Five Loves

Beautiful Secret by Christina Lauren….ARC Review

Beautiful Secret releases tomorrow, April, 14!

Synopsis:

AN UPTIGHT BRITISH EXECUTIVE. AN ADVENTUROUS AMERICAN NEWBIE. A SEXY INTERNATIONAL SCANDAL IN THE MAKING.

New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author Christina Lauren’s Beautiful and Wild Seasons series hook up in Beautiful Secret for an erotic intercontinental romp that celebrates the best of both worlds!

When Ruby Miller’s boss announces he’s sending her on an extended business trip to New York City, she’s shocked. As one of the best and brightest young engineers in London, she knows she’s professionally up to the task. The part that’s throwing her is where she’ll be spending a month up close and personal working alongside—and staying in a hotel with—Niall Stella, her firm’s top urban planning executive and The Hottest Man Alive. Despite her ongoing crush, Ruby is certain Niall barely knows she’s alive…until their flirty overnight flight makes him sit up and take notice.

Not one for letting loose and breaking rules, recently divorced Niall would describe himself as hopeless when it comes to women. But even he knows outgoing California-girl Ruby is a breath of fresh air. Once she makes it her mission to help the sexy Brit loosen his tie, there’s no turning back. Thousands of miles from London, it’s easy for the lovers to play pretend. But when the trip is over, will the relationship they’ve built up fall down?

My Review:

Beautiful Secret is the 4th book in the Beautiful Bastard Series brought to us by the dynamic writing duo of Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings. I have been a super fan girl to the extreme of this series since the very beginning and I know I’ve said it before, but these two gals just keep getting better with each book. Niall and Ruby totally go down as one of my favorite book couples of all time. With her spunky, fun personality and his buttoned up reserve, these two were an opposites attraction made in heaven.

California girl Ruby Miller was living in London and realizing her engineering dreams and life was pretty damn good. Making it even better was getting to see the tall, dark, and handsome Niall Stella in the office each day. She had stared from afar, with stars in her eyes while signing dreamily, for months now and when she gets the news that she’s to accompany him on a trip to NYC for a project, she’s all out of sorts and feeling too many things. He was recently divorced, and ripe for the taking, if she could just get up the nerve and not make an arse of herself while doing it. That, of course, would prove much easier said than done. Let the games begin…

Young and successful, Niall Stella at one time had had it all. Now, he wasn’t sure what that even meant anymore. Sure he had a great career and loved what he did but his life was lacking in the love department. And if he’s being honest with himself, it was lacking long before he and his ex-wife had split up. These last few months alone had him realizing maybe her never knew what real love had been. Maybe he never would? Lucky for him fate had thrown him a bone when he was paired with the bright and full of life intern, Ruby. Now he just had to realized the gift that’s been handed to him…

They are opposites in every way. She’s colorful and bright with a lust for life that oozes out of into facet of her life. He’s reserved and conservative making a stiff upper lip look damn good in a three-piece suit. But never before have two opposites fit more perfectly in every way that matters than the way these two do.

It’s at this point I just want to type “buy this book” repeatedly for the rest of this review, because really, you just need to trust me when I say you need this book. But alas, with so much to swoon over, I promise I’ll give you more than a phrase set on repeat (but seriously, get this book!).

This story, hands down, was the most emotional in the series for me. Niall is every woman’s dream. He’s successful, handsome, well-mannered, smart and kind. He’s got a reserved grace that would make any woman weak in the knees. Any woman except his ex-wife. Things had truly gone sour between them and even though they ended things amicably and on good terms, it ruined something in Niall. It left him doubting himself and his worth as a lover and as a man. God, my heart broke for him too many times to count. I wanted to reach into the pages and just hug him. Enter Ruby. If ever there was someone tailor-made for Niall it’s Ruby. If ever there was anyone able to build Niall back up to the loving and passionate potential he has buried deep within it’s Ruby. She is one of the best book gals I’ve read to date. Not only is she smart and sassy, she is funny as all get out and is filled with such honest passion that you can’t not love her. Together they are just…just…incredible.

Their journey in getting Niall to kick his doubt to the curb is a smoking hot one. Never had non-sex been so damn sexy! But then again, with Christina and Lauren writing it, I shouldn’t have been surprised. Their banter was delicious and their slow journey into intimacy was not only smoking hot, it was a thing of beauty. Truly.

I felt so many things while reading Beautiful Secret. I laughed (a whole lot) and I cried (a whole lot). I ignored all responsibilities and read this book from cover to cover because Niall and Ruby were just that consuming…and I just adored every minute spent with them.

Thank you. Christina and Lauren, for once again writing an amazing couple on an amazing ride to an amazing relationship. You gals never cease to amaze me and I will continue to look forward to each and every release you put out.

Book Links:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Kobo | Target

About the authors:

Lauren Billings (but everyone calls her Lo) has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and before she made writing her full-time job, would spend her days doing nerdy research-type things wearing a lab coat and goggles. She is silly Mommy to two littles, wife to one mountain biking homebrewing scientist, bestie to a shoe-stealer, and an unabashed lover of YA and romance.

Christina Hobbs (but you’ll always hear Lo call her PQ) used to spend her days in a junior high counseling office surrounded by teenagers. These days you’ll probably find her on tumblr. She is married and absolutely not old enough to be the mom of a 14 year old (right??), thinks she’s the luckiest person in the world to write books with her best friend, and is an unapologetic lover of boy bands and glitter. She also likes to steal Lo’s shoes.

You can follow their shenanigans at:

@lolashoes (Lauren) & @seeCwrite (Christina) on Twitter. On Tumblr! where we post kissing gifs and writerly stuff and Wattpad for short stories and sneak peeks!

For official information about their books, events, interviews, movie news and more, follow @christinalauren.

Master Of Freedom by Cherise Sinclair…ARC Review

Synopsis:

Detective Atticus Ware gave up Idaho to start again in the California mountains, close to his imprisoned brother. Although he’s found good friends, the experienced Dominant wants more than the “do me” submissives flocking around him. He needs a woman to give her heart as well as her body.

After Virginia Cunningham exhausts herself propping up a failing relationship, she accepts a social worker job far, far away in a California prison. Invited to observe BDSM classes on a wilderness camping trip, she’s shocked—her fiancé had insisted BDSM was a fabrication to sell books. But when Atticus lures her into participating, she learns submission under the hands of a powerful Dom is beyond anything she’d imagined. Nonetheless, she can’t permit a relationship—she’d just lose herself again.
Finally, Atticus has found the woman he wants in his life. In his bed. In his cuffs. Only she keeps backing away. Well…if he has to help a little counselor get her head on straight, he’s just the Dom for the job.

My Review:

Master Of Freedom is book number four in the 2015 1,001 Dark Nights lineup as well as book number five in author Cherise Sinclair’s Mountain Masters & Dark Haven series. Admittedly this is the first in the Mountain Masters & Dark Haven Series I’ve read and after finishing this novella, I will be adding the entire series to my to-read list. I loved every single word of this story. Every single minute I spent reading it. It was phenomenal.

