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Romantic Reads and Such

~ thoughts on romances

Romantic Reads and Such

Monthly Archives: December 2014

Book Review – Flaming Hot

31 Wednesday Dec 2014

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Book Review, Flaming Hot, Lynn LaFleur, The Firefighters of Lanville TX series

cover53497-mediumBig and bold, strong and sexy, the firefighters of the Lanville, Texas, Volunteer Fire Department know how to turn up the heat. . .

Fiery

Sparks fly the moment Eve and Quade meet. Fear of heartbreak makes them wary but neither can deny the scorching waves of desire that leave them wanting so much more. . .

Flare

Paige wonders about Cort’s past but she can’t ignore the heat she feels inside every time he touches her. And things only get hotter when this sexy firefighter takes her to the heights of extreme carnal pleasure. . .

Flash

For years Kirk has kept a secret that not even his twin knows. But the arrival in town of a sexy newcomer turns up the heat and keeps the flames of passion burning all night long. . .

(This is the second book in The Firefighters of Lanville TX series – Please note: This book is an anthology and features three novellas, one of which is an M/M romance.)

A follow-up to LaFleur’s Smokin’ Hot anthology, Flaming Hot is just as sexy  …  and I do mean SEXY.  This is a very, very sizzling read but it also has a good amount of heart to go along with it.  And once again, Lafleur does a good job of keeping her stories short but complete.  The characters are detailed and engaging, their issues are fleshed out and believable, and the sex hot, hot, hot.

Now I will restate the previous note – there is a M/M romance and it is just as steamy as the others, so remember that if it isn’t your thing.  Since the stories do stand alone you can enjoy the others and be fine, but I found that romance just as sweet as the others so I would highly recommend reading the whole book.

Flaming Hot is the perfect steamy break for a busy day.  The stories stand alone but carry over between each other because they are part of the same volunteer fire department.  It’s nice to see characters and catch up but they don’t directly impact each other so the stories can be read in any order you want.

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Spotlight – Hungry Like a Wolf

29 Monday Dec 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest

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Hungry Like the Wolf, Paige Tyler, SWAT series

I’m so exited about this one – hunky werewolf SWAT heroes?!?! Oh, yeah!

*****

SWAT Profiles

Meet the Men of the Dallas PD SWAT Team

image001Name: Trey Duncan

Hair Color: Brown

Eye Color: Blue

Age: 33

Originally From: Fargo, ND

Occupation Before Joining SWAT: U.S. Army Special Forces Medic

SWAT Rank: Senior Corporal

Special Skill/Talent: Medic and Entry

What He Drives: White Chevy Bronco

Years He’s Been a Werewolf: 7

Years in SWAT: 6

One thing he never leaves home without: A piece of frag from an 82mm mortar. He keeps it in a small eyeglass case.

Additional Notes: Really good at digging bullets out of werewolves.

*****

image003Hungry Like the Wolf

Series: SWAT #1

by Paige Tyler

Coming January 6th, 2015

INTRODUCING SWAT: SPECIAL WOLF ALPHA TEAM

They’re tight

They’re on target

They’re as alpha as men can get

The Dallas SWAT team is hiding one helluva secret…they’re a pack of wolf shifters.

The team of elite sharpshooters is ultra-secretive—and also the darlings of Dallas. This doesn’t sit well with investigative journalist Mackenzie Stone. They must be hiding something…and she’s determined to find out what.

Keeping Mac at a distance proves impossible for SWAT team commander Gage Dixon. She’s smart, sexy, and makes him feel alive for the first time in years. But she’s getting dangerously close to the truth—and perilously close to his heart…

Buy Links:

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

Apple: http://bit.ly/1rWK6aV

BAM: http://bit.ly/11DV5dD

B&N: http://bit.ly/1HnuHVz

Chapters: http://bit.ly/1xQL0ES

Indiebound: http://bit.ly/1uyQuCM

*****

Author Info:

Paige Tyler is the USA Today bestselling author of sexy, romantic fiction. Paige writes books about hunky alpha males and the kickbutt heroines who fall in love with them. She and her very own military hero (aka her husband) live on the Florida coast with their adorable dog.

