* Release Blast / Review * MESS ME UP by Lani Lynn Vale

September 4, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Release Blast / Review * MESS ME UP by Lani Lynn Vale

Mess Me Up by Lani Lynn Vale
Series: The Bear Bottom Guardians MC #1
on September 4, 2018
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When Rome Pierce moved to Bear Bottom, Texas, it was his intention to lay low. To not be seen. To find a way to heal his body and soul—as well as his son’s.

Nobody would know by looking at him that he used to play professional football. Not with the Bear Bottom MC cut covering his back, and definitely not with his friendly smile completely obliterated.

No longer is there charm in each smooth word that comes out of his mouth. What’s left is an angry, bitter, scared man that’s terrified one day he’s going to wake up and his entire world is going to be gone.

Nobody knows what drove him to leave the game he loved—nobody but her.

She’s the one person that has helped him make it through the dark days and even darker nights. She’s the bright and shining star in his pitch-black sky.

And he doesn’t even know her name.

He should be afraid that she knows things that not anyone—not even his best friend—knows.

Yet, with each encounter, he gives what little bit of his soul remains, and before he knows it only two people on this earth—one dying, and one too afraid to live—make his life worth living.

Until one day he has to choose—the love of his life, or the life he brought into this world.

Two impossible situations. One decision that would change him forever.

Absolutely heart wrecking! This book tore my heart out … and then slowly put it back together again. It’s my first read by this author, but it will definitely not be my last. It’s not your average MC (Motorcycle Club) romance, but it’s a powerfully written book that takes you on such a rollercoaster ride of emotions, that you don’t even care that it’s not giving us the biker lifestyle that we might have picked it up hoping for. The characters are addictive, and the various plots of the story held my attention with ease. Really great read!

Former pro footballer Rome Pierce retired from his career without giving specifics why, moved to Bear Bottom, Texas and joined an MC … all within a short timeframe, and all while living the darkest period of his life. He has only his MC brothers to count on while he hopes the changes in his life help to heal him as well as his son.

She’s been there when he needed an ear, offering words of wisdom and just plain kindness when he needed it more than anything. She’s got a past of her own that only he knows details of, but she knows he won’t tell anyone. After all, he doesn’t know who she is. He holds her secrets, but not her name. She has seen into his soul, but never into his eyes.

When Rome Pierce moved to Bear Bottom, Texas, it was his intention to lay low. To not be seen. To find a way to heal his body and soul-as well as his son’s.

Nobody would know by looking at him that he used to play professional football. Not with the Bare Bottom MC cut covering his back, and definitely not with his friendly smile completely obliterated.

No longer is there charm in each smooth word that comes out of his mouth. What’s left is an angry, bitter, scared man that’s terrified one day he’s going to wake up and his entire world is going to be gone.

Nobody knows what drove him to leave the game he loved-nobody but her.

She’s the one person that has helped him make it through the dark days and even darker nights. She’s the bright and shining star in his pitch-black sky.

And he doesn’t even know her name.

He should be afraid that she knows things that not anyone-not even his best friend-knows.

Yet, with each encounter, he gives what little bit of his soul remains, and before he knows it only two people on this earth-one dying, and one too afraid to live-make his life worth living.

Until one day he has to choose-the love of his life, or the life he brought into this world.

Two impossible situations. One decision that would change him forever.

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EXCERPT

Rome

RP’s Biggest Fan,

I’m not sure how you became my therapist, or how we even got to the point of being pen pals, but I’ll take what I can get.

I could use a friend.

So, you want to hear about my life? How it’s nowhere near as glamorous as everyone makes it out to be?

Where should I start?

How about the paparazzi. They’re awful. They follow me home. They follow me to work. They follow me to my son’s appointments—though technically, they don’t know he’s my son. Luckily. That was one thing I did manage to do right—keeping him out of the limelight.

Lucky for me, too. Or, at least for him.

And if the paparazzi wasn’t bad enough, my ex was only with me for my money—because she knew that I had it.

If there was one thing I could erase from my life, it would be her.

But, if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have my son…and at this point, he’s the single bright light in the sea of darkness that is my life.

Last week she threatened to sue me because I broke the custody agreement we have for our son. Do you want to know what I did? Nothing. Not one damn thing. I stayed at her house while she went away for the day, and I put a drink on her coffee table.

Let me repeat that…I put a drink on her coffee table.

Ok, so it was a Coke can, and I didn’t use a coaster… but I’d finished the damn thing. It was completely empty, it wasn’t sweating, and it didn’t leave any sort of mark.

But, with the way she reacted, you would’ve thought that I’d carved my initials in the table using a screwdriver or something.

Oh, and let’s not forget what my team manager wants me to do.

He wants me to pose naked except for a strategically positioned football for Sports Illustrated. When did Sports Illustrated stop focusing on sports in favor of selling what’s sexy?

You told me last week that you weren’t sure that you were going to write anymore. I realize that this back and forth we have going on isn’t normal, but if it doesn’t bother you, it doesn’t bother me.

I hope you write to me soon, RP’s Biggest Fan.

Rome.

Lani Lynn Vale is a USA Today Bestselling Author of over thirty titles. She is married with three children, two dogs, two cats, a donkey, and a couple (a couple also meaning over twenty) chickens.

When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair reading.

Lani is married with three children and lives in the Great State of Texas.

Filed Under: Blog Tour, Book Reviews, Release Day Blitz

* Review * HARD DEAL by Stefanie London

August 31, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

Hard Deal by Stefanie London
Series: Melbourne After Dark
Published by Harlequin Dare on September 1, 2018
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For one night only, Imogen Hargrove is a sexy spy. She’s donned a mask for the Carmina Masquerade Ball, where she hopes to catch her sister’s cheating fiancé, Daniel, in the act. But she’s the one who gets rumbled when she strays too close to her target—only to realize she’s been tailing the wrong man. A searing kiss makes her forget her mission altogether, and the mysterious stranger awakens something inside her: a burning passion she hasn’t felt since the brutal breakup of her last relationship.

Imogen is mortified to discover that the man behind the mask is her colleague, notorious womanizer Caleb Allbrook. He’s the last person she wants to get close to, and she doesn’t need another playboy in her life. But that kiss has her curious—besides, Caleb knows her sister’s fiancé and could prove very useful in digging up dirt.

She makes a deal: she’ll go on a date with Caleb in exchange for information on Daniel’s affair. But Caleb’s irresistible charm turns a casual conversation into a night of sultry seduction. Imogen knows Caleb is bad news—yet he makes her feel sexier than any man ever has. Can she pull herself away from yet another toxic relationship, or will Caleb prove there’s more to him than just sex appeal?

Stefanie London is the queen of sexy, flirtatious men with a heart of gold! She’s just delivered another winning heartthrob with Caleb Allbrook. He’s a major flirt, yet he’s kind to all and downright fun to watch interact with people. His humor had me grinning often, his sensitive side tugged at my heart strings more than once and his happily ever after melted my heart! This story has a section that takes place at the same masquerade ball as the first book in the Melbourne After Dark series, so you may recognize snippets of the plot, but we delve deeper into his and Imogen’s story. Really fun characters, several plot snippets going on to grab our interest at different times in the book and just an overall fun book to read. Really enjoyed it!

Imogen Hargrove never imagines a night of deception will turn into her own wonderland of sin, but that’s exactly what starts to happen! All she wanted was to sneak into the masquerade party of the year to spy on her sister’s fiancee Daniel because she’s afraid he’s cheating on her sister. The jokes on her when she realizes she’s following the wrong man and the guy she accuses of being a louse is actually her boss’s son, Caleb! A sizzling kiss between the two of them has her body reawakening from the deep freeze she put it into after a nasty split from her ex!

Caleb Allbrook is a ladies man, and he doesn’t deny it … but he’s not the man she thought she was following and resents her trying to push him aside when she discovers that. The kiss they share proves the sizzling attraction he’s always felt for her is no longer one sided, but can he get her to actually go out with him instead of continuing to hold him at arms length? It turns out he has an in with Daniel and promises to help her find out if he’s stepping out on her sister … but only if she promises him a genuine date!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE by Laura Trentham

August 28, 2018 Leave a Comment

Set the Night on Fire by Laura Trentham
Series: Cottonbloom #6
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks on July 31, 2018
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Ella Boudreaux has a lot to prove to her family, friends, and foes—and to herself. So when her marriage ends she decides to invest her energy and money into a place that brings back some of Ella’s happiest memories: the Abbott brothers’ garage. Maybe, if she puts her mind to it, she can teach skeptical, stubborn Mack Abbott how to make the business a true success. Which would be a lot easier if the hunky mechanic didn’t make her motor run quite so fast…and hot.

