Spotlight – Truly, Madly, Deeply

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

Tags

Jeannie Moon, Kindle Worlds Barefoot Bay romance, Truly Madly Deeply

Kick off your shoes, stick your toes in the sand and indulge yourself in a sweet second chance romance on the island of Mimosa Key. Nick DeMarco is back in Barefoot Bay and is hoping for Lila Novak’s forgiveness. Little does he know, he’ll get a whole lot more than that. Fans of Roxanne St. Claire’s Barefoot Bay will love meeting new visitors and residents of Mimosa Key in this Kindle Worlds Barefoot Bay romance by Jeannie Moon.

*****

Truly, Madly, Deeply

by Jeannie Moon

Release Date: 08/23/16

Publisher: Kindle Worlds

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Digital

Blurb:

Nick DeMarco was a covert operative who breezed in and out of the lives of the people he cared about often without warning. This included his sister Josie’s best friend, Lila Novak.

Nick and Lila had a torrid affair the last time he dropped into Barefoot Bay, and now that he’s back, possibly for the long haul, he hopes she’ll forgive him for disappearing without a word.

Lila loves her life as a teacher at Mimosa High School, but her affair with Nick has thrown her a curveball she never expected. Carrying his baby, she’s faced with the loss of her job unless she agrees to do the last thing she wants to do – marry him.

Get More information at: Goodreads | Amazon

*****

Excerpt:

There were few things that ticked off Lila Novak more than busybodies. And when said busybodies were making her life difficult, that really chapped her ass.

She sat at the district office, having been summoned from Mimosa High School by the superintendent of schools, and while she waited she saw a parade of people enter the conference room. Her principal, the vice principal, the personnel director, and her department chair were all part of the group that was going to see her. This wasn’t good.

Nothing like kicking a girl when she was down.

Her department chair, Mary Chavez, poked her head out and motioned to Lila. “We’re ready for you. Don’t let them upset you, and don’t lose your temper.”

Mary was a sweet woman, a joy to work for. Because of her, the math department at Mimosa was a fun place to be. Her colleagues were friendly, and unlike some departments, they all liked each other. However, Mary knew Lila could have a smart mouth, and this wasn’t the time for wit. Even if some people deserved her wit shoved up their butts.

The superintendent sat at the far end of the table, and the other administrators flanked him left and right. This wasn’t going to be easy.

Lila stood at the other end of the large oval table. Alone.

“Lila, have a seat,” the big guy said.

“Thank you,” she replied. That was a load of shit. She had no reason to thank them.

“So,” he began. “We hear you’ve gotten yourself in a bad spot.”

This was really making him uncomfortable, and based on the scowls from a few others in the room, she was in more than a bad spot.

“Sir, I am pregnant, yes.” Lila took a deep breath before continuing. “I’ve tried to keep it private, but that’s hard to do in such a…close knit community.” It’s full of nosy women with nothing else to do, is what she wanted to say. But Lila held her tongue, knowing that sassing the superintendent and his minions wouldn’t help her cause. “While I’m sure it might make some people uncomfortable, it isn’t something I want to talk about.”

“Unfortunately, that’s not an option,” the personnel director broke in. She was new to the district, and Lila didn’t catch her first name, but her last name was Smith. “You have to talk about it. There is a clause in your contract regarding morality…”

Bile stuck in her throat. Sweet baby jeebus. A morality clause. It was the 21st century, wasn’t it? “I don’t understand.”

“We hold our teachers in very high regard,” the woman drawled. “And we’ve gotten a number of complaints about the situation. Parents are extremely upset about having an unwed, pregnant teacher in front of the classroom.”

A knot formed in Lila’s chest. Crushing breathlessness made her audibly suck in air, but she didn’t cry. No, she wouldn’t give this pit of vipers the satisfaction, but there was no hiding how this was affecting her.

No one seemed to care that she was in distress. They were all sitting very still, apparently awaiting Lila’s response.

“I see y’all staring at me, but I don’t know what you want me to say.”

“We thought you could offer some clarification, or explanation, so we can better understand how this all came about,” the nameless personnel director shot at her.

“Ma’am, if you want an explanation for my pregnancy, may I suggest you speak to a health teacher.” Yep. She just snapped at someone who held her fate in her hands.

“There’s no need to get snippy, young lady.”

“I’m sorry, but I believe there is.” Lila wasn’t going to be intimidated. “This is a private matter.”

“Who is the baby’s father?” Ms. Smith blurted out.

BOOM. There it was. That’s what they were driving at. There had been an ugly rumor about her and the father of one of her students. He’d made some unwanted advances in a bar. It didn’t matter that Lila had told him to buzz off; people had talked.

“I haven’t told the baby’s father yet, and I’m not comfortable telling you before I tell him.”

“Lila,” her chair began, “taking a hard line here isn’t going to help.”

“I’m sorry, but he’s overseas on assignment.” That was all Lila could come up with, and it might or might not have been true. She didn’t know where Nick DeMarco was. She hadn’t heard from him in months. “That’s all I can say.”

When she said he was overseas, everyone came to attention.

“Is he in the service of our country?” the superintendent asked.

Lila nodded. She didn’t know what Nick was doing, but he did work for the government. “I think I should tell him first, don’t you?”

“Lila, I don’t like this any more than you do, but something must be done. I have parents calling for your job.”

“Well, sir, with all due respect, you can tell them this is none of their business. I’m sure you’re aware that I am a very good teacher. My students are engaged and do very well.”

“I am. Your reputation in the classroom is excellent, but regardless of how accepting society has become of single parents, our teachers are held to a different standard. Parents are very upset.”

“Am I being dismissed?” There was no use in beating around the bush. If the decision had already been made, the time would be better spent polishing her resumé.

“I don’t want to do that, but I am in a difficult position.”

Of course. His contract was up for renewal. The last thing he needed was a bunch of parents complaining that he wasn’t responsive. If they started calling for his head, who knew how the board of education would respond? Lila didn’t know what she was expected to do. The baby was already in the picture.

“I guess you’ll let me know if I have a job, then?”

She started to get up from the chair when her department chair came to her defense. “Lila is one of our best teachers. Surely there’s a way for this to work out.”

Silence settled over the room, because no one seemed to have any answers. They were looking everywhere but at each other. Glancing off into space or keeping their eyes trained at the table. Except for Ms. Smith, who was staring at Lila. Now she didn’t know if she should leave or stay.

“Lila?” Her principal, Joe Alex, broke the quiet. “How is the clean-up from the fire going?”

That got everyone’s attention. Being a pity case wasn’t her first choice, but Lila would take it. She couldn’t be without a job. Especially not now.

The superintendent’s face dropped. He wasn’t a bad person, but he was a puppet. Now his conscience was getting to him. Lila just hoped it worked in her favor. “I’ll be in touch,” he said flatly. Then he stood and left the room, leaving Lila in the same place as she’d been before, without any answers.

“Motherfucker, that hurts.” Over the course of his career, Nick had been shot, stabbed, beaten, and thrown off the roof of the building. But the searing pain from the injection into his injured shoulder was like nothing he’d ever felt. Of course, he’d been unconscious after the stabbing, and the shooting, and during the beating he managed to throw a few punches himself. Getting thrown off a building? Not something he would recommend.

But he’d recovered from every injury. He’d come back to duty stronger than ever, almost like he had to prove himself. Rumor was some people wondered if he was even human. Nick had to laugh at that. Of course he was human, he just took his work seriously. There were a lot of bad people out in the world, and it was Nick’s job to make sure they didn’t hurt anyone.

This time, however, his shoulder had been almost completely ripped out of the socket. The damage had been repaired as much as it could be, but for the first time in his career, Nick didn’t know if he was going to be able to do his job like he had before.

There had been mutterings about a desk job. A fucking desk job. He couldn’t see himself settling into a regular routine, making assignments, even if it did carry a promotion. He was an adrenaline junkie, pure and simple, and if he wasn’t out in the field chasing bad guys, he didn’t know what he was going to do.

“So will the cortisone fix what ails me?”

The doctor shrugged. It was another resident, another no-name who didn’t know anything about him. To the guy in the scrubs, Nick was just another case. He didn’t understand that Nick’s life as he knew it was on the line.

“Dr. O’Neill will be in in a minute. He has more details about your next step.” Without another word, the drone doc left the room. At least he would get to talk to the guy who did the surgery. Maybe he would finally give Nick a straight answer.

His cell phone beeped, and he glanced at the screen. His sister. The text was short. Are you alive?

Nick smiled. Josie, as always, got to the point. This time, he answered. Sent back a simple: yes. But that was all she was gonna get for now.

He was still figuring out how he felt about her relationship with Tony. Never in his life had he suspected his best friend and his sister had been having an affair. Now, Josie was going to be a queen. An honest to God, crown-wearing, scepter-wielding queen. Okay, maybe that was too dramatic. But she would have a crown. His little sister would have a crown.

Nick lay back on the table, knees bent, arm folded over his eyes. Jesus. What if he couldn’t go back in the field? He’d never thought about life after fieldwork, but now it was the only thing on his mind.

He tried to focus on something good, something positive, and immediately Lila Novak’s face flashed in his memory. Talk about secrets. The four days he’d spent in bed with Josie’s best friend had been just what he needed. The woman was a contradiction; on one hand she was full of piss and vinegar, but on the other she was beautiful, smart, sweet, and the sex had been a friggin’ miracle. Nick thought about her a lot, probably too much.

Still, he wanted to see her. He figured whatever the doctor said, he’d head to Florida for some R&R. His grandparents’ house was empty, and while he was there he was sure he could get Lila to see him. As long as she wasn’t too pissed off. He’d left without saying goodbye, and in his experience women really hated that.

He expected Lila was no different.

The door burst open and Dr. O’Neill entered the space. A big man, career Army, Nick peeked out from under his arm and the doctor tossed a wry grin in his direction.

“Hiding, Colonel?”

Colonel. He wasn’t used to being called by his rank. “Just trying to figure out what kind of bullshit you’ll be feeding me about my shoulder.”

“No bullshit,” the doctor said. “Truth only. Your shoulder was a hot mess. I was able to do some repair on the ligaments and tendons, but at this point it’s not stable. I can’t recommend you be allowed to go back to fieldwork at this time.”

“So, I’m going to be a desk jockey? I can’t do that. I’ll go crazy.” Nick’s fear of desk work was what drove him to volunteer for a special covert ops unit. He went where he was needed, working sometimes for the CIA, the NSA, or different branches of the military. When people asked what he did, he said he was a “security consultant”. It wasn’t a lie.

“You can stay in the Corps,” the doctor reassured him. “There are plenty of things a man with your knowledge and talents can do. You’re just not going to be swinging from trees or jumping off buildings anymore.”

“Should I retire? I mean, if I can’t do the work…”

“I didn’t say never, but not now. There’s a lot you can still do. Hell, with all your experience, you’ll be running the Joint Chiefs inside of six months. But you aren’t indestructible. You may recover enough to get back to the insanity you call a job, but I don’t recommend it.”

That particular statement made him think—and the conclusion wasn’t good. Lately, every injury meant a tougher recovery. He knew he was getting older, but his body was finally telling him what that meant. “Shit.”

The doctor took a seat across from him. “Nick, I’ve treated your last two orthopedic injuries. Your missions are more dangerous because that’s the way of the world right now, but even you have limits; you’re almost forty.”

“Thanks for the reminder.” Forty was still a couple of years away, but one thing Nick couldn’t deny was that he was feeling it.

Nick wasn’t a quitter, but he also wasn’t stupid. He knew when there was no point in arguing. He placed his feet solidly on the floor, stood, and extended his hand to O’Neill. “Thanks, Doc. I appreciate it.”

Shaking his hand, the older man wore an expression that told Nick he wasn’t the first to possibly have his career cut short and he wouldn’t be the last. But it still sucked.

Leaving the exam room, he took the stairs five flights down. He didn’t talk to anyone; it was raining, but he didn’t hail a cab, hoping the walk would clear his head. Finally, soaked to the bone, Nick jumped on the Metro. He was sure he looked sketchy, but he didn’t care. It would keep people away. He got off in Foggy Bottom, walked past the White House and down the mall, ending up on the steps of The Capitol. A security guard gave him the eye, suspicious. As he should be.

Nick was a dangerous man.

He was lighter—leaner—than he’d been before the injury. Not surprising, and probably a good thing.

It was pouring now, reminding him of an op that had dropped his team in the middle of a South American jungle.

God, what he wouldn’t give to be back there again.

Looking up, he felt like the heavens were taunting him.

He had to get out of town. He had a couple of options. He could head to an island and decompress in a tiki hut over a lagoon in Fiji. He had a friend with a chalet in the Alps. It was beautiful and secluded, but there would be no skiing or climbing.

The last idea was the one that really appealed to him. Barefoot Bay. He’d head to his grandparents’ house in Florida to regroup and figure out what to do next.

Sure, people knew him, but most of them wouldn’t ask questions, and the tiny coastal island of Mimosa Key was about as far away from work as he could possibly get. Sure, there might be nosy neighbors, but no one would be shooting at him.

And he’d try to see Lila. If she was still speaking to him.

Yeah, no doubt about it. Thoughts of Lila alone made Florida a very good idea.

*****

Author Info:

Jeannie Moon has always been a romantic. When she’s not spinning tales of her own, Jeannie works as a school librarian, thankful she has a job that allows her to immerse herself in books. Married to her high school sweetheart, Jeannie has three kids, three lovable dogs, and resides on Long Island, NY. If she’s more than ten miles away from salt water for any longer than a week, she gets twitchy.

*****

Giveaway:

Gift box filled with reader goodies – Four romance novels A Visa gift card (10.00) A COACH key fob. Author swag

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef29266/

*****

Book Review – Welcoming the Bad Boy

11 Thursday Aug 2016

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

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Annie Rains, Book Review, Hero's Welcome series, Welcoming the Bad Boy

Y’all, who doesn’t love a bad boy in uniform?!?!

*****

Welcoming the Bad Boy

Hero’s Welcome #3

by Annie Rains

Releasing August 2, 2016

Loveswept

Blurb:

From the bestselling author of Welcome to Forever (“Full of heart and emotion!”—Lori Wilde) comes a sweet, sexy novel about breaking all the rules. In Seaside, North Carolina, the boys on the base are heroes—but that doesn’t mean they’re always well-behaved.

As a preacher’s daughter, Valerie Hunt only dates the very respectable, very boring men who meet her father’s strict standards. In private, however, she leads a double life as a romance writer of steamy stories about the least respectable sorts of men. Valerie has always kept her hottest fantasies separate from her real life, but when she nearly runs a hot-blooded biker off the road, the lines begin to blur.

Even though Valerie almost killed him, Griffin Black can’t be angry after he learns the reason for her distracted driving: an unruly puppy belonging to her ailing friend. As a member of the military police K-9 unit, Griffin insists on training the dog himself. But he soon wonders how he’s ever going to stay disciplined around the most alluring, down-to-earth, and totally unattainable woman he’s ever met. Valerie is the ultimate good girl. And Griffin is going to need all his old tricks to unleash her wild side.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27774343-welcoming-the-bad-boy

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/154832-hero-s-welcome

Amazon | B & N | Google | iTunes | Kobo

*****

Excerpt:

“Damn.” He tipped her chin up with his index, looking at her with his dark molasses eyes. “I’m serious. I want to go out on a date tomorrow. No sex.”

“No sex?” she asked.

“Just flowers and chocolates. And lots of kissing. Say yes to me,” he said, kissing her mouth again, making it impossible for her to tell him no.

“But there is more sex tonight, right?” she asked, moaning as he lowered his mouth to cover one breast.

“Say yes, Val,” he said, as the rough, unshaven edge of his jaw scraped against her skin, feeding her arousal.

“Yes,” she said through shortened breaths. “I say yes.”

He emitted a low laugh that tickled against her skin. Then he thrust himself inside her again, making up for the arrangement they’d just made for tomorrow. Making up for all the lonely nights she’d endured until this one. Making up for all the lonely nights she would endure after he was gone.

*****

Review:

(This is the third book in this series – after Welcome to Forever and Welcome Home Cowboy – but it can be read on its own. Val and Griffin are friends with the couples from the first two books, and they make the occasional appearance, but their storylines don’t come into play here. Although it is nice to get an update on their relationships 🙂 )

I did find this one to be a little lighter of a read than the first two books. Griffin has issues with his mom and Val has a difficult relationship with her dad, but overall this came off as a little more of a traditional contemporary romance than what we’ve seen before.

Since they have friends that are in relationships together, Griffin and Val are aware of each other but they haven’t spent any time together. A freak meeting puts them on a collision course that quickly turns flirtatious. It’s a slow burn as they get to know each other and we get to know them a little better. Spending time together has them evaluating a few things and making some decisions about their lives & the relationships that they hold dear.

Val is keeping her career as an author secret from everyone and you know that some how that is going to bite her. I will say that I didn’t feel that part of the book was handled completely. And she also makes some decisions that doesn’t make that much sense if she wants to keep it a secret … although maybe she was just aching to get caught.

The parts with her relationship with Griffin and her time with the people at the retirement community, even the stuff with her dad that needed to be addressed before she could truly be free (and which needed about three more paragraphs to really satisfy me), are wonderful. But the author thing only worked for me in spots. It wasn’t enough to cause me trouble but it did make me shake my head here and there 🙂

With sexy and fun characters, entertaining and flirtatious interactions mixed with heart and emotion when it comes to those who mean the most to them, Rains delivers another heart warming love story. And you just know she’s got a couple more good ones up her sleeve.

*****

Author Info:

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.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

*****

Giveaway:

$20.00 Amazon or B&N eGift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81102/

*****

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

Spotlight – Playing by Her Rules

08 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Amy Andrews, Playing by Her Rules, Sydney Smoke Rugby series

We’ve done football, hockey and baseball … I’m thinking it’s time for rugby!

*****

Playing by Her Rules

Sydney Smoke Rugby #1

by Amy Andrews

Publication Date: July 18, 2016

Genres: Adult, Entangled Brazen, Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

In this grudge match, the first to score…

When style columnist Matilda Kent accidentally lets slip that she was once involved with the captain of the Sydney Smoke rugby team, she suddenly finds herself elevated to the position she’s always wanted – feature writer. The catch? She’s stuck doing a six-part series on her ex. Still, there’s no way she can turn down a promotion…or the chance to dish the dirt on the guy who so callously broke her heart.

…could win it all!

Tanner Stone wants to be involved in a feature series about as much as he wants to snap an Achilles. But the thought of seeing Tilly again is a bonus—and has him more worked up than he wants to admit. Only he’s not prepared for how different she is – all cool and professional. His Tilly is still in there, though…and he still wants her, now more than ever. All he has to do is charm her into giving him a rematch. And this time, winner takes all!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/29LVj6G

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/29ETjxr

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/29GgTcb

B&N: http://bit.ly/29RtbC1

Paperback: http://bit.ly/29ZXVTt

Kobo: http://bit.ly/29ET714

iBooks: http://apple.co/29RtRYc

*****

Excerpt:

She folded her arms and tapped her foot. She wasn’t in the mood for his jokes. He held his hands up in mock surrender, a slight smile playing on his lips. “I promise I won’t even try to—” his gaze dropped to her mouth “—kiss you.”

Matilda’s mouth tingled under his intense scrutiny, and all she could think about as the lift opened, inch by noisy inch, was Tanner kissing her.

She’d been kissed by other men. Some had been most excellent kisses even if none of them had worked out. But this was Tanner, her first love—the gold standard of kissing. And her body was melting down at the memories.

She escaped into the lift as soon as the gap was wide enough to allow it. “I’m not sure you’ll fit in here,” she said and really hoped it was true. “It’s possibly the world’s smallest lift.”

“I’ll manage.” He strode in undeterred, dominating the space instantly, sucking away all her air.

Matilda punched the floor ten more times than necessary, keeping her eyes trained to the front, hyperaware of Tanner, sprawled casually against the opposite wall, his hands-in-pockets stance exposing a splash of white shirt pulled taut across his abdomen. She crowded forward, closer to the control panel, desperately trying to keep as much distance between them as possible as his cologne swirled around her.

He smelled like orchids and…ouzo.

The door slowly ground shut, protesting all the way and Matilda willed it to—just this once and she’d never ask again—deliver her speedily to her floor. As was its custom, the lift stood still for long moments before finally grumbling to life.

She stared straight ahead as it slowly ascended, desperately trying to think about anything other than him kissing her. And failing. How could she not when she was excruciatingly conscious of him standing all big and solid and silent in her peripheral vision, staring at her, his gaze heavy on the patch of skin where her neck joined her shoulder as if that might be the place he’d like to start.

It was warm and getting warmer in the lift but still her nipples beaded as if they were standing in a fridge. And for all the room in here, they night as well have been.

She hated that her body had so easily gotten over his Judas kiss. That she was a slave to her hormones. Or maybe it was her memory?

The emergency telephone panel was right in front of her and she concentrated on that instead of his relentless gaze. She wondered if she picked it up and ordered some amnesia stat whether that would be considered misuse of public property?

“You could get up to a lot in a lift that moves this slow.”

His words rumbled out into the small space and Matilda swore she could feel each one of them glide over her skin. Her pulse fluttered madly as an image of them going for it against the wall—his trousers open, her skirt rucked up—filled her head. She spoke quickly, unthinkingly to dispel it.

“It’s faster going down.”

He chuckled, causing goose bumps everywhere. “Clearly it has its priorities all wrong.”

*****

Author Info:

Amy is an award-winning, best-selling Aussie author who has written fifty plus contemporary romances in both the traditional and digital markets and been translated into over a dozen languages including manga. She is a USA Today best-seller and has sold in excess of one million books featuring lots of sex and kissing. She likes to make her readers tingle, laugh and sigh.

She loves good books and great booze although she’ll take mediocre booze if there’s nothing else. At sixteen she met a guy she knew she was going to marry and she did. They’re still married and have two grown kids who never stay away long enough to be missed.

She lives on acreage on the outskirts of Brisbane with a gorgeous mountain view but secretly wishes it was the hillsides of Tuscany.

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5440a354822/

*****

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

Spotlight – Eight Second Ride

05 Friday Aug 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Anne Jolin, Eight Second Ride, Willow Bay Stables series

Finishing up the week with a rough & tumble sexy cowboy!

*****

Eight Second Ride

Willow Bay Stables #2

by Anne Jolin

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Owen Daniels lives his life eight seconds at a time. The thrill of anticipation that comes with sitting on twelve hundred pounds of untamed power is unparalleled. The adrenaline rush that floods his system when the chute opens is one of life’s most unique and natural highs.

Ride eight seconds bareback on a bucking bronco—that’s his life.

When Owen’s stock horse, Remington’s Lady, is injured midway through the rodeo circuit, he trailers her back home to Willow Bay, Alberta, to remain in the care of the local vet, Ray Brookes.

Months later, with a truck bed full of buckles, Owen comes home to collect his Lady from the man he trusted to help her recover. Only Ray happens to be short for Rayne, and Rayne happens to be a woman.

And this woman wants nothing to do with a cowboy fresh off the circuit. As far as she’s concerned, he can take his buckles, boots, and spurs right back on out of her life.

Will Rayne keep them from holding on to their eight-second ride? Or will love buck out of the chute in time for a perfect score?

PAPERBACK: http://amzn.to/2aEbxQB

KINDLE US: http://amzn.to/2a2GNZr

KINDLE UK: http://amzn.to/29gL91x

KINDLE CA: http://amzn.to/29oKN6O

KINDLE AU: http://amzn.to/29m1JN6

iBOOKS: http://apple.co/29ozqh5

KOBO: http://bit.ly/29gvdYQ

NOOK: http://bit.ly/29xxa8N

Want to read CHANGE REIN, Book #1 for FREE? Click below to claim your copy!

https://www.instafreebie.com/free/KNVkw Copies are available until August 8th!

*****

Other books by Anne Jolin

Willow Bay Stables:

Change Rein, Book 1: http://amzn.to/2a6IfLS >> .99cents!

Eight-Second Ride, Book 2: http://amzn.to/2aEdUD4

Rein In, Book 3: Releasing this October!

Rock Falls Series:

Chasing Rhodes, Book 1: http://bit.ly/ChasingRhodes

Choosing Henley, Book 2: http://bit.ly/ChoosingHenley

Breaking Bennett, Book 3: http://bit.ly/BreakingBennett

Keeping King, Book 4: http://bit.ly/KeepingKing

HELL ON HEELS:

Kindle: http://amzn.to/2a3UWtI

Audiobook: http://adbl.co/29LxIqX

*****

Excerpt:

Shoving the last (a bit too large) bite of bran muffin into my mouth, I push out the doors that led to the clinic’s driveway.

There was a dusty red pickup truck with a horse trailer hitched to the back blocking my view of the barn. Sidestepping around it, I opened the file in my hand to refresh my memory. We’d had Lady here for a little over four months, but I liked to cover all the bases with an owner before we discharged an animal from our care.

“Oh, here she is!” I heard Nora boom over the flat land.

Next was a deep and gravelly voice. “She?”

Lifting up my head, I choked on my muffin.

His butt.

That was literally all I could see. A ten-gallon, tan cowboy hat and a Wrangler-clad ass. Somewhere in between, I was pretty sure I’d skimmed over some pretty impressive muscles, but that butt…

My coughing (from my choking) must have encouraged him to turn.

I declared the front wasn’t so bad either.

He stood at what I had to guess was at least six foot four and stretched across the broad expanse of his chest was a faded black T-shirt. The man looked rough, not in a bad way, but in the kind of way that made you wish you could spend a lifetime curled up in his lap. A five o’clock shadow darkened his hard jaw, and eyes as green as the summer grass watched me as I stopped a few feet from him.

“I’ll be on my way,” Nora muttered and disappeared across the parking lot.

The silence left in her wake made me uncomfortable so, after swallowing, I decided to fill it.

“Ray Brookes.” I held out my hand to him, and he studied it.

Eventually, he slid a much larger, calloused hand into mine and squeezed. “Darlin’, I’ve met Ray Brookes, and you sure as hell ain’t him.”

“Oh.” I tugged at my hand a little as a result of the odd backhanded compliment, but it didn’t budge. “I’m sorry.”

“Nothin’ you need to be apologizin’ for.”

He was rough around the edges but charming in a way that cowboys so often were. They were a legend after all, weren’t they?

*****

Author Info:

Hey y’all,

I was born and raised in Ladner, a small farm town just outside Vancouver, Canada. I grew up riding horses, shooting guns, and driving in trucks.

I never expected to be an author. A massage therapist? Yes. Take over the family construction company? Yes. But an author? No. Writing was something that snuck up on me and rooted itself into my life. It was beautiful to discover that love, and I’m truly grateful to say I’ve found my passion.

Since I’ve always been a creative person, it feels amazing to harness all of that energy and use it to tell a story I love. I enjoy incorporating bits of my real life into the stories I write. What parts are true? Hah. I’ll never tell—what would be the fun in that?

If I could leave y’all with one thing, it’s that life’s far too short to not live it out loud. Drown in your passions, hold on tight to the things that inspire you, and chase your dreams relentlessly. I can promise you without a doubt that you won’t regret it. I know I don’t.

Mad love,

Anne Jolin

Social media links:

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8388273.Anne_Jolin

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorannejolin

Website: http://www.annejolin.com/

*****

Tour Host:

HEA Book Tours, PR & More

Click on the banner below for more info

*****

Tour Schedule:

Wednesday, July 27

My Girlfriends Couch – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/My-Girlfriends-Couch-557544291034541/

Lightning City Book Reviews – review and promo: facebook.com/lightningcitybookreviews

Southern Yankee Book Reviews – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernYankeeBookReviews/

Battery Operated Book Blog – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/BatteryOperatedBookBlog/

Sizzling Hot Books – promo: facebook.com/SizzlingHotBooks

Megpie93’s Book Blog – review: Http://www.facebook.com/megpie93sblog

we stole your book boyfriend – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/westoleyourbookboyfriend

Emmbooks – review and promo: Http://emmbooks.wordpress.com

A Day with Ethel – review and promo: https://etheljo.com/

HEA Book Tours PR – GROUP – promo: https://www.facebook.com/HeaBookShelf

Thursday, July 28

Miss DreamyMarie – review and promo: https://missdreamymarie.wordpress.com/

Red Cheeks Reads – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/redcheeksreads

A Brit and a Yank – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/abritandayank

JordansBookReviews – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/Jordansbookreviews

Socially Awkward Book Nerd – promo: https://www.facebook.com/Socially-Awkward-Book-Nerd-875215039242956/

Southern Vixens Book Obsessions – review and promo: http://www.facebook.com/svbookobsessions

Book Junky Tours PR – promo: https://www.facebook.com/BookJunkyToursPR

Friday, July 29

steamy books lover – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/steamybookslover

Theory of A Dreamer – review and promo: https://theoryofadreamerblog.wordpress.com/

The Book Boyfriend Addict – review and promo: facebook.com/bookboyfriendaddict

Pervy Ladies Book Blog – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/pervyladiesbookblog/

All The Bookish Things – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/ATBTB

Writer’s Coffee Shop – promo: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Writers-Coffee-Shop/353468561491183

Monday, August 1

Jazmine Cabrera – review – street team member.

Queen T Book Pimping – review and promo: facebook.com/QueenTBook

Once Upon a Book Blog – review and promo: facebook.com/onceuponabookblog

Vera is Reading – promo: https://www.facebook.com/veraisreading

French press bookworm – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/FrenchPress-Bookworm-1454150181555903

Book Reviews and Recommendations – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/Bookloversreview

Rather be reading – review and promo: Http://Facebook.com/ratherbe.reading3

Brittany’s Book Blog – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/BrittanysBookBlog/

Naughty Nymphos Book Promotions – promo: http://www.facebook.com/NNBP1

G_bibliophile – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/gbookblogger

Tuesday, August 2

Sleep Deprived Book Lovers – review and promo: facebook.com/sleepdeprivedbooklovers

NightWolf Book Blog – promo: https://www.facebook.com/NightWolf.reading/

The Silver Dagger Scriptorium – promo: https://www.facebook.com/Silver-Dagger-Scriptorium-150928281985733/

Up against a wall – promo: https://www.facebook.com/upagainstawall/

I Heart YA Books – promo: https://www.facebook.com/IHartYABooks

Rate My Romance – promo: https://www.facebook.com/RateMyRomance

Wednesday, August 3

Stephanie’s Book Reports – review and promo: http://www.facebook.com/stephaniesbokreports

Romance Book Nerd – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/romancebooknerd

Lea’s Book Blog – review and promo: http://www.facebook.com/leasbookblog

Reading In Sarah’s Corner – review and promo: http://www.facebook.com/readinginsarahscorner

Country Gals Sexy Reada – promo: Https://www.facebook.com/countrygalsreads

Bookish Fangirl – promo: bookishfangirl.com

Sexyways of Reading – promo: https://www.facebook.com/Sexyways-of-Reading-636455003172295/

Thursday, August 4

The Musings of Many – promo: http://olivianight.weebly.com/the-musings-of-many

Firefly book blog – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/fireflybookblog

Book Junky Girls – promo: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Book-Junky-Girls/248512268629919

Paper Cut Princess – promo: https://www.facebook.com/papercutprincessbooks

HEA Bookshelf – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/HeaBookShelf

Motherhood Books and More Blog – promo: https://www.facebook.com/MBMBlog

Friday, August 5

Queenzany – review and promo: queenzany.com

mignon mykel : reviews – review and promo: http://mnonmklreviews.blogspot.com

Romantic Reads and Such – promo: https://www.facebook.com/Romantic-Reads-and-Such-377925082339949/

The Opening Hook – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/theopeninghook/

Book Happiness – review and promo: facebook.com/bookhappiness

The Phantom Paragrapher – review: https://www.facebook.com/The-Phantom-Paragrapher-196830633685451

Alpha Book Club – review and promo: http://www.facebook.com/alphabookclub

The Smut-Brarians – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/TheSmutBrarians/

Reflections Of A Book Geek – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/reflectionsofabookgeek

EskieMama Reads – review and promo: http://facebook.com/eskiemamareads

Living Within Fiction – review and promo: https://livingwithinfiction.wordpress.com/

Nerdy Dirty & Flirty – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/nerdydirtyandflirty

A Hopeless Romantic’s Booklandia – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Hopeless-Romantics-Booklandia/436888876481289

books and the big screen – review and promo: https://www.facebook.com/booksandthebigscreen

bujoijoi22 – review: http://facebook.com/bujoijoi.22

Spotlight – Brodie’s Gamble

03 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Brodie's Gamble, MacLarens of Boundary Mountain series, Shirleen Davies

We met Colin, now it is time for the next MacLaren … come get to know Brodie everyone!

*****

Brodie’s Gamble

Book Two, MacLarens of Boundary Mountain

Historical Western Romance Series

by Shirleen Davies

Blurb:

“Every book of Shirleen’s never fails to draw me in and make it impossible to put down until I devour it!”

Brodie MacLaren has a dream. He yearns to wear the star—bring the guilty to justice and protect those who are innocent. In his mind, guilty means guilty, even when it includes a beautiful woman who sets his body on edge.

Maggie King lives a nightmare, wanting nothing more than to survive each day and recapture the life stolen from her. Each day she wakes and prays for escape. Taking the one chance she may ever have, Maggie lashes out, unprepared for the rising panic as the man people believe to be her husband lies motionless at her feet.

Deciding innocence and guilt isn’t his job.

Brodie’s orderly, black and white world spins as her story of kidnapping and abuse unfold. The fact nothing adds up as well as his growing attraction to Maggie cause doubts the stoic lawman can’t afford to embrace.

Can a lifetime of believing in absolute right and wrong change in a heartbeat?

Maggie has traded one form of captivity for another. Thoughts of escape consume her, even as feelings for the handsome, unyielding lawman grow.

As events unfold, Brodie must fight more than his attraction. Someone is after Maggie—a real threat who is out to silence her.

He’s challenged on all fronts—until he takes a gamble that could change his life or destroy his heart.

Brodie’s Gamble, book two in the MacLarens of Boundary Mountain historical western romance series, is a full-length novel with an HEA.

*****

Excerpt:

“How old were you when you met Stoddard?” He hadn’t meant to ask the question, didn’t need to know more about her than he already did. Maggie’s age didn’t matter. It only mattered that he held her as a suspect in a murder.

“Eighteen. I’m twenty now.” She spoke with a staid calmness, as if detached, speaking of someone else. “I wish I could tell you the time flew by, but that would be a lie.” This time, her voice held the bitterness he expected. Closing her eyes to still the moisture beginning to pool, she sucked in a deep breath.

He didn’t know what triggered his quick response—her shaky voice, the tremble of her body, or the tears she couldn’t hide—but he reached out, wrapping his arms around her and drawing her close. Splaying his hands across her back, he rested his chin on top of her head as she settled her cheek against his chest.

“Shhh, lass. He can no longer hurt you.” Brodie’s heart pounded, his chest tightening at the same time he tried to provide her comfort. He couldn’t imagine the horrors she’d been through. If Arnie weren’t already dead, it would’ve taken all the strength Brodie possessed to not kill the man himself. Feeling the tears soak through his shirt, he drew back, lifting her chin with a finger.

“You must try to believe it will be all right, Maggie.”

Her glassy blue eyes stared up at him as the faintest sliver of hope crossed her face. A hope he could encourage or dash with a rash word or careless gesture.

“Do you truly think it will work out for me?”

Brodie didn’t know what more to say. Instead, he did the most foolish thing imaginable. Lowering his head, he brushed a gentle kiss across her lips, feeling her tense, then relax against him. He kissed her again, losing himself in the taste and feel of her.

Awareness of the colossal mistake he was making sliced through Brodie an instant before he tightened his hold, fitting Maggie snuggly to his body, his lips pressed against hers, claiming her mouth with fierce desire.

Her heart thundered and stomach churned as Brodie continued his gentle assault. The warmth of his body, the hardness of his chest and muscled arms sheltered her at the same time heat ripped through her, as if she were engulfed in a circle of flames.

Brodie couldn’t get her close enough. He wanted to lift her into his arms, carry her to his bed, and lay her down. Kiss every inch of her body, caress…

He pulled back, his abrupt departure causing her to whimper as she buried her face against his throat. They had to stop. He had to stop. The madness, which gripped him moments before, gave way to guilt and self-loathing. How could he have surrendered so completely to the charms of one woman? A woman who’d done nothing except look to him for help?

Setting her aside, he straightened, steeling his features. “We need to go back.” He could see the slight shiver of her body as she swayed toward him. “Now, Miss King. You need to get back in your cell, and I need to get back to my work.”

The hurt in her eyes did nothing to dispel the remorse he felt. He’d crossed a line, and he could blame it on no one except himself.

*****

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.

*****

Tour Schedule:

July 19^th

CBY Book Club

http://www.cbybookclub.blogspot.co.uk

July 20^th

Lola White

www.lola-white.com

July 22^nd

Hyper Ashley

http://www.hyperashley.com/

July 25^th

Romance Novel Giveaways

http://romancenovelgiveaways.blogspot.com/

Reading to Unwind

http://readingtounwind.blogspot.com/

July 26^th

CD Yess Writes

cdyesswritesblog.wordpress.com

July 27^th

Happy Tails and Tales

http://happytailsandtales.blogspot.com/

July 28^th

Deal Sharing Aunt

http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.hr/

August 1^st

Mel’s Shelves

http://www.melsshelves.blogspot.com

August 2^nd

Reading to Unwind

http://readingtounwind.blogspot.com/

August 3^rd

Romantic Reads

https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com

August 4^th

Natural Bri

T: @natural_bri

FB: www.facebook.com/naturalbripage

August 5^th

Boom Baby Reviews

http://www.boombabyreviews.com/

August 8^th

Cafinated Reads

http://cafinatedreads.com/

August 9^th

Hollow Unrest

http://iqurae.blogspot.com/

August 10^th

A Passion for Romance

http://www.apassionforromance.blogspot.com/

August 11^th

Apocalipstick the Book

https://apocalipstickthebook.wordpress.com/

August 12^th

Books and Banter

http://locglin.blogspot.com

Spotlight – To Have and to Hold

29 Friday Jul 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Lauren Layne, The Wedding Belles series, To Have and to Hold

Y’all, looks like Lauren Layne has a fantastic new series on her hands!

*****

To Have and to Hold

The Wedding Belles #1

by Lauren Layne

Releasing July 26, 2016

Pocket Books

Blurb:

Sex and the City meets The Wedding Planner in The Wedding Belles, her sizzling brand new contemporary romance series about three ambitious wedding planners who can make any bride’s dream come true…but their own.

Discovering her fiancé is an international conman just moments before they exchange vows devastates celebrity wedding planner Brooke Burke’s business—and breaks her heart. Now a pariah in Los Angeles, she seeks a fresh start in New York City and thinks she’s found it with her first bridal client, a sweet, if slightly spoiled, hotel heiress. Then she meets the uptight businessman who’s holding the purse springs.

Seth Tyler wishes he could write a blank check and be done with his sister’s fancy-pants wedding. Unfortunately, micromanaging the event is his only chance at proving Maya’s fiancé is a liar. Standing directly in his way is the stunning blonde wedding planner whose practiced smiles and sassy comebacks both irritate and arouse him. He needs Brooke’s help. But can he persuade a wedding planner on a comeback mission to unplan a wedding? And more importantly, how will he convince her that the wedding she should be planning…is theirs?

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27271035-to-have-and-to-hold

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/165203-the-wedding-belles

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

*****

Excerpt:

Hold on. Back up. Back all the way up. What do you mean you’re getting married?”

It was eleven p.m. on a Wednesday, and Seth Tyler was exactly where he always was these days: behind his expansive mahogany desk at the Tyler Hotel Group, suit jacket slung over the back of his ergonomic chair, tie begging to be undone, impeccably pressed white shirt cuffed at the wrists.

He raked a hand through his thick light brown hair in frustration and fixed his younger sister with his best no-nonsense glare, an approximation—like everything else he seemed to do lately—of his deceased father.

When Seth’s father dropped dead of a heart attack eight months ago, Seth had thought the hardest part about his father’s passing—other than the mourning, of course—would be taking over the family company.

Sure, Seth had been groomed for the role. He’d wanted the president and CEO title. He’d always wanted it.

Eventually.

But not yet, for God’s sake.

Seth had no problem admitting that he was a perfectionist, and he’d been bound and determined to take over the family company his way. The right way.

And the right way, as Seth had determined it, was spending at least a year shadowing each of the senior-level Tyler Hotel Group executives. Seth had wanted to learn every possible detail, every in and out of the business, before even thinking about taking over the reins of the Fortune 500 company.

But his father’s heart had had other plans. Mainly, up and quitting during a routine round of golf. And so, quietly, per his father’s wishes, Seth had become CEO two years ahead of schedule.

Not a day passed that Seth didn’t wish his father was still with him, but in truth, taking his place at the head of the boardroom table had been easier than Seth had anticipated. The investors hadn’t freaked out. The executive team hadn’t left in mass exodus. Even Hank’s longtime assistant, Etta, had stuck around, seemingly content to call Seth boss even as she busted his balls about not eating enough vegetables, getting enough sleep, or getting his hair cut.

But if taking over the family company was easier than Seth had expected, there was one ramification of Hank Tyler’s death that Seth hadn’t been in the least prepared for:

A wedding.

Maya Tyler inhaled a long, patient breath, as though preparing to deal with a difficult child. “Well see, marriage, Seth, is when two people fall in love and decide to spend the rest of their lives—”

“Yes, I’m aware of how marriage works,” Seth interrupted. Although, not as aware as well as he’d like, as it turned out. He wouldn’t be getting any firsthand knowledge of how marriage worked any time soon.

Maya bit her lip. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to remind you of Nadia.”

Seth glanced down at his desk to avoid his sister’s too-perceptive gaze. She wasn’t wrong. He’d gotten to the point where he could go most days without thinking of his ex, but he hadn’t yet figured out how to think about marriage without hearing the incredulous laugh she’d let out when he’d gone on one knee and showed her the ring he’d spent months picking out.

“Can we not?” he said curtly.

“Don’t get pissed. It’s a wedding. You’re supposed to be happy.”

“I’m not pissed; I’m just surprised.”

That was an understatement. Seth had not seen this coming, and for a man who exercised precision in all things, he couldn’t say he was enjoying the shock value of Maya’s announcement. Especially not on the heels of his father’s death. A death that everyone but Seth had seen coming, because Seth had been the lone outsider on the knowledge that was his father’s longtime heart condition.

Apparently, Hank had considered his only son a control freak—had known that Seth would have stopped at nothing to try to halt death in its tracks.

His father had been, well, right. It was hard to admit, but if Seth had known about his father’s condition, he’d have devoted every waking hour to researching experimental treatment and the best doctors.

Hank Tyler hadn’t wanted that for his final months. Not for himself or for Seth.

Still, Seth resented not having the choice. Resented his father nearly as much as he missed him.

But he’d put that behind him. Mostly.

Hank was gone, and Maya was still here. Maya was all he had.

He had known she was dating a new guy—Neil something or other. But Seth hadn’t thought a thing about it. Maya had whipped through a constant string of casual boyfriends since high school, and other than a two-year relationship in college, they had never been serious.

And it certainly hadn’t gotten close to marriage.

What’s worse, Seth hadn’t even met this man that was apparently to be his brother-in-law.

But none of this would have mattered, not really, if Seth’s instincts hadn’t been buzzing that something was amiss with the way this was all going down. Something was off. He knew it down to his gut.

“How long have you been seeing this guy?” he asked.

Maya slumped back in the plush chair facing Seth’s desk with a groan. “Don’t do this. I knew you were going to do this.”

He frowned. “Do what?”

“The big brother thing,” she said.

“Hard not to, what with me being six years older and all,” Seth said.

He didn’t add that he was doubly obligated to be protective given Hank’s death just months earlier. Maya had definitely been Daddy’s Little Princess. She still got tears in her eyes every time their father’s name was mentioned.

Maya leaned forward, her pale blue eyes much like his own, although her blond hair was lighter than his, thanks to her frequent trips to the salon.

“I love him, Seth. I know you’re jaded these days, but Neil is exactly the type of guy we women spend our entire lives dreaming about.”

Seth bit his tongue to stop from saying that he bet Maya was exactly the type of girl that guys like Neil dreamed about, too. Young, pretty . . . and filthy rich.

Or so Neil likely thought.

*****

Author Info:

Lauren lives in New York City with her husband (who was her high school sweetheart–cute, right?!) and plus-sized Pomeranian.

Five years ago, she ditched her corporate career in Seattle to pursue a full-time writing career in Manhattan.

She writes smart romantic comedies with just enough sexy-times to make your mother blush, and in her ideal world, every stiletto-wearing, Kate Spade wielding woman would carry a Kindle stocked with Lauren Layne books.

When not bringing The Sexy, she likes to blog about her Instagram addiction, and why mean girls are the worst.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

*****

Giveaway:

Five (5) Exclusive Print Copies of FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, A Wedding Belles Novella

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81092/

*****

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

Spotlight – Ultimate Courage

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Piper J. Drake, True Heroes series, Ultimate Courage

We got an early look at Ultimate Courage last week, but we’re gonna celebrate its release with more excerpts and a giveaway!

*****

Hot military heroes, the women who love them, and the devoted dogs that always have their backs. ULTIMATE COURAGE is the second book in a high adrenaline contemporary suspense series from Piper J. Drake published by Forever Romance. Fans of D.D. Ayres K-9 Rescue series and Cindy Gerard’s One Eyed Jacks, will love this action packed romantic suspense series.

Ultimate Courage

True Heroes #2

by Piper J. Drake

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: July 26, 2016

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing- Forever

Print Length: 336 pages

Format: Digital and Mass Market Paperback

Blurb:

LOVE IS AN ACT OF BRAVERY

Retired Navy SEAL Alex Rojas is putting his life back together, one piece at a time. Being a single dad to his young daughter and working at Hope’s Crossing Kennels to help rehab a former guard dog, he struggles every day to control his PTSD. But when Elisa Hall shows up, on the run and way too cautious, she unleashes his every protective instinct.

Elisa’s past never stays in her rearview mirror for long, and she refuses to put anyone else in danger. But with Alex guarding her so fiercely yet looking at her so tenderly, she’s never felt safer . . . or more terrified that the secrets she keeps could put countless people in grave peril. The only way for both to fully escape their demons will take the ultimate act of courage: letting go and learning to trust each other.

Get More information at: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

Also in this series:

Extreme Honor: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

*****

Excerpt:

Alex’s hand came up slowly to cradle the side of her face, encouraging her to tilt her head, and she did. He deepened the kiss then, his tongue running across her lips and coaxing them to open for him. She opened with a sigh, and his tongue swept into her mouth, gently tasting. She kissed him back in return, leaning into him until she had one hand braced against his hard chest.

A needy moan escaped her, and he responded in kind. When he lifted his mouth from hers, she almost tipped into him, her knees not holding her upright anymore and her head spinning. Wow.

She took not one, but several long breaths to clear her head, looking down at a black and tan face staring up at her with soulful, dark eyes. Souze wasn’t shy about watching, apparently.

The thought brought her the rest of the way to her senses, because weird. Yeah. Weird.

She took a step back, and Alex let her. He’d done that since the beginning. Letting her go if she wanted. So why was it so hard to leave now even if she kept saying she should?

“Thank you,” she told him, not looking up into his eyes.

“But?” Alex’s voice came cool, deep, and so sexy it just wasn’t fair.

“But I should go. Especially because this is obviously not a professional thing now.”

“No. But none of your previous employers particularly cared if you left, did they?” He sounded reasonable. “Did they bother to try to check on you?”

“Not that I know of.” She said it slowly. She’d had her phone with her, and she’d been checking her e-mail. Both big mistakes, she knew now. But she’d been paid under the table and they didn’t really have a way to contact her after she disappeared.

“I think that’s a little odd.” Rojas lifted his hand, giving her plenty of time to avoid him, and brushed her hair back from her face. “Maybe this time, it wouldn’t hurt to have someone care about whether you disappear.”

*****

Author Info:

Piper J. Drake (or “PJ”) began her writing career as “PJ Schnyder” writing sci-fi & paranormal romance and steampunk. She has recently received the FF&P PRISM award for her work as well as the NJRW Golden Leaf award and Parsec award.

Now, PJ is exploring the complexity of romantic suspense, incorporating her interests in mixed martial arts and the military into her writing.

*****

Giveaway:

$25 Amazon Giftcard and signed copies of Extreme Honor and Ultimate Courage

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef29253/?

*****

Spotlight – Chasing What’s Already Gone

26 Tuesday Jul 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Chasing What's Already Gone, Michael Ross

I’ve got a treat for you today! Michael Ross stopped by to tell us about his new book – a romance written by a guy, from the guy’s POV. Lighthearted and humorous but sure to give you something new to think about.

*****

This is a new direction for me – a RomCom in written form. A lighthearted romance from the male perspective, as to how we ‘tick’. That was my aim – to provide a male point of view on ‘stuff’ like relationships, being dumped, marriage, friendship, courting, ageing, insecurity and picking the right colour for your new car.

*****

Chasing What’s Already Gone

by Michael Ross

Blurb:

There is a void inside my heart where she should be.

Danny Pearson is cruising through life on the edge of contentment—even in his marriage…

His wife seems distant, yet perfectly happy. They work on different schedules and pass like ships in the night. But that’s how marriage is after so many years, right?

When Danny meets a mysterious girl, his idea of the meaning of love shatters at his feet…

She’s not extraordinary, but somehow she’s so much more than just another girl. When he catches her gaze, he knows deep in his gut that she’s the one—the love of his life. But being a decent guy, he holds his feelings in check, and there is no ulterior motive when he shares a coffee with her. As she leaves, she gives him a business card. That’s all there is to it.

Her name is Ella. And after that, she is nothing more than a fond memory.

Danny puts Ella out of his mind and moves on with his life—until his world falls apart…When his wife confesses to having an affair and demands a divorce, his life is thrown into chaos. It’s a challenge adjusting to the single life, but it’s not impossible. As time passes, he continues to reminisce of his brief encounter with the woman he’s sure was his chance at true happiness.

How far is Danny willing to go in the pursuit of love? How far would you when, in all probability, you are only…

Chasing what’s already gone?

*****

Excerpt:

“I’ve blown it haven’t I?”

“Of course you’ve blown it!”

“What should I do?”

“You’ve still got the hots for her then?”

“You’ve got to believe it. I looked into her eyes and they swallowed me up. There was this one time when she turned around to look at me in the car, and it was like I had a zoom lens in my head and I could see into her mind.” I relive the moment in my head. “She did not blink and she did not say a word, but there were all sorts of messages that went beyond words. I’m not explaining myself very well. You wouldn’t know what I mean.” For the first time today I have Rob’s sympathy. He leans back in his chair.

“I know exactly what you mean. Tessa and I have been together for what? Well, even now that thing happens. We might be sitting quietly on the sofa, or in the middle of a furious argument, or we’ve just had sex and we look at each other and the world stops, and everything else going on does not matter. We know who we are, and no one else can fill that space.”

“You’ve got it – that’s exactly how it felt!”

Rob bangs his fist on the pub table.

“Danny, ring her up. Now.”

“I – I – ”

“Danny, ring her up now. Don’t even think about it, don’t plan what you’re going to say. Do it because each minute that passes that you don’t ring her, you are going to regret. And I’m here, in your corner, but I’m leaving in twenty minutes. Now or never.”

He is right. Better to know than not know. I have already programmed the number into my mobile; I’ll probably have to erase it fairly soon.

*****

Connect with Michael:

Website http://www.michaelrosswriter.com

Twitter @mikerosswriter

Facebook Michaelrosswriter

GoodReads Michael Ross

Book Review – Ultimate Courage

21 Thursday Jul 2016

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Book Review, Piper J. Drake, True Heroes series, Ultimate Courage

*****

Ultimate Courage

True Heroes #2

by Piper J. Drake

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: July 26, 2016

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing- Forever

Print Length: 336 pages

Format: Digital and Mass Market Paperback

Blurb:

LOVE IS AN ACT OF BRAVERY

Get More information at: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

Also in this series:

Extreme Honor: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

*****

Excerpt:

Beautiful blue-gray eyes met his briefly before the woman dropped her own gaze to focus on someplace lower on his face, like his nose or mouth. Subtle. Most people would probably not even notice the way she avoided direct eye contact.

But then again, not many people made eye contact a challenge the way he and his colleagues did. It wasn’t on purpose, really; more of a common quirk in their personalities.

Funny, he hadn’t expected to see her again. Okay, maybe he’d been hoping to find her at Revolution MMA for those self-defense classes he’d recommended. But here she was. A weird tingle jolted through his chest.

This woman was about as non-aggressive as possible without cowering outright. Despite her upright posture, her hands hung at her sides in a loose, non-defensive position. Her left wrist was covered in a brace and it was easy to see she held something in her right hand. She was far enough back on the landing to easily drop down a step or two without having to back up more than a few inches.

But the mannerisms didn’t fit her energy, the straightness of her shoulders, or the set of her jaw. Whoever this woman was, she’d developed habits. She wasn’t a mouse by nature. He wouldn’t be as irritated to see these behaviors if these things came naturally to her.

Who had forced her to assume those mannerisms to survive?

“Mr. Rojas.” Her voice was steady.

Another sign of her being more than what she seemed, as far as he was concerned. The timbre was almost soothing, and he realized he’d balled his hands into fists. Well, shit. He let his hands loosen.

She presented the object she held in her right hand. “I think your daughter left this behind at the ER last night. I hope you don’t mind, but the logo for the kennels was on the inside label, so I googled the address.”

Slowly—because he didn’t want her to snatch her hand back—he took the glove from her. “Thanks.”

“The hospital lost and found was overflowing, and I wanted to make sure Boom got her glove back,” the woman continued, then bit her lip. “And I wanted to be sure to thank you.” Her cheeks took on a fascinating pale pink blush.

Caught by surprise, Rojas raised his eyebrows. “Me?”

Maybe his tone had been the right encouragement, because she looked up again, her gaze meeting his, and the chemistry shocked him right down to his toes, hitting every vital organ—including his balls—along the way.

Blue-gray, cool as a calm day out on the water, her gaze held his. “You were very kind last night, and I didn’t thank you then. I try to thank the kind people I meet. So thank you.”

Rojas cleared his throat. “You’re welcome.”

He didn’t know what else to say. He’d only given her some ice, a cup of coffee, and a card about the martial arts center. Boom had a good sense for people, and when she’d said the woman needed the referral for the self-defense classes, he’d been inclined to agree.

She broke their eye contact, and he felt the loss as if someone had broken the circuit on an electrical current. “I should be going now.”

“Wait.” He didn’t know what made him ask her to. But she paused, balanced on the balls of her feet at the edge of the landing. He was sure if he didn’t catch her now she’d be gone for good. “I didn’t get your name.”

“Oh.” She turned to face him. Another sign that she’d learned caution but she wasn’t afraid by nature. She was open. A people person. Or at least more of one than he was. “Elisa Hall.”

*****

Review:

I loved Extreme Honor and was super excited to know more about Alex. And Drake didn’t disappoint … until the end of the book. I’m going to give some potentially major spoilers so stop reading now if you don’t want to know.

Last warning.

OK, so Elisa is running from something and she’s lucky enough to be taken in by the Hope’s Crossing crew. If you read Extreme Honor then you know what a group of serious bad-asses those guys are. All three of them are strong, smart and brave. Being the men that they are you know that they have a few hang-ups, they’ve lived and fought very hard, so they’ve seen and done things that leave some scars. And Alex isn’t any different. He’s battling some PTSD but he’s trying to keep it together for his daughter, who he isn’t afraid to show he loves with everything he is. And she’s a pretty kickin’ kid because of it. She’s saucy and quick and fun; a definitely highlight of the story.

When he runs across Elisa it is very clear that she’s trying to escape from something but his work with the dogs has taught him patience and insight. Offering her a job helps her get her feet under her and hopefully some time so she can figure out what to do. And maybe Alex can figure out what he can do to help. But the man she’s running from is powerful, connected and smart, which makes Elisa afraid to stay for too long or let anyone get too close. Alex (and Boom & Souze) is hard to resist so she finds herself getting involved and letting him in.

Up to this point, everything is going great and he’s showing what a fantastic hero he is. **Spoilers** She’s understandably wary but slowly both are making progress to trusting each other and letting their attraction turn into more … until Alex completely does a 180 and punks out. A “friend” from Elisa’s past makes an appearance, says a few things that push Alex’s buttons, and he walks away. Granted Elisa hasn’t shared everything about her past, but enough for him to know that leaving her alone is a VERY bad idea. But he does it anyway, which of course means she’s vulnerable to be taken by the man she’s trying to escape. *sigh* Why?!? I know that he’s feeling like maybe he’s been had but he’s smart & experienced enough that I would have expected him to pull out and regroup but not leaver her there alone and unprotected with someone from her past who magically has found her all the way across the country. When she’s been on the run for a long time and obviously scared of being found. Ugh! I can see where it works for the plot to have her alone but surely there was another way? Because I lost a lot of respect for him at that moment. And she just forgives him afterward. I’d be so beyond pissed!

If you made it this far I’ll say that you may be more understanding of his position than I was. I kinda get where Drake was going and can almost understand but I feel like these guys should be more than average. I’m giving the book 3.5 stars because about 90% of it is fantastic, as good as Extreme Honor, but the ending just killed it for me. I’m looking forward to giving the next book a go because I’m hoping that this was just a one off thing.

*****

Author Info:

Now, PJ is exploring the complexity of romantic suspense, incorporating her interests in mixed martial arts and the military into her writing.

*****

Spotlight – Boyfriend by the Book

19 Tuesday Jul 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Boyfriend by the Book, Laura Briggs

I’m so glad that Laura Briggs stopped by today to share her newest book – I’m sure this one is going to appeal to just about every romance reader out there! Love the idea of using fictional romances as dating advice 🙂

*****

I want to thank Julie for agreeing to feature Boyfriend By the Book on her lovely website. I had so much fun writing this book and I hope that readers will have that same kind of feeling should they choose to pick up a copy. If you can’t already tell from the blurb and the excerpt, this a Romantic Comedy that puts the heroine in lots of disastrous situations with men. Specifically, men who resemble book heroes, such as Mr. Rochester, Heathcliff, and (of course!) Mr. Darcy. But it’s not a storybook scenario for poor Jodi–which makes it a lot more humorous, of course. If you love fast-paced, lighthearted romances then check out Boyfriend By the Book–it’s perfect for curling up with on a rainy day or sitting by the pool–or just wherever!

*****

Boyfriend by the Book

by Laura Briggs

Blurb:

Jodi Nichols isn’t the most romantic girl on the planet. She doesn’t get mushy over fictional love stories, or picture herself getting swept away by a handsome hero. She’s much too grounded in reality—and much too busy working as a concierge at the luxurious Regent hotel. Helping customers is Jodi’s passion in life, and while romance may be on the back burner for now, she is nursing a little crush on Levi, the cute and friendly deliveryman for the hotel packages. And unless she’s imagining things, Levi feels the same way about her.

But Jodi’s friends think she’s turning into a lonely workaholic. They try to fix her love life, buying her a copy of the bestselling relationship guide that claims women can find true love by channeling the wisdom of famous storybook heroines. Jodi thinks it sounds crazy—no way is she acting like Jane Eyre or Lizzie Bennet to find a man! But when Levi suddenly grows distant and Jodi’s chances with him seem to fizzle before her eyes, she wonders if her friends might have a point after all. Disheartened and lonely, she decides to give the so-called relationship guide a whirl, with unexpected consequences.

Before you can say ‘Pride and Prejudice’, Jodi is up to her neck in handsome, brooding men that seem too much like fictional heroes to be true. Her attempts to think like the greatest heroines in romance lead her to meet everything from a modern Mr. Rochester to an angsty Heathcliff, and even a Darcy-esque novelist. But when a former crush re-enters her life in the form of a modern day Romeo, Jodi wonders if there might be something to this ‘inner heroine’ thing after all. Now, if she could just stop thinking about Levi, then maybe her happy-ever-after will fall into place…or is something still missing from Jodi’s storybook romance?

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30973981-boyfriend-by-the-book?from_search=true

*****

Excerpt:

“Pride and Prejudice or Jane Eyre?”

Stephanie waved the DVDs around like bait, waiting for us to vote. My mouth was full of popcorn, and Monique was talking on her cell phone—as usual. That left Kristen, who claims to have read Pride and Prejudice the novel more than fifty times. Guess which movie she chose.

Romance movie night. This was how my circle of friends loved to kill a Friday evening that wasn’t spent on a date. Or, for that matter, any free evening. They squeezed into my cozy apartment, a spot which was always a jumble of books, magazine collages, and other clutter that I had collected over the years. I loved big stuffed armchairs and my chintz sofa with its brightly-colored pillows was oversized and comfy — that was the reason they picked my place, I felt. That, and my special popcorn made with a light dusting of garlic and chipotle.

This evening, however, was the beginning of where everything went wrong for me, not that I knew it at the time. I thought it was just another innocent movie night, which proves I’m not psychic in the least — otherwise, if I had seen the future, I would have ejected that DVD and opted for a horror movie instead.

“Wouldn’t you kill to be Lizzie for a day?” Kristen asked, pulling her blond layers into a ponytail as Jane Austen’s characters shared an elegant dance on the screen. “You’d spend all your time drinking tea and going to parties at English manor houses.”

I was pretty sure that wasn’t an accurate description of Regency life, but Kristen would just roll her eyes if I said that. You’re being a spoilsport, Jodi, she would say. Next to me on the carpet, Stephanie wore a dreamy smile, chin propped on her knees. “I could do tea and dancing for awhile,” she decided. “I mean, who couldn’t?”

“Sure, you could,” Monique quipped. She was curled up on the sofa behind us, laying claim to my plushiest throw pillow, a pink one embroidered with flowers. “Someone like me would be stuck serving the tea or cleaning up the mess that’s left after the ball,” she added, with a reference to her dark skin and sleek, black hair with its natural kink tamed by a salon. “Plus, electricity and plumbing weren’t invented yet. Think about it, girls.”

We shared a collective giggle for this. Stephanie reached for the popcorn bowl, exclaiming over the fact it was almost empty. “What, did you guys skip dinner or something?” she asked. Stephanie herself eats like a bird and has the figure to prove it — skinny and sleek, perfect for her red hair and ceramic skin. Grabbing the bowl, she headed towards the kitchen, muttering something about bad manners. Meanwhile, on the screen, Darcy and Lizzie shared a look fraught with significance.

“Can’t you just picture yourself in Lizzie’s place?” Kristen asked, still clinging to her fantasy.

I tried to summon a vision of myself in a beautiful empire-waist gown like the one in the movie, but it didn’t work. All I could think of was my uniform at the hotel. Knee-length black skirt, a matching vest and silk tie over my crisp white blouse. My dark hair in a neat ponytail as I asked Mr. Darcy if he wanted a pot of tea sent up to his room, or needed additional clean towels? I smiled at the ludicrous thought.

“I just think foregoing modern conveniences would be worth it to dance with Mr. Darcy,” Kristen continued. “Don’t you think so, Jodi?”

“Not really,” I admitted, reluctantly. “I mean, I can’t really picture it. It’s just a story, after all.”

Bad choice of words.

*****

Author Info:

Laura Briggs’ first stories were written in crayon about a rooster named Henry–but she was pretty young at the time, so it’s understandable. She eventually graduated to writing more complex plotlines and characters and writing her stories on a laptop. She tends to write stories with a romance edge, but as a reader she has a soft spot for mysteries, including those by Agatha Christie and Mary Roberts Rinehart. She also enjoys books by Jane Austen, Alexander McCall Smith, Anne Tyler, Amy Tan, and too many others to name. In her free time, she likes to experiment with new recipes and tries to landscape her yard (a never-ending project).

Author website: http://paperdollwrites.blogspot.com/

Twitter link: https://twitter.com/PaperDollWrites

*****