Archives for March 2016

** Book Review ** THE GROWING SEASON, PART 1: A TIME TO UPROOT by Leigh Duncan

The Growing Season Part 1

4 STARS!

A heart-wrenching story of great loss and how each family member copes and moves forward.  Can’t wait to read the next two parts!

Ann, Joy and Chuck Maywood have just lost their mother after a hard fight with breast cancer.  They each dealt with the diagnosis and treatment differently, and now that they are coming together for the funeral, times are stressful.

Ann put her entire life on hold to move home and take care of her mother, and now when she should be able to move forward, she has nothing left but drama from both her sister and brother.  Her promising career fell apart when she couldn’t be there for assignments, her boyfriend moved on because she was no longer there, and she spent her savings to keep everything afloat while caring for her Mom.

Will these siblings be able to pick up the pieces and maintain any type of loving relationship with each other now that Maggie is gone?

 

**  Received free in exchange for an honest review  **

** Book Review ** TEASING DESTINY by Melanie Shawn

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4 STARS!

A sweet story proving you can go home again, and that having faith in “the one” can pay off!

A series taking place in Wishing Well, Texas kicks off with JJ Briggs returning home from his big major league baseball career for a holiday visit.

Destiny Porter is best friends with his little sister, and has been crushing on him for years. He secretly returned her feelings all those years ago, and one night four years ago, started to act on it … but in the end humiliated and infuriated her instead.

Now that they are in the same town again, will the attraction still be there between them and will he finally decide she’s old enough to act on it?

 

**  Received free in exchange for an honest review  **

** Blog Tour / Book Review / Giveaway ** THE TOTAL PACKAGE by Stephanie Evanovich

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3 1/2 STARS!

I wasn’t overly fond of the skip in time towards the beginning of this book, I would have preferred to “live” the hard road with him, but none-the-less, I felt intrigued to see what was going to happen in the long run.

Tyson is sitting at the bottom of a wasted career when we first meet him, but after a lot of hard work , he’s back at the top of his game as the quarterback of the Austin Mavericks. When a blast from his past crosses his path again, will it throw him off course or will it make him stronger to relive it all again?

Dani Carr is there to handle the PR for another player, but try as she might, she doesn’t seem to be able to avoid run ins with Tyson.  She has a secret that she isn’t ready to tell him yet, but she can’t resist being near him time and time again.

Will there be a happily ever after in their future or will they part ways again?

**  Received free in exchange for an honest review  **

 

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The Total Package
By: Stephanie Evanovich

Releasing March 15, 2016
William Morrow

BLURB:

Smart and sexy Dani Carr knows as much about football as any man–maybe more. It’s always been her dream to make a living talking about the game she loves. But Dani’s not interested in being just the usual eye-candy sideline reporter; she wants to be the first woman analyst on a pre-game show, the ultimate in exclusive boys-club jobs. And it turns out, that despite the odds, she has the talent to get her there.

Star quarterback-and heartthrob–Tyson Palmer always did things in spectacular fashion, including ruining his career after debuting as a first-round draft pick. When the head coach of the Austin Mavericks refuses to let him waste his million dollar arm, Tyson makes a Hail Mary pass at redemption and succeeds with everyone…except Dani, who appears to be using her high-profile commentator job to make a name for herself at his expense.

Dani refuses to let anyone forget about Tyson’s transgressions….and for good reason. There’s history between these two, sizzling history that dates back to their college days, and it ended in another spectacular flame-out of Tyson’s. He’s conveniently forgotten all about that episode because Dani is no longer the cute girl next door he barely remembers–she’s a bombshell with huge ratings and a long memory.

But can a woman trying to claw her way to the top and a quarterback who knows all about rock bottom make it to the Super Bowl without destroying each other in the process? And what will happen when Tyson-riding high on his career comeback-realizes he needs to make an even more important comeback with Dani?

