Archives for February 2017

* BLOG TOUR / REVIEW * SO RIGHT by Darcy Burke

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* BLOG TOUR / REVIEW *  SO RIGHT by Darcy BurkeSo Right: A Ribbon Ridge Novel by Darcy Burke
Series: Love on the Vine Book 2
on February 14, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-half-stars

Kelsey McDade realizes that her love life is one and done. Her last—and only—relationship left her broken and afraid and more than ready to be alone for the long haul. But sexy-charming vineyard manager Luke Westcott pushes all of her buttons in the right way and makes her wonder if she ought to try again.

In nearly twenty-eight years, Luke’s most successful romance has been with the outdoors. Currently single, he’s happy to pour all of his energy into his new winery until Kelsey provokes feelings he didn’t know he was capable of. He can envision their future together—if she’ll let down her guard.

When the ghost of Kelsey’s past causes her to slam on the brakes, Luke is ready to fight for her, even if it means sacrificing himself in the process. Convinced she’s only made wrong choices in the past, Kelsey must decide if Luke—and their love—is worth the greatest risk of all.


A wounded soul and a loner … end up being a match made in heaven!  I just love Darcy Burke’s Ribbon Ridge novels and adding the Westcott’s into the mix with the Love On The Vine series is a lot of fun to read!

Vineyard manager Luke Westcott has spent most of his life alone and enjoying the great outdoors.  Although he loves his family dearly, he’s just happiest with his solitude.  Working with his brothers and friend to run this winery has been a great venture so far, and he’s looking forward to nurturing the vines for years to come.  What he doesn’t need is a woman … no matter how much his mom nags.

Librarian Kelsey McDade has come to love Ribbon Ridge and the friends she has made over the couple of years she’s been settled here, but she still keeps a lot of herself reigned in and private.  No one knows the torture she went through with her ex-boyfriend, and she likes it that way.  She doesn’t want anyone to know how broken she really is.

When Luke and Kelsey find themselves innocently flirting with each other every time they cross paths, it’s a surprise.  Neither of them want a relationship … but can they ignore the draw they have towards each other?  Will she be able to share her secrets with him?  And can she ever truly trust a man again?

 

Meet the Author:

Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance. A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming husband, their two hilarious kids who seem to have inherited the writing gene, and three Bengal cats. Visit Darcy online at www.darcyburke.com and sign up for her newsletter, follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/darcyburke, or like her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/DarcyBurkeFans.

Connect with Darcy: Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

About the Book:

 

Kelsey McDade realizes that her love life is one and done. Her last—and only—relationship left her broken and afraid and more than ready to be alone for the long haul. But sexy-charming vineyard manager Luke Westcott pushes all of her buttons in the right way and makes her wonder if she ought to try again.

In nearly twenty-eight years, Luke’s most successful romance has been with the outdoors. Currently single, he’s happy to pour all of his energy into his new winery until Kelsey provokes feelings he didn’t know he was capable of. He can envision their future together—if she’ll let down her guard.

When the ghost of Kelsey’s past causes her to slam on the brakes, Luke is ready to fight for her, even if it means sacrificing himself in the process. Convinced she’s only made wrong choices in the past, Kelsey must decide if Luke—and their love—is worth the greatest risk of all.

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

Add to Goodreads

Check out the other books in the Love on the Vine series:

Giveaway:

  • Kindle Fire – US shipping ONLY

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

four-half-stars

* Review * HER HOLIDAY FLING by Jennifer Snow

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review *  HER HOLIDAY FLING by Jennifer SnowHer Holiday Fling by Jennifer Snow
Series: Wild Wedding Nights
Published by Harlequin Blaze on March 1, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

What happens in Hawaii…

Divorce lawyer Hayley Hanna has one week to convince her bosses she's not a "ruthless, man-hating shark." And it's not going to be easy. In a moment of insanity, Hayley agrees to bring her fiancé to the corporate retreat in Maui. But there's one problem: she hasn't got a fiancé.

Enter Chase Hartley—six feet of sexy, sculpted police muscle. Chase needs a date for his sister's island wedding—someone to stop the family matchmakers. The chemistry between Hayley and Chase is just a bonus—one that quickly turns hot nights into sizzling sexcapades. All they have to do is resist believing their own lie. But just because their relationship is fake doesn't mean that falling for each other won't have real consequences!


