Book Review – A Kindled Winter

01 Sunday Nov 2015

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

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A Kindled Winter, Book Review, Rachel L. Demeter

We’ve seen Rachel’s historical story Finding Gabriel before, but this time she brings us a touching contemporary story of two troubled souls finding each other – perfect for a cozy winter night.

*****

A Kindled Winter

Author: Rachel L. Demeter

Release Date: November 1, 2015

Publisher: Black Lyon Publishing, LLC

Genre: Contemporary Holiday Romance

Blurb:

“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.” — Dale Evans

A week before Christmas, Jeseca Reed sets off for Blue River, Oregon—her childhood home and a vault of tender memories. However, fate takes an unexpected turn when she’s left stranded in the mountains’ vast, untamed wilderness. Desperate and alone, she seeks shelter at a cottage and finds herself in the arms of a mysterious stranger.

Dr. David Drake was once a renowned cardiovascular surgeon. But a devastating tragedy has left him scarred both inside and out, unable to use his hands to operate again. For the past five years, his Blue River cottage has been his sole escape—a safe haven where he can shut out the world, bury himself in his grief, and reunite with his son’s memory.

Together they are summer and winter. Fire and ice. And yet a poignant connection forms between them. Jeseca awakens David and thaws his heart with a romance hot enough to melt snow. But before David and Jeseca can fully embrace each other, they must wade through darkness and confront the ghosts of their pasts …

Equal parts steamy and heartfelt, A Kindled Winter brings the spirit of the holidays to life with a passionate story of second chances and healing love.

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1WmeoNm

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1WkTJyA

Book Trailer: http://bit.ly/1N3X8uO

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26221419-a-kindled-winter

*****

Excerpt:

David’s enchanting voice swelled the darkness, surrounding Jeseca, gripping onto her senses with a thousand beckoning fingers. They held her captive—and she readily surrendered her freedom.

“We’re like day and night. Summer and winter. Fire and ice. And yet something about you whispers my name and echoes inside me …” His mouth found her pulse point. Damp, hot lips nibbled on her skin and sent her wits reeling. “You should have never come in here. It was a mistake.”

“Then tell me to leave and I’ll go,” she replied through a breathy whisper. Her voice sounded thick with desire, hoarse … she hardly recognized it as her own. “And I don’t believe we’re complete opposites,” she said, her words husky and guttural. “I think the real you is hiding.”

Impenetrable silence took hold. Only the howling wind and David’s heavy breathing breached the quiet.

“Should I leave?”

More silence. “No. I need you … I need you to stay with me.” The words emerged from the darkness and wrapped around Jeseca’s heart with the force of a lasso.

He plunged a hand beneath the bathrobe, which had fallen halfway open, and a jarring whoosh of air slammed against her skin. His tongue swirled along her collarbone, branding her flesh with slick, wet shapes. Her heart hammered, and she clutched at the bedsheet as his mouth ventured lower … lower … skirting across the V-line of her plush pajama top. Then his fingers were working the buttons, quickly undoing them and sweeping the soft material aside. Cold air tightened her naked breasts, causing gooseflesh to prickle her skin.

“Stop me if I’m going too fast,” he breathed against her.

Yes, she should stop him. This was wrong. Totally wrong. Instead, all rational thought melted away and she found herself arching against his mouth and tongue. She wanted more—not less. And she wanted him to go faster—not slower …

*****

Review:

I think that this one will require a certain kind of reader to truly appreciate it – don’t get me wrong, the story is good and the characters & their troubles are interesting, but the writing style is detailed and kinda flowery. It reminded me of old school romances like Pride & Prejudice, with a lot of attention given to the description (there’s a glimpse of what I mean in the excerpt above). You definitely feel like you are there, which I enjoyed, but I know that some prefer a more concise story so it may not appeal to all.

That said, I found these two and their pasts fascinating. Both of them had tragedy change the way they view the world, but in different ways. I really enjoyed how Jeseca worked to bring David out of his exile. I get the idea that she’s younger than him, although I’m not sure if that is ever specified, which I think helps some as well. She has so much energy about her that you can’t help be caught up in it, and neither can he.

David comes across as a bit of an old soul anyway – a calm and methodical man, perfect for a surgeon. And a loving father & husband. Unfortunately the horrible loss of both his family and his career made him even older spiritually. Spending time with Jeseca, though, starts bringing him back to his old self.

I did have a couple of things in the plot that I probably would have done a little differently – I’m not a writer so 🙂 – but they didn’t interfere with how much I enjoyed being there with these two as they fall in love and come to terms with their pasts. Again, the feel of the book isn’t going to be for everyone. (It’s gotten a ton of great reviews on Goodreads, mostly 4s and 5s, but there is that single 1 star review and it is for the style.) If you read the excerpt and think a whole book like that isn’t your thing, no biggie. But if it is then I think you’ll enjoy David and Jeseca’s journey to their HEA.

*****

Author Info:

Rachel L. Demeter lives in the beautiful hills of Anaheim, California with Teddy, her goofy lowland sheepdog, and her high school sweetheart of eleven years. She enjoys writing poignant romances that challenge the reader’s emotions and explore the redeeming power of love.

Imagining dynamic worlds and characters has been Rachel’s passion for longer than she can remember. Before learning how to read or write, she would dictate stories while her mother would record them for her. She holds a special affinity for the tortured hero and unconventional romances. Whether crafting the protagonist or antagonist, she ensures every character is given a soul.

Her dream is to move readers and leave an emotional impact through her words.

