Showing posts with label 4.5 stars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 4.5 stars. Show all posts

September 24, 2018

RUNAWAY GIRL BY TESSA BAILEY-RELEASE BLITZ



Blurb

It’s Naomi Clemons’s big day. Her dream wedding. And she’s outta here.

One moment. A chance meeting of gazes through the church window pane with someone familiar who radiates intrigue. Independence. It’s the final push Naomi needs to realize...she’s boring. A blonde, cookie cutter, well mannered trophy wife-to-be. How can she expect to lead a fulfilling married life when she’s never lived?

Special Forces diver Jason Bristow needs a beauty pageant coach. Not for himself—although the tattooed bruiser could definitely use some charm. For his little sister who he has returned to St. Augustine, Florida to raise. When a beautiful southern debutante lands on his doorstep, she awakens a hunger that won’t be ignored. If only she wasn’t planning on winning back the ex-fiancé she left at the altar…

Despite the potential for ruin, heat continues to build between Naomi and Jason beneath the sultry Florida sunshine, consuming them both. But they’re on borrowed time…and it’s about to run out.




Holy hot! I loved this blurb and was really excited to dive into this book. I was instantly grabbed by the story and characters. This book is full of heat and heart and I absolutely loved it.

Naomi is a character that moves in a totally different orbit from the world I'm used to so I loved getting to know her. Seeing what made her tick, watching her grow. She absolutely blossomed in this book-on her own terms. It was gratifying to see that happen, and to watch her figure out how to handle her feelings for Jason.

Jason. Whoa, holy swoon. I did NOT expect to fall for this man as quickly as I did but I just loved him. He's rough around the edges but oh so sexy and sweet. There's no way I couldn't fall for him. He's dealing with struggles of his own an has to figure out some things about himself and I was cheering for him the whole way.

There is an insane amount of chemistry between these two, right from their first meeting. It crackles on the page. Their sexy times are hot for sure and their time spent outside the bedroom was just as interesting to me. These two just fit.

I loved the concept of this book. I loved learning bits about a world I know absolutely nothing about (ok, I'm not going to lie. I'm a closet former Toddlers and Tiara fan so I knew a little bit about this) I adored Birdie as well. I'm sure you will, too.

This book was hot and sexy while also having some sweet in it. It's not my first Tessa Bailey title and it won't be my last. I loved this book and would absolutely recommend it.



Wow. Jason and Naomi have chemistry. It's exactly what you have come to expect from Tessa Bailey. (If this is your first title of hers, let me tell you they all this hot.)

I loved Naomi. Her prim upbringing, her sense of what's right, what's wrong, and most importantly, of what's proper made her the perfect heroine for this story. And watching her come out of that shell, to stop being beige (sometimes literally) and boring was fun. If anyone would motivate you to leave your comfort zone, it would be someone like Jason, a tough, rough man who has lived life in some of the worst places in the world.

The chemistry between the characters is the most important thing, even more so in a book that leads more toward erotic than strictly romance. In this, while it's hot, and steamy, and scorching...it also has a heart. You fall for Jason, and that makes th ku s even hotter.

I enjoyed this title and I recommend it.




Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU



Author Bio


Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days.

Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention.

She now lives in Long Island, New York with her husband of ten years and six-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.

September 10, 2018

HELLO STRANGER BY LISA KLEYPAS - REVIEW



A woman who defies her time

Dr. Garrett Gibson, the only female physician in England, is as daring and independent as any man—why not take her pleasures like one? Yet she has never been tempted to embark on an affair, until now. Ethan Ransom, a former detective for Scotland Yard, is as gallant as he is secretive, a rumored assassin whose true loyalties are a mystery. For one exhilarating night, they give in to their potent attraction before becoming strangers again.

A man who breaks every rule

As a Ravenel by-blow spurned by his father, Ethan has little interest in polite society, yet he is captivated by the bold and beautiful Garrett. Despite their vow to resist each other after that sublime night, she is soon drawn into his most dangerous assignment yet. When the mission goes wrong, it will take all of Garrett's skill and courage to save him. As they face the menace of a treacherous government plot, Ethan is willing to take any risk for the love of the most extraordinary woman he's ever known.


I can't seem to decide if I like historical romance...or if I don't. If I'm drawn to a simpler time, or I'm not. But what I can say is that a Lisa Kleypas historical novel always a pleasure. I think because she knows how to set a book in the past without letting it take over the story and feel like a history lesson.

I loved this book. Ethan and Garrett have a passion and a connection you just can't ignore. Yes there were parts that felt like a history lesson, but in such a perfectly balanced way, you enjoy it.

Showing up when he's needed, the whistle, never leaving her alone (even on that saddest of Tuesdays when she thought he did) and asking for her when he believed his life was ending. Their connection is obvious and palpable. It draws you in and, until they hail a hansom or travel by train, you forget it's a historical romance and just focus on the romance.

I think that's the secret, by the way, it's not whether or not it's set in London in the 1800s (although, London is such a wonderful city who can complain about that setting) or New York in 2018, it's the writing, the story, and the connection that draws you in.

I loved, also, that Garrett is loosely based on a real person. But you will have to read the author's note for those details.

This one grabs you at the beginning and doesn't let go.

I enjoyed and recommend this title.



August 9, 2018

DR. STRANGE BEARD BY PENNY REID-BLOG TOUR

 

Dr. Strange Beard, an all-new standalone in the bestselling, romantic comedy Winston Brothers Series by Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Penny Reid, is available NOW!


Hunches, horse races, and heartbreak

Ten years after Simone Payton broke his heart, all Roscoe Winston wants is a doughnut. He’d also like to forget her entirely, but that’s never going to happen. Roscoe Winston remembers everything—every look, every word, every single unrequited second—and the last thing he needs is another memory of Simone.

Unfortunately, after one chance encounter, Simone keeps popping up everywhere he happens to be . . .

Ten years after Roscoe Winston dropped out of her life, all Simone Payton wants is to exploit him. She’d also like some answers from her former best friend about why he ghosted her, but if she never gets those answers, that’s a-okay. Simone let go of the past a long time ago. Seriously, she has. She totally, totally has. She is definitely not still thinking about Roscoe. Nope. She’s more than happy to forget he exists.

But first, she needs just one teeny-tiny favor . . .

Dr. Strange Beard is a full-length romantic comedy novel, can be read as a stand-alone, and is the fifth book in the USA TODAY bestselling Winston Brothers series.


Download your copy today! 


Add to GoodReads: https://bit.ly/2KvoGwA


I love any opportunity to catch up with the Winston Brothers so I've been (im)patiently waiting for Dr. Strange Beard. This story was absolutely worth the wait. It's so smartly written and had me laughing, sighing, shaking my head and swooning.

This book is the 5th in this series and I'll be honest. Some series can be read as standalones, you can pick up any book and start with it. I strongly advise that is NOT the case with this series. Trust me and start from the beginning.

I will say I had a tough time warming up to Simone at first. Maybe it's just that I'm such a Winston die-hard but I didn't connect with her right away. I liked her...but didn't love her until a little further along in the book. She absolutely grew on me. She's smart and stubborn. I think she did a lot of growing in this book and I liked that.

Roscoe? Roscoe had my heart from the very beginning. He has a gift, though some may think it's a curse, and the way Reid explains it was just perfect. I truly felt for him. He's kind, funny and trying hard to guard himself. His words-and you'll know what I mean when you read them-just melted me.

This isn't your typical second chance romance. There's so many more layers here and I really loved getting to see them all peel back. The connection between Simone and Roscoe is tangible and completely believable. The sexy times they shared were some of the sexiest I've read lately.

The supporting cast of characters are just great here. All of them. I've said it before but I'll say it again, I love the Winston family. I love how connected they are and what they're willing to do for one another. Reid drops so many things in this book about other characters that just has me clamoring for more of her work!

This is a smart, touching book. I tried to slow my reading down but I just couldn't stop once I started. I would highly recommend this book.




“Simone, this is not one of our adventures from when we were kids. This is not finding Blithe Tanner’s cat. These men are murderers, drug dealers, thieves.” “I know.” Boy oh boy, did I know. I didn’t want to be here anymore than he did. I was frightened. Yet allowing Roscoe to be taken on his own hadn’t been an option. “I can handle myself, and I can provide backup for you, if you need it.” Roscoe gripped my shoulders. “Nothing can happen to you, do you understand?” His words were emphatic, his gaze disoriented, desolate, frantic. “If anything happens to you, I’ll . . .” He swallowed, apparently unable to finish the sentence. My heart twisted to see him like this. I wished there were some way to show him what I could do, what I was capable of, so he would stop seeing me as a liability. Well, why can’t you? “Huh.” Now there was a thought. Stepping out of his grip, I walked backward to the other side of the room and took a deep breath. “Okay. Come at me.” He blinked. “What?” “I want you to come at me.” “Simone,” he seethed. “Come at me, bro.” I did that little movement with my fingers, my palm turned upwards. “Come at me or I’ll start singing again.” “I’m not doing this.” “Fine.”Frustrating. “I’ll come at you.” He stood there, features set, looking raw. Moving quickly forward, staying light on my feet, I faked right and then went left, hooking him behind the back of his leg, catching his arm to twist behind his back, and sending him to the ground—face-first—with a thud. I winced as he grunted, my knee at the base of his spine, his arm restrained behind his back. “Sorry! But you wouldn’t listen to me.” Leaning forward, I whispered in his ear, “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” Roscoe’s back and shoulders rose and fell with an expansive breath, like he was about to respond, but in the next moment he’d spun his legs to the right, leveraged my knee on his back to throw me off-balance, and slipped his wrist from my hold. In my defense, my grip had been lax as I was purposefully trying not to injure him. The next thing I knew, Roscoe had me pinned to the ground, air knocked out of me, him hovering above, and my gun digging into my ribs beneath my shirt. He’d been careful to subdue my legs, likely so he wouldn’t end up with a bruised ballsack. His stare more probing than angry—which I took as a good sign—he said, “I didn’t teach you that. Where’d you learn that?” Even though I was still coughing, I smiled and rasped, “Since college, take judo.” He nodded faintly, his eyes moving between mine, looking concerned. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” “No.” Endeavoring to catch my breath, I said, “I took it easy on you because I didn’t want to hurt you either, but I’m an asset, not a liability.” “You’re definitely an asset.” Roscoe frowned, his gaze dropping to my mouth. “And a distraction,” he said, his voice rough. “I’m a distraction?” I asked, my words still breathy. I bucked, but he held me fast. “Yes. . .” His stare turned inward. “You are most definitely a distraction.” Even though I’d had plenty of time to recover and we’d been holding still for close to a minute, I was still breathing hard. This might have been because of my lingering irritation. Or, maybe it was because the length of Roscoe’s lean body was lying on mine. He held my hands on either side of my head, our faces even, his mouth just inches away. Was it insane that I hoped he kissed me? Yes? No? Let’s go with no. He gave me his eyes again and I saw something there, a battle. He looked undecided, at war with himself, straining against something I couldn’t see. “Roscoe?” I whispered. Roscoe closed his eyes, and I thought he was going to let me go, but in the next second his lips descended, capturing my mouth in a tender kiss. I moaned. I kissed him back. That’s what one does when Roscoe Winston kisses one. Moan and kiss. Repeat. Because not doing so would be a travesty. His hold on my hands slacked, his fingers seeking and threading with mine. He settled his hips between my legs, his form relaxing. The weight of him was different now, warmer somehow. At least I felt warm. I also felt cherished as his tongue sought mine, again tenderly, stroking, causing my abdomen to twist and tighten into delicious knots. He broke the kiss and a protest died on my lips as his mouth trailed down my jaw to the sensitive skin of my neck, sucking, licking, savoring me. What had felt warm and cherishing heated, and my hips tilted reflexively as he nibbled on my ear, cradling his rapidly growing erection. We both gasped as his hips rocked in an answering yet inelegant movement. It felt perfect and essential in the moment. “Oh God.” His hot breath spilled against my jaw, a ragged sigh. “What are we doing?” “I don’t know, but don’t stop.” 

Enter the Giveaway!



Meet Penny Reid: 

Penny Reid is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she just writes books. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja. 


Connect with Penny: 

Twitter: @ReidRomance

June 11, 2018

UNEXPECTED LOVE STORY BY NATASHA MADISON-BOOK TOUR


 


When one man’s death exposes a complex web of lies, three couples discover the true meaning of love, loss and redemption.

Crystal

I was the strong one, they said, until two words brought me to my knees.

It was a secret I didn't share with anyone. A secret that made me promise I’d never fall in love.

I no longer wanted that white picket fence of every woman’s dreams.

Until the unthinkable happened.

Gabe

I thought I had it all with the best medical practice in the state and the woman of my dreams.

I wore a smile on my face every single day.

I couldn't wait to watch her walk down the aisle and start our forever, except she never did.

My runaway bride made me realize love isn't worth it.

What happens when your dreams unexpectedly come true?

This is the story of unexpected love. 


Natasha Madison has become a one click author for me. When I read her books I know I'm going to go on one heck of a journey. Unexepected Love Story is the second in the Love Story series but can be read as a standalone.

I have to admit that enemies to lovers isn't my favorite trope but it works in this book. I do love a good office romance and that plays a part in this book as well-and it worked perfectly. Crystal and Gabe have this chemistry between them that snaps and sizzles. I couldn't help but chuckle over the way the two of them behaved around one another sometimes. They melted the sheets in bed for sure and like I said, watching them outside of the bedroom had me shaking my head and laughing.

I loved Gabe. I truly did. I thought he was sexy, smart, strong and had such a kind heart. I loved seeing his character realize what love truly was. He was a great book boyfriend.

Crystal was a bit tougher for me. I'm not sure what it was exactly, but I felt like I just wanted a tiny bit more from her. I liked her, but I didn't fully connect all the time.

I thought the pacing of this book was spot on. The writing was sharp and witty. There were some very touching moments in here (read the book, I won't spoil them) that made me tear up a bit. I loved how these two people fit together, and how they fit into this Love Story world. I can't wait for the next story in this series. I recommend this book.



Natasha Madison writes stories that are interconnected, and by the second one in the series, you know you are going to be reading a story that is interconnected, and that you will have seen some of in a previous book.

This usually works for me, but in this title, I did not love it as much. Usually, I feel like the characters have a story to tell, and that the backstory is one that is filled out in the next books. In this one though, I didn't really feel that Crystal had a lot of the backstory. She was involved, she was a part of it...but she was not an integral part of that story, other than as someone who offered support. So, for this one, it felt a little like the backstory was too in depth and took away from the events of Gabe and Crystal's story in this book.

That said, I enjoyed this title. I liked their chemistry, I liked that they had a history, and an attraction, that was before the discovery that he was her boss. I liked that she was a competent nurse in her own right, and that she was respected for the things she was able to contribute and not ignored because she was "just a nurse".

I enjoyed the view of the characters of the previous story, but from a distance. I also liked the way the relationship with Crystal and Gabe developed...the attraction, the discovery that they were coworkers, the respect...albeit grudgingly, and the attraction that they were not able to fight...although they definitely tried.

I enjoyed this story, and I am looking forward to the next in the series.











When her nose isn't buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she's in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It's a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn't listen to her...



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