Book Review – Then He Kissed Me

28 Tuesday Jun 2016

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Book Review, Cottonbloom series, Laura Trentham, Then He Kissed Me

Then He Kissed Me

Cottonbloom Novels #2

by Laura Trentham

Can two hearts come together in one divided town?

As a boy, Nash Hawthorne spent countless afternoons on the Louisiana side of Cottonbloom with Tally Fournette, wading in the river, peeling oranges and catching frogs. When illness stole his mother, Nash yearned to take Tally and run away—for good. Instead, he crossed the state line to live with his aunt. It was a short distance as the crow flies, but it swept him into a whole new world…

After Nash left, Tally managed to struggle through her own losses without him. But now that she’s crossed paths with him again—at Cottonbloom College, where the grown-up, gorgeous Nash teaches history—she is reminded of their cherished youthful connection…and an attraction that has only gotten stronger with age. Between Tally’s possessive ex and Nash’s snobbish aunt, no one thinks they belong together. In a town torn apart by old resentments and rivalries, can they find their way back to the life they once shared—and turn their long-lost dreams into a real and lasting love?

Do you need to have read Kiss Me That Way to enjoy this story? No. But it does help because this is one of those series that are intertwined and each is benefited by the others.

We caught glimpses of Nash and got to know Tally a little bit in the first book so we knew where this one was going to go. But their histories have so much depth – the way that they had an amazing connection and then lost so much at the same time, being separated and having to go through difficult adolescences alone. It’s similar to Cade and Monroe, the way that they meant so much to each other as kids but life took them away, only to bring them back together at the right time. But Trentham makes sure that Tally & Nash have their own individual issues to work through.

Tally has felt stupid for years because she struggled in school. Unfortunately the death of her parents just compounded what was already turning into a problem for her. With her flighty uncle Del as her guardian and being raised by her teenage brother as best he could there wasn’t enough attention to get her the help she really needed. It’s led to a lot of years where she’s felt like a lesser person, even after starting a very successful gym. Subsequently her choices on a personal level haven’t been exactly the best. Seeing her childhood best friend again, looking hot and being all smart & charming, definitely doesn’t help her insecurities.

Nash had his own image issues. Being Nerdy Nash and super smart, he was an outcast at school – picked on or ignored. Just because he got hot along the way doesn’t mean he’s all that more sure of himself than she is. He seems to have a better handle on it than Tally does, thanks to finding a home for himself in academia, but he’s got some scars from his teen years that still impact things today … isn’t that always how it is?

I absolutely LOVE how easy it is for these two to reconnect. They complement each other so well and to have that still there even after all these years leads to the foundation that they need to build something more. As long as they can get over the fear of what it could mean for their hearts.

Then He Kissed Me is an absolutely freakin’ fantastic story of second-chance love. Together Tally and Nash are cute and fun, bringing out the best in each other and challenging each other to do something more, to finally lay those last few issues to rest and move into a lasting, grown-up love.

Once again Trentham delivers good-ol’ down-home Southern living with quirky but lovable characters and a love story that will having you sighing with pleasure. And she gives a little more about Sawyer and Regan – enough that I can’t wait to get my hands on their book next month!

Book Review – Happy Ever After in Christmas

27 Monday Jun 2016

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

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Book Review, Christmas Colorado series, Debbie Mason, Happy Ever After in Christmas

Y’all, I loved this story and I’ve seriously gotta figure out how I keep missing books in this series!

*****

Happy Ever After in Christmas

Christmas, Colorado #7

by Debbie Mason

On Sale: June 28, 2016

Formats: Mass Market & eBook

Price: $5.99 USD

Add to Goodreads

Blurb:

It’s beginning to look a lot like love . . .

As her thirtieth birthday approaches, deputy Jill Flaherty decides it’s time to live a little. When she walks into Sawyer Anderson’s bar in her sexiest dress, she’s not thinking that he’s her brother’s best friend or about the many women he dated during his years as a pro hockey player. All she’s thinking is that it’s finally time to confess to her longtime crush how she truly feels.

Sawyer is done being a player on and off the ice. Yet no one in the small town of Christmas seems to believe he’s ready to settle down, not Jill, and certainly not Jack, who is determined to keep Sawyer from breaking his little sister’s heart. But as Sawyer and Jill’s relationship heats up, can he prove that he’s her happy ever after?

THE FULL SERIES

The Trouble With Christmas, #1

Christmas in July, #2

It Happened at Christmas, #3

Wedding Bells at Christmas, #4

Snowbound at Christmas, #5

Kiss Me In Christmas, #6

Happy Ever After in Christmas, #7

Series Page on Goodreads

*****

Excerpt:

Deputy Jill Flaherty sat at her desk wrapping her brother’s birthday present for his surprise party tonight. The yellow helium balloons she’d ordered were currently bouncing in front of her face. She lifted her hand to bat them way, ripping the paper off the present in the process. A present that she’d been painstakingly wrapping for the last ten minutes. Frustrated, she swore under her breath while shaking her fingers to free them of the tape and brightly-colored tissue paper.

“You’re stuck,” Suze announced in an authoritative voice from behind her computer.

“Thank you for your insightful observation,” Jill grumbled at the forty-something woman sitting at the dispatcher’s desk across the room as she bent her head to pull the tape off her fingers with her teeth.

Suze leaned around her computer and grinned. “I didn’t mean literally. I mean you’re stuck, stuck. That’s why you’ve been so bitchy lately. You have the pre-30 birthday blues.”