Opportunity and fairly innocent deception leads the plot in Jennifer Snow’s upcoming Harlequin Blaze novel.  It’s sassy and fun, steamy and sweet and overall just has you wanting them to admit they are feeling something already!  Looking forward to Kate’s story coming soon!

Divorce attorney Hayley Hanna really put her foot in her mouth this time!  What was she thinking agreeing to bring her fiance along on the corporate retreat in Maui??  She doesn’t even HAVE a fiance!  She needs this retreat to go perfectly so she can convince her bosses that she’s not the man hating shark they think she is.

LAPD cop Chase Hartley is not looking forward to his sister matching him up with all of her single friends when he attends her wedding in Hawaii.  He just wants to get there, get it over with and get back to what he loves … working!

Hayley and Chase meet on the plane to Hawaii and come up with the big plan of deception to make everyone think they are a couple.  Will the sparks that actually fly hard between the two of them lead to more than just a casual hookup during their time spent together?

five-stars

* Review * HIS PREGNANT ROYAL BRIDE by Amy Ruttan

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review *  HIS PREGNANT ROYAL BRIDE by Amy RuttanHis Pregnant Royal Bride by Amy Ruttan
Series: Royal Spring Babies
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on March 1, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-stars

Pregnant with the prince's baby

Nurse Shay Labadie's one exquisite night of passion with Dr. Dante Affini was meant to be a beautiful memory. But now Shay's expecting…and Dante is expecting her to take his hand in marriage!

Dante's proposal is shocking enough, but then he drops an even bigger bombshell—he's not just a doctor, he's a prince! Now to win his child and the woman he loves, Dante will have to prove he can master his most important role yet—as the husband Shay deserves…


One night turns into a lifetime!  I had a hard time liking Dante even though I could understand what led him to be standoffish.  I would have liked a little more of the guy that she met at the conference that would have led to more warmth and connection between them, but I did enjoy the story and following them on their journey.

Nurse Shay Labadie was only expecting one night of fun with Doctor Dante Affini on the last day of the conference they both attended, but a few months later, she realized she was pregnant.  When she heads to Italy to tell him, she’s not expecting anything from him … least of all a marriage proposal!

Dante shocks her with his news that he’s a Prince and that he wants her to marry him so he can take care of her and the baby.  She’s not big on trusting the happily ever after, but she’s willing to try for their baby’s sake.

four-stars

* Review * ABDUCTION by Cynthia Eden

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review *  ABDUCTION by Cynthia EdenAbduction by Cynthia Eden
Series: Killer Instinct
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on March 1, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

Once the town troublemaker, Sheriff Hayden Black became the teen hero who saved young Jillian West from a savage kidnapper. He never got over their brief affair. Now the ex-SEAL and the burned-out FBI agent have reunited in their Florida hometown and rediscovered their powerful attraction. But as they hunt down a long-forgotten killer, will they get a second chance at happiness? When a series of accidents begins to plague Jill, Hayden won't let her fall victim again. There's too much history between them…and too much desire.


Reunited best friends and former lovers take on the cold case that neither of them could ever forget, and take us along for a suspense filled ride!  Great characters made for an easy quick read as we tried to figure out who was behind it all.  The added position of having the bad guy give his point of view periodically throughout the book gave it a nice touch!

FBI Special Agent Jillian West has never been able to forget the crime that occurred in the town she lived in as a teen … or the victim that could have, and almost was, her.  She’s returned to the Florida town to take another look at the case now that she has some crime solving skills under her belt.  Imagine her surprise when she runs into her former friend and lover who has also returned to town.

Former Navy SEAL Hayden Black has never been able to forget Jill, and is happy to see her again.  He settles in to help her take a look at the old case, and vows to keep her safe when things start happening to her.  Will their reawakened desire for each other lead to a second chance at forever?

five-stars

** FRIDAY FAVORITES with Jennifer Snow **

Join me every Friday to see my spotlight on one of my favorite authors who will be sharing a few of their favorite things!

 


Featured today is JENNIFER SNOW!  Thanks for joining me and sharing some of your favorites Jen!

