Tag Archives: Melissa Foster

Book Review – Only For You

20 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , ,

Who’s ready for a hunky soldier with a heart of gold???

*****

Only For You

Sugar Lake #2

by Melissa Foster

Blurb:

Love only works when your heart is in the right place. Hers could be right next door…

Single mom Bridgette Dalton doesn’t have time to stop and smell the roses—not even in her own flower shop. But that doesn’t mean she hasn’t noticed Bodhi Booker. Her ruggedly handsome next-door neighbor would be the perfect candidate for a no-strings fling. Having loved and lost, Bridgette’s not ready to hand over her heart…but she could use a distraction.

Bodhi has one rule: never leave anyone behind. As a special operative, he knows that each new mission is more dangerous than the last. He’s never made a promise of forever to a woman, not even to the beautiful widow who has him tied in knots. And if there were anyone who could tempt him into putting down roots, it would be Bridgette and her adorable son.

But as his next deployment nears, they make a startling discovery. Their passion, meant only for the here and now, might already be blossoming into something more…

Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Paperback   Audiobook

This book 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 (or order the paperback)

*****

Review:

I loved getting to know Bridgette and Bodhi.  Foster really is talented so everything she does just keeps you glued to the pages.  Bodhi is a great guy – very honorable (and hot) and has a big heart (and hot) and has a lot of love to give (did I mention, hot?  Inside and out, people!)  He’s chosen to give up having a full life to protect others and he’s darn good at his job.  He has purpose and he’s dedicated to that purpose, without hesitation.  Until he meets Bridgette.

Bridgette is a wonderful single mom.  She was a wild child once but after the birth of her son and the death of her husband she did a little growing.  And maybe some suppressing too.  But meeting Bodhi helps her remember a bit more of the girl she used to be and to find a way to fit her into her life now.

I’ll be honest, though – I enjoyed the book but nearly as much as The Real Thing.  It’s a good setup and there is no denying that Foster has some serious skills as a writer.  Her characters are vivid and they feel so real.  It’s just that here it seemed like Bodhi and Bridgette’s story was just a bit too long.  Their only real issue is Bodhi’s job and his not wanting to leave anyone at home worrying about him.  Which is SO understandable … it just seems to go on a bit too long for me.

Without any other problems there isn’t anything else there to keep things moving so we keep coming back to the same thing – he can only give her now because he can’t promise he’ll be there tomorrow.  It’s difficult and emotional, and it lingers there waiting for us when his time with Bridgette is over.  I felt so bad for them and Foster’s resolution is pretty darn perfect, but it didn’t help with the sense of waiting for me.  Although maybe that is perfect too, because it gives you just a taste of what it was like Bridgette and Bodhi.

*****

Also available in Sugar Lake Series

The Real Thing (Sugar Lake Book 1)

Fall in love on the shores of Sugar Lake in the small town of Sweetwater with Willow Dalton and Zane Walker.

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.

Amazon.com   Amazon.co.uk   Paperback   Audiobook

This book 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 (or order the paperback)

*****

Author Info:

Melissa writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa’s fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big-family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summer, Harborside Nights, Wild Boys and Bad Boys After Dark, and the Montgomerys. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented– perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex and relatable issues.

Melissa also writes sweet and clean romance under the pen name Addison Cole. 

Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on social media or her personal website.

Website   Facebook   Twitter    Google+   Goodreads   Pinterest   Amazon Author Page

*****

Giveaway:

Win Bad Boys After Dark: Mick ebook – 2 winners!
Ending on Friday 22nd December at 11.59pm EST

Open Worldwide

Enter Below & Good Luck !!

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b25fc618381/

*****

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

I received this book through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, I have volunteered to share my review and all the opinions are 100% my own.

Spotlight – Thrill of Love

04 Wednesday Oct 2017

Posted by in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, ,

Today we’ve got another FANTABULOUS book from the always awesome Melissa Foster!!!

*****

Thrill of Love

The Bradens at Peaceful Harbor, MD #6

by Melissa Foster

Releasing October 4, 2017

World Literary Press

Blurb:

Do you believe in fate?

World-renowned mountain climber and nature photographer Ty Braden never believed in second dates, much less heart-pounding, steal-his-breath love. But that was before a trip to Saint-Luc, where he met funny, strong, and entrancingly beautiful Aiyla Bell, a ski instructor and fellow photographer whose hopes and dreams, and love of the outdoors, aligned perfectly with his—and whose kisses alone turned him inside out.

After spending five magical days and four sweet, soulful nights falling in love, Aiyla couldn’t imagine a day without Ty. But when he asked her to go with him on his next assignment, his reputation for having women at his beck and call stopped her from upending the life she’d worked so hard to create.