New to town, Virginia Cunningham was thrilled to have met some new people. Especially the gals she was now chatting with. They were fun and interesting and had just informed her that the BDSM world she had only read about in her favorite books was, in fact, a very real thing, To say that piqued her interest would be an understatement. And they had just invited her along to the mountain retreat that hosted a BDSM getaway. Since moving to California and leaving her fiancée, and their relationship, in the dust, this was a welcome adventure. Something to explore. Yes, she liked her new position as a social worker in the prison system, and it was a departure from working with kids, a job she truly loved, but even that wasn’t enough. Right now, at this moment, what Gin realized she wanted more than anything was to give this trip a go. Head out with these women, meet their spouses, and see where this could lead. This could be just what the doctor ordered….

Detective Atticus Ware had noticed Gin immediately and was drawn to her. Clearly this was her first time being around the BDSM lifestyle and, as a Dom, that called to him on a different level. He wanted to teach her. Wanted to show her how amazing this world could be. He could tell she was curious, open to learning and experiencing, and right then he knew he would be the one to teach her. He was tired of the subs who didn’t really take things seriously. Tired of the fake. He wanted something real. Something meaningful. One that only a true D/s relationship can give. After meeting her that night, talking with her, and her willingness to submit to him, he knew Gin would fit him as comfortably as the ropes he loved so much fit in his hand.

Atticus and Gin start off on a journey of self discovery that builds into a bond that neither one had expected, but both had longed for. But before they can revel in their new bond, things are put to the test and Atticus and Gin will find themselves not in a fight for a relationship, nut instead a fight for Gin’s life…

I had the chance to interview Ms. Sinclair about this book and one of the questions I asked was if she ever found it difficult to write the beautiful combination of emotion that goes into a true D/s relationship. I asked that particular question because, in my opinion, she is one of the best there is when it comes to that. This novella was no exception. The trust and bond that builds between Atticus and Gin is painted in beautiful brushstrokes of love and patience. Curiosity and understanding. Respect and adoration. This wasn’t a bumbling and immature fumble through BDSM, this was journey that I enjoyed every minute of. Gin is an amazing gal who is honest with herself and isn’t afraid to give her trust over to Atticus, especially in the very beginning stages. I loved that about her. Atticus is patient and easy to trust. Easy to talk to. He’s also sexy as hell with a delicious Alpha streak that had me swooning. I absolutely loved them together. The heat and passion were palpable and jumped off the pages. Totally delectable! Of course, they both have their own issues to work through before they can truly give themselves to one another, but it just made me love them even more. I couldn’t get enough of them and I was so sad I read their story as fast as I did.

Now, I have to add a little bit about the suspense element to this story. Holy hell, talk about one hell of an ending! I can’t give anything away but I will tell you that I was reading the last few pages wide-eyed and with sweaty palms. Don’t worry though….Ms. Sinclair ended things just perfectly!

I also have to mention that Atticus’ brother, Sawyer, has a part in this story and I really hope we get to see more of him! I loved him almost as much as I loved Atticus *dreamy sigh*.

Thank you. Ms. Sinclair, for once again writing one a story that combines a ton of heat, raw emotion, and a healthy dose of suspense that had me devouring every word written on the pages. I will be anxiously awaiting more (and crossing my finger, hoping for Sawyer!).

Five Loves

Book Links:

Amazon | 1,001 Dark Nights

About the author:

Having to wear glasses in elementary school can scar a person for life.

Dubbed a nerd at an early age, Cherise Sinclair has been trying to live up to the stereotype ever since. And what better way than being an author?

Known for writing deeply emotional stories, the USA Today Bestselling Author has penned sixteen erotic romance novels, most with a BDSM theme. (Please do not mention the phrase mommy porn in her presence.) Her awards range from a National Leather Award to a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice nomination to a GoodReads BDSM group award for best author of the year.

Cherise lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband. Their two fledglings have left the nest recently to try their wings and hopefully will fly high and strong. The “ascendant erotica queen” (Rolling Stone Magazine) now spends her days writing with occasional supervision from a sadistic calico cat.

Visit Cherise Sinclair’s website and follow her on:

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

The Witch Of Painted Sorrows by M.J. Rose…Review Blog Tour Stop

“Passion, for better or worse. It can keep a soul alive even if all that survives is a shimmering. I’ve seen it. I’ve been bathed in it. I’ve been changed by it. “

Synopsis:

Possession. Power. Passion. New York Times bestselling novelist M. J. Rose creates her most provocative and magical spellbinder yet in this gothic novel set against the lavish spectacle of 1890s Belle Époque Paris.

Sandrine Salome flees New York for her grandmother’s Paris mansion to escape her dangerous husband, but what she finds there is even more menacing. The house, famous for its lavish art collection and elegant salons, is mysteriously closed up. Although her grandmother insists it’s dangerous for Sandrine to visit, she defies her and meets Julien Duplessi, a mesmerizing young architect. Together they explore the hidden night world of Paris, the forbidden occult underground and Sandrine’s deepest desires.

Among the bohemians and the demi-monde, Sandrine discovers her erotic nature as a lover and painter. Then darker influences threaten—her cold and cruel husband is tracking her down and something sinister is taking hold, changing Sandrine, altering her. She’s become possessed by La Lune: A witch, a legend, and a sixteenth-century courtesan, who opens up her life to a darkness that may become a gift or a curse.

This is Sandrine’s “wild night of the soul,” her odyssey in the magnificent city of Paris, of art, love, and witchery.

My Review:

The Witch of Painted Sorrows is the first work in author M.J. Rose’s new series, The Daughters Of La Lune, and took me on a literary journey unlike anything I have ever experienced. It was magical, rich, sensual, suspenseful…truly amazing.

Sandrine Salome is set adrift and bereft with the loss of her beloved father. His loss leads her to reevaluate her life and her marriage and sends her to her grandmother’s mansion in Paris. There was an unexplained pull she felt to that mansion and now with more reasons to leave New York than to stay, she knew there was no better time to explore this deep yearning to return to the home she visiting once years earlier.   Unfortunately the welcome Sandrine receives upon arriving was not what she had expected. Her grandmother had temporarily moved out of the opulent mansion that had been calling to her. Even more shocking was her grandmother’s warning to avoid stepping foot in that dwelling. It was cursed, her grandmother explained, by the courtesan and supposed witch who had originally owned the home. There was evil lurking and a force that should not be tampered with. But Sandrine wasn’t about to listen to such absurdities and instead, visits the home behind her grandmother’s prying eyes. It’s in those visits that Sandrine stumbles across art and painting supplies. Those supplies will turn Sandrine into an artist who will change the way women were perceived in the art world during that time. It’s also in those visits she meets a handsome young architect and begins an affair that will prove to grow into something Sandrine never expected…especially when the witch becomes involved in their relationship and tries to take over Sandrine’s very being.

Where to begin? How can I even begin to convey how much I adored this book and how consumed I was with Sandrine and the witch, La Lune? There was so much to love. First off, Ms. Rose’s writing is just exquisite. Rich with description and detail, reading her stories reminds me why I started reading for pleasure in the first place.

Sandrine is a wonderful character with a slight defiant streak that leads her to so many amazing, and sometimes scary, experiences. At first she doesn’t believe that La Lune is anything but a silly old myth, but soon realizes it truly is much more than that. She deviates from accepting to denying the witch’s hold on her. In turn, that had me fluctuating between being worried for Sandrine and wanting La Lune to get her own version of a happy ending, Of course, I wasn’t sure how that would play out and that also had me worried. Thankfully, Ms. Rose beautifully tied it all together and left me so happy with how it played out.

Julien, our charming architect, is equally enjoyable. He’s kind, smart, understanding and caring. I think he and Sandrine make a wonderful couple and, with the tests they face with La Lune and her interferences, made me appreciate their relationship even more.

Adding to the rich characters is the allure of the unknown. With talk of seances, spirits, possession, alchemy, and sometimes even the dark arts, I was enthralled with each page I read.

Finally, I have to again mention the beautiful and rich prose in which Ms. Rose writes. Though I’ve never been to Paris, I felt as though I was there, walking though the streets with Sandrine. I could picture in my mind’s eye all of the clothing and stunning jewels Sandrine and her grandmother wore. I could smell all of the perfumes and scents. I could see all of the colors Sandrine painted with. That, is a gift to me and one a writer gives to a reader that I cherish.

Thank you, Ms. Rose, for The Witch of Painted Sorrows and for once again taking me on a wonderful journey within the pages you so masterfully have written.

Five Loves

Book Links:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | IndieBound

About the author:

M.J. Rose grew up in New York City mostly in the labyrinthine galleries of the Metropolitan Museum, the dark tunnels and lush gardens of Central Park and reading her mother’s favorite books before she was allowed. She is the author of more than a dozen novels, the co-president and founding board member of International Thriller Writers and the founder of the first marketing company for authors: AuthorBuzz.com. She lives in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Visit her online at MJRose.com.

Praise for M.J. Rose
“Rose is an unusually skillful storyteller. Her polished prose and intricate plot will grip even the most skeptical reader. “
– Washington Post

“Provocative…a sweeping sense of romance and history.”
– Cleveland Plain Dealer on “The Book of Lost Fragrances”

“Rose seduces the reader from the very first page. Enticing…fascinating…unexpected.”

– Associated Press on “Seduction”

“A sensual mystery (readers) will truly never forget! This deserves a standing ovation.”

– Suspense Magazine on “Seduction,” Best Book of 2013

Flirting With Fire by Kate Meader…ARC Review and Author Q&A

Synopsis:

The first installment in Hot in Chicago, a brand-new, sizzling series from Kate Meader that follows a group of firefighting foster siblings and their blazing hot love interests!

Savvy PR guru Kinsey Taylor has always defined herself by her career, not her gender. That is, until she moved from San Francisco to Chicago to be with her fiancé who thought she wasn’t taking her “job” of supporting him in his high-powered career seriously enough—and promptly dumped her for a more supportive and “feminine” nurse. Now, as the new assistant press secretary to Chicago’s dynamic mayor, she’s determined to keep her eye on the prize: no time to feel inferior because she’s a strong, kick-ass woman, and certainly no time for men.

But that all changes when she meets Luke Almeida, a firefighter as searingly sexy as he is quick-tempered. He’s also the second oldest of the Firefightin’ Dempseys, a family of foster siblings who have committed their lives to the service—if Luke’s antics don’t get him fired first. When Luke goes one step too far and gets into a bar brawl with the Chicago Police Department, Kinsey marches into Luke’s firehouse and lays down the law on orders from the mayor. But at Engine Co. 6, Luke Almeida is the law. And he’s not about to let Kinsey make the rules.

My Review:

Flirting With Fire is the first in a new series from author Kate Meader and after falling in love with Kate’s work in an earlier anthology, I was dying to read this book. Well, to say this book lived up to all of my expectations would be understatement of the year…

Kinsey Taylor and Luke Almeida meet under less than ideal circumstances. He’s gone and gotten into a bar fight with one of Chicago PD’s finest, which was now all over YouTube, and as the Mayor’s PR whiz, she was now charged with showing him in a better public light. Normally, Kinsey would be halfway into the project, but Luke would prove to be no ordinary project. Not only was he part of the infamous Firefighting Dempsey clan, he was drop dead gorgeous and had ego to spare. He was also beyond stubborn. Lucky for her, and equally unlucky for him, she was damned used to working hard to get the job done and she wasn’t going to back down. In fact, she was going to give whatever he threw at her back tenfold and with an extra dash of sass. Let the games begin…

It may have started out as an innocent mission to clean up Luke and his stations’s reputation, but before long the push and pull power play between Luke and Kinsey turns into a heat that will burn hotter and brighter than either one of them has known. Problems are mounting though. Not only because he’s got to behave and she’s got a job to do but because they’ve both been hurt terribly in the past by the one’s who should have loved them most. Could the heat they found burn up all that remains of the past and give them a fresh start through the ashes?

For the love of all things hot and sexy, I loved this book. I loved this book so much. Luckily I started reading this on a day I didn’t have much to do because I actually didn’t stop reading until I had finished it. Read through lunch, read through my son’s algebra homework, and pretty much read through dinner. It was a pizza night here.

Where do I even begin telling you all the things I loved about this book? Why don’t we start with Luke. He is everything I want in a hero. He’s sexy, built, the perfect amount of cocky and sweet, and has a hidden soft side that makes me weak in the knees. That, by far, is my favorite thing about him. He may look like a hard ass on the outside but his heart is huge and reserved for the people he loves. He may be a former foster kid, but he loved his adopted family with a fierceness that was enviable and admirable. From page one, I knew he was going to be a force to be reckoned with…and he didn’t disappoint. Kinsey was the perfect counterpart. So much like him in so many ways. Used to have to work hard to shrug off a label. Strong. Determined. Able to give his ego right back to him and it drove him crazy.

Of course, that just added to that slow burn between them and with every interaction it was stoked into a flame that eventually had to be addressed….and oh my, was it ever. There are two particular scenes that had me melting into a puddle on the floor. So. Hot.

And can I just take a minute to give the cover a mention? I lost count at how many times I paused after reading a delicious Luke scene to take a look at that cover. Whoever that man is, he is the perfect Luke!

Adding even more to this story was the entire Dempsey clan. These are all characters with a beautiful death and multifaceted factor that has me beyond excited for the rest of this series.
Just trust me when I say: Get. This. Book. You will NOT be disappointed! Thank you, Kate, for Luke, Kinsey, and the entire Dempsey crew. I will now be nursing my book hangover with some tequila and a campfire scented candle *dreamy sigh*

Q&A with author Kate Meader:

Thanks so much for having me, Jilly!

Thanks for being here, Kate! This was a lot of fun!

Do you have any fun plans to celebrate the release of Flirting With Fire? (I always picture Kathleen Turner in Romancing the Stone when she finishes her book and celebrates with tiny bottles of booze and her cat)

Booze might be involved for sure! Every new release is awesome, but I’m thinking this one might be extra special. It’s the start of a brand new series, set in this world of alpha men, strong women, the family we make instead of being born to, and bigger-than-life passion. With burning buildings thrown in to make it interesting. On release day, I’ll probably be curled up in a fetal ball, praying it does well, waiting until it’s “appropriate” to whip out the adult beverages. Sounds like fun, right?

I just read that you’re originally from Ireland, what do you miss the most about living there?

My family – my mother and brother still live there, and although I visit and they visit me, it can be tough with an ocean separating us. Next, I miss Irish chocolate. You can’t beat Irish chocolate. Hmm, maybe I miss chocolate more than my family. I mean, I can talk to my family on the phone, I can’t eat chocolate over the airways!

I love your “Fun facts about Kate” section on your website. Can you give us another fun fact?

A lot of people don’t know I have a masters degree in medieval history. I studied medieval nuns and holy women who used their connection to God to discover untrodden paths to empowerment in their community. Medieval nuns were probably the first feminists!

What has been the most rewarding part of living your dream to write?

Nothing beats seeing your book in a brick-and-mortar bookstore for the first time. That moment is the absolute best, but the most rewarding part is just knowing that people actually like my stories enough to want to buy and read them. I thought I was the only one!

Ok, your dream cast for Flirting With Fire is:

Main romance:
Luke Almeida, Irish-Cuban firefighter – Hugh Jackman, looking a bit scruffy
Kinsey Taylor, ice-cool blonde PR guru – Charlize Theron

Secondary m/m romance:

Gage “Baby Thor” Simpson, cocky fireman – Chris Hemsworth (of course)

Brady Smith, former marine turned gourmet chef (Gage’s love interest) – Tom Hardy with muscles on his muscles, shaved head, tattoos up the wazoo, and scars. Yum!

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N | Goodreads

About the author:

Originally from Ireland, Kate cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Mills & Boon thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron or a fire hose, and she’s there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Easy With You by Kristen Proby…ARC Review

Easy With You releases 3/24

Book Links:

Amazon | 1,001 Dark Nights

Synopsis:

Nothing has ever come easy for Lila Bailey. She’s fought for every good thing in her life during every day of her thirty-one years. Aside from that one night with an impossible to deny stranger a year ago, Lila is the epitome of responsible.

Steadfast. Strong.

She’s pulled herself out of the train wreck of her childhood, proud to be a professor at Tulane University and laying down roots in a city she’s grown to love. But when some of her female students are viciously murdered, Lila’s shaken to the core and unsure of whom she can trust in New Orleans. When the police detective assigned to the murder case comes to investigate, she’s even more surprised to find herself staring into the eyes of the man that made her toes curl last year.

In an attempt to move on from the tragic loss of his wife, Asher Smith moved his daughter and himself to a new city, ready for a fresh start. A damn fine police lieutenant, but new to the New Orleans force, Asher has a lot to prove to his colleagues and himself.

With a murderer terrorizing the Tulane University campus, Asher finds himself toe-to-toe with the one woman that haunts his dreams. His hands, his lips, his body know her as intimately as he’s ever known anyone. As he learns her mind and heart as well, Asher wants nothing more than to keep her safe, in his bed, and in his and his daughter’s lives for the long haul.

But when Lila becomes the target, can Asher save her in time, or will he lose another woman he loves?

My Review:

Easy With You is book number 8.5 in author Kristen Proby’s With Me In Seattle Series, as well as story number 3 in the 1,001 Dark Nights 2015 line-up, and serves up on hell of a crossover between author Proby’s Seattle series and her new Boudreaux series. I loved every sexy and thrilling minute of this story.

Lila and Asher meet when she falls, literally, into his lap on a flight and while the attraction was there, neither one of them thought to take it to the next level by getting a phone number. Fate fixes that when they run into each other again at a bar one evening. Realizing that this second chance meeting isn’t one to be ignored, they take advantage of it and spend one hot, delicious, sexy night together. But still, no phone numbers exchanged. They both knew it was better that way. Asher was a single father now and he needed to focus on his daughter and his work. He didn’t want to form any kind of bond with a woman that could one day come back to hurt him. Like the bond he once had with his wife. The wife that was now gone. Lila had her reasons as well for wanting to focus on her work and life, most of which were courtesy of a less than stealer childhood.

Soon enough, though, fate plays her hand again and puts these two together when there’s a serial killer on the loose at Lila’s university. She had no idea Asher had moved to her town and was now heading up the case. She had no idea how seeing him again would affect her. The same can be said for Asher. This case brings out a protective side in him that he can’t ignore. He would do whatever needed to be done to keep Lila safe.

With their attraction still just as heated as it was the last time they saw one another, and the added emotion with danger lurking just out of sight, things between Lila and Asher will reach a fevered pitch in the most delicious of ways.

Oh, my. From start to finish, this novella had me glued to the pages. Asher is take-charge and protective. He truly shines as a single father and he had me swooning too many times to count. I loved how he loves his daughter. Lila is strong and determined with a good level head when it came to knowing when to take the protection Asher was offering. Nothing annoys me more than a heroine that just won’t listen to reason and Lila was the complete opposite. Together they are a beautiful match and really burn up the sheets *fans self*.

The combination of suspense, heat, and stellar characters was simply fabulous. It was also a combination that was perfectly balanced. There wasn’t too much or too little of one of the layers and I really appreciated that. I have found a lot of romantic suspense stories tend to lean towards the lighter side when it comes to the sex and it leaves me feeling a bit let down. Not this one. Oh, not even a little bit…the sexy scenes in this novella were delectable.

Thank you Kristen, for a fantastic read! I hope we see more of your romantic suspense in the future because you rocked it!!

Five Loves

About the author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me In Seattle and Love Under the Big Sky series. She has a passion for a good love story and strong, humorous characters with a strong sense of loyalty and family. Her men are the alpha type; fiercely protective and a bit bossy, and her ladies are fun, strong, and not afraid to stand up for themselves.

Kristen lives in Montana, where she enjoys coffee, chocolate and sunshine. And naps.

Chase Me by Tessa Bailey….Review & Giveaway

Synopsis:

College drop-out, Roxy Cumberland, moved to New York with dreams of becoming an actress, but her dwindling bank account is quickly putting the kibosh on that fantasy. To make some quick cash, she signs up to perform singing telegrams. Her first customer is a gorgeous, cocky Manhattan trust-funder if she ever laid eyes on one. And what could be more humiliating than singing an ode to his junk, courtesy of his last one night stand? Maybe the fact that she’s dressed in a giant, pink bunny costume…

After a night out to celebrate winning his last case, lawyer Louis McNally II isn’t prepared for the pounding in his head or the rabbit serenading him from the front door. But the sassy wit and sexy voice of the girl behind the mask intrigues him, and one look at her stunning face—followed by a mind-blowing kiss against his doorjamb—leaves Louis wanting more.

Roxy doesn’t need a spoiled rich boy who’s had everything in life handed to him on a Tiffany platter. But there’s more to Louis than his sexy surface and he’s determined to make Roxy see it…even if it means chasing her all over NYC

My review:

Chase Me is the first book in author Tessa Bailey’s new series, Broke and Beautiful, and kicks off the series with one hell of a start! Different from Tessa’s other works, this series was a brilliant mix of sassy and sexy and had me alternating between laughing and fanning myself with the heat that only Tessa can bring!

If you had told Roxy Cumberland that at one point she would be dressed up in a pink bunny suit performing a singing telegram to a stranger about his, um, package, she would have laughed in your face. And yet here she was, in that fluffy pink monstrosity, dying at the thought of having to sing for this man…who happened to be drop dead gorgeous. Figures. But alas, the acting business wasn’t working out at the moment and she needed a paycheck. What Roxy doesn’t realize is that this chance meeting would turn out to change her life in the best way possible…

If you had told attorney Louis McNally II that he would be opening the door after a night of partying to a pink bunny singing about his manhood, he would have laughed in your face. And yet here he was, listening to the sexiest voice he’d ever heard and he immediately knew he needed to see who was under that funny head….and the minute he sees her face, he’s a goner. Now, after a scorching kiss-and-flee, he’s determined to track down bunny girl and own these feelings she’s stirred up in him…

An unlikely encounter that seems as funny as it is ridiculous puts two people together who never would have met otherwise. Two people who, in the end, couldn’t be a better match despite their many differences.

Ok. So I know you all must be tired of me telling you how much I adore Tessa and her work, but you’re going to have to bear with me again while I sing her praises in this review. This book really shows her diversity in her writing. The humor and sass in this book was freaking brilliant. Roxy is a real spitfire with determination and spunk that had me loving her from the very opening line of this book….which I can still quote after reading this book months ago. Honestly, if you see me at a con, ask me, and I’ll give it to you without hesitation. That’s how great Roxy is. I love her tenacity and willingness to do what it takes to follow her dreams and still be true to herself. Now, onto Louis. Dear all that’s holy, he is lickable. Smart, sexy, successful, and with a heart as impressive as his seranadeable package, he is smoking hot all around. He can go from sweet to dirty in a heartbeat and who doesn’t love that in a man? Oh, and he also had me laughing my arse off too many times to count…when you read this and get to the part where he’s talking to a cheat, you’ll have laughed too many other times to count! Together their chemistry is off the charts and the signature heat that Tessa brings adds that extra spice that rounds out this story perfectly!

Adding to this is the introduction to the other characters who will make up the series: Abby, Honey, Ben, and Russell. I love all of them already. Roxy ends up rooming with Abby and Honey while Louis is buddies with Ben and Russell. Each one of them is unique and incredible with personalities that I can’t wait to see more of. Even from the little taste we get in this story I just know I’m going to love their stories.

Five Loves

Book Links:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks

Giveaway:

Ok, so if you’ve already read Chase Me, you will totally get this giveaway….it represents when Roxy and Louis first meet. Her bunny costume and his hangover perfectly represented in this way too cute flask, which will go to one lucky winner! Oh, and it is SIGNED by Tessa Bailey!

Enter to win in the rafflecopter below and thanks for stopping by!

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About the author:

Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days. Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention.

She now lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband of seven years and three-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Rock Hard by Nalini Singh….Book Tour Stop, Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

Meet Gabriel (sexy rugby player turned CEO) & Charlotte in this fantastic addition to the Rock Kiss Series!

NOW AVAILABLE!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | iBooks | Nook | Kobo

Synopsis:

In New York Times Bestselling author Nalini Singh’s newest contemporary romance, passion ignites between a gorgeous, sinfully sexy man who built himself up from nothing and a shy woman who has a terrible secret in her past…

Wealthy businessman Gabriel Bishop rules the boardroom with the same determination and ruthlessness that made him a rock star on the rugby field. He knows what he wants, and he’ll go after it no-holds-barred.

And what he wants is Charlotte Baird.

Charlotte knows she’s a mouse. Emotionally scarred and painfully shy, she just wants to do her job and remain as invisible as possible. But the new CEO—a brilliant, broad-shouldered T-Rex of a man who growls and storms through the office, leaving carnage in his wake—clearly has other plans. Plans that may be equal parts business and bedroom.

If Charlotte intends to survive this battle of wits and hearts, the mouse will have to learn to wrangle the T-Rex. Game on.

My Review:

Rock Hard is the second book in author Nalini Singh’s Rock Kiss Series, and sadly, the first in the series I have read. Yes, I know…I can’t believe it either. Where have I been that I have not scooped up this series yet? Clearly living under a rock. I must get my hands on the other book and novella in this series because after devouring Rock Hard, I am 100% hooked. I have loved Ms. Singh’s paranormal work and now The Rock Kiss series is my new obsession.

Charlotte Baird has been living one way for the past few years…in the shadows. She had always been a bit on the shy side but there were a few events in her life that lead her to hide these days. The loss of both of her parents coupled with the first relationship she ever had turning into something true nightmares are made of had helped make her want to blend in with the walls. If no one noticed her, she would be safe. If no one wanted to see her, she would be able to keep to herself and in turn, keep herself safe. The problem with that was there is always someone who is willing to take notice….and right now that happens to be the devastatingly handsome new CEO of her company. He figured out she had been doing the work of her superior in an effort to just keep her job and stay in the background. He figured out she had a brilliantly colorful mind underneath her drab and plain exterior. Never one to make waves, she had no clue how to react to the offer for a new position as his personal assistant. He had a previous reputation on the rugby field as one hell of a ferocious competitor and the current reputation as one hell of a competitor in the board room. She was more than afraid she would be no match for his personality and that he would chew her up and spit her out. She couldn’t have been more wrong…

Gabriel Bishop has always gotten what he wants. Always. He learned as a small boy that even the most destitute of situations can be changed for the better with a whole lot of determination and hard work. It’s that childhood that drives him to be the best. He had been the best in the pro rugby circuit and after a career ending injury he was now the best in the corporate business world. All that fame and fortune had made women an easy game. Well, for every woman except his new PA, Charlotte Baird. She was unlike anyone he had ever met. A puzzle he wanted to figure out. He had no idea the delight he would get in the flirtatious game he had now started with her…nor did he have any idea how much she would grow to mean to him. He knew how to keep his eye on the prize and work for his reward no matter how long it took. And he knew with Charlotte, it would take more time than he spent on any other woman in his life. He had no doubt she would be worth it…

What starts out as a pretty straight forward, and tense at times, working relationship quickly turns into a delicious power play between the predator and the prey. The greatest part with the back and forth between Charlotte and Gabriel is when the roles switch and the prey becomes the predator…owning every move the predator makes. And what a delicious dance it becomes…

I am in serious book hangover mode right now. I freaking loved everything about this book. Gabriel is a total dichotomy when it comes to his outward persona and the man he keeps hidden underneath the gruff exterior. From the very beginning he laid plans to win Charlotte. She had no idea and the way he presented it all to her as they bobbed and weaved in their flirtatious relationship was simply adorable. She had no idea he was planning for so long just to kiss her. Had no idea he was waiting for her to come around. He knew there had to be a reason she was so skittish and, bless that insanely patient man, he was willing to do what it took to gain her trust. If I can count the amount of times I swooned over that man, it has to be in the hundreds. Charlotte is unlike any heroine I’ve read. She is brave, accepting, determined, complex, and broken. I admired her tenacity in picking up the pieces of her broken life and just wanting a sense of normalcy. Luckily, she will have Gabriel to help her along the way. These two together are simply wonderful. Charlotte has a dry sense of humor and gives right back when Gabriel pushes. Gabriel, unused to that, takes it all in stride and plays along with her. I loved every single one of their interactions and their growing attraction and budding relationship was beautiful to read. There are many stumbles along the way, but because both Gabriel and Charlotte want things to work, I knew they could make great things happen. The amount of love I have for these two is HUGE!

Ms. Singh truly knocked my socks off. Her writing makes the characters real and relatable. We are along for the emotional ride with them and I loved it. Oh, and the chapter titles? The. Best. It was that bit of humor that brought lightness to the dark parts in this book and the balance was fantastic.

Hopefully I haven’t bored you to tears and that you’ve made it this far…because you really need to read this book. Thank you, Ms. Singh, for giving us Gabriel and Charlotte and all of the beauty their unique relationship is. I cannot wait to see what you have in store for us next! (fingers crossed it includes Gabriel’s brothers….)

Five Loves

Excerpt:

Charlotte arrived at work at seven thirty the next morning to find Gabriel Bishop’s office door open, but no carnivorous predator inside. A fresh suit was hanging on the back of his door, however, which meant he’d been in already.

Deciding to catch up on e-mails that had come in overnight from international suppliers as well as stores involved in a stock take, she was typing a reply when a sweaty Gabriel arrived fifteen minutes later. He was dressed in black running shorts and a faded University of Auckland T-shirt that was currently sticking to his body.

She’d known he was in shape, but now she realized none of it was an illusion created by his well-cut suits. Okay, she’d already known that, but seeing his muscled body in the flesh was a whole different ball game. He was built like a tank, hard and powerful.

Each of his thighs was thicker than both of hers put together, his biceps toned, his shoulders appearing even wider than usual. Everything about him was big. Civilized clothing didn’t make him look better, she realized—it toned down his intense masculinity. Out of his suits, with the ink on the upper part of his left arm exposed, as well as that on his opposing thigh and…

Her skin hot and lower body clenching, she just nodded in response to his “Good morning.”

Disappearing into his office, he returned with his suit pants and a fresh shirt slung over his arm, along with a sports bag. “Push the meeting with Sales to nine, will you, Ms. Baird? I need to talk to HR about something before then.”

“Yes, sir,” Charlotte said almost soundlessly, but he was already gone, heading toward the employee shower one floor down.

The thigh tattoo went all the way around, the design intricate.

Heart rate a rapid stutter, Charlotte got up after he disappeared and decided to go grab him a coffee. He’d bought her one yesterday after all. She was just being nice. “Oh, shut up, Charlotte,” she muttered once she was in the elevator, and slumped her face into an upraised hand.

The truth was she was running away. Only for a few minutes, but that’s what this was: strategic retreat. Gabriel Bishop was overwhelming. Once, before she’d ever met him and under the influence of cocktails, she’d told Molly she wanted to rip off his shirt and sink her teeth into his pecs.

That desire hadn’t waned even now that she knew he was a T-Rex. Of course, the desire was all strictly in her imagination. The idea of actually handling him in real life? So impossible as to be laughable. Charlie-mouse was not about to play with a predator who could eat her alive and not even notice the bones. The good news was that she could admire him in relative safety—there was no chance in hell he’d ever notice her as a woman.

Getting the coffee from a nearby café, she took it back upstairs. He was in his office when she entered, the striped dark gray of his tie hanging around his neck and his damp hair roughly combed. The scent of clean, fresh soap over warm skin permeated the office. Shooting her a smile that turned him from gorgeous to flat-out devastating, he flipped up the collar of his white shirt to get the tie in place. “Thank you, Ms. Baird.”

Nodding, Charlotte escaped, though she really wanted to stay. She’d never realized how erotic it was to watch a man dress until this precise moment. And she shouldn’t be having these thoughts about her boss—especially since she couldn’t keep from quivering like a rabbit in his presence. Sometimes she just annoyed herself.

“Get to work,” she muttered and knuckled down.

Gabriel was fine for the first hour, but then he began barking orders even a six-armed woman with a split personality would have had trouble handling.

Finally, pushed to the edge, Charlotte snapped. “I’m going as fast as I can!” she yelled when he asked her for something a minute after he’d asked her to complete another task.

He scowled and held out a file. “This is a priority.”

Grabbing it from his hand, she said, “Fine,” and slapped it down on her desk.

It was over an hour later that he disappeared for ten minutes. When he returned, it was to put a small bakery box on her desk. “I think you need something to sweeten your mood today, Ms. Baird.”

What she needed was for the T-Rex who was her boss to stop snarling and growling, she thought as he returned to his office. Not opening the box until her curiosity had almost killed her, she found it held a slice of decadent chocolate cake with a white-chocolate ganache topped with curls of both white and milk chocolate. “I cannot be bribed with cake,” she muttered, eating a bite nonetheless.

Full two-chapter excerpt available on Nalini’s Website: http://nalinisingh.com/rockhard.php

The Rock Kiss Series

Rock Addiction (Book One) Rock Kiss Series

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Nook | iTunes | Kobo

Rock Courtship (bk 1.5) A Rock Kiss Novel:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | iBooks | Nook | Kobo

Rock Hard (Book Two) Rock Kiss Series:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | iBooks | Nook | Kobo

About the author:

NEW YORK TIMES AND USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunter series Nalini Singh usually writes about hot shapeshifters and dangerous angels. This time around, she decided to write about hot and wickedly tempting rock stars (and one gorgeous ex-rugby player). If you’re seeing a theme here, you’re not wrong.

Nalini lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing. If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. Also, don’t forget to swing by the site to check out the special behind-the-scenes page for the Rock Kiss series, complete with photos of many of the locations used in the books.

STALK HER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway:

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Wild Horses by B.J. Daniels…Blog Tour Stop & Review

Synopsis:

It took only one impusive moment on an empty two-lane highway to cost her everything.

A man’s responsible for his own prosperity—especially if he’s Cooper Burnett, the most determined cowboy in the West. No one knows what he sacrificed to claim a piece of Beartooth, Montana, for himself and his beautiful fiancée, Livie. No one knows what he’s willing to do for love…until a stranger’s twisted vendetta threatens the happy ending they should’ve had long ago.

One fateful mistake isn’t the only secret Livie Hamilton is keeping from her fiancé. Victimized during a treacherous blizzard by a man she thought she could trust, she’s pregnant…but unsure who the father is. With an unknown blackmailer threatening to expose her, she must confess to Cooper and trust he’ll still protect her. But when the truth falls into place, she may lose the only man she’s ever loved—or worse.

My review:

Wild Horses is the first book in author BJ Daniels’ The Montana Hamilton’s Series and kicks off this new series with one of the most suspenseful and amazing stories I’ve ever read. I loved every nail-biting second!

While this story primarily focuses on soon to be married senator’s daughter Livie Hamilton and cowboy and horse trainer Cooper Burnett, there is much more brewing in the small town of Beartooth, Montana.

Cooper never really believed he deserved the beautiful and kind senator’s daughter, Livie. Of course, she did everything she could to convince him otherwise. He was everything she wanted in a man and future husband. He was hard-working, handsome, caring, and loyal. But those niggling feelings were always in the back of his mind. Those feelings led to an argument one evening and Livie leaving the house angry, upset, and as it would turn out, head-on into a situation that would threaten their future together, lead to blackmail, and possibly even threaten the future of her father and his bid for president of the United States.

As is that wasn’t enough on the Hamilton’s family plate, the mother Livie and her sisters thought they lost 22 years ago shows up with no memory of the time she lost with them. Where had she been? Had she left them and never thought about them for all this time? Do they want to include her in their family again?

Being a wealthy and politically prevalent family, you would think they would be used to people looking for an angle to take advantage of them…or worse, letting jealousy spur plans to ruin them. To an extend, they were. But things have never gotten to this level and when it all comes entirely too close to home and involves old feelings of hatred and jealousy, no one is safe from the evil it brings.

Holy HELL! This book was amazing. Packed with mystery, murder, suspense, envy, greed, and high emotion, I was hooked. Add to that a cast of characters who had my guessing on the extent of their shadiness and I was kept on the edge of my seat from the very first chapter. Author Daniels did a phenomenal job with dropping breadcrumbs along the way that kept me satisfied but still hungry for more. I loved every angle that was introduced and was a nervous wreck for Cooper and Livie and wanted them to get the happily ever after they truly deserved. Adding to that was the sudden reappearance of this long-lost mother and blackmail letters coming from a mysterious man, and I was devouring pages to see what would happen next. I love experiencing a read with that impact!

Now, I can’t give anything away here in regards to how things end up for the entire Hamilton family and with so much packed into this book I certainly don’t want to ruin even one moment for a fellow reader, so you’ll have to grab a copy and see the outcome for yourself (insert evil laugh)

Thank you, Ms. Daniels, for taking this reader on one of the best roller-coaster rides I’ve read. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next!

Five Loves

Book Links:

Amazon | B&N

About the author:

B.J. DANIELS, a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author, wrote her first book after a career as an award-winning newspaper journalist and author of 37 published short stories. That first book, Odd Man Out, received a four and a half star review from Romantic Times magazine and went on to be nominated for Best Intrigue for that year. Since then she has won numerous awards including a career achievement award for romantic suspense and numerous nominations and awards for best book. Daniels lives in Montana with her husband, Parker, and two springer spaniels, Spot and Jem. When she isn’t writing, she snowboards, camps, boats and plays tennis. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Thriller Writers, Kiss of Death and Romance Writers of America.

Praise for New York Times and USA Today bestselling author B.J. Daniels

“B.J. Daniels will absolutely move to the top of your list of must-read authors.” – Fresh Fiction on Mercy

“Daniels is truly an expert at Western romantic suspense.” –RT Book Reviews on Atonement

“Fans of Western romantic suspense will relish Daniels’ tale of clandestine love played out in a small town on the Great Plains.”–Booklist on Unforgiven

Romantic suspense that will keep readers guessing. If you like Longmire, this is the book for you.”
– RT Book Reviews on Forsaken

Need You For Keeps by Marina Adair….ARC Review & Giveaway

Need You For Keeps releases tomorrow, March 3!

Synopsis:

When it comes to caring for the furry residents of St. Helena, California, groomer and pet rescuer Shay Michaels can handle anything. Humans are another story, though especially Deputy Jonah Baudouin. He’s the town’s resident superhero: upright, uptight, and jaw-droppingly gorgeous, even when he’s investigating complaints about Shay’s beloved foster animals. And that spells danger for Shay, a free spirit who can’t risk trusting the wrong person again.

Jonah and Shay have been circling each other ever since she came to town, and he’s running out of reasons to “not” kiss her senseless. But this deputy is a straight shooter with his eye on the sheriff’s badge. He can’t afford to get involved with Shay, a chaos magnet with luscious curves who’s liable to turn his career and his life upside down. He enforces laws. She breaks them repeatedly. Keeping her out of trouble is becoming a full-time job and it’s one he hopes is never going to end.

My review:

Need You For Keeps is the sixth book in author Marina Adair’s St. Helena’s Vineyard Series, as well as the first in her new Heroes of St Helena Series. I have enjoyed the St. Helena gang since the very first book and it’s a series I grow to love with each new installment. This was no exception. I adored Jonah and Shay’s story and all of the humor, emotion, and heat that was written into the pages.

Hero to all homeless pets big and small, groomer and pet rescuer extraordinaire Shay Michaels is bound and determined to make sure any pet she saves finds a forever home. Like she had when she came to St. Helena. She had a rough go of things early on in life but the one constant for her was the pure and true love she gave and received from her furry friends. It’s what led her on her current path and to dreams of opening up a shelter in order to legitimately be able to foster them. She’s had her share of trouble with the wy she was running things now, mainly that she could never turn an animal away and having one too many is apparently frowned upon by St. Helena law. It wasn’t all bad getting into trouble however, when the man doling out the warnings was town deputy Jonah Baudouin. Sexy and confident, he always made her tummy flip-flop and boy, could she daydream about his handcuffs. But no way would they ever be a good match so she needed to wash those dreams right down the drain with the latest doggy shampoo…

Deputy Jonah Boudouin didn’t mind going on a call when it meant he got to see Shay. Yes, he hated having to tell her she was once again causing trouble, but he loved hearing her excuses and seeing what she would be attempting to do to get herself out of the latest issue. He knew she had a heart of gold and knew she never meant to break laws but the sexy spitfire just couldn’t help herself. He had to give her credit, she really goes for what she wants…even when it comes to raising funds for her rescues courtesy of a sexy photo shoot with local uniformed hotties. No, he declined her request for him to pose, because a man running for sheriff probably should keep his clothes on, but he really did hope she was able to realize her dreams. Speaking of dreams, she’s been the star of more than a few daydreams of his own but surely they would never be able to work. She was opposite him in every way possible…but some say that’s a good thing, right?

Two people who couldn’t be more opposite have one very important thing in common…their attraction for each other. Would they be able to take that old saying “opposites attract” and make it reality?

There is just something in the way that Marina writes that immediately takes the reader into her world. I have been reading this series since the beginning and I feel like I’m returning to a town I’ve lived in when I sit down to read a St. Helena book. The characters are charming and well-developed. The setting is described so perfectly that I can practically walk down Main Street and wave to the townspeople. I adore that in a book. Jonah had me hooked from the very first time he appears in the story. He’s controlled, loyal, sexy as all hell, and has a soft side he keeps hidden and made me swoon when he showed it. Shay is one of the best heroines I’ve read. She’s sassy, smart, and never afraid to go after what’s right for her furry family, even if it does mean bending the occasional law. I loved her tenacity when it came to her dreams of owning a pet rescue. Together, Shay and Jonah are delicious. They have a slow burn that got hotter and hotter with each interaction and I ate it up! Of course, I also got to see more of my favorite grandmother crew and as always, those ladies had me laughing my arse off one minute and tearing up at a beautiful gesture the next. I adore those women.
It bears repeating that Marina has such a special way of delivering a story and I will continue to look forward to reading more from the St. Helena gang!

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N

Giveaway:

I am so grateful to have the chance to give one lucky winner their choice of paperback, ebook, or audiobook of Need You For Keeps! Comment on this post to be entered to win (US entries only, please)

About the author:

Marina Adair is a #1 National best-selling author of romance novels. Along with the St. Helena Vineyard series, she is also the author of the upcoming Sugar, Georgia series and Tucker’s Crossing, part of the Sweet Plains series. She currently lives with her husband, daughter, and two neurotic cats in Northern California.

As a writer, Marina is devoted to giving her readers contemporary romance where the towns are small, the personalities large, and the romance explosive. She also loves to interact with readers and you can catch her on Twitter or visit her on Facebook.

Review…Call Sign Karma by Jamie Rae

Synopsis:

Love in the no-fly zone…

Distraught over the loss of her brother in a fighter jet accident, Tinklee Pinkerton decides to follow in his footsteps and prove the tragedy wasn’t his fault. But when she’s chosen as the first woman to fly the Air Force’s F-35, her plan for a life that revolves around work is thrown off course by a handsome, mysterious stranger…

Thanks to Locke’s seductive British accent, sweet nature, and one too many beers, Tink is soon inspired to throw caution to the wind and herself into his arms. She thinks maybe love can heal after all—until she discovers Locke is her superior officer. Tink has no problem risking her life in the air, but with everything on the line, is she brave enough to risk her heart on the ground?

