Archives for October 2017

* Review * GAME ON by Victoria Denault

October 15, 2017 Leave a Comment

Game On by Victoria Denault
Series: Hometown Players
Published by Forever Yours on October 10, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

"I don't break hearts. I break headboards . . . "

When it comes to scoring in the pro hockey league, Alex Larue is crushing it-with the hot puck bunnies. He's the life of the party, the guy with all the jokes . . . and the one whose Party Guy mask keeps the real him well hidden. The last thing he needs is anyone finding out about his troubled past, or the nightmares that haunt him still.

Brie Bennett is less than impressed by Alex from the moment she meets him. And even though he insists on volunteering at the charity she runs, she doesn't trust him. He's hiding something...but so is she. She's not just the rich, privileged New York princess he thinks she is. The animosity between them is undeniably addictive and as their worlds keep colliding it becomes supercharged with something else - attraction. But if they stop playing games and let each other in, they both might lose.

I adored this story! Who would have guessed that bad boy hockey player Alex Larue would be turn out to be such a nice guy? He’s smooth, he’s gritty, he’s the player to end all players … most likely to score — off the ice! … and more damaged than anyone could ever imagine. He plays the party guy just right and even though he’s made some great friends in the league, he’s hidden his true life from them all. When an apparent rich girl princess comes into his life, he never thinks she’ll be the one that brings him to his knees … but with more in common than either of them think, they are drawn to each other. It’s a fast paced read with hockey as the back drop, but more important in this particular book in the series is the underlying healing of bringing two scarred hearts together to help each other and another. Really great read!

Brie Bennett is totally put off by the latest guy to stop by and “pretend” he wants to volunteer at her charity for teens. She’s sure he’s just one more pro athlete that wants the glamour he thinks he’ll rake in by devoting a little time to a bunch of down on their luck kids and then will never show up again after a time or two. She’s seen her fill of guys like him!

Alex Larue can’t figure out quite what it is about him that makes Brie so irritated, but he’s happy to see the sparks fly in her eyes because he thinks she’s hot! He’s more than happy to inspire her ire a little more if it means making her mad enough that she won’t be able to resist the fact that she’s attracted to him!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * HELLO AGAIN by Brenda Novak

October 12, 2017 Leave a Comment

Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

SHE CAN MAKE SENSE OF A COMPLEX CRIMINAL MIND.
Evelyn Talbot, a psychiatrist at a maximum-security prison in Alaska, studies some of the world's worst serial killers. But she’s about to meet her most elusive patient at Hanover House yet: Dr. Lyman Bishop, AKA the Zombie Maker given his fondness for performing ice-pick lobotomies on his victims. A brilliant cancer researcher, Bishop is either the most cunning psychopath Evelyn has ever encountered—or he is wrongly convicted.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A CRIMINAL CAN SEE INTO HER OWN?
When a new ice-pick fatality occurs, it seems Bishop really was wrongly convicted. Except...Evelyn has a personal connection to the victim and that suggests the killer may be someone from her own past: Jasper Moore, her high school boyfriend who tortured her and left her for dead when she was only sixteen. Jasper also murdered three of her friends—and was never caught. Is he trying to send a message with this copycat crime? The only thing Evelyn knows for sure is that if Jasper is on her trail, she might not be able to escape again . . .

A delectably chilling addition to the Evelyn Talbot series! This is a series that in my opinion should be read in order from the beginning so that you will be able to follow along and get all of the history and inflection of what has happened previously. We are familiar with the majority of the characters at this point, but there are always new deranged killers showing up at the prison. The plot is easy to get entrenched into, because we are just waiting for her to be in danger again. We definitely saw some of that in this book, but I was looking for a little more actual Jasper interaction. Hopefully the next book will give us a satisfactory conclusion to his terror once and for all … and I’m still crossing my fingers on that happily ever after for Evelyn & Amarok!

Forever reeling from her traumatizing teenage experiences, psychiatrist Evelyn Talbot worked hard to get Hanover House prison established in Hilltop, Alaska. She studies some of the most deranged serial killers ever to have been imprisoned and hopes to one day have some conclusive research to combat the devious mind of a killer. When her latest high profile prisoner arrives, tension is high. Dr. Lyman Bishop AKA the Zombie Maker has been reeking havoc performing ice-pick lobotomies. Upon beginning sessions with him, she deduces that he’s a very credible liar … or is it possible he actually is innocent like he claims?

