In Your Eyes by J. Kenner…Release Day Blitz & Review

SBPR_RB BANNERWHITEIn Your Eyes, the newest standalone in the Man of the Month Series by #1 New York Times bestselling author J. Kenner, is LIVE!

6 - June - In Your Eyes

Possessive hands. Wild obsession.

He’ll break any rule to claim her.

Billionaire bad boy Parker Manning buried his dark past beneath fast cars and faster women. With his chiseled good looks and Texas oil legacy, Parker’s used to laying claim to whatever—or whoever—he desires, and he’s never met a woman he couldn’t seduce into his bed.

Not, that is, until Megan Clark. Years ago, she flatly refused him. Now, she’s back—and she needs a favor. No way is Parker letting her get away again, and he conditions his agreement on one sensuous night with Megan in his bed and at his mercy.

He never expects to want more. To crave this woman who fascinates and challenges him. But he does, and now he’s determined to possess her.

But Megan’s a woman with secrets of her own, and if Parker wants to claim her, he’s going to have to conquer his past and show Megan his true heart.

Meet Mr. June. Summer’s heat has nothing on him.

**In Your Eyes is part of a binge read series by New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and #1 International bestselling author of the million copy Stark series, J. Kenner.

Each book in the series is a STANDALONE novel with NO cliffhanger and a guaranteed HEA!

Who’s Your Man of the Month?

When a group of fiercely determined friends realize their beloved hang-out is in danger of closing, they take matters into their own hands to bring back customers lost to a competing bar. Fighting fire with a heat of their own, they double down with the broad shoulders, six-pack abs, and bare chests of dozens of hot, local guys who they cajole, prod, and coerce into auditioning for a Man of the Month calendar.

But it’s not just the fate of the bar that’s at stake. Because as things heat up, each of the men meets his match in this sexy, flirty, and compelling binge-read romance series of twelve novels releasing every other week from New York Times bestselling author J. Kenner.

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Read Today!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2zy8IPn

Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/InYourEyesMoTM

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Kobo: http://bit.ly/2yrzJE2

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2pEYLKl

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2zP6wnE

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Julie does it again with another hot, sexy and quick romantic read. In Your Eyes is book six in this series and is Parker an Megan’s story. I was bit bitter when I first started this one because I really wanted Megan with Griffin and had a sore taste in my mouth in starting this one. But Julie won me over with Parker and his devotion to Megan.

Parker and Megan are acquaintances from back in LA and it’s by sheer coincidence that they both move to Austin and are sort of starting over in each of their careers. Megan has been laying low after running from and ex and Parker is just looking to fix his reputation and build a great business.

In Your Eyes is fast paced romance that will sweep off your feet and have you loving both Parker and Megan. They are both attracted to one another and were back in LA, it was just bad timing. And now that nothing stands in Parker’s way, he wants to show Megan that he wants more from her than his previous elusive playboy style.

I am loving these quick reads from Julie (some more than others) and as much as I didn’t not like that Parker and Griff aren’t together, I really enjoyed this one. And now we wait for Derek and Amanda’s book next!!

 

 

 

Start the Series of Standalones Today!

Down On Me

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About J. Kenner

J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over seventy novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.

JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A five time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy). Her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series (as Julie Kenner) is currently in development with AwesomenessTV/Awestruck.

Her books have sold over three million copies and are published in over twenty languages.

In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.

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Connect with Julie:

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Website: www.jkenner.com

Tempting Little Tease by Kendall Ryan…Blog Tour & Review

 

A hot new standalone romance from New York Times bestseller, Kendall Ryan.

She’s the tutor I hired to teach me Italian.

She’s way too young for me, but she’s also gorgeous, bright and filled with a curiosity about life that I find incredibly refreshing.

It’s fucking adorable.

I’m old enough to know better, but this pretty young thing tempts me beyond belief. And for the first time in my life, I can see myself falling.

***
Is this what it’s like to be pursued by an older man? The complete confidence, the lack of expectations, the sincerity?

My God, it’s exhilarating.

Quinn Kingsley is totally unexpected. I’m moving to Italy in three weeks to teach English, and while I never expected something so real to develop between us so quickly, our chemistry is undeniable.

There’s something so sexy about this back and forth he and I share. Flirting with this man is like playing with fire, and I’m bound to get burned.

Io sono attratto da te. I’m attracted to you, he tells me.

But is our attraction enough to get us through the complications of a massive age gap and an international love affair?

Only one way to find out…

 

AVAILABLE NOW

Amazon | iBooks | Nook | Kobo

 

 

 

Tempting Little Tease was a great ending the trio of Kingsley’s brother stories, but not the end of this series. Oh no, no, no. Kendall threw us a little surprise in this book which will continue the Forbidden Desires series. YAY!!

I had been looking forward to Quinn’s book since this series started. He is the eldest of the Kingsley brothers and the one that seems to have his shit together. He’s never been one for relationships and he is quite ok with that. There isn’t anything in his past that has given a bad outlook, it’s just something that was never a big deal to him.

Quinn meets Alessandra, when his tutor has some medical problems that lands him in the hospital. Alessandra is getting ready to leave for Italy in 3 weeks, but until that time comes, she has been fulfilling her duties as a full time nanny and an Italian tutor. Alessandra becomes Quinn’s tutor and they both quickly become infatuated with each other, regardless of their age difference.

Alessandra makes it known that she has only has a few weeks left in America before she moves to Italy as part of her life-long dream to be an American tutor there. Quinn has never been one for relationships and sees this as a great opportunity to woo her during the time they have left. Except neither anticipates her departure to be so difficult when it comes.

As most of you know, I am not one for insta-love romances. They are very hard sell for me but I love how Kendall spins this one. For me personally, I think what started as lust transformed to love for these as they got to know each other. I love that Quinn didn’t occupy Alessandra’s time while still in America and gave her the freedom to be herself. I love that Alessandra didn’t make her last few weeks all about Quinn and stayed the girl she was before meeting him. Too many times in stories, do I see where the heroine forgets about everyone else in her life and just clings to the man as though she needs his air to breathe. Quinn and Alessandra compliment each other well in this relationship and I really enjoyed that aspect a lot.

Kendall has one again written another beautiful and sweet romance that readers will cobble up quickly and love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She’s a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she’s appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.

Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras

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Bourbon & Bonfires by Andrea Johnston…Release Day Blitz & Review

 

 

Title: Bourbon & Bonfires
Series: Country Road #4
Author: Andrea Johnston
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 23, 2018
Blurb
Landon
Montgomery has suddenly found himself the lone bachelor in his group of
friends. With a new career handed to him and a string of unsuccessful blind
dates behind him, Landon is ready to search for love. A chance meeting and
immediate attraction have him wondering if things are about to turn around or
if he’s stuck in the single life forever.
Addison
Sinclair thought she had it all – a loving husband, perfect son, and fulfilling
career. Four years after her husband broke up their family she’s still not sure
if a second chance at love is in her future. One casual encounter and a few
misunderstandings later, Addy must decide if love the second time around is
worth the risk, especially when your son’s heart is on the line too.
Like the
crackling flames of a bonfire, Landon and Addy will learn that sometimes fire
and passion are simply the gateway to forever.

Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AUFree in Kindle Unlimited

 

Bourbon and Bonfires is the fourth book in Andrea Country Road book (not including the novella) and I have enjoyed each and every one of these cute little romance stories. They are not your southern cowboy charm, but these southern stories are perfect for me since I am not cowboy lovin’ woman.

Anyway – Bourbon and Bonfires is Landon’s story, the one I have been patiently waiting for. Why is that the one story I really want at the beginning of the story, is the one I have to wait forever (it seems like forever). Well I was not disappointed in at all and enjoyed every bit of this sweet romance.

Addy is still struggling to move on from the destruction her ex-husband left behind when he just upped and moved on with his life, without Addy and their son. Addy isn’t pining after him in any way, but she is having a hard time with her son lately and that has her frustrated enough to finally take her brother up on his offer and move closer to him. It just so happens that Taylor, Addy’s brother is the owner the of the bar that Landon and his buddies frequent. Landon also so happens to remember Addy quite well from a recent wedding she attended.

Landon truly won me over in this book. He may come across as a playboy, but he has a heart of gold. But make no mistake, Addy does not make things easy. It’s not that she plays to hard to get, she just has a lot baggage and can’t wrap her head around why Landon would want her of all people.

Andrea doesn’t make her stories too angsty and for once, I am perfectly fine with that. Her stories work beautifully with all the easy and less dramatic flare ups. These people handle themselves like the adults they are and talk things through. I love it.

Another really enjoyable and sweet romance from Andrea.

 

 

Author Bio
Andrea
Johnston spent her childhood with her nose in a book and a pen to paper. An
avid people watcher, her mind is full of stories that yearn to be told.  A
fan of angsty romance with a happy ending, super sexy erotica and a good
mystery, Andrea can always be found with her Kindle nearby fully charged.
Andrea
lives in Idaho with her family and two dogs.  When she isn’t spending time
with her partner in crime aka her husband, she can be found binge
watching all things Bravo and enjoying a cocktail. Nothing makes her happier
than the laughter of her children, a good book, her feet in the water, and
cocktail in hand all at the same time.
Author Links

Sinner by Sierra Simone…Review Blog Tour Stop


SINNER by Sierra Simone

Release Date: March 15th

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Designer: Letitia Hasser from RBA Designs

 

 

SINNER is NOW AVAILABLE!

Amazon: myBook.to/SeanTheSinner

iBooks: sierrasim.one/isinner

Kobo: sierrasim.one/kobosinner

Nook: sierrasim.one/nooksinner

 

 

 

 

Add to Goodreads: sierrasim.one/GRsinner

Blurb

I’m not a good man, and I’ve never pretended to be. I don’t believe in goodness or God or any happy ending that isn’t paid for in advance.

What do I believe in? Money. Sex. Macallan 18.

They have words for men like me—playboy. Womanizer. Skirt chaser.

My brother used to be a priest, and he only has one word for me.

Sinner.

 

***Sinner is a standalone companion to Priest about Father Bell’s brother Sean. You do not have to read Priest or Midnight Mass to read Sinner.***

 

My Review:

I’ll tell you, my romance-reading tastes these days have ventured to boundary-pushing, extra-heart-wrenching tales of impossible love, forbidden relationships, and into the exploration of issues beyond the standard boy-meets-girl usual conflict. And that’s why Sierra Simone books move right to the top of the stack. In Sinner, we fortuitously get to return to the world of her previous Priest and to the complicated Bell brothers, and Sean is about as far away from his former-priest brother Tyler, whose story was so deliciously naughty, so deeply emotional and impactful that I couldn’t wait for the follow-up. 
.
Sean Bell is indeed a sinner, a millionaire in a cutthroat business, whose Catholic upbringing was severed quite fully when tragedy that intermingled with the church hit his own family. It’s something he doesn’t talk or even much think about, the way he excised God from his life and hasn’t looked back. Or so he thought. When he’s presented with his best friend’s little sister, so all grown up he doesn’t even recognize her at first, he can’t help but want to get a little forbidden with her. And then he finds out the much-younger Zenny Iverson has one month remaining until she takes her vows with the church. To become a nun. 
.
And after becoming reacquainted, Zenny decides one thing: she’d like to go out with a bang, literally. So not only do we have best friend’s little sister, lessons in seduction, and a May-December interracial romance, Sierra Simone ties it all up deliciously with sinner Sean and a young nun-in-waiting Zenny. 
.
The treat with Sierra Simone stories is that, yes, romance is at the forefront. Yes, the sex is some of the hottest, most tempting you’ll find anywhere. And often you can find themes of religion explored unabashedly and controversially in their own way. She’s always going to approach it somewhat uncomfortably, because everyone comes to it differently, even the characters, but every facet is real and nuanced. It will make you think. As a student of character study and a woman of faith myself, I love the honesty and sensitivity she shows in her stories, in a way and to a level we don’t see much of in literary romance. 
 .
Sean and Zenny come across as real people, with actual, understandable bonds and conflicts with God, which go to the very heartbeat of who they are. And here too are literal life and death issues, as the Bell matriarch is slowly dying of cancer and Sean tries to hold it all together as oldest child, while hanging on to a burgeoning realization that exploring a sexual relationship with Zenny for a very limited amount of time has him feeling less in control than ever. It’s a powerful story that, like every other Sierra Simone book, will likely dissolve you into tears, then lift you up with hope. The emotional wringing brings a rebirth, of faith in these characters and their relationship to a Higher Power, of family, of growth, of love. And wherever she goes next, I’ll be sure to follow. 

