell built … and what happens when he’s ordered to kill her uncle?

I love the relationship and trust that builds between these two. They each have reasons to be wary of the other but time (and the glimpses they get of each other’s thoughts) start to forge something sweet. Damian is amazingly patient and understanding of all of Haley’s hangups. And she’s definitely strong, she just has to remember that. There’s danger mixed in with the love story, as expected with most paranormal romances, and it adds that extra oomph to the book.

Because it is the first in the series, there is a lot of extra explanation that has to happen, but I don’t feel like it bogged things down. I do, though, think there were times where it might have been missing some of the history related to this story. I’m not sure if that was intentional or not, because they weren’t big things but just enough that I wanted a little more info. I’m curious to see where Hill goes from here and whether we get some of those answers when the rest of the Hawthornes gets their stories.

*****

Author Info:

Savannah Hill is an erotic romance novelist diligently working to create a world that readers can truly experience and enjoy along with her. Captivated by romance at a very young age, she began writing love stories in grade school, always imagining new scenarios and characters. Addicted to her passion, her first novel, Paramour for the Devil, is the story that invaded her dreams until the final chapter was written. She is currently writing the sequel to Paramour, Seducing the Devil.

She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her man, the love of her life, and spends her days chasing their toddler boy who loves to giggle.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

*****

Giveaway:

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*****

Tour Info:

January 11^th

Sunshine Book Promos

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Spotlight

January 12^th

Teatime and Books

http://www.teatimeandbooks76.blogspot.com

Spotlight

January 13^th

Happy Tails and Tales

http://happytailsandtales.blogspot.com/

Review

January 14^th

CD Yess Writes

http://cdyesswrites.blogspot.com

Spotlight

January 15^th

Lola White

www.lola-white.com

Spotlight

January 18^th

Boom Baby Reviews

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Interview

January 19^th

The Reader Haven

http://thereaderhaven.wordpress.com

Review

January 20^th

Raquel Gabrielle’s Blog

http://rocki21.blogspot.com/

Review

January 21^st

Books and Banter

http://locglin.blogspot.com

Interview

January 22^nd

Leigh Anderson Romance

http://leighandersonromance.com/

Guest Post

January 25^th

Books are Love

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Spotlight

February 3^rd

Pinky’s Favorite Reads

http://www.pinkypollock.blogspot.com

Spotlight

February 5^th

Romantic Reads and Such

https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com

Review

Spotlight – The Average Girl

04 Thursday Feb 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

≈ 3 Comments

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Angelina Goode, The Average Girl

Who doesn’t love a Cinderella-like story of a plain Jane falling in love with a Hollywood hunk?!?!

*****

The Average Girl

by Angelina Goode

Publisher: Beach Blanket Publishing

Pages: 228

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Blurb:

Being average can lead to wonderful things…

Olivia Fowler, helper of the star-struck, runs a successful business helping average people meet celebrities in everyday ways. Flawless at what she does, the celebrities don’t have a clue they’re part of a pre-planned meeting. Business is booming and Olivia knows everything there is to know about Hollywood’s famous and their behavior. Her clients trust her because she is just like them, not famous.

But when Olivia accidentally meets the super-famous Alexander Young at the grocery store, her world is flipped upside-down. She can’t possibly resist those charming eyes and sexy arms. As their romance blossoms, Olivia learns she may not know as much as she thought she did about celebrities and their ways.

Then Olivia’s most important and loyal client requests to meet Alexander. Suddenly, Olivia is forced to choose between her love and her business.

Will Olivia be able to keep her booming business a secret from her soon-to-be boyfriend? Will her clients still trust her if she is no longer the average girl?

The Average Girl is available at Amazon.

Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.

Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

*****

Excerpt:

I sit quietly at the Starbucks on the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevard, pretending to work on my laptop. Two tables away from me and next to the condiment counter sits my client, Sarah, drinking coffee and pretending to read a book. This is our second day at this Starbucks and we have already been here for forty minutes. I am beginning to wonder if we should re-evaluate our plan.

Suddenly a wave of hushed excitement spreads through the store. Everyone’s eyes are glued to the swinging front doors as Ryan Scott strides through with his shoulders back and chin up. Everyone’s eyes, that is, but Sarah’s. She looks at me without turning her head, and I give her the tiniest of nods before spinning back around to stare. She responds to my nod by feigning interest in her Jane Austen novel.

Great Sarah! Keep calm. I know you want to burst inside, but play it cool.

Ryan’s eyes quickly scan the room. Before they return to the menu board, they briefly linger on Sarah, the only person who appears not to notice him. He orders his grande latte with a double shot of espresso and leans smugly against the counter with his arms folded across his chest. He appears to be staring into space, yet every few moments his eyes fall back to Sarah, who has still not looked up from her book.

The barista calls his name, and he pauses to make sure everyone hears it before he reaches for the drink. When he turns around, Sarah is beginning to pack her things, leaving the Austen novel on the table. He heads toward the condiment counter for his regular three sugars. Just as we had rehearsed, Sarah stands up, still focused on packing up, and he tries to pass her. He stops for a moment, Sarah blocking his way.

Thank goodness these celebrities are creatures of habit. It makes my job so much easier.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t see you there.” She breathes calmly as she speaks to him. She slings her navy-blue Coach bag over her shoulder and smiles, her head leaning to the side, her eyes soft.

“That’s all right,” Ryan responds. He stands waiting for her to move but blocks her exit. He half smiles at her.

“Okay then.” Sarah glances toward the door behind him, still smiling.

“Oh, now I’m in your way,” he declares as he steps aside and watches Sarah move toward the door. “Wait, hey, your book!”

I exhale. The one contingency worked as planned. Should be easy from here on out, as long as she sticks to the script.

She stops and turns back, hiding her smile. Ryan stands there, holding her book in his hands. “Jane Austen, huh.” He smirks. “I’m shooting a movie based on one of her books next month.”

“Oh, you’re an actor. What book?” she asks, pretending not to know.

“Pride and Prejudice.” He seems intrigued by Sarah’s indifference. “Well, here you go—” He ends his sentence by fishing for her name.

“Sarah,” she finishes for him.

“Sarah,” he repeats, revealing a slow, sexy smile, “maybe we can have a cup of coffee next time.” He holds out the book but is not loosening his grip.

“Yes, maybe.” She takes the book from him, and he lets her. “Thanks.” Then she is out the door. Ryan turns and grabs his three sugars, looking around the room again to make sure everyone is still watching. Before he finishes stirring them in, I am out on the street and dialing Sarah’s cell number.

“Wow! That was unbelievable! I can’t believe it worked!” she cries.

“You were awesome! Did you see the way he looked at you?” I ask.

“Yes! I did!” She pauses. “Thank you so much, Olivia. You really made my dream come true. I mean, I never could have done this without you. I’m going to recommend you to all my friends,” she rattles on.

Thrilled that all went as planned, I head back down Santa Monica Boulevard toward my office.

*****

Author Info:

Angelina Goode began writing as a teenager. Though her first works were poems about love-struck teenagers, she grew her craft while earning her degree in Journalism and Creative Writing. A former grade school teacher that loved teaching children to write, she enjoys finding creative ways to present everyday events. Now she primarily writes light-hearted contemporary women’s fiction. She lives in Los Angeles where she enjoys the occasional celebrity sighting and year-round sun.

Angelina started gaining first-hand fan and celebrity experience as a devoted follower of her generation’s boy band. Her experience shifted in college when she interned in the promotions department for a Los Angeles based radio station and for the public relations department of a network television station. There she was able to learn about the ins and outs of promoting celebrities and all the backstage activities that are rarely seen by the public eye. She was also able to observe fans’ behavior from an objective perspective, seeing what it looks like to an outside observer.

Now she combines her experience as a loyal fan attending numerous concerts and meet and greets every year, her brief but educational stint in the entertainment industry, and a highly active imagination to create fiction for celebrity lovers of all ages.

Her latest book is the romantic comedy, The Average Girl.

For More Information

Visit Angelina Goode’s website.

Connect with Angelina on Facebook and Twitter.

Find out more about Angelina at Goodreads.

*****

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Spotlight – Thirst: Blood of my Blood

03 Wednesday Feb 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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R P Channing, Thirst: Blood of my Blood

I don’t usually post about YA stories but there was something I just couldn’t resist about this one. There is something just so darn intriguing about it.

Vampires, Demons & Ghosts.

Welcome to STARKFIELD ACADEMY.

*****

Thirst: Blood of my Blood

by R P Channing

240+ Pages

WITH BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHS

Blurb:

~ Kira Sutherland ~

After a near fatal accident (and getting cheated on by her ‘boyfriend’), and beating up the lead cheerleader (with whom the boyfriend cheated…), and being labeled as having ‘issues’ in her school because she, uhm, sees ghosts, Kira is left with two choices:

1. Continue her ‘therapy’ (where she’s told the ghost is a hallucination and also gets her legs ogled too often…)

2. Go to Starkfield Academy, a boarding school for “Crazies and Convicts” (as the social media sites call them.)

She chooses the latter…

~ Cory Rand ~

Cory Rand has not had an easy life. His mother died in a car accident when he was twelve, and so did his mother’s best friend…sort of. You see, Janice made a promise to take care of Cory just before she died, and so she lingers. Undead. A ghost that watches out for him.

Brought up in an abusive home, Cory quickly falls into a life of disreputable behavior. After his third offense (which was prompted by a girl, as usual – he has a weakness) he’s left with two choices:

Be tried as an adult and share a cell with a guy named Bubba (he thinks…)

2. Go to Starkfield Academy, which Cory is pretty sure is run by vampires. But, hey, at least he’ll get an education.

He chooses the latter…

It’s at Starkfield that Kira meets Cory Rand, a boy with an insatiable Rage who sees ghosts, too. As well as other things, other things from his past, things that confuse him, things like fire and witches and demons.

Things he’s always ignored.

Until now.

Buy Links:

Amazon US – http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018M5GTLI

Amazon UK – http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B018M5GTLI

*****

Excerpt:

PROLOGUE

-1-

The Puppy Eyes

My life was perfect.

I had the perfect shoes and the perfect friends and I lived in the perfect house. My nails were perfect and my hair was perfect (except on Sundays, it was always windy on Sundays) and I had the perfect clothes. My lips were a perfect red and my hair perfectly straight. My eyeshadow was perfect, my hips were…okay, and my waist…well…also okay. Nothing was wrong in my life.

But then there was Jack.

Jack was a problem.

He needed to go. I mean, when you’re dead, you’re dead! I had told him this endlessly. Somehow, Jack didn’t get it. I mean, I felt sorry for the guy. Sure. Being stuck between this life and the next. But just because I found him, does that mean I needed to keep him?

I think not!

Sadly, when Jack got that look in his eyes, that weary, almost teary (if his tear-ducts worked) look, I melted. I just couldn’t send him away. Not even Jack knew where he would go after he died.

Would he, like, die? As in — dead, nada, kaput, finito, gone, no more? Bye bye, sayonara, ciao, hasta la vista baby and all that?

I couldn’t have that on my conscience. No way.

I lay on my bed, wondering what to do about him. “Jaaaaaaack,” I hollered.

“Jaaaaaaack!”

Still no answer.

“Jack!”

Jack…materialized.

His eyes rolled down to the ground. He was making those puppy eyes again. “Jack, I told you not to do that. I told you not to play on my sympathies.”

His puppy eyes became worse.

His skin was gray and, well, dead.

“Oh, brother,” I said. “I have to do something about you. If mom finds out I have another ‘imaginary friend’ — at my age — well, I’d die of embarrassment. But, like, really die. Not like you.” I wondered about this. Would I die? Was Jack a freak accident, or did all people live on like him? Think of the cemeteries…

The idea excited me somewhat.

“What would you have me do, Miss Kira?”

“Knock off the Miss Kira crap. I told you it’s just Kira.”

“Yes, Miss Kira.”

The dead. There’s just no reasoning.

“Fine, Miss Kira it is then.” Rover barked like a lunatic in the garden. No one else might be able to see Jack, but I was sure my dog could.

“I have to do something about this,” I mumbled.

-2-

The Rat

Mike knocked on the door before I had time to leave the house. Mike was the guy I thought (at the time) was perfect.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, baby.”

Baby, urgh — I wasn’t his baby. I dated Mike because he was the quarterback, because girls are supposed to like the quarterback, because it’s just so darn perfect to be seen with the quarterback, like we’re brainwashed into thinking these things from the first romantic doll set mom buys us.

This was my previous life.

“Mike.”

“Uh-huh. Gonna let me in?”

So you can try rub me up and then complain when I don’t let you? This, dear reader, was the big problem with Mike. The second we first kissed, his hand went way too far south for me to be comfortable — and I pulled back.

Mike suddenly wasn’t so perfect.

“Uhm, I was just on my way out,” I said.

“Kira? C’mon, open the door.” He sounded upset. “Is there someone in there with you?”

Boys. As if.

I didn’t know much about love (nothing, actually) but I knew this wasn’t it.

“Uhm, now’s not the time, Mike.”

“C’mon, Kira, what’s going on?” He banged harder.

When in doubt…lie. I opened the door a crack. “There’s a dead rat in the house, Mike. Been here for days. I gotta go get some detergent and stuff to handle the stench.”

Mike stepped back. He peered through the crack of the door.

“It’s really bad,” I said.

“I’ll drive you.”

“I’m afraid the smell” — I stuck my armpit to my nose — “has found its way all over me. I’ll drive myself.”

“O — okay. Fine.” And then he grinned like he wanted something. “Later? My place?”

Urgh. “Uhm, sure…er…later. Not sure when though.”

“Six.”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes. According to girls at school, he was apparently so damn good looking — theoretically. But for me personally, he did nothing. Moved nothing. Twisted nothing. “Look, I gotta go, Mike. I gotta — ”

“Kira.” His eyes grew stern. “You’ve been avoiding me…”

Bingo! Well done contestant number one! And what have you won? A brain!

I tilted my head. “Mike, look, this…rat — I need to deal with it. We’ll talk later, okay? Bye.” I closed the door, not waiting for an answer, and peered out the peep hole. Mike hung around for a second, shoulders wide and eyes glaring straight at me through the door. Could he see me? Did he know I was looking at him?

He kicked something off the ground, and I had the distinct impression he mouthed the word Bitch before leaving. But I wasn’t sure…

-3-

The Mack

“Roll down the window, Jack.” Jack was recently dead, so he still had a smell about him. (Which only I could smell…)

I had purposely skipped breakfast. Maybe Jack would help me lose weight. I was (still am) a little wide, although it had never stopped guys flirting with me. I know how to dress.

But I could be skinnier.

Lucy Rogers was skinny. All bones and no boobs.

Charlene Carverton was a babe. Cheerleader. Big chest (which she pushed out generously with a push-up — if only guys knew). Toned thighs. Charlene only dated college boys (back then), which I still think is pretty gross for a girl her age.

“He’s not for you,” Jack said out the blue.

“Hmm?”

“This…Mike — he’s wrong for you, Miss Kira.” For all Jack’s faults (mainly, being dead), he has a good heart. Factually, probably it’s why I kept him around at first.

“You think I don’t know that?”

“Then why don’t you dump him?”

I braked at a stop sign. Looked left and right. “Because I’d look like an idiot. I flirted with him and showed interest, and one kiss later I can’t stand the sight of him.”

“So dump him.”

“It’s not that simple. Kids at school — they can be vicious. I have to let it fade slowly. If I drop the bomb on him, I’ll never hear the end of it through senior year.”

“And you care?”

Yes, I did. Forget Guantanamo, schools are rough. “You don’t understand, Jack. Maybe school was different in your day. But in mine, well, we walk through metal detectors.”

“Schools weren’t too different in my day.” I noted the sadness in his voice.

“You okay?”

“I’m dead.”

Right. “You miss…your life?”

Jack shrugged. “I like being with you, Miss Kira. And I don’t remember much of my life. I think I’m in limbo.”

“Limbo?”

“Yes, like I have some unfinished business. If only I could remember…what…it is…” He scratched his head.

“Any ideas?”

“Well, it can’t be love. If it were love, I’d be a vampire. That’s who teenage girls fall in love with these days.”

“A vampire? That’s just what I need — two undead beings stalking me.”

“I feel I have something to do around you, Miss Kira. I don’t know what, but something. Something important.”

I looked over at him. “Me?”

I was still looking at him when I missed the stop sign.

The Mack truck drove straight into us.

*****

Author Info:

R P Channing started writing three years ago, but never published anything even after churning out over a million words of fiction. Thirst: Blood of my Blood is the first book he dared to publish. When asked why, he said, “Because it’s the first thing I wrote that my wife actually enjoyed reading.” When not hammering away (most literally) at his keyboard, he can be found buried in a book, reading anything from romance to horror to young adult to non-fiction to comedy.

Website – http://blog.rpchanning.com

Twitter – https://twitter.com/RPChanning

Amazon – http://amazon.com/author/rpchanning

*****

Giveaway:

$20 Amazon Gift Voucher Giveaway

At the back of the book there is a giveaway link. Once the book hits fifty reviews on Amazon, one of those reviewers will win a $20 (US Dollars) Amazon Gift Voucher!

*****

Spotlight – His Pregnant Princess Bride

02 Tuesday Feb 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Tags

Bayou Billionaires series, Catherine Mann, His Pregnant Princess Bride

I’m super excited by this series. I’ve got my hands on the first two books and I can’t wait to read them!

*****

His Pregnant Princess Bride

Bayou Billionaires #1

by Catherine Mann

Releasing February 1st, 2016 (Digital)

Releasing February 9^th, 2016 (Print)

Harlequin Desire

Blurb:

A princess and a Southern billionaire are expecting twins! Only from USA TODAY bestselling author Catherine Mann!

His focus is on his family’s football dynasty. Louisiana billionaire Gervais Reynaud has no time for romance. But he can’t say no to a tryst with Erika Mitras. True, she’s a princess, but in no way prim…or proper. Their time together is unbelievable…and all too short.

When Erika said goodbye, she meant it. But now she must tell Gervais the truth. He’s about to be a father…to royal twins. After leaving her overbearing family, Erika wants nothing from Gervais. But the tempting tycoon just may charm her into a future she desires all too much

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25897469-his-pregnant-princess-bride

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/168229-bayou-billionaires

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

*****

Excerpt:

His dark eyes heated her with memories as he strode toward her. His long legs ate the ground in giant slices, his khakis and sports jacket declaring him in the middle of a work day. He stopped in front of her, his broad shoulders blocking the sun and casting his handsome face in shadows. But she didn’t have to see to know his jaw would be peppered with the stubble that seemed to grow in seconds after he shaved. Her fingers – her body – remembered the texture of that rasp well.

Her breath caught somewhere in her chest.

He folded his arms over his chest, just under the Hurricanes logo stitched on the front of his jacket. “Welcome to the States, Erika. No one mentioned your intention to visit. I thought you don’t like sports.”

“And yet, here I am.” And in need of privacy out of the bright Louisiana sun and the even brighter curious eyes of his team and staff. She needed space and courage to tell him why she’d made this unexpected journey across the Atlantic to this muggy bayou state. “This is not an official royal visit.”

“And you’re not in uniform.” His eyes glided over her wrap around dress.

“I’m out of the service now.” About to return to school to be a nurse, the career field she’d hoped to pursue in the military but they would not allow her such an in-the-field position, instead preferring to dress her up and trot her around as a figure-head translator. “I am here for a conference on homeopathic herbs and scents.” A part of her passion in the nursing field, and a totally made up excuse for being here today.

“Are you here to share specially scented deodorant to my players? Because they could certainly use it.” His mouth tipped with a smile.

“Are you interested in such a line?” Still jet-lagged from the transatlantic flight, she was ill-prepared to exchange pleasantries.

“Is that why you are here? For business?”

She could not just banter with him. She simply could not. “Please, can we go somewhere private to talk?”

He searched her eyes with for a long moment before gesturing over his shoulder. “I’m in the middle of a meeting with sponsors. How about supper?”

“I am not here for seduction,” she stated bluntly.

“Okay.” His eye brows shot upward. “I thought I asked you to join me for gumbo, not sex. But now that we’re talking about sex–”

“We are not.” She cut him short. “Finish your meeting if you must, but I need to speak with you as soon as possible. Privately. Unless you want your personal business and mine overheard by all of your team straining to listen.”

She definitely was not ready for them to hear she was pregnant with the heir to the Reynaud family dynasty.

*****

Author Info:

USA Today bestseller and RITA Award winning author Catherine Mann writes contemporary romance for Berkley, Harlequin, Sourcebooks and Tule. With over sixty books released in more than twenty countries, she has also celebrated six RITA finals, an RT Reviewer’s Award finalist, three Maggie Award of Excellence finals and a Bookseller’s Best win. Catherine and her flyboy husband live on the Florida coast where they brought up their 4 children – and still have 5 four-legged, furry “children” (aka pets). Catherine is an active volunteer with an animal rescue, serving on their Board of Directors and fostering over 200 puppies, ill dogs, and dogs with service/working potential.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

a Grand Prize winner to get Three (3) books from Catherine Mann & Joanne Rock’s backlist plus loofah, Victoria’s Secret lotion and heart shape cookie cutters. Second Prize winner to get downloads of two Runaway Bride stories by Catherine Mann & Joanne Rock

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c8917/

*****

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Spotlight – Valentine Pets and Kisses

02 Tuesday Feb 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Hope Welsh, Inflamed, Jade Kerrion, Remember When, Valentine Pets & Kisses

Nothing is more heart-warming than kisses from the pet who adores you and the man who loves you, so snuggle up with VALENTINE PETS & KISSES — an anthology of fourteen sweet romances from USA Today bestselling and award-winning authors — and strike the perfect mood for moonlit walks and candlelight dinners with your pet and sweetheart.

Check out descriptions and excerpts from two of the stories featured in the anthology!

Inflamed – Jade Kerrion

Debra Martinez doesn’t believe in happy endings, until Sean Orr, Havre de Grace’s newest firefighter, shows her and her son, Aidan, a new and beautiful kind of “normal.” But the happiness can’t last—not for Sean who is on the run from his own past.

Excerpt

Tension stiffened Debra’s back, but she smiled at the men, two of whom she recognized.

“What can I get for you?”

“Five medium coffees for the boys down at the house.” Jack Landon leaned against the counter, flexing an impressive bicep. He was obviously on duty even though he wore street clothes; firefighting in a small town like Havre de Grace was a casual sort of thing.

“Didn’t know it took three grown men to buy five coffees,” she teased as she filled the order.

“Wanted to show the new guy the town.” Jack jabbed his finger over his shoulder at the tall young man standing behind him. “Sean Orr. He’s taking Larry’s place.”

“Hey.” Debra flashed him a dimpled smile. She estimated his age as mid-twenties, a good eight years younger than she was. “Welcome to Havre de Grace.” She set four cups in a cup holder made of recycled paper and then placed the fifth cup in the middle. “Will that be all, or would you like anything else?”

Ray Peterson, the third firefighter, pushed past Sean and Jack and rested both elbows on the table. He leaned forward, and Debra retreated from his leer even though her cleavage was concealed behind her turtleneck sweater. Ray chuckled as if he sensed her unease and pressed out his cheek with his tongue. “Do you want to come over this weekend? It’s cold out; great night for keeping warm together.”

“Aren’t you and Andrea still together?”

“She’s out of town this weekend. Perfect, you know, for you.” Ray snorted, the sound derisive.

Jack laughed and elbowed Ray. “Let’s get out of here, man, before the coffees get cold.”

He led the way out of the store, but amid the quiet chatter of surrounding conversations, Debra heard Sean ask quietly, “What’s her name?”

Ray’s answer slapped her moments before the door slammed shut on their voices. “She’s the other woman.”

Remember When – Hope Welsh

Laura and Brent really tried to make their marriage work, but in the end, it just wasn’t meant to be. Or was it? When they meet to discuss joint custody of their Akita, they discover they have much more to talk about other than the dog.

Excerpt

The ringing of her phone pulled Laura out of her writing ‘zone’. She sighed and answered it without even checking the caller ID. “Hello?”

There was no one speaking on the other end, but she could hear the breathing.

“Hello? Is this some sort of a prank?” Laura had had these kinds of call before, and had them do silly things like this.

The phone disconnected and she tossed it back on the table. A check of the phone logs showed it was a blocked number. Likely some silly kid.

Laura sighed when the phone rang again less than five minutes later. This time, she did check the caller ID and realized it was Callie.

She signed again—inwardly—as she listened to the phone call. The last thing she wanted to do was go on a search and rescue tonight. Valentine’s Day was two days away, and she’d been looking forward to sitting home and moping. It was their anniversary.

She rolled her eyes at her own musings. Going out on a search might be just the thing. She looked down at Angel, the Akita that was her partner in SAR. “What do you say, girl? Got a search in you?”

“What?” she said, her mind once again on the phone call.

“You’ll be working with Brent,” Callie said patiently. “He’s the only medic we have in the area right now.”

Laura didn’t groan, but she wanted to. The last person she wanted to spend possibly the next few days with was her soon-to-be ex, Brent Anders. “Um, Callie, I don’t really need a partner.”

“You know the rules, Laura. We send out teams of two for a reason. One with the dog and one with the medical training. You two are good together.”

We had been good together, Laura thought bitterly. But, that was before. “I don’t suppose I can talk you out of using him?”

Author Bios

Jade Kerrion writes frequently award-winning, occasionally best-selling science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance novels.

Hope Welsh writes romance fiction and enjoys creating characters that come alive on the pages. Her goal is always to provide an entertaining read that her readers will love.

Author Links

Jade Kerrion

Mailing list (with free book)

Hope Welsh

Buy Links

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Tour Schedule

February 1^st

BB’s Book Reviews

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Mel’s Shelves

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February 2^nd

Romance Novel Giveaways

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Kelly Smith Reviews

http://kellysmithreviews.blogspot.com

A Passion for Romance

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Romantic Reads

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February 3^rd

CD Yess Writes

cdyesswritesblog.wordpress.com

Natural Bri

T: @natural_bri

FB: www.facebook.com/naturalbripage

February 4^th

Teatime and Books

http://www.teatimeandbooks76.blogspot.com

Book and Ink

http://bookandink.weebly.com\

February 5^th

Leigh Anderson

http://leighandersonromance.com/

Around the World in Books

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Book Review – Life’s a Beach

01 Monday Feb 2016

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Book Review, Hawaii Heat series, Jamie K Schmidt, Life's a Beach

I don’t know about y’all but I could definitely use a trip to Hawaii right about now … but I guess this is the next best thing 🙂

*****

Life’s A Beach

Hawaii Heat Series, Book One

by Jamie K. Schmidt

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Random House, Loveswept

Date of Publication: 1/5/16

ISBN: 9781101886588

ASIN: B00VZZ2PA2

Number of pages: 232

Word Count: 65,000-words

Blurb:

Amelia Parker has booked a two-week vacation to Maui to surprise her boyfriend on their second anniversary. She works as a concierge in a boutique hotel in Manhattan. Her boss demands she cancels her vacation because her back-up has quit, leaving him without coverage for a major convention. Amelia won’t be able to get her money back and her boss won’t reimburse her. When she stands firm about still going on the vacation she booked a year ago, she gets fired. Amelia goes back home to her boyfriend’s apartment that she shares with him. She catches him in bed with the barista of her favorite coffee shop.

Amelia is out of a job

Out of an apartment

Out of a relationship

And shit out of coffee

When Amelia arrives in Maui, newly single and unemployed, she’s shocked to discover the resort she booked is actually a ramshackle little beachside hotel. At least the scenery is easy on the eyes—as is the toned, laid-back snorkel instructor, “Dude.” After two weeks of sun, serenity, and mind-blowing sex, she even accepts a job as the hotel’s concierge. But what Amelia really wants is to relaunch the place completely. And that means convincing the absentee Wall Street billionaire owner, Samuel Kincaide, to take a chance on her.

Samuel has a plan, too: selling off every last reminder of his former life and chilling all day, every day as his slacker alter ego . . . Dude. He loves his romps in the ocean, and under the sheets, with the feisty Amelia. If she discovers his true identity, her boundless enthusiasm and innovative business plan will seriously diminish his hammock time. But when Amelia runs into real trouble on the island, he’ll put everything on the line to keep her safe. He just hopes that the woman who’s falling for Dude will feel the same about Samuel.

Amazon BN BooksAMillion

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Advance Praise for Life’s a Beach

“An unputdownable, laugh-out-loud read, Life’s a Beach is filled with humor and heart.”—New York Times bestselling author Cherry Adair

“I can’t remember the last book that made me smile this much. Jamie Schmidt is ridiculously talented—she does fun and flirty every bit as well as she does hot and sexy, with just right amount of emotional punch.”—USA Today bestselling author Lauren Layne

*****

Excerpt:

This couldn’t be happening to her. When she’d seen the ad for the all-inclusive resort in Hawaii last year, it had been like a dream come true. Fishing around under her desk, Amelia pulled out the brochure. It was creased and wrinkled from her having looked at it a million times. The hotel was shaped like a horseshoe around a gigantic pool and tiki bar. The beach in the distance showed cerulean blue waves with just a hint of whitecaps. She wanted to be on that beach so much, her teeth ached.

“Can you have this dry-cleaned?” A guest shoved a large plastic bag over the counter, knocking over her pirate’s chest of wrapped candy.

“Sure,” Amelia said, taking the bag. Once she got the guest’s room number and laundry preferences, she tagged the bag and called in a pickup at one of the local laundries. Then she booked a few more theater and dinner reservations and gave out some walking maps of the city. By the time she got back to her brochure, it was around three in the afternoon.

“Nine a.m. island time,” she said, dialing the resort’s number.

It rang and rang. No one picked up. No one picked up an hour later, either. Finally, around five o’clock her time, a groggy voice drawled into the phone.

“Whatchu want?”

“Um, is this the Palekaiko Beach Resort?”

“It is, sistah,” the voice said in a warm, smiling voice that made her toes tingle. “What can I do for you?”

She could almost picture him leaning against a desk like hers. Only his view wasn’t icy sleet and gray drabness, but lush greens and ocean blue. Shaking herself back into the present, she said, “I need to change my reservation.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t know where Hani is right now.”

“Who’s Hani?” she asked.

He yawned. “He’s in charge of all that.”

“Who are you?”

“They call me Dude.”

“Seriously?”

“Ya, as in I’m the dude that teaches snorkeling. The phone was harshing my buzz, so I answered it.”

“Isn’t it before noon there?” Amelia was giddy at the thought of drinking before noon.

“It’s five o’clock somewhere, sunshine.”

That it is. She scowled at the mermaid clock on the wall. “Look, do you know when Hani will be back?”

He sighed. “No. In fact, I don’t see Kai or Makoa around either. Must’ve gone surfing.”

Amelia’s breath caught. “How are the waves, there?”

“Here, we’ve got some storm surge but down the coast there’s some beach break.”

“Are they . . . gnarly?” Amelia tried out some slang.

His husky laugh sent a shiver up her spine. “You should come see for yourself, sweet thing.”

There was one little problem with that. Her excitement deflated like a balloon, complete with the raspberry noise. “That’s actually the reason why I’m calling. I need to switch dates on my reservation. I know it’s last-minute, but my boss canceled my vacation.”

“Sounds like an asshole.”

Vindication surged through her and she looked quickly around, but the desk crew were the only ones around. “He is,” she whispered. “He wants me to move my two-week vacation to May.”

“Aw, honey, I’m afraid we can’t do that.”

“Why not? It’s all right if you have to charge me a fee.”

“Nah, you don’t understand. We ain’t gonna be here in May.”

“What?” She heard a screeching sound in her head.

“The big kahuna is selling and the new owners will tear it down to build condos.”

“Oh, no!,” she said. “Can I get my money back?”

“We can credit your card.”

“No,” Amelia said. “I paid by check. Monthly. For over a year. I sent in the last payment a month ago.”

“Hm,” he said. “Well, I’m sure something can be done. The kahuna is a big shot. If you write him a letter, he can fix you up.”

Amelia’s hand was shaking as she grabbed her pen. “What’s his name?”

“Samuel Kincaide.”

“I see.” She tried to keep the tears out of her voice.

“Don’t cry, wahine.”

She didn’t trust her voice. “I d-don’t want my money back. I want to go on my dream vacation.”

“Then come on.”

“I’ll get in trouble,” she said with a watery giggle.

“I get it,” Dude said. “But your kahuna sounds like a grade-A prick.”

“So does yours.”

He barked out a loud laugh. “I tell you what—you come on down and I’ll buy you a drink.”

She sniffled. “What’s the weather like down there?”

“It’s a little chilly today. It’s about seventy-five.”

Amelia bit back a moan. Seventy-five! She had a cute little sundress all picked out that would be perfect with a little lacy shawl.

“But that’s because of the wind. Once the wind dies down later this afternoon should be about ninety.”

This time she did let out a moan.

“Where are you calling from?” he asked, his voice sounding like honey over gravel.

“Manhattan.”

“Sistah, get on the plane.” He chuckled. “That’s a no-brainer.”

“What’s the worst he can do?” Amelia said, almost to herself.

“Are you a doctor?”

“Doctor?” She huffed in surprise. “No, I’m a concierge.”

“So no one’s life depends on you while you’re on vacation?”

“I don’t even have a cat.”

“If he fires you, can you survive?”

Amelia thought about it. Jay might be pissed. Although, truth be told, he really didn’t care about stuff like that. That’s what she liked about him. There were no problems, no troubles. In fact, he had asked her to move in when she didn’t have a job, so it probably wouldn’t be that big a deal. If worse came to worst, they’d eat ramen noodles for a few months until she got into another hotel. They could rekindle their relationship over a shared misery and look over the pictures of their once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

“Sistah, you still there?”

“Unfortunately.” She sighed.

“Look, you gotta do what you gotta do. I’ll make sure the kahuna gives you all your money back. He listens to me. You got no worries. You make sure you have no regrets.”

“Thanks,” she said. While the phone was cradled between her neck and shoulders, she rubbed her arms to stave off the chill as she stared dejectedly out the window. The sleet just kept coming down in gray icy waves. “I really appreciate that.”

“I got to tell you, though, that I’ve got a bucket of Coronas just waitin’ to be shared. I’ll even throw in a free snorkel lesson. Come find me.”

“Where are you going to be?” Her mouth curved into a smile.

“In my hammock. Just ask for Dude.”

“Dude?”

“Yes, sweet thing?”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“That’s my girl.”

Amelia hung up and started shaking her head. Mr. Kensington would be disappointed, but he wouldn’t really fire her, right? She was the only experienced concierge he had, and she was a hard worker. She always picked up extra shifts and never complained. So he’d have to hire a temp, or get one of the desk staff to fill in for a few days. Most of them were native New Yorkers and could recommend restaurants. All of her contacts for shows and tours were on the computer. It was just customer service. She’d even stay extra late tonight to help train them. And she’d only be gone two weeks. It was only right that she took the vacation that had been booked and approved a year ago. She’d earned it. And she and Jay needed it. She couldn’t even remember the last time they’d had sex. Amelia needed to put her relationship first. Straightening her shoulders, she marched into Kensington’s office to tell him the bad news.

Amelia trudged to the bus stop with all of her personal belongings in a large plastic garbage bag. She no longer cared about avoiding icy puddles, because she was already soaked through.

By the time she got off at her stop, Zarafina was long gone, and the café where Quinn worked was closed. Too bad—she could have used another shot of caffeine. It felt like it was taking an eternity to get to her apartment. All she wanted was a nice hot shower and to put on soft wool socks. She’d tell Jay about losing her job after Maui. No sense ruining his fun. And if she started to stress, she’d just order more rum drinks. She deserved this vacation.

“I can’t believe that rat fink Kensington fired me,.” she told her reflection in the elevator.

Opening the door to her apartment, she dumped her belongings on the floor. Crap, she thought—she’d forgotten to pick up dinner. When she didn’t bring home dinner, Jay got cranky. Oh, well, they’d have to get delivery tonight. Thai sounded good. Or maybe a nice hot steaming bowl of pho? Squishing toward the bedroom, she heard loud moaning sounds.

“Yes, yes, yes!”

Great. Jay’s watching porn in surround sound again.

Shaking her head, she pushed open the bedroom door. Whatever witty remark she had prepared died when she realized it was live action instead of Internet porn.

Quinn in all her naked glory was bouncing on top of Jay, whose fingers were biting into Quinn’s butt so hard, he was going to leave marks.

Amelia’s feet were frozen in place. She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, but as she helplessly watched Quinn working toward orgasm, she wasn’t surprised.

Hurt. Betrayed. Pissed. But not surprised.

Is it wrong that I’m madder about losing my morning coffee?

Quinn’s head tilted back as she spewed a litany of swear words. Jay lay flat on his back with his eyes closed and let her do all the work.

Typical.

It was then she realized that her relationship had problems that even Maui couldn’t solve. She didn’t love Jay; otherwise she’d be more upset. He didn’t love her; otherwise he wouldn’t be banging the barista.

“You’re going to put somebody’s eye out with those,” Amelia said, finding her voice as Quinn’s big breasts heaved up and down.

Quinn shrieked and tried to cover up.

Jay pushed her over and sat up. “Babe, you’re home early.”

*****

Review:

While Life’s a Beach is an entertaining and quick (also HOT) read, there were portions that are a little farfetched. The trouble that comes up is that Samuel plans to sell the hotel but Amelia wants to do a makeover to turn it around. Unfortunately the man that Samuel is trying to sell to is playing hardball to get the price down. While they wait for a better price Samuel agrees to let her do some things to spruce the place up, but mysterious, bad things start happening … and how they handle it just doesn’t ring real for me.

Having said that, the rest of the book makes up for it – the sex is very steamy, the characters are interesting, and the rest of the plot is highly entertaining. There were times where I laughed out loud and times that I got a little hot under the collar :), which I consider a definite win!

Amelia is a ton of fun – she’s sassy, funny, strong and determined. Samuel is sexy and when he forgets about being overly “Dude-y” he’s fun to be around. He’s got some issues that he needs to work through – some time to try to find a way to be both Dude and Samuel in a way that works. I really loved his brother and the people at the resort, so I’m curious what future books in the series brings.

If you are looking for a great beach read in the middle of January, this is definitely worth a try!

*****

Man wearing straw hat relaxing in a hammock on the beach on holidays

Author Info:

USA Today bestselling author, Jamie K. Schmidt, writes erotic contemporary love stories and paranormal romances. Her Club Inferno series from Random House’s Loveswept line has hit both the Amazon and Barnes & Noble top one hundred lists. She has two other series with Loveswept: Hawaii Heat, in which the first book Life’s A Beach will be out in January 2016, and The Sentinels of Babylon, about members of vigilante Motorcycle Club and their old ladies, which is scheduled for summer 2016. Her dragon paranormal romance series from Entangled Publishing, has been called “fun and quirky” and “endearing.” Partnered with New York Times bestselling author and former porn actress, Jenna Jameson, Jamie’s hardcover debut, SPICE, continues Jenna’s FATE trilogy.

An avid knitter and jewelry maker, Jamie is never bored. She can often be found with a mug of tea on the computer flanked by her little dogs & fluffy white cat.

You can follow her on twitter at @Jamiekswriter and her author page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EmergingQueens/

When she’s not writing or crafting, Jamie loves playing games, everything from board games to strategy card games, console and online MMORPGs.

Facebook www.facebook.com/jamie.k.schmidt.1

Twitter https://twitter.com/Jamiekswriter

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

Website http://jamiekschmidt.weebly.com/

Blog http://jamiekswriter.livejournal.com/

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Jamie-K.-Schmidt/e/B00B7CKKO6

Pinterest http://pinterest.com/jamiekswriter/

*****

Giveaway:

1 luau swag bag to a random person signed up on my mailing list through my weebly website.