Category: Contemporary Romance

About the author:

I write lighthearted, sexy romances that often include horses and a Portuguese water dog or two. My debut novel, Thrown, will be available as an e-book in Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Star line on December 16th (you can order it now). Stay tuned for the next book in the series, Jumped, in June 2014.

My agent is the lovely and talented Emily Sylvan Kim of Prospect Agency.

I live in Colorado and—not surprisingly—have a Thoroughbred mare and a Portuguese water dog. Both are smart, sweet and gorgeous. I’m originally from Pittsburgh and am still fiercely loyal to all of its pro sports teams. I studied theatre and advertising at Northwestern University (go Cats!) and have been a copywriter for more than twenty years. If you ever meet me, beware—anything you do or say could end up in a book and I make no apologies.

Personal Interests: Horses are right up there, as well as dogs, food (cooking and eating), wine, chocolate, gardening, Mad Men, hiking, Italy, gazing at the Rocky Mountains, reading, and making my husband laugh hard enough to cause whatever he’s drinking to exit through his nose.

If you want to talk books, writing, horses, food, wine or just about anything else, email me at colettea@gmail.com.

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Goodreads

ARC Review…Batter Up by Robyn Neeley

Batter Up releases August 1

Synopsis:

She mixes more than flour and sugar into her cake batter, and he’s about to find out if a little bit of magic is to his taste…

Bakeshop owner Emma Stevens has a secret — a delicious, slightly unorthodox secret. Each Monday, she mixes up a premonition to share with the bachelors of Buttermilk Falls, and sets one lucky man on the path to true love.

When reporter Jason Levine finds himself mixed up in a Las Vegas bachelorette party, he hears the strangest rumour: the marriage is happening thanks to magic cake batter. Seriously sceptical, and sick of frauds, Jason journeys to the backwater town of Buttermilk Falls to expose the baker and release the townspeople from her evil clutches.

But when Jason meets Emma, tempers flare and sparks fly. Will Jason cling to his logic at the expense of a future, or will he let himself fall under Emma’s spell?

My review:

Batter Up is the first work from author Robyn Neeley that I have read and I was smitten from the very beginning. The whole concept of a magical bakeshop owner helping people find love was too sweet to pass up and Robyn delivered a heaping spoonful of fun with this romance.

Emma Stevens has an impeccable track record under her matchmaking belt and with no divorces and plenty of marriages, she was blissfully happy with her magical spoon and her life. Of course, a little bit of love for herself would make things that much sweeter, but since her boyfriend dumped her for a life in NYC a couple of years back, love wasn’t happening for her right now. Unexpectedly she had more pressing issues when an out of town reporter starts sniffing around her shop for a hint of a story. She would never allow it, even if the reporter had dimples that gave her butterflies.

Never in his wildest dreams did successful reporter Jason Levine think he’d be asking to cover a story like this. Magical batter predicting love and happily-ever-afters? No way. Needless to say he was just a bit skeptical…but it could make for a good story and that’s what lead him to Small Town, USA and into this bakeshop. After meeting the beautiful and feisty owner, he knows he’s got his hands full and if he was going to get this story, it was going to take a whole lot of work…and maybe just a bit of sweetness and charm.

This story was so charming and, well, simply magical! The whole idea of this magical baker in this adorable small town and a reporter after her secrets was enough to get me hooked. Jason is 100% a non-believer and Emma wants nothing more than for him to leave her town and her bakeshop. The only problem is that they are both attracted to one another even if they refuse to admit it. That leads to a whole lot of delicious push and pull between them, which I adored. Also, there was a bit of a situation thrown into the mix that leads to Jason and Emma spending more time together then they ever wanted, which is just the help they need to push things along. I don’t want to ruin anything by saying what it was but I will say that not only did it help bring Jason and Emma together but it also helped Emma get a bit of revenge on the high school mean girl in the process and it was awesome!

Batter Up had it all. Fun, love, mystery, magic, funny sidekicks, sweet townspeople, the evil mean girl nemesis and the ex we all love to hate. It was a quick and fun read and would be perfect for a trip to the beach…with a cocktail and a cupcake!

Thank you, Robyn, for a fantastic read!

Four Loves

Book links:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/StephNussAuthor

About the author:

Robyn Neeley is an East Coaster who loves to explore new places; watches way more reality TV than she cares to admit; can’t live without Dunkin Donuts coffee and has never met a cookie she didn’t like. If you have a must read romance suggestion or a fabulous cookie recipe, she wants to know. Find her on Facebook and Twitter while her website is under construction!

Facebook | Twitter

Fantasized by You by Steph Nuss…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Steph Nuss and Bandit Publishing are excited to share with you the RELEASE of “Fantasized by You” by Steph Nuss.

Make sure to add to your Goodreads, pick up your copy and enter the GIVEAWAY below for SIGNED PAPERBACKS and Winner’s Choice of Amazon, iTunes and B&N GIFT CARDS!

Don’t forget to join us at the Release Day and Blog Tour Event starting on July 14th – join by clicking the below link.

NOW AVAILABLE!

Fantasized by You

Love in the City – Book #2

(is part of a series, but can be read as a stand-alone – Book #2 is based on a different couple, but you will see characters from Book #1)

Celebrity fashion designer, Harper Jennings is only months away from turning thirty, and her dream of living a happily ever after has yet to come true.

She’s given up on her fantasy.

Personal trainer and gym owner, Maverick Jones isn’t thrilled about having a designer mentoring in his new clinic, but after meeting the brunette beauty face-to-face, he dreams of having his way with her.

He’s ready to turn his fantasy into reality.

