Archives for October 2018

* Blog Tour / Review * EAGLE by Janie Crouch

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Blog Tour / Review * EAGLE by Janie CrouchEagle by Janie Crouch
Series: Linear Tactical #2
on October 30, 2018
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four-half-stars

Finn Bollinger. Military codename: EAGLE.
A single dad, a warrior, a hero.

And the only person who can save Charlotte Devereux. The woman who once shattered his life.

When former Special Forces soldier Finn Bollinger is asked to help with an undercover mission, he's up for the task. His job teaching survival skills to civilians at Linear Tactical keeps him sharp, and he can still handle himself in the field.

But the Army damn well didn't teach Finn how to handle Charlotte Devereux. She's back and she's all sorts of bad news.

Charlotte can't change the past. Can't change the choices she made or the fact that they cost her everything. All she can do is endure the fallout. Even if that means putting her future in the hands of Finn, the man who has every right to want to destroy her.

And can in so many more ways than he thinks.

When Finn's undercover mission goes impossibly wrong, he'll have to depend on Charlotte's strength in order to survive. But everyone has a breaking point.

He's fighting for what's right.
She's fighting just to survive...

 

Reunited love, secrets exposed and exhilarating undercover action! With the next book in her Linear Tactical series, Janie Crouch brings us the story of Finn and Charlie. Young lovers with the world at their fingertips were torn apart and each experienced hardships the other knew nothing about. Now reuniting and finding themselves feeling that same old pull towards each other, they set out to see if they can really be in each other’s lives again after all of this time. The plot is filled with emotion, action and possibility while the characters snag our attention early and keep it throughout. Really enjoyed their story!

Finn Bollinger has a full life raising his challenging son and working hard with his Army buddies at Linear Tactical now that they are out of the service and settling into life. He certainly doesn’t need additional drama walking through the door … especially in the form of Charlie, the woman who tore his heart out years ago when she left him!

Charlotte Devereux hates that she hurt Finn so badly years ago, but there were things in play that he knew nothing about, and she had to make the decisions that she did … no matter how much she has regretted them. Now divorced and trying to settle back in at Oak Creek, she’s got problem coming out of the wazoo and not much in the way of a support system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title: Eagle
A Linear Tactical Standalone
Author: Janie Crouch
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: October 30, 2018

 

Blurb

 

Finn Bollinger. Military codename: EAGLE.
A single dad, a warrior, a hero.
For Charlotte Devereux he’s also the man whose heart she broke years before. And now, he’s her only chance for survival.When former Special Forces soldier Finn Bollinger is asked to help with an undercover mission, he’s up for the task. His job teaching survival skills to civilians at Linear Tactical keeps him sharp, and he can still handle himself in the field.

But the Army damn well didn’t teach Finn how to handle Charlotte Devereux. She’s back and she’s all sorts of bad news.

Charlotte can’t change the past. Can’t change the choices she made or the fact that they cost her everything. All she can do is endure the fallout. Even if that means putting her future in the hands of Finn, the man who has every right to want to destroy her.

And can in so many more ways than he thinks.

When Finn’s undercover mission goes impossibly wrong, he’ll have to depend on Charlotte’s strength in order to survive. But everyone has a breaking point.

He’s fighting for what’s right.
She’s fighting just to survive…

 

 

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AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Author Bio

USA TODAY bestselling author Janie Crouch writes what she loves to read: passionate romantic suspense.  She is a winner and/or finalist of multiple romance literary awards including the Golden Quill Award for Best Romantic Suspense, the National Reader’s Choice Award, and the RITA© Award by the Romance Writers of America.

Janie recently relocated with her husband and their four teenagers to Germany (due to her husband’s job as support for the U.S. Military), after living in Virginia for nearly 20 years. When she’s not listening to the voices in her head—and even when she is—she enjoys engaging in all sorts of crazy adventures (200-mile relay races; Ironman Triathlons, treks to Mt. Everest Base Camp) traveling, and movies of all kinds.

 

Author Links
four-half-stars

* Cover Reveal * HOLD STILL by Arell Rivers

Title: Hold Still
Author: Arell Rivers
Genre: Rockstar Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 15, 2018
Cover Design: Cassy Roop at Pink Ink Designs

 

 

 

He’s a rockstar who lost his muse. She’s a graphic designer who discovers that kickstarting his imagination is the easy part…
 
Ozzy Martinez is smoldering.
 
Ripped.
 
Tatted and pierced. Everywhere.
 
With his sold-out Vegas residency ending, he’s scheduled to record his next album soon. Only problem? His creativity—and trust—are both MIA following a soul-crushing, deeply personal double betrayal.
 
