Book Review – The Nanny Arrangement

25 Thursday May 2017

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

Tags

Book Review, Country Blues series, Rachel Harris, The Nanny Arrangement

One of my favorite authors is back with another installation of what is quickly turning into one of my favorite series!!!

*****

The Nanny Arrangement

Country Blues #2

by Rachel Harris

Releasing May 22, 2017

Entangled Bliss

Blurb:

Soft-spoken and shy Hannah Fisher is determined to make the man she’s loved her entire life finally see her as a woman. With the help of a makeover, a new mission—Operation Find My Happy—and the convenient forced proximity of a tour bus, she vows to win her best friend Deacon’s heart.

Former bad boy and current fiddle player Deacon Latrell has the world at his fingertips: a new gig with a famous band, plus his best friend on tour as his son’s nanny. Life couldn’t get much sweeter. Now if only he could stop imagining kissing the daylights out of his childhood BFF…

With one friend set on pushing the boundaries and the other afraid to rock the boat, one thing’s for certain—their story would make one heck of a country song.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29561320-the-nanny-arrangement

Goodreads Series Link https://www.goodreads.com/series/160087-country-blues

Buy Links: AMAZON | B & N | ITUNES | KOBO

*****

Excerpt:

Deacon released a heavy breath. Sometimes the right thing felt a hell of a lot like nausea. Resolved with what he had to do, he looked at the door…then slowly dropped his hand.

He’d give it another few minutes.

Calling himself ten shades of coward, he redirected his steps. A hot shower would clear his head. Maybe he’d even pull a Hannah and rehearse what he’d tell her in advance. It always worked for her, helping her control her stutter, and though Deacon didn’t have that particular problem, he was nervous as hell. If her head was even half as muddled as his was, this conversation wouldn’t be easy.

Frustrated, he shoved open the bathroom door harder than necessary. Fog and heavily scented air rushed to greet him, and it took a second for the reason to register. When it did, he came to an abrupt stop with one hand on the doorknob and one foot still in the hall.

Candy and flowers.

As the steam disappeared through the crack in the door, a vision appeared, plucked straight from his recent fantasies. Creamy skin, pink from the shower and wet with liquid drops, topped anything his imagination could’ve conjured. Damp ginger curls clung to a slender throat that was arched back, making a sexy silhouette as full lips trembled in a silent speech to the ceiling. Dark, spiky lashes lay across a flushed cheek, hiding a pair of expressive eyes he’d know anywhere.

Torture, thy name was Hannah.

Gone was the girl he’d known in high school. Erased was the rock he’d depended on in college. The goddess in the shower was a woman, a beautiful woman, with tantalizing curves, shapely legs, and the most incredible smile he’d ever seen.

The arousal flowing through his veins mocked his previous so-called resolve.

“Cherry.”

Her name came on a choked breath, but Hannah’s eyes snapped open. Smooth skin turned to stone as she stared at the ceiling, wide-eyed, before slanting those green eyes toward him in horror.

“Deacon!” Frantic, she tried to cover her body, slinging one arm over her perfect breasts while reaching for the folded towel on the counter with the other, only to quickly draw back her hand and slap it over her lower half as well.

It was the hardest thing he ever did, keeping his eyes above her waist. Taking one step forward, he grabbed the terrycloth and handed it over, not trusting himself to get any closer. When she took it from his hands, she could hardly look into his eyes. Deacon’s chest gave a hard kick.

Hannah made quick work of the towel, wrapping the terrycloth around her torso and clinging to the edges. She bit her lip and stammered, “Wh-what are y-you doing?”

It wasn’t remotely funny. The reappearance of her stutter meant she was either stressed or anxious, two things he never wanted to be the cause of. But he couldn’t help the laugh that broke free at the innocent question.

A full-bodied, unstoppable laugh that threw his head back with the force of it.

“What am I doing?” he repeated in amusement, hearing the gruffness of his own voice and dragging in a deep, floral-scented breath. “Oh, Cherry… I’m losing my ever-loving mind.”