Months later fate steps in when a chance encounter brings Ty and Aiyla together for a five-day wilderness event held in the Colorado Mountains. Their deep, passionate connection is stronger than ever, and Ty is bound and determined not to lose her again. But when tragedy strikes and their worlds are turned upside down, their love faces the truest test of all.

Goodreads Link:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24779253-thrill-of-love

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/174204-the-bradens-at-peaceful-harbor-md

Buy Links:  AMAZON | B&N | iBOOKS | KOBO | GPLAY | PBK

*****

Excerpt:

“Do you believe in fate?”

His warm breath coasted over her cheek, and she swallowed hard, paralyzed by the sound of the deep, seductive voice she’d heard in her dreams so many times she wasn’t sure it was real. Her heart thundered against her ribs, and she forced her shaky legs to work. She turned, both of them rising at the same time, bringing all six-plus broad, muscular, feet of Ty Braden into focus. Oh God. It’s really you. His silky brown hair was in desperate need of a trim, stopping just short of his shoulders and framing his rugged features. The mix of longing and shock in his golden-brown eyes unearthed a storm of memories—her hand in his, his lips on hers, deep conversations as they shared their hopes and dreams, which were as perfectly aligned as the stars in the skies of Saint-Luc.

“Ty” came out ridiculously breathless. She wanted to scale him like a mountain, to kiss his hot, sensuous mouth again and feel him holding her as he once had. But she couldn’t do any of those things. She was frozen in place, and that was probably a good thing. He was still Ty Braden, the world-renowned mountain climber and photographer, with a reputation as a player that preceded him.

In an effort to regain control, she shifted her gaze away and managed, “What are you doing here?”

“It’s fate,” he said confidently, as if he believed in it. “Fate has brought us together for another five days.”

She forced herself to meet his gaze, her heart thundering at the prospect of more time with him. “You don’t believe in fate, remember? You believe people are in charge of their own destiny.” Their last night in Switzerland, he’d asked her to leave with him the next day and travel with him “to see where things end up.” Oh, how she’d wanted to throw caution to the wind and join him. But she’d worked years to build the life she had always dreamed of, and she couldn’t risk it all to be one in a long line of Ty’s women. She’d fallen hard for him—fallen in love with him—and she hadn’t been able to bring herself to confront the rumors about his reputation. Instead, she’d said, Do you believe in fate? And though he’d said he didn’t, she always had, and she’d said, if this is meant to be, we’ll meet up again. They’d agreed not to exchange phone numbers or addresses, and not to track each other down by any other means, but to truly leave their future in fate’s hands.

“I think that’s changed, Aiyla.” He said her name like he’d been waiting to say it for all these months. He stepped closer, so close she could smell something minty on his breath. “I can’t believe you’re here. After all this time, you’re really here.”

The longing in his voice confused her even more. She looked into his eyes, and memories swamped her. She remembered the feel of him holding her in his arms as they fell asleep fully clothed and waking to his sweet whispers and gentle kisses. Cuddling under blankets as snow fell around them and they reminisced about their childhoods and families. She felt like she already knew his five siblings, though she’d never met them. A lump rose in her throat, and she shifted her gaze over his shoulder to try to regain control. Two female competitors were whispering and watching them. Her stomach knotted again. Why did the only guy she’d ever fallen for have to come with a womanizing reputation? He hadn’t seemed like a player in Saint-Luc. He hadn’t even tried to sleep with her until that very last night, when she knew he’d been picking up on all of her sexy signals. Signals she’d then dashed with one sentence. She’d been seconds from going back to his hotel room when he’d stepped away to answer a call. The brief moments it had taken him had given her a chance to clear the lust from her head enough to make a more rational decision. He probably thought she was a cocktease, but it wasn’t merely sex she’d been avoiding. She’d thought she was saving her heart. And she’d regretted that decision ever since.

