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Romantic Reads and Such

~ thoughts on romances

Romantic Reads and Such

Monthly Archives: June 2014

Spotlight – The Dare

23 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

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Bet series, Rachel Van Dyken, The Dare

You guys have GOT to check out this really cool (and sexy!) trailer for Rachel Van Dyken’s third (and final book) in the Bet Series – The Dare 

*****

The Dare SmashwordsThe Dare

by Rachel Van Dyken

From #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Rachel Van Dyken, comes the third and final book in the New York Time’s Bestselling Bet Series…

Boring Beth Lynn has always lived up to her nickname… until she wakes up in a hotel bed next to a sexy as sin state senator she re-connected with at a wedding the previous night.

The biggest problem? She can’t seem to remember anything about the night before except for crying into a box of cookies, and she’s pretty sure Grandma Nadine slipped something in her drink. And what should have been a one night stand turns into a six day adventure when Grandma whisks them off to Hawaii to save them from the ensuing media firestorm.

Jace isn’t looking for commitment — he believes he made that clear when he left the wedding with Beth. Then again, he can’t remember much of anything other than the way her skin felt beneath his hands. Now he’s stuck with her at some lame couple’s retreat and trying his hardest to fight the attraction only a woman like Beth could invoke.

He doesn’t think it can get any worse.

But one spider attack… A donkey ride from hell… And an unfortunate episode with Viagra tea — and there’s one thing Jace knows for sure: He should never have agreed to Grandma Nadine’s suggestion in the first place.

Because if this isn’t paradise, and it isn’t a vacation — that only leaves one option.

Survival.

But to make it through alive… they might lose their hearts in the process.

(Romantic Comedy, Friends to lovers, Vacation Romance, New Adult Romance, Funny Stand Alone, Bargain Books, Humorous Romance)

BUY LINKS

AMAZON

http://amzn.com/B00KLJCUIK

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dare-rachel-van-dyken/1119573016?ean=2940045955768

iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-dare/id880917031?mt=11

*****

TRAILER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrKf68adP6U&feature=youtu.be

IMG_1691

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Book Review – Grimm Consequences

22 Sunday Jun 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Book Review, Grimm Consequences, Kate SeRine, Transplanted Tales series

cover42520-mediumYou reap what you sow. . .

Saying Nate Grimm has a dark past is an understatement. Fortunately, no one’s bothered to look too closely at the Fairytale Management Authority’s lead detective and part-time Reaper. And that’s the way Nate wants to keep it. For after centuries of torment and loneliness, he’s finally found happiness with the hot and hard-charging love of his life, Tess “Red” Little.

Of course, his love for Tess is the reason there’s a posse of Reaper judges after him, led by a sadistic bastard acquainted with Nate from once upon a time. Now, Tess will pay the price for Nate’s transgressions unless Nate severs his ties to the transplanted Tales–and Tess–forever. His enemy has the advantage in speed, malice and brutality. But the Reapers have underestimated the depth of Nate’s love and devotion. And the fury of his wrath. . .

Grimm Consequences is a “Transplanted Tales” novella (coming in at just under 100 pages) falls in just after Red but before The Better to See You.  From Nate’s perspective and adding some of the details of his past and his relationship with Tess, it came about thanks to all of the people demanding more of Nate. . . and as sexy and complex as he is, it’s easy to see why everyone wants more.  (If you haven’t read at least Red, I’d suggest you do so before picking up Grimm Consequences.  The nice thing is that you don’t have to have read all three, just that first one, although I’m sure that you’ll be just as addicted as I am.)

Nate has some secretes he’s been keeping and unfortunately he can no longer keep them hidden.  Quite the mysterious character, the added insight into his past gives readers the added layers they’ve been looking for.  He’s come a long way from the man he was to the man he is and we find out just how far.  It’s raw and touching and I got to the end with an even bigger crush on him.

I really like the fact that Serine has an idea for her world and sticks to it.  She doesn’t seem to create new rules as she goes along just to make her world fit the plot that she has going.  Or if she does, she does it without making it seem obvious. Everything is logical, as much as it can be when dealing with magical creatures, and I appreciate that.  The surprises she gives her readers fit within the context of her stories and don’t feel like they are coming out of left field.

I’m always thrilled to get my hands on one of Serine’s stories.  They are wonderfully complicated but not convoluted, her paranormal world is fun with all of the make believe characters at her disposal, and those characters have wonderfully intricate and addictive lives.   Full of action, drama, and heartache, Grimm Consequences is the perfect companion to the “Transplanted Tales” series.

