Archives for October 2018

* Review * DEFENDING CHRISTMAS by Carol Ross

October 11, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * DEFENDING CHRISTMAS by Carol Ross

Defending Christmas: A Christmas Wedding Story by Carol Ross
Series: 12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas
on October 9, 2018
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Christmas Town’s city attorney Lincoln Vasser suspects the multi-million-dollar lawsuit threatening the town is a fraud, but he needs help proving it. Private Investigator Jax Marshall comes highly recommended, but when Lincoln hires her he can’t quite figure out why. Her laid-back attitude, questionable work ethic, and apparent unconcern for the urgency of the case rub him the wrong way. It doesn't make sense for him to be attracted to her.

Jax Marshall knows that taking a case for the arrogant Lincoln Vasser is a mistake. But when he makes her an offer much more tempting than money, she agrees. She soon wishes she hadn’t. The guy is demanding and uptight, and, worst of all, he keeps trying to tell her how to do her job! He's almost completely unlikable. Almost.

One thing they can agree on is that happy ever afters are strictly for fairytales and Christmas Town myths. Finding a way to work together is difficult enough, admitting that they’re falling in love is going to take an extra little nudge from that very Christmas Town magic they don’t believe in.

Delightfully filled with fireworks, romance and sweet nothings! The couple least likely to … but yet somehow they do! He’s uptight and demanding, she’s laid back and works at her own pace, but as they slowly come together to work on this case together, each one starts to have a greater appreciation for the other. Jax & Lincoln were quick to draw me in, and I continued to enjoy their connection throughout. This particular book in the anthology had less to do with the carousel and more to do with the town as a whole, but the entire series is turning into a really fun compilation of small town happily ever afters!

City attorney Lincoln Vasser is trying to keep the potential multi-million dollar lawsuit that could ruin Christmas Town, Maine under wraps while he figures out how to blow it to pieces, but the disregard and obstinance of the PI he’s been recommended to hire is really getting under his skin. Does she actually work for a living or what??

Private Investigator Jacqueline Marshall can’t believe the gall of this big wig attorney thinking he can dictate her schedule and snap his fingers to get her to come running. She runs a very successful business, and all of her clients are equally important. He can just put on his big boy pants and wait his turn!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * SLEIGH BELLS IN THE SNOW by Claire McEwen

October 10, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SLEIGH BELLS IN THE SNOW by Claire McEwen

Sleigh Bells in the Snow: A Christmas Wedding Story by Claire McEwen
Series: 12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas
on October 9, 2018
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Scarlett Ray owns a home décor shop full of Christmas cheer, but she isn’t feeling much holiday spirit. Her to-do list is overwhelming and it’s tough to navigate the first Christmas since her parents’ divorce. Then she learns that her landlord is planning to tear down the beautiful, historic building where she lives and works!

Chase Bailey hates to remove such a great looking building, but it’s falling apart and beyond repair. Plus, he needs to turn a profit so he can start a trust fund for his autistic brother. His decision seems simple until Chase meets his quirky, fiery tenant. Scarlett swears she’ll challenge him every step of the way to save the old building she loves.

Chase and Scarlett gear up for a fight, but the battle lines get blurry when they find themselves working on the same volunteer project. It’s hard to stay enemies when anger becomes friendship, and friendship feels a lot like love.

Touching, humorous and attention grabbing! They might have come together as enemies but this attraction that is flaring up between them is undeniable! A sweet holiday story that brings in a family atmosphere while taking us on the ups and downs of trying to fight the attraction you have for the person you consider the enemy. The cast is a lot of fun and I enjoyed the story line!

Scarlett Ray is having a tough holiday season this year. It’s the first one to roll around since her parents divorce, and old traditions are just not going to be the same anymore. It only gets worse when she gets a letter informing her she is going to have to move and finds out her Scrooge of a landlord is planning on tearing down the gorgeous historical she lives and works in … she can’t let this happen!