“It’s my fingers that are stuck, not me. And I’m not. . . ” Jill sighed. “Okay, so maybe I have been a little bitchy. But it’s because of all the overtime I’ve been putting in the past couple of weeks. I’m tired.”

She ignored the reference to her thirtieth birthday. She wouldn’t admit to Suze that she was partially right. Like an ominous black cloud, the big 3-0 loomed large in Jill’s mind. It always had. Her mother died two days before her thirtieth. Preparations for Jack’s thirty-seventh birthday had served to remind Jill that her thirtieth was only five months away.

“Because you don’t have a life.”

Jill lifted a hand still covered in tape and paper in an are-you-kidding-me gesture. “I do so. I have–”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. You have friends and family and a job you love. Still doesn’t mean you have a life. You put yours on hold when Jack was MIA. I had a front row seat so I know what I’m talking about.”

“I have a life,” Jill reiterated without elaborating. Suze had stolen her ammunition. If having friends, family, and a job she loved didn’t count, Jill didn’t know what else to say.

A chair scraped noisily on the tile floor and Suze took a seat across from her. “Okay, so tell me, when was the last time you hid the salami?” she asked.

Jill frowned. “What . . .”

Suze rolled her brown eyes as she peeled the last of the tape and tissue paper from Jill’s fingers. “Bumped uglies. . . Did the horizontal mumbo?”

“I have no idea what you’re–”

“Oh for godsakes, when was the last time you got laid?”

Since the answer didn’t immediately pop into her head, Jill hedged, “What does that have to do with anything?”

“And there’s your problem. You can’t remember, can you?” Suze said as she rolled the paper and tape into a ball.

“Yes, I can. Seven months ago,” she said, taking a guess. Then realizing the number of months might unwittingly validate Suze’s no-life pronouncement, Jill added, “Before you say anything, I’ve been busy.”

Suze pursed her lips and tossed the ball into the garbage can. “Don’t buy two-sided tape again. And it was eight months ago with that accountant from Logan County.”

“Really? Huh. I could have sworn . . . ” She took in the I-told-you-so look on Suze’s lightly freckled face. “Oh, come on, that doesn’t mean anything.”

“Yeah, it does. It says it all. You have unmemorable sex with unmemorable men. And do you know why you do?”

“No, but I’m sure you’re going to enlighten me,” Jill said, carefully working the rest of the paper off Jack’s present with a pair of scissors.

“Fear,” Suze said, taking the scissors from Jill’s hand and looking her in the eyes. “You’re afraid to get your heart broken. That’s why you spend your time fantasizing about the man and life you want and not doing anything about it.”

“I do not fantasize about Sawyer,” Jill blurted without thinking. She caught the triumphant look in Suze’s eyes and quickly added, “Or any other man in town.”

*****

Review:

Jill isn’t the most girly of girls but just because she can kick butt while in uniform doesn’t mean that she doesn’t want the same happy ending that everyone else does. Unfortunately her dream guy is also her brother’s best friend and someone who doesn’t see her as girlfriend material. Growing up together definitely makes it hard for him to see her as anything else and you can’t help but feel bad for everything that she goes through. She’s never felt quite good enough and to have someone she’s loved forever not want her back is definitely a heart breaker. There’s a lot of back and forth between these two, but once she sets her mind to turning his head things definitely get crazy fast and Mason makes sure that it is a heck of a ride.

I love the fact that while Sawyer gets a lot of things right – kind, caring and helpful – when he screws up he does it big time 🙂 I can definitely get why somehow these two never quite make it onto the same page – they get close but somehow just keep missing it. It makes for heart-squeezing moments, but also fun times, as the two of them try to figure out where they stand with one another.

(When I read Kiss Me in Christmas, the book before this one in this series, I felt like you needed to have at least read the story before that one to truly be able to keep up and enjoy. But here, I don’t think it is a problem. Previous couples do make an appearance and you’d be more likely to pick up on all the nuances if you’d read their story too, but not to the degree as before. I think this time, Happy Ever After in Christmas can easily stand on its own. Although if you read, Christmas in July – which I did and loved, although I don’t know how I keep missing other books in the series – then you’d get a smidge better understanding of the interplay with Sawyer, Jill, Jack and Grace although I think that Mason does a great job of giving you the important parts. It’s been a long time since I read it and I kept up just fine 🙂 )

*****

Author Info:

Debbie Mason is the bestselling author of the Christmas, Colorado series. Her books have been praised for their “likable characters, clever dialogue and juicy plots” (RT Book Reviews). She also writes historical paranormals as Debbie Mazzuca. Her MacLeod series has received several nominations for best paranormal as well as a Holt Medallion Award of Merit. When she isn’t writing or reading, Debbie enjoys spending time with her very own real-life hero, their four wonderful children, an adorable grandbaby, and a yappy Yorkie named Bella.

Author Website | Facebook | Twitter

FOLLOW FOREVER ONLINE

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

*****

Giveaway:

Win your own copy of Happy Ever After in Christmas

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/26635ce2333/

*****

Tour Info:

I Love Romance

6/21/2016

Excerpt

Bitten by Romance

6/21/2016

Excerpt

Okie Dreams Book Reviews

6/21/2016

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Rusticating in the Tropics

6/22/2016

Spotlight

The Romance Dish

6/22/2016

Excerpt

A bluestocking’s Place

6/22/2016

Excerpt

The Diary of a Bibliophile

6/23/2016

Author Top 5 List

Pretty Sassy Cool

6/23/2016

Author Top 5 List

Moments

6/24/2016

Excerpt

JustaBooklovinJunkie

6/24/2016

Excerpt

Mary Gramlich (The Reading Reviewer)

6/24/2016

Spotlight

Diana’s Book Reviews

6/24/2016

Excerpt

A Bookaholic Blog

6/27/2016

Excerpt

Romantic Reads and Such

6/27/2016

Excerpt

EskieMama Reads

6/28/2016

Spotlight

herding cats & burning soup

6/28/2016

Spotlight

Becky on Books

6/29/2016

Author Top 5 List

Ramblings From This Chick

6/30/2016

Excerpt

Romance Junkies

6/30/2016

Spotlight

Buried Under Romance

6/30/2016

Excerpt

BookWorm221

7/1/2016

Excerpt

Mom with a Reading Problem

7/1/2016

Spotlight

LibriAmoriMiei

7/2/2016

Author Top 5 List

Wisconsin Cheesehead Bookreviews

7/2/2016

Spotlight

Hott Books

7/2/2016

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Thoughts in Progress

7/5/2016

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Written Love Reviews

7/5/2016

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books are love

7/5/2016

Spotlight

Spotlight – From Fake to Forever

24 Friday Jun 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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From Fake to Forever, Jennifer Shirk

I have not been shy about how much I love Entangled’s books and this one promises to be just as great as everything else! It’s a re-release of an old book, with updates, and it is getting a lot of 5 stars from readers. And after seeing the sneak peek I can see why 🙂

*****

From Fake to Forever

by Jennifer Shirk

Releasing June 6, 2016

Entangled Bliss

Blurb:

Sandra Moyer’s preschool is struggling, so when her sister suggests allowing a super-famous actor to research his latest role there, she reluctantly agrees. Except the actor turns out to be Ben Capshaw—a playboy who’s never serious, always joking around, and who knows zero about kids or being a parent. Case in point: his involvement in the untimely death of the preschool’s class pet…

Ben is enjoying teaching more than he thought he would, but that doesn’t mean he’s looking for a permanent position. Sure, he’s ready for more serious movie roles and less goofing off, but the buttoned-up, beautiful Sandra and her young daughter are more than he bargained for. Plus, Sandra still won’t trust him—what if it’s all an act, research for the role? As the lines between make-believe and reality blur, Ben will have to decide if love is worth casting aside the role of his life for a new role…that could last a lifetime.

Previously released as The Role of a Lifetime – (May 2008) and has been enhanced with new material.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30071064-from-fake-to-forever

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

*****

Excerpt:

“I’d love to come,” he answered.

What?

“Hip, hip, hooray!” Hannah shouted as she galloped around the office.

Sandra gritted her teeth. Ben wasn’t helping the situation, standing there, laughing as her daughter jumped her little heart out. Frustration constricted in her chest, since she was left with no choice but to be the bad guy. No matter. She was used to it. The way she always made up excuses for her ex-husband, she had the bad guy routine down to an art form by now.

“Sweetie,” she said, taking her daughter by the shoulders, “Big Bens is a very busy”

“Sandra, I said I’d love to come.”

She looked up and saw he was serious. He really didn’t want her getting him out of lunch on the boardwalk. Huh. That was a new one to her. But out of habit, she tried one more time. “Aren’t you worried about being recognized?”

He flashed her a confident grin, reaching deep into his pocket, whipping out what looked like a black necklace and twirling it around his index finger.

“What’s that?” she asked.

Hannah’s little hands went for the object, but Ben yanked it out of her reach just in time. “Nice try.” He looked at Sandra, his grin widening. “It’s my eye patch.”

“Your eye patch,” she repeated dully. “Has this role you’re after changed to a pirates-of-the-Jersey-shore movie?”

“No,” he said with a chuckle. “Since you had me shave, it’s my new disguise. I stopped at a convenience store the other day and got accosted by two teenage girls who recognized me as soon as I reached for a gallon of milk. One of them even pinched my—”

“I get it,” Sandra said, holding up a hand.

“I’m just saying. Fame isn’t easy.”

Poor baby. “So now you honestly walk around wearing that thing?”

He answered her question by putting it on.

Oh, dear. She hated to admit it, but the eye patch looked good on him. Why was she even surprised? Of course it did. He was a handsome man, and now he made one heck of a handsome pirate. To her disgust, her heart even did a somersault.

That settled it. Ben coming with them to lunch had bad idea written all over it. She looked to Hannah, hoping for an ally, or at the very least, some kind of sign. “What do you think, sweetie? Do you want to go to lunch with a scary pirate?”

“Pi-rate, pi-rate, pi-rate,” her little traitor began to chant, giggling and dancing around some more.

Not the sign she’d hoped for.

Sandra shrugged at Ben. “I guess you can come with us.”

“Arr, shiver me timbers,” he said in an exaggerated pirate twang. He winked his uncovered eye at Hannah and hooked his thumbs in his pants. “This is the nicest your mom’s been to a poor old bloke like meself in days.”

Sandra poked a finger in his chest but grinned. “Don’t make me regret this, or you’ll walk the plank.”

He grinned back and, with that eye patch, turned kneemeltingly rakish in under ten seconds flat. “Aye, I won’t be asking you to make me Roger jolly, if that’s what has you worrying.”

She laughed. Then he surprised her by taking her hand in his and raising it up to his lips. “I’ve already given you me word,” he said huskily, still in his pirate character.

