Archives for April 2017

FRIDAY FAVORITES with Dana Mentink

April 7, 2017 3 Comments

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 Love Inspired Suspense, Harlequin Heartwarming and Harvest House Publishers author DANA MENTINK! Thanks for joining me and sharing some of your favorites Dana!

Dana Mentink lives in California where the weather is golden and the cheese is divine. Her family includes two teen girls (affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo.) Papa Bear is retired from the fire department and he met Dana doing a dinner theater production of The Velveteen Rabbit. Ironically, their parts were husband and wife.

Dana is an American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year finalist for romantic suspense and a two time ACFW Carol Award winner. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She is honored to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired, Harlequin Heartwarming, and Harvest House Publishers. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, Yogi, Boo Boo, a dog with social anxiety problems, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet.

CONNECT WITH DANA:

My favorite color is … green.

My favorite place to read is … snuggled up in bed.

My favorite snack is … oh dear. Anything chocolate!

My favorite type of music is … barbershop quartet, believe it or not!

My favorite hot beverage is … coffee.

My favorite type of flower is … roses.

My favorite time of day is … early morning, WAY early morning!

My favorite candy is … Reese’s.

My favorite hobby is … cooking.

My favorite place to vacation is … Yosemite.

Look for Dana’s latest release, DANGEROUS TESTIMONY …

BUY LINKS:

DANGEROUS TESTIMONY
Pacific Coast Private Eyes

LAST WITNESS STANDING

Four weeks before she’s set to testify at a gang murder trial, someone is determined to make sure that Candace Gallagher Andrews never takes the stand. When nowhere is safe for the private investigator or her little girl, Candace turns to the only person she can trust—longtime friend and former navy SEAL Marco Quidel. For Marco, protecting Candace is not just another duty. As the trial date nears and the killer stalks ever closer, Marco knows fear for the first time—the fear of losing Candace and her daughter. But while Marco begins seeing Candace as more than just a friend, her late husband’s memory is never far from her mind. So he must keep Candace alive—and not get emotionally involved—long enough to put away a killer.

Previously in the series …

BUY LINKS:

ABDUCTED
Pacific Coast Private Eyes

ON THE RUN

When the high school sweetheart she never expected to see again bursts through the door of her medical mission clinic, nurse Sarah Gallagher can’t hold back her shock. But Dominic Jett isn’t there to catch up. He’s trying to save a life, and the thugs on his tail will stop at nothing to catch him. Now abducted and imprisoned on a remote island, Sarah and Jett become pawns in a tug-of-war between a powerful drug lord and a devious madman. And their only chance for survival is working together to find the valuable painting the dangerous men are searching for. But with someone trying to kill them at every turn, can they locate it in time to keep their reunion from turning fatal?

BUY LINKS:

DANGEROUS TIDINGS
Pacific Coast Private Eyes

SEARCHING FOR THE TRUTH

Coast Guard rescue swimmer Brent Mitchell wants only one gift for Christmas: to find his sister. When he discovers that her disappearance is tangled with the death of private eye Bruce Gallagher, he joins forces with Bruce’s daughter Donna to investigate. Grieving Donna is as tough as the determined military man…and both will stop at nothing to find the truth. But the duo soon discovers that a murdered father and a missing sister merely top a looming pyramid of secrets on Coronado Island. Deadly secrets. These unlikely partners have vowed to stick together until their most important case is closed—but they may pay with their lives.

BUY LINKS:

SEASIDE SECRETS
Pacific Coast Private Eyes

IN THE LINE OF FIRE

Navy chaplain Angela Gallagher wants to put the past behind her, but she’s still haunted by the wartime death of her assistant. So when his brother claims he’s in danger and pleads for her to use her family’s private detective company’s resources to help him stay alive, she can’t turn him down. But someone will stop at nothing—even murder—to keep her from revealing their secrets. She’ll have to depend on a military colleague to keep her head above water. Dr. Dan Blackwell was in the field with her when her assistant died, and he’s determined to keep her safe. Can they sift through the web of lies to find the truth without losing their lives?

And the latest release in Dana’s lighthearted contemporary series with Harvest House Publishers …

BUY LINKS:

Amazon | Kobo | Nook | iBook | GooglePlay

PAWS FOR LOVE

The Only Thing Sweet About Jellybean Is His Name

Jellybean the terrier is about to unleash some serious mayhem on the unsuspecting town of Albatross.