Chase Bailey loved the charming building he recently bought, but an inspection from his contractor puts it in the “there’s no hope” pile and he has no option but to tear it down and build something new. He can appreciate Scarlett’s passion for the building, but this feisty lady has no right to tell him what to do with his money. He needs to make sure his mom and autistic brother will never want for anything again!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * PRIDE AND PRESENTS by Cheryl Harper

October 10, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * PRIDE AND PRESENTS by Cheryl Harper

Pride and Presents: A Christmas Wedding Story by Cheryl Harper
Series: 12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas
on October 9, 2018
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Beth Long is navigating the week before her best friend’s Christmas wedding with a strained smile and an unexpected houseguest. Instead of dreading the arrival of her ex-husband and his gold medal-winning fiancée, she’s defending Christmas Town’s over-the-top everything to disapproving Steven Dorsey. She should be busy planning the bridal party’s hair and makeup or collecting loose change from every couch in town to cover the final loan payment on her shop. Smoothing ruffled feathers, advising a clueless man, and reluctantly falling for him are distractions she doesn’t want.

Steven Dorsey has never been more aware of his social deficiencies than when he stumbles into Beth Long’s beauty salon. She’s too warm. Witty. Vibrant. Their elderly audience is too nosy. Accepting the Christmas Eve wedding invitation issued by an old friend, the groom-to-be, means spending the holiday inside a snow globe’s village. The carousel restoration project provides additional, interesting incentive. Staying with Beth for the week is his only option, but when his sister is added to the mix, he understands that Beth and Christmas Town, odd as it is, might be home.

Opposites attract! With her contribution to this years holiday anthology, Cheryl Harper brings us the story of an over-worked hairdresser who left the big city to return to her comfortable small town roots who then starts to fall for the city guy who is only passing through. The characters and their stories are easy to become addicted to, and their love story is a sweet ride.

Beauty salon owner Beth Long should be happily helping her best friend Lisa plan her spur of the moment Christmas Eve wedding, but instead she finds herself stressing over the fact that her ex-husband and his new bride will be flitting into town soon to attend and she doesn’t have the final loan payment she had promised him. To top it all off, she’s guilted into taking in a house guest when John’s old friend arrives early to help with the carousel restoration and there’s no place other place available for him to stay.

Steven Dorsey lives a totally different life than what he walks into in Christmas Town, Maine, so it’s a bit of a culture shock walking into Beth’s beauty salon that first day. He doesn’t make a very good first impression on anyone in town, but as he slowly starts to let his guard down and get to know the people around him, he starts to see why they find the town so attractive to live in. When his sister arrives in town and he gets to see the joy in her eyes, he starts to change his attitude.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Teaser Blitz * CROSSING HOPE by Kimberly Kincaid

October 10, 2018 Leave a Comment

From USA Today bestselling author Kimberly Kincaid comes CROSSING PROMISES, the next standalone title in the Cross Creek series, releasing October 15^th! A series filled with rugged, salt of the earth heroes who happen to be brothers, and strong family dynamics, CROSSING HOPE is filled with heart, humor, and heat. Pre-order you copy today!

Marley Rallston would rather be anywhere other than too-small-for-a-map-dot Millhaven, Virginia. But thanks to a heap of debt, what was supposed to be a quick trip to fulfill her mother’s dying wish has turned into an extended stay with the family she never knew she had and the father who never wanted her. To top it off, now she’s being forced to do community service with the town’s biggest bad boy, when all she wants to do is make enough cash to get out of Dodge? Life can’t get much worse.

The only thing Greyson Whittaker cares about is his family’s farm. He’ll do anything to keep Whittaker Hollow in the black, including live up to his rough, tough reputation by running the place by himself, no matter the cost. Mandatory community service with the daughter of their biggest rival is the last thing he wants or needs. But the more time Greyson and Marley spend together, the hotter their attraction burns, and the more the unlikely pair begins to realize that forbidden fruit just might taste the sweetest…

Pre-order your copy today!

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Kimberly Kincaid writes contemporary romance that splits the difference between sexy and sweet. 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 2015 RWA RITA® finalist who lives (and writes!) by the mantra that food is love. Kimberly resides in Virginia with her wildly patient husband and their three daughters.

Website https://kimberlykincaid.com/

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Filed Under: Book Teasers

* Review * HIS CHRISTMAS CAROUSEL BABY by Anna J. Stewart

October 9, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * HIS CHRISTMAS CAROUSEL BABY by Anna J. Stewart

His Christmas Carousel Baby: A Christmas Carousel Story by Anna J. Stewart
Series: 12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas
on October 9, 2018
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The woman who destroyed his dreams is having his baby!

After spending the last year trying to get his song-writing career off the ground, Wally MacIver is back in Christmas Town for good. His dreams and ambition didn't bring him anything other than betrayal and pain, mainly at the hand of his boss, record executive Grayling Stanhope. So much for thinking their "connection" was anything other than business. But the last thing Wally expects is to run into Grayling again...in Christmas Town!