When a new murder occurs with the same MO, it’s obvious it couldn’t be Bishop … but when the news gets out that it’s an old classmate of Evelyn’s, everyone wonders if it’s Jasper coming back to taunt her once again!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Blog Tour / Book Review * A CHANCE THIS CHRISTMAS by Joanne Rock

October 12, 2017 Leave a Comment

A Chance This Christmas by Joanne Rock
Series: Road to Romance #3
Published by Tule Publishing on October 5, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Growing up in the Christmas-crazed theme town of Yuletide was fun for fashion designer Rachel Chambers until a family scandal made her unwelcome. Eight years later, she’s home for a friend’s wedding and trying to go incognito… until her old flame spots her.

Snowboarder Gavin Blake wants to make things right with Rachel, and smoothing her way back in Yuletide seems like the best way to do just that. Making Rachel his date for a week of pre-wedding parties is sure to bring them closer. Except he underestimated how long a small town can carry a grudge--or how much the memory of a long-ago kiss could tempt him all over again.

As the wedding approaches, Rachel remembers all she loved about her close-knit, Christmas-loving neighbors. But even if she can win over the town again, will she be able to convince her footloose, mogul-shredding wedding date that they can find happiness beyond the holidays?

A quirky little Christmas town captures our attention and takes us on a fast-paced journey of forgiveness! The characters have a sweet connection and it’s fun getting to watch them try to ignore and then give in to the feelings they have for each other. Sometimes, you really can go home again!

Rachel Chambers never thought she’d be making this trek back home to Yuletide, New York after the scandalous way she left town, but a wedding invitation she never expected has her hoping to slink into town unnoticed. That doesn’t work out so well!

Short-lived ex-flame Gavin Blake now lives next door to her mother, and when he sees that she’s home, he doesn’t waste any time apologizing for his part in how she was treated all of those years ago. When he offers to pave her way back into the good graces of the town in exchange for her being his date to the wedding, how can she refuse?

A Chance This Christmas
by Joanne Rock
October 5, 2017
Tule Publishing

Growing up in the Christmas-crazed theme town of Yuletide was fun for fashion designer Rachel Chambers until a family scandal made her unwelcome. Eight years later, she’s home for a friend’s wedding and trying to go incognito… until her old flame spots her.

Snowboarder Gavin Blake wants to make things right with Rachel, and smoothing her way back in Yuletide seems like the best way to do just that. Making Rachel his date for a week of pre-wedding parties is sure to bring them closer. Except he underestimated how long a small town can carry a grudge–or how much the memory of a long-ago kiss could tempt him all over again.

As the wedding approaches, Rachel remembers all she loved about her close-knit, Christmas-loving neighbors. But even if she can win over the town again, will she be able to convince her footloose, mogul-shredding wedding date that they can find happiness beyond the holidays?

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36183705-a-chance-this-christmas

Buy links:

Excerpt from A Chance this Christmas by Joanne Rock

Tule Publishing

October 5, 2017

For a second, she blinked up at him, blue eyes wide. She still had that sweet, girl-next-door appeal. But there had always been an edge to her, too. A wicked gleam behind the innocence. A twinkle of mischief.

She edged past him. “Hi. Sorry I don’t have time to visit. I need to see a friend.” Fumbling her keys with her red mittens, she dropped them in the snow.

“No problem.” He moved to help her retrieve them, hearing the brush-off in her tone. “I’m glad to see you back in town.”

“If that’s true—and I doubt it—then that makes you the only person besides my mother who would ever admit it.” She sounded breathless and agitated.

Irritated.

The last time he’d spoken to her, she’d been breathless for much better reasons. At least at the start of the day. His fingers closed around her keys where they’d fallen behind the Cadillac front tire. Gavin turned toward her, the two of them still crouched side by side in the snow.

“I’ve always regretted the way we parted, Rachel. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry about what happened.” He reached for her hand in the shadowy darkness lit mostly by the empty Christmas carousel spinning around nearby. He held her wrist and deposited the keys into her mitten.

“Sorry for what? That my father thought it would be a great idea to bankrupt the town? That he timed it to happen while everyone was distracted by my ex-boyfriend proposing in skywriting? Or that my embarrassment over making out with you caused me to flee and look as guilty as my crooked dad?” She yanked her wrist away from him and shot to her feet, already sifting through the set to find the door key. Her breathing sounded labored, like she’d just finished a snowboard run at full speed.

“I felt bad about all those things, Rach. But I’m sorry I acted like an ass and clammed up when Luke came along.” He shook his head, uncomfortable with the memory. “I had no right to hang you out to dry like that.”

Key in the door, she let go of the fob. The thick metal elf icon banged against the door. Her shoulders rose and fell with her breathing.

“It’s been eight years.” She sighed out the number. Or tried to. It came out as more of a wheeze. “If Luke hasn’t put it behind him, he’s not as much of a grown-up as we all gave him credit for.”

Good to know his actions hadn’t kept her up at night. But he wasn’t letting himself off the hook yet.

“Are you okay?” He held a hand out to her, cupping her shoulder through her dark coat.

“I’m fine.” She shook her head, her face illuminated by the blue and yellow lights of one of the animals on the carousel as it spun past. “Just a tree allergy, I think.”

“In thirty-degree weather?” He frowned.

“I might actually be allergic to the whole town.” She pulled an inhaler out of her pocket and took a quick puff.

“I’m sure it’s not as bad as all that. I’ve been hoping I’d see you again ever since I bought Jingle Elf’s house.” He didn’t move his hand right away, enjoying the feel of her.

They’d been friends for a long time before things fell apart. When she’d been Luke’s girlfriend, he’d been respectful of that, giving her a wide berth because he’d always felt a bit more than friendly toward her. But with his training schedule, he’d been wary of jumping into a relationship even as a teen. He shouldn’t have been surprised when she started dating Luke.

Then, after his friends had split, he should have known it was only a matter of time before the chemistry simmered to the surface.

“I never would have guessed you’d want to be a part of the madness that is Yuletide.” She shivered lightly. “I’ve been back in town for a day and Katie Garrett is already threatening to have me thrown out on my ear.”

“I’ve always loved it here. You know that.” Gavin remembered a time when her father had been a mentor to him, giving the local teens all a role in helping the Christmas town take shape in the early years. “And it’s past time you reminded the old guard you have just as much of a right to be here as any of them.” He noticed a few of the town board members in the next row, wearing their tree-lighting finery and the light-up necklaces that said “Yuletide.” “Although, unless you’re prepared to do that right now, maybe you should let me drive you where you want to go.”

Glancing over her shoulder, Rachel pulled her hat lower. “That’s okay. I’m going in to Lake Placid. I can take Mom’s car.”

“You realize there isn’t a more recognizable vehicle in town outside of St. Nick’s sleigh?” He kept his voice down, unwilling to end this unlikely reunion with the intrusion of a bunch of the town founders who’d grown cynical since the Chris Chambers’ embezzlement. “That Cadillac is going to announce your presence pretty quickly.”

Rachel glanced back and forth between him and the car. “I don’t know.”

Insulted that he didn’t look like the better option, he tugged the keys free from the door. “The Rachel Chambers I once knew had a sense of adventure.”

He held out his hand, waiting. And yes, hoping.

“And look where that got me?” she whispered, but took his hand just the same. “I’m a pariah in my own town.”

Leading her toward his truck a few spaces on, he made sure they stayed out of the reflected carousel lights.

“Not if I have anything to say about it.” Unlocking the passenger door, he helped her up into the old F150 he’d bought when he purchased the house. He hurried to the driver’s side and slid behind the wheel before she changed her mind.

“Oh really? I’m not sure you’re going to be much help salvaging my reputation.”

He really shouldn’t get involved. He knew that. Championing Rachel in this town would be bad for the business he wanted to open. It could hurt his chances of accomplishing a whole laundry list of things he wanted to tackle in town, starting with a fundraiser he needed the town council to approve.

But he owed her, didn’t he?

“That’s where you’re wrong.” A plan came together in his mind—a way to make up to her the wrong that he’d done all those years ago. “I’m a local sports hero these days.” He wasn’t bragging. People placed a whole lot of emphasis on sports. “I’ve got some standing in town.”