Four Loves

 

 

EXCERPT

“Zenny,” I mumble against her lips, some valiant part of me recognizing that this is far, far beyond the kiss she asked for, and also recognizing that I’m going to come all over the inside of my Hugo Boss suit pants if she keeps it up. Even through the clothes, I can feel her heat, her shameless rolls hinting at where she goes soft and wet between her legs.

Fuck, I want to see it. I want to see her pussy. It’s suddenly all I can think about, all I can want or crave, just one glimpse, just a peek.

“I want to see your cunt,” I say hoarsely, lifting my head.

“My…cunt?” She says the word like she’s never said it out loud before.

“Yeah.” My voice is so ragged right now, so desperate, and fuck, I’ve never felt this frantic before. Like I’ll actually combust if I don’t get this one thing, this one small sight of her secret place.

She lets out a shaky breath, her hand dropping from my lapel to her skirt, which she slowly rucks up to her waist as I devour her lips once more, as I bury my face in her neck and kiss every sliver of skin exposed above her collar. I bite at her ear, at her jaw, my hand finding hers as it pulls her skirt up, so that I’m helping her do it, that we’re doing it together, this forbidden act, this forbidden revelation.

Her forbidden body.

That word, forbidden, spikes through my mind, bringing with it equal spikes of lust and fear. Because yes, it’s fucking hot that I shouldn’t be kissing her, I shouldn’t be begging to see her most secret place, my hand shouldn’t be covering hers as it slides up her thigh—but it’s also bad. Bad even for Sean Bell.

Bad, bad, bad.

 

 

About the Author:

Sierra Simone is a USA Today Bestselling former librarian (who spent too much time reading romance novels at the information desk.) She lives with her husband and family in Kansas City

Connect with Sierra Simone:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sierra-Simone-497450453680395/?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheSierraSimone

Amazon : http://amzn.to/1PDR4K4

Goodreads : http://bit.ly/1oo9WEh

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/thesierrasimone/

Website: http://authorsierrasimone.com/

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Two Wedding Crashers by Meghan Quinn…Blog Tour & Review

 

 

 

BUY NOW

AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | AMAZON CA | AMAZON AU

 

 

I don’t know what love is anymore.

Well, that’s not entirely true, but I’m going to tell you a little secret: I’ve lost the spark.

You know the kind of spark I’m talking about?

Where butterflies take flight in your stomach from two hands innocently colliding. Or catching your breath when you first meet someone attractive. Yeah, that spark.

Except I haven’t felt that feeling in forever; there is nothing left inside of me.

Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem–but I’m a writer on a serious deadline, and my editor is breathing down my neck for a romantic, Nicholas Sparks type love story. No pressure, right?

That’s how I find myself flying across the country to crash a wedding in the name of research, dress and heels stuffed into my small suitcase.

It should be the easiest book research ever. Drinking some free champagne, basking in the love of two strangers, and tapping into my romantic side. That will be a breeze. I’m a pro. I can handle this.

Until I mistakenly end up in the wrong hotel room, naked as the day I was born, with the sexiest human I have ever met staring me down, wondering what I’m doing taking a shower in his bathroom. I don’t think calling it research will get me out of this pickle.

 

 

 

 

Anyone who knows me or reads my reviews, knows that I am HUGE Meghan Quinn fan – and I mean HUGE!!! She writes it, I am reading it without a clue to what’s it about. SIGN ME UP!! And this book was no different, however, I did know what it was about – Beck.

We met Beck in her book, Three Blind Dates. No, you don’t need to read that book first, but I highly recommend it just because you get that initial meeting of Beck and what is to come in this one. Beck was my runner-up in choices for Three Blind Dates (read it to find out what I mean) and I was so excited to know that his book was next after finishing it.

I really do not even know how to describe Beck except to say that he is he deep yet knows how to live life fully. He was so much more than I expected and I love getting to know this character more. He is the perfect match for Rylee.

“Sometimes you have to take a chance on something that makes you happy, regardless of the unknown.”

Beck has been pushing forward after some dark times in his life but his friends find that he doesn’t do much else aside from his work and passions. They want him to get back into the dating pool and have fun again. After a bum go on a blind date (again, read Three Blind Dates to see what happens), he is very hesitant to put himself out there. So his friends come up with the idea to go to Key West with them, crash a wedding they’re attending and maybe hook up with a single lady while enjoying the time away.

Rylee has been living life in the shadows and only recently started to come back to herself. She is a romance author who finds herself staring down a deadline with writers block in her path of completion. Zoey and Victoria are her best friends and writing buddies trying to help Rylee get her mojo back, but nothing seems to be working. Then the girls come up with a plan to have Rylee Crash a wedding that Zoey and Victoria are attending to see if that get Rylee’s groove back.

You can see where this is going – yes, Rylee and Beck meet. Their vacation fling is amazing. And even when they return to their lives, things just keep getting better. These two together was so funny and natural to watch. Things moved at a decent pace and nothing was rushed, which I enjoyed. Rylee is dead set on keeping things light and easy, Beck has other intentions.

Beck has no problems holding back on what he is feeling – he just lays it all out. Let me tell you, I am impressed by Rylee’s self control – if a man talked dirty to me like that when I was single, I would be climbing that man like a damn monkey – just saying. But he is also sweet and enduring, which is something new for Rylee to have directed at her from a man.

Rylee is really out of her element when it comes to Beck. He’s what she writes about, not what she gets in real life. I love that she is cautious yet flirtatious and tries her damn best to not get caught up in everything. But Beck just never gives up and that makes it harder each day for Rylee to walk away.

The Wedding Crashers is definitely a slow-burn romance. Meghan moves this book at the perfect pace though. Everything happens within a few months, but with the way Meghan has it all play out, it feels like so much longer (and that’s a good thing). It’s not boring, it’s natural progression of things and that just makes it even more intense and intriguing. I agree at times, I wanted things to move a bit faster, but in the end, I was so glad that it didn’t.

Meghan has written another amazing story with great characters that you will find yourself loving from the second you meet them. I almost feel like I know these characters personally and want all the best for them. Bravo Meghan!