There’s no quiet on the set when over-the-hill screen star Lawrence Tucker brings his naughty terrier, Jellybean, on location to the beachside town of Albatross, California. When Jellybean develops a rapport with Tucker’s violin tutor, the painfully shy, socially awkward Misty Agnelli, her arm is twisted into minding the mischievous animal. Trailing Jellybean leads Misty into the candy store of Bill Woodson, a handsome chocolatier with a painful secret and a three-year-old niece to raise.

Misty must deal with the unstable Tucker, a temperamental Jellybean, her budding feelings for the mysterious Bill, and the high-pressure atmosphere on the set. Though she wants nothing more than to flee, how can she tell her Grandma, Lawrence Tucker’s biggest fan, that she abandoned the star and his dog?

It’s actors, animals, and antics galore when Jellybean gives his own heartwarming performance.

Previously in the series:

BUY LINKS:

Amazon | Kobo | Nook | iBook | GooglePlay

FETCHING SWEETNESS

Standing Between Stephanie and Her Dream
Is One Hundred Pounds of Lovable Trouble

It should have been so simple for Stephanie Pink: Meet up with Agnes Wharton in a small town in California, retrieve the reclusive author’s valuable new manuscript, and be promoted to a full-fledged literary agent.

But Agnes’s canine companion, Sweetness, decides to make a break for it before Stephanie can claim her prize. Until Agnes has Sweetness safely back at home in Eagle Cliff, Washington, Stephanie will never set eyes on the manuscript she needs to make her dreams come true.

When Stephanie tracks the runaway mutt to a campground, she meets Rhett Hastings—a man also on the run from a different life and a costly mistake. Rhett agrees to help Stephanie search for the missing dog…thus launching a surprising string of adventures and misadventures.

Once Sweetness gets added to the mix, it’s a recipe for love and loss, merriment and mayhem, fun and faith in the backwoods of the Pacific Northwest.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon | Kobo | Nook | iBook | GooglePlay

SIT, STAY, LOVE

Take one abrasive professional athlete, a quirky out-of-work schoolteacher, and an overweight geriatric dog, and you’re ready for a lesson in love…Tippy style.

Pro baseball pitcher Cal Crawford is not a dog guy. When he inherits his deceased mother’s elderly dog, Tippy, he’s quick to call on a pet-sitting service.

Gina isn’t thrilled to be a dog sitter when her aspirations lie in the classroom. Furthermore, she can’t abide the unfriendly Cal, a man with all the charm of a wet towel. But with no other prospects and a deep love for all things canine, she takes the job caring for Tippy.

As Gina travels through Cal’s world with Tippy in tow, she begins to see Cal in a different light. Gina longs to show Cal the God-given blessings in his life that have nothing to do with baseball or fame. When her longing blooms into attraction, Gina does her best to suppress it. But Cal is falling in love with her too…

Discover the charming story of Tippy, the dog who brought a family together.

Filed Under: Author Spotlight, Friday Favorites

* Review * PRIDE AND PREGNANCY by Sarah M. Anderson

April 6, 2017 Leave a Comment

Pride and Pregnancy by Sarah M. Anderson
Published by Harlequin Desire on April 1, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of good sense must not mix business with passion.

Like that will keep Tom Yellow Bird from pursuing the woman who shocked his senses at first sight. Yes, the wealthy FBI special agent's job is to work a case involving the Honorable Caroline Jennings. It is his duty to protect the beautiful judge. Yet nothing stops him from acting on the attraction between them. And once he discovers Caroline is pregnant…any good sense he's ever had completely vanishes.

But when a secret Caroline is keeping is finally revealed, will Tom's pride become his ultimate undoing?

A real attention grabber! First we are hooked just from the steam the two of them let off when they first lay eyes on each other, then the danger and mystery lurking around them catches our attention again. Ideally I would have loved to have seen the pregnancy hook played out a little sooner, but overall I really enjoyed the story!

When a case he’s working on brings FBI Special Agent Tom Yellow Bird into the Honorable Caroline Jennings’s courtroom, his eyes are opened in a way they haven’t been in years. His body awakens and he’s awe struck in her presence.

Caroline is equally distracted at the sight of him, and perfectly willing to let him protect her when danger comes knocking. Will the temptation be too great and lead them to jeopardize the case they are involved in, or will Tom distance himself just in the nick of time?

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * FOREVER MINE by Erin Nicholas

April 6, 2017 4 Comments

Forever Mine by Erin Nicholas
Series: Opposites Attract #2
Published by Forever on March 28, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Maya Goodwin doesn't believe in holding back. Ever. As a cop, she never hesitated to throw herself into harm's way to save someone. Even after an injury on the job forces her to retire, she's not afraid to keep risking it all to get the life she wants. With a new career teaching martial arts to kids already underway, she's looking forward to the future - and taking a chance on the unbelievably hot Dr. Alex Nolan.

