Spotlight – Second Chance Girl

28 Thursday Sep 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

Tags

Happily Inc Series, Second Chance Girl, Susan Mallery

After the awesomeness of You Say It First, Susan Mallery invites you back to visit Happily Inc., a wedding destination founded on a fairy tale …

*****

Second Chance Girl

Happily Inc #2

by Susan Mallery

Blurb:

From the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Susan Mallery, read the second irresistible installment in the Happily Inc series!

Mathias Mitchell’s easy smile hides a world of hurt. After the worst kind of family betrayal, he moves to Happily Inc., California—the wedding destination town supplies a steady stream of bridesmaids, perfect for his “no promises, no pain” lifestyle. Yet he can’t stop watching for his beautiful, elusive neighbor on the animal preserve behind their homes.

Gamekeeper Carol Lund knows she’s not special enough to attract an alpha male like Mathias, so his offer to help her adopt a herd for her lonely giraffe is surprising—and his determined seduction, even more so. But just as she finally welcomes him into her bed, his careless actions crush her heart. Will she give him a second chance to prove she’ll always come first in his heart?

Add it to your Goodreads Now!

Get your copy of SECOND CHANCE GIRL here!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2jviDyX

Kindle: http://amzn.to/2f0uSyi

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2x8frhe

Nook: http://bit.ly/2x5y3gk

Book Depository: http://bit.ly/2x5h8KW

Powell’s: http://bit.ly/2x8l2UX

iBooks: http://apple.co/2x4ZgQl

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Kobo: http://bit.ly/2f01EQd

GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2xFiEq6

IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2y3yebo

Audible: http://adbl.co/2wgKDfC

*****

Excerpt:

The Sweet Dreams Inn off of Eternal Drive was the stuff of nightmares—at least for Ulrich. His plan had been to leave Happily Inc after he concluded his business with Violet Lund—thief and swindler—return to Los Angeles and catch a flight back to England. Only nothing had gone according to plan.

His meeting with the surprisingly attractive and very animated woman had left him feeling both awkward and confused. She had been able to produce a bill of sale for the buttons his grandmother had sent, and buttons were not what had been stolen from the house. Was she not the thief and if not her, then who?

Ulrich had driven to LA only to reschedule his flight and return to Happily Inc. The Sweet Dreams Inn had been the first hotel he’d seen, so he’d pulled in. Too late he’d discovered it was a themed hotel with each of the rooms representing something ridiculous. For reasons not completely clear to him, he’d agreed to a couple of nights in the Drive-In room, which was how he found himself with a mattress fit into a red, 1959 Cadillac convertible, a television the size of a movie screen and a sitting room decorated like a concession stand. Even he had to admit the car was beautiful—with big fins and white-walled tires. Still, it wasn’t where one expected to sleep. Regardless of the strange surroundings, the Wi-Fi was excellent and the kitchen delivered meals to his room.

Ulrich had spent nearly a day researching Violet Lund and antique buttons only to come to the conclusion that it was more than possible that she had been telling the truth. There was money to be made in the world of buttons. Even more troubling, it seemed Miss Violet Lund was nothing more than a very honest shopkeeper.

She had no criminal record, no trouble with the IRS, not even a ticket. He’d used several online sites to investigate her and she’d come back annoyingly normal and law abiding. How could he have been so wrong?

He was never wrong—he made it a point to be sure of things. He’d only been seriously fooled once in his life and that had been by his ex-wife Penelope. In that case, the deception had been deliberate—at least on her part. Thinking about that didn’t help him at all, and he mentally turned his back on his former wife. The bigger question was what to do about Violet. He’d slept on the information, then had woken up in the morning with no clear idea of what to do next.

After showering, he ordered breakfast and knew he had to come up with a plan—only he had no idea what it would be. He opened another file on his computer and reviewed the list of missing items provided to him by his housekeeper and his own investigation.

The trouble had started three months ago when Ulrich had ordered a complete inventory of the house, including the attics. The project had taken over a month and they’d discovered some truly wonderful pieces. But many things had also been missing.

The public rooms were closely monitored and protected, and the guests who stayed in the hotel wing didn’t have access to the private residence without an escort. The previous inventory had been conducted by his father, nearly five years before. Ulrich had no way of knowing what had been taken when. Or so he’d thought.

*****

AND don’t miss the first standalone title in the Happily, Inc. Series, YOU SAY IT FIRST! Grab your copy today!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2v8LYiZ

Kindle: http://amzn.to/2vPA7bW

Barnes and 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

*****

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)

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c1a0383/

*****

Susan Mallery’s SECOND CHANCE GIRL – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

September 18^th

A Southern Girls Bookshelf – Excerpt

Fire and Ice Book Reviews – Review

Little Bookworm Reviews – Review

The Butterfly Reads – Review & Excerpt

September 19^th

Collector of book boyfriends – Excerpt

I Love Romance – Review & Excerpt

Mama She’s Crazy About Books – Review

Ramblings From This Chick – Excerpt

September 20^th

Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

It’s all About the Romance – Review & Excerpt

Rachel Loren’s Love of Reading – Review & Excerpt

Stephanie’s Book Reports – Review & Excerpt

September 21^st

Adventures in Writing – Excerpt

Books and Things Blog – Review & Excerpt

Reading Reality – Review

Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance – Excerpt

September 22^nd

Becky on Books – Review & Excerpt

Jen’s Reading Obsession – Review & Excerpt

KDRBCK – Review

Romancing the Readers – Review

September 23^rd

Brittany’s Book Blog – Excerpt

OMGReads – Review & Excerpt

What Is That Book About – Excerpt

September 24^th

E-Romance News – Excerpt

K.T. Castle – Excerpt

Melena’s Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Nicole’s Book Musings – Review & Excerpt

September 25^th

For the love of romance – Review & Excerpt

Inside The Mind of an Avid Reader – Review & Excerpt

Smokin Hot Reads Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

September 26^th

Always a happy ever after – Review & Excerpt

Bookishly Yours – Excerpt

Cesya MaRae Cuono, Author – Excerpt

Lattes & Paperbacks – Review & Excerpt

September 27^th

Loves Great Reads Blog – Excerpt

Pervy Ladies Books – Review & Excerpt

Reads & Reviews – Review

Thoughts of a Blonde – Excerpt

September 28^th

I’m A Book Shark – Review & Excerpt

Romantic Reads and Such – Excerpt

Tales From A Bookworm – Review & Excerpt

September 29^th

Gataleitora – Review

Nose Stuck in a Book – Excerpt

Remarkablylisa – Review & Excerpt

TBR Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

September 30^th

A geordielass honest blog on reviews – Review

Dog-Eared Daydreams – Review

Sofia Loves Books – Review & Excerpt

Two Book Pushers – Review

October 1^st

Miss Riki – Review & Excerpt

Shannon’s Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

The Book Maven – Review

October 2^nd

Crazii Bitches Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

From the TBR PIle – Review & Excerpt

Living In Our Own Story – Review & Excerpt

Booknerd1107 – Review & Excerpt

October 3^rd

Katy and Zetti’s Book Ramblings – Excerpt

I love My Bookgasms blog – Review & Excerpt

Readaholic – Excerpt

Renee Entress’s Blog – Review & Excerpt

October 4^th

Booked All Night – Review & Excerpt

JOJO THE BOOKAHOLIC – Review & Excerpt

My Nook, Books & More – Review

Sascha Darlington’s Microcosm Explored – Review & Excerpt

October 5^th

Book Reviews By Lexi – Review

Mean Girls Luv Books – Review & Excerpt

The bookworm chronicles – Excerpt

Sweet Red Reads – Review & Excerpt

October 6^th

Book Lovers Hangout – Review & Excerpt

G & T’s Indie Café – Excerpt

Lover of Big Books Cannot Lie – Review & Excerpt

Shelf_Life – Review & Excerpt

Book Review – You Say It First

24 Thursday Aug 2017

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

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Book Review, Happily Inc Series, Susan Mallery, You Say It First

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:

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/

*****