Category Archives: Reviewers

Release Day Blitz + Excerpt + Giveaway: Easy Nights by Kristen Proby

Posted on by
1

 

From New York Times Bestselling author Kristen Proby, comes a steamy and passionate friends-to-lovers romance—EASY NIGHTS! The sixth standalone title in the Boudreaux Series, Savannah and Ben’s highly anticipated story is now available on all retailers! Grab your copy today!

 

About EASY NIGHTS (Boudreaux Series #6):

The Boudreaux Series—Sexy. Intriguing. Easy.

No one said change was easy…

Savannah Boudreaux knows what it is to hurt. To bleed. To be afraid that the man she’s promised to be true to until “death do us part” might in fact separate them far sooner than anyone had ever anticipated. But Van also knows what it is to survive. To move on. To live life to the fullest. With five brothers and sisters and a loving mother as her constant source of strength during the pain and the healing, Van realizes there is little else she needs.

But some things never change…

Benjamin Preston sat on the sidelines of the Boudreaux family for years, in love with a woman he couldn’t have. As the best friend of the Boudreaux brothers since childhood, Ben has seen both tragedies and joys in the family. And as a former MMA fighter and KravMaga expert, Ben’s used to fighting for what he wants—and winning. His hands were tied when Savannah married her high school sweetheart not long after graduation, but now two years have passed since Ben found Savannah broken in her own home.

Sometimes what you need most has been right in front of you the whole time…

Van’s convinced that happiness isn’t in the cards for her, no matter how right it feels to be in Ben’s strong arms—and his bed. Ben is determined to win her heart and fight for her trust. He’s promised to protect her, to be her friend. But more than anything, he wants to finally make her his, and this is one fight he’s not willing to lose.

 

Pick up your copy of EASY NIGHTS today!

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes | Audible

 

 

Add to your Goodreads

 

Excerpt:

“Van.”

I spin at the sound of Ben’s voice, and silently cringe. I look horrible. I’m sweating like an ice cold drink without a coaster, and the clothes I wear here are skin tight, making it easier to move.

“You’re not usually here at this time,” I say and dab a towel on my face. “What’s up?”

“I had a meeting with another instructor,” he says with a smile. “Thought I’d say hi.”

“Hi.” I smile and readjust my ponytail. It’s much smaller now, but I can still pull it back. “How was your day?”

“Busy,” he replies and surprises me by letting his eyes travel up and down my body. “I like the new hair. You look great.”

“I’m a mess.” I chuckle and hook my towel around my shoulders. “You, however, do look great.”

That’s a fucking understatement. He’s in cargo shorts and a black tank top, showing off his tattoos and his muscles.

Good lord, the muscles.

“Can I show you a few things?” he asks, breaking my concentration on his muscles.

“Sure,” I frown as I follow him back into the empty classroom. “Am I doing something wrong?”

“No, I just want to go over some form things.” He leads me to the center of the room and stands behind me, looking into my eyes through the mirror.

Oh God. This is way sexier than it probably should be.

“Assume the stance.”

I follow his directions and work very hard to not react to his strong hands on my sides as he walks me through punches, kicks, and better ways to keep my center of gravity.

“You’re small,” he murmurs and pushes my legs just a little closer together. “I want you to keep your feet just a little closer together. You’ll have better balance.”

I nod. “It feels better.”

He smiles at me. I can’t keep my eyes off of him in the mirror. The way he moves, his facial expressions.

Ben has always been attractive to me, but holy shit, did he get hotter? Or was I just too broken before to see it?

Because holy shit, he’s hot.

“Van?”

“Yeah?”

“I just asked you to do the spin/elbow move.”

“Oh.” I bite my lip and will myself to stop ogling his arms.

“Are you okay?”

“Of course.” I do as he asks and spin, attempting to ram my elbow in his nose, the way I’ve been taught, but he blocks and sends me onto my ass. “Damn it.”

“You’re not spinning quickly enough.”

“I’m as clumsy as they get,” I remind him. “If I spin too fast, I’ll fall on my ass. I’ll be helping my attacker more than anything.”

“It’ll actually feel easier,” he says, helping me to my feet. “You can do this. I’ve seen it.”

“You’re taller than anyone else I’ve ever sparred with.”

“Good,” he says and narrows his eyes. “Chances are, if you ever have to defend yourself, your attacker won’t be shorter than you.”

“True.” I nod thoughtfully.

“But if you’re still not comfortable doing this with me, that’s fine. I can make suggestions for Shelly to work on next week.”

“I’m okay,” I reply, and am surprised to realize that it’s true. It wasn’t long ago that I couldn’t stand for any man to touch me, not even my brothers. But I don’t mind so much now.

In fact, I’m utterly shocked to realize that his touch is turning me on. I don’t remember the last time I had sexual thoughts toward a man. Even Ben. Which was one more thing that made me sad.

But hello, long lost hormones.

 

Kelley’s Review

I have been reading this series since book one and was anxious to see how Savannah’s story was going to play out.  I can tell you now that Kristen Proby did not disappoint with this one.  Easy Nights is hot, steamy, and suspenseful.  I kept turning the pages with one eye closed as I knew the other shoe was about to drop for Savannah.  Too many odd things were happening to her that did not add up but I had a feeling in my gut as to who was behind it and why.  This story was written to just reveal the tiniest of clues as to what was to come.

Kristen did a great job with her character development of Savannah.  She took a character who was abused for years and walked her through the road to recovery.  It was not night and day and nor did Savannah just bounce back.  It took years of therapy and taking self-defense classes until Savannah began to feel safe again.  When she finally decides to step out into the the dating world again it was only natural to see her expand on her feelings that she always had for Ben.  Ben was her safe place and an instructor of Krav Maga himself.  The fun part was seeing Ben finally allow himself to express the feelings he has always had for Van.  The one thing about Ben Preston is when he decides he want something there is no stopping him.  He is fierce, loyal, and sexy as sin.  Once Ben opened up Savannah never stood a chance.  Kristen wraps up this story with a serious ass kicking and happily ever after that will bring a tear to your eye.  If I could make one wish I would wish this series would never end.  It is one that I have enjoyed with each new release.  Bravo Kristen Proby on another excellent addition to this series!

 

And don’t miss the first standalone titles in the Boudreaux Series!

EASY LOVE-FREE for a limited time only
EASY CHARM-$.99 for a limited time only
EASY MELODY-$1.99 for a limited time only
EASY KISSES
EASY FOR KEEPS: A Boudreaux Novella
EASY MAGIC

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

About Kristen Proby:

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.

 

Website**Facebook**Twitter**Newsletter Sign Up

Author Goodreads**Novel Goodreads

 

Release Day Blitz + Excerpt + 4.5-Star Review: Prom Queen by Katee Robert

Posted on by
Reply

Celebrate the Release of PROM QUEEN!


 

A high school reunion is about to get down and dirty and a whole lot more complicated in this new erotic romance from New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Katee Robert.

 

Welcome to Bad Boy Homecoming! Five bestselling authors got together to see what happens when bad boy heroes (and even a bad girl or two!) roll back into a small town in Texas for their High School reunion. Sexy times, angst-filled memories, and second chances abound with this contemporary romance series.

  

Add PROM QUEEN to your TBR pile on Goodreads, then keep reading for an exclusive excerpt! Be sure to enter the giveaway for your chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card, a Signed Paperback Set of the entire Bad Boy Homecoming Series, or a Prom Queen themed scented candle!

 

Title: Prom Queen

Author: Katee Robert

Release Date: June 27, 2017

Publisher: Katee Robert

Series: Bad Boy Homecoming

Page Count: 109 pages

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Price: $3.99

 

Synopsis:

Jake Davis had it all in high school—a scholarship to his college of choice, a promising football career, and the gorgeous prom queen for a girlfriend. And then he lost it all when he was injured right after graduation. Ten years later, he’s mostly made his peace with that, and now runs a company that provides women with dates for special events. Imagine his surprise when he discovers that the ex who left him in the dust needs a fake boyfriend for their high school reunion…

Jessica Jackson used to be the mean girl to end all mean girls. But life didn’t turn out like she’d thought it would, and now she’s twenty-eight, single, and works as an insurance agent to A-listers instead of being the A-lister like she’d always dreamed. She can’t go back to her hometown and admit just how thoroughly she’s failed, so she lets her friends set her up with a fake date for the reunion.

