Spotlight – Love Like Ours

10 Monday Sep 2018

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

Tags

Love Like Ours, Melissa Foster, Sugar Lake series

I absolutely LOVE Melissa Foster’s books. And if you haven’t read this series, you can enter to win a copy of book 1, The Real Thing, below and book 2, Only You, is ON SALE for $0.99 (KINDLE | PAPERBACK)!

*****

Love Like Ours

Sugar Lake #3

by Melissa Foster

Releasing September 11, 2018

Montlake

Blurb:

One wrong move, and she meets a guy with all the right ones…

Talia Dalton lives her life on cruise control. Despite her successful career as a professor, she prefers protecting her broken heart to taking chances. She’s calm, cool, collected, and steady. Until the morning she takes her eyes off that familiar road and almost runs over the sexiest man she’s ever seen. It may not be the best way to start the day, but it might be the type of shake-up she needs.

Male dancer Derek Grant has goals, and nothing is going to get in the way of achieving them. As a graduate student and the sole caretaker of his ailing father, he hasn’t much time for relationships. Then Talia crashes into his life. Sweet, pretty—and so buttoned-up that he can’t wait to help her cut loose.

For Derek, falling in love was a beautiful accident waiting to happen. And it might be exactly what Talia needs—if she’s willing to let go of the past and embrace every surprise Derek has to offer.

LOVE LIKE OURS is being published by Montlake (an Amazon imprint) and won’t be available on other ebook retailers, but you can download a FREE Kindle ereader app to read it here, or order the paperback.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39330581-love-like-ours

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

LOVE LIKE OURS Buy Links: KINDLE | PAPERBACK

*****

Excerpt:

“You’re in for it now!”

She shrieked and ran across the snow. He darted after her, but she dashed through the gazebo, scooped up a handful of snow, and tossed it at him. It hit him square in the face, and she gasped.

“Sorry!”

He teasingly growled and made a huge snowball, lightly packed so as not to hurt her, and stalked toward her.

She stumbled backward, waving her hands. “No, please!” she said between laughs.

Her killer smile was almost enough to stop him in his tracks. “Oh yes, Parking Lot Princess. You are mine!”

She grabbed another handful of snow and lobbed it at him, missing by a mile. Then she sprinted away. He took off after her and she turned, tripping over her own feet. He lunged, catching her in his arms, but their momentum sent them both to the snow. She landed on top of him, both of them laughing. Molly whined and licked their faces.

Her teeth chattered. “Sorry!”

“Hell, Talia. I’m not.”

Her eyes widened, then brimmed with heat again, dark and alluring as they skimmed over his face and lingered on his lips. Her body sank exquisitely into his. Even separated by coats and clothing, she felt incredible. Molly lay in the snow, watching them as if she felt the unbelievable moment, too. When Talia’s eyes found his again, they were like windows to her soul. Every sexy thought was right there on the surface, so tempting he was about to lean up and take a kiss, when she suddenly schooled her expression, as if she’d just realized she’d shown her true emotions, and rolled off him.

She lay on her back beside him, staring up at the sky, breathing heavily.

He leaned over her and gazed deeply into her troubled, beautiful eyes. Whatever this was between them was magnificent and stronger than anything he’d ever felt, but the caution in her eyes won again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cross a line. It’s been a long time since I’ve”—wanted to kiss a woman—“felt whatever this is between us.”

She pressed her lips together, and as he backed off, she grabbed his sleeve and said, “Me too. It’s been a long time.”

Man, she was so close, her desire evident in her tight grasp on his sleeve and the longing look in her eyes, but the tentativeness was still there, brimming before him. He swallowed his desires and went for levity.

“Do you have an ailing family member you’re caring for, too?”

She shook her head. “I have fear of the unknown, trust issues, and a full life.”

“Is that all?” He helped her to her feet, both of them smiling with his tease.

Molly got up, wagging her tail.

Talia’s teeth were still chattering. He put his hands on her arms and rubbed them, itching to pull her against him and heat her up with a scorching-hot kiss. Instead he took her hand and said, “I’ve got something to warm you up.”

“Um . . . ?” Her cheeks pinked up again.

He chuckled. “Yeah, that, but since we’ve already tabled the good stuff . . .” With Molly in tow, he led her to where his backpack lay in the snow. He dug out the thermoses he’d brought and handed her one. “It’s not as fun, but this should do the trick.”

She pulled her hat a little lower on her ears. “What is it?”

“Tuxedo mocha. Have you ever had one?”

She shook her head, wrapping both hands around the warm thermos. “Thank you for not making me an alcoholic drink the other night, by the way. That was really nice of you to remember.”

“You’re hard to forget, Talia.” He loved the sultry look that earned him and had to distract himself before he made the mistake of tasting that look. “I shouldn’t have waited so long to give this to you. The whipped cream and chocolate curls are probably melted.”

“You had me at whipped cream.” She took a sip and closed her eyes, moaning appreciatively. “Holy cow,” she said breathlessly. “This is heaven in a cup.”

He clenched his jaw as his mind chased that moan down an X-rated path. “It’ll be even better next time, when I make it fresh for you.”

“Next time?” she asked, and took another sip.

The tip of her tongue swept over her lips, seriously testing his ability to hold his tongue. He shouldered his backpack and took Molly’s leash from where it dangled out of Talia’s pocket. As he hooked it onto Molly’s collar, he said, “How can I help you step out of your comfort zone and get over all your hurdles if we don’t see each other again?”

*****

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 Paperback Copy of THE REAL THING

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81382/

*****

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

Book Review – Only For You

20 Wednesday Dec 2017

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Book Review, Melissa Foster, Only For You, Sugar Lake series

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

*****

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.

Book Review – The Real Thing

11 Monday Sep 2017

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

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Book Review, Melissa Foster, Sugar Lake series, The Real Thing

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?

**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 🙂