Visit www.paigetylertheauthor.com

*****

Giveaway:

5 copies of Paige Tyler’s Hungry Like a Wolf

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/54ca7af741/

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Book Review – Undefeated

26 Friday Dec 2014

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Bomb Squad series, Book Review, Melissa Cutler, Undefeated

cover53777-mediumWelcome to Destiny Falls, New York, home of Bomb Squad—an ice hockey team full of rugged military heroes. The team’s battling a losing streak, but the season’s biggest game changer is one player’s second chance with the one who got away…

Yoga instructor Marlena Brodie is always up for a challenge, and her new job of snapping Bomb Squad out of their rut is definitely that, even though it means being in close contact with Liam McAllister, her high school crush gone bad. She can feel the damage pouring off of him—but also a wild and sexy strength that calls to her.

The Army turned Liam McAllister into a man, but as a combat medic, he saw far too much to ever be whole again. He’s not interested in the civilian world beyond his job as a carpenter, but he never stopped wondering what might have been with Marlena—and it isn’t long before she’s crashed through his carefully constructed walls. He longs for a new beginning with her, but to be the man she deserves, he’ll have to step out of his defensive zone and score the most important play of his life…

I am one of those people who love a good soldier romance.  There is something sweet about someone who has gone thru so much and sacrificed for others finding their special someone.  And something even more so when it is a damaged soldier and Cutler’s series is just full of them.

Some may be put out by Marlena’s new age beliefs, and they are pretty prevalent, but I actually like her as a person.  She isn’t overly preachy and her attitude of acceptance definitely helps her deal with Liam and his issues.  But the best part is that she has some problems of her own and Liam helps her deal with those as well.  I love the give and take here – it isn’t one sided with one person doing all the helping – it is nice to see that they can support each other.

But Liam definitely has the lion’s share of troubles.  Coming home with PTSD and learning to live as a civilian again has definitely taken its toll.  He’s strong but I do like the fact that he recognizes he needs help and is willing to do what is needed.  He is a bit of a jerk though so you have to be ready for some moments when you don’t like him very much, but seeing his situation from his perspective and getting Marlena’s take on it makes him a very sympathetic character. 

While this is the second book in the series, I once again joined in the middle and didn’t have any issues – Undefeated can definitely stand on its own.  But saying that, Cutler does a fantastic job of giving her readers a great set of secondary characters between Marlena’s friends and the rest of the Bomb Squad.  And although we don’t get a ton of time with them, the appearances they do make definitely has me ready for more stories.  There are a lot of paths that Cutler can go down with these guys and I’m looking forward to seeing what she chooses.

If you are looking for a hard-hitting and emotional read, Undefeated is the perfect choice.  There are times when it got difficult to keep going but the characters grabbed me so I couldn’t stop – I had to know how they got to their HEA. 

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Book Review – Christmas in July

25 Thursday Dec 2014

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Book Review, Christmas Colorado series, Christmas in July, Debbie Mason

cover41034-mediumGrace Flaherty had given up hope of ever seeing her husband again. After all, it’d been over a year since he went missing in combat. So when he strides through the door of her bakery in downtown Christmas one sunny afternoon, she can hardly believe her eyes. But her happily-ever-after is going to take some effort – because Jack has no memory of his family.

All Jack Flaherty remembers about Christmas is that he couldn’t wait to leave town. Now he’s a local hero with a wife and son he doesn’t know. Even as he struggles to rekindle the romance with his wife, he knows in his heart what he wants: a second chance at love.

If you’ve been reading my reviews for a while I’m sure you are going to know what I’m going to say next – once again I’ve joined a series in the middle, but luckily once again it doesn’t matter.  Which is a good thing and a bad thing.  This story was so great and I didn’t feel like I missed anything by not having read the first one.  BUT the story was so great I’ve now got another story to add to my TBR pile because I’m dying to get my hands on the first book 🙂

The characters grabbed me right away – the first two chapters just knocked me off my feet and kept me going until the very end.  I was quite impressed with Mason because she could have easily made their issues overpowering or repetitive but she manages to keep it fresh and engaging page after page.  Together Jack and Grace are funny, sweet and sexy.  I love seeing their relationship and how they complement each other so well. 

The secondary characters are just as real and entertaining as the main couple.  Mason captures that small town feel so well – loving and supporting each other, occasionally fighting, but most importantly being there when needed.  And my favorite part … a town full of eccentric characters means that a ton of material to keep the good reads coming. 

With a fantastic group of people and an emotionally charged story, Christmas in July is an extremely addictive and enjoyable read.  Mason is going to be one of my go-to authors for a long time to come. 

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Book Review – The Trouble with Harry

24 Wednesday Dec 2014

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Book Review, Katie MacAlister, Noble series, The Trouble With Harry

cover43841-mediumYou think you’ve got troubles?

As a spy for the Crown, Lord Harry Rosse faced clever and dangerous adversaries—but it’s his five offspring who seem likely to send him to Bedlam. At his wits’ end, he’s advertised for a wife and found one, but perhaps he should have been a bit more forthcoming on certain points…

Wait till you meet Harry and Plum…

Frederica Pelham, affectionately known as Plum, spent years avoiding the scandals of her past, and is desperate for quiet security and a chance to make a family. What she finds is a titled husband and five little devils who seem bent on their own destruction, not to mention hers. And while all kinds of secrets are catching up with them, Plum knows the real trouble with Harry… is that he’s stolen her heart.

Like Noble Intentions, I actually have read The Trouble With Harry before and liked it enough to read it again.  Harry and Plum’s life is full of just as much zaniness and humor … but mostly importantly as much heart.

The first part of the book is spent getting to know Harry and Plum and then having them settle into life together.  There are a quite a few moments where a little more open communications would help a lot, but it isn’t one of those times where I just want to hit my head on the table because they are being so clueless.  Here, MacAlister does a great job of giving them reasons for the assumptions they make but as someone looking in you can see where they are going so wrong.  It fits well into the story though.  Then about half-way through a bit of a mystery starts to play a more important role, which adds that perfect balance of intrigue to an already delightful romance.

You definitely have to be in the mood for silliness because MacAlister tells a delightfully wacky tale but if that’s your thing, you are in for a treat.  Full of witty and fun dialogue, absurd and humorous situations, and a lot of heartwarming moments, mixed in with some suspense to keep you on your toes, The Trouble With Harry is a can’t miss.

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Book Review – Breaking His Rules

22 Monday Dec 2014

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Alison Packard, Book Review, Breaking His Rules

cover50480-mediumLosing fifty pounds is an incredible achievement. But for Melissa Atherton, progress doesn’t come with praise—a scathing comment from an evil cousin at a bridal shower threatens to crush her new self-esteem. Who will she bring to the upcoming wedding? Showing up without a date would be humiliating. It just isn’t an option.

Personal trainer Jake Sawyer was attracted to Melissa before she lost weight, but her progress has him floored. When she admits she plans to hire a male escort—and why—his heart all but breaks. Melissa’s come too far to be knocked down, especially by her own family. He’ll go as her date…and figure out a way to keep his hands to himself.

But when a steamy hotel room encounter takes them both by surprise, Jake balks. He’s sworn never to date one of his clients, not again. And Melissa can’t bear to be just friends with the man who treated her so tenderly, even if it was only for a weekend. Jake’s helped her see she’s strong enough to stand up for herself, but will she find the strength to pursue the only man who’s ever seen the real her?

I somehow missed the first book in Packard’s “Feel The Heat” series (and I just realized I missed a novella from last December as well) but the three that I’ve read have all been fantastic.  I started with The Winning Season which was fantastic and next came Catching Heat, another winner.  Now we get JT’s bother, Jake, and the awesomely sweet Melissa, both of whom made appearances in Catching Heat so if you read that story you knew their romance was coming … and I couldn’t wait!

I loved Jake and Melissa together.  They’ve developed a wonderful friendship over the last few months and it makes a naturally transition to something more.  Because of their shared history of being overweight, and having to deal with the public perception of it, they get each other (and have that special empathy for others) in a way that is very special.

I will say I had a little trouble with the ending – I kinda understood Jake’s reasoning but I’m not sure I quite got his change in attitude.  With everything else that happened in the book, you totally get where he’s coming from but he’s typically male if he thinks that it can work out the way he’s thinking it will.  Overall, though, it was a minor gripe and the rest of the story and the fantastic characters make up for it.

A warm and emotional look at two people moving cautiously from friends to more, and all of the problems that come with it, Breaking His Rules is a wonderful, feel-good read.  And just because it is part of a series doesn’t mean that you can’t start here.  Packard does a fantastic job of giving her returning readers that feeling of connection that they want, without alienating new readers.  She also gives us that tantalizing peak into the next story that will cause you to wait impatiently for the next book to release 🙂

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Book Review – Dashing Through the Snow

19 Friday Dec 2014

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Book Review, Dashing Through the Snow, Paige Rion

cover58219-mediumAs if plucked from the screen of a Hallmark movie, this short and light holiday novelette will warm your heart and put you in the Christmas spirit… And now with 10 bonus awesome Murphy’s Bakery recipes inside!

Wynn Murphy has been in love with Zane Anders since the day she laid eyes on him. But just when she begins to hope their casual relationship might turn into something more, a misunderstanding pushes her away.

At first sight, charming and handsome, ad executive, Zane Anders has been secretly infatuated with bake shop cutie, Wynn Murphy. This Christmas, he’s determined to tell her.

Join Wynn and Zane in this delightful holiday novelette as Zane goes dashing through the snow in an effort to capture Wynn’s heart.

**This is a clean romance and a short read at around 45 pages**

Dashing Through the Snow definitely could have been straight out of the Hallmark Channel – it’s super sweet and totally satisfying, just like Wynn’s desserts.  If you are looking for a quick (and clean) read this holiday season, this is definitely it.  

My only (very minor) complaint is that I think we could have gotten a little more about why Wynn felt inferior, which is one of the main roadblocks to them getting together, but as I said it is a minor one.  And with about 50 pages to tell the story, Rion did a fantastic job giving me that warm and squishy feeling I look for from a romance.  Her characters are very well developed and the story flows smoothly, especially given the size of the book.  I’ve read stories with 4 times the pages that didn’t feel as well put together.  I really hope that we get more from this little world because I totally want to see what trouble Wynn’s friend Gemma gets into when she finally falls in love!

So, take a little break from your shopping and wrapping and baking and pick up your own copy of Dashing Through the Snow.  You’ll find yourself rooting for these two thru their almost moments and near misses.  And as a totally cool bonus, you even get a handful of yummy recipes after Wynn and Zane finally get their act together. 

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Guest Post – Haunting You

18 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Bewitching Women series, Haunting You, Viola Estrella

I’m so thrilled to welcome Viola Estrella today as she gives us a little more insight into her newest paranormal romance, Haunting You.  And make sure you check out the first book in the series, Bewitching You!

*****

A Second Chance at Love?

In Haunting You, Rachel Spencer believed she’d already found and lost the love of her life. She’d loved him deeply and still hung on to old memories and an old photograph.

Sometimes it takes a bit of pushing to realize love can come around a second time.

Rachel’s been bombarded with the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. They’ve taken over her life, and one even caused her to fail her bar exam. When she meets a more lucid, less terrifying ghost, she’s drawn into the ghost’s story and pleas for help.

The ghost, Ella, is worried about her teenage sons she’s left behind. Ella’s convinced their guardian, her brother, doesn’t have what it takes to care for her sons. So she proposes a deal…

Ella will keep the other ghosts away and give Rachel some much-needed solitude to help her study for her bar retake. In exchange, Rachel must help Ella’s sons.

How? Rachel’s not quite sure at first, but she certainly hadn’t bargained on meeting the boys’ guardian, August Kline, and realizing he’s more tempting than any man she’d ever met.

The storyline forces her together with temptation until it comes apparent she wants to spend time with August—and for reasons she never thought she’d feel again.

Passion ensues, along with a ghostly mystery and a bad guy who threatens to tear apart the world of the people Rachel has grown to love.

Time will tell if Rachel’s second chance at love will survive…or if her special ability will continue to rule and ruin her life.

Note from author: Bewitching You – Book 1 in the Bewitching Women Series is currently free at most online retailers. Be sure to check it out!

More about my writing at: www.ViolaEstrella.com

*****

coverHaunting You

Bewitching Women Series Book 2

by Viola Estrella

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Date of Publication: 10/25/2014

Number of pages: 302

Cover Artist: Estrella Cover Art

Blurb:

Rachel Spencer’s life has been hijacked by the supernatural. Ghosts seeking help with their unfinished earthly business won’t leave her alone. Her only hope for returning to normalcy and passing her next attempt at the bar exam is making a deal with one of the ghostly intruders. It should be simple–Ella keeps the other spirits away if Rachel agrees to help Ella’s two teenage sons. No problem. Well, not until she meets the boys’ guardian.

August Kline misses his old life. He never planned to raise two teenage hurricanes in an old house in small-town Indiana. But here he is, and he’s determined to make the best of it…if he could only keep the house in order and not completely screw up his nephews.

Enter a gorgeous redhead who pops into August’s world when life is at its grimmest. Rachel claims to be an old friend of Ella’s and offers to help around the house. Sparks fly whenever they’re together, and August is falling fast. Rachel keeps her distance, worrying her ghostly secrets will sabotage any chance of a relationship. But when danger appears and threatens the people she has grown to care about, she may have to face more than her own fears.

Available at Amazon   BN ARe   iBooks

HY-4d

*****

Excerpt:

Trespassing onto land that may or may not be considered school property. Was that a Class D Felony or a Class A Misdemeanor? Rachel couldn’t think with her head fuzzy and her body heated. But she was sure a number of crimes were being committed at that very moment.

Including indecent exposure.

Oh, cripes.

She glanced down at her mismatched underwear and imagined what her mug shot would look like.

What was she thinking? How could she think when August was beckoning her?

“Maybe this isn’t a good idea.” She crossed her arms, wishing she hadn’t gone with the foolish gut instinct to strip. A familiar child-like shame gnawed at the very part of her gut that felt guilty for her near-nakedness. But she couldn’t quite understand why, despite her shame, she moved slowly toward the edge of the pool, continuing what could possibly turn out to be a very bad life choice.

“Water feels nice. Come in.” August’s deep voice was grounded by the pool, giving the illusion of them being in a private cocoon. Crickets chirping was the only other sound for what seemed like miles. No traffic. No passersby.

The gnawing eased and she allowed her arms to drop. The gorgeous vision before her wasn’t hurting either. The moonlight hit August in ways that danced on the drips of water skimming down his toned, tanned body and cast shadows under his midnight eyes. He slicked his hair back from his face and held out his muscled arms, waiting for her to join him.

Committing criminal acts had never felt so tempting.

Not that she’d ever committed a crime. She’d always been attracted to the allure of bad boys but had never done anything remotely unscrupulous with them. Yet after she’d seen August undress and dive into the pool, she’d found herself doing the same—wanting to join him.

Stop thinking, Rache.

I can’t help it.

Her guard had dropped for a nanosecond, and now she was standing on the edge of a public swimming pool that high school kids used during the day. Kids! This could be considered a sexual offense. She’d probably be labeled a sex offender for the rest of her life.

A sex offender!

“This is a bad idea.” The cricket sound gave a synchronized hiccup, breaching the peaceful cocoon. Was someone out there? She quickly glanced up to check if any buildings surrounded the pool, above the hedge line. Thankfully there were none to be seen. No peering eyes watching them from a window.

Of course nothing could stop someone from entering through the gate just as they had.

“How many people have the combination to that lock?”

“To the gate?” He lifted a brow. “Honey, don’t worry. I promise no one is going to bother us. Even the sheriff is at home sitting in front of his TV, drinking a beer. This little town has a zero crime rate.”

That didn’t make her feel any better. “We’re committing a crime.” What was Ella going to say about this? She’d wanted Rachel to help August, not do jail time with him.

He dropped his hands, one covered his mouth as he attempted to hide his smile. But she saw the flash of teeth, the curved lips.

“Are you laughing at me, August Kline?”

“No.” He moved to the edge and grabbed her ankles before she could retreat to her pile of clothes. “I’m not laughing at you. I think you’re damn adorable, but I’m not laughing.”

The feel of his rough wet fingers rubbing along her skin made her shiver. And almost, almost, forget what she’d been worried about.

“Come in with me. It’ll be fun.”

She could only imagine how fun it would be to slide into his arms, wrap her legs around his hips. Kiss him. The man had a remarkable body. Muscled and lean in all the right places. She wondered what he did to keep in shape. More so, she wondered how it would feel pressed up against his wet and nearly naked frame.

His smile twisted to a sensual smirk as his hands ran up and down her calves. “I dare you to come in.”

“You dare me, huh?” She tried to sound playful as her stomach flip-flopped.

“Forget about the millions of worries flurrying through that beautiful mind of yours and get in here with me. I won’t let anything bad happen to you, Rache. You have my word.”

Misdemeanor. Nope, couldn’t be more than a misdemeanor.

“All right.”

HY-3d

*****

authorAuthor Info:

Viola Estrella loves a story with flawed characters, paranormal elements, humor and romance. She tries to include these aspects in all that she writes and loves every minute of it. When she’s not writing, reading, or designing cover art, she’s spending time with her husband and four sons in their Colorado home. Viola is a 2010 RITA® finalist.

Also in 2010, she was honored by her local RWA® chapter, Colorado Romance Writers, with the Writer of the Year award. Find out more about Viola Estrella’s writing at http://violaestrella.com/

Web: http://violaestrella.com/

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3117071.Viola_Estrella

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ViolaEstrella

Newsletter: http://goo.gl/XuK1z1

*****

Giveaway:

7 $5 Amazon, B&N, or iTunes gift cards (winner’s choice)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/ba112ffc884/

*****

Click on the banner below to see the rest of the tour

Haunting You Banner 851 x 315

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Spotlight – Mistaken By Fate

17 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Contest, Sneak Peek

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Katee Robert, Mistaken By Fate, Serve series

Wow, do I have a steamy read for you today!  Sit back, relax and take a look at Kate Robert’s newest book.

*****

Katee Robert joins the Serve series with her hot new romance, MISTAKEN BY FATE!

When Ridley Ethridge arranges a night in NYC’s premier BDSM club, she doesn’t expect to see the wrong twin when the blindfold comes off but seducing Garrett Reaver might be the best thing that ever happened to her.

****

KRobert-S01.Mistaken by Fate.300pxMistaken By Fate

Blurb:

The man she should want, or the man she craves…

Fashion designer Ridley Ethridge thinks she’s found the perfect, stable sort of guy in her childhood friend Will Reaver. With seduction in her sights, she arranges to rock Will’s world at an exclusive club that caters to those with adventurous and erotic appetites. What happens next is both intense and satisfying—until Ridley’s blindfold comes off to reveal Will’s twin brother. The same twin who broke her heart eight years ago.

Former soldier Garrett Reaver hasn’t ever gotten Ridley out of his system. And now that she’s before him in all her submissive glory? He’ll be damned before he lets someone else have her, especially his brother. Because Garrett and Ridley have some seriously unfinished business to take care of, and it starts now. And this time, he’ll show Ridley how exquisite a relationship with him could be…if their past doesn’t catch up to them first.

See where it all began with Tessa Bailey’s Owned by Fate and Exposed by Fate.

*****

Excerpt:

She started to move her hand, but Garrett’s was suddenly covering her, effortlessly holding her in place. “Finish what you started.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to protest, but the feel of his hard length in her hand was impossible to ignore. She wanted him feeling crazy and needy—the same way she was right now. So she unbuttoned his jeans and carefully drew the zipper down. He was big, easily filling her hand and then some. Holy crap.

The lights went down, leaving the entire room in shadows and lighting up the stage as a blonde stepped out. Everyone in the room’s attention was on her, which gave Ridley the freedom to touch Garrett without fear of anyone seeing.

He wrapped an arm around her, keeping her close to his body, and leaned down. “Stroke me, baby. I’ve been thinking about you doing it since last night.”

She squeezed him, delight coursing through her when his eyes slit shut. Part of her wanted to crow, Who’s in charge now? But the rest of her was more concerned with exploring the one part of him she’d spent considerable time imagining. It was better than she could have dreamed—everything about him was. It wasn’t fair.

As the woman on the stage shimmied out of her dress, Ridley stroked him faster. It wasn’t enough, though. She glanced around. This booth was far enough back to be in shadows even when the lights were up. Now, they were practically invisible to the rest of the bar, which meant she could do what she desperately wanted to do.

Before she could think twice about it, she slithered down, stretching out around the corner of the booth. Garrett might have cursed, but it was hard to hear over the insistent beat of the music. She licked her lips. Yes, this was perfect. Here, in this moment, she was fully in control, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. She took him into her mouth, licking her way around his head and then sliding down. He filled her until it was almost too much, but she kept going. She wanted all of him. One of his hands laced through her hair, his grip tight enough to hurt. But he didn’t try to guide her or do anything other than effectively remind her that he was allowing this.

That he was in control.

*****

KateeRobert.205pxAuthor Info:

New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Katee Robert learned to tell her stories at her grandpa’s knee. She found romance novels at age twelve and it changed her life. When not writing sexy contemporary and speculative fiction romance novels, she spends her time playing imaginary games with her wee ones, driving her husband batty with what-if questions, and planning for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.

Connect with Katee at:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google + | GoodReads | Instagram | Tumblr | Youtube

*****

Giveaway:

$25 Gift Card!

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef2946/

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Book Review – Love in a Snow Storm

16 Tuesday Dec 2014

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

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Book Review, Love in a Snow Storm, Pine Harbour series, Zoe York

cover57767-mediumBook #2 in the new Pine Harbour series from NYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Zoe York.

Never fall in love with your best friend’s little sister…

Contractor and army reservist Jake Foster fell in love with Dani Minelli when she was a colt-legged high school senior. He knew he was too old to even look at her, let alone touch.

Dani’s been trying to get his attention since returning to Pine Harbour a grown woman—and failing miserably at every turn.

This winter, everything is going to change. And when the snow stops falling, Jake and Dani won’t be able to hide from their attraction any longer.

(Yes, once again I joined a series after it started but luckily for me it didn’t matter 🙂  There was some mention to previous actions and I think we pick up basically where the first book left off, but enough information is provided that you can easily keep up.)

York does a fantastic job here with her characters.  Both are well developed and their confusion & hesitation is reasonable considering their history – they do a fantastic job addressing timing issues and romantic histories and what could happen when others find out how they feel.  They are such a great couple, with feelings based on a lot of years together.  I love how comfortable they are together and how their relationship develops so smoothly out of that.  

My only complaint is that Jake’s history in the military (and his last deployment) is glossed over.  There is talk about how it changed him but we don’t get the details and I think that might be a path that was missed.  Not having read the first book I’m not sure if this came up before but it seemed like a loose thread here.  With a lot of their friends and family in the same unit though it could come up again later so I guess I’ll just have to keep reading to find out 🙂

Sexy and sweet and funny, York packs a lot into Love in a Snow Storm – beautifully capturing small town life and the hardships that can come from falling in love in a little community.  She also gives us a great set of supporting characters, who not only add extra depth to the story but also wonderfully set up possible of future stories.    

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