*****

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 Digital e-copy of WHISPER OF LOVE (Two Winners)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81360/

*****

Wednesday, Oct 4th

Lynn’s Romance Enthusiasm – Rev

Texan Girl Reads – Promo

IreneChart – Rev

Cat’s Guilty Pleasure – Promo

The Book Junkie Reads – Rev

Star Crossed Reviews – Rev

Romantic Reads and Such – Promo

Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance – Promo

All Things Bookaholic – Rev

Wicked Reads – Rev

Thursday, Oct 5th

Lady Celeste Reads Romance – Rev

Ashleyz Wonderland – Promo

Happy Ever After Romance Book Reviews – Rev

Lady Muslin Myst’s Mysterious Hodgepodge – Promo

Once Upon a Page – Rev

Paranormal Romance and Beyond – Promo

Polished Bookworm – Rev

Blogger Nicole Reviews – Promo

Ellesea Loves Reading – Rev

Friday, Oct 6th

Room with Books – Rev

Making it Happen – Promo

Ramblings from this Chick – Rev

Once Upon a Book Blog – Rev

Essentially Bookish – Rev

Monday, Oct 9th

Hike2Forty and beyond – Promo

Hearts & Scribbles – Promo

Nadine’s Obsessed with Books – Rev

TBR Book Blog – Rev

Romance Book Review for You – Rev

Crystal Blogs Books – Rev

Tuesday, Oct 10th

Buried Under Romance – Rev

The Power of Three Readers – Rev

Karen’s Killer Book Bench – Promo

The Many Faces of Romance – Promo

Tfaulcbookreviews – Rev

Wednesday, Oct 11th

Inside the mind of an avid reader – Rev

Sofia Reads Books – Rev

I’m a Book Shark – Rev

OMGReads – Rev

Thursday, Oct 12th

My Reading Journeys – Rev

The Book Quarry – Rev

Underneath the Covers – Promo

Ever After Book Reviews – Promo

Jenn Avery Romance Lover – Rev

Friday, Oct 13th

Once Upon a Book – Promo

Nightbird Novels – Promo

Book Lover in Florida – Promo

Reese’s Reviews – Promo

The Crafty Engineer’s Bookshelf – Rev

Sass from the South – Promo

Monday, Oct 16th

Francoise’s Reading Corner– Rev

JoJo the Bookaholic – Rev

Books, Coffee & Passion – Promo

Moonlight Rendezvous – Rev

Thoughts of a Blonde – Rev

My Book Filled Life – Rev

Tuesday, Oct 17th

Aurora B’s Book Blog – Rev

Evermore Books – Rev

Ginger Mom & the Kindle Quest – Rev

Teatime and Books – Promo

Booked All Night – Rev

Mello & June, It’s a Book Thang – Promo

Wednesday, Oct 18th

Becca the Bibliophile – Rev

Margie’s Must Reads – Promo

Kitty’s Book Spot! – Promo

Short and Sassy Book Blurbs – Rev

Ebook Indulgence – Rev

Book Review – The Real Thing

11 Monday Sep 2017

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

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , ,

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81359/?

*****

Book Review – Read, Write, Love at Seaside

16 Friday Jun 2017

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

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

Sweet with Heat: Seaside Summers features a group of fun, flirty, and emotional friends who gather each summer at their Cape Cod cottages. They’re sassy, flawed, and so easy to relate to, you’ll be begging to enter their circle of friends! Start reading FREE with Read, Write, Love at Seaside! 

*****

Read, Write, Love at Seaside

Sweet with Heat: Seaside Summers #1

by Addison Cole

Releasing June 14th, 2017

World Literary Press

Blurb:

Bestselling author Kurt Remington lives to write. He spends twelve hours a day in front of his computer, rarely leaving the seclusion of his beach-front property, where he’s come to finish his latest thriller — that is, until free-spirited Leanna Bray nearly drowns in the ocean trying to save her dog. Kurt’s best-laid plans are shot to hell when he comes to their rescue. Kurt’s as irritated as he is intrigued by the sexy, hot mess of a woman who lives life on a whim, forgets everything, and doesn’t even know the definition of the word organized.

Leanna’s come to the Cape hoping to find a fulfilling career in the jam-making business, and until she figures out her own life, a man is not on the menu. But Leanna can’t get the six-two, deliciously muscled and tragically neat Kurt out of her mind. She tells herself she’s just stopping by to say thank you, but the heart-warming afternoon sparks an emotional and unexpectedly sweet ride as Kurt and Leanna test the powers of Chemistry 101: Opposites Attract.

*Read, Write, Love at Seaside by Addison Cole is the sweet edition of New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster’s steamy romance novel Read, Write, Love. The stories and characters remain the same, and convey all of the passion you expect between two people in love, without any explicit scenes or harsh language.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34845082-read-write-love-at-seaside

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/203990-sweet-with-heat-seaside-summers

*FREE in ebook format

Buy Links:   AMAZON | B&N | KOBO | iBOOKS | GPLAY

*****

Excerpt:

Leanna Bray was wet, cold, and floundering. Literally. She’d been floundering for twenty-eight years, so this was nothing new, but being pummeled by rain, wind, and waves, chasing a dog that never listened? That was new.