But when their fantasies collide, love in the city becomes more complicated than they ever imagined.

My review:

Fantasized By You is the second book in author Steph Nuss’ Love in the City Series and follows the story of fashion designer Harper Jennings and gym owner Maverick Jones, both of whom we met in the first book. I loved Steph’s series debut, Wanted By You, and was so excited to continue with this book. It didn’t disappoint… I loved it!

Successful fashion designer Harper Jennings has had her shares of ups and downs in life. Sure, the fashion industry was hard and the paparazzi were sometimes a bitch to deal with but her biggest down was a terrible eating disorder, which she thankfully had been able to overcome. That disorder made her realize what she really wanted in life. It wasn’t the fame or the fortune anymore. Now it was the desire for a family of her own. The only problem was time was ticking away and she didn’t even have a blip on the husband radar…and you kind of needed a husband to start the family she wanted so desperately. But pushing all of that aside, she also wanted to help others dealing with eating disorders and that lead her to the new clinic her friend Elly was helping with. That also lead her to cross paths with the clinic’s owner, Maverick. The first impression he made wasn’t a great one though. Luckily for Harper the man knows when to own up to putting his foot in his mouth and more than makes up for it. And after they start to spend some time together, Harper starts to hear the blip on the husband radar. Could he be the one she’s been waiting for?

Maverick Jones was stuck immediately with Harper. Sure, before he met her he wasn’t thrilled with having a fashion designer working with his clinic because it was that exact industry that took the life of a close friend years earlier but he was willing to give it a shot. He was suddenly happy he did and after spending time together he realizes she is one of the strongest and most honest people he has ever met. That fueled the desire already burning for her and before he knows it, Maverick finds himself head over heels for Harper. His parent’s marriage was awful and he vowed he would never have that. He wanted something pure and true and he can’t help but think he’s found that with Harper. Could she be feeling the same way?

What starts out as an instant attraction soon turns into something more meaningful and special than Harper and Maverick could have ever dreamed of. The saying “good things come to those who wait” seems to be exactly the case for this couple. Of course, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few stumbles along the way…will they have what it takes to pick themselves up, brush themselves off, and continue on their path to happy ever after?

This was one of those feel good stories that pulled me in from the very beginning. There wasn’t any guessing or wondering where the other one stood when it came to Maverick and Harper. They were open and honest with each other from the very beginning and it made for a wonderful story. What they have been through in their lives has lead them to know exactly what they want out of life and love and neither will settle for anything less. Man, I really appreciated that!

Maverick is a stand up guy with a deep respect for his mother and a loyalty to those he cares about that had me swooning. Not to mention he is smart, handsome, and built like a Greek god. That always helps. Harper has been through her own hell and has risen to overcome which made her an incredible heroine to read. She realizes life is too short and doesn’t take things for granted. I loved that about her. She’s learned to appreciate all the good and appreciates Maverick and the love they’ve found. Of course, it isn’t exactly all flowers and happiness for these two. Harper’s best friend, Max, has an obsessed fan that is hell bent on making Harper’s life miserable. She had been quiet for a bit but resurfaces just as things are at the peak of Harper’s happiness. I can’t give you any spoilers but get some tissues handy and get ready from some intense moments toward the end! Steph really knocked me on my arse! But no need to worry, Steph also gave one hell of a fabulous ending.

I truly enjoyed all aspects of this story and cannot wait to read more of this series. Thank you, Steph, for another amazing read!

Four Loves

Carter was captivated by Ellyson Evans the moment he laid eyes on her,

but she was the one girl who didn’t beg for his attention.

He wanted her.

Ellyson vowed to never fall in love, because love can destroy you,

but then she met Carter Jennings.

She wanted him.

Unwilling to risk their comfortable friendship, neither confessed their desires.

Losing touch after college, a chance meeting reconnects them.

They want each other.

But love in the city is never quite that easy.

Steph Nuss was born and raised in rural Kansas, where she currently resides with her black Labrador son named Gunner. She grew up with a passion for reading and writing. When she’s not immersed into the land of fiction, she enjoys listening to music that came before her time, watching movies and reruns of her favorite shows, and hanging out with her family and friends. She also has a bachelor’s degree in psychology that she’ll never use…unless she’s profiling her characters of course.

Website: http://stephnuss.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephNuss13

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7392900.Steph_Nuss

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/StephNuss13/

No Apologies by Sybil Bartel…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Synopsis:

Never apologize

Hard-edged rocker Graham Allen has it all. He’s flush with cash from playing bass in a band by night and restoring classic cars by day. And there are plenty of women willing to share his bed for a night, complication-free. Perfect, because if there’s anything he learned from his past, it was to never get attached—to anything. So when bartender Carly Sullivan flashes her innocent smile, Graham isn’t prepared for what happens next.

Never fall in love

Two rules, that’s all Graham has—never apologize and never fall in love. He knows Carly is everything he should avoid. Cheerful and sweet, she has “relationship” written all over her. But Graham can’t stay away from her probing questions and concerned blue eyes.

When Graham discovers Carly is hiding a crushing secret, he’s prepared to risk it all. Until in one single moment, everything changes and Graham’s past threatens to collide with his future. His life is crumbling down around him, and soon no apology in the world can save him.

He should’ve known to walk away.

My review:

No Apologies is the first book from author Sybil Bartel and one hell of a debut. I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down until I had finished it. The angst, emotion, and attraction were all done so well.

