Book Review – Feels Like Falling

Tags

Book Review, Dangerous Love series, Elle Keating, Feels Like Falling

While not an easy read, Feels Like Falling is definitely one worth trying – Keating will break your heart a time or two on her way to giving you a happy ending.

*****

Feels Like Falling

Dangerous Love #5

by Elle Keating

Release Date: November 13, 2018

Publisher: Self-published

Genres: Contemporary Romance

Blurb:

From author Elle Keating comes FEELS LIKE FALLING, the next installment in her Dangerous Love series. Peyton Matthews doesn’t want anyone to find the chinks in her armor, and Luke McGinnis fights hard to keep his ugly past buried. While they are drawn to each other, chemistry is not what’s bringing them together. Fans of UGLY LOVE by Coleen Hoover, Sylvia Day, and EASY by Tammara Webber will devour this dark and emotional romance.

Luke McGinnis is the responsible, quiet older brother. The loving son who enjoys working side-by-side with his father at the winery they co-own. At twenty-nine years old, Luke is a success story, the rags-to-riches kind. That’s what people see. Not the ugly past he fights to keep buried… a past that keeps him from really living.

Peyton Matthews is a household name. As a model, her face has been on the covers of countless magazines and she now has more money than she will ever know what to do with. But that smile she flashes for the photographers and the media is just an illusion. That pretty package everyone envies has been her armor, her protection, and she doesn’t want anyone to find a chink in it… especially not the winery owner who looks at her like he knows the dark secrets she keeps.

Add to Goodreads → https://bit.ly/2N9H7fH

BUY NOW: Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo

Listen to the FEELS LIKE FALLING playlist on Spotify now! https://spoti.fi/2ND6ypi

What more from Elle Keating? Grab the rest of the Dangerous Love books!

THRILL OF THE CHASE

Read Now: Amazon | B&N

CUT TO THE CHASE

Read Now: Amazon | B&N

WANTING MORE

Read Now: Amazon | B&N

BACK TO THE START

Read Now: Amazon | B&N

*****

Excerpt:

Peyton looked back at the bar, but Luke was nowhere to be found. Pissed, she continued her trek to the bathrooms anyway and was just about to enter the door marked MNA when someone grabbed her hand and pulled her down a hallway and into some back room which housed a pay phone and a rack full of coats. Like the rest of the tavern, the lighting wasn’t great, but she was able to focus on the man who still gripped her hand and stared at her like he was either going to yell at her or take her against the wall in the most primal of ways.

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Who is he?” Luke asked through gritted teeth.

It pissed her off that he completely ignored her question and asked her one instead, one that truly left her perplexed. “Who are you talking about?”

“The man who felt it was okay to touch you here.” He released her hand, but she instantly felt his fingertips at the small of her back.

The heat of his touch made her anger fade, at least for the time being and she said, “He’s a friend of Walt’s.”

“Are you leaving with him?” His eyes darkened and he drew closer. His hand fell away from the small of her back, which thankfully broke the trance her body seemed to be under and her fury was reignited.

Who the hell did he think he was? She didn’t owe him anything. Not even responses to questions that made her hot and furious at the same time.

“Did you follow me here?” she asked. Her voice shook a little, but it was better than submitting to his questions.

“Yes. Now, are you going home with him?”

“Do you have any idea how messed up that is? That you fucking followed me…again?”

His jaw clenched and he looked away. Peyton was prepared to continue, to lay into him and tell him that he was a stalker and could go to hell, but then he glanced back at her and she saw the shame in his eyes. “Yeah…it is fucked up. I’m…fucked up,” he said.

She wasn’t even going to try to pretend that his words didn’t shock her. He knew what he was doing wasn’t normal. That he wasn’t normal. Luke roughly raked a hand through his hair as he paced the small coatroom. He reminded her of a caged animal, one that was anxious and willing to chew through the bars to get free. Shame, worry, pain, fear, confusion. He seemed consumed by each emotion all at once and all she could do was watch him suffer. What happened to him? Why did he look so…broken?

Before she could ask, Luke shook his head, told her he was sorry and left.

*****

Review:

Keating’s latest story is about strength and coping.  Both Peyton and Luke survived horrible abuses as children but did their best to find a way to move forward.  It wasn’t necessarily the best but it worked at the time.  Now a chance meeting has them re-examining their lives and what they want out in their future.

As much as he loves his family and as good as his life got after he and his brothers were taken in by the McGinnis family, Luke didn’t feel like he could talk to anyone about what his past did to him.  He tried to live a normal life but found that he had trouble with relationships, so he did the best he could to get by, making only impersonal connections with people outside his family.  Then he sees Peyton’s haunting eyes on the cover of a magazine and later in real life … and everything changes.

I think Peyton may have dealt with her past a bit better but it still hampered her life.  She’d struggled with giving herself to a relationship, using her career and celebrity as the excuse to keeping things shallow.  But her attraction to Luke proves too big to ignore and there is a special connection between them.  When she finds out why and what it meant for him, though, will she be able to accept it?

You have to be OK with descriptions of some truly awful things done to children, but if you make it thru you’ll find a journey to a HEA that will make it all worth while.  Both have their struggles, especially Luke about whether he’s good enough for someone like Peyton, but it’s heartening the way they manage to work through their issues to finally find that special someone.

*****

Author Info:

Elle Keating is the author of romance novels with sexy heroes and fierce females. Her first book, Thrill of the Chase (Dangerous Love, #1), was published by Forever Romance’s digital imprint, Forever Yours, in 2015. Cut to the Chase (Dangerous Love, #2) soon followed. Most recently, Elle self-published Wanting More (Dangerous Love, #3), Back to the Start (Dangerous Love, #4) and the standalone novel, Keeping His Commandments.

When Elle isn’t torturing her heroes and heroines (don’t worry, there’s always a happily ever after), she is a public school administrator and enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children in New Jersey. For more on Elle and her books, visit ellekeating.com.

Follow:  Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub | Instagram

*****

Giveaway:

Enter to win one of three Dangerous Love Book Bundles!

(includes Thrill of the Chase, Cut to the Chase, Wanting More, & Back to the Start)

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b050ef29588/

*****

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Book Review – Wicked Whiskey Love

Tags

Book Review, Melissa Foster, The Whiskeys series, Wicked Whiskey Love

Love me some Whiskeys!!!

*****

Wicked Whiskey Love

The Whiskeys series

by Melissa Foster

World Literary Press

Blurb:

Fall in love with Bones Whiskey in WICKED WHISKEY LOVE, an emotionally riveting, sexy new standalone romance by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster. A magnificent love story for those who enjoy fiercely loyal and insanely sexy alpha heroes, smart, sassy heroines, families, bikers, babies, and more!

In WICKED WHISKEY LOVE…

After escaping abusive parents and, later, an abusive relationship, Sarah Beckley has spent a lifetime watching snakes shed their skin. With two small children to care for and another on the way, she’s finally found a home in Peaceful Harbor with the brother she hasn’t seen in more than a decade. She’s still searching for her sister, but life is good. If only she could stop thinking about the sinfully sexy doctor/biker who has taken to her children like a loving uncle—and to her like a hungry man.

Trust doesn’t come easily for Sarah, but Bones Whiskey is patient and protective, amazing with her children, and he looks at her like she is the only woman he could ever want–and more. With two little ones underfoot, Sarah expects him to move on quickly, yet with every tender kiss and each trying moment with the children, Bones surprises her. But will the fiercely loyal biker stick around when Sarah’s worst secret is revealed, or will he shed his skin, too?

KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/WWL_K
APPLE: https://apple.co/2CNjjcc
KOBO: http://smarturl.it/WWL_Kobo
NOOK: http://smarturl.it/WWL_Nook
GPLAY: http://bit.ly/2CW9zZQ
PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/WWL_Pb

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37840670-wicked-whiskey-love
Goodreads series link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/204908-the-whiskey

For more hot Whiskey love, check out Melissa’s other Whiskey novels.

TRU BLUE
KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/TB_Kindle
iBOOKS: http://apple.co/2lG7dEL
NOOK: http://bit.ly/2f3loBH
KOBO: http://smarturl.it/TB_Kobo
GPLAY: http://bit.ly/2knJYhu
PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/TB_Paperback
🎧 Available in audio
Amazon Audio: http://smarturl.it/TB_Audio_Amazon
iBooks Audio: http://apple.co/2kK1HTT
Audible: http://adbl.co/2kBUDpU

TRULY MADLY WHISKEY
KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/TMW1_Amazon
iBOOKS: http://apple.co/2hJbntC
KOBO: http://smarturl.it/WWN_Kobo
NOOK: http://bit.ly/2gVN6QS
GPLAY: http://bit.ly/2hqM7cb
PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/WWN_Paperback
🎧 Available in audio
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/TMW_Audio_Amazon
iBooks: http://apple.co/2oD2Ew7
Audible: http://adbl.co/2owVMjN

DRIVING WHISKEY WILD
KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/DWW_Kindle
iBOOKS: http://apple.co/2yUXpAG
NOOK: http://bit.ly/2yVGGgS
KOBO: http://smarturl.it/DWW_Kobo
GPLAY: http://bit.ly/2y7SugC
PAPERBACK: http://smarturl.it/DWW_Pb
🎧 Available in audio
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/DWW_Audio
iBooks: https://apple.co/2GeqRSQ
Audible: http://adbl.co/2FuX5gp

And don’t miss RIVER OF LOVE, the first story in which the Whiskeys were introduced!

*****

Excerpt:

“Hey, beautiful,” Bones said softly.

Her eyes clashed with his. He sat with one arm across the back of Bradley’s chair, watching her in her moment of turmoil. She may not believe in happily ever afters and she definitely had trouble trusting, but she longed to be closer to him, to experience this loyal, thoughtful man on a more personal level. Emotionally and physically. Swallowing hard, feeling happy and sad, nervous and calm, petrified and curious. It was so overwhelming, she was sure everyone could sense it. But it was Bones who pushed his hand farther across the back of Bradley’s chair until his fingertips brushed her arm, concern written in those dark eyes.

“You okay, darlin’? Want to go for a walk?”

A walk? No, she definitely wouldn’t survive this night with Dr. Whiskey looking at her like he could heal all her wounds. She needed space to clear her head.

“No, thank you,” she finally managed. “I’m just going up to the house to change Lila.”

He pushed to his feet. “I’ll walk you up.”

“No,” she said quickly. “I’m fine, really. I just need…” Grasping for an excuse, she decided to go with honesty, because at the moment she was just that pathetic. “To breathe, and you sort of make that impossible.”

A slow grin spread across his lips.

“Ohmygosh,” came out before she could stop it. “Could you please look the other way?”

“Not a chance, darlin’.”

His arrogance came out smooth as velvet. Ugh. She pushed to her feet, needing to escape before he worked his magic on her. “Come on, Bradley. Let’s go potty before dinner.”

“I don’t have to go,” Bradley whined.

“I’ll watch him,” Bones offered, that panty-melting grin still in place.

Great. Another ovary-exploding dose of goodness. Just what I need.

*****

Review:

Like all the Whiskey stories, Wicked Whiskey Love is about family, not necessarily the one you are born with but the one you surround yourself with.

Sarah definitely didn’t have the best of the first but she’s doing everything she can to reconnect with her siblings and make a better life than she had for her kids.  Being adopted by the Whiskeys is definitely doing a lot to help her regain her trust in people and her faith in herself.