Mack was furious when his brother, Ford, sold his share of the business. He’s in no rush to team up with a wealthy divorcée who shows up to the garage in stilettos—and the longest, sexiest legs he’s seen in forever. But Ella’s grit and determination won’t quit…and soon Mack can see that she’s been down a few rough roads herself. Neither Mack nor Ella can deny the fierce attraction that’s revving up between them. Could it be that true love has been in the backseat all along…and they’ve finally found the key?

A delectable story of starting over and finding what you never knew you were looking for! Who knew middle brother Mack with all of his gruff surliness would turn out to be my favorite?? I’ve really loved this series and all of the Abbott brothers that we’ve had put before us so far, but Mack just stole my heart. I didn’t expect to like him so much, but the way he took to Ella even though he didn’t want to, it was just a touching story. Really enjoyed it, and hope we get Ford’s story one day!

Ella Boudreaux might have recently lost a cheating husband, but she’s gained the means and freedom to do what she pleases. One of the happiest times in her life revolved around cars, so when she’s handed the opportunity to buy into Abbott Brother’s Garage, she jumps at the chance. She plans to use her marketing skills to aid the guys in building their classic car restoration persona. She wasn’t counting on the negative attitude and downright hatred of the situation from one of the Abbotts though!

Mack Abbott will do just about anything to make sure the garage his father started and spent his life tending to remains a success. He’s been trying for months to get Ford to buckle under and be a help to him and his other brothers in the day to day running of the shop, but all Ford seemed to want to do was gallivant here and there until he up and betrayed them by selling his quarter of the business to some trophy wife has been. He’s furious … and he’s going to get back that 25 percent ownership if it’s the last thing he does!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * BABY TEETH by Zoje Stage

August 28, 2018 Leave a Comment

Baby Teeth by Zoje Stage
Published by St. Martin's Press on July 17, 2018
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Afflicted with a chronic debilitating condition, Suzette Jensen knew having children would wreak havoc on her already fragile body. Nevertheless, she brought Hanna into the world, pleased and proud to start a family with her husband Alex. Estranged from her own mother, Suzette is determined to raise her beautiful daughter with the love, care, and support she was denied.

But Hanna proves to be a difficult child. Now seven-years-old, she has yet to utter a word, despite being able to read and write. Defiant and anti-social, she refuses to behave in kindergarten classes, forcing Suzette to homeschool her. Resentful of her mother’s rules and attentions, Hanna lashes out in anger, becoming more aggressive every day. The only time Hanna is truly happy is when she’s with her father. To Alex, she’s willful and precocious but otherwise the perfect little girl, doing what she’s told.

Suzette knows her clever and manipulative daughter doesn’t love her. She can see the hatred and jealousy in her eyes. And as Hanna’s subtle acts of cruelty threaten to tear her and Alex apart, Suzette fears her very life may be in grave danger…

You’re in for a wild ride! The gist of this story is extraordinary, and the underlying ideas could have made for a really powerful story … however, the writing style left a bad taste in my mouth. I’m all for writing an illness into a story to get awareness or to make it feel more real and to give it something you can sink your teeth into as you read, but I really did not need the candid details over and over of what bodily functions occurred. The story has a bite to it and is filled with torment, but be prepared to be grossed out a bit as well.

Suzette Jensen has suffered through illness the majority of her life, but she’s trudged along taking joy when she can and settling into life. She’s married to the man of her dreams, loved her work, and when she became pregnant was a bit hesitant of how her body might react to it, but was thrilled to see the joy this baby brought to her husband’s face. Now, seven years later, she’s having second thoughts. Her daughter Hanna has never spoken even though she’s brilliant and can read and write without a problem. She misbehaves when it suits her, making it impossible to find a school that will keep her enrolled. All that Suzette wants is for a semblance of life to go back to what it was before when she enjoyed getting out of the house and working … but Hanna has other ideas, and as she progressively gets worse and the hatred in her eyes increases, she starts to fear for her life!

Alex Jensen adores his daughter. She’s the ray of sunshine in his life before he leaves for work and a delight to tuck into bed when he gets home. Reading together is one of their favorite past times. He knows she has a mind of her own and gives his wife a bit of a hard time, but he never in a million years believes she does the things that Suzette says she does. She’s his little angel. His wife is just tired and exaggerating everything … isn’t she?