Graham Allen is a man of many talents. He’s a gifted musician, skilled mechanic, and one hell of a ladies man. He’s got the good looks, killer body, and a good amount of wealth. You could say he has it all…but he doesn’t. His childhood was plagued by abuse at the hands of his mother and by the time his father had decided to leave her and rescue Graham from the life on the streets he resorted to in order to escape the abuse, the damage was done. Now, he was a man with a huge chip on his shoulder and a deep seated anger that he feared he would never be able to get rid of. Enter Carly. The beautiful and sweet bartender that he knows damn well he should stay away from but just can’t seem to do it. She’s everything he isn’t. He finds himself looking for her smile every day and spends more and more time with her. And even though he knows he shouldn’t, he finds himself having all sorts of complicated feelings for her. But he knows she’s too good for him and she should never be with someone like him. But when Graham finds out she may be just as damaged as he is, things start to take a different turn. Could Graham ever deserve someone like Carly? God, he wanted nothing more…

After finishing, well more like devouring, this book I went on-line and looked at a few reviews. I found that a lot of people weren’t big fans of Graham and while I can see where they are coming from, I have to emphatically disagree. I loved him. He comes off as a total womanizing prick, and yeah there were times I wanted to slap him silly, but in the end I totally got why he was the way he was. He had a horrid excuse for a mother and in my mind he took all those feelings and years of hate out on the women he slept with. Yes, there were a lot of them. Yes, he treated them like crap. But I just couldn’t fault him for it because when we saw him with Carly and how much he wished he was the kind of man she deserved, it broke my heart. And lets be honest here…those girls weren’t exactly wholesome angels.

He was so broken and had no clue how to deal with it. He tried to push Carly away but on the flip side hated every minute they were apart. He was like the battered puppy that needed to be coaxed back into being happy and healthy. Carly was just what he needed in order to do just that…become happy and healthy. To see him slowly transform was a thing of beauty. Carly is one tough cookie. She’s been through her own tragedy and takes none of Graham’s crap, which I loved. She sticks to her guns and refuses to believe Graham is as damaged as he believes he is. She is unlike anything he’s ever known and even if it takes him a while to see it, eventually he does.

There’s a huge surprise toward the end that I never saw coming and it was another piece in helping Graham heal and become the man he was always capable of becoming….and it was so freaking perfect. I can’t give it away but I will give you a hint and say no, Carly doesn’t get pregnant. (you know that’s what you were thinking lol!)

All in all, if you love the tortured hero with a chance at redemption and a happily ever after, this is a book for you. Thank you, Sybil, for giving us Graham and Carly…. and Gunnar, too! I loved all of it!

Five Loves

Buy Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Sybil Bartel Bio:

I grew up in Northern California with my head in a book and my feet in the sand. I dreamt of becoming a painter but the heady scent of libraries with their shelves full of books drew me into the world of storytelling. I love the New Adult genre, but really, any story about a love so desperately wrong and impossibly beautiful makes me swoon.

I now live in Southern Florida and while I don’t get to read as much as I like, I still bury my toes in the sand. If I’m not writing or fighting to contain the banana plantation in my backyard, you can find me spending time with my handsomely tattooed husband, my brilliantly practical son and a mischievous miniature boxer…

But Seriously?

Here are ten things you really want to know about me.

I grew up a faculty brat. I can swear like a sailor. I love men in uniform. I hate being told what to do. I can do your taxes (but don’t ask). The Bird Market in Hong Kong freaks me out. My favorite word is desperate…or dirty, or both—I can’t decide. I have a thing for muscle cars. But never reply on me for driving directions, ever. And I have a new book boyfriend every week—don’t tell my husband

Links:

Wesbite | Twitter | Facebook | Author Goodreads | No Apologies Goodreads

ARC Review…Enemies on Tap by Avery Flynn

Synopsis:

Brewing up trouble one pint at a time.

Enemies …After years away, Miranda Sweet returns to Salvation, Virginia to save her family’s brewery, but her fate is in the hands of her lover-turned-enemy, Logan. What’s a girl to do when the only person who can help her is the man who betrayed her?

Lovers …Logan Martin can’t believe his luck when the woman who smashed his heart to smithereens walks into his bank asking for his help. What she doesn’t know is that he needs the land her brewery is on–and he’ll do whatever it takes to get it.

An Irresistible Combination …Their wager becomes a battle between their attraction and their determination to win. But it’s in each other’s arms that they realize there might be more at stake now than their bet. With the town against the Sweet Salvation Brewery’s success, Logan has to choose between what’s expected of him and what he really wants…

My review:

Enemies on Tap is the first book in author Avery Flynn’s newest series, Sweet Salvation Brewery, and kicks the series off with a fantastic start!

Miranda Sweet really never wanted to come back to her hometown of Salvation. Her family had a decades long reputation for being a tad on the crazy side and after having to endure that reputation herself for her time in Salvation, you could say she wasn’t thrilled about being back in town. But the family’s brewery was left to her and her two sisters and despite not wanting to be back, she knew she had to be here. Now her plans included bringing life back into the dying brewery. Unfortunately that meant she had to ask her former boyfriend for help. Making matters worse is not only was Logan a former lover, he was also a member of the family that the Sweet’s had an undying conflict with. Oh, and the fact that she was still attracted to the deliciously sexy Logan isn’t helping matters. Will Miranda have what it takes to look down on the Sweet family reputation, ignore her feelings for Logan, and make the brewery a success once again?

Logan Martin had heard rumors that Miranda Sweet was back in town and he thought eventually he would run into her…but he never expected she would walk into his family’s bank and ask him for help. Talk about being in a pickle. He knows his father would never allow their bank, and family name, to help the Sweet’s but he also knows he would like nothing more than to get back into her good graces and rekindle the relationship they had years before. She was pretty back then but now she was stunning. There had to be a way to make things work. Would Logan go against his family and prove to Miranda that he didn’t give a damn about family rivalry and offer to help make Sweet Salvation Brewery what it once was?

