Book Review – Heartsong

12 Tuesday Jan 2016

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cover76947-mediumHeartsong

Singing to the Heart Book 2

by Sara Walter Ellwood

Gabriel McKenna is living the dream. A rising country music star he’s no stranger to fame, money, or beautiful women. Despite his bad boy image, he’s also got a heart of gold, and when his ten-year-old brother is orphaned, he wants to take him under his wing. But the judge on the case is less than impressed by Gabe’s reputation and awards custody to the grandfather Gabe knows firsthand is abusive.

Michaela Finn is no stranger to heartache. Years ago she was engaged to Gabe McKenna, but two days before their wedding he ran off to Nashville with a female talent scout. Now Gabe is back in her life with an insane plan. Marry him, so he can get custody of his younger brother. Michaela can’t bear to think of any child being hurt, but she’s just not sure her heart can carry a happy tune when Gabe is playing lead…

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot.  The second chance romance portion is interesting and the characters are very appealing.  It’s a sweet story – how they end up back in the same sphere, working together and having to face their feelings.

However, I think they needed to talk about things a little more.  There were a couple of moments where they were “I know you did something because of this reason” and I could only think “really? How do you know that?”  There was no learning moment, no working thru it, just a statement.  I think that if there had been more communication between them it would have worked, instead it seemed like they just forgave the past while not addressing it.  And I think they need to have that understanding of each other and what happened in order to have an on-going HEA.  Otherwise, what about the next time they hit a bump?

The ending also kinda falls in that same line.  Most people are going to see part of it a mile away (and I’m not sure why the heroes would be even a little surprised about it), but there is a part that seemed to me to come out of nowhere.  I liked to have a bit of a twist, but I kinda would have liked a little more of a suggestion of it earlier in the story as well.  There is a tiny bit of a hint but not enough to actually work for me.  It seems a bit TOO much of a surprise.

But even though it may seem like these are big issues, they really aren’t – they didn’t impact my overall enjoyment of the story.  I still got totally involved in Micki and Gabe’s story as they found their way back to each other again.  While I wanted there to be more discussion between them, I still found myself rooting for them all the way to that happy ending moment.

(Oh, and even though this is part of a series it can easily stand on its own.)

 

Get your copy at Amazon

Book Review – My Kind of Wonderful

11 Monday Jan 2016

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25317360My Kind of Wonderful

A Cedar Ridge Novel

by Jill Shalvis

UNEXPECTED AND UNDENIABLE . . .

Bailey Moore has an agenda: skiing in the Rockies, exploring castles in Europe, ballroom dancing in Argentina. Now that she has a second lease on life, she’s determined not to miss a thing. What she doesn’t realize is that item #1 comes with a six-foot-one ski god hot enough to melt a polar ice cap. She doesn’t want to miss out on him either, but Hudson Kincaid isn’t the type of guy to love and let go. And as gorgeous as Cedar Ridge is, she’s not planning to stick around.

As head of ski patrol at his family’s resort, Hud thinks he’s seen it all. But never has he run into someone like Bailey. She might look delicate, but her attitude is all firecracker. And her infectious joy touches something deep within him that he’s been missing far too long. Now he’ll just have to convince Bailey to take a chance on her biggest adventure yet . . . something rare and all kinds of wonderful.

I really got caught up in the Kincaids when I read Second Chance Summer and I remember not caring which of the siblings was next because I knew I was going to read their story whoever it was.  But I do have to say that I am SO tickled that it is Hud.  He is such a rascal that having him meet his match is extra fun.

And this story is fantastic!  It is one of those slow burns as we get to know both of them while at the same time they are getting know each other.  As to be expected, they have hang-ups (understandable & realistic ones) that they have to work their way through.

Hud is a great hero – smart, caring, and has taken on so much responsibility.  Unfortunately that also he’s not very good at letting things go and he carries around a lot with him.  His dedication to his mother is absolutely amazing but the guilt over the way his brother left is dragging him down.  And while he doesn’t have time for much more in his life, between his jobs and family, Bailey definitely gets his attention!

I think she is one of my favorite heroines ever and  I so wish I could be more like her (of course without going thru what she did to get there).  She’s got an amazing love of life, tempered with an interesting, straight-forward wisdom.  I think that the HEA moment for her and Hud will go on my list as one of the best I’ve read for a very long time.

On a little of a down side I didn’t feel like the siblings were involved as much as in the previous story.  I think because Bailey has got such a compelling story that maybe there isn’t much room.  Or maybe it was so much like coming home again, after getting to know them so much before, that it was one of those moments where you slipped right in like you never left.  They are just as rowdy & in each other’s business, which I loved so much about them.

If you’ve never read a Shalvis book, this is a FANTASTIC series to start with.  All of the quirky Kincaids and their SOs are delightful – full of mischief and love for one another.  They play hard, work hard, love hard and live hard.  They don’t have things easy but they have each other and I can’t wait to see what Shalvis dreams up for them.

(The next book is about Hud’s twin, Jacob, and since he’s been MIA for years, I’m very interested to find out exactly who he is and what his deal is going to be.)

 

Get your copy at Amazon

Book Review – The Fractured Heart

08 Friday Jan 2016

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cover77067-mediumThe Fractured Heart

A Second Circle Tattoos Novel

by Scarlett Cole

All things, when placed under pressure, eventually break or leave a mark.

Tattoo artist Brody “Cujo” Matthews knows how to keep things simple. In life and in love. Abandoned as a child by a mother who refused to stick around to raise three boys she didn’t want, he’s intent on staying clear of complicated women. The only things complicated in Cujo’s life are the killer tattoos he designs and inks. That all changes when he’s asked to help organize his best friend Trent’s engagement party, which means working with Trent’s fiancée’s best friend, Drea, the definition of high maintenance and sizzling curves. And the one woman he doesn’t want to walk away from.

Andrea “Drea” Caron is broke and tired. After years of caring for her ailing mom, she’s at the end of her rope trying to manage the piling medical bills, two jobs, and a life placed on hold. She certainly doesn’t need the added frustration of a sexy playboy tattoo artist messing up her best friend’s engagement party or her carefully balanced life. But when Drea witnesses the abduction of a woman from the café she works at, she can’t help but turn to Cujo who’s determined to prove to Drea that he’s someone she can count on forever…but as they attempt to bring the truth to light, someone is working to bring that forever to a sudden, deadly halt.

I really shouldn’t be surprised at how much I loved this one – The Strongest Steel was one of my favorite books from last year (and I wasn’t the only one because it was a Best Debut Goodreads Author 2015 Finalist).  And once again she knocks it out of the park.

Poor Drea has not had a great decade.  She’s had to take on a lot all by herself, starting when she’s just a teenager, while dealing with a mother who has spent years treating her horribly.  It’s caused her to be prickly and defensive and isolated, but she’s also very strong to be able to do it all.  Unfortunately she needs to learn that sometimes you need someone to lean on.  Once Cujo sees beyond her armor, he wants to be that person … and it scares him.  His own history has made him swear off relationships, but Drea has him reconsidering.

The relationship that develops between them is wondrous– the ups and downs are just about perfect.  Cole makes it very realistic and I totally get them every step of the way.  Both of them come into it with baggage, some much more obvious than others, but they manage to figure things out and it is so great to see.

I will say that the suspense portion wasn’t as fantastic as it was in the first book, however the real focus is on Cujo and Drea (much as it should be).  Because of how Drea has had to stand on her own for so long, she’s hesitant to let the mystery go.  I would have liked her to be a little more cautious with the danger involved, but I kinda can see why she wouldn’t be.

Just like with the first book, the highs and lows between Drea and Cujo make this book an absolutely fabulous ride.  I definitely can’t wait to see what Cole has for us in book 3.

 

Buy it on Amazon

Spotlight – The Rogue Not Taken

07 Thursday Jan 2016

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Oh, this one looks absolutely delish … and it already has 4+ stars!

*****

rogue not taken coverThe Rogue Not Taken

Scandal & Scoundrel #1

by Sarah MacLean

Releasing December 29, 2015

Avon

Blurb:

Lady Sophie’s Society Splash

When Sophie, the least interesting of the Talbot sisters, lands her philandering brother-in-law backside-first in a goldfish pond in front of all society, she becomes the target of very public aristocratic scorn. Her only choice is to flee London, vowing to start a new life far from the aristocracy. Unfortunately, the carriage in which she stows away isn’t saving her from ruin . . . it’s filled with it.

Rogue’s Reign of Ravishment!

Kingscote, “King,” the Marquess of Eversley, has never met a woman he couldn’t charm, resulting in a reputation far worse than the truth, a general sense that he’s more pretty face than proper gentleman, and an irate summons home to the Scottish border. When King discovers stowaway Sophie, however, the journey becomes anything but boring.

War? Or More?

He thinks she’s trying to trick him into marriage. She wouldn’t have him if he were the last man on earth. But carriages bring close quarters, dark secrets, and unbearable temptation, making opposites altogether too attractive . . .

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23617709-the-rogue-not-taken

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/141485-scandal-scoundrel

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

*****

Excerpt:

Intro from Sarah MacLean

Being shot on the Great North Road isn’t exactly a thing people expect to happen, and Lady Sophie Talbot finds herself in the rooms above The Warbling Wren pub, under the welcome care of a rather mad doctor and the watchful eye of the rather infuriating (and infuriatingly handsome) Kingscote, Marquess of Eversley. There are worse things, she supposes. Or are there? Not for King.)

—

“If you want a bath, you’ll have to accept my help,” he said.

She pursed her lips at that, her gaze settling longingly on the steaming bath. “You mustn’t look.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” It might have been the most obvious lie he’d ever told.

Somehow, she believed it, nodding and throwing back the coverlet to step out of the bed. She came to her feet, the top of her head at his chin, and he resisted the urge to help her across the room. “How do you feel?” he asked, hearing the gravel in his words. He cleared his throat.

“As though I’ve been shot, I’d imagine.”

He raised a brow. “Clever. There’s food when you’ve bathed.” The words summoned a low growl from her, and her hands flew to her stomach. Her cheeks turned red, and he smiled. “I take it you are hungry.”

“It seems so,” she said.

“Food after the bath. And then sleep.”

She met his gaze. “You’re very domineering.”

“It’s a particular talent.”

“What with you being called King.”

“Name is destiny.”

She moved past him to the high copper bathtub. He resumed his place against the wall, arms crossed, watching her carefully as she reached down, her long fingers trailing in the hot water as she sighed her anticipation. The sound was like gunfire in the room—pure, unadulterated pleasure. It was delicious.

King stiffened. He was not interested in the lady’s pleasure.

If only someone would tell his body that.

*****

SarahAuthor Info:

Sarah MacLean grew up in Rhode Island, obsessed with historical romance and bemoaning the fact that she was born far too late for her own season. Her love of all things historical helped to earn her degrees from Smith College and Harvard University before she finally set pen to paper and wrote her first book.

Sarah now lives in New York City with her husband, baby daughter, their dog, and a ridiculously large collection of romance novels. She loves to hear from readers. Please visit her at http://www.macleanspace.com

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

a Set of the Print editions of all books in the Rule of Scoundrels series (A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME, ONE GOOD EARL DESERVES A LOVER, NO GOOD DUKE GOES UNPUNISHED, and NEVER JUDGE A LADY BY HER COVER

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c8876/

*****

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Book Review – Lucky For You

06 Wednesday Jan 2016

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We’ve seen Jayne Denker’s books before with Picture This and By Design.  I’m super excited not only to have the newest Marsden book for you, but to also have Jayne agree stop by and answer a few questions.

AAAAANNNNDD, to sweeten the deal – major retailers (including Amazon) have it for only $0.99 right now!  I so can’t wait for you to meet Jordan – I’m sure you are going to love her as much as we do.

*****

What do you like best about writing romances?

All the happy, for sure! There’s so much unhappiness everywhere, and so much entertainment with “dark” themes, that when I decided to write my first book several years ago, I knew it had to be a romance, specifically a romantic comedy, because I didn’t want to put more darkness out into the world. One of the best things you can do in life is make people laugh and lift their hearts, even for a little while. I hope all five books I have published so far have done that.

What is your favorite romantic story (movie/book, fact/fiction)?

Aaaahhh don’t make me choose! There are so many. I could go for one of the oldest love stories, Diarmuid and Grainne (precursor to Tristan and Isolde, precursor to Lancelot and Guenevere), all the way up to whatever TV show I’m watching right now (again, too many to list) or whatever new novel I’m reading, and I’d be telling the truth. They all matter. They’re all my favorites because they make with the warm fuzzies. At this very moment I’m watching my son watch Parks and Recreation, so Leslie and Ben once again have pulled to the forefront, breaking my “awww” meter. It’ll change in about five minutes, though, when the episode ends, my kid wanders off to do other things, and I go back to editing my latest work in progress. Then that’s my favorite love story.

If you could be any romantic character, who would it be and why? 

The best part about writing and reading romances is I get to be all of them, at least for a little while, while I’m immersed in the story. If I had to choose an all-time favorite, I’d have to go with Lizzie Bennett, because she has the best spirit, is the cleverest person in the room, and is so confident (which I’m so not). Plus, when she makes a mistake, she owns up to it (eventually)—a rare and admirable trait.

Which of your characters/books was the most fun to write?

I love writing each book the most as I’m writing it, for completely different reasons, but I have a special place in my heart for Jordan Leigh, the main character in Lucky for You. Even though she’s prickly all the time and even downright annoying once in a while, she has a huge heart. She gets frustrated when she can’t express herself properly within the confines of a typical social structure. I have massive amounts of sympathy for her. She matures, learns, and grows over the course of the story, becoming kinder and more considerate of others, truly earning her happily-ever-after, which makes it all the more special.

If you weren’t a writer and could be anything you want, what would it be?

Oh, a rock star or Broadway diva, of course! Maybe both. Why not?

*****

cover67009-mediumLucky For You

A Marsden Novel

by Jayne Denker

Blurb:

It’s where everyone remembers your name—and your mistakes. But the quaint Catskills town of Marsden has a way of inspiring the unlikeliest reunions, flipping the script on the best laid plans, and opening even the most stubborn hearts…

Jordan Leigh’s always had a reputation for being bad news. So she figured it was only a matter of time before she got into serious trouble. But serving house arrest in her hometown of Marsden is truly cruel and unusual punishment. Plus she’s under police officer Will Nash’s up-close-and-all-too-personal supervision…which could make things worse—or more fun.

To make amends, Jordan throws herself into making nice with her neighbors, taking in stray animals, and helping teenage girls get back on track. But what she really wants is to get on the right track with Will. To do that, she’ll have to show him she’s grown up. And if that means making him break his own rules and face down his own fears, she’s up for the challenge …

*****

Review:

I loved how spunky Jordan is.  She’s hiding a world of hurt behind humorous sarcasm.  She’s not mean-spirited but she is quite snarky and unless you look further you might mistake it for just being awful.  She’s also a little socially awkward which makes it even worse 🙂  Will is one of those people who has a huge heart.  He’s patient and understanding, which Jordan needs in spades, and he’s the only real support she has in town.  They are so fun together … once they stop letting their pride get in the way.

My only complaint with the story is how Jordan handles the end.  She’d done so much growing through the book that I would have thought she would have done so much better.  I mean I understand that she might have fallen into old habits but she let it go too long, I think.  And when she comes back she doesn’t do much better, but Will is such an amazing and understanding guy that together they figure it out.

As with Picture This, it is the characters that make this such a hit.  While we do get a good cast of supporting characters (and I’m SUPER interested in what Denker has in store for Will’s brothers), it is Jordan and Will that drive this story.  The growth and development is so satisfying (with a few hiccups) and I was so excited when they finally got their happy ending.

I’ve loved both of the Marsden books that I’ve read so far and I’m definitely looking forward to see what comes next.

*****

Author Info:

Jayne Denker divides her time between working hard to bring the funny in her romantic comedies and raising a young son who’s way too clever for his own good. She lives in a small village in western New York that is in no way, shape, or form related to the small village in her Marsden novels Down on Love, Picture This, and Lucky for You. When she’s not hard at work on another novel, the social media addict can usually be found frittering away startling amounts of time on Facebook (Jayne Denker Author) and Twitter (@JDenkerAuthor).

*****

Don’t forget to get your copy for just 99 cents!

Spotlight – One-Eyed Dukes are Wild

05 Tuesday Jan 2016

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I think I’ve found a new series to check out!  We saw her novella, No Groom at the Inn, which looked absolutely fantastic.  And now we have One-Eyed Dukes are Wild and based on the excerpt & blurb this is definitely going on my TBR list.

*****

ONE EYED DUKES CoverOne-Eyed Dukes are Wild

Dukes Behaving Badly #3

by Megan Frampton

Releasing December 29, 2015

Avon

Blurb:

Another fun and sexy romance in Megan’s Dukes Behaving Badly series!

When does proper behavior deserve a deliciously improper reward?

The scandalously unmarried Lady Margaret Sawford is looking for adventure-and is always up for a challenge. Her curiosity is aroused by a dangerous-looking stranger with an eye patch, an ideal companion for the life she longs for, no matter what Society might say. So when the piratical gentleman turns out to be a duke-and just as boringly proper as any other nobleman-she can’t help but incite him to walk on the wild side.

Well-heeled, well-mannered, and well beyond any interest in society’s expectations, the Duke of Lasham is tired of being perfect. Margaret’s lush beauty and gently laughing eyes are an irresistible temptation to embrace the imperfect-and her. But if a little misbehavior is appealing, unleashing his wild side is completely seductive-as long as the lovely Margaret is the object of his passion…

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25783584-one-eyed-dukes-are-wild

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/127805-dukes-behaving-badly

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

*****

Excerpt:

1844

A London ballroom

Too many people, too much noise

Lasham took too big a swallow of his wine, knowing his headache would only be exacerbated by the alcohol, but unwilling to forgo the possibility that perhaps, for just a few minutes, his perception would be muffled, blurred a little around the edges.

So that he wouldn’t be in a state of constant keen awareness that he was the Duke of Lasham, that he was likely the most important person wherever he happened to be—according to everyone but him—and that he was under almost continuous surveillance.

The ballroom was filled with the best people of Society, all of whom seemed to be far more at ease than he had ever been. Could ever be, in fact. He stood to the side of the dance floor, the whirling fabric of the ladies’ gowns like a child’s top.

Not that he’d been allowed anything as playful or fun as a top when he was growing up. But he could identify the toy, at least.

“Enjoying yourself, Your Grace?” His hostess, along with two of her daughters, had crept up along his blind side, making him start and slosh his wine onto his gloved hand. Occurrences like this weren’t the worst part of having lost an eye—that obviously would be the fact that he only had one eye left—but it was definitely annoying.

“Yes,” he said, bowing in their general direction, “thank you, I am.”

The three ladies gawked at him as though waiting for him to continue to speak, to display more of his wondrous dukeliness for their delight. As though he were more of an object than a person.

But he couldn’t just perform on command, and his hand was damp, and now he would have to go air out his glove before bestowing another dance on some lady he would be obliged to dance with, being the duke, and all. Because if his glove was damp, it might be perceived as, God forbid, sweaty, and sweaty-handed dukes might mean that the duke had gotten said sweat because he was enthralled with the person with whom he was dancing, which would lead to expectations, which would lead to expect a question, and Lasham knew he did not want to ever have to ask that question of anybody.

It was bad enough being the object of scrutiny when he was out in public. At home, at least, he was by himself, blissfully so, and taking a duchess would require that he be at home by himself with somebody else, and that somebody would doubtless have ducal expectations of him as well.

“Excuse me,” he said to the silent, gawking ladies. He sketched a quick bow and strode off, trying to look as though he had a destination rather than merely wishing to depart.

*****

MeganFrampton author photo B & WAuthor Info:

Megan Frampton writes historical romance under her own name and romantic women’s fiction as Megan Caldwell. She likes the color black, gin, dark-haired British men, and huge earrings, not in that order. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and son.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

Three (3) Print sets of the Dukes Behaving Badly Series [THE DUKE’S GUIDE TO CORRECT BEHAVIOR, WHEN GOOD EARLS GO BAD (Novella), PUT UP YOUR DUKE and NO GROOM AT THE INN (Novella)]

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c8874/

*****

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Spotlight – Frosted Sweets

04 Monday Jan 2016

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I don’t know why but for some reason I think Bridget Jones when I read the cover of this one … regardless, it looks like a great choice for those who like a little humor and heart.  And it has 4.5 stars on Goodreads & Amazon – definitely worth checking out!

*****

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000037_00031]Frosted Sweets

A Taste of Love (Book 1)

by A.M. Willard

PUBLISHER: Booktrope Publishing

RELEASE: DEC 11, 2015

Blurb:

Will it turn into sugar and spice? Or a friendship over some frosted treats?

Morgan Lewis, the owner of The Polka Dot Café & Bakery, is about to wed the man she’s spent the last four years building a life with. What she doesn’t know is, that’s all about to change. Can her life move past a wedding disaster? Can her crazy friends help her pick up the pieces? And what’s in store for this sweet baker? Along with a booming business, the Christmas holiday rush, and her friends, Morgan is really sent into a spin when Jayden Rivers moves to town.

Jayden’s focus is on his career in production, but what he wasn’t expecting was to be knocked off his feet by a woman in the park. Sparks fly, but he’s not sure if she’s truly available or taken. With a severe sweet tooth and an addiction to Morgan Lewis’s treats, he can’t seem to stay away.

A.M. Willard brings you a romantic comedy with a touch of contemporary romance and a dash of chick lit, which takes you on a journey of friendship.

Frosted Sweets is the first installment of A Taste of Love Series in which we follow the lives of Morgan and Jayden, who are discovering life is anything but what it seems.

AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1RHDXK3

BARNES AND NOBLE: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/frosted-sweets-am-willard/1122944976?ean=2940156685295

iTUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/frosted-sweets/id1059005281?mt=11

*****

Author Info:

A.M. Willard is a true believer of soul mates, and happy ever afters. She enjoys reading, sailing, and of course writing contemporary romance with some saucy scenes. Releasing her first novella of the One Night Series on April 12, 2014 has sent her on a new journey in life.

A.M.’s passion for writing started at a young age, but with the love and support from her husband of eighteen years pushed her to follow her dreams. Once she hit that first publish button, she hasn’t looked back.

Publications available from A.M. Willard include the Chances Series, Love on the Screen, and everyone’s favorite, the One Night Series. She’s also had an article published in the Writer’s Monthly Review Magazine and was just accepted into the Romance Writers of America organization in May of 2015.

A.M. Willard was born and raised in the Panhandle of Florida, but resides in Savannah GA with her husband, son, two cats, one rotten dog, and her six chickens. Yes, we said chickens…

You can connect with A.M. Willard on her website at www.amwillard.com or subscribe to her newsletter for the latest releases, teasers, and sale alerts: http://eepurl.com/bb-Cd1

*****

birthday cupcake

Book Review – Can’t Hold Back

04 Monday Jan 2016

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cover73097-mediumCan’t Hold Back

A Returning Home Novel

by Serena Bell

In this tender military romance from the bestselling author of Hold on Tight—perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery—a war-shattered veteran gets a second chance at love with the one that got away.

No girl can resist a man in uniform—especially if that man is Nate Riordan. But after an injury in the line of duty leaves Nate broken, body and soul, the soldier finds himself addicted to his pain meds, with no place to call home. Desperate for an escape, Nate reluctantly accepts a friend’s invitation to a new veterans’ retreat. Expecting a little R&R, Nate is shocked when the sight of his physical therapist opens up another old wound: heartbreak.

Years ago, Alia Drake fell hard for Nate, but never made her move. Instead, she set up her sister with the sexy, confident military man, a foolish decision that continues to haunt all three of them. Now, with Nate as her patient, she can make things right—even if it means getting too close for comfort. A healing touch and a little honesty work wonders, fueling a physical intimacy that crosses professional boundaries. This time, with desire in the air once more, Alia won’t hold anything back.

There is a lot of emotional growth going on here – both Nate and Alia have things that they have to look at about themselves.  And I think because of that it isn’t a very quick read.  The undertones require a lot of digesting and picking apart so that you can totally get where they are coming from.  Which means you have to go a little slower to get all of it.

Because Alia is so strong and independent I think it is a little harder to like her.  Not that she isn’t likable but it makes her a little intimidating because she isn’t very … soft.  She’s used to being the one who is strong that it is hard for her to let go.  Nate is still trying to get over the incident that left him injured and out of the military.  It’s left him in pain both in body and in heart, but now he’s back in Alia’s sphere for help.  Neither expects exactly what that is going to mean for them.

The history between the two takes a bit to get over, but not as much as you would imagine.  It’s more of an issue with the people they are now, how they interact & what they expect from others and what they think their futures should be.  It’s such a journey for them from where they were to where they think they are going to where they actually should be.  It’s a rough trip but definitely worth it.

(This is a follow up to Hold On Tight, but you really can read this one on it’s own.  The little bit of influence the first book has here is minute and easily explained.  It pretty much revolves around Alia and Nate.)

Spotlight – Pieces of Me

03 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by in Blog Tour

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Book Info:
Author: Kirby Elaine
Book title: “Pieces of Me”
Genre: Contemporary Interracial Romance
Release Date: December 31, 2015
Model: James M. Ramsey 
Photographer: Holly Seeber 
 
 
Synopsis:
 
Still battling the physical and emotional scars of war, Army Veteran Jason Bowman, never expects to meet his match in the upbeat introvert Kylie Oliver. But Kylie may not be as put together as she comes across. Finding love and solace in Jason forces her to look at her own reality and confront the issues that have ruined her chances at love in the past. “Pieces of Me” is a light-hearted tale of love and healing with a twist you’ll never see coming.
 
 
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26166172-pieces-of-me 
#NewRelease #HeyCronut
Pieces Of Me by Kirby Elaine
“What is that?” he interrupted.
“What’s what?” she questioned looking around.
“That thing on your plate,” his voice was groggy. A deep scratching that somehow appealed to her.
“It’s a cronut.”
“A what?”
“A cronut. You know; part croissant, part donut; the perfect combination of flaky and sweet,” she laughed.
http://bit.ly/heycronut
 
A Baltimore native, Kirby Elaine began her writing career with the release of her first book, Healing Wounds, in 2013. After the first book was out in the world, Elaine went on to complete the Scott/Price Family Drama Series and published “Secrets Kept” and “All I Ever Wanted”. 
By the summer of 2015, Elaine had bought the series full circle by releasing the stand alone book, “Michael”. In addition to her five novels, Elaine has authored a handful of flash fiction pieces, novellas, and poetry. Elaine is expected to release the first book in her Coffee House series, “Pieces of Me”, in December 2015.
 
https://www.facebook.com/AuthKirbyElaine 
 
https://twitter.com/authkirbyelaine 
http://bit.ly/buyKirbyElaine

 

Book Review – Falling Hard

01 Friday Jan 2016

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cover74759-mediumFalling Hard

A Falling Fast Novel

by Tina Wainscott

In bestselling author Tina Wainscott’s gritty, emotional small-town romance—perfect for fans of Jasinda Wilder and Colleen Hoover—passions run high as a reformed bad boy reconnects with an old enemy . . . and gets her engine revving.

There’s no one Pax Sullivan wants to run into less than Gemma Thornton. Back in high school, she revved his heart more than street racing. But she picked his clean-cut brother over him—only to accuse Blake of an unforgivable crime. Eventually the charges were dropped and Gemma left town, but the hard feelings lingered . . . along with Pax’s gnawing “what-ifs.” Seven years later, just as he quits the police force to open a racetrack, Gemma’s back—and their chemistry is more combustible than ever.

If it were up to her, Gemma would never lay eyes on another Sullivan. She hates them, and they hate her—even Pax, who just so happens to be fixing up her father’s B&B. But the more time she spends with the lean, hard-bodied ex-cop at the inn and on the track, the more Gemma sees that Pax is nothing like his brother. Despite their anguished history, she’s tempted to take their relationship into high gear . . . if she can face the past and risk her heart.

After reading Falling Fast I knew I had to read Pax’s story.  He was such a fantastic supporting character – full of strength & conviction and was such a supportive friend.  You get a little of his history in the first book, but it isn’t a requirement that you have to have read it to enjoy Falling Hard.  But it helps because you’ll have already started your crush on Pax and get that ahhh feeling when he finally gets his moment 🙂

I wasn’t sure where Wainscott was going to go with Gemma’s story.  We only got a little bit of it before so I wasn’t sure how it was going to play out but I was thrilled with what she did.  The struggle that Gemma goes through, when no one believes her story, is heartbreaking.  It’s a horrible thing to have happen but to have every think that she’s lying is just … unbelievably awful.  And to have to come back and face those people is so intimidating but she handles it with her head held high.  Even though she’s had some therapy, rape is going to have a lot of long reaching impacts so I admire her grit as she works through it.

Pax proves himself to be the wonderful man that returning readers knew he would be.  He uses his head and logics though everything that he sees & knows, so that he starts to acknowledge the truth of what happened all of those years ago.  But it is terrible how much he has to pay for it.  He’s already being treated poorly by his family for some of his other decisions but he’s man enough to follow what he knows is right and not give in to others.  Of course that’s one of the reasons we love him so very much.

Falling Hard isn’t an easy story to read, because of some of the bad things that happen to good people, but I think that makes it that much more worth the effort.  As Pax & Gemma work their way to the truth, not only about their history but about their feelings today, readers are given a very satisfying and enjoyable read.