“Pepp—” A wave knocked her off her feet and she went under the water, taking a mouthful of saltwater along with her. She tumbled head down beneath the surface.

Now Pepper and I will both drown. Freaking perfect.

Something grabbed her arm, and she reflexively fought against it, sucking in another mouthful of salty water as she broke through the surface, arms flailing, choking, and pushing against the powerful hand that yanked her to her feet.

“You okay?” A deep, annoyed voice carried over the din of the crashing waves.

Cough. Cough. “Yeah. I—” Cough. Cough. “My dog.” She blinked and blinked, trying to clear the saltwater and rain from her eyes. The man’s mop of wet, dark hair came into focus. He held tightly to her arm while scanning the water in the direction of where she’d last seen Pepper. His clothes stuck to his body like a second skin, riding the ripples of his impressive chest and arms as he held her above the surface with one arm around her ribs.

“Come on.” She coughed as he plowed through the pounding surf with her clutched against his side. She slid down his body, and he lifted her easily into his arms, carrying her like he might carry a child, pressing her to his chest as he fought against the waves.

She pushed against his chest, feeling ridiculous and helpless…and maybe a little thankful, but she was ignoring that emotion in order to save Pepper.

“My dog! I need to get my dog!” she hollered.

Mr. Big, Tall, and Stoic didn’t say a word. He set her on the wet sand and tossed her a rain-soaked towel. “It was dry.” He pointed behind her to a wooden staircase. “Go up to the deck.”

She dropped the towel and plowed past him toward the water. “I gotta get my dog.”

He snagged her by the arm and glared at her with the brightest blue eyes she’d ever seen—and a stare so dark she swallowed her voice.

“Go.” He pointed to the stairs again. “I’ll get your dog.” He took a step toward the water, and she pushed past him again.

“You don’t have t—”

He scooped her into his arms again and carried her to the stairs.

*****

Review:

This is the absolutely perfect beach/summer read (even more so since it is set in the Cape … on the Cape?  Whatever – there is sand involved.)  Cole brings the right amount of fun in the sun, humor with heart, and characters that capture your attention.

Kurt is fantastic from the beginning.  He’s a little OCD and likes to be alone while he writes.  And pretty much all he does is write, but when happy-go-lucky Leanna comes crashing into his life she quickly stirs things up.  Like the awesome guy he is, though, he takes it in stride – there is no angst or drama over her bubbliness to his stoicism.  Instead she helps to bring him out of his shell, reminding him that there is more to life than his books, and that he needs to get out to enjoy it.

And he complements her as well.  She’s been drifting for years but she seems to have found a calling in her jam business.  Unfortunately she doesn’t have a clue what it means to really go after this as a career, but with some help from her friends and the support that Kurt gives her she starts to figure things out.

This is a super sweet romance, with just enough heat to keep your attention but without ever getting too explicit.  (I haven’t read this series by Foster, but I’m definitely curious if Kurt was a little less refined in the original  🙂 )  The story is very smooth and moves along at a good pace – very realistic with Kurt and Leanna getting to know each other, figuring out whether they fit together, and (of course) falling in love.  There’s a ton of friends introduced here so it looks like we’ll have plenty of stories to keep us entertained … and I’m looking forward to every one!

*****

Author Info:

Addison Cole is the sweet alter ego of New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Melissa Foster. She writes humorous and emotional sweet contemporary romance. Her books do not include explicit sex scenes or harsh language. Addison spends her summers on Cape Cod, where she dreams up wonderful love stories in her house overlooking Cape Cod Bay.    

Website: https://addisoncole.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AddisonColeAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16711767.Addison_Cole

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/addison-cole

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Addison_Cole_

Newsletter: www.AddisonCole.com/Newsletter

*****

Giveaway:

Win an Addison Cole Tote Bag Prize Pack

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81311/

*****

Click on the banner below to check out the rest of the tour … including a look at Book 2 in the Sweet with Heat Seaside Summers series!

Book Review – Truly, Madly, Whiskey

18 Tuesday Apr 2017

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

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, ,

I just can’t get enough of Melissa Foster’s work … and she’s showing us again why she seriously rocks!

*****

Truly, Madly, Whiskey

by Melissa Foster

Releasing April 10, 2017

World Literary Press

Blurb:

A new sexy standalone romance by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster.

Eight months is a long damn time to have the hots for a woman who keeps a guy at arm’s length. But Crystal Moon is no ordinary woman. She’s a sinfully sexy, sass-mouthed badass, and the subject of Bear Whiskey’s midnight fantasies. She’s also one of his closest friends.

Just when Crystal thinks she has her life under control, scorching-hot, possessive, aggressive, and fiercely loyal Bear pushes all her sexual buttons, relentless in his pursuit to make her his.

The more Bear pushes, the hotter their passion burns, unearthing memories for Crystal that are best kept buried. But there’s no stopping the collision of her past and present, catapulting the two lovers down an emotional and sexually charged road that has them questioning all they thought they knew about themselves.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32075375-truly-madly-whiskey

Book Trailer Vimeo Link: https://vimeo.com/209272565

Book Trailer YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/cwsBu1Mef9Y

Buy Links:

AMAZON | B & N | GOOGLE | ITUNES | KOBO

*****

Excerpt:

“Really, Bear. I can drop you at your place before I go to the fabric shop.” Crystal started the car, feeling more in control than she had inside the shop. She hated the way she’d frozen up when things had gotten hot between them. She wanted him. After putting herself through three years of therapy, dealing with not only the trauma of the attack, but the bullshit with her mother and the loss of her father, she was sure she could handle anything. She’d dated other guys since she’d left college without issue. Why did it have to be different with the only guy she wanted to be close to? It pissed her off that her past still owned a piece of her, and she needed to get over it before Bear got fed up and walked away for good.

“I have to go to the store anyway.” He flashed one of his smiles. “We might as well go together.”

“You need to go to the fabric store?” she said flatly, knowing he was bullshitting her. She realized her car smelled different, cleaner. The seats were shiny, the dashboard dust free. “Did you clean my car?”

“Detailed it,” he said casually, as if he did this type of thing every day. For all she knew, he did. “Changed your oil, topped off your fluids. You really need to do those things every three thousand miles.” He touched the doll hanging from her rearview mirror. “I dusted off this, too, even though I’m a little worried that it’s a voodoo doll.”

She wasn’t about to tell him it was a worry doll that she loved more than life itself.

“Bear.” She couldn’t suppress her smile about the voodoo doll as she drove toward the store. “You really need to stop acting like you have to take care of me. I appreciate you handling the inspection, which I’m paying you for, by the way. But you don’t have to do all these things for me. I already like who you are.” Even if I have a hard time showing it.

“I know you do,” he said, as cocky as ever.

Why is that such a turn-on?

“I didn’t do it to get your attention. Shit, six three, two thirty.” He flexed his biceps and winked. “You’re sitting next to Peaceful Harbor gold, baby. I’ve got your attention.”

She couldn’t suppress a laugh. “That you do, and probably half the women in this town.”

“Only half?”

He kept her laughing the whole way to the fabric store, and it was just what she needed. It really had been a long day. They’d hosted three parties, and one of the mothers was just about the most obnoxious woman on earth. She’d pushed her daughter toward pink frilly outfits for the first half hour, when all the little cutie had wanted was to dress up as a skateboard princess. Gemma realized Crystal was going to strangle the wench, and she’d calmly suggested the woman head down to Jazzy Joe’s for coffee. The rest of her day hadn’t been much better. Plus, she’d spent the morning overthinking everything about her relationship with Bear, which was probably why she’d freaked out when she’d really been dying to kiss him.

She parked in front of the fabric store. There were some things that just didn’t fit in the world as Crystal knew it, and Bear Whiskey clad in a tight black T-shirt that said Whiskey Bro’s across his massive chest, a pair of snug, low-slung black jeans, and leather boots strutting into Jennilyn’s Fabric was on the top of the list.

She pulled her list from her bag as his eyes coasted over the store. What was he thinking, coming with her? That was dedication she could not ignore. The epitome of commitment.

That is Bear.

My Bear?

She toyed with that as he draped his arm over her shoulder. She wondered what had taken him so long. She’d expected him to do it the second she’d stepped from the car, but he was probably in shock that they were actually going to a fabric store. She smiled to herself as he leaned closer and rubbed his nose along her cheek.

“Can I help you?” she asked with a laugh.

“You smell like jelly beans, and I happen to have a thing for sugary goodness.”

“You can’t seriously have that good a sense of smell.”

He pressed an unexpected, and deliciously warm, kiss to her cheek and reached into her purse, withdrawing a bag of jelly beans. “Hoarding? Or were we going to hide these later in your body and let me find them?” He moved his mouth beside her ear and whispered, “Blindfolded. With my hands tied behind my back.”

He nudged her deeper into the store. Holy crap. She’d stopped walking. Was she breathing? And was that a thing? Blindfolded? Hands tied behind his back? Oh, the control that would give her. She’d be at no risk of being overpowered. But would she want that much control? She imagined herself lying naked on her bed, watching as his greedy mouth moved over her breasts, down her belly, and she felt herself go damp.