Small town living and small town reputations threaten Logan and Miranda from the word go. Could they be the ones to finally cut those ties once and for all and turn the Sweet/Martin contention into a thing of the past?

Enemies on Tap is one of the best enemies to lovers stories I’ve read. Avery did a fantastic job in building the backstory behind Logan and Miranda’s current situation. The family history, the failed relationship, the rekindled attraction…all of it was done so well! Miranda is a real spitfire and her determination is admirable. She isn’t going to back down even when there are threats against her and the intended resurrection of the brewery. She just turns her nose up and battles forward. I loved that about her. Logan has the reputation for being the sexy golden boy with the good family name to back it up. But he also knows just because things have been run the same way in his town doesn’t mean it’s the right way. The sexual tension between them is delicious and burns hotter as the story progresses.

But besides a great heroine/hero combination, Avery has built one hell of a foundation for the series. The town and townspeople have such a real feel to them and I loved how that layer was assembled. Oh, and the ending? Freaking movie worthy! I could picture it in my mind’s eye as I was reading and was left with a big ol’ happy grin plastered on my face.

I cannot wait to read more in this series! Thank you, Avery, for one hell of a book and one hell of a great series opening!

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

About the author:

Avery Flynn has three slightly-wild children, loves a hockey-addicted husband and is desperately hoping someone invents the coffee IV drip.

She fell in love with romance while reading Johanna Lindsey’s Mallory books. It wasn’t long before Avery had read through all the romance offerings at her local library. Needing a romance fix, she turned to Harlequin’s four books a month home delivery service to ease the withdrawal symptoms. That worked for a short time, but it wasn’t long before the local book stores’ staffs knew her by name.

Avery was a reader before she was a writer and hopes to always be both. She loves to write about smartass alpha heroes who are as good with a quip as they are with their *ahem* other God-given talents. Her heroines are feisty, fierce and fantastic. Brainy and brave, these ladies know how to stand on their own two feet and knock the bad guys off theirs.

Find out more about Avery on her website, follow her onTwitter and Pinterest, like her on her Facebook page or friend her on her Facebook profile. She’s also on Goodreadsand BookLikes.

Join her street team, The Flynnbots, and receive special sneak peeks, prizes and early access to her latest releases!

Also, if you figure out how to send Oreos through the Internet, she’ll be your best friend for life.

Review….The Best Medicine by Tracy Brogan

Synopsis:

Everyone in Bell Harbor thinks career-minded plastic surgeon Evelyn Rhoades needs a husband. Everyone, that is, except for Evelyn . . . sort of. Even if she did want a husband (which she doesn’t . . . most of the time), she’d never let something as intangible as fate determine who she marries. No, if she’s going to find someone to spend her life with, she’ll do it scientifically: with a carefully crafted list of criteria and an Internet dating site. But when intoxicated, law-breaking Tyler Connelly crashes into her life by way of a stolen Jet Ski, unruly emotions defy common sense. Sure, he’s sexy, charming, and determined to win Evelyn’s affection, but all evidence points to him being the worst possible choice. He’s too young for her. Too irresponsible. Too underemployed. And, oh yeah, he’s her patient. But Tyler knows firsthand how the best-laid plans can crumble under the weight of destiny. Now all he needs to do is to teach Evelyn that, in matters of the heart, love often supersedes logic.

My review:

The Best Medicine is the second book in author Tracy Brogan’s Bell Harbor Series and the first of Tracy’s work I have read. Well, after reading about Evie and Tyler, I am hooked!

Young and successful plastic surgeon Evelyn Rhoades hasn’t given much thought to marriage and family. After all, she had lived through the messy divorce of her parents and even messier were the years they were still married. So to say she focused primarily on her career wasn’t exactly an untruth. She had been ok with that until right about now. When her most recent birthday brings her into mid-thirties territory. Maybe she should start thinking about a husband and some kids. So reluctantly she makes a list of husband criteria and lets her friends set her up on a dating site and arrange some meet and greets. There’s just a few problems. One, the guys she’s taken chances on were total duds and two, she can’t stop thinking about the very handsome, very mysterious and very young patient she treated in the ER the week before. Tyler Connelly crashed a jet ski and in essence crashed into her life. Now not only can’t she get him out of her head but he seems to be popping up everywhere she is. Now she’d never get him out of her head. But he was entirely too young and had a good/bad rep around town depending on who you asked. But the guy was persistent and asked her out every time he sees her in the hopes she would give in. There’s only so many times a gal can resist Tyler’s charm…

Tyler Connelly is a mystery a lot of people would like to figure out. He hasn’t got the best reputation in his hometown and his family is a tad batshit crazy but he didn’t care what anyone thought of him or his family. Nope, he knew what kind of man he was and he didn’t need to prove it to anyone except himself. He protected his family and tried to stand up for what’s right even in sometimes that landed him in hot water with the law. When he meets Dr. Rhodes after his latest debacle, he knows he has to get to know her better. There’s something about her that calls to him in a way he’s never felt before. Now he just has to convince her that their age difference doesn’t mean nearly as much as she thinks it does. Good thing for Evelyn that he was a persistent guy and always gets his way in the end.

The chance Evelyn takes on Tyler seems like just another date but soon turns into so much more when Evelyn and Tyler realize they have an undeniable chemistry. Will Evelyn’s pursuit of a husband scare Tyler away? Will Tyler’s reputation and complicated family ties have Evelyn running for the hills? The better question is: will love conquer all?

Oh man, this story had me from the very first few paragraphs. No, it’s not because we meet the young, mysterious and handsome bad boy early on. What grabbed me from the beginning was Evelyn. Her inner monologue was sassy snark at it’s best and had me wishing I could be a fly on the wall in her life’s semi-mis-adventures. From her friends throwing her a birthday party she smiled thorough while secretly loathing inside, to her awful first few dates, she was truly one of the most fun characters I’ve read. She had me laughing out loud and groaning alongside her during more than a few embarrassing moments. And then there’s Tyler. Swoon worthy Tyler. He was a mystery for most of the book and layer by layer who he was is revealed and, my oh my, I adore that man. He turns out to be the exact opposite of the guy we thought he was. Introduced as a bit of a bad boy, he is anything but. He’s honorable and loyal with a stand up, modern knight in shining armor appeal that made me fall in love with him. He lands a top spot on my book boyfriend list for sure! And of course, he had me crying my eyes out during the last few pages. But if you know me, you know I adore that in a book!

The Best Medicine is s sweet and spicy read with just the right balance of snark, sassiness, romance, and heat. Thank you, Tracy, for giving us some fabulous medicine! I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next.

Four Loves

Book links:

About the author:

Past or present, Tracy Brogan loves romance.

She writes funny contemporary stories about ordinary people finding extraordinary love, and stirring historical romance full of political intrigue, damsels causing distress, and the occasional man in a kilt.

Tracy is a best-selling author, a 2013 RWA® RITA Best First Book Finalist for CRAZY LITTLE THING, a two-time Golden Quill winner in both contemporary and historical romance, and the winner of a Booksellers Best award for HIGHLAND SURRENDER.

Tracy lives in Michigan with her husband, her children and their overly-indulged dogs. Please stop by her website at tracybrogan.com, or visit her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorTracyBrogan

Fake It by Jennifer Chance….Blog Tour Stop & Review

As her sizzling new series continues, Jennifer Chance sparks some serious combustion between a sexy biker and a corporate go-getter who’s ready to let her hair down.

Synopsis:

New grad Anna Richardson works hard—so hard that she’s given up having a romantic life. Anna has even convinced her friends that she’s dating an amazing guy—who they’ve simply never met. But now Anna has a wedding to attend and needs to produce the hottie she’s been lying about for the past six months. Enter Jake Flynn, her infuriating, motorcycle-riding, jaw-droppingly gorgeous neighbor, who’s more than willing to fake it for a weekend. In fact, Jake won’t be satisfied until things get real.

Though Jake is only playing the role of adoring boyfriend, he’s starting to feel the heat, and judging by Anna’s sweet blush, so is she. Letting chemistry this intense go to waste would be a real shame. Soon, though, the thin line between fantasy and reality fades. Jake may not be what every buttoned-up fast-tracker wants, but he’s sure as hell what Anna needs. And if she takes a ride with him, their adventure never has to end.

My review:

Fake it is the newest book from author Jennifer Chance and after loving the first in the series, Rock It, I was so excited to get my hands on this book and it was everything I was hoping for and more! There were so many amazing things with this book and I loved every minute.

Anna Richardson has had one mission in life for quite some time now. To be successful and never have to worry about money. To be financially stable. Of course, that came with a price and means she hasn’t had much time for dating. If she’s being honest, and after her last failed relationship, she can’t say she misses it that much. And certainly not as much as her friends miss her having a relationship…which leads her to the pickle she’s in now. You see, she kind of made up a fictional guy to get her friends off her back for a bit. Only problem now is that they want to meet him…at the wedding she’s in and the wedding he’s supposed to be coming to as her guest. Enter Jake, her sexy, motorcycle riding, tattooed, and complete opposite of everything Anna is, neighbor. Never in a million years would she have thought to ask him, the guy she’s been drooling over for over a year, and she never would have expected that he would offer after overhearing her story while she was chatting with her friends at the local bar. But he did and crazily enough, she accepted. Now he’s gotta take a crash course on all the things she made up about the fake boyfriend so she could get her friends to leave her love life alone once and for all. Only problem now is that what starts out as fake feelings between them starts to grow into very real ones.

Could something that started out as a charade turn into something real?

I fell in love with Fake It from just reading the synopsis alone. What could be better than the shy professional falling for the bad boy biker and vice versa? But even better than that was the fact that both Anna and Jake may look a certain part but there were so many more facets to their personalities which was such a treat to read. It really proved the whole “can’t judge a book by it’s cover” so to speak. Jake, for as rough and touch as he looks, has such a big heart and a beautiful and kind soul. Anna had a pretty rough spot during her childhood and it really had an impact on making her who she is today. How she approaches working hard and how much value she puts on that and having financial security. Of course the saying “money isn’t everything” kept popping into my head while reading and Jake was exactly what Anna needed when she needed it most. He really opened her eyes to the joys life has to offer. Joys that money can’t buy. Oh, and the chemistry between them? HOLY HELL! Beyond smoking hot!

If you love an unlikely hero, smoking hot chemistry, and crying big happy tears at kick ass endings, Fake It is for you! Thank you, Jennifer, for another fantastic read!

Four Loves

Goodreads | Amazon| Barnes and Noble

Also in the Rule Breakers series: ROCK IT by Jennifer Chance!http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fake-it-jennifer-chance/1117987843?ean=9780553392289

About the author:

Jennifer Chance is the award-winning author of the New Adult series Rule Breakers. A lover of books, romance, and happily-ever-afters, she lives and writes in Ohio. Visit her website and find her on Twitter.

Connect with Jennifer Chance

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Connect with Loveswept

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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The Wedding Dare Series…Blog Tour Stop & Reviews

1 Wedding…4 Hot Stories

Falling for the Groomsman by Jen McLaughlin writing as Diane Alberts

She’s the one that got away. He’s the one she can’t forget.

Photojournalist Christine Forsythe is ready to tackle her naughty to-do list, and who better to tap for the job than a hot groomsman? But when she crashes into her best friend’s older brother, her plans change. Tyler Dresco took her virginity during the best night of her life, then bolted. The insatiable heat between them has only grown stronger, but Christine wants revenge. Soon, she’s caught in her own trap of seduction. And before the wedding is over, Tyler’s not the only one wanting more…

My review:

Tyler is a mistake Christine wouldn’t like to repeat…at least that’s what she keeps telling herself. Too bad her heart has a different idea. Being her bff’s older brother, Tyler had really always been off-limits but thanks to one night in Mexico years ago, he now holds the title as the man who took her V-card. And she’s been trying to ignore him since that night….just like he had ignored her the “morning after”. But old flames die hard and being in such close proximity proves to fan the flame that burns between them and suddenly the reasons why he left he all those years ago don’t matter and with Tyler trying desperately to win back her affections the hold she has on her resolve is slowly giving way.

I really enjoyed the angry chemistry between Christine and Tyler and was pulling for them to make amends from the very beginning. That being said, Christine made that man grovel and he totally deserved every minute of it! But you know what they say about the post arguing sex, right? Hottest sex ever! Diane gave the perfect amount of push and pull into this couple’s relationship and it was a great follow up to Laura Kaye’s story as well as a great intro to the rest of the continuity! Thank you, Diane, for another hot and sexy story!

Four Loves

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Baiting the Maid of Honor by Tessa Bailey

He’ll own her from the very first touch.

Julie Piper and Reed Lawson are polar opposites. She’s a people-pleasing former sorority girl. He’s a take-no-prisoners SWAT commander who isolates himself from the world. Until he sees Julie. When they’re forced together at their friends’ posh destination wedding and she’s dared to seduce another man, Reed takes matters into his own hands. One night should be all he needs to get the blond temptress out of his system, but he’s about to find out one taste is never enough…

My review:

Julie Piper cannot believe the audacity of the handsome stranger and the way he approached her while she was trying to get some fresh air in the midst of wedding planning/executing/problem solving hell. Never before has she been propositioned in such a way…with dirty talk and the promise of no frills sex. And to find out he’s part of that very wedding party with her and her friends is the icing on the buttercream iced, three tiered cake. The bigger problem is that if she’s being honest with herself, she kind of liked his dirty talk and his gruff and alpha male manner. It was so unlike her and her southern ways and yet it was such a welcomed breath of sexy and fresh air. The more time they end up spending together, thanks to the wedding, the more she realizes she may be falling for this tatted up, über masculine SWAT commander. Could opposites like this really ever attract?

Oh, man. You may know I’m a huge Tessa fan and in true Tessa fashion, she knocked my socks off with this story. No one does alpha male like she does and Reed is just one example of how well she writes these manly-man type heroes. Julie had no idea what hit her when she catches Reed’s eye and as it turns out he is just what she needs. He’s opposite her in every way. She loves pink and girly and cuddling after sex, he likes dark and manly and the word “cuddle” isn’t even in his vocab. I happen to adore characters like that and ate Reed up with a spoon. That man is alpha sex on a stick. But the softer side (well, as soft as Reed can be) he shows to Julie is simply amazing. He does the best he can to show her he wants her in his life. He shows her that he’s listened to her when she’s talked and the way he does that had me crying my eyes out. What a man! No spoilers from me, so you’ll just have to go grab a copy and enjoy Reed and Julie for yourself….and enjoy you will! Thank you, Tessa, for giving us Julie and Reed!

Five Loves

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Seducing the Bridesmaid by Katee Robert

She has a plan. He’s about to change it.

Regan Wakefield is unafraid to go after what she wants, so she’s thrilled when her friend’s wedding offers her an opportunity to score Logan McCade, the practically perfect best man. Unfortunately, groomsman Brock McNeil keeps getting in her way, riling her up in the most delicious of ways.Regan may pretend the erotic electricity sparking between them is simply a distraction, but Brock will do whatever it takes to convince Regan that the best man for her is him.

My review:

Spicy spitfire Regan Wakefield is ready to get serious about life and the next step. She’s already got the great career and fabulous friends now she needs the one missing piece. A successful and confident man. Real husband material. And if that guy has a name, it’s Logan McCade. If only Brock McNeil would just get the memo. He’s been pestering her since arriving at this destination wedding and trying to convince her that he’s the one for her, not Logan. Fine, she’d give him one night. On her terms. That’s how she did things and with a bit of luck maybe the sweet southern Brock would get her out of his system so she can get back to business in landing husband material. If only her plan didn’t backfire right in her face. After a taste they share that one night Brock makes it even more clear that there’s no way he’s gonna give her up to Logan. Game on…

From back in Jen McLaughlin’s story, when we first met Regan, I had loved her. She’s feisty while feminine and sticks it to you before you even realize she’s done it. She is a girl that knows what she wants and will do whatever it takes to get it…all the while wearing kick ass stilettos! She says exactly what’s on her mind and too bad if you can’t keep up. Poor Brock had no idea what he had set his sights on. Luckily he matches her tenacity and won’t give up without a fight. Even when she may push him a bit too far, deep down he knows he’s the right one for her. He just needs a little time to convince her. The push and pull between these two was also a delicious build up to a phenomenal ending. Thank you, Katee, for one hall of a read!

Four Loves

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Best Man with Benefits by Samanthe Beck

How far can one favor go…

Logan McCade’s best man duties have just been expanded. Coaxing the groom’s little sister out of her shell should be easy for a high-octane extrovert like himself—or so he thinks until he’s blindsided by the delectably awkward Sophie Brooks. She’s sweet, sexy, and brings much-needed calm to his hectic, workaholic life. Soon, he’s tempting her to explore all her forbidden fantasies…and wondering exactly how far a favor to his best friend can go.

My review:

Sophie Brooks is working on a bit of self-improvement. She’s got a list and she is hell bent on completing all of it. Lose some weight, get out of her shell and learn to enjoy life without being so damn shy. Compounding the second doubts she’s having that she could actually do all if that is Logan. Her older brother’s best friend and teenage crush looks better than ever and is just as amazing as she remembers. Career driven, kind, respectful, and sexy as hell. Yeah, maybe she could skip coming out of her shell until after the wedding and when she didn’t have to see him every damn day. Easier said than done when he seems to be glued to her side. Seeing as though he runs a hugely successful company, Sophie hopes that he will be so wrapped up in work stuff that he won’t want to spend so much time with her. No such luck and Sophie soon finds herself in the world of “what if”. Could there ever be anything between her and Logan?

So, I’m also a huge fan of Samanthe’s writing and was thrilled she was a part of this series and once again, she delivers a story I couldn’t put down! Sophie Brooks is shy and sweet and has many issues most of us gals have had. That whole body image issue most of us have struggled with once or twice in life. She was easy to relate to and I appreciated that in a character. Of course, having an amazing hero like Logan to help make her realize just how special she is doesn’t hurt matters. He’s a true gentleman and wants nothing more for Sophie to see herself as he sees her….a beautiful and sexy woman. Oh, and the ways he goes about doing it? Freaking delicious! The heat he brings to the table is intense and delectable. I may never look at a hotel vanity the same way again *fans self*. The yumminess factor was off the charts with these two! Thank you, Samanthe, for giving us yet another fabulous story!

Five Loves

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Overall I truly enjoyed the continuity as a whole and loved the idea that we could see what was going on with each couple behind closed doors and getting to experience each couple from a different author’s voice was so incredible!

Don’t miss where it all began…

Dare to Resist by Laura Kaye

Trapped and tempted, this battle of wills rages all night long…

Colton Brooks is in hell. Being trapped in a tiny motel room with Kady Dresco, the object of his darkest fantasies, will require every ounce of his restraint. She’s his best friend’s brilliant little sister, not to mention his competition for a lucrative military security services contract. Craving her submission is not allowed. But as her proximity and the memory of their steamy near-miss three years ago slowly destroys his resolve, Colton’s not sure how much longer he can keep his hands off…or his heart closed.

Read my review of DARE TO RESIST HERE

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Steals and Deals

Gimme Some Sugar by Kimberly Kincaid…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Purchase links:

Amazon:http://amzn.to/1jZQlFX

Kindle:http://amzn.to/1iqRAs9

Barnes & Noble:http://bit.ly/1osv5ua

Kobo:http://bit.ly/SOxMZQ

iTunes:http://bit.ly/1pi69Wz

Synopsis:

Out of the frying pan. . .and into the fire!

Desperate to escape the spotlight of her failed marriage to a fellow celebrity-chef, Carly di Matisse left New York City for a tiny town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The restaurant she’s running these days may not be chic, but in Pine Mountain she can pretend to be the tough cookie everybody knows and loves. Until she finds herself spending too much time with a way-too-hot contractor whose rugged good looks melt her like butter…

Jackson Carter wasn’t looking for love. But he’s not the kind of man to walk away from a worksite—or from a fiery beauty whose passionate nature provides some irresistible on-the-job benefits…

It’s the perfect temporary arrangement for two ravenous commitment-phobes, except that Jackson and Carly keep coming back for seconds… and thirds… and fourths…

My review:

Gimme Some Sugar is the second book in author Kimberly Kincaid’s Pine Mountain Series and follows Turn up the Heat, a book I adored. Well, Kimberly does it again with this sweet and sassy story. I loved it!

Carly di Matisse is used to life in a chaotic restaurant kitchen. She thrives on it. It’s been he life’s passion and she has made one hell of a name for herself in the culinary world. Unfortunately she’s made that name along side her soon to be ex-husband and the divorce has lead her to the small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Carly now finds herself having to balance starting at a new restaurant, turning it into one of her signature successes, and battling in a bitter divorce. With the way Carly’s luck was going, she wasn’t really surprised when, during a storm, a huge tree comes crashing down on her deck and decimates it. Things start looking up when the contractor in charge of fixing it turns out to be a delicious piece of eye candy. But Carly wasn’t ready to dive into the dating scene just yet so for now, she would look and not touch. The problem with living in a small town is that keeping distance from people isn’t an easy task and soon Carly finds herself running into Jackson more and more…she also finds herself looking forward to it. Will Jackson be what Carly needs to make a new start…both in life and love?

Jackson Carter is in a pickle. He’s happy with his single guy lifestyle, dating on and off, and keeping things unattached. But his mother isn’t and with a family party coming up, he knows it’ll be miserable if he doesn’t bring a date. With the help of his friends, he’s come up with a plan for that party but the problem was the long run. He really didn’t want to settle down just yet but he knows he really should start thinking about it. And the one person who’s gotten him to start that thinking is the chef whose deck he’s rebuilding. There’s something about Carly that calls to him and it’s getting harder and harder for him to ignore. Could she be the one to make him ditch his bachelor ways?

