Spotlight – Here Comes the Sun

24 Wednesday Jan 2018

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Another one getting Ah-Mazing reviews.  But who would expect anything less for Marie Force!

*****

Here Comes the Sun

Butler, Vermont series

by Marie Force

Blurb:

Wade Abbott is one and done.

One look, one conversation, one weekend, and he knows who he wants.

Except, Mia Simpson is not free to return his affection. In fact, he suspects she’s in an abusive marriage, but she never confirms that, and he has no choice but to mind his own business where she’s concerned.

Two years after they first met and a year after he last heard from her, Mia shows up half-frozen, bruised and beaten on his doorstep, needing something only Wade can provide.

He’s determined to make it work, no matter the cost. Grab the latest in a series you will fall in love with! 

Kindle US: http://geni.us/hctsamz 

Nook: http://geni.us/hctsbn 

iBooks: http://geni.us/hctsibooks 

Google: http://geni.us/hctsgoogle 

Kobo: http://geni.us/hctskobo 

Kindle UK: http://geni.us/hctsamzuk 

Kindle AU: http://geni.us/hctsamzau 

Kindle CA: http://geni.us/hctsamzca

*****

Excerpt:

Wade walked into the conference room and wanted to turn around and walk right back out. The table had been set with placemats as if they were hosting a dinner party. On each placemat was a wide array of products, things normally used in the privacy of one’s bedroom and not laid out like a sexual buffet on the conference room table.

Will came in after him, took one look and groaned. “Do we hafta?”

“Dad says we hafta.”

“Maybe we should look into a nursing home for him. He is getting on in years.”

“I heard that, William,” Lincoln said when he came in. “And good luck with that plan.”

“I can’t sit in a room with my sisters and talk about sex toys,” Will said.

“Yes, you can. Think of them the same way you would anything else we carry—foot fungus cream or hemorrhoid remedies or yeast infection cures.”

“We don’t have to have special training for any of those products,” Will said.

“Um, I did,” Wade said. As director of health and wellness, he’d been trained in all the products offered in the store’s apothecary.

“Not with Charley in the room,” Will said of the more obnoxious of their three sisters.

“True,” Wade conceded.

“This product line has nothing to do with me,” Will said. “It’s not Vermont Made. Why do I have to be trained on it?”

“Very good question, Will,” Hunter said when he joined them. “I’m an accountant. Why do I need to know about this?”

“Because we’re going to have to train the sales team on the floor and at the distribution center,” Linc said, “so we need to be able to answer their questions. And we don’t ask anything of our employees that we aren’t willing to do ourselves.”

Most of their “sales team” were grandmothers who’d worked for the company for decades. The thought of indoctrinating them on this product line had given Wade nightmares for months. Fortunately, the contractor from the company that produced the line would be doing most of the heavy lifting. But he had to be in the room. He didn’t want to be in the room.

“I don’t work with the sales team,” Hunter said. “They won’t be asking me questions, so I don’t need to be in this meeting.”

“I never realized I’d raised such a bunch of prudes,” Linc said. “Where did your mother and I go wrong?”

Molly breezed into the conference room. “Are they being prudes, love?”

“You warned me they would be,” Linc said, accepting a kiss from his wife, who marched right over to one of the place settings and began picking up and examining the various objects. She pushed a button on one of them, and it roared to life, making her laugh.

“I can’t,” Hunter said, staring at their mother, eyes agog. “I just can’t.”

“Oh, sit down and be quiet,” Molly said. “These things are going to generate revenue unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Think about the money you’ll get to count, Hunter. That always makes you happy.”

“Put that thing down, Mom,” Will said, “and never touch it again.”

Elmer came bustling in, stopping short at the sight of his daughter holding a phallic object. “Oh. Well. Here we go, then.”

“What,” Will said, “is he doing here?”

“I’m the reason you’re here, young man, so I’ll remind you to mind your manners.”

“Are you providing counseling for those of us who’re going to be traumatized by this?” Will asked his father.

“Sit down and chill,” Linc said. “It won’t be that bad.”

Elmer hit the power button on one of the devices, and it launched right out of his hand.

“It will be that bad,” Will said, slumping into a chair with Hunter next to him.

“Did they bring blindfolds?” Hunter asked. “That’d help.”

Believe it or not, it goes downhill from there. Read all about it and find out what happens when the woman Wade Abbott has longed for shows up beaten and half-frozen on his doorstep, asking for something only Wade can give her. Here Comes the Sun is out on Tuesday!

*****

Author Info:

Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, including the indie-published Gansett Island Series and the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books. In addition, she is the author of the Butler, Vermont Series, the Green Mountain Series and the erotic romance Quantum Series. In 2019, her new historical Gilded series from Kensington Books will debut with Duchess By Deception. 

