Spotlight – The Last Chance Christmas Ball

Tags

Anne Grace, Cara Elliot, Jo Beverly, Joanna Bourne, Mary Jo Putney, Nicola Cornick, Patricia Rice, Susan King, The Last Chance Christmas Ball

I love this time of year and a pretty big reason is the holiday reads!

*****

The Last Chance Christmas Ball

by Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverly, Joanna Bourne, Patricia Rice, Nicola Cornick, Cara Elliot, Anne Grace & Susan King

Released September 29, 2015

Zebra

Blurb:

Christmas 1815.

Upstairs and downstairs, Holbourne Abbey is abuzz with preparations for a grand ball to celebrate the year’s most festive—and romantic—holiday. For at the top of each guest’s wish list is a last chance to find true love before the New Year…

A chance meeting beneath the mistletoe, a stolen glance across the dance floor—amid the sumptuous delicacies, glittering decorations, and swell of the orchestra, every duchess and debutante, lord and lackey has a hopeful heart. There’s the headstrong heiress who must win back her beloved by midnight—or be wed to another….the spinster whose fateful choice to relinquish love may hold one more surprise for her…a widow yearning to glimpse her long-lost love for even one sweet, fleeting interlude …a charming rake who finds far more than he bargained for. And many other dazzling, romantic tales in this star-studded collection that will fill your heart and spice up your holidays…

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23360027-the-last-chance-christmas-ball

Buy Links:  Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo

*****

Excerpt:

From A SEASON FOR MARRIAGE by Nicola Cornick

“Perhaps there has been a mistake, my lady,” Pershore, her maid, said timidly as, empty-handed, they ascended the carriage steps.

“I don’t think so,” Caroline said. “Mr. Camden does not make mistakes.” But he had, she thought. He had made an enormous mistake when he had married her.

She could vividly remember the night it had happened. She had been nineteen and had already had two Seasons without attracting a suitor who met her exacting requirements. She had not lacked offers; there had been fourteen in all. None of them, however, could match Piers Camden, friend of her elder brother Edward, with whom she had been in love since she was old enough to understand what love meant.

That summer night she had been sitting on the steps of the family home, Holbourne Abbey, trying not to cry because she had overheard her father telling her mother in exasperated tones that if she did not accept one of her suitors soon, he would betroth her to Lord Drysdale with or without her agreement. There was a ball going on, a beautiful, exciting, summery occasion and she had never felt less beautiful, excited or summery in her life.

Piers had found her outside and asked if he could help her.

“No,” she had said tragically. “No one can help me.”

Piers had smiled then, that attractively rakish smile that always made her heart turn over, and had sat down on the step beside her. “Tell me,” he had said.

To her surprise she had told him everything: how Lord Drysdale was old—at least forty—and already a widower, and how he had hungry eyes and a wet mouth. How she knew she had to marry well, but that she would rather enter a convent than marry Lord Drysdale.

“Have you found a suitable convent?” Piers had asked.

“No,” Caroline had said. “There are no suitable convents in Northumberland.”

His eyes had gleamed with amusement. “That is probably for the best. I don’t think you have the temperament for the religious life.”

“But I had also thought I might take a governess post,” Caroline said eagerly.

“Another startlingly bad idea,” Piers had said. He had shifted a little beside her, running one hand through his thick, dark hair. “I am sure this is all a misunderstanding, Lady Caroline. Your parents, I am persuaded, would do nothing so Gothic as to marry you off if you were unwilling.”

            “I heard them talking about it!” Caro burst out. “There is no mistake.” She had started to cry and Piers had proffered his handkerchief and then somehow—she was not at all sure how it had happened—her parents had rushed out onto the terrace accompanied by Lord Drysdale, who was furious, and various other guests, who were everything from shocked to curious, and everyone wanted to know what she was doing out there in the dark with Piers. She supposed it had looked rather scandalous because they were sitting close to one another and Piers had an arm about her and was wiping the tears from her eyes, but even so there had been no need for him to propose to save her reputation.

            Her parents, naturally, had been delighted. Piers was young, only six or seven years older than Caro was herself, handsome, rich, and the heir to a barony. He was her brother’s friend. It was a perfect match.

Except that it was not.

            It was a match born out of honor. Caro had felt hideously guilty. Piers had shown her kindness and she had repaid him by trapping him into marriage. When she had told him she did not wish him to feel obliged to wed her, he had told her that she should feel no guilt; theirs would be a good match. It all sounded dreadfully passionless and cold. When Caro had gone to her mother and tried to back out of the arrangement, Lady Holbourne had told her in the kindest but plainest terms that if she did so she would be ruined. So here she was six months later in a marriage of supposed convenience where the biggest inconvenience was that she was hopelessly in love with a husband who barely noticed her.

*****

Author Info:

Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, Joanna Bourne, Patricia Rice, Nicola Cornick, Cara Elliott, Anne Gracie, Susan King are the ladies otherwise known as the Word Wenches. These eight authors have written a combined 231 novels and 74 novellas. They’ve won awards such as the RITAS, RT Lifetime Achievement award, RT Living Legend, and RT Reviewers Choice award. Several of them are regulars on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. Learn more at www.wordwenches.com.

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter

*****

Giveaway:

3 Trade Paperback Copies of THE LAST CHANCE CHRISTMAS BALL

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c8844/

*****

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

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Book Review – Fighting for Devlin

Tags

Book Review, Fighting for Devlin, Jessica Lemmon, Lost Boys series

Fighting for Devlin

A Lost Boys Novel

by Jessica Lemmon

Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Katy Evans, Jessica Lemmon’s irresistible Lost Boys series kicks off with the story of a good girl who plays by the rules—and the bad boy who brings out her wild side.

Devlin Calvary makes his own luck. Orphaned as a young child, he was taken in by a crew of bookies and gamblers—and they became his family. They’re the reason Dev’s running a trendy bistro, living in a high rise, and enjoying the good life with a string of women who never ask for too much. Until, one night, he finds out how much it hurts to trust the wrong people. . . .

Rena Lewis sticks to the straight and narrow, determined not to slip up again . . . like the terrible night of partying four years ago that ended in tragedy. A waitress at Oak & Sage, she knows that sleeping with her boss is not a smart move. But when Dev shows up on her doorstep, beat up and clearly shaken, Rena’s not about to turn him down . . . or kick him out of bed.

Dev reawakens something primal within her—a need to go wild. And Rena soon finds out that the heart she’d sealed away years ago still has the power to fight for love.

I don’t usually read New Adult stories (and I didn’t realize this was one until after I started reading it), but I would have made an exception anyway since it is one of Jessica Lemmon’s books 🙂  I’ve only read her Second Chance series but I’ve enjoyed those so much that I’m going to have to go back and read the Love in the Balance books too.  And I’ll be waiting for the next Lost Boys book because if Cade’s story is anything like Devlin’s it will be worth it – we’re given a preview of Falling for Caden here and I’m super curious about it.  I think that his story could be complex.

OK, back to this one.  You have to be OK with the whole bad boy thing.  It’s a popular sub-genre with the whole MC club and such, and while it isn’t my favorite it works here.   Devlin had an unusual upbringing and it has transitioned into his adulthood.  He’s quite comfortable with it, until he meets Rena … and gets hit (literally) with some of the seedier side of his life.

The whole arrogant, street thing is not my bag but Dev is appealing enough I can see where it works for some.  (While things he says and doesn’t do it for me, I can understand why it would for others.)  And I really appreciated his journey to trying to straighten out his life.  He’s not a bad guy, really, just one that dances on that other side of the line.

Rena, for all the bad things that has happened to her, seems a little young in comparison to the maturity that life has given to Dev.  But she has grit and determination, as well as a good understanding of people, which makes her a good foil for him.  I really like how she’s not willing to just walk away when things get a little rough.  He’s awfully hard on her quite a few times and she sticks it out because she sees that there is something more going on with him.  Again, his treatment of her isn’t my thing, but it isn’t horrible and fits in that bad boy thing.

Fighting for Devlin isn’t going to appeal to everyone but Lemmon is a fantastic writer, creating interesting characters as well as a complex storyline.  There’s a lot going on here but it is so engrossing that you will find it hard to put the book down until you turn that last page.  I’m rating high because, for those that like this kind of thing, this is a story that can’t be missed.

 

Buy on Amazon

Spotlight – Sexy Bastards

Tags

Alice Ward, Helen Grey, Sexy Bastards boxed set

Book Description


For the first time ever, bestselling authors Alice Ward and Helen Grey combine to bring you their complete collection of the sexiest, wickedest books—guaranteed to melt your heart and panties! 

From hot and dominant soldiers to seductively bad stepbrothers and billionaire playboys, this TWENTY-EIGHT BOOK BOXED SET indulges every sensual desire you’ve ever had.

