Book Review – To Have and to Hold

10 Wednesday Aug 2016

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Book Review, Returning Home series, Serena Bell, To Have and to Hold

To Have and to Hold

A Returning Home Novel

by Serena Bell

In this emotionally charged novel from the bestselling author of Hold on Tight (“Sweet, sexy, and real.”—Jessica Scott), a war hero fights to remember the love he left behind—and the woman who refuses to fade away.

The reunion is supposed to be the start of the rest of their lives. But when Trina Levine sees the soldier she promised to love forever, Hunter Cross looks at her like she’s a stranger. The connection is gone, lost in the blank stare of those soulful brown eyes. Hunter remembers his young daughter but not Trina, and he certainly can’t recall why Trina and her own child are living in his house. Although his lean, rugged frame bears the scars of battle, his mind took the worst hit.

But Hunter Cross hasn’t forgotten everything. His body remembers caressing Trina’s delicate curves, holding her close, never wanting to let go. Was it just a dream, or was it real life? Now, as he tries to put the pieces back together, Trina’s the one who comforts him when his night terrors strike. It’s Trina whose warm touch rekindles a connection no man could deny. Even with the odds stacked against them, Hunter wants to believe. Because passion has the power to awaken the past—and remake the future.

Based on the blurb, I think I expected something a little different than what I got. For some reason I read that as Trina fighting for Hunter but in reality it is something so much more complicated.

We start with Hunter coming home and not recognizing Trina, but at that time he doesn’t realize that he’s lost a year of his memory. With all the hub-bub of getting him healthy and home no one recognized that there were gaps … until he comes back and finds Trina waiting for him, obvious signs that she’s more than just a friend.

I feel so bad for both Hunter and Trina. He’s freaked out by the memory loss and because of his first marriage very hesitant about giving his heart to anyone again. Finding that he’d apparently started a relationship with Trina sometime during his missing year only adds to his stress. Without any basis for it, and only remembering what happened with his wife, he’s not ready to try to rekindle anything.

Trina doesn’t have a good history with men. She got pregnant in high school, only to have the boy chase his dreams and leave her & the baby behind. She wasn’t necessarily looking to fall in love but Hunter convinced her to trust him with her heart … only to break it when he doesn’t remember her. With an opportunity to go to California so her daughter can be near her dad, and without Hunter as a reason to stay, Trina starts packing.

But first Hunter talks her into staying just until he can get comfortable in his home and with his daughter again. Lots has changed in a year, especially with a preteen girl, and he needs a little help to get settled. The only problem is having Trina in his home, and knowing that they had something together, makes the situation even more complicated.

There’s such a jumbled mess of emotions in this house – the girls don’t want to be separated (from each other or Trina & Hunter), Trina started to love again only to have it turn on its head, and Hunter is scared and confused. Bell does a fantastic job of showing their confusion, heartache and hope. And of delivering a fantastic HEA ending.

Book Review – Worth the Trouble

09 Tuesday Aug 2016

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Book Review, Jamie Beck, Worth the Trouble

Worth the Trouble

by Jamie Beck

Cover girl Cat St. James’s picture-perfect life is anything but flawless. Luckily, she’s a master of hiding the truth from the camera. Relying on that skill, she conceals her latest secret from her family while attending her brother’s wedding. Her only trouble now is Hank Mitchell—the soft-spoken carpenter she’d once brushed aside. Seeing him at the reception underscores her private heartache and ignites unwelcome longing, which she promptly drowns in champagne.

Hank is no stranger to sacrifice, having set aside his own ambitions to take care of his family. One thing he won’t forsake is his pride, which Cat already wounded once. But when the maddening beauty’s reckless behavior forces him to rush to her rescue, he sets in motion a series of events that leads Cat to make a business proposal granting him his dream job.

When Cat and Hank mix business with pleasure, promises and secrets unravel, and each must decide if and what they’ll surrender for love.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Worth the Wait, and I’m really not sure why it took me so long to get around to reading this one. Maybe because I didn’t remember liking Cat all that much (actually I’m not really all that sure how I felt about her) but I think that I expected her to be difficult to like in her own story.

I was seriously wrong. She’s flawed, full of pride and neurosis, but she’s also caring. She works in a world that is all about her image and her dad has never seen her as more than just a pretty face. It’s easy to see why she gets so hung up on what will happen to her now that she’s older and how she can prove herself to be more than just a trophy. Unfortunately a disastrous relationship and a serious secret has her hesitant to give her heart to any guy again.

Hank definitely sees more than just her beauty. He’s a sensitive, loving person who unfortunately has been dealt a very difficult hand. Shortly after his dad died his mom started displaying symptoms of Alzheimer’s so he’s had to support his family since a very young age, giving up many of his dreams. It also means he doesn’t have a lot of time or energy to give to a relationship. He thought something might have developed with Cat but she threw him over for someone else … and now that she’s single again he might be tempted but he’s also very hesitant to be hurt again.

I would have thought that Cat’s attitude would have gotten to me but Beck does a fantastic job of giving her readers a couple they can relate to and care about. I found myself turning page after page hoping that they would find some way to get past their history and issues to be together. When things go sour for them (as you’d expect), it made me sad for them – although I was definitely more on Hank’s side than Cat’s. But they manage to get it all together finally and get that HEA they so need. And I definitely can’t wait to see what comes next.

Spotlight – Playing by Her Rules

08 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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

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

*****

Playing by Her Rules

Sydney Smoke Rugby #1

by Amy Andrews

Publication Date: July 18, 2016

Genres: Adult, Entangled Brazen, Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

In this grudge match, the first to score…

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

…could win it all!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*****

Excerpt:

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

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

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

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

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

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

He smelled like orchids and…ouzo.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“It’s faster going down.”

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

*****

Author Info:

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

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

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

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card

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

*****

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Spotlight – Eight Second Ride

05 Friday Aug 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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Anne Jolin, Eight Second Ride, Willow Bay Stables series

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

*****

Eight Second Ride

Willow Bay Stables #2

by Anne Jolin

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*****

Other books by Anne Jolin

Willow Bay Stables:

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

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

Rein In, Book 3: Releasing this October!

Rock Falls Series:

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

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

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

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

HELL ON HEELS:

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

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

*****

Excerpt:

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

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

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

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

Lifting up my head, I choked on my muffin.

His butt.

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

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

I declared the front wasn’t so bad either.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*****

Author Info:

Hey y’all,

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

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

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

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

Mad love,

Anne Jolin

Social media links:

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorannejolin

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

*****

Tour Host:

HEA Book Tours, PR & More

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*****

Tour Schedule:

Wednesday, July 27

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

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

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

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

Sizzling Hot Books – promo: facebook.com/SizzlingHotBooks

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday, July 28

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, July 29

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

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

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

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

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

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

Monday, August 1

Jazmine Cabrera – review – street team member.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tuesday, August 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday, August 3

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

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

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

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

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

Bookish Fangirl – promo: bookishfangirl.com

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

Thursday, August 4

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friday, August 5

Queenzany – review and promo: queenzany.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book Review – Just Kiss Me

04 Thursday Aug 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest

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Book Review, Just Kiss Me, Rachel Gibson

I see Rachel Gibson’s name and I know I’m in for a good time 🙂

*****

Just Kiss Me

by Rachel Gibson

Release Date: July 26, 2016

Publisher: Avon Books

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Paperback/Ebook/Audio

Blurb:

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Gibson returns with this dazzling love story filled with sizzle, sass, and just a bit of southern charm . . .

“Hello, Ms. Vivian . . . it’s been a long time.”

And with those words, Vivian Leigh Rochet nearly melted. It’s been years since she last saw Harrison Whitley-Shuler. She was a teenager scrubbing houses for a living. He was the gorgeous son of rich parents, not fit for the likes of her.

Vivian had vowed to get out of Charleston, become a big Hollywood star, and stick it to the snooty girls who made her cry.

She got what she wanted—and more—but why does her glamorous life seem so trivial?

Harrison got out too . . . making it all the way to Wall Street, until a heart attack forced him to trade in his cufflinks for a good set of hand tools.

Making furniture soothes his soul, but escaping the Whitley-Shuler heritage is nearly impossible. And now he’s come face-to-face with the one who got away. He’s not looking for love. He’s not even looking for sex . . . so why is resisting her the hardest thing he’s ever done?

Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

*****

Review:

(BTW, I received an advanced copy of this book, which is one of the reasons I love what I do 🙂 In my copy the male lead is Henry but in the blurb it is shown as Harrison. I’m not sure which is right in the the release so I’m going to go with what was in my book.)

This story is so much more than just a romance. Like any good Southern story, there are a lot of family secrets, past hurts, and long held beliefs that need to be re-evaluated.

Vivian is back in town for her mother’s funeral and to put her things to rights before heading back to her life in Hollywood. Unfortunately that also puts her in the sphere of the Whitley-Shulers again, the last place she wants to be. Growing up in their carriage house led to a lot of mixed up feelings and resentment for the wealthy family in the big house. Only things seem much different seen through grown up eyes.

Henry towed the family line for more than 30 years but a heart attack sent him back home to a quiet life. While it isn’t what his mother expects of him, working with his hands makes him happy and he’s managed to make a life that works for him. Until Vivian comes home in all her bigger-than-life glory, throwing things into a tailspin and threatening a lot of long-buried secrets.

Thrown together Henry and Vivian start getting close, pushing each other’s buttons and creating sparks. But while they fight their developing feelings, there’s also the chance to get to know each other as adults – with adult issues but also with adult understanding.

Vivian also gets to know Henry’s mother a little better, seeing her as more than the scary force she was in her young life. Unfortunately it also shows her a new view of her own beloved mother. One that shines a light on some things that she might not want to look at any closer.

I don’t think you can have a South Carolina story without skeletons in the closet and Gibson gives us some doozies. With mint julep charm and a lot of Bless Your Hearts, Just Kiss Me is definitely the perfect summer read and the start of a great new series. I can’t wait to see what she does next.

*****

Author Info:

Rachel Gibson is a New York Timesand USA TODAY bestselling author of fast-paced contemporary romance novels. Publisher’s Weeklyproclaims Rachel’s “clever, snappy dialog amuses at every turn” and “With humor and eloquent prose, Gibson brings substance and depth . . . to modern day romance.”

Four of her novels were named among the Top Ten Favorite Books of The Year by Romance Writers of America. Two of her novels, True Confessions and Not Another Bad Date, were awarded the RITA, Romance Writers of America’s highest honor of excellence. Some of Rachel’s other awards and achievements include The Golden Heart Award, the National Reader’s Choice, Amazon Editor’s Top Pick, Publisher Weekly’s Quill nominee, Borders bestselling romantic comedy and Romantic Time’s Career Achievement award.

When not writing, Rachel can be found shopping for shoes or looking for strange and unusual flowers to plant in her garden.

You can visit her website at http://rachelgibson.com

Goodreads | Facebook

*****

Giveaway:

Avon Books is giving away 3 Print Copies of Just Kiss Me!

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/97a55ed485/

*****

Tour Schedule:

Monday, July 25 – Book reviewed at Stranded in Chaos

Guest blogging at Celebrate with a Book

Book featured at CBY Book Club

Book featured at Harmonious Publicity

Tuesday, July 26 – Book featured at Bound 2 Escape

Book reviewed at 3 Partners in Shopping

Book featured at Just Us Book Blog

Wednesday, July 27 – Book featured at Authors and Readers Book Corner

Book reviewed at Doing Some Reading

Book featured at E-Romance News

Thursday, July 28 – Book reviewed at Becky on Books

Book featured at The Bookworm Lodge

Book reviewed at Pretty Sassy Cool

Friday, July 29 – Book featured at Booklover Sue

Book reviewed at Written Love Reviews

Book featured at Write and Take Flight

Monday, August 1 – Book reviewed at Our Families Adventure

Book reviewed at ReadsandReviews

Book featured at Mello and June

Tuesday, August 2 – Book reviewed at Svetlana’s Reads and Views

Book reviewed at Ashley’s Bookshelf

Book reviewed at Deal Sharing Aunt

Wednesday, August 3 – Book reviewed at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Book featured at What is That Book About

Book featured at A Title Wave

Thursday, August 4 – Interviewed at Whispering Stories

Book reviewed at I’m Shelf-ish

Book featured at A Taste of My Mind

Book reviewed at Romantic Reads and Such

Friday, August 5 – Book reviewed at Us Girls and Books

Book reviewed at Pretty Little Book Reviews

Book featured at Socrates Book Reviews

Book reviewed at What Is That Book About

Book reviewed at What I’m Reading

Spotlight – Brodie’s Gamble

03 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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

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

*****

Brodie’s Gamble

Book Two, MacLarens of Boundary Mountain

Historical Western Romance Series

by Shirleen Davies

Blurb:

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

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

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

Deciding innocence and guilt isn’t his job.

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

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

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

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

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

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

*****

Excerpt:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*****

Author Info:

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

*****

Tour Schedule:

July 19^th

CBY Book Club

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

July 20^th

Lola White

www.lola-white.com

July 22^nd

Hyper Ashley

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July 25^th

Romance Novel Giveaways

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Reading to Unwind

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July 26^th

CD Yess Writes

cdyesswritesblog.wordpress.com

July 27^th

Happy Tails and Tales

http://happytailsandtales.blogspot.com/

July 28^th

Deal Sharing Aunt

http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.hr/

August 1^st

Mel’s Shelves

http://www.melsshelves.blogspot.com

August 2^nd

Reading to Unwind

http://readingtounwind.blogspot.com/

August 3^rd

Romantic Reads

https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com

August 4^th

Natural Bri

T: @natural_bri

FB: www.facebook.com/naturalbripage

August 5^th

Boom Baby Reviews

http://www.boombabyreviews.com/

August 8^th

Cafinated Reads

http://cafinatedreads.com/

August 9^th

Hollow Unrest

http://iqurae.blogspot.com/

August 10^th

A Passion for Romance

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

August 11^th

Apocalipstick the Book

https://apocalipstickthebook.wordpress.com/

August 12^th

Books and Banter

http://locglin.blogspot.com

Spotlight – Torn Ends

02 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

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Magnolia series, Taylor Dawn, Torn Ends

I love the idea of a hero in need of a second chance, one who is looking for a new start and the woman who is there to help him.

*****

Torn Ends

Magnolia Series Volume 3

by Taylor Dawn

Now Available

#99cents #KindleUnlimited #Romance

Blurb:

Damon ‘Dash’ Hunter had one thing on his mind…freedom. After being incarcerated for a crime he never meant to commit, Dash vows to lead his life under the radar. The one thing he needed was family and the only family he had left was his sister, Gracie. Upon deciding to relocate from Chicago to Biloxi Mississippi to be with his sister, Dash jumps on his Harley and makes the long journey south. His travels are soon interrupted by the likes of a sassy brunette on the side of the road with a flat tire. Offering to help her, Dash finds more than just a spare in the trunk of her car. He can’t help but offering his assistance to show her how to properly use those naughty toys stowed away in her car.

Brandi Fairfield had a habit of dating guys who were bad for her even though sometimes bad could be so good. Just as she decides she’s ready to find a respectable man, a bad boy she can’t seem to resist rolls up and helps her change a flat tire. Everything about him has warning signs but she once again throws caution to the wind. But soon she learns the truth about the new guy in town. Can she push aside her disbelief and help him clear up his wrongs. Or will the threat of his past tear a hole in the very fabric they’ve woven together.

Follow Dash and Brandi as they continue the Magnolia Series by International Best-Selling Author, Taylor Dawn.

#99cents

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Available on Kindle Unlimited for #FREE

*****

Other Titles in the Magnolia Series

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

*****

Author Info:

International Bestselling Author Taylor Dawn (formerly writing as C.D. Taylor) began writing as an item to check off her bucket list. She resides in the southernmost part of Illinois, right on the mighty Mississippi river. She enjoys the quiet country life with her husband, son and the many farm animals that make up the rest of the family. Deciding that farm life was just a little too mundane, Taylor began writing romance and fantasy to liven things up, so far so good. Before starting her writing career, Taylor entered the field of cosmetology. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found sitting around a table making people laugh. She has always wanted to be a standup comic. She loves pulling practical jokes, dresses up in a costume every Halloween and believes that dancing is the key to a happy life (even if you aren’t a good dancer). She believes that life shouldn’t be taken too seriously, we will never get out alive anyway. More than anything, she is a kid at heart, she doesn’t believe in bedtimes, eating everything on her plate, or having ice cream only for dessert. Her favorite quote is by Dr. Seuss…”Why fit in, when you were born to stand out.” You can find Taylor at taylordawn-author.com

Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads

*****

Tour provided by Nell’s PR & Marketing

Spotlight – To Have and to Hold

29 Friday Jul 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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

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

*****

To Have and to Hold

The Wedding Belles #1

by Lauren Layne

Releasing July 26, 2016

Pocket Books

Blurb:

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

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

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

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

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

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

*****

Excerpt:

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

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

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

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

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

Eventually.

But not yet, for God’s sake.

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

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

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

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

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

A wedding.

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

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

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

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

“Can we not?” he said curtly.

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

“I’m not pissed; I’m just surprised.”

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

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

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

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

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

But he’d put that behind him. Mostly.

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

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

And it certainly hadn’t gotten close to marriage.

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

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

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

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

He frowned. “Do what?”

“The big brother thing,” she said.

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

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

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

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

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

Or so Neil likely thought.

*****

Author Info:

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

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

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

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

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

*****

Giveaway:

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

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

*****

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

Book Review – Riverbend Road

28 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Book Review, Haven Point series, Raeanne Thayne, Riverbend Road

Riverbend Road

A Haven Point Novel

by RaeAnne Thayne

Return to Haven Point, where New York Times bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne proves there’s no sweeter place to fall in love…

Protecting the streets of Haven Point isn’t just a job for police officer Wyn Bailey, it’s a family tradition. But lately she’s found herself wanting more, especially from her boss—and overprotective brother’s best friend—sexy chief of police, Cade Emmett. The only problem is getting Cade to view her as more than just a little sister.

Cade’s hands-off approach with Wyn isn’t from lack of attraction. But his complicated past has forced him to conceal his desire. When Wyn is harmed in the line of duty, Cade realizes the depth of his feelings, but can he let his guard down long enough to embrace the love he secretly craves?

I read Snow Angel Cove, the first book in this series, and then somehow I missed the next couple. No surprise, right? Well, the good news is that it didn’t matter for this story. You can pretty much drive right in and enjoy.

While this is technically a romance, I’d like to say it has more of a woman’s fiction vibe because it is about so much more than the hero and heroine getting together. There is a lot of soul searching going on by both Cade and Wyn. And don’t expect a suspense feel, because even though they are cops there is very little in it for cases they are working. Although she does a great job of throwing in a little danger at the end just to keep things exciting 🙂

After she has a near death experience, Wyn does a lot of looking at her life and making big decisions about where she is & where she’s going. She’s content but not happy and vows to fix that. I enjoyed getting to know her and being part of that journey. She’s a fine officer and a good friend, but she’s just not in the right place for her any more. And it only has a little to do with the crush she has on her brother’s best friend.

Cade had to overcome a lot from his childhood. His family doesn’t have the best track record for staying out of trouble but thanks to the Baileys he was able to turn things around. Except he still sees himself as a no-good Emmett. Unfortunately almost losing Wyn has him thinking things that he shouldn’t and he’s fighting his feelings tooth & nail … of course, he is 🙂 I like that Thayne has his growth be about more than just his relationship with Wyn. He’s got some re-evaluating about his feelings for himself as well.

I do kinda feel like I would have liked a little more to the ending but I think that being a part of a series means that you get some of that closure in future stories as characters reappear in other books. We get a complete story here but I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what’s next in store for these two. And what happens for a few of the secondary characters as well. Which I guess means that makes this a winner, huh?

Spotlight – Ultimate Courage

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Piper J. Drake, True Heroes series, Ultimate Courage

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

*****

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

Ultimate Courage

True Heroes #2

by Piper J. Drake

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: July 26, 2016

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing- Forever

Print Length: 336 pages

Format: Digital and Mass Market Paperback

Blurb:

LOVE IS AN ACT OF BRAVERY

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

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

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

Also in this series:

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

*****

Excerpt:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*****

Author Info:

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

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