Bones may not have always had every physical want met but he had what was important.  He knew his place in life and he had people that loved & cared for him.  His parents and the Dark Knights made sure that he grew up knowing right from wrong and was willing to fight for others when needed.  It’s the Whiskey way and it’s turned out some dang fine men.

Sarah is skittish about trusting people, but Bones is patient and he’s going to convince her that he (and his family) want the best for her, will be there for her & her family when she needs them.  It truly touches the heart to see her slowly open up and accept that she’s worth their attention & affection.  (And Bones with her kids will have you swooning – so adorable!)

While Bones does a lot of the work in winning Sarah over, it is a group thing and seeing the collective Whiskeys step up to be there for each other is just so very awesome.  They may not do things the conventional way but the Whiskey way has a lot of heart & good intentions and that’s what is important.

*****

Author Info:

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance and new adult romance with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented–perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines.

Website:  http://www.melissafoster.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/MelissaFosterAuthor

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Melissa_Foster

GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3023973.Melissa_Foster

Newsletter: http://melissafoster.com/newsletter/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/melissa-foster

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissafoster_author/

*****

Giveaway:

Five winners will receive a digital copy of TRULY MADLY WHISKEY

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/521ac4c81384/

*****

Click on the banner below to check out the rest of the tour

Book Review – Bluestone & Vine

Tags

Blue Hollow Falls series, Bluestone & Vine, Book Review, Donna Kauffman

Bluestone & Vine

by Donna Kauffman

Pippa MacMillan is a legend on the Irish folk music scene. But when her voice requires a time-out, she’s left wondering how—and where—to find happiness in the silence . . .
 
Seeking answers, Pippa leaves Ireland in favor of a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Turns out lovely Blue Hollow Falls is the perfect place to heal—and solitary Seth Brogan is the surprisingly perfect host. After all, Seth is beginning again too: turning his renovated stone barn and beautiful hillside into a vineyard is the start of a whole new life for the former Special Forces soldier. Only Mother Nature keeps thwarting both their plans, leaving Pippa snowbound with unsettling thoughts about how life can take unexpected turns . . .
 
To Pippa’s surprise, she might actually fall for small-town living. She might even fall for Seth, whose quiet strength is a balm for her world-weary soul. But when the music starts once more, will she follow her fortune back to Ireland, or surrender to the call of her heart?

I love the way that Kauffman develops her characters and her stories.  These people felt real and their situations were believable & didn’t involve a ton of turmoil.  Instead we have two people who meet, fall for each other (but resist because of circumstances), and then have to figure out what life has in store for them when their hearts become too involved.

Pippa is a delight.  She’s strong, beautiful, and has a love of life that is just so addictive.  Her trip to Blue Hollow Falls is about facing her fears over her voice, which she has to face if she’s going to return to a career she loves so very much.  What she didn’t count on is finding a whole town of people to capture her heart, especially Seth.

Seth also has a plan for his life that didn’t include falling in love but Pippa is pretty darn hard to resist.  The man is kind, caring, and yet such a man 🙂  Watching him resist and then finally give in is just so much fun.

The secondary characters and their relationships with each other is just as important as the main romance.  This is a group that loves and supports each other, and it just warms my heart.  Part of that is the glimpse we got of our likely next hero – Will, with his immense love for his son but also his overwhelming grief for his late wife.  Kauffman is probably going to rip my heart to shreds before it is over but she’s going to make me love every minute of it!

Book Review – Erik

Tags

Arizona Vengeance series, Book Review, Erik, Sawyer Bennett

Looking for a sizzler with lots of feels?  Have I got a book for you!

*****

Erik

An Arizona Vengeance Novel

by Sawyer Bennett

Blurb:

The Arizona Vengeance are developing a reputation on the ice as one of hockey’s top teams. But one player’s reputation off the ice might just keep him from scoring. . . .

I’m having the time of my life with my new brothers on the Arizona Vengeance. We may be an expansion team, but after notching some big wins, the entire league knows to watch out for Erik Dahlbeck. That’s me.

The only person who doesn’t seem to think I’m so great? Blue Gardner, the hot-as-f*** flight attendant on our team plane. I sure wouldn’t mind joining the mile-high club with her, but besides bringing me lukewarm coffee, she won’t give me the time of day. Whatever I did to rub Blue the wrong way, my teammates think it’s hilarious. After all, we’re used to women flocking to us. #puckbunnies

When I run into Blue back on land, I’m shocked to learn how she spends her time off: taking care of her handicapped brother. There are layers to this girl I never imagined, layers I can’t wait to peel away. And that’s a new feeling for me.

But first I’ve got to find a way to melt that ice-cold stare. Because as much as I try to pretend I don’t care what Blue thinks of me, how can you not care when you’re falling for someone?

Goodreads Link: http://bit.ly/2F2w6rm

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2EPthqe

B&N: http://bit.ly/2F1nzF2

Apple: https://apple.co/2EWwdlh

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2EYrX7R

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2EYkgyy

Audible: https://adbl.co/2yIKDn5

*****

Review:

For some reason I skipped reading Bishop (book 1 in this series) and I’m kinda regretting it now 🙂  I know from her Cold Fury Hockey series that Bennett delivers sizzling page turners and Erik proved no different.

Blue doesn’t like Erik and she’s not afraid to show it.  He’s not sure why, but he’s going to find out.  She sure isn’t going to make it easy, though, and from the very first I knew it would be entertaining.  Things have pretty much gone his way up to this point and Erik’s not had to fight for much.  But the more that he gets to know Blue, the more effort he’s willing to put in.  Charming, sharp, and sexy, he plans to pull out all the stops to show Blue why he’s worth giving a chance.

If you are looking for a spicy read that has heart, Bennett is definitely a go-to author.  She knows how to make things hot but she also gives you delightful characters and relationships that you can really get involved in.

(While Erik is part of a series, it can easily stand on its own.)

*****

Author Info:

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released multiple books, many of which have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active daughter, as well as full-time servant to her adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or even better, both.

Sawyer also writes general and women’s fiction under the pen name S. Bennett and sweet romance under the name Juliette Poe.

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BennettBooks

Tsu: http://www.tsu.co/bennettbooks

Instagram: https://instagram.com/sawyerbennett123/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Sawyer_Bennett

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

Book+Main Bites: https://bookandmainbites.com/sawyerbennett

Sign up for Sawyer’s newsletter: http://sawyerbennett.com/signup/

Book Review – A True Cowboy Christmas

Tags

A True Cowboy Christmas, Book Review, Caitlin Crews, Cold River Ranch series

A broody, emotionally scarred hero discovering the miracle of Christmas … add it to your holiday reading list!

*****

A True Cowboy Christmas

Cold River Ranch series

by Caitlin Crews

Blurb:

From USA Today bestselling author Caitlin Crews comes A True Cowboy Christmas, the first in a sensational series debut about a cowboy, a farm girl, and the greatest gift of all. . .

Gray Everett has a heart of gold but that doesn’t mean he believes in the magic of Christmas. He’s got plenty else to worry about this holiday season, what with keeping his cattle ranch in the family and out of the hands of hungry real-estate investors looking to make a down-and-dirty deal. That, plus being a parent to his young and motherless daughter, equals a man who will not rest until he achieves his mission. Now, all Gray needs is the help of his lifelong neighbor. . .who happens to have grown into a lovely, spirited woman.

For Abby Douglas, the chance to join forces with Gray is nothing less than a Christmas miracle. Much as the down-to-earth farmer’s daughter has tried to deny it, Abby’s been in love with stern, smoking-hot Gray her whole life. So when Gray proposes a marriage of convenience as a way to combine land—and work together toward a common cause—Abby can’t refuse. But how can she convince Gray that sometimes life offers a man a second chance for a reason. . .and that their growing trust and mutual passion may be leading to true and lasting love?

BUY THE BOOK:
https://heroesandheartbreakers.com/contemporary/a-true-cowboy-christmas/

*****

Excerpt:

“Why would you try to tell me that chemistry doesn’t matter? Of course it does.”

“I’m not saying it doesn’t matter. But sheer stubbornness matters more.” He heard the intensity in his voice, but did nothing to temper it. “If people want to stay married, they do. If they want that marriage to be a good one, they work on it and make it that way. It’s not rocket science. It doesn’t require your online profiles. You don’t need to get matched on your smart phone. You make a commitment to someone, then you keep it. It’s as simple and as hard as that.”

He watched in fascination as her hands curled into fists at her sides.

“I appreciate that you have experience being married, and that gives you a platform to make sweeping statements,” she said, her voice low, as if she was fighting back her own intensity. “That’s great. But you’re missing that I’m not interested in the state of marriage in a general sense. I’m telling you I am not going to marry someone I have no chemistry with. That has nothing to do with me being stubborn, not stubborn, or insufficiently committed. It’s actually all about the fact that I’m not staggering around in a grief-induced daze, proposing marriage to people I’ve never looked at twice before in my whole life.” That should have annoyed him, because he wasn’t dazed. Amos had been a mean, unhealthy old man. His death hadn’t been a real surprise. Gray wasn’t sure he was grieving him so much as the father Amos had never been, and he knew he wasn’t crazy with it. But he couldn’t seem to lose his grin, especially when he moved closer to her.

Because when he did, she lost that scowl. Her eyes went wide, that cute flush brightened up her face again, and she had to tip her head back to look at him. Not as much as some of the other girls he’d dated had, as she’d pointed out. Gray liked that too. He didn’t have to hunker over her.

She was . . . right there.

He had an urge and went with it. He reached over and curled his fingers around her ponytail, then pulled them gently along the length of it.

And figured the chemistry question was answered by the way her breath went shuddery.

But he didn’t end it there.

“If I’m following all this,” he said, his drawl low. Thick. “You don’t actually have any objections. You think we maybe ought to date first. You’re worried we don’t have chemistry. But at the end of the day, you’re not opposed to the idea.”

“It’s crazy. And I’m worried that you’re crazy, in a clinical sense.”

“If you agree to marry me, I’ll take you on a date or two. If that’s what you want.” His hand was still tangled in her hair, and he was close enough now that he could catch her scent. Gray breathed deep. She smelled like rosemary. And something that reminded him of the pies she and her grandmother had brought over the day after the funeral, warm and good. Right. “But we can settle the other question right here.”

“What do you mean . . . ?”

Gray didn’t wait. He didn’t answer her question, half stammered out with her hazel eyes so wide they looked like summer gold.

He used his free hand to cup her cheek, flushed and smooth beneath his palm. Then he bent—only a little, which struck him as unexpectedly hot—to take her mouth with his.

He felt her tremble. And there was something about the way she melted into him as their lips touched, then brushed, as if she was being pulled by some kind of magnetic force he was half certain he could feel himself.

Gray had only meant to kiss her to make a point. The way a gentleman might, not that he’d ever met too many gentlemen out here where the mountains and the land were the only things that mattered.

But Abby’s lips were soft and velvety beneath his. And she made a tiny sound in the back of her throat that he could feel like a flickering flame.

Before he knew it, Gray was angling his head to one side and licking his way into her mouth.

As if he couldn’t help himself.

And everything got hot. Bright. Impossible.

This was Abby Douglas. Abby Douglas. There was something deliciously wrong about it being Abby that made it hotter, wilder.

It rolled in him and made a joke of him imagining he was in control of any of this. Of her.

Of this sudden storm of sensation that would have taken him off his feet, if that didn’t mean he would have had to let go of her.

When the door slapped open, both of his hands were sunk deep into her hair, and Abby was up on her toes, pressed against him, her arms wrapped around his back.

It turned out Gray wasn’t going to have to worry about easing his way into some or other form of eventual chemistry with the woman he already knew would make him a good rancher’s wife. He was going to have to worry about what the hell to do with all this chemistry—so much it was like a lightning storm and he kept getting hit—with a woman he’d never paid the slightest attention to until his father’s funeral.

The fact that the front door had opened penetrated the heat and fog that was swirling around him.

Finally.

*****

Review:

I think Abby is one of my favorite heroines.  Her mom is a horrible person but thanks to her grandparents she managed to turn out to be amazingly genuine and has a huge heart.  She’s been in love with Gray for practically her entire life but when he asks her to marry him, she doesn’t jump at the chance.  Part of it is that she doesn’t believe that Gray is thinking clearly and doesn’t actually want to marry her (she has a little bit of a self-confidence issue thanks to her horrid mom).  She’s also afraid of what the rest of the town will say about their nuptials but she does eventually agree, throwing herself into the relationship with dignity & courage.

Gray’s home-life wasn’t all that good.  He had an combatant alcoholic for a father and all feminine fixtures in the house would only put up with so much before leaving.  And unfortunately that included his own wife.  With the death of his father, Gray doesn’t want to take the chance he’ll end up like him and decides that a marriage based on logic is better than one based on emotion.  To him, Abby is the perfect candidate – sensible, steady, and will provide a little softness to his hard life & for his daughter . . . but what is he going to do when those pesky emotions enter into things?  He’s not the best with feelings under normal conditions and definitely not when he’s not expecting them.

A man with some pretty thick walls and a woman who questions her own appeal find themselves at the mercy of love’s power and the goodness of a caring heart in this beauty of a Christmas story.  A wonderful journey of healing and self-discovery, A True Cowboy Christmas will give you those all over warm & gooeys that you crave at this time of year.

*****

Author Info:

USA Today-bestselling, RITA-nominated, and critically-acclaimed author Caitlin Crews has written more than seventy-five books, including Frenemies, Princess from the Past, A Royal Without Rules, and Undone by the Sultan’s Touch. She’s won fans with her romance, Harlequin Presents, women’s fiction, chick lit, and work-for-hire young adult novels, many of which she writes as Megan Crane (including the dystopian Viking romance Edge series). These days her focus is on contemporary romance in all its forms, from small town heat to international glamour, cowboys to bikers to military men and beyond. She’s taught creative writing classes in places like UCLA Extension’s prestigious Writers’ Program, gives assorted workshops on occasion, and attempts to make use of the MA and PhD in English Literature she received from the University of York in York, England. She currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with a husband who draws comics and animation storyboards, and their menagerie of ridiculous animals.

Caitlin’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/megancrane

Caitlin’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeganCraneAndCaitlinCrews

Caitlin’s Website: https://megancrane.com/

*****

SMP Romance Twitter: https://twitter.com/heroesnhearts & https://twitter.com/SMPRomance

SMP Romance Website: https://heroesandheartbreakers.com/

Book Review – A Ring for Rosie

Tags

A Ring for Rosie, Book Review, Maggie Wells, Play Dates series

A Ring for Rosie

Play Dates series

by Maggie Wells

Once burned, this father of twins is twice shy until he realizes the right woman is the charm . . .

James Harper is a great dad, but a lousy judge of women—as evidenced by his twin boys’ flighty mother, who walked out when the babies were just six weeks old. He’s got fatherhood down, but dating is another story—especially when the twins’ mom shows up any time she needs something. His office manager, Rosie Herrera, is the one woman he can count on, actually talk to, flirt with, and . . . come to think of it, has he been overlooking the perfect woman all this time?

Rosie’s been in love with James since her first day on the job, but she’s certain he only sees her as a reliable employee—until one heated kiss changes everything. And then James’s ex shows up, and walks right into his life again. Determined to move on, Rosie tries to forget everything she feels about James—by doing her best to fall for someone else. But James isn’t about to make the same mistake twice. To woo Rosie this time, he needs to prove they’re made for each other . . . forever.

I think one of the hardest parts of this story is that it is a little too real.  You have to feel for Rosie because she’s been in love with James for years but he’s either clueless or actively ignoring it (or a little of both).  While it’s understandable, it doesn’t do her any favors to have her pining away for him.  When things finally came to a head, I found myself cheering for her as she moves on … and a bit hoping that things might work out with one of her new beaus.  And her growing friendship with the wives is one of the brightest parts of the book

James is doing the best he can as a single father.  Dealing with his flighty ex and an attraction to his office manager, who is very much off limits, is just a little too much.  I think that James gets the worst of it when it comes to the realism of the book negatively impacting some readers.  He’s pretty clueless and not the take-charge type we’re used to in a hero.  He caves to his business partners’ demands about dating Rosie, as well as their crazy (and somewhat ill-thought out) plan to get rid of his ex.  I could maybe see something like this happen in real life, where people do stupid things all the time, but in a romance you expect better behavior from your characters 🙂

With a hero that has a lot of moments where he tries to make everyone else happy, and fails spectacularly, and a heroine that holds out hope for love a little too long for comfort, A Ring for Rosie isn’t the smoothest of romances but it is real and has satisfying moments, characters that appeal, and some of the cutest kids on the face of the planet.

Book Review – Take a Chance

Tags

Book Review, Bridgeport Social Club series, Shelley Shepard Gray, Take a Chance

Take a Chance

Bridgeport Social Club #1

by Shelley Shepard Gray

Kurt Holland wants the best for his younger brother, which is why he moves Sam to Bridgeport. It’s just the place to give his little brother more opportunities—maybe even a scholarship. Emily Springer is passionate about helping all of her students succeed, but there’s something about Sam Holland that makes her want to go the extra mile. When he’s caught in a fight at school, she goes to bat in his defense, and during a conference with the principal she meets Sam’s rugged older brother—and guardian. Emily has a strict no-dating policy when it comes to her students’ parents, but Kurt isn’t technically Sam’s parent. It’s okay to bend the rules a little bit, right?

Shelley Shepard Gray’s new Bridgeport Social Club series is about men who need a place to call home, a community in need of hope, and a group of women who are special enough to help both things happen.

I feel a little bad for the reviews this book is getting.  A lot of the negative comments are based on what the readers expected from the book, which is for it to be like the author’s previous religious love stories.  They are understandably a bit upset that instead they got a “clean” contemporary romance that included cursing and more amorous moments than her previous books.  I’m there with them that when a book is not what you thought it would be, it will usually lower the enjoyment of it.  And I can even see why they would expect a certain thing if that is what the author always delivered before.  (Who doesn’t get a little thrown when a favorite author changes things up significantly?)

Fortunately for me, I didn’t come in with any expectations and I really enjoyed it.

Gray’s writing is very smooth, which made for an easy read, and I found myself engrossed in the characters and everyone’s lives.  There are actually 4 POVs for this story – Kurt, Emily, Sam, and his classmate Kay.  They all come across as super realistic and have to deal with some pretty difficult situations.

Take a Chance is as much about the Holland boys as it is a love story between Kurt and Emily … and is all the better for it.    I found myself rooting so much for those two as they try to get their footing in a new situation & a new town, finding love and friendship as well as the hope for something better.  Things aren’t easy for them but they deal the best they can, giving readers a wonderfully heartwarming tale.  I’m really looking forward to what Gray has in store for us next.

Book Review – Chased

Tags

Book Review, Chase Brothers series, Chased, Lauren Dane

Chased

Chase Brothers series

by Lauren Dane

Two days. One hotel room. Nothing but complete honesty between them.

Marc Chase is known in the small town of Petal, Georgia, for being the youngest—and some would say wildest—Chase brother. But when longtime family friend Liv Davis signs up for some personal training sessions, Marc realizes the only woman he wants has been right in front of him all along.

Mayor’s assistant Liv has been hurt too many times to let a Chase brother into her life—or into her bed. She’s ready for something more. Something she doesn’t think the six-years-younger Marc is ready to give. Until they share a wildly passionate kiss, that is. Then all bets are off.

Knowing he’ll need more than pretty words to break through Liv’s wall of heartbreak, Marc takes the gamble of his life to prove his love: two days away, full of hot sex and bared souls. But will this bet be enough to win her heart forever?

The Chase is on. One small town. Four hot brothers. And enough heat to burn up anyone who dares to get close. Don’t miss the other books in the series: Taking Chase, Giving Chase and Making Chase.

Of all of the Chase brothers I think Marc’s story was my least favorite.  Part of it is that the blurb really doesn’t do this book justice.  The whole two days away thing doesn’t happen until close to the end, which means that a good portion of the book isn’t covered.  I don’t know about y’all but I kinda rely on what is on the jacket when I make my reading decisions and when I get something else it kinda throws things off track.  And I think that really came into play here.

Marc spends a good portion of the story trying to woo Liv but she’s resistant.  There’s the age difference between them, the fact that she dated his brother, her more recent relationship disaster, and his *ahem* romantic reputation – all of which combine to having her not taking his advances seriously.  But Chases don’t give up easy and Marc is not going to let Liv go without a fight … and what a sexy, heartfelt fight it is 🙂

Book Review – All My Life

Tags

All My Life, Book Review, Prescott Lane

Dedicated, single dad.  Unrequited love.  Friends to loves.  Yes, please!

*****

All My Life

by Prescott Lane

Blurb:

The beginning of any love story starts with the meet.

I’ve known Garrett Hollis since before I can remember, and I’ve loved him just as long.  I loved him while he loved someone else.  I loved him when he had a baby with her.  I loved him when she left him.

The greatest of love stories is that between a dad and his daughter.  I should know.  I’ve had a front row seat.  First steps, first words, all the big moments.

Garrett was just a teenager when Mia was born.  I’ve watched him braid his daughter’s hair, hold her hand crossing the street, seen her asleep on his chest.  I’m the best friend, the one they can count on for everything from dance lessons to motherly advice, anything they need.  I’m their go-to girl.

The best part of any love story is the happily ever after.

But what if the happily ever after doesn’t include you?

All my life, that’s how long I’ve loved him.

Of course, he’s clueless.

A stand-alone, contemporary romance.

“Hot single dad devoted to his daughter? Second chances? All the tension you could ask for? Look no further! Devoured this gem and you will too!”- Rachel Van Dyken, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2E9rnF9

AppleBooks: https://goo.gl/Y4UjLN

Amazon Worldwide: https://amzn.to/2C60Tlw

Nook: https://goo.gl/KBS5PG

Kobo:  https://goo.gl/ouv7qa

Paperback: https://amzn.to/2zZZdZd

Add to GoodReads: https://goo.gl/t1CH95

*****

Excerpt:

As far as dates go, this one has been good.  I like her.  She’s attractive, funny, smart, seems to have her head on straight.  All the boxes are checked.  This should be the point where I kiss her, ask her out again.  I should be devising ways to get in this woman’s panties, but instead I’m thinking more about yanking down the tutu of one very sexy Biscuit Girl.  I should be thinking about how to get this woman to fall for me, but it’s me that’s fallen.  I should have one thing on my mind, and I do — Devlyn.

There’s just one big ass problem.  She’s my friend.  I can’t go there.  There are so many reasons why I can’t go there.  The town would have a field day.  We’d have no privacy.  Everyone would have an opinion.  If we broke up, where would I get a decent cup of coffee?  How would Mia react to this?  Then there’s Scott, who’s actually the least of my concerns.  Devlyn seemed pretty sure it was over, and if it’s not, I plan on convincing her.

I don’t want to lose Devlyn.

Staying friends guarantees her in my life.  Dating her doesn’t.

Love doesn’t come with a guarantee.

Love is a risk.  I used to be a risk taker, but teenage fatherhood buried that part of me.  Stability became the name of the game.  It had to.  I look towards her diner, wondering if she’s back.

*****

Review:

I’ve seen a few complaints about how much time has gone by with Devlyn sitting on the sidelines of Garrett & Mia’s life buuuut I think because Lane gives us both of their points of view we really have an understanding of where they are coming from.  And come on, men (especially romance story heroes) can be so clueless about love, life, and feelings.  And once he caught on he didn’t really waste any time 🙂

You definitely have to admire Garrett’s dedication to his daughter.  At 17 he stepped up and made himself into a wonderful dad and has spent the past couple of decades giving everything to Mia.  He’s adorable and I loved their relationship together.  You can see why, even if it is a little sad, that Devlyn has spent so long pining for him.

And I think that is what readers most have an issue with.  They see her as a doormat, letting the Hollis family walk all over her for 20 years.  And while Garrett’s obliviousness can be a bit frustrating, it is very believable.  Lane does a good job of explaining why their friendship has basically been in a holding pattern for so long and making you feel it with them as they contemplate changing it now.  It’s scary, but with a little faith and love they can figure it out.

*****

Author Info:

Prescott Lane is the Amazon best-selling author of Stripped Raw. She’s got seven other books under her belt including: First Position, Perfectly Broken, Quiet Angel, Wrapped in Lace, Layers of Her, The Reason for Me, and The Sex Bucket List.  She is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and holds a degree in sociology and a MSW from Tulane University. She married her college sweetheart, and they currently live in New Orleans with their two children and two crazy dogs. Prescott started writing at the age of five, and sold her first story about a talking turtle to her father for a quarter. She later turned to writing romance novels because there aren’t enough happily ever afters in real life.

Connect with Prescott Lane:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottLane1

Twitter: www.twitter.com/prescottlane1

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lfhlrh

Instagram: instagram.com/prescottlane1

Stay up to date with Prescott Lane by joining her mailing list:  https://goo.gl/ZXT3RQ

Website: http://www.authorprescottlane.com

*****

Book Review – Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas

Tags

Book Review, Katie Ruggle, Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas, Rocky Mountain Cowboys series

Once again, Katie Ruggle gives readers a page-turner!

*****

Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas

Rocky Mountain Cowboys #1

by Katie Ruggle

Blurb:

In the heart of the Rockies

In the arms of a cowboy

One white Christmas can change everything.

When firefighter and single dad Steve Springfield moved his four kids to a Colorado Christmas tree ranch, he intended for it to be a safe haven. But he never expected danger to follow them to his childhood home…

Or that he would come face-to-face with the one girl he could never forget.

Folk artist Camille Brandt lives a quiet life. As the town’s resident eccentric, she’s used to being lonely—until Steve freaking Springfield changes everything. Brave and kind, he’s always had a piece of her heart, and it doesn’t take long before she’s in danger of falling for him again. But as mysterious fires break out across the sleepy Colorado town, Steve and Camille will have to fight if they want their happy family to survive until Christmas…

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2NCsJeY

B&N: http://bit.ly/2NBz8r1

Apple: https://apple.co/2NyCCuk

*****

Excerpt:

As she started toward the store, Camille heard the jangle of sleigh bells and saw Steve jogging toward her, a draft horse that wasn’t Buttercup trotting next to him. She stopped, struck yet again by his rugged beauty and the picture-perfect scene of his strong form next to the huge, chestnut horse, their breath turning to steam in the clear, cold air. Even the sunny day seemed to exist just to be a perfect backdrop for Steve in this moment.

“Hey,” he said, not even breathing hard after his jog. “Glad I caught you before we had to head out to get another tree.”

The horse lowered his head to her shoulder and breathed puffs of warm air into her neck, making her giggle. “Who’s this?”

“Harry. He’s green, and we need to work on him respecting people’s boundaries, but he means well.”

“Oh, I don’t mind him breathing on me.” She rubbed the horse’s cheek as he lipped at her collar. “He’s very handsome.” But not as handsome as Steve, a wicked voice whispered. She firmly ignored it, knowing that she couldn’t focus on thoughts like that if she wanted to be able to have a conversation without blushing.

“He knows it, too. He’s like Ryan that way.”

When Camille let out a surprised laugh, Steve winced, rubbing his neck with the hand not holding Harry’s lead rope. “Sorry. That was rude.”

“Maybe,” she said, still amused, as Harry nosed at her pockets, probably checking for treats. “But it was also true.”

“Hey,” he said to Harry, giving the lead rope a sharp tug so that the horse backed up a few steps. “Quit trying to mug her for carrots.” He shot her a quick glance, looking uncharacteristically uncertain. “So…you and Ryan really aren’t…?”

“Aren’t what?” she asked, confused by the half of a question. As soon as she said it, though, she realized what he’d meant. “Oh! No. We’re not doing anything. I mean, he’s asked, a bunch of times, actually, which surprised me, since he’d pretty much looked right through me until you found me at the scrapyard—not that I was lost, of course—and he walked back with me and Sasha. Anyway, whenever he tries to drag me somewhere for lunch, I run away or tell him I can’t because I need to feed my cat.”

Steve gave his rare, booming laugh. “You turned him down because you needed to feed your cat? No wonder he’s so touchy when it comes to you.”

“He’s touchy about me? Why? I don’t think he’s all that interested.” Not really interested, the way she was in Steve. “I know he’s been persistent about trying to get me to go out with him—well for the last few weeks, at least—but I figured he asks out everyone he runs into, and most people don’t reject his offers, so I’m just a challenge.”

“It’s true he’s not used to being turned down.”

She shrugged. “He’ll need to get used to it with me. I’m just not interested.”

“Good to know.” Steve’s gaze seemed several degrees warmer than usual, and Camille found prickles of sweat beading under her coat as she tried to puzzle out his meaning. Why was it good to know that she wasn’t interested in his brother? The way he was eyeing her made her almost think that Steve was actually attracted to her.

Her breath caught at the thought, but she immediately doubted herself. Beautiful, kind, and strong Steve Springfield had to have just as beautiful, kind, and strong women falling at his feet on a regular basis. Why would he be interested in an almost-hermit who answered almost every question with a nervous monologue? Despite all that, she knew she wasn’t imagining the heat in his eyes when he looked at her.

Suddenly tired of not knowing what was going on in his mind, she blurted out, “Why is it good to know?”

He shifted closer, nudging Harry back when the horse took the opportunity to try to nibble on Camille’s coat again. With Steve this close, she could smell his evergreen and peppermint scent. His coat was unzipped slightly, showing his insulated flannel shirt underneath, and the urge to press her face against that soft-looking fabric was so strong that her breath caught. She jerked her gaze back to his. There was no missing the heat in his eyes now, especially as he tipped his head down so their faces were even closer. Her heart thrummed in her chest at his nearness, making it almost impossible for her to hear his words. “I wanted to ask y—”

“Steve!” Nate’s yell drifted from the store lot, cutting Steve off midword and smashing the perfect, crystalized moment between them. Closing his eyes for a moment, he let out a hard breath that stirred the strands of hair on her forehead before he turned toward his brother.

“What?” he called back, his voice a little growly.

Blinking as reality returned with a rush of cold air, Camille shifted back a step, needing some distance from Steve to get her thoughts working again. Even as she tried to tell herself that she’d imagined that moment, that he’d been about to ask her a normal, not-at-all-sexy question, she couldn’t keep the butterflies from tumbling around in her belly. Stop, she told them firmly. She should know better than to think that he’d be interested in her, and she needed to knock it off before she ended up embarrassed and hurt.

Despite the internal lecture, she still wanted to throw a pinecone at Nate’s head. Why did he have to shout right when Steve was getting to the interesting part? Now she was going to die of curiosity if she didn’t find out what he’d been about to tell her. She liked Nate well enough, but right now she wished he’d fall in a hole.

“You’re up!” Nate gestured toward a family clustered together by the edge of the lot. Even at a shout, Nate’s words sounded testy, and Camille felt a rush of annoyance. Couldn’t he have helped the family? Even as she thought it, she knew she was being unreasonable. This was why she shouldn’t indulge in daydreams about unobtainable firefighting ranchers. It stole all of her good sense.

Steve gave Nate a wave of acknowledgment before turning back to Camille.

“Duty calls,” he said with a slight, rueful grimace. His gaze lingered on her face for a charged second before he sighed and turned Harry around, being careful the horse’s oversized rump didn’t knock into her. As he started leading the gelding away, Steve glanced over his shoulder at her. “We’ll talk soon.”

With that completely unsatisfying ending to their conversation, he jogged back toward the family waiting in the lot. Realizing that she was staring after him like a lovestruck idiot, Camille forced her feet to move. She followed more slowly, watching as he greeted the parents and their three kids, tying Harry’s lead rope to the hitching post. As he put on the horse’s harness, he explained each step to the customers, letting the kids touch each piece with curious hands. When the smallest child toddled too close to one of Harry’s oversized hooves, Steve swept him up with the ease of long practice before handing him off to the boy’s dad.

Camille loved how he worked around the horse and the kids, calm and easy, but with a careful firmness that showed he wouldn’t put up with any nonsense. Although she wished they’d been able to finish their conversation, she enjoyed being able to stare at Steve to her heart’s content without him noticing. He stroked Harry’s thick, fuzzy neck absently as he listened to one of the kids, and she was transfixed by the movement of his hand, so firm yet gentle. As stupid as it was, she couldn’t keep her mind from dwelling on how that hand would feel against her skin.

As if he’d heard her thoughts, he looked straight at her, the corners of his mouth tucked in as if he were holding back a smile. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she knew she had to be bright red. If he hadn’t guessed the direction of her thoughts before, her vivid blush had to be giving her away now.

Completely flustered, she lifted her hand in an awkward wave. His smile stretched more widely, and Camille lost what little ability she had to act normally. It was time to retreat. Turning away from the tempting man in front of her, she hurried the rest of the way to her car, not allowing her gaze to stray in his direction. Once she got into the old Buick, she closed her eyes and shook her head at herself. Why couldn’t she have even a smidgen of game? Why had she given Steve that goofy wave?

Carefully backing out, she ran through their brief encounter in her mind. What had he been about to say before Nate interrupted? From the way he’d prefaced the question, it had felt as if it was going to be important. She huffed out a breath. Between thinking about this, her spying neighbor, the creepy night noises, and the industrious mice who shared her home, she’d never be able to sleep that night.

*****

Review:

Note: While this is loosely tied to Ruggle’s Rocky Mountain K9 Unit (Steve was a firefighter in Monroe) but other than realizing that some pretty bad things happened there this one pretty much stands on its own.

I absolutely love Steve & his kids and how they accept & understandd Camille.  She also brings her own unique views to this lovely family, adding a little softness that they all needed.  It’s sweet, heartwarming, and absolutely hilarious because she’s so awkwardly endearing when it comes to falling for Steve.  They made me giggle so many times 🙂  And his kids are just so darn adorable – smart, precocious, and brilliant.

There is a bit of danger in the story but it doesn’t take central stage.  Instead Ruggle makes sure to tie it in just enough to remind you that there is a bad guy out there but not enough to take away from all of the important emotional moments and the bonding between Camille & the Springfields.

*****

Giveaway:

3 copies of Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/54ca7af7692/

*****