“Friendship and perhaps a kind word here and there ’tis all I’m after.”

*****

Author Info:

Jennifer Shirk has a bachelor degree in pharmacy-which has in NO WAY at all helped her with her writing career. But she likes to point it out, since it shows romantic-at-hearts come in all shapes, sizes, and mind-numbing educations.

She writes sweet (and sometimes even funny) romances for Samhain Publishing, Avalon Books/Montlake Romance and now Entangled Publishing. She won third place in the RWA 2006 NYC’s Kathryn Hayes Love and Laughter Contest with her first book, THE ROLE OF A LIFETIME. Recently, her novel SUNNY DAYS FOR SAM won the 2013 Golden Quill Published Authors Contest for Best Traditional Romance.

Lately she’s been on a serious exercise kick. But don’t hold that against her.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

*****

Giveaway:

Kindle Fire (US) or $100 Amazon Gift Card (Int’l)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb55495791/

*****

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Book Review – Never Let Go

23 Thursday Jun 2016

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Allison B. Hanson, Blue Ridge series, Book Review, Never Let Go

Never Let Go

A Blue Ridge Romance

by Allison B. Hanson

Just one gorgeous weekend away from reality. Then they can go on like it never happened…

Riley Fisher doesn’t have time to chase after men. As a single mother working two jobs, she barely has time to eat or sleep. But a girl has needs. So when handsome veteran Sam Brooks asks her out, she decides she deserves some R&R. She doesn’t expect anything else from him—after all, he’s hardly the type to get serious.

Sam came back from Afghanistan lucky to be alive, despite PTSD that hits whenever he lets down his guard. His therapist told him to forget about relationships. When he meets Riley, he’s not planning on breaking the rules. She’s cute, petite, and a total smartass—not even his type. But she’s hard to forget. Especially once he runs into Riley and her toddler on a rustic mountain getaway and sees what he’s missing. Her kid makes him laugh all day. And Riley makes him burn all night.

Too bad a relationship is impossible. But they can enjoy the attraction. It’s not like they’re going to fall in love…

Such an amazingly sweet story! Riley and Sam slowly build a relationship – it’s not something they are expecting but they have a connection and it’s hard to resist the pull. Both of them have some issues to overcome but they complement each other well. I think my favorite part is that Hanson has Sam get professional help to overcome his PTSD, instead of having it fix itself or having love conquer all. It’s not something that he can do by himself and having the chance at a real family with Riley is the motivation he finally needs to see someone about it.

Riley has some concerns about getting involved with Sam. She hasn’t had the best of luck with men, but lucky for her this time she caught a good one. He’s caring and willing to do just about anything to take care of her and her son. Having a strong man in her life, willing to support her and help her, isn’t something she’s used to but definitely something she needs and it is great seeing her have something so good happen.

I really liked watching these two fall in love and figure out a way around their hardships. It isn’t an easy road for them but one they need to go down to build a strong future together.

Book Review – After We Fall

22 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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After We Fall, Book Review, Marquita Valentine, Take the Fall series

After We Fall

A Take the Fall Novel

by Marquita Valentine

After winning raves for Take the Fall (“crackling with tension, intrigue, and romance”—Katy Evans) and When We Fall (“sexy, emotional, heartfelt”—Monica Murphy), Marquita Valentine ratchets up the tension as new beginnings lead to undeniable passion.

A tough cop with an even tougher past, Hunter Sloan has never let anyone stop him from getting what he wants—and he wants Evangeline Ambrose bad. With her gentle curves and raw vulnerability, Hunter’s beautiful, mysterious new neighbor awakens his protective side. Determined to do right by a woman who’s gone through hell and back, Hunter could be the one to take away the pain—so long as his own secrets don’t sink their relationship before it begins.

Having escaped an abusive marriage, Evangeline simply wants to start over in the small, quiet town of Forrestville. She’s also avoiding all contact with the opposite sex, because she just can’t trust her instincts when it comes to men—not even with the sinfully sexy cop next door. So why can’t she stop thinking about him? Hunter has darkness in his soul, and yet no one ever made her feel so safe. For all her best laid plans, Evangeline didn’t count on choices this hard—or temptation this hot.

After reading When We Fall I was just waiting for this story … and was so thrilled with what I got!

If you are looking for the perfect book boyfriend, look no further than Hunter Sloan. Thanks to his past he’s caring and understanding but also strong. He shows an amazing amount of sensitivity to Evangeline and what she’s been through – going slow and wooing her, letting her set the pace but making sure that she knows that he’s there waiting for her. He’s protective, funny and sexy as all get out.

Evangeline has had a rough few years, thanks to an abusive relationship. And she still finds it hard to let that go and trust others, even therapists. She needs to address it, not ignore it, and Hunter does everything he can to help make that happen. She still has to be the one to heal herself but he’s there to support her every step of the way.

If you’ve read the other books in this series (and apparently there is another series that involves Evangeline’s siblings, but I haven’t read it) then you know what you are going to get. It’s sexy and gritty and so addictive to read. I’ve already seen what’s coming in the next book and I CANNOT wait to get my hands on a copy – get those two together and let’s watch the sparks fly 🙂

Spotlight – Ready to Fall

21 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Lovestruck Librarians series, Olivia Dade, Ready to Fall

Just last month we say another of Dades Lovestruck Librarians in Mayday and after enjoying that one so much I’m definitely ready to get my hands on this one!

*****

Ready to Fall

Lovestruck Librarians series

by Olivia Dade

Blurb:

Elementary school teacher and part-time librarian Sarah Mayhew has the perfect plan: show off her cycling skills at her school’s bike retreat and attract her oblivious coworker in the process. Her end game? Fall in love. Only one problem: she needs to find someone to teach her how to ride a bike pronto. But when she catches sight of Chris Dean’s gorgeous physique, her best laid plans are about to go off track . . .

Chris is not looking for a girlfriend. He’s getting over his last one by focusing on his bike repair business. So when a feisty, sexy schoolteacher urges him to help improve her cycling skills, he does it strictly for the money. He vows he won’t repeat history, even for a blond bombshell like Sarah. But when the two find themselves alone on the road, they can’t help taking a detour straight into each other’s arms . . .

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ready-Fall-Lovestruck-Librarians-Olivia-ebook/dp/B015VA3MQC

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ready-to-fall-olivia-dade/1122713762?ean=9781616509408

Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Olivia_Dade_Ready_to_Fall?id=siSeCgAAQBAJ

Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Ready-Fall/Olivia-Dade/Q396449332?id=6300597355308

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/ready-to-fall/id1052731132?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/ready-to-fall-3

*****

Excerpt:

Sarah had been talking nonstop for at least twenty minutes. Chris hadn’t said much in response, but she didn’t seem offended. From what he could tell, she didn’t require much in the way of audience participation.

“I figure there’s about a fifty-fifty chance I’ll die along that canal.” Tilting her head in thought, she drummed her fingers along the edge of the table. “If I do, please attend my funeral. Tell the crowd I died doing what I loved most—chasing after an eligible guy. Of course, I’ll also have died doing what I hated most. Namely, riding an accursed form of transportation in sweaty clothes while fighting that [w]itch Mother Nature.”

Good thing she was hilarious. If she wasn’t, he’d probably have donned his safety headphones about fifteen minutes ago.

She pointed an admonishing finger his way. “At the service, don’t tell my dad you’re the one who taught me to ride. He might blame you for my untimely demise, especially if he sees this shop. My guess? He’ll assume you tampered with my bike. Largely because your front room looks like the hideout of a crazed loner.”

He bit back yet another grin and snuck a glance at her, marveling once again at how relaxed she seemed. As soon as he’d brought her back to his workroom, she’d boosted herself up onto one of his work benches and sat to watch him adjust her bike. Her natural, open smile had returned. And then she’d started talking. And talking. And talking.

For some reason, she looked completely comfortable up on that bench. Almost as if the two of them had spent pleasant evenings here dozens of times before.

To his surprise, he was enjoying himself too. More than he had in months. Maybe years.

It was all very odd. The sight and sound of her in this room—a place he’d used for solitude since first opening the shop—should bother him. Should make him regret bringing her here. And on some level, he was bothered. On some level, he did regret bringing her here.

Not because he wanted her gone. Because he didn’t.

*****

Author Info:

While I was growing up, my mother kept a stack of books hidden in her closet. She told me I couldn’t read them. So, naturally, whenever she left me alone for any length of time, I took them out and flipped through them. Those books raised quite a few questions in my prepubescent brain. Namely: 1) Why were there so many pirates? 2) Where did all the throbbing come from? 3) What was a “manhood”? 4) And why did the hero and heroine seem overcome by images of waves and fireworks every few pages, especially after an episode of mysterious throbbing in the hero’s manhood?

Thirty or so years later, I have a few answers. 1) Because my mom apparently fancied pirates at that time. Now she hoards romances involving cowboys and babies. If a book cover features a shirtless man in a Stetson cradling an infant, her ovaries basically explode and her credit card emerges. I have a similar reaction to romances involving spinsters, governesses, and librarians. 2) His manhood. Also, her womanhood. 3) It’s his “hard length,” sometimes compared in terms of rigidity to iron. I prefer to use other names for it in my own writing. However, I am not picky when it comes to descriptions of iron-hard lengths. At least in romances. 4) Because explaining how an orgasm feels can prove difficult. Or maybe the couples all had sex on New Year’s Eve at Cancun.

During those thirty years, I accomplished a few things. I graduated from Wake Forest University and earned my M.A. in American History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I worked at a variety of jobs that required me to bury my bawdiness and potty mouth under a demure exterior: costumed interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, high school teacher, and librarian. But I always, always read romances. Funny, filthy, sweet–it didn’t matter. I loved them all.

Now I’m writing my own romances with the encouragement of my husband and daughter. I found a kick-ass agent: Jessica Alvarez from Bookends, LLC. I have my own stack of books in my closet that I’d rather my daughter not read, at least not for a few years. I can swear whenever I want, except around said daughter. And I get to spend all day writing about love and iron-hard lengths.

So thank you, Mom, for perving so hard on pirates during my childhood. I owe you.

Kensington website: http://www.ekensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/33043

Author website: http://oliviadade.com/

Twitter: twitter.com/OliviaWrites (@OliviaWrites)

Facebook: facebook.com/OliviaDade

*****

Giveaway:

ebook Ready To Fall

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e4be888279/

*****

Spotlight – The Lady Who Saw Too Much

21 Tuesday Jun 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Sole Survivor series, The Lady Who Saw Too Much, Thomasine Rappold

I’m so happy that Thomasine stopped by today to give us a little peek into her new book. I don’t know about you but after getting a look I’m so ready to find out more!

*****

The Lady Who Saw Too Much

The Sole Survivor Series

by Thomasine Rappold

Blurb:

Cursed with prophetic visions and desperate to atone for a death she could have prevented, Gianna York swears she will never again ignore the chance to save a life. When she is hired by Landen Elmsworth to serve as companion to his sister, Gia repeatedly sees the image of her employer’s lifeless corpse floating in Misty Lake. As subsequent visions reveal more details, Gia soon realizes her best chance to save this difficult man is by becoming his wife.

At first, Landen Elmsworth believes the fetching Miss York might be right for a meaningless dalliance, but he grossly underestimates her capacity for cunning and soon finds himself bound until death to a woman he may never be able to trust. Yet in the dark of their bedroom they discover an undeniable passion–and a capacity to forge their own destiny . . .

*****

Thank you for inviting me to share an excerpt of The Lady Who Saw Too Much. I hope readers enjoy the prelude to Gia and Landen’s first kiss and will check out their story!

– Thomasine Rappold

Excerpt:

She crawled out from beneath the bed. She brushed the dust balls from her hair, off her sleeves, anything to avoid looking at him. Her heart hammered. She forced herself to face him, then wished she hadn’t. He sat on the edge of the bed, a thin sheet wrapped around his waist. He was magnificent. Moonlight cast him in shadows and light. Her breath caught in her throat. Firm shoulders, muscular arms. A silken layer of dark hair graced his broad chest, trailing in a fine line to his taut stomach and beyond.

“Well?”

She could barely breathe, let alone speak. “I can explain.”

“I am listening.”

“I was…looking for something.”

He patted the space next to him on the bed and smiled. “You’ve found it.”

She gaped, shaking her head. “You misunderstand.”

Securing the sheet around his waist, he stood, moving toward her. “Enlighten me.”

The scent of his skin filled her senses, heating her blood and her flesh and her bones.

“Are you a thief?”

She took a step back. “No.”

He moved closer. His tousled hair pronounced a wildness about him, giving weight to the carnal look in his eyes. She couldn’t help wondering how many women had seen him this way, but she knew, without a doubt, she would never forget that she had.

He stopped, reaching toward her. She couldn’t move as his hand touched her hair. Twirling a lock around his finger, he grazed her temple, her ear. He leaned closer, and she closed her eyes, melting in the wisp of warm breath in her ear.

“A wanton?”

She shook her head slowly, her voice barely a whisper. “No.”

“What, then, are you doing in my room?” His lips skimmed her neck with each word. “Why are you here?”

To save your life, she wanted to say. But when she opened her eyes and gazed into his face, she discovered she wanted something else more.

So she kissed him instead.

*****

Author Info:

A three-time RWA Golden Heart nominee, Thomasine Rappold writes historical romance and historical romance with paranormal elements. She lives with her husband in a small town in upstate New York that inspired her current series. When she’s not spinning tales of passion and angst, she enjoys spending time with her family, fishing on one of the nearby lakes, and basking on the beach in Cape Cod. Thomasine is a member of Romance Writers of America and the Capital Region Romance Writers. Readers can find her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

www.ThomasineRappold.com

Facebook.com/ThomasineRappoldAuthor

Twitter @ThomRappold

*****

Giveaway:

Ebook The Lady Who Saw Too Much

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e4be888281/

*****

Spotlight – Boot Camp

20 Monday Jun 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

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Boot Camp, Lisa Knight

Get this book now for the discounted release price of 99 cents!

Offer valid only for a limited time

*****

Boot Camp

by Lisa Knight

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

It’s time to get sweaty.

Discovering her boyfriend with another man was not Louise Jackerby’s best day. Food helped to ease the pain, and after months of eating her way through heartbreak, she registers for a fitness boot camp to get into shape.

Kissing the instructor was never on Louise’s agenda, yet to her surprise she finds herself falling for Charlie Greerson, whose world of health and fitness is in major contrast to her own.

When tragedy strikes, Louise discovers she has more in common with Charlie than she initially thought, but despite their strong connection, she’s plagued by their obvious differences and must decide if this unlikely relationship can go the distance.

Content Warning: contains some sexual content and explicit language

Beachwalk

Amazon

*****

Author Info:

I love writing all kinds of stories but romance is definitely my favorite. Curling up with my laptop on a cold winter’s day is my idea of writing heaven, and if there’s coffee and chocolate close by that’s even better.

I’m always on the lookout for story and character ideas and am inspired by everyday things like people doing their grocery shopping, having morning tea at the local café, or the beautiful ‘welcome back’ hugs and kisses at the arrivals gate at the airport. Makes me cry just thinking about it!

I live in Canberra, Australia with my husband, and whenever I can, I snatch time to write between being a mum to our three young boys and my job as a social worker.

Author Media Links:

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

Blog: http://lisaknightauthor.blogspot.com.au/

*****

Book Review – Only You

17 Friday Jun 2016

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

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Bachelor Brotherhood series, Book Review, Denise Grover Swank, Only You

Love wedding related romances and this one was a ton of fun!