You know it’s true… everyone loves a sexy bastard…

Contained inside this mega-bundle:

Alice Ward

Reckless Box Set (contains complete 5-part series)
Taming the Billionaire Box Set (contains complete 5-part series)
My Stepbrother, My Lover (complete standalone novel)
Love All Out—A Stepbrother Romance Box Set (contains complete 5-part series)
Stage Struck (contains complete 2-part series)

Helen Grey

Serving the Soldier—An Alpha Military Romance (contains complete 5-part series)
Flaming Desire—An Alpha Billionaire Romance (contains complete 5-part series)

Taming the Billionaire by Alice Ward 

“I don’t know about you, but I’m exhausted,” Drake said, pulling off his shoes. He stripped down to his silk boxers and crawled between the sheets. I moved to the foot of the bed and stood before him with a coy smile on my face.

“Before you nod off, I have a confession,” I began.

Drake raised an eyebrow and returned my grin. “Oh yeah? What’s that?”

“I spent more money today than you realized,” I told him as I unwrapped the belt of my wrap dress. “I wanted to show you how much I appreciate the way you’ve spoiled me today.”

The dress fell open, revealing the peach silk lingerie I’d found in a small boudoir shop. The translucent fabric clung to my curves, barely covering the crotchless panties beneath.

Drake pushed himself up in the bed and parted the sheets, nodding for me to slip in beside him. “You look stunning, Chelsea. I hope there’s more where this came from,” he added, stroking the soft fabric. He brushed the silk against my body and my hair stood on end, as if electrified. I reached between his legs and found him stiff and ready.

Drake lifted his hips off of the bed and slipped out of his boxers. He tossed them to the floor before lying on his side and pulling me into his arms. We kissed lightly, our lips barely touching, as the jet began to move.

“I have an idea,” I told him, sitting up. Drake moved with me as I fell back to the mattress, this time with my head near the footboard. I wanted Drake inside me as the jet climbed to the heavens, and he caught on to my plan without explanation. He left my side just long enough to fetch a condom and roll it down his eager shaft. He returned to the bed and I pulled him down on top of me.

Our lips met as the jet slowed to a stop again. I knew we’d reached the runway and were waiting for final clearance. Drake held me close and we kissed softly, our bodies pressed together. We moved in unison, our bodies seamlessly joining as the jet lurched forward again. As we bumped down the runway, Drake’s cock touched places inside me I’d never known existed.

“Oh my God,” I gasped as the force of the jet pushed him deeper inside me.

The front of the jet lifted off the ground and Drake wrapped his arms around me, holding our bodies together. I moved my hips in circles, grinding into him as I planted my palms on the footboard to hold myself steady.

“Jesus, Chelsea,” Drake moaned. “I didn’t know I could get so deep.” His hips moved in instinctive, rapid thrusts as we climbed into the sky. Essentially, we were hanging upside down, and all of my senses were distorted. Drake wove his fingers through my hair and gave it a quick tug just as his teeth clamped down on my earlobe. The mixture of pleasure and pain was overwhelming. I bucked wildly against him and reached ecstasy just as the plane righted itself. Drake let out an animalistic grunt and with one hard push, he exploded within me. He immediately collapsed on the bed, gasping for breath.

“That… was… amazing.”

“Yes, it was,” I agreed, reaching for the bedside mini-fridge. I grabbed a cold bottle of water and took a long sip before passing it to Drake. He finished it in two long gulps and wiped his mouth with a sigh.

“So,” he said, pulling me back into his arms. He fingered my silk negligee. “Is there more where this came from?”

I smiled and nuzzled into his neck.  “I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.”

Flaming Desire by Helen Grey

I got right to the point. “I’ve been told that you’ve alienated one of the doctors—”

“Doctor Linder?” Matt asked.

I nodded.

“He’s a prick.”

Startled, I almost laughed. “Didn’t take you long to peg him, did it?”

He shook his head. “I didn’t say anything earlier because I didn’t want to embarrass you for one, and for two, I’m not familiar with how things work at this hospital. But I did see the good doctor leaving the supply closet just moments before Vanessa did. I could tell by the look on his face and the smirk he gave you what had been going on in there.”

I said nothing, surprised that Matt had seen and not said anything.

“Look, I know stuff like this happens in the workplace—any workplace. But what’s the protocol here? Has that happened before?”

I nodded. “It’s a tricky situation,” I explained. “I can’t report him without evidence to back it up. You see, Matt, we’re just nurses… and as you know, nurses don’t have that much power when it comes to the doctors and surgeons.” I shrugged. “Most of the physicians here are good people. Still, there are some, like Doctor Linder, who take advantage. I’ve seen it happen elsewhere too. Santa Fe General is not unique.”

“He’s an arrogant ass,” Matt said. “But your point is well taken.”