McKenna James is feisty.
 
A Las Vegas original.
 
Brunette with an ever-changing shock of dyed hair.
 
She’s vying for a spot in a national competition that will give her the funds she desperately needs to keep her mother at home. But her contest submission hinges on new songs—from the one man whose productivity has run dry. Not to mention he embodies everything she’s vowed to leave behind.
 
For McKenna, he can’t be anything more than a ticket to success. For Ozzy, she’s an honest straight-shooter with a curvy body he remembers well. But then he finds himself divulging his darkest secrets. With every confession about his past, with every heart-pounding kiss, all the reasons why a romance between them can never happen fades.
 
Until he discovers her secret.
 
And another.
 
To have a chance at a life together, they both must learn how to HOLD STILL.
 

The wedding coordinator enters the room and announces it’s time for us to line up. Since I’m the only attendant besides the flower girl, I’m up first. I turn to Rose. “I’ll see you at the altar. I’ll be the one next to your man with the big, sappy smile on my face.” As we hug, I whisper, “So happy for you.”

I mean it. I am ecstatic for her. Just because this won’t happen for me doesn’t mean I want everyone to remain alone. And Rose deserves all this happiness after everything she’s been through. I grab my bouquet of roses and lead us to the double doors.

 

The music changes and the sound of people turning in their chairs indicates it’s time for me to make my entrance. “See you on the other side, Miss Bloomer.”

 

I strut my stuff up the aisle, carrying my bouquet at hip level just like the coordinator told me to do. My nude stilettos are killer with my midcalf deep orange dress, if I do say so myself. I smile at friends I haven’t seen in a while and new ones I’ve met.

 

Better soak in all this happiness. It has to last me a lifetime as well.

 

Everything’s going great until I get up near the front. There he is. On the aisle. Of course he’s here—why did I think he’s non-appearance last night at the pre-wedding party meant I was out of the woods?

 

My cheeks deflate as my eyes lock onto the dark brown ones belonging to Ozzy. The ultimate bad boy rocker. One whose wild streak no longer fits into my recently re-ordered life.

 

He’s wearing a tux that’s molded to his broad shoulders and trim waist. Dayum. His back straightens, and he nods at me.

 

Stay strong, McKenna.

 

I force my feet to keep a steady pace forward, my smile returning in full-force once I get past the man who makes my heart race, panties drop and heart break. Emilie’s nearby, next to her fiancé, Wills. I give her a little wave and take my place at the makeshift altar, across from Cole. He looks so calm. So sure of himself.

 

From the doorway, Suzanne urges Emma forward. She starts up the aisle, throwing rose petals all over. Literally. I shake my head at how cute this little girl is.

 

The music stops. Cole strides over to a piano and begins playing ‘To Have and to Hold,’ his latest hit that he co-wrote with Rose. As we practiced, when he sings, “You’re my heart—I’ll fight for us both,” Rose appears.

 

All the guests stand.

 

Rose glows as she glides up the aisle, carrying an overflowing bouquet of multi-colored roses. She stops a few feet away from me and when Cole finishes the song, he joins her, kisses her hand and they complete the walk together. Their eyes never stray from the other.

 

I inhale their love.

 

The celebrant begins, “Dearly beloved.…”

 

His voice becomes background music.

 

Do not look past the couple. Do not look past the bride and groom. Do not glance at. Shit. Ozzy’s eyes are squarely on me. His kissable lips tick upward. Look away! Look away! His tongue swipes his lower lip. My nipples harden. Stop. Focus on Rose and Cole.

 

For as long as Arell Rivers can remember, she has been lost in a book. During her senior year in college, she picked up a romance novel … and instantly was hooked on the genre.
 

 

Arell started writing her first novel because the characters were screaming at her to do so. The story started coming out in her dreams and attacking her in the shower, so she took to the computer to shut them up. But they kept talking.

 

 

 

Born and raised in New Jersey, Arell has what some may call a “checkered past.” Prior to discovering her passion for writing romance, she practiced law, was a wedding and event planner and even dabbled in marketing. Arell lives with a very supportive husband who doesn’t care that the bed isn’t made or dinner isn’t on the table. When not in her writing cave, Arell is found making dinner in the InstantPot, working out with Shaun T or hitting the beach.

 

 

 

Arell is a member of the New Jersey chapter of Romance Writers of America.

 

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* Review * BE WITH ME by Jules Bennett

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * BE WITH ME by Jules BennettBe with Me by Jules Bennett
Series: Return to Haven #2
Published by Zebra on October 30, 2018
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four-half-stars

Three best friends are starting over in the cozy town of Haven, Georgia, where revamping the local airport brings dreams of love and family within reach . . .

Since moving to Haven to help out her closest friends, Melanie Ramsey has begun to reclaim her strength after a difficult divorce. Through Mel’s Motivational Blog, she’s inspiring other women too. Then a wild, one-night fling with Haven’s gorgeous deputy leaves her shaken, stirred—and pregnant. But Melanie’s not giving up her newfound independence for another powerful man. Not even one as upstanding and intriguing as
Tanner Roark . . .

What matters most to Tanner: defending the weak, seeking justice, and protecting his heart after a tragic loss. Random hookups have been working out just fine until he and Melanie collide. Despite her domineering ex’s best efforts to rattle her, she’s still kind and resilient. Not to mention witty, straight-talking, and sexy as hell. Chemistry is easy. Trust, not so much. But when you find the one who sends your heart soaring, what can you do except buckle up and hold on tight? . . .

 

Strong characters, deep connections and a boat load of good times! With an ever-popular visit back to Haven, Georgia, we get to reconnect with the small airport project that we fell in love with during Jax and Livie’s story in Book 1 and we also get to see a bit of the brother’s we adored in the original Monroes series. Melanie and Tanner have a strong connection, but each have their own past that keeps them weighted down with fear. The baby on the way makes them have to move out of their comfort zone and actually try to reconnect with parts of them that they have hidden away for years now … and the magic of watching them come back to life is super special! Great characters, a very relatable plot and lots of happily ever after feels!

Melanie Ramsey moved to Haven to be close to her friends and simply because it came at a time when she was ready to take charge of her life and a new town was paramount. She never expected to find herself unexpectedly pregnant at this point, and even though it scares her, she can’t regret it for a single minute. Tanner is a complication she’s not sure how to handle right now, but she’s well on her way to making the life she’s always dreamed of, and she won’t be backing down lightly.

Deputy Tanner Roark has a past that led him to live only for the moment and not plan on having that perfect happily ever after that everyone dreams about. He’s just fine being a friend, a son, and a temporary lover … until Melanie comes into his life. He was more moved by their one night together than he ever expected and the fact that she’s been ignoring him since is getting on his nerves … but when she comes bearing the news that they’ve having a baby, he sets out to convince her that they can have a life together … even if it sends him into a panic!

four-half-stars

* Review * WILD CHILD by Christy McKellen

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * WILD CHILD by Christy McKellenWild Child by Christy McKellen
Series: Sexy Little Secrets #1
Published by Harlequin Dare on November 1, 2018
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four-stars

Mixing business with pleasure…

…is a dangerous game!

Party girl Maya Darlington-Hume feels an illicit thrill when a gorgeous man walks in on her naked. When she discovers the sexy stranger is her father’s business associate and her new boss, she naughtily decides to turn up the heat—and Benedict Chivers can’t resist her for long. Maya could lose everything if her controlling father finds out, but each encounter leaves her begging for more!

 

Steamy sex and a story with a lot of heart! It’s all supposed to be sex between them, but each one has a back story that draws us deeper into their lives and enriches their connection. A fast read loaded with lots of fun!

Maya Darlington-Hume has worked hard to earn her carefree party-girl persona, and she’s not going to let her father and his manipulation stop her from having a good time! When he pawns her off into a temporary job for his new business associate, she decides she’s going to have a little fun with it … especially considering the guy just walked in on her naked!

Benedict Chivers might be attracted to Maya, but he’s not going to let her and her little games derail the biggest business deal of his life. He needs the success her father can bring him, but the more time he spends with her, the more he starts to see the real woman beneath the show … and he’s seriously drawn to her!

four-stars

* Review * MILLION DOLLAR BABY by Janice Maynard

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * MILLION DOLLAR BABY by Janice MaynardMillion Dollar Baby by Janice Maynard
Series: Texas Cattleman's Club: Bachelor Auction Book
Published by Harlequin Desire on November 1, 2018
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four-half-stars

After one night with an anonymous cowboy…

…there’s a little secret on the way!

Going home with a stranger isn’t sheltered heiress Brooke Goodman’s MO. Neither is falling back into bed with the same sinfully sexy man…or asking him to marry her so she can inherit millions. But now she’s pregnant, and Austin wants to wed for real! Should she trust a man who can promise her his name but not forever?

 

I was hooked from the first scene! An adorable connection, burning passion and a familiar setting makes for a very enjoyable book! The few parts about the other families in town felt somewhat disjointed in the flow of the story, but overall, a quick read with easy to like characters, and a great happily ever after!