*****

Review:

I don’t know how it is possible that I forgot just how much I LOVE Rachel Harris and her stories. And while we do get the band and their SOs, all of whom appeared in the previous stories (Your’re Still the One and Accidentally Married on Purpose), this story really concentrates on Hannah and Deacon. They have such a deep and emotional connection, and a history that goes back to their childhood – a time when they helped save each other. It’s given them a bond that has lasted through a lot of ups and downs, so it is easy to see why romantic feelings could be a complication.

I love Hannah and I admire how much she’s willing to put herself out there to try to convince Deacon to see her as more than a friend. Having a stutter as a child meant that she spent a lot of her formative teenage years as a bit of an outsider, so she doesn’t have a lot of experience being flirty or seductive. Besides the potential embarrassment there is also the chance that any moves on her part could affect her relationship with Deacon so it takes a lot to take that chance.

Deacon had an terrible home-life, with a mother who pretty much checked out on him. The day Hannah brought him home to meet her family is the day everything changed. He had people who loved him and cared for him and made sure to teach him how to be a good person. Unfortunately he still has doubts about his worth and doesn’t want to take any chance that he could lose that, especially if it means he might not have Hannah in his life any more. Unfortunately for him, Hannah’s got a plan 🙂

My heart just turns over for these two. It’s scary taking the chance on something more when you could lose so very much. But if they do take the chance and it lasts, their lives can only get better. Harris does a fantastic job of making readers understand their connection and why they mean so much to each other, how hard it is to explore a romantic relationship and how hard it is not to, and delivers a realist look at what happens when proximity (and Sherri) heats things up. Gotta love that girl!

Emotionally laden, The Nanny Arrangement showcases Harris talent for delivering genuine characters and captivating plots that draw you in and keep you coming back for more.

(Since this does focus a lot on the two main characters, it can stand on its own.)

*****

Author Info:

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Vibrant settings, witty banter, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing.

An admitted bookaholic and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romances, and LOVES talking with readers!

Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

*****

Giveaway:

$15.00 Amazon Gift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb554951101/

*****

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

Book Review – You’re Still the One

25 Thursday Feb 2016

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

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Book Review, Country Blues series, Rachel Harris, You're Still the One

So we looked at the last of the Robicheaux siblings already this morning and now we get a chance to check in on one of their friends … and start a new set of books 🙂

*****

Your’re Still the One

Country Blues Series

by Rachel Harris

Blurb:

Love is one dare neither of them can take…

Arabella Stone, Nashville’s darling, is eager to shuck her prim-and-proper rep, and a few wild months spent checking items off her ” summer bucket list” is the way to do it. First up: kiss the man she’s crushed on since she wore a training bra, the bad boy of country himself, Blue bassist Charlie Tucker.

For Charlie, a beautiful woman flirting with him isn’t out of the norm–but a beautiful woman bolting after the hottest kiss of his life sure is. And when he finds out his kiss-and-run Cinderella is none other than Arabella Stone, daughter of his label’s CEO, he knows he’s in trouble. Because not only is she a Stone, she’s also his employee for the next few months at the recording studio he just bought.

Over the course of one thrilling summer, Arabella and Charlie chip away at her bucket list and fight the simmering attraction between them…knowing that once it’s all over, so is their time together.

Order on Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo

Add to your Goodreads

https://www.youtube.com/embed/fwN7VGvpiWY

*****

Excerpt:

Heart fluttering like a hummingbird, Ella picked her way across the stones, the steps still warm from the day’s brutal sun. She lowered herself, one concrete step at a time, until the tepid water lapped against the undersides of her breasts. She gasped at the sensation.

If she’d thought the biker bar felt decadent, this was positively wicked. Never in her wildest dreams had Arabella considered checking skinny-dipping off her list in this way, with neighbors potentially watching, and a naked Charlie Tucker as a wingman.