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * IN THE LAWMAN’S PROTECTION by Janie Crouch

August 28, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * IN THE LAWMAN’S PROTECTION by Janie Crouch

In the Lawman's Protection by Janie Crouch
Series: Omega Sector: Under Siege
Published by Harlequin Intrigue on September 1, 2018
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An agent will do anything to take down a terrorist.

Even if that means using a woman as his weapon.

To locate a terrorist, Ren McClement must find the criminal’s “dead” wife Natalie. His plan: use the innocent beauty as bait. But when his duplicity leads them into grave danger, Ren reveals his secret to Natalie...and his passion for her. Will furious Natalie be able to forgive his lie? And will they get to the mastermind before he unleashes mass destruction?

It all comes back to bite him! When terrorist Damien Freihof began his rampage on the Omega Sector unit, he claimed it was revenge for them killing his wife, but circumstances lead them to believe she’s not really dead, and that she might be just the bait they need to bring this madman out of the woodwork so they can take him down once and for all. This has been an exciting series with lots of twist and turns, and this book was a fairly fitting end to it all.

Omega Sector founder Ren McClement will stop at nothing to bring down the terrorist who has been attacking his group of highly trained law enforcement officers for the last few months. Freihof has killed, injured and tormented more than anyone can stand, so Ren’s determined to bring his reign of terror to an end once and for all … even if he has to use an innocent party to do it!

Natalie Anderson has been on the run from her demented husband for several years now, and she should know better than to trust a man she runs across, but Ren seems so sincere. Little does she know that he knows exactly who she is and who she’s running from … he just believes she’s an accomplice instead of a victim! As he comes to know the real person, Ren wishes there was another way out of this mess, but he has no other option than to reveal that she’s still alive … will it end her life for real this time, or will he be able to save the day and keep her as well as the rest of his team safe from Damien Freihof?

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * IN HIS FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS by Danielle Steel

August 23, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * IN HIS FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS by Danielle Steel

In His Father's Footsteps by Danielle Steel
Published by Delacorte Press on September 4, 2018
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In this powerful novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel tells the story of two World War II concentration camp survivors, the life they build together, and the son who faces struggles of his own as a first generation American determined to be his own person and achieve success.

When U.S. troops occupy Germany, friends Jakob and Emmanuelle are saved from the terrible fate of so many in the camps. With the help of sponsors, they make their way to New York. In order not to be separated, they allow their friendship to blossom into love and marriage, and start a new life on the Lower East Side, working at grueling, poorly paid jobs.

Decades later, through talent, faith, fortune, and relentless hard work, Jakob has achieved success in the diamond business, invested in real estate in New York, and shown his son, Max, that America is truly the land of opportunity. Max is a rising star, a graduate of Harvard with friends among the wealthiest, most ambitious families in the world. And while his parents were thrown together by chance, Max chooses a perfect bride to start the perfect American family.

An opulent society wedding. A honeymoon in Tahiti. A palatial home in Greenwich. Max’s lavish lifestyle is unimaginable to his cautious old-world father and mother. Max wants to follow his father’s example and make his own fortune. But after the birth of children, and with a failing marriage, he can no longer deny that his wife is not the woman he thought she was. Angry and afraid, Max must do what he has never done before: struggle, persevere, and learn what it means to truly walk in his father’s footsteps, while pursuing his own ideals and setting an example for his children.

Moving from the ashes of postwar Europe to the Lower East Side of New York to wealth, success, and unlimited luxury, In His Father’s Footsteps is a stirring tale of three generations of strong, courageous, and loving people who pay their dues to achieve their goals.

A powerfully compelling story of strength, love and gumption! We’re magically thrust into a story of two people who face the worst and yet prosper with little more than the love they share and the clothes on their back simply because of their unique mindset of being grateful for every single thing they have in life. The two of them and the foundation they laid for their family simply made this story! The characters and early plot were complex and rich. The later story had a little less follow through but still gave a fulfilling conclusion. Overall I really enjoyed it!