The second Jessica realizes that her fake date is Jake, she tries to call the whole thing off. The problem is the chemistry between them is even hotter now than it was when they were teenagers. Against her better judgment she lets herself get drawn into Jake’s arms again—and into his bed. But time doesn’t heal all wounds—sometimes, it actually makes them worse—and if Jessica and Jake can’t learn to forgive each other, their second chance might not last the weekend.


Find out more at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Check out the entire Bad Boy Homecoming Series

 

 

Enter for your chance to win one of these fabulous prizes!
One (1) $50 Amazon Gift Card
One (1) Signed Paperback Set of the Bad Boy Homecoming Series
One (1) Prom Queen themed Scented Candle

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef29373/?

 

Excerpt from PROM QUEEN

Copyright © 2017 Katee Robert

 

Taking a fortifying breath that did nothing to fortify, she scrolled through her texts to find the number that had shown up last night. The words were short and to the point.

I’ll pick you up at the airport.

Nothing there to tell what kind of man she’d ended up with, and she’d been too cowardly to text back anything other than a generic agreement. Now there was nothing left to stall with. Jessica hitched her purse higher up on her shoulder and headed through security. The big red line tiled into the floor was a point of no return in so many ways. Why did I think this was a good idea?

Her mama didn’t raise a coward, though, so she lifted her chin and marched forward. No matter who this guy was, she’d faced down worse. She’d been worse. It couldn’t be more horrifying than the Miss Texas Teen USA pageant of 2005 where that little brat Misty Brennan cut holes into her dress and she didn’t realize it until she was out on stage and had her pink polka dot bra showing to the audience and God. Jessica had powered through that and walked out with second place, and she’d power through this, too.

She joined the people from multiple flights crowded around the baggage claim, her body practically vibrating from nerves. The scent of too many people in too little space assaulted her, but she was more focused on the faces she didn’t recognize from the plane. Too many, all filtered in with the travelers—there was no way she’d be able to pick him out of the crowd. Her date had her picture, so he’d have to be the one to approach. What if he doesn’t? What if this is just karma giving me one last kick in the teeth?

Oh, for God’s sake, stop being so dramatic.

“Jessica.”

A thrill shot down her spine, quickly eaten up by a dread so strong, she wished the ground would open and swallow her whole. She shot a look at the nearest exit, but if she took off now, she’d have to admit that she fled instead of turning and facing her Number One Nightmare.

Jake Davis.

Praying she was wrong, she turned slowly to face him. Nope. That was definitely Jake Davis, ex-quarterback, ex-boyfriend, just all around ex when it came to Jessica. And he was definitely way better in real life than he’d been in the pictures she’d seen while she was creeping on him. Her heart picked up and her body sparked to life in a way it hadn’t in far too long.

Something like ten years.

She was staring. She couldn’t stop. Jessica licked her lips, her breath stalling in her lungs when his green eyes met hers. His eyes had always been one of her favorite features—a true green that brightened depending on what he was wearing, framed with thick, dark lashes that had always made her jealous when she was a teenager. Going by those eyes, Jakes would be judged downright pretty.

At least until you saw the rest of his face. His hair had darkened over the years, closer to brown than blond, and his lantern jaw was covered with… “What the hell is that on your face?”

He blinked, the only outward sign that she’d surprised him.

“Nice to see you too, Jessie.” He touched his scruff. “A lot’s changed since you left.”

Her gaze jumped to his right shoulder. There was no outward sign of the injury that had started the end of it all, but then, he was wearing a light-weight black T-shirt, so it wasn’t like it would show. Focus, Jessica. “What are you doing here? Are you picking up someone for the reunion?” There you go. Nice and casual.

“You might say that.” He kept looking at her like he could see the inside of her head. Another new trick.

She glanced around, trying to be subtle. The baggage claim had started to clear out, and there weren’t any conveniently gorgeous men standing around alone. Where was her date? Now would be the perfect time for him to sweep in and do the job she’d hired him for. “I’m here with someone.”

“I know.”

She frowned. “What are you talking about?” On second thought, escaping Jake before she met her date was probably a better choice. She didn’t want to have to deal with meeting this new guy and trying to pretend they’d been dating forever. And how was she going to explain how she’d magically lost him between getting off the plane

and the baggage claim.

Cora’s so-called perfect plan was teetering toward disaster.

“Your order from Diamond Dates.” He gave her a slow, knowing grin that she felt all the way to her toes, and offered his hand. “Jessica Jackson, I’m your date for the reunion.”

 

Tracey’s Review

Who says that you can’t go home again? In the case of former mean girl and prom queen Jessica Jackson, returning to her home in Texas means facing the music in a big way. Going back to Catfish Creek for her high school reunion in order to mend some fences and show her former classmates how much she’s changed is what Jessica needs to do to move on with her life. She’s also determined to show them that she’s doing just fine, thank you very much, and with the help of Diamond Dates, she’ll be able to do just that.

Jake Davis was the golden boy in high school. MVP, destined for the pros, prom queen on his arm…but it all went up in flames, and Jake was left with none of the above. But you can’t keep a good man down, and Jake has made a successful life for himself as the head honcho at Diamond Dates. When a request for an escort to his very own high school reunion comes from one Jessica Jackson, there’s no way that Jake is letting it slip through his fingers. Because he and Jessie have some unfinished business…

Katee Robert hasn’t written a book that I don’t truly enjoy. Her reads are full of pop and sizzle, and satisfy at every level. PROM QUEEN, part of the Bad Boy Homecoming series, is a short and not-so-sweet trip down memory lane. The chemistry between Jake and Jessica is still as strong as ever, and while Jessie would be happy to overlook their spark, Jake is having none of it. He’s bound and determined to rekindle the flame, and to help Jessie see that bygones can indeed be bygones, and help her see the good in herself.

For being a shorter read, PROM QUEEN manages to titillate and gratify quite nicely. There is plenty of heat, but there is also a nice rounding out of characters, and resolution at every turn. All of this makes PROM QUEEN an easy 4.5-star read for me, and one that lovers of Katee and of romance should definitely add to their TBR.

 

 

 

About Katee Robert

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. Her 2015 title, The Marriage Contract, was a RITA finalist, and RT Book Reviews named it ‘a compulsively readable book with just the right amount of suspense and tension.”  When not writing sexy contemporary and romantic suspense, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her children, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. 

 

Connect with Katee at: Website | Facebook | Twitter| GoodReads | Instagram

Release Blitz + 5 Star Reviews + Giveaway: Until It Fades by K.A. Tucker

Posted on by
Reply

Until It Fades

By K. A. Tucker

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Synopsis

Twenty-four-year-old truck stop waitress and single mother Catherine Wright has simple goals: to give her five-year-old daughter a happy life and to never again be the talk of the town in Balsam, Pennsylvania (population three thousand outside of tourist season).

And then one foggy night, on a lonely road back from another failed date, Catherine saves a man’s life. It isn’t until after the police have arrived that Catherine realizes exactly who it is she has rescued: Brett Madden, hockey icon and media darling.

Catherine has already had her fifteen minutes of fame and the last thing she wants is to have her past dragged back into the spotlight, only this time on a national stage. So she hides her identity. It works. For a time.

But when she finds the man she saved standing on her doorstep, desperate to thank her, all that changes. There’s an immediate connection, and it’s more electric than the bond of two people who endured a traumatic event. It’s something neither of them expected. Something that Catherine isn’t sure she can handle; something she is afraid to trust.

Because how long can an extraordinary man like Brett be interested in an ordinary woman like Catherine…before the spark fades.

____________________________________

Robin’s Review

It was a delight for me to read the newest novel from author K.A. Tucker! Until it Fades is a feel-good contemporary romance and Tucker’s very own version of a fairy tale romance.

Pregnant by the age of 18, Catherine Wright became the talk of her high school and small hometown of Balsam, Pennsylvania. Now, at 24, Cath is struggling to get by on a waitress salary, saving up money to move her daughter away from the stares and whispers.

Twenty-six-year-old Brett Madden is a NHL hockey star and son of Hollywood actress Meryl Price. Wealthy, handsome, humble and charming, Brett signed a multi-million dollar contract to play hockey for the Flyers right out of high school. His team, the Flyers, is on track to make the NHL Hockey Finals – that is until the accident.