I nodded and began to walk toward my car, not really surprised that Matt kept in step with me. I didn’t want to be rude and tell him to go away, because to be honest with myself, I didn’t. Still, I had to be careful. I was his mentor, even if it was only for the next couple of days. We would also be going on the ride-alongs with the paramedics in the morning. I was supposed to set a good example, but I didn’t suppose there was anything wrong with him walking me to my car, was there? Besides, it was getting dark, and I appreciated the escort.

“So, Jesse—”

“Jessica,” I sighed.

“So Jessica, what do you do in your downtime?”

I glanced up at him in surprise. “Why?”

He shook his head. “Just an attempt at friendly conversation.”

We were steps away from my car now. I pulled the keys from my purse and pushed a button on the remote. My headlight and taillights flashed, and then I pressed another button. The back window popped open. Reaching for the door handle, I opened the door toward me. I looked up at him only to find him staring at the contents stowed behind the rear passenger seats.

“What?”

He grinned. “For one, I just didn’t expect you to drive a Jeep,” he said, shrugging.

“Really?” I asked. “And what exactly did you expect I would drive?” Was he flirting?

“Oh, I don’t know, a Camry maybe, or a Ford Focus.”

I frowned and made a face. “I do a lot of driving between here and Colorado—”

“Seriously?”

I tucked my purse inside a plastic storage crate near the door like I always did, wondering why he stared so curiously at the items in the back. “Yes,” I replied. “I have several friends up there and we get together several times a year—”

Alice Ward Author Links

Website

Facebook

Helen Grey Author Links

Website

Facebook

Buy Links

Amazon

Amazon UK

 

Book Review – Light a Candle

Tags

Book Review, Light a Candle, VJ Summers

Light a Candle

by VJ Summers

Will broke Dusty’s heart their senior year. One unexpected moment of passion between them, and Will freaked out. Not only wasn’t he gay, but he wasn’t kinky either—or so he insisted to Dusty. Their long friendship ended, and Dusty was left with only bittersweet memories of their last movie night together.

Ten years later, out as gay and a Dom, Will auditions for membership at Club Deviant, only to find that he’s been assigned an all-too-familiar submissive. His scene with Dustin feels like fate, and he’s determined to get back what they once had—and more.

Dustin had buried the pain of rejection deep, but playing with Will conjures all his memories of that one electric moment they shared and the friendship it destroyed. He’s built walls around his heart high enough to keep out the Trojan Army, but together, he and Will may find the courage to move beyond their past and face their future together.

(Publisher’s Note: This is a heavily expanded and revised edition of Velvet Memories, previously published in 2011.)

I’m working on expanding my reading – this time with LGBTQIA Erotica.  As you can tell from the cover, it features wax play as well as a D/s relationship between a couple of men … men with history.  It’s a history that makes it very hard for Dustin to trust Will, and trust is the basis of a workable D/s relationship.  Dustin definitely leads Will on a merry dance while Will tries to earn that trust again.

I really enjoyed seeing these two try to figure out how they can relate as adults.  They had an unusual, and not very strong, friendship in high school.  Unfortunately when Will runs from the idea that there may be more than friendship involved, it destroys Dustin.  And he’s spent years making sure no one else can get that close.  While Will regrets those actions, it isn’t easy to get past Dustin’s defenses.  Lucky for both of them, he doesn’t give up easily.

Light a Candle is both sexy and heart-breaking.  It shows how those scars that we get when young don’t heal easily and can have far reaching effects.  But that sometimes the heart wants something different than the mind says is safe.  Throw in a little D/s play and they steam things up very nicely on their way to finding out a way to relate together on a new level.

 

Spotlight – Men of Mercy

Tags

Lindsay Cross, Men of Mercy series, Raylan, Redemption River

Free right now on Amazon, I had to pick up Book 1 … and I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting Raylan soon too!

*****

Raylan

Men of Mercy Novella

by Lindsay Cross

Blurb:

Raylan Wild lived up to his last name. He spent his youth sowing his oats and living life for the moment. Then he met Amber and after one incredible night, Raylan was ready to give up his wild ways. But then a call from his ex turned his world upside down. Raylan sacrificed his tender new feelings and left town to raise a son he’d never even known existed.

All the while, dreams of a beautiful brown haired girl haunted his dreams.

Amber Atkins had given everything to Raylan. Her virginity and her soul. Convinced she could tame the notorious bad boy, she was devastated when he left without a word.
Now six years later, Raylan has returned to Mercy to convince Amber that they can’t live without each other. But can Amber find the strength to trust again?

As a stalker grows bolder, Amber’s life is in danger and she’s forced to turn to one man for help – Raylan Wilde. In order to survive, she must trust the man that nearly destroyed her with her body and soul.

Get it on Amazon – http://amzn.to/1lG0337

*****

Free for a limited time only!

Redemption River

Men of Mercy Book 1

by Lindsay Cross

Blurb:

Hunter James didn’t want or need redemption.

Until one mission turns his world upside down.

He left Mercy to fight for his country and escape a broken heart. Years later, he is hard. Cold. A man without mercy. Part of an elite Task Force, he tracks a brutal terrorist to his home town. And runs into the woman who betrayed him…

Evangeline Videl was destroyed when Hunter left. Determined to move on, she finds another man, but discovers too late the monster hidden beneath his smooth smile. Struggling to find the conviction to live, Evie finds her life spinning out of control.

Then Hunter returns…

Forced to band together to find the terrorist before its too late, Hunter and Evie must learn to forgive or risk losing the promise of redemption and their lives…

Buy on Amazon – http://amzn.to/1R2dLt3

*****

Sign up for Linday’s newsletter for monthly contests here:  http://www.lindsaycross.com/contact.html#newsletter 

Spotlight – Beauty and the Boss

Tags

Beauty and the Boss, Diane Alberts, Modern Fairytales series

Another Entangled book – if you were here last week you know that I love this publisher and their authors.  And based on the below the newest from Diane Alberts is going to be fantastic!

*****

Beauty and the Boss

by Diane Alberts

November 16, 2015

A Modern Fairytales Novel

Entangled Publishing: Indulgence

Blurb:

Beauty is about to tame her beast…

Researcher Maggie Donovan has no luck with men, and it doesn’t help that she can’t keep her eyes off of her sexy boss – the one everyone else in the office calls The Beast. Relationships in the office are forbidden. So no one is more surprised than Maggie when she pretends to be his fiancée to save him during a difficult situation. Not only has she put her job on the line, but the future of the company.

Billionaire Benjamin Gale III doesn’t believe in love or romance, but the look on his mother’s face when Maggie tells her that she’s his fiancée is worth millions. Instead of firing her for her insubordination, he goes along with the ruse. In his arms-and in his bed-she’d be everything he could ever want…which is why he can’t have her.

But if he doesn’t let her go, they’ll lose everything…

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1X0zIbG

B&N: http://bit.ly/1i0Z8Z2

iTunes:  http://apple.co/1JXDSuK

Kobo:  http://bit.ly/1kybE45

*****

Excerpt:

Mr. Gale, who probably wanted to strangle her, choked and dragged his hands down his face. “Maggie, you don’t—”

“It’s okay. I told you I didn’t want to announce it yet, but I’m ready.” She forced a smile. His mouth opened, closed, then pressed into a thin line. “We can tell the whole world how much we love each other if you want…Benjamin.”

He made a strangled sound and tugged on his tie. He seemed more shocked than anything, but he had to be angry underneath that cold exterior of his. “Love—?”

She cast a quick glance at Mrs. Gale, who was starting to turn blue from lack of oxygen, before turning back to her boss. Not giving him a chance to ruin the ruse she’d thrown together, she launched herself into his arms and kissed him, right in his office in front of his mother.

The second their mouths touched, it was as if she’d woken up from a long, deep sleep.

This wasn’t a kiss—not really—and she was fully aware of that.

But her body didn’t get the message.

His mouth softened under hers, and after a moment of sheer awkwardness, he closed his arms around her and hauled her against his chest. Though she’d initiated the kiss, it didn’t take long for him to show her who was in charge of it. A small shift of his chin, and he was the kisser instead of the kissed.

He turned her slightly, facing away from his mother, and ran his tongue against the seam of her sealed lips. She gasped, shocked he’d actually gone there, and he took full advantage of the situation. He tasted like wine and something else she couldn’t place, and that was about as far as she got before she couldn’t think of anything except his lips on hers, his tongue against hers. She curled her hands into his shirt, and a small moan escaped her. She jumped at the sound, jerking back and covering her mouth in surprise.

Mr. Gale stared down at her, breathing heavily, his focus clearly on her mouth. It did weird things to her insides— things that made her want to launch herself back into his arms, only for real this time, and take that kiss a step further.

Like, stepping right into his bed.

*****

Author 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:

Signed modern fairytale journal from Diane Alberts!

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/726d2572260/

*****

Book Review – Forty Candles

Tags

Book Review, Forty Candles, Virginia Nelson

Forty Candles

by Virginia Nelson

Will she get her wish when she blows out Forty Candles?

Chloe Walker did everything right. She went to college, got a good job, dated the right men—everything. Peering at forty from a bit too close, she realizes she can be miserable that she didn’t end up happily married to the handsome prince…or she can count her lucky stars. She tries to go with stars, but the universe seems to have other plans.

Jack Leonard has loved Chloe since they were kids. He’s stood by her through all life’s little messes, been her shoulder to cry on, and figured one day they’d wind up together. He figures he’s just waiting her out. When her life goes swirly, he’s got to convince her that some men are worth risking it all for.

Can Jack make Chloe rethink her birthday wish or will she get just what she asked for when she blows out Forty Candles?

I started this book on Tuesday and finished it on Thursday  – and it only took me that long because the rest of my life got a little busy.  It’s a quick, enjoyable read and I really liked both Jack and Chloe.  He is a strong, dependable country boy, who has been waiting patiently on the sidelines for Chloe to see him as more than a friend.  She has a few hangups about commitment because of her past and values him too much to chance losing him due to a breakup.  But Jack’s tired of waiting and he’s got a plan to get Chloe on the same page.  Of course, it wouldn’t be a romance if things went smoothly!

I really enjoyed the back and forth between the two but I will say that I was a little confused by the time frame for the story.  We started it with Chloe’s 39^th birthday and ended on her 40^th but it didn’t seem like a year passed.  Maybe a few months but it definitely didn’t feel like a whole year.  It’s just a minor complaint and I wouldn’t even have mentioned it if it wasn’t so blatantly stated.  So in fairness I thought I should point it out 🙂

Forty Candles is a short, earthy read – with tons of heat and heart, friendship and romance.  It’s got a hero who has the patience of a saint, knows exactly what to say and do, but is about to reach his breaking point.  He’s ready to take on a heroine who’s too busy running that she’s not seeing that there is a man in the world that knows all her warts but loves her anyway.  Jack’s just going to have to trick her into seeing the truth that’s been in front of her all along.

 

Buy on Amazon

Book Review – Chance of a Lifetime

Tags

Anderson Brothers series, Book Review, Chance of a Lifetime, Marissa Clarke

Oh, I can hardly wait for you guys to get a look at Marissa Clarke’s newest.  I absolutely LOVED it!

*****

Chance of a Lifetime

Anderson Brothers #3

by Marissa Clarke

Releasing November 16, 2015

Entangled Lovestruck

Blurb:

Sometimes the biggest risk is playing it safe…

Gen Richards is tired of living down to her family’s expectation of the helpless blind girl. Resurrecting her high-school bucket list that begins with “kiss a total stranger” seems just the thing until she finds herself in a panty-melting lip lock with her big brother’s best friend.

Chance Anderson thrives on adrenaline, but Genny’s the one risk he’s not willing to take. His recklessness a decade ago landed her in the hospital and ejected him from her life. He’s bad for her and everyone knows it—especially her big brother.

Chance reluctantly helps Gen complete her bucket list in order to keep her out of trouble. Running through a freezing fountain, playing Spin the Bottle while fending off a mad horde of stinging insects, and skinny dipping with homicidal attack swans don’t hold a candle to the real danger: falling for the one person he can never have.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26136108-chance-of-a-lifetime

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/134421-anderson-brothers

Buy Links:   Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo

*****

Excerpt:

Her agenda since this whole thing began had done a one-eighty. She no longer wanted to hurt him and show him what he’d missed when he left all those years ago; she wanted to make up for lost time. She wanted to kiss and touch and hold him like she had in her dreams—and in her imagination when she was alone. She wanted him to see her for the woman she had become. She wanted him to help her scratch number ten off her list, finally, after a decade of waiting.

“Okay,” he said. “I’ll go through with it, but I want to see the list. Keeping me in the dark is counterproductive.”

“Kinda like being me, huh?”
“You know what’s on the list, so, no.”
He wanted to see the list. Fine. She’d show it to him. She

pulled it out of the back of her phone case and handed it to him, waiting for his reaction with a smirk.

To her shock, he didn’t ask what to make of it. Instead, she heard him running his fingers across the surface. Shit. He could read braille. When had that happened?

“So… Speedboat, slow dance in the rain…”

“Give it back!” she swept her arms in the direction of his voice and made contact with his chest. Grabbing his T-shirt in her fist, she reached for his right arm.

“Play spin the bottle?”

“I was fifteen! Please give it back.”
She had to get it away from him before he read number ten.

“Sleep under the stars…”

That was number nine. She lunged and made a mad grab for the scrap of paper, but only managed to rip a corner off of it.

“Lose it.”

Crap, crap, crap. She slumped to the floor and buried her face in her hands to hide what was surely the mother of all blushes based on the hot flush crawling over her skin.

“Lose what?”

He could not be that dense.

“Oh…that.” He sat down beside her, turned her hand over, and placed the list in her palm.
“I was fifteen,” she said again as if it made a difference. “I’m sorry, Gen. I didn’t mean to upset you. You handed it to me.”

“I didn’t know you could read braille.”

He tipped her chin toward him with his fingertips and wiped away an escaped tear. “You don’t know a lot of things about me.”

*****

Review:

This is the first in the Anderson Brothers series that I’ve read, but based on Chance of a Lifetime I’ve definitely been missing out.  (And it can be read as a standalone.)

Together Chance and Gen are fun, flirty and have a deep understanding of one another.  Unfortunately they also have a history that makes any kind of a future hard.  Gen has let her family control her for far too long and, because of an accident years before, they aren’t going to approve of her being with Chance.

Chance knows that her family considers him bad news and a long time ago he made a promise to stay away.  But now that they are spending time together, Gen is providing to be impossible to resist.

From their first kiss thru her bucket list and all the way to the last page, I absolutely LOVED this story.  There are so many wonderful things here – how capable Genny is, the emotions tying these two together for more than a decade, the understanding and support that Chance provides, and the lessons learned by all involved.  I was so satisfied and amazingly sad to see it end.

*****

Author Info:

Marissa Clarke lives in Texas, where everything is bigger, especially the mosquitoes.

When not writing, she wrangles her rowdy pack of three teens, husband, and a Cairn Terrier named Annabel, who rules the house (and Marissa’s heart) with an iron paw.

Prior to attending University of Houston Law School, she received a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in Drama from the University of Houston. She has taught drama and playwriting in a large public high school and English in a private school.

Currently, she serves as Vice-President of Programming for the West Houston RWA Chapter, and is a founding member of Houston YA/MG Writers, and the QueryTracker.net Blog.

She loves to connect with readers, so follow/friend her on Facebook and, or shoot her an email from her “Contact” page.

Marissa also writes young adult novels for Penguin USA under the name Mary Lindsey. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Marissa Clarke’s conference, signing, & event schedule can be found here:  APPEARANCES

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

*****

Giveaway:

$20 Amazon or B&N gift card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c8836/

*****

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Book Review – A Winter Wedding

Tags

A Winter Wedding, Book Review, Brenda Novak, Whiskey Creek series

A Winter Wedding

Whiskey Creek series

by Brenda Novak

One Christmas can change your life…

Kyle Houseman believes he’ll never find anyone he could love as much as Olivia Arnold, who’s now married to his stepbrother. Not only did he lose her, he’s been through one divorce and has no desire to go through another. He’s determined to be extra careful about the next woman he gets involved with—which is why he fights his attraction to the beautiful stranger who rents his farmhouse for the Christmas holiday.

Lourdes Bennett is a country music artist. She’s only planning to stay in Whiskey Creek long enough to write the songs for her next album—the album that’s going to put her back on top. Her dreams don’t include settling in a town even smaller than the one she escaped. But as she comes to know Kyle, she begins to wonder if she’d be making a terrible mistake to leave him behind…

I have been looking for Kyle to finally get his happy ending.  When we met him in When We Touch I didn’t like him much, although I guess we weren’t really supposed to.  At that point, he’d slept with that heroine’s sister and gotten her pregnant, which ruined not only his relationship with the heroine but cemented a big rift between the sisters.  So he wasn’t exactly the good guy in that story 🙂  But as we got to know this group of friends over the next few books, we also got a better understanding of Kyle and how much that mistake impacted his life.  Now it is finally his chance for a HEA.

I love how fluid this story is – nothing about it is big or dramatic or that surprising.  He meets Lourdes and the two spend time together, realize they are attracted to one another but that their lives don’t exactly mesh.  We get to know them as they get to know each other and we’re right there with them as they fall in love.  It’s sweet and true to life (as much as it can be with a country music star 🙂 ).  We do get some trouble with Kyle’s ex, which spices things up but also helps to wrap up that relationship and leave him clear for a future with someone else.

Kyle and Lourdes just have to figure out if their’s is that future and if so how to make it work for both of them.

 

(Buy on Amazon)

Spotlight – Compromising Her Position

Tags

Compromise Me series, Compromising Her Position, Samanthe Beck

It’s an Entangled kind of day 🙂  But I love this publisher – they have so many fantastic authors and stories.  And Samanthe Beck’s newest looks to be the perfect sexy holiday read.