Grayling fell in love with Wally's songs long before she ever met him. Their attraction and connection was immediate, but divided loyalties and her own insecurities cost her the only man she's ever truly loved. She knows he might never trust her again, but there are some secrets she just can't keep. Somehow, some way, they've got to find a way to move beyond the past: especially now that they're going to have a baby!

Betrayals, reconnections and a baby! With her contribution to the 12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas anthology, Anna J Stewart brings us a kindhearted man that we are drawn to from the beginning. His story is attention grabbing and once Grayling arrives in town, we start pulling for them to somehow be able to make their relationship work out. Really enjoyed this wonderfully written story!

Wally MacIver chased his songwriting dream in Nashville for a year, but after feeling the blade a little too closely of that cut throat business, he’s back home where he belongs in Christmas Town, Maine. He thought it was a life that he wanted, but after being betrayed by his boss, who he was also having a relationship with, he quickly cut ties and headed home. If that’s the world that music will get him, he’d rather throw himself back into the carpentry work that he loves and help restore the carousel.

Record executive Grayling Stanhope fell in love with Wally before she even met him simply through the power of the songs that he wrote. When they started working together, their connection was immediate and they quickly gave in to temptation. She let her job and the pressure she felt to do well overpower her reasoning of right from wrong where Wally was concerned and she’s never regretted anything more. She knows he may never trust her again, but she has to try. She arrives in Christmas Town with the goal of mending fences on her mind … and the daunting task of telling Wally he’s going to be a daddy!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * SANTA SCHOOL by Melinda Curtis

October 9, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * SANTA SCHOOL by Melinda Curtis

Santa School: A Christmas Carousel Story by Melinda Curtis
Series: 12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas
on October 9, 2018
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This second chance romance is a part of the 12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas - a 2018 clean romance anthology from some of your favorite Harlequin Heartwarming romance authors.

Can this Scrooge learn to put on a good Christmas?

Dominick Decker’s wife's last wish was that he and their daughter Jessie move to her hometown - Christmas Town, Maine. As a second generation repairman he doesn't understand why Christmas is so important to everyone in Christmas Town. You put up a tree, buy some gift cards and order a pre-made turkey dinner from the grocery store, which leaves plenty of time for service calls in between. What more does he need to do? A lot if he's to give his daughter the Christmas she deserves.

Enter Ruby Caldwell, owner of Santa School and trainer of "professional" Santas. Now that she's been laid off from her day job, she needs to take Santa School from a part-time seasonal hobby to a full-time year-round operation. That requires a positive mindset, along with a healthy dose of creativity. Step one: Santa School for Busy Elves to train single dads like Dominick to put on a great Christmas by themselves. All she needs are a few willing dads and a don't-quit smile. With a challenge like Dominick, let's hope Ruby's smile holds out this holiday season.

Heartwarming, humorous and oh so sweet! With a second-chance-at-love story, Melinda Curtis brings us the story of Dom, the guy who’s working to get the heat back up and running in the Carousel House while he stumbles through giving his daughter their first Christmas without his wife. I enjoyed their story, and Ruby brought a new depth out in him that made him very connectable.

The last promise Dominick Decker made to his late wife was that he would move to her hometown of Christmas Town, Maine with their daughter. He’s settling in well with the heating and air company that he bought, but he’s not doing the best job of winning over his in-laws. They’re a bit over-the-top in their holiday cheer .. but then again, so is the rest of this town! He knows Jessie deserves the best, but is working hard to provide for her really such a bad thing?

Ruby Caldwell just got laid off from her job at the hospital, so she needs to seriously get busy figuring out a way to turn her seasonal Santa School business into something that will provide a livable income the entire year! When she has a run in with Dom that has them placing a bet on whether she can bring the Christmas spirit into his heart by having him attend the class she has going on to train single dad’s like himself how to bring their child a magical Christmas!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * A CHRISTMAS CAROUSEL PROPOSAL by Melinda Curtis and Cari Lynn Webb

October 9, 2018 Leave a Comment

A Christmas Carousel Proposal by Melinda Curtis and Cari Lynn Webb
Series: 12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas
on June 10, 2018
Goodreads

This clean romance kicks off the 2018 anthology written by Harlequin Heartwarming romance authors.