No, no, no.

Ice cream. Ice baths. Cow poop!

Her body continued vibrating from the inside out. This was bad. Really, really bad. Like a virus she couldn’t shake. She needed an anti-Bear pill. Stat!

*****

Review:

**Warning: maybe some minor spoilers ahead**

Bear Whiskey is just about perfect.  He’s strong, caring, protective, sensitive, loyal, sexy … I could go on and on, but I don’t want to ruin him for you  😉  His only flaw that I could find is he may be a little too dedicated to his family.  He’s got dreams that he’s put on hold because of his father’s stroke and he’s taken on a lot of responsibilities over the years.  The man just doesn’t slow down!  But now he’s got a chance with the woman he’s been pursuing for almost a year AND an opportunity to design motorcycles for a premier company.  He just can’t figure out how to work it in with everything else.  His devotion to those he loves and his strong sense of responsibility is definitely not a problem, it just is making it hard for him to find a time to put his needs first.  Especially now that Crystal has stopped pushing him away.

Crystal had a pretty rough childhood and she finally manages to get away to college, only to be raped at a party.  A little broken, she heads home again to try to pull herself together again.  It’s taken her quite a few years (and some serious reinventing of herself) to get where she’s finally feeling steady enough to actually do something about the intense pull she has towards Bear.  It’s a pretty emotional journey – getting herself back on her feet and finding a way to tell those closest to her what happened.  She’s strong for figuring out how to get help and make her way through it all.  And with her friends and a good man by her side, things are looking really good.

While Bear is not quite a Tru, Foster once again proves that she can create some amazingly addictive characters.  I loved him, and Crystal, from page one.  Not just their interactions together, which are funny and sexy and full of so much understanding & love, but with their friends and family.  Because Truly, Madly, Whiskey isn’t just a romance, but it is about love for friends, family and those you call yours.  This group is so amazingly supportive of those in their sphere and they don’t hesitate to offer support of any kind when it is needed. Their little circle keeps getting bigger and better every year, and they keep proving what  awesome people they are.  It gives you such a happy feeling to see them pull together like that … but they are also family though so they aren’t afraid to give each other a little hell now and again  🙂

(Although this does continue the stories of people we met in Tru Blue, it can easily stand on its own … but if you want some serious feels make sure you pick it up once you finish this one.  I dare you not to fall in love with this amazing group of people!)

*****

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.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

*****

Giveaway:

Win one of Three (3) e-copies of TRU BLUE

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81270/

*****

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

Book Review – Tru Blue

17 Thursday Nov 2016

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

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, ,

After reading Tempting Tristan last month, I was so excited to know that I had another of Foster’s books in my TBR pile.  And Tru does not disappoint!  That sweet cover alone should be enough to have you ready to get your copy …

*****

tru-blue_coverTru Blue

A Sexy Standalone Romance

by Melissa Foster

Releasing November 9, 2016.

World Literary Press

Blurb:

He wore the skin of a killer, and bore the heart of a lover…

There’s nothing Truman Gritt won’t do to protect his family–Including spending years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. When he’s finally released, the life he knew is turned upside down by his mother’s overdose, and Truman steps in to raise the children she’s left behind. Truman’s hard, he’s secretive, and he’s trying to save a brother who’s even more broken than he is. He’s never needed help in his life, and when beautiful Gemma Wright tries to step in, he’s less than accepting. But Gemma has a way of slithering into people’s lives and eventually she pierces through his ironclad heart. When Truman’s dark past collides with his future, his loyalties will be tested, and he’ll be faced with his toughest decision yet.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30073199-tru-blue

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/d_etxqca1is

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

*****

Excerpt:

Chapter One

TRUMAN GRITT LOCKED the door to Whiskey Automotive and stepped into the stormy September night. Sheets of rain blurred his vision, instantly drenching his jeans and T-shirt. A slow smile crept across his face as he tipped his chin up, soaking in the shower of freedom. He made his way around the dark building and climbed the wooden stairs to the deck outside his apartment. He could have used the interior door, but after being behind bars for six long years, Truman took advantage of the small pleasures he’d missed out on, like determining his own schedule, deciding when to eat and drink, and standing in the fucking rain if he wanted to. He leaned on the rough wooden railing, ignoring the splinters of wood piercing his tattooed forearms, squinted against the wetness, and scanned the cars in the junkyard they used for parts—and he used to rid himself of frustrations. He rested his leather boot on the metal box where he kept his painting supplies. Truman didn’t have much—his old extended-cab truck, which his friend Bear Whiskey had held on to for him while he was in prison, this apartment, and a solid job, both of which were compliments of the Whiskey family. The only family he had anymore.

Emotions he didn’t want to deal with burned in his gut, causing his chest to constrict. He turned to go inside, hoping to outrun thoughts of his own fucked-up family, whom he’d tried—and failed—to save. His cell phone rang with his brother’s ringtone, “A Beautiful Lie” by 30 Seconds to Mars.

“Fuck,” he muttered, debating letting the call go to voicemail, but six months of silence from his brother was a long time. Rain pelleted his back as he pressed his palm to the door to steady himself. The ringing stopped, and he blew out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d trapped inside. The phone rang again, and he froze.

He’d just freed himself from the dredges of hell that he’d been thrown into in an effort to save his brother. He didn’t need to get wrapped up in whatever mess the drug-addicted fool had gotten himself into. The call went to voicemail, and Truman eyed the metal box containing his painting supplies. Breathing like he’d been in a fight, he wished he could paint the frustration out of his head. When the phone rang for the third time in as many minutes, the third time since he was released from prison six months ago, he reluctantly answered.

“Quincy.” He hated the way his brother’s name came out sounding like the enemy. Quincy had been just a kid when Truman went to prison. Heavy breathing filled the airwaves. The hairs on Truman’s forearms and neck stood on end. He knew fear when he heard it. He could practically taste it as he ground his teeth together.

“I need you,” his brother’s tortured voice implored.

Need me? Truman had hunted down his brother after he was released from prison, and when he’d finally found him, Quincy was so high on crack he was nearly incoherent—but it didn’t take much for fuck off to come through loud and clear. What Quincy needed was rehab, but Truman knew from his tone that wasn’t the point of the call.

Before he could respond, his brother croaked out, “It’s Mom. She’s really bad.”

Fuck. He hadn’t had a mother since she turned her back on him more than six years ago, and he wasn’t about to throw away the stability he’d finally found for the woman who’d sent him to prison and never looked back.

He scrubbed a hand down his rain-soaked face. “Take her to the hospital.”

“No cops. No hospitals. Please, man.”

A painful, high-pitched wail sounded through the phone.

“What have you done?” Truman growled, the pit of his stomach plummeting as memories of another dark night years earlier came rushing in. He paced the deck as thunder rumbled overhead like a warning. “Where are you?”

Quincy rattled off the address of a seedy area about thirty minutes outside of Peaceful Harbor, and then the line went dead.

Truman’s thumb hovered over the cell phone screen. Three little numbers—9-1-1— would extricate him from whatever mess Quincy and their mother had gotten into. Images of his mother spewing lies that would send him away and of Quincy, a frightened boy of thirteen, looking devastated and childlike despite his near six-foot stature, assailed him.

Push the buttons.

Push the fucking buttons.

He remembered Quincy’s wide blue eyes screaming silent apologies as Truman’s sentence was revealed. It was those pleading eyes he saw now, fucked up or not, that had him trudging through the rain to his truck and driving over the bridge, leaving Peaceful Harbor and his safe, stable world behind.

tru_teaser7

*****

Review:

Truman has sacrificed a lot for his family, even going to prison for a crime he didn’t commit.  His life up to this point left him with a lot of baggage.  He’s strong but still battling his past … and then suddenly he finds himself as father figure to his two young siblings.  The day they come into his life is his luckiest for a lot of reasons – one of which is Gemma.

Gemma’s upbringing may have had all the comforts that money can buy but it was cold and lonely.  She’s determined to live life on her own terms and meeting Truman in the middle of the night, looking lost as he tries to shop for two small children, sets her on a course she never saw coming.

Even though they come from completely opposite places, Gemma and Truman are absolutely darling together.  He’s dedicated, protective and loving of those that he lets into his life.  She’s supportive and caring, just what he needs, especially when things seem to be out of control.  They have a lot to work through, both internal and external, before they can find a HEA but they are strong enough that if they believe in themselves and each other they can make it.  And two absolutely adorable kids that make it even more worthwhile.

Foster once again brings her readers stunning characters and a story that is fascinating but not overly dramatic.  There is both struggle and happiness, moments to make you sigh and those that might make you blush, a touch of humor and lots of feel-good moments.  She gives you a hero that is breathtaking in his sexiness & his devotion and a heroine who understands him & can help him through difficult moments.  After everything Tru’s been through you can’t help but root for him to finally have something amazingly good in his life.

*****

Author Info:

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance, and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, perfect beach reads, and always family oriented.