Maya - daring and spontaneous - is the exact opposite of what Alex always thought he wanted. But when a nine-year-old daughter he never knew existed shows up on his doorstep, Maya is the one who helps them hold it together. With love on the line, will the guy who's always played it safe be willing to take the biggest risk of all?

An adorably sassy story! It’s funny, it’s heartwarming and it’s steamy in all the right places! It’s always a nice dose of reality when an author tackles a topic that many know very little about and weaves a story in such a fashion that you leave more knowledgeable. I really enjoyed seeing the familiar faces in the series again, and meeting the new characters. Fun story!

Feisty go-getter Maya Goodwin is always good for telling it like it is and going for what she wants out of life. She might have had a career ending injury that cut her life as a cop short, but she didn’t let that stop her. She loves the studio she opened up to teach kids imagination and martial arts! It’s a blast to interact with them and see them bring out new sides of themselves!

Dr. Alex Nolan has always lived his life on the cautious side. He doesn’t take chances, and he holds himself back from the crowd. He’s not one to reach out and grab what he wants, so for him to feel drawn to Maya the second he lays eyes on her is very out of character for him. He recently learned that he has a 10 year old daughter, and he’s desperate for a way to connect with her. Maya happens to be big on certain things that she’s a big fan of, so he sets out to get her to help him win over his daughter. Could a daredevil and a cautious doctor ever wind up being a perfect match?

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE BILLIONAIRES by Calista Fox

April 5, 2017 Leave a Comment

The Billionaires by Calista Fox
Series: A Lover's Triangle Novel
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on April 4, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

In The Billionaires, Calista Fox delivers a sexy and sensuous friends-to-lovers tale with a delicious love triangle twist.

Jewel Catalano, Rogen Angelini, and Vin D'Angelo had been childhood best friends, spending every possible moment with one another. Rogen became her first love, the first one to show her what pleasure could be. Until a volatile feud erupted between their powerful California wine country families and she and Rogen were torn apart from each other. What she didn't expect was to find comfort and passion like she had never known in Vin's arms and bed. But when that too ended in disaster, Jewel moved to San Francisco to work for the Catalano empire. Years later, a series of daring acquisitions brings Jewel back to River Cross, the hometown where Rogen and Vin have recently returned as well. Jewel has the curves, the smarts, and the success to bring any man to his knees—especially the two men who remained best friends and still burn to possess her.

Mixing family business with erotic pleasure ignites a smoldering love triangle. But in order to pull off the bold deal that will build the trios’ own legacy and to stay in their heady, sensual paradise, they must discover what true love really is—or lose everything their hearts' desire, in The Billionaires by Calista Fox.

Steaming with erotic passion! You must be okay with menage to enjoy this book! — I enjoyed the raw passion shared between the characters and enjoyed the family dynamic being brought into the story as well. I felt like the scenes with Bayli & Scarlet drug a bit and they almost felt like a distraction that wasn’t needed. Now that I realize their stories are coming soon, I get why they were there, but I feel like they could have been incorporated a little smoother. Really enjoyed the book and will look forward to more!

Jewel Catalano, Rogan Angelini and Vin D’Angelo grew up as the best of friends in California’s wine country. As they aged and grew into their own identities, Jewel and Rogan became each other’s first loves, dreaming of a bright future. When a bitter family feud between their father’s began over a business deal, their idyllic childhood ended. Rogan was sent away to school, forcing him and Jewel to end their relationship. Over time, Vin picked up the pieces of her broken heart and they began planning their own life together … only to come to a screeching halt over what would later be found out to be a misunderstanding or two.

Years have passed since Jewel has seen either of them, although Rogan and Vin continued their close friendship. Now she’s returning to River Cross for a business venture and crosses paths with the loves of her life once again. She can’t deny her body’s pull to either one of them, and upon learning they like to share their women these days, she sets out to make sure she’s next on the menu! As past love flares back up and the family feud continues, will they be able to actually make a relationship work between the three of them?

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Blog Tour / Book Review * THE MAGNATE’S MAIL-ORDER BRIDE by Joanne Rock

April 4, 2017 6 Comments

The Magnate's Mail-Order Bride by Joanne Rock
Series: The McNeill Magnates
Published by Harlequin Desire on April 1, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

A mix-and-match mock engagement?

Ballerina Sofia Koslov's career is on the line when she's accosted at the airport by a rich, reckless playboy who thinks she's his mail-order bride! But the playboy's levelheaded brother, Quinn McNeill, solves the media snafu with a switcheroo. He'll pretend to be her legitimate fiancé to protect her reputation—and to protect his family's business deals from her father's wrath. Sofia's one condition: they'll share the spotlight as a loving couple but won't share a bed. But soon Quinn's gentlemanly ways strike a chord, and Sofia's dying to renege on that condition and have a real fling…

A captivating tale of finding love when you least expect it! The chemistry between Sofia and Quinn was lit the second they laid eyes on each other. No one else in the room existed for those few seconds when their eyes first met. Their skin prickled, their breath caught and they felt the connection all the way to their toes. Great kick off to a new series about the McNeill brothers!

Ballerina Sofia Koslov is basically ambushed when she steps off the plane and has a man she’s never even met before thrusting flowers and an engagement ring at her! She can’t figure out what in the world is going on, other than the fact that the reporters are catching every second of it!

Quinn McNeill tried to stop his errant, impulsive brother from causing this big scene … and now that it’s already underway, he has to step in to calm the waters. Sofia is upset about the media spotlight, her father is furious and threatening a big overseas plan Quinn has in the works for the family business, and his brother has walked away. With the only solution being to step in and play her pretend fiance, Quinn saves the day and sets out to make sure Sofia is taken care of. Will close quarters have them acting on the attraction they both feel?

The Magnate’s Mail-Order Bride
The McNeill Magnates #1

By: Joanne Rock

Releasing April 4, 2017
Harlequin Desire

BLURB:

A mix-and-match mock engagement?

Ballerina Sofia Koslov’s career is on the line when she’s accosted at the airport by a rich, reckless playboy who thinks she’s his mail-order bride! But the playboy’s levelheaded brother, Quinn McNeill, solves the media snafu with a switcheroo. He’ll pretend to be her legitimate fiancé to protect her reputation—and to protect his family’s business deals from her father’s wrath. Sofia’s one condition: they’ll share the spotlight as a loving couple but won’t share a bed. But soon Quinn’s gentlemanly ways strike a chord, and Sofia’s dying to renege on that condition and have a real fling…

Buy Links: AMAZON | B & N | GOOGLE | ITUNES | KOBO

Link to Follow Release Blast: http://tastybooktours.com/tours-master/2017/1/31/the-magnates-mail-order-bride-blast-joanne-rock

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34036543-the-magnate-s-mail-order-bride

EXCERPT:

“I never would have guessed your brother would spend a small fortune on a ring for a woman he never met.” She edged out of his grip. “I thought he was a romantic, not completely certifiable.”

Quinn’s smile faded. “I assure you, Cameron is neither.” He set the ring on the steamer trunk beside her. “I’ll let you decide whether or not to wear it in the morning. And in the meantime, I’d better let you get some rest.”

He rose to his feet, leaving a priceless piece of jewelry balanced on last month’s Vogue.

“Quinn.” She stood to follow him to the door then reached back to grab the ring so she could return it. “Please. I don’t feel right keeping this here.”

He turned to face her as he reached the door, but made no move to take the glittering ring.

“If you were my bride-to-be, I would spare no expense to show the world you were mine.” His blue eyes glowed with a warmth that had her remembering his kiss. Her breath caught in her chest and she wondered what it might be like for him to call her that for real.

Mine.

“I’m—” At a total loss for words. “That is—” She folded the diamond into her hand, squeezing it tightly so the stones pressed into her soft skin, distracting her from her hypnotic awareness of this man. “If you insist.”

“It’s a matter of believability, Sofia.”

“It’s only for one month.” She wasn’t sure if she said it to remind him or herself.

“We’ll work out the details tomorrow.” He reached to smooth a strand of hair from her forehead, barely touching her and still sending shimmers of pleasure along her temple and all the way down the back of her neck. “Sleep well.”

She didn’t even manage to get her voice working before he was out the door again, leaving her alone in a suddenly too empty apartment.

Squeezing the ring tighter in her fist, she waited for the pinch of pain from the sharp edges of the stones. She needed to remember that this wasn’t real. Quinn McNeill had only agreed to this mad scheme to clean up his brother’s mess. Any hint of attraction she felt needed to be squashed immediately, especially since Quinn was cut from the same mold as her father—focused on business and the accumulation of wealth. Her world was about art, emotions and human connections.

