Tag Archives: Book Review

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/

 ~

March 3 spotlight

Author Karen Swart

http://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com

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March 4 Spotlight

Stories of Romance

http://storiesofromance.com

 ~

March 4 Spotlight

Book Liaison

http://www.bookliaison.net

 ~

March 4 Spotlight

The Book Review

http://www.cluereview.blogspot.com

 ~

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

 ~

March 6 Spotlight

Eclipse Reviews

http://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com

 ~

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

 ~

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

 ~

March 14 spotlight

Melissa Stevens

http://melissastevens.us

 ~

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

 ~

March 18 Music Playlist or Excerpt

My Favorite Things

http://heffroberts.blogspot.com

 ~

March 19 review

Scrollin’ Them Papers

http://scrollinpapers.wordpress.com

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March 21 Spotlight and review

Romantic Reads and Such

https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com

 ~

March 24 Spotlight

Jody’s Book Reviews, Giveaways & Tours

http://www.jodysbookreviews.com

 ~

March 24 Spotlight and review

Luv Books Galore

www.luvbooksgalore.blogspot.com

 ~

March 25 Spotlight and review

Beverly @ The Wormhole

http://wormyhole.blogspot.com

 ~

March 27 Guest blog

Adrienne Woods books and reviews

http://woodsadrienne.wordpress.com

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March 28 Spotlight and review

Ramblings of a Book Lunatic

http://booklunaticramblings.blogspot.com

 ~

March 28 Review

Provocative Pages

http://readingonthewildside.blogspot.com

 ~

March 31 Guest blog

Musings In Fiction Alley

http://musingsinficitonalley.blogspot.com/

 ~

March 31 Spotlight and review

StarAngels’ Reviews

http://starangelsreviews.blogspot.com

*****

Cover to Covers Banner 450 x 169

Book Review – Secrets of a Gentleman Escort

15 Saturday Mar 2014

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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. 

Book Review – To Catch a Wolf

09 Sunday Mar 2014

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It’s a little late but here’s review number two …

****

cover41187-mediumSometimes a wolf’s gotta fight and growl and bite. But Erik? He just needs a mate.

Erik Danniken is the alpha of Jamesburg, a small town hidden from the world and full of shifters of all stripes. But underneath it all, he’s just a muscled-up, rough-shod bad boy of a werewolf with a tattoo that goes all the way up his chest and sticks out the collar of his shirt. He’s down to his last nerve, but he’s willing to fight one last time… for the woman he loves.

Sometimes a girl needs romance and wine and sweet kisses. But Izzy? She just needs a job.

Isabel Taylor was more than a little frustrated when she answered a very vague job ad to be the personal assistant of a mayor in a town she didn’t know existed. That was two years ago. Curvy, tough and with more than a little bit of a naughty streak, Izzy has long since gotten used to the weirdness of everyday life in Jamesburg… but she’s fallen hard for Erik’s rough charm.

Erik wants to claim her forever, marking Izzy as his honest-to-goodness mate. Izzy wants him to quit being such a coward and just come out and do it, but will a good old-fashioned small town scandal make them keep their love a secret, and in the process, kill it before it can grow?

Note: The Jamesburg Shifters is a series of standalone books. Each installment has its own hero and heroine, and the stories never cross over. Each novel or novella is a complete story, complete with happy-ever-after ending. Enjoy!

This little erotic novella crams quite a bit of heat into its tiny package. At a little over 100 pages, it’s perfect for those looking for a little paranormal romance break but don’t have a lot of time to spend on it. But be prepared for the sizzle, because it’s definitely got it in spades.  I don’t mean just a little heat, it is definitely hot, hot, HOT!

Izzy and Erik’s secret romance is at the heart of the story but there is a little intrigue involving a witchdoctor and a resurrected zombie Alpha bear (don’t get to say that every day). I think that Red does a good job of keeping everything in balance. She introduces us to our main character and does a great job of giving them the right amount of depth to keep us interested, but she also gives us entertaining secondary cast to help keep things light. She manages to bring in some tension with the zombie/witchdoctor plotline but it doesn’t overpower the main love story.