Lisa Garland has big plans for her grandparents' wedding anniversary on December 24th - the grand opening of Carousel House, featuring a fully-restored carousel in downtown Christmas Town. She doesn't expect the company restoring the carousel to go bankrupt or the only man available to help her make the deadline for her grandparents' anniversary to be her ex-fiance.

A decade ago, John Richardson walked away from Lisa for her own good. He's tried hard not to look back. But now Lisa needs a miracle and John might just be the only man who can deliver it. If only he can keep his undying love for her a secret. He's scheduled to return to duty on December 25, so all he needs to do is organize volunteers to finish the carousel and keep his heart under lock and key. But love has a way of opening doors and hearts, and John's holiday season may not go as planned.

A Christmas Carousel Proposal introduces many of the characters in the 12 Days of Heartwarming Christmas series, which begin the week after John proposes to Lisa. Six romances feature Lisa’s bridesmaids and six feature heroes working on the carousel. All full-length novels end on Christmas Eve.

A delightful holiday reunion! Kicking off this years holiday anthology from the Harlequin Heartwarming authors, this story introduces the story line that a treasured carousel in the town of Christmas Town, Maine is being brought back to life in a new location to be enjoyed by all. Lisa Garland is in charge of getting it all arranged, and it’s super special to her because it’s special to her grandparents and will reopen centered around an anniversary party for them on Christmas Eve. The book introduces many of the characters that will derive the heroes and heroines of the 12 full length books to follow. It piqued my interest and brought the excitement of the carousel to life in my imagination!

Lisa Garland thinks all is on track for the carousel project she’s spearheading for the town council until an unexpected visitor announces that the company in charge of getting the overhaul done has declared bankruptcy and closed down! Panic ensues and the only person capable of possibly still pulling off the deadline just so happens to be the man she hasn’t seen since he walked away from her and their engagement a decade ago!

John Richardson never got over his love for Lisa, but when she voiced doubts about their union, he used it in order to walk away. He was shipping off soon thereafter anyway and considered it for her own good that he was leaving her open to live her own life again. Facing their past and realizing a new future just might be the answer they’ve both been looking for!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Blog Tour / Excerpt / Giveaway * NY DOC UNDER THE NORTHERN LIGHTS by Amy Ruttan

October 8, 2018 2 Comments

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

NY Doc Under the Northern Lights
By Amy Ruttan
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 256 Pages
October 1st 2018 by Harlequin Medical

Escaping the big city…

For love under Icelandic skies

When surgeon Betty Jacinth’s heart is broken once again, she takes a job in Iceland for a change of scenery. She expects cold weather—but not the frosty welcome she receives from gorgeous but brooding Dr. Axel Sturlusson! Now father to his orphaned niece, Axel gradually thaws, and a flame ignites—but when Betty’s ex begs her to return, can she make the right choice for love?

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Harlequin│Kobo

Excerpt

Dr. Sturlusson didn’t seem the type to leave her high and dry, but perhaps something unavoidable had happened and he hadn’t been able to contact her.

She should’ve told him not to bother picking her up and she should’ve gone with the car-rental plan in the first place.

Betty glanced up at the signs overhead, trying to figure out where to go to rent a car when she saw something move out of the corner of her eye.

She looked over her shoulder and her mouth hung open a little as an over-six-foot Viking of a man came marching toward her. Quickly.

His eyes were trained on her and her knees instinctively weakened, because even from a distance there was an air of command about him. His hair was a dark blond and he had an athletic build. She was pretty sure that he could easily pick her up and toss her a long distance, despite the fact that she was pretty tall herself at five feet nine.

He stopped a few feet from her, those piercing blue eyes settling on her as his gazed briefly raked over her form, assessing her. It sent a shiver down her spine, but not one of fear. His assessment of her was something else, something almost sensual. He didn’t smile, his lips pressed together firmly, his strong jaw clenched.

She knew from his posture that he wasn’t happy about being here and that got her back up a bit. Why was this stranger staring at her with annoyance? It wasn’t as if she were blocking his way, but then again maybe most people made more of an effort to get as far out of his way as possible.