Her mother had taught her that people did not fall into both camps. In Sofia’s experience it was true. And since she wanted her own relationships to be meaningful bonds rooted in shared creativity and ideals, she was willing to wait until she had more time in her life to find the right partner. Romance could not be rushed.

“It’s only for a month,” she said aloud again, forcing herself to set the engagement ring on the hallway table.

Surely she could keep up her end of a fake engagement for the sake of appearances? She’d made countless sacrifices for her career, from dancing on broken toes to living away from her family on the other side of the globe to train with Russian ballet masters.

Ignoring the sensual draw of Quinn McNeill couldn’t possibly be more difficult than those challenges.

Yet, even as she marched herself off to bed, she feared she was lying to herself that she could keep her hands off the man anywhere near as easily as she’d set down the ring.

AUTHOR INFO:

Four-time RITA nominee Joanne Rock has never met a romance sub-genre she didn’t like. The author of over seventy books enjoys writing a wide range of stories, most recently focusing on sexy contemporaries and small town family sagas. An optimist by nature and perpetual seeker of silver linings, Joanne finds romance fits her life outlook perfectly–love is worth fighting for. A frequent speaker at regional and national writing conferences she enjoys giving back to the writing community that nurtured and inspired her early career. She has a Masters degree in Literature from the University of Louisville but credits her fiction writing skills to her intensive study with friend and fellow author Catherine Mann. When she’s not writing, Joanne enjoys travel, especially to see her favorite sports teams play with her former sports editor husband and three athletic-minded sons.

Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

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Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews

* Review * THE TEXAN’S RETURN by Karen Whiddon

April 4, 2017 Leave a Comment

The Texan's Return by Karen Whiddon
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on April 1, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

In the small town of Legacy, Texas, an old man is dying. At his side is the son determined to clear his name. Mac Morrison knows his father was wrongfully imprisoned for murder, and he's determined to find the real killer. But not before he reunites with a love from his past…

Hailey Green, who's still grieving her brutally murdered sister, hasn't seen Mac since he fled town in disgrace. Forced to raise her siblings, Hailey still relies on no one but herself—until the man who killed her sister returns. Turning to each other while seeking answers, Hailey and Mac find their old desires reignited and realize that the only life worth protecting is one together!

Circumstances tore them apart, but the yearning they still feel for each other the second they come back into contact proves that time doesn’t heal all wounds! A reunion with a twist takes us for a ride in the latest by Karen Whiddon. A detailed plot and interesting characters keep our attention as we set out to figure out who is telling the truth!

Years ago Mac Morrison was forced away from his life and the love and friendship he had shared with Hailey Green. His father was accused of murdering her sister and his family was ostracized and forced to leave Legacy, Texas. His father is now dying, and the one thing he wants before he goes is to have his name cleared of this heinous crime he swears he didn’t commit!

Hailey Green had her future ripped away from her when she had to step in to raise her younger siblings after her sister’s murder. She might have a sudden flare of attraction go through her body when she sees the man Mac has become, but she can’t stand to look at him and remember what his father did … but as she stops and actually listens to what he and his father have to say, she has to wonder … did the cops get it wrong all those years ago and her sister’s killer is still out there?

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* GIVEAWAY * FAKING IT by Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde

April 3, 2017 1 Comment

Enter to win a copy of FAKING IT
… before you can buy it!

Carly Phillips & Erika Wilde

Faking It
April 11, 2017

BLURB:

Confirmed bachelor Max Sterling isn’t into rescuing damsels in distress, but when the very tempting Hailey Ellison needs his help, there’s only one thing for him to do. Step in and pose as her loving fiancé. Except there is nothing fake about his attraction to her, or how much he wants her beneath him in his bed, moaning his name. But what starts as a sexy, flirty, temporary engagement, quickly becomes something more serious that neither one ever anticipated.

GOODREADS:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33897795-faking-it

BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2nATDDp
B&N Nook: http://bit.ly/2mW6F1g
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2nAXaSe
iBooks: http://apple.co/2lXgNrf
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2lXeHrk

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

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Filed Under: Blitz, GIVEAWAY!

* Blog Tour / Release Blast * HIS LAST DEFENSE by Karen Rock

April 3, 2017 3 Comments

His Last Defense
Uniformly HOT!

By: Karen Rock

Releasing March 21, 2017
Harlequin Blaze

BLURB:

Semper Paratus. Always ready.

Years ago, Coast Guard rescue swimmer Dylan Holt left Kodiak, Alaska, with his heart in pieces. He thought Nolee Arnauyq and her mouthwatering curves were behind him—until he’s sent to rescue the crew of a capsizing boat…including Nolee. And Dylan is definitely not ready for the too-familiar way his body aches at seeing her again.

Nolee’s always gone after what she wanted, and to hell with the risks. Now she’s a rookie ship captain taking on the deadly waters of the Bering Sea. But out on these treacherous waters, there’s no way to avoid the sizzling sexual tension between them—or the dangerous pull of emotions that could leave both their hearts lost at sea…

Link to Follow Tour: http://tastybooktours.com/tours-master/2017/2/18/his-last-defense-karen-rock

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31521855-his-last-defense

Buy Links: AMAZON | B & N | GOOGLE | ITUNES | KOBO

EXCERPT:

Back in the wheelhouse, Nolee snatched up her radio, her eyes meeting Stu’s. “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is the vessel Pacific Sun. We’re taking on water.”

White noise crackled through the speaker. “Roger. Pacific Sun, this is United States Coast Guard, Kodiak,

Alaska, communication station. Over.”

She relayed rapid-fire specifics. “The seas are pounding us,” she concluded, her voice hoarse.

“Not sure how long before we capsize.”

Speaking the words made it all the more real. She’d never been seasick a day in her life, but right now, she knew a whole lot about heartsick.

“Roger that. Jayhawk is on the way with ETA of twelve minutes. Swimmer and pumps will be deployed.”

Bittersweet relief washed through her as she left Stu at the helm and joined the bucket line. On one hand, she didn’t want to be rescued. Never had. But on her life’s balance sheet, the US Coast Guard owed her big-time for the life-gutting sacrifice she’d made to them nine years ago when she’d given up the person who mattered most to her. They could damn well pay up with some help today.

She passed heavy pails among her crew, fighting a losing battle against water that wouldn’t stop coming. Half the buckets spilled or sloshed most of their contents before making it over the rail, the deck pitching so fiercely below their feet they could barely maintain balance. She worked fiercely, doggedly, and thought she’d weep with relief when she finally glimpsed orange as the Jayhawk passed over the ship. Keeping her head down, she continued to pass slippery, frigid buckets until Tyler pointed out that the rescue swimmer was on his way down.

She stared up at the dangling rescue swimmer descending onto her bucking deck. The mountain-sized man, clad in a bright orange suit, unhooked himself and strode her way, his step sure and nimble despite the heaving boat.

She blinked, suddenly feeling more off-balance than ever, fooled into thinking she knew him. It was just the outfit. Just that cursed Coast Guard swagger. Yet there was something about the broad-shouldered shape, the assured step and the bone-deep confidence visible in the green eyes behind his clear mask as he drew closer.

It couldn’t be.

“Dylan?”

He’d sworn never to come back to Alaska, had left without a goodbye. Her legs and arms went slack, and for a second she thought she might smack the ground.

The worst mistake of her life flipped up his visor. Spoke. “Hello, Nolee.”

AUTHOR INFO:

Award-winning author Karen Rock is both sweet and spicy—at least when it comes to her writing! The author of both YA and adult contemporary books writes red-hot novels for Harlequin Blaze and small-town romances for Harlequin Heartwarming. A strong believer in Happily-Ever-After, Karen loves creating unforgettable stories that leave her readers with a smile. When she’s not writing, Karen is an avid reader who’s typically immersed in three different books at a time, all in different genres. She also loves cooking her grandmother’s Italian recipes, baking, Christmas (no need to specify—she loves every bit of it), and having the Adirondack Park wilderness as her backyard, where she lives with her husband, daughter, dog and cat who keep her life interesting and complete. Learn more about her at her website.

Author Links: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

TASTY Q&A with KAREN ROCK:

Describe yourself in five words or less.

Romantic dreamer and complete dork.

Can you tell us a little about your book?

This is a high-stakes, action-packed second-chance romance that takes place on Alaska’s most deadly waters: The Bering Sea. Nolee Arnauyq is a crab fishing boat captain who’s determined to make her own way in a man’s world after growing up dependent on others’ charity. She doesn’t want to be rescued, least of all by the ex that broke her heart, USCG rescue swimmer Dylan Holt who plucks her from her sinking vessel after he’s been assigned back to his old hometown in Alaska. Out on the most dangerous waters in the world, where a tumble overboard will stop your heart in five seconds, Dylan’s greatest worry is his returning feelings for Nolee, a woman who’s never left his heart or thoughts, no matter how far he’s traveled for his coast guard work. He plans to transfer stateside as soon as possible, and leave the stifling hometown that holds bad memories, but Nolee’s proving to be one sizzling temptation his body, and heart, can’t resist.

How did you come up with the concept and the characters for the story?

I’m addicted to Discovery Channel’s hit show THE DEADLIEST CATCH! I knew I wanted to set a book in this extreme setting but needed the right, high-octane story. When I saw an episode where a USCG Air and Sea Rescue team rescues a crab fishing crew from a sinking vessel, I imagined the ultimate sexy alpha hero- a fearless rescue swimmer daring and determined enough to fling himself into most dangerous waters in the world to save others. Of course, then I needed a heroine strong enough to go toe-to-toe with such a tough guy and who better than a headstrong, fearless crab fishing boat captain whose staked her claim in this testosterone-charged world. I wanted them to be second-chance lovers with lots to lose by risking their hearts with each other again. Putting them on a boat together in a life-and-death adventure, where they can’t resist their sizzling chemistry, made this one of my favorite sexy romances to write of all time.

What gave you the most trouble with this story?

My biggest challenge was the painstaking research I undertook to ensure that I created an authentic experience for the readers in the unique world of crab fishing on Alaska’s Bering Sea. In addition to watching lots of THE DEADLIEST CATCH episodes and videos of USCG Air and Sea rescues, I fact checked with USCG Commander Bill Friday, a Jayhawk pilot who was stationed for several years in Kodiak, Alaska and one of THE DEADLIEST CATCH’S captain’s THE TIME BANDIT’S Jonathan Hillstrand. He provided the kind of insider details that helped me convey an unforgettably sexy romance set on treacherous waters.

Name one thing you won’t leave home without.

My cell phone! I’d feel lost if I couldn’t connect to my family and friends via social media, email and texts. The downside is that it’s also next to me as I write and even though I mute it, and turn it upside down, I still find myself checking it way too much.

Name three things on your desk right now.

Since my “desk” is really an easy chair where I write with my laptop, the following three things are on it: a can of lemon-flavored seltzer water wedged between me and the arm rest, Post-It notes stuck to the edges of my laptop reminding me of appointments, changes to make to my MS, reminders for contests and grocery lists, and my puppy, Zoey, who takes her job as “author assistant” very seriously by laying at the end of my chair, her head resting on my ankle, as I write.

Tell us all about your main characters—who are they? What makes them tick? Most importantly, what one thing would they need to have with them if stranded on a desert isle? 😉

Nolee Arnauyq has a white father, who abandoned her before she was born, and an Inuit mother who struggled to provide for them due to her serious health issues. Growing up dependent on others’ charity has made Nolee fiercely independent and determined to make her way in the world- even in a man’s world- like becoming a crab fishing boat captain. This high risk job also comes with huge rewards and she’s willing to gamble all, even her life, to never be dependent on anyone else again, and to provide for her mother. It surprised me just how easy it was to insert a female character into such a macho world. The crew men accept her as their leader and look up to her because she’s good at her job and keeps them safe while pulling lots of crab to fatten their bank accounts. She can also transform from tough as nails captain to an irresistible temptress when she decides to make the most of her time with her ex, gorgeous USCG rescue swimmer Dylan Holt. If stranded on a deserted isle, the one thing she’d need to have with her would be a fishing pole since she’s an expert fisherman and could feed herself with it.

Dylan Holt grew up in Kodiak Alaska. He’s the youngest son of a father he could never please, especially when he refused to join the family business to join the Coast Guard as a rescue swimmer. He’s tough, fearless and gorgeous with a sense of humor that’s disarming and so sexy. He’s also loyal and passionate and he’s never forgotten his first love, Nolee Arnauyq, who crushed his heart years ago. He vowed never to return to Alaska, but can’t avoid confronting his past when he rescues Nolee off her sinking crab fishing vessel when he’s transferred to the USCG Kodiak Air Station. Dylan is a talented swimmer and exceptional athlete. If he were stranded on a deserted isle, he’d need to have his swim gear (snorkel, mask and fins) so that he could deep dive for crab and other fish to feed himself, and possibly swim to safety. If anyone could cross an ocean in fins- it’d be Dylan.

Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?

Military and law enforcement heroes are the ultimate sexy alpha male romantic hero. They’re strong, commanding, passionate, fearless and are smoking hot in those uniforms! I love personal courage and conviction and plan to write many more books featuring them. I’m drawn to stories with lots of edgy action and am currently working on a high-stakes suspense series set in a Dallas male strip club that will feature under cover law enforcement. Book One- Dangerous Moves- will be released with Kensington Press in 2018. For updates about my new releases and giveaways, follow my Amazon author page at http://amzn.to/1NSRVrT , follow me on Goodreads on http://www.goodreads.com/karenrockauthor or drop by my website at http://www.karenrock.com

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Filed Under: Blog Tour, Release Day Blitz

* Review * LOST IN YOU by Jules Bennett

April 2, 2017 Leave a Comment

Lost In You by Jules Bennett
Series: The Monroes #3
Published by Zebra on March 28, 2017
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Goodreads

The only thing that could bring Liam Monroe back to Haven, Georgia, is his loyalty to his late sister--so he’s agreed to serve as a chef at the resort his brothers have built in her honor. But he’s not staying. At least that’s the plan. . .

Macy Hayward always admired the Monroes. Adopting four kids—including the brooding, mysterious Liam—they were an example of the loving family she wanted for herself someday. Now, ironically, Macy’s got an unexpected new tenant in the apartment above her hardware store: none other than Liam.

Most of Liam’s furniture consists of weightlifting equipment, since he has no intention of settling in. He can’t wait to run away again, from his brothers and his bitter memories—and from Macy, with her relentlessly seductive curves. Still, while he’s around, he should do the poor woman a favor and teach her to cook, before she poisons someone. . .

Soon, their sessions in the kitchen are getting spicy. But Macy has roots in Haven, and she wants to plant more, including taking in a little girl who needs a home. Meanwhile, Liam has an opportunity for his own restaurant in Atlanta. Will choosing love mean giving up their separate dreams? Or will the heart find a way?. . .

The epitome of a happily-ever-after! I can’t even begin to tell you how many emotions this book stirs up. Not only is it the culmination of the 3rd brother finding love, but it’s a whole other feeling of completeness because Chelsea got her dream. Not only did her brothers bring her dream business to life, but in the midst of it, they became the close-knit family she always wanted them to be … with her memory and the love she showered on them in the short time they had together surrounding them all in their hearts. I loved this series so much … I only wished there were some more brothers so we’d get more books out of it! 🙂

Liam Monroe has always been the loner of the family. He loved his adopted family more than he could ever show, but a part of him was always locked away in memories of his past. He left their home of Haven, GA to strike out on his own years ago, and the only thing that will bring him back is Chelsea. After her death, his brothers rallied together to build her dream resort & spa in an old house she had bought and planned for before her death. Now he’s back to run the kitchen … but only temporarily!

Macy Hayward had a crush on Liam back in high school. Now she’s having to see him constantly because she got suckered into renting him the apartment above her hardware store. She still feels that draw to him every time she sees his handsome body. When circumstances draw them together and have him teaching her how to cook, things really heat up! When it comes time for Liam to pursue his own dreams and head out of town again, will he be able to walk away from all that Haven holds for him … not only family, but a new found love as well?

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * MARRYING HER SEAL by Kat Cantrell

April 2, 2017 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * MARRYING HER SEAL by Kat Cantrell

Marrying Her SEAL by Kat Cantrell
Series: ASSIGNMENT: Caribbean Nights
Published by Alpe D'Huez Press on March 22, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Navy SEAL Jaxon Hyland can fix anything—except the inconvenient attraction he's always had for his gorgeous best friend. It was easy to maintain a hands-off policy when he was deployed half a world away but when Thora pops up on Duchess Island, the Caribbean paradise Jack calls home, everything changes. Emotionally bruised by a bad breakup, Thora needs Jack now more than ever. Jack has never been able to tell her no, not even when she asks him to marry her. It's supposed to be temporary. 100% fake. Platonic. But how long can that really last when she's the only woman he's ever wanted?

A decadently fun friends-to-lovers romance! We’ve seen glimpses of Jack & Thora previously in the series, and we just knew their story was going to be a blast … and it is! They have a super strong friend connection dating back more than 2 decades and know that when they look each other in the eye, they are seeing the one person that has their back no matter what. When they actually begin to let their attraction show through, it’s magic!

When a team of former Navy SEAL’s retired and decided to open up a business together in the Caribbean, we expected a lot of fun … and we sure have gotten it! These guys are finding their happily-ever-afters left and right, and this time it’s Jack’s turn! Jaxon Hyland’s one true stable in life has been his friendship with Thora. She is the only person that knows his secrets and loves him regardless. When she has a break-up and needs some place to nurse her wounds, it’s Jack she runs to.

Jack would do anything for her … but he doesn’t think he’s going to have to go quite THIS far to prove it. Marrying her .. in name only .. for a short amount of time? She’s really pulling on the strings of friendship with this one!

Filed Under: Book Reviews