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Book Review – Taming the Country Star

21 Saturday Jun 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Book Review, Hometown Heroes series, Margo Bond Collins, Taming the Country Star

9781622661664He’ll do anything to win her heart. She’ll do anything to keep him away.

Country star Cole Grayson is in town, and Kylie Andrews is less than thrilled. As if months of changing the radio station and tearing down his posters weren’t bad enough, now she has to deal with a town of fans swarming toward the man who deceived her the year before. But when Kylie’s eyes meet Cole’s again, she can’t deny the electric chemistry that drew her to him the first time around.

Cole Grayson is on a mission. Ever since Kylie left him, he hasn’t been able to forget her sweet country smile. After writing a song just for her, he sets off for her hometown to prove he’s not the player she thinks he is. But as much as Cole can’t forget her, Kylie wonders if she can forgive him…

Kylie’s reaction to Cole’s fame (and her reluctance to get involved with him) are totally understandable.  Her family was torn apart and it could easily be blamed on her dad’s status as a rodeo star.  Or he could have just been one of those people who couldn’t commit.  I do wish we’d gotten a bit more about that history and what happened after he left the family.  You get the idea that there may have been more involved in the dynamic between her parents but it isn’t really explained in depth. Instead we focus on her and Cole, who are fantastic together, but since it does play a big part in her reaction to his fame I think that a little more detail might have helped.

Otherwise the book is great and Cole and Kylie together worked for me.  Cole is very level-headed for someone so much in the public eye.  He cares about the people he’s close to and works hard to woo Kylie back.  He’s smart, sexy and dedicated.  He’s already got his heart set on winning Kylie back and watching them try to date is a lot of fun.  Cole is dedicated to figuring out a way to make a relationship between them work and it says a lot about his feelings.  The ending is sweet and worked well with the rest of the story.  I loved watching these two get over their issues and move to their own happy ending.

Novella length, Taming the Country Star is another one that does a good job of being complete even in just around 100 pages.  I love that because when I get really involved in a story I don’t want to put it down and this lets me read it quickly and still feel satisfied at the end.  And this one definitely sucked me in and kept me turning pages to get to the HEA.

(I’ve seen some complaints online because this is in Entangled’s Bliss line and therefore all the sex scenes should be behind closed doors, but this one isn’t.  Personally I don’t care – as long as the romance is good, you can be as detailed (or not) as you want.  However I know that some people want a “clean” romance and they might be expecting something different from this line.  I know that my copy came with a disclaimer but I want to add an extra warning here just in case.)

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Guest Post – Naughty and Nice

20 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest

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Hometown Heroes series, Making Waves, Margo Bond Collins, Ophelia London, Perfect Kisses series, Taming the Country Star

Today we welcome Justine from Making Waves and Kylie from Taming the Country Star as they share their idea of a perfect date.  (Make sure you come back tomorrow when I share my review of Taming the Country Star.)

*****

Making Waves

Justine’s perfect dream date

Justine loves the water. If it’s the weekend or her day off, you’ll most likely find her at the beach or the pool. Recently, she’s fallen in love with Hawaii. For a dream date, it would be kind of amazing if her dream guy (for the sake of argument, let’s go ahead and call him Will) surprised her with a weekend trip to the Islands. He’d have a convertible waiting at the airport and—after a quick “lei”—they’d drive straight to North Shore to hit the big waves. Justine isn’t an accomplished surfer like Will yet, but she’s willing to learn and Will is a very hands-on teacher.

After they’re tuckered out from a morning of surfing, Will takes Justine to his favorite shrimp stand in Haleiwa. For dessert, they have amazing shave ice at Matisumoto’s. Will doesn’t even suggest they share a cone, because he knows Justine will want one of her own. Once they’ve had their fill, Will takes them to a secluded beach only he knows about. The waves are calm so they can just float in the water or play or…whatever other private activity they feel like doing. Once the sun is ready to set, both Will and Justine are ready to take this party indoors. And there’s not a more gorgeous place on Oahu than The Turtle Bay Resort. Being a gentleman, of course Will reserves two rooms. But, come on…  Talk about paradise!

