Archives for June 2016

Book Review NASHVILLE BY HEART by Tina Ann Forkner

June 30, 2016 Leave a Comment

4 STARS!

A fun filled easy read centering on following your dreams, but always being ready to face your past when you have to!

Small town girl Gillian Heart left home for Nashville 3 years ago in pursuit of a record deal. She is working as hard as she has to in order to pay the rent and eat until she gets her big break. When she gets noticed by music agent Will Adams, she thinks she’s finally on her way!

Will is blown away by Gillian’s talent and is excited to become her agent and try to get her noticed as a major up and coming artist, and no matter how much he tries, he also can’t deny the crazy attraction he feels towards her!

Working together brings them closer and they eventually decide it’s a waste of time to try to fight their feelings and start dating. When Will takes the liberty of using some info from her past in order to get her signed to a contract, she feels really sad and disappointed in him, and it forces her to take a long, hard look at her past and decide if she’s ready to face her biggest regret. Will this be the end of them, or will him forcing her hand to deal with her past bring them closer together?

ARC received via NetGalley

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Book Review DREAMING UP A DARE by Catherine Gayle

June 30, 2016 Leave a Comment

4 STARS!

A sweet “friends to lovers” novella in the Dare to Love Kindle World!

Hockey star Jackson Maddox has been best friends with gymnast Pepper Winters since they were kids. They’ve been through thick and thin together and always have each other’s backs. When Pepper comes to be with Jackson in Miami, he’s happy to have her there to go to an industry party with him, and after a career ending injury, she’s ready for some fun relaxation!

When a drunken game of Truth or Dare reveals that they both have wanted more than friendship for years, will they be able to survive it with their friendship in tact? Or better yet, progress to a full fledged relationship?

ARC received via the Author

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Book Review THE BRIDESMAID’S BABY BUMP by Kandy Shepherd

June 30, 2016 Leave a Comment

4 STARS!

Instant attraction leads to some soul searching in this third book in Kandy Shepherd’s Sydney Brides series!

When party planner Eliza Dunne first meets Jake Marlowe at a friend’s wedding, she can’t deny the draw she feels towards him, but he’s not available, so they simply enjoy chatting and getting to know each other for the evening.

Once Jake is free, they finally have their opportunity to give in to their attraction. Their time together is magical, but neither wants anything serious so they part ways. When they run into each other again, Eliza shocks Jake with the news that she’s pregnant. He won’t take no for an answer in how he will be in his child’s life, and his hard headed behavior causes tension between them.

Will Jake figure how to get through to Eliza so they can be together, or will they raise their child as strangers?

ARC received via Author/VA

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Blog Tour / Book Review BAD BOYS AFTER DARK: MICK by Melissa Foster

June 30, 2016 4 Comments

5 STARS!

SIZZLING! As the first book in the Bad Boys series, this was first foray into Melissa Foster’s “After Dark” world, and it will NOT be my last. She writes her characters with such a realness to them. You can feel their emotions as you read, you find yourself smiling when they interact, and you can feel the tension as they go through the ups and downs of figuring out what they are to each other. Looking forward to reading the rest of the Bad brother’s stories!

Paralegal Amanda Jenner is bored! She’s tired of being the good girl and putting up with the boring men that she seems to draw like a magnet. She wants more … she wants hot sex! She’s dolled up and ready to try out her new vixen moves at a masquerade bar crawl!

Entertainment attorney Mick Bad is having a bad week and just wants to unwind with a hot woman! He sees a sexy blonde across the room and decides he has to have her. After partly ravishing her at the party, Mick sees something that clues him in to the fact that the woman in his arms is his employee!

Amanda has been crushing on Mick for three years, but he never mixes business with pleasure and is nothing but professional with her … until now! After realizing who each other is, they agree to have a very short term fling since they’ve already been this far with each other. Will Amanda be the person that can tear down the barriers Mick’s past has made him erect around himself?

ARC received via Tasty Book Tours

Bad Boys After Dark: Mick
Bad Boys After Dark #1
By: Melissa Foster

Releasing June 22, 2016
World Literary Press

BLURB:

Indulge your inner vixen…

Meet the Bad Boys… Four sinfully sexy, fiercely loyal, uber alpha brothers about to fall head over heels for their leading ladies. If dirty talk, cursing, or raw, passionate sex turns you off, the After Dark books are not for you, because everything’s naughtier after dark.

