Book Review – Making a Play

06 Sunday Sep 2015

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cover72177-mediumMaking a Play

A Hometown Players Novel

by Victoria Denault

He’ll do whatever it takes to win–on and off the ice.

Luc Richard is the hottest player in the NHL–and it has nothing to do with hockey. His racy relationship with his supermodel ex set the tabloids on fire but nearly put his career on ice. To avoid being traded, Luc agrees to take a break from the spotlight–and from women–and spend the off-season at home in Silver Bay, Maine. It’s the perfect plan… until he reconnects with Rose.

Rose Caplan is tired of being shy, sweet, and safe. She’s ready for passion, romance–and Luc. Having loved him longer than she can remember, she’s finally ready to prove she’s not the same innocent little girl he once knew. Off the ice Luc doesn’t do games, but this new Rose makes him feel like playing a little dirty. If he’s really got a shot at her heart then he’s not just playing to win. He’s playing for keeps.

Is anyone going to be surprised when I tell you I haven’t read the first Hometown Players book?  No?  Didn’t think so.  The nice thing is that it doesn’t make a difference because Denault does a good job of filling you in on any important details you might have missed.

Luc and Rose are fantastic together.  The idea that she’s had this crush on him for years, and that he’s been denying the attraction for just as long, is sweet and a little heartbreaking.  They have such a supportive and close relationship but it has to be horrible to have to hide (and repress) those feelings.  But this summer things have changed and their control may not be enough to keep them apart.

Luc is your typical big bad athlete – strong, confident, sexy and a magnet for women.  He had an alcoholic mom, giving him a few emotional scars and leaving him with the feeling that he’s not good relationship material.  Especially not for someone he cares so much about and who is as sweet as Rose.  Rose has had to watch Luc’s antics with his model girlfriend in the tabloids.  Now that he’s single again, it is her last opportunity to get him to see her as something other than just a friend.

I love the friends to lovers story-line and this one is wonderfully done.  Because they were friends for so long, the back and forth between these two (and the inevitable fallout when Luc screws up because you just know he’s going to) makes for a fantastic read.  Denault does an amazing job of capturing the highs and lows of their changing relationship and you feel every rise and dip with them as they try to find their way to a HEA.

One More Shot was Denault’s debut novel and based on Making a Play I’m pretty sure that she’ll have a long career ahead of her.  And I am SOOOO looking forward to The Final Move releasing this December – we got glimpses of what’s to come here and it looks like it is going to be great!

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Book Review – Two Family Home

05 Saturday Sep 2015

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cover67015-mediumTwo Family Home

A Southern Comfort Romance

by Sarah Title

Lindsey Alford moved to Willow Springs, Kentucky, to prove to all doubters (mostly her parents) that she’s all grown up. Something her neighbor Walker Smith never questioned—those short shorts of hers!

Put a cute single girl with an overactive imagination next door to a reclusive hot guy, add in a decadent blue velvet sofa, a locked garage and a nursing home full of busybodies, and trouble is bound to pop up. Literally, in the form of an adorably naughty stray pup with a longing for two people to lick and a home all his own.

Love isn’t complex…it’s a duplex!

Once again we have a series that I joined after it started, but luckily it’s one of those times where it doesn’t matter.  Two Family Home was a great chance to be introduced to this world and get to know the characters a little better.  Lindsey is new to the area so that helps because she’s getting to know everyone just like us.

Walker is great – he’s moody and standoffish and all Heathcliffy.  But he’s also a brilliant artist, a good friend to Myron, and has a soft heart under his gruff exterior.  Lindsey is one of those people who sees the good in everyone and wants to help, which is why she makes a great nurse.  With shared walls and an adorable puppy, it doesn’t take long for Lindsey’s happy attitude (and sexy legs) to get to Walker.

A lot of people comment on how much they like the fact that the dog’s point of view is included in the story, which is actually quite cute, but it was getting both Walker and Lindsey’s that I liked the most.  I always enjoy seeing the romance bloom from both points of view and I think that it added a lot to this story.  I definitely think we needed to see his changes from Walker’s POV and getting Lindsey’s voice added just so much pep to an already cute story.

Even though this is my first Southern Comfort story, it definitely won’t be my last.  I can’t wait to meet everyone else and watch them fall in love.

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Book Review – Treasured by Thursday

04 Friday Sep 2015

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I’m so thrilled to be able to bring everyone the last story in Catherine Bybee’s Weekday Brides series.  She gives us a humdinger of an ending to one of my favorite series and I can’t recommend it enough.

*****

23306713Treasured by Thursday

Weekday Brides, Book 7

by Catherine Bybee

Contemporary Romance, Montlake

Release: August 18, 2015

Blurb:

The seventh and final tale in the dazzling, heartwarming, and pulse-racing Weekday Brides series.

Gabriella Masini: She’s a woman haunted by her past, with the scars to prove it. She believes that fairy tales are for other people. An elite matchmaker at Alliance, she’s great at crunching numbers, but something doesn’t add up with her latest prospective client: a billionaire bad boy with his own secrets. When Gabi refuses to be his temporary wife, Hunter forces her hand with an offer she can’t refuse. But marriage to a man like that could never last…or could it?

Hunter Blackwell: Only his bank account is bigger than his ruthless ability to obtain anything he wants. These days, he has a secret reason to settle down, at least for a while—and he thinks the sensual and sassy Gabi will fit the bill perfectly. But when their marriage of convenience becomes downright dangerous, Hunter must decide how far to take his vow to honor and protect Gabi forever.

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*****

Review:

Most of the time, I’ll tell you that you don’t need to have read the previous stories in a series to enjoy a book, but unfortunately this time I think it makes a difference.  We met Gabi in Seduced by Sunday and a lot of her history from that story impacts this one and I’m afraid you might be missing out on a lot by not having that information.  But really, these stories are so good that it shouldn’t be a hardship 🙂

Every time I read one of these I think that I’ve met the couple that I love the most …. then I read the next book.  I already knew I’d love Gabi based on Sunday (and just by the fact that she is one of Bybee’s brides) but Hunter turned out to be great too.  He does change his tune pretty quickly after meeting Gabi but I don’t think he’s had someone with quite as much sass in his life before.  He’s also going thru a lot of other things, hence his need for a “bride”, which probably helped him want to take a good look at himself as well.  I liked him right off, regardless of how big a jerk he could be, and watching him fall for Gabi was a lot of fun.

Gabi was dealt a HUGE hit in Sunday so it was great to see her finding a spark inside and be willing to stand up to Hunter.  He needed someone to give him a little grief and she’s got it in her to be that person.  I laughed and huffed and smiled and shook my head at the two of them as they dance around each other on their way to a relationship.

The suspense portion was fantastic.  (I’m not sure how these people keep getting themselves into these situations …) But Gabi’s related back to Sunday and gave a nice book end to her story.  Although you knew everything was going to turn out well for them in the end, there were a couple of moments that had me holding my breath.

The ending, both with the bad guy and Gabi & Hunter’s relationship, was perfect.  She showed how far she’d come and he’s wonderful coming to the rescue.  I have to say I fell even more for him in the last chapter but you’re just going to have to read it to find out why 🙂

Y’all have no idea how sad I am to see this series end, although I was thrilled to have all of my favorites show back up and give us updates on their lives.  And a little good news, Bybee hints at a new series coming and I’m sure it is going to be great!

*****

Bybee Author PhotoAuthor Info:

New York Times bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating from high school, she moved to Southern California with hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Not Quite series as well as the Weekday Brides series.

Book Review – Her Lucky Cowboy

03 Thursday Sep 2015

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Today I’ve got a sexy cowboy and an absolutely adorable (and heartbreaking) heroine that I can’t wait to introduce you to!

*****

Her_Lucky_Cowboy_CoverHer Lucky Cowboy

Montana Men # 3

by Jennifer Ryan

Releasing August 25, 2015

Avon

Blurb:

Champion rodeo rider Dane Bowden is eight seconds from winning under the Vegas lights, one last hurrah before reluctantly returning to his family’s Montana ranch. But his bull has other plans. When Dane wakes up, he’s sure he’s died and gone to heaven . . . because the doctor who comes to his aid is the same girl who saved his life and disappeared years ago.

Bell would do anything for Dane. He’s the fantasy that always kept her going. A child genius hidden away by her family, Bell was the secret no one talked about, the girl no one wanted. Despite finding success as a young surgeon, she’s still the awkward girl who’s never had a boyfriend. So why does Dane, a notorious playboy and sizzling-hot cowboy, insist on taking her on a real date?

Bell is the only woman in Dane’s heart. When a rodeo rivalry turns deadly, it’s his turn to save Bell’s life—because he sure as hell won’t lose his guardian angel again.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23644595-her-lucky-cowboy?ac=1

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/129156-montana-men

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

*****

Excerpt:

Bowden Ranch, Montana

Eleven years ago

Dane was flying.

One moment he was riding his horse across the far reaches of his family’s land, the next his horse reared up and kicked his massive hooves in the air, spooked by some unseen threat. Dane let loose the reins and fell sideways, hoping the horse didn’t trample him. Dane’s left foot hit the ground first, his ankle twisting painfully as his body slammed into the packed dirt and weeds. His shoulder hit next, breaking most of his upper body’s fall, but his head smashed into a jagged rock. Pain exploded through his head.

Hombre galloped away. Alone now, Dane rolled and lay flat on his back, staring up at the canopy of tree branches overhead. The sound of the rushing river next to him added to the thrashing heartbeat in his ears. He rubbed his hands over his eyes, hoping that cleared his spotty double vision. His left hand came away wet and sticky with blood from the gash swelling on his head.

He closed his eyes tight, his hands falling limp on his stomach. When he opened them moments later, he stared into a pair of dazzling blue eyes. The young girl’s dark hair hung down, covering most of her pale face as she stared at him. The most beautiful girl he’d ever seen.

“Are you okay?”

Such a soft, sweet voice. Where had she come from? No one lived out here. He liked the peace and quiet. The solitude.

“I must be dead. You’re an angel.”

Those ethereal eyes went wide with surprise. “Trust me, I’m no angel.” She filled those soft words with as much shock and disbelief as showed on her pretty face.

Calling her a liar probably wouldn’t make her like him.

She crouched, opened her hand, and set a long blue feather on his chest before touching her fingers to his aching head. The sting made him hiss in pain. Definitely not dead. Which meant she was real. Despite his prone body and inability to think clearly, one thing came through loud and clear. He wanted to know this girl.

“I need to stop this bleeding.”

He must have torn his T-shirt when he hit the ground. She ripped a piece free, walked to the edge of the river, and dipped it in the icy water. His vision blurred. He closed his eyes and moaned when she pressed the cold cloth to his head.

“There now. You’ll be okay.”

At fifteen, the last thing he wanted to do was ask for help, but his head swam and his ankle throbbed in time to his heart and the headache pounding in his head. No way he’d get home on his own. “My ankle hurts. Please, you have to get my dad. Find one of my brothers.”

Her soft hand settled on his chest over his heart. “You’ll be okay.” She snatched it back, like touching him burned her. He missed the sweet contact.

She reached for his foot and carefully pulled off his boot. He tried to bite back the groan, but it burst from his tight lips when the pain shot up his leg. Not cool to look like a wuss in front of a pretty girl, but with his head busted open, he was in bad shape.

She ripped his shirt again and used the long strip to bind his ankle. It actually felt better.

She sat beside him, her hands clenched in her lap. “I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t have touched you. I’m sorry.”

He didn’t understand her distress. He tried to sit up and comfort her, but he fell back to the ground, his eyes closing as blackness swamped his dizzy mind.

*****

Review:

(This is my first Montana Men books that I’ve read (surprise!) but I really enjoyed it.  I missed out a little by not reading the stories about Dane’s brothers but I don’t think it was enough to make a big difference.  I’m curious now but I didn’t really feel like I was lost at any point by not having that history.)

I absolutely LOVED these two.  Dane is a good modern day rake – enjoying himself as he moves fast through life (and women), until he meets that special someone.  Once he sees Bell though he’s a new man.  He’s already going to have to change his life and his accident just makes it even more real, but the change didn’t feel quite as right until he found a woman to settle down with.  He’s going to have to show a lot of patience and understanding though to win this one over … good thing that he’s a strong, upstanding man under all that fast living.

Bell had an unusual upbringing to say the least.  Her family was ashamed of her and hid her from everyone, so much so that no one knew she lived with her grandmother.  Add being beyond brilliant to the mix, enough that she graduated college at an age most kids are graduating high school, and she’s got a lot of catching up to do socially.  Meeting gorgeous and socially hyperactive playboy Dane, just makes her feel all the more unsure of herself and has her resisting his advances.

Bell’s awkwardness makes Dane have to fight for her but it does ensure that he has plenty of time to make sure that she’s what he wants.  The ups and downs that these two experience will help make them have a solid future … as long as they make it out the other side.  Because Ryan also throws a little danger into the mix, which just amps things up a bit and keeps you biting your nails (both from terror and emotional overload).

With her fantastic writing style, addictive characters and awesome pacing, I found myself speeding through the pages.  I kept telling myself I’d just read a little more, which turned into a little more and then a little more, because each time I promised myself I’d quit at the next good stopping point I’d just find myself even more engrossed.

If the rest of the Montana Men stories are anything like this then I’m moving them to the top of my TBR pile because this one packed about as much punch as that big ol’ bull that Dane goes round and round with.

*****

Jennifer RyanAuthor Info:

Jennifer Ryan is the New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of The Hunted Series and The McBrides Series. She writes romantic suspense and contemporary small-town romances featuring strong men and equally resilient women. Her stories are filled with love, family, friendship, and the happily-ever-after we all hope to find.

Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home and in how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

a Print Bundle of AT WOLF RANCH and WHEN IT’S RIGHT (Books 1 and 2 in the Montana Men series)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c8762/

*****

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TVTLuckyCowboy-JenniferRyan

Book Review – Giving It All

02 Wednesday Sep 2015

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cover69834-mediumGiving It All

by Arianna Hart

Home is where his heart can heal. Former Navy SEAL Grant Anderson failed to see the IED that took his lower leg and couldn’t fix the cracks that ended his marriage. Embarrassment kept him from returning home to Dale, Georgia, after his discharge. But with his father ill, his family needs him. One of the first friendly faces he encounters is Ellie Hall. The gawky little girl next door now has curves that shouldn’t make his mouth water. She deserves a hero, not a broken man. Ellie can’t remember a time when she didn’t have a crush on Grant. Now if she could only get it through Grant’s thick skull that she doesn’t need to fear him. As they work together to straighten out his family business, holiday fireworks aren’t the only thing making Greg sweat. But by the time they uncover why the figures aren’t adding up, Greg must rely on pure instinct to keep Ellie safe from danger—and pray that this time, he won’t fail. Warning: Contains a wounded warrior who’s his own worst critic, and a determined heroine who’ll take the whole package as is. While not a series, this story takes place in the same fictional world as Son of a Preacher Man.

I can’t believe how much I enjoyed this story.  It seemed pretty straightforward – a mixture of tropes that I like (PTSD, returning hero son, childhood crush, popular boy/unpopular girl, a mystery) – but Hart brought great emotion and depth to the story.  Some people might get a little tired of Grant’s hot and cold attitude, but it definitely makes sense and works well with the man and the relationship.  I have a pretty low threshold for that kind of thing but I think it worked well here.

I really liked Ellie.  She’s so caring and smart and out of her element with the oh-so-sexy Grant.  When she lets herself go for it though … perfecto!  The fact that she’s had a crush on him for years just adds that bit of extra umph to her issues.  Grant is great too.  He’s dealing with a lot – the loss of his leg and his marriage, not being a SEAL and moving home again.  It’s a lot to take but when he discovers a sexy, smart, somewhat complicated woman living in his parents’ garage … things just got more interesting.  The two of them together are a riot!  I also loved Grant’s parents and their friends.  They aren’t overly quirky like you sometimes get in small town Southern towns but there is a great mix of personalities that make you just want to move to Dale so you can call them friends.

There’s also some intrigue about what is going on at the family store, which adds a little extra drama to the story and helps Grant find a sense of purpose he needs in coming home.  It also gives him a reason to hang out more with Ellie, which he takes full advantage of – he’s no dummy!

I will say that even though I don’t think it is a requirement to have read Son of a Preacher Man there are enough references to the characters and events from it that I think it might help give readers some additional depth to the story.  If you are like me and joining here, you’ll be fine but you’ll probably be like me and add the other book to your TBR pile 🙂

Spotlight – Not Always a Saint

01 Tuesday Sep 2015

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I’ve read Putney’s books over the years and enjoyed them all.  And I’m super excited about this one – it sounds amazing!

*****

Not Always a SaintNot Always A Saint

by Mary Jo Putney

Publisher: Zebra

Pages: 352

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Paperback/Kindle/Audible

Blurb:

“Adventure, passion and pure reading pleasure!”  –Jo Beverley

After the death of his sweetheart when he was at university, Daniel Herbert buried his grief in medical studies and his passion for healing. Viewed as a saint by those who know him, in his own mind he never quite manages to live up to his own high standards.

Most men would be thrilled to learn they’ve inherited a title and estate from a distant relative, but Daniel is appalled because the burden of wealth will interfere with his medical calling.  Warily he accepts that he must enter society and seek a wife—a sensible woman who can oversee his properties, leaving him free to continue his work. He does not expect to become intoxicated by a woman called the Black Widow, who is as mysterious as she is shockingly beautiful…

Jessie Kelham’s looks have always been a curse. Now alone with a young daughter and a perilous secret, she is in need of protection. But dangerously attractive Daniel Herbert is not the kind of husband she has in mind. If he recognizes her, the demons of her past will surely erupt. Yet they cannot keep apart—and soon they are drawn into a union that may bring joy—or shattering danger…

ORDER INFORMATION

Not Always a Saint is available at

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

*****

Mary Jo PutneyAuthor Info:

Mary Jo Putney was born in Upstate New York with a reading addiction, a condition for which there is no known cure.  After earning degrees in English Literature and Industrial Design at Syracuse University, she did various forms of design work in California and England before inertia took over in Baltimore, Maryland, where she has lived very comfortably ever since.

While becoming a novelist was her ultimate fantasy, it never occurred to her that writing was an achievable goal until she acquired a computer for other purposes.  When the realization hit that a computer was the ultimate writing tool, she charged merrily into her first book with an ignorance that illustrates the adage that fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

Fortune sometimes favors the foolish and her first book sold quickly, thereby changing her life forever, in most ways for the better.  (“But why didn’t anyone tell me that writing would change the way one reads?”)  Like a lemming over a cliff, she gave up her freelance graphic design business to become a full-time writer as soon as possible.

Since 1987, Ms. Putney has published over forty books and counting.  Her stories are noted for psychological depth and unusual subject matter such as alcoholism, death and dying, and domestic abuse.  She has made all of the national bestseller lists including theNew York Times, Wall Street Journal, USAToday, andPublishers Weekly.  Five of her books have been named among the year’s top five romances by The Library Journal, while three were listed in the Top Ten Romances of the year by Booklist, published by the American Library Association.

A ten-time finalist for the Romance Writers of America RITA, she has won RITAs forDancing on the Wind and The Rake and the Reformer and is on the RWA Honor Roll for bestselling authors.  She has also been awarded two Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards, four NJRW Golden Leaf awards, plus the NJRW career achievement award for historical romance.  In 2013 she was awarded the Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award.

Though most of her books have been historical romances, she has also published three contemporary romances, several paranormal historicals with strong fantasy elements, a young adult historical fantasy trilogy, and numerous novellas and short stories.  She is currently writing the New York Times list bestselling Lost Lords historical romance series for Kensington.

Ms. Putney lives near Baltimore, Maryland with her nearest and dearest, both two and four footed.  She says that not least among the blessings of a full-time writing career is that one almost never has to wear pantyhose.

Mary Jo Putney is the recipient of the 2013 RWA Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award

For More Information

Visit Mary Jo at her website

*****

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August 24

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Book reviewed at Mythical Books

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Spotlight – Beauty and the Werewolf

31 Monday Aug 2015

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We’re already seen The Werewolf Wears Prada and now I’m excited for us to get a peek at book 2!

*****

Beauty Werewolf Teaser 2

Beauty Werewolf Teaser 1

*****

Beauty and the Werewolf CoverBeauty and the Werewolf

by Kristin Miller

San Francisco Wolf Pack #2

Publication Date: August 2015

Genres: Paranormal, Romance

Blurb:

Unmated werewolves don’t normally live past three hundred years old…and billionaire Jack MacGrath is cutting it close. Sure, he has almost everything—the respect of his peers, a mansion in San Francisco, a private jet, and fast cars. But without a mate, Jack’s in trouble. Then he sees her. Gorgeous, proud…and his enemy.

Isabelle Connelly is good at hiding things from her father. Like her success as a painter, or the incredibly intense attraction she has to Jack MacGrath. After all, she’s royalty and falling for anyone lesser—to say nothing of a rival pack—would be, er, unseemly. Now she must choose between her duty to her family and her pack…or her perfect fated mate.

Buy Links Beauty and the Werewolf  (San Francisco Wolf Pack, #2): 

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1JrQn6H

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1JjWDvg

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1TUsx8v

B&N: http://bit.ly/1TUrPbx

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1E5rrzZ

iBooks: http://apple.co/1Jjv54Q

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1e7R06H

Beauty Werewolf Teaser 3

*****

Also in the San Francisco Wolf Pack series…

WWPThe Werewolf Wears Prada

by Kristin Miller

San Francisco Wolf Pack #1

Publication Date: April 2015

Genres: Paranormal, Romance

Blurb:

Melina Rosenthal worships at the altar of all things fashion. Her dream is to work for the crème de la crème fashion magazine, Eclipse, and she’ll do much anything to get there. Even fixing up the image of a gorgeous, sexy public figure who’s all playboy, all the time. Even if he’s the guy who broke her heart a year ago…

Even if Hayden Dean is a werewolf.

Since his father’s death, Hayden’s the heir apparent to the San Francisco Wolf Pack—well, once he settles down. Hayden isn’t interested in giving up his partying ways, except he’s pretty sure he’s found his fated mate, and the fact that she’s a non-shifter is bad news. Now he must find a compromise between the traditions of his wolf world and his certainty that Melina is his…before fate (or another werewolf) bites them both in the butt.

Buy Links The Werewolf Wears Prada (San Francisco Wolf Pack, #1):

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1DTD2ew

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1WFTxYv

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1JjywIL

B&N: http://bit.ly/1K7k63I

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1PnhVbP

iBooks: http://apple.co/1EDMnsz

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1LlRe9x

*****

Excerpt:

He had eleven Bella Nolan paintings.

Werewolf in Venice would make twelve.

And he wasn’t about to be outbid by the tiny little pixie sitting in the row across from him. She had dark hair that dropped past her shoulders and curled up at the ends. Bright green eyes lined with thick lashes. Freckles covering her plump cheeks. She was a werewolf—he could tell by the sweet and spicy smell of her—but she wasn’t from the San Francisco Wolf Pack.

He would’ve run into her by now, and he never forgot a face.

The pixie wore a thick black scarf, black heels, and a black dress that revealed the porcelain-smooth length of her legs when she crossed them. Judging from her attire, she was either headed to a funeral after the auction or stuck in a permanent state of melancholy. Or maybe she simply thought the monochromatic color would make her incognito.

Yeah, no way. With legs like that, anonymity was impossible.

As the bid tiptoed higher, reaching six hundred fifteen thousand, Jack raised his paddle with a flick of his wrist. He couldn’t care less about the money spent. He’d accumulated an estate worth billons, but even if he hadn’t, he’d go in debt to hang Werewolf in Venice on his walls.

Besides, he couldn’t take his billions with him when he died, so he might as well spend his money on something he could enjoy in his final days.

Seeing as how he was a 320-year-old werewolf who’d yet to find his Luminary—his one and only fated mate—he was weakening. Werewolves could only live about three hundred years without going through the bonding process with their Luminary. With every year that passed by, he was pushing the envelope.

He’d searched tirelessly for his mate. Scoured wolf packs throughout the country, and had come up empty-handed. Luminaries could feel the spark of connection at first touch.

He’d failed. End of discussion. End of his life.

A shaky breath ripped from his lungs.

Just then, he picked up something else in the pixie’s scent. Hints of something rich and creamy. It smelled almost like—no, it couldn’t possibly be—Guinness? Smooth and full. Bittersweet underneath. Had she drunk the beer recently? Was it still on her breath?

He couldn’t tell.

The pixie lifted her chin—a slight move, but he caught it—and raised her paddle.

Guess she was a Bella Nolan fan, too.

Without thinking twice, he rebutted.

She craned her neck to the side and glared at him, kinking one eyebrow. It was clear that she was trying to give him attitude, but she looked downright adorable. Like a puppy gearing up for battle against a more formidable dog. He couldn’t help but smile.

Sweetheart, I’m 320 years old. I’ve met and outbid enthusiastic bidders like you before.

But you’ve never met me.

Her thoughts struck him like a hammer to the temples. He hadn’t meant to project his thoughts, or for her to hear them. But now that she’d responded, he couldn’t get the sweet sound of her voice out of his head. Her tone was light and airy, like the winter wind, carrying a soft accent.

He couldn’t place it. English? Irish? Definitely European.

With a huff, the pixie redirected her attention to the front. And raised the bid again.

I can do this all day. Her lips twitched in irritation as her words pulsed through his mind. You might as well go home now. It’ll save you some embarrassment.

Exhilaration fired through his veins.

There was only one thing he loved more than a challenge: a tantalizing game of cat-and-mouse.

Keeping his eye on her, Jack bid until the price reached seven hundred fifty thousand and the room erupted in excited whispers. Pixie fidgeted in her seat, shifting her weight from one hip to the other.

Don’t overextend yourself, he projected.

Don’t worry about me. She waved her paddle. Worry about what your friends in the auction circuit are going to think when you’re outbid and lose this painting.

He bid again. Without hearing the next price.

She matched him.

A smirk curled the corner of his lips as he met her eyes. Fiery determination burned in those emerald depths. Her eyes stunned him, twinkling bright and holding him captive. But not enough to miss the price of the painting rise near a million.

He winked. And then lifted the paddle slowly.

*****

Kristin MillerAuthor Info:

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Kristin Miller writes sweet and sassy contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance of all varieties. Kristin has degrees in psychology, English, and education, and taught high school and middle school English before crossing over to a career in writing. She lives in Northern California with her alpha male husband and their two children. She loves chocolate way more than she should and the gym less. You can usually find her in the corner of a coffee shop, laptop in front of her and mocha in hand, using the guests around her as fuel for her next book.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

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http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/5440a354515

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Tour Info:

August 24- Indy Book Fairy, Spotlight
August 24- Bookish Wanderlove, Excerpt
August 24- Undercover Book Reviews, Spotlight
August 24- A Lick Of Romance, Review

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August 25- Love Reading Romance, Excerpt
August 25- Seeing Night Reviews, Review
August 25- Books Eater, Review

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August 26- My Golden Reads, Excerpt
August 26- First Page to the Last, Review

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August 27- Jacklynn Love’s Reading, Playlist

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August 28- Beauty in the Beastly Books, Review
August 28- Warrior Woman Winmill, Review

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August 31- Romantic Reads and Such, Excerpt
August 31- Confessions From Romaholics, Review

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September 1- Mikky’s World Of Books, Excerpt

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September 2– Book Junkiez, Excerpt
September 2– Geeks in High School, Review

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September 3– Vera is Reading, Playlist

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September 4– Deal Sharing Aunt, Spotlight
September 4– Paola’s Bookshelf, Excerpt

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September 7– Romancing the Readers, Excerpt
September 7– Becky on Books, Review

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September 8– Romancing the Dark Side, Excerpt

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September 9– Wicked Babes Blog Reviews, Review

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September 10– Literature Litehouse, Excerpt
September 10– Fantical Paranormal Romantical, Review

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September 11– Eskimo Princess Book Reviews, Excerpt

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September 14– Urban Smoothie Read, Review

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September 15– In The Pages of a Good Book, Playlist
September 15– Romance Schmomance, Review

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September 16– Whispered Thoughts, Excerpt

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September 17– purpinkrosesbookcorner, Excerpt
September 17– Fanatical Paranormal Romantical, Review

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September 18- Vampire Book Club, Playlist
September 18- Books That Hook, Review

Book Review – Under the Covers

31 Monday Aug 2015

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cover69998-mediumUnder the Covers

The Texan Quartet, Book Three

by Claire Boston

What if the one time you didn’t want love was when you truly needed it?

Forced to flee her abusive ex, alone with no support, Elle is determined to rebuild her life and protect her five-year-old son. Not one to take the easy road, she opens a bookshop café, but opening day almost ends in disaster. In the midst of this chaos, the last thing she needs is a man as charming as George Jones getting in her way.

George has always been a sucker for a damsel in distress, and Elle ticks all the boxes. But Elle’s not interested in being rescued by anyone, especially not him. She knows her taste in men can’t be trusted, but fighting George’s charisma is harder than she expected. And George, who is not one to ignore an itch, has found there’s something about Elle that’s got under his skin.

When Elle’s ex turns up to cause trouble, George must overcome his boyish flirtatiousness if he’s to convince Elle to trust herself and let him into her life. But can Elle put her past behind her before it overwhelms her present?

Perfect for fans of Nora Roberts, Liane Moriarty, Jojo Moyes and Jane Green.

I somehow missed Book Two in this series (surprised?) but I did get to read the first one, What Goes On Tour, and at the time I said I hoped there would be another because I wanted to see more of George.  And boy did Boston delivery.

George is great.  He’s amazingly understanding and cares a lot about people.  He’s a great fit as a band manager and some of the traits that work for that also work well in his personal relationships.  He’s good at paying attention, about helping out when needed, and he’s a fixer … the only problem is that Elle doesn’t want any help.  At all.  She’s just gotten out of an abusive relationship with a controlling man and having someone step in to direct her life immediately causes issues.  Good thing that George is a fast learner and patient.  He makes a few mistakes along the way, a lot of that because Elle is still skittish, but he figures things out and proves to be great hero material.

There isn’t a lot of suspense or danger, although Elle’s ex does make a few appearances, causing trouble – mainly we focus on the growth of Elle & George’s relationship.  They work their way thru the relationship minefield that her past (and his personality) have created and it’s done very well.  In real life I think that Elle might have needed a little more time, but the interactions between the two are believable.  It’s a journey of steps for them and readers will be happy to be there for every single one.

(If you haven’t read the rest of The Texan Quartet, you’ll be fine.  I was a little afraid that missing Book 2 would be an issue for me but Boston does a great job of keeping you in the loop – telling you who’s who and the important parts of their stories.  And now I’m so curious about Imogen’s story that I’m adding it to my TBR pile.  And I’ll definitely keep my eye out for Book 4.)

Spotlight – Indulgence Romances

31 Monday Aug 2015

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Alpha billionaires. Enigmatic playboys. Smokin’ hot bosses… you shouldn’t be attracted to. Just a few of the reasons readers absolutely love the Indulgence line. They’re the ultimate fantasy heroes. We love them so much we’re having a HUGE Indulgence imprint flash sale!

Indulge yourself with modern fairytale romances for only 99¢ each.

Take home a sensual prince, a rugged rancher, or perhaps, a thrill-seeking tycoon… at this price you can afford to have all of your fantasies fulfilled.

Find them at your favorite ebook retailers including Amazon, Kobo, B&N, and at Entangled Publishing.

Don’t forget to join us for Entangled Movie Night on Thursday, September 3rd @ 6PST/9EST while we live tweet of one of our favorite romantic movies and give away more great prizes. Just follow the #EPMovieNight hashtag.

Purchase Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1NH9ZUq

B&N: http://bit.ly/1Kibfwa

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1NHa5v6

Entangled website: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/category/indulgence/

#EPMovieNight Link:

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Giveaway:

Win your own Entangled Indulgence title

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Book Review – Officer on Duty

30 Sunday Aug 2015

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25772721Officer on Duty 

(Lock and Key #4)

by Ranae Rose

Life is tough but Sergeant Jeremy Connor is tougher. Riley County, North Carolina is recovering from a year of hell when devastation strikes again, and the Sheriff’s Department is working the frontlines. On top of keeping the community safe, there’s Jeremy’s greatest responsibility: raising his daughter. Alone.

Seeing local women turn up dead is enough to shake any father, even a veteran sheriff’s deputy. After years of loneliness, the timing couldn’t be worse to let another woman into his life. But he’d have better luck resisting gravity than resisting Lucia Ramirez, the first to prove there’s still a heart beneath his bullet proof vest.

For the first time in over a decade, serving and protecting isn’t enough to satisfy him anymore. But someone to love means someone to lose…

Book 4 in the Lock and Key Series

Just like all of the other books in the Lock and Key series, I really enjoyed Officer on Duty.  It had just that right amount of suspense to offset a sexy love story.

The romance portion was sweet, well developed and realistic.  My only complaint is that I didn’t completely understand why Jeremy didn’t think that he was relationship material.  I get that his wife left him and their newborn daughter when he was quite young but I would have thought he would have gotten over that in the dozen years since then.  I don’t know if there was more to their story that we weren’t given or maybe it was a little too subtle for me (I can be a little oblivious to undercurrents – which is one of the reasons I hated dissecting stories in English class).  If he’d had a few more bad experiences or there was more info on his marriage maybe it wouldn’t have bothered me.  As it was, he would start in and I thought “whatever, Jeremy, you are a hottie in your uniform with a big heart and smarts to boot.  Who wouldn’t want a guy like that?”

Besides being sexy, caring and intelligent, he also has a deep feeling of responsibility for his community and those in his life.  It’s a great thing to have not only in a police officer but also in the man in your life.  Which means that once he got over himself he turned into a great boyfriend 🙂  And Lucia was great.  She’s fun, caring, and recognized a good thing when she saw it – she’s patient and willing to wait for Jeremy to get his act together … which is good because that man is HOT in his uniform, and out of it.

I really enjoyed the slow build for the mystery.  We were given the first part of it pretty much right away and then got glimpses into the killer as we move thru the story.  It made for a compelling, albeit quite cracked, bad guy.  You don’t like her but you kinda understood where she was coming from (in a crazy pants kind of way) – why she was the way she was and how she came to this point in her life, which is important to a good story.  And her actions reached into Jeremy and Lucia’s lives, leaving a big impact.

When I finished Officer in Pursuit, I was excited to see what Rose would do for Jeremy and she doesn’t disappoint.  She gave our true-hearted deputy a touch of danger and a good women to help him.   I’m very sorry to see the series end but I’m ready for whatever Rose has in store for us next.  Looks like she’s got something in the works with the first book in her South Island PD series debuting this fall.  I’m sure it too will be full of sexy guys, strong women, intrigue, heat and heart.

(Oh for those that are new to the series, you can start here.  The characters from earlier stories make and appearance and there are some references to previous plots but it isn’t a big deal.)