Through tortuous situations, heartache and loss, Jakob Stein and Emmanuelle Berger manage to hold on long enough to be rescued from their imprisonment in a German conservation camp. Knowing little about each other, but knowing a kindred spirit when they see one, they decide to trust in their friendship enough to wed before being sponsored to freedom in the United States and let their love brew and grow naturally. They find themselves living miserly in low paying jobs and hard conditions, but are thankful for how far they have come since losing their family, history and possessions to such horror. As the years pass, they lean on each other through it all and devote their lives to the son they were blessed with as they bask in their love. They try to teach him how important family is, and the proper work ethic to go through life with in order to never be placed in a position of having to pull yourself up from rock bottom.

Their son Max grows into a well educated Harvard graduate who takes the knowledge and help his father shared with him to go on and prosper through real estate ventures to become an early success. He finds who he thinks is the love of his life and through an elaborate ceremony and opulent lifestyle sets out to grasp the world at his fingertips and go for a ride of riches and prosper. Years later he finds himself delighted with the birth of children, yet overworked and stressing more every day about becoming all that he can become while his marriage seems to get worse by the day with a woman that isn’t at all what he was expecting. Finally finding himself faced with a dire situation, he must reevaluate his life and struggle like his parents before him to make sure his family is at the top of his mindset as he forges a new life from the ruins he’s climbing out of.

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * A RING TO TAKE HIS REVENGE by Pippa Roscoe

August 23, 2018 Leave a Comment

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

* Review * A RING TO TAKE HIS REVENGE by Pippa Roscoe

A Ring to Take His Revenge by Pippa Roscoe
Series: The Winners' Circle
Published by Harlequin Presents on September 1, 2018
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He’ll do anything to settle the score…

…even fake an engagement!

To secure his revenge against his cruel father, billionaire Antonio Arcuri needs a fake fiancée—fast! He demands his shy PA, Emma Guilham, wear his diamond. In return, he’ll help fulfill her dreams—starting with a jet-set trip to Buenos Aires! It’s a simple charade, until the burning tension between them erupts into irresistible desire. Now Antonio must decide between vengeance and Emma…

Revenge is a powerful motivator! Pippa Roscoe brings us the story of a man who cares deeply for his family and wants the man that brought them pain to suffer justly. He’s willing to use a woman he really knows very little about in order to further his cause … but as he begins to learn her story and see the person behind the shyness, he starts to want to protect her just as much as his family. The characters are intriguing and the story line was satisfying.

Antonio Arcuri has been waiting sixteen years to reap the revenge his family so richly deserves against the man that tore them apart and left them in ruins. On the cusp of a business deal that would be the final shove needed to ruin his father once and for all, Antonio will stop at nothing to make sure it happens. Even fake an engagement with the least likely woman around!

Personal assistant Emma Guilham is rather meek when it comes to his overbearing nature, and she never expects him to offer to make all of her dreams come true if only she’ll pretend to be his fiancee for long enough to get this contract that will revenge his family. She reluctantly agrees to the farce, but as they spend time together and set out to be seen as a couple, it starts to feel all too real!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Review * THREE-WAY SPLIT by Elia Winters

August 23, 2018 Leave a Comment

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* Review * THREE-WAY SPLIT by Elia Winters

Three-Way Split by Elia Winters
Series: Comes in Threes
Published by Entangled: Scorched on August 20, 2018
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Hannah Stewart knows what she likes, and it doesn't include relationships. She has enough on her plate with her fledgling adult novelty shop, Yes Please. But even with an arsenal of sex toys at her disposal, she's hit a dry spell—one she wishes the sexy Mitchell Fredericks would help her out with.

There's just one snag. His sexy roommate and business partner, Ben Harrington.

The last thing she wants to do is come between their friendship—even though she'd like to come between them in other ways. Instead, she comes up with a proposition for them, one that might lead to a very hot, very unexpected outcome.

Decadently steamy! A story of three people, all strong and sassy in their own way, who find their way into a situation that none of them are sure how to handle at first. Hannah doesn’t want to call it a relationship, Mitchell feels more than he’ll ever admit, and Ben has been hurt before and is gun shy. Through sharing themselves with each other, an awakening of love and laughter leads them to a happiness none of them ever imagined. A solid story line with delectable characters. Must be okay with menage and M/M interactions to enjoy!

Adult novelty store owner Hannah Stewart doesn’t do commitment, but she does enjoy sex … a lot … and for the last year, she’s been lusting after Mitchell. They are friends around the neighborhood and at the community business meetings they both attend, but when they’re alone, flirting commences.