The blurb says that the series is made up of standalone books so you can start anywhere, which is nice. I am hoping that some of the citizens make appearances in the other books because they are a hoot. A small town made up almost exclusively of shifters … you can just imagine how quirky it can get – there are wolves, bats, hedgehogs, lizards, bears, panthers, even frogs. The possibilities for fun are endless and I’m looking forward to trying some of the others.

With an amusing supporting cast and an interesting main story line, To Catch a Wolf is a funny, super steamy, entertaining love story, just made for those that like a humorous paranormal twist to their romance.

Book Review – The Chance

08 Saturday Mar 2014

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cover39769-mediumWith its breathtaking vistas and down-to-earth people, Thunder Point is the perfect place for FBI agent Laine Carrington to recuperate from a gunshot wound and contemplate her future. The locals embraced Laine as one of their own after she risked her life to save a young girl from a dangerous cult. Knowing her wounds go beyond the physical, Laine hopes she’ll fit in for a while and find her true self in a town that feels safe. She may even learn to open her heart to others, something an undercover agent has little time to indulge.

Eric Gentry is also new to Thunder Point. Although he’s a man with a dark past, he’s determined to put down roots and get to know the daughter he only recently discovered. When Laine and Eric meet, their attraction is obvious to everyone. But while the law enforcement agent and the reformed criminal want to make things work, their differences may run too deep…unless they take a chance on each other and find that deep and mysterious bond that belongs to those who choose love over fear.

Let me just say that the FBI/criminal thing really doesn’t go that far in this book. Instead The Chance is about two people with normal, complicated lives who fall in love and have to figure out how to make it work regardless of their other obligations. I think that is my favorite part of Robyn Carr’s characters – they are just like you and me, with normal problems and normal feelings and normal issues. They have to figure out how (or even if) they can make one life together with all the associated complications from two individual ones. It’s sweet and honest and straight-forward and I loved every minute of it.

Laine has some family complications she has to figure out, as well as trying to decide what she wants to do with her job going forward. Considering she’s on a year-long hiatus from her East Coast job, it isn’t surprising that Eric is a little hesitant about what that means for a future together. He’s got a job, friends and family in Thunder Point and he wants to be there at least a little longer. It doesn’t lead to a lot of large scale drama, instead it’s a very real one that could happen to anyone you know.

I really enjoyed both of the main characters (and I’ve never been shy about saying how much I love the rest of them) – Laine is sweet and loving, but being an FBI agent she also has a spine of steel. She’s smart, wily, funny and caring. Eric will be the first to say he was an idiot as a kid but he got his act together and he’s turned into a wonderful man. He’s considerate, loving and quite sexy. He’s smart, hardworking, but he’s learned from his past and come to grips with it. He could be bitter but instead he figured out how to be a better person for it. He takes care of those around him and loves very well.

And while we get some updates on previous characters, although not as much as maybe some of the other books in the series, we mainly focus on the central plot and one other subplot.  It’s a sweet story with a couple of Eric’s workers that just about broke my heart before everything was tied up nicely at the end.  The two storylines worked well together and I didn’t feel cheated or rushed with either of them.

The Chance is part of a series, but I think that you’ll be able to keep up even if you haven’t read any of the previous stories … although I will tell you that you are missing out on something great if you haven’t read the rest.  If you like home-grown, real-life, small-town romances, you can’t miss with Robin Carr.

Guest Post and Review – Morning Light

06 Thursday Mar 2014

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

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Today’s post is going to be a fun one – we’ll start off with Cora Cade talking about the influence of music and we’ll take a look at her new book, Morning Light, which I’ve gotten a chance to read and enjoyed a lot.  I’ve included my review below too so check it out!

*****

Every moment in life has a soundtrack.  That first summer you had a license and your own car.  The summer my husband I bought our house.  The long nights I used to drive the four hours to and from our locations while we were dating long distance.  That first road trip with your best friend.

All of the very best (and not so great) moments of my life can be associated with a specific song, artist, or album.  And writing my first book was no exception.   So, because I believe in sharing the joys of musical inspiration, I put together a mix tape of music that represents my debut release MORNING LIGHT.  A story about a wounded  Army Ranger finding love with his little brother’s best friend can only be symbolized with the following:

  • I Will Wait-  Mumford & Sons
  • Anywhere Your Love Goes-  Joshua Radin
  • Kiss Me-  Ed Sheeran
  • Only Love-  Ben Howard
  • A Drop In The Ocean- Ron Pope
  • Count on Me-  Mat Kearney
  • Sitting, Waiting, Wishing- Jack Johnson
  • Love Don’t Die- The Fray
  • Ho Hey- The Lumineers
  • How Long Will I Love You- Ellie Goulding

Noah, our wounded Ranger, is perfectly summed up by Ed Sheeran’s  ‘Kiss Me’.  That song always makes me all swoony.   And our heroine Tennyson has been waiting for Noah for ten years.  While he was off being a war hero, she was waiting for him to come home.   And being that I’m a crazed Josh Radin fan, I knew his ‘Anywhere Your Love Goes’ was the perfect inspiration for Tenn.

While I was working on MORNING LIGHT Mumford & Sons released ‘I Will Wait’ ahead of their second album.  From that moment forward it was all I listened to while I finished up the book.  Suffice it to say I’m a super ridiculous Mumford fan, but that song is perfect for the overall inspiration of the book. 

If you’d like to check out the entirety of the mix tape, you can listen to it on Spotify:  http://tinyurl.com/kfxrh3q

You can find me on Facebook at:  www.facebook.com/CoraCade or you can check out my website at:  www.coracade.com.

*****

MorningLight72webMorning Light

A Day of Pleasure Book 1

By Cora Cade

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Samhain Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-61921-537-5

ASIN: B00C4U6MJ2

Number of pages: 82

Word Count: 25,000

Cover Artist: Lyn Taylor

Amazon  Samhain  Barnes and Noble

Blurb:

His toughest battle is ahead—the battle for one woman’s heart.

During Noah Harper’s ten years as an Army Ranger, Tennyson Sharpe’s letters were his lifeline. With each mail call, the bright and vibrant girl of his youth slowly became the woman of his dreams.

Now he’s home—and he’s in hell. The problem? Tenn is his little brother’s best friend. Claiming her risks all kinds of collateral damage.

Tenn is getting nervous. Since Noah came home, they’ve been circling each other, neither willing to risk the status quo. It’s time to kick things up a notch and make a play for the man she’s loved since she was sixteen—before someone else does.

Dressing to impress works better than she could have dreamed. After a scorching interlude leads to a steamy morning wrapped in each other’s arms, reality comes crashing down. Shining a devastating light on Tenn’s deepest fears…and forcing Noah into scramble mode to convince her forever was always on his mind.

Product Warnings

This book contains some serious foreplay in the great outdoors; stand-up sex with a hot, stand-up guy; and a wounded Army Ranger who’s determined to leave no heart behind—especially the one belonging to the girl of his dreams. 

*****

Excerpt:

Copyright © 2013 Cora Cade

All rights reserved — a Samhain Publishing, Ltd. Publication 

Moving down the stairs from the apartment to the pub below, Noah heard the distinct sound of someone cussing up a storm. He quickened his pace to reach the door separating his living space from his workspace and gently opened it.

There, standing on top of his immaculately gleaming mahogany bar, stood Tennyson Sharpe in her bare feet. All five feet two inches of her. She was on her tiptoes, reaching for one of the light fixtures with one hand and a light bulb in the other. The stretch caused her white, fitted tee to slide up her belly and expose a sliver of summer-tanned skin.

She stuck her tongue out at an angle—in concentration, he supposed. As she twisted the used bulb from the fixture, she uttered a soft, “Gotcha.” The final motion to remove the bulb caused her to dip forward on her toes and lifted her jean skirt higher, offering a delectable view of her plain white cotton panties.

Noah instantly hardened at the sight. He’d been in lust with this girl since she was sixteen to his nineteen, and after ten years apart he was finally home. And here she stood, flashing him the sexiest view he’d seen in years. He leaned against the doorframe and watched the scene unfold, never happier to have given her a key a few months back.

As she placed the fresh bulb in the fixture, she stretched again. Her whole body lengthened, straining to reach the fixture. She was all tan limbs and womanly curves. Her body was at enough of an angle that he could see her breasts tight against the fitted tee, but more importantly her cute behind as she placed both palms on the bar to hop down from her perch. As she braced herself she lifted her perky behind and flashed him.

The curve of her sex flashed before him as those white panties intimately hugged her. In a flash, both feet were planted on the floor and she was picking up the used bulb from the bar, then slipping her sandals back on. Time to turn around and head back upstairs before she caught him with a full-on erection and he embarrassed himself.

Noah eased the door shut and sprinted back up the stairs as quietly as he could, hoping to give himself a few moments to calm his erection before she unceremoniously showed up in his apartment for their breakfast plans.

He needed a cold shower before they left or he’d never survive the meal. He was going to have wet dreams about her white panties for weeks to come.

Stripping off his jeans and plain black tee, he dropped his clothes where he stood and snapped the bathroom door shut as his apartment door opened.

 

“Noah?” Tenn heard the shower start as she closed the door behind her. Well, that was unusual. Noah was nothing if not prompt. Ten years as an Army Ranger kind of beat that into you. She rapped on the bathroom door with a knuckle. “Hey, are you alive in there?”

“I’ll be out in minute. Got a late start to the morning. Give me five.”

She glanced down and saw a pile of clothes. Strange. Noah was also one of the neatest, cleanest people she’d ever known. His place was always immaculate, with nothing out of place. Let alone a pile of clothes tossed by the bathroom.

Now she was starting to sweat. Did he have a girl here? Had she interrupted the morning-after? Shit. That Amber bimbo had been making a play for Noah ever since he’d come home. And if she was in this apartment right now, Tenn was going to die of embarrassment. Right after she beat Noah to death.

They had plans. Even if they weren’t the romantic kind, they were definitely plans. They’d had Sunday breakfast as a standing date since his return from overseas. And he’d never had a woman here.

Who was she kidding? He had every right to get freaky with anyone he wanted. She was just the trusty sidekick, the platonic friend who was always there. Like a lapdog.

Picking up the clothes, she folded them and set them on the back of the couch a few feet away. The apartment was neat as a pin and pretty spacious, as far as it went. It was an open floor plan with only two separate rooms off the main living area, the master bedroom and the bathroom. Everything else was one large, airy space. From this angle she couldn’t see into the bedroom and was half-afraid to know if someone was still in his bed. Warming it for him, so to speak.

Deciding she needed to know, she took a step toward the bedroom after picking back up the stack of clothes she’d set down a moment before. It was a perfect excuse to check out the situation. His dirty clothes needed to be tossed into the hamper. Right.

She was about to fully push open the bedroom door when Noah yelled, “Hey, Tenn. I left my clothes out there. Could you grab them for me?”

And before she could whip around and not look guilty he popped his head out of the bathroom door. As she turned in his direction, she could only see a portion of his upper body, with the rippling muscle and just-now-fading tan from his time in Afghanistan, but it was enough to stop her dead in her tracks. The man was masculine perfection and her panties got a little wet looking at him.

“Oh, did you want these? Um, I was about to put them in your hamper.” Belatedly she whirled around and held up the clothes in question. “I thought they were dirty.”

For a moment he looked like he blushed. Really? “Sorry, I wanted to take a quick shower before we headed out and I tossed them on the floor in my rush.” He reached out a hand and beckoned her forward.

She was going to combust before she reached him. Not only was the man deliciously muscled, he still dripped from his shower. His dark hair, cut in a military-style buzz, glistened in the morning light. Eyes the color of the ocean on a sunny day, clear and crisp-blue, tracked her progress. She cleared the edge of the couch and his gaze skated down the length of her body, snagging on her legs before coming back to her face.

Once within reach of the bathroom door heat crept up her neck and face when she realized Noah stood naked on the other side of the door. His body was positioned so she could only see a naked hip and the curve of a well-defined ass, but it was obvious he hadn’t bothered wrapping a towel around his waist before popping his head out the door.

She dropped his clothes before he could get a grip on them and they fell to the floor with a soft impact. Unbelievably, as she bent to retrieve the clothing, her face flamed even hotter in embarrassment.

*****

author imageAuthor Info:

Nestled away in a small town in Ohio, Cora Cade spends her days adding steamy books to her library, snuggling with her four rotten dogs, and debating the finer points of life with the dear husband.

When she’s not tucked away with a book you can find her tapping away on her laptop. With coffee. And music.

Web:  www.coracade.com

FB: www.facebook.com/CoraCade

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/coracade

*****

Giveaway:

2- Gift basket with mug, tins of tea, and chocolates-open to US Shipping Only

12- ebook copies Morning Light

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112f555

CoraCade Giveaway

*****

Review:

This is quite a steamy little story – at a little under 100 pages it packs a ton of heat in just a handful of pages.  Both Tenn and Noah are fun.  They have been held back by different fears but they are finally at their breaking point.  It’s a fast-paced read, erotic and emotion-packed, with a captivating storyline and terrific characters. 

I think my only problem is that we didn’t get more of the interaction between them when Noah was away at war, so that we could have seen more of them falling in love.  Instead we get them at the point that they both have feelings but are unsure of the other and what it could do with their relationship with Chris, Noah’s brother.  It’s still a delightful story but I think that would have added that little extra zing.  As it stands, though, I whole-heartedly recommend it to anyone who wants to spend a few hours with some sizzle and romance.    

A sensuous treat, bold in the bedroom and complicated out of it, Morning Light is an intriguing tale of two people who have to decide if the possibility of a future is enough to take on the risks of a relationship.  The best part is it is the first in a series and I definitely can’t wait for more.  Both Chris and Tenn’s friend, Molly, have a lot of promise.    

*****

Tour Schedule:

 

 

March 3 Guest blog

The Library Mistress 

http://librarymistress.com

 

March 3 review

Snarky Mom Reads…

http://www.snarkymomreads.com

 

March 3 Spotlight w/review quote – 4.5 Stars / Top Pick

Night Owl Reviews

http://www.nightowlreviews.com

 

March 4 Spotlight and review

Eden Ashe

www.edenashe.com

 

March 5 Spotlight

Stories of Romance

http://storiesofromance.com

 

March 5 review

Mythical Books

http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/

 

March 6 Guest blog and review

Romantic Reads and Such

https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com

 

March 7 Spotlight

Adrienne Woods Books and reviews

http://woodsadrienne.wordpress.com

 

March 10 Guest blog and review

Ramblings From This Chick

http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/

 

March 11 Interview 

Darkest Cravings – Adult Blog

http://darkestcravings.blogspot.com 

 

March 11 Spotlight

Book Liaison 

http://www.bookliaison.net

 

March 12 Guest blog and review

Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess

http://wowfromthescarfprincess.blogspot.com

 

March 12 Spotlight

All I Want and More  

http://alliwantandmorebooks.wordpress.com/

 

March 12 Spotlight and review

The Book Review 

http://www.cluereview.blogspot.com

 

March 13 Interview

Pembroke Sinclair 

www.pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com

 

March 13 Spotlight

Author Karen Swart

http://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com/

 

March 14 Spotlight

Eclipse Reviews

http://totaleclipsereviews.blogspot.com

 

March 14 Spotlight and review

Crazy Four Books

http://crazyfourbooks.blogspot.com

 

March 17 Spotlight and review

The La La Land of Books

https://saaratis.wordpress.com/

 

March 17 Spotlight

Booklover Sue 

http://bookloversue.blogspot.com/

 

March 17 Spotlight and review

Ramblings of a Book Lunatic

http://booklunaticramblings.blogspot.com

 *****

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Book Review – Something Borrowed

26 Wednesday Feb 2014

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cover41186-mediumWhat do you do when the one man you were meant to be with already belongs to another?

For Dana Marshall, new wedding planner and curvy single, “always the bridesmaid, never the bride” seems to be the story of her life. But when she is assigned to assist popular wedding planner Vienna Saunders in managing a dream wedding for an important client, nothing can prepare her for the face-to-face encounter with the insanely handsome groom, Benjamin Carter. Sparks fly, and the chemistry between them is undeniable. Except he doesn’t belong to Dana. He’s off limits, forbidden and if she ever expects to walk away from the job with her heart still intact she needs to play by the rules. Except as far as true love is concerned, rules are meant to be broken.

I loved Emily Giffin’s story by the same title and, even though the basic idea may be difficult for some, I couldn’t resist trying Hunter’s Something Borrowed. It’s a short story, both in pages and time frame, but it moves very nicely. I never felt like I was cheated out of anything even though it barely tops 100 pages.

Some are going to have a problem with the fact that the hero of the story is getting ready to marry someone else. And some are going to have a problem with the fact that Dana and Ben only know each other for a couple of days. But for me it worked. You can tell from the beginning that Ben isn’t happy and isn’t in his relationship for the right reason. Maybe he should have done something about before the weekend of his wedding, but sometimes you get caught up in a situation and you don’t know how to get yourself out of it. Yes, a marriage is pretty drastic but once he explains himself it all makes sense.

And I love Ben. He’s funny, charming, and sweet. Dana’s also enjoyable. She’s nice and caring. Her biggest issue is dealing with her boss and that comes from her inexperience. She’s torn about her feelings for Ben and it is so understandable how they find themselves in such a mess.

I do think that Dana’s boss and Ben’s fiancé are a little clichéd but it definitely is fun to have villains. I think that if they’d been more sympathetic, especially Claire, then it would have been more trying to have Ben and Dana fall for each other. But since Claire is such a witch, you find yourself rooting for Dana without any hesitation.

If you are looking for a quick little read, then Something Borrowed is a great choice. An exotic locale, an emotionally charged story and warm main characters make it a delightful story.

Book Review – Evening Stars

25 Tuesday Feb 2014

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I’m always super excited when a new Susan Mallery book releases and this one is no different.  Check out my review below!

*****

cover38764-mediumSmall-town nurse Nina Wentworth has made a career out of being a caretaker. More “Mom” than their mother ever was, she sacrificed medical school—and her first love—so her sister could break free. Which is why she isn’t exactly thrilled to see Averil back on Blackberry Island, especially when Nina’s life has suddenly become…complicated.

Nina unexpectedly finds herself juggling two men—her high school sweetheart and a younger maverick pilot who also wants to claim her heart. But as fun as all this romance is, Nina has real life to deal with. Averil doesn’t seem to want the great guy she’s married to, and doesn’t seem to be making headway writing her first book; their mom is living life just as recklessly as she always has; and Nina’s starting to realize that the control she once had is slipping out of her fingers. Her hopes of getting off the island seem to be stretching further away…until her mother makes a discovery that could change everything forever.

But before Nina and Averil can reach for the stars, they have to decide what they want. Will Averil stay? Will Nina leave? And what about the men who claim to love them? Does love heal, or will finding their happy ending mean giving up all they’ve ever wanted?

If you are a fan of her “Fool’s Gold” stories, you know Susan Mallery is very adept at giving readers amusing interactions between charming characters – lots of sparkling, funny dialogue to go along with the depth and heart of her storylines.  In the three “Blackberry Island” books, we still get her trademark wit and an engaging romance, but there is also so much more.  Her characters are raw and emotional, dealing with life decisions and introspection. There is still that love story element but the books are more about the characters themselves.  It’s about their growth – their realizations about themselves and their relationships, and how they want to move forward.  Not that that isn’t also in her “Fool’s Gold” books, but for me it plays a bigger part in this series.

With the final book, Evening Stars, we’re given a beautifully compelling exploration of the family dynamic between Nina, her mother and her sister.  All of them are forced to take a look at themselves and how they deal with those around them – their past, their present and what they want for their future. It’s vivid, compelling, heartfelt and complex. Another beautifully crafted and genuine look at people’s faults and strengths, real in its difficulties but uplifting too.

(Mallery’s “Blackberry Island” series has a poignancy to it that isn’t as readily apparent in her “Fool’s Gold” books. I’d classify these as more Women’s Fiction than Romance, so you might keep that in mind.)