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Book Review – His Favorite Regret

29 Saturday Mar 2014

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cover42256-mediumCadie Calhoun Wade is having a helluva week. She’s the Thing of Honor for her sister’s wedding. She’s finalizing her divorce. The neighbor’s dog keeps stealing into her house and treating her feet like a salt lick. And it’s a certain anniversary for a day that still stays with her, even a year later.

Her childhood best friend is also back in town. And not any ol’ friend, either. Bo Garrett just happens to be the most famous action hero in the world.

And boy, has Bo missed his Cadie! They parted on such dumb, stupid, moronic terms. And now that he’s back in Phoenix to get some outside shots for his latest alien flick, he’s not about to let her slip away again. Of course, his agent only has dollar signs in his eyes and thinks Cadie’s no Angelina. Bo’s sisters have a bit of a vendetta against her, too.

With the week Cadie’s having, she wonders if it’s just too much. That they just weren’t meant to be.

Which means Bo needs to work overtime to convince her otherwise. Luckily, an action star knows when and how to flash his smile and his muscles. And when to let the heart do the talking instead.

Especially when it comes to the girl who was his biggest regret.

His Favorite Regret was surprisingly deep. There are a lot of issues that get brought up and resolved (I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll leave it at that). But these difficulties are mixed in with funny and lighthearted moments, making it fun and charming and a fast read.

I liked both Cadie and Bo. He is wonderfully supportive of her and pursues her relentlessly. He knows that he let her get away once and that he doesn’t want it to happen again. She is going through a horribly rough patch and she needs that support. Life has beaten her down so it is hard for her to imagine that Bo’s interest is serious, but he’s a very patient man … especially for a big shot movie star. Together Cadie and Bo are funny and sweet and fun.

I will say that the supporting cast is a little bit of a cliché – few of them support Bo and Cadie, tending to be judgmental or self-involved. But for comic relief they are a ton of fun, you just can’t take them too seriously. This is the start of a series so some of those characters may get their own story and make more sense but for now they are just another bit of humor in an entertaining story.

At about 150 pages, it isn’t novella length but it is something you can finish pretty quickly. And since Bo and Cadie are so engaging, you’ll probably have a hard time putting it down so that’s a good thing.

Book Review – Spiraling

29 Saturday Mar 2014

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cover41019-mediumBlue-blooded Amelia “Amy” Astor was a champion, America’s sweetheart, and on track to give the US Olympic medal glory before she gave it all up to join skating’s equivalent of the circus. Now she’s a professional princess, the lead in Enchanted Ice. But in an industry that values young, cheap, and healthy, her age, salary, and injuries are a liability.

So when she’s offered a job teaching Hollywood heartthrob Shane Marx to skate for a role in a hockey film, she leaps at the opportunity. Maybe with the right kind of exposure, she can survive one more season and put off decisions about her future a little longer. If she invites the wrong kind of exposure…well, there’s that pesky morals clause waiting in the wings.

Shane Marx traded his boy band dance moves in TruAchord for acting lessons years ago. His blond, blue-eyed gorgeousness makes him the most sought after romantic comedy lead in the movie industry. But lately his clean-cut image has been tarnished by one sex scandal after another.

When America’s ice princess meets Hollywood’s hottest leading man, what could go wrong? Inside that sequined costume is a woman of steely determination who has conquered many of her demons. And beneath his sinfully attractive exterior, Shane Marx is a man still battling his.

Spiraling is definitely not your typical romance and I was surprised at how difficult this book is to read. Not because it was a bad story but because it dealt with some very serious issues. Both Amy and Shane were very engaging – I was drawn to them from the beginning – but they both battle problems that, if they don’t get control of them, will destroy their futures. I really had fun getting to know them and seeing them get to know each other, but most importantly getting to know themselves. It was difficult at times, but always very compelling. It wasn’t always hardship for them, though, there were some fun times too which just made them all that more appealing.

I think my favorite part was that love didn’t conquer all. These two have to get help and want that help, before anything will change. It’s very realistic and somewhat hard to take at times, but that just meant the payoff was that much better. Spiraling is not an easy read, but it is definitely a worthwhile one.

Book Review – Curl Up & Dye

27 Thursday Mar 2014

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cover30442-mediumWally Lamb meets Steel Magnolias in this story of LilyAnn Bronte, the Peachy-Keen Queen, which in Blessings, Georgia, was the epitome of success. After losing her fiancé in the war in Iraq, her zest for life went into decline while added weight crept on. When a new guy arrives in town, LilyAnn embarks on a quest to remake herself from start to finish only to discover that love was always just right next-door.

I have to give a warning first – there are a couple of violent sequences (explicit and implied) that may be hard for some people to read.  I’m not at all squeamish and they bothered me.  I think, after reading Color Me Bad, I was expecting something a little more lighthearted – a Southern Belle romp – but while there are lighthearted moments and some good ol’ fashion “Bless Your Heart” charm, the story was much more serious than I thought it would be.

We start at the beginning with a history of Lily and how she got to where she is – how 11 years have past her by without her noticing.  She’s been standing still for so long it has become a habit but she’s finally decided it is time to move forward.  She’s interesting and flawed and normal and real.  Her best friend and neighbor Mike is just as engaging.  He’s loved her since they were teenagers but has been too afraid to say anything and she’s been too oblivious to notice how he feels.  Events are set into motion a storm that will rock their world and either tear it apart or bring them a happy ending.

Of course, like any worthy small-town tale, this one covers more than just Lily and her romantic fumbles.  And those secondary characters are just as interesting as the primary ones.  Full of quirkiness, fun and drama, they nicely round out Sala’s newest and leave little tidbits to possible future stories.

With colorful characters and an enticing story line, Sala’s new series proves to be amusing and appealing.  I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for more.

Book Review – Dark Promise

23 Sunday Mar 2014

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cover43876-mediumLove can unlock the secret to saving two worlds.

As the Golden Aspen Tree withers, darkness consumes the Dragon Demons of the Underworld, turning them feral. Prince Eric Wyvern must keep his darkness at bay and woo the silver-haired human tainted with angel blood whose touch is prophesied to save the Golden Tree and restore light to the Underworld.

Cassandra Wright, a gifted psychic, has dreamed of Eric her whole life. When her dream lover joins her on a ski vacation, he plunges her into a nightmare. Imprisoned in a dying world filled with abuse and torture, she must become the Demon Prince’s mate or remain trapped forever. If she fails to fulfill the prophecy, the darkness will spread to her world. But how can she give herself to this dark and frightening version of the man of her dreams?

Eric will give Cassandra the world, if only he can make her see past the darkness to the man he really is, and help him save it first.

Even though this isn’t one of my favorite books, I’ll definitely be giving this series a chance. There are good bones here, I just wasn’t all that into the execution. The idea is fantastic – I love the parallel fantasy world that Guida has developed – but the beginning of the story spends a little too long on details that don’t seem to matter to the overall story and not enough is given to the important things.

I want to get to know their world better – their history, their culture, how things relate – but we get a lot of posturing by Eric in our world. He’s trying to woo Cassandra but it doesn’t really work and a lot of time is spent on her ex. It makes sense to have Eric get close to her so I’m on board with that but there is way too much time describing the scenery or details about people (some who don’t turn out to be all that important to this story). Maybe it is to set up the scene, I don’t know, but for me it doesn’t go anywhere.  There are a lot of pages that could have been spent developing a connection between Eric and Cassandra but don’t.

The action really started when we get to Eric’s world and it was absolutely fascinating. I love the idea of what darkness could do to normally good people. But, because we don’t get a good basis for Eric and Cassandra’s relationship, when they have to become mates it just doesn’t feel warm and fuzzy. I will say from that point on, even though it will be disturbing for some, it is very engaging. The evil things that are done and the way that it is taking over their world is disgusting but it makes the ending that much better.

I really like the fact that there are far reaching effects from this time. Eric has a nephew who isn’t consumed by the dark and is fully aware of all of the things that are done to him and to others. He is just a boy and this will definitely leave some scars. Guida isn’t shy about letting you know that either.

Overall, I think this could be a good start to a new series. I’ll give the next one a shot to see if some of the kinks in the flow have been worked out because I’d love to see more of this world.

Book Review – Empty Net

23 Sunday Mar 2014

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cover29874-mediumIn Toni Aleo’s third novel in her hot Assassins series, the chiseled men of this Nashville hockey team can make anything happen when they go all out for the women they want—even turn a one-night stand into a happily ever after.

Audrey Parker is up against the boards. She’s stuck in a job she hates and pining for a total jerk. Meanwhile, her sister Fallon is moving out and getting married to hockey star Lucas Brooks. Where is Audrey’s Prince Charming? Nothing she does has ever seemed to be good enough for any of the men in her life. Audrey’s about to hit rock bottom . . . until she wakes up next to Tate Odder.

The thrill of moving up from the minors to the Nashville Assassins was a welcome distraction. But not even becoming the first rookie goalie to tally three shutouts in the Stanley Cup finals alleviates the pain. With the loss of his parents and sister weighing as heavily on his soul as ever, Tate Odder can’t keep pretending he’s okay. That’s when he meets smart, sexy Audrey. Her gentle warmth and quirky sense of humor make him feel whole for the first time in too long. But to stay that way forever, Tate must find a way to accept his past and learn to live for love.

I should accept by now that these Assassins books are just going to be an emotional rollercoaster. I’ve read Taking Shots and Trying to Score and both of them broke my heart at least a couple of times. Empty Net proves to be no different.

Audrey has some serious self-esteem issues that she has to work through and a pretty big secret that has caused her to seek out only bad relationships. We got a glimpse of how bad her latest one with Levi is in Trying to Score but we get a little bit more of it here. Unfortunately those issues cause her to fight her feelings for Tate for most of the book. There is a lot of back and forth on her part and that man has the patience of a saint to put up with it. But the nice thing is that once she gets everything straight in her head it goes much better for them.

The blurb makes it seem like Tate has some issues of his own to work through, but I didn’t really see it. For being only 21 years old, he is amazingly mature and he handles the curveballs thrown by Audrey with a lot of grace and understanding. He’s centered and caring and giving, the Prince Charming that Audrey needs. He just has to wait for her to realize it.

I love that we get some updates on the previous characters and a hint at what is to come. Blue Lines looks to be just as much of a heartbreaker as the stories that have come before it, but I’m looking forward to every heart wrenching moment.

If you are brave enough to take it on, and I totally suggest you do, Empty Net may leave you wrung out but it will also leave you satisfied.

Book Review – Beefcake and Cupcakes

22 Saturday Mar 2014

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15831456Sugar is sweet, but so is revenge …

All Lara Cavallo wants to do is make her bakery business, Cavallo’s Cups & Cakes, a success, and be able to stop accepting alimony from her rotten, cheating ex-husband. But first she needs to find her clothes and escape the strange hotel room she wakes up in before she embarrasses herself any further in front the owner of that gorgeous naked keister she spots through the bathroom door. She needs to keep her mind on her cupcakes. She doesn’t have time for beefcake, no matter how enticing.

Cupcakes are sweet, and so is Lara…

All Gage Tomlinson wants is to find a way to help his single-mom sister pay the hospital bills for his six-year-old nephew, badly injured in a hit and run accident. Working construction during the day and as the owner of the exotic male dance troupe BeefCake, Inc. by night doesn’t leave much time for indulgence. Too bad the sweetest thing he’s seen in ages passes out on him and then takes off before he even gets a nibble. He’s got a sweet tooth, and only Lara’s “cupcakes” will satisfy him.

But when cupcake finally meets beefcake, it’s hot enough to melt the buttercream right off the cake.

Ingredients:

Lara Cavallo, a baker who’s just starting out after a divorce,

Gage Tomlinson, a stripper who’s been around the block and needs money for his nephew’s surgery,

Cara and Bryan, two best friends who mean well,

And Jeff, the ex husband who doesn’t.

Mix them all together at the social event of the season and you get one sexy batch of dancing “cupcakes”!

I stumbled across this one totally by accident and couldn’t resist giving it a try. I mean, come on it stars a male stripper! But of course there is so much more to Gage than the fact that he takes his clothes off for a living … although that isn’t anything to sniff at. But he’s also hard-working, smart, funny, and giving. He’s got a load of responsibilities on his wide, strong shoulders and he’s doing his best to keep moving forward. Then he meets Lara, only to have her run out on him, a new experience for the gorgeous Gage. Of course he can’t resist seeing more of her.

Lara is coming out of a bad relationship and has always been the good girl. Waking up in bed with a man she can’t remember is very much out of character. But when she finally meets the man with the tempting behind she doesn’t resist for long. He ex-husband tore her down and left her feeling like she’s no match for the oh-so-tempting Gage but he’s go the patience and is willing to make her believe.

It’s fun watching these two try to figure out if they want to get involved and how they can rearrange their lives to make room for a relationship. There isn’t a ton of drama – most of it centers on their complicated lives and Lara’s lack of confidence than about any real trouble. Of course there is a little bit around the way they met plus what Gage does for a living, not the easiest thing for a good girl to accept, but it is handled with that perfect mixture of warmth and sizzle. I’m definitely going to pick up the next in the series, Beefcake and Mistakes, and I hope to see more from Fennell in the future.

 

Book Review – Where the Heart Is

22 Saturday Mar 2014

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cover39502-mediumHome is more than a place . . .

Breaking free from her structured life, Chloe English quits her high-powered job and moves across the country to work as an art teacher. The simple life is all she hoped it would be until her house burns down, leaving her homeless. When a handsome firefighter swoops in to save the day, she can’t believe her luck. He’s laid-back and unassuming, everything she’s looking for in a man—or so he seems. It turns out he’s as ambitious as her ex, comes with a family who could be more stifling than hers, and harbors dark secrets he may never be able to share.

Orphaned as a teenager, Derek Sumner has found a place in his best friend’s family. However, the love and support of his surrogate parents and siblings can’t erase the grief and loss he struggles every Christmas to banish. But this year he meets the fun and sexy Chloe, whose optimism and sense of joy are incredibly contagious. Can she help him face his bleak past so they can forge a happy future?

I found Where the Heart Is to be a touching and sweet contemporary romance. Granted the characters seemed to fall in love awfully quick, but they realize that too so it makes it more realistic. Both Chloe and Derek are engaging and their relationship has warmth and charm. Their problems aren’t necessarily as dark as the blurb makes it seem – they really have to figure out whether they are moving too fast and if they can get past their own hang-ups to make a relationship work. I can easily relate to them and their problems, and the story totally work for me.

We also get introduced to the Archers, Derek’s adopted family. They are going to play a role in upcoming stories and I’m looking forward to everyone one of them. There is a good mix of personalities and difficulties in the siblings and it promises to supply a lot of material for other books.

At a little over 100 pages, Where the Heart Is is a fast-read but it is also satisfyingly real-life. I’ve read one of Darcy Burke’s books before, Never Love a Scoundrel, and loved it so I shouldn’t be surprised that her contemporary stories are just as good. With believable and fun characters, an interesting and heartwarming story, and the promise of some great books coming soon, Where the Heart Is is a must read.

Book Review – Size Matters

21 Friday Mar 2014

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cover36901-mediumA few hard truths…Don’t bet on Hasselhoff, Bigfoot might actually exist, and searching for the impossible may lead you to your heart’s desire…

It’s a big fat hairy deal when I lose yet another bet to my best friend, Rena. Not only do I end up attending Bigfoot meetings with her kooky Aunt Phyllis, I find myself traveling with a band of reality TV, Sasquatch-hunting nut-jobs! Not to mention a suspiciously shady film crew. As if those little nuggets weren’t enough to send me on the express-train to Crazytown…I stupidly swore off men!

Clearly all this would mess up any gal’s social life, but the worst part of the story? The minute I send my libido on vacation, I meet Mitch. Yep, Mitch, the sexiest cop ev-ah. The hottest, best kissing, finest tushied, SINGLE guy I’ve ever laid eyes on. I’d rather be hot on his trail than anything that involves the word Big or Foot. But sometimes what you’re hunting for has been right in front of you all along …

I giggled and giggled reading this one. You have to be OK with zany, over-the-top humor, creatively foul language and steamy (sometimes weird) adult content but, if you are, then prepare yourself for a romping good time. Size Matters is quirky, so far out of the box that it can’t even see it anymore, hilarious, cheesy, sweet, and touching.

The characters are as out-there as you can get but they are still very appealing in their wackiness. Colorful and crude, they still have big hearts – they care about each other and are supportive. After spending some time with them, Kristy realizes that there is so much more to them than the wackiness they show the world. Add in a romance with a hot cop (with a mighty fine butt), plus something weird going on in the woods of Minnesota, and Peterman manages to deliver an enjoyable and interesting plot mixed in with some of the craziest (but loveable) people in the North.

If you are ready to laugh out loud, to the point of snorting, Size Matters is the book for you. You have to be in the mood for screwball comedy (think old I Love Lucy shows times ten) but underneath all of the ridiculousness and silliness, there is also a love story and a heartfelt tale about there being more than meets the eye – the perfect combination to make you laugh and sigh.

(Size Matters is part of Peterman’s ”Handcuffs and Happily Ever Afters” series, but only in that some of the characters are recurring – this is my first and I didn’t notice any problems keeping up with it and I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything. Well, except all the fun that had to have happened if it was anything like this one.)

Blog Tour – Cover to Covers

21 Friday Mar 2014

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Today we’re going to take a look at Cover to Covers by Alexandrea Weis, complete with a sneak peek and my thoughts on the book.  If you decide to read it, and I suggest you do, come back here and tell us all what you think.

*****

covertocoversamazonCover to Covers

by Alexandrea Weis

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: World Castle Publishing

Word Count: 79,000

Cover Artist: Laura Hildalgo

Available at:

Amazon

Blurb:

A man driven by his desires

Tyler Moore is considered cold, ruthless, and determined to get everything he wants. CEO of a flourishing oil company, he thrives on order and never gives up control to anyone.

The woman from his past 

Monique Delome has left her unhappy past behind to pursue her dream of becoming a writer. Love is something she believes is better suited to the pages of her novels and not meant for real life.

Whether in the boardroom or the bedroom, Tyler Moore is always in charge. But when Monique Delome walks back into his life, everything changes. A successful romance author, all the sexy leading men Monique writes about strangely remind everyone of Tyler. Intrigued, Tyler sets out to seduce the one woman he could never forget. Soon Tyler gets more than he bargained for, and his grip on his well-ordered life is turned upside down.

Tyler Moore is about to find out what happens when a romantic tale jumps from the pages and comes to life between the sheets.

*****

Author Info:

Weis_1

Alexandrea Weis is an advanced practice registered nurse who was born and raised in New Orleans. Her first novel, To My Senses, introduced readers to the world of Nicci Beauvoir and garnered numerous awards and rave reviews.

Her popular second Nicci Beauvoir novel, Recovery, won the Gold Medal for best romantic suspense from The Reader’s Favorite Book Awards 2011, and was named best Romantic Suspense novel by the Spring 2011 NABE Pinnacle Book Awards.

Her fourth novel, Broken Wings, won best Contemporary Romance by the NABE Pinnacle Book Awards in 2012, was a Silver Medal winner in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year Awards for Romance, as well as a finalist in the USA Book Awards for Romance in 2012, and a finalist in the Reader’s Favorite Book Awards for Contemporary Romance for 2012.

Diary of a One-Night Stand, was released in August 2012 and was named a Paranormal Romance Guild’s Best Reviewed of 2012. Her last novel, Acadian Waltz was a Readers’ Favorite Book Awards honorable mention winner for Best Contemporary Romance, and finalist in Best Southern Fiction.

A permitted wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured wildlife. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans.

Website: http://www.alexandreaweis.com/index.html

Blog: http://alexandreaweiscom.blogspot.com/

FB https://www.facebook.com/pages/To-My-Senses/113609858681394

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexandreaweis

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1211671.Alexandrea_Weis

Author Amazon  BN

*****

Excerpt:

“If I can be of any further assistance, Mr. Moore,” a peppy blonde with too much black eyeliner said to the man in the impeccably tailored, dark blue Hugo Boss suit. “Please, let me know. I have your suite key.” She pushed the white key-card over the surface of the front desk. “Your usual order of Veuve Clicquot and strawberries will be waiting in your room,” she added with a welcoming smile.

The self-assured gentleman removed his dark Porsche sunglasses and let his deep-set dark brown eyes linger over the young woman’s attractive face. “Afraid I won’t be needing that this time, Missy,” he murmured, getting a glimpse at her nametag.

“Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Moore. I was informed you are always to have a bottle of Veuve Clicquot waiting in your room whenever you stay with us.”

Wandering over Missy’s stout figure, his eyes fixated on the way her blue blazer clung to her ample bosom. “I usually do when I’m staying here for a relaxing weekend. This time, however, is all business.” He placed his sunglasses in his jacket pocket.

Missy leaned forward, revealing her cleavage as her blue eyes meandered up and down his body. “I am very sorry to hear that, Mr. Moore.”

The flirtatious pout that puckered her red lips made Tyler Moore wipe his hand across his chin, attempting to hide his cocky grin. At six-foot-one, with black, wavy hair outlining his chiseled cheekbones and determined, square jaw, he was used to getting such suggestive looks from the opposite sex. But he knew that looks could only get you so far with a woman.

“How sorry are you?”

Missy’s eyes popped with interest. “I…I’m not sure what you mean, Mr. Moore.”

“How sorry are you that I won’t be having any fun this weekend, Missy?”

She fingered the lapel on her blue blazer adjacent to her right breast. “I would hate to think your stay here would only be about business, Mr. Moore. If there was anything I could do to change that….”

He felt a kick of satisfaction as he gazed into her hopeful eyes. “Perhaps you might come up with a few suggestions of other ways I could spend my weekend in your wonderful hotel? We could go over them later…at the bar, after you get off work.”

The pale blush blossoming on her cheeks was so becoming that Tyler almost began to believe their playful repartee had been worth the effort.

“I’ll think about it, Mr. Moore.”

“You do that, Missy. When you have an answer, you know where to find me.” He motioned to his overnight bag and black suitcase by the desk. “Be a sweetheart, and have the porter take my bags to my room. I have to meet a client in the bar before I go up to my suite.”

The flush on Missy’s cheeks was positively radiant. “Yes, Mr. Moore. Right away.”

Tyler turned from the polished reception desk, unable to hide his smug grin. No matter where he went, the lust in a woman’s eyes never got old. The entire episode with the desk clerk had only reinforced his belief that it was his confidence, and not his looks, that always got a woman to give him what he wanted. He had learned long ago that his handsome face could only take him so far in life, and had made a concerted effort to take control of any situation. It was a philosophy he had incorporated into every arena of his life.

“I’ll have to check back in with sweet little Missy. See how she looks without the blazer.” He strutted across the lobby toward the arched entrance of the Rattlesnake Bar.

A warm glow of honey, onyx, and a contemporary Western-theme greeted him as he stepped into the cool bar. Perched on the brown leather barstools, an array of women sipped on a myriad of colorful alcoholic concoctions while trying to chase away the sweltering afternoon heat. Tyler noted how more than one set of eyes turned his way as he strolled up to the bar. He checked his confidence at the door and pushed all thoughts of possible late night hookups from his mind.

His flourishing oil and gas business was always more important than women. Besides, women were nothing more than a distraction at this point in his life. Having just passed the milestone of his fiftieth birthday, Tyler pondered that perhaps it was time for him to stop pursuing such meaningless liaisons and settle down with a tolerable woman who could cater to all of his needs.

“Two divorces is plenty,” he reasoned as he arrived at the onyx marble and teak-topped bar. Lightly stroking the smooth surface of the marble, he remembered many of the encounters he had experienced in that very bar. Snapshots of blurred faces and forgettable names skipped across his mind. Some of the women had been exciting, a few horrific, but none had been…memorable.

You know who was memorable, don’t you, Ty? his inner voice taunted. She was the one you let slip through your fingers.

Tyler snickered at his self-remonstrations. He hated to admit his inner demon was right, but it was. She had happened so long ago, but he found it funny how advancing age only seemed to make the memories of youth more poignant. It was as if growing older brought into focus the emotions that the impetuosity of youth seemed to blur.

*****

Review:

I found Cover to Covers to be refreshingly different – there’s still that quest for a happy ending (and plenty of steaminess), but it’s told from Tyler’s point of view and covers his growth as a person as much as his romantic interests.  Plus, this is a second chance romance where instead of being in their 20s or 30s, the heroine and hero are in their early 40s and 50s.  It’s nice to get a story with characters who are a little more …. experienced with life, even if they aren’t any smarter about it.

It kinda reminded me of a Danielle Steel novel I read years ago.  I think it was called Rogue and featured a couple who are divorced but when life decides to throw them some curves it causes them to reevaluate their choices.  Tyler is like that only it is Moe who throws him those curves, when after decades apart, and failed relationships for both of them, a chance meeting in a hotel lobby brings them back together again.

But Tyler has a ton of baggage he needs to work through and until he does he’ll never open himself up for a true relationship.  It’s an interesting journey as he looks at what makes him happy and realizes that only he can make the decision to embrace those things.  That even if it is hard or uncomfortable there is so much more out there than what he’s let himself have and that he needs to look to himself first to truly fix anything.

*****

Tour Schedule:

March 3 Interview and review

Book Chick

http://bookchick2013.blogspot.ca/

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March 3 spotlight

Author Karen Swart

http://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com

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March 4 Spotlight

Stories of Romance

http://storiesofromance.com

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March 4 Spotlight

Book Liaison

http://www.bookliaison.net

 ~

March 4 Spotlight

The Book Review

http://www.cluereview.blogspot.com

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March 5 Guest blog

Cloey’s Book Reviews and Other Stuff

cloeyk.blogspot.com

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March 5 Spotlight

The Snarkology

www.melissasnark.blogspot.com

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March 6 Spotlight

Eclipse Reviews

http://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com

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March 7 Guest blog

For the Passion of Romance

http://forthepassionofromance.blogspot.com

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March 10 Spotlight

Tattooed Book Review

www.tattooedbookreview.com

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March 11 Spotlight and review

Inner Goddess

http://www.InnerGoddessForum.com

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March 12 Spotlight

Booklover Sue

http://bookloversue.blogspot.com/

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March 13 Spotlight

Share My Destiny

http://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com

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March 14 spotlight

Melissa Stevens

http://melissastevens.us

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March 14 Spotlight

A Night’s Dream of Books

http://anightsdreamofbooks.blogspot.com/

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March 17 Spotlight

Midnight Musings with Bertena

www.bertena.com

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March 18 Music Playlist or Excerpt

My Favorite Things

http://heffroberts.blogspot.com

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March 19 review

Scrollin’ Them Papers

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March 21 Spotlight and review

Romantic Reads and Such

https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com

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March 24 Spotlight

Jody’s Book Reviews, Giveaways & Tours

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March 24 Spotlight and review

Luv Books Galore

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March 25 Spotlight and review

Beverly @ The Wormhole

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March 27 Guest blog

Adrienne Woods books and reviews

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March 28 Spotlight and review

Ramblings of a Book Lunatic

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March 28 Review

Provocative Pages

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March 31 Guest blog

Musings In Fiction Alley

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March 31 Spotlight and review

StarAngels’ Reviews

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*****

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Book Review – Secrets of a Gentleman Escort

15 Saturday Mar 2014

Posted by in Book Review

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cover37296-mediumHe’s the talk of the ton—for all the wrong reasons!

Society’s most outrageous—and popular!—escort Nicholas D’Arcy is renowned for his utmost discretion. So when he suddenly finds himself named and shamed by a jealous husband, he reluctantly accepts a summons to the countryside…a fate worse than death!

Annorah Price-Ellis isn’t what Nick is used to—innocent, feisty and decidedly uncomfortable with the spontaneous heat between them! Suddenly, London’s most audacious lover is out of his depth, and in danger of revealing the real man behind the polished facade…

Rakes Who Make Husbands Jealous Only London’s best lovers need apply!

This isn’t the first time I’ve read a historical book about a male escort (I’m not sure why the sudden popularity or if they were always this plentiful and I just didn’t notice) and I think that it holds up pretty well.  Nick has his reasons for doing what he does and Scott does a great job of making him complicated and compelling.  I anxiously turned pages trying to get to the bottom of why he is the man he is and whether he can let things go to grab his change at a happy ever after. 

I really loved him with Annorah and was rooting for them from their first meeting.  It’s interesting to have a hero be so overt in his motivation for the things he says and does – usually they either aren’t as aware or they don’t acknowledge their end game but as a professional escort Nick is more up front about his seductive tricks.  It’s actually quite fascinating to read about his thought process.  He’s charming, sexy and witty … and plots every move he makes to come across that way. 

It’s not going to be for everyone – I don’t know why we are OK with our heroes being rakes but as soon as they start taking money for it they are a turn-off – but I highly recommend it.  It’s the first of a series and I’m intrigued by the idea of finding out more about the other men in the League of Discreet Gentlemen.