He tensed as she glided across the pool, the muscles of his back like chiseled marble. She’d love to believe it was because of her, that he longed to touch her as badly as she wanted to be touched. But she knew him well enough to know that even if he did, he’d never act on the desire. Not unless his guard was down.

So, Arabella did what any self-respecting woman in her situation would do. She dipped her hands into the water on either side of her body, gently cupping them so as not to make any sudden waves. She grinned as she bent her knees for leverage…and then, stifling a laugh, swung her hands high and up into the air.

Splash.

Charlie cursed as water rained, falling like a sheet over his head. His neck snapped back, flicking his unruly dark hair out of his eyes, and his shoulders raised to meet his ears.

Immediately, Arabella started backpedaling.

Fans of romantic comedies, and anyone who swam with boys in high school, knew what came next. She’d awoken the sleeping bad-boy giant, or so she hoped, but somehow, even as she kicked away as hard as she could, she couldn’t excite the proper trepidation. She wanted this, wanted him to come after her.

But she had to make the chase look realistic.

“Oh, you think you’re funny, don’t you?” Charlie’s smile was as big and dangerous as a bloodthirsty alligator, and Ella squealed as he took his first looming step. “You better run, sweet girl. It’s on now.”

Arabella kicked her feet, shooting water in his face. “Bring it, Tucker!”

Please, please, bring it, Tucker.

*****

Review:

It usually takes me about two paragraphs to find myself yanked into one of Harris’s stories – and this one proves to be no different. I feel so much for Ella as she struggles with her crush on Charlie and her need to stand on her own. She’s a little bit geeky, a lot sheltered, but totally adorable. It’s no wonder that she’s irresistible.

Charlie may be all about the good time when it comes to women, but he’s also all about his family and friends. And that dedication has put him right in the path of the delectable, but off-limits, Arabella. In order to get the funding from her father that he needs for his charity he agrees to keep an eye on her (on the quiet) for the summer … but proximity leads to feelings that he’s not ready for. And of course, everyone knows that secrets don’t go over well in romances.

I’m actually amused that both Tyler (from Accidentally Married on Purpose) and band-mate Charlie have similar issues with relationships, although for different reasons. It totally works though because one of the great thing about Harris is she manages to make their struggles real and their own. I would have hoped that Charlie would have learned from Tyler. But they are guys so …. 🙂

While I made sure to get Accidentally‘s review up today it isn’t important to have read any of the other books to enjoy this one. There are some characters that show up here (and we met Charlie then), but Rachel is kicking off a new series – complete with the heartfelt style and wonderful characters that she’s known for.

*****

Author Info:

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Vibrant settings, witty banter, and strong relationships are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing.

An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict and homeschool mom, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and watching way too much Food Network with her husband. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romances, and LOVES talking with readers!

Website | Facebook |Twitter | Rachel Harris Goodreads | Newsletter Sign Up

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win signed coipies of the Love and Games series and an Amazon Gift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c1a0302/

*****

Tour Schedule:

February 16^th

What I’m Reading – Review & Excerpt

Alpha Book Club – Review

I Love Romance – Review & Excerpt

Ficwishes – Review

Book Starlets – Review & Excerpt

FMR Book Grind – Review

Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

February 17^th

Lovin’ Los Libros – Review & Excerpt

Angel Reads – Review

SassyCat’s Books Review – Review & Excerpt

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

Books According to Abby – Review & Excerpt

First Dream of Books – Excerpt

February 18^th

Friends Till The End Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

What Is That Book About – Excerpt

Tsk Tsk What to Read – Review & Excerpt

Oh the Book Feels – Excerpt

Book Junkie: Not-So-Anonymous – Review & Excerpt

SnoopyDoo’s Book Reviews – Excerpt

E-Reading After Midnight – Review & Excerpt

February 19^th

thebookdragon – Review & Excerpt

Adventures in Writing – Excerpt

Reviews With Rah – Review & Excerpt

Cyn’s Reviews AndPromotionals – Review & Excerpt

Extreme Bookaholic’s – Excerpt

Jack of All Trades, Master of None – Review & Excerpt

February 20^th

The Lovely Books – Review & Excerpt

Miss Riki – Excerpt

Bookaholics Reading Haven – Review & Excerpt

Literary misfit – Excerpt

We All Make Mistakes in Books – Review & Excerpt

Liz’s Reading Life – Excerpt

BookWorm221 – Review & Excerpt

February 21^st

Four Chicks Flipping Pages – Review & Excerpt

The Bibliophile Confessions – Review

Jen’s Reading Obsession – Review & Excerpt

Short and Sassy Book Blurbs – Review

Romance Reviews and More – Review & Excerpt

Debbie’s World of Books – Excerpt

February 22^nd

The Book Hammock – Review & Excerpt

Books, Coffee & Passion – Excerpt

Crazy Cajun Book Addicts – Review & Excerpt

Vi3tbabe – Review

Ticket to Anywhere – Review & Excerpt

Worth Reading It? – Review

My Fictional Escape – Review & Excerpt

February 23^rd

Bridget’s Book Bungalow – Review & Excerpt

Dazzled by Books – Review & Excerpt

The Cover Contessa – Excerpt

Bound By Books Books Book Review – Review & Excerpt

All For Love of the Word – Excerpt

February 24^th

Book Angel Booktopia – Review & Excerpt

The Phantom Paragrapher – Review

Sultry, Steamy Reading – Review & Excerpt

Alphas Do It Better Book Blog – Excerpt

Library of a Book Witch – Review & Excerpt

Book reviews by lexi – Review

My Fictional Escape – Review & Excerpt

February 25^th

Jax’s Book Magic – Review & Excerpt

Lazy Book Lovers – Review

Romantic Reads and Such – Review & Excerpt

A crazy vermonters book reviews – Review

Books Eater – Review & Excerpt

The Unofficial Addiction Book Fan Club – Review

Karen McCoy Books Presents: The Writer Librarian – Excerpt

February 26^th

Ramblings From This Chick – Review & Excerpt

G & T’s Indie Café – Excerpt

phishbowl’s bookshelf – Review & Excerpt

Beneath The Covers Blog – Excerpt

The Power of Three Readers – Review & Excerpt

Becky’s Book Bytes – Excerpt

Pandora’s Books – Review & Excerpt

Girl with a Pen and a Dream – Excerpt

Book Review – Accidentally Married on Purpose

25 Thursday Feb 2016

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Accidentally Married on Purpose, Book Review, Love and Games, Rachel Harris

I’m getting this one out first thing this morning because the next book in this world is also going to be spotlighted today … wanted to make sure that you guys get the full experience 🙂

*****

Accidentally Married on Purpose

Love and Games #3

by Rachel Harris

One ring plus one wild night equals one crazy love

Sherry Robicheaux loves men. She loves love. And she loves an adventure. So when she meets a mysterious man while working backstage at a country music concert in Vegas, she’s all about what’s happened in Vegas staying there.

Country music superstar Tyler Blue just wants a weekend of anonymity…though there’s something about the spunky waitress with the streaks of purple hair that tempts him like no other. Until the next morning, when they both wake up with fuzzy memories…and rings on their fingers.

Convincing Sherry to maintain the ruse for his public image isn’t the hardest part—it’s reminding himself that their time spent playing husband and wife in her small town of Magnolia Springs can’t last. Tyler’s first love will always be music—and the road is no place for a sweet downhome girl.

Once again Harris delivers a fantastically emotional but melodrama free love story. Accidentally Married on Purpose spends a little bit with the build up to Sherry and Tyler finding themselves married (which sounds like a fantastic time in Vegas) but the majority of it is the two of them getting to know each other better and falling in love … and of course struggling with it.