*****

Also by Rachel L. Demeter:

Finding Gabriel, a historical romance.

Colonel Gabriel de Laurent departed for the war intending to die.

After a decade of bloodstained battlegrounds while fighting in Napoleon’s army, Gabriel returns to the streets of Paris a shattered and haunted soul. Plagued by inner demons, he swallows the barrel of his flintlock pistol and pulls the trigger.

But fate has a different plan.

Ariah Larochelle is a survivor. Orphaned at twelve and victim to a devastating crime, she has learned to keep her back to walls and to trust no one. But when she finds a gravely injured soldier washed up on the River Seine, she’s moved by compassion. In spite of her reservations, she rescues him from the icy water and brings him into her home.

Now scarred inside and out, Gabriel discovers a kindred spirit in Ariah—and feelings he imagined lost forever reawaken as he observes her strength in the face of adversity. But when Ariah’s own lethal secrets unfold, their new love is threatened by ancient ghosts. Can Gabriel and Ariah find hope in the wreckage of their pasts—or will the cycle of history repeat again?

Perfect for fans of Gaelen Foley’s Lord of Ice and Judith James’s Broken Wing, Finding Gabriel features all the dark romance, searing passion, and historical intrigue of The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

$5 Amazon Gift Card [INTERNATIONAL]

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/81df7f18603/

*****

Book Review – The Twisted Road to You

30 Friday Oct 2015

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Barbara Longley, Book Review, Perfect Indiana series, The Twisted Road to You

The Twisted Road to You

Perfect, Indiana (Book 4)

by Barbara Longley

Struggling with both PTSD and the trauma of his ex-wife’s infidelity, retired Marine Wesley Holt seeks a simple civilian life. His favorite waitress at the Perfect Diner secretly stirs his heart. Yet Wes—scarred by betrayal and racked by guilt over his fallen comrades in Afghanistan—stays quiet, convinced he can never love again…or be loved.

Waitress and single mother Carlie Stewart hides fear behind her smile. Her ex-husband has escaped from prison and wants their son—and revenge. When the fugitive arrives to wreak havoc, Wes insists Carlie and her son stay with him for protection. Finally daring to let her guard down, Carlie divulges her dark past to Wes, and to her surprise, Wes appreciates her strengths and longs to trust her with his tattered heart. The safer they feel with each other, the more trust and passion grow. But can they overcome the demons in their pasts—and the heartbreak they’ve carried into the present—to build a lasting future together?

This is the first of this series that I’ve read, but I don’t think it will be my last. The Twisted Road to You is a fantastic blend of danger and emotion – we have to deal with Carlie’s ex and the trouble he causes, but more importantly we get Wesley & Carlie’s struggles to open their hearts again. Both have been badly hurt in the past and neither of them thinks that they are a good bet. Although none of their concerns are all that new, it doesn’t stop them from making an impact on the reader.

Wesley is struggling with PTSD and he had his ex break things off with basically a Dear John letter. Neither of these things add up to relationship material in his mind. But he doesn’t factor in that he’s caring, giving, hard-working, and brave. He’s willing to do just about anything for his friends and they feel the same about him. With his attraction to Carlie and the danger she faces from her ex, she quickly becomes part of that group.

Carlie is a good mother but with her past she’s kept herself a little separated from the other people in Perfect. Thanks to Wes and his friends though that doesn’t last long. I can understand why she thinks her past is too much for a partner to overcome, but I love how Wes proves her wrong. Just a little understanding and acceptance goes a long way to changing how she views herself.

Even though I wasn’t familiar with any of the people, Longley does a great job of giving all relevant info when you need it – not too much and only when it makes sense. The book focuses on Wes and Carlie but they don’t live in a bubble so the other people are important. And I’m sure that, for returning readers, it is a treat to catch up.

With just that right amount of action to keep things hopping and the perfect amount of emotional drama, The Twisted Road to You is a wonderful story of letting go of the past and opening up to something new.

Available at Amazon

Book Review – Hendrix

29 Thursday Oct 2015

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

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Book Review, Caldwell Brothers series, Chelsea Camaron, Hendrix, M.J. Fields

Looking for a tattooed, rough-talking, hard-bodied (but caring) bad boy? I definitely have a book for you!

*****

Hendrix

Caldwell Brothers #1

by Chelsea Camaron & M.J. Fields

Loveswept

Blurb:

Perfect for fans of J. S. Scott and Emma Chase, Hendrix introduces the wild and sexy Caldwell boys—three brothers who are living up to their legendary names in Detroit Rock City.

Hendrix Caldwell wants nothing more than to revitalize the family bar—and tear down every last reminder of his no-good father. But business isn’t the only thing on his mind. An explosive encounter with a stranger at a charity masquerade is just the distraction he craves, with no names and no strings attached. For Hendrix, sex is casual, and love is a four-letter word. His commitment is to his brothers, his bar, and his bike. So why can’t he stop thinking about the naughty Cinderella who rocked his world, then left him—and her panties—behind?

Olivia Hemmingway knows fairytales are for little girls. Drowning in debt and hiding a shameful secret, she won’t be saved by a knight in tattooed armor, no matter how mind-blowing their one-night stand may have been. Olivia never expects to meet her masked lover again. But when she takes a job at Hendrix Caldwell’s bar, her sexy new boss seems all too familiar. And once the lights go out and the music is turned up, the sparks between them burn hotter than ever.

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

Find the series on Goodreads

*****

Excerpt:

When you think of Motor City, you think of poverty, but what Detroit lacks in class and elegance, we make up for in dive bars. You got the 2-Way Inn on Mt. Elliott, Nancy Whiskey on Harrison, Old Miami on Cass, Greenwich Time in Cadillac Square, Kwicky on 8 Mile, Marshall’s on Jefferson, Jumbo’s on 3rd, the Painted Lady up in Hamtramck, My Dad’s Place on Kercheval, and Caldwell’s on Atwater.

You know the kind of places I’m talking about—windowless joints on the corner with the High Life sign blinking because you know the sign is as old as the paint-chipped building it hangs off. The blinking sign beckons you. You have to go inside to see what the hell is going on ’cause you can’t see in the windows, and it sounds like you may be missing something if you don’t.

They are boarded up tight, because they got busted out two nights ago when the place got robbed by the fucking thugs who walk up and down the streets, selling candy one minute and panhandling two hours later. The pieces of shit are inventive—I’ll give them that—but my suggestion is get a fucking job, slob.

Back in the day, when the auto factories dominated the area, things didn’t look so broken down. It was alive and kicking. The area was still peppered with bars. Bar owners were making mad cash, too.

At the end of every street, there was a joint that served ice-cold High Life on tap and two-dollar shots. There was entertainment and fun to be had everywhere. You could always get a decent, quick meal on your lunch break, a live show at night; and the bartenders made you feel like you belonged, like you were family.

My pops won the title to Hooligans at a dogfight. With it being a great location in the Rivertown district near Chene Park, he truly got a prize that time. He was instantly banking money and banging women. That’s when he met Mom.

She sang, played guitar, and had a decent following as a one-woman show. He was thirty, and she was twenty-two. She sang at his bar every Wednesday night and eventually tended bar three nights a week. Like many of his barmaids, she fell for his bullshit, and that ended up with her pregnant with me in less than two months from the time they met.

He moved her into his apartment above the bar and embraced becoming a father. He wanted to do it better than his old man had. Isn’t that the truth in life, just do it better? Don’t we all strive for that?

Eventually, the novelty wore off. He started fucking around on her. When she confronted him, he beat her down emotionally. She busted her ass keeping the bar clean, and he busted his ass drinking the profit. Two more boys later, and she was busting her ass to raise their three kids on top of keeping his business afloat.

When the economy in Detroit deteriorated, he lost what was left of his mind. He started coming after us for stupid shit like spilled milk, a LEGO on the floor, you name it. Hell, the wind blowing in the wrong direction had him on us.

Mom started stepping in with, “Boys, go to your room.”

Sure, we did as we were told, but we heard the shit. We heard him hitting her. It was no better than seeing it, either. We were helpless as the sounds of each blow became increasingly deafening to our tiny ears. Funny how, in the moment, adrenaline kicks in and instincts go into overdrive. Every noise becomes louder, clearer, and sticks with you longer. I can still hear that shit in my sleep.

As I grew older and stood taller than him, I began to step in. He and I would go at it, fist to fist, until one of us wasn’t moving. At first, it was me. Then, when I was seventeen, it was finally him. Fucker knew it, too.

I begged Mom to move out, but she refused to leave her home and family. She made excuses for him, said that was how he was raised.

He stopped coming at us when I busted his nose. I hated the bastard, and when Morrison was big enough, I moved the fuck out. Still saw Mom every day, though. I couldn’t go a day without seeing her or my brothers. I needed to make sure they were okay, but I also knew, if I stayed, I would kill him and be in the state pen within a year.

He lost Hooligans because the fucking asshole bet against the wrong underground fighter. Who was the fighter he bet against? My brother, his own son. Who did he lose it to? Me. Fucker didn’t even know it was me until a week later, either.

I let him stay in the apartment above the bar, not for him, but for Mom.

I had been working for a contractor, fixing up old warehouses and making them into apartments for years. Even made enough to buy my own place.

I fixed up the second and third floors, making them livable. Wide-open space, two bedrooms, two baths on the second floor, the third is my loft. The first floor is a badass garage. It is where I spend the rest of my money—on my tools, my toys, and my rides.

I roll over to find my pit bull, Floyd, is hogging the bed as usual. She—yes, Floyd is a she—is an obvious bed hog.

When I found her, she had on a pink, spiked collar that was digging into her neck. I squatted down and peeled it off the poor girl, and she let me. Then, she took off, and I followed her to an abandoned warehouse, walking into a fucking scene that makes my stomach churn to this day. Fucking dogfights.

My dad loves those godforsaken fights, while I despise them.

I called a cop friend I knew from high school while in an outside alley and then waited. When the fuckers running the circuit were taken in, along with the spectators, I watched the SPCA take the dogs. Floyd looked at me, I looked at her, and I knew she was mine.

“Floyd, seriously, bitch”—I laugh as she licks my face—“get down.”

*****

Review:

I have to say that at first I was a little turned off by Hendrix and his brothers. I have nothing against a bad boy but sometimes I feel like that can skirt a line with thug. Some of the things that he said and thought just wasn’t all that attractive to me (but I know that this … roughness (?) is a popular thing now, especially seen with the uptick in MC stories). Luckily these guys have so many more good qualities that anything else was quickly forgotten. And there was so much here that I liked – the way the leads got together and gave in to their feelings, how the brothers were there for each other and how Olivia became part of that once she got involved with Hendrix, the sweet but not too sweet ending, and there’s even more.