 

 

 

 

Chills scream their way down my arms and legs, my nipples pucker, and just like that, with one word, all humor vanishes from our little conversation and awareness of this all-consuming man wrapped around me hits me hard.

Gathering myself, I say, “Tell me something Chris and Justine know about you.”

“Hmm.” His thumbs hook under the waistband of my shorts, playing with the lower part of my hipbones. His touch spurs on my pelvis, needing to rock, begging for him to go lower. My toes curl in my sandals and my back slightly arches, reaching for more. “Something they know about me.”

His mouth doesn’t stray from its position against my ear, and his hips start to slowly move underneath me, his legs tangling with mine. Involuntarily, one of my hands hooks the back of his neck as I hold on tightly to him, feeling like I need support from the onslaught of sensation I’m feeling.

I hear him say something, but it doesn’t register in my brain, which has turned to mush as his thumbs stray from my hipbones to right above my pubic bone.

There is no denying how turned on I am, how wet I am from his mere touch, how much—despite my reservations—I want this man.

With each stroke, my head turns farther and farther to the side until our noses are touching, Beck’s head bends forward to meet me halfway. My eyes flutter shut for a brief moment before I open them and am captured by those flecks of green and gold.

The air stills around us, our breath mixing, swirling between us, our lips so close.

One swipe of this thumb.

Another one.

I can’t breathe.

I can’t focus.

Another swipe, my head leans even closer, my tongue wetting my lips.

One more swipe . . .

My heart hammers in my chest, my skin prickling with awareness.

Beck brings his mouth even closer, only a whisper away now, and he waits.

Holding still.

His breathing feeling erratic beneath me.

One.

More.

Swipe.

And I’m gone.

I bring my mouth to his, slowly parting my lips ever so slightly, just enough to maneuver my mouth across his.

A low, provocative moan escapes Beck as one of his hands snags the back of my head and holds me in place, almost as if he lets go, I’ll disappear.

Needing more, I shift on his lap so I’m straddling him once again, my hands on his bare chest, feeling the powerful sinew that holds him together.

Our lips press and mold, mingling, taking, begging . . .

Desperate.

Beck’s tongue runs against my bottom lip, eliciting a moan from deep within me, lighting a fire so hot, so wild, my hands start to travel up his neck to his cheeks where I grip him, positioning his head so when I open my mouth, I can expertly dive my tongue onto his.

He groans, his lap shifting against mine now, his hard-on pressing against my wet and throbbing center. I match his rocking, using my position on his lap to take advantage of his length I can feel through his board shorts.

This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen, but God, am I happy it has. Maybe I really should live in the moment, maybe I should take advantage of the opportunity, maybe I should…

 

 

Born in New York and raised in Southern California, Meghan has grown into a sassy, peanut butter eating, blonde haired swearing, animal hoarding lady. She is known to bust out and dance if “It’s Raining Men” starts beating through the air and heaven forbid you get a margarita in her, protect your legs because they may be humped.

Once she started commuting for an hour and twenty minutes every day to work for three years, she began to have conversations play in her head, real life, deep male voices and dainty lady coos kind of conversations. Perturbed and confused, she decided to either see a therapist about the hot and steamy voices running through her head or start writing them down. She decided to go with the cheaper option and started writing… enter her first novel, Caught Looking.

Now you can find the spicy, most definitely on the border of lunacy, kind of crazy lady residing in Colorado with the love of her life and her five, furry four legged children, hiking a trail or hiding behind shelves at grocery stores, wondering what kind of lube the nervous stranger will bring home to his wife. Oh and she loves a good boob squeeze!

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Undone by You by Kate Meader….Blog Tour Stop with Review and Giveaway

 

 

“Meader (Irresistible YouSo over You) is a writer not to be overlooked… An intense, sexy romance balanced with a message about presumptions.”

– Library Journal

Book Description

Dante Moretti has just landed his dream job: GM of the Chicago Rebels. And screw the haters who think there should be an asterisk next to his name because he’s the first out managing executive in pro hockey. He’s earned the right to be here and nothing will topple him off that perch—especially not an incredibly inconvenient attraction to his star defenseman, Cade “Alamo” Burnett. Cade has always been careful to keep his own desires on the down low, but his hot Italian boss proves to be a temptation he can’t resist. Sure, they both have so much to lose, but no one will ever know…

As Dante and Cade’s taboo affair heats up off the ice and their relationship gets more and more intense, they’ll have to decide: is love worth risking their careers? Or is this romance destined to be forever benched?

 

My Review:

Undone by You is the latest installment in Kate Meader’s Chicago Rebels series and Ms. Meader has done it again.  This story knocked by socks off!

I have to ask…is there anything Ms. Meader can’t write? The answer is nope!  She can write the most fierce of heroines, the most alpha of heroes, all while adding a layer of emotion to each character that has me swooning with every page I read.  This was just another shining example of that, but slightly more difficult to accomplish being that it’s a M/M story.  I have read my fair share of M/M romances and when they’re done well, they are sublime.  When they aren’t done well they can be downright cringeworthy.  This story definitely fits into the sublime category…

Dante and Cade are both dynamic characters. Dante, the smart, successful, openly gay GM of the hockey team.  Cade the charming, funny, closeted defensive player on the very team Dante manages.  I’m sure after reading those two sentences you can gather just a few reasons a relationship shouldn’t happen between them…but alas, that’s what makes it all so fun.  The sexual tension and the forbidden fruit aspect of their relationship is totally delectable and had me devouring this book in no time.

And I have to mention how much I adore seeing all the other characters form this series pop in and out in each book.  It’s become this fun book family I can’t get enough of.

Once again, I have to say that here is nothing Ms. Meader can’t write.  I simply loved this book!

Four-and-a-Half Loves

 

About the Author

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

Blog Tour

March 4th

A Midlife Wife

CJR The Brit

Hoards Jumble

 

March 5th

Abigail Books Addiction

Dog-Eared Daydreams

Once Upon A Page

Oh My Growing TBR

 

March 6th

Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

Read Your Writes Book Reviews

Romancing the Readers

Scandalicious Book Reviews

iScream Books Blog

 

March 7th

Romantic Reads and Such

KT Book Reviews

Biblio Junkies

 

March 8th

Four Chicks Flipping Pages

Dirty Girl Romance

Only One More Page

 

March 9th

Read-Love-Blog

What’s Better Than Books

Romance Junkies

 

March 10th

Collector of Book Boyfriends

Belle Readers Thoughts

 

 

 

 

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Lies That Bind by Diana Rodriquez Wallach…. Release Day Blitz & Review

 

What do you do when you learn your entire childhood was a lie?

Reeling from the truths uncovered while searching for her sister in Italy, Anastasia Phoenix is ready to call it quits with spies. The only way to stop being a pawn in their game is to remove herself from the board. But before she can leave her parents’ crimes behind her, tragedy strikes. No one is safe, not while Department D still exists.

Now, with help from her friends, Anastasia embarks on a dangerous plan to bring down an entire criminal empire. From a fire-filled festival in England to a lavish wedding in Rio de Janeiro, Anastasia is determined to confront the enemies who want to destroy her family. But even Marcus, the handsome bad boy who’s been there for her at every step, is connected to the deadly spy network. And the more she learns about Department D, the more she realizes the true danger might be coming from someone closer than she expects…

Buylinks: https://entangledpublishing.com/lies-that-bind.html

 

Diana keeps the suspense and action going in Lies That Bind, her second book in the Anastasia Phoenix series. It does help to read the first book to get a better idea of what is going on, but Diana does a nice job of summarizing what everyone has already been through without taking away from the story.

Anastasia is now in London with her friends when they come upon Marcus’ brother, Antonio, who they had been searching for. Now that everyone realizes they need to take down Department D, Anastasia is having a very hard time trusting everyone around her. And when a friend winds up dead, Anastasia has no idea which way to turn.

I know I am not revealing much, and I really do not want to. Just like the first book, there is so much that goes on and I can’t give you one thing without giving away something important. The world building and the suspense is just as impactful and intriguing as the first book. I love how everything plays out and keeps you glued to the story.

I enjoyed that these characters friendships/relationships build more in this one and become more involved as time goes on. Even though Anastasia has trust issues, things build without confusion, if that makes sense – it builds naturally. I love these characters just as much as I love this story. Diana just a fabulous job of keeping the characters in their role (age, maturity, etc) all the while, keeping the momentum very thrilling.

Overall, this was a great sequel to Proof of Lies and has me anxiously awaiting what happens in the next book!!

 

 

Check out Diana’s response to Courtney’s questions on our Instagram page!

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Excerpt from Lies that Bind:

“Mom and Dad are either dead or they abandoned us. I’m not sure which is worse,” I said bluntly. “But if they are alive, we don’t know how many people, how many lunatics, think we’re walking maps to their doorsteps. They’ll use us, and they’ll hurt us. Again.”

“Then we’ll stop looking for them.” Keira shrugged like it was easy. “Why do we need to go anywhere to do that?”

“Because everyone on that terrace is somehow connected to Department D, Marcus and Antonio especially!” I stared at the gray sky, aggravated. Did she think I wanted to do this? I was about to walk away from a guy I cared about because of our parents, because of things that they did. They committed crimes, theyhad an affair, and they put us in danger. All we could do now was survive. “As long as we’re linked to them, we’re not safe. Especially if Mom and Dad are alive. We have to go off the grid.”

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About Diana Rodriguez Wallach:

Diana Rodriguez Wallach is the author of the Anastasia Phoenix Series, three young adult spy thrillers (Entangled Publishing, 2017, ’18, ‘19). The first book in the trilogy, Proof of Lies, was named by Paste Magazine as one of the “Top 10 Best Young Adult Books for March 2017.” Bustle also listed her as one of the “Top Nine Latinx Authors to Read for Women’s History Month 2017.” Additionally, she is the author of three award-winning young adult novels: Amor and Summer Secrets, Amigas and School Scandals, and Adios to All The Drama (Kensington Books); as well as a YA short-story collection entitled Mirror, Mirror (Buzz Books, 2013).

She is an advisory board member for the Philly Spells Writing Center, a school-based Workshop Instructor for Mighty Writers in Philadelphia, and has been a Writing Instructor for Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth since 2015. She holds a B.S. in Journalism from Boston University, and currently lives in Philadelphia.

Author Links:

Author Websitewww.dianarodriguezwallach.com

Author Bloghttp://dianarwallach.tumblr.com

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Author Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/dianarwallach/

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dianawallachauthor/

Baby Daddy by Kendall Ryan…Blog Tour & Review

 

 

A hot and hilarious new standalone from New York Times bestseller Kendall Ryan.

We met in a trapped elevator.

Emmett was on his way to work, sophisticated and handsome in his tailored suit and tie.

I was on my way to the sperm bank. Awkward, right?

At thirty-five, my life hadn’t taken the path I thought it would and I was tired of waiting—I wanted a baby. And I was ready to take matters into my own hands to make it happen.

After our ill-fated elevator encounter, Emmett insisted on taking me to dinner—he also insisted on something else—that I ditch my plan involving a turkey baster and let him do the job. He would be my baby daddy. He was a wealthy and powerful CEO with little interest in diapers or playdates. And since he didn’t want kids, I’d be on my own once his bun was in my oven, free to go my own way.

But once his baby was inside me, it was like a switch had been flipped, and I got a whole lot more than I ever bargained for.

This full-length standalone contains a hot, swoonworthy hero, lots of playful banter and some hot baby-making ! Enjoy.

 

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Baby Daddy is another sweet and light read from Kendall Ryan!! I really enjoyed this one and read it one sitting.

Kendall has the niche down to a science, I swear. She knows how to write this easy and sweet romances with great characters that you find yourself loving so easily.

Jenna is over trying to find the perfect man to settle down with and start a family and she knows her biological clock is ticking so she’s ready to become a single mom. Emmett took over the reigns of the family company and has no interest in ever having a relationship because he saw how his father failed at having a successful company and be a family man too.

When these two have a very odd first meet up but things couldn’t be more perfect for them. She doesn’t want the daddy in the picture and Emmett doesn’t want anything to do with having a family or anything along those lines. Match made in heaven for these two.

I love that Kendall made these two characters older and more mature with their shit together. It made the whole story all the more believable and enjoyable. Jenna and Emmett’s interactions were very entertaining and quite hilarious at times. Everything happened naturally and over time as they spent more time together. I was afraid that the one snafu between these two would be resolved too easily but again, Kendall worked it out the way that fit these characters and made sense. It was a quick thing but it was handled with maturity so I had no qualms with how everything panned out.