*****

Only You

Series: The Bachelor Brotherhood, #1

by Denise Grover Swank

On Sale: June 14, 2016

Publisher: Forever

Format: eBook

Price: $3.99 USD

Add to Goodreads

Blurb:

The first book in a spin-off from Denise Grover Swank’s New York Times bestselling Wedding Pact series (The Wedding Pact, The Player, The Gambler, The Valentine)

“Warm and funny, the first book in the Bachelor Brotherhood series reads like a great Hollywood rom-com.” –iBooks Best Books of June

Never say never…

Romance isn’t an option for Holly Greenwood. With her wedding planner career on the line she needs to stay focused, and that means pleasing her demanding boss, not getting distracted by her mind-alteringly hot neighbor…

Ex-Marine Kevin Vandemeer craves normalcy. Instead, he has a broken-down old house in need of a match and some gasoline, a meddling family, and the uncanny ability to attract the world’s craziest women. At least that last one he can fix: he and his buddies have made a pact to swear off women, and this includes his sweetly sexy new neighbor.

After one hot night that looks a whole lot like a disaster in the light of day, Kevin and Holly are about to learn that true love doesn’t play by the rules…

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Google Play | Kobo

*****

Excerpt:

Kevin wasn’t sure why he was surprised Holly was here. She was a wedding planner, and from what he’d seen so far, she was a damn good one.

He’d been on his way out of the room, needing a breather from the noise and the chaos of the reception when he’d seen her at the table. He hadn’t planned on asking her to dance—hell, he hated to dance—but he’d been desperate for a reason to talk to her.

When he sat back down at the table, Tyler wore a smirk. “Crashed and burned, huh? I thought you were going to the bathroom to take a piss.”

“I was. I just happened to run into a friend.”

“Run into a friend, my ass. I thought we’d sworn off women. I’ve held up my end of the bachelor brotherhood. And let me add that I had no idea my balls could turn this blue.”

“She’s a friend,” Kevin said, trying not to sound irritated and feed any more fuel to the fire.

“She’s his neighbor,” Matt said, taking a sip of his beer, and giving Kevin a pointed look. “They’re friends.”

Tyler burst out laughing. “You got friend-zoned?”

“No,” Kevin said slowly, picking up his drink, surprised Matt hadn’t told Tyler about the situation he’d stumbled upon. “I was the one who said I wanted to be friends.”

“Why?” Tyler asked, watching Holly with a little more interest than Kevin liked. “She’s hot. Do you know if she’s seeing anyone?”

“No.” Kevin’s irritation grew.

Tyler stood and adjusted his tie, a smirk lighting up his eyes. “Screw the brotherhood. I think I’ll go over and introduce myself.”

Kevin was up in a flash. “I don’t think so.”

“Why not?” he looked surprised. “She looks like she’d be worth a short break from my hiatus from women.”

Kevin stepped in front of his path, his jaw set. “Because you’re a prick who will use her and toss her aside and she deserves a helluva lot better than that.”

Matt was up in an instant, grabbing Kevin’s arm. “Why don’t we get some air?”

“You like her,” Tyler said, slack jawed.

“Of course he likes her,” Matt said. “For someone so smart, sometimes you’re an idiot.”

“In my defense,” Tyler said. “He said they were friends.”

“Okay,” Matt said slowly. “When was the last time you convinced a woman to be just a friend?”

“Never.”

“I rest my case, counselor.”

Tyler sat back down, and Matt tugged on Kevin’s sleeve to get him to join them.

“I can’t believe you didn’t last even a single week,” Tyler said.

“He didn’t last a single day,” Matt told him. “He slept with her the night after our agreement to remain single.”

Tyler burst out laughing. “For a tough-ass former Marine, I expected you to be the last holdout, man. At least a week or two.”

*****

Review:

**Minor spoilers, maybe, kinda, so just a warning**

FYI, I didn’t read the Wedding Pact series (for those that know me, *shocker!*), and while there are references to it – especially with Kevin’s sister – it didn’t impact this story much. I think it can easily stand on its own.

I’m going to start by saying that the ending seems a little rushed to me, not the relationship so much as just the timing. I think the whole story covers about 3 weeks, and while it reads like a movie rom-com (funny, wacky and sweet), what works for me on the screen needs a little more time on the page for some reason here 🙂 I want to emphasize it is definitely a very minor complaint, because if you take the timing out of it, I am highly satisfied with how things go for these two.

As I say that, I have to admit that I do kinda wish I’d read at least Megan’s story so I have a better feel for Kevin because I think that he was probably a handful in the previous book. The stories about the crazies that he attracts, and thus the very funny misunderstanding with Holly, are a hoot. And he’s got such a wonderful relationship with his sister, supportive but still snarky, that I would love to see that from her side.

Once their misunderstandings get straightened out, the interactions between Kevin & Holly are sweet, spicy and humorous. The main drama then comes from his mother and the fact that Holly works for her. It’s not the best of situations for either but they eventually make it work. (There’s those rom-com moments again 🙂 )

I’m looking forward to Kevin’s friends getting their own romances because I definitely believe those two need to be shaken up!

*****

Author Info:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four states and ten houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese, which she learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period. Her hobbies include witty (in her own mind) Facebook comments and dancing in her kitchen with her children. (Quite badly if you believe her offspring.) Hidden talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to perform many unspeakable tasks. She has six children and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.

FOLLOW FOREVER

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

*****

Tour Schedule:

Blog	Post Date	Type of Post
(un)Conventional Bookviews	6/14/0006	Spotlight*
I Love Romance	6/14/2016	Spotlight
The Sassy Bookster	6/14/2016	Spotlight
E-Reading After Midnight	6/14/2016	Spotlight
Pure Jonel, Confessions of a Bibliophile	6/14/2016	Top 5 List
Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance	6/14/2016	Spotlight
Bookish Things & More	6/14/2016	Spotlight
Okie Dreams Book Reviews	6/14/2016	Spotlight
Romance Junkies	6/14/2016	Q&A
Novels In Heels	6/14/2016	Spotlight
Book You Very Much	6/14/2016	Top 5 List
Ramblings From This Chick	6/15/2016	Spotlight
I Wish I Lived in a Library	6/15/2016	Spotlight
Margie’s Must Reads	6/15/2016	Spotlight
A Bluestocking’s Place	6/15/2016	Spotlight
Lushbookreviews	6/16/2016	Spotlight
The Book Reading Gals	6/16/2016	Spotlight
Taking Time for Mommy	6/16/2016	Spotlight
Alphas Do It Better Book Blog	6/16/2016	Spotlight
Ever After Book Reviews	6/16/2016	Spotlight
Hott Books	6/16/2016	Spotlight
Mary Gramlich (The Reading Reviewer)	6/16/2016	Spotlight
Life With Two Boys	6/17/2016	Spotlight
Romantic Reads and Such	6/17/2016	Spotlight
The Lusty Literate	6/17/2016	Spotlight
Stephaine’s Book Reports	6/17/2016	Spotlight
BFD Book Blog	6/17/2016	Spotlight
The Book Disciple	6/18/2016	Spotlight
Book Junkiez	6/18/2016	Spotlight
Moonlight Rendezvous	6/18/2016	Spotlight
Nose Stuck in a Book	6/19/2016	Spotlight
Wishful Endings	6/20/2016	Top 5 List
For the Love of Books and Alcohol	6/20/2016	Q&A
Romance Reviews and More	6/20/2016	Spotlight
Lustful Literature	6/20/2016	Spotlight
Palmer’s Page Turners	6/21/2016	Spotlight
Becca the Bibliophile	6/22/2016	Spotlight
OMGReads	6/23/2016	Spotlight
Bridget’s Book Bungalow	6/23/2016	Spotlight
Nice Ladies, Naughty Books	6/23/2016	Spotlight
Those Crazy Book Chicks	6/24/2016	Spotlight
Rustys Reading	6/24/2016	Spotlight
Pretty Sassy Cool	6/24/2016	Spotlight
A Novel Glimpse	6/27/2016	Spotlight
babbling about books and more	6/27/2016	Spotlight
Blogging by Liza	6/27/2016	Spotlight
Once Upon A Page	6/28/2016	Spotlight
Kitty’s Book Spot!	6/28/2016	Q&A
JaM Book Blog	6/28/2016	Spotlight
Books and Boys Book Blog	6/28/2016	Spotlight
books are love	6/28/2016	Spotlight

Spotlight – Saved By a Soldier

16 Thursday Jun 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

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Alison Mello, Saved By a Soldier

How about another hot soldier to celebrate that the week is almost over?!?

*****

Saved By a Soldier

by Alison Mello

Release Date: June 14, 2016

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

Blurb:

Patricia Ann Fitzgerald is no man’s arm candy…

Refusing to entertain her mother’s ridiculous notion that she should become the perfect little housewife for her ex-boyfriend Ben, Patty escapes to her father’s lake house to focus on what matters most to her. She has to break through her writer’s block and start her next book.

Medically discharged from the service and suffering from PTSD, Carter Montgomery is still trying to get his life back in order…

When Carter’s father Jackson suggests a week at the lake, it’s not only so he can gain a little clarity about his future. Jackson has other plans for his recovering son, intending for him to watch over his best friend’s daughter while she’s on a solo writing retreat—an idea that doesn’t please Carter at all.

Patty finds it hard to get any work done when her attention keeps diverting to the handsome stranger next door…

Patty is persuaded to attend a charity event, despite knowing her ex will be in attendance. When Ben rudely interrupts Patty’s dance with her father and drags her off the floor, Carter is quick to intervene. He’s tired of admiring Patty from afar, and refuses to see her treated that way. Ready to ditch the stuffy event, Patty escapes with her savior someplace where they can finally talk.

Ben always gets what he wants, and he isn’t willing to let Patty slip away…

Patty fights to preserve her blooming relationship with Carter from the critical eyes of her mother and the scheming ways of her ex. Will Carter manage to get his life back in order in time to save Patty from the life she never wanted?

Available at http://amzn.to/1Ot6q7m

*****

Author Info:

Alison Mello is a wife and stay at home mom to a wonderful little boy. She lives with her amazing family in Massachusetts. She loves playing soccer, basketball and football with her son.

After having her son, Alison started reading again and fell in love with Contemporary Romance. Reading made her happy and gave her something to do when she had downtime. As she started to read more, she started to notice things she really enjoyed in a book and things she didn’t. She began to have ideas for writing one of her own. One day she literally woke up and started writing. She realized that if there was ever a time for her to write, it was now. She had a part time job to give her something to do. The hours at work were slow and she was bored with what she was doing, so while her son was off enjoying his friends over summer vacation she got started.

Alison finished the first book in two weeks and decided that she really enjoyed writing, so she kept going. She already had ideas in mind for books two and three, so she kept writing. That is how the Learning to Love Series was born. Somewhere along the line, one of my Beta readers convinced me that Michael, a character from Finding Love, needed his own story. That is when Alison added the fourth and final book. Alison hopes you enjoy her books as much as she enjoyed writing them.

She’s so glad she started this writing journey and hopes you will stay with her for the ride. Chasing Dreams is scheduled to release in April and the first two books of the Love Conquers Life series will be out this summer!