Take two people both dead set against a relationship, add some intense chemistry and even the most unwilling will find themselves believing in love.

This book was delicious. What I loved was that neither Carly nor Jackson was looking for any type of relationship. Both were pretty resistant at the idea and then all of a sudden, neither one could deny the magnetic pull between them. Carly’s got her hands full with her jerk of an ex and starting a new kitchen and Jackson is the quintessential bachelor and loves his life. But you know what they say about finding love when you least expect it! Adding another fabulous layer to this story are the strong family ties both Carly and Jackson have with their mothers. It was so touching that Jackson cared so much for his ma and what she wanted for him and his life. The same goes for Carly. Even though Carly’s mom isn’t happy she’s getting divorced, and it has been a hot button issue between them, Carly still wants to make her mom happy. That type of mother/child closeness was a treat to read.

But my favorite thing about Kimberly’s writing, besides dynamic characters and smoking hot chemistry, is how she includes the art of food into her stories. Kimberly’s passion for the culinary arts comes out in her descriptive narrative on flavors, tastes and smells. It’s truly an experience to read. And of course, always makes me hungry!

Thank you, Kimberly, for another mouth-watering read. I can’t wait to see what’s next for our favorite Pine Mountain gang!

Four Loves

About the author:

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance novels that split the difference between sexy and sweet, taking the traditional idea of boy-meets-girl and infusing it with a sassy magic all her own. She believes in fiery yet flawed characters destined for a crash-course in falling in love– usually the hard way– and injects her trademark humor as well as poignant touches into her writing to create her stories.

Kimberly’s writing journey has led down some bumpy roads (that first manuscript is under the bed, where it is very likely to stay), but there has been some fresh pavement too (her second manuscript earned her very first contest final, and landed the fantastic Maureen Walters at the Curtis Brown Literary Agency). One thing is certain — the wild ride of being a writer is a lot richer in both its ups and downs because of friends and readers along the path.

When Kimberly’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to eclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. She resides in northern Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

Places to find Kimberly Kincaid:

Site: http://www.kimberlykincaid.com

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

Twitter:https://twitter.com/kimberlykincaid

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938229.Kimberly_Kincaid

When We Met by Susan Mallery…Blog Tour Stop & Review

COVER_WH

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery invites you back to Fool’s Gold, where a newcomer to town might finally meet the man she never knew she needed…

Angel Whittaker earned his scars the hard way, but the scars that can’t be seen are the ones that haunt him the most. Since he moved to Fool’s Gold, California, he’s cobbled together a life for himself as a bodyguard trainer. If he’s not exactly happy, at least his heart is safe.

Working with pro-football superstars taught tough-talking PR woman Taryn Crawford one thing—she can go toe to toe with any man. But then dark, dangerous former Special Ops Angel targets her for seduction…and challenges her to resist his tempting kisses.

Even in four-inch heels, Taryn never backs down. Unless, somehow, Angel can convince her that surrender might feel even better than victory.

My review:

When We Met is the 13^th book in author Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold Series an admittedly the first in the series I have read. That being said, I never once felt lost while reading and I really appreciate authors who can write a book in that manner. Especially a book being 13^th in a series! Angel and Taryn’s story was enjoyable from start to finish and I will certainly be reading the others in this series.

Non nonsense and tough as any ex-NFL player she knows, PR guru Taryn Crawford is used to life in the city, being in charge, and taking control of things. What she isn’t used to is this new life in Small Town, USA. Sure she may dress girly, with killer heels and amazing wardrobe anyone fashion lover would covet, that’s about where her girliness ends. She doesn’t like to be close to many people. Doesn’t squee and fawn over babies and weddings. That’s not her stlye and she knows herself too well at this point in her life to pretend otherwise. So when she meets Angel she sees him exactly for what he is…her perfect counterpart. He’s equally no-nonsense, says what he means and means what he says, which makes what they have perfect. No strings attached and no delusions of a happy-ever-after works for both of them….for now.

Angel Whittaker not only has numerous physical scars from years as a soldier, but two very indelible emotional ones that he’s almost certain he will never fully heal from. Ever. Which makes his strong and cut-to-the-chase Taryn perfect for him. She just gets him. He can be himself with her and make no apologies that he will never be ready to give his heart to anyone ever again. So he thinks. What started out as a light and fun physical game for both of them slowly turns into much more…and it scares Angel to death.

One of the things I loved most about this book was that Taryn and Angel have a very open and honest relationship from the start without any need to decipher what he or she meant and if there was some greater meaning behind what they say to one another. They are both very up front about having pretty messed up pasts and the inability (they think) to love again.

Taryn has many one liners in this book that made me appreciate how well she knows herself. She knows damn well that her addiction to expensive clothes and accessories has to do with making up for a childhood where oftentimes she went without food and certainly never had nice things to wear. But the fact that she doesn’t try to hide it and calls it what it is was really refreshing. Angel is equally refreshing and knows he may never move on from the loss he suffered while serving his country. Along with the occasional heavy moments were plenty of laughs when Angel finds himself leading a group of young girls in a sort of scout group. Young girls…which he has no experience in. He had plenty of outdoors experience but none whatsoever with French braiding or girl bonding. Thankfully he’s got Taryn to help. Of course, that only strengthens their bond and moves things from the temporary status to the more permanent. The ending to this story totally played out like a movie in my mind while I was reading it and I loved that!

Overall, if you’re looking for a no-nonsense romance with a few laughs along the way then get When We Met on your list. Thank you, Susan, for a fabulous read!

Four Loves

Book links: