Archives for May 2022

* Review * MILLION-DOLLAR CONSEQUENCES by Jessica Lemmon

May 24, 2022 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * MILLION-DOLLAR CONSEQUENCES by Jessica Lemmon

Million-Dollar Consequences by Jessica Lemmon
Series: The Dunn Brothers #2
Published by Harlequin Desire on May 24, 2022
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

From pretense to pregnancy…

things just got real!

Scoring an interview with actor Isaac Dunn is a dream come true for podcaster Meghan Squire. But when he asks her to be his pretend girlfriend, she has to pinch herself to see if she’s dreaming! The arrangement is just for a while. Just to keep the press at bay. Easy enough. At least until their attraction proves anything but fake and results in a pregnancy. Suddenly the million-dollar question is if they’re ready to make a real commitment…

Make-believe becomes all too real in the conclusion of The Dunn Brothers duet! I highly recommend you read the first book in the series before reading this one so you will get the full enjoyment of Isaac’s story. The storyline picks up soon after his twin Max’s story MILLION-DOLLAR MIX-UP and is fast paced and enjoyable from start to finish.

Isaac is endearing now that we know the history of he and Max and watching him reconnect and begin to enjoy the family side of life again is heartwarming.

Meghan is fresh and fun and really added a lot to the feel of the story.

I highly recommend this book as well as the other book in the duet to anyone who enjoys family drama mixed in with a highly addictive romance and storyline as a set of twin brothers find their forever.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE HONEYMOON COTTAGE by Lori Foster

May 23, 2022 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE HONEYMOON COTTAGE by Lori Foster

The Honeymoon Cottage by Lori Foster
Published by HQN Books on May 24, 2022
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

She was fine arranging other people’s weddings… But life had other plans.

When it comes to creating the perfect happily-ever-after, Yardley Belanger is a bona fide miracle worker. From bridal bouquets to matching cowboy boots, the quirky wedding planner’s country-chic affairs have caused quite a stir in the small town of Cemetery. But when it comes to her own love life? She’s clueless.

Completely clueless.

Perhaps it’s for the best. The thirty-one-year-old has poured her heart and soul into her business and doesn’t have time for anything—or anyone—else. And that’s something not even the gorgeous older brother of her newest client can change…right?

All Travis Long wanted was to give his little sister, Sheena, the wedding of her dreams. Ever since the tragic death of their parents, he’s done everything he can to make her feel loved and give her everything she needs. Still…a country wedding? In a place called Cemetery? But Yardley seems to know exactly what to do and how to do it—and Travis finds himself falling for her a little more each day.

Soon Yardley and Travis find themselves being nudged together by well-meaning locals who want to see the town’s favorite wedding planner get her own happy ending.

Lori Foster does whimsical and quirky like a champ! I will be the first to admit that I love Foster’s alpha, hunky men who take charge and ask questions later the best of all, but in The Honeymoon Cottage it’s easy to fall for tenderhearted Travis who makes going with the flow and making dreams come true look easy. I highly enjoyed watching multiple happily ever afters collide and shine throughout the pages. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a bit of a slow burn romance with a quirky town as the setting and zany characters including the town mannequin stealing the spotlight. Loads of love, heart and humor ensue!

Yardley is a sweetheart who makes brides dreams come true with the weddings she plans on a daily basis, but the life she was born into leaves something to be desired. She takes it all into stride and continues to deliver time after time, so watching her finally get the love she deserves is so satisfying.

Amelia is Yardley’s BFF and delivers the sassy side of their friendship with delight when she sees her friend being treated in a way she doesn’t appreciate. She has a new baby at home and a loving husband, but the spark just isn’t twitching anymore so she’s planning to turn up the heat!

Sheena is Travis’s beloved little sister and is planning the cozy wedding she wants to enjoy with her overworked love Todd, but getting Travis on the same side to see what she sees in the guy she plans to spend her life with is important to her as well.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE SECRET HEIR RETURNS by Joss Wood

May 23, 2022 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * THE SECRET HEIR RETURNS by Joss Wood

The Secret Heir Returns by Joss Wood
Series: Dynasties: DNA Dilemma #4
Published by Harlequin Desire on May 24, 2022
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Will a surprise inheritance lead to not one

but two found families for this secret son?

Rejected by his birth family, author and finance whiz Sutton Marchant made his own way in the world. Now he’s back to fulfill the terms of his birth father’s will, which means staying with Lowrie Lewis, the irresistible manager of the Rossi Inn. The last thing he needs is a distraction like her and her son, but he’s floored by their fierce attraction. Sutton came to claim what’s his, but will Lowrie lead him to the biggest prize of all?

This series wrap up is filled with heart as secrets unravel, families reunite and love outshines all! In the fourth book of the Dynasties: DNA Dilemma series we finally get to the heart of all of the unknown bits of the family tree and it’s both heartwarming and satisfying. I enjoyed this series a lot!

Sutton is an endearing character. He isn’t all that interested in reuniting with the family that abandoned him, but he also isn’t sure he fits in with the family who chose him. Seeing him put all of the pieces together and understand how loved he truly is was really heartwarming.

Lowrie is a sweetheart who hasn’t had an easy go of life but still had a warm heart and gentle spirit to welcome all who enter her life.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys family drama mixed with steamy romance and feel good moments.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THE VET’S UNEXPECTED HOUSEGUEST by Juliette Hyland

May 23, 2022 Leave a Comment

The Vet's Unexpected Houseguest by Juliette Hyland
Published by Harlequin Medical Romances on May 24, 2022
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Her new colleague
……is also her new roommate!

Widowed workaholic Kit has dedicated her life to her patients. She’s determined to be the best vet in town and prove herself to those who’ve doubted her. But when Dr. August—aka her boss’s prodigal son—returns to help at the clinic, she’s faced with an unexpected and irresistible houseguest! August is a distraction Kit doesn’t need. Although he’s certainly one she wants! Can Kit take a risk on a rebel?

This second chance at love is sure to please! Strong characters with emotional backstories collide to bring on the feels in the latest from Juliette Hyland. Each character has a strong draw to this small town in Tennessee but aren’t exactly sure where they fit in, but drama, love and adorable animals help soothe the way toward forever.

August is easy to love and wears his heart on his sleeve to all but his curmudgeon father. He’s come home in support, but he doesn’t think he’ll be welcome to stay for long.

Kit is a sweetheart and loved by the town, but baggage past and present holds her back from achieving the dream she’s always had. I enjoyed seeing her get to be herself under the love of August.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a setting of sweet animals as warmhearted characters find their forever love amidst drama and goodness.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * IT’S A WIDOW THING by Karen Booth

May 23, 2022 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * IT’S A WIDOW THING by Karen Booth

It's a Widow Thing by Karen Booth
Series: Never Too Late #3
on May 23, 2022
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

He’s on the fast-track to serious, and she’s hitting the brakes.

When cosmetics entrepreneur Sabrina Kelly waited until she was thirty-eight to marry, she never thought she’d be widowed by forty. Now, two years later, she’s ready for a dip in the dating pool. And Michael, the merciless flirt who lives down the hall, seems like a fun way to get wet. He has “player” written all over him, but Sabrina’s not looking for a love connection. Her heart can’t take more than a fling.

Wall Street mogul Michael Wright has ignored his mom’s pressure to marry for years. But it’s not until he has a health scare that he finally takes stock of his life. If he’s going to settle down, only one woman comes to mind… his gorgeous, whip-smart neighbor, Sabrina. Their chemistry is off the charts. The banter? So. Hot. But while he’s working overtime to woo her, she’s holding back. Can two people running at different speeds get to happily-ever-after together?

Proof once-in-a-lifetime love can happen twice! With the final book in the Never Too Late series we meet cosmetic entrepreneur Sabrina and her temptingly lush neighbor Michael who is beginning to turn on the charm on this lonely, widowed heart. The characters are interesting and the story was both sweet and sassy when their love affair heats up.

Sabrina believes she had her grand love story and life going forward is going to be what she makes it alone, but when her delightful neighbor makes it clear the attraction she feels around him is very mutual, things have the potential to change … but is she ready for that?

Michael is a sweetheart. He’s a workaholic and it shows in his current lifestyle, but he’s goodhearted and loves his family dearly. Watching him back up and enjoy life more while wooing Sabrina is really special.

I recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a mature romance with more depth than you might get from a perky twenty-something first love story. This series is proof that life happens, and we have to pick up the pieces and deal in order to find joy again.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * FLASH POINT by Tracey Devlyn

May 23, 2022 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Flash Point by Tracey Devlyn
Series: Steele Ridge: The Blackwells #1
Published by Steele Ridge Publishing on May 23, 2022
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

A treasure hunter thought he had everything in his life firmly in hand until a chance encounter with a mysterious redhead tests the limits of his self-control.

When FBI Special Agent Olivia Westcott’s boss hands over her next assignment, she has an opportunity to retrieve a priceless artifact and shut down a high-profile drug scheme in one fell swoop. All Liv has to do is work with the lead recovery agent of Blackwell Asset Recovery Services—with whom she’d had a passionate one-night stand two weeks prior—and not let her feelings compromise the case.

Zeke Blackwell still struggles with running the family business after his older brother unexpectedly left him in charge. Now he has the added responsibility of keeping drugs off the streets of small towns across Western North Carolina and keeping his hands off the too-enticing special agent while they’re planning the joint operation. As if that’s not enough to keep him up at night, he’s also searching for a centuries-old treasure that could change the course of his and his family’s lives.

But what starts as a high-value asset recovery spirals out of control when their enemies force Liv and Zeke to stay one step ahead of danger. Is their attraction worth the risk? Or will they find themselves playing a game too dangerous to survive?

This dive back into Steele Ridge brings non-stop mystery! While there were many characters and several irons in different fires to keep track of, The Blackwell brothers came in strong and packed a punch. The plot was interesting, the characters were bewitching and the familial love and angst was spot on. I’m looking forward to more to come in the series, hopefully with a bit more Steele interaction.

Zeke is brusque and all business, but he’s got a heart of gold and an expectation upon himself that puts the weight of the world on his shoulders. I enjoyed seeing him accept love and seeing him thrive when he lets his brothers into his inner circle was heartwarming.

Olivia is a dynamo. Single mom, wrapped in grief, yet open to whatever this relationship may become right from the start. I liked her a lot.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes a high action story filled with danger, family camaraderie and a sexy flirt of love and romance.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * RELUCTANT ROOMMATES by Tara Taylor Quinn

May 20, 2022 Leave a Comment

Reluctant Roommates by Tara Taylor Quinn
Series: Sierra's Web #2
Published by Harlequin Special Edition on April 26, 2022
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

He just inherited his family estate.

So did she.

Living with a total stranger for twelve months is the only way Weston Thomas can claim possession of his Georgia family mansion. If not, the place goes to the dogs—seven rescue pups being looked after by Paige Martinson, his co-owner, to be exact. West’s instant, unexpected attraction to the free-spirited ghostwriter comes with rules of engagement. But when chemistry deepens into more powerful emotions, is the accountant willing to bank on a future that was never in his long-term plans?

Highly emotional and addictive! The second book in the Sierra’s Web series brings a heart full of rescue dogs to the forefront and they are so sweet and add a poignant touch to the storyline. The characters meet in an unorthodox way and in the beginning we don’t think they are going to connect, but the story weaves emotion and angst around our hearts as they grow closer with each moment they share. I really loved their story!

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone that enjoys emotional moments mixed into your romance. The back story of Sierra hasn’t been strongly brought to the forefront that connects all of these books yet, but I assume we will hear more of the story as the series plays out. I’m enjoying it!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * HARD PASS by Brenda Rothert and Kat Mizera

May 20, 2022 Leave a Comment

Hard Pass by Brenda Rothert, Kat Mizera
Series: St. Louis Mavericks #3
Published by Silver Sky Publishing, Inc. on May 17, 2022
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Sariah

Ever meant to text your ex, but accidentally messaged a stranger instead? I did, and that mistake started a friendship that became important to me as I navigated a move and a new job with the St. Louis Mavericks. I’m crushing life as a strong, single woman until I discover the truth. That stranger I’m crushing on? He’s actually not a stranger at all.

Nash

Giving a fake name to the woman who accidentally texted me seemed like a good idea at the time. As a pro hockey player, my real name tends to draw out puck bunnies and fame seekers. But when the woman who thinks I’m “Rob” starts working for the Mavericks, I find myself in a jam. How do I tell her the man she thinks she’s falling for is actually the somewhat arrogant (though charming) hockey player she can’t stand?

This meet-cute is EVERYTHING! I have really been enjoying the St. Louis Mavericks series by Brenda Rothert and Kat Mizera and HARD PASS once again grabbed me from start to finish. The characters were each compelling all on their own and together they were adorable and such good hearted folks. I can’t wait for more in the series!

Sariah is easy to like and easy to sympathize with.

I loved everything about Nash … even if he was fibbing half the book.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a hockey romance with equal parts team camaraderie, steamy interactions and heartfelt affection.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * RACING TO YOU by Susan Carlisle

May 20, 2022 Leave a Comment

Racing to You by Susan Carlisle
Series: Love in the Air #1
on April 5, 2022
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

The last person she wanted to ask for help is the man who destroyed her father’s life.

Hot air balloon pilot Emily Kerr needs to enter a coast-to-coast race across America to raise funds and start her own ballooning business. Her only obstacle is finding a sponsor.

Reid Martin is an industrial textile manufacturer who has developed a promising high-tech material, but he needs to test it in a practical setting before selling it to the Department of Defense. With a government contract in hand, Reid can take his family company public, saving it from bankruptcy.

Despite her reservations, Emily offers Reid an enticing opportunity to get a first-hand look at what his fabric can do. He agrees to help the intriguing woman but with two stipulations:

1. She must use the balloon he constructs
2. He will accompany her on the three-week trip

While floating across the sky, Emily reluctantly accepts the appealing man’s presence while vowing not to let him touch her heart. Will Reid risk everything—including Emily’s dream and his hope of winning her love—to save his future?

A delightful bit of escapism! With solid characters and an interesting subject that we don’t hear much about, RACING TO YOU was a refreshing bit of sweetness for this reader. Not only do we get a taste of the ballooning industry, but we get a fresh take on an enemies to lovers trope and a rewarding happily ever after. Highly enjoyed!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Release Blast/Review * KISS MY GIRAFFE by Erin Nicholas

May 19, 2022 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blast/Review * KISS MY GIRAFFE by Erin Nicholas

Kiss My Giraffe by Erin Nicholas
Series: Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild #7
Published by EN Fiction, Inc. on May 17, 2022
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Enemies to friends to almost lovers…then back to kind-of enemies…to lovers. For a guy who wanted to keep things simple this is anything but.

Fiona knew Knox would be mad when she moved in next door.

And not because she brought a collection of wild animals with her.

And she was right.

So she intended to leave him alone. Mostly.

But he’s not ignoring her. He’s actively working to send her and her “ridiculous menagerie” (rude) right back out of town.

Still, as hard as she tries, it’s impossible to stop thinking about the small town grump’s long hair and tattoos and that mouth.

Not the one that’s almost always set in a grim line and says things like, “you got a permit for that?”

Nope, the one that kisses her like she’s everything he’s ever wanted and says very dirty things in her ear. And sweet, protective, supportive things. Sometimes. Accidentally. When she catches him off-guard.

The one that also says he only wants a long-distance fling with her. Nothing serious. And that he never dates women he sees every day. Like his neighbor.

Well, fine. If he doesn’t want her—and her unbelievable past and that-can’t-be-real future—then she doesn’t want him either. He can just kiss her…giraffe. (Yeah, she actually has a couple of those.)

Now she just needs to convince her heart to give him up.

What a joyful series this has been! I thought the steamy cajuns in the original series were pulling all the feels, but once this spin off Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild series came to life, it was steamy and heart melting sweetness all rolled up into one delicious read after another. I’m excited to see what the future holds for Autre and the family we have made while visiting over the years!

The characters in this story have been bringing a smile to our face many times over as their attraction and bantering sass played off each other in prior books so it is no surprise to anyone that they are adorable together, have a sexual chemistry off the charts every minute they are in site of each other and that each of their strong personalities comes to life when paired against the other.

I adored this book and highly recommend it as well as the entire series to anyone who loves pulse pounding attraction and humor mixed into a feel good steamy romance.

She’s the only woman he can’t resist.

And now she lives right next door.

Kiss My Giraffe, a spicy grumpy sunshine romantic comedy, and the final standalone in the Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild series from New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas, is available now!

Fiona knew Knox would be mad when she moved in next door.

And not because she brought a collection of wild animals with her.

And she was right.

So she intended to leave him alone. Mostly.

But he’s not ignoring her. He’s actively working to send her and her “ridiculous menagerie” (rude) right back out of town.

Still, as hard as she tries, it’s impossible to stop thinking about the small town grump’s long hair and tattoos and that mouth.

Not the one that’s almost always set in a grim line and says things like, “you got a permit for that?”

Nope, the one that kisses her like she’s everything he’s ever wanted and says very dirty things in her ear. And sweet, protective, supportive things. Sometimes. Accidentally. When she catches him off-guard.

The one that also says he only wants a long-distance fling with her. Nothing serious. And that he never dates women he sees every day. Like his neighbor.

Well, fine. If he doesn’t want her—and her unbelievable past and that-can’t-be-real future—then she doesn’t want him either. He can just kiss her…giraffe. (Yeah, she actually has a couple of those.)

Now she just needs to convince her heart to give him up.

Fall in love today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3sxDdjs
Amazon Worldwide: https://mybook.to/kissmygiraffe
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3hLxTmG
Nook: https://bit.ly/345qIT5
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3tn0Ni5
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3K4P8LG

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3vDelbY

Read on for a look inside Kiss My Giraffe!

“Remember that thing we talked about at Christmas?”

Knox felt his gut clench. They’d talked about sleeping together. And him becoming the temporary foster dad to three baby otters.

And they’d kissed for the first time. A kiss that had been causing annoying, unwelcome, frustrating dirty dreams for three fucking months.

“About having a salacious affair where we sneak around behind our friends’ backs and sleep together whenever I’m in town?” she pressed when he didn’t answer.

“Yes. I remember.”

Too well. He was incredibly pissed about how often he’d replayed that conversation and how restless he’d been waiting for her to call or come back to Autre.

He didn’t pine for women. Ever. He did the opposite of that.

But now she was here. And Knox wasn’t sure what he was feeling. Her showing up unannounced wasn’t unusual. Fiona Grady rolled into Autre without warning more often than not in her grape-soda-purple truck that sent his heart hammering and cock hardening.

But it had been three months since he’d seen her. Since they’d talked. Since he’d had any clue what she was doing, where she was, how she was.

Suddenly, she was on his doorstep asking about their plan to bang whenever she was in town for a couple of days?

“Okay, well, there’s something I need to tell you that will make you not want to do that anymore,” she said. “So I was wondering if maybe you wanted to get naked together once before I told you and ruined everything?”

He opened his mouth to reply. Then shut it without a word. What the hell?

He glanced over his shoulder. Three minutes ago, he’d been sitting at his kitchen table doing paperwork with a cup of coffee and listening to a podcast about new creative urban development ideas.

Now the woman he was low-level obsessed with was on his porch asking if he wanted to have sex before she told him something that would make him not want to have sex with her anymore.

He ran a hand through his hair. This was why Fiona Grady was no good for him. She came into his carefully controlled and organized life and made things chaotic and messy.

“Are you sick?” he asked.

“Sick? No.”

“Dying?”

“No.”

“Is anyone dying?”

“No.”

“Are you married?” He braced himself. He knew very little about this woman, actually, and if she belonged to someone else, he’d… leave her alone. And hate that man. And never forgive her for stirring him up like this.

“Absolutely not.”

“Engaged?”

“No.”

Okay, that was all…way too much of a relief. He should not be this happy to hear that.

“Did you kill someone?” he asked.

She tipped her head, her mouth curling. “Is that a definite deal-breaker?”

No, probably not. Knox narrowed his eyes.

“No, I haven’t killed anyone.”

“Are the Feds looking for you? Or will I be implicated in some kind of crime if I let you in?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

“That’s not a no.”

“I’m just being honest.”

Fair enough. Fiona was a wild animal advocate. The type of person to show up at roadside petting zoos and ‘circuses’ to monitor how the animals were treated and hand out literature to people attending the events, raising awareness about the poor conditions and treatment of those animals. She showed up to help rescue and care for animals, wild and domestic, after natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires. She regularly lobbied local, state, and even the national government for animal protections.

The chance that she could have done something in the “gray area” for one of her causes was pretty good.

The problem with that was he knew that wouldn’t keep him from wanting her.

She was precisely the kind of woman he should be avoiding.

He studied her face for another long moment, then gave in to the inevitable. He pushed his door open.

“Yeah?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

She wasn’t dying, wasn’t married, and hadn’t killed anyone. And he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted another woman in his life. So how was he possibly going to shut the door on her? After three months of missing her? He wasn’t that strong. Or stupid.

Start your binge today with Otterly Irresistible!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wl0BTv

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/otterlyirresistible

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3wNGZW6

About Erin Nicholas

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.

Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).

Connect with Erin

Website: http://bit.ly/2NkB2uF
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2tdTM8e
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2QLd1Pr
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3a3rnm4
Instagram: http://bit.ly/36NqV9y
Website: http://bit.ly/2FM3Doo

Stay up to date with Erin Nicholas by joining her mailing list:
http://bit.ly/38a5Fv5

Filed Under: Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz