Spotlight – No Other Duke But You

03 Friday May 2019

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I’m so happy to have Valerie Bowman here to answer a few questions and give us a look at her new book!

*****

Q: How is NO OTHER DUKE BUT YOU, your upcoming novel, different than your previous novels, or can you say anything more about it?

A: NO OTHER DUKE BUT YOU is the final book in the Playful Brides series. It’s book #11, and while it can be read as a standalone, I know the long-time readers of the series have been waiting for this couple’s story. Delilah is my most asked about heroine.

Q: Where did you get your inspiration from for NO OTHER DUKE BUT YOU?

A: Most of the books in the Playful Brides series are inspired by famous plays. This one is inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which is one of my favorites. I’ve had the plot in mind for a long time.

Q: What makes Lady Delilah and Lord Thomas special? Can you say anything more about them?

A: Delilah is sassy, unconventional, and a bit of a mess compared to the other young ladies on the marriage mart. But she has a heart of gold and good intentions to be the best matchmaker in the land, until it’s time for her own match to be made, of course! Thomas is her best friend who has been madly (and secretly) in love with her for years. He appreciates her for who she is.

Q: Who would you cast for Delilah and Thomas in the movie version?

A: I love this question! I’ve set up a Pinterest board for the entire Playful Brides series with the pictures of who I think of as the main characters. In my mind, Delilah looks like Ellen Page and Thomas is Justin Bartha.

Q: What is one thing the heroine, Delilah, can’t live without?

A: Sigh. Thomas. Though she doesn’t know it at first.

Q: NO OTHER DUKE BUT YOU is the last novel in your wonderful Playful Brides series. How do you feel about the series coming to an end?

A: I’ve loved these characters for years and it’s bittersweet to see the series end, but I’m also looking forward to writing something new!

Q: Would you say it was more or less difficult writing NO OTHER DUKE BUT YOU knowing it’s the last in the series?

A: Yes! I was worried that the readers wouldn’t like it or think it’s a fitting end to the series. But in the end, I wrote the book I wanted to write to wrap up the series and I can’t wait to share it with everyone!

Q: If you could work with any other famous author, who would it be and why?

A: Lisa Kleypas! She’s just my all-time favorite. Love, love, love all of her books.

Q: What was your favorite scene you wrote, and why?

A: I don’t want to give anything away. But there is a scene involving some magic perfume and sneaking around at a country house late at night and it was just pure fun to write the fall out after that.

Q: What was the hardest scene to write in NO OTHER DUKE BUT YOU, and why?

A: Oh, the last chapter. Not the epilogue, but the last chapter. I wanted it to be perfect. The epilogue is something I’ve had in mind for ages so that was simple.

Q: When working on a manuscript, is it easy for you to keep separate ideas for other projects, or what strategies do you use to stay focused?

A: I usually just jot down a new idea and file it in a folder on my computer. I don’t let much distract me from what I’m working on at the moment. But I always seem to get a new idea when I’m fading off to sleep or driving. It’s never convenient. Ha!

Q: How did you come up with the idea of a love potion to get Delilah and Thomas’s romance rolling?

A: It’s inspired by the love potion in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which is just a purely fun play that I adore!

Q: Are you currently working on any other projects you would like to share with your readers?

A: Yes! I’m working on a contemporary romantic comedy called HIRING MR. DARCY. It’s about a history professor who has two weeks to turn her brother’s hot best friend into a suitable Darcy for a competition in Bath, England so she can beat her ex and his new starlet girlfriend. It’ll be out this year! I’m also noodling over a new Regency series that’s going to be outrageous fun!

Q: Do you have a final comment you would like to give your readers?

A: If you read NO OTHER DUKE BUT YOU, I’d love to hear what you think! You can find me at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com where there are links to email me, tweet me, or find me on Facebook or Instagram.

*****

No Other Duke But You

Playful Brides series

by Valerie Bowman

Blurb:

A lady with a love potion. A Duke who takes it by mistake. Romance and mischief ensues when plans go awry in No Other Duke But You by Valerie Bowman.

SINGLE LADY SEEKS DUKE

Lady Delilah Montebank has her marital sights set on the Duke of Branville. There’s just one problem: he barely knows she exists. But no matter, she’s got a plan to win him over with her charm, her wit—and perhaps the love potion she has in her possession wouldn’t hurt her cause…

Lord Thomas Hobbs, Duke of Huntley, thinks his best friend Delilah’s quest to become a duchess is ridiculous. He’s always said he’d rather give up all the brandy in London than commit to one person for life. Besides, he knows that Delilah’s love potion can’t possibly win over Branville…since she accidentally gave it to him instead. But perhaps this is the excuse he needs to show her he’s always loved her…

Delilah can’t believe she gave the potion to the wrong duke. Then again, Delilah could do a lot worse than win the hand of her handsome best friend. Could it be that the right duke has been before her eyes all along?

Buy-Book Links: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250121684

*****

Excerpt:

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Delilah glanced up and down the dim hallway. It was well past three in the morning, she was still dressed in the pink ball gown she’d worn to the party, and she clutched the small vial of Cupid’s Elixir in her sweaty, guilty palm. She pressed her back against the shadowed wall not far from the Duke of Branville’s bedchamber. She could do this. More importantly, she would do this. She’d come this far, hadn’t she? What did a little sneaking about in the middle of the night matter?

She’d got detailed instructions to Branville’s room from Derek, who thankfully hadn’t asked any questions about why she wanted to know. According to him, the room was four doors to the right, just past the staircase on the third floor. The third floor was where all the bachelor gentlemen were sleeping. It would be a complete scandal if she was found lurking about alone at this time of night, but she’d waited until the household seemed quite asleep and then waited a bit longer for good measure. Anyone who saw her now would be skulking about themselves, which meant they would hardly be in a position to judge her. She briefly wondered if she’d run into Lavinia.

It was not as if she was out to do anything particularly scandalous. It was more silly and frivolous than anything else. She’d simply die, however, if Branville woke up and asked her what she was doing sprinkling pixie water in his eyes. She’d already decided to pretend as if she were dreaming, thinking she was Puck in the play. Sleepwalking. That would make all the sense in the world. Wouldn’t it? She swallowed hard. Probably not, but she wasn’t about to let the fear of being caught stop her. Besides, all of her and Lucy’s matchmaking had turned into a colossal mess. If a spray of perfume could sort it out, so be it. Of course, Delilah’s conscience reminded her that she hadn’t offered any of the perfume to Rebecca to use on Thomas. She didn’t want to even contemplate that. She’d already shared it with one other person, and that made her guilty enough. The image of Madame Rosa’s disapproving, craggy face had haunted her all evening.

Delilah shook off the thought and turned her attention back to the matter at hand. Pressing her empty palm against the darkened wall, she inched her way along until she came to Branville’s door. She felt like a spy. This was how professional spies did such things, wasn’t it? Too bad she was too embarrassed by her actions to ask the veritable house full of professional spies who happened to be asleep behind other doors right now.

She transferred the vial into her opposite hand and slowly reached to grasp the door handle. The metal was cold in her bare hand. She’d discarded her gloves, deciding that they would make her actions more clumsy. The last thing she needed tonight was to be more clumsy than usual. Decidedly, she needed to be less so.

She clutched the door handle like a lifeline and closed her eyes, steadying her shaking fingers on the knob. She was close, so close. Praying that the door wouldn’t squeak, she turned the handle slowly. The only sound was the thumping of her own heart in her ears.

When the handle was turned as far as it would go, she pushed it, praying fervently that it wasn’t locked. It took a moment before she realized the door was opening. Its hinges silent, merci a Dieu. Completely silent.

She slipped inside the cool, dark room. Steady, deep breathing came from the bed. Thank goodness, she hadn’t woken the duke with her entrance. She could barely see a thing, but she didn’t dare light a candle. A tiny stream of moonlight filtered into the room through a small opening in the curtains on the far window. She used that to identify the hulking bed in the center of the room. She tiptoed over to it slowly, taking care in case there was anything to trip over. No doubt she would find it if there was.

She made it to the foot of the bed without incident and paused, trying to quell her nerves and dispel her guilt. She clutched the vial more tightly in her palm, shaking with fear and anxiety. Now that she was here, she had no earthly idea how to drop liquid on a man’s eyes without awakening him. Besides, how much of it was she supposed to use? Surely not much. She would employ the tiniest drops possible so as not to disturb him, but she also needed to ensure the perfume touched his eyelids. Tricky business, this being a fairy. She had a sudden appreciation for Puck.

Holding her breath, she lifted her skirts with her free hand and tiptoed to the right side of the bed. Because it was summer, the bed curtains weren’t drawn. The window was open, and a slight breeze blew through the crack in the curtains.

The outline of the duke’s body was barely visible in the moonlight. He was turned away on his side, his back to her, his face toward the window. She would have to lean over his body to sprinkle the elixir on his eyes. The bed was tall. She must carefully climb up to do this task properly. She only hoped she didn’t jostle the mattress enough to wake him.

She waited in silence for a few moments to ensure his breathing remained steady, then she carefully lifted first one knee and then the other, bracing them on the mattress and pulling herself up, still clutching the vial. She winced as he moved slightly in his sleep, but he kept his face turned away. Blast it.

Once she was fully atop the bed, she paused and hoped the hammering of her heart didn’t wake him. He smelled good, a combination of soap and maleness that she wanted to breathe in. There was something vaguely familiar about his scent.

Shaking away that unhelpful thought, she moved gingerly across the mattress on her knees until she came to a stop at his side. His shirt was off. The beam of moonlight hit his smooth, muscled arm. She swallowed. The man’s chest was positively swoon-worthy. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves and uncorked the vial. Then she carefully leaned over as far as she could to locate his eyes. They remained shrouded in the dark, but she took a guess as to their general direction and tipped the little vial as slowly and carefully as she could. He turned then, and she was afforded enough light to see that the first tiny drop of liquid did indeed fall directly onto his eyelid.

He blinked, and she held her breath. When he settled back into sleep, she closed her eyes and said a brief prayer that she would get away with it a second time before tipping the vial once more to allow another tiny drop to fall on his other eyelid.

He blinked and rubbed at his eyes while Delilah held her breath again, paralyzed with fear. Soon, he settled back into his pillow and his breathing returned to its steady pace.

She pressed a hand to her throat. It was over. She was done. All she had to do was extract herself from the bed and the room without being seen or heard. The difficult part was behind her.

Still praying he wouldn’t stir, she backed away from the duke. Slowly. Slowly. She’d nearly made it to the edge of the bed when he flipped over to face her. A beam of moonlight slid over his sleeping features.

Delilah gasped.

From No Other Duke But You. Copyright © 2019 by Valerie Bowman and reprinted with permission from St. Martin’s Paperbacks.

*****

Author Info:

Valerie Bowman grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family including her mini-schnauzers, Huckleberry and Violet. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.

Find her at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com

*****

Spotlight – Getting Hot with the Scot

02 Thursday May 2019

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Sexy Scot … sign me up!

*****

Getting Hot with the Scot

A Sometimes in Love Novel

by Melonie Johnson

Blurb:

The first in a new series, a journalist focused on her career and a sexy Scottish comedian turn a one night stand into forever.

Cassie Crow leaves for vacation with two goals: fill up her empty charm bracelet and have a one night stand. For once, she wants to have fun instead of obsessively checking her work email. And kissing a man in a castle who’s dressed as a Scottish Highlander is the perfect solution.

Except when that man turns out to be Logan Reid, the host of a popular sketch show—and Cassie has just been roped into his latest prank. She wants nothing to do with his antics, but that was a really great kiss, and one night together couldn’t hurt.

It’s clear that one night isn’t enough and when Logan’s show brings him closer to Cassie, they decide to give dating a try. Can the woman who’s focused solely on her career and the man who refuses to take life seriously make it work?

Buy this book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250193094

*****

Excerpt:

Would you look at that? The man is wearing a kilt.

Note to self: Cassie Crow—be careful what you wish for.

The man groaned again and raised a hand to shield his eyes from the sunlight now cutting across the hidden alcove.

“Are you all right?”

“I will be fine once ye douse that blasted light.” He squinted up at her. “Be ye a new chambermaid?”

Chambermaid? She eyed the wide sleeves and open neck of the old-fashioned piratey shirt he wore. “Not sure what kind of weird-ass stuff you’re into buddy, but I don’t do RPG.”

“Weird . . . ass?” His dark red brows drew together as he shaped his mouth around the letters. “Are pee gee?”

“Role playing games. You know, like cosplay or what- ever.” She pointed at him. “Look, you’re the one wearing that get-up and talking like a reject from Macbeth.”

He narrowed his eyes at her finger. “Be ye a witch?” “What did you call me?”

With another groan, he lurched forward. Oh God, what if he was hurt? For all she knew he was a member of some historic castle tour who got lost in a back passageway and hit his head. She leaned down to inspect him for bruises.

He threw a hand out, palm up, warding her off. “Back away, sorceress,” he hissed.

“Seriously?” She slapped his hand out of the way. “Here, let me help you out of there.” Cassie tugged gently on his shoulder. The voluminous shirt was loose, but she could feel—and appreciate—the thick spread of muscle beneath the soft fabric.

Just my luck, I finally run into a hot Highlander, and he’s delusional.

The man waved off her assistance and struggled to his feet, shaking a wild tousle of thick, red hair out of his eyes. Cassie never fancied herself to be a ginger girl, but it worked on him . . . or maybe that was the kilt talking. She eyed the swath of plaid fabric wrapped around his hips and wondered, like any female in her position would, what might or might not be under there. Reluctantly, she raised her gaze and caught him scrutinizing her in return.

“What be these strange breeks ye wear?” he asked, moving in a circle around her.

Cassie swore she could feel the weight of each of his eyeballs resting on her denim-clad backside. Fair enough. After a prolonged moment, she glanced over her shoulder. “Get a good look?”

“Aye.” He swallowed. “’Tis most unseemly, lass.” He shook his head, gaze still glued to her ass.

“They’re called jeans.” She pivoted to face him. “Are you for real?”

He met her gaze, his answer falling from his lips in a deep, rich brogue with trilling r’s that curled her toes, “Aye, lass, I’m real.”

Cassie’s heart hiccupped. Of course he’s real. Unless those shots were stronger than I thought. “Were you at the whisky tasting?”

“Whisky?” His green-gold eyes lit with interest. “Do ye have whisky for me, then? I could use a wee dram. Be a good lass and fetch it for me.”

“Ha! I think you’ve had enough, mister. Is that how you ended up stuck in there?” Even as she said this, Cassie doubted it. She didn’t smell a hint of alcohol on him, though she did pick up other pleasant smells. Mint and clove and man and . . . Stop being ridiculous.

His broad shoulders lifted and dropped. “I dinna ken.” “How long were you in there?”

Another shrug.

Cassie dragged her attention away from the wide curve of his shoulders and leaned past him, inspecting the dark, narrow space behind the bookshelf.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, panic edging his voice. “Nay, lass. Doona be going in there.”

“Why not?” She inched forward and tried to get a better look.

“It canna be safe.” He tugged on her wrist again, his fingers warm and firm.

Tiny butterflies danced along the path where his skin touched hers. She brushed away the tingling sensation and slipped out of his grip, careful not to snag her bracelet. “Well, you were in there, and you appear to have man- aged.”

“Are ye daft, wench? I was trapped!”

She sniffed, not sure she liked being referred to as a wench, and frowned up at him. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

He closed his eyes and slumped against the shelf. “I canna recall anything afore the moment I woke to find myself crammed within yonder wall.” He blinked and focused intently on her. “The moment I found you, lass.”

Cassie decided she liked being called lass much better than wench, especially when he was looking at her like that. Gazes locked, her other senses sharpened, heightening her awareness of his body and its proximity to hers. She cleared her throat. “Hm. I think it’d be more accurate to say I’m the one who found you.” Telling herself she was only searching for injuries, she reached up and tentatively skimmed her palms along his temples, her fingers trailing his scalp.

“Looking for devil’s horns?” The man cocked one wicked brow at her as he raised his arms to mirror her movements, running his hands over her head and shoulders before brushing his palms down her back. “Ye’ve naught got any fairy wings, so I’d say we’re even. In fact,” he whispered against her hair, standing so close the low burr of his voice became a purr in her own chest, “ye feel perfect to me.”

Like the migrating monarchs her dad studied, the butterflies made a return trip, enveloping her in a fluttery haze. She shivered. Whether it was the Scot or the scotch or both, Cassie didn’t care. He was here and she was here, and damn it all, it was about time she skipped to the good stuff. With a forceful mental click, Cassie turned off her brain, tilted her chin up, and caught his mouth with hers.

He made a low sound in the back of his throat, of pro- test or surprise, she wasn’t sure. But then his hands settled at her waist, and he returned the kiss. His mouth was somehow soft and hard at the same time, and when he slipped his tongue between her lips, she felt more light- headed than if she’d downed every shot of whisky that had been on that tasting list.

Cassie rolled her tongue against his, savoring the delicious contact. He met her thrust for thrust, deepening the kiss until she was swept away on a tidal wave of desire. This. This is what I’ve been waiting for. She clung to him, hands gripping his shoulders, swimming in sensation, drowning in it.

*****

Author Info:

A Star Wars junkie and Shakespeare groupie who quotes both Yoda and the Bard with equal aplomb, award-winning author Melonie Johnson—aka #thewritinglush—is a two-time RWA Golden Heart® finalist who loves dark coffee, cheap wine, and expensive beer. And margaritas. And mimosas. And mules. Basically any cocktail that starts with the letter m. She met her future husband in that most romantic of places—the mall—when they were teenagers working in stores across the hall from each other. They went on to live happily ever after in the suburbs of Chicago with two redhead daughters, a dog that’s more like a small horse, and a trio of hermit crabs. After earning her Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from Loyola University Chicago, Melonie taught high school English and Theatre in the northern Chicago suburbs for several years. Now she writes smart and funny contemporary romance and moonlights as an audiobook narrator under the pseudonym, Evelyn Eibhlin.

Author website: https://meloniejohnson.com/

Author Twitter: @MelonieJohnson

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meloniejohnson/

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelonieWrites/

*****

SMP Romance Twitter: @SMPRomance or @heroesnhearts

SMP Romance Website: https://heroesandheartbreakers.com/

Spotlight – Nothing But Trouble

01 Wednesday May 2019

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I think small town romances are my absolute favorites … at least, until I open the next book 😉

*****

Nothing But Trouble

by Amy Andrews

Blurb:

For five years, PA Cecilia Morgan’s entire existence has revolved around playing “left tackle” to former NFL quarterback Wade Carter. She’s so good at her job, the man can’t even buy his own condoms! Well, today she’s giving the Worst-Boss-Ever her notice.

To say CC’s announcement was a bombshell is an insult to bombs. And horribly timed, with his publisher breathing down his neck. Not too many things defy Wade Carter. Well…except his mother. His PA. And the blinking cursor of doom.

Time to call an audible.

CC is gobsmacked. Three months in his small hometown—somewhere devoid of “female distractions,” he says—while he finishes his book, and he’ll cut her loose?! And he thinks a cowboy hat and dimpled smile and she’ll just say yes? Penalty flag.

Wade can’t believe CC and the council arranged busloads of single women to visit their dying town. She never gives up. But three Super Bowl rings prove he’s no quitter, either.

But then their fighting starts to feel a whole lot like foreplay. What’s a quarterback to do when he realizes he might be falling for his left tackle?

Time to throw a Hail Mary.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2U7s6uh

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2tyXPIS

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/NothingButTrouble

Nook: http://bit.ly/2GBi2Xb

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

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2TeZ1zT

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2Tc0NkU

–

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2Not96s

*****

Excerpt:

“I’m staying and you can’t stop me.”

Of course she couldn’t – it was his freaking island – but it didn’t mean she wasn’t going to keep trying to convince him. “Seriously? What about your work? Don’t you have other ecosystems to ruin?”

He chuckled. Who knew that near naked man chuckling while holding a bunny could be a whole other level of sexy above just plain near naked man holding a bunny. “I have a phone, the internet and a 2 IC. I’m sure we’ll manage for a few weeks.”

“Four weeks. Four.”

This was what she was worried about. What if he tried to constantly hurry them or get them off the island before they’d found homes for all the rabbits? These things took time and the island was a good base to run the re-homing project considering sparsity of nearby shelters.

There were some wildlife carers in the Doak area who had been lined up to take on any kits and their mothers but the nearest shelter was the ABL one in Denver, over a two hour drive away.

The rabbits were all going to have to go to there anyway for neutering – the ABL desexed all their rabbits before re-homing them – but Gus wanted as many of the adoptable rabbits to be allocated to families before they left the island.

“Sorry, sorry, yes.” He held up his hands to placate her. “I was just approximating. Don’t worry, my company can do without me for four weeks. So…” He shrugged one shoulder. “I’m all yours.”

Gus’s gaze was drawn to the movement and the way Rambo’s little twitchy nose was a millimeter or two away from Marshall’s nipple. Annoyed at her apparent weakness where he was concerned, she threw him a glare. She really hadn’t wanted to mention what happened last night but he was leaving her no choice.

“Let me guess. You’re thinking if you stay there’ll be more of what happened last night, right? More…kissing? Maybe a lot more than that?”

He grinned bigger. “It was a pretty amazing kiss.”

Gus wasn’t about to go into the merits of the kiss. They both knew it’d been hotter than a steam bath in the Bijou. She needed to dismiss it, to neutralize it’s power. “So?” She lifted a shoulder. “We have chemistry.”

“Yeah.” He nodded, his gaze intent. “We do.”

“But guess what, Marshall? We’re adults. We don’t have to be slaves to biology. We just say no.”

“No?” He gave her an incredulous look that totally called bullshit on that. “Really?”

“Yes. Really. This isn’t the set of Love Island, Marshall.”

A sexy half laugh slid from his lips. “Well that’s a relief.”

Gus pursed her lips. Right. Of course. Evil Elmer with his sexy rough hands was just like all the other guys who wanted to bag, brag and move on.

“It’s not Sex Island, either.”

He regarded her for long moments, stroking Rambo rhythmically. Gus was pretty sure she could see a little trickle of rabbit drool pooling in the corner of his mouth. Clearly Rambo was also a fan of those big, thick, rough fingers.

“Are you going to tell the bunnies or am I?”

“The bunnies are slaves to biology. They get a pass.”

“Lucky bunnies.”

“What’s the matter, Marshall?” she demanded. “Can’t keep your libido in check for four lousy weeks?”

His cocked eyebrow mocked her a little. “Can you?”

Considering she regularly went months without sex, Gus was crazy confident on that score. “I have a black belt in libido control.”

“Well now,” he murmured. “That is a shame.”

“Is there a reason you’re obfuscating?”

He laughed. “Well clearly to hear you say that word for one.”

“Marshall.” Gus’s patience was hanging by a thread.

“Okay, okay.” He held up his hand in a placatory gesture. “I can control myself for four weeks. Just to clarify, though, this doesn’t involve sex with ourselves, right?”

Gus had not been expecting that question and the image it put in her head took her by storm. She’d already seen his cock, seen the way he cupped himself. How much more exciting would it be to watch that big hand of his sliding up and down, pleasuring himself? Getting himself off.

Masturbating.

Gus shut her eyes and tried to erase the picture from her mind. When she opened them again, he was watching her, a broad grin stretched across his face. “You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?”

Ignoring his question she threw him a nonchalant look. “You can have as much sex with yourself as you like. Do we have a deal?”

He looked like he was going to continue to find ways to obfuscate some more for a moment but then he sighed and said, “Fine. No kissing. No sex.”

Relief flowed like cool water through her veins as she raised her coffee mug to him in salute. “Thank you.”

*****

Author Info:

Amy is an Aussie author of hot contemporary romance who believes in multiple orgasms, mighty wangs and happily ever afters. She’s been penning them for over twenty years and has 70+ books to her name.

As well as unforgettable characters and great sex you’ll also be treated to some laughs and a dollop of quirk because Amy doesn’t seem to know how to write a book without a bit of both. You might also cry a little because there’s nothing she loves more than a laughy-criey book!

She also loves sunsets and rainbows, unicorns and mermaids, booze and travel. And her home that overlooks the ocean. She may also happen to believe she was a Roman goddess in her past life because its the only thing that explains her adoration for all things Italy.

Connect with Amy

Instagram:@amyandrewsbooks http://bit.ly/2Z7Ss28

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

Twitter: @amyandrewsbooks http://bit.ly/2uYHcqQ

Pinterest: http://bit.ly/2Ssnmh9

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2Su0Owi

Website: http://amyandrews.com.au/

*****

Spotlight – Entangled

29 Monday Apr 2019

Posted by in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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I absolutely  LUH-UV a second chance romance and this one looks like it is going to be a humdinger of a good one!

*****

Entangled

by J.S. Scott

Release Date: April 30, 2019

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Blurb:

Aiden Sinclair was a commercial fisherman before he suddenly came into his billionaire inheritance—not that he’s complaining. Being a Sinclair does have its perks. But things were simpler before the money. He may have been dirt poor, but he loved his job and fully intended to always come back from the sea to his girlfriend, Skye Weston, so they could move toward something more permanent. Or at least that had been the plan . . . until he returned from a two-month fishing trip to discover she had moved away and was marrying somebody else. It tore his world apart.

Now Skye’s back in town after nearly a decade. She’s a single mother and just as beautiful as ever. However, for some odd reason, she appears to hate him, when it should be Aiden who wants nothing to do with the woman who dumped him. Unfortunately, more than nine years of separation have done nothing to put a damper on their white-hot chemistry. But even if those feelings are real, Skye has been keeping secrets. The truth of the past is about to come to light, and there is so much more at stake than just Aiden’s heart.

 AMAZON (US) | AMAZON (CA) | AMAZON (UK) | AMAZON (AU) | GOOD READS

*****

Excerpt:

My heart sank as I realized there was only one seat available at the dinner table.

That’s what I get for running late.

Every chair was taken except the one next to him.

Aiden Sinclair.

The man I’d been trying to avoid ever since I’d come back to Citrus Beach, California, permanently with my daughter, Maya.

He was the thorn in my side.

He was the only part of moving home after almost a decade away that I hated.

He was dangerous.

And I never let myself forget that for even a moment.

I sighed in resignation as I looked around the enormous table—like I was suddenly going to see another vacant place.

Not going to happen. My timing and my luck had never been all that good, so why should that change now?

“Come sit next to Aiden, Skye,” my best friend, Jade Sinclair, requested from her spot next to her billionaire fiancé, Eli Stone.

Jade and Eli were the reason I was here. The only reason. We were two weeks away from their wedding ceremony, and this was an impromptu get-together for everyone involved in planning the festivities or included in the wedding party. Eli’s home in Citrus Beach had been the logical place to meet up since his house was bigger than Jade’s.

Honestly, almost everyone here had the last name of Sinclair except for Jade’s fiancé, Eli’s mother, and Jade’s twin sister, Brooke, since she was wedded to Liam Sullivan now, and … me.

I was still Skye Weston, even though I’d been married and divorced. I’d changed my name back to my maiden name soon after my ex-husband had been put in prison for life.

I looked around the table again, amazed that one family could take up so much space. I was the only child of a mother who had been a single parent, so the Sinclair family was so different from my own.

I’d been an only child, a lonely kid.

Even now, my daughter was really all I had.

How could a family this size not take up a lot of room? Jade had four brothers, and a twin sister. Her half-siblings, cousins, and a bunch of other family hadn’t even shown up yet from the East Coast, and the large dining room was full.

I started making my way slowly down the table reluctantly after I shot a fake smile at Jade. I didn’t want her to know that sitting next to Aiden would be torture for me.

“Sorry I’m late,” I said in a voice loud enough to carry to my best friend. “I got hung up at the restaurant.”

When wasn’t I delayed by work at the Weston Café? I’d put every available moment and penny I had into getting the little diner I’d inherited from my deceased mother to turn a profit.

The only thing more important than work was my daughter, Maya.

I finally sat my ass down, and smiled at Seth, another one of Jade’s older brothers, who was sitting on my left.

I completely avoided looking to my right since I was determined to ignore Aiden.

“How are you doing, Skye?” Seth queried politely.

“I’m good,” I lied.

I’d be doing a lot better if I wasn’t forced into sitting next to Aiden.

*****

Author Info:

J.S. “Jan” Scott is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of numerous contemporary and paranormal romances, including the Sinclairs and the Accidental Billionaires series. She’s an avid reader of all types of books and literature, but romance has always been her genre of choice—so she writes what she loves to read: stories that are almost always steamy, generally feature an alpha male, and have a happily ever after, because she just can’t seem to write them any other way! Jan loves to connect with readers. Visit her website at www.authorjsscott.com.

Website: http://authorjsscott.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorJSScott

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2777016.J_S_Scott

*****

Giveaway:

$25 Amazon Gift Card and Digital Copy of J.S. Scott’s ENTANGLED

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/07c2363f224/

*****

Spotlight – Hide and Seek

26 Friday Apr 2019

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Who else loves a good romantic suspense?!?

*****

Profiling FBI Profiler Macy Crow

Special Agent Macy Crow is 33-years-old and is an accomplished FBI Agent.  She’s worked a series of high profile cases across the United States and isn’t afraid to take chances. When her father was murdered, she headed to Texas to investigate the crime. Following clues left behind by her father, she was closing in on the killer when she became the victim of a hit and run accident.

Most would have died from the injuries Macy sustained or would have been permanently disabled. However, Macy channeled her extreme ability to focus into her recovery. Though her fit muscles have softened during her recovery, she is regaining strength each day and is now laser-focused on returning to the  FBI as a field agent. Before her accident, she had shoulder length blond hair but the brain surgeons who saved her life cut off all her hair. She now proudly sports a pixie cut.

When Macy returned to Texas, she learned a startling fact about herself. She has an identical twin—medical examiner Dr. Faith McIntyre. Though adopted by different families, the sisters already have a strong connection.

Macy’s adoptive parents split when she was two and she moved from Texas to Alexandria, Virginia located outside of Washington, D.C. Over the years she remained close with her father and spent many summers with him helping repair old cars on his auto salvage lot. In Alexandria, she and her mother lived in a large apartment complex. When she was young, a neighborhood girl was murdered. That tragedy had a very profound affect on Macy, who discovered she wasn’t afraid of the police and FBI agents swarming the apartment complex. Instead, she was fascinated by their work and not only watched law enforcement in action but also walked the actual crime scene herself in search of clues.

Macy has never been married and has no children. For a long time, she considered herself married to her job and it wasn’t until she met FBI Special Agent Mike Nevada that she reconsidered her single status. However, her accident cut short their romance. Nevada is now the sheriff in a small Virginia town in the Shenandoah Valley. He understands Macy’s need to reclaim the FBI job she has always loved so much. In the last year, he has never forgotten her and is committed to helping regain her old life. When the two are paired on a cold case murder investigation in Nevada’s district, they become an unstoppable team.

*****

Hide and Seek

by Mary Burton

Release Date: April 23, 2019

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Blurb:

Special Agent Macy Crow is a survivor. After a vicious hit-and-run nearly kills her, she gets right back to work, and now she’s gunning for a spot on the FBI’s elite profiling team. As an audition, she offers to investigate the recently discovered bones of Tobi Turner, a high school girl who disappeared fifteen years ago.

While investigating with local sheriff Mike Nevada, a former colleague and onetime lover, Macy discovers a link between Tobi’s case and several others that occurred around the same time as her disappearance. As Macy interviews victims and examines old cases, she uncovers a sinister picture of a stalker who graduated to sexual assault—and then murder.

Macy and Nevada race to put this monster behind bars before he can come out of hiding. But the murderer’s had years to hone his skills, and soon Macy herself becomes a target. She’s no stranger to pain and terror, but will Macy’s first profiling case be her last?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Blio | Books A Million | Audible

*****

Excerpt:

Vivid blue sky, white clouds, and golden fall leaves blanketed the Blue Ridge and Allegheny mountains and created a picture-perfect day in the valley. In Macy’s book, the beauty was wasted. If she had God’s ear, today would have been cold, overcast, and damp. Save the pretty days until she caught this killer.

As she drove south down I-81, Macy mentally replayed her ten minutes of regional research. In the last couple of decades, the Shenandoah Valley’s population had ballooned thanks to a growing university, its proximity to Washington, DC, and a thriving tourism trade peddling vineyards, Civil War battlefields, and railroad museums. Filling in the economic gaps were warehouse distribution centers, chain hotels, and strip malls.

The voice of Macy’s GPS cut through AC/DC’s Back in Black blasting from her playlist and instructed her to take the upcoming exit toward Deep Run. As she rolled onto Route 250, a sign for her go-to fast-food eatery gave her an excuse to stretch her legs before driving the remaining ten miles to the crime scene.

Parking, she gingerly rose up out of the car. Her leg hurt. Stretches weren’t optional any more. She grabbed her ankle and pulled until the bunched muscles in her thigh released. After a quick walk around the lot, she made a beeline for the restaurant bathroom.

She glanced into the mirror as she washed her hands. Even after five months, she still didn’t recognize the woman with the short hair and thin face.

Nevada was in for a rude awakening.

She wiped her face with a paper towel. “Macy Crow, you’re above ground and headed in the right direction. That’s what counts.”

At the counter, she ordered a supersize bucket of fries and a large soda. It wasn’t that she loved the food—okay, maybe she did love the fries—but the chain restaurant’s predictability and sameness was comforting after so many life changes.

A few fries later, she was in her car and backing out of her space when her phone rang. Nevada’s number appeared. She cleared her throat and sat a little taller.

“Agent Macy Crow,” she said.

“Ramsey tells me you’re on your way. Where are you?”

He was direct, rarely charming, and she always knew where she stood with him. “Fifteen minutes from the barn.”

“I’m here now.”

The transition back into a working relationship appeared effortless. Whatever they had was over and done. No hard feelings.

“See you soon,” she said.

En route on the interstate, she ate her fries and drained her soda. There were no guarantees on when the next meal would be.

The last few miles took her down smaller roads until she spotted the driveway marked by stacked stones. Gravel crunched under her tires as she passed a freshly cleared field. Over the rise of a hill, she saw the old barn encircled by yellow crime scene tape.

When she had been researching the area, slogans such as “Best Quality of Life” and “Raise Your Family in Deep Run” popped up on her computer screen. As she had read about the area, she had kept glancing toward her open case file filled with images of Tobi Turner’s scattered bones. Recent pictures had captured the barn surrounded by dozens of state and local law enforcement vehicles crammed side by side in the grassy field.

Now as Macy parked, she noted that all the vehicles were gone expect for a lone black SUV. She grabbed her Glock from the glove box, holstered it, and stepped out of her car. Her worn hiking boots sloshed in the damp muddy soil. She tugged on an FBI windbreaker and draped her FBI credentials around her neck. As a stiff breeze blew a lingering chill and autumn scents, she checked her pockets for latex gloves, sunglasses, a small pocketknife, and pendant light.

Edginess and excitement fused as she strode toward the stretch of yellow tape and searched for Nevada. She ducked under the tape and stepped inside the barn.

*****

Author Info:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling novelist Mary Burton is the highly praised author of twenty-six romance and suspense novels and five novellas. She lives in Virginia with her husband and three miniature dachshunds.

Website: https://www.maryburton.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaryBurtonBooks

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15020.Mary_Burton

*****

Giveaway:

$25 Amazon Gift Card and Digital Copy of Mary Burton’s HIDE AND SEEK

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/07c2363f222/

*****

Spotlight – Stay with Me

25 Thursday Apr 2019

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I think I’d do just about anything those eyes asked of me …!

*****

Stay With Me

by K.L. Grayson

Blurb:

Stay with me.

Three simple words.

One impossible request.

I’ve loved Allie McCallister for as long as I can remember. Her happiness and well-being mean more to me than anything else, which is why when the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself, I had to take it. Three months was such a short amount of time to be apart to provide the financial stability we needed to start our lives.

It wasn’t supposed to catapult my band to stardom, and it sure as hell wasn’t supposed to set off the chain of events that pushed my relationship with Allie to the brink. Our hearts were shattered, our love tested, and when everything fell apart she begged me to leave.

Eight years ago, tragedy broke us. Now we’re back in the same little town where we once dreamed of building our future.

She’s a divorced, single mom.

I’m a damaged country music star.

There are a hundred reasons for us to stay apart.

But all it takes is one look, one touch, one kiss to know our story isn’t over. Now I have to convince her to let me stay.

Download your copy today!

Amazon: http://mybook.to/StayWithMeKLGrayson

Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/StayWithMeKLG

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2H1Q1au

Nook: https://bit.ly/2H4hPev

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2IEWBX6

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2H4TWmW

*****

Excerpt:

“Can we talk?” Mason whispers. “Last time Mom said if I talk too much I would scare away the fish, but I get bored if I can’t talk.”

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Stuff.” He shrugs, his chubby hand reeling his line in. He tosses out another cast. It’s perfect for a little guy and when his lure hits the water he tilts his head and looks at me. “Are you Anna’s daddy?”

Crap. I knew this was coming. I take a deep breath and look for Allie because this isn’t the type of conversation I want to have without her. She’s now on the other side of the pond and when she sees me look at her, she waves.

My God, she’s beautiful.

I wave back.

“Are you?” Mason asks again, this time nudging me in the leg.

Looks like I’m on my own for this one. Honesty is always the best policy, right? Even with kids?

“Yeah, I was her daddy.”

He nods and looks at the water while I look at him. Say something, kid. Anything. When he doesn’t, I nudge him back.

“Do you want to talk about it? Do you have questions?”

Mason shrugs. “Maybe.”

“Okay,” I say laughing. “Well, you think about what you want to ask, and I’ll just sit here and wait.”

A few seconds pass before he looks at me. “Why are you Anna’s daddy, but not mine?”

“Well, because you have a different dad.”

“Richard,” he sighs. At that exact moment his line goes taut. “I got something!”

I set my pole down, wrap my arms around him, resting my hands over his, the way a father would with his son. Except Mason isn’t mine and I need to remember that. “Give it a little tug,” I say, flicking our wrists. The fish splashes out of the water and yanks the pole. “Nice and easy. Just like that. You’re doing great.”

I let him go but stay crouched behind him in case he needs help reeling the fish in, but he doesn’t. Allie hoots and hollers, her pole bobbing on her shoulder as she runs toward us. She makes it to our side just as Mason pulls out the tiniest bass I’ve ever seen and pride surges through me. Luckily the hook comes out with ease.

“You did great, buddy. Hold the fish up just like this”—I show him how to hold the fish and he reaches for it like a champ—“and I’ll take a picture of you and your mom.”

Mason holds up the fish, a proud smile on his handsome face and his mama’s arm around his shoulder. They smile for the camera and then Mason turns to Allie.

“Will you take one of me and Jam?”

Allie pulls out her phone while I kneel down. Mason situates himself between my knees and half sits on my leg with the fish dangling from his fingers.

“Say fish sticks!”

Mason and I laugh and repeat Allie. “Fish sticks!”

“Okay, little dude. Let’s toss him back before he dies.”

“We can’t keep him?” he says, walking toward the water.

“Why would you want to keep him?”

“To eat him. Duh.”

*****

Author Info:

K.L. Grayson resides in a small town outside of St. Louis, MO. She is entertained daily by her extraordinary husband, who will forever inspire every good quality she writes in a man. Her entire life rests in the palms of six dirty little hands, and when the day is over and those pint-sized cherubs have been washed and tucked into bed, you can find her typing away furiously on her computer. She has a love for alpha-males, brownies, reading, tattoos, sunglasses, and happy endings…and not particularly in that order.

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

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/booksbyklgrayso/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/k-l-grayson

Website: www.klgrayson.com

*****

Book Review – Riding Hard

24 Wednesday Apr 2019

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Riding Hard

Bennett Boys Ranch, Book 2

by Lauren Landish

A city girl reins in the cowboy of her hottest dreams in Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Lauren Landish’s wild romance.

As the eldest brother, the responsibility for the family ranch now rests on Mark Bennett’s broad shoulders. He wouldn’t have it any other way—he loves being in charge. Working hard on the land helps him stay focused and keeps him from noticing what’s missing in his life—what he’ll never allow himself to have for fear that one small taste will break his careful control.

But a sweet blue-eyed blonde has just arrived in town, and the attraction between them is undeniably hot. So Mark tightens the reins around his heart—how can he tell her what he really wants?

Events planner Katelyn Johnson’s new gig is the wedding of a rodeo superstar. Right now, it’s tough not to focus on the rider’s tempting older brother. So far, getting beneath Mark’s gorgeously gruff exterior has been a pleasure.

What she needs to do is go a little deeper. But the closer they get, the more Mark pulls away. Katelyn’s not afraid of a challenge, though. Whatever deep desires he’s hiding, she wants in on his secrets.

All she has to do is get past his legendary reserve. With all her body, heart, and soul, there’s nothing she can’t handle.

(I didn’t read the first book in the series and, while I’m curious how Mark was portrayed there, I didn’t really feel like I missed anything.)

Damaged by an early relationship, Mark’s held himself back for a lot of years, considering himself to be unlovable.  And definitely too dark for someone as sweet as Katelyn.  As we begin to understand why Mark is the way he is, we fall a little more for the stand-offish cowboy who is so dedicated to his family but secretly dislikes himself just as much.  It’ll take a special woman to get through to him and make him realize that he’s worthy of love … and he’s just met his match.

I loved how everyone considered Mark to be cold and reserved but Katelyn was able to see below the surface to the real him.  She shows a lot of perseverance and grit pushing for what she wants, especially when what she wanted was Mark.  It’s a very adult thing to not turn tail and run at every bump in the road, even when that bump is as big as this particular cowboy, and Landish does a great job of giving us a heroine (and a hero) that we can get behind.

Riding Hard has just a little extra heat, a whole lot of understanding, and a hero who finally finds his perfect match.  I’m looking forward to seeing what she has in store for the next Bennett brother 🙂

Spotlight – The Summer Retreat

22 Monday Apr 2019

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Who’s already looking for that perfect summer read?  I have one that definitely needs to be on your list!

*****

The Summer Retreat

A Moonlight Harbor Novel

by Sheila Roberts

Publisher: Harlequin/MIRA

Pages: 384

Genre: Women’s Fiction/Romance

Blurb:

Celeste Jones has plans for a perfect summer with her boyfriend (and hopefully soon-to-be fiancé)—until he dumps her to be with the woman he’s had on the side for months. Heartbroken and furious, Celeste resolves to move on. When the going gets tough, the tough…okay, the not-so-tough go to the beach.

As soon as school lets out for the summer, she waves goodbye to her first-graders, packs up her bikini and heads for Moonlight Harbor, where she knows her big sister, Jenna, will receive her with open arms. Jenna could probably use some help at the Driftwood Inn, and Celeste is happy to do chores around the place in exchange for a relaxing summer escape. She just needs something—or someone—to distract her from her troubles.

Finding The One can be tricky, and Jenna is determined to make sure Celeste gets it right this time around. Not that Jenna’s an expert. She’s still trying to sort out her own love life. But if both sisters listen to their hearts, eventually they’re bound to discover that life—and love—is good at the beach.

ORDER YOUR COPY

Amazon | B&N

*****

Excerpt:

Celeste Jones had kissed so many frogs looking for her prince, she should have turned green and grown warts on her lips. But she’d finally gotten it right in the man department. Emerson Willis was strong and smart. And sexy. Masculine and excitingly alpha. And a spectacular dancer. And sexy. And a cop. Did it get any sexier than that? They’d been together a year, and what a great year it had been. He’d spent so much time at her place, he might as well have moved in, but he felt it wouldn’t look good, with her being a teacher and all. As if first-graders knew anything about the birds and the bees or cared what their teacher did in her off hours. As if anyone cared what anyone did with anyone else these days. It had been sweet of him to think of that, though, and she loved him all the more for it.

Still, why not make what they had official since it was so great? “We’re having a good time,” he was always saying. “Relax and enjoy the ride.”

She could do that. Spring had come, and she was looking ahead to a summer of off-roading, trips to Eastern Washington to visit the wineries, hitting the The Summer Retreat, Sheila Roberts

*****

Author Info:

Best-selling author Sheila Roberts has seen her books published in a dozen different languages and made into movies for both the Hallmark and Lifetime channels. She’s happily married with three children and lives in the Pacific Northwest. When she’s not hanging out with girlfriends, speaking to women’s groups or going dancing with her husband she can be found writing about those things near and dear to women’s hearts: family, friends, and chocolate.

Her latest book is the women’s fiction/romance, THE SUMMER RETREAT.

Website Address:  http://www.sheilasplace.com

Twitter Address:  http://www.twitter.com/_Sheila_Roberts

Facebook Address: https://www.facebook.com/funwithsheila/

*****

Book Review – Needing to Love You

18 Thursday Apr 2019

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This one has to have one of my favorite endings I’ve read in a while.

*****

Needing to Love You

Houston’s Finest #2

by Erin Rylie

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Carlos Ramirez has always prided himself on two things: being damn good at his job on the Houston police force and being able to land any woman he wants. When a devastating car accident leaves him crippled and in excruciating pain, he begins to rely too heavily on his prescription painkillers. The only person who can help him heal is the only woman who has ever rejected him—and on more than one occasion. Living with Kelsey while he works through physical therapy wasn’t anything he ever expected to happen, but it might just be what he needs.

After a divorce that left her doubting her ability to love, Kelsey Byrne wants nothing to do with relationships. Unfortunately for her, the only man she could see herself loving needs a place to live and help while he recovers. She had a hard time pushing him away after a one-night stand, so how can she possibly keep him at arm’s length when he’s in her house every day, playing with her son, cooking her meals, and leaving her cute notes every morning? Carlos may be working his way into her heart one sweet gesture at a time, but can she give him everything knowing that she’s more than a little broken inside?

Grab Your Copy on Kindle Unlimited Today!
Amazon

*****

Review:

Warning: Some possible spoilers below

I feel bad because this is going to seem like a very negative review, but there were definitely highlights (like Carlos’s relationship with Kelsey’s son, his sweet wooing of her, and the strength it took to finally face up to their issues).  It’s just that these things really bugged me.  I think part of it was because I didn’t get the book I was expecting.  Based on the blurb, I thought the biggest problem would be Carlos’s addiction to pain but that played such a minor part to their personal issues with relationships and commitment.  Looking back on it, I can see where I got what they said they’d give me, but I’d decided it was going to be different and that’s hard to let go 🙂

This is the second in the series and it can stand on its own but maybe if I’d read the first book I’d understand Carlos better.  While he’s described as a happy guy but to me he’s just a smart ass that only has jokes and doesn’t try to connect with anyone.  Not even his partner and best friend.  This is addressed a bit at the end (the part I absolutely loved) but I felt like it needed to maybe be worked up to a bit more in the rest of the story.

I’m also NOT a fan of the whole manwhore thing – it’s gotten old.  From the very first Carlos talks about his feelings for Kelsey but he’s sleeping with just about anyone who will have him.  Sometimes intentionally to get a reaction out of her.  That is not an attractive feature for me and definitely doesn’t convince me of the depth of his feelings & commitment to a real relationship.  Once he moves in and they spend time together, his behavior does show more of that but sleeping around is just not my idea of a romantic hero.

It also surprises me that Kelsey talks about breaking him.  That seems to be a pretty big assumption about her importance and power over him, especially with his bed-hopping.  I do understand why she’d be hesitant to get involved again based on her recent divorce (and what I later find out are her own issues with letting people in), but it just struck me as weird all things considered.  Maybe after they’d spent some time together and he’d shown himself to be more dedicated but at the beginning it seemed a bit much.

I can see where Carlos’s brand of charm would be pretty hard to resist, though.  He’s sarcastic, but full of fun and he definitely displays a great amount of understanding.  He pays attention to Kelsey and tries to be what she needs.  It’s hard to resist someone that makes you smile and doesn’t give up.  And while Kelsey is reserved, she’s also a bit quirky and a good foil for Carlos’s silliness.  The two of them together just seemed to work.

Needing to Love You has humor, heat, and an ending that made me happy enough to forget any grumble I might have had.  While the epilogue sets readers up for the next story, the last 3 chapters provides the sweetness and closure that made for a satisfying HEA ending, leaving me a happy camper.

*****

Author Info:

I’m a Montana born, Texas raised New Jersey transplant with a degree in hospitality. At 29 years old, I decided it was finally time for me to pursue my real passion in life – writing. I’ve been writing princess stories and LOTR fan-fiction since I was in middle school, so the transition into romance has been fun!

When I’m not writing, I’m reading (fantasy, sci-fi and romance are my genres) or working. I’m currently obsessed with Brooklyn Nine Nine which should tell you all you need to know about my sense of humor.

Finally, I am 100% an old cat lady. My cats Socks and Kaz are little weirdos and I love them more than most people.

Instagram | Facebook | Newsletter | Website
Amazon Author | Goodreads | Amazon

*****

 

 

Spotlight – Fade

17 Wednesday Apr 2019

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Another one getting fabulous reviews!!!

*****

Fade

by Ashley Munoz

Release Date: April 5, 2019

Genre: 2nd Chance, Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

Laney

Jackson Tate and I are over. Done. Finished.

Then again, how do you end something that never really started?

Now, three months later we’re being thrown back together for the sake of an investigation and forced to coexist.

I thought falling in love with someone who didn’t want to be loved was hard but going into witness protection with the man who ignorantly took my heart? Yeah, that was going to be impossible.

Jackson

Time and distance were what I needed to forget Laney Thompson. A Jack and Jill bathroom and the bedroom next door was what I got instead. Witness protection on her family’s farm? I was skeptical too, especially with our icy reunion. But the longer I was around her the more I realized how much I needed her.

With her, it was easy to forget.

Forget about my life and who I was, and why we needed things to fade between us in the first place. All I needed was one tragic reminder.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Fade-Ashley-Munoz-ebook/dp/B07NMP39YZ
**Available in KU**

*****

Excerpt:

“So, how have you been these last few months?” Jackson asked with a slight pitch in his voice.

I tried not to let out a big fat sigh. I really didn’t want to talk about how miserable I had been or how many times I had cried myself to sleep. So instead. I said, “Good but busy. How about you?”

He did let out a big sigh and readjusted his hands on the steering wheel. “Rough… They’ve been rough.” He trailed off with a strong tick in his jaw.

So many parts of my heart wanted to hear why his last few months were rough and ask if he missed me. But asking why his last few months had been rough would eventually lead us back to the topic of the breakup, and I wasn’t ready to broach that yet.

So, I changed the subject. “So, are you ready to be on a farm? Want any pointers?”

Jackson let out a small laugh and dug into his can of almonds which was his version of road trip food. Mine, however, was a bag of Funyuns, Cheez-its, Red Vines, and trail mix.

“I don’t think I will ever be ready for the farm, but I would love some pointers.” Jackson tilted his head and looked over at me, the bill of his hat tipped back just a fraction, making him look like he really did belong on a farm.

I sifted through the pile of trail mix for the M&Ms and started in.

“So, first thing you need to know is no one will respect you right off the bat. You’ll need to be willing to put in the work and earn it,”

I dumped the rest of the trail mix back into the bag. Jackson noticed and chided, “Stop it. You know I hate it when you only eat the M&Ms.”

I shrugged and started hunting for more.

“You’ll probably be asked to clean up horse poop and collect eggs, maybe even move a few hay bales.”

Jackson carefully peeked at me before watching the road again. I was sifting through another pile of trail mix when he ripped the bag out of my hands.

“No! Jackson don’t!” I yelled, trying to reclaim the bag.

He had it shoved in between his hip and his door, out of my reach, and even if I could reach it, I’d have to get really close to him to do it.

“Give it back,” I held out my hands expectantly.

He was still watching the road as a smile crested his face. “Not until you promise to eat some almonds.” He was always trying to get me to eat healthier, which was discourteous because it wasn’t like I was pushing my artificial flavors or processed sugar on him.

“No. It’s mine. Give it back,” I demanded again. Jackson peered at me again and gave me a grin that said he was going to like what he was about to say way more than I was.

“Come and get it.”

I knew it.

I fucking knew he was going to turn this into some game. I let out a sigh and crossed my arms.

“Forget it. I’m not in the habit of feeling up man-whores.” It was a low blow but so was finding out he took someone else to Italy.

*****

Author Info:

Born in Nebraska. Raised everywhere under the sun but grew roots in Central Oregon. Married to the shy guy from high school who grew up to be hot as hell. Four kids, three of which are little women and one little princeling. My life is full, fun, and amusing. I became a writer to fund my expensive reading habit.

Website: http://www.ashleymunozbooks.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshleyMZAuthor

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18233596.Ashley_Munoz

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