Sherry’s had a difficult time with love but that hasn’t stopped her from wishing for her own HEA. It also hasn’t kept her from being adorably perky and big hearted. That giving nature and good humor is causing Tyler all sorts of issues 🙂 He’s convinced that the life of a musician has no room in it for a long term relationship. Unfortunately the more time he spends with Sherry the harder it is to remember why. Sherry reminds Tyler that he can cut loose and have a good time, while he helps her believe in herself. Together they are funny and fun, complementing each other so well.

While this is part of a series, it isn’t necessary to have read the others. I will recommend it though because I love Harris’s writing and her other Robicheaux romances are fantastic! (Find those reviews here – Taste the Heat and Seven Day Fiance)

Spotlight – Accidentally Married on Purpose

21 Monday Jul 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Accidentally Married on Purpose, Love and Games series, Rachel Harris

Continuing the fantastic “Love and Games” series, which started with Taste the Heat and Seven Day Fiance, we now get Sherry Robicheaux’s story with Accidentally Married on Purpose. I can’t wait! The sneak peeks I’ve seen makes this one look absolutely fabulous.

*****

Accidentally Married on Purpose

by Rachel Harris

Blurb:

One ring plus one wild night equals one crazy love

Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Entangled

Entangled Bliss:

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

Twitter: @RomanceIsBliss

Steals and Deals

*****

Excerpt:

Laughing, he threw open the door and tore up the drive, expecting Sherry to be right behind him. But when he reached the front door and turned around, she wasn’t on the porch. Confused, Tyler walked back a few steps and found her instead in the yard, face tilted to the sky, arms stretched to capture the liquid drops.

In his experience, women tended to get all Wicked Witch when it came to the wet stuff—they freaked if it touched them. While Sherry wasn’t overly dramatic about fashion, he’d seen her tackle box filled with makeup and witnessed the application ceremony. If anyone would avoid the risk of messing it up, it’d be Sherry.

But then, as he always seemed to be when it came to this woman, he’d been wrong.

“What the hell are you doing?”

She stuck out her tongue like a kid catching snowflakes and closed her eyes as the rain pelted her once flawless face. Lowering her head with a grin, she said, “It’s not like we’re gonna melt. Haven’t you ever danced in the rain for fun?”

“Danced?” Tyler edged closer to the end of the covered porch, shocked anew. Raising his voice over the torrent, he shook his head. “Can’t say that I have.”

His confession earned him a playful grin, and as she held out a hand toward him, she said, “There’s a first time for everything.”

Right now, he was dry. He was under a roof, warm and adequately dressed to impress the in-laws. But her smile was hypnotic. Placing his hand in hers, unsure why he was even doing it, he let her tug him into the storm.

As expected, it was cold. And wet. If anyone saw them out here—and with their photographic luck, people were definitely watching—they’d think he was nuts. But that didn’t matter because his adorable, silly, crazy-as-hell wife dropped his hand and began dancing. Spinning in a circle, laughing at nothing, scrunching her nose and making a Mick Jagger face as she shimmied her shoulders and swirled those luscious hips.

It was mesmerizing.

“Dancing isn’t a spectator sport,” she called out, eyebrow lifted, twirling again. “Don’t tell me you don’t dance, music man. I ain’t buying it.”

Oh, he had some moves. Not great moves, mind you, but he could carry his own. So, with his sassy brunette watching and waiting, Tyler gave the quiet street a cursory glance, and then bopped his head.

“Niiice,” Sherry teased, throwing her head back in a laugh. “Watch out, Timberlake.”

Shaking his head, a smile twitching his lips, he added his feet. Pleasure filled her eyes as she followed his every step, so he also did a Michael Jackson moonwalk, completely with a crotch grab. That sent her into hysterics. And made him feel like a damn king.

*****

Author Info:

Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Emotion, vibrant settings, and strong families are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing.

A Cajun cowgirl now living in Houston, she firmly believes life’s problems can be solved with a hot, sugar-coated beignet or a thick slice of king cake, and that screaming at strangers for cheap, plastic beads is acceptable behavior in certain situations. She homeschools her two beautiful girls and watches way too much Food Network with her amazing husband.

An admitted Diet Mountain Dew addict, she gets through each day by laughing at herself, hugging her kids, and losing herself in story. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romances, and LOVES talking with readers!

Website * Blog * Twitter *Facebook * Goodreads

*****

Giveaway:

signed set of paperbacks of the entire Love and Games series (US only) or $25 gift card int’l

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb554398/

*****

Click on the banner below for the sites on the tour

Guest Post – Love for Beginners

26 Monday May 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Hometown Love Boxed Set, Kelley Vitollo, Love For Beginners, Lucky Break, Ophelia London, Playing at Love, Rachel Harris, sally Clements, Taste the Heat, Under the Hood series

Now we welcome Sally Clements as she talks about traits of heroes and her new book, Love for Beginners. Then we’ll take a look at the new story collection, Hometown Love Boxed Set.

*****

To Have and Have Not

Looking back over the romantic heroes that I’ve written, there are a few traits that all of them have which are, in no particular order…

Good looks – with killer bodies

Sense of humor – with a dash of witty

Determined -they know what they want

Caring – and not afraid to show it.

So it struck me, that all romance heroes have some or all of these traits, but there is also a list of things that many real life heroes have, but not many romantic heroes in books have and it might be fun to try and tease some of them out…

Romance heroes practically never have:

Beards – many have a couple of days of scruff, but rarely full beards.

Bikes – unless they’re world class, tour de France sort of heroes.

Bad backs – though lots of real life heroes have ‘em!

Unemployment – unless it’s by choice, and then they mysteriously always seem to have money anyway.

Eczema or hay fever – but hey, people have both of these!

But it’s fiction, right? My current hero, Heath Starr, is an ordinary man with a dream. He doesn’t have a beard, or a bad back, he’s funny, determined, caring and gorgeous. I love him, and hope you will too. But I’m thinking one day maybe I’ll write the perfect anti-hero and give him a beard, a bike, a bad back and hay fever – make him lose his job, and make readers love him too!

*****

Love For Beginners

by Sally Clements

Blurb:

She needs a lesson in love, and he’s the perfect teacher.

Mechanic Melody Swan is looking for a man who can share her hopes and dreams, but she swore she would never lose herself to passion. When sexy Heath Starr agrees to temporarily sub in the Under the Hood garage for his sister, Mel sees the perfect opportunity to enjoy being with a man without becoming attached.

Heath came to Meadowsweet to photograph nature, not find a hookup, especially since his last relationship ended in disaster. He vowed he’d never break another woman’s heart, and in turn, protect his own. Still, when Mel offers to serve as his outdoor guide, he can’t refuse.

Mel may say she’s only looking for right now, but her body is speaking a whole different language. And Heath’s viewfinder is drawn to her time and again. When the two find themselves isolated in a rustic cabin, they could both break their promises if they aren’t careful…

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Beginners-Under-Novella-Entangled-ebook/dp/B00K48GVGA?tag=entangpublis-20&link_code=ur2&creative=9325&camp=211189

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-for-beginners-sally-clements/1119435130

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/love-for-beginners/id873955394?uo=8&at=11ltS7

*****

Author Info:

Sally Clements writes fun, sexy and real contemporary romance, partnering hot heroes with heroines who know what they want, and go for it!

She is a full-time author, who lives in the Irish countryside, and when she isn’t writing can usually be found in traffic, driving ‘Mum’s taxi’.

Always a voracious reader, she considers writing for a living the perfect job—the only downside is saying goodbye to her characters at book’s end!

Blog Twitter Facebook Goodreads

Entangled Bliss:

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

Twitter: @RomanceIsBliss

Steals and Deals

*****

Hometown Love Boxed Set

by Rachel Harris, Ophelia London and Kelley Vitollo

Blurb:

**For a limited time only!**

Three novels that prove love can always be found right at home

There’s nothing quite like the comfort and serenity of returning home again, especially when combined with the sizzle and excitement of finding true love. This limited-edition contemporary romance boxed set from Entangled’s Bliss line features three fun and flirty small-town stories sure to make you laugh, sigh, and smile long after you’ve turned the last page.

Taste the Heat by Rachel Harris: Colby Robicheaux knows her brother’s best friend—delectable fire captain Jason Landry—is off-limits, and anyway, she’s only back home for a short time. Jason’s looking for someone to help him raise his preteen daughter, not a fling, but Colby’s all grown up and tempting as ever.

Playing at Love by Ophelia London: When Tess Johansson’s music program gets pitted against Jack Marshall’s football program in a battle for funding, she knows only one of them can win. Jack might be the summer love she never forgot, but her job means everything to her. Competing against the enemy was never quite this much fun.

Lucky Break by Kelley Vitollo: Sydney Williams might have come home to her small town of Shamrock Falls, but it’ll take more than that to rekindle a broken friendship with her childhood best friend, Kade Mitchell. When friendship turns to sparks turns to more, will Kade be able to convince his best friend to gamble on forever?

*****

Author Info:

Rachel Harris: Rachel Harris writes humorous love stories about sassy girls-next-door and the hot guys that make them swoon. Emotion, vibrant settings, and strong families are a staple in each of her books…and kissing. Lots of kissing.

Website Twitter Facebook Goodreads

Ophelia London: Ophelia London was born and raised among the redwood trees in beautiful northern California. Once she was fully educated, she decided to settle in Florida, but her car broke down in Texas and she’s lived in Dallas ever since. A cupcake and treadmill aficionado (obviously those things are connected), she spends her time watching art-house movies and impossibly trashy TV, while living vicariously through the characters in the books she writes. Ophelia is the author of ABBY ROAD; the Perfect Kisses series including: PLAYING AT LOVE, SPEAKING OF LOVE, and FALLING FOR HER SOLDIER, and the new adult DEFINITELY, MAYBE IN LOVE.

Website Twitter Facebook Goodreads

Kelley Vitollo: Kelley has been writing for as long as she can remember. She won her first writing contest in third grade for an essay she wrote on, “Tomorrow’s Leaders on the Move”. Like dreams sometimes do, they fell to the background for a while. She married her best friend, worked full time, and started her family. In 2004 Kelley, her husband and their new baby girl made a move from Oregon to Southern California and that’s when everything changed. As a stay-at-home mom for the first time, her passion for writing flared to life again.

Things haven’t been the same since.

With two incredible daughters, an awesome husband and her days spent writing what she loves, Kelley considers herself the luckiest girl in the world. She still resides in sunny Southern California, where she loves spending time with her family and sneaking away to the bookstore with her laptop.

Website Twitter Facebook Goodreads

*****

Giveaway Info:

$25 Amazon gift card and a custom made Swarovski Crystal necklace made with emerald crystal beads (to match Mel’s eyes) incorporating a sterling silver wrench charm from Sally Clements

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb554361/

*****

Click on the banner below to see all stops on the series.

Seven Day Fiance

18 Friday Oct 2013

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Tags

Book Review, Love and Games, Rachel Harris, Seven Day Fiance

New review now up.

*****

This is the second story about a pretend relationship that I’ve reviewed this week and both were a lot of fun. Both Harris and Bielman (with Her Accidental Boyfriend) did a great job of giving us couples who had their reasons for avoiding commitment but fell in love anyway.

One bad boy. One good girl. One unforgettable week.

Angelle Prejean is in a pickle. Her family is expecting her to come home with a fiancé—a fiancé who doesn’t exist. Well, he exists, but he definitely has no idea Angelle told her mama they were engaged. Tattooed, muscled, and hotter than sin, Cane can reduce Angelle to a hot mess with one look—and leave her heart a mess if she falls for him. But when she ends up winning him at a charity bachelor auction, she knows just how to solve her fiancé problem.

Cane Robicheaux is no one’s prince. He doesn’t do relationships and he doesn’t fall in love. When sweet, sultry-voiced Angelle propositions him, he hopes their little fiancé game can finally get her out of his head. He doesn’t expect her to break through all his barriers. But even as Angelle burrows deeper into his heart, he knows once their seven days are up, so is their ruse.

Meet Cane …. Typical bad-ass with a soft heart that he hides from everyone, except his sisters and closest friends of course – has tattoos and muscles, wears leather and rides a motorcycle, and is a legendary lover. He’s convinced that marriage is not for him. And then cupid smacks him upside the head.

Meet Angelle … She’s sheltered but has escaped to try her wings – beautiful, a little bit clumsy, smart, and innocent. She’s no match for Cane in bed but she’s going to give him a run for his money when it comes to the heart.

I loved these two. We first met them in Taste the Heat, the first book of the “Love and Games” series, and you knew then that the showdown was coming. But even though we could see the outcome a mile away, Cane fought it with everything he had – it is so much fun to see a big, bad man brought to his knees by a sassy woman and Cane does it with grace and style.

We know that Harris is going to bring us the story of Cane’s sister, Sherri, but I’m also hoping she extends it to include some of the people we meet in Bon Terre (as well as Jason’s firemen friends from the first book). There is a lot of potential for entertaining stories with Angelle’s ex, Brady, and her cousin, Lacey. Not necessarily together but I’d definitely like to see them get their happy ever afters.

Like in Taste the Heat, Harris has a fun writing style and gives us intriguing characters and cute interactions, in a story full of humor and emotion. It’s a great light read with hidden heart, sure to please romance junkies everywhere.

Taste the Heat

09 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Book Review, Love and Games, Rachel Harris, Taste the Heat

New review below. And the publisher has a cool contest going on with it ending on July 31st. Check out the rafflecopter link to enter.

Colby Robicheauz is back home after a decade away to help her family – with her father’s death, their restaurant needs a head chef and she is the perfect choice. While leaving behind her own successful restauarant in Las Vegas for the summer is bad enough, Colby knows she’s also going to have to handle demons that she’s been running from for years. What she doesn’t expect to find is her old crush Jason Landry looking just as tempting as ever. But Colby’s not ready to get involved with anyone and she definitely has no plans to stay in the town that holds so many bad feelings. Jason also isn’t ready for romance. He lost his wife and is now raising their daughter alone. He knows that she really needs a mother but starting something with Colby when she has no intention of staying is not a good idea. A summer fling might be just the thing for both of them …. if they can keep their hearts out of it.

Who doesn’t love a sexy fireman? Add in that Jason can cook, is a great father and truly loved his high school sweetheart? So very hot! Jason is everything you would want in a hero – he’s gorgeous, hard working, dedicated, loving, and faithful. He wants the best for his girl even if he doesn’t feel like he can ever fully give his heart again. But once he realizes that his emotions might be more involved with Colby than he intended … he goes with it and throws himself into the relationship wholeheartedly. Colby has her reasons for being a little gun-shy with men – a bad past and a looming exit date – but who could pass up the opportunity to have a hot fling with your teen crush, especially when he looks like Jason. I really liked seeing these two realize their feelings and go with it. I totally understand Colby’s hesitation and I think that Harris does a fantastic job of giving her emotional baggage without dragging her down with them. Actually, she does a fine job with both of them. You know they will have their Happy Even After at the end, what romance doesn’t, but the best part is the journey and this one is a can’t miss.

Taste the Heat is the first in the “Love and Games” series and I am very much looking forward to more. There are a lot of opportunities, not just with Colby’s siblings, but you can also bring in Jason’s firefighter buddies and keep going. Harris has a crisp, addictive writing style and I would definitely read more from her. With a fun and emotion story about finding love and forgiveness, Harris brings readers a winner.