 

Link to Follow Tour:  http://www.tastybooktours.com/2015/12/the-total-package-novel-by-stephanie.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18635067-the-total-package

 

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

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Total-Package-Novel-3-ebook/dp/B00OG7A2NI/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1447447363&sr=1-1

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-total-package-stephanie-evanovich/1122570452?ean=9780062234858

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Stephanie_Evanovich_
The_Total_Package?id=UAHNBAAAQBAJ

iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-best-ever/id929225847?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/the-total-package

 

EXCERPT:

 Tyson scowled defensively, before leaning his forearms down on the table between them. “Then I guess there really isn’t any story left to tell. Sounds like you know it all.” He was sorry he had offered her a seat, much less his drink.

“I told you, Tyson, I want to try to help you,” she reiterated.

“Why?”

“Because I believe in you,” Ella stated with conviction, as if that was enough to earn his trust. But Tyson Palmer was long past trusting anyone, including himself.

“Why?” he repeated, now angry.

Ella looked down at the table for a moment, then said quietly, “Because I remember the guy I tutored. Who was serious about his game and never had a problem taking no for an answer.”

He wanted to laugh in her naïve face. To mockingly tell her at the time she hadn’t been worth the pursuit, if for no other reason than to get her to leave him alone. He wanted her to stop looking at him in the way she was, like he was not a total disaster. But most of all, he no longer wanted to be reminded of when he was in control and held the world in the palm of his football-throwing hand.

“That kid doesn’t exist anymore. When you graduate and join the real world, you’ll realize that people change, usually not for the better,” he spat out cynically.

“I refuse to believe that.”

Tyson sighed and ran his hand through the shaggy brown hair that had outgrown his clean cut months ago. She was being way too persistent, but her sincerity was admirable, and part of him wanted to believe her.

“Okay. We’re friends, now what?”

She brightened with his acquiescence. And she really did have a pretty smile. “Now you let me be a good friend and help take care of you. You look so tired. ”

This time he didn’t hold back the laugh, and while it wasn’t exactly harsh, it still was hollow. She wasn’t able to help him any more than he could help himself. And she made it sound so easy, like she could perform some sort of exorcism and all his demons would flee. The more likely story was she was trying to get close to him under the misguided impression that he had something left to offer.

“You’re good, Mother Teresa. Why don’t we go someplace quiet where I can confess my sins and you can absolve me? Make sure you turn your phone on to record, so you don’t miss the good stuff.”

“You’re wrong, but I understand you being leery,” she patiently explained. “I . . . I always liked you, Tyson, and you were always so nice to me. You deserve to have someone on your side. I know this is all just your circumstances talking.”

“Sorry, not interested.” Tyson took back his now-empty glass and went back to sucking the last remnants of Gentleman Jack off the ice. Damn his mouth was dry, always so dry. As far as he was concerned, the conversation was closed. He wanted her to get out before he settled back into the dark side.

“What would it take for me to get you interested? For you to consider coming home with me, at least for a decent night’s sleep?”

Maybe it was the way she asked it, completely oblivious to the fact that the question itself made her sound like a hooker. Maybe it was the pity or her dogged insistence that he see himself for something other than he was, which was a lost cause. And then, like a lighthouse shining through the fog in his brain, it dawned on him. His cute little virtuous tutor had joined the ranks of pleasure seekers and was trying to get him into bed. At least that explanation turned the exchange from ludicrous to one that made sense.

“You still a virgin, Ella Bella?” He answered her question with one of his own, accompanied by a smile of complete impropriety.

Finally she blinked. Her grip tightened around the handle of the purse in her lap, and she stared at it before looking back up at him and meeting his gaze head-on.

“Yes.” She spoke her one-word answer unemotionally, even as the flush crept up to her cheeks.

Tyson sat back in his chair, the recesses of his drug-addled mind jarred. Wrong answer. She was supposed to have forsaken her outdated notion of chastity. She was supposed to have been tainted by now, like everyone he knew. As corrupted as he was.

“Hey Ella Bella, what do you say to you and me going someplace to get freaky?” Part of it was said in jest, trying to recover from just how badly she managed to throw him. Another part of him longed to engage in just a little bit of the same harmless banter from the days when she was a sweetheart and he was a hero.

“Your place or mine?” Her answer was so unexpected and sounded just as foreign to his ears.

 

Stephanie E.

AUTHOR INFO:

New York Times Bestselling Author, Stephanie Evanovich is a full-fledged Jersey girl from Asbury Park who began writing fiction while waiting for her cues during countless community theater projects. She attended New York’s School of Film and Television and acted in several improvisational troupes and a few small-budget movies, all in preparation for the greatest job she ever had, raising her two sons. Now a full-time writer, she’s an avid sports fan who holds a black belt in tae kwon do.

Author Links: Website Facebook Twitter | GoodReads

Website:  http://www.stephanieevanovich.com/

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SEEvanovich

GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6547908.Stephanie_Evanovich

 

 

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY:

Two Hardcover Copies of THE TOTAL PACKAGE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

** Blog Tour / Book Review / Giveaway ** CLAIMED BY LOVE by Melissa Foster

23123770

4 STARS!

Filled with instant attraction, battling from two different sides of a coin, fun loving families, and HOT sex!  I felt this one was slightly slower to get started than some of Melissa’s others books, but once they decided to act on their attraction and become the center of the story line, it really got interesting!

Duke Ryder is a successful real estate investor, and visits Elpitha Island to look the property over in anticipation of making the head of the Liakos family an offer to develop a resort there.

Gabriella Liakos is an attorney in New York City, but her heart is on Elpitha Island where her family is and where she grew up.  She returns to the island at her grandfather’s request to give Duke a tour and answer his questions about the property.  She hopes she can dissuade him from buying it, because she doesn’t want her quiet island ruined by development.

When she and Duke have an instant attraction to each other that they decide not to try to fight, will there be able to be a happy ending for either of them?

**  Received free in exchange for an honest review **

 

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Claimed by Love
Love in Bloom: The Ryders #2
By: Melissa Foster

Releasing March 23, 2016
World Literary Press

BLURB:

Family law attorney Gabriella Liakos has one true love, Elpitha Island, where she grew up and hopes someday to return. But Elpitha is in financial ruins, and Gabriella will do anything to keep it from falling into the wrong hands.

Duke Ryder is a savvy real estate investor set on making Elpitha into an exclusive resort. Unlike other investors, he’s not scared of purchasing a property where one family has roots so deep they practically reach the ocean floor…until he meets his beautiful, stubborn, and enticing tour host―the daughter of the owner of most of the island.

Gabriella sets out to dissuade Duke from purchasing Elpitha, but Duke has other ideas. He wants Gabriella and the island. Duke’s powerful seduction draws Gabriella in, but can a savvy investor who’s used to glamour and glitz, and a woman interested in preserving the culture she adores find a happily ever after together?

 

Link to Follow Tour:  http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/01/claimed-by-love-love-in-bloom-ryders-2.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23123770-claimed-by-love

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/135715-love-in-bloom-the-ryders

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

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Claimed-Love-Bloom-Ryders-Ryder/dp/1941480292/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1452462789&sr=1-2

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/claimed-by-love-melissa-foster/1122904306?ean=9781941480298

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=T1VjCgAAQBAJ

iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/claimed-by-love/id1032049432?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/claimed-by-love-love-in-bloom-the-ryders

 

Melissa Author Photo

AUTHOR INFO:

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes contemporary romance, new adult, contemporary women’s fiction, suspense, and historical fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the World Literary Café and Fostering Success. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on social media. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

 

Author Links:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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

 

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

Two Winners will receive a Digital Copy of SEIZED BY LOVE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

** Book Review **NEED YOU FOR MINE by Marina Adair

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4 STARS!

A fun, flirty story about getting out of the “friend zone” and finding “the one”!

Harper Owens loves her life in St. Helena but really wants to find love.  She’s everybody’s friend, but always gets stuck there for a lifetime while cute guy after cute guy hooks up with one of her friends.

When a few awkward misunderstandings has her caught in a faux-mance with the town cassanova, she will have to guard her heart against falling for a man who doesn’t do relationships and happily ever after.

Adam Boudouin is the hunky firefighter everyone loves and a legendary ladies man.  When he sets out to tease Harper, he is the one knocked over in surprise by how much he feels from one simple kiss.  Will he actually consider a future with a woman?

**  Received free in exchange for an honest review **

** Blog Tour / Book Review ** AFTER THE STORM by Lexi Blake

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5 STARS!

An exciting Part 1 of 2 midseason episode treat that picks up just after the explosion of truth and lies being exposed at the end of last season!

In the wake of Dakota’s revelations to the whole town of Storm, Texas, each branch of family struggles to put one foot in front of the other and figure out how to pick up the pieces. Dakota herself has to face the consequences of the destruction she rained down on several of the families in town.  Ginny has to face how many people she hurt with her lies and see if there can be any repairing the hurt and anger.  Spouses, parents, kids and siblings are left to deal with major secrets and lies and the discovery that people aren’t always what they seem.

**  Received free in exchange for an honest review **

 

 

Rising Storm - Header banner

 

Welcome to Storm, Texas, where passion runs hot, desire runs deep, and secrets have the power to destroy…

Nestled among rolling hills and painted with vibrant wildflowers, the bucolic town of Storm, Texas, seems like nothing short of perfection.

But there are secrets beneath the facade. Dark secrets.  Powerful secrets. The kind that can destroy lives and tear families apart.  The kind that can cut through a town like a tempest, leaving jealousy and destruction in its wake, along with shattered hopes and broken dreams. All it takes is one little thing to shatter that polish.

Reading like an on-going drama in the tradition of classic day and night-time soap operas like Dallas, Dynasty, and All My Children, Rising Storm is full of scandal, deceit, romance, passion, and secrets.

With 1001 Dark Nights as the “producer,” Julie Kenner and Dee Davis use a television model with each week building on the last to create a storyline that fulfills the promise of a drama-filled soap opera. Joining Kenner and Davis in the “writer’s room” for the Midseason Episodes of this serial opera are bestselling authors Lexi Blake and Larissa Ione who have brought their vision of Storm to life.

So get ready.  The storm is coming.

 

Rising Storm - Midseason 1

 Secrets, Sex and Scandals …

 Welcome to Storm, Texas, where passion runs hot, desire runs deep, and secrets have the power to destroy…  Get ready.  The storm is coming.

In the wake of Dakota’s revelations, the whole town is reeling. Ginny Moreno has lost everything. Logan Murphy is devastated by her lies. Brittany Rush sees her family in a horrifying new light. And nothing will ever be the same…

 

The pregnant girl with a hat in the field of wheat on a sunset

Experience Rising Storm Here…

Rising Storm Midseason Episode 1 (March 29): Lexi Blake’s After the Storm
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Rising Storm Midseason Episode 2 (April 5): Larissa Ione’s Distant Thunder
Amazon ** Kobo ** iTunes ** Barnes & Noble ** GooglePlay ** All Romance EBooks

 

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Check out this fantastic excerpt from AFTER THE STORM!

 

“I didn’t know I was pregnant until I woke up from the accident.” Ginny’s voice was an impassioned whisper. “I found out two things that changed my life in that moment. I found out that my best friend was gone and that I was pregnant. And I prayed so hard that I hadn’t lost all of Jacob forever.”

Forever. That’s what she was looking at. She was looking at an entire lifetime of being a mother without a son. She loved her daughters dearly, but she would mourn Jacob forever. And this selfish girl was equating her pain as though they were the same. As though one night of spreading her legs gave her the right to mourn him.

“I think you woke up and realized you had two options. Take care of that baby alone or worm your way into Jacob’s family and his money.”

“I never cared about the money.”

Celeste wasn’t going to listen to that tripe. “Of course you did. Not enough to keep your legs closed. You say you loved Jacob but how long did you wait before you hopped into bed with that Murphy boy? Did you even break it off with my brother-in-law? How many men do you need on your string?”

“I’ve never slept with Logan, but I will admit that I’m in love with him. I love him in a way I never loved Jacob. Jacob was my best friend, but I know now that he wasn’t my soul mate. I pray with everything I am that this is his child, that we receive a miracle because I don’t want him to be lost forever, but I won’t hide what I feel for Logan and I won’t pretend it’s nasty. Not even to placate you, Celeste. I want to make things right between us and that means apologizing to you. Celeste, I’m so sorry I hurt you. I never meant to. I should have been braver. I should have been stronger, but I woke up and the world had crashed around me and I wanted the love you could give me. That all of you could give me. I’m sorry that it brought you so much pain.”

Something about the way she was standing there enraged Celeste. How could she stand there looking so innocent? How could she say exactly the right things to garner empathy? Celeste didn’t want to empathize. She wanted to fight and tear up things and destroy the world around her because it seemed so damn intent on destroying her. She wanted to burn it all down.

She didn’t feel her hand snap back, didn’t quite understand what she was doing. The world seemed tinged in red at the corners as though rage now filtered her vision. And it slowed everything down. In horror she realized she was going to strike Ginny Moreno. Her hand was going to bring justice her words never could.

And then it slapped against flesh. A strong hand circled her wrist and Travis stared down at her like he had no idea who she was.

 

copyright szefei

 

 

Author pic- Lexi BlakeAbout Lexi Blake:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. She began writing at a young age concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem.

Visit Lexi Blake’s website and follow her on:

 

Rising Storm Website | Facebook | Twitter 1001 Dark Nights | Rising Storm on Goodreads

 

 

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** Blog Tour Grand Finale ** HER SUMMER CRUSH by Linda Hope Lee

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Launching the Book Tour for
Her Summer Crush
By Linda Hope Lee

We hope you enjoyed the reviews and excerpts shared during the tour! If you missed any of them, go back and check them out now…

Launch – Introduction to Her Summer Crush

After I finished Eva’s Deadline, I kept thinking about Luci and Cody. Did she get over her crush? Did Cody get to follow his dream? What happened to these two people? Soon I was playing the “what if?” game and writing Her Summer Crush

Bookworm Lisa – Excerpt

“CODY JARVIS! What’s he doing here?” Luci Monroe stared at the man who’d just stepped out the back door of her parents’ home.

Singing Librarian Books – Excerpt

The ocean sparkled under a sun about to slip below the horizon, and the waves made a soft shushing sound as they rolled onto the shore. If only she could escape there now. When something upsetting happened, a walk on the beach always helped to calm her. Cody’s unexpected appearance was certainly one of those times. As soon as the party was over…

Bookworm Nation – Review

“I thought this was a fun read, a nice escape in a charming small town setting. If you enjoy contemporary romance this is a good one!”

I Am A Reader – Excerpt

“Are you finished now?” Her words came out sharper than she’d intended. She must be in worse shape than she’d realized.

He frowned. “Not okay to take your picture? You’re the guest of honor. Besides, you’re a good subject.”

Wishful Endings – Review

“It was a fun and sweet story from beginning to end, with fun characters, complex family relationships, and a light romance.”

Katie’s Clean Book Collection – Review

“I always enjoy the characters journeys of growth and overcoming hard things. I really loved the setting–I love the beach and could picture living in this great, small town. I also loved the relationships between each character and his/her family members, as well as Luci in the role of a mentor to Tessa. This is a gentle, sweet, and clean summer romance, perfect for a pool or beach read.”

Rockin’ Book Reviews – Excerpt

“Cody sat at the table, put down his mug and clicked the mouse. A new picture flashed onto the screen. Another shot of Lucy. He chuckled. He’s taken more pictures of her tonight than of anyone else.”

Love, Laughter, Friendship – Excerpt

“I like my place,” he said. “It’s cozy and has everything I need.”

“Maybe so, but do you think you’ll ever find a woman who’ll put up with all this?” Olive went to the sofa and plumped up the loose cushions.


“Not a question that needs to be answered, because I’m not looking. Not right now, anyway.”

Thoughts of a Blonde – Review

“I enjoyed this story. The characters are fun with a lot of potential there — would have liked to have seen them decide to test their relationship waters earlier in the book.”

Her Summer Crush
by Linda Hope Lee
Adult Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages
March 1st 2016 by Harlequin Heartwarming

She’s over her crush…isn’t she?

Luci Monroe is on top of the world. She’s just graduated from journalism school and she’s already landed her dream job in PR. Then Cody Jarvis saunters into her office. Nothing like finding out that your teenage crush, now a gorgeous, globe-trotting, freelance photographer, is going to be your staffer for the summer. Never mind. They’re both professionals. And she’s over him. Kind of. Anyway, he’s not interested. Cody is always waiting to disappear on his next assignment, and Luci needs someone stable. Someone who wants to build a life right here in Willow Beach…

GoodreadsAmazonBarnes & NobleHarlequinKobo

Linda Hope Lee writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and mysteries. She enjoys traveling especially to small towns in search of story ideas. She’s also an artist, specializing in watercolor, pen and ink, and colored pencil. Photography provides inspiration for both her writing and her art. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, where many of her stories are set.

WebsiteGoodreadsFacebookTwitter

Other Books by the Author


Tour Giveaway

$50 Amazon eGift Card
3 copies of Her Summer Crush (print if US, ebook if international)
Open internationally
Ends April 1st

** Blog Tour ** HER ONE TRUE LOVE by Rachel Brimble

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Enter to Win a 
$20.00 Amazon eGift Card

 

HER ONE TRUE LOVE
Rachel Brimble
Released March 15th, 2016
Lyrical Press

 

She Can’t Forget Him…
Jane Charlotte Danes has loved the
squire of her idyllic country town for as long as she can remember. He is good,
kind, and alluring beyond words… and he chose to marry another. Tired of
dwelling on her futile longings, Jane plans a move to Bath, where she dreams of
a new beginning. But the man who has so imprisoned her heart is only a few
steps behind…

He Can’t Let Her Go…
Until now, Matthew Cleaves has
endeavored to meet the responsibilities of his position with dignity and good
spirits–including his dutiful marriage. But when his wife leaves him for
another man, Matthew is at last free to pursue his one true love. Only one
vital question remains: will the captivating, stubborn, beautiful Jane allow
him the challenge, and the pleasure, of winning her back?…
 
BUY NOW

 

Excerpt

Matthew turned and faced Jane. “When are you leaving for the city?”

She took another step back, her gaze darting over his face. “The day after tomorrow. Why?”

“Because I will escort you. We can travel together in my carriage.”

“No, I do not need your––”

“I will be going anyway. I planned to visit some contacts in the city in the hope of securing guaranteed trade for Biddestone in the coming year. It seems unnecessary for us to make the trip separately when I have a carriage plenty big enough for us both.”

“There is absolutely no need. Jeannie will be coming with me.”

“My offer still stands.”

She glared. “It’s my intention to start on the path of independence, of finding out what the world has to offer me on my own merit. I will hardly be carving out my own path when at the first step from my home, I lean on you.”

“You are being stubborn.”

She pulled back her shoulders. “And you are not?”

The longer he looked at her, the more Matthew saw the quiet beauty he’d desperately tried to ignore. He took a steadying breath. “Please, Jane. Let me escort you to Bath.”

The seconds passed, but Matthew held his tongue. It was imperative she spoke next, that she understood he didn’t mean to bully her but wanted to ensure her safety to a city ravaged by danger, as much as opportunity.

She sighed. “Fine. On one condition.”

He held her gaze. “Which is?”

Her eyes softened, slowly lighting with mischief. “You smile. Now. You smile at me like you did before she left.”

Heat rose to his face. “You want me to smile?”

“Yes. Smile for me, Matthew.”

Empathy and passion swirled in eyes, but they also bore a deep, painful awareness that scratched hard over his heart. The longer he stared, the more he wanted to make her happy.

He smiled, his gaze on hers…and was surprised to find the trade no effort at all.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Rachel lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a small town
near Bath in the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses,
she secured agent representation in 2011. Since 2013, she has had five books
published by Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and three
Victorian romances by eKensington/Lyrical.
 
Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and
Romance Writers of America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance
finalist of So You Think You Can Write 2014 contest. 
 
When she isn’t writing,
you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English
countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in
South West England.
 
She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her
readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

** Book Review ** WRAPPED IN YOU by Jules Bennett

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5 STARS!

This story is riddled with emotions and touches your heart many times along the way as you read it.  You feel sadness for the kids they were, sadness for their losses along the way, admiration for the lives they live, and hope for a happy future for each one.  I really fell in love with the Monroe’s and look forward to the next book!

Zach Monroe hasn’t forgiven himself for being a dumb kid and causing an accident 10+ years ago that injured one of his brothers and his friend/possibly more Sophie Allen.  When Sophie calls and asks him to come by her real estate office, he has to face her as well as the brother who he no longer can be in the same room with without a shouting match breaking out.

Sophie was best friends with their sister who died a few months ago, and is basically family after spending so much time over at their house over the years.  She’s called them all in now because she has an offer on the Civil War-era house that was part of their sister’s estate.

The brother’s will actually have to talk for a change and decide if they want to sell the property and if not, what they want to do with it.  Along the way, Sophie will make an effort to get Zach to stop ignoring her and get over the accident and forgive himself.

**  Received free in exchange for an honest review  **

** Blog Tour / Book Review / Giveaway ** HER SUMMER CRUSH by Linda Hope Lee

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3 1/2 STARS!

You can come home again .. but will it ever be the same as you remembered it?

I enjoyed this story.  The characters are fun with a lot of potential there — would have liked to have seen them decide to test their relationship waters earlier in the book.

Luci Monroe has finished up school and is coming back home to Willow Beach to be close to her family.  She’s landed a great job doing PR and is ready to start living her life.

Imagine her surprise when Cody Jarvis strolls in.  She had a huge crush on him years ago, but he just considered her a friend and the little sister of one of his high school pals.  Now they’re going to be doing some work together for the summer, and she can’t help but still feel that twinge when he’s near.

Will she be able to stand strong against her feelings for him when she knows he will just leave to roam the world once this temp job is over?  Or could Cody actually feel something for her too this time?

**  Received free in exchange for an honest review  **

 

 

On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Her Summer Crush
by Linda Hope Lee
Adult Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages
March 1st 2016 by Harlequin Heartwarming

She’s over her crush…isn’t she?

Luci Monroe is on top of the world. She’s just graduated from journalism school and she’s already landed her dream job in PR. Then Cody Jarvis saunters into her office. Nothing like finding out that your teenage crush, now a gorgeous, globe-trotting, freelance photographer, is going to be your staffer for the summer. Never mind. They’re both professionals. And she’s over him. Kind of. Anyway, he’s not interested. Cody is always waiting to disappear on his next assignment, and Luci needs someone stable. Someone who wants to build a life right here in Willow Beach…

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Linda Hope Lee writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and mysteries. She enjoys traveling especially to small towns in search of story ideas. She’s also an artist, specializing in watercolor, pen and ink, and colored pencil. Photography provides inspiration for both her writing and her art. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, where many of her stories are set.

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Other Books by the Author


Tour Schedule

March 21st: Bookworm Lisa & Singing Librarian Books
March 22nd: Bookworm Nation & I Am A Reader
March 23rd: Wishful Endings
March 24th: Katie’s Clean Book Collection, Rockin’ Book Reviews, & Love, Laughter, Friendship
March 25th: Thoughts of a Blonde
March 27th: Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

$50 Amazon eGift Card
3 copies of Her Summer Crush (print if US, ebook if international)
Open internationally
Ends April 1st