Chef and pub owner Mitchell Fredericks loves running Mapleton Pub with his best friend and roommate Ben. They’ve been in each other’s lives since high school and are now enjoying the good life of being successful business men. They are both bi-sexual, and in the last couple of years have been enjoying each other more than ever before, but Mitchell has also been yearning for Hannah.

Brewer and pub owner Ben Harrington hits on Hannah the minute he meets her, but he can tell there’s spark there between her and Mitchell as well. His playful nature might be just what these two need to finally take it to the next level, and he hopes he’ll be joining in!

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* Review * GOOD TIME COWBOY by Maisey Yates

August 22, 2018 Leave a Comment

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* Review * GOOD TIME COWBOY by Maisey Yates

Good Time Cowboy by Maisey Yates
Series: Gold Valley
Published by HQN Books on August 21, 2018
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In Gold Valley, Oregon, forbidden desire just might turn into the love of a lifetime…

When Lindy Parker lost her cheating husband, she gained a vineyard. She’ll do anything for Grassroots Winery, including teaming up with the hottest devil she knows, rancher Wyatt Dodge. Wyatt is her ex’s friend and has an ego as big as the bulls he rides. But in spite of that, disciplined Lindy has always wanted him…

Lightning struck Wyatt Dodge the first time he saw Lindy Parker. But there were two problems with that: she was married to his friend, and Wyatt doesn’t do strings. But now Lindy is free, and the two of them can finally explore the heat that’s burned between them for so long. But can Lindy make this good time cowboy decide on forever?

Soul baring family drama! With the next in the Gold Valley series, Maisey Yates brings us Lindy and Wyatt’s story. We knew it was going to be good from all of the fire they each put forward in hating each other in previous glimpses of them, but I wasn’t expecting them to touch my heart so much. Both of them have a back story that defined them and made them into the person they are today … and also made them think they weren’t worthy of the love they grow to feel for one another. The family camaraderie is very warm-hearted, the past confessions define the character in a way we couldn’t have predicted, and the passion they share with one another is magical. Really loved their story!

Lindy Parker is putting her heart and soul into making Grassroots Winery better than ever before, and she will do just about anything to make sure it succeeds … obviously, if she’s willing to partner with her cheating ex-husband’s friend Wyatt Dodge. He’s just about the most arrogant man she’s ever met, and just as much of a womanizer as her ex. She can’t stand him, but if partnering with his ranch will make a success out of the winery she got from her husband in the divorce settlement, she’ll bite her lip and pretend for all she’s got!

Wyatt Dodge comes off as a sure of himself guy who goes through women like nobody’s business … but there’s a side to him that no one ever sees. He had a reason for hitting the rodeo circuit at seventeen and never looking back, and being back on the ranch and trying to make it a success brings all of the old baggage to the surface time and time again. Lindy might hate him, but he came alive the very first time he laid eyes on her. She can fight it all she wants, but they are destined to cause an explosion of desire one day soon!

Filed Under: Book Reviews

* Blog Tour/Review * WILD WYOMING NIGHTS by Joanne Rock

August 21, 2018 Leave a Comment

Wild Wyoming Nights by Joanne Rock
Series: The McNeill Magnates
Published by Harlequin Desire on August 1, 2018
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“You’ll stay with me.”

She can’t resist the rich rancher!

Emma Layton is working in Wyoming to get away from her abusive ex. But when wealthy ranch owner Carson McNeill learns of her plight, he insists she stay with him for protection. Emma agrees—even knowing this cowboy may prove irrestible… Proximity soon leads to passion, night after night. But when Carson learns her secret connection to his family, this ride gets a whole lot wilder!

Fast paced and drama filled! With the next book in the McNeill Magnates series, we get Carson’s story. He’s quick to fall for a member of the filming crew and sets out to protect her from a past that might come knocking. His family drama continues to fester while they try to figure out the mystery of his step-mother’s past. The characters are well developed and the story line moves quickly and keeps us entertained throughout. Looking forward to more in the series!

Carson McNeill might have agreed to let a film be made on part of his ranch mostly to irritate his twin brother who was adamantly against it, but now that the crew is there and constantly intrusive into his daily life, he has to admit that Cody might have been right. This is more work and irritation than he was expecting … but he has to admit, seeing one member of the cast on a daily basis is quite enjoyable!