Another smashing hit for Kendall and one that her fans will love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She’s a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she’s appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.

Visit her at: www.kendallryanbooks.com for the latest book news, and fun extras

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Family Is Forever by S.C. Stephens…Blog Tour & Review

We are thrilled to be bringing you FAMILY IS FOREVER, the conclusion to S.C. Stephens’s Conversion series. Lovers of paranormal romance won’t want to miss this one–be sure to grab your copy today!

 

About FAMILY IS FOREVER

Julian Adams would give anything to rewind the last few months. His sister has been forever altered, a man he distrusts is now a permanent part of his family, and the woman of his dreams no longer remembers him. The only thing left for Julian to do is start over.

Nika Adams is finally content with her life. She’s forever bound to her soulmate, and helping him with a project that has given him purpose. But just when it seems peace is on the horizon, an unintended consequence of Hunter’s work arises, and everyone must pull together to find a way to keep the family safe … forever.

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Read an excerpt from FAMILY IS FOREVER now!

Arianna had relaxed quite a bit during our conversation. Her demeanor was casual as she played with the strap of her shoe. Her laugh came naturally. It was easy to pretend that we were still together as we sat there talking. Our arms were even touching. It sent a jolt of electricity down my spine to feel my skin against hers again. It felt like we were finally shifting, finally moving in the right direction. It was everything I’d hoped tonight would be.
After a brief pause in talking about our summer plans, Arianna pursed her lips and said, “Why have we never been friends before now? We’re in the same grade, and we must have had classes together before…but I don’t recall ever seeing you before a couple of months ago.”
I sighed, not sure how to answer that. “I don’t know… We must have just kept missing each other. But I’m so glad that’s not the case anymore. You…there’s just something about you. You’re kind, warm, accepting. You see past people’s faults, to the person they are underneath. You’re patient, forgiving, and open to things that are a little…different. But you don’t take crap from anyone either, and you stand up for what you believe in. You’re just…amazing.”
Her expression was blank. “You saw all that, sitting across the room from me?”
I peeked up at her with a small smile that I couldn’t hide. “I see you, Arianna. I see the real you.” Straightening, I met her eye and held her gaze. “And I really like what I see.”
Arianna held her breath as we stared at each other. Her heart rate spiked, and I momentarily felt bad that I could hear it. She’d probably be embarrassed if she knew I could. But then her eyes drifted to my lips, and I really didn’t care that I had a slight advantage. All I cared about was whether she wanted me to kiss her right now. Was she ready to see me as more?
I leaned in, tentative and unsure. Maybe I was misinterpreting this. Maybe, because I wanted it so badly, I was seeing something that wasn’t there. My heart was thumping in my chest so loudly, Nika probably thought I was doing something much more strenuous than just sitting on a bed, staring at Arianna, and waiting for our second first kiss to happen.

 

 

Family Is Forever is the conclusion on this series from Stephens. I did not read the first 3 books in this series and wasn’t too confused when I started on book four, since it’s sort of “spin-off” and the last 3 books are about Nika and Julian. The other characters from previous books are in these, but there isn’t any confusion and Stephens does a great job of summarizing who everyone is and how they are all related.

As with the previous two books, the story is about Julian and Nika and their struggles in their world. Nika is now a full fledge vampire and is sired to her boyfriend, Hunter. We also get snippets from Hunter’s POV and they struggles he faces along with Nika.

Julian is having a hard time handling all the new changes going on. He lost the love his life, Arianna, because her mind was wiped clean, so it’s as though they are starting all over again. Arianna remembers nothing about Julian or Nika so it’s a rough go. Julian also lost his sister when she became a full fledge vampire and the special bond that they shared was severed. He wants to help out more in the family and not be left on the sidelines because he isn’t old enough or whatever excuse their father seems to come up with.

Nika is happy being a full fledge vampire. But her father is a tad overprotective, so Nika struggles with her bond to Hunter because of the restriction her father puts on them. While Hunter adheres to everything, Nika definitely pushes them.

While Julian and Nika are dealing with their own personal struggles, the family has to deal with outside issues that are trying to end the life of all vampires. I was definitely intrigued by this enemy and curious to see how everything panned out.

Overall, it was great ending to the series. There is a lot of action and suspense. While I felt parts could have been more condensed, I still enjoyed the majority of the book. The secondary characters played key roles in this book and helped keep the story line interesting. If you are a fan of PNR, I highly recommend his series.

 

 

 

Don’t miss the other books in the Conversion series!

Conversion / Bloodlines / ‘Til Death / The Next Generation / The Beast Within / Family is Forever

 

About S.C. STEPHENS

S.C. Stephens is a bestselling author who enjoys spending every free moment she has creating stories that are packed with emotion and heavy on romance.

Her debut novel, Thoughtless, an angst-filled love triangle charged with insurmountable passion and the unforgettable Kellan Kyle, took the literary world by storm. Amazed and surprised by the response to the release of Thoughtless in 2009, more stories were quick to follow. Stephens has been writing nonstop ever since.

In addition to writing, Stephens enjoys spending lazy afternoons in the sun reading fabulous novels, loading up her iPod with writer’s block reducing music, heading out the movies and spending quality time with her friends and family. She currently resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her two equally beautiful children.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads

Nobody Does It Better by Lexi Blake…..Blog Tour & Review

 

 

 

 

A spy who specializes in seduction

Kayla Summers was an elite CIA double agent, working inside China’s deadly MSS. Now, she works for McKay-Taggart London, but the Agency isn’t quite done with her. Spy master Ezra Fain needs her help on a mission that would send her into Hollywood’s glamorous and dangerous party scene. Intrigued by the mission and the movie star hunk she will be shadowing, she eagerly agrees. When she finds herself in his bed, she realizes she’s not only risking her life, but her heart.

A leading man who doesn’t do romance

Joshua Hunt is a legend of the silver screen. As Hollywood’s highest paid actor, he’s the man everyone wants to be, or be with, but something is missing. After being betrayed more than once, the only romance Josh believes in anymore is on the pages of his scripts. He keeps his relationships transactional, and that’s how he likes it, until he meets his new bodyguard. She was supposed to keep him safe, and satisfied when necessary, but now he’s realizing he may never be able to get enough of her.

An ending neither could have expected

Protecting Joshua started off as a mission, until it suddenly felt like her calling. When the true reason the CIA wanted her for this assignment is revealed, Kayla will have to choose between serving her country or saving the love of her life.

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“Kayla?”

Her eyes came up, a flash of recognition there. “Yes?”

“Are you going to sign the contract or do you have more questions?”

She picked up the pen sitting on top of the contracts that would bind the two of them together for the next six months. They would reevaluate the relationship at that point in time, but for the next six months, she was his. His bodyguard. His submissive.

Bought and properly paid for. He would take care of her and she would give him what he needed.

She signed with a flourish and sat back, a gleam of curiosity in her eyes.

He was curious, too, and there was zero reason to not satisfy their curiosity. Hard and soft limits had been gone over. They would find their communication style as they went along. But first she should understand that he was in control.

“Come sit on my lap.”

She didn’t hesitate. She stood and turned, shifting so she could maneuver her way onto his lap.

Her weight came down on him and he wrapped an arm around her waist. Damn but she made him feel big. He’d seen her take out a man twice her size, but sitting here in his lap she felt small and vulnerable, and fuck but that did it for him.

He slid a hand along her knee, letting himself indulge in the silky-smooth feel of her skin against his palm. “Did you do as I asked?”

He was well aware his voice had gone husky, deeper than normal.

“Yes, Joshua.” She squirmed the tiniest bit, as though trying to find a comfortable position. It might be difficult for her because she was sitting right on his cock, and it was harder and thicker than he could ever remember it being.

“How can I trust you?” This was all part of the game he loved. Here he could let go and play out the darker of his impulses—to control, to take, to possess.

See. Want. Have.

“You’ll have to check,” she replied. “Though shouldn’t we go inside?”

He reached out and picked up his cell with his free hand, pushing one number and connecting to the security room. He put them on speaker. She needed to understand what she was up against in order for the game to be fair. “Landon?”

“This is Burke,” the deep voice replied. “Shane’s on patrol. What can I do for you?”

“Burke, I would like to fuck my submissive on the third-floor balcony. Is anyone watching us? Can you see any cameras pointed our way?”

A low, masculine chuckle came across the line. “No, Mr. Hunt. And given the angle relative to the beach, you should enjoy your evening without worry. The only peepers I would worry about would be your next-door neighbor, and Jared is out for the night.”

“I wouldn’t care if he wasn’t. Keep up the good work.” He hung up and his hand tightened. “I would prefer when we’re playing that you don’t question me like that. I know where I want to fuck you. I know when I want to fuck you, and I’m in charge. If I want you in the middle of a crowded freeway, your only response is a yes or a no. Not to question me.”

She seemed to relax back against him, as though she was giving up the struggle and choosing to submit. “Yes, Joshua. Yes, I understand, and yes to the sex. Please.”

He liked the breathy please and loved how she squirmed. Still, he wasn’t absolutely sure she’d obeyed him, and he was a man who required proof. He slid his hand up her thigh. “Spread your legs for me.”

Her knees fell apart, and he could feel the heat from her core. He slipped a hand up until he made contact with her softest skin. No panties. Nothing but wet heat waiting for him, and it was obvious the play had cranked her up, too. His free hand eased one button on her shirt free, and then another and another until he could move in like a soldier conquering territory. No bra. Her breasts were like the rest of her. Soft and delicate. One nipple rolled against his palm, hardening then and there.

“I can see you’ve been an obedient sub,” he said, his mouth against her ear. “You need to stay that way or there will be punishment. I’m not a sadist, Kayla. I truly don’t get off on your pain, but I will give it to you if you need it. I am a disciplinarian. I gain satisfaction from your obedience. In exchange, I’ll show you how good it can be to obey me.”

 

 

 

I can’t believe this is the last book in this series – Yes, I know it’s book 15 but damnit I love this series so much. However, I am so excited that we have spinoff series coming about the lost boys and I am soooo looking forward to that.

So I had a hard time rating this book – I kept flipping between 3 and 4, so my overall is 3.5 but I leaned more towards 4 because I only had one issue and I didn’t feel that is bad enough to push the book to a 3.

Nobody Does It Better is Kayla’s book. She’s the last of crew and has spent the majority of her years as a double agent with MSS. She’s lived her life playing a role so her new assignment is nothing new to her – submissive bodyguard to one Hollywood’s biggest stars. Oh yea……

Josh Hunt has a wicked and dark past that he has tried to leave behind him. It’s left him bitter about love. But he has come to realize that the world of BDSM is his calling and one thing he can always rely on. And he now finds himself in need of someone to not only become his submissive but also be able to keep things strict and professional and be his bodyguard.

Lexi does sexy and suspenseful like no one else. She has this perfect mix of intensity with both the BDSM elements and the suspense/action going on. You find yourself get sucked into the story and just breezing through the pages needing to know what happens next. It’s that intensity that she just rocks at.

I may not have loved this one as much as others – there was ALOT going on that it was hard to keep track – but I still really enjoyed it. This may have been the last in the series, but she did a great job of transitioning us to the spin off series The Lost Boys. So as sad as I am to have to say goodbye to this series, she has me eager to start the next one.

 

 

 

NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER / WEBSITE / AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Heart Stronger by Rachel Blaufeld…Blog Tour & Review

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“So exquisitely titillating, full of hope and second chances, and so honest, this is Rachel Blaufeld’s best and swooniest romance yet! I LOVED it!”

– Katy Evans, New York Times Bestselling Author

Heart Stronger, an all-new emotional romance from Rachel Blaufeld is available now!

HeartStronger Full

“Sometimes, I feel like I’m watching a movie . . . that it’s not really me, Claire Richards, getting this second chance at life.”

“Open your eyes, it’s you, and I’m damn glad it’s with me.” ~ Aiken

Single mom and college professor Claire Richards only wanted a few hours of me time to soak in her tub, read a book, and drink wine.

But tragedy struck, and Claire found herself with a lot more me time than she bargained for.

Three years later, Claire is still mourning her losses when Aiken Fordham—who looks young enough to be one of her college students—moves in next door.

Forcing Claire to face her fears, Aiken almost forgets his reason for moving to Small Town, Pennsylvania. Falling for the sexy, smart, and strong professor next door was never in the plan.

But now it is . . . until their future intersects with their pasts.

Excerpt

The downpour stopped just as I did, soaked in rain and sweat. Rolling my neck, I took in my house. It was cute. Too cute for a single dude, but it was all fixed up, and I wasn’t in the mood for a renovation project.

I bent over to stretch, touching my toes, and before I could stand up, Smitty was at my feet, tail wagging, tongue lolling, begging to be petted.

“Smitty!” Claire came running out her front door, dark hair tied up in a messy bun, wearing tight black pants and a fitted green blouse. No shoes. She stopped in front of me, and I noticed her pink toes and tanned feet.

“Smitty, bad boy! You can’t leave the house.” She grabbed his collar and tugged him to her side.

“S’okay.” Wetness seeped into my eyes, and I swatted it away, making the burn worse. Squinting and blinking, I remained focused on the woman in front of me, and all woman she was. There wasn’t one girlish thing about my neighbor, and no—before you think it—I didn’t have mommy issues.

I had lean-muscular-legs and pouty-lips issues, both of which Claire had in earnest. Not to mention, I had a separate thing for independence after growing up around all these farming wives, who basically did all the heavy lifting for none of the credit. Then there was my dad, unable to move on, the epitome of lost.

“Don’t say that. He can’t be running out of the house.” Her breath was short at this point; she was almost panting. “He’s all I have.” It was a whisper of a sentence, but I heard it. Fuck it, I felt it. I got pain. Hated anyone else having to experience it.

She was eaten up with pain, but kept her head up—I could tell. I wanted to crack her veneers, let the pain ooze out, and see her smile in earnest.

Deep shit for a young guy, but I’d grown up fast. Like in the last forty-eight hours.

“I put my hand out to feel if it was still raining, and he bolted as soon as he saw you,” she continued to explain.

“Like I said, I’m cool with Smitty, but I get it. He can’t be escaping.”

“Thanks for understanding.” She stood, prim and proper, her gaze heavy on the concrete, clearly avoiding any direct eye contact.

“You okay, Claire? I’m sorry about last night.”

“I’m fine.” She turned back toward her house.

“Claire, listen, we got off to a bad start. Can we start over? Aiken Fordham, nice to meet you.” I held my hand out, flexing my bicep, waiting for her to return the favor.

“Claire Richards.” She took my hand, her smaller, dainty, and way smoother hand slipping into mine.

“Ugh. What do you want, Aiken? Look at you, shirtless, dripping from running in the rain.” Her hand whipped out of mine and began whisking up and down in the air, motioning at my very naked torso. “What could you possibly want from me? If you need an egg or a stick of butter, pop next door. Otherwise, let me be. I need to get out of here and beg Mary to give me a class full of students, probably not much older than you.” She alternated between eyeing me and her disobedient dog.

“You’re a beautiful woman, Claire,” I called, running up behind her. “And I’m a warm-blooded man, who’ll probably never have a need for a stick of butter. I’m a big boy. I know how to find a grocery store. All by myself too.”

She flung open her door and motioned Smitty inside. He stood at the screen door, staring us down with sad doggie eyes.

“Is there something wrong with getting to know my neighbor? I don’t know anyone here. Maybe you could be neighborly? Or are you so closed off you can’t do that? Because if so, that’s a damn shame,” I said through gritted teeth. Admittedly, I was more frustrated than I should have been. I was a man who desperately wanted the broken woman in front of me.

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Anyone who has been following my reviews over the year, knows that I love Rachel and her work. She’s always stood out to me with her unique characters and amazing story lines.

Heart Stronger is an emotional romance about a divorced professor, Claire and her new next door neighbor, Aiken. Many have been calling this a second chance romance and honestly, I personally do not see it as that. For me, a second chance romance is when the main characters are finding a second chance to be together again when it didn’t work out before and that’s not the case here. These two do not know each other til they become neighbors.

Claire not only had to survive through a divorce, but while she was coming to grips on that, she loses her daughter in a horrific incident. Since then, she has buried herself in her work and hasn’t truly lived her life since the day her daughter died. Aiken moves to the are in hopes of finding his mother, who left him and father. He came looking for closure but what he found was hot neighbor that he just couldn’t walk away from.

Rachel has this way with her writing where I find myself so enraptured by them and cheering them on. Aiken won my heart over immediately. I love that nothing Claire did would deter him from continuing to persue her. He saw more than what she showed everyone. Claire is one tough cookie. She is deadest in her ways and just truly believes because she was selfish one night and lost her daughter, that she no longer deserves any sort of love. I love how everything unfolds along with the mystery behind Aiken’s quest to find his mother.

Rachel delivers another fantastic story with great characters that will stay with us. While this book is a standalone, she does end it with a cliffhanger about Claire’s best friend, Mary. So I will be anxiously awaiting for that book next.

 

 

 

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About Rachel:

RachelBRachel Blaufeld is a bestselling author of Romantic Suspense, New Adult, Coming-of-Age Romance, and Sports Romance. A recent poll of her readers described her as insightful, generous, articulate, and spunky. Originally a social worker, Rachel creates broken yet redeeming characters. She’s been known to turn up the angst like cranking up the heat in the dead of winter.

A devout coffee drinker and doughnut eater, Rachel spends way too many hours in local coffee shops, downing the aforementioned goodies while she plots her ideas. Her tales may all come with a side of angst and naughtiness, but end as lusciously as her treats.

As a side note, Blaufeld, also a long-time blogger and an advocate of woman-run anything, is fearless about sharing her opinion. She captured the ears of stay-at-home and working moms on her blog, BacknGrooveMom, chronicling her adventures in parenting tweens and running a business, often at the same time. To her, work/life/family balance is an urban legend, but she does her best.

Rachel has also blogged for The Huffington Post and Modern Mom. Most recently, her insights can be found in USA TODAY, where she shares conversations at “In Bed with a Romance Author” and reading recommendations over at “Happy Ever After.”

Rachel lives around the corner from her childhood home in Pennsylvania with her family and two beagles. Her obsessions include running, coffee, basketball, icing-filled doughnuts, antiheroes, and mighty fine epilogues.

When she isn’t writing, she can be found courtside, tweeting about hoops as her son plays, or walking around the house wearing earplugs while her other son, the drummer, bangs away.

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