Book Review – One Last Letter

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Book Review, One Last Letter, Pema Donyo

One Last Letter

By Pema Donyo

A romantic hardened by reality . . .

Evelyn Lancaster turned her back on her love for ranch hand Jesse Greenwood when she was sixteen to pursue a career and marry into wealth that could save her father’s struggling ranch. Now twenty-three, she works hard to keep the property afloat, but no suitor has stirred her heart the way Jesse did. After her father falls ill, she needs all the help she can get to keep the ranch running.

A cowboy returning to what he left behind . . .

After making his fortune, a newly wealthy Jesse has returned home to see his younger sister married. Still smarting from Evelyn’s rejection, he finds the tables have turned, and now only his investment could save the ranch that he vowed to never step foot on again.

When he agrees to help her salvage her family legacy, they must overcome their pride and painful past to work together. As long-held emotions rekindle, Jesse pretends indifference, only to admit his true feelings in an unsigned letter left on Evelyn’s porch.

Evelyn finds the missive and writes back, beginning a furtive correspondence. She dares to hope her mystery admirer is Jesse, but then another man comes forward to claim the letters as his own. Will one last letter give them the courage to say yes to love on the wild Texas plains?

I don’t usually like romances that are centered on situations of miscommunication – they frustrate me and I usually can’t relax enough to enjoy the story.  But Donyo does a fantastic job with One Last Letter.  The characters are interesting and she really brings to readers the impact of foolish choices made by the young. 

Although Jesse and Evelyn have an opportunity for a second chance, their stubbornness and fear of rejection lead to more heartache.  I was on the edge of my seat (even though I knew that they were going to get their happy ending) through a good portion of the book and couldn’t decide if I wanted to hug or kick them.  I wanted to reach through the pages, lock them in a room together and force them to really talk.  But Donyo handled it well and left me smiling.    

Full of deeply felt, and long held, love combined with regret and confusion, One Last Letter is a great western romance.  With a satisfyingly sweet ending, I was very glad I put aside my prejudices and gave it a chance. 

 

Book Review – Cinderella’s Cowboy

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Book Review, Cinderella's Cowboy, Roxanne Snopek, This Old House series

Cinderella’s Cowboy

This Old House series

by Roxanne Snopek

Chad Anders doesn’t know why mousy Cynthia Henley trips all over her tongue when she’s around him. Nor does he understand his undeniable attraction to this good girl. Wild and sexy is his type, like the dream-girl he caught a glimpse of years earlier he’s never forgotten.

Cynthia’s superpower is invisibility, especially with men. It’s better for everyone that way. Besides, she’s got a cat. She’s okay. But when playboy-rancher Chad hires her, she’s got a chance to shine. Professionally, at least. Until she learns of his fascination with a mysterious dream-girl, who was actually nothing more than a shy teenager on an ill-advised dare all those years ago. Cynthia knows she’s no man’s dream-girl and never will be.

But there’s magic at the ball. Princesses glow in the starlight, princes appear out of nowhere, and, sometimes, they look a lot like cowboys…

Let me start with the fact that I haven’t read the rest of this series (surprise, surprise) and I think that it somewhat impacted how much I understood about what was going on. There were some definite undertones in the relationships as well as some incidents from the previous books that come into play.

Now, having said that, I have to admit that I REALLY liked this story. Cynthia and Chad are fantastic. She’s got that right amount of grit and snark to keep me coming back. She’s been in the shadow of her step sisters for a long time – long enough that she’s forgotten what it might be like to shine. Having the attention of a sexy cowboy may just be what she needs …

And she helps bring the real Chad out. He’s at a point where he is starting to evaluate his life choices when Cynthia falls into his lap. She’s the perfect foil to what he’s used to – caring, hardworking, smart, and sexy but a little unsure of herself. She intrigues him, capturing his attention at a time when he needs something real in his romantic life.

Cinderella’s Cowboy is a short read, but very satisfying, with plenty of humor and snark, heat and sparks, and small town heart. I won’t even get into the Cinderella with a Western twang part of it – but I will say it is a fun take on the classic story.

If you’ve read the rest of the This Old House series I’m sure you are going to be a happy camper. If you haven’t, you can start here but since I know what fantastic books Ms. Snopek writes I recommend starting at the beginning – you won’t regret it and I think that you’ll enjoy this one all the more.

(This story is part of the This Old House series, but can be read as a stand-alone. However, it is advisable to read the previous books in the series to get the most enjoyment from this story.)

Spotlight – Millionaire’s Unexpected Proposal

Tags

Jane Peden, Miami Lawyers series, The Millionaire’s Unexpected Proposal

Y’all, I feel terrible.  I got my days confused and almost forgot to tell you about this fantastic new story for Entangled by the wonderful Jane Peden.  Check it out below – you don’t want to miss this one.  And make sure you visit all the stops on the tour!

*****

What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay there, as millionaire lawyer Sam Flanagan learns when his Las Vegas fling from five years ago shows up and demands that he marry her. Fans of sexy, category contemporary romance will love this debut novel from Jane Peden.

“Jane Peden gives readers exactly what they want — plenty of sass, sizzle, and surprises on every page!” —New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Roxanne St. Claire

“The conflict here is rich and deep. There’s no greater grist for the gut than two scarred lovers trying to find a way back into each other’s arms.” —New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Julie Leto

*****

The Millionaire’s Unexpected Proposal

Miami Lawyers series

by Jane Peden

Author Location: Florida

Genre: Contemporary Category Romance

Release Date: March 31, 2015

Word Count: 161 pages

Publisher: Entangled Indulgence

Format: Digital eBook

ISBN: 978-1-63375-239-9

Blurb:

One night together will change his life forever…

Camilla Winthrop is about to do something she’s never done in her life—she’s about to ask a man to marry her. Not just any man. She hasn’t seen Sam Flanagan in almost five years, after he coldly walked away from a passionate and intense two-week affair. Now Camilla is widowed and desperate…and marrying Sam is the only way she can protect their son.

The son he never knew about.

A hugely successful attorney in Miami, Sam certainly never expected to see the stunning Camilla come through his door again. Nor can he ignore the desire heating his blood. But after she tells him her situation, Sam is furious. He’ll marry her, but under his terms. And he’ll take everything, including Camilla in his bed…unless she can find a way to thaw the millionaire’s icy heart once more.

Available at: Amazon | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Kobo | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | All Romance

*****

Excerpt:

Sam walked back in the door at 1:00 a.m., tired and in a bad mood, and smelled…chocolate chip cookies? He tossed his jacket on a chair in the living room, loosened his tie and rolled up his sleeves, then wandered out to the kitchen. Camilla was lifting a batch of cookies off a baking sheet onto a set of racks on the marble island.

She was wearing a short camisole that left an enticing line of skin exposed above a pair of cotton drawstring shorts with a strawberry pattern printed all over them. Her feet were bare and her toes were painted the color of the strawberries. Her hair was pulled back in a haphazard clip, with wisps of it escaping to frame her face.

His mouth started to water, and he wasn’t sure which was more appealing at the moment—the plump chocolate chip cookies or the woman who was baking them.

“It’s one a.m.,” he said.

“I couldn’t sleep. I told JD we’d bake cookies earlier, but we didn’t get around to it.” She laughed nervously. “Sometimes when I can’t sleep, I like to bake.”

“Apparently.”

“Do you know you didn’t have any baking sheets or mixing bowls?”

“Why would I have baking sheets and mixing bowls?”

“Well, you have some now. Among other things. I got a little carried away at Williams-Sonoma. With your credit card.”

“I told you to get whatever you needed. The sooner JD and Olivia feel at home here, the better.”

“Want to try one?” She picked up a cookie herself and nibbled at the edge, then licked the crumbs from her lips. “Be careful, though. They’re cool enough on the edges, but the center could still be hot enough to burn you.”

God. It felt like a punch in the gut as the thought crossed his mind that the description suited the woman far better than the cookies. Cool on the outside, he knew from experience that underneath it all Camilla was one hot little number. A few touches from him would be all it took to ignite that fire.

He had a picture in his mind suddenly of pushing the camisole up so he could get his mouth on those perky breasts. Then loosening that drawstring and watching the strawberry shorts slip down her long, bare legs. He felt himself go hard as he wondered if she wore anything under her pajama shorts. Well, he was about to find out.

“It’s not cookies I’ve got an appetite for at the moment,” he said roughly, moving toward her.

“Sam, what are you doing?” She backed up a few steps, sudden awareness in her eyes, and dropped the cookie she’d been eating. Her face was flushed and her nipples were outlined more clearly now against the thin, stretchy fabric, and he knew she was as aroused as he was.

He put his hands on her waist and felt her jerk in response as he slid them upward, pushing the camisole with them. She ran her hands through his hair and arched toward him.

“Sam, I want you.”

*****

Author Info:

Jane Peden is the pen name of a Florida trial attorney who writes sexy contemporary romances set in the exciting South Florida city of Miami, where millionaire lawyers live extravagant lifestyles and find love when they least expect it. When Jane isn’t in court, you can find her at the beach with her laptop, dreaming up stories about successful, confident men who know what they want and how to get it, and smart, sexy women who demand love on their own terms.  Jane’s books promise sizzling chemistry in the face of insurmountable obstacles. And just when things couldn’t get any worse, an emotional payoff that makes it all worthwhile.

Jane grew up in the mountains of western Pennsylvania, but decided early on that the only thing better than escaping the cold for a two-week vacation at the beach was to live there all year around, so she traded her snow boots for a jet ski and has never looked back.  Jane lives on the sunny Gulf Coast of Florida with her husband, two kids, two dogs, and a fish. Her debut novel, THE MILLIONAIRE’S UNEXPECTED PROPOSAL, released on March 31, 2015, from Entangled Publishing.

Connect with Jane at: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Newsletter

*****

Giveaway:

Win a beautiful silver necklace with two small interlocking hearts that Sam bought for Camilla in The Millionaire’s Unexpected Proposal! Runner-up prizes include two (2) five ($5.00) gift cards to Amazon.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef2974/

*****

Tour Info:

Follow the blog tour from April 20th – May 1st for interviews, guest posts, reviews, and a tour wide giveaway!

The complete schedule can be found HERE or by clicking on the picture below

Book Review – Hold Me

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Book Review, Fool's Gold series, Hold Me, Susan Mallery

Hold Me

Fool’s Gold Series

by Susan Mallery

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery’s classic blend of lighthearted humor and intense emotional conflict works its magic on two newcomers to the California town of Fool’s Gold, which Library Journal calls “a setting so real and appealing readers will want to start scoping out real estate.”

Destiny Mills believes passion has its place—like in the lyrics of the country songs that made her parents famous. After a childhood full of drama and heartache, she wants a life that’s calm. Safe. Everything that Kipling Gilmore isn’t. Her temporary assignment with the Fool’s Gold search and rescue team puts her in delicious proximity to the former world-class skier every day. Part of her aches to let go for once…the rest is terrified what’ll happen if she does.

Though an accident ended his career, Kipling still lives for thrills—and a hot fling with a gorgeous redhead like Destiny would be a welcome diversion. Yet beneath his new coworker’s cool facade is a woman who needs more than he’s ever given. With her, he’s ready to take the risk. But love, like skiing, is all about trust—and before you soar, you have to be willing to fall.

Want me to tell you a secret? I absolutely LOVE Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series. Oh, that’s not a secret, is it? 🙂 The dialogue is always snappy, the characters have depth and are interesting, the stories hold my page after page, and it’s all tied up with a nice HEA bow at the end. Perfection!

I think what I found most interesting about Hold Me is that it strayed a little from the formula of the previous stories. We still are given a wonderful hero and heroine, intriguing secondary characters that are sure to have their own story, and little updates on some old friends. This time the story focuses more on Kipling and Destiny’s discovery of themselves and how they fit in with those around them. There are plenty of wonderful interactions between the two and they fall in love bit by bit throughout the story, but it seems to be less important than the outside interactions. Those coming back to Fool’s Gold will know that this is a part of all of her stories but it just seemed to play into more this time … and I really like it!

Destiny has spent her whole life running from the fame of her parents – and the musical gift that they gave her. But this summer she’s in Fool’s Gold on a job and brought along the half-sister that she doesn’t know. Starr’s mom died and their dad is on tour so Destiny is the only one who can help the girl. Seeing her family from someone else’s perspective and dealing with the responsibility of being the guardian to a teenager has Destiny looking at things a little differently. As the sisters get to know each other better and start to look at the future, it becomes obvious to Destiny that her life won’t ever be the same.

Kipling has always been a go getter. He’s spent years at the top of the skiing world … only to have it all crash and burn. Like Destiny, he’s also taking a good look at who he is now and what the future will be. His sister is in Fool’s Gold as well and there is some residual guilt over their past that has a hold on him. It’s intriguing to watch as Kipling has to learn where he fits with those around him – when to step in, when to step out and when they just need his support.

It’s an interesting journey for both Kipling and Destiny as they try to find their paths – sometimes walking together, sometimes side by side and sometimes on their own but always toward a HEA that will make you smile. It’s a beautiful trip, as they make peace with their pasts and look toward their futures, and Mallery once again does a wonderful job of bringing it to her readers.

Book Review – Slow and Steady Rush

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Book Review, Falcon Football Series, Laura Trentham, Slow and Steady Rush

Slow and Steady Rush

Falcon Football Series

by Laura Trentham

She lives by the book—and is still searching for her happily ever after.

Darcy Wilde has tried hard not to live up to her last name. As a librarian in Atlanta she lives a fine life far away from the football-obsessed town of her childhood. But when her beloved Grandmother needs help, Darcy takes a leave of absence and heads back to the home and past she left behind.

He knows how to play the field—and is in no rush to settle down.

Robbie Dalton knows a thing or two about painful pasts. After bouncing around in foster care and the Army for years he is finally ready to move on and make a home for himself in Falcon, Alabama as the newest high school football coach. Sparks fly when the sexy new coach and the sharp-tongued librarian meet, but neither of them is looking to make ties.

But when it comes to love, sometimes you’ve gotta throw away the rule book to cross the finish line…

Everything changes when Darcy falls in love, not only with the gruff, protective, and smoking hot man who’s sharing her days and nights, but also with the complex tapestry of people who weave Falcon together. Could this be where she belongs – and who she belongs with?

I love these stories about little towns – the close-knit community and eccentric personalities just make for fun reading. And with Trentham’s Slow and Steady Rush I’m absolutely thrilled that this is the start of a new series because I absolutely cannot get enough of Falcon, Alabama.

Darcy’s struggles with coming home don’t play nearly as big a part as Dalt’s problems. I can totally see why she felt she needed to get out of the small town she grew up in … and how it changes with an adult perspective. Robbie, on the other hand, has never had anywhere that felt like home. But now that he’s making a place for himself in Falcon, he may actually be able to settle in. The scars he carries on the inside are awfully big, though, and he’ll have to learn how to let go to fully embrace the chances that life are throwing his way. It’s a difficult journey for him, and he fights it every step of the way, but that makes it all the more satisfying when we get to the HEA.

It’s an emotional battle between these two, with each other and themselves. I can admit that Trentham brought me to tears a time or two but she also brought a big ol’ smile to my face. I call that a fantastic read – one that makes me cry, smile, laugh and sigh and enjoy every single darn minute of it. I absolutely can’t wait to see what she has in store for the rest of the guys because if it is anything like this one, they’ll be whoppers.

Book Review – Horse Crazy

Tags

Book Review, Caitlin Ricci, Horse Crazy

Melody and her teenage daughter, Kristen, have moved to Colorado for a fresh start. She’s still not 100% where she wants to be in terms of her body yet but she is finally comfortable with herself and is living completely as a woman for the first time in her life. To thank Kristen for being so wonderful she promises her daughter riding lessons, something her little girl has always dreamed of.

While waiting for the lesson to start, she’s happy to see her daughter amidst the horses that she loves so much, but Melody does not expect the handsome man who sits down next to her—a man who proves to be Kristen’s instructor and idol—to be interested in taking Melody out on a date…

I don’t often have a chance to review LGBTQIA stories – not because of any personal beliefs (to me all good love stories are worth reading) but not all that many cross my desk – so I’m not very familiar with any quirks specific to the sub-genre.  I look for the same thing in all my books:  strong characters, an appealing story, and a HEA.  Horse Crazy does provide those, but since it is a novella it is in a more condensed form. 

I liked Melody and the chance to look at the issues a new trans face when stepping into the dating pool again.  It’s a hot spot in today’s society and although the story isn’t very long, I think like Ricci does a good job of hitting the important pieces.  I really felt like I could understand where she was coming from and the decisions she had to make.  Because it is a novella, we didn’t get a chance to really look into Derrick’s reaction and I really think I’d love more from his perspective – a chance to understand where his head is at, because there wasn’t a lot of conflict at the end. 

Even with just Melody’s perspective though, Horse Crazy was an intriguing read.  A sweet romance and even sweeter mother/daughter relationship, it’s a quick read and one that I couldn’t put down. 

Book Review – Life Next Door

Tags

Book Review, J. D. Hollyfield, Life Next Door

There is only one thing in life that professional pastry Chef Priscilla Westcott values more than baking and wine, and that’s honesty. A quality she soon learns that her marriage lacks when her husband runs off with their next door neighbor.

Divorced and alone, Priscilla is determined to make changes in her life. She decides to approach her new goals like one of her beloved recipes. Surely with a little time, a dash of patience, and measured planning she can whip herself—and her life—back into shape.

However, when a new—and utterly delicious—neighbor takes up residence in the house that ruined her marriage, Pricilla fears that her careful world will fold faster than a deflated soufflé.

Trent Walker knows what he wants and his sweet, sassy neighbor is at the top of the list. He’s certain that the chemistry between them would be explosive, but Priscilla fears that an affair with him, however hot, could be a recipe for disaster.

I’ll have to be honest, I wasn’t a fan of Priscilla in the beginning. Yes, her marriage ended badly and she has a right to be somewhat upset about it but she is horribly bitter. It makes her bitchy and unlikeable. Luckily I pushed thru and after a few interactions with Trent it got better. He sees past all the snark and finds something that keeps bringing him back. And after a while I saw it too.

Together the two of them are a ton of fun. She’s all kitten with her claws out and he just sits back & laughs before going all Alpha on her. It’s entertaining … and hot, for both CeCe and us J Of course, there have to be problems and they aren’t that much of a surprise, but Hollyfield handles it well. The issues & resolutions are believable, fitting in well with the story and the characters.

Once I got past the bitter CeCe parts, it was a very fast and fun read. Well written, with interesting characters and humorous moments, I ended up having trouble putting it down. If you are a little put off by the beginning like I was, make sure you keep reading because it doesn’t take long to get past that and the rest is totally worth it.

Book Review – Seduced by Sunday

Tags

Book Review, Catherine Bybee, Seduced by Sunday, Weekday Bride Series

Y’all might remember Bybee’s Fiance by Friday or Single by Saturday … and if you have read any of the Weekday Brides Series then you know how great the new one is going to be.  And if you haven’t read any yet, what are you waiting for?

*****

SEDUCED BY SUNDAY

The Weekday Bride Series, Book Six

by Catherine Bybee

Montlake Romance, Contemporary

April 14, 2015, First Edition

Paperback & Kindle

Blurb:

Meg Rosenthal: Matchmaker by day, realist by night, Meg is not about to get swept away by a charming, darkly handsome businessman in a designer suit.

She’s come to a beautiful secluded resort to evaluate the private island’s potential for her agency, not to ogle its owner. But there’s something about the magnetic man that’s hard to resist, even for a woman who refuses to fall in love.

Valentino Masini: A successful and drop-dead sexy businessman, Valentino is used to having the finer things in life. Yet he’s never wanted someone the way he wants Meg, who’s stirring up a hurricane of trouble in his heart. But just as he decides to convince her to stay, someone else decides it might be time to get Meg off the island…permanently.

Praise for Catherine Bybee

“Suspense, survival, and chemistry mix in this scintillating read in the style of Julie Garwood and Suzanne Brockmann.” —Booklist on Fiancé by Friday

“This is a book nobody should miss, because the magic it contains is awesome.” —Booked Up Reviews on Married by Monday

“[A] wonderfully exciting plot, lots of desire, and some sassy attitude thrown in for good measure!” —Harlequin Junkie on Single by Saturday

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Seduced-Sunday-Weekday-Brides-Book-ebook/dp/B00NWS4AIK/ref=sr_1_1_twi_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1426138407&sr=8-1&keywords=seduced+by+sunday

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/seduced-by-sunday-catherine-bybee/1120641952?ean=9781477827772

BAM: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Seduced-Sunday/Catherine-Bybee/9781477827772?id=6165479539816

BOOK DEPOSITORY: http://www.bookdepository.com/Seduced-by-Sunday-Catherine-Bybee/9781477827772

*****

Excerpt:

Val brushed the side of her face with the back of his hand, moved closer.

Meg stopped playing, felt her pulse jump.

“Where’s Michael?” Val whispered.

“Michael?” The name didn’t register.

Val lifted his left eyebrow. “The man you’re here with.”

Right. “He’s a …” Damn, he smelled edible.

Val’s palm captured her neck and guided her to her feet. “He’s just a friend, isn’t he, Margaret?”

The way Val’s lips moved drew her closer. The need to taste them, feel them on hers was impossible to walk away from. “If I told you we were more than friends…”

Val’s eyes traveled from her lips to her eyes. “Then I’d have to let you go.” He loosened his fingers on her neck, but instead of moving away, Meg leaned in.

“Sounds like you might regret that decision.” She laid a hand on his firm chest. The man wasn’t soft under his stuffy suits.

“I don’t pursue another man’s woman.”

He wasn’t moving away.

“Good to hear, Masini.” She lifted her lips close to his, felt his breath mix with hers. “I don’t belong to anyone.”

Val hesitated for a nanosecond, and then took her lips. His closed-mouth kiss started off soft, like a hesitant man worried about rushing. Yet when Val wrapped his free hand around her waist, and his body fit against hers, Meg opened for him, encouraged him to taste.

When he did she lost it. He tasted of bourbon and sex. God help her, she wanted to crawl into his kiss and explore it for hours. The man kissed like he was on a mission. And maybe he was. Who knew if Val Masini made it a weekly occurrence to kiss a new woman? Somehow, she didn’t think so. He was too reserved most of the time.

Not now … not with his tongue exploring her and his strong hands pressing the small of her back closer. Every hard ridge of the man met with every soft curve of hers.

The kiss went on until she found her chest tightening with a familiar warning. Sexual excitement had to be paced or she might find herself in a full-blow asthma attack. A frustrating fact of her life in the last few years. One that kept her single most of the time, her encounters lukewarm at best.

Val was threatening the air in her lungs with just a kiss.

A heated knock her on her ass kiss, but a kiss nonetheless.

She eased away and Val chased her lips.

She tried to slow her breathing, couldn’t catch a deep breath. “Wait,” she managed, pulling away.

“Too much, cara?”

You have no idea.

*****

Review:

I’ve actually reviewed a couple of Bybee’s books already (I’m not sure how I missed Taken By Thursday but I’ll get that one up soon) and I have to say I’ve loved every one of them.  They are fantastic mix of suspense and romance. 

I haven’t met a person that I haven’t liked in this series (or at least not anyone I’m supposed to like) and this time isn’t any different.  Bybee gives little glimpses of her heroines in preceding stories so we’ve met Meg before and I wasn’t surprised that I liked her.  She’s strong and sassy, just like a weekday bride should be.  And of course, she deserves a hunky and suave hero, which she gets with Val.  He’s deliciously Italian – cool and sexy, but with a nice bit of fire inside. 

At the beginning we get a little flirtation between Val and Meg, but it doesn’t take long for Bybee to get the ball rolling on their troubles.  I have to say that it was quite obvious where the problems were coming from but she still manages to make you wonder.  It isn’t as much of a whodunit but more of a whydunit and what are our leads going to do about it.  Together Val and Meg, with their friends of course (hi everyone!), take serious insult to anyone threatening them and those they love so you know that they are going to take care of business … and they do.  It’s quite satisfying to see how they get to the bottom of everything and the way that it is all resolved. 

But I think my favorite part of this one is the fact that we continue to get Michael’s story.  Out of all of the characters he’s my favorite and I’m not sure why.  Maybe it is the adversity that he faces, the fact that he so very much wants to have a satisfactory life and a HEA, his lifestyle choice that is so much a hot point right now.  We know that we’ll get another story in the series since Gabi has to get her happy ending, so I’ve got my fingers crossed that Bybee shows us that things can work out for him.

Full of a great deal of humor and spark, love and friendship, romance and heat, Seduced by Sunday is a great addition to the Weekday Brides series.  If you haven’t read one before, that’s fine – Bybee does a great job of keeping each story self-contained but with enough character flow between them to keep returning readers happy. 

*****

Author Info:

New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned the Weekday Brides Series and the Not Quite Series. Bybee lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Southern California.

CONTACT LINKS:

Website: http://www.catherinebybee.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2905789.Catherine_Bybee

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/catherinebybee

*****

Giveaway:

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8a8544f623/

Spotlight – The Consequence of Loving Colton

Tags

Rachel Van Dyken, The Consequence of Loving Colton

And now I want to share a new book that just might be perfect for your TBR pile … I know I can’t wait!

*****

It’s all fun and games…until someone’s heart is broken.

They’re not kids anymore, but Milo Caro is certain that Colton Mathews will only see her as his best friend’s little sister for the rest of their lives. After all, he made that clear the night before she left for college. But four years later, her brother is getting married and Colt’s the best man—and guess who is the best man’s last-minute date?

Milo vows to use the wedding to either claim the smoldering firefighter’s heart or douse this torch for good. When Max—her best friend from college, who may be carrying a torch of his own—crashes the party, they devise a plan to make Colt see what he’s missing. But after Colt catches on, he decides to cook up his own revenge.

Now it’s personal. Colt and Milo are at war, and between Max’s questionable acting methods, an unfortunate trip to jail, and a maniacal fiancée, what could possibly go right?

AMAZON: http://amzn.com/B00P9QJVSW

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23381448-the-consequence-of-loving-colton

*****

Excerpt:

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Max gave me a tender shove. “We were fine until you started stepping on my foot and elbowing me!”

“You were hitting on my mom!”

“She’s a beautiful lady!” he argued.

“Oh, my gosh.” I fell into one of the chairs and moaned. “This is a catastrophe.”

“Not true.” Max shook his head. “You just have to be more believable. I mean, would it kill you to find me screw-worthy?”

“Screw-worthy? What does that even mean?”

“That’s it.” Max grabbed my hand and pulled me down the hall. “Where’s the bathroom?”

“Uh . . .” I pointed.

With a jerk he had me in the bathroom under the stairs and closed the door. Words and sounds were coming out of his mouth but I couldn’t make anything out. Max pushed me against the door and pointed his finger in my face. “I’m going to kiss you, damn it, and you’re going to like it. And I’m going to take off my shirt and you’re going to manhandle me, and you’re going to stop being so damn nervous or so help me God I’m going to bend you over that sofa in the living room and spank your sexy ass.”

Shocked, I was paralyzed in place. “Where did that come from?”

“Inside.” Max looked at me and smirked. “I have lots of feelings and I’m sick and tired of you looking at me like I don’t have a penis. I may be used to your innocence but for my own pride at least try to be attracted to me. Now close your damn eyes.”

“Stop cursing at me.”

“Stop being difficult! I’m trying to help you. And stop squirming. Shit, take a Xanax or something.”

“Max.” I closed my eyes and huffed. “This isn’t going to—”

My hand was on something hard.

I blinked my eyes open.

Since when did he have a six-pack?

I tilted my head, you know, to get a better look. His skin was really smooth but bumpy, each muscle defined so much that there was enough of a ridge for my hands to play with.

“Oh, look, he’s a man after all,” Max said, sounding bored. “I’m not your sexless friend. I’m not your damn brother. I’m not your gay friend. And I sure as hell am not thinking about anything right now except that your hands feel really good against my skin. So I’m going to kiss you, and you’re going to respond like the idea of my mouth on yours doesn’t make you want to cry—and you’ll like it.”

“I’ll like it,” I repeated.

“There’s my girl.” His eyes flashed, and then he was kissing me again, only this time his body was on fire as it pressed against me. I felt every ridge of his abs; the length of his body was beyond devastating.

*****

Author Info:

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor. She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandykenauthor.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RachVD

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4882127.Rachel_Van_Dyken?from_search=true

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Van-Dyken/e/B0054TW5AA/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1407369649&sr=8-2-ent

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/8l7hP

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win a fantastic prize pack from Rachel

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/651102d377/

*****

Spring Fling Blog Hop

Tags

Book Review, Falling for Gracie, Good Tales Book Tours, Spring Fling Blog Hop, Susan Mallery

So today’s Blog Hop is supposed to be about that book that you’d soon give up anything for – a date, sleep, chocolate, yadda yadda … I chose a book that was actually one of the very first ones I ever wrote a review for.  There have been A LOT of books I’ve read and loved since this one and many that came before it.  But when someone asks about a book that sticks with you, this is one I think of.  I just absolutely love Gracie and can’t wait to share her with everyone.

Here is my original review of Falling for Gracie … I hope she becomes one of your favorites as well.

*****

First comes love, then comes marriage…

At least, that was Gracie’s plan at the ripe old age of fourteen. She loved eighteen-year-old heartthrob Riley with a desperation that made her a town legend. Even now that she’s all grown up, the locals in sleepy Los Lobos won’t let her forget her youthful crush.

And how can she, when she’s face-to-face with Riley at every turn? The onetime bad boy has come back to town seeking respectability—but the sparks that fly between them are anything but respectable! Gracie’s determined to keep her distance, but when someone sets out to ruin both their reputations, the two discover that first love is sometimes better the second time around.

I should start this review by saying that I love Susan Mallery’s books. They have, for me, just the right combination of humor, romance and relationship issues. Falling For Gracie was the first of her books that I read and is still one of my favorites.

Fourteen years ago Gracie Landon had a crush on Riley Whitefield. Her antics to separate him from his girlfriends made her a legend in their town. It even caused the town paper to run “The Gracie Chronicles” detailing her creativity, like the time she locked a skunk in his car for a few hours or when she nailed the doors and windows shut so his date couldn’t leave her house. In truth she was really a teenage stalker that embarrassed her family. When 18 year old Riley was forced to marry his pregnant girlfriend, Gracie was sent to stay with relatives so she couldn’t ruin the wedding. With the gossip lingering, her mother decided she would be raised by an aunt and uncle instead of returning to Los Lobos.

Now Gracie is a renowned wedding cake baker and back in town for a few weeks for her younger sister’s wedding. It’s uncomfortable for her, not only because the town continues to remind her of her childhood humiliation, but her time away from her family has made them strangers. Since they had a long distance relationship with sporadic visits, they don’t know the kind life that she led and make assumptions based on her actions before she left. She doesn’t have enough knowledge of her family to be able to understand how to deal with them. It creates uncomfortable situations and hurt feelings.

To make matters worse, a divorced Riley is also in town due to his uncle’s will which states that he will inherit millions but only if he wins the mayoral election. Gracie’s sister thinks her husband, who works as Riley’s campaign manager, is cheating on her so she enlists Gracie to help her learn the truth. She convinces Gracie to go to Riley’s to confirm he is actually working on the campaign and of course Riley catches her sneaking around. Although she is able to convince him that she hasn’t reverted to being a stalker, the situation with her sister’s marriage pushes them together, allowing for the requisite romantic sparks. Their troubles continue to mount when you add in Riley’s ex-wife, the shady dealings of the current mayor, and someone trying to ruin both Gracie’s business and Riley’s campaign.

Although there is a lot going on, I felt that Mallery was able to comfortably handle the mysteries, romance and familial interactions. Riley’s issues with his father, uncle, and even his mother make his decisions understandable. It is also easy to see how Gracie’s broken relationship with her siblings and her mother contributes to their awkward interactions. The way Gracie and Riley developed a relationship was enjoyable and I felt that how Gracie came to an understanding with her mother, though quick, was well handled. Although I think that Riley’s eventual resolution about his uncle and Gracie’s dealings with her sisters could have been expanded, overall I found this to be a fantastic story.

Mallery’s stories are at times funny and other times touching, but they are always entertaining and Falling for Gracie no different.

*****

Giveaway:

Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card and some great reading material!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/558c5de817/

*****

Make sure you check out all of the wonderful sites participating on the Hop!

https://lauriestarkey.wordpress.com/blog/

http://wackymommareads.blogspot.com

http://obsessedwithmyshelf.com

https://gloriouspanic.wordpress.com/

http://sarasbooksandthings.blogspot.com/?m=1

http://www.mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/

http://soulcleverbooks.blogspot.com

http://bfdbookblog.net/

http://www.anovelkindofbliss.blogspot.com

https://bookandbastille.wordpress.com/

http://onceuponawish.weebly.com

https://blogtasticreviews.wordpress.com/

ttp://lovelyparanormalbooks.blogspot.co.nz

http://thebookish-life.blogspot.com

http://herbookthoughts.reads-it.com

http://mnonmklreviews.blogspot.com

http://athousandwordsamillionbooks.blogspot.in

https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com

http://theapbookclub.blogspot.com

http://themistresscase.blogspot.com/

https://bookandbastille.wordpress.com/

http://recklessindulgence.wordpress.com

http://thebookishowl.net

https://blogtasticreviews.wordpress.com/

http://www.naturalbri.com

http://aamzybookwonder.blogspot.co.uk/

http://mistralkdawn.blogspot.com/

http://archiestandwoodsreviewsandwritings.blogspot.com

http://britishbookwormblog.com

http://lexicalcreations.weebly.com/jens-blog

http://www.naturalbri.com

http://aamzybookwonder.blogspot.co.uk/

http://mistralkdawn.blogspot.com/

http://archiestandwoodsreviewsandwritings.blogspot.com

http://britishbookwormblog.com

http://lexicalcreations.weebly.com/jens-blog

http://shadetreeblogging.blogspot.com

*****

I really hope you enjoyed the Spring Fling Blog Hop.  If so, please make sure you go visit our organizers Good Tales Book Tours at www.goodtalesbooktours.com