Late on a foggy night, Cath is driving home on a quiet back road when she arrives upon the scene of a terrible car wreck. She does the impossible – she pulls an unconscious man twice her size out of a burning car and saves his life. She has no idea who he is, but this one unselfish act will completely change her life.

Until it Fades is enjoyable from the beginning, but when I reached the point of the car wreck, this story absolutely captivated me! My mind was immediately drawn into the pages of this story. By far, the strongest aspect of Until it Fades is Tucker’s writing. Her writing is clear, concise, and full of vivid descriptive writing and outstanding character dialogue.

Brett’s car accident is clearly described, from the placement of passengers and wreckage to the utter urgency Cath feels to rescue a passenger while flames threaten to overwhelm them. I felt Cath’s anxiety, understood her emotions, as she attempts to pull Brett from the burning car. Tucker expertly describes characters, settings and action throughout the novel. I was able to envision the author’s words, almost as if I was watching a movie!

Tucker also has a gift for writing meaningful, heartfelt conversation. The author expertly describes facial reactions, emotions, and physical interactions between characters while they are speaking. I was clearly able to picture the characters in the midst of conversations. A great example of this outstanding dialogue includes Cath and Brett’s interview about the car wreck. Their interview is wrapped up in anxiety and emotion, and it’s very entertaining to read.

Another thing I love about Until it Fades is the characters. Brett is Tucker’s version of Prince Charming – and the perfect male lead! Everything about him is the opposite of Catherine, but Brett sees her for who she really is – beautiful on the inside and out. Their relationship is very sweet. Cath’s character is nicely developed throughout the story. I especially enjoyed her interactions with her best friend, Keith, her brother, Jack and manager, Lou.

To sum up my thoughts, Until it Fades is an excellent choice if you’re wanting to read a lighthearted romance that will make you feel good! I loved it! It’s one of the best contemporary romances that I have read during 2017, and I’m delighted to give it a 5-star rating!

Michel’s Review

As an avid reader my reading choices vary from new adult, romantic suspense, young adult, contemporary romance, dark romance, and many more.  One author I have found who always satisfies my reading tastes and covers many genres is K.A. Tucker.  She has the ability to deliver a story that keeps readers fully engaged with the story as well as being deeply connected to the characters.  Her latest release, Until It Fades was a pure delight to read.  It’s a contemporary/new adult romance that touches the heart.  Readers can easily identify with the characters because they are normal people who have made mistakes but move on in life striving to become better people and make better choices.

Catherine Wright was a defiant teenager.  She chose the wrong person as her high school love.  At eighteen she finds herself pregnant and on her own.  Her parents kicked her out and the small town of Balsam, Pennsylvania made her the Hester Prynne of their community. Their small minded and bias opinions destroyed a young woman rather than protecting her from an immoral and unethical predator. She survived the ridicule and gossip, got a job as a waitress in a local truck stop, and focused on raising her daughter.  For the past five years she has proved that she is a good person that could rise above her youthful mistakes.  She’s repaired her strained relationship with her family, chosen her friends wisely, and kept her life on a quiet but positive path.  Although she struggles financially, she makes ends meet and is providing a good life for her daughter. After her past experiences in the romance department, she’s overly cautious and doesn’t really date much.  When she agrees to a blind date after too much encouragement from her boss, it changes her life as she knows it.  The date was a complete disaster but what happens afterwards leads her to the happily ever after she thought she would never have.

After her disastrous blind date she witnesses a horrific car accident on a dark, foggy road.  She manages to pull the passenger, a man twice her size, from the wreckage before the vehicle burst into flames.  She had no idea that the man she saved was the high profile Hockey star Brett Madden.

Catherine wants to remain the anonymous good samaritan.  Brett wants to meet the woman who saved his life.  The press is vying for a story.

That one moment in time changed both of their lives and took them on a new path.

K.A. Tucker had me with the first paragraph in this book.  I was fully engaged.  Her vivid descriptions of small town life, the struggles of single motherhood, and life as a high profile sports star made this book come alive.  The scene where the accident took place made me feel like a bystander watching the horrific scene play out. And then we get to the heart of the story, the romance, it was absolutely realistic, emotional, and everything a romance reader wants in a book.  I absolutely loved everything in this book and would highly recommend it.

Read Until It Fades by K. A. Tucker!

______________________________________

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

K.A. Tucker is the author of He Will Be My Ruin and the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series. She currently resides outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and a Chug.

 

Website ** Twitter ** Facebook **Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads ** YouTube **Pinterest ** Instagram

_______________________________________

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

Release Day Blitz + Excerpt + Giveaway + 5+-Star Review: The Knocked Up Plan by Lauren Blakely

Posted on by
Reply

 

From #1 NYT Bestselling author Lauren Blakely, comes a new and sexy romance…THE KNOCKED UP PLAN! A standalone romance told in dual POV, THE KNOCKED UP PLAN is about all of the fun, hotness, and heartfelt emotions that come when a single woman asks her gorgeous, jaded, sworn-to-be-single-forever good friend to get one particular job done. What happens next when he agrees to provide the bun for her oven are lots of hot sexy times and heartfelt moments.

 

Now available on all retailers! Get your copy delivered now!

 

✮✮✮ THE KNOCKED UP PLAN is here! Grab your copy today! ✮✮✮

There are three little words most guys don’t want to hear on the first date. Not those…I mean these… “knock me up.”

This single gal has had enough of the games, the BS and the endless chase. I know what I want most, and it’s not true love. It’s a bun in the oven, and I’m not afraid to hit up my sex-on-a-stick co-worker to do the job. Ryder is gorgeous, witty and charming — and he’s also a notorious commitment-phobe. That makes him the perfect candidate to make a deposit in the bank of me.

I won’t fall for him, he won’t fall for me, and there’s no way baby will make three.

Right?

****
There are four words every guy wants to hear on the first date — “your place or mine?”

When my hot-as-sin co-worker makes me a no-strings-attached offer that involves her place, my place, any place — as well as any position — I can’t refuse. Besides, I’ve got my own reasons to take her up on her deal even with her one BIG condition.

There’s no way I’ll want more from one woman than any position, any where, any night? Except . . . what if I do?

Be prepared to swoon and fan yourself from the heat! This full-length standalone contains lots of hot baby-making s-e-x, happy tears, playful jokes and a hot, swoon worthy hero you will fall madly in love with. One-click now for pure reading enjoyment!

 

Excerpt:

“How does it work?” I ask. “The whole donation process.”

She stabs a carrot slice, chews, and swallows. “Well, there’s this thing guys do when they’re horny. It’s called”—she glances furtively from side to side—“jacking off.”

“I’m well aware of how the protein shake is made. What I mean is, are we talking about one of those little rooms you go into?” I ask, since what man doesn’t have an image of a jerk-off chamber? “With magazines or porn or whatnot?”

“Yes, they schedule the donors for forty-minute sessions in them.”

“I’m more efficient than that, but that’s good to know.” I take another bite and chew. I set down the burger. “So, a nurse or orderly would escort me to a special room, and then I’d need to drop my
drawers and whack off. Into a cup, right?”

“A plastic sample cup. With a top,” she says, and I’m kind of amazed that she’s answering every question like a champ. No blushing, no stammering.

“What do they provide for entertainment? Laptops? Computers? Or is it old school with Playboy?”

“They provide pornographic material in printed form as well as video on a TV screen.”

“Awesome. So I just choke the chicken in a room with a ton of other dudes going at it in their own rooms, too. Hand a cup to the nurse. She seals up the goods. Then, what’s next?”

“They do tests on your swimmers.”

“They’ll pass. Then you come in, maybe the same day, maybe a few days later?”

“Same day. We’d have to time everything to my cycle and when I’m ovulating.”

“Fine, so they undress you, prop you up on an exam table, and stick a turkey baster into you?”

“You paint a lovely picture of the process.”

I hold up a hand, waving her off. “Wait. I’m not done. You’re in nothing but a hospital gown. The doc tells you to put your cute little feet in stirrups, and they stick that baster up inside what I am sure
is an absolutely gorgeous and heavenly home,” I say, because if she can complement my tadpoles, I can say something nice about the paradise between her legs. She mouths a thank you. “After the boys
make the upstream trip, they send you home.” I mime patting her on the rear and then sending her out the door.