About the Author

Born and raised just outside of Toronto, Ontario, Amy fled the big city to settle down with the country boy of her dreams. After the birth of her second child, Amy was lucky enough to realize her life long dream of becoming a romance author. When she’s not furiously typing away at her computer, she’s a mom to three wonderful children who use her as a personal taxi and chef.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Newsletter

Tour Schedule

October 8th:
Launch
Thoughts of a Blonde
Andi’s Book Reviews
October 9th:
My Life Loves and Passion
October 10th:
Declarations of a Fangirl
Hearts & Scribbles
Books to Light Your Fire
October 11th:
Jorie Loves A Story
E-Romance News
Harlie’s Books
October 12th:
Locks, Hooks and Books
October 15th:
Colorimetry
Candrel’s Crafts, Cooks, and Characters
October 16th:
Book Lover in Florida
October 17th:
Jorie Loves A Story
Wishful Endings
October 18th:
Becky on Books
Nicole’s Book Musings
October 19th:
Inside The Mind of An Avid Reader
Reading On The Edge
Teatime and Books
October 20th:
Grand Finale

Tour Giveaway

1 winner will receive a swag bag from Romancing the Capital 2018. It’s full of awesome swag from the event plus 3 of Amy’s books: NY Doc Under the Northern Lights, A Date with Dr Moustakas, and The Surgeon King’s Secret Baby
Open to US only
Ends October 24th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Blog Tour

* Release Day Blast * THE SHERIFF’S LITTLE MATCHMAKER by Carrie Nichols

October 8, 2018 Leave a Comment

Meet the Author:

2016 RWA® Golden Heart® Winner and 2016 & 2015 Maggie Award winning author, Carrie Nichols, is a hardy New Englander transplanted to the Deep South, where she marvels how two inches of snow can bring a city like Atlanta to its knees. She loves to travel, is addicted to British crime dramas and knows a Seinfeld quote appropriate for every occasion.

She has one tolerant husband, two grown sons, and two critical cats. To her dismay, Carrie’s characters—much like her family—often ignore the wisdom and guidance she lovingly offers. She enjoys weaving heart, home and humor into her stories.

Carrie is a member of RWA, Georgia Romance Writers, and Chattanooga Area Romance Authors.

Connect: Site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

About the Book:

When teacher Sasha Honeycutt kisses a handsome cowboy in a bar on a dare, she never expects to see him again. To her surprise, though, he walks through the door of her classroom for a parent-teacher conference. Sheriff Remy Fontenot might be sexy as sin, but Sasha has no interest in falling for another police officer. Rose Creek, Texas is her fresh start after being “that poor widow.” Only, Remy’s precocious daughter has big plans for the two of them…

After their stolen kiss, Remy knows there’s a sexy woman hiding under that school marm charm. When fate—aka his seven-year-old—keeps putting her in his path, he decides to take it as a sign. His daughter needs a mom, and the intriguing, beautiful Sasha is perfect for the role. Not to mention their chemistry is off the charts. Unfortunately, he’s set his sights on the one woman in town who has no interest in falling for another man with a badge.

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

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Filed Under: Blog Tour, Release Day Blitz

* Review * THE PREGNANT COLTON WITNESS by Geri Krotow

October 5, 2018 Leave a Comment

The Pregnant Colton Witness by Geri Krotow
Series: The Coltons of Red Ridge
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense on October 1, 2018
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

A murder witness must protect her unborn child—and her heart

A Coltons of Red Ridge thriller

One night of passion with Officer Nash Maddox left Dr. Patience Colton breathless—and pregnant! The two are unexpectedly reunited when Patience becomes a witness to a murder and K-9 cop Nash rushes to her rescue, along with his canine companion. The two will stop at nothing to protect their growing family, but a killer has other ideas…

Breathtaking excitement and danger from page one! With the next book in the sensational The Coltons of Red Ridge series, Geri Krotow brings us another Colton mixing it up with a K-9 officer. This series has been quite a mystery as we try to figure out who the Groom Killer could be, and each book adds to the intrigue. I really enjoyed connecting with Patience and Nash. They were very relatable and their story was a joy to read.

Just as veterinarian Patience Colton is realizing that her one night of passion with K-9 officer Nash Maddox has left them expecting, she witnesses a murder and the assailant comes after her! She’s within a hair of confrontation when Nash arrives to rescue her. Life on the down low won’t be easy right now when she has such monumental news to share with Nash, but getting her to safety is his first priority.

Nash might already have his hands full with family overflowing his house, but he never once thinks of voicing resistance to the thought of having a baby with Patience. Once they get this killer caught, in addition to trying to once and for all nab the Groom Killer, he’ll be able to carve out a future with her.

Filed Under: Book Reviews