February 20, 2018

SMOOTH-TALKING COWBOY BY MAISEY YATES-RELEASE DAY LAUNCH

 
 
From New York Times best selling author Maisey Yates, comes SMOOTH-TALKING COWBOY—the first standalone novel in her Gold Valley Series! 

SMOOTH-TALKING COWBOY is now available. Grab your copy today!


SMOOTH-TALKING COWBOY Synopsis:

Welcome to Gold Valley, Oregon, where a rough-and-tumble rancher and the girl next door are about to learn that opposites attract.
Olivia Logan has a plan: win back her ex by making him see what he’s missing. But first she needs to find a man who’s willing to play along. With his laid-back cowboy charm and knack for getting under her skin, Luke Hollister is an unlikely hero—but he wants her help convincing her father to sell him land, which means he needs her as much as she needs him.
Luke likes his life—and his women—uncomplicated. So why does good girl Olivia heat his blood like no one else? She’s always been off-limits, but the more time they spend as Gold Valley’s hottest new “couple,” the more real it’s starting to feel. Luke was supposed to help her win back another man…not keep her in his arms. But now that he has her there, he’s not sure he’ll ever let go.

Grab your copy of SMOOTH-TALKING COWBOY today!

Luke Hollister was kissing her. He was only the second man to kiss her. The sec­ond man to ever put his mouth against hers. But at the moment, she couldn’t even compare the two experi­ences. She was frozen, and Luke was still, too, but he was… Him. He tasted like Luke. Like sunshine and hard work. Like whiskey that lingered on his lips. And like a whole lot of trouble. It was more than just taste, more than just the strange sensation of a mouth that was an unfamiliar shape pressed against hers. It transcended those physi­cal things. And it went somewhere deeper. She was on fire. Melting. Her legs were weak, her stomach trembling. It was as if she had never been kissed before at all. That’s how different it was. His hand was so big, and it was pressed against her lower back, like he owned her. His other hand came up to cup her face—rough, callused—skimming over her cheekbone. He didn’t take the kiss deeper. Didn’t part her lips. It was over in less than a second. A chaste kiss. A simple kiss. That left nothing chaste or simple remaining in her entire body. There was a pulse pounding insistently between her legs, a slick wetness that had built up in defiance of ev­erything she knew about herself. Her heart was pound­ing, her breasts heavy, her nipples tightened into painful points. It was over. Over long before she was able to move or think or react at all. Over long before she realized they were still standing in the middle of the Gold Val­ley saloon, rather than in some moment that existed outside of space and time. Luke Hollister had just kissed her in front of ev­eryone. Bennett was there. She remembered that too late. She remembered everything too late. Including why they were doing this. Of course. He was making a show, as he had promised he would do. And he was definitely trying to get a rise out of her, which she expected, be­cause he was Luke. All of that made sense. Except none of it made sense. Not inside of her anyway. “Throw the dart,” he said, his mouth so close to hers it would take nothing for her lips to touch his again. Nothing at all. Then he withdrew, taking a step back and leaning against the table again, all cocky arrogance and that kind of masculine swagger she hated. She did. She hated it. And right now she was pretty sure she might hate him, too. She turned away from him, drew her arm back and threw the dart. And it missed. She hadn’t missed a bull’s-eye without meaning to in more than ten years. Hot, angry tears pricked her eyes but she refused to let them fall. Because that was just stupid. This was a game. That was all. It was supposed to be a game where they made Bennett jealous. Where they made him think that he was in danger of losing her. It was supposed to make Bennett feel wild and un­pleasant things; it was not supposed to make her feel wild and unpleasant things. Too late she remembered to look over at Bennett. And when she did, she had to force herself. He was fac­ing away from them. For all she knew, he hadn’t even seen the kiss. “He saw.” She blinked, feeling numb. “What?” Luke was looking at her, his expression grave. “Ben­nett saw the kiss,” he said. And just like that, she felt about two feet tall. Be­cause not only had he read her mind just now, it confirmed to her that Bennett was all he had been thinking about during the kiss. She hadn’t thought of Bennett until after. Much, much after. But Luke had been aware the entire time. And then, when she had been standing there feeling vulnerable and reduced, desperately try­ing to remember the purpose behind this entire inter­action, he had read her. Unerringly. Meanwhile, she couldn’t read him or Bennett or any­thing. She couldn’t even read herself. “Good,” she said, as if it was all she cared about. As if there was nothing more conflicting inside of her than whether or not they had managed to affect Bennett. To say nothing about how she had been affected.