*****

Compromising Her Position

a Compromise Me Novel

by Samanthe Beck

Releasing November 16, 2015

Entangled Brazen

Blurb:

A sexy category romance from Entangled’s Brazen imprint…

He’s not who she expected, but he’s exactly the man she needs…

When Chelsea Wayne drags Santa into a supply closet for a little office party nookie, she assumes the man in the suit is her on-again/off-again coworker boyfriend. Instead, it’s Rafe St. Sebastian, a man known for his hard-driving ways in business as well as the bedroom–and, kill her now, the brand spanking new owner of Las Ventanas–who grants her naughtiest Christmas wishes.

So much for her reputation, not to mention her career.

Rafe needs to close three acquisitions to prove to his father he’s ready to take the helm of St. Sebastian Enterprises. A hot interlude in a supply closet after deal number two seems like the perfect illicit Christmas bonus. Unfortunately, when that “bonus” becomes the key to the final deal, he finds himself back in bed–so to speak–with Chelsea, and after their steamy tryst, he’s not interested in keeping things professional.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26215010-compromising-her-position

Buy Links:  Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo

*****

Excerpt:

“There is nothing personal between us.”

“I beg to differ. In fact, I’m fairly certain I know your deepest, darkest secret.”

“I sincerely doubt that.”

He brought his mouth to her ear. “You knew I wasn’t Paul.”

“No.” The denial, though immediate, sounded slightly breathless, slightly desperate.

She had to have at least suspected, at some point. He refused to believe otherwise. “Not at first. But when I had you clinging to the tables, trembling so hard you could barely stand? You knew.”

“You-you’re delusional. If I’d realized you weren’t Paul, don’t you think I would have stopped you?”

“No. By the time you realized, you didn’t care.” The crowd around them erupted into a countdown.

Ten… He cupped her jaw in one hand…
Nine… and slid the other down her back. Then lower. Eight… “You didn’t care about anything except my tongue tracing the path of your thong”—he let his fingers do the honor now—“all the way down until I could taste your sweet, throbbing little—”

“I thought you were Paul!” Her wide eyes darted to his, pupils huge.

Five… “Remember how you used your body to beg for more? There’s no f-ing way you’ve ever begged like that for Paul Barrington. No f-ing way. I could have you begging again.”

Her breathing came in quick, shallow pants. The hands she’d rested lightly on his shoulders tightened, bunching his jacket in a white-knuckled grip. She shook her head. “Not going to happen.”

Three… He was risking getting his face slapped in the middle of a dance floor on New Year’s Eve, but he didn’t care. For some inexcusable reason, he needed to know she wanted him, not Barrington.

Two… He spread his palm over the perfect curve of her ass and hauled her against him, so she’d feel just how well he remembered every damn detail of their last meeting.

One…

“It’s not?” he challenged, and then crushed her lips under his.

Cheers of “Happy New Year” echoed around them over the strains of “Auld Lang Syne.” A flotilla of black and silver balloons sailed down from the ceiling. Guests laughed, and sang, and jostled them while he kissed her. Sparkly, star- shaped confetti rained over everyone and everything, and he kept right on kissing her. Her arms twined around his neck. Her lips parted. She flattened one hand against the back of his head and held on. When he bent her over his arm and swept his tongue into her soft, yielding mouth, she wrapped her leg around his hip. The heat of her body practically seared his thigh through his tuxedo pants.

He trapped her lower lip between his teeth and nibbled. There went his no biting promise, but her shuddery moan told him she didn’t mind.

The song ended. The house lights came up a few notches. He slowly drew her upright, and even more slowly relinquished her mouth. She stared up at him, dazed, her lips plumped from their kiss.

“You’re a terrible liar, Miss Wayne.”

Giving her a grin he hoped didn’t reveal how much the move cost him, he walked away.

*****

Author Info:

Wine lover, sleep fanatic, and USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy contemporary romance novels, Samanthe Beck lives in Malibu, California, with her long-suffering but extremely adorable husband and their turbo-son, Hud. Throw in a furry ninja named Kitty and Bebe the trash talking Chihuahua and you get the whole, chaotic picture.

When not clinging to sanity by her fingernails or dreaming up fun, fan-your-cheeks sexy ways to get her characters to happily-ever-afters, she searches for the perfect cabernet to pair with Ambien.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

*****

Giveaway:

$50.00 Amazon eGift Card and a rare print copies of

Samanthe’s Private Pleasures Trilogy

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb55495648/

*****

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