All together, her books have sold 6.5 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list many times. She is also a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, a Speigel bestseller in Germany, a frequent speaker and publishing workshop presenter as well as a publisher through her Jack’s House Publishing romance imprint. She is a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award for romance fiction. 

Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news. 

Join Marie’s mailing list for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter @marieforce and on Instagram. Join one of Marie’s many reader groups. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.

Website:  http://marieforce.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarieForce

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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1508588.Marie_Force

Reader Groups: https://marieforce.com/contact/

*****

Spotlight – About That Kiss

23 Tuesday Jan 2018

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Jill Shalvis is one of those go-to authors for contemporary romances.  Seeing a new book by her is definitely a highlight!

*****

About That Kiss

Heartbreaker Bay, Book 5

by Jill Shalvis

Avon Books – Jan 23rd, 2018

Blurb:

When love drives you crazy . . .

When sexy Joe Malone never calls after their explosive kiss, Kylie shoves him out of her mind. Until she needs a favor, and it’s a doozy. Something precious to her has been stolen and there’s only one person with unique finder-and-fixer skills that can help—Joe. It means swallowing her pride and somehow trying to avoid the temptation to throttle him—or seduce him.

the best thing to do . . .

No, Joe didn’t call after the kiss. He’s the fun time guy, not the forever guy. And Kylie, after all she’s been through, deserves a good man who will stay. But everything about Kylie makes it damned hard to focus, and though his brain knows what he has to do, his heart isn’t getting the memo.

… is enjoy the ride.

As Kylie and Joe go on the scavenger hunt of their lives, they discover surprising things about each other. Now, the best way for them to get over “that kiss” might just be to replace it with a hundred more.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35069559-about-that-kiss

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/169076-heartbreaker-bay

Buy Links:    AMAZON | B&N | iBOOKS | KOBO | GPLAY

Series Buy Link: http://jillshalvis.com/books/#heartbreaker-series

*****

Author Info:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis writes warm, funny, sexy contemporary romances and women’s fiction. An Amazon, BN & iBooks bestseller, she’s also a two-time RITA winner and has more than 10 million copies of her books sold worldwide.

Author Links:  WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

*****

Giveaway:

print copy of SWEET LITTLE LIES and Tote Bag

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81367/

*****

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Spotlight – Until You’re Mine

22 Monday Jan 2018

Posted by in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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This one is on my TBR list and I’m only a book or two away from it … I can’t wait!

*****

Until You’re Mine

by Cindi Madsen

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

You might’ve heard of me, Shane Knox, the guy who rose quickly through the MMA fighter ranks, only to crash just as fast. No one cares about personal reasons when it comes to losing fights and money. I’m determined to get back to where I was. For you to hear my name again. I’ve finally convinced the owner of Team Domination to take a chance and get me back in fighting—and winning—shape. What I didn’t bargain for is the guy’s spitfire of a daughter. Factor in her two professional-fighter brothers who are acting as my coaches and the fact that my career hangs in the balance, and Brooklyn’s the last girl I should be fantasizing about.

The closer we get, the more I want Brooklyn. The stakes are high, and I know there’s a big chance of both of us getting hurt, but I won’t stop until she’s mine.

Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

*****

Excerpt:

I stroked my tongue over hers until she was the one distracted. Every time I thought I’d gotten my fill of this girl, I took another taste and found myself starving for more. Just like that, I was ready to go again.

My muscles, unfortunately, not so much. They complained with every tiny movement, reminding me they’d been pushed to the brink of exhaustion, and a non-sexy type groan slipped out. The ice bath had robbed me of my breath, but it’d helped the aching. Looked like I needed another one, but I chose to lose myself in a warm body instead. Or I would once I caught my second wind.

I sagged into the comfort of the couch.

Brooklyn ran a finger down my chest. “Oh, sure, get me all riled up and then crash out.”

“My body’s taken a lot of abuse lately. Give me a second to rest my arms and I’ll be good to go.”

Her finger drifted lower, and my body was ready to take more abuse at the hands of this girl. “Guess that means I need to do the work,” she said.

I was about to argue, but then she crawled on top of me. She rocked her hips and my groan was all pleasure this time.

I ran my hands up her thighs, my energy slowly returning.

She toyed with the bottom of her shirt. “Okay, so I’m guessing about now’s when you’d remove my top.”

“You know me. The sooner I get you naked, the better. If it were up to me, you’d lose your clothes the second you stepped inside my apartment.”

“Well, lucky for me, you were already shirtless when I arrived.”

“I strive to please.”

She pulled off her top, and I soaked in the sight of the hot-pink bra I’d asked her to model for me. Her confidence and the seductive way she peered down at me propelled me right from want to need, and my cock twitched, impatient for his turn.

“That bra’s even sexier than I thought it’d be, but now I’m wondering how it’d look on my floor.”

“Well, I know how unimaginative you can be.” She reached up and pushed one of the straps off her shoulders. She batted her eyelashes as she did the same with the other side. Then she reached behind her to unhook it, and my lungs stopped taking in oxygen.

The bra hung there, suspended for a blood-pumping eternity, and I couldn’t take it anymore. I curled my hand around the little pink bow in the center and jerked it down and off. While I was thoroughly enjoying the show, there was no way I was letting her do all the work—or have all the fun—so I dipped my head to one of her exposed breasts and flicked her hard nipple with my tongue.

She squirmed, the friction turning me on even more, and all thoughts of sore muscles drifted away.

“Be careful,” she said. “I’d hate for you to sprain something.”

I gently bit down and she made a husky sound in the back of her throat that would haunt my dreams for weeks. When she pulled away, I started to protest, but then she held up a finger.

“Patience, Grasshopper.”

“I have no patience,” I ground out. “You should know that by now.”

“Well, then, we better work on that.” She undid the button on her shorts, then took her time tugging down her zipper, and I thought it’d be worth the resulting pain to shoot up and push her against the wall.

My muscles throbbed like they were telling me don’t even think about it, buddy, but a more insistent throbbing grew stronger, and it was seconds from taking over. Finally the fabric fell to the floor, and she stepped out of her shorts, leaving her in nothing but lacy pink panties that matched her discarded bra.

I reached for her, and she smacked my hand away. I growled, and she flashed me a falsely-innocent vixen smile. I clicked my tongue. “Taking advantage of a poor, beat-up guy.”

“Yeah, yeah. I feel so sorry for you, the guy who purposely submits himself to a lifestyle that means sore muscles and constantly being punched and jabbed.” She shimmied her hips, a few inches out of my reach. “What about me? I’ve got to do my job and your job just to get off.”

I shot out my arm, caught her wrist, and yanked her to me. She tumbled into my lap, her perky tits rising and falling with her low, intoxicating laughter. Every muscle in my body burned from the fast movement, and it was totally worth it. I sank my teeth into her earlobe. “No need to do my job. I’ll get it done just fine, I promise.”

*****

Author Info:

Cindi Madsen is a USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

*****

Giveaway:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4cf78adb632/

*****

Book Review – Nothing to Fear

19 Friday Jan 2018

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Nothing to Fear

A Blackbridge Novel

by Claire Boston

The gifts were innocent… at first.

All Hannah Novak wants to do is to live a simple life, but her traumatic past refuses to let go. Her trust in men is at an all-time low, but when she becomes the target of a dangerous stalker she’s forced into close proximity with the sexy new cop in town.

Ryan Kilpatrick has travelled across the country to get away from his manipulative ex-wife. Now, all he wants is to build a stable, loving home for his son. The last thing he needs is to be attracted to the secretive Hannah but he’s duty-bound to protect her.

As the stalker’s gifts turn nasty, and time is running out, Hannah must face her fears and learn to trust again. Because if she doesn’t, she may not get a second chance. 

I have been a fan of Claire Boston since I read What Goes on Tour (LOVE you Adrian!) and so I’m always excited to get a chance to read one of her books.  She does a great job of delivering not only a darn good love story but also creating a dynamic world full of interesting characters.  Occasionally she likes to throw in some suspense or danger just to keep you on your toes 😉

With Nothing to Fear we get a group of friends that have been together for decades and they are still there to support one another every day.  That connection has helped prop up Hannah since her father murdered her mother and assaulted in college.  She’s managed to keep the latter a secret but she’s relied on her friends to keep her going.  Now there’s a threat and she going to have to face her past whether she’s ready or not.

Ryan is new in town and finds himself drawn to Hannah.  Obviously something has happened to her to make her so skittish but he’s such a patient man that he’s willing to wait her out.  He’s had a history of his own so it helps him understand exactly what she needs.

While the love story and Hannah coming to terms with her past is very well done, add in the mystery of who is leaving her gifts and I couldn’t turn pages fast enough!  Boston does a great job of balancing both and keeping your attention until you get to the bitter end.  It’s not an easy journey for Hannah but with her support in place and by listening to both her head & her heart she can overcome anything.

Book Review – Royal Pain

18 Thursday Jan 2018

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Royal Pain

A His Royal Hotness Novel

by Tracy Wolff

He’s a womanizer. He’s cocky. He’s not exactly a prince. Only he technically is. Meet your new royal obsession in this addictive novel from New York Times bestselling author Tracy Wolff.

Being rich opens a lot of doors. When you’re rich and royal, those doors lead to a new bedroom every night. I should know. The tabloids call me His Royal Hotness, Prince Kian of Wildemar. Women across the world see me as a naughty fairy tale, an image I’m happy to indulge. As the spare to the heir, I’m the prince with none of the power . . . and all of the perks.

Then my twin brother is kidnapped, and suddenly I’m the one who could be king. The crown chasers start circling—and yet it’s a luscious waitress who catches my eye. With a smart mouth and the curves to back it up, Savannah Breslin is as brazen as I’d expect an American commoner to be.

But Savvy’s not interested in playing Cinderella. As sexy as she is, she’s no stranger to heartbreak. Besides, a nice guy wouldn’t drag her into all the drama that comes along with royalty. Lucky I’m not a nice guy. And, as it turns out, I might not even be her first prince. . . .

 

 I am REALLY not a fan of the man whore as a hero.  I understand that reformed rakes make the best partners (at least in romance novels) but Kian definitely embraces all of the “spoils” that his title can bring.  I got to the first scene and put it down because I just couldn’t like him … but I felt that I needed to at least try so I came back to it.  And I’m glad I did.

Kian actually turned into a guy with more depth than I expected.  He’s got some serious issues with his dad (which come to play a lot in the story and I’m sure will be even bigger in his brother’s) and with the pressure of his position in the family.  He cares, though, about his brother and his country and wants what is best for his people.  He just doesn’t think he’s it.  With his brother missing it doesn’t look like he has a choice, at least for now.  And then he meets Savvy.

Savvy is understandably hesitant to get involved with a prince – she hasn’t had the best track record with them.  And it impacts a lot of her relationship with Kian.  Throw in his reputation and things only get trickier.

I was surprised at how much I liked him (she was OK but Kian was definitely a star for me).  I’m so glad I gave him another chance and I’m definitely intrigued by what will happen in his brother’s book.  There’s a lot of baggage that these two men carry around with their crowns and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.

Spotlight – Sweet Indulgence

17 Wednesday Jan 2018

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Another one getting absolutely FANTASTIC Goodreads reviews … including a 5 star review stating “Great feel good book” and another declaring “This book is too sweet to pass up!”

*****

Sweet Indulgence

A Charleston Harbor Novel Book 1

by Debbie White

Genre: Sweet Romance

Blurb:

Real Men Eat Cupcakes

Annie McPherson has had it with all the blind dates her grandmother and auntie set her up with. She just wants to be left alone to run the Sweet Indulgence cupcake bakery – even if it means she’ll remain single forever.

Jack’s just been through a gut-wrenching break-up, and women are the last thing on his mind. Now he’s on a mission to pick up cupcakes for his niece’s birthday party—not a mission to fall in love. Pulled in by Annie’s good looks and witty charm, though, temptation proves too sweet.

But will Annie’s pesky grandmother and auntie welcome Jack as Annie’s choice or will they have him jumping through hoops to prove he’s the one?

Fans of Debbie Macomber, Sherryl Woods, and Susan Wiggs are sure to love Sweet Indulgence, the first sweet romance novel in the Charleston Harbor series.

This book is too sweet to pass up!

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo

*****

Excerpt:

“Oh, Vicky,” Annie said, spreading her arms wide.

“Girl, it’s been way too long. It’s so good to see you.”

“I can’t wait to hear about your wedding plans. Are you stressed yet?”

The two gabbed as the hostess led the way toward their table.

“I’m so stressed. But you know, my new favorite saying is, it is what it is.”

Annie laughed. “I bet. Well, I can’t wait to come and see you two lovebirds finally tie the knot. Soon you’ll be Vicky Collins.”

“Victoria Collins,” Vicky said with a tone of superiority.

“I like the ring of that,” Annie said, nodding.

Vicky fussed to Annie about how picking out the right bridesmaid dresses for Jessica, who’d just given birth and still had a few extra pounds to camouflage, as well as one to accommodate the expanding girth of Cassie’s tummy, challenged her beyond her wildest dreams.

“I’ve selected five different dresses at three different stages of planning my wedding. I’m about to just have you as my only bridesmaid. You’re not pregnant are you?” Vicky teased as she poked at her salad.

“No, I’m not pregnant. I’m hardly seeing anyone.”

Vicky peered up at Annie. “Hardly?”

Annie smiled. “Jack is his name. We really just started seeing each other. He’s a great guy.”

“Good. Great guys are good.” Vicky put her iced tea to her lips and drew in a taste.

Annie nodded. “You know Jessica and Cassie didn’t do these things on purpose. They love you, and it’s just one of those things.”

Vicky forked a beet chunk and put it in her mouth. She chewed it slowly.

“Having a baby is a nice thing. You are happy for them, right?”

Vicky twisted her mouth then relaxed her lips. “Of course, I’m happy for them. It just makes it difficult picking out dresses. Do you realize we went from a fitted knee-length shift to an A-line skirt? Not to mention the color changes.”

“I think A-line is still a good choice,” Annie said, savoring a spoonful of her chicken gumbo soup.

“Yes, but now the measurements have changed. These changes are costing me money.”

“The wedding is in two weeks. You’re probably safe with one more fitting.”

“Tell me more about Jack.”

Annie’s eyes lit up. “He’s part owner of Powell Limousine Services. Oh, and they also have a vacation rental business.”

“I’ve used his services before.”

Annie knitted her brows together. “You have? When?”

“A while back. In fact, he’s providing pick up service for me at the airport for my out of town guests. And I’ve rented a couple of houses for them to stay at. Diane …”

Annie widened her eyes. “Diane is his sister. In fact, my sister, Mary is working with Diane now.”

“What a small world.” Vicky glanced at her watch.

“Do you have to run off?” Annie said, relaxing her shoulders and slumping.

“I do, dear. I have to meet Cassie and Jessica at the dress shop. Thank God you are still the same, and no adjustments are necessary for your dress.” She pushed back her chair.

“Lunch is on me,” Annie said.

Vicky dug in her purse and fetched her keys. “Thank you. Next time it’s on me.”

Annie slid her chair out and met her halfway. She reached her arms out and pulled her in for a hug. “Everything is going to be just fine. The dresses will be beautiful, you’ll be beautiful, and it will go down as one of the best weddings in Charleston history,” Annie said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

Vicky drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Thanks for saying that. I really am happy the girls are in the wedding. I just want everything to be perfect.”

“It will be. And, you know why?”

Vicky cocked her head to the right.

“Because we’ve been best friends for many years. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we all agreed we’d be in each other’s weddings. This is just us keeping our promise.”

*****

Author Info:

Debbie is a USA Today Bestselling Author. She currently lives in northern California where the hills are dotted with vineyards and the jagged coastline is nearby. Many of her books describe the beautiful area she calls home. She avidly supports animal rescue by donating a percentage of all book sales to rescue groups nationwide! Now here are a few more interesting tidbits of information about her!

1. Her spouse served in the U.S. Air Force for over 20 years. She uses some of her experiences as a military wife in some of her stories.

2. She has two granddaughters and a grandson.

3. She received her degree in Sociology in 2011 and graduated Magna Cum Laude.

4. She hasn’t always dreamed of writing, but she’s always loved reading and decided she’d give it a try. Her fans love her so much, she’s still putting out books three years later.

5. Her very first book, The Salty Dog was an Amazon Best-seller.

6. You can follow all the latest news about releases, book signings and more on her website http://www.authordebbiewhite.com

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Tumblr

Pinterest * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

 $25 Amazon Gift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/23d974a9549/

*****

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Book Review – Picking Up the Pieces

16 Tuesday Jan 2018

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Picking Up the Pieces

Baytown Boys Series

by Maryann Jordan

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

Lance Greene. Former military. Current artist…and recluse. Moving to Baytown was a chance to get away and forget. Forget his family’s expectations, forget the friends he lost on his last mission, and try to forget the nightmares that follow him. Staying away from people worked, until he met her. She was bright, happy, and everything he did not want. 

Jade Lyons. Elementary teacher. Sea glass collector. New to Baytown, she embraced all the small town had to offer, loving the little town, her friends, her students, and her new habit of early morning walks on the beach to find sea glass. Until she met him. He was overbearing, rude, and everything she wanted to avoid. 

But sea glass works magic and when Jade discovers a body, Lance steps up, vowing to protect her. 

Can picking up the pieces bring two souls together? 

**The language and sexual scenes in the book are similar to what you would see in an R rated movie, therefore the book is for 18+ readers.**

Like the the other book in this series that I’ve read, Finding Peace, I really appreciate that Jordan has her military heroes (& heroine) find the help they need in a healthy way.  They have a group of friends that understand them and are there to support them, which is so heartwarming.  But they also see a therapist to work through their issues from serving overseas.  These are not things that will just get better on their own.  They are dealing with issues that leave scars and have long-term implications and Jordan handles it with care.

Like Finding Peace, there is two parts to this story – the romance and the mystery.  Unlike with the first book I read, I think the dead body plotline is much more important here than the Peeping Tom case was before.  It’s part of the catalyst for getting the two of them together as well as helping get Lance out his self-imposed isolation.  It’s also a pretty darn good suspense element.  The who and why was intriguing and kept me guessing right until the end.  It also all played out very believably so I definitely give Jordan an A.

The love story is drama-free and realistic.  Once Lance makes up for his initial gruff behavior and starts making an effort with Jade, it kinda blooms between them.  There were a couple of scenes that reminded me more of high school than what I’m used to in adult romances (the awkward flirting and the looks from their friends) but I’m pretty sure that it probably is pretty darn accurate when you have a tight group of friends like that.  It’s hard to hide their attraction and growing feelings and so you are going to get the acknowledgment from friends that they see what’s going on.

And I loved these two.  Lance is, of course, one of those stand-up guys.  He’s a protector, full of strength and leadership, but it makes it a little hard for him to open up and talk about his past.  Luckily Jade has patience (she does teach elementary school kids 🙂 ) and she’s willing to provide him the support he needs until he’s ready to share.  It’s just what he needs at a time when he’s finally ready to make his way into the world again.

With a gripping, well-written suspense element and a touching, sweet romance, I definitely recommend getting your hands on Picking Up the Pieces.

Spotlight – Private Lives

15 Monday Jan 2018

Posted by in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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Y’all this one is getting absolutely FANTASTIC reviews on Goodreads and it is definitely going on my TBR shelf!

*****

Private Lives

by Mimi Francis

Blurb:

Sofia thought getting paid to have sex with Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor would be a breeze. Only problem? She didn’t count on falling in love.

No strings attached, that was the deal. If only their hearts listened.

Living in Hollywood, Chris Chandler has just about everything that he could ever dream of; a People’s Choice Award, lead actor in an acclaimed television series, anything and everything money could buy. Most people would be happy with all of that, but not Chris. As Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor, it is difficult to find the one person he wants to spend the rest of his life with, especially living under the constant scrutiny of the paparazzi. Every relationship he’s had with a woman, from friends only, to dating, to semi-serious, they all get delved into, dissected until there’s nothing left. What he needs now, what he wants, is something with no strings attached.

Sofia Larson is a not your typical escort. She works for Private Lives, a company where the women they employ and the men that seek their companionship, sign contracts, swearing themselves to silence and secrecy. What happens with each encounter is up to Sofia; while companionship is a guarantee, sex is not. Having an obscene amount of bills to pay, Sofia is only in it for the money. Her motto is ‘Don’t get involved, don’t get emotional, don’t bring the job home.’ And then she meets Chris Chandler.

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Amazon Link to purchase book

*****

Excerpt:

Sofia adjusted her skirt and pushed her dark red hair out of her face. She’d worn blue, the color of Chris’s eyes, the color of hers, his favorite color, her favorite color, a conscious choice, subtle, never discussed, never acknowledged, but one that Chris seemed to appreciate. She tapped lightly on the door, automatically glancing over her shoulder and down the silent hallway, wondering if anyone had seen her. Force of habit. She only had to wait a few seconds before the door opened and she slipped inside.

“Hi,” she whispered, smiling up at the man towering over her, even though she topped out at five foot, ten inches in her heels, his more than six foot frame made her feel tiny.

“Hi,” Chris replied, pushing the door closed and leaning against it, his steel blue eyes locked on hers.

Sofia let her lightweight jacket slide down her arms, dropping it to the chair as she sauntered past it. She poured herself a drink from the well-stocked bar, appearing calm and casual on the outside, but on the inside, she was a bundle of nerves. It was always like that when she met with Chris. She had to do everything in her power not to let him see it.

Chris took a deep breath, his chest noticeably rising and falling, then he pushed himself away from the door and stalked across the room, coming to a stop in front of Sofia. He took hold of her wrist, pulling her to him, until her breasts pressed against his chest, then he took the glass from her hand and dropped it on the bar, the glass clanging against the metal top. He slid his hand up her arm, his fingers twisting in the thin strap of her dress, pulling it down her shoulder, his lips following it.

Sofia tipped her head to the side, sighing as Chris’s lips moved along her shoulder and up her neck, his full beard scratching her skin, burning. His arms wrapped around her, crushing her to him, all tight muscles and long limbs, that hard edge, something she would never have expected from him, but one she fully embraced, set free. He needed this, needed her.

Her dress fell to the floor, leaving her in nothing but her high heels, a low growl of approval coming from Chris when he saw her naked body. His hands fell to her waist, squeezing hard enough to bruise as he nipped at her lower lip, the sting making her eyes water and her heart pound. A breathy gasp fell from her open lips, and then he was kissing her, devouring her, his mouth slanted over hers as he moved her across the room and toward the bed.

*****

Author Info:

Mimi Francis is a forty-something wife and mother of three who started her adventures in writing by dipping her toe into the world of fan fiction. After a lot of encouragement from friends and family, she decided to take a leap and try her hand at writing a book. When she’s not writing, she’s watching (and obsessing over) her favorite television shows and Marvel movies.

Website:  https://mimifranciswriter.com/

Facebook:  @author.mimi.francis

Instagram:  @author.mimi.francis

Twitter:  @author_mimi

Tumblr:  author-mimi-francis.tumblr.com

*****

Book Review – This Old Cafe

12 Friday Jan 2018

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This Old Cafe

Stonehill Romance, Book 5

by Marci Boudreaux

Jenna Reid purchased the Stonehill Café to prove to herself that her ex-husband was wrong…that she could make her dreams come true. Three years later, all she has is a crumbling building, no social life, and her bruised pride.

Pride is something Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Maguire lost long ago and isn’t likely to find living in the alley behind the café. He just needs a little time to get on his feet. In the interim, keeping an eye on the overworked café owner gives him a sense of purpose. He has no intentions of making his presence known until he hears the woman screaming late one night.

He rushes into the café but instead of finding her in dire straits, he finds a broken pipe and Jenna—soaking wet and holding a wrench. With her last bit of hope fading, Jenna accepts Daniel’s help to fix up her building, but it doesn’t take long for them to start trying to fix each other.

I have to say this is one of the sweetest stories I’ve read in a while.  The best thing is that it is just as much about believing in yourself and finding your way as it is about the romance.  Both Jenna and Daniel have issues that they need to address before they can truly move forward.  Jenna has lost her confidence after a bad relationship and Daniel has some trouble controlling his reactions thanks to his childhood.  Both things are keeping them from embracing their potential, but together they just might be able to get up enough courage to face their pasts.

While this is part of a series, this is the first one that I’ve read and I had no trouble keeping up.  Boudreaux does a wonderful job of keeping readers in the loop and for the most part it seemed like this story was pretty well centralized.  And definite points in her favor for me, she manages to keep it so wonderfully realistic and quite unique – it isn’t often you have a homeless vet living in an alleyway as your hero!  But it so works here and she makes sure that both Jenna & Daniel face their demons themselves.  There isn’t a love conquers all thing, instead it is the support and care that they show each other that helps them fix things for themselves.  Which helps deliver a fabulous HEA!

Spotlight – Seducing Her Brother’s Best Friend

11 Thursday Jan 2018

Posted by in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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I love the best friend’s sibling/sibling’s best friend story-line and Adams is delivering!  We got the first couple with Falling for Her Brother’s Best Friend and I’m looking forward to seeing where she goes next.

*****

Fifteen years ago, three girls were thrown together because their brothers were best friends. Now they’re all grown up, and their brothers are grown up too. The Tea for Two series tells their stories. Fans of New York Times Bestselling Author, Noelle Adams, will love this newest playful friends become lovers story featuring Carol and Patrick, releasing January 10, 2017.

Seducing Her Brother’s Best Friend

Tea for Two series

by Noelle Adams

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 10, 2018

Publisher: Noelle Adams

Format: Digital eBook

Digital ISBN: 9781386624455

Blurb:

After too many years being overlooked by men, Carol is ready to take action. She wants a man, and she knows which man she wants. Her brother’s best friend, Patrick Stevenson.

Patrick is funny and brainy and the sexiest man she’s ever known, but he has never looked at her as anything except his friend’s little sister. That’s going to change.

Carol isn’t good at flirting. Or seduction. Or anything that requires putting herself out there. But she’s going to make sure Patrick sees her as a desirable woman—and one he wants for more than one night—even if it turns her whole world upside down. He already likes her a lot. He just needs to open his eyes to how good they’d be together.

After all, how stubborn can he be?

Add to your TBR list:  Goodreads

Available:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Kobo  |  iTunes

*****

Excerpt:

She narrowed her eyes even more and gave him a cool glare. “You might as well just admit it. I know exactly what happened.”

He groaned softly. “All right. Fine. I couldn’t believe you’d be acting like… like that.”

“Like what?”

She was making this as hard as possible for him, and he couldn’t even blame her. “Like you… liked me.” It sounded ridiculous, immature, but he couldn’t think of any other way to put it.

“And you really can’t believe that I do?”

He wanted to be anywhere but here, put on the spot like this. He wanted to get up and leave, somehow escape everything he was feeling.

But, if he did, that would be it. He’d never have Carol in his life again. He might have messed this up completely, but he wasn’t prepared to lose her for good. So he told her the truth. “No. I really can’t.”

“Why the hell not?”

Carol almost never used to rough language—even something as mild as “hell.” It seemed to emphasize how upset she really was.

“I… I don’t even know.”

She stared at him for a full minute. He could see her chest rise and fall with her heaving breathing. Then she finally got up, muttering, “You’re a real idiot sometimes. You know that, right?” She went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.

He hauled himself to his feet and followed her. “I know I’m an idiot. I know that. But I’m still here, trying to fix things.”

She was staring into her open refrigerator, like she’d forgotten what she’d come here for.

“Carol,” he said, touching her shoulder gently. She looked so hurt and wounded. He couldn’t believe he was important enough to her to make her feel this way.

She whirled around to face him. “Why shouldn’t I like you?” she demanded.

He blinked. “Because… because it seems pretty obvious that it’s just because the others have gotten together.”

“What does that even mean?”

“I mean Emma and Noah got together, and then Ginny and Ryan got together. So now we’re the only two left. I get it. I do. It would make sense for us to get paired up in the same way. But that doesn’t mean it’s… it’s real.”

She made a loud, throaty sound of naked frustration.

Patrick contorted his face as he was washed with self-consciousness and confusion. “I’m trying to be honest here.”

“I know you are. I know you are!”

She closed the refrigerator, having taken nothing out. “Why wouldn’t we be good together?”

“We’re totally different. If I wasn’t the last guy left in our little group, you’d choose someone totally different.” He knew this much for sure. He’d been rehearsing it over and over again—for months now—reminding himself that any soft looks she’d given him had been based on something other than real attraction.

“How do you know that?”

“Carol, please. I know I act stupid sometimes, but I do have a functioning mind. And neither one of us deserves to be stuck with… whoever happens to be left.”

She gaped at him. Literally gaped. Then her cheeks paled even more. “You think I’m… just whoever happens to be left.”

“Not you,” he gasped, shocked that she’d ever even imagine he felt that way. “Not you. Me. I’m whoever is left.”

“You… you… you…” She was panting, couldn’t even get the words out.

“Me what?”

“You idiot!”

He was processing her uncontrolled outburst and so he wasn’t prepared for what she did next.

What she did was launch herself at him, grabbing his head and pulling it down into a kiss.

Since he wasn’t prepared, he couldn’t control his response. And he’d been wanting her too much, for too long, and not letting himself act on that desire.

So he didn’t stop it, even though he knew he should.

He didn’t push her away gently and explain that it couldn’t happen.

He kissed her back.

Copyright © 2018 Seducing Her Brother’s Best Friend by Noelle Adams

*****

Other Books in the Tea For Two series:

Falling For Her Brother’s Best Friend

After too many bad decisions in romance, Emma is going on a man-fast. For the next six months, she’s fasting from men. No sex. No dating. No soulful gazes. No fond memories of her first crush. She’s going to spend the time focusing on her career, getting in touch with herself, and helping her two best friends with the launch of their new tea room. No men.

And that includes her brother’s best friend, Noah Hart, who has just returned to their hometown.

She doesn’t want Noah anyway. He might be even hotter than he was before, but he’s not a nice guy anymore. He’s made a fortune by acting ruthless in business, and the last thing he’s looking for is small-town domestic life. He doesn’t even want to be in town again, but a sick grandmother guilted him into it. Then he has nerve to not even recognize Emma when he sees her again. Maybe it’s been seven years, but a decent guy would remember his best friend’s little sister.

Noah is not a decent guy. Anyway, Emma is on a man-fast. And she doesn’t want Noah.

At all.

Add to your TBR list:  Goodreads

Available:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Kobo  |  iTunes

Winning Her Brother’s Best Friend

Ginny Hart loves men. And she loves dating. She just doesn’t want a serious relationship. She’s tried it before–with her brother’s best friend, Ryan–and it’s clear she’s not cut out for it. So she’ll keep having fun and focusing on the new tea shop she recently opened with her best friend.

That’s all she needs in her life.

She definitely doesn’t need Ryan, who is always hanging around and has turned into a real player. When he challenges her to prove which of them is more popular with the opposite sex, she takes him up on the bet. One month. Four Saturday nights. She’ll show him she’s not still holding on to old feelings. It doesn’t matter if she can’t seem to keep her hands off him.

She’s not about to let him win.

Add to your TBR list:  Goodreads

Available:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Kobo  |  iTunes

*****

Author Info:

Noelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn’t stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she reads any book she can get her hands on and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.

She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.

Website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon  |  BookBub

*****

Giveaway:

Noelle is offering one (1) lucky Grand Prize winner a $25 Amazon Gift Card and three (3) Runner-ups eCopy of one book from Noelle’s Tea For Two series (winner’s choice).

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef29464/

*****