Author Links:   Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

Win a Print Copy of TRU BLUE

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81162/

*****

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

blogtour_trublue

Book Review – Tempting Tristan

27 Thursday Oct 2016

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

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

, , ,

OH MY!  Tempting indeed!

*****

tristan_finalTempting Tristan

Harborside Nights Series #3

by Melissa Foster

Releasing October 19, 2016

EverAfter Romance

Blurb:

Fresh off the heels of yet another bad relationship, Tristan Brewer is taking a break from men to try and figure out where he keeps going wrong. He knows his biggest fault—he leads with his heart, not his head—and that’s never going to change. But after several introspective weeks, he’s beginning to get a handle on things. That is, until badass heartthrob Alex Wells walks into his bar…

Alex has spent eight years in the Army, months in a hospital bed, and far too long hiding his sexual identity. He’s guilt-ridden, damaged, pissed off, and up for a Silver Star—for the incident that nearly cost him his life, and kept him from his grandmother’s funeral. But all he wants to do is forget his stint with the institution that allows but doesn’t necessarily accept, and live the life he’s always dreamed of.

The chemistry between Tristan and Alex ignites from the moment they meet, and the more time they spend together the hotter the flames become. But the closer Tristan gets, the more Alex’s walls go up, and when the two walk onto a military base, Tristan finds out Alex’s physical scars aren’t the ones that run the deepest.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24779486-tempting-tristan

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

*****

Excerpt:

“Can I ask you something? You don’t have to answer.”

Tristan shrugs. “Have at it.”

“Why were you taking a break? I get that your ex was a prick, but is there more to it?”

He looks down the street, across the street, and then his hand cruises through his hair as it has so often that I’ve already come to expect it when he’s nervous.

“Ian was a prick, but the rest is going to make me sound like a pussy,” he admits.

“I’ve only known you a day, and I already know nothing can make you sound like a pussy.”

He meets my gaze, and his jaw tightens. He lifts his chin and I recognize the struggle between feeling proud and worrying about looking weak. I fight that battle on a daily basis.

“I give away my heart too easily, and I end up getting hurt.”

His eyes never leave mine, and that trust, that confidence, is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.

“I was right. Nothing can make you sound like a pussy.” I slide my hand to the hard ridge of his jaw and lean in closer. “I’ve never given my heart away. That makes you braver than me.”

*****

tristan_teaser2

Review:

I’ve seen a lot of Melissa Foster’s books floating around but for some reason not only have I never read one I’ve not even featured one on this site before.  Even better, I have another one I’m reviewing in November – so I went from none to two in about a month  🙂  She’s very popular (and very good) and has done quite a few tours so I have NO idea how I’ve missed her up to this point.  But I have to say I’m glad I finally wised up!

Not having read any of Foster’s books I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the characters are very well done.  Tristan may be a little more overtly emotional than Alex but both of them feel deeply and they also each have their own issues they have to overcome.  Wearing his heart on his sleeve has left Tristan a little battered.  While spending almost a decade in the military, hiding his sexuality, has left scars both inside and out for Alex.  But together they find ways to heal and move forward, growing individually and as a couple.

Some aren’t going to like the insta-love thing, but I think that Foster handles it well and, even though it is fast, it progresses in a believable manner.  They spend a lot of time together and have a connection thru Alex’s grandmother that helps bind them even more.  They are good at filling in the spaces the other needs – propping each other up and providing support when it is needed.  It’s an equal thing between them, as each of them have moments of weakness and strength.

I have to admit that I was a little amused by some of the interactions between Tristan and Alex.  One of them mentions a “sword” and it got me snickering but then I realized that while I don’t know that many gay men (and those I do aren’t all that vocally demonstrative) I do know guy’s guys and I can see them doing something similar.  You have to be OK with a little blue talk and off-kilter humor but as Foster brings you closer to the guys it just works for their relationship.

You also have to be good with some very steamy m/m bedroom sequences (and anywhere else they find themselves in the mood).  You should know what you are getting by the description, plus the insta-love is usually first based on insta-attraction, but just know that Foster doesn’t pull any punches.  Tempting Tristan is hot and sexy and emotional.

Wonderful characters.  A story with angst and growth but not a whole lot of drama.  Easy-to-read writing.  All of it adds up to quite an enjoyable read.  And I can’t wait to see if Foster’s next book in my TBR pile is as good  🙂

(Even though this is part of a series it can easily stand on its own.)

*****

mel-author-photo-headshot400Author Info:

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance, and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, perfect beach reads, and always family oriented.

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

Win a Print Copy of TEMPTING TRISTAN

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81143/

*****

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

blogtour_tristan