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit. In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard. She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.


 

 

BABY MAKER BY P. DANGELICO-RELEASE BLITZ


Baby Maker by P. Dangelico 
Publication Date: February 20th, 2018 
Genre: Contemporary Romance


Stella Donovan’s biological clock is a ticking time bomb.

The successful financial manager has spent her adult life building a career and neglecting her personal life. Problem is, she doesn’t believe in marriage. Not after watching her mother be treated like garbage by her father. Nope, marriage is not for her. All she wants is a baby. All she needs is a man to agree to her terms.

Dane Wylder, recently retired NFL tight end and future Hall of Famer, wants a baby.

Naturally, marriage is off the table. He’s not the marrying type. Women are great––as long as they’re trying to get into his bed and not his heart. But after years of living only for himself, he’s ready to be a father.

Sparks fly when a successful financial manager and a legendary football player enter into a legal agreement to have a kid together. They planned on everything––they just didn’t plan on each other. 


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Meet P. Dangelico:

Dangelico loves romance in all forms, cuddly creatures (four legged and two), really bloody sexy pulp, the NY Jets (although she’s reconsidering after this season), and to while away the day at the barn (apparently she does her best thinking shoveling horse crap). What she’s not enamored with is referring to herself in the third person and social media so don’t expect her to get on Twitter anytime soon. Oh, and although she was born in Italy, she’s been Jersey Strong since she turned six.

Connect with P. Dangelico:

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2C91Fv7 

Stay up to date with all things P. Dangelico. Join her mailing list, today: https://www.pdangelico.com/contact

February 19, 2018

LONE STAR LOVERS BY JESSICA LEMMON - ARC REVIEW

This sexy Texan was only a one-night stand.

Until he became her client--then her fake fiance!

Penelope Brand's hookup with billionaire Zach Ferguson was casual. Until he announces her as his fake fiancee to avoid scandal--and she discovers she's pregnant. Now Zach demands they say, "I do," for their child. But Pen won't settle for a sham marriage. If Zach wants to keep his Lone Star lover, it's his whole heart or nothing...


There's a challenge to writing books in which the heroine is pregnant for a good portion of the book.  The author, at least in my opinion, has to convince the reader that the couple would be together even if there was no baby.  A lot of books in this trope suffer here, as the romantic relationship relies too much on the baby and isn't developed to where you believe they are a couple who love one another and their child.

In this case, they were also dealing with having to stay together, or figure out a way to explain splitting up and the baby...because there was also a fake engagement.

Zack and Penelope have everything pointing to them not working: fake engagements; crazy ex's who shriek like their are in the movies (no spoilers, but best line ever); surprise pregnancies; insane family expectations and relationships.  Nothing about the situation is simple, and they face reasons to call it quits often, but they don't.  I loved how well constructed this was, how it heightened the relationship with each test they faced, each conversation really built the relationship and moved it forward.

Penelope wants the romance, and the once in a lifetime love.  Zack has closed himself off from ever falling in love again, and thinks a relationship where they are both committed to being parents and really like each other is enough.

I loved how clever this was, to take where so many of these books seem to build the relationship (around the baby and not the romance) and put it in the forefront of the story by making this exactly what Zack is trying to do, while failing spectacularly because he is falling in love with Penelope.

This, really, is exactly what you want from a romance, at least it is what I want, and it is the reason I read them.  I want the fairy tale, I want the hero to love the heroine (even if it is in spite of himself) and to realize that a life without her isn't what he wants, and that the things he thought mattered, and the things he believed, have all changed now that the heroine is in the picture.

Is this a fairy tale?  Yes, yes it is.  And, this book tells the fairy tale incredibly well.

Challenge accepted and met, Ms. Lemmon wrote a book I believed, and enjoyed.  I recommend this title.



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HEART STRONGER BY RACHEL BLAUFELD - BLOG TOUR

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HeartStronger Full“Sometimes, I feel like I’m watching a movie . . . that it’s not really me, Claire Richards, getting this second chance at life.”

“Open your eyes, it’s you, and I’m damn glad it’s with me.” ~ Aiken

Single mom and college professor Claire Richards only wanted a few hours of me time to soak in her tub, read a book, and drink wine.

But tragedy struck, and Claire found herself with a lot more me time than she bargained for.

Three years later, Claire is still mourning her losses when Aiken Fordham—who looks young enough to be one of her college students—moves in next door.

Forcing Claire to face her fears, Aiken almost forgets his reason for moving to Small Town, Pennsylvania. Falling for the sexy, smart, and strong professor next door was never in the plan.

But now it is . . . until their future intersects with their pasts.


Rachel Blaufeld is a new to me author. The blurb caught my attention and a friend of mine has raved about this author so I thought I'd give it a go. I'm glad that I did! Heart Stronger pulled at my emotions from the start and never let go.

Claire broke my heart. I sympathized with her very much, even when I wanted her to go out and BE again. She's closed off, but it's logical to her. She's guarding her heart against more heartache-and she's definitely endured her fair share. She comes so far in this book and I really applaud that. This is a character who was written like a real person-she's not perfect. This is definitely someone who I would try to be friends with.

Aiken. Well, Aiken is just a darn good book boyfriend. Sweet, sexy and determined. Now, he has some issues of his own he's working through, but watching him help Claire was immensely satisfying. He's a man who knows what he's after and I liked seeing him get there. I really liked him.

There is chemistry here without a doubt. There's a good amount of push/pull with Claire being so reluctant but it works for them and it just makes it even sexier when they're together. I liked seeing them together and watching them become a team.

The story line of this book had some heavier moments than I anticipated. Some twists I definitely didn't see coming-but they worked. Overall the pacing was good and the writing? Well, the writing was great. I felt pulled into the story from the beginning and that feeling stayed with me throughout the book.

I'll definitely be checking out other books by this author and recommend this book.



The downpour stopped just as I did, soaked in rain and sweat. Rolling my neck, I took in my house. It was cute. Too cute for a single dude, but it was all fixed up, and I wasn’t in the mood for a renovation project. I bent over to stretch, touching my toes, and before I could stand up, Smitty was at my feet, tail wagging, tongue lolling, begging to be petted. “Smitty!” Claire came running out her front door, dark hair tied up in a messy bun, wearing tight black pants and a fitted green blouse. No shoes. She stopped in front of me, and I noticed her pink toes and tanned feet. “Smitty, bad boy! You can’t leave the house.” She grabbed his collar and tugged him to her side. “S’okay.” Wetness seeped into my eyes, and I swatted it away, making the burn worse. Squinting and blinking, I remained focused on the woman in front of me, and all woman she was. There wasn’t one girlish thing about my neighbor, and no—before you think it—I didn’t have mommy issues. I had lean-muscular-legs and pouty-lips issues, both of which Claire had in earnest. Not to mention, I had a separate thing for independence after growing up around all these farming wives, who basically did all the heavy lifting for none of the credit. Then there was my dad, unable to move on, the epitome of lost. “Don’t say that. He can’t be running out of the house.” Her breath was short at this point; she was almost panting. “He’s all I have.” It was a whisper of a sentence, but I heard it. Fuck it, I felt it. I got pain. Hated anyone else having to experience it. She was eaten up with pain, but kept her head up—I could tell. I wanted to crack her veneers, let the pain ooze out, and see her smile in earnest. Deep shit for a young guy, but I’d grown up fast. Like in the last forty-eight hours. “I put my hand out to feel if it was still raining, and he bolted as soon as he saw you,” she continued to explain. “Like I said, I’m cool with Smitty, but I get it. He can’t be escaping.” “Thanks for understanding.” She stood, prim and proper, her gaze heavy on the concrete, clearly avoiding any direct eye contact. “You okay, Claire? I’m sorry about last night.” “I’m fine.” She turned back toward her house. “Claire, listen, we got off to a bad start. Can we start over? Aiken Fordham, nice to meet you.” I held my hand out, flexing my bicep, waiting for her to return the favor. “Claire Richards.” She took my hand, her smaller, dainty, and way smoother hand slipping into mine. “Ugh. What do you want, Aiken? Look at you, shirtless, dripping from running in the rain.” Her hand whipped out of mine and began whisking up and down in the air, motioning at my very naked torso. “What could you possibly want from me? If you need an egg or a stick of butter, pop next door. Otherwise, let me be. I need to get out of here and beg Mary to give me a class full of students, probably not much older than you.” She alternated between eyeing me and her disobedient dog. “You’re a beautiful woman, Claire,” I called, running up behind her. “And I’m a warm-blooded man, who’ll probably never have a need for a stick of butter. I’m a big boy. I know how to find a grocery store. All by myself too.” She flung open her door and motioned Smitty inside. He stood at the screen door, staring us down with sad doggie eyes. “Is there something wrong with getting to know my neighbor? I don’t know anyone here. Maybe you could be neighborly? Or are you so closed off you can’t do that? Because if so, that’s a damn shame,” I said through gritted teeth. Admittedly, I was more frustrated than I should have been. I was a man who desperately wanted the broken woman in front of me.

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About Rachel:

RachelBRachel Blaufeld is a bestselling author of Romantic Suspense, New Adult, Coming-of-Age Romance, and Sports Romance. A recent poll of her readers described her as insightful, generous, articulate, and spunky. Originally a social worker, Rachel creates broken yet redeeming characters. She’s been known to turn up the angst like cranking up the heat in the dead of winter. A devout coffee drinker and doughnut eater, Rachel spends way too many hours in local coffee shops, downing the aforementioned goodies while she plots her ideas. Her tales may all come with a side of angst and naughtiness, but end as lusciously as her treats. As a side note, Blaufeld, also a long-time blogger and an advocate of woman-run anything, is fearless about sharing her opinion. She captured the ears of stay-at-home and working moms on her blog, BacknGrooveMom, chronicling her adventures in parenting tweens and running a business, often at the same time. To her, work/life/family balance is an urban legend, but she does her best. Rachel has also blogged for The Huffington Post and Modern Mom. Most recently, her insights can be found in USA TODAY, where she shares conversations at “In Bed with a Romance Author” and reading recommendations over at “Happy Ever After.” Rachel lives around the corner from her childhood home in Pennsylvania with her family and two beagles. Her obsessions include running, coffee, basketball, icing-filled doughnuts, antiheroes, and mighty fine epilogues. When she isn’t writing, she can be found courtside, tweeting about hoops as her son plays, or walking around the house wearing earplugs while her other son, the drummer, bangs away.

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HIS FOR THE WEEK BY ALICE GAINES - ARC REVIEW

Sex columnist Désirée “Rae” Knight is in a bind—and not the kind she usually likes. Her newest assignment, and possible big break, is an article for her magazine on the sex resort that just opened. The only problem is it’s couples only. Although she writes about having red-hot sex, she’s been single longer than she’d like to admit. Enter her coffee shop crush, who she’s been secretly ogling every morning. Trouble is, he doesn’t know she exists.

When Nate Winslow recognizes the shy, quiet woman at Sufficient Grounds as the author of the sex columns that fuel his fantasies, he’s surprised. And the last thing he expects is an invitation to join her at a sex resort. But his answer is hell yes!

Rae and Nate have enough chemistry in the bedroom to set the sheets ablaze. When Rae insists they limit their relationship to sex only, Nate agrees since he’s burned out on love. But the more they push each other’s boundaries, the more they realize one week won’t be enough.


I enjoy the Scorched line, as I know I am going to get a story that is fun, shorter, and sexy/

Desiree/Rae and Nate have an attraction to one another, they see one another at coffee every morning but have never really spoken.  So, when Rae needs someone to join her at a couple's/sex themed resort, she decides Nate is the perfect person to ask.

I enjoyed their conversations and their attraction.  I also liked the parts that took place in the different parts of the resort...but, I was irritated by Rae and her insistence on being Desiree while with Nate.  At first, I understood where she was coming from, and why...but after Nate shows her he is attracted to HER, not Desiree or Rae, for about the 400th time, I was frustrated.  I wanted more time for them to develop their relationship, but they were constantly dealing with the "Nate can't really be attracted to me" story-line, and I wanted more.

I did enjoy this overall.  It was fun, and it had some hot steamy moments.  I do recommend the title.



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