Spotlight – Thigh Highs

27 Friday Oct 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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Katia Rose, Thigh Highs

How about something a little fun and sexy to finish off the week?

*****

Thigh Highs

by Katia Rose

Publication Date: October 26th, 2017

Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

Blurb:

Modelling lingerie for her arch-nemesis was not on Christina’s to-do list.

Then again, neither was he.

Aaron Penn might be the talk of the advertising school they both attend, but to Christina he’s just an egomaniac with a cocky smirk to match. Fast forward to the end of term, when a class project gone wrong has her stripping down to a negligee and letting Aaron photograph her to advertise a line of women’s underwear.

She expects suggestive comments and smarmy-eyed stares, but when Aaron gets behind the camera he treats her body like a work of art. Even though all she’s got on is a scrap of satin, the room suddenly feels way too hot.

As the tension between them builds to expensive-panty-melting-levels, Christina finds herself caught between falling for the complicated artist who knows just what poses to put her in, and wondering why he acts like such an irritating hotshot around everyone else.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36234030-thigh-highs?ac=1&from_search=true

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thigh-Highs-Katia-Rose-ebook/dp/B076HV7VWG/

*****

Excerpt:

“No way,” I gasp, staring at the very large, very professional-looking camera in Aaron’s hands. “Did you just steal that?”

He looks up after setting the camera down on the desk next to the carefully arranged lingerie.

“Really?” he demands, cocking a brow. “Is your opinion of me actually so bad that your first assumption is to think I stole this?”

I give him a look that suggests exactly that.

“I didn’t steal it,” he confirms. “It’s mine. I…”

His eyes drift to the floor and he takes a moment to heft the gear bag he has thrown over his shoulder onto the desk, turning away from me as he does.

“I do photography sometimes,” he continues. “It’s just a hobby. I was going to come back in here after the shoot and play around a bit.”

“That looks like more than just a hobby.” I gesture towards all his gear as he turns back to face me.

He shrugs, avoiding my eye. “I mean, I have to look good in all my selfies.”

“It’s like being a douchebag is just a reflex for you,” I sigh. “I almost can’t even blame you for it.”

He starts unzipping the bag and pulls out a few lenses. As I watch, it occurs to me that even though we’ve now got a camera and someone who knows how to use it, our problems are far from solved.

“So do you have a C cup model hiding in that bag?” I ask him. “Because if not, we’re still screwed.”

“You must be at least a C cup,” he responds, not looking up from the lenses.

I’m about to ask what that has to do with anything when the realization of what he’s suggesting hits.

Oh hell no.

*****

Author Info:

Katia Rose is not much of a Pina Colada person, but she does like getting caught in the rain. She prefers her romance served steamy with a side of smart, and is a sucker for quirky characters. A habit of jetting off to distant countries means she’s rarely in one place for very long, but she calls the frigid northland that is Canada home.

https://www.katiarose.com/

https://www.facebook.com/katiaroseauthor/

https://twitter.com/katiaroseauthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17000769.Katia_Rose

*****

Spotlight – Stolen Kisses

26 Thursday Oct 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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Annie Rains, Blushing Bay series, Stolen Kisses

Continuing her awesome new series (after Forbidden Kisses), the delightful Annie Rains brings us the new Sawyer to fall in love!

*****

Stolen Kisses

Blushing Bay, Book 2

by Annie Rains ~ USA Today Bestselling Author

Release Date: October 10^th 2017

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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

Hosted By: The Wit & Wonder Agency

Blurb:

Krista Nelson loves being a pediatric nurse. What she doesn’t love is her demanding boss and stressful workload. Fortunately, Krista knows she can count on a waterfront happy hour every Wednesday with her childhood best friend, Noah Sawyer, the one part of her life she never wants to change. But, like it or not, things are changing – because Krista can’t stop wondering what would happen if she grabbed Noah by the collar and kissed him like it was her job.

Bored of the superficial women he’s been dating, Noah’s putting his love life on hold so he can focus on his family’s high-end fishing business. Sure, there are moments when he’s tempted by Krista’s soft lips and killer smile – but her friendship is too important to Noah. How could he let himself jeopardize everything they share? The trouble is, if he doesn’t take the real risk of opening his heart, Noah might just let the perfect catch get away.

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

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

iBooks: http://apple.co/2kF0bEv

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2yc9krq

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

“I adore the author’s voice, the compelling characters she creates that I want to spend time with, and the heartfelt moments as they fall helplessly in love” ~ Books and Spoons, Amazon Review.

“Stolen Kisses is a sweet romance that will sweep you away. I couldn’t get enough of Krista and Noah’s story. This has to be one of my favorite books that I have read to date!!” ~ Read with Me, Amazon Review.

*****

Excerpt:

“I get it. You have that biological clock thing ticking.”

This made Krista laugh even though she was half past frustrated. “Actually, yes. And, news flash, some men out there have the same thing.”

Noah looked at her, and if she wasn’t mistaken, maybe he felt a pang of sadness, or regret, or . . . “Maybe one day,” he said on a nod.

“One day what?”

“You know, maybe one day I’ll get married, too.”

This was the first time Krista had ever heard him talk of such. “No way.”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. It might be nice.”

“I can’t believe my ears right now.”

He looked at her again, his gaze sticking. Was she imagining the heat between them? Was it just her? His gaze dropped to her chest and her head went dizzy with desire and anticipation and . . . “You still wear that silly fishing hook I gave you when we were seven.” He reached out and lifted the charm off her chest, his hand achingly close to her racing heart.

“It’s one of my favorite things,” she said, mouth parched. The space between them was hot as a sauna.

“I caught my first Bass with this hook. That’s why it’s lucky.”

“And why you gave it to me before my surgery. It’s always brought me luck.”

His gaze lifted. “Good luck, I hope.”

“What?” Her head was spinning.

“Good luck and not bad.”

“Oh, right. Yes. I wouldn’t wear it if it brought bad luck.” A small laugh escaped her lips.

Get up, Krista. . . Kiss him, Krista . . . No, she’d kissed him first last time. She wasn’t doing that again. No way, no how . . .

His hand placed the charm back against her chest. He didn’t pull it away, though. Instead, he leaned in closer to her. Without thinking, Krista swallowed and rolled her lips inward to wet them. She was preparing for a kiss that couldn’t possibly happen.

There was no way. They were best friends, that’s all.

Then he reached up, pushed that unruly lock of hair behind her ear, and cupped the back of her neck, offering a gentle tug in his direction. Her body didn’t resist. Their gazes locked, a silent agreement that their lips were going to meet. “Noah,” she said, unsure if any other words would follow. A protest. A confession.

“I’m going to kiss you now, if that’s okay with you.”

She swallowed again, unable to think fast enough. She nodded. “Yes.”

Before she could take a breath, his lips brushed against hers and his hand ran down to her shoulder, holding her in place, grounding her to the moment. She parted her lips for him, allowing him to go deeper . . . because it felt right. This felt right.

And wrong on so many levels.

*****

Author Info:

USA Today Bestselling Author, Annie Rains, is a contemporary romance author who writes small town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America’s largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn’t writing, she’s spending time with her husband and 3 children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.

Annie’s Facebook Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Annie-Rains-1452963021669865/

Join Annie’s Facebook Reader Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/476944485847988/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/AnnieRains_

Bookbub Author Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/annie-rains

Find me on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13911602.Annie_Rains

Newsletter sign-up link:

http://smarturl.it/annierainsnewsletter

*****

Spotlight – Ryder

25 Wednesday Oct 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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7 Brides for 7 Soldiers, Barbara Freethy, Ryder

Fall in love with seven sexy and irresistible soldiers who find their courage and heart tested like never before in the battle for love! This multi-author collaborative series of contemporary romance novels is brought to you by bestselling authors Barbara Freethy, Roxanne St. Claire, Christie Ridgway, Lynn Raye Harris, Julia London, Cristin Harber and Samantha Chase. You won’t want to miss a single one!

*****

Ryder

7 Brides for 7 Soldiers, Book 1

by Barbara Freethy

Blurb:

When Navy pilot Ryder Westbrook is shot down, his only thought is making it home—to the place he left behind a long time ago. But dreaming about the small town of Eagle’s Ridge and going back are two very different things, and upon arrival Ryder finds himself in the middle of another battlefield—an old family feud between the Westbrooks and the Tuckers. To complicate matters, he needs disputed land to start his second career at the local airfield. He decides to enlist the help of beautiful Bailey Tucker, but the chef soon has his senses spinning in another direction…

The last person Bailey is interested in helping is golden boy Ryder Westbrook. After a painful personal betrayal, irresistible attraction to another man, who is probably too good to be true, seems like a terrible idea. But she also needs something from the Westbrooks, a chance to start over and build the restaurant of her dreams.

Ryder and Bailey make a simple plan—work together to get what they both want, but what happens when they find out what they really want is each other?

Apple – http://www.barbarafreethy.com/Ryder_iBooks

Amazon – http://www.barbarafreethy.com/ryder_kindle

B&N Nook – http://www.barbarafreethy.com/Ryder_nook

Kobo – http://www.barbarafreethy.com/Ryder_Kobo

Google – http://www.barbarafreethy.com/Ryder_GooglePlay

Amazon AU – http://www.barbarafreethy.com/Ryder_AmazonAU

Amazon UK – http://www.barbarafreethy.com/Ryder_AmazonUK

Amazon Print – http://www.barbarafreethy.com/Ryder_paperback

*****

Excerpt:

Prologue

“We’re hit! We’re hit!”

Navy pilot Ryder Westbrook heard the panicked words of his copilot, Michael Valdez, but he was too busy trying to regain control of the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter to reply. They were coming back from a humanitarian mission—having dropped food, water and medical supplies into the rugged and remote villages of Afghanistan—when they’d taken enemy fire.

They weren’t going to make it back to the carrier in the Persian Gulf. They were going to have to set down somewhere, hopefully far from the rebel forces that had just shot at them.

His heart pounded against his chest, but he remained calm, his training playing through his head as he went through every option to retain control of the twin-engine helicopter.

Flying was in his blood. The helo had always felt like an extension of his own power, but now that power was crumbling, and he was being forcibly reminded of just how fragile life could be.

But he couldn’t quit. There had to be a way out.

Unfortunately, his optimism was dampened by the fact that the ground was getting closer by the second, and his crew was depending on him to get them down safely.

His copilot had a wife and a baby back in the States. Colin Forbes, the sensor operator, was getting married in a month. And he…well, he still had things he wanted to do.

He had to keep them all alive.

Searching the ground for a viable landing site, he spotted what appeared to be a flat, open rural area. Not only did he want to protect his crew, he didn’t want to hurt anyone on the ground.

Glancing over at Michael, he saw his friend making the sign of the cross.

“We’re not going to die,” he said emphatically, drawing Michael’s gaze to his. “Not today. Not this time.”

He could see the hope in Michael’s eyes. His friend wanted to believe him.

Hell, he wanted to believe himself.

He’d been in tight spots before, and he’d always come out on top. It had been that way his entire life. Growing up in Eagle’s Ridge, he’d been the golden boy—the one who set new records, who made things happen, who achieved whatever he went after.

But this was real life. This was happening now, and he was the only one who could save all their lives.

In ten years of naval service, he’d never encountered a situation exactly like this. He’d never felt so worried that his number might really be up.

He shook the negative thought out of his head, squaring his jaw, tightening his hand on the controls, as he rode the bird down to the ground.

The impact was harder than he’d expected, the helicopter shattering into pieces of fiery metal. And when everything went black, he fought against the idea that this might be it.

He had more he wanted to do, people he should have made peace with a long time ago, a home that beckoned to him—the Blue Mountains, the Snake River, the people of Eagle’s Ridge—a life still to be lived.

He needed more time… He just didn’t know if he was going to get it.

*****

Author Info:

Barbara Freethy is a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of 60 novels ranging from contemporary romance to romantic suspense and women’s fiction. Traditionally published for many years, Barbara opened Fog City Publishing in 2011 and has since sold over 7 million books! Twenty-three of her titles have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists, including one title, SUMMER SECRETS, which hit #1 on the NYT. In 2014 Barbara was named the Amazon KDP Bestselling Author of all time! She was also the first Indie writer to sell over a million books on Barnes and Noble.

Known for her emotional and compelling stories of love, family, romance and suspense, Barbara is a six-time finalist and two-time winner in the Romance Writers of America acclaimed RITA contest for her novels DANIEL’S GIFT and THE WAY BACK HOME.

For more information, visit her website at www.barbarafreethy.com

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | YOUTUBE | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

PRAISE FOR BARBARA FREETHY NOVELS:

“This book has it all: heart, community, and characters who will remain with you long after the book has ended. A wonderful story.” — NYT Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber on Suddenly One Summer

“Barbara Freethy writes with bright assurance, exploring the bonds of sisterhood and the excitement of blue water sailing. SUMMER SECRETS is a lovely novel.” — NYT Bestselling Author Luanne Rice

“In the tradition of LaVyrle Spencer, gifted author Barbara Freethy creates an irresistible tale of family secrets, riveting adventure and heart- touching romance.” — NYT Bestselling Author Susan Wiggs on Summer Secrets

“Hooked me from the start and kept me turning pages throughout all the twists and turns. SILENT RUN is powerful romantic intrigue at its best.” — NYT Bestselling Author JoAnn Ross

“A warm and wonderful book about love, family and everything that’s important in life. Irresistible! I loved it!” — NYT Bestselling Author Susan Elizabeth Phillips on Ask Mariah

“A page-turner that engages your mind while it tugs at your heartstrings…Don’t Say A Word has made me a Barbara Freethy fan for life!” — NYT Bestselling Author Diane Chamberlain on Don’t Say a Word

“If you love nail-biting suspense and heartbreaking emotion, SILENT RUN belongs on the top of your to-be-bought list. I could not turn the pages fast enough.” — NYT Bestselling Author Mariah Stewart

“I love The Callaways! Heartwarming romance, intriguing suspense and sexy alpha heroes. What more could you want?” — NYT Bestselling Author Bella Andre

“Freethy’s skillful plotting and gift for creating sympathetic characters will ensure that few dry eyes will be left at the end of the story.” — Publishers Weekly on The Way Back Home

“Freethy is at the top of her form. Fans of Nora Roberts will find a similar tone here, framed in Freethy’s own spare, elegant style.” — Contra Costa Times

*****

Don’t miss any of the sexy soldiers!

Ryder (#1) – Barbara Freethy

Adam (#2) – Roxanne St. Claire

Zane (#3) – Christie Ridgway

Wyatt (#4) – Lynn Raye Harris

Jack (#5) – Julia London

Noah (#6) – Cristin Harber

Ford (#7) – Samantha Chase

*****

Spotlight – Secrets at Seaside

24 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Addison Cole, Seaside Summers series, Seaside Summers Sweet with Heat series, Secrets at Seaside, Sweet with Heat: Seaside Summers series

We’ve seen most of this series before and I’m SUPER excited that Tony & Amy finally have their chance!

*****

Secrets at Seaside

Sweet with Heat: Seaside Summers, #5

by Addison Cole

Publication Date: October 25, 2017

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Standalone, Sweet Romance

Blurb:

In SECRETS at SEASIDE…

Tony Black is the hottest surfer on the planet. He travels the world throughout the year and spends his summers on Cape Cod with his friends, at the Seaside cottages in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. He’s got his choice of women, but Amy Maples is the one he wants. Fourteen years ago she was his for an entire summer, until a devastating accident changed everything, and what they had seemed like it had never existed–at least for her.

Amy Maples is as consistent as the day is long. She’s spent summers on Cape Cod forever, she always does the right thing, and she’s spent years trying to reclaim the heart of Tony Black, the only man she’s ever loved. She’s back for a summer of fun with her friends at Seaside, only this year she’s been offered the opportunity of a lifetime thousands of miles away, and she’s decided to try one last time to reconnect with Tony. But having a relationship with Tony means dealing with her past–and dealing with her past may knock her to her knees.

Secrets at Seaside by Addison Cole is the sweet edition of New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster’s steamy romance novel Seaside Secrets. The stories and characters remain the same and convey all of the passion you expect between two people in love, without any explicit scenes or harsh language.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2zqYa1r

Paperback: http://amzn.to/2zso9W0

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

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2l7JIJ4

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

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2zt6dun

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2gzN1Y2

*****

Excerpt:

Amy tucked her straight blond hair behind her ears and moved her shoulders to the slow beat of the music. “I’m not sure being here for the summer is smart anyway. It’s like torturing myself.” She stopped dancing at the thought of not coming back to Seaside for the summers. Could she really do that? Would she even want to? Could she survive not seeing Tony even if she knew for sure he didn’t want her?

This was why she had to figure out her life and make a change. She was becoming pathetic.

She sensed Tony’s eyes on her again and forced her hips to find the beat as Bella and Leanna danced closer. “It might be time I move on,” she said more confidently than she felt.

“Move on from Tony?” Bella took her hand and dragged her back toward the table with the others on their heels.

Amy saw Tony’s eyes narrowing as they hurried past. Why was he so angry all of a sudden?

“He’s so into you, he won’t let you go.” Bella elbowed her as they took their seats. “He texts you almost every day.”

“Yeah, with stuff like, Won another competition and Check me out in Surfer Mag next month! He texts me when he’s going to miss an event at Seaside. He doesn’t text me because he misses me or wants to see me.” Tony had started texting her during the summers when they were teenagers, because Amy was the only one who checked her cell phone when they were at the Cape, and at some point, those summer texts had turned into a year-round connection. He’d stopped texting her for a few years when she was in college and he was building his surfing and speaking careers, although she knew the real reason he’d stopped, and it had nothing to do with either. After she’d graduated from college, he’d begun texting again. She hadn’t known why he started up again, and after having been without that connection for so long, she didn’t ask. She was just glad to have him back. Since then, she’d become his habit, but not exactly the type of habit she wanted to be.

“It’s not like what each of you have. I want that, what you have. I want a guy who says I’m the only woman for him and that he can’t live without me, like your guys say to you.” I want Tony to say that.

Seeing her girlfriends so much in love was what really drove home how lonely Amy had become over the past few summers.

“I think he takes care of you like you’re his. I mean, how many guys text to say they saw a kitty pajama top you’d look adorable in if they aren’t gay or interested?” Bella shifted her shoulders in a Yeah, that’s right way.

“I’m probably the only woman he knows who wears kitty pajamas. He was teasing me, not being flirty or boyfriendish.” Was he? No, he definitely wasn’t. There had been times when Amy had thought Tony was looking at her like he was interested in a more intimate way, but they were fleeting seconds, and they passed as quickly as he’d taken his next breath. She was probably seeing what she wanted to see, not what he really felt, and she’d begun to wonder if she’d really loved him for so long, or if he’d become her habit, too.

“You know, he’s never brought another woman to Seaside.” Leanna’s loose dark mane was wavy and tousled. With her golden tan and simple summer dress, she looked like she’d just come from the beach. Her gaze softened in a way that made Amy feel like she wanted to fall into Leanna’s arms and disappear. “And look how he treats you. He’s always got an arm around you, and when you drink too much at our barbecues, he always carries you home.”

Amy wanted to believe them and to see what they apparently saw when he looked at her, but she never had. It was the secret memories of being in Tony’s strong arms that long-ago summer, feeling his heart beat against hers, feeling safe and loved, that made her hopeful there would come a day when they’d find themselves there again. But then her mind would travel to the end of those recent nights when she’d had too much to drink and he’d carried her home. When he’d tucked her into bed and gone along his merry way back to his own cottage across the road, quickly dousing her hope for more with cold reality. Whatever they’d had that summer, she’d ruined.

*****

Be sure to check out the other books in this fun, flirty and sweet (with a dash of heat) series!

Read, Write, Love at Seaside (Book #1)

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

Paperback: http://amzn.to/2zEL8OC

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

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

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2zELC7o

iBooks: http://apple.co/2yAmnp0

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2zrc9UJ

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2yYluHH

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2zFdF6x

Dreaming at Seaside (Book #2)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2gv5OAo

Paperback: http://amzn.to/2zsq5he

B&N: http://bit.ly/2rE4s9C

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2gu93rS

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

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2hVXF8q

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2xWArF2

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

Hearts at Seaside (Book #3)

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

Paperback: http://amzn.to/2iqSzF6

B&N: http://bit.ly/2uHp464

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

iBooks: http://apple.co/2xW5NeR

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2hVNnFb

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2xdkhr8

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

Sunsets at Seaside (Book #4)

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

Paperback: http://amzn.to/2yJegGk

B&N: http://bit.ly/2xeh5vL

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2hWDp6q

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

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2yF2nzk

Smashwords: http://bit.ly/2xe3tjU

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2l5YLDo

*****

Author Info:

Addison Cole is the sweet alter ego of New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Melissa Foster. She writes humorous and emotional sweet contemporary romance. Her books do not include explicit sex scenes or harsh language. Addison spends her summers on Cape Cod, where she dreams up wonderful love stories in her house overlooking Cape Cod Bay.

Addison enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups and welcomes an invitation to your event.

Addison’s books are available in paperback, digital, and audio formats.

*****

Giveaway:

Win an Addison Cole Tote Bag and print copy of READ, WRITE, LOVE AT SEASIDE

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81361/

*****

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

Book Review – Appetite of Envy

23 Monday Oct 2017

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

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Amabel Daniels, Appetite of Envy, Book Review

A little klutzy and a tad awkward, Lia wiggled her way into my heart.

*****

Appetite of Envy

by Amabel Daniels

Romantic Suspense

Published July 8, 2016

Blurb:

You can’t always get what you want.

Shy and sweet Lia Gardella has only wished to make her father proud. Dropping plates, spilling drinks, and missing orders, she’s never fit in at the family business. And after nearly incinerating the whole building, she ran from the stressful environment.

Want not.

As head chef of one of the city’s best eateries, Finn Newland seems to have it all. He enjoyed a youthful career in the MMA. Women worship him. After years of hard work, he finally has an opportunity to take over the restaurant he’s always considered his own.

Be careful what you wish for.

When Lia’s father summons her to supervise Gardella’s, instead of handing the reins to Finn, no one is happy. They don’t know how to collaborate on running the restaurant. Nor are they confident they can continue to deny their attraction to one another. But before they can attempt a partnership of any kind, they’ll need to find the culprit behind a trend of spiteful sabotage aimed at Gardella’s.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Appetite-Envy-Amabel-Daniels-ebook/dp/B01HY9E6PO

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/appetite-of-envy-amabel-daniels/1124061386?ean=2940158207006

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/appetite-of-envy

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1131044444

*****

Excerpt:

Finn nodded. “See. She knows she can’t handle it.” He held his hand up in a truce. “Give me a chance, Rico. Take some time off and let’s see how I handle it. All right? There’s no need to be rash. I already run the cook’s line. I’ll step up and watch over the servers on the floor. I’ll contract a bookkeeper. I told you I’d work extra. I’ll handle it all.”

“You can’t handle yourself! You can’t stop whoring around enough to even think about this place no more!” Enrico flared up in his face.

Working his jaw, Finn eyed the little man. That damn critic. “Maybe I’ll just sleep with Lia and have her give it to me, huh, Rico?” He smirked. “What’s one more woman in my way?” It was a dirty hit, but Rico’s decision was ridiculous.

Enrico waved. “Ha! Not with her.” He grunted. “Won’t work.”

Finn crossed his arms, enjoying the blush on Lia’s cheeks. “I think it could.”

She slapped him.

Are you kidding me? His glared at her. Well, he deserved it, but hell, he was just joking. He’d never seriously—

“I’m not a, a pawn!”

“See?” Rico ceased his chuckle. “She doesn’t fawn over pretty boys like you.”

Finn rubbed his cheek and faced his boss. “Rico, she’s got no business being here. I do. I’ve worked for this, Rico. I’ve been here for years. She’s never even bothered to come back here. Not even once!”

Enrico hardly batted an eye. Actually, he smiled. “I never asked her to.”

“Why are you asking me now?” she said.

“Because I am.”

*****

Review:

I really enjoyed the suspense element of this story. Daniels does a really good job of keeping you guessing who is behind all of the “accidents” and mishaps at the restaurant. She gives just enough hings to have your brain working as you work to figure out what is malicious, what is bad luck, and what might be something really dangerous. I was surprised at the ending (which is always a bonus) but it worked really well with the rest of the story.

I also enjoyed Finn and Lia working their way into a HEA. They are absolutely HORRIBLE about communicating and both do a lot of jumping to conclusions but they eventually figure things out. They’ve got a lot of history and assumptions to overcome but Daniels does a good job of getting them there.

I was all that much of a fan of the rest of the characters. They seemed like the cast of a really bad (fake) reality show. They are awful to Lea, disrespectful to those in authority, and snipe among themselves when they aren’t trying to get in each other’s pants. There is not a single redeeming one in the group, except for the dishwasher who keeps his head down and stays out of the way. Even he has a moment though – although I totally get where he is coming from.

The writing style is also a bit awkward, but if you push through it (and the horrid people) you end up with a enjoyable romance and a good mystery to keep you turning pages. Daniels is a pretty new author so I’m looking forward to seeing her talent blossom and will be on the lookout for new stories from her.

*****

Author Info:

Amabel Daniels lives in Northwest Ohio with her patient husband, adventurous toddlers, smiley baby, and a collection of too many cats and dogs. Although she holds a Master’s degree in Ecology, her true love is finding a good book. When she isn’t spending time outdoors, or wondering how to negotiate with her mightily independent two-year-old daughter, she’s busy brewing up her next novel, usually as she lets her mind run off with the addictive words of “what if…”

Website: www.amabeldaniels.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmabelDaniels

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amabel_daniels

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30902615-appetite-of-envy

*****

Giveaway:

$20 Amazon egift card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/40826401702/

*****

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

Book Review – Finding Peace

21 Saturday Oct 2017

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

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Tags

Baytown Boys series, Book Review, Finding Peace, Maryann Jordan

Ooh, let’s celebrate the weekend with a sexy, former marine with a heart of gold … it’s gonna be hard to not fall in love with big, bad, gruff Brogan!

*****

Finding Peace

Baytown Boys Book 4

by Maryann Jordan

Release Date October 27, 2017

Blurb:

The Baytown Boys Mysteries

Military duty called them away to war zones, but after tours overseas, the group of friends found their way back home as men, seeking the peaceful little seaside town. Now, the band of brothers, together once more, work to provide a place for less fortunate veterans to call home.

Brogan MacFarlane, a former Marine, filled his days with hard work at the family bar and his nights running along the shore to rid himself of the war memories he would rather forget. But there was one thing in town that provided a distraction…the pretty cop with the haunted eyes.

Ginny Spencer loved the small, shore town and her job, as long as she could keep people at arm’s length. Former Army Military Police, she carried her own battle scars deep inside and that was just where she planned on keeping them. If only the surly bartender with the Irish blue eyes did not make her long for more.

When reports of a Peeping Tom in town escalate to a man accosting women, Ginny and the Baytown police work to find the culprit, but for her, it opens wounds she would rather forget. Brogan, seeing her pain, steps in, no longer willing to sit on the sidelines. And in doing so, allows her to soothe his nightmares as well.

When two scarred souls come together, their love allows them to find the peace they’ve been seeking.

Due to scenes of an explicit sexual nature and language that some consider crude, please be warned – for 18+ only! If you do not like alphas with heart who fall instantly in love with strong female characters while dealing with real life issues…again be warned!!

Amazon Kindle

*****

Excerpt:

“You want to tell me what happened last night?”

Brogan looked over at Aiden, standing at the bar with a dishtowel slung over his shoulder. “What do you mean?”

“Ginny,” Aiden replied, rolling his eyes. “Who else?” Still staring, he added, “And I saw you high-tail it after her when she left suddenly.”

“She wasn’t feeling well, so I wanted to make sure she got home okay.” Brogan lifted a heavy crate of alcohol and moved it to the bar, where he opened it and began to sort the liquor. Not hearing anything from Aiden, he dared to glance up, not surprised to see his inquisitive brother still staring. “You got something to say?” he growled.

“Yeah, I do,” Aiden said, tossing the rag down onto the bar with a slap. “You never were Mr. Talkative, so I don’t expect that. But after you got outta the Marines, you sure as shit came home different.” Jerking his hand up, he said, “I know. I know. We all came back changed, some just older and wiser. But you…you’re different, Bro. It’s like you’ve dug a hole, buried yourself, and have been content to stay there.”

Grimacing, Brogan remained silent, wanting to refute Aiden’s description but not willing to lie.

“At least until recently.”

At those words from Aiden, Brogan looked up, his brow knitted in question. “Recently?” he asked.

Nodding, Aiden placed his forearms on the bar as he leaned forward. “Yeah. The first couple of years we were back, we threw ourselves into taking over Finn’s. You worked harder than anybody, but we all just figured you needed the work to keep focused—”

“We?”

Aiden rolled his eyes. “Are you shittin’ me, Brogan? Of course, we. Hell, you think in this family, anything is hidden from Pops, Mom, Dad? Sure-as-shit not Katelyn.”

Silence acknowledged Aiden’s words, so he kept going. “You grew your hair…so did I. Mom hated it but we both had that finally out of the militaryrebellion thing going on.” Seeing Brogan about to speak, he added, “Okay, that’s what I had. What you had going on was an I don’t give a fuck what Ilook like.”

Brogan’s lips twitched, knowing Aiden hit the nail on the head. He really had not given a fuck what anyone thought since getting out.

“Then suddenly Ms. Spencer shows up in town as the new cop, and a pretty one at that, and we all see you’re interested. Oh, I know you tried to hide it, but hell, Brogan, you’d have to be dead not to get a walking hard-on when she’s around.”

At that, Brogan growled, stepping forward, his fist at the ready. Laughing, Aiden danced back from the bar, now safely out of reach.

“Sorry, Bro. I just had to get that in there to see what your reaction would be.

*****

Review:

This is the first in this series for me but it didn’t matter from a story perspective (this one can easily stand on its own). I think that returning readers may have been a bit more amp’d for this one, though, because it looks like Brogan and Ginny’s story has been a long time coming 🙂

So there is two main parts of the story – the romance and the peeping tom mystery. I’m gonna start with the love story, which I really enjoyed. Both Brogan and Ginny have some things in their past that they need to address, with a professional and with each other, to be able to build a solid relationship. I think that my favorite thing that Jordan does is make sure that these military vets get help from a therapist and have a chance to talk about their pasts & work on their issues. It is such a hot topic today and one that I think she handles really well.

And working through their troubles help bring Brogan and Ginny closer. They’ve apparently been doing this dance for a long time 🙂 so they don’t need a lot of build up but their finally getting together is handled very realistically. (The writing style isn’t the smoothest, especially at the beginning, but once I carried through the early rough parts things started working for me.) Their’s is a wonderful slow-burn romance that is finally seeing it’s HEA ending and it’s a sweet ride, especially for those who have been there from the beginning.

The other piece of the story, though it is a bit less important, is the peeping tom case. I’m not sure how well the suspense portion of the other stories were done, but it wasn’t the strongest part here. There are a lot of red herrings and not a lot of hints to who actually did it. Instead you get attitude from lots of people, without explanation in some cases, so readers are busy looking in a lot of different directions but with clear clues lacking it seemed a little like the bad guy came out of nowhere.

BUUUUT to me this part of the story was really a catalyst for Ginny to address her feelings and for the two of them to work on some potential trigger points for their relationship. It’s not as vital to the story as it could have been so I easily let it go in favor of a satisfying coupling.

And Ginny & Brogan getting together definitely made me happy!

*****

Author Info:

As an Award Winning, Amazon International Bestselling and All-Star author, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble Best Selling Author, I have always been an avid reader. In 2013 I started a blog to showcase wonderful writers. In 2014, I finally gave in to the characters in my head pleading for their story to be told. Thus, Emma’s Home was created.

My first novel, Emma’s Home became an Amazon Best Seller in 3 categories within the first month of publishing. Its success was followed by the rest of the Fairfield Series and then led into the Love’s Series. Soon, other spin-off series came along and 8 of my books have made Amazon top 100 Bestselling books.

Gabe, from the Alvarez Security Series won Silver Medal and 5 Star Review by the 2016 Reader’s Choice Awards.

Honor Love was an award winning novel from the 2016 Reader’s Choice Awards.

Serial Love was an award finalist novel from the 2016 Reader’s Choice Awards.

Coming Home was awarded the 5 Star Review by the 2017 Reader’s Choice Awards.

My books are filled with sweet romance and hot sex; mystery, suspense, real life characters and situations. My heroes are alphas, take charge men who love the strong, independent women they fall in love with.

I worked as a counselor in a high school and have been involved in education for the past 30 years. I have just retired and look forward to more time with family and writing!

I have been married to a wonderfully patient man for 36 years and have 2 adult, very supportive daughters.

When writing, my dog or one of my cats will usually be found in my lap!

I love to hear from readers, so please email me!

Website Newsletter Goodreads Amazon Facebook Twitter Instagram

*****

Spotlight – A Moment at Christmas

19 Thursday Oct 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

A Moment at Christmas, Jennifer Faye, Whistle Stop series

I love this time of year – Christmas romances are my absolute favorite and this one looks like a perfect choice!

*****

A Moment at Christmas

A Whistle Stop Romance #5

by Jennifer Faye

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Age category: Adult

Release Date: October 19, 2017

Blurb:

Needed: A nanny in time for Christmas!

Christian Danser keeps his home at the Broken Arrow Ranch just as his late wife left it: cozy and orderly. With an early winter settling in and the ranch shorthanded, he needs a nanny ASAP.

When Noelle Forrester finds herself unexpectedly unemployed, she and her young son are facing eviction. An ad for a live-in nanny appears to be the answer to her prayers. Until she comes face-to-face with Christian—the sexy yet irritating cowboy who cost Noelle her previous job!

Christian resists hiring the beautiful but failed waitress. She’s too young, too busy, and far too tempting. Nonetheless, when his daughter takes a shine to Noelle, he reconsiders. But when Noelle’s holiday cheer conflicts with Christian’s avoidance of the holiday, sparks fly. Somehow, Noelle has to open Christian’s heart to the spirit of Christmas…or she and her son will be homeless by the New Year.

You can find A Moment at Christmas on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31119818-a-moment-at-christmas

You can buy A Moment at Christmas here:

– Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Moment-Christmas-Whistle-Stop-Romance-ebook/dp/B075VV6T6N/

– Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-moment-at-christmas-jennifer-faye/1127142146?ean=2940154945940

– Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-moment-at-christmas

– iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1288856981

Start this series for free!

For a limited time A Moment to Love is free on all vendor sites! Start this series for free and pick up book 1 today:

– Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RPLREWE/

– B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-moment-to-love-jennifer-faye/1120998869?ean=2940151691468

– Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-moment-to-love

– iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-moment-to-love/id955228722?mt=11

And buy book 2 A Moment to Dance (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W4EBD1A/) for only $0.99!

Also available:

– A Moment on the Lips (A Whistle Stop Romance #3): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015ERT2JS/

– A Moment to Cherish (A Whistle Stop Romance #4): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G0UEVWQ/

*****

Excerpt:

Christian held out his hand. Noelle hesitated before accepting. Hand in hand, they headed for the dance floor. Suddenly, Denise and Chuck stopped. They turned back to Christian and Noelle.

“Kiss,” they said in unison, as though they’d planned it ahead of time.

She and Christian turned puzzled looks on each other and then back to the newly married couple. Both Chuck and Denise pointed at the mistletoe hanging from the ceiling. Now who had put that there?

“You two are the ones that should be kissing,” Christian said. “After all, you just got married.”

“Ah, but we’ve got the rest of our lives to kiss,” Denise said. “But tonight, you two are standing beneath the mistletoe.”

“Kiss. Kiss. Kiss.” Their chant grew in strength as more and more wedding guests started clapping their hands and chanting along. “Kiss. Kiss. Kiss.”

Christian sent Noelle a questioning look. She didn’t say a word, feeling as though their fate was sealed. Heat rushed up her neck and swirled in her checks. The chanting wasn’t letting up.

Her gaze met Christian’s, and she nodded her consent. He tentatively pulled her close. Her arms automatically wrapped around his back. Her chest pressed to his, and a pounding ensued, but she couldn’t tell if it was his heart or her own. His head lowered to hers, and her eyes fluttered shut.

Though it went against her better judgment, she wanted this. With Christian holding her like this, the noise of the other wedding guests faded into the background. The only things registering in Noelle’s mind were the feel of Christian’s hands pulling her snugly to him and the pressure of his mouth on her own. His lips parted, and his tongue teased hers.

It wasn’t until an ear-splitting whistle broke through the mounting desire that they reluctantly stepped apart. Noelle pressed a hand to her lips, shocked and embarrassed by their public display.

*****

Author Info:

Award-winning author, Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming contemporary romances with rugged cowboys, sexy billionaires and enchanting royalty. Internationally published with books translated into nine languages. She is a two-time winner of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award, the CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Award, named a TOP PICK author, and been nominated for numerous other awards.

Now living her dream, she resides with her very patient husband, amazing daughter (the other remarkable daughter is off chasing her own dreams) and two spoiled cats. When she’s not plotting out her next romance, you can find her curled up with a mug of tea and a book.

You can learn more about Jennifer at:

– Website: http://jenniferfaye.com/

– Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/baAOmP

– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferFayeAuthor/

– Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniferFaye34

– Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/JenniferFaye34/

– Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Faye/e/B00BOVCDLS/

– Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Jennifer_Faye

– Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jennifer-faye

*****

Free bookmark offer for A Moment at Christmas

Jennifer Faye is offering reader her latest bookmark for:

A Moment at Christmas

NOTE: A big apology but due to postal fees the freebies are only available to continental U.S. residents.

All you have to do is go to Jennifer Faye’s Contact Page (http://jenniferfaye.com/contact/) and let her know your physical mailing address.

NOTE: Please be specific as to the quantity desired.

And remember you can order extra to share with your favorite bookstore, library and friends. 🙂

*****

Giveaway:

One winner will win a $25 Amazon Gift card.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1000e4f1261/

*****

This is my stop during the book blitz for A Moment at Christmas by Jennifer Faye. This book blitz is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 19 till 25 October. See the tour schedule here: http://www.lolasblogtours.net/book-blitz-a-moment-at-christmas-by-jennifer-faye/

Spotlight – Hotter Than the Caribbean

18 Wednesday Oct 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Building Love series, Hotter Than the Caribbean, Stacy Hoff

Y’all, I’m so happy to have Stacy Hoff here to answer a few questions and share her newest book. The first book has gotten some great reviews and I’m sure that the second book (releasing today) is goin got be just as good!

*****

*What do you like best about writing romances?

I’ve been practicing law for over twenty years. Notwithstanding my hard-boiled profession, I’ve always been drawn to stories that have a “happy ever after.” In romance novels (unlike the legal world) everyone gets a satisfying resolution to their problems. The characters I write emerge stronger, and emotionally richer. Their emotionally satisfying journey becomes my own.

*What is your favorite romantic story (movie/book, fact/fiction, whatever you love most)?

I have a loooong list of favorite romantic stories. My list began back in college. I was assigned to read Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice. I finished these stories knowing that romance books were going to be a life long addiction for me. My passion for the classics hasn’t faded, but I’ve added a boat load of modern books to the list. Kristen Higgins has written most of my contemporary romance favorites. Chloe Neill is my favorite paranormal author. Of course, not all great romances stories are books. My favorite romantic movie is Dirty Dancing. I was sixteen years old when the film came out. I spent the rest of my youth convinced my true love would sweep me off my feet – figuratively and literally. (I did marry a wonderful man who, ironically, does not like dancing.)

*If you weren’t a writer and could be anything you want, what would it be?

When I’m not busy being a full time attorney, wife, and mom, I draw and paint. A part of me has always wanted to become a professional artist. I attended the “Fame” high school in New York City. Today, I sketch in a local art gallery.

*Which of your characters/books was the most fun to write?

My off-beat characters are the most fun to write. Melanie “Mel” Merritt, the heroine in HOTTER THAN THE CARIBBEAN, is one of my most off-beat characters yet. Mel struggles like I do with a secret ambition to be a professional artist. Like Mel, I had wisps of my hair tinted blue. (It was temporary hair dye back in high school, but still!) The more creative the character’s personality, the more I can have fun delving into who they really are.

*****

Hotter Than the Caribbean

Building Love #2

by Stacy Hoff

Blurb:

In the Caribbean, the secrets, sex, and scandals are hotter.

Luis Serrano, the unwanted love child of a hotel construction magnate, is determined to reach his father’s level of success. When Luis finds himself pitted against his half-brother for control over their ailing father’s company, sibling rivalry comes to a head. The stakes are high. The brother who best completes their portion of the Caribbean construction project will gain control over the entire company. To win, Luis hires an interior design firm. But the firm will have to perform difficult work under serious time constraints.

Melanie Merritt is used to sibling rivalry. She’s always been second best to her older sister, the “golden child” of their parents’ interior design firm. Melanie’s desire is to be an artist. She works for her family to appease them. Her newest task is to implement a complex project for Luis Serrano under an impossibly short deadline. If she fails, her family’s company may go bankrupt. But Melanie can’t keep her too-creative ideas away from her family, and the client.

Completing work on time won’t be easy. Especially when dual sibling rivalries threaten to destroy the project, and a passion hotter than the Caribbean.

HOTTER THAN THE CARIBBEAN (Building Love #2) can be read as a stand-alone novel. The other books in the Building Love series are BETTING ON LOVE IN VEGAS (Building Love #1) and MAD FOR YOU IN MADRID (Building Love #3), which releases March, 2018.

Get your copy from Amazon

*****

Excerpt:

Mel quickly keyed into her suite on the fifteenth floor of the Condado Beach Resort. She was in a hurry to get ready for her dinner meeting with Luis. Afterwards, she’d call her sister to let her know his handsome appearance was the least intimidating thing about him. The man was confident to the point of cocky, and as determined as a Caribbean hurricane.

Despite his cool response, however, his eyes had been warm as they appraised her. There was something sexual about the man, putting her senses on high alert. Making her skin super-aware. Had he been appraising her body as well as her competence? Or perhaps she was just imagining his reaction.

Her own reaction, however, was harder to figure out. Why did she feel extremely turned on when she should feel put off? What the heck is wrong with me? The minute she finished her phone call to Denny she would take a frigid shower to chill her libido.

Working for unapproachable authority figures was a pattern that had to be broken. Like her parents, Luis was clearly someone who was hard to please. The tension he exuded when he spoke about the project was so apparent on his face it was practically palpable. Worse, his work pressure would surely be passed on to her. As if she didn’t have enough stress to deal with already. Ugh! Please fly the hell down here already, Denny!

This design project would no doubt eat her alive. Not only would she have to quash her libido, she’d have to design the lobby in the way her ultra-stuffy sister envisioned. Denny didn’t think anywhere near similar. The whole assignment would probably end up being a disaster.

Worse, her family would never let her live failure down. They had publicly touted this project as the firm’s showcase assignment. News of a failure would be widespread.

Her phone vibrated next to her with enough force to almost bounce off the bed. Her sister’s name flashed across the screen. Guess Denny beat me to it. “We Are family” by Sister Sledge played loudly, a song Denny had suggested as a way to try to bring them closer together. Delving into her bag just in time to swipe the bar, Mel accepted the call.

“How are you doing so far?” Denny asked without preamble.

“The flight was . . . challenging. At least I made it here in one piece.”

“What company did you rent your car from?”

“None. The client sent a limo.”

“Ooooh, I like a man with class and style. One who spends lavishly on his team of designers.” Denny chuckled. “I swear, Mellie, Luis Serrano is bachelor of the year. But not for long, because I can already tell you I’m going to marry him. He’s hot, owns a very successful company, and comes from a rich family. There’s no way I can go wrong with a man like that.”

“Optimist,” Mel quipped.

“Sure, I’m an optimist. Why not? I believe in happy endings. Fairy tales. Prince Charming. Heck, I’ll even shop around for a castle and pair of glass slippers.”

Although Denny was obviously kidding, Mel bristled. “Um, which one of us is going to be Cinderella in your fairy tale? I’m always the one stuck sweeping out the cinders.”

“Mellie, I was joking,” Denny answered in a soft voice. “I know Mom and Dad are tough on you. I hope you don’t think I am, too.”

Not since last week when you asked me why I was wasting time with art. You might as well be Mom and Dad’s echo chamber.

“Hello? Mellie? Are you still there?” Denny prompted.

“Yes. Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I know you’ll do your best to keep the client happy until I arrive.”

“What about Mom and Dad? Do they think so, too?”

Denny hesitated before speaking. “They’ll come around.”

“Right.” Mel knew her voice sounded strained. Sometimes the hurt was hard to filter out.

Silence lingered in the air a full minute. Fighting with her sister, especially over their parents’ favoritism, would only drive more wedges into the family tree. At this point, a light wind would blow the fragile, old oak over. Splintering as it landed from the years of heavy blows.

Mel coughed to clear her tight throat. “I don’t know about a prince, but I bet Luis Serrano will be taken with your good looks, and your design proposal.”

“Thanks, Mellie.”

“Give him two days to eat of your hands, just like your many other admirers.”

Her sister paused for a moment. “Men are attracted to you, too, Mellie. Try breaking out of your shell. Live a little. Put yourself out there. No one woos a recluse. You’ve got plenty going for you. I know you think I’m better looking than you, but if we were any closer in appearance, we’d be twins. Everybody says so. You know that.”

Mel mustered a lighthearted voice. “Sure, sure. You’re right.” At least some of her sister’s compliments weren’t left-handed. Little did Denny know that Mel was already trying to “live a little” and “put herself out there.” Although not in the way Denny suggested.

*****

Author Info:

Stacy Hoff is a contemporary romance author, as well as an attorney. She has practiced law for over two decades, primarily handling contracts. Romance novels have always been her secret passion. She writes her romantic stories until the wee hours of the night. Stacy lives in New England with her husband and two boys. Stacy’s other full-length contemporary romance novels are: JOCKEYING FOR YOU, LAWFULLY YOURS, DESIRE IN THE EVERGLADES (Desire #1), and DESIRE IN THE ARCTIC (Desire #2).

Amazon Author’s Page: https://www.amazon.com/Stacy-Hoff/e/B00NN0HCW8

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorStacyHoff

Author website: http://www.stacyhoff.com

*****

And while your shopping on Amazon make sure you get a copy of Betting on Love in Vegas (Building Love #1) – https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WD1J7LW/ref=series_rw_dp_sw

Catherine(Cat)Warner has problems. The profits from her inns are down. The pressure from her parents is up. Her love life is non-existent. But Cat did manage to get the attention of tough, powerful, gorgeous hotel magnate Ty Orland. Unfortunately, his interest in her is for all the wrong reasons. Instead of wanting Cat, this debonair CEO only wants her land—a parcel he desperately needs for his next big development deal. Too bad, it’s not for sale. A people pleaser by nature, Cat knows to stand strong. If she caves in to the demands of this sexy, alluring man, it will be her own neck on the line.

Ty Orland has a lot of things going for him. Success. Power. Respect. Unfortunately, he’s also got an old chip on his shoulder and a new financial nightmare. His development deal is going down in flames—and fast. His only way out is if Cat sells him her strategically located parcel. But romancing the land from her is not easy when love gets in the way. The woman is as beautiful as she is beguiling. And Ty no longer knows which prize is more valuable.

Spotlight – Make Me Yours

16 Monday Oct 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Make Me Yours, Men of Gold Mountain series, Rebecca Brooks

Let’s start our week off with something a little sexy, eh?

*****

Make Me Yours

Men of Gold Mountain series

by Rebecca Brooks

Genre: Sexy Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Release: October 9, 2017

Blurb:

“Intensely sexy and packs an emotional punch!” – #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Blakely on Make Me Beg

Claire Collins has always been good—except when it comes to bad boys. Or one bad boy in particular: a tattooed musician as skilled with her body as he is with his guitar. But he wasn’t ready to be a father, so she left him to raise their daughter on her own. Only fate had other plans, and suddenly, Ryan is back in her life, disrupting everything. This time, though, she’s determined not to lose her heart…even if she still craves his touch.

Ryan Thomas never expects to see Claire again—especially not in a small mountain town in Washington on the last show of his comeback tour. But when the lights come on, there she is, more beautiful than ever. One incredible night with her won’t be enough… But he’ll have to prove he’s not the man he used to be, if he wants to keep her—and his family—for good.

Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/user/65v8tysg1pezekh676t9efa8m/playlist/597RJyVFBY4rLFDTv1m5iq

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36201995-make-me-yours

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2y0P9Op

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

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

iTunes: http://apple.co/2kq0hj4

Entangled: http://bit.ly/2xWk1OL

*****

Excerpt:

Claire was grateful when the waitress came over and they had to pull away. They hadn’t even looked at the menu yet. Maybe that would buy her some time, stop her head from spinning. She needed a chance to collect herself before she lost her mind. Ryan wasn’t just a sexy guy who looked at her the way he always had, like she was the only woman in the world and he’d been waiting his whole life to find her. He was the man who’d broken her heart, and she’d better not forget it.

But as soon as she opened the dessert menu, it was harder to stay composed. First on the list was The Chocolate Orgasm, a sinful-sounding molten cake topped with homemade whipped cream. Right now, flushed and heated, she didn’t just want the chocolate. She wanted the orgasm, too.

To go, please, since sharing either of those with the man next to her was obviously a very, very bad idea.

Ryan must have known exactly what she was thinking, because he leaned even closer than they’d been before the waitress came. “I know what you want,” he said devilishly.

“Cheesecake?” Her voice practically squeaked.

“Nope.”

“Tiramisu?”

“I’ve always thought of that as such a tease. Sure, it’s got chocolate. But barely. Why waste time with all that foreplay?”

Oh, please. Claire leveled her head at him. “You don’t believe in foreplay?”

He reached over and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She could guess it was all over the place, no matter how hard Abbi had tried to tame it. She never should have given Ryan a chance to talk to her more. She never should have come. Now here they were, so close to each other as though no time at all had passed.

“On the contrary,” he said, and then his voice dropped. “But that doesn’t mean every taste shouldn’t be the real deal.”

His eyes locked with hers, the gray darkened to the deep blue of a midnight ocean in the corner where they sat. Was he always like this, so impossible to resist?

She looked away, scanning the rest of the menu frantically, trying to come up with something other than what she obviously wanted. What he knew she wanted. What under any other circumstances, with any other person, she might even have let herself have.

“I think I’ll get the carrot cake,” she said lamely.

That grin again. His lips moved only a little, but his eyes shifted, the gray lightening. A flicker. A tease.

“Now why are you so hell-bent on denying yourself? The Claire I knew was fed up with being good.”

*****

Author Info:

Rebecca Brooks lives in New York City in an apartment filled with books. She received a PhD in English but decided it was more fun to write books than write about them. She has backpacked alone through India and Brazil, traveled by cargo boat down the Amazon River, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, explored ice caves in Peru, trekked to the source of the Ganges, and sunbathed in Burma, but she always likes coming home to a cold beer and her hot husband in the Bronx. Rebecca writes sexy contemporary romance about dirty-talking, rugged outdoorsmen and adventurous women ready to try something new. Find out more at rebeccabrooksromance.com.

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

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

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

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rebecca-Brooks/e/B00ML3LWWY

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/539219.Rebecca_Brooks

Website: http://rebeccabrooksromance.com

*****

Giveaway:

$50 Amazon Gift Card

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*****

Spotlight – This Time Is Different

14 Saturday Oct 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Mae Wood, This Time Is Different

I absolutely LOVE the idea of a silver fox hero! So looking forward to getting my hands on this one 🙂

*****

This Time Is Different

by Mae Wood

Release Date: October 12. 2017

Blurb:

Life can change in a flash.

Marriage and a baby wasn’t Amy Forsythe’s college plan. After a shotgun marriage glued together by her son, she’s convinced that love isn’t meant for her. Now nearing forty and single for the first time since her senior prom, her friends are pushing her to date. Her teenager isn’t thrilled by the idea and neither is Amy.

Silver fox Thomas Popov isn’t looking for The One. He found her decades ago. And fell apart when she died. At fifty-three with a new job, a new city, and an empty nest, he’s focused on climbing the corporate ladder.

When a softball accident lands Thomas in Amy’s dental chair, sparks fly.

Lightning doesn’t strike twice. But love might.

This time is different.

Add to Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35711116-this-time-is-different

Purchase Links:

Free with Kindle Unlimited!

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*****

Excerpt:

“Mr. Popov! I thought the appointment was for five,” I said, closing the door to my SUV after spotting him in the parking lot. He was leaning against his car and tapping on a phone, and his face was still a wreck.

“Yeah, it is. I wanted to beat traffic, so I’ve been taking some calls from your parking lot,” he replied, sliding the phone into his suit pants pocket. Silver hair, light blue dress shirt, rolled up at the sleeves, showcasing his muscular forearms. Someone plays a lot of softball.

“Okay, well, Jana should be here soon and then I can take a quick peek and you’ll be on your way.”

“No rush. And please, call me Thomas,” he said.

“Only if you’ll call me Amy.”

“Nice to meet you, Amy.”

He extended his hand, a friendly smile lighting up his face. The bruise was healing nicely, but the impact point was still purple with a large halo of yellow. It was mainly obscured by his salt and pepper scruff. I didn’t blame him for not shaving. Except for his lip, the skin hadn’t broken. But that didn’t mean it wasn’t any less tender from the trauma. In fact, I was impressed that he was able to smile through the ache.

“And you, Thomas,” I replied, hoisting my purse up my shoulder and clasping his hand. I expected a couple of quick businesslike pumps. What I got was different. His hand was big and warm and soft, making me feel delicate, but before I could process what was different, before I could categorize it into neat little bullet points—

“I’m here already. Just noticed you. Y’all are early,” called Jana from the office’s bright red front door.

As I pulled my head out of the clouds, where I’d just begun to wonder how soft the rest of his skin was, I started to withdraw my hand. But not before he gave a little squeeze. Was that a wink?

“Amy, real quick.”

“Yeah?”

“Will you have dinner with me? I’ve got a table at Brooklyn Bridge at six thirty. And I hear good things about the lobster ravioli and tiramisu.”

The heat that had been building in me quickly cooled. I hated pity dates. I hated when my friends shoved men into my path and hoped for the best. The only one ever truly happy was the friend doing the shoving. And I’d had enough pity from men to last my lifetime. Being alone was better than being pitied.

“Did Diana ask you to do this?” I inquired, narrowing my eyes at him, trying to discern his true intention behind his offer of my favorite meal.

“No. Though she told me what restaurant. So, that’s a yes?”

She didn’t con him into asking me out? It just didn’t make sense. Men didn’t ask me out because they wanted to. Men asked me out because they were obligated to. “That’s a—”

“Yes. Let that be a yes,” he said, another gentle squeeze on my hand that I thought I’d pulled away. Maybe he honestly did want to go on a date with me.

“And tiramisu?” I asked, testing the waters with my toe.

“Of course. And whatever else you want.”

A smile tickled at the corners of my mouth. Was he propositioning me? God, really? Me, mother of a seventeen-year-old being propositioned?

“They have a nice wine selection,” I said, wading further into the waters to see whether his eyes fell—a clear sign that Diana had pushed him into taking me out—or whether they lit up because he wanted to have dinner with me. In the three years since I’d started going on occasional dates, I hadn’t seen much light.

“There you go. We’ll have wine.” And there was light in his gray blue eyes. “Thank you.”

“Thank you?” My head spun. He was asking me on a date because he wanted to. Not because someone had pressured him into it. Or that he felt like he had to take me out. I honestly wasn’t sure if that had ever happened to me before. And I meant ever.

“Thanks for taking pity on an old man.”

“Oh, hush your mouth,” I said, letting go of his hand, resettling my purse on my shoulder and turning toward the office. “Let’s see if you’re ready to eat that lobster ravioli.”

As I checked his teeth and gums and lips for healing, I got caught up in his eyes. Thick dark lashes rimmed the soft gray blue.

“Whaaa?” he asked, around my fingers, and I remembered where I was—paused with my hands in my patient-turned-date’s mouth. Blue gloves, yoga pants, a lightweight hoodie over a blue tank top, and whatever random pile I swept my hair up into for my post-Pilates shower at the gym. Yeah, no fairy godmothers here. But at least I’d taken that shower.

“Looks good, Mr. Popov. I mean, Thomas,” I said, swiveling on the stool, stripping off the blue gloves and tossing them in the bin. “The lip looks good. Your gums are healing nicely and the teeth have firmed up. No discoloration or signs of stress. You got lucky.”

He pushed up from the exam chair, swinging his legs to the floor. “I did,” he said, looking at me square in the face.

Am I blushing? My cheeks felt warm. Is it warm in here? Is this perimenopause? Is this a hot flash? Because I hadn’t had a period in nearly two decades and was sneaking up on forty, every time I unexpectedly got warm, I wondered if I was entering menopause.

But I quickly realized that it wasn’t a life change. It was the big, handsome, and very forward man in my office. I didn’t know what to do because he clearly wasn’t talking about his softball accident. I spun around and typed a few notes into his record so that Diana could pull them up on Monday. I logged out of the computer, but not before taking a quick peek at the birthdate at the header of his profile. He was fourteen years and two months older than me to the day. May eleventh. He’d just turned fifty-three.

“Okay, you guys, let’s hit it. Thanks for coming in, Jana. I really appreciate it,” I said.

“Happy to, Dr. Forsythe. I’m going to go lock up,” said Jana, leaving the two of us alone.

“Am I cleared to eat?” he asked, standing up and offering his hand to me.

“Absolutely. As long as there’s no pain. Pasta would be a good starting food on the injured side.”

I placed my hand in his and it happened again. The warmth. The electricity. The parking lot wasn’t a fluke.

*****

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