It was only supposed to be one night. Brooke Goodman was tired of living her life for other people and decide to cut loose and go pick up a man from the bar. No names, no histories … just one night of anonymous passion. That was the plan at least … until he showed up in her town a few weeks later … just before she realized she’s pregnant!

Austin Bradshaw is in Royal, TX for a short-term job and never expects to see his one night beauty there. They quickly re-establish their attraction to each other and begin getting to know the other person. He has a past that holds him back, and she has a dream she can’t yet fulfill. When the idea of asking him to marry her temporarily so she can gain her inheritance comes to mind, she blurts it out without warning. He’s extremely gun shy about it … until they realize she’s pregnant from their first night together!

four-half-stars

* Review * BEAUTY AND THE GREEK BILLIONAIRE by Stefanie London

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * BEAUTY AND THE GREEK BILLIONAIRE by Stefanie LondonBeauty and the Greek Billionaire by Stefanie London
Published by Entangled: Indulgence on October 29, 2018
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five-stars

Marianna Halsey has the most boring life in the world. With seven overprotective older brothers, she’s even ended up a virgin at twenty-four. But when a dark and sexy male prevents her from getting her wallet stolen on a Greek vacation, she decides it’s time for some adventure. She’s read a gazillion romance novels. How hard can it be to score a hook-up?

Greek billionaire and stock market whiz, Nico Galinas has built an empire from nothing. Literally. Orphaned as a baby, Nico trusts no one. Especially not the quirky, attractive woman using the worst pick up tricks in history. She wants something, and Nico decides to play along, even when she invites herself back to his place.

But what happens when "the beast" accidentally knocks up "beauty"?

 

An innocent seductress meets a gruff loner and passion ignites! She’s got one thing on her mind and running into such a tempting man is just what she had dreamed of. If only she had been prepared for the consequences! I really enjoyed the latest from Stefanie London! The characters are both enchanting in their own right with back stories that endear them to our hearts quickly. The plot is a take on a modern day fairy tale with no need for a play on magic to captivate the audience and have us hanging on every word just hoping for that happily-ever-after.  Well developed characters, a fast moving plot and enough strife and drama to keep our attention. Well done!

Australian beauty Marianna Halsey is tired of her life. She has seven ridiculously over-protective older brothers, and the fact that she’s twenty-four years old and still a virgin shows that she can’t get away with anything. While on vacation with only one of the self-proclaimed bodyguards of her virtue, she vows to slip away and find a handsome man to have a vacation fling with. She might still be going home to that same family, but she’ll have had fun beforehand!

Self-made billionaire Nico Galinas might go out of his way not to have to interact with people on a daily basis, but when he sees a solitary vacationer about to have her wallet stolen, he can’t help but step in to save the day. Suspicious once he realizes who she is, he can’t help but follow along with whatever game she’s playing, even when it’s clear she has set her sights on seducing him. He’ll let her think she’s pulling the wool over his eyes, but he’ll be the one in control of the situation … up until the day she returns claiming he’s the father of her baby-to-be that is!

five-stars

* Review * A DADDY SENT BY SANTA by Susan Carlisle

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * A DADDY SENT BY SANTA by Susan CarlisleA Daddy Sent by Santa by Susan Carlisle
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on November 1, 2018
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five-stars

When a small-town mom…

Falls for a big-city doc…

Nurse Lauren Wilson is used to doctors coming and going in her Oklahoma town — and doesn’t expect prestigious Boston doc Paxton Samuels to be any different. Until they’re snowed in together and their sensual tension reaches boiling point! But knowing Paxton is due to leave after the festive season, can Lauren risk giving him her heart and her little boy a daddy for Christmas?

 

Adorable, heartwarming and seductive all rolled into one! When a big city doc takes a temp assignment in a small town, no one expects him to want to stay when it’s all said and done! The characters and story line drew me in from the first page, and kept my attention throughout. The medical episodes are exciting, the little boy brings a smile around every corner, and the romance brewing between the main characters warmed my heart. Really enjoyed this Christmas miracle!

Nurse Lauren Wilson has seen a lot of doctors come and go in her small town since their long-term doc retired, so she’s not expecting a lot when she hears a new one is on his way. He’ll be here for his prescribed time and then will be on his way while she picks up the slack as the only full-time medical professional in the immediate area.

Boston doctor Paxton Samuels needs a break from the grind of living under his powerful parents umbrella. A betrayal he wasn’t expecting leads him to question what he’s doing, and when he finds a short term opening here in Last Stop, Oklahoma, he takes it. He never expects to connect with the town the way he does, and when it comes to his nurse and her toddler son, he’s growing quite fond. Will he be as quick to return to Boston as he was to leave it, or will the attraction of this small town persuade him to consider making it his home?

five-stars

* Review * A CHRISTMAS TEMPTATION by Karen Booth

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * A CHRISTMAS TEMPTATION by Karen BoothA Christmas Temptation by Karen Booth
Series: The Eden Empire #1
Published by Harlequin Desire on November 1, 2018
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four-half-stars

Somewhere behind the expensive gifts and grand gestures…

was the man who had once been her whole world.

Sophie Eden refuses to sell her family’s legacy, especially not to Jake Wheeler. He and Sophie have history—a night of passion that first left her elated, then heartbroken. Now the New York heiress wants him to stay away. But when they’re snowed in for Christmas, they surrender to temptation. Meanwhile, a secret waits to tear them apart…

 

With the kick-off her brand new Eden Empire series, Karen Booth brings us the story of the first Eden sister as she tries to figure out a way to keep her family heritage while conflicting circumstances try to take it away. This book laid a great groundwork for the coming books with a big secret revealed toward the end that added another dimension for us to look forward to. Really enjoyed it!

Sophie Eden will do anything to be able to keep her grandmother’s department store running as the huge success she made it over the years. She not only has to contend with her sister over how to proceed, but now she has a familiar face from her past knocking at her door wanting to arrange an immediate buy out.

Jake Wheeler remembers Sophie fondly from their years spent at each other’s side in business school. He believes their connection give him a foot in the door that will have him snagging this deal before anyone else knows it’s even in play. Sophie however, isn’t portraying a warm fuzzy feeling when he reaches out to her. Turns out she cared more than he even realized back in the day and isn’t quick to forgive him for stomping all over her heart!

four-half-stars

* Review * KIDNAPPED AT CHRISTMAS by Barb Han

* Review * KIDNAPPED AT CHRISTMAS by Barb HanKidnapped at Christmas by Barb Han
Series: Crisis: Cattle Barge #4
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on October 1, 2018
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four-half-stars

This Christmas brings the revelation that he’s a father.

Now he needs to keep his little family safe when they become a target…

When the blonde beauty who shared his bed a year ago tells him he’s a father, Wyatt Jackson is stunned. But the attempted abduction of their newborn daughter drives the Texas cowboy to uncover the dangerous secrets of Meg Anderson’s past. Can Wyatt crack a twenty-year-old cold case before Meg’s Christmas becomes her last?

 

A heartfelt story with tons of exciting intrigue! With the next book in her Crisis: Cattle Barge series, Barb Han brings us the story of another illegitimate child of Maverick Mike. The book is filled with drama regarding his estranged family, sweetness surrounding finding out he’s a dad and reuniting with Meg, and lots of suspense around what’s going on with her past and the danger knocking on her door! Really enjoyed!

Wyatt Jackson isn’t happy about being summoned to Cattle Barge to deal with a load of bull, but he is really tired of the attorney hassling him and just wants to get this all over with. The surprise he receives when he meets up with a beauty from his past is life changing though!

Meg Anderson kept the secret that she got pregnant with Wyatt’s baby after their night together a little longer than she intended to, but now she’s doing the right thing and telling him he has a daughter. He’s shocked, but anxious to get to know his baby … but before too much bonding has a chance to occur, someone attempts to abduct her! Wyatt will stop at nothing to protect Meg and their daughter … even it’s something from her past coming back to get revenge.

four-half-stars

* Review * MIDWIFE UNDER THE MISTLETOE by Karin Baine

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * MIDWIFE UNDER THE MISTLETOE by Karin BaineMidwife Under the Mistletoe by Karin Baine
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on November 1, 2018
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four-stars

A kiss under the mistletoe…

A family for Christmas?

GP Fraser McColl longs to be part of a loving family, but past experience has taught him he’s better off alone. Only, thrown together with gorgeous yet guarded midwife Iona Munro, to care for two children at Christmas, he’s tempted to believe in miracles… After one passionate night together, can he persuade Iona that they deserve a lifetime of happiness—together?

 

A cute story! The kids are adorable, the brooding doc is attention grabbing, and the story line is appealing. I enjoyed it!

When Iona Munro agrees to take care of her friend and colleague’s two children during an emergency, she never expects to enjoy playing happy little family with Fraser so much! By the time it’s time to hand the children back over to their mother, she and Fraser are imagining a fairy tale in their minds.

Dr. Fraser McColl hasn’t had a great experience with family in his life. He was sent away to boarding school young and never had that family connection that most children yearn for. Now in adulthood, he doesn’t know how to live any other way. When Iona and the kids move in for their stay at his house, he begins to see what life can be like when you have warmth and love around you. Can he convince Iona that there might be a future in this for them?

four-stars