Taming the Country Star

Kylie’s perfect dream date

One of the things that Kylie Andrews loves best about living in Fort Worth, Texas, and working in the touristy Stockyards District is that she gets the best of both a big city and a small town. And like most people who work in tourist areas, she doesn’t spend nearly enough time exploring her own city. So her favorite date would involve activities close to home. If she could write up a date itinerary (and she might—she’s pretty organized!), it might look something like this:

  • Fort Worth Herd Longhorn Cattle Drive in the Stockyards district
  • A stroll through the Stockyards Museum
  • Dinner at the Reata Fort Worth, a restaurant serving Southwestern haute cuisine
  • Dancing at Billy Bob’s Texas

*****

9781622661664Taming the Country Star

by Margo Bond Collins

Blurb:

He’ll do anything to win her heart. She’ll do anything to keep him away.

Country star Cole Grayson is in town, and Kylie Andrews is less than thrilled. As if months of changing the radio station and tearing down his posters weren’t bad enough, now she has to deal with a town of fans swarming toward the man who deceived her the year before. But when Kylie’s eyes meet Cole’s again, she can’t deny the electric chemistry that drew her to him the first time around.

Cole Grayson is on a mission. Ever since Kylie left him, he hasn’t been able to forget her sweet country smile. After writing a song just for her, he sets off for her hometown to prove he’s not the player she thinks he is. But as much as Cole can’t forget her, Kylie wonders if she can forgive him…

Buy Links:  Goodreads * Amazon *Barnes & Noble *iTunes * Entangled

Author Info – Margo Bond Collins

Margo Bond Collins currently teaches college English courses online, but writing fiction is her first love. After a decade of moving all around the country (Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta are a few of the places she’s lived), she has settled in her native Texas. Margo lives near Fort Worth with her husband, her daughter, and several very spoiled cats, and she spends most of her free time daydreaming about heroes, monsters, cowboys, and villains, and the strong women who love them. She currently writes for Entangled Bliss – Website*Blog*Twitter*Facebook * Goodreads

9781622666478Making Waves

by Ophelia London

Blurb:

She’s in over her head and he’s in hot water…

Visiting her friends Ellie and Charlie in Hawaii was supposed to be a much-needed vacation for journalist Justine Simms. But when she learns the notoriously reclusive pro-surfer Chase Ryder is coming out of retirement for a competition, she knows she’s found the perfect exclusive to save her career. Of course, then she learns he’s the gorgeous, secretly nerdy guy who broke her heart a year ago.

Will Davenport—aka Chase Ryder—doesn’t do interviews. He keeps his real name out of the papers and doesn’t mix his public life with his private. That is, until the still-heartbroken Justine blackmails him into giving her an exclusive. Seeing Justine, stunningly beautiful as ever, brings back all the feelings he had before. But despite their smoldering attraction, nothing has changed since he had to leave her the first time.

Buy Links:  Goodreads *Amazon* Barnes & Noble *iTunes *Entangled

Author Info – Ophelia London

Ophelia London was born and raised among the redwood trees in beautiful northern California. Once she was fully educated, she decided to settle in Florida, but her car broke down in Texas and she’s lived in Dallas ever since. A cupcake and treadmill aficionado (obviously those things are connected), she spends her time watching art-house movies and impossibly trashy TV, while living vicariously through the characters in the books she writes. Ophelia is the author of ABBY ROAD; the Perfect Kisses series including: PLAYING AT LOVE, SPEAKING OF LOVE, and FALLING FOR HER SOLDIER, and the new adult DEFINITELY, MAYBE IN LOVE.  Twitter * Website * Facebook * Goodreads

*****

Entangled Bliss:

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

Twitter: @RomanceIsBliss

Steals and Deals

*****

Giveaway:

$20 Amazon gift card from Margo Bond Collins

iPod Shuffle with the Making Waves playlist from Ophelia London

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb554383/

*****

Click on the banner below to check out the other sites on the tour

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Book Review – Debutantes Don’t Date

19 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Book Review, Debutantes Don't Date, Kristina O'Grady

cover45815-mediumAt the stroke of midnight…

One minute Grace Lancaster is an overworked event manager organising 2013’s New Year’s Eve ball… The next she’s kissing a rather gorgeous man at the Regency themed party. Everyone’s entitled to an out-of-character New Year’s kiss, right? Except Jasper Mossman, Earl of Bingham, isn’t at a costume party – he’s a real-life gentleman from 1813…

And, it seems, kissing a man in Regency London has consequences!

What Grace considers normal behaviour scandalises Regency society and so far she’s provided the irrepressible gossips of the ton with a season’s worth of conversation! In a scramble to protect her reputation, as well as his own, Jasper insists that they marry for the sake of her honour. Marrying Mr Darcy might be a 21st century girl’s dream – but the reality is far from romantic. Corsets are uncomfortable, no running water is disastrous! Grace had always planned on falling in love before she got married, but when Jasper takes her in his arms she just might believe she’s finally found her very own Prince Charming.

I really liked the idea of a fish out of water with this time travelling romance … except we really didn’t get a lot of that.  Grace fit in a little too easily – she didn’t really struggle with the rules of society or the lack of modern amenities (two things that I think would really throw me for a loop).  Instead she makes friends, lands a fiance (although with quite a scandal to go along with it) and never even blinks at the way things are.  If she’d been a history buff or something, it might have worked but this seemed like a lost opportunity to me, even if it was just for a little extra humor.

If instead of time travelling she’d just been a foreigner to London, the story could have definitely worked.  I liked Grace, Jasper and their assorted friends and family.  The romance is sweet – love (or lust) at first sight that leads to an engagement, two people having to get to know each other, plus a little intrigue involving Jasper’s almost intended all combine to give readers a fun historical romance.

There are a couple of other loose ends that made the ending seem a little rushed to me – there is a character that pops up to play a big part in the story only to then disappear and the key to Grace’s time travelling is found out of the blue.  These were pretty big plot points that I don’t think were given proper attention.

So … if you take it as a historical romance Debutantes Don’t Date is wonderful.  The characters are engaging, the plot around their wedding is interesting, and I liked how their romance led to a happy ending.  It was just the parts around Grace being from the future that I’m not sure were handled as deftly as they could have been.  Overall though I definitely enjoyed it and would be happy to read more by O’Grady.

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Spotlight – Temptation By Fire

19 Thursday Jun 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 1 Comment

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Temptation By Fire, Tiffany Allee

We’re starting the day with a sexy new paranormal romance by Tiffany Allee.

*****

Temptation_by_FireTemptation By Fire

by Tiffany Allee

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Entangled Ignite

ISBN: 9781622662005

ASIN: B00H6ETDTC

Number of pages: 201

Word Count: 78,000

Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde

Blurb:

When Ava has a vision of a man’s violent death, experience tells her she can’t stop it from happening. For once, she’s wrong. She saves him, but in doing so enters a world of manipulative demons and the men who hunt them.

Driven by the memory of his murdered family, Karson toils in the violent, thankless fight against demonkind. Masquerading as humans, demons are always a step ahead. But just when he thinks vengeance will be his, Ava shatters his plans and twists his focus.

Her powers have pushed her away from human contact, but this tattooed hunter with a battered heart draws Ava in. Working with the pretty little psychic is a challenge Karson can handle. But keeping his hands off of her is nearly impossible. With demons on their trail and Ava determined to make things right, keeping his heart safe will be just as tough as keeping Ava alive.

Amazon           Barnes & Noble             iTunes

Kobo               All Romance Ebooks

*****

B_WAuthor Info:

CPA-turned-romance-author Tiffany Allee used to battle spreadsheets in Corporate America, and now concentrates on her characters’ battles to find love. Raised in small-town Colorado, Tiffany currently lives in Phoenix, AZ, by way of Chicago and Denver. She is happily married to a secret romantic who tolerates her crazy mutterings.

She writes about ass-kicking heroines and the strong heroes who love them. Her work includes the suspense-driven From the Files of the Otherworlder Enforcement Agency series which revolves around a group of paranormal cops solving crimes and finding love, and Don’t Bite the Bridesmaid, a lighthearted paranormal romance (Entangled Publishing).

Website                Blog                 Newsletter

Twitter                 Facebook          Goodreads

*****

Excerpt:

Ava’s eyes met mine, and the understanding there almost broke me.

“I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through, Karson. And I won’t pretend I can even begin to wrap my mind around how that would feel. I would never ask you to give up your hunt for me,” Ava said.

Emotions rolled over me—so fast and hard I couldn’t quite grasp them. My old familiar pain, and new pain for her. They built under my skin, threatening to burst free if I didn’t find an outlet.

I pushed the bathroom door open the rest of the way. Ava let out a soft squeak, but I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. Brutally, I punished her with my mouth. I needed an outlet for my emotion. No. Not just an outlet. I needed her.

Only a moment of hesitation, and she was kissing me back. One hand clutched my shoulder while the other held on to her towel. Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her closer, anger completely drowned by the passion she elicited in me.

“This is such a bad idea,” I murmured against her lips.

“Shut the hell up and quit thinking for once.”

Still wet from the shower, she clung to me as I kissed her neck. I nibbled my way to her shoulders and then in one sweeping motion, picked her up—towel and all. Then I carried her out of the bathroom and set her on her feet next to the bed.

I tugged lightly on the towel she still clutched, but didn’t try to take it from her. This was her decision, and even if it killed me, I would stop if she wanted me to.

“We don’t have—”

“Didn’t I tell you to be quiet?” Her words were teasing, but her voice was full with emotion. With a jerk of quick movement, her posture stiffened, and then she tossed the towel to the floor.

*****

Giveaway:

$20 Amazon or B&N gift card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112f679/

*****

Tour Schedule:

June 16 Anya Breton Author’s Blog
http://blog.anyabreton.com
June 16 Writing from Corsets to Bustiers
http://www.christinamcknight.com/
June 16 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!   http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com
June 17Angel’s Guilty Pleasures (review)
http://angelsguiltypleasures.com
June 17 Paranormal Romance Authors That Rock (review)
www.pratr.wordpress.com
June 17 Deal Sharing Aunt
www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com
June 18 Kimber Leigh Writes
http://www.kimberleighwheaton.com
June 18 Mila Ramos
www.jademystique.blogspot.com
June 18 Roxanne’s Realm
www.roxannerhoads.com
June 19 Romantic Reads and Such
https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com
June 19 Booklover sue
http://bookloversue.blogspot.com
June 19 Fang-tastic Books
www.fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com
June 20 Books &Tales
http://booksandtales.blogspot.co.uk/
June 20 Sabrina’s Paranormal Palace (review)
http://sabrinasparanormalpalace.blogspot.com/
June 20 The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom
www.creativelygreen.blogspot.com

*****

Temptation by Fire Banner 450 x 169

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Spotlight – The Prince’s Ex

18 Wednesday Jun 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Sneak Peek

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Nadene Seiters, The Prince's Ex

Ya’ll, you can find the first few chapters of The Prince’s Ex on Amazon … it’s fantastic – quirky, charming and fun.  Check it out below and then head over to either B&N or Amazon where you can pick up your own ebook for only 99 cents!

*****

“Okay, I’ll stay.” Instead of sitting back down on his barstool at the breakfast counter, he walked over to where she stood and kept his hands at his sides. The warmth from his body penetrated her personal space, as did the rest of him.

When he started kissing her, she couldn’t remember.

His tongue danced along the seam of her lips until she parted them to allow him entrance. Warmth sprouted at the top of her head and rocketed down to her toes. His hands were pulling her hips closer to his so that their bodies created a rhythm of rocking as they explored each other’s mouths. Amelia’s hands pulled his shirt up so that she could feel the solid muscle he hid with loose t-shirts.

*****

CoverThe Prince’s Ex

by Nadene Seiters

Blurb:

Amelia Radley thought she had it all when she met a man in a bar and he ended up being royalty. Their love affair was anything but boring, and yet he dumped her almost exactly a year after asking her out to their first dinner date. While the wound was deep and fresh thirty days after their separation, she picked up the morning paper only to see that the man she thought she loved had already become engaged to another woman.

Her best friend, Tina, suggests the only thing she knows would make her feel better. Amelia should start dating any man she meets that she likes so that she can get over her ex. The idea is ludicrous, and yet Amelia agrees to a date with a man she has never met before. All the while, she considers herself nothing more than the prince’s ex, a woman who could not hold the affections of every woman’s dream.

When she finds love in an unexpected place, it’s challenged by the past and the future looks rocky. Amelia’s insecurities might get in the way of her finding true love, in more ways than one.

Get your copy at http://www.amazon.com/Princes-Ex-Nadene-Seiters-ebook/dp/B00K1MJRLK or http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-princes-ex-nadene-seiters/1119389838?ean=9781499319903

*****

Excerpt:

“He’s engaged already!” The paper hit the table with an audible thump that had some of the other coffee shop patrons glancing in her direction. Acrid aromas filled the air mixed with the sweet scent of flavored syrups. She inhaled them and tried to take comfort in them.

“It’s been a month, sweetheart. You couldn’t expect him to wait forever considering he has a throne to sit on.” Amelia cupped her hands around the hot coffee cup and took a sip of the bittersweet flavor, mocha lattes were her favorite. Her friend was right. She couldn’t expect him to wait forever, but a month was outrageous.

“One month isn’t a long time.” She grumped as she thought about her one year fling with the prince. For a short time, she had almost been a celebrity in the small country he’d inherit on the island of Malaysia, and a minor one in her home city. Now people looked at Amelia with pity, or she imagined they eventually would if they ever figured out who she was.

A spark of hope blossomed. Maybe no one would notice the prince of some backwards, tiny country had been engaged, except it was currently strewn across the front page of the newspaper. That idea was out.

“Why don’t you try to marry the Prince of England then?” A woman nearby choked on her latte. Amelia shot her a disgruntled, dirty look. This coffeehouse seemed to be the hub for gossip in the city. She should know better than to bring up personal matters that were already in black and white on every tabletop.

“Tina that has to be the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard. Besides, he’s married.”

“The younger one isn’t. Prince Harry, I think.” Tina’s perfectly manicured nails clinked on her cup, and her distinct, thin eyebrow shot up into a look of incredulity. Amelia knew Prince Harry was not married, and she knew his name, too. She just didn’t want to admit there were other royals out there she could be obsessing over. Prince Simon had been hers.

“Whatever, I’m done with him, and he’s obviously done with me. It’s time to move on to more accessible, less self-centered men. I want a guy-” Amelia stopped when she saw the look of amusement on Tina’s face. She had heard the I want a guy speech a million times over the past four years they had been friends.

It was time to stop talking about finding that man and actually trying to find him. She hadn’t dated anyone since the monumental breakup a month ago, and she needed to get back in the scene. There were several ways she could do that, and none of them ideally employed Tina as the person to set her up. That woman had too many questionable men on speed dial.

As if she could read Amelia’s mind, Tina began to suggest. “I could-”

“No!” Amelia took a sip of her latte quickly and averted her gaze. She tried to amend. “I mean, I don’t want you to get too involved with my love life. It’s already messed up-” Oops, that wasn’t the correct way to save the situation either. “I don’t mean you’re going to mess it up worse! I just mean that it’s really murky water right now.” There, that was better, right?

“Right.” Tina didn’t sound convinced at all. In fact, her baby blues were starting to turn stormy. Here it came. Amelia wanted to shout for someone to get her best friend a soap box to stand on.

“I think you need to have more fun, Amelia. There are guys out there that are plenty good for the heart and soul, and then there are men who are good for the night. Maybe you need to experience a few of the latter before you start looking for the heart and soul kind.” Tina finally took a bite of her bagel and swallowed. It looked like it might be hard for her to get the cream cheese down her throat, but she would work it off in yoga class. Amelia didn’t envy Tina her exercise classes. She was just thankful she still had a metabolism that took care of the cream cheese at the age of twenty-six.

It was time for a change of subject.

“So how about I come to that class today? You still teaching it?” Immediately, Tina’s eyes returned to their normal, light color and her lips even quirked at the corners. She was actually going to smile.

“You’re not getting out of this that easy, sweetie. Finish off that coffee, come do some yoga to make yourself feel a little sexier, and then you’re going to go through my naughty list.” A woman in her mid-fifties cleared her throat nearby and tried to pay attention to her laptop in front of her. Their conversation was clearly being overheard.

“I’ll commit to the yoga, for now.” Amelia downed the rest of her still warm coffee and stuffed the last of her blueberry muffin down. Her best friend grimaced, probably because she was thinking about the calorie content of that full, fatty goodness muffin.

*****

Author Info:

Nadene Seiters has been on Amazon’s Top 100 Sellers List with seven of her ten books since the beginning of her career in February of 2013. She’s proud to be an independent publisher and encourages others to follow their dreams, whether it seems conventional or not.

As of late, she lives with a clowder of cats, two dogs, and a few caged animals. Her passions include reading, writing, caring for her furry and feathery pets, and cooking. You can find and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+ by searching for ‘Nadene Seiters’.

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Spotlight – Melissa Haag

18 Wednesday Jun 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Hope(less), Judgement of the Six series, Melissa Haag

This morning we’re going to take a look at a new paranormal book by Melissa Haag.  The ebook is currently free on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.  Check it out below!

*****

Hope(Less)

Hope(less)

by Melissa Haag

Blurb:

Our world is being judged and we remain unaware.

In a world filled with people, Gabby is uniquely alone. The tiny glowing sparks filling her mind, representing the people around her, confirm it.

Clueless regarding the reason behind her sight and her place in the world, Gabby struggles to find an explanation. A chance encounter leads her closer to answers she’s struggled to find, and into a hidden society where fur is optional. An introduction sends her running back home without the answers she wants – and not quite alone.

Gabby tries to ignore Clay, the werewolf delusional enough to follow her home thinking he has a chance with her, while continuing to search for answers on her own. Her problems compound when other werewolves, ones with abnormal sparks, start stalking her. Instead of gaining answers, her list of questions is growing. When she finds the answers, her life will never be the same.

Free on – 
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hope-less-Judgement-Six-Book-ebook/dp/B00BOCVOY4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1402684636&sr=1-1&keywords=hopeless+melissa+haag

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hope-melissa-haag/1114757709?ean=9781499181982

*****

Author Info:

Melissa Haag currently resides in Wisconsin with her husband and three children. Touch is her first published novel. She is currently working on book three of a separate five book series. To learn more about her upcoming projects, visit her at:
http://melissahaag.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/imagine2live
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.MelissaHaag

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Guest Post – Falling for the Groomsman

17 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest

≈ Leave a comment

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Diane Alberts, Falling for the Groomsman, Jen McLaughlin, Wedding Dare series

So we got a glimpse of the Wedding Dare series with Dare to Resist, which introduced us to Colton and Kady, the happy bridal couple … and if the rest of the series is anything like the prequel, readers are in for a treat!

Today, Diane Alberts is giving us a little glimpse into her part of the series – Falling for the Groomsman.

*****

Holding Grudges!

Hello, I’m Diane Alberts, otherwise known as Jen McLaughlin, and I had a new book called FALLING FOR THE GROOMSMAN come out on June 9th! It’s part of the Wedding Dare series with Laura Kaye, Tessa Bailey, Katee Robert, and Samanthe Beck. All of our books (except Laura’s, which is a prequel) take place at the same time, at the same wedding.

In my book, Tyler and Christine have a bit of history. They slept together over eight years ago…and then never spoke again. Like, ever. I’m not even kidding. LOL!

With so much angst and anger in their past, you’d think they would continue to avoid each other like the plague at the wedding they both attend…but nope. They just can’t seem to do that. What happens after they literally crash into each other in the hallway? Well, you’ll have to read it to find out!

But in the meantime, have you ever held a grudge against someone for years and years? If so, what did it take for you to forgive them?

*****

FFTGFalling for the Groomsman

by Diane Alberts

release date June 9, 2014

A sexy category romance from Entangled’s Brazen imprint…

Blurb:

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

Photojournalist Christine Forsythe is ready to tackle her naughty little to-do list, and who better to tap for the job than a hot groomsman? But when she crashes into her best friend’s older brother, Christine realizes her list needs updating. And fast. Tyler Dresco took her virginity during the best night of her life, then bolted. Now that they’re trapped together at a destination wedding, she’s going to get her revenge.

Tyler has never forgiven himself for how completely he lost control all those years ago. Being in Christine’s arms had felt right…until he realized what he’d taken from her in the hallway of a cheap motel. And oh, how she’s making him pay for it now. The insatiable heat between them has only grown stronger, but every time things heat up, Christine walks away.

With every encounter, things go a little bit further until Christine’s caught in her own trap of seduction. And before their time’s up, Tyler’s not the only one wanting more…

Grab the rest of the Wedding Dare series!

  • Dare to Resist by New York Times bestselling author Laura Kaye
  • Baiting the Maid of Honor by New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey
  • Seducing the Bridesmaid by New York Times bestselling author Katee Robert
  • Best Man with Benefitsby USA TODAY bestselling author Samanthe Beck

Buy Links

Amazon –  http://amzn.to/1oKQxaJ

B&N – http://bit.ly/1kHt6us

*****


authorAuthor Info:

Diane Alberts is a multi-published, bestselling contemporary romance author with Entangled Publishing. She also writes New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling new adult books under the name Jen McLaughlin. She’s hit the Top 100 lists on Amazon and Barnes and Noble numerous times with numerous titles. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author.  Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and a cat. Her goal is to write so many fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

Website: http://dianealberts.com/

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianeAlberts6

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeAlberts

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5081315.Diane_Alberts

*****

Giveaway:

Win a $30 Amazon Gift Card and a signed copy of TEMPORARILY YOURS.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/726d25176/

*****

FftGM_banner

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Spotlight – Remote Consequences

16 Monday Jun 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Kerri Nelson, Remote Consequences, Working Stiff Mystery series

Now we’re going to look at a mystery (with romantic elements) … perfect for those of you who want a little more suspense in your stories!

*****

Remote Consequences_KerriNelson_Cover_MediumRemote Consequences

A cozy mystery by… Kerri Nelson Blurb: Med school drop-out Mandy Murrin has returned home to care for her mentally handicapped, teenage sister. But despite having multiple college degrees under her belt, Mandy finds jobs aren’t easy to come by in small town Alabama. Now instead of a stethoscope, she’s forced to sport a tool belt as a technician for the local cable company, Flicks Vision. But things go from bad to worse when, while on assignment at the Mayor’s house, Mandy finds herself in the attic amongst cobwebs, Christmas decorations, and…a corpse? Suddenly Mandy’s life is turned upside down with one missing body, a high school nemesis turned police detective, a mysterious stranger, and a town full of long buried secrets. If Mandy’s not careful, this could be one dead end job where she may not make it out alive! Buy Links:   Amazon Kindle     Amazon Print     Smashwords    Nook   iBooks

*****

Excerpt: Two hours, three sneezes, and a half a box of Tic Tacs later, I was crouched in the oppressive heat of the attic. After two phone calls back to the office to ask my boss questions, I’d finally deduced that there must be a faulty coaxial cable somewhere in the house’s wiring. Finding it was going to take time and patience. And I was low on both. My stomach grumbled with hunger, and the dispatcher had radioed twice to ask when I might be able to take the next service call. But I was stuck here in the mayor’s dreadful attic until I could find the source of the problem. I inched along the perimeter in the near dark. When it came to blood and anatomy, I could stomach almost anything. But when it came to bugs and creepy crawlies, I was as girly as they came. Holding my Maglite XL at arm’s length to warn me of potential eight-legged predators, I scooted my knee forward another notch and winced as a splinter made its way through my pants leg and speared my tender flesh. “Dammit.” I eased back onto my bottom and surveyed the damage. A shard of laminated wood about three inches in length protruded from my pants leg. I yanked it free and tossed it behind me. I’d have to tend to my wound later. A brief daydream image of sitting on a sunny beach—margarita in one hand, and a hefty worker’s compensation check in the other—made me grin. Not a likely outcome for a splinter-induced injury, though. Boxes of holiday decorations, an old baby crib, stacks of books, and a deep freezer cluttered the area. Standard stuff. Nothing special about His Honor’s attic. Deep freezer? Who had a deep freezer in their attic? My head snapped back to the opposite corner where a standard eight-cubic-foot, chest-style freezer sat in the shadows. I stood up, brushing off the back of my pants. Deep freezers were heavy suckers. I knew this because I’d once had the corner of one dropped on my toe in my aunt’s cellar basement. As if in response to the memory, my toe ached deep inside my boot. I’d never seen anyone lug a heavy deep-freeze up to an attic. It didn’t make much sense, but at the same time—wouldn’t it feel great to open that lid and feel the mist of ice-cold frost caress my face? Memories of homemade ice cream and preparing containers of summer vegetables for the fall trickled through my memory. Summers had been good once. A long time ago. Back and knees stiff from the attic crawl, I limped toward the freezer. I doubted it was even running. Who would be stupid enough to run it up here? What if it defrosted and leaked down through the floorboards? Imagining worst-case scenarios was kind of like a superpower to me. But as I reached out to touch the dusty lid, I heard the humming thrum of the motor inside. Probably shouldn’t mess with it. I looked around the attic as if someone were going to pop out and shake their finger at me for snooping. But when no one appeared, I lifted the lid. The blessed frost hit my face, and I inhaled the frigid glory. But when the mist cleared—my breath caught in my throat. Lungs frozen in an ice block of silent shock. There, among the Tupperware containers, curled into a fetal position was…one dead body.

*****

Kerri_PromoPic_2014_1Author Info:

Kerri Nelson survived a fifteen year career in the legal field and then took her passion for crime solving to the page. But her journey to become a mystery author took a decade long detour into the world of romance where she penned twenty two novels and novellas in various sub-genres.

Born and raised a true southern belle, Kerri holds many useful secrets: how to bake a killer peach cobbler; how to charm suspects with proper batting of the eyelashes; and how to turn your parasol into a handy weapon. Kerri is an active member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America which includes various volunteer positions such as Board Member at Large and Daphne Published Contest Category Coordinator of Kiss of Death RWA (Chapter for Romantic Suspense Authors). Learn more about Kerri and her new Working Stiff Mystery Series, at her website:  www.KerriNelson.com Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/kerribookwriter For Contests and More, visit Kerri’s Author Blog here: www.kerribookwriter.blogspot.com

*****

Giveaway:

Kerri is giving away a gift bag full of goodies !!!

CountryCozyGiftBag_KerriNelson

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/c7458f32/

*****

Remote Consequences Tour Banner

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