Spotlight – Until It Doesn’t

20 Saturday Jun 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review, Sneak Peek

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Hopefully your are enjoying the start of your weekend. Today we’ve got a romantic comedy with a friends to lovers thing going on.

*****

Until It Doesn’t

by Zoë Marshall

GENRE: Romantic Comedy

PUBLICATION DATE: June 19, 2015

Blurb:

Bailey Swanson is relentlessly addicted to ice cream, hates jeans – yet thinks leggings are basically just colored sausage casings – and would be completely lost without her best friend Mark. He’s the only one that gets her, and sees through her difficult-to-love exterior.

Mark has known Bailey since they were both children. As her manager, he handles her failing acting career and is always there for her. As her friend, he’s held her hand through her most recent break up, all the while wondering if she’ll ever be whole again.

But Bailey is a disaster when it comes to romance — and while she’s trying to move on from her cheating ex, she can’t drown her sorrows forever in Ben & Jerry’s. She knows she has to get past this eventually… right? Unless a happily ever after just isn’t in the cards for her, in which case her plan to swear off all relationships forever is a good one.

Or maybe the answer is right in front of her face. Things aren’t always as they seem when it comes to the heart. That fickle little thing tends to get the best of all of us at one point or another…

Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WRHN0YC

*****

Excerpt:

“I feel better,” he says as he gets up from the swing and stands facing me. He’s standing so close, it feels like something has shifted, as if the balance has been tipped slightly in an unexpected direction. Wait a second. What am I even thinking? This is Mark, for Christ’s sake.

I take a step back and let out a deep breath. The smell of the flowers surrounding us washes over me and I feel a weight lifted. “So, where does that leave you guys? Are you going to try to be friends?”

He looks up at the sky. “We’ll never be friends. I don’t think any exes ever are. There’s always something there, lying in wait. It can be disguised, but never destroyed. You can pile as much shit on top of it as you want, but in the end, it’s always there.”

I smile at Mark. “I’m proud of you, kid.”

He rolls his eyes and replies. “Who do you think you’re calling ‘kid’? I’m four months older than you are. You’re the kid.”

“Ok then. I’m proud of you, old man.”

He laughs and walks over to me, then gives me a playful punch on the arm. “Well, I’m proud of you too, jerk.”

We spend the next few minutes standing next to each other in silence, staring at the few visible stars. That’s something I love about Mark. We can be silent together. No matter how crazy fast the world is spinning, we can always just stand still. Together.

*****

Author Info:

Zoë was born in Santa Rosa, California, but spent the majority of her “growing up” years in San Francisco. After high school, she attended University of California, Santa Cruz, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management Economics and Accounting. She tried the corporate thing, working at two of the Big Four accounting firms, but cubicles just weren’t her thing.

She’s currently living the ultimate cliché – an aspiring writer working two jobs, one as a server and one as a bartender. She’s living in San Ramon, California, spending her limited free time reading and writing. Her biggest vices are pizza and ice cream, which is why she lives in yoga pants and leggings. And she thoroughly believes jeans were invented by the devil.

facebook – https://www.facebook.com/alyssa.z.marshall

twitter – https://twitter.com/zoewritesbooks

Instagram – http://www.instagram.com/zoemarshallfiction

*****

Book Review – I’ll Stand By You

19 Friday Jun 2015

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

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Book Review, I'll Stand By You, Sharon Sala

I love Sharon Salas’s books – and not just because she’s an Okie gal too 🙂

I am so thrilled to get to share I’ll Stand By You with you because I think this is going to be one of my all time favorite stories. It is just so amazingly sweet …

*****

I’ll Stand By You

by Sharon Sala

Release Date: June 2, 2015

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

No one is alone

Dori Grant is no stranger to hardship. As a young single mother in the gossip-fueled town of Blessings, Georgia, she’s weathered the storm of small-town disapproval most of her life. But when Dori loses everything within the span of an evening, she realizes she has no choice but to turn to her neighbors.

As long as there is love to give

Everyone says the Pine boys are no good, but Johnny Pine has been proving the gossips wrong ever since his mother died and he took over raising his brothers. His heart goes out to the young mother and child abandoned by the good people of Blessings. Maybe he can be the one to change all that…

Goodreads Link

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23510410-i-ll-stand-by-you

Buy Links

Amazon: http://bit.ly/AmazonSala

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/BNSala

iBookstore: http://bit.ly/AppleSala

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/IndieSala

*****

Excerpt:

“Nothing means a damn thing if I don’t have my baby.”

“And now we get to my suggestion. Do you like Johnny Pine?”

“Yes, of course. He’s been wonderful to us.”

“No, I mean, could you like him as relationship material?”

“That possibility exists,” she said.

“Good. Now let me talk to Johnny.”

She handed the phone back to Johnny.

“Now he wants to talk to you.”

She took the baby and Johnny took the phone.

“Yeah?”

“I have a suggestion that could bring an end to your troubles.”

“Like what?”

“Do you like Dori?”

“Well, sure. She’s great.”

“Do you like her enough to consider a personal relationship with her?”

Johnny looked at Dori, then cupped her face and ran his thumb down the side of her jaw.

“Yes, I like her enough to consider a personal relationship.”

Dori shivered beneath his touch as she realized Butterman was asking Johnny the same question he’d asked her.

“Put the phone on speaker,” Butterman said.

“Just a minute,” Johnny said and then pressed a button. “Okay, you’re on speaker now.”

“Here’s the deal,” Butterman said. “You two are very young to have such adult responsibilities. You’re both trying to take care of your families on your own, and now DFCS has their nose in your business and is threatening you with removing the children from your custody, right?”

“Right,” they said.

“So this would end tomorrow if you were married.”

Johnny took a quick breath, started to speak, and then found himself staring at Dori instead, waiting for her reaction.

Dori already knew Johnny cared for her because he’d told her. What he didn’t know was that she was very attracted to him.

“Well? Did both of you faint or what?” Butterman asked.

“I’m game if she is,” Johnny said.

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep our boys,” Dori said.

Butterman chuckled. “Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. If it were me, I wouldn’t waste any time. Go get the license and find a preacher, and your trouble with Miss Carter is a thing of the past. I assume I am invited to the wedding.”

*****

Review:

It’s the characters that are so important in this series and Sala once again brings us wonderful ones. Not only Dori and Johnny, but Johnny’s little brothers and those people in the town who are so willing to lend a hand when needed.

Life hasn’t always been kind to Dori or Johnny, but they have never given up. They work hard at making a good life for those they care about and when life brings them into the same sphere, that dedication expands to encompass both families. But while life keeps throwing them punches, now they have each other and it is so very sweet watching them fall in love. I’m impressed at how, being so young but having to take on so much responsibility, they still manage to keep a good attitude. They aren’t naïve but they aren’t letting it turn them bitter either. They are such a fantastic match and I was so very happy that they found each other.

As with the other books, Sala continues to bring a great cast of secondary characters … unfortunately not all of them have a good heart. It isn’t always pretty, but Sala manages to do a fantastic job of capturing that small town feel. There are caring people, who help and support those around them, but there are also those that only look out for themselves. It’s both kinds of people that bring Dori and Johnny to their eventual HEA. And while it isn’t always roses and sunshine, thee good definitely outweighs the bad in their lives, which I think is what most of us hope for.

If you haven’t read Count Your Blessings (previously titled Color Me Bad) or Curl Up & Dye, it’s OK because all of these books can stand on their own. But it does help to give you an idea of the small Southern town charm and politics that Sala captures so well. And as much as I loved the first two stories, I think this one is my favorite (so far, because I can’t wait to see what Sala has in store for us next).

*****

Author Info:

Sharon Sala, who has also written under the name Dinah McCall, has 85-plus books in print, published in four different genres-Romance, Young Adult, Western, and Women’s Fiction, and her Young Adult books have been optioned for film. She has been named a RITA finalist seven times by Romance Writers of America, and in 2011 they named her the recipient of the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. Her books are New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly bestsellers and published in many different languages. She lives in Oklahoma, the state where she was born.

Social Networking Links

Website: http://sharonsala.net/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonSala1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/40570.Sharon_Sala

*****

Giveaway:

Win your own copy of the book and a diamond hummingbird necklace

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/07c2363f74/

*****

Book Review – Back in Play

18 Thursday Jun 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Back in Play, Book Review, Linda Aicher, Power Play series

Back in Play

Power Play #2

by Linda Aicher

For Minnesota Glaciers captain Scott Walters, skating on a bum knee—and self-medicating to keep skating on it—is all part of the game. That the painkillers he’s eating prevent him from having meaningful relationships is just one more sacrifice in a lifetime of them. He’s worked too hard to let his image be ruined by injury or dependency, so he hides the pain and fakes the rest—a girlfriend would only complicate matters.

High school teacher Rachel Fielding never needed a man in her life, but she also never intended to grow old alone. When she meets Scott while visiting her brother, she’s intrigued to find herself wanting him in her bed. For hours at a time, as often as possible. Scott is a giver, and just the memory of his attentions is enough to drive her crazy. Anything long-term is out of the question, though—the pills she finds in Scott’s house indicate he’s struggling with a lot more than growing older in a young man’s game.

When what starts out as a what-the-hell weeklong fling turns into Scott and Rachel exploring each other outside the bedroom, Rachel hesitates. But Scott asks for her support to break his addiction, and hearing him admit his secrets has her ignoring her own rules—until he breaks her heart. With the Glaciers refusing to renew his contract and his future with Rachel uncertain, Scott has some big decisions to make and a lot to prove—especially to himself.

Once again I’ve joined a series in the middle – although technically this time I actually joined two series in the middle because there are characters from Aicher’s Power Play series and her Wicked Play series 🙂 Not having any familiarity with either series I can’t be sure but I don’t think that it impacted anything at all. There were some references to things that happened with earlier stories but enough details were given that I figured things out (but not too much to bore returning readers). I love an author who understands how to make that work for everyone.

You might think that this is just another sports romance but you would be so very wrong. Back in Play is definitely a rollercoaster of emotions. We get the high of that initial attraction and lust, but Scott is hiding some pretty big secrets. My heart aches for everything he’s trying to juggle and keep hidden. It is easy to see how it spiraled so far beyond his control. Aicher details very well the complexity and depth of his addiction, how it has infiltrated so much of his life, the impact it has had on him and how so very close he is to losing it all.

Rachel does an amazing job of keeping things together when Scott starts to let it all out. She’s very strong but she does have a few hang-ups of her own that start to impact things. Throw in all of Scott’s and it’s a rough ride to a HEA. But it is a ride that is worth taking.

I realized what an amazing author Aicher is by how quickly I flew through the book, understanding where both of the main characters were coming from when things go sideways on them, and having the ending be so very satisfying. If the rest of her books are anything like this, I’m going to have a lot more reading to do soon.

Spotlight – Last First Kiss

17 Wednesday Jun 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Brightwater series, Last First Kiss, Lia Riley

Y’all I’ve seen a couple of sneak peeks for Lia Riley’s Last First Kiss and I SOOOO can’t wait to get my hands on it. I think Annie and Sawyer may soon be one of my favorite romance couples.

And as a special treat, Ms Riley stopped by today to give us a little glimpse into how she gets in the mood to write. Enjoy!

*****

Music inspires me as I write and it’s a common part of my process to set up a playlist. Below are some of the songs that helped me set a tone, get in the right headspace or just reminded me of Annie and Sawyer. Hope you enjoy!

Playlist for Last First Kiss

Link: https://open.spotify.com/user/12150480907/playlist/07hrhHnJrw19OybMQrmF8z

The Kooks: She Moves in Her Own Way

Norah Jones: The Long Way Home

Eddie Vedder: Tuolumne

Passenger: Beneath Your Beautiful

Willy Nelson: Always on My Mind

The White Buffalo: Sleepy Little Town

Ian Britt: The Shape of Us

Perrin Lamb: Everyone’s Got Something

*****

Last First Kiss

Brightwater Series Book #1

by Lia Riley

Releasing June 23rd, 2015

Avon Romance

Blurb:

New to Avon author Lia Riley makes a splash with her first sexy, hilarious book in the sizzling Brightwater series!

A kiss is just the beginning…

Pinterest Perfect. Or so Annie Carson’s life appears on her popular blog. Reality is… messier. Especially when it lands her back in one-cow town, Brightwater, California, and back in the path of the gorgeous six-foot-four reason she left. Sawyer Kane may fill out those wranglers, but she won’t be distracted from her task. Annie just needs the summer to spruce up and sell her family’s farm so she and her young son can start a new life in the big city. Simple, easy, perfect.

Sawyer has always regretted letting the first girl he loved slip away. He won’t make the same mistake twice, but can he convince beautiful, wary Annie to trust her heart again when she’s been given every reason not to? And as a single kiss turns to so much more, can Annie give up her idea of perfect for a forever that’s blissfully real.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23507376-last-first-kiss

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/141818-brightwater

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

*****

Excerpt:

“You name all those birds?”

“Oh sure. Constance, Shy, and Petunia are the Araucanas over there.” She pointed to the three white hens with impressive feathery ear tufts. “They’re the only ones that lay those pretty blue eggs. Over in the far corner are the Rhode Island Reds: Bixby, Big Mama, Miss Thing, Chatterbox, Honey, and Crazy. Then scratching in the back is Feather Foot, because, well, that’s obvious, and . . . what? Are you laughing at me?”

“You name your chickens.” God, she really was too fucking adorable for her own good.

“What, Mr. Funny—if you had a coop, you’re saying you wouldn’t name yours?”

“Sure I would.” He gave a shrug. “I’d call them all the same thing.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that? Chicken?”

“Dinner.”

Her lips twitched even as she sniffed. “That’s so not funny.”

“It’s a little funny.”

“Must be that Kane humor. I’m genetically immune.

*****

Author Info:

Lia Riley writes offbeat New Adult and Contemporary Adult romance. After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, she scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling XXXX with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments.

A British literature fanatic at heart, Lia considers Mr. Darcy and Edward Rochester as her fictional boyfriends. Her very patient husband doesn’t mind. Much. When not torturing heroes (because c’mon, who doesn’t love a good tortured hero?), Lia herds unruly chickens, camps, beach combs, daydreams about future books, wades through a mile-high TBR pile and schemes yet another trip. Right now, Icelandic hot springs and Scottish castles sound mighty fine.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

*****

Giveaway:

$25 Gift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c8709/

*****

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

Book Review – The Closer You Get

16 Tuesday Jun 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Book Review, Carter Ashby, The Closer You Get

The Closer You Get

by Carter Ashby

If there’s one thing Rye Holcomb hates, it’s small, tight-knit towns with high virtues and zero tolerance for outsiders. Fidelity is just such a town. And Rye is just such an outsider. So when he and his brother, Cash, take jobs in Fidelity, Rye decides not to get too comfortable. Which is why he is avoiding some rather confusing feelings for his new boss, Cora McKay.

Cora was born, raised, and baptized in Fidelity. She owns a thriving construction business, has a close circle of friends, and is the breadwinner for her mother and four sisters. The one thing she lacks is a sex life, something she’s never longed for until now. One conversation with Rye sparks her sexual awakening, and, in spite of his reputation as a man-whore, Cora can’t resist giving in to his advances.

As Rye enjoys initiating his virgin employer, and Cash experiences a relationship with a man for the first time in his life, they begin to think of Fidelity as home. But small towns have brought them trouble in the past, and it appears Fidelity holds trouble for their future. Can their newfound relationships be enough to overcome a past that relentlessly follows them? Can two men who have been burned by love learn to trust again?

Y’all Rye is a complete dog at the beginning of this story. He’s got some baggage that he’s carrying around with him and it affects his relationships with others – he’s in a vicious cycle of shallow interactions and bad attitude. Fortunately for him, interacting with Cora shakes him up and has him re-evaluating things. Once he starts acting like a human being, he proves to be intelligent, fun-loving, resourceful and caring. We know early on that he is very dedicated to his brother, but he shows that that part of him extends to all those that he calls his.

Cora is an interesting duck – she’s repressed, afraid of sexual interactions and not confident in herself as a woman. She’s spent years thinking she was unattractive and unable to get a guy’s attention, but after a couple of meetings with Rye she starts to look at things differently. Some might find that her timidity gets old but it works for the person she is and the more time spent with Rye the better she gets.

I love the way that these two interact once Rye finally starts trying to be a better man. His attempt to help her experience all of the things that she missed out on is so endearing and fun. He shows that he cares with his actions and the thought he puts into making her happy. He may be coarse and nothing like she’s used to, but he proves to be just what Cora needs 

There’s a secondary story around a relationship between Rye’s brother Cash and Cora’s friend Adam. Cash’s lifestyle is one of the things that has given Rye his attitude about small towns but the love and dedication between the two brothers is strong. Unfortunately Adam isn’t able to get over the things that Rye has done since he hit town and how it has created waves with those around him, while Cash’s history makes it very difficult for him to share his feelings and thoughts. As they start to develop a relationship (there is some M/M scenes so be prepared if that isn’t your thing – but keep in mind that it is the heart that is the most important part of this story), their issues may make things impossible for everyone.

The Closer You Get is full of emotional ups and downs. With friends, family and significant others learning how to maneuver around each other, things get messy fast. All they can do is try to figure out if what they have is worth fighting for. I think so and I’m sure you will too.

Book Review – Crazy for the Competition

15 Monday Jun 2015

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

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Book Review, Cindi Madsen, Crazy for the Competition, Hope Springs series

The lovely Cindi Madsen has just released the next book in her Hope Springs series and you are going to want to check it out.

*****

Crazy for the Competition

Hope Springs # 2

by Cindi Madsen

Releasing June 9, 2015

Entangled Bliss

Blurb:

The road to trouble is paved with sweet temptation…

Always the rebel in her ultra-conservative family, Quinn Sakata dreams of quitting her dad’s real-estate business and restoring the old Mountain Ridge Bed and Breakfast in her hometown of Hope Springs. Except that Quinn’s not the only person bidding on it. Worse still, her competitor is her high school crush, Heath Brantley, who is all kinds of ripped, tattooed hotness…

So much for her “nice, conservative boys” rule.

Heath has his own reasons for bidding on Mountain Ridge, and he won’t give in without a fight—even to the red-lipped hottie with a sailor’s mouth. But when their rivalry shifts into an unexpected zing of chemistry, Heath realizes he’s in deep trouble. Because it’s inevitable that emotions will get involved, and he needs to keep his eyes on the prize before they both get hurt.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23113981-crazy-for-the-competition

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/135463-hope-springs

Buy Links: Amazon | B&N | iBooks

*****

Excerpt:

Quinn sat across from him, and they worked on shaping the wire. She passed him tools and held things in place when he needed an extra hand. Here and there she made a few half-mumbled noises that he took to mean she wasn’t sure he was on the right path. She kept her word and let him make the decisions, though.

After a few minutes straining to see the tiny wire, he reached back and pulled his glasses out of the workbench— he really only needed them for intricate parts.

“Bloody hell, you’ve got to be kidding me,” Quinn said.

He looked at her, her features now extra crisp thanks to the glasses. She had these cute freckles across the bridge of her nose, and her bottom lip was between her teeth. “What?” he asked.

She shook her head and swallowed. “Nothing.”

Really? The glasses turned her on? Hell, he’d wear them all the time, then. “What’s with the bloody? You turning British on me?”

“I’m an equal-opportunity swearer.”

“Well, Miss Potty Mouth, hand me the needle-nose pliers next to your feet, please.”

She picked them up and extended them to him. He let his fingers brush across hers, testing how far he could milk this. “Can you hold these two pieces together while I twist?”

Quinn knelt next to him. She gripped the two wires, and he took the pliers and twisted. Every time he turned the pliers, his forearm brushed her chest, even when he tried to do the honorable thing and go from another angle. The beating pulse at her neck called to him again, begging to be kissed. She smelled amazing, too, a light vanilla scent that invaded his senses.

“I’ll be damned,” she said once he lowered the pliers. “It actually looks like a butterfly. Look at you using your manly skills to spread your wings and fly.”

His lips trembled as he tried to keep a straight face—she kept him on his toes, that was for sure. “One, never say that to me again, and two, I told you I’d find a way—never doubt me, woman.”

“It was a compliment. No need to get your wings in a bunch.” She innocently batted her eyes, the amusement in them clear.

Oh, she wanted to play? He could play. All day he’d held back, not taking opportunities he would under usual circumstances, because she wasn’t just any girl. She was in a different class and her family already disliked him, she was Sadie’s best friend, and most problematic of all, she wanted to take Mountain Ridge from him. But between the flirting and the constant challenges she threw out, he was done overthinking and worrying about making things complicated.

Letting his instincts take over, he reached up and brushed the strands that’d fallen free of her ponytail off her face. The amusement died, other emotions taking over her features. Surprise and temptation—he could work with both of those.

*****

Review:

While I won’t say this is my favorite Madsen book, it’s pretty much because she’s written some really good stories. And you can’t love them all the same, ya know? 🙂 But I did enjoy it and that excerpt was one of my favorites scenes – gives you a pretty good idea of what the rest of the book is like. It’s funny and sweet, but with its share of angst and issues.

I didn’t necessarily like Quinn all the time thru the book, but I did understand her and she does some growing by the end. She has some serious issues with her family and their expectations, especially her dad. She’s different than the rest of her family, and unfortunately for her, there isn’t anyone who really understands her – love her yes, understand her no. She’s not had much more luck in her personal life … until she meets Heath. But it is hard to let go of those bad experiences.

Now, Heath I absolutely loved. He’s sexy and sincere, hard working and caring. He didn’t have the best start in life, but he’s working on bettering it for his brothers. Unfortunately of course that’s where the conflict with Quinn comes in. As much as they are attracted to each other, there is a big issue between them with the property.

To which, I saw a solution from about Chapter 3 but then where would all of the fun come from? I think Madsen does a fantastic job of having them get there on their own (again, it’s kinda obvious) but her’s works a lot better since they had a chance to fall in love. And we get to enjoy being there with them as they do.

*****

Author Info:

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

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

*****

Giveaway:

Win a $20 Amazon Gift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb55495564/

*****

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

Book Review – Clean Lines

12 Friday Jun 2015

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

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Book Review, Cedar Tree series, Clean Lines, Freya Barker

Y’all, Joe Morris is this week’s book boyfriend – he’s caring & sexy, strong & brave, with moments of male stupidity to keep him humble 🙂

*****

Clean Lines

Cedar Tree #4

by Freya Barker

Genre: Erotic suspense

Cover Designer: RE&D, Margreet Asselbergs

Hosted By: Francessca’s Romance Reviews

Blurb:

When her surly teenage son moves back to live with ER physician Naomi Waters unexpectedly, her motherly instincts go on high alert. Nothing could’ve prepared her for the wave of trouble that follows him back into her life.

Sheriff Joe Morris blew his chance with Naomi a few years back when he’d moved faster than his own past allowed. At the first opportunity to get his foot back in the door, he takes it and risks everything to keep her and her son safe.

But working for a future isn’t easy when you’re fighting to survive your past.

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25295373-clean-lines?from_search=true&search_version=service_impr

Available at

http://amzn.to/1FRGNGs – Amazon UK

http://amzn.to/1SGuzWK – Amazon USA

*****

Excerpt:

On the short drive home, with Joe riding my bumper, I still have way too much time to think. And what I’m thinking is that I’ve gone and lost my mind. Who says shit like that? I behaved like some two-bit sex operator and sounded no better. If I didn’t need both hands on the steering wheel, I’d have my face covered right now; I’m that embarrassed. Emotional. Too fucking emotional. It’s either flat or deep with me and it’s exhausting. Why I have to be this emotionally unbalanced every time around Joe, I have no idea, but I’m sure the man’s had enough of crazy women for a lifetime.

When I park the car, I turn off the engine and drop my head on the wheel. Maybe this is not such a good idea. I probably should’ve stayed with Katie and the baby and not just gone running off with Joe at the first opportunity. Well, not exactly the first opportunity but still. It seems inappropriate. Doesn’t it?

The door beside me opening startles me, but even more so does the feel of Joe’s firm hands pulling me down from my seat.

“Don’t. Don’t sit there and talk yourself out of something we both know is going to happen,” he says talking to the top of my head because I am studying the tips of my toes.

“Naomi?” He leans in and I can feel the heat of his words penetrate my skin as he speaks. “I need you. I need to feel your fingers tangle in my hair, your tongue in my mouth, your skin under my hands and your pussy squeezing my cock. I need it all, honey.”

Slowly raising my eyes, I find his burning with lust and something more. Need? I trace my fingers over his lips and along his jaw before whispering, “Let’s go.”

*****

Review:

How many of you are going to be surprised when I say that this is the first book in this series that I’ve read? No one? Yeah, not a surprise. I was a little surprised at how much I liked this story. Barker somehow made a whole lot of things come together easily and without making her story clunky. Clean Lines easily stood on its own too, which only added to the enjoyment. There were characters who had their own stories before and at least a couple who are going to have one coming up, but none of it left me confused … just excited to get my hands on those stories.

I will say that I’m stunned that it took three years for Joe to find a way to fix things with Naomi. She’s got some history and it lead her to be prickly but surely in that amount of time, and with sharing friends, there would have been some way to get an explanation to her. He doesn’t seem like a guy who would be willing to let it go for that long. But that is my only complaint and Barker does try to explain it away.

Overall, though, it is a fantastic suspense romance. There’s a great amount of heat and angst between the two, plus they come with baggage that is fun to explore. But there is also a lot of danger and mystery surrounding her ex-husband and son. It made for a nail-biter in a couple of places … as well as a few spots to get your heart racing for other reasons 🙂

If sexy thrillers are your thing, I highly recommend you add Barker’s books to the top of your TBR pile. A fun read with interesting characters and a captivating plot, Clean Lines is a great place to start.

*****

Author Info:

Freya Barker craved reading about ‘real’ people, those who are perhaps less than perfect, but just as deserving of romance, hot monkey sex and some thrills and chills in their lives – So she decided to write about them. Always creative, from an early age on she danced and sang, doodled, created, cooked, baked, quilted and crafted. Her latest creative outlets were influenced by an ever-present love for reading. First through blogging, then cover art and design, and finally writing. Born and raised in the Netherlands, she packed her two toddlers, and eight suitcases filled with toys to move to Canada. No stranger to new beginnings, she thrives on them. With the kids grown and out in the world, Freya is at the ‘prime’ of her life. The body might be a bit ramshackle, but the spirit is high and as adventurous as ever. Something you may see reflected here and there in some of her heroines…. none of who will likely be wilting flowers.

Stalker Links

http://www.facebook.com/FreyaBarkerWriter – Facebook

https://twitter.com/freya_barker – Twitter

https://www.tsu.co/FreyaB – TSU

http://plus.google.com/FreyaBarkerWriter – Google+

http://www.freyabarker.com – TSU

http://www.amazon.com/Freya-Barker/e/B00N36NDYI/ – Amazon Author Page

http://www.goodreads.com/FreyaBarker – Goodreads

http://bit.ly/1DmiBub – Newsletter

*****

Other Books In The Series

”AGAINST ME” (Cedar Tree #3)

http://bit.ly/AgainstMe – Amazon USA

http://bit.ly/AgainstMe – Amazon CA

http://bit.ly/AgainstMe – Amazon UK

http://bit.ly/AgainstMe – Amazon AUS

“HUNDRED TO ONE” (Cedar Tree #2)

http://bit.ly/HundredToOne – Amazon USA

http://bit.ly/HundredToOne -Amazon CA

http://bit.ly/HundredToOne – Amazon UK

http://bit.ly/HundredToOne – Amazon AUS

“SLIM TO NONE” (Cedar Tree #1)

http://bit.ly/SlimToNone – Amazon USA

http://bit.ly/SlimToNone – Amazon CA

http://bit.ly/SlimToNone – Amazon UK

http://bit.ly/SlimToNone – Amazon AUS

*****

Giveaway:

Up for grabs – $24 Amazon GC and the full Cedar Tree series on Kindle

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ae51915615/

Spotlight – Blame it on the Kiss

10 Wednesday Jun 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 3 Comments

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Blame it on the Kiss, Kisses in the Sand series, Robin Bielman

I’ve read (and loved) a lot of Bielman’s books, including the first Kisses in the Sand novel – Keeping Mr. Right Now, where we first meet Honor and Bryce. I can’t tell you how excited I was to have this book come out.