Jennifer Snow is an award-winning romance author living in Edmonton, Alberta with her husband and six year old son. She is a member of the Writers Guild of Alberta, the Romance Writers of America, the Canadian Author Association, SheWrites.org and FAVA. She has published articles in Mslexia Magazine, WestWord Magazine, RWR and Southern Writers Magazine. Her publishing credits include her six book Brookhollow series published through Harlequin Heartwarming and an MMA sports romance series published through Penguin Random House Berkley/NAL. Her new small-town hockey series released this fall through Grand Central Publishing’s Forever Imprint. More information can be found at www.jennifersnowauthor.com


CONNECT WITH JENNIFER:

Website   |   Twitter   |   Facebook   |   Goodreads   |   Amazon 

 


 

My favorite color is …Blue-any shade

My favorite place to read is …On my favorite (blue lol) chair in my living room next to my fireplace in winter and out on my back deck in summer.

My favorite snack is … Chocolate! I love all things chocolate:)

My favorite type of music is … Country-the new stuff that isn’t really country anymore-more like hip hop/rap and pop lol…Does that still count as country?

My favorite hot beverage is … COFFEE! I drink it black and often! I’m up to about 2 pots a day now.

My favorite type of flower is …I don’t like flowers. My ex husband used to bring them to me every time he was hiding something lol…(Too deep of an answer for this fun fact list?;))

My favorite time of day is … Around 8pm when I settle into bed with my husband to watch terrible, mind-numbing reality television that we can’t get enough of lol.

My favorite candy is … Anything as long as it’s covered in chocolate.

My favorite hobby is …Writing. I’ve never had an interest in anything else. I love to read and write, so my spare time is usually spent reading or writing.

My favorite place to vacation is … Vegas in August. I love our family trips to Mexico and Hawaii, but I’m a heat girl and you can’t get any hotter than Vegas in August:)

 


 

Look for the latest in Jennifer’s fun new hockey series …

BUY LINKS:

Amazon | Kobo | Nook | iBook | GooglePlay


MAYBE THIS TIME
Colorado Ice

Starting over means a second chance . . .

Abigail Jansen is done with hockey . . . and hockey players. After leaving her two-timing NHL-star husband, Abby decides to start over in her hometown of Glenwood Falls, Colorado. There she doesn’t have to deal with people gossiping behind her back or hear the word “hockey”—until her daughter tries out for the junior hockey team. Now Abby has to face her fears . . . and coach Jackson Westmore. He’s tall, dark, handsome—and happens to hate her.

All through high school, talented hockey player Jackson Westmore had a crush on Abby, but he would never make a move on his best friend’s girl. He gave her the cold shoulder out of self-preservation and worked out his frustrations on the ice. So when Abby returns, newly divorced and still sexy as hell, Jackson knows he’s in trouble. Now even the best defensive skills might not keep him from losing his heart.

 

 


 

And previously in the series …

BUY LINKS:

Amazon | Kobo | Nook | iBook | GooglePlay


MAYBE THIS KISS
Colorado Ice

Love is always worth the risk . . .

Neil Healy was happy to be promoted to Air Force lieutenant colonel, but he’s less than thrilled that the new job has brought him back to his hometown. The memories alone could kill a man, to say nothing of actually seeing the woman he never got over. Neil knew avoiding Becky Westmore would be impossible, but he didn’t expect the chemistry between them to be as strong as ever.

All Becky wants this holiday season is to get through the month of December with her sanity intact. Not helping? Her ex-boyfriend’s return to Glenwood Falls. Even after a decade apart, Neil still makes her feel in ways no other man has. But Christmas is a time for miracles, and maybe Becky’s will be a second chance at first love.

 


 

COMING SOON in the series … Releasing May 30

PRE-ORDER LINKS:

Amazon | Kobo | Nook | iBook | GooglePlay


MAYBE THIS LOVE
Colorado Ice

THE GAME OF HIS LIFE

Hockey player Ben Westmore has some serious skills—on and off the ice—and he’s not above indulging in the many perks of NHL stardom. When a night in Vegas ends in disaster, he realizes two things: 1) it’s time to lie low for a while, and 2) he needs a lawyer—fast. But the smoking-hot woman who walks into his office immediately tests all his good intentions.

Olivia Davis doesn’t need anyone derailing her career—or her dreams of starting a family—least of all a skirt-chasing player like Ben. But soon he’s unleashing a full-court press to convince her that he’s the real deal. She’s slowly falling for his sweet, rugged charm, but with so much on the line, Olivia has to decide whether Ben can truly change—or if he’s just playing the game.

 

* REVIEW * THE TEMPORARY MRS. MARCHETTI by Melanie Milburne

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* REVIEW * THE TEMPORARY MRS. MARCHETTI by Melanie MilburneThe Temporary Mrs. Marchetti by Melanie Milburne
Published by Harlequin Presents on March 1, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

The rules of engagement…

When Cristiano Marchetti proposes to former mistress Alice Piper, the deal has an expiry date. He has six months to fulfil the conditions of his grandmother's will. But the hotelier has another agenda—exacting revenge on Alice for daring to walk away seven years before!

Alice needs the financial security her enemy is providing, but soon their every clash is a shockingly tempting encounter. Yet as she uncovers the man beneath the hard-hearted exterior, the future Mrs. Marchetti wonders if she could break the rules of their engagement…and walk down the aisle as more than Cristiano's temporary bride!


A really great reunion story!  The characters had a deep connection filled with steamy passion as well as an argumentative heat that made scenes between them really attention getting.  I enjoyed them!

When hotelier Christiano Marchetti is handed the opportunity to exact revenge on his former lover who walked out on him seven years ago, he jumps at the chance.  He has never been able to get her out of his mind, and now with a method of forcing her to marry him … temporarily … at his disposal, he is relishing the thought of revenge!

Alice Piper could definitely use the money she’s being offered for this short marriage to Christiano, but it goes against all that she’s ever believed in.  Can she really bring herself to do it?  And as they spend time together and she starts to see the man she never took the time to get to know all those years ago, she wonders if she made a grave mistake in walking out on his love back then. Can she convince him to make the marriage a real one?

five-stars

* REVIEW * PRIMAL INSTINCT by Tara Wyatt

* REVIEW *  PRIMAL INSTINCT by Tara WyattPrimal Instinct by Tara Wyatt
Series: Bodyguard #2
Published by Forever on May 31, 2016
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

ROCK YOU ALL NIGHT LONG

The first time he lays eyes on Taylor Ross in a bar, Colt Priestley does something few men would dare to do. He approaches the world-famous singer, shamelessly flirts with her, and gives her a night in his bed that neither of them will soon forget.

When Taylor's record label hires a bodyguard to keep tabs on the out-of-control rocker, she's less than thrilled to find it's her off-the-charts one-night stand who shows up for the job. She's terrified of letting herself fall for the damaged ex-Army Ranger, and she's determined to push him away. Yet every moment they're together simmers with tension. As the danger from an obsessed stalker mounts, Taylor and Colt are tempted to cross that line again-baring their hearts and souls as well as their bodies-and there's no telling how hot this song will get.


I am really loving this Bodyguard series by Tara Wyatt! I thought she couldn’t top Sierra and Sean from the first book, but I loved the connection between Taylor and Colt even more! They were powerful and raw … sweet yet sexy as all get out … wounded yet strong enough to reach for what they wanted.  Great supporting characters and a suspense laced plot aid in making this a well rounded story.  I really enjoyed it!

Rock star Taylor Ross has been let down and had her heart broken one too many times … and she’s simply done!  She lets loose and loses herself in anything she can find … a bottle, a quick screw, a fast car.  Now all of a sudden her record label thinks they can’t trust her to get the job done on her next album and throw a bodyguard at her to keep her on the straight and narrow … oh, and just her luck?  It’s the sex machine that just gave her the best one night stand of her life!

Former Army ranger Colt Priestly can’t believe that his life might actually be looking up when he is assigned to work with the woman he can’t stop thinking about.  He might be haunted by his past and not capable of giving her everything she needs, but he can’t bring himself to turn away from the pull he feels towards her.