My review:

Call Sign Karma is the debut work from author Jamie Rae and it knocked my freaking socks off. I was glued to Tink’s story. GLUED! Tinklee is a total badass and her story had me laughing, crying, heart pounding, and falling in love with all of the characters in this book.

Tinklee Pinkerton has recently been chosen to be the very first woman pilot to fly the Air Force’s F-35. She should be thrilled, and she is, but overshadowing all of that excitement is the crushing loss of her older brother she feels every minute of every day since his accident. The accident that took his life happened when he was flying…the exact jet she was now learning to fly. Some may say she was crazy to even think about doing this but she was on a mission to set the record straight and get the official cause of her brother’s death changed from “pilot error” to “aircraft malfunction”. She knew deep down in her heart of hearts that her brother wouldn’t have made mistake that catastrophic. She refused to believe it especially since he had mentioned to her father that there was a problem with the air flow in the jet. Oh, yeah, making matters worse? Her father is an Air Force veteran and now in politics and pushing for this very jet to be put into major service. Talk about on hell of a situation. Oh, but it’s about to get even worse. She runs into a sexy Brit on the beach when she was on the verge of a meltdown and spends an unforgettable night of passion with him. Locke. Why is this a bad thing? Because Locke turns out to be her instructor…

With so much on her plate, and knowing damn well having a relationship with an instructor was a one way ticket out of the program, it’s going to be damn hard to focus on the task at hand. Especially when the pull and attraction between her and Locke burns brighter and stronger every hour they spend together. Man, karma really was a bitch when it came to Tink.

*deep breath* Ok. I am going to try to do my best not to babble through this part of the review because, damn, I loved this book! Tink is one of the coolest chicks I’ve read, and I’ve read a lot of books. She broke my heart so many times when she recounted the death of her brother and then brought me right back up when she got into the cockpit and flew her arse off. In a guy’s world, she shined bold and bright. The emotion that author Rae wrote in Tink is unbelievably amazing. Every time Tink got choked up, or was nervous, or scared, I could feel it. Truly, I felt a part of her. It was amazing. On top of Tink being such a strong character, Locke was one hell of a match for her. He was both kind and understanding as well as tough as nails. Oh, and sexy as hell. Together they are a brilliant match and the push and pull involving rules, regulations, strong emotions, and lust was a delicious combination.

Now, I have to give a special mention to my other favorite part of this story….Ash. Ash is special forces and pops into Tink’s life when she’s in the middle of trying to stay away from Locke. He also stole my heart and there are so many times I wasn’t sure who I wanted Tink to end up with! It was like Edward and Jacob all over again and I was so torn. Now, I will say that the ending was just perfect. I can’t give anything away, but I will say that you should have more than a few tissues handy for the last chapter or so. Man, I was a sobbed out mess when I was finished! But, you know I love that form a book.

Whew! Ok, I hope I didn’t bore you or ramble on too much. All I have to say is if you loved Top Gun (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t?!) this is a book you should read. Hot, emotional, and thrilling, I loved it all! Thank you, Jamie, for an amazing read. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next!

Five Loves

Book links:

Amazon | B&N

About the author:

JAMIE RAE is a New Adult and Young Adult author. She writes with one goal in mind–to create stories with a positive message that will stay with the reader long after they’ve finished reading.

Jamie is an avid reader and loves discovering stories with a great hook, though she will not eat, sleep, or speak until she reaches the end. The Harry Potter years weren’t pretty!! Convinced that her Hogwarts letter was lost in the mail, she keeps a watchful eye for owls hoping her children will have better luck!

In her other life, Jamie Rae enjoys creating smiles that will last a lifetime as an orthodontist and keeps her heart overflowing with love as a mother of three. She has perfected the art of nomadic living as a military spouse and Air Force veteran. Jamie has a passion for critters of all shapes and sizes and you can often find her sneaking them into her own home or volunteering for rescues.

Dream~Write~Inspire

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When Irish Eyes Are Haunted by Heather Graham….ARC Review

When Irish Eyes Are Haunting releases February 24

Book Links:

Amazon | 1,001 Dark Nights

Synopsis:

Devin Lyle and Craig Rockwell are back, this time to a haunted castle in Ireland where a banshee may have gone wild—or maybe there’s a much more rational explanation—one that involves a disgruntled heir, murder, and mayhem, all with that sexy light touch Heather Graham has turned into her trademark style.

My Review:

When Irish Eyes Are Haunting is story number 14.5 in author Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunter Series as well as the second release in this year’s 1,001 Dark Nights collection. I am a huge fan of the Krewe of Hunters and was thrilled to read more of one of my favorite couples thus far; Devin and Craig. Like a warm visit with old friends, this story was immensely enjoyable and filled with mystery and folk-lore. I loved it!

Newlyweds, and Krewe of Hunter members, Devin Lyle and Craig Rockwell should be enjoying the beautiful rolling hills of Ireland on their honeymoon. Instead, they are here for an untimely death in Devin’s family which leads to quite an investigation involving the tale of a banshee and her wail. Could that be responsible for her relative’s death? Now, if anyone could believe in such a tale, it’s Devin and Rocky and their ghost-seeing abilities, but they also know there is most likely something else behind this mystery. Could it be someone was looking to kill off the rightful heirs to the family castle and estate and claim it as their own? Certainly a ghostly apparition wouldn’t gain from material possessions. Putting their honeymoon romance on hold a bit, Devin and Rocky start off on a mission to solve this deadly mystery…banshees or not.

As only author Heather Graham can do, this story was weaved with mystery and supernatural lore that had me glued to every page from start to finish. Devin and Rocky arrive in Ireland and the reader is immediately taken into their world, with breathtaking descriptions of the castle and surrounding land, I felt as though I was in the story with them. Along with that, the characters are rich and intriguing. From Gary the ghost tour guide, to Devin’s family members, these characters were entertaining and enjoyable. Of course, the mystery surrounding the castle was fantastic. The introduction of a prophecy had me wondering if there was a curse on the land and the family or if there was nothing supernatural at work at all, just a greedy person wanting what they felt they deserved. Now, I won’t give anything away but be prepared for a thrilling ride and quite a twist at the end!

A suspenseful paranormal murder mystery with a dash of romance, When Irish Eyes Are Haunting is a must read for fans of all different genres and I highly recommend. Thank you, Ms. Graham, for another wonderful visit with the Krewe of Hunters gang!

Five Loves

About the author:

Heather Graham New York Times and USA Today best selling author, Heather Graham, majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. Her first book was with Dell, and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult and Christmas family fare. She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages. She has been honored with awards from Walden Books, B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times and more. Heather has also become the proud recipient of the Silver Bullet from Thriller Writers. Heather has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, Mystery Book Club, People and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including Today, Entertainment Tonight and local television. The Unseen, The Unholy, The Unspoken and the Uninvited are available now. Let the Dead Sleep will be released in March, 2013. The Night is Watching, The Night is Alive and The Night is Forever will be released in Jne, August and October.

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