Neither Hendrix nor Olivia had it easy and they were definitely letting those past incidents impact their present, keeping them out of relationships. I love that Olivia didn’t let her’s keep her sassy side down though. She’s a hoot, with a lot of sass. Hendrix could get a little too dour, internalizing his pain, but not when faced with her pluck. Once they gave up fighting their attraction they were a riot together. But they were also good about giving the support that each other needed. They managed to take their screwed up situations, and less than stellar first meeting, and turned it into something healthy that worked for them.

There were some great hints at what’s to come with the other brothers’ stories and I’m hoping that we can explore their complex family dynamic more. These guys had a tough time of it, which manifested itself in some troubling ways, but I’m sure that they’ll get the kick in the pants they need to get everything straightened out. I’m really looking forward to Morrison’s book at the end of the year (although I think that Jagger’s might be the biggie of the batch).

*****

Author Info:

USA Today bestselling author Chelsea Camaron grew up turning wrenches alongside her father, which just so happened to inspire her Love and Repair and The Hellions Ride series. When she’s not writing, you can find her playing with her kids, attending car shows, going on motorcycle rides on the back of her husband’s Harley, snuggling down with her new favorite book, or watching any movie that Vin Diesel might happen to be in. She lives in Louisiana with her husband and two children.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

MJ Fields is the USA Today bestselling author of the Love series, the Wrapped series, the Burning Souls series, the Men of Steel series, and the Norfolk series. A former small-business owner who recently became a full-time writer, Fields lives in central New York, surrounded by family and friends. Her house is full of pets, friends, and noise ninety percent of the time, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

*****

Giveaway:

Win an Ebook Bundle from Loveswept

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/235babe7252/

*****

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Book Review – Dark Blue

28 Wednesday Oct 2015

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Book Review, Dark Blue, Ranae Rose, South Island PD series

Dark Blue

South Island PD #1

by Ranae Rose

If Belle is going to get a speeding ticket, it might as well be written by the hottest cop South Island has ever seen. But Officer Jackson Calder isn’t just a daydream in blue, he’s the first man she ever slept with, and the only one she doesn’t regret.

One routine traffic stop, and Jackson’s past is back to haunt him in the most bittersweet way imaginable. Too good for him and too good to forget, Belle became a fantasy after she left the island. Now that she’s home for good in the Lowcountry, she’s a living, breathing temptation he can’t resist.

He was her first, but that was just the beginning. It’s being the last that counts.

Book 1 in the South Island PD Series

I was absolutely hooked on Rose’s Lock and Key stories and was ecstatic to find out that she started up a new law enforcement series. Just like the other books I’ve read, Dark Blue has a strong, upstanding hero and a sharp heroine who is a great match for him. The history between them adds a nice emotional depth to the story and it brings a little bit of baggage into the relationship right away, helping to cement their feelings pretty quickly.

The first 80% or so of the story is about the two of them, laying the ground work of their relationship … and some HOT ground work it is 🙂 It’s sweet and sexy and fluid as they move through their deepening feelings. I love that Rose then adds a little danger at the end, injecting some action and drama to the story. You know that things work out well for them, as romances do, but she had me biting my nails so I definitely say that’s a win.

Both Belle and Jackson have friends that could lead to great books so I am definitely looking forward to what Rose brings us next!

Buy on Amazon

Book Review – Lost in Tennessee

23 Friday Oct 2015

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Anita DeVito, Book Review, Lost in Tennessee, Lost series

Lost in Tennessee

by Anita DeVito

Sometimes a man finds trouble…and sometimes it comes looking for him…

Heartache makes for good country music. It’s what country superstar Butch McCormick keeps telling himself. He’s done with women and can’t handle one more disappointment. He’s taking a few months off to work on the old house on his parents’ land to fix shutters, scrape paint, and figure out what he wants in life…

Then she appears out of nowhere, with red hair and a peaches-and-cream complexion…and just so damned lost.

Architect Kate Riley doesn’t have the luxury of getting lost, having a damaged car, or being smitten by a sexy-talkin’ cowboy with an irresistible smile. But the longer Kate stays at Elderberry Farm, the stranger things get. For one, there’s the crazy chemistry between her and Butch. For another, dead bodies are starting to turn up…and Kate might be the murderer’s next victim.

I have to say that this group of characters has got to be one of my favorites of all time. Butch is your typical sexy country boy – tall, good-looking, and full of good ol’ boy charm. Kate is a fish out of water. She’s a strong woman in a man’s world, plus she grew up in a guy’s household with a dad who wanted a son. She’s not all that comfortable with her attractiveness but that’s where Butch shines. He sees the beauty inside and helps Kate see it too. Then there is Butch’s brother, Jeb, who is dealing with something from his time as a marine (although we don’t get the what here). But my favorite is Tom, Kate’s cousin, who is quite the ladies’ man and her cohort in crime. Throw them all together and all sorts of delicious things happen.

But, considering Butch is working on ex-wife number three, I’m not sure I trust his judgement on his feelings J Wife 1 is totally understandable so I don’t count her. Unfortunately we aren’t given enough detail on wife 2 to understand what brought them together but wife 3 definitely seems a bad choice. I think I would have liked a little more time spent between him and Kate (or less of a history) to be completely on board with his love. But then we wouldn’t have a story, and it is a great one, so I’ll take it!

The mystery is very solid. It’s parceled out in bits and pieces, and even though the whodunit part isn’t all that surprising it doesn’t stop it from being compelling. I really enjoyed how DeVito released things to readers in between developing a relationship between Kate & Butch.

For me thought the best part is that it isn’t just their relationship that is so fantastic. We get wonderful interactions between all the characters – Butch, Kate, Tom and Jeb. The friendships that develop among them all is just as important as the romance between the two leads. It helps all of them grow and heal, providing support and humor when it is needed. There were times I laughed out loud at their antics and I’m looking forward to future installments so I can see those relationships deepen.

The next book has got to be about Butch’s brother and I absolutely cannot wait! I’m dying to find out what he’s hiding.

Buy on Amazon

Book Review – How Forever Feels

14 Wednesday Oct 2015

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Book Review, Friends First series, How Forever Feels, Laura Drewry

How Forever Feels

Friends First series

by Laura Drewry

From USA Today bestselling author Laura Drewry comes a warm and witty new Friends First novel—perfect for readers of Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery. How Forever Feels is a sweet tale about the one that got away . . . and the one that came back.

Maya McKay’s heart is as big as Jack Rhodes’s shoulders are broad. Their chemistry is out of control, but it could never work between them because Jack is more than just best friends with her cheating ex-husband—they’re like brothers. Maya, the sensitive, practical florist, has given up on love and is ready to settle for like. But now that Jack’s around again, he’s stirring up old feelings—and turning Maya’s fantasies into irresistible reality.

Jack blew his chance with Maya years ago when he stepped aside for his best friend, Will, and he’s still kicking himself about it. Maya was promised forever once before, and she got burned. But when Jack realizes that second chances aren’t going to fall out of the sky, he seizes the moment—and the woman he’s always loved—to show her how forever truly feels.

Jack and Maya are fantastic together, so sharp and cute and fun, and Drewry writes them so well you can totally understand how Jack has loved Maya for years and yet she has no clue 🙂 There are so many roadblocks standing in the way of anything happening between the two – Jack is Maya’s cheating ex-husband’s best friend and his family IS Jack’s family. A relationship between the two is going to be hard, but it could be worth it if they are willing to take a chance.

Maya was put thru the ringer when she found out her husband was sleeping with someone else. He was supposed to be her HEA so it left her unsure of herself and of men. Everyone except Jack that is and now that he’s back in her life, she couldn’t be happier. Until she starts thinking of her old friend as more than just a friend.

I think some people might feel like Jack needs to find his backbone, but I actually understand why he lets things get to the point that they do. He’s all alone in the world except for the Carson’s and when they fostered him they pulled him out of a situation that was REALLY bad. His dedication to that family is deep and it just breaks my heart at how he’s torn between Maya and the family. It’s easy for others to say that he should have chosen Maya from the beginning, and maybe he should have, but that’s a lot to ask of him. He’s had to live with that for years – I think he’s paid a lot for his choice.

I’ve not read any of the other Friends First novels but I think that Drewry does a great job of giving you’re the basics on how they came together. I’m curious enough that the other books are going in my TBR pile, but it in no way interfered with how much I loved this one. (And I’m really hoping she’s going to give Griffin a story because I want him to find his own person who won’t put up with his crap.)

How Forever Feels is both heartbreaking and heartwarming and I highly recommend that you check it out.

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Book Review – A Wedding in Truhart

12 Monday Oct 2015

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A Truhart Novel, A Wedding in Truhart, Book Review, Cynthia Tennent

A Wedding in Truhart

A Truhart Novel, Book One

by Cynthia Tennent

Welcome to Truhart, Michigan, population 1300 and dropping. Where everyone knows everyone else and garage sales are front page news. Not exactly where you’d expect to find the celebrity wedding of the year. As Maid of Honor, and the famous bride’s big sister, Annie has to plan a wedding suitable for America’s newest sweetheart reporter on The Morning Show. But what she didn’t plan on was seeing Nick Conrad again. Her older brother’s best friend who left Truhart for the big city, Nick just happens to be Annie’s embarrassing childhood crush. He’s also the Best Man.

As Atlanta’s High Society descends on the tiny Midwest town, Annie has the impossible task of controlling her eccentric family and nutty neighbors, while hosting a wedding fit for a princess at her family’s rundown Amble Inn. But what she can’t control is the spark reigniting between her and Nick. Between snowstorms, an A.W.O.L. gown, and the broadcast of the wedding on The Morning Show, Annie is just hoping to survive the big day without losing her mind. And to survive being around Nick again without losing her heart.

A Wedding in Truhart may be a little light on the romance for some – Nick and Annie really aren’t together that much and when they are things usually don’t end all that well 🙂 – but I really enjoyed their relationship. And there is so much more going on to keep you glued to the pages.

You only get Annie’s POV, which is both good and bad. The good is that you feel like you understand her and what she’s going thru, allowing you to see why she says and does different things. Everything is revealed to you at the same time they are revealed to her so we feel a better connection to her. The bad is that you don’t get that same connection to everyone else and there is some confusion on things because she doesn’t have all of the information. I usually like to have the male and female voices in my romances because I’m intrigued by where both are coming from, but here it works. Annie goes thru moments of clarity in dealing with her family and friends so having only her voice makes that better.

And while there are a bunch of clichés at play (rich snobs, small town bumpkins, that kind of thing) it brings levity and fun to Annie’s growth. With family issues, romantic entanglements, and a touch of humor, A Wedding in Truhart is a wonderful start to a new series and I can’t wait to see where Tennent takes us from here.

Buy on Amazon

Book Review – This Love of Mine

08 Thursday Oct 2015

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Book Review, Miranda Liasson, Mirror Lake series, This Love of Mine

This Love of Mine

A Mirror Lake Novel

by Miranda Liasson

Bridal shop owner Meg Halloran spends her days making other women’s wedding dreams come true—and her nights dreaming of her childhood crush, hometown heartthrob Dr. Benjamin Rushford. After a lifetime of wearing her heart on her sleeve, she’s done waiting. Meg’s ready to find love, with or without him. Moving on feels right—until Ben pops an unexpected question.

To win the open ER position in Mirror Lake, Ben has to convince the board that he’s settled and ready to put down roots. His latest stroke of genius? Asking Meg, the local good girl, to be his pretend girlfriend. With her by his side, he’s a shoo-in for the job. But he’s in over his head because, as much as he tries to deny it, Meg tempts him. And if she learns the truth about a secret that has shadowed and shaped his life, will she ever be able to forgive him?

I didn’t read This Thing Called Love, the first of the Mirror Lake books, but I don’t think it made that much of a difference because with This Love of Mine we focus on Ben and Meg and their pretend relationship. Of course, like any good romance, it doesn’t stay pretend for very long and Liasson makes sure that it is a lot of fun getting to their HEA.

My heart goes out to these two for a lot of reasons. The opening with the elevator, and all of the humorous embarrassment that goes with it, sets the mood for the rest of the book and I totally feel for Meg as she tries to make herself as invisible as possible so Ben doesn’t realize she’s there. She’s been living with a crush on him for years and she’s finally decided to give it up … when she’s guilted into a fake relationship with him. But it’s just for one night, right? Then she can go back to moving on … yeah, that worked.

Ben’s been carrying around a lot of guilt since Patrick, his best friend and Meg’s brother, died. So many of his decisions have been because of Patrick, including ignoring his attraction to Meg. Except now that he’s pretending to be in a relationship with her, ignoring her pull on him becomes so very difficult. I really like how his feelings, both for Meg and about Patrick’s death, get resolved. It is handled with care and all of it felt realistic to me.

**Begin Spoiler** The HEA ending, though, does feel a little rushed to me. I feel like the wedding was forced a little and that it could have been part of a future story (this is part of a series). I get that it is Ben’s way of making things up to Meg after he screws up yet again, but maybe he could have made about half of his gesture with the same impact. **End Spoiler**

Overall though I am very pleased. The characters are believable & interesting and the story is sweet & emotion-packed. I feel like I really knew them when I got to the last word and I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.

Buy on Amazon

Book Review – Lorelei’s Lyric

05 Monday Oct 2015

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

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Book Review, D.B. Sieders, Lorelei's Lyric, Southern Elemental Guardians series

I am so happy that D.B. Sieders stopped by today to give us a little look into how her new series got its start. If you like unusual paranormal romances you are going to enjoy her take on mermaids and other elemental beings. Throw in a sexy, but oh-so-troubled, rocker and you have the makings of a hit!

*****

Inspiration for the Southern Elemental Guardians Series

I’ve always been a bit of a mythology nerd. There’s so much inspiration to be drawn from the classics! I’m also a mom. So after watching ‘Barbie and the Mermaid Tale 2’ on DVD about five hundred times (give or take), I decided to explore mermaid lore. The fair maidens of the sea have had their share of page and screen time, but I hadn’t encountered much about their freshwater cousins. I figured, why not? That sounds like a story I can tell. From the legend of Melusine the Warsaw Mermaid, to Lorelei of the Rhine, Ondine, and Wagner’s Rhinemaidens, European folklore is rich in source material. I blended all of these legends, put in my own unique spin, and voilà, my mermaids came alive!

A sexy, wounded rock star, a giant talking catfish, a host of powerful elemental guardians, and a killer soundtrack round out this modern fairy tale for grown ups!

*****

Lorelei’s Lyric

Southern Elemental Guardians Book 1

by D.B. Sieders

Fantasy Romance – Griffyn Ink

Cover Art – Julie Schroeder Designs

Blurb:

If Lorelei sings, someone will die.

Her beautiful voice once cost a life. Still, music is her passion. What’s a mermaid to do? Run off and live vicariously through mortal musicians!

Unfortunately, gorgeous rocker Vance Idol almost succumbs to her siren call after his show in Nashville. Not that Vance cares—not since his girlfriend’s fatal overdose left him with a supersized death wish. Lorelei makes it her mission to undo the damage and help this talented and charismatic man on the eve of his band’s big break.

But saving a mortal man is a dangerous proposition. Lorelei could far too easily lose her heart, and quite possibly her immortality, during her American holiday. Bad boy Vance might be worth the risk.

Can their love survive his attitude, her fins, and an evil Pixie with a grudge against them both?

Available from Amazon in eBook and paperback formats.

*****

Excerpt:

“I asked you nicely. Once. I won’t do it again.”

The woman didn’t flinch, but her gaze turned hard and held his without faltering. “You didn’t, Vance.”

“I didn’t what? By the way, what’s your name, sugar? Guess it must’ve slipped my mind since last night,” he added, smirking.

“I’m called Lorelei,” she said as she stood, forcing him to take a step back lest she knock him over. “And what you didn’t do was ask me nicely, but it doesn’t matter. You won’t find your phone, clothing, or the means to leave until I’m sure you’re fully healed.”

He maintained his glower but found himself at a bit of a loss. Though she was tall for a woman, he still outweighed her by at least fifty pounds of muscle. Most men he’d faced down during his time on the road would have cowered, but she clearly didn’t fear him.

Since he couldn’t persuade her by fear, he shifted tactics again, reverting to his preferred method of persuasion when faced with a difficult woman. It hadn’t failed him yet. He allowed his gaze to wander down her face to her full lips, and from there down along the slender column of her neck. Her audible swallow and the bob in her throat made him smirk with satisfaction. When his gaze fell to the swell of her breasts, he grew hard again and knew she’d read the heat in his gaze when it returned to her face.

He definitely saw heat in hers.

He moved past her, taking care to brush his skin against her bare arms, and sat down on the bed. He reclined and stretched his body, allowing the towel that covered his lower half to come loose. Plastering a smile on his face, one that charmed most women right out of their panties, he said, “Well if you really want to make sure I’m healed, Lorelei, I guess you’d best get on with your examination.”

*****

Review:

(I never know how much is too much in my reviews so I’m going to say that there are some minor spoilers. So skip ahead if you don’t want to know anything.)

I found Lorelei’s Lyric to be a ton of fun – and even more so now that I know it all started with Barbie 🙂 If you’ve seen many of my reviews then you know that I read just about anything romance and so I’ve read a few paranormal ones before, but I’ve not run across that many with mermaid heroines and it’s always interesting to find a new twist in a very popular genre (and sub-genre).

Lorelei is a great heroine. She’s strong but has her troubles and a history that wasn’t always so rosy. It seems like she takes her powers and her position seriously, which is a good thing considering what she can do 🙂 And while her attraction to Vance could be his salvation, it could be her downfall so it’s interesting to see her try to balance everything and decide what she’s willing to sacrifice.

Vance has been spiraling for a while – booze, pills, and despair. He’s destroying his relationships and doesn’t have enough in him to care. I think some may have an issue with Vance’s addiction/depression and how that gets addressed. Personally I’ve been blessed to not have either really impact my life so I’m not sure how realistic any of it is here. But it worked for me so I’m going to go with it. I especially liked the fact that he actually gets real help and views it as a forever type of thing – there isn’t a quick fix for him and that I do find believable. There may have been a paranormal influence as well. It’s mentioned but it isn’t really clear to me how much it affects him or if he would have been that way regardless.

As with any great series, the supporting characters are fantastic. Jack is the perfect down-home country boy and Bruce is flirty & fun (I can’t wait for him to find someone to fall for). I’m also hoping that we either get a spin-off with Vance’s band mates or they find an elemental to love, especially Josh. I think that he needs someone good in his life. Sieders has a ton of material that she can work with and while we know Lorelei’s sister is next, there is a lot to choose from after that.

For paranormal romance readers who are looking for something a little different, Lorelei’s Lyric could be your first step into a whole new world. Unusual characters, an intriguing plot, and smart writing all combine to make for a quick and enjoyable read.

*****

Author Info:

D.B. Sieders was born and raised in East Tennessee and spent her childhood hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains, wading barefoot in creeks, and chasing salamanders, fish, and frogs. She and her family loved to tell stories while sitting around the campfire.

Those days of frog chasing sparked an interest in biology. She is a working scientist by day, but never lost her love of telling stories. Now, she’s a purveyor of unconventional fantasy romance featuring strong heroines and the heroes who strive to match them. Her heroes and heroines face a healthy dose of angst as they strive for redemption and a happily ever after, which everyone deserves.

D.B. Sieders lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband, two children, two cats, and her very active imagination.

You can find D.B. Sieders on her Website, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

*****

Giveaway:

Want a chance to win some gorgeous custom mermaid jewelry?

Click here between now and October 31, 2015, sign up for D.B.’s newsletter to hear about new releases, discounts, bonus content, and events.

Rest assured, your email address is safe from third parties and will remain confidential!

Book Review – The Heat of the Moment

02 Friday Oct 2015

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

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Book Review, Katie Rose, The Boys of Summer series, The Heat of the Moment

Finishing up the week with another sexy athlete … y’all, meet Gavin!

*****

The Heat of the Moment

The Boys of Summer # 3

by Katie Rose

Releasing September 22, 2015

Loveswept

Blurb:

The Boys of Summer are back! In Katie Rose’s sweet, sparkling novel, the newest New Jersey Sonic falls for the woman who’s trying desperately to save his career.

Physical therapist Jessica Hart has learned her lesson: Never date professional athletes. She’s been down that road, and barely recovered after the relationship crashed and burned. Then Jessica meets Gavin King. An All-Star slugger with chiseled good looks, Gavin was traded to the Sonics because he hurt his knee sliding into second, and now his future is in her hands. Gavin’s no bad boy—but he’s tempting enough to make Jessica think twice about all her rules.

Gavin is trying to find a comfortable routine. If he wants his old life back, he must take it easy, stay out of the limelight, and keep his distance from gorgeous redheaded physical therapists. The thing is, Gavin isn’t the kind of guy to sit on his ass and let other people pull his weight. And when he sees something he wants, he can’t help but fight for it, even if it means risking everything, even if it only lasts a single moment: like one kiss from Jessica.

Book #1 – Bring On the Heat

Book #2 – Too Hot to Handle

Book #3 – The Heat of the Moment

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24938311-the-heat-of-the-moment?ac=1

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/126154-the-boys-of-summer

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

*****

Excerpt:

The chatter in the Sonics locker room intensified as the opening-day excitement seemed to cast a spell over the place. Familiar faces appeared at the door along with an influx of new ones, rookies hoping for a permanent role in the rotation and prospects acquired in recent trades. There was much good-natured jostling and ribbing as the baseball team settled in for the season.

“What was with that bonehead play last week against Detroit?” Jimmy Reilly said as he put away a stack of towels. “Good thing it was just spring training.”

“Yeah, that was right up there with those girl balls you were pitching.” Brian McCauley grinned.

“You see the papers?” Jimmy asked, his brow lifting. “They were praising my fastball. The Trenton Times can’t say enough nice things about us. Imagine that, after last year when they were calling us the Garden State Goons!”

“You can thank his girlfriend, Nikki Case, for that,” Chase Westbrook, the starting pitcher, said, pointing to shortstop Jake Baldwin. “Best damn PR rep in the business.”

“You’re not going to get an argument out of me,” Jake said as he kicked his locker door closed. “She cleaned up our image, got rid of the haircuts, the tats, the bar fights. Have to admit, her plan worked. I hate it when she’s right.”

Chase laughed just as Pete Johnston, the Sonics’ manager, walked in with a new player. By the deferential way he was being treated, it was clear the new guy was someone important. The noise in the locker room subsided as recognition came quickly, and more than one mouth dropped as they identified the California slugger.

“Hey, boys,” Pete said in his folksy way, chomping on a wad of bubblegum. “We got ourselves a new first baseman. I know you’ll all welcome Gavin King to the Sonics.”

Their new teammate stood beside Pete like exhibit A. At six foot five, with black hair, chin scruff, and a build that went with his size, he had an undeniable presence. Even more irritating, he was good-looking, with a pair of intense dark eyes, a firm chin, and a sensual mouth. He’d been considered a star player, and rumor had it that among his other attributes, he was considered irresistible to the female fans.

But worst of all, every man who had been with the team the previous summer could only remember that devastating game when Antonio Chavez, the Sonics reliever, lobbed a curveball right over the middle of the plate and Gavin tattooed it, sending it four hundred feet over the bullpen wall to lose the game.

It still stung.

“Now we all know it was Gavin’s grand slam that kept us out of the series last year,” Pete continued, as if reading their minds. “That’s all the more reason we want him on our team. We need to fill Ryan’s cleanup spot, and he is just the guy Jeffrey thinks will do that.”

Several of the men groaned, but they were not about to challenge the manager, or Jeffrey Caine, the general manager. Yet none of them were happy to see their adversary being led to the nicest locker in the room. Pete opened the door, tossed out Jake’s belongings, and displayed the generous storage inside, a pile of fluffy towels, and a pair of shower shoes.

“Chase, why don’t you show him around, you know, make him feel at home? And Brian, once Gavin’s ready to play, I’m going to change the lineup, move you down and put Gavin behind Jake in the rotation. Any questions?”

Crickets.

“Good. Meet you all outside in fifteen for batting practice and drills. We want to keep up all the good work we started last year. Gavin, I’ll let them fill you in.”

Chase did an eye roll, but otherwise complied. As the pitcher led him out of the room, they noticed that the new player walked with a limp.

“Great,” Brian said in disgust once he was out of earshot. “On top of everything else, he’s a gimp.”

When he returned with Chase after a tour that took all of fifteen minutes, Gavin turned innocently to Jake. “So where is the concierge?”

“The what?”

“The concierge. You know, the person that orders stuff for us. I was thinking to get a salad for lunch.”

Jake’s eyes met Cody’s, and he fought the humor that threatened to burst out of control.

“We don’t exactly have a concierge,” he said seriously. “But we do have a snack stand. I’m sure if you asked real nice, they could find something for you.”

A couple of the men broke into laughter. “I guess this will take some getting used to,” Gavin said, glancing outside. Even though it was April, there was a coating of frost on the ground. He visibly shuddered. “This sure isn’t California.”

“You can say that again.” Cody grinned. “Welcome to Joisey.”

*****

Review:

Please be aware that there are very minor spoilers in this review.

I actually tried to read the first Boys of Summer story but it wasn’t quite my taste and so I skipped over the second … but thanks to the third I’m definitely going back to give it a shot 🙂

I love these guys – they are high spirited and fun, but they are serious when they need to be. Gavin has a lot on his plate. He’s coming off of a potentially career ending surgery and has been traded to a lower tier team. He’s not handling it well and is feeling sorry for himself. He just doesn’t realize yet how lucky he is to have Jessica. Not only does she work wonders on his knee but she’s good for his attitude as well.

I love Jessica. She’s grown up in a man’s world and is good at holding her own. She understands how their minds work and that is very handy in her job. She’s just what Gavin needs to get his head back in the game … and he’s just what she needs to remind her that she’s a woman too. There’s actually a few things that happen to help Jess’s new attitude – Gavin, new girlfriends, and a jerk of an ex. But the more girly she feels and the more time she spends with Gavin, the harder it is to keep from falling for the sexy (both inside and out) ballplayer.

I remember thinking that Bring On the Heat was well written but I had an issue with a couple of the characters’ actions. And it was true here as well, although not enough to keep me from enjoying the story overall – it’s a minor complaint and came at the very end. Jessica seemed to come so far over the course of the second half of the book and then just regressed. I’d thought she’d grown so much and had become such a confident woman that I was a little disappointed in her actions. But Gavin’s totally made up for it and had me falling for him just that little bit more.

Packed full of spunky characters, complimented with an appealing plot, The Heat of the Moment is the perfect read for fans of sports romances.

*****

Author Info:

Award-winning historical author Katie Rose makes her contemporary debut with the Boys of Summer novels, Bring on the Heat and Too Hot to Handle, which combine Katie’s true loves: baseball and romance! When not watching baseball, Katie is at her lake house in New Jersey, hard at work on her next book.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

*****

Giveaway:

Select Loveswept Ebook Bundle

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/235babe7251/

*****

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