“I think you’ve got the basic idea.”

“And after that?”

“That’s all,” she says. “That’s all I’d want you to do. I don’t expect or want any involvement. I’d have all the paperwork drawn up in advance saying there are no legal rights, responsibilities, or expectations of parenting, and no financial commitments required.”

I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but that’s the clincher for me—the lack of involvement. If I’m ever going to raise a child, I’m damn well going to do it right. The whole nine yards, two parents, just like my mom and dad raised my brother, my sister, and me.

Nicole isn’t asking me to sign up for daddy duty, though. She doesn’t want me to help with diaper detail or midnight feedings.

She’s a friend asking for the help she needs so she can then do those things on her own.

And helping a friend seems like something I should consider.

Fine, she’s asking for a hell of a lot more than a dude to put together an IKEA TV stand, and those things are beyond Da Vinci Code-level cryptic. I’d like to see Robert Langdon decipher some IKEA assembly instructions. Good luck with that, Harvard symbologist.

I like Nicole. I respect the dickens out of this woman. I want to take her request as seriously as she’s asking it. “Can I have a few days to think about it?”

“Of course. Take all the time you need,” she says, then glances at an imaginary watch on her wrist. “It’s only my biological clock ticking.”

 

✦ Kindle US ✦ Kindle UK ✦ Kindle CA ✦ Kindle AU ✦ iBooks

✦ Barnes & Noble ✦ Kobo ✦ Google Play ✦ Amazon PB

 

 

✦The audiobook will be narrated by Sebastian York and Andi Arndt! Link coming soon! ✦

 

 

Tracey’s Review

What’s the modern woman to do when she’s reached a certain age, that old clock (yes, you know the one that I mean) is ticking, and there’s nary a serious romantic prospect in sight? If you’re Nicole Powers, you take matters into your own hands and get busy planning this baby-making thing.

I’ve gotten used to Lauren Blakely knocking my socks off with her romantic comedies. Each one owns me just a little bit more, and choosing favorites is like picking one child over another; you just can’t do it. THE KNOCKED UP PLAN literally stole my heart and was quickly added to the list of Books That I’m Soooo Very Happy To Have Read.

Let’s talk about Ryder Lockhart for a minute. From the very first, his wit, his charm, and his approachability made him MOYD (Man of Your Dreams) material. All of these attributes, plus the fact that the gods of genetics have amply blessed him, make him the perfect choice for Nicole’s plan to enter the ranks of mommyhood, and placed him squarely among the ranks of favorite book boyfriends ever.

“What I’m trying to say is that I want to have a baby. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time now, and I’m ready to become a mom. A single mom…Would you help me?”
Ryder freezes…
“I looked into adoption, and while I think it’s amazing, I want to try first to have my own, so I’ve been looking into sperm banks.”
He smiles, and that’s another feature I can add to the list. The man has a great smile. It’s warm and exhilarating at the same time.
“Some women are checking out Plenty of Fish. You’re checking out plenty of tadpoles,” he says, then makes a keep-talking gesture with his free hand.
“Let me tell you all about sperm banks.”

I mean, a cup of sugar, being a plus-one at a social event, sure, but being asked to give the gift that keeps on giving, well, that’s something else, and not many guys would be down for it. Ryder, though, is not most guys, and has a wonderful, if somewhat battered, heart beating beneath those cover model looks. Helping out a friend in need is something that he’s happy to do. Nicole really couldn’t have made a better choice, and so it begins…

In THE KNOCKED UP PLAN, Lauren Blakely, with her mystical wordsmithing, has given readers even more characters to fall in love with, a seriously lovely twist on the subject matter, and had me alternately laughing, ‘awwing,’ swooning, and fanning myself (because, come on, y’all, it’s LB, and there will always be those moments!). Nicole and Ryder are not only cute together, they respect each other and they genuinely care about each other, and watching the changes in both of them as their relationship evolves is both heartwarming and sexy.

Lauren’s books are always some of my favorites, and THE KNOCKED UP PLAN is no exception. It’s riding high atop my 2017 Favorites, and the 5+ sweet, sexy, and swoony stars make it one that I’d recommend to rom-com lovers everywhere. You need to grab this one up, guys, because it goes down like the sweetest treat. Enjoy.

 

“A refreshing take on the baby trope, The Knocked Up Plan is as sweet as it is naughty. Blakely not only balloons Nicole and Ryder’s incredibly powerful chemistry to new heights with their steamy love scenes, but she also infuses sweet emotion into every single one of their interactions.”

– USA Today

 

Add it to Goodreads here!

http://bit.ly/2r4ml1u

 

 

✮✮✮Enter to win this amazing THE KNOCKED UP PLAN GIVEAWAY!✮✮✮

Lauren’s Bundle of Joy Special Delivery Giveaway! This bundle is valued at $200 and includes the most delicious cupcakes delivered to your door from Wicked Cupcakes, a $50 gift certificate for luxurious bath products to make your skin baby soft from The Body Shop, and comes wrapped up with a beautiful sterling silver bow bangle bracelet from Pandora ($125 value).

http://laurenblakely.com/knocked-plan-giveaway/

 

About Lauren Blakely:

A #1 New York Times Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s hot, sweet and sexy. She lives in California with her family and has plotted entire novels while walking her dogs. With fourteen New York Times bestsellers, her titles have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists more than eighty times, and she’s sold more than 2 million books. In June she’ll release THE KNOCKED UP PLAN, a standalone contemporary romance. To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter! laurenblakely.com/newsletter

 

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Newsletter ** Goodreads

 

Release Blitz + Excerpt + 6 Star Review and 2017 Favorite: Salvaged by Jay Crownover – Saints of Denver Series – Book 4

Posted on by
Reply

 

 

Salvaged

Saints of Denver Series – Book 4

By Jay Crownover

Buy:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google | iBooks | Amazon UK | Amazon CAN

 

ADD SALVAGED TO YOUR GOODREADS

 

Synopsis:

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men books continues her delightfully sexy Saints of Denver series.

Hudson Wheeler is a nice guy. Everyone knows it, including his fiancée who left him with a canceled wedding and a baby on the way. He’s tired of finishing last and is ready to start living in the moment with nights soaked in whiskey, fast cars, and even faster girls. He’s set to start living on the edge, but when he meets Poppy Cruz, her sad eyes in the most gorgeous face he’s ever seen hook him in right away. Wheeler can see Poppy’s pain and all he wants to do is take care of her and make her smile, whatever it takes.

Poppy can’t remember a time when she didn’t see strangers as the enemy. After a lifetime of being hurt from the men who swore to protect her, Poppy’s determined to keep herself safe by keeping everyone else at arm’s length. Wheeler’s sexy grin and rough hands from hours restoring classic cars shouldn’t captivate her, but every time she’s with him, she can’t help being pulled closer to him. Though she’s terrified to trust again, Poppy soon realizes it might hurt even more to shut Wheeler out—and the intense feelings pulsing through her are making it near impossible to resist him.

The only thing Poppy is sure of is that her heart is in need of some serious repair, and the more time she spends with Wheeler, the more she’s convinced he’s the only man with the tools to fix it.

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google | iBooks | Amazon UK | Amazon CAN

 

ADD SALVAGED TO YOUR GOODREADS

 

 

Excerpt

“Poppy.” I whispered her name and she tilted her head back and blinked up at me.

“Wheeler.” I was astounded that there was a hint of amusement in her voice. How she could find anything to laugh about after what she just told me was unfathomable. Her father had handed her off to a monster like it was nothing. She made her way out of hell with one of the purest hearts I had ever seen.

“I really want to give you a hug, probably more for me than for you, but I told you not to let anyone touch you without permission.” I knew I sounded a little desperate but I didn’t care. “So, can you put me out of my misery and give me permission to hold you, just for a second, please?”

Her eyes widened and then her obscenely long lashes dropped as she nodded timidly. “Okay, since you asked so nicely.” The humor was now thick around every word and she was laughing for real as I carefully wrapped my arms around her.

I sighed into the top of her head as I pulled her to my chest. Her hair smelled like flowers and felt like silk as I rested my cheek against the soft strands. WE stood like that for a long time, me with my arms curled around her as she stood stock-still. I could feel her heart beat and I wanted to think it was racing like it was because she was affected by my touch rather than because she was terrified of being so close to a man she didn’t know all that well.

I told myself not to breathe, not to move a single muscle, as her hands slowly lifted and gently touched my sides above the tops of my jeans. It felt like her palms were burning their imprint into my skin as they slowly, achingly started to inch their way around my back so that she was lightly holding me back. I heard her make a sound that may have been one of pleasure, but just in case it was one of fear, I leaned away from her so I could see her face.

Her gaze was centered on the tattooed candle that was burning bright and surrounded by light and smoke right on the center of my throat. She watched the movement as I swallowed hard and her gaze drifted up to mine.

“No one ever has ever asked me for permission for anything before. No one has ever cared what I wanted before.” The murmur of her words brushed across the base of my throat and my cock went instantly hard. I knew she felt it because her eyes popped wide and her breath hitched as she looked up at me and ordered quietly, “Ask me what I want right now, Wheeler.”

 

Michel’s Review

Salvaged is Jay Crownover’s best book in both the Saints of Denver and Marked Men Series.  This novel will touch your soul and leave you with a great sense of hope.

When it comes to Hudson Wheeler most would think that old saying “nice guys finish last” was created just for him.  I tend to think the old saying “good things come to those who wait” was created by him.

Readers were first introduced to Hudson Wheeler in Marked Men series.  This quiet, sexy, unassuming mechanic has intrigued readers throughout the Marked Men series and the Saints of Denver series.  He has earned the respect of all the men in the series.  His earnest quiet nature has intrigued all the ladies throughout the series.  He seems like the perfect guy except for his choices in women.  His fiancee is another matter.  It’s blatantly obvious she’s using him and cheating.  It seems like he has turned a blind eye and lets her walk all over him.  When he’s finally had enough and learns that her betrayal is more than some wild escapades, he walks away with a broken heart.  The problem is he doesn’t really know how to move on.  He’s been with the same girl since he was in high school.  Her family became the family he never had.  They turned their backs on him when he broke the engagement.  Now she’s pregnant with his baby so he can never completely break his ties with her.  His dream of having a family has changed and he doesn’t know how to alter those dreams.  He has no idea how to be a father because he never had a family.  He doesn’t know how to move on because he’s only had one relationship in his life.  He’s going through the motions, trying to be a good guy where his ex is concerned but it’s hard with the anger and sense of betrayal festering beneath the surface.  The only thing getting him through it all is his work until he makes a very unlikely friend, another damaged soul like himself.  Poppy Cruz showed up in his life with her reluctant offer of friendship and an adorable puppy.

Poppy Cruz ( also from the Marked Men & Saints of Denver series) has survived brutal domestic abuse.  Every experience she has had with men has ended with verbal abuse and violent physical abuse.  The scarring went beyond physical, it damaged her soul.  She has a hard time trusting anyone and keeps everyone at arms length.  She no longer trusts her own instincts even though she’s surrounded by good, supportive people since she came to Denver.  The only person that has made her feel like she might want to step out of her comfort zone is the quiet mechanic, Hudson Wheeler.  She can sense that Hudson is a damaged soul as well.  His quiet unassuming nature makes her feel safe rather than threatened.  He respects her boundaries but also encourages her to expand them.  He opens her eyes to all the good possibilities rather than reminding her of all the failures of the past. She wants to step out her comfort zone and strive to become normal.  He’s willing to hold her hand and let her set the pace.  Together they are healing from all the wounds life has left on their souls.  Life hasn’t been easy for either one of them.  Their souls have been wrecked but together their hearts are Salvaged.

Salvaged was an emotional journey for two very different but severely  damaged people.  They were brave enough to reach out and take each others hand while moving forward. It’s a story of healing and finding hope.  It’s a story about accepting the good things life has to offer.

____________________________________________

 

 

About Jay Crownover:

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men, The Point, and the Saints of Denver series. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she’ll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her dogs.

 

 

 

 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

Release Blitz + 5 Star Review: Stay by Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy – The Wags Series – Book 2

Posted on by
Reply

stay-bn-kobo

Stay

Wags Series – Book 2

By Sarina Bowen & Elle Kennedy

Release Date: June 20. 2017

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Synopsis

Can you fall in love with someone you’ve never even met?

Hailey Taylor Emery has a hunch that her favorite client at Fetch–an anonymous virtual assistant service–is actually hockey star Matt Eriksson.

Although it’s against the rules for her to check his file, she’s 95% sure she spends at least part of each day texting with her lifelong crush and catering to his every need. Still nursing a wounded heart thanks to her recent breakup, Hailey is perfectly content with some harmless online flirting…until she has to meet her client. Face to face. Cue: utter panic.

Matt Eriksson is no stranger to heartbreak. He’s still not over the destruction of his marriage, and it sucks to be the only guy on the team who knows the truth–that hockey and long-term relationships are a toxic mix. He barely sees his kids, and dealing with his ex makes him feel insane. The only person in his life who seems to understand is someone who won’t show her pretty face.

But it’s nothing that a pair of fourth row hockey seats can’t fix. Hailey can’t resist the offer. Matt can’t resist Hailey. Good thing he doesn’t have to. Fire up the kiss cam!
Warning: Contains rabid hockey fans, misunderstood dick pics, hockey players at the opera and exploding ovaries.

____________________________________

Michel’s Review

Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy are back melting the ice with their latest release Stay, a hockey sports romance.  This book is sizzling hot and keeps the rabid hockey romance fans glued to the game.  Opening one of their hockey novels literally turns every single reader into a puck bunny looking to score a whole lot of love from their favorite player.

Matt Eriksson is more than a sensational hockey player, he’s the complete package.  Recently divorced and suddenly single should be a dream come true but for Matt it’s like swimming in a bottomless pit.  He’s trying to manage his demanding career while making quality time with his young twin daughters.  Dealing with his ex wife is anything but pleasant.  In fact it’s worst than facing off with his opponent.  Another ruthless player is a piece of cake, he can beat them down and come out on top.  His ex wife holds all the cards where his daughters are concerned.  His grueling schedule leaves little time for himself let alone his precious children. Forget dating, it’s off the table. He can handle his ex’s  insane demands and insults but he cannot handle her threats of taking his time away from his children.  To obliviate some of the pressure he has hired Fetch to handle his homelife needs so he can focus on his children.  This service handles all his shopping needs, pet care needs, and other chores he just doesn’t have time for.  The added bonus is his anonymous, personable handler, Hailey Taylor Emery, aka HTE (hottie),anticipates his every need and jumps through hoops to meet them. When the company he hired to take care of his dog while he’s away drops the puck she steps in to take care of his dog.  He’d be up a creek without a paddle without Hailey.  He’s also very curious about who she really is and what she looks like. He decides to check her out on his home security feed app while he’s away.  She is indeed like her name, a hottee.  He wants to get to know her on a personal level.  A woman has finally sparked his interest after surviving the shark infested waters known as his ex wife.

Hailey has recently gone through a divorce.  Although her divorce was relatively easy and she’s still business partners with her ex husband, she’s still reeling from the hurt.  Her ex husband was her childhood friend and only man she has ever been with.  Dating a client is the biggest no no in her career and could ruin her business.  The only problem is that it’s Matt Eriksson, the hottest player on the ice.  He’s also one of the nicest men she’s ever met.  Should she throw caution to the wind and take a chance on Matt?  Her heart says yes and her mind isn’t far behind.

Matt and Hailey are perfect for each other.  Their relationship is everything they both wanted and needed.  The problem is their personal lives aren’t only theirs.  They both have issues with their ex’s and their relationship could cost them everything they hold dear. How do you deal with the past, manage the present, and move forward towards the future? They will have to figure it out and STAY true to their hearts.

I absolutely loved this book.  Sarina and Elle know how to create endearing characters with an engaging story that goes beyond the run of the mill romance novel.  I fall in love every time I open one of their books.

__________________________________

About The Authors

Sarina Bowen

Sarina BowenSarina Bowen writes steamy, angsty Contemporary Romance and New Adult fiction from the wilds of Vermont.

The Year We Fell Down, Book #1 in The Ivy Years series, began breaking hearts in March 2014. Book #2, The Year We Hid Away, is brand new.

For Harlequin-E, Sarina writes the Gravity series. Coming in From the Cold features an angsty downhill ski racer and one of the most unique plot conflicts in contemporary romance today.

Sarina enjoys skiing, coffee products and a nice glass of wine. She lives with her family, eight chickens and more ski gear and hockey equipment than seems necessary.

She would be honored to connect with you at http://www.sarinabowen.com.

Sign up for Sarina’s Mailing List

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter~ Goodreads ~Amazon Author Page

 Elle Kennedy

Elle-KennedyA USA Today bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a BA in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Newsletter

 

 

 

 

New Release: Trusting You & Other Lies by Nicole Williams – A YA Romance Novel

Posted on by
Reply

Trusting You & Other Lies

Genre: YA Romance

By Nicole Williams

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo


Synopsis:

USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Nicole Williams delivers a seductive summer romance worth swooning over. Perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen and Stephanie Perkins.

Phoenix can’t imagine anything worse than being shipped off to family summer camp. Her parents have been fighting for the past two years—do they seriously think being crammed in a cabin with Phoenix and her little brother, Harry, will make things better?

On top of that, Phoenix is stuck training with Callum—the head counselor who is seriously cute but a complete know-it-all. His hot-cold attitude means he’s impossible to figure out—and even harder to rely on. But despite her better judgment, Phoenix is attracted to Callum. And he’s promising Phoenix a summer she’ll never forget. Can she trust him? Or is this just another lie?

“What elevates this novel…is the witty and realistic dialogue and excellent character development.”
–SLJ

_______________________________________

Michel’s Review

Nicole Williams is known for her contemporary romance and new adult novels.  Her latest release, Trusting You & Other Lies is a Young Adult romance novel targeting the high school audience.  This charming book is more than a first love romance, it’s a story of change, acceptance, self discovery, and individual growth.  Something all teenagers are dealing with on a daily basis.  They are evolving from dependent children to independent adults while still heavy influenced by their family and friends.  They are also paving the path for their future.  The pressures of their academic endeavors could make or break their future.  The peer pressure and social media also heavily influence their lives.  Add family expectations and issues, it makes their lives all the more difficult.  Nicole Williams captured all of this in Trusting You & Other Lies.

Readers are first introduced to Phoenix, an angry teenager being forced to spend her summer with her family at a remote camp rather than hanging out with her friends at the beach.  She hates her parents because they have been keeping secrets that could destroy  her life as she knows it.  They seem to be indifferent to her and her younger brother.  She cannot imagine why they would want to spend a whole summer together when they can’t even sit down together for a family dinner.  To top it off this camp is in a remote area where internet and cell service are sketchy.  She’s going to be cut off from her friends completely.  The only reason why she’s cooperating a little bit is her younger brother and the job as a camp counselor.  Harry is excited about the camp, the activities, and the possibilities of making friends.  For her brother she will suck it up.  The job as a counselor will earn her enough money to buy a car when she returns back to school.

They say summer camp is an unforgettable experience that will change a person for the better.  The first few weeks are a complete disaster.  Her family is still not connecting, she’s hopeless at her new job, and her little brother has made friends and no longer needs her as much.  Something changes when she gets to know her boss, Callum,the head counselor at the camp.  Even though this boy is the same age as her, he’s completely different from anyone she knows.  Callum doesn’t take his responsibilities lightly, he holds her to a higher standard and pushes her too much.  When she thinks they are becoming friends he pushes her away.  Callum seems like he’s got it all together but beneath the surface he has insecurities just like her.  He has his own problems and is not immune to the growing pains of becoming an adult.

By the end of the summer Phoenix and Callum walk away from camp different people than they were in the beginning.  Phoenix’s family dynamics also change for the better.  Life looks a lot different when you open yourself up to new possibilities and accept what life has to offer.

As a parent of teenagers I was impressed how Nicole Williams captured the realities of everyday teenage life.  She captured their inner turmoil as well as their exuberant spirit for life.  She also captured the modern day family dynamics rather than duplicating the old fashion family dynamics of the past.

I think most teenagers will be able to relate to this novel and appreciate the story.

__________________________________________________

 4887264Nicole Williams is the New York Times and USATODAY bestselling author of contemporary and young adult romance, including the Crash and Lost & Found series. Her books have been published by HarperTeen and Simon & Schuster in both domestic and foreign markets, while she continues to self-publish additional titles. She is working on a new YA series with Crown Books (a division of Random House) as well. She loves romance, from the sweet to the steamy, and writes stories about characters in search of their happily even after. She grew up surrounded by books and plans on writing until the day she dies, even if it’s just for her own personal enjoyment. She still buys paperbacks because she’s all nostalgic like that, but her kindle never goes neglected for too long. When not writing, she spends her time with her husband and daughter, and whatever time’s left over she’s forced to fit too many hobbies into too little time.

Nicole is represented by Jane Dystel, of Dystel and Goderich Literary Agency.

Release Day Blitz + Excerpt + 5+-Star Review + 2017 Favorite: Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis

Posted on by
Reply

 

From New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis comes her first women’s fiction novel—an unforgettable story of friendship, love, family, and sisterhood—perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Susan Mallery, and Kristan Higgins. Don’t miss LOST AND FOUND SISTERS and grab your copy today!

 

They say life can change in an instant…

After losing her sister in a devastating car accident, chef Quinn Weller is finally getting her life back on track. She appears to have it all: a loving family, a dream job in one of L.A.’s hottest eateries, and a gorgeous boyfriend dying to slip an engagement ring on her finger. So why does she feel so empty, like she’s looking for a missing piece she can’t find?

The answer comes when a lawyer tracks down Quinn and reveals a bombshell secret and a mysterious inheritance that only she can claim. This shocking revelation washes over Quinn like a tidal wave. Her whole life has been a lie.

On impulse, Quinn gives up her job, home, and boyfriend. She heads up the coast to the small hometown of Wildstone, California, which is just a few hours north, but feels worlds apart from Los Angeles. Though she doesn’t quite fit in right away, she can’t help but be drawn to the town’s simple pleasures…and the handsome, dark-haired stranger who offers friendship with no questions asked.

As Quinn settles into Wildstone, she discovers there’s another surprise in store for her. The inheritance isn’t a house or money, but rather something earth shattering, something that will make her question everything she thought she knew about herself, about her family. Now with a world of possibilities opening up to Quinn, she must decide if this new life is the one she was always meant to have—and the one that could finally give her the fulfillment she’s searched so long for.

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play

iBooks | Books-A-Million | IndieBound

 

ADD LOST AND FOUND SISTERS TO YOUR GOODREADS

 

 

Excerpt:

Coop whined and Mick looked down at the twelve-year-old golden retriever, ball in his mouth. Coop panted happily and dropped the ball at Mick’s feet, his rheumy brown eyes ever hopeful.

Mick shook his head. “Last time I threw it, you decided you didn’t mean it.”

Coop gave a talkative “woo woo woo.”

Translation: Mick was full of shit. “I had to go get it myself,” he reminded the dog. “Remember that?”

This bought him another “woo woo woo.”

“Okay, okay.” Mick picked up the ball, and because there was a lot of old-man dog pride on the line here, he gave it a dramatic throw, making sure it went only about twenty feet.

Coop gave an energetic leap. A single energetic leap. After that, he eyeballed the sea of sand ahead of him, huffed out a sigh, and sat. Then he craned his big, fuzzy golden head and gave Mick a sad-eyed look.

“Are you kidding me?” Mick asked him.

Coop lay down, set his head on his front paws, and stared forlornly out at the ball that his brain wanted to chase but his sore joints and tired body wouldn’t allow. It was a daily reminder for the dog, who in his own mind clearly wasn’t elderly, forgetful, or more than half deaf. Nope, in Coop’s opinion, he was still a rambunctious, energetic puppy.

Mick blew out a sigh and fetched the damn ball. When he came back, the dog sat up, eyes bright, tongue lolling.

“Not a chance,” Mick said on a laugh. “I’m not throwing it again. This was about your exercise, not mine. I already had my run today.”

A Lexus pulled up. A woman sat behind the wheel and stared out at the dunes and the ocean. All Mick could see of her was a cloud of whiskey-colored waves of hair and a pale face. She stared at the water and then set her head to the steering wheel and banged it a few times.

Then, head still down, she went utterly still.

Coop whined about the ball and nudged Mick’s knee, eyes pleading.

With a head shake, Mick threw the ball five feet.

Coop happily pounced on it.

While his dog pranced around proudly, ball in his mouth, Mick turned back to the car. The woman hadn’t moved. Had she knocked herself out? Was she still breathing? “What do you think?” he asked Coop. “Stay out of it, or ask her if she’s okay?”

Coop, who’d never been impressed by a single one of the women in Mick’s social life, yawned.

“Right,” he said. “Stay out of it.”

But the woman suddenly sat up straight and fumbled her way out of the car, falling to her knees on the rough gravelly asphalt, gulping in air like she was suffocating.

Realizing she was hyperventilating, Mick rushed to her and crouched at her side, having to push Coop back from making her acquaintance—which he tended to do with a rude nose push to the crotch. “Stay,” he ordered and looked the woman over.

Young. Late twenties maybe. Definitely having a panic attack of some kind. Not touching her, he spoke quietly and calmly. “Take a deep breath through your nose.”

She had to quiet herself to hear him, but she did as he said. She took a deep breath, shuddery as it was.

“Good,” he said, still holding Coop back from trying to say hello. “Stay.”

“What?” she gasped.

“Sorry, not you. My nosy-ass dog. Keep breathing. That’s it,” he said when she worked at it.

When she had it under control, she met his gaze, her own eyes hooded and clearly embarrassed. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

Coop, tired of being held back, shoved his big old head between them and licked her from chin to forehead. Mick palmed the dog’s face and pushed his head away from the woman whose shoulders were now shaking.

Aw, hell. He patted his pockets—for what, he had no idea. It wasn’t like he carried tissues or napkins on him to offer her. He rose to his feet to go search the truck, which was when she lifted her face and he saw that she was shaking with laughter, not tears.

She was laughing at his ridiculous dog.

Tracey’s Review

Quinn Weller’s life is a bit upside down. Since the loss of her sister two years earlier, Quinn has retreated into a place that has no room for emotional involvement. When Quinn receives news of an unexpected inheritance, she is ill-prepared for everything involved in claiming it, and it isn’t long before the life that she’d created post-Beth is firmly turned on its head.

Jill Shalvis is one of my go-to authors. I know, without a doubt, that I will love any book that she writes, and I am never disappointed. LOST AND FOUND SISTERS is no exception, and may, in fact, be one of my favorite books by Jill to date, and most certainly one of my favorite books of 2017.

Quinn is doing her best to adjust to her new normal, a life without her sister. She’s experienced a pain so great that shutting herself down emotionally seems to be the only way she can get through. But Quinn wasn’t betting on Wildstone, eccentric and quirky, from its character to its inhabitants, and soon life for Quinn doesn’t look anything like it has for the last two years. And it may be just the change she needs, whether she’s ready for it or not.

I love Quinn. The rug has been pulled out from under her in pretty much every possible way, and the things that she finds in Wildstone are just the icing on the cake. Mick, Tilly, the offbeat staff and irascible clientele of the Caro Cafe, make for a life that Quinn didn’t realize that she needed so badly.

Jill’s classic snappy dialogue, scenes so unexpectedly comical and endearing that I was laughing out loud, and Quinn’s emergence from her self-imposed chrysalis made LOST AND FOUND SISTERS an instant favorite. I quite literally could not put it down, and inhaled it like the breath of fresh air that it is. If you don’t pick up another book this summer, please choose this one, because it will satisfy at every level.

LOST AND FOUND SISTERS is a welcome addition to Jill’s catalog of books, and is an easy 5+ stars for me. I am so in love with these characters and their lives that it will be hard to wait another year for my next visit to Wildstone. Seriously, pick up this book, because I guarantee that you will absolutely love it.

 

About Jill Shalvis:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s sexy contemporary and award-winning books wherever romances are sold and click on the blog button above for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

 

New Release… 6 Star Review + 2017 Favorite: Savaged Dreams by Jennifer Lyon – Savaged Illusions Series – Book 1

Posted on by
3

Savaged Dreams

Savaged Illusions Series – Book 1

By Jennifer Lyon

Buy: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo


Synopsis:

How much will she risk for love?

Going away to college gives LIZA GLASNER a chance to escape her painful and dangerous past…or so she thinks. At fourteen years old, she survived an attack by a famous musician. After that, the media, groupies and crazies hounded her with a merciless cruelty that ruined her life. But now she’s thriving–until an internship brings her face to face with the sizzling hot lead singer of a rock band, and she finds herself drawn to the very thing that once destroyed her. Justice is a temptation she can’t resist…and one that could get her killed.

How far will he go for fame?

Sexy rock star JUSTICE CADE is determined to take his band, Savaged Illusions, to the top by winning the Court of Rock T.V. show. Tortured by guilt for failing his family, he believes fame is his only path to redemption. But when the fiery college-intern hiding her beauty beneath baggy sweaters and a snarky attitude bursts into his life, Justice is forced to choose between the woman he loves and the stardom he craves. The wrong choice will cost him more than he can bear.

**This is book one in a trilogy and ends on a cliffhanger. However the next two books are being released in July and September so readers won’t be stranded on the cliff for long!

________________________________________________
Michel’s Review

OMG!  I have been waiting for a new rock star romance to release that would WOW me like some of the earlier rock star romance series a few years ago.  It seems like so many authors jumped on the rock star bandwagon and the stories began to become predictable cookie cutter romances with the same tortured rock star theme.  I wanted something fresh with intriguing band members that were not your run of the mill manwhore, bad boy musicians with tortured pasts meeting naive innocent women who won their hearts.  I wanted something that had some meat to it and a story that kept me fully engaged.  Jennifer Lyon has delivered exactly what I wanted. Savaged Illusions has my full attention and I want more!

Savaged Dreams is the first book in the Savaged Illusions series and ended on a major cliffhanger that has left me chomping at the bits for the next book.  What makes this series stand out is the band as a whole is on a journey to fame through a reality tv battle of the bands competition.  The competition is cut throat and escalates as the weeks wind down to finals.  What begins as a quest for fame and winning a recording contract turns into a dangerous competition that exposes their secrets and strikes at the very heart of the band.  Their moral code and ethical values are put on the line and they have to choose between fame and fortune or selling out the values that formed their strong bonds in the first place. They all have their own personal demons and problems but that is glue that holds them together.  They have formed very tight bonds and a kinship that is unbreakable.  They have each other’s backs no matter what and nothing can tear that apart.  They thought they couldn’t be broken until they got their first PR person, Liz Glasner, who becomes their YOKO ONO. Her presence in the final stages of the competition could break them.  Their lead singer Justice Cade is letting Liz destroy the band.  Liz isn’t good for their PR at all.

The final weeks of the competition have been stressful for Savaged Dreams.  Their competitors are ruthless and exposing all their weaknesses.  They have also become dangerous.  When they are assigned a college student as their PR person rather than a professional, things become even worse.  It doesn’t matter that she is good at what she does, she’s not savvy enough to swim with the sharks.  When the sharks attack her as well as the band, they are all going to be eaten alive.

Justice Cade is trying to hold them all together.  He can’t help that he is falling for Liz.  When he finds out her secrets he wants to protect her as much as he wants to protect his brothers in the band.  They’ve all experienced the dark side of life in some way or another and survived.  Now it’s time to chase their dreams.

I’m not going to say much more because this is a Rock Star Trilogy readers don’t want to miss.  Although Justice and Liz are the main focus of this trilogy, all of the characters are intriguing. As a reader you want to get to know them all and   explore their pasts.  As a whole, they are mesmerizing and you want to know how their futures are going to playout. The overall plot is for the series is fresh, original, and compelling. This book was engaging and made the reader think about the ethical side of fame as well as the obvious journey to stardom.  I think this trilogy could easily expand into a twelve book series.

Jennifer Lyon literally WOWED me with this fresh new series! I cannot wait for the second book, Savaged Vows to release on July 24, 2017.

Savaged Vows
Savaged Illusions Series – Book 2
Release Date: July 24, 2017
Pre Order: Amazon / B & N / ITunes / Kobo

Synopsis:

How much will she risk for love?

Despite her dark past with a rock icon, Liza Glasner can’t walk away from the man she loves with a fiery passion—sexy rock star Justice Cade. A surprise pregnancy and marriage give Liza the family she’s craved since she was fourteen. But her love is tested when Liza’s worst nightmare—Gene Hayes—bursts onto the scene, spreading lies and smears to tear her and Justice apart. Can Liza trust Justice to choose her over fame?

How far will he go for fame?

Justice fiercely loves his beautiful and resilient wife Liza, and he’s determined to protect her from Gene Hayes. At the same time, he’s loyal to his band. The four other men in Savaged Illusions are his brothers, and together, they are battling hard to come back from a humiliating defeat. But just as the pinnacle of success is within their reach, Justice discovers a truth that will either decimate his band or destroy his wife.

Can their love survive?

Secrets and betrayals explode in a heartbreaking twist that threatens to rip Justice and Liza apart forever.

Savaged Vows is book 2 in the Savaged Illusions Trilogy, and ends in a cliffhanger. Book 3, Savaged Devotion, will be released in September 2017.

______________________________________________
Jennifer Lyon is the pseudonym for USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer Apodaca. Jen lives in Southern California where she continually plots ways to convince her husband that they should get a dog. After all, they met at the dog pound, fell in love, married and had three wonderful sons. So far, however, she has failed in her doggy endeavor. She consoles herself by pouring her passion into writing books. To date, Jen has published more than fifteen books and novellas, including a fun and sexy mystery series and a variety of contemporary romances under the name Jennifer Apodaca. As Jennifer Lyon she created a dark, sizzling paranormal series, and The Plus Once Chronicles, an emotionally sensual adult contemporary series. Jen’s won numerous.

Pre- Release + Excerpt + 6 Star Review + 2017 Favorite + Giveaway: Salvaged by Jay Crownover – Saints Of Denver Series – Book 4

Posted on by
2

 

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jay Crownover continues her delightfully sexy Saints of Denver series with the next thrilling standalone, SALVAGED! Order your copy today!

 

 

Hudson Wheeler is a nice guy. Everyone knows it, including his fiancée who left him with a canceled wedding and a baby on the way. He’s tired of finishing last and is ready to start living in the moment with nights soaked in whiskey, fast cars, and even faster girls. He’s set to start living on the edge, but when he meets Poppy Cruz, her sad eyes in the most gorgeous face he’s ever seen hook him in right away. Wheeler can see Poppy’s pain and all he wants to do is take care of her and make her smile, whatever it takes.

Poppy can’t remember a time when she didn’t see strangers as the enemy. After a lifetime of being hurt from the men who swore to protect her, Poppy’s determined to keep herself safe by keeping everyone else at arm’s length. Wheeler’s sexy grin and rough hands from hours restoring classic cars shouldn’t captivate her, but every time she’s with him, she can’t help being pulled closer to him. Though she’s terrified to trust again, Poppy soon realizes it might hurt even more to shut Wheeler out—and the intense feelings pulsing through her are making it near impossible to resist him.

The only thing Poppy is sure of is that her heart is in need of some serious repair, and the more time she spends with Wheeler, the more she’s convinced he’s the only man with the tools to fix it.

 

 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google | iBooks | Amazon UK | Amazon CAN

 

ADD SALVAGED TO YOUR GOODREADS

 

 

Excerpt

“Poppy.” I whispered her name and she tilted her head back and blinked up at me.

“Wheeler.” I was astounded that there was a hint of amusement in her voice. How she could find anything to laugh about after what she just told me was unfathomable. Her father had handed her off to a monster like it was nothing. She made her way out of hell with one of the purest hearts I had ever seen.

“I really want to give you a hug, probably more for me than for you, but I told you not to let anyone touch you without permission.” I knew I sounded a little desperate but I didn’t care. “So, can you put me out of my misery and give me permission to hold you, just for a second, please?”

Her eyes widened and then her obscenely long lashes dropped as she nodded timidly. “Okay, since you asked so nicely.” The humor was now thick around every word and she was laughing for real as I carefully wrapped my arms around her.

I sighed into the top of her head as I pulled her to my chest. Her hair smelled like flowers and felt like silk as I rested my cheek against the soft strands. WE stood like that for a long time, me with my arms curled around her as she stood stock-still. I could feel her heart beat and I wanted to think it was racing like it was because she was affected by my touch rather than because she was terrified of being so close to a man she didn’t know all that well.

I told myself not to breathe, not to move a single muscle, as her hands slowly lifted and gently touched my sides above the tops of my jeans. It felt like her palms were burning their imprint into my skin as they slowly, achingly started to inch their way around my back so that she was lightly holding me back. I heard her make a sound that may have been one of pleasure, but just in case it was one of fear, I leaned away from her so I could see her face.

Her gaze was centered on the tattooed candle that was burning bright and surrounded by light and smoke right on the center of my throat. She watched the movement as I swallowed hard and her gaze drifted up to mine.

“No one ever has ever asked me for permission for anything before. No one has ever cared what I wanted before.” The murmur of her words brushed across the base of my throat and my cock went instantly hard. I knew she felt it because her eyes popped wide and her breath hitched as she looked up at me and ordered quietly, “Ask me what I want right now, Wheeler.”

 

 

 

Jay Crownover continues her Saints of Denver series with SALVAGED, available June 20, 2017

Preorder and fill out the form here: https://a.pgtb.me/MdHvvG

Enter your name, email address, and the order number from your pre-order receipt on the form to receive an advance excerpt of DIGNITY and a Saints of Denver Doodle download to print at home.

Entries must be received by midnight PST on June 19th to be eligible.

The print-at-home Doodle and Dignity excerpt will be emailed the week of June 20th.

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And the Link:http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9172c1a0374/?

 

 

Michel’s Review

Salvaged is Jay Crownover’s best book in both the Saints of Denver and Marked Men Series.  This novel will touch your soul and leave you with a great sense of hope.

When it comes to Hudson Wheeler most would think that old saying “nice guys finish last” was created just for him.  I tend to think the old saying “good things come to those who wait” was created by him.

Readers were first introduced to Hudson Wheeler in Marked Men series.  This quiet, sexy, unassuming mechanic has intrigued readers throughout the Marked Men series and the Saints of Denver series.  He has earned the respect of all the men in the series.  His earnest quiet nature has intrigued all the ladies throughout the series.  He seems like the perfect guy except for his choices in women.  His fiancee is another matter.  It’s blatantly obvious she’s using him and cheating.  It seems like he has turned a blind eye and lets her walk all over him.  When he’s finally had enough and learns that her betrayal is more than some wild escapades, he walks away with a broken heart.  The problem is he doesn’t really know how to move on.  He’s been with the same girl since he was in high school.  Her family became the family he never had.  They turned their backs on him when he broke the engagement.  Now she’s pregnant with his baby so he can never completely break his ties with her.  His dream of having a family has changed and he doesn’t know how to alter those dreams.  He has no idea how to be a father because he never had a family.  He doesn’t know how to move on because he’s only had one relationship in his life.  He’s going through the motions, trying to be a good guy where his ex is concerned but it’s hard with the anger and sense of betrayal festering beneath the surface.  The only thing getting him through it all is his work until he makes a very unlikely friend, another damaged soul like himself.  Poppy Cruz showed up in his life with her reluctant offer of friendship and an adorable puppy.

Poppy Cruz ( also from the Marked Men & Saints of Denver series) has survived brutal domestic abuse.  Every experience she has had with men has ended with verbal abuse and violent physical abuse.  The scarring went beyond physical, it damaged her soul.  She has a hard time trusting anyone and keeps everyone at arms length.  She no longer trusts her own instincts even though she’s surrounded by good, supportive people since she came to Denver.  The only person that has made her feel like she might want to step out of her comfort zone is the quiet mechanic, Hudson Wheeler.  She can sense that Hudson is a damaged soul as well.  His quiet unassuming nature makes her feel safe rather than threatened.  He respects her boundaries but also encourages her to expand them.  He opens her eyes to all the good possibilities rather than reminding her of all the failures of the past. She wants to step out her comfort zone and strive to become normal.  He’s willing to hold her hand and let her set the pace.  Together they are healing from all the wounds life has left on their souls.  Life hasn’t been easy for either one of them.  Their souls have been wrecked but together their hearts are Salvaged.

Salvaged was an emotional journey for two very different but severely  damaged people.  They were brave enough to reach out and take each others hand while moving forward. It’s a story of healing and finding hope.  It’s a story about accepting the good things life has to offer.

____________________________________________

 

 

About Jay Crownover:

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men, The Point, and the Saints of Denver series. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she’ll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her dogs.

 

 

 

 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads