Tag Archives: Book Review

Book Review – A Hero To Love

20 Wednesday Sep 2017

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So far we’ve had a hot firefighter and a sexy hockey player … how about a hard-to-resist naval officer?

*****

A Hero to Love

Changing Tides #2

by Gail Chianese

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pub Date: 8/22/2017

Blurb:

A military police officer on the verge of a new beginning. A beautiful woman devoted to her career and her dream of putting down roots. The hardest thing they’ll ever do is to take a chance on love . . .

Navy Chief Master at Arms Jackson “Jax” Faraday is at a crossroads. He has to decide whether to reenlist or get out while he’s young enough to make a difference in the civilian world. Either choice could mean leaving behind his girl: his K-9 partner, Bella. But when she’s injured during a training session, Jax’s only concern is making sure she’s okay.

As the Navy base veterinarian, town local Risa Reynolds is right where she belongs: close to her parents in a farmhouse full of animals—with room to grow. She’s seen enough to put military men are on her “not happening” list, because they always leave.

But when a tall, hazel-eyed sailor arrives in her clinic with his dog in his arms, Risa finds herself falling hard. And all kinds of rules will get broken when Jax, a man who sticks to the straight and narrow, learns that there’s no predicting the twists and turns of the heart . . .

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*****

Excerpt:

Chapter 1

Jackson Faraday was worried about his girl.

He should have been worried about his future. Time was running out for him to make a decision—stay in the Navy or get out—and the detailer was breathing down his neck. But the decision to throw away the past twelve years wasn’t easy.

He wanted more.

If NCIS—Naval Criminal Investigative Service—would make a decision on his application, that would be great. But what if they turned him down? Did he stay in for twenty years and retire? Then what? Start over at the bottom? Go home to a one-stoplight town with a police force that spent all its time dealing with bored teens wreaking havoc or frustrated couples fighting? Work security for one of the nearby casinos? All viable options, just not what he wanted.

He wanted to make a difference.

He shoved away the nagging questions. He had more pressing concerns. Like what was wrong with Bella, which was why he was at the base training center, even though his shift was officially over.

“Come on, Bella. Give me your best for an hour, and then I’ve got a treat for you.” He wagged the Frisbee to get her attention. Instead, Bella whined and flicked her ear.

“Hey, Jax. Heard we had a win in the courtroom today.” Chief Casey Thomas drove his Jeep up next to the chain-link fence.

“Stone? Yeah, he’s going away for a good couple of years for that little video stunt of his. Not that it makes up for what he put Lieutenant Riley through, but it’s a start.”

“Me and a couple of the guys are going to grab some grub and head out to the beach. Enjoy what’s left of summer. Come join us.” Casey drummed his fingers on the outside of the driver’s door, giving away he had more on his mind than a night’s celebration.

“What’s up with you, man? You seem agitated.” He and Casey went back a ways; spent some time in the sandbox together. Normally the guy was as easygoing as cool beer slipping down your throat on a summer day. “Got my orders in today.” Casey slid out of the vehicle and walked

through the gate. “I’m heading to Pensacola.” “Isn’t your ex-wife there?”

“Near enough.” Casey squatted down and scratched Bella’s ears. “Did you hear back on your application yet?”

“You know what they say: No news is good news.” At least he hoped that’s what it meant.

“You know what you need? To find a nice lady who can take some of your stress away and make you forget your worries.”

“The only lady I need in my life is Belladonna.” “She’s a little hairy and full of attitude.”

“Aw, but you forget. She loves me unconditionally and always has my six.” “Not lately.” Casey stood and looked out at the obstacle course. “The new handler had her out this morning, running her through basic commands, and she ignored them all. I know you two have a tight bond, especially after two tours, but you’re leaving soon. She’s got to get used to new people.” Bella had been more than his partner while deployed; she’d been his anchor, his pillar of strength, his confidant, and his hope when all seemed lost. She wasn’t just his K-9 partner. She was his family, and the idea of leaving her was ripping him apart inside. Chances were she could sense

his mood and the turmoil going on inside.

“Which is why I’m passing on your offer.” Jax released the German shepherd’s leash. “Thought I’d do some special one-on-one training with her and see how it goes. Find out if it’s the new guy or her.”

“She wouldn’t be the first dog to burn out.” Casey looked down at the dog, who hadn’t moved. “Of course, if she’s declared unfit for duty, you could adopt her. But then, what would you do with her while you’re in Glynco for NCIS training?”

Jax dropped the leash and Frisbee on top of his backpack and looked into the brilliant blue sky. He’d been playing the “what if” game for two months now with no answers in sight.

“Let’s deal with one problem at a time.”

“If you change your mind about tonight, you know where to find us.” Casey waved as he hopped back into his Jeep and drove off.

Jax squatted down and ran his hand down Bella’s back. “Okay girl, let’s get the work over so we can play.” Truthfully, everything they did was work. The game of Frisbee honed the dog’s speed, agility, and tracking ability just as much as anything else they did. She simply liked it better than the obstacle course. Not that Jax blamed her.

Jax stood up and gave the hand signal for sit.

The dog looked at him, then closed her eyes with a deep sigh. “Bella, sit,” he commanded.

She rolled over onto her side and laid her paw across her nose. Casey really nailed it with his description. The dog was full of attitude—bad attitude—and a military working dog that didn’t follow orders was of no use to the service.

Jax went through the commands again and again, getting no response. The two of them had worked together for almost six years, since Bella’s first assignment, and she’d transferred with him from the Middle East to the Sub base. In all that time, she’d never ignored an order from him. He bent back down and gave her a cursory inspection, but he didn’t find any obvious reason for the dog to balk. Concerned, Jax sat down on the ground next to his partner.

“Bella girl, talk to me. What’s going on in that brain of yours? Is it the heat? Don’t you like the new guy? Tired of the same old routine? Trust me, I’d understand if that was the problem. Maybe we should call it a night, and tomorrow go see Doc and make sure you’re okay.”

Bella scooted closer and laid her head on Jax’s lap, her tail thumping in the grass.

“You gotta be okay, girl.” Absently, he scratched behind her ears as he thought of the past six years. “I don’t think I could handle it if we’d come this far and something happened to you.”

Jax leaned forward and picked up the Frisbee. As he talked about nothing to the dog, he tossed the toy up and caught it, making no demands on Bella. Pretty soon she was sitting, her gaze following the disc.

“Ah ha. Okay, I get it. There are times when I don’t feel like working either. I’ll make a deal with you. Five minutes of play and then a lap around the course. Deal?”

Bella barked in response.

Jax laughed and jumped to his feet, relieved to see her respond like her old self. He threw the Frisbee, and Bella took off at the speed of light. She caught the disc and returned it.

They repeated it again and again.

“Okay, last one and then we work.” Jax threw it with all his strength. The disc flew up. Bella chased, but instead of running straight across the lawn, she ran up the stairs of the dog walk. When she got to the top, she jumped and caught the disc in her mouth. But as she came down, she twisted. The scene before him unfolded in slow motion. He ran, reaching for Bella. Almost there. He dove to catch her but it was too late. Bella crashed to the ground a couple of feet in front of him, letting out a yelp that made

Jax’s stomach cramp. He crawled to her side.

Thank God she was breathing. He ran his hands over her body. Nothing protruded and there was no blood, but she was crying.

Carefully, Jax scooped her up and ran for his truck. “Hang on, baby.

Everything’s going to be okay.”

And he prayed like he hadn’t done since his last night in the desert. Just like now, Bella had been at his side and they’d been pinned down by enemy fire. He’d prayed that night that they’d make it home alive and in one piece. He prayed now that his dog would live, because even though she technically belonged to the U.S. Navy, she was the love of his life.

*****

Review:

I enjoyed being there while Risa and Jax fell in love.  Neither one of them is really looking for someone and, while they feel a pretty big pull toward one another, circumstances just want to get in their way.  Luckily they keep getting pushed together because they make an adorable couple.

Risa has an extremely soft heart – caring and hard-working for her patients & their people.  That dedication has her in Jax’s orbit and she’s finding him awfully tempting.  One of those super-awesome southern gentleman, Jax was raised right but he’s still got a bit of a bad boy streak in him 🙂  Sexy, attentive, and sharp, he’s just about perfect … except he’s also military and that’s a big no-no for Risa.  But he’s also determined and turns his considerable charm on her.

My only real complaint came at the very end.  There’s this aha! moment with who was causing trouble (although it isn’t hard to figure out) but it isn’t explained.  I have absolutely no idea why Jax was able to figure it out.  Maybe I skimmed over an important detail in my zest to find out what happened next (which kept me turning pages quickly through a lot of the book) but if I missed it then I’m sure others will too.

Other than that, I will say that I was a little disappointed with Risa.  When the big conflict in their relationship comes up (which pretty much all romances have at some point) she shuts down.  Totally reverts to teenage drama and she should be mature enough to handle things better.  But then the resolution would have been a little too easy, I guess 🙂

For a first introduction to Chianese and this series (while this is the second book it can easily stand on its own), I found A Hero to Love a delightful read.  I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next – I understand that it is Risa’s uber-cool friend, Fiona.  I’m anxious to see who gets to be her HEA!

*****

Author Info:

Gail Chianese’s love of reading began at the tender age of three, when she’d make her grandpa read Fourteen Country Rabbits over and over and over again (and correct him when he skipped parts). While she’s branched out over the years by reading mystery, women’s fiction, and urban fantasy, she always circles back to romance in the end. That’s probably because she’s married to her real life hero. Her wonderful hubby has served in the US Navy for the past twenty two years and he’s done things he can’t tell her about. But it doesn’t stop her from being extremely proud of him and the sacrifices he makes for her, his family, and his country. He’s also uber-supportive of her dreams and of their three children. Living in Mystic, CT and a member of Connecticut Romance Writers of America, Gail loves to hear from readers.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Amazon * Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win your own copy of A Hero to Love

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*****

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Book Review – A Gentleman Never Surrenders

12 Tuesday Sep 2017

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We had a sexy lawman and a hunky heartthrob yesterday, so how about a lady & her (maybe) rogue to kick off your Tuesday.

*****

A Gentleman Never Surrenders

Sins and Scandals, Book 2

by Lauren Smith

September 12, 2017

Forever Yours eBook

$1.99

Blurb:

Love is worth a little scandal.

Owen Hadley needs a wife. Preferably a wealthy one. Alas, there aren’t a great number of heiresses willing to marry a rogue of no particular fortune—luckily, if there is ever a gentleman capable of melting a lady’s chilly heart, it’s Owen.

Milly has had enough of the marriage mart. If matrimony means giving up her freedom for a foppish husband, then society can take their idea of marital bliss and toss it. But when the ton’s most notorious rogue mistakenly makes his way into her bedchambers, Milly finds herself unexpectedly and unwillingly at the altar . . .

Yet the more time she spends with her new husband, the more Milly starts to wonder if the marriage she never wanted may be the best thing that’s ever happened to her. Now it’s up to Owen to convince Milly that what started as a mistake is anything but—and that every night with him will be more wonderfully scandalous than the last.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2r9Jsag

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*****

Excerpt:

Milly climbed onto the bed and pulled the bedclothes up around her chest and sighed. The bed was so large, and rather lonely. Usually she didn’t let such a melancholy thought bother her, but tonight for some reason, it did. There was a dull ache in her chest and she rubbed the spot with her hand. Somewhere tonight, Mr. Hadley was likely climbing into bed, dreaming of all the young ladies’ hearts he would steal and break. A treacherous little flutter in her chest made Milly wince. She ought not to think of Hadley, certainly not while she was in bed…yet thinking of him, as frustrating and maddeningly irritating as he was, flushed her with a welcome heat in the chilly room.

The oil lamp beside her bed was the only light left in the room and it burned steadily. Often she read late into the night and forgot to turn it off, but tonight she was too tired to read. She reached over and gently twisted the brass knob to kill the little flame. Darkness absorbed the dying light and Milly flipped onto her back. The cold of the sheets almost stung her bare toes and legs when her nightdress rode up to her knees. A cold bed, an empty bed. It shouldn’t have upset her, but after Mr. Hadley’s talk of heat and summer, she was off balance and bothered.

The mere thought of him and the way his eyes had darkened and seemed to shimmer with inner flames brought on another rush of warmth. His eyes, like honeyed fire, and his lips, the way he’d smiled sardonically, almost mockingly, in a way she rather liked, irritated her, yet fascinated her. There was no reason to like a man’s mouth or to imagine what it might be like to have that mouth pressed to hers in a kiss that caused the heat he was so fond of discussing. She knew his kiss would be hot, because when she thought of it, her body blossomed with a swelling of heat in her belly. His mouth is wicked…sinful…and I hate that I wish to know how he tastes. It was a forbidden thought, but one she couldn’t deny. She rolled over onto her stomach, fluffed her pillow, and squeezed her eyes shut, attempting to will herself to sleep. It was going to be a long night.

*****

Review:

I don’t know if it is this author or the time frame she set her book in (early 1900s) but it felt like a refreshing take on a traditional historical romance.  There were still lords & ladies, balls & waltzes, country parties & homes that went back generations.  But it felt a little more relaxed, including a hero that was not titled, cars instead of horses, and a woman yearning for independence.

Milly wants to be an equal in her marriage and since she’s not been able to find a man who thinks the same she’s content to live her life as an old maid.  Unfortunately a mix up at a house party finds her engaged to her worst nightmare – a fortune hunter.  There’s nothing in Owen’s past that would suggest that he’s going to be anything like the husband she’s dreamed of.

Owen needs money badly to set his family property to rights.  The sharp-tongued Milly is the last woman he hoped to be wedded to but she does come with a sizeable dowry.  And the more time they spend together, the more Owen finds himself seeing a different side to his wife.

I only have one complaint (and this may just be an indication of the times) but how can Owen really expect to compromise a woman, forcing her to marry him, only to have her be warm to him right away.  I know that women were little more than property, which is most of Milly’s fear in tying herself to a man, but that doesn’t mean that they are going to be super open in their feelings for him.  Luckily for him, he got himself a smart, albeit stubborn, bride.

For all their trouble, there really isn’t a ton of drama between these two.  They are smart enough to get read the signs that maybe they misjudged the other and are willing to put the effort in to try to make their marriage work.  It’s not easy but it is entertaining for the reader 🙂

(Part of a series but can easily stand on its own)

*****

Author Info:

LAUREN SMITH, winner of the 2014 Historical International Digital Award, attended Oklahoma State University, where she earned a B.A. in both history and political science. Drawn to paintings and museums, Lauren is obsessed with antiques and satisfies her fascination with history by writing and exploring exotic, ancient lands. She is currently an attorney in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

http://www.laurensmithbooks.com

https://www.facebook.com/LaurenDianaSmith

www.twitter.com/ldsmith1818

Add An Earl by Any Other Name to your shelf on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2rQ4EnE

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*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win 1 of 15 free ebook downloads of A Gentleman Never Surrenders!

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*****

Book Review – The Real Thing

11 Monday Sep 2017

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We’ve got another sexy hero thanks to the ever awesome Melissa Foster!

*****

The Real Thing

Sugar Lake #1

by Melissa Foster

Releasing Sept 5, 2017

Montlake

Blurb:

This sassy, spirited baker is fine with heat—but is her fake fiancé too hot to handle?

Bakery owner Willow Dalton’s friendship with Zane Walker has always been a bit complicated. Now a scrumptiously hot A-list actor, Zane’s always had a reputation as player. He’s arrogant, and he’s definitely not boyfriend material. Sure, he did Willow a favor by agreeing to take her virginity before college, but is that reason enough to go along with a fake engagement a decade later—even if it comes with a real diamond ring?

Zane should have known better. Nothing involving Willow has ever been easy. Still, he knows her better than anyone, and becoming America’s hottest new leading man means cleaning up his reputation. An “engagement” to curvy, sass-mouthed Willow is the perfect PR move . . . provided no one gets hurt.

Now Zane and Willow’s little white lie has turned into an irresistible recipe for sweet temptation. And soon no one will be able to tell the difference between their fake engagement or the real thing—including them.

**THE REAL THING is being published by Montlake (an Amazon imprint) and won’t be available on other ebook retailers, but you can download a FREE ereader app to read it HERE, order the paperback.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34092384-the-real-thing

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/203560-sugar-lake

Buy Links:      AMAZON | PAPERBACK

*****

Excerpt:

“You’re sleeping on the couch,” Willow said for the fifth time in as many minutes as she and Zane left their suite. He was busy texting, and she wasn’t sure he was even listening anymore. He used to be such a great listener. When they were younger, he’d never acted like he was above her, despite the fact that he was the star quarterback, lead pitcher, and eventually the prom king, and she was two years behind and as awkward as a foal on new legs.

“Are you listening to me?” she asked as they walked down the hall.

“Yes. I just got confirmation. You’re catering breakfasts for the set. Cool?”

“Yes, perfect. But did you hear what I said?”

She had almost backed out of their deal twice since she’d accepted. First when she’d seen the king-size bed, which really drove home their situation, and again when Zane had whipped off his shirt to change and her sex-starved body had buzzed to life. She was still a little nervous about the whole thing, mostly due to that second issue, but she felt a certain obligation to help him. Regardless of how arrogant he was, she’d never forget how tender he’d been with her when she’d given her almost-eighteen-year-old self over to him, and he was a true friend, even if they had a weird friendship. The truth was, even if he hadn’t done her that favor before college, she would have agreed to his plan. She liked him despite his insatiable appetite for women. He was everything she loved in a person and more. He was confident and funny, direct and thoughtful, and honest when it counted. Painfully honest. The exposure for Sweetie Pie Bakery was just the icing on the fake-fiancée cake. What a difference national exposure could make.

Zane shoved his phone in his pocket. “Yes. Sleeping on the couch. Got it. But you can’t blame a guy for trying.”

She laid her best damn-right-I-can stare on him and pushed the button for the elevator.

“Fine. I’ll behave. Jesus, Wills, you’re never this uptight when I visit.”

“You mean that five minutes twice a year?” Willow remembered how happy he’d been when he’d finally left town to pursue his dream of being an actor. He’d been bursting at the seams for a bigger life. But her “five minutes” comment wasn’t really fair. He never missed Ben’s birthday, and he almost always made it back for a few days over the holidays, even though his parents had moved to Florida right after he’d graduated from high school and left town. He’d been back a few other times when he was filming nearby. Even though she rarely saw him, their texts—and the fact that he was her first real love, even if he didn’t know it—had kept him in the forefront of her mind. Unfortunately, it also kept her heartbreak pretty close to the surface, no matter how deep she tried to bury it.

*****

Review:

In general I really enjoyed this book – it had all the things I’ve come to expect from Melissa Foster.  The characters were detailed and interesting, their interactions popped and kept me entertained, and the story flowed so well that the book was over before I knew it.

But I did have a couple of smallish things.  I really wished that we’d gotten a bit more of their history first hand.  Foster makes sure that you get that there is a lot between them – they’ve known each other since they were kids, were (unbeknownst to each other) their first love, and have kept a connection to each other throughout the years.  I just wish we’d gotten to experience it a little more, instead of through conversations and memories, because I think that it would have helped deepen their relationship.

The other thing is a personal preference … Zane is a bit of a manwhore.  He’s a big time Hollywood actor with women throwing them at him and he doesn’t necessarily turn them down.  I know that rakes make for great SOs once they find The One (at least in romance novels) but it just kinda squicks me out.  We’re supposed to feel this thing between them (see above) and while I understand that they aren’t supposed to necessarily be acknowledging it to anyone, even themselves, the sleeping around just isn’t my personal favorite.  Maybe I’m too old fashioned but it just didn’t sit all that right.

Buuuut, not enough for me to dislike the book because they really are cute together and once he makes a commitment Zane is definitely all in.  And it is a joy to behold 🙂

*****

Author Info:

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

Author Links:   WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

*****

Giveaway:

Win a $20.00 Amazon eGift Card

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*****

Book Review – Elliott Redeemed

08 Friday Sep 2017

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A single mom and tortured musician find common ground in Scarlett Cole’s REDEEMED, the second standalone romance about the band PRELOAD. Elliott “Pyro” Dawson has a past he’s fought like hell to overcome and Kendalee Walker is at her wits end and homeless. Will Kendale provide the family Elliott has never had or will dangerous habits prove to strong? Readers will savor this dark, sexy rockstar romance.

We are excited to share with you the highly anticipated second installment of Scarlett Cole’s Preload series, ELLIOTT REDEEMED. Don’t miss out on this smoking-hot rockstar romance! Follow along with the tour for excerpts, guest posts, reviews, and a chance to win a Preload Bundle!

*****

Elliott Redeemed

Preload series

by Scarlett Cole

Blurb:

A single mom and tortured musician find common ground in Scarlett Cole’s Elliott Redeemed, the second standalone romance about the band Preload.

Elliott “Pyro” Dawson burns up the lead guitar like a legend. But the nickname Pyro isn’t just a clever play on words. It’s much darker. A past he’s fought like hell to overcome.

Grocery store cashier Kendalee Walker is at her wits end and homeless. She’s watched her fourteen-year-old son, Daniel, go so far off the rails, he can no longer see the tracks.

When the two are brought together, attraction flares, but can Elliott find the family he never had with the sexy woman and her son, or will he fall back on dangerous habits?

Buy Now: Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | iBooks | Chapters Indigo

*****

Review:

Continuing her emotion-packed and oh-so-sexy Preload series, Cole brings another absolute knock-out with Elliott Redeemed.  It kept my heart tied up in knots from the beginning and didn’t let me go even after the last page.

I’m going to start with my only complaint about this series.  I just don’t get enough of the band together!  That is one of the things that is so special about this group of guys – how they bonded as kids in a foster home and have been there through ups & downs ever since.  I get that these stories are their chance to create their own individual lives and find a HEA, plus I had a similar issue with Jordan Reclaimed so I guess it shouldn’t be a big surprise, and it is FANTASTIC to get to see these guys more in depth … but I just really want to see that connection continue.

Elliott has a lot of scars he’s carrying around from his childhood – both physical and mental.  He’s managed to find a way to subsist but he’s still not thriving.  Meeting a young burn victim and finding out everything that has happened to the boy brings all of his own personal demons to the front, forcing him to face it or be swept up.  His growing feelings for the boy’s mom only complicates things even more.

Kendalee is carrying a lot of weight at the moment.  Her husband left her for another woman and she’s pretty much dealing with her son’s troubles all on her own.  Meeting a sexy man, a surprise visit for Daniel while he’s in the hospital, is just one more thing she may not be up for … especially when she sees what a great heart Elliott has and how much he’s helping her son.

It amazes me how Cole can manage to pack so much into her stories every time but never brings the drama or shorts her characters.  They are always complex, touching, and over before I’m ready to be done.  Sexy, emotional, and funny when it needs to be, Elliott Redeemed is a must read!

*****

Author Info:

The tattoo across my right hip says it all really. A Life Less Ordinary. Inked by the amazingly talented Luke Wessman at the Wooster Street Social Club (a.k.a. New York Ink). Why is it important? Well, it sums up my view on life. That we should all aspire to live a life that is less boring, less predictable. Be bold, and do something amazing. I’ve made some crazy choices. I’ve been a car maker, a consultant, and even a senior executive at a large retailer running strategy. Born in England, spent time in the U.S. and Japan, before ending up in Canada were I met my own, personal hero – all six and a half feet of him. Both of us are scorpios! Yeah, I know! Should have checked the astrological signs earlier, but somehow it works for us. We have two amazing kids, who I either could never part with or could easily be convinced to sell on e-bay.

I’ve wanted to be a writer for a really long time. Check through my office cupboards or my computer and you’ll find half written stories and character descriptions everywhere. Now I’m getting the chance to follow that dream.

Connect with Scarlett: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win a Preload Bundle!

(Signed paperback copies of JORDAN RECLAIMED & ELLIOTT REDEEMED + $10 Amazon Gift Card)

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*****

 

Book Review – Romancing the Wallflower

04 Monday Sep 2017

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In a Colorado mountain town, a good girl kindergarten teacher propositions a sexy bad boy uncle of one of her students…It’s all part of ROMANCING THE WALLFLOWER by Michelle Major

*****

Romancing the Wallflower

Crimson, Colorado series

by Michelle Major

Blurb:

Dedicated kindergarten teacher Erin MacDonald isn’t the type to make the first move on a man—especially gorgeous David McCay, her secret crush. But when a crisis involving one of her pupils offers a chance to help the pro baseballer turned local brewery owner, Erin goes way out of her comfort zone. So way out she makes a shocking suggestion!

David moved to the Colorado mountain town to look after his sister and her son. Now he’s a stand-in parent to his nephew, trying to fight his attraction to Erin…who just propositioned him. David is nobody’s hero. So why can’t he convince the sweet, kindhearted beauty that she deserves better than him? Is it because they’re the perfect imperfect match?

Add ROMANCING THE WALLFLOWER to your TBR pile on Goodreads!

On Sale in Print: August 22, 2017

On Sale in Digital: September 1, 2017

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Harlequin

*****

Excerpt:

“Stop staring at the hottie brewmaster’s butt.”

Erin MacDonald choked on the gulp of strawberry daiquiri she’d just swallowed. “I’m not staring at anyone’s butt,” she said as she grabbed a wad of napkins and dabbed at her chin and shirtfront. “And don’t talk so loud.”

Melody Cross, one of the second-grade teachers at Crimson Elementary, snorted. “It’s a crowded bar on a busy Thursday night. No one can hear me.”

But Melody had the kind of booming voice that could quiet a room full of squirming eight-year-olds the afternoon before summer break. The tall table they stood at was a good five feet from the bar, but Erin swore she saw the man’s broad shoulders stiffen.

“Want me to take a picture of him?” Suzie Vitale, her fellow kindergarten teacher, offered with a tipsy smile. “It lasts longer.”

Before Erin could stop her, the curvy blonde aimed her phone at the backside of the gorgeous guy who not only worked the bar but also owned Elevation Brewery. The brewpub had opened a little over a year ago and had become a popular hangout for both locals and tourists in the quaint mountain town of Crimson, Colorado.

Erin had noticed David McCay, the brewery’s owner, the first time she’d stepped into the nouveau rustic—and very on-trend for Colorado—space. He was tall and lean, with dark blond hair that curled around the collars of the flannel shirts he favored. David McCay was as handsome as a movie star and built like he spent endless hours tossing huge sacks of barley—or whatever it was beer brewers did.

Erin, who was built like she spent her days sitting cross-legged on a reading rug, had surreptitiously watched him each time she came into the bar with friends or coworkers for a random happy hour or birthday celebration. He was often tending bar or sometimes she’d spot him coming out from the back, wearing the heavy rubber boots and backward ball cap that she’d quickly learned were his uniform when actually brewing beer.

Colorado was known for its craft brews, and the fact that Elevation had made a name for itself so quickly was a testament to his hard work and talent at running a business.

At least that’s what Erin wanted to believe. Her mother liked to remind Erin that she too often assumed the best about people, which allowed them to regularly take advantage of her.

But David McCay hadn’t taken advantage of her, even though it was the stuff of her fantasies. Even though his nephew, Rhett, was now in her kindergarten class and David had been with the boy and his mother for back-to-school night. Erin had barely been able to put a sentence together with David towering over the other adults in the back of her classroom, but he hadn’t bothered to acknowledge her. Heck, it was doubtful he even knew she existed.

Except when she blinked and looked up, he was staring straight at her. Sparks of awareness flamed through her body, setting every inch of her skin on fire. He lifted one thick brow as if he could read her thoughts. Which might be impossible since it felt like all of her brain cells had spontaneously combusted under the weight of his stare.

She heard Melody giggle behind her, and Suzie gave her a little shove forward. David now stood at the edge of the bar, only a short distance from her, with movement all around him. Customers in groups laughed and talked. A waitress set her tray on the rich wood bar top. A group of women at near the edge of the bar vied for his attention. But his focus remained on Erin.

Then something—someone—suddenly blocked her vision. Cole Bennett, Crimson’s recently elected sheriff, was talking to David. Cole was also tall and broad, and to use one of her mom’s favorite expressions, made a better door than a window.

Erin shifted to the right as she overheard Cole mention Rhett, David’s nephew. David’s gaze hardened and his jaw clenched. Unable to stop herself, she moved forward, sidestepping a couple heading toward the back of the bar and a group of twentysomething guys who looked like they’d just come off a hiking trail, until she stood directly behind the sheriff.

She was five feet four inches tall in the clogs she favored for work, so both men towered over her and were completely unaware she was listening to their conversation. Invisibility was Erin’s unintentional superpower. She knew much more than she should about her coworkers and neighbors, simply because people didn’t notice she was there.

“Rhett is safe,” Cole told David. “But they can’t get him to come out.”

“What the hell was Jenna thinking?” David asked, then scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “No, don’t answer that.”

“She’s in trouble, David. The crowd she’s running with—”

“I’ll handle it.” He pulled a set of keys out of one of the pockets in his tan cargo pants. “I just need to tell Tracie I’m leaving for the night. I’ll be over for Rhett.”

“I have to call Social Services,” Cole said softly, and Erin felt the tension ratchet up a notch.

“Give me some time with him first, okay?”

“Can you—”

“I’ll handle it,” David repeated. He moved behind the bar and spoke to the woman filling two pint glasses from the tap.

The sheriff walked out of the bar, patrons instinctively clearing a path for him although he wasn’t in uniform tonight.

When she looked up, David McCay stood toe-to-toe with her. She realized she’d moved forward to block his path from behind the bar.

In her daydreams, she’d compared his eyes to the brilliant summer sky above the ragged peak of Crimson Mountain or the iridescent cobalt of a tropical lagoon. But now his frosty stare was more like the ice blue of a glacier, so cold a shiver passed through her.

“I don’t have time for this, sweetheart. You and your friends are going to have to play your liquid courage bar games with someone else.”

“It’s not a game,” Erin said.

“Darlin’, you ordered a froofy drink in my bar. It’s either a game or a joke.”

This close to David, the heat and frustration radiating off him made her feel different from the woman she knew herself to be. She was aware of her body in a way that was new and exhilarating. She wanted more. She wanted…something she couldn’t name. Still, the promise of it made her weak with longing.

Also braver than she’d ever been. Or maybe crazy was a better word, because when he moved to step around her, she placed a hand on his arm.

“I can help with your nephew.”

*****

Review:

I used to read Harlequin romances like I was eating M&Ms.  I LOVED those things and couldn’t get enough of them.  While I don’t pick them up with the same enthusiasm, I will find a tempting story here or there.  And I really was drawn in by the idea of Erin’s crush on David and his feeling like he’s not worthy.  Major delivered on the blurb’s promise too 🙂

There’s a good amount of growth by both of them.  Erin has spent a good portion of her life feeling … just ordinary.  And sometimes even being told so by people she should be able to trust.  With those kinds of long-held beliefs, her crush on the hottie brewmaster seems unattainable to her.

David had a rough childhood and like everybody everywhere he’s made some mistakes.  Unfortunately his past has caused him to take them a little more to heart than maybe he should.  Once he’s tuned into Erin’s attraction to him, he believes himself to be undeserving.  But to help his nephew he’ll take whatever help she has to offer.

Time spent together is decidedly beneficial for both of them.  Erin gets to see David for the man that he actually is (and not just a pretty face and a fine behind), but even better she actually gets to see herself for who SHE is.  With David’s help, she starts to believe in herself a little more and become more willing to accept that she has something to give – to the town, to her students, and even to David.

David also benefits from their growing intimacy.  Erin helps him see that he shouldn’t beat himself up so much for things that weren’t really his fault.  That he can accept his mistakes, learn from them, and move on all the better.

It’s heartwarming to have them help support each other and grow together, closer and more assured in themselves and their relatoinship.  A feel good read for sure!

*****

Author Info:

Michelle Major grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in Journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at http://www.michellemajor.com.

Connect with Michelle: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

******

Giveaway:

Grand Prize: 1 Winner Will Each Receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card

 Runner-Up: 3 Runner-Up Will Receive any Backlist Michelle Major Title (Digital Version Only)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef29408/

*****

Book Review – Hard Miles

30 Wednesday Aug 2017

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

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Hard Miles 

Chisholm Falls, Book 1

by Trish Arcangelo

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Date of Publication: 8/23/17

ISBN: 978-1-5092-1555-3

ISBN: 978-1-5092-1556-

Number of pages: 180

Word Count: 45,550

Cover Artist: Diana Carlile

Blurb:

It’s a rough ride from dark past to second chance.

On the run from her psycho ex, Laurel Wheeler stops in Chisholm Falls, Texas for snacks at a gas station just before it’s held up by two desperate criminals. When one robber begins firing, a handsome stranger named Jase Miles saves her life. Hoping to make a little money and thank her rescuer at the same time, the broke Laurel agrees to a secret deal regarding Jase, who’s the town pariah.

But what starts as deception quickly turns complicated. Laurel begins to fall for the brooding man who hides his pain behind a mask of indifference. And Jase begins to fall for the sweet woman who, unlike everyone else in town, doesn’t treat him like a monster. Then a careless mistake shatters the fragile trust and their growing bond… perhaps beyond saving.

Amazon

*****

Excerpt:

She walked toward him then, with purpose. Once she was standing directly in front of him, so close that he couldn’t pretend to ignore her, she’d said, “Just go with it.”

Laurel intended to kiss him then. He knew it. She was going to kiss him in front of everyone, a declaration. It would have been an act of kindness, her falling on the sword of a debt she thought she owed. The thought made him sick. He didn’t want her kisses of pity. He wanted her to kiss him because she was driven to, because she was mad for him. And though he’d do it again, even now he kicked himself for stopping that kiss. If pity was the price of admission to another taste of those lips, maybe it would have been worth it.

But he stopped her. He put a hand out to halt her and then led her toward the storeroom, his hand on the small of her back like a brand. Warmth pooled in his dick from just that small touch. As soon as the door to the storeroom snapped closed behind them Jase whirled her around until her back flattened against the brick wall, snarling. “What game are you playing?”

Her eyes went wide and the stunned look on her face almost had him apologizing, almost had him begging to try the kiss again. “No games,” she whispered.

He slammed his hands against the wall on either side of her head. “Defending me at every turn, as if you’ve been made my personal savior. I don’t need any paybacks for the gas station. We’ve been over this.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh? Then what the hell was that little performance out there?”

Laurel’s expression turned angry. God, she was even hotter when fiery and indignant. Jase was careful not to press too close so he could hide his raging erection.

She said, “Fine, I was just trying to help, you ungrateful—”

His stomach and his erection fell. “You what?”

The answering look on her face said she realized her mistake.

“So it was pity?” He spat, shoving away from her.

“That’s not what I meant, Jase.”

He pulled her to him again, unable to decide what he wanted. “Isn’t it? Well, then, by all means, baby, pity me.” And then he covered her lips with his.

*****

Review:

While I really enjoyed this story, there were a couple of issues for me.  I felt that Jase was a little TOO hard on himself.  I know that small towns have long memories and it is really easy to fall into the trap of the hive mind in blaming him for something that happened in the past.  However, I just didn’t see it in his interactions.  Maybe it is because he was so good at isolating himself but I would have liked to have seen a little more of why he felt the way he did.

I’m also not sure what Laurel thought would happen after she took money from Jase’s sister.  I can get how it started but she definitely should have done something about it WAY before she did.  Readers realize this is going to blow up and she should have too.

Overall, though, I really enjoyed these two together.  When Jase lets himself, he’s a good person and is good to those around him.  Laurel may have had it rough but she’s got a good heart and the gumption to try for a better life.  A little battered, neither of them has had the best time of it but they find the support in each other that they need so together they can finally find a happy place.  And readers will enjoy being there with them when they do.

*****

Author Info:

Trish has been an avid fan of romance fiction since she “borrowed” a book from her mother’s stash when she was just a teenanger (it was Hearts Aflame by Johanna Lindsey).  She’s been devouring all genres of romance ever since.  She nursed a long time dream to write stories of her own and finally realized there was no time like the present.  After completing and publishing her first book, a fantasy romance, in early 2015, she is now writing a contemporary romance series.

A native Texan, Trish lives just outside Austin with her incredibly supportive husband and their incredibly spoiled dog.  Aside from romance fiction, her other loves include dogs, warm weather, wine, playing trivia, and spending too much time on social media.

http://www.trisharcangelo.com/home.html

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13272014.Trish_Arcangelo

https://www.facebook.com/TrishArcangelo/

https://twitter.com/trisharcangelo

*****

Giveaway:

1 Autographed copy of BREAKOUT and a $10 dollar Amazon gift card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112ffc1652/

*****

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

Tour Schedule:

August 23 Interview
Authors’ Secrets
August 23 Spotlight
Just Another Bookaholic
August 23 Spotlight
Books,Dreams,Life
August 24 Spotlight
Share My Destiny
August 24 Spotlight
Books and Tales
August 24 Interview
The Book Junkie Reads . . .
August 25 Spotlight
Mythical Books
August 25 Spotlight
The Authors Blog
August 25 Spotlight
Saph’s Books
August 28 Interview
A Writer’s Mind
August 28 Spotlight
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, and Sissy, Too!
August 28 Spotlight
Silver Dagger Scriptorium
August 29 Interview
Vicky at Deal Sharing Aunt
August 29 Spotlight
Reads 2 Love
August 29 Interview
T’s Stuff
August 30 Spotlight and review
Romantic Reads and Such
August 30 Spotlight
Readaholic
August 30 Spotlight
For Love of Books4
August 30 Spotlight
SImply Kelina

Book Review – You Say It First

24 Thursday Aug 2017

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

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fool’s Gold romances Susan Mallery, comes the first standalone title in the Happily, Inc. Series—YOU SAY IT FIRST! You’re invited to visit Happily, Inc., a wedding destination founded on a fairy tale. Where people live… wait for it… happily ever after.

Order your copy today!

*****

You Say It First

Happily Inc series

by Susan Mallery

Blurb:

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fool’s Gold romances invites you to visit Happily Inc, a wedding destination founded on a fairy tale…

Sculptor Nick Mitchell grew up in a family of artists and learned from his volatile father that passion only leads to pain. As he waits on a new commission, he takes a day job as a humble carpenter at a theme wedding venue. The job has its perks–mainly the venue’s captivating owner, Pallas Saunders. Although he won’t let love consume him, for ecstasy with an expiration date, he’s all in.

Pallas adores Weddings in a Box. But if she can’t turn the floundering business around, she’ll have no choice but to cave to her domineering mother and trade taffeta for trust funds working at the family’s bank. Then when a desperate bride begs Pallas for something completely out of the box, her irresistible new hire inspires her. Nick knows she doesn’t belong behind a desk, and she knows in her heart that he’s right—where she really belongs is in his arms.

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

Get your copy of YOU SAY IT FIRST here!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2v8LYiZ

Kindle: http://amzn.to/2vPA7bW

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2whleC3

Nook: http://bit.ly/2uYd5yk

Book Depository: http://bit.ly/2ic2aiq

Powell’s: http://bit.ly/2idcg2G

iBooks: http://apple.co/2uYHtbC

BAM: http://bit.ly/2woIihs

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2wovrMh

GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2uONR9o

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2woHZDA

Audible: http://amzn.to/2woIxJE

*****

Excerpt:

The afternoon passed quickly. Alan stayed with Catherine, the beauty team arrived and did their thing. At five, the ushers were seating the guests, and at five forty-five, the beautiful bride walked down the aisle. Pallas stood in the back next to Alan as they watched the ceremony move smoothly forward.

“See,” he whispered. “It’s fine.”

“You were right.”

“Three of my favorite words. I’m going to make you repeat them again and again.”

Pallas left to check on the catering. Silver had her trailer set up and was mixing the signature drinks; the bride’s specially hired DJ had already started setting up his equipment. Nick, who only needed to be a courtier for the procession, had already changed back into street clothes.

“Feeling better?” he asked.

“Much. I still think the server costumes are a little slutty, but that wasn’t my call. We have food, we have drinks, we have music.” She glanced over to where the DJ had set up his equipment. “I’m going to start breathing more deeply now.”

“Good.” Nick put his arm around her. “Want me to take your picture with the zebras?”

“Maybe later. Do they seem calm? They were tense when they arrived.”

“I gave them valium. They’re fine.”

She spun toward him and grabbed his arm. “Don’t joke about that. I mean it. I’m one crisis away from snapping.”

“Sorry. No drugging zebra jokes, although that really kills my best material.”

Pallas returned to the main building and waited for the service to end. She made sure everyone made their way to the reception area and was grateful when Catherine gave her a thumb’s-up.

While the wedding party took postceremony pictures, Pallas made sure the guests had plenty to drink and that the appetizers were circulating briskly. She was so focused on that she almost didn’t hear the loud shrieks from the far side of the open area. Almost.

“Oh no! They’re loose.”

Pallas hurried to the gates just in time to see three zebras running down the road.

“Should have let me drug them,” Nick murmured as Carol and Cade got in his truck and hurried after them. Pallas spotted four teenage boys laughing by the temporary fencing. She narrowed her gaze and started toward them.

*****

Review:

With her Fool’s Gold series, Mallery is known for bringing readers quirky, humorous stories that somehow manage to be lighthearted with depth.  And with Happily Inc she does it again!  SQUEEEE!  As we’ve come to expect, her characters are great with the zingers but can bring you to tears … and not just with laughter.  They have issues – real ones that you can totally get behind – and they have to deal with them before they can find their happy.

Pallas’s has to do with her mother.  For some reason her mom is really hard on her and nothing Pallas does is good enough, although she’s spent her whole life trying.  She’s at a crossroads in her life, though, having just inherited a wedding planning business while her mom wants her to work for the family bank.  Pallas has to decide what is right for her.

Nick’s issues have to do with his father and returning readers from Fool’s Gold will be familiar with the backstory (but new readers should have no trouble catching up – Mallery’s a pro at giving you the info you need).  His stay in Happily Inc is just a stop on his way to whatever he’s doing next, giving him a chance to connect with his brothers.  He definitely didn’t plan on Pallas and the kinds of feelings he’s developing for her.  He’s seen what that does to a person and he has no intention of getting that involved.   If you are familiar with Mallery’s work you know how that turns out … when does anything go as you expect it to?  🙂

For me the fluidity of Mallery’s stories really keeps me coming back for more.  I mean, the snappy dialogue and fun people are definitely at the top of that list, but she knows how to wrap everything together so that it works seamless towards that HEA.  Both Nick and Pallas work on their family issues (although Nick’s can’t be 100% resolved because he has brothers who need their own stories) and their concerns over the future, including whatever hangups are involved with committing to their relationship.  It’s pretty common in Mallery’s stories but she makes it seem fresh when she does it.  Every.  Single.  Time.  I don’t know how but she’s gotta have some kinda of magic going on.  And I am so ready to see what she has in store for us next!

*****

Author Info:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming and humorous novels about the relationships that define women’s lives—family, friendship, romance. She’s best known for putting nuanced characters into emotionally complex, real-life situations with twists that surprise readers to laughter. Because Susan is passionate about animal welfare, pets play a big role in her books. Beloved by millions of readers worldwide, her books have been translated into 28 languages.

Susan lives in Washington state with her husband, two ragdoll cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Visit her online at SusanMallery.com.

Website: www.SusanMallery.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/susanmallery

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SusanMallery

Instagram: https://instagram.com/susanmallery

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/susanmallery/

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/susanmallery

Newsletter: http://www.susanmallery.com/join-mailing-list.php

*****

Giveaway:

$100 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c1a0378/

*****

Tour Schedule:

Susan Mallery’s YOU SAY IT FIRST – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

August 21st

Booked All Night – Review & Excerpt

I Love Romance – Review & Excerpt

Katy and Zetti’s Book Ramblings – Excerpt

August 22nd

A Southern Girls Bookshelf – Excerpt

Booknerd1107 – Review & Excerpt

Ficwishes – Excerpt

Readaholic – Excerpt

August 23rd

Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

It’s all About the Romance – Excerpt

Rachel Loren’s Love of Reading – Review & Excerpt

Stephanie’s Book Reports – Review

August 24th

Becky on Books – Review & Excerpt

Books and Things Blog – Review & Excerpt

K.T. Castle – Excerpt

Reading Reality – Review

Romantic Reads and Such – Excerpt

August 25th

Living In Our Own Story – Review & Excerpt

Lover of Big Books Cannot Lie – Review & Excerpt

Nose Stuck in a Book – Excerpt

Thoughts of a Blonde – Excerpt

August 26th

Mean Girls Luv Books – Review & Excerpt

Melena’s Reviews – Review & Excerpt

What Is That Book About – Excerpt

August 27th

Adventures in Writing – Excerpt

Forget the Housework, I’m Reading… – Review

Nicole’s Book Musings – Review & Excerpt

August 28th

Mama She’s Crazy About Books – Review

The Butterfly Reads – Review & Excerpt

Two Book Pushers – Review

August 29th

Little Bookworm Reviews – Review

Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance – Excerpt

Shannon’s Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Tales From A Bookworm – Review & Excerpt

August 30th

Collector of book boyfriends – Excerpt

Inside The Mind of an Avid Reader – Review & Excerpt

Jen’s Reading Obsession – Review & Excerpt

August 31st

Miss Riki – Review & Excerpt

Remarkablylisa – Review & Excerpt

Sofia Loves Books – Review & Excerpt

September 1st

Bookishly Yours – Review & Excerpt

Fire and Ice Book Reviews – Review

Romancing the Readers – Review

TBR Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

September 2nd

Cesya MaRae Cuono, Author – Excerpt

Dog-Eared Daydreams – Review

Moonlight Rendezvous – Review & Excerpt

September 3rd

E-Romance News – Excerpt

Francoise’s Reading Corner – Review

Ramblings From This Chick – Excerpt

Sweet Red Reads – Review & Excerpt

September 4th

Crazii Bitches Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

I’m A Book Shark – Review & Excerpt

Pervy Ladies Books – Excerpt

Shannon’s Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

September 5th

From the TBR Pile – Review & Excerpt

My Nook, Books & More – Review

Renee Entress’s Blog – Review & Excerpt

The bookworm chronicles – Excerpt

September 6th

A geordielass honest blog on reviews – Review

Book Reviews By Lexi – Review

Lattes & Paperbacks – Review & Excerpt

KDRBCK – Review & Excerpt

September 7th

Brittany’s Book Blog – Excerpt

JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC – Review & Excerpt

OMGReads – Review & Excerpt

Romance as a first language – Review & Excerpt

Sascha Darlington’s Microcosm Explored – Review & Excerpt

September 8th

Book Lovers Hangout – Review & Excerpt

G & T’s Indie Café – Excerpt

Smokin Hot Reads Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

The Book Maven – Review

The Lovely Books – Review & Excerpt

Book Review – Out of the Shadows

17 Thursday Aug 2017

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

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Well-written with lots of emotion but very little drama … no wonder it is getting some great reviews on Goodreads & Amazon.

*****

Out of the Shadows

by K.C. Wells

Length: 62,991 words

Cover Design: Bree Archer

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Blurb:

Can he step out of the shadows and into love’s light?

Eight years ago, Christian Hernandez moved to Jamaica Plain in southern Boston, took refuge in his apartment, and cut himself off from the outside world. And that’s how he’d like it to stay.

Josh Wendell has heard his coworkers gossip about the occupant of apartment #1. No one sees the mystery man, and Josh loves a mystery. So when he is hired to refurbish the apartment’s kitchen and bathrooms, Josh is eager to discover the truth behind the rumors.

When he comes face-to-face with Christian, Josh understands why Christian hides from prying eyes. As the two men bond, Josh sees past his exterior to the man within, and he likes what he sees. But can Christian find the courage to emerge from the darkness of his lonely existence for the man who has claimed his heart?

Buy Links: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

*****

Excerpt:

MONDAY

CHRISTIAN HERNANDEZ stared at the letter, his gut clenching. One look at its contents was all it had taken to send him spiraling down into a fit of panic.

He’d known it was coming, of course. He’d seen the posts on the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation website, all about how the housing association was putting together a list of their properties that were in dire need of renovation. He knew his building had to be on the list. They’d taken it over in the late nineties, along with several other properties along Minden Street, and nothing had been done to the buildings since then.

And here it was in black and white. His apartment was on the list for the first wave of refurbishments, which included the replacement of all the kitchen cabinets and countertops, plus the kitchen flooring. After that came the bathrooms, with new fixtures and tiles. The work would take two to three weeks.

Next Monday. They’re sending someone to start on it next Monday. What the hell do I do?

It wasn’t as if he had anywhere else to go, so that left one option: hiding in his room while whoever came to invade his apartment worked in the kitchen. And the bathrooms. Hell. That meant the bathroom next to his bedroom.

Looks like I’m going to be locking my bedroom door. The prospect of being holed up in his room for a couple of weeks made his heart sink.

Christian put down the letter on the kitchen table and walked into his living room, where patio doors opened up to the communal gardens that lay across the back of the buildings.

I need something to cheer me up, to take my mind off all this crap. And he knew just what would do the trick. He peeked through the blinds, knowing exactly what—or should that be, who?—he’d see.

Sure enough, there was his favorite handyman. Not that Christian knew the guy’s name. He only watched him every time the slim man with defined arms worked out there, mowing the lawns, repairing or repainting the fences, or digging up new flower beds and planting shrubs and trees in them. Christian estimated him to be in his midtwenties, and yeah, he was definitely Christian’s type. He loved it when the weather grew warm enough that Handyman would roll down his overalls to his waist, strip off his T-shirt, and expose all that tanned skin, with a light dusting of freckles across his shoulders.

Now, if the guy they send to work on my apartment is anything like him….

Christian knew the thought to be bullshit. There was no way he’d make any kind of contact with whomever the association sent. He’d just stay in his room, working there until the nightmare was all over.

It’s a couple of weeks—three, tops. I can manage. He figured if he kept telling himself that, somehow he’d talk it into existence. Yeah. I can stay out of their way.

Just so long as whoever turned up wasn’t a snooper.

MONDAY

JOSH WENDELL straightened and stretched, his back aching a little from lugging the large shrubs from the truck into the gardens. They were going to be really pretty when the rhododendrons flowered. He always liked working on the Minden Street houses. It was a peaceful little corner south of Mission Hill, just west of Jamaica Plain, and the communal gardens were his pride and joy.

Occasionally there’d be a couple of guys working with him, and they got along fine. Even if they told some fanciful stories. Like the one about the guy in the first-floor apartment at #197—the guy they said no one ever saw. Josh had scoffed at that immediately: If no one ever saw him, how’d they know he was even a him? Besides, if he listened to them, the guy in #197, apartment #1, was the bogeyman, a hermit who lured little kids into his lair, only to eat them and bury their bones under the patio outside his window.

Yeah, right.

Anyway, his days of working in the gardens had come to an end for a while. He’d received his instructions for the next few months: the association wanted him to use his skills in other pursuits, namely tearing out and replacing kitchen cabinets, laying down new tile floors, and replacing baths, sinks, and tiles. Josh was looking forward to it, even if it was going to be a royal pain in the ass working indoors at the height of summer. He just prayed the apartments had functional AC.

He glanced over at the apartment where the mystery guy lived. Not that Josh had ever seen him. All he saw were the vertical blinds that covered the patio doors, an effective barrier against revealing anything of the apartment’s interior—or its occupant.

Wonder what he’s really like?

Then he grinned to himself. Hey, what if I get to work on his place? The guys would be all over me, wanting to know what the inside of the apartment looks like. The way they described it, he expected to see something right out of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. That was, of course, if he worked on that particular apartment.

Josh couldn’t wait to get his itinerary to find out.

*****

Review:

There are a few awkward interactions early on (I think to give you a feel for the characters) but once things get going Wells does a great job of making the people relatable and realistic.  It’s not an easy thing, making Christian more comfortable with himself, but it’s handled really well.

Josh is a little too perfect, which makes him great book boyfriend material.  He’s patient, kind, understanding, and charming.  He knows when to push Christian but also when to back off.

Christian is hesitant to be seen by anyone because of his appearance.  For years he’s hidden himself away, with his only human contact by phone … and peeping at the hot gardener outside his window.  Things start changing for him when said hot gardener is assigned the task of renovating Christians apartment.  He doesn’t realize the two men are the same at first (because of the no face-to-face contact thing he has going on) but Josh’s personality alone is enough to have Christian inching his way out of self-imposed exile.  When an accident throws them together … well, Josh has a certain charm about him 🙂

I think my favorite part about this book was the lack of drama.  We already get enough of the feels with Christian having to deal with his issues that nothing more is really needed.  Instead, Out of the Shadows is a delightfully low key story where two guys meet, get to know each other, and explore their common attraction, while helping Christian venture out into the world again.

*****

Author Info:

Born and raised in the north-west of England, K.C. WELLS always loved writing. Words were important. Full stop. However, when childhood gave way to adulthood, the writing ceased, as life got in the way. K.C. discovered erotic fiction in 2009, when the purchase of a ménage storyline led to the startling discovery that reading about men in love was damn hot. In 2012, arriving at a really low point in life led to the desperate need to do something creative. An even bigger discovery waited in the wings—writing about men in love was even hotter….

K.C. now writes full-time and is loving every minute of her new career. The laptop still has no idea of what hit it… it only knows that it wants a rest, please. And it now has to get used to the idea that where K.C goes, it goes.

And as for those men in love that she writes about? The list of stories just waiting to be written is getting longer… and longer….

K.C. loves to hear from readers.
E-mail: k.c.wells@btinternet.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCWellsWorld
Twitter: @K_C_Wells
Website: http://www.kcwellsworld.com

*****

Giveaway:

$10 Amazon Giftcard

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3e0e9a43220/

*****

Book Review – Irresistible You

15 Tuesday Aug 2017

Posted by in Blog Tour, Book Review, Sneak Peek

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Get this one soon – price will go up in a couple of weeks and you definitely don’t want to miss out on Remy and Harper!!

*****

Irresistible You

Chicago Rebels series, Book 1

by Kate Meader

Pocket Star EBooks

August 14, 2017

$1.99 (August 14th – August 27th, 2017)

$5.99 (After August 27th, 2017)

ISBN 9781501168550

Blurb:

IRRESISTIBLE YOU kicks of the all new, scorching Chicago Rebels hockey series by Kate Meader, featuring her signature “steamy sex scenes, colorful characters, and riveting dialogue” (Romantic Times). Three estranged sisters inherit their late father’s failing hockey franchise and are forced to confront a man’s world, their family’s demons, and the battle-hardened ice warriors skating into their hearts.

Harper Chase has just become the most powerful woman in the NHL after the death of her father Clifford Chase, maverick owner of the Chicago Rebels. But the team is a hot mess—underfunded, overweight, and close to tapping out of the league. Hell-bent on turning the luckless franchise around, Harper won’t let anything stand in her way. Not her gender, not her sisters, and especially not a veteran player with an attitude problem and a smoldering gaze designed to melt her ice-compacted defenses.

Veteran center Remy “Jinx” DuPre is on the downside of a career that’s seen him win big sponsorships, fans’ hearts, and more than a few notches on his stick. Only one goal has eluded him: the Stanley Cup. Sure, he’s been labeled as the unluckiest guy in the league, but with his recent streak of good play, he knows this is his year. So why the hell is he being shunted off to a failing hockey franchise run by a ball-buster in heels? And is she seriously expecting him to lead her band of misfit losers to a coveted spot in the playoffs?

He’d have a better chance of leading Harper on a merry skate to his bed…

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ktKuiM
Nook: http://bit.ly/2ktBFkU
iBooks: http://apple.co/2k4aYXk
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2jy3E2D
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2k0sZW5

“Meader’s strength is creating characters who live, breathe, and jump off the page; Remy and Harper shine, and the supporting cast of characters, including Harper’s half-sisters, is very strong. The mix of sexual tension and emotional decisions will lead Meader’s series launch to many a keeper shelf.”

—Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW

“Meader takes her readers on a breathtaking, non-stop, glorious ride. The sex scenes are lyrically written with fresh, descriptive prose. Enough is included about hockey to add its fast rhythm to the book. Remy’s family is multi-faceted and fills the pages with joy. Readers will love the relationship between Remy and Harper, and will be excited for the next story — Isobel’s.”

—RT Book Reviews Four and  a Half Star TOP PICK

*****

Excerpt:

Two things happened simultaneously: Harper’s eyes went wide, and Remy realized he was cold. Both of these things were related.

He’d answered the door completely naked.

And his boner was back, urgent as ever, though he wondered how long that would last because it was pretty fucking chilly out here.

“I’ve interrupted something,” she said, her gaze greedily roving his still-damp body.

“Only a pity party in my shower.”

She swallowed audibly, and just that sliver of vulnerability had him ready to fall to his knees for her. She was here, yet he had the distinct feeling that rushing her would be bad. This woman was like a high-strung filly that needed gentling and every ounce of TLC he possessed.

“Minou, talk to me.”

A shallow breath was followed by . . . another shallow breath. Before he could worry about which would happen first—Harper’s panic attack or his dick dropping off like an icicle—she spoke, her voice scarcely above a whisper.

“I shouldn’t be kissing you. I shouldn’t be touching and licking and stroking your hard body. I shouldn’t be begging you to take me all night long. I shouldn’t be fantasizing about the player I signed to save my team and career because this could be the very thing that tanks my team and career.”

His sexy little minou was hurting, and the only cure was the thing that might destroy them both.

*****

Review:

I wasn’t sure I was going to like Harper.  When you first meet her she’s a little harsh and brittle but Meader makes sure that you understand that most of it is a front.  She’s under a lot of stress, with a lot of insecurities from her youth, and being thrown into the same orbit as her half-sisters and the man that she can’t have isn’t helping.  Before too long I found myself with all sorts of feels for the poor woman.  But you can’t feel too bad for her once Remy turns his attention her way!

The youngest with a whole passel of sisters and nieces, Remy was guaranteed to be perfect hero material … even if he is surrounded by testosterone as a hockey player 🙂  He’s patient and understanding, but also with a streak of charming bad boy in him.  He’s the perfect balance of Alpha and sensitive.  He’s good for Harper, supportive & caring, and he keeps her life from overtaking her.

My only trouble was with the ending because it’s just hard when Harper has been so adamant about how she is perceived.  But you knew it was going to work out some way and I’m pretty sure that this is the only way it would have been satisfying.

Definitely an engrossing read and I’m so intrigued by the other sisters & where there stories are going.  Meader did an amazing job of giving this group of people complexity and depth.  You can’t help but want to get to know all of their secrets!

*****

Author Info:

Kate Meader was raised on romance. An Irish girl, she started with Catherine Cookson and Jilly Cooper novels, and spiced it up with some Mills & Boon. Now based in Chicago, she writes romances of her own, where sexy contemporary alpha heroes and strong heroines match each other quip for quip. When not immersed in tales of brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, Kate lives on the web at katemeader.com.

*****

Tour Schedule:

July 17th

*****RT BOOK REVIEWS GUEST POST BY KATE MEADE

August 10th

*****HEROES & HEARTBREAKERS EXCERPT

August 14th

CARPE DIEM CHRONICLES

FIRE AND ICE BOOK REVIEWS

FEEDING MY ADDICTION

DIRTY AND THIRTY

A MIDLIFE WIFE

HINES AND BIGHAM LYTERARY TRYST

MY FAVORITE THINGS

A BOOK WHORES OBSESSION

BOOKLOVERS FOR LIFE

COLLECTOR OF BOOK BOYFRIENDS

ROMANCE JUNKIES

READ-LOVE-BLOG

JOYFULLY REVIEWED

August 15th

*****FRESH FICTION Q&A

REVIEWS BY CRYSTAL

ROMANTIC READS AND SUCH

READ YOUR WRITES

LILY ELEMENT

THE LOVELY BOOKS

READING BETWEEN THE WINES

August 16th

*****USA TODAY’S HAPPY EVER AFTER DOWN & DIRTY Q&A

THE READING CAFE

THE HEATHER’S BLOG

JENERATED REVIEWS

BOOKNERD

August 17th

ROMANCE REVIEWS TODAY

CAROLINE JANE READS

August 18th

BOOKAHOLICANON.COM

STRAIGHT SHOOTIN’ BOOK REVIEWS

August 21st

DIRTY GIRL ROMANCE

ROMANCING THE READERS

August 23rd

READING FRENZY BLOG

August 24th

TREAT YOURSELF WITH BOOKS

FOUR CHICKS FLIPPING PAGES

September 1st

TWO BOOK PUSHERS

Book Review – Whiskey River Rescue

09 Wednesday Aug 2017

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Whiskey River Rescue

Whiskey River series

by Justine Davis

Still reeling from the unexpected sale of the land she and her horses live on, horse rescuer Kelsey Blaine is frantic when she comes home to find her possessions already boxed up and her house being bulldozed without any notice. Normally calm and kind, Kelsey becomes furious and impulsively cuts a privacy fence to confront the culprit–her mysterious neighbor, Joe.

Joe Kilcoyne is in a desperate place. He guards his secrets and hides from the world for a reason. He’s the hottest topic of speculation around Whiskey River, but no one has ever dared to get close to him. That is, until fiery Kelsey comes barging straight into his life.

The last thing Joe needs is for Kelsey to breach his defenses and make him confront his past. But when her sunny, open, and determined personality collide with a haunted man with no idea how to reconnect with the world, the sparks that ignite shock them both.

I enjoyed the story that I was given – Kelsey has the patience of a saint (which she needs working with rescue horses) and that comes in handy when dealing with Declan.  I was a little disappointed with the ultimatum she gave him at the end because I felt that it came a little too soon.  I’m not sure why she chose that exact moment to feel like she had to make him get out and meet people.  It wasn’t something that had been brewing and you would have thought that she would ease him into it better after how well she’d handled him up to that point.

My biggest problem though was that we didn’t get more of Declan’s story.  I had a lot of questions about his mother and his childhood and I think that more time could have spent sharing details … like why did he have a horse at all?  Why would a person who treated him the way she did let him have anything that gave him happiness?  Why did she let him go to school?  Why wouldn’t his teachers know that he was being mistreated?  How did he manage to take care of himself as a runaway at 13?

Davis does a great job of making sure that you understand Declan even without all those questions answered but it does take away from it a little.  He’s a complicated man and one who needs a more involved story to fully be appreciated, I think.  Maybe even 2 or 3 🙂  I loved seeing him open up to Kelsey and making a connection with someone who could help him step out of his comfort zone.  I just wanted even more