When danger rears it’s ugly head and Colt has to buckle down and keep Taylor safe, they decide they can’t deny their feelings for each other any longer … but will they be able to make it last for the long haul when outside forces interfere?

five-stars

* BLOG TOUR * A COWBOY TO KEEP by Karen Rock


On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

 

A Cowboy to Keep
by Karen Rock
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 pages
February 7th 2017 by Harlequin

 

Can’t stop running from the past

Dani Crawford has a secret…and if bounty hunter Jackson Cade finds out, he could ruin everything. The scarred yet handsome cowboy has tracked a dangerous criminal to the dude ranch Dani manages, and to get rid of Jack she’ll have to help him catch his man. But the closer they get to cornering their quarry the more Dani wants Jack to stay. Spending time with him is making her long for things she can never have thanks to a past mistake. And if the truth comes out she may be spending her future behind bars rather than safe in her cowboy’s arms…

 

GoodreadsAmazonBarnes & NobleKobo

Book DepositoryHarlequin

 

 

About the Author

In a quest to provide her ELA students with quality reading material, educator Karen Rock read everything out there and couldn’t wait to add her voice to the genre. In addition to her work as a Young Adult romance novelist, she’s now an author for Harlequin’s Heartwarming line and thrilled to pen stories that moms can share with their teenage daughters. She’s loved Harlequin books since she spent summers going through her grandmother’s Presents books that she passed along in paper grocery bags each year. As half of the writing duo J.K. Rock, Karen also pens young adult romance. When she’s not busy writing, Karen enjoys scouring estate sales for vintage books, cooking her grandmother’s family recipes, reinventing her gardens to suit her moods and occasionally rescuing local wildlife from neighborhood cats. She lives in the Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, her very appreciated beta-reader daughter, and two Cavalier King cocker spaniels, who have yet to understand the concept of “fetch” though they know a lot about love. For more information about Karen’s upcoming books, check out her website.

WebsiteGoodreadsFacebookTwitterTumblrPinterest

 

 

EXCERPT

All her feelings for him—hot and beautiful in her heart—dissolved on her tongue, strange, new and inexpressible.

He twined his fingers in hers, his thumb circling the center of her palm, slowly, and Dani disintegrated.

“Jack,” she said, voice tight.

He opened his eyes and peered at her strangely, then his eyes widened and sparked, as though he read in her eyes what was in her head, her heart, before he quickly glanced away.

Before she could think about it, she rose a little on her knees, reached for the back of his head and kissed him. He hesitated for just a moment, then shifted forward and kissed her back with a low groan that fired her blood.

His hands came up, firm around her waist, and he gathered her close against him so that she felt the rapid rise and fall of his chest, breathed in the musk of his skin. Mouth slanting against his, she lost herself in this moment. The scent and taste and feel of him. It was like tiny fireworks going off all over her, bits of her she’d thought dead reigniting.

He chased the world away. Evaporated time. Past, present, future—gone, so that none of it mattered, nothing should matter, but them, holding each other this way. For once, the muffled ringing that’d filled her ears since she left Oklahoma muted and she was free, adrift, awash with emotion that made her eyes tear and her heart swell.

He picked her up off the cold dirt and she fitted herself to him, his bulk and strength, the heat from his skin seeping through her shirt. Searing her. Setting her on fire. She kissed his face, his ears, his scar, especially his scar, her fingers in his soft dark hair. When he rained kisses down her neck, the world began to spin and she clutched his shoulders, sensation after sensation washing through her, nearly knocking her off her feet.

 

Previous Heartwarming novels by Karen:  

 

Tour Schedule

February 4th: Launch

February 5th:

Christy’s Cozy Corners

underneath the covers

Rockin’ Book Reviews

Katie’s Clean Book Collection

Bookworm Nation

February 6th:

I Am A Reader

Nicole’s Book Musings

With Love for Books

Reading Is My SuperPower

Urban Book Reviews

Mythical Books

February 7th:

The Silver Dagger Scriptorium

Hearts & Scribbles

Brooke Blogs

Okie Dreams Book Reviews

Falling Leaves

February 8th:

Paulette’s Papers

Getting Your Read On

Thoughts of a Blonde

Becky on Books

Book Reviews

Heidi Reads…

February 9th:

Fire and Ice Book Reviews

Mel’s Shelves

Lola’s Reviews

Zerina Blossom’s Books

Anny Books

February 10th: Grand Finale

 

 

Tour Giveaway

– 1 winner will win the above Prize Pack: 7 Paperbacks & a $50 Amazon Gift Card (US only)

– 1 winner will their choice of an ebook of one of Karen’s backlisted titles (open internationally)

– Ends February 14th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

* REVIEW * CROSSING HEARTS by Kimberly Kincaid

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* REVIEW *  CROSSING HEARTS by Kimberly KincaidCrossing Hearts by Kimberly Kincaid
Series: The Cross Creek Series Book 1
Published by Montlake Romance on February 7, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
five-stars

Hunter Cross has no regrets. Having left his football prospects behind the day he graduated high school, he’s happy to carry out his legacy on his family’s farm in the foothills of the Shenandoah. But when a shoulder injury puts him face-to-face with the high school sweetheart who abandoned town—and him—twelve years ago, Hunter’s simple life gets a lot more complicated.

Emerson Montgomery has secrets. Refusing to divulge why she left her job as a hotshot physical therapist for a pro football team, she struggles to readjust to life in the hometown she left behind. The more time she spends with Hunter, the more Emerson finds herself wanting to trust him with the diagnosis of MS that has turned her world upside down.

But revealing secrets comes with a price. Can Hunter and Emerson rekindle their past love? Or will the realities of the present—and the trust that goes with them—burn that bridge for good?


Sometimes you really can go home again!  Such a heartwarming story!  It’s a reunion with your one true love type of story, and also filled with emotion pulling moments as she relearns the importance of living her life when a life changing medical diagnosis shifts her future.  Great characters, great connections, and I can’t wait for more from Cross Creek!

Hunter Cross might have never left the comfort of his home town of Millhaven, Virginia, but he has no regrets.  He lives for the connection he enjoys working every day on his family farm with his father and brothers by his side.  He wouldn’t have it any other way!  When an accident takes him out of commission for awhile, he’s mighty unhappy about that … especially when he catches sight of who is going to be in charge of his physical therapy for the next few weeks!

Emerson Montgomery made a promise to herself a dozen years ago to never step foot back in this town again .. yet here she is … and running into her high school sweetheart right off the bat!  She left her high powered job with an NFL team in Las Vegas to come back home and settle into a small side-practice with the local Doc while refusing to tell anyone why she’s suddenly downgrading her life.

As Hunter and Emerson spend time together for his therapy, they talk and begin to be friends again.  When it slowly turns into wanting those same old things with each other, she finally trusts him enough to admit her medical issues.  Will she find a way to let down her guard and move forward with a future with him, or will she keep putting up these walls and refusing to get the help that she needs from everyone around her?

five-stars

* REVIEW * ZERO TO SIXTY by Marie Harte

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* REVIEW *  ZERO TO SIXTY by Marie HarteZero to Sixty by Marie Harte
Series: Body Shop Bad Boys Book 3
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on February 7, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
four-stars

BAD BOY SAM + GOOD GIRL IVY =
LEARNING TO LOVE AGAIN

After her last disaster of a relationship, Ivy Stephens is content being single. She has her job, her apartment-and the cute little puppy she's seen hanging around. When he escapes, she finds her search efforts aided by a big, burly, devastatingly handsome man. One who claims a prior claim on her dog.

Sam Hamilton is at loose ends since his best friend fell in love. He finds a sense of purpose in rescuing strays. The puppy who's stolen his heart just happens to run into blond, beautiful Ivy. And Sam can't help hoping she'll take in one more stray-him-for good.


If you’ve been following Marie Harte’s Body Shop Bad Boys series, you’ll recognize Sam quickly.  We have known that he carried a lot of baggage from his past from seeing him in Foley’s book in particular, so it’s not surprising that this book brings a good bit of sadness and anger to the surface.  He’s not easy to connect with, but you definitely want that happy ending for him.  He’s such a good guy at heart.

Mechanic Sam Hamilton had a hard time adjusting when his best friend, who is also like a brother to him, found the love of his life and wasn’t his sidekick anymore, but he’s been doing some good with his extra time and helping stray animals get a safe place to stay and finding them forever homes.  He’s on a mission for one cute puppy in particular when he approaches Ivy Stephens.

Ivy is a bit of a loner herself, so when she sees the adorable stray outside her massage clinic, she can’t resist taking him home with her.  When Sam shows up looking for him, he has recently gotten loose again, so Sam agrees to help her find him.  Sam’s an awkward guy, but she can’t help but be attracted to him … especially when he cares so much about this puppy!

As they spend time together and agree they are both interested in the other, will blending their lives together work out?  Will the secrets of their past and the scars they both carry from their childhood blow up in their faces before they even get started, or will they find a way to get past it all and start a life together?

four-stars