“I don’t think that’s going to help me. I might just tarnish your Olympic halo.” She rubbed a knuckle along the passenger window, as if she could clear the icy layer on the outside.

They sat in the cold truck while he waited for the defroster to kick in enough to clear the windows.

He knew she had a valid point.

“I kept my mouth shut eight years ago when I should have defended you to everyone. At the time, I thought maybe you hadn’t been honest with me, and that maybe you really were still with Luke.” Gavin had felt like he’d betrayed his friend, and the guilt had made him say things he later regretted. “I know better now, thanks to making amends with Luke. And I’d like to help you feel welcome in Yuletide again.”

“You don’t have to do any such thing.” She turned toward him, a hand on his arm. “I’m not going to stay in town long anyhow.”

He could see the hint of vulnerability in her pretty eyes. Was she leaving because things were uncomfortable for her here? He couldn’t abide that. Not when he’d been a part of the reason she’d felt ostracized. He knew exactly how to fix it.

Besides, he realized he was in no hurry for her to leave. It’d been too long since he had seen her.

“I happen to know Kiersten Garrett really wants you at her wedding.” He’d been over to dinner at Luke’s and Kiersten had shared as much.

Rachel’s jaw dropped. “I— Well. Just because Kiersten wants me there doesn’t mean I need to put up with grief from everyone in town.”

He jumped into trouble with both feet. It came with the territory on the mountain every day, and he wasn’t going to shy away from a risk now, with someone who used to be important to him.

“Consider the town quieted when you go to the bridal welcome dinner as my date.”

About Joanne Rock:

Four-time RITA nominee Joanne Rock has never met a romance sub-genre she didn’t like. The author of over eighty 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.

Social Media links:

US only:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

International:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews

* Pre-Order Blitz* IN TOO DEEP by Kimberly Kincaid

October 12, 2017 Leave a Comment

Have You Pre-ordered IN TOO DEEP by Kimberly Kincaid yet?

Pre-order IN TOO DEEP and add it to your TBR pile on Goodreads! Then keep reading to get an EXCLUSIVE sneak peek at IN TOO DEEP and to enter the giveaway for an Amazon Echo Dot!

Title: In Too Deep
Author: Kimberly Kincaid
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: October 17, 2017
Publisher: Kimberly Kincaid Romance
Series: Station Seventeen
Format: Print & Digital

Synopsis:

As Station Seventeen’s rookie, Luke Slater knows his fire and EMS training will be both rigorous and risky, but he never imagined having to partner up with the one woman he wants to keep at arm’s length most of all. Quinn Copeland is as wide-open as Luke is reserved. He has no interest in letting the sweet and sexy paramedic rock his hard-earned control. But the need for composure becomes the need to survive when they find themselves in the crosshairs of a brutal gang leader on their first shift together.

Paramedic Quinn Copeland’s station mates aren’t just her friends. They’re her family. She’d do anything to keep them safe—including reluctantly trusting her impossible-to-read, impossibly gorgeous new partner with the one thing she holds close. As the passion between Luke and Quinn goes from a slow burn to a sizzle, their steps grow more and more dangerous, both in the fire house and out. Can they outwit a cold-blooded killer and face the fears that could cost them everything? Or are they in too deep?

Pre-order at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

Enter to win an Amazon Echo Dot from Kimberly Kincaid!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In Too Deep Excerpt

Shae moved her gaze over their surroundings in a methodical sweep, the eyes she’d squinted against the glare of the late-morning sunlight going round and wide as they landed on Quinn. “So,” she said, dropping her voice but not the ear-to-ear smile that told Luke nothing good was going to come from their now-private conversation. “About Quinn.”

“What about her?” Luke stared holes in the pick-off strap he’d pre-rigged before the drill, willing his fingers to steadily fasten the stupid thing to the main attachment point on Shae’s harness. Rope rescue. Safe transfer. Focus.

“You two have been spending some time together lately, huh?”

His stomach knotted before dropping toward his hips. “Quinn has been helping with my paramedic training,” he said, selecting his words with care. After a really hairy call had led the house to a gruesome arson/murder scene three months ago, Luke had been surprised to discover he had a fear of blood. But since he also wanted to help people as a first responder, he couldn’t let that fear—debilitating as it had been—stand in the way of him doing the job that would keep people safe.

So he’d done what he always did. He’d taken a step back to quietly attack the problem, devoting himself not only to the rest of his fire and rescue training, but to earning his certification as a paramedic at the same time. Yeah, the workload was intense, and no, balancing both didn’t leave him much time for luxuries outside of sleep or hot meals. He wasn’t exactly a stranger to balls-out hard work, though. In fact, he and hard work were more like what his seventeen-year-old sister Hayley would call “besties”. Not that Luke had any freaking clue what that might actually entail, since he never got past the handshake and Heisman stage with anyone.

That whole arm’s length thing? So not an overstatement.

At any rate, Luke had his sister and their grandmother, Momma Billie. He didn’t need a bunch of Lifetime Original moments to distract him from his goal. He’d attained his full qualifications as an EMT six weeks ago. Official paramedic status would be in his reach before the year was out, provided he could continue to keep his seemingly sudden-onset fear of blood at bay. He was well on his way to becoming a full-fledged firefighter, like he’d always wanted. Just as long as he could keep both his focus and his distance, he’d be fucking stellar.

Quinn looked up with a grin and a wave before heading back into the fire house, and Christ, did she really have to have a set of cutely sexy dimples he could see all the way from here?

“Helping you with your paramedic training,” Shae echoed, her quiet murmur tumbling him right back to the here and now of the side wall of the engine bay.

Luke concentrated on the equipment in his hands, the clink of the carabiners and the soft hiss of the nylon ropes as he continued with the rope transfer while he spoke. “Sure. She’s been giving me tips and tricks to remember different procedures, telling me the fastest ways to safely do workups. Stuff like that.”

“Ah.” Shae waited a beat while he clipped the backup carabiner for the line transfer into place. “You know, it wouldn’t be terrible if you liked her.”

“I do like her.” The words shoveled out of his mouth by default. He double-checked the carabiner. Adjusted the slack in his line. Mentally kicked himself square in the nuts. “She’s nice.”

Shae made a noise Momma Billie would have described as unladylike. “You know what I mean, Slater. Don’t be a dumbass.”

And that was the problem, right there. He was a dumbass. He didn’t just like Quinn in a casual friends, good co-workers, she’s-helping-me-with-my-training kind of way. Nope. He was attracted to her. From the minute he’d clapped eyes on Quinn on his very first day as a rookie, Luke had had this reckless desire to kiss her. To hook his fingers in that waterfall of blond waves spilling down her back, to part her lips with his tongue and taste her until he ran out of air.

And he didn’t want to stop at her mouth.

About Kimberly Kincaid

Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet and hot and edgy romantic suspense. When she’s not sitting cross-legged in an ancient desk chair known as “The Pleather Bomber”, she can be found practicing obscene amounts of yoga, whipping up anything from enchiladas to éclairs in her kitchen, or curled up with her nose in a book. Kimberly is a USA Today best-selling author and a 2016 and 2015 RWA RITA® finalist and 2014 Bookseller’s Best nominee who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. Kimberly resides in Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

Connect with Kimberly at: Website | Facebook | Twitter| Goodreads | Instagram

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * MISADVENTURES OF A GOOD WIFE by Meredith Wild and Helen Hardt

October 11, 2017 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * MISADVENTURES OF A GOOD WIFE by Meredith Wild and Helen Hardt

Misadventures of a Good Wife by Meredith Wild and Helen Hardt
Series: Misadventures #2
Published by Waterhouse Press on October 3, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Kate and Price Lewis had the perfect marriage—love, fulfilling careers, and a great apartment in the city. But when Price’s work takes him overseas and his plane goes down, their happily-ever-after goes down with it.

A year later, Kate is still trying to cope. She’s tied to her grief as tightly as she was bound to Price. When her sister-in-law coaxes her into an extended girls’ trip—three weeks on a remote island in the South Pacific—Kate agrees. At a villa as secluded as the island, they’re the only people in sight, until Kate sees a ghost walking toward them on the beach. Price is alive.

Their reunion is anything but picture perfect. Kate has been loyal to the husband she thought was dead, but she needs answers. What she gets instead is a cryptic proposal—go back home in three weeks, or disappear with Price...forever.

Emotions run high, passions burn bright, and Kate faces an impossible choice. Can Price win back his wife? Or will his secrets tear them apart?

A shocking story of deception! Our journey is filled with equal parts of steamy sex, danger and the quest towards a happily ever after! Sure, it’s a bit far fetched, but it’s fun! You won’t be disappointed with the way this intrigue plays out and the passion these two exhibit is off the charts!

Kate Lewis finds herself still buried in grief a year after her husband’s plane crashed while on a business trip. She never expected to be trying to make her way in this world without her other half. Her sister-in-law and friend has been great about trying to keep her moving and getting her up and about, so when she comes up with a plan that they should dash off to a South Pacific island for a three week vacation, she doesn’t even have the energy to protest. When they arrive and she ventures out for a walk on the beach, she’s shocked to see a ghost from her past walking towards her!

Price Lewis stumbled across some information that someone was willing to kill him for. He felt he had no option but to fake his death in order to keep his wife and family safe from these mad men. He’s been on the move for the last year and is finally taking a step to let Kate know he’s alive … and see if he can convince her to leave the life they led behind and disappear with him forever!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Blog Tour / Book Review * DEFENDING HEARTS by Rebecca Crowley

October 11, 2017 2 Comments

Defending Hearts by Rebecca Crowley
Series: An Atlanta Skyline Novel
Published by Lyrical Shine on September 19, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

WHEN THE PITCH GETS PERSONAL

Atlanta Skyline’s star Swedish wingback Oz Terim—or as the fans call him, the Wizard—has an airtight plan for his life, his career, even his meticulously renovated house, but he barely gives a thought to the Islamic faith he inherited from his Turkish parents. So no one’s more surprised than he is when he’s the victim of anti-Muslim hate crime. Refusing to take the threat seriously, he resists the security detail Skyline insists on . . . until he meets Kate Mitchell. There’s no room for her in his plan and she’s the exact opposite of what he wants. Then why can’t he keep his hands off her?

After ten years in the military—and getting fired from her first post-Army job in Saudi Arabia—Kate Mitchell has slunk home to her Georgia roots. Private security isn’t the career she dreamed of, nor is she thrilled to work with an uptight professional athlete who plays a sport she has no interest in. She never expected to be attracted to him—or for him to fall for her, too. As their opposite lives tangle up—and the threat against Oz grows more serious—Kate has to decide who she wants to be in life and in love.

In a powerful voice, Rebecca Crowley takes on a hot topic with her latest book in the Atlanta Skyline series … and does it well! She delivers just the right amount of oomph to bring his plight to light in our minds and have us rising up behind him in support. The subject is of a relevant topic, the friendship rallying behind him is touching, the sports factor brings in fitting action to keep us wanting more, and the sweet love story developing from strife has us mesmerized. Overall, a great read!

Swedish soccer player Oz Terim was enjoying the good life as a star wingback for the Atlanta Skyline when sudden media attention brought him to center stage for another reason. He might have inherited his Islamic faith from his Turkish parents, but he’s never even been a devout follower, so when he’s suddenly targeted on a published list just for being a Muslim athlete, he’s blown away. Finding himself entrenched in hate is demoralizing and disconcerting.

Kate Mitchell is former military and newly back in her home area of Atlanta, Georgia and working for a private security company. When she’s contacted by Oz’s manager about the incident, she is hesitant to work with what she assumes is a cocky athlete, but when she meets Oz and hears his dilemma, she steps up and takes him on as a client. Attraction flares fairly quickly between them, but Oz isn’t quick to trust or jump into an intimate relationship with just anyone. Will she prove to be irresistible?

When The Pitch Gets Personal

Atlanta Skyline’s star Swedish wingback Oz Terim-or as the fans call him, the Wizard-has an airtight plan for his life, his career, even his meticulously renovated house, but he barely gives a thought to the Islamic faith he inherited from his Turkish parents. So no one’s more surprised than he is when he’s the victim of anti-Muslim hate crime. Refusing to take the threat seriously, he resists the security detail Skyline insists on . . . until he meets Kate Mitchell. There’s no room for her in his plan and she’s the exact opposite of what he wants. Then why can’t he keep his hands off her?

After ten years in the military-and getting fired from her first post-Army job in Saudi Arabia-Kate Mitchell has slunk home to her Georgia roots. Private security isn’t the career she dreamed of, nor is she thrilled to work with an uptight professional athlete who plays a sport she has no interest in. She never expected to be attracted to him-or for him to fall for her, too. As their opposite lives tangle up-and the threat against Oz grows more serious-Kate has to decide who she wants to be in life and in love.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Rebecca Crowley inherited her love of romance from her mom, who taught her to at least partially judge a book by the steaminess of its cover. She writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense with smart heroines and swoon-worthy heroes, and never tires of the happily-ever-after. Having pulled up her Kansas roots to live in New York City and London, Rebecca currently resides in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Connect with Rebecca

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews

* Review * HOLIDAY SPICE by Samantha Chase

October 10, 2017 1 Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HOLIDAY SPICE by Samantha Chase

Holiday Spice by Samantha Chase
Series: The Shaughnessy Brothers #6
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on October 3, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

As soon as the mistletoe goes up, that's when life gets really interesting

Darcy Shaughnessy has gotten used to her overbearing brothers chasing away any man she wants to date. But a chance meeting with a brooding – and deliciously handsome – artist is about to make this holiday season one to remember.

There's only one thing Benjamin Tanner loves more than his woodcarving: solitude. Then he gets snowed in with Darcy in his cozy cabin in the woods, and their heated feelings begin to melt the icy barrier between them.

With Ben's need for privacy and Darcy's love of family and social life, will opposites still attract once the snow clears and the holiday festivities come to an end?

A bittersweet ending to The Shaughnessy Brothers series! If you are like me, you have adored this series and this family from the very first book. They are the close-knit family we only dream of having … always there to help when needed, full of unconditional love no matter what you may say or do in anger, and loyal to a fault. We have gone through the journey of healing and the finding of love with all of the brothers, and this book brings us the final sibling’s story … little sister Darcy. She’s been spoiled and has gotten her way all of her life with all of these warm and compassionate brothers and father that she grew up with, and now it’s time for her to meet the man that teaches her that life isn’t always going to go your way! She and Ben are a bit like oil and water on one hand, and yet destined to be together on the other. I enjoyed catching up with everyone again!

Darcy Shaughnessy is still working on figuring out what she wants to do with her life when she’s asked to do a favor and go meet with an artist that could use some help on a project having to do with his work. She’s happy to help, but when she arrives and the guy doesn’t seem all too happy to have the help that was requested, she’s a bit irritated!

Benjamin Tanner prefers his solitude in his cabin in the woods in Washington. He loves his work, but he doesn’t love the jobs of promoting and interacting with the real world outside of his uninterrupted bubble. When Darcy shows up with her enthusiasm and peppy attitude, he seriously doesn’t know what to make of her. At first they clash and get off on bad terms with each other … but when things calm down and they end up getting snowed in together, they find out they like each other a little too much!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * TANGLED UP IN TINSEL by Candis Terry

October 10, 2017 Leave a Comment

Tangled Up in Tinsel by Candis Terry
Series: Sunshine Creek Vinyard
Published by Avon on September 26, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Meet the Kincade brothers: they’ll go to any lengths to protect their legacy—

but what happens when love gets in the way...?

As if the holidays weren’t stressful enough, Parker Kincade has a restaurant to open. The fact that his Groomzilla brother wants the place for his perfect Christmas wedding doesn’t help. Then there’s the stunning woman who appoints herself his new chef before he’s ready to hire one. But one look at Gabriella Montani has Parker reassessing needs vs. wants. And that’s before he tastes what she has to offer…

Gabriella doesn’t need to get tangled up with a sexy man. What she needs is a job and a chance to prove herself. A place in Parker’s kitchen could give her the opportunity she’s been waiting for. The heat between them is sizzling, but a place in his bed could be downright dangerous. Neither Christmas nor men have ever lived up to her expectations, but Parker has soulmate written all over him. Should Gabi let herself be swept up in his holiday magic, or will it disappear before Christmas Day?

Another delightful trip back to Sunshine Valley! If you’ve read any of the previous books in the Sunshine Creek Vineyard series, you will recognize the Kincade family and know about some of the ups and downs they’ve experienced in recent times. This book brings us Parker’s story, and also brings us some long awaited answers of what really happened in their parents life together. This family is a great blend of love, strife and an unbending connection to each other and make for a really deep foundation for each story. I loved the chemistry between Gabi and Parker from the very start and loved watching their relationship develop and soar!

Parker Kincade thought he was overloaded just trying to convert a treasured barn into his dream restaurant on the family vineyard, but when his brother announces he wants to have a big Christmas wedding there, the pressure is really on! He’s the good time guy, the reformed black sheep … can he really make all of this happen in time??

When sexy chef Gabriella Montani shows up declaring she’s the chef he’s been looking for when he’s not even near ready to hire one yet, it doesn’t take him long to realize the potential she brings to the table. With a body made for sin, and a sassy flare she just might be exactly what he wasn’t looking for all his life!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * LITTLE SECRETS: SECRETLY PREGNANT by Andrea Laurence

October 10, 2017 Leave a Comment

Secretly Pregnant by Andrea Laurence
Series: Little Secrets
Published by Harlequin Desire on October 1, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Secret Identity. Secret Baby.

They'd worn masks! So after one wild night with a fellow Mardi Gras party guest, accountant Emma Dempsey never expects to see her mysterious seducer again. Her only reminders are a tattoo…and a positive pregnancy test.

CEO Jonah Flynn feels a strange connection to his beautiful new auditor. Her tattoo—identical to his own—explains why. They vow to keep things professional, even as desire tempts them away from their good intentions. But when everyone's secrets are revealed, will Jonah have to choose between his business, his lover and his baby?

One plus one equals … three?? She’s keeping secrets … and when he exposes them, the fireworks will be electrifying! A fun connection between the characters has us pulling for a happy ending with these mismatched lovers! The plot is fast paced and delivers that happily ever after before we know it.

Accountant Emma Dempsey never expected the one night she decided to let her hair down and go wild at a masked Mardi Gra celebration to come back to haunt her … but here she is, pregnant … with not even a name to help her track down the mystery daddy! Then one day she shows up for her next temp assignment of auditing the books for a perspective deal, and there it is … the tattoo … it’s him!

Millionaire Jonah Flynn has spent his life working hard to achieve all of his dreams, and getting everything that he wants … so the fact that he can’t find his mystery woman from a few months ago is driving him crazy! He knew when he first touched her that the connection was strong … and the matching tattoos were meant to lead her back to him … and it does! Only it’s the auditor that can currently make or break an important deal for his company!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * UNTIL THE RIDE STOPS by Amie Denman

October 10, 2017 Leave a Comment

Until the Ride Stops by Amie Denman
Series: Starlight Point Stories
Published by Harlequin Heartwarming on October 1, 2017
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

She won't stop until she finds the truth

Caroline Bennett is not looking for a summer romance. As a police officer at Starlight Point amusement park, she's got more important things to worry about, like solving a cold case involving a girl's mysterious death thirty years ago. Construction engineer Matt Dunbar is one of the few people who'll talk about the incident, but even he's not eager to dig up the past. Matt's working on a new state-of-the-art roller coaster—a project that could make or break his career—yet he still finds time for Caroline. As the end of summer approaches, her investigation implicates Matt's company, and she has to choose: justice or the funny, charming man she's falling for.

Curiosity leads to more than she ever expected! When Caroline Bennett learns of a connection to a young girl’s mysterious death thirty years ago at the very amusement park she works at, she feels compelled to find answers. Her investigation leads to discoveries she never expected, and her quest for answers will have her questioning right from wrong many times over. The mystery was an interesting aspect of the plot and kept us intrigued. Her connection with Matt was fun to watch develop!

Police officer Caroline Bennett wasn’t looking for love this summer, but the chemistry she is striking up with the sexy construction boss for the new ride they are building at Starlight Point just might change that! She is enjoying getting to know Matt, but she won’t let it get in her way of finding answers on what happened that night on this very site!

Matt Dunbar is feeling the pressure of taking over his family’s construction business and needs this new roller coaster job to turn out perfectly. He’s not sure why Caroline is so obsessed over the accident from all of those years ago, but it’s always been a sore subject in his family so he’s not eager to talk about it. When her investigation starts to point fingers at his family business, he has no other option than to figure out what happened … and support Caroline’s desire for justice!

Filed Under: Book Reviews