Stunt woman Emma Layton is happy to be on location right now because she has a feeling her abusive ex is soon going to come looking for her. When she meets Carson, attraction flares instantly, and when he hears there is danger surrounding her, he steps in and insists she stay with him so he can keep her safe. When she learns of the mystery surrounding his step-mother and realizes that she is connected to someone that might be involved, she hopes it won’t affect Carson’s feeling for her.

Title: Wild Wyoming Nights

Series: The McNeill Magnates #8

Author: Joanne Rock
Publisher: Harlequin Desire

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 7, 2018

Blurb

“You’ll stay with me.”

She can’t resist the rich rancher!

Emma Layton is working in Wyoming to get away from her abusive ex. But when wealthy ranch owner Carson McNeill learns of her plight, he insists she stay with him for protection. Emma agrees—even knowing this cowboy may prove irresistible…. Proximity soon leads to passion, night after night. But when Carson learns her secret connection to his family, this ride gets a whole lot wilder!

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Excerpt

“Wow.” She glanced over at her silent driver, wondering if he’d grown immune to the beauty. “I’ve never seen stars like this.”

Maybe some of her wonder seeped through his frustration, because he slowed the vehicle, then stopped altogether, the engine rumbling at idle in the creeping night. They sat on a hilltop with meadows rolling out into the distance on one side, and a shadow of rocky cliffs and trees on the other. He snapped off the headlights to give them a better view and turned off the ignition. The engine ticked for a few moments and then went silent.

“It’s amazing how much the lights of a city detract from the night sky.” Carson tipped his head back, too, his hands resting on his sprawled, denim-covered knees.

The right one hovered close to her leg, radiating a warmth she could feel. Or maybe it was the electric current of attraction that made her skin tingle that way beneath her leggings. She had been on a few dates since breaking things off with Austin but nothing serious. She definitely hadn’t experienced the sizzling awareness she got from being around Carson. What a shame for her body to finally wake up again around a man she needed to impress with her professionalism.

“It’s funny,” she said, needing to break the intimate thread of silence between them, “because I always think I live in a quieter area of Los Angeles.” She tried not to think about his knee next to hers. His hand close to her leg. But memories of the way he’d touched her earlier—shifting her thigh on the horse—sent a fresh surge of heat through her.

“Even in Cheyenne, you can’t see the stars the way you can out here. There aren’t many perks to ranching, but the night sky is definitely one of them.”

Straightening in her seat, she peered over at him. The breeze turned cooler.

“You don’t like your work?” She was curious about him, this man who allowed a film production company onto his property but couldn’t really relinquish control. “After seeing you on horseback today, I guess I just assumed you were born in a saddle.”

He’d ridden beside her briefly before setting her loose to try the track on her own.

“Almost.” She thought she heard a hint of a smile in his voice. Or was that wishful thinking? “But I never imagined myself overseeing cattle at my age. Ranching is fine for my twin brother, but I thought I’d be riding rodeo into my thirties.”

She hadn’t known about the twin brother. Or the rodeo past. Still, she could relate to what he was saying. She felt him shift beside her, turning toward her. A gust of wind blew through her hair, flicking strands against her cheek.

“I never thought I’d be recreating sword fights or high-speed chases, either. But sometimes life takes surprising turns.”

“I’ll bet it’s an interesting story how you got here, Emma Layton.” Her name on his lips felt as intimate as a caress to a woman who hadn’t been touched by a man in a long, long time.

The rush of heat through her veins shouldn’t have caught her off guard—she’d been feeling it all day around him. She’d run four miles to try to escape it. Even so, the magnetic force that seemed to pull her toward him was like nothing she’d ever experienced. Her shoulders shifted fractionally closer. Her knee brushed his.

She drew in a sharp breath at the contact, ripples of pleasure radiating out from the point where she touched him. She forgot what they were talking about. Couldn’t think of words to say even if she remembered. There was only the moment and the man. The endless starry sky enveloping them like a dream.

Maybe that was why she found herself leaning even closer—it all felt surreal. Like a time out from the worry and stress of her real life, where everything was suddenly simpler. Where kissing Carson McNeill seemed like the only thing that mattered.

Her hand landed on his chest. Warm. Strong. Inviting.

She splayed her fingers wider, wanting to feel more of him. Then she tipped her face up to his. She was close enough to see him well despite the darkness. His eyes locked on hers for an instant—like two stars close up.

And then his lips claimed hers.

Author Bio

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.

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