***

Amanda Jenner is done being a boring-man magnet and has finally taken control of her love life. As any smart paralegal would, she’s researched the hell out of how to seduce a man. She’s waxed, primped, and ready to put her newfound skills into action—and a masquerade bar crawl is the perfect venue for her solo coming-out party.

Entertainment attorney Mick Bad lives by two hard and fast rules. He never mixes business with pleasure, and he doesn’t do relationships, which makes the anonymity of a masquerade bar crawl the perfect place for a onetime hookup.

Amanda thinks she’s hit the jackpot when she bags a tall, dark, and sinfully delicious masked man—until she discovers the man she’s made out with is her off-limits boss. Mick’s already crossed a line he can never uncross, and one taste of sweet and sexy Amanda has only whet his appetite. When Mick offers to give Amanda a lesson in seduction—no strings, no regrets, and for goodness’ sake, come Monday, no quitting—the tables turn, and Mick’s totally unprepared for the lessons this sweet temptress provides.

Link to Follow Tour: http://www.tastybooktours.com/2016/04/bad-boys-after-dark-mick-bad-boys-2-by.html

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24779631-bad-boys-after-dark

Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/146134-bad-boys-after-dark

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

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Boys-After-Dark-Mick/dp/1941480403

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bad-boys-after-dark-melissa-foster/1123162563?ean=9781941480403

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Melissa_Foster
_Bad_Boys_After_Dark_Mick?id=zNMPCwAAQBAJ

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/bad-boys-after-dark-mick/id1063338005?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/bad-boys-after-dark-mick

AUTHOR INFO:

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance, and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic, perfect beach reads, and always family oriented.

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

EXCERPT:

LURED BY THE pulse of sex and anonymity, Amanda Jenner moved through the dusky bar, brushing against silk, satin, cotton, and flesh, each graze feeding the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Blue lights misted over sweaty strangers lost in the seductive bump and grind of foreplay and hoping for a night of erotic pleasure. If Amanda tried hard enough, she could smell tomorrow’s scent du jour—regret. Tonight she had no room for the confidence-crushing worry of what tomorrow would bring. She scanned the crowd, as she had in the previous three bars, immediately dismissing anyone who wasn’t in costume. Her world was full of boring men who excelled at wining, dining, and boring her to sleep. Ten years of romance novels and movies had led her astray, sending her on a search for the elusive needle in a haystack. She’d led herself astray, always the careful thinker, careful dresser. Or as her younger sister, Ally, would say, Careful kisser, careful lover. Ally, however, had taken charge of her sex life—and she’d found the perfect man.

Now it’s my turn.

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Two Winners will receive a print copy of 1001 DARK NIGHTS: DARING HER LOVE

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Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews

Book Review SAYING YES TO THE BOSS by Andrea Laurence

June 29, 2016 Leave a Comment

4 STARS!

Kicking off the new multi-author series Dynasties: The Newports, Andrea Laurence brings us the story of sexy Carson Newport! I enjoyed the building of the characters and storyline and can’t wait to see what the future books in the series hold!

Successful real estate CEO Carson Newport wants to honor his mother by investing in a charity that was dear to her heart by building a children’s hospital. They’ve been searching for the perfect piece of property for months now, and he’s thrilled when his PR director tells him she’s found it!

Georgia Adams is glad she got a tip on the property they needed, and sets out to help Carson make sure he can close the deal to get the hospital on it’s way to being built. As they handle roadblocks going up around them, they stumble across family secrets, past indiscretions, and the possibility of big changes in the future. Will the distractions be enough to make them keep fighting the attraction they feel for each other, or will they add another dynamic to their boss/employee relationship?

ARC received via the Author

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Book Review TEXAS HUNT by Barb Han

June 28, 2016 Leave a Comment

4 STARS!

In this third book in her Mason Ridge series, Barb Han continues to lead us through the mystery surrounding what’s been going on in this town for fifteen plus years. They thought they caught the person who had been kidnapping kids, then more continued to happen that led them to another doorstep, and now we’re finding out secrets that have been buried and people willing to kill for them! Can’t wait to read the conclusion in Book 4!

Ryan Hunt has loved his childhood friend Lisa Moore for years, but she never seemed to reciprocate his feelings, so they remained just friends. When she’s all of a sudden in a terrifying situation after being brutally attacked by a man who hurt her in the past, she only trusts Ryan and calls him for his help.

While trying to keep Lisa and her family safe, they stumbled across more and more info that implicates this man who attacked her, yet he keeps coming back trying again. Will Ryan be able to keep her safe and finally bring this man to justice?

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Book Review THE CATTLEMAN’S PROPOSAL by Helen Lacey

June 28, 2016 Leave a Comment

4 STARS!

A feisty yet sweet introduction to Helen Lacey’s Men of Mulhany Crossing series! Great characters … I look forward to seeing more of them as the series continues!

Joley McBride doesn’t like Nate Garrigan when she meets him during a friend’s wedding festivities, and she tries really hard to deny the attraction she feels for him too! She thinks he’s arrogant and used to getting his own way and doesn’t want any type of relationship with him. When she finds out he’s bought into her family run Flight School, she’s furious! She’ll do anything to get back control.

Nate Garrigan is drawn to Joley. He’s been burned by an ex-wife and no longer believes in love and happily ever after, but he wants passion and a family. He has set his sight on Joley being part of that future, so he uses her business over her to get her to agree to spend a month at his remote cattle station with him, learning his lifestyle.

As they spend time alone together, they both realize they like the other person a lot more than they expected. And steering clear of love might just be too hard to do!

ARC received via Author/VA

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Release Week Blitz THE BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR by Jessica Lemmon

June 28, 2016 Leave a Comment

BOOK INFORMATION

Title: The Billionaire Bachelor
Author: Jessica Lemmon
Series: Billionaire Bad Boys
On Sale: June 28, 2016
Publisher: Forever
Formats: Mass Market & eBook
Price: $5.99 USD

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Manwhore. That’s what the board of directors—and the tabloids—thinks of billionaire bachelor Reese Crane. Ordinarily he couldn’t care less, but his playboy past is preventing the board from naming him CEO of Crane Hotels. Nothing—and no one—will keep him from his life’s legacy. They want a settled man to lead the company? Then that’s exactly what he’ll give them.

Merina Van Heusen will do anything to get her parents’ funky boutique hotel back—even marry cold-as-ice-but-sexy-as-hell Reese Crane. It’s a simple business contract—six months of marriage, absolute secrecy, and the Van Heusen is all hers again. But when sparks fly between them, their passion quickly moves from the boardroom to the bedroom. And soon Merina is living her worst nightmare: falling in love with her husband…

EXCERPT:

The Van Heusen Hotel was the love of Merina Van Heusen’s life. The historical building dominated the corner of Rush and East Chicago Avenue, regal and beautiful, a living work of art.

Her parents’ hotel had once been the Bell Terrace, home away from home to celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn, Sammy Davis Jr., and more recently, Lady Gaga and the late Robin Williams. The original structure perished in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, only to be resurrected bigger, better, and more beautiful.

There was a life lesson in there.

Latte in hand, Merina breathed in the air in the lobby, a mix of vanilla and cinnamon. Faint but reminiscent of the famed dessert invented in the hotel’s kitchen: the snicker- doodle. On her way past Arnold, who stood checking a guest into the hotel, she snagged one of the fresh-baked cookies off a plate and winked at him

The dark-skinned older man slid her a smile and winked back. Having practically grown up here, the VH was a second home to her. Arnold had started out as a bellman and had worked here for as long she could remember. He was as good as family.

She dumped her purse in her office and finished her cookie, holding on to the latte while she meandered down the hallways, checking to make sure there were no trays outside the doors that needed collecting. At the end of the corridor on the first floor, she saw a man outside one of the rooms, drill whirring away.

“Excuse me,” she called. Then had to call again to be heard over the sound. When she came into view, he paused the drilling and looked up at her.

He wore a tool belt and navy uniform, and the antique doorknob was sitting on the floor at his feet along with a small pile of sawdust.

“What are you doing?” she asked, bending to pick up the heavy brass. Her parents had done away with “real keys” the moment they took over, installing the popular keycard entry hotels now used, but the antique doorknobs remained.

“Installing the fingerprint entry.” From his pocket, the uniformed man pulled out a small silver pad with a black opening, then went back to drilling.

“No, no, no.” She placed the doorknob back on the ground and dusted her hand on her skirt. “We’re not doing any fingerprint entry.” She offered a patient smile. “You need to double-check your work order.”

He gave her a confused look. “Ma’am?” He was looking at Merina, but his voice was raised.

Merina’s mother, Jolie, appeared from behind the hotel room door, her eyebrows raising into hair that used to be the same honeyed shade of blond as Merina’s but now was more blond to hide the gray.

“Oh, Merina!” Her mother smiled, but her expression looked a little pained.

“Can you give me a minute with my daughter, Gary?” Like she was Gary’s mother, Jolie fished a five-dollar bill from her pocket and pressed it into his palm. “Go to the restaurant and have Sharon make you a caramel macchiato. You won’t be sorry.”

Gary frowned but took the cash. Merina shook her head as he walked away.

“Sweetheart.” Jolie offered another smile. A tight- lipped one meaning there was bad news. Like when Merina’s cat, Sherwood, had been hit by a car and Jolie had to break it to her. “Come in. Sit.” She popped open the door and Merina entered the guest room.

White duvets and molded woodwork, modern flat-screen televisions and artwork. Red, gold, and deep orange accents added to the richness of the palette and were meant to show that a fire may have taken down the original building but couldn’t keep it down.

Jolie gestured to the chair by the desk. Merina refused to sit.

“Mom. What’s going on?”

On the end of a sigh that didn’t make Merina feel any better, her mother spoke.

“Several changes have been ordered for the Van Heusen in order to modernize it. Fingerprint entry is just one of them. Also, the elevators will be replaced.”

“Why?” Merina pictured the gold decorative doors with a Phoenix, the mythical bird that arose from the ashes of its predecessor, emblazoned on them. If there was a beating heart in the Van Heusen, it was that symbol. Her stomach turned.

Instead of answering, Jolie continued. “Then there’s the carpeting. The tapestry design won’t fit in with the new scheme. And probably the molding and ceiling medallions will all be replaced.” She sighed again. “It’s a new era.”

“When did you take to day-drinking?” Merina asked, only half kidding.

Her mother laughed, but it was brief and faded almost instantly. She touched Merina’s arm gently. “Sweetheart. We were going to tell you, but we wanted to make sure there really was no going back. I didn’t expect the lock- smith to arrive today.” Her eyes strayed to the door.

Merina’s patience fizzled. “Tell me what?”

“Your father and I sold the Van Heusen to Alexander Crane six months ago. At the time, he had no plans on making any changes at all, but now that he’s retiring, the hotel has fallen to his oldest son. Evidently, Reese had different ideas.”

At that pronouncement, Jolie’s normally sunny attitude clouded over. Merina knew the Cranes. The Crane Hotel was the biggest corporate hotel outfit in the city, the second biggest in the nation. Alexander (better known as “Big Crane”) and his sons ran it, local celebrities of sorts. She’d also read about Big Crane’s retirement and Reese’s likely ascension to CEO.

But none of that mattered. There was only one newly learned fact bouncing around in her brain. “You sold the Van Heusen?”

She needed that chair after all. She sank into it, mind blanking of everything except for one name: Reese Crane.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Merina stood up again. She couldn’t sit. She could not remain still while this was happening. Correction: This had happened. “Why didn’t you talk to me first?”

“You know we’d never include you in our financial difficulties, Merina.” Jolie clucked her tongue.

Financial difficulties?

“Bankruptcy was not an option,” her mom said. “Plus, selling gave us the best of both worlds. No financial responsibility and we keep our jobs.”

“With Reese Crane as your boss!” Her mind spun after she said it aloud. My God. They would be answering to that arrogant, idiotic . . . “No.” Merina shook her head as she strode past her mother. “This is a mistake.”

And there had to be a way to undo it.

BUY THE BOOK HERE

THE FULL BILLIONAIRE BAD BOYS SERIES

The Billionaire Bachelor, #1

The Billionaire Next Door, #2

The Bastard Billionaire, #3

Series Page on Goodreads

AUTHOR INFORMATION

A former job-hopper, Jessica Lemmon resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dog. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When she’s not writing super-sexy heroes, she can be found cooking, drawing, drinking coffee (okay, wine), and eating potato chips. She firmly believes God gifts us with talents for a purpose, and with His help, you can create the life you want.

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Filed Under: Release Day Blitz

Blog Tour / Book Review DIRTY SEXY CUFFED by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde

June 27, 2016 Leave a Comment

5 STARS!

In Book 3 of the Dirty Sexy series, we get Levi’s story, and even though I have loved them all, I think I have to deem him my favorite Kincaid brother! He’s sweet, dependable and kind … and then his sexy, dirty side comes out and just knocks your socks off! Great characters, a sweet “finally finding the one for you” story, and the ending … WOW, I was not expecting THAT!

Sexy cop, Levi Kincaid, is the solid, dependable brother, and he shows that side of him again when he helps Sarah Robins out of a sticky situation late one night! When he turns his sexy flirting side loose on her and promises to claim her as his in every way, she’s not complaining one bit!

Has this confirmed bachelor met his match and the one that he won’t let get away this time?

ARC received via RockStar

Carly Phillips & Erika Wilde

Dirty Sexy Cuffed
Dirty Sexy Series Book 3
June 21, 2016

BLURB:

As a cop, Levi Kincaid is all about discipline and control . . .in the bedroom, and out of it, and he’s always been very careful about choosing women who abide by his rules. Hot sex and intense pleasure? No problem. Emotional commitment and forever promises? No way. But he never anticipates falling for a blue eyed angel who makes him want to cuff her to his bed and do dirty, sexy things to her. And that control of his? It doesn’t stand a chance against Sarah Robins, the one woman he can’t resist . . .

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29611090-dirty-sexy-cuffed

Buy links:

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1QcaREm
B&N Nook: http://bit.ly/1tujXBL
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1W49wQU
iBooks: http://apple.co/1OuNfdz
Google Play: http://bit.ly/1XZOQeI

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

***About Carly Phillips***

Carly Phillips is the N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of over 50 sexy contemporary romance novels featuring hot men, strong women and the emotionally compelling stories her readers have come to expect and love. Carly is happily married to her college sweetheart, the mother of two nearly adult daughters and three crazy dogs (two wheaten terriers and one mutant Havanese) who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. Carly loves social media and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find out more about Carly at www.carlyphillips.com.

Website: http://www.carlyphillips.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10000.Carly_Phillips
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Carly-Phillips/e/B001I9W0MS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarlyPhillipsFanPage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/carlyphillips

***About Erika Wilde***

Erika Wilde is the author of the sexy Marriage Diaries series and The Players Club series. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two daughters, and when she’s not writing you can find her exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. For more information on her upcoming releases, please visit website at www.erikawilde.com.

Website: http://www.erikawilde.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5357264.Erika_Wilde
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Erika-Wilde/e/B00CVE4WSO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErikaWildeAuthorFanPage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/erikawilde1

More from the Dirty Sexy Series

Dirty Sexy Saint
Dirty Sexy Series, Book 1

Blurb:

Are you ready to get Dirty Sexy with a Saint?

Clay Kincaid knows he’s more a sinner than a saint. Especially when it comes to women. With a rough and damaged past that has left him jaded, he doesn’t do committed relationships. But he does like sex—the hotter and harder, the better. He likes it fast and filthy, which is why he refuses to even touch someone as sweet and guileless as Samantha Jamieson. Until he discovers that she likes it just as down and dirty as he does. Let the sinning begin . . .

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27258517-dirty-sexy-saint

Buy links:

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1Qcf3DQ
B&N Nook: http://smarturl.it/SaintNook
Kobo: http://smarturl.it/SaintKobo
iBooks: http://smarturl.it/SaintiBooks

Dirty Sexy Inked
Dirty Sexy Series, Book 2

Blurb:

Breaking hearts is what wild and rebellious Mason Kincaid does best. Hit it and quit it is his motto, and with his bad boy reputation and tattoos, he doesn’t lack for female companionship. Until one hot night with the one woman he swore he’d never touch becomes an all-consuming addiction he can’t kick. Katrina Sands has been his best friend for years, but now that he knows what she feels like, and tastes like, there is no going back to being just friends. Hot, dirty sex has never felt so good…or so right.

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28499736-dirty-sexy-inked
Buy links:

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1V2tOFd
B&N Nook: http://smarturl.it/InkedNook
Kobo: http://smarturl.it/InkedKobo
iBooks: http://smarturl.it/InkediBks
Google Play: http://smarturl.it/InkedGooglePlay

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Book Review THE BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR by Jessica Lemmon

June 25, 2016 Leave a Comment

5 STARS!

Great first book of a new series by Jessica Lemmon! I was hooked quickly, and really enjoyed getting to watch Reese and Merina fall hard when they least expected it. The characters were great, the plot was fun, and the chemistry was off the charts! Looking forward to seeing the other Crane brothers in the rest of the series.

Reese Crane is a billionaire playboy who doesn’t care what anyone thinks about him, but when his perceived reputation stands in the way of getting his legacy handed down to him, he won’t stand for it!

Merina Van Heusen can’t believe her parents have lost the boutique hotel that she adores! She will do anything to get it back, even marry that ridiculously arrogant billionaire for 6 months!

Reese needs Merina to help him become dignified and settled in the board’s eyes, and he will use anything in his power to get his way. They agree to a temporary marriage with the reason behind it remaining secret. Once he gets his job, they will divorce and she will get her hotel. Only neither of them take into consideration that they might actually fall for each other during all of their pretending!

ARC received via Publicist/NetGalley

Filed Under: Book Reviews