*****

Blame it on the Kiss

A Kisses in the Sand novel

by Robin Bielman

Blurb:

The one guy she shouldn’t want…

Honor Mitchell has lived with guilt and regret for a long time, so when she promises to do the things on her dying best friend’s wish list, she’s determined to follow through and do something right for a change. But when she’s thrown together for wedding duties with the one man who complicates her vow–just by looking at him–she has to put her faith in Bryce Bishop’s pledge to help her, no strings attached.

Bryce’s near one-night stand with his ex-girlfriend’s best friend a few months ago might have been a mistake, but helping the beautiful, free-spirited Honor with her promise isn’t. His trust in women is shot, but he can’t help but play his best man card to his advantage and help Honor tick off the items on his ex’s list, even if it puts him in a no-win situation. Because his assistance might get Honor what she wants, but suddenly being the do-good guy puts his plans–and heart–in serious jeopardy.

Purchase links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1APUmX9

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1F1ExIb

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1ITPgK8

iTunes: http://apple.co/1LlBC1z

*****

Excerpt:

Bryce stared at her. Most girls would’ve had a fit if the sprinklers had soaked them. Not only had Honor laughed it off, she looked amazing and none the worse for wear as the pink light of the toy ring glowed at her waist.

“Do not tell me you have x-ray vision and can see the color of my undergarments, because then I’d have to use this magic ring to one, make you color blind, and two, make your clothes disintegrate so everyone could see if you’re a boxer or briefs man.”

His grin came quick and easy. “You want to see what I have on underneath my jeans, all you have to do is ask.”

“No thanks.” She stopped in front of him.

“You sure?”

“Positive.”

“You don’t look positive.”

“How do I look?”

He took a slow inspection down her body and back up. “You really want me to answer that?”

“Boy, you had me fooled there for a minute Captain Underpants, but I see you’re just like every other guy, which is a huge relief, I can’t even tell you.” She brushed by him and headed toward the front door.

“What does that mean?” He fell in step beside her. Something didn’t feel right inside him. He didn’t like being lumped in with all guys.

“Here,” she slipped the ring off her finger and dropped it into their bag. “Be a good partner and turn our stuff in so I can raid Sophie’s closest for something to change in to.”

“Grab me one of Zane’s shirts, would you?”

She paused at the porch to slip off her shoes and slowly rake her eyes down and up his body. Touché. “Really? Zane’s got all sorts of muscle going on and I’m not sure—”

He whipped off his shirt. Honor was messing with him, but he wanted to remind her Zane didn’t have anything on him. He took care of his body, often working out with the guys he represented. He put forth the best image possible for his agency and that included being in good physical shape.

The appreciative look in her eyes told him she liked what she saw. She’d had her hands all over his chest in their hotel room, and if he closed his eyes he knew he’d remember exactly how hot her touch had made him.

“Can I ask you something?” he ventured.

“Okay,” she said to his chest.

“Eyes up here, sweetheart.” He motioned his hand in the direction of his face.

Her cheeks reddened. “Sorry, yes?”

“Have you had your one night stand?” He fisted his hands. It didn’t matter. It shouldn’t matter. But for some reason, he wanted to know. She might not be wired for it, but according to Payton, the two of them were like sisters, and if Honor promised to do the things on Payton’s list, he imagined she would keep that vow.

She gulped and again he could see her mind at work in the way she blinked and her head tilted a fraction to the side. “No.” A crease drew her brows together. “But I might be able to remedy that these next few days. A couple of Zane’s friends seem like they’d be willing to help me out.”

No doubt. “People hook up at weddings all the time, don’t they?”

“That’s what I hear.”

*****

Author Info:

USA Today Bestselling Author Robin Bielman lives in Southern California with her high school sweetheart husband, two sons, and one crazy-cute dog who loves to chew on everyone’s socks. When not attached to her laptop, she can almost always be found with her nose in a book. She also likes to run, hike, eat cupcakes, and dip her toes in the ocean. Writing is a dream come true, and she still pinches herself to be sure it’s real.

She loves to connect with readers. Learn more and sign up for her newsletter on her website at http://robinbielman.com.

Places to find Robin Bielman:

Site: http://robinbielman.com

Facebook: http://facebook.com/RobinBielmanWriter

Twitter: http://twitter.com/RobinBielman

Goodreads: h http://goodreads.com/robinbielman

*****

Giveaway:

Necklace – Open for International Shipping

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/208eb8ed1127/

*****

Tour Schedule:

6/10/2015
Reading Between the Wines Book Club	www.readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.com
What I’m Reading	sillymelody.blogspot.com
Romance Reviews Today Blog	www.romrevtoday.blogspot.com
Straight Shootin’ Book Reviews	www.straightshootinbookreviews.com
Amber’s Passion for Books	www.facebook.com/amberspassionforbooks
A British Bookworm’s Blog	britishbookwormblog.com
Smut Fanatics Book Blog	smutfanatic.blogspot.com
6/11/2015
Read-Love-Blog	www.Read-Love-Blog.com
True Story Book Blog	www.truestorybookblog.com
Book Junkie: Not-So-Anonymous	ashleythebookjunkie.blogspot.com
Romantic Reads and Such	romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com
The Romance Dish	theromancedish.com
Short and Sassy Book Blurbs	shortandsassybookblurbs.blogspot.com
6/12/2015
Book Liaison	www.bookliaison.net
dazzled by books	dazzledbybooks.com
Read Your Writes Book Reviews	readyourwrites.blogspot.com
Fiction Fangirls	www.fictionfangirls.com
Ex Libris	www.stella-exlibris.com
So Many Reads	www.somanyreads.com
ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING	chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com

Book Review – Blissful Kisses

09 Tuesday Jun 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Tags

Bliss Harbor series, Blissful Kisses, Book Review, Juliet Spenser

Blissful Kisses

Bliss Harbor series

by Juliet Spenser

USA Today bestselling author Juliet Spenser brings you more contemporary romance set in the small town of Bliss Harbor, where love and laughter are just around the corner…

Enjoy three romantic romps in this collection of Bliss Harbor shorts:

In KISS ME AGAIN, a high school teacher writes naughty love stories just for fun, and she’ll do anything to get her secret stories back when her notebook falls into the hands of the sexy, fun-loving guy who loves to tease her.

In WARM WINTER KISSES, a bed and breakfast manager is determined to avoid her feelings for her best friend, a hunky detective, but there’s no avoiding the heat between them when a blizzard strands them alone together.

In THEN WE KISSED, a curvy, no-nonsense baker wakes up with regrets over a night with the sexy soldier who stole her heart, but a mix-up sends her straight back into his arms.

I’ve never read any of Spenser’s Bliss Harbor books, but I really liked these three little novellas. I don’t think that it would be that big a deal if you started here too, because I didn’t really have any problems keeping up. I do think there were a few references that I missed out on but nothing too big.

The characters in all three shorts were very detailed for such a short number of pages. You quickly get a feel for each of them and what motivates them. In each, Spenser pretty much focused on just those characters, which makes sense given the small time to make a story with a punch, but that gives her plenty of opportunity to fully embrace those people.

There is a theme running between them – one of feelings unspoken and avoided – and it’s interesting to see how each of these stories has a different take on it. Spenser makes sure that each couple makes it their own and she does it quite well. We are given the story exclusively from the heroine’s point of view, and even though I usually like to get both perspectives, it makes sense given the idea that the guy’s feelings are unknown to her. We get the reveal as she does, which is very satisfying.

If you are looking for a fast read, perfect for when you just have a little time to yourself, Blissful Kisses is an absolutely perfect choice. With engaging characters and appealing plots, these three shorts are sure to please. And now I’m totally going to have to check out everything else I can find about the lovely people in Bliss Harbor.

Guest Post – The Major’s Faux Fiancée

05 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Erica Ridley, The Dukes of War series, The Major's Faux Fiancee

The ever awesome Erica Ridley is bringing us another story in her Dukes of War series and took time to stop by to answer a few questions. If you haven’t already, check out my review of The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress. And then take a gander at all the goodies below for book 4, The Major’s Faux Fiancée, which I can not wait to get a chance to read … I’ll make sure that I tell you all about it when I do 🙂

*****

What do you like the most (or least) about writing romances?

My favorite thing about writing romance is taking two characters who aren’t looking for love and hurtling them down the path to Happy Ever After. I enjoy characters who find love when it’s the last thing they think they want, need, deserve, or have time for. That “oh, crap” moment when they realize it’s too late and their heart got involved despite their best efforts. And then figuring out what to do about it!

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

I’m not sure I can pick a single book, but I can pick an author. Some of the first historical romances I ever owned were written by Julie Garwood, and I bet I read every one of them at least six times. The heroes were strong, determined, and very alpha, and the heroines were just as strong and determined, and never failed to drive the heroes batty until they ended up in love. I really enjoy stories with humor.

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

It may not strictly be a romance, but I loved the hero in Anne Rice’s The Mummy: Ramses the Damned. Ramses was an Egyptian pharaoh cursed with immortality, entombed, and forgotten… until he awoke in the heroine’s parlor in Edwardian London. So I guess my answer is that I want to be Julie, so I could spend some serious quality time with that fascinating hero.

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

Oh man, this is a tough one. I’m having a blast with my Dukes of War series. My two favorite couples to write (so far!) were Amelia and Benedict in The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation, and Jane and Xavier in The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress. I think what I like best about both of those books was that the poor hero had absolutely no idea what he was in for, and yet he didn’t have a snowball’s chance of not falling hopelessly in love.

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

I love to travel, and I love languages, so my non-writer dream job would be traveling the world, learning and teaching other languages. I have a friend who was born in Italy, studied in Spain, then moved to the United States, and now teaches French. My kind of lady! I would happily be a fry cook, if it included travel around the globe. 😉

*****

The Major’s Faux Fiancée

by Erica Ridley

Release Date: June 2015

Publisher: Intrepid Reads

Length: 300 pages (65-70k)

Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN: 978-1939713322 (ebook) MSRP: $2.99

ISBN: 978-1939713339 (mmpb) MSRP: $6.99

Blurb:

When Major Bartholomew Blackpool learns the girl-next-door from his childhood will be forced into an unwanted marriage, he returns home to play her pretend beau. He figures now that he’s missing a leg, a faux fiancée is the best an ex-soldier can get. He admires her pluck, but the lady deserves a whole man—and he’ll ensure she gets one.

Miss Daphne Vaughan hates that crying off will destroy Major Blackpool’s chances of finding a real bride. She plots to make him jilt her first. Who cares if it ruins her? She never wanted a husband anyway. But the major is equally determined that she break the engagement. With both of them on their worst behavior, neither expects their fake betrothal to lead to love…

The Major’s Faux Fiancée is a standalone story in the Dukes of War regency romance series, featuring roguish peers and dashing war heroes who return from battle only to be thrust into the splendor and madness of Regency England.

The Dukes of War romance books in Series Order:

#1 The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation Nov. 2014

#2 The Earl’s Defiant Wallflower Dec. 2014

#3 The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress Mar. 2015

#4 The Major’s Faux Fiancée Jun. 2015

#5 The Brigadier’s Runaway Bride Sept. 2015

*****

Excerpt:

Daphne could barely even hear the music over the thundering of her heart at what this moment meant to him. Bartholomew wasn’t just dancing with her. He was risking all the rejection and humiliation he’d had to cloister himself into his town house to avoid.

He was confronting his deepest fears just for the chance to waltz in the garden with her.

She touched the side of his face. “You don’t have to do this if you’re afraid someone might see.”

“I don’t care about anyone’s opinion but yours. If I fall…” His lips curved wryly as he met her eyes. “I think I’ve already fallen.”

Her heart thudded. “Then it’s fortunate we find ourselves in each other’s arms.”

“Indeed.” He lowered his mouth. Slowly. Giving her plenty of time to turn away.

She slid her fingers into his hair and lifted her lips to his. He was what she wanted.

His kisses were gentle. Tender. She didn’t want gentleness. Her heart yearned for him too sharply to be content with mere tenderness.

Her kisses were hungry, demanding. She wanted every taste, every sensation to be seared upon her soul. If she couldn’t keep him in her arms, she would keep moments like these in her memory. Cleave them to her heart.

His feet stilled and, slowly, he broke their kiss. Their private waltz had come to an end.

She couldn’t repress the small sound of disappointment that escaped her throat… until she realized how far they now were from the ballroom. Although still and bare, the gardens’ trees and fountains provided a dark, secluded nook, sheltering them from prying eyes and the winter wind.

They were alone. Scandalously, deliciously, alone.

She didn’t think for a moment that it meant he was finally willing to introduce her to hedonistic pleasure—no matter how many nights she dreamt of just such a liaison—but she was greedy for any part of himself he was willing to share.

He led her to a stone bench and pulled her onto his lap.

Eagerly, she wrapped her arms about his neck, thrilling at the warmth of his embrace. He could have forced her to go back inside. Yet he cradled her in his arms instead. She wished she could be there forever. Her heart beat so rapidly, pressed against his.

He kissed the top of her head, the side of her temple, the shell of her ear. Letting her know he wanted more. Letting her know it was her choice.

Of course she would choose him.

She lifted her parted lips to his. He took her mouth. Her soul. His arms were heaven. She devoured him, her tongue dancing with his. He held her closer. The heat and passion of his kisses proved the intensity of his desire matched that of her own.

Her skin grew hot. Her clothes, restrictive. She wished she could tear his greatcoat from his beautiful shoulders. Feel her mouth on his warm neck, his muscled arms, his bare chest. To taste him on her tongue and know that he was hers.

The fantasy was so intoxicating, it stole her breath. Robbed her ability to think.

His kisses heated her flesh. All she could do was lose herself in the moment. Surrender to his mouth, his touch.

And pray he never let her go.

*****

Author Info:

Erica Ridley is a USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels. Her latest series, The Dukes of War, features roguish peers and dashing war heroes who return from battle only to be thrust into the splendor and madness of Regency England.

When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.

Get free stories and 99¢ new releases: http://www.EricaRidley.com/club99

Trivia:

Born: Indiana
From: Florida
Lives: Costa Rica
Dogs or cats? Dogs
Beer or wine? Tequila
If there were no tequila: India Pale Ale
Beach or mountains? Mountains
Football or soccer? Da Bears
Favorite movie genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy
Favorite book genres: Suspense, Thriller, Romance
Favorite pastime: Traveling
States visited: 26
Countries visited: 30
Morning or night person? Morning
Walk or run? Rollerblade
Plotter or Pantser: Storyboard + Scrivener
Apple or Android: Apple
Tea or Coffee: Coffee
Chocolate, light or dark: Yes, please
Meat or veggies? Vegetarian
Favorite foods: Indian, Thai, Italian
Favorite music: All of it
Instruments played: Piano, guitar, violin
Biggest fear: Snow

Social Networks:

Website: http://www.EricaRidley.com
Blog: http://www.ericaridley.com/news
Reader Newsletter: http://www.ericaridley.com/club99
Dukes of War fan group: http://facebook.com/groups/DukesOfWar
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EricaRidley
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/EricaRidley
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/EricaRidley
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/Erica_Ridley
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/ericaridley

Published Works:

2010 Too Wicked To Kiss Kensington Zebra
2011 Too Sinful To Deny Kensington Zebra
2012 Born To Bite Kensington Publishing
2012 Charmed Intrepid Reads
2013 Tis The Season Anthology
2013 Midwinter Magic Intrepid Reads
2013 One Enchanted Season Anthology
2013 Let It Snow Intrepid Reads
2014 Dark Surrender Intrepid Reads
2014 The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation Intrepid Reads
2014 The Earl’s Defiant Wallflower Intrepid Reads
2015 Romance Writers of America: Première Anthology
2015 The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress Intrepid Reads
2015 The Major’s Faux Fiancée Intrepid Reads

Retailer Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/ericaridley
Apple / iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/erica-ridley/id426778365?mt=11
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/erica-ridley
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Erica+Ridley
Kobo: http://kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=erica+ridley

*****